Derby Library continues women's series, movie matinees

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has changed the format and content of its monthly series, Just 

for Women, which meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.

These informal sessions now include the reading of quotes reflecting life situations relevant to women. A wide variety of topics is covered. 

Women of all ages are invited to share their thoughts as they feel comfortable at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3.

In today’s world, women are under more pressure than ever.

Take some time to do something for yourself and connect with other women.  

Valley resident and licensed professional counselor Joan Joyce will facilitate the session.  Registration is requested, but walk-ins are also welcome.

Wednesday matinees

The Library continues its weekly Wednesday Movie Matinees series for ages 18 and over.

Newly released DVDs will be shown at 1 p.m. every Wednesday.

Light snacks will be provided.  Registration is requested.
For a list of featured films, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-736-1482.

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

Hey Ansonia, who let the dogs out?

Riverwalk opened to four-legged friends 
In the spirit of sharing mostly the good news happening here in our Valley, I bring you a story from my friend Jean Falbo-Sosnovich, New Haven Register correspondent extraordinaire!

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti has opened the city's Riverwalk for folks seeking to safely walk their canines on leashes in January and February, when streets can be snow and ice-covered and treacherous.

You can read all about it here. 

BHcare's thrift store in Ansonia posts hours

I thought I'd share this info for my friends at My Sister's Place, 380 Main St., Ansonia. 

And who doesn't like a smiling snowman?

Monkey Love is back! Donations sought in Shelton, Stratford, Valley

Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi, hosts of Monkey Love Sunday, pose with donations last year. They will host the fourth annual Monkey Love Sunday Jan. 18 in Stratford. / Submitted photo 

SHELTON - Jennifer Sneider, owner of J-Cuts at 505 Howe Ave. is once again collecting stuffed monkeys for Valentine's Day.
Donations may be dropped off or mailed to J-Cuts from now through Feb. 6.

Organizers of the drive are putting a twist on the annual collection this year. 
They are going to challenge celebrities to a “monkey love challenge” through Twitter and Facebook. 
 The hope is that celebrities will join in by encouraging their fans to mail new stuffed monkeys to J-Cuts. 
J-Cuts will be keeping track so at the end of the collection they can announce the winning celebrity who had the most fans participate. Fans should write the celebrity's name on the bottom left corner of the package. 

Additional drop off locations include Minuteman Press, 427 Howe Ave., Suite 2 and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce offices, 10 Progress Drive, 2nd Floor.
Each year, Minuteman Press of Shelton donates posters.

This annual community event benefits abused and neglected children, impoverished, adopted and sick children, frightened children involved in police calls, as well as children treated for emergencies, cancer or other illnesses at local hospitals.

The Shelton Lion’s Club participates each year by collecting and dropping stuffed monkeys off at J-Cuts.

Monkey Love Sunday relocated
Mary Finnegan and Lenny Marconi will hold their 4th Annual Monkey Love Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 18.
They have moved the event to Off the Hook Bar & Grill, 170 Ferry Boulevard, Stratford. Last year, they collected more than 100 stuffed monkeys. 

They reserve the Sunday before Superbowl each year for this celebration. 
Plush monkeys can be dropped off Jan. 18 or any other day through Feb. 6. The public is free to stop by for food and fun. 
Finnegan and Marconi said they hope to have other pubs join in this annual event by promoting a Monkey Love Sunday of their own to benefit area children in need.
Finnegan said, “Any extra monkey we can collect is an extra smile and one more warm heart within a child who needs it the most.” 

J-Cuts owner Jennifer Sneider surrounded by some plush friends. /Submitted photo 

The eighth Annual Monkey Love Valentine Drive in 2014 collected and distributed more than 2,000 stuffed monkeys.
They were given to: the Milford and Lower Naugatuck Valley (Shelton) Boys & Girls Clubs; Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital; TEAM, Inc. in Derby and Ansonia; BHcare’s Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia; the Shelton Police Department;  ACT-Spooner House in Shelton; Griffin Hospital in Derby; the Department of Children & Families in Milford; and the Lower Naugatuck Valley-Parent Child Resource Center.

As a result of greatly surpassing the previous year’s final numbers, coordinators were able to reach out to additional agencies who service children. 
With the assistance of Jack Walsh, President of Valley United Way, some monkey love was spread even further.  
The VNA of South Central Connecticut, the International Institute of CT, Refugee Services division of Bridgeport and Julia Day Nursery & Kindergarten of Ansonia received some new friends to present to children in need. 
Coordinators also dropped off 26 stuffed monkeys in Newtown to be given to children affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.

'An amazing feeling'
Sneider uses her business as the main collection and drop off location. She wanted to help out by taking this drive over from the former owners of Luther’s Garage automotive repair business, previously located around the corner from her shop.

“This is my fifth year doing it,” Sneider said. “It is an amazing feeling to know each and every one of these monkeys will find comfort in the arms of a child in need and the children will find comfort in these monkeys.
"Each year, we hope to have an even more successful drive to create miles of smiles on the faces of precious children in great need.”

Stuffed monkeys have already been dropped off by the Milford Fire Department. This is their third year being involved. Last year, they collected more than 50 stuffed monkeys.

Newcomers to the annual collection last year included Bright Horizons child care center, 3 Corporate Drive, and United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church, 47 Franklin St.

Last year, the United Methodist Women, led by Barbara Tchakirides, crocheted 25 adorable and colorful stuffed monkeys. “We enjoyed crocheting these monkeys for a good cause – children,” Tchakirides said last year.
“I asked coordinators if they’ll be collecting again next year [2015.] When I learned the drive will continue, I became very excited because we can get a head start on crocheting!” 

Area individuals, corporations and groups are also encouraged to become involved by holding collections of their own.
For health and safety reasons, stuffed monkeys must be new with tags.

J-Cuts also holds an annual Back to School Book Bag & School Supply Drive beginning July 1 each year.

For more information, call J-Cuts, 203-924-4107.


This post is taken from a press release from Monkey Love organizers.

Winners of house-decorating contest in Ansonia applauded

The home of John and Ann Marie Checkley, 209 Wakelee Ave., took top honors in the annual contest.

  
ANSONIA - The Cultural Commission today announced winners of its House and Yard decorating contest.

Full disclosure: I was one of the judges as a member of the Valley Arts Council, along with arts council president Rich DiCarlo.
Several members of the city's Cultural Commission also took part in the judging of the 21 entries.

Congratulations go out to the following residents who won in their respective wards.

Overall Winner: John and Ann Marie Checkley, 209 Wakelee Ave.

Ward 1: David Harvey & Edward Miklos, 16-18 Sixth St.
Ward 2: Janet and Christopher Waugh, 87 Prospect St.
Ward 3: Don Anderson, 96 Myrtle Ave.
Ward 4: Charters Hose firehouse, 4 Murray St.
Ward 5: Eric & Veronica Feliciano, 195 Howard Ave.
Ward 6: Kamil Steczkowski, 28 Mountain View Road
Ward 7: Robert Myernick and Kathleen Dorsey, 7 Birchwood Drive.

The winners will be recognized at the Jan. 13 Board of Aldermen meeting at City Hall. 

Looking forward to even more participants next year!

Talks at Griffin Hospital in Derby to focus on blood glucose

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free discussions about blood glucose Jan. 13 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Entitled “Monitoring Your Blood Glucose,” the programs will discuss what blood glucose and insulin are; blood glucose targets and how you feel when your blood glucose is in and out of your target ranges; monitoring and knowing your A1c; what can make blood glucose go up and down and preventing high and low blood glucose; and using your monitoring results to manage your diabetes.

The presentations will be at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Childbirth Classroom A. Ask for directions to these rooms at the hospital’s front desk.


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.

All diabetics and their families are welcome to attend. No registration is required. Free valet parking is available for the 2:30 p.m. session.

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

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Valley United Way funds mental health first aid courses

ANSONIA - BHcare’s Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC) received funding from the Valley United Way to provide Mental Health First Aid classes throughout the Valley. 
These courses include Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health First Aid for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Course. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.

Adult Mental Health First Aid educates participants about the prevalence of mental illnesses in the U.S. and their emotional and economic cost, along with the potential warning signs and risk factors for depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, and substance use disorders. 
The course includes a five-step action plan to help an individual in crisis connect to professional care and provides the resources available to help someone with a mental health problem. 

Mental Health First Aid for Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Public Safety provides participants with a better awareness of the particular needs of people with mental illness which can help officers and staff better serve the public, work more efficiently, and increase safety. This course teaches an officer or staff person how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness, a valuable tool when assessing an individual or incident.

Studies have shown that the program:

1. Improves people’s mental health.

2. Increases understanding of mental health issues and treatments.

3. Connects more people with care.

4. Reduces stigma.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid at www.vsaac.org.

The Valley United Way Special Needs Grants Program is a small grants program created with funds that donors have designated to address needs in the community. The funds are separate from the traditional United Way funding program which takes place each year.

VSAAC, a program of BHcare, is a public/private partnership comprised of community leaders and citizens who develop and carry out strategies to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health among youth and, over time, among adults through community education, community mobilization, public awareness, and advocacy in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and surrounding communities. 

This is a press release from BHcare.