Madison News Roundup

A family court judge declined to jail Jeffrey Hamburg on Friday for failing to pay $52,000 he owes to the estate of his wife, Barbara Hamburg, who was found murdered in Madison on March 3.

The New Haven Register reports that an attorney for the estate had asked that Hamburg, 61, be put behind bars for willful noncompliance until he pays $25,000 toward the debt. The attorney, Richard Callahan, said the court could infer that Hamburg had hidden money available to him, because he has received several thousand dollars from his sister and business associates in the Middle East.

The Register previously reported that a source has said that Barbara Hamburg told police six years ago that Jeffrey Hamburg acquired at least $100 million in an international money-laundering scheme.

Police have not characterized Jeffrey Hamburg as a suspect in the murder of his wife, but his attorney, Hugh Keefe has. Jeffrey Hamburg has supplied DNA samples to authorities, according to Keefe.

On Friday Judge Abery-Wetstone ruled that Callahan had not proven that Hamburg gave a stash of money to his sister, and said there was no case law that allowed her to hold him in contempt because his sister did not give him money to pay his debt. She ordered Jeffrey Hamburg to appear in court each month with proof that he has applied for at least five loans, and to reapply for a $600,000 life insurance policy he has been required to hold.

There’s a lot going on in Madison this weekend (particularly on Saturday) and that means you should probably leave some extra time for getting from point A to point B — and you might want to try some creative routes.

FRIDAY:

• Free Wine Tasting, noon-7:30 p.m., the Madison Wine Shop, 734 Boston Post Road: Wine tastings geared to educate over time, by providing an opportunity to sample and discuss a wide variety of wines, mostly outside of the mainstream, mostly affordable, and sometimes not. It’s free, informal, informative, face-to-face with Rick Lewis and your fellow participants, and its fun.
• Tidewater Inn Wine Dinner, 6:30 p.m. the Tidewater Inn, 949 Boston Post Road, Madison: It may be too late if you haven’t already reserved a spot (although last we heard there were two seats and a guest room still available), but it sounds like fun: The Madison Wine Shop will be joining forces with the Madison Cheese, Etc., Tiberio’s of Old Saybrook, and The Tidewater Inn for an all-Italian Wine and Cuisine event.  There will be a six-course dinner with wines paired perfectly. More information here.
• Author Tony Williams, 7 p.m., RJ Julia: A little-known episode of Colonial American history comes alive in Tony Williams’s fascinating new book, The Pox and the Covenant. Join us as he presents the story of an early smallpox epidemic, and a battle between faith and science. This event is co-presented by the Madison Historical Society. Tickets for this event are $5.00, which may be used toward the purchase of the book.
• High School Dance, 7-10:30 p.m., Madison Arts Barn, 8 Campus Drive, Madison: There will be a high school dance (grades 9-12 only) at the Madison Arts Barn this Friday, April 23rd from 7-10:30 p.m. with a D.J. Tickets are $10 at the door.

SATURDAY:

• Green Up Clean Up Day,  8 a.m., Memorial Town Hall, Madison: Join the Madison Land Conservation Trust on as they clean up trash on and near Land Trust properties and trails.  They will meet by the Old Town Hall at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 24th, pick up trash bags and car pool to the sites. If you have any questions, please call Terry Kensler at 421-5708 or Barry Haigis at 245-4963.
• Birdwalk at Hammonasset State Park, 8-10:30 a.m., Hammonasset Beach State Park: See returning songbirds, shorebirds, waders, and birds of prey. Meet at Audubon Shop at 7:50 am. Binocular rentals available. Dress for weather. Beginners welcome. $4
• Overeaters Anonymous Open Meeting, 9 a.m., Memorial Hall – Route 1 on the Green Madison Center: Overeaters Anonymous Open Meeting Saturdays at the Memorial Hall, Route 1 on the Green, Madison 1-800-824-8650 www.oa.org.
• Community Shredding Day, 9 a.m.-noon, 12 School Street, Madison (near Memorial Town Hall): The Madison Chamber is sponsoring a Community Shredding Day on Green Up Clean Up Day, from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 24. The event will take place in front of the Madison Chamber of Commerce office, 12 School Street, Madison (near Memorial Town Hall).  The cost is $5 per box (half the regular price). Box size = approximately the size of case of office paper. Cash or check only. This event is open to all.
• RJ Julia Used Book Buyback Days, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., RJ Julia: With all the novels coming out this fall, it’s time to thin out those piles of books by your bedside and on your coffee table, so RJ Julia has scheduled another used book buyback for this weekend. It’s simple to sell your books for store credit; get details here: http://www.onlinebookbuy.com/sys/obb/partner/home.cgi?id=31985
• Pre-School Informational Fair, 10:30 a.m., Scranton Memorial Library: 8 Madison Early Childhood programs will be represented with a staff member available to answer any questions. Children are welcomed to come. Entertainment will be provided by Playtivity, a husband and wife musical duo. Move and groove to the rhythms from many lands. Play fun musical games, sing, dance and participate in a lively story. Crag and Virginia bring enough drums, rattles, tambourines, wood knockers and shakers for everyone to play.
• Little League Opening Day Parade and Ceremony, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Stop & Shop to Jaycee Field: Teams will meet at Stop & Shop parking lot for at 10:30 for an 11 am parade.  They will march down Main Street to Jaycee Field where they will have a brief Opening Day Ceremony.   There will be food, music, and fun for all families.
• Free Wine Tasting, noon-7:30 p.m., the Madison Wine Shop, 734 Boston Post Road: Wine tastings geared to educate over time, by providing an opportunity to sample and discuss a wide variety of wines, mostly outside of the mainstream, mostly affordable, and sometimes not. It’s free, informal, informative, face-to-face with Rick Lewis and your fellow participants, and its fun.
• Millennium March walk-a-thon,  noon, starts at the Madison Green: The 3-mile loop is marked by eight stations, one for each of the eight Millennium Development Goals. Walkers are encouraged to have at least $20 in sponsors, with a competition for team and individual sponsor leaders. Part of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Global Awareness Day of Events.
• Mark Sherer from Jonathan Edwards Winery, 1-4 p.m., Madison Cheese Etc., Madison Center Shopping Plaza: Meet Mark Sherer from Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington, CT at Madison Cheese, Etc. for a wine and cheese event. Sample local wines and fantastic cheeses. Come taste the newest vintages and some all time firsts for the winery, along with a terrific selection of Artisan cheeses such as Fontina D’Aosta, Langa Dosina, and Taleggio.
• Global Awareness Bazaar, 2 p.m.–5 p.m., St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Madison: The event will display information booths and sale of fair-trade crafts from non-profit organizations dedicated to helping the needy in third-world countries. Part of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Global Awareness Day of Events.
• U2Charist, 5 p.m., St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Madison: The event will feature live music from U2’s catalog. This exciting service will be followed by a dinner in the parish hall. Part of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Global Awareness Day of Events.

SUNDAY:

• RJ Julia Used Book Buyback Days, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., RJ Julia: With all the novels coming out this fall, it’s time to thin out those piles of books by your bedside and on your coffee table, so RJ Julia has scheduled another used book buyback for this weekend. It’s simple to sell your books for store credit; get details here: http://www.onlinebookbuy.com/sys/obb/partner/home.cgi?id=31985

Photo from Madison 911 on Twitpic

Local emergency services paid tribute Wednesday to fallen firefighter/EMT Robert Komola with a procession from Swan’s Funeral Home to St. Margaret’s RC Church. Komola, 49, died Thursday morning when his car traveled off the shoulder of the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 between exits 61 and 60 and struck a tree. Photo is courtesy of Madison 911 on Twitpic. View the full-sized image here.

The Madison Chamber is sponsoring a Community Shredding Day on Green Up Clean Up Day, from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 24. The event will take place in front of the Madison Chamber of Commerce office, 12 School Street, Madison (near Memorial Town Hall).

Get rid of documents and paperwork, and make your home or office cleaner and greener — and avoid burning out the motor on your own shredder! On-site document destruction will be carried out by The Shredding Source. The cost is $5 per box (half the regular price). Box size = approximately the size of case of office paper. Cash or check only.

This is open to all — you do not have to be a Chamber member to participate. Tell your friends and neighbors!

The fourth annual Daniel Hand High School College Fair will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22 in the Dining and Assembly Hall and Gym. More information is available at the DHHS Guidance page, including this list of colleges that will be represented.

A large funeral procession will affect traffic and parking in downtown Madison from 10:30-11 a.m. Wednesday April 21. This is to accommodate a large funeral procession leaving Swan’s Funeral Home traveling to St. Margaret’s RC Church on Academy Street. Police say that residents, motorists, and business owners should expect delays and detours during the funeral procession.

Donation Cards - During April, Robert’s Food Center will collect donations for Nite in Hand at the checkout lines.

May 6, 5-8 pm — Merchants of Madison Benefit for Nite In Hand - A wonderful way to support local merchants and help keep graduating seniors safe!   10 percent of all proceeds will go to Nite In Hand. Participating stores include BellaPerlina, Jolie Boutique, Maggie’s of Madison, Anna Mia’s, Susan Powell Fine Art, Walker Loden, France Ameriques, The Country Shop, Given, Silver Moon, Ciao Bella, The Nosey Goose, and Peter Indorf Jewelers.

Jo Malone Fragrance Raffle - BellaPerlina (673 Boston Post Road, Madison) is raffling off a collection of twelve Jo Malone fragrances in a stunning black leather box with silverplated tray inside. The value of the fragrance collection is $1,200. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 12 for $100. All proceeds from the raffle will go to Nite In Hand. Call 203-245-4850 for more information.

Necklace for Class of 2010 - BellaPerlina designed a beautiful Swarovski crystal and grosgrain ribbon necklace to celebrate the 2010 graduating class. The necklace will cost $40 and 10 percent will go to Nite In Hand. Call 203-245-4850 to order yours.

For more details about Nite In Hand,  visit www.DanielHand.org/NIH.

For those of you who may not know, Nite in Hand is the post-graduation party for the Daniel Hand High School graduating class. This fun, safe, substance-free evening of celebration is held graduation night at the high school, and is planned and funded entirely by parent, student, community, and local business contributions. Now in its 21 year, this event would not be possible without the generous support and exhaustive volunteer efforts of so many dedicated to its success.

NIH is facing a potential crisis, however — it has a desperate storage dilemma that may mean the end of this long tradition. The organization can’t find any place to store all of the event supplies from year to year, and it can no longer afford to pay for a storage garage. The supplies may have to be discarded after this year, and future classes will have to start from scratch or do something else. The group is hoping to find a benefactor (or benefactors) with storage space available. If you are that person or would like more information, contact information is available on the NIH website.

Madison Police are investigating thefts from vehicles in the area of Nutmeg Lane, Patridge Lane, and Blinnshed Road in North Madison. The thefts occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday.  Anyone with information is requested to contact Madison Police @ 203-245-2721. For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/1895070/.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Madison will host a Global Awareness Day of Events on April 24 in response to “the overwhelming need to reduce poverty and help support the needy in Haiti and Africa as highlighted by the UN Millennium Development Goals.” The activities begin at noon and include:

• U Walk — “Millennium March” walk-a-thon begins at noon on the Madison Green. The 3-mile loop is marked by eight8 stations, one for each of the 8 Millennium Development Goals. Walkers are encouraged to have at least $20 in sponsors, with a competition for team and individual sponsor leaders.
• U Learn — Global Awareness Bazaar, 2–5 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church displays information booths and sale of fair-trade crafts from non-profit organizations dedicated to helping the needy in third-world countries.
• U Rock — U2Charist, 5 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, features live music from U2’s catalog. This exciting service will be followed by a dinner in the parish hall.

Every nation in the world has endorsed the Millennium Development Goals to eradicate extreme poverty and global AIDS, and many churches, including the Episcopal Church, have endorsed them as well. Bono, the lead singer of U2, has always been outspoken on issues of social justice, and since the Live Aid concert in 1985 has been involved in efforts to eradicate hunger.

All the day’s events will benefit Haitian and Ugandan missions. For more information, please go to www.standrewsmadison.org, or call (203) 245-2584 or email rfisler@beachhead.com.

Admittedly, we are coming a bit late to this party, but we’d like to suggest you take a look at Madison Vice, a 10-part Web series created by Mike Seib and Justin Stysly (and numerous other local kids) in 2004 (production was completed in 2009 after five summers of part-time production). Sophomoric? Well, yes, but it’s also entertaining, funny, and occasionally flashes some surprising production values despite a budget of $200.  It’s worth checking out just for the opening music montage showing panoramic scenes of the town and shoreline.

Seib and Stysly ran into many obstacles over the years, including football injuries, the shortness of summer, and cast members heading off to college and/or getting “real jobs.” Read more about the project’s history here.

You can view all 10 episodes (plus trailers, extras, and deleted scenes) at it’s Facebook page or directly at Funny or Die.