2 rescued from Ansonia house fire

This was the scene of a house fire at 2 Greenfield Drive, Ansonia, this morning. Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti said an elderly woman and her son were rescued from the residence. Their dog also made it out safely.

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.     

Learn to plan for health care decisions at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Griffin Hospital will host a free educational workshop on how to plan for future health care and medical decisions Sept. 17 at noon./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., will host a free educational workshop on how to plan for future health care and medical decisions at noon Sept. 17.

The talk will focus on the three stages of Advanced Care Planning, a process in which individuals discuss and decide their future healthcare wishes in the event they unable to speak for themselves while at a healthcare facility.

“In an effort to honor one’s healthcare wishes, to promote quality of life and provide peace of mind, it is important to begin these important conversations about end of life sooner rather than later to ensure one’s wishes are honored,” said Maggie Sessa RN, Certified ACP Instructor with Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Parish Nurses.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community.

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah, 203-732-7399.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. 

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Shelton troupe slates auditions for 'Mother Hicks'

SHELTON - Center Stage Theatre Director Gary Scarpa has announced auditions for the play "Mother Hicks," will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 23 at Center Stage, 54 Grove St.
      
Scarpa is seeking experienced and inexperienced actors of all ages.

For more information in the press release posted in the Valley Independent Sentinel, please click here.

Talk baseball on Thursdays at Derby Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now in its 10th season of Sports Talks.  

These informal sessions are held every Thursday at 10 a.m. throughout the baseball 

season.  

They are facilitated by radio talk show host, author, and Major League Baseball 

Rules Consultant Rich Marazzi.  Each session includes trivia contests, videos, lively 

conversation and more.   

All ages, from rookies through veterans, are invited to join Rich and his group of Silver Sluggers.

No registration is necessary.  

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit 

www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 


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

Back to school rally slated Sunday in Ansonia

ANSONIA - John Gatison Park will be the place to be Sunday for a back-to-school rally for kids in the Valley.

Read all the details about this third annual community event in a story by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

New pub welcomed in Seymour

I attended Friday's official grand opening of American Pie & Pub in Klarides Village Shopping Center in Seymour. 

The restaurant/bar held its "soft opening" June 12, which drew a huge crowd, said Oxford resident Phil Pedros, owner. 
The menu features thin-crust pizza, chicken wings, and specialty beers on tap. 

Read all about it here in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

I wish Pedros and his staff the best of luck in this new endeavor!

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer health career classes

The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers has scheduled classes starting this fall. / Contributed photo

DERBY - The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, 300 Seymour Ave., Suite 206, will offer classes for its Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomy and Accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant programs this fall.

Anyone 18 years of age or older with a High School Diploma or GED may apply for admission. Early application is encouraged for all courses, as space is limited.

Patient Care Technician

The 16-week PCT program starts Sept. 15 with practical training on Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and either day (9 a.m. – noon) or evening (6-9 p.m.) phlebotomy classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The last four weeks of the PCT program is a clinical rotation from 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. for a total of 160 hours.

The PCT program offers ample hands-on training and opportunities for practical experience in the school's fully equipped mock hospital room. 

The course tuition includes textbook, malpractice insurance, CPR certification, and national certification.

Phlebotomy

The 13-week Phlebotomy program starts Sept 15 and offers day (9 a.m.-noon) and evening (6-9 p.m.) class options on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The course tuition includes a 40-hour internship, national certification, lab coats, CPR certification, malpractice insurance, and textbook.

Accelerated Certified Nursing Assistant

The school’s five-week, accelerated CNA program begins Oct. 5 with classes Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. for four weeks then a 40-hour clinical rotation for the final week.

The accelerated CNA course offers students an affordable and condensed schedule. 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. 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. The CNA course costs $1,250 and includes the course book, CPR training, and malpractice insurance coverage for the clinical rotation.

For more information or to apply, call 203-732-7578 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 Phlebotomy and other professional educational programs to provide training, education, and certification in selected health careers. 

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

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.