Your friendly neighborhood firefighter

Might be from Orange or West Haven



Staff from the Orange Fire Marshal's office, and an engine and crew from West Haven's West Shore Fire District made some news friends recently with a visit to the Bright Horizons at Yale West Campus.


The public fire safety education event included about 25 children, who were given lessons in fire safety such as "Stop, Drop, and Roll," and how to escape a fire should one occur in their homes, Orange Fire Marshal Timothy Smith said.


The children also had a chance to tour the newest piece of fire equipment that West Shore Fire Department recently purchased. The daycare is located on the Yale West campus, and the response to this facility for fire is handled by both Orange and West Shore fire units.


Working together with neighboring fire agencies has become standard with many communities, and this event was a perfect example of this cooperation, officials said.

Veteran New Haven educator takes post at Gateway

NEW HAVEN - A retired educator with more than 40 years of experience in Greater New Haven has joined Gateway Community College’s new Center for Working Students as its coordinator, the college said in a statement.

James M. Boger has a doctorate in educational administration from Columbia University. He retired from the New Haven public schools in 2004 after 34 years in a variety of positions, including principal at various secondary schools and director of adult education, the position from which he retired, GCC said in a statement. While director of adult education, Boger created a transition program with GCC to help students get a head start with their college studies. In Boger also previously was director of program implementation at Dr. James Comer’s School Development Program, which is part of Yale University’s Child Studies Center. Additionally, he has been an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College, the statement said.

“Although I was enjoying my retirement, the opportunity to help launch this kind of unique, integrated assistance to the Gateway community was just too compelling to pass up,” Boger said in the statement. “This program will help students easily access a spectrum of services they would otherwise have to navigate on their own and provide the follow-up they need to reach their academic goals.”

GCC’s Center for Working Students was created this year through a grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The center provides GCC students with a comprehensive set of services and support designed to help them complete a college degree, earn more money, and ultimately provide better futures for their families and children. It acts as a concierge resource, connecting students to academic support services, career planning services, income and work support services, and financial literacy services.

For more information, visit http://www.gwcc.commnet.edu/.

Free computer class at Gateway

NEW HAVEN — A free eight-week course for the "computer illiterate" will be held at Gateway Community College beginning Sept. 14 at the Long Wharf Campus.
Designed for those with no previous computer skills, classes will meet once a week for two hours. Enrollment is very limited and senior citizens are welcome. Registration forms are available in the reception area at Gateway’s Long Wharf Campus. Participants are ask to register by Sept. 11.

Voter registration hours extended

NEW HAVEN — The Registrars of Voters office will extend its hours for issues pursuant to participation in the Democratic primaries for the Board of Aldermen, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 1. at 200 Orange St., second floor.The mandatory primary enrollment session will be held for voter registration, enrollment in a party, change of address and to hear requests, from persons removed from voting lists, for adding names to the registry list. The office also is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Back-to-School Rally Saturday

NEW HAVEN — The New Haven Public School district has invited all students and their parents to a "Back-to-School Rally" from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, August 29, rain or shine, at the New Haven Athletic Center, 480 Sherman Parkway.
Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. and Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo will be special guests to the event. In addition to information about school and community services, there will be games and activities, giveaways of school supplies and other necessities, and all attendees will be provided with food, drinks, and fun for free, organizers said.

Lots of chances for New Haven school orientations

NEW HAVEN — The New Haven Public School district will hold orientation sessions for all parents and guardians of students in fifth through twelfth grade Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. Parents and guardians must attend one orientation sessions before their children can officially begin school.
For parents and guardians of students attending Barnard Environmental Studies Magnet, Beecher, Bishop Woods, Betsy Ross Arts Magnet, Katherine Brennan, Celentano Museum Academy, Clemente Leadership Academy, Clinton Avenue, Columbus Family Academy, Conte/West Hills Magnet, Davis Street 21st Century Magnet, East Rock Magnet, Edgewood Magnet, Science and Engineering University, Fair Haven, Hill Central Music Academy, Benjamin Jepson Magnet, John C. Daniels , John S. Martinez, King/Robinson Magnet, Lincoln-Bassett, MicroSociety Magnet Elementary, Nathan Hale, Ross/Woodward, Mauro-Sheridan, Troup Magnet Academy of Science, Truman, Wexler/Grant Community, Worthington Hooker, and Urban Youth Center schools, there will be six sessions from which to choose. They are: 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 31 for fifth and sixth grades and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. for seventh and eighth grades and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sept. 1, for fifth through eighth grades.
For students at Cross CT Scholars Program, New Horizons School for Higher Achievement, Hillhouse and Wilbur Cross high schools and Polly T. McCabe Center, here will be five different sessions from which to choose. They are at 9 a.m. Aug. 31 for ninth grade; 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. for tenth to twelfth grades; and again at 1 and 6 p.m. Sept. 1 from grades nine through twelve.
For parents of students at High School in the Community, Cooperative Arts and Humanities and Hill Regional Career high schools, Hyde Leadership Academy, Metropolitan Business Academy, New Haven Academy, Riverside Education Academy, and Sound School, sessions will be at 9 a.m. Aug. 31 for new students and those entering ninth grade, at 1 and 6 p.m., also Aug. 31, for grades ten through twelve, and at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sept. 1, for grades nine to twelve.
Parents with more than one child in the district need to attend only one orientation. A waiver will be provided for parents to fill out and send with other children, so they can be admitted to their school’s orientation.

Praxair Cancer Crusaders hold sale for a cause

NORTH HAVEN - The Praxair Cancer Crusaders team, which will participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure breast cancer walk, will hold a tag sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 26 at Praxair Surface Technologies, 441 Sackett Point Road.
Donations for the sale are being accepted at the Praxair shipping department. Pickup can be arranged. For more information, call DeeAnn Rich at 287-2732. Rain date is Sept. 27

Mysterious Love

NEW HAVEN - Mystery writer Carole Shmurak will speak about "the romantic lives" of fictional detectives from Sherlock Holmes to Kinsey Milhone, in "Private Lives of Private Eyes" afrom 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.
In her discussion of "the loners, the lovers, and the marrieds," Shmurak also will touch upon her own amateur sleuth, Susan Lombardi, who returns in Death at Hilliard High, the latest installment in the author’s mystery series, organizers said.
Shmurak is professor emeritus at Central Connecticut State University. She is the author of 10 books, including Deadmistress, the first Susan Lombardi mystery and a 2004 Writers Notes Magazine Notable Book. Shmurak also facilitates book discussions for the CT Humanities Council, including the "Connecticut Sisters in Crime" series which was recently held in New Haven. Copies of Death at Hilliard High will be available for purchase and signing following Shmurak’s talk.
The program and parking are free. Register at www.privateeyes.eventbrite.com or call the library at 946-8835.

Readers needed

NEW HAVEN — Experience Corps, an AmeriCorps program, needs people age 55 and older to tutor children in reading and writing in Hamden schools 12 or more hours a week.
No teaching/tutoring experience is necessary; training is provided. Stipends are available. Readers must be able to pass a background check, including fingerprinting. To find out more, attend one informational meeting at Miller Memorial Library Friends’ Room, 2901 Dixwell Ave. Hamden on any of the following dates/times: 10:30 a.m. August 17; 2 p.m. August 18 and August 24 at 2, 10:30 a.m. August 27 and Sept. 1.
For more information, call Sheila at 752-3059 x2900 or email volunteer@aoapartnerships.org
Experience Corps - Greater New Haven is one of 20 national Experience Corps projects and is a program of the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut in partnership with United Way of Greater New Haven and Hamden Public Schools.
The project is supported by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, a partnership of the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.
The Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut works to provide a continuum of opportunities, care and support services that allow older adults to remain in their homes and communities, avoid unwanted and unnecessary institutionalization, and to age in place with dignity, respect and maximum independence. AASCC, organized and operated under the auspices of the federal Older Americans Act, is a regional planning, funding and direct service non-profit organization. AASCC directly serves almost 37,000 individuals annually through its own departments, formally partners with over 110 home and community-based service providers, coordinates service delivery through the local Interagency Council on Aging, and makes grants of federal and state funds to agencies that serve older adults.

YNNH Digital Mammography Van to make stops

NEW HAVEN — The Yale-New Haven Hospital Digital Mammography Van will be in Yale University Lot 22 near the Peabody Museum, providing screening mammograms to eligible women on several upcoming dates.
The schedule is: Aug. 20; Sept. 1 and 25; Oct. 2 and 26; Nov. 5 and 18; Dec. 1 and 4.
For insured women, the insurance company is charged. For uninsured women, there are programs to cover the costs. For an appointment, call 688-6800.

Autism Speaks to hold fundraiser

NEW BRITAIN — Autism Speaks will hold Strike Out Autism Night Aug. 15 at New Britain Stadium, 230 John Karbonic Way. Gates will open at 5:35 p.m. and the game will start at 7:05.
To buy tickets, contact Traci Murray at (860) 675-5302 or tamurray@snet.net.
Half of all proceeds from tickets purchased from Murray will benefit Autism Speaks.

New Haven Library to show documentary about Chinese Revolution

NEW HAVEN - The New Haven Library is inviting the public to the Connecticut premiere of "Round Eyes in the Middle Kingdom," a film by Ronald Levaco, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Oct. 1, at the library, 133 Elm St.

The free screening is part of the library’s Independent Directors Film Series, and was selected to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, organizers said.

Filmmaker Ronald Levaco was born in China of Russian Jewish parents, but his family fled when he was 10 after the revolution began in 1949, organizers said. Many years, he returned to China to learn what happened to his father’s best friend, Israel Epstein, a Russian Jew who, unlike most Westerners at the time, decided to stay, organizers said
"Round Eyes in the Middle Kingdom" is the filmmaker’s attempt to understand why Epstein joined Mao’s communist revolution, remaining in China even after being subjected to solitary confinement during the 1970s, and electing to become a Chinese citizen, organizers said. The film also is Levaco’s reconciliation of his comfortable colonial childhood with the harsh conditions that led to revolution, organizers said.

The screening possible through a grant from the International Association of New Haven. For information, visit http://www.roundeyes.eventbrite.com/ or call the library at (203) 946-7431.

The photo shows filmmaker Ronald Levaco in "Round Eyes in the Middle Kingdom."

Powerhouse Temple Ministries bishop will be honored for community service and leadership

NEW HAVEN — Bishop Lonnell Lawson of Powerhouse Temple Ministries will be honored Sunday for community service and leadership.
The award will be presented at the Connecticut Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ’s 36th Annual Holy Convocation.
Bishop H.D. Bordeaux, prelate of the Church of God in Christ, will deliver Sunday’s official day message.
Sunday’s event starts at noon at Macedonia Church of God in Christ, 151 Newhall St.
Lawson, who is serving his third term as president of the Greater New Haven Clergy Association, is the first black chaplain at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He founded Powerhouse Temple Ministries in 1978.
Lawson is supervisor of the Hill Health Center’s HIV/AIDS division and is a certified health educator.

Center for Disability Rights scholars named

Eleven local students received scholarship awards at the recent Center for Disability Rights Annual Meeting.

The CDR Annual Scholarship Program, established four years ago, is part of CDR’s Youth Programs and includes Youth Transition Advocacy and Education, according to a prepared statement.






CDR members, friends, and corporate sponsors, who work to make the CDR Annual Wheel-A-Thon a success, make the scholarship program possible, the statement said. CDR’s Fourth Annual Wheel-A-Thon (http://www.wheel-a-thon.org/), will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 6, at the Savin Rock Conference Center in Weat Haven.

It is a CDR fundraising venture to address the need for youth program , for which CDR receives no other funding, the statement said.

“As a membership organization of people with disabilities, CDR is very pleased that we are able to assist eleven promising students make this important transition into adulthood,” CDR Executive Director Marc Anthony Gallucci said in the statement. “We value every community partner and volunteer that has helped us raise the funds to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.”

To be eligible for a CDR Scholarship, successful candidates must submit a person essay, proof of their disability and residency, and be enrolled or accepted at a post-secondary institution.
This year's scholarship winners, shown l to r in the photo, are: Justin J. Kruscek of Deep River; Ashley Glorioso of Old Saybrook; Jeanette Anderson of New Haven; Madalyn Wild of Ansonia; Troy Fischer of New Haven; Lauren Cozensa of West Haven (her brother Anthony received the award on Lauren’s behalf); Benjamin Kaufman of Essex; Jason Connolly of Old Saybrook; Seth Cohen of Hamden; Paige Mino of East Haven; and (not shown) Albert Maldonado of New Haven.


Photo by Christopher Zurcher, Zurcher Communications, cjzurcher@yahoo.com


Wheel-A-Thon 2009 is dedicated to the memory of Rick DelStritto and James Puccino. http://www.wheel-a-thon.org/