Freddy Jackson, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422, kneels beside the granite U.S. Army insignia marker May 11, 2016, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Bradley Point Park. Jackson, an Army vet who served in Colorado and Korea in 1963-66, will lead the 2018 Memorial Day parade as grand marshal when it steps off at 10:30 a.m. May 28 along Campbell Avenue. Jackson was selected to steer the 2016 and 2017 parades, but they were canceled by rain. There is no rain date for this year’s parade. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Applications due Monday for Memorial Day parade

WEST HAVEN, April 27, 2018 — The city is seeking veterans, civic groups, fraternal organizations, service clubs and marching bands to participate in the annual Memorial Day parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. May 28. There is no rain date.

Participants must register and list required special accommodations.

Transportation is provided for veterans who are unable to walk the 1 ½-mile parade course, which follows Campbell Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Center Street. To make arrangements, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510.

The parade grand marshal is Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422 Cmdr. Freddy Jackson, an Army veteran who served in Colorado and Korea in 1963-66 during the Vietnam War era.

Jackson was originally selected by the West Haven Veterans Council to lead the 2016 and 2017 parades, but they were canceled by rain.

Participation forms are available in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due Monday. Forms can also be emailed to Marcin Stankevitch at mayorintern2@westhaven-ct.gov or faxed to 203-937-3705.

Public invited to review, comment on regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

WEST HAVEN, April 27, 2018 — The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) invites the public to review and comment on the Draft South Central Region Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The plan is aimed at identifying and assessing natural hazard risks, such as flooding, hurricanes and winter storms, and determining how to best minimize or manage those risks.

Read the official news release at SCRCOG.

The draft plan is available for public review April 30-May 14 on the project webpage at http://scrcog.org/regional-planning/regional-hazard-mitigation/.

For more information and to comment on the plan, contact City Engineer Abdul Quadir at 203-937-3577 or quadir@westhaven-ct.gov.

Driver safety course offered in West Haven

Driver safety course offered June 6

WEST HAVEN, April 27, 2018 — The West Haven Senior Center will offer an AARP Driver Safety Program from 5:30-9:30 p.m. June 6 at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

The program is designed to help sharpen driving skills, develop strategies to adjust to age-related vision changes, develop hearing and reaction times, and learn about the effects of medication on driving performance.

Participants must complete the class to receive a certification for insurance purposes.

The fee is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers, payable to AARP.

To register, call the senior center at 203-937-3507.

Health Department publishes monthly newsletter, Health Notes

WEST HAVEN, April 27, 2018 — The Health Department has published the first issue of its monthly public health newsletter, Health Notes.

Read the newsletter at Health Notes.

Stewart’s opens state’s first All American Grill on Sawmill Rd.

Stewart’s opens state’s first All American Grill in city

WEST HAVEN, April 24, 2018 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cuts the ribbon Monday with Stewart’s All American President Jim LaGanke, third from right, to celebrate the ceremonial opening of Stewart’s All American Grill at 340 Sawmill Road.

Joining them are, from front left, Ben LeFebvre, Stewart’s manager of technological operations; property owner Lorraine Tartaglia of Tartaglia Commercial Properties; state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven; city Planning and Development Commissioner Fred A. Messore; property owner Isabel Tartaglia of Tartaglia Commercial Properties; Bill Rose, Stewart’s director of business development; Councilwoman Tracy A. Morrissey, D-8; and Gerry Pelissier, Stewart’s vice president of franchise development and marketing.

The ribbon-cutting was also attended by state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven, and City Council Minority Leader Richard DePalma, R-at large.

The new restaurant — Stewart’s first full-service eatery in Connecticut — officially opened its doors Friday in the former site of Friendly’s restaurant and, more recently, A-1 Diner.

The freshly renovated, 4,300-square-foot building features a decor and theme from a bygone era, including black-and-white photos of old Savin Rock amusement park that were donated by city resident Dan Shine, a notable historian and photographer.

The company’s flagship restaurant, which also doubles as its national franchise training center, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Stewart’s founder Frank Stewart opened his first namesake restaurant in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1924.

Now a popular restaurant chain with dozens of locations primarily in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the company, based in Rutherford, N.J., is known for serving up old-fashioned milkshakes and ice-cream sodas, such as its signature root beer floats, along with scrumptious burgers, hot dogs and fries.

The West Haven location, just off Exit 42 of Interstate 95, is next to a newer plaza of businesses on the former site of American Steakhouse that include a Starbucks, an Aspen Dental and a Chipotle Mexican Grill.

The plaza, at 354 Sawmill Road, is also owned by Tartaglia Commercial Properties, a company owned by the Tartaglia family, which had owned the steakhouse.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Little Picassos

WEST HAVEN, April 24, 2018 — Participants of the Department of Parks and Recreation’s “painting party” program create works of art during school vacation April 18 at Park-Rec’s Painter Park office. Painting supplies were provided for the budding artists — 20 in all, ages 5 and older — by Picasso Parties, 944 Ocean Ave. (City Photo/Diane Dietman)

Knights of Columbus raises $750 for special needs program

K. of C. raises $750 for special needs program

WEST HAVEN, April 24, 2018 — Knights of Columbus member Phil Piskura presents a $750 check on behalf of fellow Knights to West Haven Youth and Family Services Director Robert S. Morton, fifth from left, on April 10 at St. John Vianney Church for the West Haven Interagency Network for Children’s program for special needs children.

From left, Knights Abe Grillo, Vic Liuzzo, Rob Vets and Emil Belous; West Haven Parent Support Group Chair Viola Waldo; and Knights Paul Bauer, Bill Armour and Phil King.

The money was raised at the fraternal organization’s recent Tootsie Roll drive.

Proceeds from the sales of Tootsie Rolls and other candy are donated by the Knights to programs that aim to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, said Morton, director of WHINC.

(City Photo)

Team Tom raising money for MS Walk April 29

Team Tom raising money for MS Walk on April 29 at Savin Rock

WEST HAVEN, March 28, 2018 — 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 29 at the Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St. Registration starts at 9 a.m.

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

Conroy, 63, was diagnosed 10 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 $20. To buy a tee, visit Park-Rec’s Painter Park office, 190 Kelsey Ave., or call Conroy at 203-937-3651.

Team Tom has collected about $40,000 for the cause since 2009.

To make a donation or become a team member, go to www.ctfightsms.org.