Smiler from Bridgeport . . .

Connecticut Free Shakespeare

presents

Twelfth Night

July 16th - July 31st

Performance at 8PM

Beardsley Zoo

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Connecticut Free Shakespeare celebrates another extraordinary summer at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo by presenting William Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night.

The Zoo’s Picnic Grove opens at 6:30PM for people to enjoy picnic dinners brought from home, or purchased from the Zoo’s concession stands. People are also welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs. The Zoo itself will not be open for touring during the evening.

The performances begin at 8PM.

All shows are at the Peacock Pavilion and if it rains, the performance will move to the Carousel.

Performance dates are:
July16-18; 21-25; and 28-31, 2010

Admission to CFS is FREE.

For more information contact:

Beardsley Zoo
1875 Noble Avenue

Bridgeport, CT
Telephone: (203) 393-3213
Email:info@CTFreeShakespeare.org

www.CTFreeShakespeare.org

Smiler from Norwalk . . .

AMF Rip Van Winkle Lanes

701 Connecticut Ave.

Norwalk, CT 06854

(203) 838-7501

Kids bowl free all summer long at AMF Rip Van Winkle Lanes in Norwalk, Connecticut. Go to www.kidsbowlfree.com/amf to sign up and enjoy a day of family fun.

Smiler from Westport . . .

Saturday, July 17, 2010

9AM - 6PM

Sunday, July 18, 2010

10AM - 5PM

Parker Harding Plaza

Westport, CT 06880

The 37th annual Westport Fine Arts Festival, sponsored by the Westport Downtown Merchants Association, will feature 134 artists showcasing juried works in painting, watercolor, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, and photography along the beautiful Saugatuck River in downtown Westport. Enjoy original art, unique entertainment, delicious food and fun children's activities by the Westport Arts Center. Join in the fun, bring family and friends . . . because everyone can use more art in there life!

For more information:
Telephone: (203) 505 - 8716
Email: wdmaadmin@gmail.com
Website: www.westportfineartsfestival.com

Beetle Bailey Smiler from USPS . . .

The Sunday Funnies stamps announced earlier this year by the United States Postal Service will be issued July 16, 2010 - kicking off at 10:30AM with a dedication ceremony at The Ohio State University, home of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.

What:
First-Day-of-Issue dedication ceremony of the Sunday Funnies 44-cent Commemorative First-Class stamps. The event is free and open to the public.

When:
10:30AM, Friday, July 16, 2010

Where:
The Ohio State University
Performance Hall at the Ohio Union
1739 High Street
Columbus, OH 43210-1393

Who:

• Ohio State University President, E. Gordon Gee
• Curator and professor The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Lucy Shelton Caswell
• USPS President, Mailing and Shipping Services Robert F. Bernstock

Honored guests available for interviews:

• Beetle Bailey creator, Mort Walker
• Garfield creator, Jim Davis
• Dennis the Menace artists, Marcus Hamilton and Ron Ferdinand
• Archie Comics newspaper strip writer, Craig Boldman
• Calvin and Hobbes Editor, Lee Salem

The event is free and open to the public.

Sunday funnies fans will be able to meet and get autographs from Beetle Bailey creator Mort Walker, Garfield creator Jim Davis, Archie Comics newspaper strip writer Craig Boldman, Dennis the Menace artists Marcus Hamilton and Ron Ferdinand and Calvin and Hobbes editor Lee Salem at Friday's ceremony at the Ohio State University, home to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.

The stamps likely will be available for three to four months at post offices, and online atwww.usps.gov for about a year, or until inventory runs out.

Smiler Invite from Stamford . . .

Herman & Shelly 
Film Fundraiser & Art Auction
July 15, 2010
6PM - 9PM

The Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery invites you to join them for a contemporary art auction of several internationally-selling artists in support of an unforgettable story. The auction will begin at 6PM. Wine and cheese will be served.

Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery is proud to support independent filmmaker, Bridget Stokes, on her feature film project, HERMAN & SHELLY. The film is about two quirky, creative and ambitious children who grow up to be quirky, creative and disillusioned adults. Join in the celebration of Stoke's newest production with an evening filled with fine art, elegance and ambiance.

For more information contact:
Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery
96 Bedford Street
Stamford, CT 06901
Telephone: (888) 861-6791
Email: infor@fernandoluisalvarezgallery.com
www.fernandoluisalvarezgallery.com

Smiler from Audubon Greenwich . . .

Special Annoucement from Jeff Cordulack
Events and Communications Manager:

‘DIRT! The Movie’

- with Reception, Exhibitors & Panel Discussion

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

6:00 pm: Local Wine & Cheese Reception with Guest Exhibitors

7:00 pm: Film Screening (83 min.) & Panel Discussion

You may have never heard of the film, but once you’ve seen it, you will never forget it. No film is like it and the story told will remind of you of our close association we have with something so simple, yet so complex - soil (a.k.a. DIRT). Come for an evening and leave with a new appreciation for soil. You’ll learn where it comes from, be reminded of where we are going to, and gain a better understanding of the miracles that soil gives to live on this planet. Narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis, DIRT! The Movie, this film introduces viewers to soil’s fascinating history and explores Earth’s most underappreciated and valuable source of fertility. This insightful film tells the story of soil — from its miraculous beginning to its tragic degradation. More than a film, it’s a call to action.

RSVPs required and space is very limited. To secure your seats now, buy tickets online for $12/person or RSVP and pay $15.00 at the door, space permitting. To buy online, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/114370. To RSVP, call Jeff at (203) 869-5272 x239 to check door ticket availability.


Panelists for the discussion after Dirt! The Movie

* Moderator: Analiese Paik - founder and editor of the Fairfield Green Food Guide.
* Emily Brooks - founder of the Edibles Advocate Alliance/Shared Harvest CT and advocate for increasing awareness about the role of local & sustainable agriculture in human health.
* Jeff Cordulack - Environmental Council of Stamford (ECOS) President and Audubon's Greenwich's Events & Communications Manager.
* Annie Farrell - farm manager at Millstone Farm in Wilton, organic farm consultant, and a pioneer in the sustainable agriculture movement.
* Mike Nadeau - owner of Plantscapes Organics, LLC and one of the original developers of NOFA's Organic Land Care standards.

Exhibitors at the Dirt! The Movie reception

* Edibles Advocates Alliance/Shared Harvest CT - a consultant for grass-roots, agricultural, and socially innovative organizations. http://www.ediblesadvocatealliance.org/
* Fairfield Green Food Guide - a free website dedicated to helping consumers source local and sustainably grown food and connecting with the green food community. http://www.FairfieldGreenFoodGuide.com
* Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm – A proposed working farm and organic educational center on town-owned land in Fairfield, CT. http://www.fairfieldorganicteachingfarm.org.
* Fairfield Bread Company - a local artisan bread company. http://www.fairfieldbread.blogspot.com.
* Millstone Farm - an organic farm in Wilton owned by Betsy and Jesse Fink and run by Annie Farrell. http://millstonefarm.org
* Mike's Organic Delivery - a farm-to-door, organic & local food delivery company servicing Greenwich and other nearby towns. http://www.mikesorganicdelivery.com
* Mow Green US - a lawn care company using 'reel mowers' to provide quiet, clean and green mowing at no additional cost. http://www.mowgreen.us
* Peter's Garden - a supplier of the little known but soon to be famous 'licorice root' mulch for gardens.
* Plantscapes Organics Inc. - a NOFA accredited organic land care professional helping residents and businesses to green their properties. http://www.plantscapeorganics.com
* Red Bee Honey - a Wilton-based artisanal honey and honey-based skin care product producer practicing organic hive management. http://www.redbee.com
* Southfield Sustainable Community Platform - a year-round indoor/outdoor farmers' market and eateries featuring locally grown, organic and epicurean gourmet foods in Stamford.

Sunset Meadow Vineyards (http://www.sunsetmeadowvineyards.com/) in Goshen, CT, owned and operated by the Motel family, has generously donated their award-winning sustainable wines to the event and will be on hand to tell us more about them during the wine and cheese reception. Sunset Meadow Vineyards has been recognized as a 2010 Editors' Choice in Yankee Magazine's Travel Guide to New England. This designation is awarded by Yankee's editors and contributors, who name select restaurants, lodgings, and attractions in New England to the exclusive list.

Also, a special thank you to the Fairfield Bread Company for donating their artisan baguette, The Flaxette, to the reception and to CT Farm Fresh Express http://www.ctffe.com/FFExpress/Welcome.html for helping provide the local cheeses.

To learn more about this film and event at Audubon Greenwich, visit http://greenwich.audubon.org/Programs_SpecialEvents.html.

*****

Jeff Cordulack
Events and Communications Manager
Audubon Connecticut/Audubon Greenwich
613 Riversville Road
Greenwich, CT 06831
(203) 869-5272 x239
(203) 613-8813 (cell)
jcordulack@audubon.org
http://greenwich.audubon.org
http://audubonct.org

Smiler from LA Boxing Norwalk . . .

LA Boxing
One Year Anniversary
Saturday, July 10th 2010
9AM - 3PM  

LA Boxing will be hosting their One Year Anniversary event between 9AM and 3PM. The event will be jam packed full of fun, games, and vendors. Some of the plans for the day include:

FREE food by Black Bear Sono
RAFFLES and give-a-ways
INFLATABLE boxing ring
LIVE demos by professional fighters
LIVE radio broadcast by 95.9 Fox
LIVE DJ


They will be holding Free Classes that day to give you a feel for the LA Boxing experience. Burn 800-1000 calories in just one hour, and have a great time doing it! Free classes will be held at 10AM and Noon by appointment only.

Join in, plan to have fun and meet the LA Boxing family. Check out their Membership discounts and giveaways. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the one year celebration. LA Boxing trainers will be on site for questions and tours of the fantastic facility. Call LA Boxing to reserve a spot in one of the free classes, space is limited.

Plan to have a great day full of fun and games.

Come by and celebrate with LA Boxing, have fun, play games and/or just visit to hang out.

For more information:
LA Boxing Norwalk
30 Belden Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Telephone: (203) 354-3540
www.laboxing.com/norwalk

Smiler in Stamford . . .

Pops in the Park

Enjoy four performances outdoors this summer

Wednesday Evenings

July 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2010

at 6:30pm

Columbus Park

Stamford, Connecticut

Click Here to Download

Pops in the Park Summer Brochure

July 7th
NEIL SEDAKA

The history of Rock ‘n’ Roll would be incomplete without the
innumerable contributions of Neil Sedaka. For over fifty years, Neil
has written, performed, produced, and inspired countless songs, and
his canon of compositions will continue to stand the test of time.
Sedaka recorded chart toppers "Laughter in the Rain," "Love Will Keep
Us Together," "Oh! Carol," "Stairway to Heaven," "Calendar Girl," "Happy
Birthday Sweet Sixteen," "Next Door To An Angel," and "Breaking Up Is
Hard To Do."
www.neilsedaka.com

July 14th
STAMFORD SYMPHONY POPS
with Music Director, Eckart Preu

Stamford’s extraordinary orchestra performs "Classical Pops,"
Baroque favorites by Bach, Handel and Pachelbel, Viennese
masterpieces by Strauss and Mozart, and American standards
by Joplin, Copland, and Sousa.
www.StamfordSymphony.org

July 21st
STEVE MARCH TORME
A Tribute to the Life and Music of Mel Tormé

Totally Tormé is a son’s remarkable homage to his legendary father,
Mel Tormé. This performance features classic music beloved by Mel’s
fans, including "Lulu’s Back In Town," "Lover Come Back to Me," "The
Way You Look Tonight," and Mel’s own "Born to be Blue." Interspersed
with engaging stories, this lively and loving tribute is thoroughly
entertaining from the first measure to the last note. Bill Harris, Don
Harris, Wally Barrett, Tim Herman, and Joe Meo, members of the
Billy and the Showmen Band will be joining Mr. Torme, adding
some "local" flavor.
www.stevemarchtorme.com
www.billyandtheshowmen.com

July 28th
BOWZER’S ROCK ‘N‘ ROLL PARTY

Don’t miss Bowzer’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party starring Kenny Vance & The
Planotones, Bowzer & The Stingrays, Rocky & The Rollers and special
guest Lynn DiMenna. Jon Bauman’s portrayal of Bowzer, leader of
Sha Na Na for fourteen years, was so convincing that the casual
observer was certain this hilarious, gangly greaser actually stalked the
streets of Brooklyn when he wasn’t appearing with the group. Bowzer
has resurfaced as one of the most multi-dimensional performers in
show business today, with his Rock ‘n Roll Party. Joining Bowzer will
be over fifty antique cars from the fifties and sixties exhibited around
the park courtesy of the Gateway Antique Auto Club of Stamford.
www.bowzerparty.com

NEW THIS YEAR
$5 fee to attend the Pops in the Park Festival.
Children aged 12 and under are free.
Single main entrance with multiple entry portals located
on Main Street just East of Clark and Lower Summer Streets

**July 7 – Rain or shine
Rain Venue for July 14, 21, 28 - Palace Theatre

For more information contact:
Stamford Downtown Special Services District
Five Landmark Square, Suite 110
Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: (203) 348-5285
Email: dssd@stamford-downtown.com

Smiler in Litchfield . . .

Check out the 14th Annual

Litchfield Jazz Camp!

July 11 – August 6, 2010

and

be sure to mark your calendars for

the 15th Anniversary of the

Litchfield Jazz Festival

August 6 - 8, 2010

Delfeayo Marsalis will be a Litchfield Jazz Camp Guest Artist on Saturday, July 24th. He'll give a master class in the afternoon and a performance and conversation with the audience, "Jazz is Cool" at 7:30pm that evening.

The other 2011 Jazz Masters are flutist Hubert Laws, saxophonist David Liebman (a past Litchfield Jazz Camp Guest Artist), composer and arranger Johnny Mandel, and record producer and author Orrin Keepnews. All of the 2011 recipients will be publicly honored at the annual awards ceremony and concert on January 11, 2011 at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and receive a $25,000 fellowship award.

For more information about Delfeayo Marsalis visit: Delfeayo Marsalis, LJC Guest Artist Profile Page. The July 24th Master Class and entrance that evening's salon performance, "Jazz is Cool with NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis," are included in jazz camp tuition. Tickets to the Salon for the general public are $10.

For additional information visit: http://litchfieldjazzfest.com

and/or call the Litchfield Performing Arts (860) 361 - 6285

---

Join in the fun VOLUNTEER!

The Litchfield Jazz Festival is a proud production of the non-profit Litchfield Performing Arts, Inc (LPA). LPA’s internationally renowned Litchfield Jazz Festival is celebrating its 15th Anniversary August 6—8. This years Festival will be dedicated to Dave Brubeck and his 90th Birthday! The Festival will be held in the Springs Center and on the campus of the Kent School.

The weekend of the festival, volunteers are needed from 4pm to 10pm on Friday and 10am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers can opt for full or half-day shifts from 10am-4pm and 4pm-10pm. Volunteers are also needed the day before and the day after the festival and for strike on Sunday night.

For more information on volunteering for the various tasks during the festival visit: http://litchfieldjazzfest.com/lpa/GetInvolved/volunteer and/or

email: info@litchfieldjazzfest.com and/or

telephone: (860) 361-6285.

Volunteering is fun and a great way to make new friends!

Smiler from Barnum Museum . . .

Get ready for Bridgeport’s

Biggest Birthday Party in 200 Years!

Don’t miss P.T. Barnum’s Birthday

celebration on July 5th, 2010

The Barnum Museum wants everyone to enjoy the 200th annual Barnum’s Birthday Bash for P.T. Barnum, famed showman, philanthropist and one of Bridgeport’s best-known citizens. This party is being held on Barnum’s birthday, Monday, July 5th from noon to 3PM at the Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street in Bridgeport CT.

There are many free admission opportunities for this year’s party:

• Any child who also has their birthday on July 5th is invited to come for free with their “best friend,” and will receive a complimentary one year membership in Barnum’s Kids Club.

• Every Barnum’s Kids Club member

• Residents of Bridgeport will be free, simply bring your legal identification, proof of residency

• Any person who brings in 3 or more gently used books for the Read to Grow program

The party will feature on-going craft activities by Ellen Ferrigno, live band music by Tony Ferrigno and balloon creations. An historic, hilarious stage show will take place at 1 p.m., Barnum’s World of Wonder, produced by Center Ring Productions featuring Joe Barney as P.T. Barnum. The show educates and entertains while telling the story of how Barnum changed the face of entertainment, not only in America, but internationally.

After the performance, the American Jenny Lind 2010 winner, Jennifer Caraluzzi from Bethel CT will lead everyone in singing Happy Birthday and a delicious birthday cake, donated by Luigi’s Italian Pastry Shop, will be served.

The fabulous and famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus Clowns will provide roving entertainment during the party and children will be able to participate in fun activities both inside and outside of the museum. Everyone will be able to register to win prizes including a family 4-pack of tickets to one of the October 2010 performances of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents Zing Zang Zoom at Arena at Harbor Yard.

Bridgeport dignitaries will be present for the official ceremony at 2 p.m. including Mayor Bill Finch, Acting Police Chief, Joseph Gaudett and Fire Chief, Brian Rooney. The Fire Department will also have a fire truck for kids to climb on during part of the event .

The Barnum Festival will have three winning parade floats on display in front of the museum, along with Spirit, the festival mascot and some of this year’s Royal Family, led by Ringmaster Tom Santa. “BB” the Bluefish mascot will also be available to pose for pictures.

New York Life Insurance Company will again offer a popular, safe and secure child identification program. Parents will fill out a form for their children and will walk away with a one sheet print out and a number of wallet sized versions to use as needed with friends, family, babysitters and more. Protecting families is at the core of New York Life’s mission, so they are delighted to provide the service at no charge.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will bring some cute and interesting creatures while the Discovery Museum will be hosting one of their always popular activity stations.

Celebrating the 200th birthday of Phineas Taylor Barnum, born July 5, 1810 in Bethel CT, during 2010 The Barnum Museum will chronicle the life and times of this extraordinary showman and the history of Bridgeport where 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.

What: Barnum’s Birthday Bash: A Celebration 200 Years in the Making

Where: The Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604

When: Monday, July 5, noon to 3 p.m.

Who: Families and Children of All Ages

Cost: Free for all Barnum’s Kids Club members and residents of the City of Bridgeport who bring proper identification. Also free for any child with a July 5th birthday. A discounted admission of $5 per adult and $3 per child will be in effect for this special event. As always, children under the age of 4 will be admitted free.

For more information call Jaime Knoedler, at (203) 331-1104, ext. 102 and/or visit www.barnum-museum.org

Happy Fourth of July!!!