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Quinnipiac University salutes employees for service milestones and honors retirees

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:05:04

Quinnipiac University recognized employees for reaching service milestones of ranging from 10 to 45 years during an annual ceremony held May 21, in the Athletics and Recreation Center on the Mount Carmel Campus. The following employees were recognized:

Sen. Leone: Senate Votes to Create New Class of Refundable Prepaid Bank Cards

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:53:03

State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford), Chairman of the Banks Committee, led unanimous passage in the Senate Wednesday afternoon of legislation that would create a new class of “linked” prepaid bank cards which automatically refund any remaining balance to the purchaser upon expiration.

Breast Health Specialist Joins Norwalk Hospital

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:45:53

Laura Gianninoto (contributed photo)

Laura Gianninoto, MSN, FNP-BC, OCN, of Shelton has joined Norwalk Hospital as a breast health specialist at the Smilow Family Breast Health Center located at 148 East Avenue in Norwalk. The Smilow Family Breast Health Center has recently opened this second location on East Avenue.

UConn's William Benton Museum of Art hosts benefit at The Governor's Residence on June 4

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:41:00

The public is invited to attend a William Benton Museum of Art Benefit Cocktail Reception on Tuesday, June 4, 2013? from 5:30–7:30 pm? at The Governor’s Residence, 990 Prospect Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. The event includes tours of the residence, jazz by Earl MacDonald and Henry Lugo, and food from Café Louise. Proceeds from the event will support the Benton tradition of providing free exhibitions and programs. Tickets are $100 per person. Space is limited. RSVPs are required by May 31. For complete details, visit www.thebenton.org.

Malloy names Collins chairperson of CHRO

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:11:57

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced on Wednesday that he has selected Gary Collins of Portland to serve as chairperson of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), the state agency responsible for addressing discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and working to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state.

Branchwater, June 1 at the Warner

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:59:15

Branchwater, a 5-piece blues/rock/jazz band from Northwest Connecticut will perform on Saturday, June 1 at 6pm in the Warner’s Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. Members of the band include: Mike Brightly on lead guitar and vocals, Chris Connelly on guitar, Elliot Hall on drums/percussion, John Carroll on bass and Henry Kavle on organ.

Safe driving tips for prom season by All-Star Driver

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:02:50

According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among U.S. teens ages 16 to 19. In 2010, 1 in 5 of those teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had alcohol in their blood.

Esty Opposes Legislation to Mandate Construction of Keystone XL Pipeline

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:57:59

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) voted against, H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, legislation that would mandate federal approval of all construction and operation permits for the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline regardless of whether the pipeline meets the requirements of the law and without consideration for its long-term environmental impact. Esty offered an amendment to remove a loophole in the bill that would take the unprecedented step of requiring approval of all permit requests by TransCanda, a foreign company, for the future operation and maintenance of the project for the multi-decade lifespan of the pipeline.

“We have to be extremely careful, and apply proper oversight, whenever our environment and public health are at stake, but this bill does just the opposite,” Esty said. “This bill would grant a foreign company mandated approval on construction permits with no regard for the requirements of the law or for the environmental impact. Not only would this dangerous mandate cover construction of the pipeline, it would take the unprecedented step of approving all permits for the future operation and maintenance of the project for all time. That’s completely unacceptable, unwarranted, and reckless.

“Ultimately, tar sands oil is not a solution to our country’s energy needs. We need to be focusing on investments in clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency to boost our economy and put our country on a sustainable path for the long-term. I will continue to stand up for the environment and advocate for solutions that move us towards a clean-energy future.”

The Northern Route Approval Act would mandate that federal agencies approve TransCanada’s permit requests for the project within 90 days of application or the permits would be deemed approved. The bill goes even further than earlier proposals in Congress by requiring permit approval not only for the construction of the project, but also for all future operation and maintenance of the pipeline in perpetuity. This permanent approval is unprecedented in the history of U.S. pipelines.

Esty’s amendment would have removed the new loophole from the bill granting TransCanada mandated approval for all future maintenance and operation requests on the pipeline. The amendment was one of ten made in order for debate in front of the full House, out of twenty-five that were offered.

Esty offered a similar amendment last week when the legislation came before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on which she serves.

Legislators Collect "Help-A-Hero” Donations for Vets at State Capitol

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:56:43

On Wednesday, State Senator Carlo Leone (D-Stamford), Senate Chairman of the General Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee, hosted a donation drive outside the main entrance of the State Capitol to collect clothing, personal care items and cash donations to benefit homeless Connecticut veterans and the South Park Inn Veteran Drop-In-Center in Hartford.

Maritime Rowing with 10 medals at regionals

Thu, 23 May 2013 07:46:51

Maritime Rowing racked up 10 medals at the North East Regionals Championship and qualified 6 boats for US Rowing’s National Regatta in Oak Ridge, TN. That medal count exceeds any club in our area and comes in just behind powerhouse Community Rowing in Boston, the largest boathouse in the nation. Every boat that Maritime cleared to finals, won a bid to Nationals.

Iggy Suarez picks up three hits at the dish for the ‘Fish

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:57:41

The Bridgeport Bluefish were defeated by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 4-1 in Wednesday night’s game at Regency Furniture Stadium.

League of Women Voters of Connecticut to Highlight Social Media at June 1 Convention

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:39:35

The League of Women Voters of Connecticut will highlight the importance of social media at its upcoming statewide convention to be held on Saturday, June 1, from 8:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the New Haven Graduate Club at 155 Elm Street in New Haven.

3,000 Run for The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford in RFR Realty 5K Run

Thu, 23 May 2013 04:17:54

Front Row L to R: Jeff Etienne, Manny Azolin, Goddieu Royal, Jykira Harkness, Sophii Walton, Anthony Huertas Second Row L to R: Michael Cotela, Gabriel Lopez, Jemeson Charlestin, Monet Graham, Margaret Carlson, Mateo Rios, Sajonia Smith, Timothy McKeithen, Ken Salem, Christine Larsen

The 20th Annual RFR Realty 5K Run raised more than their $180,000 goal for The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford at this year's downtown event Thursday, May 16th. Almost 3,000 runners and walkers participated in this largest corporate run in downtown Stamford. Last year the event raised $150,000 with 2,200 runners.

The Watermark to Host Israeli Cultural Performance

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:57:11

On Thursday, June 6, The Watermark at East Hill will welcome the Tzofim Friendship Caravan, a teenage performance troupe from Israel. The performance will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the retirement community, located at 611 East Hill Road in Southbury.

Secretary Merrill Leading 8-Day Trade Mission to China

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:44:12

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today announced she is currently leading an eight-day trade mission to China with executives from the Connecticut aerospace, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries. The trade mission, organized by the U.S. Commerce Department Export Assistance Center in Middletown, has the dual goal of attracting investment in Connecticut and increase the number of exports to China from Connecticut companies. The delegation of Connecticut entrepreneurs and state and federal officials is spending the majority of its time between Shanghai and Shandong province, a region with strong economic and cultural ties to Connecticut. A meeting led today by Secretary Merrill with COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) opened the door for Connecticut component manufacturers to become suppliers to the largest Chinese civil aerospace corporation.

Senators Duff & Leone: CT Senate Passes GMO Labeling Legislation

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:41:34

Tuesday evening State Senators Bob Duff (D-Norwalk, Darien) and Carlo Leone (D-Stamford, Darien) joined their colleagues in both parties to support new legislation which would require all food containing genetically modified ingredients to be appropriately labeled. The bill passed the State Senate in a vote of 35 to 1.

An invitation to The Village Ride in Greater Hartford

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:53:26

Cyclists and families are invited to The Village Ride and free Family Fest, Saturday, June 15, at beautiful Ski Sundown in New Hartford. The event, presented by Aetna, benefits the more than 8,000 children and their families throughout Greater Hartford served by the Village for Families and Children each year.

Quinnipiac University students travel to Washington, D.C.

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:47:18

Eight Quinnipiac University students are spending the week in Washington, D.C. tackling the hard-hitting issues affecting national security with political analysts, journalists, national security experts and scholars.

Sacred Heart University launches new graduate center in Stamford

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:40:55

New SHU Graduate Center in Stamford will be located in Landmark Square (contributed photo)

Sacred Heart University is significantly expanding its presence in Stamford and Fairfield County, launching new graduate degree programs and additional courses, moving into new classroom space in the center of the city and increasing its involvement and outreach within the Metro- and Stamford-area region and business communities.

Jim Fixx Race registration is still available

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:32:10

The Department of Parks and Recreation announces pre-registration for the Jim Fixx Greenwich Memorial Day Road Race and the Kid’s half-mile Fun Run is available on line at www.threadsandtreads.com, until Sunday, May 26 at 4:00 pm. Runners may also register at Threads and Treads, 17 East Putnam Avenue during store hours Monday through Friday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm and Sunday 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm. Race material may also be picked up beginning on Thursday.