MILFORD — The Rape Crisis Center of Milford will hold its 3rd annual "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes: The Men’s march to stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender violence" event beginning at 1:00 p.m. on April 26.
Participants will stroll one mile from Lisman Landing, around the Green and back to Lisman Landing while wearing a pair of woman’s shoes. Walkers are asked to use their imagination in choosing footwear.
This lighthearted event is held each year to encourage men to put themselves in the shoes of a woman who has been sexually assaulted or harassed, however, registration is not limited to men, organizers said. Everyone is welcome to walk.
This year’s Walk is sponsored by 99.1 PLR, Channel 8 News, Stonebridge Restaurant and The Milford Bank. There is no registration fee, but each walker is encouraged to collect sponsorship donations. All registered walkers who collect at least $20 in donations will receive a free T-shirt to commemorate the event.
Founded in 1974, the Rape Crisis Center of Milford is a not-for-profit social service agency working to end sexual violence through victim assistance, prevention, education and public policy advocacy. The center provides services to the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Milford, Orange, Seymour, Shelton, and West Haven. All services are provided free of charge.

MILFORD – The U. S. Naval Academy Offshore Sail Training Squadron will visit Milford over the July 4th weekend.

After a 300-nautical mile sail from Annapolis, Md., four NA-44 foot sailboats will arrive at Milford Landing on the morning of July 3. The vessels, crewed by midshipmen, will stay at Milford Landing until departure on July 6.
The NA-44’s will be welcomed by USCG Auxiliary and Milford Fire Department vessels. Milford Boatworks will provide fuel and support services to the fleet; maintenance will be handled by Port Milford.
On Friday evening, the midshipmen will participate in the “Honoring our Hero’s” ceremonies at the Westfield Connecticut Post Mall. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display. On Sunday evening, Milford Yacht Club will act as host for the midshipmen for a private reception and dinner.
The public is welcome to tour the USNA offshore sailing vessels from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, and to meet the midshipmen who crew them.
The Milford Chamber of Commerce is seeking the public’s involvement to support the visit of these future Navy and Marine Corps officers. Specifically, the Chamber requests financial donations to help offset the cost of hosting the midshipmen.
Donations can be sent to the Milford Chamber of Commerce, 5 Broad Street, Milford, 06880. Make the checks payable to: Milford Chamber of Commerce Trust Fund-USNA Visit.
Milford has long supported the U.S. military. With many veterans in the area, everyone is encouraged to give financial support in any way possible. This is the community’s opportunity to thank these fine young men and women who will be serving their country during these difficult times.

The Naval Academy provides a four-year undergraduate education for 4400 Midshipmen (students) to prepare them morally, mentally and physically to be professional officers in the naval service. Upon graduation, Midshipmen are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and receive a commission either as an ensign in the U.S. Navy or a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, where they serve at least five years as leaders of Sailors and Marines.

For more information about the Naval Academy, visit www.usna.edu.

Photo credit: Ralph Naranjo

Editor's note: This information was provide courtesy of Kathy Alagno.

STRATFORD — The town’s annual town-wide spring cleanup program, Project Green Sweep, will be begin at 9 a.m. May 2, with a kick-off rally on the Town Hall Green, Mayor James R. Miron announced.
Miron, the Stratford Beautification Committee and the Stratford Conservation Commission sponsor the all-volunteer project.
This year’s clean up is being recognized for the first time as part of Keep America Beautiful’s national Great American Cleanup, which involves over 17,000 communities in clean up efforts nationwide, a statement from the town said.
"Making Stratford a beautiful and healthy place to live has been a primary focus of my Administration," Miron said in the statement. "I encourage all Stratford residents to join Project Green Sweep and help improve the environment of our town."
Last year, more than 200 volunteers participated in Project Green Sweep. Along with the River Clean-Up, a joint effort including boat clubs and the surrounding towns of Milford and Shelton to clean up the Housatonic River shoreline, the groups involved collected eight truckloads of debris totaling 28,800 pounds or 14.4 tons, the statement said.
"In the past, public response has been overwhelming and we look forward to a similar effort this year," said Beautification Committee Chairman and Councilman J.R. Stroomer.
"Our goal is to enhance the beauty of our town, and we welcome participation from anyone and everyone who loves our community," added committee member and Councilwoman Amy Wanamaker.
The town will again combine its efforts with River Clean-Up. In addition, civic, social, business, youth, scout and religious groups have made commitments to help in the cleanup in areas of concentration such as highway entrance and exit ramps, public greens, parks, forests, beaches, walkways, school grounds and other highly visible areas of town. Volunteers are also being sought to aid in the effort by cleaning up their own neighborhoods.
Participants will receive complimentary T-shirts with the Project Green Sweep logo, bottles of water and light refreshments at 9 a.m. on Town Hall Green. All are asked to bring tools. However, gloves, bags, rakes and trash posts will be distributed to those who are unable to provide their own.
To volunteer in the spring cleanup, interested persons should contact Town Planner David Killeen at (203) 385-4017 or at dkilleen@townofstratford.com.

MILFORD - Mayor James L. Richetelli, Jr. has announced that the city will begin its 2009 Bulk Waste Pickup Program on May 6.
The Bulk Waste Program has been funded for two pickups per year: May and September. The May pickup is intact. However, the Board of Aldermen is currently debating the fiscal year 2009-10 budget that could cut the September schedule if aldermen do not fund it, the city said in a prepared statement.
All homeowners are asked to honor the schedule and not place bulk waste at the curb any sooner than 24 hours prior to their scheduled pickup.

The schedule is: if you garbage day is Monday, pick up is May 6; for Tuesday garbage days, pick up is May 13; for Thursday, May 20, for Friday, May 27.
Call the Public Works Office at 783-3265, the Monday before your pick up if you have goods such as stoves, refrigerators, dishwasher, hot water heaters and other similar appliances.

NEW HAVEN — The Hospital of Saint Raphael will hold a free educational stop-smoking seminar as part of an effort to make hospital facilities completely smoke-free later this year.
The event will take place from :30 to 6: 30 p.m. April 30 in Saint Raphael’s Cronin Auditorium, 1450 Chapel St. Pre-registration is recommended.
The seminar, co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society, will address health risks of smoking both to smokers and those around them. An ex-smoker and American Cancer Society volunteer will offer tips on how to stop and explain the financial benefits of quitting. Representatives from Saint Raphael’s will discuss the hospital’s Freedom From Smoking cessation program and alternative methods to fight nicotine addiction, such as acupuncture and hypnosis.
To register: Call (203) 789-3989 or sign up online at www.srhs.org/stopsmoking

People who want to help relief funds aiding the Abruzzo Region of Italy struck by a deadly earthquake can donate to the American Red Cross’s International Response Fund. The Web site is www.redcross.org. Go to donate now, check the box for International Response Fund and write L’Aquila Earthquake so your donation will be dedicated to those specific relief efforts.
The Italian Red Cross also is accepting donations for its recovery efforts. The Web site is http://www.cri.it/donazioni/. The Webite is entirely in Italian.
Catholic Relief Services also is prepared to take donations at www.crs.org, or call 1-877-HELP-CRS and tell them it’s for the L’Aquila earthquake.
This information was provided by Lieutenant Gov. Michael Fedele, who has family in Italy’s Abruzzo Region.