Free concerts to be held in Wallingford

WALLINGFORD — Masonicare, 22 Masonic Ave., is sponsoring free Thursday night concerts. Residents can bring lawn chairs and blankets; parking is free and the grounds will be available for picnics from 5 to 6:30 p.m.


Rain cancels; call 203-679-5900 after 3 p.m. for information.

Concerts at 6:30-8:15 p.m. are June 23, Vinnie Carr and the Party Band; June 30, The Spectacles, oldies to the 1990s; July 7, Stardust Dance Band, golden oldies; July 14, The Big Beat, 1950s-60s; July 21, The Sunshine Road Band, begins at 6 p.m., children’s fun Night; July 28, Eddie Forman Orchestra, Polish music.

Concerts at 6:30-8 p.m. are Aug. 4, Eight to the Bar, jazz; Aug. 11, Airborne Jazz; Aug. 18, Broadway tunes; Aug. 25, The Troubadours, sounds of Sinatra.

Lecture in New Haven to focus on schizophrenia

NEW HAVEN — Fellowship Place will hold its eighth annual Dr. Albert J. Solnit Memorial Lecture: a discussion with author Randye Kaye, at 7 p.m. June 9 at the Whitney Humanities Center Auditorium of Yale University, 53 Wall St.


The conversation with Kaye will be based on her book, “Ben Behind His Voices: One Family’s Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope.”

Following the author’s presentation will be a panel discussion with the audience and a coffee reception. The panel will include: Dr. Daniel M. Koenigsberg, former chairman, department of psychiatry, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Dr. Selby Jacobs, former medical director, Connecticut Mental Health Center; Allan Atherton: treasurer, National Alliance on Mental Illness of Elm City; and Kaye.

Advance ticket purchase is required. Tickets are $25; visit http://www.fellowshipplace.org/ or call Melissa Holroyd at 203-401-4227, ext. 111.

Proceeds to benefit housing and support services to adults who suffer from chronic mental illness.

Yale-New Haven Hospital presents state’s first DAISY award to Lucy Foster of New Haven

NEW HAVEN - New Haven resident, Lucy Foster, RN, a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, recently became the hospital's first recipient of the DAISY Award for her exceptional skill and compassion in caring for a critically ill 2-year-old child and his family. The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award program is a nationwide program that recognizes nurses who exhibit extraordinary care and compassion. It was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from complications of an autoimmune disease. Yale-New Haven Hospital is the first Connecticut hospital to participate in the national award program.

Foster earned her RN-BSN from Southern Connecticut State University.

 

In the photo: Lucy Foster, the winner of the first DAISY Award at YNHH, is flanked by Bonnie and Mark Barnes, co-founders of the DAISY Award Foundation.

 

 

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

World Refugee Day Celebration is June 22

NEW HAVEN -  "Stories of New America" an original play about refugees resettling in New Haven, will premiere at the fourth annual celebration of World Refugee Day hosted by IRIS—Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services from 5 to 9 p.m. June 22, at Henry R. Luce Hall on the Yale University campus.

The event is presented by the Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services (http://www.aecf.org/) and William Graustein, and is generously supported by PIER— Programs in International Educational Resources (http://www.yale.edu/macmillan/pier/).

            In addition to Stories, this year's World Refugee Day program also features master Guinean dancer Aly "Tatchol" Camara and members of his company, Kouffin Kanecke, who will open the celebration with a community drum circle and African dance on the outside lawn. Inside, a special exhibition, Carry-Ons, showcases portraits of refugees now living in New Haven by photographer Andrew Hogan. Hogan's photos show the refugees with objects that they brought with them to the U.S.

            Fourteen regional visual artists—including Susan Clinard, Marjoree Wolf, Hank Paper, Blinn Jacobs, Mary Lester, and Edith Borax-Morrison—donated work to the silent auction to help provide housing, food, and medicine for refugee clients of IRIS. Works by refugee artists will also be displayed.

            Stories of a New America

            In January 2010, Collective Consciousness Theatre (CCT) began its collaboration with IRIS, a non-profit agency in New Haven that serves refugees, persecuted people from around the world. Stories of a New America is the result of that collaboration. Over a one-year period, CCT artists conducted theater workshops and interviewed over fifty refugees at IRIS. The script's dialogue is drawn verbatim from those interviews and was woven together by playwrights Aaron Jafferis and Madeleine Ardito, both CCT company members. On June 22, a cast of professional actors and refugees will perform the play at 6:00 and 8:00 PM.

"We are thrilled to partner with Collective Consciousness Theatre and the other dynamic artists and performers for this year's World Refugee Day celebration," says Chris George, Executive Director of IRIS. "After experiencing war and other atrocities, the refugees at IRIS were buoyed by the opportunity to share their resettlement stories with CCT. Stories of a New America came about because of their honesty and because a dedicated group of artists worked hard to realize our dream of a co-production. The result is a one-of-a-kind theater experience of which we are all proud."

IRIS currently serves refugees from Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia. Refugees are men, women, and children who have been persecuted in their countries of origin on the basis of race, religious belief, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and/or political opinion. They are invited by the U.S. government to resettle in this country.

World Refugee Day ticket sales and event sponsorships will be shared between IRIS and CCT to support the work of both non-profit organizations.

IRIS—Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services is a federally recognized refugee resettlement agency that provides case management, housing services, health care coordination, and employment services to refugees and other displaced people. Through its legal services clinic, citizenship preparation program, food pantry, and after school program, IRIS serves refugees, asylees, and the larger immigrant community.

Collective Consciousness Theatre is a multicultural theatre company dedicated to examining social issues through theatre, with a larger goal of promoting positive social change. CCT is best known for its work with young people, particularly New Haven's inner city public school students. CCT approaches its work with utmost seriousness because the company knows—and has witnessed many times—the power of theatre to change minds, open hearts, and unlock doors.

Aly "Tatchol" Camara, master of Guinean dance, is a native of Dansy, a small village in Guinea, West Africa. As a young child, he began learning folklore, traditional dancing, and drumming as part of everyday life in his village. He enjoyed an international career as a professional dancer and in 1995 became the principal dance instructor for Connecticut's New Haven School of African Dance and Drum. He continues to teach in the area's public and private school systems, at regional workshops, and at Yale University. For more information visit http://www.guineadance.com/ or the company's Facebook page.

Each year, the United Nations designates World Refugee Day to raise public consciousness about the refugee experience. Currently there are an estimated 15 million refugees worldwide. The United States invites approximately 70,000 refugees annually to come to this country; each year, IRIS resettles 150-200 of these. Refugees must complete a rigorous screening process to be granted legal "refugee status" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Event Details

Aly Tatchol Camara performs at 5:00 PM. Stories of a New America at 6:00 and 8:00 PM (two performances). Visual art, food, and additional music throughout the evening, 5:00-9:00 PM.

Tickets to the June 22 World Refugee Day celebration are $20 (suggested donation), available at the door at Henry R. Luce Hall, 34 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven. Seating for Stories of a New America is limited.  For reservations, call IRIS at (203) 562-2095.

For more information, visit http://www.irisct.org/ or http://www.socialchangetheatre.org/.

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

Deadheads Can Get You if You Don't Watch Out

News boater can use!

The Coast Guard Auxiliary urges inland boaters to be extra cautious this boating season.   Heavy rains thru the Midwest have washed dead trees and other debris into waterways presenting hazards to boaters and their boats. A deadhead is a log or large tree in a waterway submerged just below the surface and difficult to see.  If a fiberglass boat strikes a deadhead, the boat could be damaged and even sunk. The lower unit could be ripped off causing a hole in the transom and/or render the boat inoperable.  A diligent forward watch will help prevent this potential danger.  Enjoy the water but remember always wear your life jacket.

 

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer Component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America's Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.

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

 

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15

SEYMOUR — The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse announces the sixth annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.


The Elder Response Team has planned a half day conference at the Seymour Senior Center designed to raise the awareness of elder abuse for potential victims. Governments, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, religious groups, professionals in the field of aging, interested individuals as well as older persons themselves will promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by organizing activities around the world to raise awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

Keynote speaker, Kristen Cusato of News 8 will be followed by a panel of experts addressing legal resources, Elderly Protective Services, Navigation of the Judicial system, staying safe in your home, and Probate court. There will be an opportunity to ask question of the panel.

Cost is $3. Registration form at the Shelton, Seymour or Derby Senior Centers or by calling 736-2601 ext. 381 to reserve.

For more information, visit http://www.inpea.net/
 
Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Conn. DEP: Advice on Young Wild Animals in Spring

"If You Care, Leave It There"

Spring and summer are busy times, for people and animals.  Many animals are setting up territories, building nests, or finding den sites to give birth and raise their young.  At the same time, people are spending more time outdoors and the chances are greater that someone may come across a young bird or mammal that may appear to be orphaned or injured. In situations where young animals are found, keep in mind that many animals leave their young alone for long periods of time, so your help may not be needed.  In all likelihood, the adult is nearby watching and waiting to return.

White-tailed Deer: This is especially true with deer, as the females (does) leave their fawns alone, except for feeding times. Fawns are fed by the doe three to four times a day, with feeding time lasting about 15 minutes. For the first several days after birth, fawns instinctively freeze and will lay motionless when approached.

"It is best not to touch the fawn, but rather leave it alone for at least 24 hours to determine whether the adult is returning for feedings," said Rick Jacobson, director of the Department of Environmental Protection Wildlife Division.  "While waiting for the doe to return, it is important that both people and dogs stay away from the fawn.  A truly orphaned fawn will show signs of distress by walking around aimlessly and calling out for several hours."

Birds: Many people find young birds hopping around the yard in June and July.  Most of these birds are old enough to leave the nest, but are still not efficient fliers.  If you find a fully feathered, young bird that is unable to fly, it is best to leave it where it was found.  The adults are probably still caring for the young bird, which should be capable of flying within a few days.  Remember to keep pets away from the bird and watch it closely for at least an hour to see if the parents are returning to feed it.

If you find a young bird on the ground that appears to not have feathers, look for a nest.  If a nest is in a nearby tree or shrub and the bird feels warm to the touch, try to place the nestling back into the nest.  If the nest has fallen on the ground, make a new nest with a wicker basket and some dry grasses and hang the basket with the nestling in it in a nearby tree or shrub.  Most birds have a poorly developed sense of smell and will not be scared away by your smell if you touched the young bird.  Be sure to watch the nest carefully for at least an hour to see if the adults return to find and feed their nestling.

Injured Animals: If you find an animal that is definitely injured or orphaned, remember to:

·         Avoid direct contact;

·         Keep pets and children away from the animal;

·         Use heavy gloves to transfer the animal to a cardboard box or escape-proof container;

·         Try to keep the animal in a warm, quiet place;

·         Contact an authorized wildlife rehabilitator.

Wild Animals as Pets: Keeping wild animals as pets is discouraged, may be illegal, and when legal is subject to state and federal regulations.  Raising wild birds and mammals for successful return to the wild requires considerable knowledge of feeding formulas, countless hours of care, and outdoor caging.  Improper care results in underweight and undernourished animals or animals that are not releasable because they have become too accustomed to being around people.

"Although it may be natural to want to assist young animals, caring for them may actually do more harm than good," added Jacobson.  "It may be dangerous too, as direct contact may result in exposure to rabies or other diseases carried by wildlife.  Be aware that even young mammals can carry and transfer the rabies virus in saliva.  Handling a potential rabies carrier, such as a baby raccoon, without proper precautions may require that the animal be euthanized for rabies testing."

In Connecticut, there are approximately 250 authorized volunteer wildlife rehabilitators with the skills and training to care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.  To obtain the names of wildlife rehabilitators in your area, check the DEP Web site at www.ct.gov/dep/wildlife; contact the DEP Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM); the DEP Emergency Dispatch Center at 860-424-3333 (after hours or on weekends); or contact your local nature center.  Individuals interested in learning more about becoming a wildlife rehabilitator should contact Laurie Fortin of the Wildlife Division, at 860-424-3963 or laurie.fortin@ct.gov.

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

Connecticut Woodcarvers’ 13th Annual Show and Sale

More than  50 woodcarvers and vendors will participate in the 13th Annual Connecticut Woodcarvers' One-Day Show and Sale held by the New England Carousel Museum, located at 95 Riverside Avenue, Rt. 72 W, in Bristol. 

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 4, rain or shine. 

 The indoor show will feature a variety of woodcarving demonstrations including a pen wood turner, caricature, carousel, relief and chip carving as well as many other forms of the carver's art.  The carving competition will include carvers of different levels of skill to compete in their respective classes.  Also, vendors will offer woodcarving tools and supplies for the beginner as well as the experienced.

 Admission includes admittance to the carving show, the New England Carousel Museum, the Museum of Fire History, the Restoration Department, the two fine art galleries and the Museum of Greek Culture.  Admission prices for adults and seniors: $5; children between the ages of 4-14 are $2.50. The museum is home to one of the finest collections of carousel horses and memorabilia in America. Come hear the nostalgic sounds of the authentic antique band organ while beholding the craftsmanship of woodcarving, according to a statenment.

 

The New England Carousel Museum, 95 Riverside Avenue, RT 72 W, in Bristol, CT 06010. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission: $5 adults; $4.50 seniors; $2.50 children 4-14. Members and children under age 4 are free. The museum is totally special-needs accessible.

For more information, call (860) 585-5411 or visit www.thecarouselmuseum.org.

 

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

Yale-New Haven Digital Mammography Van has appointments open

NEW HAVEN — The Yale-New Haven Digital Mammography Van will be at the following locations performing screening mammography on women 40 or older.


For an appointment, call 203-688-6800.

- Yale University Lot 22, 266 Whitney Ave., New Haven.

June 2, July 18, Aug. 9, Sept. 7, Oct. 24, Nov. 21 and Dec. 7

- Hamden Stop & Shop, Dixwell Avenue and Skiff Street.

June 9, July 19, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 19, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.

VH1 Save The Music Foundation hits the right note in New Haven

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation, in conjunction with Comcast, recently announced a $90,000 donation of new musical instruments for New Haven Public Schools.

The presentation took place at the Mauro Sheridan Elementary School, which is a past grant recipient school located at 191 Fountain St, according to a statement.

There, the foundation executives announced a combined $90,000 worth of new musical instruments from this year and last year’s grant to Katherine Brennan/Clarence Rogers School, Beecher Museum Magnet School of Arts and Sciences and Worthington Hooker, the statement said.

The donation is part of an ongoing effort by the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and Comcast to ensure that all students in the New Haven Public Schools receive music education as part of their core curriculum, the statement said.

Since 2005, the Foundation has donated $310,000.00 worth of new musical instruments to 11 New Haven Public Schools, the statement said.

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in America’s public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. To date, VH1 Save The Music has provided more than $47 million in new musical instruments to 1,750 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.6 million children, the statement said.
Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

New Haven’s 14th Annual Free Memorial Day Concert is Sunday

Tickets are available for New Haven’s 14th Annual Free Memorial Day Concert at 5 p.m. May 29 at the

Shubert Theater.

The concert will feature Orchestra New England and the musical group MOXIE. Guest reader at this event will be Jack Kramer, editor of the New Haven Register.

Tickets may be obtained by contacting: Patricia Lawlor in the Mayor’s Office, 165 Church St. Call 203-946-8200.

Concert ticket stubs will validate free parking for this event in the municipal garage, corner of Crown and College streets.

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

New documentary on gun violence to premiere in New Haven

NEW HAVEN — Youth Rights Media, a Connecticut nonprofit dedicated to building youth power and leadership through video media production and community organizing, premieres its new documentary on gun violence June 5, at 1 p.m. June 5 in the Lecture Hall of the Yale Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St.
The youth-produced film explores the root causes of gun violence and its devastating effects upon individuals and communities, questioning whether such governmental policies as the War on Drugs help resolve or escalate the problem. Admission is free.
The inspiration for the film came from the young people’s personal experiences, according to Janis Astor del Valle, YRM’s Executive Director. “Every youth in our program knows at least one person who’s been a victim gun violence – one of our young women recently lost her boyfriend to a shooting,” she said. “And every time I do a presentation for youth groups around the state, I ask, ‘How many of you know someone who’s been shot?’ Almost every youth in every group raises their hands. That’s way too many,” she said. “I think there have been over 70 shootings in New Haven so far and we’re not even halfway through the year. Another issue our youth’s film tackles is how guns have become so accessible, especially to young people.”
To RSVP: Janis@youthrightsmedia.org.

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

Almost triplets for a happy grandmother

Proud grandmother Joanne DeVito has announced the birth of her three new grandbabies.

They were born within nine days of each other: Frank Michael Deflippo of Durham was born on March 13, Ella Shea Bernard of Branford was born March 21, and Maile Elizabeth Dattilo of Durham was born March 22.

The parents and babies are all healthy and doing very well, DeVito reports.

The proud parents are: Jennifer and Frank Defilppo, with Frank Michael at 4lbs. 11oz.; Michele and Adam Bernard, with Ella Shea at 5 lbs. 15oz; and Margaret and Joseph Dattilo, with Maile Elizabeth at 9 lbs 6oz., DeVito said.

Fort Nathan Hale donates 200 books to the New Haven School System

NEW HAVEN - Fort Nathan Hale Restoration Projects, Inc. recently donated 200 books written by local author Deb Townshend to the New Haven schools, the organization said in a statement.

The books are a compendium of the history of the Revolutionary War era Black Rock Fort, and the Civil War era Fort Nathan Hale, which is located on New Haven’s east shore, the statement said.

Tours of the fort also were offered to all of the New Haven Schools, the statement said.

Special programs in the Spring and Fall are presented every year with period re-enactors and FNHRP members conducting the educational tours and talks, the statement said.

In photo, from left: Deb Townshend, author; Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo,William M. MacMullen, president of Fort Nathan Hale Restoration Projects; Inc., and Sandra Brooks, supervisor for social studies for New Haven Schools.

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

Grants Awarded for benefit of Quinnipiac River

NEW HAVEN  – The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is pleased to announce that $112,000 has been awarded from the Quinnipiac River Fund to 12 organizations for programs that reduce river pollution, support the environment and educate the public about the Quinnipiac River.  The River flows from west of New Britain southward to Plainville, Southington, west of Meriden, Cheshire, through Wallingford, Yalesville, North Haven and into New Haven Harbor.

Among the grant recipients is Catalyst Collaborative who has been hired to create a comprehensive Quinnipiac River website. The site will provide a consolidated source for Quinnipiac River information, resources, research, and advocacy, specifically related to the work and impact of the Quinnipiac River Fund.  The website will feature high-impact design/photography, a grant project database, an interactive map, calendar, and blog – together providing a multi-faceted resource for organizations and individuals working to better the conditions of the Quinnipiac River. The site is expected to launch by the end of 2011.  
Another grant recipient, Audubon Connecticut, will use its funding to raise awareness in the community about ways to reduce sources of pollution and to improve habitat for birds and other wildlife within the Quinnipiac River Watershed.
 "We are honored to receive this grant award from The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's Quinnipiac River Fund, and look forward to strengthening our partnerships and efforts in the Quinnipiac River Watershed," said Tom Baptist, Audubon Connecticut Executive Director.  "Through legislative forums in New Haven and Wallingford, an environmental film series with local panelists at Yale Peabody Museum, and outreach about everyday actions people can take to improve wildlife habitat and water quality, we will grow the number of bird and wildlife supporters engaged in conservation and advocacy on behalf of the watershed. This program will build on the very effective outreach initiatives carried out by our partnering organizations, and add a uniquely Audubon component: Making the reciprocal connection between our personal actions, the health of the watershed, and the birds and other wildlife we all enjoy and cherish."

The Quinnipiac River Fund was established in 1990 as a result of a court settlement between the National Resources Defense Council, Connecticut Fund for the Environment and the Upjohn Corporation concerning wastewater discharges by the Upjohn Chemical Company of North Haven CT into the Quinnipiac River. A fine of $1 million was levied on Upjohn for continually exceeding its permitted industrial releases into the Quinnipiac River and used to create the Quinnipiac River Fund, administered by The Community Foundation. The Quinnipiac River Fund distributes grants each year to improve the environmental quality of the Quinnipiac River and New Haven Harbor and the watersheds of those waterbodies, and otherwise benefit the environment of those resources.
The Quinnipiac River Fund is advised by a committee that meets once a year to make recommendations for funding to The Community Foundation. Members include:  Nancy Alderman, President of Environment and Human Health, Gordon Geballe, the Assistant Dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and Margaret Miner, Director of Rivers Alliance. 
2011 Grant recipients of the Quinnipiac River Fund include:
Audubon Connecticut: $10,000 - To raise awareness among legislators, homeowners, and the general public about ways to reduce both non-point and point sources of pollution and to improve habitat for birds and other wildlife within the Quinnipiac River Watershed.
Catalyst Collaborative $15,000 – To create a multi-faceted web-based resource of information about the Quinnipiac River.
Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice: $5,000 - To continue to educate fishers on safe consumption of fish by volunteers, bilingual safe fishing signage posted at river locales and by building grassroots support for a new state ban on lead fishing weights in the interest of fishers' and wildlife well-being.
Land Use Leadership Alliance (LULA): $11,000 - To support a four-day Leadership Training Course to deepen the network of trained land use commissioners whose decisions have a direct impact on Quinnipiac River water quality.
North Haven Trail Association: $3,000 - To support consultant/professional work required to support the definition and granting of land easements from private property owners along the river where the intended route of the trail is located.
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut Inc.: $6,000 - To support the continuation of homeowner workshops which will initiate educational outreach on organic land care to inland/wetland and conservation commissions, including installation and assisting in the development and related outreach of an online turf forum geared towards Connecticut school groundskeepers.
Quinnipiac River Watershed Association: $16,000 - To support the Quinnipiac Urban River Stewardship project, which will install several river stewardship signs in prominent locations to promote human links to this urban river and foster stewardship of the shared resource, as recommended in the watershed management plan for a similar urban river, the North Branch of the Park River in Hartford/Bloomfield.
Quinnipiac University: $5,000 - To support surveying for phthalate plasticizers in an effort to characterize potential contamination of the Quinnipiac River by municipal and industrial sources.
Schooner Inc.: $5,000 - To support the New Haven Harbor Data Project which will create and maintain an online catalog of data about New Haven Harbor and will be accessible on Schooner's website.
University of New Haven, Department of Biology: $10,000 - To support the Biodiversity and Impacts of Drift Algae in the New Haven Harbor study, which will continue to assess habitat structure and species diversity in New Haven Harbor,  and to investigate the dynamics and potential impacts of extensive drift algal mats that have been found in portions of the harbor.
The Watershed Partnership Inc.: $16,000 - To support the Safe Grounds Campaign which helps reduce non-point source pollution from lawn pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in the Quinnipiac River watershed.
Yale University - Grant & Contract Administration: $10,000 - To support the continuation of investigations into the causes and implications of marsh drowning in the Quinnipiac River.

For more information about The Community Foundation visit www.cfgnh.org.

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

Yale-New Haven Hospital opens cardiac rehab center in Branford

 

 

Yale-New Haven Hospital has opened a cardiac rehab center at 84 North Main St. in Branford.

The YNHH Cardiac Rehabilitation Center offers individualized, medically supervised exercise and education programs and counseling for individuals who have experienced a cardiac event or need to reduce their risk of heart disease. 

 

YNHH Cardiac Rehabilitation Center is a physician-referred program staffed by exercise physiologists and an onsite cardiologist. The center is accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

 

YNHH Cardiac Rehabilitation Center is open Mon, Tues and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to

7 p.m. and on Weds and Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 203.483.3107.

 

Cardiac rehabilitation is an integral component in the comprehensive services of Yale-New Haven Hospital's Heart and Vascular Center. Yale-New Haven Hospital's Heart and Vascular Center covers all aspects of cardiology, including cardiovascular imaging, cardiothoracic surgery, interventional cardiology, peripheral vascular intervention, electrophysiology, heart failure, mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation.

 

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is posted as a public service here.

Author Sandi Shelton at New Haven Public Library June 1

New Haven Register reporter/columnist and author Sandi Shelton will offer a writing workshop at 6 p.m.  June 1 at New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.

Shelton's novels include "Kissing Games of the World,"  ("An absolute treat"--Publisher's Weekly); A Piece of Normal ("A fine blend of humor and poignancy"--Hartford Courant); and What Comes After Crazy ("Zany and affecting"--People Magazine). 

Participants will have the chance to win a signed copy of her newest book, "The Stuff That Never Happened"  (written as Maddie Dawson, which Stewart O'Nan, author of "Songs for the Missing," calls "a paean to family happiness as much as romance." 

Read more about Shelton at http://www.sandishelton.com/.

The workshop is suitable for writers at all levels, but focusing on those who have an idea in mind but may not have completed a book project before. Shelton "will offer insight into both the writing process and how to get published," the statement said.

A $5 fee will be collected at the door, and participants are asked to bring their own writing materials. Space is limited, and advance registration is required, online at www.sandi.eventbrite.com or by calling the library at 203-946-8835. Free parking is available.

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

Ready, Set, Inflate for National Safe Boating Week

WASHINGTON- Pop! That sound will resound from coast to coast as recreational boaters activate their inflatable life jackets on May 21 to kick off National Safe Boating Week (May 21-27). Boaters of all ages, boating safety organizations and the media are invited by the National Safe Boating Council, the Canadian Safe Boating Council and the Coast Guard Auxiliary to participate in the second annual "Ready, Set, Inflate!" event.

The purpose of the event is to promote life jacket wear, particularly the use of inflatable life jackets. The goal is to educate and inform boaters about boating safety and the comfort of inflatable life jackets. Participants will learn how to inspect, rearm and repack an inflatable life jacket that has been deployed.

To register for the event, go to <www.readysetinflate.com>. Enter for a chance to win a free replacement cylinder. Click on the website for discounted replacement coupons. Order free resources from <www.BoatingOrders.com/freeproducts.html>.

For further information, contact Michael S. Klacik, 2011 Auxiliary/Cabelas National Ready, Set, Inflate Coordinator at <mklacik68@gmail.com> or call (908) 240-3645.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard, created by an act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America's volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.

 

 

 Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. It is unedited here and posted as a public service. 

 

 

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City Editor
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British pop band Stornoway to play at Peabody Great Hall of Dinosaurs

Stornoway, the British indie pop quartet whose music Venus calls "effortlessly captivating," returns to the Peabody from an international tour for the opening of "Invasion of the Bloodsuckers: Bedbugs and Beyond."  They will debut an acoustic pop tune about those dreaded little creatures as well as play songs from their hit album Beachcombers Windowsill.   Invasion of the Bloodsuckers: Bedbugs and Beyond is an interactive exhibition about pests that feed on humans—bedbugs, fleas, lice, ticks and mosquitoes—featuring live colonies of bedbugs and mosquitoes, giant models, and film footage of blood feeding. The exhibition explores the biology and habitats of these bloodsucking arthropods, including where and how they live, how to deal with them, and how to tell them apart from lookalikes. Opening day is Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.   Stornoway and the exhibition are free with Yale I.D., museum membership, or admission of $5-$9.  Children under 3 are also free.   Photo show Stornoway performs in the Great Hall of the Yale Peabody Museum.  Photo by  M. Brigockas. Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Seeking Crafters for Shoreline Jewish Festival

There is still crafter space available for the 6th Annual Shoreline Jewish Festival to be held from noon to 6 p.m. August 14 on the Guilford Green.

For an application call 203-453-5580 or email request to jdchabad@snet.net. 

The Festival features Jewish music, kosher food, an art and book sale, children's crafts and activities, and information booths from local Jewish organizations.  

The Festival celebrates Jewish life and living. 

The music, the food, and the entertainment will be exciting for people of all ages, organizers said. 

 

 

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

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Schooner Summer Science Enrichment Camp

Schooner would like to invite you to an open house for Summer Science Enrichment Camp (Pre K – 12) in 2011 from 2 to 5 p.m. June 5.

 

This is a chance for families to meet with the sirectors, some of the staff, and tour classroom(s) and waterfront.

"Schooner Open House is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Schooner camps, school programs, public sails, charters, rentals, lessons, college programs and more!" organizer said in a statement.

"All of our educational programs are in partnership with the University of New Haven. Schooner camps and educational programs are aligned with the Connecticut curriculum standards for Science. Combined with our "hands on feet wet" approach we aim to provide an exceptional, local experience," the statement said.

Schooner is a non-profit marine science education organization based in City Point, New Haven, the statement said. 

 Since 1975, Schooner has been dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and personal growth through experiences in marine science, sailing, and the history of Long Island Sound and its watershed.   The group conducts programs aboard the Schooner Quinnipiack and research vessel Sounder, at shore study sites, in classrooms, and through other local partnerships, the statement said.

 

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

 

Please visit Schooner's website www.schoonerinc.org

Or Call us at 203-815-5046 (Connecticut Coastal Classrooms)

Yale and Patricia and Peter Gruber Announce Establishment of Gruber Foundation at Yale

NEW HAVEN - Patricia and Peter Gruber and Yale University President Richard C. Levin announced the formation of the Gruber Foundation at Yale University dedicated to the advancement of science, support of young scientists, global justice, and women's rights.

The Gruber Foundation is funded by a landmark contribution from philanthropists Peter and Patricia Gruber.

The Gruber Foundation will succeed The Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation, originally established in 1993, and carry on its philanthropic mission, including its prestigious annual science prizes.

"We share with Pat and Peter Gruber a deep commitment to educational excellence, social justice, and the recognition of scientific achievements that better the human condition," said Yale President Richard C. Levin. "We are honored and grateful that the Grubers have entrusted Yale to advance this vital mission in years to come."

The Gruber Foundation will encompass three major programmatic initiatives: the Gruber Prizes and the Young Scientists Awards; the Gruber Science Fellowship Program at Yale; and the Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women's Rights at Yale Law School.

Patricia Gruber said, "Through our International Prize Program, we have sought to promote excellence in science by highlighting and promoting leadership in fields that create a better world. Yale is an outstanding choice to carry this work forward and, with the Foundation's expanded programmatic focus, we can have an even greater impact."

The Gruber Foundation will continue to award three $500,000 Gruber Prizes each year in the physical and life sciences, including a Cosmology Prize, a Genetics Prize, and a Neuroscience Prize, and maintain the Gruber Young Scientists Awards. Considered among the most prestigious awards in the sciences, the prizes honor contemporary individuals whose groundbreaking work provides new models that inspire and enable fundamental shifts in knowledge. Recipients are chosen by independent prize selection panels comprised of experts active in the respective fields. The members of the panels are in turn selected by independent, non-governmental organizations.

 In 2010, Gruber prize recipients included astronomer Charles Steidel, whose studies of ancient galaxies have shed light on their formation and evolution over 12 billion years. Gerald R. Fink was recognized for his foundational work in molecular genetics, and neuroscientist Robert H. Wurtz was honored for a forty-year career that helped to launch the field of visual cognition.

The Gruber Foundation will also support the training of new leaders within these key science disciplines through the Gruber Science Fellowship Program at Yale. Providing $2.5 million annually the program will initially provide approximately fifty graduate fellowships each year.

Additionally, the Gruber Foundation will establish the Gruber Program for Global Justice and Women's Rights at Yale Law School. Supporting outreach and education programs that reflect the Foundation's commitment to furthering global justice and women's rights, this initiative will have three core components: support for the School's annual Global Constitutionalism Seminar, bringing constitutional justices to Yale from around the world to foster dialogue and exchange; the Gruber Distinguished Global Justice and Women's Rights Lectures, featuring guest lecturers; and the Gruber Global Justice and Women's Rights Fellowships, supporting students and faculty engaged in scholarly exchange in the United States and abroad.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1929, Peter Gruber escaped to India with his parents in 1939, three months before the Second World War engulfed Europe. He was educated in the Himalayas by Irish Christian Brothers and Jesuits, sparking a lifelong dedication to scholarship and human rights. He later came to the United States, where he launched a successful investment career and is recognized as a pioneer in the area of emerging markets.

Patricia Gruber has a background in liberal arts, holding a master's degree in psychology from Antioch West University and a post-masters' certificate in psychology from the Psychotherapy Institute in Berkeley. Previously a psychotherapist in private practice in California, she has in recent years devoted herself full time to the Foundation. In 2010, she was awarded a Ph.D. honoris causa from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovat, Israel, for her work with the Foundation.

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

IRIS throws a bash

Look who is having a party!

 
 

 
Learn more about the organization here:

Trinity College professor addresses Three Cups of Tea Controversy June 29

NEW HAVEN - Shafqat Hussain will present "Cups of Tea and Snow Leopards: Addressing Community Projects in Northern Pakistan" at 6 p.m. June 29 at New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.

Hussain is assistant professor of Anthropology at Trinity College and recipient of the 2009 National Geographic Emerging Explorer Award for his work in the same region that catapulted Greg Mortenson, author of "THREE CUPS OF TEA" into the public eye, according to a statement.

Writing recently in the political newsletter "Counterpunch," Hussain said of the Mortenson controversy:

"OK, maybe just one cup of tea and not three, and just three schools not eleven. Whatever the truth about numbers, Greg Mortenson did a commendable job of building some schools in the peaceful and never-Talibanised Baltistan… But Mortenson's story is not really about Greg or the numbers. Rather it is about something else."

A native of Pakistan prior to receiving his education in the United States, Hussain has worked for 18 years on rural development and conservation programs in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan, including an innovative project for snow leopard conservation, the statement said.  This is the same region where Mortenson started his school-building project and Hussain will share his observations about conditions and realities that affect community projects in that region.  

There is no charge and free parking is available. For more information visit http://www.hussainjune29.eventbrite.com/ or 203-946-7431.

Coming up at Main Library:

May 19, 4:30-6:30pm--Subway Supper Seminar: Organizational Use of Social Media, with Danielle Cyr of Co-Communications, in collaboration with CT Assoc. of Nonprofits and funded by Frederick A. Deluca Foundation and Subway Restaurants. Advance registration required or call 203-946-7431.

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