Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

... on Sunday evening.

The moon is in waxing gibbous phase, 65 percent illumination.

Recuperation journey: Around the yard - Part 9

Morning shadows.

Have a peaceful Sunday.

CT Folk Fest & Green Expo shifting to a virtual platform for concert series

NEW HAVEN - CT Folk thanks the community for its continued support of our organization, and the current roll-out of our virtual programming, including the CT Folk at Home concert series.

The CT Folk at Home series seeks to bring music to our Connecticut audience through an online platform; it is not lost on us that this virtual shift also allows us to reach out beyond our current fanbase and listenership geographically and demographically.

Safety has become a priority for artists and arts venues alike.
In keeping with CDC guidelines and navigating through an evolving pandemic-driven landscape, CT Folk has made the decision to shift our annual CT Folk Fest & Green Expo, typically held in Edgerton Park, to an expanded listening audience, with a multi-day virtual platform this September. 

“Like most arts organizations, CT Folk has had to close its physical doors and suspend in-person programming for the near future. As purveyors of folk music, we rely on the folk tradition of building community and looking to expand that community continually, which has posed particular challenges during these times. And it calls for creative and collaborative ways to continue to build community and support the artists who provide us with great music --- but who have also been hard hit by this shifting landscape,” Board President Lisa Kaston said.

Please visit our website to learn more about upcoming virtual concerts and CT Folk Fest plans at CTFolk.org and via Facebook/Instagram (@CTFolk).

CT Folk is dedicated to the furtherance of social justice and environmental initiatives that impact our local, as well as global community, and to the advancement of music in all of its varied forms. We note that CT Folk embraces an evolving and more expansive definition of the term “folk”, to better reflect, nurture, and celebrate a culturally rich listening and artist community. 

CT Folk is an approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which through several organizational changes, has been bringing a diverse and evolving mix of music to our listening community since 1989. 

Contributions to CT Folk are tax-deductible.

This is a press release from CT Folk. 

Klarides-Ditria: State, USDA, retailers team to implement SNAP online purchases

Dear Friend, Earlier this year, I received an email from a constituent suffering from "Intractable Epilepsy" asking if I would consider submitting a bill that would allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be used for food delivery to him and others who may have difficulty getting to stores to purchase food.  His email was very informative and included the fact that companies like Amazon Prime Pantry were accepting SNAP payments from New York but not Connecticut. I submitted a bill in February based on this email which ultimately became Raised Bill No. 5308. I am very happy to announce that the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) recently announced it was working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, the state’s electronic benefit transfer (EBT) vendor, and participating food retailers to implement SNAP online purchasing in Connecticut. Federal approval of the state’s plan was received May 20, and the beginning of online food purchasing is tentatively scheduled for June 2. When activated, enrollees will be able to use SNAP benefits on their EBT card to purchase eligible food items online for delivery or curbside pickup at participating food retailers. Current participating food retailers are Amazon, including Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh; 12 Walmart stores (click here for list); and Wakefern Food Corp., which has 22 participating ShopRite stores in state (click here for list).  While many people think at times that government may not be functioning properly or that regular people do not have a voice, this is an example of how government works for the people who need it the most. I am very proud and honored to be your State Representative and to be your voice in Hartford. If you have questions or concerns on any issue concerning state government, please contact me at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov or call 860-240-8700.  Sincerely,

Car and Truck Show at Scinto Towers in Shelton to benefit Pine Rock Park Co. 4

Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia to hold parking lot Adoration tonight

Derby Public Schools names 2021 District Para educator of the Year

Amanda Troop
 

DERBY - Derby Public Schools has selected Amanda Troop as the 2021 District Para educator of the Year.

The Connecticut State Department of Education and the School Paraprofessional Advisory Council has established the Anne Marie Murphy Para educator of the Year Program to recognize the important role of the Para educator in supporting student achievement.  

The award is named in honor of Anne Marie Murphy, a Para educator who was killed in the Sandy Hook shootings.  

Troop is a one-to-one para educator for 7^th grade at Derby Middle School. She supports learning center students in their art, music, and physical education classes.  

Troop attended Irving Elementary School, Derby Middle School while it was housed in Derby High School as a 7-12 grade building, and graduated from Derby High School class of 2012. 

She continues to live in Derby and holds a second job at Shop Rite in Derby.  

Rachael Caggiano, Derby Middle School Principal said, “Amanda is well-deserving of the honor of Para educator of the Year for Derby Public Schools and Derby Middle School. Her passion and dedication to serving students and ensuring they are meeting success shines through in everything she does. "She makes a difference in the lives of our students each and every day!" 

Troop said, “I am so grateful to be honored as this year’s Derby Middle School and Derby District’s Para educator of the Year. Growing up, I went to Derby schools K-12, and I love being able to give back what I learned to the district. Every day I would leave school with a smile on my face simply because I love what I do.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Conway said, "We are so fortunate to have Amanda working with our kids every day. She has provided so much support in multiple ways and is always willing to assist. Most recently, she was immediately up and running with her own Google classroom to support our kids during our distance learning.”

Board of Education Chairman Jim Gildea said, “The Derby school system is fortunate to have such an enthusiastic, loyal, and innovative paraprofessional in Amanda. She can be counted on to offer creative ways to impact those students that she works with.  As an added benefit, Amanda has deep roots in Derby and having someone so connected to our great city with all its history is a huge asset.”

The District also recognizes its Building Level Para educators of the Year: Rita Mammano from Bradley School, Maria Ryan from Derby High School, Donna Kalafut from Little Raiders University, and Samantha Mahan from Irving School.  

This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Congratulations to all the honorees!