Support group for those with low vision to meet

The meeting is free and open to the public.

SHELTON - The next monthly meeting of the low vision support group,  Learn to See the World, will be held at 3 p.m. Feb. 15 Crosby Commons at Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave.
The event will be held in the second floor Nautical Lounge.  Light refreshments will be served.
Speaker will be Mark Leventhal, president of the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Regional Group for Blind Veterans. He will discuss coping skills for those with low vision.
Individuals with low vision or are legally blind are encouraged to attend for fellowship and support.Contact the group facilitator, Mary Ann Milano, Activities Director at Crosby Commons, 203-225-5018 or at mamilano@umh.org.

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

"Too Big To Fail" is to be dicussed at New Haven Public Library Feb. 22

NEW HAVEN - The New Haven Public Library invites the public to meet author Emily Eisenlohr at 6 p.m. Feb. 22, "as she discusses the systemic risks posed by big banks," organizers said in a statement.

"Her recent book, 'Fairy Tale Capitalism: Fact and Fiction Behind Too Big To Fail,' explains how the biggest banks engineered a superhighway of risk by successfully lobbying for the removal of barriers between investment and commercial banking, and avoiding regulation of over-the-counter derivatives," the statement said.

 Eisenlohr "spent two decades in the financial sector as a corporate banking executive and a credit analyst for some of the biggest financial institutions in the U.S., including Citibank and Moody's Investors Service. She received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago," the statement said. 

The discussion will take place at the downtown library, 133 Elm St. Free parking is available. For more information visit www.fairytalecapitalism.eventbrite.com or call the library at 203-946-8835.

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

'Festive' dinner parties to benefit LEAP

NEW HAVEN – For the 17th consecutive year, generous hosts throughout the New Haven area will open their homes on Feb. 29, for a "much-anticipated evening of intimate dinner parties, bringing together distinguished guests and supporters of LEAP (Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership)," according to a statement.

"The eminent guests of honor at each of the dinners will lead conversations on diverse subjects from cheese to China, dogs to dogma, economics to Egypt, museums to the military, and Josef Stalin to J. Edgar Hoover," the statement said. "Among this year's  luminaries are Egyptian Ambassador Sallama Shaker,  iconic poet and human rights activist Rose Styron, sports writer and broadcaster Jon Wertheimer,  PBS economics correspondent and Yale professor Paul Solman , and many more eminent writers, performers, academics, and activists."

The evening's events begin with a cocktail reception at Hopkins School, New Haven, from 5 to 7 p.m., with food and beverages provided by Culinary Concepts and the Wine Thief.  Guest authors will be there to sign their recent books. The dinners are at 7:30 pm.

For those unable to attend the Feb. 29 event, another dinner is offered on March 7, featuring Dean Karlan, "a Yale behavioral economist who co-founded StickK.com, the online 'commitment store,'" the statement said.
Call the LEAP development office at 203-773-0770 for a detailed invitation listing the hosts and special guests for all twenty-nine dinners.

LEAP (Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership), was created in 1992 to make a difference in the lives of children and young people from challenged urban neighborhoods, the statement said. "LEAP is an after-school mentoring program that engages children and youth in opportunities that promote educational success and inspire them to become good citizens and agents of positive change for their communities. LEAP hires, trains, guides and supervises teenagers, college students and recent college graduates who run year-round after-school and summer programs for 250 children ages 6 to 12. The LEAP dinners are the organization's most significant fund-raising event. Last year, benefit tickets and the unstinting generosity of individual and corporate sponsors raised nearly $90,000 to support the organization's programs."
Learn more at leapforkids.org.

Editor's note: All information and images in this post werecontributed. It is only lightly edited here.

Applications available for grants process at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the Valley Community Foundation

NEW HAVEN  – Pre-applications are being accepted from nonprofits serving the 20-towns covered by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and its affiliate the Valley Community Foundation. "Funding is available through the annual Responsive New Grants process, the largest competitive grantmaking process available through the two foundations," according to a statement 

Pre-applications must be completed online and submitted by 5 p.m. March 2, the statement said.

A complete list of eligibility criteria is located at www.cfgnh.org/grants or www.valleyfoundation.org/grants.

"The Responsive New Grants process is intended to be a source of flexible funding and is open to all requests for projects and organizational support that meet the eligibility criteria. Any nonprofit that creates positive sustainable impact in the areas of: arts and culture, basic needs, civic vitality, economic success, quality education, the environment, health and wellness and children and youth is encouraged to apply."

"In 2011, more than $3 million in single and multi-year grants was awarded through the Responsive New Grant processes of the two foundations."

The statement also said: "The first step to applying for a grant through the Responsive New Grants process is submitting a pre-application online. Applicants are encouraged to attend a webinar scheduled for Feb 2, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Participation in the webinar is not required to apply for a Responsive New Grant or to start the pre-application process. However it is strongly encouraged, even for experienced applicants, as there are changes from last year."

 To register for the webinar, visit www.cfgnh.org/grants or www.valleyfoundation.org/grants.

For more information about the Responsive New Grants process, contact Denise Canning, Grants Manager, at dcanning@cfgnh.org or call 203-777-7076.

 

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. Folks at CFGNH wrote it. we post it as a public service.

 

 

Fashion show will showcase New Haven talent and benefit foundation set up in memory of slain youth

The Royalty Unveiled Runway Show is scheduled to take place at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at West River Hall, 37 Orlando St., West Haven
The event was “to showcase some of New Havens most notable up and coming designers, stylist and businesses; and to also generate funds to be donated to the Sean J. Reeves Jr. Foundation,” said China Byrd, presenter of the event and owner of Best Kept Secret Online Boutique.
“Our featured designer for the evening is Aqulia Yannic designs,” Byrd said.
Yannic is a native of New Haven and is known all over the tri-state area and beyond for her chic designing, Byrd said. Yannic has been featured in many highly acclaimed shows, such as “Revealed” Fashion Show and CT Fashion Rocks, Byrd said.
“Aqulia Yannic’s one of a kind pieces bring high quality and unique style to the runway,” she said.
 Sean J. Reeves Jr. was a native of New Haven who was an innocent bystander in a deadly shooting over the summer. As a result, his father Sean J. Reeves Sr. has started a foundation for youth within the city.
The elder Reeves receives no federal aid or grant to keep this program up and running, Byrd said.
The Royalty Unveiled committee wants to give back to the New Haven community and has adopted the Sean J. Reeves Jr. Foundation, she said.
“We will donate (proceeds)  brought in by the show to this great foundation.”

Proposal writing class offered March 15 at the New Haven Public Library

A full-day grant writing class will be held on March 15 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 participate in group exercises "derived from real-life foundation grant proposals" and will explore:  "how to identify the most suitable foundation prospect; elements of a foundation grant proposal;  customizing applications to funder's interests and requirements;  a variety of submission techniques," the statement said.

 Judith Margolin, of Stamford, an independent consultant and workshop leader on foundations and grants, will teach the class, the statement said. Margolin served for several years as vice president for Planning and Evaluation at the Foundation Center, the nation's leading authority on philanthropy, the statement said.

Her books include "The Individual's Guide to Grants" and "Financing a College Education," the statement said. 

This Subway Seminar will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the program room on the lower level. 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, the statement said.  

C.E.U.s are also available upon request.   The Subway Seminar Series receives support from Subway Restaurants.

Space is limited and advance registration is required.  A $30 registration fee is payable by March 8 and includes coffee and lunch. To register, contact Seth Godfrey at 203-946-7431 or sgodfrey@nhfpl.org.

 

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

Upcoming Events at Music Haven

Check out some of Music Haven's upcoming events for the winter-spring season.


January 26: Haven String Quartet at Best Video
1842 Whitney Avenue, Hamden
 7:30- 9 p.m.
Free
Come see the Haven String Quartet play a 45-minute set in the coolest video store around: Best Video! http://www.bestvideo.com/
Get a sneak peek of the music that will be performed at the Haven String Quartet's next series concert on Feb. 25 (7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of New Haven), entitled "Out of Africa, Into Europe," with selections from Kevin Volans, Justinian Tamusuza & Steve Reich.
The Quartet is thrilled to be a part of the vibrant Thursday night local music series at Best Video's performance space. The performance will also include a slide show of Music Haven photos.
Grab a drink and a snack from their coffee bar (serving Willoughby's coffee, Neil’s Donuts, Bread and Chocolate baked goods and more), kick back and enjoy the music!



February 25: Out of Africa, Into Europe
Time: Pre-concert Lecture: 6:30 PM; Concert: 7:30 PM
Location: The Unitarian Society of New Haven
700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden, CT 06517
Admission: $25, $12 students and seniors. Available at
www.musichavenct.org/concerts<http://www.musichavenct.org/concerts>
The Haven String Quartet presents Steve Reich's iconic work for String Quartet and pre-recorded tape, "Different Trains."

March 6: Out of Africa, Into Europe
Time: 8:00 PM, Pre-concert Lecture: 7:00 PM
Location: Charles Garner Recital Hall at Southern Connecticut State
University
Engleman Hall, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515
Admission: $5
The Haven String Quartet continues its SCSU residency with a special performance of Steve Reich's iconic work for String Quartet and pre-recorded tape, "Different Trains."

March 13: The Haven String Quartet at the New Haven Museum
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: New Haven Museum
114 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06510
Admission: Free
The Haven String Quartet celebrates the New Haven Museum's 150th
Anniversary with the music of Copland, Webern, Riley and Barber.

March 17: Children's Concert at the Mitchell Library
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Mitchell Branch Library
37 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515
Admission: Free
Join us for a special family-friendly concert for kids of all ages! Haven String Quartet and a select group of Music Haven students present a concert and an interactive "instrument petting zoo."

March 23: Music Haven Spring Performance Party
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: (TBA; please visit our website for updated information)
Admission: Free, but bring a dish to share at the potluck following the show
Join the Music Haven community as we celebrate the accomplishments of our 56 students. Hear performances from the Haven String Quartet, Music Haven student soloists and ensembles. Come for the music, stay for the food and community spirit!

April 11: Gallery Talk: Playing Images with the Haven String Quartet
Time: 12:15 PM
Location: Yale University Art Gallery
1111 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06510
Admission: Free
An exploration of music and art with the Haven String Quartet and
Jessica Sack, the Jan and Frederick Mayer Associate Curator of Public Education.

April 28: Adolescent Exuberance!
Time: Pre-concert Lecture: 6:30 PM; Concert: 7:30 PM
Location: The Unitarian Society of New Haven
700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden, CT 06517
Admission: $25, $12 students and seniors. Available at
www.musichavenct.org/concerts<http://www.musichavenct.org/concerts>
The Haven String Quartet performs adolescent works by the masters of the string quartet: Mendelssohn, Mozart and Britten.

May 16: Gallery Talk: Playing Images with the Haven String Quartet
Time: 12:15 PM
Location: The Yale University Art Gallery
1111 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06510
Admission:   Free
An exploration of music and art with the Haven String Quartet and Jessica
Sack, the Jan and Frederick Mayer Associate Curator of Public Education.

May 20: A Starry Night in New Haven
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts
501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515
Admission: $25
The New Haven Family Alliance, Music Haven, Greater New Haven Help Alliance and Southern Connecticut State University partner to present
an inspiring program of awards, music, dance and spoken word performances (with the Haven String Quartet and Music Haven students, capoeira, the United House of Prayer Shout Band, the Betsy Ross Dance Ensemble, Aaron Jafferis, Frank Brady and many, many more TBA).
Join us as we honor the best, brightest and most talented individuals in our community!
For updated info, visit: http://www.facebook.com/AStarryNightInNewHaven


June 1: Music Haven Summer Performance Party
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: (TBA; please visit our website for updated information)
Admission: Free, but bring a dish to share at the potluck following the show
Join the Music Haven community to celebrate the accomplishments of our 56 students! Hear performances from the Haven String Quartet, Music Haven student soloists and ensembles. Come for the music, stay for the food and community spirit!


Music Haven is at 117 Whalley Ave. New Haven, (203) 745-9030 or musichavenct.org

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

Branford Chamber and United Way of Greater New Haven team up for community engagement

BRANFORD – The town’s Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with United Way of Greater New Haven to create a new Community Engagement Component, which will help local businesses involve their employees in addressing community needs.
The engagement initiative will aid companies that want to be more involved in the community or help businesses identify needs or causes their employees can support.
United Way and Comcast Business Services will co-host a kickoff event at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St., entitled “Community Connections: Making a Difference in Business & Life.”
Call Ed Lazarus, president of the Branford Chamber of Commerce, for more information or visit www.branfordct.com.

JDRF Greater New Haven Prepares for 2012 Dream Gala

NEW HAVEN – JDRF Greater New Haven will hold its 13th annual Dream Gala on April 28 at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale.

"The evening, themed Past, Present, and Future, will include a cocktail reception, lively entertainment, and legendary live and silent auctions," according to a statement. "The 2012 Dream Gala will honor Albert Subbloie, President, CEO and Founder of Tangoe."

"Tangoe is the leading global provider of Communications Lifecycle Management (CLM) software and related services to a wide range of global enterprises.  Founded in 2000, Tangoe currently supports more than 500 active clients, many of them large multinational corporations," the statement said.

Headquartered in Orange, Tangoe has nine operation centers around the globe, including international offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Kunshan, China, the statement said. JDRF is recognizing Subbloie "for his long-standing commitment to the Foundation's mission of finding a cure for diabetes and its complications."

 The event will include musical talent, a nd "inspirational speakers" from the JDRF community. "The live and silent auctions will offer items ranging from luxurious vacation trips to autographed sports memorabilia to striking jewelry and clothing," the statement said.

The evening will highlight JDRF's signature Fund-A-Cure program, during which 100 percent tax-deductible donations may be made to research, the statement said.    

  "In 2011, the Dream Gala raised over $260,000 for diabetes research. JDRF hopes to continue its success this year through corporate sponsorships, donations, auction activity, ads and ticket sales."

    Visit www.jdrfgnh.org for more information about the 13^th Annual Dream Gala. Questions may be directed to the local JDRF Chapter at (203) 248-1880 or by email at greaternewhaven@jdrf.org.

About JDRF
    JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of every person affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.

    Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.6 billion to diabetes research. Past JDRF efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.

For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.

 

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. (Pretty good job they did, eh?)

 

 

 

 

Nominate a woman who you think is leader

The Women and Families Center is now accepting nominations for the 27th Annual Women in Leadership Awards. A nominee should demonstrate strong leadership qualities through her work or community involvement.
The award winners will be honored at the “In the Company of Leaders” luncheon at St. Clements Castle in Portland on Thursday, April 12,
For information forms or for more information, please contact Astrid Ojeda at 203-235-9297 ext. 110 or download a nomination form from www.womenfamilies.com.
Nominations are due by Feb. 17.
The Women and Families Center is a multi-faceted human service agency providing services throughout Middlesex County and the Greater New Haven area.

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

Workshop to be held on local demographic research

Folks who need information about the region for statistical and comparative purposes are invited to a demonstration from 10 a.m. to noon March 7 by DataHaven Executive Director Mark Abraham at the New Haven Public Library, 133 ELm St., the library said in a statement.

 

There is no charge for this workshop, the statement said.

 

"DataHaven is a free online resource with over 400 community indicators at the local level. Drawing on thousands of documents, links and multimedia resources, DataHaven helps to illuminate civic priorities by linking complex policy issues, community indicators, local organizations and grassroots efforts. DataHaven allows users to display information about local neighborhoods with easy to use graphing and charting options," the statement said.

 

   For more information about DataHaven, visit www.ctdatahaven.org.

 

The statement also noted: "The public is also invited to become more familiar with the library's repository of Connecticut state documents, which provide invaluable statistical and background resources concerning our state and municipalities.  For more information about business and nonprofit resources, call the library at 203-946-7431. For details about government documents that are available at the library, call 203-946-8130 x 218."

 

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is largely unedited here. (Heck yes, as we've said, the folks at the library know their words)

 

Take a fancy flight: Shop in downtown New Haven

 The Town Green Special Services District and its deputy director, Daisy C. Abreu, have announced that "Flights of Fancy," billed as "Downtown New Haven’s popular wine tasting and shopping event" returns at 4 p.m. Feb. 3.

"The event, sponsored by The Wine Thief and The Study Hotel at Yale, is presented by the Broadway and Chapel Merchants Associations and features in-store wine tastings, special discounts and extraordinary giveaways at over 20 Downtown shops," according to a statement.

Attendees register at from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Study Hotel, 1157 Chapel St. "Registration is $10 and includes the exclusive Flights of Fancy wine glass, a map of participating shops, entry into the grand prize drawing, validated parking, coffee and dessert," the statement said.

Registered participants can sample wines provided by The Wine Thief, of 181 Crown St., and receive 25 percent off their favorite item at participating stores in the Broadway and Chapel shopping districts, the statement said. A bus will be available to shuttle participants between the shopping districts throughout the evening, the statement said..

At 8:30 pm, at the The Study Hotel, participants will be served Willoughby’s coffee, dessert, and there will be a grand prize drawing for a complimentary stay for two at The Study Hotel at Yale, the statement said.

Free validated parking is available at The York Street Garage, 150 York St., for all Flights of Fancy participants. The event is limited to the first 700 registrants and reservations are encouraged, the statement said.. 

Participating merchants include: 1804 Fashion Footwear, Ashley’s Ice Cream, Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Yale, Campus Customs, Celtica, Claire’s Corner Copia, Denali, derek simpson… goldsmith, Enclave, Enson’s, Froyoworld, Hull’s Art Supply & Framing, idiom, Metaphore, Laila Rowe, Lisa Jones Boutique, Peter Indorf Jewelers, Ten Thousand Villages, Tracy b, Wave Gallery, Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, and Yurway Designs. Newcomers to the event include, Au Bon Pain, Box 63, Origins, Savitt Jewelers and Chocopologie.

"Flights of Fancy is sponsored by the Chapel and Broadway Merchants Associations, The Wine Thief, The Study Hotel at Yale and organized by the Town Green Special Services District and Yale University Properties"

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