It's time to go pink to promote breast cancer awareness in the Valley

DERBY - The 7th Annual Valley Goes Pink Campaign invites the Lower Naugatuck Valley and surrounding communities to enjoy a variety of events featuring good food, drink and fun for a good cause throughout September and October.

The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community wide effort to increase awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and to celebrate the charitable spirit of the region’s businesses and organizations.

The following is a list of unique Valley Goes Pink fundraising events. 

For more information about “going pink” and joining the campaign visit griffinhealth.org/pink or contact the Griffin Hospital Development Fund at 203-732-7504, Jodi Dawley at 203-521-2233 or dawleypink@yahoo.com, or Sue Petrizzo at 203-400-1068 or petrizzopink@yahoo.com.

For more information about Valley Goes Pink and additional events, visit the Valley Goes Pink on Facebook or griffinhealth.org/pink.

Waiters Go Pink, Sept. 26 from 5:30-9 p.m. – Volunteer waiters will serve guests at Wellingtons Restaurant, 51 Huntington St., Shelton, and tips will go to the cause. Reservations required at 203-929-0336.

Trivia Night, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. – Come for a fun night filled with trivia and fun prizes at Porky’s Café, 50 Center St., Shelton. Call Karyn for reservations, 203-445-3091.

Wine Pairing for Pink Dinner, Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. – Enjoy dinner paired with wines for each course at Ari Bella Restaurant, 66 Huntington St., Shelton. Call Sue Petrizzo at 203-400-1068 to reserve your spot.

Paint for Pink, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. – Come to the ever-popular Paint & Sip event which features great raffle prizes at Vazzy’s Cucina, 706 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton. Call Ann at 203-305-0817 for reservations.

Mystery on Main, Oct. 7 from 6-9 p.m. – A Clue inspired evening of mystery, intrigue, music and more at Spector Furniture, 385 Main St., Ansonia. $40 per person.

Pinktoberfest by Yuengling Night, Oct. 10 at 5:30 p.m. – Come enjoy Yuengling beer specials, a special “Germanfest” tasting menu and great giveaways at Wellingtons Restaurant, 51 Huntington St., Shelton.

Bingo for Boobies Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. – Enjoy a fun-filled night of bingo and great prizes, including a flat screen TV, at The Hops Company (THC), 77 Sodom Lane, Derby. Call Sue for reservations at 203-400-1068.

Rock Out Your Pink, Oct. 12 6:30 p.m. – Enjoy wine and cheese while viewing the dazzling works of Marks of Design, 500 Howe Ave., Shelton. 10% of all sales will be donated.

Bras for the Valley, Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. – Design a bra and have it modeled in our fashion show with local “celebrity” models for a live auction, or just come for the fun at Il Palio, 5 Corporate Drive, Shelton. Call Ann at 203-305-0817 for more information.

Durante Family Brunch for Pink, Oct. 16 at noon – Come have an extravagant brunch at Maria V’s Restaurant, 220 Leavenworth Road, Shelton. Tickets are $50. Contact Anna Durante at 203-732-1977 or annadurante1@gmail.com for reservations.

Tacos for Tatas, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. – Enjoy delicious tacos for a good cause at River Rock Tavern, 5 Main St., Derby.

Shoot for a Cure Basketball Clinics, Oct. 22 – Girls and boys ages 8-13 learn valuable pointers from the best! UCONN stars Maria Conlon Rinaldi and Ashley Battle will host a girls’ clinic from noon-3 p.m. at Shelton High School, 120 Meadow St., Shelton, and Dennis Kelly and Dribble Drive Basketball will host the boys’ clinic from 1-4 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Family Center, 220 Shelton Road, Trumbull. Admission is $40. Call Jodi at 203-521-2233 to reserve a spot.

Pink Ribbon Yoga, Oct. 23 from 10 -11:15 a.m. – Join Kimmarie for a yoga session at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.. Minimum donation of $20. Visit kimmarieyoga.net to register.

Vineyards of the World Wine Tasting, Oct. 24 from 6-9 p.m. – Several distributors will be highlighting their wines at Wellingtons Restaurant, 51 Huntington St, Shelton, and the restaurant will offer great food to pair. Tickets are $50 per person. Call Linda for tickets at 203-414-8851.

The Valley Goes Pink is sponsored by 99.1 FM WPLR and Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

2 stores to collect food Friday in Ansonia, Shelton

Newsletter highlights Treasured Time helping Derby family

Dear readers,

We just finished today's Valley Voice newsletter. It includes a story about Treasured Time sending a Derby family to Las Vegas and the upcoming Women Making a Difference in the Valley luncheon.  

Here's the link:  http://media.wix.com/ugd/329bf6_38ce0eb9e489413fbe4d235dd8fbfd99.pdf 

Thanks for reading!

- Patti and Ralph

Make a wreath, take a hike, celebrate autumn at Ansonia Nature Center

ANSONIA - The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center, 10 Deerfield Road, offers a variety of fun and educational activities in October.

BITTERSWEET WREATHS – Oct. 1, 2 p.m.

Bring clippers and gardening gloves for this FREE workshop led by Ranger Dawn. When you collect these beautiful orange-berried vines, you’re actually helping the park by removing this invasive plant species. Please call to pre-register. 

NATURE’S CHILD: Leafy Critters – Oct. 7, 10 a.m.

Join our ranger to create an animal out of leaves that have already fallen from the trees and shrubs in the park. 

Go for a fall discovery hike to learn why leaves change color! 
TUITION: $7 per child ($5 for family-level FANCI members and Ansonia residents). Please call to pre-register for this class for preschoolers and their adults. 

HIKE AND DRAW WITH AMIE ZINER – Oct. 8 and Nov. 12, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Ranger Amie, ANRC’s resident artist, will teach this FREE outdoor drawing class at the Nature Center. We will walk to a number of pretty spots along the trails, collecting small things to draw and stopping to do some landscapes, in pencil and watercolor. 
Bring your own sketchbook and pencils, portable watercolor and brush (optional), a portable stool if desired, and a water bottle. You must be able to walk on an easy trail for a mile or two. Please preregister.

ASTRONOMY: Lunar Sketching – Oct. 8, 7 p.m.
Come to Ansonia's darkest location for some fun viewing the moon with Bob Carruthers and the New Haven Astronomical Society. Get a chance to see the first-quarter moon's surface on Bob's TV camera as well as sketch its craters. Bring a clipboard and pencil. 

Class size is limited; please register in advance. 

MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION FOR BEGINNERS – Oct. 9, 1 p.m.
What are those weird things that pop up in the woods after the rain? Are you mystified by wild mushrooms? Curious? Scared? Or do they make you hungry? Join a foraging family who hunt, photograph, identify, and eat the fungi in New England. The three foragers are from southeast CT and members of the CT Mycological Society and the North American Mycological Association. 
This program will dispel myths, teach how to safely identify mushrooms, and discuss mycophagy, the cooking and eating of wild mushrooms. Bring mushrooms you find in your yard and we’ll use our newly learned skills to identify them. Fee: $5 per person; call to register.

PET LOSS GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – Oct. 9 and Nov. 13, 1 p.m.
Losing a beloved animal can be tragic and a very emotional time for humans. There are numerous resources to turn to for the loss of a human loved one; however, there are limited options for when we lose an animal. 
Susan Wilson has created this support group for those who have lost an animal or have one in the process of moving on. Join us for these free sessions.

BACK TO BASICS: Soap Making with Goat’s Milk - Oct. 15, 2 p.m.
This two-hour class will provide the basic skills you’ll need to make wonderful soaps! 
Attendees will learn basic safety and traditional techniques required for this time-honored craft which makes great gifts—or soaps to keep for your own use. Soap samples and recipes will be provided. Bring a small container for your take-home samples. 
Instructor: Dawn Sotir. Fee: $10 per person. Registration required.

FULL HUNTER’S MOON HIKE – Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. 
This full moon is often referred to as the Full Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Many moons ago Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it’s time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. 
Historically this moon was honored and served as an important feast day among many tribes. Join the Nature Center guides as we lead you around our park by the light of the moon. For all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Wear comfortable walking shoes for uneven terrain. Fee: $1. Please register.

AUTUMNFEST – Oct. 22, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Celebrate this wonderful season with the staff and the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center (FANCI)! Take a ride over hill and dale in our horse-drawn story wagon, where you’ll hear some spooky Halloween tales! Meet some bats, spiders, and owls! Have some fresh apple cider and baked goods. 
Visit the Nature Shop to buy some creepy, crawly nature-related items. Enjoy nature-related exhibitors and vendors. You can try your hand at pumpkin painting, get your face painted, children’s games, live music, explore a maze, go on a spooky hike and make a craft. 
All proceeds will benefit the Ansonia Nature Center. 
Rain or shine. No admission fee. 

FALL DISCOVERY HIKE – Oct. 30, 1 p.m.
Join the Nature Center naturalist for a stroll through our woodlands, old fields, and wetlands. Enjoy the beauty and crisp fall air while learning about New England’s flora and fauna. 
Wear appropriate shoes for this moderate hike. Free. 

Call 203-736-1053 for information and to register for all programs.

This is a press release from Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center.    

Fundraiser at AM Club in Derby to support Ansonia Animal Shelter

Tickets are $20.

Reminder: Food trucks rolling into Shelton today

SHELTON - Celebrate Shelton presents the third annual Food Trucks in the Valley from 4-8 p.m. today at the Shelton Riverwalk off Canal Street. 

The event will benefit Spooner House and The Mary A. Schmecker Turtle Shell Fund.

Admission is free. (does not apply to food and beverages). 

The event will feature:

• 25+ food trucks
• Live music
• Craft beer
• Car show
• Kids' activities
• Mascot 
• Live music by The Alpaca Gnomes

Kids' activities will include:

• Bounce house
• Video game truck with Rolling Video Games of New England
• Hula hooping with BringtheHoopla LLC
• Face painting

Media sponsor is STAR 99.9 FM.

Parking will be available along the Riverwalk sidewalk, Conti building municipal lot, on the grass like last year, Shelton Post Office, street parking all around the venue, and across the bridge.

Note: This information is shared from a slightly edited Facebook event page.

Derby Public Library offers resume workshops

DERBY - The Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St., offers Resume “Right”-ing Workshops on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

During these sessions, participants are welcome to either 

start from scratch or bring copies of their existing resumes, cover letters as well, for review and optimizing.  

Often times a new resume can be created simply by making a number of subtle tweaks versus a whole new change.

The next class will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5.

Registration is not required.  

For more information, stop by the Library, call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 


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