Magic of Motown will perform a high-energy mix of R&B hits from the acclaimed catalog of Detroit’s Motown Records in West Haven’s Old Grove Park on Palace Street at 6 p.m. Saturday. The concert, rescheduled from last weekend’s Savin Rock Festival, is sponsored by West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc. It will include food trucks and craft vendors, starting at 3 p.m., along with rides and games by Marenna Amusements from noon-10 p.m. (Publicity Photo)

Old Grove the place to be for 3 concerts this week

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 1, 2023 — West Haven’s Old Grove Park is the place to be for live music this week, with two concerts scheduled for Thursday and one slated for Saturday.

On Thursday, the West Haven Summer Concert Series will feature a twin bill: the classic rock anthems of The Generators at 6 p.m., followed by the horn-powered party favorites of Rubber City at 8 p.m.

Both concerts will take place in the Grove on Palace Street, not on the West Haven Green, and will include food trucks and craft vendors.

The “Thursday Night Live!” concerts are free and presented by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and the West Haven Department of Parks and Recreation.

Then, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Magic of Motown will perform a high-energy mix of R&B hits from the acclaimed catalog of Detroit’s Motown Records.

The show, rescheduled from last weekend’s Savin Rock Festival, is sponsored by West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc. and will include food trucks and craft vendors, starting at 3 p.m.

To complement all the entertainment, Marenna Amusements will showcase a midway of rides and games off Oak Street from 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday.

Marenna will offer wristbands for unlimited rides for $25 and a sheet of 21 tickets for $20.

The Generators will perform classic rock anthems at the West Haven Summer Concert Series in Old Grove Park on Palace Street at 6 p.m. Thursday. The concert will include food trucks and craft vendors. (Publicity Photo)

Rubber City will play a set of horn-powered party favorites at the West Haven Summer Concert Series in Old Grove Park on Palace Street at 8 p.m. Thursday. The concert will include food trucks and craft vendors. (Publicity Photo)

Boys summer basketball champions

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 1, 2023 — (Blue Team Pictured): The 12-0 Blue Team, the 7-to-10-year-old champions of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s boys summer basketball league, show their medals at the Veterans Memorial Park courts on Bull Hill Lane on Monday.

Front row, from left, are Venson Taylor, Bryce Rose, Bryce Hayden and Nico Pratt. Back row, from left, are Jackson Gabriele, Andrew Loehn, Giovanny Wilson, Luciano Chambrelli, coach Paul Chambrelli, Khylan Crawford, Paul Colon Jr., coach Steve DeCrescenzo, Luca DeCrescenzo and Michael Wilson.

(Gray Team Pictured): The 10-1 Gray Team, the 11-to-14-year-old champs of Park-Rec’s boys summer basketball league, show their medals at the Veterans Memorial Park courts Monday.

Front row, from left, are Branko Finek, Kyle Villano, Tate Trevethan, Josh Johnson, Zeno Payton Jr. and Anthony Gagliardi. Back row, from left, are Trey Plummer, James Canavan, Faouzi Saibou, coach Phil Plummer, Kahlil Tomlinson, Kadrian Reeves and Mason Wright.

The league, supervised by Park-Rec program coordinator Brian Hayden, just capped its 23rd season.

(City Photos/Brian Hayden)

Shaded Soul Band headlines opening night of the Savin Rock Festival in West Haven’s Old Grove Park on Friday. The band performed R&B favorites and pop gems, including The Temptation’s “My Girl,” The O’Jays’ “Love Train” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove.” City officials ended the two-day festival, sponsored by the University of New Haven, Yale University and Frankson Fence Co., at 5:30 p.m. Saturday because of an impending storm. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Savin Rock Fest cut short by storm; concerts moved

WEST HAVEN, July 31, 2023 — Despite the Savin Rock Festival ending early because of an impending storm, the 2023 edition nevertheless paid homage to “the Rock,” the city’s legendary amusement park and the state’s most popular shoreline destination for decades.

In the interest of public safety, city officials concluded the two-day festival at 5:30 p.m. Saturday because of the stormy forecast.

Magic of Motown, one of Day 2’s three bands, has been moved to this Saturday at 7 p.m. in Old Grove Park on Palace Street.

Opener The Generators were able to perform Saturday afternoon and played a set of classic rock anthems.

Headliner Arena Rock Tribute is being rescheduled to a later date. Stay tuned for details.

Magic of Motown will perform a high-energy mix of R&B hits from the acclaimed catalog of Detroit’s Motown Records.

The Aug. 5 concert is sponsored by West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc. and will include food trucks and craft vendors, starting at 3 p.m.

In addition, Marenna Amusements will offer a midway of rides and games off Oak Street from 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon-10 p.m. Saturday.

Marenna will sell wristbands for unlimited rides for $25 and a sheet of 21 tickets for $20.

To complement the entertainment, the West Haven Summer Concert Series on Thursday will feature a twin bill: The Generators at 6 p.m., followed by the horn-powered party hits of Rubber City at 8 p.m.

Both concerts will take place in the Grove, not on the West Haven Green, and will include food trucks and craft vendors.

The “Thursday Night Live!” concerts are free and presented by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and the West Haven Department of Parks and Recreation.

This year’s Savin Rock Fest, albeit only a day in the historic Grove, showcased a wide variety of musical groups, rides, games and mouthwatering foods — the time-honored recipe that cemented the 20th-century Savin Rock Park as Connecticut’s Coney Island.

Read the full story and see the photo gallery at Savin Rock Festival 2023.

Maltese, Fields defend bocce title at Savin Rock Fest

WEST HAVEN, July 31, 2023 — (Pictured): Savin Rock Festival Bocce Tournament coordinator Olivia Quagliani, center, presents a $50 gift certificate to The Breakwall restaurant to defending bocce champions Dave Maltese, left, and Pete Fields in Old Grove Park on Saturday.

Maltese and Fields won the shoreline tournament, held by the Department of Parks and Recreation, for the second year in a row.

(City Photo/Brian Hayden)

Rubber City, The Generators play Old Grove Thursday

WEST HAVEN, July 31, 2023 — The West Haven Summer Concert Series on Thursday will feature a twin bill: the classic rock anthems of The Generators at 6 p.m., followed by the horn-powered party hits of Rubber City at 8 p.m.

Both concerts will take place in Old Grove Park on Palace Street, not on the West Haven Green, and will include food trucks and craft vendors.

The Summer Concert Series will continue at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 on the Green with Silver Steel, “Connecticut’s award-winning steel pan band,” followed by the vibrant sound of the Dominican Republic performed by Cristian La Voz De Oro at 7 p.m. Aug. 17, also on the Green.

The “Thursday Night Live!” concerts are free and presented by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and the West Haven Department of Parks and Recreation.

Tony Inzero Farmers Market opens season July 6

Farmers market open Thursdays and Saturdays

WEST HAVEN, July 31, 2023 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market has opened its 2023 season next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market, nestled on the right side of the beach lot, includes state farmers selling homegrown fruits and vegetables and crafters selling wares from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through Oct. 14.

It features artisan breads by Hoffman Unlimited LLC, sauces and jams by Chile King LLC, and salts, oils and vinegars by Dash N’ Drizzle.

The farmers market is partnering with ArtsWest CT this season to showcase a variety of entertainment, such as live performances and unique demonstrations, at the Saturday markets.

The market also includes more than 20 different vendors, crafters, organizations and food trucks during the season.

The Thursday markets feature What the Truck?! BBQ, in addition to ice cream at both markets.

Parking is available in the Oak Street municipal lot and on Palace Street. Oak Street is on the senior shuttle route and the CTtransit route. In addition, a van will run from the West Haven Senior Center, 201 Noble St., to Oak Street at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays.

The Department of Elderly Services will start distributing reusable farmers market cards to eligible city residents. Residents 60 and older who meet income requirements are eligible for $24 vouchers in the form of electronic cards. For information on the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program, call the department at 203-937-3507.

The farmers market is sponsored by the city and has operated since 2000. It was dedicated in 2010 in memory of Anthony F. “Tony” Inzero, a leader in the downtown business community who co-owned Flower Affair on Campbell Avenue for many years and was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association.

To participate in the farmers market or for information, contact Killian Gruber, the market’s manager, at kgruber@westhaven-ct.gov or 203-937-3510.

For the latest news on the market, go to West Haven Farmers Market.

Renovations kick off at Surfside public housing complex

Renovations kick off at Surfside housing complex

WEST HAVEN, July 24, 2023 — (Pictured): West Haven Housing Authority Executive Director John Counter, center, shows Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy the dilapidated roof of the Surfside public housing complex at 200 Oak St. on July 24.

Counter led Rossi and McCarthy on a half-hour tour to show the complex’s outdated roof and efficiency apartment units before long-overdue renovations are completed over the next 20 months.

The 254-unit complex is composed of efficiency and one- and two-bedroom units.

In early 2020, the 12-story complex was designated as obsolete by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Counter recently announced that Savin Rock Communities Inc., which manages Surfside and other public housing properties across the city, is borrowing up to $29.29 million for a multiphase plan to improve the authority’s housing stock, including a new roof, boiler, generator and fire sprinkler at Surfside.

Along with new windows and remodeled units, the complex will also receive an exterior facelift and electrical and mechanical upgrades.

The extensive project kicked off July 20.

Also touring Surfside were Housing Authority Assistant Executive Director Meagan Golde and Board of Commissioners Chair Wayne Orio and Vice Chair John R. O’Connor. They were joined by Eric Stokes, the director of facilities and modernization at Savin Rock Communities, and Karen Kravetz, Savin Rock’s general counsel.

Rossi, Counter and Savin Rock Communities have been working to enhance affordable living opportunities for West Haven residents with the greatest housing needs, including older and disabled people with fixed incomes, homeless veterans and families with low incomes.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Jr. Lifeguarding Program enrolling future lifesavers

WEST HAVEN, July 20, 2023 — The Department of Parks and Recreation is running its second Junior Lifeguarding Program.

The program is for prospective lifeguards ages 12-15. Participants will learn the basics of lifeguarding while running, swimming and mock-rescuing with experienced West Haven Beach Lifesaving Service lifeguards.

The program will meet from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 14-18 at the West Haven boardwalk, lifeguard shack and high school pool — locations may vary depending on the schedule and weather.

The one-week cost for residents is $65; the one-week cost for nonresidents is $75. A junior lifeguard uniform shirt is included.

Registration has opened for city residents and nonresidents.

Mission: The West Haven Parks and Recreation Aquatic Division, Junior Lifeguard Camp, is committed to teaching the fundamentals of beach safety, first aid and environmental awareness. The camp's priorities are safety, fun and education.

Junior lifeguard campers will learn from current West Haven Beach Lifesaving Service lifeguards, gaining a true sense of the role, responsibilities and reward of today’s beach lifesavers.

Eligibility: Every camper should be able to swim and be confident in their swimming abilities in the ocean without flotation.

Register for the Junior Lifeguarding Program at Park-Rec.

West Haven Senior Center sets Mystic Seaport trip Sept. 27

West Haven Senior Center sets Mystic Seaport trip on Sept. 27

WEST HAVEN, July 18, 2023 — The West Haven Senior Center is offering a bus trip to Mystic Seaport on Sept. 27.

The trip includes the seaport’s flagship attractions, such as the largest maritime museum in the U.S., ship tours and a half-hour cruise on the Mystic River aboard the Sabino, the nation’s oldest wooden, coal-burning steamboat.

The cost is $130 and includes transportation, gratuities, admission to the seaport, the Sabino cruise and lunch at Scotch Plains Tavern in Essex. Lunch selection is made at the time of reservation.

Payment is due Aug. 18.

The bus departs at 9 a.m. from the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot at 91 Bull Hill Lane, the former Nike site, and leaves around 3:30 p.m. from Essex.

Non-senior center members and nonresidents are welcome. To make a reservation, call the center at 203-937-3507.

West Haven Senior Center sets Aqua Turf trip Sept. 12

WHSC sets Aqua Turf trip Sept. 12

WEST HAVEN, June 27, 2023 — The West Haven Senior Center is offering a bus trip to the Aqua Turf Club in Southington on Sept. 12 for an afternoon of ’60s and ’70s classics performed by Rainere Martin as Donna Summer and The Brass Attack Band.

The trip costs $120 and includes transportation, driver gratuity and a family-style lunch. It also includes a glass of beer or wine, coffee and doughnuts, as well as door prizes.

Payment is due Aug. 11.

The bus departs at 9:45 a.m. from the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot at 91 Bull Hill Lane, the former Nike site, and leaves at 3:45 p.m. from Aqua Turf.

Senior center membership is not required to attend. Nonresidents are also welcome.

To make a reservation, call the center at 203-937-3507.

West Haven Vietnam vets sought for new section of memorial ‘wall’

WEST HAVEN, June 9, 2023 — Current and former city residents who served in the Vietnam War are sought by the West Haven Vietnam Memorial Inc. Committee to have their names inscribed on a new section of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Bradley Point Park.

To qualify for name recognition on the memorial “wall,” Vietnam veterans must apply and meet the following requirements:

— Applicants must live or have lived in West Haven. Veterans living in West Haven must provide proof of residence, such as a utility bill.

— Applicants must have served in-country during the Vietnam War.

— Applicants must have been honorably discharged from military service. A DD214 form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is required.

— Applicants must share potential costs, if any.

The committee does not have a formal application. Veterans must mail all documents, which are due Oct. 1, to West Haven Vietnam Veterans, City Hall, lower level, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516.

Those with questions can call Bill at 203-521-2356, Steve at 475-655-2993 or Paul at 203-500-2159.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial includes a black granite wall inscribed with the names of those from West Haven who served or gave their lives in Vietnam from 1959 to 1975, along with three white flagpoles draped with the American, Connecticut and prisoner-of-war flags.

The memorial, dedicated Nov. 12, 2003, also includes a black granite map of the four battle districts of Vietnam bearing the inscription “All Gave Some, Some Gave All,” as well as five bronze insignia markers atop black granite posts representing each branch of the U.S. armed forces.

Food scrap bags sold at retail sites

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 24, 2023 — Residents who need more green and orange food scrap bags can buy them at the following retail locations ($1.05 for five green bags and $1.55 for five orange bags):

• Krauszer’s Food Store, 10 Jones Hill Road (Babybrook Shopping Center, corner of Ocean Avenue)

• Krauszer’s Food Store, 911 Campbell Ave. (corner of Spring Street)

• Krauszer’s Food Store, 377 Campbell Ave. (corner of Brown Street)

• Krauszer’s Food Store, 191 Platt Ave. (near the WHHS entrance)

• Nazar Halal Meat & Market, 39 Elm St. (West River Plaza)

• Greatway Food Store, 502 Sawmill Road (across from Walmart)

• Best Gas & Food Mart, 161 Boston Post Road (near the Allington Green)

• Noble Gas Station, 941 Boston Post Road (corner of Farwell Street)

City touts launch of state’s largest food-to-clean-energy program

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 14, 2022 — West Haven is the first city in the state to offer a citywide curbside food scrap diversion option to all single-family residents, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Rossi said the program allows all single-family homes — one, two and three families — to easily separate food scraps and have them collected at the curb in the same container now used for residents’ trash collection.

The city has received a $1.3 million Sustainable Materials Management grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop and launch a food-to-clean-energy program.

Grant Coordinator Doug Colter, who secured the funding for the city, said the state is facing a solid waste disposal crisis, as traditional options for disposing of municipal solid waste are diminishing or becoming more expensive. With fewer and rapidly aging disposal options in Connecticut, residents and municipal leaders can expect disposal costs to increase at the remaining waste incineration facilities “as well as out-of-state landfilling,” Colter said.

On Nov. 7, the West Haven Food to Clean Energy program launched a nine-month pilot project for curbside food scrap diversion. Participation in the program comes at no cost to the 16,000 eligible households.

Colter said the funding covers the purchase of special color-coded bags for trash and for food scrap separation for the nine-month pilot. It also covers the cost of educational materials — mailers, a website and a Connect mobile app — along with personnel to sort the bags and the shipment of food scraps to Quantum Biopower in Southington, where the food will be converted into clean electricity, he said.

More details at Food Scrap Recycling.

Informational Materials

The Downsizing Donation Guide: A Resource for Residents of New Haven County (PDF)

What’s In? What’s Out? A Guide to Recycling (PDF)