With our students back in school and fall approaching, there are a number of exciting events taking place in New Haven this week.

Ferry Street Bridge

Neighbors on both ends of the Ferry Street Bridge have been waiting for this moment for the past six years. We are excited to announce the Grand Re-Opening of the Ferry Street Bridge this Saturday at 1 p.m. We will host a community celebration that will kick-off at 1 p.m. at the North End of the Bridge (Fair Haven side/ Chapel & Ferry). Saturday’s festivities will run from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. with a speaking ceremony, ribbon-cutting and ceremonious crossing of the bridge running from 1-1:30 p.m. Community groups and Cianbro Construction will provide free refreshments, face painting and fun New Haven giveaways. This is an event for the whole family, so please join us on Saturday.

Police Department Swearing-in Ceremony

Please join me at the Department of Police Services at 1 Union Avenue this Thursday for the swearing-in of Captain Peter Reichard as he becomes the Department’s Assistant Chief for Investigations. Reichard joined the department in 1988 and most recently served as the Officer in Charge of the Investigative Services Division. The ceremony will take place on the third floor of the Police Department at 4:15 p.m.

DTV

The transition from analog to digital television will be occurring on February 17th, 2009. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I recently joined the Mayors’ Digital Television Initiative, a program designed to assist the Federal Communications Commission in its effort to educate and advise consumers about the DTV transition. In the upcoming months, we will be reaching out to the community in order to ensure that all New Haven residents are prepared for this change. I encourage you to visit www.dtv.gov to make sure you’re prepared for the transition!

As the cultural capital of the region, there is always something great happening in New Haven. Starting today, I’ll feature information every week in my Monday Message about artistic and cultural events in New Haven that I hope you’ll support. Here are some events you might want to check out:

-September 5, 12-14: CT Folk Festival and Green Expo (formerly The New Haven Folk Festival). Performances by Donna the Buffalo, The Holmes Brothers, Steve Earle, Crooked Still and more. Various locations. www.ctfolk.com.

-September 20: CT 29th Colored Civil War Regiment monument dedication at Criscuolo Park, 2pm. Reception at John S. Martinez School. 4pm. Artist Reception 6pm. www.thect29.org

Next week we kick off National Hispanic Heritage Month which runs September 15-October 15. Stay tuned for information on events taking place in the City in honor of this month-long celebration.

I hope you have a happy and healthy week!

Very truly yours,

John DeStefano, Jr.

Mayor