Branford Happenings Sept. 19 – 25

Whether you’re looking to catch a high school sports game or you’re interested in supporting a local organization, we’ve got your weekly list of things to do. Please let us know if we’ve missed an event that you’re attending! Add your event to the calendar and be sure to tell everyone in the comments section of this story!

Want your event to be featured next week? Be sure to get events posted as far in advance as possible!

Ongoing

Support animals in need of medical care and ones that are homeless by purchasing a $50 paw print that will have your name on it on Town Hall Drive for Pet Adoption Party on October 2.

Checks may be made out to the and mailed to 749 East Main St Branford CT 06405. Deadline for pawprint requests is this week, Wednesday, September 21, 2011. For more information call 203-315-4125

Friday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m.; $105

Have a child grades 2nd to 8th interested in basketball? on the this year's junior league and head down to the Community House to sign him or her up!

Monday, Sept. 19

; 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.; $30

TOPSoccer is a non-competitive setting for kids with special needs (ages 4 to 20) to have fun at their own pace practicing with a soccer ball (provided) and socializing. The third season runs Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. now through Nov. 14. To register please go to www.branfordsoccer.org. The $30 can be waived for hardship. For info please contact Sam Rosen, srosen12@students.hopkins.edu or 203-481-3489. Kids receive a T-shirt and a trophy.  A special education teacher is on staff.  Volunteers valued; if you can help, call 203-481-3489.

Varsity Soccer; Free

The BHS girls soccer team faces West Haven at home at 3:45 p.m. The boys take on Xavier at home at 6:30 p.m.

Cross Country
; Free

Varsity girls and boys cross country take on Cheshire, Lyman Hall and Career Magnet School at the Branford Supply Ponds at 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 20

; Noon – 9 p.m.

Head down to Ben & Jerry’s for an ice cream social and help raise money for the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative’s early childhood community planning initiative! Celebrity scoopers and basket drawing from 6-9 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the Downtown Merchant's Association. Thirty percent of ice cream sales and all proceeds from basket drawing will be donated to the BECC to help improve outcomes for all Branford children birth through age 8.

, 450 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven; 6 – 8 p.m.; $45

Need a good excuse to enjoy some wine? The Greater New Haven Cat Project, Inc. and the Branford Compassion Club team up with Grand Vin tonight for Pours for Paws – a wine tasting to help humanely address feline overpopulation.  Radio personality Pam Landry of AM 1220 WQUN (and Patch Calendar Editor) is Master of Ceremonies for the event. There will be door prizes, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds from the event got to the organizations. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call BCC at (203) 483-6369 or contact_us@branfordcompassionclub.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Field Hockey

The varsity (7 p.m.), junior varsity (5:30 p.m.) and freshman field hockey (5 p.m.) teams take on Daniel Hand High School at home.

Volleyball; Free

The BHS varsity (5:15 p.m.) and junior varsity (4 p.m.) volleyball teams face Amity at home today.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

; 7 p.m.; Free

Laura Gomez, a member of the Branford Trailblazer staff, just got back from a two-month backpacking trip and will be presenting photos from her trip to South America including a talk about he experience.

(Library); 7:30 p.m.

The monthly BOE meeting will convene at the Branford High School library rather than this week. After the Superintendent offers notes, the public is invited to speak. Later in the meeting, action items are on the agenda, including a green cleaning policy. Click here to download the agenda before the meeting.

; 8 p.m.  

The RTM usually meets the second Wednesday of the month but will be meeting the third Wednesday during September. The agenda is lengthy including four citizen petitions from Wayne Cooke as well as several monetary transfers including $118,137 for overtime for the Police Department. You can download the entire agenda here.   

; 6 p.m.

Branford’s three selectmen meet twice monthly. You can download this week’s agenda here.

Thursday, Sept. 22

Notre-Dame West Haven, 24 Ricardo St, West Haven; 4:30 p.m.; Free

Watch Branford’s newest players take on Notre-Dame West Haven after their win against Foran last week.

, 24 Town House Rd, Durham; 9 a.m.-close

One the biggest fairs in the state, the Durham Fair runs now through Sunday.  

; 5 to 8 p.m. (Open to dealers and Friends of the library only)

This annual book sale benefits the opens with a preview tonight under the big tent on the Green for Friends of the Library and dealers. The huge book sale is open to the public Friday and Saturday. More than 60,000 presorted, quality books will be available. Fill a big bag (supplied) for just $10.

Friday, Sept. 23

; 7 p.m.

After prevailing over Foran at home last week, Branford High School varsity football takes on Notre-Dame-West Haven at 7 p.m. at home again.

; 9 p.m.

It’s Friday night and time to let loose. Head down the Chowder Pot for some live tunes.

; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This annual book sale benefits the . The huge book sale is open to the public today and Saturday. More than 60,000 presorted, quality books will be available. Fill a big bag (supplied) for just $10.

Whitney Humanities Center 53 Wall St, New Haven; 7 p.m.; Free

Grassroots (USA, 2011) directed and written by Stephen Gyllenhaal is introduced and followed by Q&A with the director and producer Kathleen Man Gyllenhaal (Bulldog Productions, Environmental Film Festival at Yale, and Films at the Whitney). For more about the film, click here.

24 Town House Rd, Durham; 9 a.m.-close

One the biggest fairs in the state, the Durham Fair runs now through Sunday.

Saturday, Sept. 24

; Noon to 3 p.m.

This annual book sale to benefit the . The huge book sale is open to the public today for the last day. More than 60,000 presorted, quality books will be available. Fill a big bag (supplied) for just $10.

; 11 a.m.; Free

The Connecticut Hospice, Inc.'s third annual race 'round Faulkner's Island will be held this Saturday. The parade of sails can be viewed from Connecticut Hospice's grounds at 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford at 11 a.m.  Starting gun for the race will be at noon in Branford Harbor. Check out the website for all details of the race; a lobster bake will follow the event on Saturday, October 1.

181 Mitchell Dr, New Haven; 12:30 to 5 p.m.

New Haven Home Recovery hosts a co-ed Dodgeball Tournament to benefit their organization. Come out and watch!

; 9:30 p.m.; Free

Live music tonight at Donovan’s!

24 Town House Rd, Durham; 9 a.m.-close

One the biggest fairs in the state, the Durham Fair runs now through Sunday.

Reminder is cancelled. It was originally supposed to be held at the Branford Elks Club today.

Sunday, Sept. 25

24 Town House Rd, Durham; 9 a.m.-close

One the biggest fairs in the state, the Durham Fair ends today! Get out there if you can!