VSAAC to present community awards at conference in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - The Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council will host its 25^th Anniversary A Piece of the Prevention Puzzle Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24 at Anthony’s Ocean View, 450 Lighthouse Road.

This year’s conference focuses on Internet safety, emotional intelligence, and prescription pill and heroin use. 

Participants will learn practical tools and skills from nationally recognized experts. 
The cost of the workshop is $75. Continental breakfast and deli lunch are included and continuing education and training credits are available.

Theresa Conroy

Carol Cruz

The conference will also feature VSAAC’s 2015 Community Champion Awards. 

The awards are given to those in the community who take action and effect change in the field of substance abuse prevention and/or intervention activities.

The awards spotlight and applaud the work that is being done to help prevent substance abuse on the grass-roots, community level. 
It is work that is absolutely critical to VSAAC’s efforts to keep our kids safe from alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and surrounding communities.

This year’s Community Champions include Carol Cruz, CCAR Project Manager for the Young Adult and Families Program; Jeffrey Nielsen, Sergeant, Milford Police Department; Theresa Conroy, State Representative, APRN for Minute Clinic and Pina Violano, Injury Prevention Coordinator, Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Jeffrey Nielsen

Pina Violano

For more information or to register, visit www.vsaac.org

This is a press release from VSAAC, a program of BHcare. 

VSAAC 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. 

Griffin in Derby to host talks about diabetes management

DERBY - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host two free discussions about understanding the long-term complications with diabetes and how to manage them Sept. 8 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

Mary Swansiger, BSN, MPH, of Griffin’s Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program, will present “Continuing Your Journey with Diabetes” at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Childbirth Classroom A. 

This in-depth discussion of diabetes and its natural course will focus on understanding the difficulties of keeping blood glucose within the target range, the potential long-term complications of diabetes, how to delay or reduce the risks of long-term complications by managing blood glucose, the importance of checking for long-term complications, and knowing the “ABCs” of diabetes.

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 Swansiger, 203-732-1137.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

AARP Driver Safety Class slated at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library has scheduled an AARP Driver Safety Class from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sept. 22.

Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members.  

Cars have changed and so have traffic rules, 

driving conditions, and the roads you travel. This refresher course is designed for drivers 50 and over to brush up on their driving skills.  
No written tests, no road tests, and no information

will be given to the Department of Motor Vehicles.  

Participants will learn how to drive more defensively and may save up to 10 percent on their present auto liability insurance.

Space is limited and registration is required.  Participants may bring a bag lunch.

Coffee and dessert will be provided.  

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

www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 

Musicians to perform at Master's Table dinner in Ansonia

Seymour Pink celebrates shop's first year

Seymour Pink Gift Shop volunteer Peggy Carvalho of Seymour snaps a photo of two happy customers Sunday at a celebration to mark the shop's first year in business. 

Do yourself a favor and visit the store at 3 Franklin St., Seymour. You won't be disappointed! 

All proceeds benefit Seymour Pink, Inc., a community's fight against breast cancer. 

The shop sells shirts, caps, scarves, pajama pants, fleece jackets, stationery, home decor, mugs, jewelry, and more. 

I purchased an anniversary bracelet created by Ansonia resident Alyssa Antonucci, owner of Beads by Alyssa. The awareness ribbon says HOPE.

For more information, please check out my story in the Valley Independent Sentinel about last September's grand opening.

Seymour Pink marking 1st anniversary of shop

The celebration continues until 4 p.m. today

'Superheroes' visit Ansonia park, residents enjoy movie

It was perfect weather Friday evening for Ansonia's first outdoor movie event at Veterans Park. Residents of all ages enjoyed a free showing of Marvel's 'The Avengers.'

   First up was a 'Tom and Jerry' cartoon.

   The main event, Marvel's 2012 blockbuster, 'The Avengers.'

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti holds Captain America's shield. Several 'superheroes' surround Cassetti before the show. 

(Sharing this photo from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.)

It was a fun evening! Thanks go out to the organizers!

Looking forward to the next outdoor movie.