A Big Thumbs Up To The Second Congregational Church .....The sixth St. Valentine’s Gala at Second Congregational Church in Greenwich raised more than $62,000 for Heart Care International on Feb. 7.
United Way recognizes leadership contributorsThe Delamar Greenwich Harbor was the setting for the United Way of Greenwich “Thank You” gathering for its 2008-09 Leadership donors on Feb. 5. This year’s event also was an opportunity to acknowledge the United Way’s 75th anniversary and many years of community support for what has devolved into the leading health and human service organization in Greenwich. The United Way came into being in 1933 as the Community Chest and Council and has, since that time, been in the forefront of creating and coordinating a network of service agencies supported by hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of donors. The United Way researches, documents and responds to community needs, helping people of all ages and backgrounds.
Leadership donors make the United Way’s work possible with their annual gifts of $1,500 and larger; combined with members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, comprised of donors of $10,000 and more, the two divisions are responsible for raising more than 70% of the United Way’s more than $3-million campaign.
The United Way Leadership Division of the Campaign is co-chaired again this year by Terry and Nick Cataldo. The Tocqueville Society chairs are John and Maree Townsend.
The leadership event was generously underwritten by PNC Wealth Management/Hawthorne, and also made possible through the kindness of the Delamar Greenwich Harbor.
United Way Board Chair Mary Lee Kiernan began the evening expressing gratitude for the services of immediate past chairman Sally Harris, the work of the leadership and Tocqueville volunteers, and all the United Way donors who support the United Way system of services. United Way President Stuart Adelberg described the current challenges facing those in the non-profit human services field with local needs and demand for services increasing at the very same time that many members of the community are not able to contribute at the level they might wish. Mr. Adelberg ended the evening with a word of optimism, noting that the United Way has come through for the Greenwich community and those most in need for 75 years, and pledging that with the community’s continued support, the organization would succeed once again in the current year, while launching the next 75 years of exemplary service. In Mr. Adelberg’s words, “We will be here for those who need us, because not being here is not an acceptable option.”
The following are Feb. 16’s released arrests:
EVADING
Maria Magiba, 40, of Katonah, N.Y. was arrested Feb. 2 and charged with evading responsibility and making an unsafe turn. Police had been investigating a motor vehicle accident on Mason Street on Jan. 30 where Magiba had allegedly left the scene without providing any contact information. Police said Magiba made a written statement to officers that she was responsible. She was released on a promise to appear and is due in court Feb. 19.
WEAPONS
Kristopher Chimblo, 20, of 13 Harold St., Cos Cob was arrested Feb. 12 and charged with disorderly conduct and carrying a dangerous weapon. Police responded to a report at Town Hall of someone armed with a knife and Chimblo, who the department knew was wanted on charges in Stamford, was found outside the second floor elevator. According to a witness, Chimblo was seen leaving the men’s room with a knife in his hand and, upon seeing this person, put it away in his front jacket pocket. Police said when an officer patted Chimblo down the knife was in his pocket. Chimblo was released on a promise to appear and is due in court Feb. 16. He was then turned over to Stamford police on other charges.
ASSAULT
Christian Marchand, 19, of 19 Putnam Green C was arrested Feb. 13 and charged with two counts of third degree assault and breach of peace. Police responded to the scene of a verbal confrontation and two people told the officers that Marchand had assaulted them after a minor disagreement earlier in the evening. According to reports, both people had sustained obvious facial injuries. Marchand was released on a promise to appear and is due in court Feb. 20.
SHOPLIFTING
Michael Brown, 48, of Queens, N.Y. was arrested Feb. 13 and charged with fifth degree larceny (shoplifting). Police had been sent to CVS on the report of a shoplifter leaving the scene in a red Pontiac with a Tennessee plate. Police found the car on the Post Road near Indian Field Road. The officers pulled his car over and found numerous packages of Crest White Strips in the back seat that had been reported stolen by CVS. Brown was released on a $1,000 cash bond and is due in court Feb. 20. Lakeish Hinton, 39, of Rochdale, N.Y. was also charged with fifth degree larceny for her role in the incident. She was released on a $500 cash bond and is due in court Feb. 20.
DISORDERLY
Jorge Cardenas-Rey, 21, of 12 Wilbur Peck Court was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer. Police responded to a report at Wilbur Peck Court of someone yelling loudly and breaking objects. Police arrived and reportedly saw Cardenas-Rey’s apartment in complete disarray with broken objects strewn throughout. He allegedly then became belligerent and physically combative toward officers. Cardenas-Rey was released on a $100 cash bond and is due in court Feb. 23.
FORGERY
Radimil Hidalgo-Castro, 20, of 44 Rodwell Ave. was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with five counts of second degree forgery, fourth degree larceny, five counts of illegal use of a credit card and receipt of goods from a use of credit cards. Hidalgo-Castro reportedly turned himself in to police custody on a warrant which stems from a Jan. 22 warrant for the alleged theft of a wallet and use of the victim’s credit cards. The police investigation determined Hidalgo-Castro used the credit cards to buy things. He was released on a $1,000 cash bond and is due in court Feb. 23.
THREATENING
A 46-year-old Greenwich man was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with disorderly conduct, threatening and interfering with an officer. Police had received the report of an unresponsive man who was possibly intoxicated. A woman said that he was drunk and had threatened her. According to police, the man was uncooperative and combative and had to be restrained several times for his safety as well as the safety of the woman, police and medical personnel. The man was released on a promise to appear in court Feb. 17.
POSSESSION
James Buckley, 44, of Wilton was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with possession of marijuana under four ounces and possession of drug paraphernalia. While on patrol, officers reportedly saw a vehicle on West Putnam Avenue that was unoccupied with both rear windows open. The officers said they smelled burning marijuana from a portable toilet and Buckley was seen exiting it. Police reports said that an inspection revealed no evidence of narcotics, but there was a strong odor of burnt marijuana in the air. The officers confronted Buckley and allegedly found him in possession of 6.8 grams of marijuana and paraphernalia. Buckley was released on a $250 cash bond and is due in court Feb. 23.
DUI
Ivan Pinilla, 30, of Norwalk was arrested Feb. 15 and charged with driving under the influence. Police reportedly saw a motor vehicle stopped in the King Street intersection with Fairview Terrace while the motor was running. Pinilla was reportedly found sleeping in the driver’s seat and police said they smelled alcohol. Pinilla allegedly failed field sobriety testing. Pinilla was released on a $250 cash bond and is due in court March 2.
The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich is looking for volunteers for a public experience activity on Wednesday, Feb. 25, as part of a comprehensive self-assessment project known as the Museum Assessment Program, guided by the American Association of Museums (AAM).
================================================================
Be There Or Be Square 
