Tax exemptions for energy-saving home items

Residents can save on state sales tax through June 30, 2007, by purchasing energy-efficient home heating and weatherization products like programmable thermostats, propane and natural gas furnaces, and Energy-Star windows. Information about tax-exempt products may be found at www.ct.gov/drs or by calling 860-297-4753.

Playwrights take note

Actors Theatre of Louisville announces National Ten-Minute Play Contest. The submission deadline is Nov. 1. http://www.actorstheatre.org/humana_contest.htm

Intermittent Nighttime Closure of I-95 N & S near Exit 50

The CT Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) announces that the removal of structural steel for the old Woodward Ave. on-ramp to I-95 S is scheduled to occur on Nov. 6 & 7, 9pm-6am (weather permitting).

Traffic will be halted in both directions for 10-minute intervals several times between midnight and 5 am.

Need to organize your books or CDs?

Check out LibraryThing (http://www.librarything.com), the love child of Melvyl Dewey and Web 2.0, a very inexpensive way for users to build their own web-based catalog, using information from Amazon.com, the Library of Congress and over 40 other major libraries.
Tip from Mary Ellen Bates, information specialist par excellence, www.batesinfo.com/tip.html

Judson Laipply Dances Into The Week

Creator of the all-time most-viewed YouTube™ video The Evolution of Dance, Judson Laipply was propelled onto the national pop culture scene almost overnight. Judson's entrepreneurial side shows through in his creation of Let's Dance Media, Inc., a venture designed to "open the opportunities for other like-minded talented people who can inspire people to make a change, take a chance and pursue dreams." With EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, Judson is encouraging people from all over the country to pursue their big idea and Take It On!
Learn more about Judson Laipply and watch the famous Evolution of Dance at http://www.entrepreneurshipweekusa.com/stories/profiles/laipply.asp.

Two Wolf story

Long ago, an old Native American grandfather told his grandson, "There are two wolves fighting inside all of us constantly--the wolf of fear and hate, and the wolf of love and peace." The grandson looked up at his grandfather and asked, "Which one will win?" The grandfather replied, "The one we feed."
submitted by Barry Felson, www.NextGenLeaders.org

Eat and Read

Get a free book with your next pizza from November 1-30. It’s as easy as A-B-C

A- Call Domino’s to place your pizza and book order
B- Select a book (see options below)
C- Receive a free book when your pizza is delivered

√ Board Book (birth-3 years)
√ Picture Book (3-6 years)
√ Easy Reader (6-8 years)
√ Chapter Book (9-12 years)

Eat and Read is an initiative of Domino’s Pizza, The Greater New Haven Literacy Coalition, New Haven Reads and Read to Grow to promote literacy among children and their families.

For further information contact Domino’s Pizza at 624-3317
New Haven Reads at 752-1923 or Read to Grow at 488-6800

CTC Announces Third Annual Women of Innovation Awards

The Women of Innovation Planning Committee of the Connecticut Technology Council is seeking nominations of women in Connecticut for recognition of their efforts in the technology, science and engineering fields for the Third Annual 2007 Women of Innovation Awards Dinner on January 25, 2007. The awards dinner will be held at the Waterview in Monroe.
Nominate a candidate for the 2007 Women of Innovation Awards

Do you know a woman whose efforts should be acknowledged in science, engineering, technology research, or education, or is working in a company providing professional services to these communities, or is in a scientific, engineering or technology business management position? If yes, then please complete the nomination form by October 31, 2006.

Area artists invited to participate in New Haven Symphony Orchestra's 115th anniversary celebration

AThe NHSO is Tuning Up for the 115th Anniversary by inviting artists and organizations to participate in a juried art competition in three categories: design, decorate, and deconstruct. Artists may design an artistic representation of a violin out of any materials they choose; decorate a provided violin in any manner or style; or deconstruct a provided violin and rearrange it in any way, shape, or form. The violins will be displayed in shop windows, business lobbies, and public buildings throughout the downtown New Haven area in March of 2007, and on April 21, 2007, the violins will be auctioned both live and online to raise money for the NHSO. Proposals for the competition are due December 2. In addition to having their work seen by numerous tourists and members of the New Haven community, artists will be competing for a $1000 prize in each of the three categories, and winning artists will be listed in the New Haven Register and on the NHSO website. For more information, or to receive an application package for the competition, call the New Haven Symphony at 865-0831 x21.

Foundation Center Lists Funding Opportunities

The New Haven Public Library is one of 4 CT Cooperating Collections for the Foundation Center in New York, the nation's largest tracker of private and corporate philanthropy. Come into the Library to search the Foundation Center database for funding, but also visit their extremely content-rich website (www.foundationcenter.org), which you can use to research individual funders, find online tutorials, and sign up for weekly funding alerts like the following contained in this week's RFP Bulletin:

1) Winn Feline Foundation to Support Research on Medical Problems of Cats
2) Applications Invited for Henry Luce Foundation/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in American Art
3) Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Invites Applications for Creative Curricula Program 4) Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Invites Applications for Artists & Communities Program 5) USArtists International to Support U.S. Dance and Music Ensembles at Festivals in Europe 6) Bubel/Aiken Foundation and Youth Service America Offer Able-to-Serve Grants 7) Headwaters Foundation for Justice Accepting Applications for Social Change Fund 8) Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice Invites Applications for U.S. General Fund
9) Junior League of Washington Invites Applications for Literacy Grants and Volunteers
10) Dissolved Oxygen Environmental Benefit Fund Established for the Western Long Island Sound and Jamaica Bay
11) Nomination Forms Available for National Wetlands Awards
12) California HealthCare Foundation Seeks Proposals for Improving Safety-Net Hospital Operations
13) Allstate Education and Job Training Fund Offers Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence 14) Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership Invites Applications for Book Project Grant 15) Dana Foundation Invites Applications for Brain and Immune Imaging Innovations Program
16) Microsoft Research Seeks Tech Proposals From Colleges and Universities

Nominations wanted for CT Business Hall Of Fame

The Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame announced today that it has started accepting nominations of Connecticut business leaders and leading companies for entry into the CT Business Hall Of Fame. Class of 2006 Induction Breakfast is scheduled for March 2007. Nominations may be made online at http://www.ctbhof.comin nine categories, including corporate volunteers and business graduate students. One student will receive a scholarship award. Nominations accepted until January 31, 2007 and cost $35 per nomination. Winners will be chosen by an awards committee established by the Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame.

The Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame showcases successful companies and business leaders through business networking and industry events that are held throughout the state. The organization partners with private and public organizations and associations and state corporations to promote economic development.

For 10 hours only on October 25: A Very Special Offer from GrantStation

TechSoup Stock and GrantStation are pleased to present a very special offer to the nonprofit community on October 25 from 10 am to 8 pm. During this limited-time offer, specially discounted GrantStation memberships will be available to eligible nonprofits for only $90. Once this special event is over, the TechSoup Stock admin fee will return to $499. (The regular retail price is $599.) This promotion is for new users of GrantStation.

A GrantStation membership provides access via the Internet to a comprehensive set of grant research tools that link nonprofits to current sources of grant money and teaches organizations how to secure available funding. You do not need to download or install special software to use these tools. Each GrantStation membership lasts for one year and gives nonprofits access to national, regional, and local grantmakers — both private and government. More information at http://www.techsoup.org/stock/grantstation.html?sg=80.

Grant Funding for National & Global Youth Service Day

Youth Service America offers grants and awards to support and motivate youth, teachers, service-learning coordinators, and youth-serving organizations to plan and implement projects and on-going service throughout the year. www.YSA.org/awards

Free Computer Classes at New Haven Public Library

Sessions are currently underway and will last through Thanksgiving, then resume in the spring. Classes take place every Thursday afternoon between 3–5 and are designed for individuals with little or no experience with computers.

Students will discover the basics of how a computer works plus
· how to use the Internet
· how to use key words to improve search results
· how to create and use an email account
· how to send attachments
· new trends in computing

Our tutors are experienced Yale student volunteers who can also answer your questions about MicroSoft Word and Excel software programs.
Class size is limited to 5 – 7 patrons so registration is necessary.

Please call 946-8130 x380 to register.

Fight the Flu

New Haven's Department of Health is beginning a large-scale education campaign to advise citizens on how to avoid contracting the flu virus. Thousands of posters and brochures will be available across the city in schools, train stations, and senior centers. Twenty city buses will bear messages of prevention this October and November. The City is also working with Quinnipiac University to create television commercials on flu prevention which will air next month. In November, the Department of Health will open up its flu clinics for New Haveners. Visit www.cityofnewhaven.com and click on press releases to find out the schedule.

9th Annual Citywide Open Studios Oct. 9-29

Details: http://www.artspacenh.org/evite/openstudios06/

New Haven police and fire academies gearing up

The City of New Haven and the New Haven Police Department will begin the next police academy class in January 2007. Applications are available after Oct. 10 and will be accepted from Oct. 16-27 at police headquarters, One Union Ave. , at the Division of Training and Education, 710 Sherman Pkwy, at the City’s Department of Human Resources, 200 Orange St. Applications also available online at www.cityofnewhaven.com. Details about police department recruitment: 946-7636.

The City will begin to accept applications for the next Fire Department class beginning Nov. 6 at the City’s Department of Human Resources, 200 Orange St. Details: 946-6488.

submitted by Bonnie Posick Winchester, Public Information Officer (203) 946-6271

Free program in NYC: An Afternoon for Artists: Arts Fundraising with Fiscal Sponsors

Presented by the Foundation Center in collaboration with Fractured Atlas, panelists will discuss why an artist or arts organization may need a fiscal sponsor, how to find one, and what to do next.

Panel includes Tanya Calamoneri, Co-Director and Manager of The Field; Michelle Coe, Production Assistance Program Administrator for Women Make Movies;
Jeannine Corey, Director of Operations for FJC; Arwen Lowbridge, Program Director for Fractured Atlas; Elena M. Paul, Executive Director for Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts; Robert Zukerman, Theatre Program Director for New York State Council on the Arts.

When: Thursday, Oct. 12, 6–8 pm (coffee and registration check-in begin at 5:30 pm)

Where: The Foundation Center New York Library/Learning Center, 79 Fifth Ave., 2nd floor, New York, NY 10003

There is no charge for this program, but advance registration is required and may be limited to one representative per organization.
To register online: http://foundationcenter.org/newyork/artsfiscspons.html

Oct. 12 is Ride the Bus to Work Day

Ride to Work: Take the Survey and the Ride! Next Thursday, Oct. 12, is Ride the Bus to Work Day. The City of New Haven, CTTRANSIT and Rideworks are offering any new bus rider a free ticket for the day and will even plan your route for you. To qualify, complete the online survey at www.rideworks.com/ridethebus.htm.