Val Adaro made a prediction while babysitting her friend’s daughter Tuesday on the Academy Street side of Wooster Square Park. “I’d smoke you in a race,” Adaro, who’s 26, told 10-year old Siapilar Chardamendez. Siapilar was unfazed. “I think I’m gonna smoke her,” she told a reporter prepared to watch the results. Adaro was babysitting Siapilar for the first time, a week before Siapilar returns for fifth grade at Cold Spring School. From a bench in the park, they set their sights on “the dark tree” a ways off toward the park’s Chapel Street border. And they were off. It wasn’t close. From the start. Siapilar indeed smoked her. “She’s fast!” Adaro marveled as she caught her breath. Fast, and a believer in second chances: Siapilar agreed to an immediate rematch back to the bench. She stepped back to give her babysitter a head start. They arrived at the bench within seconds of each other. Siapilar claimed victory, but acknowedged this one was a nail-biter. Adaro’s lesson from the contest: “Don’t underestimate the young ones.” For her part, Siapilar said she’s looking forward to returning to school. “But I wish the summer would go on longer.” Parting glance at summer: Val and Siapilar in Wooster Square Park. Previous editions of “Word on the Street”: The Word On Garden: Dwight’s Coming Up CollardsThe Word On Hughes Place: A Cherry Blossom’s Last HurrahThe Word on Chapel East: Swirling Colors Hit The WallThe Word at Church Elm: “Soul” Hooper Follows The FlowThe Word On Elm Street: Luke Seeks (Bottle) RedemptionThe Word On Elm: Magarvey Kicks Into ShapeThe Word On Whalley: Mercedes Plans Last-Chance EbLens RunThe Word On Jefferson Street: An Urban Oasis BeckonsWord On Wooster: Elisa, Zoe Roam FreeThe Word On Norton Parkway: Into The WeedsThe Word On Grand Avenue: Where’s The Beef?The Word On Maple Street: 1 Last Look At Dad’s GasketsWord On Platt Street: Pop Pops In With The CrewWord On Sherman: Make Way For MogulWord On College Street: Future Doc Makes A Pit StopWord On Howe: EbLens, Through A LensWord On Whalley: Terry Bobby See Their Way ClearThe Word On Willis: Beauty Pokes Its HeadThe Word on York Street: Fast SteadySprung From Work, Nick Samples City’s BuzzAngel Drives, Delivers Toward EasterWord On Sherman: Candy Looks Beyond MandyWord On Chapel: MonaLisa Steps UpThe Word On Edgewood: “Maintenance Guy” Comes To The ForeWord On Fountain: Let The Sunshine InWord On Winthrop: “It’s A Ford”Texan Teacher KvellsWord On Whalley: Justice RidesWord On Nicoll Street: Big Picture Comes In FocusWord On Kensington Street: Paintbrushes Pass DownThe Word On Maple Street: STEM? Snow SweatWord On Crown Street: “Warehouse Guy” Hops In The TruckWord On The Street: Ashes Mark New Life ChapterThe Word On County Street: Greg Weighs His Next MoveSurprise Drop-Off Turns Bottle Man EastWord On Boulevard: Love’s On The MenuOld-School Chainsaw Comes ThroughDuring Dwight Detour, Dominique Discovers EdenDreams Flagged on EllsworthWord On The Street: ICU Crew Lands At Bella’sPizzeria Raises Dough For Turkish Earthquake VictimsWord On Springside: Hot Pile, Cooler PlanetPark Trees PreservedWord On Winthrop: Mom/Daughter TCBsWord On Whalley: Wings Rise; Neon FadesWord On Beers Street: That’s The DrillWord On The Street: Sisterhood Is Wow-erfulWord On The Street: 1st Step TakenWord On The Street: New Loos ArriveWord On The Street: Kash Starts FreshWord On The Street: The Gig Cycle SpinsWord On The Street: Dumped Trash DisappearsWord On The Street: Job Interview AwaitsWord On The Street: Callaghan Suits UpOfficer McKernan Refuels For Double DutyWord On The Street: Fred Keeps MovingWord On The Street: Mimosa ManiaWord On The Street: Terry Hands Over The BrakesSafety Hunter Keeps Eye On The Rising TiersLeather’s Grandson Returns To The SoilJorge Opens A DoorWord On The Street: Dad Awaits The CallWord On The Street: Bridgette Beats The SunWord On The Street: “Blessed,” Ready For Busy Barber SeasonThe Word On Brownell Street: Call LucianoNana Readies Leaf Bag #32Word On The Street: Groom Plans Hectic Holiday, Needs Car BackThe Word On Garden Street: Turkey Times TwoDr. J Clears The WayEstelita Makes The Journey Back HomeButts, Burger King Wrappers Vanish At Wendy’s Drive-ThruSkateboard J Does A 360Word On The Street: The Banana Vote EmergesWord On The Street: Sprinkler HeadsWord On Orchard Street: Cheap GasWord On The Street: Keep On Truckin’Martin Readies 1 Last Bridge To NatureWord on the Street: Call Her “Queen”Word on the Street: Coach Lance Called ItWord On Dixwell: Scooter Saves GasBudding Architect’s Word On The Street: New Haven’s More Laid Back Than Hong KongWord On Street: “Smell Good In Your Hood”Blood (Pressure) Talk Comes To Barber’s ChairWord On Street: Rizzo Can Stand The HeatThe Tomato Plot ThickensWithout Illusions, Lamont Stewart Makes The Most Of His Morning WalkPro-Punk Poet Prof Starts Summer StretchBarista Soaks Up New Hometown FlavorWord On The Street: Park Pre-Work Workout Sets The ToneHomeless, Working Exit 5Aldo Salazar Does The CircuitBrisa Mendoza STEMs The Graduation TideTimmy Turner Takes The Long ViewBike To Work Week Pulls Up To State Street StationHe’s Making Sure Soldiers Won’t Be ForgottenLegion Ave. Rite Aid Closing; Actor BummedWord On Church St.: Drugs Are EverywhereIndoor “Sunrise” Breakfasts Resume For The Hungry The Homeless“VillaFame” Has Designs On The WorldCherry Trees NFTs Blossom In Wooster Square9th Square Grows On New New HavenerWarbler Watcher Waits In The WoodsReggie Gibson Makes A Clean SweepSorry, Wooster Street: This New New Havener Has His Eye On Whalley PieDemons Stalk Methadone RunSurveyor Bundles UpGrandpa Boyd’s Toes FrozeJay Jordan Shows Up Early For First Day At Mickey D’sTrack Champ Sets Sights On FirehouseCan Collector Seeks RedemptionReborn Stetson Library Opens Its DoorsMom Prays To Pause ViolenceCommuter Rolls With Switch To TrainWord on the Street: MathWord At The Barber Shop: Ukraine Needs Our HelpWord On The Street: Pain At The PumpHamden’s Female Leadership Team Marks International Women’s DayTaylor Picks Up Her StepWednesday’s Word on Grand: “Survival”Turbocharged Community Soup Kitchen Plans Return To Indoor DiningProf On Track To Put Pain Behind HimWord on The Street: New BeginningsLyric Hall Goes With The Flow1 Valentine’s Day Later, Love SurvivesBudget Airline Celebrates 100 Days At TweedBobby’s Not SnitchingGrill Goes Cold After Inspector’s Visit(Waste)Water St. Report: Omicron Still FadingWord On The Street: Love Rides On Metro-NorthStrolls Keep Soulmates On Life’s PathWord on the Street: Where’s There’s Smoke …Dude, Where’s His Car?Word On The Street: “Level Up”Word On The Street: Paying Rent, Staying SafeWord On The Street: Brrrr!Word On The Street: CaffeineWord On The Street: 10 AM Georgia Hots The post The Word On Academy Street: “I’m Gonna Smoke <i>You</i>” appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less