Hey Greenwich! Did You Know ... Power Poles & Paving Mean Traffic Delays?

Today is Monday, May 7, 2012 and it's National Roast Leg of Lamb day. Lamb isn't your culinary cup of tea? Then celebrate with a burger— it's National Hamburger Week.

This Day in History:

Poet Robert Browning is born on this day in 1812 in Camberwell, outside London.

In 1915, the British ocean liner Lusitania was torpedoed without warning by a German submarine off the south coast of Ireland. The ship sunk in 20 minutes, killing nearly 1,200 passengers and crew.

In 1965, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards got some 'Satisfaction.' The Weston resident picked up his guitar while staying in a Florida hotel and laid down the opening riff of what became one of the Stones' signature songs.

Expect traffic delays: Power line, pole installation

Connecticut Light & Power crews are continuing their work to upgrade power supplies throughout Greenwich.

This week, the utility is advising motorists should expect delays from the backcountry south through Cos Cob as crews erect new poles and lines. The roads to be impacted between 8 am. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, are:

• North Street between the Merritt Parkway and Fairfield Road
• Sound Shore Drive
• Station Road
• Indian Field Road 
• Bruce Park Avenue Extension 
• Circle Drive 
• Fairfield Road between North Street and Stanwich Road
• Loughlin Avenue 
• Strickland Road 

Crews are installing 45-foot tall poles—about 5 feet taller than existing poles. The taller poles "meet utility standards ... there are more than electrical lines on the poles. There are telephone and cable television lines and for the safety of non-electrical workers there needs to be enough clearance between the lines" on the poles, said CL&P spokesman Jeff Tilghman.

The new electric lines appear thicker than existing lines. According to Tilghman, the lines are in "an insulated, sheathed cable so they are more able to resist contact with a tree without failing." The line upgrades are part of CL&P's $7.6 million project to improve reliability throughout town in the wake of , including Hurricane Irene.

"We're still on schedule to be completed by the end of June," Tilghman added.

Meanwhile, cutting back trees and limbs hanging over power transmission lines throughout Greenwich.

And expect even more traffic delays because of paving

The town's road paving and improvement program is well under way. And it's best to avoid some areas of downtown.

One project involves repaving East Elm Street from Greenwich Avenue to Milbank Avenue and Milbank Avenue from Mason Street to Route 1. The 8-week project includes the installation of new curb, manhole adjustments, sidewalk ramps and paving. The work means there are daily lane closures and reduced parking on those streets. (Please see map at right.)

Was Greenwich Chef Jean-Louis Gerin 'Chopped?'

Chef Jean-Louis Gerin is taking the popular Food Network show 'Chopped' from the small screen to his dining room.

To celebrate his appearance on 'Chopped,' Gerin has invited his friend and 2011 “Chopped” champion, chef Olivier de Saint Martin, to co-host a live cooking competition and viewing party at Restaurant Jean-Louis on Tuesday, May 8.

During a special pre-show dinner, chefs de Saint Martin and Gerin will challenge each other to a main course battle in the kitchen, where guests will be served both chefs’ dishes and choose a winner. The dinner will be followed by a viewing party at 10 p.m. with complimentary desserts and open bar at the eatery, 65 Lewis St.

de Saint Martin is the master chef/owner of the Caribou Cafe and ZINC restaurants in Philadelphia. Gerin has been awarded the James Beard Award as Best Chef Northeast.

Reservations required for the 3-course meal ($59) and may be made by calling (203) 622-8450.

 Meetings today:

If you prefer the clicker instead of being there, there's Greenwich Community Television (GCTV) on either Fios Channel 24 or Cablevision's Channel 79.

And if you prefer movie entertainment, here's the schedule for:

Sources: history.com