Category: Events

News from the New Haven Bioregional Group

by Lynne Bonnet, NH Bioregional Group

Join us for “Oysters: Natural Resources of the Quinnipiac River and Morris Creek.” The program will be Saturday, March 4, 2 p.m. at the Q River Grill (event room), 2 Clifton St., New Haven, presented by The New Haven Bioregional Group, co-sponsored by Gather New Haven and Copps Island Oysters, LLC with support from the Greater New Haven Green Fund.

Zofia Baumann, Ph.D., from UCONN Avery Point, received funding from the Quinnipiac River Fund to study oysters in the Quinnipiac River and Morris Creek from spring through fall 2022. The study was in collaboration with Dr. Mary Beth Decker from Yale University and Mr. Richard Harris of Copps Island Oysters, LLC, and was supported by citizen scientists from the New Haven Bioregional Group, 10,000 Hawks, Sound School, and other volunteers. She will present the major findings and attempt to answer the following questions:

How long do oysters live, and when do they reproduce?
How many oysters are there and where are they?
What can we do to increase oysters in the Quinnipiac River and New Haven Harbor?
How can we assist oyster restoration?
Are you interested in citizen science projects?

Following the Q & A there will be a walk from the restaurant to the oyster reef; low tide is around 3:30. If you plan to walk, be sure to wear suitable boots for a muddy/shell-covered river bank!
This event is free and open to the public.

A Reading for Al-Mutanabbi Street Sunday, March 5

Sunday, March 5, 3 p.m.

On the anniversary of the 2007 bombing of the booksellers’ market in Baghdad, and in defiance of the ongoing attacks throughout the world, including the United States, against reading and readers, excerpts from the anthology “Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here” will be read by Daisy C. Abreu and Stephen Vincent Kobasa.

This event is free and open to the public and begins at 3 p.m. at
Best Video Film and Cultural Center
1842 Whitney Ave, Hamden
www.bestvideo.com

27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Social & Environmental Justice

Join the Yale Peabody Museum and CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for the 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy of Social and Environmental Justice with two days of free, hybrid events open to all. Come Sunday, Jan. 15, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. to 114 Whitney Ave. and Monday, Jan. 16, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. to 260 Whitney Ave. Space is limited. Virtual and in-person registration is strongly recommended. Free parking is available in Yale Lot 22 at 260 Whitney Avenue.

On Sunday, Jan. 15, 12:30-3:30 p.m. there is Family Story-telling and Dance at the New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Avenue. The New Haven Museum and the Peabody are teaming up for an afternoon of inspiring family programs celebrating Dr. King’s life and legacy. Storytellers Joy Donaldson, Waltrina Kirkland and Clifton Graves will share stirring fables, anecdotes, and stories that honor King’s work and testify to his impact on the justice movement.

Ms. Hanan’s Dance and Beyond will present an interactive performance of cultural dance and drumming from the African diaspora and you’ll discover kid-friendly activities throughout the Museum offered by our program partners, including the CT DEEP, the Black Caucus American Library Association, and the Amistad Committee. Peabody scientists will introduce attendees to fascinating specimens from our Paleobotany collection.

Masks are required in the New Haven Museum and space is limited. To register, please go to peabody.yale.edu/events/mlk-celebration.

Monday, Jan. 16, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. features the Z Experience Poetry Slam at the Yale Science Building, O.C. Marsh Lecture Hall, 260 Whitney Ave. Join influential poet performers Croilot and Ngoma, in-person for the first time since 2020, as they emcee an electrifying spoken word experience, honoring Poetry Slam founder Zannette Lewis, in one of the largest auditoriums on Yale’s campus. Spend the day with us or tune in live and online as our hosts kick things off with a high-energy group performance and a curated open mic. Those talented storytellers will be followed by a slate of renowned featured poets competing in the poetry slam.

Visit tables hosted by the National Council of Negro Women and New Haven African American Historical Society to hear from their members about the work they are doing in the community. And museum staff will be on hand to offer the latest information on the Peabody renovation.

This event is appropriate for adults and young adults with the discretion of a parent or guardian. For current Yale University vaccination and mask requirements and to register, please go to peabody.yale.edu/events/mlk-celebration.

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Holiday Village On The NH Green Starts Dec. 1

 

Come to the New Haven Green on Thursday, December 1, 4-9 p.m. with the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30-7:30 p.m. The City of New Haven’s Holiday Village is a winter market featuring a variety of local artisans selling their crafts and merchandise on the New Haven Green plus Live Entertainment!

Kicking off the night of the New Haven Holiday Tree Lighting, the Holiday Village will feature holiday entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and many more surprises for the whole family! This event is family-friendly, pet-friendly, FREE to attend and enjoy with retail goods perfect for holiday gifts all while supporting local entrepreneurs.

Activities and live performances: John S. Martinez 3rd grade choir under the direction of Music Teacher Jennie Kerney; Celentano School Chorus under the direction of Mr. David Minnella; Alliance Children’s Theatre under the direction of Ellen Maust; and more! WTNH News Channel 8 live celebration featuring lighting of the tree begins at 7 p.m. Special thank you to Alma Sauro for donating this year’s tree.

Shop Small Business Holiday Village on the Green on Friday, Dec. 2, noon – 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3, noon – 6 p.m. Shop Small Business Holiday Village on the Green!

Celebrate the holidays in the Greatest Small City in America – New Haven!

Memorial Event Set For George Edwards

Read the full story here in the New Haven Independent

New Haveners will have a chance to share their memories of the late Black Panther and social justice advocate George Edwards at an event set for Saturday, Oct. 29.

Edwards, possibly the most spied-on and messed-with activist in town and an omnipresence at public events, died Sept. 16 at the age of 85. (Read a full story about his life here.)

The memorial event in his honor will take place at the Dixwell Q House on Dixwell Avenue. It is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

His daughter Elizabeth Dickerson asks anyone wishing to speak at the event to contact her in advance at [email protected]

Attendees are also encouraged to bring gently used clothing to the event to be distributed to the needy.

This GoFundMe drive has been established to help pay for funeral costs. Some money will also go toward placing Edwards’ name on a brick at the Q House

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Wednesday, Oct. 12, 5-7 p.m.

Unidad Latina en Acción is organizing a ceremony and protest for Indigenous Peoples’ Day of Resistance on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 5-7 p.m. on the New Haven Green. For more information, please go to the website ulanewhaven.org or facebook.com/ULANewHaven.

In previous years there were also events the second Monday in October. Please check the internet for local Indigenous Peoples’ Day events for Monday, Oct. 10.

A Conversation with Dmitry Muratov, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, at SCSU, Sept. 9

Southern CT State University Calendar

Dmitry Muratov, an independent Russian journalist who covers Russian politics and policy and an open dissenter of the war in Ukraine, will be speaking at Southern Connecticut State University on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 at 7 p.m. in the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts.

With U.S./Russian relations at their most contentious since the Cold War, Muratov’s visit is well-timed to deliver a unique insider perspective on the hostage situation involving WNBA star Brittney Griner and the escalating civil unrest in Russia, which most recently includes the raiding of anti-war protest journalist Marina Ovsyannikova’s home.

Upon the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Muratov released editions of his newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, in both Russia and Ukraine in defiance of the Russian media watchdog’s rules. The paper was forced to suspend publication in March amid repression of critics of the offensive in Ukraine, and in July was set to be stripped of its license under court order.

Seven Novaya Gazeta journalists have been murdered since 2000, in connection with their investigations.

Muratov has established himself as a highly regarded advocate for an independent press and is well-known for investigating abuses of power. He was awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for his “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.” In June 2022, Muratov auctioned off his Nobel Peace Prize for $103.5 million, with all money going to benefit Ukrainian refugees.

Muratov is the co-founder of Novaya Gazeta, established in 1993, and served as its editor-in-chief from 1995 to 2017, and once again in 2019. Muratov was the recipient of various honors, including the International Press Freedom Award in 2007 from the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Sponsored by SCSU Integrated Communications & Marketing, the Judaic Studies Program, and the departments of Political Science, History, Journalism, and English.

Tickets: https://tickets.southernct.edu/eventperformances.asp?evt=914

Celebrating 30 years of Between The Lines on the air! March 24

Join Between The Lines at 8 p.m. March 24, 2022, for an online event celebrating 30 years of Between The Lines on the air!

Register for this online panel discussion at EVENTBRITE.COM
(https://crisisinjournalism.eventbrite.com) with any donation amount.

The event, “The Crisis in U.S. Journalism and the Future of Independent Media and Democracy” features:
• Greg Palast, investigative journalist
• Nina Turner, political activist, Bernie Sanders presidential campaign organizer and former Ohio state senator
• Bill Fletcher Jr., labor and racial justice activist
• Adrian Huq, youth climate activist
• Panel moderator Victor Pickard, professor of media and policy studies at the University of Pennsylvania
• Musician and songwriter David Rovics
• And others

Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride

by Chris Schweitzer, New Haven/León Sister City Project

Rock to Rock is moving ahead for this spring, working with over 20 partner organizations to take real action in response to the climate emergency and raise critical support for local environmental organizations — while respecting public health guidance.

Rides this year include 12-mile, 20-, 40-, and 60-mile rides, Family Ride in East Rock Park and other hike/ride options at East  Rock Park. Join the fun Saturday, April 30. Register at
rocktorock.org.

Center for Business and Environment at Yale Energy Justice Seminar Series

The Yale Center for Environmental Justice (YCEJ) and the Center for Business and Environment at Yale (CBEY) welcome you to join them Mondays at 2:30 p.m. for the Energy Justice Seminar series, which aims to explore “the multifaceted and exciting role of justice in the clean energy transition.” The seminars are free and open to the public.

Energy justice refers to the goal of achieving equity in the social and economic participation in the energy system, while also remedying social, economic, and health impacts on those disproportionately harmed by the way we produce and consume energy. This series will draw from multiple disciplines, including but not limited to law, sociology, anthropology, and economics and will cover broad topics on policy and regulation, community advocacy, housing, transportation, labor, utilities, and more.
To register, visit cbey.yale.edu/programs/yale-energy-justice-speaker-series-spring-2022.

Upcoming lectures are listed below.

February 28 – Energy Justice and Health Outcomes – Kenneth Gillingham, Yale University
March 7 – Intersection of Energy Justice and Labor/Work-force Issues – Vincent Alvarez, President of the New York City Central Labor Council
March 14 – Housing, Energy, Health, and Equity – Diana Hernandez, Associate Professor of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University
March 28 – Housing and Energy Justice – Donnel Baird, CEO of Bloc Power
April 4 – Energy Justice in Philanthropy – Danielle Deane, Director of Equitable Climate Solutions, Bezos Earth Fund
April 11 – Energy Justice and Public Health – Surili Patel, Vice President, Metropolitan Group
April 18 – Energy Poverty and Global Justice Issues – Narasimha Rao, Yale

CT NOFA’s 40th Winter Conference: Innovation and Determination

CT Northeast Organic Farming Association is proud to present our 40th Winter Conference to be held virtually over the course of two weeks, starting Feb. 11 until Feb. 26. In week one, we will offer over 20 workshops on farming, seed saving, organic land care, community food security, social justice issues, and more. In week two, we will host small in-person meet-ups around the state to gather and share much-needed social connections.

Join us as we learn, grow, innovate, and think critically about what our food and farming will look like in the future.

Conference registration includes over 20 live sessions and exclusive access to all recordings and pre-recorded content.

This year, we are implementing a sliding scale pricing model, allowing us to practice economic solidarity, providing mutual support for the cost of our programs. In this way, we make our education more accessible and help cover costs of operation. Choose the pricing tier that fits with your income and access to wealth, and help us create a more just, inclusive, and equitable conference. Many thanks to Soul Fire Farm, and Rock Steady Farm for their vision and leadership in advocating for equitable pricing models. Minimum registration fee is $15. Scholarships are still available thanks to our generous donors and sponsors. There is a link to request a registration fee waiver on the registration page for the conference at ctnofa.org.

Lynda.com gets an upgrade

Previously named Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning has returned as an upgraded platform with double the number of courses available in six more languages. Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. You can find course recommendations tailored to your interests so you know exactly what to learn next. LinkedIn Learning tracks the courses you have in progress and lets you set weekly goals to help make lifelong learning a part of your regular routine.

To log in you will need your library card number and your PIN (the last four digits of your library card number).

Nightmare on Grove Street Public Action October 29th, 5pm

Come demand climate action.
Climate Nightmare on Grove Street:
At “Scariest Place in New Haven” – Yale power plant emitting over 100,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Rally includes ghosts and witches and other creepy things….

Special Awards to be presented:
Dracula Award for institution that keeps sucking from future generations and their present GHG emissions will be attacking life for 1000s of years.

Zombie Award for institution that keeps doing same thing and stuck in fossil fuel mindset.
Frankenstein Award for institution that’s not very bright as continues addiction to fossil fuels when clear need to stop or face disaster.

Friday, Oct. 29, 5 p.m.
Grove and York Streets

Please share and invite friends:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CVT5sVUsklg/?utm_medium=copy_link
Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/2zNravuNT
and Cool Creepy TikTok Video:
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM8AaYTGu/

Tweed Airport Update 7 p.m. to dusk, Thursday, July 8, Fort Hale Park Pavillion, 20 Woodward Ave.

There will be a Tweed Airport Update meeting on from 7 p.m. to dusk, Thursday, July 8, at the Fort Hale Park Pavillion, 20 Woodward Ave. Mayor Justin Elicker and Airport Director Sean Scanlon will explain the 43-year privatization deal.

Members of 10,000 Hawks, quality of life advocacy group plan to raise the following harm reduction & mitigation plan:

  1. Voluntary limit of flight times to fly only between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., as allowed under FAA rules, 14 CFR Part 150, and consistent with City of New Haven noise ordinance;
  2. Air pollution monitoring & mitigation efforts for ultrafine particulates, soot, ground-level ozone, VOCs and Nitrogen Oxide, health monitoring of residents for emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic headaches, and respiratory problems;
  3. Noise pollution monitoring, a new comprehensive sound study, remedying those homes whose past soundproofing has been problematic, and health monitoring of residents for hypertension, hearing impairment, heart problems, sleep disturbance, and irritation;
  4. Addressing freight planes & overall #s of airplanes overhead, strict oversight of flight paths, again with health monitoring of residents for hypertension and cardiovascular issues; 5
  5. Addressing impacts of residential flooding, preventing street flooding, and creation of a coastal resilience plan for Tweed coastal floodplain; and
  6. Creating a solid traffic calming plan, esp. before the East Haven terminal might be constructed.

With new Boeing 737-700s landing at 95 decibels, and prevailing winds at Tweed shifting toward every neighborhood, we must work together to address air and noise pollution.

For more information on 10,000 Hawks, email [email protected] or visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/10000hawks.

VFP Video Contest Comes to New Haven Tuesday, July 29

Veterans for Peace organization is having a nationwide Music Video Contest for songs connecting “Climate Crisis & the War Machine.”

This ties in perfectly with the

  •  New Haven Peace Commission Referendum that you helped put on the ballot – thanks to you, 83% of NH voters moved YES to transfer money from military to human needs
  • Earth Day Event on April 23 where Johanyx, Manny and other youth climate and justice activists spoke so eloquently about these issues
  • Where Do We Want Our Green to Go?

Peace Commission Member and musician Fred Brown and I said, Let’s do it!

We are excited about collaborating – with you – to create a music video to enter the contest. We are ready and eager to make it happen.

Thanks to Delores Williams, our soon-to-be new Peace Commission Member, we have the invitation to meet in the wonderful space at People Get Ready Bookstore.

– We warmly invite you to join us this coming Tuesday at 5 pm at People Get Ready Bookstore, 122 Whalley, right next to Papa John Pizza

We’ll have fun making a music video of the Where Do We Want Our Green to Go? song to submit to the contest.

Please come and lend your energy and voice to the Call-and-Response. (I’m attaching a copy of the song + a few relevant facts.)

Feel free to invite others. Tell them not to worry if they’re not good singers – what we need is live energy!

Fred will bring microphone, amp, camera, keyboard; I’ll bring my bass fiddle. You – bring yourselves and friends, young and old.

Hope to see you in person this Tuesday at 5 pm at People Get Ready Bookstore, 122 Whalley Ave.

We’ll do a couple of fun run-throughs to get us warmed up, then hope to record it and have it wrapped by 6 or 6:30.

Maybe some pizza on the People Get Ready Bookstores benches afterwards!

A Virtual Conversation with Emily Bazelon at Fellowship Place May 13

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Fellowship Place presents a virtual conversation with Emily Bazelon, Thursday, May 13, 6-8 p.m. She will discuss the critical need for criminal justice reform and how people of color and people living with mental illness have been failed by the courts and the prison system, Social check-in begins at 6 p.m. The program begins promptly at 6:15 p.m., free and open to the public.

African Americans are incarcerated in state prisons across the country at more than five times the rate of whites. More than one-third of inmates in state and federal prisons suffer from a mental illness. Emily Bazelon will lead a conversation about the disparities in the criminal justice system and the reforms that are urgently needed; she will be joined by a panel of formerly incarcerated individuals served by Fellowship Place.

Ms. Bazelon is a staff writer at the New York Times Magazine, the Truman Capote Fellow for Creative Writing and Law at Yale Law School, and a co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest. She is the author of two national best-sellers: Charged, about the power of prosecutors, and Sticks and Stones, about how to prevent bullying. Charged won the 2020 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the current interest category and the Silver Gavel Book Award from the American Bar Association. She is a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School.

Fellowship Place’s mission is to serve adults living with mental illness by offering a full range of therapeutic support and rehabilitation services that promote independence, wellness, and meaningful life. Open 365 days a year, our campus community serves over 800 people annually who are living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Services include day programming, permanent supportive housing, vocational services, homeless engagement services, and support for individuals transitioning out of incarceration. Fellowship’s programs complement and enhance traditional psychiatric care provided in hospital and clinic settings.

If you have any questions about the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected].

The Friends of Kensington Playground May Update

by Jane Comins, Friends of Kensington Playground

Taking the Dwight neighborhood’s only public playground for housing, when there are other building sites available, amounts to environmental injustice. Our efforts to save Kensington Playground from development continue.

Friends of Kensington Playground lawsuit in State court: no updates. We are waiting to hear if the City of New Haven’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit (on the grounds of lack of standing) is granted.

The City of New Haven posted a legal notice in the New Haven Register on 4/18/21:

  • Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds: $250,000 from Housing and Urban Development HOME funds to The Community Builders for both renovation of existing units as well as the new construction on Kensington Playground.
  • Finding of No Significant Impact: Development of Kensington Playground will have no significant impact on surrounding human environment, and an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. We have 15 days to appeal this.

Friends of Kensington Playground hosted two events in April: At the Food Panty and Easter Basket Giveaway, 30 bags of food and 48 Easter baskets were given to local residents. And at our Kid’s Bike Safety Clinic, 13 kids received free bikes, locks, and helmets, and learned how to ride a bicycle safely.

To get involved, donate, and sign our petition, please visit our website: KensingtonPlayground.org.

Protecting Dwight’s only playground from sale and development is costly, even though we have done as much of the work as possible ourselves. Please be as generous as you can. Don’t let the City take this playground for $1 with an illegal process. Take a stand for Democracy. Fight environmental injustice. Require our city, state and federal governments to follow the law.

New Haven Climate Movement Activities

by Chris Schweitzer, New Haven Climate Movement

Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride 2021: We’re excited to share that Rock to Rock is moving ahead for this spring. We are already working with over 15 partner organizations to take real action in response to the climate emergency and raise critical support for local environmental organizations while respecting public health guidance. Register now at https://www.rocktorock.org.

Sign petition to support New Haven Climate Justice and Green Jobs Fund of $1.1 million that would go annually to staff and other expenses related to clean energy jobs creation, energy efficiency, outreach/education/programs (to save families money and create jobs), increased climate education, and transportation improvement (to reduce air pollution and help people get to work/school). https://www.newhavenclimatemovement.org/climate-justice-gj-fund.

Mapping Inequality Project: EPA Environmental Justice and Systemic Racism Speaker Series

EPA is launching the Environmental Justice (EJ) and Systemic Racism Speaker Series. The first session March 4, 12 – 1 p.m., will highlight The Mapping Inequality Project, a unique collaboration on redlining and current environmental challenges that provides publicly-accessible digitized versions of redlining maps for about 200 cities. This project has generated trailblazing work in the area of EJ and systemic racism. Two of its founders discuss the genesis, philosophy, methodology, and impact of this game-changing project.

Speakers will be Dr. Robert Nelson, Director, Digital Scholarship Laboratory, University of Richmond and Dr. LaDale Winling, Associate Professor of History, Virginia Tech. Moderator is Charles Lee, Senior Policy Advisor for Environmental Justice, EPA.

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mapping-inequality-project-tickets-136940963107

The Environmental Justice and Systemic Racism Speaker Series will illustrate how addressing systemic racism is highly relevant to EPA’s mission. This series explores how understanding and addressing systemic racism and the roots of disproportionate environmental and public health impacts is key to integrating EJ in the policies and programs of EPA and other environmental agencies to achieve environmental protection for all people.

The first five sessions will focus on redlining and current environmental challenges. Future topics will include Title VI and civil rights program, EJ research and analysis, rural inequities, and others. Suggestions are welcomed. Registration information for each session forthcoming.

For more information, please contact Charles Lee ([email protected]) or Sabrina Johnson ([email protected]).
For up-to-date information about Environmental Justice funding opportunities, events, and webinars, subscribe to EPA’s Environmental Justice listserv by sending a blank email to: [email protected].

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