Cheers, movie lovers, and down the hatch: The Prospector Theater has local approval to begin selling liquor at its cafe.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a revision to the special permit at its meeting May 19 for the theater at 25 Prospect Street.

The next step is to get approval from the state Department of Consumer Protection.

“We already have our restaurant, the Star Bar, where alcohol is served, but this will extend the use of the permit to the Heads Up Cafe on the first floor,” said Rebecca Ciota, attorney for the movie theater.

The theater is known for both first-run Hollywood movies and lesser known independent and artistic fare. There are also classic and theme nights. Notably, it is run by a nonprofit organization that offers employment opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities.

The theater has 100 mostly part-time employees, said Mike Santini, the theater’s director of development.

Santini declined to talk about the liquor plans, which are still in the works, but he spoke generally about the theater and its mission to provide jobs.

The Star Bar restaurant is on the second floor, serving drinks. The Heads Up Cafe on the first floor will now be a more wide-ranging concession.

There are four digital screening halls, with the latest sound equipment and comfortable seats.

“We have a first-run movie theater because it allows us to create a business model with a wide range of job opportunities,” Santini said.

There are box office staff people, concessions workers, ushers, and cafe and restaurant staff of all types, including food service workers.

“We have a production department to create the pre-screen content,” Santini said. “We have a graphics design team, and we have gourmet popcorn.”

Ice-cold cocktails like frozen margaritas from the cafe will be a welcome addition to the theater’s offerings.

“We are incredibly busy during the summer months,” Santini said.

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Scotland families gathered on one of the first warm evenings of the year at the 850 Degrees Wood Fired Pizza Restaurant patio to enjoy a concert by Ridgefield singer/songwriter, and Scotland parent, Georgie Brennan on Friday, May 8.

Brennan is a frequent performer at 850 Degrees and often accompanies the monthly Scotland Spirit Day activities each month with parent Joy Alfieri.

Brennan said, “Scotland School is such a special place, with teachers, administrators, and families who do so much for the school. I wanted to do something as a token of thanks for our school community.” Larry Debany, owner of 850 Degrees, was on board with the idea and offered to donate 10% of all food and drink receipts on the night of the event to the Scotland PTA.

More than 200 people attended the event. Students, and some parents, donned their Scotland apparel to show their school pride. Scotland fifth grader Matthew Long described the evening: “It was a really enjoyable night. We ate a delicious dinner while listening to Mr. Brennan play.” His sister, second grader Makena Long, put it simply: “It was awesome!” Kindergartner Ryan Kuntz said, “It was a great show! I liked seeing my friends from Scotland and we all danced.”

A highlight for the students was singing the Scotland Spirit Day song, which Georgie Brennan composed, and forming a giant conga line during a medley cover of “Iko Iko” and “Jump in the Line.”

Brennan played two sets during the evening and included something for everyone. He played a few of his own songs that Ridgefielders know and love, such as “This Is My Ridgefield” and “Set on Gold — Tucker West.” He also played hits from the 60s through the 80s for the parents, as well as many contemporary covers that the students could recognize and sing.

At the end of the evening, 850 Degrees donated $800 to the Scotland PTA. Parent Michele Olbrys said, “What amazing Scotty School Spirit was on display at 850 Degrees on Friday night! It was great watching the kids have fun together while being mesmerized by Georgie Brennan’s songs! I’m so proud to be part of the Scotland community.”

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Holiday R. Hamil

Pat Fink, broker/team leader of the Ridgefield office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties, has announced that Holiday R. Hamil has recently joined the company as a sales executive.

Hamil will be responsible for residential real estate transactions, including new construction, newly renovated homes and condominiums, as well as the marketing and sale of resale properties throughout the region.

She is a member of the local Ridgefield Library Development Committee and recently helped with the Great Expectations gala. Before joining Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties, Hamil was a co-producer for Good Morning Jacksonville at First Coast News. She also produced several local commercials for NBC 12 in Jacksonville.

In a statement, Hamil said, “The focus on the customer and the goal to provide the best products and services for its sales professionals is what makes affiliating with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties the best choice possible.”

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Corinne Wolfe

Corinne Leslie Wolfe, 98, passed away on January 6, 2015 at her home in Ridgefield. She was known as Nana to her family and their friends and loved that designation!

Born April 26, 1916 in Bogota, New Jersey to Anne and George Leslie, Corinne was raised in University Heights, Bronx, New York. She was the adoring little sister to the late Robert Leslie and Doris Leslie Minicus. She graduated from Mount Saint Ursula High School and attended Mount Saint Vincent College. She furthered her education, taking classes to become a registered dental hygienist, working in New York City until she was 32, at which time she began raising her family.

At the age of 29, Corinne married Kenneth W. Wolfe, the love of her life since she was 19. World War II had prevented them from marrying earlier so on Memorial Day 1945, Corinne and Ken were finally married. They lived in University Heights and spent their summers each year in Ocean Grove, New Jersey until Ken’s passing in October 1976.

Following the death of her beloved Ken, Corinne moved to Ridgefield to be close to her daughter and son-in-law, Corinne and Charles Schuller, and their sons, Cub and Kenny. She was an extremely proud grandmother and spent every opportunity watching her boys in sporting events from toddler stage through college. When her grandsons married and began families of their own, she showed as much enthusiasm for the activities of her five great-grandchildren — Cubby, Allie, Avery, Ryan and Cameron as she had for the previous generation.

Corinne loved the Boston Red Sox and disliked the New York Yankees with equally as much gusto. Year after year she prayed for the success of the Red Sox and scoffed at the idea that it might be inappropriate to ask God to invest His time on a baseball team. Finally in 2004 her prayers were answered and she declared that she could now die in peace!

Nana was a firm believer in prayer and said that God always answered her prayers because she spent as much time thanking God for prayers that were answered as she did in requesting favors. Because of this, she was frequently asked by family and friends to pray for their special needs and she spent hours each day in prayer.

In addition to her daughter and son-in-law, Corinne and Charles Schuller of Ridgefield, she is survived by her devoted grandsons and their families: Cub, Tracey, Cubby, Avery and Ryan Schuller of Bedminster, New Jersey and Kenny, Robin, Allie and Cameron of Parkland, Florida. Days prior to her death, she spoke with each grandson and told them how much she loved them and how much happiness she derived from their successes.

A Mass of Christian Burial is planned for Saturday, June 13 at 1:15 at St. Mary’s Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield to celebrate Corinne’s life. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Research Hospital for Children.

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This gray fox pup may look cute, but it is still a wild animal and should not be picked up or handled. Young foxes are cared for by both adults. Therefore, the death of one adult does not necessarily mean that the young foxes are orphaned and need assistance. — Photo by Paul J. Fusco, CT DEEP Wildlife Division

Spring and summer are busy times for people and animals. Many animals are setting up territories, building nests, or finding den sites to give birth and raise their young. At the same time, people are spending more time outdoors, and the chances are greater that someone may come across a young bird or mammal that may appear to be orphaned or injured. It is normal for many animals to leave their young alone for long periods of time, so your help may not be needed. In all likelihood, the adult is nearby watching and waiting to return.

White-tailed deer: The only time a female (doe) will be found with a fawn is during feeding times. Fawns are fed three to four times a day, each feeding lasting about 15 minutes. During the long periods left alone, newborn fawns instinctively freeze and will lie motionless when approached.

“If you come across a fawn, it is best to leave it alone for at least 48 hours to determine whether the adult is returning for feedings,” said Rick Jacobson, director of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Wildlife Division. “While waiting for the doe to return, it is important that both people and dogs stay away from the fawn. A truly orphaned fawn may show signs of distress by walking around aimlessly and calling out for several hours.”

Rabbits: Baby rabbits are one of the wild animals rescued most often, but usually they do not need human help. Mother rabbits are at the nest to feed their young only twice a day for about five minutes — at dawn and dusk. And, yes, they really do put the nest in the middle of your back yard. One reason for this is so the female can see any predators that may be approaching while she is nursing her young. Baby rabbits are in the nest for only two to three weeks before becoming independent. Leave the nest alone unless you find cold, limp, young, or obviously injured ones.

Birds: Many people find young birds hopping around the yard in June and July. Most of these birds are old enough to leave the nest, but are still not efficient fliers. If you find a fully feathered young bird that is unable to fly, it is best to leave it where it was found. The adults are probably still caring for the young bird, which should be capable of flying within a few days. Remember to keep pets away from the bird and watch it closely for at least an hour to see if the adults are returning to feed it.

If you find a young bird on the ground that appears to not have feathers, look for a nest. If a nest is in a nearby tree or shrub and the bird feels warm to the touch, try to place the nestling back into the nest. If the nest has fallen on the ground, make a new nest with a wicker basket and some dry grasses and hang the basket with the nestling in it in a nearby tree or shrub. Most birds have a poorly developed sense of smell and will not be scared away if you touched the young bird. Be sure to watch the nest carefully for at least an hour to see if the adults return to find and feed their nestling.

Injured animals: If you find an animal that is definitely injured or orphaned, remember to:

• Avoid direct contact.

• Keep pets and children away.

• Use heavy gloves to transfer the animal to a cardboard box or escape-proof container.

• Keep the animal in a warm, quiet place.

• Contact an authorized wildlife rehabilitator.

“Connecticut’s authorized wildlife rehabilitators care for more than 11,000 animals each year,” said DEEP Wildlife Division biologist Laurie Fortin. “Most of these are young wild animals that were brought in by well-intentioned individuals. However, many did not need to be rescued.”

Wild animals as pets: Keeping wild animals as pets is discouraged, may be illegal, and when legal is subject to state and federal regulations. Raising wild birds and mammals for successful return to the wild requires considerable knowledge of feeding formulas, countless hours of care, and appropriate outdoor caging. Improper care results in underweight and undernourished animals or animals that are not releasable because they have become too accustomed to being around people.

“Although it may be natural to want to assist young animals, caring for them may actually do more harm than good,” said Fortin. “It may be dangerous, too, as direct contact may result in exposure to rabies or other diseases carried by wildlife. Be aware that even young mammals can carry and transfer the rabies virus in saliva. Handling a potential rabies carrier, such as a baby raccoon, without proper precautions may require that the animal be euthanized for rabies testing.”

In Connecticut, there are approximately 250 authorized volunteer wildlife rehabilitators with the skills and training to care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. To obtain the names of wildlife rehabilitators in your area, check the DEEP website at ct.gov/deep/wildlife. Call the DEEP Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or the DEEP Emergency Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333, after hours or on weekends. Or contact your local nature center. Individuals interested in learning more about becoming a wildlife rehabilitator may contact Laurie Fortin of the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3963 or laurie.fortin@ct.gov.

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Ridgefield High School football coach and Dean of Students Kevin Callahan, who was charged last month with driving under the influence in his hometown of Fairfield, is back at work.

A school official said Callahan returned from a period of administrative leave, pending a review by the school district, May 26.

“Mr. Callahan has resumed all teaching responsibilities,” said the Karen Dewing, the district’s personnel director.

Dewing would not say whether this means the administration has cleared Callahan in the case.

Callahan, 52, of Cherry Hill Road in Fairfield, is also the lead teacher of the RHS physical education department. His next court date in Bridgeport is June 16.

He was charged with DUI and distracted driving, failure to drive right and failure to carry a valid insurance card in connection with an accident on Fairfield Woods Road.

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Della Mae performs for CHIRP for the first time on Tuesday, June 2, at 7 p.m.

With the ground as wet as it is, the concert scheduled for 7 p.m. in Ballard Green has been moved to St. Stephen’s church.

The church at 351 Main Street is a frequent standby for indoor performances when the spring and summer concerts have to be moved.

Performing tonight is Grammy-nominated bluegrass band Della Mae.

“Since the group’s formation in 2009 through the efforts of Kimber Ludiker, who plays fiddle, the Boston-bred, Nashville-based ensemble has attempted to use music as a unifying force,” writes CHIRP Producer Barbara Manners. “All four members are vocalists as well as instrumentalists and have a high, bright level of energy that is quickly communicated through their performance. The band’s newest CD, called Della Mae, was just released in April and is, like the one before it, earning accolades from critics across the country.”

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May through June is a critical period when female turtles undertake risky overland forays to reach nesting areas. During this time, they often cross roads, sometimes with fatal consequences. Be on the lookout for turtles crossing roads and give them a “brake!” —Paul J. Fusco/DEEP Wildlife Division photo

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding residents to be on the lookout for turtles crossing roads. The months of May and June are the nesting season for many turtles and during this season egg-bearing aquatic turtles often cross roads in search of terrestrial nesting sites.

“Connecticut’s landscape is highly fragmented by busy roads, and many turtles are forced to travel great distances – and across roadways – to find suitable nesting habitat,” said Rick Jacobson, Director of the DEEP Wildlife Division. “Helping a turtle move across the road can be the difference between life and death for the animal, and for future generations, but your safety comes first. Be sure to assist a turtle in the road only when it is safe to do so and do not attempt to stop traffic.”

“Research has shown that aquatic turtle populations across the United States have uncommonly high proportions of males because so many female turtles are being killed on roadways,” said Jacobson.

Guidance on Assisting Turtles

Always keep the turtle pointed in the direction it is going. If you turn it around in the other direction, the turtle will only make another attempt to cross the road. Also, DO NOT move the turtle to a “better spot,” and DO NOT put terrestrial box turtles in a lake, pond, or other water body. Turtles have a home range and females often return to the same general area to lay their eggs. Snapping turtles can be large, heavy, and feisty, so if you are unable to “shoo” them across the road, pick them up by the back of their shells, NOT by their tail, to avoid a bite. Some people use a shovel or a stick to push or skid snapping turtles across the road.

Turtles have a long lifespan, take a long time to reach sexual maturity, and have low survivorship when newly hatched. Because of these attributes, turtle populations cannot compensate for losses due to adult mortality without experiencing long-term consequences. With turtle populations requiring high levels of adult survivorship, every individual is important to a population’s stability. This concern is even greater in recent years because many U.S. turtle populations are becoming fragmented, isolated, and progressively smaller.

In your travels, if you encounter a turtle in the road, just remember this motto: “If it is safe, help turtles cross the road.” DEEP is also encouraging residents to take photographs of any turtles they observe as they enjoy the outdoors and share them on the CT Fish and Wildlife Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife or on a Twitter account set up by students from UCONN’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (twitter.com/CT_SWAP). Those interested in learning about Connecticut’s turtles can visit the DEEP’s turtle webpage at www.ct.gov/deep/yearofturtle.

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Jason Whitbeck plays in the Rec Center’s new spray park. —Kathy Cook photo

New attractions and activities at the Ridgefield Recreation Center are aimed at boosting summertime visits by the center’s more than 6,000 members.

This will be the first full summer with the new outdoor 2,800-square-foot spray bay, a type of water park without rides that is safe for small children, and the new activity is a duathlon bicycle and running competition for children aged four to 14. It is set for June 14.

The recreation center is promoting the spray bay and duathlon with a colorful sign near the road. It is hoped to boost participation during the summer, when many people are away on vacation, meaning out-of-town, said Katherine Fassman, marketing director for the center.

Call it a staycation.

“We want to give them something to look forward to in town,” Fassman said.

The attractions are not limited to Ridgefielders only. Out-of-towners are welcome to use the center’s pool in addition to the spray station for children. A day pass for non-members to use the facilities is $10.

It’s a day out for a young family.

“The spray station has water shooting out of various devices. It’s a great way to cool down all ages,” Fassman said.

The spray station first opened last August, late in the summer season. Only a few people got to enjoy it. This is the first full season with the mini water park.

There is no extra charge on a membership to use the facility. It is included in the regular membership price of $240 for resident families, and $504 for non-resident families.

The duathlon for children is co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Bicycle Company. The race will be conducted at the recreation center campus and consists of three age groups, four to six, seven to 10, and 11 to 14. Each age group has different race distances and start times. The race is in its second year.

Participants will receive a T-shirt and be professionally timed with posted results. The deadline to register is June 12. For more information, please visit the web at ridgefieldbicycle.com

There’s something for everyone at the recreation center.

“Our goal is to keep people of all ages active,” Fassman said

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Left to right, Susan Ahlstrom, co-chair of the Ridgefield Prevention Council; Karen Facini, vice president and financial services manager, People’s United Bank, Ridgefield office; with Officer Shawn Murray and Loki, and D. Josh Reilly, senior market manager in the Danbury Market for People’s United Bank. —Tony Spinelli photo

Ridgefield Police K9 Loki is a lot safer these days, thanks to a donation of $1,200 to pay for his protective vest.

For now he wears a puppy-sized vest inherited from the previous K9, Zeus, from Zeus’s younger days. The money from People’s United Bank Ridgefield branch and the Ridgefield Prevention Council will pay for Loki’s full-grown vest, when he’s ready, said his handler, Officer Shawn Murray.

“The vest will stop a bullet, it will stop a knife, it will stop an arrow,” said Murray, as he patted Loki’s upper body to show how the vest will protect areas with vital organs.

The donation from People’s and the prevention council is much appreciated, said Capt. Jeffery Kreitz, spokesman for the department.

The K9 unit is largely privately funded, he said.

“It’s great,” Kreitz said.

Susan Ahlstrom, co-chair of the Ridgefield Prevention Council, said her group donated $350 toward the cost. The Prevention Council is part of the Ridgefield Coalition Against Alcohol and Substance Abuse.

Karen Facini, vice president and financial service manager for the local People’s United Branch at Stop & Shop on Danbury Road, said the bank officials were inspired to help when they heard about the department’s previous dog, Zeus, taking his last ride recently.

“We heard about the new dog, and wanted to do something to help,” she said.

The donors presented their check to Kreitz and Murray during an outdoor meetup with Loki on May 29.

Loki is a 22-month-old German shepherd imported from Hungary. He is trained in police work, including drug identification, missing persons tracking, and suspect apprehension.

He is named for the Norse god of mischief, known to fans of Marvel Thor comic books and movies.

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A 49-year-old Ridgefield man was charged with breach of peace after a bizarre incident in New Canaan.

Police say he made advances on a 20-year-old female employee at Food Emporium, 280 Elm Street. He reportedly asked for her phone number and said that if rebuffed he might drive his pickup truck into the store or cut his own leg off with a chainsaw, according to New Canaan Police Sgt. Carol Ogrinc.

The man reportedly left but according to police he returned later and offered the woman a ride, then blocked her car’s exit in the parking lot and stared at her for a few minutes.

He then reportedly left.

A customer reportedly recognized the man, identified as Randolph Wood, of 96 Danbury Road. Police went to his house and he was issued a summons for 2nd degree breach of peace, with a June 9 court date.

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Dear EarthTalk: What resources are out there for helping teachers integrate sustainability topics into their curricula?     —Melinda Zullo, Toronto, ON

Teaching our kids about sustainability and green living is one of the most important things we can do to safeguard the future of humanity and the planet we inhabit. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) reports that environmental education teaches children how to learn about and investigate their environment and to make intelligent, informed decisions about sustainability. Furthermore, learning about the environment is multi-disciplinary, so it allows teachers a rare opportunityto integrate different parts of the their curriculum while challenging students to think about the big picture. Thankfully, teachers today have a plethora of resources for incorporating sustainability in their lessons and activities.

• Read more Earth Talk

One great resource is Green Teacher, a quarterly magazine dedicated to helping educators promote environmental awareness among young people aged six through 19. The magazine offers perspectives on the role of education in creating a sustainable future and provides lots of ready-to-use activities. Green Teacher has also released a series of books, including Teaching Green: The Elementary Years, Teaching Green: The Middle School Years and Teaching Green: The High School Years, each which contain over 50 of the best teaching strategies and activities published in the magazine over the past decade. These books contain kid-tested ideas contributed by educators from across North America and cover a wide spectrum of environmental topics, from biodiversity to resource consumption to green technology. Another one of Green Teacher’s books, Teaching in the Outdoors, is a practical guide for getting students outside and includes helpful suggestions for maximizing their learning experience when they get there.

Another great resource is the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s “Energy Kids” website, which provides teachers with energy related stories, hands-on activities and research articles for their classrooms. Free, easy-to-access lesson plans allow students from K-12 to have fun learning about different forms of energy and why some are better for the environment than others. The website also offers biographies of scientists that discovered the energy sources we use today, energy timelines that show how different energy sources and technologies have evolved, and stats on topics like what renewable fuel the U.S. uses most.

A more “hands-on” approach to getting students involved and concerned about their environment is to start a school garden—planted and tended by the kids themselves.  According to KidsGardening.org, school gardens build an understanding of and respect for nature and our environment while motivating kids to eat and love fruits and vegetables. Gardening also teaches children to nurture and care for other living things while developing patience. KidsGardening.org provides a full step-by-step guide to help any teacher get a school garden off to a great start.

Meanwhile, more than 5,000 K-12 schools worldwide have teamed up to network about and integrate environmental best practices into their curricula, administration and facilities through the non-profit Green Schools Alliance (GSA). Membership in GSA is free, but requires a commitment to take action on any or all of three tracks: (1) reducing the member school’s climate and ecological impact; (2) educating and engaging the local community; and (3) connecting to nature and place. No doubt, GSA is right when it asserts that schools are “hubs of their communities that build resilience, transform markets and policy, shift behavior, and prepare the next generation of innovators to become environmental stewards.”

CONTACTS: Green Teacher, www.greenteacher.com; EIA Energy Kids, www.eia.gov/kids; NAAEE, www.naaee.net; KidsGardening.org, www.kidsgardening.org; Green Schools Alliance, www.greenschoolsalliance.org.

EarthTalk is produced by Doug Moss & Roddy Scheer and is a registered trademark of Earth Action Network Inc. View past columns at:  www.earthtalk.org. Or e-mail us your question:  earthtalk@emagazine.com.

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June 4, 2015

Here’s a look at what’s in this week’s Ridgefield Press:

• It’s hurricane season, and although it’s been some time since the town was battered by tropical storms, emergency planners are making sure we’re ready.
• With full-time enforcement, parking tickets are more plentiful.
• The town’s population has gone up.
• Ridgefield has a much higher density of ash trees than the statewide average, and an invasive beetle that’s been identified in Connecticut could pose a threat to them.
• An RHS grad’s internship has her marketing an art contest for a young adult book.
• Many letter writers are opining on comments made over special education and a call for oversight.
• You can sign up to receive daily news emails from The Press or change your settings, by clicking here.
• Stuffed animals are sleeping over at the library.
• Two temples plan to merge.
• A donation will help keep Ridgefield’s K9 officer safe.
• Many students have made honor roll at RHS.
• Parks and Rec is ready for summer.
• A land lease for a non-profit that would bring a group home to the village heads to a voters June 10, a new date after a past meeting was scrapped over a bureaucratic goof.
• Police will be carrying the Special Olympics torch through town Friday.
• A task force has begun its work studying the future of Branchville with a $250,000 grant.
• In sports: Lacrosse loss, track win, field hockey, volleyball and wrestling.
• A new centenarian recalls tea and cookies with Eleanor Roosevelt.
• The Ridgefield Press is on Facebook — become one of more than 2,753 friends and get news updates. Facebook.com/RidgefieldPress
• More than 11,280 people have signed up for Ridgefield Press news bulletins via Twitter. You can, too, by stopping by twitter.com/RidgefieldPress

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Traffic gets heavy during commuter hours on Route 7 near where a contractor’s yard is proposed. This is early evening looking south. The proposed development would be on the east side of Route 7, to the left. —Macklin Reid photo

Neighborhood opponents of a proposed contractor’s yard on Route 7 came out swinging against the project Tuesday, fighting the project at a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing through their hired attorney and panel of experts.

About 50 residents, many from The Regency at Ridgefield, attended the public hearing at Town Hall Annex. They spoke only through their attorney, Marjorie Shansky of New Haven, and experts.

A police officer was on duty to keep the peace.

“This application does not pass muster of standards (for stormwater and soil erosion) and should be denied,” said Michael Klein, a soil scientist hired by the neighbors.

The neighbors have won before. In 2013, opponents ultimately chased away the proposed relocation of Danbury-based Ergotech Inc., a light manufacturing facility, to the commercial site, which is on the east side of Route 7 directly across from Little Pond.

Little Pond stands to become polluted by the stormwater runoff from the contractor’s yard, another expert said, pointing out that contractor vehicles will be washed down and refueled, with spillings falling onto the ground and washing into the aquifer protection zone pond.

The longtime owner of the site, Larry Leary Development LLC, is applying for a pair of special permits, one for a multi-unit contractor’s yard to serve plumbers, electricians and other small contractors who need a garage to park their vehicles and warehouse space for work supplies like pipes and cables. The other permit is for the rock crushing, excavation and earth processing related to construction site preparation.

Neighbors have already expressed their anger over the dynamite blasting that is planned for the site. That came at the previous public hearing.

In support of the proposal, the developer’s traffic engineer Tuesday said the contractor’s yard will not add to the busy Route 7 peak time traffic.

“Contractors work hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., so they avoid the peak traffic times of 7 to 8 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.,” said the engineer, Steve Coppola.

The attorney for the project, Robert Jewell, said there would be very little daytime presence at the contractor’s yard.

“These are small jobbers like electricians. They don’t have any office staff,” Jewell said.

The public hearing was continued to June 23.

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Classical music to line-dancing, live magic to songs from The Sound of Music — a wide-ranging performance is promised tonight, June 4, by members of SPHERE and volunteers who have been working with them weekly since last fall.

The performance will involve a broad-based group of volunteers —  The Ridgefield Chorale, Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra bassist Joe Russo, magician Tom Pesce, Girl Scouts from Ridgebury School, students from Scotland Elementary School.

The stars of the show will be the performers from SPHERE, the local empowerment group for people with disabilities.

“We’re celebrating what these special members of our community can do,” said Kim Pereira, director of SPHERE’s music and performing arts program.

“The purpose of being in the audience is to be there for them and cheer them and celebrate them.”

The show is tonight at 7 p.m. at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

“It’s a fund-raiser. We’ll have a suggested donation at the door,”  Pereira said.

The suggested donation is $20 for adults, and $10 for senior citizens and kids under 18.

How many people will be involved in the performance?

“I had to order 175 T-shirts,” Pereira said.

“We have 39 members, and then our regular SPHERE volunteers are a dozen or so,” she said.

One of the anticipated highlights will be SPHERE pianist Susan Choplinski playing with bassist Joe Russo from the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.

“She’s really talented and she’s pulling off a beautiful duet with a professional musician, so that’s really cool,” Pereira said.

“He’s on bass and she’s on piano.”

The music they’re to play was written by Russo.

“He composed this piece himself — not for this event, it was composed earlier, but this is an original piece,” Pereira said.

Russo of the RSO is among a number of volunteers who have been working with SPHERE on their Thursday music and performing arts nights at Jesse Lee Methodist Church.

Another is magician Tom Pesce.

“He’s amazing,” Pereira said. “He’s been volunteering his time, he’s been coming on Thursdays. He’s worked with six individual members and taught them how to do some magic.

“Our members are going to do magic for the show.”

Pesce is also planning to do some magic involving all the SPHERE members as part of the show.

Author Rich Cohen has written an original play, If You Can Talk, You Can Sing, which SPHERE will perform.

A chorus of SPHERE members made an appearance at a recent Ridgefield Chorale concert, and the chorale will return the favor at the June 4 SPHERE show.

“We’ve been working with them,” Pereira said. “We’re singing three selections from The Sound of Music.”

Guitarist John Andrew Moomaw will be featured on Climb Every Mountain. Sean Keenan will be lead vocalist on The Lonely Goatherd. And the SPHERE chorus will join The Ridgefield Chorale for a rendition of Edelweiss, which the groups sang together at the chorale’s concert.

SPHERE members will dance and play recorders together with students from Scotland School — 50 Scotland students are expected to participate.

SPHERE members will also be dancing with Girl Scouts from Ridgebury School, who have been volunteering regularly  at SPHERE’s Thursday night events.

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Schools were put into a “soft” lockdown/stay put mode Thursday, June 4, after a suspicious person was reported, possibly carrying a gun.

Police Capt. Jeff Kreitz wrote in a statement:

“On June 4, 2015 at approximately 9:21 am the Ridgefield Police Department received a call regarding a suspicious male in the vicinity of West Mountain Road and Ramapoo Rd.

“It was reported that a male was walking towards the center of town and could possibly be holding a firearm.  Officers were immediately dispatched to the area and the Superintendents Office was notified.  As a cautionary measure Veterans Park Elementary School as well as Ridgefield Academy and St. Mary’s School were immediately placed in a “soft” lockdown/stay put while the investigation was ongoing.

“Officers did a thorough check of the area, however were unable to locate the reported individual.  Officers also spoke with numerous people in the area none of who reported seeing an individual who matched the description that was given by the caller.

“At that time the “soft” lockdown/stay put were lifted”

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Michael Brand, MD

For the second year in a row, Danbury Orthopedics announced that four of its doctors have been named in the 2015 Top Docs list by Connecticut Magazine. Michael Brand MD of Ridgefield, Joseph DiGiovanni MD, Ross Henshaw MD, and John Lunt MD were each awarded the honor within their specialty of orthopedic surgery in the April 2015 issue of the magazine.

Brand, president of Danbury Orthopedics, is a Harvard University-trained sports medicine specialist.

Dr. Jeffrey Gorelick

Also for a second year in a row, Urology Associates of Danbury announced Dr. Jeffrey Gorelick, a Ridgefield resident since 1994, has been named in the 2015 Top Docs list by Connecticut Magazine.

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Tal Nizan and Patrick Sheehan-Delany’s bid for a state doubles title ended Thursday when the two Ridgefield players lost in the Class LL state finals in West Hartford.

Nizan and Sheehan-Delany, who were seeded first in the doubles field, fell to the second-ranked Staples duo of Max Zimmerman and Josh Moskovitz by scores of 6-3, 6-4.

After playing in the top-two singles spots for Ridgefield during the regular season, Nizan and Sheehan-Delany joined forces to play doubles in the Class LL tournament, in which teams get points when their players win singles or doubles matches.

Nizan and Sheehan-Delany received a first-round bye and then won four straight matches to reach the finals. They defeated unseeded Peter Stevens and Matt Yang of Westhill, 6-2, 6-4, in the second round; 15th seeds Harshavardhan Lingareddy and Jared Pepper of Amity, 6-1, 6-0, in the third round; eighth seeds Jason Blankfein and Brenden Price of Staples, 6-3, 6-2, in the quarterfinals; and fifth seeds Gabriel Betancur and Nicholas Sabatelli of Amity, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3, in the semifinals.

Moskovitz and Zimmerman also needed three sets to win their semifinal match, beating sixth seeds William Cannon and William Graham of Fairfield Prep, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.

By reaching the finals, Nizan and Sheehan-Delany earned Class LL All-State honors.

No other Ridgefield singles players or doubles teams advanced past the second round in the tournament, which took place at Hall and Conard high schools and Yale University.

Amity finished first in the team standings with 24 points, two more than runner-up Staples. Fairfield Ludlowe was third with 15 points.

In a meeting of co-top seeds, Jason Seidman of Amity edged Richard Ciamarra of Xavier, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4, to win the singles title.

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Suggested photo caption: The gartersnake is perhaps the most common, widely distributed, and familiar of all North American snakes. It is found throughout Connecticut, sometimes in yards and even in urban areas. —Paul J. Fusco, DEEP Wildlife Division photo

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is reminding residents that snakes are becoming more active at the same time people are venturing outdoors to enjoy the nice weather, do yard work, or participate in various outdoor activities like hiking. Snake encounters can be alarming for some people, especially if they do not understand how harmless, yet important these creatures are to the natural world.

“Snakes are probably some of the most misunderstood animals in the outdoors,” said Rick Jacobson, Director of the DEEP Wildlife Division. “There is no need to fear or hate these reptiles. If you leave snakes alone, they will leave you alone.”

Snakes and People

Hundreds of snakes are needlessly killed by people each year because of mistaken identity, fear, and misunderstanding. Very often, when a snake is found near a home, people may panic and even assume that the snake is dangerous or venomous. Few Connecticut residents realize that they are unlikely to encounter a venomous snake around their home. The two venomous snake species found in Connecticut (timber rattlesnake and northern copperhead) do not have wide distributions. These venomous snakes, along with the other 12 Connecticut snake species, are NOT aggressive and will only bite if threatened or handled. If left alone, snakes pose no threat to people.

If you unexpectedly come across a snake, the snake is likely as startled as you are. There is NO reason to kill a snake – instead, you should observe and enjoy it from a distance and allow it to go on its way. All snakes will retreat from humans if given a chance.

Some snake species, in particular gartersnakes, are often encountered in yards and around outbuildings. Occasionally they will enter homes and outbuildings in search of food. A snake found in the home can be easily and safely removed. A pair of garden gloves is sufficient protection from gartersnake bites. The snakes have long teeth for their size; a bite on an unprotected hand is not dangerous but can be painful. The snake should be picked up carefully to avoid excessive squeezing. Snakes have delicate bodies and are easily injured. Place the snake in a cloth bag and release it in an area not far from the point of capture so the snake will be in familiar territory. To discourage snakes from entering buildings, make sure all cracks in the foundation are sealed. Basement windows should close tight or be covered with screens.

If you wish to discourage snakes from your yard, remove the places where they can hide. Cut grass short, remove brush and rock piles, and trim shrubs up off the ground. These methods will discourage snake prey species from the yard as well.

More information about snakes and snake conservation in Connecticut, as well as an identification guide, can be found on the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/wildlife.

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A $256,000 grant-funded study of Branchville began in earnest Tuesday, with the inaugural meeting of the Branchville Transit Oriented Development Task Force.

The task force of Branchvhille business leaders and Ridgefield officials met at Town Hall to carve out a work plan for the summer and gear up for a three-day concept design charette in September, to envision what Branchville can become.

Virtually everyone even remotely connected to Branchville will be invited to share ideas and concerns in the three-day workshop. The charette is expected to attract as many as 100 people at a time.

Branchville is a section of the southern end of town with Route 7, and a commuter rail line running through it — hence the “transit oriented” aspect of the planning.

“Our study area will extend out a half mile from the train station,” said Francisco Gomes, manager of the project for Fitzgerald & Halliday Inc., a community planning consultant based in Hartford, which is hired to do the work.

“We want to identify things we can do,” Gomes said.

The firm was hired under a grant managed by the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, a regional planning agency that represents Ridgefield.

“We’re trying to do a study that helps Branchville find its future destiny,” said John Chew, manager of the project for the council of governments.

The consultant will study zoning in Branchville, real estate availability for development, existing businesses, architecture styles, infrastructure including bridges, and other details.

On June 2, for example, local business owners expressed the need for street lighting and sidewalks so customers can feel safe walking in the area, where there are restaurants, coffee shops and pubs.

“It’s simple things that could help, like having street lighting a pedestrian walkway,” said Joseph Ancona, owner of a business in Branchville.

The study will take 16 months. At the end, the town will have a vision of development for Branchville that fits Planning and Zoning Commission expectations and encourages development.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi attended the session, and said he was glad to see Branchville business owners attending and sharing their ideas.

The task force will next meet on Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall and choose a location for the three-day charette event.

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