Local Dude's Movie Premiere! Thursday.

Stamford resident Paul Anthony is premiering his short film "Friendship" (25 min) at the New Caanan Library this Thursday at 7pm. A lot of the scenes were filmed in Stamford. There's an excellent article about Paul and his film in the Stamford Times.

In the film, a guy discovers his friend has committed suicide and struggles with whether or not to carry out his friend's dying wishes. So, not a film for the youngsters. I wish the movie was premiering in Stamford, because I am lazy, but I'm going to see if I can persuade my husband to go with me. He's even lazier than I am, so we'll see how it goes.

I've never been to the New Canaan library, but according to google maps, it's right in the down town area; I think you go right at the T where rt. 124 hits all the stores. Click here to read more.

Local Bloggers Compete in Charity Smackdown

Two of my blogger friends, Manager Mom and Fairfield County Child, are participating in a national blogger competition to get people to donate to school projects through a charity called Donors Choose.

Donors Choose lets teachers post proposals for things that they need in their classrooms. Anyone can go onto the site and donate as little as $5, and the money goes directly to fund the teacher proposals. Manager Mom and Fairfield County Child both picked projects to benefit local schools, like new instruments for music education or a projector for an ESL classroom. If you know anything about public education, you know that often, schools cannot afford anything beyond basic supplies. This blogger challenge is a great way to have a direct impact on our local schools.

Both Manager Mom and Fairfield County Child are my friends in blogging and real life, so I won't take sides- I want them both to do well in the challenge. I know the economy stinks right now, but even a $5 donation will mean a lot to the teachers and kids. It will also help our own Stamford bloggers make a good showing against all of those West Coast mom sites. I like competition. Even if you don't care about education, consider donating in the name of beating other people. I'm sure that's in the spirit of Donors Choose, right?

Here are the links to check out the school projects that they're promoting:

Manager Mom's page:Manager Mom's Educationpalooza

Fairfield County Child's page:Fairfield County Child giving page

Thank you for considering! I myself have been too lazy and/or stressed out and/or unorganized recently to donate, but now that I have this post up, I'm feeling like I am going to get my act together and donate today. Hm. I'm feeling preemptively proud of myself... but I'll post a comment when I actually do donate.

Forgive the ridiculous photo above (courtesy of Manager Mom). It's Manager Mom along with two other local bloggers, Always Home and Uncool and Adam B. of Adam's World. I was there that day, but I guess I didn't make it into that particular photo. Click here to read more.

Stamford Restaurant Notes: Aria, Crumbs, Egane Korean BBQ, Napa, Republic Grill, Duo

I know, that's a lotta restos, but it was one of those weeks. You know, where you need a mood lift in the form of someone else preparing fancy food for you?

I tried Aria last weekend, the new Italian place Wash Blvd. right by Curley's. I give it a mixed but mostly positive review. My risotto was not very risotto-y, but my eggplant parm rollup appetizer was good. Service was friendly and prompt, and the place has a nice feel to it. There were plenty of people dining there at 7 ish on a Friday; the place was over half-full. Louuuuu has an extensive review up on Chow; I just went and added my two cents if you want to read more.

I have not yet tried Crumbs, the new bakery in the High Ridge Shopping Center by Border's. I eat so much crap as it is, I can't justify driving out of my way to buy more calorie-laden stuff. The Advocate has an article that says that this is the same as the Crumb's in NYC. If anyone has been and has feedback, please comment!

On trips to Republic Grill and Capriccio this week, I noticed a sign that said something like "Try the new Egane and Clive's." Egane is the Korean BBQ place on Bedford that, when I pass it, is always empty. I went once a couple of years ago, and got a beef entree for 20 bucks that was a miniscule amount of food. That didn't appeal to me, so I have not been back. The gossip on Chow is that the Egane owners decided to join up with a place called Clive's that I've never heard of and add burgers to the menu. I'm intrigued, and am going to try that place next time I go out. Someone on Chow said the Guinness burger is great.

Speaking of burgers, I had burger cravings last week and wanted to get a good one, so we popped into Napa early on a Saturday evening and got a table (with the alert that they'd need the table back by 8- no problem). The burgers were a teeny bit overcooked, and not as nivana-ish as I remembered, but I think that was because my burger, tragically, did not have enough gouda on it. My husband's was less well-done and he said it was good, which, for him, can be considered a ringing endorsement. At $24 bucks though, I expect an amazing burger. On the plus side, the fries totally rocked, and Napa is a really pretty resto.

Republic Grill on Bedford is a great place to go if you want sushi but the person you're with doesn't. RG has sushi and a bunch of Thai dishes. Last Wed., my girlfriends got pad thai and sushi, and I got spicy mango chicken that was very good. The resto is upscale but I think prices are reasonable.

I almost forgot. My husband and I hit Duo on Friday to celebrate surviving the work week. The beef entree was out of this world as usual, and my green tea pasta entree (angel hair with calamari and crab-stuffed tortellini) was super-delish. I love Duo, and have loved it from the first moment I ate there a year ago. I love it so much I feel like crying. Click here to read more.

B!tch Alert at Stamford Movie Theatre

Some lady called me a bitch tonight! Even the people I’m bitchiest to know I’m not a bitch, so obviously, that lady is a bitch. Damn. Bring on the teenage boys. They’re way more polite than 45 year old ladies. And, that bitch kicked my chair.

Right as the movie started, I got up to move two seats over because I noticed that the girl behind me had her feet up on the chair beside me… with no shoes on. Ewwwww. As I clambered over my husband, the lady I was moving in front of muttered loudly, “Oh, don’t do that.” (Her feet were on the arm rest of the chair I was moving to.)

“I have to,” I hissed. “That lady near me has her feet up and her shoes off. It’s gross.” I plopped down as she heaved her feet off. A second later, she gave my chair a pronounced kick. I turned and said, “What?!? I’m allowed to change my seat.”

That’s when she goes, “Bitch.”

I could have said, “I’m not a bitch. You’re a bitch.” But any adult who will kick the chair of another adult is clearly coo coo for Cocoa Puffs. Why bother engaging a crazy bitch? I work with children, so I’m used to restraining myself from expressing the strong emotions I’m feeling. Adults are a piece of cake. You bitches can’t get to me. I’ll just talk about you behind your back later. You suck, and you’re not worth my time. Gossiping about bitchy people, though, is fun. I’ll do that instead.

Actually, the one thing I wanted to ask this lady was if she was from Stamford. I don’t want that bitch in my town.

Oh! We saw Burn After Reading and it was pretty good. It’s a Coen brothers film, so of course there are a couple of bloody killings.

Me to husband, after movie: “Want to go home?”
Husband: “Aren’t you going to get in a fight?”
Me: “No, that lady was crazy.”
Husband: “I know, but your job is to entertain me.”
Me: “Nah. I have bigger things to worry about than that lady.”

One more thing: Maybe she kicked my chair by accident, but I don't think so. It was a hard kick, so I don't think it was from clumsiness. Plus, from the way she said, "Oh, don't do that," in a bossy, annoyed, entitled way, clearly, she was nasty. Click here to read more.

Suspicious Package...

Almost a week ago, Stamford police found a suspicious "package" on Hope St. It was a huge jug of yellow liquid. Oh, come on. You know what that is.
From the Advocate: STAMFORD - Police closed a section of Hope Street Sunday to investigate a suspicious package, officers at the scene said. At about 4 p.m., emergency officials wearing white protective suits and gas masks were seen next to a large bottle such as those used for water coolers. The bottle was filled with an unknown yellow liquid.

The area was cleared by 5:30 p.m., a police dispatcher said. A police supervisor did not offer details about the incident, deferring questions to the department's public information officer, who did not return phone calls.

I do not think definitive results have been released yet, but I bet that came from a bunch of teenage boys. Click here to read more.

Happy Hour Tonight, Monster B's

If you want to meet people, go to Happy Hour tonight at Monster B's. Not only will there be a bunch of 22-35 year olds from the Fairfield County Happy Hour Club, the band Short Bus is playing. They are a cover band and I hear they're good. Monster B's has an awesome outdoor patio, pretty good food, and lots o' beer. The Happy Hour Club isn't a dorky, forced get-to-know-you club; that's what someone I mentioned it to recently thought. You can meet people easily, though, if you want, because you're wearing a funny name tag.

Info from the FCHHC site:

Happy Hour- Thursday October 2nd at Monster B’s with THE SHORT BUS

The final details regarding this week’s happy hour are in… We will be at Monster B’s in Stamford this Thursday, October 2nd at 7:00pm! As we mentioned before, Monster B’s has been so gracious as to bring in Connecticut’s number one cover band, The Short Bus, just for you! To make things even better, they have also put together a slew of drink specials:

$3 Drafts
$4 Heineken Bottles
$3 Wine
$4 Martinis
$4 Short Bus Shots
$4 Malibu Green Monkeys!

If you were trying to remember where you have heard the term “Green Monkey” it was from Legends of the Hidden Temple with Omec. If you were ever a participant on Legends, please feel free to write us an email recounting your experiences battling temple guards and visiting the shrine of the silver monkey. Seriously email us if that was you (fchappyhourclub@gmail.com).

If the specials were not enough, there will also be “representatives” from both Malibu and Heineken handing out a ton of free stuff! Boo Yah!!! (we just always wanted to use that)

In closing, we will be running a charity event next week for the American Heart Association at the Ash Creek Saloon in Norwalk, so mark your calendar now and come down to socialize and support a very charitable cause!

Monster B’s is located at 489 Glenbrook Rd, Stamford, CT 06906 Click here to read more.

I Was Not Aware of This Law!

Wow. I just saw this in today's police blotter:
* ____, 35, of 116 Crystal St., Stamford, was charged Sunday with evading responsibility.

What does that mean? Evading responsibility for... following the law?

I hope so. Because if it's avoiding responsibility in general, I'm in big trouble. I could be charged with this on a daily basis. You know, purposefully trying to sleep a little longer so the husband has to walk and feed the dog, or not paying my phone bill for another day, or watching TV when I know full well there are towels in the dryer that need to be folded.

Here's my real guess: evading responsibility for a child, or bill of some sort, or maybe a motor vehicle accident. I think they should specify that, though. Click here to read more.

Avon Getting Rid of Their Uncomfy Seats!

Augh!!! I am screaming with excitement! The Avon is getting new seats!!!!!!! YES!!!!! Every time I go to that theater, I am so uncomfortable. I go, though, because of their great films- the Avon, if you don't know, is the theatre on Bedford that shows the smaller films. They also do cool events like documentary nights and film festivals at Oscar time. This is fabulous news. I hope the new seats are like La-Z boys.

Info from the website:

The large theatre is being reconfigured to accommodate plush new rocker seats that are larger and will offer more legroom. New carpeting will be installed in the large theatre and upper and lower lobbies later this year. We are also doing some painting throughout the theatre to keep the Avon looking its best as we approach our 70th anniversary next year. The Avon will be celebrating its 70th anniversary on the night of the Academy Awards at our Red Carpet gala on February 22, 2009.

Many of our patrons have inquired if we will be offering a "Name a Seat" fundraising opportunity. Yes we will! Details regarding naming opportunities for the seats will be coming soon. Giving a gift of a seat at the Avon will be a terrific holiday gift or a special way to honor or remember a loved one. Click here to read more.

It's A Rainy Day. Drive Carefully. Cue the Music.

I'd tell you about this art gallery opening on Magee Ave, but last time there was a big rain, there was such flooding under 95 that my husband could not get home from his gym, which is near Magee Ave. Just a thought on this very rainy day. Then again, he is extremely directionally challenged; maybe the rest of you know some secret way home.

Other rain thoughts:
--There's already an accident on 95 South at exit 4.
--Generally, I adore rain, because no one can say to me, "Why are you inside on such a beautiful day?" I like to be indoors and read and write, because although I am outgoing, I also need large amounts of down time to recharge. Now I blog and websurf and watch TiVo, but I used to read.
--Anybody remember the song from Sesame Street: "It's a rainy day, it's a rainy day, it's raining outside and I can't go out and play. Why do we need the rain, anyway?" Oh cool, I just found it on youtube. And now, I should go to work.



Art gallery info:Moss Halls Gallery opens at 6 p.m. tonight in the Moss Hall Antique Center, 85 Magee Ave. It will feature works by Lisa Cuscuna, Ann Gibb and photos by Francis Wolff.

The exhibit is dedicated to the work of the Sexual Assault Crisis and Education Center.

For information, call 348-9346 or visit www.sacecct.org. Click here to read more.

When Will Stamford Be on Kitchen Nightmares?

Last February there was drama galore in Stamford when the reality TV show Kitchen Nightmares came to Sabatiello's on Bedford. I had never heard of the show, but you can bet I got myself signed up to be on it ASAP. Basically, Gordon takes a resto that is floundering and tries to turn it around by showing the place what's wrong, helping them fix it, and then relaunching it with better decor, menu, and attitude. I and a few other Stamford Talk readers got to be diners at the resto post-makeover. We discussed it on Chowhound if you want details.

The show is finally back on the air, and I'm dying to find out if I was interesting/photogenic enough to make the cut. (Doubt it.) There are two new episodes on tonight (Thursday), but neither is Sabatiello's, and I can't seem to find out what next week's episodes will be.

Last week's episode was the only show I've found stimulating enough to make it through an hour. There was a stubborn owner, a recalcitrant chef, and an insanely dirty walk-in fridge.

I'm curious what Sabatiello's problem was, besides mediocre food, which, if you think about it, is a pretty common problem.

When I find out the date the Stamford episode will air, I'll let you know! Click here to read more.

Lost UNC Ring with a Bridgeport Connection

I corresponded with a friend from high school who wanted me to put some info on Stamford Talk. Short version: She found a UNC ring, pictured here, in her backyard in Charlottesville, Va. She tracked down the name of the owner- George Richard Fiztgerald- but he was killed in Vietnam in 1966. She found his bio on the UNC website. She'd like to return the ring to his family, whose last known address was in Bridgeport. She hopes this blog can help get the word out.

In my friend's words: I have cold called people all over the US. While I was living in Charlottesville I was digging in my garden and found a college ring. I tried then to find info about the person to return it but it was a cold trail. Years later when I moved and found the ring again, I tired again to contact the alumni association to find information on the ring's owner. This time I did get some info. There was only one man who graduated in the year on the ring with the initials in the ring. He is on their website.

He was born in Bridgeport to Mr and Mrs James Fitzgerald and had two brothers and two sisters. He was killed in action in 1966 in Vietnam. I have tried the internet, the school he taught at before being deployed, marine websites, cold calling and have not been able to find his family. I know the notification of death was sent to Bridgeport, but they could only confirm the info I had already found at the archives because of privacy acts. I left the ring at my parents' house in Va. the last time I moved, but it is something I think about often. I feel like it is a part of his family and their history. I would really hope that someone in his family might like to have the ring.

Please pass this link on if you think you might know anyone with a connection! Click here to read more.

Nothin' Much. Just Sayin'. Mellow Stamford.

I had a nice evening on Bedford St. tonight. Dinner with the husband- fast, competent service at Capriccio as usual. Then, I met up with a fellow Virginian at Tigin, where I ran into a couple other friends who were just arriving for Trivia. At 8:30, I caught half the documentaries at the Avon, and I ran into another couple friends. I walked through Tigin with the movie friends so we could say hi to the Trivia friends, and I saw a coworker. It's nice to run into people you know.

I arrived pretty late for the documentaries, and I didn't want to pay. As I opened the door to the Avon, I imagined being brave enough to try to crawl past the lady at the desk. She saw me right away, so I had to be straight up. "Hi, can I go to the documentaries, and maybe not pay, since I'm so late?"
"Sure," she said. I was pretty late, so don't try this just because you are cheap.

Sometimes I like to imagine myself doing things I'll probably never do. It keeps my life interesting. For example, when leaving Tigin and heading to my car, I imagined myself hurdling the wooden barrier between the parked cars. That would have been cool, but I didn't really have the energy. Still, it was a nice thought. It's important to consider all possibilities, just in case. Sometimes it feels good to jump over things.

So yes. There is no point to this post. Just to say that there weren't a ton of people out tonight, but there were some, and everybody was chill. Click here to read more.

Football, Pumpkin Spice, Blogging

Well, it's fall. I know it because I got my first pumpkin spice latte (PSL) this weekend.

If it weren't for the PSL and and NFL, I don't know if I'd survive the darkening season. The weather is beautiful right now, but you know in two months we're going to be freezing our butts off. Thank God for football, which carries us all the way through to the end of January.

The one bad thing about blogging is that it has gotten in the way of my fantasy football career. The year before I started Stamford Talk, I dominated my yahoo league, thanks to my clever snapping up of rookie RB Joseph Addai.

Last season, just after I started the blog in August, I joined a league with friends. Disaster! I enjoyed the personalized trash talking, but blogging took priority over researching players and watching games. I spent a lot of time researching Stamford, learning about blogging, and planning and writing posts. I wasn't able to give my team the time it needed. I finished really low on the totem pole. It was demoralizing.

Although my blogging process is now more streamlined, I still think I spend too much time on the computer to justify spending even more time doing fantasy football. Know what the real problem is, though? Work. Work really gets in the way of my blogging. It's a damn shame. If I did not have to work, I could blog like a pro and play fantasy football and still have time to go to the gym and watch all my reality TV shows. (I just added a new one to TiVo, The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo. It's so trashy and great.)

PS- If you like football, you must read the book Blindside: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. He also wrote Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, about the Oakland A's. Anyway, Blindside goes into why the left tackle is the 2nd highest paid player other than the QBs. Not the running back or wide receiver who scores the points... it's the guy who protects the QB's blindside. The book opens with Lawrence Taylor breaking through the book and breaking Joe Theisman's leg, then follows the story of Michael Oher, a high school kid with great potential. The book goes back and forth between Michael's story and the history of the left tackle. I feel like reading that book again.

What other football books should I read? I haven't read Friday Night Lights yet, should I read that? I love that TV show. Click here to read more.