Stamford, CT

Three years ago in North Stamford traces of pesticide pollution were found in the drinking water, identifying a potential health risk for residents in that area. The town got into action and has been investigating the situation. One of the results is the offering of well water testing by the Health Department.

As of this week, 1,258 residents have signed up for the new city-run private well-water testing program sponsored by the Stamford Health Department. The registrations put the department well above the 750 tests it is required to provide this calendar year and leaves about 500 spots open on the 2013 waiting list.

If you reside in North Stamford and have a private well, you may sign-up for Stamford's well water testing program by calling the Stamford Health Department's hot-line at 203-977-0816. Leave your name, address and telephone number. The testing costs $100 and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on the Stamford Health Department well-water testing program, click here.

Happy New Year Stamford CT ! The first month of the year has been completed and here's where we stand..... SOLD Single Family Properties: 32 Properties sold in the month of January. The least expensive property sold for $188,000. The most expensive property sold for $4,190,000. January's average sales price was $769,019 with an average of 166 days on market.

Currently there are 377 homes available for sale in Stamford CT. The prices range from $189,900 up through $18,900,000. The largest group of homes is 78 - between $1,000,000 - $1,999,999.

Pending sales, which are properties under contract awaiting the closing - there are 48. The largest group (11) are within the $400,000 - 499,999 price range. The lowest priced home in this group is $175,230 and the highest is $1,650,000. Showing a large tendency to the first-time home buying purchases.

If you are thinking of listing your Stamford CT home in 2012, please call me for a Free Market Analysis.

This series started as a way to shine a brighter light on local merchants and businesses who offer unusual and thoughtful options for holiday gift-giving.

Three things became quickly apparent: First-we give gifts year-round, for different occasions. Two-sometimes we are the most deserving gift candidates we know. Third (channeling Sally Field now) you really, really liked it!

So now, going forward, this is a year-round, on-going series. Valentines Day is coming...so are birthdays, anniversaries, baby and bridal showers, etc. Please make this a favorite, and consider coming here first for you gift-giving inspiration.

For a number of years, I have been drawn to what I THOUGHT yoga was about, but got intimidated by all there was to KNOW: Intense yoga, hot yoga, gentle yoga? And oh yes, all the media images of slender flexible lovelies in spandex....the only constant was that I would read stories about real-life devotees in their 60s, 70s and beyond who were calm and happy, healthy and flexible. And the older I've gotten, the more I've wanted THAT to be MY future.

This is not to educate anyone on the specifics of yoga...it's about how that even early on, it's come to work in the real life of an unathletic, non-graceful, kind of fearful and and semi-lumpy person (me), and that why a gift certificate for some introductory lessons could be the best gift you'd ever give.

Through a business organization I came to know Michele Weiss professionally. Travel is her business, but yoga is her passion. A casual conversation some months earlier led to an email about classes she was teaching, which then found me in a cozy studio in Stamford on a Saturday morning about 6 weeks ago.

Yoga Space Stamford is nestled in the 2nd floor of the LAA (Loft Artists Association) Building on Canal Street, just down from Fairway, off exit 8 of 95. Love the creative feeling of the building, and the clean, simple feeling of the studio.

Owner Silvana Stein opened Yoga Space Stamford in 2008. First a practicioner for nearly 30 years, then a certified instructor, she has taught in lower Fairfield county since 1993, she is one of those afore-mentioned devotees with an amazing story of healing.

There is a very old saying (proverb?) 'when the student is ready, the teacher will appear'. That has proven to be the case in other profound times in my life, and I am seeing that here, too.

As I contemplate writing this, it occurs to me how un-intellectual this is. Thinking, talking, reading about it will not help you understand...for me, so far, it's been about just showing up, listening and doing...just following instructions.

lynegar yoga is what Silvana, and Michele, and the other instructors practice, this link can tell you more about it. Six weeks in, I can tell you first I am sore the day after...but it's a good sore. I never was concious before of how many different body parts there were that I had such control over. But I am also thinking better, and carrying myself gently, straighter. I am taller and calmer, and deep, settling breaths just come, involuntarily. It's wild.

Yoga Space Stamford has a full schedule of classes for those of all abilities, and some very attractive deals if you wanted to try a few without any monster commitment. If you are ready, and lucky enough to live in the Stamford area( it's 20 minutes for me, coming from White Plains), check out the site and call Silvana for any questions. If you are out of the area, research it a bit, and look for your own local haven. Treat yourself, you'll be glad you did.

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There is always something very cool about Stamford CT and the activities available to the children during school breaks. This Winter break, beginning February 20 through the 24 I've found some really great things you and your children can take advantage of....

There is a fierce program at SoundWaters called Science Stars. SoundWaters is an environmental educational organization looking for girls in grades 3-7 interested in science. During this program young women will have exposure to careers in science through hands-on activities and presentations from women scientists. Everyday is a new experience that will show them science is not confined to the classroom. It's a full day program, dealing with live animals, lunch is provided and it's free! Visit www.soundwaters.org or call 203-406-3307 for more information. Limited spaces are available,

The Ferguson Library is a great option full of Winter vacation opportunities....on Tuesday (2/21) there is a Books and Lego Workshop at 2pm and 4pm at the Main Library in the Third Floor Auditorium, where kids will get inspired with a story and then make their own Lego project with Krazy Kool Creations. The program is for ages 5 through 10. Registration is required. Call 203-351-8242.

On Wednesday (2/22) at 3:00pm, you and your child can watch Dolphin Tale, the movie. The true story of friendship of a boy and a dolphin he rescues from a crab trap. Rated PG. Ages 6 and up. Run time 113 minutes. Location Main Library Auditorium.

Also on Wednesday (2/22) at 2:00pm Motoko Dworkin presents folktales and games from Japan.

Friday, the 24 at 3:00pm at the Harry Bennett Branch on Hope Street, kids from kindergarten and up will be amazed by the magic of Bryan Flint. Registration is strongly recommended by calling 203-351-8294.

There are a few activities sponsored by the Stamford Recreation Department.

The Mad Science Vacation Camp- a fun and exciting science camp for 1st through 5th graders. Students will explore space and space travel as well as rocketry. Campers will build lots of different types of flying devices, including a rocket and more. The camp will be held at Newfield School from February 21 to February 24. Registration is available for a half day program from 9am to noon at a cost of $175 per child, or a full day from 9am to 3pm for $285 per child.

Around the World Art Camp - this camp is for children ages 5 to 13. Offered by Paint Draw & More. In this four full day fun art camp students will focus on a new country every day. From Africa to Asia, Europe and the Americas, they will learn about and make examples of art from at least four countries. This camp will run from February 21-24 at Roxbury School from 8:30am-2:30pm. Costs $245 per person.

Both sessions can be registered on-line at http://stamfordrecreation.com/ or at the recreation services office at the Government Center.

Other programs and organizations are promoting children's activities, but hopefully this list will help you with a few options for the week our Stamford Schools are out. Also please feel free to visit 365 Things to Do in the Greenwich - Stamford - Norwalk CT area site for more ideas of events.....

The city of Stamford CT, began distributing free smoke alarms in the lobby of the Stamford Government Center on Thursday. The next opportunity for Stamford residents to obtain a FREE smoke alarm is scheduled for Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at the Yerwood Center located at 90 Fairfield Avenue in Stamford from 4-6pm. The program was inspired by the Christmas Day fire in Stamford which resulted in the death of five individuals. City officials are working with First Alert, which donated 1,000 alarms. Click here for more information. Additional dates will be announced and will appear on the city of Stamford's website.