Wednesday, March 11, 2015

YA Wednesdays, Teen Chess Club, Anti-Bullying Forum at Derby Public Library

YA Wednesdays
The Derby Public Library hosts YA Wednesdays every month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All young adults ages 12 to 17 are invited to join the fun each Wednesday in April as Nintendo Wii, board games and Legos will be available. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is requested.

Teen Chess Club
The Derby Public Library Teen Chess Club invites all young adults ages 12 to 17 to meetings Mondays in April from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. All skill levels are welcome. Participants will learn how the game is played as well as defensive/offensive strategies. Mr. Julio Maldonado provides superb expertise from a life-long love for the game. Registration is requested.

Anti-Bullying Forum
The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 to our 2nd Annual Anti-Bullying Forum, Thursday, April 9, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants will increase their understanding of what bullying is, how to better deal with bully circumstances, and consequences associated with these confrontations. Issues pertaining to social media bullying and school violence will also be addressed by local professionals from Valley Youth Bureaus, and the Parent/Child Resource Center through interactive dialog and support materials in a friendly environment. Dinner will be provided and registration is requested.

The above information was provided by Young Adult/Reference Librarian Tony DeLos. For more information, stop by the library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203.736.1482 or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

Upcoming events at Derby Public Library

Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse Spring Craft Class
The Derby Public Library has scheduled a Recycle, Repurpose, and Reuse Spring Craft Class on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m.  Ansonia Animal Control Officer, Jeanie Roslonowski, returns to the Library to show participants, ages eighteen and over, how to make decoupage flower pots using old calendars. The class will also include information on conservation and animal issues. Registration is required.

Sports Talk Series
The Derby Public Library is excited to begin its tenth season of Sports Talks on Thursday, April 2 at 10 a.m. These informal sessions will be held every Thursday morning throughout the baseball season. They will again be facilitated by radio talk show host, author, and Major League Baseball Rules Consultant, Rich Marazzi. Each session will include trivia contests, videos, lively conversation and more. All ages, from rookies through veterans, are invited to join Rich and his group of Silver Sluggers. No registration is necessary.

Resume “Right-ing”
The Derby Public Library is now offering Resume Workshops on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. During these sessions, participants are welcome to either start from scratch or bring copies of their existing resumes, cover letters as well, for review and optimizing. Often times a new resume can be created simply by making a number of subtle tweaks versus a whole new change.  The April class will be held on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is not required.

Local History Information Sessions – Lincoln’s Assassination
The Derby Public Library holds weekly Local History Information Sessions on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Along with offering research assistance, the Library’s Local History Coordinator also offers information on monthly highlighted topics. April’s topic will be Lincoln’s Assassination. Actual newspapers from the time will be available to view and discuss. Visitors will also be invited to browse through PastPerfect, a software program that enables users to search the Library’s progressively updated local history database.  Assistance will also be available for research on topics such as genealogy, prominent local figures, major area events, and more.

Wednesday Movie Matinees (ages 18 and over)
The Derby Public Library continues its weekly Wednesday Movie Matinees series
for ages 18 and over. Newly released DVDs will be shown every Wednesday at 1 p.m.  Light snacks will be provided. Registration is requested.

Program Series – Just for Women – Reflections on Life
The Derby Public Library continues its monthly series, Just for Women, on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. These informal sessions include the reading of quotes reflecting life situations relevant to women. A wide variety of topics are covered. Women of all ages are invited to share their thoughts as they feel comfortable on Monday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. In today’s world, women are under more pressure than ever. Take some time to do something for yourself and connect with other women. Valley resident and licensed professional counselor, Joan Joyce, will facilitate. Registration is requested but walk-ins are also welcome.

The above information was provided by 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

St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby to honor 6 for contributions

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
DERBY >> Six alumni and friends who’ve made various contributions to the success of St. Mary-St. Michael School will be honored this month.
A recognition ceremony will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. March 28 at Villa Bianca in Seymour to honor Pat Knott, Helen Ploski, John Anglace, Jeff Heitman and Donna and Chris Carloni. Cost per person is $40; $350 for table of 10. Reservations can be made by March 21 by contacting Principal Linda Coppola at lcoppola@stmarystmichael.org or (203) 735-6471.
Knott, a graduate of Derby High School and Teikyo Post College, is owner of Conn-Professional Water Services. He is a member of the St. Mary Knights of Columbus Council 14611 and volunteers for the St. Mary Church Task Force and as co-chair of the St. Mary Parish Summer Festival.

Read more here

Ansonia Housing Authority gets grant to help provide services for job seekers, seniors

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
ANSONIA >> The Ansonia Housing Authority was recently awarded a $246,000 grant geared to help public housing residents find jobs, as well as assist elderly and disabled residents with supportive services to help them remain independent in their homes.
The grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was part of a $738,000 in funding that Ansonia will share with housing authorities in Bristol and Greenwich.
The grant comes through HUD’s Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency-Service Coordinators Program, or ROSS-SC.

Read more here

Ansonia creates Equality Commission

By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Register Correspondent
ANSONIA >> Mayor David Cassetti has made good on his word to promote respect and understanding for one another, and commitment to reduce prejudice, by creating a commission geared to help Ansonia become a more diverse community.
The Board of Aldermen on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution to establish an Equality Commission, at Cassetti’s request.
Cassetti, last month, held the first of what he hopes is many community conversations about diversity, by encouraging city officials, religious leaders, police and the community at-large to work together, regardless of skin color.

Read more here

Monday, March 9, 2015

ICYMI: Dad faces trial in Seymour bank robbery as son awaits sentencing

By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo
A man accused of robbing a Seymour bank nearly two years ago, using his son as a getaway driver, and then fleeing the state is scheduled to go on trial in May.
Daniel Hamlett Sr., 53, of New Haven, was captured in Georgia in November 2014, more than 18 months after the April 9, 2013 robbery.
Authorities claim he robbed the Webster Bank at 15 New Haven Road in Seymour while wearing a mask and brandishing a black handgun. He allegedly ordered everyone to get on the floor, jumped over the teller counter and forcibly took $5,594 in cash from two teller drawers. He then jumped over the teller counter and fled the bank, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Read more here

Official: Man helps neighbors out of weekend house fire in Seymour

A fire tore through a Clifton Street home in Seymour on Saturday. / Seymour Fire Department courtesy photo.

By Register Staff
SEYMOUR >> An alert neighbor reported a weekend fire at a local home and helped the people inside escape without injury, a fire official said Monday.
The man saw the fire Saturday morning at 14-16 Clifton St. and broke down the door to help the people who lived there, Deputy Fire Marshal Timothy Willis said in a phone interview Monday.
The blaze caused an estimated $600,000 damage and forced firefighters to evacuate the building at one point as the roof became unstable. Officials said Saturday that five people were displaced as a result of the fire.

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Valley Community Foundation Awards $170,000 in Scholarships

    Valley Community Foundation Awards $170,000 from Scholarship Funds to Support Educational Pursuits of Local Students   DERBY, CT (Octobe...