Streets of Stamford

Great, more $2500 apartments

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:21:00 +0000

I've ranted before about the never-ending parade of luxury apartments being built in Stamford, but I guess nobody's listening. With Park Square West, converted office buildings, the horribly-named "Summer House," more housing at Harbor Point, and whatever will rise from the former Advocate site all in various stages of gestation, there won't be a shortage of places where granite-counter-loving UBSers can live and laugh at the rest of us.

Being the well-connected blogger that I am, I managed to get an exclusive list of amenities that some of these new developments will offer:

personal horse stalls for Arabian stallions (included)
hand-woven Egyptian cotton sheets, plus real Egyptians to re-weave them while you're at work
in-house Starbucks with delivery
full-time shoe shine on each floor
weekly visits from local celebrities: Bobby Valentine, Bennett Salvatore, Justin Long, John Mayer
free unlimited use of rooftop helipads

At least Angela Carella knows where I'm coming from: Who is welcome to the 'new' Stamford?

Don't even get me started on BLT's blatant disregard for the city's rules.

It's true! Parking lots ARE the Devil!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:36:00 +0000

Angela Carella's latest column is about the nightmare that is the Ridgeway parking lot, which I ranted about in this post from March: I'm back! And parking lots are the Devil!

Even more good news! There's still no money to replace ~~the sixth circle of Hell~~ the Stamford train station parking garage! Here's the article, courtesy of Stamford Patch.

As my holiday gift to you, my dear reader(s), here are a few parking tips/rants from the comments on my original post:

Target: I get around that annoying $1 parking fee whenever possible by parking on the street after 6 PM or on Sunday or in the Summer Street garage before 5:00 on weekends.

Darien Whole Foods: I love pulling into the parking lot and seeing Escalades and other SUVs in the fuel-efficient vehicle spots. Even worse (and more ballsy) is when you see a giant Range Rover in one of the PLUG-IN CAR SPACES. If you park a gas-guzzler in a plug-in spot, you clearly want the world to know that you just don't give a damn. And that you deserve a tire iron through your headlights.

Happy holidays, everybody!! See you in 2012, if the world doesn't end!

President Clinton at Barrett Bookstore this Friday!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:46:00 +0000

That's right - former President Bill Clinton will be at my favorite independent bookstore for a signing this Friday from 12 to 2. For more information, check out Barrett Bookstore's event page.

I'd love to be there, but I'm planning to wait in line for Snooki's book signing in the parking lot of the Caldor where she works.

So long, Saltwater Grille?

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:20:00 +0000

On the way into work the other day, I spotted this ominous sign:

Here's the link to the Auctions page. If you click on the Saltwater Grille link, you'll see a PDF detailing what they're selling off...which is pretty much everything. Fryers, ovens, seats, plates, lamps, you name it. Now I'm no expert on running a restaurant -- most of my knowledge comes from the infamous Sabatiello's episode of "Kitchen Nightmares" -- but I'm pretty sure you can't run one without those things. Looks like SWG is another casualty of a location that's a little too off the beaten path.

Every little thing is gonna be all right

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:11:00 +0000

Crappy economy got you down? Dreading another awful Connecticut winter? Sick of that ugly hole in the ground?

Cheer up - Ziggy Marley's tour bus made a stop here in Stamford! Ziggy has some tour dates in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Ridgefield, so I guess he heard how cool The City That Works is and decided to check it out!

Occupy Stamford!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:18:00 +0000

As the Occupy Wall Street movement grows to Los Angeles, Fresno, Houston, Dallas, Baltimore, Boston, and more, and even goes global, it was only a matter of time before it took hold in Connecticut, specifically in the insurance capitol of the world. That's right, it's Occupy Hartford! In solidarity with our fellow Nutmeggers, I propose an offshoot movement: Occupy Stamford!

What's the mission of Occupy Stamford? Is it to bring accountability and decency to the finance industry? Eh, too much work. To demand a faster rollout of our new M-8 train cars? Not really. To teach people in Stamford how to use their turn signals? No, but that would be nice. The mission of Occupy Stamford is to shame Milstein Properties into selling our city's worst eyesore, The Hole!! These absentee owners have let that huge lot sit for 14 years without making even a half-hearted attempt to develop or sell it (in their defense, they're just continuing the tradition of neglect passed down from all the previous landowners). Every time someone offers them their asking price, they raise the price. Nice!

Fortunately, our friends over at 888 Washington Boulevard may have found a way to finally end this nightmare. According to this Angela Carella column from June, "They found a way in the 1968 contract between the URC and the previous owner, a subsidiary of Stamford developer F.D. Rich. The contract provision says the URC has the right to buy the parcel from a mortgage holder who does not develop it by paying the mortgage debt. The URC is working on calculating a price using a formula in the contract. It would be substantially less than what the Milsteins could get on the open market, Goldberg said."

I'm not a fan of governments seizing private property except for public purposes like roads or railroads, and the whole Pfizer debacle in New London brought my blood to a boil, but this is different. It's a clear case of purposeful and never-ending neglect. As much as I'm also not a fan of the urban renewal projects of the 1960s, this was clearly not the intention of Stamford's attempt at renewal. The purpose was for developers to buy the land and then, oh, I don't know, DEVELOP IT - not sit on it for decades.

I hope that the URC goes through with this plan. Heck, they could probably put out a call asking for citizens to contribute whatever they can to pay the mortgage debt on The Hole. It would be a great rallying cry and could really bring the city together for a common cause.

Until then, Occupy Stamford will continue to complain loudly about The Hole! What, did you really think I was going to suggest camping out in a public park? Have you ever camped out in the Northeast in the fall or winter?? It's cold outside!

Diwali, chili, and burgers...oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 00:48:00 +0000

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, and it's a very cool holiday. This year's Diwali will fall around October 24th, and I'd like to join in the fun! Does anybody know of a Diwali celebration in Stamford?

In other news, there might not be too many Hindus at UUSIS' fourth annual chili cook-off on October 15th. Because some of the chilis will be made with beef. Which many Hindus don't eat. And some chilis will probably have pork in them, so there go the Muslims and Jews. Heck, will I be the only person at the cook-off?? Based on the crowds for the previous events, I doubt it. Anyway, the cook-off will take place next Saturday from 12-3 at the Unitarian Universalist Society in Stamford, 20 Forest Street (across from the Avon). Admission is $10, or $5 if you bring a bag of non-perishable food to donate.

Now if you're still hungry after next year's chili cook-off, you'll be able to hit up Five Guys Burgers & Fries!! We missed out on getting a Whole Foods, BSF has locations in the towns on either side of us, and Shake Shack set up shop in Westport, we're getting a Five Guys, dagnabbit!! The only thing that could make me happier would be an In & Out. Mmm...double-double with cheese...

Shop for St. Luke's!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:33:00 +0000

My favorite cheese/smoked salmon/seafood/olive oil joint, Fairway, is having a Shopping Night on Wednesday, October 5th, from 4-9 PM, to benefit St. Luke's LifeWorks. A whopping 25% of all registered sales will go to St. Luke's, so load up!

St. Luke's LifeWorks is the largest provider of services to the homeless in Lower Fairfield County, and Fairway has "successfully provided training for homeless individuals in areas such as culinary arts, customer service, and effective workplace communications; has employed dozens of clients."

Eat amazing food and help people at the same time. Awesome.

Now I will go bankrupt

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

O cruel, uncaring world, why do you choose to torture me so?

I have a son who's almost two, so my wife spends approximately 93% of our money at Carter's. This new Children's Place in Ridgeway will consume the other 7%.

As an aside, a few months ago, I saw a liquor license application sign in the space where Children's Place is going. The sign listed the applicant as Oo La La Cafe, so maybe they were thinking of expanding before they unfortunately had a car go through their front window.

ComiCONN was awesome!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:31:00 +0000

I had a freakin' blast at ComiCONN! It was my first comic convention, and I loved it. I got to see amazing artwork, cool toys and products, lots of comic books (obviously), and I also met a whole bunch of really nice people. Sure, they didn't have any big movie stars, but because it was a smaller, low-key event, you could really spend time talking with the artists, vendors and even a former G.L.O.W. wrestler - Roxy Astor! I also learned that there's a classic movie museum up in Bristol! It's called the Witch's Dungeon, and I can't wait to check it out!

Anyway, here are some of the fun pictures I took at the show:

Zombie parody movie posters by Matt Busch!

Dismembered G.I. Joe figures!

A working R2-D2!

Captain America cupcakes!

A giant Dr. Zaius head!

Authentic Japanese pachinko machines from CustomPachinko.com!

Not surprisingly, comic books!

"Wait," you might be saying to yourself, "if this was a comic book convention, where are all the people in costume??" I'm glad you asked, because here they are!

So much for Jedi mind tricks...

The Joker and Hellboy!

The god of thunder and his children, Supergirl and Batboy?!? Way to piss off three different fanbases, guys.

A bunch of random superheroes!

Two Thors, two Deadpools and two very confused kids!

And finally, my favorite costume - Alan Rickman, I mean Professor Snape!

Nerds rejoice!!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:30:00 +0000

If Green Lantern, Captain America, Thor and X-Men: First Class haven't sated your appetite for muscly men in tights, have no fear - ComiCONN is here! No longer will you have to head to the city and walk six miles to the Javits Center so you can stand in line for 45 minutes to get an autograph from the guy who once met the guy who sold the pencils to Stan Lee that Stan used to write one panel of New Mutants #97! Now you can stand in those same long lines right here in Stamford!

This was right about the time when Marvel's X-comics

went completely off the rails and just I gave up.

I'm definitely going to check it out. I've been saying for years that we needed something cool like this. I even tried to pitch one to a local congregation and got a lukewarm reception. I hope this is a big success and they make it a regular event!

My one piece of advice for the organizers: Princess Leia car wash.

Napa-tastic!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:29:00 +0000

First, Fairway invited me to an awesome cooking demonstration and tasting. Then Napa & Co. topped that last Monday night with a special "blogger dinner," featuring five amazing courses and dessert, all paired with wines. Our little club comprised three ladies from CTbites, Dan and Kristien from OmNomCT, Frank from RestaurantsCT.com and a bunch of self-proclaimed Napa groupies.

Mary Schaffer and Charles Morgan, the owners of Napa & Co., were our gracious hosts and Arik Bensimon, their head chef, prepared some incredible dishes for us. Just to make you hungry, here's the menu:

I'll send you over to CTbites' recap for pictures of the food because I just couldn't do it justice with my dinky camera.

I want to extend my thanks to Mary and Charles for inviting me to this amazing meal, and also to all the other attendees who made it even more memorable!

Gas pains

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

♫ ♪ One of these things is not like the others. ♪ ♫

♫ ♪ One of these things doesn't belong. ♪ ♫
♫ ♪ Can you tell which thing is not like the others ♪ ♫
♫ ♪ Before I finish my song? ♪ ♫

No, that third picture is not from a gas station in Europe. I took all three pictures on the same day at three different Shell stations in Stamford.

The Shell station on Broad Street near Goodwill always charges at least 50 cents more per gallon than any other station in town! How do they manage to stay in business?

Daddy's is done, plus other stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:53:00 +0000

Daddy's Junky Music, the best spot in town to buy an amp that goes to eleven, has, sadly, closed its doors.

I did my part to support this very cool business; I bought my wife a piano stool there - and even paid cash! It's too bad there isn't more of a homegrown music scene in Stamford. Also, rumors have been swirling for a few years that the Rich Company wants to tear down the one-story building that housed Daddy's and put up something bigger, which is kind of a shame because it's a nice holdover from old-school downtown. Check out a few of the neat details:

In the meantime, if they replace it with A) Panera Bread, B) Starbucks, C) Pinkberry, or D) CVS, then I will officially give up.

In other news, if you didn't try a flatbread sandwich at Sandella's on Bedford Street, well, you'll never get the chance now (that'll teach you to procrastinate). Sandella's, which I also never visited, is going to become picante!, and from the sign, I'm guessing it'll be something like Sierra Grille or Chipotle.

On the plus side, if you go to the right restaurant to know what to ask for, you can enjoy this amazing sushi roll:

And if sushi's not your thing, there's always the new Shake Shack in Westport...

Shacktacular.

The Case of the Purloined Pizza

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:19:00 +0000

It's time to take cover because the pepperoni and hot oil are going to be flying fast and furious!! From this article in the Advocate: Colony Grill is accusing two former employees of stealing their secret sauce recipe and opening up a new pizzeria. This sounds like a case for the Stamford Pizza Tour! (And a bad 90's ABC sitcom plot.) Let's see if Elliot, Scott and the rest of the SPT gang can get to the bottom of this mystery!

Party like a Peruvian

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:15:00 +0000

This year marks the 190th anniversary of Peru's independence from Spain, and you can celebrate the land of llamas, chicha and Machu Picchu at the Peruvian American Community Center's gala on Saturday July 30th! It takes place at the Sheraton Stamford (formerly the Holiday Inn) at 7 PM and the party goes until 1:30 AM - woohoo!! If you've never had Peruvian food, you'll be in for a real treat (I think I smell a future blog post...).

I got Hammered!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 02:19:00 +0000

I don't care if you think he's cheesy; I loved seeing M.C. Hammer at Alive @ Five. I was twelve when U Can't Touch This dropped, so Hammer was huge during my formative years (this was before I discovered Guns N' Roses). I managed to squeeze my way up pretty close to the stage, so here are some pictures I took. I'd post some video, but I'm not sure about the legal stuff, plus some lady kept bumping into me and shaking the camera. Personal space, people!!

The anticipation...

He's still got it!

Breakin' it down.

Hammer gets amorous.

Want to know why he hasn't quit? Because he's 2 legit.

The Governor is a fan!

Blockbusted!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I got this flyer in the mail the other day...

...so I drove over to 953 East Main Street, excited to pick up a copy of "Maid in Manhattan," only to find THIS!

Actually, I already knew that this store was gone, a fact that seems to have eluded the BLOCKBUSTER CORPORATE OFFICE. When they were selling off their DVDs, I raided the two Stamford stores and the two Norwalk stores and made out like a bandit! You can't beat getting a bunch of Nightmare on Elm Street sequels for a buck each. Who's up for Freddy Krueger marathon??

Swim Across America

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:53:00 +0000

If you've always wanted to swim across this great country of ours, now you can! (Just wait at least half an hour after eating across America.) Tomorrow is the Swim Across America Greenwich-Stamford swim to benefit the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), America's only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to funding cancer cell and gene therapy research. The swim kicks off at Cummings Point in Greenwich, and you can choose from the 1/2 mile, 1.5 mile, 3-mile or 5-mile courses. Last year's event raised over $300,000 for ACGT! At the very least, throw on some water wings and float for a good cause! (Note: Do not do this during the actual event.)

Firefighter food face-off at Fairway!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:51:00 +0000

Everybody knows that firefighters are awesome cooks, but find out for yourself this Saturday as firehouses from Stamford, Darien and Ridgefield battle for the culinary crown in Fairway’s Firefighters Food Face-Off! The event starts at 12:00, and everyone is welcome to enjoy free samples of the food being cooked up, as well as music and giveaways. A panel of judges including our own Bobby Valentine and Fairway cheesemonger Steve Jenkins will pick the winning firehouse, and the winner will receive a $500 Fairway gift card for their firehouse, plus the charity of their choice will enjoy a "shopping night" at Fairway! Firefighters, free food and celebrities - what more could you ask for?

Auf Weidersehn, UBS

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

As you've probably heard, UBS is all but set to leave our fair city. They claim it's because they can't hire their most desirable employees, who want to work in Manhattan or Brooklyn, but I suspect it's due to a lack of cheese shops and bakeries. Either way, come 2015, there's going to be a giant, empty (though nice-looking) building here in the CTW (yes, another one).

Since I like to plan ahead, I thought I'd start brainstorming on possible uses for the UBS building and its gigantic trading floor:

- Move that Chelsea Piers complex from Cove Road to downtown (or build a second location). It's already got a ton of parking, plus a few people might actually walk there.

- Turn the trading floor into the world's largest German-style beer hall!! It would be epic. It could also serve as the starting point for Stamford's very own Von Steuben Day Parade! Pretzels for everybody!

- Move all the businesses currently in Harbor Plaza into the UBS building and then demolish the entire poorly-conceived Harbor Plaza complex so the nice people who live near there can enjoy the water again. Why did they put office buildings in a residential area??

- A life-sized, playable version of the classic board game Mouse Trap!

- And finally, here's an idea that would be awesome: turn it into an arena for sports and concerts! They could lure the Sound Tigers down the highway from Bridgeport, where they're currently struggling to fill seats, plus we'd get to see great acts like Celine Dion, Michael Bolton and NKOTBSB!

Well, what do you think should be done with the big 'ol UBS building?

The circus is coming...to Fairway!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Sat, 28 May 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Yes, I know I mention Fairway a lot, but seriously, have you been there yet? They have more cheese than most stores have everything!

Anyway, head to Fairway next Wednesday and you can have 10% of your purchase go to support the Big Apple Circus! Not coincidentally, the Big Apple Circus will be performing again this year at Mill River Park from June 10 - July 4.

But back to Fairway...next Wednesday from noon to 10 PM, you'll see face painters, strolling performers and clowns roaming the aisles and entertaining everyone!

Let's just hope this clown doesn't show up. **SHUDDER**

Relax on tax

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Tue, 24 May 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Every time I hear a politician or commentator say that any infinitesimal tax increase will "kill jobs," "make people leave" or "drive away business," I just want to scream.

The first thing I want to scream is, "Prove it!" Provide some statistics to back up this claim. Show that people move out in droves when taxes go up. Connecticut instituted a state income tax in 1991. Did Greenwich, Darien and New Canaan suddenly become ghost towns? Not the last time I checked.

Speaking of our wealthy neighbors, people who live in towns like Greenwich do so because that's the kind of town they want to live in, knowing full well the taxes they are going to be paying. Westchester has similarly high taxes (higher, actually), but look at what you get for the money: good schools, safe towns, etc. Let's be frank: if we want these things, we gotta pay for them. Where, traditionally, are the best public schools? In towns with high incomes and relatively high taxes. New Jersey has pretty high taxes, but it also has one of the highest per capita incomes in the country. Why? Because people will live where they want to live or where the jobs are, not just where they'll pay the least in taxes.

Sure, some businesses might search around for the best tax situation they can find, but that search is usually slanted by the ridiculous deals that cities and states throw out there to lure large companies (who all too often meet the minimum requirements of their deals and then skip town as soon as possible). And if low taxes are the main determinant for business location, why are so many global powerhouses located in such high-tax cities as New York and Los Angeles? Because businesses need to be where the people they want to employ are, or near other members of their industry, or near transportation (airports, trains, etc.).

If taxes were the main motivator for choice of residence, then wouldn't everyone live in low-tax states like Tennessee and Florida? Again, people live where they do for a variety of reasons, and while I'm sure some people do look at the tax situation when looking to put down roots, how much influence can that really have in their decision-making process?

Well, I'm glad you asked! I did a completely unscientific survey of some friends, colleagues and relatives, wherein I asked them to name the top five reasons they live where they do.

I received responses from 17 people, and the most popular answers were proximity to work; being near family; and affordability (housing prices). People also cited wanting to be near culture; good schools; proximity to water; good restaurants; they grew up there; and convenient transportation.

Four people did cite lower taxes or the absence of a state income tax, but one Florida resident mentioned that although Florida has no state income tax, it does have lots of local taxes. However, taxes were clearly not the overwhelming factor that some politicians would have you believe.

Yes, it sucks when your taxes go up, but just like when the prices of gas, movie tickets and airline travel go up, we grumble a little bit, then we get used to it, and then we move on. Remember how much pain and suffering opponents said the 5¢ deposit on water bottles was going to cause? Yeah...

Honestly, can you imagine anybody saying, "Honey, we're going to have to pay the state an addition fifty bucks this year. Pack up the house. I'm renting a truck and we're moving"?

Heck, there was even an article recently about how the states neighboring Illinois were gleeful about a (GASP!) 2% increase in Illinois' state income tax. Here's the article: Neighboring states glad to see Illinois raise taxes, and here's a quote: "The idea of competing on state tax rates is hopelessly out of date," said Ed Morrison, economic policy advisor at the Purdue Center for Regional Development. "It demonstrates that political leadership is really out of step with what the global competitive realities are."

Listen, I'd love to pay less in taxes, and of course I want to see every level of government streamlined and made more efficient, but I also realize that the services we need, want and demand aren't free. So please, let's all stop listening to this annoying scare tactic and tell our politicians to get to work fixing real problems.

(Maybe if giant corporations like Fairfield-based General Electric paid more than a whopping $0 in taxes, we wouldn't be in such a mess to begin with.)

Begin typing scathing comments.......now.

Be a good sport

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:20:00 +0000

Do you like sports? Of course you do!

Do you like business? Who doesn't?

Next Tuesday, M.O.D. Success, a networking group for young professionals in Connecticut, is holding a panel discussion about "The Business of Sports." It'll take place at BUtterfield 8 from 7-9 p.m., with a $10 cover for non-members (it's free for members). As their site says, "This event will be a great opportunity for young professionals that are passionate and intrigued by the sports industry, and will provide a venue for networking other young professionals."

Come check it out! Everybody can chat about how awful the Red Sox are. (Start typing angry comments...now.)

Spring forward!

noreply@blogger.com (Streets of Stamford) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Now that we've finally dug out from that endless winter, here are some neat things to do:

On Sunday, May 1st, join the March for Babies in Commons Park (in Harbor Point) to support the March of Dimes.

Also on May 1st, come meet Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of The F-Factor Diet, at Fairway from 11 am to 1 pm. The F-Factor Diet promotes healthy eating and lots of fill-you-up fiber foods to lose those extra pounds. Tanya will be signing copies of her book and handing out samples of F-Factor cereals and health bars. Fun fact: her last name means "sugar bread" in German!

On Saturday, May 14th, eat like crazy at Fairway's Customer Appreciation Barbecue! From 11 am to 3 pm, there will be free food, music, giveaways and prizes.

On Friday, May 20th, join Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at the Palace Theater for a concert to benefit Dana's Angels in their fight against Niemann-Pick type C, a fatal, cholesterol storage disease affecting children.

Then on Saturday, May 28th, enjoy a free concert on the water! It's Stamford Harbor Live, and it'll take place in Stamford Harbor (between Crab Shell and Pitney Bowes). You can even come by boat if you like!

PS: Yeah, I missed Fairfield County Eats last night, but you can read my post about the 2009 edition.