Fireworks moved to Sept. 3; Savin Rock Fest, concerts slated

Fireworks light up the night sky over West Haven’s Bradley Point during a display from the past. (Photo Courtesy of Flickr)

Fireworks moved to Sept. 3; Savin Rock Fest, concerts set

WEST HAVEN, June 9, 2022 — The city has decided to move the 2022 Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular from July 2 to Labor Day weekend to give West Haven’s biggest event “more of a local flavor,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

The fireworks, billed as “They Will Be Heard on the 3rd” and presented by the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee, will now launch off Bradley Point at 8 p.m. Sept. 3. The rain date is Sept. 5.

“I can’t wait to celebrate the Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular with my fellow Westies on Sept. 3, the same date as last year’s display,” Rossi said. “This is a meaningful event for all of us who live in West Haven and is a special opportunity to come together as friends and neighbors to celebrate our hometown by demonstrating the best of the American community spirit.”

In a prepared statement, the fireworks committee, co-chaired by Sandy McCauley and Marianne Drapeau, said: “Due to recent concerns, the city has postponed the July 2 show to Sept. 3. We look forward to seeing you then.”

In addition to the fireworks, Rossi announced the return of the Savin Rock Festival on July 29-30 and the West Haven Summer Concert Series, starting in late June.

The festival, which debuted in 1982 in celebration of the bygone seaside amusement park, will take place in Old Grove Park. Details are forthcoming.

The free concert series will kick off on the Green from 7-9 p.m. June 23 and June 30 with classic rock hits by The Generators, sponsored by the West Haven Public Library, and oldies by Tony V. More concerts on the Green and in the Grove are forthcoming.

For this year’s pyrotechnics show, the city is focusing less on attracting out-of-town visitors and more on attracting West Haven residents, a strategy aimed at decreasing crowds to reduce overtime costs for police and public works crews, organizers said.

Before the fireworks light up the sky over the West Haven shoreline, a DJ will play music on a portable stage in front of Savin Rock from 6-8 p.m.

A fleet of food and dessert trucks will once again dish up eats and sweets on the north side of Captain Thomas Boulevard, from Dyke Street to Platt Court.

For the second straight year, police will close Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, from Kelsey Avenue to Platt Court, for several hours to give the festivities more of a block party feel.

Metastatic breast cancer discussion set for Yale West Campus

Metastatic breast cancer discussion set for Yale University West Campus

WEST HAVEN, June 9, 2022 — Infinite Strength will hold a panel discussion on metastatic breast cancer from 9:30 a.m.-noon June 16 at the Yale University West Campus, 100 West Campus Drive, Orange.

The discussion will focus on “Life Support: Clinical Trials for Metastatic Breast Cancer” and how patients with health and racial disparities can gain access.

Panelists will include breast cancer survivor Roberta Lombardi, the founder of Infinite Strength; Dr. Maryam Lustberg, the chief of breast medical oncology at the Yale Cancer Center; and Dr. Stephanie Graff, the director of breast oncology at the Lifespan Cancer Institute.

Admission is free, but attendees must order tickets prior to the event at Infinite Strength Events. Donations are welcome.

Infinite Strength Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, provides financial assistance and emotional support to underserved single mothers with metastatic breast cancer. Based in Madison, it is the only nonprofit in the U.S. to provide recurring funding to those living with the disease.

‘Tree tender’ volunteers sought for meeting at Painter Park on Sunday

WEST HAVEN, June 9, 2022 — Tree Warden Leo Kelly is holding an outdoor meeting to discuss plans for replanting trees in parts of the city.

The meeting is set for 10 a.m. Sunday at Painter Park’s Kelsey Avenue entrance.

Kelly is seeking volunteers, called “tree tenders,” to help the city implement a $10,000 grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to plant and maintain trees in urban areas of West Haven.

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Kelly said many city trees have been lost because of storms and utility projects and have not been replaced or replenished. The tree tender initiative hopes to change that, he said.

Register for the meeting by email to lkelly@westhaven-ct.gov.

Vietnam War Army veteran Al Beck Sr., right, and his son, Al Beck Jr., lay a wreath at the base of the William A. Soderman Memorial in Bradley Point Park during West Haven’s dedication of the 14th phase of the brick Veterans Walk of Honor on Saturday. The late-afternoon ceremony was moved from a week earlier because of rain. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

58 bricks dedicated on Veterans Walk of Honor

WEST HAVEN, June 6, 2022 — Joined by city and state leaders and members of West Haven’s Veterans Council and three fire departments, dozens of veterans and their families from all corners of Connecticut and beyond turned out late Saturday afternoon to help dedicate 58 bricks as part of the 14th phase of the Veterans Walk of Honor.

Standing on the Walk of Honor in the heart of Bradley Point Park, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi delivered remarks to the patriotic crowd, many donning red, white and blue.

“Thank you to the West Haven Veterans Council for continuing this tradition as well as city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo for overseeing the construction (of each installment of the walkway’s bricks),” said Rossi, speaking in front of a black granite memorial in commemoration of World War II Army Pfc. William A. Soderman.

Rossi continued: “Here we honor both the living and deceased veterans, and I would like to reflect on the valor of our brave men and women who served. I hope that each of you are able to take a moment today, spending time with each installment here. I would like to thank each veteran for their service, their courage and their commitment to our country.”

State Rep. Dorinda Borer served as the master of ceremonies for the event, postponed from a week earlier because of rain.

“We want to thank those who are participating in this phase and all phases, as we know this symbolization is significant to each of you,” said Borer, D-West Haven. “Some of the bricks were bought for your brother, your son, your daughter, your father. I actually have one here for my father, and some of you have purchased a brick for a near and dear friend.

“Whomever you are recognizing, we know you carry them in your heart, and together, we are thankful for their service.”

Read the full story and see the photos at Veterans Walk of Honor.

Historic New England accepting applications for preservation fund

WEST HAVEN, June 2, 2022 — Historic New England is accepting applications for the new Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund.

The endowed fund supports the preservation of private historic homes in Connecticut. It allows Historic New England to continue its work to build a network of historic preservation and community stakeholders by providing critical support to historic residential property owners in 10 Connecticut urban centers, including West Haven.

In addition to West Haven, eligible properties must be in Bridgeport, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Stamford and Waterbury. By investing in those areas, Historic New England will leverage the power of a strong network of local, state and regional organizations to support visible preservation projects in the communities.

“Historic New England is deeply committed to preserving the rich architectural and cultural history that is reflected in homes across New England,” President and CEO Vin Cipolla said. “The Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund supports the vital work of maintaining private historic homes in Connecticut’s urban areas for the benefit of homeowners and their communities.”

Cipolla said the annual award grants up to $10,000 to the owner-occupant of a residential property with no more than four units.

“Ed Gerber’s thoughtful and generous gift to establish this fund aligns perfectly with goals in Historic New England’s new strategic plan,” Cipolla said. “It is an excellent move forward in broadening how we support historic preservation and community livability throughout the region.”

Applications are available and due July 8.

Read the Grant Guidelines and apply today.

Grand Marshal Emery Linton Sr. steers West Haven’s Memorial Day parade up Campbell Avenue on May 30 from a golf cart driven by city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo. Linton, an Army veteran, served in the Vietnam War in 1970-72. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Parade honors America’s fallen

WEST HAVEN, May 31, 2022 — Grand Marshal Emery Linton Sr. steered West Haven’s Memorial Day parade May 30 from a golf cart driven by city Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo.

Linton, an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War in 1970-72, led the 40-unit procession of veterans, bands and dignitaries, including Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and other city officials, along Campbell Avenue.

The parade stepped from Captain Thomas Boulevard north to Center Street, where a sea of people lined the 1 ½-mile route, American flags waving, for the annual patriotic march.

Read the full story and see the photos at Memorial Day Parade.

Silver's parking lot closed during overnight hours

Silver’s parking lot closed overnight

WEST HAVEN, May 31, 2022 — Citing an increase in criminal activity, the city will close the municipal parking lot behind the former Silver’s Drug Shop building at 519 Campbell Ave. from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily, effective immediately.

Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy said the city has installed gates at the Main Street and Center Street entrances to keep the parking lot closed during the overnight hours to protect the public’s health and safety.

People are asked to take note of the lot’s new hours.

The public lot, previously open 24/7, is operated by the city as part of a 99-year agreement with the Silver family, who owned and operated the popular downtown drugstore from 1919 to 2006.

The $1 agreement began in 1996 and expires in 2095, according to city records.

Craft, farm, food truck vendors sought for farmers market

WEST HAVEN, May 26, 2022 — The city is seeking craft, farm and food truck vendors to participate in the Tony Inzero Farmers Market, which will open its 2022 season July 7 in the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

Through Oct. 15, the market, nestled on the right side of the Oak Street municipal lot, will include state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling wares from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays.

It will also include food trucks.

To participate in the semiweekly market, download an Application.

Applications are also available for pickup in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due June 13.

Completed applications must be emailed to the market’s manager, Killian Gruber, at kgruber@westhaven-ct.gov or faxed to 203-937-3705.

For more information, call Gruber at 203-937-3518..

High school students from city sought for logo design contest

WEST HAVEN, May 13, 2022 — The South Central Network of Care, a regional partnership aimed at building a system for meeting children’s behavioral health needs, is seeking high school students from West Haven to participate in a logo design contest.

To participate in the contest, complete an entry form, design a logo and submit them by June 20 to Daniela Giordano, the network’s Region 1 chair, at daniela.giordano@beaconhealthoptions.com.

Download an Entry Form.

The contest winner will receive a $50 gift card, and the South Central network will display the first-place logo on its brochures, website and other promotional materials.

The network is part of the Connecting to Care initiative, a collaboration between state and local agencies and service providers that offers care options, treatments and services for children.

The network includes West Haven’s Youth and Family Services and Interagency Network for Children.

The South Central network strives to coordinate and integrate behavioral health services across such child-focused systems as early care and education, K-12 education, pediatric primary care, youth justice, child welfare and recreation.