Fairhaven Furniture offers special deal in partnership with Leeway Nov. 27-Jan. 18

A minimum $50 donation to Leeway takes $200 off the purchase price of a Stressless® recliner from Fairhaven Furniture,72 Blatchley Ave., New Haven.  How it works:
1. Come in to Fairhaven Furniture to select your recliner;
2. Donate a minimum of $50 to Leeway;
3. Receive $200 off any Stressless® recliner

Leeway will hold two events at Fairhaven Furniture: Kick-off Family Event Dec. 5 and Closing Wine & Cheese Reception Jan. 14. aaharwood@leeway.net

Santa at Shore Line Trolley Museum

The Shore Line Trolley Museum invites kids to Santa on the Trolley, on weekends from Nov. 28-Dec. 20, 10:30 am-4:30 pm, 17 River St, East Haven. Each child receives a gift.  Adults $8/Seniors $6/Children (2-15) $4. Details: www.bera.org or (203) 467-6927.

Milton Fisher Scholarship Application due April 12

Community Foundation for Greater New Haven recently awarded 136,000 in college scholarships to 8 area high schools students. Next application deadline for the Milton Fisher Scholarship is April 12, 2010. Applications and guidelines are available at www.rbffoundation.org or by calling 203-777-2386.

International Association of New Haven Grants Application due Jan. 8

The International Association of New Haven (IANH), a cultural, educational and social organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening mutual understanding between the people of Greater New Haven and the rest of the world, seeks grant applications from organizations whose programs advance international, intercultural and global understanding.
Applications will be accepted from educational institutions and organizations with 501(c)(3) status. The review process will be completed by April 1st, when awards will be announced. Each year the IANH expects to award 5-7 grants of approximately $5000 each.  Details: www.ianewhaven.org/html/awards.html

Wrapup for "Twitter for Nonprofits" at Subway Seminar Nov. 19

About the Twitter Workshop at the library last week presenter Amy Graver said: "It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of great questions and interaction with the audience. Any questions? Tweet me at twitter.com/elementsdesign."

A participant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council added: "[This was] an incredibly valuable, comprehensive overview of one of the newest and most important trends in social media!"

Look for the next Subway Supper Seminar at the library on Thursday, Dec. 17, 4:30-6:30pm. Leon Bailey of the Community Foundation for GNH will discuss how to run meetings that save time and produce good results. Register at http://www.decsubway.eventbrite.com/ or call (203) 946-7431.

Leverage your shopping dollars to help your community!

Your holiday shopping can support New Haven nonprofit organizations and the communities and individuals they serve. The Connecticut Council on Philanthropy offers 2009 Connecticut Ways to Share. . . a Holiday Wish List, at http://www.ctphilanthropy.org/holiday/2009.

Coat & Blanket Drive Dec. 5 & 6 in Branford

Unused adult and children's coats, blankets, mittens, hats and scarves will be collected at Lenny's Indian Head Inn, 205 S. Montowese St., from 8am-noon on both days.  Proceeds will be distributed to local shelters. Details: http://www.explorebranford.com/ or (203) 645-1393.

E-Marketing 101: Google Analytics Intelligence

Google is rolling out a new feature in Google Analytics called Analytics Intelligence. It will provide automatic alerts of significant changes in the data patterns of your site metrics and dimensions over daily, weekly, and monthly periods. This way, you do not have to spend all your time sifting through data. Instead, Google will automatically send you an alert with the most significant information to pay attention to that can affect your business. You can then spend your time actually taking action, instead of trying to figure out what needs to be done...read more at http://www.digitalsurgeons.com/blog/

New Haven Review subscribers get 15% off Long Wharf tickets

New Haven Review is proud to announce that subscribers receive 15% off the ticket price. Our discount code is NHRev. If you call Long Wharf Theatre to order tickets (203-787-4282) or use its “Online Box Office,” just apply our code to your purchase to receive that 15% off!
Bennett Lovett-Graff, Publisher, http://www.newhavenreview.com/

Census Testing offered at New Haven Library Branches

The US Census Bureau will hire 3000 English- and Spanish-speaking adults p/t to help complete census surveys. Ideally they want to hire people to work within their own neighborhoods. The pay is $15-$20 per hour. The Census will be administering a short test on the following days at the Fair Haven, Mitchell and Wilson Library Branches:

Wilson, 303 Washington Avenue, 946-2228:
Monday, November 23, 12:30-4:00 pm
Monday: December 21, 9:30am-1;30pm
Monday December 28, 9:30am-1;30pm

Fair Haven, 182 Grand Ave., 946-8115:
Tuesday, November 24, 12:30-4:00 pm
Tuesday, December 1, 12;30-4:00pm
Tuesday, December 8, 12:30-4:00 pm
Tuesday, December 15, 12:30-4:00 pm
Tuesday, December 22, 10:30am-1:30 pm
Tuesday, December 29, 10:30am-1:30 pm

Mitchell, 37 Harrison St., 946-8117:
Wednesday, November 25, 10:00am-1:00pm
Wednesday, December 9, 12:30-3:30pm
Wednesday, December 23, 12:30-3:30pm
Practice Test for Positions is at: www.census.gov/robos/www/images/Practice_Test.pdf

To schedule an appointment to take the test call: 203-404-0940. For more information about the job call:

866-861-2010

Educational Assistant (Weatherization Associate Project Coordinator) Full-Time Temporary Position, 2+ years

Connecticut Community Colleges will provide services for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Weatherization Program “ARRA WAP," assisting low-income persons minimize energy related costs and increase energy efficiency in their homes. The Associate Project Coordinator will be responsible for coordination of these services, through statewide referrals from multiple agencies in five major service areas. The Coordinator will serve as a liaison among the 12 colleges, the Connecticut Technical High Schools and other partners.
Min. qualifications: Bachelor’s degree and min. two years experience coordinating grants, projects or programs. Candidates must have experience with multi-partner projects and/or initiatives; have effective oral and written communication abilities, strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office; ability to work with multiple constituencies and ethnically diverse populations.   Experience in or knowledge of weatherization, construction and /or energy is preferred.

Responsibilities: recruitment, training program implementation and scholarships; working with state agencies to connect trainees to jobs, communicating with partners regarding training needs and project progress; tracking project progress and outcomes; and serving as the liaison with community college designees to ensure monthly and quarterly grant progress and reporting.

$59,871 approximate annual salary plus benefits. Send letter of intent, resume, transcripts, and three references  to: Angela Hyde, Connecticut Community Colleges, 61 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105 by December 9, 2009.

United Way announces two funding opportunities

United Way of Greater New Haven will administer approximately $500,000 in federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) through a competitive application process. Nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations and public institutions throughout New Haven County are welcome to apply for these funds. EFSP funds can only be used to supplement direct service costs. Programs must have provided direct services (such as emergency food, emergency shelter, emergency utility or emergency rent/mortgage assistance) to individuals and families in crisis or prevention services that help people avoid crisis for at least 12 months in order to apply. Organizations interested in applying for EFSP funding must attend a mandatory information session. Details: http://www.uwgnh.org/

ALSO:

United Way of GNH and Jewish Federation of GNH have joined on N2N LifeLine, an effort to help  families and individuals who currently find themselves facing food, housing, and financial insecurity. N2N Lifeline will distribute grants to nonprofit, faith-based, and government agencies in the New Haven region.

N2N LifeLine is a separate funding opportunity from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), with different eligibility requirements for funding. Organizations interested in applying for N2N LifeLine funding are strongly encouraged to attend an information session.

Information on N2N LifeLine, including last year's grant recipients, can be found at n2nlifeline.org.

Community Dining Room Thanksgiving Feast noon-1:30pm

Contributions of food, cider or milk appreciated: contact Pat Reilly at 203-488-2791. All members of South-Central CT Shoreline community are invited to the Dining Room at 30 Harrison St., Branford. Volunteer opportunities are available.

Clifford Beers Child Guidance Clinic has 60 families in need of a Thanksgiving meal.

As of today, the Clinic only has two cans of corn and $20.00.  Please consider helping New Haven families have a happy Thanksgiving. To donate funds or food (turkeys, fixings, etc), please contact Toni Nixon at 772-1270 x 213 or tnixon@cliffordbeers.org.

Nutcracker Chorus Wanted

New Haven Ballet seeks one or two competent children’s choruses to sing the “ah” section of the “Snow Scene” in its annual performance of the Nutcracker at the Shubert Theater, accompanied by Orchestra New England. Children with their director and a chaperone will have the opportunity to see the whole performance and each organization will receive an additional two complimentary tickets. Performance dates are Friday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 2 pm. If interested call Ruth Barker at 203-782-9038.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

New Haven Public Library events in blue; community events in black

Nov. 26--Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov. 26, 6:30-11am--Chips Family Restaurant Thanksgiving Breakfast for Homeless Veterans at 321 Boston Post Rd., Orange. $10. All proceeds (including staff tips!) go to The Homefront, a new transitional housing facility in New Haven for homeless veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq opening January 2010 (www.columbushouse.org). (203) 401-4400 x106

Nov. 28, 9am-2pm--Animal Haven Annual Holiday Fair at North Haven Congregational Church. Donations accepted and table space is available. Details: (203) 484-9648 or chriskat32@aol.com.

DECEMBER

Dec. 1, 5-7:30 pm--City of New Haven Housing Information and Assistance Fair at City Hall.  Free seminars for city residents: Saving on Energy Costs; Renter Rights in a Foreclosure; Foreclosure Prevention; Buying a Home. Details: 203-946-7686 or http://www.theroofproject.org/.

Dec. 1, 6-7pm--Hot Cocoa/Cool Science: Monitoring toads, frogs and salamanders in Connecticut, with Peabody Museum's Gregory Watkins-Colwell, at Main Library.  For all ages; with live critters; no charge; free parking; cocoa!  Presented as public service by Library and Yale. Register at www.hotcocoa.eventbrite.com or call (203) 946-8835.

Dec. 2, 4:30-6:30 pm--Strategic Philanthropy for Women Workshop to help women create an individual giving plan. After a presentation on trends in women’s philanthropy, facilitated break-out groups will show how to identify the causes that most fit their personal values and philanthropic interest to maximize their support of charitable organizations. Hosted by Alumnae Committee of the Community Fund for Women & Girls: http://www.fundforwomenandgirls.org/.

Dec. 3, 5pm--Free screening of Hummingbirds, Magic in the Air, a one-hour documentary commissioned by PBS for its series "Nature" and produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Ann Johnson Plum, at Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven. Discussion to follow includes producer Prum and two biologists featured in the film. Details: bmcdonald_bmcdon@yahoo.com

Dec. 3, 5:30-8pm--Youth Continuum Wine Tasting & Wine Making Tour at The Wine Press, 118 Quinnipiac Ave., North Haven. Details: 203-562-3396 x28 or http://www.youthcontinuum.or/.

Dec. 3, 6-7pm--Sudan at a Crossroad, a contemporary perspective from Yale World Fellow Beatrice Mategwa, at Main Library. Mategwa is a broadcast journalist, currently Producer/Head of Television for the United Nations Mission in Sudan. No charge; free parking. Register at www.sudan.eventbrite.com or call (203) 946-8835.

Dec.3, 6:45-8pm--Listen Here Short Story Readings: John Rolfe Gardiner’s North of Ordinary and Carson McCullers’ Madame Zilensky and the King of Finland . At Manjares Fine Pastries, New Haven. No charge. http://www.newhavenreview.com/.

Dec. 4, 11:45am--Arts Council of GNH Enduring Spirit Awards Luncheon, at New Haven Lawn Club. $70 members/$80 public. 772-2788.

Dec. 4, 12:10-12:50 pm--Bach's Lunch: Schubert's Death and the Maiden, at Neighborhood Music School, New Haven. Free. www.nmsmusicschool.org or 624-5189.

Dec. 6, 1-3:30 pm--Yale University Art Gallery /Yale Center for British Art Free Family Day with art activities, storytelling, and tours for children aged 4-10. (203) 432-0600/ www.Artgallery.yale.edu or (203)432-2800/www.Ycba.yale.edu.

Dec. 6, 4 pm--People's Weekly World Reception commemorating 90th anniversary of Communist Party USA, at 37 Howe St., New Haven. Music, gift table, light supper. $10 donation. Honoring Art Perry, Anna Montalvo, Gwen Mills for grass roots activism. (203) 624-8664 or ctpeoplebeforeprofits.blogspot.com.

Dec. 8, 5:30 pm--Author and Yale Professor of Chinese History (emeritus) Jonathan Spence discusses China 1945-1976: How deep was the Revolution? at West Haven Library. Details: mecc@comcast.net.

Dec. 9, 6-8 pm--Albertus Magnus College Information Session for Master of Arts in Leadership, in Aquinas Hall, Room G9. RSVP kpanagrossi@albertus.edu or (203) 773-6997. http://leadership.albertus.edu/.

Dec. 10, 5:30pm--International Festival of Arts and Ideas' 3rd Annual Unsilent Night, a free outdoor walking tour & music experience. Meet at Yale Bookstore, 77 Broadway, New Haven, pick up the music and enjoy refreshments, process promptly at 6:15pm through the streets and across the holiday-decorated Green, then return to Yale Bookstore to meet composer Phil Kline at 7pm.  Details: (203) 498-3727 or  www.artidea.org/unsilentnight.
Dec. 10, 6pm--Buddhist Singer-Songwriter Ravenna Michalsen provides a peaceful entry into the holidays with a performance of her own music, at Main Library. Preview at www.RavennaM.com. No charge; free parking. Reservations: www.ravenna.eventbrite.com or call 946-8835.

Dec. 15, 5:30-7pm--GNH Cat Project: If Only They Could Talk with Donna Velardi, Certified Animal Massage Therapist and Animal Communicator. At Main Library. No charge; free parking. www.gnhcp.org or 782-2287.

Dec. 16, 6-7:30pm--Elm Street Book Group Celebrates Jane Austen's birthday (1775) with special screening of classic Pride and Prejudice (1940, starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier), at Main Library.  No charge; free parking. Register to receive your BLUE STATE coffee or tea for the screening: http://www.pandp.eventbrite.com/.

 Dec. 16, 6:30-7:30pm--Author Stacey Krone-Battat discusses her book, Life Changing Moments, a Thin Thread series of inspirational works, at Mitchell Branch. Presented in cooperation with New Haven Review and Westville Village Renaissance Alliance. 946-8117

Dec. 17, 4:30-6:30--Subway Supper Seminar: Making Meetings Work For You (Rather Than the Other Way Around) with Leon Bailey, Human Resources manager for Community Foundation for GNH. At Main Library. No charge (funded by Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and Subway Restaurants); free parking. Registration required at http://www.decsubway.eventbrite.com/ or call (203) 946-7431.

2010

Jan. 13, 6:30-7:30pm--Author Katharine Weber discusses her latest novel, True Confessions, at Mitchell Branch. Presented in cooperation with New Haven Review and Westville Village Renaissance Alliance. 946-8117

Feb. 6--5th Annual Modern Tea, at New Haven Lawn Club, fundraiser for Community Health Network of CT Foundation. $25. www.chnctfoundation.org.

Feb. 16, 5:30pm--Annual New Haven Free Public Library Mardi Gras Gala, at New Haven Lawn Club.  Music, dinner, silent auction. www.newhavenlibrarypatrons.com/wysiwg/events.php or (203) 946-8130 x314.

Mar. 24, 5:30-8pm--Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven Meriden Wallingford Scrabble Challenge, at Chevrolet Theater, Wallingford. www.lvagnh.org or 776-5899.

April 7--Poetry Out Loud! at Main Library, Details TBA.

Apr. 22--Shubert 95th Anniversary Gala. http://www.shubert.com/.

Food Drives Underway for Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK)

Rimagé Salon & Spa's annual Stamp out Hunger food drive to benefit DESK and other local pantries is now underway. Your nonperishable or canned food donation will get you a 15% discount on any retail purchase in November and December. Location: 1210 Chapel St., New Haven (203) 562-4247.

The Main Branch of the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St., is also collecting nonperishable food items for DESK, in main lobby through December.