“Sea and Discover Zone” Opens for Preschoolers at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
(L-R): Johnathan Gibson, director of the Maritime Odyssey Preschool in Norwalk; State Sen. Majority Leader Bob Duff; Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools; Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling; and the Rev. Dr. Lindsay Curtis of Grace Baptist Church in Norwalk. (Bottom Center): Jason Patlis (center), President and CEO of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Contributed photoMaritime Aquarium:
Preschoolers and their parents can explore the aquatic world through books, artifacts, live animals, dramatic play and simple scientific tools in the “Sea & Discover Zone,” a new learning center now open in The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
Designed in accordance with the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards, the unique, permanent educational space debuted today [March 2]. Attending the special ribbon-cutting ceremony were Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling; State Sen. Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk; Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Superintendent of the Norwalk Public Schools; Johnathan Gibson, Director of the Maritime Odyssey Preschool in South Norwalk; and the Rev. Dr. Lindsay Curtis of Grace Baptist Church in Norwalk.
The exhibit underscores the priority of early-childhood STEM education for later academic achievement and success in 21st-century jobs.
Because the “Sea & Discover Zone” includes an area for books and reading, the opening event included a story time that celebrated national Read Across America Day.
Tom Naiman, Vice President for Education, said the enclosed second-floor center provides a child-sized introduction to the work of the Aquarium. Young children are invited to discover and investigate aquatic animals and environments in fun, tactile and immersive ways.
“The ‘Sea & Discover Zone’ is devoted to how we learn about marine animals, how we take care of them and how we protect them,” Naiman said. “It's a stimulating, content-rich, free-choice environment for our youngest guests and their care-givers, while also providing an improved space for our early-childhood programs, such as the weekly ‘Fish Tales’ story times.”
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Imaginatively designed, the new center offers three areas where young guests can play the role of marine explorers, conservationists and animal-care specialists:
• a beach zone, with books and comfortable reading nooks under a colorful mural, as well as an area for story times and live-animal presentations.
• a science lab with such tools as tweezers, simple microscopes, hand lenses and other tools to examine shells, feathers, fur and other “biofacts.”
• and an ocean zone set up with objects for dramatic play, as well as a mock coral reef for seeking and finding animals.
First to enjoy the “Sea & Discover Zone” on March 2 was a class from the Maritime Odyssey Preschool in South Norwalk, of which the Aquarium is a partner. In marking national Read Across America Day, the students listened to a storybook read by Lauren Magliola, the Aquarium’s manager of early childhood programs.
Jason Patlis, President and CEO of The Maritime Aquarium, welcomed the “Sea & Discover Zone” for toddlers and preschoolers as a complementary addition to the Aquarium’s other classrooms, research vessel and traveling-teacher programs for older students.
“Before this, we really did not have any space dedicated to that age demographic,” Patlis said. “This space is not just about entertaining kids; it teaches them the heart and soul of what we do here in the Aquarium. It teaches them about the animals but also how to care for the animals.”
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling praised the hands-on aspect of the “Sea & Discover Zone.”
“It will provide young people with the opportunity for experiential learning, which is the easiest or fastest way to learn, and to have an appreciation for our Sound, our beaches and where we’re located,” Rilling said.
State Sen. Majority Leader Bob Duff of Norwalk said he frequently hears from people who have loved visiting the Aquarium.
“Now we can say, ‘Make sure you bring your littlest ones because there’s a spot here for them to learn even more,’” Duff said. “And they’re learning to be good stewards of the environment and they may not even know it.”
Johnathan Gibson, Director of the Maritime Odyssey Preschool, called the new learning space “innovative and imaginative.”
“It’s so important that children at the earliest ages be exposed to STEM-based curriculum,” Gibson said. “I am amazed by this playspace but I’m not surprised because we know the Aquarium to be a world-class institution of learning and an emerging leader in the field of early-childhood education.”
Dr. Alexandra Estrella, Superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools, celebrated the close relationship between the schools and the Aquarium’s Education department.
“Today opens the door to another opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in great learning and take the learning experience from the classroom into the real world and look at how science is applied throughout everything we do in life,” Estrella said.
The Rev. Dr. Lindsay Curtis of Great Baptist Church, a partner in the Maritime Odyssey Preschool, applauded the collaborations that have benefited Norwalk.
“Their vision and our vision has gone beyond what we ever thought could be,” he said.
The opening of the “Sea & Discover Zone” completes a lively transformation of the Aquarium’s second-floor gallery, which includes the ever-popular meerkats in a big new space (including three “pop-up bubbles” for guests) as well as a large display for the leopard tortoises. Meerkats and tortoises are native to African deserts, and that theme continues along an exterior wall of “Sea & Discover Zone” with built-in displays of a live scorpion, tarantula, African spiny mice and species of fish from African desert regions. These new animals are presented in displays built at preschoolers’ height.
The “Sea & Discover Zone” is free with Aquarium admission.
“Sea & Discover Zone” becomes the home for “Fish Tales,” an interactive story time for toddlers and parents/caregivers that includes songs, rhymes, dance and sometimes visits by a live animal. It’s offered each Friday at 10:30 a.m., is led by an Aquarium early-childhood educator and is free with admission.
Learn more about exhibits and programs in the South Norwalk family attraction – and reserve your tickets in advance, as recommended – at www.maritimeaquarium.org.
Chamber of Commerce Announces Supper and Soul Concert Series
Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce:Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce (WWCC) and The Westport Library are pleased to announce the return of Supper & Soul, the hit Dinner and Concert series, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The event will be held on Saturday, May 7th. This long-awaited night will be capped off by a concert with the dynamic Cris Jacobs at the Forum of the Library following dinners at various restaurants throughout Downtown Westport.
This is the eighth Supper & Soul event, after ten sold out Drive-In shows held in the interim on the Imperial lot, as the partnership between the Westport Library and the Chamber continues to bring music to the ears of our community.
“The time is right to bring this back, people are ready to enjoy energizing downtown and spending a great Saturday night out on the Town,” said Matthew Mandell, Executive Director of the Chamber. “Cris Jacobs is the right act, he blew everyone away at the 2017 Blues Views and BBQ and now he’s back, just like this event.”
The single ticket multi-faceted event entitles participants to enjoy a 3-course meal at one of eleven downtown restaurants, then see the concert and return to any of the same restaurants for happy hour pricing for drinks after the show. The ticket for this event will be $90 per person for the dinner and concert, with concert only tickets available for $40. Tickets go on sale this Friday March 4th at 10am.
Participating downtown restaurants include: 190 Main, Amis, Arrezo, Basso, Capuli, Da Tapas, Don Memo, Manna Toast, Spotted Horse, Wafu and Walrus Alley each within walking distance of the Library. The dinner seating will take place at 6pm with the concert beginning at 8pm.
“The Library’s forum space is the perfect venue for Jacobs with his rock and bluesy sound and what a cool opportunity get people out and about again,” said Bill Harmer, Executive Director of the Westport Library. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Chamber on Supper & Soul to bring this event to downtown and we look forward to continuing this partnership with more concerts.”
For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.westportwestonchamber.com/supper.
MTA Graduates 63 New Subway Train Operators as NYC Transit Continues a Slow Rebound
The Metropolitan Transit Authority The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that 63 new subway train operators graduated following their successful completion of training at the New York City Transit Learning Center in Brooklyn.
These operators will help New York City Transit tackle crew shortages and bolster the frequency of subway service. This marked the end of months of intensive training for operators that began in the summer of 2021. The graduation took place as New York City Transit Subway ridership hovers between 50% and 60% of pre-pandemic levels.
“As the city continues to return to normal, we have prioritized bringing great people aboard by increasing class sizes and aggressively recruiting,” said New York City Transit Interim President Craig Cipriano. “New Yorkers need access to fast, safe and reliable subway service to get to work, school and family activities. I am really excited to welcome this new group to our team.”
“Everyone knows the staffing challenges that the MTA has experienced, and we’ve accelerated training and filled larger classes so we can provide increased service for New Yorkers,” said Vice President and Chief Officer of Service Delivery Herb Lambert. “Our subway operators keep the city moving and are leading New York City on the way back.”
The new employees join the hundreds of bus and train operators along with conductors who recently completed their training. To date, the MTA has hired 425 train operators and 341 conductors, including those who have already graduated or will do so in the months ahead — part of a deliberate effort by the MTA to rapidly grow the number of bus operators, subway train operators and conductors. A hiring freeze, necessitated by a fiscal crisis that developed during the pandemic, depleted the ranks of train operators with many veteran workers retiring or leaving their frontline posts.
New Neighbor: Former Le Penguin Storefront turns Italian as “Casa Me” comes to Sconset Square
As both interior and exterior renovations continue, Casa Me has quietly announced their arrival into the Downtown Westport community through a small poster on their soon-to-be front doorway. The former location of Le Penguin’s French Bistrot, Casa Me describes itself as a cafe, restaurant, and bar space. No word yet on when the new neighbor plans to open their doors. WestportLocal.com photo
Quiet Sunset on Church Lane
With Franny’s Farmacy, Savannah Bee, and now Nic + Zoe all closed for business - Church Lane was quiet as the sun began to set over Church Lane’s newly vacant storefronts. WestportLocal.com photo
New Neighbors: “Mexicue” brings Mexican + Barbecue to Main Street in former Bobby Q’s building
Filling newly renovated storefronts, Mexicue has announced their opening in Westport with a second floor restaurant space at 38 Main Street. The restaurant group has several locations in New York City, one in Washington, DC, and one in Stamford - with Westport and a Bethesda, Maryland location both being their newest openings. The company’s website describes it as a fusion of barbecue and traditional Mexican meals that began in a Manhattan food truck by founder Thomas Kelly.
The restaurant brings barbecue back to one of Westport’s most famous spaces - the former home of Bobby Q’s barbecue. The locally owned barbecue joint closed in 2016 as part of a natural end to their decade+ run in the community, with owner Bob LeRose adding to the downtown dinner scene while helping found the Blues, Views, and BBQ festival. LeRose passed away in August after a battle with cancer, however his passion for the community lives on through the many groups he supported throughout the years.
A Pretty Scene From Above; at Ground Level - Not So Much!
This scene of traffic heading west crossing the William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge is an all to familiar sight to Westport drivers at rush hour each night. The view of glowing lights and reflections in the Saugatuck River may look nice from above, however drivers in the line of cars probably do not see it that way. Traffic is bumper-to-bumper from the bridge all the way to Compo Road South. According to Mapquest, this 6/10 mile drive should take about one minute. If only...
Off Duty Westport Police Officer Prevents Man from Jumping from Bridge
Westport Police Department:
On this date at approximately 6:45 a.m., a Westport Police officer who was driving through Fairfield on his way to work in Westport encountered a suicidal male who was preparing to jump off the Redding Road overpass onto the Merritt Parkway below.
As Officer Brian Meraviglia was traveling over the bridge, he saw the male leaning over the side and it seemed clear that his intention was to jump. Officer Meraviglia got out of his car and started speaking with the individual who was obviously distraught. As the two were talking, Officer Meraviglia was able to get close to him. This enabled Officer Meraviglia to grab the person and move him away from the bridge. Once the party was in a safe location, Officer Meraviglia as well as a good Samaritan who was passing by worked to comfort the individual and provide emotional support.
Fairfield Police officers who are trained to aid those who are experiencing an emotion crisis as well as State Police troopers also responded to the scene. The male was transported to a local hospital for an evaluation.
Chief Foti Koskinas said he is extremely proud of Officer Meraviglia and noted that his quick actions likely prevented a tragic outcome.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please understand that there are people who want to help as well as available resources. For further information go to: https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/Programs-and-Services/Finding-Services/Suicide-Resources
Pastel Skies
Calm waters and pastel colors hung over Saugatuck Island. WestportLocal.com photo
Sunset along Bermuda Lagoon’s Entry
Brilliant orange hues gave light to the Bermuda Lagoon entry off of Saugatuck Island tonight. WestportLocal.com photo