This past weekend, our country celebrated the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities and guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities to employment. The City of New Haven is a strong supporter of the ADA and we are very proud to have two teenagers with disabilities working as part of the City’s Youth@Work summer program. New Haven teens Tim Head, Jr. and Fatu Sheriff, both deaf, are spending the summer working for the Parks, Recreation and Trees department in its tennis program.

Here are some events happening in the coming weeks:

Tour of Mauro Sheridan and Bishop Woods Schools

Mauro Sheridan and Bishop Woods Schools, projects #30 and #31in the $1.5 billion Citywide School Construction Program, are currently in their last stages of construction before they open for school this fall. I will be hosting a media tour tomorrow from 9am to 10am at the Bishop Woods School and from 10:30am to 11:30am at the Mauro Sheridan School to show how New Haven is preparing for an exciting Back to School season.

Lewis Street Splash Pad

I invite residents to join me on Wednesday, July 29th at 5 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the Lewis Street splash pad. The splash pad can be found on Lewis Street and Front Street. For a full listing of splash pads, pools and their hours of operation please visit the Parks and Recreation Department's website.

Bike Jamboree and Community Event

On Saturday, August 1st from 9am to noon, the Quinnipiac East Management Team and ElmCityCycling will be hosting a bike jamboree and community information event at Ross/Woodward School, 185 Barnes Avenue. Activities include safety lessons, bike coordination events, safety checks and free minor bike repairs.

Film: Human Heart Explodes, with director Helder Mira

A new film called Human Heart Explodes will be featured on Tuesday, August 4th from 6:00pm to 7:45pm at the New Haven Free Public Library. Don’t miss out as director Helder Mira will be on hand for discussion.

Pilot Pen

New Haven’s annual Pilot Pen tennis tournament is fast approaching! The tournament will be begin August 21st and conclude on August 29th. Please visit www.pilotpentennis.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Green Tip

Cheap appliances and other products are often built cheaply so that you will have to buy a new one soon, a practice called 'planned obsolescence.' Consider purchasing a stronger product or an older, stronger used product that will last longer.

Is someone you know interested in receiving the Mayor's Monday Message? To join this list, please send your name and email address to: jmayorga@newhavenct.net. An opportunity may exist down the line to receive messages specific to your neighborhood. For this purpose, in your email, please tell us what ward you live in.

The Mayor's Monday Message list is not shared with any outside groups and is used solely for the purpose of delivering timely information about issues and events in the City from the Mayor's office to your inbox.

I hope you have a happy and healthy week,

Very truly yours,

John DeStefano, Jr.

Mayor

Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660

[7/26/2009]