Ansonia High School presents Appreciation Award to Logan

*This is shared from Logan's Facebook page.

Rochelle responds to Lamont's proposed budget

HARTFORD - State Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia and Derby, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Ned Lamont’s two-year proposed budget. 

Kara Rochelle

“Governor Lamont presented to the legislature his version of the budget last week and I want to assure you that in the history of the General Assembly the legislature have never passed a budget as a Governor has presented it.
"I hear the concerns of our residents and this is the first step in a long process of revision. The bipartisan Appropriations and Finance Committee is analyzing the Governor’s proposal and working to produce a budget that reflects the legislature’s priorities. Following that proposal, we can expect additional negotiations that I hope will lead to a balanced, bipartisan budget that benefits the most people,” Rochelle said. 

“I will be critically analyzing each budget proposal to ensure the people of Ansonia and Derby are being fairly considered," she said. "My priority is to continue advocating for the working class, rebuilding the middle class, proper funding for our schools, improving our train service, and spurring economic development, decent wages, tax relief for working class families, reigning in healthcare costs, and building the long-promised Valley Fire School amongst other issues that deeply affect our residents,” Rochelle said. 

“I encourage residents to be in touch, attend my twice-monthly community conversations in Ansonia and Derby, and share your questions, concerns, and ideas for how best to move forward," she said. "I will share with residents via Facebook and Email opportunities to make their voices directly heard at legislative public hearings. I want to thank everyone who has participated so far. I look forward to working hard for all of you over the next several months.” 

The governor’s proposed budget is the first step in a drafting process that typically produces a unified and blended budget from various parties by the end of the legislative session. 

Lamont’s budget can be accessed here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/2019-Legislative-Proposals.

The Appropriations Committee will hold public hearings at the Legislative Office Building on the following dates, which residents can use as an opportunity to share their thoughts on Gov. Lamont’s budget proposal. 

Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 2C

Friday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 2C

To access the calendar, click here. 

This is a press release from Rochelle's office.

Klarides-Ditria supports bill to enhance school safety

HARTFORD - State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour, submitted testimony last week in support of legislation that seeks to enhance classroom safety and school climate.

Klarides-Ditria

Under the bill, H.B. 7110, boards of education would be required to revise their safe school climate plans to include provisions relating to disruptive or injurious incidents that occur in classrooms, to develop and implement a state-wide school climate survey, and to require the Department of Education to provide assistance to school districts relating to school climate.

Klarides-Ditria said, “It is crucial that we highly prioritize the safety of students and teachers. Giving teachers the ability to remove dangerous students for a short time with the requirement that they follow designated protocols will protect the rights and safety of the child in question, the teacher, and fellow students."

A similar bill was passed by the House and Senate last session but was vetoed by Gov. Dan Malloy. 

For more information about the people or to track legislation visit, cga.ct.gov.

This is a press release from Klarides-Ditria's press secretary Spencer Rubin. 

Christ Episcopal Church in Ansonia to host pancake dinner

ANSONIA - Christ Episcopal Church, 56 S. Cliff St., will hold a pancake dinner from 5:30-7 p.m. March 5, Shrove Tuesday.
Pancakes, sausage, applesauce, and lots of fun! Free will donations will be accepted.

*Shared from a Facebook event page.

Mindfulness workshop slated at Shelton Intermediate School

Mindfulness...for Stress Reduction, Relaxation and a Better You! 
This program will be presented by Dr. Lori Monaco at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 4 at Shelton Intermediate School, 675 Constitution Blvd. North.

This lecture discusses mindfulness, how to create mindfulness in your life, and why this is so vital and necessary for today’s living. 
There is a meditation segment so be prepared to feel like you are going to float away by the end of the workshop! 

Cost is $25. Please register at vrae.org

*Information shared from Dr. Lori Monaco's website linked on the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce online newsletter. 

Griffin Hospital to host free workshop at Shelton Senior Center

Griffin Hospital is hosting a free Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop starting March 11 at the Shelton Senior Center./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - Griffin Hospital will host a free six-week workshop starting March 11 at the Shelton Senior Center to help individuals suffering from health conditions take back control of their lives.

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop provides health information and strategies to help those with health conditions like pain, anxiety, diabetes, depression, heart disease, and arthritis increase their energy and take control of their health.

Along with clinical care, participants will learn ways to cope with difficult emotions, depression, and stress/anxiety, reduce pain, improve mobility, increase energy, increase physical activity, eat healthier, use medications appropriately, and solve everyday problems and communicate effectively with family and health care providers.

The workshops will be held on Mondays March 11, 18, 25, and April 1, 8, and 15 from 9:30 a.m.-noon at the Shelton Senior Center, 81 Wheeler St.

The Live Well Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop is sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Social Services Aging Services Division, Connecticut Department of Public Health and Griffin Hospital.

To register or for more information, call Esther Jones at Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program, 203-732-1523.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Valley Goes Pink to hold Bingo for Boobies at The Hops Company in Derby

Shared from The Valley Goes Pink Facebook page.

Derby Neck Library to host The Kerry Boys, Dinner and a Movie, more

DERBY- The Derby Neck Library hosts Dinner and a Movie for ages 18 and older at 5:30 p.m. March 7.  

This month’s feature film is “Bohemian Rhapsody” shown on blu-ray.  

Free refreshments will be served, including a pizza dinner at intermission. 

Valley in World War II 

On March 11 at 6:30 p.m., the Library presents The Valley in World War II, a powerpoint lecture by Patricia Sweeney, Ph.D.  Topics covered include the career of library benefactor Frances Osborne Kellogg and excerpts from her letters, as well as the range of factory production, fashions, entertainments, rationing rules, and home life. 

Women's Forum

The Library hosts Women’s Forum, a literary discussion group, at 12:30 p.m. March 18.  
This month the focus is on two short stories; free copies are available at the library.  
Feel free to bring a light lunch; we serve coffee and tea. 

The Kerry Boys to perform
The Library hosts The Kerry Boys in concert at 2 p.m. March 23.
Enjoy the best of Irish ballads and popular tunes, performed in a most engaging manner.  This is a free event; please call ahead to reserve your seat.  

Evening Book Club

The Library hosts the Evening Book Club moderated by Patricia Sweeney, Ph.D. at 6:30 p.m. March 25.
This month’s discussion focuses on “The Tenth Man” by Graham Greene.  
Copies of this novella are available at the library.  

For information call 203-734-1492. The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.


This is a press release from Patricia Sweeney, reference librarian, Derby Neck Library.

Recuperation journey: Iridescent feathered friend

Visitor seen bopping across the yard this morning. 
I took this photo through the window and was amazed to see how iridescent the grackle's coloring is.