Smiler from Barnum . . .

Starting February 2, 2010
it’s $2 Tuesdays

Same price no matter what your age!

Come one Come All!

Experience the wonders

of the three floors of

The Barnum Museum

for only $2 a person!

Beginning Tuesday, February 2nd and continuing through March 30th, 2010 the museum will be offering everyone admission on Tuesdays for $2 per person. This $2 rate applies to all ages, except children under 4 who are always free. Also, this rate does not apply to groups since special group rates already apply.

The museum is open from 10 AM to 4:30 PM every Tuesday.

As we continue to experience tough economic times, this special rate offers up to a $6 savings for some patrons. Make a resolution this winter to visit the nearby Barnum Museum on a Tuesday and save!

During 2010 we are celebrating the 200th birthday of Phineas Taylor Barnum, born July 5, 1810 in Bethel Connecticut.

Throughout the year The Barnum Museum will chronicle the life and times of this extraordinary showman and the history of Bridgeport where P. T. Barnum served as Mayor.

For a complete listing of anniversary year events celebrating this amazing – and sometimes outrageous – showman, civic leader and politician, visit www.barnum-museum.org.

The original museum building, owned by the City of Bridgeport is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Regular Museum Hours:

Tuesday - Saturday
10 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday
Noon to 4:30 PM
Last admission to the museum is 3:45 p.m. daily.

Closed Mondays and Holidays
New Normal rates as of January 2010 are:
General Admission: Adults $8
seniors and college students $6
Children age 4-17 $5 and under 4 free

*$2 rate during February and March does not apply to groups

For more information about events at the Barnum Museum, contact (203) 331-1104, ext. 100 or visit www.barnum-museum.org.

Join in and Follow The Barnum Museum on Facebook.

Museum Smilers . . .

Disease Detectives
Exhibit closes

January 31st, 2010

There is still time to experience this exhibit!

Parents and grandparents are finding it hard to drag their kids away from the new "Disease Detectives" exhibition on view at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven through Jan. 31st, 2010. Visitors meet Marcus, Adam and Yolanda, each of whom is sick with a different illness. One has the flu, another food poisoning and the third malaria. Visitors examine the patients--interactive mannequins--by taking their temperature and pulse rate and listening to their heart, lungs and bowels.


By interpreting laboratory tests and diagnosing each disease, visitors learn more about infectious disease transmission and prevention. Different clinical situations highlight the various ways that disease is transmitted. A historical timeline illustrates the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases. Larger-than-life 3D microbes invite visitors to touch, explore and learn more about a disease. And afterward you can play the microbe dance game.

For more information:
Disease Detectives
Yale Peabody Museum
InfoTape: (203) 432.5050

Admission and Hours

The Yale Peabody Museum is open:

Monday through Saturday

10 AM to 5 PM
Sunday

Noon to 5 PM

Admission Fees:
$7.00 Adults
$6.00 Senior citizens
65 years and over
$5.00 Children ages 3 through 18
College students with ID
$3.00 Group admission

The museum offers free individual admission on Thursday afternoons from 2 PM to 5 PM during the months of September to June. Groups of 8 or more require advance reservations.

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Amusement Park Science Exhibit

Discovery Museum

January 19th - April 18th, 2010

The Discovery Museum presents Amusement Park Science, an interactive exhibit that explores the physics behind the fun at amusement parks and features a look at the Bumper Blaster, hands-on with create-a-coaster and K'Nex area, a momentum machine and much more.

Bring the family and enjoy exploring the physics behind the fun at amusement parks.


Hours are:
Tuesday-Saturday
10 AM to 5 PM
Sunday
Noon to 5 PM
Admission is $7 and $8.50

For more information:

The Discovery Museum & Planetarium
4450 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Telephone: (203) 372-3521
www.discoverymuseum.org

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Cartoon smiler . . .

Do You Cartoon?

College cartoonists can apply

for the

Jay Kennedy Scholarship

deadline

February 12, 2010

The annual Jay Kennedy Scholarship, in memory of the late King Features editor, was funded by an initial $100,000 grant from the Hearst Foundation/King Features Syndicate and additional generous donations from Jerry Scott, Jim Borgman, Patrick McDonnell and many other prominent cartoonists. Submissions are adjudicated by a panel of top cartoonists and an award is given to the best college cartoonist. The recipient is feted at the annual NCS Reuben Awards Convention attended by many of the world's leading cartoonists.

Applicants must be college students in the United States, Canada, or Mexico that will be in their Junior or Senior year of college during the 2010-2011 academic year. Applicants do not have to be art majors to be eligible for this scholarship.

For information on submitting your entry visit the Jay Kennedy Scholarship at the National Cartoonists Society Foundation web site: www.cartoonistfoundation.org

THE NATIONAL CARTOONISTS SOCIETY FOUNDATION
341 N. Maitland Avenue, Suite 130
Maitland, FL 32751

Tel: (406) 647-8839
Fax: (407) 629-2502

Download Application Form: (pdf file)

Do you Cartoon image source (1)

Americares . . .

The city of Stamford prides itself as the City that Works and it does - and a few know that it is also home to AmeriCares. If you are among the many in Fairfield County looking for a way to make a difference, lend a helping hand (especially now with the earthquake in Haiti) - AmeriCares is a good place to begin.

AmeriCares is delivering $5 million worth of medical aid and a team of relief workers are en route to help earthquake survivors in Haiti.

AmeriCares is sending antibiotics, pain relievers, bandages and medical supplies for survivors with trauma injuries. There are shipments of lifesaving aid, leaving from their warehouses in Stamford, CT and Amsterdam, The Netherlands today, are bound for Miami where they will be consolidated before continuing on to Haiti.

Help Support AmeriCares - For more information contact:

AmeriCares
88 Hamilton Ave.
Stamford, CT USA 06902
1-800-486-HELP (4357)

www.americares.org

Beetle Bailey Sighting . . .

Beetle Bailey is Back at MU!

He has been sighted at the

University of Missouri Student Center

Mort Walker is so excited about the new MU Student Center that he has allowed the University of Missouri to use Beetle as the Student Center's mascot. Beetle Bailey has been making "celebrity" appearances to show off the progress of what will soon be one of MU's landmarks. The center isn't complete yet, but it seems Beetle Bailey has made it his home.

Mort Walker is also creating original artwork for the student center featuring Beetle as a Mizzou student. Beetle Bailey is back at MU!

Be sure to make your mark and claim your engraving at The Shack. You can carve a new memory on the permanent wooden panels inside the new Shack - Claim It!

Beetle Bailey™ comic strip distributed by King Features Syndicate

Smiler from Barnum Museum . . .

2010 Marks the 200th Anniversary of P.T. Barnum’s Birthday

Phineas Taylor Barnum

(July 5, 1810 – April 7, 1891)

On January 13, 2010

hear a fascinating talk in Hartford, CT

by the Executive Director of the Barnum Museum

to learn the details of:

The Man, the Myth, and the Legend

On Wednesday, January 13th, at noon at the Old State House, Kathy Maher, Executive Director and Curator of the Barnum Museum will be the featured presenter at Connecticut’s Old State House lunchtime lecture series; “And Justice for Some: Race and Controversy at Connecticut’s Old State House.”

The free lecture focuses on some of the most important stories in Connecticut's quest for civil rights. The program includes: a presentation by an expert on the topic followed by a discussion on how it has affected our lawmakers today. All lectures will be held from noon to 1 PM and are free to the public.

In this hour, Ms. Maher will explore the many sides of P.T. Barnum and bring his spirit back to the Old State House where he once served as a State Representative from the Bridgeport area. The name alone conjures ideas of imagination and extravagance. Known to most of the world as the Great American Showman, P. T. Barnum did more than create shows of curiosities and oddities. P. T. Barnum embraced the dream of a truly democratic nation, and in doing so, inspired a new American society to reach beyond the limits of ordinary expectations and to see the world as a place of opportunity and wonder.

Boxed lunches are available for $10 or bring your own.

Boxed lunch options are:

(1) Ham/turkey/tuna salad/chicken salad sandwich on a roll with pickle, chips, cookie and drink. or (2) Garden salad with grilled chicken, chicken salad or tuna salad and drink.

To find out more information or to place an order for a boxed lunch, call (860) 522-6766, ext. 11. Lunch orders must be made by 4 PM on January 12th, 2010.

Connecticut’s Old State House

800 Main Street

Hartford, CT 06103
Call 860-522-6766, ext. 11

or visit www.ctoldstatehouse.org

No charge for the lecture, but bring your own lunch or order a boxed lunch.

Vitamin Man Smiler . . .

For over ten years Tommy K Vitamins has been an outstanding resource for consumers looking for top quality products at prices well below retail. Housed in an area of warehouses and industrial space, Tommy K’s is an unexpected gem for anyone shopping for vitamins, supplements, energy drinks, meal replacement bars, fitness formulas, herbal remedies and anything else you might find vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

There are three ways to purchase from Tommy K’s! Browse online, order by phone or shop for products directly from the flagship store located in Stamford, Connecticut. *Additional discount with this print ad.

For more information visit:
Tommy K Vitamins
54 Research Drive
Stamford, CT 06906

Telephone: (203) 325-9544
www.tommykvitamins.com

Cartoon trivia smiler . . .

Birthday Salute to Murat Bernard "Chic" Young (January 9, 1901 – March 14, 1973), cartoonist. He is best known as Chic Young, the creator and original artist of the comic strip Blondie.

"Chic Young was one of the most successful newspaper cartoonists of his time. His first syndicated strip, Dumb Dora ran from 1924 to 1930. He retired the strip to create a "pretty girl" comic (ala Polly & her Pals) titled Blondie. It was an instant hit. Young penned Blondie until his death in 1973. The strip is still in print, under the byline of his son, Dean." source (1)

Chic Young received the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award for Blondie in 1948.

The United States office issued a Blondie postage stamp in the Comic Strip Classics series to commemorate the 1995 centennial of the American newspaper comic strip.

Blondie Postage Stamp

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The Comic Strip Classics Postage Stamp series

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For more info on Blondie visit:

www.blondie.com

Young image source (1)

Weekend smilers . . .

Saturday, January 9, 2010

2:30 PM to 3:30 PM

McManus Room

The City Winds Trio will introduce children to music and instruments of the orchestra. Crispian Fordham on flute, Meredyth Coleman on oboe, and Yuki Higashi on bassoon will play Peter and the Wolf and other children’s classical favorites to teach about rhythm and melody. Children will also have the opportunity to try an instrument and do movement games.

For more info visit: www.citywindstrio.com

Note: Free tickets available in the Children’s Library beginning at 9:00 am on the day of the performance-space is limited.

*****

Sunday, January 10, 2010

2:00 PM

McManus Room

Join guitarist Frank Vignola as he celebrates Django Reinhardt, a prominent European jazz musician.

Frank Vignola is one of the most accomplished, multi-dimensional guitar players walking the planet today. Monster player, composer, and improviser, Frank plays proficiently in every genre, from jazz to bluegrass, and works with everyone and their brother. He has a wide range of influences, such as Les Paul, Eddie Van Halen and Frank Zappa. He studied at the Cultural Arts Center of Long Island and worked extensively as a sideman in the 1980s, with artists such as Madonna, Leon Redbone, and Ringo Starr. In 1993, he signed with Concord Jazz and has released several albums under his own name since then. He has written 18 instructional guitar books.

Frank Vignola's band also includes Vinny Raniolo on guitar, Gary Mazzaroppi on bass, Julien Labro on accordion, and Zach Brock on violin. For more info visit: www.frankvignola.com

Program supported by the Grace K. Salmon Foundation.

Westport Public Library
20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT
Telephone: (203) 291-4840
Website: www.westportlibrary.org

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Plan on a Sunday Brunch with a little history at Long Ridge Tavern and gift shop on Long Ridge Road in Stamford, Connecticut. Enjoy a wonderful meal in the tavern and find your "Hidden Treasures" as you browse through the assortment of antiques/collectibles in the gift shop.

The restaurant was rated "Excellent" 2006 by the Zagat Survey, America's Most Prestigious Restaurant Guide.

Sunday Brunch is only $22.50

For a printable 10%-15% Discount Coupon

and the menu visit:

www.LongRidgeTavern.com

Gift Shop

For more information:

Long Ridge Tavern

2635 Long Ridge Rd.

Stamford, CT 06903

www.LongRidgeTavern.com

Smiler in Greenwich . . .

Birthday Salute to Charles Samuel Addams ( January 7, 1912 – September 29, 1988), cartoonist known for his macabre characters. His cartoons appeared regularly in The New Yorker and he also created a syndicated comic strip, Out of This World, which ran in 1956. Charles Addams drew more than 1,300 cartoons over the course of his life. Some of the recurring characters, who became known as The Addams Family, became the basis for two live-action television series, two cartoon series, three motion pictures, and a play. Be sure to visit the Bruce Museum before January 24th, 2010 to see his work.

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Charles Addams: Cartoonist

Jan 3rd - Jan 24th, 2010

Approximately 40 framed, , original cartoon artworks of Charles Addams, the beloved cartoonist of The New Yorker and creator of The Addams Family characters, are on view at the Bruce Museum, courtesy of the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation.

The exhibit shows the creative wit and sometimes macabre but always lovable humor of Charles Addams.

The exhibition Charles Addams: Cartoonist is on view in the Bantle Lecture Gallery, which may be closed for viewing due to programs taking place in the gallery. Be sure to call ahead before your visit.

Hours are:

Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM

Sunday, 1PM to 5 PM

Admission is $6 and $7

For more information:

The Bruce Museum
One Museum Drive

Greenwich, CT 06830
Telephone: (203) 869-0376
www.brucemuseum.org

Addams image source (1)

Aging Gracefully? . . .

Welcome 2010! It is a new year and a new decade! Time now to look at those New Year's resolutions about getting in shape, etc.

If you have a cedar roof it may be time for some preservation work. Cedar-Life has developed a special proven, unique and proprietary preservation process. They know how to keep beautiful cedar roofs looking new for many years and how to rejuvenate older roofs.


For more information contact:

Cedar-Life
18 Sheehan Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854

Telephone: (203) 637-6755
Email:Scott@Cedar-Life.com
www.cedar-life.com