nothin New Haven Independent | Cool Events This Weekend, Here & Beyond

Cool Events This Weekend, Here & Beyond

Humpback whales were seen in Long Island Sound during the summer of 2015. Photo: Whit Welles from the Menunkatuck Audubon websit

Weather-wise, it looks to be a mix of sun and clouds with Saturday the pick for outdoor activities, such as the Plein Air art demonstration and Land Trust Walks. There are also some great dining options, along with opportunities to learn about the world around us… Humpback whales, anyone? And information on the Branford Rotary’s role in the upcoming Branford Festival is just a preview of the three-day event where the town lets out all the stops!

Restaurant of the Week: Asti Ristorante & Bar, 988 Main St.

Described as sort of a hidden gem right on Main Street,” Asti Ristorante & Bar is tucked away behind Trailblazers. While the menu includes your typical Italian entrees, there are also selections to please fish and meat lovers, along with items that Paleo lovers are sure to enjoy. Lighter fare can be found with bar bites” with specialties such as the Asti Flank Steak Wrap, Brushetta, Eggplant Fries, and Orange Bourbon BBQ Wings. Entertainment is key with local musicians, including Nick Fradiani, performing throughout the week. For more information go to http://astibranford.com or call 203 – 208-4041,
 

Friday, June 3, to Sunday, June 5

Art in 3‑D

Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance will sponsor an exhibition of Branford artists working in various art mediums including pottery, glass, sculpture, and fiber at the Academy on the Green. A wine and cheese reception will take place Friday, June 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Artist include Lisa Carlin, Jayne Crowley, Susan Farricelli, Yvone Gordon, Val Kroplwnicki, Melody Lane, Owen Luckey, Ray Matthews, Pat Miller, Jane Novick, Leslie Prodis, and Pat Rist.

For more information, email Jayne Crowley at [email protected].

Saturday, June 4

Artists Paint Branford 

Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance will sponsors its second annual Plein Air (outdoor painting) event in downtown Branford on or around the green. Artists will gather to pain scenes around the green, storefronts, street scenes, or any subjects that interest them.

The rain date is Sunday, June 5.

A showing of the works will take place at the Branford Art Center from July 16 to Aug. 11, with an opening reception on Friday, July 16.

For more information, call Jay Babina or Richard Blacher, 203 – 481-3321.

Celebrate Connecticut Trails Day

Saturday, June 4 is Connecticut Trails Day, and the Branford Land Trust has two family hikes planned. Both events are free and open to the public.

Hike the Hammer Woodlands and Sliney Family Property on Saturday, June 4, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The 26-acre Hammer Woodlands and Sliney Family Property includes a pond, traprock ridge, and a meadow. Expect one moderately steep stretch. Park in parking lot behind Jalapeno Heaven Restaurant at the corner of North Main Street and Cherry Hill Road. (Rain date: June 5, 9:30 a.m.)

Lauren Brown Walk

Flora Walk In Stony Creek will take place Saturday, June 4, beginning at 2 p.m. Lauren Brown will lead a June walk on Vedder to see and identify native plants and flowers. Meet in Stony Creek at the far end of West Point Road, which is across from the Willoughby Wallace Library. For details, call 203 – 415-1571.

Walkers should expect moderate terrain, with sloping trails and inclines, and rocky under footing. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.

Connecticut Trails Day is the largest National Trails Day celebration in the nation. For events happening all around the state, visit www.ctwoodlands.org. For information on the two BLT hikes, visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.

Parkinson’s Disease Workshop 

Experts in the disease will share their knowledge from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Branford Fire House, 45 North Main St. The panel will include Duarte Machado, MD,
assistant professor of Neurology, Lead Neurologist, Yale Health Center, who will speak on Redefining Parkinson’s Disease: Challenging the Past and Preparing for the Future;” 

David Russell, MD, PhD, associate director of Clinical Research at Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, who will speak on Current Parkinson’s Disease Clinical Research;” Michelle Hespeler, owner/founder of Beat PD Today, an exercise program around Connecticut for people with Parkinson’s Disease; and Michael Demetriades, DPT, licensed physical therapist at Amity Physical Therapy, who will demonstrate the benefits physical therapy can have for people with Parkinson’s Disease.

RSVP to Allyson Kinney at [email protected] or call 203 – 996-8861.

The Novel Affair: A Book Affair with Panache

The Novel Affair will launch an event designed for book and art lovers at Bill Miller’s Castle from noon to 3 p.m. The goal of the event is to connect art lovers and showcase local talent on a fun, entertaining, and relaxed atmosphere. It’s the opportunity to meet featured authors, selling and signing copies of their books, take part in interactive storytelling, and enjoy live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Tickets to the events are $20 with a portion of the proceeds going to Read to Grow. Attendees are asked to bring a gently used children’s book to donate.

For more information, call 203 – 376-9233 or email [email protected].

Monday, June 6

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.

Tuesday, June 7

How Should Our Garden Grow? 

The Branford Evening Garden Club hosts Michael Russo from Trout Lily Farms in North Guilford at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 7, at the Community House, 46 Church St. He will offer suggestions on his favorite annuals, perennials, shrubs, bulbs and vines selected to provide a cutting garden. Resources for obtaining seeds, bulbs and plants will be offered.

For more information, call Maria Storm at 203 – 481-5765, evenings.

Wednesday, June 8

The Impact of Global Warming
The Menunkatuck Audubon Society will sponsor at talk by Sarah Nababedian, senior educator and dive coordinator at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk from 7 to 8 p.m. See top photo. Her talk is titled The Impact of Global Warming on the Biodiversity of Long Island Sound.” She will describe the sentinels used to measure change and the economic and environmental impacts of climate change on Long Island Sound.
There is a growing concern that global warming, ocean acidification, and sea level rise have begun to affect the Long Island Sound and its marine life. Throughout the summer of 2015, a number of large migratory marine mammals, including minke, beluga, and humpback whales, were spotted in Long Island Sound: the first time whales have been spotted in the western part of the Sound since the 1990s. Many people have asked if- and how- climate change might be related. To understand the way climate change is impacting Long Island Sound, scientists and educators from The Maritime Aquarium are measuring many different factors that can show how an ecosystem changes over time.
Nababedian is participating in a series of study circles through the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI). She joins this growing network of science educators and climate and ocean scientists working together to help change the conversation about climate change.
Humpback whales were seen in Long Island Sound during the summer of 2015. Photo: Whit Welles from the Menunkatuck Audubon website.

Friday, June 17 to Sunday, June 19

Mary Johnson Photo

The Branford Festival Weekend

Branford Rotary Read & Feed 

The Branford Rotary Club’s annual Food Tent & Book Sale will be part of the Branford Festival. The All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast is on Saturday, June18, and Sunday, June 19, from 8 a.m. to noon. The Rotary tent is adjacent to the Main Stage in front of Town Hall and will be operating on Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to Festival closing. More than 40 members will be working at these events.
The breakfast includes pancakes or French toast, sausages, coffee, and juice. Tickets are available from Branford Rotary members or at the tent.
With the Branford Festival, the Rotary Club expanded to provide a variety of foods during the day. This year’s menu includes lobster rolls, chicken tenders, steamship round beef sandwiches, curly fries, hot pretzels, hot dogs, and strawberry shortcake. Food prices range from $5 to $20. Beverages are also available. Take-out is available. Anthony Terry (203 – 481-6424) and Michael Ball (both past presidents) are chairing the Rotary Festival Food Committee.
In addition, the Branford Rotary Club is operating a Used Book Sale at the Festival. The proceeds benefit the Branford Rotary Foundation, which finances scholarships and other educational endeavors. Titles include bestsellers, fiction, nonfiction, hardcover, and paperback editions at reduced prices. David Kozma chairs sale. He can be contacted at 203 – 641-9485 or [email protected] to answer questions or arrange for collection of large donations for this sale.
###

Sign up for our morning newsletter

Don't want to miss a single Independent article? Sign up for our daily email newsletter! Click here for more info.


Post a Comment

Commenting has closed for this entry

Comments

There were no comments