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An update from the zoo

As we start a new year, here are some exciting updates about changes at your zoo.

First, we are looking forward to welcoming Booski, a five-year-old Amur tiger who is joining us in early January. Booski has been living with his sister at the Detroit Zoo, but he is coming to Connecticut for breeding purposes of this endangered species. As is standard Zoo policy, he will remain in quarantine for a few weeks before going on exhibit. We'll let you know when you can get your first peek at him!

We'll also let you know when our new ocelot kitten and his mother will be on exhibit in our Tropical Rainforest Building. We hope to see them out sometime this month, but that depends on some work being done in their building.

Which leads us to information about some "greening" being done at the Zoo. We are replacing the HVAC system in the Tropical Rainforest Building and recently converted all lighting Zoo-wide into energy saving light bulbs and motion sensors. We plan to install a solar array system in the Hanson Exploration Station this spring and perhaps also at our Victorian Greenhouse and Peacock Café.

To help visitors get the most out of their visit, we continue to add interpretive graphics (like above) around the Zoo. You've already noticed two "Welcome to the Zoo" signs and signage in the wetlands area. We have designed and ordered signs for Predator Row, the Hanson Exploration Station and Gift Shop. Throughout the year, we will add history and cultural signage as well as informational graphics for our New England Farmyard area. Many thanks to People's United Bank Foundation, which provided a grant to fund our new signage.

So, there's a lot to look forward to at your zoo in 2009!

Healthy Hearts to examine insurance issues

—“Medicare & Insurance Issues” is the program of the next St. Vincent’s Healthy Hearts Club meeting on Wednesday, January 7 at 7:00pm in the Level “C” Seton Room of St. Vincent's Medical Center . The presentation is free and open to the general public.

Featured speaker is St. Vincent ’s certified insurance counselor Gerd Weindling, who will discuss Medicare, insurance and supplemental coverage options. Weindling will answer questions regarding Medicare benefits, Medicare Supplemental, managed care,  prescription plans, long-term care, and advanced directives.

            Every second, third and fourth Wednesday of the month, Weindling offers his free insurance counseling sessions to the public from 10am-Noon at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in the main lobby. On the first Wednesday of the month, the program is presented from 10am-noon at St. Vincent ’s Wellness Booth at Westfield Shoppingtown Trumbull in the Lord & Taylor courtyard. The Wellness Booth is a project of the Mario & Irma D’Addario Hypertension Fund.

Weindling also offers free  group presentations, including “Family Conversations,” which focuses on helping elderly parents prepare for the future.

A question and answer period will follow his presentation to the Healthy Hearts Club.

            Light refreshments will also be served.

            Parking is free with ticket validation in the new Campus Parking Garage immediately in front of St. Vincent 's.. No registration is necessary.

            St. Vincent’s Healthy Hearts, is open to all cardiac patients and their families. For further information on the Healthy Hearts Club, call St. Vincent 's CareLine toll-free at

1-877-255-7847 or St. Vincent ’s Cardiac Rehabilitation  at  203-576-5012.

City officials discuss safety issues

Mayor Bill Finch, together with Acting Police Chief Joseph Gaudett Jr. and Fire Chief Brian Rooney, have discussed New Year’s Eve public safety issues, and outlined some simple steps residents could take to stay safe during the holiday season and beyond.

“Safety is our number-one priority during the holiday season, and throughout the year,” said Finch . “Here are two New Year’s resolutions everyone should make: make sure your home or apartment has a working smoke detector, and, if you own a gun, please secure it properly by getting a free gun lock from the police department.” City Council members Maria Valle, D-137, Leticia Colon, D-131, and Michelle Lyons, D-134, also joined the Mayor and the chiefs at the press event held at City Hall Annex.

State to cover cost school health centers thru 2/28

STAFF REPORTS 

Mayor Bill Finch has announced that the state will fulfill its commitment to fund the city’s school-based health centers from Jan. 1 –Feb. 28 while the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) works to determine which private vendor will operate them beginning March 1, 2009.

 

The private vendor will be chosen from among those who responded to a request for proposal put out by the DPH earlier this year. Proposals from private agencies are currently under review by the DPH and a decision should be made soon regarding which agency will be awarded the contract to run the centers.

 

The centers will remain open and continue servicing the school population through the transition period. There will be no reduction in staffing levels during the transition.

 

“We have always had the best interests of the children in mind during this entire process. We will continue to work with the Department of Public Health through this transition period, and until the new vendor is in place,” said Mayor Finch .

 

The final payment of this contract between the City of Bridgeport and the state, funded by money allocated by the state legislature, will cover the cost of running the centers through the end of February at which time the DPH hopes to have the new vendor in place. The current staff that have received layoff notices have had those notices extended to Feb. 28.

 

Once a provider has been identified, the Mayor in conjunction with the Board of Education will conduct informational sessions with parents to review any changes in policy and health care delivery.

HCC gets grant from UI

 

 

Barbara Johnson, President of the Housatonic Community College Foundation, Inc. has announced that The United Illuminating Company awarded $10,000 for the 2009 academic year to the Housatonic Community College Foundation, Inc. to be used for the Middle College Pilot Program as part of the recently concluded HCC Foundation’s Pathways to Success Major Gift Campaign.

            The Major Gifts Campaign exceeded its goal of $1 million and focused on five initiatives to foster an edu cated community: scholarships, programs to assist student success, programs to meet the needs of today’s workplace and provide a relevant workforce, programs that better prepare high school students for academic achievement, and support of the activities of the Housatonic Museum of Art to enrich the community.    

           

Chernow Art Gallery closed on weekends through 1/25

The Housatonic Museum of Art's Burt Chernow Galleries, which are hosting the 25^th Anniversary exhibit of Art Place through Jan. 30, will be closed weekends through Jan. 25.  The Galleries and the Museum follow the calendar of Housatonic Community College . The Galleries will be open Mon.- Fri. 8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.,  Thurs. until 7 p.m.; while the college is open. Please call 332-5000 to be sure that the College is open when you plan to visit, especially during the holiday season. The museum is located on the HCC campus at 900 Lafayette Blvd in downtown Bridgeport.

Bridgeport filmmaker chosen for Sundance Film Festival

SoMuch Pictures announces its groundbreaking animated short film, “Dear Beautiful,” directed by Roland Becerra, has been named an Official Selection by the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.  This year the Sundance Film Festival selected 200 films for exhibition from more than 9,000 submissions.

 

HCC to offer ESL courses

By ANSON SMITH

 

Housatonic Community next semester will offer 10 English as a Second Language courses.

The courses, which are offered Mondays through Thursdays as well as Saturdays, are designed with elementary, intermediate and advanced level students in mind. There are both 3 and 6 credit courses offered.

The courses, which are offered in Lafayette Hall at the college, include:

§         Grammar 1, 3 credits.  An intensive language course for high-beginner and low-intermediate, non-native students who want to develop competency in the use of basic grammatical structures in everyday situations. The course provides students the opportunity to learn these structures through daily reading and language analysis exercises, speaking and writing practice. Offered Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-12: 20 p.m. in Room B212.

§         Combined Skills II, 6 credits.  A high beginner-level language course for non-native students who need to develop confidence and fluency in speaking and writing practical English for everyday use. It includes listening comprehension and speaking skills, general vocabulary, basic grammar, and simple reading and writing practice. Offered Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30-9:20 p.m. in Room B214.

§         Combined Skills III, 6 credits. An academically-oriented language course for non-native students who have a simple knowledge of spoken and written English. Emphasizes intensive general academic vocabulary development, extensive reading and listening comprehension, major aspects of sentence structure and grammar, and speaking and writing improvement using linguistically controlled materials. Two hours of laboratory/tutorial practice required per week. Offered Mondays & Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-1: 50 p.m. in Room B214 in and Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30-9:20 p.m. in B214.

§         Grammar III, 3 credits. An intensive language course for non-native students who want to develop competency in the use of intermediate grammatical structures in practical and academic contexts. The course provides students the opportunity to learn these structures through daily reading and language analysis exercises, speaking and writing practice. Offered Mondays & Wednesdays, 5-6:20 p.m. in Room B214.

§         Combined Skills IV, 6 credits. Helps intermediate level ESL students improve their reading and writing skills and provides practice in listening and speaking. Reading assignments stress comprehension and vocabulary building. Writing skills focus on developing basic sentence structure and simple paragraphs. Students listen to taped lectures, practice dictation and note-taking, and participate in structured group discussions. All activities focus on expanding knowledge of English and developing fluency in all skills. Two hours of laboratory/tutorial practice required per week. Offered Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30-9:20 p.m. in Room B123; Mondays & Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-1:50 p.m. in Room B123, and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 9:20 p.m. in B123

§         Oral Communications IV, 3 credits. A speech improvement course to help intermediate-level, non-native speakers of English to communicate more effectively in everyday situations and in academic settings. Focus is on developing greater clarity and fluency in spoken English through daily listening discrimination and pronunciation exercises; peer observation and interaction; guided group discussions and individual oral presentations. One hour of laboratory or tutorial practice required per week. Offered Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5-6: 20 p.m. in Room B214.

§         Combined Skills V, 6 credits.  An advanced language course for non-native students who have developed basic fluency in written and spoken English and who wish to further improve their language skills for academic or career purposes. Emphasizes intensive academic vocabulary development, extensive reading practice using short and long selections of general interest from academic subjects and literary works, individual pronunciation and oral presentations. Elements of effective writing, including problems in advanced syntax and sentence structure, are applied in short essays and longer writings such as autobiographies and book reports. Two hours of laboratory/tutorial practice required per week. Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30-9:20 p.m. in Room B204.

§         Grammar V, 3 credits. An intensive language course for non-native students who want to develop competency in the use of advanced grammatical structures in academic contexts. The course provides students the opportunity to master these structures through daily reading and language analysis exercises, group discussion and essay writing. Mondays & Wednesdays, 5-6:20 p.m. in Room B213.

§         Combined Skills VI, 6 credits.  Helps advanced ESL students expand and refine their reading, listening, speaking and writing skills for more effective communications in college and career settings. Students read non-fiction and fiction relating to North American culture and other subjects, discuss readings in small groups, then respond to readings by writing essays, summaries and reports. Students listen to taped lectures, dialogues and narratives from radio and television, and present oral reports and debates on selected topics. Activities focus on developing fluency, clarity and correctness of expression. Two hours of laboratory/tutorial practice required per week. Offered Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11a.m.-1:50 p.m. in Room B214 and Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30-9: 20 p.m. in Room B213.

§         Oral Communications VIl: 3 credits,   A speech improvement course to help advanced-level, non-native speakers of English communicate more effectively in academic and professional settings. Focus is on accent reduction and developing communication strategies through listening discrimination and pronunciation exercises; self-analysis practice, peer observation and interaction, and oral presentations. One hour laboratory/tutorial practice required per week. Offered Mondays & Wednesdays, 5-6: 20 p.m. in Room B204.

For more information, contact Prof. Maria Roche at 293-332-5149.

Registration for the Spring semester is going on now. Students can register online through Jan. 30, or by mail, fax or dropping off completed paperwork in the lobby drop box near the Information Desk in Lafayette Hall through Jan. 9. Formal registration sessions will be held Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Thursday. Jan. 15, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Late registration sessions will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 21,, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 22, , 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.; and Friday, Jan. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A special registration session for senior citizens and high school partnership students will be held Friday, Jan. 23, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Classes start Monday, Jan. 26. For more information, contact Admissions at 203-332-5100 or the Registrar’s Office at 203-332-5088.

Sound Tigers pluck Falcons

By KIMBER AUERBACH

The Sound Tigers’ top line of Trevor Smith, Kurtis McLean and Mike Iggulden combined for eight points in the team’s 4-1 victory over the Springfield Falcons. McLean scored twice while Iggulden and Jeff Tambellini each added a goal to improve the Sound Tigers’ record to 19-7-1-2, giving them 41 points this season, tying them for the top spot in the American Hockey League with the Hershey Bears. Peter Mannino was in goal for the fifth straight game, earning his ninth win of the season making 23 saves. Rob Schremp had the lone goal of the game for the Falcons. 

 

McLean opened the scoring for the Sound Tigers with just under four minutes to play in the opening period. Iggulden hit Smith with a long breakout pass that sprung him on a two-on-one with McLean. Smith took the puck on his back-hand and feathered a pass through the defenseman to McLean at the back-door where he one-timed the puck past Springfield starting goalie, Devan Dubnyk’s blocker. The goal was McLean’s eighth of the season and gave the Sound Tigers the 1-0 lead entering the second period. 

 

Bysiewicz: Supreme Court right not to hear crackpot lawsuit

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz today issued the following statement  following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to hear a legal challenge brought by Greenwich resident Cort Wrotnowski claiming that President-elect Barack Obama was ineligible to be sworn in as the 44^th President of the United States because his citizenship status was in question. 

 

“The Supreme Court of the United States has appropriately decided not to intervene in a case with very little, if any legal merit.  Clearly, President-elect Barack Obama is a born citizen of the United States over the age of 35 and won a majority of the votes on Election Day November 4, 2008.  Therefore, he meets the constitutional requirements to serve as President of the United States .  Following yesterday’s vote, President-elect Obama won 365 Electoral votes – plenty more than enough to be sworn in as our country’s 44^th President. 

 

This legal challenge was based on erroneous information and was legitimately dismissed at the state level.  I am relieved that the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court found no reason to question the view of our own jurists in Connecticut , who found that President-elect Obama was eligible to become president and as such had every right to be on our state’s ballots and certified as the winner of Connecticut ’s 7 Electoral votes.”

City to dole out $55K for lobbying firm

The City has selected the lobbying firm of Gaffney, Bennett and Associates to acts as its state legislative lobbyist – awarding a one-year contract for $55,000, subject to council approval.

 

The contract with Gaffney, Bennett and Associates will be discussed by the Contracts Committee.

A mystery in the fine points of furniture

 

By LAURA ROBERTS

Chances are you are reading this while you are sitting in a chair.  Today’s homes are typically furnished with many chairs, but this wasn’t always the case.  In the 17^th century, only the wealthiest of households could afford them.  At that time stools and benches were more common for seating.

 

A hand-crafted chair owned by the Fairfield Museum and History Center has recently caused a stir among early American furniture experts.  This chair, which could date as early as 1690 and probably not later than about 1720, may be a rare hybrid of two regional styles of the time.  In remarkably original condition, it shows the influence of design and techniques used by both Boston and New York chairmakers. 

 

SWIM Across the Sound Sports Gala will Benefit Connecticut’s First Responders and Their Families Battling Cancer

 

By KRISTIN JONES

St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound Sports Gala & Auction is set for Monday, January 19 at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven .

 

The event will begin with a silent auction of sports memorabilia at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m., sports commentary and a live auction.

 

The sports celebrity lineup will include Jim Lonborg, 1967 Cy Young Award winner with the Boston Red Sox; Willie Clay Upshaw, former first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays; Craig Breslow, pitcher for the Minnesota Twins; “Tremendous” Travis Simms, 2003 & 2007 WBA Super Welterweight Champion and Howie Schwab, Host of ESPN’s “Stump the Schwab.” Attendees will be able to listen to their sports commentary and meet the celebrities.

 

Sound Tigers lose in Virginia

By KIMBER AUERBACH

Kurtis McLean would score his seventh goal of the season only 30 seconds into the final period of regulation but it was not enough as the Norfolk Admirals beat the Sound Tigers, 3-2.  Brandon Segal and Grant Potulny would each score first period goals for the Admirals.  Sean Bentivoglio had the first goal of the game for the Sound Tigers.  Peter Mannino started in goal for the Sound Tigers, making 20 saves on 23 shots while Mike McKenna stopped 30. 

 

Amman to declare in Bridgeport

By ROB SULLIVAN

Outgoing Speaker of the House Jim Amman will announce his gubernatorial candidacy right here in the Park City.

Amman, a Milford representative, made the announcemen durin a Wednesday interview with WICC's Jim Buchanan. Amman, who is a Bridgeport native, said, "My family's roots are here and I'll do anything to help."

Amman added, "I love seeing the cranes here. I'd love to help Mayor Finch and the city's alderman continue this Renaissance. P.T. Barnum is from Bridgeport and to me that means this city should be the entertainment capitol of Connecticut."

Youth hockey shootout on tap

By KIMBER AUERBACH

For the third straight year, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers are teaming up with local youth hockey organizations to host the All Awards Youth Hockey Shootout.  Kids playing at the Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee or Bantam levels will have the chance to display their one-on-one breakaway skills with the event culminating in the Finals on Feb. 28 during both the first and second intermissions of the Sound Tigers’ game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

 

“The response and support for all of the competing skaters from various local youth hockey organizations is remarkable,” Sound Tigers’ Community Relations Director Shane Beardsley said.  “We are excited to partner with All Awards in Milford and give the winning shooters trophies to help them remember the event.” 

 

Six local rinks will provide the ice for the preliminary rounds of the shootout competition.  East Haven Ice Rink will have the first night of competition on Sunday, Jan 11^th from 10-11 a.m.  The next night of the preliminary rounds will take place on Monday, Jan. 19 at three area complexes, The Rinks at Shelton, Northford Ice Pavilion and the Terry Connors Ice Rink in Stamford.  The preliminary round at The Rinks at Shelton is scheduled to run from 2:30-3:30 p.m., The Northford Ice Pavilion is set for 12:30-1:30 p.m. and at the Terry Connors Ice Rink from 1-2 p.m.  The final day of the preliminary rounds is on Monday, Jan. 26 at the Milford Ice Pavilion from 7-8 p.m. and the Danbury Ice Arena from 7:40-9:00 p.m. 

 

Saying good-bye to PID; a man of many talents, many friends

By ROB SULLIVAN

I sat at the press table Friday night awaiting the start of the Saint Peter’s Fairfield University basketball game quite sure some type of public acknowledgement would be made to one of the best friends Fairfield U. ever had.

I had little doubt and couldn’t help but smile in admiration when the public address announcer and Assistant Vice President of Student Services began a dignified tribute to the late professor Paul I. Davis, Assistant Professor Emeritus of History at Fairfield, known as PID to all who knew him.

Mr. Fitz, who is also a face of Fairfield, told the crowd of how PID was a huge supporter of Fairfield basketball and probably the longest season ticket holder in Stags basketball history. He certainly was a fixture at every hoop game.

Fitzpatrick also spoke of PID’s service as moderator of the college’s rugby club, a position he held for 27 years. He also became the first-ever moderator elected to the Fairfield University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003, and his plaque was proudly displayed at his wake.

These old time football players were 'Giants Among Men'

By ROB SULLIVAN

To author Jack Cavanaugh, the behavior of present day National League Football players is mystifying.

“Look at Plaxico Burress,” said Cavanaugh, referring to the New York Giants wide receiver who recently accidentally shot himself with an unlicensed gun in a New York City night club, essentially blowing a $33 million contract and probably guaranteeing himself a few years in jail. “All that money is up in smoke. What idiotic, insane behavior.”

Cavanaugh, an adjunct writing professor at Fairfield University, was making these observations to better than 200 members of the Ys Men of Westport/Weston last Thursday, and his exasperation was shared by nearly all of the audience. The author also referenced Michael Vick, currently in federal prison for organizing incredibly inhumane dogfights, and Adam “Pacman” Jones, who returned last week to the Dallas Cowboys following a suspension for getting into a fight with one of his bodyguards.

“Here’s a guy who’s been arrested a half dozen times since he’s been in the league, so the Cowboys assigned him a bodyguard to keep him out of trouble,” marveled Cavanaugh. “Then he fights one of those bodyguards. Incredible.”

Cavanaugh should be incredulous. After all, he recently interviewed dozens of players from the NFL’s golden age for his book “Giants Among Men,” the story of the great Giants teams of the late 50s and early 60s.

“The Giants I write about almost to a man became very successful,” Cavanaugh said.

Bluefish complete Harbor Yard renovations

The Bridgeport Bluefish have announced the completion of the renovation to the playing surface at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The project required the complete replacement of the entire field, including the infield and outfield grass, the infield dirt, the warning track, the pitcher’s mound and the area around home plate. The installation of new sod along with an improved drainage system will help keep the field in pristine condition all season long.

 

The Bluefish are committed to giving fans an enjoyable environment to watch a baseball game at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The complete replacement of the field will accomplish this and was also done to guarantee that the Bluefish players and visiting teams have the finest playing surface in the Atlantic League.

 

“The Bluefish take pride in representing the city of Bridgeport and these new renovations will give the stadium a professional atmosphere,” said Bluefish CEO Frank Boulton. “This new playing surface will bring many smiles to the fans, players and staff.”

 

Fans can look back at these renovations and view the entire process at www.bridgeportbluefish.com.

Sound Tigers team up with local Chabads

The Sound Tigers and local Chabad Centers are teaming up for an exciting Chanukah celebration that the entire community will enjoy. On December 21st, which is the first night of the holiday of Chanukah, the Sound Tigers will take on the Lowell Devils and host their first “Chanukah with the Sound Tigers” celebration. The event is being sponsored by local businesses including Honda of Westport, Bounce U, Legends of the Game, Cohen & Wolf PC and Capitol Photo Interactive. 

 

The festivities will include the lighting of a large menorah at center ice during the game’s intermission and a video feature where players will explain the holiday. For the first time, Arena at Harbor Yard will have a concession stand selling strictly Kosher foods for fans in attendance. 

 

“We are extremely excited to share the holidays with all of our fans and have this Chanukah celebration,” Sound Tigers’ president Howard Saffan said. “The festivities will be informative but at the same time fun for all of the fans in attendance that night.” 

 

Tickets are available for purchase by contacting Chabad of Westport at (203)226-8584 (ext. 4) or online at www.chabadFF.com.