Five Things You Should Know About Norwalk: Thursday, March 3

Where's the best place around to get fresh vegetables? This season, the closest farmers market to Norwalk is the Westport Winter Farmer's Market at Gilberties Herb Gardens, 7 Sylvan Ln., Westport. Norwalk Patch recently published about the market. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today.

Forget daffodils and returning birds and whatever it is that rodent in Punxatawney Patootleeahdah has to say: You know spring is around the corner when Overton's stand opens on Seaview Avenue, right on the harborside in East Norwalk. They've even got delivering the freshest electricity the Third District can pour into the wires (watch for any low-hanging ones). Is the Third District juice made fresh right across Norwalk Harbor at the Manresa Island coal-burning plant? With outdoor dining, you can smell your clams being fried as you look across the harbor and even spot where your electricity is made. Overton's shutters get rolled up on March 12. Under the wire, as it were. Circle it on your calendar. (Don't worry, we won't let you forget—we'll be mentioning it again right here.) Wear sandals. And a harbinger of Overton's opening is ...

... just down the street, where Mr. Frosty's opens wide on Friday. Soon March will be history, although we've probably still got to get through about seven more snowstorms, a wind storm and, at this rate, an earthquake or two -- but we're getting to the good weather, and some of us will survive to see it ...

If you happen to see Joseph DeLallo, an 11-year inspector with the , congratulate him: He's been recognized as the 2011 Building Official of the Year by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Fairfield County, a trade association representing builders, remodelers, land developers and home building service providers in the county. In 2008, Norwalk Building Inspector William Ireland won the same award. Mayor Richard Moccia was expected to attend last night's award dinner at the Norwalk Inn & Conference Center and give DeLallo a special proclamation.

David Rosenberg, theater critic for The Hour, speaks Friday at the Lifetime Learners Institute lecture held in 's PepsiCo Theatre. His subject: "How to Enjoy the Theater." Rosenberg,  an award-winning critic, also writes for Back Stage in New York, was one of the founders of the Connecticut Critics Circle and is affiliated with Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and the American Theatre Critics Association, according to the institute. He's worked at CBS Television in New York and taught English and drama at local high schools and at Fairfield University. Rosenberg has directed over 50 plays and musicals. His lecture takes place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Friday. For more information, click here.