Today, it’s become an ‘industry’ all to itself, with about 3.9 million moms or 14% of moms in the US blogging. This, according to a recent article in Mashable.com that provides the latest stats on the mommy blogger and a peak at the top 10 power moms. On average, mommy bloggers make about $84,000, $14,000 higher than the non-mommy blogger! The average age of the mommy blogger is about 37 years old and more than likely has a college degree or post-graduate degree. Of the 3.9 million moms, 500 are considered the most influential, among them award winning authors, TV celebrities and business owners. Interestingly, the largest concentration of mommy bloggers are in the Salt Lake City area with Seattle and Tacoma Washington a close second.

There’s no question, moms are the new influencers and their voice is worth a thousand words or hundreds of thousands of dollars to advertisers, organizations, retailers but most importantly to other moms who put a lot of stock into the opinion, advise and endorsement of their fellow mommies’. Do you have a blog you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear your voice!

The bank has been an ongoing supporter of the festival since 2007, increasing its financial commitment each year culminating as the event’s presenting sponsor.

“We are proud to participate as the presenting sponsor of the 2012 Oyster Festival and building on the success and enthusiasm surrounding Norwalk Seaport Association’s mission of celebrating and raising public awareness of Norwalk’s maritime heritage,” said Rey Giallongo, chairman and CEO of First County Bank. “As a community bank, our commitment to supporting local nonprofit organizations has always been to give people in our communities a voice and a chance to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.”

As presenting sponsor, First County Bank is entitled to a number of branding and exhibition opportunities, as well as participation in many of the festival events.

“Funding from First County Bank allows us to keep a 35-year-old tradition alive and well in Norwalk,” said Irene Dixon, president of the board of trustees at the Norwalk Seaport Association. “The bank’s sponsorship dollars have had a tremendous impact on our organization over the years and we appreciate its participation. We love having First County Bank as part of the Norwalk Seaport Association family.”

Karen Kelly, chief marketing officer of First County Bank, said the bank became more involved with the Oyster Festival over the years as the association’s need for sponsorship dollars has increased. This is the second consecutive year that the bank decided to be the event’s main sponsor.

“First County Bank sees the Oyster Festival as the summer hallmark event in Fairfield County,” said Kelly, adding, “And as a community bank with branches from Greenwich to Westport — three in Norwalk alone — it is important for First County Bank to support the festival.”

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, education and public awareness of Norwalk’s maritime environment and heritage. The Seaport Association and its volunteers are solely responsible for organizing and financing the Oyster Festival and do not receive funding or services from the City of Norwalk or any other municipality. In addition to the Oyster Festival, the Norwalk Seaport Association owns Sheffield Lighthouse and its volunteers maintain the lighthouse and grounds as a museum and nature preserve. The organization also offers special events, maritime education programs and habitat restoration projects with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information, visit www.seaport.org or call (203) 838-9444.

Cove Island Park in Stamford will be bustling with people this Sunday, May 6th, walking for an important cause – The 6th Annual Walk for Independence. Sponsored by the nonprofit organization Always Reaching for Independence (ARI) of Connecticut and First County Bank, the three mile Walk for Independence will raise money for ARI’s programs which help adults with disabilities find jobs and homes.

First County Bank has been a long-standing supporter of ARI and has also supported the individualized Home Supports Program through the First County Bank Foundation.

“We have a long history of involvement with this terrific organization, from sponsoring events to providing First County Bank Foundation grants,” said Rey Giallongo, chairman and CEO of First County Bank. “The Annual Walk for Independence is a fun way to get some exercise and raise money for a great cause.”

Last year, approximately $35,000 was raised. This year ARI is hoping to raise more than $50,000.

The Walk is FREE and open to the public and begins at 11 am with registration beginning at 10 am. Walkers will receive a tee shirt with a minimum pledge of $50. For more information and to register to walk visit http://arict.org/WalkForIndependence.html.

When Stamford native Jim Ferraro was a student at Trinity Catholic High School, he worked part time at Stamford Florist as a delivery boy. When he graduated they offered him a full time position and shortly after the owners asked if he wanted to take over the business. He discussed the opportunity with his family and decided to say yes. In 1977 at the early age of 20, Jim Ferraro became the small business owner of Stamford Florist.

“I knew that, at minimum, if I upheld the same business standards of service and quality we would succeed. Always answer the phone with a smile. The word ‘no’ is not an option,” says Ferraro.

Ferraro brought his mom on board as bookkeeper and they slowly grew the business with one other employee. In 1982, Ferraro moved Stamford Florist to a free standing building one block from the original location and it has been there ever since.

“About 5 years ago, I decided to move my florist business to First County Bank as the bank I was with had become very commercial. I already had a business checking account with First County Bank for my real estate business which I was very happy with so I moved Stamford Florist to First County Bank and opened a business checking and credit line.”

Ferraro describes his relationship with First County Bank as very personalized. He likes the community feel of First County Bank and the distinctive service he gets. “You’re not just a number,” he expresses. When he walks into a branch, he says, the branch staff knows his first name and his business and can quickly answer questions, refer him to experts within the bank and/or handle his banking needs efficiently.
“The extra they give,” he says, “makes the relationship more than business. There is always someone I can call and talk to, anytime. They are very accessible from the top to the tellers,” he said.

“I also see a lot that they do in the community – such as the Maple Syrup Festival, grants to help build parks and advance students with scholarships. From the little people to the big people, they do so much for our community. It makes me feel good to be a part of it.”
When asked if he’d ever considered changing the name of the business as it continues to expand and grow, he passionately answers no.
“Stamford is a model city in the United States and I feel very fortunate to live and work here. There’s been a lot of growth, a lot of people coming into Stamford to work. I’m proud to carry the name in my business.”

Today, Ferraro has 10 employees working for him, has added homemade Truffles to his service offerings, which he says, is quite popular. As for the future, he has some significant business and finance goals on the horizon including looking into retirement investments and is excited to work with First County Bank to help him attain them.

Last year the First County Bank Foundation awarded more than $591,000, including $50,000 in CommunityFirst grants, to 108 nonprofit organizations throughout lower Fairfield County. Since its inception in 2001, the foundation has awarded a total of 544 individual grants, worth more than $4.6 million. Established in 2001 in honor of the bank’s 150th anniversary, the First County Bank Foundation was created to distribute funds annually to nonprofit organizations that support community and economic development for children and families. As a mutual bank with no shareholders, First County Bank considers contributions made by the foundation a means of paying dividends back to the local communities it serves.

New Canaan Library announces that Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman and CEO of General Electric, will be this year’s speaker for the library’s annual Conversations with Business Leaders lecture on Sunday, May 6. The event will be held at 5 p.m. in the Seldin Performing Arts Center at the St. Luke’s School.

Conversations with Business Leaders, sponsored by First County Bank, presents a rare opportunity to learn from some of the most dynamic leaders in the business world. Immelt is the ninth chairman of GE, a post he has held since Sept. 7, 2001, and has been named one of the “World’s Best CEOs” three times by Barron’s. He will address the timely and crucial topic of the world’s economy with his lecture “Competing in the Global Economy: What Works.” Immelt has held several global leadership positions since joining GE including roles in GE’s Plastics, Appliance, and Healthcare businesses.

Immelt joined GE in 1982, became an officer in 1989 and joined the GE Capital Board in 1997. In 2000, Immelt was appointed president and chief executive officer. Since Immelt began serving as chief executive officer, GE has been named “America’s Most Admired Company” in a poll conducted by Fortune magazine and one of “The World’s Most Respected Companies” in polls by Barron’s and the Financial Times.

Immelt earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Dartmouth College in 1978 and an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1982. He and his wife have one daughter.

Conversations with Business Leaders is part of New Canaan Library’s ongoing commitment to bringing leading, timely speakers to the Fairfield County area. Immelt joins other prominent figures in the business world as guest speaker, including 2011’s George Bodenheimer, Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks and President, ESPN, Inc.; David Calhoun, Chairman and CEO, The Nielsen Company in 2010 and Bob Seelert, Chairman, Saatchi & Saatchi and author of Start with the Answer, 2009. Conversations with Business Leaders specifically aims to offer information on the business world and the state of the economy; providing an opportunity to learn from the leadership and business expertise of the speakers. This year’s lecture is generously sponsored by First County Bank.

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company’s Website at www.ge.com.

For additional information on this event, please contact Alice Knapp, 203-594-5005 or visit newcanaanlibrary.org. All library programs are free and open to the public but seating is limited and registration is required. Register online at newcanaanlibrary.org or by phone, 203-594-5040.

New Canaan Library’s mission is to enrich the town’s intellectual and cultural life by providing free and convenient access to information, fostering lifelong learning and encouraging the exchange of ideas.

(Pictured from l. to r.) Paul Hertz, John Hertz, (co-owners of Hertz Construction), Jayme Stevenson, Darien First Selectman, Rick Zaremski, First County Bank senior vice president and director commercial lending, and Jim Darling, First County Bank vice president business banking.

Jayme Stevenson, Darien’s First Selectman, joins John and Paul Hertz of Hertz Construction and their banking partner, First County Bank, to celebrate the completion of the first of eight smart-sized green homes in a new residential development called Noroton Green. It is the first planned unit development in Darien. It is a community with 30 percent of the land specifically designated as open space and the first development in Darien to be Green Certified using National Association of Home Builders standards.

Noroton Green is within convenient walking distance to necessary amenities like shopping, schools and public transportation, including Noroton Heights train station. Located on West Avenue in the Noroton Heights neighborhood of Darien, the single-family, open space development features eight homes offering three architectural styles: Colonial, Victorian, and Arts and Crafts. Each home will be approximately 2,800 square feet, offering layouts of two- or three-bedrooms and two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half bathrooms.

Hertz Construction has been a customer of First County Bank for more than 22 years. Having secured bank financing for Getner Farms/Getner Trail, a 22-unit, single-family development in Norwalk; Franklin Street, a 12-unit condo in Stamford; and Lowe Street, a 16-unit condo in Norwalk.

Halstead Property is the exclusive sales agent for Noroton Green.

The 2012 spring series, which had its first meeting on March 15, runs through Thursday, June 21, and is led by Jeff Zaino, systems librarian, and Friend’s committee member George McEvoy. The discussions will cover eight independent films and are held in the Plaut Room of the library. Although movies are not shown on discussion nights, multiple copies of each film are available at the library to view before each meeting. Registration is required and can be done on the library’s Web site: newcanaanlibrary.org or by calling 203-594-5040.

“We are very pleased to once again have First County Bank sponsor this year’s Friends Film Discussion Series. It marks the third year in a row First County Bank has participated in this lively program. And we look forward to its continued support in the future,” George McEvoy, program chair, said.

“The Friends Film Discussion Group helps enrich the town’s intellectual and cultural life. And First County Bank is always looking for ways to help our neighbors enjoy free and convenient access to information that encourages the exchange of ideas,” said Rey Giallongo, chairman and CEO First County Bank. “If this donation helps the library remain a valuable resource to New Canaan and its surrounding communities, then the bank is happy to have helped.”

The remaining dates for the discussion group are May 17, when “Orlando” and “Drugstore Cowboy” will be discussed; and June 21, when “Maria Full of Grace” and “Brazil” will be discussed.

The Friends of the New Canaan Library is a dedicated group of men and women who donate their time and energy to New Canaan Library. Friends are always in the forefront assisting the library with its daily offerings of programs and services, and in its fundraising efforts.

The New Canaan Library is home to more than 165,000 print and 20,000 audiovisual items, used by nearly 20,000 cardholders. Patrons access many different resources, including, high-speed Internet connection on public access computers, stimulating programming, tools for finding employment, computer classes, homework help for their children, and books and movies for entertainment.
New Canaan Library is also home to many special collections on various subjects, established to honor notable residents. It is widely known for its annual Salant and Attwood Lectures that bring well-known journalists and broadcasters to the library.

The New Canaan Library is located at 151 Main St. in New Canaan. Additional information is available at newcanaanlibrary.org.

However, as evolution is a necessary process in the growth of any existence, human, business or otherwise, we recently made a corporate decision to look at how to further enhance the existing mission to better serve the needs and desires of our customers in today’s reality.

We ‘redesigned’ our core mission statement to embody the bank’s fundamental principles and beliefs, and also offer a “Fresh Banking” approach that propels community banking to an even higher level of customer and community excellence. We continue to provide stability and consistency in an unstable financial environment; we create innovative tools and technology to help keep our customer’s ‘monetary’ house run efficiently, effectively and financially sound. We are even more customer-centric and service oriented – any customer that walks through our doors is greeted immediately and their banking needs, small or large, are handled with personalized attention.

Our commitment to the community is exploding with initiatives that immediately impact the livelihood of our residents, businesses, education, housing and more – initiatives that instill pride in the community and excite the next generation to be model citizens, give back and ‘be the change they want to see’ in the world. In this fast paced, ‘what’s in it for me’, unsteady reality of today, we like to consider ourselves the ‘true blue’, the rock, the refreshingly predictable, the one you can consistently count on, the grounded, as evidenced in our 160 + years of banking and community history.

We are so excited about our new mission statement we will be proudly displaying it in all our branches. For an advanced viewing here it is: http://ow.ly/9ZdB8

All ages are invited to enter individually, or the entire family can get in on the action with a family creation. Prizes will be awarded by age group for the following categories: best transportation, best architecture, best action scene, favorite New Canaan place or activity.

The fee to enter a LEGO® creation is $20, and includes a T-shirt or bandana. The admission fee on event day is $5 per person, and includes five tickets to vote on your favorite creations. Voting takes place from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and winners will be announced at 2 p.m.

All proceeds benefit New Canaan Library. The event is generously underwritten by First County Bank. The library would like to thank its partners: Saint Aloysius School and New Canaan Toy Store.

Details on the event are available at the library and online at newcanaanlibrary.org. Entrance forms with contest rules and regulations are available at the library. For more information, please contact the Library at 203.594.5003 or visit newcanaanlibrary.org