In Sight

Joe Lupinacci laughs as he practices his clarinet in their living room with his sister Amanda, 10, in Stamford, Conn. on Friday, March 19, 2010.   With funding eliminated for the city’s Project Music program,  Joe, who has Down Syndrome and is a seventh grader at Rippowam Middle School, will no longer be able to take clarinet lessons.  Advocate reporter Devon Lash’s story takes a closer look at programs that will lose funding due to the recent budget cuts.  Check it out in the print edition of this Sunday’s Advocate.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

ABOVE: Aaron Maiolo, 16, was on the couch in his family’s living room when a tree tore through the roof. Aaron, a baby grand piano and the china cabinet escaped uninjured, however, the couch and his brother’s guitar didn’t fare so well.

–CP

ABOVE: Big Frank, a tree guy from the city. Acutally his name isn’t Frank.

3/15/2010

I was running around Stamford yesterday covering the aftermath of Saturday’s big storm. As you all know by now, it was a mess and getting around town was problematic.

CHECK OUT: A slideshow of the damage here.

–CP

TOP: Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians  prepare to march in the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Stamford, Conn. on Saturday, March 13, 2010.

ABOVE: Pete Valane, of the Tyrone Pipe Band of New York, practices outside Barcelona Restaurant & Winebar as he prepares to march in the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Stamford, Conn. on Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

Despite torrential rain and wind, spirits were high for Stamford’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  I arrived on Summer Street, at the start of the parade, to a host of pipers and Irish step dancers.  They ascended on Bedford Street with spectators gathered under awnings, inside pubs and cramped under the bus stop shelters.  A good effort was made by all.  Look for Martin Cassidy’s story in Sunday’s Advocate and additional photos online at www.stamfordadvocate.com

Guests arrive on the red carpet as the Avon Theatre Film Center presents “Oscar Night, Live at the Avon” in Stamford Sunday.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

I never work on a Sunday and of all nights Chris picked Oscar night to cash in a favor.  I owed him a day so I found myself camped outside the Avon Theatre, like a typical paparazzo, covering this event.  At least the weather cooperated, it felt more like Hollywood than Stamford and the vibe was upbeat and fun.

New Canaan’s Tim Robustelli jumps into the stands after scoring in the second period against Ridgefield in the FCIAC boys hockey championship game at Terry Conners Rink in Stamford, Conn. on Saturday, March 6, 2010.  New Canaan won the game 6-1.

Ernie Zahn, of Riverside, browses through the men’s section at the Goodwill store in Stamford, Conn. on Friday, March 5, 2010.

Kathleen O’Rourke/The Advocate

Staff reporter Elizabeth Kim and I visited the Goodwill store this morning for her upcoming story on the downtown retail location.  We both were amazed at how crowded the store was at 10 a.m. and the eclectic mix of merchandise.  If it’s clothing, household goods, shoes, handbags, wedding gowns, jewelry or vacuum cleaners you’re looking for, this is the place.  The store is located at 1 West Broad Street and donations are accepted in the back parking lot.

I ventured out today for an enterprise photo and ended up at Cummings Beach.  Every photographer has their own “go to” place for enterprise and my compass seems to always point to the beach.  Witnessing only one or two walkers I was forced to make due with the little details.  Funny how you never notice these things when the beach is crowded with sunbathers.  Countdown to summer: 117 days.

Fellow photographer Chris Preovolos has scolded me for not keeping up with my In Sight posts so I have made a promise to him that I will pick up the pace.  One of many promises I have made to CP over the years…I promise I will keep this one.