Flea market April 25 at Ansonia High School

Ansonia High School's PTSO selling March 22 Sound Tigers tickets, proceeds go to Post Prom Party

ANSONIA >> Tickets are available to see the Bridgeport Sound Tigers vs. the Binghamton Senators on March 22, with a portion of the ticket money benefiting the Ansonia High School PTSO to raise money for the Post Prom Party. Game time is 3 pm at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.  Tickets are $20 each. Call Mary Boissonneasult to get your tickets now at 203-345-4829.

Spring Fling Dance March 21 in Ansonia

Career Coach and Maximize Your Social Security Benefits sessions at Derby Public Library

The American Job Search (formerly CT Works) Career Coach returns to the Derby Public Library on Friday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  During both the morning session, 10-12, and the afternoon session, 1-3, instructors will be offering the class, Create a Great Resume. Participants must attend a full session. The classes are free and open to the public. Registration is requested but walk-ins will be welcomed on a first come first served basis.  The American Job Search Career Coach is operated by Career Resources.

The Derby Public Library will host the workshop, Maximize Your Social Security Benefits, on Monday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. David Cowan, endorsed AAA retiree advisor, will discuss how to navigate retirement savings challenges, ways to safeguard retirement savings, and how to increase Social Security benefits.  While the program is targeted for pre-retirees, ages 60-66, the general public is welcome to attend. Registration is requested.

These are press releases from  Library Director Cathy Williams. For more information, stop by the library at 313 Elizabeth St. or call 203-736-1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org. 

Help needed to “Bowl a Strike” against domestic violence

The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, a program of BHcare, is looking for bowlers of all ages and skill levels to participate in the 27th Annual Bowl-2-Benefit being held Saturday, March 14, at AMF Lanes in Milford.

All proceeds from this non-competitive benefit UCDVS which provides services to nearly 7,000 victims of domestic violence and their children each year throughout the Greater New Haven, Greater Naugatuck Valley, and Shoreline communities. UCDVS provides free emergency safe shelter, 24-hour crisis services, counseling, court advocacy, support and other crucial services.

The Bowl-2-Benefit, one of the largest fundraising events of its kind in the state, attracts over 1,500 community members.  Bowlers of all ages and skill levels are welcome but pre-registration is required. While the 4:30pm session is sold-out, there is still plenty of room in the 9:00 am, 11:30 am, 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. sessions.

Bowlers pay a minimal $5 registration fee and are asked to collect pledges to support their efforts.  Each bowler will receive 90 minutes of bowling, an event t-shirt, shoe rental, soft drink, and a chance to win prizes. The event is ideal for clubs, schools, organizations, corporations and families.

CJ Forcier is a six year veteran of the event and team captain of the New Haven Family Condors, the event’s top fundraising team in recent years. “The New Haven Family Condors became involved with the Bowl-2-Benefit as a team building event and to support our court-based Victim Advocacy Program in the New Haven Court. The day of the bowling event is unlike any other as it is filled with a lot of laughter, comradery, and heaps of fun. I would strongly encourage anyone to be part of the event; you’ll have a great time,” said Forcier.

Decreases in state and federal funding coupled with increases in demand for services make fundraising events such as the Bowl-2-Benefit critical to sustaining services for those at risk and in need.  Last year, the Bowl-2-Benefit raised over $93,000. Event organizers hope to exceed that amount this year and attract an even larger bowling crowd.

The 27th Annual Bowl-2-Benefit is being sponsored by the Bassett Family Fund and media partners include Channel 3 Eyewitness News, 99.1 WPLR and Star 99.9-FM.  Anyone interested in receiving more information about, or participating in the Bowl-2-Benefit, should call Debbie Soulsby at 203- 736-2601, ext. 1321 or visit http://www.bhcare.org/.  Deadline for bowler registration is March 5.

BHcare is a regional community provider of behavioral health, addiction prevention, and domestic violence services for the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and Shoreline communities. For more information, visit www.bhcare.org. ­­

Valley students join forces to fight prejudice

Derby High School students Akshar Patel and Victoria Ramirez,
who are teaching Tifani Horowitz's
kindergarten class at Prendergast School in Ansonia.  

Approximately 100 students, all members of the Human Relations Clubs from Ansonia, Derby and Shelton High Schools and Middle Schools, came together on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25, to simultaneously implement an education program, for all 4th grade and kindergarten students at Mead and Prendergast Schools in Ansonia and Bradley and Irving Schools in Derby. The two days of teaching focused on the themes of “Who Am I” and “Celebrating Differences” in the 4th grade and “Being Kind and Recognizing and Accepting Differences in People” in kindergarten. The main purpose of this program is to instill in students an understanding of the importance of working together and getting along in the diverse world we live in. The HRC student leaders serve as role models, and inspire and motivate the younger children to embrace these concepts. Student leaders started working on this education program during the summer and through their efforts, age appropriate teaching packets were developed for use in the schools.

All students who are participating in this program took part in an all-day student developed and conducted training session on January 30 at the Ansonia Boys and Girls Club.  The collaborative efforts between adults and students in Ansonia, Derby and Shelton, has been amazing and has contributed greatly to the growth and development of the Human Relations Clubs.  

The entire Human Relations Club, including students and adults, are deeply appreciative of the Valley Community Foundation and the Katharine Matthies Foundation. Both of these organizations have validated the work of the HRC by providing much needed funding to support its many programs.

For more information regarding the Human Relations Clubs, please contact Nick Collicelli at 203-305-6342 or Nickhrc@sbcglobal.net.

Downtown Handmade Market continues on first Saturdays

Downtown Handmade Market, a celebration of handmade artisans, takes place on the first Saturdays of every month in the Conti Building on 415 Howe Ave. in Shelton.

“When we shop local, we are supporting and building opportunities for local entrepreneurs and business owners, strengthening our local economy by creating a more self-reliant and durable community, and empowering citizens to guide the development of our immediate surroundings,” says the Celebrate Shelton duo, Skrtic and Heriot-Mikula, in a press release.

Downtown Handmade Market will continue on Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month to follow. Artisans include:  Lisa’s Soaps, The Liquid Lunch, Stone Gardens Farm, Bead Dangle Design, Look and Sea, Hipponotic Candles, M&M Boutique, Lilla Rose, Benny The Baker, Bel-Mare Creations, Greystone Bookworks, Origami Owl Living Lockets, Soul Threads, Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies, Reid’s BBQ Sauce & Rubs, GPC Designs, Moving with Hope, CrazyFun FacePainting, bringtheHoopla, Periodic Tableware,  The Glass Source Stained Glass Studio and more to come.

Celebrate Shelton has also kicked off Third Thursdays Learning Series, monthly creative workshops designed for small business owners. Workshops are designed for entrepreneurs, seasoned business owners or community members who are seeking new knowledge, to network and to inspire. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite. This month’s workshop is Twitter Basics presented by Kayleigh Apicerno of Cloud Media Marketing.

Learn more about Celebrate Shelton at www.celebrateshelton.com and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/celebrateshelton) and Instagram. For any questions, please email us celebrateshelton@gmail.com or call us at 203-924-4368.