Activities aplenty for 4th annual Make Music Day June 21 in Old Grove Park

WEST HAVEN, June 13, 2025 — ArtsWestCT and the West Haven Early Childhood Council have announced plans for their fourth annual Make Music Day celebration from 1-5 p.m. June 21.

Internationally, Make Music Day celebrations are held in nearly 5,000 places worldwide, including West Haven’s Old Grove Park, 1 Palace St.

According to organizers, West Haven’s family-friendly celebration will focus on creating instruments from recycled materials and jamming outdoors with local musicians.

While the event is free, attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food donations for West Haven’s Purple Pantry program.

For the complete Make Music Day itinerary, read the full news release here.

UI, city officials talk storm preparedness

WEST HAVEN, June 11, 2025 — (Pictured): United Illuminating Key Account Manager Greg Milano, standing left, and West Haven Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana, standing right, lead the annual UI Storm Readiness, Preparedness & Response meeting in the Emergency Operations Center at City Hall on Tuesday.

Milano and Fontana updated city and public safety officials on UI’s storm management plan heading into the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1.

The last hurricane to hit West Haven was Gloria in September 1985. The city, however, has weathered powerful storms since then, including Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

(City Photos/Tianna Greene)

Sports and event venue, The Building Complex, opens on Front Avenue

WEST HAVEN, June 11, 2025 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer, second from left, applauds amid a burst of confetti as The Building Complex owners Brina and Sylvia Yanez cut the ribbon to mark the sports and event venue’s grand opening at 150 Front Ave. on June 5.

Joining the ribbon-cutting are 4th District Councilman Gary Donovan, left, and Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The ceremony was organized by the chamber and featured welcoming remarks by Borer, McDonald and the Yanez sisters.

“This has been a long time coming,” Brina Yanez said. “It took a lot of gravel, dirt and hard work, but we are so happy to create a space the community can enjoy.”

The 3,000-square-foot complex offers indoor and outdoor turf fields for sports events, including soccer and cornhole tournaments. It also offers glow-in-the-dark bingo and “Are You a True Westie” trivia nights.

The Latina- and veteran-owned business recently played host to the chamber’s first Regional Home Show.

(Chamber Photo/Robert Creigh)

Studio 203 brings love of music, culture and photography to West Haven opening

WEST HAVEN, June 5, 2025 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer, center, cuts the ribbon with the owners of Studio 203 — the home of On&On Radio, Outtafocus Media and Tim Brown Photography — to celebrate the studio’s grand opening in the Harborview Professional Offices at 140 Captain Thomas Blvd. on May 30.

With Borer are, from left, Councilman Gary Donovan, D-4; Zach Pelletier, the owner-operator of Outtafocus Media; On&On Radio co-founder and creative director Jeff “Nusnce” Cisneros, events/productions manager Luke McDonald and co-founder and logistics manager Aldric Joseph; McDonald’s father, Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce; and chamber President and CEO Michael Moses.

The ribbon-cutting was also marked by West Haven Economic Development Director Steve Fontana and chamber board members Robert Creigh, West Shore Associates of West Haven owner Erin Eberhardt and New Haven Bank of West Haven branch manager Hala Urban.

The ceremony was organized by the chamber and featured welcoming remarks by Borer and the McDonalds.

Studio 203 is a multimedia space built for creators, composed of a DJ rehearsal studio and two photography studios, and is located in the heart of the Savin Rock business district near the beach on Washington Avenue.

For Cisneros, Joseph and McDonald, what started as three friends throwing DJ events for the love of music and culture turned into the birth of On&On Radio, “a creative hub for DJs of all experiences to rehearse, practice and try out new mixes and to learn.”

According to the new business owners, the studio offers a place for artists to hone their skills and use professional DJ equipment for an hourly rental fee.

(City Photo/Steve Fontana)

Program supports kids with siblings with disabilities

WEST HAVEN, April 25, 2025 — West Haven Youth and Family Services is excited to launch a new program at WHINC in collaboration with Southern Connecticut SIBshop at Southern Connecticut State University.

The program, SIBshop, is designed to support children in West Haven who have siblings with disabilities.

SIBshops provide a unique space where children can connect with peers, enjoy recreational activities and build emotional resilience. While many children express positive experiences growing up alongside a sibling with a disability, they often face unique challenges, such as emotional stress, a heightened sense of responsibility or a drive to “compensate” through high achievement.

While the primary focus is on Spanish-speaking families, all are welcome. The program is limited to eight spots.

For more information, contact youth services coordinator Coraly Colon at 203-943-8802 or ccolon@westhaven-ct.gov.