Milford Mayor Ben Blake has announced that UCONN educators Chester Arnold, Michael Dietz and Bruce Hyde, associated with the university’s Center for Land Use Education, will lecture on “Low Impact Development” on Monday, June 18th, at Milford City Hall auditorium at 7 p.m.  Mayor Blake expressed pleasure that the city can provide this learning event for city municipal officials and interested members of the public.  “The opportunity to learn about the latest techniques and tools which can protect our city’s natural resources, reduce the incidences of flooding and lessen pollution will be valuable as we move forward to finalize our updated Plan of Conservation and Development,” he said.

The program’s goal is to help municipal land use officials, staff, commission members and interested citizens understand new techniques to help solve local land use problems and to develop environmentally sensitive land use plans.  The hour-long lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer period.

The program is open to the public.  Persons connected to the development and/or the building industries should find the subject matter of great interest.

This event is sponsored by Mayor Ben Blake, the Mayor’s Open Space Advisory Committee and the Milford Conservation Commission.

Information was received via a press release from the Milford Chamber of Commerce. 

      Eight Milford students at Housatonic Community College were honored at HCC’s recent Awards Night ceremony honoring the “Best of the Best” of the Class of 2012.

Student Gayatree Hazarika topped the field of Milford students, winning three awards. Hazarika walked away with the Housatonic Foundation Scholar award, the Outstanding Community College Accounting Student (Connecticut Society of CPA’s Educational Trust Fund) award, and the Certificate of Achievement in Business Administration: Accounting award.

Other award recipients include:

·         Daniel J. Bourque, Who's Who Among Students in American Junior College.

·         Thomas J. Carissimi, Academic Accomplishment in Business Administration: General.

·         Justin C. Dauscher, Housatonic Foundation Scholar.

·         Bethani Hart, Ralph Fabrizio Scholarship: Outstanding Achievement in in Behavioral

Sciences, and Outstanding Achievement in Behavioral Sciences.

·         Marissa E. Segreto, Outstanding Academic Achievement in Human Services.

·         Brian J. Shoop, Academic Achievement in Business Administration: Customer

Service/Marketing.

·         Jason K. Van Fleet, Excellence in the Liberal Arts & Sciences: Pre-Environmental Science Program.

Housatonic Community College provides an affordable and accessible education through two-year degrees, transfer preparation, and certificate programs, as well as a wide variety of continuing education and personal/professional enrichment seminars and workshops.  In addition, HCC offers employee and occupational training for businesses, municipalities, government agencies, and professional associations to help develop the educated and skilled workforce required to meet regional business and industry needs.  HCC is nationally recognized as an “Achieving the Dream” institution.  To learn more, visit the college’s website at: www.hcc.commnet.edu.

HCC is located at 900 Lafayette Blvd. in downtown Bridgeport, less than 150 yards off I-95 (Exit 27) and Rte. 8 (Exit 1), a block from the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard. Free parking is available in the Housatonic garage.

This following information was submitted via a press release 

MILFORD--Save-a-Suit Foundation is proudly partnering with Jill Merriam, Dealer For The People®, for the Soldiers-to-Civilians Suit Drive, collecting gently worn suits and professional office clothing for local veterans at Connecticut's Key Hyundai of Milford and Key Hyundai of Manchester. The suit drive ends July 2, in order to outfit and honor Connecticut veterans at the fireworks extravaganza July 3rd at the Westfield CT Post Mall in Milford.

Jill Merriam, owner of Key Hyundai and Dealer For The People®, together with friends WEBE108 and the Westfield CT Post Mall Milford, are promoting the Suits for Soldiers collection, with CT Key Hyundai locations in Milford and Manchester | Vernon as primary collection sites for donations of gently worn suits, professional clothing, shoes, and accessories (guidelines attached below).

Donate gently worn professional office-type clothing to the Solders-to-Civilian Suit Drive at both Key Hyundai of Manchester and Key Hyundai of Milford until July 2.

Local Connecticut veterans desperately need professional clothing as they transition from soldier to civilian. With unemployment among the highest for veterans returning from war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the work the Save-A-Suit Foundation does is absolutely amazing.

Key Hyundai of Milford and Key Hyundai of Manchester are honored to be donation sites to support this great cause helping veterans look the part so that they feel the part, and have a better chance at pursing their civilian career goals. 

Key Hyundai has set a goal of 50 suits for each dealership: 50 for the greater Hartford area, and 50 for Connecticut shoreline and valley. 

"Key Hyundai will match suit donations up to 100 suits," said Jill Merriam, Dealer For The People, "and I can't wait to make that happen. Our goal is 50 for each location, and our employees and customers are pumped to participate! Our mission is to provide solutions, and Save-a-Suit is clearly doing that for perhaps our country's most deserving group."

All clothing donations are completely tax-deductable, and the feeling of generosity completely contagious! Consider donating to this great cause. Visit www.keycars.com for complete details.

Join Key Hyundai on July 3rd in a blockbuster event: “Soldiers to Civilians” Day at the Connecticut Post Mall Milford Fireworks Extravaganza, honoring local Connecticut veterans.

About Save-a-Suit Foundation: To learn more about Save-a-Suit, visit the website (http://www.saveasuit.org) or contact Connecticut's Executive Director Jessica Ewud at 1-855-SAV-SUIT for more information.

State Representative Kim Rose announced today a free business forum in Milford targeted to help businesses thrive during tough economic times.

“Milford Means Business" is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13 at 8:00 am at Milford City Hall.

“Our business community will have the opportunity to learn more about how to take advantage of programs available to them,” Rep. Rose said. “I see businesses across the state benefiting from state grants, but slow progress with recipients in Milford.”

Rep. Rose added, “A representative from the Department of Economic and Community Development will be on hand to discuss details about programs available to small businesses throughout the state, such as grants and loans and the new STEP Up (subsidized employment and training) program.  This is a great opportunity to introduce our small businesses to what is available and how to apply.”

Milford Mayor Benjamin Blake, Chamber President/CEO Kathy Alagno, and Bob Gregory, Community Development Director will also be in attendance. This event is open to all business owners and/or their representatives.

The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is available to help small businesses apply for financial and technical assistance from state. For more information contact DECD at 860-270-8215.

The Orange and Woodbridge Police Departments will be conducting a joint sobriety checkpoint on June 30, 2012 in the Town of Orange. On May 25, 2012 the first joint sobriety checkpoint under the existing Amity Regional Traffic Enforcement agreement was conducted in the Town of Woodbridge. 

Chief Robert Gagne said, “As the summer season begins it is our hope to start the summer off safely for the motoring public through publicity, prevention and enforcement. Under a grant from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, both Departments will be supplementing our efforts against drunk driving with designated patrols and checkpoints throughout the year. We encourage the public to make plans in advance for designated drivers or other accommodations to ensure safe travel for all persons using the roadways.” 

Both Departments stress the importance of not getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle if you are under the influence. Don't become another statistic.

Milford--The Milford Hospital Auxiliary will be conducting a used book sale on Wednesdays throughout the month of June.  Good condition, gently used books, both hard cover and paperback, will be sold.   Sale will start on June 6^th  and will be held each Wednesday afternoon from 12:00 noon – 2:00 PM in hospital lobby, 300 Seaside Ave. If you have any questions regarding the book sale, please call the Auxiliary office at 203 647-6654. 

The faculty and staff of Lauralton Hall proudly revealed the names of this year’s senior award recipients on May 23, 2012 at a ceremony held in the Claven Auditorium.  Class of 2012 Valedictorian Megan Cogguillo and Salutatorian Abbey Marie Guerino topped a list of accomplished and service-minded graduates who will pursue higher education at some of the most competitive colleges and universities in the country, including Dartmouth, Georgetown, Mount Holyoke, New York University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Vanderbilt.

Over 40 seniors received awards for outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics and for community service including:

• The Bishop Peter Rosazza Award: Given to the graduating student who, in the opinion of the faculty, has manifested Christian compassion through humble and joyful service to others. Awardee: Abbey Guerino

·         The Connecticut Arts Awards: Given to musically, artistically and academically gifted students by the Connecticut Association of Schools. 2012 Lauralton Awardees: Victoria Conaway (Performing Arts) and Rebecca Mancini (Visual Arts)

• Crusader of the Year: Every Lauralton Hall student involved in athletics votes for the senior who, in their opinion, is the finest athlete. Awardee: Marisa Dowling

·         Department Awards: Given to students who, in the opinion of the members of each department, best demonstrated excellence, commitment, and interest in the study of each subject area. Awardees: Mengyan Liu (Betty), Wendy Amidon, Gwen Hawkes, Catherine McAree, Rachel Roberts, Christina Nestor, Megan Cogguillo, Briana Archer, Alexandra Hamar, Nicole Peterson and Erin Montanez

·          

       The Frances Warde Service Award: Presented to students who achieved 100 hours of service in their community during the 2011-2012 school year.  Awardess: Vincenza Bartholomew, Grace Dahlman, Emily Janik, Catherine Knoedler, Jacquelyn Kubicko, Kelly Ann McCarthy, Marissa Matto, Kathleen Morton, Noel Ostrosky, Caitlin Riccitelli, Madeline Rudden, Carolyn Ruther, Laura Schirillo, Rhea Schneider, Sarah Wilkie and Emily Wolpiuk

·         Fred DeLuca Award: The founder of Subway restaurants, Fred DeLuca, started a foundation to help young women and men achieve their dreams of furthering their education.  2012 Award recipient: Ruthy Blackwell

·         The Lezotte Awards: Voted upon by the graduates themselves as best typifying Lauralton ideals. 2012 Awardees are: Abbey Guerino and Micaela Kwochka

·         The United Way of Milford Scholarship: Given to a graduating senior who is a Milford resident, has volunteered during each year of high school to serve an agency that works for the betterment of the Milford community. 2012 Lauralton Awardee: Michelle Vitelli

For a complete list of senior awards please contact: Catherine Urbain at: 203-876-7291, or curbain@lauraltonhall.org.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: 

1.    Catherine Knoedler (Milford) - Frances Warde Service Award recipient with Principal Ann Pratson

2.    Nicole Peterson (Milford) receiving U.S. Naval Academy appointment from Tom Maxwel

The Milford Recreation Department announces its summer Kripalu Yoga for Children with instructor Jeanette Dias beginning on Wednesday, July 11, 2012. The classes are available to both residents and non-residents.

Kripalu Yoga is a practice of safe movement and powerful breath honoring the individual in their specific time and space. Self compassion, body wisdom and an open heart are just a few of the explorations encouraged. The practice of healthy movement is geared for the specific body rather than forcing the body to fit into just any movement. Emphasis is paced on the individual’s journey rather than the destination.

The classes – open to ages 4-10 - will run for five weeks and cost $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents. The Kripalu Yoga class is offered on Wednesday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 10:15 am at Eisenhower Park. Sign up for both classes for only $40.

For more information please contact Bill Garfield at the Recreation Department 203.783.3388 or by email bgarfield@ci.milford.ct.us

MILFORD--The Milford Consortium for Childcare Initiatives announced today that they have 30 spots available for summer camp that are now open to Milford residents or persons that work in Milford.  

The summer camp program is held at West Shore Recreation Center five days a week Monday through Friday, from 7:45 am to 5:15 pm.  The camp is fully staffed. Children must be between the ages of 5 (must have completed kindergarten) and 12 years old.  Activities include inside/outside sports, games, arts and crafts, movies etc.  Children may register for one or more weeks.  The cost is $120 per week.  There are optional trips for bowling and the movies that are extra.  

Call Connie at the Milford Chamber of Commerce, 203.878.0681 for registration and information.