DoingItLocal – Page 2976 – Local News in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Norwalk, and Beyond!

Great Burgers Are Just The Start At Lil’ Mo’s

A storefront I’ve driven by dozens of times without stopping.

I’ve driven by Lil Mo’s at 2415 Main Street in Stratford and the other stores on Main Street dozens of times without giving

The owner Maureen has every right to brag out fresh her food is!

them very much thought. I received a message from the owner’s husband on Facebook to check them out. He’s a former Westport cop and very proud of what his wife put together. So I stopped in and met Maureen and she was as nice as could be. She showed me the menu and was proud of how fresh her food is. I took her up on her offer to stop by with my family to give them a try. I took one of their take out menus home with me and was able to see the variety to choose, from a hotdog to seafood and steaks. Maureen told me she and her mom use to run the Bun and Burger on Paradise Green years ago. I’m always in search for a great burger so that is what I went there for.

Our waiter was as nice as Maureen and he told us about the specials and the soups of the day. We started off with the French Onion Soup which was outstanding. French Onion Soup is one of my favorites and I order it whenever its on the menu and this was better than at the highest end restaurants. My wife had the homemade chili and it did have some heat to it. It was awesome when we put it on the waffle fries that came with our dinners.

Not a lot of time elapsed from when the soup bowls were removed before our dinners arrived, I like that! Being the purist that I am I ordered The Legend’s Burger which was 2 patties served with cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a Portuguese roll. The first thing I noticed was how soft and fluffy the roll was, very fresh! Lean over your dish as you take your first bite because these burgers are juicy! It was by far one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long time! I also sampled my son’s BBQ Bacon burger which was a quarter pounder topped with BBQ sauce, bacon and cheese, oh how tasty the flavors mingled. To me the best of the best was my wife’s order of a Patty Melt-A 6 ounce Black Angus burger served with sauteed onions, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato on rye. This was a true symphony of flavors!

Here is the best burger I think I’ve ever had, the Patty Melt!

My daughter loves burgers but she opted for the Shrimp Roll which is popcorn shrimp served on a toasted New England roll. I was able to convince her for one bite. This is the most flavorful shrimp I’ve had in a very long time. Again here is where freshness is the key, I forgot how delicious the natural flavor of shrimp is. Even in the finest restaurants shrimp like most seafood is frozen and the flavor is lost and you have to flavor it with lemon or cocktail sauce, this isn’t the case! I can’t wait to try more of their extensive seafood menu.

The waffle fries that come with most orders as I mentioned are excellent. The onion rings however are to die for! The very best I had were homemade at Tanner’s Restaurant back in the day in the 70s and 80s in Ansonia. These were just as good if not better! Again, freshness is the key!

We were all too full have a dessert of our own so the four of us shared a almond cake and a cheese cake. My wife and kids are big cheese cake fans and they all agreed this cheese cake rivals infamous Juniors cheesecakes in New York City. I’m a chocoholic but wished I had more room for the almond cake, oh so moist and flavorful! My daughter and I stuck with Pepsi with our food while my wife and son enjoyed their freshly brewed tea. I noticed so many interesting drinks coming out from the bar.

Maureen visited our table a couple of times to make sure we were ok like any good host should do. She seemed a little disappointed that we mainly tried the burgers. Again we were out to find the best burger. I think we found a couple great burgers here. Maureen wanted us to try the seafood and steaks which I can’t wait to try. This is probably the best kept secret in Stratford until now. My wife and kids look so forward to visiting Lil’ Mo’s Cafe again and again! Check out their Facebook pager here.

Rep Tony Hwang is “Freezin” for Wakeman Boys and Girls Club

On Saturday March 23 at NOON, State Rep Tony Hwang is going into Long Island Sound at Jennings Beach as part of “Freezin’ for a Reason” Polar Plunge! Rep Hwang realizes that this sounds like an absolutely silly and really “COLD” idea but there is a very good reason for his freezin’ plunge – to help raise money for Wakeman Boys & Girls Club – Southport, Stratfield, Bridgeport!

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to do something silly and fun like this to celebrate the 100th Birthday of the Wakeman Club!” Rep Tony Hwang added, “for the past 100 years, The Wakeman Club has helped and made a huge difference in the lives of tens of thousands of young adults. I want to support their mission and help Wakeman begin their next century with a big splash. Please make a DONATION to my “Freezin’ for a Reason” request and support the invaluable positive difference that Wakeman Club makes in our community.”

Thank you for your generous support in advance and let’s work together to making huge contribution to help The Wakeman Boys & Girls Club.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/TonyHwang/Freezin2013

Happenings NOW 305 2013

3/6

3/5

9:37pm–Fairfield Ct–Bicyclist hit by a car in front of Dairy Queen at 1902 Post Road.

9:17pm–Bridgeport CT–Police watch a car travel at a high rate of speed down the wrong way on Frontage Street and crash at the corner of Broad Street. EMS on the way.

7:40pm–Bridgeport CT–Pedestrian hit by a car in the parking lot at CVS 3710 Main St

7:10pm–Bridgeport Ct Black Rock–Report of two men looking into homes for possible break in at Courtland Ave. and Midland area.

6:50pm-Bridgeport CT–Report of an unresponsive naked man in the middle of the road at Iranistan and Olive Street. Passerby put a blanket on him….nothing more to see.

6:45pm–Bridgeport CT–Police break up a domestic fight with a person with a gun but one person stabbed in the abdomen at 2649 Main Street (near Salem Street).

4:44pm–Fairfield CT–Car accident, one car on it’s side at Post Road and Unquowa Road (Community Theater).

3:27pm–Fairfield Ct Southport CT–Pedestrian hit by car on Center Street in front of the Wakeman’s Boys/Girls Club.

2:54pm–Bridgeport CT– Accident between school bus and car between Madison ave and North ave. Update: There are no children on the bus.

2:17pm–Norwalk CT–Today’s car fire is on Chestnut Street.

1:06pm–Norwalk CT–A freon leak sets off the smoke detectors at The High Road School of Norwalk at 17 North Avenue.

FAIRFIELD FIRE COMMISSION PROMOTES TWO NEW LIEUTENANTS

FAIRFIELD, CT, February 28, 2013: The Fairfield Fire Commission announced the promotions of Lieutenants Scott Trembley of Ansonia and Brian McHugh of Fairfield effective Friday, March 1^st at a special meeting last Monday night in the John Sullivan Independence Hall. The promotions were made from a list promulgated by the Fire Commission earlier in the month as the result of written and oral examinations which took place in January at which two Assistant Chiefs and five Lieutenants were promoted. Many family members were in attendance for Monday’s meeting at which both new officers were asked to stand for applause when their name was announced; a more formal ceremony will be held in early March at a Fire Headquarters on Reef Road for family, friends and department members to celebrate their promotion. “There’s a big turnover in our department, and I’m looking forward to working with these new officers to give our citizens of Fairfield the excellent public service they deserve,” said Chief Richard Felner. “As I’ve said many times in the past, this is another example of our family taking care of your family.”

Scott Trembley is a sixteen year veteran with the Fairfield Fire Department and the recipient of two Joseph J. Stopa Life Saving Medals for his participation in the rescue of a hunter in cardiac arrest on Farmstead Hill Road several years back and earlier in his career for performing rapid CPR and defibrillization on a patient in cardiac arrest whose life was saved by his actions. Brian McHugh is a thirteen year veteran of the Fire Department and the recipient of two Joseph J. Stopa Life Saving Medals for his actions in the Farmstead Hill Road rescue and his efforts at a cardiac arrest patient whose life was saved on Melville Drive, the Joseph S. Elias Meritorious Service Award for his actions at a tanker truck fire on I-95, two Unit Citations for motor vehicle accident extrications on the Merritt Parkway and on North Benson Road by Fairfield University, and is a member of the Department Honor Guard and Hazardous Materials Technician Response Team. “Family is very important to me, and to stand before the Fire Commission to receive this promotion with my wife, father, mother, sister, mother-in-law and son was a great honor,” said McHugh. “The opportunity to serve the community where I was raised and am raising my children is something I value more than I can say.”

Fatal Pedestrian Accident In Westport

Westport CT– At approximately 6 pm Saturday night the Westport Police Department received a report of a pedestrian having been struck by a motor vehicle on the Post Road by Bulkley Avenue North.
Arriving officers found the victim, an elderly male lying in the westbound lane next to the vehicle and immediately began medical treatment. The victim was transported from the accident scene to Norwalk Hospital by Westport EMS where he was later pronounced deceased. Police Department identified the deceased person as Bruce
Tabackman, age 68, of Fairfield, CT.

Preliminary information in the accident investigation is that the deceased was not in a crosswalk whenhe was struck by the motor vehicle. The Westport Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident to contact the Westport Police Department at 203-341-6000.

Happenings NOW 3/2 – 3/3 2013

3/3

1:48am–Fairfield CT–A man on a blue motorcycle and wearing a skully cap exposed himself to a Bridgeport woman at the Dunkin’ Donuts at the Circle on the Post Road. The woman went home and reported the incident to Bridgeport Police. EMS was initially dispatched as it was reported as a sexual assault. Fairfield Police were dispatched to the woman’s home in Bridgeport. Fairfield Police located a motorcycle matching that description which had an expired registration.

1:22am–Fairfield CT–Second call tonight for loud large crowd outside the Sky Hookah Lounge on 689 Kings Hwy E this time in the Firestone parking lot.

1:18am–Bridgeport CT–Car accident at Main and George Street and two flee the scene last seen running towards Greene Homes.

12:14am–Bridgeport CT–Pedestrian hit by a car at Barnum Ave. and Nobel Ave. Pedestrian reportedly has gone thru the windshield.

3/2

11:57pm–#Bridgeport CT–Report of heavy smoke coming from the 3rd floor at 130 Anton Street. Firefighters on the way. UPDATE–Just food burning on the stove.

11:40pm–Bridgeport CT–Police disperse 40-50 cars on Seaview and Central where they appeared to be gathering for a race. Police know they will move on to another location.

9:55pm–Bridgeport CT–Man strung out on PCP gets out of his car and leaves it in the middle of Boston Ave. near Dover Street. Another person jumps in and steals it. Police are looking for a white four door car with Florida plates last seen headed down Central Ave.

8:18pm–Westport Ct–We have a report of a pedestrian being hit on the Post Road near the Shake Shack. UPDATE–Pedestrian dies, see report.

1:31pm–Danbury CT–Structure fire around 1:30pm on Peace Street from Mayor Mark Boughton

2:47am–Stratford CT–UPS employee on Honeyspot Road allegedly caught stealing. Police on the way. See, it’s not always taken from your doorstep!

2:15am–Bridgeport CT–Police are investigating shots fired at Jefferson and Seaview Avenue. So far nothing hit.

1:33am–Bridgeport–Police breaking up a large crowd after an assault at Main and George Street.

Hookah Headaches In Fairfield

Police from Fairfield asked the Public Health Committee Wednesday to allow them to regulate hookah lounges, which they said can currently act as de facto nightclubs in their town. Capt. Joshua Zabin, the Fairfield Police Department’s patrol commander, said officers often respond to calls at hookah lounges, which operate from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. He said it has a negative impact on the neighborhood. CT News Junkie has the full story here…..

Video above was posted March 2012

Bridgeport Police Blotter 3-1-2013

K-9 Convinces Suspect to Lie Down
(Bridgeport, CT – Feb. 28, 2013) – A 19-year-old thought better of bailing from a stolen vehicle when confronted by K-9 Trace and his partner Mark Martocchio. On Tuesday, Martocchio was on patrol when he spotted a 2013 Nissan Rogue that was listed on the daily stolen car sheet. The vehicle pulled into a gas station at Park and Wood avenues and the driver exited and walked toward the gas pump. He returned to the sport utility vehicle after seeing police. He tried to drive off but Martocchio blocked him in and exited the squad car with his K-9 Trace. The driver, Phillip Silas, 19, of Kelsey Street, started to bail out of the car but stopped when he heard the dog barking. The officer gave a verbal command to get on the ground or the dog will be released. “Silas looked over his shoulder and decided to lie down on the ground as requested,” Martocchio said.
There were no injuries, the stolen car was recovered and Silas was charged with first-degree larceny. His bond was set at $20,000.

Police Find Assault Suspect, Knife in Garage
A 32-year-old man was charged Thursday with assaulting a woman who had rebuffed his romantic advances. At 2:17 a.m., Officer Daniel Paz was sent to a gas station in the 1300 block of Noble Avenue for an assault victim. He found a 23-year-old female victim with cuts to her hands. She told Paz and Officer Michael Divila that she was watching television with a friend in her room when the assailant kicked in the door and attacked them with a knife. All three work together and live in the same multi-family house.As police and medics tended to the woman, who had defensive wounds to her hands, Officers Ean Smith and Roberto Quintanilla and Sgt. Robert Magnuson went to the location of the assault at 1251 Noble St. They found the male victim, 31, who gave the same account as the female victim. After some searching, the officers found the suspect, Pedro Ciriaco-Cantu, 32, hiding in a rear garage. He was placed under arrest and then showed police where he hid the knife. The suspect was charged with two counts of second-degree assault, possession of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct. The female victim declined transport to the hospital. The male victim was taken to Bridgeport Hospital.

Bridgeport Fire Engine Donated To Haiti

(Bridgeport, CT – March, 2013) – A 1982 Mack fire engine went on its final call for service in Bridgeport – to bring hope to an island nation 1,500 miles away. The decommissioned pumper left Bridgeport Friday for Massachusetts, where it will be loaded onto a military transport plane and begin its journey to Haiti. “I’d like to thank the Bridgeport Fire Department, which for many, many years took tender loving care of this Mack fire engine. This has many years of life saving left in it,” said Mayor Bill Finch at the send-off ceremony. “The City of Bridgeport is so proud to be able to take its still serviceable fire apparatus and give it to countries that need the help, like Haiti.”

The truck is being driven to Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass., where it will be loaded onto a military transport plane. It ultimately will arrive in Port-au-Prince and be driven to the city of Petion-Ville, a city of 280,000. To make it happen, the city partnered with Haiti-works Inc., a local non-profit dedicated to relief efforts and rebuilding in Haiti after the 7.0 earthquake.

“Today is such a great day for all Haitians,” said Pierre d’Haiti from Haiti-works, Inc . “This is what it is all about. This is not just a red machine going to Haiti. It is hope that we are bringing to the island of Haiti.” Councilwoman Michelle Lyons, who spent a decade doing missionary work in Haiti, was instrumental in making the donation a reality. She also worked with Congressman Jim Himes to bring a resolution to Congress urging municipalities around the country to donate decommissioned equipment to Haiti. “This is an exciting moment,” she said at the send-off.

Deputy Fire Chief Robert Petrucelli said the engine had been used as a spare until last year, when it was taken out of service completely. Usually, the fire department goes through an auction process to dispose of unneeded equipment but City Council passed an ordinance allowing the department to donate equipment to countries in need. The City has previously donated fire trucks to the Dominican Republic.

Man With Gun Arrested In Road Rage Incident

(Westport, CT) Thursday, February 28, 2013, at approximately 5:02pm, Westport Police Dispatch received a 911 call of a road rage incident involving a firearm. The caller reported he was traveling east on Post Road East approaching the Bulkley Avenue intersection when a white male jumped out of his vehicle and pointed a black hand gun at him. The caller was able to obtain the license plate of the vehicle which was registered in Trumbull. The operator and vehicle description were given to Fairfield Police as this was their direction of travel. Fairfield Police located the suspect vehicle on Pemburn Drive in their town and waited for Westport officers to arrive and investigate the incident. A black Glock 9mm semi automatic hand gun was located on the waist of the suspect, 21 year old Tyler C. Keiser. The gun was safely taken from Keiser without incident.

It was reported that Keiser cut off the victim who then flashed his high beams at Keiser. Reportedly, Keiser then exited his vehicle and brandished the firearm.

Keiser was charged with Threatening 2^nd degree 53a- 62, Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree 53a-64 and Breach of Peace 2^nd degree 53a-181 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Keiser was released on a $2500 bond and is scheduled to appear in the Norwalk Court on 03/08/13. The handgun was seized as evidence. The investigation revealed that the firearm is registered to Keiser and that Keiser has a carry permit for the weapon.