Storm’s a comin’. This will be a good weekend for inside activities. Take the kids to the library this afternoon – they can learn all about sound, courtesy of the Connecticut Science Center. We’ve been looking forward to town historian Jane Bouley’s new book about Branford’s street names. If you look at old maps of Branford you’ll see many of today’s street names. Bouley will be at the library on Saturday to sign copies of her book. Cuddling kitties is a great indoor activity – Branford Compassion Club is having a food and supply drive. Stop by – you may also find the love of your life. Got a cool event? Email [email protected].
Friday, July 20
Sound Breakdown
The Blackstone Library will host the Connecticut Science Center for an afternoon of leaning how sound travels. On Friday, July 20, from 2 to 3 p.m., kids from kindergarten through second grade will experiment with how and why sound travels, and take part in a series of hands-on experiments to see sound in motion and fully realize how vibration works.
For more information, go to the Eventbrite link at http://blackstone.lioninc.org/.
Friday, July 20, to Sunday, July 22
Member Art Show, Sale
The Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance (BACA) and Orchard House Adult Care will hold their Member Art Show & Sale at 421 Shore Drive. The opening reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 20. Gallery hours continue noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22.
The show and sale will feature the artistic talents of BACA members working in various formats, including paintings, sculpture, photography, and mixed media.
The show is also a collaboration with Orchard House and its art therapy program, so the exhibit will also feature the work of Orchard House participants who have worked with Briah Luckey, MAAT, to create their own interpretive images. BACA member art will be available for sale directly with each artist.
The artwork shown by Orchard House members is the culmination of guided “heARTherapy” sessions, made possible by a grant from the Branford Community Foundation. The “heARTherapy” program enables Orchard House members, many of who live with memory loss, to use the process of painting to tell their stories through color and shape. Research shows that art therapy increases self-esteem, self-awareness and personal wellbeing by supporting the exploration of feelings. The nine-month guided program built a sense of confidence, a sense of mastery, and a sense of community among the participating Orchard House artists and produced an impressive body of work.
For more information, visit BACA on Facebook, email Frank Carrano, president, at [email protected] or call 203 – 488-6692
Saturday, July 21
Jane Bouley Book Signing
Branford Town Historian Jane Bouley will sign copies of her new book, “The Origin and Naming of Branford’s Streets,” from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 21, at Blackstone Library, 758 Main St. Books will be available for sale for $25.
With extensive research using maps, town meeting records, city directories, and land records, Branford, Connecticut’s Town Historian Jane Peterson Bouley examines the origin and history of Branford’s roads and the relevance of the street names. The scope of Branford’s history as an 18th century farming community, during the industrial revolution bringing an influx of European immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries, and finally as a suburban community after World War II can be viewed through the development of its streets.
For more information, call 203 – 488-1441, extension 318.
BCC Food and Supply Drive
Branford Compassion Club Feline Rescue & Adoption Center will hold a food and supply drive on Saturday, July 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to prepare for kitten season.
Cans of Fancy Feast turkey kitten food and Yesterday’s News Cat litter are high on the wish list, along with canned pate and dry cat food, paper towels, kitchen trash bags, dish detergent, hand soap, HE laundry detergent, and Tidy Cats litter. For a more complete wish list visit www.branfordcompassionclub.org.
Branford Compassion Club Feline Rescue and Adoption Center, located at 2037 Foxon Road, is open to the public on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by and visit the many cats and kittens up for adoption.
Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22
Call for Artists Branford Sidewalk Sale
Branford Art Center invites artists and artisans to display their art, crafts, and jewelry at the Branford Art Center Gallery, 1229 Main St, Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22, for the Annual Summer Branford Sidewalk Sale.
An 8‑foot space for both Saturday and Sunday can be rented for $50. Bring your own table or racks (and awning if you want). Call Yvonne Gordon-Moser at 860 – 334-4642 or email [email protected] and visit the gallery website www.branfordartcenterct.com.
Sunday, July 22
Digging Deeply into Colonial Herbs
Both the curious cook and the enduring herbalist will discover something of value during the “Herbs for Colonial and Modern Homes” lecture and herb swap slated for Sunday, July 22, at 2 p.m. at the Pardee-Morris House, 325 Lighthouse Road, New Haven.
The free, hands-on program will be hosted by Rachel Heerema, a Pardee-Morris House neighbor and certified herbalist. Heerema is also the University of Connecticut Extension Service Master Gardener intern who researched, designed, and installed the small colonial herb garden at Pardee-Morris House in recent years.
Attendees will learn about growing, harvesting, and using the culinary, household, tea and medicinal herbs that early New Haveners enjoyed, and view and sample herbs from the Pardee-Morris House garden. They will also receive a color handout detailing how each herb in the garden was, and might still be, used. Largely an informal presentation, Heerema says she anticipates lots of discussion time focusing on the specific interests of those who attend.
For more information visit www.newhavenmuseum.org or facebook.com/NewHavenMuseum or call 203 – 562-4183.
Thursday, July 26
Anouman on the Green
The Branford Jazz Series on the Green features Anouman this week beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Based out of Brooklyn, New York, Anouman has most recently performed their original music at the Winter Jazz Festival in New York City, the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, Charm City Django Fest, the Music Mountain Festival, the Django by the Sea Jazz Festival, and the Cornelia St. Django Fest. The group consisting of Peter Sparacino (saxophone and woodwinds), Koran Agan (lead guitar), Eduardo Bel (bass) and Josh Kaye (rhythm guitar), has taken the gypsy jazz scene to soring heights.
For more information, visit branfordjazz.com. This summer’s Branford Jazz on the Green includes 10 concerts; they run through Aug. 30, on the beautiful Branford green. Be there!
Beginning Thursday, Aug. 2
Find the Branford Hornet
Forty Branford merchants are joining together to encourage residents to find the Branford High School Hornet and promote their businesses.
Participating merchants will display the BHS Hornet somewhere in their businesses and residents can win gift certificates and prizes by finding them.
The hunt starts Thursday, Aug. 2, during the Branford Sidewalk Sale and participants will have until Thursday, Sept. 20 to complete a list of 35 out of 40. The winner will be announced at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, on the Branford green at the fourth annual Shoreline Harvest and Jazz Festival. (The winner must be present to win.)
To take part, register at Branfordartcenterct.com (cost $2 per entry to benefit Branford High School), then download the list of merchants, which will be posted July 30 and listed in local papers. Take a photograph with your phone of you or someone in your group with the BHS Hornet and post the photo to Instagram with the hashtag #branfordmerchants.
For more information or to register a business, email Yvonne Gordon-Moser at [email protected].
Friday, Aug. 3, to Sunday, Aug. 5
North Branford Potato and Corn Festival
Love potatoes? Love corn? The 17th annual event runs from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on
Friday, Aug. 3; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at Augur Field, Route 22. Attractions include carnival rides and games, craft and business expo, food vendors, live music, car and motorcycle show, fireworks, beer and wine tasting, and talent showcase.
Free admission. For more information, visit http://nbpotatofest.com, Facebook, or call 203 – 484-6017.
Saturday, Aug. 4
A Place Called Hope Opening Reception
An opening reception for Sophie Zyla’s photographs from A Place Called Hope will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at Branford Art Center, 1229 Main St.
Volunteers from A Place Called Hope will attend the opening with live raptors and information on rehabilitation and education. Donations to the foundation will be welcome. Zyla’s images will be on display in the studio gallery through Aug. 30.
For more information, call Yvonne Gordon-Moser at 860 – 334-4642, email [email protected] and visit the gallery website www.branfordartcenterct.com.
Saturday, Aug. 11
Woofstock on the Branford Green
The annual Woofstock on the Branford Green will be held Saturday, Aug. 11, from noon to 6 p.m. Woofstock is a day of fun, music, food, vendors, raffles and of course dogs. Dogs are available that day for adoption, too. There is a Woofstock Hippie Dog Costume contest, a Woofwalk in the morning, special guests, a children’s area and much more throughout the day. The event is hosted by the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter and Peiper Veterinary Clinic in Madison.
Saturday, Aug. 11, and Sunday, Aug. 12
Shoreline Wine Festival
The 12th Annual Shoreline Wine Festival, taking place Saturday, Aug. 11 (noon to 7 p.m.) and Sunday, Aug. 12 noon to 6 p.m.), at Bishop’s Orchards Winery in Guilford.
The event will celebrate fine wines from Connecticut Wineries and Vineyards from all over the state, all offering their fine wines that range from grape wines to fruit wines. Pair this with some of the area’s finest foods, with the backdrop setting of a beautiful farm orchard and background sounds of tasteful music to put you in the mood.
There’s the opportunity to taste the wines from all of the wineries, enjoy a tour of the Bishop’s Orchards Winery, listen to numerous local wine experts, live music and entertainment, and a chance to visit with local vendors and artisans. Food offered at the event is an additional charge.
Advanced tickets are $30 for adults (plus 10 percent Connecticut Admissions Tax and online service fee). As of Aug. 4, the price will increase to $35 per person (plus tax & fee). Tickets are $10 for designated drivers.
For details and tickets, go to www.shorelinewinefestival.com.
Friday, Aug. 17
Environmental Day Camp
Branford Land Trust’s 23rd annual Environmental Day Camp for kids takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Killam’s Point Conference Center.
Children ages 5 to 9 will take part in hands-on activities, including touch tanks, woodland and Long Island Sound exploration, nature crafts, and more.
A full day’s agenda, map, and list of what to bring will be mailed upon receipt of registration and payment of $45; additional children, same family $35. Scholarships available. Registration deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 14.
For more information, call Martha Rice, 203 – 314-7128, or email [email protected], or go to www.branfordlandtrust.org.
Call for Artists/Artisans Branford Fall Art Festival
Branford Art Center invites all artists/artisans to participate in the 4th Annual Shoreline Harvest Art and Cool Jazz Festival that will take place under the Big Tent on the Branford Green on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Spaces are 10x10. Bring your own racks/tables or rent a table for $5. There will be food vendors. To participate in the festival, go to www.branfordartcenterct.com by June 31 for early registration, $50, or by Aug 31 at the regular fee of $70.
For further information or questions, call Yvonne Gordon-Moser at 860 – 334-4642 or email [email protected].
Sunday, Aug. 18
Classic Car Show
The Branford Rotary Club’s fifth annual Classic Car Show will be held on Sunday, Aug. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Van Wilgen’s Garden Center, Valley Road, The event benefits the club’s charitable events and organizations in honor and support of veterans, including the “Take-A-Vet Fishing” program and the annual
“Veterans Day Luncheon.”
This event features more than150 Classic Cars with raffle prizes and trophies awarded. The family event will include fabulous cars and music; ood and beverages will be available.
For sponsorship or more info visit http://www.branfordrotary.org or email [email protected].
