Playthings Of The Past

It's a toy that most parents these days would recoil from in horror, if the powers that be ever let it get all the way to a toy store shelf. But back in the day, the Live Steam Plant wasn't seen as dangerous, but a way to power other toys.
"These were sold from the 1920s to the 1930s," said Adrienne Saint-Pierre, curator for the Fairfield Museum and History Center. "They were popular boys' toys."
The idea behind the steam plant, she said, was to use the steam to power other toys, like ferris wheels, carousels or even small tools, like a lathe, saw or polishing wheel.
"That's definitely not something you would see today," Saint-Pierre laughed. The steam plant was given to the museum by someone who had the toy as an 8-year-old child in 1925.
The steam toy is featured in the new exhibit, Batteries Not Included, which showcases various toys from the late 1800s to the mid-20th century. There's no plastic in these mechanical and clockwork toys, they're made of painted tin, tin-plated steel and cast iron.
Farm animals to this day are a popular toy for the younger set, but they've probably never seen a pair of cows like the ones in the exhibit. This pair of cows can be milked.
"You pour the milk into this hole in the back," Saint-Pierre said. "She has an udder that you use to milk. They also moo, but I'm not quite sure how you get them to moo." READ MORE: http://www.connpost.com/fairfield/ci_11750670

Redgate Devastated By Theft At Community Theatre

Leo Redgate, who has given so much to Fairfield through the nonprofit and affordable movie house known as the Community Theatre, was disappointed to find out Wednesday that someone stole close to $4,000 from a safe at the Post Road location.
The theft occurred sometime between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. There are only four to five people who were given the security code of the safe, which was installed about a month and a half ago, according to Redgate. Whoever committed this crime, Redgate said, he wants them to be charged to "the fullest extent of the law."
This theft comes only a few months after Redgate secured a long-term lease to be able to invest millions of dollars into the theater and keep this Fairfield landmark going strong. In addition to giving residents a local movie house with affordable prices, the theater provides teens who volunteer a place where they can hang out, a positive alternative to what they otherwise might be doing with their time. The teens man a lot of the operations at the theater while a few adults get paid to help out when repairs and such are needed.
This week's theft, which occurred during a "great week," according to Redgate, almost makes him think twice about keeping the place open. Rent alone is thousands of dollars a year and repairs throughout the year are costly. However, Redgate won't let the criminal or criminals involved make him close the theater's doors. "I am confident that the police are actively trying to solve this crime and I will leave it in their hands," said Redgate. "It is not fair to the kids who rely on the [Community Theatre Foundation] as a special place in their lives to consider closing it due to the selfish act of just one individual or a few." READ MORE: http://www.connpost.com/fairfield/ci_11748860

Selectmen OK Sale Of Two Lots For Affordable Housing

The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday unanimously approved the reselling of two lots at the former Navy housing site, known as Fort Devens, as affordable housing.
Mark Barnhart, the director of community and economic development, said the lots are adjacent to Veteran's Park facing Reef Road. The land was acquired in December 2004, after which 20 of 28 lots were sold as affordable housing. Four more were sold to Operation Hope as supportive housing and two others were added to Veteran's Park. All told, 7 acres were acquired, and two lots are left. "This is a continuance of the town's acquisition and redevelopment of the Navy site," First Selectman Ken Flatto said. "The purpose is to turn it into affordable housing since there is such a demand in the area." Barnhart had explained at the Feb. 4 meeting that these remaining lots had been assessed at $500,000 per lot, but making them into affordable housing would net about half of that price. Flatto added Wednesday, "It's difficult to get a full value now, but Mark has another approach." That approach encompasses modifications to the terms and conditions of the housing. There would be the possibility to "repurchase the lots in the future," according to Barnhart.
The portion that is included in Veteran's Park is also a perk. Flatto said, "This is a public part of the property we're essentially getting for free. This will be a public benefit." READ MORE: http://www.connpost.com/fairfield/ci_11748851

Club Utopia Taking Center Stage At Beanery

Not every youth is into the same type of music. While Beach Fest, a twice-a-year event put on by the Fairfield Youth Council at The Beanery, is a positive event, it always features high school garage band music, according to Fairfield Warde High School junior Gavin Immer.
Immer said he and many others would love a teen event that features hip hop, the genre of music popular at proms and Sweet 16 celebrations. Hip Hop is the music of the youth, said Immer. In fact, the top four singles on the Billboard Hot 100 list this week are by hip hop artists. Immer doesn't just talk the talk about what he would like. He's doing something about it. He is the driving force behind Club Utopia, a hip hop-themed bash that will be taking place at The Beanery, 90 Old Ram Road, on Feb. 27. In addition to his role as organizer, with help from Ginna Paules, youth services coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department, Immer will be the night's DJ. Also known as DJ Flow, Immer said hip hop is much more danceable and fun than the music he's heard at other teen events.
"It gives you a more energetic feeling," he said. "It makes you excited to dance with a lot of people and mingle." Asked if Beach Fest should maybe do a mix of rock and hip hop, Immer doesn't think it would be wise to blend the two musical genres. He would rather there be two separate events and he's hoping if all goes well next Friday, Club Utopia can happen every six to eight weeks. READ MORE: http://www.connpost.com/fairfield/ci_11748850