West Hartford CT Community Notes


Monday, February 25, 2013

Mooyah Burgers Fries and Shakes celebrates grand opening with ribbon cutting


The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Mooyah Burgers Fries and Shakes to 722 North Main Street, Bishops Corner in West Hartford, CT. The ceremony was led by  Chamber Board Member Rob Rowlson, Owner Matt Rusconi, and Chamber Director, Barbara Kreitner. University of Hartford Athletics teams were present, along with Howie the Hawk – to help officially welcome Mooyah to the West Hartford Community.
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West Hartford resident named to AARP Executive Council

Hartford, CT -- AARP Connecticut, the state's largest non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization for people aged 50-plus, today announced it has named Louise Bailey of West Hartford to its executive council.
"Louise's dedication to civic duty, as well as her willingness to give back to her community and help others makes her a valuable asset to the executive council. We are grateful for the time and talent she will be volunteering to help steer the efforts of AARP," Nora Duncan, AARP state director said.
"It is such an honor to be able to help AARP in its efforts. I have been involved with AARP in a number of capacities for many years and I look forward to working with the Council to further our mission to improve the quality of life for all residents as we age," Bailey said.
Bailey was named to the executive council alongside Byron Peterson of Shelton, former vice president of Human Resources for Branson Ultrasonics Corporation. All members of the executive council serve in a volunteer capacity.
The executive council serves as strategists for AARP's efforts and direction in the state of Connecticut. The members of the council assist in establishing AARP's priorities, managing its resources, and making decisions on the state plan, assuring that the organization's overarching goals are successfully met. The council is also a liaison to the organization's extensive volunteer base, through communicating national and state policy updates and motivating the volunteers through their leadership.
Prior to her retirement, Louise Bailey served as the director of Government Affairs for Masonicare. She was responsible for the company's legislative efforts and governmental affairs, including the organization of the Post Conference on Aging for the White House.
Bailey has worked extensively for civic and cultural organizations. Most notably, she has been a member of the board of trustees for the University of Connecticut since 1970. She also serves on the board of directors for the Mark Twain House, and was president of the Hartford Ballet.
Bailey has a long history of volunteerism with AARP Connecticut. She previously had served as the Executive Communications Volunteer from 2002 to 2005, and again in 2006. She has also worked as an Advocacy Volunteer and Team Member for the past five years.
Bailey has four children and eight grandchildren. She currently resides in West Hartford.

Avon man promoted to pastoral position at West Hartford Church


AVON, Conn. — Dave Swanson, worship director at Calvary Fellowship, has been named to pastoral position.
A native of Simsbury, Swanson, 27, is a resident of Avon. In 2003, Swanson graduated from Simsbury's The Master's School, a private school founded in 1970 on the principles of integrating faith and learning. He is currently pursuing a master of divinity degree in theology through Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, located in Boston, Mass. 
  Swanson has served in fulltime ministry for the past seven years. He has served in a ministerial capacity, leading worship, small groups and missions and outreach, for more than three years with Calvary Fellowship in West Hartford.
"My hope and goal in this new pastoral position is to serve the people of Calvary Fellowship to the best of my ability, giving all the glory to God," said Swanson, who is the married husband of twins. "I believe God has given me gifts in both music and teaching, so I will do my upmost to exercised and strengthen these gifts for the edification of the body of Christ at Calvary. I feel very privileged to be given this position and I am thankful to be a part of a local community I love."
In his new role, Swanson will deliver occasional Sunday morning sermons and take part in other leadership duties.
"Dave has the rare combination of incredible talent and since humility," said Bill LaMorey, lead pastor at Calvary Fellowship. "A minister simply means a servant and Dave is definitely that. When we ordained Dave as a pastor we didn't make him a pastor, we just affirmed the work God was already doing in and through him. Dave is a very valuable part of our team, and as our worship pastor we expect that Pastor Dave will continue to flourish as he honors God by fulfilling his role in serving the people of Calvary Fellowship."
Calvary Fellow Calvary Fellowship meets Sundays at 10 a.m. at Conard High School, 110 Beechwood Road, West Hartford. Calvary Fellowship features contemporary music and offers relevant biblical teaching and fun-filled Bible classes for children. Calvary Fellowship is casual in style but serious about faith.
For more information on Calvary Fellowship, visit www.calvaryhartford.com or call 860-231-9957. 
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Beth El Temple introduces an innovative leadership program

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Beth El Temple of West Hartford kicked off L.E.A.D. - a brand new initiative to engage young leaders of today and tomorrow. L.E.A.D. stands for Learn. Engage. Affiliate. Develop.
The goals are: Learn: Educate participants on leadership skills, how to create a vision for the future, and how to work in a community; Engage participants with each other so they form a cohesive unit of active Temple members; Affiliate: Encourage participants to become involved in Temple committees and task forces; and Develop future leaders who are equipped with knowledge, passion, and energy to lead Beth El Temple's congregation into the future.   
Rabbi Hayim Herring participated as the keynote educator of L.E.A.D.'s opening session on Tue., Feb. 19.  Rabbi Herring is the CEO of the Herring Consulting Network, whose mission is to prepare today's leaders for tomorrow's organizations. He was executive director of STAR (Synagogues: Transformation and Renewal), a national foundation for congregational innovation and executive leadership development, where he created the Synaplex™ Initiative. Rabbi Herring has served as a senior rabbi of a congregation, assistant director of a federation, and has published dozens of scholarly articles on the American Jewish community.   
Eleven future young leaders were selected for the program along with five mentors; they appear in the attached photograph as follows: 
back row, l-r: Naomi Cohen, Gary Starr, Justin Kudler, Amy Goldman, John Kaufman, Lydia Lutt, William Kleinman, Jeremy Kempner, Lauren Lang, Stuart Bernstein 
middle row, l-r: Carolyn Mostel Weiser, Joni Harris, Rabbi Ilana Garber, Jessica Slater, Ann Brandwein, Kim Kempner 
front row, l-r: Rabbi Hayim Herring, Sharon Neiberg, Lois Koteen 
missing from picture: Rabbi Jim Rosen, Jodi Schwartz
 L.E.A.D. is sponsored in part by a grant from the Young Adult Department of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and supported by Beth El endowment. For questions, please contact Rabbi Ilana Garber 860-233-9696, extension x104.
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Northwest Catholic Celebrates Black History Month

West Hartford – Northwest Catholic High School welcomed Dr. Mark Naison on Feb. 25 for a special multimedia Black History Month presentation. Dr. Naison, a Professor of History and African American Studies at Fordham University, used music and videos to educate students on hip hop music's original purpose and its multi-cultural origins in the poor and forgotten neighborhoods of the Bronx in the 1970s.

"It is important to recognize where hip hop came from," said Naison. "While it was created in hardship, in areas of segregation and poverty, it was shared in joy with everyone. The young people who created it reached out to the broadest audience, crossing racial, cultural, ethnic, economical and even national lines."

The presentation struck a chord with students, encouraging them to participate in the demonstration. Several students showed off their dance moves, while another beat boxed to Naison's rapping. Other students clapped and cheered from their seats.

Naison is the author of four books and over 100 articles on African American politics, social movements and American culture and sports, and is the Principal Investigator of the Bronx African American History Project, one of the largest community-based oral history projects in the nation. During the last five years, he has presented historical "raps" in Bronx schools under the nickname of "Notorious PhD."

Distinguished alumni recognized at USJ


WEST HARTFORD – Five University of Saint Joseph graduates will be honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards for outstanding work in their fields. 
They are Ann-Margaret Anselmo '46, University of Saint Joseph professor emeritus; Beth Fischer, RSM '76, coordinator of community outreach, and partnerships, at the University of Saint Joseph; Bonnie Belanger Gauthier M '85, president and chief executive officer of Hebrew Health Care; Isabel Pacheco Logan '96, a social worker with the State of Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services; and Lorie Reardon '96, M'10, a registered dietician at the Charter Oak Health Center in Hartford, Conn. 
They will receive the awards at a dinner on Friday, April 19, at the Hartford Marriot Downtown, Hartford, Conn. For tickets, contact the Alumni Relations Office at (860) 231-5323.

Ann-Margaret Anselmo, Ph.D., professor emeritus, University of Saint Joseph, has been chosen to receive The Mary de Lourdes Kenney Award. Throughout her tenure at USJ she served as chair of the English and humanities department, coordinator of program planning, and academic dean from 1984-1987. 

Dr. Anselmo became involved in the ecumenical movement and was coordinator of the Hartford Archdiocese's Commission for Ecumenical Affairs. She participated in Pope Paul VI's historic visit to the World Council of Churches headquarters in Geneva, where she was the only Roman Catholic participant and only one of three women. While in Switzerland, she made pilgrimages to all the Protestant shrines in the area. She served on the National Council of Teachers of English and was the first woman to be elected consultant secretary for the New England Consultation of Church Leaders.
Actively involved in community and social justice issues throughout her life, Dr. Anselmo marched for voting rights with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. Today she works with the pet therapy program at Jerome Home with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Molly. She retired as full professor in 1990 from USJ and currently resides in New Britain.

Sr. Beth Fischer, coordinator of community outreach and partnerships at USJ, will receive The Winifred E. Coleman Service Award for her dedicated years of service to the university and her embodiment of its core values. Sr. Beth also received a prestigious Health Care Hero Award from the Hartford Business Journal, one of only seven awarded. In particular, she won the Corporate Achievement/Innovation Award for her years of dedicated service to The Wellness Center on Church Street — a partnership between the University and the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry.

Sr. Beth has committed her life to serving the poor and disadvantaged, teaching USJ students though service learning to increase awareness of community needs and issues while encouraging lifelong civic engagement. 

Heightening attention to the medical needs of the underserved people of Hartford, Sr. Beth acts as a liaison with The Wellness Center, a partnership with the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry, St. Patrick - St. Anthony Church, and USJ. In a program that connects USJ students from nutrition, social work, graduate counseling, and nursing with the center's clients, she helps future health-care professionals receive out-of-the-classroom experience. Students repeatedly describe their experience at the center as "transformative."                   A resident of West Hartford, Sr. Beth continues to develop relationships between USJ and organizations within the Greater Hartford region.

Bonnie Gauthier M'85, president and chief executive officer of Hebrew Health Care, will receive The Mary Consuela Mulcahy Award. 

Ms. Gauthier joined Hebrew Health Care in 1979, serving as director of employee and public relations, assistant executive director, and chief operating officer before assuming the role of president and chief executive officer.

Overseeing the daily operations and long-term planning of Hebrew Health Care and its affiliates, Ms. Gautheir has been instrumental in building Hebrew Health Care into a leading provider of health care for older adults in the Northeast, including the development of the Hoffman SummerWood Community for assisted living in 2000.

Active in organizations that address issues related to health care and aging, she currently serves on the board of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and is past chair of the Connecticut Association of Not-for-Profit Providers for the Aging (CANPFA). 

Ms. Gauthier continues to educate students as an adjunct faculty member at USJ and participates in a mentoring practicum for students in the gerontology program. She is a West Hartford resident.



Isabel Logan of Simsbury will receive The Mary Rosa McDonough Award for outstanding service to her profession and the community. Ms. Logan is a social worker who joined the State of Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services after earning her degree from USJ in 1996. Ms. Logan fills a key role for clients by providing psychosocial assessments, interventions, and program referrals and admissions. This service helps prevent unnecessary incarceration for adults and keeps youth in their community. Ms. Logan also serves as a community liaison, building relationships with multiple resource networks to meet the various needs of her clients.
An adjunct professor at USJ where she spearheads the Latino Community Practice Program, Ms. Logan is working toward her doctorate in education leadership (expected 2015) at the University of Hartford.
in 2009 she was honored with two awards: the Latino Social Workers Network Certificate of Recognition for significant contributions to the field and as a mentor and role model to Latino social workers as well as the Caritas Award for outstanding contributions to the Latino Community Practice Program at USJ. 

Lorie Reardon '96, M'10 will receive The Catherine McAuley Award. Ms. Reardon is a registered dietician at the Charter Oak Health Center in Hartford where she developed the dietetics program and additional programs to better serve the community. Her initiatives included a monthly nutrition support group for individuals with HIV/AIDS, the Food Share Mobile Unit, monthly bilingual nutrition classes, a Food Stamp Program, and a Community Pantry Program.
 

In 2007, Ms. Reardon traveled to Guyana with the USJ Immersion Project where she served as the sole dietician on a team of medical professionals that provided treatment and education to HIV/AIDS clinics, vocational schools and hospitals. She continues to mentor undergraduate dietetics students and interns enrolled in the University of Connecticut and USJ. She resides in Portland, Conn.

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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Virtual networking comes to state with ProjectSquare

New Canaan -  TheProjectSquare.com, a virtual networking event, matches small companies, mainly in Connecticut, with potential contract workers. 

The idea comes from Susan Serven, of New Canaan, CT, who has spent 15 years in the marketing and promotion industry for both the for-profit and non-profit sectors.  Serven is currently managing director, CMO, of EPM Channel, an information services firm specializing in Enterprise Performance Management, but realized there was a need for smaller companies to be able to efficiently source talent.

Serven wanted to create a centralized resource that was easy to navigate, and which would harness the impact of social media to connect people with companies that needed them. The service is free for six months, through August 31, 2013, through their beta period. 

"ProjectSquare has been described as Match.com for project workers," said Serven. "I'm not sure if that's a perfect analogy, but it's close. We wanted to try to find a way to extend the power of people's networks, and make them more efficient, whether you're a small company looking for temporary help, or an individual with skills to offer."

Individuals apply directly to companies who have posted on TheProjectSquare.com. After that, it's up to the individual and the agency to connect with each other and decide if their mutual needs align, said Serven. 

Current Connecticut firms range from companies such as SEO optimizer LeadRabbit, TheCauseWayAgency, an advertising firm specializing in non-profits, and Cloud2GroundTechnologies, a business intelligence firm.

The interactive online community also serves as a way for small businesses to promote their current work. With a few clicks the posts and photos can be shared on multiple social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

 

Local artist uses imagination, color to battle disease


WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – It's said that the soul is dyed by the color of its thoughts. If that's so, artist Paula Bleck's thoughts have collected into a kaleidoscopic masterpiece whose essence produces hope, courage and an unrelenting tenacity – even in the face of adversity.
Bleck, a set designer for The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, was 19 and just about to start college when her mother, Shelly Rogers, learned she was battling a disease for which there is no cure. The symptoms were baffling and incredibly unpredictable, but the diagnosis was sure. Rogers, who was 35 at the time, had multiple sclerosis.
"My mother had been in a snowmobile accident and was recuperating when she said her toes felt like 'broccoli," recounted Paula, who after college married and moved from Syracuse, N.Y., to Wethersfield. "Truthfully, at the time, I didn't know much about the disease, but over the years, we watched as her gait steadily worsened. Today, my mom uses a cane to get around."
Strangely, in 2011, just after the birth of her second child, Paula also began experiencing odd sensations. While nursing, Paula, would feel something like an electric current shoot down her spine each time she looked down at her nursing infant. At first she suspected a pinched nerve. However, when she began to feel a numbness and tingling sensation in her hands, she became concerned.
"I'm an artist," said Bleck, whose craft depends on the agility of her hands. "I need my hands. Without the use of my hands, my life's passion and work is at risk."
Bleck learned from her primary care provider that the electrical sensation she experienced is known as L'Hermitte's sign. The sign usually indicates a lesion of the dorsal columns of the cervical cord or the medulla, the lower half of the brain stem. Bleck also underwent tests for carpel tunnel syndrome, but while waiting for the test results, her feet went numb. Bleck was referred to a neurologist at Hartford's Mandell Center for Comprehensive Care, and in an ironic twist of fate, at 35 years old, like her mother, Paula was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
"In my heart, I knew all along I had multiple sclerosis," said Bleck. "I told my husband, 'This diagnosis isn't the worst thing on my list of possible ailments.' Still, somewhere deep down, I had known it had to be MS."
More than 6,000 Connecticut residents live with multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease for which there is no cure. Symptoms can include numbness and tingling in the extremities, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness, and, in severe cases, complete paralysis.
There was little time for self-pity. With two young children and a fulltime job, her plate was more than full. However, there was one thing Bleck was determined to do. Diagnosed just three weeks before the 2012 Walk MS, Bleck logged on to the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, Web site and signed up to walk in West Hartford. She rallied her co-workers, friends and her family, offering them an incentive to get involved; help her raise at least $2,000 and she would dye her hair pink.
With her network of friends and family on board, she still had one thing left to do.
"Our team needed a name and I told my 3-year-old son, Jonathan, he could name the team," said Bleck, who says Jonathan has a rich imagination. "He loves pirates and he is always building robots, so I wasn't at all surprised when he yelled out, 'Pirate Robots.'"
Less than a year after her diagnosis, Paula's MS is for the most part under control with the use of medications whose job is to reduce exacerbations. Her husband, Aaron, is a technical director at Hartford Stage. Too often his hours are long, and the responsibility of the household rests alone on Bleck's shoulders.
"Paula is an inspiration to me," said Aaron, who admits that when he first learned about Paula's MS he worried for their future. "Despite her illness, Paula keeps it all together – her job, the kids, the house – everything. Yes, it was daunting news at first. But Paula's doctors went a long way to alleviate our fears. Now, it's just about living life as fully as possible."
The Pirate Robots are ready to step out for the 2013 MS Walk. They've upped their fundraising goal and plan to increase the number of people stepping out with them this year.
"It's important that we empower ourselves," said Paula, whose career coloring and shaping the imaginary worlds of thespians also helps to keep her living in the here and now. "Empowerment comes through action and involvement. We must keep science moving forward toward a cure. I hope to see a cure in my lifetime, even in my mother's lifetime."
Bleck, her family and friends will step out this spring with thousands of other Connecticut residents for the 2013 Walk MS, presented by Travelers. The event features 12 walk sites, including Cheshire, Clinton, Danbury, Enfield, Litchfield, Manchester, New London, Simsbury, Stamford, West Hartford, West Haven and Westport. Each site offers fun-filled activities for the entire family. Participants can choose between a 2.5-mile or 5-mile route. Lunch is provided compliments of Subway Restaurants and Coca-Cola. Registration is currently open and available at www.ctfightsMS.org.
"We come from hardy stock," said Paula's mother, Shelly. "When Paula was first diagnosed, I worried. But I know we will both be fine. We refuse to give in to fear or self-pity. I am very proud of Paula. She has taken the good and the bad and is creating something beautiful for her family."
The 2013 Walk MS, presented by Travelers, takes place Sunday, April 21.  For more information on Walk MS or to register, visit www.ctfightsMS.org

Submitted by Karen E. Butler, National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter 

Photo- Paula Bleck, a set designer for The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, works on a set for an upcoming show at the school. 
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CL&P, Yankee Gas help with snow removal in region


BERLIN -  With many roads across Connecticut still impassable as a result of the blizzard's record-breaking snowfall, Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas are helping the municipalities they serve with snow removal.
Approximately 50 pieces of CL&P and Yankee Gas snow removal equipment, including backhoes, dump trucks and trailers, will be deployed with over 40 company employees working as the equipment operators. 

"We know that responding to Mother Nature's wrath requires a coordinated, community response and working with the state, we're glad we can provide this support to the towns and cities we serve," said Bill Quinlan, CL&P senior vice president of Emergency Preparedness. "We greatly appreciate the willingness of our employees, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 420 and 457, to help address this urgent need for snow removal."  

Employees will be deployed from their normal work locations and begin work in Hartford, Waterbury and Meriden tonight.  CL&P and Yankee Gas are working closely with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and the municipalities to coordinate the most efficient use of these resources.

"The State has begun to release the Department of Transportation's heavy equipment to cities and towns to assist with local efforts, and we are deeply appreciative that CL&P and Yankee Gas are following suit," said Governor Dannel Malloy.  "Their efforts will help municipalities across the state clean up faster and get life back to normal as quickly as possible for our residents."

Renovations complete at West Hartford Big Y

SPRINGFIELD,MA – Big Y Foods, Inc. is pleased to announce the completion of the renovation of their West Hartford World Class Market at 772 North Main St. Big Y has been part of the West Hartford community since acquiring the former Waldbaum's Food Mart location in 2010. 
This past remodeling effort started January 1st and included renovations in all departments including expanded Kosher deli, meat and bakery departments, expanded fresh produce to provide more fresh greens and organics, new pizza ovens, new cake decorating area, new sushi  bar, new fresh coffee bar, and new hot and cold soups. All areas of the 42,500 square foot market have been enhanced in order to provide a better customer experience.  In fact, customers have been raving about the completely new rest rooms for their convenience.
This store's Kosher meat and deli departments are both glatt Kosher with a full time Mashgiach in each department. The bakery is strictly Kosher and all three departments are certified and supervised by the Hartford Kashrut Commission.
Store Director, Dan Coogan, worked at this location from 1996 until joining Big Y in 2006. He brings his 35 years of supermarket experience to this market. "I'm excited to be back in West Hartford and look forward to exceeding customer expectations in our renovated and improved store," he said.

Special Olympics Connecticut celebrates 45 years

Connecticut schools are serving as models for the nation when it comes to providing sports programs for students with intellectual disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Education recently issued new guidance to schools and school systems throughout the nation, identifying their responsibility under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to provide quality sports programs to students with disabilities. Many states are looking at ways to address this charge. However, here in Connecticut, students with intellectual disabilities in over 170 elementary, middle and high schools are already participating in sports like soccer, basketball, track and volleyball with their peers – and they have been for over 20 years. These students participate in the Special Olympics Unified Sports® program.

Since 1992, Special Olympics Connecticut and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) have partnered to offer Unified Sports® in schools across the state and in that time, the program's positive impact has been immeasurable.

The Special Olympics Unified Sports® program makes sports accessible for students with disabilities and brings athletes with intellectual disabilities and those without disabilities, called Unified Partners, together to train and compete on the same team. At the elementary level, students engage in non-competitive athletic activities designed to develop skills in a variety of sports. At the middle and high school level, they compete in statewide tournaments.

Moreover, Unified Sports® transforms students and schools both on and off the playing field. It helps create a more positive school climate by inspiring acceptance, inclusion and respect for all students. It inspires friendships and the inclusion of students with disabilities in other educational programs, such as the arts and academic clubs. It also builds self-esteem, encourages understanding and increases the sensitivity of its participants. And, it creates great leaders – as students become mentors and coaches for others.

 

"Here in Connecticut, we're fortunate to have a strong, enduring alliance with the CIAC that has enabled the Unified Sports® program in our state to succeed and serve as an example to others," said Beau Doherty, President of Special Olympics Connecticut.

The Unified Sports® program in Connecticut has, in recent years, expanded to include an Annual Youth Leadership Summit. The Summit is a one-day event that brings Unified Sports® participants from middle and high schools together to hear from inspiring guest speakers, share their Unified Sports® experiences and work together to enrich and grow the program at their schools. The Michael's Cup Banquet, also held annually, honors and recognizes student athletes and Unified Partners who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating great sportsmanship, skill, teamwork and perseverance.

Special Olympics Connecticut and the CIAC also partner to bring Young Athletes, a sports program for those ages 2 through 7, Unified Art and "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaigns to end the use of the "R" word to Connecticut schools.

Connecticut is one of 19 states awarded a Project Unify Grant from the U.S. Department of Education to build positive school climates, increase Unified Sports® participation, and support student leaders in schools. Efforts to build the Unified Sports® program in all states continue. The National Federation of High Schools recently offered its members a Unified Sports® Coaching course online and there have been several national meetings held to address partnerships between interscholastic athletic associations and Special Olympics organizations in other states. For more information about the Special Olympics Connecticut Unified Sports® program, visit www.casciac.org or www.soct.org.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Kingswood Oxford art exhibit includes Watkinson, Renbrook students

West Hartford – Winning artwork from middle school students at Kingswood Oxford, Renbrook, and Watkinson will be featured in a special exhibition at KO from Feb. 28 through March 8.
The exhibition, called "Our Work, Our Choice," will begin with an opening reception from 6 ti 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, in KO's Estes Middle School.
The event is free and open to the public . The snow date for the reception is March 1 at the same time.
The exhibit is unique in that peers of the student-artists, rather than adults, vote for the top 10 pieces of art from each school.
Nurturing creativity has been a cornerstone of a Kingswood Oxford education for more than 100 years; for information about enrollment, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@k-o.org.

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Dressed to the Nines Custom Clothing to West Hartford Center

The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, along with Mayor Scott Slifka, officially welcomed Dressed to the Nines Custom Clothing, to 994 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT. The ceremony was led by store owner Bob Degemmis,  chamber Chairman Peter Lisi and Mayor Scott Slifka.

Dressed to the Nines is a new and unique addition to West Hartford Center that provides the professional gentleman with an opportunity to design, personalize, and customize a high-end wardrobe by working with the most exquisite fabrics, leather goods, and accessories. Every detail is tailored to the needs of the customer including hard-to-fit sizing and detailed customization.
Dressed to the Nines officially opened in December.. For more information, please visit www.dressedtotheninescustomclothing.com and on Facebook.

 

Photos:

Mayor Scott Slifka, owner Bob Degemmis, and Peter Lisi, board chair WHCC

 

 

Monday, February 11, 2013

West Hartford residents participates in read-a-thon for girls in Kenya

Watkinson Middle School students raised $4,000  for a public service project called "Beads for Education".  The students had a read-a-thon where they collected pledges to support their reading.  For the past six years, the students have committed to sponsoring African girls in Kenya for a year of high school education. 

The goal of the program is to provide a quality education for those young women who might not otherwise have the opportunity.  BEADS started with Maasai mothers making and selling beaded items to raise money to put their daughters through school.  After this, sponsors were provided for tuition money needed to pay for a year of schooling.  The sponsored girls sent letters, pictures and progress reports back to Watkinson supporters that kept them up to date.  If you are interested in learning more about the BEADS program you can visit their website at www.beadsforeducation.org
In Photo 109: Hamish Robb of West Hartford and a 7th grader at Watkinson School


Photo taken by Stacy Routhier
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Hebrew Health Care volunteer wins annual award

West Hartford, CT- At the LeadingAge CT Annual Meeting, Sandra Rulnick was honored with The Volunteer of the Year Award.  This award was "presented to a volunteer from a LeadingAge CT organization who exemplifies the spirit of our not-for-profit mission." 

Sandy Rulnick has been involved at Hebrew Health Care for more than 20 years as volunteer, Auxiliary President, Board Member and Corporator. She even represented Hebrew Health Care's Auxiliary in 1999 at the national association of auxiliaries, Partners in Senior Life.   In 2009, Sandy suggested a new and more personal involvement. Since her family had used many of HHC's services, she recognized the challenges that families new to elder care services face; and she hoped to bridge the gap, making the transition easier for them. She established HHC's Ambassador Program to do just that.

HHC's Ambassador Program begins with an extensive tour of HHC's West Hartford campus. But Sandy's involvement with families doesn't end there. She works with families to help them become acclimated to services and resources during their transition into our long term stay care system. She establishes a relationship with families so that they are comfortable with her and with the HHC community; and she maintains that relationship for as long as they wish.

Sandy offers tours seven days per week – she comes in days, evenings and weekends to make it most convenient for new families to see all that HHC has to offer. Since she is a volunteer, her business cards have her home and cell phone numbers on them, making her accessible to families at any time before or after an admission. For Sandy, knowing that families have a familiar face to turn to with questions or concerns is crucial to successfully placing their loved one in HHC's care.

Hebrew Health Care is truly grateful to Sandy. Her humanity, kindness and warmth set the stage for families experiencing Hebrew Health Care for the first time; and her knowledge of our services and systems set new families at ease during a very stressful time. She has improved and personalized our admissions process, helping dozens of families since she first said, "I had an idea about helping new families…"

 

Hebrew Health Care gets $126,000

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford allocated $126,000 to Hebrew Health Care in West Hartford. HHC's Jewish Values Program received $86,000 and their Pastoral Care Program received $40,000 to provide Jewish values and traditions programs for their residents and day service recipients.
Photo (from left)  David Houle, Hebrew Health Care Executive VP and CFO, Richard Rubenstein, Hebrew Health Care President with Cathrine Fischer Schwartz, Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford President and CEO.

Mandell Jewish Community Center receives $326,500

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford allocated $326,500 to the Mandell Jewish Community Center.  The MJCC's Jewish arts and culture received $58,500, $75,000 for camp and youth, $60,000 for early childhood, $96,000 for family, $29,000 for seniors and $8,000 for special needs programming.

About the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford is the region's leading authority on identifying, communicating and efficiently addressing the needs of our local and global Jewish community.

By providing opportunities for community members to work together to better understand and support Jewish life, and by allocating resources to organizations that support the education, heritage and social commitment of the Jewish community, Federation builds stronger Jewish leadership and ensures the continued growth, vitality and preservation of our Jewish community as a whole.

The Sigel Hebrew Academy receives $154,000 allocation

A total of $154,000 was allocated to the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford. Seen here are (from left) Hebrew Academy board member, Don Hirschfield;  Federation Planning and Allocations Committee Vice Chair, Bob Yass; Elana Doron, Hebrew Academy Chair of the Board and Rabbi Mordechai Weiss, Hebrew Academy Principal.
The Hebrew Academy received $5,000 for their 8th grade Israel trip, $15,000 for early childhood programming and $134,000 for K-8 scholarships.

Residents recognized as New Leaders in the Law



HARTFORD, CT   –  West Hartford residents Vincenzo Carannante and Sara J. Goldfarb, both attorneys in the Hartford office of Shipman & Goodwin LLP, have been named as "New Leaders in the Law" by the Connecticut Law Tribune, which honored attorneys under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the legal profession.

Vincenzo Carannante is a member of the firm's Health Law practice and counsels clients on a wide range of state and federal health care regulatory and corporate matters.  His extensive experience includes handling Stark, Anti-Kickback and Corporate Compliance; Certificates of Need; Department of Public Health and Department of Social Services investigations; and Probate Court matters. 

Sara Goldfarb practices in the firm's Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense group, where she represents companies and individuals in government investigations, internal investigations, and white collar criminal matters. Ms. Goldfarb's experience includes investigations relating to fraud, insider trading, antitrust, SEC regulations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, international trade compliance and enforcement, computer fraud, data privacy, and public corruption. 

Appointees named to board at American School for the Deaf

WEST HARTFORD - The American School for the Deaf is pleased to announce that Governor Dannel P. Malloy has appointed Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman and West Hartford Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor to the school's Board of Directors. 

Lt. Governor Wyman began her service in government more than 30 years ago when she successfully ran for a seat on her local school board so she could have a say in the education of her two young daughters. She served four terms as State Representative from the 53rd District and in 1994 was the first woman ever to be elected Connecticut State Comptroller, an office she held for 16 years.

Since being elected Connecticut's 108th Lieutenant Governor in 2010, she has been a true partner to Governor Malloy as they work to help Connecticut recover from the economic downturn and build a foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.

Lt. Governor Wyman and her husband Michael live in Tolland, along with their two daughters and their husbands and five grandchildren.

Shari Cantor is the Deputy Mayor of West Hartford and has been a member of the West Hartford Town Council since 2004. She chairs the Finance and Budget Committee, is the former Chair of the Community Planning Committee, and currently sits on the Education Liaison Committee, the Government Liaison Committee and the Human Services Committee. A UConn-educated CPA, Ms. Cantor started at Coopers and Lybrand in public accounting and then joined Cigna Corporation working in investments and underwriting. She has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of UConn's Hillel Chapter, Chair of the American Heart Association of North Central Connecticut and on the Board of Community Trustees for the Jewish Federal of Greater Hartford and member of the West Hartford Rotary. She lives in West Hartford with her husband, Michael, and their four sons.

 

FACS receives anonymous donation to support Catholic school education

BLOOMFIELD – The Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools announced a generous gift in the amount of $100,000 from an anonymous donor. 

According to FACS Board of Trustees President Maureen E. Kerrigan, for the past four consecutive years, FACS has been fortunate and very grateful to be the recipient of five anonymous donations, which support its efforts to help schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

"Namelessly notable, that's how I would describe the incredibly generous donor who once again directed $100,000 to FACS through a local law firm," said Kerrigan. "This donor can be assured that their generosity will make a life-changing impact for the recipients of the tuition assistance provided."    

FACS supports the poor and underserved students in Catholic schools across the Archdiocese, and it is donations from generous individuals and businesses, special events and planned gifts that make it possible, said Executive Director Cynthia Basil Howard. She is proud of what FACS has been able to accomplish for its Catholic elementary and secondary schools.

"In the Archdiocese of Hartford we have had an exemplary record in academic and other achievements. So many of our graduates have gone on to achieve success in various walks of life.  We are so pleased and inspired that an anonymous friend of FACS has faith in our organization, recognizes the value of a Catholic school education and has faithfully committed funds to help students. We send this friend a great big thank you," continued Howard.    

Based on the most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau Public Education Finances Report from 2009, Catholic schools saved the State of Connecticut $474,159,860 in operation costs.  In the Archdiocese of Hartford alone, $232,429,258 is saved annually.

Northwest Catholic students take I-Promise Pledge

West Hartford – Channel 3, along with the West Hartford police, asked students at Northwest Catholic High School to take the I-Promise pledge during a safety presentation at the school on Jan. 30. NWC is the first West Hartford school that West Hartford police and Channel 3 partnered with on the program.

I-Promise is an educational campaign to warn Connecticut drivers of all ages of the dangers of driving while distracted and to change the way they think and act in a car. It also encourages students to make good decisions in all aspects of their lives. Channel 3 traffic reporter Olessa Stepanova showed students a video about a young man who killed a 75-year-old man while driving distracted. Images from the crash scene drew audible gasps from the students.

Public safety personnel from West Hartford also addressed the students. Paramedic Bree Eichler spoke of the dozens of accidents she's witnessed where teen drivers were injured or killed behind the wheel. Lieutenant Kevin Munson of the fire department said he'd lost count of how many fatal car accidents he's been called to, telling students that it could happen to them, if they don't think before they drive. Police Captain Donald Melanson asked students, "What would it be like if you caused the death of a close friend because you were driving distracted?" Lieutenant Frank Fallon echoed that call for students to think before they drive, urging them to make the pledge, talk to their family about the issue of distracted driving, and make that message important to everyone they know.

After the presentation, students were encouraged to sign the I-Promise pledge, which asks students to make a promise not to drive distracted, not to text while driving, to keep their hands on the wheel and to keep their eyes on the road. Hundreds of NWC students and faculty signed the pledge. The students were also asked to encourage others, including their parents, to take the I-Promise pledge.

NWC Vice Principal/Dean of Students Brendan Canny '86 said the increasing number of students who drive distracted concerned the school. "We want to make students more aware of the dangers of driving distracted and to encourage them to make good choices both in and out of school," he said.

Since 1961, Northwest Catholic's mission has been to educate the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and soul. Enrollment for the Class of '17 is now under way, and prospective students are invited to attend an Information Session at the school on Feb. 7 at 7pm. For more information, contact Maryann Lacouture (860-236-4221, x140 or mlacouture@nwcath.org).

 

Photo 1: NWC students sign the I-Promise Pledge.

Photo 2: Olessa Stepanova shows students a video about a young man who killed a 75-year-old man while driving distracted.

Watkinson student gets honorable mention at Scholastic Art Awards

Lauren Heidenis of West Hartford and a sixth grader at Watkinson School has  received honorable mention for her artwork she submitted to the Scholastic Art Awards of Connecticut.
Scholastic Art Awards of Connecticut is an affiliate of The Alliance For Young Artists & Writers. This program seeks to recognize the work of talented young artists in grades 7 to 12.
Student artwork is juried by professional artists and university art faculty and is selected on merit for inclusion in this state-wide exhibition. Beyond the honor of being selected for this prestigious exhibition, artwork may be awarded gold or silver keys and honorable mention places in each of seventeen media categories. 
This year in Hartford, over 2,000 works were submitted from over 130 schools.
Watkinson School is Hartford's oldest independent day school serving students in grades 6-12/PG.

Local business supports charitable giving

Wealth Management Group of NA, LLC, announce a donation of more than 100 pounds of food to the West Hartford Food Pantry. The team organized a food drive around the holidays and asked their clients, business colleagues and building tenants to help with the charitable initiative.
 "At WMGNA, we are heavily involved with charitable giving, especially in the local communities of Farmington and West Hartford. There is no better way to say 'thank you' to a wonderful community that is so special to us and our clients," says Daniel Friedman, company CEO and West Hartford resident. 
Wealth Management Group of NA, LLC is a comprehensive wealth management company in Farmington, CT that is very active in supporting their local community.  They host a food drive every year, sponsor the West Hartford Youth Football League, support the Blue Back Square Mitten Run 5K each winter, and sponsor the Hartford Hawks Baseball team.

YWCA Hartford celebrates 145th annual meeting


Hartford, CT- Almost 100 people gathered at the Pond House in West Hartford on January 29th for YWCA Hartford Region's 145th Annual Meeting. Keynote speaker, State Senator Beth Bye, addressed the Annual Meeting's theme Women Driving Change. She spoke passionately on a variety of women's issues including: pay equity, lack of women in leadership roles and access to high quality childcare.  "We have gender issues in our culture. And, like racial disparities, it is very difficult to have a discussion without people getting defensive," Senator Bye said. She concluded by encouraging attendees to stop being too polite and start the gender conversation in their communities. 
The 2012 Creating Opportunities Awards were presented to organizations and individuals who support YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.  This year's Corporate Partner award recipient was Bank of America, for their generosity and commitment to the mission of YWCA through both philanthropic giving and employee support. Dean Andrews, Senior VP of Corporate Social Responsibility at Bank of America said, "YWCA and Bank of America have a common goal, we all want to help women." The Community Partner Award was given to The Fund for Greater Hartford for their commitment to transforming today's young women into tomorrow's leaders. Wendy Davis' received the Volunteer award for her commitment to the mission of YWCA and her inspiring leadership of the YWLC Summer Institute. The Leadership Award was presented to JoAnn Price for her leadership and commitment to the mission of YWCA.

"Without our board members, our donors, our program funders, the elected officials who support our work and our business partners, we would not be able to have the impact that we have," YWCA Hartford Region CEO Deborah Ullman said.
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