Soft touch training offered at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital is offering training for basic level Soft Touch therapy June 10./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer a basic level Soft Touch workshop June 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. June 10 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Soft Touch is a therapeutic, relaxing, and gentle massage that can be given to an individual's hands, feet, or back. Griffin Hospital offers variations of this therapy to patients and their caregivers as a way to reduce their anxiety, pain, and stress.

The workshop is led by Licensed Massage Therapist Joanne Halstead, R.N., BSN, and Physical Therapist Nancy Corvigno, MSPT, PRPC. 
This basic-level training includes a demonstration of various Soft Touch techniques as well as opportunity for hands-on practice.

The cost is $30. There are no prerequisites to attend the workshop and it is open to the public.

Space is limited and sign-ups are due by June 1.

Contact Laura Murphy, Planetree Services supervisor, at 203-732-7466 to enroll.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Gentile hails House passage of domestic violence, water rate bills

HARTFORD - State Rep. Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia/Derby, has announced two bills she co-sponsored unanimously passed the House of Representatives Wednesday.

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile

House Bill #7299, An Act Concerning Strengthening the Laws Concerning Domestic Violence, will change various laws concerning crimes against an individual.

“This bill aims to strengthen Connecticut’s anti-stalking laws and further protects those who feel they are being emotionally abused or attacked,” Gentile said. 

“The ultimate goal for this bill is to ensure the safety of the victims of intimate partner violence and make sure those who are committing these crimes are held responsible for their actions.”

The bill:

1. Expands the conduct that constitutes stalking to include conduct that causes substantial “emotional distress;” 

2. Specifies that electronic or social media are among the methods, devices, or means by which conduct that constitutes stalking may occur;

3. Broadens the strangulation statutes to include suffocation when a person obstructs another person's nose or mouth;

4. Increases the penalty for violations of release conditions when the violation involves certain conduct; and

5. Requires a pre-sentence investigation for anyone convicted of a family violence crime for which a prison sentence may be imposed and prohibits them from waiving the investigation.

Currently, Connecticut’s existing statutes require police to find probable cause that the victim fears their safety following a defined course of conduct.
Gentile also applauds the unanimous House passage of HB 7105, An Act Concerning Water Company Rate Adjustment Mechanisms. 

The bill:

• Expands and realigns the timeframe used to determine when a public utility's excessive return on equity requires PURA to determine the need for an interim rate decrease. 

• Requires PURA to make such a determination if the public utility has excessive return on equity for the rolling 12-month period ending with the two most recent consecutive financial quarters, rather than a period of six consecutive months.

“This bill would ultimately protect customers by ensuring that the water company does not overcharge them,” she said.  


This is a press release from Gentile's office.

Blood drive slated Saturday at senior center in Ansonia

Mother's Day visitor of the wildlife variety

Snapped a pic of Mr. Squirrel this morning as he was hanging out in the front yard.
It's always nice when my visitors pose.   

... And more chocolate was delivered

I'm healing fast over here.  :)

Friends of Ansonia Library slate Spring Book and Bake Sale