Run, Fundraiser, Run!

Obama didn't get a trademark on the word "hope," and good thing because Stamford has big plans for it. The annual You-know-what in Motion race to fight cancer is slated for June 5th starting at Columbus Park. It's a groovy little 5k that you can run, walk or bike and all donations go to support the Bennett Cancer Center. We did it last year, and really enjoyed it. I should say that the biking event is longer - and has a few options: 10, 20 and 50 miles that take you through Westchester.

The event has a nice community vibe with enthusiastic runners and jugglers-n-such. And strangers clap for you - what's not to like? Click on the link above to register. They have a goal to raise a million dollars, and they're on their way. On the big day, registration begins at 7am, bike ride at 7:30am, welcome event at 9:15am, run at 9:30am, walk at 10:30am, and closing ceremonies at noon. Hope to see you there!

(photo from Phil Roeder, flickr.com)

La Marqueta

Happy end-o'Easter everybunny. Hope yours was fabulous! My husband and I saw a real deal bunny hopping around in downtown Stamford. Didn't see baskets or eggs, but that guy's all kinds of tricky. Instead, we saw the new La Marqueta Food Plaza across the street (80 Prospect Street; where the Food Mart used to be). We took a look inside and it was pretty spiffy!

Perhaps the name gives it away, but it's definitely got a Latin flare, featuring a few items that aren't part of my regular grocery list (for example, the flyer advertises Canamelao Panela, Inca Kola Soda and Phoebe Acassan - the only word I know in that list is soda...), but they seem to have all the staples I need and then some. They had a nice selection of produce, meats and dairy. They don't have every brand I might want (for example, I didn't see my favorite vaguely inappropriately named Fage yogurt) but hard to think of something basic I'd really need that I couldn't find.

I remember a friend saying they had to drive 20 minutes to get a decent looking apple for a downtown photo shoot once upon a time - no longer! It was not long ago that I needed hot dog buns in a jiffy, and I got them at the Rite Aid after my husband rejected the awesomely named For Your Convenience - only after I bought them did I see the expiration date was ancient history. Ick. Glad to have a walkable downtown option for a last minute food fix.

(photo from DeusXFlorida, flickr.com)

Design Within Reach of the Produce Aisle

If you head over to Fairway Market right about now, you'll see a sign across the parking lot advertising that Design Within Reach is coming this Spring. It's exciting to see such a swish store headed our way. If you're not familiar with the company, it's all about modern design, which I 1000% dig. It's clean lines, mid-century modern looks and (allegedly) affordable.

My only problem with the store is that it's still pretty far out of my own personal reach, but I LOVE what they have to offer. For example, as much as I am drooling over this little Mad Men-ish bar, the $3,000 price tag is still a little hard to swallow. Perhaps I'll stick to the Japanese Masking Tape. Still, I'm looking forward to some sweet window shopping.

Not My-grove

Interesting article in The Advocate - Highgrove still looking for a bidder.

Work at Home Lunch Anyone?

A lover-ly reader by the name of EK wrote to say she digs the blog (awesome) and also to see if anyone knows of a work at home lunch group. It sounds like a groovy idea, but I have not heard of anything like that. If you know of something that fits the bill, please add a comment - thanks!

Party on the River

The big plan with Mill River Park is to bring our community some great natural space to make our urban environment a little greener and a little more entertaining. They are (slowly...but surely...) headed in that direction, and you can take part! For example:

- The Park is raising a sapling to Earth Day on April 16 from 9am-2pm. They are welcoming volunteers to and hosting games and exhibits. You'll be planting, raking, digging, painting and all around beautifying the soon-to-be crown jewel of downtown Stamford. Exhibits include a River Habitats display with live animals in addition to other outdoor goodness like knot tying and fishing exhibits. To register, email vincent@millriverpark.com.

- Everybody's a tree hugger once a year - on Arbor Day. The Park celebrates on Friday, April 29 at 11:00am with the display of 29 Kwanzan cherry trees, the offspring of the original Mill River trees planted by Junzo Nojima. The trees have been loved, watered and loved some more in a nursery area of the Park (Main Street at Clinton Avenue). Trees are now 7 feet tall and should be ready to burst into bloom. See them now and visit again in a year when they'll be planted for real and for true.

- Do you know Robin Stein? Robin is the engine behind the fabulous Mill River Playground, built in 2006. He helped coordinate the 1,500 volunteers who made the playground possible. Robin is retiring and you can help send him off in style on May 5th from 6-10pm at the Mill River Playground. Only 200 guests can attend, and tickets are $85. If you want to join, send your check to Marilyn Melfi, Mill River Collaborative, c/o Land Use Bureau, 888 Washington Blvd, Stamford 06904.

- The circus is back in town! The Big Apple Circus returns with a brand new show, and you can see it in action on June 10 & 11 when ticket sales help benefit the Park. Learn more by visiting their website.

(photo from William Schmitt, flickr.com)

Cheese Dogs Remix

That charming charity, PAWS, is bringing back their Melting Pot benefit event. I wrote about this event last year and wrote a silly poem about the good they do. They find homes for our fuzzy homeless neighbors, and you can help 'em do it!

You can take part on Thursday, April 28th from 5-10pm. It's a prix fixe dinner including appetizer, salad, entree and dessert for $45 per good-deed-do-er. For every lover-ly dinner diner, the Melting Pot will donate ten bucks to PAWS.

Be sure to order from the prix fixe menu. The group's website characterizes your fab dining options as follows:

- Cheese Fondues: Carnivale Cheddar or Queso Fundido (served with breads, apples and fresh vegetables)

- Salad: Shrimp Cerviche or Spinach Mushroom

- Entree: Filet Mignon, Cimichurri Sirloin, Garlic Piri Piri Shrimp, Mole-Marinated Chicken, Citrus-Marinated Pork Tenderloin, Fire-Roasted-Corn Salsa Ravioli (served with fresh vegetables and dipping sauces) Vegetarian Option Available

- Chocolate Fondues: Dark and Dulce Chocolate or Caramel Nut Milk (served with Fresh Fruits and Cakes)

DO make reservations by calling the Melting Pot at (203) 656-4774 or booking online.

Not into melty cheesy goodness? You can help with a donation by visiting the PAWS site.

(photo from gadl, flickr.com)

Spring...Maybe?

The flowers are coming up and the city is taking off its winter coat. So how are you watching the season warm up? Here are some ideas:

- Walk/run/bike around Cove Island. It's a nice way to stretch those fat winter legs and remind them what a little sunshine feels like. We went two weekends ago, and it was still cold, but lover-ly. You don't need a parking permit until May 30th, so now's the time!

- The Stamford Nature Center is bursting with spring goodness (the link takes you to all their upcoming awesomeness). They have a Spring Cleaning for Self yoga event underway now, running to June 6th on Monday nights. It's only $15/class. You can also check out Family Take A Hike Week (April 19-21), Heckscher Farm Egg Hunt (April 23) and even Snakes of the World (April 29). What says "happy spring" more than snakes??

- If they haven't filled up, you can still sign up for Stamford Spring Kickball - they've been up and running since 2008 and they're 140 kickers strong.

- Enjoy some top notch outdoor eating at Capriccio Cafe. They have great salads, good service and cocktails to toast the season!

- Look ahead to the Bruce Museum's 26th Annual Outdoor Crafts Festival scheduled for May 21-22nd. We've been a few times, and it's a great event. It's fun to see what people can make and sell, and the food is fabulously bad for you festival fare - yum!

(photo from audreyjm529, flickr.com)