Extra Shore Line East Trains during holidays

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that the Connecticut DOT will be expanding rail service on Shore Line East (SLE) by adding weekend (both Saturday and Sunday) holiday train service that will run beginning Saturday, November 17 through Sunday, December 30. Details:
www.ct.gov/governorrell/cwp/view.asp?Q=398070&A=2791

Sports & Academic Camp starts Nov. 7 at Beecher School, New Haven

For the Love of My Game will register girls and boys 8-18 years of age for a free after-school camp at Beecher School that will combine sports and life skills courses. Camp will run Nov. 7 through June from 5-8pm. Details: www.leaguelineup.com/dafam or call 549-7249.

3-part Hands on Marketing class in New Haven starts Nov. 7

The Women's Business Development Center presents Creating a Practical Marketing Plan to Grow your Small Business on November 7, 14, and 29 at the GNH Chamber of Commerce. Classes will be taught by marketing professionals in three workshops and a one-on-one coaching session. Eligible small businesses will receive $1000 tuition grant assistance.

Prerequisites: must be in business one year with a record of tracked sales. Application: KBanks@ctwbdc.org . $150 registration/materials fee, and scholarships are available.
Details: (877) 999-9232 or info@ctwbdc.org .

Got Road Rage?

New Haven becomes a Pace Car City!

New Haven drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians share responsibility to share the road. The New Haven Pace Car Pledge is a citizen-based traffic calming initiative--cars calming other cars. We can help solve New Haven's traffic problem by taking the pledge to "drive safely, courteously, and within the speed limit on our city streets" and receive an official New Haven Pace Car window decal for our vehicles that will serve as a reminder for ourselves and others.

This initiative will kick-off Wed., Oct. 31, at River Park (intersection of Grand Ave. and Front St. in Fair Haven). Afterward, residents may download the pledge at www.cityofnewhaven.com and return it to City Hall to receive their yellow Pace Car sticker.

The Pace Car concept originated in Boise, Idaho and has been replicated in Atlanta, Greensboro, Santa Cruz, Honolulu, Salt Lake City, and other cities and towns across the nation.
--message from Mayor DeStefano

Neighborhood Housing Services program to help homeowners

Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven offers new and existing homeowners a new savings program for home improvements and energy conservation. Participants can save $1000-$5,000 in an Individual Development Account and NHS will match deposits up to $5000.

This program applies to individuals and families either purchasing a house or who own a home in East Haven, Hamden, New Haven, North Haven or West Haven.

Details: NHS 562-0598.

Development Consultant sought for JUNTA for Progressive Action

Junta for Progressive Action seeks a Development Consultant to build fundraising capacity of JUNTA by providing training to the Development Director, resulting in creation of a comprehensive and extensive development strategy that will increase and diversify funding for the organization.

Proposals due Friday, Nov. 2.

For complete RFP or questions: 787-0191, x17 or latrina.kelly@juntainc.org.

Workforce Alliance Offers free Marine Technician Career Training

Recent high school grads and others can take advantage of Sound Marine Skills (SMS) training to become certified in American Boat and Yacht Council's National Marine Trades Curriculum. Details Carolyn Suggs 624-1493 x218 or csuggs.cmis@po.state.ct.us.

Hill Small Grants Program

Neighborhood groups and service clubs in the New Haven Hill neighborhood are invited to learn about funding for your projects at two orientation sessions:
Oct. 31, 6pm and Nov. 3, 9am, at Wilson Branch Library. Details: www.hillneighborhood.com. Register for orientation sessions at 777-7084.

Assistant Common Ground Seeks Director for Development and Constituency Building

Common Ground, an environmental education center, urban farm and public charter high school, is seeking an Assistant Director for Development and Constituency Building to develop partnerships with area organizations to improve and expand programs, engage volunteers in work at community programs on site. Solicit volunteer input in planning, develop relationships with area media and assuring press coverage of programs and collaborations, outreach through newsletter and electronic communications (especially email and website postings), research and writing grant proposals, expand donor base, develop and continue relationships with foundations, assist in promoting community understanding of environmental initiatives and the work of the organization

30 hours/week, flexible, may grow to FT. Salary commensurate with experience. Resumes to: Betsy Sneath, bsneath@nhep.com, 389-0823 x211

Gently used furniture available FREE to nonprofits

For pick-up from Anthem Blue Cross in North Haven by Nov. 2:

60" wide x 30" deep desks with returns (either right-side or left-side returns)
Files (both vertical and lateral)
Desk seating

Interested agencies must pick up what they need/want no later than Friday, November 2. (Delivery is not available.)

For details please call/e-mail:
Bill Westermeyer, Senior Facilities Planner, 239-8616; William.Westermeyer@Anthem.com.

submitted by
Carol Pompano, Community Relations Manager
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
370 Bassett Road, North Haven CT 06473
(203) 239-8381

By Mayor's Proclamation: New Haven is Magic Week Oct. 25-31, with the support of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 59 providing magical entertainment and instruction at several locations:

• Free children's magic shows all week at New Haven Public Library branches: 946-8125.


• Children's Magic Classes in West Haven ($10) on 10/27, 2-3pm, taught by magicians from The Society of Young Magicians: 441-8465.


• Adult Magic Classes in West Haven on 10/27 , 3:30-4:30pm, ($10): 441-8465.


• Daniel Greenwolf at Anna Liffey's 10/25, 8-9pm ($10)


• 5 magicians at Caffe Bottega 10/26, 7:30-9 ($10)


• Tony Mattozzo at Lilly's Pad at Toad's Place, 10/30, 8-9pm ($10)

Full details at http://www.magicnewhaven.com/.

Oct. 30 is last day to register to vote in Nov. 6 municipal election

New Haven City registrar will be open 10-2 on Saturday, Oct. 27, and until 8pm on Oct. 30 for voter registration, changes of address or name, review of restoration documents for former felons, etc. Applicants must be 18+ years of age, US citizens and residents of Connecticut. Details: 946-8035. source: NH Register, 10/17/07.

AFP Offers $25 Active New Member Discount through Nov. 30

In honor of National Philanthropy Day, the Association of Fundraising Professionals offers a $25 discount to new members joining in the Active category by Nov. 30. Details: (800) 666-3863.

ESL Classes at New Haven Public Library

ESL class offerings at the New Haven Public Library are about to expand, thanks to a partnership with New Haven Adult Education and Literacy Volunteers of America. In addition to the Saturday class at Wilson the following new ESL classes will start this fall:

• Thursdays starting Oct. 25, 6-7:45pm at Main Library and
• Saturdays starting Nov. 3, 2-4pm at Fair Haven Branch Library.

For more information contact Nancy Moscoso-Guzmán, Hispanic Services Coordinator, New Haven Public Library, 946-2281 or nmoscoso@nhfpl.org.

New Guidezilla Feature: Attach Documents to Registration

Event organizers please note: You can now attach a file--waivers, marketing literature, handouts, etc--to your event's online registration and Guidezilla will automatically send the file to new registrants. Simply upload the file (up to 5 MB) to your event registration page, and we'll take care of the rest!

Frank Pelliccio
www.Guidezilla.com

Community Conversations on Immigration begin Monday

You are invited to consider immigration from a variety of perspectives during an upcoming series of community conversations on immigration sponsored by Gateway Community College, Yale University, New Haven Free Public Library, CPTV and others.

These conversations are an outgrowth of By the People Citizen’s Forum, a national civic engagement program. There is no charge for these discussions. For more information: 946-7001 or Kate.cosgrove@nhfpl.org.

Mon., 10/15, 6 pm, at Wilson Branch Library: The Journey: stories of how and why people immigrated.

Thurs, 10/25, noon-1, at Main Library: Eric Schoeck leads discussion of Enrique’s Journey

Tues, 10/30, 5:30 pm, at Fair Haven Branch Library: Dialogue: hearing from immigrants

Thurs, 11/1, 6- 7:45 pm, at Main Library: Anthony Riccio leads discussion of his book, The Italian American Experience in New Haven: Images and Oral Histories

Wed, 11/7, 6-7:45 pm, at Main Library: Sue Eisner leads discussion of Growing up Latino, Memoirs and Stories

Mon, 11/19. 6-7:45 pm, at Wilson Branch Library: Dialogue with local legislators and area residents on immigration.

New Haven an All-American City in 2008?

The City of New Haven is applying to be an All-American City in 2008.
Please click here, download and complete a very important questionnaire about New Haven and your vision for our city. Please submit your responses no later than October 5.

Interested in Becoming a Certified Teacher in Connecticut?

The Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES), with the State Department of Higher Education, will host the Alternate Route to Certification (ARC) informational session on Wednesday, October 24, 6-9 pm in the Community Room at Gateway Community College, 60 Sargent Drive, New Haven.

ARC is for mid-career professionals from diverse fields who wish to change careers or re-enter the workforce, individuals who have worked as substitutes in public schools or have experience as non-certified classrooms teachers. Participants will get first hand information about the ARC program, including: application procedures, eligibility requirements and program costs. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required.

Details: Kevin Walton 498-6837 or kwalton@aces.k12.ct.us.

SMALL BUSINESS DAY Oct. 8 at Hill Career High School

University of New Haven College of Business & West River Neighborhood Services Corp. present SMALL BUSINESS DAY Mon., 10/08, 10-4 pm at Hill Career High School, New Haven

Workshops:
So You Want To Open Your Own Small Business?
10:00-11:00 AM
Developing a small business may seem an impossible task. Join our experts as they share information on where to start. Learn how to develop a business plan, and learn what resources are available in the West River neighborhood.

Strategies For Productive Small Business
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Join Professor Tony Carter, Director of the Small Business Institute in the College of Business at the University of New Haven, as he continues his discussion of insights on developing business techniques and strategies that ensure long-term success. Dr. Carter will use the trends and recommendations outlined in his two books Many Thin Companies: The Change in Organizations and Managers
Since September 11, 2001 and Customer Advisory Boards: A Strategic Tool for Customer Relationship Building.

Keynote: What To Expect From Your Bank
12:15-1:30 PM
As the banking industry becomes increasingly competitive, the number and types of services being offered to small businesses often vary. In this seminar, leaders from Citizens Bank will share the types of support you can expect from your banking partner.

Your Bank as a Resource
1:30 -2:30 PM
Successful small business owners maximize all of their resources. In this seminar, join experts from Citizens Bank as they identify the services offered to entrepreneurs.

Financing Your Small Business: Credit Counts
2:30-3:30 PM
Finding the funds for your business depends on several issues. Our experts discuss credit scores, how they are calculated, and how your credit affects your financing opportunities. They will also share insights on where to find the monies you need to start up your business.

Details: kevin_ewing@yahoo.com

Opening to work with children at Newington Library

The Lucy Robbins Welles Library in Newington is seeking an energetic, organized, creative individual with superior customer service skills to work with children (infancy-grade 8) in a busy children’s department. Duties include but are not limited to providing reference service at the Children’s Information desk; assist children, students and adults in using library services and facilities; organize, coordinate and present story times, school visits and other library programs; perform outreach, and technical processing of children’s library materials. Must be familiar with children’s literature and computers. BA/BS degree required. Full-time position with one evening/week and Saturday on rotation. Salary $41,990/yr. Excellent benefits. Send resume and application by October 19, 2007 to: Town Manager’s Office, Town of Newington, 131 Cedar Street. Newington, CT 06111.

Connecticut Association of Nonprofits & Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Team for Professional Dev't Opportunities in Greater New Haven

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and Connecticut Association of Nonprofits have teamed up to offer professional development opportunities to organizations throughout the New Haven region, including six workshops and the CT Nonprofits Annual Conference Nov. 7 in Cromwell. From now until the last workshop on January 10,2008, organizations that are not members of CT Nonprofits can receive a 50% subsidy toward the conference OR any of the workshops listed courtesy of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (total savings of $60 per organization).

Workshops:
Oct. 17--Leadership & Supervision, Mercy Center, Madison
Nov. 29--State of the Art Job Benchmarking, Valley United Way, Shelton
Dec. 6--Advanced Presentation Skills, Wilson Branch Library, New Haven
Dec. 12--Inspiring a Shared Vision, Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby
Dec. 19--Plan for Success: succession planning & executive transition, Wilson Branch Library, New Haven
Jan. 10--Engage Your Board in Fundraising, Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby

Full details at http://www.ctnonprofits.org/

Seats are expected to fill very fast and pre-registration is required. Please direct all questions to
CT Nonprofits at (860) 525-5080 and be sure to reference CODE: CFGH.

Oct. 13 Admissions & Scholarship Fair in Stamford

100 Black Men of Stamford, Inc., in conjunction with the Infinite Scholars Program, will host an Admissions & Scholarship Fair at the Holiday Inn Select, Stamford. Opportunities for scholarships are available to Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores who possess a minimum 3.0 grade point average and have scored a minimum 1050 on their SAT or 20 on their ACT. Colleges from across the US will be participating with the goal of granting as many scholarships to qualified students as possible. Students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend. A FAFSA workshop will also be held.

Students are strongly encouraged to register before Oct. 13 at www.infinitescholar.com. The names of pre-registered students will be provided to the full list of attending and invited college representatives to expedite the college review on the day of the event. Details: 624-4666 or mlglenn2002@yahoo.com.

submitted by Lindylee.Gold@ct.gov

Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation and Fairfield County Community Foundation to Merge

The boards of directors of the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation and the Fairfield County Community Foundation voted unanimously to merge the two foundations during the first quarter of 2008. The merged foundation ... under the name of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, will be the leading philanthropic organization serving nonprofit organizations and donors throughout Fairfield County. We believe [this merger] makes good sense from social change, business and operations perspectives, and will benefit nonprofit partners and donors alike.

What does all of this mean for nonprofit organizations? Please join us for an Information Session for nonprofits on Friday, October 5, from 9-11am at City Hall Annex, 999 Broad St, Bridgeport.

Details at "For Grantseekers" section of Fairfield County Community Foundation's website and review the FAQs. In the coming months, we will continue to share information about exciting developments at the new Fairfield County Community Foundation on this website through an electronic newsletter. Please visit the website frequently at www.fccfoundation.org for further information.

Submitted by
John P. Chiota, Chairman, Board of Directors
Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation