Mental Health: President Obama signs proclamation on awareness month

A proclamation signed by President Barack Obama "regarding National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2013."

Mental Health Obama

New Haven firm wins 'Webby'

NEW HAVEN - Digital Surgeons, a city-based digital-first creative agency, won "the highest honor of the internet with a 2013 Webby Award for the social media campaign they executed called "Gaga's Workshop," according to a release.

"The team worked ridiculously hard to make sure that this campaign was flawless which is hard to do when you have such a powerful celebrity behind it," co-founder David Salinas said, also in the release. "Our team, lead by co-founder Pete Sena barely slept making sure everything was perfect and Lady Gaga's powerful fan base never crashed the web servers for a second."

"This is a big win for a small shop having beat out much larger agencies and competition that included HBO, MLB, and Nike," the release said.

"We couldn't be more proud and thankful of the team, our client, and all of people in our lives and in the city of New Haven that supported us during our run for this prestigious award."

Here's more: http://bit.ly/10109Qq

'Quinnipiac River Waterfront Weekend' in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - The Chatham Square Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with Fair Haven businesses and nonprofits, is "offering a weekend of fun for all ages," according to a release
The 3rd annual Fair Haven Family Stroll from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.May 4 will have activities for children at Quinnipiac Waterfront Park (Intersection of Front and Exchange Streets)^{, the release said}. There is a small fee for participation with a subsidy for families in need. All proceeds from this event will help fund two great early childhood programs in the neighborhood, Alexis Hill Montessori and Friends Center for Children.

Then, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, at Quinnipiac Marina, 307 Front St.,  celebrate the 4^th annual Riverfest with a great lunch menu from The Boat House Café, beer tasting compliments of Thomas Hooker Brewery, music by Good Night Blue Moon and guided canoe rides by the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association, the release said.

Also from the release:.

The Chatham Square Neighborhood Association is an all-volunteer group of Fair Haven residents, businesses and nonprofits working to restore a sense of community and pride to our neighborhood.

Alexis Hill Montessori provides early childhood education based on the philosophy and methodology of Maria Montessori.

Friends Center for Children offers non-sectarian early childhood education with a value-based curriculum guided by its foundations in the Quaker principles of community, equality, peace, simplicity and truth.

Goodnight Blue Moon is an  indie-folk band from New Haven, CT.

Quinnipiac River Watershed Association works to restore the Quinnipiac River and its watershed for the health and enjoyment of the citizens and communities

Thomas Hooker Brewery hand crafted Ales and Lagers.

The Boat House Café at Quinnipiac Marina, a locally-owned waterfront café.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

Yale Glee Club to perform traditional Commencement concert

NEW HAVEN - The Yale Glee Club, will present its traditional Commencement concert at 8 p.m. May 18 at Sprague Hall on the Yale campus, according to a release.

The director is Jeffrey Douma, 

"The Yale Glee Club, now in its 152nd season, is the oldest choral organization at Yale.  In its annual Commencement Concert the Glee Club will perform a variety of music, including motets, spirituals, folk songs, and school songs," the release said.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker will be this year’s Class Day speaker. Class Day is May 19.  Commencement is May 20.

Tickets are $12 for general admission and $10 for students and are available by calling 203-432-4136 or in person at the Glee Club office at 201 Hendrie Hall at 165 Elm St., room 201.  

All seats are reserved.

Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of the concert, the release said.

For reservations call (203)432-4136

Editor's note: All information and the photo in this post were contributed.

President Obama’s Call with President Putin

In a press release, the White House today sent this statement regarding President Obama’s call to President Putin. They talked about the tragic fire at the hospital, among other issues.

It is unedited here. 

"President Obama spoke by phone today with President Putin of Russia to convey his condolences on the tragic hospital fire outside of Moscow that killed dozens last week, and to reiterate his appreciation for the close cooperation that the United States has received from Russia on the Boston marathon attack.  The two Leaders discussed cooperation on counterterrorism and security issues going forward, including with respect to the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.  President Obama and President Putin reviewed the situation in Syria, with President Obama underscoring concern over Syrian chemical weapons.  The Presidents agreed to stay in close consultation and instructed Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov to continue discussions on Syria.  Finally, both Presidents noted that they look forward to meeting in person in June at the time of the G-8 meeting in Northern Ireland and again in September for a bilateral Summit in Russia."

Knights of Columbus' New Haven council celebrates 125 years

NEW HAVEN — Rodrigo Council 44 of the Knights of Columbus is celebrating its 125th anniversary with two special Masses. The council, believed to be the second oldest in New Haven, was founded June 6, 1888.

On June 30, a Mass will be celebrated at 8 a.m. in memory of the deceased members if the Knights of Columbus. At 10 a.m., a second Mass will honor living Knights.

A reception will follow at noon at Woodwinds of Branford at noon, with a surf and turf dinner. Dinner is $50 per person. RSVP by June 11. For more information, contact Mike Fimiani at 203-627-9216 or fimtrav@yahoo.com, or George Zito at 203-996-8577 or gnnzi@aol.com.

The money raised at the banquet will support the council’s activitis including scholarship funds for several schools in the New Haven area.

New Haven company vying for Webby

NEW HAVEN - DigitalSurgeons, "a Digital-first creative agency" that specialize in business growth and innovative communication and digital media strategies," has been nominated for a "Webby Award" for the work they produced for Lady Gaga and Barneys New York dubbed Gaga's Workshop, according to a release.
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"A Webby Award is the ultimate prestige for a digital creative agency. The New York Times hailed the Webbys as the 'Highest honor of the internet,'" the release said.

The founding partners of Digital Surgeons Peter Sena and David Salinas are both residents of Connecticut, the release said.

"We are up against some hefty competition.  We've been going back and forth trading places for the lead," the release said.

To vote, visit here.


Voting Ends April 25.



Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.