Milan Bull of the Connecticut Audubon Society led a lively spring birding walk for the Ash Creek Conservation Association on Tuesday the 12th of May. Miley led the group of about 15 on a leisurely stroll along the sand spit at the beginning of St. Mary’s by the Sea and then back up along ash Creek. Despite an early threat of rain the evening proved to be just wonderful. We started with an introduction to the local gulls and how you can tell how old they are as their plumage changes from mottled brown to grey and white. Miley then discussed the value of salt marshes in general, and ash creek in particular, and how they provide habitat for local birds. We also discussed the dune grass restoration project and its importance for birds specifically and as an ecologically significant improvem... 06/04/2009

This Friday June 5th will be the first Black Rock Artwalk of the season.   The Gallery at Black Rock will host the last night for Frank Foster Post's Ministers of Funk show. Come out and visit us, have a glass of wine!  Alsol just 2 doors down Port Coffeehouse will feature the Mike Hurd Memorial Exhibit.  Stunning photographic work by Mike Hurd.  Mr. Hurd was taken by cancer about six months ago.  Proceeds of the exhibit will go to Swim Across the Sound.  Any questions give Ellen Walsh of The Gallery at Black Rock a call at 203.814.6856.  Come out and support Black Rocks Art scene. Art Walk will be held on the first and third Fridays in June until September from 6-9 pm along the avenue.  For more information visit www.blackrockartwalk.org 06/04/2009

Captain's Cove, 1 Bostwick Avenue (203-335-7104) - Chris Barber on Thursday at 6 PM; Ian Campbell on Friday at 6 PM; Parrot Head Party on Saturday at 1 PM; Remember September on Sunday at 3 PM; Tangled Vine on Sunday at 7 PM. The Field Restaurant, 3001 Fairfield Avenue (203-333-0043) - Tangled Vine on Friday and Renard Bouissiere and John Hickey on Saturday. Ray Kelly's Pub, 2720 Fairfield Avenue (203-333-6278) - The Analog Kids on Friday night  and See it Live on Saturday night   06/04/2009

The Acoustic Café, 2926 Fairfield Avenue (203-335-3655) - Bluegrass and Beer with Hoe on Thursday night (5/28) at 7 PM; Quicksand Collective, Spiral City, Sam Blanchette on Friday night (5/29) at 9 PM; Strange Tribe, Big Moon on Saturday (5/30) at 9 PM.  There will also be an Open Mic night on Tuesday (6/2) at 8 PM. Captain's Cove, 1 Bostwick Avenue (203-335-7104) - Steve Gregory on Thursday at 6 PM; Chris Barber on Friday at 6 PM; ALS Benefit IV with Full Circle, Gravity, Gerald Goode, Seth Adam on Saturday at 6 PM; The Navels with Big Dave on Sunday at 3 PM; Hot House on Sunday at 7 PM. The Field Restaurant, 3001 Fairfield Avenue (203-333-0043) - Give Us the Money, Lebowski, on Friday and Jam Nation on Saturday. Harborview Market, 217 Harborview Avenue (203-367-7336) - Ryan Collins at... 05/28/2009

9 am   Run for the Rock 5k Road Race.  12 noon   Bed Race And Parade (details to follow) 1 pm-6 pm   Celebration at Ellsworth Field (includes food, music, drum & bugle presentation, lots of kid's activities and much more!) Entertainment featuring What Up Funk as the headlining band!  This Year's Theme-Black Rock goes Green!!  We encourage everyone who participates or attends this year's event to be green in some way.  Think of the four R's-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover! Black Rock Day 2009, Sunday, 6/14/09  - In memory of Jan Williams The Williams Family was instrumental in the creation of Black Rock Day back in 1976 under the direction of the Black Rock Community Council's first president Kaye Williams (Jan's father). Throughout the years, Jan continued to be an active and enthusi... 05/14/2009

Volume Two of Fairfield Weekly's Reader Poll for the Best of Fairfield County 2009 reveals more Black Rock winners.  65,000 readers of the Fairfield Weekly cast their votes and Black Rock had a strong showing: Capricorn Comics   Best Comic Book Store  (#1) 3002 Fairfield Avenue  Phone:  203-334-5566   Harborview Market   Best Place to Buy Newspapers & Magazines (#2) 218 Harborview Avenue  Phone:  203-367-7336   Dr. Kristine DeMarco   Best Chiropractor (#1) Black Rock Holistic Health Center, 825 Kings Highway, Fairfield  Phone:  203-333-6544 www.demarcochiropractic.com   Ash Creek Animal Hospital & Spa   Best Kennel (#1), Best Veternarian (#1) 3290 Fairfield Avenue  Phone:  203-333-2195 www.ashcreekanimalhospital.com   Happy Tails   Best Pet Boutique (#1) 3008 Fairfield Avenue  Phone:  2... 05/14/2009

Acoustic Cafe, 2626 Fairfield Avenue, 335-3655 - Thursday, May 14, Cystic Fibrosis Benefit with Tim Palmieri starts at 8 PM; Friday, May 15, Kind Buds, Darien Cunning perform at 9 PM; Saturday, May 16, Titles, Consider the Source perform at 9 PM; Tuesday, May 19 is Open Mic night starting at 8 PM. Captain's Cove, 1 Bostwick Avenue, 335-7104 - Saturday, May 16, Tony Gabriel performs at 6 PM; Chris Barber performs at 6 PM, What Up Funk band performs at 9 PM; Sunday, May 17, The Bernadettes perform at 3 PM The Field Restaurant, 3001 Fairfield Avenue, 333-9943 - Mystic Bowie on Friday, May 15; Otherwise, Steep Grade on Saturday, May 17 Ray Kelly's Pub, 2720 Fairfield Avenue, 333-6278 - Friday, May 15, Irish Stew Band; Saturday, May 17, Tom Crowley performs. 05/14/2009

A number of Black Rock businesses won in their categories in Fairfield County Weekly's annual survey.  Volume One was just published.  We will update this post when Volume Two is published next week.  There were approximately 100 categories in Volume One with first, second, and third place winners.  Black Rock totally rocked in several categories.  First, of all, we took #1, #2, and #3 -- all three places in BEST PLACE FOR BREAKFAST.  Actually 17% of the first place winners were in BLACK ROCK!  That is pretty amazing for 1.3 square miles of land.  We really do have one of the best places to live given the Sound, the Ash Creek tidal estuary, two yacht clubs, a marina, and all these fabulous places for the arts, entertainment, and dining.  Not to mention the fact that we enjoy seeing each... 05/08/2009

The Acoustic Café, 2926 Fairfield Avenue (335-3655) - Seth Adam, The Mercury See, Mike Cusato, Tim Burton on Thursday night (5/7) at 9 PM - Brown Rice Family, Green Stripe on Friday night (5/8) at 9 PM, Rambunction with John Hickey, Steep Grade on Saturday (5/9) at 9 PM.  There will also be an Open Mic night on Tuesday (5/12) at 8 PM. Ray Kelly's Pub, 2720 Fairfield Avenue (333-6278) - Citizen Jane on Friday night (5/8) and Shakedown on Saturday night (5/9) Harborview Market, 217 Harborview Avenue (367-7336) - Ryan Collins at 10 AM on Sunday morning (5/10) 05/07/2009

Connecticut Lawn Painting www.CTlawnpainting.com Hello, I own a couple of 3 family houses in Bridgeport CT. and a couple of months ago I received a letter from the fire Marshall requesting access into my properties to do an inspection. He explained that they were conducting random inspections on all 3 family and larger properties. I guess that with so many empty houses they are being a lot more proactive. Terrible timing thought. After conducting the inspection he gave me a nice little "to do" list which included the following •·         Replace all the entry and exit doors to each apartment with 60 minutes rated fire retardant doors, [3 doors per apartment, plus the door to the basement needed to be fire rated also, for a total of 10 doors each. Cost at Home Depot about $300 each. •·  ... 05/06/2009

Please visit the Black Rock Community Blog at www.blackrockonline.org for details on these events.  Thank you. 04/30/2009

Our Historic District needs to be protected from a potential development that could impact your property values and significantly change the fabric of our community.   The Historic House at 340 - 344 Brewster Street was purchased by a developer who knocked down over twenty trees - with Mayoral support wanted to demolish the house. Now they propose to build THREE CONDOMINIUM buildings at the back of the Historic property, accessed via the existing three car garage at the front of the house with a fire access to the left of the house and restore the house. In addition they are deliberately letting the structurally sound house decline and refuse to maintain the landscaping.  A blight notice has been served but the City will not give us any information on the status of this. This developer... 04/30/2009

The Ash Creek Conservation Association will sponsor a Spring Bird Walk led by Milan Bull of the Connecticut Audubon Society on Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 pm. We'll meet at the sand spit at St. Mary's.    Speaking of the sand spit, if you are able to arrive early, you can help move our Sand Spit Restoration project along and you can then enjoy the fruits of your efforts observing the birds that love our little marsh.    We have many thousands of the sea-grass plugs waiting to be planted.  You can plant them at any time.  Just take a small clump (5-10 individual plants) and dig a hole about 1/3 the height of the clump.  Plant the clumps about 10-12 inches apart in whatever pattern you wish.  Last Saturday, three of us (Beverly, Kristine and I) planted a bunch of new plugs in the front area ... 04/23/2009

Acoustic Cafe, 2626 Fairfield Avenue, 335-3655 - Thursday, April 23, Comedy Night starts at 9 PM; Friday, April 24, Dan Vaughn performs at 9 PM; Saturday, April 25, Darian Cunning, Di Halo, Sketch Hip Hop; Tuesday, April 27 is Open Mic Cafe Tavolini, 3074 Fairfield Avenue, 734-2462 - Friday, April 24, Steve D'Agostino at 9:30 PM Ray Kelly's Pub, 2720 Fairfield Avenue, 333-6278 - Friday, April 24, Big Ugly; Saturday, April 25, See It Live performs. 04/23/2009

The Black Rock Community Council is sponsoring its annual clean sweep of Fairfield Ave as part of the Park City Sweep on April 25, 2009. Participants are asked to meet at the municipal lot next to the Ash Creek Saloon at 8:30 AM. Bring push brooms, shovels and gloves. The BRCC will supply bags and refreshments. 04/22/2009

An important ruling in environmental law has just come out of the Ash Creek Conservation Association's most recent litigation against the State of Connecticut in its continuing effort to protect the Ash Creek tidal estuary.  As you know, the Ash Creek tidal estuary is a fragile and important ecosystem because it is one of the few remaining stopover and feeding areas for migratory shorebirds as well serving as a natural shellfish bed for oysters.  Allowing docks in this shallow tidal estuary has never made sense because it encourages powerboat traffic which causes damage to mudflats, however the DEP Hearing Officers in the past have maintained that they do not have the authority to consider the environmental impact of the use of a dock only the dock structure itself. The hearing officer... 04/15/2009

  We just listed 138 Fayerweather Terrace in the beautiful Black Rock section of Bridgeport, Ct.  In 2007 scenes were filmed on Fayerweather Terrace for Oprah Winfrey's film For One More Day based on the book by Mitch Albom and in 2008 filming took place for All Good Things starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst.  This is not only a popular film location but it is also one of the most sought after streets in Black Rock.  This great family home offers three bedrooms, 2 full baths, eat-in kitchen with new ceramic tile floor, and a lovely backyard with new fencing and deck.      04/14/2009

The Black Rock Community Council will sponsor a fun-filled evening to raise money to help offset the newly-acquired costs for police and public works personnel associated with the parade. The event will include plenty of appetizers from local restaurants, open bar (beer, wine, and soda), music by the Fabulous DJ Jim Dunn, retrospective on past parades shown on the big screen, a silent auction, and much, much more. Please help get the word out! Thanks and see you at the party!!  The event will be held at the S.S. Norden Club at 4 Seabright Avenue on Saturday, April 18 from 7 PM to midnight. www.blackrockonline.org 04/13/2009

Last Saturday's planting was a wash out due to the rain.  We are asking for volunteers to help us plant sea grass "plugs" at the beach at St. Mary's at 9:00 AM on Saturday, April 18.  Roger Ludwig of the Ash Creek Conservation Association will coordinate the volunteer work.  We've rescheduled the spring clean up to Saturday, May 16 in order to complete the plantings. PREVIOUS POST Volunteers needed for the spring planting of the sea grass.  This is the last batch.  We promise!  Spend some enjoyable time outdoors with family, friends, and neighbors planting sea grass to preserve the dunes at the sand spit, which were damaged by the heavy equipment used to dredge the entrance to the South Benson Marina.  The Town of Fairfield has promised not to go over land again to dredge and will use a... 04/13/2009

Please come join Save the Sound and the Ash Creek Conservation Association in our spring clean up.  As always, we will have refreshments and a good time.  Date and Time: Saturday May 16 @ 9:00am Where: 19 Eames Blvd. (also known as 19 Grovers Avenue)  Meet at 9 AM for coffee, donuts and juice! Clothing:  Wear long pants and sleeves to protect against poison ivy. Gloves and Trash Bags will be supplied.   Thank you. 04/13/2009