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Statement from Mayor Bill Finch re: Memorial Day observance

"From the Revolutionary War to the War in Iraq and every battle in between, we as Americans have lost thousands of fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and friends. Here in Bridgeport we have lost a tragic total of 611 residents to World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the War in Iraq, with 550 of those being from World War II alone. Without these friends and family members who so willingly gave their lives for our ideals, we would not be as fortunate a nation as we currently are. It’s imperative that we continue to respect and remember those who lost their lives in protecting such noble causes as our freedoms, rights, privileges, and values as a country.

“We have four war memorials here in Bridgeport commemorating our fallen soldiers, not only on Memorial Day, but every day of the year. Located outside McLevy Hall, the Korean War, Vietnam War, World War I and World War II memorials stand together on Colonel Henry Mucci Plaza, designed by Navy Commander Ted Grabarz, to display the names of the Bridgeport residents who died in each respective war. The dedication on our World War II memorial states: “To those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that others would live.” We dedicate Memorial Day to them to show our reverence for this exact cause.

“During this Memorial Day weekend, please take a moment to honor those who have shed their blood and given their lives in the name of our country.”

Oseguera leads Fish past Ducks

By PERRY MILES

Central Islip – The Bridgeport Bluefish (16-12) defeated the Long Island Ducks (17-10) at Bethpage Ballpark on Friday Night by a score of 8-4. Bridgeport has won all five meetings this season against Long Island.

The Bluefish opened up the scoring with two runs in the first. Kennard Jones led off with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Prentice Redman extended his on-base streak to twenty-five in a row with an RBI double to left to give Bridgeport a 1-0 lead. Collin DeLome singled to center but Redman was thrown out at the plate as he tried to score. On the play, DeLome moved to second. The centerfielder would score on an RBI single to right by Luis Lopez to increase the margin to two.

Bridgeport picked up three base hits in the third to push across the teams’ third baserunner. Redman began the rally with a double. Consecutive singles by DeLome and Lopez brought Redman to the plate to give the road squad a three-run advantage.

The assault on Gustavo Chacin (0-1) continued in the fifth to knock the Long Island starter out of the game. With runners at first and second and two outs, Brock Peterson delivered a bloop double to left to score the lead runner and set up runners in scoring position. Ramon Vazquez delivered a two-run opposite field single to give Bridgeport a six-run cushion.

The Bluefish pushed across the final tallies of the night in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Vazquez served a sacrifice fly to left. After two outs had been recorded, a one-out RBI single from Luis Rodriguez brought home the eight run.

Long Island scored four in the eighth. The rally included a three-run shot by Brandon Sing to left and an RBI single from Wilberto Ortiz in the same direction; but the Ducks were unable to complete the comeback.

Paul Oseguera (2-2) completed seven shutout innings in earning the victory for the Bluefish. The lefthanded starter allowed two hits and a walk while fanning seven. Joe Bateman surrendered four runs on three hits and a walk while fanning a batter in the eighth. Kyle Zaleski completed a scoreless ninth for Bridgeport

Chacin lasted four-and-two-thirds for the Ducks and surrendered six runs, ten hits, and two walks while striking out two in taking the loss. Five Long Island relievers combined for four-and-a-third frames of two-run, three hit, four walk and two strikeout baseball.

Bridgeport continues a four-game series against the Long Island Ducks on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Bluefish fans are able to listen to the game on bridgeportbluefish.com. The voice of the Bridgeport Bluefish, Perry Miles, will have the call of the action. The pre-game show airs twenty minutes before each first pitch.

Roosevelt Dime to play Ridgefield

Roosevelt Dime is a group with songs that “are catchy toe-tappers, real feel good stuff” (Sing Out Magazine). If you are in the mood for a delightful fun evening, this is the band you want to come out and hear. The quintet is Brooklyn–based and combines elements of acoustic jug-band blues, classic New Orleans soul and neo-folk to create its own sound Steamboat Soul. Among the instruments they play are banjo, electric and washtub basses, percussion, trumpet and woodwinds. The group will be at CHIRP on Tuesday, June 5, hopefully in the park, otherwise the Ridgefield Playhouse. This concert has been very generously underwritten by Ridgefield resident Bettye Turitto. Bring the whole family and grandma too for this one. Rain or shine you don’t want to miss them.

Roosevelt Dime began its career, as have many musicians, both subway and street performing in New York City. But this was not just another group to rush by on your way from here to there. Written up in the New York Times the reviewer deemed them ‘a perpetual crowd pleaser” and wrote that the band “often has commuters soulfully stomping their feet in the subway and passersby lindy-hopping in the park.” To date they have released three albums and garnered almost uniformly great reviews. You can hear some of their music by going to CHIRP’s website www.chirpct.org or visiting the band’s own www.RooseveltDimeMusic.com.

Boston Pops Holiday Concert returns to Webster Bank Arena

By MICHAEL FOLEY

 

BRIDGEPORT – Harbor Yard Sports and Entertainment, LLC has announced that a press conference and cocktail reception will be held Wednesday, May 30^th at 6:00 p.m. at Webster Bank Arena to announce the return of the Boston Pops Holiday Concert.

 

“The Boston Pops Holiday Concert is a beloved show and we’re proud to bring it back to Connecticut,” said Howard Saffan, president of Harbor Yard Sports and Entertainment, LLC.

 

Webster Bank Arena will welcome on Wednesday City of Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. Members of the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestra will perform.

 

“We’re very happy that the Boston Pops Holiday Concert will be coming back to the Webster Bank Arena,” said Finch. “I invite everyone to take part in this wonderful family outing to celebrate the holidays.”

 

The Boston Pops Holiday Concert last performed at the Arena in December 2008. Additional show details will be released Wednesday. Webster Bank Arena, southern Connecticut’s premier sporting and entertainment venue, is conveniently located off Interstate 95 exit 27 and Route 8 exit 1 at 600 Main Street, Bridgeport. Upcoming events include Cirque Du Soleil/Dralion, Carrie Underwood, American Idol Live and Rush.

Daily Commentary: Post columnist may have her finger on the pulse of something but it's sure not Bridgeport

By ROB SULLIVAN

Keila Torres Ocasio might be a lifelong Bridgeporter, but you wouldn’t know it from her columns. In fact, every time I see her Connecticut Post tagline, Keila has her finger on the pulse of Bridgeport, I can’t help but burst into fits of convulsive laughter.

The latest example of Torres’ alleged finger was her rambling diatribe aimed at Ernie Newton. Obviously, our scribe was incensed that Ernie hustled and managed to secure the Democratic nomination for the 23^rd State Senate District. Her district! Why all the nerve.

Hey, this is politics and Ernie did the work and won the nod. He is now the endorsed candidate.

There were more than a few guffaws to be had while reading Torres’ drivel, but here are two of them. She smugly writes that as Ernie claimed to have worked procuring millions of dollars for the arena, this was impossible as the building was constructed in 2003, long before Mr. Newton became a State Senator. A couple of corrections, Keila. The arena was built in 2002 and Ernie was a State Rep at the time, so yes, he did work hard for the money (with all respect to the late, great Donna Summer).

Perhaps the funniest riff from Torres was her line that Steel Point is showing a “glimmer of hope.” Why? Because they put up a fence two years ago? Talk about an administration toady.

And one last thing Keila. If you don’t like f-bombs, don’t hang around with politicians.

Architecture: Art, Science & Energy is the focus at the Discovery Museum

Designed by John Johansen of the famous Harvard Five, The Discovery Museum building opened its doors 50 years ago as a result of a rich collaboration of regional towns, businesses, organizations, and residents. Join us as we celebrate Discovery's 50th anniversary, its exceptional architectural heritage, and the communities it serves.

 

Architecture: Art, Science & Energy

Saturday, May 26 -Saturday, September 15, 2012

 

An exhibition of architectural advances in design, energy conservation and sustainability created in partnership with participating architecture firms

 

Presented are distinct building types seen through the eyes of architects to help us understand how our built environment is created; how it can be made better, and how energy plays an important role.

School Ecologies

Svigals + Partners, Discovery Magnet School

A Green Home in Any Color

DeStefano and Chamberlain, Inc., Structural and Architectural Engineering

Skyscrapers

Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

Mixed-Use Buildings & Planned Communities

Robert Orr & Associates

Urban Space & Articulation

Touloukian Touloukian, Inc.

The Discovery Museum Retrospective

David Barbour Architects

 

Lecture Series Sponsored by Ring's End

Saturdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: June 16, 30; July 14, 28; August, 11, 25

June 16 Elizabeth DiSalvo, Trillium Architect

Foster Lyons, Coastal Point Construction

"How to Work with an Architect and Builder"

 

June 30 Joe DeRisi,Urbanminers

Fernando Pastor, Architect

"How to Incorporate Salvage into Your Project"

Bluefish hold off Ducks 5-4

DeLome and De La Vara lead Bluefish to victory

By PERRY MILES

Central Islip, N.Y. – The Bridgeport Bluefish (15-12) held on for a 5-4 victory against the Long Island Ducks (17-9) at Bethpage Ballpark on Thursday Night. Bridgeport has won all four meetings this season against Long Island.

Bridgeport scored the first five runs of the night in the second and third innings.

The Bluefish collected four of the five runs in the second frame. Collin DeLome scored on a sacrifice fly from Ramon Vazquez in the second. Later in the inning, Luis Rodriguez, Kennard Jones, and Pedro Lopez drove home baserunners for the road squad on base hits.

In the next inning, DeLome came to the plate on a solo drive to right in the third to increase the lead to five. The outfielder picked up his fourth shot of the season.

Josh Johnson matched DeLome by smacking a solo shot to left for Long Island in the fifth. His second homer of the year cut the deficit to four.

The Ducks would cut the margin to three after an RBI single from Johnson to left in the sixth inning. Long Island put two more runs on the board in the seventh courtesy of singles by Reid Gorecki and Matt Esquivel; but the surge was not enough for the home team to complete the comeback.

Bridgeport starter, Gilbert De La Vara (2-1), picked up the victory for the winning side as the lefthander delivered six innings of two run, seven hit, two walk and two strikeout baseball. Jonah Bayliss gave up two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out a batter. Rommie Lewis tossed a scoreless eighth and fanned one while Jorge Julio picked up his fourth save of the year in tossing a scoreless ninth while surrendering one hit.

Long Island starter, Joe Esposito (2-3) suffered the loss as the Bluefish produced five runs, eight hits, one walk and one strikeout against the righthander. Conor Graham, Dan Meyer, Eric Niesen, and Jeremy Hill combined for six-and-two-thirds shutout innings. The tandem allowed one hit, five walks and fanned two.

Even though Prentice Redman did not pick up a hit on Thursday, which ended his eleven-game hitting streak, the outfielder extended his on-base stretch to 24 straight with a walk in the fifth.

Bridgeport continues a four-game series against the Long Island Ducks on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust Receives 10-Thousand Dollars in Grant from Near & Far Aid

By ROB SULLIVAN 

Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust (BNT) Executive Director, Elizabeth Torres announced recently that Near & Far Aid awarded it $10,000 to develop a social service program for families living in the housing owned by BNT. BNT will work with its residents to address barriers preventing families from remaining housed, build a strong sense of community engagement and participation between residents, and access mainstream benefits and resources, such as SNAP and energy assistance. “We want to give our residents a hand 'up' by helping identify issues that will jeopardize their housing and develop a plan of action to address them,” says Elizabeth Torres. 

 

Bridgeport's Del Prete Italian Pastry Wins Award in Great Cake Bake Off!

By CARYN KAUFMAN

BRIDGEPORT: Del Prete Italian Pastry of Bridgeport, Conn. won an award for "Best Filling" in Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo's 90th Birthday Great Cake Bake Off. Eight regional bakeries worked feverishly to bake their wildest creations, which were judged by local celebrities, the Twice Baked Twins, during the Zoo's 90th birthday celebration last Saturday, May 19.   The local bakeries that also participated in the Great Cake Bake Off include Billy's Bakery of Fairfield, Adam's Bakery of Fairfield, DiSorbo's of Hamden, Dorazio Sisters Bakery of Newtown, Lucibello's Italian Pastry Shop of New Haven, Luigi's Italian Pastry & Wedding Cake Center of Bridgeport, and Stew Leonard's of Danbury. Each bakery was instructed to create a three tiered, frosted, zoo and birthday themed cake to be judged on taste, look, and theme. Other prizes were awarded in the following categories: Overall Grand Prize, Best Birthday Theme, Best Cake Texture, Best Flavor, Best Frosting, Best Looking, Best Zoo Theme, and Visitor's Choice.   In honor of Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo's 90th birthday, the Zoo kicks off the '90 Days of Summer" beginning Memorial Day weekend and ending Labor Day weekend.   '90 Days of Summer' Promotions* Memorial Day, May 28 - Labor Day, September 3, 2012:   Mondays: Roll Back Monday - all admission prices roll back to only $9!   Tuesdays: $1 carousel rides   Wednesdays: Receive half price admission if you were born in the 90s! MUST SHOW PROOF (Valid photo ID, birth certificate, passport, report card) Hint: If you were born in the 90s, you'd be 12-22 years old.   Thursdays: If it's a scorcher (over 90 degrees Fahrenheit), receive one free child admission with one paying adult.   Fridays: Be the 90th guest and get in FREE and receive a special gift just for you!   *NOTE: These offers do NOT apply to groups. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or coupons.   Birthday Bonus! As a gift to all Zoo visitors, anyone who comes to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo on his or her birthday gets in free (Photo ID with birthday required. Valid through 12/31/12).   A complete calendar of summer events may be found at beardsleyzoo.org.   Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $12.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $10.00, and children under 3 years old are free. Zoo members are also admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge. For information, call: (203) 394-6565. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is located at 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridge

Community Foundation Awards Grant to Women’s Center

By CHERYL KUNST

The Women’s Center recently received a $25,000 grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation. These funds will help to support the Center’s free and confidential, critically needed services for adults and children provided through our three major programs: Domestic Violence Services, Sexual Assault Services, and Resource Services. During the 2011 fiscal year, the Women’s Center served a total of 27,697 residents in our 13-town service area. These services, provided by specially trained and certified staff and volunteers, include: Crisis intervention, including two 24-hour hotlines and emergency response to area hospitals and police departments; emergency shelter for adult and child victims of domestic and sexual violence; individual and support group counseling; individual and system advocacy; comprehensive community education, primary prevention and training programs for a wide range of audiences from pre-school to senior citizens.

 

Pat Zachman, Executive Director, said “this funding could not have come at a better time, as the fiscal climate continues to challenge non-profits to do more and more with less and less. The Fairfield County Community Foundation not only recognizes this, but steps up their efforts to support organizations to meet the increased demand for their services. We are very grateful to them for this grant award.”