Child ID Program from New York Life at Bridgeport Public Library The Bridgeport Public Library is sponsoring a free child ID program courtesy of New York Life. This FREE program is family friendly and fun. Children are digitally fingerprinted and photographed to make ID cards that are then given to parents. In the event of an emergency the parents have the child’s photo, fingerprints, and other pertinent information needed by the police.   There is no cost for families to participate.   This program will take place at the following library locations.   Saturday, January 7 10:30 p.m.  Burroughs and Saden, (Downtown) Children’s Room 925 Broad Street   Saturday, January 7   1:30 p.m.    Newfield Branch 1230 Stratford Avenue   Saturday, January 14   1:30 p.m.   Old Mill Green Branch 1677-... 01/04/2012

            BCC PROGRAM SCHEDULE Winter 2012     NEEDLE CRAFTS CLUB   WHEN: Saturday, January 7th TIME: 12:30-3pm Cost: No Charge   If you have a project in progress, bring it to show. Help brainstorm ideas for communal crafts!       CHESS CLUB   WHEN: Monday Evenings: January 9, 16 & 30 ; February 13 & 27 ; March 5 & 19 TIME: 7:00-10:00pm COST: No charge      YOGA CLASS     WHEN: Monday Evenings beginning January 9th TIME: 5:45-6:45pm COST: $12 per class   Hatha yoga class led by a certified Kripalu teacher.  Concentrates on flexibility, balance, strength and stress reduction.   FRENCH COOKING CLASS   A series of 4 classes offered in the Burroughs Kitchen. Offered by noted Black Rock French Chef Celine Derreumaux.   WHEN: Wednesday evenings January 18, February 1, 15 & 29. TIME: 6:30-8... 01/04/2012

      Please contact eabc@optonline.net to reserve a space in a class–space is limited Please check website for more information on “getting started”  www.blackrockyoga.com All levels of yoga students are welcome to participate in hatha yoga classes taught by a Kripalu certified yoga instructor, Edie Cassidy.  Classes are offered in Black Rock at Black Rock Pilates, 2889 Fairfield Ave., Edie’s studio at 245 Ellsworth St or Burroughs Community Center Mats, blocks and straps are available at the studios but each practitioner is urged to bring his/her own mat. SCHEDULE:  Beginning the week of January 9th, 2012        DAY                   CLASS TYPE                     TIME                      LOCATION         Monday             Beginners/level 1              5:45pm                   Burr... 01/03/2012

Gail Robinson, GRI,e-Pro | William Raveis Real Estate | (203) 521-0768 62 Prescott St, Bridgeport, CT Historic Colonial with Arts & Crafts influence. Spacious rooms with 9' ceilings, great flow. High end renovations. 3BR/1+1BA Single Family House offered at $318,900 Year Built 1918 Sq Footage 1,632 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 1 partial Floors Unspecified Parking Unspecified Lot Size 5,000 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Historic Colonial with Arts & Crafts influence built in 1918 and spectacularly updated while maintaining historic details. New Pella windows with historic arched panes. New kitchen with maple Kraftsmaid cabinets, Corian counters, Leibherr stainless steel refrigerator, Bosch range and dishwasher, and pantry with Kraftsmaid cabinets. 30' living room with fireplac... 12/30/2011

Gail Robinson, GRI,e-Pro | William Raveis Real Estate | (203) 521-0768 81 Nash Ln # 4, Bridgeport, CT 24' living/dining room with bay window on quiet street. 1 BR, 1 BA with updated kitchen and enclosed porch. 1BR/1BA Co-Op offered at $92,000 Year Built 1918 Sq Footage 750 Bedrooms 1 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $444 per month DESCRIPTION Light-filled end unit on quiet dead end street. Full-sized W/D in unit. Updated kitchen w. gas stove. Enclosed porch overlooking courtyard. Large living room/dining room area with four windows including new bay window. Seller financing available. Common charges of $444/mo. include heat, hot water, and property taxes! Gas, hot water heat. Board approval required. see additional photos below PRO... 12/30/2011

The Black Rock Library is an historic and beautifully renovated building with state-of-the-art computer facilities and meeting rooms.  The building would mean nothing without the dedicated efforts of the staff to bring wonderful events throughout the year.  They have something for every age group.  This holiday season they will showing "A Muppet Christmas Carol" for children of all ages to enjoy.  Black Rock is known for having a strong community and our library is one of the places that bring us all together. Thursday, December 29th6:00 PMBlack Rock Branch FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT — A MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL Enjoy the delightful Muppet Christmas Carol starring Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cratchit and Michael Caine as the Bah Humbug himself, Ebenezer Scrooge! A family f... 12/25/2011

The Bijou Theatre is the oldest building in the United States that was built and continues to operate as a movie house and theatre. It has been extensively renovated and recently opened as part of a planned development of landmark buildings, retail stores and restaurants, and apartments.  Downtown Bridgeport has a lively nightlife, which makes it attractive to those who desire an urban lifestyle.   “A Christmas Carol” is being presented as a live stage production at the Bijou Theatre in downtown Bridgeport on December 25, 5:00pm – 7:30pm.  The Bijou Theatre is located at 275 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport.  This is not an adaptation, but the actual original story as written by Charles Dickens and abridged by him for public readings.    An ode to Christmas past, Timothy Deenihan's one m... 12/25/2011

Thursday, January 26th2:00 – 4:00 PMBlack Rock Branch Homeowners Assistance Program Are you having trouble paying your mortgage? The FSW’s, Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP), in partnership with the City of Bridgeport, provides a grant of up to $4,000 to Bridgeport homeowners who are at least 60 days behind in their mortgage payments and are temporarily in a demonstrable financial crisis situation. versión en español Who Can Qualify? Must be a Bridgeport homeowner and live in the home for which you arerequesting assistance. Must be willing and able to provide documentation regarding financial situation. Must be willing to complete budget counseling and financial education classes. Applicants will be served on a first come first served basis. This service is free of charge. For more in... 12/23/2011

Thursday, January 19th6:30 – 8:00 PMBlack Rock Branch Home of the Happy Dancers – The story of Black Rock’s own Ritz Ballroom Join Author Jeffery C. Williams for a discussion and signing of his new book - Home of the Happy Dancers -The story of Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Ritz Ballroom – a new book written by Jeff commemorating this year’s 50th anniversary of the Ritz closing. This large, museum-quality, hard-cover pictorial scrapbook uses both black & white and color illustrations, newspaper articles, and the remembrances of both celebrities and former Ritz patrons to present a nostalgic and memory-filled history of Bridgeport’s most famous dance palace. Written by radio personality and producer Jeffrey C. Williams, this large, hard-cover volume traces the history of the Ritz through his... 12/23/2011

Wednesday, January 18th 1:00 PMBlack Rock Branch Food for Thought – Book Discussion The Black Rock Branch Library’s lunchtime book club meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM - bring your brown bag lunch, we will provide coffee, tea and dessert. Our next book up for discussion is: The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler Swedish Detective Inspector Joona Linna investigating the murders of three family members, whose killing was witnessed by a fourth intended victim, a traumatized child whose shock Linna hopes to penetrate through a controversial hypnotism session. Call the library today and reserve your copy: 203 337-9676 . Upcoming books: Wednesday, Febuary 16th1:00 PMBlack Rock Branch The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society “Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows have written a won... 12/23/2011

Tuesday, January 17th7:00 PMBlack Rock Branch Israel and the West Bank A First Hand Look – Presented by Maxine and Donald Greenberg Bridgeport residents Maxine and Donald Greenberg have recently returned from a trip to Israel with a group from Rabbis for Human Rights. The ten day trip explored conditions for Palestinians on the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The trip included a two night stay with a family on the West bank. The group helped plant olive trees on the West bank and saw firsthand the conditions under which the population lives on the west Bank. Their talk will be a report on what is happening on the West bank and the erosion of civil liberties in Israel itself. Maxine Greenberg is a Ct Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Diplomate in Clinical Social Work at the Center for Indiv... 12/23/2011

Thursday, January 12th6:30 PMBlack Rock Branch No Country for Old Men Texan cowboy Llewellyn Moss finds himself a hunted man when he stumbles upon some dead bodies and makes off with $2 million. On his trail are a weary sheriff and a psychopathic killer who likes to use a cattle gun on his victims in this contemporary western. Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh BrolinMiramax Films; Directed by Joel Coen & Ethan CoenRated R; 122 minutes; 2007 Black Rock Branch2705 Fairfield Ave.Bridgeport, CT 06605(203) 337-9676 12/23/2011

The Black Rock Library is a wonderful place for learning, including learning about holiday celebrations besides Christmas.  Black Rock Library's dedicated Chlidren's Librarian Bina Williams along with Pearlye Sams Allen explain Kwanzaa in a engaging way.  Tuesday, January 3rd6:30 – 7:30 PMBlack Rock Branch Kwanzaa with Pearlye Sams Allen: an Interactive Presentation Join Pearlye Sams Allen and the Children’s Librarian Bina Williams in a celebration of the principles of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture so bring the whole family. Refreshments will be served. Black Rock Branch2705 Fairfield Ave.Bridgeport, CT 06605(203) 337-9676 12/23/2011

*Tuesday, December 27th & January 3rd10:30 AM – 11:30 AMBlack Rock Branch Free Computer Classes for Beginners The Black Rock Branch Library announces a series of free computer classes designed for beginners. All classes begin at 10:30 AM or and will last approximately 1 hour. Space is limited so register for one or more classes now. Call: (203) 337-9676. * Regular Monday morning classes will resume on January 9th at 10:30 AM.   Topics covered will include: Computer Basics Intro to the Internet Email Social Media Microsoft Word/Excel Desktop computers will be provided for all students. Black Rock Branch2705 Fairfield Ave.Bridgeport, CT 06605(203) 337-9676 12/23/2011

The Fayerweather Yacht Club has always been known as the "working man's yacht club."  I've been a member for a number of years.  My husbnd and I no longer have our sailboat, but we enjoy the camaraderie of the members and the beautiful facility.   Costs are reasonable for membership and events as you can see below: Sunday December 18 – Children’s Christmas Party:  Bring the kids down to meet Santa at FYC, as this is always a great event for the entire family.  Food will be available for the kids, face painters, balloon animals and Santa will be delivering each child a present.  Each child must have a ticket and make sure to complete the sign-up sheet so your child will receive a present from Santa.  There will also be face painting, balloon twisting, arts/crafts and a caricature artist... 12/10/2011

Here are some upcoming events at various Bridgeport Public Library locations. Tuesday, December 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, The Black Rock Branch Library, 2705 Fairfield Avenue presents: Homeowners Assistance Program. Are you having trouble paying your mortgage? The FSW’s, Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP), in partnership with the City of Bridgeport, provides a grant of up to $4,000 to Bridgeport homeowners who are at least 60 days behind in their mortgage payments and are temporarily in a demonstrable financial crisis situation. This service is free of charge for Bridgeport homeowners. For more information contact: Blanca Herrera-Rodrigues at (203) 368-5529.   Wednesday, December 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, The North Branch Library, 3455 Madison Avenue presents: Homeowners Assistance P... 12/08/2011

The Black Rock Community Council has been sponsoring a tree lighting ceremony with a visit from Santa, entertainment, and refreshments for as long as I can remember and I've been living in Black Rock for 30 years.  It's a special celebration that brings all of our community together.  Don't miss it.  To continue to on the Wassail Party after the tree trimming, you must be a member of the Black Rock Community Council, but the dues are modest. 12/03/2011

Downtown Bridgeport has become the "go to" place over the past few years in Greater Bridgeport.  The City has long focused on revitalizing it's downtown area, with the belief that if you "build it, they will come."  This has in fact been the case with new restaurants, cafes, theatres, art galleries, and events. On December 8th from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM come celebrate Bridgeport's Downtown Holiday Tree and Menorah Lighting at McLevy Green.  Join Mayor Finch, his family and Santa at the annual Downtown Holiday Tree and Menora Lighting.  Festivities include performances by the Park City Drum and Bugle Corps, Central High School Choir, Lighthouse Children's Gospel Choir and the Bridgeport Theatre Company.   12/02/2011

Thursday, December 8th at 5:00 PM, The Black Rock Branch Library, 2705 Fairfield Avenue presents: The second annual Black Rock Rotary and Library Holiday Party. Santa will be here so feel free to bring your camera for a photo with the jolly man in the red suit! Refreshments and other surprises!  Contact Miss Bina: 203-337-9676 11/29/2011

The first train should leave the platform at the new Fairfield Metro Station on Monday, December 5.  This has been a long time coming!  There is no word yet on when regular service will begin or details on when the 1,440 parking space permits will be issued.  Also up in the air is whether there will be Express Service to Grand Central from this new stop.   From a real estate perspective, this is good news as a new stop on a train line tends to increase property values within a one mile radius of the train station by 14-18% according to studies.  These are unusual times, so it remains to be seen what kind of impact the train station will actually have on property values, but listing agents are reporting an increase in showings of Black Rock properties and buyer agents are noticing more ... 11/26/2011