Deputy Police Chief Thomas McLoughlin was named police chief this morning at a meeting of the Police Commission. The new chief takes over Friday and will be sworn in on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at a place to be determined. He replaces Jim DiCarlo, who is retiring on Thursday.

NORTH HAVEN — State Rep. Dave Yaccarino and Sen. Leonard A. Fasano, both R-North Haven, will meet with constituents from 6:30 to 8 tonight in a town hall meeting in the community room of the North Haven Public Library, 17 Elm St.

The legislators invite public to share their concerns and to ask questions about the state budget, the looming deficit and alternatives to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal for tax increases. Both legislators said they’re concerned with the impact of the governor’s budget on families across Connecticut.

“I applaud the governor for seeking $2 billion in concessions from state employees and I wish him success but we still need to keep an eye on cutting spending,” said Fasano, who suggests real downsizing beyond eliminating 150 jobs in a 46,000-person work force by considering the privatization of services and selling assets.

The governor’s budget increases state spending by nearly $1 million and relies on increased tax revenue at a time when many Connecticut families, especially the middle class, are hurting, they said.

“Connecticut families are already struggling in this economy and the governor’s proposal doesn’t go far enough with spending cuts before raising taxes on basic necessities. North Haven families have had to tighten their belts and do more with less; it’s time for the state to do the same,” Yaccarino said.

For more information, contact Peggy Deschenes at 800-842-1421 or email peggy.deschenes@cga.ct.gov.

HAMDEN, CT – The Seventh Annual Hamden Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Expo, which is presented by Lincoln Technical Institute’s Hamden Campus, will be held at Hamden High School on Saturday, April 16. 

Over 100 businesses from Hamden and surrounding towns will inform and entertain visitors, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Hamden High School gymnasium,

2040 Dixwell Ave

.  Admission is free, and ample free parking is available.

Visitors will be able to sample food from area restaurants and caterers.  Parents can get free photo identification for their children at the AMBER Alert Child ID Booth sponsored by the Hamden Rotary Club. Children can create their own wooden masterpieces at the Home Depot Kids Corner.  Many other complimentary services, health screenings, raffles and give-a-ways will be available.  Guests will be able to purchase items, browse through information displays and network with representatives from every part of Hamden’s diverse business community.

Chamber of Commerce President Nancy Dudchik said “The success of the previous six years demonstrates the continued popularity of our Expo.  For the first time, the show will take place on a Saturday allowing for more participation from the community.  We are excited that this year, more attendees than ever before, will be able to see all that Hamden has to offer."

Sponsors for the 2011 Business and Community Expo include Lincoln Technical Institute Hamden Campus, Ryan Oil Company, Beecher & Bennett Funeral Service, People’s United Bank, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Comcast Business Class, Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, New Alliance Bank/First Niagara, Silvia Graphics, Mark Stevens of Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Quinnipiac Bank & Trust Company and CTWorks.

For more information about the Expo and for booth availability, call the Hamden Chamber of Commerce at (203) 288-6431, or visit the Chamber’s website, at http://www.hamdenchamber.com/.

Pictured are some of the Children in the Little Dragons Class practicing how to get out of their backpacks. Front row (L-R) Eyad Salem, Celina Caicedo, Imaan Massod. Back row Areli Jimenez.

On the week of March 14, 2011, the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts in Hamden held their “Children’s Self-Defense for the Streets - Winter Street Clothes Week”. This is where the students wore their regular clothes to class. On one of the days during the week, the children wore their school clothes and on the other day, they wore the clothes that they would normally hang out in. For the children who participate in our free style fighting class – sparring class they chose a different style of clothes to wear. The Academy also asked the students to bring in any accessories they use on a daily basis, such as backpacks and shoulder bags.

 At the Academy, it is important for the students to understand their Martial Arts movements and how to use them in a real situation. “With all of the bullying and crime towards children on the rise there are more parents coming into the Academy with self-defense on their mind. This week’s lesson plan brought the students’ understanding of self-defense to a new level. Our students learned how to overcome the restrictions that their clothes may impose on their movements and how to defend against someone who is trying to use their clothes (such as hoods, hats, jackets, etc.) against them. Another part of the Children’s Self-Defense for the Streets - Street Clothes Week was learning how to defend against someone trying to use the accessories against them as well as learning how to use those same accessories as a self-defense tool,” said Shihan Frank Ciarleglio, a 5th Degree Black Belt and Instructor at the Hamden Academy.

For more information on the Academy, you can call (203) 288-9990 or visit them on the web at www.academyofkempo.com. While on the web site, please check out the photos of Children’s Self-Defense for the Streets - Street Clothes Week.

 

The students of St. Rita Middle School of Hamden are preparing for their upcoming production of Bye Bye Birdie. Shows are scheduled for April 13 –April 16  at the school, 1601 Whitney Ave. Students in grades six through eight have worked together on every aspect of the play from set construction and painting to lights and sound and, of course, acting and singing. Julie Mountcastle is directing.

St. Rita School invites everyone to see the show. Opening night, Wednesday, April 13, will begin at 6:00 pm in the school gymnasium. The remaining shows, Thursday through Saturday, will begin at 7:00 pm.

For ticket information, call (203)248-3114.

Hamden Elks Lodge Scholarship Awardees

Hamden Lodge 2224 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, serving Hamden and North Haven, announces the 2011 recipients of our Annual Lodge Scholarship in honor of Edward J. Connolly.They are Nicole Maturo of Hamden who attends Sacred Heart Academy; Celeste Sivori of Bethany who attends Chase Collegiate; Alexa Mychajlowskyj of North Branford who attends North Branford High; Kevin Gorman of Killingworth who attends Haddam-Killingworth High School and Michael Scott Welton of North Branford who attends North Branford High School.

Each will receive $500 at the Lodge Youth Activities Banquet to be held on May 3. This scholarship is in addition to Elks National Foundation scholarships being offered to high school seniors through the Hamden Elks and other Lodges around the country.

Perspective TV will raise money to benefit the victims of the Japan Tsunami.

Hamden CT, -- Perspective TV will be raising money for the victims of the Japan Tsunami this Sunday, March 20 at Johnson Duckpin Lanes 2100 Dixwell Avenue in Hamden. The Fundraiser will run from 5- 9 p.m.  Adults and children are invited to attend.  Come enjoy a fun night of glow and bowl while helping to raise money for a country that needs our help.  The cost is $10 each person per hour of bowling time.  Groups 10 or more must register by email:  producer@perspectiveshow.com  

 Proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/

  

                                                                        ##

Perspective TV is the first traveling reality talk show.   It is full of intelligent, interesting conversation, traveling to some of the best eateries and small businesses in the state. No commentators, no celebrities, just everyday diverse people with their own perspectives. For additional information on Perspective TV, please visit www.perspectiveshow.com and watch Perspective TV Sunday mornings at 5 and 9:30 am on MyTV9.

For more information on the duckpin bowling fundraising location Johnson Duckpin Lanes, please visit www.johnsonlanes.com or call (203)248-1563.

The folks at the Hamden Elks Lodge were serving up corned beef for St. Patrick's Day. The full monty was Wednesday night and the crowds came in on Thursday for corned beef sandwiches, adorned with homemade potato salad, cole slaw, pickles and horseradish and mustard. They'll be serving the sandwiches until 7:30 or so tonight, so get right over to the lodge at 175 School St. for some scrumptious grub. Here's Donald O'Tozzo, Nancy Torello and company talking about their affinity for corned beef in the video below.

LOCAL SOLOISTS JOIN FORCES TO HELP HAMDEN CHILDREN

Hamden Symphony Orchestra and area musicians to raise money for SAILS program at Hamden Middle School

 

WHO: Hamden Symphony Orchestra lead by Vesna Mehinovic featuring local soloists: José García-Leon, piano; Mary Tokarski, accordion; Michael Betts, baritone; Kamau and Kai Burton, guitar; Chimes Chorus from the Unquowa School; UNH African Drumming Ensemble and a vibraphone quintet

 

WHAT: 3^rd Annual Benefit Concert.  All proceeds to benefit the SAILS program at Hamden Middle School

 

WHERE: University of New Haven Dodds Hall Theater 300 Boston Post Rd. West Haven

 

WHEN: Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 5PM.  Donations gratefully accepted at the door

 

 

 

 

http://www.hamdensymphony.org/

 

 

Young Audiences of CT and CT After School Network Present:

Spring into the Arts After School Conference

Sat., March 19, Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Ave., Hamden

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Spring into the Arts is a conference for after school professionals who bring creativity to the many diverse after school and summer programs throughout the state. The goal is to link the arts with school curricula and bring another dimension of learning to Connecticut’s children.

An array of health and wellness workshops will also be offered that include yoga, nutrition, and fitness.

Workshops will introduce new ways to introduce after school kids to a world of imagination and opportunities.

This year the CT After School Network is partnering with Young Audiences for Learning CT (YAC)—a VSA affiliate—to offer workshops taught by YAC teaching and performing artists.

Members: $80; Non-Members: $125

Conference Fee & Membership: $140

Fee includes workshops, continental breakfast and lunch.

The full downloadable conference program is posted at http://www.ctafterschoolnetwork.org/. Online registration by March 11.

Call CT After School Network at 203-483-1846

CT After School Network’s mission is to provide opportunities for all CT youth to participate in high quality, affordable after school programs and to lead, educate, and advocate for excellence in the after school field by building professionalism, strengthening program quality, and increasing availability and affordability.

 

On Monday March 21 the North Haven Middle School will host their 3^rd annual St. Baldrick’s event from 5-8 p.m.  Students, teachers and other volunteers will have their head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer.  It is a fun-filled family event with food, baked goods and music by the NHHS Jazz Band and the NHMS Garbage Band. Over 130 people have signed up to shave their heads and they have pledged over $23,000 to date. St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers.  Come out and support this special event.

This blog entry is coming from the perspective of  a very proud aunt. A few weeks ago, Hamden Superintendent of Schools Fran Rabinowitz  held a ceremony for the January and February Students of the Month. My niece, Rebecca, a second-grader at Dunbar Hill School, was among the students recognized. As a result of her recognition, I now promise, on this blog, to run the names of all the students who are recognized monthly by the superintendent.  Fran told the parents, teachers, principals and students who were in the audience that day that holding such ceremonies is one of the most favorite parts of her job. Below is the list of the students who were nominated by their teachers for the recognition, which came with a certificate and, at least in the case of the elementary kids, a certificate to Kelly's Kone Konnection on Whitney Avenue. Also below is the video I took of Rebecca with Fran and her teacher, Raynetta Ford.

Superintendent Students of the Month

The Superintendent of Schools, Fran Rabinowitz, is pleased to announce the honorees for the month of January and February, 2011.  Students are chosen by their respective schools for demonstrating good citizenship, perseverance, academic progress and service to the school.

Kayla Bedford                             Bear Path School

Anna Weingart

Matilda Odozi                               Church Street

School

Thomas Kashuba

Pasquale Donnarummo                  Dunbar Hill School

Rebecca DeMatteo

Joshua Guzman                           Helen Street

School

Sabrina Monteiro

                            

Mary Cozza                                Ridge Hill School

Chelem Okoro

Mahmoud Mohamad                     Shepherd Glen School

Collette Lynch

Kaitlin Ford                                  Spring Glen School

Chloe Jouret

Christopher Wallace                       West Woods School

Jordan Agosto

Michael Papa                               Hamden Middle School

Bethany Keyl

Bria White                                   Hamden High School 

Robert Ugolik

Bonnie Hawkins

Kevin Hochstrasser 

                            

HAMDEN -- Mayor Scott D. Jackson will give his state of the town address to the Hamden Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.
The free event takes place at 1 p.m. in Thornton Wilder Hall of Miller Library.
To reserve a spot, call the chamber at 203-288-6431 or email hcc@hamdenchamber.com.
Coffee will be served following the speech.



NORTH HAVEN -- The Urgent Care Center in the Home Depot Plaza, 163 Universal Drive, invites the public to a seminar on asthma on Tuesday.
It will be held at 6:30 p.m. and will be presented by Professional Home Care Services.
Questions about how one gets asthma and how it is treated and controlled will be covered at the free event.

And to think this got blocked from my spam filter ---

GRIFF'S CHICKEN SHACK HAS CATFISH FOR LENT

Your alternative to pizza is here!

Griff's Chicken Shack

3000 Whitney Ave.

Hamden

1 mile south of Quinnipiac University

(203) 909-6636

http://www.griffschickenshack.com/

Click here for our menu

Carroll Nutile Burke, Lloyd Ayer and Doris Townshend speak at Hamden Hall Country Day School on Wednesday.  Carroll and Lloyd are alumni from the Hamden Hall class of 1947.

Story from Hamden Hall Country Day School --

Connecticut’s first female state representative, a feisty powerhouse in her day, had a connection to Hamden Hall Country Day School that Lower School students learned about during a Women’s History Month assembly that celebrated several strong ladies in the school’s history.

Hannah Osgood Townshend was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1925 and was one of the five founders of the Connecticut League of Women Voters.  She was also the mother of Henry Townshend who attended Hamden Hall from 1927 to 1933 and later became a member of the school’s Board of Trustees when three of his children were enrolled at the school.

“Hannah Osgood Townshend, whose initials are H.O.T., was a whirlwind of activity and when she entered a room she dominated the scene,” said Doris Townshend of New Haven, daughter-in-law of Hannah and wife of Henry.

Doris Townshend was joined by Carroll Nutile Burke and Lloyd Ayer, both Hamden Hall alumni from the class of 1947, in speaking to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders about special women and the impact they had in their communities.  Women’s History Month was designated in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter with annual themes that encourage institutions and organizations to honor women in their communities.  This year’s theme is “Our History is Our Strength.”

Ayer, of Hamden, read the first chapter of “Days Amanda Remembered,” a fictional book written by Marjorie Stewart, a former beloved English teacher at Hamden Hall from 1940 to 1967. The book, which is set during the American Revolution and offers a historical account of the period, was illustrated by Elizabeth Garvey, a 2010 Hamden Hall graduate.

Students were eager to answer questions about the powder referred to in “Days Amanda Remembered” and the muskets that had to be loaded with the black substance prior to use.

Burke, served as a role model during the 1940s when she opted for college versus the more traditional paths generally followed by girls after high school.  “Going off to college back then was unique for a female,” she told students.  “So I was a rather peculiar child at that time because most women chose between being a mother and housewife, a secretary, a teacher or a nurse.”

Burke instead attended the University of Connecticut, where she earned her Ph.D. and spent her career as a researcher and faculty member in the Department of Animal Diseases.

Seven people with ties to North Haven will be in the sportlight at the Omni New Haven Hotal at Yale Friday to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House.

"Dancing Under the Stars" kicks off with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 7:30 p.m. with a cast of local celebrities who will be paired with professional ballroom dancers from "Dance in Rhythm" of Branford.

The Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut in conjunction with Kids for Kids, Dancing for Life!, Inc. is presenting the event.
Tickets are $75 a person and can be obtained through Cathy Bignolas at the Ronald McDonald House, 203-777-5683.

The celebrity dancers are: Lisa DeLeo-Kelly, the owner of "Simple Couture," a formal dress shop in North Haven; North Haven dentist Stuart Lazaroff; Victor Palma, the director of field operations for the North Haven Public Works Department; North Haven community activist and owner and founder of GIRLTOWER LLC, Theresa Ranciato-Viele; state Rep. David Yaccarino, R-North Haven, the owner of DJ’s Sports Collectibles and Comics, and Tom Prete of North Haven, the owner of the Dancer’s Shop and executive director of the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Pageant. Also dancing are Patti Scussel of East Haven, the executive director of the Greater New Haven Leadership Center with the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, and News 8’s Sara Welch.

Awards will be presented in several categories by the celebrity judges: dancer and costume designer Kim Hunter; WEBE 108’s Danny Lyons; News 8’s Jocelyn Maminta; Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce President Anthony Rescigno of North Haven and Kathryn Spero, a founding member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

News 8’s Gil Simmons is the emcee.

The black tie optional event is being sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Bridgeport Hospital.

THE WORLD-RENOWNED

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY AEOLIANS OF HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MAESTRO JASON MAX FERDINAND

WILL BE IN CONCERT

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2011 at 7:00 P.M.

THE MOUNT ZION SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

64 MARLBORO STREET

- HAMDEN, CT. 06517

FREE ADMISSION

THE AOLEONS HAVE APPEARED ON

GOOD MORNING AMERICA (ABC) AND THE CBS MORNING SHOW

THEY HAVE ALSO PERFORMED AT THE KENNEDY CENTER IN WASHINGTON, DC AND ALL OVER THE

CARIBBEAN, POLAND, ROMANIA, AND GREAT BRITAIN.

MUSIC RANGES FROM THE BAROQUE ERA TO THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ONE OF THE FOLLOWING PATRON LEVELS, PLEASE CONTACT TAMARA NATHAN-OPUTA AT 203 535-9863 OR TMOPU@AOL.COM OR

MOUNT ZION SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH AT 203 562-5784

PATRON ~ $50                 SILVER PATRON ~ $75        GOLD PATRON ~ $100

VIP PATRON ~ $150                    PLATINUM PATRON ~ OVER $150

THERE WILL BE A RECEPTION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PERFORMANCE.

SEATING WILL BE RESERVED FOR VIP AND PLATINUM PATRONS

AND THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE A FREE CD.

PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT.

MT ZION EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Hamden Lodge 2224 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks announces that President Elect for the 2011-12 Elk year is Karen A. Forsyth. Karen has been an active Elk member for 15 years and served as Hamden Lodge President during Elk year 2007-2008. She is the Connecticut Elk Association’s Central District Chairperson for Major Project for the Connecticut Children's Medical Center and formerly served as the State Scouting Coordinator. She received the Lodge Elk of the Year award in 2009 and has received Grand Lodge citations for exemplary service. She has chaired and served on numerous committees, including the Lodge Americanism Committee and has organized many Lodge ceremonies including North Haven and Hamden Flag Day events. Karen has tirelessly organized many Lodge fundraisers to benefit veterans, youth and local charities.

Karen has B.S degree from Southern Connecticut State University and a MBA from University of New Haven. Karen has worked for Stop and Shop for 40 years and is the Floral Manager at the Putnam Place location, in Hamden. She is the Union Steward for Local 919. She has been married to her husband, Brian for 35 years. They have a son James and soon to be daughter in-law Katie Shanley. She loves to travel and has organized many trips for the Elk's.

Karen and all of the newly elected Elks officers will be installed at a ceremony open to the public on Friday, April 1 at 6:30 in the Elks Lodge at 175 School Street, Hamden. The Hamden Elks are dedicated to youth programs, patriotism and service to hospitalized veterans, as well as national and local charities. The Hamden Lodge is currently celebrating their 50^th year serving the communities of Hamden and North Haven.

NORTH HAVEN -- March 5 was proclaimed "Walter Nester Day" by First Selectman Michael J. Freda at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Ball at Yale Commons. Nester will serve as Grand Marshal of the Parade on March 13.

"North Haven is proud that Walter Nester has been chosen to lead this extremely popular community event and we are pleased to recognize him with this proclamation," Freda said.

Nester is a former third selectman, economic development commissioner and vice president and general manager of the New Haven Register. He now works as Business Development Executive with the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

The parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday on Chapel Street in New Haven. It is the biggest parade in recent years with 160 units and 3,600 marchers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The Hamden Democratic Town Committee announced that it would hold a Democratic Party Spring Gala on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Cascade Banquet Facility, 480 Sherman Avenue, Hamden.  Tickets are $60 per person, or $600 for a table.

The guest speaker for the event will be Edward M. Kennedy, Jr., the son of the late Massachusetts US Senator, Edward M. Kennedy.  Edward M. Kennedy, Jr., is the president of the Marwood Group, a firm that advises corporations about health care and financial services.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Association of People with Disabilities.

The Democratic Party will also be honoring seven Hamden Democrats, who will be the first recipients of the Bernard Nitkin Hamden Distinguished Democrat Award. The award is named after the former Hamden Democratic Party treasurer, Bernard Nitkin, who passed away recently.  “Bernie Nitkin served as the Hamden Democratic Party treasurer for 58 years,” said Joseph McDonagh, Hamden Democratic Chair, “longer than anyone has held that office in the entire state.  It seemed fitting to name the award after Bernie.”

The 2011 honorees are: former Legislative Council member and former Hamden purchasing agent, Judi Kozak; former Legislative Council member, John Flanagan; former Board of Education chair and former State Representative, Nancy Beals; Raymond Sims, Sr.; former Hamden Mayor John Carusone; former Legislative Council member Tony Mentone; and former HDTC member Don Werner.

Also at the Gala, the Fourth Annual Gloria C. Sandillo Scholarship Award will be given to a high school senior from Hamden.  For more information, or for tickets, please visit the Democratic Party’s website, http://www.hamdendemocrats.com/, or call Joseph McDonagh at 203-676-6271.

HAMDEN

This annual event, sponsored by Hamden's Chamber of Commerce, is an opportunity for the

Mayor to report on the current operational, financial and business progress of the Town as well

as the plans for the coming fiscal year. The event is free to the public and a coffee reception

will follow the address. Please rsvp to the Hamden Chamber, (203) 288-6431.

For further questions, please contact Curt B. Leng in the Mayor's Office at (203) 287-7100 or

via email at

(203) 288-6431 or via email at

– All Hamden residents and business owners are invited to Mayor Scott D. Jackson's state of the town address at 1 p.m. March 15 in Thornton Wilder Auditorium in the Miller Library Complex, 2901 Dixwell Ave.cleng@hamden.com or Nancy Dudchik at the Hamden Chamber of Commerce atndudchik@hamdenchamber.com.

# # #

SKATE FOR LEAH

WHAT:                 Skate for Leah, an annual MADD event held in memory of Leah Hall, killed by a drunk driver in 1995.  At the request of Leah’s family, MADD will hold its 10^th annual skating event in an attempt to reach out to youth to create awareness about the issues of underage drinking and drunk driving.  Skate for Leah will be an enjoyable event for all ages.

WHEN:                 Saturday, March 26, 2011

WHERE:               Louis Astorino Ice Arena

                                Hamden Ice Rink

                                595 Mix Avenue

Hamden, CT  06514

WHY:                    The funds raised will enable us to provide educational awareness programs to our young people, provide free advocacy programs to victims of alcohol–related crashes and their families, and to continue educating the community about the danger of drinking and driving. 

CONTACT:           Carole Cohen

                                Senior Office Administrator

203-764-2566

carole.cohen@madd.org

The North Haven Community Service Awards Dinner honored four men for their service to the town on Feb. 26. The annual awards event is sponsored by the Hamden Elks, serving Hamden and North Haven. Shown at the ceremony are, left to right: North Haven Citizen of the Year Luigi Nuzzolillo,Volunteer Firefighter of the Year Angel Sanjurjo, First Selectman Michael Freda, Firefighter of the Year Paul Januszewski; Police Officer of the Year Theodore Stockmon; Fire Chief Vincent Landisio, Police Chief James DeCarlo and Hamden Elks President Tim Mayer.

Proceeds support the Elks many youth and veterans projects and area charities in Hamden and North Haven.

State Rep. Dave Yaccarino, R-North Haven,  will meet with constituents from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday March 2 at the McDonald's on Washington Avenue.
Yaccarino invites constituents to stop in for a complimentary cup of coffee and share their concerns, ideas and questions.
For information call Yaccarino at 800-842-1423 or his Website at www.repyaccarino.com

The picture above was taken with my cell phone following the Feb. 20 performance of  "The Rat Pack is Back!" at the Shubert in New Haven. A buddy of mine from North Haven, Drew Anthony, finally got to show the folks in New Haven what he does every night at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in  Las Vegas -- play Dean Martin! So, after the performance, Drew and the rest of the cast posed for pictures with the audience. Included in the audience was his maternal grandmother, 101-year-old Elvia "Me-Ma" D'Agostino of North Haven. The show is filled with song, sight gags and jokes, and during some improvisation, Drew, uh, Dean, got to mention that she was in the audience. While the show is scripted, there is improv and Drew said he's "always thinking of funny things to say."
"She got a big kick out of it," was how "Me-Ma" felt about Drew's performance.
"It was fun to be at the Shubert," said Drew when I interviewed him by phone as he was waiting for a plane to California, home of the next touring gig. "I got to see a lot of old friends. They get to see what you've accomplished. The biggest reward was my family got to see the show. It brings happiness to them."
Until he caught this break, Drew always did what he loved -- teaching and performing music. He always gave it his all.
"The idea is to keep on plugging until something happens," he said.

This information is from:

Rev. Care Goodstal-Spinks

Associate Pastor

North Haven Congregational Church

The youth of North Haven Congregational Church have an active outreach ministry to the greater North Haven community and beyond.  Last November our youth worked in partnership with Columbus House to raise awareness of the problem of homelessness in the greater New Haven area as they slept in boxes and tents in VERY cold weather on our church grounds.  Not long after that, having been deeply touched by the harsh conditions that homeless people have to endure, having had that ‘sleep out’ event, they took up a collection of winter coats, hats, gloves, blankets, etc. to be donated to the needy folks that Columbus House serves.  During the week prior to the Super Bowl, our youth were again on hand to cook and serve breakfast at 5:00 a.m. (!) to the 12 homeless men that our church was housing and feeding for a week for Columbus House in a ministry known throughout the area as “Abraham’s Tent”.   In July they will be taking their love of neighbor to the poor, the elderly, the handicapped, and to local children in the Appalachian Mountains, near Beckley, West Virginia.  There they will be working with other senior high youth from a number of states, representing three distinctively different Christian denominations as they engage in light duty construction and home repairs, and provide leadership for a vacation Bible school type of ministry to needy children in that community.  From now through June the NHCC Youth Mission Team will be holding a variety of fundraising events to cover the costs of sending 11 youth and their adult advisors to Appalachia, and we invite the prayers of the wider community as we prepare for this faith building, and often life-changing experience.  The prayers of others will directly benefit this mission…and we receive them with deep gratitude.

Re attached photo:

Back row: Rev. Care Goodstal-Spinks; Kim Coughlin; Jesse Morrow; Lori Murphy; Katie Mulvey; John Tibor.

Middle row: Andrew Lynch; Joey Mulvey; Hunter Coughlin; Amy Morrow; Onalee Collins; Austin Smith.

Front row: Kenny Broccoli; Emily Crowther; Joe Burr, Jr.

North Haven Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge #2805 had a Chili Cook Off on February 6, 2011, Super Bowl Sunday, at their lodge on Washington Avenue in North Haven.  Nine members entered their favorite chili recipes and all members had a chance to taste and rate them.  The 1st place winner was Maryann Ciarleglio.  Coming in 2nd was Mark DeFranco and 3rd place went to Ralph DiNicola.

The Women’s Fellowship of Dunbar United Church of Christ has donated more than $6,000 from the profits of its 2010 Apple Festival.  The Apple Festival, now in its 43^rd year, features apple pies and other baked goods.  It is held the fourth Saturday in October each year.

The money went to the Hamden Food Bank, Hamden Fuel Bank, St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen, Columbus House, CT Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, IRIS, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Interfaith Caregivers and Hamden High School’s After Prom Fund.

Funding was also set aside for college scholarships awarded to Dunbar UCC members.  Last year, seven students received scholarships to further their studies at two and four year colleges.

To learn more about Dunbar United Church of Christ and its larger mission, contact the church at 288-2342 or visit www.dunbarchurch.com.

NORTH HAVEN -- A fourth-grade class at Ridge Road Elementary School is the first to complete the first component of the Walk It Bike It to School,
Connecticut! Contest. The class walked and biked 375 miles, the
equivalent of the perimeter of the State of Connecticut.

Mike Annino, the All Star Walkers’ teacher, logged the daily mileage
online, walked or biked to school by the team from October to
December, at http://www.walkitbikeitct.org./ The students are now competing to
log more miles than any other class by April 15, 2011.

“In its second year, the Walk It Bike It to School, Connecticut!
Contest has seen a significant increase in the number of participating
schools,” said Sharon Okoye,
Safe Routes to School coordinator. “We are hoping more schools join us
for the second phase of the contest and compete to log the most miles
overall.”

This Contest encourages all Connecticut students in grades K–8 to
participate by walking or biking to school and logging their mileage
as a classroom. Teachers can log their students’ progress online at
http://www.walkitbikeitct.org./

Classrooms are encouraged to enroll and continue logging miles in the
Contest throughout the spring. The classroom that logs the most miles
by April 15, 2011 will win the Contest. The top three participating
classrooms will be invited to a celebratory walk up the steps of the
State Capitol in Hartford in May 2011. Prizes will also be awarded.

The federally funded program Safe Routes to School (SRTS), which is
administered by Connecticut’s Department of Transportation, sponsors
the Walk It Bike It to School, Connecticut! Contest. For more
information on the Contest visit http://www.walkitbikeitct.org./  For
information on the SRTS program, please visit our website at
http://www.ctsaferoutes.org./