Fishway
The name of the game this week is Enrichment. There are so many opportunities to learn new things without leaving the borders of Branford: the arts, nature, healthy lifestyles, plus an opportunity to meet talented local authors, take part in local tradition – and in the next week – dine on fine local seafood for a good cause.
Restaurant of the Week: GW Carson’s
Despite its billing as a burger joint, GW Carson’s, located at 308 East Main St., goes much further. Steak, short ribs, fish, and pasta are all part of its eclectic menu. Small plates offer choices such as bacon mac and cheese, wings, sliders, yellowfin tuna and avocado tartare, and steamed sweet potato dumplings – they’re a great way of trying something new without being overwhelmed. But getting back to burgers, the restaurant’s burgers are anything but your basic fare – how about lamb, lump crab, turkey, veggie, and Mexican variations? There’s also a meal worthy selection of salads. What’s a great meal without a cocktail? How do the likes of Georgia Sunset, Kentucky Transplant, and Walking Dead sound? And that’s the short list, not to mention selections from local breweries. Check out their menu at http://www.gwcarsons.com/.
Saturday, May 21
World Fish Migration Day
In honor of World Fish Migration Day on Saturday, May 21, the Branford Land Trust will host an Open House at the Supply Ponds Fishway from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (See top photo)
The event includes a tour of the fishway, and educational talks by Bengt Kjellberg, fishery expert from Sweden and Branford, and Tom Cleveland, river herring advocate and restoration specialist. The event is free and open to the public. Kids will get free sticks to point out the swimming fish!
For details, call Tom Cleveland at 203 – 981-9040, or visit www.branfordlandtrust.org. (Photo by Jen Payne)
Stony Creek Art Show
Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance presents an exhibition featuring Stony Creek Artists from May 20 to 22 at Seaside Hall (home of the Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corp, 215 Thimble Island Road.
The opening reception will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 20, and the exhibit will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 22.
For more information, call Maureen Wilkinson 203 – 458-0432.
Paint the Town Purple/Relay for Life
The town was “painted” purple in anticipation of the Relay for Life event running from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Walsh Intermediate School. Luminaria bags line the track as cancer survivors and their supporters walk throughout the day and night. The annual event raises funds for the American Cancer Society.
This is the fifth year for the Relay at Walsh. Activities began May 14 with an information station on the Branford Green. Events during the Relay include the traditional celebratory survivors’ lap, food and ice cream trucks, live entertainment, Zumba, and Knocker Ball.
Along with Branford, participating towns include Guilford, Madison, North Branford, and East Haven.
For more information or to participate email Christine Ackermann at [email protected].
Local Author Expo
The Blackstone Library is hosting its first Local Author Expo on Saturday, May 21, from 1 to 5 p.m., to highlight the works of more than 30 local authors. There will be author talks, books sales and signings, and a food truck on site.
The event will begin with a presentation by Ann Nyberg, author of Slices of Life, and the longest-serving, full-time female news anchor/reporter in Connecticut television history.
An adult and children’s author panel discussion will follow, highlighting the great talent of writers in our area. Our panelists will discuss various aspects of the writing process and share their own personal experiences. The panel will conclude in a Q&A where you can have your questions answered by experienced authors.
Throughout the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and support our local authors. With a wide variety of adult, children’s, and young adult authors present, this family friendly event will feature something for everyone.
Among the authors will be Martha Link Walsh, who will sign and sell copies of her two books from the Paper-Cut Christmas Series — Legends of the Gift Giver and The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Throughout the afternoon, tables will be set up around the library for local authors to interact with the public, while selling and signing their books (please bring cash, not all authors accept credit cards). Call 203 – 488-1441, ext. 318 or go to here
to register and view a list of participating authors.
Sunday, May 22
Julius Caesar Presented by Shakesperience
The story of “the noblest Roman of them all” – Shakespeare’s tale of political intrigue and betrayal – is brought to life in this adaptation by Emily Mattina.
This production will take place at the Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., from 2 to 3:30 p.m. It illustrates how the themes in Shakespeare’s plays still relate to our lives today. The balance of power is staged on a metal toy construction set that devolves along with the action.
Shakesperience is a professional theater company located in Connecticut that reaches a Northeast audience of adults and students alike with outdoor and in-studio performances, Saturday and private acting classes, school & camp tours, and residencies.
Space is limited. Registration required. To register, please click here.
Wednesday, May 25
Healthy Aging
Shoreline Eldercare Alliance’s (SEA) 7th Annual Celebration of Healthy Aging takes place at the Woodwinds, 29 Schoolground Road, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Making Healthy Transitions.”
The free event includes all the services that are showcased in the wellness area, local senior centers, VNA Community Healthcare, music and entertainment by talented seniors and high school students. The keynote speaker is Christopher O’Connor, chief operating officer of Yale Health System, who will present a look at Hospitals and Relationship of Seniors to the Hospital.
In addition, humorist/educator Joyce Saltman will speak on Sex, Seniors and Transitions with Humor.
A light lunch and desserts from local community vendors will be served. For more information, email [email protected] or call 800 – 426-5086.
Land Trust Annual Meeting
The Branford Land Trust’s Annual Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, at the Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St.
Following a brief business meeting there will be presentation on “Sex and the Suburban Frog” by guest speaker David K. Skelly. Dr. Skelly is the director of the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History and the Frank R. Oastler Professor of Ecology at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies at Yale University.
Have you ever thought about what happens to the chemicals in your everyday life after you are done using them? Soap, medication, household cleaners, and even the residue on that new plastic food container all contain chemical compounds that can be biologically active. Through a combination of wildlife biology and environmental chemistry, Dr. Skelly explores the fate and impact of chemicals leaving suburban homes.
The event is free and open to the public. For details, call 203 – 415-1571, or visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.
Monday, May 30
Memorial Day Parade
Mary Johnson Photo
Branford’s Memorial Day Parade at the town Green kicks off at 10 a.m., but a host of events will precede the big event, which is under the direction of the Eagle’s Bill O’Brien. Stay tuned for details later in the week.
Monday, June 4
Tip-A-Cop at Lenny’s
The 25th annual Tip-A-Cop event, hosted by the Branford Police Department, will take place at Lenny’s, 205 S. Montowese St., from noon to 10 p.m.
Have your meal served by police officers from the Branford Police Department! All tips received by the officers will be donated to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut.
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