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CULINARY• EVENTS • LIFESTYLE
Letter from the Editor
Happy Summer!
One of my favorite things about growing up in Stamford was having easy access to beaches, wooded trails, streams, and rivers. Add the countless destinations within a two or threehour drive, and you have everything you need for adventure right in your own backyard.
Exploring those options is one of life's great pleasures. Even with today's gas prices, a road trip is still cheaper than airfare. When was the last time you hit the road? I just returned from my third road trip of the year—and I'm already planning the next one. Who wants to come along?
For those seeking adventure closer to home, be sure to enjoy our feature on international cuisine. Within minutes, you can travel to Romania, Colombia, Japan, and beyond without ever leaving Stamford. Food is one of the best parts of travel, after all. Consider it local travel—no passport required.
If an international journey is on your horizon, you'll appreciate the sage advice of our own Eva Glassman, who shares practical tips for making travel less stressful and more enjoyable.
And as Jacqui Justice reminds us, healthy eating doesn't have to take a vacation just because you do. While it's perfectly fine to indulge in local specialties, nourishing choices can be found almost anywhere in the world.
Many of us have read stories about obtaining dual citizenship through a grandparent's nationality. Have you ever considered living abroad or maintaining dual citizenship? In this issue, you'll meet Deb and Vin Rosa, who have spent more than twenty years enjoying the magic of Italy while maintaining deep roots in Connecticut.
Whether your travels take you across the ocean, across the state, or simply across town, I hope this issue inspires you to explore something new.
Enjoy your summer. Be healthy. Be curious. Be creative. Be kind.
Happy Birthday America!
EDITOR
LAURIE A. GUZDA, @STAMFORDCITYLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Marty Shapiro | Marty.Shapiro@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Laurie A. Guzda | laurie.guzda@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Eva Glassman
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jacqui Justice, Marty Shapiro, Laurie A. Guzda, Eva Glassman
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Laurie A. Guzda
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell Learn
3:5-6
inside the issue
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1: Ferguson Library's A Novel Affair Gala honorees Edward and Susan Greenberg 2: Ferguson Library's A Novel Affair Gala Fundraiser 3: Paddle raise at the Ferguson Library's A Novel Affair Gala Fundraiser 4: Ferguson Library's A Novel Affair Gala Fundraiser 5-7: SoundWaters Tall Ships Ball fundraiser
8: SoundWaters Tall Ships Ball fundraiser 9: Stamford Garden Club's gala - Artist Stuart Yankell, Mia Schipani and Project Music musicians 10: Stamford Garden Club's An Enchanted Garden Cocktail Gala at Yankell Legacy Gallery
Stamford’s global dining scene invites escape without a passport
Explore International Cuisine Right Here in Stamford
In Stamford, a table can double as a passport. Here are six standout restaurants where each bite evokes another country—through aroma, texture, and tradition—inviting diners to slip across borders without leaving the city, and savor a world of culture in a single evening.
ARTICLE BY MARTY SHAPIRO
BRASITAS
Celebrating 25 years of Nuevo Latino Cuisine in Stamford, Brasitas is a vibrant and lively restaurant serving an artistic fusion of Latin dishes and fresh cocktails. Nubia and Jaime Guerrero established Brasitas Restaurant in 1998. Brasitas is a representation of their family's life experiences. Originating from their home country of Colombia and all the South, Central, and Caribbean cultures that have greatly influenced them along the way to the United States. Brasitas showcases a nuevo Latino fusion cuisine coupled with authentic Latin American traditions and values.
Çka Ka Qëllu
The owner of Çka Ka Qëllu was inspired to open his restaurant when his son asked him where he could take his friends for authentic Albanian cuisine. With restaurants in Stamford, The Bronx and Manhattan, Çka Ka Qëllu showcases a modern selection of popular dishes rooted in the rich flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, highlighting the best of Albanian and Kosovan culinary traditions. They are dedicated to preserving Eastern European cooking traditions while adding a unique twist. After years of collecting 18th and 19th-century Albanian artifacts to decorate the space, Çka Ka Qëllu is the most unique restaurant/museum experience in Stamford.
KOTOBUKI
Kotobuki Japanese Cuisine is a longtime Stamford favorite known for its authentic Japanese cuisine, fresh sushi, and welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. Family-owned since 1985, the restaurant has built a loyal following. Located on Summer Street, Kotobuki has a calm, intimate atmosphere that feels more traditional than trendy. The restaurant’s understated décor, wooden tables, Japanese artwork, and soft partitions create a quiet, relaxed setting. Diners describe it as cozy, welcoming, and authentically old-school Japanese, with a neighborhood feel that has remained consistent for decades. The sushi bar adds to the experience, giving guests a chance to watch the chefs at work.
CONTINUED >
PELLICCI’S RISTORANTE
In 1947, the Pellicci family opened this venerable restaurant in the “Heart of Stamford,” its Italian West Side. Still going strong nearly 80 years later, Pellicci’s Ristorante prides itself on still serving the grandchildren and great grandchildren of their original customers. Pellici’s features a mahogany bar, a whispering waterfall and a stained- glass ceiling, and let’s not forget their extensive and eclectic menu of traditional Italian-American cuisine along with an array of innovative specials, as well as traditional choices from Hot Antipasto to Cappuccino. Pellici’s Ristorante is a proud inductee in the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame.
TEFF
Established in 2015, Teff recently moved to the heart of Downtown Stamford on West Park Place. Teff is a family-operated eatery focused on creating a communal dining experience for all. Centered around traditional Eritrean & Ethiopian cuisine, Chef Hadas Mengesha showcases recipes from Northern Ethiopia passed down from generations of talented women. On one shared plate, you’ll find delicious food that accommodates meat eaters, vegans and vegetarians, as well as the gluten, dairy, nut and seed intolerant. Teff’s food is for everyone to share a meal together.
TIGIN IRISH PUB
The most important part of any Irish pub is the hospitality. Tigin strives to make sure you have a great time and that you return with more stories to tell. Regular customers are the lifeblood of Tigin’s business. Gone are the days of basic Irish pub food. Instead, you’ll get your Irish standards coupled with a few dishes that are sure to surprise and delight, blending passion, quality, and originality in one menu. This Irish pub for the 21st Century features dozens of international and local beers, as well as delicious craft cocktails and, of course, pints of Guinness.
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Living Between Two Worlds
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAURIE A. GUZDA
An Italian Love Story That Never Ends
Deb & Vin Rosa
As second-generation Italians, Debora and Vin Rosa grew up surrounded by the language, food, and traditions of their heritage. Debora’s family traces its roots to Gravina di Puglia and Pescara, while Vin’s family comes from Calabria. Both were fortunate to obtain Italian citizenship through their grandparents—an inheritance that would eventually shape the rhythm of their adult lives in ways they never imagined.
Debora traveled to Italy often as a child with her parents, Mario DeCarlo and Frances Sacco, visiting cousins and absorbing the culture firsthand. But it wasn’t until their honeymoon thirty-three years ago that the couple discovered the hilltop town that would quietly become part of their identity.
Their friend Jerry Salvati, a prominent New York fashion photographer whose work appeared in publications like Town & Country, Vogue, and Glamour, had purchased property just outside the medieval town of Todi. He asked the newlyweds to stop by and take photos of his home while it was under construction.
That simple favor turned into something much bigger.
Through yearly visits with Jerry and his family, Debora and Vin fell in love with the beauty of Todi—the stone streets, the rolling countryside, the sense of history layered into every corner. Over time, the town became their permanent vacation destination and, eventually, a place where friendships deepened and routines formed.
At first, life in Todi felt welcoming but reserved. The locals were kind, yet there was a subtle distance. It was clear—they were stranieri , foreigners—and relationships would take time.
Debora, naturally outgoing, made it her mission to connect. Despite language barriers, she found ways to communicate warmth and goodwill, and slowly, those efforts paid off.
Across the street from their apartment sat a small family-run restaurant. Over the years, that restaurant became their gathering place. When Debora and Vin contracted COVID during one visit and were confined indoors, that same family delivered homemade soup to their door every single day.
CONTINUED >
“Living
part-time
in another country comes with surprises— especially when navigating construction or renovations. One of the biggest lessons they learned was the importance of trust.”
“That’s when you realize you’re no longer just visitors,” Vin says. “You’re part of the family.”
Their circle continued to grow. Debora and a neighbor eventually created a Facebook group called Friends of Todi to help English-speaking residents and visitors stay informed about local events. Today, the group has grown to more than 2,000 members.
They joke that Debora could run for mayor—if only her Italian were better.
LESSONS NO ONE TELLS YOU
Living part-time in another country comes with surprises— especially when navigating construction or renovations. One of the biggest lessons they learned was the importance of trust.
“In Italy, everything runs through relationships,” Vin explains. Central to that process is the geometra, a uniquely Italian professional who serves as project manager, technical advisor, and liaison with the local municipality. A geometra oversees permits, coordinates contractors, manages documentation, and ensures work complies with local regulations.
It’s not something most foreigners fully understand at the outset—but having the right person guiding the process can make all the difference.
SOME LESSONS ARRIVE IN MORE DRAMATIC FASHION.
Like the time their family excursion, with daughters Erin and Katie, attempted to drive into Florence.
Their hotel was located just one street from the Duomo—an ideal location on paper. But their GPS guided them straight into a pedestrian-only zone, down a street so narrow it felt more like a hallway than a road.
People walked alongside their car. Walls closed in. Voices rose.
Inside the vehicle, everyone shouted directions at once.
Overwhelmed, Debora jumped out and walked ahead to find help navigating the final stretch.
Meanwhile, the girls folded in the side mirrors, and Vin carefully inched the car forward through the crowd.
They all reached the hotel at the exact same moment.
Lesson learned: A GPS in Italy assumes you drive like a local—with nerves of steel.
Of all their adventures in Italy, one story still makes them laugh— and perfectly captures the unpredictable charm of life abroad.
An elderly neighbor, Maria Grazia, mentioned that her godson was selling his car. The timing felt serendipitous. The couple had been considering getting a vehicle for local trips, and the price seemed unusually good.
The car—a 1997 Opel Corsa—had been sitting in a garage down the block but was in excellent condition, with only about 30,000 miles on it. They took it for a test drive and were impressed by how well it handled.
Without hesitation, they agreed to buy it.
Paperwork was signed. Hands were shaken. They proudly drove their new treasure straight to the Piazza del Popolo to meet friends for a Christmas concert.
During intermission, they couldn’t resist sharing the news.
“We just bought a car!” Vin announced proudly.
Their friend Leslie paused, smiled, and asked a simple question.
“Does it have air conditioning?”
Debora and Vin looked at each other.
Silence.
“Don’t they all come with air conditioning?” Vin finally asked. Leslie shook her head. “Not necessarily.”
Debora immediately shifted the spotlight.
“You didn’t ask?” she said.
Mario & Frances "Gooch" DeCarlo
International Photographer Jerry Salvari
Santa Maria della Consolazione
Vin scrambled to defend himself.
“The poor guy had a stroke,” he replied. “How was I supposed to ask about the air conditioning?”
Without missing a beat, Debora delivered the line that still ends the story every time:
“It was probably heat stroke.”
For Debora and Vin, Todi often feels like stepping back into another era—something reminiscent of growing up in the 1960s.
There is a gentleness in daily life. A slower pace. A visible respect for elders and children alike. Families remain close, often living within walking distance of one another across generations.
Community is not scheduled. It simply happens.
Older men gather for coffee and conversation. Neighbors pause to chat in the street. Shopkeepers remember your name.
“It reminds us of what life used to feel like,” Debora says. “More connected. More human.”
Their lives now unfold across two landscapes.
In Connecticut, they live in a rural setting surrounded by gardens and open space. In Italy, they are immersed in an ancient city of stone alleys and centuries-old buildings.
Each place offers something the other cannot.
And yes—there are moments when they feel pulled in both directions.
“When we’re in Connecticut, we miss Italy,” Vin says.
“When we’re in Italy, we miss Connecticut.”
Over time, they’ve come to see that tension not as a conflict, but as a privilege.
WOULD THEY DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN?
After more than thirty years of returning to Todi— often three times a year for month-long stays—the answer comes easily.
Absolutely.
They may never relocate permanently. Part of the magic, they believe, lies in the rhythm of returning— the anticipation, the reunion, the familiar unfolding of daily life in a place that feels both foreign and deeply known.
“The culture, the food, the pace of life,” Vin says.
“There’s something truly special about Italy.”
And after decades of visits, friendships, and memories, one thing is certain:
Italy is no longer just a destination.
It’s Familia .
PACK SMART BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Loading a small cooler or carry-on snack bag before you head out is one of the single best things you can do for your travel nutrition. Fill it with cut vegetables, hummus, string cheese, hard- boiled eggs, and fresh fruit like grapes or apple slices. Homemade trail mix with nuts, seeds, and dried mango beats airport candy every time. Whole grain crackers, nut butter packets, and protein bars with simple ingredients are also easy wins. Having wholesome snacks on hand curbs the desperation that leads to last-minute fast-food stops.
NAVIGATE RESTAURANTS LIKE A PRO
Most menus have something nourishing hiding in plain sight. Look for grilled proteins, grain bowls, or dishes built around vegetables. Swap fries for a side salad, ask for dressings and sauces on the side, and choose broth-based soups over creamy ones.
Don’t hesitate to make requests — restaurants accommodate diners far more often than people expect. At breakfast, opt for eggs and fruit over pastries; at lunch, a wrap loaded with protein and veggies travels well if you’re eating on the move.
Healthy travel isn't restriction -- it's fueling adventure, energy, clarity, confidence and curiosity -- one delicious choice at a time.
Eat Well on the Go
ARTICLE BY JACQUI JUSTICE, MS, LDN, CNS-C FUNCTIONAL NUTRITIONIST
Summer is the season of spontaneity — weekend getaways, family road trips, long-awaited vacations, and lazy days that suddenly turn into adventures. But somewhere between the airport terminal and the highway rest stop, healthy habits can quietly unravel. The good news? Eating well while traveling doesn't require sacrifice or obsessive planning. With a few smart strategies in your back pocket, you can feel energized and nourished no matter where the road takes you.
STAY HYDRATED
Travel is surprisingly dehydrating, especially flying. Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it at every opportunity. Add a pinch of electrolytes or a squeeze of lemon to keep things interesting. Hunger and thirst often feel identical, so sip consistently before reaching for a snack. Limit sugary drinks and alcohol, which can amplify fatigue and dehydration on long travel days.
ENJOY THE LOCAL FLAVOR
Some of the healthiest and most memorable meals happen when you seek out farmers markets, roadside farm stands, or beloved local restaurants rather than familiar chains. Fresh, regional food connects you to the places you visit and often comes with far fewer processed ingredients.
Summer travel is one of life’s great pleasures. Feed it well, and your body will carry you further, feel better, and help you soak in every single moment.
Bon voyage, and remember to eat well!
THE ANXIOUS TRAVELER
Tips from a young adult
ARTICLE BY EVA GLASSMAN
I love routine and hate change. So you can see why traveling might not be my favorite thing. However, I know the joy and adventure far outweigh the “obstacle” of getting there. I’ve gone on a few international trips as a young adult and learned valuable information each time. Hopefully my stories and lessons can help my fellow anxious travelers out there feel more confident abroad.
1. PACK LIKE YOUR OWN PERSONAL STYLIST.
I lived four days in Amsterdam out of a small laptop backpack; on a trip, the last thing I want to think about is what to wear. Channel your inner stylist and edit your packing list aggressively. Pack clothes that mix and match, so you have multiple outfits from fewer items.
2. OVERNIGHT INTERNATIONAL TIME ZONE CHANGE
The day of your flight, wake yourself up at the morning hours of your destination and start your day how you normally would—yes, even if you’re drinking coffee and hitting the gym at 4AM. Invest in a good neck pillow, eye mask, melatonin, and compression socks. Be sure to stay awake at your destination until bedtime. No naps! A warm bath will also aid in your body reset and help you wake up fully refreshed.
3. PICK YOUR TRAVEL PARTY CAREFULLY.
Once in Paris, I was my partner’s plus-one, who was plus-one to his friend’s family (surely a future White Lotus cast). When our train got canceled, this family acted like they were fleeing a war-torn country! We stayed over and left the next morning, but our evening was darkly affected by useless drama. Travel with people who can flow in challenging moments.
CONTINUED >
4. PLAN THINGS BEFOREHAND AND KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO...
That trip to Amsterdam I packed perfectly for? My friends and I got so lost failing to navigate the bus system in Dutch that we missed our museum reservations and wandered endless canal-streets. Introduced to much of what Amsterdam is known for... but wasn't the trip I had hoped for.
5. … BUT PLAN ONLY WHAT MATTERS AND LEAVE ROOM FOR SPONTANEITY.
Excluding the evening, my trip to Paris was a beautiful day. Lunch by the Eiffel; pictures on the Seine at Port Debilly; a visit to Musee Marmottan Monet, after a slow stroll in a nearby park; cocktails in Montmarte. We couldn’t do everything, so we committed to a few things, leaving time to roam.
6. BREATHE. IT’S ALL GOOD—YOU’VE GOT THIS!
If you’re anything like me, you probably assume the worst thing is around every corner. This ruins your experience without help from anyone or anything. Remember: people less responsible than you do this all the time and end up fine (see: rule 3). You can trust yourself and your instincts out there. You’ve got this!
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SPACEKIDS.Global
Preparing the Next Generation for the Space Age
ARTICLE BY LAURIE A. GUZDA
In classrooms across the world, a quiet revolution is underway— one that reaches far beyond textbooks and into the future of humanity. Organizations like SpaceKids.Global are helping lead that revolution by doing something deceptively simple: getting kids excited about space.
Founded by Blue Origin Astronaut Sharon Hagle in 2015, SpaceKids.Global was created to inspire young people to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through the lens of space exploration.
Its programs introduce children to the wide range of careers connected to the space industry, from robotics and medicine to communications and environmental science. To date, the organization has reached more than one million students worldwide with hands-on activities, storytelling, and real-world exposure to the possibilities of the space economy.
This mission is not just inspirational—it is practical. The global space economy is expanding at a pace rarely seen in modern industries. Analysts project it could reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, nearly triple its size from just a decade earlier. That growth will require a massive workforce. In the United States alone, aerospace and defense leaders estimate the sector could need more than 123,000 additional technicians in the next two decades, alongside engineers, software developers, and data scientists.
Even more telling is who those future workers will be. Nearly half of new hires in the space economy are already under age 35, signaling a generational shift toward younger talent prepared for emerging technologies. And the demand extends well beyond astronauts. Careers in satellite communications, climate monitoring, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence will define the next 10 to 30 years.
That is why programs like SpaceKids.Global matter now. Research shows that children who are not exposed to math and science early often lose interest in those subjects later in life. In other words, curiosity has a window.
Getting kids excited about space is not about rockets alone. It is about imagination, problem-solving, and preparing young people for industries that do not fully exist yet. The students building model satellites today may design the infrastructure that supports life on Earth—and beyond—tomorrow.
For more information: https://www.spacekids.global/
Space kids presentation at SM&NC Astronomy Center: Marty Shapiro, Charles Eder, Sharon Hagle & Saba the Spacedog, Bill Brucker and Lynne Kraselsky
Sharon Hagle, Blue Origin Astronaut
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HARBOR POINT - STAMFORD
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
