According to the Commercial Record, CT foreclosure filings are up in November. Foreclosure Deeds climbed 16 percent over November 2008, and Lis Pendens filings (the start of the foreclosure process) were up 22 percent over last November, and we are up 31.2% on the year. With our unemployment remaining high and more layoffs coming as companies reshuffle at end of year, someone you know likely needs help. You can get copies of my Free Reports at www.ForeclosureFreeWorld.com 1- Options and Solutions for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure 2- Foreclosure versus Short Sales - Homeowner Consequences 3- The 7 Most Dangerous Myths Regarding Short Sales 4- 3 Must Have Qualifications For Short Sales 5- The 7 Biggest Short Sale Pitfalls 6- The Truth About Mortgage Modification 7- Short Sale versus Deed ... 12/27/2009

Tuesday January 19th 6:30 - 8:00 PM   Cosmic Discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope   Join us for a discussion and viewing of some of the awe inspiring discoveries of the Hubble Telescope with David Mestre, Discovery Museum Manager of Space Science Education.   The Black Rock Branch Library 2705 Fairfield Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06605 (203) 377-9676 http://bportlibrary.org/branches/blackrock/ A Gathering Place for the Entire Community Source: http://www.blackrockonine.org Black Rock's Community Blog Fairfield County, Connecticut     12/21/2009

Tuesday, January 26th 6:30 - 8:00 PM   Traditional Chinese Culture Seminar   China, a country rich in culture, history, and tradition, is one of the world's oldest civilizations. The seminar introduces the important aspects of traditional Chinese philosophy and religion, classical Chinese dance and martial arts, as well as to other important topics pertaining to language, family, and science / technology / medicine. Multimedia materials are integrated with PowerPoint presentations, and class discussions to enable everyone to gain a better understanding of traditional Chinese culture.     Presented by: Tracey Zhu, Vice President of Connecticut Chinese Culture Association William Cheung, President of Connecticut Chinese Culture Association   The Black Rock Branch Library 2705 Fairfield A... 12/21/2009

Thursday, January 28th 6:30 - 8:00 PM Community Forum - Wines of the World Please join us for a fascinating discussion and even more fascinating tasting of - Wines of the World with renowned wine connoisseur and Black Rock resident Mark Tillinger. Sponsored by the Arts and Entertainment Committee of the Black Rock NRZ. The Black Rock Branch Library 2705 Fairfield Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06605 (203) 377-9676 http://bportlibrary.org/branches/blackrock/ A Gathering Place for the Entire Community Source: http://www.blackrockonine.org Black Rock's Community Blog Fairfield County, Connecticut     12/21/2009

Tuesday February 2nd 6:30 - 8:00 PM RFK in the Land of Apartheid: A Ripple of Hope Black History Month Celebration Kickoff Event RFK in the Land of Apartheid: A Ripple of Hope explores the impact of Senator Robert F. Kennedy's visit to South Africa in 1966 during the worst years of Apartheid. This penetrating documentary makes connections between the Anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa and the American Civil Rights Movement. Filmmaker Larry Shore will be present to introduce the film and answer questions. (2009, 56min.) http://www.rfksafilm.org/ The Black Rock Branch Library 2705 Fairfield Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06605 (203) 377-9676 A Gathering Place for the Entire Community http://bportlibrary.org/branches/blackrock Source: www.blackrockonline.org Black Rock's Community Blog Fairfi... 12/21/2009

12/20/2009

Acoustic Cafe, 2926 Fairfield Avenue, Black Rock (203-335-3655) - Bluegrass and Beer with Hoe on Thursday. December 17.  Nicollette Varanelli and Shane Hines on Friday, December 18. (203) 335-3655, www.acousticafe.com.  Litle Joe's Cafe, 2770 Fairfield Avenue, Black Rock (203-335-2395) - Greg Sherrod Band on Friday, December 18.  Ray Kelly's Pub, 2720 Fairfield Avenue, Black Rock (203-333-6278) - Maxx'ed Out on Friday, December 18 and Bail Out on Saturday, December 19.    Source:  www.blackrockonline.org  Black Rock Community Blog 12/17/2009

Wondering what your kids can do during school vacation week after they get bored with all their new toys, clothes and books? Trying to find things to do with your visiting relatives? Come to the Black Rock Branch Library for our first ever Vacation Week Extravaganza. See the attached flyer for the specifics. We will also have Little Rocks story hour for kids 3 and under as usual on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. December 28  1 PM  Movie Matinee:  Charlie Brown Christmas & How the Grinch Stole Christmas December 29:   1 PM Movie Matinee: Elf December 29:  6 PM  Terrific Tuesday: Surprise Night December 30:  1 PM Movie Matinee: Muppet Christmas Carol December 31:  1 PM  Movie Matinee: Home Alone Note: All library locations close at 5 PM on 12/31/09  The Children's Room Staff Black Rock Branch Li... 12/17/2009

Santa Claus is coming to the Black Rock Branch Library. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. along with the Community Food Drive.  Bring your camera to take pictures of the whole family with Jolly Old Saint Nick himself.  We'll have some seasonally appropriate festivities to go along with the visit!  Child's admission:  one can or box of non-perishable food for the two local food banks.       Black Rock Branch Library 2705 Fairfield Avenue  Bridgeport, CT 06605  (203) 337-9676  A Gathering Place for the Entire Community   Source:  www.blackrockonline.org  Black Rock Community Blog Fairfield County, Connecticut 12/14/2009

Candlelight Holiday De-Stress ClassWednesday December 16th at 7pmJoin us for an evening of Pilates by candlelight, enjoy some herbal tea and melt away all your Holiday Stress.  We will be accepting donations of new or gently used hardcover children's books or a monetary donation for the Bridgeport Library. Sunday Morning CORE classSunday December 20th at 10amJoin us on a Sunday Morning for a CORE Pilates Class.  The Class is FREE, Simply bring in a non-perishable food donations (monetary donations accepted as well) to be donated to the Black Rock Food Pantry(if you can't make these classes any donations to the Library or Pantry will happily be collected all month) Black Rock Pilates Studio 2889 Fairfield Ave., in Black Rock  (Above Port Coffee House) 203-335-1987 Source:  www.blackrocko... 12/14/2009

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO JOIN US on Tuesday December 15th  6:30 - 8:00 PM for "Artist Talk and Reception - ONE WEEK'S CASUALTIES" presented in conjunction with: The Gallery at Black Rock.  Don't miss the closing week artist talk and reception for Bridgeport artist Peter Konsterlie's deeply moving exhibit:"ONE WEEK'S CASUALTIES". About the time Konsterlie lost a high school friend to suicide, Konsterlie discovered a Life Magazine article full of photos of soldiers who died in one week's time in the Vietnam War (May 28th- June 3, 1969).  "One weeks Casualties" is an epic series of portraits (242) that Peter Konsterlie created over a two month period.       Black Rock Branch Library 2705 Fairfield Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06605   (203) 337-9676   A Gathering Place for the Entire Community   Sourc... 12/14/2009

Jill Nichols artwork will be at the Harborview Market through the month of December.  She plans on being at the market early this Saturday and Sunday mornings. Please stop in for a cup of coffee. Also, Erika will be joining her to sell our fused glass jewelry. Jill still has a few works at Framemakers in Black Rock, the Laura Barton Gallery and Geary Gallery, plus her prints can be purchased at the Fairfield Women's Exchange. It is not too late to order your prints for Christmas presents.... For those of you headed to Vermont please stop in at Gallery 103 in Chester to see her Vermont artwork. Also, please help her support our local radio station WPKN. There is a silent auction of her print The Race at Framemakers through December 23rd. There is already a starting bid of $100.00-let's s... 12/14/2009

The Parks Commission met this evening at the North End Library, but they didn't have a quorum so were unable to vote on the plans, but since so many people attended they decided to use the time to provide a public forum on the Ellsworth Field plans.  Eleven people spoke during the public portion, some were in favor of the plans and others had concerns.  The new restroom/concession/storage building is smaller in size and L-shaped.  There will be lighting under the eaves of the building, but the lighting in the rest of the park has been eliminated.  The splash park is still in the plans, but may not be built because of the cost.  12/08/2009

Ignorance truly is bliss, but sometimes the facts come searching for you. This is what the Guarneri family found when their father, Carl, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four months ago. And those facts were devastating.  According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, an estimated 76% of patients will die within one year of diagnosis. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and carries the highest mortality rate of all major cancers. But, even more startling, is the lack of awareness and funding for the disease. Only 2% of the National Cancer Institute's budget is allocated to this leading killer and, currently, there are no early detection or screening exams available for pancreatic cancer. What there is, is one determined family mak... 12/08/2009

The Black Rock Garden Club wants to thank COLORBLENDS BULBS and Lisa Miro, Conservation Coordinator for the City, for contributing over 400 bulbs to us for planting in Black Rock! They were donated to us with the proviso that they be planted ASAP in Black Rock.  The Van Renesses, Garden Club members, have donated their time to plant at a variety of spots including the former Black Rock Art Center, the Black Rock Branch Library, the circle on Brewster St, and in St Mary's planters. We continue to Beautify Black Rock with Bulbs!  Thanks all!! Source: www.blackrockonline.org  Black Rock's Community Blog 12/07/2009

There's a lot going on this December at the Black Rock Branch Library.  Please take a few moments to check out our exciting December schedule of programs at the newly renovated Black Rock Branch Library. Since we reopened this past July we have endeavored to provide a wide variety of fun and informative programs and this December is no exception. In addition to our programs the Black Rock Branch Library is a full service facility providing a wide range of library services to the diverse and vibrant community in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. These services include books, AV materials, computer access and Wi-Fi capability throughout the building.      *       Thursday December 3rd 6:30 - 8:00 PM  "MEET THE AUTHOR"  Please join us for a signing and discussion of Bridgeport author A... 12/07/2009

We will have the Small Works Show Opening Reception on Friday December 4th with Poetry Reading by Christopher Scott Baldwin. Show opens at 6pm, December 5th Poetry Reading by Professor Janet Krauss at 2:00, December 6th, Face Painting By Holly Osuch Tailor from 2-4 pm and Ms. Rebecca Brody, The Love Coach from 1-4 pm. Come celebrate the  1st Annual Holiday Art Trail.  Our Gift Shop is now open with lots of gift's priced perfect !!!    Framemakers Picture Framing and Art Gallery, 3142 Fairfield Ave. Black Rock, Bridgeport, CT   203-338-0332 Source:  www.blackrockonline.org Black Rock's Community Blog 12/07/2009

Santa Claus is coming to the Black Rock Branch Library. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. along with the Community Food Drive.  Bring your camera to take pictures of the whole family with Jolly Old Saint Nick himself.  We'll have some seasonally appropriate festivities to go along with the visit!  Child's admission:  one can or box of non-perishable food for the two local food banks.             Black Rock Branch Library 2705 Fairfield Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06605 (203) 337-9676 A Gathering Place for the Entire Community   Source:  www.blackrockonline.org    Black Rock's Community Blog 12/07/2009

The Annual Tree Lighting in Black Rock at flagpole (Grovers & Brewster) was held on Sunday, December 6.  Attended by over 200 residents of Black Rock.  Children's choir, roasted chestnuts, bonfire, mulled cider, tree lighting, and of course, Santa came on a red fire truck.  The ornaments at the top of the tree were made by classmates at Longfellow School of the children who died in the fire at P.T. Barnum Apartments recently.             Source:  www.blackrockonline.org  Black Rock's Community Blog 12/07/2009

Conservation Efforts In Ash Creek View more presentations from Ash Creek Conservation Assoc.   12/05/2009