Quiet afternoon at home

Linus keeps me company as I recuperate. He's a helper.

Happy unofficial start of summer!

For my friends who love the beach 

These two dudes always make me smile. :)

Derby Public Library to mark birthday of Holton Harcourt Wood

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will commemorate the birthday of Holton Harcourt Wood, the young boy in whose memory the Library was built, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 

H. Harcourt Wood

June 19. 

The Library will be decorated with flowers in compliance with Col. H. Holton Wood’s request, which he made at the dedication of the Library in 1902.  
At that time he asked that flowers be placed throughout the Library every year on the birth date of his son. 
His request has been honored ever since.  

Several years ago, the Library added the tradition of commemorating this special day with a birthday cake. 
This time-honored tradition has become well known over the years, not only throughout the Valley, but well beyond. It has been written about in the New York Times.

A memorial plaque in Harcourt’s memory is displayed at the front entrance of the Library.  
The public is invited to visit throughout the day for cake and to learn more about the history of the Library.  

The library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.

The Umbrella teams with police, advocates to reduce domestic violence

Creation of Family Justice Center eyed
The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services recently held a two-day planning session for a new Family Justice Center in New Haven. 

New Haven Mayor Toni Harp

The local police, prosecutors, civil legal service providers, and community-based advocates met to put together a plan to decrease domestic violence in the community. 

A Family Justice Center is the co-location of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who work together, under one roof, to provide coordinated services to victims of family violence. 

The core concept is to provide one place where victims can go to talk to an advocate, plan for their safety, interview with a police officer, meet with a prosecutor, receive medical assistance, receive information on shelter, and get help with transportation.

The Family Justice Center model has been identified as a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention services by the United States Department of Justice. 
There are many documented and published outcomes in the Family Justice Center model including reduced homicides, increased victim safety and reduced fear and anxiety for victims and their children. 
New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell said in a recent interview his priorities include “starting a family justice center to tackle domestic violence and building more community trust in his cops.” 

New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal have also all openly supported the creation of a Family Justice Center.

The Family Justice Center initiative is a community project and anyone who is interested to learn more or get involved should contact Project Coordinator Julie Johnson at 203-780-2033 or j_johnson@bhcare.org. 

Following The New Haven Family Justice Center at www.facebook.com/NewHavenFJC and www.twitter.com/NHFJC_CT.  If you need immediate domestic violence assistance, please call our 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. 

Each year, more than 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help, and hope. 

Learn more at www.bhcare.org.

This is a press release from BHcare.