Wednesday, January 19, 2011

State’s Three Regional Tourism Districts Announce Plans to Participate in International Tourism Summit


CONNECTICUT’S TOURISM REGIONS APPLAUD GOV. MALLOY’S REJOINING DISCOVER NEW ENGLAND
State’s Three Regional Tourism Districts Announce Plans to Participate in International Tourism Summit

CONNECTICUT, JANUARY 19, 2011 – In support of the Governor’s recent announcement reinvesting in Discover New England, the State’s three Tourism Regions have announced that they will participate in Discover New England’s Annual Summit and International Marketplace on April 4-6 in Washington, New Hampshire.
The three offices – the Western Regional Tourism District, Central Regional Tourism District, and Eastern Regional Tourism District – will join efforts to host an interactive booth and be a participating sponsor at Discover New England’s annual major annual marketing event.
At the Summit, Connecticut’s Regions will meet with International Tour Operators and Travel Agents and International Press from the U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, and other European countries to tout Connecticut’s many attractions. The presence of the State’s Region’s Tourism leaders will ensure that Connecticut and the many tourism industry businesses represented by the three regions can deliver their marketing messages directly to key decision-makers.

Over the past few years, Connecticut has been losing market share in the very lucrative market of international visitors. While the State Tourism Office has been unable to promote Connecticut as a destination to these travelers, the State Regional Tourism Districts have been working together to maintain Connecticut’s presence. In rejoining the Discover New England organization, the Regional Districts and the State will once again be able to immediately call on their support to encourage foreign visitors to choose Connecticut as a destination.

Connecticut Tourism Regions have a long track record of representing Connecticut’s hotels and attractions at the Discover New England Summit and International Marketplace as well as at the U.S. Travel Association’s Annual Pow Wow, one of the biggest International Marketplaces in the World.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Bridgeport’s Arena is Renamed Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard

Webster Bank, a leading New England commercial bank, has entered into a ten-year naming rights agreement for the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut with Centerplate. Effective immediately, the Arena will be named Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard.

Centerplate is responsible for managing and marketing the arena for the City of Bridgeport and is also the leading hospitality provider to North America's premier sports and convention centers.
"We are extremely proud and pleased to welcome Webster Bank as the naming rights sponsor for our Arena at Harbor Yard," said Mayor Bill Finch. "This is a great day for the City and for the bank."
In exchange for the naming rights investment, Webster Bank will be featured prominently in signage, including a new full-color outdoor marquee. There will also be signage facing the harbor and visible from the Long Island Ferry and the Metro North Railroad Station, and another facing the northbound side of Interstate 95.


"We're delighted to demonstrate Webster's commitment to Connecticut's largest city and to have the Webster Bank brand paired so prominently with this spectacular entertainment venue in the heart of the Park City," said Michelle Crecca, Webster Bank's chief marketing officer. "This is an extraordinary opportunity for us to create a multi-faceted, long-term Webster brand experience – not only with the people who attend a game or a show, but with city residents and commuters who will see the Webster name from Interstate 95, the train station and the ferry landing."

In addition to the exterior building signage, Webster Bank will appear on highway directional signage, at the box offices, on either end of the basketball court, and within the center ice location whenever ice hockey is in operation. The agreement also provides Webster Bank with the exclusive rights to install Webster ATMs in the arena concourse. Webster will also receive digital messaging rights, promotional exposure in brochures, collateral materials and websites, and premium hospitality options.

"We are delighted to have found the ideal naming rights partner for this signature Bridgeport property," said Des Hague, President and CEO of Centerplate. "Together with Webster Bank, we have crafted a platform to engage consumers and provide a meaningful benefit to Bridgeport and its citizens."

Celebrate a Traditional Burns Night in Washington CT

Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns, will be honored at a Highland Feast with a piper, Celtic music, and Haggis on January 29 at St. John’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, Washington Green. This Burns Night celebration, a Scottish tradition, will feature a six-course meal with smoked salmon, venison, partridge, and a tasting of 6 to 10 single malt whiskies.

It may not be Scotland, but anyone can celebrate the anniversary of the famed poet’s birth, and St. John’s is ready to do it in style. A piper will announce the Haggis, delivered to the main table by the chef.  Haggis, a sheep’s stomach filled with the sheep’s intestine and oatmeal, is a big part of the tradition, although there will be plenty of other good things to eat at this Burns Night. Scottish fare includes tatties (potatoes) and neeps (turnips), and a pudding called a “Tipsy-Laird-Trifle.”  The meal will be preceded by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served with dinner.

Kilts, trews and tartans are encouraged and everyone will join in the recitation of favorite Burns poems, toasts, prayers, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”

The Highland Feast is $95 per person, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit St. John’s Community Outreach Committee. For more information or to make reservations, call St. John’s at 860-868-2527. St. John’s Episcopal Church is located at 78 Green Hill Road, just across from the Washington Green. The Parish Hall faces 9 Parsonage Lane, with plenty of convenient parking.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Western CT Blog: Mohawk Mountain Ski Area Makes Planning Easy

Western CT Blog: Mohawk Mountain Ski Area Makes Planning Easy: "Western CT Blog"

Music Under the Stars in January?



Yes!  The Discovery Museum's Planetarium presents "To the Stars and Back" on Saturday, January 22, 2011 from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.  http://www.discoverymuseum.org

This presentation in the Henry B. duPont III Planetarium is  a natural combination--timeless music played under the dome of the starlit heavens.  Music will be provided by The Haven String Quartet, an ensemble of exceptionally talented musicians who have performed around the world.  A star show will accompany and inform the musical presentation.

The program will feature "Tenebrae," an original work by Osvaldo Golijov (2000) inspired by a unique juxtaposition of events experienced within a week's time--a visit to Israel during a time of great strife followed by visit to New York's planetarium--and "String Quartet No. 5," Philip Glass, Composer (1991).  Discussion will follow.

There is limited seating so make sure to RSVP by  Thursday January 20, 2011.  The tickets are $15 per person and  $10 for Discovery Museum Members with Membership Card  Light refreshments will be offered. To reserve your tickets in advance, please call 203-372-3521 with your credit card information or send your check with name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address  to The Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, Attn: Music Haven

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Warm Up the Winter at the Zoo!

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only Zoo, has an exciting February planned with most events and activities free with the cost of admission.  From a Black Tie Ball to a celebration for the Year of the Rabbit and a February Folic for children  there is plenty of winter fun for the entire family.

On February 5, from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm, there will be a Asian New Year Celebration.  Children will join with their friends to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with special stories, crafts, a children's parade, and many more fun activities.  Snow date is February 12.

The elegant black tie Red Ribbon Ball will be held on Feb. 5th at 6:30 pm at the The Waterview, 215 Roosevelt Drive in Monroe.  Dinner, Dancing and a live silent auction honoring Charles Carroll, director of public facilities for the City of Bridgeport are in store for those in attendance.  For a table of ten the cost is $1,500 or $150 per ticket. Sponsorships are available.  For information, call (203) 394-6573.

The 5th Annual Monkey Love Drive wil be held through Feb. 9th – stuffed monkeys collected at the Zoo will be distributed to children at Casey Family Services of Bridgeport, Valley YMCA in Ansonia, Covenant to Care for Children in the New Haven area, Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, and to area Congregations. In addition, monkeys are being given to children of soldiers currently stationed abroad.  Visitors to the Zoo are asked to bring a stuffed monkey to donate and will receive $1 off regular admission for participating.

The Zoo Celebrates Valentine's Day  with a special story time , craft activity and even an animal encounter.  All activities are free with Zoo admission.

The Zoo's popular February Frolic, is offered from Feb. 22- 24 from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm.  This daily school vacation program is for children ages six through twelve who love animals, the environment and learning.  Each day may include zookeeper talks, behind the scenes tours, hands-on learning, games, crafts, and more.  Children may sign up for a day or more.  Cost of the program is $40.00 per day, cost for Zoo members is $35.00 per day.  For information and to register, call 203-394-6563 or visit beardsleyzoo.org.

To beat the winter doldrums, visit the  Zoo's Tropical Winter Greenhouse  where the Vanilla Orchid is in bloom!  As you explore the Greenhouse you will see bananas and other fruits growing overhead as well as  several species of orchids and cacti  that flower all winter long.  It's a short walk through another world!  The Greenhouse is free with Zoo admission.

The Zoo is open every day from 9 am - 4 pm., the Café and Carousel Concessions will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays and will close at 2:30 pm Wednesday - Friday.  The Gift Shop will close at 3:30 pm Monday - Friday.  The Café, Carousel and Gift Shop will operate regular hours on weekends and holidays.  Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is $9.00, and children under 3 years old and Zoo members are admitted free.  Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

New Canaan Historical Society Presents Carl Schmitt, 1889 - 1989 An Artist’s Life: A Retrospective Exhibit

Located in the lovely town of New Canaan, the New Cannan Historical Society has organized a fabulous exhibition of over two dozen works by Carl Schmitt that include: paintings, pastels, etchings, drawings, and sculpture.  The exhibit also includes photos, exhibition catalogs, sketchbooks, and other items from the Foundation's archives illustrating Schmitt's long career and life as an artist.

Carl Schmitt  was born in 1889 in Warren, Ohio and was encouraged by his parents to further his artistic interests. He left Warren at  seventeen to begin formal art studies in New York. Within a few years he headed to Silvermine, Connecticut, where he bought an acre of land with a ruined eighteenth-century stone structure across the road from the American sculptor Solon Borglum. Schmitt refurbished the building and began to attend meetings of the "Knockers Club". Schmitt helped found the more formal Silvermine Guild of Artists, taking part in numerous exhibits.

 Throughout the 1920's Schmitt's paintings were accepted for the most important national exhibitions, including those at the Carnegie Institure, the Corcoran Gallery, the Art Institute of Chicago as well as numerous galleries in New York City. The New Canaan Historical Society is hosting this show as part of its series highlighting members of the Silvermine Group of Artists.

The wide scope of the exhibit is intended to give a broad overview of Schmitt's achievement in many different styles, all animated by his unique aesthetic vision.  It also aims to present his life and work in the context of the artists' colony in Silvermine.  It is a rare opportunity to see many works loaned from private collections, most of which have not been exhibited in many decades and may not be so again.

The New Canaan Historical Society is located at 13 Oenoke Ridge Road in New Canaan, Connecticut and is open Tuesday through Saturday: 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. On Saturdays, the gallery is closed between 12:30 and 2 p.m. For further information, you may call the Society at 203–966–1776, or visit their website, nchistory.org. The exhibit runs through March 28, 2011.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Victorian Tea Party In Litchfield Hills Connecticut


Ring in the New Year with an old-fashioned Victorian Tea Party at the Gunn Memorial Museum on Sunday January 2, 2011 from 1-3pm. The snow date will be: Sunday January 9th from 1-3pm. The event is free and open to the public. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the spectacular holiday exhibit: Washington Winter Wonderland, and socialize with friends in a festive setting. Guests are asked to bring their favorite tea cup, they will provide the rest.

This holiday season at the Gunn Museum features whimsical displays of over 130 vintage Steiff stuffed animals, Christmas trees decorated by local designers and a stunning winter wall mural by John Pitts, the former scenic artist at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Steiff is best known as the company that invented the Teddy Bear. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal or doll to the tea party.
 
This exhibit will be on display until Sunday January 16, 2011. The Gunn Memorial Museum is located at 5 Wykeham Road, the intersection of Wykeham Road and Route 47, on Washington Green. Registration is requested; please call the Museum at 860-868-7756. Or visit http://www.gunnlibrary.org

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Holiday Ideas From Lime Rock Park Thru 12/23!



Just straight facts, no hard sell – take advantage of our one-time-only 15 percent discounts, available through December 23.

Idea Number 1: You can buy any ticket to any 2011 Race Weekend and get a 15% discount off the Advance Purchase price. (Remember, the Advance Purchase Prices are already lower than the Gate Prices!)  Visit http://tickets.limerock.com for additional information!

Idea Number 2: Not sure which Race Weekend tickets to get? Then buy a Gift Certificate for any dollar amount. Call us at 860.435.5000, M – F., 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Idea Number 3: How about a 2011 Season Pass “hard-card” for $70 less than its regular price – and you get an extra major event Race Weekend for free! We’ve added the July 30 Ferrari Challenge races to our regular line-up of Grand-Am Rolex (Memorial Day weekend, May 27-30), ALMS (July 8-9), Historic Festival 29 (Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-5) and NASCAR Modified (Sept. 16-17) race weekends.

A Season Pass at $230 for five major racing events is a great deal – and a great gift.

Idea Number 4: The ultimate holiday gift! Drive your car – and/or our BMW M3s – on the track at Lime Rock! Includes private coaching and catered meals during your four-hour experience. Three options: $995 (your car only); $1,500 (any combo of your car and the M3); and $1,750 (two people, any combo of your car and the M3). Call Jeanette Veitenheimer at 860.671.1458 for consultation and to order a Track Day Gift Certificate.

If you buy race tickets (either online or by calling us) up through Thursday, December 23, you will automatically get the 15% Holiday Discount.

If you buy the 2011 Season Pass (either online or by calling us) up through Thursday, December 23, you will automatically get the Holiday Price of $230. (On December 24, the 2011 Season Pass goes to $300.)

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Fairfield County's Glass House Offers Limited Edition Print


The Glass House is pleased to announce the release of the limited edition print Modernism USA, by world-renowned artist and graphic designer Paula Scher Modernism USA uses the footprints of the Glass House and Farnsworth House at various scales to construct a map of the United States. The limited edition prints are sold exclusively at the Glass House Store ($350) and are offered online  through December 18, 2010. https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/store/419/products

Looking for some modern joy this holiday season? Don't miss The Glass House Store's rare and new books, accessories and Glass House logo items, now also available online.  A Glass House exclusive; is the journal-sized Moleskine sketchbook that includes art by 29-contributors inspired by the Glass House, interspersed with blank pages to add your work and reflections.  The shop also offers several beautiufl coffee table books on the Glass House as well as winter cards that evoke the serene beauty of this National Historic Site. All purchases support the preservation efforts of the Philip Johnson Glass House.

The Glass House Visitor Center is located at 199 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT and the Store: Holiday  Hours areDecember 4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18: 10 am - 4 pm.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

New Suite at The Inn at Kent Falls

Recently voted as the Best Bed and Breakfast by Connecticut Magazine, the charming Inn at Kent Falls  has just announced the introduction of the "Gables Suite".    The  Inn is located in a historic house built in 1741 that is located between the center of Kent  and Kent Falls State Park.



The Gables is a comfortably elegant suite  located in the former attic of the original inn and is crowned with exquisite beams that are  272 years old.  These  are the beams that actually hold up this historic property that has been featured in Travel and Leisure, Conde Naste Traveler, CT Magazine and many other national publications. The room features a queen size bed, six foot walk in shower, a large loft area with a large screen TV and DVD player and a desk and work area.  There is a private staircase to this very attractive suite.

The carefully updated Inn at Kent Falls has four suites, and two luxurious rooms, five fireplaces, a  pool, air conditioning, phone and Internet access. The common rooms include a screened porch, TV, and living room.  The Inn is well known for serving  guests a sumptuous Breakfast.



Visit their website for a list of special packages and promotions offered by the Inn at Kent Falls, 107 Kent Cornwall Rd., Kent CT.http://www.theinnatkentfalls.com/