Derby, CT

Sponsored by the Woman and Heart Disease Committee at Griffin Hospital, in conjunction with National Heart Disease Month, the award presentations will take place on February 2nd at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. Registration and a silent auction will begin at 5:00 pm, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm and the program and awards. The guest speaker for the program is Samantha Heller, a well-known health expert who in addition to appearing regularly on TV shows such as Good Morning America, the Today Show and Dr. Oz, among others, is nutrition coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

Persons interested in attending should call 203.732.7584 or 203.732.1137 to reserve your seat. Cost is $35.

The LNV Boys and Girls Club is being recognized for exemplary attitude, skill and commitment to meeting the needs of Valley youth. The organization’s nominator wrote, “The staff emulates the club’s mission of striving to create positive self-identity, health and well-being, among the boys and girls it serves. Many of the staff are “graduates” who come back to work as counselors because they know it is a wonderful way to give back!”
Well known to the Valley, Father Kvedas, who celebrated his 50th year as a Catholic priest in 2011, is being recognized for his compassion, humility and faith, and “always being there to work with those God has put in his path over the course of his 50-year priesthood.”

The Woman and Heart Disease Committee is co-chaired by Daun Barrett, RN, and Dee Klingaman. Members include: Lisa Bisson, Laura Bracci, Joann Brejwo, Marie Cantito, Maureen Coffey, Jeannette Connelly, Dorothy Gandy, Joanne Halstead, RN, Anita Jain, RN, Eunice Lisk, Laurene Schultz, Maria Silvestre, RN, Mary Swansiger, RN and Barbara Ziemer. New members are always welcome.

The forum was organized by members of Youth Enrichment at Stepping Stones (YES2), a training and mentorship program for students in seventh to twelfth grade. YES2 students will serve as both moderator and panelists, creating an open dialogue with audience members. The forum also features guest speaker Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., a senior assistant state attorney in the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk. Colangelo has specialized in cases of child exploitation, including those involving the Internet, throughout his career.

Topics of discussion include Internet safety issues, such as preventing identity theft, protecting against online predators and dealing with cyberbullying. Panelists and Colangelo will also discuss digital permanence, online reputation and the long-term implications that posting content and photos online can have on today’s youth.

An increasingly important topic, digital permanence refers to the fact that every piece of information someone publishes on the Internet can be accessible forever and once it’s online an individual loses control over how that content is used and where it reappears. The forum will address how comments, actions, or images posted online can threaten scholarships, college admission, job prospects and relationships.

This is the first of three youth forums planned for 2012.

The event is free and open to the public and those planning to attend are asked to register by calling 203 899 0606, ext. 277.

Fantasy of Lights runs Friday, November 18, 2011 to Saturday, January 7, 2012

New Haven, CT - The Fantasy of Lights, presented by Easter Seals Goodwill Industries and sponsored by PSEG, has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families. This dazzling holiday light display illuminates Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, CT for the holiday season. This year, the Fantasy of Lights will open on Friday, November 18, 2011 and run an extra week, ending on Saturday, January 7, 2012. The Fantasy of Lights is adding the extra week to be open on Three Kings Day, which is celebrated on January 6^th, twelve days after Christmas and often viewed as the last day of the Christmas season. The park opens nightly at 5pm and is open until 9pm on Sundays through Thursdays, and until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Each display is sponsored by a local area business, corporation, individual or organization. This year, the Fantasy of Lights will feature two brand new displays. A Fire Dog with Santa is sponsored by Honeywell Fire Systems and a Nativity Scene is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The Nativity Scene display will have a sign in both English and Spanish saying “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

The Fantasy of Lights is also going green this year, with fourteen of the over 60 displays featuring LED light bulbs. These new bulbs not only save energy and electricity, they also make the displays more colorful and more vibrant. We are working with display sponsors to convert more and more displays to LED bulbs in the future.

Admission to the Fantasy of Lights is $10 for passenger cars/family fans, $25 for 15-passenger cans or mini-buses and $50 for full sized buses. All proceeds go to support Easter Seals Goodwill Industries’ mission to enhance employment, educational, social and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and other challenges.

For more information about the Fantasy of Lights or how you can help out, contact the Development Department at (203) 777-2000 x263, email them at events@esginh.org or visit our website at www.eastersealsgoodwill.org/fantasyoflights.

Executive Chef Kevin Cottle and Executive Sous Chef Van Hurd

Cheshire, CT  -  JORDAN Caterers Design Event Planners will offer a new program, The Food & Wine Series.  Jordan’s Executive Chef Kevin Cottle and Executive Sous Chef Van Hurd will teach four cooking classes in the New Britain Museum of American Art’s Café on the Park.  Courses are to be held January 12, January 26, February 2, and February 23, 2011, from 6-8 PM and will feature dishes like seared sea scallops and foie gras, “crispy lasagna” of lobster with cognac sauce, and braised pork belly.  The classes will include demonstrations of recipes, cooking techniques, and generous tastings as well as show you how to pair wines with food to enhance each course. Cathy Schaller, representative of Hartley & Parker Limited of Stratford will consult with the chefs to select wines.

Cottle grew up along the shore in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and was formally trained at The Culinary Institute of America. Hurd brings a southern flair, and was formally trained at The Art Institute of Dallas. The chefs appear regularly on FOX CT’s Midday Chefs, and appeared with Chef Gordon Ramsay on Hell’s Kitchen.  Jordan Caterers, an award winning leader in Connecticut’s hospitality industry for over

32 years, based in Cheshire and Darien, is the Exclusive Event Coordinator for the New Britain Museum of American Art and Guilford Yacht Club.

The evenings are priced at $90 per person per class or $325 for the series of all four classes. To reserve your place call Jordan at (203) 272-8213, ext. 100.  Menu class details can be downloaded here.

New Haven, CT

The tree lighting celebration will be highlighted by over 20,000 LED lights on a 65 foot tall Norway spruce tree in the heart of the downtown area. The event will also include children’s activities, as well as food and snacks provided by multiple area organizations. Kids will also get the chance to take pictures with some great holiday characters such as Rudolph and Santa. With one of the largest tree lighting ceremonies in the state of Connecticut, this is certain to attract visitors from all over.

One great part of the December downtown celebration in New Haven is Festival Fridays. On December 3, 10 and 17 the downtown district will be home to a weekly, area wide holiday celebration. These weekly festivals will include wine tastings at multiple stores, as well as free holiday trolley rides. On these Fridays, all area shoppers will receive a 20 percent discount at a local store.

Following up the festival Fridays, the downtown area will be home to some great deals in the form of Saturday Shopping Strolls. Taking place on December 4, 11 and 18 these events will offer up the opportunity to take in over 50 shops in the downtown area. The stores will be offering up excellent promotional deals as well as some treats and beverages. Carolers will also be performing throughout the day, filling the air with holiday music.

The celebration weekends will be closed out by Sunday Singing events on December 5, 12 and 19 in downtown New Haven. A number of local school music ensembles will take to the streets and take part in great performances every Sunday. The ensembles will be singing along two separate streets, both Broadway and Chapel Street.

On top of the weekend events taking place, children will also have the chance to go downtown with their parents and take free pictures with Santa this December. The free photos will be offered at the Yale Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Broadway District on both Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of December. All guests will receive a digital and print photograph to keep for the holidays. Certainly the New Haven area will be home to some great holiday events throughout the month, but the downtown districts will be home to some great opportunities every weekend this December.

Hartford, CT -

Throughout the course of the fall, Lowe’s will complete projects in 40 cities, including Rebuilding Together Hartford. The projects focus on rehabilitations and renovations that address weatherization and energy efficiency needs within the home, to ensure a safe and warm environment for families.

Rebuilding Together Hartford will work with 20 volunteers, including employees from Lowe’s, to install new, energy-efficient windows and storm doors at the home of Michelle Reynolds, a single mother with two children. In addition, volunteers will insulate her attic, make repairs to her kitchen ceiling, install new flooring in the kitchen, and install a new surround in the shower.

“Helping local residents stay warm and save energy this winter is as simple as getting out into the local community and helping our neighbors seal and insulate their homes,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “Weatherization goes a long way in creating a warm, efficient home environment for residents and families in need this winter, and we stand ready to help.”

“Lowe’s has been an incredible advocate for energy efficiency practices, and continue to support Rebuilding Together through their extensive resources and volunteers,” said Gary A. Officer, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “Our work with Lowe’s has delivered more than $8 million in market value reinvested back into communities, helping homeowners and families live considerably better lives.”

The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has also partnered with Rebuilding Together and Carter’s Kids to build playgrounds across the country for communities-in-need. Throughout the course of 2010 – 2011, six playground builds will be completed for children, to address and encourage healthy activity and recreation in America’s younger generations.

Jones Winery & Holiday Gatherings Gift Shop

Shelton, CT- This past weekend we kicked off the Christmas season with a visit to Jones Tree Farm in Shelton.  The 400 acre farm features harvest-your-own and pre-cut trees, wreaths, garland, tree stands, pine cones, kissing balls and other traditional Christmas décor.  We went for a short tree – about 4 feet tall, which was perfect for the corner of the living room in our apartment.

Once we cut our tree and loaded it into the back of the car we walked back down the hill to the Winery, which was transformed for the holiday season into the Holiday Gatherings gift shop. There we sampled the wines, bought a few bottles, and picked up a few ornaments for the tree.

If you plan on visiting, I recommend visiting their website for a list of things to remember before getting your tree. In 2011, the cost of a “harvest-your-own” tree is $60 (cash or check only), regardless of size.  Each family that purchases a tree receives a special dated and farm-designed pewter ornament from Woodbury Pewter.

If you’re looking for Santa – plan your visit between 10am to 4pm on Saturday December 17th and Sunday December 18th. Santa’s Annual Family Weekend at the farm will include time for kids of all ages to spend time with Santa and have their traditional pictures taken with St. Nick. Each day will have carols playing, visits from Frosty, crafts for the kids and more. For more information, visit http://www.jonesfamilyfarms.com.

Pink Night

Stratford, CT – Tonight a local networking group called the Young Emerging Professionals (YEP) will host “Pink Night”, a special evening in support of the Campaign for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, at the Oronoque Country Club in Stratford. The event will offer delicious food, door prizes, “You-Pick-’Em” auction, 50/50 drawing, music, cash bar, networking and more.

The Campaign for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital is a grassroots initiative to raise $1 million to develop the Center for Breast Wellness, a comprehensive breast wellness and cancer prevention and treatment center.

1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer. Women in Connecticut are especially at risk. They have the third highest rate of new breast cancers in the United States.

The event is open to all. Tickets are $35 per person and include one beverage. All proceeds will benefit the Campaign for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

Those interested in attending can register in advance by clicking the following link: http://www.greatervalleychamber.com/cwt/External/WCPages/WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=320

YEP’s mission is to connect and engage emerging leaders in their 20’s & 30’s in activities that support our community and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce while making the Lower Naugatuck Valley region and its surrounding communities a more energetic, exciting and active place to work and live. For more information visit http://CTYep.com

Fall Fashion Show

Fairfield, CT - Enjoy a wonderful evening of fashion on Thursday, October 13th at Audi of Fairfiled where all attendees will receive an exclusive discount toward any White House Black Market purchase and $1,000* incentive toward any Audi of Fairfield vehicle purchased in October, 2011.

The event will feature refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and live music by the Brian Butler Jazz Quartet.

Please RSVP by October 7th, 2011 to tdoll@penskeautomotive.com or 203-246-0754.

Remember Lennon: Imagine 70

New Haven, CT - Tomorrow, John Lennon would have turned 70 years of age. On the weekend of this momentous occasion, a very special theatrical concert event entitled “Remember Lennon: Imagine 70″ will be staged over at 2 select locations in Connecticut.

On Saturday, October 9, the exact date of his 70th birthday, the remarkable live production takes place at the historic Shubert Theater in New Haven, CT at 7pm.

And on Sunday afternoon, 10/10/10, the day after John’s 70th birthday, there will be a special 3pm matinee performance at the Garde Arts Center Theater in New London, CT.

“Remember Lennon: Imagine 70″ presents one of the greatest John Lennon impersonators in existence, a world-class backing band, and audio-visual accompaniment, adding up to a show that is a respectful tribute recreating the concert John may have performed had he still been with us.

With most of the world-renowned Lennon tribute acts, close your eyes and you think you’re listening to John. With this production, keep them open and you’ll be equally amazed.

Tickets are currently on sale for all three shows, and great seats are still available. Shubert Theater proceeds benefit the Ethnic Heritage Center.

For 10/9 tickets, visit the Shubert Theater Box Office, 247 College Street, Downtown New Haven, CT or call (203)562-5666 or toll-free (888)736-2663 (website www.Shubert.com). For 10/10 tickets, visit the Garde Arts Center Box Office, 325 State Street, New London, CT or call (860) 444-4410 (website: www.gardearts.org).

“Remember Lennon: Imagine 70″ is a unique extraordinary musical theater experience celebrating the music, the memory, the magic and the LIFE of John Lennon. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime concert event.

Imagine…70.

http://www.imagine70.com