Karlene Lindsay bridal shop opens in downtown West Haven

Karlene Lindsay bridal shop opens on Campbell Ave.

WEST HAVEN, April 28, 2017 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, holding a pair of oversize scissors, cuts the ceremonial ribbon Thursday with Karlene Lindsay-Worrell, CEO and designer of Karlene Lindsay Designs, to celebrate the custom bridal shop’s grand opening at 429 Campbell Ave. Karlene Lindsay Designs, originally established online in 2012, makes high-quality wedding, formal and party dresses for all sizes at affordable prices. The downtown shop is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays. For an appointment, call 475-441-4025. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

O’Reilly Auto Parts celebrates opening on Route 1

WEST HAVEN, April 28, 2017 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien, holding a pair of oversize scissors, cuts the ribbon April 21 to mark the ceremonial opening of O’Reilly Auto Parts, a chain specializing in automotive parts and accessories, at 1003 Boston Post Road. From left, store manager Jose Cotto Maldonado, state Rep. Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven, and assistant store manager Rob Sabia. The Route 1 store, built on the former site of Chuck’s Steakhouse, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. O’Reilly Auto Parts, headquartered in Springfield, Mo., has more than 4,500 stores nationwide. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Senior Celebration Day slated May 18

WEST HAVEN, April 28, 2017 — In recognition of Older Americans Month, the Department of Elderly Services will hold its 28th annual Senior Celebration Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 at the Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St.

The health and resource fair, designed for residents and their caregivers, will include more than 30 elderly service agencies and businesses, refreshments and giveaways, as well as music by Vinnie Carr.

Free box lunches will be provided for 300 people by reservation courtesy of Apple Rehab-West Haven, West Haven Funeral Home, RegalCare at West Haven and Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center.

Lunch tickets must be picked up at the Allingtown and West Haven Senior Center, 201 Noble St., or the senior housing complexes. Seating is limited.

Masons cited for donating ID kits to special needs children

Masons cited for donating ID kits to special needs kids

WEST HAVEN, April 28, 2017 — From front left, Frank Mangiero, worshipful master of the Masons of Annawon Lodge 115, receives the “You Make a Difference Award” from Viola Waldo, chairwoman of the West Haven Parent Support Group for children with special needs, and Robert S. Morton, director of West Haven Youth and Family Services, on April 19 at City Hall. From left, front to back, Masons Evan Mangiero, Steve Hildrich, John Ryan, Bill Barr, Frank Andriulli III and Jim Jennette.

The Masons were recognized by Morton and Waldo on behalf of the West Haven Interagency Network for Children for donating Masonic Child Identification Programs, or CHIP, kits to 17 special needs children Jan. 30.

Morton, director of WHINC, said children with special needs are more at risk for running away, going missing or being abducted.

Sponsored by the Connecticut Freemasons Foundation, the ID kits, also known as Purple Packs, aim to “give police a jump-start on finding a missing child.”

Each kit contains a brief recorded interview, a digital photo, fingerprints, a dental impression and a cheek DNA sample.

(City Photo/Sharon Rodriguez)

Beautification Committee seeks volunteers, schedules meeting

WEST HAVEN, April 18, 2017 — The West Haven Beautification Committee is seeking volunteers to help with planting and organizing community cleanups.

Committee Chairwoman Marilyn Wilkes will hold a meeting for new and current members from 7-8 p.m. May 18 in the basement conference room of City Hall, 355 Main St.

Those unable to make the meeting can join the committee by calling Wilkes at 203-415-4712.

The committee is composed of volunteers who plant flowers and care for designated locations across the city, including litter cleanups, during the spring and summer months.

“I believe that everyone can make a difference and everyone has a role to play in environmental stewardship,” said Wilkes, founder and president of the West Haven Community Garden, which is behind the former Molloy Elementary School at 255 Meloy Road. “From picking up a piece of trash you see on the street to caring for your home to planting gardens throughout the city to recycling — it all builds our sense of community and helps our city.”

Wilkes said several Saturday cleanups around the city in April, May and June have been organized and need volunteers:

—April 29, 9-10 a.m., Colonial Boulevard brook.

—May 13, 9-11 a.m., Savin Rock Beach and walkway, with Land Trust of West Haven.

—May 20, 9-10 a.m., Jones Hill Road.

—June 10, all day, “Keep Your Street Neat” Campbell Avenue event.

—June 17, 9-10 a.m., Minor Park area, Allingtown.

To sign up for a cleanup or for information, contact Stacey Giaquinto at stacey.giaquinto@whschools.org or 203-494-5190.

Student participants will receive community service credit, said Wilkes, who sits on the Land Trust board of directors.

The committee welcomes input from residents about other areas needing attention, she said.

The committee can also help publicize resident-organized litter cleanups, Wilkes said.

Mayor, DTC chairman hosting blood drive May 2

Mayor, Democratic Town Committee chairman hosting blood drive May 2

WEST HAVEN, April 7, 2017 — Mayor Edward M. O’Brien and Democratic Town Committee Chairman James W. Morrissey will hold an American Red Cross blood drive from 1:30-6:30 p.m. May 2 in the basement conference rooms of City Hall, 355 Main St.

For details, view the Red Cross Blood Drive Flyer.

For an appointment, call 800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Team Tom raising money for MS Walk April 30 at West Haven High

WEST HAVEN, April 7, 2017 — Tom Conroy, a program coordinator at the Department of Parks and Recreation, is seeking donations for his team, Team Tom, for the upcoming walk for multiple sclerosis.

The annual Connecticut MS Walk is set for 10 a.m. April 30 at West Haven High School.

Registration in the school cafeteria starts at 9 a.m.

The 2- or 5-mile route runs in part along the Savin Rock beach walk.

Conroy, 62, was diagnosed nine years ago with MS, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system.

To raise money for MS research, Team Tom is selling tie-dye T-shirts for $15. To buy a tee, visit the department’s Painter Park office, 190 Kelsey Ave., or call Conroy at 203-937-3651.

Team Tom has collected more than $35,000 for the cause since 2009.

To make a donation or become a team member, click on Connecticut Fights MS.

Applications available May 1-31 for summer youth jobs in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, April 6, 2017 — Applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program will be available May 1-31 in the athletic director’s office at West Haven High School and the main office at Bailey Middle School.

The summer program, which runs July 17-Aug. 11, is aimed at funding positions for low-income residents ages 14-21.

Students must pick up and drop off applications at their school office.

Drop off forms Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-11 a.m. at the high school and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. at Bailey. No forms will be processed after May 31.

Students who attend other schools must pick up applications in the Department of Human Resources on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St., where the completed forms must be returned between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

Students must also include copies of information, such as a birth certificate and Social Security card, as well as documentation of household income.

Family income is based on the number of people per household and is required to be within 185 percent of state poverty income levels.

Applicants will be notified by mail if more information is needed.