SoNo will be crawling with lit lovers; Giving Day is on the way

Correction: Community Conversations takes place at South Norwalk Branch Library.

NORWALK, Conn. – There’s still snow on the ground and a chill in the air, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spring into action this week. The Norwalk Lit Crawl is on for Tuesday night, the next Community Conversation installment and a Third Taxing District meeting or up Wednesday, and Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Giving Day is Thursday.

And an early heads-up: Next Sunday, March 8, marks the start of Daylight Savings Time. Remember, spring ahead, fall back, so you lose an hour of sleep next weekend!

Crawl through SoNo on March 3rd

Norwalk notables will transform your favorite watering holes into vibrant venues of literary delight for one night only in Tuesday, March 3.

This 2nd Annual Lit Crawl, modeled after similar events in San Francisco, NYC, Seattle and London, promises a feast for the brain as well as the belly, according to event organizers. Storytelling of classical and not-so-classical works, plus a sampling of culinary delights washed down with your favorite quaff, will really put you in a literary spirit.

Attend one venue or “crawl” to all four. All proceeds will benefit the Literacy Volunteers program. Click here to pay for your ticket.

Bring your receipt for the donation (either print it from the web or get one at the event) and the parking ticket to the booth and receive complimentary parking in the Maritime Garage on the nighht of the LitCrawl.

Tax District  annual meeting canceled

The Third Taxing District 2015 annual Meeting of the Electors scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, has been canceled. No makeup date has been announced.

For information, call 203-866-9271

Library features Community Conversations

The South Norwalk Branch Library is holding a series of free discussions of reading development, learning disabilities and children with special needs. To take part, you must register in advance. Call the library at (203) 899-2790 ext. 15902.

The next event is planned for Wednesday, March 4, at the  South Norwalk Branch Library on Washington Street:

Reading Assessments: Pre and Post Testing – Maureen Ruby will present and review key competencies that children must master in order to become literate citizens and independent lifelong learners.

Officer averts train crash

Norwalk Police Officer Neil Robertson had just finished investigating a motor vehicle accident on Cross St. at 12:24 p.m. Feb. 24. At the time, traffic on Route 1 throughout the city was bumper to bumper due to I-95 southbound being shut down.

While stopped at the traffic light on Cross Street at Wilton Avenue, Robertson saw the train gates lowering on Cross Street. He also saw an SUV that was stopped within the area of the closing gates. With a train approaching, Robertson raced to the SUV, which was gridlocked in traffic. There was not enough time to back the vehicle up, so Robertson contacted the vehicles that were in line and managed to make them move ahead, allowing the SUV to pull forward, averting a crash by about two seconds, according to a witness to called the incident to the attention of Chief Thomas Kulhawik.

Kulhawik praised Robertson for his actions.

“Had Officer Robertson not been there and taken swift action, the incident would have likely ended tragically,” he said.

Concussion program implemented

Norwalk is the first municipality in Connecticut to approve a concussion program for all youth sports.

The new concussion guidelines are modeled after The Concussion Aware and Prepared Program. The guidelines will apply to organized youth sports programs utilizing Norwalk recreation facilities.

The guidelines are intended to plug the loophole that exists in the current Connecticut Concussion Law, which protects only public middle and high school athletes who play for school-sponsored teams.

Education Foundation, LMMM get grants

The Norwalk Education Foundation has been awarded a $21,480 grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. This support will enable NEF to continue to further its mission of supporting excellence and innovation in Norwalk Public Schools, according to an NEF press release. Funds are earmarked for operating support and classroom innovation grants.

The Norwalk Education Foundation focuses on technology education for teachers, classroom innovation, community outreach and college readiness said NEF Executive Director Gloria Tenofsky. “Research shows that Teacher Effectiveness is the critical factor in student performance and NEF believes teacher training is a key component. NEF funds Tech Coaches in all 19 schools. They are provided with training on collaborative learning tools like Google apps for education as well as the online student data collection system (PowerSchool). Tech Coaches then provide training to their colleagues,” said Tenofsky.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s Education Program was awarded a $7,500 competitive grant. With this support, the Museum plans to serve a greater population of students and continue to offer the Mansion as a site where students can learn about mid-to-late 19th century history, technology, art, and architecture.

LMMM’s docents, dressed in period costumes, start the program by visiting classrooms and introducing the Mansion to students through a PowerPoint presentation and other learning tools. The class then takes a trip to the Mansion for a docent-led tour that explores its vibrant history, artistic legacy, outstanding architectural details, and life during the Victorian era.