As we shovel our way through this winter’s snow storms, I can’t stress enough how important it is for homeowners and businesses to clear their sidewalks. This is not only an important common courtesy, this is the law. You can be fined if you are found to have not cleared your sidewalks and curb cuts. When you don’t do your part, you make passage on sidewalks impossible for individuals using wheelchairs or who have mobility problems, such as the elderly. Let’s work together to help keep one another safe. As we prepare for a potential storm this week, let’s remember to get outside as soon as we can after the storm to clear our sidewalks and ensure that our neighbors can get around.

Christmas Tree Collection Continues

The Department of Public Works will be picking up Christmas trees this week along with your regular waste. Please make sure that the trees are placed beside the trash receptacles to ensure their proper disposal.

Downtown Crossing Tour with Senator Blumenthal

On Thursday, at 11:30 a.m. I will join U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal for a tour of New Haven’s medical district and a discussion about Downtown Crossing. Our tour will end in a news conference at 300 George Street at 12 noon. As you will recall, in October, New Haven was awarded a highly competitive TIGER II grant of $16 million to begin Phase 1 of the Downtown Crossing project in the Route 34 corridor, creating 2,000 immediate construction jobs and 960 permanent jobs. The Downtown Crossing project will turn 11 acres of land downtown, currently occupied by the highway, into developable and taxable land to the City’s benefit. Downtown Crossing will also reconnect neighborhoods and create opportunities for the expansion of New Haven’s booming biotech industry.

Health Matters Tip

It's the beginning of the New Year and 2011 promises to be a healthy one! The tip for this week is: Don't skip breakfast. Skipping the first meal of the day leads to lower energy levels, decreased metabolism and weight gain. So before you rush out the door, take a minute to eat breakfast. Your body will be glad you did.

Here’s what else is happening in New Haven this week:

Cultural Events

Jan 10. Greater New Haven Camera Club. Presentation of “Galopagos” by Lisa Keller. Bethesda Lutheran Church. 7:30-9:30pm. www.newhavencameraclub.org

Jan. 11. Exhibition Reception: works by Connecticut artists Susan Tremaine and Marjorie Gillette Wolfe. Gallery 195 at NewAlliance Bank, 195 Church St., 4th floor. 5 to 7pm. On display thru March 11, 2011. www.newhavenarts.org.

Jan. 11. Hadari Music Series: Part 1, The Romantic Spirit in the 19th Century, at Main Library. 6-7pm. 203-946-8835.

Jan 11-16. MAMMA MIA! A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. $18- $78. Tue-Thur.7:30pm / Sat. 2pm & 8pm / Sun.1 & 6pm. www.shubert.com

Jan. 12. Elm Street Book Group POT LUCK. Main Library. Bring a favorite book to recommend to the group. 6-7:30pm.

Jan. 12. Discussion and Screening of "Voices of Rwanda." Yale Davenport College Aud. 7:30pm. 203-432-0550

Jan. 13. Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni. Lecture: Native American settlements. New Haven Museum. 5:30pm. education@newhavenmuseum.org.

Jan. 14. Screening: My Brother Jack. The Gallery at Up Crown Studios. 5-9pm. www.facebook.com/mybrotherjack.

Jan. 15. Wooster Square Farmers Market. 10am-1pm. www.cityseed.org

Mayor’s Night Out

Mayor’s Night Out is an important opportunity for me to visit the City’s neighborhoods where I can speak with residents directly about concerns and needs. My entire department heads and coordinators join me at this event so that you can go directly to the source with any questions you may have about any City service.

The following are the 2011 MNO dates and locations:

FEBRUARY 9, 2011 WARDS #7, 8, 9, 10, 19, 20, 21 & 22

Celentano School – Canner Street

MARCH 16, 2011 WARDS #8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18

New Columbus Academy, Grand Ave

MAY 18, 2011 WARDS #23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30

Hillhouse High School, Sherman Parkway

AUGUST 24, 2011 WARDS # 11, 13, 14, 17 & 18

Nathan Hale School -480 Townsend Ave

OCTOBER 26, 2011 WARDS # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 23

Roberto Clemente School- Howard Ave.

Very truly yours,

John DeStefano, Jr.

Mayor

Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660

[1/10/2011]