October 22, 2021

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Greenwich Sentinel The Greenwich Weekly Newspaper, Local, local, local.

October 22, 2021

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Back Countr y | Banksv ille | Belle Haven | By ram| Chickahominy | Cos Cob | Glenv ille | Old Greenw ich | Pember w ick | R iverside | Bedford, N Y

The Local News You Need to Know

Hunter Moon Rises Over Sound

Operation Santa

www.stop95noise.org This newly formed group held a public forum on Oct. 19 at the EGCC to share the results of a noise study. According to the group's President, Greg Piccininno, the results of the study were BAD in the sense that we have an extreme noise issue. He went on to say that "the next few months are critical." According to Piccininno, the noise study was conducted in five locations from Old Greenwich to Byram. The result was over 80 dBa for each location. That is about 10 dBa over the last readings conducted by the CT DOT. The CT DOT $200 million project will go from Exit 2 to Exit 6; is expected to take three to four years to complete and is slated to begin next year. The project is thus far limited to resurfacing, b r i d g e r e h a b i l it at i o n , l i g ht i n g a n d s a fe t y improvements having failed, according to the DOT, to meet eligibility requirments for noise analysis. Other work includes stormwater infrastructure upgrades and improvements to access roads. There are plans for “selective tree clearing.” Harftord Elm Street Oyster House Reopens Greenwich’s famous Elm Street Oyster House has officially reopened after closing this past year for renovations. With the renovation comes an entirely rebuilt kitchen and cooking area, as well as all new resurfacing, wallpapering, and more. Citizens Police Advisory Committee The Board of Selectmen is officially considering creating a Citizen’s Police Advisory Committee. The committee would include civilian oversight into internal affairs and processes, and would consist of 10 residents over the age of 17, all of whom are graduates of the GPD Citizen Police Academy, a course that is held twice a year.

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Illustrated by Wajih Chaudhry

Renting Brain Space

By Jill S. Woolworth, LMFT

We own all the storage capacity in our brains. What stories do we want to store there by telling them again and again? Are we the hero, the survivor, the observer, or the victim of these stories? Do we really want to give difficult people a central room in our brain? This is our choice. We have the power to rewire our brains: we can either feed or starve our thoughts as they arise. Thoughts that we feed reconsolidate our memories and our emotional experiences every time we dwell on them. Thoughts that we starve lose their power. There is no point in being ha rd on ou rselves when

negative thoughts arise. They will come. Imagine them like a cold fog: annoying, but not life-changing. The fog will pass. Even after years of think ing and feeling a certain way, we can choose to let thoughts go and set ourselves free. Maria was angry at the way a school of f icial had mistreated her daughter. Her point was valid, but after two years, she evicted the official from space in her brain when she realized that her anger was only affecting her. He was oblivious to her concern and might as well be “ dancing through a field of daisies.” Her daughter had moved on. Once Maria did too, she no longer suffered an unwelcome tenant in her brain. Greenwich resident, Jill Woolworth is author of the book, The Waterwheel, which is available locally at Diane's B o ok s ( 2 0 3-8 69-1 51 5) or info@dianesbooks.com) or at Amazon.

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The Hunter Moon rises above Long Island Soundabove the Stamford Harbor Ledge Lighthouse. Photo by Neil Vigdor. See more from Neil on instagram @gettinviggy

Greenwich Alliance Celebrates 15 Years

By Julie Faryniarz The Gr e enw ich A l l ia nce for Education is celebrating 15 Years as the education-focused non-prof it in Greenwich! Wow, where did the time go? I have been the Executive Director for twelve of these years and as I inventory all that we have done, there is no doubt of the Alliance’s profound impact on Greenwich Public School students, families, educators, and alumni. 15 years and $3.8M in total funding supporting the students, families, alumni and educators of the Greenwich Public Schools 14 years and $1.7 in Reaching Out Grant funding to 52 grants across 15 buildings of the Greenwich Public Schools 13 years and $686,000 promoting Early Childhood Education for our youngest learners and their families For fifteen years, we have focused on closing opportunity and socioeconomic gaps by increasing access to educational experiences for all students. The very first program the Alliance launched was Tuning In To Music (TITM). This program, offering free instrumental music lessons, increases enrollment of underrepresented students in the band and orchestra ensembles in Greenwich’s middle schools and high school. TITM students have received over 360,000 hours of free lessons. Nina Dryer, Orchestra Director, New Lebanon Elementary S c h o o l a n d S u z u k i I n s t r u c to r, Hamilton Avenue says, “Tuning In To Music adds to students' growth as musicians by deepening their interest and strengthening their level of commitment…This program is a game-changer.” The AV ID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) college readiness system was started at Greenwich High School with Alliance grant funding in 2008 and has since expanded to Western and Central Middle Schools. Western recently adopted the AVID Schoolwide model. The GHS program has grown from 16 to

Evan Olmstead, AVID teacher, presents academic awards to students 170 enrolled in the program each year and now boasts over 250 alumni. “AVID opens access while providing students with the tools to be successful” (AVID. org). Teachers trained at AVID summer institute say it is the best professional development they have taken and use the skills in all courses they teach. We r e cent ly lau nche d AV I D SUCCESS to offer essential extensions to the AVID elective program and are building partnerships with community businesses like Members Credit Union to teach financial literacy and banking. One goal of AVID SUCCESS is to help students build networks and gain experiences that will lead to exciting job opportunities and careers after college graduation. GPS Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones shared, “The Greenwich Public Schools congratulate the Alliance on 15 years of impact. The Alliance grants have offered the research and development funding needed by our educators to explore innovative ideas to enhance student experience and learning. We look forward to many more years of this partnership.” Our Reaching Out Grants are a point of pride for the Alliance as they inspire educators to be creative, solve a problem, and learn new things -- all with the aim of benefiting the students they teach. B r i d g i n g t h e D i g it a l D i v i d e addressed critical technology needs for students and families. Innovation Lab created an entirely new learning community for students wanting to work collaboratively and design and build with project-

based learning . Unbound Innovations XR and eSports are offering students the opportunity to learn new software and technologies that will benefit them in college and career. The Developing Artist has reached 8000 students so far, introducing them to professional studio artists, broadening their view of “what is art”, and possibly encouraging students to pursue a more creative future. Dare 2 Care offers mindfulness t ra i n i ng i n ever y school a nd is helping students manage stress and challenging situations. A l l of t he se g ra nt ex a mple s illustrate how the Alliance, over the years, has partnered with our schools and community organizations to bring unique, new, accessible, and interesting programs to our students. A former board member would frequently say “we just need to figure out what the hook is to engage more students in learning.” Reaching Out Grants are providing that hook. Join our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter. You will read more stories about our 15 years, learn where we are going in the future, how to volunteer and get involved, and about our upcoming events! https:// greenwichalliance.org. Julie Faryniarz is the Executive Director of the Greenwich Alliance for Education. She is the mother of 3 GPS graduates and a former PTAC President as well as a YWCA Women Who Inspire Honoree.

The Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol will host “OPERATION SANTA” a benefit in support of this allvolunteer agency celebrating ninety-four years of service to the Town of Greenwich. Jessica Stanciu, who received a visit in 2020 said, “We had the best night because Santa came, Thank you very very much! I hope this happens again next year.” Je s sic a's w i sh i s c om i ng true because the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol has announced that their volunteers will again help deliver holiday cheer complete w it h S a nt a a nd T he G r i nch on December 11, 12, 18, 19, and special limited deliveries on Christmas morning. Santa and The Grinch will be escorted through Greenwich to deliver pre-wrapped holiday presents to children and make lasting memories for years to come. According to First Selectman Fred Camillo, "Operation Santa is another example of the support the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol prov ide s ou r com mu n it y. It also gives the community an opportunity to celebrate the season with the comfort of a holiday tradition, with a twist." This will be the only Cos Cob Fire Police fundraising benefit this year. G o to w w w.ccf pp. org for more information and to donate or to participate, sign up on the website with your desired day and time for Santa's visit.

ARTS ALIVE! 2021

The Greenwich Arts Council’s annual benef it evening, Arts Alive! will be a festive evening catered by Happiness Is. They are planning an elegant array of hors d’oeuvres’ stations throughout the gallery paired with fine wines and cocktails generously provided by Vals’ Liquor of Greenwich. O n e o f t h e h i g h l i g ht s o f the evening will be New York Graffiti artist, SEN2 FIGUEROA, unveiling his latest creation, a large-scale mural in the Arts Council’s Bendheim gallery. Sen2 is known for his graffiti work i n t h e s t r e e t s o f New York. He was a member of the most famous graffiti crew ever assembled in the world to date: Tats Cr u. With Tats Cr u, he found himself creating art for music videos, working with high profile artists ( Jennifer Lopez, Nas, Missy Elliot). He was also commissioned by Robert DeNiro. Sen2’s beautiful chaos of modern and contemporary interpretations has created a signature style that collectors and art af icionados continue to admire around the world. Music will be provided by renowned R&B Band Nine of Hearts, a magician will mingle with guests performing tricks for their enjoy ment. For a r t col le c tor s , t he even i ng w i l l include work s by prominent established and emerging contemporary artists. According to Arts Alive!, all proceeds will help to refresh the building, update rental rooms, bathrooms and the gallery, so that when you step into the building, you step into their vision. Reservations may be made by calling GAC at 203-862-6750, or on-line at the GAC website www. greenwichartscouncil.org. Tickets start at $100. Fo r m o r e i n fo r m at i o n , please contact: Tatiana Mori, Executive Director at: tatianam@ greenwicharts.org 203.862.6754


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