Learn How to Prevent Falls at Griffin

DERBY - The Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital and Griffin Hospital Lifeline will host a free Fall Prevention Program on Fri., Sept. 22 from 9 a.m.-noon at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street in Derby.

 

The program will discuss the dangers of falling, especially for seniors, and will help attendees prevent falls by: Assessing their fall risk; teaching them to assess their, or a loved one’s, risk of falling; teaching and practicing exercises to improve balance and leg strength; providing a medication review; encouraging annual eye exams; teaching ways to reduce tripping hazards at home and learning how to get up or to call for fast help if a fall occurs.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of three adults 65 and older will fall each year. For those 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury, death and hospital admissions for trauma. Those who fall, even if not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear causes people to limit their activities reducing their mobility, causing loss of physical fitness, which in turn increases the actual risk of falling.

 

A light breakfast will be provided by Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

 

To reserve a seat or for more information, contact Esther at 203-732-1523 or ejones@griffinhealth.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Valley's Iconic Italian Festival to Mark 50 Years

Alycia Filippone and Sal Aconfora prepare meatballs for the festival

  

ANSONIA-  Holy Rosary parish will sponsor its 50^th annual Italian Festival, Festa! 2017, starting Thursday, Aug. 10 through Saturday Aug. 12 from 5 to 10 p.m. on its church grounds, 10 Father Salemi Drive. 



The festival is a celebration of Italian heritage as the parish recalls its roots as an immigrant parish in the early 1900’s.  The current church (and festival) is located in the old Powe Street neighborhood that once housed a vibrant Italian enclave from 1900 to the flood redevelopment era of the 1960’s.

 

The festival features freshly prepared Italian foods such as suffrito, lasagna al forno, porchetta, pizza fritta, ravioli fritta, fried calamari and more.  All food items are freshly prepared in the parish hall kitchen by parish cooks each day.  The recipes used are established, tried-and-true and finished with love.  Special dessert items are Italian pastry treats like cannoli’s and sfogliatelle and gelato made by the award winning Gelato Giuliana of New Haven.

 

Holy Rosary’s Italian festival is rare in that the food items are freshly prepared on site  by parish cooks.  Alycia Filippone, festival co-chair, credits the success of the festival to this main point. 

 

“When you visit our festival you will find no private vendors selling dinner foods.,” she said.  “We take the food too seriously to leave it in the hands of others.  We prepare everything ourselves. Every dish is made as if we are serving our own large Italian families.  That’s why our food is so good, the love comes through!”

 

The festival also offers live musical entertainment each night.  Great artists like I'Liguri will entertain on Thursday, the Navels play on Friday and our Three Tenors:  Rich DePalma, Mark Lanzieri and Tony Santoli will perform the Saturday show. 

 

Rainbow Amusements provides rides for the children – Thursday is bracelet night.  Visitors can try their hands at the games of skill and games of chance.  An Italian Marketplace will sell Italian gifts and novelties ideal for the holidays or anytime.

The festival is located on flat paved grounds providing easy access for everyone. 

Admission is free so bring a chair, stay all night and enjoy! 

More information is available at:  www.holyrosaryfestival.com.

Ansonia Nature Center Announces Late Summer, Fall Programs

MONDAY NIGHT TRAIL RUN – Mondays in August, September, October, 5:30-6:30 pm

This is a call to all of the runners who want something that is out of the ordinary! Ranger Dan will lead you through our 156-acre network of trails, while you burn off the weekend's extra calories. We guarantee that this FREE program is the best way to start off your week.  Please register and wear appropriate footwear.

 

FAMILY ORGANIC GARDEN PROGRAM – Tuesdays, August, September and October

ANC will be continuing family-friendly activities in our organic garden. Learn about growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. Dress appropriately; keep in mind you will get water and soil on your clothing. FREE, with the potential to take home fresh local produce!

 

FIBER ARTS GROUP – Tuesdays starting Sept. 5, 5:30–7:30 pm

Get together with others to work on your fiber arts projects! Bring any kind of fiber work—knitting, felting, crocheting, etc. A great way to dedicate time to your handiwork and socialize too. FREE.

 

FALL TERM JUNIOR RANGERS – Registration.begins Thurs. Sept. 7; class runs Thursdays, Sept. 14–Nov. 2, 3:30–5 pm.

Calling all kids 11 to 14 years old who love nature! Has your child wanted to work with animals, garden, help maintain our trails, and help with special events? This is the opportunity to help the Nature Center in our 8-week after-school program. Parental permission is required. Class size is limited; this class fills up fast! FREE.

 

NATURE EXPLORERS – Wednesdays, Sept. 20, 27; Oct. 4, 11, 10 am

Join Wendy for our preschool/toddler program. This 4-week session is for children ages 2–5 years old with an adult. These outdoor classes will be fun exploring and learning through play. We will learn about nature and science through activities such as hiking, exploring, singing, games, reading, and making crafts. Every class is outside!!!! TUITION: $40 per 4-week session (cash or check payable to Ansonia Nature Center).

 

BIRDS ON THE MOVE – Sat. Sept. 30, 9 am

Join Ranger Jess for this informative program. She will concentrate on the end-of-summer journeys taken by our “flying friends” to faraway places each year. Find out who’s going and who’s staying put! FREE.

 

To register for all events please call (203)736-1053.

 

Griffin Hospital to Host AARP Driver Safety Program

 

 

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. on Saturday,  Sept. 16 at the hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.

 

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers. While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time.

 

The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes and ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.

 

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others. As an added bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.

 

The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Make checks payable to “AARP.”

To register, call Esther at 203-732-1523.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Iconic Valley Music Store Revamped

 

 

  

ANSONIA - The official ribbon-cutting and grand re-opening of Ansonia's Banko's Music took place on Thursday, August 3, as more than 50 folks packed the late afternoon ceremony.

 

Those in attendance included Mayor David Cassetti, state Rep. Linda Gentile, Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell, former Banko’s owner Joe Salvati, new owner Joe Shapiro, Second Ward Aldermen Lorie Vaccaro, Fifth Ward Alderman Joe Jaumann, and Seventh Ward Alderman Frank DeLibero.

The popular music destination business in downtown Ansonia dates back to 1955.

Shapiro recently bought the business, which has undergone a top-to-bottom renovation and façade makeover.

The public grand  re-opening celebration is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. August. 5, featuring free food, free giveaways, live music and more.



(This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall) 

Take Path to Better Health at Griffin Hospital

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is helping individuals make the change for a healthier life this fall with its Wellness for Life program.

 

Wellness for Life is a 12-week, evidence-based lifestyle change program that helps prevent and treat many chronic diseases. According to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services, 80 percent of chronic diseases, like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, can be prevented with better lifestyle choices in nutrition, activity and emotional health.

 

Starting Tues., Sept. 26 from 6-8:30 p.m., the program offers a custom fitness evaluation, a wellness visit with a physician, individual nutritional guidance, one-on-one coaching, group physical activity, and small, interactive health seminars and discussions so participants can make a commitment to a healthier life. Each participant also receives a Fitbit, which helps track participants’ activity, sleep patterns and food intake.

 

“Making changes for a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy – it requires one-on-one guidance and on-going support,” said Wellness for Life Co-Director Eunice Lisk. “This program helps people assess their lifestyle, provides them with a personalized plan to increase vitality and gives one-on-one and group

support every step of the way to better health.”

 

Wellness for Life focuses on hands-on learning, featuring an activity monitor, behavioral change coaching, and weekly group sessions to promote healthy weight management, better sleep and energy, chronic disease prevention/management, and increased personal strength and resilience.

 

Since its start in 2015, Wellness for Life graduates have reported increased knowledge, skills, and confidence in making lifestyle changes (physical activity, stress management, nutrition, resilience), and the program has received high satisfaction scores from participants in meeting expectations and for presentations by the expert speakers.

 

Wellness for Life meets on Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m. at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby.

 

For more information about Wellness for Life, visit griffinhealth.org or call Program Director Eunice Lisk, MS, at 203-732-7107.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Iconic Valley Music Store to Hold Grand Re-Opening

ANSONIA - Banko's Music invites the community to an official ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday from 5-7 p.m. (with an official cutting at 5:30 p.m.) and also to its Grand Re-Opening Celebration Saturday from noon-5 p.m. 

Banko's Music, 360 E. Main St., is under new ownership. All are cordially invited to join in the festivities.

Invited guests are Mayor David S. Cassetti and Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell. Wine and beer will be served and there will be live music.

The Saturday Grand Re-Opening Celebration will have a free all-day cookout with non-alcoholic refreshments served, free giveaways, and live music.

Banko's Music has been in continued operation and at the same location for over 60 years. The original owner, Frank Banko, opened the store in 1955. It was then passed on to Joe and Sherry Salvati in 2001. 

Now the legacy of Banko's has been handed over to new owner Joe Shapiro.

He said, "As a loyal customer of the store for many years, I jumped at the opportunity to buy Banko's when I heard the previous owners were selling. I am grateful Joe and Sherry Salvati have agreed to stay on with us as employees. Going forward, I foresee Banko's Music reclaiming its past and rightful place as the center of the musical community in the Valley and beyond."

Banko's has recently been restored, renovated, and expanded. 

Banko's is committed to serving the musical needs of the Greater Valley area and beyond while providing a community-oriented environment. 

For more information visit www.Bankos.Rocks or contact natalie@bankos.rocks.

(This is a press release from Banko's)