Recuperation journey: Stunning sunset

True story: After I took this my camera said "battery empty," so I couldn't take a series of sunset photos like I would have done. The sky was even prettier a few minutes later.

Candlelight vigil in Oxford to highlight opioid awareness

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer nursing assistant program

Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers will offer its five-week Accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant program starting Oct. 30./ Contributed photo

DERBY – The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, 300 Seymour Ave., Suite 206, is offering a day session of its Accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant program starting Oct. 30 to help individuals start a fulfilling career in healthcare.

The CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed five-week schedule with classes Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Course content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, measuring vital signs, and restorative care. 
The CNA course tuition fee includes the course book, CPR training, and malpractice insurance coverage for the clinical rotation. The CNA clinical experience will be at Griffin Hospital and a long-term care facility from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for 40 hours. After successfully completing the course and clinical experience, students will be qualified to take the State exam for certification as a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut.

For more information or to apply, call 203-732-1276 or visit griffinhealth.org/allied-health.

Griffin Hospital's School of Allied Health Careers was one of the first hospital-based schools of its kind to be authorized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education and offers training, education, and certification for Phlebotomy, Nursing Assistant, and Patient Care Technician healthcare careers. 

Classes are taught by certified instructors in the Griffin Hospital Medical Building, 300 Seymour Ave.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Artisan's Market to debut in downtown Shelton

SHELTON - Shoppers from near and far have fond memories of a monthly handmade market that used to be in the Conti building, 415 Howe Ave. 

Well, shoppers rejoice! 

The Conti building has announced the introduction of a new market, set to debut from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 1 to coincide with Shelton Day!

Simply named The Artisan's Market, the event is made possible with the help of a group of passionate small business tenants within the Conti building. 

True to its name, the event will feature handmade artisans showcasing their unique products, with direct and easy access from the parking lot entrance.

The Conti building is home to an eclectic mix of community-minded small businesses, each with its own character and passion. 

From manufacturing to direct-to-consumer retail, the 150+ year-old building also boasts an independent coffee shop, Shelton’s one-and-only bookstore, and even a haunted house in the basement (seasonal)! 

Check out the building’s web site at https://www.415howeave.com/directory/  for an up-to-date directory.

Crafters and artisans interested in participating in October’s market (and any future dates) should contact Kathy Benedetto, co-owner of Legends of the Heart/The Odd Piece, at kbenedetto@yahoo.com ASAP. 

Space is limited and going fast!

This is a press release from Written Words Bookstore owner Dorothy Sim-Broder.

HomeGoods slates Oct. 5 grand opening in Ansonia

ANSONIA - HomeGoods, a global leader in discount home furnishings and decor, will make its debut inside the existing Marshall’s store downtown next month.

Renovations to the Marshalls and HomeGoods combo store, at 405 Main St. in the Big Y shopping plaza, are nearing completion, according to a company press release. A grand opening celebration will be held at 8 a.m. Oct. 5.

 Company officials said the remodel will feature a common entrance with “two distinct store environments on either side of the building allowing customers the added convenience of shopping both stores.” 
With the addition of HomeGoods, company officials said they expect to fill 15 additional full and part- time positions. 

This is a corporate press release. 

Gentile explains no vote on state budget

By Linda M. Gentile

State Representative

104th District 

Early Saturday morning, the House of Representatives debated and voted on a Republican budget.  

I could not in good conscience vote for this budget.  

State Rep. M. Linda Gentile

I could not vote to put an additional load on already overburdened working families.  
I could not vote to eliminate vital services and programs that many of our friends and neighbors rely on.  

Out of obligation to the people of the 104th District, and the State of Connecticut, I voted against this budget.  

Unfortunately, the House passed that budget.  But, I cannot fathom what would happen if this budget was actually adopted into state law. 

Republicans have stated again and again that this budget contains “no new taxes.”  

The truth is there would be over $800 million in new taxes and fees. This is not my analysis, but is, in fact, according to the analysis of Office of Fiscal Analysis, which is the nonpartisan staff responsible for these analysis.

First off, the GOP budget triples the cut to Earned Income Tax Credit.  

This is a tax credit that was established to help working families during these difficult economic times.  

This huge cut will eliminate the relief that so many local individuals rely on. This cut alone will raise taxes on more than 2,500 individuals and families here in Ansonia and Derby.

This budget also eliminates the Municipal Revenue Sharing Account (MRSA) which is specifically designed to reimburse cities, like Ansonia and Derby, for capping the personal property tax (car tax) at 37 mills.  This elimination will result in the mill rate increasing and everyone’s car tax being increased.

In Ansonia and Derby, eliminating the car tax cap and the state reimbursement would result in a revenue loss of almost $212,000. How would these cities fill that hole?  Ultimately, residents’ property taxes would increase to make up for the difference.

Over the last few months, under the leadership of House Democrats and my stewardship, an agreement with local hospitals was established to help offset the tax on hospitals. This agreement would preserve quality care and jobs.  With this budget in play, there is a good chance that this historic agreement could blow up and with it, jobs will be lost and critical care protocols will be compromised.

In addition to taxes, programs that small cities like ours rely on would be eliminated.  
The Community Investment Act for example, has continuously provided this district with grants for projects to improve our local community. Overall, the program has funded nearly 1,400 projects statewide and has created approximately 3,000 jobs with $152 million invested in our state.  
The elimination of this program will hinder critical economic development.

Additionally, this budget eliminates programs that help residents most in need. Cuts to mental health, teen pregnancy, and anti-poverty are all included in this budget. It does not provide working families and their children with the tools they need.

In regards to education, the GOP budget defunds education for the neediest, eliminates minority advancement in higher education, and all leadership training programs. Our flagship university, UCONN, just recently voted #18 on the best colleges list, will be devastated.

Our very successful Citizens Elections Program is also eliminated, returning the influence of special interest monies and making it more difficult for regular individuals to run for office. In fact, a former opponent of mine just recently spoke to me about this.  He urged me to fight for this program which allowed him the opportunity to run for office.

These are only a few of the problems and concerns I have and that is just skimming through it. 
It is bad for this district and bad for this state.  Fortunately, the Governor has stated he would veto the budget.  
It is “unbalanced” and raises “significant concerns,” especially in regards to municipal aid, education, and pension changes.

I hope that both sides will move forward with a sense of urgency to pass a responsible budget that supports working families, enables our children to succeed, helps our most vulnerable, and restores clean elections.  

We need to do what is best for this state.  

We need to put our state on a better and more sustainable long-term path.  

Gentile, a Democrat, represents Ansonia and Derby in the state House of Representatives.

Seymour Public Library slates presentation on Edgar Allan Poe

Updated Valley profile report now available

Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments staff recently completed an update to the Regional Profile for the 19 municipalities comprising the region.

The Regional Profile compiles population, economic, and housing data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Connecticut Department of Labor, and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.  

This report provides useful statistical data to public officials, local organizations, developers, private citizens, students, businesses, and others interested in population, housing and economic trends. NVCOG staff prepares an update each year.  

The data is intended to assist municipalities with grant applications, updates to planning and economic development documents, and provide information to local boards and commissions. An analysis and overview of important regional trends is found in the beginning of the report.  

More detailed tables and maps showing information for each municipality are found in the appendices.

As a supplement to the Regional Profile, NVCOG staff has created an interactive web-based application to provide access to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data at the block group or block level. This tool allows users to obtain statistics for smaller areas within a municipality.

The Regional Profile report and web-based application can found on NVCOG’s website, www.nvcogct.org

“Just as the State of Connecticut is very diverse as a whole, the NVCOG region demonstrates considerable diversity in demographic data, which the Regional Profile summarizes well,” NVCOG GIS Program Coordinator Glenda Prentiss said. “Providing supplemental access to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data at the block group or block level is a new feature that offers the opportunity to provide even more specific data.”  

This is a press release from the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments. 

'Flea Market Flip' to benefit BHcare's The Umbrella shelter

Items to be for sale at Shelton Day Oct. 1

My Sister’s Place Flea Market Flip items will be on display and available for purchase at Shelton Day Oct. 1 on Howe Avenue in Shelton. 

Proceeds from the sale of each flip item will benefit The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.

MSP Flea Market Flip is a fun, creative twist on recycling or upcycling similar to the HGTV show with the same name, Flea Market Flip. 

Individual participants or teams of two must purchase their flip item(s) at MSP for $25 or less and no more than $50 may be spent on repurposing/upcycling the item(s). 

This year we have over 30 participants so far! 

Some of the items purchased for the flip include a dresser, mirrors, industrial light and glassware. 

          

Be sure to visit booths 52, 54, 56, and 58 to cast a vote for your favorite flip and pick up a special coupon to use at the store. 

MSP, a program of BHcare, offers quality new and gently used clothing, furniture and house wares at discount prices. 

All proceeds from MSP support BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services.  

Each year UCDVS helps more than 6,000 adults and children who are experiencing domestic violence; all services are provided free of charge.

To learn more about the flip, visit the store, 380 Main St., Ansonia, or online at www.bhcare.org, and www.facebook.com/MySistersPlace.

 This is a press release from BHcare.

Author to discuss parenthood journey at Ansonia Library

ANSONIA - Author Gilda Simpkin will discuss her memoir, “My Baby Chase: Our Roller Coaster Ride from Infertility to Parenthood,” at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Ansonia Library.

The book depicts the serious and sometimes hilarious aspects of fertility treatments through two hair-raising international adoptions.

The adoptions are fraught with unpredictable birth mothers, unreliable baby brokers, media competitions, midnight crank calls and repeatedly changing government regulations and strangling red tape. 

Their journey has so many surprising twists and cliffhangers it reads like a suspense novel which will keep readers at the edge of their seats. All of this takes place against the backdrop of pressure from her aging holocaust survivor parents eager for a grandchild.

Join Simpkin as she discusses her memoir of her harrowing 20-year quest to become a mother. Copies of her book will be available for purchase.

The Library is at 53 S. Cliff St.

This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.

Seymour Public Library to host story hour, pumpkin decorating, more

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Public Library children's room will host a variety of activities in October.

10/3 & 17 – 10:30 a.m.– Family Place Playgroup – for infants – 6 year olds. Meet people and try many types of play, craft table and brief circle time at the end. Possible visit from local childcare expert.

10/4, 11, 18 (11/1, 8, 15) – 10:30 a.m.– Lap sit with Baby including stories and developmental play with your 6-24 month old.

10/5, 12, 19 (11/2, 9, 16) – 10:30 a.m.– Story hour for 2-5 year olds- Stories, games, songs and a craft

10/5 - 4 p.m. – StoryKids’ Book Club for K-Gr 2.  Book talks, craft and a snack  - Child must have some reading ability.

10/6 – 3:45 p.m. – Pumpkin decorating! We supply the decorations, no carving, you bring your pumpkin! Light refreshments served.  Limited space.

10/11 - 4 p.m. – Nutmeggers’ - YA Book Club for Gr 5 - 8.  Book talks, craft and a snack - features the Intermediate Nutmeg Nominees.

10/12 – 4 p.m. – BookChatters’ Book Club for Gr 2-4. - Book talks, craft and a snack - features the Magic Tree House Series. 

10/13 - 10:30 a.m.– Science Snoopers ‘Creepy, Crawly’ – Natural science, story and craft for ages 2 and up.  Must be able to sit and listen.

10/19 – 4 p.m. – ‘The Club’ book club for grades 8 and up.  Teen advisory ~ Book talk, snacks, and more.

10/24 –  10:30 a.m. – Lynn Lewis - Music & Movement for ages 0-6. A fun time for everyone

10/24 – 6:30 p.m. – Animal Embassy’s ‘Spooktacular Animal Adventure’ – Creepy?  Scary? Live animals help get us in the mood for Halloween! An evening program for all ages.

10/26 – 10:30 a. m.– Preschoolers’ Halloween Party! Parade the Library then join the Party, with stories, games and refreshments! Come in costume (adults can dress up too) for infants – 6 year olds.

10/27 & 28 - all day! Drop In Craft Table – make a fun Halloween Craft!

10/27 – 3:45 p.m.– YA Origami! Create a fantastic Origami creation – for ages 10 and up.

All Programs Are Free! Fun! & Formative!

Some programs have limited enrollment; registration is required for all programs.

For information call 203-888-3903, visit us on Facebook or at www.seymourpubliclibrary.org .

The Library is at 46 Church St.


This is a press release from Ann Szaley, children's librarian, Seymour Public Library.