Happy weekend, Stamford! In today’s edition: Qahwah House opening, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds headlining a town party, Mountainfilm On Tour, and more.

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Aromatic sips arrive soon: Yemeni coffee spot Qahwah House will open its first Connecticut location in Stamford by July 26, bringing spiced drinks with cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon, plus traditional tea, coffee, and beans — read the full story.

Star-studded lineup revealed: Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds will headline the 2026 Greenwich Town Party, with John Fogerty and Preservation Hall Jazz Band, plus Elmo’s Got the Moves for kids, marking 15 years — check out the full lineup.

New projects redefine local landscape: A building boom reshapes Stamford this year, with thousands of housing units on tap downtown, Bull’s Head and the North End, plus Avon Theatre renovations set to begin this month — see what’s planned for Stamford.

Academic and mental health alignment: The Spire School in Stamford announced January 7 expanded clinical supports, bolstering its middle school program and earlier help for anxiety and school avoidance, with new leaders guiding family collaboration — read the full story.

City steps up road safety: Stamford was approved by the state for automated speed cameras, becoming Connecticut’s 11th municipality in the program. Cameras will target drivers going 10 mph or more over the limit, with fines starting at $50 and $75. The city plans installations in key areas to curb crashes. Hamden’s application is pending. Get all the details.

Newmark team behind deal: Knighthead Funding has provided a $48 million loan for the acquisition and partial conversion of the 508-room Marriott Stamford. Clearview Hotel Capital will turn one tower into studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments, while renovating the other tower to relaunch as a modernized hotel. Get all the details.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🤝 Generations United: An MLK Day of Service @ friends of the greenwich senior center | Tuesday (1/20) at 10:00 AM – Take a break from errands and show up for an MLK Day of Service that feels like community. All ages pitch in on meaningful projects, connect across generations, and honor Dr. King with time, sweat, and stories, not just quotes. Bring your crew, leave lighter.

🦃 Pollinator Potluck: Let’s Talk Turkey @ Greenwich Audubon Center | Wednesday (1/21) at 6:00 PM – Trade the carving talk for the real story on Connecticut’s wild turkeys with DEEP Master Wildlife Conservationist Ginny Apple. From near extinction to a full comeback, she’ll cover habitat, diet, behavior, and that Ben Franklin myth, with decades of boots-on-the-ground wisdom.

🎓 Fundraiser for the 8th Grade DC Trip Scholarship Fund @ New York Comedy Club – Stamford | Wednesday (1/21) at 7:00 PM – Help keep the 8th grade DC trip, four decades strong, rolling with a scholarship fundraiser that makes sure every Greenwich kid can go, no exceptions. You remember the monuments, the bus snacks, and the chaperones’ thousand-yard stare. Chip in, build memories, earn good karma.

🍷 Duckhorn Wine Dinner @ The Waters Edge at Giovanni’s | Thursday (1/22) at 6:00 PM – Whether you can taste cassis at ten paces or just enjoy a well-poured glass, this Duckhorn wine dinner delivers premium pairings and a chef-driven multi-course menu for $95. Expect polished vibes, unpretentious service, and bottles you will want to Google later. Seats go fast.

🎥 Mountainfilm On Tour @ The Warehouse FTC | Thursday (1/22) at 6:30 PM – Want Telluride vibes without the altitude, gear, or airport lines? Mountainfilm On Tour brings superb documentaries on adventure, culture, the environment, and big ideas to The Warehouse, serving up inspiration, local camaraderie, and a much better seat than your couch. Grab tickets, bring curiosity.

🎸 Gold Dust Woman – Fleetwood Mac Tribute @ Garcia’s | Thursday (1/22) at 8:00 PM – Feeling like a little Rumours therapy? Gold Dust Woman, a Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac tribute, brings the twirls, the harmonies, and just enough mystique to make you believe in moonlit tambourines again. Sing along, sip something nice, and let your inner 1977 out.

🏛 Night at the Museum: The Big Backyard @ Bruce Museum | Friday (1/23) at 5:00 PM – Night at the Museum: The Big Backyard turns the Bruce’s family benefit into an after-hours playground for the little ones, and a sanity-saving outing for you. Expect hands-on backyard-themed fun, curious kids, and grown-up gratitude, all while supporting a beloved local gem.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Stamford report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 40°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 77%

Snow likely before 1pm, then rain and snow between 1pm and 4pm. Cloudy. High near 40, with temperatures falling to around 37 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Later: A slight chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 37°F – Low: 20°F – Precip: 47%

A chance of snow. Cloudy. High near 37, with temperatures falling to around 34 in the afternoon. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Later: A chance of snow before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Most popular house this week

In the Strawberry Hill area, this home balances quiet streets with convenience, minutes to the train station, houses of worship, restaurants, shopping, and a playground. An impressive foyer with soaring ceilings sets the tone. A step down living room with a woodburning fireplace, a formal dining room, and a generous eat in kitchen anchor the main level. A sunroom with sliders and skylights pours in year round light.

Contemporary bedrooms keep the clean aesthetic, and abundant windows, including bays, amplify the airy feel. A finished lower level pairs with a large storage and utility room. Upgrades include modern heating and cooling plus whole home water filtration.

Take a peek inside →

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