Once Around the City: Lots happening in Norwalk

NORWALK, Conn. – Norwalkers get another chance to thank its military veterans Saturday, June 14, at the 8^th annual “A Thank You to All Our Veterans – Weekend at the Post.”

The event is planned for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Frank C. Godfrey Post 12, 60 County St.

There will be military vehicles and gear on display, reenactments, static displays, “Touch a Truck,” police and fire department displays including a vehicle and K-9 demonstration, community group displays, VA representatives, evening entertainment and more.

A flag retirement ceremony I planned for 4 p.m.

For information or to reserve a table, contact Commander Rich Olson at (203) 327-1493, (203) 710-5666 or [email protected].

Gateway to Home Ownership

The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Ingraham and the Rev. Carl McCluster are inviting Norwalkers to a Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust (BNT) presentation on home ownership at the Calvary Baptist Church, 20 Concord St., South Norwalk.

Gateway to Home Ownership will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12. It’s free and open to all.

Ingraham and McCluster will open the event at noon. From 12:30 to 1:30 and 3 to 4 p.m., there will be a foreclosure clinic and loss mitigation counseling for distressed homeowners.

From 1:45 to 2:45 and 5 to 6 p.m. there will be a homeownership orientation for prospective first-time homebuyers.

From 4 to 6 p.m. there will be free credit reports and analysis available.

To attend, call (203) 838-3176, or register online.

Open House Day at Fodor Farm

Fodor Farm will participate in the 9th annual Connecticut Open House Day. From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 14.

Fodor Farm, at 328 Flax Hill Road, will be one of more than 200 organizations and attractions statewide taking part in a unified celebration of Connecticut’s world of art, history and cultural assets.

Visitors will be able to tour the original homestead built by Eliphalet Lockwood in 1809. They can view its rustic historic detail, from cupola to hand-hewn beams, some with the original bark. Also on display will be a variety of planned and new additions to the farm. Visitors can tour the new barn-kitchen, orchard and Fairfield County’s first tree farm.

The Norwalk Tree Alliance will be there to show off its solar powered irrigation shed that provides water to the plantings without using city resources.  Trees grown here will eventually grace schools and parks throughout the city.

Exhibits will include a working beehive from beekeeper Jeff Shwartz.  He’ll also offer tastings and a chance to order honey.

Author and Norwalk Historical Commission member Lisa Wilson Grant will have drawings and plans for the Nathan Hale Memorial Fountain and Herb Garden and offer a sneak peak of her new book complete with early farm photos.

Suzanne Ancona – part of the core group of fundraisers – will share her experiences hosting events at the farm.

“The three fundraisers we have accomplished over the last two years to benefit Fodor Farm’s homestead, barn and community gardens have been so satisfying. Each one has been steeped in a true sense of community and friendship,” she said. “We are lucky to have this space in our midst, and the fact that such a charming venue exists in the Fodor Barn and kitchen on the property simply adds to the uniqueness of this ongoing project and place. I speak for both Fountainhead Wines and Fat Cat Pie Co. in our commitment to our fourth benefit event coming this fall, and I am happy to be a part of the Open House’ on June 14^th.”

Norwalk Land Trust and The Norwalk Preservation Trust will offer informal tours to any interested visitors.

For more information on this location and its events, visit Fodor Farm.

A show of power

Norwalk’s Third Taxing District successfully completed the Fitch Street Substation Project — on-time and on-budget. To celebrate, the district held a ceremony Friday dedicating the substation to all commissioners who were involved in the project.

Mayor Harry Rilling attended the event, as did State Sen. Bob Duff and state Rep. Chris Perone (D-137). Also on hand were several TTD officials: General Manager James Smith, commissioners David Brown, Debora Goldstein and Charles Yost, Treasurer Dr. Michael Intrieri and Assistant General Manager Ron Scofield.

Himes slams GOP transportation bill

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Greenwich) took aim Tuesday at the House Republican Majority’s bill (H.R. 4745), which he said fails to provide adequate funding for the nation’s transportation infrastructure for fiscal 2015. Himes discussed the urgent need to make meaningful investments in the nation’s highway and transit infrastructure, highlighting the problems that have plagued the Metro-North rail system.

This bill is not just bad policy, but it is a danger to the safety and economic health of my constituents and to all Americans,” Himes said. “I’m tired of my constituents having their personal lives damaged, having their safety put at risk, and having their businesses jeopardized because we have not invested enough in our infrastructure.”

The House bill proposes deep cuts to rail and transit initiatives, calling for a $200 million cut for Amtrak’s capital grants and a $252 million cut to the Federal Transit Administration’s capital investment program. It also would slash TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant funding from $600 million in fiscal 2014 to $100 million in fiscal 2015.