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Steel Drum Band concert at Saint John's

 

The second event of the 2009/2010 St. John’s Music & Arts Series is a concert by the Steel Drum Band of St. Luke’s in New Haven. This is a wonderful, well-known group promising a delightful afternoon of Caribbean music and sound. Mark your calendars now and invite your neighbors too to come and enjoy the fellowship of St. John’s! Tickets are now available from the Rector or the Parish Office for $10 adults/$5 children/$25 family. The concert will be held Nov. 15th at 4 p.m.

St. John’s Episcopal Church

768 Fairfield Avenue

Bridgeport, CT 06825

(203) 335-2528

Proposed jail off Bond Commission agenda

By ELAINE FICARRA

Mayor Bill Finch has thanked Gov. Rill and the Bond Commission for listening to the City’s request to remove the planned Virginia Avenue detention facility from the bond commission agenda.

Finch sent Gov. Rell and members of the Bond Commission a letter on Thursday (Oct. 29) requesting that the facility be removed from the Bond Commission agenda, which was slated to vote on the $15.7 million project today (Friday).

“I want to thank Governor Rell and the Bond Commission for listening to our request, and giving this planned facility more thought before it moves ahead. The community needs to be involved in the process, but more importantly, we need to make sure that all options have been explored before this goes any further,” Finch said.

The Mayor also spoke to several members of the Bond Commission and Legislative leadership as late as Thursday night to urge them to consider removing the plans from the bond agenda.

Allegations of racism swirl around the City Council

Mayor Bill Finch this week was made aware of a tremendously offensive racist comment made to a member of the City Council by another member of the City Council in the form of a telephone voice message. Today, he joined City Council leadership in referring this matter to the City Attorney for a full investigation.

“My administration has a zero-tolerance policy for racism of any shape or form. We will not tolerate racist remarks from any elected official or City employee – period. The City of Bridgeport is known for its welcoming attitude toward members of any race or ethnicity. If a City employee or elected official has made a racist or bigoted remark to another employee or elected official it will be promptly investigated, and dealt with accordingly,” the Mayor said. “I find these comments completely unacceptable and this conduct unbecoming of any individual, particularly one of our City’s elected officials.”

“Council leadership [Thomas McCarthy, Carlos Silva, president pro tem and Richard Bonney, majority leader] was notified by one of our members about a voicemail that was received from a fellow council member containing alleged racially offensive comments. Upon hearing the tape of the voicemail, council leadership met and determined that the content of the message was of such a serious nature that it demanded a full and complete investigation by the City Attorney’s Office,” said Council President Thomas McCarthy, D-133.

“The Council and Mayor are united in their stance against any racist or bigoted comments or behavior, and will take any and all action necessary to ensure that City business is conducted in an open and respectful way,” said Council leaders McCarthy, Silva and Bonney.

Daily Commentary: Celebrating our Veterans

By ROB SULLIVAN

In August, Danny Bucci and Kevin Fox led the charge and established the first annual Port 5 golf tournament. The event was an unqualified success with all of the duffers enjoying a nice round of golf and prodigious amounts of food and beer. What was unique about this outing was that all the proceeds generated by the event went to honor veterans and to assist vets down on their luck. Agret job by all involved.

Earlier this morning, Mayor Bill Finch dedicated a new bus that will shuttle Bridgeport veterans to the VA Medical Center in West Haven. This bus will make it much easier for many of our local vets who are in need of medical attention to access the services provided by the West Haven facility. Kudos for Finch for accessing the grant money to pay for the bus. And cheers should go out to Jill Bruno, the city's Veterans Affairs coordinator, who helps provide a variedy of much needed services to Bridgeport veyerans day in and day out.

There will be a Veterans Mass Tuesday, November 10th at 7 p.m. at Saint Ann's Parish in Black Rock. The Mass is sponsored by the Bridgeport Catholic War Vets. Please join and help honor those who have paid and are paying the price for our freedom.

With Veterans Day right around the corner, it is certainly a wonderful time of year to pay respects to those who have served our nation so well.

White House statement on GDP growth

“Data released today by the Commerce Department show that real GDP grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the third quarter of the year.  This is in stark contrast to the decline of 6.4 percent annual rate just two quarters ago.  Indeed, the two-quarter swing in the rate of growth of 9.9 percentage points was the largest since 1980.  Analysis by both the Council of Economic Advisers and a wide range of private and public-sector forecasters indicates that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contributed between 3 and 4 percentage points to real GDP growth in the third quarter.  This suggests that in the absence of the Recovery Act, real GDP would have risen little, if at all, this past quarter.”

“After four consecutive quarters of decline, positive GDP growth is an encouraging sign that the U.S. economy is moving in the right direction.  However, this welcome milestone is just another step, and we still have a long road to travel until the economy is fully recovered.  The turnaround in crucial labor market indicators, such as employment and the unemployment rate, typically occurs after the turnaround in GDP.  And it will take sustained, robust GDP growth to bring the unemployment rate down substantially.  Such a decline in unemployment is, of course, what we are all working to achieve.”

Director of Discovery Museum resigns

By JANE HOLLIS

Daniel J. Donovan, Chairman of the Board of The Discovery Museum and Planetarium has announced that the museum’s Executive Director, Linda Malkin had submitted her resignation and that it was regretfully accepted by the Board.  Ms. Malkin is leaving to pursue an advanced degree in education. Jeffrey Bishop, a museum trustee since 2003 will assume the role of Acting Executive Director.  Ms. Malkin has agreed to remain with the museum on a part time basis for 4-5 months to ease the transition period.  The museum will, in due course, conduct a nationwide search for a new Executive Director.

    Ms. Malkin began her career at The Discovery Museum in 1991 as its Lead Science Instructor.  She says that “No one would have predicted, least of all me, that more than 18 years later I would still be with the organization and have the privilege of holding the top staff job.” She went on to say that “I truly appreciate the opportunity the museum has given me to grow personally and professionally. Over the years I have developed a love for the museum, its educational mission and the people it serves. I truly believe that the work the museum does is important, and that the core program is moving in a direction that will make an enormous impact on our community.  Over time, however, I have also developed a deep concern over the disparity between the effectiveness of urban and suburban public school education in our state, and I feel that I am best suited to make a positive impact on this problem from inside the educational system.”  Ms. Malkin said she will always remain committed to the success of The Discovery Museum and will continue to make herself available for special projects.

   

Obama signs into law new clean water projects for Fairfield County

Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) has secured funding for four Fairfield County environmental and energy infrastructure projects in the Energy & Water Appropriations Act signed into law late yesterday. The legislation protects the livelihood of local businesses and communities and provides investment in forward-looking projects that will both spur innovation and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent in the most efficient way possible.

“Freight operators, families, and fishermen alike know how important a clean safe Long Island Sound is to our future,” said Himes. “As we look to grow the economy in a sustainable way, long-term investment like this is the only responsible action.”

Three local projects to protect the Long Island Sound will receive federal funding under the bill. The City of Norwalk will use $1,432,000 to continue comprehensive maintenance dredging of the Norwalk Harbor. The Town of Greenwich will receive $100,000 to conduct an initial assessment for maintenance dredging of a channel that provides access to water and land-based facilities in Greenwich including the town’s pump-out dock for recreational boater waste disposal. The bill also provides funding to continue the restoration of the Mill River in downtown Stamford, including river shoreline stabilization and restoration, ecosystem restoration, and green infrastructure for stormwater management.

“Additional federal funding for water projects in Fairfield County will help ensure the successful completion of the Mill River restoration, a project that will revitalize our downtown and restore a beautiful natural resource for our community,” said Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy.

In addition to these infrastructure projects, the Congressman also helped secure funding for the Connecticut State University System for nanotechnology research and education. Programs at the university will advance research into nanotechnology in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics.

Other highlights of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act include provisions to:

· Increase weatherization grants to help struggling families improve their homes’ energy efficiency and save hundreds of dollars annually in electricity and heating costs;

· Develop new technologies that will create the next generation of vehicles with improved fuel efficiency, better and cleaner engines, and better batteries;

· Protect the safety and reliability of nuclear weapons and to secure nuclear weapons and materials abroad.

 

“These investments in our physical and intellectual infrastructure will directly drive economic prosperity in the form of growth, jobs, and new businesses,” said Congressman Himes.

Zoo's news

By JESSICA SUMMERS Calling all ghosts and goblins! Our newest event, Howl O Ween, continues on Oct. 30 and 31 from 6 to 9 pm. Come and spend a truly fun and frightful evening at the Zoo featuring a Bigfoot Hayride, Haunted Farmyard, a Mystery Maze and magic show by Jim Sisti. Your ticket also includes FREE face painting, kettle corn, and of course, CANDY! Don't miss this hauntingly good time! Admission is $6 per person. The event is recommended for children ages 6-10. (Please note: Face painting not available on Oct. 31.)    This is also the last weekend to see the entries in our 2nd Annual Scarecrow Competition. You can also enjoy a Harvest Hay Ride every weekend as well as school holidays through Nov. 30. Rides begin at the W.O.L.F. Cabin and are $2 each.

Daily Commentary: Political legend Fred Biebel passes away at 83

By ROB SULLIVAN

Stratford Republican Fred Biebel died Tuesday, leaving a political legacy that stretches from Stratford through Hartford to Washington D.C. He also represented the politics of inclusion, a notion that seems almost quaint in these days of political divisiveness.

Biebel began his political career on the Stratford Town Council in the fifties, became state chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, worked for six Presidents of the United States and served as co-chairman of the Republican National Committee during the Reagan administration. And through all of this he reamined extremely active in the Stratford community and his local church.

The Stratford resident was the Barnum Festival Ringmaster in 1990 and could be seen at every Great Street parade, proudly wearing his Ringmasters top coat and tails. He will be sadly missed in Greater Bridgeport and far beyond.

In these days of extremism and diviseiveness, those involved in politics would do well to remember the example set by Fred Biebel.

Deirdre Imus stresses the role of environmental toxins at annual SWIM luncheon; Black Rocker Maureen Pelletier is honored

By KRISTIN JONES

St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound held its 14^th Annual Breast Cancer Luncheon on Friday, October 23 at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport. Co-chaired by Georgeanne F. Berg of Aquarion Water Company and Joyce A. Riccio, Esq. who practices law in Fairfield, the luncheon was attended by approximately 500 guests and raised more than $200,000 for the SWIM’s breast cancer programs. These programs help women right here in the community battling the disease and provide free mammograms for the elderly and underserved. The SWIM also provides wigs and prostheses, medication assistance, free transportation to treatments and appointments, day-care scholarships and support groups in addition to financial assistance with mortgages, utilities and more on a case-by-case basis. Thanks to underwriting sponsorships, 100% of the proceeds will go to the funding of these programs.

The guest speaker, Westport resident Deirdre Imus, is the founder and president of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center. With her husband Don Imus, she is the co-founder and co-director of the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. Deirdre is the author of the newest book in the best-selling Green This! series, The Essential Green You!  Easy Ways to Detox Your Diet, Your Body, and Your Life, and the second book, Growing Up Green, Baby and Child Care.  Her 2007 New York Times bestseller, Green This! Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning, offers a wealth of insights and expertise for protecting families from harmful chemicals. She is also author of The Imus Ranch: Cooking for Kids and Cowboys, a national bestseller.

 

Casper the White Guinea Hog is here!

By CARYN KAUFMAN

You've heard about the Zoo's Octomom, now meet one of her very special babies. One of the guinea hogs born this spring has a rare pigmentation that has created bright white hair- instead of the usual blue-black seen in most of this hog breed. Visitors are welcome to check out "Casper" and more at the many Halloween events planned at the Connecticut's only zoo. 
 
"This adorable white piglet is a female and was the runt of the litter," explained Gregg Dancho, Zoo Director. "She was actually the same color as her brothers and sisters at birth, but has changed color gradually, which is quite rare for guinea hogs."
 

Daily Commentary: Finch flip-flops on library issue

By ROB SULLIVAN

In truly disingenuous fashion, Mayor Bill Finch has weighed in on the November 3rd referedum vote, which will ask Bridgeport voters if they want one mill of the city's annual budget dedicated specifically for the Bridgeport Public Library. In short, if passed, this simply reallocates the one mill from other budget line items to the Park City Libraries.

Finch's public but certainly not private comments on the referendum question were essentialy, "Let the voters decide." Hmmm...then doesn't that make you wonder why the city sued to keep the question off the ballot. A court battle that the left egg on the administration's collective faces when library advocates won the case keeping the question on the ballot.

While watching News Channel 12 this morning, I smiled as the Norwalk station presented a lenghty segment on the issue. Library advocates including City Librarian and Black Rock resident Scott Hughes explained why the library needs a funding boost and the dire consequences for the system if the referendum fails. We the viewers were then informed that Mayor Bill Finch said if the question passes there are two options: raise taxes or cut services. As Harry Truman once said, that is pure unadulterated bullshit. And what's worse Finch knows it: he's just using false scare tactics to get his way.

To be fair, Finch hasn't really flip-flopped on the issue as he has privately been steaming that this referendum question might pass and he was incensed when the city lost it's court case. This from a guy who emotionally spoke of his love of reading while fawning over First Lady laura Bush at a Big Read kickoff event a few years back. This from a guy who takes credit for the Black Rock Library renovations even though it was Mayor John Fabrizi's administration that secured the funding. The mayor actually showed his true colors when he gutted library funding in his early days in office.

But now Finch tells you to beware the bogeyman: higher taxes and fewer services. In reality, it's Bill Finch who has to beware the bogey man because this referendum can pass. Cheers.

Koskinen out 8-10 weeks

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have announced that goaltender Mikko Koskinen will be out eight to 10 weeks due to a torn labrum in his hip.

Koskinen was drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He is 1-1 with a 2.45 goals against average in two starts this season.

Upcoming events at the Black Rock Library

Wednesday  November 4th  11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m:

Learn how you can save money on your healthcare costs.

This is a Medicare Presentation to discuss the changes to Medicare and the new Medigap, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Drug plans available for 2010 as well as the programs to help people save money on their Medicare costs.   



Sponsored by the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging & Independent Living "Choices Program"

and the Black Rock Branch Library

Thursday November 5th 6:30p.m. to 7:45 p.m:

Meet the Author at a Reading & Signing for:

Bridgeport Tales from the Park City


Join Professor Eric D. Lehman for a reading and signing for his book

Bridgeport Tales from the Park City. From P.T. Barnum to the brave women of the Black Rock Lighthouse to war heroes of "the nation's arsenal," Professor Lehman's book  captures our city's natural beauty and richly eccentric history. Come join us for a look at Bridgeport's fascinating past.





For more information please contact John Soltis at jsoltis@bridgeportpubliclibrary.org

or by phone at (203) 337-9676.



Black Rock Branch Library

2705 Fairfield Avenue

Bridgeport, CT 06605

203.337.9676

A Gathering Place for the Entire Community

Schedule for 'Rocky Horror' at Playhouse on the Green

Playhouse on the Green stages the outrageous musical comedy "The Rocky Horror Show," with a 12-performance run October 23-November 14.  A sexy parody of horror and science fiction films. Parental discretion advised.  Tickets $29, $26.
Thursday, October 29 at 8PM
Friday, October 30 at 8PM
Saturday, October 31 Halloween at 8PM
Saturday, October 31 Halloween at Midnight
Friday, November 6 at 8PM
Friday, November 6 at Midnight
Saturday, November 7 at 8PM
Friday, November 13 at 8PM
Friday, November 13 at Midnight
Saturday, November 14 at 8PM
Tickets on-line at www.playhouseonthegreen.org or call TheaterMania at (866) 811-4111 (phone hours 9-9 weekdays, 10-6 weekends).
Playhouse on the Green, 177 State Street between Main Street and Markle Court in downtown Bridgeport. Free, secure parking one block from the theater. For more information visit www.playhouseonthegreen.org or call 203-333-3666.

Finch seeks to reinstate disabilities commission

By ELAINE FICARRA

Mayor Bill Finch has affirmed his support of the reinstatement of the Commission for People with Disabilities in the City of Bridgeport.

The Mayor and his staff have been working with local advocates for the disabled to resurrect the commission, which would serve the needs of the approximately 18,000 people in the City who live with a disability of some kind.

“It is unfortunate, but too often the disabled population is often overlooked or underrepresented,” said Finch. “I fully support the resolution before the Miscellaneous Matters Committee to reinstate the commission, which will give the disabled population a strong voice to address the issues of access, physical or otherwise, that they face every day.”

The Commission would have as its primary purpose to advise the Mayor and the City administration on the needs of individuals with disabilities in relation to housing, employment, transportation, economics, health, recreation and other relevant matters, and make recommendations to the Mayor, City administrators as well as the City Council.

The City Council’s Miscellaneous Matters committee will meet this evening at 6 p.m. to consider the resolution

Ceramic artist Kevin Thomas returning to Stamford

One of our friends and a major contributor to the Fairfield County art community, Kevin Thomas, was seriously injured in a car accident over two years ago.   His chances of survival due to the many serious injuries including sever brain injuries, were slim.

After enduring the initial months of intensive care, the hope of leading normal life and returning to pottery seemed impossible. However, today after an intense fight over two years, we are glad to share what was unimaginable only a short while ago -- Kevin is back on the potter's wheel!

To celebrate this amazing human story and help Kevin with his new gift of life, Lakeside Pottery, Ceramic School and Studio in Stamfor will be hosting an art sale and show all with Kevin's very recent beautiful work on Decmber 5 and 6, 2009.  

 

Full text of remarks by President Obama at Dodd fundraiser

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Connecticut!  (Applause.)  Hello, Stamford!  (Applause.)  It is good to be back in Connecticut.  Thank you so much.  Everybody, please have a seat -- have a seat.  Relax for a second.  I'm just warming up here.  (Laughter.)

I'm going to talk a little bit about this guy in a second.  Let me begin by just acknowledging some wonderful public servants who have just been serving their constituencies with great distinction for, in some cases, a lot of years.

First of all, Congressman John Larson is in the house.  Where's John?  There he is, John Larson.  (Applause.)  Congressman Chris Murphy.  Chris.  (Applause.)  Congressman Jim Himes.  (Applause.)  Yes, sir.  This is Jim's district, so he's got the home court advantage.  Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.  (Applause.)  And Mayor of Stamford, Dannel Malloy is in the house.  (Applause.)

  I can see this is a feisty crowd.  (Applause.)  What are you guys eating?  (Laughter.)  You don't know yet, huh?  It's a surprise?  All right.

 

Local band wins The Fox contest

North Westchester's pop/rock band Ten Feet Deep has won 95.9 THE FOX's Battle of Bands competition "Unplugged in the Plaza" and $1,000 for their performance at the Stamford Town Center on October 3rd.  Competing against 5 other bands, Ten Feet Deep performed a 25 minute set which included a rendition of Credence Clearwater Rival's "Fortunate Son" as well as an original song entitled "Melinda" which will be featured on their upcoming album.

Moore's OT goal gives Sound Tigers win

By RICK COHEN

Greg Moore scored the game winning goal 2:10 into overtime and Scott Munroe made 28 saves as the Bridgeport Sound Tigers defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 2-1, Saturday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard. The win snapped the Sound Tigers four game losing streak, improving their record to 5-4-0-0 on the year.

The Penguins grabbed an early lead on Mark Letestu’s second goal of the year with 6:29 left in the first period. Tim Wallace skated into the offensive zone and slid the puck cross-ice to Letestu who fired a wrist shot from the left face-off circle that found its way past Munroe.