Once Around the City: A flea market and a fundraiser

NORWALK, Conn. – An old-fashioned flea market paired with an antique car show and a fundraiser for the Triangle Community Center are on tap this month in Norwalk.

Lockwood-Mathews’s annual Old-Fashioned Flea Market

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s 7th annual Old Fashioned Flea Market, chaired by LMMM Trustee Lynne Byington, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21,at 295 West Ave., in Mathews Park.

“Whether you enjoy bargains, face-painting, or a stroll down memory lane, this is such an enjoyable event as it offers something to everyone,” said Byington. “I am thrilled to chair this event and introduce this magnificent National Historic Landmark to a great number of our Norwalk visitors.”

More than 80 vendors will offer a variety of items from new, to used, to vintage, including antiques, furniture, collectibles, jewelry, household items, clothing, and toys. Shoppers will be able to view a classic and antique car show, listen to swing and jazz music while munching on all-American barbecue.

The Bob Button Big Band will play from noon to 1 p.m. while students from The Pop Music Academy of Stamford will perform contemporary music from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The museum will be open for mini-tours from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors will be invited to walk throughout the museum’s period rooms on the first floor and view an iconic Victorian era mansion for only $5.

Vendors wishing to rent space or purchase an ad in the complimentary program booklet distributed to visitors should email or call Brian Fischer, LMMM Facilities Coordinator at bfischer@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com or 203-838-9799 ext. 4. Vendor spaces are 10×16 feet and cost $65 for the day. The deadline is Sept. 15. No rain date will be scheduled.

Triangle Community Center kicks off major fundraising initiative

Fairfield County’s only resource center for the local LGBTQ community, Triangle Community Center (TCC), is hoping to raise more than $100,000 and will announce its new case management program Saturday, Sept. 27 at its 8th annual “Visionary Party: A Night at the Speakeasy” at the Greenwich Hyatt Regency.

The event includes a 100-guest VIP dinner and live auction that begin at 6 p.m., and a general admission program that runs from 7:30 p.m. to midnight featuring a silent auction, dancing and an awards ceremony honoring local residents who have dedicated their time and service to the LGBTQ residents of Fairfield County.

TCC recently secured two grants, one in the amount of $15,000 from the Richardson Fund and an additional grant in the amount of $100,000 from Norwalk-based World Health Clinicians to fund its new case management program, which will more efficiently navigate clients to appropriate services, programs and professional or health services either offered by TCC or by local professionals and other organizations.

Local honorees include Scott Gretz, executive director of Norwalk-based CIRCLE CARE Center  and World Health Clinicians for his commitment to the health and well-being of the Norwalk and Fairfield County community. Janis Stahlhut will be honored for her decade of service to TCC. And Lester and Elaine Sharlach, who were both involved in the founding of TCC, will be honored for their commitment of the local LGBTQ Community, having pioneered the first chapter of PFLAG in Southwestern Connecticut. For 23 years, the Sharlachs held monthly support meetings for the parents and friends of lesbians and gays in the local community.

General admission tickets are available online for $100 per person ($125 at the door on the day of the event). VIP tickets are limited to 100 guests and are available at $250 per person and include general admission to the Visionary Party.

To learn more about the 8th Annual “Visionary Party: A Night at the Speakeasy” or Triangle Community Center, visit www.ctgay.org.

BeFoundation awards $75K to Norwalk Early College Academy

BeFoundation announced a $75,000 grant to the Norwalk Education Foundation and Norwalk Public Schools to support Norwalk Early College Academy, Connecticut’s first “Pathways in Technology” Early College High School.

A collaboration with IBM, Norwalk Public Schools and Norwalk Community College, Norwalk Early College Academy (NECA) is supported by public and private resources. NECA serves grades 9 to 14 and will enable students to graduate with both a high school diploma and a no cost Associate in Applied Science degree that will put graduates on the path to a good job.

Created by IBM and partners, PTECH model schools are innovative public schools that bring together the best elements of high school, college, and career. There are no tests or screening required for admission. The new school in Norwalk is located at Norwalk High School, and graduates will be first in line for jobs at IBM.

“There is clear evidence that expanding education beyond 12th grade is critical for life success,” said Gloria Tenofsky, Norwalk Education Foundation’s executive director. “More jobs are requiring postsecondary education and employees with an associate’s degree will earn 73 percent more than those with only a high school diploma.”

“Norwalk was selected because of the makeup of our students and for our active, supportive community,” Tenofsky said. Norwalk students come from a variety of backgrounds, with more than 38 percent of students speaking a second language at home.

“This is a real game changer in Norwalk; an ongoing cohort of students will graduate with an associate’s degree, debt free,” Tenofsky said. “It will be a boost to their career prospects and to the business community who hires them,” she said.