Nonprofit in Seymour seeks help with Diaper Dash 5K

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer energy healing workshops

Griffin Hospital Therapeutic Touch Coordinator Holly Major will teach basic and basic and intermediate level Therapeutic Touch workshops this February. /Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is offering basic and intermediate level Therapeutic Touch workshops in February.

Therapeutic Touch is an energy healing technique that is derived from the ancient practice of laying on of hands. It has been taught to thousands of healthcare professionals and can help reduce pain and anxiety, expedite healing, and increase overall feelings of well-being.

The workshops are taught by Holly Major, NP, MSN, QTTT, an Adult Nurse Practitioner and the TT Coordinator for Griffin Hospital. Major has been teaching TT since 2000 and is a qualified TT instructor through Therapeutic Touch International Associates, the international association of Therapeutic Touch.

The Intermediate Level TT Workshop will be from 5-9:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in the hospital’s Childbirth Education Classroom A&B and from 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the hospital’s Dining Rooms 1 & 2. 

The purpose of the intermediate level course is to explore the deeper concepts of TT, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. Participants must have already taken Basic Level Therapeutic Touch and practiced TT for at least six months to take this program.

The fee for the intermediate level workshop is $100, and includes all class materials.

The Basic Level TT Workshop will be from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at Griffin Hospital’s Dining Rooms 1 & 2. 
The purpose of the basic level course is to explain the basic concepts and practice of TT, allowing ample time for hands-on practice. 

The workshop is open to the public and registered nurses can earn 12 CEUs by completing the in-class and at-home portions of the program.

The fee for the basic level workshop is $100, and includes all class materials. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

For more information or to enroll, contact Holly Major, 203-732-7104 or hmajor@griffinhealth.org. Registration forms are also available through the workshops’ calendar listings at griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Children celebrate King's legacy at church in Ansonia

Darnaija Cooks, 6, reads a reflection from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a program celebrating King's legacy held Monday at Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Ansonia. Felicia McPhail is assisting her. Kierra Thomas, 10, is behind her at left. Darnaija and Kierra are both Julian A. Taylor Scholarship awardees. They were among 12 children who participated in the program. NAACP Ansonia Branch 2000 and the church sponsored the annual event.

Please check out my story today in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Baseball clinics planned at Derby High School

Derby Library seeks visitors' memories

Booklet to be compiled

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is asking visitors, past and present, young and old, to share 

their memories of special times spent at the Library.  

Over the years, numerous stories have verbally been shared about after-school visits, the glass floor, the spiral staircase, favorite collections and events, and much more.

The Library has been the focus of many childhood and adult memories, and now is the time to share them.  

If you have a remembrance you would like to share, either fill out a form available at the Library, or e-mail Director Cathy Williams at cwilliams@biblio.org.

A booklet of all shared memories will be compiled and distributed at a Celebration of Memories in the spring.

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


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

Ansonia furniture store is 125 years young

Owners mark milestone Sunday

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce president Bill Purcell, right, speaks Sunday about Spector Furniture's long history at a 125th anniversary celebration at the store, 385 Main St., Ansonia.

Congratulations go out to Ken and Howie Kreiger, Spector Furniture owners, on their store's milestone.

Please check out my story in today's Valley Independent Sentinel.

Shelton fire official outlines winter hazards

Make sure to keep portable heaters at least three feet away.

SHELTON – Freezing winter temperatures have prompted the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau to remind everyone to hold fire safety in high regard. 
Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief – Fire Prevention, Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau, says fires tend to increase during winter months when hazards associated with cold weather increase.
Typical hazards include the use of alternative heating methods, attempts to thaw frozen pipe, and the general increased activity indoors. 

In the U.S., heating is the second leading cause of all residential building fires following cooking. January is the peak month for such fires. Pisciotta encourages everyone to consider fire safety to help protect persons, homes, and businesses from the potential threat of fire.

Adequate heat should be maintained in all areas with use of well arranged and maintained heating equipment. Here are some helpful tips to prevent and unwanted fire in your home or business:

General Heating:

· A furnace should be inspected and serviced by a qualified professional at least once a year.

· Use temporary/portable space heaters that have been evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

· If temporary/portable space heaters are used, keep anything that can burn; such as bedding, paper, furniture, etc. at least three feet away.

· Ensure the portable space heater has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over.

· Electric portable space heaters should be plugged directly into a proper wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord.

· Turn off portable heaters when you leave a room or go to bed. (Use reminders such as notes, timer, etc. to ensure you to turn off heaters when you leave a room or go to bed.)

Wood burning stove or fireplace:

Use closed metal container for ashes

· Only burn properly dry and seasoned wood in a fireplace or wood stove. Never burn trash, paper, or green wood.

· A chimney for a wood burning stove or fireplace should be inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist at least once a year. The leading cause of chimney fires is from built up creosote.

· Ensure any fireplace is provided with a metal screen or heat-tempered glass, in good condition and secured in position in front of the fireplace.

· Dispose of cooled ashes in a closed metal container, which is then kept outside your home at least 10 ft. away from the house, wood deck, and any nearby buildings.

If heat is lost:

· Safely prevent pipes from freezing by running water, using alternative heating in a safer manner, and promptly making repairs to the primary heating system.

· If pipes do freeze, special care should be taken in thawing them. Open flames should never be used to thaw pipe.

Clothes dryers:

· With increased use of clothes dryers, be sure proper ventilation and lack of lint build-up in the ventilation system. Never leave a dryer running unattended

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. 
Know when and how to call “911” for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.

For more information, the public is encouraged to contact the Shelton Fire Prevention Bureau at 203-924-1555 or on the web under “Public Safety” at www.cityofshelton.org.


This is a press release from Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Chief, Fire Prevention in Shelton.