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Many people believe that cats are aloof, standoffish creatures that prefer to be left to their own devices. But those of us who share our lives with cats know they blossom when they're given regular, positive interaction with humans. In fact, a cat who has a strong connection with her person is inevitably a happy cat.
A big part of a cat's charm is his quirky behavior. Whether he's "chattering" at birds outside the window, or zooming around the house just before bedtime, your cat likely engages in some mystifying activities. Many of these quirks can be traced to behaviors inherited from his wild feline ancestors.
By Sally Bahner When I pull out the vacuum, Mollie disappears. Fortunately, our house is large enough that she has plenty of "safe" places to hide - often the linen closet upstairs or inside a kitchen cabinet. There's a name for this fear: Zuigerphobia.
As the pandemic rages on into the New Year, our stress levels have reached an all-time high. Some of us are working from home while also juggling household responsibilities and helping kids who are distance learning; while others are feeling the loneliness, boredom, and even depression that arise from being isolated at home with not enough to do.
Cats differ from dogs in many ways, but one thing they have in common is a need for regular exercise. Although our kitties can sometimes appear lazy, and may seem more content to curl up on the sofa than run around and play, they need daily physical activity in order to stay fit and well, and to prevent unhealthy weight gain.
If there's one key take-away from current feline vaccination protocols, it's individualization. Updated in conjunction with the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), the 2020 American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA) protocols reflect feline lifestyles and geographical locations. "This important update provides veterinary practitioners the most current information to tailor vaccine recommendations to their individual patients," says Amy E.
So you're thinking of adding a kitten to your menagerie. The little voice in your head tells you it will make your family complete. Or an orphan shows up on your doorstep with saucer eyes and a fluffy coat, begging for a handout. Introducing the newbie to your existing crew requires patience and caution.
BRANFORD - The coronavirus pandemic has been with us for close to a year now and adaptation has been the name of the game in navigating daily life. Even borrowing books. To say that Branford's James Blackstone Memorial Library has adapted is an understatement.
Wednesday, Oct. 21. It was just another day in Covidland. Got up, made coffee, emptied the dishwasher, fed the cats, and sat down at the laptop. Checked email, then Facebook, as usual. And was greeted with the message, "Your account has been disabled."
A major conundrum of the cat world is the profusion of feral cats. Robin Olson, president of Kitten Associates in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, recently trapped the most beautiful tabby-marked Siamese kitten in her yard. Dubbed Silas Buttonwood, he will be vetted, neutered, fostered, and placed in a loving home.
My mantra over the past few months had been: Stupidity is the real pandemic. With the election results last night, it's never felt more true. As we've been huddled in our homes over the past eight months, tRump was crisscrossing the country leading superspreader events, generating an estimated 30,000 Covid cases and 700 deaths, according to a Stanford University study.
Sleeplessness is a hallmark of life today, We flip and toss, scour social media, watch Netflix or Hulu or Amazon Prime. The coronavirus quarantine has only exacerbated our anxiety. I've never slept that soundly, but I've always been a compulsive reader. A couple of years ago my husband got me a Kindle.
When the recent microburst hit, I was in my home office, still operating on the "tornado watch" mode online from my local TV station. From the other room, my husband started yelling "Get the cats! Tornado warning!" But it's only a watch, I thought. From the north side of the house, however, we were getting pounded.
There's the classic image we all see of a cat curled up, asleep in the sunlight. However, more and more these days, that kitty is a bit on the chubby side. Cats are so popular because they're "easy" to care for; they don't have to be walked or trained like dog and that makes it easy to forget that they do have the bodies of athletes.
Sneezing, a runny nose, and watery itchy eyes. Your doctor says you're allergic to your cat. But don't panic - this doesn't mean you have to find another home for your beloved feline friend. Read on for some lifestyle changes you can make, for yourself and your cat, to help you feel better.
They are all victims of Stockholm Syndrome. According to the online Encyclopedia Brittanica, Stockholm syndrome was coined after the robbery of Sveriges Kreditbank in which one of the victims stated that she trusted her captors, but feared she would die in a police assault.
The 2020 presidential field started out as the most diverse in history in terms of gender, race, and sexual orientation. Six women were among them, four of whom had solid political chops. One by one they dropped out. And we are now left with two white male septuagenarians running for president.
(Sorry, peeps, Blogger is not letting me change the mice type.) In the midst of the conflagration known as tRump's management of the coronavirus, I am among the lucky ones. I work at home as a writer and I'm used to its day-to-day solitary nature. (Just don't take away my internet!)
When you're a cat lover, age is not a factor. Whether you are 20 or 80, the soft fur and reassuring purr bring endless joy. So, if you've had cats your entire life, the prospect of living without them is unthinkable.
Cats may eat litter-and other undesirable materials-for a variety of reasons. This behavior is referred to as pica, the eating of non-food items. Pica has a variety of causes and may stem from a mom abandoning her kittens, which can manifest itself in nursing behavior.
Is it possible to turn a feral or community cat who has always lived outdoors into a household pet? The answer is frequently yes, but it takes a lot of time and patience. Often, these cats have grown up with no to minimal human contact, and/or are afraid of people because of bad experiences with those who don't want them around.
A commercial airing for a brand of cat litter shows a woman walking into her house and making a great "stank" face. Perhaps a bit exaggerated, but who among us hasn't entered a room and sniffed suspiciously?
My cats, Mollie and Tekla, both needed check-ups. Tekla is almost 17 and needed her senior blood panel; Mollie is 10 and had something going on with a top canine. I procrastinated since I was waiting for our tax refund. The refund arrived and so did the coronavirus.
For many of us, being at home is the chance for extra snuggle time with our beloved pets. A walk with the dog is a chance to get a few moments of fresh air beyond the confines of your four walls, and snuggling with a kitty can alleviate some stress.
For many cat owners, redwood would be a good choice when selecting living room furniture. While we all bemoan that rip-rip of claws-on-fabric just as we're dozing off at night, we can't change the fact that nature intended cats to have claws.
Note: I received a Cat Cave bed in exchange for this review. It's not secret that cats love cozy, snug hide-outs and the Cat Cave fits the bill. I opened the package, fluffed out the bed and both Mollie and Sofiya immediately took turns checking it out.
It's the end of 2019 and the political chaos continues. Three years after stealing the election, tRump is still in office. The investigations that began even before he took office are still under way and are producing more evidence of corruption every day.
Our own New Year's resolutions are a dime a dozen - exercise more, lose weight, stop smoking, eat healthier. While our animal friends can care less if it's the old year or new, we can make a few resolutions for them that can go a long way toward insuring their health and safety and enhancing our relationship with them.
If you find yourself browsing the aisles of your local pet store picking up goodies for your favorite fur person's Christmas stocking, you're not alone. According a recent survey a whopping 92 percent of respondents include their pets in holiday celebrations. Accordingly, 73 percent hang a Christmas stocking, and 92 percent give wrapped gifts to and from their pets.
GUILFORD - The Nathanael Greene Community Center was packed for U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy's Town Hall Sunday evening. Murphy, a Democrat, spoke briefly before answering questions from people lined up on either side of the hall, stressing that he is "listening" to what people are saying.
It's no secret that cats are creatures of habit. They rely on their daily routines to feel comfortable and secure. But the festive season bring changes to the household that may be unsettling to your feline friend - including a parade of dinner and house guests.
A commercial shown this time of year, for a hand-held vacuum, I believe, features three Golden Retriever puppies popping out of a box under a Christmas tree. They're wearing red bows and look ever so adorable. Now, erase that image from your mind.
Students of authoritarian regimes suggest keeping a list of abnormal events after a demagogue is elected, as a way to remind yourself that this isn't normal and to keep from being overwhelmed into acceptance by the onslaught of attacks on our rights.
This article first appeared on the FearFree/HappyHomes website. Cats are devoted homebodies. They like their routines and comfy naps in the sun, and if they do go out, it's for a quick trip to the veterinarian's office or maybe a secure outing with leash and harness.
There's nothing like the joy of a living with a new kitten: the wide-eyed wonder, the playful antics, the unabashed energy. We love our older kitties, but every so often, there's the siren call of kittenhood. So how do you integrate a high-energy kitten into a household with a more sedate senior cat (or two)?
Donald tRump has been in office for 1,000 days. No, I refuse to use the honorific with his name because he is the furthest thing from a president the United States has ever had.
If women are not allowed to make decisions concerning their bodies, how the hell will they be elected president? This past week in particular has been a shitstorm for women's right to choose. In particular, Georgia, now known as Gilead, passed a "heartbeat" bill that would ban abortions as early as six weeks.
Given all the cats in shelters, what attracts people to a pedigree cat? All cats are wonderful, but there can be good reasons to purchase a cat of a specific breed, including the desire for a specific size or coat type.
Every time I think about venting about the outrage-du-jour committed by tRump and company, another travesty supplants it. (Yeah, I've written that before.) The concentration camps housing kids in cages with no soap or toothpaste was out there. Then there were the racist attacks against the four Democratic women of color, and add to that Elijah Cummings.
Would you want to eat near your toilet? Or sleep in a drafty hallway? Neither would your cat. Where you locate your kitty's items, from bowls to bedding to litter boxes, can have a profound effect on his happiness and well-being. In a multi-cat family, it can even make or break the harmony in the household.
Every time I want to write about the shitstorm that is our government today, something else happens that buries my original complaint. But this Accountability waiting game is enraging and exhausting. We waited for the first woman president to be elected. To our shock, Hillary Clinton was defeated by Donald tRump.
When you love cats, there comes a time when you feel the siren call, even after a loss. Friends post photos on Facebook. Litters of adorable kittens are born. There's this tugging on your heartstrings. More than two years after losing Celica Blue, I felt that tug.
Maartje sent a short video of Sofiya at the airport - Pawel's flight from Warsaw to Amsterdam was late, so the handoff was quick. Then Pawel messaged me from the plane with a photo that all was well. I spent the afternoon tracking the flight on Flight Tracker.
Cats are often considered to be easier to care for than dogs, and in many respects that's true. But that doesn't mean you can just pick up the kitty and deposit her into your household. A new cat's homecoming should be fun for members of the family and welcoming and stress-free for the kitty.
Cats may eat litter-and other undesirable materials-for a variety of reasons. This behavior is referred to as pica, the eating of non-food items. Pica has a variety of causes and may stem from a mom abandoning her kittens, which can manifest itself in nursing behavior.
Admittedly, I have little ongoing contact with diehard tRump supporters. I pride myself on following some 20 solid news sources and look at the credentials and sources of those presenting information on Facebook. There has been an amazing amount of solid investigative journalism.
Facebook has been the primary battleground these days for political discourse, a polite way of saying that there's been a lot of contentious discussion between tRump haters and tRump supporters. It's had a polarizing effect on many relationships. My disdain for tRump is unmistakable.
by Diana Stricker and Sally Bahner | Nov 7, 2018 12:44 am Branford voters chose two female Democratic candidates over two male Republican candidates in the races for state representative and state senator. Democrat Robin Comey bested Republican Bob Imperato in the race for state representative in Branford's 102nd District.
by Sally Bahner | Nov 7, 2018 3:17 pm Reflecting many races across the country, it was a close match between Democrat Christine Cohen and Republican Adam Greenberg for the 12th District State Senate seat being vacated by Ted Kennedy Jr.
by Sally Bahner, Diana Stricker and Bill O'Brien | Nov 6, 2018 2:56 pm The skies were gray under the threat of rain, but that did not deter the enthusiasm of Branford residents heading to the polls. Polls opened at 6 a.m., but at least the time change provided a bit of daylight.
A video circulated around the internet of a little girl leading her kitten through an agility course in her backyard. The girl's energy and the tails-up, fearless enthusiasm of Suki, the kitten, were endearing. For most of our cats, their best sport is competitive napping.
It's summertime, but the living may not be so easy for our cats. From heatwaves and too much sun exposure, to nasty pests like fleas and ticks, the warm weather months can be unpleasant for kitties. Let's look at some simple ways to ensure your cat stays cool and comfy through the summer.
Stories abound about kittens who are adopted into new homes, then promptly disappear for days at a time, coming out only at night to eat and use the litter box. It doesn't have to be that way. Here's how to improve your chances of bringing home a confident, outgoing kitten who will be comfortable in ...
by Sally E. Bahner | Jul 1, 2018 1:25 pm Rallies and marches are continuing across the country. Since the inauguration of Donald Trump, people across the country have rallied for women's issues, health care, gun control, and now protection of immigrants. Despite the intense heat and humidity over most of the country, people turned out in droves.
by Sally E. Bahner | Feb 28, 2018 8:32 am Spurred by the recent report of a so-called intruder at Branford High School and the recent shootings at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Branford residents turned out at last week's meeting of the Board of Education's Communication Committee (pictured) to request better...
by Sally E. Bahner & Mary Johnson | Mar 26, 2018 8:11 am From the stage, State Rep. Lonnie Reed of Branford took in the huge crowd at Saturday's "March for Our Lives" on the Guilford green. She served as emcee for the event. "It looks like Woodstock," she said.
by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 24, 2018 8:16 am Board of Education (BOE) Chair Michael Krause admitted last week that the BOE failed to monitor the absence of fire and safety drills in the Branford public school system for years. This will now change.
by Sally E. Bahner | Feb 16, 2018 8:28 am Medical marijuana is becoming an increasingly important part of the toolbox for treating chronic pain and cancer. And Branford has been in the forefront of meeting that need.
by Sally E. Bahner | Jan 24, 2018 9:32 am Whatever you care about, whatever your priorities are, there was a place for you at any of the hundreds of Women's Marches across the state... and across the country.
As a journalist, I am becoming more and more enraged at the Fake Media accusations by an individual who has told more than 6,000 lies and disparages anyone who does not bend to kiss his ring. My experience is small potatoes compared to those being targeted.
Urinating outside the litterbox is a fairly common issue in cats, so it gets the most attention. We don't hear as much about cats that defecate outside the box, yet it does happen. In order to solve the problem (called "middening", according to the American Association of Feline Practitioners), we first need to understand that defecating outside the litterbox doesn't have the same causes as inappropriate urination.
On Dec. 22, 2016, exactly six months after she was diagnosed, Celica Blue lost her battle with lymphoma. It's taken me more than two months to finish her story. She was the love of my life and brought the most incredible amount of joy in the two short years she was with us.
As it turns out, there's been a collective WTF? momentum that has only been increasing since the election. Every time I thought about writing a new post, another news report, Tweet, gaffe, appointment, executive order, or act on the part of Congress has put the sane among us into a tailspin of incredulity.
by Sally E. Bahner | Feb 10, 2017 7:12 am After a relatively mild season that included temperatures in the 50s, winter woke up like a bear from hibernation. A New England classic, Storm Niko dumped around a foot of blowing snow at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour during its height, 11 a.m.
by Sally E. Bahner & Marcia Chambers | Jan 26, 2017 8:30 am Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez reported at last week's Board of Education meeting that he and First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove had met with state Reps. Lonnie Reed and Sean Scanlon and state Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr.
by Sally E. Bahner | Feb 24, 2017 8:59 am It was a quiet morning at the Saltonstall colony, home to 10 or 12 community cats. One small brownish-gray feline was sunning herself in the large open area between the tidy semi-circle of huts and the brush-filled "playscape."
by Sally E. Bahner | Jan 22, 2017 12:06 pm They were sitting in their cars in the commuter lot at Cherry Hill Road in Branford in what for many would be the middle of the night. It was chilly and a light rain was falling.
by Sally E. Bahner | Jan 18, 2017 11:45 am "Women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights," said Congressional Rep Rosa DeLauro, pictured, (D-3rd District) Tuesday at Kick-Off Rally in New Haven for Saturday's Women's March on Washington.
by Sally E. Bahner | Jan 12, 2017 7:00 am It's safe to say that there has never been an election with the impact of the one that took place in November. Sentiments are still running high in the days leading up to the inauguration of Donald Trump.
After a pretty good honeymoon period, we've hit a bump in the road. Celica Blue was due for her sixth chemo treatment in this round, Doxorubicin, this week. I noticed earlier in the week that she was drinking water, just three times over two days or so, but it was unlike her; she never drinks...
by Sally E. Bahner | Dec 29, 2016 8:37 am Although the Branford Alps Farmers Market is pulling up its stakes after two seasons, market manager Martha Maguire says she is not leaving the local fresh food movement. Maguire hopes that someone else acceptable to the town will take over the market.
by Sally E. Bahner | Dec 9, 2016 8:14 am Pundits and concerned citizens alike are trying to understand how Donald Trump won the presidential election when almost all barometers pointed toward a Hillary Clinton win. The fact that the popular vote in favor of Clinton has reached 2.5 million despite Trump winning the Electoral College, 306 votes to 232, is concerning to many.
by Sally E. Bahner | Nov 23, 2016 8:00 am It's no secret that Branford is a diverse community, economically and socially. How the new Trump administration's policies will play out among the town's immigrants - some here legally, some not - remains to be seen.
How could we go from having a Harvard-educated, intelligent, eloquent president to the prospect of one who is a racist, misogynist, anti-Semitic, bullying clown - and in between casting off a Yale-educated diplomat who has a record for fighting for women and children? And what can we do about it?
We've been shuttling back and forth to Central Hospital a couple of times a month since June 20 when a late-night emergency visit led to Celica Blue's lymphoma diagnosis. We've got it down to a science. Well, it's science that's saving her life right now.We check in at the front desk and wait for a...
by Sally E. Bahner | Oct 31, 2016 6:49 am When Rob Morris saw a 5-year-old year girl in a red dress in a Southeast Asian brothel with other girls in red dresses, he knew he had to act. A number - 146 - was pinned to her shirt and, he said, he saw defiance in her eyes.
by Sally E. Bahner | Oct 29, 2016 8:09 am Citing its asset to the town and beyond, state and local officials snipped the bright blue ribbon and declared the newly expanded Branford Train Station officially open. However, not surprisingly, the station will not be fully operational until Saturday, Nov.
Since my original post back in November, the number of cat-themed coloring books has soared. The more I color, the more I love to color and the more I learn about the different mediums - blending, shading, and mixing them, and how they appear on different kinds of paper.
by Sally E. Bahner | Oct 18, 2016 6:59 am The Branford Board of Education has approved a third revision of education specifications for the $88.2 million Walsh Intermediate School renovation, which included a net reduction of 6,000 square feet. Now the latest revisions head to Hartford.
Going into the sixth round of chemo - the latest on Aug. 31 - Celica Blue continues to be the perfect cat. She's the darling of the oncology department at Central Hospital with everyone ooohing and ahhing over her as she's being examined and treated. In fact, her oncology team - Dr. Olmsted, Tara, and...
I was already majorly stressed out. A boatload of work, including a project I really didn't want to accept. Summer heat and a lack of sleep. A newly retired husband underfoot. An ill kitty running up big-time vet bills. Then my Internet and phone went out.
by Sally E. Bahner | Sep 2, 2016 7:00 am Department of Transportation (DOT) officials fielded numerous questions this week as they tried to answer for the multitude of delays in the opening of the northbound side of the Branford Train Station.
by Sally E. Bahner | Aug 26, 2016 7:08 am For parents and kids, school preparations are underway for the opening of Branford's public schools on Monday. New backpacks, sneakers, and notebooks are on the list. All are material items. But what about the emotional preparation you will need if your kid gets bullied?
by Sally E. Bahner | Aug 15, 2016 8:00 am Adrienne Serra, an advocate for Orit Avizov, whose son was attacked last winter by Walsh Intermediate School students allegedly yelling "Kill the Jew," has been corresponding with state and federal agencies for months to seek a resolution to the bullying episode.
by Sally E. Bahner | Aug 10, 2016 3:07 pm "Kill the Jew!" So one member of a crowd allegedly yelled while attacking a Jewish student earlier this year at Walsh Intermediate School. That incident ended up in an official medical report that the school is required to keep by law.
Celica Blue had her fourth chemo treatment this week. This time it was back to Vincristine, which was the first in the "CHOP" protocol. Her white blood cell count had been a bit low, so we postponed the chemo for a few days to allow it to rise, which it did.
by Sally E. Bahner | Jul 18, 2016 10:07 am The delay in completion of a two-way Branford Train Station, now five years or two years beyond deadline depending on how you count, continues. And Department of Transportation Chief Inspector Mark Fullerton is not happy.
Is it possible that a cat with a normal appetite and energy level, and blood work all in normal values is sick? Celica Blue has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a common, but nasty blood cancer, but the only time she showed signs of illness were the symptoms - a single vomiting episode, lethargy, and abdominal...
by Sally E. Bahner | Jul 13, 2016 7:32 am There's been a rash of bear sightings throughout Branford over the past several days. Up until this week, the sightings were sporadic, but since the end of last week, bears have been sighted along Alps Road/Burban Drive/RobyCourt/Florence Road (Saturday morning), Palmer Wood Circle and in the vicinity of Fire Headquarters, Lake Saltonsall, and Mill Plain/Short Rocks Roads.
Two weeks ago today we discovered Celica Blue has lymphoma, a disease totally unexpected in such a young cat. Since then, living with the disease has become the new normal. Except for the initial symptoms that sent us running to the 24-hour ER hospital, she's been amazingly normal.
This is the hardest post I've had to write. Celica Blue, the love of my life, has been diagnosed with lymphoma. It started Monday, June 20, when she threw up her breakfast. She was rather lethargic during the day, then she experienced pain when her tummy was palpated, and refused dinner.
by Sally E. Bahner | Jun 25, 2016 7:00 am Everyone loves the Branford Historical Society's strawberry shortcake at the Branford Festival, and it's a big fundraiser for the Branford Historical Society. However, it took more than proceeds from strawberry shortcake to finalize the purchase of the Harrison House.
by Sally E. Bahner | May 28, 2016 12:04 pm It wasn't unexpected, but Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed the bill increasing access to opioid-reversal drugs on Friday.
by Sally E. Bahner | May 25, 2016 7:13 am Department of Transportation officials are counting down the weeks to the completion of the Branford Train Station redo, a project that has been in the works since May 2013 and when finished will provide two-way train travel.
by Sally E. Bahner | May 20, 2016 7:10 am The Board of Education (BOE) Wednesday night faced a barrage of emotional comments and criticism from Walsh Intermediate School parents whose children have been the victims of bullying, allegedly by a seventh grade "Project Choice" student.
by Sally E. Bahner | May 16, 2016 7:00 am It's not too often a top town official sits down with the locals to field questions about the state of the town. But that's what Branford's First Selectman, Jamie Cosgrove, did two weeks ago at a morning event sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
by Sally E. Bahner | May 10, 2016 7:00 am Ospreys have taken up residency for the third year atop a power pole along a busy thoroughfare in town, returning from their winter digs in Central or South America.
BRANFORD >> I was a cub reporter at the Branford Review in the early 1970s during Dan Cosgrove's heyday. It was my first real job out of college and first exposure to town politics. Those were the days of smoke-filled offices and town meetings.
by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 27, 2016 1:40 pm Democrat Bernie Sanders may have lost Connecticut to Hillary Clinton, but he won in Branford yesterday, possibly fueled by a high turnout of young voters, and a high turnout in general, averaging around 50 percent across the seven election districts.
by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 16, 2016 7:15 am With stories personal and political, witty and charming, Danny Cosgrove was remembered yesterday for his style and grace and doing things his way. He died earlier this week at the age of 98.
by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 14, 2016 7:01 am Branford resident Michelle Sember described the struggles of her oldest son, 22-year-old RJ, who went from a high school football player with good grades to a full-blown heroin addict after experimenting with pot, alcohol, and pills.
by Sally E. Bahner | Mar 29, 2016 11:42 am Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author Posted to: Schools, Town Hall The Public Building Commission heard presentations for the four architectural/engineering firms selected as finalists for the Walsh Middle School renovation project. And Antinozzi Associates of Bridgeport won.
Just one year ago in a land far away, two Russian Blue kittens were born. Little did their mom (human and feline) know that one of them would travel 5,000 miles to live in her new home. Meanwhile, halfway across the world, a woman in the US was looking at Facebook posts.
by Sally E. Bahner | Aug 7, 2015 11:13 am It was a homecoming that any hero would take pride in. PATH (Port Authority Trans Hudson) Car 745 survived the devastation of Sept. 11, 2001, protected by a cast iron shell, and will take its place among the antique trolleys and cars of the Shore Line Trolley Museum.
by Sally E. Bahner | Mar 15, 2016 8:00 am Gracie, a petite and feisty brown tabby, moved to Branford Compassion Club's (BCC) new shelter when it opened five years ago. She has seen almost 1,100 of her fellow cats and kittens adopted, but she is still there, looking for a forever home.
by Sally E. Bahner | Feb 29, 2016 9:45 am There's the belief that Branford's streets are paved with gold, but nothing could be further from the truth. Teachers and board members of the Branford Early Learning Center (BELC) presented some grim statistics to state legislators at a recent meet and greet.
by Sally E. Bahner | Aug 5, 2015 8:52 am According to the American Community Survey, conducted between 2007 and 2011 as a supplement to the US Census, there are approximately 55,000 centenarians. As of July 21, Erskine Crossley, world renowned mechanical engineer and Branford volunteer extraordinare, joined those ranks.
Kohl's must be apopleptic. Right in the middle of its Black Friday prequel, the power went out at the local shopping center. I can hear the collective gasp of the cash registers. The turkey has yet to be served and retailers are already trotting out their big guns in anticipation of yet another frenzied holiday season.
by Sally E. Bahner | Feb 16, 2016 9:15 am The Public Building Commission took a step forward last week in the $88.2M Walsh Intermediate School redo by narrowing the field for an owner's representative.
by Sally E. Bahner | May 5, 2015 8:09 am There was a line waiting when the doors of Branford Compassion Club opened on Saturday morning. On Thursday, 10 kittens had been found in front of a donation bin at Lowe's on Foxon Road in New Haven in a carton that previously held a child's toy.
by Sally E. Bahner | Feb 10, 2016 8:12 am Ahead of the recent snowstorms, while we were busy running to the grocery store for milk and bread, filling our gas tanks, and checking the snowblower, a small army of volunteers was hard at work.
by Sally E. Bahner | Feb 1, 2016 8:15 am Pundits indicate that we're now in a post-Recession economy. Unemployment in the town is down to 4.3 percent as of November 2015. This all looks pretty good in contrast to the high unemployment rate and economic uncertainty of the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009.
by Sally E. Bahner | Jul 20, 2015 8:00 am Since stepping down as Branford's first selectman in 2013, Anthony "Unk" DaRos has not been sitting idle. He has been working on several projects. One dear to his heart centers on the Stony Creek Quarry and its history, in particular the monument at West Point Academy, which is made of granite from the Quarry.
My husband and I often joke that we bought our house for the cats. It has lots of sun-filled bay and picture windows with unencumbered views of the yards. These windows are always open during the summer so our cats can get as close to being outside as possible.
This post is part of our "Journey to Raw" series, published every Wednesday, and describes how longtime journalist and cat expert Sally E. Bahner's research led her to the discovery that processed pet foods really can't compare to fresh, whole foods.
It goes without saying that many of us believe that cats are the best. But to kick it up a notch? Add coloring. The adult coloring phenomenon has been sweeping the world. No topic is off limits for markers, pencils, gel pens, and crayons. Mandalas (the original inspiration), geometric designs, scenes from nature, and architecture...
For a long time, I had a secret: I loved to color. A friend turned me on to adult coloring books at least 10 years ago. She gave me a book and some markers and I rediscovered the joy of choosing colors and filling in sections of designs, large and small, simple and intricate.
The mantra today is that cats should be kept indoors, although letting them wander through the garden is common practice in England and Europe. There's something pleasant about watching a cat stroll through grass, sniffing the fresh air and enjoying the sunshine. It seems so natural, and many cats love exploring the great outdoors if given the chance.
by Sally E. Bahner | Aug 30, 2015 9:21 am It's achieved cult-like status around the world. In terms of stress relief, it's on par with yoga and meditation. It offers child-like satisfaction, but don't you dare tell enthusiasts that they're reverting to their childhood.
by Sally E. Bahner | Nov 11, 2015 9:31 am The Branford Alps Farmers Market recently closed up their tent after their first successful season of selling local produce, baked goods and various delicacies to townspeople.
by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 14, 2015 12:56 pm The recent public hearing on the proposed Costco development was reminiscent of the hearing held for a proposed supermall at the same location off Exit 56 on June 26, 1979.
by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 9, 2015 9:21 am There are few people in town - of a certain age - who have escaped the camera of Earl Colter. During the summer between their junior and senior years, students from Branford, and Guilford as well, fussed over frizzy hair, ties and jackets, and sat for his camera.
by Marcia Chambers & Sally E. Bahner | Oct 21, 2015 9:50 am Father Kevin Donovan, a firefighter's chaplain, knew this sermon was going to be different. He also knew he was at St.
By Sally Bahner A new study from the Shullman Research Center, which typically reports on spending habits of the affluent, may help agents with marketing travel by matching clients with domestic and international destinations based on their age group. Or at least point them in the right direction when they come to you for recommendations.
Early this summer when my bosses announced their retirement and intention to scale back their business, I had mixed feelings. My chronic Bag Lady Fear about finances immediately kicked in. I have never felt secure about finances. Any time I've been laid off during my 40-plus year career, panic had set in.
by Sally Bahner Ever since President Barack Obama announced the thawing of travel restrictions to Cuba in January, the travel industry has been abuzz about the possibilities. For many people, the most exciting news is that those much-lusted-after Cuban cigars are now legal. But what about travel to Cuba?
Most of us make a few New Year's resolutions - exercise more, lose weight, improve our eating habits. While our cats couldn't care less if it's a new year or not, we can also make a few resolutions for them, to help ensure their health and safety and enhance our relationship with them.
by Sally E. Bahner | Dec 31, 2013 11:00 am A former Branford resident posted a simple query about a tragic, horrific event that took place in his childhood home (pictured) more than 50 years ago. He wanted to know what happened. His curiosity prompted close to 450 comments; finally, he had some answers.
There's a lot of news in the wonderful world of felines, much of it confirming my philosophy that less is more. The choices faced by pet caregivers go far beyond which food to feed and the annual checkup with its obligatory "shots." Diabetes in cats Two new articles on diabetes in cats confirm a single...
by Sally E. Bahner | Feb 24, 2015 8:50 am Temperatures are in the cellar. The snowstorms are serial. Most of us are worried about getting to work and getting around. But there's a whole other group of people with another set of worries: the dedicated group of volunteers who care for the colonies of community (feral) cats between Guilford and East Haven.
Rally Highlights Economic Inequality by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 15, 2014 11:39 am Approximately 20 Branford residents rallied in front of Burger King last week as part of a statewide effort to bring attention to poverty within the state, highlight growing inequality and demand an economy that works for everyone.
by Sally E. Bahner | Dec 2, 2014 8:39 am Second of two parts. Lighting up an e-cigarette in a Branford restaurant is a work in progress. Since no laws have been passed regarding the use of e-cigarettes in public places, it's uncharted territory for them, except for the fact that teens under 18 are prohibited from buying or smoking e-cigarettes.
Note: From time to time I receive swell products to review and report my observations (and those of the felines) objectively. I received no compensation for evaluating The Vertical Cat's scratcher. The Vertical Cat is one of the first companies to create a gold standard for catification success.
by Sally E. Bahner | Sep 30, 2014 9:05 am While most residents were getting ready for bed last Tuesday night, some heavy lifting was taking place at the Branford train station. For the past few weeks, the area in front of the station has looked like someone was playing with an erector set.
by Sally E. Bahner | Oct 14, 2015 8:42 am When I was a kid in Branford in the late '50s and early '60s, we kept a chart on the inside of a cupboard door that listed the fire whistles for various neighborhoods of Branford.
I've had a love affair with Russian Blue cats since 1987, when I got my very first kitten. Seven Russian Blues later and fueled by an amazing international Russian Blue Facebook community, I again felt the kitten siren call. I tried to ignore it, reasoning that there are so many cats in my own backyard...
Yuri loved Kira from the moment he first laid eyes on her. Then Kira was diagnosed with FIP and the decision had to be made to euthanize her. The two cats were snuggling together just before that final trip to the veterinarian. But after Kira was gone, Yuri showed no real signs of missing her.
by Sally E. Bahner | Nov 26, 2015 6:42 am Eva Vidow may not have been on the list of 50 people who worked at MIF - formally known as Malleable Iron Fittings - for more than 50 years, but she had the proof with her.
If you're like many of us, Saturday nights are spent with Jackson Galaxy as he works his magic with problematic cats. In his annals of cat behavior, our own tiny tigers look like cream puffs. Several episodes into the fifth season of Animal Planet's "My Cat From Hell," we caught up with him.
by Sally E. Bahner | Oct 27, 2014 9:54 am "They're like my children." For 30 years, town historian Jane Peterson Bouley (pictured) collected information on the Branford area men who served in the Civil War.
by Sally E. Bahner | Sep 17, 2014 2:29 pm Branford Rotary Club's First Annual Classic Car Show on Sunday drew about 130 auto aficionados, who put their spit and polished vehicles on display at Van Wilgen's Garden Center in North Branford. A couple hundred admirers strolled among the rows, no doubt reminiscing about vehicles of their youth.
by Sally Bahner on Wednesday, December 18th, 2013 | No Comments The blogosphere is atwitter over a live webcast taking place on Jan. 23, 10:30 a.m., to announce details of the new Wizarding World Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. The anticipated opening for new Harry Potter-themed land is summer 2014.
Cyberspace is agog about the article in Time magazine this week about child-free couples. Not so much here. Not having children is a decision I made 40 years ago during my time of prime fertility. It didn't come after failed attempts to get pregnant or late marriage. I knew I could get pregnant.
Mollie needed a dental and I finally made the appointment. My cats are minimally vaccinated and my vets have respected my wishes. However, I was told that she needed a rabies vaccine due to the fact that "saliva and fluids" were involved. I asked to double-check with the vet who has seen her most frequently...
By Sally Bahner Food glorious food! The magic of Walt Disney World is eclipsed only by the vast array of treats and savory entrees available. Disney dining offers something for everyone, especially those with a sweet tooth. So we asked The Intrepid Traveler's team of Disney guidebook authors to share their favorite Disney treats and snacks.
by Sally E. Bahner | Nov 12, 2013 9:57 pm We've visited the feral colony near Lake Saltonstall from time to time over the past few years. It seems fitting that we check in with them as the cold weather sets in. Here is the scene when Hurricane Irene hit in 2011.
by Sally E. Bahner | Jun 4, 2014 11:47 am A disgruntled tenant has led to the relocation of a colony of feral cats in the Lake Saltonstall area of Branford. As we've reported before, the colony of feral cats adjacent to a commercial complex has been cared for by members of the Branford Compassion Club (BCC) for more than four years.
by Sally E. Bahner | Oct 18, 2013 7:15 am Did you hear the collective cheer on Thursday as all the lanes on Route 1 in the vicinity of the new Amtrak Bridge were finally opened?
We arrived at the airport in plenty of time. The board noted that the plane was on schedule and going through the normal de-planing process. We cruised the food court and got something to eat - I ate a half a wrap, ham with Swiss cheese.
Few things are more frustrating than a cat that won't use the litter box. If you're in this quandry with your own feline, you've got plenty of company. Veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker says litter box issues are the biggest concern among cat lovers, and the main reason felines are surrendered to shelters.
by Sally E. Bahner | Jan 21, 2014 8:27 am One of the best things about living by the shore and waterways is the easy access to its wildlife. Who hasn't tossed some leftover bread to ducks and geese swimming along the rivers and ponds and been thrilled with their excited response?
by Sally E. Bahner | Dec 1, 2014 11:12 am After smoking cigarettes for 40 years, Ginger Booth stopped this year. But she didn't do it cold turkey. For the past five years she'd also been vaping, which is the term for smoking e-cigarettes, and now she's written a book about her experiences with them.
by Sally E. Bahner & Mary Johnson | Jan 28, 2013 8:13 am The process for removing the original beams under the old Amtrak railroad bridge was trickier than expected, but on the second try they finally came down. With that move, the two new railroad bridges, higher than the one old one, took stage center.
by Sally E. Bahner | May 18, 2014 10:09 pm It was a magical night, one that paid tribute to people and causes near and dear to many hearts.
by Sally E. Bahner | Oct 4, 2013 7:39 am Unk DaRos is described by Blackstone librarian Karen Jensen as a Renaissance man - an inventor, stonemason, firefighter, Eagle Scout, and wood carver. And, yes, Branford's first selectman.
by Sally E. Bahner | Oct 10, 2012 10:52 am Steeped in history, the Stony Creek Quarry is experiencing a renaissance, an artistic renaissance. While it is still a working quarry, with 50 of its 400 acres owned by the town of Branford and leased to Douglas Anderson since 2006, it has also been a venue for the arts since 1995.
by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 19, 2014 3:50 pm Once again the Blackstone Library packed them in. This time it was for a talk last month by artist, writer and naturalist David Sibley, whose second edition of The Sibley Guide to Birds has just been published.
That's the number of people expected to stuff their faces with junk food and watch grown men slam heads and bodies together in the name of sport. It matters not that the chronic concussions experienced by football players may lead to early dementia and personality disorders.
by Sally E. Bahner | Jul 29, 2013 9:22 am The Amtrak/J.F. White team closed traffic and pulled all-nighters at the Branford Amtrak Bridge on the weekends of July 13 and July 27 to move two major beams over West Main Street into permanent positions.
Guest post by Sally Bahner It's an all-too-common scenario. A cat lover meets the man of her dreams. But he's allergic to her kitty. A choice must be made between the two, and often the cat ends up losing his home. It doesn't have to be like that.
by Sally E. Bahner | Mar 24, 2014 6:42 am Despite the uptick in the stock market, Branford residents - and Connecticut residents in general - are still struggling with effects of the Great Recession.
His magical touch with ferocious felines in his television series, "My Cat From Hell," and the candidness found in his book "Cat Daddy" have endeared Jackson Galaxy to cat lovers everywhere. On Saturday night, cat lovers around the country will turn off their phone, grab a glass of wine, snuggle up with their favorite feline,...
by Sally E. Bahner | Nov 25, 2013 6:44 am When you talk to Alex Palluzzi Jr., (pictured) you can almost see the ghost of his mentor, Joe Trapasso, looking over his shoulder. Alex and Joe have been the only two directors in 50 years of the Branford Community House's history.
by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 4, 2013 8:24 am What did Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Mark Twain, Orson Wells, and Sinclair Lewis have in common? They all considered Branford home for a period of time during the early part of the 20th century.
Is it really all about the view? When you've got a unique and prime piece of waterfront property, the immediate reaction is to place the building as close to the water's edge as possible. But on West Lane, in Guilford, this family, Dr. Michael Dewar, wife Atty.
by Sally E. Bahner | Apr 10, 2012 4:40 am If you've noticed an uptick in activity in the Amtrak Bridge area - including lots of extra whistle-blowing - that's because two crucial parts of the job are taking place. As of last Thursday, railroad track 1 was shifted to a new portion of the bridge.
I admit it. I'm a procrastinator. But I also have issues with money and was burned by the Recession. There was a load of household expenses and car repairs, adding to recuperation from bouts of unemployment. So when I kept reading about cat owners being less likely to take their cats for regular check-ups, I...
by Sally E. Bahner | Sep 9, 2013 10:10 am Jeff Bailey describes himself as "Oz behind the curtain." Peel back the curtain and we find a readily accessible treasure trove of Branford history. Before the Branford Eagle, the Branford Review, the Sound and the Patch, there was, more than a century ago, the Branford Opinion, a print newspaper.
I was asked to speak at "Cats in the Castle" a wine-tasting benefit for Catales (Connecticut Association to Assure Love & End Suffering). Thank you for having me here tonight. It's a privilege to talk about my favorite subject. My passion is cats. It's a passion that most of us here tonight share.
Sally Bahner on April 13, 2011 Thanks to Cat Writers' Association colleague and Conscious Cat host Ingrid King, my cats have been indoctrinated into the muffin tin game. Ingrid picked up the idea from Liz Palika, another CWA member, who has used it for her dogs.
I recently came across an article in a Canadian newspaper about Neal and Jo-Anne Cropper, a couple who opened a store, Growlies, which sells raw food for dogs and cats. They've been in business for four years and started their venture in response to the pet food recall of 2007.