The North Haven Memorial Library, 17 Elm St., North Haven announces the following programs which are free and open to the public. All programs are held in the Community room. For more information visit their website at http://www.northhavenlibrary.net/ or call 203-239-5803. All programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

 

Reading Between the Lines - Book Discussion

Tuesday, January 18 at 7 p.m.

Book: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

A novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932. When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her.

Discussion Leader: Pat Johnson

Registration is required for the following programs:

Forrest Yoga for Adults (8 week series) Thursdays

Thursdays, Jan. 13, 20, 27, Feb. 10, 17, 24, March 10, 17 (No class on Feb. 3, March 3) 6- 7 pm.

Beginners to Forrest Yoga learn to breathe deeply and connect in feeling with their bodies during poses that are typically held for 5-10 breaths. As you progress, you will become proficient at safely tailoring each pose to work best for you, particularly if you have physical injuries or chronic pain

Presented by Neely Kelley. Please bring a yoga mat. Registration  begins Jan. 3rd.

Cake Decorating for Adults

Wednesday, January 26 at 7 - 8 p.m. Instructor: Patty McGovern. Registration is required starting Jan. 3^rd.

Students will be learning beginning cake decorating skills including preparing the cake for icing, making frosting, using various tips to decorate, and forming basic flowers.

Jewelry Making Program

Monday, February 7 at 7 – 8 p.m.

Each attendee will receive a strand of semi-precious stones and a selection of loose beads to create a unique necklace or bracelet. Presented by jewelry designer Geralyn Tagatac. Registration begins on February 1 at 10 a.m.

 

Fat is Beautiful: A Calzone Making Demonstration

Wednesday, February 16 at 7 – 8 pm

Learn to make these delicious stuffed turnover pizzas with Chef Paula Biondino. Samples will be served. Registration begins on February 1st.

Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding Modern Art

Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m.

Modern art, with its complex themes and symbolism, is a pleasure to view, but it can also be intimidating and difficult to understand. This lecture will explore modern art and trace its history from the Barbizon School and Realist movements of the mid 19th century to the 1980s when artistic giants Warhol and Basquiat were at their height. Come and learn how to interpret these modern masterpieces! Mollie Clarke,Lyman Allyn Art Museum Director of Education, will present an hour-long lecture about understanding modern art. A question and answer session will follow the powerpoint presentation. Registration is required starting on March 1.

Friends of the Library Meetings - Wednesdays

January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1 at 7:15

The public is invited to the “friendliest” meetings in North Haven!

The North Haven Memorial Library, 17 Elm Street, North Haven announces their 2011 Book Discussions.  For more information or to register, call 203-239-5803.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Open to residents and non-residents. Schedule is as follows:

Mother Daughter Book Discussion - Mondays at 7 pm

January 10 - Book: Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn

February 14 -Book: Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

March 7 - Book: Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

April 11 - Book: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

May 9 – Book: TBA

June 13 - TBA

To register, call 203-239-5803

Mother – Teen Daughter Book Discussion - Wednesdays at 7 pm

January 12 - Book: Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz

February 9 - Book: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

March 16 - Book: If I Stay by Gayle Formas

April 13 - Book: Dark Wing by Kenneth Oppel

May 18 – Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

June 8 – The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

To register, call 203-239-5803.

The Hunger Games Series– Book Discussion - Mondays at 7 pm

January 31

Book One Discussion: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

A book discussion will be held of the NY Times Bestseller – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. “In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.”

Reviews for The Hunger Games: The New York Times - John Green “brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced” - The Washington Post - Mary Quattlebaum - “This gripping tale explores ever-timely topics—violence-as-entertainment and rule-by-intimidation—and through Katniss holds out the possibility of change.”

February 28

Book Two Discussion: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins “Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.”

March 28

Book Three Discussion: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins “The final book in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins will have hearts racing, pages turning, and everyone talking about one of the biggest and most talked-about books and authors in recent publishing history!”

To register call: 203-239-5803.

Program open to adults, teens and pre-teens.

 

Here's a notice from the town of Hamden:

Hamden—Hamden Public Works will begin curbside pick up of Christmas trees on Tuesday, January 18, 2010.  Trees should be free of all wrappings, lights and decorations.  Artificial trees are not included in this pickup and may be disposed of during the bulk trash months of April and October.  Pick up will be town-wide and continue through the end of the month.   Residents may also take their discarded trees to the Transfer Station at 231 Wintergreen Ave (open Mon. - Fri., 8am-3pm).  Please contact the Help Desk at 287-7676 with any further questions.

And by the way, Mayor Scott Jackson wishes to thank the McMahon family for donating the Christmas Tree located at Freedom Park at Whitney and Dixwell avenues.

North Haven police and firefighters are working hard to provide for others this holiday season.
The North Haven Professional Firefighters Association's annual Tip-A-Firefighter fundraiser is this Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Outback Steakhouse, 345 Washington Ave. All proceeds will benefit the North Haven Professional Firefighters Burn Foundation.
Anyone with questions should contact Firefighter Paul Januszewski at fire headquarters at 203-239-5321 Ext. 725.
Meanwhile, the police union is sponsoring Operation Blue Christmas to help the troops this holiday season, according to Officer Michael Compare, president. Items can be dropped off at the police station lobby on Linsley Street through this Friday.
"As we approach another holiday season, the police union wants to remember those Americans who are stationed abroad serving our country in the armed forces. We are adopting some of these heroes and remember them at this time of year," Compare said.
The public is asked to provide items for care packages that will be sent to soldiers in the 504th Military Police Battalion that is serving at Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.
Cash or personal care items such as toothbrushes and tooth paste and baby wipes; food items such as food bars and candies, and pre-sweetened drink mixes are among the items needed.
Socks and hand warmers for men and women, femine hygiene products, razors and non-aerosol shaving gel, baby lotion and sunblock and Q-tips are among the personal items needed. With food, they soldiers can use gum, hard candy, things like M&M's and Twizzler's, Pop Tarts, dried fruits, raisings, nuts, sunflower seeds, individual packets of things like cookies, crackers and tuna in packets. Besides drink mixes, coffee and tea, you can contribute playing cards, all sizes of batteries, computer games, pens and pencils, new and used DVDs, wash clothes and chewing tobacco.
For more information call Compare at 203-988-1149 or email local3087@hotmail.com.

 Grace Cloutier, a North Haven native who trained at The Juilliard School, Yale University and in France, will perform a special concert of classical and holiday music on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. to benefit Sleeping Giant Build - Habitat for Humanity.

Known for her expressive musicality and rich, warm sound, Miss Cloutier is a recipient of many prestigious awards and has performed before audiences across the United States, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. She gave her solo début and encore solo recital at Carnegie Hall (2006, 2008) as first prize winner of the International Competition of Artist International Presentations, and the New York Concert Review hailed her as "an accomplished, poised, self-assured performer."

Founded in 2007, the Sleeping Giant Build is a community-based group of local businesses, religious organizations, civic groups, individuals, and families, who have partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing through the creation of home-ownership opportunities for low-income, working families. Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses in the New Haven area -- with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. The resulting houses are attractive and affordable; increasingly they are providing a mechanism for revitalizing New Haven's poorest neighborhoods. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses. The Sleeping Giant Build is putting finishing touches on its third house, a single family home on Sylvan Street in New Haven.  For more information, visit www.sleepinggiantbuild.org 

Ms. Cloutier told The Rev. Matt Lincoln, Rector of St. John's Church that she particularly appreciates the people and community in the New Haven area, since she spent her childhood here.  "For me, one of the joys of life is giving back to the community via my music, and I am delighted to be performing this concert to benefit Sleeping Giant Build - Habitat for Humanity."

The concert will be held at St. John's historic church located at 3 Trumbull Place, on the North Haven Green. Tickets are: $20 adults; $10 children 6th grade and younger, or $15 to donate only, and are available either by email harpforhabitat@yahoo.com or at the door the night of the concert, beginning at 6:30 pm.  For more information about the concert please call 203-239-0156.

Hamden Welcomes Wreaths Across America

A Tribute In Memory of Trooper Kenneth Hall Scheduled

For Midday Stopover in Hamden

 

HAMDEN  On December 8^th, Wreaths Across America, traveling from Maine to Washington DC, will stop at the Hamden Middle School to speak with students and lay a wreath at the Veterans Memorial.  A ceremony honoring the memory of State Trooper Kenneth Hall, a supporter of WAA, will be conducted during the stopover. Trooper Hall was killed earlier this year in the line of duty. Hamden is the second stop in Connecticut after the Wreaths Across America caravan leaves Old Saybrook.

 

Hundreds of students, local officials and townspeople are expected to greet the solemn caravan that transports more than 12,000 wreaths to be placed by headstones at Arlington National Cemetery.  The 45-minute event is scheduled to begin at 10:45 AM as the trucks and other vehicles travel from the Route 40 connector, down Whitney Avenue and up Dixwell Avenue to the school.  They will return the same route back towards I-91 to continue their patriotic journey.

 

“It is an honor and privilege for Hamden and our students to host the Wreaths Across America volunteers as they carry out what has become a very moving tribute to those who gave their lives for this nation,” said Daniel Levy, Assistant Principal of Hamden Middle School.  Levy, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard went on to say, “We are especially honored to have a ceremony in memory of Trooper Kenneth Hall this year.” 

 

Members of Wreaths Across America will conduct a wreath-laying ceremony at the Hamden Veterans Memorial in front of the school and then speak with students. Members of the Gold Star Wives will also be at the ceremony on Wednesday. Local and Town officials, Board of Education, and others will attend. Students will accompany the wreath as it is placed before the names of Hamden’s veterans. Hamden Middle School is located at 2623 Dixwell Avenue.  To learn more about Wreaths Across America and their efforts to honor the nation’s fallen, visit http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/.

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BRING THE KIDDIES...

The center of town will be filled with holiday revelry when the Hamden Arts Commission presents the annual Silverbells Festival and a new veterans organization will hold a holiday concert and winter coat drive on Saturday Dec. 3.

Silverbells takes place from 2 to 6 p.m. in Town Center Park and the Miller Cultural Center at 2901 Dixwell Ave.

Face painting will take place at Miller from 2 to 4 p.m. and at 3 p.m., the Crabgrass Puppet Theatre will present "Mr. Punch’s Christmas Carol," an adaptation of the Dickens’ classic holiday story.

In the park at 2761 Dixwell, there will be carousel rides, hayrides and other activities from 2 to 6 p.m. Caroling with the Hamden girl scouts starts at 2. Community caroling and the tree lighting ceremony starts at 4:15. Taylor and Jordan Jacques are expected to light the tree. Santa is arriving on a fire truck at 4:30.

Later, Vets Link is having a holiday concert from 7 to 10 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Auditorium at the Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Ave.

Admission is $25 or a coat or jacket donation. The coat drive wil help needy and homeless veterans.

An instrumental rock trio of Charlie Martinez, Kerry Agnew and Paul Gilmore will play, as well as The American Relics and Garrett "Diamond" Walker in a Neil Diamond Tribute. Cassandra Martinez is the hostess.

And if you're in the mood for other music, go to Hamden Plains United Methodist Church, corner of Dixwell Avenue and Church Street, for a holiday concert at 7. A silent auction takes place at 4:30. It's all to celebrate the church's 197th anniversary. The Rev. Soon Ahn is now at the helm.

CHRISTMAS IN NORTH HAVEN

NORTH HAVEN'S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND HOLIDAY EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 2 TO 5 P.M. SUNDAY DEC. 5 AT THE RECREATION CENTER ON LINSLEY STREET AND ON THE TOWN GREEN ON CHURCH STREET. YOU CAN SEE SANTA'S WORKSHOP INSIDE, AND PARTICIPATE IN COOKIE DECORATING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
THE RAIN DATE IS FROM 3 TO 6 P.M. MONDAY DEC. 6.
MEANWHILE, THE NORTH HAVEN EDUCATION FOUNDATION IS CONTINUING ITS LIGHT THE WAY TO EDUCATION FUNDRAISER. LUMINARIA WILL BE ON DISPLAY ON THE GREEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TREE LIGHTING. LUMINARIA ARE $5 AND CAN BE DEDICATED TO ANYONE, EVEN A FAVORITE TEACHER!