by | Nov 4, 2021 5:38 pm | Comments (8)
Thomas Breen Photo
Fair Haven neighbors “occupy” Grand Cafe’s lot in September.
A month and a half after “occupying” the lot in front of a problem bar, Fair Haveners showed up in force yet again to try to solve the social ills emanating from Grand Cafe — this time online, through over three hours of testimony urging the state to pull the venue’s liquor permit.
by | Nov 4, 2021 12:04 pm | Comments (3)
Lisa Reisman Photo
Patricia Perez and her daughter Ana pushed through the door of the unassuming storefront on 254 Grand Ave.
“Long time no see,” Musa Ugurlu greeted them, standing behind the counter in the tidy, brightly lit space. “How’s everything?”
by | Oct 31, 2021 7:15 pm | Comments (3)
Maya McFadden Photo
At a Halloween party Sunday night, dozens of kids were enlisted to dress as skeletons and zombies and superheroes to help usher away the real-life horrors that transpire throughout the year at the corner of Ferry and Chambers Streets.
by | Oct 26, 2021 8:04 am | Comments (12)
Paul Bass Photo
Dishing at DISTRICT: CEOs Bailey, Swanston, Zamani, Londa.
Fiber.
Family.
Football?
by | Oct 25, 2021 8:07 am | Comments (5)
Lisa Reisman Photo
Inis Vidal of Dayvett’s Gifts with Carmen Mendez on anti-litter tour.
Carmen Mendez popped by Dayvett’s Gifts with a plea, and a warning: “Please be kind and help us keep Fair Haven clean and green. Please pick up litter and do not put bulk trash out illegally.”
by | Oct 18, 2021 8:48 am | Comments (5)
Brian Slattery Photos
It was quieter than in years past, for the obvious Covid-19-related reasons. The hallways of Erector Square weren’t quite so jammed, the conversations were a little more subdued.
But still, Citywide Open Studios — part of Artspace’s rebranded Open Source Festival — happened this past weekend: Artists threw open the doors of their studios, and on Saturday and Sunday people moved from spot to spot in Erector Square’s warren-like maze of hallways, visiting old friends, making fresh acquaintances, and in many cases getting the first chance since the pandemic began to see the art both longtime and new tenants of the Peck Street complex had been making since before the pandemic began.
Continue reading ‘Artists Open Doors Wide For “Open Source” Weekend’
by | Oct 13, 2021 4:22 pm | Comments (6)
Thomas Breen Photo
Community gathering last month outside Grand Cafe to protest incidents there.
The police showed up at Fair Haven’s Grand Cafe — not for a nightcap, but for an inspection.
Continue reading ‘Grand Cafe Patrons Busted For Underaged Drinking’
by | Oct 11, 2021 8:24 am | Comments (0)
A piece of artwork hanging in Bregamos Community Theater summed up the theme of the Festival de la Resistencia, which took place at the Blatchley Avenue arts and community space Saturday afternoon. It made a serious point: A fist smoked down from the sky to smite the people on a city street. The people were not crushed; they pushed back. And someone was there to document their struggle, and let the world see, even as the city burned around them. But the seriousness of the subject was delivered in a colorful, vivacious tone, full of life and action. It drew you in and made you want to be a part of it — and it was the work of multiple artists’ hands.
Continue reading ‘Resistance Festival Gives People The Power’
by | Oct 8, 2021 8:57 am | Comments (20)
Maya McFadden Photo
Officer Carfora: On noise patrol.
The calls were coming in from the East Shore. From Long Wharf. From Fair Haven. Even in East Haven and Branford, people were hearing music blasting through the middle of the night.
by | Oct 6, 2021 8:47 am | Comments (8)
Maya McFadden Photo
Nan Chen: I want to help others.
If a pitch made Tuesday evening pans out, Nan Chen will be patrolling his Fair Haven neighborhood. As Officer Nan Chen.
by | Oct 4, 2021 2:46 pm | Comments (4)
Thomas Breen photo
The former St. Rose School on Richard Street.
An affiliate of the local megalandlord Mandy Management plans to convert a former Fair Haven Catholic school and a nearby ex-convent into 18 new apartments.
by | Sep 30, 2021 8:14 am | Comments (25)
Thomas Breen photo
Former Bigelow factory, now cleared for small brewery and taproom.
Downtown Management Team Chair Ian Dunn: Follow the movie studio’s money.
A contentious hours-long public hearing ended with a craft brewer winning his final needed city approval to set up shop on River Street— and a host of questions raised about a movie studio that tried to box him out.
by | Sep 30, 2021 7:59 am | Comments (4)
Thomas Breen photos
346 and 350 Grand Ave., which the city plans to buy and convert into new owner-occupied housing.
Markeshia Ricks photo
LCI’s Evan Trachten: This affordable housing project could transform the block.
City plans to buy a medical office building and a vacant three-family house on Grand Avenue for $440,000 moved ahead — as part of a larger publicly funded effort to convert three buildings on a Fair Haven block into six units of new housing.
by | Sep 30, 2021 7:58 am | Comments (1)
Karen Ponzio Photos
Pond View.
Holberton School was the place to warm up on a chilly Wednesday night as local rockers Pond View took to the stage for the latest District Arts and Education livestream show.
by | Sep 23, 2021 12:56 pm | Comments (1)
Thomas Breen photo
190 River St., where Armada plans a brewhouse and taproom.
Armada Brewing
Plans to build a new small brewery and taproom in a renovated former Bigelow Boiler Factory building on River Street won two key city approvals, as the transformation of Fair Haven’s former industrial riverfront continues to take shape.
by | Sep 22, 2021 2:39 pm | Comments (6)
Thomas Breen photo
Maritza Bond (left) at Criscuolo Park Wednesday.
The city’s health director officially kicked off her exploratory campaign for secretary of the state with the support of family, friends, and Fair Haven neighbors — as well as the backing of former Mayor Toni Harp, but not the endorsement of current Mayor Justin Elicker.
Continue reading ‘“Passionate.” “Personable.” Bond Launches Exploratory Run For State Job’
by | Sep 22, 2021 8:32 am | Comments (5)
Maya McFadden Photos
Ice the Beef’s Tuesday march and rally through the streets of Fair Haven.
Marchers meet parking lot sit-in outside Grand Cafe.
A rally cry for peace echoed through the streets of Fair Haven Tuesday as 60 New Haveners marched and prayed for an end to the city’s raging gun violence.
by | Sep 21, 2021 8:16 am | Comments (13)
Thomas Breen photos
Demolition underway at 276 Howard Ave…
… fire-damaged homes at 25 and 21 Sheffield Ave…
… and a partially collapsed rear wall at 133 Hamilton St.
A Howard Avenue barbershop has been reduced to a dusty pile of wood and bricks.
Two fire-damaged Sheffield Avenue homes are boarded up and awaiting repairs.
And the old clock factory on Hamilton Street has a collapsed rear wall, 20 leaking oil drums, a corner apron of fallen bricks — and no construction workers in sight.
City building inspectors have their eyes on those derelict properties and more, according to a half dozen newly issued “unsafe structure” notices filed by the Building Department on the city land records database.
by | Sep 16, 2021 9:06 pm | Comments (18)
Thomas Breen photos
Demolition underway at former Bigelow Boiler factory complex.
The site of former Building 1.
A block’s worth of New Haven industrial history started disappearing as a city-hired demolition crew began tearing down four derelict former Bigelow Boiler factory buildings on River Street.
by | Sep 15, 2021 3:15 pm | Comments (6)
Paul Bass Photo
The postman always rings nice: Maiorano in Front Street Park, which he remembers as the Schiavone scrap yard in his youth.
Carol Manago was thrilled to see Chris Maiorano back in the neighborhood. Even if he didn’t have his mail satchel with him.
Her pooch Chico was less thrilled.
by | Sep 15, 2021 8:23 am | Comments (12)
Thomas Breen photos
Kica Matos and Moviemiento Cultural lead a bomba drum circle …
… as neighbors “reclaim” the parking lot in front of Grand Cafe.
Cafe owner Jose Rivera watches protest with patron Julian Welch.
With wooden drums, lawn chairs, free pizza and board games, 30 Fair Haven neighbors “reclaimed” the parking lot outside of Grand Cafe — in a grassroots effort to calm a violent hotspot.
by | Sep 11, 2021 7:46 pm | Comments (30)
Isaac Yu Photo
Shirley Lawrence: “Right now we’re in the darkness”
Top police brass, city officials, and residents gathered in Fair Haven on Friday night to seek community solutions to the city’s increased gun violence, challenging police while resolving to work together.
by | Sep 8, 2021 4:20 pm | Comments (7)
Thomas Breen photo
Salsa’s Luis Palomino (center) with Mayor Elicker, State Rep. Candelaria, and Fair Haven Alder Crespo on Wednesday.
Kevan Bonilla’s homicide memorial at Poplar and Lombard.
Salsa’s owner Luis Palomino has seen the recent rise in Fair Haven gun violence instill fear in neighbors and workers alike — as well as drive away customers who would otherwise be eager to stay, sit down and eat at his popular Grand Avenue Mexican restaurant.
by | Sep 3, 2021 12:59 pm | Comments (3)
Maya McFadden Photo
Criscuolo Park splash pad getting use this summer.
Back in 2017 Fair Haven neighbors, parents, and activists advocated to upgrade scenic Criscuolo Park in Fair Haven with a boat launch and maybe even a climbing wall.
They didn’t get those, but they did receive reconfigured and relocated play areas for little and big kids and a spiffy new splash pad.
Now more improvements — new swings and perhaps permanent tables for dominoes and chess — are on the way.
Continue reading ‘Criscuolo Park Swings Into Next Phase Of Upgrades’
by | Sep 3, 2021 7:55 am | Comments (2)
Karen Ponzio Photos
Durden gets ready to record Jefferson and Thabisa’s conversation.
District on James Street was the scene Thursday night of the official launch of Space Studios, the brainchild of videographer and entrepreneur Donnell Durden. Durden is hoping to provide the physical space and equipment — as well as the spark and support — for creatives to make their mark in the world of music, photography, videos, and more.