Army Capt. Benjamin Sklaver to be added to wall of honor

HARTFORD — A Hamden man is one of the five state soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last year who will be added Thursday to the Wall of Honor in the State Capitol complex.
The public is invited to the ceremony, which will be attended by family members of the five new honorees and many of the 44 soldiers alraedy on the wall. The ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the atrium of the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Ave.
The wall includes a framed color portrait of each service member, and a podium displaying a brass plate bearing their name, hometown, branch of service and the year and location of their death.
The five new honorees are:
Army Capt. Benjamin Sklaver, 32, of Hamden: 2009, Afghanistan; Army Staff Sgt. Ronald Spino, 45, of Waterbury: 2009, Afghanistan; Army Sgt. Edward Kramer, 39, of Southington: 2009, Iraq; Marine Cpl. Xhacob LaTorre, 21, of Waterbury: 2009, Afghanistan; and Marine Lance Cpl. Tyler Griffin, 19, of Voluntown: 2010, Afghanistan.
The ceremony will include the reading of the names of all Wall of Honor service members by the American Legion Post 79 Military Funeral Honors Squad of Madison.
The event co-chairman will be Comptroller Nancy Wyman and radio host Brad Davis.

For more information, call Steve Jensen in the Office of the State Comptroller at 860-702-3308 or 860-539-9298.

Editor's note: the photo shows Hamden Middle School students and a sign they made and held as Sklaver's funeral procession passed by the school last year. Photo courtesy of Guy Ortoleva

Isn't she lovely...

At 75, there is much to celebrate about this historic church

NEW HAVEN - St. Bernadette Catholic Church, which is located in the Morris Cove section, will celebrate its 75th Anniversary beginning with morning Mass on June 13 and followed by a dinner at 12:30 p.m. Anthony’s Oceanview Restaurant on Lighthouse Road.

Rev. Frank T. Carter current pastor of the parish, founded in 1934, said in a statement, “St. Bernadette was said to be the first parish in the world named in honor of the then newly canonized saint from Lourdes, France.”

A souvenir journal with the history of the parish, covering four generations, will be distributed at the dinner, the statement said. Robert Carbone is general chairman of the event.
A social hour will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by the dinner.

Tickets for the celebration $40 and include an open bar and hors d’oeuvres.
For information on the souvenir journal and reservations, call the parish rectory at 203-467-1007.

Editor's note: The information in this post was provided by St. Bernadette Church.

Be art smart

NEW HAVEN - A presentation by Brainard Carey on “Professional Career Development for Fine Artists” will be held at 6 p.m. July 14 at New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.
Carey, shown, is a professional artist who has exhibited in the Whitney Biennial, MOMA and other venues, library officials said in a statement.
He "coaches fine artists to help them succeed in their careers," the statement said. The seminar will "explore approaching a museum or gallery for exhibition; writing the artist’s statement; and the process of finding and obtaining fellowships and grants," the statement said.

The seminar is free, and free parking is available. Registration is strongly encouraged: www.artcareer.eventbrite.com or call the library at 203-946-8835.

Editor's note: The information and photo in this post was wholly provided by the New Haven Public Library.

26 graduate from leadership program

NEW HAVEN – Twenty six New Haven residents today graduated from the Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven Resident Leadership Program, called “Building Leaders, Building Communities.”
The Resident Leadership Program, begun in March, and shown in the photo from March, "has transferred concrete leadership skills to residents from throughout the Greater New Haven area, created a space for participants to share their experiences with one another and increased their sense of being agents of change," program officials said in a statement.
“Meeting other people and hearing their stories has been very inspiring,” Claudia Herrera, a participant from Fair Haven, said in the statement. “It has helped me recognize the value that we have collectively. I’ve gotten real information and useful resources that I shared with my neighbors – and they felt so encouraged.”
Program officials also said in the statement that NHS of New Haven is the first organization to implement the leadership curriculum developed by its national partner NeighborWorks® America.
The first four workshops explored asset mapping, understanding power for community change, planning successful campaigns and the art and science of leadership, the statement said.
The fifth and final workshop was, “Leading Great Meetings;” it was facilitated by Susan Naimark, director of the Community Building & Organizing Initiative at NeighborWorks® America, the statement said.
The Resident Leadership Program was funded by the Yale New Haven Hospital and the Yale New Haven Lead Program and Regional Treatment Center funded the leadership program, the statement said.
Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven’s "core mission is to increase homeownership; to make homes functional, beautiful and affordable; and to help residents take charge of their neighborhoods" the statement said. In its "30-year history, NHS has fully renovated and sold nearly 300 houses to low- and moderate-income families," it said. Through the New Haven HomeOwnership Center, NHS puts about 500 families a year on the path to homeownership through its homebuyer education classes, the statement said.

The New Haven Library...

Is clearly a place that wants people to learn about food

NEW HAVEN - Clean Eating Coach Wendy Battles will present a free seminar, "Meal Planning for Health and Budget," from 6 to 7 p.m. May 26 at the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.

Battles will provide tips and handouts to help the home cook take advantage of the coming summer abundance, the library said in a statement.

Chef Tagan Engel, a member of the New Haven Register's Community Media Lab, will join the program with a discussion of truly locavore recipes contained in CitySeed's New Haven Cooks/Cocina New Haven.
For more, see www.healthy-endeavors.com


There is free parking for this program.













Register at http://www.cleaneating.eventbrite.com/ or call the library at 203-946-8835.

What would Martha Stewart say?

Probably: "Will he make Blueberry Necatrine Buckle? Save some for me."

NEW HAVEN - John Barricelli of SoNo Baking Co. & Café of South Norwalk will talk about his new book and offer samples during an event at 6 p.m. June 2 at the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.

The book, "The SoNo Baking Company Cookbook, offers almost 150 recipes for sweet and savory breads and baked goods, ranging from rustic favorites to sophisticated indulgences, library organizers said in a statement.

Barricelli's bakery is "a sought-after destination for artisanal breads, specialty cakes, and delicate pastries. And Barricelli has become a household name in the world of baking as a regular on The Martha Stewart Show and co-host of "Everyday Baking" on PBS," the statement said.


The book describes how dough should feel, what batter should look like, and what bread should smell like as it bakes in the oven, the statement said.

For more, see www.sonobaking.eventbrite.com or call 203-946-8835.

Group wants jobs, not war

NEW HAVEN — The Greater New Haven Peace Council will hold a vigil to urge that federal money be spent to create jobs not to fund wars at 4 p.m. Friday outside the offices of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, at 59 Elm St.
For more information, call Henry at (203)389-9547 or e-mail grnhpeacecouncil@sbcglobal.net.

Columbus Day kickoff

HAMDEN — A kickoff dinner, sponsored by the Columbus Day Committee, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. June 10 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2630 Whitney Ave.
Donation is $30 per person and there will be a cash bar and entertainment. For tickets, call Florence at 203-467-0857.
Hamden will be host for the Columbus Day Parade this year, which steps off at 1 p.m. Oct. 10.

The parad alternates between different area towns each year

For more details, visit www.columbusdaynewhaven.org.

Baa Baa black sheep

Yes, they have wool and the sheep will get yearly “haircuts” at Wool Days celebration; Meet the new baby oxen, lambs and piglets

STURBRIDGE – The sheep at Old Sturbridge Village will get their annual “haircuts” during Memorial Day Weekend May 29-31 as the Village celebrates “Wool Days,” facility officials said in a statement.

Farmers will shear the sheep, and OSV historians in costume will "demonstrate the entire wool textile process, from scouring and carding the wool to spinning, knitting and weaving the hand spun wool yarn," the statement said.

Visitors can try hand carding (brushing and de-tangling) wool, then learn how the Village’s historic water-powered carding mill does the same job much faster.

Visitors also can meet the 14 new lambs born at OSV this season, as well as two piglets, a new calf, and new team of baby oxen, who are in training to learn their names and the 40 voice and hand commands they will need to understand to help the farmers with heavy work around the farm, the statement said.

In keeping with the Wool Days theme, visitors can also make a “Wooly Sheep” ornament using wool from OSV sheep, the statement said.

Also highlighting the weekend is the return of the Old Sturbridge Village stagecoach and boat ride on the Quinebaug River, and old-fashioned Base-Ball games.

For all times and details: 1-800-SEE-1830; http://www.osv.org/.

When sheared, the OSV sheep each produce about 5 pounds of wool; they are a heritage breed descended from sheep brought by Spaniards to the U.S. Gulf coast in the 1500s and closely resemble the 19th century sheep breed commonly found on New England farms in the 1830s, the statement said.

The museum is open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. OSV offers free parking and a free return visit within 10 days. Admission: $20; seniors $18; children 3-17, $7; children under 3, free. For information: http://www.osv.org/ or call 1-800-733-1830.

Editor's note: The information in this post was provided entirely by Old Sturbridge Village

African-American Historical Society, Inc.to hold awards program

NEW HAVEN — The Rev. Al Sharpton will be a special honoree when the African-American Historical Society, Inc. holds it 7th annual Lifetime Awards Program at 4 p.m. June 12 at Charles Garner Recital Hall in Engleman Hall at Southern Connecticut State University.
The event also will include community awards to Jim Barber and Bernice Bowman and tributes to Dr. Dorothy Height and Benjamin Hooks.

Bernice Bowman began in the political arena with the successful neighborhood opposition to proposed landfill in the Allingtown section of West Haven, where she lives. One of her priorities has always been to help better her community.
Bowman is the first African-American woman to service as president of the West Haven Federation of Democratics. She has received a leadership award from the Connecticut Democratic Party. She is a past president of the Sojourner Network of Women, an organization that also has awarded her and the first African-American woman from West Haven to serve on the Democratic National Committee from Connecticut.

Barber has donated many years of his time, talents and energy to his community, and also was the head coach for the women's track team at SCSU, and he has been the recipient of numerous awards, among them the Service Award from the United States Track Association and the Alumni Association at SCSU and the Alumni Service Award.

He has also been repeatedly elected to the executive board of the U.S. Track Coaches Association.

A buffet reception will follow. There is no charge for admission. For more information call: (203) 562-6238 or (203) 469-8482

Savin Rock Festival Committee seeking participants

WEST HAVEN — The Savin Rock Festival Committee is seeking nonprofit organizations to take part in the four-day event.
The 29th annual festival is set for July 29-Aug. 1 in Old Grove Park.
The committee is accepting applications from organizations looking to set up informational booths or tents.
For an application, call Pam O’Neil of the Junior Woman’s Club at 203-530-0808.

Wild about flowers

NEW HAVEN - The "Wildflowers of New England, a 5-session botanical course taught by Lauren Brown, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 3, 10, and 17; and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 5 and 12, at Yale Peabody Museum 170 Whitney Ave.

The fee is $130 for museum members and $150 for nonmembers. The course focuses on the identification of wild plants, provides field experience across the spectrum of New England flora, museum officials said in a statement.

Meet at the Peabody. To register, call 203-432-3775 or email peabody.education@yale.edu.

Photo: Erythronium americanum by D. Long.

Free computer class at Gateway

NEW HAVEN — Gateway Community College will hold a free 8-week summer computer class at its Long Wharf Campus.
Designed for the "computer illiterate," with senior citizens welcome, the classes will begin shortly.
Classes will meet once a week for 2 hours. Enrollment is very limited and registration forms are available in the reception area at Gateway Long Wharf Campus. The college asks that participants register no later than 4 p.m. May 28.

Ohno wows SCSU

NEW HAVEN - Speed skater Apolo Ohno, the most decorated American athlete to ever compete in the Winter Olympics, signs autographs for fans after his talk this week during the Mary and Louis Fusco Distinguished Lecture at Southern Connecticut State University, SCSU officials said.

Ohno, who has won a combined eight Olympic medals during his appearances in 2002, 2006 and 2010, discussed his life story in front of nearly 1,400 people at SCSU’s Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, SCSU officials said.

Photo courtesy of SCSU

The lecture series began in 1999.

Hospital of Saint Raphael to hold Stroke Awareness Day

NEW HAVEN - The Hospital of Saint Raphael will hold a Stroke Awareness Day event in the hospital cafeteria at 1450 Chapel St. in New Haven from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.
The vent is part of a nationwide effort to educate people about the warning signs of stroke, the hospital said in a statement.
Dr. Lori Cretella, a Saint Raphael’s neurologist and noted stroke expert, will be available to answer questions and provide stroke education materials, the statement said.
Members of the Saint Raphael Stroke Center Program and caregivers for individuals who have suffered a stroke also will participate, the statement said.
Stroke has been in the news in recent weeks: Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Beau Biden, 41, suffered a stroke on May 11 and rocker Bret Michaels is recovering from a type of stroke called a subarachnoid hemorrhage, the statement said.
Nearly 800,000 Americans are expected to suffer strokes this year, according to the National Stroke Association, sponsor of Stroke Awareness Month, the statement said.

Saint Raphael’s Stroke Center Program features a dedicated Stroke Team consisting of neurologists, nurses, physician’s assistants and therapists with specialized training in diagnosing and treating stroke patients, the statement said.

Editor's note: the information in this post was provided by Hospital of Saint Raphael.

Gateway Community College graduation is May 27

NEW HAVEN - State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier will give the keynote address at Gateway Community College’s 18th commencement on May 27.

A record number of GCC students — more than 650 — are expected to graduate at the event that will begin at 6 p.m. at Woolsey Hall at Yale University, 500 College St., GCC said in a statement.

Nappier, shown, is the first African-American woman elected to serve as a state treasurer in the United States and the first African-American woman elected to a statewide office in Connecticut.

Elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2002 and 2006, Nappier also is the only woman to be elected treasurer in Connecticut history.

GCC’s commencement event also will honor former state Rep. William Dyson, also shown, with a Board of Trustees Merit Award from the Connecticut Community-Technical College System.

The award recognizes extraordinary service or lifetime commitment to GCC and the state’s community-technical college system, the statement said.

A retired New Haven teacher, Dyson was first elected in 1976 to serve the Connecticut General Assembly as the representative for the 94th District, which includes a section of New Haven.

He has a long history as a supporter of GCC, including support for its new campus and nursing program, the statement said.

JUNTA to screen 'La Americana'

NEW HAVEN - JUNTA for Progressive Action will screen the film "La Americana" at 6: 30 p.m. May 19 at Criterion Cinemas in New Haven.

The screening "will help put a human face on the issue of immigration and immigration reform in America," the organization said in a statement.

The screening includes a Q & A with the film’s producer/director Nicholas Bruckman, who has worked on independent, corporate and non-profit documentary projects in South America, Asia and the Middle East.

"La Americana" is an "intimate documentary following an undocumented immigrant's journey from Bolivia to New York City and back, as she struggles to save the life of her ailing daughter," the statement said. "Her unforgettable story is woven into the current immigration crisis in the United States, putting a human face on this timely and controversial issue."

"'La Americana' takes its viewers on an international journey following the personal and political tragedy faced by one undocumented immigrant in New York City. The story begins several years ago, in the poorest country of South America," the statement said.

The film was produced by The People's Television. It was the Official Selection - National Geographic All Roads Film ProjectWinner, Best Documentary- HBO/NY International Latino Film FestivalWinner, Best Documentary- Urbanworld Film Festival, the statement said.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at http://www.juntainc.org/

JUNTA is the oldest Latino non-profit organization in New Haven. Its "mission is to provide services, programs and advocacy that improve the social, political and economic conditions of the Latino community in Greater New Haven, while nurturing and promoting its cultural traditions as it builds bridges with other communities," the statement said.

JUNTA serves more than 5,000 individuals a year and provides direct services and advocacy in the areas of Adult Education, Economic Development, Immigrant Rights, Cultural Awareness, Legal Advocacy, Family Management and Youth Services.

Editor's note: The information in this post was provided by JUNTA

Baby Love

Free Ten Week Prenatal Group

The Nurturing Families Network is offering a free 10-week Prenatal Group to help parents gain experience about their child’s development in their earliest stages.
The group will meet from June 2 to August 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Hagaman Memorial Library Community Room, 227 Main St., East Haven, organizer said.
The Nurturing Families Network is a program offered by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut, with major funding provided by The Children’s Trust Fund a division of The Department of Social Services and the support of individuals and corporations.
Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut is located at 1 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven. For more visit www.vnascc.org or call Ashley Lowe, BA Nurturing Connections & Parenting Group Coordinator, at 203-859-6060

Go Green with Sound School

NEW HAVEN — The Sound School, a regional, vocational, aquacultural and agricultural high school at 60 S. Water St., will present New Haven Greenfest on June 4-6.
Greenfest will feature a battle of the bands with 17 bands competing to be featured in a music video and film called, "The BIOS WaterCar." Also, there will be a green-living expo and tables are available for $125 for the weekend. There will be a 5K walk and run, food vendors, car and bike rally at Long Wharf, art gallery and schooner cruises in the harbor.
The BIOS WaterCar will debut at Greenfest, the installation of the hydrogen hybrid system will take place at the festival, and hybrid systems will be available for sale. Installation of a hybrid system in a 1997 Oldsmobile showed an improvement in mileage from 20-67 mpg. On average the units usually show a 25-50 percent increase.
Bands are coming from as far as Washington, D.C., to compete.
Greenfest is being promoted by Steve Schappert of the BIOS Organization.
"Greenfest is about educating the masses." said Schappert. "You wouldn’t expect to see a bunch of muscle cars at a green festival, but what better way to spread the word. Preaching to the choir only gets you so far. What if your ’67 Firebird with 475 horsepower could get 25-30 mpg? Would that interest you?"
Students at The Sound School led by environmental sciences teacher Rebecca Gratz are trying to make the school more green and Schappert was invited to speak to the students about the process. The students wanted to do a fundraiser to help the process and Greenfest was born. Schappert says he has been developing the BIOS concept for about 6 years and his goal is "to create an international organization that is a model of social responsibility, teaching people how to live green, healthy, holistic, organic, sustainable and energy independent lives. We currently market panelized building packages, energy services and systems, and we have over 10,000 supporting members in 71 countries."
More information can be found at http://BiosisLife.org/greenfest.

Moses to climb Mt. Sinai

And kids will learn about Shavuot


WOODBRIDGE - A Shavuot Family Celebration will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven, 360 Amity Road.
for those who have ever wondered what the Jewish holiday of Shavuot is all about, this is a chance to find out, organizers said.
What actually happens to Moses when he goes up Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments? Why, after he went up the first time, did he have to go up again? What do the Ten Commandments have to do with kids, anyway?
The answers to these questions will be told at the Shavuot Family Celebration.
The event will give young children a chance to ‘meet’ the character of Moses, watch him bravely set off up Sinai to get the Torah, and see what happens when he comes back down, organizers said.
After watching an enactment of the story of Matan Torah, the giving of the Torah, children will learn how a Torah is written today and explore the scribal art of Torah calligraphy on real parchment, organizers said.
Young children also will get to know the Hebrew alphabet while older kids try their hands at writing with quills and ink. Traditional Shavuot cheese cake will be served.
The event is free for pre-school and elementary age children and their families. It is sponsored by the JCC Family Center and The PJ Library program.
For more information, contact Saskia Swenson Moss, coordinator of Youth and Family Education, at sswensonmoss@jewishnewhaven.org or 203 387-2522 x317.

Ronald cuts a ribbon

Ronald McDonald cuts the ribbon at the Network of Strength event held each year on Mother’s Day, this year Lighthouse Park in New Haven. The annual “Walk to Empower” event raises awareness about breast cancer.
The event is sponsored by the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts McDonald’s Owner/Operator Association.

Death penalty debate

Two rabbis will square off on a tough topic

Rabbi Herbert Brockman of Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden will argue against the death penalty in a debate to be held at 2 p.m. May 23 at Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford.

The debate on whether the death penalty should be abolished will take place from a Jewish point of view, organizers said in a statement.
Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel, will argue for the death penalty, the statement said.

For more information, e-mail bethisrael@cbict.org or call 860-233-8215 x235.

The program is free and open to the public and retired Connecticut Supreme Court Justice David M. Borden will moderate the panel, the statement said.

Fuchs graduated from Hamilton College and was ordained at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, the statement said. He earned a Masters Degree in Hebrew Letters, a graduate certificate in Jewish Communal Service, and in 1992 received a Doctor of Ministry degree in Hebrew Bible at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Nashville, Tenn. He has written and lectured extensively on subjects pertaining to Jewish life. He currently serves on the National Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, and was one of the key religious leaders in the successful effort to pass the SustiNet Bill for Universal Health Care in Connecticut, the statement said.

Brockman, shown, is a seventh-generation rabbi, having been raised in a richly Orthodox home before choosing the liberal tradition of Reform Judaism, the statement said. After graduating from Ohio University, he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees and Ordination from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, and the Ph.D. from the Ecumenical Institute of St. Mary’s Seminary and the University of Baltimore, the statement said. Brockman teaches and engages in a wide variety of community projects, serves on the boards of Interfaith Cooperative Ministries in New Haven and Hartford Seminary, and teaches at Yale Divinity School, the statement said. Brockman recently received the Community Leadership Award at the Reverend Howard Nash Breakfast.

Borden, formerly a judge of the Court of Common Pleas and the Superior Court, became one of the original six members of the Connecticut Appellate Court in 1983, and was nominated to the Supreme Court in 1990 where he served until his retirement in 2007. He teaches a class in statutory construction at the University of Connecticut School of Law, the statement said. He is the co-author of three books and has been the recipient of countless honors and distinctions over the course of his professional career, the statement said.

Got Cupcakes?

You will, if you come to cupcake camp

NEW HAVEN — CupcakeCamp New Haven will take place 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. September 18 at BAR, 254 Crown Street.
Claire’s Corner Copia of New Haven, A Little Imagination Cakes of Middletown, Take the Cake of Guilford and J-Cakes of North Branford all have signed on as bakery sponsors by agreeing to bring at least four dozen cupcakes.
CupcakeCamp is a gathering born from the desire for people to share and eat cupcakes in an open environment. CupcakeCamps have been held in cities around the world.
Amateur bakers have signed up to bring cupcakes as well. An estimated 600 cupcakes will be available for tasting.
CupcakeCamp New Haven is free for all attendees.
Bakers are welcome to bake their own cupcakes or bring store-bought cupcakes to share. All bakers will receive a CupcakeCamp New Haven T-shirt for their efforts to make CupcakeCamp New Haven a great success. T-shirts will also be on sale.
CupcakeCamp New Haven needs 11 tasters for every dozen cupcakes.
Professional bakeries are encouraged to participate. Bakeries who bring 4 dozen or more are automatically official sponsors.
Two “best in show” cupcake awards will be given to an amateur and a professional baker, one for presentation and one for overall presentation and taste.

Registration forms can be found online at http://cupcakecampnewhaven.eventbrite.com.
For more information e-mail: cupcakecampnewhaven@gmail.com.

Hospital of Saint Raphael offers medical alert device

Device intends to help those who fall

NEW HAVEN — A new personal medical alert device will send out a call for help when its wearer falls, even if the person can’t press the button.
The Phillips Lifeline with AutoAlert, being offered by the Hospital of Saint Raphael, is 95 percent accurate in detecting when its wearer falls, according to a statement issued by the hospital.
"One of the greatest threats to seniors’ health is falls and associated injuries," said Jennifer Cotter, St. Raphael’s Lifeline program coordinator. "Close to 50 percent of seniors can’t get up from a fall without help, and lying on the floor for an extended period can lead to serious complications. Lifeline with AutoAlert can help seniors maintain their independence and provide their caregivers even more peace of mind."
AutoAlert, worn as a pendant, uses multiple sensors to detect falls and issues an alert 30 seconds later.
For more information about Lifeline with AutoAlert, go to www.srhs.org and click on Senior Services, or call 203-789-3938.

Philanthropy award goes to St. Rae's veteran of 40 years

Award goes to person who demonstrates 'extraordinary commitment' to hospital


NEW HAVEN - The Hospital of Saint Raphael honored donors and the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth at the recent 2010 President’s Ball.


More than 200 people attended the 20th annual event, held annually to recognize the members of the Saint Raphael Society, Presidents’ Circle, Society of Mother Mary Xavier and Sister Louise Anthony Legacy Society, the hospital said in a statement.


The event this year also celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, the religious order that founded Saint Raphael’s in 1907, the statement said.


The Sister Anne Virginie Award for Philanthropy was given to Sister Ann Matthew Lorusso, who "has been an integral member of the Saint Raphael community for more than 40 years," the statement said.


The award "recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to Saint Raphael’s mission of compassionate caregiving," the statement said.


“Sister Ann is the embodiment of the mission of Saint Raphael’s and the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and we are delighted to recognize her years of devotion with the Sister Anne Virginie Award for Philanthropy,” said Chris O’Connor, Saint Raphael’s president and CEO.


A native of New Haven and graduate of Saint Raphael’s School of Nursing, Lorusso has been a part of Saint Raphael’s since 1968, the statement said.


During her tenure, she has worked in several departments of the hospital in a variety of management positions and now serves as coordinator for the Parish Nurse Program, which she founded in 1992.


In addition to her community outreach work, Lorusso has worked on behalf of the Saint Raphael Foundation’s many initiatives, including as an officer and trustee of its board and an integral member of most capital campaigns, event planning committees and many other fundraising efforts, the statement said.


In the photo caption, l to r, Sister Maureen Shaughnessy, general superior of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and chairwoman of the Saint Raphael Healthcare System; Chris O’Connor, president and CEO; Sister Joan Granville, president of the Saint Raphael Foundation; Sister Ann Matthew Lorusso, recipient of the Sister Anne Virginie Grimes Award for Philanthropy, and Raymond J. Peach, past chairman of the Saint Raphael Foundation.

Donation means reading will grow

Read to Grow has received a $12,000 grant from the Comcast Foundation to support the Books for Kids literacy program.
“Many of our students don’t have access to books at home,” said Kim Johnsky, principal of Fair Haven School, where Comcast recently donated books to students.
Each of the school’s 632 students received a book to take home to build their personal libraries, Read to Grow said in a statement.
The Comcast Foundation grant will “enable Read to Grow’s Books for Kids program to distribute 10,000 new and gently used books to children of limited means in New Haven to encourage literacy,” the agency said in the statement.
Child development and literacy research shows that books are critical to a child’s cognitive and emotional development; and when parents read with and talk to a child, they reinforce the child’s positive approach to books, language and learning, the statement said.
“Comcast is committed to powering dreams in the communities where our customers and our employees live and work,” Doug Guthrie, senior vice president of Comcast’s Western New England Region said in the statement. “We’re so proud that this grant will help to get 10,000 books into the hands of children in New Haven, which aligns with Comcast’s commitment to supporting youth literacy and development initiatives in the cities and towns we serve.”
Read to Grow’s Books for Kids program helps build early literacy for Connecticut youngsters by providing new and gently used children’s books to underserved families, schools, health and child care centers and other organizations. The program distributes more than 1,600 books each week across the state, the statement said.

Pelli to headline New Haven Preservation Trust meeting

Trust also will elect new directors

NEW HAVEN — Cesar Pelli, senior principal of the firm of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, will give a presentation about his work at the annual meeting of the New Haven Preservation Trust at 6 p.m. May 13 at the Joseph M. Golden, Jr. Center at St. Thomas More Chapel, 268 Park St.
The event is free and open to the public, the trust said in a statement.
Pelli was born in Argentina where he earned a Diploma in Architecture from the University of Tucumán. He worked in the offices of Eero Saarinen as Project Designer for several buildings, including the TWA Terminal at JFK Airport in New York and Morse and Stiles Colleges at Yale University.
In 1977, Pelli became Dean of the Yale University School of Architecture and also founded Cesar Pelli & Associates. Since the firm’s establishment, Pelli has originated and directed the design of each of its projects. In 2005, the firm was renamed Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects.
Pelli believes that buildings should be responsible citizens and the aesthetic qualities of a building should grow from the specific characteristics of each project such as its location, its construction technology, and its purpose, the statement said. In search of the most appropriate response to each project, his designs have covered a wide range of solutions and materials, it said.
Pelli has written extensively on architectural issues. He has received 12 Honorary Degrees, more than 200 awards for design excellence and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the National Academy of Design, the International Academy of Architecture, and of l’Academie d’Architecture de France, the statement said.
In 1995, the American Institute of Architects awarded Pelli the Gold Medal, in recognition of a lifetime of distinguished achievement in architecture.
The trust meeting also will include election of new directors. The event is followed by a reception and silent auction, with a focus on art and architecture memorabilia. For more information, call 203-562-5919.

Come to the barnyard

HAMDEN — Saturday is Farm Day at Brooksvale Park, when the public can meet the animals who live there and learn about the park’s history.
The Friends of Brooksvale Park are holding the event, which starts at 10 a.m. in the Veterans’ Memorial Building at the park, 524 Brooksvale Ave.
The park is home to miniature horses, sheep, pygmy goats, rabbits, chickens and peacocks. The Friends also will share their vision for future improvements and enhancements to the barnyard.
In the event of rain, a slide show on the park’s history and information about the area’s changing landscape will be presented. Popcorn and drinks will be provided.
Visit Brooksvale.org for more information.

So you want to start a non-profit

This seminar should be able to help

NEW HAVEN - A seminar on "Myths and Realities of Starting a Nonprofit" will be presented from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 20 at the New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St.
Attorney Priya Morganstern, shown, will present a program, part of the library's Subway Supper Seminar.
Morganstern is executive director of the Hartford office of Probono Partnership, an organization that provides free legal advice to nonprofit organizations. library organizers said in a statement. (www.probonopartner.org).
The seminar is intended to help community groups learn more about the 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt structure, the statement said.
There is no charge for the seminar, which includes Subway sandwiches and free parking. Advance registration is required at http://www.myths.eventbrite.com or by calling 203-946-7431, the statement said.

Subway Supper Seminars are offered by the library's nonprofit center on a monthly basis to help regional nonprofit staff and board members to expand professional alliances and increase skills, the statement said. The series is funded by the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and Subway Restaurants.

St. Bernadette's helped to fight diabetes

NEW HAVEN - Students and faculty at St. Bernadette School recently combined "health and wellness education, physical education and the genuine concern for the health and well-being of others" by collecting pledges for the American Diabetes Association, the school said in a statement.

The students walked the school blockduring their physical education class to stress the need to eat healthfully and exercise, the statement said.

Students collected a total of $630.25 to benefit the American Diabetes Association.
St. Bernadette School is an ethnically diverse community serving students from pre-Kindergarten through grade eight. Each student is encouraged to strive for academic excellence within a coeducational, safe, nurturing and loving environment where moral values are taught and modeled. For more information on St. Bernadette Catholic School, visit http://www.saintbernadette.org/.

Information and photo courtesy of St. Bernadette School

Come One Come All to Westville

NEW HAVEN — Westville Village welcomes one and all to the 13th Annual ArtWalk from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The event is free, and a family-friendly community festival featuring art exhibits and open studios; three stages with live music, dance, and theater; an open-air arts and crafts fair; and a full day of varied activities, art-making, food, shopping, and fun for all ages, followed by dancing in the street on Saturday night, organizers said.
Visit www.westvilleCT.org, or pick up a flier at ArtWalk for a more detailed schedule of all the free, rain-or-shine activities and performance times.

Pancakes with a purpose

WEST HAVEN — There will be a “Pancake Day” from 8 a.m. to noon May 8 at First and Wesley United Methodist Church, 89 Center St.
The all you-can-eat event, a breakfast, brunch, or lunch, also includes sausage, juice, and coffee or tea, organizers said. A spring plant sale, including vegetables, hanging plants, baked goods and books, will be held concurrently.
Donation for the pancake event is $7 for adults and $3 for children 2 to 10, organizers said. The event is one of the church’s biggest fundraisers.