Saturday, March 5 at 12:00pm - March 6 at 1:00am    Fairfield Avenue Bridgeport, CT    BlackRock Rocks   BlackRock Rocks proudly announces the beneficiary for their 6th Annual BlackRock Rocks Mardi Gras! Original Works Inc. right here in Bridgeport! Original Works is a non-profit company who serves youths from the Bridgeport region providing substantive arts experiences in dance, music, theater and film while the participants work with professional artists in creating, developing, and performing original artistic products.Read more here! http://originalworksinc.net/also check out http://www.blackrockrocks.org/ Playing this all-day, all-night party are The Primate Fiasco and local performers including: Otis and the Hurricanes, I Anbassa, Rick Reyes,The Pat Lattin Quartet, Mike Falzon... 02/08/2011

Thursday, February 24th 6:30 PMBlack Rock Branch The Learning Tree - an autobiographical drama based on acclaimed photographer, writer and director Gordon Parks' 1963 novel, about the coming-of-age of a black teenager in rural Kansas during the 1920s - a Black History Month special presentation. The story is about the life of a young teenager named Newt, who is coming of age in a small town in Kansas during the late 1920s and early 1930s. It offers an interesting perspective of this time showing both the warm bonds Newt has with his family and the difficult experiences he encounters because of his race. The Learning Tree is the first Hollywood studio film to be directed by an African-American director. Click here for more information on Gordon Parks and the Gordon Parks Center for Cultu... 02/07/2011

Thursday, February 17th 7:00 PMBlack Rock Branch Stocks & Financial Literacy 101 Join us for an introductory look at the world of stocks and finance. This class is designed to provide a basic overview of the stock market. The instructor is currently an analyst at a major bank in New York City, is a member of the NASD and is a former trader. Topics will include: Introduction to the basics of how stocks trade Types of stock orders Basics of stock research available free on the internet Stock technical analysis and why pros use it What is bid-ask analysis What are stock options and how do they work What is a credit default swap What are ECN's What are the popular exchange traded funds (ETFs) If most of the above is "Greek" to you - this is the class for you. "The information in this event ... 02/07/2011

Tuesday, February 15th 6:30 PMBlack Rock Branch As part of our Black History Month celebration the Black rock Branch presents the award winning film: Sounder. This film is a coming-of-age story of a boy living in the Depression era of the South. He learns the hard way about the realities of being black, poor and unable to read. In his dealings with a helpful teacher, the young man sees an education as a way out of the difficult life of heavy labor and poverty his family has dealt with. Director: Martin RittWriters: William H. Armstrong (book), Lonne Elder IIIStars: Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield and Kevin Hooks 02/02/2011

Tuesday, February 15th 12:30 PMBlack Rock Branch Power - Use It To Reinvent Yourself and Your Career Are you past the bloom of youth? Come, join us to explore new ideas to reinvent yourself, your career and to regain your power. Presented by Sharon Carey - Career Coach, Motivational Speaker and Corporate Trainer. A "Lunch & Learn" program. Bring a brown bag lunch and we'll supply the coffee and dessert. Most recently Sharon was the Director of Career Services for a vocational school. She has helped hundreds of individuals realize their career goals through coaching, career mapping and career preparation. She is the creator of the FRESH series an innovative five part program for individuals who have decided to take their careers or job search to the next level. Sharon is a speaker/traine... 02/02/2011

Behind the Screens: Media Literacy Workshops for Teens at Black Rock Branch Library Don't miss this unique opportunity! Working one on one with a Fairfield University student you will learn first hand how advertising and other media play into your everyday life through social networks, tv, movies, books and more. SPRING 2011 Sessions on February 9 / February 23 / March 9 / April 6 / April 20 / May 4 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free, but seats are limited - Sign up now to reserve your spot for one or more sessions! Program leader: Dr. Gisela Gil-Egui In collaboration with Fairfield University's Department of Communication, Office of Service Learning, and the College of Arts & Sciences 02/02/2011

Mayor Finch Declares Snow Emergency Beginning at 5 p.m. Today (1/26/2011).  In force until 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27.  No Parking on Snow Emergency Streets.  Alternate Side of the Street Parking in Force on All Other Roadways Until Further Notice  Due to the impending winter storm, Mayor Bill Finch has declared a snow emergency beginning today [Wednesday] at 5 p.m., extending through 5 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 27.  Residents must move their cars off posted snow emergency streets by 5 p.m. tonight. Snow emergency streets are marked with white signs with red lettering. Alternate side of the street parking rules are in effect for all other streets until further notice. As of 5 p.m. this evening, residents should park their cars on the even-numbered side of the street, and then move their cars t... 01/26/2011

Join author and screenwriter Linda Urbach Howard for an evening of readings by members of her MoMoir reading group - Gayle Gleckler, Carol Boas, Lisa Maxwell and Eileen Grace at the Black Rock Library on Thursday, January 27 from 6-8 PM. Following the readings there will be an introductory workshop on the art of MoMoir writing.  "A MOMoir is worth a thousand pictures," Howard says. "When you look at a photo, you definitely recall what your child looked like at that age, but what the picture doesn't tell you is how that moment felt. MOMoirs capture all of the emotions that are connected to that picture." For more MoMoir info visit Linda's web site: www.momoirs.com Originally published at www.blackrockonline.org  Black Rock's Community Blog 01/22/2011

Shadow, has been reunited with his owner.  The owner had contacted the local Pound and was given the address where to go pick him up at the kind folks in Black Rock who housed him temporily.  Shadow had unlatched the gate at his property and let himself out on Saturday afternoon.  Shadow has had K-9 police training, no wonder he is so well mannered.  Thanks to all for suggestions and offers to walk, feed, and/or foster him,  Gen at Happy Tails. Originally posted at  Black Rock Community Blog at www.blackrockonline.org 01/18/2011

This beautiful German Shepherd was loose in FFLD Ave/Gilman St. area, well mannered, playful, well kept, think is male (forgot to check), seems to be 2-3 years old, wide black collar and, of course, no tags. A lovely family on Quinlan is homing till owner is found or Animal Shelter re-opens on Tuesday.  If you know anyone who might be the owner, contact them and have them call the Happy Tails store at 203-382-1301, we are open tomorrow from 11-3 and rest of week 10-6 or e-mail me at genbarthe@yahoo.com, this dog is a "keeper", surely the owners feel the same way and want to have it home ASAP. Originally posted on www.blackrockonline.org 01/15/2011

Thursday, January 20th6:30 PMBlack Rock Branch Cocaineros Duel by John J. Gilmore Published Dec. 2010 by Mainly Murder Press, Wethersfield, CT Broken police detective Frank Reardon is struggling to rebuild his life while being the only one able to save others. Abandoning Connecticut after failing to capture his wife's murderer, he attempts to get lost in Costa Rica. While there, he is first branded a suspect in the murder of an unidentified woman and then drawn into the rescue of an old girlfriend captured by the cocaineros, a drug gang. He is helped by a collection of unlikely allies, including a washed-up CIA operative, a U.S. counter-insurgency team, a mysterious Washington intelligence official and the Cuban Air Force. Frank's war concludes with a dramatic gun battle on the streets ... 01/15/2011

Bridgeport extends snow emergency (01/14/11) BRIDGEPORT - Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch has extended the city's snow emergency until noon tomorrow (January 15).   Mayor Finch says Public Works crews are still clearing snow from roads, especially the smaller side streets.  See previous post on Snow Emergency for more details on the Black Rock Community Blog at www.blackrockonline.org 01/14/2011

Mayor Finch Declares Snow Emergency in City Beginning 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11.  Board of Education and City offices will be closed on Jan. 12.  BRIDGEPORT, CT January 11, 2011 - Due to the major snowstorm predicted to begin late Tuesday night and extending throughout the day Wednesday, Mayor Bill Finch today declared a snow emergency in the City of Bridgeport, beginning at 7 p.m., Tuesday evening. Mayor Finch and Superintendent of School John Ramos St. also announced that both City Hall and Board of Education offices will be closed to the public on Wednesday. Only City and Board of Education employees essential to storm operations should report to work. Any Board of Education employees, who are normally expected to report to work when teachers and students are not, will be exempt from r... 01/11/2011

The Town of Fairfield sponsored a survey  to determine the name of the new train station.  The results of the survey are in and can be summarized as follows:  More than 1,200 people participated in the three-week survey sponsored by First Selectman Kenneth Flatto's office.  Black Rock, or some variation, was the favorite of about 75 percent of the votes. The ultimate decision for the name of the station -- scheduled to open by fall of 2011 - will be made by the state Department of Transportation Therefore, we think we need to start a letter writing campaign to Mr. Flatto and the acting DOT commissioner, Jeffrey Parker, if we really want to make this happen we urge you to write to the DOT and Mr. Flatto endorsing the results of the survey. The addresses are: FirstSelectmanFFld@town.fairf... 01/11/2011

The January Regular Meeting of the Black Rock NRZ will be held on Monday, January 24, 2011 at the Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Avenue at 7:00 pm.  Meeting Agenda and Draft Minutes of the October 25, 2010 Meeting are available on www.blackrockonline.org as attachments to the NRZ post.  Please note the change in meeting location.  There is plenty of parking either in front of the Building or in the lot on the west side of the building accessible from Ellsworth Street. 01/11/2011

I recently received an e-mail from an out-of-state buyer, who wanted to know what Black Rock had to offer in terms of our restaurants and other dining facilities.  I thought I would share this information with you. Ash Creek Saloon  - Barbecue, ribs, and burgers 2895 Fairfield Avenue  203-333-2733   www.ashcreeksaloon.com   Bloodroot   -  Vegetarian, outdoor dining with water views 85 Ferris Street (off Hackley)    203-576-9168 www.bloodroot.com     Cafe Tavolini   - Italian Restaurant with outdoor patio 3074 Fairfield Avenue    203-335-1111   www.cafetavolini.com   Dish  -  Breakfast, supper club 2889 Fairfield Avenue   Phone:  368-1111   Harborview Market   - Breakfast, lunch, brunch, and coffee.  Outdoor seating.  218 Harborview Avenue   203-367-7336   Home on the Range   -  Breakfas... 01/10/2011

I received an e-mail from someone relocating to Fairfield County who wanted to know what Black Rock had to offer in terms of our parks and other recreation.  I sent her the following information: Along the coast of Long Island Sound in Black Rock you'll find a small sandy beach on Seabright Avenue.  The beach is a good place for sunbathing and ideal for launching kayaks and canoes.  There is a marina at Captain's Cove on Bostwick Avenue (take Seabright to left on Brewster, right on Ellsworth, right on Prescott, straight on Yacht to Bostwick) along with outdoor dining, charter boats, and music/entertainment.  The Black Rock Yacht Club on Grovers and the Fayerweather Yacht Club on Brewster have reciprocal relationships with many other yacht clubs and moorings facilities.  There is also a ... 01/10/2011

I received an e-mail this morning from a potential client who is interested in purchasing a co-op at the Bridgeport Garden Apartments complex in the Black Rock of Bridgeport, CT. She wanted me to explain the steps involved in buying and financing a BGA co-op.   STEPS & COSTS IN PURCHASING A BGA CO-OP UNIT     Mortgage Pre-Approval:  You will want to meet with a mortgage broker or lender who is currently providing mortgages on these co-ops (this is an ever-changing list, check with your buyer agent) and obtain a pre-approval letter for amount of the purchase price of the home, not the amount of the mortgage when you find the right property. Make sure the mortgage broker/lender is available to produce the preapproval letter for the right price on short notice.   At Binder:  It is customar... 01/10/2011

The 4th Annual Freezin' for a Reason event to benefit Burroughs Community Center will be Saturday, February 5th!  The event will take place on Jennings Beach in Fairfield at 11am sharp.  Post Party follows immediately after with food, drink, music, prizes, chair massages, plunger bags, family fun and more.  For more details about how to plunge or donate, please go to http://www.FirstGiving.com/Burroughs 01/06/2011

Bridgeport has declared a citywide snow emergency in effect now through Tuesday, Dec. 28 at 1 am. All city residents should heed alternate side of the street parking rules.  Sunday December 26 Residents should move their cars to the even side of the street today.  On Monday, December 27, cars should be parked on the odd side of the street by 1 a.m.  For more information please visit City of Bridgeport website http://www.bridgeportct.gov 12/26/2010