Once Around the City: Talks, youth classes, dogs, and plants

Update, 5/13: corrected registration contact info for Oyster Shell park cleanup

NORWALK, Conn. — Talks on secular groups, parks, and real estate, plus information on youth summer classes, a Mutt Strutt, a plant sale, and a volunteer gardening opportunity are all on tap for you in this edition of “Once Around the City”.

Levin to talk secular organizations

Secular activist John Levin will speak at Monday’s meeting of Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County (HFFC) on the many groups serving the diverse  and growing population of non-religious Americans.

Levin is a board member of the Washington DC-based Secular Coalition for America and NancyOnNorwalk.

HFFC espouses reason and compassion, and seeks to promote Humanism and free thought.  Regular events include general meetings, movie nights, book discussions, solstice celebrations, and science roundtables.

The meeting at the Silver Star Diner is free and open to all, and begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by Levin’s talk at 7.  RSVP is recommended by email to [email protected].

Neighborhood group to hold forum on parks

City officials and conservationists will participate in a panel discussion on Norwalk’s parks and open spaces Monday at 7 p.m. in City Hall Room A300.

Speakers include:

• Nick Roberts, Norwalk Director of Recreation and Parks
• Ken Hughes, Supervisor of Parks
• Louise Washer, Executive Director of the Norwalk River Watershed Association
• Seeley Hubbard, President of the Norwalk Land Trust
• Representatives of the Norwalk River Valley Trail
• Members of the Oak Hills Park Authority

The forum, sponsored by the Coalition of Norwalk Neighborhood Associations, will be moderated by Heather Dunn, president of the Norwalk Association of Silvermine Homeowners (NASH).

Norwalk’s open spaces include Oak Hills Park Golf Course, more than 1,200 acres of city parks and beaches, significant portions of the Norwalk River, and Sheffield and Chimon Islands, part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.

Registration open for youth summer classes at NCC

Youth in grades 1-12 may now register for Norwalk Community College summer classes during the period June 24 through August 2, with varied start and end dates.

Course offerings in the College for Kids summer program include computer coding, cooking, robotics, animation programming, babysitting training and first aid, fashion and design, keyboarding, and simulated stock market trading.

For more information, download the course catalog, email [email protected] or call (203) 857-7080.

Fowler, Chamber of Commerce to talk real estate

Norwalk-based Spinnaker Real Estate Partners CEO Clayton Fowler will moderate a panel discussion of Fairfield County real estate trends on May 16 from 8-10 a.m. at the Birchwood Country Club, 25 Kings Highway South, Westport.

The third annual Fairfield County Real Estate Outlook is sponsored by the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce

Topics include the live-work-play trend driving the need for new apartment developments, the local office market, repurposing of vacant buildings, and lender considerations for new real estate projects.

Panelists include Eric Bernheim, a real estate lawyer with Halloran Sage in Westport, John Hannigan, Co-founder & Principal of Choyce Peterson in Norwalk, Deborah Olsen Robertson, Vice President of M&T Bank in Norwalk, and David Fite Waters, General Counsel of Building and Land Technology in Stamford.

Admission is $30, and reservations are required.  Reserve online or by contacting the Norwalk Chamber at (203) 866-2521.

Volunteers needed to restore gardens at Oyster Shell Park

The Norwalk River Watershed Association seeks volunteers for “weeding parties” along the Pollinator Pathway and the Norwalk River Valley Trail on select Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer.

Helpers will learn how to identify invasive plants and also the beautiful natives that support our native pollinators.  Bring gloves, clippers, and a spade or shovel if possible.  Limited tools available.

Sessions are scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on May 15, June 1, 10, 12, 27, and 29, and August 14 and 31.  Meet at the playground on North Water Street near the intersection with Anne Street, between the Aquarium and the new mall.  Email [email protected] to register, so the NRWA may contact you in case of weather cancellation.

Canines, humans invited to trail walk

Canines are invited to bring their favorite humans for a trail walk and fundraiser May 18 from 9 a.m. to noon.  The Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) is hosting the second annual Mutt Strut Challenge to raise funds for extending and improving the Norwalk River Valley Trail.

The walk for all ages includes a dog selfie station, food trucks, and opportunities to win prizes including a Cannondale Bike, a keg of craft beer, and fitness sessions.

Park at either the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion (rear parking lot) in Norwalk or Wolfpit Road and the Rte. 7 commuter parking lot in Wilton.  All dogs must be leashed.   To register, donate, or learn more, click here.

Norwalk and Rowayton gardeners hold plant sales

The Norwalk Garden Club will host its annual plant and craft sale May 18 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Norwalk Green.  Rowayton Gardeners will host a plant sale and Spring Market at the Rowayton Community Center May 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.