Branford Happenings Sept. 26 – Oct. 2

This week is going to the dogs! Gear up for the on the green this Sunday! There are two opportunities for children to enter contests this week to win prizes the day of the adoption event!

There’s also a lot of fun ways to usher in the first full week of fall, including the opening of at the Shoreline Trolley Museum and an night at the .

Let us know if there’s an event you’re attending that we missed! Add it to the comments and be sure to post it to the events calendar! Want your event featured in next week’s Monday Happenings? Be sure to add in to the calendar as far in advance as possible and then e-mail nicole.ball@patch.com.

Close out September with zeal and welcome October!

Ongoing

Be the Top Dog

The hosts the Annual Animal Awareness Day on the Green this Sunday. The organizers are giving attendees plenty of opportunities to get excited for the big day including a two contests: and.

To enter the chidren’s contest, students grades 1 to 6 can draw how they feel about animals and bring the artwork to the Animal Awareness Day by 1 p.m. One grand prize winner will be chosen to receive a $250 prize. To register, e-mail your name to kprete@branford-ct.gov  or call 203-315-4125 and ask for Katy or Laura.

Think you’ve got the ugliest dog in Connecticut? Enter Agway’s contest; the winner will be announced at the Animal Awareness Day. For more information e-mail kprete@branford-ct.gov  or call  203-315-4125 and ask for Katy or Laura.

Robert Reynolds Fine Art, 96 Orange St., New Haven; Free

Stony Creek artist Robert Reynolds (and ) opens Robert Reynolds Fine Art in New Haven with his solo exhibition: Aerial. Venture to the Elm City to see a local painter’s works.

, 17 River St., East Haven; $10;

Starting Friday, September 30, 7 p.m., take the trolley to the gates of the Haunted Isle and enter if you dare! The Isle at the Shoreline Trolley Museum is suggested for adults and mature children with no health issues. Good walking shoes are recommended as the Isle is a wooded, outdoor path with many twists and turns.  Trolleys operate frequently throughout the evening, last car boards at 10 p.m.

Monday

; 7 p.m.; $5

Fan of the opera? Head out to the Blackstone for a tribute to Joan Sutherland 'La Stupenda.’ A video and lecture presentation will be offered.

; 10:30 a.m.; $15

Get in shape after giving birth! Mom-Baby Fitness was developed by pre/postnatal fitness experts at and is sponsored by WELL/A Mother's Place at Yale-New Haven Hospital. The program includes aerobic fitness, core recovery, re-alignment, social support and mothering tips. Babies are integrated into mom's workout and participate in baby-to-baby interactions. Come join us in a fun, laid-back environment and get your body forward!

51 Hopson Ave.; 7 p.m.; Free

Shoreline Autism Support Group (SASG) is an opportunity for parents/caregivers of children with autism to meet with others like them, share experiences if they wish, hear what others do to help their child through difficult times and share information on local resources and service providers.

; 7:30 p.m.

The Branford Board of Finance will hear a presentation from Charles Andriole, Merrill Lynch, and Mike LePore, Wells Fargo, with regard to the performance of the town’s pension fund and, if necessary, rebalance the pension portfolio for the quarter ending June 30, 2011. They will also hear a presentation from Andriole and LePore with regard to the performance of the town’s Other Post Employment Benefit Fund (OPEB). You can download the full agenda for this meeting here.

Tuesday

; 7 p.m.; Free

Kick off the Halloween season tonight at the Blackstone Library where the life and work of one of the greatest suspense storytellers of all time is honored.

Thursday

; 6:30 p.m.

This week the BHS Hornets Football freshman squad stays home to face North Haven. See these guys under the lights tonight!

; 7 p.m.; Free

First selectman candidate will hold her second at the tonight. This meeting will focus on McConnell’s plan for Branford education ­– bring your comments and suggestions.

Friday

; 10 a.m.; Free

This weekly opportunity for families to meet share and play at the WWML, features Family Nutritionist Debbie Kennedy, PhD.

; 6 p.m.; Free

TAKE 5 @ BAC!, an exhibition of five Branford artists hosted by the Branford Artists Cooperative (BAC) opens with a preview part tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring the works of Scott Paterson, a painter, Ray Mathews, a glass blower, Dana Baldwin Naumann, a sculptor and painter, Owen Sea Luckey, a textile artist, and Kristin Merrill, a jeweler and sculptor. The gallery will also be open Saturday, October 1 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for an Open House. The show runs through October 28 and is free and open to the public. Visit www.branfordartistscooperative.com or call 203-589-6995 for more information or to become a member. 

; 9 p.m.; Free

Head out to the Chowder Pot tonight for some dancing and fun!

North Haven High, 55 Bailey Rd., North Haven; 7 p.m.; Free

After falling to Notre-Dame West Haven last week, Branford heads to North Haven for the third showdown of their regular season. Go Hornets.

Saturday

Montowese Street & Pine Orchard Road; 8 a.m.; Free

Roll up your sleeves and pitch in to help the Branford Land Trust clean up the Branford River today. Supplies for gathering trash will be available; just bring your good spirit and dedication to making the environment a better place!

Bishop’s Orchard, 1355 Boston Post Rd., Guilford; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $10

Head out to Bishop’s Orchard Saturdays in September to make your own scarecrow to support the Community Dining Room. Come and make your own scarecrow!

; 10 a.m.; $4

Pre-school children and their families are invited for an Interactive Family Drum and Dance Celebration culminating with a drum circle at 2 p.m.  Call Robin Costa at 203-488-4028 for further information or e-mail learnandplay@snet.net; www.learnandplaychristian.org.

; 9 a.m.; Free

It’s never too early to start holiday shopping! Stop by for a craft fair today.

North Haven High School; 55 Bailey Rd, North Haven; 10 a.m.; Free

The freshman and varsity teams have already had their chances against North Haven so don’t miss the JV squad play today.

; 9 p.m.; Free

It’s date night so grab your favorite person and head out for some fun!

Sunday

; Noon; Free

The Annual Animal Awareness Day on the Town Green kicks off at 1 p.m. today with a blessing of the animals followed by an adoption/rescue parade at 2 p.m. The therapy dogs from Hospice will also be at the event in addition to area organizations looking to adopt out their animals. The day’s festivities culminate with a children’s art show and the . Bring your pet and spend the day getting to know other pet-minded folks.