Rick Schwartz: High Definition Real Estate

 

Darryl Gregory

 

One of the reasons that I admire Darryl Gregory I think, is because I'm a little bit envious.  Most of you who know me well, know that although I am very passionate about my own business - helping people through the muck and mire of the housing market - my first love has always been music.  Darryl has managed to capture the best of both worlds in that his love of music is also his livelihood.  

For his "day job", Darryl is a Middle School Music Teacher.  You gotta love teachers - especially music teachers. They not only pass their own musical knowledge to the next generation, they also somehow have learned to deal with the squeaks and toots of young musicians and not go absolutely nuts from it.

When not at School, you can usually find Darryl in his home-based studio -- BLUE CAVE STUDIOS in Sandy Hook, CT.  He could be working on any number of projects. Blue Cave is a project studio that caters to just about anyone who wants to record anything.  Singer-songwriters who want to produce a marketable CD of their music,  Songwriters who need demos, Voice over tracks and Background music for films and web projects just to name a few examples.

The cool thing about working with Darryl is that he doesn't just "rent time" - he works closely with clients providing whatever level of technical expertise and personal support they may need to produce the best possible project.

It's not just musicians who need recording assistance, though.  Keeping pace with today's businesses, another of Darryl's projects is  EASY BUSINESS PODCAST.  Here Darryl helps bloggers and Internet business folks with the creation, production and implementation of podcasts to help them get their own messages into cyberspace.

Speaking of podcasts, as an avid supporter of the Indie music scene, Darryl produces his own series of podcasted interviews he does with a wide array of independent musicians from around the world.  He hosts these on the website UNSIGNED UNDERGROUND.  the 26th Episode was just added this past week - an interview with Singer/Songwriter John Batdorf. 

For a little peek into Darryl's thoughts on things, check out his Blog SLOW DRIP FROM AN EMPTY HEAD.  You can also follow him on Twitter @darrylgregory which is actually where he and I first met.  For the ultimate experience of all things Darryl though, you need to listen to his own music.   You can find the hub at DarrylGregory.com

For live performances check his site and you'll find a list of local gigs and you'll have a link to his CDs.    In addition Darryl is available for House Concerts - a venue that has been growing in popularity throughout the indie music world.  It's a great way to hear some wonderful music and share it with your friends.

Check him out - it's worth the time.

 

 

NEW AREA CODES WILL CHANGE OUR DIALING HABITS

It's been coming for some time - and it's finally here.   Both Area Codes in Connecticut are having babies in a few days.

• Area Code 203 will give birth to Area Code 475
  
• Area Code 860 will give birth to Area Code 959

The upshot of this for all of us is that we will have to dial 10 digits (area code plus the number) for every call that we make even if you are calling your next door neighbor.  

We should be used to this kind of thing by now.  Some of us may remember when you could call people in your own exchange with just the last 4 digits. (Did I just admit that I remember that???)

Even if 4-digit dialing goes back to your ancestors, the new Area Code syndrome has been going on since the 1970s.   At first we'll be confused and annoyed, then it will just become habit.

Also remember that, just as now, you'll  have to dial a "1" BEFORE the Area Code if you're calling someone outside your local calling area.

GOTHAM AUTO WORKS - Auto Detailing Center

Making the world shine - one car at a time!

Got $20?  Got $1,000?      Gotham Auto Works has something to offer.  From a simple but thorough Hand Car Wash to full Auto Detailing, pin-striping, headlight restoration or just about anything to make your car look and feel better,  Gotham does it.  "Anything your car needs to look better - right up to the point of needing a body shop"

Owner Kevin Awalt had been doing mobile Auto Detailing for several years when, about a year ago, he decided to open a permanent location in order to be able to serve his growing client list year round - regardless of the weather.  He opened his doors in 2008 at 9 South Street in Danbury, on the Bethel Line, just by the Railroad Crossing on Great Pasture Road.

A long time Danbury resident, Kevin's love of cars is matched by his business sense.  Instead of just opening his doors and waiting for business, Kevin knows that to be successful, a business must become a contributing member of the community. 

As part of this effort , he has provided needed car washing supplies to a number of local fund-raisers in an effort to help make the community a little better.

 

One of the cool things about the shop is that because the location is a former auto dealership, instead of garage doors, the work floor is accessed through a set of glass doors, so good weather or bad weather, you can stop by and see the Gotham team in action.  It's one of the cleanest shops I've ever been in.  

Always looking to bring his clients the latest and greatest, Kevin recently added high-end Hüper Optik® nano-ceramic window tinting into his product line.  "Expensive," Kevin adds, "but worth the money".   Stop by the shop for more details.

 

 

CAMARO DAY, 2009

Special events and promotions are another way that Gotham Auto Works differentiates itself.  Here is a photo from last month's Camaro Day.

 

For an appointment or questions reach out to Gotham Auto Works:

Telephone: 203.885.1070

E-Mail:  GothamAuto@gmail.com

Follow on Twitter  and  Facebook

 

 

BELARDINELLI TIRE COMPANY, Bethel CT.

In 1961 Tulio Belardinelli opened the doors at Belardinelli Tire Company. 48 years later, he's still there. Which, by today's standards is really saying a lot.  Local residents have come to rely on Belardinelli Tire Company not just for their tires. People come to Belardinelli's for all their automotive repairs from oil changes and tune-ups to emissions inspections.

For Tulio, it's more than just a business - it's a family enterprise. Tulio's daughter, Lisa Belardinelli Taylor is the company's Business Manager working along side her husband Mike, who is General Manager.

Almost any time you drop by you'll see the members of the Belardinelli team either consulting with clients in the office or working in the bays doing the various maintenance and repairs that keep Bethel's cars running well.

 

 

 

Carrying on a family tradition

The third generation is also on board now with Tulio's Grandson Jared Matthews working as a Sales Associate.  This multi-generational idea is good news for Bethel drivers.  It means that Belardinelli Tire Company is going to be around for a while.

Belardinelli Tire Company is located at 7 Beach Street on the corner of Greenwood Avenue, just across from the Bethel Cinema.

They are open Mon - Fri from 7:30 to 5:30 and Saturday from 7:30 to 12:00.   Their phone number is (203)748-0889.

 

 

Danbury News Times indicates that the actual opening of the Bypass will be during the week of 11/16.

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My Original Post from July 09

The wait appears to be over for residents of Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield and New Milford, CT.  The long-awaited extension of "Super 7" as it is known, is nearing completion and, barring any unforeseen circumstances will be opening in November, 2009.

 

Better Commute

The bypass which will be a 4 lane limited access highway that extends the current Route 7 Highway from it's current northern terminus at Route 202 in Brookfield - just south of the Brookfield 4 Corners - to the border with New Milford.   Since a large area of  "local" Route 7 in New Milford was expanded to 4 lanes over the last couple of years, this connection from the new bypass will give drivers a straight shot from the NY/CT border on I84 right to the heart of New Milford.

 

Easier to shop in Brookfield

In addition, the bypass is expected to ease traffic considerably on the existing local portion of Route 7 which runs through the 4 Corners, through Brookfield.  This should make shopping in Brookfield even more pleasurable than it already is, since you'll be able to turn in and out of local merchants parking lots with much more ease.

 

Official Confirmation

I had been hearing about the impending completion "on the street" so to verify it I contacted CT State Representative  David Scribner from the 107th District.  Representative Scribner is the ranking Republican on the CT. General Assembly's Transportation Committee.     

In an email he sent me earlier this week Mr. Scribner confirmed the scheduled completion of the bypass for this November.

He commented, "After many years and too many delays, the Route 7 Brookfield Bypass is on schedule for completion in November 2009."

Regarding the cost of the project, Representative Scribner went on to say, "Funding for this project has been split 80% Federal and 20% state, with total expenditures as of 7/1/2009 reaching $82.5 million."

He also added, "The Route 7 bypass is a critical addition to the area's transportation infrastructure that will go a long way in alleviating traffic congestion in one of Brookfield's major business districts. While the project met some hiccups along the way- I am extremely pleased that the Bypass is on track to become reality in just a few short months.

 

 

 

Those of you who know me well have to be rolling your eyes at the idea of me talking about places to buy and consume fresh produce and farm products.  After all, my idea of trying to eat healthy is to have a diet Coke with my burger and fries.

 

As the old expression goes - "It's not what you know but who you know."  So I asked my friend Alicia Ghio @Aliciaghio on Twitter,  for some help in putting this article together.  Alicia, is a great resource in the area for all things about eating healthy - and local.  She hosts a terrific Web Show called  The Natural Princess where she entertains and educates you about things that grow. It's not only good information, Alicia has a very cool style and makes learning fun. 

I've been watching the episodes and I've learned so far that there are 7,000 different varieties of Apples, and that Apples can help pregnant women in a few different ways - and the stuff you can use garlic for is really amazing....So check out her shows as well her Blog LOCAL FOOD ROCKS.

Anyway - she put together the list below for us to help find out where in the area we can go to partake of some locally grown, healthy stuff.

 

FARMERS MARKETS

 

BETHEL FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. July - October Fairfield County  Cooperative Extension Building Rte. 6, 67 Stony Hill Rd FMNP Authorized

 

DANBURY FARMERS’ MARKET Fridays 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. J

uly 10 - October 23 Kennedy Park, Main Street FMNP Authorized EBT Available

 

GEORGETOWN FARMERS’ MARKET Sundays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. May 24 - November 1 Intersection of Main Street & Rte. 57

 

NEW MILFORD FARMERS’ MARKET Saturdays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. May 9 - October 31 Town Green, Main Street FMNP Authorized

 

RIDGEFIELD FARMERS’ MARKET Fridays 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. June - October 88-90 Danbury Road www.ridgefieldfarmersmarket.org

 

SANDY HOOK FARMERS’ MARKET Sundays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. June 1 - October 1 5 Glen Road

 

SANDY HOOK ORGANIC FARMERS’ MARKET Tuesdays 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. June 23 - Oct. 13 St. John's Church, 5 Washington Avenue EBT Available 

 

 

 

FARMS/FARM STANDS

 

BABBLING BROOK FARM 16 Church Road, Sherman, CT 06784 860-354-2749   

Seasons Open: July to October        Hours: 24hrs/7days   Honor System: Yes      

Products offered: Vegetables, Pumpkins, gourds, and other fall products

 

BLOOMINGFIELDS FARM 9 Route 55, Sherman, CT 06784 860-354-6951    Products offered: perennials

Farm stand: Fri., Sat, & Sun. 10am-5pm Memorial Day to Labor Day

 

BLUE JAY ORCHARDS 125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, CT 06801 203-748-0119    

Seasons Open: July to October, November and December      Hours: Mid-Aug to Xmas. Market: 10am-5:30pm, PYO: 10am-5pm.

Products offered: Pumpkins, gourds, and other fall products, Fruit, Agritourism activities: pick-your-own, corn mazes, hayrides, etc., Specialty foods including jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, salsas etc., Specialty products such as CT made soaps, candles, lotions etc.

 

FORT HILL FARM Bay State Organic Certifiers 18 Fort Hill Rd., New Milford, CT 06776 860 350-3158 

Products offered: flowers, fruit, garlic, herbs, salad greens, transplants, vegetables Weston and Westport Farmers’ Markets

GARDEN OF IDEAS 647 North Salem Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-431-9914 

Seasons Open: April to June, July to October, November and December

Hours: Daily, 10am-4pm

Honor System: Yes

Products offered: Vegetables, Green products such as annuals, perennials, nursery/landscape stock, potted herbs, cut flowers, etc., Agritourism activities: pick-your-own, corn mazes, hayrides, etc.

 

HOLBROOK FARM 45 Turkey Plain Rd (Rt. 53), Bethel, CT 06801-2842 203-792-0561

Products offered: bedding plants, cheese, eggs, flowers, fruit, garlic, greenhouse, herbs, honey, milk, on-site bakery, perennials, pork, poultry, salad greens, straw, transplants, vegetables

Farm stand: year round Mon-Sat 10:00am-6:00pm.

 

ON THE ROCKS FARM 9 Points O’Rocks Road, Newtown, CT 06470 203-426-3868 wpieragostini@yahoo.com Products offered: Eggs, Farm Stand, Poultry, Turkeys Farm Stand: Self-serve, 9am – 5pm, 7 days a week.

 

SHORTTS FARM & GARDEN CENTER Bay State Organic Certifiers 52-A River Side Rd., Sandy Hook, CT 06482 203-426-9283

Products offered: bedding plants, eggs, flowers, fruit, herbs, perennials, salad greens, transplants, vegetables New Canaan & Sandy Hook Organic farmers’ markets

Farm store at farm: Apr -Oct. 7 days a week

 

STONE’S THROW FARM, LLC PO Box 76, Bethel, CT 06801-0076 203-798-0151

Products offered: Berries, container plants, fruit, flowers, garlic, herbs, pumpkins, salad greens, vegetables.

 

SULLIVAN FARM 140 Park Lane, New Milford, CT 06776 860-210-2030

Seasons Open: April to June, July to October, November and December

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am-6:30pm, Sun 12pm-6pm

Honor System: No

Products offered: Vegetables, Pumpkins, gourds, and other fall products, Agritourism activities: pick-your-own, corn mazes, hayrides, etc., Specialty foods including jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, salsas etc.

 

TAYLOR FAMILY FARM 94 Great Plain Rd., Danbury, CT 06811 203-744-1798

Products offered: bedding plants, flowers, garlic, gourds, greenhouse, hay, herbs, honey, perennials, salad greens, transplants, vegetables Bethel & Georgetown farmer’s markets

 

VICTORIA TAFT'S GARDEN 94 Rte. 39 North, Sherman, CT 06784 860-350-2711 

Seasons Open: April to June, July to October Hours: Open daily starting in May, 9am-6pm

Honor System: Yes

Products offered: Green products such as annuals, perennials, nursery/landscape stock, potted herbs, cut flowers, etc.

 

WARRUPS FARM Stellar Certification Services 51 John Read Rd., West Redding, CT 06896 203-938-9403

Products offered: Christmas trees, flowers, fruit, garlic, gourds, hay, herbs, maple candy, maple syrup, pumpkins, vegetables.

Weston and Maple Demo’s Farmers’ Market Farm stand: mid August-end of Oct, Tues-Sunday, 10:00am-6:00pm

Retail store and pick your own sales Maple syrup making demonstrations 1st three weekends in March—pick your own pumpkins & hayrides weekends in October and Columbus Day, 11-5. Group visits Tues-Fri by reservation.

 

WHITE SILO FARM & WINERY 32 Route 37 East, Sherman, CT 06784 860-355-0271 

Seasons Open: April to June, July to October, November and December Hours: Call for hours

Honor System: Yes

Products offered: Fruit, Vegetables, Fruit Wines