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SENIOR OFFICIAL TO VISIT NEW HAVEN TO HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN EDUCATION

Michael Robbins, senior advisor for nonprofit partnerships at the U.S. Department of Education, will lead a “Together for Tomorrow” town hall on the value of community partnerships in helping to propel school improvement. The event, which takes place on Thursday, May 24, at Wexler-Grant Community School in New Haven, will spotlight the New Haven Education AmeriCorps VISTA Project. There will be a question-and-answer session after the town hall. A media avail will follow.

 

The New Haven Education AmeriCorps VISTA Project, sponsored by the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, is a collaboration of six nonprofit host organizations working together with a common goal of closing the achievement gap and turning around low-performing schools in New Haven. Specifically, the project focuses on things such as building community partnerships to support and expand existing services to support more students in grades K-12 and establishing College Access Centers to prepare students for college.

Together for Tomorrow is an initiative that spotlights and fosters partnerships among schools, families, national service programs, and community-based organizations in order to help turn around low-performing schools. The town hall is sponsored by the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

 

WHO:  
Michael Robbins, senior advisor for nonprofit partnerships, U.S. Department of Education

Ken Bedell, senior advisor for faith-based and neighborhood partnerships, U.S. Department of Education

Reginald Mayo, superintendent, New Haven Public Schools

Sabrina Breland, principal, Wexler-Grant Community School

Anne Ostberg, Connecticut state director, Corporation for National and Community Service

Neysa Stallman Guerino, executive director, Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut

Amy Faenza, Boost service corps member

Johnny Scafidi, Yale University

Jack Healy, United Way of Greater New Haven

WHAT:

Together for Tomorrow Town Hall

WHEN

10:30 a.m. ET Thursday, May 24th

ANSON SMITH GREATER NEW HAVEN LABOR HISTORY ASSOCIATION BOARD

 By JOAN CAVANAUGH

BRIDGEPORT – Housatonic Community College public relations coordinator Anson C. Smith of Wallingford has joined the executive board of the Greater New Haven Labor History Association (GNHLHA).

In addition to his public relations position, Smith has taught courses in journalism and history at HCC. He is active in the labor movement, serving statewide Political Action Committee chair for the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges (The 4Cs), and serving on that group’s executive board and legislative affairs committee. In addition, he is grievance officer for the HCC chapter and represents the chapter at the 4Cs’ delegate assembly.

“Connecticut is rich with labor history,” Smith said. “I’m delighted to join the board of a group that is so committed to preserving such an important chapter in the history of the state and its people.”

Smith joins the association just as it revs up for its June 3 annual meeting, which will feature an address by national labor leader John Wilhelm, president of the union UNITE HERE. Wilhelm, who began his labor career in New Haven, will discuss the current status and future of the labor movement.

UB Design Students to Showcase Work for Library Renovation

On Thursday, May 24th at 5:30 PM the Burroughs & Saden Library, 925 Broad Street Avenue Bridgeport. Presents: An exhibition and reception for the University of Bridgeport's Shintaro Akatso School of Design Junior Interior Design Students. Under the guidance of Professor Seung Hyeon Park, AIA, the Junior Interior Design Students created designs for the future renovation and repurposing of the former first floor Popular Library in new and innovative ways. Please join us as we showcase the extraordinary work these students have done. Refreshments will be served. For more info call 203 576-7777.

Used iPads can be donated to help benefit Lighthouse Program

BRIDGEPORT – Do you have a used iPad collecting dust in your home because you recently upgraded to the New iPad? If so, the City of Bridgeport’s Lighthouse After School and Summer Program hopes you’ll consider donating your gently used iPad to students in the after school and summer program.  The goal is one iPad per student for a total of 2,800 iPads.  Donations can be made online via ipadappeal.org.   

“I strongly encourage corporate and individual donations and urge all residents to spread the word about this great program by sharing the information through social network sites like Facebook and Twitter,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “You can help make a difference in a young person’s life by helping close the digital divide, providing a wealth of information in the palms of our students’ hands with an iPad.”

This appeal would not have been possible without the generous support of Noah Brier and his company Percolate, a New York-based firm that helps brands create content at a social scale. 

Tammy Papa, Director of the Lighthouse Program said, “On behalf of Mayor Finch and our Lighthouse students, I want to thank Noah, and his company for his assistance in the creation of the website, which will help publicize this appeal.  Their ongoing support of our efforts in helping Bridgeport youth succeed is greatly appreciated.”

 

HCC OFFERING TAI CHI COURSE

By ANSON C. SMITH

BRIDGEPORT –   Housatonic Community College is offering a Tai Chi course beginning April 2.

Tai Chi, a form of martial arts that originated in China, has evolved into a relaxation technique. Through the application of low-impact exercises, Tai Chi will help improve flexibility, strength, and balance of the body while reducing stress levels.

This course is designed to educate students about the origins of Tai Chi, while allowing them to experience both the physical and spiritual benefits of its ancient art form.

The class, to be taught by instructor Jonathan Davis, will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, April, 2 - April 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The course fee is $149. 

Courses are graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Due to limited space, individuals are encouraged to register early. To register for classes or for more information, contact Evelyn Melendez at 203-332-5057.

HCC NOW OFFERING ADVANCED C++ PROGRAMMING COURSE

By ANSON C. SMITH

BRIDGEPORT – Housatonic Community College is offering an advanced C++ programming class beginning March 31.

The course is intended for those who have already completed an introduction to C++ course or have equivalent experience. Students must provide their own data storage device (flash drive) throughout the duration of the course.

The class, to be taught by Eman Abdelfattah, will meet Saturdays, March 31 to May 12 (no class April 7), from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Lafayette Hall Room A225. The fee is $345, excluding text.

This non-credit professional development course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis and is ideal for individuals seeking to upgrade their workforce skills. Due to limited space, individuals are encouraged to register early. To register for classes or for more information, contact Evelyn Melendez at 203-332-5057.

Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional enrichment seminars and workshops. In addition, HCC offers employee and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry needs. HCC is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the Dream” institution. To learn more, visit the college’s website at: www.hcc.commnet.edu.

HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in the Housatonic garage.

Mayor Finch Statement re: Supreme Court ruling on local school governance

 “As I said when I spoke to the state Board of Education last July in support of state intervention, ‘Our school system is at a critical crossroads.  It is time that we remove the politics from our children’s education, address our schools’ challenges head-on and begin to pursue a long-term solution to improving our schools.’ It is clear that the status quo is unacceptable. I agree with Justice Palmer that today’s decision, a narrow and technical ruling, is a setback to the school children of Bridgeport. However, I remain committed to work with the Governor, the Legislature, our new Superintendent and the existing board to help give Bridgeport kids a better education. Every decision we make should be about our children’s future.”

HCC Professor David Koch to discuss Civil War newspapers March 7th

By ANSON C. SMITH

BRIDGEPORT –Housatonic Community College Professor David Koch will discuss Connecticut’s Civil War newspapers Wednesday, March 7, at the college.

The talk will center on the media coverage of the war, the partisan nature of newspaper coverage at that time, and the sometimes hostile clashes between newspapers and, at times, citizens, of the state.

The event, which will begin at 2 p.m. in the Beacon Hall Events Center, is open to the public at no charge.

Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional enrichment seminars and workshops. In addition, HCC offers employee and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry needs. HCC is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the Dream” institution. To learn more, visit the college’s website at:www.hcc.commnet.edu.

HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in the Housatonic garage.

 

NEW YORK SCULPTORS GUILD EXHIBITS AT HOUSATONIC MUSEUM OF ART

By ANSON C. SMITH

Bridgeport - The Housatonic Museum of Art presents Sculpture in the 21^st Century featuring work by members of the New York Sculptors Guild. The exhibit will open Thursday, February 23 and continue through March 10th. A reception for the artists will be held Sunday, February 26 from 1 to 3pm in the Burt Chernow Galleries. This event is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

The Sculptors Guild, founded in 1937, was an important moment for Modern sculpture in America and Guild members have ranked among the most prestigious and significant artists of the past seven decades. David Smith, an influential mid-20th century sculptor and a forerunner of welded steel constructions of expressive geometric abstractions, exhibited regularly with Sculptors Guild along with such renowned figures as Jacques Lipchitz, Louise Bourgeois, Seymour Lipton, lbram Lassaw and Herbert Ferber. In addition, Expressionist figurative sculpture also flourished, most notably exemplified by the work of Paul Manship, Chaim Gross, William Zorach, Jacques Lipchitz, and Jose de Creeft.

With the advent of the new millennium the Sculptors Guild has enjoyed a resurgence of interest by emerging sculptors of various divergent aesthetics. The continuation of the extensive history of prominent sculpture visionaries within Sculptors Guild avant garde has extensively expanded during the past decade to include the notable digital sculptors: Bruce Beasley, Kenneth Snelson, Jon Isherwood, Robert Michael Smith, Michael Rees, Barry X Ball, Dan Collins, Mary Bates Neubauer, David Smalley, Greg Lock, David Morris, Michael Zansky and Dan Henderson.

In 2010, the Housatonic Museum of Art invited Nick Capasso, Senior Curator at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts to select works created by the members for this exhibition. Capasso chose twenty-eight sculptures by fourteen artists, using several criteria.

“First and foremost,” Capasso said, “is my interest in work that is well wrought, and displays a confident, unselfconscious, or experimental attitude toward material, form, subject, and content. I was most attracted to works that look forward to the aesthetic and philosophical concerns of the 21^st century, rather than back towards the 20^th century.” Capasso selected a diverse body of work that explores architecture, history, art history, science, biology and the complexities of nature, and spirituality.

Sculpture of the 21^st Century includes Stephanie Rocknack, June Ahrens, Eve Ingalls, Greg Lock, Lucy Hodgson, Steve Dono, Michael Zansky, Irene Gennaro, Mary Ellen Scherl, Katie Truk, Elizabeth Knowles, Alison Helm, Robert Michael Smith, and Mary Bailey.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am until 5:30pm. Thursday evening until 7 pm. Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm and Sunday from 12 pm until 4 pm. For more information and directions to the museum visit our websitewww.housatonicmuseum.org

NEW YORK SCULPTORS GUILD EXHIBITS AT HOUSATONIC MUSEUM OF ART

By ANSON C. SMITH

Bridgeport —The Housatonic Museum of Art presents Sculpture in the 21^st Century featuring work by members of the New York Sculptors Guild. The exhibit will open Thursday, February 23 and continue through March 10, 2012. A reception for the artists will be held Sunday, February 26 from 1 to 3pm in the Burt Chernow Galleries. This event is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

The Sculptors Guild, founded in 1937, was an important moment for Modern sculpture in America and Guild members have ranked among the most prestigious and significant artists of the past seven decades. David Smith, an influential mid-20th century sculptor and a forerunner of welded steel constructions of expressive geometric abstractions, exhibited regularly with Sculptors Guild along with such renowned figures as Jacques Lipchitz, Louise Bourgeois, Seymour Lipton, lbram Lassaw and Herbert Ferber. In addition, Expressionist figurative sculpture also flourished, most notably exemplified by the work of Paul Manship, Chaim Gross, William Zorach, Jacques Lipchitz, and Jose de Creeft.

Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional enrichment seminars and workshops. In addition, HCC offers employee and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry needs. HCC is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the Dream” institution. To learn more, visit the college’s website at:www.hcc.commnet.edu.

HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in the Housatonic garage

Mayor Bill Finch Joins Blackham School ‘Green Team” For Recycling Awareness Campaign

By ELAINE K. FICARRA

WHAT: Blackham School students will soon be calling on friends, family and neighbors to sign up with Recyclebank, the City’s recycling partner as part of a month-long fundraising and recycling awareness campaign at the school.

Representatives from Recyclebank and Mayor Bill Finch will join school Principal Ronald Remy, teacher Chris Kinsley and the school’s newly minted ‘Green Team’ for the fundraising kickoff at Monday, Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. in the school’s Thorme Street lobby. The Green Team is a group of about 14 students in seventh and eighth grade who are learning about recycling and energy conservation in class and putting their newfound knowledge to work overseeing the school’s recycling efforts. The Green Team has been working with younger students to help them understand the importance of recycling and increasing the number of registered recycling households in their neighborhood.

“We want more people to sign up with Recyclebank so they can reap the rewards of their environmentally conscious actions,” said Finch. “This challenge fundraiser is an excellent way to raise community awareness, help our students learn about the environment and encourage more residents to register for Recyclebank rewards.”

During the event, the winner of the school-wide recycling fundraiser poster contest will be announced and ‘Green Team’ members will describe their efforts to increase recycling in their school and neighborhood.

WHO: Mayor Bill Finch, Blackham School principal and members of the ‘Green Team’; Recyclebank representatives

 

WHERE: Blackham School, 425 Thorme St.

 

WHEN: 11 a.m., Monday, February 13, 2012

HCC Included in $17.8 Million Grant

 For HCC Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center 

 By ANSON C. SMITH

BRIDGEPORT -- Housatonic Community College has been awarded a share of a $17.8 million grant, which it will use to create The HCC Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center for Southwestern Connecticut at the college.

The center will expand the college’s manufacturing education capability to give students the 21^st century knowledge and skills needed by today’s manufacturers. It will feature a manufacturing lab, an engineering/design studio, and a welding lab to be used to support the college’s credit and non-credit manufacturing courses.

“I am most pleased that Housatonic’s manufacturing program has been selected for this grant,” said HCC President Anita T. Gliniecki. “With this funding, the college can complete the expansion of a regional advanced manufacturing center.”

“We see manufacturing as one of the growth areas in Connecticut,” she said. “The college has conducted intensive discussion and research with local manufacturers and vocational technical school partners to bring this manufacturing center to fruition and increase the training and education opportunities for the residents of Southwestern Connecticut.”

Among the features of the manufacturing lab will be an Inspection/Metrology Center with precision measuring tools, a 20-station computer lab, Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machines, and Rapid Prototypers.

“The center was created not only with current HCC students in mind, but with high school students, current workers and career changers as well,” said Academic Dean Elizabeth Roop. “It will provide people with the skills they need for employment and careers in today’s expanding manufacturing environment.”

“Our goal has been to develop a state-of-the-art manufacturing training and educational facility that will serve as a base from which to train talented workers to meet manufacturers’ needs now, and in the future, a truly regional resource for manufacturers,” she added.

Beginning Italian classes now offered at Black Rock Branch

The Black Rock Branch Library, 2705 Fairfield Avenue presents: Free Italian Language Classes for Beginners. Want to learn Italian but never had a chance? Going to Italy soon? Or, do you consider yourself someone who can’t learn a foreign language? Then this class is for you. The Black Rock Branch Library is offering a series of Italian language classes which uses a unique method for easy learning.The 4-week class series of conversational Italian classes will be offered Thursday evenings February 9th, 16th, 23rd and March 1st from 7:15 to 8:15 PM. Space is limited, so call the Black Rock Branch Library at (203) 337-9676 to register.

Southington resident named Director of Institutional Advancement at HCC

By ANSON C. SMITH

BRIDGEPORT ‑ Christopher Carollo of the Plantsville section of Southington has been named Director of Institutional Advancement at Housatonic Community College.

            Carollo who comes to Housatonic from Southern Connecticut State University, brings fundraising, grant-writing and budget experience to the position. He has raised restricted and unrestricted funds and has implemented policies to achieve fundraising goals.

            Carollo also has experience working with community leaders and groups, including recruiting community leaders to serve on the board of the Boy Scouts of America. In addition, he has experience in managing and selecting portfolios for alumni and organizations.

            “We’re delighted to welcome Chris Carollo to the college” said President Anita T. Gliniecki. “His extensive background, especially in fundraising and working with community leaders, will be especially valuable to the Housatonic Community College Foundation as it seeks to raise funds for student scholarships, student emergencies, program enhancements and the Housatonic Museum of Art.”         

Mayor Finch Signs BCAC Children’s Bill of Rights for Education

By ELAINE K. FICARRA 

BRIDGEPORT – Mayor Bill Finch has enthusiastically endorsed the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition’s Children’s Bill of Rights for Education. The Bill of Rights offers ten key principles for the Bridgeport schools to ensure a quality education for all students. The Mayor met with members of the BCAC Board of Directors and staff on Friday to sign on; a public signing event is planned for the near future.

The BCAC Children’s Bill of Rights calls for a “district-wide school culture that promotes mutual respect, ensures student achievement and fosters a commitment to excellence for all students in all grades, pre-kindergarten through graduation.”

“I am proud to sign my name to the Children’s Bill of Rights for Education, and it is fitting to have done so as we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most compelling civil rights activists in our nation’s history. I believe in the points outlined in the Children’s Bill of Rights and ask that my fellow local and state leaders who have not yet signed on, to do so. We are all in this together, for the good of our students and our education system,” said Finch.

Finch recently initiated a City Charter Revision effort, with one of the main goals being to create more public accountability for education reform in order to ensure that City school children receive the best education possible.

“We all have a common goal:  to help Bridgeport children receive the best possible education they can from our school system,” said Mary Pat Healy, Executive Director of the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition. “To help move us all forward, we have developed the Children’s Bill of Rights for Education as a set of core principles that we believe are critical to the success of the school system. BCAC did not create this Bill of Rights in a vacuum. We sought the advice and counsel of constituencies throughout the city.  We believe the Bill of Rights can be a rallying point on which we can all agree and move forward.”

The Bill of Rights calls for:

• A commitment to excellence, student achievement and mutual respect;
• Strong leadership at all levels;
• Safe schools;
• Financial resources tied to fiscal responsibility;
• Stability and support for school staff and students;
• Representation on the Board of Education by parents of children in the school system who reflect the diversity of the city;
• Open lines of communication among the Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools, Central Administration, the Mayor’s office and parents;
• Transparency in decision-making;
• Accountability; and
• Community engagement and empowerment.

About Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition (BCAC)

The Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition (BCAC) is a coalition of organizations, parents and other concerned individuals committed to improving the well-being of Bridgeport’s children through research, advocacy, community education, and mobilization.  To learn more, visit www.BCACCT.org.

Sustainable Communities Town Hall Meeting Set for Thursday Jan. 26 at HCC

Mayor Finch to join state and regional officials

to discuss unique bi-state partnership to bring a new train station to the City’s East Side

 By ELAINE K. FICARRA

BRIDGEPORT – The New York-Connecticut Sustainable Communities Consortium will host a town hall meeting, Thursday, January 26 at 6 p.m., at Housatonic Community College.

The meeting will include a discussion of how the partnership is working to expand job and housing opportunities, how the Regional Plan Association and the City of Bridgeport are participating in the effort, and how to obtain preferred status for federal grant applications and opportunities to participate in planning for the City’s second train station.

This meeting is the fourth in a series of town hall meetings being held throughout the consortium area; the first was held in Mineola, N.Y., in December.

The New York-Connecticut Sustainable Communities Consortium, a partnership between the federal government and 17 cities, counties and organizations in New York and Connecticut, represents an unprecedented bi-state collaboration of cities, counties and regional planning organizations. This initiative, funded with a $3.5 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant, will integrate housing, economic development, transportation and environmental planning. The goal of the consortium is to reposition the New York-Connecticut region to fully harness its innovation capabilities in a competitive global environment, build on its strong foundation of energy efficiency, and become as equitable as it is efficient. Its primary focus is to leverage the most extensive and robust transit system in the nation by developing livable communities with mixed-income housing and employment at key nodes in the MTA Metro-North Railroad and MTA Long Island Rail Road network.

Speakers at the January 26 meeting include: Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, Donald C. Eversley, Director, City of Bridgeport’s Office of Planning & Economic Development; Julie B. Fagan, Connecticut Field Office Director, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development; Gerry Bogacz, Director, New York Metropolitan Council, and Frank Gardner, Brownfields Project Officer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“With the Sustainable Communities Consortium, we are working together across city boundaries and state lines to bring jobs and housing to our region,” said Finch. “In Bridgeport, we have focused our efforts on bringing a new train station to Bridgeport which presents a tremendous opportunity for economic growth for the East Side, East End and the City as a whole.”

The region's transit network is key to achieving economic development in Connecticut's communities,” said David Kooris, vice president and Connecticut director for Regional Plan Association. “Enhanced rail service can spur job growth in Bridgeport, and help the residents of the state's largest city access economic opportunity.” 

The meeting is open and the public is encouraged to attend.

When: Doors open at 6 p.m., Thursday, January 26, 2012. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Boulevard, Beacon Hall Event Center, Room 214 (Beacon Hall is accessible via HCC’s Broad Street entrance.)

About the New York-Connecticut Sustainable Cities Initiative 

Consortium members include the cities of New York, New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, and Mount Vernon; Nassau and Suffolk counties; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council; South Western Regional Metropolitan Planning Organization; Greater Bridgeport/Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization; South Central Regional Council of Governments; the Long Island Regional Planning Council; and Regional Plan Association. For more information visit www.sustainablenyct.org or www.facebook.com/sustainablenyct.

New Series at Watermark University

By JUSTIN MAY

Bridgeport – The Watermark at 3030 Park will be introducing a new program called “The Prophets: Who were they and what was their message for us?” The six week series will be held on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The first lecture will take place on January 20 at 3030 Park Avenue, Bridgeport. Additional lectures will be held on January 27, February 3, February 10, February 17 and February 24.

“The Prophets” will be led by Rabbi Rachel Gurevitz, Associate Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel in Bridgeport. She will introduce several prophets from the Bible and discuss the meaning of their messages.

Rabbi Gurevitz is a native of London, England and has taught in the UK, New York and Connecticut. She is a regular contributor to the interfaith panel programs at Watermark.

This program is one of the many healthy living courses offered by Watermark University. Watermark University is a continuing education program designed with interesting topics and activities to keep seniors’ minds and bodies fit.

To register or for more information, call Marlane Argianas at The Watermark at 3030 Park at 203-373-6288.

About The Watermark at 3030 Park:

The Watermark at 3030 Park, located at 3030 Park Avenue on the Bridgeport/Fairfield line in Connecticut, is a distinctive community for seniors, offering exceptional independent living, assisted living, skilled rehabilitation and memory care. The Watermark at 3030 Park is professionally managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, a company committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive. For more information, please visit www.watermarkcommunities.com/3030park.

Ground Truth : Mapping the Senses/Charting Experience at HCC

By ANSON C. SMITH

Bridgeport--The Housatonic Museum of Art will begin the new year with an exciting exhibit, Ground Truth : Mapping the Senses / Charting Experience. The show opens on January 13^th and will run through February 10th. Housatonic Museum Director Robbin Zella and artist Susan Sharp are curators for the exhibit which will consist of works from approximately fifteen artists, including a variety of pieces from Merce Cunningham and John Cage’s video collaboration, “Points in Space,” to Chip Lord’s video Movie Map: SF 03 that connects fantasy spaces and real places, to Eve Ingalls large drawings on canvas of her experience hiking the mountain range near her Idaho home.

The Housatonic Museum is open to the public at no charge Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The Museum is closed when the college is closed. For further information contact 203-332-5052 or visit www.housatonicmuseum.org. Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional enrichment seminars and workshops. In addition, HCC offers employee and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry needs. HCC is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the Dream” institution. To learn more, visit the college’s website at: www.hcc.commnet.edu.

HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in the Housatonic garage.

 

Ground Truth : Mapping the Senses/ Charting Experience

Bridgeport --The Housatonic Museum of Art will begin the new year with an exciting

exhibit,  Ground Truth : Mapping the Senses / Charting Experience.  The  show

opens on  January 13^th and will run through February 10, 2012.  Housatonic Museum

director Robbin Zella and artist Susan Sharp are curators for the exhibit which will

consist of works from approximately fifteen artists,  including a variety of pieces

from Merce Cunningham and John Cage’s video collaboration, “Points in Space,” to

Chip Lord’s video Movie Map: SF 03 that connects fantasy spaces and real places, to

Eve Ingalls large drawings on canvas of her experience hiking the mountain 

range near her Idaho home.

The Housatonic Museum is open to the public at no charge Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The Museum is closed when the college is closed. For further information contact 203-332-5052 or visit www.housatonicmuseum.org.

Fairfield County Community Foundation Grant To Housatonic Community College

Funds will Support the Housatonic Museum of Art

By ANSON C. SMITH

BRUDGEPORT ‑ Paul Antinozzi, President of the Housatonic Community College Foundation, Inc., has announced that the Fairfield County Community Foundation has given a competitive grant of $20,000 to support the Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA).

The grant will provide support for the full-time position of a curator/collections manager at the Museum.

Robbin Zella, Director of the Housatonic Museum of Art, says, “Having a curator on our staff gives us the opportunity to grow the Museum, provide more educational resources to students, artists, and the greater Bridgeport community and increase our outreach.”

The Museum collection includes over 4,000 objects with examples from ancient Greece, Egypt, China and substantial African art. The core of the collection is comprised of works from 1945 to the present with important examples by modern and contemporary artists.

Karen Brown, Fairfield County Community Foundation Vice President of Programs, says,“The Housatonic Museum of Art is a significant asset and cultural source for Bridgeport and Fairfield County. Increasing its educational and outreach efforts is important. We look forward to the positive impact of these expanded programs at the HMA.”

About Fairfield County Community Foundation

The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The Foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services, and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Foundation has awarded over $123 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org

About the Housatonic Community College Foundation

The Housatonic Community College Foundation was formed in 1990 to assist the College and its students beyond the fundamentals provided by the state. The Foundation provides resources for scholarships, equipment, program enhancements, community outreach and support for the Housatonic Museum of Art. The College provides convenient and affordable post-secondary training and life-long learning to those in the Bridgeport area. For more information, visitwww.hcc.commnet.edu/hccf

Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional enrichment seminars and workshops. In addition, HCC offers employee and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry needs. HCC is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the Dream” institution. To learn more, visit the college’s website at: www.hcc.commnet.edu.