Rossi announces ARPA grants to tackle food insecurity in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, June 14, 2022 — The city is soliciting financial grant support proposals from West Haven charitable organizations that provide residents with services for combating hunger, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

The city has received a $400,000 allocation from the U.S. Treasury Department’s American Rescue Plan Act to tackle inequities exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Addressing community food insecurity is an authorized use of the federal funding.

The City Council has authorized Rossi to request grant proposals as part of her ARPA spending plan from charities serving West Haven’s hunger needs.

Organizations that distribute food, such as food banks, operate public feeding services, such as soup kitchens, or provide support services for tackling food insecurity in the city are encouraged to apply for the ARPA grants.

For complete grant details, see the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Download a Grant Application.

Application forms along with any supporting documents must be emailed as a PDF file to dcolter@westhaven-ct.gov by 3 p.m. June 30.

Metastatic breast cancer discussion set for Yale West Campus

Metastatic breast cancer discussion at Yale West Campus on Thursday

WEST HAVEN, June 14, 2022 — Infinite Strength will hold a panel discussion on metastatic breast cancer from 9:30 a.m.-noon Thursday 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.