Casa Bianca Pizza Opens in Ansonia

Sharing from City of Ansonia's Facebook Page:

ANSONIA-  A large crowd of customers and city officials attended the grand opening of Casa Bianca Pizza Nov. 29, including Mayor David Cassetti, Valley Chamber President Bill Purcell, 6th Ward Alderman Josh Shuart and Economic Development Commission President Bill Luneski.

Food samples abounded as confetti flew to celebrate Casa Bianca’s second location. The Ansonia location is being developed as a prototype franchise.

Casa Bianca, located at 669 Main St, offers pick-up and delivery daily and extra late hours.

Seymour Announces Winter Parking Ban

Valley Holiday Spectacular

Derby School Board Nabs Awards

DERBY – The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) has recognized the Derby Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Conway, Jr. for exhibiting excellence in educational communication by honoring them with the Bonnie B. Carney Award.  

In 1975, CABE established the Awards of Excellence in Educational Communication to

recognize the good work done on a daily basis.      

The board won awards in two submissions in the Excellence for Educational Communication.  The first is for its use of social media, utilizing its website, YouTube account, Facebook and 27 Twitter handles to communicate district information and promote and broadcast events to families and the community.  The second award was for Irving School’s broadcast news network, W-IRV News, which is a daily broadcast of school news and events to keep families and the community aware of the happenings at the elementary school.  

In addition, the board was awarded Honorable Mention in two categories: the district

calendar and the Derby Public School’s Budget Presentation to the Board of Apportionment

and Taxation.   

“The Derby Board of Education was happy to hear that our school system won the Bonnie B. Carney Award for Excellence in Educational Communications,” said Board Chairman Jim Gildea. “We recognize the importance of ensuring all relevant stakeholders are communicated with regularly.  We recognize that it takes a community to educate our students and we are excited that our efforts to communicate with our parents, students, staff and community members has been noticed.”    

Conway echoed similar sentiments.  

“We are thrilled to receive this award again,” Conway said.  “It is recognition of the creative ways staff and students have engaged in communicating with each other, our board, parents and the community at large.  They model effective communication and use social media as a way to share the great things going on in our schools and classrooms.”

Free Valley Flu Clinic

Holiday Book Sale

Local Artist's Photographs on Display in NYC

The 92Y (www.92y.org), a community and cultural center in New York City, will present “Captured in the Art,” a solo exhibition of photographs by Deborah Sofferman.

The exhibition will be open to the public on the third floor of the 92Y from Nov. 27-Dec. 20. 

 

Viewing hours are Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.- 7:30 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m .-6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Visitors can meet Sofferman from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 27 and from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5.

 

Sofferman presents candid photographs she captured of artists who create art in the 92Y Art Center.

 

"I enjoy bringing viewers into the realm of being an observer in a very private moment of the artist’s creative process time,” Sofferman said.

She used her iPhone to take the photographs, saying “I like the immediacy. I always have the iPhone with me and am less likely to miss the shot. As a photographer and ceramic artist, I understand firsthand the process of being motivated by the desire to actualize an image from within.”
Sofferman added “In these photos, there’s more than just the  visual component you see. There’s everything around and behind it: the pull of the artists’ interest to be captured by their art, the obstacles they face in getting to the studio, their willingness to give themselves to the task. And now, for this exhibit, to share themselves …“Caught in the Art.” 

Sofferman added another dimension to the exhibition: viewers can read selected quotations from various 92Y artists about their creative experiences.This is the first photography exhibition for the Art Center lobby.

 

“We are grateful to Deborah for capturing the creative spirit found in the 92Y Art Center’s studios," said Emily Coyne, manager of the 92Y Art Center. "This exhibition allows us to share the joy of art-making found in all of our studios. Our student artists and designers find their voice, passion, and mastery of skill in our studios. The dialogue students create with their artwork, instructors, and fellow students greatly enrich their lives outside of the studio.”

All photographs from “Captured in the Art” will be available for sale. Sofferman will donate the proceeds to the 92Y Art Center program.

 

“I’d like to thank the 92Y, especially the Art Center, for their support, enthusiasm and vision," she said. "And I’m immensely grateful to shine a light on these wonderful artists who freely allowed me to witness their process.”

This exhibition continues Sofferman’s ongoing docu-series titled @PeopleLookingAt which can be viewed on Instagram and her website https://PeopleLookingAt.com
Sofferman is the wife of Dr. Bruce Sofferman of Smile Dental Center in Shelton.

 

Ansonia Fundraiser for Fluffy and Fido

Valley Woman Wins Big

Vicky O’Connor, center, with Kate Marks
and Griffin Hospital President/CEO Patrick Charmel.

  

SHELTON - Vicky O’Connor, of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, was the big winner at the 2nd Annual Diamond Dig fundraiser at Marks of Design in Shelton.

 

O’Connor picked the lucky bucket that contained a one-carat diamond from Antwerp, Belgium. More than 800 carats of precious gemstones were awarded in the event, which raised more than $11,000 for the Valley Goes Pink Campaign.

 

The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community-wide effort throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley to create awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and showcase partnering organizations.

 

For more information about the Valley Goes Pink, visit griffinhealth.org/pink.

Seymour Loses Devoted Public Servant

SEYMOUR – The community lost one of its most dedicated public servants, Bruce Baker, who passed away Nov. 15.

Baker, 75, leaves behind his wife, Karen, of 54 years, and his sons Erik and Greg and several grandchildren.

Baker dedicated much of his life to public service, leaving behind an “extraordinary legacy of service to the Town of Seymour,” according to his obituary.

Baker served in numerous leadership roles, including Seymour’s Deputy First Selectman and Chairman of the Board of Education, as well as a member of the Board of Ethics, Chatfield School Building Committee, High School Building Committee, Seymour Strategic Planning Committee and the Board of Assessment Appeals.

In addition, Baker devoted his time to youth sports and recreation, serving as the Cub Master of Pack 65, Little League baseball and basketball coach, President of Seymour Pop Warner, President of the Seymour Kickoff Club, President of the Seymour Fathers’ Club and President of the Hoopsters’ Club.

A devoted church man, Baker was an active, 46-year member of Seymour Congregational Church serving numerous terms as Moderator, Deacon and in multiple finance roles.

His love of Boston sports was well-known, and throughout his retirement, Baker was an avid golfer.

Friend and fellow Board of Education member Fred Stanek said Baker’s passing is a huge loss.  

"As members of the Seymour Board of Education for many years together, Bruce and I often disagreed on important educational issues,” said Stanek. “However, Bruce understood that the best educational decisions for the school district were made through the deliberative process by discussing differing points of view. I will remember that Bruce had the best interests of the students at heart and that he and I were always able to leave a meeting after a heated civil debate shaking hands ready to continue our discussions at the next meeting. Bruce will be remembered as a great public servant.”

Former First Selectman Robert Koskelowski was proud to call Baker a friend.

“Bruce served on many boards, but when he served with me on the Board of Selectmen, it was an honor and that’s when we all new Bruce was serving to help make Seymour a great town,” Koskelowski said. “He helped us improve our school system. He was just a great guy who we will all miss. He worked hard for the betterment of the community.”

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Seymour Congregational Church, 45 Broad St. The family will welcome friends at a celebration of life reception in the fellowship hall at 3p.m. Interment will be private.

Donations can be made to the Bruce Baker Memorial Fund of the Seymour Congregational Church. Arrangements are with the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 W. Church St. To share a memory online, visit www.hullfh.com.

Valley New Year on Tap

Start your Valley New Year with a pre-game party at BAD SONS! We'll be opening early at 12pm with two specialty cask beers:  Berry Pie Cask Cranberry Gose, Graham Crackers, Cinnamon and Lemon Twist. Bad Billy Bump Cask Brown Ale, Three Bridges Espresso, Double Chocolate Scone and Lactose. Plus we'll have free Apollo Pizzas, first come first serve, temporary tattoos and sticker giveaways, and Lucky Dog food truck from 2-9pm. And don't forget to grab a fresh 4-pack, crowler or growler for turkey day - Buy one 4 pack get one ½ off on to go purchases!

OPEN A NOON! WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 21

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Mayor to Pour Drinks for Furry Friends

Festival of Trees Nov. 17 & 18 in Shelton

SHELTON - TEAM Inc's 15th annual Festival of Trees will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Nov. 17 and Sunday Nov. 18 at the Shelton Senior Center, 81 Wheeler St.

 

The event will features raffles of decorated trees, wreaths and baskets, along with craft vendors, pictures with Santa and kids' holiday crafts.
 

Making Thanksgiving Brighter for Families in Need

SHELTON - Dr. Bruce Sofferman of Smile Dental Center, along with his family and a turkey mascot held their 32nd annual Thanksgiving food drive Wednesday, Nov. 14 to benefit the Spooner House and its Food Bank. Donations of frozen turkeys and non-perishable food items can be dropped off at Smile Dental Center, 1000 Bridgeport Ave., anytime through the holidays, for a chance to win several prizes.

Valley Arts Council Grand Opening

THC to Hold Veterans' Benefit

DERBY - The Hops Company, Connecticut’s only authentic beer garden, will host its 3rd annual “Road Home for the Holidays” charitable event from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30. 

 

Partnering with Two Roads Brewery for the third year, the event will be a memorable night filled with fun, food, great beer, games, raffles and contests including ugly holiday sweater contest to benefit military service men and women. 

 

The Hops Company and Two Roads will donate $1 from the sale of each Two Roads pint of beer to the Fisher House Foundation.  The Fisher House Foundation reunites families of injured veterans while they’re in the hospital. It uses donations to build large, multi-family homes where loved ones can stay without charge while their heroes heal. For more details, please check out: www.fisherhouse.org.

 

Bobby Wheeler will be playing live music from 9 p.m. until midnight.

 

THC is located at 77 Sodom Lane. Additional parking is available at 43 Marshall Lane.

Derby Mayor to Deliver Meals to Seniors

                     

Who?          TEAM’s Meals one Wheels program delivered more than 40,000 meals to 260 elderly living in Derby and the surrounding Valley communities.

 

What?         Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan will be delivering meals door-to-door in Derby as part of TEAM’s Meals on Wheels program.

 

When?        On November 14 beginning at approximately 9:45am – then traveling door-to-door to the homes of Derby seniors for approximately an hour.

 

Where?       Mayor Dziekan will meet TEAM’s Meals on Wheels truck & staff at the Valley Diner on Route 34 and then be traveling door-to-door delivering meals to Derby seniors for approximately an hour. Serving in twelve communities, TEAM’s central offices are located at 30 Elizabeth Street in Derby, CT.

 

Why?          Mayor Dziekan is volunteering his time to demonstrate awareness and increase support for this essential TEAM Meals on Wheels program that helps so many of our Valley’s homebound and often isolated older residents. The majority of TEAM’s Meals on Wheels recipients live in isolation, one in two are low income, and almost one out of every three is aged 90 years or more. TEAM’s Meals on Wheels program delivers daily nutritious meals, friendly social visits, and safety checks to enrolled seniors all year long.

 (this is a press release from Team)

 

Valley Toy Drive Kicks Off Nov. 10

Mohegan Sun Bus Trips Slated

Thanksgiving Food Drive in Seymour

Purchase a Piece of History

Winter Coat & Glove Drive

Seymour Seniors to Hold Veterans Day Program