Edition #35, 9 February 2009

Hello, my name is Cynthia, a mermaid from the cool waters of New England. Thank you for visiting my collection of articles on coastal New England. Why not send me a note and say Hello?

Look for other articles in this series on the home page.

In 2006, Fairfield was voted one of the ten best places to live by CNN Money.

The Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum at 314 Unquowa Road was the first private bird sanctuary in the country. Adult admission to the museum is only $2, and children under 14 get in for $1. The museum and nature store are closed on Sundays and Mondays. The adjoining 6-acre Birdcraft Sanctuary is open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk.

Fairfield is home to Fairfield University, located at 1073 North Benson Road. Graduate programs are offered in several fields of study including nursing, engineering, mathematics, American studies, business, finance, and accounting.

Jennings Beach at 880 South Benson Road is the largest of Fairfield's beaches. Many of the town's special events are held at this location, including the Half Marathon. Features of Jennings include a consession stand, grills, outdoor volleyball courts, picnic tables, and restrooms. In season, a fee is required to enter the parking lot. Residents can purchase a Beach Sticker.

The town of Fairfield has implemented a unique system to help protect its residents. This system is called "Reverse 911". In the event of an emergency, Fairfield Emergency Services can identify the affected areas of Fairfield and notify residents by telephone. A recorded message is played that describes the situation and recommends the protective measures that should be taken.

The 10th annual Garden Expo will be held on March 15th and 16th at the Fairfield Ludlowe High School at 785 Unquowa Road. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children. Parking is free. The Garden Expo is presented annually for the benefit of River-Lab, a program of the Mill River Wetland Committee, a hands-on program of environmental study.

There are a number of fine places to eat in Fairfield. Those that prefer a casual atmosphere will enjoy the Circle Diner at 441 Post Road. For fine Indian cuisine, make your way to Bangalore Restaurant at 1342 Kings Highway. Italian food lovers should head for Mamma Mina's at 881 Post Road, or the Nauti Dolphin Pizzeria at 1 Carter Henry Drive. With so many choices, you are sure to find the perfect meal. Write to me and tell me about your favorite place in town!

The Beanery is a high school nightclub on Old Dam Road that showcases local and neighboring town bands. Shows run during the school year every other Friday from 7:30pm to 11pm. Admission is $3 and up. Proceeds from The Beanery benefit the Jacky Durrell Service Award Scholarship.

Find out more about Fairfield at www.fairfieldct.org and www.8towns.com. If you should see me in the water, be sure to wave!

If you would like to sponsor a past or future article, please write to me for details.

Occasionally, people see us in the water. In this case, a couple is nearby in a sailboat...

Man: I see mermaids!
Woman: Do I need to tie you to the mast?