Shakespeare On The Sound Playing Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Playing every day (except Monday) between July 4th and July 12th, anyway. You can catch A Midsummer’s Night Dream at Baldwin Park in Greenwich (Arch Street, just off Exit 3). See the Shakespeare on the Sound website for details. Last week’s Rowayton version featured an innovative slender stage snaking through the crowd: a play on a runway. No idea if they’ll do the same in Greenwich, but I hope to find out.

(photo from autumn_leaf, flickr.com)

Network with a Perk

Do you have a stack of bid’ness cards burning a hole in your pocket? Do you like raising a glass on someone else’s dime? If you said yes to both, try to snag a spot at the free networking event at BUtterfield8 on Tuesday, June 30th from 7:00 – 8:00pm. RSVP by emailing elefebvre@metlife.com. The hostess is a dear friend, and good times are sure to be had.

Stamford Notes, Your Local Ultra Blog

The bouncer intimidizing outside the former Thirsty Turtle at Alive@5 told me that 84 Park, the new “ultra lounge,” will open on Wednesday, July 1st. The website says “be seen in the next generation of ultra lounge.” It’s totally embarrassing – I didn’t even know the first generation was expecting. What’s even more embarrassing is that I have no idea what differentiates a lounge from an ultra lounge. My best guesses so far are hair height or animal prints per square foot, but I can’t be sure. My hair pump is in the shop, so I imagine I’ll be sitting out opening night, but I’d love to hear reviews.

(photo from CynElena, flickr.com)

Webcam Caravan

Too lazy to do things? How about watching other people do things. Alive@5 was the perfect reminder to stop and smell the tourists – ok, maybe not smell them, but observe your fellow man being silly, being gallant, being ridiculous and just being. Here are a few other places to take in this wide world without leaving your own corner:

- Check out the Virginia Aquarium’s sea turtle or shark tanks and folks coming to visit them

- See London’s hustle and bustle on Leicester Square

- New Orleans’ Bourbon Street is on display

- Duesseldorf Street Cam captures Sunday diners and Monday commuters

- Watch guys in Hawaiian shirts chase the illusive six-toed cat on Key West cams

- People are Praguing it up in City Center

Nothing is certain but newsletters and taxes

The bad news: the property tax bill arrived yesterday. The good news: the tax man was nice enough to include some interesting tidbits along with the tab. For instance:

- Your tax dollars sent a group of Stamford police officers to Israel for counter-terrorism training. Take that, terrorists who missed the 295 exit.

- West Hill High School and West Beach got new fields made of fake grass. In the same newsletter, we learn that “Stamford has over thirteen acres of green roofs.” In other words, the city promotes hot fake plastic fields and cool natural green rooftops.

- About 90% of the government’s revenue comes from taxes and about 56% of that money goes to fund the board of education. I’m all for supporting education, but that number is ginormous. On behalf of the childless couples, I want a coffee mug or a bumper sticker that says “Tell your honor student ‘you’re welcome.’”

Eulogy for First Alive@5

I remember the First Alive@5 from her early hours. A personality so big, it took a parking lot of cop cars and an acre of crowd control mesh just to contain her. She was beloved by all, from the tubby type bragging about his bench press to the plus sized gal in the mini sized dress. She was a stickler for the rules with a one-drink-per-customer requirement and a lengthy line to buy tiny tickets. Still, we loved her sense of adventure, exploring Maui Wowi fruit drinks and new fangled “Yumnuts.” Rumor has it that her interests included treats like spanikopita and fried ravioli, but her many admirers kept her too busy to welcome all her line-averse fans. Such is the life of the popular girl. She was safety-minded, and with her, you were never far from the watchful eye of law enforcement. She was forgiving – she wasn’t offended or upset when her friends preferred her Rolling Rock to her Rock and Roll. Even when her acquaintances got irritated with her, they couldn’t help but rally around her energy and community spirit. Although her fresh faced cousin will take her place shortly, we will always remember First Alive@5 as a lively lady who made us glad to know her even when we had to hold her hair and call her a cab.

Scenes from Alive@5, Round One - Smash Mouth

First Hint of Mint

An astute reader on the nail salon entry asked if anyone had checked out Mint (2344 Summer Street). As part of my blog-ligations, I did just that to rip select portions of my eyebrows from my face (I don't care what anyone says - it hurts).

I parked in the rear, which was ill advised since the lot is graded like a skate park, and I tried entering through the back door. A large dining table and darkness suggested I better aim for the front entrance, and I had better luck from that direction. The people were welcoming and the space was crisp and colorful. Bright modern signs were illuminated over the doors. The spa rooms featured breezy white curtains and pale purple ceilings.

I have infinite sympathy for opening day, which was good because my de-browinator had to physically push a ladder and a day bed out of the way for me to get situated. Still, the work was good and the price was fair. I would go back, leaving my car elsewhere and hoping the ladders are back in storage.

(photo from cobalt123, flickr.com)