Bridgeport Banner

Secretary of State's statement on Ted Kennedy's death

“Connecticut has lost a leader, a friend, a fighter and a champion for common people. Like many, my family has also been touched by cancer and today my heart goes out to Vicki Kennedy, Patrick, Kara, Ted jr. and his wife Kiki, who live in Connecticut , and to the entire Kennedy family. Senator Kennedy embodied the true spirit of public service and his leadership on so many issues knows no equal – whether it was civil rights, education, helping working families, or economic opportunities for the downtrodden. But most of all, Ted Kennedy’s life’s work was to make sure every American had access to quality, affordable health care.  For generations, literally millions of Americans have benefitted from the various health care proposals that became law because of this great man. Ted Kennedy said many times that health care is a right for all Americans, not a privilege for those who can afford the best doctors. Now, we are mourning Ted’s passing. But very soon, every one of us should honor Senator Kennedy’s memory by working hard to enact national health care reform that will guarantee access to doctors and preventative care, saving billions of dollars for our economy. And we accomplish this with the humility and bipartisanship that characterized Ted Kennedy’s unparalleled legislative success. As Ted said when I saw him in Denver one year ago – The work begins anew. The hope rises again. And the dream lives on.  Senator Kennedy’s legacy will live on in the countless number of people who were inspired by him and his family to go into public service.”

Redler to lecture on sports injury prevention

“Don’t Strike Out! Orthopaedic Sports Injuries” – A Listen & Learn Lecture with Michael Redler, M.D.

 

St. Vincent’s Medical Center is sponsoring a free talk open to the general public entitled “Don’t Strike Out! Orthopaedic Sports Injuries,” as the first lecture in their 2009 Fall Listen & Learn Lecture Series. The talk will take place on Tuesday, September 1, from 6pm-7pm, at the Oronoque Country Club, 385 Oronoque Lane , Stratford .

Featured speaker, Michael Redler, M.D., will discuss how to prevent sports injuries and what to do when they happen.

Gaelic Storm to play Ridgefield Playhouse

It has now been more than a decade since Gaelic Storm was catapulted out of their formative pub haunts by an appearance in the blockbuster film "Titanic," where they were cast as the "party band" in the steerage scene.  Now, the group takes the stage at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, September 20, 8 p.m. Special guests will be the Gray School of Irish Dance dancers, a group of girls 16 and younger who this year won the North American Irish Dancing  Championship.

Gaelic Storm's compelling originals and fresh arrangements steeped in Celtic traditional melody combined with their unique blend of world rhythms continue to broaden the musical horizons of the Celtic music genre creating new standards for generations to come.

Gaelic Storm released their seventh album "What's the Rumpus?" (Lost Again Records) in July 2008 with a stellar debut at #1 on the Billboard World Album Chart, #1 on the iTunes World Album Chart and #5 on the Billboard Internet Album Chart.
Inspired by the music that drives their loyal fan base, "What's the Rumpus?" is a wild party of an album, full of colorful characters and outrageous stories, flavored with Gaelic Storm's signature acoustic sound that gets you dancing and never lets you go.

For tickets ($65, $50, $45) and further information about The Ridgefield Playhouse, call the box office at 203-438-5795; tickets may also be purchased online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street.

Consider being a volunteer at the Fairfield Museum

Do you love history and have a knack for telling a good story? Consider becoming a Museum Ambassador at the Fairfield Museum and History Center! Learn more at the museum’s Volunteer Open House and Orientation on Thursday, September 17 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm.

The Education Department is looking for museum docents to lead tours to groups of all ages. Docents are super-volunteers: teachers and storytellers who love to learn and to share their interests with others. Docents should have a love of history, learning and sharing, good communication skills, flexibility and tolerance and respect for others. The museum needs docents to conduct Town Green Walking Tours, Gallery Tours, workshops and outreach programs. Docents must commit to attend training sessions, conduct practice tours, attend monthly meetings and present 5 or more tours for at least one year. Participants in the training sessions will meet new people with similar interests, learn about the community and share their own experiences with the group.

Session I of docent training, Town Green Walking Tours, will begin on Monday, September 21 from 10:00am – 2:00pm and will continue twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm. The first speaker will be Dr. Elizabeth Langran, associate professor and director of the educational technology program. She will discuss the museum’s partnership with the university’s Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions and projects that promote the use of local history to teachers and teachers-in-training. Participants will also meet the education staff, learn tour techniques and enjoy hands-on activities that will encourage critical thinking and teamwork. Interested in becoming a docent, but not sure? Give the director of education, Christine Jewell, a call at 203-259-1598 to discuss other volunteer opportunities.

Goaltender Lawson is re-signed

The New York Islanders have agreed to terms with goaltender Nathan Lawson.

Lawson spent the majority of last season with the organization’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In 31 games with the Sound Tigers, Lawson posted a 19-9-2 record with a .927 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average. He had a nine-game unbeaten streak to open his career in the AHL, going 8-0-1.

Lawson, who began the season with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL, was named to the AHL All-Rookie at the conclusion of the season.

“Nathan had an impressive season last year in Bridgeport,” said Garth Snow, Islanders General Manager. “His competitiveness increases our organizational goaltending depth.”

Prior to last season, the Calgary, Alberta native played the 2007-08 in the ECHL for both the Phoenix Roadrunners and Utah. From 2004-07, Lawson played at the University of Alaska-Anchorage of the WCHA. During those three seasons, he played in 75 games while posting a .906 save percentage and a 3.24 goals against average.

Letter: Himes is a Pelosi puppet

To the editor:

 

Has anyone explained to freshman Congressman Jim Himes that the 4th Congressional District is a donor district? The people of the 4th District send more tax money to Washington, D.C., than most and get back less on the dollar in return than most, too. Himes concerns himself with the problem of the 15 percent uninsured population around the country, which he proposes to solve with an expanded social program paid for by more taxation. Here in Connecticut, our uninsured population is a very manageable 5 percent. This number is largely due to choice by some who don't see the need for insurance and by others through the lack of affordability. The affordability issue is driven by the irresponsibly high costs charged to insurers by the meandering and politically powerful health services industry and the lack of competition among health insurers themselves.

 

No doubt our governor and state legislators from the left and the right have been asleep at the switch when it comes to addressing the issue of health service and insurance costs here in Connecticut. However, if Himes wants to help he should stick to federal issues. We need federal legislation to improve the safety and quality of services, which will lower service costs. And we need federal legislation that will allow us to buy health insurance across state lines, thereby increasing choice and competition to lower costs, too.

Lastly, we need changes in the federal tax code to level the playing field for all purchasers of health services and insurance.

 

In other words, Himes should represent his district, not the liberal agenda of his boss, Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi's plan ain't going anywhere anyway because the bipartisan group of six on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee has made it clear they won't break the bank just to suit Pelosi's agenda.

Jim Brown
Fairfield, CT 06824

Goin' fishing? Then go to Jimmy O's

By ROB SULLIVAN

Whether you are a West Haven dentist, a Black Rock sportswriter, an expert fly fisherman or a guy who throws a drop line into the water, Jimmy O’s is the place for you.

Fishermen from Bridgeport and beyond have long been familiar with Jimmy O’s. a Black Rock fixture for all sportsmen. But recently, a new and exciting development has made Jimmy O’s even more of a bedrock of the Black Rock fishing community.

Jimmy O’s has relocated from its cozy enclaves in the shadow of Ruby II’s, to a new state of the art facility at 3389 Fairfield Avenue, the same building that houses Kip’s Ski Shop.

"The main reason we moves was to maximize our exposure," explained owner Jimmy O. "At ground level we are much more accessible and we have a great amount of parking for our customers. Parking was a serious issue at our old location."

Formerly located at 2400 Fairfield Avenue, the old shop was in an upstairs locale, a steep climb for Jimmy O’s customers. The old shop had atmosphere, but from a customer service standpoint, the new digs provide much friendlier environs.

Sound Tigers announce preseason schedule

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have announced the dates and times of their training camp and two pre-season games.

Training camp will take place at the Sound Tigers official practice facility, The Rinks at Shelton in Shelton, from Sept. 22-27. Fans are welcome to attend all on-ice sessions.

The Sound Tigers will play two preseason games this year. Both contests will be against the archrival Hartford Wolf Pack. On Friday, September 25 at 7:00 pm the teams will face-off at the Champions Skating Center in Cromwell. On Saturday, September 26 the Sound Tigers will host the Wolf Pack in a preseason game at The Rinks at Shelton at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Sound Tigers-Wolf Pack game in Shelton will go on sale this Saturday, August 22 at The Rinks at Shelton Customer Service window. For more ticket information, practice times and group discounts, please call The Rinks At Shelton at 203-929-6500 ext 10.

Statement submitted to P&Z Commisioners by Councilman Amy Marie Vizzo-Paniccia

Public Hearing,

August 24^th, 2009

TO: Planning and Zoning Commissioners, Director of P/Z, City Attorney Greg Conte, City Clerk, and Stenographer.

FROM: AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia, Councilwoman, 134^th District, Bridgeport, CT.

RE: Master Plan, regulations, and increasing the tax base for the City of Bridgeport.

I am unable to attend and speak in person tonight as my cousin was involved in an accident last night and I will be with family. 

I am writing to you to express my thoughts on the City of Bridgeport’s Master Plan and proposed development to increase our tax base/grand list to soften the burden to our residential taxpayers.

For the Commissioners that are not new to this board know that I’ve come before you to share my thoughts on what is good and not good for Bridgeportand its Taxpayers.

I am for development, new businesses opening, old businesses expanding and people moving into our city as long as the rules/policies set by you, what is allowed by our City rules and any governed by the State are followed.  I will speak my mind by telling the truth and sticking to it.

I want new businesses to open and for others to expand.  Why?  It increases our Tax Revenue with real estate taxes, personal property taxes and helps to expand other businesses by patronizing them.  When our business tax can then out number the burden on our resident taxpayers and out number the non-profit organizations that DO NOT pay taxes, then we will be better for it.

I am in favor of our Master Plan and new development.  We have developers that will make concessions to the neighboring property owners, when they do not have to.   This helps so that we can all work together.

It should not matter who is the owner of the project as long as we have more good businesses, more homes and good neighbors- this I am in favor of.

Please do what is right for the whole city and not for a select few that can not or will not understand the whole picture.

Thank you,

AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia

Fairfield Fall Festival on tap

By LAURA ROBERTS

On Sunday, September 13, the community will come together in one of Fairfield's most anticipated events, the Fairfield Museum and History Center's annual Fall Festival, held on the Historic Town Green. This free community event will transform the green into a colonial marketplace as it commemorates the 230^th anniversary of Fairfield’s burning during the American Revolution.

Fall Festival is one of the region's most celebrated fall events, and this year the festival offers an experience you will never forget.  Marvel as British re-enactors march on Town Hall and attempt to seize the green, then follow the crowd and witness a full-scale battle between British and Patriot forces on the Town soccer fields.  Wander through the colonial marketplace presenting blacksmiths, candle dipping, cooking demonstrations, re-enactor camps and colonial crafters.  Explore the museum’s galleries free of charge for the day, viewing “The Burning of Fairfield” exhibit on its last day of showing.  Kids of all ages are invited to make a star-spangled banner or a colorful flag at the museum’s Kidzone for a souvenir of the day (small fee) and refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the day.

Grimaldi gets it right!

Congratulations to political writer Lennie Grimaldi who correctly predicted yesterday that Finch would appoint David Dunn as Acting Civil Service Personnel Director. Here is the official release from the mayor's office:

Mayor Bill Finch has announced that he will appoint David Dunn as Acting Civil Service Personnel Director and will submit his appointment to the Civil Service Commission for ratification.

“David Dunn brings more than 30 years of experience in human resources, personnel and labor relations, and has worked with the City for more than 22 years. I fully expect that with his experience in Civil Service and personnel that we can continue to move the department forward until a test for a permanent director can be held,” said Mayor Finch.

“As Acting Director, I plan to work with labor and management to bring greater efficiencies and modern operations to the office, completing tests in a timely manner and, to help implement structured employee performance evaluations,” said Dunn.

Dunn’s 30 years of experience includes senior and corporate level human resources work for international companies, and he has managed personnel departments from 800 to 1,250 employees in size. He has twice served as the City’s Director of Labor Relations – from 1975 to 1981 under Mayor John Manadanici and from 1986 to 1991 under Mayor Thomas Bucci. Since 1997, he has served as the City’s senior labor relations officer.

Dunn is a management member of the Connecticut State Board of Mediation and Arbitration, appointed in 1990 by Governor O’Neill.  In 2001, he received designation as a Certified Professional from the International Personnel Management Association, a national organization of personnel management professionals.

His professional affiliations include, past President of the Connecticut Public Employer Labor Relations Association (CONNPELRA); and membership in the Industrial Relations Research Association (IRRA), the International Personnel Management Association (IPMA), Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. 

Dunn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sacred Heart University , and has undertaken graduate level work in labor relations and human resources at the University of Connecticut . He holds Advanced Arbitration Advocacy Certification from the American Arbitration Association; Certified Professional designation from the International Personnel Management Association (IPMA-CP); and National Public Employer Labor Relations Association Master Certification in Labor Relations (pending).

In addition to his professional work in Bridgeport , Dunn has consulted on projects for numerous Connecticut towns, cities, or housing authorities. 

Statement from President Obama on the death of Ted Kennedy

Statement from President Obama:

Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. 

I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague.  I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency.  And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.

An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.

And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad.

Our hearts and prayers go out to them today--to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family.

There's a New Tiger in Town!

By CARYN KAUFMAN As part of a national effort to ensure the survival of certain endangered species, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is the new home to Naka (pron. Nuh-'KAH), a four year old female Amur - or Siberian-- tiger that recently arrived from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse New, York. Naka's arrival at the Zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Special Survival Plan (SSP).  Naka joins the Zoo's new male tiger, Booskin, which arrived in December 2008.    "We are lucky to add Naka our Zoo family -- both for the enjoyment of our visitors, and to help save this precious species," explained Gregg Dancho, Zoo Director. "The Zoo is proud of its role in Special Survival Plan conservation program. This addition of Naka is a great example of how AZA accredited zoos can work together to help save a species from extinction."   Naka is 'petite' in comparison to her male counterpart, Booskin. Naka weighs in at approximately 275 pounds compared to Booskin's 400 pound girth.  Both may be seen, in adjoining exhibits, during the Zoo's daily hours of operation. These enormous cats have pale yellow-orange fur above that shades to creamy white below. They have a long fur coat (up to 3 inches along the belly) to protect them in temperatures to 50 degrees below zero.  All tigers have pale blackish stripes with a distinctive pattern on the face as unique as a fingerprint.   Plans are in place to breed Naka and Booskin in the next year. Female Amurs give birth to 2 to 3 cubs, which may stay with their mom for up to two years. The Amur is a critically endangered subspecies of tiger. Only approximately 44 of these great cats survive in northern Asia and suffer from habitat loss and poaching.   The mission of the AZA SSP Program is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species. The program started in 1981 as a cooperative population management and conservation program for selected species in zoos and aquariums in North America.    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 are also admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species.  Visitors won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers, Andean condor, ocelots, red & maned wolves, Andean (spectacled) bears, and golden lion tamarins.  Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer and more.  Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit http://www.beardsleyzoo.org

Dust Magnet; Otherworldly and mesmerizing show is Thursday at The gallery at Black Rock

Most people dream of being part of the show. Dustin DeMilio’s Dust Magnet allows you to do just that in a way that is otherworldly and mesmerizing.

By the use of a software patch that the artist invented, the work manipulates images of people nature or anything else in the camera’s path.

This will allow the public to see themselves larger than life  manipulated with special effects added in real time to create a unique piece of moving digital art.

The projection displays mathematical shapes and forms. The artist is able to further process the live video feed to enhance colors, alter geometry, mix in other moving images and add a secondary layer of feedback to create hyper-planes and evolving fractals.This creates an interaction between the Artist, Computer and the Viewer.

The gallery is excited to present this first installation project.   This installation will run for one night only and is free and open to the public.

End your summer on a mind expanding note!

Splash Car Wash commended for eco-friendly program

Splash Car Wash, the leading car-care company in Westchester, Putnam and Fairfield  counties is pleased to announce its certification from the International Carwash Association's WaterSavers program.  With a longstanding commitment to their community and the environment, Splash Car Wash met the standardized requirements of the WaterSavers program by offering car owners quality professional car washes that reclaim and recycle treated water for future wash cycles, and discharge effluent to a sanitary sewer system.

The Facts:  Using a commercial car wash helps you go green because compared to driveway or parking lot car washing, effluent is routed to treatment facilities as opposed to the curb and storm drains. Once in storm drain systems, toxic wastewater can enter local lakes, streams, rivers and oceans where it becomes a threat to aquatic life. The contaminants found in car wash wastewater are twofold.  Firstly, there are the residual chemicals and matter -- more severe than run-of-the-mill dirt and dust -- that are freed from a car's exterior when washed. These substances can include oils, greases, rust, trace amounts of benzene and residues from brake pads and exhaust fumes.  Secondly, the wastewater can include chemical residues originating from the cleaning agents (soaps, degreasers, sprays, wipes, etc.) used in the car washing process. Splash Car Wash reclaims and recycles its water and processes its wastewater through filtration systems and settling tanks where it's stripped of petroleum based residues and much of the harmful particulate matter before being released to the sanitary sewer.  In addition, Splash Car Wash uses biodegradable cleaning products to further supplement their eco-conscious practices.

Finch pleased with master Plan public hearing

 Mayor Bill Finch today thanked the Planning & Zoning Commission for heeding his call to hold another public hearing on the proposed Master Plan of Development, which the City Council voted to approve earlier this month.

 

“I’m happy that the Commission is providing another opportunity for the public to comment on the City’s proposed Master Plan. This plan will mean many positive things for the City by promoting the right kind of development, helping us grow our tax base and expand downtown development to attract more businesses and future development.”

 

The Mayor, earlier this month, had sent the letter below to the Commission to consider amendments to the Master Plan and the Zoning Map that would help the city continue to grow while preserving certain neighborhood characteristics.

 

The letter follows:

 

 

August 3, 2009

Planning & Zoning Commission                                                                                                                              City of Bridgeport                                                                                                                                                          45 Lyon Terrace                                                                                                                                                                Bridgeport, CT 06604

Re:  #135-08  Economic and Community Development and Environment Committee report re “Bridgeport 2020”:  A Vision for the Future Master Plan of Conservation and Development” Statutory Review pursuant to CGS Sec. 23-8(f)(2)

Dear Honorable Commissioners:

As Mayor, I am respectfully proposing a limited amendment to the Master Plan of Conservation and Development (“Master Plan”) that was submitted on or about June 15, 2009 by your Commission to the City Council for its review and comment.  I am proposing this amendment in order to ensure adoption of a Master Plan that reflects the City’s urban character and supports my Administration’s vision of a city that balances vibrant growth with quality of life. 

Recommended Amendment to Proposed Master Plan and Future Land Use Map:

 

Kyle jackson blanks Lancaster (box score)

 

Bridgeport

6 (22-22)                

Lancaster

0 (17-26)

 

                  AB  R  H RBI                         AB  R  H RBI

 

Greenberg cf       5  1  0  0        Turner cf          3  0  0  0

Roberson lf        5  1  2  2        Gutierrez lf       4  0  0  0

Lopez 3b           5  0  1  0        Biernbaum dh       4  0  1  0

J.Hoorelbeke 1b    5  0  1  0        Herr 3b            3  0  0  0

Sing rf            4  1  1  0        Watson rf          3  0  1  0

Rodriguez c        3  0  2  0        Mulhern 1b         4  0  0  0

Batista dh         3  1  1  0        Machado ss         3  0  0  0

Polanco 2b         4  1  1  0        Morris c           2  0  0  0

Bautista ss        4  1  1  1        Suarez 2b          3  0  1  0

Jackson

p          0  0  0  0        Fritz p            0  0  0  0

Lee p              0  0  0  0        Ackerman p         0  0  0  0

                                     Montero p          0  0  0  0

 

Totals......      38  6 10  3        Totals......      29  0  3  0

 

Score by innings:                      R  H  E

----------------------------------------------

Bridgeport

            060 000 000   -  6 10  1

Lancaster

             000 000 000   -  0  3  2

----------------------------------------------

 

E - Bautista; Machado; Suarez. DP - Bluefish 2. LOB - Bluefish 8;

Barnstormers 6. 2B - J.Hoorelbeke; Bautista; Suarez. HR - Roberson(6). SH -

Rodriguez.

 

                       IP  H  R ER BB SO  WP BK HP IBB  AB BF Fly Gnd

BRIDGEPORT

Jackson W 10-9        7.0  2  0  0  2  3   0  0  1  0   22 25  11  5

Lee                   2.0  1  0  0  1  1   0  0  0  0    7  8   2  3

 

LANCASTER

Fritz L 4-6           6.0  6  6  0  1  6   1  0  1  0   25 28   3  9

Ackerman              1.0  0  0  0  0  1   0  0  0  0    3  3   1  1

Montero               2.0  4  0  0  0  2   0  0  0  0   10 10   2  2

 

WP - Fritz. HBP - by Fritz (Sing); by Jackson (Herr).

 

Strikeouts - Greenberg; Roberson 3; Lopez; Sing; Polanco; Bautista 2;

Biernbaum; Herr; Mulhern; Machado. Walks - Batista; Turner; Watson; Morris.

 

Umpires - Home:Bill Reuter  1st:Dave Perry  3rd:Mayhue Edwards 

Time: 2:29   Attendance: 3209

 

Game Notes:

Tuesday Probables: Matt Pike (5-7) at Zack Parker (3-4)                   

Forum on Hispanic excellence slated for HCC

The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, in conjunction with Housatonic Community College, will conduct a community conversation Wednesday, Sept. 2, geared toward improving the academic achievement of Latinos.

                The forum will gather input from attendees on how Latino educational attainment can and should be improved and what the White House Initiative should be doing to facilitate this improvement. The information gleaned from the sessions will serve as the foundation for a new presidential order governing the White House Initiative.

                Attendees can choose from one of two sessions: a morning session running from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and an afternoon session running from 12:45 to 2:45 p.m.  Juan Sepulveda, executive director of the White House Initiative, and Anita T. Gliniecki, president of HCC, will offer welcoming remarks.

                People interested in attending should contact Camilla Costantini at 203-332-5222 or ccostantini@hcc.commnet.edu, indicating their name, title, and employer and whether they’ll be attending the morning or afternoon session.

                The community conversation will take place in the Events Center in Beacon Hall on the HCC campus. HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in Downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 17) and Rte.8 (Exit 1), a block from the Arena at Harbor Yard.

City issues RFP for former Black Rock Art Center property

The City of Bridgeport’s Office of Planning and Economic Development (OPED) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase and redevelopment of the Black Rock Bank & Trust Company building on Fairfield Avenue, in the city’s historic Black Rock section.

The property, located at 2836 Fairfield Avenue , is offered for a minimum purchase price set at $750,000. The former bank building is approximately 11,400 square feet, and the parcel is approximately 31,800 square feet.  The location is well suited for retail, business, or mixed-use development.  Proposals for purchase and redevelopment, which will be reviewed by a selection committee, are due on September 21, 2009. The selected developer will be notified on October 1.

“This is another step in my administration’s goal to dispose of excess city-owned property to the private sector, which will, in turn, create opportunities for new jobs and boost our tax revenue,” said Mayor Bill Finch.

Irving Berlin's White Christmas is coming to Bridgeport

 Playhouse on the Green, a not-for-profit theater company performing in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, launches a new Musical Theater program for high school students in December 2009 with a production of the classic holiday musical Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. This first production by the newly-christened “The Park City Players”, will feature high school students from Fairfield County and beyond, and run for 5 performances December 10-13, 2009, at Playhouse on the Green, 177 State Street, in Bridgeport.

 

Matt Schicker, Producing Artistic Director of Playhouse on the Green, is producer for White Christmas. Nancy Lessard directs; Scott Sisbarro is choreographer. Craig Baldino of Shelton and Matt Iacozza of Stratford, both seniors at St. Joseph’s High School in Trumbull, are stage managers for the production.