Derby Public Library's teen program to teach spring planter making

DERBY - The Derby Public Library invites all young adults ages 12 to 17 to Teen Maker Space from 4-5 p.m. April 21, to fabricate spring planters for the new growing season. 

All recycled materials and seeds are provided. 

Light refreshments will be available. Registration is requested. 

For more information stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult librarian, Derby Public Library. 

Crisco welcomes trail grants for Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck

DEEP funding to improve recreational areas 

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Wednesday welcomed news the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has announced grants totaling $288,000 for recreational trail improvement and expansion projects in Derby, Hamden, and Naugatuck.

The local grants are part of a $5.8 million total package of state aid for 38 projects to build, expand or enhance greenways and multi-use trails in more than 27 communities across Connecticut.

“Once again, the residents of Connecticut are the beneficiaries of a bipartisan investment in our environment and the public enjoyment of all the natural beauty that we have in this state, which is one of the reasons why Connecticut is consistently ranked by Forbes Magazine as having one of the best qualities of life of any state in America,” Crisco said. 
“I hope families take the time this summer and fall to enjoy these improvements by getting outside, getting some fresh air and exercise, and spending some quality time together away from electronics and TVs.” 

• Derby will receive $24,000 for pedestrian bridge construction at PFC Frank P. Witek Park. The 22x8 foot ADA bridge to be installed on existing abutments connecting existing walkways and creating fishing access.

• Hamden will receive $184,000 for the Center Park Spur Trail to create a 1,000 foot paved connector (with bridge) between the Farmington Canal Heritage trail and the Town Center Park, complete with benches and signage. The paved connector will be eight feet wide with a two foot shoulder; the bridge is 40 feet long.

• Naugatuck will receive $80,000 for the Naugatuck Andrew Mountain Property Trails to develop a managed trail system in 130 acres of recently acquired open space. The work will include a welcome kiosk, trail signs, way-finder signs, natural diversity description signs, benches, a parking lot, portable toilets and a dog park. There are a few small stream crossings that will require wooden bridge crossings.

“Through our Recreational Trails program, we are providing funds that will provide attractive opportunities for more families to enjoy the outdoors, and to have the chance to spend time together outside,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee.  
“We applaud Governor Malloy and members of the General Assembly for making these funds available and allowing us to continue improving and connecting the many tremendous trail and greenway networks in our state.”

DEEP has expanded the scope of its Recreational Trails Program under terms of Public Act 15-190 - which received unanimous and bipartisan support in the legislature - and which allowed the agency to provide funding for a full range of multi-use trails and greenways projects.  
At a recent meeting, the state Bond Commission authorized $7 million for the grants.

Funds received through this program may be used for locally supported trails and trail systems, bikeways and multi-use paths.  
Grant money can be allocated for a wide variety of purposes, including planning, design, land acquisition, construction, construction administration, and publications for bikeways, walkways, and greenways as well as for equipment and trail amenities, such as parking lots, toilet buildings, signs, and benches.


This is a press release from Crisco's office.

'Valley Has a Heart' food drives slated in Ansonia, Derby, Shelton

The 14th Annual Valley Has a Heart Spooner House food collection will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 9 at two Stop and Shop stores in Ansonia and Shelton, along with the two Adams Hometown Markets in Derby and Shelton. 

The goal is to gather enough non-perishable food to last for at least two months and $5,000 in cash to use for restocking the shelves as needed following the winter months when giving generally decreases. 

The food collection last year netted $4,550 and 2,763 food items. 
The Spooner House website linked above and the list is below indicating the most needed food items this year.

Spooner House is happy to again have Stop and Shop and Adams Hometown Markets acting as the overall marquee sponsors for the Valley Has a Heart drives. 
Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte, and Sterczala, P.C. has agreed to be the site sponsor for both the Stop and Shop drives in Shelton and Ansonia. 
Also for the fifth year, Daniel Jacobs, LLC a.k.a. Hairy Dog Garage, will lead the Derby Adams Market drive. A lead sponsor is pending for the Shelton Adams Hometown Market site.

The Stop and Shop stores where donations can be made are at 100 Division St., Ansonia and 898 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton. 
The Adams Hometown Markets are at 656 New Haven Ave., Rt. 34 Plaza, in Derby and 200 Leavenworth Road, Shelton.

There will be a friendly competition between the two Stop and Shop stores and the Adams Hometown Markets to see who can raise the most dollars and collect more non-perishable food. Shoppers at all locations will receive a Spooner House “Wish List” when they walk in the door with encouragement to donate on their way out. Last year, the Shelton Stop and Shop raised the most money, followed by the Ansonia store and capped off by the Derby Adams Hometown Market.

"Our shelves are almost empty this time of year since most of the donations received around the holidays have been depleted, yet our need remains consistent year round," said Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House.
"The Valley Has a Heart Food Drive is a great event to help refill our shelves after the winter, looking ahead to meet our clients' needs during the springtime and into the summer months.

"In the summer we tend to see an increase in need because children who receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch in school no longer receive this food assistance while on break, causing parents to rely on food banks such as ours," Agamy added.

Volunteer groups assisting at the various markets during the food drives include the following, with each group also being assisted by Spooner House volunteers and staff:

Ansonia Stop and Shop:

Seymour Starbucks employees

Derby Adams Hometown Market:

Shelton High School Junior State of America student group

Shelton Stop and Shop:

Shelton Youth Service Bureau's Youth to Youth group

Shelton Adams Hometown Market:

Shelton High School National Honor Society

The Spooner House Food Bank wish list includes:

Canned/Powdered Milk

Juices

Soups/Stews/Canned Chili

Tuna

Canned Chicken/Meats/Spam

Peanut Butter & Jelly

Rice

Pasta

Beans (Baked and Dry)

Canned/Instant Potatoes

Stuffing

Canned Fruits

Cold Cereal/Oatmeal

Sauce/Gravy

Tuna Helper/Hamburger Helper

Those unable to visit one of the Stop and Shop stores or Adams Hometown Markets on April 9 are encouraged to still make a donation. 

Please make checks payable and mail to: Area Congregations Together, Inc., Spooner House, 30 Todd Road, Shelton, CT, 06484.  Donations may also be made via PayPal by clicking on the Donate button at www.actspooner.org. 

Deliveries of non-perishable food items are welcome at Spooner House from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

If none of these times is convenient, you may set up a special time for food delivery by calling 203-225-0453 ext. 102 or e-mailing Kate Pipa at kpipa@actspooner.org.

Non-profit Area Congregations Together, Inc. was formed in 1979 to help fill gaps in the Naugatuck Valley’s social service network. 
Today, Spooner House is operated by ACT and is a facility that provides food, shelter and support services to approximately 150 men, women and children each year.  
More than 6,000 individuals have been served by the Food Bank this past year, comprising more than 100,000 meals. 

Spooner House is recognized as one of the most comprehensive emergency shelter programs in Connecticut and through its food bank provides a week’s supply of groceries each month to participating families throughout the Naugatuck Valley. 
Spooner House is devoted to helping people establish self-sufficiency in an atmosphere of respect and dignity. 
Area Congregations Together, Inc. is a partner agency of the Valley United Way.


This is a press release from Spooner House. 

Entrepreneur is featured speaker at 'Take Your Life Back' event in Southbury

SOUTHBURY - Entrepreneur and best-selling author Randy Gage will be the guest speaker at Willow Creek Farm, at 7 p.m. April 14. The farm is at 522 N. Georges Hill Road.

Gage has authored 11 books on success and prosperity, including New York Times bestsellers, and his training programs have inspired entrepreneurs and critical thinkers worldwide.   
He will be the main presenter at the free event. 

Gage's presentation is part of an international "Take Your Life Back" tour.

In his just-released best-selling book, Mad Genius, he challenges the reader to question status quo thinking about “the way things have always been done.”

His unique brand of brilliant empowers personal growth and financial breakthroughs by embracing disruptive, innovative thought processes and business practices.

Gage has overcome addiction, survived a life-threatening gunshot wound, jail time, and the brink of bankruptcy, to become a multi-millionaire who teaches others how to tap into their potential to achieve real, lasting success.

Bring a friend and learn what Gage and other successful entrepreneurs are up to, and how you can be a part of it.

Registration is requested as space is limited.  

For information or to register, please call 

203-627-5393.

This is a press release from Seymour resident Audrey Hescock.

Derby to honor 1st Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

*Shared from an online community calendar sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.

Support group at Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talks about diabetes research

The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital in Derby will host two free talks about research on how blood sugar affects the brains of those with diabetes. /Submitted photo


DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free talks about research on how blood sugar affects the brains of those with diabetes April 12 at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the hospital, 130 Division St.

The presentations will discuss several research studies led by Dr. Robert Sherwin at Yale University, Center for Clinical Investigation, about the effects of blood sugar on the brain in patients with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity. 
The studies involve using functional MRI to scan the brains of participants at different glycemic levels.

The studies hope to find new discoveries regarding the role of sugar on food intake in patients with diabetes and obesity. Researchers are currently looking for participants with Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Study participants will be compensated.

Dr. Janice Hwang and Dr. Renata DeAguiar will present the 2:30 p.m. session in Griffin Hospital Dining Room 2. Claudia P. Moore, Clinical Research Coordinator, will host the 6:30 session in Griffin Hospital Dining Room 2. Free valet parking is available for the 2:30 p.m. session.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns. 
Anyone with diabetes and their families are welcome to attend. No registration is required.

For more information, call Mary Swansiger, 203-732-1137.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia Library to launch 'Cover to Cover' discussion group

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Library will be starting a book discussion group, “Cover to Cover.” 

The first meeting will be at 1 p.m. April 19. 
The library is at 53 S. Cliff St.

Participants are asked to read a book of their choice and be prepared to talk about it for this first meeting. 

Light refreshments will be provided. 

For more information or to register, call the Library, 203-734-6275.


This is a press release from Mary Ann Capone, Director, Ansonia Library.    

PKD Challenge for March: Day 31 ~ Let friends know you completed challenge, raised awareness

March 31

You did it! 

You completed the 31 Days of PKD Challenges. 

Update your status on Facebook and Twitter to let your friends and followers know that you took the challenge. 

Thanks for helping us raise awareness of PKD!