Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
This week our state was witness to the tragic and senseless murders of two police officers and the wounding of a third – all in the line of duty.
Bristol Police Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy were mortally wounded and Officer Alec Iurato was seriously injured when they were ambushed while answering a domestic violence call last Wednesday night.
Our prayers and condolences go out to their families and friends as well as to their colleagues in the Bristol Police Department as they honor the memories of these dedicated public servants who gave the ultimate sacrifice. We wish a speedy recovery to Officer Iurato.
Police across the country, and here in Greenwich, answer domestic violence calls on a daily basis. Domestic violence is the most prevalent violent crime in our Town with more than 200 calls for assistance every year. Please be assured that our officers are at the ready to provide assistance at any time.
If you have questions or need information, please call the Domestic Violence Unit Supervisor at 203-622-3260. The YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services hotline is available 24/7 at 203-622-0003. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
It’s Annual Parking Permit Renewal Time
The annual parking permit renewal process is being conducted ONLY online by submitting an application, proving residency (if applicable), and making a payment.
- 2022 permittees will be receiving a letter as well as an email containing renewal instructions.
- Renew online until December 31, 2022 by visiting https://www.greenwichct.gov/572
- It is a multi-step process; emails are sent to the permittee, each step, along the way.
- Please allow 2 to 3 business days for your application to be reviewed.
- A late fee will be assessed for payments received after December 1.
- Questions: email Parking Services at parkingpermits@greenwichct.org
Opinions wanted on parking
The Department of Parking Services continues to conduct a survey about the pilot program that implemented 15-minute parking in the Amogerone post office parking lot. The brief survey which will gauge users’ experiences is available online through October 26. It can be accessed via www.greenwichct.gov/ParkingAsks
JUST FOOD: Building an Equitable & Local Food Economy
Join The Foodshed Network and Conservation Commission for the fifth panel of the Greenwich Food System Forum (GFSF), “Just Food: Building an Equitable & Local Food Economy,” on Wednesday, October 19 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Speakers will include Cortney Renton, Executive Director at CitySeed; Deborah Thomas-Sims, “Community Champion” at East End NRZ Pop-Up Market & Cafe; Stefanie Robles, Food Catalyst at reSET; Dr. Phoebe Godfrey, professor-in-residence in Sociology at UConn and Co-Founder of CLiCK; and Leigh Duffy, Executive Director at CLiCK.
The forum will explore the ways in which food entrepreneurship, community markets, community kitchens, farmers markets and urban farms build a local food economy and foster transformation. The Town’s Conservation Resource Manager Sarah Coccaro will facilitate the panel on Connecticut initiatives rooted in self-determination, economic empowerment, and the investment in an equitable, just and resilient local food economy.
Please visit The Foodshed Network to register and sign up for updates through The Foodshed Thymes.
Join the Bruce Museum docent team
In anticipation of the Spring 2023 opening of an expanded and updated building, the Bruce Museum seeks enthusiastic and energetic adult volunteers who love art and science to serve as docents.
Docents lead tours for visitors of all ages and receive training from museum staff and curators on exhibition content, different audiences, and touring techniques. Tours take place Tuesday through Sunday and are usually one-hour. Training sessions occur on Mondays and are typically two-hours. New docents undergo a year of training prior to becoming veteran docents and docents self-select the tours they lead.
While prior teaching experience is helpful, it is not required, and all docents should have prior experience working with people of any/all ages and backgrounds. For more information, please contact Kathleen Holko at kholko@brucemuseum.org.
Updates – COVID vaccine clinics, stats
Greenwich Hospital reported that as of today, October 14, there are 6 COVID-positive patients being treated. A total of 112 patients are being treated in the Yale New Haven Health system. According to the state, as of October 14, the total number of Greenwich COVID cases (since the pandemic began in March 2020) is 16,058. The number of resident deaths attributed to COVID increased by 1 to 127.
The Greenwich Department of Health will be offering the approved updated COVID -19 Bivalent Booster Vaccine (Moderna) for adults 18 years and older at two scheduled clinics in October. The new COVID-19 Booster Vaccine targets two versions of the coronavirus, the original strain and the Omicron sub-variants (BA. 4 & BA.5), which became the dominant subvariants in the U.S. over the summer. Accordingly, to federal health officials most of the population should plan on getting an updated COVID-19 shot matched to the strain of the virus that is currently circulating.
Registration for the COVID-19 Bivalent Moderna Booster Clinics is required by making an appointment through the online appointment system, VAMS. Walk- ins to the COVID-19 Bivalent Booster clinics will not be accepted. The VAMS system, with the dates of the clinics, can be accessed by clicking on this link.
Family Centers also offers weekly vaccine and testing at Wilbur Peck Court, and the Connecticut Department of Health provides public mobile vaccine clinics.
Upcoming events
Model sailboat regatta
The Old Greenwich-Riverside Community Center will hold its annual model sailboat regatta on Binney Park pond from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 16. There are six separate divisions for wind-powered and radio-controlled models. For details and to register, please click here.
Annual walk & run for Abilis
The 17th annual Walk/Run for Abilis will take place at Greenwich Point Park on Sunday, October 16. Participants can walk 1-mile or run a 5K in-person or participant virtually from anywhere in the world! Participants are encouraged to register in advance at abilis.us/walkrun. Registration is free for walkers; $40 for 5k runners 18 and older, and $20 for runners ages 11-17. It all starts at 8 a.m.
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Adorable kitten and puppy of the week
Each week, we will feature a pet that is available for adoption from either Greenwich Animal Control or Adopt-a-Dog, or sometimes both agencies.
Meet Bellamy, an 11-month-old husky-Labrador retriever mix. She’s playful and gets along with children and other dogs. Adopt-a-Dog expects she will be 40 to 50 pounds when fully grown. More details about Bellamy and the adoption process can be found here.
Mavis is a sweet, little 9-week-old kitten at Greenwich Animal Control. She is named after the Mavis Tire Company, where she was found in a car engine. She has a pretty grey tabby coat with white markings. Mavis is curious and playful and will add a ton of fun to your life. Stop by to meet her at the animal control center, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily or call 203-622-8299.
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Stay safe and all the best,
Fred