Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Names 1st-Ever Chinese Goral Born In Bridgeport
You won't want to miss Beginner-Friendly Square Dance Lessons on the Bridgeport Patch calendar

Good morning to you Bridgeport! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Bridgeport's Beardsley Zoo welcomes first-ever Chinese goral, now named Qilin
- Bridgeport schools tap new special education chief to lead key redesign
- Did your Bridgeport home flood Sunday? Here's how to report damage.
Also on today's calendar: Beginner-Friendly Square Dance Lessons and 27 more events.
Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy and humid, with a high of 79 and low of 66 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 52.
- Saturday: Cooler with clouds and sun, with a high of 67 and low of 60 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Names 1st-Ever Chinese Goral Born In Bridgeport (patch.com) — Families in Bridgeport have a new reason to visit Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, where the first Chinese goral ever born in the city has been officially named Qilin after a public vote. The young goral, thriving alongside parents Madeline and King, is already exploring his habitat and drawing interest as one of only a few born nationwide this year.
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2. Bridgeport Public Schools Names Chief Of Special Education (patch.com) — Bridgeport residents will see new leadership in special education as Jennifer Hoffman steps in as chief of special education for Bridgeport Public Schools, following a June board vote. With extensive experience in Hartford and statewide organizations, she plans to strengthen inclusive services and support for students with disabilities across the district.
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3. Bridgeport Residents Asked To Report Flood Damage From Weekend's Rainstorm (patch.com) — Bridgeport residents who suffered flooding or property damage in Sunday's storm have until Sept. 22 to report their losses through a state damage survey, which could help justify future federal aid. City and state emergency officials urge every affected household to respond, stressing that detailed reports strengthen Bridgeport's case for disaster assistance, even though submitting information doesn't guarantee direct financial help.
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4. Bridgeport bought a police driving simulator years ago. Now it doesn't work. (ctpost.com) — Bridgeport's police driving simulator, bought years ago to reduce cruiser crashes, is now out of service just as the department faces scrutiny over accidents, lawsuits, and a recent incident where an officer struck a 4-year-old girl. City leaders and the chief are debating training, discipline, and whether to repair or replace the simulator as costs and safety concerns mount.
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5. Bridgeport Hospital Renovates Connecticut Burn Center (news-usa.today) — Bridgeport residents should know their local hospital houses Connecticut's only specialized burn center, offering intensive care, complex surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation for severe burn injuries. The renovated unit also includes an on-site family suite, funded with help from firefighters, so loved ones from across the state can stay close during lengthy recoveries in Bridgeport.
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📸 Around Bridgeport
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Bridgeport
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Beginner-Friendly Square Dance Lessons →
St Paul's Episcopal Church, 25 Church St, Shelton
7:30 pm - Pre-Demolition Sale →
11 Edgewater Hillside, Westport
8:00 am - Tag Sale! →
Our Lady of Grace Parish Hall, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford
1:00 pm - JESSE LEE UMC Semi-Annual Document Shredding Event →
Jesse Lee United Methodist Church, 25 Flat Rock Rd, Easton
9:00 am - Milford Irish Festival 2026 →
Fowler Field, Rotary Pavilion, 1 Shipyard Ln, Milford
11:00 am - America at 250 for Educators →
Jay Heritage Center, 210 Boston Post Rd, Rye
3:30 pm - Quarters For A Cure Auction 2026 →
2283 Main St, Stratford
6:00 pm - Quarters For A Cure Auction 2026 →
2283 Main St, Stratford
6:00 pm - Fall into glamourous, rebellious cabaret! Scandalous Saturdays Burlesque *new location* →
Artisan Stack Cafe, 281 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport
7:00 pm - "Lighting the Fires in Our Hearts" - Indigenous Teachings at UU Westport →
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport, 10 Lyons Plain Rd, Westport
10:00 pm - Congregation for Humanistic Judaism Yom Kippur Services →
7:30 pm - 🍷 A Night in Burgundy: Wine & Food Experience →
The Grape escape,
9:00 am - Hope on the Green →
Sherman Street, Sherman St, Fairfield
5:30 pm - An Evening with Liz Diller →
199 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840,
4:00 pm - Grace Worship Assembly's Covenant Sisters 3rd Annual Tea →
Tashua Knolls Golf Club & Banquets, 40 Tashua Knolls Ln, Trumbull
10:00 am
Thursday September 17
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
Sunday September 20
Friday September 25
Saturday September 26
Saturday October 10
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- How To Bring Lapsed Catholics Back Home →
Saint Catherine Of Siena Parish, 220 Shelton Rd, Trumbull
6:30 pm - The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans →
The Bijou Theatre, 275 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport
6:30 pm - 🏈Help Support the Bullard-Haven Tigers Football Team!!🏈 →
9:00 am - Dockside's Annual Oktoberfest →
Dockside Brewery, 40 Bridgeport Ave, Milford
11:30 am - Iron Squirrel Challenge →
The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport
10:00 am - The Giggling Pig Presents: Sea Glass Pumpkin Sign Paint & Sip at Dockside →
Dockside Brewery, 40 Bridgeport Ave, Milford
6:00 pm - Southern Connecticut College & Career Fair →
Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater, 500 Broad St, Bridgeport
4:30 pm - Playful Engineers →
Newfield Branch Library, 755 Central Ave, Bridgeport
5:00 pm - Beginner-Friendly Square Dance Lessons →
St Paul's Episcopal Church, 25 Church St, Shelton
7:30 pm - Bridgeport Hospital Community Baby Shower →
Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St, Bridgeport
10:00 am - Music at Grace Farms | Leslie Odom Jr. →
Grace Farms, 365 Lukes Wood Rd, New Canaan
5:00 pm - Opening Reception for New Hispanic Heritage Month Exhibit MESA - BIERNNAY →
City Lights, 265 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport
6:30 pm - Bigelow Tea Community Challenge →
Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, 385 Center St, Fairfield
8:00 am - AUDITIONS for NUTCRACKER - OPEN TO ALL - Ages 6-21 →
Rockwell Dance Center, 18 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611
10:30 am - AUDITIONS for 2026 A Winter Ballet - Nutcracker - Mark Your Calendars →
Rockwell Dance Center, 18 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611
10:30 am
Thursday September 17
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
Sunday September 20
Tuesday September 22
Wednesday September 23
Thursday September 24
Saturday September 26
Sunday September 27
📣 Bridgeport Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Bridgeport PatchAM possible:
- The Glass House Historic Museum and Cultural Site — (203) 594-9884
- GxG Builders — (203) 994-6490
- Dogfather Grooming — 2039073626
- Presto Dental — (203) 604-6333
- Coldwell Banker — (203) 240-0624
- Modern Care Home Care — 4755506060
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- Golf gear
TaylorMade Burner irons, 4 - pitching wedge, gently used, new grips, $225; Titleist Pro V dozen new in box with unopened sleeves, $35; Callaway 300... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Chest Discomfort Can Be Scary —St. Vincent's Medical Center Read on Patch
- Presto Dental Celebrates Grand Opening of Bridgeport Location —M Lauricella Read on Patch
- 6 Sleep Products That Actually Work, According to an Expert —St. Vincent's Medical Center Read on Patch
- Let's Put More Hope On The Table —St. Vincent's Medical Center Read on Patch
- The zone of inundation will include portions of the unnamed stream channel and forested wetlands bordering the watercourse within the eastern portion of the wetland;
THIS IS THE TOWN'S PLAN FOR ROOSTER RIVER @ Tunxis Hill Park ! (Nextdoor Park Ave/ Capitol Ave) - Hello neighbors, does anyone know of a reliable transportation for kids , that pick kids from school to home that I can contact ( not an individual), I have a 15 year old daughter that needs to be pick up from high school to our house , monday thru
friday, distance is about 7 miles,please let me know, thank you (Nextdoor Park Ave/ Capitol Ave)
- Sodexo, Inc. posted a job opening for Utility Worker in Bridgeport. Apply here.
- Midas, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service Representative/Manager in Training (MIT) in Stratford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bridgeport here.
Ok Bridgeport! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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