"About Town:  A Program About the 169 Towns in the State of Connecticut"
A television program showing on Channel 88, Altice, formerly Cablevision of South Western Connecticut, Fridays 5:30-6pm and Sundays from 6:30-7 p.m.
Please note that older programs no longer available online.


"About Town" seeks to provide informative interviews about our region, the people in it, and problems we all face.  We are delighted to be able to present 25 different shows, linked to below.


"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS EDWIN HENION, CHIEF OF POLICE, TOWN OF WESTON, CONNECTICUT:

"About Town" is honored to present this interview with Edwin Henion, Chief of Police of the Town of Weston, Connecticut, and a former Lieutenant Colonel for the Connecticut State Police.

In this informative interview Chief Henion keeps us up to date on the numerous ways in which a small town police force can, and in this case does, keep its residents, visitors, and those passing through town safe!

Recorded September 17, 2019



"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS THE HONORABLE TONI BOUCHER, FORMER CONNECTICUT STATE SENATOR AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE:

"About Town" is privileged to present this interview with the Honorable Toni Boucher, former Connecticut State Senator for the 26th District and former Connecticut State Representative for the 143rd District.

In this informative interview she provides valuable insights on the 2019 Session of the State Legislature, which has addressed issues affecting all Connecticut residents.  The State's economy, its budget, taxes, jobs, cost of living, and the possibilities of highway tolls and regionalization of school systems, are among the many issues she informs us about.

And for further perspectives on these and other important matters, please visit her website, connecticutinsights.com.

Recorded June 27, 2019



"ABOUT TOWN" PRESENTS A VERY SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH ALLEN SWERDLOWE, FAIA, CHAIRMAN OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF WESTON:

Allen Swerdlowe, FAIA, Principal Architect of D7Architects (www.d7architects.com), serves as Chairman of the Building Committee of the Town of Weston, Connecticut.  In this very special interview he provides visions for the future of central Weston, and insights into how planning for the future of a mostly rural small town should be done.

Recorded April 23, 2019.




"ABOUT TOWN" PRESENTS A VERY SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE HONORABLE GAIL LAVIELLE, CONNECTICUT STATE REPRESENTATIVE, 143rd DISTRICT:

The Honorable Gail Lavielle represents the 143rd District in Connecticut's House of Representatives, which includes most of Wilton and parts of Norwalk and Westport.  She will be sworn in for her fifth term in the House in January, 2019.

Representative Lavielle was recently appointed as Ranking Member of the Connecticut General Assembly’s joint Appropriations Committee, a role she will assume when the 2019 session opens on January 9.  She will also continue to serve on the Education and Transportation Committees.

"About Town" is honored to present this interview with Representative Lavielle.

Recorded December 24, 2018.





"ABOUT TOWN" PRESENTS A VERY SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH JOSEPH R. LAMETTA, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS (RETIRED) FOR THE TOWN OF WESTON:

Joe Lametta recently retired as Director of Public Works for the Town of Weston, Connecticut, concluding a distinguished 40 year career of service to the Town. 

In this very special interview he provides fascinating insights into the varied functions of a municipal public works department; on how Weston has remained "ahead of the curve" when it comes to environmental matters; and his thoughts on what may lie ahead concerning infrastructure and other matters of import to the Town. 

Recorded September 21, 2018.




"ABOUT TOWN" PRESENTS A VERY SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE HONORABLE TONY HWANG, CONNECTICUT STATE SENATOR, 28th DISTRICT:

"About Town" is delighted to present this interview with the Honorable Tony Hwang, Connecticut State Senator for the 28th District.  Senator Hwang provides us with exceptional insights into the very major issues the State is currently faced with, and the keys to how they should be resolved.  Don't miss this exceptionally informative interview, about matters that will affect all of us.

Recorded August 23, 2018.



"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS THE HONORABLE CHRISTOPHER SPAULDING, Ph.D., FIRST SELECTMAN, TOWN OF WESTON, CONNECTICUT:

"About Town" is honored to present this interview with the recently elected First Selectman of the Town of Weston, Connecticut, the Honorable Christopher Spaulding, Ph.D.

Among many topics covered in the interview that will be of interest to Westonites and to others interested in small town municipal government, Dr. Spaulding provides us with valuable insight into his approaches to the delicate balancing acts leadership of local government requires.










"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS JIM LISHER, CHAIRMAN, TELE-HEALTH SENIORS WELLNESS PROGRAM OF NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT:

"About Town" is delighted to present this interview with Jim Lisher, chairman of the Tele-Health Seniors Wellness Program of New Canaan, Connecticut.  This highly successful program commenced in 2013, and provides senior citizens with the opportunity, at no cost to them, to have periodic video visits with a nurse, and periodic remote monitoring of vital signs and other health-related information. The goal being to facilitate successful aging in place, while simultaneously improving quality of care and reducing health care costs.  After watching this important interview you just may find yourself wanting to inspire the officials of your own town or city to establish a similar program!









"ABOUT TOWN" PRESENTS A VERY SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD H. FRISCH, TECHNOLOGIST:

Artificial intelligence, more precisely referred to as mechanical intelligence, is now and increasingly will be re-shaping our lives.  Learn all about it from a distinguished expert in such matters, technologist Richard Frisch.





"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS LYN KIMBERLY, AMERICAN WANDERER, LLC, AND CAMP BERGER OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE GRANGE:

Lyn Kimberly and her husband Chris Kimberly founded and run a unique camp-on-wheels for young people, called American Wanderer.   Prepare to be amazed at the sights of some of the most spectacular scenery you've ever seen, in the National Parks of our American West!  Hear about this, and about how they are also revitalizing Camp Berger of the Connecticut State Grange, a very special summer camp for kids.

And for more, visit their websites, www.americanwanderer.com and www.campberger.com

For Windows Users (best viewed via Internet Explorer, which will automatically open Windows Media Player and begin playback without waiting for the entire file to download):

    http://www.aboutweston.com/Kimberly11-19-14.wmv

For Windows or Apple/Mac users (depending on the software you are using, playback may not begin until the entire file has downloaded, which may take several minutes or more depending on the speed of your internet connection):

    http://www.aboutweston.com/Kimberly11-19-14.mp4

   

"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS KAREN TATARKA, DIRECTOR OF THE WESTON PUBLIC LIBRARY:

Do you think that librarians and public libraries are becoming less useful in this digital age?  Think again!  Find out some of the many reasons why that is not at all true, in this exceptionally informative interview with the director of the Weston (Connecticut) Public Library.

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"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS COLLEEN PALMER, Ph.D., SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE WESTON (CONNECTICUT) PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

In this two-part interview, Weston's Superintendent of Schools tells us all about what is happening in the Weston Public Schools, to which 80% of our municipal tax dollars are directed.  She explains how the Weston school system addresses the delicate balance that must be drawn between maintaining educational excellence and minimizing taxpayer impact, as well as addressing the very sensitive matter of assuring that the educational environment is a safe one for students and staff.  And what Common Core Standards are all about, as well as how our school facilities serve as a resource for the broader community!  Dr. Palmer is active in the regional association of education leaders in Southwestern Connecticut, and has much experience in the Hartford area as well as having served as Deputy Executive Director of CREC (Capitol Regional Education Council).  She also serves on a task force created in 2013 by the State Legislature to identify opportunities to offer relief to public schools from mandates that may be negatively affecting their ability to provide the best possible education to students. We learned a lot!!!

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"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS AMY KALAFA, AWARD WINNING PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, EDITOR, DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER, AUTHOR, ORGANIC FARMER, AND MEMBER OF WESTON, CONNECTICUT'S LACHAT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:

Amy Kalafa serves on the Town Committee overseeing the future of one of the most beautiful properties in the beautiful Town of Weston, Connecticut.  Her exceptionally diverse and distinguished background also includes authoring of the book "Lunch Wars:  How to Start a School Food Revolution and Win the Battle for Our Children's Health"; creation of the documentary film "Two Angry Moms:  Fighting for the Health of America's Children"; and establishment of the related website www.angrymoms.org.  She has produced award winning films and television programs, and has written magazine articles related to health education for more than 25 years, and has been featured on Good Morning America, Rachael Ray, Fox News Live, and in USA Today and The New York Times.  Don't miss this very special interview!

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"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS DR. FLOYD LAPP, F.A.I.C.P., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH WESTERN REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY (SWRPA):

Dr. Floyd Lapp, F.A.I.C.P., is the Executive Director of the South Western Regional Planning Agency (SWRPA).  This program provides an informative look at current regional planning issues and activities, with special focus on Hurricane Sandy, and how good planning must address the effects of climate change.

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A VERY SPECIAL "ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEW, IN TWO PARTS, WITH DANIEL MORLEY AND DIMPLE DESAI OF THE CONNECTICUT OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT:

Daniel Morley and Dimple Desai, of the Intergovernmental Policy Division of Connecticut's Office of Policy and Management, discuss the draft 2013-2018 Plan of Conservation and Development for Connecticut, which is now undergoing public review and comment.  Watch this informative two-part interview about matters that affect every one of Connecticut's 169 towns and cities.

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"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS THE HONORABLE DENISE MERRILL, CONNECTICUT SECRETARY OF THE STATE:

The Honorable Denise Merrill, Connecticut Secretary of the State, visits "About Town" to discuss what has gone on since she and the administration of Governor Malloy took the helm after the unfortunate voting travesty in Bridgeport on Election Day 2010.  Learn about how Secretary Merrill has responded with ideas that can make our democracy here in Connecticut work better!

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"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS ALLEN SWERDLOWE, AIA, CHAIRMAN OF THE TOWN OF WESTON'S BUILDING COMMITTEE
:

Distinguished architect Allen Swerdlowe, AIA (www.d7architects.com) serves as Chairman of the Building Committee and the School Building Committee of the Town of Weston, CT.  In this very special interview he presents valuable insights into Weston-specific issues, as well as into the important role that good architectural and urban design can play in both the educational process and in making cities and towns better places to live. 

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"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS JOHN TROXELL, CHIEF OF POLICE, TOWN OF WESTON:

It has been three years since we previously spoke with the Chief of Police of the Town of Weston, John Troxell.  How have some important police initiatives gone since then, what is on deck, and what does the future hold for traffic, public safety, and community building in this small part of Connecticut?  How about pedestrian circulation initiatives?  Traffic signals?  Chief Troxell offers thoughtful perspectives on  these and other matters.

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"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS HON. GAYLE M. WEINSTEIN, FIRST SELECTMAN, TOWN OF WESTON, CONNECTICUT:

How to keep the "ship of state" afloat in these difficult economic times is perhaps the biggest challenge for Hon. Gayle M. Weinstein, First Selectman of Weston.  Perhaps equally as significant is the need to respect and listen to all voices, and permit the greatest possible number of Westonites to have a say in government.

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A VERY SPECIAL "ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEW, IN TWO PARTS, WITH DISTINGUISHED AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, AND TEACHER JAMES J. LOMUSCIO

Watch this two-part interview with Westonite Jim Lomuscio, who draws on his distinguished career as a non-fiction author, journalist, editor, and teacher, to provide us with truly unique insights into the field of writing, and the state of journalism today.  Mr. Lomuscio's books include "Village of the Dammed:  The Fight for Open Space and the Flooding of a Connecticut Town" (finalist for the 2006 Connecticut Book Award in Nonfiction), and the McGraw Hill college writing textbook "Writing with Your Head & Your Heart:  Balancing Logic and Emotion to Create Powerful Nonfiction."  He currently serves as Full Time Professor of Writing in the Department of Writing, Linguistics, and Creative Process, at Western Connecticut State University.

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"ABOUT TOWN" PRESENTS AN EXTRAORDINARY BENEFIT CONCERT, IN TWO PARTS, FEATURING MEZZO-SOPRANO NICHOLE PEYREIGNE AND PIANIST GRACE HEAPHY:

Two extraordinary young talents in the field of classical music, a mezzo-soprano and a pianist, perform in a very special concert to benefit pediatric brain tumor research via the Making Headway Foundation, to help support the research of distinguished neuro-oncologist Dr. Jeffrey Allen of NYU Medical Center.

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"ABOUT TOWN" INTERVIEWS  DR. JEANA WIRTENBERG, DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT THE INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISE OF FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY:

In this very special two-part edition of "About Town," a leading authority tells us all about Enterprise Sustainability, and how corporations can and in some cases are implementing "win-win-win" strategies that are good for the environment, for society, and for themselves. 

And now link to the Introduction and overview  of her recently published anthology The Sustainable Enterprise Fieldbook.  For review and inspection copies from the publisher across the pond:  http://www.greenleaf-publishing.com/productdetail.kmod?productid=2689

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"ABOUT TOWN" PRESENTS "THE MAGIC GENIE" WITH "THE JUNIOR GENIES MAGIC CLUB":

What fun!  Weston's One World ("WOW!") presents The Magic Genie (aka Nisan Eventoff, http://www.themagicgenie.com) instructing an after-school class at Hurlbutt Elementary School.  Now you see it, now you don't! 

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ART EXHIBITION AND POETRY READING, FEATURING ADELE KAMP:

"About Town" goes on the road in this show!  A summer visit to Westchester County, and the Hendrick Hudson Free Library in Montrose, brings us to an art exhibition and poetry reading featuring distinguished artist, poet, writer and teacher Adele Kamp!

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WESTON HIGH SCHOOL TOUR (3 PARTS)
, May 13, 2006:

We are pleased to make available a guided tour of the completed Weston High School renovation and new sections.  The tour is conducted by now retired Principal Rose Marie Cipriano.  Immediately below is the link to the first of three parts, which features visits to the new library, administrative and guidance suites, and the existing courtyards. 

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Part two of the tour is here, including visits to the new fine arts wing, the old auditorium, the video production area and much more!  

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Part three of the tour is here, including visits to the new gymnasium and exercise rooms, and to the fabulous new science wing, including robotics, CAD, and other "tech ed" activities!  Part 3 concludes with a moving speech by former Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lynne B. Pierson, which was presented at the Dedication Ceremony for the completed High School,.

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