This week in Norwalk: Luca's replaces Ripka's, beach grades slip, Manresa Wilds opens for tours
This week in Norwalk: Luca's replaces Ripka's, beach grades slip, Manresa Wilds opens for tours
Good morning, Norwalk.
Luca's Beach Kitchen is opening at Calf Pasture Beach this week, taking over the spot Ripka's held for years. Save the Sound also dropped two Norwalk beaches from A's to C's on the annual water quality report card, which is not how anyone wanted to start June. On the brighter side, Manresa Island is opening for public walking tours Wednesday evening: 125 acres of former power plant turning into a waterfront park, rooftop views, and 1.75 miles of shoreline on Long Island Sound. And the robot fighting world championships are back at NHRL this Saturday.
Best for families this week: Coffee Filter Flowers at the SoNo Branch library (today) and Chess for Kids at the main library (Wednesday, free).
-- Cooper
The Week in Norwalk
Luca's Beach Kitchen, replacing Ripka's Beach Cafe, to open this week. Ripka's at Calf Pasture is done. Luca's Beach Kitchen takes over the space, and if you have been stopping there after beach days for the last however many years, this one hits different. The Hour has the details on what is coming.
Two Norwalk beaches drop from A's to C's on Save the Sound report card. Two Norwalk beaches slid from A grades to C's in Save the Sound's annual water quality assessment. Not the direction you want to see heading into summer.
Rain cancels Norwalk parade, but some march on. The Memorial Day parade got rained out. Not everyone went home. NancyOnNorwalk has the story on who showed up anyway.
Norwalk moves ahead with $3.5M roundabout redesign despite resident opposition. The Gregory Boulevard roundabout redesign is moving forward after months of pushback from East Norwalk residents. If you commute through Gregory Boulevard, this is your story.
CT State Norwalk celebrates 600 graduates. Six hundred graduates walked last week. CT State Norwalk does a lot of quiet, essential work in this city.
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Norwalk Business Beat
Black Wall Street Norwalk. The Black Wall Street festival took over the Town Green on Saturday, celebrating Black culture, business, and creativity. Organized by Miss Eva's Etiquette and Sign Language, LLC. If you missed it, the 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration is coming to the same spot on June 13.
Lizsue Bagels II: Best Bagels in Fairfield County. DailyVoice readers picked Lizsue Bagels II as the county's best. Norwalk knows its bagels.
Jaipore Xpress: Best Indian in Fairfield County. Two Norwalk spots taking county-wide readers' choice awards in the same week.
SoNo Saturday Market is back on Washington Street. Vendors, live music, and food every Saturday through the summer. If you have not walked Washington Street on a Saturday morning lately, this is the reason to go.
This Week in Norwalk
Coffee Filter Flowers at SoNo Branch
Kids' craft event at the SoNo Branch Library. Make flowers out of coffee filters. Registration required.
- Details: Today (Monday). SoNo Branch Library. Free.
- norwalkpl.org
Tour of Manresa Wilds
If you do one thing this week, make it this. Manresa Island was a power plant. Now it is 125 acres of waterfront becoming a publicly accessible park, with 1.75 miles of shoreline on Long Island Sound. HAYVN's Sustainability Series is running a free walking tour that includes the turbine hall, the boiler building, rooftop views over the islands, and an off-road loop through coastal forest. The light on the water from those rooftops at 6 PM in early June is something you do not get anywhere else in Norwalk. Closed-toe shoes required. About 500 stairs, including open metal grate stairways. 18+ only.
- Details: Wednesday, 5:30 PM. 1 Manresa Island Road. Free.
- Eventbrite
Chess for Kids
Free chess at the main library. One of the better free kids' activities in town.
- Details: Wednesday, 6:00 PM. 1 Belden Avenue. Free.
- norwalkpl.org
First Time Home Buyer Seminar
The library is hosting a free seminar for first-time buyers. If you are thinking about buying in this market, show up with questions.
- Details: Wednesday, 6:00 PM. 1 Belden Avenue. Free.
- norwalkpl.org
Heated Rivalry Watch Party at Troupe429
Fans of the show "Heated Rivalry" (they call themselves Loons) meet the first Thursday of every month at Troupe429, the bar and performance space on Wall Street. No cover. Friendship bracelets, cocktails, mocktails. 21+.
- Details: Thursday, 7:30 PM. 3 Wall Street. Free.
- Eventbrite
On the Horizon
NHRL Robot Fighting World Championships (Saturday, June 6). Hundreds of fighting robots, three weight classes. Qualifying rounds 10 AM to 5 PM, prime time show from 7 PM with quarter-finals through finals. VIP includes a pit tour and robot driving experience. General admission from $12. Kids under 3 free. 165 Water Street. Eventbrite
5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration (Saturday, June 13). Norwalk Town Green, 4-9 PM. Free. Live performances, food vendors, activities for all ages. Organized by Romney Donald. Scheduled for June 13 so it does not conflict with the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Carnival at Vets Park the following weekend. Two celebrations, two weekends, two locations. Eventbrite
Docktails and Oysters at Copps Island (Saturday, June 20). Fresh-shucked oysters from Norm Bloom and Son, beer, wine, sliders from Seaside Sliders by Mr. Frosty, live music, and a tour of the Oyster Museum. Benefits the Norwalk Seaport Association and Sheffield Island Lighthouse preservation. $132/ticket. Sells out every year. Eventbrite
Community Spotlight
Norwalk Public Schools held a citywide art show last week featuring student artwork from all ages. The show runs through the Norwalk Art Space, and if you have a kid in the system or you just want to see what students are making, The Hour covered it.
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-- Cooper
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