O’Brien declares Nov. 26 Small Business Saturday in city

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 15, 2016 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien has announced the city’s participation in the seventh annual Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26.

Falling between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is a day to celebrate and support the small, independently owned businesses that help boost local economies across the country.

Before taking office in 2013, O’Brien was the founder and owner of GoldWorks at 499 Campbell Ave., a jewelry repair and retail shop that has operated in the heart of the downtown business district for nearly three decades.

So, naturally, when it came time to endorsing a day that promotes small businesses, O’Brien was more than on board.

“As a former downtown merchant, I am proud to highlight the array of small businesses in our city and the invaluable contributions they make to our economy and the civic and cultural life of our community,” O’Brien said. “I encourage residents and visitors alike to make every effort to patronize West Haven’s small businesses on Nov. 26.”

Small Business Saturday was established in 2010 in response to the most pressing need of small-business owners — more customers — and has served as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses ever since.

According to American Express, more than 95 million consumers shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday last year.

In recognizing the importance of supporting independent businesses, O’Brien has issued a Small Business Saturday proclamation declaring the special observance in West Haven.

“The city of West Haven, Connecticut, supports our local businesses that create jobs, boost our local economy and preserve our neighborhoods,” the proclamation reads.

Nov. 26 also marks the lighting of the Christmas tree on the Green. The yearly event attracts hundreds of people, many of whom O’Brien hopes will take advantage of sales at downtown specialty shops.

To help the city’s small businesses advertise their participation in Small Business Saturday, toolkits and other resources are available by clicking on Shop Small, where business owners can create free downloadable marketing materials for their storefronts, social media pages and websites.

Similar to last year, Women Impacting Public Policy, a nonpartisan small-business advocate and operational arm of the Small Business Saturday Coalition, is rallying mayors nationwide to show their support and encourage their communities to shop small on Nov. 26.

“In 2015, elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., championed Small Business Saturday, which helped drive consumers to shop at small, independently owned businesses on the day,” WIPP Vice President Jason Lalak said. “This year, we are further expanding our outreach to mayors across the country to rally their communities and support their local small businesses throughout the holiday season.”

With the West Haven Christmas tree aglow in the background, The John C. Ireland Bandstand on the snow-covered Green is bedecked with huge electric snowflakes as Victorian-era streetlamps decorated with angels blowing on trumpets illuminate the walkways during a Yuletide celebration from yesteryear. (Contributed Photo)

O’Brien set to light Christmas tree on Green Nov. 26

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 15, 2016 — The annual lighting of the Christmas tree on the Green will herald an evening of merrymaking Nov. 26.

On a nearby stage on Main Street, the festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. with renditions of holiday classics by The Mike Martone Band, followed by singalongs of Yuletide carols.

At 6 p.m., Mayor Edward M. O’Brien will greet revelers and announce the four selected artists of his Christmas card campaign: Bailey Middle School seventh-graders Eveleen Jiang and Sofia Lora, eighth-grader Emily Console, and seventh-grader Obyda Charachfi and his sister, West Haven High School freshman Tia Charachfi.

The West Haven High cheerleading team will then escort Santa and Mrs. Claus and their elves to the stage, where they will help O’Brien and his Christmas card artists use a “special smartphone app” to set the tree aglow.

The Christmas tree is encircled by five smaller evergreen trees adorned with fluorescent-colored lights.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet visitors and pose for snapshots in their workshop until 9 p.m.

Just steps from the workshop, boys and girls can drop off their wish lists at Santa’s official U.S. Postal Service mailbox.

The ceremony is sponsored by the USAlliance Federal Credit Union, Marenna Amusements and the West Haven Voice.

According to organizers, the elves will give out “magic reindeer food” to help Santa and Mrs. Claus return to the North Pole.

Huge electric snowflakes will decorate The John C. Ireland Bandstand, and Victorian-era streetlamps bedecked with angels blowing on trumpets will illuminate the walkways.

Along with hayrides, children can ride on the Train Station and the Dino Bears. They can also fish in a “pond” for prizes.

For the first time, the event will feature an ice carving demonstration, organizers said.

The activities are free, but people are asked to bring nonperishable items for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force, which provides food for residents in need.

Volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce will hand out hot chocolate, and vendors will sell food and novelties.

The vendors will include the 744 Express food truck and the Christiano’s Mini Donuts & Desserts truck.

If it rains, the lighting will take place at 5 p.m. Nov. 28.

Veterans, dignitaries and guests bow their heads as West Haven Fire Department firefighter Anthony Mancini rings the department's chrome bell 11 times at 11 a.m. in honor of Veterans Day Friday in Bradley Point Park. Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Veterans honored, 10th phase of Brick Campaign launched

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 15, 2016 — A legion of veterans and their families, joined by members of the West Haven Veterans Council and city officials, came out Friday morning for a solemn Veterans Day tribute on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park.

Amid a beautiful autumn breeze, the seaside ceremony featured remarks from Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and O’Brien’s executive assistant, John W. Lewis, the master of ceremonies.

“We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their contributions to protecting our country,” O’Brien told the crowd of about 150, which included state Rep. Stephen D. Dargan, D-West Haven, elected state Rep. Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven, and City Council members Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, Sean P. Ronan, D-9, and Ronald M. Quagliani, D-at large.

Blumenthal said, “I thank our veterans for making America the greatest nation in the history of the world.”

The event also included remarks from Veterans Council President Dave Ricci, who kicked off the 10th phase of the council’s popular Brick Campaign.

The half-hour ceremony consisted of a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Color Guard, a flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard, the national anthem and “America the Beautiful” by Grace Kelly Nowak, an opening prayer by AMVETS Post 1 chaplain Francis Blanchette, and a closing prayer by Frederick Kaiser, chaplain of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422.

It also featured a bell-ringing at 11 a.m. and taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.

During the event, Ricci reminded attendees that VFW Cmdr. Freddy Jackson, 72, an Army veteran who served in Colorado and Korea in 1963-66, will serve as grand marshal of the city’s 2017 Memorial Day parade. Jackson was selected to lead this year’s parade, but it was canceled due to rain.

Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

In November 2006, the Veterans Council began the first of 10 campaigns selling bricks to memorialize vets on the 100-yard Walk of Honor between the William A. Soderman and Vietnam Veterans memorials.

The bricks, which cost $75, have charcoal lettering for personalized messages. Applications are available in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St. For details, call 203-937-3510. Applications are due March 15.

About 2,500 bricks have been installed so far, including 135 for the ninth phase, which was dedicated May 28, and 104 for the eighth phase, which was dedicated in May 2015 along with a granite stone in memory of Lorelee “Lori” Grenfell, longtime president of the Veterans Council, who died Feb. 19, 2015, at age 60. The memorial was crafted by Giordano Bros. Monuments of Derby Avenue.

The walkway’s first phase and the city’s first Korean War memorial were dedicated in May 2007.

In May 2008, the walkway’s second phase and a memorial in honor of World War II Army Pfc. William A. Soderman were dedicated.

Soderman received the Medal of Honor after he distinguished himself in December 1944 while defending an important road junction near Rocherath, Belgium.

Four years after his death, on July 1, 1984, the flagpole in Bradley Point Park was dedicated in Soderman’s memory.

City Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo has overseen the construction of all phases of the walkway, which was built by City Point Construction Co. of Fresh Meadow Road.

Sabo has also supervised the design and placement of the granite Korean War and Soderman memorials, which were made by Shelley Bros. Monuments of Guilford.

Also in 2008, 14 grave markers that signify every war in U.S. history and peacetime were dedicated. The markers are mounted on granite posts.

To view the photo gallery, click on Scenes from the 2016 Veterans Day Tribute.

Dubel’s Cafe donates $4,600 for breast cancer awareness

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 15, 2016 — From left, Dubel’s Cafe owner Fred Hugendubel and Art Gilbert, co-chairmen of the Dubel’s Golf Tournament, present a $4,600 check for the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program to committee member Beth A. Sabo on Wednesday at City Hall as tournament organizers Elma Mohan, a breast cancer survivor, and Mark Mohan look on. The money was raised at the annual golf tournament in October. Since its inception in 2001, the program has collected more than $750,000 for breast cancer research and education. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The champ

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 15, 2016 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, left, has fun with professional boxer Josh Crespo on Nov. 1 at City Hall after wishing the 28-year-old New Haven resident well in a bantamweight bout Nov. 26 at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Crespo (6-4-3) is the USA New England Super Bantamweight champion. He is a paraprofessional at Bailey Middle School. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Little goblins visit City Hall

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 15, 2016 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien gives a high-five to trick-or-treaters from the West Haven Green Nursery School on Oct. 31 at City Hall. Accompanied by their teachers, two dozen 4-year-olds showed off their “spooktacular” Halloween costumes and candy bags while trick-or-treating around the building. The annual parade of little goblins is organized by Health Director Maureen B. Lillis. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)