Entries for NHFPL Annual Poetry Contest due March 1!

The theme this year is “New Haven + promises.” Poets are encouraged to interpret the theme in fresh and original ways! Winning poems will be selected by two separate panels of judges. The Patrons of the Library will again offer $100 cash prizes for winners in each age category, and $25 for the People's Choice winner.  Click here for guidelines. 

West Haven Energy Commission offers grants

The West Haven Energy Commission, in partnership with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, is soliciting proposals for projects that promote the use of clean renewable energy in the community.
City leaders, organizations, schools and individuals are invited to submit applications through March 4. Grant applications can be submitted to the West Haven Energy Commission, City of West Haven, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516.

Gateway scholarships

Students who will be continuing at Gateway Community College (GCC) this fall have until Friday, March 18, to apply for one or more of the 127 scholarships being offered this year by the Gateway Community College Foundation, which together are valued at more than $87,000. Details: 203-285-2617 or sswirsky@gwcc.commnet.edu.

Library Service Changes

Recent layoffs have prompted new deployments of library personnel throughout library branches. New library hours will start as of Feb. 28 as follows:

Main Library
M 12-8 / T, W, Th 10-8 / F 10-5 / S 10-5

Fair Haven
M and T 10-6 / W closed / Th 12-8 / F and S closed

Mitchell
M 12-8 / T closed / W and Th 10-6 / F and S closed

Stetson
M and T 10-6 / W 12-8 / Th, F, S closed

Wilson
M closed / T 12-8 / W and Th 10-6 / F and S closed

Interlibrary Loan service is discontinued for now; requests will no longer be accepted, although we are trying to complete current requests in hand.

Help support the library by attending our annual Mardi Gras Gala on Tuesday, March 8!

New Haven Public Library will close Tuesday, March 8, for Annual Mardi Gras Gala

We will be setting up during the day to celebrate our annual Mardi Gras Gala starting at 5:30pm at the downtown branch. Click here for details!

Hope you can make it--and if not, please click here for a sample of auction items that you can purchase!

Click here to help New Haven Animal Shelter win dollars

Spay/Neuter Program for Cats in Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge

$65 includes rabies vaccination. Amity Animal Rescue Fund, 203-389-1996 or Amityarf@yahoo.com

Upcoming New Haven Preservation Trust Celebrtes 50th anniversary

The New Haven Preservation Trust is rolling out several events to celebrate their 50th anniversary, starting next Wednesday, Feb. 23,  5:30–8 pm: Wine and cheese reception followed by Alan J. Plattus, Professor of Architecture and Urbanism, Yale School of Architecture presenting Preservation and the Fourth-Age American City: An Introduction to the Role of the Preservation Movement in the Development of  New Haven, at New Haven Lawn Club. Free and open to the public. Register at 203-562-5919 or  info@nhpt.org.

For additional events, click here.

Click here for VITA update about locations for tax assistance

Connecticut Free Shakespeare Seeks Summer Staff

Seeking production staff and crew with all levels of experience for summer season, June 28-August 16. Job Categories: Master Electrician and Lighting Electrics Assistants, Master Carpenters and Assistant Builders. Wardrobe Supervisor, Costume Stitcher, Production Assistants.  Details: Ellen@CTFreeShakespeare.org  or 203-232-8805

Click here for latest RFPs posted by Foundation Center

2011 Latino Advocacy Day March 16

At Legislative Office Building, Hartford, 10am-3pm. Questions: 860-240-8579

Apply by Feb. 25 for Housing Choice Voucher Program with City of New Haven

Two hundred applications will be accepted from eligible families for 3 or 4 bedroom housing.  Selection will be conducted through a lottery system. For eligibility requirements and details, call 203-498-8800 x 1000 or 1121. 
Mail applications to Housing Authority of New Haven, PO Box 1870, New Haven, CT 06510
or drop application at 360 Orange St. in New Haven.

FAFSA Workshops Start Feb. 19

New Haven Promise will be hosting FAFSA February workshops at the following locations:


--Sat., Feb. 19 10am-1pm at Hillhouse Cafeteria
--Thur., Feb. 24, 4-7pm at Wilbur Cross Cafeteria
--Sat., Feb. 26, 2-5pm at Career Cafeteria

University of New Haven Spring Speed Networking Event March 2

This "speed dating" event allows UNH students to practice networking with professionals in the nonprofit field. This event is part of Careers for the Common Good, a series to educate UNH students about nonprofit and public service careers.

The event will take place on Wednesday, March 2, 5:15-7:30 pm. A light dinner will be provided.

Organization participants will share information about their work and advise students how to pursue career opportunities. The first round is networking with all employers, followed by a more in-depth conversation (second round). Bring business cards! More information: 203-479-4826.

RSVP by February 28

Arts Council Members Discount on Elm Shakespeare Company's The Lover

Harold Pinter's play is directed by Alvin Epstein, with James Andreassi, Lisa Bostnar and Jeremy Funke, at Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Ave., New Haven. Performances February 3-6 and 10-13. Arts Council Members $15 each/two for $25: www.elmshakespeare.org or 203-393-1436.

Benefit Night tonight, Feb. 11at 6:30pm--$75 for performance, wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Register by Mar. 2 for ProBono Partnership's HR Boot Camp for CT Nonprofits

This 2-day (Mar. 9 and Apr. 6) intensive program is designed for nonprofit managers who are responsible for the Human Resources function, but who have not had significant experience with HR issues; and Human Resources Professionals who want to update their knowledge from a holistic perspective and learn about recent legal developments.
The program will provide an in-depth review of laws and regulations pertaining to human resources management and an update on recent legal developments.  Topics include:

Risk Management
Discrimination & Harassment Prevention
Hiring Process
Wage-Hour & Benefits Minefield
Leaves of Absence
Performance Management, Discipline & Terminations
Reductions in Force
Investigations How-To
Confidentiality & Personnel Records
Training
Employee Handbooks
Required Posters



Time: 7:30am-4pm each day
$125 nonrefundable fee includes significant materials, lunch, and refreshments.
Location: North Haven Holiday Inn, North Haven, CT

Click here for complete details.

Click Here to Participate in Nonprofit Finance Fund State of Sector Survey

The 2011 Survey focuses on action and interaction—what steps are nonprofits taking to address ongoing challenges, and how do they work with the funding communities? It’s a great way to get a snapshot of life on the ground at nonprofits, and it will be informative to compare this year’s results to the two previous years

.
The survey is simple and short and national results will be shared. Deadline to participate is February 15.

2011 Horizon Report on Emerging Technologies just released

Each year, the Horizon Report describes six areas of emerging technology that will have significant impact on higher education and creative expression over the next one to five years. The report identifies six technologies that are expected “to enter mainstream use in learning-focused organizations.” Each of the six is assigned to one of three adoption horizons: one year or less, two to three years, and four to five years. For 2011, electronic books and mobiles are identified in the one-year horizon; augmented reality and game-based learning in the two- to three-year horizon; and gesture-based computing and learning analytics in the four- to five-year horizon. Read report here.

Literacy Coalition meets Feb. 16

The Greater New Haven Literacy Coalition will hold a forum, "21st Century Literacy,"  on Wednesday, February 16, 8:30-10 am,  at the Wilson Branch Library, 303 Washington Ave., New Haven.  Come to discuss this important issue with agencies working to improve the literacy of our communities, and preview the Coalition's new website, literacyeveryday.org.  For more information please contact William Armstrong at 203-946-8130 x381 or warmstrong@nhfpl.org.

Arts and Writing Competition for High School Students

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH: Express in artwork, poetry, essay or song what young people today can do to further Dr. Martin Luther King's Dream and achieve new hopes and aspirations.

Requirements:
Art work, maximum 12" x 18"
Essay, poem or song, maximum 2 pages
Include: Name, address, phone, email, age, school
Deadline: 5 pm, Friday, February 18, 2011

Mail to: People's World, 37 Howe St., New Haven CT 06511

Information: 203-624-8664

Wilton Library seeks p/t Network Services Assistant

Successful candidate will cover help desk and audio/visual presentations approx. 19 hours per week with some late evening and/or weekends. Requires excellent computer skills and using photo editing software. Duties include setting up/operating audio/visual equipment (computers, projectors, microphones, movies, Xbox, Wii, etc.); providing exceptional help desk support for patrons and staff; updating and maintaining computers, iPads, Nooks, and Kindles; running reports; maintaining Intranet; and other assignments as required. Email resume and cover letter to Mary Anne Mendola Franco, Head of Network Services, at mamfranco@wiltonlibrary.org.

CT Young Writers literary awards competition

This project of the Connecticut State University System and Connecticut Young Writers Trust is for writers aged 13-18. The two winners will have an opportunity to be published in Connecticut Review, the literary journal of the Connecticut State University System.
The 2011 entry deadline is March 15. Details are available at www.ct.edu/ctyoungwriters 

Community Casting Call Feb. 9 and 16

The Caldwell Dance Center, Artistik Expressions and The Arts Council of GNH invite lovers of music, dance and movement to a community casting call to film an arts commercial in New Haven.   All ages, genders, abilities, body types and races are needed!
Where: 1946 State St, Hamden
When:  Wednesday, February 9 and 16, 7pm

Cleaning Support for Cancer Patients

Cleaning for a Reason is a nonprofit foundation that coordinates free housecleaning for women who are undergoing chemotherapy once per month for 4 months during treatment.  Patients register, their doctor sends confirmation, and Cleaning for a Reason arranges for a participating maid service in her zip code area.  This organization is based in TX, serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help, including sites in CT. (Information is verified by snopes.com, the definitive Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.)

Winter 2011 GuideStar-KIMBIA Nonprofit Giveaway

It's time for your supporters to go public about their relationship with your organization. By telling the world how they feel about you, they'll be giving your organization a chance to win $5000 in the first GuideStar-KIMBIA nonprofit giveaway for 2011.

The nonprofit that garners the most new reviews between February 1-28, 2011, will receive a $5000 gift from KIMBIA. Anyone who has firsthand experience with your organization and is not a paid employee can write a review. Read more.

Call for Entries to 3rd Annual New Haven Public Library Poetry Contest

Entries will be judged on original interpretation of this year's theme, “New Haven + promises.”

Three age categories / cash prizes / deadline to enter is March 1 / winners' reception Saturday, April 16.  Click here for full contest guidelines

Library Yoga Canceled today

Hope to see you next Wednesday for yoga with Alan Bitker (http://www.libraryyogacovidien2.eventbrite.com/).

Novelists take note

Patrick Scalisi, our writers group leader and occasional workshop presenter, offers the tip that Amazon has a contest running for unpubliched or self-published novelists. Check it out here

2nd Studio Jams Feb. 19 for ages 18-30

2nd Studio Jams event will take place on Saturday, February 19th at ACES ECA.  Registration deadline is Feb. 11!  Future Studio Jams: April 9 at the Parachute Factory, New Haven and May 11 at ACES Whitney High School North in Hamden.
The Studio Jams project engages young people in arts activities with their peers and professional artists instructors/mentors.  Each event will introduce young adults in a variety of creative and performing arts –music, photography, graphic art, aerosol art, dance and performing arts. The program will include interactive opportunities for young adults to explore careers in the arts as well as to discover ways of producing art themselves.  Details here

New Haven Public Library will be closing early today (Feb. 1)

We will be closing at least by 6pm (if weather worsens, it could be earlier).