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Property management course offered at HCC

Housatonic Community College in June will offer a free Introduction to Property Management course.

                The course, which introduces students to entry level jobs in areas such as desk clerk, offers interested students the first formal training that combined education and field-training opportunities to be successful in these areas. It is targeted to residents of affordable and supportive housing, which often offers these types of positions to residents.

                “This course can be your first step to learn about different entry-level career positions in the affordable and supportive housing sector,” said Director of Continuing Education Debbie Kuchmas. “This course will introduce students to college education and will equip them with skills to obtain entry level employment.”

Early Bird Specials at Cafe Tavolini

 

Come join us for dinner….

Early Bird Special

$12.99

Your choice of Mista or Caesar Salad

A selection of fine Entrees

Homemade Dessert

Coffee & Tea

Monday thru Thursday

4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

All orders must be in by 7:30 p.m.

Walkins Welcomed Reservations requested

Entrée selections

Pennette alla Vodka

Penne pasta with prosciutto, pancetta, shallots in a pink vodka cream sauce

Pasta Primavera

Sauteed mixed veggies over linguini pasta, served with a white sauce

Spaghetti con Polpette

Spaghetti with grandmas meatballs, Old fashion style!

Farfalle con Pollo

Chicken breast, tomatoes, eggplant, spinach & smoked mozzarella tossed in a light tomato sauce

Cavatelli al Pomi

Fresh pasta with sautéed tomatoes, garlic, basil & fresh mozzarella

Pollo Scarpiello

Chicken breast and hot cherry peppers in a demi glace with herbs

Pollo Parmigiana

Chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, sautéed in a marina sauce over spaghetti

Raccordo della Suola

Filet of Sole served with potato & veggie

Medagliono di Salmone

Salmon medallion pan roasted with saffron risotto and brocchili

CAFÉ TAVOLINI

A taste of Italy

3074 Fairfield Avenue

Black Rock, Ct. 06605

203-335-1111

Don't buy into swine flu hype

By REBECCA KARCHERE

For all the hype about the swine flu:

Fear is what the media feeds us with. If you buy into it, you have been duped.
Please remember that fear is the only thing that can open the door to disease.

Where there is fear, love cannot exist and love heals the body.
Love, love, love is the answer.
Stay focused on love and truth and you will be full of health, vitality and longevity.

Surrender your fears to God daily and you will overcome the world.
Surrender your fear of the swine flu, of infections, of pathogens, of disease and sickness and you will receive health.
Recite daily that you are healthy.

Do the basics:

pray, get adequate rest, proper diet and supplements, hydrate, attitude check

Statement from Vice President Biden’s Spokesperson Elizabeth Alexander:

 

“On the Today Show this morning the Vice President was asked what he would tell a family member who was considering air travel to Mexico this week. The advice he is giving family members is the same advice the Administration is giving to all Americans:  that they should avoid unnecessary air travel to and from Mexico. If they are sick, they should avoid airplanes and other confined public spaces, such as subways. This is the advice the Vice President has given family members who are traveling by commercial airline this week. As the President said just last night, every American should take the same steps you would take to prevent any other flu:  keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you're sick; and keep your children home from school if they're sick.”

 

New pigs

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only Zoo, welcomed the birth of eight Guinea Hog piglets on April 16, 2009.  Mom and dad are two Guinea Hogs currently on exhibit at the Zoo - named Olivia and Hamton J. Pig.  Visitors are invited to come to the Zoo to meet the eight new additions to the Zoo's family.
 
"Unlike the original "Octomom," our Olivia looks nothing like Angelina Jolie," joked Zoo director, Gregg Dancho.  "Mom and her entire litter are healthy and doing well."
 
The piglets range in weight from just under one pound to two pounds.  When fully grown, Guinea Hogs may reach 100 to 300 pounds.  They also are known as Pineywoods Guinea, Acorn eater, Guinea Forest hog, and Yard pig.  According to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC), the hogs were once the most numerous pig breed found on farms in the Southeast but today there are fewer than 200.  Guinea hogs are classified as critical (versus endangered) by ALBC and are unique to the United States.
 
The Zoo exhibits the guinea hogs in the New England Farmyard.  The Zoo's one male and two female guinea hogs came from Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita and Virginia Zoo (respectively).  The other female, Jodie, also is expecting.
 
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $9.00, and children under 3 years old are free.  Members of the Connecticut Zoological Society also are admitted free.  Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only Zoo, welcomed the birth of eight Guinea Hog piglets on April 16, 2009.  Mom and dad are two Guinea Hogs currently on exhibit at the Zoo - named Olivia and Hamton J. Pig.  Visitors are invited to come to the Zoo to meet the eight new additions to the Zoo's family.
 
"Unlike the original "Octomom," our Olivia looks nothing like Angelina Jolie," joked Zoo director, Gregg Dancho.  "Mom and her entire litter are healthy and doing well."
 
The piglets range in weight from just under one pound to two pounds.  When fully grown, Guinea Hogs may reach 100 to 300 pounds.  They also are known as Pineywoods Guinea, Acorn eater, Guinea Forest hog, and Yard pig.  According to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC), the hogs were once the most numerous pig breed found on farms in the Southeast but today there are fewer than 200.  Guinea hogs are classified as critical (versus endangered) by ALBC and are unique to the United States.
 
The Zoo exhibits the guinea hogs in the New England Farmyard.  The Zoo's one male and two female guinea hogs came from Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita and Virginia Zoo (respectively).  The other female, Jodie, also is expecting.
 
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $9.00, and children under 3 years old are free.  Members of the Connecticut Zoological Society also are admitted free.  Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

Colley signs multi-year pact

By ADRIEN DENNY

Utah Grizzlies CEO Kevin Bruder announced that the team has given Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Colley a multi-year contract extension. Terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

During the 2008-2009 season, Colley, 30, led the Grizzlies to the organization’s third playoff appearance in four years with the team in constant transition. 15 total players were called-up to six different AHL teams. Joel Rechlicz and Peter Mannino also played in the NHL with the Islanders this season after spending time with the Grizzlies.

“Kevin somehow kept our team in playoff contention and at .500 or better this season through an unbelievable amount of injuries and call-ups. It was not easy and again he showed us what he is made of as a human being,” said Bruder. “He is one of the premier young coaches in hockey and will take us far while also continuing to develop our players for the next level.”

Colley, a year-round resident of Draper, Utah, joined the Grizzlies as an Assistant Coach prior to the 2007-2008 season and was part of the team’s 2008 conference finals run. On September 4, he was named the youngest Head Coach in the ECHL when Jason Christie took a position with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.

“Our goal every year is to win the Kelly Cup,” said Colley. “While we are proud of everything we fought through this year, we did not meet our ultimate goal and the 2009-2010 season starts today. I have had two great years in Utah and am anxious to keep going with my first full summer of recruiting.”

Colley played in the ECHL from 1999-2003 and was named MVP of the 2003 Kelly Cup Playoffs as the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies captured the Kelly Cup. He was also named an ECHL All-Star in 2003. In the AHL, he was named captain of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers before making his NHL debut on October 27, 2005 for the Islanders. His playing career was cut short on January 31, 2006, when he suffered a broken neck and fractured his fifth cervical vertebrae in a game for the Islanders versus Washington.

It's Picnic Time

By Victoria M. Eastus
Living in the Northeast we feel a certain kinship with Spring and Summer. The desire to be outside during the fleeting months of warmth is a calling and a necessity. Whether it be a picnic in the park or a sunset by the water, it is time to take your food outside.
    Picnic fare can be as elaborate or simple as you like. It will though, I promise, guarantee a wonderful time for all. Merely having my morning joe outside improves the start of my day.  And find me someone who does not enjoy a late afternoon cocktail with sand under their feet and a warm sea breeze blowing their hair.
    Breakfast or Brunch could not be easier. A delicious coffee cake, savory quiche, fresh fruit with mint and lime are easily transportable and do not require heating. You can also individually wrap everything and "brown bag" it complete with names attached and napkins and cutlery included.
    For lunch or dinner, anything goes. I enjoy finding unique containers to transport everything and create new takes on old favorites. Sweet Potato Salad, Tri-Color Wasabi Coleslaw and Macaroni Salad with Smoked Salmon, Capers and Red Onions will please even the most discerning palate.  Large baguettes can be split, stuffed, pressed and wrapped and then sliced on site. Be creative with your fillings: try Smoked Turkey with Green Salsa and fresh Cilantro, Thin sliced Ham, Spicy Mustard, Wilted Greens and Swiss Cheese or Roast Beef with Horseradish Crème and Sharp Cheddar.
    An easy and economic appetizer is a Make yourself Potato Bar.  Boil Yukon Golds ( allow 1 per person) until just fork tender. Drain and cool until your are able to handle and carefully peel.  Slice into 1 inch circles seasoning with salt and pepper. Layer between wax paper to transport. Serve with various sides to top such as shredded cheeses, chopped olives, sour crème, salsas, ham or tuna salad or for a bit more extravagance offer fish roe or American caviar.
    So whatever you choose, make the most of the season, take it outdoors, savor your food, your family, your friends and Enjoy!

No, it's not going to be Oscar the Ocelot

By CARYN KAUFMAN

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, located on the Upper East Side, is pleased to announce the results of its ocelot kitten naming contest.  The winning name is... Milagre, meaning "miracle" in Portuguese.   The name was chosen through votes cast by Zoo visitors during the months of March and April.  Milagre was born on Halloween via a groundbreaking artificial insemination (AI)procedure. 
 
"Milagre is growing fast and we want everyone to come visit him while he's still in his playful kitten stage," said Gregg Dancho, Zoo director. 
 
"Milagre" received a majority of votes over the two additional name choices - Mopua and Bruxo.  Since this is only the third time in history that AI has successfully produced an endangered ocelot kitten in captivity, the staff chose Mopua' (*Pron. Mo pu a'), which means "three" in Portuguese.  Bruxa translates to "witch," with the male version of Bruxa being Bruxo.  Portuguese names were chosen as a nod to the kitten's Brazilian heritage.
 
This is the first time ever that the AI procedure has been used specifically to manage this endangered species.  This also is the first ocelot kitten to be born at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo.
 
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $9.00, and children under 3 years old are free.  Members of the Connecticut Zoological Society also are admitted free.  Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

Save the Zoo!

Many of you have seen or heard media reports hinting that Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo may close.

The truth is we will not close—Not if you can help it!

What's Happening:
With budgets in crisis at the state and local levels, our funding is in jeopardy. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo relies on both the State of Connecticut and the City of Bridgeport for nearly one-third of our funding.

If either one cuts our budget, our ability to keep the doors open will be in danger.

What You Can Do About It

You can help save your Zoo by:

• Telling your elected officials to SAVE YOUR ZOO. Tell them what the Zoo means to you and your family. Tell them to leave our funding alone.
  Call Governor Rell: 800-406-1527
  Call Mayor Finch: 203-576-7201
  
• Contact your State Rep.
• Invest In Your Zoo by making a donation (click here)

Heel pain discussion at St. V's

By LUCINDA AMES

Heel Pain: Causes & Cures” is the program of the next St. Vincent’s Healthy Hearts Club meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00pm in the Seton Room on Level “C” of St. Vincent's Medical Center. The presentation is free and open to the general public.

Featured speaker is podiatrist Carmen Luciano, DPM, who will discuss how to avoid heel problems and how to reduce pain if it occurs. His presentation will include information on appropriate walking shoes and tips to avoid heel pain when walking or exercising.

Carmen Luciano, DPM has practiced podiatric medicine in the area since 1976, and currently maintains an office in Monroe . During his career he has developed policy and procedures for out-patient surgery as a founder of  Bridgeport   Surgical Center and has established an off-site residency program there for the Connecticut Veterans Hospital . Dr. Luciano also performs insurance counseling for Health Net, gives informational presentations on podiatric topics for many area organizations, and has also lectured nationally for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery.  A graduate of the University of Bridgeport with a BA degree, he earned a bachelor of science degree in addition to a podiatric medicine degree from the California College of Podiatric Medicine, where he also performed his residency  He is an adjunct faculty member for the New York College of Podiatric Medicine and for the California College of Podiatric Medicine.

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.

Professional workshop at Fairfield Museum

Calling all K-12 teachers and university faculty of Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, Library/Media and any educators interested in working with primary resources!  The Fairfield Museum and History Center and the Fairfield University Graduate School of Education will offer a workshop on primary sources and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) on Saturday, May 2 from 8am – 12pm at the Fairfield Museum, 370 Beach Road in Fairfield, Ct.

 

The workshop, called Document It!, discusses GIS as a powerful teaching, management and research tool that fosters community connectedness, career pathways and spatial and historical thinking using real-world data in real-world contexts. GIS is a system of computer hardware, software, methods and data that allows for the creation and analysis of information in the form of 2D and 3D digital maps and satellite images.  GIS provides a way for educators and their students to understand the interconnectedness of past and present processes and issues from local to global scale including natural hazards, watersheds, population, crime, invasive species, history, urbanization, biodiversity and more. 

 

To register for the workshop and an optional afternoon GIS workshop at Fairfield University, visit www.ctcasl.com by Friday, April 24, or mail payment to Martha Djang, 333 Christian Street, Wallingford, CT 06492.  For questions, contact mdang@hamdenhall.org and confirmations will be sent via email.  CASL will grant 0.3 technology CEUs for the workshop and 0.5 technology CEUs for participants of the workshop and optional workshop, which includes lunch.

 

The workshop is funded by a grant from the Library of Congress through the Eastern Regional partnership and Waynesburg University, and is co-sponsored by the Connecticut State Association of School Librarians.

New show at The Gallery at Black Rock

MINISTERS OF FUNK

Frank Foster Post

 

  Frank Foster Post is an award winning artist and musician He has exhibited in NYC and Ct. As a musician, he has performed extensively in the United States and Europe.

   Beginning his art career as a photo realist, his work has been stripped down and evolved into what he calls "toon". He uses original cartoon-like imagery to convey the human experience. The universal experience. Post says," My gauge for a decent piece of art is whether a person, no matter where they live, can identify with the piece."  The "toon" paintings are bright, colorful and seem to tap into a collective energy that people of all ages respond to.

  The exhibit at The Gallery At Black Rock is divided into two rooms. The first room has  paintings of

"Angel-o," Post's alter ego, as well as other related images. The second room is a universe of characters that are funny and compelling - "Ministers of Funk."       

 

Bysiewicz: 1st Quarter of 2009 Saw Another Record Number of Connecticut Businesses Shut Down; Nearly 3,500 CT Businesses shut their doors in the First Quarter of 2009; 16% increase in closings over 2008 first quarter Data

By AV HARRIS

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz reported that 3,477 Connecticut businesses shut their doors between January 1st and March 31st of 2009.  This represents the highest number of shut-downs ever in any first quarter of a year since the Secretary of the State's Office started releasing business starts and stops data in 2000.  The number of business stops in the first quarter of 2009 also rose 16% over first quarter 2008 data.  At the same time some 6,941 new businesses started up in Connecticut during the first quarter of 2009, representing the lowest number of first quarter start-ups since 2001.  The number of new business start-ups in Connecticut declined 13% from the first quarter of 2008. 

"Even though some national numbers point to a bottoming out of our current economic recession, Connecticut businesses are clearly struggling to stay afloat," said Secretary Bysiewicz, Connecticut's Chief Business Registrar.  "With federal stimulus funding making its way to Connecticut, our state must maximize and leverage federal dollars to get those funds into the hands of Connecticut entrepreneurs as quickly, efficiently, and transparently as possible.  We also need to make critical investments in areas such as health care and transportation that will bolster Connecticut's economy and the profitability of our businesses."

The monthly figures released by the Secretary of the State's Office are available on the website www.sots.ct.gov <http://www.sots.ct.gov/>  and show that in January 2009 some 983 businesses filed paperwork to dissolve their company, followed by another 818 in February and 1,676 in March.  This was the single highest total of business shutdowns during the month of March since the Secretary of the State's Office started releasing this data in 2000.  The statistics also show that in January 2009, 2,313 companies filed incorporation papers in Connecticut, followed by 2,185 in February and 2,443 in March.

After reviewing Secretary of the State Bysiewicz's report, Fred Carstensen, Director of the Center for Economic Analysis at the University of Connecticut said, “The rapidity of
the loss of businesses establishments in Connecticut is deeply troubling. Small business
plays a crucial role in job creation; the continuing loss of businesses underlines the
profound challenge we face in preserving and then expanding jobs.”

Carstensen added, “There is a larger perspective we must consider. Connecticut is
confronting a double crisis: a short-term crisis fueled by the national and global economic
meltdown and a long-term crisis of economic vitality. Before these latest losses,
Connecticut was already the only state in the nation with fewer business establishments
than it had twenty years ago. Adding to this the absence of meaningful job creation in
those twenty years and declining median household income since 2000 paints a stark
picture of a state economy in long-term decline. These latest numbers drive home the
critical point that Connecticut must develop coherent and systematic economic
development policies and, even in the face of the current crisis, identify those critical
strategic investments – principally in life sciences and renewal energy – that will drive
restoration of Connecticut's competitive edge.”

Following his review of the report, Don Klepper-Smith, Chief Economist and Director of
Research for DataCore Partners LLC and Chairman of the Governor’s Council of
Economic Advisors said, “The first quarter statistics on CT business starts and closings
were disappointing, but not unexpected. The State is still dealing with the headwinds
from a national recession, which implies continued weakness within our labor markets,
less consumption over the near-term, and reduced business activity. However, I expect
that the President’s fiscal stimulus package, together with efforts from the Fed to lower
long-term interest rates, will prove beneficial at some point.

In her own assessment of the report, Secretary Bysiewicz said, “While the Obama
Administration and congress work hard to stabilize financial institutions and get credit
flowing again, we in Connecticut still have an obligation to do all we can to make our
business climate as profitable as possible. Small businesses have created over 90% of all
new jobs in Connecticut in the last 10 years and they are the backbone of our economy.
Small business sustainability is seriously threatened by skyrocketing health care and
energy costs. In these extraordinary times government action is needed to help reduce
those costs for businesses. Health care and energy policy must be at the forefront of our
plans to revive our economy. We ignore these critical factors at our own peril.”

Secretary Bysiewicz is a strong advocate for The Connecticut Health Care Partnership
and the Sustinet plan, which would both provide affordable health care options for small
businesses and non-profits, are currently being considered by the General Assembly.

Secretary Bysiewicz is also leading a series of roundtable discussions with small business
entrepreneurs throughout the state trying to find solutions to high energy costs and
explore ways to expand the emerging green technology sector.

Bluefish ink two hurlers

The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signings of pitchers Esteban Yan and Corey Lee. Yan joins the Bluefish after spending last season with Norfolk (AAA, Orioles) of the International League, appearing in 37 games and recording 55 strikeouts over 47 innings of work. Lee will make his return to professional baseball after sitting out the past two years.

 

Yan enters his first season in the Atlantic League and 18^th of professional baseball. The righthander made his Major League debut in 1996 as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, appearing in four contests. The following season, the Dominican native was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the expansion draft. He would spend five years with Tampa Bay , with his best season coming in 1998. In 64 outings, the 33-year-old posted 3.86 ERA with five wins, one save and 77 strikeouts in 88 innings pitched. Over the course of his big league career, Yan has also pitched for the Rangers, Cardinals, Tigers, Angels and Reds. He has appeared in 217 Major League games (118 starts), recording 33 victories, 51 saves and 553 strikeouts in 695 innings of work.

 

Lee joins Bridgeport for his first year in the Atlantic League after last pitching professionally in 2006 as a member of Nippon of the Pacific League ( Japan ). The lefthander spent nine years pitching in the United States before heading overseas, playing for the Rangers, White Sox and Angels organizations. After only four seasons in the minor leagues with Texas , the North Carolina native made his Major League debut with the Rangers in 1999 at the age of 24. His best season as a professional came in 1997 as a member of Charlotte (A, Rangers) of the Florida State League. The 34-year-old posted career-highs in wins (15), innings pitched (160), strikeouts (147), complete games (6) and shutouts (2). In 23 starts he also posted a 3.47 ERA.

 

The Bridgeport Bluefish Professional Baseball Club, a charter team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, plays its home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, located off Exit 27 of I-95 on the corner of Broad Street and South Frontage Road in Bridgeport . 2009 season tickets, mini-plans, group outings and individual tickets are available by calling 203-345-4800. Visit the Bluefish online at www.bridgeportbluefish.com.

 

Sound Tigers rally for first playoff win

By KIMBER AUERBACH

Sean Bentivoglio finished the Sound Tigers’ four-goal comeback with his first tally of Calder Cup Playoffs coming in overtime to beat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 5-4.  Jon Sim opened the game’s scoring in the first period and would also tack on his second goal of the playoffs later in the contest.  Andrew MacDonald and Joe Callahan also scored for the Sound Tigers.  Jean-Michel Daoust was the star of the second period, when the Penguins would do all their scoring, contributing four points in the frame.  Peter Mannino was in goal for the Sound Tigers, making 31 saves and leading the Sound Tigers to the victory, cutting Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s series lead to 2-1 with Game 4 set for Wednesday back in Bridgeport. 

 

Mannino faced pressure throughout the opening frame, but was able to keep the Penguins off the scoreboard, turning away each of the 10 shots Wilkes-Barre/Scranton fired at him.  For the first time this series, the Sound Tigers were able to go into the locker-room after the first 20 minutes of play with a lead thanks to Sim.  Penguins’ forward Bill Thomas led a rush into the Sound Tigers’ zone but Trevor Smith was there to cause a turnover and send Sim the other way on a rush with Ben Walter.  Sim, looking to pass from the blue-line in, could not find a way to squeeze the puck through the Penguin defenseman and instead ripped a shot over the glove of Curry.  The goal was his first of the Calder Cup Playoffs coming at 15:04 of the opening frame to give the Sound Tigers the 1-0 lead. 

 

The Wiz returns to Bridgeport

Due to popular demand, Playhouse on the Green, Bridgeport's not-for-profit community theater, has extended the run of its production of the Tony Award® winning musical THE WIZ for three additional performances: Friday, May 15 at 8PM; Saturday, May 16 at 8PM; and Sunday, May 17 at 3PM. The show, which opens Friday, April 24, already has had an overwhelming response at the box office. The 1975 contemporary re-telling of The Wizard of Oz has music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown, who, for this production only, granted permission for the story to be set in Bridgeport.

Producing Artistic Director, Matt Schicker, said of the extension: "We are so excited that the Greater Bridgeport area has embraced this production in such a big way. It is wonderful that a Bridgeport-themed version of this feel-good musical is bringing the community out to support the Playhouse."

A cast of more than 30 actors, singers, and dancers from the area portray the familiar characters of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, the Lion, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the rest in this version of L. Frank Baum's classic American tale featuring gospel, soul, and r&b styled music.

Transfer station hours set

Summer hours are now in effect at the City’s Transfer Station, located at 475 Asylum St .  The hours are as follows: Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 12 noon.

Bridgeport residents only are allowed to use the transfer station and residents must follow the rules and regulations listed below. Small business owners and haulers may use the transfer station Monday through Friday, but they must have either a business permit, or hauler’s permit to use the facility. For more information regarding permits/licenses, contact (203) 576-7123 or visit Rm. 223 at City Hall, 45 Lyon Terrace.

Following rules and regulations apply:

• Household refuse only
• Must have a Bridgeport license and registration, or a permit
• No toxic or hazardous liquids or waste
• Wood, brush or metal over four-feet long will not be accepted
• All metal must be separated from other refuse
• All small debris, lawn refuse, etc., must be bagged, tied or boxed
• No more than 2 tires per load will be accepted
• Wooden doors and mattresses must be cut in half
• Sheetrock, shingles, or remodeling and demolition materials will not be accepted
• Brush must be less than four-feet in length and tied in bundles, or loose and covered
• People living outside the city owning a house in Bridgeport must show proof of ownership of said premises, e.g.: an updated tax bill or deed. Utility bills will not be accepted.
• Haulers, small business owners and monitored residents are prohibited on Saturday
• All loads must be covered and secured
• Rude or abusive conduct will not be tolerated

According to Director of Public Facilities Charles Carroll, the weigh master has complete authority to dictate rules and regulations and has the right to refuse any non-conforming loads.

For more information, call the transfer station at 576-7725, or Paul Albuquerque, Transfer Station Supervisor at 576-7751.

 

 

The Metric Bar & Grill keeps winning fans

By ROB SULLIVAN

The Metric Bar and Grill is well into its second year in Bridgeport and the eclectic eatery tucked away at 39 Cannon Street is watching its business grow. Although the intimate restaurant is indeed located in a beautiful space, it’s the innovative cuisine provided by chef and owner, Pierre-Andre Desruisseaux that keeps customers coming back for more.

This is Desruisseaux’s first time owning a restaurant, but the Canadian native brings years of experience to the table. He pointed to his work with Chef Howard Curtis of The Metro in Shelton

and credited Curtis with helping him put his own popular restaurant on the map.

“Howard from The Metro knows how to treat food,” said Desruisseaux. “That is a good man there in Sheltonand a great chef.”

The chef and owner of the Metric is a superb chef in his own right and that fact shines through on his restaurant’s wide ranging and sumptuous menu, featuring excellent cuisines.

“What I want to do is serve people great food,” he explained. “I’m not afraid of new ideas and I’m not afraid to mix a little bit of flavors, provide a little bit of spiciness. We are trying to fusion cuisines from throughout the world.”

As an example, he pointed to his unusual pairing of pork loin and cucumber salad that was “so great. Who says you cannot do that?”.

Although he is looking to use worldwide cuisines, Caribbean and Asian foods both have a prevailing place on the menu at The Metric Bar & Grill. Some of the exquisite items that appear on the menu are Pacific Rim Thai Chicken, Vongole Con Cracked Black Pepper Linguini which is made with fresh little neck clams and grilled Portuguese sausage in a white wine garlic butter sauce and The Metric “Big Bowl Special,” a medley of lobster, shrimp, scallops and clams with whole egg linguini pasta with tomato herbed wine broth.

That is just a sampling: there are also daily specials, steak seafood, sandwiches and much more. But as much as Desruisseaux enjoys his work in the kitchen, he is equally enthralled about his role in helping revitalize Bridgeport’s downtown.

“I wanted to invest in Bridgeport,” he explained. “I wanted to be a part of what is happening here and bring this city better food. I’d love to help Bridgeport x-out its bad reputation and have us all live happily after.”

Still, the new business owner recognizes that Bridgeport has flaws it needs to correct.

“They need to have a better idea about how to keep the town clean,” he said. “That’s the greatness of Sherbrooke, Ontario where I come from. And they should have one-stop shopping at City Hall for new businesses. Right now the process is very difficult for someone who wants to start a new business in this city.”

The Metric Grill is located at 39 Cannon Street in downtown Bridgeport. The Metric can be preached by phone (576-6903) by fax (576-6904) or via its website, www.themetricbarandgrill.com.

Zoo Director receives statewide award

Gregg Dancho, director of Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only Zoo, will be honored with a Culture and Tourism Distinguished Advocate Award on April 15, 2009.  Individuals from the arts, historic preservation, tourism, and film industries will come together for an evening of celebration during the 2009 Governor's Awards for Excellence in Culture & Tourism, presented by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism (CCT).  The awards ceremony will take place in the atrium of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford at 6:30pm and is open to the public.    "The Governor's Awards recognize those whose work is enduring and great.  They bring pride to Connecticut and the nation," said Karen Senich, executive director of the Commission on Culture & Tourism.  "We're pleased to recognize their efforts."   Recipients of the Distinguished Advocate Awards are Connecticut residents who have worked to strengthen, preserve or promote the arts, history, film and tourism in the state.  They have made a significant impact on one or more organizations or have made important contributions to their communities, regions or the state.  Dancho, a Stratford resident, is being honored for his 25 year commitment to the Zoo and to tourism in the Bridgeport region.   In a letter supporting Dancho's nomination, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch wrote, "Gregg Dancho has distinguished himself as a consistent voice of vision and reason at both the local and state levels for 25 years.  As such, I am proud to endorse this well-deserved nomination."

Sound Tigers end regular season on a high note

By KIMBER AUERBACH

Mike Iggulden scored twice in the Sound Tigers’ 3-1 victory over the Lowell Devils Saturday night, to clinch home-ice advantage for the team’s first round match-up against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Playoffs.  Stephen Gionta would break the scoreless tie in the first period for the Devils but Ben Walter would knot the game at one, about seven minutes later.  Peter Mannino started in goal for the Sound Tigers and stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced to finish the regular season with 17 wins.  The Sound Tigers complete the season with the best record in their eight-year history, 49-23-3-5, giving them a total of 106 points.