This upcoming Tuesday, January 25th, the highly anticipated grand opening of Start Community Bank will be taking place. A ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 10am at the bank’s main branch, 299 Whalley Avenue, New Haven (corner of Sherman Avenue) and a second ribbon cutting ceremony will follow at 11am at the bank’s branch in Fair Haven at 258 Grand Avenue, New Haven (between Blatchely and Poplar Streets). Come out and learn about Start Community Bank and its commitment to our Community! First 150 visitors will receive an envelope which will contain either a $5 bill or a $100 bill.

I will hold a news conference at 2pm on Thursday to discuss the valuation results of the City's pension funds. As we identify solutions to the financial challenges that not only are we facing, but that the state is also experiencing, I have been advocating for pension reform. As I will discuss on Thursday, the two pension funds in the City will run out in the near future, unless we implement change. At this news conference I will share these numbers and talk about our continuing efforts to deliver a balanced budget in New Haven.

Here’s what else in happening in New Haven:

Cultural Events:

Jan. 26. PechaKucha Night @ Bentara. 6pm. http://pkn-newhaven.org

Jan. 28. New Americana Exhibition Reception. Sumner McKnight Crosby Jr. Gallery. 5-7pm. On view thru Mar. 6. www.newhavenarts.org.

Jan. 28. Neighborhood Music School Dance Concert. NMS. www.neighborhoodmusicschool.org.

Jan 28-Feb 19.August Wilson's The Piano Lesson. Yale Repertory Theatre. $30-$70.

www.yalerep.org.

Jan. 29. Neighborhood Music School Open House. www.neighborhoodmusicschool.org.

Jan. 29. NHSO Family Concert. Omni New Haven Hotel. Children ages 3-10. 2pm. $15/adult, $5/child www.newhavensymphony.org

January 29 -30. Swan Lake. Shubert Theater. $15-$58. 8pm Sat./2pm Sun. www.shubert.com

Jan. 30. Wendy Sharp. Yale School of Music Faculty Artist Series. http://Music.yale.edu

Green Tip:

Use drapes and blinds to reduce heat loss at night, particularly in cold weather. Open drapes during the day let the sun heat your home, then closing them at night traps the heat inside.

As another winter storm is approaching, let’s make sure that we are plowing our sidewalks to ensure the safety of all of our residents. Please call 946-SNOW during a snow emergency to get the latest news on parking bans.

Very truly yours,

John DeStefano, Jr.

Mayor

Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

[1/24/2011]