Arts council members ready show in Derby

Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo and artist Dawn Kraemer Wednesday put together an art show to be featured at a reception from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Marco Pizzeria Restaurant in Derby. Please see below for information.

Please join us! 

Officials announce first step in heritage area designation at Derby Greenway

Pictured from left, Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto, U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President William Purcell, Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal at a press conference in Derby Wednesday about the Naugatuck River Valley National Heritage Area Study Act. Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel. / Photo submitted by Sheila O'Malley, Ansonia Economic Development Director

Cut-A-Thon to support Seymour teen battling cancer

Proceeds to benefit the Poeta Family Fund

SEYMOUR - Nina Poeta, 17, is  a cheerleader for Seymour High School and a very special young lady in the Valley community.

Most people in the area know of her battle with cancer.  She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in November. 

The past 10 months have been quite challenging for Nina and her family. 

She has undergone radiation, two very delicate surgical procedures, and is currently receiving a second round of chemotherapy. 

The community’s love and support has been a blessing to the Poeta family. A fund was set up on Go Fund Me and has raised more than $80,000 to help with the financial challenges they are facing. 

Please visit the site to learn more about Nina and her journey" http://www.gofundme.com/5eirqo.

A special event is planned for Nina and her family  fro, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 25). 

Oxford Hair Academy and Body Shoppe Salon are hosting a Cut-A-Thon. 

We are hoping to have a great turnout to show Nina that she is not alone in this fight. This will be a great way to show your love and support. 

Haircuts are $15 and all proceeds will be donated to The Poeta Family Fund. 

Oxford Hair Academy and Body Shoppe Salon is located at 153 North St.

Visit the Poeta Strong Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PoetaStrong or call Elizabeth Pisano at 203-415-4387 for more information or to donate a raffle prize.

This post is taken from a release from Elizabeth Pisano, a friend of the Poeta family. 

Vigil in Shelton to honor survivors, remember victims

SHELTON - The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Domestic violence affects all ages, races, socioeconomic, educational, religious, and occupational segments of society.

Every nine seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S.
One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

In an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence, BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will hold a vigil to honor and remember survivors and victims of domestic violence.

A candlelight vigil will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Gazebo at Huntington Center Green.

A special welcome will be given by Mayor Mark Lauretti and Attorney Paul Garlinghouse will be the keynote speaker.

The vigil will also include an invocation by Monsignor Robert Weiss, St. Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, recognition of law enforcement officials, and a survivor testimony.

For information about the vigil or about domestic violence services call 203-736-2601 ext. 1381, or visitwww.bhcare.org.


This is a press release from The Umbrella, a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. Each year, more than 7,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help, and hope.
Learn more at bhcare.org.

Derby Library slates book sale, sports talk, women's series

DERBY - Calling all readers!

The Derby Public Library is planning its Annual Fall Book Sale.
It will be held from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 4, and from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 6 and 7.

Shoppers are invited to fill a bag for $5.
Bags will be provided.

Adult and children's fiction and non-fiction, paperbacks, magazines, videos, DVDs, and audio materials will be available.

Talkin' sports

The Library is in its ninth season of hosting the very popular Sports Talk series at 10 a.m. every Thursday.

These informal sessions meet throughout the baseball season. Rich Marazzi, author and
Major League Baseball Rules consultant, facilitates.

Each session includes trivia contests, videos, lively conversation and more.
All ages, rookies through veterans, are invited to join Rich and his group of Silver Sluggers.

No registration is necessary.


Just for Women


The Library continues its program series, Just for Women, at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.

The next session will be held Oct. 6.

These sessions offer women an informal opportunity to come together to learn how to
enhance the quality of their lifestyle, share challenges and joys with other women,
provide support to one another, spend time with old friends, and make new ones.

The series is facilitated by Valley resident Joan Joyce. She is a licensed professional
counselor in the State of Connecticut, as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a
Certified Senior Advisor.

Scientific studies show that an integral component of achieving and maintaining optimal
health and well being includes having a strong social support network.

All women, ages 18 and over, are invited to join this new and vital group.
Registration is requested; walk-ins are also welcome.

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


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

Ground broken for O'Brien Tech renovations in Ansonia

Superintendent of Connecticut Technical High School System Nivea Torres Monday addresses the crowd at a ceremonial groundbreaking for additions and renovations to the school in Ansonia. Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman is seated at right.


ANSONIA - Emmett O'Brien Technical High School is being transformed.

Construction started in May, and on Monday morning state education officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking to kick off the $94.3-million project.

Murphy to address TEAM annual meeting in Derby

DERBY - Connecticut’s youngest U.S. Senator, Christopher Murphy, will address the 49th Annual Meeting of TEAM Inc. 

The breakfast event will be held Oct. 10 at Grassy Hill Lodge, 77 Sodom Lane.

Registration is at 7:45  a.m.; the meeting will end at 9:30 a.m.
The public is invited to attend.  Cost is $35. 
Reservations are required by Friday;  RSVP Silvia Paytas at 736-5420, ext. 202 or spaytas@teaminc.org. 

Murphy’s support for programs that help area residents battle the impact of poverty will be recognized with TEAM’s Chairman’s Award. 
Two other award recognitions are planned.  
The Echo Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Shelton will receive the 2014 Partnership Award for its extraordinary coordination of the response to January’s Howe Avenue fire that left 23 households homeless. 
Julie Penry, retiring Director of the Shelton Youth Services Bureau, will receive the Lillian Chrostwoski Award for her extraordinary work developing programs for community teens and youth.

This is TEAM’s 49^th Annual Meeting and 2014 marks the 50^th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s initiation of his Great Society program, a campaign to combat poverty. 
Known also as the beginning of the War on Poverty, the effort created legislation to assist economically vulnerable families. 
Those programs – Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Head Start – form the backbone of today’s federal safety net for families.

The meeting is also the final one for TEAM President & CEO Richard Knoll, who will retire at the end of the year after 34 years of service. 
The new President & CEO will be introduced by the Board of Directors at the meeting. 

      

This is a press release from TEAM Inc., a private, 501c (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to connect individuals and families with solutions that lead to well-being, self-sufficiency and full participation in the community.  
It aims to achieve its mission by conducting activities that address the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and families including resource mobilization, education, advocacy and service delivery. 
TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour and Woodbridge.