New Haven magazine November 2009 by Second Wind Media Ltd

NOVEMBER 2009

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ONE2ONE with David Beckerman

New Haven’s HOTTEST Husbands

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WRESTLER. Your kids don’t have a clue about college.

Which is why you need a plan. It’s okay for kids to dream about college, as long as you have a plan. CHET is Connecticut’s official 529 college savings plan. Anyone with a Social Security Number or Federal Taxpayer Identification Number can open an account, regardless of income, and you can begin saving with as little as $25. Check CHET out at www.aboutchet.com/savingsplan or call 866-346-1037. Contribute by December 31 for a 2009 Connecticut tax deduction.

New Haven I November/2009

14 Body & Soul The ‘genius’ among us

16 Men in Full New Haven’s Hottest Husbands

28 A Watchdog Silenced? An Iran rights group gets stiffed

New Haven hosts a sideshow/ animation fest

Anthony DeCarlo

ONE2ONE with New Haven’s best known entrepreneur

38 Freaks & Geeks

PHOTOGRAPH:

8 The Beckerman Touch

41 Towering Presence New Haven painter Nathan Lewis breaks down boundaries

51 A ‘Funny Thing’ Happens Goodspeed’s Forum hits all the right notes

56 Words of Mouth Tastiest time of year: Restaurant Week

32 From Schoolhouse to Our House

62 Discovered

An artist couple’s domestic odyssey

A ‘mid-life’ writer’s first-time fish story

CORRECTION In a BIBLIOFILES review of Dr. Mel’s Connecticut Climate Book, (NHM, October 2009), we lumped WTNH-TV’s Geoff Fox in with Mark Twain as “no meteorologist.” We were wrong about one of them. Though he may not have Mel Goldstein’s Ph.D, Fox is indeed a meteorologist with 53 credits and a certificate of academic excellence from Mississippi State, from which he graduated with a 3.93 GPA. Good enough for us. We regret the error.

New Haven

| Vol. 3, No. 2 | November 2009

Publisher Mitchell Young, Editor Michael C. Bingham, Design Manager Larissa Phillips, Design Consultant Terry Wells, Contributing Writers Brooks Appelbaum, Duo Dickinson, Liese Klein, Cindy Marien, Melissa Nicefaro, Tashema Nichols, Joanna Pettas, Steven Scarpa, Cindy Simoneau, Photographers Steve Blazo, Anthony DeCarlo

november 2009

Senior Publisher’s Representatives Mary W. Beard, Roberta Harris, Publisher’s Representative Cynthia Carlson

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.

New Haven is published 12 times annually by Second Wind Media Ltd., which also publishes Business New Haven, with offices at 85 Willow St., New Haven, CT 06511. 203-781-3480 (voice), 203-781-3482 (fax). Subscriptions $24.95/year, $39.95/two years. Send name, address & zip code with

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EDITOR’S L E T T E R

Husbanding Resources

ust keepin’ it real, y’all.

In the (now) more than two years we have been publishing NEW HAVEN magazine, we have come to the unmistakable conclusion that the most popular issues and stories we have published have been those that were the most personal. With “High School Confidential” (March 2009), real area secondary-school students told about their triumphs and struggles — with school, family, friends and navigating that bewildering stage of life in which one foot has pushed into adulthood while the other remains stuck in childhood. The stories were amazing, heartfelt, even touching — and readers generously told us how much they enjoyed and appreciated it. 1014 Chapel St | New Haven 203-782-2280

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“New Haven’s Coolest Singles” (February 2009) was a different animal entirely — as it was supposed to be. The idea was to emphasize that New Haven is more than a college town and in fact a great place to be young, single and on the career ascendant. If we wanted to turn really exploitative, I supposed we could have created a print version of Real Housewives of New Haven. But, uh, no. The idea for “Hottest Husbands” came from a wife (and not a housewife) of our acquaintance who suggested a singles-style survey of the most interesting/noteworthy/attractive (in multiple ways) husbands and dads. The idea sounded intriguing, so beginning this July we published calls for “nominations.” We were amazed at the response we received. Amazed at the sheer number — dozens, literally, generated by two tiny single-paragraph blurbs in the INTEL section — but amazed by something else as well. During a juncture in American history in which marriage has been declared “dead” (after all, nearly half of all U.S. marriages end in divorce), we were flabbergasted by the tone of many of the e-mails and letters we received. As a group, the wives who wrote to us were so appreciative of their husbands and so generous in their praise of their significant others that we were frankly floored. Sure, many of them praised their husbands’ physical features, or athletic prowess, or ability to provide for their families. But what qualities drew the most praise across the board were the husbands’ thoughtfulness and devotion to family — wives and children (and, in one instance, grandchildren). That warmed our hearts, but also caused us to rethink what the definition of “hot” really is, at least when it comes to husbands. Now you can be the judge. v

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I NT EL

Italia Rule the Vines NEW HAVEN — Michael Votto says he founded his company because of a “deep appreciation for the traditions and values unique to Italian-Americans.” Apparently the Order of the Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) is taking him at his word. The “nation’s largest and longest-running organization for people of Italian heritage,” OSIA has entered into an exclusive licensing and branding agreement with Votto Vines Importing to develop and market a new line of Italian wines that will be branded “Leone D’Oro” (“Golden Lion” to the rest of us). The red, white and sparkling varietals will be imported from the Italian regions of Piemonte, Fruili and Le Marche. The target release date for the Leone D’Oro brand is the first quarter of 2010.

Tough Times Still for Small Business Not since the tech collapse of 2000 (when the secretary of the state started counting) have so many Connecticut companies closed their doors. In the third quarter ended September 30,

2,601 Connecticut businesses threw in the towel, according to the office of Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz. Like the continuing rise in the state’s unemployment rate, the (mostly small) business closings show no signs of abating. The shutdowns reflect a seven-percent increase from the 2,432 businesses that closed during the third quarter of 2008 and 11 percent more than the same period in 2007. But your entrepreneurial neighbors have not lost hope entirely, as 6,624 new businesses incorporated during the third quarter, two percent more than last year. For the first nine months of 2009, 20,494 businesses were incorporated in Connecticut — about six percent fewer than last year.

Twin City SOUTHBURY — It’s no vision problem for the teachers and administrators at Pomperaug High in Southbury that has them seeing double. The school is apparently home to a potentially record-setting number of twins. Lauren Damiani and her twin

L ET TE R S Which Witch Is Which? Nice job on the article “Witchy Women” (NHM, October 2009). [Writer] Melissa Nicefaro did her homework well and wrote a very good article about modern-day witchcraft and paganism. Paganism is mostly an earth religion that understands that we cannot continue to

sister Alyssa noticed their twin status wasn’t so unique at school. The Damiani girls have counted 12 sets of twins and it may just be a Guinness Book World Record (which now stands at ten pairs). Submitting application to Guinness has become a school project — bringing many of the twin sets together. Anyone want to pitch a reality show?

under $200 million. The state was expecting the cost for the first phase of the facility to be $291 million. The original expected price of the total facility had ballooned from $300 million to more than $1.1 billion. Now that number will be revised downward. How’s that for fighting inflation?

Full Speed Ahead NEW HAVEN — The first delivery of the long-awaited M-8 railroad cars for Metro North commuters will soon be pulling into Connecticut for testing. Manufactured in Japan, the trains are expected to ship out of Kobe, Japan as this edition of New Haven goes to press. They’ll arrive at the port of Baltimore and be transshipped via rail (of course), schedule to arrive by the end of November. Two cars will arrive each month until eight arrive for test of a full train. The next 38 coaches built by the Kawasaki Rail Car Co. will follow. The rest of the 262 cars, with a total price tag of more than $700 million will be built in Lincoln, Neb. To service the new cars, the state is building a maintenance facility in New Haven, the first phase which was just bid in at spectacularly lower cost than expected just months ago. O&G of Torrington submitted the low bid of $124.8 million, while several other bids came in at

abuse our planet without adverse effects. [Pagans] do believe in God or a Supreme Being that has both male and female energies. Many believe in a Goddess, and Pagans do not believe in Satan. I was very happy that you printed all 11 names of those executed for witchcraft in Connecticut. The picture of the angel with the list was especially impressive. Angels are equally important to both Pagans and Christians and are recognized by many people as good. I was surprised that you did not mention the

Students Thinking Beyond YouTube NEW HAVEN — Getting young people equipped for the digital video world is the mission of Skills Camp, which is offering its Community Broadcast program for the third season this fall. Students in the sixth grade and older learn to create a television show from writing a script and building a storyboard to filming, acting, directing and editing. Local professionals and Quinnipiac film school students are among the instructors. The program runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from after school to 5 p.m. The program is held at Troupe Elementary School in New Haven. The total fee is only $25 for the year. Visit skillscamp.net to sign up.

1655 New Haven witchcraft case of Elizabeth (Goodman?) Godman. If you had, readers would understand my photo next to the plaque for Deputy Gov. Stephen Goodyear. But then again it might be a good article for October 2010. All in all a good informative article that educates Connecticut residents on a dark part of our state history. It is more than a one-man crusade; there are others working to clear the names of the executed. — Anthony Griego Hamden new haven

The Touch 8

november 2009

New Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous entrepreneur is still going strong â&#x20AC;&#x201D; on the court and off

n 1971 New Haven native David A. Beckerman founded Starter Sportswear, a sports apparel marketer that he took public in 1993. Starter became a major sports industry player through licensing agreements with professional sports leagues — and Beckerman along with it. The company fortunes would later sour as the licensed sports apparel market became saturated with larger competitors, and in 1999 it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But Beckerman, now 66, has prospered anew as a real estate developer and builder. He also has enjoyed success with another, parallel career as a high school basketball coach at Hamden Hall Country Day School, and now at the Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Recently Beckerman has been promoting a major mixeduse development on land his firm owns off Route 34 in West Haven. However, recent restrictive zoning decisions by the town’s Planning & Zoning Commission jeopardize potential financing for the project, according to the developer. In few weeks Hamden Hall will unveil a new $11 million athletic center with Beckerman’s name on it — a tribute to years of winning basketball teams and a reported $1.5 million matching donation from the Beckerman family.

vvv You’re still on the board of directors for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In September Michael Jordan was inducted into the Basketball of Fame. What was that like?

asked my friend Jerry Kagan the [New Haven] architect to help me with the concept. I had come off the building of the Jewish Community Center and I was in the building mode. I recommended that the hall move. My idea was to build a strategic alliance with [insurance company] Mass. Mutual and develop a campus. The campus would have the hall and other amenities to help entice people to come. There was debate about urban vs. suburb [location], as originally I wanted to move it to a ‘campus,’ In the end there was a feeling that the game itself is urban, which is true [and therefore that the Hall of Fame should be in the city of Springﬁeld]. To get into the Baseball Hall of Fame is a huge honor. Have basketball players embraced the concept in the same way? No question about it. The difference with basketball, there’s no intermediary. In baseball, you’re judged on your pro career. In the Basketball Hall of Fame you’re judged on your [entire] career, which is always a ‘discussion’ when you have a great college player [with an undistinguished pro career] and shouldn’t he be in the Hall of Fame? In the last ten years there’s been a transition in philosophy. Women are now being more considered — foreign players, college players, college coaches. For many people college basketball is more appealing than pro basketball.

PHOTOGRAPH:

Steve Blazo

I chair the marketing committee. Because the [inductee] class was being led by Michael, it was we took the ceremony outside the Hall to [Springﬁeld, Mass.] Symphony Hall, which accommodates substantially more people. It was done in a really elegant way. While the purpose is clearly to honor the people within the game from a marketing and development standpoint making it proﬁtable was something we wanted to do and it was.

Because of the emergence of college basketball, the Final Four, television, it creates a stepping stone [to the NBA]. In baseball there is no stepping stone; you go to the minors [when you become a professional baseball player]. Prior to the last ten years, the direction wasn’t what it is today. That resulted in competition a Women’s Hall of Fame [in Tennessee] for example. Now the Hall has been refocused.

As I recall the original Hall of Fame at Springﬁeld College was about the size of your oﬃce. Did you have role in getting the new Hall built?

In 1975 legendary Celtic Bill Russell refused to attend his Hall of Fame induction because he felt the organization was racist.

Yes, one day at an executive meeting out of the blue I brought them a plan. I

Times were different then — different attitudes, different board of directors.

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Steve Blazo

was beginning the ﬁrst year I was there, but at that time I had to work. It was different economic times.

PHOTOGRAPH:

Now there’s a new building at UNH with your name on it. [When I was a student UNH] was a commuter school and that fit me at the time. I needed to work in order to go to college. I was on the [UNH] board [of directors] when Larry DeNardis was president, and as the school progressed certain areas gained national prominence — the school of forensic science, engineering, hospitality, sports management — and the mix of students began to change. Dormitories became important, also I said we needed a recreational center where the kids could go. [Residential] students would leave on the weekends; there wasn’t much for them to stay for. The late John Hatfield, who succeeded Larry [as interim president] asked if our company would help in building a dormitory. We built a dormitory and leased it to them and I kept reminding them they still had no place for the kids to go and work out and socialize. When [current UNH] Steve Kaplan came in, he approached us to support the concept of a recreational center and our family made a significant contribution. What about New Haven has changed the most since you were growing up?

Beckerman: ‘I have a philosophy: Our children do what they see, not what they hear.’

Now the board has Tom Juristat, second in command of the NCAA, coaches from the National Coaches Association. [Tennessee women’s coach] Pat Summitt is on. Coach K [Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski] is on and former players like Dave Bing. Who recruited you? Joe O’Brien, who was head of the Hall when I was chairman of Starter. I had a relationship with [NBA Commissioner] David Stern, and I was asked to help with marketing. Now it is clearly a worldwide sport, with basketball in Italy, China. No other American sport has caught on so well internationally. Why do you think 10

november 2009

basketball is making it? From a ﬁnancial point of view it is not an expensive sport to promote. It’s also an individual sport you can play by yourself. You can’t do that in football or baseball. It is also a sport that is grass roots. It comes from the city and it’s not a difﬁcult game to play, initially. You played some basketball yourself in college at Southern. I played in high school at Hillhouse in 1959 and I did play my freshman year at Southern [Connecticut State] before I transferred to the University of New Haven. [The UNH basketball program]

The thing today that is different is neighborhoods. We walked down to Legion Avenue to the bakery shops, the variety store, you could go to your local pharmacy, to a deli, to the tailor. That created an atmosphere [of social cohesion]. For a long time that whole neighborhood concept was diluted. Now it’s coming back. The genesis of what I wanted to do at Acorn Ridge [Beckerman’s proposed mixed-use real estate development] in West Haven was clearly based on building a neighborhood. In selling your idea to West Haven zoning oﬃcials, were you able to get across the idea that you were trying to build a ‘neighborhood,’ or is it seen as just another big development? West Haven is a little different in their approach to things. It was my understanding that the administration was in favor of what we wanted to do. The issue was with Planning & Zoning. which to their credit became more ﬂexible as the process has taken place. We were approved for 1.4 million [square feet] of commercial and retail space, and with the latest approval almost 75 percent of that to

be residential. I think they did understand the neighborhood concept. The only glitch was, and is, the P&Z should control the process. I don’t think they should control the project. It makes it difficult for a developer when [zoning officials] say, ‘You can only build 1,200 square feet [residences], or you need to have a two-car garage.’ I was unable to convince them to let the market dictate the size of apartments or housing. How did you first decide to become an entrepreneur? I have a philosophy: Our children do what they see, not what they hear. My parents came from very modest means. My mother worked in a bakery, my father in a factory in Hamden, Whitney Blake Co. They made the black curly wire for the phones. He worked three jobs. From a very early age I knew from watching my dad that I had to go to work. I shined shoes on Legion Avenue and sold newspapers at Winchester [Repeating Arms Co.]. I had a great business on the weekends at Yale football games. I’ll never forget buying these mums and with tin foil and a little baby’s breath creating these corsages. I was probably 12, you had 70,000 people [at the Yale Bowl] and it

was great. How did Starter start? In 1971, there were slo-pitch softball leagues all over. I saw adults spending an enormous amount of money on the best equipment; they wanted to look the part. I went to a tailor and brought two or three [warmup jackets] that were on the market. The key issue for me was windbreakers were made with elastic on the wrists. If you had a big wrist it cut your circulation off; if you had a small wrist the air would go through. I said, ‘Why don’t we just put a knit cuff on it?’ so I had a sample made. There was a very important salesman out in the Midwest and I had a relationship with him. I said, ‘If I can get Eddy to represent me, I could be off and running.’ The way it worked, you booked [orders] six months in advance, and then you would make [the product] and deliver. Other than the cuﬀ, what was the jacket? A snap-front windbreaker. The cuff was the ingredient that made it different. Did it have logos on it? Nothing, just a windbreaker. It was for the institutional trade — [e.g.] ‘Joe’s Bar and Grill.’ You lettered it afterwards. Eddy

agreed to represent us and I got orders, now I needed to finance it. I went to banks and I said, ‘Look I have the orders.’ But I couldn’t find anybody who would lend startup capital]. Than a local guy by the name of Ruby Vine… [Interrupts] Ruby Vine of Railroad Salvage financed you? I met with him, through a contact. He said, ‘What are you putting up [as collateral], David?’ I said, ‘A car, a little money, everything I own.’ He said, ‘I’ll co-sign a note.’ It was $20,000 — a lot of money then. I gave him a piece of the business for the co-signing. We were off and running. Over the next two or three years we [became] known for the quality of what we were doing. How did the whole sports logo thing get going? One day I was approached by someone in Boston — would I make them a jacket in navy and red and white [Boston Red Sox colors] and would I put the Red Sox logo on it? I said I don’t think that’s legal [a trademark infringement]. I did some research, and [in 1973] went to the License Corp. of America, which represented Major League Baseball. They said,

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‘Nobody wants an adult jacket — this is a kids’ [apparel] business.’ They threw out a number of $25,000 for the [licensing] rights against commissions for all the [MLB] teams. Were you big enough to fund that expansion? I approached Ruby, [but] our direction and philosophy were a little different and I wanted to develop my own credit. He was terrific, I did buy him out with a substantial return on his part, but it was the best investment I ever made. Now I had to separate my [brand] from everybody else. From 40 feet away you couldn’t tell the difference from my jacket and the four other competitors they were now licensing [for the adult market]. We said the only way of doing that is to become authentic. What does it mean to be ‘authentic’? On the field, there can only be one hat, one jacket, one pair of shoes. A player doesn’t wear five different [brands]. When the kid walks in he says, ‘I want the one that Michael Jordan is wearing.’ Where did the name ‘Starter’ come from? I wanted a one-word concept. I always wanted to be a starter on the team. I didn’t

want to be a substitute. One of my ﬁrst breaks came from a truck driver in town — Tony Amendola. He asked for some charitable donations and we gave them. He came back a couple months later. We kept giving him things and he said, ‘I want to help you.’ He said, ‘I know a lot of people in baseball.’ I said no, no, no. Then he says, ‘Sister wants to come see you.’ I said ‘Tony, I got rabbis, I got ministers, I got priests calling me every day, I’m still giving you the donation. I don’t need anyone else coming [to ask for a charitable donation]. Now I’m at a trade show in New York and the next thing I know he comes walking into the convention center. You have to understand, I’m a little manufacturer with a little, little booth. When I ﬁrst started we did probably a couple hundred thousand dollars of business [a year]. Then I got the [MLB] license and maybe another two or three hundred thousand. Into my booth walks Joe Torre with Tony Amendola. The ‘sister’ was a nun with brothers by the name of Joe and Frank Torre. Joe Torre says, ‘I understand you’ve helped Tony — is there anything I can do for you?’ I was fumbling, I didn’t know what to do. But all of sudden because [Torre] was there, people started coming into our booth. So I said, ‘Would

you wear one of our jackets?’ He was manager of the Mets at that time, he wore a Starter jacket, we got on television and it was the beginning of our ﬁrst national exposure. Nothing wrong with some good karma. We had a factory down in Pensacola, Fla. When I was down there, one of our workers came over and said, ‘I know your son Brad plays football for the University of Florida. My nephew is being recruited [by Florida] — do you think [your son] could say hello to him [on a campus visit]?’ I called Brad and said, ‘He’s coming down, he’s a young kid by himself, take him out to lunch, do the right thing.’ Brad said who is it? It was Emmitt Smith [later NFL all-time rushing leader]. Which sport has the most popular apparel? Football has a major advantage as it relates to merchandising. It’s played in the fall. That means sweatshirts, hats, jackets, but it has something else that is the biggest catalyst to sales: Christmas. Basketball culminates in June. What change in the industry brought Starter down? One word — greed. We built the

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By now probably as many people around New Haven know you for coaching Hamden Hall basketball as for creating Starter. Why did you, and do you, coach youth basketball? I coached for almost 25 years with the Jewish Community Center. They won a national championship there, we had a long history. I was approached by Hamden Hall, and I always questioned whether I could

coach at the high-school level. But you were already a pretty busy and successful businessperson. What does that have to do with the obligation of an individual to help someone else? Our children do what they see, not what they hear. My father, who had three jobs, and my mother, who worked in the bakery and had two jobs, always found time to help somebody else. It was ingrained that whatever success I had, to share it. Even today I look back at [Hamden Hall] — we had eight New England championships [including] six in a row.

‘Everyone will get an opportunity. The question is whether you’ll be ready for it.’ Hamden Hall took a chance to [hire] an outsider, and we had a lot of success. I loved my time there and I miss it. But you’re coaching again down in Florida. The cold sort of got to me, so for the winter months we’re in Florida. After a year of playing golf every day I got bored. Pine Crest is considered the No. 1 academic school in Florida, but we play public schools. If you’re dealing with students and families that understand the value of education, that is the ﬁrst step of opening the door in making a change in their lives. Pine Crest had never won a district championship, they had never won a regional championship, never gone to a state championship.

Is being a CEO diﬀerent from being a head coach? As a CEO you’re trying to make an employee a better person and better employee to help your company. At Hamden Hall and now at Pine Crest [College Preparatory School in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Fla., where Beckerman coaches now], we try to make them a better student-athlete and a better person, teaching them how to handle adversity — wins, losses, what practice means. The deﬁnition of luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I tell kids,

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How did you recruit new players? They had a mix of students, but they didn’t concern themselves with athletes, especially inner-city athletes. My ﬁrst year the team was 13-9. I like to use the word ‘encourage,’ because to me recruiting is salesmanship. I’m sure there are those who would call me a salesman, I like to think that with [potential recruits], Continued on 47

Photograph By: Laurie Tomaszek, PhotogenicImagesCT.com

relationships with teams — I would sell [merchandise] to the teams even if it was at a small [proﬁt] margin. We were required to spend cumulatively maybe $600,000 [annually] to promote [Starter licensed team apparel]. I’ll never forget meeting with [Dallas Cowboys owner] Jerry Jones in Texas. He says, ‘You’re spending $200,000 on football and spreading it over all these teams. I want you spending $200,000 with me [for Cowboys licensing rights alone].’ Soon the commission rates [on each item of licensed apparel] went from ﬁve percent to 12 percent, the minimum [promotional] requirements went from a couple hundred thousand per league to over a million dollars, then you had the individual owners saying, ‘You have to support our programs [by paying licensing fees to each team].’

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B O D Y A ND SOUL

The Quiet ‘Genius’ in Our Midst A Yale researcher wins a $500,000 MacArthur grant for her work on preventing seniors from falling By Karen Singer

ary E. Tinetti has built a career on illuminating the mundane — and helping older people in the process.

The geriatrics researcher, who is the Gladys Phillips Crofoot Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology and Public Health Director of the Yale Program on Aging, recently became one of two Yale faculty members named MacArthur Foundation Fellows for 2009 for pioneering “the study of a long-recognized but previously little-investigated public health problem in gerontology.” That public health problem is as simple as falling down — and until Tinetti came along, it was regarded as a nearly inevitable consequence of aging. A Michigan native, Tinetti majored in sociology and political science at the University of Michigan, and says she didn’t know what she wanted to do until she decided to go into medicine while walking on campus one day during the spring semester of her senior year. “I’ve never regretted that decision,” she says. Tinetti began her research on why older people fall in the early 1980s, at the suggestion of Frank Williams, a renowned geriatrics researcher and her mentor at the University of Rochester, where she studied under a geriatric fellowship. “He had been working with old people for 14

november 2009

Prum and feathered friends atThough the Peabody: a certified Humans ‘are having a MacArthur ‘genius,’ profound impact the Tinettion says much lives birds.’ ofof her work on falls derives from common sense.

a long time, and made the observation that a lot of old people fall and had a lot of bad outcomes,” she says. “I already knew I wanted to work with older adults. It not so much the age that I was interested in, but I liked the complexity of chronic disease rather than an acute problem, like someone with a sore throat. At that time geriatrics was a new field that seemed to be focused on those ideas, and I liked the idea of being in on the ground floor.” Her first set of studies, at Yale in the mid1980s, was based on observations of older people in the New Haven area, where the Yale School of Health was doing a community-based research project. “They allowed me to piggy-back,” she says. Tinetti examined at medical histories and home environments, and tracked what happened to the people, to seeing “who fell and what characteristics differentiated

those who fell and those who didn’t.” She developed models for predicting risk of falling. “A lot of it really was proving commonsense,” she says, adding those most likely to fall included people with muscle weakness, balance or other walking problems and those with many chronic diseases taking four or more medications. “The more factors, the greater the risk,” she says. In the early 1990s, Tinetti began deﬁning an intervention based on reducing risks to reduce falling. Using strategies she developed, such as physical therapy to improve muscle weakness, “careful reduction” of medication and removing tripping hazards and implementing other home safety measures, “We found we were able to reduce falling by a third,

which about the same for almost all health interventions,â&#x20AC;? she says. The next study encouraged primary care physicians, home care agencies, physical therapists and other clinicians in the Hartford area to implement these intervention strategies and incorporate them into their practices. Sometimes they did and sometimes they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, Tinetti says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harder to do than giving a pill, and it takes time that they really didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have. And, paradoxically, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good for fall prevention may not be good for blood-pressure control.â&#x20AC;? Still, results showed â&#x20AC;&#x153;about ten percent fewer injuries over a two-year period, which suggests we did make an impact,â&#x20AC;? Tinetti says. She adds that a number of efforts to disseminate the intervention strategies are still going on. In congratulating Tinetti on receiving the MacArthur award, the John A. Hartford Foundation, which has supported her research, said her work â&#x20AC;&#x153;has shown that, properly screened and addressed, risk factors that cause older adult falls can be reduced by about 30 percent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the hallmarks of her success has been developing and testing methods that translate her research ďŹ ndings into practice, moving beyond the laboratory to offer practical applications that improve the health of older adults.â&#x20AC;?

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Tinetti is pleased her work has made a difference for older people, including her own family members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When my mother was alive she and my father used to do some of the exercises we developed,â&#x20AC;? Tinetti says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was able to help her, and what was important to her was staying out of the hospital and not getting fancy treatments for her heart failure.â&#x20AC;? And, after her brother had hip replacement surgery, she says, his doctors used her protocol for balance assessment. Tinettiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current research involves examining the impact of treatment in older people with multiple health problems and ďŹ guring out ways to measure and assess the beneďŹ ts and harms of various treatment options. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not uncommon for people to come into the hospital with 15 or 20 diseases,â&#x20AC;? Tinetti says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hoping to do it in a more scientiďŹ c way. Her ďŹ ve-year, $500,000 MacArthur â&#x20AC;&#x153;geniusâ&#x20AC;? award should help her do just that. v new haven

ot that we were looking or anything, but along the way we discovered there were some pretty hot husbands out there, so we asked our readers (you) for some intel. We received dozens of nominations and after our editorial staff had its say, the result was an even dozen of the hottest husbands in greater New Haven. We interviewed their wives and found that along with their physical hotitude, their eye-catching physiques, there were quite a few tender hearts in the bunch.

True tales of some of greater New Haven’s greatest (taken) guys By MELISSA NICEFARO

There were a few surprises, too. For example, who would expect a match made in heaven would actually be made on a Boston subway? Or that college sweethearts who met over a dormitory front desk would ﬁnd everlasting bliss? Or even that we’d ﬁnd a hottest husband had just become a grandfather? Call them eye candy if you want They still turn heads, but they’re taken. In the end, once they looked past the bulging biceps and the luscious lips, it was the twinkle in his eye that drew these ladies in — hook, line and sinker.

PHOTOGRAPHS: ANTHONY DECARLO

november 2009

Hometown: Stratford Occupation: Vice President, Client Solutions Group, Information Resources Inc.

Name: Christian Loban Age: 37

Married: Two years Children: Ethan, 18 months, expecting second baby March 2010 What parts of your husband do you see in your children? “When I look at Ethan and see his zest for life, his appreciation of a good time, his hearty laugh and his true love for family, I know that many of those most wonderful traits came from his father,” says wife Amanda Loban. “When I look at Ethan, I know I’m looking at part of my husband and it makes me love them both even more.” When and how did he propose? “He proposed on a random Thursday night — September 28, 2006 — after dinner out in New York City, where I was living at the time. We were walking along the Battery Park Esplanade when suddenly there were fireworks over the Statue of Liberty (the man has good timing, apparently) and shortly after he got down on one knee.” When did you know he was ‘the one’? “My first date with my to-be-husband was a total debacle. I remember calling my mother afterward, telling her that it was a total bust and that it didn’t matter because Christian wasn’t as good looking as I remembered, anyway. My assessment of his looks have changed quickly. That happened by the second date, where things went a bit more smoothly, but even though I do think he’s one of the most handsome men in Connecticut, that’s not what makes him especially ‘hot.’ When were you most proud of him? “The day our son was born. He couldn’t tear himself away from me for one second while we were in the delivery room and he was so patient and understanding. Watching Chris get his first glimpse of Ethan was something I’ll never forget.” What’s his best ‘feature’? “His eyes and legs.” What’s his best personality trait? “His family is the center of his world. He is passionate about everything he does, but nothing rivals his passion for family. He literally glows when he’s with our son. He gets giddy when we have visits from his siblings. He’s like a kid in a candy store during family gatherings. His love, loyalty and dedication to his family and friends are unmatched by anyone I’ve ever met.” Continued on 46

new haven

Name: Mike Pagano Age: 39

Hometown: Madison

His best ‘feature’? “His eyes.”

Occupation: Executive recruiter

What’s his best trait? “He is a fantastic listener — not just with me, but with everyone. We have our own company and are together almost 24/7, but he still manages to be my favorite person to be around. It never gets old. I may be biased because I’ve been married to Mike for 14 years, but I still think he’s all that and a bag of chips.”

Married: 14 years Children: Cate, 9, James, 6 What parts of your husband do you see your children? “My daughter has his personality and both kids have his lips,” observes his wife Adrienne. When and how did he propose? “He surprised me and showed up to meet me in Boston where I was on a business trip. He proposed near the Swan Boats and we take the kids there every year.” When did you know he was ‘the one’? “From the moment we met.” When are you most proud of him? “When I see how patient he is with our kids, I’m just in awe.”

Name: Manuel C. Carreiro Age: 62

Hometown: North Haven Occupation: Vice president and Dean of Student Affairs, Quinnipiac University Married: 33 years Children: Erin, 25 What parts of your husband do you see your children? “His good looks, sense of humor and double-jointed thumb,” says wife Shelley. When and how did he propose? “I made the suggestion sitting in his living room one evening.” When did you know he was ‘the one’? “I did not know he was ‘the one’ at the time, but I knew that we were kindred spirits. He mowed the lawn once with his arm in a sling. The grass was long and he spelled out ‘I love you.’” When have you been most proud of him? “Ninety-nine percent of the time. He’s one of the most loved and wellknown people on Quinnipiac’s campus. At functions students

november 2009

What is his greatest fear? His friends’ reaction to seeing him in a ‘hot Husbands’ article. Sufﬁce it to say, he will be abused.” Where does he shop for you? “He usually has ﬂowers sent to the house and takes me somewhere great for dinner. That and online.” Describe him in three words: “A Renaissance man.” v

will chant, ‘Manny! Manny! Manny!’ before he addresses them. He’s a hugger and a kisser. He’ll hug students, he’ll hug parents, he’ll hug administrators and faculty, he’ll hug security guards and cleaning staff, he’ll hug neighbors and friends, he’ll hug animals and he’s especially fond of pigs. This love comes from growing up in the Azores in a rural and isolated farming community. His home had dirt ﬂoors and no indoor plumbing. He has more people who love him than anyone I know.” What’s his best ‘feature’? “His eyes and moustache.” What’s his best trait? “His warmth. I asked him once how much he loved me. He said “this much” and took off at a run. He pulled down the attic ladder and went up to the attic, he ran down to the basement, he ran into every room and around the house and down the street. He loved me that much.” Continued on 27

Home town: Wallingford Occupation: Senior account manager for IT consultant ﬁrm

Name: Al Brunelle Age: 37

Married: Ten years. Children: Allyson, 7, Rylee, 22 months, Megan, five weeks What parts of your husband do you see in your children? “I see his looks, his kindness and his ability to be hysterically funny,” his wife Tracy says. When and where did he propose? “He proposed to me right before Christmas while we were trimming our Christmas tree — one of our favorite things to do together!” When did you know he was the one? “I knew he was the one when we first met. I never felt so comfortable with someone before and no one ever treated me the way he did — like a princess. I met Al in 1992 when we were in college at Southern Connecticut State University and ever since I met him, he has enriched my life so much. I am truly living my dream and have found my soulmate in him.” When has he made you most proud? “I am always proud of him. Having three daughters was a surprise to Al since he played football, basketball and baseball his whole life and he thought he would have boys, since he is one of three boys. Not once has he complained about having girls. Instead, he makes them ready for school each day by waking them with sheer excitement, makes them a healthy breakfast, dresses them and gets them off to their destinations — all without Mom, who is already at work.” His best ‘feature’? “Really all of him. I just think he is so handsome — especially when he wears a baseball hat.” What is his best trait? “Definitely his kindness. He is always giving to others. He puts everyone else before himself — always.” What is his biggest fear? “Losing his job and not being able to support his family.” Where does he shop for you? “Victoria’s Secret and Nordstrom.” Describe him in three words: “Loving, funny, giving.” v

new haven

Hometown: Madison

Jay Zimmerman Age: 39

Occupation: Physician, internal medicine specializing in gastroenterology Married: 11 years Children: Sammy, 8, Rachel, 5, Livi, 8 months What parts of your husband do you see your children? “His love of life and having fun — and his hands,” his wife Haley says. When and how did he propose? “He proposed to me on our eighth dating anniversary when the planets were aligned. We went to dinner at a restaurant in Greenwich. After many secret trips to the lobby to make sure his family had arrived, he returned to the table and proposed. Even though we had been dating for eight years, I was totally surprised. After I said yes, his family came in and joined us for a celebration dinner. His father then surprised us with flights to Atlanta for the weekend to celebrate with my family.” When did you know he was ‘the one’? “I was having a philosophical discussion with some lab mates in graduate school about what you would sacrifice for your partner’s happiness or wellbeing. The discussion turned a little dark when one friend said she would die so that her husband could live. Without a moment’s hesitation I said, I would die for Jay.’ When my brain caught up with my heart, I realized that what I had said was true. I knew in that moment that he was ‘the one.’” When were you most proud of him? “There are many to choose from — I would have to say one very proud moment was when he took his Hippocratic oath at medicalschool graduation. And then of course during the birth of our children.” What’s your favorite ‘feature’ ? “Impossible to choose between the physique he works hard to maintain and his loving brown eyes.” What’s his best trait? “He is generous and loyal to a fault.” What is his greatest fear? “Not living long enough to enjoy life to the fullest.” Where does he shop for you? “He always finds thoughtful gifts for me — not just for an occasion, but often for no reason other than he was thinking of me.” Describe him in three words: “Thoughtful, loving and fun.” v

november 2009

Name: David Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Astous Age: 37

Hometown: Orange Occupation: Outside sales representative Married: 14 years Children: Amanda, 12, Christian, 5 What parts of your husband do you see in your children? Says wife Brenda: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The kids have the same facial expressions and Christian has his blue eyes.â&#x20AC;? When and how did he propose? â&#x20AC;&#x153;He proposed when we were still in college. He went out that day with my college roommate to get my ring. He was supposed to wait until Christmas to propose but he couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait and asked me that night.â&#x20AC;? When did you know he was â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did know he was the one right away. I was immediately attracted to him. He was sitting at the front desk of our dorm. I noticed him as soon as I walked in and we started going out shortly after.â&#x20AC;?

When were you most proud of him? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was the most proud of him when he helped an elderly woman who just got in a car accident and Dave waited with her until her husband came.â&#x20AC;? What his best feature? â&#x20AC;&#x153;My favorite feature is his blue eyes, and I love how tall he is. I always feel protected around him. I sometimes refer to him as my â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rock.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He has a way of helping me through any bad time we have experienced in our 14-year marriage. What is his best trait? â&#x20AC;&#x153;DeďŹ nitely his sense of humor. Dave is a great father and husband. He has a nice balance of knowing how to have fun and he also has a serious side that works hard and loves to read books. He is a kid at heart. He loves to play video games, and get on the ďŹ&#x201A;oor with our son and build with Legos. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very athletic. He has played sports all his life and seems to pick up on anything new Continued on 27

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Name: Scott Leamon Age: 37

Hometown: North Haven Occupation: Land surveyor Married: Nine years Kids: Jane, 4, Hannah, 2. What parts of your husband do you see in your children? “I see lots of him in them — eyes, nose, mouth — they are both the spitting image of their Daddy,” says Leamon’s wife Lisa. “Personality-wise, Jane is always the friendly one, trying to make everyone feel comfortable and have fun. I call her the pre-K ambassador. Hannah is a little more devilish, but acts naughty with a smile, just like Daddy.” When and how did he propose? “Christmas Eve 1999 on one knee in the living room of the house we just bought together while Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Jersey Girl played.

When did you know he was the one? ‘I didn’t believe in ‘the one’ until I met Scott. Scott broke all three of my dating rules on our ﬁrst date. We worked at the same company, he had facial hair and he talked about marriage on our ﬁrst date. His amazing eyes allowed me to bend those rules. By our ninth date in nine days, I was hooked. His good looks and peepers drew me in.” When does he make you most proud? “Every time I see how interactive and involved and loving he is toward our daughters, and when he is so supportive and loving of me during tougher times. I was also very proud at his big moments of becoming licensed in his profession and achieving third-degree brown belt in Kempo Karate. I am very proud of my husband and that he strives toward becoming a Continued on 27

Name: Michael Pappas Age: 64

Home town: Guilford Occupation: Area manager, supply chain logistics for AT&T (where he’s worked for 43 years) Married: 37 years Children: Amanda, 35, Rebecca, 33, Andrew, 30 What parts of your husband do you see your children? “I always wanted to have children who could tan, so am pleased to say the girls have inherited that from their dad,” says his wife Gail. “Andrew ended up with more my coloring. The girls also have his dark hair. Andrew again took after me.” When and how did he propose? “We met at a wedding in September 1971. He was an usher in the wedding of a coworker at SNET and I was a bridesmaid for a co-worker at St. Raphael’s. On Valentine’s Day 1972 we went to TweedNew Haven airport to ‘watch planes land.’ He got off to

november 2009

a rough start asking me to marry him, so back home I went. On February 16, 1972 he tried again and I accepted. We were in the parking lot of the phone company in Hamden where he worked. Our wedding was on October 8, 1972.” When did you know he was ‘the one’? “Michael knew I was ‘the one’ within two weeks and I was not far behind.’ When have you been most proud of him? “It would be for the care and tenderness with which he treated both his parents and mine. We just became grandparents so Michael is now a papou (Greek for grandfather). What’s your favorite ‘feature’ of his looks? “My favorite feature is his hair. When we were dating he was approached by a hair salon owner asking if he would consider being a hair model.” What’s his best trait? “His Continued on 27

Hometown: Hamden Occupation: General surgeon with a specialty in bariatrics (weight-loss surgery). Director, General Surgery Residency Program, Hospital of St. Raphael

Name: Geoffrey Nadzam Age: 39

How long married: 14 years Children: Jake, 7, Casey, 6 and Elle, 2 What parts of your husband do you see in your children? “They all resembled him until they were two,” says his wife, Cheryl. “Now Jake also has his mannerisms and eyes, Casey has his smile, and Elle has his eyes and smile.” When and how did he propose? “On February 24, 1993 on his knees at our favorite college restaurant — Old Man Rafferty’s in New Brunswick, N.J. (Go Rutgers!)” When did you know he was ‘the one’? “I knew immediately, but at the time he was dating someone else.” When did he make you most proud? When he graduated from the general surgery residency program at Stanford University—because it was then that he realized a dream and goal he had since he was 8 years old. What’s his best ‘feature’? “His sexy and expressive (and kind) eyes. Geoff looks better now than he did when we first met 20 years ago. He’s in better shape, more confident and even more loving.” What’s his best trait? “The ability to say and do the right thing when it matters most. He brings out the part of me to seize the moment, especially with the children. He teaches me to break the rules — play with the packaging peanuts, take pictures with our $1,500 camera or eat in front of the television. His spontaneity will get the kids in the car for a covered bridge tour, go to the museums in Boston or New York or head to the beach in January. “ What is his biggest fear? “Disappointing his family and children or his surgical residents and colleagues. And reading this article.” Where does he shop for you? “Nordstrom and Archetype in downtown New Haven or he makes me photo books on the computer. He’s not a flowers guy, but he loves to buy me presents just because he wants to.” Describe him in three words: “Hot, compassionate and funny.” v new haven

Hometown: Hamden

Name: Michael Stutzman Age: 44

Occupation: Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Contractor Married: 16 years Children: Alyssa Stutzman, 13, stepdaughter Brianna Sevcik, 18 What parts of your husband do you see in your children? “His loyal character, the eyes and athletic build,” says wife Kelly Stutzman. When and how did he propose? “After dating for six months, at a restaurant in Hamden. At the time it was called ‘R Place’ He got down on his knee! When did you know he was the one? “I had sworn off getting ‘serious’ with any man prior to meeting Mike and was just dating. After the ﬁrst date, I realized that I did not want to date anyone else. I cancelled all other future dates and knew he was special and knew he was the one soon after.” When did he make you most proud? “When he started coaching and mentoring my daughter and her friends at basketball. He put a lot of time and effort into coaching. He really cared about the girls. He keeps himself physically ﬁt by working out regularly and eating healthy. He even cooks most of the meals in our home. He creates opportunities where we can exercise together, but he likes having down time and just enjoying each other’s company.” What’s his best feature? “I love his eyes. They change color — sometimes very green and sometimes grey. He is like a shiny penny, but worth a whole lot more. What makes him so irresistible is that he doesn’t even realize how cute he is. I am so glad I picked up this shiny penny before anyone else did. Just like a shiny penny, he still has that ability to cause me to stop mid-step and change direction in order to pick him up.” What’s your favorite trait? “His loyalty to family and honest nature.” What is his biggest fear? “He hates extreme roller coasters.” Where does he shop for you? “Dava in Hamden and Micky Finn’s on the Berlin Turnpike for sportswear.” Describe him in three words: “Loving, loyal and wonderful.” v

november 2009

Hometown: Stratford Occupation: Software consultant Married: Three years Children: Samantha, 19 months, Jacob, ﬁve months What parts of your husband do you see in your children? “Both of my children are easygoing, and I see both of them developing his infectious laughter,” says wife Emily. “Our daughter is very precise in her actions, paying attention to details and learning things quickly.” When and how did he propose? “We met on the subway in Boston. The day we moved in together, our families were in Boston to help us move. After we had everything moved into the apartment, we all parted ways before going out to dinner. We rode the subway to meet our families at a restaurant in Boston, and Chris proposed in the subway

station where we ﬁrst met. At the restaurant our families were waiting with champagne. Everyone except for me knew the whole day that he was planning on proposing!”

Name: Chris Valentine Age: 34

Did you know he was ‘the one’? “I was too nervous when I ﬁrst met him to think about him being ‘the one.’” When were you most proud of him? “He recently completed a sprint triathlon, which was the result of committing himself to developing a healthier lifestyle.” His best ‘feature’? “My favorite physical feature is his great muscular legs.” What’s his best personality trait? “Since the day we met I could see that Chris is a giver — a very generous person. He goes out of his way to help his friends, family and others in any way possible.” His biggest fear? “That one Continued on 46

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and were married two years ago.”

How long married: Two years Children: Joseph, 6 months What parts of your husband do you see in your children? “Tough question since [Joseph] is so young, but he does look mostly like Charles,” says wife Erin. When and how did he propose? “December 17, 2006 while decorating the Christmas tree.” When did you know he was ‘the one’? “Yes, we instantly had a connection despite the fact that I lived in Colorado and he was in Connecticut. Five years ago my mother set us up on a blind date. Figuring how could anything possibly come out of a date with someone who lives in Connecticut while I was living in Colorado, I really just went to humor my mom. Much to my happiness and surprise, we instantly clicked

When are you most proud of him? “He is a high school teacher and loves helping the kids of today become the leaders of tomorrow. Sharing my life with him has truly made me a better person. He has taught me that all people are equal and should be treated with respect. I am proud to be his wife every day, and my most proud moments are when I see him interacting with people on a daily basis.”

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What’s his best personality trait? “He is always very openminded and not quick to judge or form an opinion. He is honest and trustworthy. The majority of his friends he has had since kindergarten, but he always has room for more.” v

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Manuel

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What is his biggest fear? “Rodents.” Where does he shop for you? “Talbots, Barnes & Noble, Williams Sonoma. Manny is very romantic. Besides buying me ﬂowers for no reason at all he has sent

David

Continued from 21

very easily. He has coached both children in soccer and will also help them with homework.” What is his biggest fear? “Not being able to support his family.”

Michael

Continued from 22

best trait is his willingness to help anyone and everyone. Right from the beginning we were always going to someone’s house to help out — our families, friends, coworkers, his church [St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox], neighbors, etc. I have never heard him say no.’ What is his biggest fear? “He does not like bees.”

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me on treasure hunts with romantic little notes along the way. He has spent two hours wrapping a box with little pieces of wrapping paper that spelled out that he loved me.” Describe him in three words: “Four words: Love of my life.” v

Where does he shop for you? “Dave is a good shopper. He always picks out nice things. He stops at the Coach store around Christmas every year.” Describe him in three words: “I would say he is a fun, loving husband.” v

Scott

Continued from 22

better person every day. He does this is by treating everyone he meets with warmth and respect. And for those of us fortunate to be part of his everyday life, his love and devotion are immeasurable.” What’s his best ‘feature’? “His pale blue eyes and sweet, contagious smile. I also love his strong shoulders.” What’s his best trait? “Scott never stops trying to learn new things and expand his world. Most recently, he has taken an interest in learning Spanish and learning all about wines.” What is his biggest fear? “Snakes. It’s an occupational hazard!”

Where does he shop for you? “Michael does not like to shop except at the Sterling Anvil on Anna Maria Island, Fla. When he enters the store they treat him so beautifully he is happy to be there — and I am happy after he has been there. He also shops at Evergreen Gallery in Guilford [American-made handcrafts]. The owners also give him personal attention.” Describe him in three words: “Tall, dark and handsome.” v

Where does he shop for you? “Scott always ﬁnds a way to get me things that I want. Sometimes I would mention something months before even when I don’t think he was listening, but he was and it arrives in a pretty box. I think he enjoys getting the more romantic gifts like really good chocolate trufﬂes that we can share — I love that! Describe him in three words: “Genuine, warm-hearted, smart and of course hot.” v

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e h t g n i c n Sile Supporters of an Iran human-rights monitoring group ask why Washington turned off the funding spigot By KAREN SINGER

november 2009

n a small office off the New Haven Green, staffers at the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) are compiling a report chronicling Iranian government abuses during its brutal crackdown on demonstrators following the June 2009 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The report could be one of their last projects, according to IRHDC executive director Renee C. Redman. In July, Redman learned the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) had turned down the center’s request for a $2.7 million, two-year grant. Unless it can obtain sufficient income from other sources, she says, the center, which has relied mainly on money from the U.S. Department of State, will shut down in May 2010. The IHRDC’s financial problems became news in an October 6 Boston Globe story, triggering speculation and criticism in the blogosphere and beyond that the center’s failed USAID grant proposal indicated a shift in the Obama administration’s policy towards Iran. A State Department spokesman, however, says there has been no policy change. The Bush administration allocated millions of dollars for pro-democracy activities, and the IHRDC was an early beneficiary. An outgrowth of the Griffin Center for Health & Human Rights, the center was established in 2004 with a $1 million grant from the State Department’s Human Rights and Democracy Fund to document human-rights abuses in Iran since the 1979 revolution, when Islamic leader Ayatollah Khomeini deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The concept for the IHRDC grew out of discussions between Payam Akhavan, a former United Nations war crimes prosecutor and former senior fellow at the Yale Law School, Ramin Ahmadi, founder of the Griffin Center for Health & Human Rights and an associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine, and Roya Hakakian, a former associate producer at CBS’ 60 Minutes, poet and author of Journey from the Land of No, a memoir about growing up Jewish in postrevolutionary Iran.

“We collectively decided that a center to document human-rights violations could be very important, and it could have legal implications for providing a means for transitional justice, which is very important in the transition to

democracy in countries that are suffering a dictatorship,” Ahmadi says. “One of the things that disrupts the process is the old elites recycle themselves. One day they will work for the Ministry of Justice. Then they put on a tie and call themselves new democrats. People become disillusioned with the process because it fails to deliver. In Germany, they created a ministry of all intelligence ﬁles, to make sure these people could not get jobs after the [1989] uniﬁcation. We thought that model was great. In fact, I took a trip to Germany to see how it worked. “Roya [Hakakian] was thinking of this as a source for collective memory, to make sure these kinds of disasters won’t happen again.” The co-founders decided the center should be in the Elm City, “despite a lot of resistance that we got from other friends and people who said, ‘Why New Haven? This is something that should be in Washington or New York,’” recalls Hakakian. “Despite its modest size, New Haven has always been and continues to be a place with interesting people and big ambitions that has always transcended its expectations.” Akhavan, Ahmadi and Hakakian became members of the IHRDC’s board of directors, which also includes Martha Minow, dean of the Harvard Law School, Lawrence Douglas, a professor of law, jurisprudence and social thought at Amherst College and Roya Boroumand, a historian and co-founder of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy in Iran.

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The board chairman is Owen Fiss, Sterling Professor of Law at Yale. “Three things come out of the center,” Fiss says. “One is investigations of humanrights abuses, which are systematic and very detailed documentation of abuses — naming names, dates and events. No one does impartial objective reports of the facts to this depth. Secondly, we build an archive of documents related to this regime, made publicly available to the world. Third, we train lawyers in humanrights investigation, and so far, 20 to 25 interns. “What’s interesting is you have a local organization that has this global reach,” Fiss adds. The IHRDC has issued a dozen reports in English and Persian, with such titles as “Crimes Against Humanity: The Islamic Republic Attacks on the Bahais,” “No

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Right after the elections we started looking for money to look into violations taking place after the crackdown,’ says center director Redmond. Now the principal source of money has dried up.

Safe Haven: Iran’s Global Assassination Campaign” and “Forced Confessions: Targeting Iran’s Cyber-Journalists.” The reports can be downloaded at the IHRDC Web site, iranhrdc.org, which also contains a searchable document database and a growing collection of videos and pictures, gleaned from a variety of online sources, of human-rights violations following the most recent election. “From the beginning we were trying to diversify, to try to get away from dependence on the [U.S.] government,” Fiss says. “It was difficult to raise significant money from other organizations so we kept going back to them as a matter of necessity.” Redman, the latest of several executive directors to head the center, says she has intensified efforts to increase the list of non-government funding sources since coming on board last January. According to the IHRDC Web site, the center’s other funding sources include the American Association of University Woman, the Chicago Community Foundation, the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, United Nations Study Group and the Vlock Family Foundation. 30

november 2009

IHRDC co-founder Hakakian ‘was thinking of this as a source for collective memory, to make sure these kinds of disasters won’t happen again.’

vvv News that the USAID had turned down the center’s $2.7 million grant request came as a shock, Redman recalls, especially at a time when news reports were ﬁlled with often graphically violent footage showing the Iranian government response to post-election demonstrations. “We were told the reasons [for the denial] in writing,” she says. “They questioned whether we had the ﬂexibility to react to current events in a timely manner — which was mystifying because that is what were doing.” On June 25, the IHRDC issued a statement condemning the Iranian regime for “brutally” quelling “any expression of dissent” after the elections, and encouraging anyone with evidence of abuse “in writings, photos, videos and interviews of witnesses” to contact the center, which has a “secure encrypted system” on its Web site. “Right after the elections we started looking for money to look into violations taking place after the crackdown,” Redman says, “and we started the project by the end of the July with some money from the Canadian government.”

A June 28 New Haven Register story featured interviews with several of the center’s seven staff members, who include three Persian-speaking attorneys. None, however, would speak with a reporter who recently visited the center’s third-ﬂoor ofﬁce, across from the New Haven Green, for this story. “It’s a distraction,” Redman says, adding the Boston Globe story about the IHRDC has resulted in “people using our organization as a political football for their own purposes.” Farah Stockman, who wrote the Globe story, isn’t surprised other mainstream press outlets haven’t picked up on the story. “Reporters in Washington tend to follow what the government is doing rather than what it is not doing,” Stockman says. “Support for Iranian activists is a not a big part of his [Obama’s] platform, which is not to say he’s not doing it. He’s just not that loud about it.” Moreover, Stockman adds, “Democracy is not a big theme in the Obama administration the way it was under the Bush administration, when it was a big cornerstone and really sexy.” Edgar Vasquez, deputy spokesperson for

the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, refutes speculation that the USAID’s motives for turning down the IHRDC grant request indicate a change in administration policy. “U.S. government funding priorities for the region have not changed,” he says, and “continue to include support for civil society and advocacy, promoting the rule of law and human rights and increasing access to alternative sources of information.” Though he won’t comment on the IHRDC’s USAID grant request, Vasquez adds, “All applications are reviewed against criteria outlined in the solicitation. It’s a highly competitive process, with funding contingent on the technical merits of the proposal.” The denial worries IHRDC board member Akhavan. “I think my main concern is that the U.S. and other governments not send a message to Iran that there’s not a price attached to human-rights violations,” he says. “It would be tragic if they’re only concerned about the nuclear [weapons] issue, but that’s how it could be construed.” Fiss calls the USAID’s decision to reject the center’s grant proposal, “a mistake — and a particularly egregious mistake because the need for investigation of human-rights abuses is enormous at this time in history.”

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Redman says the IHRDC didn’t get another, smaller, State Department grant in 2008 but still has enough money from two other State Department grants and other funding sources to keep the center aﬂoat through next May. Hakakian believes the center has “great potential for growth. “We certainly aren’t short of ideas,” she says. “Our ambitions have always been lot greater than our budget and our size. Contrary to the politicians in Washington, who never know what to do with Iran, we’ve always known what we wanted to do. “In addition to producing reports, my pet dream project has always been to create a video archive, where we gather the video testimonies of victims, whose numbers are only growing,” Hakakian says. Fiss says the USAID grant would have enabled the center to develop “a video archive compatible to the Holocaust archive at Yale,” as well as to hire more staff and conduct investigations into other Continued on 43

new haven

From Schoolhouse to Our House

Living in two-part harmony By DUO DICKINSON

november 2009

The new living area is set below the loft and above the studios below. This open area employs built-ins for storage and a wonderfully painted floor for expression. PHOTOGRAPHS:

Anthony DeCarlo

new haven

The extension was built directly off the narrow gable-ended back of the original 1858 schoolhouse.

ATH O ME

om Edwards is an architect who works in Branford, lives in Killingworth and teaches art at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. As is true of many people, those bare-bones facts reﬂect only a tiny portion of his life. But unlike most of us, Edwards has been able to marry his profession (designing buildings) with a personal obsession (a variety of ﬁne-arts activities) with a family that shares his depth of creative expression.

That family started a long time ago. Tom met his wife Linda in their Kansas high school, where they became sweethearts. Unlike most who fall in love at a tender age, they got married, stayed married, and had a son, Vincent. But they are not in Kansas any more because Tom went to Yale to earn a master’s degree in sculpture. What binds this family together is not just their abiding love (and for Vincent their genetic material), but the Edwards family 34

november 2009

are a deeply creative lot. Rather than creating in stoic isolation, this family has built a home that both harbors and reﬂects their eclectic talents as expressed over the last two decades. For Tom this means architecture, but it also means composing wacky objects — mostly centering around avian interests (bird feeders, bird houses, etc.) — often using found objects and rendering absolutely extraordinary works of twodimensional art in the form of large-scale drawings and other media. For Linda, it means creating delightful sculptures — small and wonderful things that hang from ceilings, sit in unexpected places and have a of scale that is both surprising and charming. Linda also teaches art at a variety of local venues (the Guilford Art Center, Wesleyan Potters, Creative Arts Workshop). Son Vincent now lives in Indiana and creates extraordinarily precise woodcuts — a passion born in his boyhood home living with his art-focused parents. Vincent is also a musician who plays keyboards for a rock band in and around Bloomington, Ind.

For a family with so much in common, it is wonderfully ironic that the trio has been harbored for more than 20 years in a 1,300-square-foot hybrid of the antique and the kinetic. What became a two-part harmony of a home, started as a single room (18- by 24-foot) schoolhouse built in 1858. When Tom discovered it in the far western regions of rural Killingworth, it was very much an intact building of a bygone era where the existing floors still had the holes from the fixed desks screwed into its floor. When he happened upon the schoolhouse in 1986, Tom recalls: “More than anything I felt the silence. The site oozed with peace, quiet and solitude.” The young couple moved into the structure in 1987 and renovated the existing shell to accommodate their very young family of three. By 1988, following some whimsical design work, Tom created the first of several additions and renovations to the home that allowed it to be a very rare commodity in our generation — the “forever home.” So many people think of homes as being literally “where the heart is,” and therefore that the actual places where we

This common modern sensibility effectively consigns homes into window dressing — a progression of stage sets upon which we live out our lives. But for people like the Edwards family who create art on a daily basis, the idea of creating a nest (in this case one filled with birdhouses) is a virtually a dream come true. The 1988 addition was a simplified version of an extremely exotic wing that Tom developed from a small model. The extension was built directly off the narrow gable-ended back of the schoolhouse. The new wing gained a lower floor as the hillside sloped away and it was given prominence as an upper level popped up above the ridge height of the schoolhouse. Although greatly simplified from his whimsical first design, this small addition manages to house five discrete levels and a variety of roof forms, complementing the singularity of the iconic schoolhouse box. Rather than reinvent the schoolhouse to respond to his intricate addition, Tom decided to hold its simplicity at arm’s length by making a low “joint” between it and his multi-leveled addition. It’s a natural point of entry and serves as the visual pivot point where the simple white clapboard schoolhouse is balanced by the natural wood-clad intricately roofed addition. This crucial connection is a natural focal point and its centrality is celebrated by a turquoise trellis extending beyond both old and new parts. The trellis itself is almost a symbol of how Edwards creates whimsy with a purpose. It has four posts, three of which have been decorated by Tom over the years (with one awaiting a final inspired cladding). Painted a delightfully weathered turquoise, all the components of the trelliswork were salvaged from a single dumpster by Tom to be retooled and reinvented over the years. A cascade of stone steps — as much a work of sculpture as a way to climb up to the house — extends the entry event down to grade.

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The old schoolhouse interior is left open and is redolent with art, including a painted pattern on the floor that flows between this 19th century space and the 20th century addition visible through the door.

Once a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedroom and now an ancillary art studio, the loft is a compact space is filled with light from skylights and multiple expression of creativity.

november 2009

[walls and ceilings] different in shape, height, etc. and keep the overall space as open as possible,” Tom explains. “As a result the house feels much larger than the 1,300 square feet it encloses.” The intricacies of the addition have been embraced by the family to the point where it is filled with the products of their creative lives. Artwork is everywhere — painted on the floor, mounted on the wall, freestanding, hung from the ceilings, or simply cast about. Architectural massing studies are set amid found objects, sculptures and, yes, birdhouses. The landscape around the home uses individual episodes of inspired handwrought exuberance (all created by Tom and Linda) to extend the house into the surrounding landscape beneath hovering trees. A wee stone arch married to a koi pond, surrounded by curving stone walkways amid posts capped by sculpted bird feeders and birdhouses make entry a fantastic event. A radiating pattern of brick creates a patio off the old central schoolhouse door. But a patio is changed into a street-facing space by an array of salvaged or hand-crafted birdhouses set to posts all covered by an tree canopy. More than two decades of loving creativity have been applied to a place to live, and the result seems both ancient and fresh — soft and lyric. Functionally, the house is quite simple. The living areas are located in the original schoolhouse .The central entry connector also contains the steps down to a kitchen dining area and bath. Built in 1990, the master bedroom extends the original addition out into the landscape with the bed space toplit by a cupola. Steps continue on down to the lower level that contains two studios: one for Linda’s welding and metalsmithing work, the other for Tom’s printmaking. Above all of this is a loft that was Vincent’s bedroom, fully open and sky-lit, where Tom now does some of his work. Each space has its own distinct shape, often formed by cathedral ceilings clad in natural wood beadboard. Some walls are low, a few are tall, and art is everywhere. Windows are divided lite to match the schoolhouse, but the occasional stock octagonal window makes a small space special. Virtually all the finish work was executed by Tom, often helped by Linda. The house feels as though it is completely isolated in the woods, though the actual earth owned by the Edwards family is only half an acre. Beyond the property’s

The interior of the open entry space that connects the new multi-level addition beyond the existing schoolhouse behind this view. The stairs lead to a sleeping loft/studio above, all toplit by skylights.

perimeter a cemetery rests in peace to one side and the balance of the land surrounding the home is owned by a conservancy, effectively making this a solitary woodland refuge. Whimsy permeates every aspect of this home, with the schoolhouse as the lone quiet element, grounded in antiquity, in calm repose amid all the activity. Built in the late 1980s when architectural excess was coming into fashion — McMansions exploding out of the ground all along coastal Connecticut — it’s refreshing that Tom Edwards took a different path, a path that richly reﬂected his and his family’s values. A backhoe could have removed the schoolhouse in an

hour, and at the pre-boom price Tom and Linda paid for it, the land was a bargain. But salvage is not just about economy. The embrace of existing objects, whether a birdhouse or a schoolhouse, celebrates history. This collection of built, found and recycled pieces is spontaneous and yet deliberate. As with all great places to live, it is a mirror to the souls of its builders and inhabitants. Some homes are simple backdrops. Most homes in Connecticut are stereotypes of safe predictability — center-hall Colonial, Cape or ranch. Like a rich ethnic repast, the ﬂavor of the Edwards home is not for a bland palate — but it springs directly from the palette of its loving creators. v new haven

O N S C RE E N

From Providence, R.I. come Big Nazo, a troupe of foam-filled, fun-filled (but kind of grotesque) puppets in their first Connecticut performance.

Art at the Edge November brings a funky celebration of cartoons and sideshow freaks Forgot To Laugh Sideshow & Animation Festival, 8 p.m. November 14 at Arts Hall @ ACES/ ECA, 55 Audubon St., New Haven. $10. Agooart.com

ou deﬁnitely won’t be bored at the Forgot To Laugh Sideshow & Animation Festival.

Forgot To Laugh is the brainchild of artist/ entrepreneur/provocateur Tony (Baloney) Juliano, who two years ago was the recipient of divine inspiration to create a mini-ﬁlm festival of edgy animation and marry it, Bride of Frankenstein-like, to a revue of odd live sideshow performances.

The inaugural 2007 event at the Milford 38

november 2009

Fine Arts Council was so successful that Juliano moved the 2008 encore to New Haven’s Little Theater on Lincoln Street. This year construction at the theater has forced relocation of Forgot To Laugh to the ACES/ECA Arts Hall just around the corner on Audubon Street, where the event will unfold at 8 p.m. November 14. Made possible in part through the support of the city of New Haven Mayor’s Community Grants Program, the Forgot

To Laugh Sideshow and Animation Festival is a healthy (or perhaps bizarre) mix of live vaudeville sideshow acts such as ﬁre spinners, jugglers, magicians, puppeteers, dancers, contortionists, burlesque, blockheads, fortune tellers and musical comedy alternating with new animation works on the big screen. If the term “sideshow” conjures images of carnival freaks such as two-headed calves and bearded ladies, that’s not far off, actually, from what attendees will encounter at Forgot To Laugh. There’s Jared the Conjurer, who can contort his body through a tennis racquet and squash racquet — simultaneously. (Don’t believe me? Check it out on YouTube.) What do carnival sideshows and animation have in common? Not much — except both are Juliano obsessions. “My artwork is very cartoon-like,” Juliano explains, “and I think vaudeville is very

cartoon-like. So combining that with animation seemed [natural].” There’s fire dancer Polly Sonic, a 1996 Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) grad who recently created bone-crushing art as a roller derby performer (whence she derives her stage name). She also teaches a circus class at New Haven’s Educational Center for the Arts. There’s yo-yo-ist extraordinaire Eric Girardi, and longtime local favorite magician Amazing Andy. Then there’s Dot Mitzvah, nominally a “burlesque trapeze artist.” However, Juliano explains, “She’s currently pregnant right now” — which obviates flying through the air with the greatest of ease. In substitution, says Juliano, the artist will instead perform a “pregnant burlesque clown act.” Which is part of the reason Forgot To Laugh is recommended for ages 18 and up. From Providence, R.I. come Big Nazo, a troupe of funky, grotesque life-sized foam puppets who will perform their firstever Connecticut show. Led by a gaggle of RISD grads (what else?), the troupe employ mask and puppetry techniques that fuse stand-up comedy, sci-fi, go-go dancing, daredevil stunts, soap opera hysterics and professional wrestling with live rock and funk music and audienceinteractive improvisation. It’s a heady, if slightly bizarre, stew. On the big screen, alternating with live performances will be animated shorts by emerging and famous animators like Bill Plympton, Spike and Mike, Aardman Animations and others. One animation house, Happy Tree Friends, whose cuteas-a-button characters “that do horrible, horrible things,” says Juliano. That includes new HTF short Without a Hitch (“in glorious back & white!” — animation in black-and-white?) sure to resonate in your memory the next time you come upon a hitchhiker by the side of the road. There’s punk-rock cartoonist Billy Blob, and Juliano speaks highly of brainy Brooklyn animator Nina Paley. “Last year I tried to get her and she couldn’t do it.” In New Haven the artist will screen new works “Fetch” and “The Stork,” the latter of which has an Armegeddon overpopulation theme. (On her blog, Paley says she eschews travel because it “harms the environment.”) Who should plan on attending Forgot To Laugh? “Japanese lesbian Nazis,” counters Juliano, tongue firmly in cheek. Maybe some of the rest of us, too. v

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Young New Haven painter Nathan Lewis is already creating a towering presence By BRANDON BENEVENTO

Lewis says he is attracted to the interplay of active and contemplative ? of ‘going in and looking out.’

november 2009

PHOTOGRAPH:

Anthony DeCarlo

“I

t’s a sheep,” explains painter Nathan Lewis. “But it looks like a goat.” The original, a “large piece of taxidermy,” remains with his father in California, but Lewis uses its horned, open-mouthed visage in a number of his works. Looking at one, a circular piece called “The Blessed Isles,” he reﬂects on the varying impressions elicited by the image.

Lewis is standing in his Erector Square studio which, considering the size of his paintings, is pretty small. Some mismatched chairs and tables on the painted hardwood give it a dorm-room feel, undisrupted by Nathan Lewis himself who, tall and thin with some facial scruff, looks at least ten years younger than his 38 years. A painting and drawing instructor at Sacred Heart University, he’s often mistaken for a student. His paintings, however, are complex, intertwining history (of nation, world and art) with ﬁction, poetry, philosophy and pop culture through different types of composition.

His intellect and thoughtful approach set him apart.” Next Lewis earned an MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where he enjoyed feedback from not only other painters, but performance artists, sculptors and photographers — invaluable for his far-reaching work. He has lived in New Haven since then, because he likes the art scene here. In recent years he’s been featured in a number of exhibitions at places like the Aldrich Museum and the John Slade Ely House. Lewis has a talent for what he calls appropriation, especially evident in the collage work, “Strange Fruit.” In it, he uses a photo of Mussolini and his mistress hanging dead under an image Johnny Ramone who is, Lewis explains, “Sort

Many early works employ collage. Painted in 2004, “I Fought the Law (fighting father),” currently on the cover of the literary journal Green Mountains Review, surrounds the story of two boxers with images that invoke Oedipus Rex and Kafka’s Metamorphosis along with the history of Italian art, the rise of Darwinian science, racism in 20thcentury entertainment and, as Lewis explains, his own development as a painter. This too flows from many sources. After producing a “little magazine about BMX” and the surrounding ’Methods of Reasoning (hide & seek)’ (2008, oil on canvas, youth culture in California, which 24” X 18”) invites viewers to create their own narrative. whet his interest in photography, he began taking classes at Sacramento of playing things up from history” and, City College, where he became interested blue, a reference to Wallace Stevens’ “The in painting. Soon he found himself Man With the Blue Guitar.” The piece bumming around the museums of Eastern also includes text from Beckett’s Waiting Europe, living for a time in St. Petersburg For Godot, which wraps in an unbroken and traveling through Poland and Germany, string from Mussolini’s mouth around the sleeping in abandoned buildings. “It was back of the painting (bisecting lines from very romantic,” he recalls, “a starving-artist Stevens painted on the sides) and ends at thing.” the mistress’ mouth. In the background: Next he attended a Realist painting school towers. in Italy, finding the techniques he learned The tower — upright, upside-down, there valuable, but definitely less romantic sideways, large and small in more than and overly constricting. So he left and a dozen of his works — is really a toy, came to Connecticut, where he finished perhaps from a model train set Lewis his undergrad work at Lyme Academy found in the street. Not knowing exactly College of Fine Arts. LACFA Professor what it was compelled him to use it. “I Susan Stephenson calls Lewis’ work “a play with the top,” he says, altering its testament to his intelligence and curiosity. meaning. In “Aqualung” it teeters over a

sea of swimming/drowning people like a swept-away lifeguard station. In others it appears as a church steeple. But more than anything it’s an oil derrick, something Lewis thinks “relates well to today.” In some works, “Aqualung” among them, Lewis trades collage for a central narrative image, using story to draw viewers into the work. Attempting to trace the sources of the present, the story he returns to time and again is a travel story — the story of journey itself, of people moving, as in the Exodus. This archetypal narrative animates his most famous work, a riff on Emanual Leutze’s 1851 “Washington Crossing the Delaware” that Lewis calls “Till We Find the Blessed Isles Where Our Friends Are Dwelling.” Associating a promised land with the American Independence, the title is a line from Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra (itself a reflection of the Bible and a travel story), and flaunts his skill at playing on different sources. The idea for the piece came while looking at the Leutze original and asking himself, “Is this the same America?” His answer — no — provoked another question: What’s different now? “Till We Find” is an attempt to comment on that difference. The image features a boat, similar to the original though pointed at a more upright angle and traveling through faster water. The image of the water, Lewis explains, is based on a photograph of the Colorado River, and in the background is a very Western-looking mountain. In place of the white males in the original, Lewis has men and women of different ethnicities — all sourced from photos staged with students and faculty at Paier College of Art, where he taught while creating the work. His only instruction to the models was to “bring layers” of clothing. Thus the characters are shown in a variety of dress, suggestive of many time periods. One person appears twice. A woman of Native American appearance replaces Washington in the bow of the vessel, ahead of two inverted American flags, new haven

In ‘Till We Find the Blessed Isles Where Our Friends Are Dwelling’ (2008, acrylic on canvas, 72” X 120”) Lewis riffs on Leutze’s iconic ‘Washington Crossing the Delaware.’

Recent works employ narrative differently, prompting viewers to attach their own stories. “Methods of Reasoning (hide & seek)” shows an older man (Lewis’ uncle) in the foreground, contemplative, a beefy hand to his chin, peering out from the porch of a house. Behind him, 42

november 2009

Anthony DeCarlo

The symbolism is heavy in some places — e.g., the upside-down ﬂags — injecting political messages that obscure larger cultural and philosophical questioning the narrative drives at. Overall, however, the work ties together an extraordinary wealth of our collective past and present, raising questions as well as offering some answers, all through a fairly basic narrative image.

PHOTOGRAPH:

holding a miniature tower. She is also visible in a huddle of others in the stern of the boat, about to drop a doll into the water. Lewis explains: In the bow she’s standing — independent, alone. In back she’s seated, clinging, dependent — about to lose her innocence. The painting also contains an image of Lewis’ father, outside the boat, looking in the direction the vessel is traveling. Lewis calls this a reference to “the bittersweet part” of the Exodus archetype — the leader who doesn’t make it to the Promised Land.

In ‘Aqualung’ (2004, oil on canvas, 96” X 72”) Lewis’ ubiquitous tower appears as a oil derrick.

climbing through an open window, is an apparently younger man, though his face is not visible. “It’s so interesting,” Lewis says, “how people create a story around it, sometimes a complex one, to explain the situation.” Lewis himself is attracted to the interplay of active and contemplative, of “going in and looking out.” Plus, he says, there’s an age element that intrigues him. The whole thing, he says, sets up a ﬁeld of possible interpretations — like the sheep/goat. This work, along with a striking portrait titled “Into The White-Steven Vincent Kobasa,” demonstrates not only his skill at rendering faces in vivid detail, but his growing ability to distill the complexity of earlier collage works such as “Strange Fruit” into simpler, quieter and ultimately more profound images. It features a face — still and active, lined and smooth, worn and energized — in front of an extremely gnarled (and apparently sideways) birch tree whose pure white bark and twisted shape offer a similar collision of opposites. Pointing at a 12-foot high blank canvas stretched across his studio wall, Lewis explains that he’s currently working on “a giant migration scene.” He’s in the “sorting phase,” poring over hundreds of photos of people, arranging them in his mind. “They don’t know why they’re moving,” he says. “I’m interested in the intermediary. That’s what Washington crossing the Delaware is about, too — the story of trying to get to other places.” More images of Nathan Lewis’ works may be found at lewisart.blogspot.com. v

Iran

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human-rights abuses in Iran, including issues pertaining to women and the treatment of Suﬁs and Kurds. Fiss and other board members are optimistic the center will survive.

work, regardless of what happens to the center,” Ahmadi adds. “We have a group of human-rights activists in Iran that send reports to us, and they are strong and it is not going to be rolled back. “To get to know these young people, and to be a small part of their world is very exciting,” he adds. “They take their lives into their hands when they investigate and report. They take incredible risks.”

“It leaves us with going to a lot of different foundations and to the Iranian people who liked our work but didn’t come forward to fund us,” Ahmadi says. “If they care about Since the Boston Globe story, Redman says, trafﬁc on the IHRDC Web site has us, they need to roll up their sleeves and “surged,” and the center has received several help us. We also have been blessed with thousand dollars in private donations, a very young brilliant staff that works as well as heightened interest from tirelessly, and also volunteers who do institutional donors. Whether that interest beautiful work without a penny. translates into dollars remains to be seen. “If nothing else, we have created a group “I’m more than happy if we can ﬁnd of human-rights lawyers and researchers non-government funding,” says center who are extremely good at what they do, co-founder Akhavan, now a professor of and they are going to go on with their

international law at McGill University in Montréal. “In a sense, now it removes one of the excuses the Islamic regime has to try and portray us as some kind of foreign conspiracy and arm of the U.S. government. We are simply documenting human rights abuses with the view of bringing perpetrators to justice.” Though their future is in limbo, IHRDC staffers are aiming to complete and disseminate their report on post-election Iranian government abuses by January 2010, just in time for the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, which examines human-rights issues in UN member states, discusses Iran at its meeting in February. “Our spirits are good,” say Redman. “We have a mission, and we do our work. The fact is non-proﬁts are always living hand to mouth.” v new haven

ART CREATING ART Studio Tuesday is an informal, non-instructional “paint-in” that meets Tuesdays. Work in a creative environment with other artists. 9:30 a.m.noon November 3, 10, 17 & 24 at Margaret Egan Center, 35 Matthew St., Milford. Free. 203-878-6647, milfordarts.org. Picture This! Drawing Nature. In a hands-on program for children and families, participants will sketch plants

and Her Circle at the British Art Center (see description below). 11 a.m. November 12, noon November 7 & 21, 2 p.m. November 1, 15 & 29 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-4322858, ycba.yale.edu. Take an Introductory Tour of the Yale Center for British Art’s permanent collection. 11 a.m. November 7, 14 & 22 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-2858, ycba.yale.edu. The Yale University Art Gallery hosts aptly named Masterpiece Tours each weekend afternoon. 1:30-2:30 p.m. November 1, 7-8, 14-15 & 21-22 at YUAG, 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. 203-4320600, artgallery.yale.edu.

his work. 3 p.m. November 7 at Zilkha Gallery, Wesleyan University, Middletown. Free. 860-685-3355. wesleyan.edu/cfa. Mia Reinoso Genomi, Mellon Special Collections Humanities Postdoctoral Fellow at the Whitney Humanities Center, gives a gallery talk on Staging History in an Allegory of the Tudor Succession. 12:30 p.m. November 10 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-2858. ycba.yale.edu. Surrealism in American Printmaking, 1940-1950. Tatsiana Zhurauliova, a Yale doctoral candidate in the history of art, presents a talk in the gallery’s Focus On series that will examine closely the exhibit The Pull of Experiment: Postwar American Printmaking. 12:20 p.m. November 11 at YUAG, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-0600. artgallery.yale.edu. Works of Genius: Amateur Artists at Strawberry Hill. Lecture by Cynthia Roman, curator of prints at Yale’s Lewis Walpole Library. 5:30 p.m. November 11 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-2858. ycba.yale.edu. Noah Charney, director of the Association for Research into Crimes against Art and adjunct professor of art history at the American University of Rome, presents a lecture on The Most Stolen Artwork in History: The Crimes and Mysteries of the Ghent Altarpiece. Jan van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece is the world’s most frequently stolen artwork, involved in 13 separate crimes since its creation in 1432. Book signing and reception will follow at Atticus Bookstore/Café (1082 Chapel St.) 5:306:30 p.m. November 12 at YUAG, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-4320600. artgallery.yale.edu. Courtney Thomas is a doctoral student in history and Renaissance studies at Yale. She presents a gallery talk on Women’s Social Networks and Friendship Circles. 12:30 p.m. November 17 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-2858. ycba. yale.edu.

Bodil Gardner’s Springtime on Earth is just one of the quilts on display in the Guilford Art Gallery’s Transformations ‘09: Reflections. and animals at the Peabody Museum, while at the Center for British Art, they will explore the botanical drawings in the exhibition Mrs. Delany and her Circle. For children ages seven to 12. 10:30 a.m. to noon November 7 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. Registration. 203-432-2858, ycba.yale. edu/education.

The 18th Century Cello: How It Looks and Sounds. Have you ever considered musical instruments as art? Y. Alvin Wong, a graduate student in the Yale School of Music, gives a 30-minute gallery talk as part of the series Art in Context. 12:30 p.m. November 3 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203432-2858. ycba.yale.edu.

Bring your sewing, fine art or craft projects to the Contemporary Sewing Circle. Artists share ideas and get advice the second Thursday each month. 6-8 p.m. November 12 at Artspace, 50 Orange St., New Haven. Free. 203-772-2709, artspacenh.org.

Take an exhibition tour of Horace Walpole’s Strawberry Hill. 11 a.m. November 5 & 19, 2 p.m. November 8 & 22, noon November 14 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-4322858. ycba.yale.edu.

GALLERY TALKS/TOURS

Join a conversation with artist Paul Villinski and curator Nina Felshin about Villinski’s Emergency Response Studio installation (see description below). The artist will give a tour of

Docent-led Exhibition Tours help museum visitors explore Mrs. Delany

november 2009

Walpole’s Shakespeare: The First Appearance of Second Life. A lecture by Joseph Roach, Charles C. and Dorathea S. Dilley, professors of theater and English at Yale in support of the exhibition Horace Walpole’s Strawberry Hill. 5:30 p.m. November 15 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203432-2858. ycba.yale.edu. Print scholar Joseph Goddu presents a talk entitled Material Witness: Prints as Object Confessions of the Creative Act in conjunction with the exhibition The Pull of Experiment: Postwar American Printmaking (description below). 4-5 p.m. November 17 at YUAG, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-0600. artgallery.yale.edu. Architecture Tour. Take a tour of the Center for British Art focused on its architectural aspects. 11 a.m. November 21 at YCBA, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-2858. ycba.yale.edu.

EXHIBITIONS Opening How I Got Here presents the geometric-abstract oil paintings and collages of Felix Bronner, artist and neurological researcher and head of pharmacology education at the University of Connecticut Medical Center. Educated as a scientist, Bronner has been painting for more than 30 years. Reviewers have characterized his abstractions as “complex in their compositions, but never visually overwhelming,” “charged with beautifully orchestrated colors,” “stunning and gentle.” November 2December 11 (artist reception 2:30-4:30 p.m. November 7) at the New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St., New Haven. Open noon-8 p.m. Mon., 10 a.m.8 p.m. Tues. & Thurs., 1-5 p.m. Fri. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Free. felixbronner.com. Overtones Undertones. Paintings by Blinn Jacobs and photographs by Marjorie Wolfe will be on display in an exhibition that is quietly intellectual and vividly visual. Jacobs’s monochromatic surfaces are overtones of color with undertones of subtly incised lines. Overtones of mystery and abstraction permeate Wolfe’s serial image photographs. The photographs have a formal composition but allow for her slightly skewed world view and play between the abstract and familiar. November 5-December 6 (artists reception 3-6 p.m. November 8) at Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Ave., New Haven. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. & by appt. 203-389-9555, kehlerliddell.com. Equal parts director and performer, William Lamson explores oppositional forces and ideas through his actions and interventions, which he documents in still photographs and short videos. In his Artspace show untitled, his performative experiments reveal tensions between success and failure, stability and instability, and strength and weakness. November 10-December 19 (public opening 6-8 p.m. November 12) at Artspace, 50 Orange St., New Haven. Open noon-5 p.m. Tuesday, noon8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Free. 203772-2709, artspacenh.org. The Studio Art Quilt Associates present Transformations ‘09: Reflections, which coincides with the opening of the Guilford Art Center’s Artistry Annual Holiday Sale. The show features 34 quilts made by artists from around the world, exploring the theme of reflection. “A reflection can be something reflected, such as light, sound or an image. It also refers to the act and result of careful consideration or meditation,” says Laura Cater-Woods, a mixed-media artist who is jurying the exhibition. “The quilts in this show represent a variety of interpretations of the theme, as well as diverse ways of thinking about image, surface and space.” November 13-January 3 (opening reception 5-7 p.m. November 13) at Guilford Art Center, 411 Church St., Guilford. 203-453-5947. guilfordartcenter.org.

Performing artists Eiko & Koma are well known on the Wesleyan campus. A recent fellow with the Center for Creative Research, Eiko has also served as a visiting instructor in dance and East Asian studies. They present the exhibition Time Is Not Even, Space Is Not Empty as an inaugural event in their multi-year “retrospective project.” The installation is designed to provide an opportunity for the artists to reflect upon their past and present. The Wesleyan exhibit will be the springboard for an installation at Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center in 2010. November 20-December 20 (opening reception 5-7 p.m. November 19) at Zilka Gallery, Wesleyan University, Middletown. Open noon-4 p.m. daily except Mon. (until 8 p.m. Fri.). Closed November 24-30). Free. 860-685-3355. wesleyan. edu/cfa.

Continuing The exhibition Animal, Vegetable or Mineral is exactly what it sounds like: Works in a sundry media by multiple artists — as long as the work’s theme involves animals, vegetables and/or minerals. Through November 12 at Firehouse Art Gallery, 81 Naugatuck Ave., Milford. Open noon-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. Free. 203-306-0016, fhgallery@optonline. net, milfordarts.org. Horace Walpole’s Strawberry Hill. Horace Walpole (1717-97) was the youngest son of Robert Walpole, first earl of Orford and prime minister under George I and George II. In his day he was best known for his personal

collections on display at Strawberry Hill, his pioneering Gothic-revival house on the banks of the Thames at Twickenham, outside London, and through which he constructed narratives of English art and history. This groundbreaking British Art Center exhibition evokes the breadth and importance of Walpole’s Strawberry Hill collections by reassembling an astonishing variety of his objects, including rare books and manuscripts, antiquities, paintings, prints and drawings, furniture, ceramics, arms and armor, and curiosities. Through January 3 at Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. 203-432-2858, ycba.yale.edu. Call of the Coast: Art Colonies of New England. Art colonies in Connecticut communities such as Old Lyme and Cos Cob as well as in Ogunquit and Monhegan, Me. played a key role in the creation of a regional identity in the early 20th century. They also provided inspiration for nationally recognized artists including Edward Hopper, Childe Hassam, Robert Henri, and George Bellows, among others. Call of the Coast chronicles the development of Impressionist Connecticut and Modernist Maine and features 73 works drawn from the collections of the Portland Museum of Art and the Florence Griswold Museum. Through January 31 at the Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme St., Old Lyme. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Mon., 1-5 p.m. Sun. $9 ($8 seniors, $7 students, free under 12). 860-434-5542, flogris.org.

Paul Villinsky: Emergency Response Studio was inspired by artist Villinski’s visit to post-Katrina New Orleans in August 2006. He wished he could transport his studio from New York to the Lower Ninth Ward so he could create work in response to the conditions he found. Instead he created

settings. It will be installed in the Wesleyan Center for the Arts’ green and accompanied by an installation in Zilkha Gallery detailing Villinski’s construction process and featuring additional information on “movable” housing as well as “green” technology and building materials. Through November 8 at Zilka Gallery and CFA green, Wesleyan University, Middletown. Open noon-4 p.m. daily except Mon. (until 8 p.m. Fri.) Free. 860-685-3355, wesleyan.edu/cfa. Home Grown is a group show of works by shoreline artists Patricia Barone, Paula Solimene and Ralph Levesque — colleagues and friends who paint similar subjects in varying styles. Come see how they interpret their love of New England with paint, found objects and canvas. Through December 8 (artists reception 6-8 p.m. October 15) at Wink Art & Design, 87 Whitfield St. (third floor), Guilford. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays or by appt. 203-453-5921, digitalwink.com.

A 2009 oil on canvas by neurological researcher and artist Felix Bronner, whose paintings and collages will be on display at the New Haven Public Library this month.

Emergency Response Studio by playfully rethinking and transforming a 30-foot Gulfstream Cavalier trailer into a rolling, off-the-grid live/work space that can house displaced artists or allow visiting artists to “embed” in post-disaster

Mrs. Delany and Her Circle explores the life, world and work of Mary Delany, née Mary Granville (1700-88). Though best known for her almost 1,000 botanical “paper mosaics” now housed in the British Museum, which she began at age 72, Mrs. Delany used her craft activities to cement bonds of friendship and negotiate complex, interlinked social networks throughout a long life passed in artistic, aristocratic and court circles in Georgian England and Ireland. Through landscape drawings, paper cuts and collages, textiles and manuscript materials,

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12th Annual Hall of Fame Induction & Reception Thursday, November 19 Downtown at the Taft (Formerly Hot Tomato’s)

Corporate Honorees

Diane L. Wishnafski

Scott D. Flora

Executive Vice President NewAlliance Bank

President Surgical Devices, Covidien

Community Honorees

John E. Padilla

Bendict W. Cozzi

The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Business Manager, President International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478

Distinguished Alumnus

the exhibition will show the range and variety of Mrs. Delany’s art. Her work will be shown in the context of natural history, which informed and underpinned her productions. Shells, corals, botanical drawings, and publications related to the collections of the 2nd Duchess of Portland, with whom Mrs. Delany lived and worked alongside, will also form part of the exhibition. Through January 3 at the Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun. 203-4322858, ycba.yale.edu. The Pull of Experiment: Postwar American Printmaking explores a dynamic and innovative 20-year period following World War II that fundamentally altered the boundaries of intaglio printmaking. The exhibition features more than 40 prints drawn from the Yale University Art Gallery’s collection of works on paper that highlight experimental printing techniques, reflecting the creative spirit incited by the interaction of American and émigré artists following the war. Through January 3 at YUAG, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. (Thurs. until 8 p.m.) & 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Free. 203-4320600, artgallery.yale.edu. Continuous Present features a selection of work by 11 of today’s most compelling contemporary artists working in a broad array of media, including film, video, photography, painting and sculpture. The artists chosen for the show share a keen interest in time and sensory perception despite the aesthetic diversity of their practices. Their work reveals the capacity for art to profoundly reposition our physical and intellectual engagement with the world around us as they invite us to experience the “continuous present.” Through January 3 at YUAG, 1111 Chapel St., New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. (Thurs.

Christian

Continued from 17

What is his biggest fear? “Probably heights or small spaces.”

Christopher Bartlett

Sam Osei

Owner, Skater’s Landing

Nurse, Gaylord Hospital

Keith Kountz, Emcee 5:30 P.M. Reception & Silent Auction 7:00 p.m. Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tickets $100

(203) 285-2617 Major Sponsors NewAlliance Bank, Pﬁzer New Haven CRU, AT&T, Local 478 Operating Engineers, XEROX, Covidien, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Yale New Haven Hospital 46

november 2009

Where does he shop for you? “I’m not sure he has a ‘go-to’

Chris

Continued from 25

of the kids would have a problem that he wouldn’t be able to ﬁx.” Where does he shop for you? “For one of my birthday presents last year he treated me and three of my girlfriends to a girls’ night out complete with dinner, drinks and a movie. I

until 8 p.m.) & 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Free. 203-432-0600, artgallery.yale.edu. Out of House and Home is the second half of Work/Place, a two-part series which explores the environments on which our survival depends. Here, the Arts Council of Greater New Haven presents an exhibit that explores the comforts and securities of home and the uncertainties and anxieties brought to bear by the recent mortgage crisis, record foreclosures, and plummeting real-estate values. Curated by Debbie Hesse and Joy Pepe. Through February 5 at the Parachute Factory, Erector Square, 319 Peck St., Bldg. 1, New Haven. Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, 12-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and by appointment. Free. 203-772-2788. newhavenarts.org. What We Learned: The Yale Las Vegas Studio and the Work of Venturi Scott Brown & Associates is really two exhibitions. The Yale Las Vegas Studio documents photographically the 1968 Yale “field trip” to Las Vegas examining commercial vernacular architecture, aiming to capture “unconscious moments” of the historic studio’s leaders, before “theory formation” made the Las Vegas trip into a watershed architectural event. What We Learned, the second part of the exhibition, focuses on Venturi and Scott Brown’s critical contributions to the urban landscape and our understanding of it. Organized around five themes — context, mannerism, communication, automobile city and urban research — the installation is a collage of drawings, posters, photographs and text as well as furniture and fragments from early buildings designed by the architects. Through February 5 at Paul Rudolph Hall, 180 York St., New Haven. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.5 p.m. Saturday. Free. 203-432-1345. architecture.yale.edu.

place, but he always manages to ﬁnd the perfect gift. I’m not sure he’s ever given me something that I’ve even thought about returning.” Describe him in three words: “Hilarious, passionate, loving.” v also love when he gets me gift certiﬁcates to get massages, manicures, pedicures, etc. For Mother’s Day he got me tickets to see Guster play in Newport, R.I. The best!” Describe him in three words: “Loyal, generous and active — physically active in sports and exercise, as well as being very active/involved in family life.” v

One2One

Continued from 13

I ‘encourage’ them to look at avenues. There were two [important recruits]: Ed Wait, he was 6-3, and another kid by the name of Brandon Knight who was going to be a freshman. They came with the understanding that education was first. They came, and our fortunes changed: We won the district three times, the regional three times, qualified for the final four three times and won the last two state championships. So, what makes a winning team? Good players. Great coaches have good players. Here’s the best academic school in the state. Why would some of the best athletes go there? Because they never thought a place like Pine Crest was an open door, and it became an open door. Ed was marginal academically, but he’s now at Monmouth [College in New Jersey]. They’ll play Quinnipiac and Central Connecticut. Brandon is an exception — he won the Gatorade National Player of the Year. Only two other juniors have ever won it: Greg Oden and LeBron James. Brandon has a 4.2 average academically.

We took him up to UConn, which he liked. If he went to UConn, the ﬁrst day he’s in class he has 18 credits, because he takes college [AP] credits at our school. So where is he going to go? Let’s make some news here. I don’t know. UConn is my fourth choice. I’d love to see him go to Yale, but you have to understand this kid’s going to be an NBA lottery pick. I’d like to see him go to Harvard, or with Johnny Dawkins at Stanford. He can get into any school [academically] without bouncing a ball. Right now the choices are UConn, Kansas, Florida, Duke and Kentucky. Might he skip college to go to the NBA? There’s a [recent] rule in the NBA that you have to be at least 19 to enter the NBA draft, so he would have to go to at least one year of school. What kids, families, and coaches [must consider] is what university will put him on a national stage. Certainly the Big East is a great opportunity. What coach develops your talents so you can go to the next level? [UConn] Coach Jim Calhoun has 21 [former players] presently in the NBA, and has had over 34 in the NBA. UConn has had more than double the number

of NBA players compared to any other university in the last ten years. Because your kid is a great athlete, it doesn’t make his family a great manager of his future. What kind of pressure does this pose for a family? It’s immense. In Brandon’s case his parents are intelligent and understand what’s there. I hope he’ll commit in the first signing period [the first week of November] because it is intense. Brandon his parents or myself are constantly on the phone with [Memphis] Coach [John] Calipari, Coach Calhoun, [Florida] Coach [Billy] Donovan. People are calling [asking] can they come to the gym. As a coach, what advice would you give other coaches? For me, I think it’s relationships. The proudest moment for me is when a player who played for me invites me to their wedding. I already had my first, Zack King, and my second will be Harry Stanley — two players who played for me many years ago [15 and 14 years, respectively]. When you measure results you have to look at what a relationship produces. To be invited to their wedding 15 years later says the relationship is appreciated. v

A higher standard within reach

Though spacious apartments and countless conveniences suggest otherwise, the Tower One/ Tower East lifestyle is attainable by older persons with a range of financial means. Tower One/Tower East residents enjoy a host of amenities including: • Studios and one-bedroom apartments • Fine Dining • On-site primary care • Free health screenings • Cultural and recreational activities • On-site convenience store and banking • Secure reserved parking

new haven

MUSIC CLASSICAL The Bach’s Lunch Concert Series continues with Three’s A Charm, a program of original trios from Baroque to the present day. With Viara Albonetti (violin), Naomi Senzer (flute) and Ingeborg Schimmer (piano). 12:10-12:50 p.m. November 6 at Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Free. 203-624-5189. nmsmusicschool.org.

2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83 with soloist Jeffrey Biegel. 7:30 p.m. November 12 at Woolsey Hall, 400 College St., New Haven. $65-$10. 3 p.m. November 15 at Shelton Intermediate School, 675 Constitution Blvd. N., Shelton. $35. newhavensymphony.com. The Yale Voxtet presents a program of art songs by Zelter, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Wagner, Strauss and Reger. 8 p.m. November 14 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. yale.edu/music.

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Steve Blazo

Add Lunchtime Chamber Music to your midday plans for a chance to take in performances by world-class School of Music graduates. 12:30 p.m. November 11 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. yale.edu/music. Renowned Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel compares the pianist’s task to that of a “character actor” who must play different roles when called upon. Brendel delivers a master class and a lecture “On Character in Music.” Master class 10:30 a.m. ($8, students free) November 11, lecture 8 p.m. ($20$6) November 12 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. yale. edu/music.

Wigs, waistcoats and candlelight bring you back to 1782 at Orchestra New England’s 30th annual Colonial Concert. 8 p.m. November 28 at United Church on the Green, 270 Temple St., New Haven. Boughton , music director of the New Haven Symphony, for an ambitious program: STRAVINSKY: Symphonies of Wind Instruments; VAUGHN WILLIAMS: Fantasy on a Theme by Thomas Tallis; BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3. 8 p.m. November 14 at Woolsey Hall, 500 College St., New Haven. Free. yale.edu/music. Oboist Andrew Parker presents his Master of Music recital. 8 p.m. November 14 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. yale. edu/music.

Brown bag it to catch Isn’t It Romantic? another installement in the Bach’s Lunch Concert Series. This time it’s romances and love songs by Weber, Fauré, William Grant Still, Dvorak, Nielsen and Quilter’s First Set of Shakespeare Songs. 12:10-12:50 p.m. November 13 at Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Free. 203-624-5189. nmsmusicschool.org.

John Schneiderman is a virtuoso of plucked instruments, including the baroque lute and just plain old guitar. His concert is part of the ongoing series of Collection Concerts. 3 p.m. November 15 at Collection of Musical Instruments, 15 Hillhouse Ave., New Haven. $20-$10. yale.edu/music.

Come for the Beethoven, stay for the Brahms. The New Haven Symphony Orchestra presents a program of Viennese Classicism, including BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36, WEBERN Langsamer Satz, and BRAHMS Piano Concerto No.

Yale faculty violinist Wendy Sharp performs a recital with guest pianist Julie Nishimura. Program: STRAVINSKY: Suite Italienne; THEOFANIDIS: Flow My Tears; DVORAK: Four Romantic Pieces; MOZART: Sonata in A Major, K. 526; HIGDON: String Poetic. 4 p.m.

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Tian Hui Ng presents his Master of Music recital in choral conducting. 5 p.m. November 15 at Battell Chapel, 500 College St., New Haven. Free. 203-4324158, music.yale.edu.

Orchestra New England’s 30th annual Colonial Concert. Wigs, waistcoats and candlelight bring you back to a 1782 concert in Olde New-haven. Music of Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and others. This is the flagship concert of New England’s most versatile chamber orchestra, led by redoubtable Music Director (and ONE founder) James Sinclair. 8 p.m. November 28 at United Church on the Green, 270 Temple St., New Haven. $35-$20 ($75 includes pre-concert dinner at Graduates Club, 155 Elm St.)

You can get the best of both worlds as the Imani Winds team up with the Jasper String Quartet, currently in residence at the Yale School of Music. The program features Roberto Sierra’s Nonet for Winds and Strings. Also, HAYDN: String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 76 No. 1; BOZZA: Scherzo for Wind Quintet; LIGETI: Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet; LOBOS: Woodwind Quintet. 8 p.m. November 17 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. $28-$10. 203-432-4158, music.yale.edu. The students of Robert Mealy form the School of Music’s Baroque Chamber Orchestra, playing dance suites by Purcell, Rameau and Bach. 4 p.m. November 18 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. 203-4324158, music.yale.edu.

Celebrate Western art music with the Wesleyan Concert Choir and the Wesleyan Ensemble of the Americas in Musica Viva, conducted by Angel Gil-Ordonez. 11:30 a.m. November 8 at Memorial Chapel, Wesleyan University, Middletown. Free. wesleyan.edu/cfa. The Yale Baroque Ensemble performs new music from the 17th century, including works by Castello, Fontana, Marini and others. Robert Mealy conducts. 8 p.m. November 10 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. yale.edu/music.

November 22 at Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Free. 203-624-5189. nmsmusicschool.org.

The Yale Institute of Sacred Music presents the Repertory Chorus. 5 p.m. November 16 at Battell Chapel, 500 Chapel St., New Haven. Free. 203-4324158, music.yale.edu.

The Yale Symphony Orchestra welcomes guest conductor William

Symphony of Meditations, a new work by Yale composer Aaron Jay Kernis, incorporates Hebrew texts by 11th century Spanish poet Solomon Ibn Gabirol. Shinik Hahm conducts the East Coast premiere with the Yale Camerata, Schola Cantorum, Glee Club and Yale Philharmonia. 8 p.m. November 6 at Woolsey Hall, 500 College St., New Haven. Free. yale.edu/music.

November 15 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. yale.edu/ music.

New Music New Haven features faculty composer Jack Vees’ piece Party Talk. Also on the program are Chris Cerrone’s Invisible Cities, Jordan Kuspa’s Piano Trio, Adrian Knight’s Work for Sixteen Strings and Feinan Wang’s Piesces Monodrama – Chapter VII. 8 p.m. November 19 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-4158, music.yale.edu. Clarinetist Jaehee Choi presents an Artist Diploma recital. 5 p.m. November 20 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-4158, music. yale.edu. Robert Schumann’s “Dichterliebe” is on the bill for the next Bach’s lunch. With tenor David Finley and pianist Galen Tate. 12:10-12:50 p.m. November 20 at Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Free. 203-6245189. nmsmusicschool.org If it’s the evening after the day of The Game (and it is) it must be time for that musical equivalent of the hoary gridiron rivalry, the Yale-Harvard Joint Glee Club Concert. 8 p.m. November 20 at Woolsey Hall, 400 College St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-4158, music.yale.edu. The Great Organ Music series continues with Canadian organist Rachel Laurin on Woolsey’s world-renowned Newberry pipe organ. 8 p.m. November 22 at Woolsey Hall, 400 College St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-4158, music.yale.edu. Bach has a brunch, too? See it to believe it. Enjoy Part of Your World: American Classical Songs along with food and beverages in a brunchtime installment of the usual Wednesday lunchtime series. With vocalist Beth Patella and pianist Chris Patella. Noon

POPULAR Amy Crawford recently placed in the top three at the Montreux International Jazz Vocal Competition and recorded her debut EP this fall. 8 p.m. November 7 at Crowell Concert Hall, Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University, Middletown. $17-$8. wesleyan.edu/cfa. Star children’s performers the Laurie Berkner Band play a “Pajama Party” concert. Kids can come in their pajamas. Families are also encouraged to bring a pair of new children’s pajamas and/or new book to donate to The Pajama Program which provides new pajamas for children entering foster care. 1 p.m. November 8 at the Shubert Theater, 247 College St., New Haven. $35-$25. capa. com/newhaven. Raekwon is offering their new CD, Only Built 4 Cuban Links, Pt. III, for only five bucks with admission to their stop on York Street. 9 p.m. November 8 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $25 ($20 advance). 203-624-8623, toadsplace.com. The Yale Jazz Ensemble swings its way into another fall concert. 7:30 p.m. November 9 at Morse Recital Hall, 470 College St., New Haven. Free. 203-4324158, yale.edu/music. Jigu — Thunder Drums of China. See, hear and feel the intensity of the Olympic Games opening ceremony. 7 p.m. November 10 at Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent St., New Haven. $15 ($10 staff, students free). 203-392-6154, lyman.southernct.edu. Let it all hang out with psychedelic folksters Starless and Bible Black, Amen Dunes and Paul Metzger. 9 p.m. November 10 at Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven. Free. Cafénine.com. Shotgun Party with Leo Rondeau delivers a much needed dose of Texas dance-hall country. 9 p.m. November 11 at Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven. $8. Cafénine.com. Turn up the old-timey for the Two Man Gentlemen Band. 9 p.m. November 12 at Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven. $5. Cafénine.com. Get down at Toad’s One Love Festival with Capleton, Anthony B, Coco Tea and Jah Thunder. 10 p.m. November 12 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New

Haven. $25 ($20 advance). 203-624-8623, toadsplace.com. Jazz pianist and composer Noah Baerman brings together four top New York jazz artists with Connecticut roots in the world premier of his composition Know Thyself, an extended work made possible through a grant from Chamber Music America. Baerman directs the Wesleyan University Jazz Ensemble. 8 p.m. November 13 at Crowell Concert Hall, Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University, Middletown. $15-$6. wesleyan.edu/cfa. The 2009 Fall Jazz Series continues at Firehouse 12 with New York-based trumpeter/composer Peter Evans and his quartet. The ensemble released The Peter Evans Quartet on Firehouse Records in 2007. 8:30 and 10 p.m. November 13 at Firehouse 12, 45 Crown St., New Haven. $15-$10. firehouse12.com. R&B singer Trey Songz is sure to pull in a crowd at Toad’s with his sweet voice, smooth beats and star power. 9 p.m. November 13 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $30 ($25 advance). 203-624-8623, toadsplace.com. Lucky Classical Jazz, a Faculty Friday Concert, features Elaine Thoma on flute, Kathy Giampietro on oboe and Sue Zoellner-Cross on bassoon. 7:30 p.m. November 13 at Neighborhood Music School, 100 Audubon St., New Haven. Free. 203-624-5189. nmsmusicschool.org. What might be your one and only chance to check out Swiss rockabilly

music: Mars Attacks. Local ‘billies Johnny Carlevale and the Rollin’ Pins and the Honeybees open. 9 p.m. November 13 at Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven. $6. Cafénine.com. Look for trippy, psychedelic visuals to accompany Yeasayer’s experimental performance. 7 p.m. November 14 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $17 ($15 advance). 203-624-8623, toadsplace.com. Nick Colionne, Maysa, Jackiem Joyner. Hear three jazz greats perform solo and then collaborate as part of Southern’s Jazz Series. 8 p.m. November 14 at Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, SCSU, 501 Crescent St., New Haven. $30 ($25 staff, $15 students). 203-3926154, lyman.southernct.edu. Beehive queen Christine Ohlman returns to the scene of many musical triumphs with a new CD in tow. The Deep End, Ohlman’s first album of originals in five years, was co-produced by John Mellencamp’s producer Andy York. 10 p.m. November 14 at Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven. $20 with CD, $10 without. Cafénine.com. Cee-Lo rejoins the Atlanta-based hip hop act Goodie Mob for a reunion show produced by Guerilla Union. Scarface is special guest. 9 p.m. November 15 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $30 ($25 advance). 203624-8623, toadsplace.com.

Garage pop is a strange genre — does it growl like your old truck or snap like bubblegum? Chicagaoans The Safes and the Vultures negotiate the difference. 10 p.m. November 18 at Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven. $3. Cafénine.com. Fans say that Corey Smith has his own genre. Whatever you want to label him, know that he has a history of crossing boundaries and connecting deeply with his supporters. 9 p.m. November 19 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $15 ($12 advance). 203-624-8623, toadsplace.com. Man’ish Boy (A Raw and Beautiful Thing) is saxophonist and composer Darius Jones’s recent debut release on AUM Fidelity. He performs with his trio, Cooper-Moore on diddley-bo and piano, and Rakalam Bob Moses on drums. 8:30 and 10 p.m. November 20 at Firehouse 12, 45 Crown St., New Haven. $15-$10. firehouse12.com. New York singer-songwriter Amy Speace reprises her popular performance at the Nine. 10 p.m. November 21 at Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven. $8. Cafénine.com. Can Bridgeport bring the funk? You betcha. Deep Banana Blackout, a New Orleans-style fonk-fest, has been selling out shows in Connecticut for the past decade. 9 p.m. November 25 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $20 ($18.50 advance). toadsplace.com.

The revenge of psychobilly: a new horror flick shot on location in Elm City? Nope, it’s Soul Reapin 3 with 420 Blackbirds. 9 p.m. November 25 at Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven. $5. Cafénine.com. Soul Legends promises a memorable night of music with classic soul acts like Russell Thompkins, Jr. and the New Stylistics, the Original Manhattans and Rose Royce. 8 p.m. November 27 at the Palace Theater, 100 E. Main St., Waterbury. $88-$58. 203-755-4700, palacetheaterct.org. The Nerds is comprised of members Mongo, Biff, Stretch and Spaz. Bring your Batman sound effects to their post-Bird Day show. Covin, Dropshift and Shifting Red share the bill. 9 p.m. November 27 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $15 ($12 in advance). toadsplace.com. South California five-piece rockers Saosin will headline the Pacific Sun tour in support of their self-titled debut. P.O.S., Innerpartysystem and Eye Alaska open. 7:30 p.m. November 28 at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., New Haven. $18 ($15 in advance). toadsplace.com. Brothers Donovan is a roots acoustic guitar duet. They host Tryptophan Jam with a cast of sitters-in. 9 p.m. November 28 at Café Nine, 250 State St., New Haven. $5. Cafénine.com.

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ONSTAGE REVUES/CABARET Deep in a secure underground bunker on Park Street, the plucky thespians of the Yale Cabaret stage The Surrender Tree, by Margaret Engle. Adapted and directed by Rachel Spencer & Co. 8 p.m. November 5, 8 & 11 p.m. November 6-7 at Yale Cabaret, 217 Park St., New Haven. $15 ($10 students). 203-432-1566, yalecabaret.org.

perform Wormwood, a rare remounting (with the original Polish cast) of the landmark 1985 production that prompted the theater’s exile from Poland. Like a diary from a journey across a country plunging into the night, or a letter written by shipwrecked people who entrust it to the sea, Wormwood blurs the line between fantasy and reality in its portrayal of life in Poland under martial law. (In Polish with English supertitles; for mature audiences.) 8 p.m. November 5-7 at Iseman Theater, 1156 Chapel St., New Haven. $35 ($25 seniors and Yale staff; $10 students). 203-432-1234, yalerep@ yale.edu.

A pair of dark, biting comedies by celebrated American playwrights Eric Bogosian and Tony Kushner are the carte du jour of By Ill Be Cured, inspired by two of Shakespeare’s sonnets. 8 p.m. November 12, 8 & 11 p.m. November 13-14 at Yale Cabaret, 217 Park St., New Haven. $15 ($10 students). 203-432-1566, yalecabaret.org.

THEATER Opening Can “hilarious” and “thriller” co-exist? Miss an Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, the Broadway comedy smash. A cast of four actors plays more than 150 characters in this fast-paced tale of an ordinary man on an extraordinarily entertaining adventure. Winner of two Tony Awards. 8 p.m. November 5-6, 2 & 8 p.m. November 7 at Shubert Performing Arts Center, 247 College St., New Haven. $56-$15. 203-562-5666, 800228-6622, shubert.com. Founded in 1964, Theatre of the Eighth Day (Teatr Ósmego Dnia) is a leader among Polish alternative theatres. Inspired and influenced by the work of Jerzy Grotowski, the company developed its own acting method, creating performances through improvisation. Under the auspices of the Yale School of Drama, the company visits New Haven to

Sam Waterston plays a South African expat forced to confront the demons in his heart in the world premiere of Athol Fugard’s Have You Seen Us?, opening November 24 at Long Wharf Theatre.

Written and conceived by Jon Peterson, Song Man, Dance Man is a tour de force one-man show about one-man shows. Song Man, Dance Man is a tribute to the great song-and-dance men who inspired Peterson: George M. Cohan, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Jr., Anthony Newley and Bobby Darin. Of Peterson himself, the New York Times observed, “And the man can dance; you won’t see a buckand-a-wing like this on too many stages

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any more.” (Funny — we thought that was a football play.) November 5-29 at Seven Angels Theatre, 1 Plank Rd., Waterbury. $48-$32.50. 203-757-4676, sevenangelstheatre.org. Christmas Eve. A diner in a southern California strip mall. Henry Parsons, a professor and South African transplant comes in for his usual — a turkey sandwich and insulting banter with Adela, the Mexican-American waitress. The two creep toward a fragile understanding until Solly and Rachael, an eastern European Jewish couple, sit down to eat. The couple’s entrance forces Henry to a reckoning with the demons in his heart and, for a moment, unites four lost souls. Unrelenting in his search for our common humanity, playwright Athol Fugard returns to Long Wharf for the world premiere of Have You Seen Us?, unrelenting in his search for our common humanity. Gordon Edelstein directs. November 24December 20 at Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr., New Haven. $70-$30. 203787-4282, longwharf.org. Who shot Andy Warhol? Ever-sofabulous drag queen Candy Darling hosts a happening whodunit musical in which the famous — and infamous — denizens of Warhol’s legendary Factory all have motives to pull the trigger. But in Pop!, a new musical by Maggie-Kate Coleman and Anna K. Jacobs, the pop-at icon unravels an even biger mystery as he confronts not only the prime suspects, but also his art and his greatest creation of all — himself. World premiere production directed by Mark Brokaw. November 27-December 19 at Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St., New Haven. $67-$35 ($10 11/30 only). 203-432-1234, yalerep.org. Set in 2003, Eclipsed unearths the wreckage of Liberia’s vicious civil war and celebrates women who navigate the most brutal of circumstances. The “wives” of a rebel commanding officer form a community in a hostile war zone. Their world is transformed by the arrival of two newcomers and the unceremonious return of a former “wife” turned rebel soldier. Each woman finds her own means of survival, but at what cost? A new play by Danai

Gurira, the OBIE-winning co-author of In the Continuum, Eclipsed is a chilling, humanizing, and surprisingly funny portrait of transformation and renewal, directed by Liesl Tommy (Angela’s Mix Tape and The Good Negro). (Strong language.) Through November 14 at Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St., New Haven. $67-$35. 203-432-1234, yalerep.org. Jerry’s Girls is a celebratory two-hour musical entertainment of glamour, optimism, love, melody — and, above all, women. More than most songwriters, Jerry Herman has put larger-than-life women center-stage in his shows. Think Dolly Levi of Hello, Dolly!, Auntie Mame Dennis of Mame, Mabel Normand of Mack and Mabel. In Jerry’s Girls the distaff side predominates again, with female performers affectionately celebrating Herman’s special gift for writing songs that capture the true spirit of the American musical theater. The show’s title song, “Jerry’s Girls” (to the tune of “It’s Today” from Mame) that opens Act I, honors the 40-plus female stars who have appeared in Herman musicals over the years, and features a dazzling array of songs from these landmark shows. Julia Kiley directs, with musical direction by Steven Oliveri. Performances 7:30 p.m. Wed-Thurs, 8 p.m. Fri-Sat (matinees 2 p.m. Wed. & Sun.) through November 15 at Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton. $35$30 ($20 students, $15 under 13). 860767-7318, ivorytonplayhouse.org. Steven Sondheim’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum may just live up to its billing as “America’s Funniest Musical.” Comedy reigns supreme when a thoroughly disarming slave named Pseudolus schemes to gain his freedom by helping his master’s son get the girl he desires. It’s an accelerating whirl of mixed identities, swinging doors, double takes, double entendres, outrageous puns and gags that will keep you laughing all the way home. Winner of tons of Tony Awards including Best Musical. Directed and choreographed by Ted Pappas. Through November 29 at Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main St., East Haddam. $73-$31. 860-873-8668, goodspeed.org.

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Toga Party Deft direction and rich acting make Goodspeed’s Forum a funny thing BY BROOKS APPELBAUM

Domina (Mary Gutzi) rules the roost with her loyal slave Hysterium (John Scherer) by her side in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Goodspeed.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Directed and choreographed by Ted Pappas. Through November 29 at Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam. 860-873-8668, goodspeed.org.

predicaments. Even though we are famously guaranteed a happy ending in Stephen Sondheim’s rousing opening number, “Comedy Tonight,” we still enjoy the pleasure of suspense.

Full disclosure: I admit that broad comedy is probably my least favorite theatrical genre. Mistaken identities, slamming doors, slapstick, one-liners and (typically) somewhat shallow characters have never, for me, held up beside verbal and physical wit. I have a great fondness for Sondheim’s music and lyrics (witty in any context), but I came to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum with some doubts, having seen only mediocre productions in the past. However, Pappas’ ensemble focus has also allowed the expert book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart to take its rightful place beside Sondheim’s contribution. This book includes broad comedy, indeed, but there

have a good friend who is a long-time theater aﬁcionado. When I told him I was going to see the Goodspeed production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, he said, “Of course, it all depends on their Pseudolus.”

Well, yes and no. Certainly, director Ted Pappas has found a marvelous Pseudolus. Trim and chiseled where Zero Mostel was broad and soft, Adam Heller takes a few minutes to get used to. But Heller not only has sharp comic timing, he also knows how to blend the many styles of this piece so that one doesn’t overtake another. Despite the

broadly comic nature of the musical, he avoids the trap of hamming it up too much. His performance has an unexpected sweetness, and he is generous onstage: He allows the other actors to shine. Pseudolus’ wish to be freed from his enslavement and become a free citizen drives the plot forward, but under Pappas’ direction, this is far from being “The Pseudolus Show.” Instead, every actor without exception fulﬁlls his or her role with the same gusto, detail and depth. Pappas has ensured that the Goodspeed’s production is an ensemble piece. Within the broader elements of the musical, we also happily believe in each character’s

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is plenty of wit here as well, and the plot’s intricate construction raises this musical far above others in its genre. One of the distinguishing factors in Pappas’ terrific casting is that while each actor fulfills his or her character’s comic type, each also creates an original. Heller’s Pseudolus is one example among many. For instance, Sam Pinkleton as the young lover Hero has a willowy body and pretty face, but he is not in the least effeminate. His long-stemmed awkwardness — like a dandelion that might blow away in a breeze — underscores Hero’s appealingly dim-witted notion of love. This physical quality, combined with a perfectly modulated voice (attuned to the purpose of character) makes his signature songs (“Love, I Hear” and “Impossible”) both broadly funny and witty, given Sondheim’s marvelous rhymes. Opposite him (and in perfect contrast to the other almost frighteningly tall and sexualized courtesans) Emily Thompson makes an ideal Philia. Blonde, blue-eyed, small and soft, she is purity and prettiness personified, as she explains to Hero in her song, “Lovely.” Thompson’s voice, sweet and strong, never strays from the period of the musical, and we never doubt the absolute sincerity of Philia’s limited

intelligence, which is key to the humor of “That’ll Show Him.” In an inspired performance, John Scherer brings out the many facets of Pseudolus’ fellow slave, Hysterium. With a pompadour to rival the best, which in this case gives his round face a perpetual look of surprise bordering on terror, this Hysterium is Pseudolos’ perfect foil. In Hysterium’s world, disaster lurks around every corner, while Pseudolus is a man with a plan (and if that plan falls through — as it inevitably does — he can always devise another). When Hysterium’s fears become unbearable, as they do in the number, “I’m Calm,” we see Pappas’ inventiveness not only as director but also as choreographer. Scherer’s business takes the song right over the top, and yet as we laugh, we believe in and sympathize with his anguish. That is the key to Pappas’ approach to this production: No matter how broad the humor, he invites us to ﬁnd the element of ourselves in each character. As strong as the above-mentioned actors are, the rest of the cast equals them. There is David Wohl as Senex, whose deadpan delivery is a delight, especially in his signature number, “Everybody Ought To Have a Maid.” Mary Gutzi as Domina has an operatic voice that gives an unexpected

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but perfectly calibrated poignancy to what is perhaps the broadest (and potentially most dated) of all the characters. Ron Wisniski brings a distinctive note to Marcus Lycus: He is every inch a wily businessman rather than a lecher. As Miles Gloriosus, the captain who arrives late in the ﬁrst act to claim his property, Philia, Nat Chandler has an astonishing voice and a bombastic presence. Each courtesan is pitch-perfect: marvelous dancers as well as sexy performers. Similarly, the Proteans are expert clowns. Scenic designer James Noone has created the classic farcical set of three houses with brightly colored doors; we know that chaos will ensue. Costume designer Martha Bromelmeier has cleverly combined Roman robes with clown-like elements, adding a nicely updated wink to the proceedings. Finally, music director Michael O’Flaherty has balanced the orchestration perfectly so that it supports the actors’ voices in every case. So…there’s good news, and bad news. The good news: I’m now a complete fan of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The bad news: I’ll likely never see as ﬁne a production again. v

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BELLES LETTRES The New Haven Free Public Library hosts an Open Mic with New Haven Poet Claire Zoghb. Zoghb will read excerpts from her recent (2009) book of poems, Small House Breathing, winner of the 2008 Quercus Review Book Award, followed by an open mic. 6-7:30 p.m. November 4 at New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St., New Haven. Free. 203-946-8835, eventbrite. com. Gregory Maguire gives the 2009 Betsy Beinecke Shirley Collection of American Children’s Literature Lecture, Making Mischief: Wicked Witches & Wild Things. Maguire is the bestselling author of Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, Lost, Mirror Mirror and the classic Wicked, the basis for the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical of the same name. 4 p.m. November 5 at Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, 121 Wall St., New Haven. Free. 203-4322977, beinecke.library@yale.edu.

Society. So begins a remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name. 6-7 p.m. November 18 at New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St., New Haven. Free. 203-946-8835, novelmst.eventbrite.com. Natasha Trethewey Poetry Reading. Trethewey is the author of Domestic Work (selected by Rita Dove as winner of the inaugural Cave Canem Poetry Prize for the best first book by an African-American poet), Bellocq’s Ophelia and Native Guard, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. She is the 2009 James Weldon Johnson Fellow at the Beinecke Library.4 p.m. November 18 at Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, 121 Wall St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-2977, beineke. library@yale.edu. Time Out for Poetry meets third Thursdays and welcomes those who wish to share a short poem or two or

Writers Out Loud: Literary Open Mic. Green Street offers writers a night to share works-in progress, socialize and seek out constructive comments. Readings are limited to prose short stories or excerpts under ten minutes. 7-9 p.m. November 12 at Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green St., Middletown. $3 members, $5 others. 860-685-7871, greenstreetartscenter.org. Secrets of Oz: From Baum’s Classics to Wicked. Connecticut authors Evan Schwartz (Finding Oz) and Carol de Giere (Defying Gravity) will share their research about the geniuses who brought the land of Oz to life in books, movies and shows. Vocalists Carole Demas and Lara Janine will perform selections from The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz and Wicked. 7:30 p.m. November 12, at Orange-Case Memorial Library, 176 Tyler City Rd., Orange. Free. 203-891-2170. The Elm Street Book Group meets to discuss The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. In 1946, Writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie

BENEFITS The ninth annual gala and auction known as the Black & White Ball benefits Marrakech Inc., a New Haven non-profit that serves some 1,700 children and adults with development, physical and behavioral health disabilities. Live and silent auction (including cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean, Hamptons cottage, etc.), dinner, dancing, fabulosity — all for a great cause. 6 p.m. November 14 at Grassy Hill Country Club, 441 Clark La., Orange. $150. 203-389-2970, ext. 1060, loddo@marrakechinc.org. “Not your ordinary church bazaar” is the theme of the 17th annual Trinity Church on the Green Holiday Bazaar. From one-of-a-kind handcrafted ornaments to lovingly hand-knitted scarves, from a silent auction to tours of the landmark 1815 Ithiel Town church, this may be the best church bazaar in Connecticut. Proceeds from the event will help restore the magnificent century-old L.C. Tiffany Co. stained-glass windows that are Trinity’s enduring gift to its host city. Noon-8 p.m. November 19, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. November 20-21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. November 22 at Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven. 203-624-3101, trinitynewhaven.org.

New members are welcomed to the Blackstone Library Book Group. The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss a pre-selected book. Books available for loan in advance of discussion. 6:45-8 p.m. November 10 at Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Branford. Free. 203-488-1441, ext. 318, events@blackstone.lioninc.org, blackstone.lioninc.org/booktalk.htm. Kathryn James, the Beinecke Library’s assistant curator for early modern books and manuscripts and the Osborn Collection, discusses Spectator: The Johnson Circle Through the Eyes of Hester Thrale Piozzi. In conjunction with the exhibition Really As It Was: Writing the Life of Samuel Johnson (below). Noon November 11 at Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, 121 Wall St., New Haven. Free. 203-432-2977, beinecke. library@yale.edu.

identity found in the competing lives of one of England’s first literary celebrities. Through December 19 at Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, 121 Wall St., New Haven. Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays (until 5 p.m. Fri.), noon-5 p.m. Sat. Free. 203-432-2977, beineke.library@ yale.edu.

COMEDY With a new book and CD, funnywoman Paula Poundstone hits the hustings. On November 20 she’s be at Fairfield U.’s Quick Center for the Arts

simply to listen. Ogden Nash, Robert Frost, William Shakespeare, Dr. Seuss and even the Burma Shave signs live again. 12:30-2 p.m. November 19 at Scranton Library, 801 Boston Post Rd., Madison. Free. 203-421-1961. The Case Library Book Discussion Group this month takes on Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford. Bob Knapik leads the discussion. 7:30 p.m. November 30 at OrangeCase Memorial Library, 176 Tyler City Rd., Orange. Free. 203-891-2170. Really As It Was: Writing the Life of Samuel Johnson. In celebration of the 300th anniversary of his birth in 1709, this exhibition examines the life of Samuel Johnson — author, critic and above all conversationalist — as it was written after his death. Drawing on James Boswell’s correspondence and the manuscript of his Life of Johnson, as well as newspapers, prints and works written and annotated by Hester Thrale Piozzi and others, the exhibition explores the tensions of memory and

His career has spanned two successful television shows, 14 feature films, millions of albums sold worldwide and sell-out crowds nationwide. Fans flock to his live performances to hear such classics as “The Driving Instructor,” “Sir Walter Raleigh” and “The Submarine Commander.” We could only be talking about Bob Newhart, who comes to the Brass City for one Palace show only. 7:30 p.m. November 8 at Palace Theater, 100 E. Main St., Waterbury. $67.75-$37.75. 203-755-4700, palacetheatrect.org. Armed with nothing but a stool, a microphone and a can of Diet Pepsi, Paula Poundstone’s ability to create humor on the spot has become the stuff of legend. Lately she’s diversifying: Her first book (There’s Nothing in This Book That I Meant To Say) was published by Random House, and her first comedy CD (I HEART JOKES: Paula Tells Them in Maine) was recently released. 8 p.m. November 20 at Quick Center for the Arts, 1073 N. Benson Rd., Fairfield. $45-$35. 877-278-7396, quickcenter.com. Test your knowledge and have fun doing it at Anna Liffey’s Trivia Night. Teams of one to five members compete for prize money. Topics range from music to movies, politics to Shakespeare, geology to sports and

CALENDAR everywhere in between. Ages 21 and older. Arrive early to get a table. 9 p.m. October 6, 13, 20 & 27 at Anna Liffey’s, 17 Whitney Ave., New Haven. $10 per team. 203-773-1776, annaliffeys.com.

CULINARY That rock star of TV chefs, Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives) rocks the Chevy (although we’re not sure exactly how). 7:30 p.m. November 19 at Chevrolet Theatre, 95 S. Turnpike Rd., Wallingford. $55-$35 (premium seating $150). 203-265-1501, livenation.com. City Farmers Markets New Haven. Enjoy food from local farms including seafood, meat, milk, cheese, organic greens, root vegetables, handcrafted bread and baked goods, honey, more. DOWNTOWN: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesdays through November 25, Church St. at the Green. WOOSTER SQUARE: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through December 19 at Russo Park, corner Chapel St. and DePalma Ct. EDGEWOOD PARK: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays through November 22 corner Whalley and West Rock Aves. 203-7733736, cityseed.org.

DANCE See the dance stars of tomorrow over three days as part of the Fall Senior Thesis Dance Concert. A collection of new works by Wesleyan senior choreographers as part of their culminating project for the dance major. 8 p.m. November 5-7 in Patricelli ’92 Theater, Wesleyan University, Middletown. $5-$4. 860-685-3355, wesleyan.edu/cfa. The international sensation Tap Dogs is leaving dents on stages all across North America. Created by Olivier Award-winning choreographer Dein Perry with a driving score by composer Andrew Wilkie, Tap Dogs is a rough, tough, rocking theatrical entertainment. 3 & 8 p.m. November 21 at Shubert Theater, 247 College St., New Haven. $56-$15. 203-562-5666, 888-736-2663, shubert.com.

FAMILY EVENTS Each Tuesday the Yale Astronomy Department hosts a Planetarium Show. Weather permitting there will also be public viewing of planets, nebulae, star clusters and whatever happens to be interesting in the sky. Viewable celestial objects change seasonally. 7 & 8 p.m. November 3, 10, 17 & 24 at Leitner Family Observatory, 355 Prospect St., New Haven. Free. cobb@astro.yale.edu, astro.yale.edu. The Connecticut Audubon Society presents Nature Babies: Wonderful Webs. Participants young and old will learn about different kinds of spiders

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children entering foster care. 1 p.m. November 8 at Shubert Theater, 247 College St., New Haven. $35-$25 (under two free). 203-562-5666, 888-736-2663, shubert.com.

and the webs they weave. See how hard spiders work. We may even meet a live one! Adult participants will learn tips on sharing nature with children. For children 3-5 accompanied by adult. 10:30-11:30 a.m. November 5 at CAS Nature Center at Milford Point, 1 Milford Point Rd., Milford. $10 CAS members (1 adult and child), $15 non-members. 203878-7440, ctaudubon.org.

With a hit Disney Channel series geared toward preschoolers and a newly released Walt Disney Records CD under their belt, the wildly popular kid-pop quartet Imagination Movers will launch “Live From the Idea Warehouse Tour,” their first-ever U.S. concert theater tour. 1:30 & 4:30 p.m. November 14 at Shubert Theater, 247 College St., New Haven. $35-$15. 203-562-5666, 888736-2663, shubert.com.

Autumn Owl Prowl. When the sun retreats, owls awaken to go in search of prey. Some say owls are wise, others that they sparked legends of ghosts. Whatever the truth, a night near All Hallows Eve is a fine time to uncover the mysteries of these amazing nocturnal hunters. It’s a hoot! 7:30 p.m. November 6 at CAS Nature Center at Milford Point, 1 Milford Point Rd., Milford. $10 CAS members (1 adult and child), $15 non-members. 203-878-7440, ctaudubon.org.

Nature Babies: Seeds Travel in Autumn is a hands-on introduction to nature. Attendees will read The Tiny Seed, make a seed picture and learn the many ways that seeds travel. For children ages 3-5 accompanied by adult. 10:30-11:30 a.m. November 19 at CAS Nature Center at Milford Point, 1 Milford Point Rd., Milford. $10 CAS members (1 adult and child), $15 non-members. 203878-7440, ctaudubon.org.

Children’s music superstars and Noggin/Nick Jr. channel favorites the Laurie Berkner Band perform a “Pajama Party” concert. Kids are encouraged to come in their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animals (those in the know will put them on their heads for the band’s in-concert favorite, “Pig on Her Head”)! Families are also encouraged to bring a pair of new children’s pajamas and/or new children’s book to donate to the Pajama Program (pajamaprogram. org), which provides new pajamas for

Colonial Candle Making. In Colonial times, children often helped make candles for the household. Learn the traditional techniques of candle dipping and make your own set of candles. 9:30-10:45 a.m. November 21 at CAS Nature Center at Milford Point, 1 Milford Point Rd., Milford. $9 adult, $5 child CAS members, $14/$10 non-members. 203878-7440, ctaudubon.org.

Can you imagine a holiday season without Charles Dickens’ beloved tale of the trial and transformation of miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge, A Christmas Carol? Like a threedimensional Victorian Christmas card, this staging evokes both the chilling poverty and luxurious wealth of 19thcentury London as a thrilling backdrop to the spellbinding tale — from a snowy set to spine-chilling ghosts and special effects including Scrooge’s bed, which literally takes flight! 7:30 p.m. November 27, 2 & 8 p.m. November 28 and 2 p.m. November 29 at Shubert Theater, 247 College St., New Haven. $40-$15. 203-562-5666, 888-736-2663, shubert.com.

LECTURES Goldman Sachs Managing Director E. Gerald Corrigan will offer the 2009 Charles F. Dolan lecture, Reflections on the Financial Crisis. 8 p.m. November 10 at Quick Center for the Arts, 1073 N. Benson Rd., Fairfield. Free. Reservations. 203-254-4010. Three noted experts will take part in a U.S. Health Care Panel Discussion. Theodore Marmor, Yale professor emeritus of public policy and management, Angela Mattie, a Quinnipiac associate professor of management, and MD Ronald Rozett, medical director of QU’s physician assistant program, will compare the health-care systems of the U.S., Canada

and European countries as well as discuss the Obama administration’s proposed changes. 5:30 p.m. November 11, in Mancheski Executive Seminar Room, Lender School of Business, Quinnipiac University, 275 Mt. Carmel Ave., Hamden. Free. executive@connecticuturks.com.

MIND, BODY & SOUL Try Gia’s gentle Yoga Class, which she has developed over her experience since 1970. Stretch and tone the muscles, bring awareness and control to the breath, increase mind concentration and focus, lubricate the joints, strengthen the bones, massage and condition internal organs, balance the mind and emotions, give flexibility to the mind and body and strengthen the nervous system. 6:157:15 p.m. November 2, 5, 9, 12, 16 & 19 at Green Street Dance Studio, 51 Green St., Middletown. $8 members/students/ seniors, $10 others. 860-685-7871, greenstreetartscenter.org. Led by Nelie Doak, Yoga promotes a deep sense of physical, mental and emotional well-being. Classes are designed to help cultivate breath and body awareness, improve flexibility, strengthen and tone muscles, detoxify the body and soothe the spirit. All levels welcome. Bring a yoga mat. 56:15 p.m. Fridays at Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., Branford. $10. 203-4881441, ext. 313, yogidoakie@earthlink.

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net or events@blackstone.lioninc.org, blackstone.lioninc.org. Tai Chi: Mind, Body & Spirit. Originally devised as a method of combat, Tai Chi today is a gentle form of exercise. Practitioners of all ages use Tai Chi movements to gain strength and flexibility. By improving the mind/body connection, Tai Chi brings the yin and yang of a person into their natural harmony, exercising emotions, just as it does the muscles. Noon November 12 in Rm. 204, SCSU Fitness Center, Adanti Student Center, 501 Crescent St., New Haven. Free. 203-392-5508. Learn the ancient art of hands on healing. Reiki is universal energy that allows you to feel the flow of Reiki healing energy flow through your body and into the person you are healing. Reiki energy works to heal physical, mental, and spiritual imbalances and disease. Reiki I class is led by Berta Prevosti, a certified Reiki master in both Usui and Karuna Reiki. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. November 22 at 2272 Elm St., Stratford. $150. 203-545-4222.

SPORTS/RECREATION Cycling

Hikes Join the Connecticut Audubon Society for a fabulous Full Moon Walk. Savor the nocturnal view of Trail Wood under the full moon. Catch the reflection of the moonshine off the beaver pond, listen for the denizens of the night and delight in the beauty of it all. Warm up around the woodstove with a cup of tea. 7:30 p.m. November 1 at Trail Wood Sanctuary, 93 Kenyon Rd., Hampton. Members free, $3 others. 860-928-4948, ctaudubon.org.

Road Races/Triathlons Race for a good cause through beautiful Edgewood Park in the five-mile MADD Dash (with new two-mile walk), which benefits Mothers Against Drunk Driving. 9 a.m. (kids; fun run 8:30, walk 8:45) November 8 at Edgewood Park, New Haven. $20 ($17 by 11/4), kids $10/$5. msrunningproductions@yahoo.com.

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It’s the Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club annual Turkey Trot five-mile road race through scenic downtown Wallingford. 1 p.m. November 22 at Stevens Elementary School, 18 Kondracki La., Wallingford. $15 advance ($20 after 11/10). bgcawallingford.org.

Elm City Cycling organizes Lulu’s Ride, weekly two- to four-hour rides for all levels (17-19 mph average). Cyclists leave at 10 a.m. from Lulu’s European Café as a single group; no one is dropped. 10 a.m. Sundays at Lulu’s European Café, 49 Cottage St., New Haven. Free. 203-773-9288, elmcitycycling.org.

Work off that turkey and stuffing in advance by getting up early for the Stratford Masonic Bodies’ eighth annual Turkey Day Trot, a USATFcertified 5K that’s flat and fast. 8:15 a.m. November 26 in Stratford Center. $15 advance ($20 after 11/24). 203377-6056.

The Little Lulu (LL) is an alternative to the long-standing Sunday morning training ride. The route is usually 20-30 miles in length and the ride is no-drop, meaning that the group waits at hilltops and turns so that no rider is left behind. The LL is an opportunity for cyclists to get accustomed to riding in groups. Riders should come prepared with materials (tubes, tools, pumps and/ or CO2 inflators) to repair flats. 10 a.m. Sundays at Lulu’s European Café, 49 Cottage St., New Haven. Free. 203773-9288, paulproulx@sbcglobal.net, elmcitycycling.org.

Spectator Sports

Critical Mass. Participants meet at the flagpole on the New Haven Green at 5:30 p.m. on the last Friday of each month for a slow-paced ride through New Haven streets. The ride ranges from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on weather. Critical Mass is not an organization; it’s an “unorganized coincidence” — a movement of bicycles in the streets as traffic. After the event, everyone is invited to a potluck dinner at the Devil’s Gear Bike Shop. 5:30 p.m. November 27 at Temple and Chapel streets, New Haven. Free. elmcitycycling.org.

Maybe you’ve seen the billboards. The United Football League is playing its inaugural season, and the new league wants to get Connecticut involved. That’s why the league has scheduled the New York Sentinel vs. Florida Tuskers tilt at Rentschler Field. Check it out. 7 p.m. November 14 at Rentschler Field, Silver La., East Hartford. $47-$14. 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com. LSU-Alabama is about football. So is Ohio State-Michigan. And USCNotre Dame. Yale vs. Harvard is about something else — tradition, legacy, history. That’s why they call it The Game. Noon November 21 at Class of 1954 Field, Yale Bowl, 276 Derby Ave., West Haven. $15-$7 (age 14 and under free). 203-432-1400. Please send CALENDAR information to CALENDAR@conntact.com no later than six weeks 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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By Liese Klein

PHOTOGRAPH:

NEW EATS: Jenelle’s

Anthony DeCarlo

ou’d never know it if you stick to downtown, but New Haven is actually a port city. We have a harbor, a waterfront and even a few scenic rivers right in the heart of the metropolis.

Now, thanks to pioneering restaurateur Jenelle Coughlin, you can sip a latte or savor a lobster club sandwich right on the western shore of the Quinnipiac River in Fair Haven. Coughlin, a 27-year-old former waitress from Canada, opened Jenelle’s in August in a renovated fisherman’s shack adjacent to the Quinnipiac Marina. Now this bright, cheerful space with an unbeatable view has become a local favorite for fresh, flavorful breakfast, lunch and brunch fare. Parking is available right outside the sunny dining room, accented by light wood floors and a sunny orange décor. A cappuccino is a great start to a meal at Jenelle’s, served in a curvy parfait glass with a towering head of foam. A full menu of espresso drinks, brewed coffee, juices and Foxon Park sodas are on tap along with milk and chocolate milk for the kiddies. French toast made with eggy challah bread was a brunch special on a recent weekend morning, perfectly toasted on the grill and boasting a custardy interior. A side of bacon hit the sweet spot between crisp and chewy and a pouf of whipped cream brought sweet and savory into perfect harmony. Lobster in a light dressing with celery was the star of another brunch item, a club sandwich that took most of its creaminess from avocado. The sandwich could have used a touch more seasoning but served up both flavor and value as a start to the day. During the week, Jenelle’s full sandwich menu features a lobster roll, shrimp po’ boy and zucchini pancakes with Italian sausages. Breakfast entrées

november 2009

Jenelle Coughlin savors the view along with fresh lobster rolls at her eponymous Fair Haven restaurant on the banks of the Quinnipiac.

include homemade corned beef hash, banana nut pancakes and even egg whites in a pita with potatoes and pesto. Heart-healthy and vegetarian items are plentiful, although those avoiding all animal products may come up short. For those looking for rib-sticking exotica, Coughlin also serves up poutine, French-Canadian specialty involving French fries, gravy and cheese curds. Jenelle’s is best on a warm day when

diners cans dawdle on the airy patio within yards of the marina’s docks. Gulls soar overhead, boats steam by on the current and oyster shells are visible on the riverbed through the Quinnipiac’s unexpectedly clear water. With a view like this, the good food is just gravy. Jenelle’s, 307 Front St., New Haven (203624-2233).

Anthony DeCarlo PHOTOGRAPH:

EDITOR’S PICK: New Haven Restaurant Week

The Heirloom restaurant at The Study Hotel: Just one of the many restaurants participating in New Haven Restaurant Week.

BREAKFAST/DINERS The Pantry, 2 Mechanic St., New Haven (203-7870392). Lines get long on weekend mornings at this East Rock institution, known for its breakfast goodies like gingerbread pancakes, fluffy waffles and hearty omelets. Bella’s Cafe, 896 Whalley Ave., New Haven (203387-7107). Brunch with flair is the specialty at this Westville favorite. You can’t go wrong with the daily specials or omelets like the Tuscan with eggplant and peppers or the Tex-Mex with cheddar and salsa. Parthenon Diner, 374 E. Main St., Branford (203-4810333). Open 24 hours for hearty, well-made Greek and diner fare, with some low-carb and vegetarian offerings. Another location (not 24/7) in Old Saybrook at 809 Boston Post Rd. Copper Kitchen, 1008 Chapel St., New Haven (203777-8010). Downtown’s most convenient spot for a diner-style, affordable fry-up of eggs, bacon and toast. Cash only, but you won’t need much of it. Patricia’s Restaurant, 18 Whalley Ave., New Haven (203-787-4500). Tasty and very affordable diner basics in an unironically retro setting near Broadway and the Yale campus.

et an early start on your holiday bargain-hunting with the best foodie deal of the year: New Haven Restaurant Week. This twice-yearly event packs houses this fall from Sunday, November 8, to Friday, November 13. This is the second year of the successful promotion, which allows an adventurous diner to sample most of the city’s best restaurants.

This month a total of 29 restaurants are participating, offering a three-course menu with appetizer, entrée and dessert for $16.38 for lunch (the year the Elm City was founded) and $29 for dinner. Many eateries feature several menus for the Restaurant Week price, along with more deluxe options for a bit more. This is your chance to sample the big-city ambiance at the new

Heirloom at the Study Hotel. Or get skillful variations on the latest farmer’s market booty at Zinc and Chef Denise Appel’s newest venture, pizzeria Kitchen Zinc. City boosters are splashing out for Restaurant Week this fall by sponsoring street performers, a New Haven culinary walking tour and the ﬁrst Elm City Cocktail Competition. The city’s shops are also extending hours to appeal to diners. But if you miss Restaurant Week, don’t despair: High-end eateries have introduced an array of specials in recent years to appeal to the value-conscious. Local favorites including Paciﬁco, Bespoke and L’Orcio serve up pretheater, three-course specials for $29 all year. Sushi innovator Bun Lai has also introduced a late-

night menu with lowcost rolls at Miya’s Sushi (be sure to call ahead for availability). The full list of restaurants participating in New Haven Restaurant Week as of press time: 116 Crown, Barcelona, Basta Trattoria, Bentara, Bespoke, Cafe Goodfellas, Carmen Anthony Steakhouse, Caseus, Central Steakhouse, Consiglio’s, Downtown@the Taft, Foster’s, Geronimo, Heirloom, Ibiza, John Davenport’s, Kudeta, L’Orcio, Leon’s Restaurant, Miso, Miya’s, Paciﬁco, Sage American Grill, Scoozzi Trattoria & Wine Bar, Soul de Cuba, Thali, Tre Scalini, Union League Café and Zinc. For the latest news and menus for New Haven Restaurant Week, visit www.infonewhaven.com.

Athenian Diner, 1064 Boston Post Rd., Milford (203878-5680). Visible from Interstate 95 — if not from outer space — this chrome-and-glass landmark draws customers from all over the region with its hearty portions and tasty classics. Great Greek favorites and overstuffed sandwiches. Open 24 hours. Also open all night in New Haven at 1426 Whalley Ave.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN/KOREAN Bentara Restaurant, 76 Orange St., New Haven (203-562-2511). Supersized noodle soups and spicy curries are good bets at this Ninth Square Malaysian/fusion hotspot. The stylish interior and extensive cocktail list also make it an excellent prenightlife stop. Open for lunch. Kari Restaurant, 1451 Whalley Ave., New Haven (203389-1280). Bright flavors and unusual ingredients make this Malaysian restaurant worth the drive up Whalley. The friendly servers are happy to explain the cuisine to newcomers and highlight the catch of the day. Pot-Au-Pho, 77 Whitney Ave., New Haven (203-7762248). Great for a quick bowl of pho, Vietnamese soup, along with tasty noodle dishes and affordable Asian specialties. Limited hours, so call ahead. Oriental Pantry Grocery & Gifts, 486 Orange St., New Haven (203-865-2849). A foodie favorite for its home-style Korean dishes like soups and bibimbap. Takeout sushi, breakfast sandwiches and Asian drinks and sweets are also available. Soho New Haven, 259 Orange St., New Haven (203-745-0960). Right downtown and in an elegant space, Soho draws a diverse crowd for its top-notch Korean fare. Try the mandu dumplings and fieryhot chicken galbi. Midori, 3000 Whitney Ave., Hamden (203-248-3322). Big flavors in a small space are the hallmark of this Korean/fusion restaurant, tucked away in a strip mall. Best bets are soups, the fresh-tasting bibimbap and spicy bulgogi.

new haven

Rice Pot Thai Restaurant, 1027 State St., New Haven (203-772-6679). Great spot for a romantic dinner and some truly tasty Thai food. Try the impeccably fresh spring rolls, delicately ﬂavored soups and assertive curries.

THAI Thai Taste Restaurant, 1151 Chapel St., New Haven (203-776-9802). A standout on Chapel’s “Thai Row,” with toothsome basics like pad thai, drunken noodles and green curry.

Anthony DeCarlo

Bangkok Gardens, 172 York St., New Haven (203-7898718). Tasty Thai in a charming, light-ﬁlled dining area with great service. Wide ranges of classics and vegetarian options.

Thai Awesome, 1505 Dixwell Ave., Hamden (203-2889888). Tangy curries and rich soups make this Thai eatery worth the drive from downtown, but leave time to ﬁnd parking on this busy stretch of Dixwell

The Terrace, 1559 Dixwell Ave., Hamden (203-2302077). The chef’s French training shows in this Thai eatery’s above-average plating and seductive ﬂavor combinations. Ayuthai, 2279 Boston Post Road, Guilford (203-4532988). Quality Thai in a casual setting. Excellent duck and curry plates, along with above-average papaya salad and desserts.

PHOTOGRAPH:

JUST A TASTE: Assaggio Restaurant

Start your meal with one of the dozen or so selections of wines by the glass or pick from a respectable selection of bottles from all around Italy and beyond. Beers on draught include several Italian brews for the curious. That savory umami flavor made its first appearance in our meal in the gnocchi appetizer, bathed in a caramel-colored sauce enriched with confit of duck. The stewed bird lent a depth of flavor and complexity to the dish that almost made up for the heavier-than-optimal texture of the gnocchi. An appetizer of seafood crepes did better in the texture department, marrying a crisp exterior with tender crab and shrimp in another outstanding and complex sauce. An interplay of savory flavors also elevated a beef special that layered cheese on top of a perfectly cooked filet mignon. A stew of meaty mushrooms and peppers on the side added up to a satisfying yet perfectly proportioned meal. Although the accompanying mashed potatoes underperformed in flavor and texture, the meat and its sides sang in combination.

Assaggio General Manger Ryan Durant with one of the Branford eatery’s signature dishes: filet mignon topped with smoked mozzarella and a marsala demiglace.

“U

mami” is a word borrowed from Japanese and growing in popularity as a description for a certain savory, meaty flavor profile. You can find Western-style umami in ingredients such as veal stock and mushrooms — and all over the menu at Assaggio Restaurant in Branford. That savory richness marks the best of this five-yearold eatery’s offerings and makes for a satisfying night of dining.

november 2009

Chef Phil Barbarito has attracted a loyal local following with his take on contemporary Northern Italian cuisine, with many dishes inspired by his grandmother’s recipes. Located around the corner from Branford’s town center, Assaggio draws a convivial crowd even on weeknights, so don’t plan any quiet conversations. That conviviality extends to the attentive and friendly servers, who do their best to anticipate a diner’s every need.

A tilapia special was expertly blackened yet tender with a bracingly bitter layer of broccoli rabe as accompaniment. A scattering of seafood ceviche on top of the fish added a bright citrusy note and brought the dish together. We went for the exotically titled Xanga for dessert, another dauntingly complex yet beautifully flavored concoction. Deep-fried pockets held puddles of molten cheese, draped in ribbons of chocolate and caramel. A dollop of ice cream seemed like it should have been overkill, but it worked. If you’re looking for a lot of flavor and satisfaction for your money, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Assaggio. Assaggio Restaurant, 168 Montowese St., Branford (203-483-5426).

Willoughbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coffee & Tea, 258 Church St., New Haven, (203-777-7400). Enjoy both the low-key ambience and the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best selection of premium roasts and rarities at this small chain. With Branford and Madison locations.

CHINESE/TAIWANESE Iron Chef, 1209 Campbell Ave., West Haven (203-9323888). Unusual Taiwanese specialties and wellexecuted classics shine at this student favorite. House of Chao, 898 Whalley Ave., New Haven (203389-6624). This Westville institution draws diners from across the region for its bright ďŹ&#x201A;avors and eclectic menu. Lao Sze Chaun, 1585 Boston Post Rd., Milford (203-7830558). You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get much more authentic locally than this outpost of Szechwan delicacies and tasty dim sum. East Melange Too, 142 Howe St., New Haven (203848-3663). Affordable and authentic noodles and Cantonese classics keep this lively eatery near Yale hopping at all hours.

Bare Beans Coffee, 14 East Grand Ave., New Haven (203-260-1118). A funky new outpost of quality beans and drinks over the bridge in Fair Haven. Weekday mornings only for drinks; order top-quality organic, Fair Trade and eco-friendly beans online at barebeanscoffee.com. Cafe Atlantique, 33 River St., Milford (203-8821602). Visit this neighborhood favorite for creative caffeinated classics, bistro food and wine and a charming indoor/outdoor seating area.

FUSION CUISINE

Great Wall of China, 67 Whitney Ave., New Haven (203-777-8886). Its location near downtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best Asian market and an affordable, high-quality buffet attracts a multicultural clientele to this Yale-area spot.

Mickeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant & Bar, 2323 Whitney Ave., Hamden (203-288-4700). This eateryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sophisticated interior and artful blend of Israeli and Italian ďŹ&#x201A;avors bring big-city ďŹ&#x201A;air to downtown Hamden. Sip a Mickeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s margarita with your Marrakech salmon and Israeli couscous.

COFFEE SHOPS

Friend House, 538 Boston Post Rd., Orange (203-7956888). In a plaza next to Trader Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Friend House brings together stylish sushi and Chinese and Thai favorites.

Cafe Grounded, 20 Church St, Guilford (203-453-6400). Tasty sandwiches and coffee drinks star at this aviation-themed cafe that operates inside a quonset hut near the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Green. Publick Cup, 276 York St., New Haven (203-787-9929). Top-notch sandwiches, coffee drinks and teas with a creative ďŹ&#x201A;air and a studious vibe that beďŹ ts its oncampus location. You can even order ahead online.

Formosa, 132 Middletown Ave., North Haven (203-2390666). Creative and beautifully presented dishes with pan-Asian panache. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the Szechwan â&#x20AC;&#x153;ravioli,â&#x20AC;? tender chicken dumplings in a delicate peanut sauce, or Taiwanese seafood specialties. Kudeta, 27 Temple St., New Haven (203 562-8844). Every major cuisine of Asia is represented on Kudetaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menu, with something for every taste

Kasbah Garden Cafe, 105 Howe St., New Haven (203-777-5053). Quality teas, good conversation and Moroccan treats on New Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best outdoor patio.

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in an evocative interior. Generous and inventive drinks along with good sushi and noodle dishes.

FRENCH Union League CafĂŠ, 1032 Chapel St., New Haven (203562-4299). New Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most beautiful dining room and world-class cuisine near the heart of downtown. Le Petit CafĂŠ 225 Montowese St., Branford (203-4839791). Prix-ďŹ xe menu features beautifully prepared classics with a modern twist in a casual setting. Caseus, 3 Whitney Ave., New Haven (203-624-3373). Quiche and onion soup with top-notch cheeses stand out at this charming bistro. Gastronomique, 25 High Street, New Haven (203776-7007).Classics like croque monsieur and steak tartare, plus sandwiches and burgers, expertly prepared at affordable prices. Takeout only.

AMERICAN Bespoke, 266 College St., New Haven (203 562-4644). Cutting-edge presentation and ďŹ&#x201A;avor combinations take center stage at this successor to Roomba. Latin ďŹ&#x201A;avors are featured in the upstairs lounge, called Sabor. Open for lunch. Foe, 576 Main St., Branford (203-483-5896). The perfect setting for a romantic evening, Foe shines with sublime beef and pasta dishes. A black ďŹ g and cherry-glazed duck breast also showcases the chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sure hand with poultry. Lunch and bar menu. Sage American Grill & Oyster Bar, 100 S. Water St., New Haven (203-787-3466). The tranquil harborfront view sets off skilled seafood and raw bar selections. Excellent seasonal specials and a full bar add to the attractions of this veteran favorite.

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Foster’s, 56-62 Orange St., New Haven (203-859-6666). The chef himself is likely to bring over your meal at this acclaimed newcomer in Ninth Square. Comfort food with cutting-edge ﬂair like llama burgers on toasted brioche. Zinc, 964 Chapel St., New Haven (203-624-0507). Consistently excellent food, drinks and service in a central location. Innovative seafood like tamaricured tuna with wasabi oil is a good choice.

INDIAN Thali, 4 Orange St., New Haven (203-777-1177). Downtown’s best Sunday buffet, with ample meat and vegetarian selections as well as fresh masala dosa crepes and unusual treats like goat curry and carrot pudding. Zaroka Bar & Restaurant, 148 York St., New Haven (203-776-8644). Opulent setting for one of the city’s most popular Indian buffets. Enjoy the birayani pilafs, crunchy pappadum crackers and ﬂuffy desserts. Royal India, 140 Howe St., New Haven (203-787-9493). Tasty North Indian fare in an intimate setting on Howe’s mini-restaurant row. Nice variety at lunch buffet with fresh bread. Darbar India, 1070 Main St., Branford (203-481-8994). Award-winning shoreline favorite with excellent

atmosphere and north Indian classics, run by Royal India owner. Spicy vindaloos and tandooris are a good bet. Coromandel, 185 Boston Post Rd., Orange (203-7959055). Great breads and regional specialties from the local outpost of a celebrated Fairﬁeld chain. Try the shrimp in coconut sauce and unusual lentil dessert. Swagat, 215 Boston Post Rd. West Haven (203-931-0108). A tiny outpost of south Indian favorites near the University of New Haven. Best bets are the masala dosa and many vegetarian dishes.

Consiglio’s of New Haven, 165 Wooster St., New Haven (203-865-4489). Beautifully executed Italian classics and a warm, welcoming atmosphere set this Wooster Square eatery apart. Open for lunch and private parties; also hosts a series of cooking classes. Skappo Italian Wine Bar, 59 Crown St., New Haven (203-773-1394). White trufﬂes and chestnuts are two of the compelling ﬂavors you’ll encounter at this cozy eatery in Ninth Square. A great place to sample wines and small plate. Tre Scalini Ristorante, 100 Wooster St., New Haven (203-777-3373). Acclaimed pasta, seafood and antipasti in an opulent Wooster Square setting. Also open for lunch.

Moe’s Southwest Grill, 46 Whitney Ave., New Haven (203- 776-6637). Healthy burritos, tacos and other Tex-Mex favorites along with addictive queso cheese sauce. Beer and wine are served, along with margaritas. Baja, 63 Boston Post Rd., Orange (203-799-2252). An expansive salsa bar and ﬁsh taco entrée appeal to homesick Californians and big eaters. Guadalupe la Poblanita, 136 Chapel St., New Haven (203-752-1017). Simple, authentic cuisine from Puebla in a down-home atmosphere.

Anthony DeCarlo

november 2009

MEXICAN

PHOTOGRAPH:

Adriana’s Restaurant, 771 Grand Ave., New Haven (203-865-6474). Meat is the thing at this Grand Avenue favorite, especially veal and sausages. Fresh pasta and classics in a formal setting.

JUST A SIP: Brü Room at Bar

risp and assertive, India Pale Ales (or IPAs) have become a signature style for many American beer makers. Now New Haven’s own Bar Brü Room is getting into the act with You Bought It, You Name It, a mellow IPA brewed right at the pub on Crown Street.

Bar’s IPA is midrange in bitterness and relatively low in alcohol, at 6 percent. (Some craft-beer IPAs

Roseland Apizza, 350 Hawthorne Ave., Derby (203-7350494). Don’t let the casual pizzeria decor fool you — this Valley favorite makes some serious Italian food. Look for the daily specials and enjoy.

ITALIAN

Brewer Jeff Browning takes as his model the celebrated HopDevil IPA made by Pennsylvania’s Victory, a lower-alcohol version of the traditionally strong quaff. Browning’s version features a strong dose of malt to soften the edge of Amarillo hops, a citrusy variety of the fragrant blossoms used to add bitterness to beer.

L’Orcio, 806 State St., New Haven (203-777-6670). Outstanding modern Italian in an intimate setting. You can’t go wrong with the pasta specials and perfectly cooked and seasoned steaks.

Beer-maker Jeff Browning near his kettles at BAR Bru Room on Crown Street. Browning’s newest offering is a mellow India pale ale.

pack a wallop at up to 12 percent, comparable to wines.) Also on tap this fall at Bar is Harvest Ale, a rich and malty brew with an earthy appeal as days get shorter and temperatures drop.

Wait a bit longer this month and you can sip some of Bar’s popular Damn Good Stout, brewed with eight pounds of Starbucks’ Kenya Roast coffee. The beans add a touch of fruity complexity

Inventive cocktails such as the Glitterati are as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate at 116 Crown.

and chocolaty richness to this beer, which contains only about 7 percent alcohol despite its inky color. Perfect with a mashedpotato pizza on a chilly night, Damn Good

Stout is one of Bar’s most-respected rated brews for good reason. Bottoms up! Brü Room at Bar, 254 Crown St., New Haven (203-495-1111).

Jalapeno Heaven, 40 N. Main St., Branford (203-4816759). Tasty Americanized fare in a cozy setting with excellent margaritas. Long Wharf Taco Trucks, Long Wharf Drive near Veterans 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 (203-782-4828). Big portions and wide-ranging menu with lots of surprises. No liquor license. 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 lipsmacking posole hominy soup. Viva Zapata, 161 Park St., New Haven (203-562-2499). Toothsome classics and a killer sangria in a festive pub atmosphere. Open for lunch.

MIDDLE EASTERN Mamoun’s, 85 Howe St., New Haven (203-562-8444). Cheap plates of falafel and Syrian-style specialties like stuffed eggplant keep this student favorite hopping late into the night. Make sure the fryer’s ﬁred up and stick with the classics like baklava. Istanbul Café, 245 Crown St., New Haven (203-7873881). With its airy yet opulent interior, this critics’ favorite has the best ambience in town and ﬂavorful food. A grilled octopus salad and red lentil soup are standouts, along with lamb dishes. Turkish Kebab House, 1157 Campbell Ave., West Haven (203-933-0002). Every kind of kebab imaginable, from doner to minced chicken to cubes of lamb, is on tap at this neighborhood eatery. Also vegetarian and seafood options. King Falafel, 240 College St., New Haven (203-8483076). Follow a trip to the Shubert with a tasty falafel sandwich across the street at this late-night favorite. Large portions of the freshest fried chickpea patties in town, with all the trimmings. Kasbah Garden Café, 105 Howe St., New Haven (203777-5053). Moroccan-style lamb and vegetable dishes prevail on the limited but tasty menu. Savor mint tea and baklava outside on the idiosyncratically landscaped patio.

SEAFOOD Lenny’s Indian Head Inn, 205 S. Montowese St., Branford (203-488-1500). Fried clams praised by national critics and the freshest steamers around make Lenny’s a local favorite. The Shore Dinner covers all the bases with cherrystones, corn on the cob, lobster and steamers. Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, 1301 Boston Post Rd., Madison (203-245-7289). What it lacks in formality it makes up for in taste — the freshest, crispest fried seafood around. The perfect spot for quick eats after beach or a coastal drive, with an ice cream stand onsite. Guilford Mooring, 505 Whitﬁeld St., Guilford (203458-2921). Pasta dishes, a stellar chowder and a full range of grilled ﬁsh set this Shoreline favorite apart. And where else can you savor Lazy Man’s Stuffed Lobster as you watch lobstermen at work.

YellowFin’s Seafood Grille, 1027 South Main St., Cheshire (203-250-9999). Flavors are light and bright at this fusion eatery, with a menu that ranges from cioppino to Asian scallop salad to Tilapia St. Tropez. A raw bar and house-brewed beer round out the offerings.

Holiday Pies, Cakes & Cookies

Jimmie’s of Savin Rock, 5 Rock St., West Haven. 9343212. Take the family out and enjoy the boardwalk view at this West Haven institution, known for its moderate prices and casual atmosphere. All the fried favorites, a full menu of broiled ﬁsh and lobster and the famous split hot dog.

SUSHI Wasabi, 280 Branford Rd., North Branford (203-4887711). Good quality rolls and sashimi at reasonable prices, along with Korean specialties like mandu dumplings and bibimbap rice bowls. The sake flows freely on Monday nights, a favorite with students. Akasaka, 1450 Whalley Ave., New Haven (203-3874898). Unusual specials like baby octopus and blowfish make this veteran eatery worth a visit. Live sea urchin roe and scallops are also a best bet, along with tasty pickled vegetables. Sono Bana, 1206 Dixwell Ave., Hamden (203-281-9922). Fresh fish, inventive rolls and extensive combo options make this a neighborhood favorite. Try a fruity saketini with your sashimi “boat” and ask the chef to load up on the catch of the day. Miya’s Sushi, 68 Howe St., New Haven (203-7779760). Unusual combinations like rolls with cheese and Ethiopian spices are the draw. Let go of your preconceptions about sushi with help from some of the infused-sake cocktails. Number 1 Fish Market, 2239 State St., Hamden (203-624-6171). Make your own sushi at home with fresh seafood from this market, which supplies many area restaurants.

VEGETARIAN 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. 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 main-dish salads. 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.

Holiday Pies, Cakes & Cookies Vegetarian, Organic & Sustainable

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Thali Too, 65 Broadway, New Haven (203-776-1600). Tasty Indian vegetarian street food you won’t ﬁnd anywhere else in the state, if not the region. Try the super-sized masala dosas and exotic yogurt drinks.

One of the Top Italian Restaurants in the U.S. 2008 - Zagat Rated

Ahimsa, 1227 Chapel St., New Haven (203-786-4774). Wide-ranging vegan fare is featured at this (kosher) eatery that uses no animal products. South Indianstyle dals and curries star at the daily $10 lunch buffet, with more offerings at Sunday brunch.

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To Catch a Fish By Susan E. Cornell

Nautical, but nice: The crew of the Black Hawk go to any and all lengths to make guests happy. The fish? Not so happy.

uddenly I realized I’d reached midlife without ever catching a fish. Crazy, considering I’m on the water nearly every weekend from May through October and am surrounded by fishing boats at our “summer home,” a slip in Westbrook. It wasn’t until my 13-year-old asked to go fishing that the thought ever occurred to anyone in the family. So, out came the decade-old and still unused Father’s Day gift of a rod and tackle box filled with most likely all the wrong gear and off we went to various bridges along the shore. Nuttin’ — not even a nibble. Clearly, this was one of those undertakings that appeared would be a cinch and quickly became a project that required serious intervention on the part of professionals (much like wallpapering for the first time). I heard an advertisement for the Black Hawk II, a “Party Fishing Boat at Its Finest,” and booked an excursion guessing that the crew could come to the rescue,

november 2009

filling in for Tyler’s lack of fish-friendly parents. The family-operated Black Hawk II sails from the Niantic River. The vessel is captained by Greg Dubrule, who has been in the fishing business for almost 40 years and has had extensive experience both inshore and offshore. Dubrule has owned the Black Hawk for two years, and in that brief time has made a significant impact on the local community. Of the 31 passengers aboard on Sunday afternoon we were clearly the most clueless, but not one member of the crew looked down on us. Just the opposite — they were great, fun teachers — always there (and rescuing) when needed. Even when a seagull defecated on Tyler’s head they tried to make it fun, pointing out that the incident foretold good luck in fishing. While my dad would make frequent bluefishing trips, I never really thought about or asked what it was actually like — never considered how the bait got on the hook, never pondered the fragrance,

the blood, or the vivaciousness of the fish when it hits the deck. So, fishing isn’t for the squeamish, but these “qualities” shouldn’t deter the newbie fisherman; they should just be considered. The crew is the key to the success of the Black Hawk II — they seemed to be everywhere simultaneously — and at the speed of light. And without them, I never would have caught that first fish (or second or third). The Black Hawk fishes from May through November, for bluefish, striped bass, porgies and blackfish. Fireworks cruises, sunset cruises and nature cruises are also offered. As part of Dubrule’s “Black Hawk and the Community” program, fillets can be donated to local soup kitchens and the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London. For rates and information, call 800-382-2824 or visit blackhawksportfishing.com.

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