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New Haven I December/2007

I NT E L

Steve Blazo

Connecticut’s best-known criminal-defense attorney, New Haven’s Hugh Keefe, talks tough.

EDITOR’S L E T T E R

PHOTOGRAPH:

12 ONE2ONE

18 The Giving Tree Melissa Nicefaro meets two Branford teenagers who learned, and now are teaching, a life lesson in selflessness.

FÊTES

22 Celebrating the Season Ten ways to have an old-fashioned New England holiday season right here, right now, in 2007.

WO R DS o f MO U T H

29 Author, Author Liese Klein gets inside the heads of four New Haven fiction writers.

36 Cold Play Hanging with the crazies of Essex’s Frostbite Yacht Club, who race sailboats in the winter.

I NS T YL E

55 Fetes The Junior League of New Haven celebrates a milestone, while the de Tocqueville Society get jiggy with it at the Peabody.

42 Cooking with the Stars Well, one of them is a star, anyway — and two other cookbook co-authors may be soon to follow.

OUR COVER Models James and Tracy Bonosconi with Alexis Pohl (front). Costumes from Costume Bazaar. Music from Trinity Church on the Green Photographed by Steve Blazo on the New Haven Green. 4

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New Haven I December/2007

Brittany Galla reports on how wild hair-color treatments have become mainstream.

I NT E L

Steve Blazo

60 Sweet Soul Music

EDITOR’S L E T T E R

PHOTOGRAPH:

56 Color My World

Brooks Appelbaum previews Black Nativity on the Long Wharf Mainstage.

FÊTES

72 Words of Mouth Crown Street’s newest and hippest Southwestern eatery has Liese Klein shouting ‘Geronimo!’

WO R DS o f MO U T H

78 Down on the Farm In DISCOVERED, Joyce Faiola encounters Connecticut’s answer to the North Pole (Hint: It’s in Shelton).

I NS T YL E New Haven Vol. I, No. 3 | December 2007 Publisher Mitchell Young, Editor Michael C. Bingham, Design Manager Larissa Wigglesworth, Design Consultant Richard Rose, Contributing Writers Brooks Appelbaum, Elvira J. Duran, Joyce Faiola, Felicia Hunter, Brittany Galla, Susan Israel, Liese Klein, Cindy Marien, Melissa Nicefaro, Tashema Nichols, Cindy Simoneau, Contributing Photographers Steve Blazo, Anthony DeCarlo Marketing Director Anthony Bonazzo, Specialty Publications Manager Laura Whinfield, Senior Publisher’s Representatives Mary W. Beard, Ronni Rabin, Publisher’s Representatives Cynthia Carlson, Kym Marchell, Diana Martini, Laura Peryer, BNH Advertising Manager Roberta Harris New Haven is published 12 times annually by Second Wind Media Ltd., which also publishes Business New Haven, with offices at 1221 Chapel St., New Haven, CT 06511. 203-7813480 (voice), 203-781-3482 (fax). Subscriptions $24.95/year, $39.95/two years. Send name, address & zip code with payment. Second Wind Media Ltd. d/b/a New Haven shall not be held liable for failure to publish an advertisement or for typographical errors or errors in publication. For more information e-mail NewHaven@Conntact.com.

december 2007

WORDS of MOUTH

Feeling the Love

INSTYLE

Thank you for the little story in the November issue of New Haven magazine (INTEL, 11/07). However, there is one misconception I would like to correct. We were closed since 2000 not because of lack of support, but in fact for lack of a suitable building. During that time we continued to enjoy strong support for our museum from the public, and especially from a core of loyal members and a handful of hardworking, committed volunteers. The museum has been in operation since 1990, moving from one rental property to another. In 2000 we thought we had found a permanent home, but it didn’t materialize. Finally, in 2005, with help from the town of Windsor and a grant from the state, we purchased our own building, totally renovated it

and just reopened our doors to the public. Today our museum has grown into a recognized educational resource and tourist attraction for the region, thanks to that ongoing support. I extend an invitation to you and your readers to come and visit us one day soon. — John Ellsworth Director Vintage Radio & Communications Museum of Connecticut Windsor

Sometimes We Just Start Vibrating for No Reason at All Wow! It’s about time a vibrant city such as New Haven had an equally vibrant publication devoid of a tiresome status-quo agenda and stale format. Finally, a local

magazine that doesn’t “look” local. Not only is your magazine visually stunning, but informative and entertaining as well. From human interest stories, engaging witty interviews, controversy, history, culture, architecture, art, food, theater and style, New Haven — the magazine — has got it all.

early inception to the publication, seemed to happen effortlessly and with surprising speed. I’ve had a lot of compliments on the article and the general reception to the magazine seems very positive. Best of luck with it, and thanks again. — Tony Terry Branford

As I eagerly await the next issue, thank you, New Haven! — S. John Francis Hamden

Smooth Sailing I want to thank you for the nice job done on the article, “On the Inside Looking Out” (AT HOME, NHM, November 2007). I’ve never been part of a more natural interview and it was all put together very nicely. All other aspects of the process of the article’s making, from the

Editor’s note: Tony Terry is the architect who designed the Guilford home of Michael Dewar and Kimberley Howland that was the subject of the article in question.

New Haven welcomes letters to the editor pertaining to subjects covered in these pages. E-mail to LETTERS@ conntact.com or mail to New Haven magazine, 1221 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511.

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As the old year wanes, most of us prepare to celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa. It’s a hectic, even frantic time, but the reward at the finish line — time to celebrate and reflect with close friends and family — is more than worth the bustle.

Dedicated To The Friendship Of Those We Serve Since 1925

As our focus shifts from outdoor to indoor activities (not entirely, of course), this month’s New Haven takes a closer look at books and the people who make them. Liese Klein profiles four local fiction authors, from the well-known to the soon-to-be, while Joyce Faiola spends time with the authors (and their dogs!) of two new cookbooks. They live, coincidentally, in Madison — but the focus of their cookbooks could not be more different. Bon appetit.

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The dean of Connecticut criminal-defense attorneys, New Haven’s Hugh Keefe, makes some surprising assertions in this month’s One2One feature, and even lets fly a particular gender slur that is sure to get him into dutch with his equally combative super-lawyer wife, Tara Knight. The end-of-the-year holidays have a strong spiritual dimension, and at the heart of the Elm City’s spiritual life are the three iconic churches on the Green. Elvira Duran unearths (in the case of Center Church, literally) some surprising facts about their 200-year-plus legacies.

True Religion

And speaking of spiritual, art critic Brooks Appelbaum previews this month’s production of Black Nativity at Long Wharf Theatre and its cast of (many) area music educators.

J Brand

With the year-end holidays comes gift-giving galore. But in KIDSTUFF, Melissa Nicefaro discovers two Branford boys who have brought gift-giving to a whole other dimension, having worked for nine years (and they’re just 15) who help other kids (and their families) battling lifethreatening diseases. It’s enough to warm your heart, as it certainly did ours. Very happy holiday wishes to you and your family from our family at New Haven magazine. 

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EDITOR’S L E T T E R INTEL Local Authors Make Book on New Haven History may be the hot new industry in New Haven with the recent publication of three local history books. Colin Caplan, founder of Magrisso Forte, a New Haven consulting company “dedicated to creating awareness of the city’s cultural resources through economic development and historic documentation,” has penned A Guide To Historic New Haven, published by the History Press of Charleston, S.C.

Myrna Kagan has written and selfpublished two local history books aimed at readers ten years old and up.

perseverance in the face of adversity is a ripping yarn, and perhaps slated some day to become a major motion picture — doubtless shot in the City of Elms.

W O R D S o f M O UIn Vision T Hin the Sky:

Featuring 29 guided tours spanning the entire 370 years of the city’s history, the book is written for bikers, walkers and drivers. So get outside, enjoy the bracing December air and revisit historic New Haven. Or stay indoors and teach your kids some Elm City history.

INSTYLE

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New Haven’s Early Years, 1638-1783, published by Kagan’s Hillhouse Press, Kagan tells the story of the founding and great struggles of the New Haven Colony and “the two hundred and fifty men, women and children that sailed across the sea in two small ships to face the unknown, with no charter to finance them.” Following their faith, and led by the Rev. John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton, they first attempted to settle in Massachusetts before sailing south to what was then an ”untamed wilderness called Quinnipiac.” The story of their

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Kagan also penned From Puritans to Yankees: New Haven’s Growing Years, 1783-1861. It tells the story of a period when New Haven it was one of America’s most important engines of innovation and growth. Kagan said the seeds of many of today’s challenges may have been planted then. “Beneath the prosperous veneer of New Haven’s industrial success lay the lurking problems of race and slavery that would lead to the Civil War,” she said.

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INTEL Read All About It — Or Maybe Not

Lyme Case Advances Embattled Lyme disease doctor Charles Ray Jones (NHM, November 2007) could face a reprimand, $10,000 fine and two years of probation when the state Medical Examining Board meets this month. The penalties were detailed in a recommendation issued in late November by the board, which has been hearing a case against Jones for more than a year.

his company or his industry.

The possibility of delisting from the New York Stock Exchange has moved closer over the last month for the Yardley, Pa.based Journal Register Co., publisher of the New Haven Register, 27 smaller dailies and more than 300 weeklies, as its stock price (ticker symbol: JRC) continued a year-long slide to around $2 a share — representing a total value for the entire company of just $75 million or so. Longtime CEO Robert Jelenic, who

in early October suffering amid E DIT O R ’S LE T T E Rresigned his second bout with cancer, was a highly

Jones (above), who works out of New Haven’s Madison Towers, was charged with improperly diagnosing two children with Lyme and prescribing antibiotics to treat them. His case has attracted national attention in the “Lymeliterate” community, which believes the disease can linger for years and requires long-term antibiotic treatment. “The respondent violated the standard of care by diagnosing a disease in a very low-risk patient, with a non-specific history, nonspecific signs and symptoms and negative laboratory tests”, the board concluded. The panel will vote on the recommended penalties on December 18.

controversial figure. His growth strategy of acquisitions in geographic clusters and paying for them with very tight fiscal controls (and increasingly onerous debt burdens) did not render him popular in

Rank Speculation Mysterious faxes showing up in our inbox leads us to believe that a rift may be in the making between Yale University and Yale-New Haven Hospital over the latter’s embarrassing handling of the union drive by the Service Employees International Union. Someone in Yale’s Office of Public Affairs wanted to remind INTEL of the distance between the two organizations when they sent

Media outlets across the country branded Jelenic as one of the most disliked newspaper executives, and bloggers and message board users, including many who claim to be JRC employees, spew volumes of unmitigated vitriol toward the ailing executive. Difficulties in the daily newspaper industry over the past year and problems in the Michigan economy, where the JRC owns a large group of newspapers, have placed significant pressure on the company as revenues have declined nearly ten percent in just a year. The company’s new CEO has announced the suspension of the dividend in a move to conserve cash. Some black ink was left in the well as the company reported a recent quarterly profit. So, buy a car from Detroit and save the Register.

a copy of university President Richard C. Levin’s statement criticizing the hospital last year. (Levin is a trustee of the hospital, and appoints four members to the board.) The recent award by the an outside arbitrator of $4.5 million to the SEIU for the hospital’s violation of its agreement with the union has generated calls within the Yale community for Levin to speak a little louder. Expect the volume to grow before it grows quieter.

Is New Haven Ready for Some Football? Just as the most recent New Haven professional sports franchise, the New Haven County Cutters, bites the dust, another New Haven sports entrepreneur, Ben Eison, has announced an effort to form the United National Football League. The league is seeking franchise owners for the 22 teams it hopes to have when scheduled play begins in 2009.

According to Eison, the league is designed “to create professional development opportunities for collegiate players who have the desire and physical ability to pursue this chosen career path.” If owning a franchise is not for you, Eison is seeking $5 million of startup funds on the GoBig (GoBigNetwork. com) venture capital network for his dream of a minor league pro football circuit. You can find out more at unflf.com.

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december 2007

PHOTOGRAPHS:

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L ETTER S

EDITOR’S L ETTER I NT E L

W O RDS of MOUTH

ugh Keefe is arguably Connecticut’s and had five kids. We lived in Somerville best known criminal-defense law- [Mass.] and he worked for a subsidiary yer. He’s been practicing law in of Swift Squires. They closed that plant New Haven for 40 years, handling cases and shipped him to New Haven and he from the Black Panthers to former Rowland dragged five kids down here. No sooner administration Chief of Staff Peter Ellef did he get here then they closed Sperry to Danbury trash-hauler James Galante & Barnes. and recently indicted North Haven town employees Joseph and Patricia Ierardi. Keefe, So during the Harvard-Yale game are you 64, is a graduate of what was then Quinnipiac conflicted about who to root for? College and the University of Connecticut law school. He’s the managing partner of Lynch, Yale’s been good to me, I have no trouble Traub, Keefe & Errante, PC in New Haven. rooting for Yale. Mitchell Young, Publisher of New Haven, So you came in soon after the firm was interviewed Keefe for One2One. founded. Isn’t it about 50 years old?

I graduated [from law school] in 1967 at the height of the Vietnam war, and the height of the domestic revolution over the war. I was in the [National] Guard stationed in New London. In November of ’67 I joined this firm and have been with it my entire career.

You tutor law students at Yale. Are most of them looking for big bucks, or to fight injustice?

Bill Lynch, who’s now deceased, founded it in 1957 when he left the FBI. The firm does everything except patent law. We have 16 lawyers. Although I’m probably best known for criminal defense, I do a fair amount of civil litigation. Almost whatever takes me to the court, I do.

Here’s the problem with the way the practices are set up today, and the students at Yale are not immune to this: When they graduate, most law school students are saddled with a lot of debt. It’s not unusual when we interview a graduate, that they have about $100,000 in debt. Yale law students and UConn graduates are motivated many times necessarily by money. The salaries being offered in New York, Boston, L.A. are almost embarrassing — $150,000 or $160,000 is not unusual. They take these graduates, stick them in a little office, work them to death for five or six years and tell them they’re not going to be partners.

So you see yourself as a litigator?

It’s a young man’s game?

INST YL E

Where did you grow up and when did you get started in the law?

though it is harder and harder to find a practice that encourages trials as opposed to settlements.

Yes, that’s exactly correct. There’s even It’s a young man’s game to develop [as a trial attorney]. When you’re in your Where did you grow up, and how did you a difference between litigators and trial 30s or 40s, you can’t go back to that. You lawyers. Trial lawyers actually try cases get to New Haven? in the court. Many times litigators are can’t go from real estate into trial law I’m from Boston. There was a [meat- lawyers who do a lot of pre-trial work, — it just doesn’t happen. The time to take packing] plant down here called Sperry & depositions, discovery, motions but not the insults and the barbs and the daggers Barnes. My father was a meatpacker and trials. We do trials here — that’s where and the knives you have to take as a trial an Irish immigrant; my mother was also the fun is. I often tell my students [they] lawyer is when you’re right out of law an Irish immigrant. They met in Boston should get involved [in trials], even school.

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You’re still taking insults and barbs, aren’t you past that? Every day I get out of bed and know that someone is going to insult me, to accuse me of something in the courtroom in front of a judge. [Someone will] say something or do something that is going to be highly insulting to me. So this was the perfect career for a smartass Irish kid from Boston. If you have a personality that does not mind being contentious, antagonistic professionally and confrontational, then the practice of trial law is made for you. You get out of bed every day and you can have a fight with someone. In that case, what does being a trial lawyer do to you personally? Does it make you hard? If someone hates confrontation and adversity, this is not the job for them. You can be adverse and contentious and still be professional. There are many lawyers that despise that [contentiousness] and they don’t do it, and they shouldn’t. But if you like the competition and being on your feet, opposed to someone, it’s a terrific way to make a living. Many of your clients are people who have had solid accomplishments and now they’re in trouble. That must be pretty difficult for them. How do you adjust to deal with them? That’s an excellent point. You hear all these people constantly say, ‘Let’s get tougher; let’s put the people in jail.’ Ninety percent of the people caught up in the criminal-justice system as defendants are either good guys who made a mistake, or otherwise fine people. Like Peter Ellef, chief of staff for [former Gov. John G.] Rowland, like Rowland himself. I’d say five percent are real evil. Like the people who did the crime in Cheshire — they’re evil. But they are so rare, thank God. Most are decent people who’ve made one, maybe two mistakes in their lives and they’re devastated. You can ruin a life so easily — [for example] you have too many beers one night. To me it’s an honor to represent anyone — when that phone rings and that person actually wants me to represent them in what is one of the most serious chapters in their lives.

december 2007

I was a kid out of law school just a couple of years. [The government] decided to try a dozen Black Panthers for murder in New Haven. The FBI wanted to terminate the Black Panthers and they were litigating them to death. I was appointed special public defender to represent two of them, and the firm was good enough to allow me to do that case for almost two years exclusively, at special public-defender rates.

home to my apartment that night and the message from my sergeant was that my unit had been activated. The next day I was back on the Green as a member of the National Guard. Was that the high-profile case that set your direction? I had some murder cases, and almost any murder case in those days was highprofile. New Haven had two newspapers in those days, morning and evening. That case was a very highly publicized case.

They chose you because?

There seem to be a lot of lawyers talking up their cases in the media these days. What’s the value of that?

I had done some special public-defender work and had tried some murder cases. [These] were murder cases, and they needed people who were willing. To represent the Black Panthers in 1970 was not exactly a popular thing to do. I was in the National Guard at the time, and the Panthers had a huge rally on May Day in 1971. Thousands of people on the New Haven Green. As the lawyer for two of the guys, I was on the Green. I get

Whenever the federal government goes after someone, they have a public relations guy and another one at the FBI. They issue a press release telling the world what you’re indicted for and some of the evidence against you. The FBI and law enforcement are notorious for leaking information. If you’re representing [a defendant] he’s being bombarded constantly by negative publicity. Someone has to say, ‘Hey — there’s a

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In the public cases like Ellef and Rowland there seems to have been a lot of animosity against the defendants by many of us in the press or the public. What’s behind that? I think the public tends to overreact and in my view did in that case [Rowland]. I think Judge [Peter] Dorsey’s sentence of a year was perfect — absolutely appropriate. If you took a poll you’d hear he gave the courthouse away, [that Rowland] should have gotten ten years. It’s always mysterious to me how minimally the public looks at incarceration. One day of incarceration is horrible. When the public says ten years, they have no idea what jail is like. I think with capital punishment, it’s a ridiculous debate. I’d rather die any day than do 20 years in these hellholes.

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presumption of innocence here. This is a terrific guy, he’s a military hero.’ There has to be some counter-balance. You have to humanize people. [Otherwise, when] you’re arrested, you’re a criminal [in the eyes of the public]. Once you’re in that category a lot of stereotypes are in the eyes of the public unless someone says something different.

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Today we see you with a lot of high-profile, white-collar-crime defendants, but didn’t you make your reputation defending the Black Panthers here in New Haven?

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‘One day of incarceration is horrible. I’d rather die any day than do 20 years in these hellholes.’ Does the public understand how the system really works?

it seems, don’t believe it at all.

When they get arrested — white-collar types, cops, lawyers themselves — they’re shocked. The cards to a large extent are stacked against the defense. There is a presumption of innocence, but those of us in the business really feel there is a presumption of guilt. When a guy goes into court having been arrested and handcuffed and jailed and having to post bond, [the public] thinks he must have done something to be in this situation.

There’s been lots of TV shows on lawyers, the doctors seem to be in right now,

What about the judges and the system generally? Judges are just like everyone else —there are good ones and bad ones. Some believe in the presumption of innocence and every single day live it. And some judges,

[Interrupts] Be careful, reporters are next. We don’t make good TV — not enough money, not enough sex. Almost every law show has been prosecution-oriented and made the defense look like unethical slimeballs and shady characters. When I was growing up it was the opposite. Lawyers were heroes — they would find an underdog and represent them. Perry Mason, for example. [The trend toward prosecutionoriented shows] conforms to the climate of the times, pro-law and order. There’s nothing wrong with wanting law and order. Certainly some [new thinking]

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december 2007

should be going on because of the vast number of [convicted criminals] who are being let go because of [exculpatory] DNA [evidence]. You would think that would resonate with the public. Do you think the police do a good job of investigating crimes in Connecticut? I do. You have to understand, I’ve probably represented more police officers in civil and criminal cases than anyone else in Connecticut. There are good cops, bad cops, lazy cops, exceptional cops. They don’t have the resources the FBI has, and the FBI can pick what cases they’re going to handle. The street cops don’t. There are lots of cases today where police are accused of abusing their authority or outright commission of crimes. Do they get a fair shake in the system, or are they presumed guilty? They get a fair shake when they are the defendants. They have an edge up. Jurors will give them the benefit of the doubt. They recognize how tough a job it is. If they don’t at the beginning, after they hear evidence they do.

How does feeling your client is guilty affect your ability to defend them? Very rarely does a case come along that I can’t personally defend them because I feel so bad about what happened, and there seems to be too much evidence against them. I can’t defend them because I think subconsciously I’ll be rooting against them. The Cheshire case is like that. When that isn’t the problem, it isn’t an issue of whether they’re guilty or not. Many people say the verdict should be changed from guilty or not to ‘proven guilty or not.’ Do you ever worry about damage to your reputation in a case? You’re a criminal defense lawyer; you take criminal cases. In certain cases, and [Cheshire] is one, it’s so heinous that it can easily spill over to your reputation. When you took the recent case where three foreign students at Yale burned an American flag, did you think that was going to spill out into a big political firestorm?

It was a national story for a couple of You married another criminal-defense days. The media made it a political case ‘super lawyer,’ Tara Knight, and a beautiful immediately, it had all the elements. Non- woman at that. How did you meet? U.S. students, Yale students, flag burning, In the courtroom. I’ve known her for in the middle of the Iraq war, immigration 20 years. We tried the Beth Carpenter was [being debated] in Congress. It was case together, Beth was another lawyer, hard until they realized these were just charged with murder in a murder-forteenagers out for a few drinks. Once hire case. We worked on the case together the prosecutor decided it was teenagers a couple of months. acting like teenagers, it turned around. It could have gotten out of hand if we had a prosecutor that wanted to make a name All couples argue. Can an argument ever end between two litigators? And who for himself or be on Larry King. wins? Going back to your students, what do they think about the system’s fairness? I think students today are far more conservative than when I was in school. Is that because you were at UConn and this is Yale? No, I think students everywhere are more conservative. They think if [someone accused of a crime] has an effective lawyer and it’s an even playing field, then things are okay.

She wins — all the time. We’re blessed. We talk law a lot. She is exclusively criminal defense. I believe she was the first [woman] in New Haven and among the first lawyers to establish her own firm in Connecticut devoted exclusively to criminal defense. It’s a tough end of the law, and very male-dominated. Women tend to be less combative, less antagonistic, less aggressive... [Catches himself and laughs] How stupid am I? There is nothing good in what I just said. There is no silver lining. 

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Anthony DeCarlo

FÊTES WO R D S o f M OU TH

INS TYL E

Lifelong pals Bloomquist (left) and Nobile were just six when they started raising money to help others.

You’ve Got a Friend How two extraordinary Branford teenagers have spent nearly their entire childhoods helping gravely ill children and their families By Melissa Nicefaro

very now and then you meet a kid and you just know he is going to do something special in life. At Branford High School are two freshmen — Ryan Bloomquist and Greg Nobile, both 15 — who have already laid the groundwork for a superlative future — if not for themselves, for others. For sure. When they were six — that’s right, six — Ryan and Greg started a multifaceted fundraising project called “the Lemonade Gang” that has raised more than $30,000 18

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disease,” Ryan says. “We sold lemonade for the Myelin Project and then Greg and I decided to take it further.”

Greg recalls: “We were six at the time and we didn’t know much, but we knew things weren’t good for Brian Kelley. He was paralyzed and could no longer speak. We wanted to do something, so we set up over the past nine years to battle nervous- the lemonade stand. Then we decided to system diseases and help families of tap into our common passion for theater young cancer patients. When Ryan’s and put on a show.” childhood neighbor was diagnosed with a disease of the central nervous system, Brian Kelley survived this often mortal Ryan wanted to help, so he rounded up disease, but his boyhood buddies are some friends to sell lemonade and donate still going strong with their fundraising the proceeds to an organization that efforts. supports nerve research. When the boys were nine, they put on “When we found out that Brian had a production of Guys and Dolls in the adrenoleukodystrophy, we wanted to do upstairs bedroom of Greg’s house. something to help find a cure for that rare

“There were only five people there, but we directing the productions, and managing the financial records. Since they’re decided that our new fundraiser could be publicity and ticket sales. They also hold not a formal charity organization, putting on these little shows,” explains a summer camp for five- to ten-year-olds, they can accept only cash donations. Greg. “When we were 11, we moved to staged a concert for victims of Hurricane In May, Ryan was one of two Connecticut the backyard, and did a production of Katrina, and contributed to other causes. students honored at the nation’s capital Grease.” The boys raised about $1,000 that “There is nothing better than giving back for outstanding volunteer work. He and night. They later moved their productions to the community,” said Ryan. “It feels Rebecca Michlin, 17, of Southington to the Branford Public Library, but when good to know I’m making a difference in attended the presentation of the 2007 they outgrew even that, they found a the world.” Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. new home at First Baptist Church in They received $1,000 awards as well The last Lemonade Gang summer show Branford. as personal congratulations from brought in $7,800. The next show is Indianapolis Colts quarterback and Four years ago, the focus of the Lemonade scheduled for 7 p.m. December 21 at the Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning at Gang changed a bit. Greg’s sister Hanna First Baptist Church in Branford. the ceremony and gala dinner reception, was born with cancer. which was held at the Smithsonian “Sometimes we feel that is such a big “Our family was devastated, and I amount of money, but it’s being thrown Institution’s National Museum of Natural knew that we had to do something to into a big pool of money and is not History in Washington, D.C. honor Hanna,” says Ryan. So instead of making a difference with a big national “I’m honestly not so into football, but it splitting the current donations between organization,” says Ryan. “The mom of was still cool to meet Peyton Manning two charitable organizations, they Brian Kelley is at every single one of our and receive the award,” Ryan says. doubled their work and started an annual shows, and at the last show she told me Christmas “spectacular,” donating those that when a child is born now, thanks to “It just feels good to help,” he adds. “It’s a proceeds to a fund that helps families the research that we’ve helped fund, the lot of work, but it is so rewarding at the dealing with childhood cancer celebrate baby is screened for adrenoleukodystrophy, end. It makes it easier when the causes Christmas and pay for necessities which was not being done a few short are close to me. We have a supportive throughout the year. years ago.” following that follows the Lemonade Gang and everything we do. It started out Ryan and Greg now stage their summer The Lemonade Gang is completely kidas such a little thing, and it is amazing to cabaret and Christmas show annually, run — no adults involved. They sell see how it grew.”  spending much of their free time the tickets, build the show sets, keep

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‘New Haven Green’ (1944) tempera on panel, by Dee Dee Plummer. Courtesy New Haven Museum & Historical Society.

The Green’s Holy Trinity For nearly two centuries New Haven’s three iconic churches in the heart of the Nine Squares have been friends in faith By Elvira J. Duran

here are three partners in New 1752, and United Church on the Green or Haven who enjoy every concert North Church, like its next-door neighbor performed on the Green, have an a UCC congregation, was built in 1812. almost-front-row seat to the Christmas Construction on all three current church tree lighting ceremony each year, witness buildings began during the War of 1812. the turning of the leaves on the gorgeous Trinity Church’s Rev. Alex Dyer says downtown elms, but above all, experience that the supplies for the churches made the ever-changing populace in New it through the British naval blockade Haven. These three partners can be found “because the British were told that all on the block of Temple Street bisecting supplies were for an Episcopal church, the Green. They are the churches on the which [was connected to] the Church of upper Green. England.” Although all three churches Center Church or the First Church were built during the years 1812-1816 and of Christ, a United Church of Christ two of them share the same architect, congregation, was established in 1638 each evokes a distinct architectural as the founding church of New Haven. style. Center and Trinity were designed Episcopal Trinity Church was founded in by renowned architect Ithiel Town, the 20

december 2007

former in Georgian style, the latter in Gothic Revival style, while David Hoadley designed United in the Federal style. Although the three churches were built around the same time and share a common geography, Trinity probably offers the most traditional worship experience of the trio. United Church of Christ congregations tend to be “theologically liberal churches, open to diverse ideas about Christianity as well as social and political views,” according to Center Church’s pastor, Rev. Sandra Olsen. Being a little different does not mean the three cannot work together. Proving they are all friends in Christ, the three churches on the Green engage in common worship on occasion. Olsen and Dyer both mention a Lenten series, including musical meditation, Scripture reading and a soup lunch jointly hosted by the three last year. The churches also come together to do good for New Haveners, as the first openly gay senior pastor of

United Church, Rev. John MacIver Gage explains: “It was the leadership of the three churches in the 1970s that led to the formation of Downtown Christian Ministries, which has since become Interfaith Cooperative Ministries, an umbrella organization of almost 40 faith communities working together for the good of the greater New Haven community.” Each of the three churches also offers its own piece of history for visitors to enjoy. Constructed over part of a burial ground, Center Church’s crypt hosts tours from April to October, Thursdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Interred there are the remains of Benedict Arnold’s first wife, President Rutherford B. Hayes’ family and Rev. James Pierpont, a founder of Yale College, among many New Haven luminaries. Trinity has the first church spire and organ installed in New Haven, the sixth oldest (founded in 1885) Choir of Men and Boys in the nation, as well as a recently installed stained glass window showing the 250-year history of the church in nine gothic icons. United has strong ties to the Amistad

‘A Perspective View of the Three Houses for Public Worship on the Public Square, New Haven,’ (c. 1825), hand-colored engraving, by Amos Doolittle. New Haven Museum & Historical Society.

incident (the congregation hired Roger Sherman Baldwin to represent and win the freedom of the African captives) and other incidents involving peace and justice, like the May Day trial of Black Panther Bobby Seale in 1970 and the protests it caused in New Haven. It is also the site of the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen.

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Win Davis PHOTOGRAPH:

The warm glow of luminaria light the way on the upper Green Thursdays this month.

By Melissa Nicefaro

How about this? It’s time to fight with the tree lights and decorations. It’s time to run around like a lunatic, chasing bargains, waiting in line in stores and spending oodles of money on gifts people really don’t need and will wind up returning or re-gifting. It’s time to skip meals, but hit the malls. What has happened to the magic? Where is the enchantment? It’s around — just not at the mall.

1. What’s a ‘Wassail’? Wassailing actually dates back to the days before Christmas was even celebrated. Early New England wassailing was similar to trick-or-treating, with groups of rowdy (and often intoxicated) young men careening through wealthy streets, asking for free food and drink in return for a song. There will be nothing unruly or demanding about Phil Kline’s signature composition Unsilent Night, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas “ambient music piece.” The public is invited to join strolling musicians in a boombox symphony as they process

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PHOTOGRAPH:

t’s here again: the wonderful holiday season. The sound of traditional holiday tunes fill the air as friends and families fill homes, creating memories to cherish for years to come. Meals are intricately prepared with kindness and care. Countless hours are spent blissfully shopping for that perfect gift for your perfect soul mate. For this month, life oozes nostalgia.

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from the Info New Haven office at 1000 on Chapel Street at 7 p.m. on Friday, all the rooms in this historic homestead. Chapel Street, through the luminaria December 7, Thursday, December 13 and Guided tours focus on the sights display on the New Haven Green and Thursday, December 20 at 7 p.m., as well and sounds of a traditional holiday ending at Audubon Arts District. What as Sunday, December 16 at 2 p.m. celebration. is more old-fashioned than a boombox? “We love surprising our customers with This year, each room of the museum will If you don’t have one, an iPod or other treats,” says Criscuolo. “Making people feature a scene from the classic poem mp3 player with speakers will likewise do happy is pretty wonderful. You need “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement the trick. The event begins at 6:15 p.m. on something that’s a counterpoint to the Clarke Moore. Tours run between 10 a.m. December 13. stress of the holiday season.” and 4 p.m. through December 16. Friday If something a bit more traditional is twilight tours (4 to 6:30 p.m.) run through your style, Trinity Lutheran Church is December 14. hosting its annual sing-along. The event 2. Ghost of Christmas Past Since Christmas is of course the second features Bach’s exuberant Magnificat in D most important date on the Christian Charles Dickens called Hillhouse Avenue Major and Haydn’s elegant “Gloria” from calendar, religious observances abound. in New Haven the most beautiful street Mass No. 14 in B flat (“Harmoniemesse”), The annual display of crèches at in America. Anything that is beautiful plus seasonal music from around the the Knights of Columbus Museum world and the Chorale’s traditional year-round becomes suddenly more transcends. This year the organization intriguing during the holidays. The holiday sing-along. This event begins at presents A Christmas Journey Around Italy, homes along this glorious thoroughfare 4:30 on Sunday, December 9 at 292 Orange featuring miniature dioramas of crèches date to the 1830s. Just two blocks long, Street. Don’t leave until you get the figgy this street and the dozen stately mansions from throughout Italy. Last year’s holiday pudding. that line it represent a step back in time. exhibition displayed miniature versions Figgy pudding may not be on the menu Yale University owns the bulk of the of the colossal nativity scenes seen in St. at Basta Trattoria, but the restaurant will properties along this street. Peter’s Square and the Vatican in Rome. be graced with the sounds of the Guilford Another step back to the 19th century For secular traditionalist, each weekend Voices several times this holiday season. is found at the Osborne Homestead through December, the Shore Line Trolley As Basta owner Claire Criscuolo says, Museum at 500 Hawthorne Avenue in Museum holds cozy, heated trolley rides “Not only do they have big voices, they Derby. For several weeks each winter, to visit Santa and see model train layouts also have big hearts. They are exceedingly the state Department of Environmental of days past. Each child receives a gift, talented and brilliant!” Protection’s Osborne Homestead Mus- refreshments and unlimited rides. Not eum is transformed into a holiday just for children, of course, the excursions The caroling group is performing at Basta showcase. Garden clubs beautifully decorate depart from the Shore Line Trolley 24

december 2007

Museum, 17 River Street, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum operates part of the old trolley route of the Connecticut Company, which in 1900 traveled from downtown New Haven through East Haven and into Branford, carrying passengers to shop, work or visit. Today a ride on the trolley transports the passenger back in time. Between the antique trolley car with rattan seats, the sound of the ancient electric motors and the squeal of the steel rails, passengers feel as if they’ve gone back a century in time. Another fascinating exhibit explores the myths and realities of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas at Henry Whitfield State Museum in Guilford. Video clips of Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions illustrate additional facts and fables. Holidaze: The Real Story of Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas is on view through December 14. “The exhibit is full of surprises as it reveals how symbols and practices like jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating, turkey and football, and Santa Claus and candy canes came to be part of each

celebration,” explains museum curator Michael McBride. “Visitors can compare the 1621 Plimoth ‘menu’ and a modernday Thanksgiving menu and see the re-creation of a ‘traditional’ Victorian Christmas parlor.” The museum is at 248 Old Whitfield Street.

3. Light the Night

is Meriden’s Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park. Every evening after dark, from November 21 through January 6, more than 250 figures and 350,000 individual lights in the form of snowflakes, characters, animals and holiday items attract visitors from all over the state to begin a new tradition. One age-old tradition of light that came from Latin America is luminaria — paper bags with candles that light a pathway.

The tradition of holiday lights began With 1,200 lights, the luminaria on the in the late 1800s by (shockingly) a vice New Haven Green, sponsored by Casey president at the Edison Electric Light Co. Family Services, is the largest installation Today lights sparkle in home windows, of its kind in the area. The lights are on outdoor trees and on lampposts in lit from 5:30 to 9 Thursday evenings as New England towns. They come in part of the city’s “Late Night Thursday” traditional white or in an array of colors celebration. and set town greens and office buildings “We were overwhelmed with the sparkling with the light of the season. enthusiasm and gratitude that New Haveners expressed every night we In New Haven, that tradition has grown to include a display at Lighthouse Point installed the luminaria last year,” says Park, the Fantasy of Lights. Organized by Scott Healy, executive director of the Easter Seals Goodwill Industries for the Town Green Special Services District. 12th year, this drive-through display of “We wanted to build on that positive energy holiday fun is an enchanting new local and give families even more reasons to come and explore downtown together. tradition. The luminaria are a simple combination Similar to New Haven’s Fantasy of Lights

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Anthony DeCarlo PHOTOGRAPH:

Tina and Nathan Correia of East Haven enjoy the Festival of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park.

of paper, sand and candlelight, but when 1,200 of them are lit together in the heart of a community, their power is breathtaking and transformative.”

4. Musical Celebrations At their core, the end-of-the-year holidays are deeply spiritual. And that spiritual dimension is perfected in music. Whether you want to sing along, or just sit back and take in the sweet sounds of the season, your opportunity will come in the few weeks leading up to Christmas. The 122-year-old Trinity Choir of Men & Boys and its younger sibling Choir of Men & Girls (NHM, 11/07) will sing a service of Christmas Lessons & Carols December 9 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church as part of a week-long commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus and the 175th anniversary of St. Mary’s. The K of C was founded in the basement of this 5 Hillhouse Avenue church in 1882. This event is free and open to the public, but St. Mary’s parishioners have first dibs on tickets. On December 24, the Trinity choirs will perform the breathtaking Christmas Eve 26

december 2007

Choral Eucharist at the Trinity Church on the Green. The public is also invited to join this musical celebration with the renowned choirs (service 10:30 p.m.; carols sung by all start at 10:10). Want to celebrate the music of the season but imagine you are some place warmer? “Fiesta de Gloria” will be sung by Greater New Haven Community Chorus at Yale’s Battell Chapel at 8 p.m. December 15. This concert features secular and sacred music from the Caribbean, Central and Latin America. The chorus has more than 70 members of all ages who perform two annual concerts. Also on December 15, the Milford Concert Band, under the direction of Steven L. Saunders, presents Home for the Holidays, a free program of seasonal favorites at 7 p.m. at Milford City Hall at 70 West River Street. This year’s concert will showcase area musical talent, with special guests including the Foran High School Clarinet Ensemble and the city’s first-string ensemble, the Milford Festival Orchestra. Amateur and semi-professional alike, the Milford Concert Band’s 30-plus volunteer members from area communities share

an appreciation for music and a desire to entertain. Musicians run the gamut from educators, doctors, students, executives, retired musicians, city historians and small-business owners.

5. Take in a Show Take a well-deserved break from the holiday bustle by sitting back and enjoying one of the many world-class stage and musical performances the New Haven area has to offer this month. On December 21 at 7:30 p.m., the Shoreline Arts Alliance holds the 20th annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s beloved Messiah in the First Congregational Church on the Branford Green. You too will sing “Hallelujah” over the oratorio that’s been delighting audiences since its first performance 216 years ago in Dublin. Long Wharf Theatre presents Black Nativity December 7-16 on its Mainstage. Featuring a choir of singers from throughout the New Haven area, the Nativity is a joyous event that tells the powerful story of the birth of Jesus through rousing gospel music and the

inspiring poetry of Langston Hughes. On Stage II through December 23, the Santaland Diaries features eccentric Santas and maniacal moms. Hilarity ensues as this irreverent tale of America’s fascination with all things Claus returns to LWT for a second holiday season.

6. Escape for a Night Sometimes it just feels so refreshing to get away for a night. There’s no need to travel far to accomplish that — in fact, there’s no need to leave greater New Haven.

talking about how nice the people were and we are very fortunate to have found Wallingford — and for our guests to find us.” The inn, which offers a full breakfast each morning, is spacious — the Barretts want their guests to be able to spread out and feel at home. “It’s the little details that make it feel like home. We’ve met some of the most wonderful people in the world,” Becky Barrett says. “It’s important to me to help them relax and enjoy what is typically a stressful time of the year.”

trees and greenery,” Julian adds. “The building was constructed in 1825 and is close to the Branford Green. It has a lot of charm. With the old wood parquet floors, it’s a beautiful, comfy, cozy kind of place.” The spa has a fireplace that invites guests to sit and read, relax and get away from the hustle and bustle.

7. The Tradition of the Cookie During the holidays, cookies are more than a snack or gift, they are about spending time together in the kitchen, the heart of the home. Betty Ann Donegan runs a cooking school from her own Branford home. Each fall, she teaches a cookiebaking class and she explains that some of the cookies that have become traditional holiday fare — gingerbread, spice cookies, nut cookies — were first created hundreds of years ago when ingredients for cookies were both expensive and scarce.

In Branford, By the Sea Inn & Spa (Bytheseainnspa.com) is another fantastic The Wallingford Victorian at 245 North Main Street is a beautiful six-room bed- place to get away for a night or two. This and-breakfast that was built as a private inn and spa is a renovated 19th century home in 1891 and is now owned by Becky Victorian mansion that has been updated and Dave Barrett. More info about the inn is to accommodate a modern spa without sacrificing the original New England available at bedandbreakfastwallingford.com. charm of the structure. It is a beautiful spot to “get away from it all” around this hectic time of the year. “We have a lot of local people stay with “We have a wonderful big house and us,” says co-owner Mel Julian. “They Wallingford is a fantastic town,” Becky have children they don’t want to be “If you made something like that for the Barrett says. “There is a quaintness to too far away from, but want to take the holidays, it meant you were fussing and it and that adds to the experience of our opportunity to get away. Branford is such going all out to show people that you guests. People come back from the shops, a cute place. “We enjoy decorating for the loved them,” Donegan says. “A traditional holiday, with white candles, Christmas Christmas cookie will have nuts, fruit

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or spices. The reason the cookies are so got the time, she says the second key to popular is that they can be made ahead making the perfect Christmas cookie is and easily given away.” As a general rule, very fresh ingredients. the more fat a cookie contains, the less “There is no substitute for real butter well it will keep, and cookies with a lot and real sugar,” she says. “We make of sugar will stay fresh longer than those a wonderful assortment of cookies with less sugar. around the holidays.” From beautifully “Over the holidays, we always have people decorated sugar cookies to gingerbread stopping over and when you have cookies people to traditional butter cookies and — unlike a pie that once you cut into thumbprints, Sweet Maria’s covers all becomes leftover for the next guests — the bases for the non-baker. If you still you can arrange them on a plate and serve need help deciding, the bakery’s pignoli them and they never look like leftovers,” cookies are very popular as are the she says. chocolate almond macaroons. “When planning a tray, you want cookies “Our no-bake peanut butter balls are that have color, chocolate, nuts, drops, bars dipped in chocolate and are a big hit,” and some that are rolled and decorated,” Sanchez offers. “They’re labor-intensive Donegan explains. and not something people have a lot of time to do themselves. Most of my Of course, to achieve cookie-baking customers know how to bake, but don’t greatness, one must be very precise in really have the time. It’s definitely a labor measuring ingredients. So for those of of love.” us who think we know better than any recipe, there are teachers like Donegan — and shop owners like Maria Sanchez. Sanchez, owner of Sweet Maria’s in Waterbury, knows cookies. Once you’ve

8. New Haven Blades

The average Christmas cookie, labor of

love or otherwise, has 100 or more calories. coincidentally, the traditional winter sport of ice-skating can burn almost 400 calories an hour. The Ralph Walker ice rink on State Street in New Haven has four public skate sessions each weekend — from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The cost is $4 for adults from New Haven and $5 for adults from elsewhere. Skate rentals are $4. For a maximum of $9, you can burn off six cookies right there.

9. Shopping Challenge If you’ve indulged in any of the first eight suggestions, you should be relaxed and ready for a shopping challenge. Not so fast. This is the ultimate challenge. Think outside the mall. There are several events in this area that feature gifts that you can not find anywhere else on earth. In New Haven, the “Celebration of American Crafts is an annual juried Continued on 77

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Yale law professor Stephen Carterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest thriller, New England White, is set in the fictional burg of Elm Haven. new haven

“There are nice people [in New Haven] who would read a sentence for you, that certainly is true,” says Amy Bloom, author of Away, which appeared on the New York Times bestseller list earlier this year. Bloom lives in Durham but comes to New Haven often to shop, dine and work out with “the world’s best Pilates instructor,” Susan Spero of P2 Pilates Studio. “In the end writing is a pretty solitary activity, but it’s a very nice thing for me to have a cup of coffee with Alice Mattison,” Bloom says. Longtime New Havener Mattison’s most recent novel, 2004’s The Wedding of the Two-Headed Woman, features a straying wife who teaches at an Elm City community college. Bloom’s novel, by contrast, transports the reader from an Eastern European village to frontier Alaska, following the peregrinations of main character Lillian Leyb. After losing most of her family in an antiSemitic pogrom, the haunted Lillian tries to create a new life on the fringes of the Yiddish theater on New York’s Lower East Side. But a visitor from her past soon sends her across the continent and along Alaska’s remote “Telegraph Trail” in search of her daughter. With her eye for detail and characterization, Bloom delivers an enthralling tale that both entertains and provokes with questions of sexual mores and the demands of love.

december 2007

Adele’s quest is further complicated by her background as the daughter of a stonecutter at Branford’s Stony Creek quarries. When her older brother dies in a quarry accident, Adele takes his place in the Yale freshman class, masquerading

Like Lillian Leyb, Adele Pietra, the main character in Chandra Prasad’s new novel, On Borrowed Wings, challenges gender roles and risks everything in pursuit of a dream. In Adele’s case, however, the dream is not a lost daughter but a chance at an education — at the tradition-bound, all-male Yale College of the 1930s, no less.

hen acclaimed novelist and black and white, are a theme throughout Yale graduate student Chima- Adichie’s work, set in her native Nigeria manda Ngozi Adichie looks at and acclaimed as among the best of New Haven, she sees beyond the coffee modern African fiction. Her latest novel, shops and boutiques ringing the campus Half of a Yellow Sun, was released in to the poverty of nearby neighborhoods. paperback earlier this year as she prepares to complete a master’s degree in African “I like the urban feel of it,” Adichie says studies at Yale. of the city, “but it depresses me to see the neighborhoods that look so forgotten, Questions of race, class and identity so lacking, especially as they are in such are central to a bumper crop of new proximity to the abundances of Yale. It books from other New Haven authors used to puzzle me when I first came this year, several of which have hit to America, it still does — why poor national bestseller lists. Authors agree neighborhoods are always full of black that New Haven’s writing community people, why rich schools are not.” is as dynamic as ever — vital enough to prompt this year’s debut issue of the New The borders between rich and poor, Haven Review of Books.

“The reception of the book has been great,” says Bloom. She says that in all her fiction she’s obsessed with how seemingly minor choices can shape an entire life. “To some extent these things reveal your nature.”

Amy Bloom’s newest novel, Away, was on the New York Times’ bestseller list earlier this year.

as a man. Prasad’s inspiration literally came from the ground up: She was fascinated by the Stony Creek granite in her parents’ North Haven kitchen. “It’s a really pretty and distinctive stone, a salmony pink color. I started noticing it more and more in the architecture around town,” says Prasad, who attended Yale and now lives in Hamden. “I knew there was a very good story there.” Living in the New Haven area helped her tell the story, Prasad says. “It always seems like there is a connection back to New Haven in my writing,” Prasad says. “I do think it’s a good writers’ community — you can be a writer in New Haven and be as private or as public as you want to be.”

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Watching the city change over the years has also brought issues of identity and class to the forefront, Prasad adds. “I’ve always been interested more in identity issues, whether its class or gender or race,” Prasad says. “I’ve been fascinated about how perceptions are different from reality. These distinctions are very malleable.” New Haven novelist Stephen L. Carter also scrutinizes race and class distinctions, this time within the black elite in and around the fictional college town of “Elm Haven.” An award-winning nonfiction writer and Yale Law School professor, Carter insists that Elm Haven is not an avatar for New Haven, “although… the two towns share a lot of the same ghosts,” he allows. The ghost haunting Carter’s new book, New England White, is that of Kellen Zant, an African-American economics professor at Elm Haven’s Ivy League university with a storied past and links to power brokers all the way up to the White House. Zant turns up dead in a snow bank in a mostly white suburb near Elm Haven, shot twice in the head. Zant’s former lover, mild-mannered divinity school dean Julia Carlyle, delves into his murder and discovers dark secrets about Zant’s life and the history of her own husband, the university’s president. With its intricate, mesmerizing style and deft plotting, New England White is a worthy successor to Carter’s first bestseller, The Emperor of Ocean Park. In addition, the reader gets to peer into

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the inner workings of an Ivy League university obsessed with its image, tapping wealthy donors and internal politics — purely fiction, of course.

Carter’s next book starts in the Harlem of the 1950s and continues at real-life universities Dartmouth, Cornell and Georgetown.

Nigerian state of Biafra in the 1960s. The conflict comes to life through the eyes of Ugwu, a 13-year-old houseboy with a distinctive and engaging voice.

New England White also tackles tough “It covers 20 years of American history, The novel serves as a compelling and issues of race and privilege in the context from 1954 to 1974,” he says. “I think I was beautifully written introduction to of a wealthy university situated in a drawn to those years because they were African history and culture. poverty-stricken town, a theme that the formative years of most of the adults “If people understand that Africa is a resonates to any Elm City resident. in America and, in certain ways, were complex place of both urban and rural, the years that made the nation what it is “I think race relations are like other human war and peace, rich and poor, then perhaps today.” relations, fraught with challenge and African literature will do better,” Adichie risk, yet the proper subject for idealism says. “It will take a change in the mindset, and faith,” Carter says. “I know people I think, a willingness to humanize Africa will set the story in Connecticut in their more, to stop thinking of Africa solely imaginations, and I have no trouble with For Nigerian-born Adichie, her time in as a place of poverty and AIDS or, on that”. New Haven has given her a chance to the other hand, as a place of lions and experience both a prestigious academic giraffes.” Carter says he finds crafting novels program and a multifaceted American challenging but rewarding. Adichie adds that her experiences in New city. Haven and other U.S. cities have inspired “Writing fiction drains me, emotionally “I have long wanted to study Africa her to set her next novel in America. and physically,” he says. “It is like a battle, in a formal way, and Yale had a good, well worth winning, but difficult to fight. “We in Africa who are labeled ‘poor’ are flexible program, and a fantastic African preached to all the time about eradicating “I have now published two novels. I have collection,” poverty,” Adichie says. “But America a third coming out next summer,” Carter Adichie’s sense of her native continent’s does not carry the ‘poor’ label. Surely continues. “Do I have ideas for more? history is woven deeply into Half of a America is a great enough and rich Certainly. Do I have the energy for more? Yellow Sun, a story set at the time of the enough country to do something about I do not yet know.” bloody independence struggle of the the appalling poverty in its cities.” 

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The work of novelist and Yale graduate student Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores the boundaries separating rich and poor, black and white.

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ind. Tide. Time. Current. Sail trim.

Small-boat sailors are by their nature (and because of their relationship with Nature) are not among the Small-boat sailors are creatures in and of the sensible. They brave extreme wind conditions (plus or natural world. minus), high seas, rain, exposure to the elements that As knifing northerly winds drive December toward the would drive the rest of us to the safety and comfort of Connecticut shoreline, the more sensible folks treat late- home and hearth. autumn afternoons with care â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a hot toddy in front of Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the regular small-boat sailors. Then there a roaring fireplace, the NFL on the flat-screen plasma. are the ones who sail in the winter.

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Are they nuts, or simply sailing fanatics? (And doesn’t fanaticism by definition encompass a measure of lunacy?) Maybe a little bit of both. “A lot of the guys race year-round,” acknowledges Kevin Gillman, commodore of the Frostbite Yacht Club (FBYC), which races four classes of sailboats into December and resuming in March out of the Essex Yacht Club. “They will do frostbiting in the fall and spring, and race in the summer at local clubs as well as go to all the major regattas — Newport, Annapolis, up in Maine. But a lot of the guys [in the club] go down to Florida [in the winter] to race against some of the best sailors in the world. They basically race those boats year-round.” On a sunny late November afternoon, nearly 40 boats are on the Connecticut River to race non-stop, one race after the last, for the entire afternoon. No bathroom breaks, no interruptions — as soon as one race concludes, the boats jockey for position near the starting line in preparation for the horn that will signal the start of the next.

This fall the FBYC races four classes of than your competitors to a sudden wind sailboats: 13-foot, ten-inch Lasers, which shift can spell the difference between carry a single sail and single sailor; 15- first and seventh place. foot JY-15s, which carry a mainsail, jib And it’s surprisingly democratic: For the and crew of two; ditto for the larger, nine-week autumn season, it costs just heavier Ideal 18s; and the sleek, 30-foot $120 to $180 (depending on class of boat) Etchells, serious racing sloops named for to enter, and you’re in. Competitors designer Skip Etchells. These carry three range in age from 14-year-old Laser sails (main, jib and billowing spinnaker skipper Logan Floyd of Essex to people for downwind legs) and crew of three. in their 70s. The race course has four legs, totaling Of course, you’ll need a boat, too. You about one mile for the three smaller could get into this game for perhaps less classes and almost double that for the than $1,000 for a used Laser up to about much faster Etchells. On this bright $45,000 for a new Etchell. November afternoon the first leg is mostly upwind into a fresh ten-knot “It’s super competitive, but it’s also breeze, the second and fourth legs are friendly,” Gillman says. “There’s cross-wind “reaches,” and the third leg an attitude of what happens on the is a downwind “run.” But the wind is water, stays on the water. If you listen rarely predictable, and each race takes closely at some of the mark-roundings on its own personality. [where multiple boats want to occupy the same real estate simultaneously, a This is sailing stripped down to physical impossibility], it can get heated fundamentals — no motors, no sometimes.” electronics beyond a VHF radio onboard the two larger classes of race boats. A Indeed, last month one didn’t have feel for wind and current are essential, to listen very closely to hear some and the ability to react more quickly language that would peel paint off your

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As seen on ABC’s “Good Morning America”

Smoke on the water: Laser sailor Leighton Lee on a broad reach.

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It’s not hard to get into trouble when the water temperatures plunge into the 40s and exposure of longer than a few minutes could result in hypothermia and, before long, death. Because of that, most of the competitors wear full-torso wet or dry suits. On this day one Laser sailor capsizes rounding a leeward mark, but quickly rights the vessel and appears no worse for the wear. Capsizing is not uncommon among the Laser and JY-15 fleets. Of course, this is a warm day for November, with air temperatures near 50F. But these folks race in all weather. What do they do it for? The glory, mostly. Crews are awarded points based on their finish in each race (your score is your order of finish; and lowest total wins). Standings are kept for each nineweek campaign, and the winner of each class at season’s end gets a trophy. That’s it. And bragging rights until spring, of course. Even Gillman, who moved to Madison ten years ago from western New York and sails JY-15s, is surprised by the FBYC’s popularity. “It’s really amazing,” he says. “To have four classes [of boats racing] continuously, and each class having five to six races each Sunday, they do a great job.”

Through November 25, Charlotte (left) and skipper Dennis Posey sat atop the Ideal 18 standings.

mother reverberating throughout the Connecticut River estuary. Hull-to-hull collisions are not infrequent.

Baker also emphasizes the democratic element. “We have all kinds of people out here. There’s a transplant surgeon, two guys who run their own company — but they’re all avid sailors.” The older sailors, he notes, mostly favor the Ideal The FBYC is one of the nation’s oldest 18s which stay drier (but not that dry) “frostbite” clubs, dating from the early than the smaller Lasers and JYs. 1930s. It has no facilities of its own, But all have one thing in common: operating out of the Essex YC. It’s “Everyone wants to win out there,” entirely member-run, all volunteer, and Gillman says, “and there’s a lot of good the rank-and-file take turns doing nonsailors.” racing chores such as serving on the race committee or manning the “crash” boat, There are indeed.  a powerboat that sets and maintains the course and helps sailors in trouble.

december 2007

At the same time, the racers are collegial, invariably offering thanks and compliments as they pass the race committee boat following the last race as the sun quickly settles in the west. Back on terra firma, hot soup and cold lager await the sailors, who share battle stories into the evening hours.

Surveying the graceful ballet of treetoptall masts and white nylon sails dancing in the breeze, Vice Commodore Scott Baker admires one sailor’s deft maneuver — “What a sweet move!” He says the FBYC will race any class with three or more boats.

This season’s youngest competitor is 14-yearold Logan Floyd of Essex, who sails Lasers in the Frostbite series.

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december 2007

hen humorist George Kauf- At first, I thought that Kim and Diane man was asked what he was were just a bit too svelte to be true doing for dinner that evening foodies, so I queried, “How do you stay at nine o’clock, he replied, “Digesting so thin?” it.” Without missing a beat, Diane replied, Some cookbooks (and their authors) “I exercise to eat — kick-boxing, running, are hard to digest, but not this pair. pilates.” As Diane Gardner and Kim Castaldo, Wow, my kind of gal! (Note: I recently authors of the new cookbook, What’s asked my supermarket checkout clerk, “If Cooking Connecticut Shoreline, described this ice cream has half the fat, can I eat twice how when photographing lobster for as much?” She looked at me for a second and their first cookbook (What’s Cooking said, seriously, “Nope.”) Madison) all of their combined seven kids had to jump in the pool to retrieve These two Scorpios, both left-handed, the platter and the lobsters that had with birthdays just days apart, live in fallen in, I knew that I had finally found Madison and they have been working a wonderfully refreshing antidote to together for only three years and yet the pretentiousness often found in the it’s obvious that they have a wonderful culinary world. rhythm within their business and personal relationship. They combine Kids: “Yuk! Mom, do we have to?” laughter, hard work, a strong sense Both moms in unison: “Yes, NOW!” of family and community along with

a proactive social consciousness that produces results. Their newest cookbook collaboration, What’s Cooking Connecticut Shoreline, is a wonderfully evocative, everyday sort of cookbook focusing on E-Z-to-recreate comfort food with recipes from home cooks, “real” chefs, assorted foodies and even Diane’s daughter Halle (an 11-year-old aspiring chef). I am really enjoying this book with unfussy recipes and new favorites for my own collection are: Cheesy Crisps, Breakfast Pie, Butterscotch Chocolate Muffins, Great Great Aunt Ruthie’s O’Henry Bars and Ty’s Original S’mores (from Diane’s son Ty) with its memory-evoking photograph of a campfire with a melting marshmallow on a stick. This book is loaded with mouthwatering photos by good friend Kelley McMahan

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(who, when the “lobstas” took a dive into the pool, never broke a sweat and simply kept snapping away). Their children, whose group photo in the book is so warm and evocative, make it appear that the two families are one. The kids clearly feel that, too. Kim’s eight-year-old son Connor had lots of fun helping with the book and he spent so much time with Diane that at one point he complained to his mom (Kim), “Mrs. Gardner isn’t my real mom so I don’t have to listen to her!”

Always getting into the action are the families’ two dogs who know when something is cooking or is about to be cooked and make it their business to be right there when the tasting starts; Laci, Diane’s four-year old yellow Lab (whose photo is in the book) and Kim’s dog Cookie Dough, a cocker spaniel mix.

december 2007

There are master chefs and there is the king of master chefs, Jacques Pepin, who also lives in Madison. His career has spanned decades and his cooking buddies both in print and on television include the doyenne of everything French, the late Julia Child. (I still use the now very worn paperback of her landmark debut book, The French Chef Cookbook.)

might fool the casual observer or reader into thinking that what he does is easy. Reading through this newest book late into the night, I smiled at his recollection of rabbits. “I have a long history with the rabbit,” his story and accompanying recipe begins. Dropping on my pillows, I read on about his first rabbit (named Jeannot Lapin) who became a pet and even bonded with his Rottweiler, Pastis.

There are people whose work, talents and speaking voices (even on the When his aunt began discussions telephone) make you feel as though concerning when Jeannot would be big you are already on intimate terms. The enough to eat, young Jacques resolved few greats in each field, whose work is never to become friends with any so precise, specific and groundbreaking, creature that might one day be Sunday share a magnetic aura that is utterly dinner. compelling. So it is with Pepin, whose vitality and joie de vivre jump off each This charming story made me recall in page and glows like sunshine on photos all-too-vivid detail my own very brief of his smiling face. history of rabbits as Sunday dinner. When I lived in New York City, my His latest book, Chez Jacques: Traditions & then-husband and I had a weekend fixerRituals of a Cook, reveals a man who loves upper not far from a rabbit farm. One life, understands what makes life good Saturday he decided to stop so that he and whose seemingly simple approach to could get a rabbit. Great, I thought, as this book and his entire culinary career

I waited in the car: our first country pet. Ten minutes later my husband came back to the car with a large shopping bag. “Where’s the rabbit?” I queried. “Here,” he said, putting the bag on the back seat. I jumped out of the car and walked home. I did not go into the kitchen for two days and lived on oatmeal. This book is a heavy masterpiece — something to be savored, treasured and used often. It is marvelously atmospheric and like all of Pepin’s cookbooks is overloaded with surprisingly simple recipes perfect for the home cook. Most have vignettes, personal history or advice from Pepin, including precious old photos of favorite aunts and family members as well as images of the author’s own paintings on canvas. My favorites from this book are the Cheesecake with Peach & Blueberry Sauce, a simple classic and classy recipe and on page 190, his recipe and reminisces of his father’s fromage fort (strong cheese) is pure delight. The recipe for Golden Hill Potatoes (Pommes

Pepin’s latest volume reveals a man who loves life and understands what makes it good.

Mont d’Or) are destined to become a new favorite in my Sunday kitchen. The Pepin household also has a fourlegged resident, Paco, a black poodle

whose photo is one of many in this terrific book that I’m sure will be under my family tree this Christmas. 

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Solar Youth (back row, l-r) Naiomy Sanchez, Simon Torres, Heriberto Santiago, Jose Davila. (Front row, l-r) Juan Figueroa, Sebastian Tejada, Jamika Henry and Jess Heringer. PHOTOGRAPHS:

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team rises from red plastic bowls Also on Thursdays, Janina Gilo, a nurse filled with turkey rice soup fresh practitioner from the Hill Health Center, from Luz Colville’s stove. Tonight comes to conduct health screenings and there are ten people sitting at the dining- determine if prescriptions or further room table in the pale green house on follow-ups are needed. No meals are Rosette Street. Some days there may be served between lunch on Friday and many more; rarely are there fewer. Sunday dinner.

“We prepare for an army,” Colville says. “Some mornings we get 30 or 40 people for breakfast. It all depends on the weather or the time of the month. We never know how many people are going to show up.” Luz and her husband Mark founded Amistad House (Amistadcwh@yahoo.com) in 1994 after moving to New Haven from Bronx, N.Y., where both worked for People For Change. Tom Goekler, now with Maryknoll in Guatemala, was then with the Archdiocese of Hartford and gave the Colvilles the house to open as a Catholic Workers house. For Luz, reading the Bible made her feel that this was what they should be doing. “We asked another Catholic Worker House, St. Martin de Porres in Hartford, who started the year before we did how to do this and they told us, ‘You live day to day.’” Three meals a day are served Monday through Thursday. Visitors can take a shower or use the washer and dryer. Each Thursday is something known as Give & Take, when food, clothing, furniture and other necessities donated by others are made available to those who need them.

lost their house. Some come to seek companionship.” She adds: “This is our Eucharist. We break bread here. We’re not a shelter; we’re a family.”

And as with other family dinners, some residents help with the cooking — René René Benoit, an 84-year-old World War Benoit prides himself on his pancakes II veteran, not only takes all his meals at — while others set the table. Amistad House, but since his long-time companion died of Alzheimer’s disease, “This place has been a savior to me,” says now lives there as well. So do Esmilda Michael J. Lishniak Jr. of West Haven, Ramos and her husband Herberto who has walked two miles to Amistad Rivera. Luz met Ramos, a breast-cancer House for one meal every day over the patient who had no other place to stay last seven months. to recuperate, while working at Griffin Hospital in Derby helping immigrant During Thanksgiving week, Mark women get mammograms. Luz left that Colville and retired cook Herb Turner, job in August after another patient who who has been coming to Amistad House lived in Amistad House for a year and a for lunch two or three times a week for half died of cancer. “I get attached,” she some six years, delivered 175 turkeys recalls. “I didn’t want to lose anyone donated by St. Augustus Church in North Branford and Our Lady of Mount Carmel else.” Church in Hamden. “Our original goal At least one of the Colvilles’ four wasn’t necessarily to feed people, but children is on shift at Amistad House trying to grow an attitude of cooperation,” every night when they come home from he explains over a coffee break. school, helping with what needs to be done. The youngest, five-year-old Isaiah Mark Colville grew up in Madison, where acts as meter-and-greeter and assistant “It took me a while to figure out everyone is basically good,” he says. “My kids are dishwasher. growing up surrounded by a diversity of “Nobody who has come to our door has people and have the potential to build ever been a problem,” Luz says. “We have bridges. They don’t necessarily recognize people who have been laid off and find the boundaries I had while growing up. themselves in difficult circumstances. Some people come because they’ve “I can change things from the inside out just by being here.” new haven

Weeknights at New Haven’s Amistad House: ‘This is our Eucharist. We break bread here. We’re not a shelter; we’re a family.’

When Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart retired in 1981, he announced his intention to do volunteer work recording for the blind. Ivan Katz, then a law clerk in New Haven Superior Court, remembers thinking, “That’s not a bad idea.”

One of Katz’ fellow students at Georgetown Law School had been blind, as was a law clerk he worked with. So Katz began to record law texts for two hours every Wednesday evening. Twentysome years later, he’s still recording them, still on Wednesday nights. “Without the ability to access textbooks, you’re really at sea,” says Katz, who believes he was the first technical reader. “Recording For the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) textbooks are the way to get by ear what the rest of us get by eye.” Blind since the age of just 15 months, Carol Gillispie started using RFB&Drecorded texts as a senior at Wilbur

december 2007

Cross High School. She believes she was the first blind student in the New Haven school system and there were no books available in Braille. Following graduation from Cross, Gillispie went on to attend Albertus Magnus College as a psychology major and earned a master’s degree at Southern Connecticut State College.

volunteers,” says Anne Fortunato, the group’s state director. “And we need more.”

Some volunteers come in every day, others record once a week. On any given day, a doctor may be reading a medical text or a former Yale professor may be recording Finnegan’s Wake or reciting Chaucer in Middle English. Sometimes one reader “Everything except for my foreign will record an entire book over several language books came from RFB&D,” sessions; other times it takes 20 people says Gillispie, who became an Outreach to do one book. Volunteers not only read; Service Coordinator for RFB&D, going some listen while others read and some into schools and homes to help blind and help the reader fix technical things like dyslexic people navigate the equipment. sound level or mark the book. And she still enjoys listening to a good Readers range in age from their teens to mystery, especially by Sue Grafton, John their 90s; one volunteer recorded until Grisham or Stephen King. she was 97 “and a half.” Recording For the Blind And Dyslexic “We record schoolbooks from kinder(RFBD.org) was founded as Reading For garten level to postgraduate and serve the Blind (RFB) in 1948 by founder Anne 3,000 students statewide,” explains T. McDonald to help soldiers blinded Fortunato. While RFB&D serves more during World War II obtain an education blind people than ever before, seven out and rebuild their lives. The Connecticut of ten people it serves have dyslexia or chapter was founded in 1959 and has other learning disabilities. Others have been at its present location, 209 Orange physical disabilities that interfere with Street, for 17 years. “We have about 200 the ability to hold a book or turn pages.

When Justin Stroup of Orange was in the third grade, he struggled to read and couldn’t write a sentence. Teachers assigned him a “baby book” to do a report on in front of his class. “It was pretty unpleasant,” Stroup recalls.

or corporations may also sponsor the “Kids Explore! Kids Do! Kids Teach!” is recording of a textbook, which may also the motto of Solar Youth (SolarYouth.com), be dedicated in somebody’s honor or a New Haven-based non-profit youth memory. Such gifts are acknowledged development and education organization with a recorded message at the beginning founded in 2000 to provide opportunities of each textbook. for young people to develop a positive sense of self and connection with others through programs incorporating environmental exploration, leadership and community service.

Stroup’s mother Mary Ann, whose own mother had listened to recorded books after suffering a stroke, approached his teachers, who were at first hesitant about the idea. Once Justin became a RFB&D Programs have included a Youth Summit member, he listened to books constantly “Ewww,” grimaced one girl as she picked focusing on energy and global climate — even when he was supposed to be up one of more than 1,000 cigarette change, and Citywide Steward Summer butts during a neighborhood clean-up Camp, focusing on local and global sleeping. of her Westville Manor neighborhood biodiversity. In Citycology, teenagers Stroup made good use of the vast RFB&D that was filmed as a Solar Youth public will be trained to become environmental library throughout school and through service announcement. “These go down educators who will then teach children college — he graduated magna cum laude the storm drain and into our rivers and aged six to nine. from Lehigh University — and still uses pollute the water!” them in grad school at the University An Adventure Team will offer of Cincinnati, where he is majoring in Another team of students from Fair opportunities for youth to explore natural Haven scrubbed graffiti off a building areas. The Service Crews will develop geology. across the street from their school “so projects that address issues in their “We’re reliant on gifts from individuals, no one will think gangs are here and get community. foundations, corporations and community scared.” Still another team, also from Fair organizations,” says Fortunato, who Haven, cleaned broken glass from the “Kids in low-income communities need estimates that at least 17,000 individuals summit of West Rock, “so no one will more opportunities to have positive statewide need reading help but aren’t get hurt, including dogs, cats and other relationships with adults who can getting it. In addition, through RFBD’s animals.” guide them through their development,” Adopt-a-Text Program, individuals explains Executive Director Joanne

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Sciulli. After graduating from the Yale School of Forestry, Sciulli received a social entrepreneurship fellowship from the Echoing Green Foundation in New York, which funds individuals across the globe to take an idea and start something to change the world. Sciulli started Solar Youth.

A senior at Metropolitan Business Academy, Harris now lives in Newhallville, a neighborhood without a Solar Youth program in place. Harris started his own summer program there for 20 participants between nine and 13 years old, organizing field trips to local and regional museums and other sites of interest. “Solar Youth has helped me discover me as a person and establish goals in life,” explains Harris, who plans to become a graphic designer. In addition to Newhallville, the Dixwell neighborhood likewise has no Solar Youth presence. “In order to expand to a new neighborhood, we’d need a partner organization, such as a school or community center, and funding through donations,” explains Sciulli. “We get funding from community foundations and the [New Haven] Board of Education has been tremendously supportive, funding half the cost of after-school programs in four schools. We also have a partnership with Mutual Housing, running teams in two of their housing developments. We survive on donations and have a desperate need to increase that,” Sciulli adds. “As an organization, we need to build the capacity to grow.” 



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By Michael C. Bingham

EDITOR’S L ETTER INTEL

WORDS of MOUTH

I N ST YLE

New partial walls help to subdivide the mostly open floor plan. Front door entryway at right.

very house has a story. Tom Griggs’ and Ed Bottomley’s home on Howard Court in Milford’s Point Beach neighborhood has at least three stories — even though it’s just a single story.

The single-level home was built in 1925 as a simple pavilion-like structure with an open floor plan. Thirteen years later it was sold by its original residents, the Platt family, to the Point Beach Club to function as its clubhouse. (Even though the home is not actually on Point Beach, which is three blocks distant.) At some juncture following World War II it was converted into a side-by-side twofamily home, which it remained for 40 years — an illegal conversion, as Griggs 52

december 2007

and Bottomley discovered after they spoke to me,” he admits with a chuckle. bought it in May 2005. “It simply fulfilled a set of criteria. We were looking for a single-level home, [and The two had been searching for a singlethey are] relatively few and far between. story home to accommodate the limited I’m not a big fan of mid-century modern; mobility of Bottomley’s mother, who I like older houses.” they planned to have live with them (she passed away before the house renovations Indeed, for much of his life Bottomley were completed). has lived in historic homes; the pair’s previous home on Quinnipiac Avenue in Bottomley is an urbane, Yale-educated New Haven was built in 1790. interior designer for Cama Inc. in New Haven. His career is based on his ability “This house was really not in good to look at a space and see not just what is, condition,” Bottomley says of the but what might be. structure, with its drop ceiling, pink wallto-wall carpeting, “horrible” windows So, what about this unassuming ranch and lurking pockets of rot throughout. “It house spoke to him? was a side-by-side two-family that needed “There was nothing about this house that to be completely gutted.”

Dining area is illuminated by heavy brass chandelier, while wall-to-wall sideboard at rear is surfaced by 14-foot section of chocolate marble.

Take it down to the shell they did. By Halloween 2005 practically nothing

Today nothing is left of the original house save for the walls — once vinyl-sided, now beautifully cedar-shingled remained of the original structure beyond — hip roof and lustrous maple floors the roof and outside walls. (Bottomley that run the length of the 60- by 40-foot and Griggs even had to build the walls structure. themselves out by two inches to install The first thing that strikes the visitor insulation.) is the capaciousness of the interior, What began then was a year-long odyssey especially the grand open area that of thinking/talking/planning/building encompasses the island kitchen, family that resulted in a dramatically enhanced room/entertainment center and formal space that the home’s original occupants dining space. would scarcely have recognized.

Redeeming qualities? “The shell itself was interesting in that it had a long, low hip roof,” Bottomley recalls. “Besides that, it had one big fireplace and a big silver maple tree [in the yard]. I often joked that we bought a hip roof with a maple tree. And with any luck, the maple tree will not fall over onto the hip roof.”

I’m not a big fan of mid-century modern; I like older houses.”

Griggs, who sells real estate for Coldwell Banker, is more direct: “It was just in disgusting condition,” he says. So naturally, they bought it, paying about $275,000 for the house and the approximately 0.3-acre lot on which it sits.

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Removing decades-old layers of white stucco revealed this gorgeous brick fireplace. The granite hearth is an ‘aftermarket’ item.

“From he outside you don’t get the feeling that it’s very big,” Griggs says, “so when people come in for the first time they’re surprised at how spacious it actually is.” As part of the duo’s planning process, “We were able to go back in, understand how we live, open up some great spaces and do a three-bedroom, three-bath [home], and create what I feel is an exciting living room by sort of faking a double height, pushing the ceiling up to hug the hip roof line and sort of faking a second-floor balcony,” Bottomley explains. One of Bottomley’s design “tricks”: The ceilings in all the rooms are nine feet, while the hallway ceilings are 12 inches lower — affording visitors a feeling of expansiveness as they enter each room. “The idea was to have an open space where Ed could be cooking, we could be watching TV and people walking over to the dining area and everyone [could be in contact with one another],” says Griggs, who usually works from his home office

december 2007

in one of the three erstwhile bedrooms.

Indeed, there’s more than a touch of the Elm City here, as Griggs and Bottomley lived and worked in New Haven for years, and it remains their geographic and social touchstone.

And what a space it is. The sleek kitchen (Bottomley is a gourmet cook) is equipped with commercial-grade appliances including the obligatory SubZero refrigerator/freezer and chocolate “I say we live in the Milford section of granite-topped island of aircraft-carrier New Haven,” Griggs says, “because we’re dimensions. only ten minutes from downtown New Haven, and we’re there all the time.” The aforementioned faux balcony overlooks the living area. Its chrysanthe- The master suite includes a bathroom mum-colored walls are dominated by dominated by a double shower with pebble an 1835 Belgian tapestry that Griggs and flooring from Connecticut Stone. Outside Bottomley believe may have come from a the shower the ocean-blue marble floors Vanderbilt mansion on Bellevue Avenue are electrically heated: “Talk about luxury in Newport, R.I. (where Bottomley’s in the winter,” Griggs notes. “Otherwise grandfather was an antiques dealer). this would be freezing.” Below the tapestry is a five-foot grand piano, beneath which is tucked an unusual child-sized fainting couch (for visiting nephews and nieces who may feel faint, no doubt). The room also houses two chairs from the old Taft Hotel in New Haven, “rescued” by Bottomley, then “pickled” and reupholstered.

Also adjoining the master suite is a vast (to say the least) walk-in closet that Imelda Marcos would envy, featuring built-in storage units from Ikea. The folks from the Point Beach Club would probably need their own fainting couch. 

INTEL FÊ T E S

PHOTOGRAPH:

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W OR D S o f M OU TH

Anne Tubis PHOTOGRAPH:

Gary Doyens of CPTV and WTNH anchor, Jocelyn Maminta, both of New Haven, along with Marleen Kim and ESPN anchor, Michael Kim, at Neighborhood Music School’s Benefit Gala Heatwave at the Omni Hotel in New Haven.

INS TYL E

There was plenty of dancing and grooving at Neighborhood Music School’s Gala Benefit Heatwave to the cool sound of Motown from the band Soul Sound Revue and The Soul Sisters from Yale University. The Soul Sisters include: Emily Jenda, a Yale 2010 Theatre Major; Olga Pagán, a Yale 2010 Psychology Major, and Sarajane Williams, a Yale 2009 Mechanical Engineering Major.

On November 13, members of the Alexis de Toqueville Society, who collectively donate more than $10,000 annually to the United Way of Greater New Haven, gathered for a dinner party sponsored by Toqueville members Rebekah and William Cholawa at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. L-r: de Tocqueville members Robert Outtrim of Merrill Lynch; Yale University’s Jeff Sonnenfeld; Steve Johnson, also of Merrill Lynch; and Hank Bartels of North Haven.

The Junior League of Greater New Haven held its fourth annual ‘Wine Tasting and Silent & Live Auction’ November 15 at the New Haven Country Club in Hamden. The event commemorated the Junior League’s 85th year of serving the community. Pictured (l-r) are Junior League President Nicole Pollard, Wine Tasting Co-Chairs Kendra Martin and Katie Bonito, and President-Elect Dana Schaffer. Rebekah and William Cholawa, regional managing director at Merrill Lynch in New Haven, who sponsored the de Tocqueville event.

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en years ago, bright, bold hues to businesswomen. It’s an expression and even multicolored hair would — these colors make a dramatic statemost likely be found on teenage ment.” girls lurking in the mall. But today, these “It’s not just for 16-year-olds anymore,” colors are making a new statement — as adds Dan Lyon, a stylist at Broadway professional businesswomen are taking Hair in New Haven. “I’ve seen an a liking to the new color trend. increase in older women looking for “I think professional women are just more bold colors in the last five years.” edgy and they want to express more of Segovia notes that colors such as caramel their own individuality,” says Mayra gold, terracotta red and a fuchsia Segovia, owner of Mayra Segovia F magenta work best with blonde hair. Studio on Whalley Avenue in Westville. Canary yellow, indigo or sapphire blue, “My customers are career women and and green work best for dark, brown they want to be hip; they want to be hair. And indigo blue, fuchsia magenta up-to-date. They’re savvy, smart, read and canary yellow best complement all the magazines and they really know very dark brown or black hair. what they want and they demand it.” One of Segovia’s clients, who serves Segovia says she has noticed her female on the board of directors for a large clients — many in their 30s or older telephone company, is one example — show more of an interest in fashion of the new trend, drawing inspiration and bolder hair colors. from celebrity Victoria (Posh Spice) “They’re bored with the natural, neutral Beckham’s hairstyle. tones,” she explains. “They want “My client is 50 years old and had newness and freshness.” completely grey hair,” she explains. “But The demand for bold hair colors include she wanted the funky Posh haircut, so the primary colors red, blue and yellow, we gave her one little streak of fuchsia but women have taken these colors to red color underneath the rest of her hair. a new level, diving into the “hottest” Now she has something totally new that secondary colors right now: orange and she makes a statement with.” fuchsia, a magenta pink. Another one of Segovia’s clients, a 37“The push and the rush for the over-the- year-old psychiatrist who works at Yale, edge styles are coming through with introduced orange into her hair with two these colors,” Segovia says. “They’re little strands colored in canary yellow. so visible and they’re trickling down

Sandra Connelly shows off dazzling color highlights. HAIR & MAKEUP: Mayra Segovia & Kristine LiVolsi PHOTOGRAPHS: Steve Blazo

“It looks fabulous on her,” she says. “And that’s a huge statement for a woman in her position.” Lisa Gonzalez, a stylist at Panache on New Haven’s Chapel Street, has also noted a surge in the new trend. “Anything goes these days,” says Gonzalez, whose clients are mostly women between the ages of 25 to 45. “They are getting more daring in their older age and they’re taking risks.” But Segovia sees the popularity of the bold, risky colors as something much more than just a hair or fashion trend. “Women are becoming less inhibited and are coming out more with their individual personalities,” she explains. “They’re defining themselves and they’re not scared to come out and be a little more edgy.” Christie Garafalo, a stylist at Karma on College Street in New Haven, says New Haven’s cosmopolitan influence amplifies the popularity of bold colors. “Towns like Hamden and Wallingford aren’t as open as people here,” she explains. “Being in New Haven allows us to be creative and openminded, since people are very artistic here. We are so lucky to have clients like that in this city.” Katharine Healy, another Karma stylist, agrees. “There are a lot more older, single women now, and they don’t want to look like moms,” she says, laughing. “They don’t want to look like Grandma.” Healy, who has magenta pink hair herself, sees the new trend representative of a new attitude among women.

Tangled up in blue: Maria Isabel’s look is unlikely to leave her stranded.

december 2007

“In previous decades, there has been a hairstyle that defines the generation — the Dorothy Hamill, the Rachel haircut from [TV hit show] Friends — and for the first time, we have beautiful short hair, beautiful long hair,” she says. “Now it’s all about tailoring to each individual. Changing to these bold colors gives women a way to reinvent themselves.” 

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FÊ T E S

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WOR D S of MOU TH

INS TYL E

Erik P. Brown and Harriett Alfred in Black Nativity, through December 16 on the Long Wharf Mainstage.

Sweet Soul Music Music educators make a joyful noise in LWT’s Black Nativity By Brooks Appelbaum

“It’s wonderful when you get to see all 24 hours of every day of the week. You don’t miss a thing.”

the singer/actors in this cast are music educators, most working in New Haven public schools.

This is Black Nativity’s music director, Jonathan Q. Berryman, breezing in for a Wednesday evening rehearsal at Long Wharf Theatre, which will stage the production December 7-16 on its Mainstage (203-787-4282, longwharf.org). Never mind that he has spent a full day teaching music at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School. Nearly everyone in this cast has had an equally replete day — nearly all

For these non-Equity performers, music saturates their careers, spiritual lives and homes. Regina T. Edwards worked as a music teacher for 35 years. She retired briefly before joining Berryman in the choral classroom. Retirement, she says, was not for her: “Music is our lifeline.”

december 2007

Berryman’s energy bears this out: Even sitting in an upholstered chair, apparently relaxed, he seems to be in motion. And

in a way he is. As he and Edwards speak, Berryman’s deep voice, frequently punctuated with rolling laughter, and Edwards’ softly determined counterpoint harmonize with common experience. Edwards grew up with music, taking piano lessons and singing in choirs. She sang her first solo at age 14, and liked how singing in front of her peers felt. Music, she says, “was instilled in us from childhood.” Berryman agrees, a smile warming his words. “Music was always a part of our house,” he recalls. “I remember singing around the table with the family — not just immediate family, but also extended family. When we would have family reunions we would strike up a hymn or song to sing, and everybody knew where they fell, what part to sing. The harmony was right there and people would improvise. And if it wasn’t in your key,

you knew how to find the harmony part, so whoever chose that key could sing the melody and you sang whatever else.”

appreciates the artistry that her fellow singers bring to the production. She says that Black Nativity is even more powerful when shaped by a director’s vision than when it is performed as a choral piece. She also cherishes the work’s spiritual dimension.

Despite having music in their DNA, both Berryman and Edwards initially resisted the idea of musical careers. Skeptical about pursuing music in college, Edwards initially majored in elementary education “This is the story of Christ, and most of at Alabama State University. “And then us have a strong connection to that story,” I got up enough guts, brushed myself she says. “We bring it!” Awe, enthusiasm off, straightened myself up, and second and humility fill her voice. “Our prayer semester I was like, ‘Okay, I’m going is that someone in the audience will be to do this,’ and I went off to the music touched by this experience.” department,” she recalls. “And I found While Alfred, Berryman, Edwards, it so relaxing because this was a special and Erik P. Brown (principal of Walsh department: it was a family.” Elementary School in Waterbury) all Berryman planned to major in economics, teach in public schools, every adult in the but sat in his economics classes with music cast combines a career with singing in swirling through his head. “Somewhere and/or directing local church choirs. Says I figured that this is kind of ridiculous Edwards, “All of us bring a faith aspect to — I should go ahead and do what I am this, and sometimes that makes it tough supposed to do.” Reflecting on that choice to keep it theater.” now, he adds, “The greatest thing is to be Joining the conversation, director Sarah able to make a living at doing what I’m Peterson, begs to differ. “No. Your called on this earth to do.” spirituality makes my job easy,” she says. Harriett Alfred, another cast member “You bring yourselves to this. who has been teaching in New Haven “This is their witness to what they public schools for 20 years, particularly

believe,” says Peterson of her cast. “The piece becomes luminous in their hands.” Another aspect of Hughes’ Black Nativity that aids a director is that although a script exists (based on the original 1961 New York production), Hughes’ estate “allows enormous plasticity in production,” Peterson explains. “You can change the music, you can add or subtract from the written page.” Peterson sets the first act, which tells of the birth of Jesus, in the late 1860s. The second act is a Wednesday night prayer service, rejoicing in the promise Jesus made “to save this world from sin,” in Hughes’ words. And gospel music buoys the story from beginning to end. “They take us to church every time we do this show,” Peterson says of her cast. “But it’s a church where everyone is welcome. We all look to ennoble ourselves, and this is a chance to celebrate who we are as human beings.” Who better to carry this message than those who teach young people to make a joyful sound? 

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EDITOR’S L ETTER ART The City, an exhibition of paintings by Constance LaPalombara. A landscape and still-life painter, LaPalombara is well known for her city scenes of her New Haven hometown. Her artwork has been the subject of 25 solo shows as well as of numerous group shows, and she was profiled in Cheever Tyler’s 2006 book Artists Next Door: A Great City’s Creative Spirit. Through December 5 at the Gallery at the Whitney Humanities Center at Yale, 53 Wall Street, New Haven. Open 3-5 p.m. Mon., Wed. or by appointment. Free. 203-432-0670.

INTEL

FÊ T E S

Artist and master ukiyo-e printmaker Keiji Shinohara marries traditional Japanese woodcut techniques with new materials and ideas. His multilayered prints reveal abstracted landscapes and evocative explorations of the seasons and the natural world. Keiji Shinohara: Color Harmony focuses on works Shinohara has created since 1995. Through December 9 at Davison Art Center, Wesleyan University, Middletown. Open noon-4 p.m. daily except Mon. Free. 860-6852500, www.wesleyan.edu/dac. Gods, Demons & Generals: Icons of Korean Shamanism. Paintings in this exhibition, organized and curated by the Korea Society, explore the indigenous Korean shamanic tradition, a force that exists at the nexus of Korean religion and culture. Through December 9 in Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies Gallery, Wesleyan University, Middletown. Open noon-4 p.m. daily except Mon. Free. 860-6852330. www.wesleyan.edu/east/. Ever wonder about why the Puritans did not celebrate

december 2007

Workshop, 80 Audubon St., New Haven. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (until 8 p.m. Thurs.), 1-5 p.m. Sun. (10 a.m.-1 p.m. December 24). Free. 203-562-4927, creativeartsworkshop.org. One of the most significant photographers working in the UK today, Jem Southam creates photographic narratives of landscapes transformed by time and man. Jem Southem: Upton Pyne chronicles six years in the life of an unprepossessing pond near the photographer’s home in Exeter, Devon. From 1996 to 2001, Southam returned regularly to the site, recording the changing seasons and tenants attempts to make improvements to the landscape. Shown in the context of the British traditions of landscape representation, Southam’s photographs ask us to reexamine notions of meaning and beauty in the landscape. Through December 30 (exhibition tour: noon December 15 & 29, 11 a.m. December 20) at the Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Mon., noon-5 p.m. Sun. Free. ycba.yale.edu.

WOR D S of MOU TH

INS TYL E

Roger Van Damme, as himself, at Kehler Liddell Gallery through Dec. 30.

Christmas, the myths behind the first Thanksgiving, and how All Hallow’s Eve became a night of costumes and candy? Holidaze: The Real Story of Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas is an annual holiday exhibit aimed at separating the facts from the myths about the holidays we celebrate today and how they were observed in the 17th century. Through December 14 at the Henry Whitfield State Museum, 248 Old Whitfield St., Guilford. Open 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wed.-Sun. $4 ($3 seniors and students, $2.50 ages 6-17). 203-453-2457, www. whitfieldmuseum.com. Remembering, works by local

artists Irene Miller and Jan Murdock. Through December 14 at Gallery 195, 195 Church St., 4th Floor, New Haven. Open 9 a.m.3 p.m. Mon.-Wed., until 5 p.m. Thurs.-Fri. Free. 203-772-2788. More than 400 artists from across America are represented in the Celebration of American Crafts, an annual juried exhibition and sale in its 39th year, sponsored by Creative Arts Workshop. Fine contemporary American crafts in virtually every medium, including glass, ceramics, jewelry, wearable and decorative fiber, handcrafted furniture and more. Through December 24 at Creative Arts

Roger Van Damme: A Retrospective. Retrospective of works by Connecticut artist Roger Van Damme, a World War II veteran whose career spans more than six decades. Van Damme’s paintings reveal a deep understanding of the human condition and human mortality. Through December 30 (reception 4-8 p.m. December 8) at Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Ave., New Haven. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends or by appointment. Free. 203-3899555, www.kehlerliddell.com. Art & Emancipation in Jamaica: Isaac Mendes Belisario & His Worlds. Organized to

CRITIC’S PICK: East Meets West Being the cultural amalgam it is, New Haven finally has artwork reflecting a true meeting of the cultural minds and hearts. Revolution & Rebirth: The Christian Art of Huibing He is an exhibition of artwork by Huibing He, a Chinese clergywoman, who incorporates a Western context (the Bible) with an Eastern style (Chinese scrolls). He, artist-in-residence at the Overseas Ministries Study Center at Yale, found consolation and strength in the beauty she saw in both nature and people through art

during a difficult childhood in Guanghzhou, in southern China. In defiance of the official atheism of the Chinese Communist regime, she became a Christian in 1980. She embraced her newfound faith and continued to feed it by pursuing a theological education and expressing her beliefs through art. As many before her, He views art as a spiritual journey. After emigrating to the United States, He became pastor of First Chinese United Methodist Church in Duluth, Ga. Since 2000

she has been pastor of First United Methodist Church of Port Jefferson, on Long Island, N.Y. Through February 22 at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, 409 Prospect St., New Haven. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Free. huibingh@ verizon.net, www.yale.edu/ism. Chinese artist and minister Huibingh He transforms the words of the Bible into such visually stunning representations as ‘The Light of Life’ (1992), a scroll painting.

commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of British slave trade, Art & Emancipation in Jamaica is the first exhibition to focus exclusively on the visual culture of slavery and emancipation in Jamaica. Chronicles the iconography of sugar, slavery and the topography of Jamaica from the beginning of British rule in 1655 to the aftermath of emancipation in the 1840s. At the center of the exhibition is the remarkable lithographic series Sketches of Character, In Illustration of the Habits, Occupation, and Costume of the Negro Population in the Island of Jamaica by the Jewish Jamaican-born artist Isaac Mendes Belisario. Through December 30 (exhibition tour: noon December 8, 11 a.m. December 13, 2 p.m. December 16 & 30) at the Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Mon., noon-5 p.m. Sun. Free. ycba.yale. edu.

The Architect’s Table: Swid Powell and Postmodern Design. Celebrates the promised gift of the Swid Powell Collection and Records to the Yale University Art Gallery. Founded in 1982 by Nan Swid and Addie Powell, the company produced innovative housewares designed by the foremost architects of the 1980s, including Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Robert A. M. Stern and Stanley Tigerman. Swid Powell helped the architects transform their ideas into finished objects, many of which have become

black-and-white photographs of readers in Yale libraries from the 1950s to the early 1980s. The photographs document contemporary fashions, library interior spaces, and the shifting Yale demographics over the decades, with a noticeable increase in female subjects from the late 1960s onwards. The photographs were taken by Yale and New Haven photographers including John T. Hill, A. Burton Street, Charles R. Schulze, Austin Cooper of the Yale Daily News, R.B. Smith, Anne M. Russell, J.D.

A display of video and still photographic works by Londonbased artist Ori Gersht, including, The Forest, a 13-minute video installation shot in the remote regions of Galicia in southwest Ukraine, where the artist’s family found temporary refuge from Nazi persecution during World War II, can be found in Works by Ori Gersht. Through December 30 at the Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Mon., noon-5 p.m. Sun. Free. ycba. yale.edu. More than 350 artists from across the country will showcase handmade, one-of-a-kind crafts as part of Artistry ‘07, the Guilford Art Center’s annual holiday sale. Wide-ranging assembly of crafts including ceramics, candles, glass, fine art, metal, jewelry, fiber, wood, ornaments, cards, condiments, soap, leather, toys, more. All proceeds benefit the Guilford Art Center, its school and gallery programs. Through January 6 at Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St., Guilford. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, noon-4 p.m. Sun. 203-453-5947, www. guilfordartcenter.org.

december 2007

Keiji Shinohara’s color woodcut, ‘Silent’ (1997), creates the illusion of peering into a leaf-filled pond.

icons of postmodern design. Exhibition includes drawings, promotional material, silver, ceramics and glass, and rare prototypes for unexecuted objects. Through January 6 at Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Mon. (until 8 p.m. Thurs.), 1-6 p.m. Sun. Free. 203-432-0600, artgallery.yale.edu. Take a trip down memory lane with Rough Proof: Readers in Yale Libraries. The exhibit features

Levine,] and William R. Carter. Through January 7 at Sterling Memorial Library, 120 High St., New Haven. Open 8:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m. weekdays, until 4:45 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Sat., 1-11:45 p.m. Sun. Free. 203-432-2798, resources.library.yale.edu/online/ smlexhibits.asp. Royalty of Rock: Images of Richard E. Aaron. Never-before-seen images of the Police, Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Jerry Garcia and more from one

of rock ‘n’ roll’s best-known photographers. Through January 8 at the Exposure Gallery of Photography, 1 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Open noon-6 p.m. Wed.Sat. or by appointment. 203-4949905, www.XGphotography.com. Water, cars, real estate and fossil fuels all figure prominently in the evolution of the west from rugged final frontier to L.A.’s embodiment of the sprawling American city. Starting in the early 1960s, Ed Ruscha’s artists’ books have addressed issues concerning land development in the American West, particularly Los Angeles. Views of Los Angeles, the City Beautiful: Ed Ruscha’s Artists’ Books includes deadpan photos of gas stations, parking lots, apartment complexes, swimming pools and other banalities that illuminate the L.A. cityscape, both physical and psychic. This exhibit examines several of Ruscha’s publications and situates them in their particular time and place, along with additional documentation, to create a then/now portrait of L.A. — the city and the mythology. Through January 8 at Sterling Memorial Library, 120 High St., New Haven. Open 8:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m. weekdays, until 4:45 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Sat., 1-11:45 p.m. Sun. Free. 203-432-2798, resources.library.yale.edu/online/ smlexhibits.asp. Daniel Read and the Flowering of Sacred Music in New Haven. An exhibition that celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of New Haven composer Daniel Read (1756-1836). The exhibit showcases early American psalters (including the Bay Psalm Book), as well as manuscripts and printed music by Daniel Read, William Billings and other prominent American tunesmiths. Through January 9 at Beineke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, 121 Wall St., New Haven. Open 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., until 5 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Free. 203-432-2977, www.library.yale. edu/beinecke/. Celebrating Italian Festivals. Exhibition of books produced between 16th and 19th centuries

documenting religious, civic and public festivals in towns and provinces of Italy. Through January 9 at Beineke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, 121 Wall St., New Haven. Open 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Free. 203432-2977, library.yale.edu/beineke. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the University Church of Yale, the oldest college church in America. Founded in 1757, the church has often challenged the status quo and as a result has frequently found itself at the center of controversy. The University Church, 1757-2007: Celebrating 250 Years of Service to Yale examines some of University Church’s defining moments, past controversies and influential preachers. Through January 16 at Sterling Memorial Library, 120 High St., New Haven. Open 8:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m. weekdays, until 4:45 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Sat., 1-11:45 p.m. Sun. Free. 203432-2798, resources.library.yale. edu/online/smlexhibits.asp.

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Dick Mooney, Yale Class of 1947, has curated The Eponymous Dozen: Naming Yale’s 12 Residential Colleges, an exhibit telling the fascinating life stories of the ten men for whom Yale’s residential colleges are named: John Davenport, Abraham Pierson, Jonathan Edwards, two Timothy Dwights, Jonathan Trumbull, John C. Calhoun, Bishop George Berkeley, Benjamin Silliman, Ezra Stiles, and Samuel F.B. Morse, as well as revealing how Branford and Saybrook Colleges were named. Through January 17 at Sterling Memorial Library (opp. Starr Main Reference Room), 120 High St., New Haven. Open 8:30 a.m.-11:45 p.m. weekdays, until 4:45 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Sat., 1-11:45 p.m. Sun. Free. 203-432-2798, resources.library.yale.edu/online/ smlexhibits.asp. The annual members show of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven’s Photographic Arts Collective, Spectra 2007, features dozens of photographs by a host of regional photographers.

Through January 31 (reception 5-7 p.m. December 13) at Arts Council of Greater New Haven, 70 Audubon St., New Haven. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Free. 203772-2788. A Christmas Journey: Nativities from Across Italy. This Knights of Columbus Museum exhibition takes visitors on a “Christmas Journey Around Italy” — right in New Haven. Exhibition includes 17 miniature dioramas from across Italy never before seen in the United States, though renowned for their splendid workmanship and quality. Through February 3 at the Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Free. 203-865-0400, museum@kofc.org, www.kofc.org/museum. The Swiss Guard: Celebrating 500 Years of Papal Service. Includes uniformed mannequins, suits of armor, helmets, swords, lances and other weapons, paintings, prints, documents, metals, flags and pennants from the world’s

oldest military organization. Through February 3 at the Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Free. 203-865-0400, museum@kofc.org, www.kofc.org/museum. More than 150 crosses and crucifixes, collected from around the world (where they were used in churches or by individuals) are on loan from the extensive Yvonne Shia Klancko Collection of religious items and displayed for the first time in Crosses and Crucifixes. The exhibition includes an item from the Balkans made more than 800 years ago. Through April 6 at the Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Free. 203-865-0400, museum@kofc.org, www.kofc. org/museum.

BELLES LETTRES Author and photographer Peter Eason, who compiled and wrote

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The Founding Fathers’ Footsteps, a walking guide to the historical monuments and places of Milford, will sign copies of his book during Downtown Milford’s Lamplight Stroll. A portion of the proceeds from the book will benefit the Milford Historical Society. 5:30-9 p.m. December 7, noon-2 p.m. December 8 at Collected Stories Bookstore, 12 Daniel St., Milford. 203-874-0115, www.collectedstoriesbookstore. com.

Beautifully decorated trees wait to be raffled to help needy children of Connecticut.

A medieval “best-seller,” the Nibelungenlied soon fell into obscurity. When a manuscript of the epic poem was discovered in 1755, German literary critics hoped it would come to rival Homer’s epics in popularity and prestige. Against the backdrop of German admiration for ancient poetry, particularly the Iliad and the Odyssey, Creating Germany’s National Myth: The Nibelungenlied and Its Homerian Context chronicles the creation of a “German National Myth” from the ill-suited cloth of the Nibelungenlied.

Through January 9 at Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, 121 Wall Street, New Haven. Open 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., until 5 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Free. 203-432-2977, library.yale. edu/beineke.

BENEFITS In its 18th year, Trees of Hope offers something for the whole family, with a display of 75 beautifully decorated trees, decorated tree raffle, holiday gift boutique, musical entertainment and visits from Santa. Proceeds to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut. Through December 9 at Long Wharf Maritime Center, 555 Long Wharf Dr., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. www. ronaldmcdonaldhouse-ct.org/. Sample culinary delights prepared by the Chefs’ at Laurel Estates, view and bid on a variety of trees decorated by local businesses and community organizations during the

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Silent Auction and donate nonperishable food items, gently used clothes and toys for local families in need at the annual Laurel Estates Festival of Trees. Proceeds benefit the Orange Senior Center Fuel Assistance Program and the Milford/Orange Senior Wish Society. 7-9 p.m. December 13 at Laurel Estates, 245 Indian River Rd., Orange. $10 advance, $15 at door. 203-795-3117, www.laurelestatesalf.com. In honor of the Petit family, Cheshire’s Lights of Hope is a community effort to raise funds to fight multiple sclerosis by selling luminaria to light the town and neighborhoods with hope. Proceeds will benefit Hayley’s Hope & Michaela’s Miracle Memorial Fund, a locallyrestricted fund established by the Petit family to assist the 6,000 Connecticut residents battling MS. December 16 in Cheshire. 203-439-0687, www. cheshireslightsofhope.com.

CINEMA Spartacus (U.S., 1960, 198 min.), directed by Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick (alongside an uncredited Anthony Mann) helms one of the last great Hollywood epics, with Kirk Douglas starring as the titular slave who would dare to challenge the authority of the Roman Empire. 7 p.m. December 11 at the Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-0670, whitneyhumanitiescenter@yale. edu, www.yale.edu/cinema. Director Carl Theodor Dreyer’s gorgeous, haunting masterpiece, Day of Wrath (Denmark, 1943, 97 min.), examines sexually-charged accusations of witchcraft in a 17th-century Danish village, and suggests the all too real dangers in believing in impossible things. 8 p.m. December 12 at the Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-0670, whitneyhumanitiescenter@yale. edu, www.yale.edu/cinema.

Hail Mary (France, 1985, 107 min.) directed by Jean-Luc Godard. This openly controversial film is a modern retelling of the Virgin birth as well as a serenely beautiful and contemplative meditation on the relationship between religion and cinema. 8 p.m. December 13 at the Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-0670, whitneyhumanitiescenter@yale. edu, www.yale.edu/cinema. Using archival footage, interviews, and photographs, Marcus Garvey: Look for Me in the Whirlwind (U.S., 2001, 90 min.), a documentary directed by Stanley Nelson, examines one of the most controversial figures in American history. Marcus Garvey emigrated from Jamaica to New York City in 1914, bringing with him a message of black empowerment. With millions of followers worldwide, Garvey decried racial prejudice in the United States and built the largest black mass movement in world history. Noon December 14 at Yale Center for British Art, 1080

Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203432-2800, ycba.yale.edu. A Christmas Carol (UK, 1951, 86 min.), directed by Brian Desmond Hurst. In this adaptation of Dickens’ classic, Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim) is given one last chance for redemption when ghosts haunt him on Christmas Eve. 2 p.m. December 15 at Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-2800, ycba. yale.edu.

COMEDY Comedy Central Live on Campus presents funnyman Mike Birbiglia in Comedy Central Live: Mike Birbiglia’s Secret Public Tour. 8 p.m. December 8 at John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven. $12 ($10 series, SCSU faculty/staff, seniors, $5 SCSU students). 203-392-6154, tickets. southernct.edu/.

2007-2008 Season PMAC Chamber Orchestra presents

A Night in Venice!

Friday, January 11, 2008 7:30 pm, Main Theater $25/Sr. Citizens $20/Students $10

hoate’s professional chamber orchestra-in-residence performs works of the Italian masters under the baton of Maestro Philip Ventre. Featuring concerti for strings, flute and violoncello, including Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” and Vivaldi’s sonnets which will be read in Italian and in English.

Young Children’s Performances Y Performed by Theatreworks/USA

”A Christmas Carol”

Saturday, December 15, 2007 2:00 pm, Main Theater, $12/Children 12 and under $10

atch the holiday spirit with this musical interpretation of Charles Dickens’ classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, whose cold heart is warmed after an encounter with three holiday spirits. Appropriate for all ages.

Call the Box Office at (203) 697-2398 or order online at www.choate.edu/boxoffice. Christian Street, Wallingford, CT Free Parking new haven

DANCE Winter Dance Concert. Advanced student choreographers present recent work. 8 p.m. December 7-8 at CFA Theater, Wesleyan University, Middletown. $5-$4. 860-685-3355, cfa@wesleyan.edu, www.wesleyan.edu/cfa. Beginning dance students perform works in diverse styles including jazz, Afro-Brazilian, Bharata Natyam and Javanese dance at the Worlds of Dance Concert. 2 p.m. December 9 at World Music Hall and Crowell Concert Hall, Wesleyan University, Middletown. Free. 860-6853355, cfa@wesleyan.edu, www. wesleyan.edu/cfa.

Critic’s Pick Waking Up the Whole Neighborhood Not always known for being edgy, New Haven attempts to remedy that with a variation on traditional caroling this year. The International Festival of Arts & Ideas has invited New York artist Phil Kline to orchestrate his signature composition, Unsilent Night, a “boom-box symphony” comprising an infinite number (community participation is requested) of boom-boxes (or iPod/mp3 players with speakers) each belting out a separate tape/CD/mp3 file. This public processional of hundreds of boomboxes carried from the Shubert Performing Arts Center through the Chapel Street area and across the New Haven Green, will end up in the Audubon Arts District and, it is hoped, build a peaceful multi-dimensional sound environment out of other-worldly voices and bells along the way. Be part of the noisiest celebration in town by bringing a boombox/music player with speakers (organizers will provide the music), borrowing a music player (a limited number are available) from festival organizers or simply bringing yourself and a cup of cocoa to witness this momentous occasion. 6:15 p.m. procession begins (door open 5:30 p.m.) December 13 at Shubert Performing Arts Center, 247 College St., New Haven. Free. Prospective participants contact 203-498-3727 to reserve appropriate CD, tape or mp3 file. artidea.org/index.cgi/15090. Phil Kline’s boom-box symphony, Unsilent Night, promises a different holiday experience for young and old New Haveners alike.

West African Drumming and Dance Concert. An invigorating performance filled with the rhythms of West Africa, featuring choreographer and Master Drummer Samuel Elikem Nyamuame and Abraham Adzenyah, joined by students and guest artists. 8 p.m. December 14 at Crowell Concert Hall, Wesleyan University, Middletown. $8-$6. 860-685-3355, cfa@wesleyan.edu, www.wesleyan.edu/cfa.

FAMILY EVENTS The traditional story of The Nutcracker comes to life in this classical ballet performed by students of the New Haven Ballet with music by Orchestra New England. 2 & 7:30 p.m. December 8, 1 & 5 p.m. December 9 at Shubert Performing Arts Center, 247 College St., New Haven. $53$18. 203-562-5666, shubert.com. The Downtown Milford Lamplight Stroll is a two-day, event-packed holiday treat organized by the Downtown Milford Business Association. Events include: horse and carriage rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus (6-9 p.m. Fri., Milford Bank parking lot), caroling by the Connecticut Renaissance Singers, performances by the Lee Lund Studio of Dance (7, 7:30 p.m. Fri.) and the Cornerstone Choir singing Christmas carols on the steps of Milford Photo (6:30-8

p.m. Fri.). 5-9 p.m. December 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. December 8 in downtown Milford. www. downtownmilfordct.com/stroll.htm. Devotees of the annual summertime International Festival of Arts & Ideas can indulge in the food tour Vino, Saffron y Sofrito: Flavors of Spain and Latin America as part of a holiday mini-festival. 1:30 p.m. December 8 at the Wine Thief, New Haven. $35. www.artidea.org. Ninth Square Noshes: Experimental, Eccentric, Distinctive Food & Drink of Ninth Square. Restaurant tour. 5:30 p.m. December 12 at 116 Crown, New Haven. $35. www.artidea.org. Celebrate the Arts Series. Love music, art, drama and nature? New series for families with children in grades K and up fuses the world of the arts with the worlds of science and nature. Explore a different family-oriented theme each session. This session, celebrate the sounds of the season as participants sound out their own symphony from homemade rain sticks or rubber band guitars. 1-2 p.m. December 15 at Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford, 1 Milford Point Rd., Milford. $7 members/$12 nonmembers ($5/$10 children, $5 seniors). 203-878-7440, www. ctaudubon.org/visit/milford.htm. Annual holiday favorite, Fantasy of Lights, allows visitors to drive through an enchanted land of spectacular, sparkling holiday light displays. Through December 31 at Lighthouse Point Park, Lighthouse Rd., New Haven. Open 5 to 9 p.m. weekdays, 5-10 p.m. weekends. $10 car or family van. newhavengoodwill.easterseals. com. Holiday Toy Trains Exhibition: Mr. Gilbert’s Railroad. The Eli Whitney Museum’s annual hands-on exhibition of American Flyer trains showcases classic toy trains produced by New Haven’s A.C. Gilbert Co. that still run beautifully after 50 years. Through January 13 at the Eli Whitney Museum, 915 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Open noon-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri. and Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sat. (10 a.m.-3 p.m. December 24, 31). Free. Wooden trains to construct: $8. 203-777-1833, www. eliwhitney.org.

LECTURES/ DISCUSSIONS Yale professor and astronomer Richard Scalzo will lecture on Insanely Bright & Distant: Supernovas and the Accelerating Universe prior to a Public Stargazing Session. 7 p.m. December 6 at the Leitner Family Observatory, 355 Prospect St., New Haven. Free. www.astro.yale.edu/ publicnights. Contemporary Anglo-Caribbean Art. Courtney Martin, a doctoral student in history of art at Yale University will lead the discussion of this “Art in Context” lecture. 12:30 p.m. December 11 at the Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. ycba. yale.edu.

MUSIC Classical The Yale Glee Club and Yale Glee Club Chamber Singers join the Yale Collegium Players, Yale College Chamber Singers and members of the Yale Concert Band to perform Music of the Season at Yale. 7:30 p.m. December 6 at Battell Chapel, 300 College St., New Haven. Free-will donation. research.yale.edu/ gleeclub/schedule.html An Evening of Javanese Music. The Wesleyan Gamelan Ensemble performs classical music of Central Java, under the direction of I.M. Harjito. An ensemble of bronze gongs, hammered xylophones, drums, string and voices, the gamelan is an accompaniment to Javanese ceremonies. 8 p.m. December 6 at the World Music Hall, Wesleyan University, Middletown. Free. 860685-3355, cfa@wesleyan.edu, www. wesleyan.edu/cfa.

The Philharmonia Orchestra of Yale, under the baton of Music Director Shinik Hahm, performs: WEBER Overture to Der Freischutz, HINDEMITH Concerto for Orchestra, TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5 in E minor. 8 p.m. December 7 at Woolsey Hall, New Haven. Free. www.yale.edu/music. Ring in the holiday season with the New Haven Chorale singing Joy! Annual holiday concert program includes: BACH Magnificat, HAYDN “Gloria” from Harmoniemesse, plus lively music of the season from around the world. 4:30 p.m. December 9 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 292 Orange St., New Haven. $35-$20 ($15 seniors, free for students). 203776-7664, www.newhavenchorale. org. Triton Trio, featuring Ani Kavafian (violin), William Purvis (horn) and Mihae Lee (piano) perform: LANSKY Études & Parodies, BRAHMS Horn Trio, LIGETI Horn Trio. 8 p.m. December 11 in Morse Recital Hall, Sprague

Memorial Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. $15-$10 ($5 students). yale.edu/music. Cuban classical guitarist Rene Izquierdo performs a solo recital and conducts a master class. 7 p.m. December 12 (recital) and 5:30 p.m. December 13 (master class) at Gateway Community College, 60 Sargent Dr., New Haven. www.gwctc.commnet.edu.

Popular Dark Star Orchestra in a concert for all ages. 9 p.m. December 6 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $20 advance, $25 at door. 203-624-8623, toadsplac@aol. com, www.toadsplace.com. Marion Meadows Annual Christmas Show. A concert for ages 21 and older. 9 p.m. December 7 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $20 advance, $25 at door. 203-6248623, toadsplac@aol.com, www. toadsplace.com.

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Connecticut’s own Ash Creek String Band has been entertaining fans of old-time Appalachian and Celtic music and Southern gospel, as well as lovers of contemporary folk ballads, for more than 33 years. The group’s members play a variety of instruments ranging from old time string band standards such as guitar, mandolin and banjo to concertina, hammered dulcimer and penny whistle. For good measure throw in the occasional use of a hurdy-gurdy and an accordion. 8 p.m. December 8 at First Congregational Church,

Associate Conductor Gerald Steichen and the New Haven Symphony Pops present their holiday concert, Jingle ‘n’ Jazz. Featured guest performers include the Elm City Girls Choir and an Andrews sistersstyle vocal trio, the Janes. 7:30 p.m. December 14 at Shubert Performing Arts Center, 247 College St., New Haven, 7:30 p.m. December 15 at Quick Center for the Performing Arts, Fairfield University, Fairfield, and 3 p.m. December 16 at Shelton Intermediate School, 675 Constitution Blvd. N.,

“Hey baby — You’re on a subliminal trip to nowhere. You’d better get your trip together before you step in here with us.” So quoth the estimable Todd Rundgren in his paean to “Wolfman Jack.” The roll call of “most underestimated” in the rock ‘n’ roll pantheon is a lengthy one (hello, Matthew Sweet?), but the Runt’s credentials as a composer, producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and — oh, yeah — singer, are unmatched. Want proof? Check out 1973’s landmark Something/Anything, a double album (remember

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NATURAL HISTORY Seeing Wonders: The Nature of Fly Fishing. Overview of the history of the sport and the techniques of fly fishing and fly-tying with displays of historical rods and reels and fly fishing entomology. Also, fly fishing stories and equipment of celebrity and Presidential anglers including Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Bing Crosby and George H.W. Bush. Through February 4 at Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. $7 ($6 seniors, $5 ages 3-18). 203-432-5050, peabody.yale.edu. Small Things Considered. From a nutmeg to a strand of George Washington’s hair to the classic Wiffle Ball, discover the big impact small objects have made on history and our lives. Through February 23 at the Connecticut Historical Society, 1 Elizabeth St., Hartford. Open noon-5 p.m. TuesSat. $6 ($3 seniors, students). 860236-5621, www.chs.org.

Connecticut-born actor, Thomas Sadoski, of Loser (2000) fame, relates his tale of Yuletide woe as “The Elf ” in David Sedaris’ The Santaland Diaries. Photo by T. Charles Erickson. 1009 Main St., Branford. $12 ($10 members, $3 ages 12 and under). 203-488-7715, branfordfolk@ yahoo.com. The Three Irish Tenors are Ciaran Nagle and Kenneth O’Regan of Riverdance fame, plus P.J. Hurley, Ireland’s representative at the 2006 Belvedere International Singing Competition. They are joined by Jacqueline Whelan and a seven-piece band (including dueling fiddlers). 3 p.m. December 9 at Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent St., New Haven. $22 ($15 series, $20 SCSU faculty/staff, seniors, $15 SCSU students). 203392-6154, tickets.southernct.edu/. 70

december 2007

Shelton. $48-$18. 203-562-5666, newhavensymphony.org. David Chevan and Friends. Jazz quartet, including David Chevan, Ron Braggs (drums and vocals), Will Bartlett (wind instruments) and Chris Casey (keyboard). 9 p.m.-1 a.m. December 15 at Humphrey’s East, 175 Humphrey St., New Haven. 203-782-1506. Legendary singer/songwriter/ producer/multi-instrumentalist Todd Rundgren performs a concert for all ages. 9 p.m. December 18 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $20. 203-624TOAD, toadsplac@aol.com, www. toadsplace.com.

those?) on which Rundgren sings and plays every track on the LP. Everyone knows “Hello, It’s Me,” but check out “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference” to take the full measure of the songwriter’s craft.The progenitor of blue-eyed Philly soul hits Toad’s in time for Christmas. 9 p.m. December 18 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $20. 203-624TOAD, toadsplac@aol.com, www. toadsplace.com. Annual Family and Community Concert of Jewish Music. A concert featuring Cantor Shoshana Lash, Dorothy Goldberg and the Congregation Mishkan Israel Kapelye led by David Chevan. 5 p.m. December 25 at

SPORTS/ RECREATION Cycling Elm City Cycling organizes Lulu’s Ride, weekly two- to four-hour rides for all levels (17-19 mph average). Cyclists leave 10 a.m. from Lulu’s European Café as a single group; no one is dropped. 10 a.m. December 9, 16, 23, 30 at Lulu’s European Café, 49 Cottage St., New Haven. Free. 203-7739288, www.elmcitycycling.org/.

Road Races The Christopher Martin’s Christmas Run for Children 5K is run on a certified race course

(CT07001JRG) starting in front of Christopher Martin’s Restaurant. The course is flat and fast with 6 turns and runs along the historic State Street commercial district and through residential neighborhoods. 10 a.m. December 9 at Christopher Martins Restaurant, 860 State Street, New Haven. $12 or an unwrapped toy for New Haven child (preferred). 203-481-5933, www.jbsports.com.

Spectator Sports Yale vs. Williams, traditional rivalry in men’s squash racquets. 6 p.m. December 6 at Payne Whitney Gymnasium, Yale University, New Haven. Free. yalebulldogs.cstv. com. The University of New Haven men’s basketball team takes on Adelphi University (4 p.m. December 8) and Barry University (5 p.m. December 21). At Charger Gymnasium, University of New Haven, New Haven. www.

newhaven.edu/athletics/mbball/ schedule.html. Yale vs. Brown men’s ice hockey. 4 p.m. December 8 at Ingalls Rink, Yale University, New Haven. $11-$3 (Yale students free). yalebulldogs. cstv.com.

THEATER The much-loved Broadway tale of Little Orphan Annie is back, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. Hot numbers include “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.” and the signature “Tomorrow.” With music by Charles Strouse and book by Thomas Meehan, this production is again directed by lyricist Martin Charnin, who brought the original production to Broadway in 1977. December 18-23 at Shubert Performing Arts Center, 247 College St., New Haven. $68-$38. 203-562-5666, shubert.com.

Black Nativity, directed by Sarah Peterson, with musical direction by Jonathan Q. Berryman. This production features a choir with singers from throughout the New Haven area uniting to tell the powerful story of the birth of Jesus through rousing gospel music and the inspiring poetry of celebrated African-American writer Langston Hughes. December 7-16 on Mainstage at Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr., New Haven. $60.75-$45.75 regular run ($55.75-$30.75 previews). 203-787-4282, 800-7828497, info@longwharf.org, www. longwharf.com.

Director Kim Rubinstein brings us The Santaland Diaries, by David Sedaris and adapted by Joe Mantello. From eccentric Santas to maniacal moms, hilarity ensues as this irreverent tale of America’s fascination with all things Claus returns to LWT for a second holiday turn. Through December 23 on Stage II at Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr., New Haven. $60.75-$45.75 ($55.75$30.75 previews). 203-787-4282, 800-782-8497, info@longwharf. org, www.longwharf.com.

Everyone’s favorite grasping schemer and rapacious voluptuary, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Moliere’s Tartuffe, has kept audiences laughing since 1664 — even as it reminds them that hypocrisy, greed and cupidity are a limitless human resource. Daniel Fish directs. Through December 22 at Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St., New

Please send CALENDAR information to CALENDAR@ conntact.com no later than 15th of the month preceding calendar month of event. Please include date, time, location, event description, cost and contact information. Photographs must be at least 300 dpi resolution and are published at discretion of NEW HAVEN magazine.

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NEW EATS

INSTY L E

he place to be in New Haven the evening of the Harvard-Yale game was a restaurant barely one week old: Geronimo Southwest Grill (271 Crown Street, 203-777-7700). Across the street from BAR at the site of a long-defunct import shop, Geronimo spices up the city’s dining scene with a dash of chili pepper and a big splash of tequila.

Gideon Ghebreyesus Geronimo Southwest Grill

The décor straddles the line between homey and exotic with strings of dried chili peppers, a clay oven and a chandelier made of antlers — sort of a Southwest ski lodge effect. But settle in behind the curved bar and you’ll feel right at home, especially with a glass of tequila in hand. Geronimo’s has a selection of almost 100 tequilas. A standout from a recent “tasting flight” ($18) was Oro Azul anejo, smooth, smoky sipping tequila with a subtle herbal bite. Also delicious was a spicy passion-fruit margarita with jalapeno-infused tequila. Geronimo’s cuisine features ingredients not often found in these parts, like hominy, buffalo and Hatch green chiles. Appetizers are mostly under $10 and range from mini-buffalo burgers to mussels steamed in mezcal. Vegetarian offerings include a green chile stew and tamales.

photographs: Steve Blazo

For a main dish, try the Grilled Hanger Steak with Hominy Gratin ($23) or a vegetarian plate ($13) with quinoa-stuffed poblano pepper. Desserts include tequila-glazed pineapple and blood-orange tres leches cake. The brainchild of Gideon Ghebreyesus of Ethiopian eatery Caffé Adulis around the corner on College Street. Geronimo’s offerings will take you far beyond the sunrise. Crown Street’s latest culinary entry will have discerning diners shouting ‘Geronimo!’

december 2007

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Just A Taste

ove over clam chowder — tom yum soup ($6.95) from the Terrace (1559 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, 203-230-2077) is my new favorite way to fight the winter chill. With its delicate, tangy broth and crunchy vegetables, the Terrace’s version of this Thai specialty compares favorably with anything offered along downtown New Haven’s “Thai Row.”

Chef Amy’s artful way with vegetables is what makes this Thai restaurant stand out: Every carrot, mushroom or sliver of bell pepper is perfectly cut and cooked to just the right degree of tenderness.

Next up was a green papaya salad ($6.95) in which the traditional slices were replaced with delicate, julienned strands. Some of the fruit’s appealing texture was lost in the Terrace’s version, but the piquant saltiness of the dressing made up for it. A skilled hand with seasoning is also at work in the curries, expertly flavored with green chilies, basil or turmeric and Indian spices. Meats are flavorful and fried tofu is airy and greaseless, arranged just-so over a mound of white rice.

Finish up with a chef’s original: ice cream And if non-ethnic name doesn’t tell you “spaghetti” in a red wine-strawberry sauce. this restaurant wants to stand apart from The rich vanilla ice cream comes in the pack, the Terrace’s spare interior will. pasta-like strands and cuts the spiciness A space dominated mainly by windows of earlier courses nicely. Just stay away overlooking Dixwell Avenue’s bustle, from the chocolate truffle “meatballs,” the dining room avoids Thai restaurant which are obviously store-bought and clichés. add a gratuitous $1.50 to the bill. But you know you’re in for something special when a simple order of hot tea arrives in the form of a loose-leaf blend in an individual French press teapot.

With its ultramodern interior, helpful service and above-average cuisine, the Terrace is well worth a trip up Dixwell Avenue.

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“We talk about it all year long,” Middleton says of the meal, enjoyed with a bottle of the Krug champagne the couple received at their 2002 commitment ceremony in New York. “Those two things with champagne are exquisite.” Star Fish Market ensures that the lobster is top quality and the caviar comes from a species that is not overfished, she adds. “Oh, it’s so delicious,” says the ebullient Middleton, who hosts The Faith Middleton Show weekdays at 3 p.m. A longtime foodie who also hosts a weekly Food Schmooze episode, Middleton has added a new feature to her show for the 2008 campaign: “Politics, Burgers and Beer.”

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or WNPR radio personality Faith Middleton, New Year’s Eve is much more than “Auld Lang Syne”. Middleton and her partner, Fern Berman, make a special trip to Star Fish Market in Guilford a few days before the holiday to order an anniversary treat to be shared on New Year’s: lobster and caviar.

EDITOR’S PICK

heesecake is great on its own, but add a layer of silky, spicy sweet potato purée on top and you’ve got a refreshing new take on a dessert classic. The Southern Hospitality Soul Food restaurant (427 Whalley Ave., New Haven, 203-785-1575) is selling its sweet potato cheesecakes for $18 for the holidays, and you won’t find a better way to end a festive meal. With a perfect balance of buttery cheesecake and intense sweet potato in a Graham cracker crust, Southern Hospitality’s treat doesn’t overwhelm the palate or the pocketbook. While you’re at the restaurant, also try the tender chopped BBQ sandwiches, Carolinastyle vinegared pork on a bun, or sides like collard greens, macaroni and cheese and blackeyed peas. But save room for the cheesecake and enjoy a New Haven soul food standout with your holiday feast.

BEST OF THE REST editor’s picks: Vegetarian restaurants. Claire’s Corner Copia, 1000 Chapel St., New Haven (203-562-3888). This veggie veteran has updated its menu with lots of vegan options, of-the-moment meat substitutes and superfoods like acai berry juice. The homey ambience and great location seals the deal. Edge of the Woods, 379 Whalley Ave., New Haven (203-787-1055). The natural market offers a superb selection of vegetarian products in addition to a lunchtime buffet with salad bar, hot entrées like lasagna and seitan stir-fry and a colorful array of maindish salads. Duck’s Soup, 3584 Whitney Ave., Hamden (203-281-7687). A great place to fortify yourself before hiking Sleeping Giant, with specialties like cabbage and potato vegan pierogies and tasty baked goods. Hours are limited, so call ahead. Shoreline Diner & Vegetarian Enclave, 345 Boston Post Rd., Guilford (203-458-7380). Non-veg diner fare along with vegan favorites like a tempeh Reuben with sauerkraut on grilled rye and “Twin Towers” of vegetable strudel. Great place for groups with different dining preferences.

parsnips, turnips and sweet potatoes is one of the seasonal treats at this harborfront eatery. Wait for winter for the rich and warming lobster ravioli with fennel. Tenderloin Fish & Steakhouse, 2 East Main St., Branford (203-481-1414). This Branford favorite’s filet mignon over portobellos with a cognac-gorgonzola cream will warm you as the mercury drops. Fall specials include a butternut ravioli dish with brown butter and sage. Zinc, 964 Chapel St., New Haven (203-6240507). Think game for fall and winter at Zinc, a consistently inventive downtown treasure. Start with a wild boar sausage with ricotta gnocchi touched with sage, then move on to applewood-smoked duck breast with pear jam and porcini-onion glaze.

Sage American Grill & Oyster Bar, 100 S. Water St., New Haven (203-787-3466). Sage-rubbed chicken over autumn root vegetables such as

Long Wharf Taco Trucks, Long Wharf Drive near Veteran’s Memorial Park, weekdays at lunch. Tacos as they’re served in Mexico — just corn tortillas, meat, cilantro and a spicy sauce — eaten al fresco by New Haven Harbor. Mezcal, 14 Mechanic St., New Haven (203-7824828). Big portions and wide-ranging menu with lots of surprises. No liquor license.

mexican Baja, 63 Boston Post Rd., Orange (203-7992252). An expansive salsa bar and fish taco entrée appeal to homesick Californians and big eaters.

Viva Zapata, 161 Park St., New Haven (203562-2499). Toothsome classics and a killer sangria in a festive pub atmosphere. Open for lunch.

Guadalupe la Poblanita, 136 Chapel St., New Haven (203-752-1017). Simple, authentic

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Foe, 576 Main St., Branford (203-483-5896). A sweet potato-and-ginger bisque will get your meal off to a warming start at this Branford bistro, followed but the hearty black fig and cherry-glazed duck breast on a pillow of sweet potato hash. Other fall flavors include a rack of lamb and a port tenderloin enrobed in a rosemary, garlic and Parmesan pesto.

Jalapeno Heaven, 40 N. Main St., Branford (203-481-6759). Tasty Americanized fare in a cozy setting with excellent margaritas.

Taqueria Mexico No. 1, 850 S. Colony Rd. Wallingford (203-265-0567). The best tortas — or small sandwiches — in the area, filled with spiced meat and accompanied on the weekends by a lip-smacking posole hominy soup.

It’s Only Natural Restaurant, 386 Main St., Middletown (860-346-9210). Worth the ride up I-91 for award-winning entrées like sweet potato enchiladas, tempeh “crab cakes” and a generous macrobiotic plate. Full slate of vegan desserts including chocolate mousse couscous cake.

Bespoke, 266 College St., New Haven (203 562-4644). Save the best seasonal treat for last at this trendy successor to Roomba — a decadent pumpkin cheesecake. Also on tap for the fall and winter is a rack of lamb and chupe, a seafood chowder of clams, shrimp and scallops in a clear broth.

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ith its innovative cuisine and bright flavors, New Haven’s year-old Ahimsa Restaurant (1227 Chapel St., 203786-4774) has been earning raves from local vegetarians and the New York Times alike. As New Haven’s first vegan restaurant, Ahimsa taps into major world cuisines for meat-free dishes like okra curry, spiced broccoli wraps and nut-paste “sushi.” Sudhir and Anita Shah are running Ahimsa while son Nirav, who started the eatery and developed many of the recipes, is away at college. How do you define vegan food? Sudhir: It’s all plant-based; it does not have any animal derivatives — free of all meat, eggs, dairy, gelatin, butter. ‘Ahimsa’ in Sanskrit means ‘non-injury,’ and at our restaurant that is applied first, meaning that you don’t want to put anything harmful into your body — any animal products, preservatives, processed foods. It’s also applied to the environment, so all of our take-out containers and cutlery are biodegradable.

tasted like meat. Here we don’t even try that. What are the inspirations for your recipes? A lot of them are from Asia, some Indian, Chinese, Italian, French, Ethiopian, all of them. It’s not limited to one part of the world. What is a signature dish at Ahimsa? Anita: Raw food is something we offer and our beet ravioli would have to be the most popular order. It is raw, marinated beets, sliced and layered with nut cheeses, like a sandwich and topped with a yellow pepper sauce and pistachios. Who are your typical customers? Sudhir: One group is raw foodists because we are the only raw food restaurant in the area. People drive an hour, hour and a half to come here for the raw food. Then there are vegetarians and vegans, then the health market, like elderly people. Fourth is kosher; we are the only fine dining kosher restaurant in the area.

What are some misconceptions that people have about vegan food?

What is your favorite dish at another local restaurant?

Sudhir: People feel that they’re giving up lots of things and vegan food cannot taste good.

Sudhir: Our sons love the aloo matter (potato and pea curry) at Royal India on Howe Street. They will make it without ghee (clarified butter) for us. But we also like Samurai and Kudeta for Japanese food.

Anita: Also that you were making do with something. Vegan food always ended up trying to be like meat, a fake thing that

Continued from 28 photograph: Steve Blazo

10 Things

exhibition and sale sponsored by Creative Arts Workshop. The exhibition features paintings, glass, ceramics, jewelry, wearable and decorative fabric and handcrafted furniture from over 400 artists. It is held in CAW’s handsome two-story Hilles Gallery at 80 Audubon Street. A prestigious showcase for professional craft artisans, this exhibit and sale presents fine contemporary American crafts in every medium. The jury process is very selective, with a limited number of exhibitors chosen to represent each medium. The event attracts nearly 10,000 visitors from all over the Northeast each year. Work is sold on a consignment basis, and CAW retains 40 percent of each sale. These funds go toward the support of the community art school. Nothing gets straight to the heart of the holidays like a consumable gift. Grab a gift basket and visit the City Farmers’ Holiday Market at Wooster Square. New Haven’s largest and only year-round farmers’ market is open Saturdays throughout the holiday season. Market vendors offer Connecticut-grown fruits, vegetables, seafood, free-range meats, award-winning cheese, fresh dairy, handcrafted bread, ornamental greenery and local crafts. This is an ideal source for unique gifts. For more information, visit www.cityseed.org. If shopping the shoreline is your preference, “Artistry,” the Guilford Art Center’s annual holiday sale, takes place through the end of December, at 102 Broad Street. This sale (did somebody say sale?!) is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

10. Catch Up With Old Friends

and old call it making memories. If you have friends or family members in town for the holiday season, it would be sacrilegious to allow them to escape without at least a sample of this city’s world-renowned pizza.

It’s all about the memories during the holiday season — and great friends and family make for great memories. New Haven offers ample opportunities to meet up with old friends, or make some new What makes memories better than good The Milford Fine Arts Council hosts ones. For the ladies, Stitch ‘n’ Bitch New conversation and great pizza? For 89-yearits 20th annual “Holiday Handcraft Haven meets at 7 p.m. each Wednesday at old Carmel Velleca, who grew up in the Boutique” featuring candles, ornaments, Au Bon Pain, 1 Broadway, and 1 p.m. every city’s Wooster Square neighborhood, the artwork, stitchery and other items for Sunday at Moka, 141 Orange Street. All memories are from over 80 years ago sale. The event is held in the Center for ages/skill levels who do any portable craft when Frank Pepe started his business the Arts, 40 Railroad Avenue, near the are welcome, but many are there to knit selling pizza on the street. train station and the Green. The event and chat. Beginners are asked to bring kicks off Friday, Deember 7 at 5 p.m. in chunky yarn and big knitting needles or a “He carried that tray on his head and sold tandem with the Downtown Merchants big crochet hook and someone will gladly slices to anyone who could afford it at that time,” Velleca says. Today, Pepe’s has Lamplight Stroll, featuring performances get you started with the basics. pizzerias in New Haven, Manchester and by local and choral groups. Admission to the arts sale is free. It is open 5 to 10 p.m. Across the New Haven Green, Richter’s Fairfield. Velleca knows that tradition can on the 7th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. December 8- is one of the few imbibing establishments start at any time and memories — new that super-sizes its beers. The traditionalist and old — make the sweetest ingredient 15 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. December 16. calls it a “half-yard.” Bon vivants young to every holiday season. 

new haven

photograph: Steve Blazo

INS TYL E

Four Hundred Acres & a TenFoot Santa By Joyce L. Faiola

igh above the Housatonic River, amid the panorama of the rolling White Hills, thousands of perfectly shaped Christmas trees line the landscape waiting for new owners. As I parked my car, three chipmunks sat on a stone wall snacking on the acorns that were still falling from a 200-year white oak. I marveled at the towering, now golden Tamarack pines as they actually glistened in the morning sun, their boughs outstretched as they sheltered the parking lot; their needles soft under my feet.

The Jones Family Farm is a holiday enclave: a welcoming, self-contained village of a dozen buildings, some of which house four generations of Joneses as well as a winery, acres of fruit including their own grapes, a massive pumpkin patch on Pumpkin Seed Hill, the Gatherings Gift Shop & Wine Tasting Room (with daily tastings and sales), the Christmas Canteen (serving hot beverages and goodies), the Barnyard Village filled with fragrant wreaths, garlands and greens and of course, the thousands of Christmas trees covering 200 acres. Before the crowds arrived I climbed Candy Cane Hill to the summit as swallows, blue jays and snowcapped chickadees led the way in the brisk late November air and at the top the sparkling view of Long Island Sound caught me by surprise. The flat-topped meadow surrounded by the vastness of space and rows of undulating 78

december 2007

Jamie Jones represents the sixth generation to farm his family’s Shelton homestead.

hills prompted me to stretch out my arms In 1998 Jamie Jones planted the first and sing loudly, “The hills are alive...,” vineyard and as I tasted the fruits of his during which the birds immediately flew labors, the Huntington Red (Cabernet their nests. Franc and Merlot), the Harvest Time (pear and apple in a dry-crisp blend) and Here among ancient stone walls, a sixth the holiday edition of their Woodlands generation Jones, Jamie, pointed out White (Cayuga White grapes), I was some of the original Christmas trees awestruck by the subtlety, sophistication planted in the 1930s, now tall enough and the unmistakable world-class quality for a Rockefeller Center behemoth. The of the wines created here only since visionary and planter was his grandfather 2004. Any of these are superb matches Philip who, at age 89, is still very much for holiday fare, and I took one of each part of the Jones’ venture and he still runs with me. the sawmill when he’s “in the mood.” The giant Santa was carved a decade ago Over the past hundred years the family by neighbor Randy Szkola. It’s rumored has collected more than 100 Indian that on late snowy nights in December arrowheads found on this land which has you can hear a faint ho, ho, ho coming been in the family since the first Philip from Saint Nick’s general direction. Jones came from Ireland in 1850 and chose this spot because its landscape reminded Jones Family Farm, 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road, him of home. Shelton (203-929-8425, jonesfamilyfarms. com). Open daily through December 24. 

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