Every once in a while the joy of Christmas and the joy of Chanukah fall on the same evening as they did this year on Christmas Eve. Now is the time to think about our community, everyone in our community, those with us and those here in spirit.
Wednesday, Dec. 28
Celebrate Chanukah on the Branford Green
Chabad-Lubavitch of the Shoreline will sponsor a Chanukah celebration in downtown Branford on Wednesday, Dec. 28.
The Chanukah Village stores will be open from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and then everyone joins together for a grand Menorah lighting on the Green at 6 p.m. with music and refreshments
Events include a Chanukah story and dreidel-making at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St. Guess how many dreidels in the jar and win a prize at Myers Flowers, 1008 Main St. Get a Chanukah pencil at PS Fine Stationers, 1028 Main St. Enjoy chocolate gelt (coins) at Towne Pharmacy, 1012 Main St. Treat yourself to a Chanukah-themed manicure at Sera Nails, 1056 Main St. Then join everyone on the Green for the Menorah lighting! (No charge except for manicure.)
Any questions or comments, email [email protected] or call 203 – 533-7495.
Sunday, Jan. 1
File Photo
New Year’s Day Hike at Red Hill Woods
Join the Branford Land Trust for a peaceful start to 2017 with a hike at its newest acquisition, Red Hill Woods, led by Bill Horne and Matt Reed, on Sunday, Jan. 1, at 1 p.m.Red Hill Woods is a stunning 29-acre parcel at the end of Red Hill Road, just north of 950 acres of protected open space currently protected by the Branford Land Trust, the Guilford Land Conservation Trust, and the Town of Branford.Walkers should expect moderate terrain, with some sloping trails and inclines. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.Directions: Take I‑95 to Exit 56 and head south on Leetes Island Road about 0.3 miles. Turn left onto Red Hill Road and continue past Van Wie Pond to the very end of the road. Some short-distance carpooling may be required if there is significant snow. Watch for details at www.branfordlandtrust.org, and the land trust’s Facebook page.Thursday, Jan. 5
Jazz Pianist Shares Autobiography
Jazz pianist Donn Trenner will share his stories and answer questions on the Evergreen Woods stage (Evergreen Woods Community Building, Auditorium, 88 Notch Hill Road, North Branford) on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Trenner has his roots in New Haven, but his talent and career have taken him all over the world. Working alongside big names such as Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Jose Feliciano, George Burns, and more, Trenner has lived the ins and outs of the music industry and shares it all in his honest and intimate autobiography. Autographed copies of his book will be available for purchase.
First-Time Homeowners’ Workshop
A workshop for first-time homeowners will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., sponsored by the Pat Wright HUD Counseling and Development Agency.
For more information, call 203 – 433-4743 or 203 – 871-7252.
Saturday, Jan. 7
Fresh Start: Enhance Your Life with Tea
Phil Parda of Savvy Tea will discuss the pleasures and benefits of tea on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 1 p.m. at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St. The “Fresh Start” tea program is all about taking steps to make the New Year a healthier and more enjoyable one by enhancing your life with tea. It’s a great program for those new to tea, but also for those that have been drinking tea for years, and want to know more and go further into the benefits this amazing plant can offer their lives.
To RSVP visit www.blackstonelibrary.org or call 203 – 488-1441 x 318.
Shoreline Train Show
The Annual Shoreline Train Show will be held Saturday, Jan. 7 (snow date Jan. 14), at the United Methodist Church of Branford from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be many vendors and live operating layouts along with a Thomas hands-on room. The donation for adults is $6, seniors (60-plus) $5, with children under 12 free.
The church is wheelchair accessible.
For more information, call the church at 203 – 488-0549, or Roger Laurie Gagné, 203 – 466-6175. Email: [email protected]
Sunday, Jan. 8
A Talk on Global Warming
The Branford Forum will host a talk titled, Global Warming: Some Facts, Some Fallacies, by Henry E. Auer, PhD., at 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Blackstone Library Auditorium, 785 Main St.
Auer will discuss the science of greenhouse warming and assess the extent to which humanity is responsible for it. He will also examine some counter-examples raised by those who do not accept the reality of warming or of humans’ contribution to it. Suggested reading includes: “Beyond Smoke and Mirrors: Climate Change and Energy in the 21st Century;” “Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth About the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity” by James Hansen, a pioneer climate scientist who began warning about warming decades ago; and “Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming.”
Mary Johnson Photo
Happy Holidays to all.
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