Stamford Magazine, March - April 2018

FASHION STATEMENT

MAKE YOUR MOVE

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STAMFORD Designer Collections from the Runway

Three New Rental Towers Open Their Doors

A New Cottage With Classic Style

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ON THE HORIZON Park Upgrades, Real Estate Forecast and Home Design Trends

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CONTENTS MARCH/APRIL 2018

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

64 | Fresh Start

10 | EDITOR’S LETTER

BY JUDY OSTROW

Two collectors team up to build a home designed for their lives together

78 | House Rules

BY SCOTT THOMAS

A deep dive into real estate indicators, industry shifts and emerging trends that are influencing the state of the market today

86 | Escape Artists

BY MEGAN GAGNON

Pack your bags—three designers take us on a trip with vacation-ready collections full of summer style

BY CAMILLA A. HERRERA

13 | STATUS REPORT Buzz: Stamford Museum & Nature Center; Veterans Memorial Park Shop: Spring Fashion Report Do: Reaxing at Chelsea Piers; Health Report: Testicular Cancer Home: Kitchen Design Trends Go: Private Jet Options; Lincoln Navigator Eat: Bar Zepoli; Rum

40 | DAD ABOUT TOWN

BY KEVIN MCKEEVER

45 | VOWS

BY COLLEEN CROWLEY Moseley–Dunn Fairchild–Mellen

49 | SCENE STEALERS HSS Orthopedics at Stamford Health, Loft Artists Association, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, New Covenant Center, SilverSource, Stamford Symphony

95 | INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 96 | LAST WORD

BY BETH LEVINE

86

Party looks by designer Alice Temperley

STAMFORD magazine MARCH/APRIL 2018, VOL. 9, NO. 2 STAMFORD magazine is published bimonthly by Moffly Media, Inc., 205 Main St., Westport, CT 06880. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to Stamford Magazine, P.O. Box 9309, Big Sandy, TX, 75755-9607.

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On the go or online at home, you can easily reach our coverage of interesting people, stylish finds and fashion, fun things to do, new restaurants, and more, more, more. All the fun’s at stamfordmag.com. See you there!

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ilovefc.com the best of fairfield county living • published by moffly media

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PHOTOGRAPHS: EAT, GRAYBARNS BY NOAH FECKS; PEOPLE,LIGHT A FIRE BY MELANI LUST; COBBLECOURT BY STACY BASS; GO, JETSMARTER, CONTRIBUTED; SHOP, TO AND FROM NAILS, CONTRIBUTED; BUZZ. WOLF + FRIENDS BY KRISTIN CHAMERS

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2018 Lincoln MKC

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STAMFORD VOLUME 9 NUMBER 2

MARCH/APRIL 2018

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Amy Vischio

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Cristin Marandino

editorial EDITOR

Camilla A. Herrera MARKET EDITOR

Successful Real Estate Sales Demands Hard Work Your Choice of a Real Estate Professional is Easy

Megan Gagnon

EDITORIAL ADVISOR

Donna Moffly

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Colleen Crowley

EDITORIAL INTERN

Allison White

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jeanne Craig–NEW CANAAN•DARIEN•ROWAYTON Cristin Marandino–GREENWICH Diane Sembrot–FAIRFIELD LIVING and WESTPORT CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kim-Marie Evans, Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick Valerie Foster, Chris Hodenfield Elizabeth Keyser, Beth Levine Kevin McKeever, Judy Ostrow Scott Thomas COPY EDITORS

Terry Christofferson David Podgurski Kathy Satterfield EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Harry Day Timothy Hodges Juanita James PJ Kennedy Jamie Krug Michael Marchetti Arthur Selkowitz Jami Sherwood Lou Ursone

art SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Garvin Burke

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Venera Alexandrova

CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTORS

Venera Alexandrova–GREENWICH Katie DeFlorio Conte–WESTPORT Holly Keeperman–STAMFORD and GREENWICH Paula Winicur– FAIRFIELD LIVING and

Personalized Service Local Expertise Global Exposure

NEW CANAAN•DARIEN•ROWAYTON PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Kerri Rak

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Michelle Babyak, Julie Bidwell, Minush Krasniqi, Melani Lust, John Martin, Bruce Plotnik, Studio Smith Photography, Andrew Sullivan, Hildi Todrin

digital media DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER

Amber Scinto

Barbara Hickey I bhickey@williampitt.com I 203.912.0578 Stamford Brokerage I 3 Roxbury Road barbarahickey.williampitt.com

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reproduced without express permission of the publisher. ©2015 STAMFORD Magazine is a registered trademark owned by Moffly Media. The opinions expressed by writers commissioned for articles published by STAMFORD are not necessarily those of the magazine.

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STAMFORD VOLUME 9 NUMBER 2

MARCH/APRIL 2018

CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Pete W. Michalsky PUBLISHER

Karen Kelly

sales & marketing SALES MANAGEMENT

Lisa Hingst Lisa.Hingst@Moffly.com Publisher NEW CANAAN•DARIEN•ROWAYTON Trish Kirsch Trish.Kirsch@Moffly.com Publisher GREENWICH and ATHOME Gabriella Mays Gabriella.Mays@Moffly.com Publisher WESTPORT

Estate & Tax Planning

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Wealth Preservation

Corporate & Finance

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Litigation & Arbitration

Jennifer Frank Jennifer.Frank@Moffly.com Doctors / Dentists / Finance / Insurance / Business Consulting

Charitable Giving

Banking & Lending

Hilary Hotchkiss Hilary.Hotchkiss@Moffly.com Schools / Education

SALES DIRECTORS

Monique deBoer Monique.deBoer@Moffly.com Fashion / Beauty

Rick Johnson Rick.Johnson@Moffly.com Real Estate / Lawyers

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Jennifer Petersen Jennifer.Petersen@Moffly.com Jewelry Ellyn Weitzman Ellyn.Weitzman@Moffly.com Restaurants / Wine & Spirits / Catering EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EVENT MARKETING

Stamford

Greenwich

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DIRECTOR, EVENT MARKETING

Caroline C. Steber

PARTNERSHIP MANAGER

Kathleen Godbold

EVENT COORDINATOR

TRUSTS AND ESTATES

Is not just something we do; it is what we do.

Alexandra Pemberton

STRATEGIC MARKETING DIRECTOR

Wendy Horwitz

CREATIVE SERVICES ART DIRECTOR

Molly Cottingham

AD OPS & WEB COORDINATOR

Lauren Stevens

business CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

WILLS AND TRUSTS

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BUSINESS MANAGER

Elena Moffly

WEALTH TRANSFER TAX PLANNING PHILANTHROPY

PRESIDENT

Jonathan W. Moffly VICE PRESIDENT / EDITORIAL & DESIGN

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VICE PRESIDENT / FINANCE & OPERATIONS

Brian R. Feidt

VICE PRESIDENT / SALES & MARKETING

Pete W. Michalsky

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EDITOR’S Letter

CAMILLA A. HERRERA

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STAMFORDMAG.COM

on pg. 98

STEP INTO FAL New Look L Designer Secr s & ets Starts on

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pg. 108

FROM BAC HELOR MILLION TO AIRE TV’s Chri Takes On s Harrison a New Role Starts on

Do you know someone who we should consider as a future member of the 2018 class of “Ten Teens to Watch?” Take a moment to tell us why your favorite high school kid deserves this honor. Write to: editor@stamfordmag.com 10

NEIGHBO RHOOD WATCH Eat, Play Shop, Rela , Drink, Livex, , Celebrate Starts

pg. 52

2015 BES BARTENDERT Starts on

pg. 48

ahead, we should soon begin to see signs of the upcoming season—longer days, rising temps, blooming flowers. Of course, now that I put that out in the universe, chances are we’ll be hit with a blizzard by April.

Either way, we have a few more weeks of sweater weather before we begin to hear birds chirping. So go ahead and enjoy your spring break on the slopes, and plan a few more lazy Sundays reading by the fire.

Spring will be here soon, and with it we can take pleasure in the promise of rebirth that comes with heading outdoors and taking in all that is renewed once again.

With that in mind, in this issue we reinforce the optimism typical to the season with stories about design, habitat, growth and improvement. We take you on a tour of a waterfront home (see pg. 64), an oasis by the beach that was a labor of love for the couple who bought the property, built the cottage from the ground up, and designed it to fit their lifestyle. In our real estate report (see pg. 78), industry experts share some good news about the state of the local market, and emerging development trends that place Stamford in a unique position to see modest growth in spite of what our neighbors are experiencing. Plus, we give you the lowdown on all those shiny towers redefining the downtown skyline and opening their doors to tenants.

If you instead decide to head to warmer climes this spring, our market editor, Megan Gagnon, has the scoop on fashion designers Ulla Johnson, Rebecca de Ravenel and Alice Temperley, who shared samples from their vacation-worthy, summery collections (see pg. 86). She also packed the Shop pages (see pg. 18) with looks I expect we all will be looking for as we begin to store our winter garb. We keep Megan busy, as you can see.

We didn’t stop there. This time of year is when we traditionally begin to tackle upgrades. Time to refresh the kitchen? We have some design ideas for you to consider (see pg. 28). Our columnist, Beth Levine, has something to say about spring cleaning (see pg. 96). And the folks at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center and the Veterans Memorial Park Partnership are digging deep to improve their respective locations and make them even more welcoming to the families and citizens who value these important public spaces (see pg. 13).

Enjoy this countdown to spring. But if I jinxed it and you’re reading this while the snow falls, just remember: All the remnants of winter will soon melt away as soon as the sun comes out.

camilla.herrera@moffly.com

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRUCE PLOTKIN

Spring Awakening

HEY, CANCER. NOW IT’S TWO AGAINST ONE. MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING PHYSICIANS NOW AT NORWALK HOSPITAL

United against cancer. Now, Memorial Sloan Kettering medical and radiation

oncologists are onsite at Norwalk Hospital — leading and delivering team-based care alongside Norwalk Hospital’s own cancer experts. It’s a powerful collaboration that

offers both advanced science and highly personalized care. And, for patients, that adds up to more than a fighting chance. For more information, visit MSKatNorwalk.org.

BUZZ status report

STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER • VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER

1 Exterior rendering of the Environment Education Farmhouse and adjoining Maple Sugar and Apple Cidering House, expected to be completed in 2019 2 Overlook Terrace with views of Heckscher Farm pastures 3 Inside the new facility, where school, scout and camp programs will be held when learning goes indoors

Second A

s host to a steady flow of visitors that has grown to more than 200,000 annually, the STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER (SMNC) has strained at its seams for nearly a decade to accommodate its fans. The sprawling 108-acre campus includes wild woodlands, nature trails and vernal ponds, a mansion (Henri Bendel’s custom-built home, the center’s art museum) and Heckscher Farm, a working facility that enables visitors to experience the raising of livestock and food production in an up close and

personal way. For eighty years, the SMNC has remained a vital and much-loved local connection to culture and the environment.

“It’s the largest nature-based organization in Fairfield County,” says Melissa Mulrooney, SMNC’s CEO and executive director. “What we needed when I arrived in 2005 was more space for programs and events.” Intent on making this possible, she and the board set in motion an ongoing push for improvements. They started by commissioning a master plan from the

New public space at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center will prepare this beloved institution for future growth.

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

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BUZZ “The new facilities will not only maximize our service to the community and county, but support dynamic program growth [for] years to come.” Melissa Mulrooney, SMNC CEO and executive director Emma Rae wrote, arranged and performed all songs in her debut album Old Oak Heart.

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Hartford architectural firm of Tai Soo Kim Partners. Despite the timing of the effort, deep in the recession of 2008 through 2010, they developed a framework to ready the center for a bright and busy future.

In the meantime, Mulrooney and the board did not wait to make small upgrades to bring some polish to this local jewel: repairs to the Bendel mansion, improved electrical and lighting systems and adaptive use of program spaces.

As the financial climate improved, a strategy took shape, with the board and key local boosters contributing.

The first big moment arrived last October. With a third of its capital program goal of $15 million in hand, a group of celebrants that included Governor Dan Malloy and Mayor David Martin gathered 14

STAMFORDMAG.COM

to break ground for the first addition to the SMNC’s infrastructure in fifty years.

The soon-to-come 4,000-square-foot Environmental Education Farmhouse on Heckscher Farm is just the first of a series of steps to insure an up-to-date and optimal experience for families, student groups and other organizations that use the SMNC. “The farmhouse is an immediate capacity builder. While we love getting kids and grown-ups out in every kind of weather—our nursery program features small-sized wellies just for that purpose—it will be great to have this four-season, rain-or-shine space,” says Mulrooney. The state of the art teaching environment that the farmhouse provides, complete with a beautiful viewing vantage on its Overlook Terrace, will enable even more visitors from the city

and the county to access SMNC programming. In addition to this large structure, maple sugar harvesting and apple cidering—both popular hands-on programs— will have a new facility relocated adjacent to the property’s large stand of sugar maple trees.

Still to come is a truly twenty-first century addition, the Astronomy and Physical Science Center, an 8,000-squarefoot space that will include a planetarium, an auditorium with seating for 100, and an observatory that will house a twenty-twoinch telescope for public viewing. “The new facilities will not only maximize our service to the community and county, but support dynamic program growth [for] years to come,” says Mulrooney, who expects the farmhouse to open in the first half of 2019. —Judy Ostrow

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER

1 Enjoying nature during the Spring on the Farm weekend festival 2 Learning about tree tapping in winter 3 Teen volunteers tending the Organic Garden 4 The popular Harvest Festival celebrated every fall 5 Planning the day’s activities during summer camp 6 Heckscher Barn

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BUZZ

For Their

Servıce

Veterans Memorial Park to be transformed into a welcoming green space that more fittingly honors those who served in the military

I

f all goes as planned, in a little more than a year, Stamford’s Veterans Memorial Park will have undergone a comprehensive renovation that will make the city’s military veterans proud to call their own.

Nestled in the heart of downtown, between the Stamford Town Center, Landmark Square and First County Bank, the concrete-heavy Veterans Park has lately come into disrepair. Also, though an assortment of war monuments honoring

Stamford’s veterans are spread around the park, their arbitrary placement has allowed the bustle of the urban setting to overshadow the role of the park as a memorial.

That will change.

Currently, the park is in the midst of a $5.5 million renovation, overseen by the Veterans Park Partnership, an ad-hoc committee that was formed in 2014 to raise the funds and execute the renovations. Among the membership is Patricia Parry, a Gold Star mother whose son, Brian Bill, a C

Navy SEAL who was born and raised in Stamford, died in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan.

Design highlights will include relocating

monuments to higher ground; introducing a landscaping plan with new trees, lawns and gardens; beautifying the main plaza, and building an amphitheater. The center of the plaza will feature five white stars— representing all military branches—encircled in red pavers.

“Our veterans deserve an appropriate park in honor of those who lost their lives,” in service to their country, says Rick Redniss, president of the partnership, which is still more than $1 million short of its fundraising goal. (Visit

vprstamford.org to make a contribution.)

Redniss says the committee envisions the park as a public meeting place, a venue for community events, an inviting entry point to the mall and surrounding offices, and a primary link for east-west connection through downtown. “We want this to be a place for people to be respectful of veterans and the sacrifices they made for our country,” Redniss says. “[Our veterans] deserve better, and Stamford also deserves better.” —Scott Thomas

Night Moods A rendering of the park showing plans for its lighting makeover

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Among the improvements planned for Veterans Memorial Park are the relocation of war monuments to higher ground to give them greater visibility; considerable landscaping additions; a refurbished plaza; and an amphitheater for community events.

EXISTING LANDMARKS A 3 Landmark Square B 4 Landmark Square C 6 Landmark Square D Stamford Town Center E First County Bank F Atlantic Street bus stop

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STAMFORDMAG.COM

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SHOP SPRING FASHION

status report p r o d u c e d by m eg a n g ag n o n

SPRING LOADED The latest prints, palettes and picks, pulled from spring runways and ready to shop now CHECK, PLEASE

Fresh takes on classic gingham pg. 20

SEEING SPOTS

Dots are on point this season. pg. 20

PUNCH LINES

Stripes look on the bright side. pg. 21

ISLAND TIME Floral prints go tropical. pg. 21

GARDEN VARIETY

Mix a bouquet of red, pink and purple. pg. 22 18

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Copious Row, Greenwich; copiousrow.com 9. SAINT LAURENT Sleeveless ruffled and pleated top in lipstick dot printed silk Georgette; $1,590.

Neiman Marcus, The Westchester; neimanmarcus.com 10. ZARA Embellished city bag; $39.90. Greenwich, Stamford; zara.com 11. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Bibariellita polka dot wedge in latte/black; $1,145. christianlouboutin.com

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IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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Fruit Stripes

SHOP Coloring in the lines never looked so good

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Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

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IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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Surfer Girl

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Island-inspired florals bloomed on spring runways

1. EDIE PARKER Wicker heart bag; $1,495. edie-parker.com 2. MARA HOFFMAN Cora tie-waist striped wrap skirt; $225. Soleil Toile, New Canaan, Westport; soleiltoile.com 3. DIANE VON FURSTENBERG Stripe silk wrap midi dress; $428. Darien Sport Shop; dariensport.com 4. ALICE AND OLIVIA BY STACEY BENDET Lonnie embroidered cropped bomber jacket; $795. Greenwich; aliceandolivia.com 5. ALEXANDRE BIRMAN Lolita high heel sandals; $625.

Saks Greenwich 10022-SHOE; saks.com 6. STUART WEITZMAN Carla; $455. Greenwich; stuartweitzman.com 7. JUDITH LEIBER COUTURE Birds of Paradise clutch; $3,995. Mitchells, Westport; Richards, Greenwich; shop.mitchellstores.com 8. MARC CAIN Blazer; $560. The Westchester; marc-cain.com 9. TORY BURCH Max espadrille slide; $228. Greenwich; toryburch.com 10. MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION Sapphire flower print pant; $975.

Richards, Greenwich; shop.mitchellstores.com

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SHOP

Monique Lhuillier

Tibi

Freshly picked, from poppy to lilac

MSGM

Roksanda

Salvatore Ferragamo

Petal Palette

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4 2

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12 1. GIGI BURRIS Ete straw hat; $388. modaoperandi.com 2. L’AGENCE Chamberlain blazer; $595. Tina Dragone, Darien, Westport; tinadragone.com 3. PELLE MODA Berlin sandal; $129. Shoe-Inn, New Canaan, Westport; shoeinn.com 4. ST. ROCHE Camille blouse; $205. Spree, Darien; spreedarien .com 5. COTTON CITIZEN Pink skinny jeans; $295. intermixonline.com 6. McQ BY ALEXANDER McQUEEN Glasses; $169. Lord & Taylor, Stamford; lordandtaylor.com 7. MIGNONNE GAVIGAN Mini Elle hoops; $125. anthropologie.com 8. RAG & BONE Nova sneaker; $350. Greenwich; rag-bone.com 9. SHARI’S PLACE Private label ostrich bag; $2,690. Greenwich; sharisplace.com 10. STELLA McCARTNEY Mini Falabella tote bag; $870. stellamccartney.com 11. ACNE STUDIOS Mock leather jacket; $1,550. mytheresa.com 12. LONGCHAMP Sandal; $445. Greenwich; longchamp.com 13. HOBBS Silvia dress; $480. Greenwich; hobbs.com

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IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNERS/BRANDS

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Who will be the BEST? It’s up to you!

2018

Vote Now! bestofgoldcoastct.com

All votes must be submitted by Friday, March 16

BECOME A SPONSOR: Contact your Moffly Media representative or Caroline Steber 203.571.1631 SILVER SPONSOR

DO

status report

REAXING AT CHELSEA PIERS • HEALTH REPORT: TESTICULAR CANCER

CoreValues

A new training program at Chelsea Piers challenges fitness strength, stability and agility in a whole new way

P

icture yourself planking on a stability ball or squatting on a balance trainer. To offset the inherent imbalance that is introduced, you engage the core. As trainers often say, activating these muscles will help you remain steady while helping you improve overall balance, stability and strength, which is essential to staving off the ravages of age.

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That thinking has recently shifted and today also applies to young athletes and fitness fans.

By working on core strength and enhancing mobility and balance, anyone can boost athletic performance and muscle response and endurance while also lowering the risk of injury from an early age.

This is where Reaxing comes in, which is currently having a moment. Offered locally

right: Weights filled with sand-like material sway with movement, adding a new balancing challenge to this weighttraining move.

the various weights, chains, kettlebells (and more), that they used during the workout. Adding extra difficulty to the session were Reax Boards, which are, simply put, slightly raised platforms on accordionlike bases that shift in response to body movement and weight, or to a trainer’s electronic instruction by way of an app.

So now picture this: planking on a stability ball half-filled with liquid, while on a moving platform. That’s what I call serious core engagement.

For more about Chelsea Piers’ Reaxing classes, Athletic Club membership and youth athletic training that incorporates Reaxing, visit chelseapiersct .com. —Camilla A. Herrera

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CHELSEA PIERS

above: Trainers PJ Johns (front) and Kevin Kosis demonstrate the added balancing challenges created by planking on a stability Fluiball while on a Reax Board, a platform that moves in response to weight and movement.

only at Chelsea Piers, Reaxing introduces instability to other established moves by simultaneously engaging additional muscles and building on the body’s ability to react, making a workout more challenging and effective. To that end, imagine slamming a medicine ball that is half-filled with fluid, or doing dead lifts with a barbell with rubber-like weights that are not attached to the ends but hang from them.

During a recent packed class that incorporated these and other Reaxing tools, participants worked hard—some struggling more than others— to adapt to the unique challenges created by movement and rotation set in motion by

SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS 2018 SUMMER 2018 GREENWICH

AT GREENWICH ACADEMY Greenwich, CT JUNE 18–AUG 17 | AGES 3–15

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June 25 –July 27 CHOOSE the weeks that work for you.

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For Ages 3–13! gcds.net summercamp

DO

Guy Talk

Regular self-examination is key to early diagnosis and successful treatment of testicular cancer

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WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW 1 KEEP UP SELF-EXAMS

While urologists recommend regular self-exams should begin in teens as young as fifteen, it’s important for men to keep the habit up for a lifetime.

“Even though you tend to see this in younger men, I’ve diagnosed testicular cancer in men in their fifties,” says Dr. Rosoff.

2

TALK TO THE PEDIATRICIAN

Parents should not assume their pediatrician is covering the finer points of self-examination with their teenage sons. “There’s a lot to cover in a teenager’s well visit,” says Dr. Rosoff. “Talk to your pediatrician [and] let them know you would like that [talk] to happen.”

3

KNOW YOUR RISK FACTORS

Boys born with undescended testicles have a higher risk of developing testicular cancer. Since undescended testicles are often repaired when boys are babies, Dr. Serels says, some men are unaware of this risk factor. So, it’s important for parents to share this background—and any family history—with their sons. “It’s also something your doctor should know,” he adds.

4

TREATMENT OPTIONS Caught early, testicular cancer has cure rates in

excess of 90 percent, and responds well to a regimen that includes chemotherapy and radiation, says Dr. Serels. Surgical removal of the testicle is required and men can opt for a prosthetic replacement. “I’ve found that whether they decide on a prosthetic tends to depend on age,” he says. “Younger patients tend to go in this direction because they are more self-conscious.”

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WHAT ABOUT FERTILITY?

Dr. Rosoff says normal fertility usually returns in about two years for men treated for testicular cancer. Some men opt to bank sperm if their regimen includes chemotherapy.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID ©AFRICA STUDIO - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

T

he good news about testicular cancer is that it’s a relatively rare disease with impressively high cure rates when caught early. The downside is that males most often afflicted by it—teens and young men between fifteen and thirty-four—don’t always have the disease on their personal health radar. “It can be challenging at times because you are not talking to a demographic that is particularly worried about cancer,” says Dr. Craig Tifford, a Stamford resident and orthopedic surgeon who is a sixteen-year survivor of testicular cancer diagnosed at stage four. “Since there’s no blood test and no imaging test for this, my mantra is selfexam. It’s the only way to catch it early.”

Indeed, urologists who diagnose testicular cancer stress the importance of regular self-exam as the most proactive way to catch it when it’s most treatable.

Dr. James Rosoff, a urologist affiliated with Greenwich Hospital and an assistant professor of urology at the Yale School of Medicine, says testicular cancer usually presents with a small, painless lump, about the size of a dime, that is palpable when touched by hand. “Just by checking once a month in the shower, you should be able to tell if something is not normal,” he says.

Dr. Scott Serels, chief of urology at Norwalk Hospital, notes that the importance of self-exam probably isn’t being discussed enough because in 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of primary care experts, recommended against routine testicular cancer screening. (It reaffirmed that decision in 2009.) “Their thinking was because it’s so rare, screening is actually creating unnecessary anxiety,” he says. “As urologists, we…have a different perspective.

There’s screening for breast and colon cancer, which can and does save lives. We know if you encourage men and boys and their doctors to check for this, you can stop the disease in its path and that can improve outcomes.” —Beth Cooney Fitzpatrick

Buy Your Tickets Now 2nd Annual Benefit Dinner Thursday, March 15, 2018 Woodway Country Club, Darien

Our Benefit Dinner is an opportunity to gratefully thank our supporters, and celebrate the impact their generosity has on the important role the SM&NC plays in our community.

For more information, please call the Stamford Museum & Nature Center at 203.977.6536, or visit stamfordmuseum.org.

EVENT SPONSORS First County Bank – Gold Sponsor • Day Pitney LLP – Silver Sponsor • Reckson, SL Green Realty – Silver Sponsor Don Brownstein & Lisa Tannebaum – Silver Sponsors • Eastern Land Management – Bronze Sponsor • The Rich Foundation – Bronze Sponsor As of February 1, 2018

HOME

status report

What’s Cooking?

HOT STUFF FOR THE KITCHEN

I

f you’re considering a kitchen renovation, or are building one from the ground up as part of a new home, you’ve probably made a wish list of musthaves and are looking for good ideas to incorporate into the new space. After checking with local professionals, we’re sharing a few fresh details that may find their way into your plans. ­—Judy Ostrow

COLOR YOUR WORLD White cabinets have long been the perennial favorite in these parts, but color contrast is becoming increasingly popular. “We are seeing, and specifying, cabinets in white and an island fabricated in a color, or white on top cabinets and

color or wood finish at the base of the cabinets,” says Marsha Fried, a designer with Deane, Inc. in Stamford and New Canaan. Her clients are also showing a preference for cabinets with flat-panel doors and drawers. Says Fried: “Many people are moving toward pared-down, modern lines.”

GO GLOSSY

If you decide to take the ever-popular route and choose a white palette, make it shine, says Michelle Morgan Harrison of Morgan Harrison Home in New Canaan. She recently completed a kitchen with two butler’s pantries, with cabinets rendered in a highgloss, cream-colored finish from Fine Paints of Europe that looks like lacquer.

MATERIAL WORLD When it comes to kitchen hardware, both Fried and Harrison agree that brass is finding favor in many new kitchens after the dominance of nickel for nearly a decade.

For countertops, quartzite and quartz have also moved to the top of the favorites list. “They are beautiful and durable and virtually maintenance-free,” says Fried. She notes another shift: More clients are choosing stone slabs matched to the countertops to form the backsplash.

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It provides an elegant, polished look. Harrison also says the butler’s pantry—an idea that came of age in Victorian times—is enjoying a renaissance of sorts. She notes that the pantry can also serve as a swing space, connecting the kitchen with the dining room or living room, functioning as a launch pad for cocktails and finger foods.

CHEF’S HELPER Manufacturers continue to innovate for the home cook, and there’s been increased interest in new products, such as steam ovens and refrigerator towers. The towers are all-refrigerator or all-freezer units that extend from the floor to ceiling and come in widths between eighteen and thirty-six inches, depending on the homeowner’s requirements.

These appliances add a few more options to what is a growing list of custom possibilities for the kitchen.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF DEANE AND MORGAN HARRISON

Local experts spot what’s hot in kitchen design, from on-point colors and finishes to slick hardware

2018 City Chic Moffly Ad PATHS.indd 1

1/30/18 1:58 PM

GO

status report

PRIVATE JET OPTIONS • LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

Plane & Simple

We outline the options for traveling in

true jet-set style

T

PHOTOGRAPH BY ©STEFANO GARAU/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

hink flying private is only for celebrities and trust fund babies? Though they might be the most obvious passengers, skipping the security lines and overly familiar pat downs is becoming more accessible for the rest of us.

The reasons to fly private are as numerous as the ways to do it. It could be an emergency that demands an overnight flight from a small airport; a snowstorm that cancels a flight, stranding desperate skiers; or simply the desire to travel in style to a blowout birthday celebration. —Kim-Marie Evans

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Evans hops aboard VistaJet.

PHOTOGRAPHS CONTRIBUTED

ONE AND DONE If you need a jet and you need it now, but you don’t plan on making it a regular thing (though you may change your mind after seeing how the other half flies), you’ll need a jet broker. There are 2,500 different charter operators.

We suggest checking out Magellan Jets. It offers on-demand charters that will meet your specific needs (this travel writer used them to book a flight from Jackson Hole to Joplin, Missouri—you won’t find that on a Delta itinerary). All of its charter planes meet such rigorous safety standards that it was the first private jet broker accepted by the Air Charter Safety Foundation.

While it’s hard to compare prices, an approximate quote for a flight from White Plains to Turks and Caicos on a Hawker 400XP that seats seven, is roughly $32,000 round trip. A single firstclass Delta flight runs around $3,200, so it’s not that much more for a serious upgrade.

Magellan also offers the option to buy a jet card and book flights against your balance.magellanjets.com

ownership means that the whole plane is yours—no shared flights, just shared ownership.

NetJets makes life simple—you buy a Jet Card and book flights against the balance. A twenty-five-hour membership card on a light jet starts at $170,000. Need a bigger plane because the whole squad is coming?

NetJets says it has the largest fleet of private planes and prides itself on making upgrading easy. Members can book and board in as few as four hours. Dogs are not only welcome—special doggy meals are offered.

If paparazzi are a problem, NetJets will provide

discretion and access to private entrances. netjets.com

WHEN REGULAR PRIVATE ISN’T ENOUGH VistaJet is all over celebrity Instagrams. Spotted deplaning its distinctive aircraft? Will and Kate, George Clooney and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Flying private is already pretty swank, but flying VistaJet is even better. Its flight attendants are trained at the Butler’s Institute of London, its Nobu partnership takes in-flight fare up a notch and it even promises better cabin air. They pressurize at

PART OF THE CLUB If you want to fly private all the time but don’t want to take on the hassle of actually owning a plane (I mean, who does?), consider a jet club membership. Fractional

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

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GO 4,000 feet versus 10,000, which means more oxygen, less exhaustion. The least expensive contract available is $600,000 per year for fifty hours of flying time.

Membership requires a three-year commitment— shoulder-brush with Clooney not included. vistajet.com

LINCOLN NAVIGATOR BLACK LABEL Price as Tested: $96,570 Drivetrain: 450-hp 3.5-liter V6 twin turbo

YOU’RE OKAY WITH SHARING

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EPA Mileage Ratings: 16 city/ 24 highway

New Glory

Lincoln’s

The Navigator: Max-sized luxury

I

n its drive to be noticed again, Lincoln’s designers have determined their new grandees should have what they call “a captivating stance.” Indeed, the freshly remade Navigator SUV creates quite the presentation in your driveway with its blockbuster face and stylin’ rims. The looks might dazzle, but what’s amazing is how they made a vehicle of such Alpine size handle so damned well. The Navigator takes a big leap forward in the Big Luxury niche.

As you approach the Navigator with key fob in your pocket, it senses your arrival and lights twinkle hello. A running board emerges to help you step inside, where ambient lighting (of your hue choice) soothes your brow.

The interior surfaces are elegant. The dash has real buttons for many critical functions, which makes it easier—not to mention far safer—than the touch-screen controls once in fashion. The nav unit is a snap.

When you move away from the curb, the Navigator just feels, well, nimble. It steers with a creamy ease. The insanely tight turning

radius makes braving a crowded parking lot a mere trifle, and the ten-speed transmission is always in the right gear and ready to leap.

Don’t ask me how they got a three-ton, 450-hp vehicle to average 20 mpg.

In inclement weather, the Navigator’s various AWD driving modes (such as “slippery”) can be accessed with a quick turn of a dial. Hard braking feels as easy as laying your head on a feather pillow.

On a long drive, you feel as though your salon chair is calmly sailing through space. It’s tall enough that you feel you can peer over the dark side of the moon, but there is none of the topheaviness that used to bother these big fellows.

The second row can be ordered as a bench for three or with two captain’s chairs, a console and video screens. The second- and third-row seats can be flattened with a touch of a button.

In a crowded field of contenders, the new Navigator really steps out. Our tester was the maxed-out Black Label edition, but other versions start in the low $70,000s.

—Chris Hodenfield

PHOTOGRAPHS CONTRIBUTED

With a membership to JetSmarter, no miles are clocked. You fly “free” as often as you want throughout the year. The catch? You’re sharing the plane with other members, itineraries can be limited and flights longer than three hours can cost extra.

There are two levels of membership. For $15,000 annually you can fly unlimited on scheduled flights that are under three hours. However, you can only book two legs at a time. So hopping from destination to destination needs to be booked as you go.

For $50,000 annually you don’t pay a surcharge for flights longer than three hours and you’re able to book four legs at a time.

There is a $2,500 initiation fee for the less expensive membership, but we have it on good authority that it can be negotiated.

Membership at both levels allows you to book seats on JetSmarter shuttle flights between cities or spend-up and charter a flight that suits your specific need but only pay for the seats you use.

In addition to the regular flights, JetSmarter creates routes for popular events like SXSW, Art Basel and Sundance Film Festival.

Booking is done through the app. This service is perfect for the gadabout who is free to jet to Miami last minute to escape the frigid temps and doesn’t need a specific date or time. jetsmarter.com

e é r i o S Spring tre lace Thea a P e h T t a

s, f cocktail vening o lebrate the e d te a c ti e . c as we c r a sophis to HOME Join us fo vres and live musi ts from homeless u n hors d’oe urney of our clie l jo successfu

Thursday, April 26, 2018 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Our Mission is to break the cycle of homelessness by helping people achieve — and maintain — permanent housing and stability in their lives. inspiricact.org

The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic Street, Stamford CT 06901 To purchase tickets online go to www.InspiricaCT.org/spring-soiree To become an event sponsor, reserve your tickets or for more information, contact Diane Pauley (203) 388-0187 or dpauley@inspiricaCT.org

Stamford Mag AD 2018.qxp_Layout 1 1/25/18 9:34 AM Page 1

a NOVEL affair Wednesday, April 18 5:30 – 8:30 pm to benefit

The Ferguson Library #anovelaffair2018

An evening of food and festivities to benefit The Ferguson Library at the Main Library, DiMattia Building, Bedford and Broad Streets, Stamford Honoring Sandy Goldstein, President of Stamford Downtown

Tickets are $125 / sponsorships available by calling 203 351-8208.

Reserve at fergusonlibrary.org or call 203 351-8205.

MAJOR SPONSORS TO DATE

CERVANTES Friends of The Ferguson Library SL Green HEMINGWAY OdysseyRe Pitney Bowes Purdue Pharma DICKINSON Altria Group First County Bank Thomson Reuters FITZGERALD Cacace Tusch & Santagata Cornell University Veterinary Specialists Larry Morse & Pamela McKoin FAULKNER William & Melvina Callion, Jr.; Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey; Amy & Tony Downer; Garden Homes Management; Hoffman Investment Partners; Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home; Juanita James & Dudley Williams; Konica Minolta; Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; Deborah & Robert Neiman; Ann Sexton; Marsha Shendell; Stamford Health MEDIA PARTNERS Hey Stamford OmNomCT Stamford Magazine/Moffly Media (exclusive magazine sponsor)

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

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EAT

status report

BAR ZEPOLI • RUM

From left: Chicken scarpiello; the inviting bar; Nonna’s Meatballs

Love at First Bite Bar Zepoli introduces Stamford to an elevated Italian menu that pays homage to waves of immigrant culinary traditions by va l e r i e fost e r p h oto g ra p h s by j u l i e b i dw e l l

B

ar Zepoli had us the minute we entered and saw its brick walls, wood floors and tabletops, huge windows draped in burgundy fabric—a rich color repeated on the ceiling—and a lovely, homey bar that seemed to beckon, “Come in and stay awhile.”

Before I begin, I must admit to a bit of apprehension before arriving; this space, after all, was long the home to the popular, and still missed, mainstay, Napa & Co. Thankfully, Bar Zepoli did not set out to imitate anything that Napa offered. This selfproclaimed “Italian-American Grill” is a total redo,

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offering original interpretations of Italian mainstays that all work very well.

We felt special from the start, beginning with our drink orders, which were taken and delivered promptly with a presentation of perfectly baked, crusty Italian bread. Not one of us could resist dipping a slice into the generous helping of fruity, rosemary-scented olive oil at the center of the table.

To share, we agreed on two offerings from the small plates section and one pizza to launch into our meal.

Many restaurants are now adding lobster to add depth

dinner dance Saturday, April 21, 6pm

Delamar, Greenwich Harbor

2018 Champion for Recovery Dr. Lloyd Sederer

Chief Medical Officer New York State Office of Mental Health

Laurel House Town Champions Darien: Amy Bell Executive Director, Darien Community Association

New Canaan: Amy Wilkinson Board Member, Rotary Club of New Canaan

Fairfield/Westport: Kim Meier President, Near & Far Aid

Rowayton: Cathy and Neal Konstantin Public Education Advocates

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

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EAT

to macaroni and cheese but here, portions of the crustacean are generous and paired with crispy pancetta, presenting a savory and sweet contrast that is extraordinary. Since it’s prepared in a blend of Gruyère and cheddar, and topped with grape-tomato topping, the result is a fusion of creaminess, flavor and crunch that lingers just long enough.

Nonna’s Meatballs were huge globes of a house blend of meat swimming in a sweet basil tomato sauce. It’s a wonderful recipe; we just wish it had been served a tad warmer. On the other hand, the pizza we opted for, the Toscana,

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featuring mozzarella and triplecream Brie, was a perfect blend of oozy cheese and crispy crust. The added wild mushrooms, roasted shallots and a drizzle of truffle oil added a welcome earthiness and bite to each morsel.

At this point, we realized we had bitten off more than we could chew—for small plates, the portions are large. (You are officially warned.) But we powered on.

The yellowfin tuna salad was a small work of art, and a nice respite before our main courses.

At the base were three wonton shells, which the chef individually fries and shapes into small flowers.

They are served on a bed of seaweed, filled with diced yellow fin and a light, airy wasabi mousseline, and topped with large slices of pickled ginger. It is all accented with an avocado-lime vinaigrette that added the right tangy accent.

The osso buco was exactly as it should be: fall-off-the-bone veal served on a bed of mushroom risotto and accompanied with roasted root vegetables and a traditional herbed-citrus gremolata.

It proved to be the perfect antidote to a cold winter night.

Our pasta choice was carbonara, this version featuring tagliatelle— great for capturing the flavorful

below: Osso buco right: Machiatto Caramelo opposite, from left: The main dining room, macaroni and cheese with lobster and housemade Italian bread, baked daily.

sauce—with rendered pork cheek, an upscale substitute for bacon.

The pasta was al dente, the sauce creamy and flavorful, and the presentation almost too pretty to eat.

And then there was the chicken scarpiello, a must-have when offered. At the base was a soft polenta that perfectly absorbed the juices from the moist chicken and sausage, and crispy onions and peppers that make up the dish.

A rule when reviewing is that we must try at least one dessert, so we decided on two; our waiter told us they were both too good to pass up. One was the zeppole (or zepole) their version of the Italian

doughnut, a soft and chewy gem with a crispy, cinnamon-laced crust. Be sure to save bites to dunk into an espresso.

Our second dessert, a Machiatto Caramelo, an espresso mousse cake served on warm sea salt caramel, sprinkled with toffee crumble and served with rich, housemade vanilla ice cream, also received top honors.

I would be remiss if I didn’t call out the attentive staff. We were enjoying our small plates so much that it took us far too long to order our entrées. Once we did, since food is cooked to order, our waiter, Ricardo, was concerned we’d have

to wait. Just before our main courses arrived, he came over with a bottle of the wine we had just finished, and poured each of us a complimentary extra glass. (We were amazed because the extra time between courses had been our fault.) When you combine Ricardo’s attention with other nice touches—always-refilled water glasses and plates not whisked away until the whole table had finished a course— we say bravo to this finely tuned staff, offering the kind of great service that keeps customers coming back for more.

BAR ZEPOLI

5 Broad St. 203-353-3319 barzepoli.com

CUISINE: Italian

HOURS:

Weekdays: Breakfast, 6:30–10 a.m.

Lunch, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Dinner, 5–10 p.m.

Saturday: Breakfast, 7:30–10:30 a.m.

Brunch, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Dinner, 5–11 p.m.

Sunday: Breakfast, 7:30–10:30 a.m.

Brunch, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

Dinner, 5–10 p.m.

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

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NOW TRENDING

Did you hear?

Rum is having a moment. High time to acquaint yourself with this sweet, aromatic spirit

ABCs of RUM

Rum flavors range from the floral to funky, offering much to explore. To get you started, here are some types and brands to consider tasting.

F

Aged

irst brewed from by-products of sugar making in the English West Indies in the early 1600s, rum was a “hot, hellish and terrible liquor,” one early critic noted. Over the next 200 years, advances in distilling, filtering and flavoring transformed rum into a smooth and sweet spirit.

Today, distillers are increasing flavor by returning to traditional methods. Though the market is still dominated by white, spiced and flavored rums, which are less expensive and easy to mix, quality and craft are on the rise, and easy to find. —Elizabeth Keyser

Ron Centenario 30 Year Aged goes for $150 a bottle. The Costa Rican distillery’s 20 Year is a bargain at $50 a bottle.

American Craft Rum

High Wire Distilling, in Asheville, North Carolina, ferments fresh crushed sugar cane to make a craft rum in the traditional French West Indies rhum style.

Cachaça

Brazilian rum made from fermented sugar cane has a high-octane punch.

White cachaça, mixed with mashed limes, sugar, and poured over crushed ice, is a caipirinha. Try sipping aged cachaça after dinner.

Cask Aged

Mount Gay, the oldest rum brewery, releases annual selections of ten- to thirty-year-old rums, under the Mount Gay 1703 label.

It’s sweeter than white rum, with caramel notes.

Dark

Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year, and El Dorado, from Guyana.

Flavored

Rum

Coconut-flavored Malibu is the classic. Who doesn’t love what it does for piña coladas?

Distilled from molasses.

Hogo

Single Barrel

A traditional method of reusing fermented sediment from the bottom of the stilling pit. This produces high levels of esters, flavor compounds that are deep, earthy and nutty.

Try Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still super hogo.

Infused

Rum takes well to being infused with fruit, herbs and spices. Think pineapple, ginger, citrus, or rosemary. Try infusing at home!

Jamaican Rum

This is a traditional, fruitier, funkier style found in Appleton Estate Reserve Blend and

Rhum

Distilled from sugar cane.

Don Q 10 Year Aged, and Gran Añejo 9–12 Year Aged, both from Serallés Destilería in Puerto Rico (open again since Hurricane Maria) are favorites of connoisseurs.

Special Wood Finishes

Ron Abuelo, from Varela Hermanos in Puerto Rico, is aged in Oloroso sherry and port casks.

Spiced

Captain Morgan has steered to less sweet Black Spiced Rum and Sherry Oak Finish rum.

White

Clearer and crisper than dark rum. Better for mixed drinks.

APERITIF Rum is one of the few spirits drunk warm.

L’Escale’s hot Cool Runnings, a blend of Dos Maderas rum (Barbados and Guyana rum aged in Spanish sherry casks) and warm, infused apple cider, is a great way to start your evening when dining in Greenwich.

COCKTAIL South End in New Canaan serves Urusala’s Punch, rum with pineapple and orange juice, and grenadine.

DINNER At Farmer’s Table in New Canaan, chef Robert Ubauldo suggests having a mojito or rum punch with his Shrimp Mojo, or guacamole and chipotle salsa tacos. He uses Panamanian Caña Brava white rum, aged three years, in his mojito, and Blackwell rum in the punch, a blend of pineapple, orange and lime juices.

DIGESTIF Because aged rums have complex, rich and sweet flavors, Try lingering and sipping them straight or over ice.

You can thank me later. S

Elizabeth Keyser has written about beer, wine and spirits for newspapers, magazines and blogs. She has sat on the Yankee Brew News tasting panel and judged craft and European brew contests.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ©ALENKADR - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Sipping Encouraged Pairings ideas for before, during or after your meal

S AV E T H E D AT E !

NEW COVENANT CENTER’S 14TH ANNUAL CELEBRITY BREAKFAST Featuring Guest Speaker

J E F F FA G E R

Executive Producer, 60 Minutes

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2018 Woodway Country Club | 540 Hoyt Street | Darien, CT 7:00 A.M. Networking Coffee | 7:30 A.M. Event Program For tickets visit: 2018NewCovenantCenterBreakfast.eventbrite.com For information email: lhinds-simpson@ccfc-ct.org

JEFF FAGER Executive Producer, 60 Minutes

A Beneft For

Join Us April 28, 2018

8 p.m. The Palace Theatre, Stamford, CT Honoring Margaret Keane President & CEO of Synchrony Financial

BOX OFFICE 203-325-4466 palacestamford.org

For premier seating & sponsorships call CLC at 203-653-1337 | clcfc.org

Valerie Simpson Special appearance by

Paul Shaffer Also Featuring Darlene Love

Alan Kalter

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

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DadAboutTown SUPERMARKETS

by kevin mckeever

Shopping List I

spend a lot of time in supermarkets. I just can’t figure out why. And it seems my eighteen-year-old daughter is inheriting this quirk.

Two straight days rarely pass without me stopping to pick up something: milk, lettuce, some requested flavor of Halo Top “ice cream” (quotes definitely required). This is even though our family only numbers four—not including the dog whose food is special-ordered online, the snob. This is despite us having two refrigerator/freezers, plenty of pantry space and a Costco membership. What gives?

While growing up in the residential woods of North Stamford may have meant our family was doing well financially, socially it meant we were literally in the sticks. I believe my housewife mother’s regular trips to the market, on which I was inevitably dragged along, were how she kept in touch

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with civilization beyond the plot lines of Days of Our Lives. This might explain why, even though she was rarely adventurous, she had a way of hitting nearly every supermarket north of Ridgeway Center every month.

And there were many back then.

The A&P at High Ridge and Buxton Farms roads was closest, and her go-to for meats.

The store became an Acme three years ago, and while my daughter and I don’t like its cramped aisles, we love its bakery, especially the Irish soda bread they sell in March.

Just down the street, Mom would hunt for bargains at Finast, which I better remember as the only place in town that carried every single flavor of Shasta. Years later it was reborn as a Mrs. Green’s Natural Market, one of the early havens for gluten-free eaters (which my daughter was for a while) before it closed in 2016.

Where now stands the Stamford Crowne Plaza on Summer Street was once a Grand Union. We stopped going there after the time our station wagon was sideswiped while we pulled into the lot. The Grand Union in Glenbrook, now a Grade A, took its spot in the rotation; however, Palmer’s Market in Springdale, beloved by that community before becoming one of our city’s gazillion CVS pharmacies, was skipped over because Mom found it just too small.

Nowadays, we have friends who swear by the mammoth ShopRite on West Main or the many specialties offered by Fairway Market

in Harbor Point. However, we stick with two staples. First is the Newfield Avenue Grade A. It’s rare we can’t find what we need there, especially since it expanded the produce, bakery and deli sections in 2014.

Bonus: I’m pretty sure most of the older Italian cashiers are the same women I’ve known in local markets since childhood.

Next is Trader Joe’s on High Ridge Road.

While my daughter and wife love the seasonal treats, especially during “anythingcan-be-pumpkin-spiced” season, I have my sentimental reasons for shopping there.

While growing up, this was a different supermarket—Grand Central (you’ll find some online maps still refer to the shopping center as Grand Central Fashion Plaza)— and where I held my first job, mostly fetching abandoned carts from the lot and sorting returned bottles. Not prime tasks, but the deli guys kept me and my other teenage co-workers well fed.

I’d reminisce more if I could, but my daughter’s waiting out in the car for us to go on our latest supermarket sweep. Pick you S up anything?

Kevin McKeever is a freelance writer and national award-winning newspaper columnist.

His work has appeared in publications and landfills worldwide.

You can reach him at kevin@writeonkevin.com.

PHOTOGRAPHS: McKEEVER BY ANDREW SULLIVAN, GROCERIES BY © SKYLINE - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

On trips to the store, best places for specialty items, hunting for bargains and reminiscing about the old Grand Central market

Cinco de Derby CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT ANNUAL GALA SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM (Race Post Time: 6:34pm) COCKTAILS & SILENT AUCTION DINNER & LIVE AUCTION Derby Chic Attire

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The Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut is dedicated to improving the mental and behavioral health of children and teens through treatment, education, and community support.

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All proceeds from CGC’s gala will ensure that our community’s highest risk children receive the best possible mental health services. Every dollar raised will help us lead a struggling child down a path to a happier and healthier life.

Exclusive media sponsor Moffly Media

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

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A Coeducational Enrichment & Preparatory Program for Grades 6 –12 J U N E 11 – J U N E 2 9 , 2 0 1 8 Brunswick School’s coeducational Summer Session offers classes to students interested in building a foundation in various disciplines. We offer a wide variety of courses to Middle and Upper School-aged students and specialize in preparatory work for the academic year ahead. Visit Brunswickschool. org/summersession for more information on courses and how to apply.

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161 Sky Meadow Drive, Stamford, CT 06903

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING We welcome wedding announcements together with candid photographs. Weddings should have a current Stamford family connection and must be submitted within three months of the wedding day. Regretfully, we are unable to run every wedding submitted.

Send Information to: editor@stamfordmag.com Stamford Magazine 205 Main Street Westport, CT 06880 STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England

SPRING LUNCHEON 2018 The recent attacks on reproductive health and rights are unprecedented.

Join us in the fight to provide health care for all people.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 · 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Stamford Marriott · 243 Tresser Blvd. · Stamford, CT 06901 Featured Speaker:

Faye Wattleton, past President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

For tickets or more information: Faye Wattleton

PPFA President, 1987-1992

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Call: (203) 752-2813 Email: Special.Events@ppsne.org Visit: ppsne.org/springluncheon

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England C E L E B R AT I N G

95 Y E A R S

OF CARE

VOWS I do!

by c o l l e e n c r o w l e y

TARA LORRAINE MOSELEY & GARY CLIFFORD DUNN

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hank goodness for sisters. When Tara contemplated canceling her blind date with Gary, her sister urged her to go, saying, “This could be your first date with your future husband.” How right she was. The two met over drinks and enjoyed their time together so much, they stayed for dinner and soon began dating. One summer evening in 2015, Gary proposed to Tara in their backyard with their loyal dog Belle by their side.

The wedding ceremony, officiated by Gary’s stepfather, Dr. Rev. Lindsay Curtis, took place at The Inn at Longshore in Westport. To add to the cheer, the groomsmen gave everyone a good laugh by changing into ugly Christmas sweaters for the reception introductions.

Tara is the daughter of Christine and Thomas Moseley of Stamford.

She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in home product development. She works at the Conair Corporation in Stamford as a senior product manager and is the co-founder of Clementine Creative Studio.

Gary is the son of Janis Curtis of Wilton and John Dunn of Williamsburg, Virginia. He graduated from the University of Connecticut and received his master’s degree in educational studies from Manhattanville College.

He works at The Stanwich School in Greenwich, where he is the assistant head of the Upper School, and the athletic director.

The couple honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, before returning home to Stamford. »

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1 The newlyweds cut their cake. 2 The bridal party braves chilly temperatures with smiles. 3 The bride’s winter bouquet 4 The groom’s parents, Janis Curtis and John Dunn, cutting a rug.

5 Handrolled cigars for guests 6 The bride’s parents, Tom and Chris Moseley 7 Flower girls Maya Gibson and Isabella Kennedy

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VOWS

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1 Happily married! 2 The wedding cake 3 Adorable ring bearer Brady Landry and flower girl Adelyn Santorella 4 The bridal party 5 Patrick and Emily Turano dancing the night away 6 The bride’s bouquet 7 Strolling along the waterfront 8 The ceremony overlooking Stamford Harbor

| | KATHERINE JEAN FAIRCHILD & BRENDAN ROBERT MELLEN | |

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC BRUSHETT PHOTOGRAPHY

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atherine had no idea she would fall in love with the boy next door. Or, rather, the boy upstairs. Brendan and Kat lived in the same apartment complex and frequently saw each other in the building’s gym but never spoke to one another. That changed when they ran into each other at a local bar and talked into the night, exchanging phone numbers before the evening was over. The next day, Brendan called Kat and invited her over to watch the Golden Globes and enjoy some pizza.

Three years later, Brendan rented a cottage at Winvian Farm in Litchfield County and proposed during a private dinner. The couple was married by their friend, Justice of the Peace Patrick Turano, at the Stamford Yacht Club, where a reception followed. “We chose to get married in Stamford because our entire love story took place in Stamford,” says Kat. Guests could even see the apartment building where the couple first met from the venue.

The bride is the daughter of Beverly and Randy Fairchild of New Fairfield.

She received her master’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut and works as a Spanish teacher at Eastern Middle School in Greenwich. The groom is the son of Lisa and Bill Mellen of Easton. He graduated from Monmouth University and is an account executive for RR Donnelly, splitting time between Norwalk and Manhattan.

The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Rome and Florence. They call Stamford home. S

Attention Best of Winners!

You asked for it and we listened!

We received hundreds of requests on how you can get additional marketing materials and signs to announce YOUR BEST OF WIN! We’re proud to announce Moffly Media’s official Best Of The Gold Coast & Best Of Town ONLINE STORE! Proudly display your win to the community with:

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MOFFLY MEDIA’S

2018

Event Lineup Mark your calendars!

SPRING • SUMMER

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B E ST BARTE N D E R C O NTE ST by

May 16

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MAGAZINE

2018

June 13 Harbor Point Stamford

July 19 Hilton Stamford

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FALL • WINTER

Darien’s

B E ST B A RTE N D E R awards September 12 Palace Theatre Stamford

CONTEST

Presented by NEW CANAAN-DARIEN+ROWAYTON MAGAZINE

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7TH ANNUAL

For more information and sponsorships please contact Laurinda Finelli at 203.571.1614 Want to see party pics, videos and more details about the 2018 events? Go to ilovefc.com/events

2018 December Westport

SCENE Stealers

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tamford Symphony’s annual Prelude, its opening night gala, drew 200 guests to the Palace Theatre for dinner and a performance conducted by the first of five finalists vying for the open music director position. Before the concert, longtime symphony CEO and president, Barbara Soroca, was honored for her thirty-nine years of service. As a parting gift, she created the Soroca Fund for American Music, to ensure that premier American composers could be featured more often as part of future symphony repertoire. »

1 Melinda Magnani, Kathleen and Gregory Suss 2 Eric Kung, Earl Kim 3 Bill Fulton, Marion Glowka, Claudia Fulton 4 Marcia Shendell, Alice Knapp, Penny Young, Melissa Mulrooney 5 Alfonsina and Andres Siefken, Karin Levi, Cathy and Michael Mayone 6 Joe Steuert, Susan Bhirud 7 Mike Puleo, Tom Herbig, Russell Jones 8 Kathleen Flaherty, Paul Landaiche

( for more party pics visit stamfordmag.com )

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1 Barbara Sorocca, Jesse Rosen, Steve Parrish, Mayor David Martin, Jim Marpe 2 Renata Rabacov, Rodnei Larini, Emmanuel and Sophie Saounatsos 3 Anita and Thom Field 4 Louise and Deborah Stern 5 Herb Soroca, Julie Forrester-Alexandre 6 Susan and Richard Blomberg 7 Standing: Judy Hall, Roberta Wiener, Barbara Soroca, Ronnie Fein; sitting: Susan Blomberg, Carol Nadel, Jennifer Lapine 8 Jim Marpe, Barbara Soroca, Mary Ellen Marpe 9 Ron Aaron, Roberta Wiener, Erica Kiesewetter, Sam Abernathy »

PHOTOGRAPHS BY HILDI TODRIN, CRANE SONG PHOTOGRAPHY

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WHAT’S IN YOUR YARD?

DREW KLOTZ KINETIC SCULPTURE 203 221 0563 DREWKLOTZ.COM

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1 Cristin Marandino, Kunjan Patel 2 Jennifer, Max, Ted and Alex Rosenberg 3 Donna Moffly, Shiva Sarram, Cyrus Pearson, Afsaneh Djabbari-Aslani 4 Bruce Koe, John Gutman, Paul and Sue Harenstein, Ivan Horak, Linda Koe 5 The 2017 Light a Fire honorees 6 Catalina and Adam Whittingham, Robyn Whittingham, Paul Rockwell, Andrew Whittingham, Michael Whittingham, Michael Daglio, Terran Whittingham, Pauline Daglio 7 Marcia Loomis, Ann Clark 8 Sasha and Jonathan Moffly, Juanita James 9 James Naughton, Rocco Vitale

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Always Giving

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he tenth annual Light A Fire Awards, hosted

by Moffly Media, drew about 200 supporters of local philanthropy to honor the recipients of this recognition and to celebrate the work they do for our communities. The gathering was held at the Westport Country Playhouse, where Tony Award-winning actor, James Naughton, served as emcee.

Among the honorees were Stamford’s own Bruce and Linda Koe, brothers Michael and Andrew Whittingham, and Margaret Keane, CEO of Synchrony Financial.

A portion of the proceeds raised during the event was donated to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MELANI LUST

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THE RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSE MOFFLY MEDIA

EVENING OF ART, WINE & JAZZ SERIES Join us in the lobby for wine tasting by Pera Wines and an art exhibit!

MARCH

2 Ann Hampton Callaway and Cyrille Aimee

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Celebrating Ella Fitzgerald’s repertoire

23 Brubeck Brothers Quartet ft. Dan & Chris Brubeck

APRIL

3 Brian Culbertson “Colors of Love Tour”

Award-winning contemporary jazz & funk!

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1 Brian Grissler, Stacey Malakoff 2 Ned Burns, Andy Merrill, Lou Shapiro 3 Robert K. Steel, Kathleen Silard, executive vice president and COO, Stamford Health 4 Helen Jaffe, Suzanne Beitel, Cynthia Foster Curry

| | H S S O R T H O P E D I C S AT S TA M F O R D H E A L T H | |

Health Benefits

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MINUSH KRASNIQI

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SS Orthopedics and Stamford Health advanced their collaboration by opening HSS Orthopedics at Stamford Health, an inpatient surgical unit at Stamford Hospital. The collaboration had previously introduced a sports rehabilitation facility at Chelsea Piers, and outpatient surgery at the Tully Health Center.

The opening ceremony and ribbon cutting was led by Brian G. Grissler, president and CEO of Stamford Health, who was joined

by Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO of the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The new 40,000-square-foot unit encompasses the entire fifth floor of Stamford Hospital, allowing a greater number of inpatient orthopedic surgical cases. The unit consists of two operating rooms, four pre-op beds, twelve recovery beds and nineteen inpatient rooms as well as a rehabilitation gym. »

ALSO COMING UP MARCH

15 Starship featuring Mickey Thomas

“Jane,” “Sara,” “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” “We Built This City” & more!

16 An Evening with the Celebrity Housewives

Hosted by WSFB’s Scot Haney Starring Teresa Giudice, Brandi Glanville and Carole Radziwill

APRIL

14 An Evening with Bebe Neuwirth

Accompanied by pianist Scott Cady

19 Paul Anka - Celebrating

60 Years of Hits – His Way!

203.438.5795 • RIDGEFIELDPLAYHOUSE.ORG MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

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SCENE The Domestic Violence Crisis Center is committed to promoting the fundamental right of all individuals to be safe in their personal relationships. Our professional staff offers confidential services at no charge, including court and legal services, group and individual counseling, temporary shelter, housing services, children’s services, medical advocacy, multilingual services, PeaceWorks prevention education and a 24-hour hotline (1-888-774-2900).

DVCC is the only domestic violence agency serving the communities of Stamford, Norwalk, Westport, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton and Weston.

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777 Summer Street, Suite 400 • Stamford, CT 06901-1022 Phone: (203) 588-9100 5 Eversley Avenue • Norwalk, CT 06851-5821 Phone: (203) 853-0418 www.dvccct.org

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TOLL-FREE 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 1-888-774-2900 1 Adele Goldsmith Mancini, Linda Avellar, Barb Aronica-Buck 2 Lynda Carrol, Lisa Cuscuna, Ellen Gordon, Shelly Denning 3 Bob and Pat Phillips

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2018 BENEFIT SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018 FROM 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM Cocktails, Dinner, Silent Auction, & Dancing. Featuring live music

FAIRFIELD THEATRE COMPANY WAREHOUSE 70 Sanford Street, Fairfield, CT

Tickets : www.habitatcfc.org/annual-benefit

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| | L O F T A R T I S T S A S S O C I AT I O N | |

Art Form

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o kick off a yearlong celebration to commemorate the fortieth birthday of The Loft Artists Association (LAA), Bob and Pat Phillips hosted Art in our Community, a benefit reception for the LAA at the Stamford Yacht Club.

The event featured a silent auction, a raffle of donated art works by LAA members, and a blind wine toss. Proceeds will support the art collective’s programming of workshops and gallery initiatives that foster cultural awareness and promote art education in Stamford.

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Star Power

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rammy Award-winner Tony Bennett, along with Tony Award-winner James Naughton, joined the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) at its annual fall gala in Greenwich. They were present to celebrate honorees Avery and Monte Lipman (founders of Republic Records), and Ryan Anthony, principal trumpeter of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

The men received awards in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the MMRF. “The fall gala has always been a tremendous evening of gratitude for the remarkable progress we have made in cancer research,” said MMRF President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Giusti. “The generous contributions of our supporters enable us to advance our precision medicine model and drive new treatments to the clinic.” The gala was attended by 800 supporters including patients, family members, healthcare leaders and executives who all share a mission to find a cure. »

12 1 Paul Giusti 2 Brian Williams and Kathy Giusti 3 Lori Marcus, Karen Andrews, Bonnie Arrix 4 Chrissy Wojcik, Rachel and Robert Ranieri 5 Tiffany Begoon, Bridget Robustelli, Elizabeth Mulhern, Ed Rogusky (standing), Todd Boe, Bonnie Arrix, Patricia Gordon Rogusky, Lori Marandola 6 Ryan Anthony 7 Laurie and Joe Maimone; Danny Bennett, Michele Anthony 8 Monte Lipman, Michael Reinart and Avery Lipman 9 Tony Bennett 10 Bobby Rosenkranz, Emily Flaxman, Tamara Rosenkranz 11 Kathy and David Giusti, Abby Geanakos 12 Gordon Reid, Leslie Glover, Clive Davis, Greg Schriefer, Jesse Muscio

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1 John Barricelli, Sandra Lott 2 Annette Morrill, Judy Carroll, AC O’Rourke 3 Wendy McPartlan, Mike Boyd, Paul Harinstein, Jim McPartlan 4 Bruce Koe, Jim Buchanan 5 Sarita Hanley, Jennifer Ludlow, Al Barber, Laure Aubuchon, Cathy James 6 Linda Koe, Bruce and Maria Miller 7 Anni De marco, Lida Desautels, Gina Barber 8 Pam Koprowski, Mary Sommer, Muriel Drakes 9 Heide Moeller, Karen McNair, Betsy Lopez

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he seventh annual Harvest Table, held at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, raised a record-breaking $110,000 for New Covenant Center of Stamford, one of the largest soup kitchens in the state. Funds will be used to support NCC programs and operations.

The event featured a silent auction, delicious hors d’oeuvres from Marketplace vendors, and guest speaker Cecily Gans, who spoke about fighting food insecurity one bite at a time.

In addition to serving more than 600,000 meals a year, New Covenant Center helps guests through life coaching, job skills training, a computer lab, immigration services and basic living needs such as haircuts and showers. It is open 365 days per year, providing three meals daily, and now operates the largest food pantry in Stamford, one of the largest in Connecticut.

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1 Silversource executive director Kathleen Bordeon (center) with Dr. David Sachs, keynote speaker Crispin Baynes, Steve Montano, Steven Kaufman 2 Robert Goldstein, Michael Mezzapelle 3 Patricia and Dr. Michael Parry 4 Laura Walbert, Peggy Young 5 Brian Stacey, Ruben Nogueira, Paul Garavel 6 Congressman Jim Himes at the podium 7 Honorees Denise L Cesareo, Roni Lang, Patricia Knebel, Jim Lisher 8 Denise L Cesareo, Roni Lang, Patricia Knebel, Jim Lisher 9 Mayor David Martin, Adele Gordon

| | SILVERSOURCE| |

PHOTOGRAPHS BY STUDIO SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

Older & Wiser

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bout 225 investors, entrepreneurs and business and community leaders gathered for the third annual SilverSource Autumn Breakfast. The engaging event explored technological innovations that will help us all live better as we age. Also, recipients of the 2017 SilverSource Awards, Denise L. Cesareo, Roni Lang, Patricia Knebel and Jim Lisher, were honored for their contributions to bettering the lives of Fairfield County’s older residents.

The event raised critical funds for older adults in need of financial assistance and community support in our area.

The annual breakfast event is the primary fundraiser for SilverSource, which serves older adults and their families in Fairfield County. S

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make the only list that matters 2018 awards celebrate talent. honor vision. create community.

ENTER NOW! athomefc.com If you have a project or firm in CT‌ Go to athomefc.com to find out how to get on the A-List, athome’s premier home design competition!

Deadline to Enter - May 1 SAVE THE DATE for the A-List Awards Gala! September 12, 2018 at the Palace Theatre in Stamford.

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ish D2018 Feast your eyes on these irresistible eats right here in our own backyard. The restaurants on the following pages offer a wide variety of old and new favorites, from classic comfort food to new and exotic dishes.

Check out their mouth-watering Instagram photos, learn what inspires both chefs and owners alike and what keeps customers coming back for more.

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Table 104 Osteria Bar 299 Long Ridge Road, Stamford

203.388.8898 | table104stamford.com

@table104_osteriabar

Interview with Managing Partners Domenico Iovieno & Walter Cappelli

If you weren’t cooking for a living, what would you be doing?

I would be entertaining people on the Amalfi Coast.

The person you would most like to cook for My mother

What inspires you?

as well as a fabulous u-shaped bar where our guests love to sit, eat and enjoy our 104 Negroni Americano.

Over-the-top request This may sound silly, but someone once asked us to make linguini with clams without clams, isn’t that crazy?

We try to re-create a familiar atmosphere from where we grew up. There, people have a great passion and love for food and wines. We try to incorporate this into our guests’ experience, so that their interaction with us is fun and unforgettable.

People rave about

Fun facts to share about your establishment

What is the one piece of equipment you can’t do without?

We have a great outdoor patio that opens in April and stays open as long as the weather permits. We also have a space downstairs for private parties,

Our wood burning pizza oven that was shipped here from Italy. Our pizza chef Massimo who originates from Naples, makes our classic Neapolitan

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Barolo braised beef with homemade pappardelle, grilled octopus with scallions and celery, shaved Brussels sprouts salad with raisins and pine nuts and, to top it off, our dark chocolate and hazelnut tiramisu.

pizza with sourdough crust, which gives it a fluffiness and a crunch like no other.

We more importantly respect the temperatures, the quality and the skills of our pizza chef.

All of these things have kept Table 104 a meaningful part of the community for over four years.

Imagine it’s the last weekend on earth.

Which city are you eating in?

Tokyo, eating sushi or Sperlonga (small town on the coast of Italy), eating linguini with mixed seafood.

When did you know you wanted to be a chef?

As a young boy, I always enjoyed watching my family cook for others. I grew up in the restaurant industry and my family owns a restaurant in Furore (Amalfi Coast). Surrounded by that

environment, I developed a passion for food, family and cooking for others.

What keeps your customers coming back?

Our customers come back for the warm atmosphere, the positive vibe and the consistency of our traditional cuisine.

Cooking style Modern Italian comfort food

Your favorite dish to prepare Homemade sausage ragu

Favorite cookbook Flour + Water=Pasta by Thomas McNaughton with Paolo Lucchesi

Top three condiments you can’t live without Extra virgin olive oil, yuzu (a combination of citrus flavors) and garlic, of course!

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Prime: An American Kitchen and Bar 78 Southfield Avenue, Stamford 203.817.0700 | restaurantprime.com/stamford

@primestamford

Interview with Executive Chef Julio Genao

If you weren’t cooking for a living, what would you be doing?

Art. My passion aside from cooking is drawing and sketching. However, I do get to use my creativity at work every day, especially when it comes to plating. The dish is like a blank canvas for me to work on.

The person you would most like to cook for Barack Obama. His favorite type of cuisine is known to be Italian.

That is my favorite type of cuisine to cook.

What inspires you?

Seasons. I often choose ingredients based on the season.

Fun facts to share about your establishment We have a three-course wine dinner every Wednesday. This is an opportunity for me to express my creativity and incorporate

the seasons into my cooking.

Sometimes we use local farms and small purveyors for these menus specifically, which I especially enjoy.

Over-the-top request I once had a woman ask for a female lobster. It’s not common for customers to specify the sex of the lobster they would like served to them. Nonetheless, we made sure she got a female lobster.

People rave about Our steaks. That is our specialty after all. At Prime, all of our steaks are Certified USDA Prime and dryaged for at least twenty-one days.

What are you known for?

Aside from the top-quality steaks and seafood, we are well-known for our location. We have beautiful waterfront views and you can dock your boat here. I think that really sets us apart from other steak houses.

What is the one piece of equipment you can’t do without?

My micro zester. We use it to grate so many things—cheese, fruit, horseradish. You don’t get the same flavor grating things by hand; it comes out more refined. We use the micro zester to grate nutmeg into our Parmesan White Truffle Gnocchi and to create a subtle background flavor in the dish.

What keeps your customers coming back?

The consistency of our dishes.

The spectacular view doesn’t hurt either.

When did you know you wanted to be a chef?

As soon as I moved out of my parents’ house and began cooking for myself, I immediately developed an interest in cooking.

I spent time watching cooking shows, reading cookbooks and

eventually decided to pursue it as a career. It really goes hand in hand with my passion for art. It is a chance to be creative with food.

Cooking style Bold. I like bold flavors. For example, I love to take a classic dish or recipe and add a modern twist or bold ingredient.

Your favorite dish to prepare I enjoy preparing the Caramelized Figs appetizer on our menu because the presentation of the dish is beautiful, filled with colors and texture.

Favorite cookbook The French Laundry by Thomas Keller. This was the first cookbook to introduce me to upscale cooking and fine dining.

Top three condiments you can’t live without Salt, pepper and cumin.

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industry, but whose hard work and determination are inspirational: Kobe Bryant and The Rock.

What inspires you?

Having our customers leave here smiling and saying WOW! Providing an experience unlike any other that is unique to us and our customers’ happiness.

Fun facts to share about your establishment

Interview with Owner John Moshos

Elm Street Diner

If you weren’t cooking for a living, what would you be doing?

I would have something to do with hospitality because it’s what I love and is ingrained in me.

463 Elm Street, Stamford 203.325.1141

elmstreetdiner.com @elmstreetdiner

The person you would most like to cook for It’s hard to pick one, so I’ll go with two that are outside the

We have been family owned since 1987 and have employees who have been here for many years. We bake our donuts every morning on-site. We have a weekly Sunday Brunch “secret Instagram” menu.

Over-the-top request See our Instagram for this one: Belgian Waffle topped with five layer chocolate cake, three scoops of ice cream, whipped cream,

every topping imaginable and, of course, a sparkler for a birthday.

What are you known for?

MILKSHAKES! Also, our offthe-wall, unique and innovative Instagram specials.

Imagine it’s the last weekend on earth.

Which city are you eating in?

Athens, Greece, no doubt

What keeps your customers coming back?

Being unique and different. We like to give them an unparalleled experience that leaves them wowed. We source quality ingredients that most people wouldn’t expect from a typical diner and treat our guests like members of our own family.

Mackenzie’s Bar and Grill

970 High Ridge Road, Stamford 203.322.9888 | mackenziesstamford.com

@mackenziesstamford

What inspires you?

Over-the-top request

How much of a sense of family our guests really bring to the restaurant each time they visit.

Most of our staff have been here almost since the beginning, so everyone feels at home.

Kids’ menus and high chairs—just kidding! One of the surprising things our new guests realize is that we are very family-friendly.

So, if you are looking for a place to take your family and enjoy great food or your favorite sports game (we have eight televisions), Mackenzie’s is the place to be.

Fun facts to share about your establishment This year, 2018, marks our ten year anniversary. We would like to thank all of our guests—who are like family—for supporting us!

We look forward to being here for many more years to come.

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People rave about Besides our great atmosphere, great staff, great burgers and wings, and salads and steaks...well, I’m rambling. But besides all of that, one of the things our guests look

Interview with General Manager Matt Gillespie

forward to the most is when our chef introduces a new special menu. From our March Celtic menu, to Cinco de Mayo, great fresh seafood dishes during the summer, our always popular Oktoberfest and all the menus in between, our Executive Chef Guillermo Sanchez never disappoints!

What are you known for?

Our consistency. We open daily at 11:30 a.m. and always serve

food until midnight through our Late Night bar menu. The menu features our signature burger, wings, appetizers and even a light steak and chicken dinner.

Imagine it’s the last weekend on earth.

Which city are you eating in?

Stamford, at Mackenzie’s, celebrating the last bits of life with our great guests, staff and family.

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Bar Zepoli 75 Broad Street, Stamford 203.353.3319 | barzepoli.com

@barzepolistamford

Interview with Chef/Owner Tony Greco

If you weren’t cooking for a living, what would you be doing?

I’d be home wrestling with my six-year-old boy and our thirteenyear-old gorgeous daughter and then cook them a nice meal, along with my lovely wife. But, if I had to choose another career, it would most likely be a grape grower/ winemaker. I have fallen in love with the great expanses of the Willamette Valley, Napa, Sonoma and Tuscany.The vineyards and mountainous terrain, all rooted in being.

The person you would most like to cook for Since most chefs don’t feel they’ve done a good job unless there are plenty of leftovers, I would opt for a small dinner party. At the head of the table would be Jesus. Whom better to talk food and wine with?

A few other men of peace on that side would include Pope John Paul II, Martin Luther King Jr. and

Mahatma Gandhi. Also peaceful, but more musical, I would have to invite John Lennon, Bob Marley and Leonard Cohen.

What inspires you?

The smell of sweating onions. And anything created by Alain Passard.

Fun facts to share about your establishment We occupy the space formerly known as NAPA & CO., to which we have created our rendition of a beautiful farmhouse-chic restaurant. In addition to our menu of Italian/American comfort food, we have a wonderfully designed cocktail menu, top-rated seasonal draft beers and dynamic wine selection.

Over-the-top request “I want to kiss the chef.”

People rave about Our hand-tossed pizzas, salumi

platters, crab cake, fresh baked breads, craft cocktails, our weekly selection of local craft beers on draft and of course our beautiful space. Our private dining areas include the back dining room , accommodating up to thirty-five; for a more intimate gathering, there is the wine room with our chef’s table (customize a tasting), comfortably seating ten.

What is the one piece of equipment you can’t do without?

My 8-inch chef’s knife fits like a glove and cuts everything.

Imagine it’s the last weekend on earth.

Which city are you eating in?

New York, of course. I would give Alfred Portale one last crack at it. foie gras and Dal Forno Amarone on the table. Next night head down to Blue Ribbon for a martini and oysters, followed by bone

marrow with oxtail marmalade, then fried chicken and a nice glass of wine or two.

Your favorite dish to prepare Tripe and risotto. Not entirely, but I do love the stuff. On that note, I would have to go with Nonna’s meatballs, they’re really my ma’s, and the smell of them simmering in sauce takes me back to my younger years, waking up late on Sunday morning with the radio playing Italian classics.

What keeps your customers coming back?

Our food, Nonna’s meatballs and our well-appointed wine list

Favorite cookbook French Laundry

Top three condiments you can’t live without Onions, salt and pepper MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

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•

FRESH START by judy ostrow

photographs by julie bidwell

Two collectors team up to build a home designed for their lives together

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this page: Husband and wife have decorated the front hall with a mix of his, hers and their antiques that includes ceramics, a William and Mary side chair and a Chinese money chest. opposite: The newly built Shingle style home has a traditional profile that fits comfortably among Shippan’s vintage coastal dwellings.

he peninsula that reaches into Long Island Sound from downtown and stretches to Shippan Point seems a world away from our city’s hustle.

Everyone’s backyard consists of blue water and big sky. For one couple, the location evolved into their perfect spot to settle in for the long term.

The wife talks about finding the Stamford shoreline with her realtor. (Her family has a history in town, with a country house in the northern ridges, and generations-long business ties to the state in the Connecticut River Valley.) “I had rented a place in the Hamptons, another on Martha’s Vineyard, and I’ve always loved the water. I had no idea that such a beautiful, peaceful and secluded location existed just a few minutes from the train station and less than an hour from the city, right here in Stamford,” she recalls.

When she and her husband, both with grown and nearly grown children—she has one, he has three—married a decade ago, they had looked for a place that would shelter everyone comfortably, and conveniently, close to Manhattan. “I suddenly had a large family,” she says.

Choosing a house that was once a waterfront location for a tennis court that was on an estate of three homes built for three sisters in the early twentieth century, the couple savored their spectacular views.

Then, in 2012, Sandy worked to devastating effect on parts of the neighborhood, and their attention was drawn to the shorefront lot adjacent to their home. Its existing structure was once the main house of the three 66 STAMFORDMAG.COM

sisters’ dwellings that had been owned and then subdivided some years later by the actress Faye Dunaway. Now that house had become unsalvageable, too low on the shore to absorb the effects of another large storm.

So the pair decided to make some lemonade from a now-unlovely lemon, and began to hunt for an architect who would build a place that they could shape together, from the ground up.

The wife recalls that a carpenter who was working on their existing house recommended John Fifield, a Westport-based architect whose practice encompasses many high-profile residential and commercial projects. She called him, and discovered that Fifield was a great listener who could capably realize their wish list: a Shingle style exterior, views from every room, space for all members of the blended family, hypercompliance with new building codes specified for coastal properties, and high standards for energy efficiency. His plan

checked all the boxes, and much more.

Because the home site needed to be raised, one design challenge was creating a structure that would be stormproof, yet sit naturally on the site. To create this base of terra firma, the couple and Fifield enlisted the expertise of landscape architect Diane Devore. Devore, using a tiered system of buried and visible retaining walls constructed by Bethel stonemason Anthony Manca, created an open and natural site for home, pool and gardens, accessed by a serpentine driveway that leads to a cobbled courtyard and elegant front entry. This artful design completely disguises the seventeen-foot rise between sea level and house.

Equally impressive is the building envelope, shaped in an ell around the courtyard so as not to create a massive front façade, leaving expansive windows and terraces to open at the back. Fifield’s design connects the home’s widest elevation to its most beautiful vista—the waterfront—while providing

top: The sunroom captures beautiful seaside light, and draws family members for conversation and games; backgammon is a favorite. bottom: The framed silk textile is pieced from cigar ribbons; below it is a cloisonné teapot, purchased during the couple’s honeymoon. opposite: A “woolie” hangs in the dining room, one of dozens in the wife’s collection of nautically themed needlework.

above: His: Chinese porcelain. Hers: a corner “woolie,” showing its detail. right: The husband found the Japanese screen years ago in a San Francisco department store. below: Family furnishings merge in the living room, with highlights of each partner’s collections displayed on built-in shelves that flank the fieldstone mantel.

right: Chairs built from kits by the husband surround an antique mourning table in the breakfast room. Such tables played a dual role in the nineteenth century, serving as a parlor table and as a central locus for a casket when home memorial services were the norm. The chandelier is a local find from one of Stamford’s antique dealers.

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an arrival space that is both welcoming and sheltered. The soft grays of Connecticut fieldstone used for the visible walls, gravel driveway, cobbled courtyard and flagstone pathways harmonize beautifully with the cedar sheathing, which is gently weathering.

Since husband and wife possess an irrepressible collecting bug, each had a need for space to merge and display a trove of finds collected over a lifetime—his, hers and theirs. She, a daughter and granddaughter of collectors, has sought out folk art and furnishings; her husband has an eclectic assemblage: books, paintings of many vintages, Delft ceramics, Chinese porcelain.

Although the house has the presence and character of a structure many decades its senior, Fifield crafted interior architectural

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this page: With its multiple sinks, prostyle appliances and plentiful counter space, cooking with a view becomes a family affair when children and grandchildren visit.

Countertops and stove backsplash are lowmaintenance, high-style quartz. opposite: Blue glass subway tiles and an island that captures the tint of the exterior expanse of sea and sky add some calming color to the clean white walls and cabinetry.

this page: The water-facing side of the house offers relaxed and peaceful settings for outdoor living; landscape architect Diane Devore has used native stone walls and paths to connect house with pool, backyard lounging spaces, and of course, Long Island Sound. Plantings of perennials include many salt-tolerant varieties to mitigate the effects of stormy seas. opposite: The landscape architect paved the pool area with rectangles of Jerusalem limestone, a heat-resistant variety that is kind to bare feet.

To create a base of terra firma, [the landscape architect] used a tiered system of buried and visible retaining walls...to create an open and natural site for home, pool and garden.

I had no idea that such a beautiful, peaceful and secluded location existed... right here in Stamford.

details that are comparatively spare and simplified—an ideal backdrop for displaying objects and furnishings to their best advantage. While wall space was necessary, Fifield designed passages between the public rooms on diagonals, resulting in view corridors that capture the light and the panorama of the Long Island Sound in every room. Between its seaside surroundings—the Stamford lighthouse is just one lovely view—and the art and antiques, one could spend hours here, just looking.

In just one corner of the living room, built-in arched, open cabinets display a good roundup of his and hers ceramics and other small pieces, including two Delft bulls; her grandparents had a herd that was shared with other members of the family.

A series of blue-and-white Chinese export porcelain bowls—his—lines the mantel.

Above it is a grand example of her “woolies,” 74 STAMFORDMAG.COM

nineteenth-century needlework pictures that were made by sailors, or by their wives waiting at home. “When I was a young married woman, looking for some art for the walls, I discovered woolies at an antiques shop in Manhattan,” says the wife. “They were inexpensive but very attractive. It was the start of a long relationship with these pieces.” She estimates that her collection now numbers in the dozens. It is like that in this home. One can look at the sea, and then enjoy examining a small treasure that always has a story.

However, the house is much more than a gallery of beautiful things; it is a comfortable and tranquil home base for the couple and their family. Built into the structure are modern systems that will easily propel its tenure through the twenty-first century. The house is warmed and cooled by a groundsource well and pump, and portions of a

fifteen-kilowatt solar array arranged on the home’s south-facing roofs can be glimpsed from the family quarters upstairs. Not only do these innovative systems provide an economical energy source for operating the house, several of the array’s panels are employed as a partly translucent roof for the pool house patio that faces the water. “We thought it would look great as a stand-alone roof in that spot, and it does,” she says.

RESOURCES: Architect: John Fifield, Fifield Piaker Elman Architects, PC, Westport, 203-222-5600, fpe-architects.com Landscape Architect: Diane Devore, Devore Associates Landscape Architects, Fairfield, 203-256-8950 devoreassoc.com Builder: Paul Tallman, Tallman Building Company Inc., Southport, 203-254-3055, tallmanbuilding.com S

top and left: The couple has acquired numerous stone ornaments that grace the landscape; the pineapples flank a stairway where one of their children recently stood to exchange vows with his bride. above: Architect John Fifield’s plan includes multiple sites from which to enjoy magnificent views of the Sound. opposite: Part of the landscape’s artistry is how naturally the backyard slopes to the water. Closest to the house are beds of flowering plants, providing color and fragrance.

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD 75

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A portion of the ticket proceeds benefitting: BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE

HOUSE RULES

A North Stamford raised ranch, recently renovated by the homeowners with architect Marcin Basiak of Visual Concepts Studio and Ridolfi Construction

A deep dive into real estate indicators, industry shifts and emerging trends that are influencing the state of the market today by scott thomas

house photograph by olson photographic

David Barry

Dave Campana

president Ironstate

real estate agent Halstead Property

sales associate, Coldwell Banker, and president-elect, Stamford Board of Realtors

Abby Goldenfarb

Barbara Hickey

vice president Trinity Financial

real estate agent William Pitt Sotheby’s Realty

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Vikktoria Cooper

Tammy Felenstein

Ted Ferrarone

executive director, Stamford sales Halstead Property

COO Harbor Point

Rick Higgins

Penn Johnson

Tom Rich

chairman and founder Higgins Group

president Stamford Mortgage Company

president F.D. Rich & Co.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF REAL ESTATE EXPERTS

EXPERT ADVICE Our thanks to our panel of real estate executives who contributed their time and knowledge to the production of this report

S

low and steady residential growth, augmented by cautious optimism and careful planning, continued to guide the Stamford real estate landscape during 2017. Just look at the numbers: Single-family home prices climbed at a steady, if unspectacular, 2 percent, while the number of sales also grew slightly. “It’s a stable market,” says Tammy Felenstein, executive director of Stamford sales for Halstead Property, who is joined in the report that follows by real estate pros who shared their insight into what is driving the local market and where they see it going in 2018.

“We’re a big city and we have so many different neighborhoods,” explains Felenstein, echoing other industry executives who believe a slow growth model is more favorable to Stamford, which is insulated from wild fluctuations due to its variety of housing options. “We have price points that other towns don’t have. We’re very wellrounded.”

Contributing to the market’s rise is the continued development of apartment buildings near the train station, with more rental high-rises expected to open in 2018.

Increasingly, experts say, New York City commuters are renting in Stamford—and forsaking higher-cost units in the Big Apple— to enjoy the amenities and lifestyle that come with living in an urban complex. “Stamford has done a great job of reinventing itself,” says Ted Ferrarone, COO of Harbor Point, which has built more than 1,400 apartments in the area the past few years.

With more businesses setting up shop in Stamford, the city seems poised for another solid year in real estate transactions. Recent federal tax legislation and an expected rise in interest rates could cause potential buyers to pump the brakes but most experts believe real estate in Stamford will continue to be highly sought after for renters and buyers alike. Find out what else you should expect as the spring market begins to heat up.

››

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things are looking up

Real estate experts who do business in Stamford steadfastly believe the city could provide the economic stimulus the financially bedraggled state desperately needs. “Stamford is the key to Connecticut’s financial success and prosperity,” says Rick Higgins, chairman and founder of Higgins Group, which opened a new office in Stamford last summer. “Stamford is just prime.

the dream downsize

N

ot all homeowners looking to downsize are moving to southern or western states.

Many are finding appeal in Stamford, especially in neighborhoods where they can walk to stores and restaurants. “You’d think they’d be going to Florida,’’ says Vikktoria Cooper of Coldwell Banker and the Stamford Board of Realtors. “Some are coming back to the Northeast.”

Cooper says various reasons are influencing couples seeking to downsize after their children have moved out of the house. Some want to stay in the same geographic location as their families.

They also want smaller properties, reduced taxes and nearby amenities. They no longer want to drive twenty minutes to a grocery store, or spend weekends working on home projects. “Most likely they’re looking for something with a main floor bedroom,” Cooper says. “But they’ll retrofit a home to suit their needs. It’s a unique

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It has everything you could possibly want.”

Higgins and others point to several factors—Stamford’s proximity to New York City, its transportation infrastructure, housing variety and office space availability—as key incentives for businesses that are considering a move, concluding, then, that Stamford could spur the state’s financial renaissance. “I

situation, something we haven’t seen in a while.”

By way of example, Cooper points to recent clients, specifically a family that moved from the Midwest to live with their daughter, who recently accepted a job in New York City. The family now lives in Stamford while the daughter commutes to the city every day for work.

“Nothing really surprises me anymore,’’ Cooper says. “It’s a welcome change. I see my colleagues are [experiencing] similar incidents. [Clients] want to be able to shoot down to the city.

They like the accessible airport in Westchester County. It’s an existence full of relevance. If they moved elsewhere, they would not have that. In Florida, they won’t have the option of walking to the grocery store. It’s a mindset that says, ‘I don’t live my chronological age so why should I move in that direction?’”

Some downsizers are moving to Stamford from nearby Westchester County, too. Not only can they find smaller homes in Stamford, but they also find they pay far less in property taxes. “Many of them are not ready for community living,’’ says Barbara Hickey, a longtime agent with William Pitt Sotheby’s Realty. “They’re looking for a smaller, more manageable home, but they don’t want to give up the lifestyle. Stamford has all kinds of people passing through. We are thriving, and it’s a great, diverse community. Stamford represents the global world that we live in.”

Most of the other towns around us don’t have variety.

We have rental properties, condominiums and single-family homes in every price range. In [neighboring towns], starter homes are in the $800,000 to $900,000 range and you better be ready to work.

You can get a lot of house for that in Stamford.

Dave Campana real estate agent Halstead Property

think Stamford could be Silicon Coast,’’ Higgins says. “I think Stamford might be the sixth borough of New York. These businesses have to go somewhere. I don’t think they want to go to Long Island.”

In 2017 several companies, including Henkel and Octagon, moved their headquarters to Stamford, signaling an encouraging trend that many feel could spur even more relocations to the city. Charter Communications, Kayak, Indeed and Vineyard Vines are among the businesses that have recently opened or expanded their headquarters to Stamford. Tudor Investments signed a lease in November to move to Stamford. One real estate source says, “seven or

eight” businesses could announce moves to Stamford in 2018.

Stamford’s housing variety is one of the lures for businesses who are considering a move.

“We have something for almost every level of buyer,’’ says Dave Campana, a real estate agent with Halstead Property. “Most of the other towns around us don’t have that variety. We have rental properties, condominiums and single-family homes in every price range. In [neighboring towns], starter homes are in the $800,000 to $900,000 range and you better be ready to work. You can get a lot of house for that in Stamford.”

Access to transportation adds to Stamford’s housing value.

Many of the newer properties, especially rental units, are a short distance from the train station.

Commuters who work in New York City can arrive at Grand Central Station via train in less than 45 minutes in some cases.

Nearby Westchester Airport is also a draw.

Factor in the vibrant nightlife, restaurants and recreational activities, and it’s easy to see why realtors believe more people and businesses could settle in Stamford in the years to come. “I think it’s on the verge of booming,’’ Higgins says. “Honestly, I think it has already begun and we just don’t realize it. I know they’ll fill up the new apartments that they’re building. I can feel the excitement building.”

“We are a diamond that’s just now being recognized for its appeal and multifaceted attributes,’’ says Vikktoria Cooper, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker and president-elect of the Stamford Board of Realtors. “A lot of condos are getting scooped up by investors. They have faith.

We are the magic pill, and if we all push along, we’ll do very well as a state.”

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rentals continue to reign

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ental buildings have become the hot properties over the past five years, and the trend shows no signs of abating. In fact, the trend could even be escalating as more empty nesters and downsizers continue to find greater value in renting than in owning.

“The most significant trend in the Stamford real estate scene continues to be the unprecedented addition of multifamily rentals that cater to a wide socioˆeconomic and demographic spectrum,’’ says Tom Rich, president of F.D. Rich & Co., whose rental properties include Summer House at 184 Summer St., Bedford Hall at 545 Bedford St., and the much-anticipated Stamford Urby at Tresser Boulevard and Greyrock Place. “Since the last revaluation in 2012, over 5,300 rental units were constructed. This is unprecedented activity for any city in America but especially for one with a population of only 130,000. The rental housing demand is enhanced by how livable and well rounded the core areas of the city have become.”

Building & Land Technology has played a significant role in adding rental units in Harbor Point. (Next on the BLT portfolio will be the opening of NV@ Harbor Point in 2018.) “We certainly

see people coming from New York City to live in Stamford for the first time,’’ says Ted Ferrarone of Harbor Point.

“They’re willing to commute to the city for work. The value proposition is so much better. They have a unit with a washer and dryer, parking, gym, and it’s twice as big as what they can rent in New York City. They’re paying 25 to 40 percent less, and the product is much better.”

The newer apartment complexes, with all their amenities, have had a dramatic impact on the rest of Stamford’s rental and residential landscape. “It’s amazing they are filling up as fast as they build them,” says Tammy Felenstein of Halstead Property. “Those complexes offer so many amenities that people won’t get from a lot of condos. They are communities in and of themselves.”

When BLT began developing Harbor Point, Ferrarone says the Stamford Master Plan called for “something on the order of 10,000 housing units.”

But as the units have been built, more people have come to see their value.

Ferrarone says BLT will continue to seek property, especially close to the train station, to build additional apartments. “Stamford is a vibrant city, and more people are discovering that all the time,” he says.

The apartments have had a positive ripple effect on Stamford’s finances, Rich says. “The economic spillover to both commercial and non-profit establishments is immense,” he says.

“Income to the city amounts to at least $40,000 million annually, between property and other taxes when [considering] the entire multifamily rental housing sector including those projects built before 2012.

This number doesn’t even include the massive front-end fees that are collected by the city before a shovel is placed in the ground. They’ve helped the city tremendously.”

REAL ESTATE STAT 1,387—total residential sales in 2017 —MLS

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD 81

Clockwise, from top left: Atlantic Station on Tresser Boulevard and Atlantic Street, Vela on the Park on Washington Boulevard, NV@Harbor Point at Commons Park North, and Stamford Urby at Tresser Boulevard and Greyrock Place

4

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OFPROPERTY DEVELOPERS

it’s all about the perks

If there is one defining factor in the latest residential towers sprouting up and redefining the Stamford skyline, it’s the many amenities they all offer.

Start with the new Vela on the Park at 1011 Washington Blvd., opening this month facing Mill River Park; it is a short walk to the train station and in the heart of the city’s restaurant district.

It includes 209 units—studios, one- and two-bedrooms, and luxury penthouses with square footage ranging from 594 for studios to 1,548. The project is being developed by Trinity Financial, with management overseen by Berkshire Communities of Boston. (Trinity developed another project at 66 Summer St. but sold the building last year.) “Stamford has really grown in popularity in recent years,” says Abby Goldenfarb, vice president at Trinity Financial. “You feel very comfortable in it. It’s a small town with these world-class amenities. It’s nice to be so close to New York City and Long Island Sound.”

Goldenfarb says the project’s proximity to the train station will be one of the primary attractions of the location, drawing commuters and downsizers alike.

Building perks are varied, and include reading nooks, a media center, a java station with communal tables, billiards, work pods, an arcade, a cardio and fitness center with a yoga room and built-in virtual programming capabilities, LEED certification for

green living, a penthouse-level private dining room with a catering kitchen, and free Wi-Fi in all common areas. Tenants will also have access to a roof deck with outdoor bar, kitchen and lounges with fireside seating. “A lot of developers are realizing the importance of having communal spaces for tenants,” Goldenfarb says. “We are lucky in that this is the second or third building that has celebrated these spaces in a way they didn’t before.”

Not far down the road in Harbor Point is the recently opened NV@Harbor Point at 100 Commons Park N., a 100-plus acre

redevelopment about a threeblock walk from the train station that encompasses office, retail and residential spaces. The complex includes nearly 400 units— studio, one-, two- and threebedroom apartments—and an assortment of amenities. “There are a lot of people who are choosing to rent in Stamford,” says Ted Ferrarone of Harbor Point. “The advantage of Stamford is it’s a twenty-four-hour city. Having a real active waterfront is a great differentiator.”

This latest addition to Harbor Point’s portfolio features apartments with private balconies, a

roof terrace with a heated pool and lounge area, a sun deck, a Matrix branded gym, a gaming room, grilling stations, bike storage with fix-it stations, gathering spaces with Wi-Fi, garage parking, a concierge desk, and more.

“We intentionally designed the building to appeal to a tech-savvy, Millennial audience,” Ferrarone says, “but this is a building that will also cater to empty nesters.

We’ve seen a real influx of older renters at The Beacon (another Harbor Point residential property). People are attracted to the maintenance-free lifestyle.”

Already towering over Tresser

REAL ESTATE STAT 725—single-family homes sold in 2017 —MLS

5

supporting community growth

F

or nearly a century, the Stamford Board of Realtors (BOR) has been a reliable source of information for homeowners, businesses and people who are seeking to move to Stamford.

“As a realtor and president-elect of the Stamford Board of Realtors, it’s important that the community know we are here to protect homeownership, and support Stamford, Stamford housing and buyers and sellers,” says Vikktoria Cooper of Coldwell Banker.

As the BOR turns ninety-nine this year, it will continue to provide tools, resources and support to

promote professional growth within its membership, which meets regularly to discuss trends and topics that impact our community. (The organization also represents Realtors in Hartford in legislative meetings.)

Looking ahead, the organization vows to continue supporting community organizations as well, such as Stamford Boys & Girls Club, Inspirica, New Covenant Center and Stamford Public Schools. The BOR has awarded scholarships to students for thirty-two years, and in 2016 increased the number of $1,000 scholarships from eight to ten.

“Call up any Ivy League school and ask them what they think about kids coming out of Stamford,” says Dave Campana of Halstead Property, who was the 2017 vice president of the BOR. “[They say that] they are our next generation of leaders.”

At a time when Stamford is experiencing growth, the BOR remains positive the city will continue to attract people and businesses who want to call it home. “Stamford is a great place to live,’’ Cooper says. “We have the parks, the schools, the restaurants, the social scene. There’s is something for everyone.”

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD 83

Boulevard is Atlantic Station, a two-tower, RXR and Cappelli Organization development that bills itself as “luxury living.” Featuring 650 units—studio, one- and twobedroom apartments—complemented by 500,000 square feet of ground-floor space for retail, this location is steps from Stamford Town Center, and minutes from the train station and Mill River Park. Amenities include 24/7 concierge services, electric car-charging stations in a parking facility for 800 cars, dry-cleaning delivery service, and a sky terrace with an indoor/outdoor pool, a lounge, fire pits, a kitchen for

The advantage of Stamford is it’s a twenty-four-hour city. Having a real active waterfront is a great differentiator.

Ted Ferrarone COO, Harbor Point

entertaining, a game room and a gym with Peloton bikes and ondemand fitness programming.

Then there is the highly anticipated Stamford Urby, expected to open in 2019. To be located at Greyrock Place and Tresser Boulevard, the four-acre site will eventually include nearly 650 apartments spread between eleven buildings.

The development will occupy what has long been known as the “Hole in the Ground,” a parcel that has been vacant for nearly fifty years. (Current Urby properties can be found in Staten Island, New York; and Jersey City and Harrison, New Jersey.)

“This is an important project for Stamford,” Mayor David Martin

said at the groundbreaking in October. “My administration has worked hard to move this project along and we are happy that we are finally filling the infamous Hole in the Ground.”

Ironstate Development Co., which is developing the property in partnership with F.D. Rich & Co., will complete the project in two phases. Ten of the eleven residential buildings will be connected along the perimeter, encircling a high-rise at the center of the complex.

The first construction phase of the Stamford Urby will consist of nine buildings, which

REAL ESTATE STAT 662—total condominiums sold in 2017 —MLS

6

the price must be right

T

hough homeowners might find comfort in the fact that signs increasingly point to a growing seller’s market, some homes continue to languish on the market for months.

Sellers, be warned: For properties to move, experts say, they must be priced correctly and in good condition.

Among the challenges sellers continue to face is competition from Stamford’s booming rental market.

Many people moving to Stamford are content to pay rent—and enjoy the associated amenities such as gym membership, covered parking and

84 STAMFORDMAG.COM

maintenance-free living—instead of purchasing a home. “You would think it is a seller’s market,” says Vikktoria Cooper of Coldwell Banker. “But we don’t have as many updated homes to meet the expectations of today’s buyer.

We get people looking, but if the home is not updated, [buyers] go to the rental market.

“We have to talk the sellers out of their lofty [hopes]. We’re not selling the memories and history of the house.

The condition, price and location are what sells a house,” adds Cooper To emphasize her point, Cooper points to The Ridges, the area below the Merritt Parkway between Long Ridge and High Ridge roads, which has enjoyed market appeal recently; in 2015, forty-six homes sold in the neighborhood, and sixty-one sold in 2016. But only forty-two had sold in 2017 by early December. “It’s a supply and demand issue,” she says. “We don’t have enough homes. When we have an influx of potential buyers, then we go to the condition and price of the home.”

Dave Campana of Halstead Property says homes priced under $600,000 sell quickly. There is however, a shortage of single-family homes for

sale right now. Only 318 homes were listed in early December, about half of what is needed to satisfy demand. If a home needs work, a potential buyer will stay on the sidelines. “Today’s buyers are very picky,’’ Campana says. “It’s the HGTV generation: Some renters pay a ridiculous amount of money to get the countertops and finishes they want. They’re getting new, and feel it’s a value proposition.”

It’s a quality in buyers that is affecting Stamford’s condominium market, too, which remained flat in 2017. “Condos, like houses, need to be in showcase condition when they are put on the market,” Cooper says. “New rentals are in pristine condition, and if a renter has an option, they are more likely to choose the home in the best condition.”

Even though rentals remain key to Stamford real estate growth, Campana believes purchasing a home is the best long-term financial investment. “[Future buyers will] understand it’s not just about having a new ‘this’ or ‘that.’ You buy a house, and at some point, you pay it off and you are not subject to a landlord. At some point, they’ll understand that renting is not in their best financial interest.”

7 follow the money

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tamford’s residential real estate market heads into 2018 with stability, low inventory and prices that are slowly rising. The picture has stayed steady for the past few years, and most experts feel the city is poised for growth over the next five years.

A mood of guarded optimism prevails, however, because recent federal legislation could impact real estate prices. New tax laws would eliminate the deduction for state and local income taxes, and cap the deduction for property taxes at $10,000. While most of the country would not be impacted, the new legislation could have a strong effect on Stamford and the rest of the tri-state area, where property taxes for many soar beyond the $10,000 threshold.

“That will cause people to pause momentarily,” says Barbara Hickey of

together will house 464 rental apartments. Construction for the second phase is expected to begin late in 2019 and will include the remaining 184 homes and two buildings.

“Stamford and this location in particular have everything we look for when scouting new Urby locations,” says David Barry, president of Ironstate. “Stamford has a vibrant and diverse economy that attracts young professionals to other Urby developments in New York and New Jersey. Urby’s proximity to the waterfront, walkability and

William Pitt Sotheby’s. “When these policies hit the market, there is all kinds of noise. I think people will pause, but I think it’s only going to be temporary. I think we’ll get back to business as usual when the noise settles down. When the spring market hits, I think we’ll be looking at another strong year.”

With the passage of the Tax Reform Act, Tom Rich of F.D. Rich & Co. hopes to see more corporate expansion. “I am not thrilled about the elimination of deductions such as the state income tax and some of the real estate related tax deductions but, on balance, I don’t think it leads to an unwinding of the for-sale housing market,” he says.

Working in Stamford’s favor is its ability to better withstand vagaries in the housing market because of its range of housing. “We have something for everybody,” Hickey says.

Midpriced homes, those between $500,000 and $750,000, sell quickly.

The most popular market for home purchases in Stamford was in the under-$1 million market. While sales volume fell slightly in 2017, the primary reason was the lack of inventory in price ranges that buyers coveted. Some homes on the market are listed for more than what buyers are willing to pay.

“If the house is properly prepared and accurately priced, it is going to sell,” Hickey says. “Consumers have spent a lot of time educating themselves on property values. You cannot fool them.

Information is readily available and if the home is not priced right, people are

access to mass transit will introduce a new lifestyle that hasn’t been seen in the Stamford residential market.”

Urby is a complete rethink of the rental-housing concept. The complex will include studio, oneand two-bedroom units with shared communal spaces that encourage interaction among neighbors. The units will have sizeable layouts and high ceilings; come equipped with built-in wardrobes, storage spaces, bookshelves, window treatments and lighting; will each have a washer/ dryer; and will be pre-installed

willing to rent until they get what they want at a price they want to pay.”

Whether a rise in interest rates, which is expected in 2018, could put the brakes on the housing market in Stamford is up for debate. Penn Johnson, president of Stamford Mortgage Company, says it won’t.

“Most buyers are not buying anywhere near the limit of their affordability,” he explains. “On an average loan size of $400,000, a rate increase of .5 percent leads payments to go up $120 per month, and that would be the same as paying 5 percent more for a home.” It’s also important to remember that today’s interest rates are still a bargain compared to a generation ago, when interest rates soared into double digits.

Even though rental properties are a hot commodity, Hickey believes tenants will eventually come to realize the value of purchasing. “This generation is very different,” Hickey says. “They do things in a different order. They are looking for no commitments or responsibility well into their twenties and thirties, and this trend is going to continue. However, at some point, they’ll realize the benefits of homeownership, that they’re not just purchasing a house, they’re purchasing a home, the place you return to at the end of every day, [where you] raise a family, good days and bad, meet your neighbors, build a life. The beauty of Stamford is that we have so many wonderful neighborhoods that many people still want to call home.”

My administration has worked hard to move this project along and we are happy that we are finally filling the infamous Hole in the Ground.

Mayor David Martin

for Wi-Fi. Future residents will also have keyless building and apartment entry through smart technology systems located throughout the development.

Amenities will also include a gym; a landscaped courtyard with fire pits and a saltwater swimming pool; and a communal kitchen that will be used to host culinary classes, wine tastings and events hosted by local business owners, including popup dinners. A café with outdoor seating will be located at the entrance to the development and S will be open to the public.

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD 85

E P A C ES

H

IP WIT R T A N O S U AKE T S R E N G I S E REE D H T .

S G A B R PACK YOU

S T S I T R A

U S F O L L U F S CTION E L L O C Y D A E VACATION-R

MMER STYLE

agnon by m eg a n g

Q&A waists and halter necklines, styled with red lips, sunglasses and chic silk head scarves. Each one makes the case for elevated summer dressing, including some sequined numbers that’ll play well next to a sparkling sea at sunset. And Temperley, who is the muse for her own designs, will have plenty to choose from for her next holiday, whether she’s escaping to the coast or to her beloved countryside estate.

From a very early age, I knew I wanted to be creative. My mother has been one of my biggest inspirations. Growing up in rural Somerset, I was encouraged to be creative. I loved making things.

I would rip up fabric and get into a lot of trouble for destroying my mother’s favorite shawls!

Tell us about the spring collection.

The collection transports us to the Temperley Riviera, where the summer never ends.

SUMMER SET

ALICE TEMPERLEY

ALICE TEMPERLEY IS A COUNTRY GIRL AT HEART, which may come as a surprise to those who know her only as the face of the London label that has become synonymous with It-Brit girl style. But her Somerset roots account for the birth of her creativity and the free-spirited approach to fashion that has woven its way into all the things she touches. It’s those touches—the intricate embroideries, exquisite embellishments and unabashedly romantic silhouettes— that have set her apart and made her a red carpet regular. While her dresses and evening wear are usually the showstoppers, she creates separates and jumpsuits that feel just as glamorous, and this season was no different. Models strutted throwback looks with cinched 88

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What’s your favorite part about designing the evening wear pieces?

I love discovering new techniques, such as innovative embroideries or fabrics. It is so important to always evolve and push the boundaries of what we are creating.

What’s your own go-to evening look?

I always like to feel effortless, no matter how decadent an outfit might be. My current go-to look for the evening is the sequined Bardot jumpsuit and coat from my summer collection.

What’s your summer uniform?

Easy, effortless summer dresses in lightweight silks and cottons and bright, feminine prints. Either halter neck or off-shoulder; comfortable and versatile. I can layer with a leather jacket if needed. Or louche, lightweight tailoring that we have in the

summer collection. I usually wear flat shoes in the summer, perhaps a panama hat, and I am never without my Leica camera hanging round my neck.

How does England/London inspire your work?

Temperley London is a quintessentially British brand.

Being British means we can tell an authentic story, draw on our sense of eccentricity and celebrate our unique sense of humor. We stay true to our heritage by celebrating craftsmanship, quality and attention to detail.

Which cities/places offer the most style inspiration?

I am always inspired by places I visit, from souks in Marrakech to the architecture and interiors on the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Paris for exhibitions, book shops and flea markets. Understanding a culture and absorbing everything around you is what I try to do whenever I travel. And most importantly, London and Somerset. London is a creative hub and it is an exciting place to be—from art to music to design.

There is so much to see and do.

Who is the Temperley London woman?

She is feminine, free-spirited and individual. She is not a slave to trends and appreciates quality, attention to detail and craftsmanship.

How has the fashion industry changed since you started?

The pace of the industry has

PORTRAIT BY TOMO BREJC; RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNER

How did you get started designing?

changed. Everything has to happen at a greater speed.

There is a hunger for newness and it is important for brands to stay relevant and always evolve. Brands can now engage directly with consumers. It is so important to maintain integrity and authenticity with everything you project as a brand on social media and websites. Storytelling has never been easier.

What’s been your career highlight so far?

What do you love to do when you’re not designing?

My highlight so far would have to be when I received my MBE [Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] from the Queen in 2011. That was an incredible experience and really made me realize how far Temperley London had come in such a short space of time. I feel very proud of our achievements.

Spend time with my son, my family and friends. I’m constantly inspired by the people I am surrounded by and I never stop thinking about designing, even when I’m not in the office. Traveling is very important for me. I want to take my son on adventures and give him experiences that he will never forget. And filling my

house in Somerset with the people that inspire me and having long lunches, walks and evenings spent by the fire.

Shop Temperley London at: net-a-porter.com modaoperandi.com temperleylondon.com

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Q&A I have loved fashion since I was a little girl, and I had always hoped I would be involved in the industry somehow. I started in PR for Gucci in Paris, then production for Kevin Krier & Associates in New York. I worked as a design assistant for Oscar de la Renta in New York and was a design consultant for Tory Burch and Ungaro in Paris.

Where did the idea for Les Bonbons come from?

PLAYING BY EAR

REBECCA DE RAVENEL

EVEN IF YOU DON’T KNOW HER NAME, YOU’VE SEEN HER WORK. Rebecca de Ravenel’s Les Bonbons earrings, those delightful cascading silk cord-wrapped orbs in a rainbow of candy colors, became the accessory of summer, dangling from the lobes of every chic woman around town. Simultaneously elegant and playful, they reflect the style that de Ravenel—who split her childhood between Bahamian beaches and Parisian streets—has come to personify. It’s a natural progression, then, that the designer’s next venture would include both handbags and a ready-to-wear collection full of caftans, kimonos and dresses that she herself favors and that complements her latest take on statement jewels: a mix of earrings and bangles in floral and seashell shapes, crafted from carved wood and mother-ofpearl. The natural nod to beachy glamour—and de Ravenel’s breezy but sophisticated approach—will have us all aspiring to her brand of chic island living.

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There really was no rhyme or reason; I started designing for me.

I’m always making something or other with a glue gun. The people at the Los Angeles flower market probably think I’m a florist. When I came up with the idea for Les Bonbons, it was because I needed a pair of lightweight statement earrings that didn’t end up on the table in the middle of dinner.

I have collected jewelry for a long time, but rarely can you find a pair that are comfortable to wear all evening long. This sort of earring had a moment in the late 80s, early 90s, and I had the idea of wrapping Ping-Pong balls in silk thread and voila!

Why switch gears from jewelry to clothing?

I didn’t set out to be an accessories designer; it sort of just happened. Introducing ready-towear was a very natural evolution for me; I always thought I would be a clothing designer before anything else. My approach has always been about dressing the divine girl in the divine room.

What inspired the new collection?

My spring/summer collection was inspired by a few trips I took this past year (one being Japan).

Color inspires every aspect of how I live and how I think, and of course my beloved Bahamas.

The clothing in this first collection really complements the earrings, as opposed to being the other way around. I think that women have invested in my earrings season after season because of their versatility; you can wear them during the day or for something more formal, and the clothing was designed with the same intention.

I like to put myself in another woman’s shoes and imagine what she is doing and what she would want to be wearing. This spring/ summer is all about sophisticated comfort, with accessories that quite literally bring the beach to you!

Which of the cities you’ve lived in inspires you the most?

My home is the Bahamas, and I think I live my life through islandcolored glasses. There is a tropical undercurrent to anything I do, whether it be with my designs or in my home. The Bahamas for that easy-breezy colorful feel, Paris for its sheer beauty and history, New York for its energy, India for its multitude of scents, colors patterns and architecture...it can go on and on. I also believe that what can inspire you one year may not the following. Timing in life, like most things, has an effect on inspiration.

What’s your go-to summer uniform?

A long, floaty floral dress, a straw basket, preferably barefoot and dare I say, my earrings!

What do you pack for a summer getaway?

Packing light is something I have a very hard time with. If you ask around enough, it is sort of a joke.

For a quick summer trip, I will pack my Athena caftan, a floral dress, my new long polka dot skirt that can be worn with a bathing suit during the day and a T-shirt are key. And of course, a multitude of

PORTRAIT BY AMY NEUNSIGNER; LOOKBOOK IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNER

Tell us about your fashion background.

accessories (thankfully I have a few of those). Always leave room in your bag to pick up treasures from a local market; you never know what you may find.

Favorite travel destination?

Why? I love traveling more than anything; there are so many places I still want to explore and too many places I love, to count. I am constantly traveling for work now, but every free chance I get I return home to the Bahamas. Even though I rarely leave my house when I am there, it is simply my favorite place on earth.

What’s been your career highlight so far?

I still pinch myself when I see

women wearing my earrings in real life. Anywhere from a grocery store in Los Angeles to walking down Madison Avenue or at a cocktail party in the Bahamas. It is simply the most exciting thing in the world and always will be.

Modern style icon?

Carolina Herrera. We were at a party together recently; she forgot her brooch and picked up a flower from the table (in lieu of a jewel) and pinned it to her dress. It was totally effortless and completely divine.

You’ve worked with some of fashion’s greats. What’s the best advice you’ve received about being a designer?

Be kind. Kindness is memorable.

Shop Rebecca de Ravenel at: barneys.com, fivestoryny.com, goop.com, kirnazabete.com, matchesfashion.com, modaoperandi.com, rebeccaderavenel.com, thewebster.us

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handmade in Peru and India). Each move has been deliberate and considerate, including the time she’s devoted to raising her three young children.

For spring, Johnson treated her audience to a runway lined with fresh flowers and looks that included everything from eyelet, frills and florals to structured denim in unexpected shades. They amount to another enviable feminine capsule from a designer who’s quickly becoming a fashion household name. As her presence continues to grow—she opened a Bleecker Street store last year—devotees will not have to travel far to find her.

How did you get started designing?

EXPLORER’S EYE

ULLA JOHNSON

ULLA JOHNSON’S CLOTHES HAVE THE POWER TO TRANSPORT—often to an airy, ethereal plane where romantic floaty dresses pair best with bare feet and tanned skin—and it’s her pursuit of discovery and travel that drive her to create the dreamy pieces that inspire such wanderlust. Although raised in New York, she saw the world with her archaeologist parents, each adventure and destination informing what would become her signature style.

Her rise from racks at small boutiques to Barneys fixture has been a slow one, evolving from a few initial pieces to full collections defined by tailored bohemian frocks, gauzy separates and reworked denim.

Challenging the breakneck speed at which the current fashion machine moves, Johnson is a breath of fresh air; her focus is on thoughtful designs and a reverence for details and materials (many 92

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It was a very organic process.

I studied psychology in college and did work around fashion theory and the way clothes can serve to empower the wearer; how they can make women feel.

I just started sewing pieces here and there, and then some friends opened a store and I designed a few things for them, and it just sort of grew from there. I had a very clear vision even from the start as far as what was important to me in the collection; integrity of materials and process, timelessness, craft, ease. These have all been touchstones throughout the growth and evolution of the brand.

What inspired your spring collection?

The spring 2018 collection is a dialogue around transparency, the desire for something pure and open, as told through a juxtaposition of materiality.

I wanted to explore the idea of invisible protection, of clothing as poetic armor, and a bold femininity that is both impermeable and crystal clear.

or field, a nebulous feeling that begins to cohere into a mood and silhouette. This is a very free and inspiring time.

What’s your summer uniform?

Diaphanous silk frocks or crisp poplin ones, ruffled crochet bikinis, our handwoven baskets, and natural leather sandals

What are your favorite destinations for summer travel?

The Mediterranean. I grew up going to Dubrovnik and Hvar every summer, so it holds a super special place in my heart. We go as a family every year to different spots, as I always love to see new things. The last few years we did Ibiza, Puglia, Antiparos—all amazing!

Which cities/places offer the most style inspiration?

Peru and Morocco are probably my all-time favorites as far as the richness of color and the tradition of weaving and knitting that is still very much alive in these places. But really, anywhere and everywhere. Lately, I am obsessed with the Gaucho culture in Argentina and Uruguay.

What’s your favorite part about designing a new collection?

Who is the Ulla Johnson woman?

I absolutely love approaching a clean slate, clearing our minds and our boards of all that was before and starting to build anew.

I often start with something quite gestural; the brush strokes of a certain painter, a palette or texture inspired by a garden

She’s not easy to pin down. She is a traveler, a roamer, perhaps a mother, perhaps a professional, perhaps both, or neither. She is self-possessed and optimistic, she embraces color and pattern and cares deeply about the integrity of that which she loves.

PORTRAIT AND RUNWAY IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGNER

Q&A

What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of the fashion business?

The calendar has become so fast-paced, the demand for new product so consuming, that there is no longer downtime, or just time to be pensive and process.

Trying to find space for dreaming is a challenge.

How does being a mother inform the way you design?

I mean, being a mother informs everything about who I am and what I make. I have to say it has

made me hyper-efficient with my time and very good at multitasking. In a practical sense, it has made the idea of ease become even more central to what I do but has also really opened up my creativity. Children are so uninhibited. I try to learn from them every day.

When did you feel like you’d made it?

What advice would you give to other designers looking to build their own brands?

Hang out with my family. Cook dinner with friends. Escape to Montauk on the weekends.

Go to art shows. And arrange flowers. I am obsessed.

Have a distinctive and unique vision, and stay true to it.

I never want to feel that way!

I am always pushing myself and my team to do more, to improve on our strengths, to evolve and grow and learn.

What do you love to do when you’re not designing?

Shop Ulla Johnson at: GREAT STUFF, Greenwich, 203-861-6872; Westport, 203-226-1271 TOGS, New Canaan, 203-972-2871 WEST, Westport, 203-557-4157 ullajohnson.com S

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BOB CAPAZZO, KRISTIN HYNES, MELANI LUST & MARSIN MOGIELSKI

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS ARTS & ANTIQUES Drew Klotz Kinetic Sculpture . . . . 51

AUTOMOTIVE Stamford Lincoln. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

BUSINESS & FINANCE Cacace, Tusch & Santagata . . . . . 15 Cummings & Lockwood LLC . . . . . 8 Davidson, Dawson & Clark LLP . . . . 8 GuardHill Financial Corp. . . . . Cover 2

EDUCATION & CHILDREN Brown Pre-College Programs . . . .

Brunswick School . . . . . . . . . . .

Camp Playland . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Columbia University . . . . . . . . . .

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King School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Salisbury Summer School . . . . . .

Tabor Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Villa Maria School . . . . . . . . . . .

Wolfeboro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

42 43 25 42 25 25 25 43 43 42 43 42

Best of the Gold Coast . . . . . . . . 23 Best of the Gold Coast Online Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Boys & Girls Club of Stamford Presents City Chic . . . . . . . . . 29 Cinco de Derby/Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut Annual Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Inspirica Spring Soirée at The Palace Theatre . . . . . . . . . 33 Moffly Media's 2018 Event Lineup . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 New Covenant Center's 14th Annual Celebrity Breakfast Featuring Guest Speaker Jeff Fager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Open Doors Gala & Auction 2018 . . 17 REACH Prep Annual Benefit Luncheon . . . . . . . . . . 41 SoundWaters Tall Ships Ball . . . . . 35 Stamford Museum & Nature Center 2nd Annual Benefit Dinner . . . . 27 Stand with Planned Parenthood Spring Luncheon 2018 . . . . . . . 44 Succeeding in the Community/ Resources to Recover Dinner Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Women in Business . . . . . . . . 76, 77

ENTERTAINMENT

FASHION

95,9. The Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Curtain Call Theatre. . . . . . . . . . 12 The Ridgefield Playhouse . . . . . . . 53 Stamford Tent & Event Services . . . . . . . . . Cover 3

FOOD, CATERING & LODGING

EVENTS 6th Annual Best Bartender Contest

by Stamford Magazine . . . . . . . . 9 A-list Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 A Benefit For Children's Learning Centers of Fairfield County . . . . 39 A Novel Affair to Benefit The Ferguson Library . . . . . . . 33 April in Paris 2018 Benefit . . . . . . 54

The Nathaniel Witherell . . . . . . . . 15 Western Connecticut Health Network . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

JEWELRY Lux Bond & Green . . . . . . . . Cover 4

LANDSCAPING, NURSERY & FLORISTS Homefront Farmers . . . . . . . . . . . 7

REAL ESTATE Barbara Hickey, Sotheby’s/ William Pitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

REAL ESTATE/DESTINATION Watermark Pointe . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

TRANSPORTATION Rudy's Executive Transportation . . 19

MISCELLANEOUS Big Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Westy Self Storage . . . . . . . . . . 17

Roundabout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Bar Zepoli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Elm Street Diner . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Mackenzie’s Bar & Grill . . . . . . . . 62 Prime: An American Kitchen and Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Table 104 Osteria Bar . . . . . . . . . 60

HEALTH & BEAUTY Domestic Violence Crisis Center . . 54 Massage Envy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Memorial Sloan Kettering Physicians at Norwalk Hospital . . . . . . . . . 11

PLAN AHEAD Best of the Gold Coast Issue

JULY AD RESERVATION CLOSE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6

MARCH/APRIL 2018 STAMFORD

95

Last Word CLEANING HOUSE

by beth levine

Dumping Ground When getting rid of stuff just leaves room for procuring more stuff

96

STAMFORDMAG.COM

Dutch oven. I didn’t want to shell out for yet another piece of kitchen equipment for an untested recipe. And yet...

You see, the Katrina Mygatt Recycling Center has opened a new swap shop, Take It or Leave It. It’s exactly what it sounds like: You can dump good stuff in good shape that you don’t want anymore, and take whatever you want. The whole Dutch-oven-or-not thing was still fighting it out in the back of my brain the other day when I found myself at Take It or Leave It, and there it was, like it was just waiting for me: a red Dansk Dutch oven in perfect condition in just the right size. For free! (Check it out on Amazon for $90. So who’s laughing now, huh?)

I trooped home with my find, to my husband who rolled his eyes and said, “Wasn’t the whole point to get rid of stuff?” Well,

what? I should leave it there for strangers? If the powers that be want me to have this fine item, I should say no? That would be rude.

Besides, it is bringing me joy!

It’s the circle of life, I guess. If there is joy to be had in passing things along to other people, I realize now that I also can be thankful to the objects that find me at just the right time. Oh, red Dansk, how I love you.

S Welcome home.

Beth Levine reports that the no-knead recipe is fabulous! Find it at girlversusdough .com/2015/08/13/ no-knead-dutchoven-bread Bethlevine.net; @BethLevine75

PHOTOGRAPHS: PORTRAIT BY JOHN MARTIN; DUTCH OVEN CONTRIBUTED

L

et me tell you an old joke. One woman says, “Every time I’m down in the dumps, I get myself a new hat.” Her friend responds, “I always wondered where you found them.”

Ha, ha—sneer all you want about the dump, but I find some of my most treasured possessions there. Usually about the same time that I am getting rid of treasured possessions. Let me back up a bit: To me, the best part of spring cleaning is unabashed decluttering. I make piles and piles of things I know I will never use again to give to Person-to-Person, Dress for Success, the Ferguson Library’s Friends Book Shop, Goodwill and the Katrina Mygatt Recycling Center. Out, out, I say. For years, I used to hang onto stuff because I felt guilty giving away nice things. Maybe somebody I love gave it to me or I spent way too much money on it to just trash it. Then I read about Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up in which she urges you to let go of the extraneous by thanking the object for giving you joy, and then setting it free to bring someone else the same joy. Suddenly, I can let go of many items. The house actually feels lighter. I feel lighter.

Until it all starts to creep in again. Well, what am I supposed to do when the universe keeps flinging things at me? For example, I recently got a good recipe for a no-knead bread that called for a specific kind of

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