Photo credit: Courtesy of Flinn Gallery.
The Akinori Matsumoto sound and shadow exhibition at the Flinn Gallery at Greenwich Library.
Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
Seven Greenwich businesses have been selected to participate in a new program for local foodservice providers - the Greenwich Food Matters Challenge, which aims to cut food waste in our community. The challenge is organized by Waste Free Greenwich and the Center for EcoTechnology (CET), in partnership with the Office of the First Selectman, Greenwich Conservation Commission and Greenwich Sustainability Committee.
The businesses participating include Greenwich Cheese Company, Little Pub, Nit Noi, Ruby & Bella’s, Something Natural, Sweet Pea’s Baking Company and Upper Crust Bagel Company. These restaurants will implement specific food-saving practices that prevent food from going to waste, rescue surplus for food insecure neighbors and recycle any remaining food scraps. In April, the participants completed an assessment of their current practices with CET and are developing a tailored action plan to carry out during the Challenge period in May and June.
For more information about the Food Matters Challenge, please click here or email Waste Free Greenwich founder Julie DesChamps at wastefreegreenwich@gmail.com.
Farmers Market Saturdays
A sure harbinger of spring …the return of the weekly farmers market at the Horseneck Lane commuter lot. It’s held each Saturday, beginning tomorrow, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information and a list of vendors selling produce, plants, eggs, meat, seafood, flowers and breads can be found here.
COVID Update
As of today, Greenwich Hospital was treating 12 COVID-19 patients. The Yale-New Haven Health system has a total of 126 patients, an increase of 32 from a week ago. Our public schools reported today there are 119 active cases. The breakdown: 100 students; 12 teachers; 3 service providers; 3 non-teaching staff and 1 administrator. A total of 2,970 cases have been reported so far this school year – that is 235 more than last week’s total of 2,745 cases.
According to the state, as of May 12, the total number of Greenwich COVID cases (since the pandemic began in March 2020) increased from 12,931 to 13,185. Thankfully, the number of residents whose deaths have been attributed to COVID remains at 122.
Here are numbers of residents who are fully vaccinated as of May 12:
Age 5 – 11: 54.51% of 6,470 eligible.
Age 12 – 17: 96.44% of 5,449 eligible.
Age 18 – 24: 97.89% of 4,037 eligible.
Age 25 – 44: 77.66% of 13,580 eligible.
Age 44 – 64: 86.36% of 18,950 eligible.
Age 65+: 97.54% of 10,466 eligible.
Vaccine info
Log onto the Yale New Haven Health website to find a booster vaccine site.
Family Centers is offering weekday vaccine and testing clinics at 111 Wilbur Peck Court. Details can be found here.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is offering mobile vaccine clinics. Information on locations can be found here.
National Public Works Week
On Monday, May 16, I will be presenting the staff of the Department of Public Works a proclamation designating May 15 to May 21 as National Public Works Week 2022. We’ll be gathering in front of Town Hall at 11:30 a.m. for the ceremony designed to recognize the work done every day by the Department’s six divisions.
The department is comprised of the divisions of Engineering, Building Construction & Maintenance, Building Inspection, Highway, Sewer, and Waste Disposal. While you may see some staff using their equipment around Town – especially during weather events, there are dozens you may not see who are responsible for ensuring that the Town’s critical infrastructure is properly maintained and operating smoothly.
In conjunction with Public Works Week, the Department is hosting Fill-A-Public Works Truck Food Drive to collect food and household provisions to support Neighbor to Neighbor. During the month of May, residents can donate food and household goods in one of our “trucks” in the Town Hall lobby or contribute to the online campaign through the dedicated website, which can be found here.
To learn about Department of Public Works’ projects and programs, please click here. You also can follow @GreenwichPublicWorks on social media.
Help stamp out hunger
Speaking of food drives, the U.S. Postal Service’s Stamp Out Hunger food drive is back. Tomorrow letter carriers will pick up bags of non-perishable foods that Greenwich residents leave by their mailbox on Saturday, May 14 for donation to Neighbor to Neighbor.
Neighbor to Neighbor is providing weekly food assistance to more than 500 Greenwich households. This is the biggest food drive of the year for Neighbor to Neighbor.
There is also an online option for residents who will not be able to participate in the food drive on May 14. The Givehealthy platform allows donors to donate fresh produce, milk and eggs to the food pantry via the link that can be found here.
Flinn Gallery season finale
The Flinn Gallery’s final exhibition of the season opened yesterday with the return of beloved Japanese sculptor and sound artist Akinori Matsumoto. The Akinori Matsumoto Sound Garden is a site-specific, multi-dimensional sound and shadow art installation, curated by Francene Langford and Dianne Niklaus.
In 2015, the gallery – located in Greenwich Library - presented the artist's solo debut in the U.S., Akinori Matsumoto Sound Sculptures, which captivated visitors and lured them back for more, resulting in record-breaking attendance. More information and exhibition events can be found here.
And a couple reminders now that we’re in full-throttle gardening season:
Leaf blowers
Under Section 6B-6 of our municipal code, “No person shall operate or permit the operation of any gasoline-powered leaf blower between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.”
Lawn watering restrictions
Please follow Greenwich’s twice weekly watering schedule for Aquarion customers and all private well owners. Those with even numbered addresses may water only on Sundays and Wednesdays before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Those with odd numbered addresses may water only on Saturdays and Tuesdays before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Properties without an address number, watering is allowed only before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays. More information can be found here.
***
Stay safe and wishing you the best,
Fred