Free is always good, so head into New Haven tonight for Yale Concert Band’s Winter Concert at Woolsey Hall. Snow is expected Saturday night into Sunday, but the weather will be clear during the day on Saturday if you’ve been planning to view the eagles along the Connecticut River. While the week itself is quiet, next weekend is chock full of good things, including the opportunity to support a lot of worthy non-profits. Then March comes roaring in with even more cool events! Do you have a cool event? Email [email protected].
Friday, Feb. 16
Yale Concert Band Winter Concert
Thomas Duffy leads the Yale Concert Band (top photo) on Friday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m. at Woolsey Hall, 500 College St., New Haven, in its Winter Concert. Featured musical works will be Wine-Dark Sea (John Mackey); Colonial Song (Percy Grainger); and Outdoor Overture (Aaron Copland). The concert is free. For more information, email [email protected].
Saturday, Feb. 17
Annual Eagle Watches on the Connecticut River
Audubon Shop owner Jerry Connolly will again lead the popular land-based excursions to view Bald Eagles along the Connecticut River, on Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24 from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bald Eagles make their way down the Connecticut River from Canada every winter in search of ice-free fishing. Participants will observe these majestic birds from a variety of locations along the river. Ticket prices are $25, which includes a soup & sandwich luncheon at Otter Cove Restaurant in Old Saybrook following the field trip.
Reservations must be made in advance by calling 203 – 245-9056. Carpool from the shop at 907 Boston Post Road in Madison at 7:45 a.m. or meet at first stop (Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam) at 8:30 a.m.
Sunday, Feb. 18
Sunday with Amy Bloom
Local author Amy Bloom will be at Willoughby Wallace Library for a signing of her new book, “White Houses,” at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18.
Registration is required. Admission is a donation to the Branford Food Pantry (food or cash). For more information, call 203 – 488-8702.
Saturday, Feb. 24
Animal Tracking Classes
The Branford Land Trust will sponsor Animal Tracking Classes from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Learn to recognize animal footprints and other signs of their passage through the woods during these free classes led by Tom Cleveland and Chris Woerner at the Lake Saltonstall preserve.
Meet at the Regional Water Authority parking lot on the north side of Hosley Avenue, 0.3 miles from Brushy Plain Road. Expect moderate terrain, some sloping trails and inclines, rocky underfooting. Parents should be prepared to carry younger children if they get tired. Wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. Watch BLT’s Facebook page for possible schedule changes. For details, call Tom Cleveland, 203 – 981-9040.
Fitness on the Water – Self Defense Workshop
Fitness on the Water, 469 East Main St., will host a Self Defense Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Retired U.S. Marine and Connecticut State Trooper Roger Weissinger will equip participants with basic self-defense techniques to protect themselves in a dangerous situation. The workshop is open to 14 years and older, and admission is $20 per person. Pre-registration is encouraged. Call 203 – 208-0027.
BCC Winter Food, Supply Drive
The Branford Compassion Club Feline Rescue & Adoption Center, 2037 Foxon Road, will celebrate its seventh shelter anniversary with a winter food and supply drive to benefit shelter and feral cats on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Unopened canned and dry cat and kitten food, paper towels, kitchen trash bags, Tidy Cat clumping litter, laundry (HE) and dish detergent are especially needed. Join the volunteers for cake and refreshments.
For more information on the kitties’ wish list, visit the website at www.branfordcompassionclub.org.
Fireside Book Chat and Afternoon Tea
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Looking for book recommendations? Blackstone Library will hold a fireside book chat and afternoon tea from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, to discuss favorite books of 2017 and share anticipated books for 2018. Bring a list of titles. Tea will be provided.
Space is limited. Registration required. To register, call 203 – 488-1441.
Soup for All
Soup for All to Support the Foodbank takes place Saturday, Feb. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1109 Main St. Sponsored, hosted, and cooked by BSA Venturing Crew 424 & Girl Scout Troop 60341, the event features a variety of home made soups, bread, & cookies to support the Foodbank.Suggested donation: three food items or $5 per person. Blizzard reschedules to March 10. For more information, call 203 – 376-2819 or [email protected] or go to BSA Crew 424 on Facebook.For Peace Wall
Artists for World Peace (AFWP) is bringing its 6x6 For Peace Wall of original artwork to the Grand Opening Celebration of the Love Tribe Open Hearts Arts Life Center, 1008 Main Street, Branford on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m.Hundreds of original 6x6 painted canvases donated to AFWP by artists from all over the USA will be available to purchase with all proceeds going to AFWP Native Eyes Project, which will provide free eye care to Native American communities on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and the Eastern Pequot Nation in North Stonington.For more information, visit www.artistsforworldpeace.org or email Wendy Black-Nasta at [email protected] or call 860 – 685-1789.
Thursday, March 1
Jazz at the Brewery
The Branford Jazz Concert Series and the Stony Creek Brewery present an evening of music featuring Jeremy Galloway Quartet Hartt School of Music from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, at the Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave.
Tickets are $25 per person and include an exclusive pint glass and a free beer. Food truck on site. Proceeds benefit the Branford Jazz Music Scholarship Fund. For more information or tickets, call 203 – 488-8304.
Friday, March 2
First Friday Game Night
F2G2 (First Friday Game Group) meets the first Friday of each month at the Blackstone Library to play a wide variety of tabletop board and card games. The next meeting is Friday, March 2, at 6 p.m. If you’ve never played anything other than Monopoly or Scrabble, games are provided and taught.
With nearly 100 games in their collection, there’s something for everyone. Adults of all experience levels are welcome. This month is Mystery Game Night! We’ll be exploring haunted houses, solving murders, hunting down Jack the Ripper, and communing with spirits! The following games will be available to play and their how-to videos are posted below:
Saturday, March 3
Dudley Farm Winter Farmers’ Market
Support local farmers and artisans at the Dudley Farm Winter Farmers’ Market taking place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at the Dudley Farm, corner of Routes 77 and 80.
Special feature is Needle-Felting. Liz Rinaldo, of Flat Brook Farm, will demonstrate making felted soap, using soap made from her own goats’ milk. Carol Gilbert, of Double “G” Alpacas, will show how to needle-felt animals. The public is offered free lessons on how to make a felted pendant, first-come first-served. Other items include all-natural and organic meats, eggs, maple syrup, honey, salsa, kettle corn, beeswax candles, soap, natural body products, clothing, and quilted, knitted, felted and painted gifts.
For more information, visit dudleyfarm.com or call 203 – 457-0770.
Tuesday, March 6
Healthy Families in the Digital Age
Branford Families is presenting a series of programs for parents and kids, titled “Growing Healthy Families in the Digital Age.” The free programs take place at 6:30 p.m. at Walsh Intermediate School (unless otherwise noted). For reservations, email [email protected].
Tuesday: March 6:
“…And — What IF Things do Go Wrong?” Risks & Digital Lives features a presentation and discussion on the risks and dangers when the rules are broken. From the perspective of a Youth Officer, the program covers the legal issues related to social media, new laws in effect, parent responsibilities, school issues, and other risks in the digital lives of children.
Tuesday, April 3
: “The Lay of the Land: Screen-time, Devices, and Schools” is a panel presentation by school staff, consisting of the WIS school counselor, social worker, the school district’s director of technology, and Dr. Mary Alice Curran, Professor of Social Media Citizenship.
What are the rules, how does it work with 1:1 device ratio. What if scenarios during school hours.
May
: Growing up KIND in the Digital World. Digital can be real: Review of “good digital spaces” for independent time for all age groups. “Don’t Be Mean Behind the Screen” movement. Special surprise presentation.
June 16:
Family Fun – Summer Sites and Awesome Apps. Branford Families will have a booth during the Branford Festival with a few good apps running and options for family togetherness in a digital world.
Sunday, March 18
Branford Forum schedule
Due to renovations at the Blackstone, the Branford Forum’s spring talks will be at the Willoughby-Wallace Library, 146 Thimble Island Road in Branford, Sundays at 2 p.m.
On March 18, local artists Nancy Eisenfield and Jennifer Davies, will speak on “Creating and Understanding Visual Art.”
The April 22 presentation is being finalized.
On May 20, Yale Law School Professor Stephen Carter will discuss “Lucky Luciano and New York’s First Black Woman Prosecutor.”
The talks are free. For further information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, March 21 to Sunday, March 25
Shrek, the Musical at BHS
Tickets are on sale for Branford High School Performing Arts presentation of “Shrek, the Musical, which takes place Wednesday, March 21, to Sunday, March 25, at the Cathyann Roding Auditorium.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Shrek will be played by Logan Distasio, and Fiona by Maddie Oberempt.
Tickets are $18; $15 for students and seniors. For reservations and information, call 203 – 315-7972.
Through March 31
Cityseed Winter Market
If you’ve been missing the hustle and bustle of summer’s farmers’ markets head into New Haven for Cityseed’s Winter Farmers Market, which recently opened at the Metropolitan Business Academy School, 115 Water St, open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (the except is Sunday, Feb. 12).
Offerings include winter root veggies such as potatoes, onions, and carrots; jams, jellies, and pickles; fresh herbs, micro mixes, goat cheeses, meats, seafood, dairy products, bacon, eggs, artisan baked goods, and more. Special guests on hand throughout the season, as well as the Caseus Food Trick.
For more information, go to facebook.com/cityseed. Park in the Community and Ikea lots.
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