The Cridders is a musical performance in sign language, dance and mime.

This unique group has performed throughout the USA and Canada during their 34-year history (including appearances at professional theatres in Washington, D.C., New York City, Oklahoma City, Tampa, Little Rock, Ontario, Denver, Dallas and Vancouver, Washington). They have also appeared on national, cable and local television stations (including The NBC Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning and The Discovery Channel). Performers and technical crew members have donated their time and talents to raise over $1 million to date. Their show, Holiday Moments, will be held on Saturday Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec.2 at 2:30 p.m. in the Roberts Theatre at Kingswood Oxford School.

Go to www.asd-1817.org  for a ticket reservation form or call The American School for the Deaf (860) 570-2300 (V) or (860) 899-1217 (VP) (Mon.-Fri.) 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  Tickets are $16.00 for Adults and $12.00 for children and senior citizens (if purchased in advance).  All proceeds benefit programs at the American School for the Deaf.

The Water Project inspires Bristow student to help

Abi Connor. Photo YCSchoolPhotos

WEST HARTFORD - Abi Conner, an eighth grader at Bristow Middle School wants to raise $15,000 to fund a clean water project in Africa.

Connor's fundraising efforts will support The Water Project, an organization that builds fresh water pumps, water purifiers, and sand dams in Africa.Connor is also getting fundraising guidance from RandomKid, and organization that helps kids help others.

Connor has set up a Facebook page, Wheels for Wells Africa, and has a Tumblr blog www.wheelsforwells.tumblr.com. Both sites will gather donations and track the project's progress.  

“Because of contaminated drinking water, many children in Africa are too sick to go to school, so they don’t get a good education," said Connor. "Lots of girls can’t go to school even if  they aren’t sick because they have to collect water all day."

Connor's goal is to extend her fundraising reach by linking local friend networks to others -friends of friends, etc.- across the country and around the world. 

Connor already raised $1,240 through her church youth group by selling ecofriendly, reusable Vapur bottles. Find updates online, by visiting  www.wheelsforwells.tumblr.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Wheels-for-Wells-Africa.

For more facts on clean water in the world, visit  cleanwaterfortheworld.org/faq/

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Air Force Airman graduates basic training

 Air Force Airman David A. Ratz graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
 Ratz is the son of Adrienne Doughty of Sylvan Avenue, West Hartford, and David Ratz of Stage Harbor Road, Marlborough.     The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.  
He is a 2010 graduate of E.C. Goodwin Technical High School, New Britain.

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St. Brigid School rallies support for Staten Island families

West Hartford -- St. Brigid School organized a relief drive for Hurricane Sandy victims located in Staten Island, New York.
 Students and faculty reached out to the local community and received overwhelming support from Saint Brigid School families, Saint Brigid Church, Saint Helena Church, Hall High School and Wolcott School, all located in West Hartford.
Donations of much needed personal care items, blankets, garbage bags and funds, streamed in for over two weeks. The donations were trucked down to Mt. Loretto Church in New York, where the parish will distribute donations to the hardest hit families in their Staten Island community. Students pictured bottom left are Jiyoung Kim, Aaron Gray, James Rodriguez and Dylan Errico. Top left are Kiana Woods and Melanie Cohen. -->

College Connection keeps students linked to temple

West Hartford – Jordan Alter, of Avon, a freshman and Franklin & Marshall College, got a pair of sunglasses in the "Freshman Survival Kit" sent to him from Beth El Temple.
The West Hartford synagogue's College Connection committee sent packages to college students as part of its ongoing outreach efforts to keep college-age members connected to home and to their Judaism.  The packages contained assorted edible items and accessories, as well as a letter from the rabbis offering good wishes for their success during this special transition in their lives. The College Connection also sends packages containing Hamentashen (traditional cookies) and other sweets to all its college-age members at the spring holiday of Purim.

Financial support for College Connection activities is generously provided by a fund established more than 10 years ago by Beth El members Annette and Sy Gavens, who wanted to ensure that their own college-aged children remained connected to their temple family while away at school.

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'Unorthodox' author to speak at Beth El Temple

West Hartford - Deborah Feldman, author of "Unorthodox: the Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots" will be a guest speaker at Beth El Temple from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec 5.

According to her bio, Deborah Feldman was raised in the cloistered world of Brooklyn's Satmar Hasidim and struggled as a naturally curious child to make sense of and obey the rigid strictures that governed her daily life. From what she could read to whom she could speak with, virtually every aspect of her identity was tightly controlled.  In her memoir "Unorthodox" Feldman reveals what life is like trapped within a religious sect that values silence and suffering over individual freedoms.  She sheds new light on this subculture through a harrowing tale of repression and self-discovery. 

Following Feldman's presentation there will be a dessert reception, book sale and signing.  This program will also be preceded by a light supper honoring Torah Fund Benefactors.  The Torah Fund supports the schools and programs of The Jewish Theological Seminary of America.  As a fundraiser for the Torah Fund, the cost for the dinner is $25 per person which includes an $18 donation to the Fund.  This event is co-sponsored by the sisterhoods of Beth El Temple and B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom, in partnership with the Mandell JCC Jewish Book Festival. 

Beth El Temple is an egalitarian congregation affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. The synagogue strives to create, sustain and strengthen Jewish unity and continuity through personal involvement in meaningful worship, ritual, learning and social action. All are welcome. Located at 2626 Albany Avenue in West Hartford, Beth El is home to worshippers who live in more than a dozen Central Connecticut cities.  For more information, please contact Beth El at (860) 233-9696.

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West Hartford  –  Several Hoffman SummerWood Community U.S. military veterans participated in the 13^th annual Veterans' Day parade in Hartford, including World Ware II Army veteran Master Sergeant Morgan Himmelstein, Iraqi War veteran Captain David Carney, of the U.S. Marine Corps and son of SummerWood Executive Director Joan Carney Ranging in age from 86 to 95, other SummerWood veterans participanting, include U.S. Army Sergeant Felix Bronner; Second Lieutenant Leah Bronner, Army Nurse Corps; Corporal Saul Halfond, U.S. Army Dental Corps; Sergeant Herbert Lebowitz, U.S. Army Air Corps; and Tech Sergeant 4 Herman Ziffer, U.S. Army Medical Corps.  

Jeweler Paul Becker honored by Boy Scouts of America

Paul Becker, owner of Becker's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry in West Hartford, was selected by the Boy Scouts of America as one of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award honorees at the organization's awards dinner recently held at the Hartford Hilton.

This prestigious service award is given to individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of low-income, inner-city youth in Connecticut through scouting and other opportunities. As both a father and grandfather, Paul Becker has long valued the beliefs and mission of the Boy Scouts of America and helps to spread its inherent message. The Connecticut Rivers Council annual fundraising dinner ensures all young people have the chance to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood or ethnic background.

Becker is pictured with Bryan R. Hall, field director of Boy Scouts of America Connecticut Rivers Council and Risa Becker, co-owner of Beckers Diamonds & Fine Jewelry .

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Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters a big success

The Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters "Start Something Big" fundraiser was held recently at the Hartford Golf Club, raising about $175,000. 

"There are few organizations in Connecticut that do more to provide children in need with great adult mentors who help them reach their highest potential," said West Hartford resident Andy Fleischmann, president and CEO of Nutmeg. 

 "There is no better way to move a child's life in a positive direction than by ensuring that he or she has an enduring, one-on-one relationship with a caring adult," said event chair Chandler Howard, president and CEO of Liberty Bank.

Marvin Woodward, a veteran Big Brother and mentoring award winner with Nutmeg, spoke about his match with a Little Brother, Jonathan, how the relationship changed lives for him, Jonathan, Jonathan's family, and the community.

Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the longest established youth mentoring organization in the world (1904). It helps children from single- and no-parent homes to avoid negative behaviors and reach their highest potential. Nutmeg does this by creating and maintaining one-on-one relationships between children and professionally-screened inspirational adult volunteers. Based in Hartford, Nutmeg was founded in 1966. It's funded, in part, by United Way organizations. It serves thousands of youngsters in 111 of the state's 169 municipalities. Help Nutmeg save young lives by volunteering, donating or partnering with us. Visit: www.nutmegbigbrothersbigsisters.org. Or, call toll-free at: 1-800-237-5437 (KIDS).

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KO debaters win competition honors

Seven members of Kingswood Oxford's Forensic Union earned honors at two debate tournaments and two students qualified to compete on the U.S. team in the World Competition in South Africa next spring.
At the cross-examination tournament held at St. Paul's School, in Concord, NH, KO's four-person team -Rudy DeBerry, Mike Hathaway, Caley Henderson, and Matthew Kahn– competed against teams from 10 schools, all part of the Debating Association of New England Independent Schools.
The topic prepared for the debate was, "The U.S. Government should cease using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to assassinate individuals in foreign countries."
KO won first place among advanced teams; the affirmative pair of Henderson and Kahn placed third, the negative pair of Hathaway and DeBerry placed second.
DeBerry won the top award as overall advanced individual speaker, which qualified him for a spot on the U.S. team tp compete in South Africa.
Other schools at the competition were: Belmont Hill, Choate, Deerfield, Groton, Phillips Andover, Phillips Exeter, Roxbury Latin, St. Paul's, and St. Sebastian's.
KO also had a three-person team competing against 38 schools from seven countries at the International Independent Schools Public Speaking Championships held at an independent school just south of Calgary, Canada.
John Chatigny, Sophie Kruger and Maddie Pazzani placed 15th in the competition. Other countries at the competition were: Bahamas, Canada, Cyprus, England, India, and Lithuania.
Pazzani placed 13th in Interpretive Reading and 25th in After-Dinner Speaking. Chatigny came in 3rd in Impromptu Speaking and 21st in After-Dinner Speaking. Kruger placed 7th in Parliamentary Debate and 34th overall (out of 129 speakers), and also qualified for the U.S. team that will compete in South Africa.
Photo: Kingswood Oxford students (from left) Sophie Kruger, of West Hartford, John Chatigny, of Simsbury, and Maddie Pazzani, of Farmington, traveled to Calgary, Canada, for the recent debate competition.

Home Design District members collected food the the West Hartford Food Pantry at its recent meeting. Contributions came from district employees and Tom Strand, of CTFastrack, according to Cathy Davis, of Bartlett Brainard Products Company. Photo submitted

WEST HARTFORD, CT – Jewish Family Services and JFS Care at Home hosted a Business after Hours event recently, drawing about 70 business professionals for networking.  Joanne's Designs sold jewelry at the event, with all proceeds benefitting JFS community-programs. 

The West Hartford Chamber is over 400 members strong and offers many networking and community events, as well as exclusive discounts.  All are encouraged to visit our website to learn more about Chamber benefits.
submitted photo: Rob Rowlson, Maryellen Milio, Barbara Kreitner, Michelle Souza, Andrew Krevolin, and Patricia Kiely.

West Hartford resident interns at NASA

CLEVELAND – A scientist's work is never done.  It always seems to be a work in progress as NASA intern Rufat Kulakhmetov found out this summer.
With the guidance of Dr. Fumiaki Takahashi and Dennis Stocker, the current junior from the University of Connecticut worked on two microgravity combustion projects for the Combustion and Reacting Systems Branch at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
"I worked on the Electric-Field Effects on Laminar Diffusion Flames (E-FIELD Flames) [experiment] and the Structure [and] Liftoff in Combustion Experiment (SLICE)," said Kulakhmetov.  "ACME (Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments) is a set of five different combustion experiments that are currently being developed for study aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and E-FIELD Flames is one of them.  SLICE is a precursor experiment for another ACME experiment."

Kulakhmetov was one of many students to have interned on the project; however, he was the first intern to use the newly revamped experiment rig. 

"I tested all the electrical equipment and leak tested the entire gas delivery system," said Kulakhmetov. "Afterwards, I conducted several normal gravity experiments to study the effects of a variable electrical field voltage step change on CH4, [methane] flame response."  While conducting tests, Kulakhmetov saw firsthand how electric fields could cause flames to lift or extinguish.

With SLICE, Kulakhmetov studied lifting flames, flames that detach from the burner and rise determining the lifting, blowout and blow off conditions for different fuels in normal gravity. And for the sake of comparison, the fuels used to study these lifting flame conditions were the same that were used in earlier ISS experiments. 

"Data from both the ground and flight based experiments will help with refining the future ACME experiment," Kulakhmetov said.

Understanding lifted flames could lead to more efficient, cleaner terrestrial combustion and could greatly benefit the environment, according to Kulakhmetov.

Before coming to Glenn, Kulakhmetov had limited knowledge of combustion, but after a 10-week hands-on internship, he was inspired to continue his combustion research back at school. 

 "The experience this summer at NASA Glenn Research Center not only taught me a lot about combustion, but also gave me valuable research skills," Kulakhmetov said.

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Braebrn students collect for UNICEF

The students of Braeburn Elementary School collected $579.34 during this year's Trick or Treat for UNICEF campaign.  Student Council members watched videos from UNICEF to learn about how the organization helps kids around the world.  Fifth-grade student council representatives then shared information on UNICEF with their "buddy" classrooms in Grades K-5 as they personally delivered UNICEF Halloween collection boxes. 
The collection more than doubled the goal of $250.  This donation to UNICEF will improve the lives of children around the world through health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, and emergency relief. 

Morley Elementary students remember veterans

4th graders Eden N. and Mina D

On Veteran's Day, students at Morley Elementary School celebrated the holiday with a special presentation to educate the students about the holiday's meaning.

Student listened to British Army Lieutenant Colonel Niall Stokoe, of the Royal Corps of Signals, speak, via Skype, about his experiences serving alongside American soldiers in Afghanistan. 

Lt.Colonel Niall Stokoe

Stokoe described the difficulties faced by children living in that war zone under the Taliban regime.
"It's the kind of job where you wake up every day and feel really proud about serving others and serving your country,"  said Stokoe, about his work in the military.

 The supplies sent by Morely last year had an important impact on students in the Khalaj School, in the southern part of the Helmand, Stokoe said. The joy in the children's faces was immense, said Stokoe, who added that Afghan children struggle just to get to school every day.  He reminded students never to take freedom for granted and to be thankful for those serving to preserve and share that freedom.

 
Principal Ellen Stokoe's husband, British Army Major Andrew Stokoe, also spoke. He pointed out the similarity between Veteran's Day and Remembrance Day, celebrated in Canada and the United Kingdom. He also shared the history of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for soldiers.

The assembly concluded with students singing "America, the Beautiful".

New expansion celebrated by University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy

WEST HARTFORD, CONN. – The University of Saint Joseph School of Pharmacy celebrated its new expansion in downtown Hartford with a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony which included trustees, alumni, and community leaders.
Construction was completed in late spring on the third floor at 229 Trumbull Street in the XL Center where the original 35,000 square foot facility has expanded by an additional 18,000 square feet in a space adjacent to the existing quarters. Additions to the facility include a large student lounge that accommodates 100 people; a multi-purpose meeting space for events, board meetings or community outreach; a major expansion of the library and a large classroom with seating for 48 students.
Pictured at the ribbon-cutting event (left to right) are: Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra; University of Saint Joseph President Pamela Trotman Reid, Ph.D.; Joseph R. Ofosu, Pharm.D., R.Ph., Professor and Dean of the USJ School of Pharmacy; and Jeanne Merola, Chair of the USJ Board of Trustees and Senior Vice President at Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company.
Photo credit: John Marinelli Photography

ADL honors Curtis D. Robinson and family, Pava family

The Anti-Defamation League honored Connecticut business entrepreneur and philanthropist Curtis D. Robinson and family, and the Pava family with the 2012 Torch of Liberty Award on October 3 in West Hartford, Connecticut.
About 300 of Greater Hartford's leading citizens and corporations attended, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Chris Murphy and Attorney General George Jepsen. Approximately $335,000 was raised for the Anti-Defamation League's Connecticut Regional Office, based in Hamden.
The Torch of Liberty Award celebrates those with a tradition of community service. The commitment to philanthropy and public service demonstrated by the Robinson and Pava families epitomizes the Anti-Defamation League's values and the ideals represented by the Torch of Liberty Award.
"It's been a pleasure getting to know the Robinsons and Pava families," said Gary Jones, Connecticut ADL's regional director. "In addition to being stalwarts in the community, each family exudes a warmth and generosity that is palpable. They're both highly deserving of this award."

Photos: Senator Richard Blumenthal with Curtis D. Robinson

Jeremy Pava with Curtis D. Robinson. Photo credit Harold Shapiro.

The American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96 and VFW Hannon-Hatch Post 9929 will conduct a community wide collection for personal goods to be sent to members of the West Hartford based Army National Guard 143rd Military Police Company now serving in Afghanistan.  The drive will begin on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 and continue through Nov.30. 

VFW Post Commander Tim Ahern and American Legion Post Commander Chris Conlin request the community's support for the dedicated men and women serving our country during the holiday season.

Five collection points are now open in West Hartford; American Legion Post 96, 45 Raymond Road; VFW Post 9929, 83 South Street; West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main Street Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New Britain Avenue; West Hartford Senior Center, 15 Starkel Road.

A list of suggested items for the Soldiers Care Packages can be downloaded from www.post96.org or www.vfw9929.org or at the collection locations listed above.

Hartford - In an effort to draw attention to the problems facing children living in poverty in Hartford, Brad Drazen of NBC CT and Andy Katz of ESPN teamed up with over 150 participants on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Mandell Jewish Community Center in West Hartford to raise money to support the work of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford.  

Help a Child BE GREAT: A Workout to Benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford is expected to raise more than $40,000.   

The dollars raised will be used to fund BGCH's core programs that encourage and empower young people to make positive choices to support and nurture their physical and personal well-being, from good nutrition and exercise to positive relationship-building and stress management.

Miracle League adds the happy to Halloween on West Hartford field

Submitted photo: The University of Hartford Softball team with Joshua Van Hare, a player from the Miracle League team.

The Miracle league of CT held its first Treat or Treating event at the Miracle League Field on Oct. 27. Families and kids with special needs enjoyed Halloween in a safe environment.

Businesses, organizations and individuals lined up on the field and kids were offered candy, pizza, ice cream, and a holiday-themed fruit arrangement.

The Miracle League team offers its thanks for the community's generosity.

Employees from Otis Elevator in Farmington visited Community Mental Health Affiliates' Child & Family Services in New Britain to spruce up the building as part of the United Way of Central & Northeastern Connecticut's Day of Caring recently. The volunteer projects included refinishing furniture and repainting trim in classrooms used for counseling and therapy sessions.

Submitted Photo: Volunteers posing with Ray Gorman, CMHA president and CEO and Regina Moller, CMHA vice president of Child & Family Services, include Team Captain Lance Lavender, Paul Barbato,  Peter Keyo,  Peter Liaskas, West Hartford resident Kyle Martin, David McKee, David Torlai, and Ben Watson.

Barton Russell, statewide municipal group’s CEO, steps down

WEST HARTFORD- After leading the municipal advocacy organization for 18 years Barton Russell, executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns retired at the end of September. COST represents 115 suburban and rural and small cities throughout Connecticut.

Prior to taking the helm at COST, Russell served for 18 years as the founding executive director of the Washington, DC-based National Association of Towns and Townships and as president of the organization's education arm – The National Center for Small Communities. NATaT represents more than 12,000 municipalities across the country.

Russell's dedication to as Connecticut's "voice for small towns" was celebrated recently during a COST-sponsored reception at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell. Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Senate Finance Chair Eileen Daily and other state and municipal leaders statewide gathered to praise COST's outgoing CEO for his leadership and effectiveness as a champion for Connecticut's smaller towns and cities.

Leaders of the General Assembly presented Russell with a proclamation, stating in part, "You have been a strong voice in ensuring that the needs and priorities of town leaders have been heard – and responded to – at the State Capitol.

 "Your impact on towns in Connecticut and across the Country cannot be underestimated," said Congressman Joe Courtney. "You have been such a prominent advocate for municipalities that President Ronald Reagan once praised you as 'the voice of small town America'."

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WEST HARTFORD – For the fifth consecutive year, Hughes Health & Rehabilitation has been selected as one of America's Top Nursing Homes by the Consumers' Research Council of America. 

CRC's selection, called the Honor of Distinction and Excellence, was given to Hughes for the West Hartford facility's high ratings in three categories: performance in health inspections, staffing and quality measures.  CRC bases its distinction on data collected by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

The Consumers' Research Council of America's Guide to America's Top Nursing Homes is information provided to the public by the official U.S. Government site regarding Medicare, www.medicare.gov.

"Hughes Health & Rehabilitation is honored, once again, to be recognized as a Top Nursing Home by the Consumers' Research Council of America," said Mark Finkelstein, vice president and administrator of Hughes.  "Being recognized by the CRC for five consecutive years is an achievement everyone at Hughes is very proud of, and one that reflects our mission of providing health care services in an environment where caring makes the difference."

Bugbee chess team places second overall at UConn tournament

The Bugbee Elementary School Yellow Jackets chess team competed in the annual University of Connecticut Fall Scholastic K-8 Tournament, placing second overall.  

The four player team of Sean Dyson, fourth grade, Samuel Lumelsky, second grade, Ethan Striff-Cave, second grade, and Theodore Braiewa, first grade, represented West Hartford, playing against some of the strongest players in their age group.

"The competition here is fierce, with many excellent young players," said Alexander Lumelsky, the team's coach.

In addition to the team award, individual awards included, Sean Dyson, who won Second Place with a 2-1-1 record in the K-5 under 700 section, and Sam Lumelsky, who won Third Place in the K-5 open section with a 2-2-0 record. Other team members contributed three points for the team award, including a strong performance by Ethan Striff-Cave, who finished 2-2-0.  

Theodore Braiewa won his first competition match and earned the honor of presenting the team trophy, on behalf of the Jackets, to Bugbee Principal Noam Sturm.

Since May, the Yellow Jackets have received three team honors and three individual awards.  

On Nov.10, the chess team will participate in highly competitive matches at the New Haven Fall Open at Hopkins School.

Submitted photo: Bugbee Yellow Jackets chess team presents its Second Place trophy to Principal Noam Sturm. (from left) Ethan Striff-Cave, Teddy Braiewa, Samuel Lumelsky, and Sean Dyson.

Halloween carnival scares up treats for food pantry

West Hartford resident Rebecca Hajosy gave the West Hartford Food Pantry a real treat by holding a Halloween Carnival on Oct. 31 to benefit the non-profit organization. Visitors were encouraged to bring canned goods to the neighborhood event to receive tickets for children to play games set up in the family's home and yard. More than 40 people attended the event that gathered more than five bags of groceries and $30 for the food shelter.

Submitted photo: Ruth Eddy, Jack Eddy and Rebecca Hajosy in costume at the Halloween food drive.