The Hamden Democratic Party will be offering assistance to voters who need help getting to the polls, or voting by absentee ballot, in this year’s municipal elections.

“I want to remind the voters of the importance of getting out and voting for the Democratic Party,” said Joseph McDonagh, Democratic Party chairman.  “This year’s election is on November 8; as usual, the polls open at 6 am and close at 8 pm.  Anyone who needs an absentee ballot should call our headquarters immediately; anyone who needs a ride the polls should call, and we’ll be happy to help out.”

This year, the polling places are:

• First District:  Miller Memorial Library, 2901 Dixwell Avenue
• Second District: Helen Street School, 285 Helen Street
• Third District: Keefe Center, 11 Pine Street
• Fourth District: Spring Glen School, 1908 Whitney Avenue
• Fifth District: Board of Education offices, 60 Putnam Avenue
• Sixth District: Ridge Hill School, 120 Carew Road
• Seventh District: Dunbar Hill School, 315 Lane Street
• Eighth District: Bear Path School, 10 Kirk Road
• Ninth District: West Woods School, 350 West Todd Street

The Democratic Party headquarters is at 2371 Whitney Avenue, and the phone number is 203-281-5563.  For more information about the Hamden Democratic Party, visit www.hamdendemocrats.com, or e-mail  McDonagh, at josephpmcdonagh@gmail.com.

This just in  from the office of Hamden Mayor Scott D. Jackson:

"Halloween Trick or Treating will go forward in Hamden this evening as planned.  We ask parents and trick or treaters to use extra caution this evening and exercise good judgment.  Let's have a Happy and Safe Halloween!"

HAMDEN -- The Brotherhood of Men & Women of Congregation Mishkan Israel will mix bagels, lox and politics Sunday during its annual political forum at the temple at 785 Ridge Road.

The candidates for mayor of Hamden and first selectman of  North Haven will appear at the forum. Breakfast is at 9:30 a.m. and the program starts at 10, according to moderator Paul Knapp.

The candidates are incumbent Democratic Hamden mayor Scott D. Jackson, Republican Matthew Corcoran and Independent Charles Baltayan. Also expected to participate are the North Haven candidates: Republican incumbent First Selectman Michael J. Freda, Democrat Walter Spader and Independent Gary Amato.

  

The Department of Fine Arts and Stage One will be presenting the play Odd Duck by Christian Kiley on October 27, 28, and 29 at 7:30. This comedy/drama investigates the reality of social status and whether the concept of the “In-Crowd” truly has any merit. Have you ever felt like you don’t fit in? That you were different? Well that’s how Anapala, the Odd Duck, and her friends feel at Mission High School. Come and find out what happens to them. The production is directed by Tim Brown and features Jenna Quiroz as Anapala and Olivia Dowgiewicz as Glow her chief nemesis. The rest of the cast includes Tinamarie Cosenza, Rachel Baumann, Nicolette Davidov, Tyler Genece, Jeremy McHale, Gabe Katz, Dylan Colborne, Krissy Velardi, Kayla Johnson, Raymond Looney, Jamia Jones, Imari Clement, Alex Blair, Sarah Nicholas, Eilee Dingus, Isiah Bostic, and Julianne Harris. Tickets are $7:50 for adults , $5:00 for students and senior citizens. They can be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 203-407-3140.

HAMDEN – The Hamden Chamber of Commerce’s Health & Wellness Committee proudly presents “Looking for Fabulous”, featuring one of the nation’s top physicians in Preventative Medicine, Dr. David Katz on November 9^th from 5:00pm-7:30pm at Whitney Center.  The internationally recognized doctor will be the guest lecturer at this must-see event proudly sponsored by Southern Connecticut State University.

Dr. Katz’s lecture will primarily focus on his new book aptly titled; ‘Dr. Katz’s Flavor-Full Diet: Use your Tastebuds to Lose Pounds and Inches With this Scientifically Proven Plan’.  The book details an innovative look to appetite control, while allowing the reader to still eat delicious and flavorful food.

Dr. Katz will offer his insider tips and trends on nutrition, living well, and weight loss in the new cultural art center at Whitney Center.  Whitney Center is located at 200 Leeder Hill Drive in Hamden, CT.  Tickets are $10.00, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Turn the Tide Foundation.  Don’t miss the healthiest opportunity of a lifetime, and come down and digest what Dr. Katz has to say.

RSVP your attendance to hcc@hamdenchamber.com or call 203-288-6431.

HAMDEN -- Juan Roberto Meléndez-Colón, who spent 17 years on Florida’s death row before being exonerated, will be sharing his tragic story and calling for repeal of Connecticut’s death penalty at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at Quinnipiac University.

Meléndez-Colón is among the 138 death row inmates in the U.S. to be exonerated based on innocence since 1973. He was convicted and sentenced in 1984 even though there was no physical evidence of any kind. After 16 long years, a transcript was found of the taped confession of the real killer. It was later determined that the prosecutor had withheld evidence.

“We must get rid of the death penalty because no matter how hard you try to fix the law, it is a human law, it is made and administered by humans and humans make mistakes,” Meléndez-Colón said. “Sooner or later a mistake will be made and an innocent person will be executed in Connecticut.”

Since his exoneration on Jan. 3, 2002, Meléndez-Colón has been sharing his story about what he says are the injustices of the death penalty.

“I can say with certainty that I was saved more by luck than because of the system,” Meléndez-Colón said. “My case was upheld three times on appeal by the Supreme Court of Florida and had it not been for what some call pure luck, or what I like to think of as miracles, the state of Florida would have killed me.”

Today, Meléndez-Colón is on the boards of Witness to Innocence and the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. His story has been the subject of the documentary called "Juan Melendez 6446."

When: Tuesday, November 1^st, 7:00pm

Where: Buckman Theater at Quinnipiac University

              275 Mt. Carmel Ave., Hamden 06518

This week, I'll be interviewing the candidates for mayor in Hamden and the candidates for first selectman in North Haven. What would you like me to ask them? Please email me at adematteo@nhregister.com.
Thanks!

The Department of Fine Arts and Stage One will be presenting the play Odd Duck by Christian Kiley on October 27, 28, and 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Hamden Middle School, 2623 Dixwell Ave.

This comedy/drama investigates the reality of social status and whether the concept of the “In-Crowd” truly has any merit. Have you ever felt like you don’t fit in? That you were different? Well that’s how Anapala, the Odd Duck, and her friends feel at Mission High School. Come and find out what happens to them. The production is directed by Tim Brown and features Jenna Quiroz as Anapala and Olivia Dowgiewicz as Glow her chief nemesis. The rest of the cast includes Tinamarie Cosenza, Rachel Baumann, Nicolette Davidov, Tyler Genece, Jeremy McHale, Gabe Katz, Dylan Colborne, Krissy Velardi, Kayla Johnson, Raymond Looney, Jamia Jones, Imari Clement, Alex Blair, Sarah Nicholas, Eilee Dingus, Isiah Bostic, and Julianne Harris. Tickets are $7:50 for adults , $5 for students and senior citizens. They can be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 203-407-3140.

NORTH HAVEN -- The public is invited to attend the Peter’s Rock Association’s 4^th annual Fall Festival on Sunday, October 23^rd, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This free event is offered each year as a thank you for the support of our membership and an open invitation to friends who wish to learn more about Peter’s Rock.

There will be two guided hikes—one at 11:30 to the summit and at 1 p.m. walking other trails.  Activities for children and refreshments will be available during the day.

We request that dogs not come along on this particular hike, although they are usually welcome within the park.  Only heavy rain will cancel the event, and should you have questions please call Chris at 203 535-3455.

Mayor Scott D. Jackson and the “Jackson for Hamden” committee are pleased to invite residents to join us Saturday, October 22, 2011, from 10:00am -3pm, for a Community Clean-up & Graffiti Removal Day.  Volunteers who want to help clean up Hamden can meet up at the Hamden Democratic Headquarters, located at 2371 Whitney Avenue (two doors down from the Brownstone Diner) for coffee and to coordinate clean-up locations.

This effort is part of the Jackson for Hamden Committee’s “Giving Back to the Community” initiative.  Instead of just campaigning for votes, we are asking volunteers to assist our residents and neighborhoods through food drives, clean-up efforts and other worthwhile volunteer activities that help our neighborhoods.  In early September, Mayor Jackson held a “Back to School” event where school supplies were distributed to help kids get ready for school.

Hamden Democratic candidates for office will be participating in this effort, which will focus on several areas of Town that have accumulated litter, trash, debris and/or graffiti.

Residents are asked to please bring a rake, gardening gloves and roller brushes for painting if you have them.  The campaign will supply the garbage bags, paint and coffee!

“I have focused my campaign on how government can help people.  This Saturday we’re going to roll our sleeves up and help clean up our Town. I hope that you can join us,” said Mayor Jackson.  

If you wish to be a volunteer for the event please contact Kyle Blake at jackson4hamden.com. For more information on the Jackson for Hamden Re-Election Committee activities, please visit www.jacksonforhamden.com.

HAMDEN — Apples and more apples in their lusciously baked motifs will be filling tummies Saturday when the Women’s Fellowship of the Dunbar United Church of Christ hosts its 43rd annual Apple Festival.
And if you’re not there when the doors open at 10 a.m., you may not get a pie because they’re usually gone by noon. The event runs until 2 p.m. in the church basement, 767 Benham St.
The ovens have been going since the first Wednesday of September, when volunteers assembled and baked and folks would pre-order the pies and pick them up. Before this week, 355 pies were made. Laffin expected that volunteers would make another 200 on Thursday and Friday, to get ready for Saturday’s festival. The pies are $10 each and are filled with sliced apples from Blue Hills Farm in Wallingford.
At the Apple Festival, you can buy a pie, but you can also sit down to a slice of apple pie, some apple crisp, apple pancakes or aebleskivers, a Danish specialty.
You can also shop for handmade craft items, jewelry and bargains at Grandma’s Attic or Grandpa’s Tool Shed tag sale. Apple Jenny will be there with pockets full of surprises for the children.
The fellowship works hard all year to raise money for charities — some local — and the church’s scholarship fundThe festival goes on rain or shine, and parking and admission are free.
Dunbar United is at Dunbar Hill Road and Benham Street and is easily reached by turning onto Benham Street from Dixwell Avenue at the Home Depot Plaza. For more information, call 203-288-2342 or visit http://www.dunbarchurch.com/

WIMS 13th Annual International Fair

Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School, 670 Wintergreen Ave., will host its 13th Annual International Fair Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a special day to celebrate the diversity of the school community and the cultures they represent. The day begins with a Parade of Nations featuring traditional cultural dress and music. Country Booths displaying items and information showcasing our students’ individual heritages are presented. Wonderful entertainment is scheduled throughout the day featuring dancers, singers, and musical acts on the center stage. There will be an Arts and Craft area for the kids to enjoy, featuring pumpkin painting, face painting and a moon bounce. A giant raffle will be held with many beautiful themed gift baskets. The bake sale table and food court has will be open throughout the day. Also featured will be a craft fair with 20 plus professional vendors displaying their merchandise for sale. Admission and parking are free and the event is open to the public.

And this is in Hamden on Saturday ---

4 th Annual Paws on Parade H alloween Costume P et Parade & CUT-A THON Sponsored by Hamden Happy Tails and Joiya Day Spa Center One Complex• 2349 Whitney Avenue • Hamden (CORNER OF WHITNEY & DIXWELL) Sunday, October 23, 2011 ~ 10 a.m.-2 p.m . Fun for All ~ Featuring • HAIRCUTS at JOIYA: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ($20.00 Donation)• EXPRESS MANICURES: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ($10.00 Donation)• PARADE: Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. $12.00 fee per entry includes drawing for door prizes All Pets must remain on leash at all times.• PAWS ON PARADE: • JUDGING: at • • PET SERVICES: Zodiac Pet: Animal Massage Therapy & Animal Psychic Readings Little Shop of Howlers: Nail Clipping and Nail Polishing • Hand Knitted Items, and Do It Yourself Kits Bake Sale & Gourmet "doggie" Cookies "Happy Tails" Sweat Shirts and T-ShirtsBegins at 12:30 p.m.For Scariest, Funniest, Most Original and Best on Parade 1:00 p.m. including Door Prize DrawingsDEMONSTRATION by: Zodiac Pet of Animal Massage Therapy at 11:30 a.m.(Rates as Posted) CRAFTERS BOUTIQUE: Jewelry, Bags, Artwork, Accent Furniture, and more • Bring the Kids - FREE Face Painting by Martha PRE REGISTRATION SPECIAL - $10.00 (Due day of the events, includes drawing for Door Prizes) Register at hamdenhappytails@gmail.com or Dolores at 203-640-3107 FOR INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT Sheila Bonanno 203-281-1242 or Dolores Giannini 203-640-3107 Proceeds to Benefit The Hamden Happy Tails Foundation. Pet Food Bank donations gratefully accepted. Cut-A thon & Crafters boutique will be held Rain or Shine All other Activities and Events will be cancelled if raining.

HAMDEN -- Residents, business owners and trail enthusiasts are invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the

new Skiff Street Tunnel to users of the Farmington Canal Greenway. The ceremony will take place Friday, October 21st at 11:00 A.M. The ribbon-cutting will occur at the southern end of the tunnel, just east of Stop & Shop at Market Square, 2335 Dixwell Avenue, (which is at the intersection of Dixwell Avenue and Skiff Street) and just west of the Wilbur Cross Parkway.

For further information please contact Dan Kops, Assistant Town Planner at

(203) 287-7070 or via email at dkops@hamden.com.

HAMDEN -- An 8-Ball Pool Tournament to benefit Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Gang Camp will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday at Towne Billiards, 17 Marne St.

Proceeds will benefit children with serious illnesses who attend the camp, a year-round center in Ashford that served more than 17,500 children in 2011.

Tournament founder and director Greg Mouning believes bringing people together for some friendly competition while raising money for a local charity is the best of both worlds. "I believe this camp is an important asset to the community because it allows children from lower-income families to experience a fun time at camp free of charge."

The format of the tournament will be handicapped, single-elimination with a single winner taking prize money. Admission is $40 at the door, $30 in advance.

For more information call 203-980-1678 or email gamouning@gmail.com.

HAMDEN -- A fall festival celebrating everything Whitneyville takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15..
Local vendors, artisans, musicians and businesses will gather for the Whitneyville Fall Festival at Putnam and Whitney avenues. Parking is in the municipal lot.
There will be jewelry, art, photography, children’s activities, face painting, book readings, yoga demonstrators and more.
For more information visit the Whitneyville Fall Festival facebook.com page.

HAMDEN -- The 12th annual Brooksvale Fall Festival is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the park at 524 Brooksvale Ave. The rain date is Sunday Oct. 16.
There will be music, all kinds of activities like hay rides and pony rides. All sorts of displays, including the reptires taken care of by the Hamden High School Reptile Club. Admission is free but there is a charge for some activities.


NORTH HAVEN -- The annual business expo, "Show and Sell," takes place Saturday Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at North Haven High School, 221 Elm St. Ext. 10/15
The public is invited to see what local businesses have to offer. There will be give-aways and items for sale, including food.
New this year is child care provided by Sunnyside Up, and there will be children’s entertainment and activities so parents can view the expo.

HAMDEN -- The League of Women Voters of Hamden-North Haven and the Hamden Land Trust Alliance is co-sponsoring a mayoral debate that will focus on open space and sustainability from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 18.
It will be held at Thornton Wilder Hall, Miller Cultural Complex, 2901 Dixwell Ave. Democratic Mayor Scott D. Jackson, attorney Matthew Corcoran, the Republican candidate, and Charles Baltayan, a businessman who is the independent candidate, will participate.
For more information, contact Eileen M. O’Neill at Eileen@eoecodesigns.com.

NORTH HAVEN -- North Haven’s Substance Abuse Action Council is offering a free parent education series, Courage to Speak-Courageous Parenting 101® developed by the Courage to Speak® Foundation starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18..
The free four-part class, which will also be at 7 p.m. Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 15, will teach parents about substance abuse and give them the knowledge and skills to keep children safe.
Parents will learn effective communication strategies; gain confidence to talk to their children about the dangers of drugs; understand how to set clear rules and boundaries with their children related to use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; and gain confidence in knowing how to deal with substance use among their children.
For more information contact: Nancy Leddy, North Haven Community Services at 203-239-5321 or leddy.nancy@town.north-haven.ct.us, and visit http://www.couragetospeak.org/.

NORTH HAVEN -- The North Haven Fire Department, in conjunction with the North Haven Fire Commission, will host a series of open houses for town residents to view the condition of fire stations that are being considered for a $9 million renovation.
All fire stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday Oct. 16 and  Nov. 20.
Residents can also visit the Montowese Co. 2, 282 Quinnipiac Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays; Northeast Co. 4, 268 Washington Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays; fire headquarters, 11 Broadway, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and West Ridge Co. 3, 1331 Ridge Road, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays.
Firefighters will be on duty at all stations to answer any questions.

NEW HAVEN -- The Saint Patrick’s Neighborhood Reunion Committee will hold its 15th anniversary dinner at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Anthony’s Ocean View.
This year’s honorees are North Haven First Selectman Michael J. Freda and his late father Michael A. Freda, Ben Tortora of New Haven, and the Rev. Francis Carter of St. Bernadette’s Church. The honorees will be presented with plaques in recognition of their service and dedication to their communities.
For tickets call John Ragozzino 203-239-3229, Anthony Mastriano 203-239-0025, Antoinette Mangler 203-469-2465, or John Fabrizio 203-777-2721

This information from Christ Lutheran Church:

HAMDEN -- The Navels, a popular Connecticut rock band, will perform at the “Christ Lutheran Church Fall Food Drive and Music Fest” on Sunday, Oct. 16th, from 2 to 4 p.m.  Come enjoy classic rock and other favorites from the 1960s, '70s and '80s through today. There is no admission charge, but please bring non-perishable food items to help fill the shelves of the Hamden Food Bank. The concert is open to the public and will be held on the church grounds at 600 Shepard Ave. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on ─ and bring a friend. In case of inclement weather, an "unplugged" Navels ensemble will perform inside the church.  “Doors” are at 1:30 p.m. and refreshments will be served.  Come help us feed those in need! 

Christ Lutheran Church has been part of the Hamden community for more than 50 years. The Rev. Owen J. Sanderson is pastor. For more information, call the church at (203) 288-3196.

NORTH HAVEN -- Halfway Home Rescue's sixth annual Furr Ball is from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 7 at Fantasia, 404 Washington Ave.
Tickets are $35 a person and are available at the door.
There will be dinner, dancing, a silent auction and raffle.
Proceeds benefit Halfway Home Rescue, dedicated to the saving the lives of abused, abandoned and homeless animals.
Stephanie Maselli founded the organization which still partners with PetSmart and occupies the Adoption Center in the North Haven store. The organization also works with foster homes, where volunteers house kittens and puppies until they are old enough for adoption and rehabs animals post-surgery.
For questions call 203-985-8338 or email HalfwayHomeOnline@yahoo.com.