Hi Folks,
I'm now kicking off something I've wanted to do for about a year, have a timely blog about all things Hamden and North Haven. This blog will primarily be for announcements or for items that I'll be working on more in depth for the New Haven Register. If you want to notify me of a community event or news item, please contact me at ann.dematteo@gmail.com. Also feel free to comment below or email me at adematteo@newhavenregister.com.

JOHN MELILLO IS BACK!

At the Sept. 7 meeting of the Hamden Legislative Council, I was happy to see John Melillo, a well-known Highwood resident who has been recuperating after being stricken at a community forum in April. John has lost a little weight and looks great. Everyone was happy to see him. He collapsed at Hamden High School in April after speaking at a forum where gubernatorial candidates spoke at the Hamden Business and Community Expo.

TAKE A TROLLEY TOUR

The North Haven Historical Society is having its second annual Town Trolley Tour. It's an event that's going to visit several landmarks in town, including the Martha Culver House, built in 1858. Three are three tours scheduled, noon, 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. Go to the North Haven Cultural Center at 27 Broadway to participate. For information call Sue Iverson at 203-239-3523.

THEY ALL HAVE BACKED JACK

John and Theresa Viele of North Haven lost their son, Jack, from leukemia in 1999. This year, Jack would have been 21 years old and in his honor, the Vieles raised money for one of Jack's favorite places, the Eli Whitney Museum. The Vieles will showcase what has been done with the funds at a Jack Viele Got 21? reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday Sept. 16 at the museum, 915 Whitney Ave. in Hamden.

HAMDEN APPOINTS...
The Legislative Council recently appointed the following residents to the following boards and commissions: Janice Crann and Andrew Wormser to the Solid Waste & Recycling Commission, and Lisa DeGrand to the Arts Commission. All are reappointments. Good luck!
 
GETTING IN THE WAY?
 
I'm sure by now you've seen all those Ducci Electric trucks on Whitney Avenue with members of Hamden's finest patrolling at the same time. It's the Whitney Avenue resignalization project. I'll be writing about this sometime soon.
 
O SOLE MIO
 
Two of my favorite singers, Aaron Caruso and Ray Suntino (they're pretty cute too) are performing in a free concert at 5 p.m. Sunday Sept. 19 at Town Center Park at Meadowbrook, 2761 Dixwell Ave. Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic or purchase Italian treats from vendors. Concert sponsored by the town of Hamden, the Greater New Haven Columbus Day Parade Committee and the Hamden Arts Commission.
 
DAN IS THE MAN
 
Dan Riccio of North Haven, the commander of American Legion Post 76, has been cancer-free for five years now. To celebrate, he will be walking in the Light The Night Walk on Oct. 2 at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven. Light the Night is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual evening walk that celebrates and commemorates lives touched by cancer. Join the team known as Dan's Crusaders. For info contact LuAnn Leclerc at 203-427-2073 or LuAnn.Leclerc@lls.org. You can also register online by going to: http://pages.lightthenight.org/ct/NewHaven10/DanRiccio.