Gateway Community College to open a new exhibit, "Memory and Legacy" tonight

NEW HAVEN — Gateway Community College celebrates the naming of the NewAlliance Foundation Art Gallery with a new exhibit, "Memory and Legacy" and program of speakers tonight, according to a release.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the art gallery at Gateway's downtown New Haven campus, the release said.

Speakers, also according to the release, are: Thomas Griggs Jr. (Chair, Gateway Community College Foundation Board); Dorsey L. Kendrick, Ph.D. (President,  Gateway); Robert J. Lyons Jr. (Chair, NewAlliance Foundation Board); Kim Healey (Executive Director, NewAlliance Foundation); Fay Sheppard (Co-Director, Greater New Haven Holocaust Memorial); and Nicholas Halko (Program Coordinator, Gateway Art/Graphic Design Department).

"NewAlliance Foundation provides financial support to charitable organizations, addressing diverse community needs in the arts, community development, health and human services, and youth and education," the release said

"The college is grateful to the NewAlliance Foundation for its generous support. Its investment not only helps to enrich the lives of Gateway’s students, faculty and staff, but also provides important programmatic enhancements and learning opportunities," said Mary Ellen Cody, dean/director of the Gateway Community College Foundation. also in the release.

The exhibit will be on display until April 25, the release said.

"It is a poignant Holocaust remembrance exhibit that tells the story of the New Haven community (Holocaust survivors, educators, artists, political leaders, architects and landscapers) behind the creation of the New Haven Holocaust Memorial," the release said. "The exhibit, designed by architect Eric Epstein, features oral histories, drawings and archival photographs."

 

 It is free and open to the public.

"The Gateway Community College Foundation, Inc. supports Gateway Community College and its mission. Its Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers from Greater New Haven’s business, education, government and health care sectors who generously donate their time and expertise to support Gateway Community College through fundraising, scholarship selection and other volunteer activities."

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

Veterans Symposium April 10 at HCC

 

BRIDGEPORT – Housatonic Community College’s Veterans Club will hold a benefits information symposium April 10, according to a release.

The symposium begins at 4 p.m. in the Events Center in Beacon Hall.

"The symposium will offer information about military benefits, social services, education benefits and job placement services available to veterans," the release said. "Representatives from the Bridgeport Police Department and State Police will be on hand to offer information about job openings and upcoming exams."

The  release also noted guest speakers will include HCC President Anita T. Gliniecki, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, and State Sen. Andres Ayala.

 “The symposium is open to both veterans and anyone else who may be interested in this information,” said HCC Veterans Representative Jeffrey C. Stewart Jr., also in the release. 

HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from the Harbor Yard sports complex. Free parking is available in the Housatonic garage, the release said.

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At the New Haven Public Library: photographer Hien Duc Tran

NEW HAVEN - New Haven Free Public Library’s Democracy Forum will present  “A Vietnamese-American Perspective,  a conversation with photographer Hien Duc Tran” from 3 to 4 p.m.  May 10 at the main Ives Main Library, 133 Elm St., according to a release.

The "New Haven Free Public Library’s Democracy Forum is a series of wide-ranging community discussions with an invited guest," the release said 

There is no charge to attend to event.

Also in the release:

   Hien Duc Tran was born in Vietnam and came to the U. S. in 1975 as a 12-year-old refugee. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Boston's American Studies Program in 1987, where he pursued photography and ethnic studies. In 1989 he returned to Vietnam as a photojournalist with a delegation of American Vietnam veterans. His exhibit “Ngoc I Was, Pearl I Am: an Exhibition of Photographs on the Amerasian Experience in Boston and Vietnam” was held at the Boston Public Library in 1990.  A collection of Hien Duc Tran’s photographs is archived at the Joiner Center of Healy Library at UMass Boston.

 For more information, call the library at 203-946-8130 x211.

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New Haven Symphony Orchestra "Offers the Peace and Solace of the Brahms Requiem"

 

 

NEW HAVEN - The New Haven Symphony Orchestra and the New England Conservatory Concert Choir want to "lift your spirits."

The NHSO plans to do this with "Brahms’s emotional "Requiem" for the living, according to a release.

 

Music Director William Boughton conducts "Brahms Requiem" at 7:30 p.m.  April 24 at Woolsey Hall and the same time April 25 at at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. The exclusive sponsor of both concerts is the Knights of Columbus, the release said.

 

Also in the release:
Johannes Brahms was devastated by the loss of his mother in 1865.  In the dark days following her death, he completed a Requiem that was both profound and revolutionary. Because the work was composed, in Brahms’s own words, for the sake of all those whose hearts suffer loss, it is often performed as an act of healing after tragedy.  In the wake of the Boston Marathon attack, Boston area singers gathered at MIT to perform the work. “It begins with blessing those who carry the tremendous grief, and it ends with blessing the dead,” explained participant Danica Buckley. “And throughout it’s all about journey and peace and comfort and solace.”  Take a journey through grief and into peace and solace with the Symphony; by the work’s climax you will be lifted up as the soprano soloist spirals heavenward, interweaving blissful melodies with the harp.

 

The New England Conservatory Concert Choir, under the direction of Erica Washburn, is one of the nation’s premiere training grounds for professional singers.  Ms. Washburn approached the New Haven Symphony about performing together through two personal connections: NHSO Music Director William Boughton, a New England Conservatory alumnus, and NHSO Education Director Laura Adam, who attended the Eastman Conservatory with Washburn. Soloists for the Brahms Requiem are Danielle Barger, soprano, and Joshua Quinn, baritone, both NEC graduates and emerging performers of opera and song throughout the country.  

 

Tickets for the performance at Woolsey Hall are $15-69, student tickets are $10, KidTix are free for kids ages 6-17 (with paying adult), and Blue Star tickets are free for military families.  Hartford Cathedral admission is by goodwill offering. For tickets or more information, call 203.865.0831 x10 or email  www.NewHavenSymphony.org.

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Juvenile Justice: Murphy backs bill to give kids ongoing mental health care

In a statement, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) announced the introduction of:

The "At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2014."

The legislation: "ensures youths who spend time in the juvenile justice system receive the health care they need once they leave. According to research by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the vast majority of young people who enter the juvenile justice system suffer from at least one form of mental illness. Additionally, many are impacted by multiple disorders that inhibit their ability to function in society once they have served their time. These young people – many of whom come from impoverished backgrounds – desperately need treatment for serious mental illnesses and other health care issues once they leave the juvenile justice system," the release said.

 
"Despite these staggering statistics, states oftentimes terminate health coverage for young people in the juvenile justice system. This lack of coverage can last even after they are released from custody, prohibiting them from being able to receive treatment for serious illnesses that can impact others in their community. For example, many states simply fail to restore an eligible young person’s enrollment once they are released from the juvenile justice system. This causes serious gaps in coverage that prevent these children from receiving timely and much-needed health care," the statement said,

 

The At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act of 2014 "would solve this problem by prohibiting states from terminating an eligible child’s Medicaid coverage while in custody. Under this legislation, states would be also be required to ensure that an eligible young person is enrolled in Medicaid once he or she is released from the juvenile justice system. This will allow juveniles to remain covered throughout their time in the juvenile justice system and immediately afterwards," the release said.

 

“There’s no reason for these kids to be denied their basic right to health care,” Murphy said, also in the release. “Preventing them from getting critical care stunts their development, impacts their community, and might cause them to end up in the system again. I’m proud to introduce the At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act to make sure we give these kids the help they need and ultimately prevent future instances of youth incarceration.”

 
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‘Get Healthy Connecticut” in New Haven Saturday

NEW HAVEN - Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Public Health and the city will hold the ‘Get Healthy Connecticut' first annual “Get Fit Day” initiative on the New Haven Green Saturday, according to a release.

 

The event will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the New Haven Green

 

 

Mayor Toni Harp "and others will help bring the Get Healthy Connecticut physical activity directory to life on the New Haven Green in collaboration v," according to a release. 

"Activities for all ages will include exercise classes, climbing wall, walking tours, healthy food and health screenings. Participants in the New Haven weight loss challenge will also have the opportunity to donate their weight in pounds of food to two local food pantries as part of Get Healthy Connecticut’s “Pound 4 Pound” initiative," the release said.

 

All non-perishable non-expired food collected on April 5 will support the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen and FISH of Greater New Haven, the release said.

 

Also in the release:

Get Healthy CT is a coalition dedicated to preventing and reducing obesity by removing the barriers to healthy eating and physical activity through the inclusive collaboration of key stakeholders in the community.  Members of the Get Healthy CT coalition include Being Well @ Yale, CARE at the Yale School of Public Health, Central CT Coast YMCA, City of New Haven, City of New Haven Parks and Recreation, Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, DataHaven, Fitizen, New Haven Food Policy Council, New Haven Public Schools, Yale-New Haven Hospital and others. For more information, visit www.GethealthtyCT.org.
 

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President Obama's statement on shooting at Ford Hood

In an email from the White House, President Obama's staff released his statement on the shooting at Fort Hood.

 This is the statement, unedited here:

Below please find a corrected transcript: The initial transcript left off three words, which are bracketed below.

6:46 P.M. CDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  I just got off the phone with Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Sandy Winnefeld to get the latest report on the situation in Fort Hood.  Obviously we’re following it closely.  The situation is fluid right now.  But my national security team is in close contact with not just the Defense Department but the FBI.  They are working with folks on the ground to determine exactly what happened to make sure that everybody is secure.  And I want to just assure all of us that we're going to get to the bottom of exactly what happened. 

 

Any shooting is troubling.  Obviously this reopens the pain of what happened at Fort Hood five years ago.  We know these families.  We know their incredible service to our country and the sacrifices that they make.  Obviously our thoughts and prayers were -- are with the entire community.  And we are going to do everything we can to make sure that the community at Fort Hood has what it needs to deal with the current situation, but also any potential aftermath.

 

We're heartbroken that something like this might have happened again.  And I don't want to comment on the facts until I know exactly what has happened, but for now, I would just hope that everybody across the country is keeping the families and the community at Fort Hood in our thoughts and in our prayers.  The folks there have sacrificed so much on behalf of our freedom.  Many of the people there have been on multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.  They serve with valor; they serve with distinction. And when they’re at their home base they need to feel safe.  We don't yet know what happened tonight, but obviously that sense of safety has been broken once again.  And we're going to have to find out exactly what happened.

 

The Pentagon will undoubtedly have further briefings for you as we get more details [about what happened.]

 

Gateway Community College will hold two career fairs in April

 

In a release, Gateway Community College said it will hold a Career and Networking Fair,  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 9 and it will feature several employers including Verizon Wireless, Yale, Mohegan Sun, Leap, Workforce Alliance, Aflac, Fed Ex,  Ikea,  Office Team, United Way, Chabaso Bakery, Next Step Living, Latino’s in Higher Ed, All Pointe Care, Easter Seals, Avon, Engage Staffing, Adecco and Companions and Home Makers.

"Sponsored by GCC’s career services department, this event targets entry-level employees. Job seekers who plan to attend the Career and Networking Fair are strongly encouraged to wear business appropriate attire and bring copies of their resume," the release said. " GCC students, alumni and students from other colleges are welcome."

GCC Career Services staff will be there to advise students beforehand, the release said.

For additional information or to schedule an individual appointment call GCC Career Services at (203) 285-2094.

 

Then, GCC will be the site of the first statewide Computer Science Career Fair, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. April 14, the release said. 
"Job seekers attending this event should be skilled in web design, mobile apps, software development, networking or social media integration," the release said. "Individual attendees may indicate their contact information, availability, and computer skills when they register. This information will be forwarded to the hiring companies. Interested companies, students, and freelance developers will find a detailed agenda, directions, and registration links at www.CTtalent.org."


"The Computer Science Career Fair provides a unique opportunity to connect talent with more than 20 growing companies, 200 computer developers and other IT professionals," the release said. "The Computer Science Career Fair will also include a panel discussion on computer science career opportunities and the specific skills companies look for in new hires. "

“There just aren’t enough computer science grads to meet the demand,” event organizer Mike Roer said, also in the release. 

Both events will be held in GCC’s community room, N100 and are free and open to all college students and grads from GCC and other colleges in the region.  

Information on the April 14 Computer Science Career Fair can be had by email to Mike Roer at Roer@EntrepreneurshipFoundation.org or by calling (203) 540 5903.

 

Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge sponsors 'ite Birds and Butterflies to Your Backyard'

The Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge staff will lead "a how-to presentation on attracting songbirds, hummingbirds, butterflies and other interesting creatures to your back yard," at 6 p.m. April 10, according to a release.

Two free information booklets will be provided to the first 30 attendees, the release said.

The talk is at the Westbrook Public Library - 61 Goodspeed Drive. It is free and open to the public.

 

Call Visitor Services Manager Shaun Roche at 860-399-2513 for more information on this and other public programs, the release said..

'Quill Pens and Two-Tined Forks' at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum in Connecticut

"New, Interesting Oddities Offered at Revolutionary War Encampment by

Big Bear Trading Co."

 

The sixth-annual Revolutionary War Encampment at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum will be held  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24, according to a release.

 

And, there is something new in store for victors.

 

When organizers "wanted to add a new element to their painstakingly authentic event, they naturally decided on a sutler—a military merchant—who hails from Rhode Island and brings with him with an interesting history of his own," the release said.

Check out a look at some Rhode Island history here:

"Steve Salisbury will slip into his role as an 18^th-century trader and bring his Big Bear Trading Company" to the Wethersfield, Conn. event. the release said.

 

Salisbury "will set up a period tent and purvey period copies of trade goods that were sold and traded in America in the mid-to-late 1700s. A descendant of Roger Williams, who founded the Providence Plantation in 1636, Salisbury became a reenactor in 1976, at the age of 16, and joined the 46th British Regiment in Rhode Island," the release said.

 

"He since joined more than a half dozen other reenacting groups, ranging from the Starks Company of Rogers Rangers for the French and Indian War to the Rhode Island Trayned Bande of 1660. In 1991 he began the Big Bear Trading Company to serve as a sutler to his fellow re-enactors and the public. "
 

The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum Revolutionary War Encampment will be held at 211 Main St., Old Wethersfield. following the Wethersfield Memorial Day parade, the release said.

Admission to the encampment is free; regular admission rates will be charged for optional tours of the museum.
 

"The encampment offers visitors the chance to interact closely with members of the Fifth Connecticut Regiment in full Colonial costume, with entertaining demonstrations of marching and musket firing, 18th-century open-fire cookery, and enchanting harp and dulcimer music."

"Shortly after the regiment partakes of its midday meal, children in attendance will be invited to learn to march and perform drills with wooden 'muskets.' A fascinating display and discussion of the medical and surgical techniques used in the late 1700s, and an exhibit of period clothing and fashions, are also featured."

Also in the release and unedited here but posted for information sharing purposes:

The event also includes members of the 54^th Regiment of Foot, a dashing band of British redcoats whose safety is uncertain once they commence a “surprise” attack on the Continental soldiers at 1 p.m. Also featured will be the wildly popular fare created by Liberty Tea, bakers who create delicious homemade treats from historic recipes, using all-natural ingredients, which sold out at the 2013 encampment.

Horseman David Loda— a dashing figure in full Continental uniform and tri-corn hat astride his gleaming Morgan horse, Huckleberry—will demonstrate sword and pistol skills from the 18^th-century at approximately 2 p.m.. When Loda portrays Humphreys—barreling across a battlefield toward a “soldier” portrayed by a melon perched atop a post— visitors easily grasp the level of discomfort their forbears felt when faced with a charging, sword-wielding horseman.

The encampment is underwritten in part by a grant from the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut.