Cultural Resources

Archive for the 'Cultural Resources' Category

How Talking Sidewalks Can Teach You the History of Ridgefield, CT

June 12th, 2008 categories: Cultural Resources, Eat, Drink and Be Amused, Keep Your Kids Busy, Local Events

Imagine strolling down Main Street and learning all the local history along the way. With Ridgefield’s Museum in the Streets, it’s as if the sidewalks are telling you the storied past of each historical building, landmark and monument in town. As part of Ridgefield’s 300th Anniversary celebration, the Museum in the Streets program has been installed all along the downtown sidewalks for all to enjoy.

Residents, visitors, day-trippers and school kids have been enjoying the displays that arrived last month. Numbering over 30 in all, these markers offer a glimpse into Ridgefield’s first 300 years. They are full of old pictures, stories and facts that have led to the present-day New England town as we know it.

You’ll find “Museum Markers” at Ballard Park, Town Hall, The Library and more that provide pedestrians with colorful descriptions of “what happened here”. It’s also a great way to spend time together with your kids.

Walk through town and look for the markers. Take a little extra time to enjoy Ridgefield’s Museum in the Streets.

The Museum in the Streets heritage discovery trails can also be found in these US and French towns.

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Spoken by Rob Gutman | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Local Ridgefield Artist Shows at Norwalk’s Chocopologie!

May 25th, 2008 categories: Cultural Resources, Eat, Drink and Be Amused, Local Events, Ridgefield

In keeping with our chocolate theme and our love of arts, culture and great foods, here’s a show you should not miss! One of my Rainbow Lake neighbors, Noelle Carr, is a fine artist and will be the featured artist at Gallery Chocopologie from May 19 through July as part of a summer show. Chocopologie is a cafe, gallery and retail store opertated by world-renowned Knipschildt Chocolatier in historic South Norwalk, Connecticut. The mix of fine chocolate and fine art makes for an intoxicating environment to stimulate the senses on a multitude of levels.

Ridgefielder Noelle Carr paints contemporary botanical portraits that celebrate flowers on a cellular level. Each painting focuses on the beauty and splendor of each singular flower variety she chooses to paint. Through her use of color, paint texture, and technique, Ms. Carr brings life to the canvas through her subjects and her work is intended to convey the meaning and significance flowers play in all aspects of our lives from jubilation to grief.

Chocopologie is located at 12 South Main Street, Norwalk CT 06854. For more information on the artist, this show and for gallery hours go to: www.NoelleCarr.com

We hope to see you there!

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How to Savor Fine Wines and Save Animals in Ridgefield, CT

May 12th, 2008 categories: Cultural Resources, Eat, Drink and Be Amused, Local Events, Recreation & Sports, Ridgefield

Rob and I are very proud announce that we will be the exclusive real estate sponsors for ROAR’s (Ridgefield Operation for Animal Rescue) 6th Annual Woofs Wines & Felines event on June 7, 2008. This exciting and fun wine tasting extravaganza is one of Ridgefield’s most successful fund raising events. It’s held every year under a big tent in the grassy field across from Cellar XV Wine Market.

Enjoy music from “The Loft“, while sampling more than 60 wines from around the world and delicious gourmet food provided by Bailey’s Backyard, Bernard’s, Gail’s on the Common, Piccolo Pizza & Toozy Patza, Southwest Cafe, Wild Baby Greens Catering, Whistle Stop Bakery, Ridgefield Organic Market and Ridgefield Prime

All proceeds from Woofs, Wines and Felines go to ROAR to help hundreds or dogs and cats find much needed homes every year. You can even buy raffle tickets to win a trip to California Wine Country, a 30 Bottle Wine Cellar or a Richard Budman original painting!

We’ve had a great time at Woofs, Wines & Felines in years past, and this year promises to be the best one yet. Please stop by our table to say “Cheers!” and to pick up some treats for you and your pets.

Please purchase your tickets in advance TODAY! Click Here To Buy Tickets (They are more expensive at the door.) or make a Donation .

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

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The Raw Deal! Top 5 Sushi Restaurants around Ridgefield, Redding & Wilton, CT

March 27th, 2008 categories: Cultural Resources, Eat, Drink and Be Amused, Redding, Ridgefield, Wilton

Sushi The Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton area has some great sushi restaurants! I’ve been a sushi lover since I was twelve and I’ve dined at the best and most famous Sushi joints around the world: New York, Sydney, Hong Kong and Los Angeles. Living in Connecticut, I’ve found some of the best restaurants serving sushi:

1) Ichiro Japanese Restaurant 69 Newtown Rd Danbury, CT 06810 (203) 792-8881‎

This is my personal favorite sushi restaurant in the area. It used to be a diner and is located near the Walmart on Newtown Road in Danbury. What a surprise! When you walk in, you forget that you walked into a former diner, and are greeted by some of friendliest folks in the restaurant business. You can either choose to eat in the Hibachi area (also very good) or at the regular restaurant with a Sushi Bar. The fish is fresh and the portions are sizable! The rolls are creative and the prices are very reasonable, which makes Ichiro this blogger’s top pick!

2) Koo Restaurant 470 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877- (203) 431-8838

Either grab a seat at the bar (The bartender, John is the best in Fairfield County!) or eat at the sushi bar or at a table. This innovative, trendy, Japanese fusion restaurant serves the freshest and most interesting array of Sushi in the area! Bring a suitcase full of cash, though…it ain’t cheap!

3) Mannen Japanese Restaurant 15 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield, CT - 203-438-8727

This Ridgefield favorite serves Japanese and Chinese food that is consistently good. They also deliver within Ridgefield, which makes it very convenient. The Sushi is always fresh and the portions are ample. Just like a Old Faithful, you can always rely on Mannen.,

4) Panda House 93 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 - (203) 743-6080

Just north of the Ridgebury section of Ridgefield in Danbury, this Chinese/Japanese combo serves up some good, fresh fish in a clean and convenient environment. Their Chinese food is by far the best this side of the George Washington Bridge! You just can’t go wrong at Panda House!

5) Taipei Tokyo 15 Backus Ave, Danbury,CT 06810 - 203-792-8888

If you’ve shopped till you drop at the Danbury Fair Mall and need a Sushi fix, drop into Taipei Tokyo just next store in The Christmas Tree Shops shopping center. This is a good old fashion Japanese/Chinese combo restaurant that serves consistently good food. Nothing truly special, but convenient, reasonable and friendly.

Rate and review these additional restaurants that serve Sushi in the area:

Sakura Japanese Restaurant 203-222-0802 • 680 Post Rd East, Westport,CT 06880

Kabuki Japanese Steak House 39 Lake Avenue Ext, Danbury,CT - 203-744-6885

Empire Szechuan 113 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield - (203) 431-0488

Sushi Koshi 15 River Rd, Wilton,CT 203-761-6770

Leave us a comment below and tell us what you like!

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Where to Find The Best “Ridgefield Pizza”

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Where To Go For Arts & Culture Around Ridgefield, Wilton & Redding CT

March 9th, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, Cultural Resources, Eat, Drink and Be Amused, Redding, Ridgefield, Wilton

When I moved to Ridgefield from Manhattan in 2001, I was not sure whether I was going to have culture shock when I settled in, or whether there was going to be any culture here at all! I have been pleasantly surprised to find not only a vibrant arts community here, but, a bevy of high-caliber arts institutions, theaters and organizations in and around the area. You will be amazed at how much there is to do and see for the arts conscious… Here is just a sampling.

The Venues for Art and the Performing Arts Near Ridgefield, Wilton and Redding

The Ridgefield Playhouse is Ridgefield’s answer to a Las Vegas show theater on a, well, smaller, less flashy scale. The Cass Gilbert designed theater is the perfect venue for top dance, music, theater, comedy and magic performances from around the world. It is also our only movie house in Ridgefield, and shows first-run films, changing from week to week.

The Ridgefield Theater Barn has been providing quality live theater productions to Ridgefield and the surrounding communities for 42 years. The theater offers a comfortable, intimate setting with cabaret seating for most events. I have performed in two productions at “the barn”, “Is There Life After High School?”, a musical, and most recently a play reading of “5 Minute Date”, and original script by local Ridgefield playwright, Jean Goldsmyth. It was both an honor and a privilege to work with Jean and some very talented local actors.

The Ridgefield Guild of Artists is a regional and community-based art organization that promotes the visual arts and arts education by providing high quality gallery space for exhibitions, art classes for children and adults, opportunities for artist-in residency programs, and art lectures on-site and in collaboration with other cultural organizations. It is amazing to see the talent and energy created by a local arts project. On May 3, 2008, the Guild will be holding an event called “Paint The Town” to celebrate Ridgefield’s 300th Anniversary. More information to come on Real Estate Chocolate.

The Wilton Playshop has been a part of Wilton’s cultural cornucopia for nearly 70 years, making it one of the longest continuously running community theatres in the northeast. The Playshop caters to a wide variety of theatrical tastes with up to five major productions during its season which runs from October to August.

The Ridgfield Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is another one of Ridgefield’s cultural gifts. The Orchestra debuted on April 4, 1965, and since then has grown to a full-scale orchestra of 70 to 100 professional musicians. The RSO has engaged a number of Music Directors during its history including Beatrice Brown for 25 years and Sidney Rothstein who became its Music Director in 1996. The RSO is currently searching for a new Music Director and four of the finalists will be engaged for the 2007-08 Season. One permanent Music Director will be selected at the close of the season, and the audiences will participate.

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is one of the few non-collecting, world renown, contemporary art museums in the United States. The Aldrich was founded on Ridgefield’s historic Main Street in 1964. Exhibitions feature work by emerging and mid-career artists, and education programs is targeted at helping adults and children to “connect to today’s world through contemporary art”. The Museum is located at 258 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877.