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The Small Business Administration will be getting $310B in funding for the Payment Protection Program, with $125B specifically for under-banked and minority-owned businesses, and $10B in an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance. The SBA will process these applications on a first-come, first-serve basis as they receive them from SBA-approved banks or lenders.

If you run a small business or non-profit, are a sole proprietor, or a contractor you should immediately apply by going to the City of New Haven’s COVID-19 website and clicking on the “Together New Haven” link. The first round of money that was released 3 weeks ago was used up in 14 days. If you need assistance, call the City of New Haven at (203) 946-7050 and we can direct you to the right place.

Thank you for your cooperation throughout this challenging time. I encourage you to stay home and stay safe.

New Haven Mayor to Host COVID-19 Press Briefing

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and New Haven Health Director Maritza Bond will be hosting press availability regarding all updates surrounding the City’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Today’s press briefing will be at 4:00 PM. The COVID-19 situation is evolving every day, and the City of New Haven wants to provide accurate and current information regarding the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 Daily Press Briefing

Mayor Justin Elicker & Health Director Maritza Bond

Friday, March 20, 2020

New Haven Hall of Records

200 Orange Street, on the steps of the Hall of Records

New Haven, CT 06510

4:00 PM

New Haven Police Arrest Man Seeking Sex With Minor

New Haven| On Friday, March 13, 2020, 33 year old Christopher Brereton drove from his home in Fargo, North Dakota with the intent of engaging in sexual activity with a 15 year old minor.  Brereton arrived at a pre-arranged New Haven location and was met instead by New Haven Police Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives and Homeland Security Investigations special agents.

The investigation began in January after Brereton initiated a conversation with a 15 year old female. One conversation was intercepted by a family member of the teen who then notified New Haven Police.

SVU Detective Leonardo Soto and a Homeland Security special agent continued the undercover social media chats with Brereton and eventually arranged a meeting with him.

Brereton was arrested on scene and charged with the following:

• Criminal attempt sexual assault second degree.
• Criminal attempt possession of child pornography third degree.
• Commercial sexual abuse of a minor.
• Enticing a minor by computer.
• Risk of Injury to a minor. 

Bond was set at $200,000.  Christopher Brereton was held at the NHPD Union Avenue Detention Center and transferred today to an arraignment hearing in New Haven Superior Court at 121 Elm Street

New Haven Organizations and Artists Awarded Arts Endowment Funding and Fellowship Grants

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, and Arts and Cultural Affairs Director Adriane Jefferson stated their excitement following the announcement of endowment funding and fellowship grants to New Haven artists and organizations from Artist Fellowship Program from the Department of Economic and Community Development Office of the Arts and the Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund (CAEF). The CAEF was created by the State Legislature to improve and sustain private-sector funding to ensure that arts organizations can thrive long-term. The Artist Fellowship program continues to provide competitive grants to assist in developing Connecticut artists by supporting their new work, goals, and creative ideas.  

Arts and Cultural Affairs Director, Adriane Jefferson stated, “I am delighted to see New Haven-based artists and arts organizations receive grant funding from the State of Connecticut, Office of the Arts. New Haven has immense cultural capital, and it is so imperative to our creative eco-system that we continue to recognize and provide tangible resources to our arts and cultural organizations, as well as our individual artists that help to shape the infrastructure—not just of New Haven, but of Connecticut.” 

There are three grant designations for the Artist Fellowship Program: Artistic Excellence grant of $5,000, the Artistic Fellowship grant of $3,000, and the Emerging Recognition grant of $1,000. Over $20,000 has been awarded to the following New Haven artists: 

  Rachel Bernsen $3,000.00

  Jay Eddy $3,000.00

  Jacquelyn Gleisner $3,000.00

  Kyle Kearson $1,000.00

  Meredith Miller $3,000.00

  Aedan O'Brien $1,000.00

  Kevin Sherwin $1,000.00

  Gabriella Svenningsen Omonte $3,000.00

  Thuan Vu $5,000.00

The CAEF is under the purview of the State Treasurer, and funding is administered by the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA). Art organizations that qualify for interest earned on the Fund’s principal must raise over $15,000 in contributions from the private sector and non-governmental entities for at least two years. Over $100,000 has been endowed to the following local organizations: 

  New Haven Architecture Resource Center $500.00

  New Haven Artspace, Inc. $3,450.00

  New Haven Creative Arts Workshop $2,832.00

  New Haven Elm Shakespeare Company $2,630.00

  New Haven International Festival of Arts & Ideas $9,073.00

  Long Wharf Theatre $37,051.00

  Music Haven, Inc. $5,129.00

  Neighborhood Music School $4,227.00

  New Haven Ballet $1,238.00

  New Haven Chorale, Inc. $1,197.00

  New Haven Community Chorus $500.00

  New Haven Folk, Inc. $500.00

  New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Inc. $13,199.00

  New Haven Arts Council $2,087.00

  New Haven Orchestra New England, Inc. $619.00

  Shubert Theater/CAPA $40,102.00

“New Haven is a place where we see how the arts can make a positive impact on the lives of all communities,” stated Mayor Justin Elicker. “Though we are facing tough fiscal challenges, I am excited to know that many New Haven artists and organizations are continuing to receive State funding to pursue their goals and actualize their potential by embracing the arts.” 

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City to Host Tabletop Exercise on Coronavirus

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The City of New Haven will be hosting a tabletop workshop exercise on coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Emergency Operations Center at the Hall of Records. As this is also the peak of the flu season, the City’s goal is to ensure that all City internal public safety agencies and external stakeholders are sharing preparedness steps and operational plans for any emergency response that may be necessary.

City Exercise on Coronavirus

Emergency Operations Center

200 Orange Street

New Haven, CT 06510

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

12:30 PM — 2:00 PM

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Clifford Beers Grant Award Press Conference

Joined by Lt..Gov. Bysiewicz, Dr. Forrester at the Clifford Beers Clinic, William Halsey at DSS, Commissioner Dorantes at CDCF, Commissioner Delphin-Rittmon at DMHAS,

Commissioner Bye at OEC, Rep. Toni Walker

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

New Haven City Hall

165 Church Street, 2^nd Floor Atrium

New Haven, CT 06510

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Speaking at Mardi Gras Celebration

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Ives Main Library, 133 Elm Street

New Haven, CT 06510

6:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Testifying at the Housing Committee

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Legislative Office Building

300 Capitol Avenue, Room 2A

Hartford, CT 06106

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Visiting the HOPE Family Justice Center

Thursday, February 27, 2020

142 Temple Street, 3^rd Floor

New Haven, CT 06510

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM

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Severe Cold Weather Protocol Issued

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The City of New Haven will activate its Severe Cold Weather Protocol due to extremely cold temperatures for the area. Temperatures are expected to be in the low single digits during the overnight hours on Friday. City libraries will serve as warming areas during regular business hours at all locations. All City Homeless Shelters and the Overnight Warming Centers will also extend hours and capacities as directed. This protocol will be in effect beginning tomorrow Friday, February 14^th, at 12:00 noon and will end Saturday, February 15^th, at 12:00 noon.

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Senator Blumenthal, Mayor Elicker, Health Officials, and Local Elected Officials

to Host Press Conference in Response to Federal Budget Cuts

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Tomorrow afternoon U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, New Haven Health Officials, members of the Board of Alders, and other elected officials will hold a press conference in response to the $1.9 trillion in budget cuts proposed in the 2021 Federal Budget from the Trump Administration. This proposed budget includes cuts to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), education, Section 8, food stamps, and various other programs many Connecticut residents rely on. The proposed budget awaits a vote with the U.S. House of Representatives.

Federal Budget Press Conference

Friday, February 14, 2020

New Haven City Hall

165 Church St., 2^nd Floor Atrium

New Haven, CT

12:45 PM

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City of New Haven Hosts Grand Avenue Bridge Public Forum

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Tomorrow evening New Haven City Engineer Giovanni Zinn, Chief Administrative Officer Scott Jackson, and Economic Development Director Michael Piscitelli will host a public forum regarding the Grand Avenue Bridge construction improvements. This bridge is an important traffic artery in New Haven that connects the Fair Haven neighborhood to the Fair Haven Heights neighborhood. The bridge will be closed for approximately nineteen months during construction.  

Grand Avenue Bridge Public Forum

Jepson Magnet School

15 Lexington Avenue, New Haven, CT 06513

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

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Governor Lamont Tells Residents State Closely Monitoring for Possible Cases of Coronavirus

No Confirmed Cases in Connecticut; Two Patients Under Investigation Statewide, Both Tested Positive for Influenza Type A

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today said that the State of Connecticut is continuing to closely monitor the outbreak of coronavirus in China after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced several confirmed cases in the United States, none of which are in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) has two persons under investigation for the new coronavirus, one in Middlesex County who is a student at Wesleyan University and the other in New Haven County. The Wesleyan student has tested negative for coronavirus. Both persons have tested positive for influenza type A and the cause of their illness is most likely the flu. As a precaution, both persons remain in isolation. DPH is awaiting final testing results for coronavirus at the CDC for the New Haven County patient. At the present time, testing for this new coronavirus strain is only available at the CDC.

“The state is closely monitoring reported cases and remaining cautious on behalf of the public,” Governor Lamont said. “We want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to provide updated information on these developments to the people of our state. We ask that the public not panic but take possible symptoms seriously and consult a healthcare professional.”

“I want to assure all residents of Connecticut that we are taking this new virus very seriously and have been closely coordinating our response with local health departments and medical providers throughout the state,” DPH Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell said. “So far, we have no confirmed cases of this coronavirus in Connecticut. It is also the height of the flu season, and hundreds of Connecticut residents have already been hospitalized for influenza. I want to make sure everyone takes precautions to keep themselves healthy during this season, and if you experience any symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, fever or others, please contact your doctor and get treated sooner rather than later.”

“I urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to declare a public health emergency so we can ensure that the Center for Disease Control is able to access the additional funding it may need to expedite the development of a vaccine and to prepare to contain any outbreak in our country,” Senator Richard Blumenthal said. “The recent coronavirus strain exploding in China has resulted in many deaths and therefore proactive steps must be taken at the federal and state levels. My office is in constant contact with Connecticut state public health officials and I stand ready to assist state officials to protect the health of Connecticut residents.”

Connecticut is at the height of respiratory virus season. Influenza activity in Connecticut is widespread. A total of 784 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported since the beginning of the 2019-20 season. Seven new influenza-associated deaths were reported last week, resulting in a total of 20 influenza-associated deaths reported since the beginning of the 2019-20 season.

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of the coronavirus may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. No vaccine or specific treatment for the infection is available, however care is supportive. When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, like how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of SARS and MERS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.

Symptoms of the coronavirus may include:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever
• A general feeling of being unwell

The CDC recommends that individuals avoid all nonessential travel to Wuhan, China, but has provided specific for those who are still planning a trip to Wuhan and for individuals who have recently returned from that city and may be experiencing the above symptoms. While there is currently no vaccine for this coronavirus, everyday preventative actions can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to these areas should call ahead to their healthcare provider before presenting for treatment.

The most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) about the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China is available here.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont

influenza Patient from Yale Model UN Negative for Coronavirus

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker released the following statement on the status of the Yale Model UN student tested for caronavirus.

“We have just received information from the State Department of Public Health that the student participating in the Yale Model United Nations program has tested negative for coronavirus after lab testing with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,” stated Mayor Elicker. “As a reminder, this is the flu season, and we all need to take preventative measures to reduce the spread of germs and respiratory virus. Our Health Department will continue to stay in communication with the State Department of Public Health regarding the coronavirus.”

The Elicker Administration will continue to communicate on an ongoing basis to ensure the City is on top of any potential issues related to the coronavirus. Influenza activity in Connecticut is widespread and everyday preventative actions can help stop the spread of respiratory viruses such as the flu and coronavirus, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

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Coronavirus Update with Department of Public Health

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Today New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, City Officials, Yale Health, and Officials from the State Department of Public Health held a conference call to discuss the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) first identified in Wuhan, China and ensure that the City and regional partners are coordinating efforts. The call was in part in response to two cases in Connecticut of individuals with travel history in China being diagnosed with Influenza A (the common flu), including one who participated in Yale’s Model UN in New Haven. As a precautionary measure, the Center for Disease Control is testing samples to ensure that the patients are not infected with coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

The New Haven patient was participating in the annual Yale Model United Nations and exhibited cough and fever and was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, where the student tested positive for Influenza A (the common flu). As a precaution, testing for coronavirus at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been arranged with results expected early this week. The patient, who does not exhibit severe symptoms, has been released from the hospital.

With guidance of the Connecticut State Department of Health, The City of New Haven, City Officials, Yale University, and Yale New Haven Health are working closely to monitor the situation and keep in communication.

“Our team has been communicating on an ongoing basis to ensure we are on top of any potential issue related to the coronavirus. While the two cases in Connecticut are influenza cases we are in the midst of flu season, we want to take all precautions to make absolutely sure they do not also coronavirus so as to ensure the health and safety of all residents,” said Mayor Justin Elicker. “We will communicate any changes to events as we learn about them.”

Officials note that while the immediate threat from 2019-nCOV to the general public is low, Connecticut is at the height of respiratory virus season.  Influenza activity in Connecticut is widespread and that everyday preventative actions can help stop the spread respiratory viruses such as the flu and coronavirus, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Individuals who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern, or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to these areas, should call ahead to their healthcare provider before presenting for treatment. The most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) about the outbreak of a new coronavirus in China is available at:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

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In photography colors and composition are both essential factors. The use of colors is a very important element in photography. Colors and in particular strong colors are important factors as they draw attention. It can be pleasant for the eye looking at colors or combinations of colors even if the image does not have any particular main subject.

Color

Different colors have a different impact on humans and are often related to different moods. Colors and composition is a very commonly used technique among photographers. Warm colors like red are one of the most used colors in photography. Red denotes energy and is also known to increase heart-beats and blood pressure. A red color, even the smallest spot in an image draws attention. This is worth thinking of when composing the image. When shooting a portrait, the use of a red prop with your subject, or even a red piece of clothing, can add an important impact to the image.

The opposite is blue which is one of the cold colors and has a relaxing effect. Blue can slow down the heart-beats and reduce blood pressure.

Complementary colors

Some colors work better together in an image than others. A good way to use colors and composition is to think of complementary colors (the color wheel). The opposite color in the color wheel is the complementary color.

Red is opposite to green, blue is opposite to orange and yellow is opposite to violet. Opposite colors often represent harmony. Think of a green field of grass with a colorful red house placed there, it is comfortable for the eye.

It is not a coincidence sunsets are so popular. The combination of the orange sun on a blue sky is relaxing for the eye, so we tend to like these images. Both two examples are using complementary colors. So when you are looking for new motives, do not forget how complementary colors can be used to create interesting images.

The natures own colors

In outdoor photography, don’t forget the different light during the day when thinking about colors and composition. A good time for photography is the sunrise and sunset as the colors are likely to be beautiful and interesting. Unfortunately, too many photographers can not stand the thought of getting out of the bed at 5-6 in the morning.

Until just a few years back I shot most of my images during midday. Since I learned about the value of the light, I have shot some of my best pictures ever. During sunrise and sunset, you can position yourself so the sun is from the side, With sidelight, you can create interesting textures and forms.

What about black and white?

Sometimes you might want a black and white image. The advantage of digital photography compared to film is you can easily remove colors from a digital image after it is shot. I recommend even if many digital cameras have black and white shooting options in the menu, it is to shoot in color and process the image in an image editor later. Image editors give you better control, and what if you, later on, want the image in color anyhow?

If the colors are discarded in the camera, they are lost forever. Images with strong contrast like black/white, light/dark denote some kind of disharmony and can have a great impact on images. This works a similar way as the use of complementary colors.