West Haven observes Juneteenth holiday

WEST HAVEN, June 18, 2025 — For the fifth straight year, the city will observe Juneteenth on June 19, the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth, which has been known through the years as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and Emancipation Day, became a U.S. federal holiday.

To celebrate the holiday in West Haven, Mayor Dorinda Borer and City Council members Mackie McMillian, D-5, and Katherine Tucker, D-7, are encouraging their fellow Westies to join with one voice in recognizing the importance of equality.

“Our city is dedicated to fostering unity, inclusion and equal opportunities for all residents,” Borer said. “Juneteenth is an opportunity to take a moment and reflect on the importance of inspiring continued progress toward an equitable place for all.”

Tucker, the city’s 2023 African American Citizen of the Year, said: “Juneteenth is a day that marks the experiences of Black people in American history. While this day marks the time in our history for true emancipation of enslaved people, we now have evolved to use this day as an opportunity to expand the celebration into a celebration of beautiful Black culture.”

McMillian added: “Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of our progress and the work that still lies ahead. It commemorates the delayed but hard-won freedom of enslaved people in 1865 and challenges us to continue striving for justice, equity and true liberation today.

“Let’s honor this day by standing together, uplifting Black voices, and working toward a more just and inclusive community.”

On Sept. 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the initial version of the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves free in Confederate territory, but it could not be enforced in many places until after the Confederacy surrendered in the Civil War.

June 19, 1865, is the date when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.

The first Juneteenth event was held in Texas in 1866. Since then, Juneteenth Independence Day has been marked in hundreds of communities nationwide, providing a special opportunity to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth also highlights the artistic and intellectual achievements collectively preserved through the slave trade, the Emancipation era and the Civil Rights Movement, along with more recent accomplishments of African American cultural expression.

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

WEST HAVEN, June 18, 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. Saturday.

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.

Farmers market scheduled for Green on Thursdays, Oak Street Beach on Saturdays beginning on July 5

WEST HAVEN, June 18, 2025 — Starting July 5, the Tony Inzero Farmers Market is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday on the Green, at Campbell Avenue and Main Street, and every Saturday next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot, off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market will feature homegrown fruits and vegetables, baked goods and homemade crafts through Oct. 11.

Parking is available on Campbell Avenue and in the City Hall municipal lot, 355 Main St., as well as in the Oak Street municipal lot and on Palace Street. Oak Street is on the senior shuttle route and the CTtransit route.

The farmers market 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 with Betty DelVecchio for many years. Inzero was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association who spearheaded a variety of events and programs to drum up business for fellow merchants, including the first farmers market in 2000.

Inzero, who lived in Hamden, died in 2009 at age 59.

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 June 10.

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.