Stamford Downtown Events

Learn more about foursquare...

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Foursquare, a social media website that enables users to “check in” to their current location.
The DSSD is campaigning to earn a Foursquare badge for the city of Stamford!

Best of Stamford, CT! #visitUS
Check out the best that Stamford, CT has to offer. Lots of great food and fun entertainment! (There's no particular order to the list. Just one stop of awesomeness after another!)

The rainbow over Trump Tower

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The rainbow over Trump Tower

This shot was posted on the Stamford Advocate website. It's so lovely, we wanted to share.

DSSD in the news.....Stamford FourSquare Badge? - Stamford411 - The Advocate

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Do you spend a lot of time hopping around the city of Stamford? Well, if the city’s Downtown Special Services District gets its way, you’ll soon be able to enjoy a digital reward for your gallivanting, courtesy of Foursquare, a social media website that enables users to “check in” to their current location.
The DSSD is campaigning to earn a Foursquare badge for the city of Stamford. Foursquare badges “are little rewards you earn based on your check in habits (for example, frequenting too many karaoke bars, eating lots of pizza, taking your kids to the playground).”

Earlier this week, Foursquare made this announcement in a blog post:
As part of President Obama’s announcement to boost tourism in the U.S., the White House called on folks around the country to share what makes their city or town a great place to visit. Well, we want to know too! Inspired by the #visitUS initiative, we’re putting out a call for foursquare lists with all the best spots in your city. We’ll pick the three most amazing ones and creating foursquare city badges for them!
read more at:
Stamford FourSquare Badge? - Stamford411 - The Advocate

Save a life...celebrating 5 years today!

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Save a life...celebrating 5 years today!

napa & co.

1/25/07

Five years today...I was a kidney donor to my friend Seth Berger.

I've never been one to stand on a soap box about this topic because I always felt it was a personal and private decision. However, I am so excited to celebrate five years that I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the gift of giving. It was such a rewarding process that perhaps someone else might be inspired to do the same.

It hit me this morning as I was driving my daughter to school what an awesome feeling it was to give someone life. It was so empowering. She asked me to recall the event as she saw the reminder come up on my phone "Happy Anniversary!" She was 5 years old at the time and I explained I gave both my girls a bath that night and spent some time explaining that mom was going into the hospital in the morning but I was not sick. I was going to help a friend that was terribly ill and had two young boys just like my little girls. I described that I had two kidneys and would be giving him one and my little 5 year old said, "But you have two kidneys because you have two girls." I smiled and said, "Yes, but one day someone will do the same for me if we ever need one."

In October of 2006 (during construction of Napa), I heard both of Seth's kidneys were failing and in serious condition. I spoke to his mother who explained that several family members were not a match. His blood type was a difficult match and the odds were 1 in 5,000 that he would find a match. Seth was not family nor was he one of my best friends but he was a friend...period. I couldn't stand by and say, "Good luck on the wait list. I hope it works out for you." I didn't quantify our friendship. It wasn't about how well I knew him or how many years. He needed help. It was and always will be that simple. My instinct was to start the testing process and let the results speak. On December 6th, I got the call.

I was a match.

It was snowing that morning and it was scary. What if something happened? I had gone through MRI, CT scans, endless blood work, tissue match, psychological testing and interviews to get to this day. The surgeon said to me, "Up until that last second you can back out. I will make up a reason for you but don't ever feel you have to go through with it." That wasn't an option to me. I followed my instinct from day one.

I was released in two days and back to work in 4. It has resulted in zero changes to my lifestyle and my health. It has resulted in infinite feeling of pride and satisfaction to see him happy and healthy today. Second to having my children, it was the most rewarding experience of my life. Seth gave me a gift this day 5 years ago. There is no better high than the gift of giving.

Thank you Seth.

FYI: 350,000 people in the United States are on the wait list for a kidney. 67,000 people die every year of kidney failure while waiting for a donor.

- from Mary at napa&co.

Click to learn about becoming a kidney donor

Click to find where to donate blood

Click to become a bone marrow donor

Annual Hot Stove Report with Boston Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Annual Hot Stove Report with Boston Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine Sunday, January 29, 2012
5:30 -7:30 PM; Doors open at 4:45 PM
Rippowam Middle School (building where Bobby went to high school)
381 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT

Win Red Sox tickets, autographed items and more!

$40 in advance; Tickets available at Bobby V's Sports Gallery Cafe in Stamford or online at http://www.fans4thecure.org/

$50 at the door

For more information contact:

Ed Randall at 917-856-7545

John Lupton at 914-525-0463 or via email at jlupton07@optonline.net

For more information about Fans for the Cure go to: http://www.fans4thecure.org/

ED RANDALL'S FANS FOR THE CURE-MISSION

Through the world of sports and athletes, increase the awareness of prostate cancer in men and educate them and the people who lovc them about the most current techniques in treatment, prevention and early detection

Stamford Downtown and the South End in the news.....

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

We've been getting alot of questions about what is happening in the South End, so here it goes....

Op-Ed: Master Plan, not DSSD, says no full service hotels in South End

Sandy Goldstein, President of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District.

Published online 04:11 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2012 and printed Sunday January 22, 2012

The headline in last Sunday's Advocate calls the differences in positions between the Downtown and the South End vis-à-vis hotel development a "civil war." This headline might sell papers, but distorts a respectful difference between two important parts of the city: the Downtown and the South End.

Stamford Downtown is very pleased with the development occurring to the south of us and realizes that it will benefit the entire city. And I believe that the South End is equally pleased with the vitality that is part of its northern neighbor. As a matter of fact, on Jan. 3 the principals of Building and Land Technology and the Downtown Special Services District met, at Stamford Downtown's request, to articulate and understand each other's positions. After lengthy discourse, we amicably agreed to disagree.

One may ask, "Why is the DSSD in opposition to BLT's desire to build a full service hotel in the South End?"

The answer in a nutshell is.....

that the Master Plan, the city's blueprint for development, establishes that the Downtown will be the area of the city with the most intense development. This position was affirmed in 1977, reconfirmed in 1984, again in 2002 and again in 2007. For the past 35 years, this plan has been consistently upheld by city land use boards and has in turn greatly contributed to the successful downtown we have today. Adherence to the Master Plan ensured that a critical mass of offices, entertainment, full service hotels and retail would create a strong city center and prevent the fragmentation that cities like Norwalk, Danbury and those in southern New Jersey have experienced.

A full service hotel, designated by the Master Plan exclusively for the Downtown, is one of the prohibited uses in the South End. Smaller, boutique hotels like the Marriott Courtyard (with no banquet facility) are allowable. There are 150 other allowable uses in the Zoning Regulations designed to activate the South End. However, a full service hotel, i.e. a hotel with a convention center/banquet facility (ballroom), is expressly prohibited. Yet, this use was slipped into a site plan approved in 2008, when the Zoning Board mistakenly approved a prohibited use.

Now that BLT is requesting a major change to its 2008 plan, asking for seven additional stories to the hotel and 50,000 more square feet of space, it is time for the Zoning Board to say, "No." The Zoning Board should insist that all developers play by the same rules. BLT could choose to return to the Zoning Board and ask to amend the regulation that prohibits a full service hotel on the site.

It has been claimed by some that the DSSD's concerns are anti-competitive and intended to protect Downtown hotels. Once again, I refer you to the city's primary land use document, the Stamford Master Plan, which enumerates where full service hotels can and cannot be located. In 2008, when a full service hotel (the Ritz Carlton) was proposed for Atlantic Street in the Downtown, the DSSD was a vocal supporter of the application; as was every other hotel in the downtown. The difference between the Ritz Carlton's application and the South End application is that under zoning regulations the one in the Downtown is allowable and the one proposed for the South End is not.

Please remember, it is not the DSSD or some Downtown property owners who determine the type and location of hotels that can be built. It is the city of Stamford's land use regulations that govern such use and placement.

Sandy Goldstein is president of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District.

This is the Place!

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Have ideas or comments you'd like to share? Send them to Cheryl, ops2@stamford-downtown.com

Art at The Ferguson

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Art at The Ferguson

Art Reception

"Tropical Paradise"

Thursday, January 26

6 to 8 p.m.

Main Library Auditorium Gallery

A juried multi-media show
Wine and cheese reception
Exhibit runs through May

Sponsored by
The Ferguson Library and the Stamford Art Association

For more information call 203 325-1139

Avon Red Carpet Gala 2012, Feb 4 and Party on Feb 26

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Horsin' Around Downtown, Stamford Downtown 2012

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:06:00 +0000

CLICK HERE for Artist Application!!!

A Call to Artists for

Horsin' Around Downtown

Who: The Stamford Downtown Special Services District is calling all artists to submit designs for Horsin' Around Downtown for jury and possible sponsor selection and exhibit inclusion.

What: Horsin' Around Downtown, similar to the Cow Parade, Art-O-Mobiles, Stamford Safari and It's Reigning Cats & Dog, is an interactive sculpture exhibit. Artists, through a juried selection process, will paint, sculpt and decorate fiberglass horses that will be displayed throughout Stamford Downtown June through August, 2012.

When: Applications are due to the DSSD office on Friday, February 10, 2012.

For an application visit the event calendar at www.stamford-downtown.com or call 203-348-5285

Taste of Stamford 2012-- Save the date for Feb 16

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

It's a Stamford foodie extravaganza!

Alive@5 2012 - are you ready? Wanna play? Submissions are now being accepted....

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:11:00 +0000

2012 Application For Opening Bands/Artists
Stamford Downtown - Summer 2012
Bandapalooza: May 18 / Alive @ Five : June 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19, 26, August 2
Please fill out form at www.stamford-downtown. com. All submissions must be post marked by March 15, 2012!

2012 Application Info For Opening Bands/Artists:

Bandapalooza is a one night battle of the bands contest held at
various venues throughout Stamford Downtown. 12 bands are chosen
to compete for three opening spots at Alive@Five. The three winners
are chosen by a combined vote: 50% official jury and 50% public
vote via our online voting system.
Local and regional bands are encouraged to compete and must be
available to perform on all of the following dates: May 18
(Bandapalooza), June 14, June 21 & June 28 (Alive@Five). There is
no monetary compensation for any performance dates however
potential exposure for the artist(s) is significant. Artists that have won
and performed at Alive@Five in the past are not eligible to compete
again.
Alive@Five is a seven week music series featuring national
headliners and attracting crowds averaging 8,000 concert attendees
each week. Local and regional artists support the national headliner
each week, providing multiple opportunities for up and coming artists
to share the bill with established and recognizable names. Applicants
must be available to perform on any or all of the following dates:
June 14, June 21, June 28, July 12, July 19, July 26 and August 2.
There is no monetary compensation for any performance dates
however potential exposure for the artist(s) is significant. Artists that
have performed at Alive@Five in the past are not eligible to perform
again.
For more information on either Bandapalooza or Alive@Five please
visit www.stamford-downtown.com

Selkowitz named Citizen of the Year - StamfordAdvocate

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Check out Mr. Selkowitz named Citizen of the Year - StamfordAdvocate

SAVE THE DATE: Rex Prescott Walden, To Italy, Friday, February 3rd, 6-9 pm

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:53:00 +0000

SAVE THE DATE: Rex Prescott Walden, To Italy, Friday, February 3rd, 6-9 pm

Venue:: Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery
Street:: 96 Bedford Street
ZIP:: 06901
City:: Stamford
State:: CT

Did you see our awesome ad in the Advocate this past Sunday, 1/8?

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:51:00 +0000

Email your questions or comments to ops2@stamford-downtown.com

The Avon Theatre’s 2012 line-up for Legends of Rock Live

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The Avon Theatre’s 2012 line-up for Legends of Rock Live

At 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays once a month from January through June 2012, music archivist Bill Shelley will present our Legends of Rock Live series featuring rare concert footage from some of the greatest musicians of the past 75 years. On January 12th see “Janis Joplin and The Women of Rock,” featuring footage of Joplin, Linda Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin, Grace Slick and more. On February 2^nd view rare Billy Joel clips from the 1960s -1990s. On March 1^st we will screen archival footage of the legendary Neil Young and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young between 1967-1985. On April 5^th see twenty years of Queen and Freddie Mercury footage. On May 3^rd see and hear the legendary Frank Sinatra and on June 7^th, back by popular demand, additional footage from The Grateful Dead. Ticket pricing is as follows: Carte Blanche: Free, Members: $6, Students/Seniors: $8, Nonmembers: $11.

ABOUT THE BILL SHELLEY: As a filmmaker, Bill Shelley has been shooting professionally since the 1970s when he captured on film and video bands such as Twisted Sister and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts playing in small bars before they became famous. Shelley later associated with rap group Public Enemy (PE), going on to direct a number of their videos and become an honorary member of PE’s African American Media Network cable television studio. Shelley Archives was started in 1985. After working with Readers Digest Entertainment in 1990, the company’s end product was nominated for an Emmy in 1993 for the three-part series “Legends of Comedy.” The program was broadcast on the Disney cable network and home video sales exceeded a record-breaking 1 million copies sold. Today the company has over 100,000 reels of original 35mm and 16mm films in its archives and over 10,000 hours of rare concerts, television shows, promos, interviews, out-takes and home movies from a wide-ranging variety of subjects. The company has licensed them to numerous documentary projects throughout the world. Preservation of films and music clips is a main focus of the organization, as well as the desire to compensate the artists.

ABOUT THE AVON: The fully restored Avon Theatre, features the best of independent, documentary, foreign films and Hollywood classics, and educational programming that enhances the cultural richness of the Stamford community. The Avon is a non-profit, member-supported organization that has been described as an eclectic and whimsical picture house. The theatre is highlighted by an original exterior facade, framed by a restored vertical "AVON" marquee that lights up the Connecticut sky at night. The theatre is bestowed with interior murals that were commissioned by a local artist, Oscar Glas. Glas' murals evoke a sense of local history by paying homage to the early settlers and Native Americans of coastal Stamford.

Avon Theatre Film Center

272 Bedford Ave

Stamford, CT 06901

Box Office: (203) 967-3660

Business Office: (203) 661-0321

Website: www.avontheatre.org

Twitter: @avontheatre

Facebook: www.facebook.com/avontheatre

"Faces and Figures" at the Stamford Art Association Townhouse Gallery

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The Stamford Art Association's first 2012 exhibit will be

"Faces and Figures" at the Stamford Art Association Townhouse Gallery, 39 Franklin St, Stamford. CT

The exhibit dates are January 15- February 9 and the opening reception is Sunday January 15 4-6.

Anne Salthouse, artist and instructor, is the juror for this multimedia show featuring 30 artists and their representation of faces

and figures.

Gallery hours are 11-3, Thursday/Friday and 12-3 Saturday/Sunday.

Admission is free.

For further information http://www.stamfordartassociation.org/ or 203 325 1139

Established in 1971, the Stamford Art Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization whose members include painters, sculptors, printmakers, and photographers. Its mission is to provide a forum where artists can exhibit their work to the community and compete in juried shows. Annual competitions have attracted prominent jurors from art institutions in the surrounding areas and New York City, including the Whitney Museum, Metropolitan Museum, Christies, Bruce Museum, and Museum of Modern Art.

2011 Stamford Downtown Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Stamford Downtown Calendar
2012

Happy Holidays to our Stamford Downtown followers!

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Whatever you are celebrating this year, a very

Happy Holidays from Stamford Downtown.

See everyone in 2012.

A view of Stamford Downtown 2011...

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Can you guess where?

Holiday Salute in Stamford Downtown....

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:14:00 +0000

Holiday Salute 2011 "In The Making" Slide Show

Happy Holidays 2011 from Stamford Downtown!

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Happy Holidays to you and yours. Click here to view our Stamford Downtown Holiday Video.
And a happy new year too! : )
Take a look:

Vote for your favorite Bedford Street storefront - hurry!

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Click on VOTE here.

A Holiday Salute in the news....Keep your eye on the prize in downtown Stamford

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:05:00 +0000

Keep your eye on the prize in downtown Stamford

Don't forget to vote before Friday!

On Bedford Street...

noreply@blogger.com (stamford downtown staff) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Jump start your holiday spirit; A Holiday Salute on Bedford Street - It's Relevant Coverage. Take a stroll and check it out for yourself. Vote online for your favorite.

Stamford Downtown Events

Learn more about foursquare...

The rainbow over Trump Tower

DSSD in the news.....Stamford FourSquare Badge? - Stamford411 - The Advocate

Save a life...celebrating 5 years today!

Annual Hot Stove Report with Boston Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine

Annual Hot Stove Report with Boston Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine Sunday, January 29, 20125:30 -7:30 PM; Doors open at 4:45 PMRippowam Middle School (building where Bobby went to high school)381 High Ridge RoadStamford, CT

Stamford Downtown and the South End in the news.....

Op-Ed: Master Plan, not DSSD, says no full service hotels in South End

Published online 04:11 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2012 and printed Sunday January 22, 2012

This is the Place!

Art at The Ferguson

Avon Red Carpet Gala 2012, Feb 4 and Party on Feb 26

Horsin' Around Downtown, Stamford Downtown 2012

Taste of Stamford 2012-- Save the date for Feb 16

Alive@5 2012 - are you ready? Wanna play? Submissions are now being accepted....

Selkowitz named Citizen of the Year - StamfordAdvocate

SAVE THE DATE: Rex Prescott Walden, To Italy, Friday, February 3rd, 6-9 pm

Did you see our awesome ad in the Advocate this past Sunday, 1/8?

The Avon Theatre’s 2012 line-up for Legends of Rock Live

"Faces and Figures" at the Stamford Art Association Townhouse Gallery

2011 Stamford Downtown Calendar

Happy Holidays to our Stamford Downtown followers!

A view of Stamford Downtown 2011...

Holiday Salute in Stamford Downtown....

Happy Holidays 2011 from Stamford Downtown!

Vote for your favorite Bedford Street storefront - hurry!

A Holiday Salute in the news....Keep your eye on the prize in downtown Stamford

On Bedford Street...

Annual Hot Stove Report with Boston Red Sox Manager Bobby Valentine Sunday, January 29, 2012
5:30 -7:30 PM; Doors open at 4:45 PM
Rippowam Middle School (building where Bobby went to high school)
381 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT