Connecticut African American Emancipation Challenge meeting Saturday in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - The Connecticut African American Emancipation Challenge will hold a rotating steering committee meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Stetson library branch, 200 Dixwell Ave.
 The main agenda item will be “Stop the Violence” efforts. The meeting is open to the public.

New Haven Symphony Orchestra music director renews contract for 5 years

NEW HAVEN — William Boughton has renewed his contract as music director for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra for another five years, through the 2016-’17 season.
Boughton will make it official at a cocktail reception to preview the 2012-’13 season at 5:30 p.m. June 12 at The Graduate Club, 155 Elm St., New Haven. It is free and open to the public.
Boughton, who has a number of Top 10 recordings with Nimbus Records, came here after 25 years with the English Symphony Orchestra, which he founded. Under his baton, the NHSO was recognized with an ASCAP Award for Adventuresome Programming, and its William Walton recording was named a Critic’s Choice by Gramophone magazine.
See the NHSO on Facebook.
- Donna Doherty

Blessing of the boats in New Haven June 10

NEW HAVEN - The Blessing of the Boats sponsored by the St. Andrew the Apostle Society will take place at 1 p.m. June 10 at Long Wharf / New Haven Harbor, organizers said.
"The St. Andrew the Apostle Society would like to wish all the boaters and their families a safe and fun season," the statement said.
St. Andrew the Apostle is the patron saint of fishermen and Amalfi, Italy.  
The New Haven harbor master will direct boats where to go.
For more information, visit here. 

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

Pardee-Morris House opens for season June 3

It is with pleasure that New Haven Museum officials announce that the Pardee-Morris House will open for the season on June 3.
What is most striking about the Pardee-Morris house is that it dates from about 1780, making it one of the oldest surviving historic structures in Connecticut, according to a release. It was originally built by Amos Morris around 1750, but was burned by the British during their raid on New Haven in 1779, leading to the reconstruction of the house by the Morris family, the release said.
William Pardee, a descendent of the Morris family, willed the property over to the New Haven Colony Historical Society in 1915. The facility is now known as the New Haven Museum.
To commemorate the start of the season, the opening event on June 3 will have free family-friendly activities, the release said.
Many activities will take place, including giving children the opportunity to learn more about how colonial gardens were used by actively engaging in planting herbs. Children also will be able to participate in a scavenger hunt for prizes, inspired by the historical photos of the East Shore neighborhood that will be on display, the release said.
Visitors will be welcome to journey through the Pardee-Morris House as well. From June 3 to August 26, the Pardee-Morris House will be open free of charge every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Check for special events at the house throughout the summer season.
The Pardee Morris House is located at 325 Lighthouse Road. Founded as the New Haven Colony Historical Society in 1862, the New Haven Museum is located in downtown New Haven at 114 Whitney Ave.
For more information, contact Michelle Cheng, director of education at (203) 562-4183 ext. 11 or education@newhavenmuseum.org.

- Edited by Emilee Sousa

The Mary Wade Home parade is Friday in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - The Mary Wade Home will hold its 4th annual parade to celebrate Fair Haven and Homecoming Weekend from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday.
About 700 parade guests will be marching in the parade including local and state-wide dignitaries involving, state Sen. Martin Looney, state Rep. Roland Lemar, both D-New Haven, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Mayor John DeStefano, New Haven Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo, and many city officials and local community leaders, organizers said in a statement.

Check out coverage of last year's parade.

"David V. Hunter, CEO of Mary Wade, is proud to host the largest parade in the history of Mary Wade," the statement said.
“Parade participants have more than doubled and hail from 10 of New Haven’s local schools," Hunter said, also in the statement. "It is a great way to celebrate Mary Wade’s commitment to the community for over 145 years and  have our residents enjoy the talent that exists among our youth.”
Those in vehicles will include the New Haven Library Bookmobile, UI Chevy Volt Electric car, a city of New Haven Public Works crew, New Haven police and fire departments, a military vehicle driven by Master Sgt. James Mitchelle who is a neighbor and family member of a Mary Wade resident, Hunter’s Ambulance and Cherry Hill Construction, the statement said.
The parade steps off from Chatham Square.
Mary Wade residents will be entertained on Pine Street, in front of Mary Wade, and the parade will continue on Atwater, Grand and Clinton Avenues to entertain residents of the Fair Haven community, the statement said. An additional stop will be made in front of the Atwater Senior Center. 
A party will take place in the gardens of Mary Wade immediately following the parade, the statement said.  "A local resident who has exhibited leadership in the Fair Haven Community will be the recipient of The Mary Wade Community Award.  Assistant Chief Casanova was the first award recipient, followed by Lee Cruz, a Fair Haven resident and local leader," the statement said.
Mary Wade invites all members of the Fair Haven Community to come out for the parade,  line the streets and enjoy the parade in honor of Homecoming Weekend, the statement said.
"Homecoming Weekend was established by Leading Age, a national healthcare organization, to provide opportunities for elders to share and remember their youth while bringing diverse members of the community together in celebration of the Memorial Day Weekend,."
Local businesses that have donated to the event include Janelle’s, Rocco’s and Apicella’s bakery providing cookies, Grand Apizza, Abate’s, Zino’s, Planet Pizza, Little Caesar’s, and Liberty pizza providing pizzas for the event and Home Depot and Lowe’s providing the water, the statement said
"Special thanks to P. Diana & Sons for the ice to keep everyone cool in the summer heat."

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed. In the photo: Members of the Nation Drill Squad and Drum Corps march in the 3rd annual Mary Wade Home Parade along Pine Street in front of the home. Photo-Peter Casolino/New Haven Register

Fourth Annual Family Arts Night Presented by West Haven Council on the Arts

 

The West Haven Council on the Arts says it will proudly present Family Arts Night 2012 from 7 to 10 p.m. June 2 at Westwoods Ballroom, 85 Chase Lane.

"The all-ages event features live music, puppet-making, and a live puppetry performance. This will be followed by a glimpse “backstage” at a puppet theater and question and answer session with the puppeteer to learn about the art form, culminating in a Conga Line Puppet Parade in which everyone is invited to participate," organizers said in a statement.

The  $15 admission (families of four or more - $30) includes free coffee and soda and a chance to win an arts-related door prize, the statement said.

Additional tickets may be purchased for chances to win additional prizes, including gift certificates to area restaurants, the statement said. The event features bring-your-own-snacks with cabaret-style seating.

Headlining the event will be an adaptation of 'Jack in the Beanstalk,' by Spring Valley Puppet Theater featuring handcrafter, hand and rod puppets at 8 p.m., the statement said

“It is our hope that the community can come together on a Friday evening to unwind from the week in good company, have a great time and support the arts,” says West Haven Council on the Arts President Paul Scanlon, also in the statement. “West Haven is a friendly city where all ages interact, and we want to share that and bring some visibility to our unique civic and cultural spirit.”

Also from the statement: "The West Haven Council on the Arts is a coalition of citizens dedicated to reviving art, cultural events and tourism in our community. Our mission is to strengthen and promote the arts in West Haven by nurturing an appreciation of and participation in artistic endeavors in all media. Through the conversion of The Masonic Temple on Center Street into the West Haven Cultural Arts Center, we intend to provide a forum for local, regional and national artists to display their talents.

Meetings are held in the basement of West Haven City Hall on the first Thursday of each month. The public is invited to attend and new members are always welcome. Membership is $40 for a family and $20 per individual."

For questions about this or any other event, or to get on the email list for future arts events in West Haven, contact the WHCA at (203) 654-0756, email artswh@aol.com, or visit http://whcac.blogspot.com.

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

New Haven pre-school reps available June 4 to share information

NEW HAVEN — Meet representatives from preschool programs available for 3-year-olds that are transitioning to the New Haven Public Schools, in a session from 2-4 p.m. June 4 at High School in the Community, 175 Water St. New Haven.
Representatives from the New Haven Public Schools, Early Childhood Assessment Team, Headstart, Lulac Headstart, Early Childhood Preschool Component of the NHPS, New Haven Readiness Programs and South Central Birth to Three Service Coordinators have been invited to provide information and answers to questions.
Social workers will also be available to provide parents with information about resources in the community.

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

It's a 'Girl Thing' and women from the Hillhouse High School class of '54 are invited

WEST HAVEN — The ladies had such a good time last year that they decided to get together again this year.
It’s called a “Girl Thing” luncheon, says organizer Barbara Leonard of New Haven. Any woman who graduated from James Hillhouse High School in New Haven from the class of 1954 is invited to the gathering at 11:30 a.m. June 11 at Biagetti’s Restaurant, 77 Campbell Ave.
Last year, 73 showed up for the event, which also honors breast cancer survivors and those now in treatment, says Leonard. St. Raphael’s Women Center for Breast Health will provide informational materials and Branford Walmart contributes gifts for luncheon guests.
The cost is $17.95. To sign up, call Leonard at 203-468-2198.

Can you believe it? The Connecticut Irish Festival is 50!

The Connecticut Irish Festival will celebrate its 50th Anniversary on June 23 and 24.
The event is held at the North Haven Fairgrounds on Washington Avenue, according to a release.
"This event, sponsored by the Irish American Community Center, is the longest running Irish Festival in New England and, according to organizers, the United States," the release said.

At the event, "Cultural offerings include language and instrumental competitions."
There also will be genealogy, traditional music presentations, and carving demonstrations. 
The cultural building will house area Irish organizations and an Irish bread-baking contest, the release said.  

Children younger than under 16 are admitted at no charge.

 "Many family-friendly activities will be featured both days," the release said. 
Some exhibits include: Irish magic shows, face painting, and Irish story time
There will be  rides, youth football scrimmage, sheep shearing, and pony rides. 
Also, Seven Nations will headline Saturday evening, the release said. 

Other acts at various times are the Screaming Orphans, McLean Avenue Band, and the Mickey Finns.
Also, Celtic Cross, Kitchen Party, Mean Carlene, and Tommy Goodwin and Sharon, the release said. 
For a schedule of activities and times, visit  www.ctirishfestival.com.
Or visit the Festival Facebook page.

'Don't Spread the Lead' events in New Haven: Learn about a silent issue that can hurt you

NEW HAVEN — The New Haven Health Department’s Bureau of Environmental Health will team up with area businesses to hold the second of the 14th annual Don’t Spread Lead events on May 25, 2012 at Grand Paint & Floor Covering on Grand Avenue.
During the events, including one held at Painter’s Supply, on East Street, the venues “open their doors to childhood lead poisoning educators to provide resources for homeowners, contractors and parents,” according to a statement.
“This community event is just one part of New Haven’s Don’t Spread Lead Campaign – an effort designed to raise awareness about childhood lead poisoning prevention by educating the community about lead-safe renovation practices,” the statement said.
Paul Kowalski, New Haven Health Department’s Environmental health director, “will join other city health officials to provide lead poisoning prevention information to teach homeowners, contractors and parents how to reduce the risks of this serious, yet preventable illness.”
“The need for lead awareness and education within our communities cannot be overstated,” Kowalski said in the statement. “Children and parents who are informed about the threat of lead are more likely to take steps in their own homes to help prevent lead poisoning.  New Haven’s Don’t Spread Lead events are one of the city’s many efforts to help educate and protect our families.”
Children living in homes built before 1978 are at risk for exposure to lead through deteriorated paint, dust and soil that has been contaminated with lead from old paint and past emissions of leaded gasoline, the statement said,
“The majority of New Haven’s lead poisoning cases are concentrated in the Fair Haven, Hill, Newhallville and Dixwell neighborhoods where the afflicted children live predominantly in rental housing units,” the statement said.
“Over the past 10 years, largely due to a collaboration of concerned citizens, which includes parents, homeowners, health care providers, teachers and others, the number of New Haven children identified with lead poisoning has declined 65 percent; from 474 children reported in 2002 to 166 children in 2011,” Kowalski said in the statement. “Moreover, through New Haven’s HUD funded program, more than 1,117 homes have had lead removed from them.  However, there are still hundreds of homes in the area that are in need of lead-safe renovations.”The statement also noted: “There are no detectable symptoms for lead poisoning. Children often appear healthy, while dangerously high blood lead levels rob them of their learning potential and cause irreversible neurological damage. Lead poisoning can cause developmental delays, behavioral problems, and at very high levels, seizures, coma and even death.”
“Though we have seen an overall decline in lead poisoning cases in New Haven in recent years,” Kowalski said, also in the statement, “many New Haven residents are still unaware of this entirely preventable problem.  Although local efforts have resulted in a decrease in numbers, there were greater than 166 children reported with elevated blood lead levels greater than 10ug/dL in New Haven in the past year.”
Homeowners, contractors and families who attend the events “will be provided refreshments, coloring books with lead-safe tips, T-shirts and other educational materials that highlight lead issues and encourage lead prevention.  Lead inspectors will be on-site to answer individual questions,” the statement said.
For more information on lead poisoning prevention initiatives in New Haven, call the New Haven Health Department Bureau of Environmental Health at 203-946-8174
The event is been made possible with the assistance of the New England Lead Coordinating Committee, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the statement said.

Editor's note: All information and photo in this post were contributed.

New Haven Hill section annual reunion coming up

NEW HAVEN — It is time to get together again for the New Haven Hill section 7th annual reunion dinner, organizers said.
The event begins with a social and hot and cold hors d ‘oeuvres at 6 p.m. and buffet dinner at 7 p.m. June 7 at Anthony’s Ocean View, 450 Lighthouse Road.
Tickets are $42 per person and include open bar, tax and gratuity, organizers said in a statement.
Last year, more than 370 people attended the reunion and had a great time meeting old friends and talking over old times, organizers said.
To accommodate requests for reservations attendees are asked to coordinate with those who want to sit together and supply a list of people for the table and organizers will do the best they can to accommodate the requests, the statement said. Maximum per table is 10, with a limited number of 12 per table. No reservations accepted at the door.
To reserve seating, send check payable to: “Hill Reunion,” with your seating preference, to Jack Haggerty 182 Summerfield Gardens Shelton, 06484. For more information email him at jfhaggertyjr@comcast.net.
Be sure to visit the website at www.newhavenhillcitypoint.com.

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