Hey Greenwich Did You Know ... ?

Today is Friday, April 20, 2012 and it's National Pineapple Upside Down Cake and, sorry folks: National Lima Bean Respect Day!

This Day in History:

The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allen Poe was published in Graham's Lady's and Gentleman's Magazine in 1841. It's generally considered to be the first detective story.

On April 20, 1980, the Castro regime announces that all Cubans who want to emigrate to the U.S. can — they can board boats at the port of Mariel, launching the Mariel Boatlift. The next day 125,000 Cuban refugees from Mariel reached Florida.

And for racing fans: On April 20, 2008, 26-year-old Danica Patrick became the first female winner in IndyCar racing history. She won the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Montegi in Montegi, Japan.

Locally...Here's What You're Going to Want to Know ...

The Greenwich-based Red Ribbon Foundation (RRF) that's committed to winning the war against AIDS, has announced that Greenwich Selectman Drew Marzullo has joined its Board of Directors. Marzullo has more than 20 years of experience working as paramedic for the Town of Greenwich.

“I am a lifetime supporter HIV/AIDS prevention and am thrilled to apply my time and effort to support Red Ribbon’s very worthy cause,” said Marzullo, in a statement from Red Ribbon.

The Foundation’s Executive Director Nicole Hazard said in the statement, “Drew’s inspired leadership in the community, coupled with his passion for the cause, makes him a rare find. He’s committed to sounding the alarm about this disease at a time when AIDS is no longer front page news, but remains a devastating epidemic both locally and abroad. We look forward to a fruitful partnership with him.”

The Red Ribbon Foundation is planning its biennial fund-raiser for this coming fall headed by long-time town resident and radio personality Gary Dell'Abate, who lost a brother to the disease several years ago.

Red Ribbon Foundation, founded in 1994, educates the community about HIV/AIDS and, through special events, awards grants to organizations that demonstrate results and promising ideas for preventing the spread of AIDS. 

The biennial gala, SAFE, is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY.

Meet Rosie ... Greenwich's newest fire truck

The entire $400,000 cost of The ’s new fire truck—Rosie—was donated by Greenwich residents.

Rosie is a 2012 custom designed air and light truck. The International 4400 chassis with a Navistar 330 horsepower diesel engine is designed to provide an unlimited supply of breathing air to firefighters at an emergency scene. In addition to the on board air compressor and booster pump cascade system used to fill the air bottles, the truck carries a 40,000 watt generator, a 6,000 watt light tower that raises 15 foot above the vehicle, and two removable 750 watt tripod lights.n today’s world of synthetic materials, poisonous fumes are a firefighters greatest risk. Asphyxiation outweighs burning as a cause of death bay a 3:1 ratio.

Rosie will replace the current Amogerone Squad 1, which is a Ford 550, also purchased with donations in 2002.

The fire company is inviting the public for a “Wet Down” on Tuesday, April 24, 6 PM at The Amogerone Crossway in Greenwich. A “Wet Down” is the traditional celebration of a new fire truck. The Greenwich Bicycle shop on Amogerone Crossway is the original location of the Amogerone Fire Department stables.

The Amogerone Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 was established in 1876, and is considered the oldest Fire Department in Greenwich.

New kid on the block

Tonight kicks off a weekend celebration for the newly-opened
showroom of furniture maker Thomas Moser in central Greenwich. Highlights include an opening cocktail reception and ribbon cutting ceremony with master craftsmen, ranging from playground opposition company founder from Tom Moser. There will be demonstrations of wood artistry. There also will be book signing with Tom Moser, and works by artists Pamela Riley-Abear, Tom Brenner, and fine art photographers Gifford Ewing and Ben Larrabee.

The Thos. Moser Showroom is at 55 E. Putnam Ave. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 203-661-7278 or log onto greenwichshowroom@thosmoser.com.

If you prefer the clicker ...

Greenwich Community Television, the local government access channel, can be viewed on channel 24 and Cablevision channel 79.

If you'd rather be there ... you'll have to wait until Monday - there aren't any meetings scheduled for today.

In the mood for a movie?

Here's what's playing at Bow Tie Cinemas  in the area:

• The Hunger Games PG-13, 2 hr 22 min Digital
  • 4:00
  • 7:00
• Jiro Dreams of Sushi PG, 1 hr 21 min Digital
  • 4:30
  • 7:30
• Salmon Fishing in the Yemen PG-13, 1 hr 51 min Digital
  • 4:15
  • 7:15

Sources: History.com; http://www.tfdutch.com/foodh.htm.