On Feb. 17, 2009 the U.S. will switch from analog to digital TV

At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the US will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.
A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program.

Details and options are available at www.dtv2009.gov.

Want to stay up-to-date on locally grown food opportunities?

Cityseed announces new resource for those of us who want to shop for locally produced food. Visit http://www.buyctgrown.com/ to search for specific crops in the state, or to join a mailing list to stay up-to-date on seasonal food opportunities. Farmers can list their products for free, and can take advantage of marketing and technical assistance for a fee.

Hospice seeks volunteers

Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles, including administrative, direct care, pastoral or bereavement, arts or transportation. If you can help, please call Pat Carradino at 315-7510 or pnowak@hospice.com.

Download the report at
http://demos.org/pubs/housingpaper_6_24_08.pdf

Miles Rapoport sets Demos' agenda and oversees the management of the organization and fundraising efforts. Prior to assuming the helm at Demos, he served for ten years in the Connecticut legislature. As a state legislator, he was a leading expert on electoral reform, chairing the Committee on Elections. In 1994, he was elected as Secretary of the State of Connecticut. As Secretary of the State, Rapoport released two unique reports on the state of democracy in Connecticut. His articles have appeared in national magazines and newspapers, and he is the founder of Northeast Action, a leading political reform organization in New England. Rapoport moved to Demos from his position as Executive Director of DemocracyWorks, a Hartford-based group that works on democracy reform.--

submitted by Seth Godfrey,
Business, Jobs & Nonprofit Services, New Haven Public Library
946-7431

Maximizing Media Potential

Today's Greater New Haven Development Roundtable explored ways to improve the potential for good media coverage of our programs, services and events. Our thanks to Paul Bass (New Haven Independent), Angela Carter (New Haven Register), and Mary Lee Weber (News Channel 8) for many useful insights and suggestions.

The following summarizes ideas combined from today's Roundtable and a recent seminar in Fairfield on the subject of working with the media:

1. Know your media outlet. Look at their website; track contacts by specialty; use the online calendars.
2. Build relationships: Provide advance notice (let them help develop the story) / follow up with targeted media (make sure they got the information they need).
3. Contact the media in a variety of ways, customized per event, program, service or initiative.

a. press releases (send well in advance of event for best coverage)
b. media alerts (photo op tomorrow!)
c. ads
d. telephone
e. opinion pieces/letters to the editor
4. Compartmentalize & regularly update media database.
a. subject interest /geographic scope /other significant characteristics
b. deadlines
c. preferred formats
5. Make programs newsworthy by tying them to current events and trends.
6. Conceptualize your event/program as part of larger story: collaborate with others for maximum effect.
7. Enhance story with photos, podcasts, videos, audio files, etc. Reporter can often provide help with video or photography: Ask! Use UTube: upload your video and provide UTube URL link.
8. Press releases: Write as if ready for paper/magazine/website.
a. Lead with most important info first: reverse pyramid.
b. Pay attention to preferred style & format.
c. Include presenter contact information in press releases to enable reporter follow-up.
d. Develop mission-based statement about your organization to use as boilerplate at end of each press release, offering basic information that might be useful as reporter is preparing story.

9. Email: Subject heading must be content driven (encourages opening). Press release should be included in email body and attached as Word document (avoiding formatting problems).

1000 Friends of Connecticut seeks Education and Outreach Coordinator

Founded in 2003, the organization is the state’s only organization devoted exclusively to promoting smart growth and preventing destructive sprawl. Education and Outreach Coordinator will 1) Coordinate and implement forums and house meetings to support statewide education and media campaign. 2) Organize volunteers to engage citizens in their neighborhoods, at county fairs, farmer’s markets, polling locations, etc. 3) Coordinate annual conference.

Full job description, and to apply: http://www.1000friends-ct.org/positions/education-outreach-coordinator.htm

ConnCan has openings

ConnCAN is looking for talented individuals with a strong commitment to education reform and to ConnCAN's mission to close the achievement gap. Openings include the positions of Communications Manager, Lead Organizer and Office Assistant. Communications Manager, Lead Organizer and Office Assistant. Job descriptions: http://www.conncan.org/matriarch/MultiPiecePage.asp_Q_PageID_E_34_A_PageName_E_AboutJobs

June is National Homeownership Month. No Joke.

It may be hard to believe given all we have heard about the mortgage problems in New Haven and across the country but June is National Homeownership Month. Here are some facts, figures and useful information:

If you want to understand the credit crisis that was generated by the mortgage crisis here is an engaging layperson’s explanation: http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1242. (I guarantee you will understand how we got in this mess, even if you do not know how to balance your own checkbook.)

President Bush on homeownership in 2008: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/05/20080529-7.html

What is the alternative to homeownership in Connecticut?

• On average a person must earn $21.11 an hour to afford a modest 2-bedroom apartment
• A person earning the state’s minimum wage must work nearly 3 full-time jobs to afford the statewide fair market rent of $1,098 per month for a 2-bedroom apartment
• A CT household must earn $43,911 a year to afford a typical 2-bedroom rental
  
  

More information at: http://www.nlihc.org/oor/oor2008/data.cfm?getstate=on&getmsa=on&msa=1080&state=CT

Submitted by Lee Cruz, lcruz@cfgnh.org

Nominations Requested for Leadership GNH & Executive Orientation

The GNH Leadership Center of the Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations and applications from individuals in corporate, nonprofit and government organizations for its Leadership GNH Class of 2009 and its Fall 2008 Executive Orientation class. Details: Patti Scussel 782-4314 or pscussel@gnhcc.com. Deadline for applications is August 8.

A limited number of scholarships for both programs wil be available to nonprofit organizations. To support the scholarships, consider attending the popular Comedy Night Fundraiser on Wed., July 16, at Amarante's Sea Cliff, New Haven. $30. RSVP: 782-4314.

FDA Clears Connecticut Tomatoes of Salmonella Taint

The Food and Drug Administration has declared Connecticut-grown tomatoes unaffected by the salmonellosis outbreak and safe to eat, state Department of Agriculture Commissioner Phillip Prelli and Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr. announced Tuesday.
Read more...
http://www.nhregister.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/BigDaily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.content=%2FMAIN_REP%2FArticle%2F2008%2F06%2F17%2F2223649

Columbus House Hosts Non-A-Thon

Don’t Walk for the Homeless!

There are many other things you could be doing on a Saturday to help the homeless, like:
- Taking a nap
- Eating potato chips
- Reading on the porch
- Watching the game

RSVP: http://nonathon.kintera.org

Job opening: Administrative Assistant for Middletown Library

Russell Library in Middletown needs an experienced, conscientious, organized person to help administer its budget and to execute payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and purchasing functions. The Administrative Assistant maintains attendance and confidential personnel records, prepares financial and statistical reports, and serves as Library contact person with several City of Middletown offices.

Applicants should have an Associate's degree in Business Administration and 3 years relevant experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience), a working knowledge of public library functions, a strong working knowledge of bookkeeping and payroll administration, and experience with QuickBooks financial software, Microsoft Word and Excel.
Salary starts at $43,557. Applications are available at: http://russelllibrary.org/about_us/employment.html

Submit application and resume in hard copy by June 30 to Arthur S. Meyers, Director, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown, CT 06457.

Library's ROSETTA STONE language training expires in September!

This popular and effective online language training program will be available with your New Haven Library card only through mid-September (the publisher is discontinuing their library program). So the clock is ticking to get that language training underway. Details: http://newhavenpl.onlinelanguagelearning.com/en/welcome

Anyone have a machine to coil-bind some booklets?

Best Buddies of New Haven is hoping to find someone willing to loan them a binder to create about 70 copies of a 70-page coil-bound booklet. They need to accomplish this project sometime before July 9 and will need about two days to get it done.

If you can help, please contact Sara at Best Buddies: 773-9233.

Major Gifts workshops this summer

FundraisingINFO.com will offer a Major Gifts/fundraising workshop at several CT locations, including:
June 24--New Haven at JUNTA for Progressive Action
July 8--West Haven at University of New Haven

Details: http://www.real-fundraising.com/conn2008/$10 pre-registration/$15 at the door.

Salvation Army's Sleep-Away Summer Camp

A limited number of spots are still available for the Salvation Army's Camp Connri for ages 7-12 this summer. Dates: July 14-19 and July 21-26. Cost is only $50 per child! Details: Angela at 624-9891 x13.

Encouraging summer reading adventures...

As the lazy days of summer vacation begin for schoolchildren, parents and educators agree on the importance of not taking a vacation from reading. For students who have worked hard all year on developing and improving reading skills, the summer months allow kids the opportunity to read for pleasure and sheer enjoyment and, in many cases, for free prizes and rewards.

The Greater New Haven Literacy Coalition would like to share some of the innovative and successful reading programs available this summer to encourage students to begin on the road to a lifetime of reading for enjoyment. Read more at: http://www.nhregister.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/BigDaily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.content=%2FMAIN_REP%2FArticle%2F2008%2F06%2F12%2F2195720

Connecticut Open House Day is June 14

State residents are invited to discover the attractions, cultural organizations, shops and lodging properties that are close to home.

Open House Day sites in Greater New Haven:
Henry Whitfield Museum, 248 Old Whitfield St., Guilford:17th-century games and refreshments and free admission 10-4:30 pm.
Alliance Children’s Theatre at University of New Haven, West Haven: Free performance of Picnic at 2:30 pm.
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, Whitney Ave. & Sachem St., New Haven: Free admission all day.
Bishop’s Orchard, 1355 Boston Post Rd., Guilford: Free wine tasting and sampling of produce, bakery and grocery foods noon-5 pm.

Sponsored by the CT Commission on Culture & Tourism. Contact: Becky Giantonio (860) 293-0157 x25, or Jenny Smith, x15

Please consider helping to save lives by donating blood.
All too often, the blood supply reaches critically low levels during the summer months. The New Haven Chapter House at 703 Whitney Ave. will hold blood drives every Friday from 12:15 to 6 pm during the summer. Please call 1-800-Give-Life to schedule an appointment, or visit www.bloodct.org.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GREEN ECONOMY

Job Opportunities for the Green Economy: a state by state picture of occupations that gain from green investments
Report by Robert Pollin & Jeannette Wicks-Lim
http://www.bluegreenalliance.org/atf/cf/%7B3637E5F0-D0EA-46E7-BB32-74D973EFF334%7D/NRDC_report_May28.pdf

Fighting global warming and transforming the United States into a green economy is the work of a generation, and ... of millions of people, performing the jobs needed to build the green economy.

This report provides information on what kinds of jobs are needed to fight global warming and build a green economy in the United States. A green economy is based on the efficient use of energy, reducing polluting emissions, and the use of renewable sources of power. A green economy uses these investments to create new opportunities, good jobs, and stronger communities. [This report will] highlight many of the occupations that will play a central role in building the green economy.
submitted by Seth Godfrey, businessnhfpl@gmail.com

Small and Minority Business Showcase (CT Showcase) International Trade and Travel Symposium on Peru July 18 in Hartford

Location: Legislative Office Building , 300 Capitol Ave, Hartford. 1-7pm

The event is designed to provide information on business trends, & travel and supply chain impact, products & services overview, hospitality. Register at (860) 509-6121 or (860) 509-6198 or visit www.ctshowcase.org.

Forthcoming film, Everybody's Fine, has NHSO technical support!

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) recently completed two days of filming in Woolsey Hall as part of the upcoming Miramax film starring Robert DeNiro, Kate Beckinsale, & Drew Barrymore. NHSO Music Director William Boughton was technical advisor and conducting double for actor Scott Cohen who is cast as the orchestra's conductor in the movie. NHSO's Stephen Collins acted as technical advisor to actor Sam Rockwell, who plays a percussionist in the film, and also performed the role of NHSO timpanist. www.newhavensymphony.org

Yale online environmental magazine launches

Yale Environment 360 is a publication of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, edited by Roger Cohn, formerly of Mother Jones and Audubon magazines. The online magazine will cover opinion, analysis, reporting and debate about global environmental issues. http://e360.yale.edu/.

Summer tutoring offer from Women & Family Life Center in Guilford

This summer, The Women & Family Life Center is working with
TutaPoint offering high school students a unique opportunity to engage in one-on-one math and science tutoring on-line and at no charge. TutaPoint, a member of the Better Business Bureau and recently featured on the Wall Street Journal small business report, offers live, one-on-one, private tutoring over a secure internet connection. No special equipment is needed.

WFLC mailing list members can receive up to six tutoring sessions at no charge by entering the code below. You will not need to enter a credit card if you are using this code, and you can schedule a math or science session at a time that is convenient for you. Simply enter code 8995894061 upon signing up at www.tutapoint.com. If you have any questions, email Beth Kelly at bkelly@tutapoint.com or call (800) 390-2370.
See TutaPoint for more details!

Music on New Haven Green Saturdays this summer

July 12: New Haven Symphony Orchestra
July 19: Squirrel Nut Zippers (Delta blues/jazz/swing)
July 26: Oleta Adams (Grammy-nominated gospel singer)
Aug. 2: Latino program (TBA)

Saturdays, 6-7:30. Details: www.infonewhaven.com.

13th Annual Pizza Fest on New Haven Green

ALSO-Cornerstone presents the 13th annual Greater New Haven Pizza Fest on Thursdays and Fridays, June 19–20 and June 26-27, noon–1:30 p.m. on the New Haven Green, during the International Festival of Arts & Ideas free lunchtime concerts.

Each day, pizzas donated by local pizzerias will be sold by the slice, along with Italian ice and beverages. All proceeds will benefit the clients and programs of ALSO-Cornerstone, Inc., www.al-corn.org. Details: Vito Esparo, 393-3005, or Claire Bien, 776-9900, x1003.