Moon over West Haven

This photo was taken by est Haven resident Dan Shine on a recent Sunday morning at 6 a.m. on the West Haven Boardwalk, where it runs between Savin Rock and the waters of New Haven Harbor, about two hundred yards east of Bradley Point.

"What made the photo striking, to me, was the play of the light on the rock and the snow, the picturesque streetlights, and the fact that the moon was directly overhead. Speaking of celestial bodies, back in the 1800s, there was a forty foot observatory tower atop Savin Rock; unfortunately, it was destroyed by fire in 1897," said Shine. 

Line drawing of observatory by artist Ray Owens is shown

Shine is the church historian at First Congregational Church of West Haven

No Mayor's Night-In Tuesday

NEW HAVEN - Mayor John DeStefano Jr., shown, will not hold his Mayor's Night-In event that had been scheduled to take place Tuesday, Feb. 1.

The decision to cancel the event is a result of a prediction for inclement weather on Tuesday and Wednesday, a city spokeswoman said.

Click here for the latest weather report.

Click here for the latest traffic report

State DEP to hold Winter Festival

The state Department of Environmental Protection will hold its fifth annual “Winter Festival” Feb. 5 at Black Rock State Park, Watertown.


The Winter Festival, part of the DEP's No Child Left Inside® initiative, will run  from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a full range of winter outdoor activities for the whole family, the dEP said in a statement.

The Festival is free, there is no registration or sign-up and everyone is welcome to attend, the statement said. Last year’s “Winter Festival” at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington drew more than 500 adults and children, the statement said.

DEP Commissioner Amey Marrella said, also in the statement, “Back by popular demand, this year’s Winter Festival promises to be better (and maybe even snowier) than ever before. Bundle up and join enthusiastic families who, year after year, join DEP staff and volunteers for a day of wintry fun in New England. Play like you did when you were a child, participate in activities with your kids and sip hot chocolate while roasting a marshmallow or two over a warm bonfire.”

Activities will include fish stocking at 11:00 a.m., ice fishing, snowshoeing, tracking, sledding, ice safety rescue demonstrations by the Watertown Fire Department, visit from Resources in Search and Rescue, and a bonfire with a marshmallow roast and storytelling, the statement said. A concession stand will be available for food and beverage purchases.

“The Winter Festival is part of Connecticut’s No Child Left Inside® initiative designed to encourage families and children to visit Connecticut state parks and forests to enjoy the beauty, history, recreational and educational opportunities that our parks and forests offer. Through events like the Winter Festival families are encouraged to go out on their own and enjoy nature,” Marrella said, also in the statement.



Tips on Dressing for Cold Weather

- Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.

- Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.

- Dress in warm layers so you can remove items if you get too warm.

- Recognize the symptoms of hypothermia that can be a serious medical condition: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.

- Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.

- Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.

- Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you expect you or someone you are trying to help has hypothermia or frostbite.


Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

New Haven postpones hearing on stormwater proposal

NOTE: This event has been postponed to a date to be announced

By Register Staff
FOLLOW: @nhregister


NEW HAVEN — The public hearing on a proposed user-fee-funded Stormwater Authority will continue Monday and possibly end with a vote on the matter.

The hearing will be at 6:30 p.m. in aldermanic chambers at City Hall, 165 Church St. The public will be allowed to comment on the plan before the aldermanic Committee as a Whole votes.

Read previous coverage of this issue

Under the proposed plan, residents would pay a small flat fee for storm water treatment, while businesses and nonprofits with parking lots and big buildings would pay more, based on the amount of runoff they generate. A key component of the plan is that tax-exempt properties, including Yale University, will have to start paying for the service for the first time.

The plan’s critics have argued the fee will amount to another tax for residents, and wondered whether residents will see a drop in taxes as a result of the new fee.

If approved, the Stormwater Authority would charge user fees based on the amount of “impervious surface” on the property, including parking lots, roofs and other surfaces that do not allow water to permeate the ground. The city itself, and certain nonprofits such as Yale, stand to pay larger fees that could reach six figures, city officials have said. Homeowners, on the other hand, will be assessed a flat fee that will probably be about $50 a year.

City officials have argued the biggest financial benefit to the city and taxpayers will be down the road as the city faces increased costs for complying with new water quality regulations and the need to update infrastructure. They also point out the user-fee system would encourage businesses to be more environmentally responsible about stormwater runoff. Also, property owners can qualify for credits if they mitigate stormwater runoff through methods such as rain barrels or more complex engineering.
 
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Lifeguard certification course coming up

The Hamden/North Haven YMCA, located at 1605 Sherman Ave., Hamden will run a week-long intensive lifeguard certification course in February that will provide participants with the necessary qualifications to work as a lifeguard.

The session starts on Feb. 21 at 8 a.m. and combines practical application and theory, participants will learn pool safety strategies, hazard awareness, risk management techniques, and rescue skills that can be used in and out of the water. The course concludes on Feb. 25 with a practical and written evaluation of the skills learned throughout the week. Successful candidates will receive certification in lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and first-aid.

Andy Scherer, aquatic director for the Hamden/North Haven YMCA, said, “The need for certified lifeguards in Connecticut is rapidly growing as we move toward a summer that follows several tragic drownings. Our primary focus is to teach participants the techniques and skills needed to prevent and react to potentially dangerous aquatic situations.”

Registration and placement in the course, which runs Monday through Friday (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.) is on a limited first-come first-served basis. Participants must be able to continuously swim 300 yards, retrieve a 10 lb object from a depth of 9 feet, and tread water for at least one minute.

To secure a place in the session or to find our more information, contact Andy Scherer at 203-248-6361 or AScherer@cccymca.org.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Women’s Health Conference slated

The ninth annual Women’s Health Conference being presented by the Women & Family Life Center with Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, shown at top, will be held March 5.

The event in New Haven celebrates International Women’s Day. There will be a reception at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale followed by fixed-price dining at one of five New Haven restaurants.

The reception will be held by the Community Fund for Women & Girls and will include a viewing of the Fund’s new documentary, “I’m a Philanthropist: How Women Are Changing America’s Charitable Landscape.”

The conference offers current health information presented by experts on the theme, “Exploring the Art of Living.” The conference is made possible through executive sponsorship by Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale New Haven Health. Marna Borgstrom, CEO of Y-NH, shown, bottom photo, and Yale New Haven Health System, is the honorary chairwoman of the conference.

For more information, call the Women & Family Life Center at 203-458-6699 or visit http://www.womenandfamilylifecenter.org/.

Editor's Note: Information in this post was contributed.

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Free meditation classes in New Haven

NEW HAVEN — Free Sahaja meditation classes are offered at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Wilson Branch Free Public Library, 303 Washington Ave.


Classes are led by Sahaja meditation practitioners who are volunteers.

For more information, go to http://www.sahajameditation.org/.

Hamden mayor to hold community forum

HAMDEN — Mayor Scott D. Jackson will hold a community forum on the town’s goals for 2011 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Thornton Wilder Hall of Miller Library, 2901 Dixwell Ave.


Residents, civic associations and business owners may attend.

The purpose of the forum is to discuss priorities, ideas and concerns for the year. Jackson will report on accomplishments from 2010 and ongoing projects.

Following his remarks, the mayor will open the forum to the public for questions and discussion. Civic association leaders can poll their memberships to prepare questions that will be included in the discussion along with questions from all attendees.

“With budget season upon us, it is of the utmost importance to hear from the residents who utilize the services the town provides. I look forward to an evening of idea-sharing and discourse on how we can best meet the needs of our citizens,” Jackson said.

For further information on this event, call the mayor’s office at 203-287-7100.
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Volunteers sought to raise future guide dogs

WALLINGFORD — Volunteers are being sought to raise a future guide dog puppy and give the gift of independence to someone in need.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is looking for volunteers who want to raise Labrador retriever puppies for 14 – 16 months and receive weekly support from a local team as well as free vet care.

Pre-Placement classes for the Southern CT region begin Feb. 5 at noon.

Puppy classes are held weekly and bi-weekly (depending on level) in Wallingford , Guilford and Deep River.

To get started, contact Maria Dunne at (845) 230-6436. For more information, visit http://www.guidingeyes.org/.

“Puzzle-Off” contest coming up

NORTH BRANFORD — The Friends of the North Branford Libraries will hold a “Puzzle-Off” contest Feb. 26, (snow date is March 19) at Edward Smith Library, 3 Old Post Road, Northford.


Contestants may sign up individually (and teams will be assigned) or as a team of up to nine people. Teams will all be working on the exact same puzzle at different tables. The team with the most puzzle pieces (continuously) connected will be the winner.

Competition begins at 9:45 am and will end at 2:30 pm.

There will be a mandatory lunch break 11 a.m.-noon (no one will be allowed to work on their puzzle during this time). Refreshments will be provided by the Friends and beverages may be brought in or coffee, tea, or hot chocolate purchased.

Sign up in person or by calling 203-484-0469 until Feb. 19.

Free income tax preparation to low-moderate income individuals and families

NEW HAVEN — New Life Corp. and the Coalition for Working Families offer free income tax preparation to low-moderate income individuals and families through the federal Earned Income Tax Credit Program.


Households that earn less than $49,000 yearly may participate. The program ends April 18.

Click here to read more about this program

The work is done by volunteers trained and certified by the Internal Revenue Service, said New Life Corp. Executive Director Ariel Martinez.

The locations are:

1. New Life Corp., 540 Ella T. Grasso Blvd., New Haven: 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays.

2. Clemente Family Academy, 360 Columbus Ave., New Haven: 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays.

3. West Haven Community House, 227 Elm St.: 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays.

4. Columbus Family Academy, 255 Blatchley Ave., New Haven: 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays.

5. Hillhouse High School, 480 Sherman Parkway, New Haven: 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays.
The program is funded by Annie E. Casey Foundation, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, The United Illuminating Co., NewAlliance Foundation, IRS, Yale-New Haven Hospital, West Haven Community Development Administration, state Department of Social Services, New Haven Board of Education, and United Way of Greater New Haven.

For more details, call 203-777-1319.

Editor's note: Information in this post was contributed.
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Quinnipiac University School of Law to present forum on 'Juries and Justice'

HAMDEN — The Quinnipiac University School of Law will present a forum on “Juries and Justice,” 2:30-5:30 p.m. Friday (Jan. 28) in the Grand Courtroom in the School of Law Center.

A reception will follow the forum, which is free.

Co-sponsored by the Connecticut Bar Foundation, the event will include two panel discussions with a range of notable speakers.

In the first panel, speakers will address the topic, “Individualized Jury Voir Dire: Do We Question Too Much?”

Panelists include: Kevin Kane, chief state’s attorney of Connecticut; Linda K. Lager, chief administrative judge (Civil), Connecticut Superior Court; Norman Pattis, The Pattis Law Firm; and Carl J. Schuman, judge, Connecticut Superior Court. This panel will be moderated by Michael P. Lawlor, the Undersecretary for Criminal Justice Policy of the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management.

In the second panel, speakers will discuss “Juries and Criminal Sentencing: Should Our Juries Have More Say?”

Panelists include: Leonard C. Boyle, deputy chief state’s attorney of Connecticut; Robert J. Devlin Jr., chief administrative judge (Criminal), Connecticut Superior Court; Timothy C. Moynahan, Moynahan & Minella Law Firm; and Shelley R. Sadin, Zeldes, Needle & Cooper, PC. The panel will be moderated by Sarah French Russell, assistant professor of law at Quinnipiac.

For details, contact Jeffrey Meyer at jeffrey.meyer@quinnipiac.edu or 203-582-3202. RSVP to Nicole Fernandes at nicole.fernandes@quinnipiac.edu.

Editor's note: Information in this post was contributed.
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New Haven declares snow emergency, with parking ban

NEW HAVEN -- The city  has declared a snow emergency and issued a downtown parking ban and citywide even side only parking rules, according to a statement.

Beginning at 11 p.m. today - Jan.  26, parking is prohibited on all downtown streets within the area bounded by Howe Street, Tower Pwky, Grove Street, State Street, and North Frontage Road, the statement said.

Cars parking in violation of the downtown parking ban may be ticketed and/or towed,the statement said. The downtown parking ban will expire at 6 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, the statement said.

During the ban, "all residents and visitors are encouraged to use off street parking garages as an alternative to parking on the street," the statement said.

The following garages are open while the downtown parking ban is in effect:
Crown Street : $3 charge 5 PM to 7 AM - after 7 AM regular fees apply
Temple Street: $3 charge 5 PM to 7 AM - after 7 AM regular fees apply
Granite Square: no charge 5 PM to 7 AM - after 7 AM regular fees apply

In addition, residents citywide are to park only on the even side of the street during and after the storm, the statement said. On streets that have legal parking on just one side, residents should park on that side, the statement said. Wherever possible, residents are requested to park their vehicles in driveways and garages, the statement said.

Parking rules requiring vehicles to park on the even side of the street citywide will expire at 7 a.m. Jan. 29, the statement said.

At all times there is no parking within 25 feet of any intersection, within 20 feet of any fire hydrant or bus shelter or in any manner that blocks the passage of traffic. Cars violating these rules are subject to being ticketed and/or towed regardless of any declared snow parking ban, the statement said.

For more information, residents can visit the city web site at http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/, the snow line at 203-946-SNOW (7669) and http://www.nhregister.com/
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K of C Museum to hold lecture on Michelangelo Madonna

Michelangelo’s “Bruges Madonna” will be the focus of a lecture at the Knights of Columbus Museum on Feb. 5.

Peter Hastings Falk, an author, publisher, appraiser and art historian, will deliver the lecture, called “The Bruges Madonna: An Early Masterpiece by Michelangelo.” The museum has a reproduction of the sculpture, cast from a 1932 plaster mold by the Marinelli foundry in Florence, Italy. An exhibition featuring the sculpture runs through March 15.

Michelangelo (1475–1564), Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor and architect, created the Bruges Madonna about 1506. It is the only one of his sculptures known to have left Italy during Michelangelo’s lifetime. It was sold to Flemish cloth merchants who presented it to the Church of Notre Dame in Bruges, Belgium.

Falk is the author of the biographical dictionary, Who Was Who in American Art. The Falk Art Reference imprint (formerly Sound View Press) publishes a series of reference books on American art, such as the Exhibition Record Series, which American art historian William Gerdts called “the most important basis for art historical research in late 19th- to mid-20th-century American art.”

The lecture, which is free, will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 5 at the museum, 1 State St. Parking and admission are free.

Among its other exhibitions are: “Christmas in Asia” and “Mother Teresa: Life, Spirituality and Message.”

The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 203-865-0400 or visit www.kofcmuseum.org.

New Haven Youth Tennis wins $10,000 grant

New Haven Youth Tennis has won a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Tennis Association, one of 15 organizations nationwide to receive an award.

The one-time grants, ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, are given to support community-based organizations that promote participation in the sport and encourage diversity in their programs. Each program can receive a grant one time.

“By adopting the USTA’s mission to grow the game of tennis, New Haven Youth Tennis is not only helping to grow the game using pathways such as 10 and Under Tennis and Junior Team Tennis, it is ensuring the growth of the New Haven community,” said Kurt Kamperman, USTA chief executive for community tennis, in a press release.

“We are proud to honor organizations that show such spirit and passion for tennis and proud to be able to assist them in their efforts.”

The USTA is the national governing body for tennis in the United States and promotes the sport from local communities to the professional level. It owns and operates the U.S. Open, one of four grand-slam tennis events in the world.

For more information about New Haven Youth Tennis and to register for programs, go to www.tennisnewhaven.com. For more information on the U.S. Tennis Association, go to www.usta.com.

Learn about 'Black Holes' at the Peabody

NEW HAVEN - The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History will hold a talk dubbed "Black Holes, Galaxies and the Evolution of the Universe: An Observer’s View," by Meg Urry, the Israel Munson Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Yale at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3.
Urry, shown in the photo, also is and director of the Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, according to a museum statement.
"Black holes are an incredibly strange phenomenon. Predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, they arise when a great deal of matter is concentrated in a small volume. Theory became reality when astronomers began seeing evidence for black holes in our galaxy and out to the farthest reaches of the universe," the statement said.


Urry will describe simple ways of thinking about black holes, show some of the evidence for astrophysical black holes, and suggest the effect that the growth of black holes might have on the evolution of galaxies, the statement said.
 
The event will be held in the 3rd floor auditorium at the museum.
It is free and open to the public.
The museum is at 170 Whitney Ave.


Editor's note: Meg Urry photo is by Lisa Keresci

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Black holes are an incredibly strange phenomenon. Predicted by Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, they arise when a great deal of matter is concentrated in a small volume. Theory became reality when astronomers began seeing evidence for black holes in our galaxy and out to the farthest reaches of the universe.



Urry will describe simple ways of thinking about black holes, show some of the evidence for astrophysical black holes, and suggest the effect that the growth of black holes might have on the evolution of galaxies.



Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT

www.peabody.yale.edu Infotape: 203-432-5050

Free benefits screenings for area seniors

NEW HAVEN — RSVP of South Central CT offers free benefits screenings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to help people age 60 and older find programs that can pay for such things as groceries, Medicare premiums, prescription drugs, heating and taxes.


Information on programs that help grandparents raising grandchildren is also available. Documentation is not required.

The screenings, using AARP’s Benefits QuickLINK tool, are scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 12:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Agency on Aging, One Long Wharf Drive.

The following information should be brought to the screening: monthly income, monthly expenses, asset information, a list of all current prescriptions.

Contact Maureen Egan, RSVP specialist at 203-752-3059 or e-mail megan@aoapartnerships.org for an appointment.

Appointments begin Jan. 25.

RSVP of South Central CT also offers benefits screenings at:

- Hagaman Memorial Library, 227 Main St., East Haven, first Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m.-noon, call Cynthia Gwiazda, 203-468-3890.

- New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St., second Wednesday of each month, noon-2 p.m., call Kate Cosgrove, 203-946-7001.

- Wallingford Senior Center, 238 Washington St., third Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m.-noon, call Eileen Flynn, 203-265-7753.

- West Haven Senior Center, 201 Noble St., third Thursday of each month, 9:30-11:30 a.m., call Sharon Mancini, 203-937-3507

RSVP of South Central CT is sponsored by the Agency on Aging of South Central CT. More information about the Agency on Aging can be found at http://www.aoapartnershps.org/.


Editor's note: Information in this post was contributed

Junior League of Greater New Haven to hold food drive

NEW HAVEN – The Junior League of Greater New Haven will hold a food drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Feb. 5, at the Amity Stop & Shop, located at 112 Amity Road.

The Junior League hopes to maximize donations by holding the drive the day before the Super Bowl, a busy day for the store, organizers said in a statement.
Last year’s Super Saturday drive collected 1,947 pounds of food and $337 in donations for the Connecticut Food Bank, the statement said.

The League has had a partnership with the food bank for several years.

Note: The Junior League of Greater New Haven, Inc. is a not-for-profit women's organization that provides leadership, volunteer training, and service opportunities to its members. The purpose of the Junior League is to provide volunteer training to its members through workshops, seminars, and hands-on experience in the development and implementation of the League's many projects, the statement said.

Free dental service program for kids expected to draw 150 patients

NEW HAVEN – An estimated 150 children from local low-income families will receive free dental services Saturday from the staff at Levy Dental Group at 921 State St.


Services will include screenings, cleanings, examinations, x-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, extractions and fillings. The staff at Levy Dental Group is volunteering for the day as part of national Give Kids A Smile® Day.

Click here to see video of and read about last year's event

Last year, more than 44,000 dental team members nationwide participated in Give Kids A Smile®, a program first held in 2003 by the American Dental Association to provide care and raise awareness of the importance of access to dental care for poor children, according to a statement.

“It’s heartbreaking to see a child’s smile destroyed by severe tooth decay,” Dr. John Levy, head of Levy Dental Group, said, also in the statement. “Imagine not being able to eat, sleep or pay attention in school because you have a mouthful of toothaches.

“Some children have reached the point where the only alternative is a mouth full of crowns or pulling the teeth that can’t be saved. It’s tragic,” he said.

Nearly one in four children, ages 2 to 11, have untreated cavities in their baby teeth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While poor diet and oral hygiene certainly play a role, cavities are actually caused by a disease called caries, which is five times more common than asthma, the statement said.

The National Institutes of Health reports that 80 percent of tooth decay is found in just 25 percent of children, primarily from low-income families, the statement said. Public health programs such as Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program are supposed to help underserved children, but utilization rates are low, the statement said. Many children enrolled in Medicaid receive no dental service in throughout the year.

Levy said, “With Give Kids A Smile, we can help some children get the dental care they need, but a one-day event will never be enough. Our event is not a cure-all, it’s a wakeup call to the needs of underserved children in Connecticut.”

Give Kids A Smile® would not be possible without the generous support of corporate sponsors, who provided more than $2.8 million in products and services for the 2010 events nationwide. Our local New Haven area sponsors include, Colgate-Palmolive, Henry Schein Dental, DEXIS Digital X-ray and Vine Products, the statement said.

Those interested in signing up can call 203-865-2245, ext. 28 or e-mail sherry@levydental.com

Clifford Beers Clinic to hold annual 'Healing the Generations Conference'

NEW HAVEN — Clifford Beers Clinic will hold the third Annual Healing the Generations Conference on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 at MGM Grand at Foxwoods.


This year’s theme of “Out of the Box and Into Your Heart” focuses on healing through creativity. Last year more than 450 therapists, clinicians, and caseworkers and service providers from across Connecticut and the nation attended, according to a statement. Back by popular demand, one of this year’s keynote speakers will be Steven Gross, of Project Joy.

Click here to read more about the Clifford Beers Clinic

The Clifford Beers Clinic mission is to provide accessible community-based mental health services and advocacy that promote healthy and resilient lives for children and their families. For more information about Healing the Generations Conference, e-mail Cara Pavelko at conference@cliffordbeers.org or call 203-772-1270 ext. 246. Full conference information is also available www.cliffordbeers.org.

New Haven Library will show documentary on the Pentagon Papers

The public is invited to a free screening of "The Most Dangerous Man in America," a documentary that explores the role of government secrecy and Daniel Ellsberg's controversial action vis a vis the Pentagon Papers at 2 p.m. Jan. 29 at the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.

"Before there was Julian Assange and Wikileaks there was Daniel Ellsberg and The Pentagon Papers. In 1971 The New York Times printed a top-secret U.S. Dept. of Defense document about American political-military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967 that was leaked to them by Daniel Ellsberg," library organizers said in a statement.

Click here to read more about Wikileaks

"The Times later remarked that the Pentagon Papers 'demonstrated, among other things, that the Johnson Administration had systematically lied, not only to the public but also to Congress, about a subject of transcendent national interest and significance," the library statement said.


For more information, call 203-946-7431.

'Little Valentine’s Day Dance' for kids coming up

HAMDEN — The Sacred Heart Alumnae Association will again present the “Little Valentine’s Day Dance,” 5-8 p.m. Feb. 11, at the academy, 265 Benham St.

The event, which is open to the public, is designed for children in prekindergarten through Grade 4 and will include a pasta supper, great music with plenty of room to dance, raffle prizes, photograph and goodie bags for each little Valentine who attends. The cost is $10 per child and $5 for adult dinners. (A parent or guardian must be present with each child.)

Spread the word to all the little Valentines you know, but don’t wait to make your reservation as space is limited. Advance ticket purchase is required by Feb. 9; make checks payable to SHA Alumnae Association and mail to Sacred Heart Academy, 265 Benham Street, Hamden 06514.

For additional information, contact Sister Mariette Moan, director of Alumnae Relations, at 203-288-2309, ext. 313 or alumnae@sha-excelsior.org.

So much to do...

So much to learn

NEW HAVEN — The New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave., will have drop-in art activities, interactive workshops, short guided tours, a visit from the 5th Connecticut Regiment of Revolutionary War re-enactors and a workshop at the Yale University Art Gallery.

The theme for the school vacation program Feb. 21-25, is Colonial New Haven. Each day will highlight a particular aspect of the period, including the Quinnipiac Indians, Feb. 21; mapmaking, Feb. 22; arts, Feb. 23; children’s games, Feb. 24 featuring spinning tops courtesy of the Eli Whitney Museum; and the American Revolution Feb. 25.

Pre-registration is required to participate in a hands-on workshop featuring objects from the period Feb. 25 at the Yale Art Gallery. Participants will meet at the art gallery at 1:30 p.m. The 1½-hour workshop will include a discussion and an activity.

Refreshments will be served at the museum, but visitors may bring lunch. Activities are designed for children ages 4 older and their families. Children must be accompanied by a guardian at all times in the museum.

For a complete schedule of activities, go to http://www.newhavenmuseum.org/ under the “News” section.

Admission is $5 per child per day and free for members. Special rates apply if booking in advance for multiple days. Pre-registration is suggested.

For more information, contact Michelle Cheng, director of education, at 203-562-4183, ext. 11 or go to education@newhavenmuseum.org.

Do you like green eggs and ham?

If so, here's your big chance

EAST HAVEN — To celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss, a “Green Eggs and Ham” a family breakfast will be served Saturday at the Irish American Community Center at 9 Venice Place, by St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee members.

Cost per person is $9 adult; children $6; servings begin at 9 a.m. and activities will end at noon. Ticket prices will be reduced by $1 if attendees bring a new or used book to be donated to New Haven Reads.

Click here to read more about the St. Patrick's Day Parade

Lots of special activities planned for children – such as Dr. Seuss related crafts, face painting, story-time and photographs with breakfast, organizers said. All children must be accompanied by an adult and are encouraged to come in their favorite Dr. Seuss outfit.

To order tickets contact Cathleen Steinau or Kristina Conroy at parade.media@gmail.com. Walk-ins are welcome. Proceeds will support the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Pro-life Mass, rally Saturday in Hartford

HARTFORD — A Rally for Life, including a march from St. Joseph’s Cathedral to the State Capitol, will take place Saturday.

The rally will be followed by a vigil leading up to the national rally and march in Washington on Monday, according to the Archdiocese of Hartford.

The archdiocese also is sponsoring buses to the rally in Washington.

The Hartford events will start with a Mass at the cathedral at 140 Farmington Ave. at 9 a.m. Saturday, celebrated by Archbishop Henry Mansell and Msgr. John J. McCarthy.

After the Mass, the rally will begin, including prayer, the march and speakers. It will be sponsored by Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, supported by Connecticut Coalition for Life, Family Institute of Connecticut, Connecticut Right to Life and the St. Gerard’s Center for Life.

On Sunday, a Vigil Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. At 8 a.m. Monday, Mansell will celebrate Mass at the Washington Plaza Hotel, followed by breakfast. David Bereit, co-founder of the 40 Days for Life campaign, will be the guest speaker. The national March for Life rally will begin at noon.

Buses to the pilgrimage will leave the Franciscan Life Center, 271 Finch Ave., Meriden, at 6:30 a.m. Saturday and return Sunday evening. Cost is $95 per person. To register, call the Pro-Life Office at 203-639-0833 or visit archdioceseofhartford.org.

Submissions sought for 'Folk in the Center' at the JCC

The Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven is accepting submissions for "Folk in the Center," an exhibition to open April 1 that will feature the artwork of local folk artists.

Exhibits will be selected from proposals submitted to the JCC Selection Panel that is comprised of professional artists, curators and art educators, organizers said in a statement.

Proposals may be submitted by an individual artist, or a group of artists, the statement said.
Professional visual artists in all media are encouraged to submit proposals for consideration, the statement said.
The deadline for submission of application is March 11, 2011.

For more information, please contact Daniela Balzano 203-387-2522 x227 or danielab@jccnh.org

Interns, volunteers sought for summer at federal wildlife sites

WESTBROOK — The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, has several summer internship and volunteer opportunities.

- Migratory bird monitors at Faulkner Island in Guilford. Housing in Westbrook may be available.

- Interns to work Stratford to Westbrook; up to $220 per week may be available, May-August.

- Volunteers to live and work at Faulkner Island in Guilford, Outer Island in Branford, Sheffield Island in Norwalk and Calf Island in Greenwich, May-September.

- Two volunteers needed for general maintenance and office/visitor service at the Salt Meadow in Westbrook, May-September.

Applicants must be physically fit and have a valid driver’s license. Send a cover letter, a resume and three references to the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, 733 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook 06498 or e-mail Shaun_Roche@fws.gov.

Applications are reviewed as they are received. Applications are due April 1, but some hiring will be done before then.

For information, call 860-399-2513.
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Introduction to the Chinese language and culture planned

NEW HAVEN — The New Haven Public Library and the Council on East Asian Studies at Yale University are offering an introduction to the Chinese language and culture.
The program at the library, 133 Elm St., begins Feb. 10. It will be taught by Zhao Fang, a Mandarin Chinese language instructor and tutor who is from Taiyuan, China. Classes will be held weekly, 6-7:30 p.m. through March 31.
Classes are designed for individuals aged 18 and over who are planning to travel, study or do business in China, as well as those who just want to learn more about Mandarin Chinese and the culture of China.
Space is limited to 20 people and advance registration is required, online at http://www.librarychinese.eventbrite.com/ or by calling the library at 203-946-8835. There is a $10 fee payable at the first class, and students should bring writing materials.
This program is made possible by support from the Council on East Asian Studies at Yale University Title VI National Resource Center Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
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Greater New Haven Peace Council to hold budget vigil

NEW HAVEN - The Greater New Haven Peace Council will hold a vigil to protest concerns about the way the city proposes to handle a $57 million budget deficit from 4 to 5 p.m. Jan. 21 in front of City Hall, 165 Church St.

In  statement, the group said, "for FY 2011 the city sends $83 million to Washington to finance the Iraq and Afghan Wars. This amount would immediately eradicate the deficit."
(The statement does not specify what $83 million the group is referring to)
"STOP the WARS! TAX the RICH! Do not balance the budget on the backs of those scraping to get by!," the statement said.

Click here to read more about the city budget issues

For more information about the vigil, call Henry-(203)389-9547, or e-mail grnhpeacecouncil@gmail.com.

Yale Concert Band to commemorate 'sent-down youth' movement

NEW HAVEN - The Yale Concert Band, Thomas C. Duffy, music director, and the SYGQ Chorus, Chai-lun Yueh, music director, will present the premiere of “Ask the Sky and the Earth: A Cantata for the Sent-down Youth” for wind band and chorus at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in Yale University’s Woolsey Hall at the corner of College and Grove streets.

"With libretto by Wei Su and music by Dongling Huo (Tony Fok), this magnificent piece – transcribed by Thomas C. Duffy – commemorates the 40th anniversary of the “sent-down youth” movement of China’s Cultural Revolution," according to a statement.

The Yale Concert Band also will present “Dragon Rhyme” by Chen Yi and the premiere of “Haiku Symphony” by Joshua Hummel, the statement said.

Admission is free and no tickets are required.

For information, call 203-432-4113 or visit www.yale.edu/yaleband

Upcoming: Series of Three Parenting Forums

The Center for Jewish Life and Learning will present a three-part series that looks at some of parenting’s greatest challenges.

Each session, led by a respected educator and scholar in their field, is free and open to the public, and will take place from 7-8 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven Shoreline Office, 705 Boston Post Road, Guilford (behind Planet Fitness), according to a statement.

On Jan. 20, Rabbi Hesch Sommer, will lead “The Art of Parenting: Dealing with Issues of Sibling Rivalry.” Sommer is the coordinator of pastoral care, pastoral counseling and community outreach services for The Jewish Family Service of New Haven and has a private counseling practice in Guilford, the statement said.

On  Feb. 17, Pam Heaphy, head teacher of Leila Day Nursery School and co-president of the National Association for the Education of Young Children - New Haven, will lead “A Discussion of Discipline,” the statement said.

On March 24,  “Parenting the Anxious Child,” will be the focus of the session with Eli R. Lebowitz, a post doctoral fellow in pediatric anxiety at Yale Child Study Center.

Registration is preferred; walk-ins welcome. For more information, or to register, contact Jill Weyler Lesage at 203-903-1901 or jwlesage@jewishnewhaven.org

National Organization of Italian American Women to hold annual Epiphany Celebration

NEW HAVEN — The Connecticut Region of the National Organization of Italian American Women will hold its second annual Epiphany Celebration of Three Wise Women Jan. 30, at the New Haven Lawn Club.

U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, will present awards to three Italian-American women: Claire Criscuolo, restaurateur (Claire’s Corner Copia and Basta in New Haven), cookbook author and register food columnist; Sister Mary Jane Paolella, assistant principal and biotechnology instructor, Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden; and Patricia Russo, president, Women’s Campaign School, Yale University.

Ticket prices begin at $55. The proceeds from the Epiphany Celebration help to support NOIAW’s programs.

For more information, go to www.noiaw.org or call the national office at 212-642-2003 or Jo-Ann Daddio Larsen at 203- 645 6045 or e-mail at jadaddio@hotmail.com.

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Free tax prep help for low- and middle-income filers

WEST HAVEN — The West Haven Senior Center is offering a free tax preparation service to help low- to middle-income taxpayers.

Special attention will be given to help those 60 and older fill out their federal tax forms.

The AARP Tax-Aide service, by appointment, will be held 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting Feb. 2, in the senior center at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

The service is offered by trained volunteer tax preparers from AARP, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service.

For an appointment, call the senior center at 203-937-3507.

Free, 12-week course to help explain mental illness

NAUGATUCK — The National Alliance on Mental Illness is offering a free program on understanding mental illness.

The 12-week course is for family members and friends of people who have a mental illness. It is taught by NAMI-trained family members and designed to give information, insight, understanding and empowerment.

Topics include fighting stigma, working toward recovery and finding hope.

Classes begin Feb. 10 and run 7-9:30 p.m. To register, call Terrilynn at 203-881-2707.

Dashing through the snow...

But this is a two-horse open sleigh

WEST HAVEN - Bob and Barbara Newkirk, owners of B&B Flower Farm on Jones Hill Road, took a group of friends on an outing through the wooded portion of the farm on Sunday.

"The weather was pleasant, and the trip through the three-quarter mile loop trail behind the barn was enjoyed by all," the couple said in a statement.

The horses,  Belgians, named Buddy and Ben, are residents of the farm

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New Haven announces snow emergency plan

NEW HAVEN - The city Tuesday announced the snow emergency plan effective Wednesday, Jan. 12 through Jan. 15 and urged at residents, visitors and businesses to abide by the regulations and bans, according to a statement.

A strict parking ban will be in effect: 11:00 pm Jan. 12 until 6 a.m. Jan. 13, and again from 11 p.m. Jan. 14 through 6 a.m. Jan. 15, the statement said.

During the parking ban:

No parking on streets downtown (all streets with in the area bounded by Howe Street, Tower Parkway, Grove Street, State Street and North Frontage Road).

No parking on major streets posted as snow Emergency routes citywide.

No parking within 25 feet of any intersection citywide and no parking in front of any bus stop or fire hydrant citywide

Cars parking in violation of the parking ban may be ticketed or towed.



To assist with snow removal operations the following alternate side of the street parking regulation will also be in effect:

During Jan. 13,  between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., parking on residential streets will only be allowed on the even numbered side (house numbers ending in 2,4,6,8,0).

During Jan. 14 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., parking on residential streets will only be allowed on the odd numbered side (house numbers ending in 1,3,5,7,9).

There will be no parking ban in effect downtown between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Jan. 13 or 14.
and

Refuse collection will continue as scheduled throughout the storm.

Residents are asked to keep their toters and bins off the street. If snow prevents DPW from collecting trash residents are asked to put their toters away and wait for their trash to be collected on their regularly scheduled day during the following week.

Residents are asked to pay attention to local news outlets - seee http://www.newhavenregister.com/ or check the city’s web site at www.cityofnewhaven.com or call 946-7669 (snow) for updated information.

A phone notification will be issued to all residents whose contact information is listed in the city’s database. Anyone wishing to receive phone or text notification of parking bans and other restrictions associated with the storm must opt-in to the system by visiting the city website http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/emergencyinfo/optin.asp



All New Haven property owners should know that clearing the snow on sidewalks and around their property is their responsibility. This rule applies to both commercial and residential property owners and it requires that sidewalks be cleared within 24 hours of the end of a storm. To avoid fines, residents are encouraged to maintain their property and pay attention to parking bans during inclement weather.

Please note: parking garages and downtown off-street parking lots are still open during snow emergencies. Residents are encouraged to use these facilities as an alternative to parking on the street. It is against the law to throw or plow snow into the streets.


Editor's note: Information here was supplied wholly by the city of New Haven; it is posted here as a public service.

Connecticut Native American Inter-Tribal Urban Council to meet

NEW HAVEN - The Connecticut Native American Inter-Tribal Urban Council will have its bi-weekly meeting from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 545 Whalley Ave.


For more information, contact James E. Rawlings at 203-215-1521.
 
Click here to learn more about the council and its aims

Want to learn a thing or two about food from Claire Criscuolo?

Here's your chance

NEW HAVEN - Restaurateur and author Claire Criscuolo - a New Haven Register columnist - will talk about winter gardening and highlight some easy-to-prepare meal options from 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.


Click here to read more about Claire and her recipes

Co-founder of Claire’s Corner Copia, "a New Haven landmark vegetarian restaurant with a national reputation, Claire (shown) is also a registered nurse who understands how good food relates to health," a library statement said.

She is the author of three cookbooks, a columnist for the Register, and a frequent guest commentator on national television and radio shows. Philanthropy and community support are central to the ongoing mission at Claires Corner Copia as well as at Bastia, another Criscuolo restaurant in New Haven, the statement said. "Both restaurants have contributed many thousands of dollars to state and local charities," the statement said

Read more at http://www.clairescornercopia.com/


There is no charge for this event, and free parking is available. Please register at http://www.claireatlibrary.eventbrite.com/ or 203-946-8835.
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Turkish Coffee Night to be held in West Haven Saturday

WEST HAVEN — The Turkish Coffee Night, “Noah’s Pudding” at the Turkish Cultural Center Connecticut, Turkish Cultural Center Connecticut, 727 Campbell Ave., will be held at 7-9 p.m. Jan 15.


RSVP to rsvp@turkishculturalcenterct.com.

Free program on low back pain at New Haven Library

NEW HAVEN - The Health Smarts series, a public health collaboration between the Hospital of St. Raphael and the city, brings St. Raphael physicians to New Haven Public Library to address important health topics, a library statement said.

At 6 p.m. April 7, Dr. Jeffrey Sumner, shown, will discuss the causes and treatment of low back pain. Sumner is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons who has been associated with the Hospital of St. Raphael since 1985, the statement said.

He is an assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine.

More information about Sumner can be found at http://orthodoc.aaos.org/.

Thes program is free and will be held at the downtown branch, 133 Elm St., the statement said. Free parking is available.
For more information visit http://www.healthsmarts4.eventbrite.com/ or call the library at 203-946-8835.

Road and lane closures in Long Wharf area

A press release from the state Department of Transportation:

Intermittent daytime and nighttime road and lane closures will occur in the New Haven area from January 10, 2011 through March 2011.

What to Expect:

The map [click on it to see it larger] illustrates the areas detailed.

-- Intermittent weekday lane closures of East, Water and Hamilton Streets will be in effect through March 2011 between 9 AM and 3 PM.

-- Nighttime road closures on will occur Water Street between Hamilton and East Streets during the week of January 17, 2011, between 7 PM and 6 AM. Traffic will be detoured onto Hamilton Street and Long Wharf Drive.

-- Brewery Street will be closed intermittently between Sargent Drive and Water Street, between 7 AM and 5 PM starting approximately January 10, 2011. The closure will continue into February 2011. Traffic will be detoured onto Sargent Drive, Canal Dock Road, Long Wharf Drive and Water Street.

-- There will be weekday and weeknight lane closures on Chestnut Street and on Water Street, between Hamilton and Brewery Streets. Daytime lane closures will be in effect between 9 AM and 3 PM and one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained. Nighttime lane closures will be in effect between 7 PM and 6 AM and alternating one-way traffic may be implemented.

-- Signs will be posted to help guide you.

-- Work will occur weather permitting and will be rescheduled, if necessary.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is working to inform local residents of current and upcoming construction activities through bulletins such as this, as well as the I-95 NHHC Corridor Improvement Program website (www.i95newhaven.com) and the toll-free Program Hotline (1.866.277.9595).

If you have any questions about the program, please call us at 1.203.752.1996 or send an email to info@i95newhaven.com.

Connecticut Farm-to-Chef Program annual meeting coming up

OLD SAYBROOK — The Connecticut Farm-to-Chef Program fourth annual meeting will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Saybrook Point Inn and Spa (http://www.saybrook.com).

All members of the Farm-to-Chef Program  are strongly encouraged to be there, according to a statement.

Producers, chefs and others involved in agriculture or commercial food service may attend.

The free meeting will feature several presentations, group exercises, networking, and a CT Grown lunch.

Speakers include:

- Carlos Cassar, Saybrook Point Inn and Spa’s executive chef, will talk about using ingredients from local farms, as well as the inn and spa’s volunteer Green Team, which promotes sustainability in many areas of the facility.

- Christine Applewhite from the state Department of Public Health’s Food Protection Program (http://tinyurl.com/DPHFood) will provide a refresher on which farm products are approved for use in food service and how new legislation will help expand choices for chefs.

- Bill Duesing, executive director of the Connecticut chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (http://www.ctnofa.org ) (CT NOFA), will explain the legal definition and practices used in organic production, and will give an overview of the Farmer’s Pledge and other environmentally friendly farming labels.

RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/FTC2011AM by Jan. 17. Late registrations cannot be accepted.

The Farm-to-Chef Program was established by the state Department of Agriculture in 2006. It connect producers and distributors of CT Grown ingredients with food service professionals. It also helps the public find restaurants that serve CT Grown foods.

For more information, contact Linda Piotrowicz at Linda.Piotrowicz@ct.gov or 860-713-2558.

Editor's Note: Information in this post was contributed.

French-speaking church to remember anniversary of Haitian earthquake

The French-Speaking Baptist Church will hold two services to remember the first anniversary of the Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti.

At 11 a.m. Sunday, there will be a memorial service at the church at 324 Legion Ave., New Haven. From 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, the anniversary, the parish will hold a prayer service to remember the victims of the earthquake, according to the Rev. Leonce Alexis, pastor.

The quake hit the area near the capital of Port-au-Prince, killing more than 230,000 and leaving 2 million homeless.

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Sail & Power Squadron sponsoring safe boating sessions

WESTBROOK — The Saybrook Sail & Power Squadron, a nonprofit dedicated to boater education, is sponsoring:


‰Best boating: Starts Jan. 18, evenings; qualifies participants for a safe boater’s certificate.

‰Coastal navigation: Starts Jan. 20 at Pilots Point Marina; includes piloting, chart reading, course plotting, effects of currents and basic coastal or inland navigation.

Call Les Williams at 860-434-0753, go to lescsp20@snet.net or check out America’s Boating Course at U.S. Power Squadrons on the Internet.

Community Foundation for Greater New Haven announces giveGreater.org winners

NEW HAVEN  – The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has announced the winners of the giveGreater.org 2010 Challenge, which attracted more than $500,000 for local nonprofits.

"The figure reflects both the amount of Challenge prize money awarded by The Community Foundation as well as all gifts made to nonprofits via giveGreater.org," according to a statement.

To meet the Challenge, local nonprofits with profiles on giveGreater.org had to get at least 50 donors to give $50 each from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. 

“By virtually any measure, The Community Foundation’s giveGreater.org 2010 Challenge was an outstanding success,” William W. Ginsberg, president & CEO of CFGNH, said in the statement. “The success of the Challenge reinforces several things: there exists here a deep reservoir of commitment to this local community; new technologies, tools and resources can assist in tapping that commitment to increase local giving; the more local people know about local issues, opportunities and organizations, the likelier they are to give locally; and the technologies of today and tomorrow can be used to reinforce local connections every bit as effectively as others are using it to reinforce global connections.”

The Community Foundation allocated $200,000 to be awarded as grant prizes to the nonprofits that received the most number of gifts, the statement said.

Winners are:
Christian Community Action ($5,000 - Early Bird Prize)
Columbus House ($5,000 - Third Place Prize)
Fair Haven Community Health Center ($15,000 - Early Bird Prize & Second Place Prize)
Gaylord Hospital ($10,000 - Early Bird Prize & Third Place Prize)
Neighborhood Music School ($15,000 - Early Bird Prize & Second Place Prize)
New Haven Symphony Orchestra ($5,000 - Early Bird Prize)
Project Access of New Haven ($5,000 - Third Place Prize)
Solar Youth ($5,000 - Early Bird Prize)
Squash Haven ($20,000 - First Place Prize)

In addition to the larger prize winners listed , 37 other organizations that met the Challenge received grants each worth $2,875.

"The giveGreater.org 2010 Challenge marked the launch of giveGreater.org, a new online knowledge and giving resource provided by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven in partnership with Guidestar, a leading source of nonprofit information. The website was created to increase giving to local nonprofits by providing one searchable database for people to find, learn about and give to nonprofits serving the Greater New Haven area," the statement said.

One hundred nonprofits have created profiles on giveGreater.org. The Community Foundation will double the number of profiles now on the database. These new nonprofits will attend training sessions on how to create a profile; training on the use of social media will also be repeated this year, the statement said.

"The giveGreater.org profiles will be used in The Community Foundation’s grant application processes; thereby maximizing the value to these time-strapped nonprofits of the time invested in giveGreater.org. Other funders have expressed an interest in using the information provided by giveGreater.org in their grant application processes too," the statement said.

Editor's note: Information in this post was provided wholly by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven