Mold Remediation in Bridgeport, CT

The Bridgeport-based zoo is looking to revitalize its 32-year-old World Tropics Building, an immersive South American rainforest exhibit.

Patch Staff

Information from Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo:

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo announces its fall appeal with a major fundraising initiative to revitalize its beloved World Tropics Building, an immersive South American rainforest exhibit that has captivated visitors since 1992. Originally opened as the Bird and Mammal Building, the exhibit was reimagined three decades ago, offering guests a glimpse into one of the planet’s most diverse and vital ecosystems. The Zoo seeks to raise $200,000 to update and enhance this iconic space, ensuring it remains a premier experience for visitors and a supportive environment for nearly twenty endangered and threatened species, including Golden Lion Tamarins, Two-Toed Sloths, and Howler Monkeys.

The revitalization project aims to meet the evolving needs of both the Zoo’s resident species and its visitors by creating an even more engaging and immersive exhibit experience. “Our rainforest exhibit has been a central feature at the Zoo for over 30 years, inspiring guests to appreciate thediversity and beauty of tropical rainforests,” said CEO Jim Wharton. “With community support, we can make upgrades to enhance habitats and improve both animal welfare and guest experience, ensuring the rainforest remains a vibrant educational destination for years to come.”

Funds raised will be allocated to a series of critical improvements:

Many enhancements will improve animal welfare in ways unseen by the public, but are vital for the exhibit’s health and longevity.

The World Tropics Building is also home to important conservation milestones, including the births of endangered ocelot kittens through artificial insemination, the care of the oldest known Howler Monkeys in the country, and successful breeding programs for Golden Lion Tamarins. Each milestone highlights the Zoo’s commitment to conservation and animal welfare, as well as the importance of preserving biodiversity.

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Rainforests are beautiful places where plants and animals work together to maintain the delicate balance and beauty of their habitat and offer guests a unique chance to experience the sights, sounds, and sensations of these vital habitats. “This project demonstrates the Zoo’s continued commitment to improve and advance animal welfare practices as well as our guest’s experience,” added Wharton.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo invites the public to join in this effort to refresh and renew the World Tropics Building, making an impact on wildlife conservation, and creating an unforgettable experience for generations to come. Donations can be made online at beardsleyzoo.org/appeal by contacting the Zoo directly.

For more information, visiting hours, and other zoo attractions, please visit beardsleyzoo.org.

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The Connecticut Restaurant Association recently handed out the CRAZIES awards, which celebrates excellence in the hospitality community.

Alfred Branch, Patch Staff

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A Bridgeport chef was recently named one of the best in state by the Connecticut Restaurant Association.

Damon Sawyer from 29 Markle Ct was one of five chefs nominated for the Chef of the Year award by the association.

The winner of the award was David Standridge from The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic; the other finalists were Vincent Chirico from The Luke Brasserie in New Haven; Gen Hashimoto from Hachiroku Shakudo & Sake Bar in New Haven; and Michelle Greenfield from Allium Eatery in Westport.

In addition to the Chef of the Year, the restaurant group also handed out other CRAZIES during a sold-out gala on Monday night at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Each year, the CRAZIES recognizes the exceptional ability and talent of Connecticut’s hospitality community, with the help of an expert media panel and over 25,000 online public votes. Twenty-one honorees from across the state received awards. The event was attended by Governor Ned Lamont, who addressed the guests and offered words of support and encouragement to the industry.

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"The 6th Anniversary of the CRAZIES Awards Gala was a huge success for our association, for our industry, and for the tens of thousands of Connecticut residents we employ," said Connecticut Restaurant Association President & CEO Scott Dolch. "The energy and enthusiasm of 1,500 industry professionals coming together demonstrated that Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality industry continues to be a powerful economic engine, accounting for nearly 10 percent of all jobs in our state. The CRAZIES once again showcased the exceptional talents our industry has to offer, and we look forward to building on this success each and every year as we encourage everyone in hospitality to take part in this annual celebration."

From the Connecticut Restaurant Association announcement:

One of the most significant awards of the evening was the Overall and County Restaurant of the Year Awards presented by Sysco. First, the association handed out winners from each of the eight counties around the state and the eight winners were – Materia Ristorante in Bantam (Litchfield County); Bar Rosina’s in Greenwich (Fairfield County); Restaurant Bricco in West Hartford (Hartford County); Hachiroku Shokudo & Sake Bar in New Haven (New Haven County); Monet’s Table in Tolland (Tolland County); The Essex in Old Saybrook (Middlesex County); Trigo Wood Fired Pizza in Willimantic (Windham County); and The Port of Call in Mystic (New London County). The overall winner who was named 2024 Connecticut Restaurant of the Year went to Bar Rosina’s, who earned the award over the other seven county winners and twenty-four total nominees.

The Restaurant Newcomer presented by Opici went to Gioia Cafe & Bar (New Haven) and the Caterer of the Year presented by Powerstation Events was Chef Prasad (New Canaan). The Server of the Year presented by Eder Bros, Allan S. Goodman and Slocum & Sons went to Christopher Hodson from Materia Ristorante (Bantam), and the Bartender of the Year presented by Connecticut Distributors, Inc. went to Suzie Johnson from Fire by Forge (Hartford). The Pastry Chef of the Year went to Jessica Spivey from Oyster Club (Mystic) and People’s Choice presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino went to Sandra’s Next Generation (New Haven). The Vendor of the Year went to Copps Island Oysters.

In addition to the voted award winners, the Connecticut Restaurant Association recognized Eli Hawli & Sam DeVellis of Market Hospitality Group as the 2024 Restaurateurs of the Year presented by US Foods. Eli & Sam own and operate six different restaurant concepts throughout Connecticut, New York and Florida, which currently totals 16 different locations. (Market Place Kitchen & Bar; Mercato Italian Kitchen & Bar; Market Place Tavern; Blu Pointe; Beso Taco Bar; The Wheel; and Key Largo Fisheries)

Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough (Noank) and Red Rock Tavern (Hartford) were both inducted into the Connecticut Hospitality Hall of Fame presented by GoNation. Connecticut’s State House Representative Kerry Wood was presented with the Friend of the Industry Award for her dedication and partnership to the Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality industry. In addition, Edward ‘Bud’ F. O’Donnell, Jr., Esq. was recognized by the association with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the Connecticut Restaurant Association and hospitality industry over the years.

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Bridgeport-resident and Nicuragua-native Amy Torrez gave birth to her first child, daughter Chiara, six weeks ago.

Since then, the single mom has found new housing and is navigating the world of motherhood, with assistance from a community health worker, assigned to her through Bridgeport Hospital.

“To be honest, the only person that really showed me concern about my safety and my baby's safety was Rosie [the community health worker], not even my family,” Torrez said through a Spanish-language translator.

It was Rosie who identified a suspicious oil or gas spill in Torrez’s apartment and helped secure temporary housing, until Torrez found a more permanent solution.

Torrez, 19, moved to the U.S. two years ago, and is one of several hundred mothers who have benefited from Connecticut’s Family Bridge pilot program. It provides at-home health care for new mothers and their newborns.

“This program is very important. It is instrumental in this situation,” Torrez said.

The program, which began in October of last year, has treated about 750 newborn babies over the course of about 1,000 at-home visits.

Seven community health workers and nurses visit the homes and do routine medical checks. They also connect families to social services and resources, providing diapers and formula. The providers are all employed by Bridgeport Hospital.

Families are offered up to three home visits with a registered nurse and several with a certified community health worker.

The program addresses more than strictly medical needs for its patients, said Dr. Manisha Juthani, state Department of Public Health commissioner.

“If a community health worker is able to help somebody every day trying to figure out how she’s gonna survive one day to the next, that’s very different than only the nursing support,” Juthani said.

Currently, Family Bridge serves families in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Milford, Monroe, Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull.

A family is eligible for the program if they live in one of those communities and gave birth at St. Vincent’s or Bridgeport Hospitals.

Fairfield resident Jose Del Pezo said the visiting nurse was integral in catching his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia after the birth of their second child, Leonardo, which resulted in a weekend hospital stay.

“Just the input of a professional really kind of changed the way you view things,” Del Pezo said. “If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't know really what would be happening, if the hospital visit would have been later.”

The program, which is funded through December 2026 with COVID-19 relief dollars, will expand to Norwich’s Backus Hospital in January. However, state leaders are already brainstorming new avenues for funding.

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SHELTON — Boneless and traditional wings will be the order of the day Dec. 16 when Buffalo Wild Wings officially opens its doors on Bridgeport Avenue.

Jackie Farr, director of training and marketing for Munson Restaurant Group, of which Buffalo Wild Wings is a part, said Friday that a ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. that day in what was the former home of Arooga’s Grill House & Sports Bar, with patrons welcomed inside once the event is complete.

Farr said the first 100 patrons will receive wings for a year. She said, in her experience, people have begun lining up sometimes the night before in preparation for the grand opening.

“We really felt that a Buffalo Wild Wings was needed in this location,” Farr said about the space at 381 Bridgeport Ave., adding that the community’s demographic “fit our vibe.”

Jack Litman, the franchisee who has 25 locations throughout the tri-state area, filed in September for a permit to place a Buffalo Wild Wings into the site of the shuttered Arooga’s.

Arooga's Grill House and Sports Bar closed in February, a year after partnering with the Connecticut Lottery Corporation to open PlaySugarHouse sportsbook in the restaurant.

“Shelton is a good location to put our brand,” Litman stated at the time of the permit filing. “It is a great city with a lot of traffic. Everyone we talked to about putting a Buffalo Wild Wings in Shelton said it was a good idea.”

In addition to its signature wings, the restaurant offers 24 beers on tap, 26 sauces to choose from and a loaded burger menu with various options. Litman said the restaurant also offers a variety of salads as well.

The hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday. Tuesdays offers buy one traditional wings, get one 50 percent off. Thursdays are buy one boneless wings, get one free.

Farr said the 7,000 square foot interior has been completely renovated to fit the signature Buffalo Wild Wings look, which includes more than 50 televisions.

She said the work was made easier to finish quickly because the previous restaurant setup was so similar to that of Buffalo Wild Wings. But Farr also praised city officials, and said working with Shelton was so much easier than what they have experienced in other municipalities.

The Shelton branch would be Litman’s latest Connecticut location, with his others in Danbury, North Haven, Milford and Stamford.

Emmy-award winning comedian Jerry Seinfeld and The Beatles icon Ringo Starr have been announced as the latest acts coming to Bridgeport's Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater next summer.

The veteran comedian, whose life loosely inspired the hit TV show, "Seinfeld," will be performing on Saturday, Aug. 9. Meanwhile, the Beatles drummer will be taking His All-Starr Band — Colin Hay, Steve Lukather, Hamish Stuart, Warren Ham, Buck Johnson and Gregg Bissonette — back to the Amp on June 12.

Seinfeld is the first comedian announced for its 2025 summer concert season. In past seasons, the venue has hosted comedians like Kevin Hart and The Impractical Jokers. The upcoming Bridgeport performance also marks Seinfeld's second Connecticut show next summer; he previously announced at a show at Foxwoods' Premier Theater on July 26.

Last month, Seinfield and his wife Jessica were honored by the Greenwich International Film Festival as its guests of honor during the festival's Changemaker Gala. Jessica Seinfeld's new movie, "Daughters," follows young girls and their incarcerated fathers as they prepare for a father-daughter dance."We love the idea of this award that you're trying to redirect things to a better place and I like the idea of Changemaker, especially obviously a positive change, and I think Jessica's movie is doing a great job of that," Jerry Seinfeld told Hearst Connecticut at the gala. "It's a powerful statement and makes you think about change."

Meanwhile, Starr's show will be his second at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater — first performing there with His All-Starr Band in 2022. Starr also performed in Connecticut this summer at Mohegan Sun Arena, according to concert tracking website setlist.fm.

The upcoming Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater show comes on the heels of the release of his new album, "Look Up," which releases next month. The country album features collaborations with bluegrass musicians including Alison Krauss, Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle.

A pre-sale for Seinfeld tickets begins on Tuesday at 10 a.m. for Citi cardmembers. Remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday at 10 a.m.

Citi cardmembers will also have presale access at the same time for Ringo Starr tickets. VIP packages will also be available at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. As with Seinfeld, tickets will go on sale the general public on Friday at 10 a.m.