Salman Rushdie to speak at ECSU series in event open to the public

Author Salman Rushdie is scheduled to open Eastern Connecticut State University’s 11th Annual Arts and Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Betty R. Tipton Room in the university's Student Center.
Rushdie is the author of 10 fictional novels inspired by his homeland of India, including “The Satanic Verses”; “Grimus”; and “Midnight’s Children,” winner of the Booker Prize for Fiction, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, Arts Council Writers’ Award and the English-Speaking Union Award, according to a statement. His third published novel, “Shame” won the Prixu du Meilleur Livre Étranger, the statement said.
Rushdie’s most recent works include the children’s book, “Haroun and the Sea,” which won a Writers’ Guild Award and was later adapted for the stage; “The Moor’s Last Sigh”; “The Ground Beneath Her Feet”; “Fury”; “Shalimar the Clown,” which was a finalist for the Whitbread Book Awards; and “The Enchantress of Florence,” the statement said.
The Arts and Lecture series continues Nov. 14 with a lecture by television and film actor Dan Lauria, best known for his portrayal of Jack Arnold on the American television series, “The Wonder Years,” which ran from 1988 to 1993. Lauria’s lecture is also in the Betty R. Tipton Room, the statement said.
Lauria has appeared on such television series as “How I Met Your Mother”; “Army Wives”; “The Mentalist”; “Law and Order: Criminal Intent”; “Smallville”; “JAG”; “Criminal Minds”; “Costello”; “Party of Five”; and “Amazing Grace.” He has been in numerous TV movies and had a role in the 1996 movie “Independence Day,” the statement said.

On Feb. 15, 2012, the U.S. Coast Guard Dixieland Jazz Band brings its special brand of classic jazz, blues and New Orleans ragtime to Eastern’s Shafer Auditorium. The band was organized in 1970 and has entertained audiences across America, as well as in the former Soviet Union, Japan, Taiwan and England. Notable venues include the open-air theater in Disney World; the Boardwalk in Atlantic City; the Galaxy Jazz Festival in Milwaukee; the Embarcadero in San Francisco and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The group has also performed on numerous radio and television broadcasts across the nation.
Veteran journalist Laura Ling wraps up the 2011–12 Arts and Lecture Series on March 13 with a lecture in the Betty R. Tipton Room. Ling is the host and reporter on “E! Investigates,” a documentary series on the E! Network that explores such topics as teen suicide and the challenges faced by military spouses, the statement said.
Prior to joining the E! Network, Ling served as vice president of Current TV’s journalism department and created Current’s weekly investigative documentary series “Vanguard.” She also worked as a correspondent reporting on crucial issues around the world, including slave labor in the Amazon; Mexico’s drug war; Internet censorship in China; and women’s rights in Turkey.
In March 2009, while reporting on the trafficking of North Korean women, Ling was detained by North Korean soldiers along the Chinese-North Korean border. She and her colleague Euna Lee were arrested and held captive in North Korea for 140 days before being granted a special pardon and returning to the United States.

Tickets for Arts and Lectures Series events are $10 for the general public and can be reserved by calling (860) 465-0036 or e-mailing tickets@easternct.edu. For more information on the 2011–12 series, visit www.easternct.edu/artsandlecture.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. Photo of Rushdie is by Beowulf Sheehan-PENAmericanCenter

Representatives from Laos PDR Permanent Mission to the United Nations to speak in New Haven

The New Haven Free Public Library is honored to have Mr. Kham-Inh Khitchadeth, Minister Counselor and Khampheng Douangthongla, Second Secretary from the Laos Peoples Democratic Republic Permanent Mission to the United Nations for a discussion following the screening of the film Bombies at 6 p.m. Aug. 24 at 133 Elm Street.

You are invited to the Program Room for this momentous occasion as the representatives from the Laos PDR Permanent Mission to The UN provide insight into issues faced by Laos caught in the turmoil of war and the difficulties afterwards.


Synopsis of the Film Bombies:
Between 1964 and 1973 American planes secretly dropped an estimated 90 million cluster bombs on Laos, and up to 30% of them failed to explode, leaving millions of unexploded but treacherous bombs scattered across the land. Since the secret war ended more than 12,000 people have been killed or injured by cluster bombs.

Called "bombies" by Laotians, cluster bombs litter schoolyards, rice paddies, and fields. Farmers, scrap metal collectors and children are the main victims of the deadly but appealing little bombs, which are tennis ball size and can look like a fruit or a toy.

BOMBIES is noted documentary filmmaker Jack Silberman's argument for an international moratorium on the use of cluster bombs.

Al Marder, Chairman of the City of New Haven Peace Commission, will introduce the film.

For more info call 946-7431 or email sgodfrey@nhfpl.orgmailto:sgodfrey@nhfpl.org

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

Viva Italy! at New Haven Public Library Aug 29 and 31

The public is invited to celebrate Italy at the downtown branch of New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St., during the last week of August.
Viva Italy! opens on Monday, Aug. 29, 5:30 pm, with a screening of Bitter Rice (Riso Amaro), a 1949 Italian classic written and directed by Giuseppe De Santis and produced by Dino De Laurentis,  starring Silvana Mangano and Vittorio Gassman.  The 1950 Academy Award-nominated film is set during rice-planting season in Northern Italy and involves a complex plot of robbery, love, and murder.  Discussion to follow with Jacinto Lirola.
On Wednesday, Aug. 31, 6 pm,  singer and guitarist Enzo Boscarino offers an all-ages musical tour of the Italian countryside, ranging from Liguria and Veneto, down the peninsula through Tuscany, Lazio, and Campania, and finishing around the islands of Sicily and Sardegna.  Dubbed "a true Renaissance Man" (Martha's Vineyard Gazette), Enzo Boscarino has shared his love of Italy's various musical traditions with audiences in Newport,  Martha's Vineyard, and NYC, as well as with the Hartford Festival Orchestra and at First Night in Hartford. A native of Italy until the age of 21, he now teaches at Central Connecticut State University and St. Joseph's College.
The library is collaborating with New Haven Sister Cities/Amalfi to present this musical tour,  with Italian sweets provided by Claire's Cornucopia and Lucibello's Italian Pastry Shop.  To find out more, visit http://www.vivaitaly.eventbrite.com/<http://www.vivaitaly.eventbrite.com/> or call the library at 203-946-8835<tel:203-946-8835>.

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

Grant Writing Class Sept. 22 at New Haven Public Library

A full-day grant writing class will be offered on Sept. 22 at New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St. This Subway Seminar is designed to provide  nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers as well as community leaders and freelance grant writers with the skills needed to craft a proposal that increases the likelihood of success with targeted funders, according to a statement.

Participants will learn through group exercises derived from real-life foundation grant proposals and will explore

·       how to identify the most suitable foundation prospect

·       components of a foundation grant proposal

·       customizing applications to funder's interests and requirements

·       various proposals and submission techniques

Certificates of attendance will be provided by the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits and The Foundation Center Cooperating Collection of the New Haven Free Public Library, the presenters of the seminar. C.E.U.s are also available upon request.   The Subway Seminar Series is funded through a grant by the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and Subway Restaurants.

The class will be taught by Judith Margolin, an independent consultant and workshop leader on foundations and grants. Margolin served for several years as Vice President for Planning and Evaluation at the Foundation Center, the nation's leading authority on philanthropy.  Her books include "The Individual's Guide to Grants and Financing a College Education." She has also edited multiple editions of the Foundation Center's how-to books, including "Foundation Fundamentals, Guide to Proposal Writing,  The Grantseeker's Guide to Winning Proposals," and "After the Grant."  She lives in Stamford.

This Subway Seminar is scheduled for Thursday, September 22, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.  Space is limited and advance registration is required.  A $25 registration fee is payable by Sept. 15 and includes lunch. To register, contact Seth Godfrey at 203-946-7431 or sgodfrey@nhfpl.org.

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

Deacon Pedersen receives award for work in mental health, addiction

Adapted from a press release from the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut:

A longtime advocate in the fields of mental health and addictions will be honored in November for his many years of supportive work. The Rev. Kyle W. Pedersen, a resident of New Haven and director of the Connecticut Mental Health Center Foundation Inc., has been named to receive the Rev. Canon Clinton R. Jones Award granted by the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. The award is accompanied by $1,000.

The award annually recognizes individuals whose life and work exemplify the values, accomplishments and passions of the late Clinton Jones during his 40-year ministry at the cathedral, and will be presented at a dinner on Nov. 12.

The Friends of the Cathedral is an organization of members and others founded to strengthen the cathedral’s worship, outreach and cultural ministries. The cathedral is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut.
Since 1996, Pedersen, an ordained deacon, has worked with people experiencing mental illness, addiction, homelessness and poverty. He has been noted for using creative and asset-focused approaches in helping people achieve healthy and meaningful lives in the community.
He is a staff member in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University and former senior program director of the Community Services Network of Greater New Haven, where he has directed supportive housing and employment services and supervised chaplaincy and peer and family services. He has been a coordinator of community life at Fellowship Place, a facility that provides recovery support services.
He is deacon for New Haven, a post created in 2010 by the Episcopal Diocese serving eight parishes in the city. At the time of his appointment, Suffragan Bishop Laura J. Ahrens said Pedersen would work with the parishes to discern the mission of God and effectively connect with each other and with the dreams and challenges of the city.
He is a founding member of the Chapel on the Green, an outdoor service initiated in 2008 by Trinity Episcopal Church to serve the homeless and others who may not feel comfortable sitting in a church. Services are held year-round at 2 p.m. Sunday, followed by a shared lunch. Local clergy take part and area parishes provide the meals.
Pedersen demonstrates his commitment to young people by working with the Association for Episcopal Deacons on a nationwide initiative called The Seven, a mentored experience in servant ministry for persons age 18 to 30. Participants are engaged in hands-on spiritual and educational projects in their own communities. He also works with divinity students through the Yale Divinity School Supervised Ministry Program, encouraging them to become bridges between the church and the world.
Pedersen received his bachelor’s in liberal studies from the New School in New York, a master of arts in religion from Yale Divinity School and a certificate in Anglican studies from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.
His career path to ordained ministry began, after several years in the florist business, when he took a job as case manager at Garden House, a community residence for former homeless adults in New York City. It became a life-changing move for him.
Pedersen is married and has two children.
Further information about the award or the dinner can be obtained by contacting Dean Mark B. Pendleton at Christ Church Cathedral at 860-527-7231 or mpendleton@cccathedral.org.

Celebration at the Shubert Theater in New Haven

NEW HAVEN — The Connecticut Association for the Performing Arts will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of its management of the Shubert Theater with a free Community Open House on Aug. 27.


The event will include family-friendly activities such as arts & crafts, mask-making, backstage tours and film shorts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Then at 5 p.m., CAPA “Rocks the Shubert” with a community party featuring a free wine tasting, a live band. A screening of the cult classic film, “This Is Spinal Tap” takes place at 7 p.m.

All events will be held at the Shubert Theater, 247 College St. and are free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.shubert.com/ or call 203-624-1852.

Nonprofit farm in Woodbridge plants fundraising ideas

WOODBRIDGE — The nonprofit Massaro Community Farm, 1182 Race Brook Road, has scheduled two events:


Aug. 20
Pizza on the grill with toppings from the farm, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

New England Brewing Co. beer tasting, noon-5 p.m.

Workshops: beekeeping, 10 a.m. and noon; to pre-register, contact Jason Morrill, president@massarofarm.org or call 203-387-0527; invasive species; backyard chickens, 2 p.m.; pickling and lacto fermentation.

Sept. 3
Farm tour at 4:30 p.m., cocktails at 5, dinner at 6, catered by Antonio’s, featuring farm produce, desserts from Stockbridge’s New England Bistro and Bakery and wine from Savino’s Vineyard, $100.

To RSVP, send checks payable to Massaro Community Farm, 41 Ford Road, Woodbridge 06525, write Fundraising Dinner in memo line. Include email for confirmation purposes.

For more information, contact Melissa Waldron at melissa@massarofarm.org.

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

Mothers with Infants Invited to Participate in Two Autism Studies at UConn

Researchers at the University of Connecticut are looking for pregnant mothers and mothers with infants to participate in two research initiatives that will follow the development of infant siblings of children with autism over the first two years of life, according to a statement.
The studies are being conducted by Deborah Fein, "a UConn Board of Trustees distinguished professor of psychology and nationally-recognized leader in autism research, and Anjana Bhat, an assistant professor in UConn’s Neag School of Education who studies developmental disorders in infants and children," the statement said.

The UConn IRB has approved these studies, Protocol #s: H08-234 and H08-111.

Who Can Participate
• Younger siblings of children with autism between 16 and 30 months of age may be eligible to participate in the Early Detection Sibling Study.
• Infant siblings of children with autism between 3 and 12 months of age may be eligible to participate in the Infant Learning Study and may continue to participate in the Early Detection Sibling Study after 16 months of age.
What the Early Detection Sibling Study Involves
• Professor and her research team are studying the use of a developmental screener to see how well it works with younger siblings of children with an autism spectrum disorder.
• Parents of eligible younger siblings will complete developmental questionnaires for their younger child when he/she is aged 18 months and 24 months. Parents will also be asked to complete a behavioral questionnaire for their older child.
• Some families will be given a follow-up phone interview and asked to come to the University of Connecticut-Storrs to receive a free developmental and diagnostic evaluation.
What the Infant Learning Study Involves
• You and your infant will visit Assistant Professor Bhat’s lab twice or someone from the lab will visit your home twice when your infant is 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months for a total of 10 visits. Each visit lasts 1-1.5 hours.
• You and your infant will participate in a number of play-oriented, structured activities.
• You will receive a few questionnaires to follow-up on your child’s development when your child is 18 and 24 months. A researcher may also conduct a phone interview to confirm your responses.
How You Can Help
You can help by volunteering for the studies. If you have questions on the Early Detection Sibling Study, please call the study office at (860) 486-5767.
If you have questions on the Infant Learning Study, please call the Infant Development Lab at (860) 486-0019 or email to anjana.bhat@uconn.edu

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is unedited here.

Safe Driving Class for Folks 55 and Older to be held in West Haven

WEST HAVEN — The West Haven Senior Center will offer an eight-week computer course for participants 55 and older at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

“Introduction to Computers” will meet 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, starting Sept. 20.

Classes will cover the basics of the Windows operating system and the Internet.

The fee for the course, subsidized in part by the Department of Elderly Services, is $40 for residents and $60 for nonresidents. Class is limited to 10 participants.

To register, call the senior center at 203-937-3507.

 

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

Baby-sitting courses offered in Hamden

HAMDEN — The Youth Services Bureau is offering Red Cross-certified two-day instructional baby-sitting courses for ages 11 to 15.


Classes are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 24, 25 at the Hamden Youth Center, 60 Putnam Ave.

Classes will be taught by Youth Services outreach counselor Beth Chiarillo, a certified American Red Cross baby-sitting instructor.

The courses offered will provide students with basic information required to responsibly care for children, including feeding and diapering as well as emergency techniques necessary to ensure a safe environment.

Registration is $60 for town residents, $10 for paid Hamden Youth Center members and $70 for nonresidents (includes the handbook and the certificate).

Registration forms are available 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at the bureau, Keefe Community Center, 11 Pine St., or at www.hamden.com under events.

For more details, contact Chiarillo at 203-777-2610 or bstudniarski@hamden.com.

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

Dog days of summer feature adopt a dog event

KILLINGWORTH — About 80 dogs and puppies of all breeds and sizes from no-kill shelters and rescues statewide will be available for adoption 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 27 and 28 at the town’s Parmelee Farm, 465 state Route 81.


The event is coordinated by the Parmelee Steering Committee, local volunteers and the Dog Days Adopt a Shelter Pet in Essex.

Fees vary, but the maximum is $325. Potential adopters will be screened. Families can be pre-approved at DogDays.org.

All dogs have been micro-chipped, spayed or neutered and evaluated by an on-site trainer. On-site medical evaluation will be provided by Drs. Michelle West and Julie Berman of Shoreline Animal Hospital in Clinton.

The event will begin with a blessing of the animals at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 27.

The animals at the event are a small portion of the more than 500 dogs available for adoption in the state.

To get involved, visit www.godogdays.org.

To learn more, visit www.godogdays.org, call 800-653-3134 or email info@godogdays.org.

New Haven Elks Lodge sponsoring trip to unveiling of Dr. Martin Luther King Statue

East Rock Lodge 141 will hold a bus trip to Washington D.C. to attend the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Statue.
The bus leaves at midnight Aug. 27 from East Rock Lodge 87 Webster St. for the event to be held Aug. 28.
The bus returns to New Haven the day of the event. Ticket are $75.
Contact Roy at 203 901-3443 and Rich at 203-435-5019

Iwo Jima Survivors event postponed

NEW HAVEN — The Iwo Jima Survivors’ third annual VJ Day Candlelight Ceremony of Remembrance, which was set for Aug. 14 , has been rescheduled for Aug. 20.


Except for the date, the details of the event are the same. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the National Iwo Jima Memorial Monument on Ella T. Grasso Boulevard.

Organizers postponed the event for a week because thunderstorms were expected Sunday.

Participants will be able to honor any service person who has died. The event is part of the National Spirit of ‘45 Day.

For information, call Gary at 860-291-9666.

Experience Corps Volunteers Needed

Experience Corps needs people age 55 and older to tutor children in literacy in Hamden elementary schools 10 or more hours a week during the school year.

No teaching or tutoring experience is necessary; training is provided. 

Volunteers also participate in fun community events.

 Small stipend with tuition help for children or grandchildren available.  You must have a high school diploma or GED and be able to pass a background check. 

Interested? Call Sheila at 203-752-3059 x2900 or email volunteer@aoapartnerships.org   For more information, visit  http://www.experiencecorps.org/  

Experience Corps - Greater New Haven is a program of the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut in partnership with the United Way of Greater New Haven and the Hamden Public Schools.  This project is supported by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, a partnership of the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.

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

Yappy Hour coming to New Haven!

NEW HAVEN — Claire’s Corner Copia and Basta Trattoria will host a fundraiser, to benefit adoptable animals at The Robin I. Kroogman New Haven Animal Shelter, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19.

Yappy Hour is a chance for dogs and their owners to mingle at Claire’s outdoor patio area at 1000 Chapel St., organizers said. “All dogs must be leashed, licensed, vaccinated and ready for tail-wagging,” organizers said in a statement.

Tickets are $25 per person/dog, which includes one martini (or smoothie), a plateful of Claire’s tasty appetizers, and a slice of bone-shaped cake, the statement said.

Canine participants will receive a water bowl, a bag of organic doggie treats, and a bandanna, courtesy of TD Bank. Several raffle items—for dogs and humans —will be available. Tickets can be purchased at the event or online via Pay Pal at www.findafriendforlife.org.

The event’s co-sponsor is The Friends of The New Haven Animal Shelter, Inc., a 20-year-old non-profit volunteer organization that works directly with The Robin I. Kroogman New Haven Animal Shelter, the statement said.

The Friends provide adoption services, socialization for dogs and cats at the shelter, medical support, and foster care, among other services, the statement said.

Yappy Hour is sponsored by Claire’s Corner Copia, Basta Trattoria, TD Bank, and The Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter, Inc. Live music will be provided by Wry Bred. Call volunteer Elaine Spinato at (203) 287-0055 for more information.