WEST HAVEN — The tax office will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 31 for people to pay the first installment of their taxes on the 2009 grand list, which was due July 1.
The extra hours will give residents more time to pay motor vehicle, personal property and real estate taxes, Tax Collector Francis P. Withington said.

BRIDGEPORT — Save the Sound will hold a beach cleanup at the Gathering of the Vibes music festival this weekend at Seaside Park.The cleanup is part of the official Vibes program and will start at 9 a.m. Friday.
Volunteers will meet at the Save the Sound tent, in the nonprofit village and will then work along the park’s shore with trash bags and gloves, collecting litter from the festival and debris that has washed up on shore from the Sound.Coastal cleanups make the shore safer for humans and remove environmentally damaging materials such as cigarette filters, which leach toxins into the water, and plastic bags, which marine animals sometimes mistake for food.
More information about the coastal cleanup program can be found at www.ctenvironment.org/beach-cleanups.cfm.

GUILFORD — The fifth annual Shoreline Jewish Festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. August 1 on the Green.
The festival features various styles of Jewish music, traditional fair food (kosher), an art and book sale, children’s crafts and activities, and information booths from local Jewish organizations, organizers said in a statement.
“The festival celebrates Jewish life and living,” Rabbi Yossi Yaffe, director of Chabad of the Shoreline and coordinator of the event, said in the statement. “The music, the food, the entertainment, people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy it and have come to regard it as a Shoreline summer tradition.”
This year’s musical lineup features Pey Dalid, the What’s Up Band, the Klezmenschen, the Third Temple Band, and the Robert Rogers Puppet Company, the statement said.
“Pey Dalid blends roots, rock, and reggae with traditional Jewish music to create a unique sound. The band’s upbeat and funky melodies, sung both in English and Hebrew, create an energy that gets the audience up on its feet,” the statement said.
The What’s Up Band plays “Jewish-American Rock n’ Roll” in a dynamic, captivating concert that appeals to all ages. Lead singer is Jeff Richter A.K.A. Bobby DooWah, one of the most popular children’s entertainers in the tri-state area. The What’s Up Band strives to inspire and unite Jewish communities with songs of peace and hope, the statement said.
“Back for a second year is The Klezmenschen, a freylekhe (spirited) big band out of Eastern Connecticut. This talented group of brass, strings and woodwinds—led by Roz Etra--plays lively traditional Yiddish and Israeli folk melodies,” the statement said,
“The Third Temple Band weaves a compelling form of musical prayer that speaks to the soul. They play original compositions, adaptations to traditional liturgy, nigunnim (wordless melodies) and Hebrew chants. Richard Gans (piano and lead vocals) leads this group of young musicians, and special guest performer Mike Michaels will join on guitar, vocals and harmonica,” the statement said.
The Robert Rogers Puppet Company will perform stories from the Jewish tradition, holidays and history. “Audiences of all ages delight in these string, hand and rod puppets and the extraordinary way they are brought to life,” the statement said.
Israeli and local artists and artisans will be selling a variety of Judaica, jewelry, art work and unique Israeli products. Books, videos and games of Jewish interest for both children and adults will be available for sale. Festival-goers will be able to choose from a variety of (kosher) fair favorites, including hamburgers, hot dogs, falafel (an Israeli specialty), chicken, knishes, cotton candy, sno cones, and more. Kids will enjoy moonbounces and a variety of themed arts and crafts projects. The program also includes shofar-making presentations, with opportunities to make your own ram’s horn in honor of the upcoming Jewish New Year.
Admission is free and there will be food, crafts, and vendor items are for sale. Boris Mizhen is a primary festival sponsor, the statement said.. Additional sponsorship is provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, the Guilford Savings Bank and Stop & Shop Supermarkets.
For more information, visit www.jewishoreline.org. Artists can reserve a booth for the day for a fee of $85. To help sponsor this unique event, or to reserve a booth, contact Janice Dipollina at (203) 453-5580 or jdchabad@snet.net, or Rabbi Yaffe at chabad@snet.net.

Editor's note: The information in this post was wholly provided by Chabad of the Shoreline

HAMDEN — A Summer Bash for people over age 21 with disabilities will be held 4-7 p.m. Aug. 7 at Brooksvale Park.
The event is sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department and Commission of Disability Rights and Opportunities.
Cost is $6 for all attendees, including staff and caretakers. Registration is required by July 29. Food, refreshments, music and games will be provided.
Attendees must provide their own transportation and chairs and group home staff must stay for event.
The event will be held rain or shine.
Registration forms can be obtained and payments can be sent to Hamden Parks and Recreation, 2750 Dixwell Ave., Hamden 06518.

MILFORD — The 36th annual Milford Oyster Festival will be held, rain or shine, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Aug. 21 downtown.
The rock band Soul Asylum is headlining the entertainment at 3:45 p.m. in Fowler Field, behind the Milford Public Library. Soul Asylum’s Top 20 hits include “Runaway Train,” “Somebody to Shove” and “Black Gold.”
The festival entertainment is free.
Crazy on You, a Heart tribute band opens at 2. The Bernadettes will take the stage at 12:30. The local band will showcase Motown hits, contemporary funk, soul, and R&B songs. Opening the festival’s main stage entertainment at 11:30 a.m. will be Mike Falzone & the Peppermint Trick, a rock band from Stratford.
The festival includes amusement rides and entertainment for children, canoe and kayak races at Milford Harbor, more than 200 arts and crafts vendors from around the country on the Green, a classic car show, an oyster eating and shucking competition and food offered by local nonprofit and civic organizations. There will also be an 80-foot schooner in the harbor for daytime and sunset cruises.
Information on the festival is available at www.milfordoysterfestival.org.

HAMDEN — A fundraiser for the nonprofit American Warriors will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Elks Lodge, 175 School St.
American Warriors is a nonprofit organization that sends World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to see war monuments for free.
The event will be sponsored by American Legion Post 88, the Governor’s Foot Guard and the Elks.
There is a $10 per person donation for the pasta and meatball dinner. Children under 8 will be admitted for free.
For tickets or to make a donation, call Don Tozzo at 203-288-0455, Fred McCarthy at 203-980-5123 or e’mail fred_mc@comcast.net.

MILFORD - A photo exhibit of radio personality Pam Landry's latest photographs will be held for the final two weeks of July at Cafe Atlantique, 33 River St.
The reception for the exhibit will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. July 20.
There will be cash bar and "the Cafe is a great little place in downtown
Milford."

The public is invited to enjoy a “Night of Magic, Mystique and Music,” on Aug. 28 at the Downtown Cabaret Theater, 263 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport.

The production is sponsored by Stratford’s Sterling House Community Center to benefit its community crisis and food pantry programs, organizers said in a statement.

"Headliner will be master hypnotist Dan LaRosa of Middletown, who will demonstrate the funny and dramatic sides of hypnosis," the statement said.


An instructor for the National Guild of Hypnotists and a member of the International Association of Counselors and Therapists, LaRosa's theatrical performances are captivating, thought-provoking and fun for audiences, the statement said.
Also appearing will be magician Jim Sisti of Beacon Falls, who has been performing his brand of comedy magic and mentalism for 25 years, the statement said.

He has appeared in local nightspots and comedy clubs, a well as on the off-Broadway stage.
"Sisti is a writer and inventor, is the author of three best-selling books on magic, as well as the inventor of numerous magic tricks that have been in use by magicians in this country and abroad," the statemen said.

The evening also will include music and dancing.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m., followed by the performance at 8 p.m.
Tickets at $35 per person, with reserved seating only, and are available at Sterling House, 2283 Main St., Stratford.
Guests are invited to bring snacks and beverages.
For information, contact Sterling House Special Events coordinator Patty Calabrese at 203-378-2606, ext. 107, or at pcalabrese@sterlinghouse cc.org.

ORANGE — Former Armstrong Tires employees will gather once again this week to share favorite stories of their working days.
Celebrating its 29th anniversary, the Armstrong-Pirelli Tires reunion will take place from noon to 5 p.m. July 17 at High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Road, in the rear field pavilion. Tickets for the catered event are $22 in advance, and $27 at the door. For more information, call John Langrieger at (203) 795-1611.

Kids are the stars of this show

STRATFORD - The Square One Theatre Company’s Teen Theatre troupe will present its 4th annual production, a series of contemporary plays in a staged, readers theatre format. Back to Square One Readers Theatre Festival will run from July 15 - July 17 for four performances only, according to a statement.
"The theatre company is an off-shoot of the 20-year-old Square One Theatre and is supported, in part, by a special grant from The Milford Bank," the statement said. "The festival will be completely teen produced, acted and directed."
Square One Artistic Director Tom Holehan said, also in the statement, “We are excited and happy to continue our sponsorship of a younger generation of actors and directors in producing live theatre in Stratford during the summer.”
The schedule for the readers theatre festival: July 15 at 8 p.m., "Four Dogs and a Bone," John Patrick Shanley’s hilarious Hollywood satire; July 16 at 8 p.m., "The Book of Liz," by Amy and David Sedaris; July 17 at 2 p.m. "Proof," the Pulitzer Prize winning drama by David Auburn; July 17 at 8 p.m., an original trio of comedies by teen playwrights, "Conscription" by Justin Santore and "Good Therapy Bad Therapist" and
"Hi My Name Is...," by Conor Bartram, the statement said.
The young cast of the theatre festival includes Stratford residents Jillian Vale, Ryan Marcone, Brendan Rooney, Chelsea Holtz, Tory Tallberg, Michael Brelsford, Maggie Reilly, Joey Welchand, TJ Riordan, Katie Kirtland, of North Haven and Ryan Downs of Hamden. Directors for the production are Casey Miko and TJ Riordan, both of Stratford.
Performances are scheduled at the Square One Theatre Company, 2422 Main St.
Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for current Square One subscribers and $7 for students/seniors, the statement said.
For more information and ticket reservations call: 203-816-8241.

In photo, seated l-r, Ryan Downes and Casey Miko and standing, l-r,Tory Tallberg and Jillian Valle

In photo, l-r, Chelsea Holtz, Joey Welch, Maggie Reilly and T.J. Riordan

MILFORD - The Milford Police Department Crime Prevention Unit has offered information on state laws regarding sparklers.

Sparklers, police said, are "defined as any sparkling device of not more than 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item and which are non-explosive and non-aerial, are legal and may be sold, purchased or used, only by persons 16 years of age or older," police said in a statement.

"Novelty items such as bottle rockets, fire crackers, smoke bombs and 'snakes' remain illegal to possess and discharge, the statement said.

Whilethe state statute allows use of sparklers, they may be handled or used only by persons 16 years of age or older, the statement said.

"Kids should never play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach 1,800° Fahrenheit (982° Celsius) — hot enough to melt gold," the statement said. "Sparklers, fountains, and novelties alone accounted for 53 percent of the emergency room fireworks injuries in 2008. Over 84 percent of fireworks injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involve fireworks that federal regulations permit consumers to use."

Police also warned that "fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction." "Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest. Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time. The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period," the statement said.

Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals, the statement said.

Milford Police will have extra patrols on duty during the July 4th holiday to enforce the state laws and city ordinances concerning fireworks, the statement said.

"Many fireworks are potentially fatal and even sparklers can cause serious burns. Parents should know that they could be held responsible for their children’s involvement in illegal firework activity," the statement said

ORANGE — The Orange Clean Energy Task Force aims to help people save money on monthly electric bills while promoting clean energy.
- Go to http://www.ctenergyinfo.com/dpuc_energy_efficiency_programs.htm and click on the "UI residential customers" link and then click on "choose an electric supplier" to save 5 to 10 percent.
- Go to http://orangecleanenergy.wikispaces.com/Sign-Up and sign up for the clean energy option. With this option, UI must offset the amount of energy you use with clean energy offset purchases. The savings from the alternative provider will pay for the clean energy option according to the commission.
For every 100 people who sign up for the energy offsets the town will get a free 1KW solar array. Solar arrays generate free energy to help the town save money so it can stretch your tax dollars. Bethany and Woodbridge have already earned 20 free solar arrays. Bethany alone is saving over $3000 a year.
The Orange Clean Energy Task Force was launched in 2005 by the Board of Selectmen to help the town switch to acquiring 20 percent of its energy from clean sources by 2010.

Editor's note: The information in this post was wholly provided

MILFORD — Lauralton Hall has been awarded a Historic Preservation Technical Assistance Grant from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.
This is the second grant the school has received from the state to aid in restoring the historic barn on the Lauralton campus and to assist the school in the cost of the restoration and re-use of the barn.
Various donors and Lauralton Hall supporters have matched the grant funds, which was a requirement. A total of $27,400 has been raised to use toward the next phase in the renovation.
Lauralton Hall interim Director of Development Patricia J. Rooney, said in a statement, “We are thrilled to be receiving so much support from the state of Connecticut as well as from local historic organizations, the city of Milford, and loyal Lauralton donors.”
The historic barn is the only one of its kind in the state. Built in 1864 by Charles Hobby Pond, it is an example of the Victorian Gothic period.
In November, the cupola which was atop of the barn was lifted off for repairs. Then the roof of the barn was covered with a tarp in an effort to prevent further damage from the elements.
Once the barn is fully restored for adaptive reuse, the school intends to use the space possibly as a performing arts center.

Editor's note: The information in this post was provided