ANSONIA: Local Teen Arrested For Stealing Cars As Part Of A TikTok Challenge

 

ANSONIA (NEW HAVEN COUNTY) CT:  A 16-year-old suspect from Ansonia was arrested for stealing cars as part of a social media trend.

Police in Shelton said they were called to the area of Coram Avenue and Hill Street just after midnight on Tuesday.

A report said young males were trying to break into vehicles.

They had been in a Hyundai that had been reported stolen out of another town.

Police learned that a vehicle was then stolen from their town.

They said they found the suspected stolen vehicle out of Shelton driving on the Derby/Shelton Bridge.

They conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested the 16-year-old juvenile from Ansonia.

The suspect was charged with first-degree larceny, third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trover, and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

The juvenile told police that he was following a trend on TikTok regarding stealing Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Police said that since Aug. 13, there were six reported stolen vehicles in Shelton.

Five were Hyundai vehicles and one was a Kia vehicle.

East Windsor police put out a warning on Monday following a report of a stolen vehicle in their town over the weekend.

AVON EVENT: 2nd Annual Awesome AF Dinner To Benefit Substance Use Awareness

 

AVON (HARTFORD COUNTY) CT: This recovery-friendly event will indeed be a great time, but, in this case, the AF stands for Alcohol-Free

The nonprofit organization, A Promise to Jordan, will host its second annual "Awesome AF Dinner" fundraiser on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Avon Old Farms Hotel. 

"We are thrilled to offer an alternative to the typical wine dinner many nonprofits offer as fundraisers since our organization is committed to fighting substance use disorders," said Lisa Gray, Founder and Executive Director of A Promise to Jordan. "Guests will enjoy a fabulous four-course meal prepared by the chefs at Avon Old Farms Hotel, and each course will be paired with a specialty non-alcoholic wine or mocktail."

The event will take place from 6:30 to 10:00 in the banquet area of the hotel, located at 279 Avon Mountain Road (Route 44), in Avon.

In addition to dinner and drinks, guests can look forward to a silent and live auction, raffle prizes, and games.

Tickets are just $65 per person, or a VIP table for eight can be reserved for $525 and the purchaser will receive priority table placement and their name on the table.

"We are also accepting auction and raffle donations such as gift cards, gift baskets, decor items, jewelry and fashion or gourmet treats. We'll even pick them up!" said Gray.

Proceeds will benefit the organization that is dedicated to raising awareness about substance use disorders, eliminating the stigma associated with them, assisting people in accessing quality care, and giving hope to those struggling with addiction and their families that recovery is possible.

Gray created A Promise to Jordan after losing her then 24-year-old son, Jordan Arakelian, to an accidental overdose in 2018.

"November 18 is actually a special day for us because it's Jordan's birthday," explained Gray. "He would have turned 29 this year, so we're celebrating in a big way."

In addition to community educational programs, A Promise to Jordan hosts NARCAN and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) trainings designed to save the lives of overdose victims and those contemplating suicide, and, next month, they will host Simsbury's first recovery-friendly festival, Simsbury Untapped, on Sunday, September 25 at Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center.

This holiday season, a holiday toy drive will supply gifts for individuals in residential treatment to give to their children when they come to visit.

About A Promise to Jordan

A Promise to Jordan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit named for Jordan Arakelian who died from an accidental opioid overdose on June 30, 2018 at the age of 24.

Founded by his mother, Lisa Gray, the mission of A Promise to Jordan is to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma of substance use disorders, assist people in accessing quality care, and give hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with substance use disorders.

Visit apromisetojordan.org for information and resources, or call (860) 390-1391.

PHOTO: from left: Andrea Atcherson of Simsbury, Lynn Kelley, Board Member of A Promise to Jordan and Recovery Network Manager at Beacon Health Options support Lisa Gray, Executive Director of A Promise to Jordan, by attending the inaugural Awesome AF Dinner. Last year's sold-out event raised more than $10,000 for the nonprofit, which hopes to replicate the success at this year's event hosted by Avon Old Farms Hotel on November 18, 2022.

BETHEL: Bristol Myers And Ability Beyond Increasing Access to Experimental Drugs For The Disabled

 

BETHEL (FAIRFEILD COUNTY) CT: People with disabilities comprise nearly one-quarter of the population and have traditionally been excluded from clinical drug trials.

People with disabilities comprise nearly one-quarter of the population and have traditionally been excluded from clinical drug trials.

However, a new initiative is looking to change that and give people with disabilities access to potentially life-saving medications.

Disability Solutions, a division of Ability Beyond based in Chappaqua, NY, entered into a joint initiative with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to launch Disability Diversity in Clinical Trials.

The collaboration will examine ways to improve access, engagement, enrollment, and participation of people with disabilities in clinical trials, and ensure all patient groups are reflective of the real-world population.

“For too long, those with disabilities have been excluded from clinical drug trials,” said Jane Davis, the Chief Executive Officer of Ability Beyond.

“I couldn’t be more excited for Disability Solutions, a division of Ability Beyond, to be partnering with Bristol Myers Squibb to examine ways that more people with disabilities can be given access to research and life-saving medications. Through this collaboration, we can have a positive impact on the national health care system for those with disabilities.”

Current common clinical trial practices exclude up to one-fourth of the U.S. population-based on disability status.

Studies have shown some of the barriers for disability participation within clinical trials are caused by inaccessible trial sites, medical equipment, and ableist biases which deter this community from receiving potentially life-saving treatments.

“The long-term goal of the program is to develop and pilot trials that are accessible to the widest variety of patients,” said BMS CMO Samit Hirawat.

“Through their extraordinary work for nearly 70 years, including this transformational work with BMS, Ability Beyond and Disability Solutions continue to change minds, create a more inclusive society, and improve the lives of people with disabilities.”

Ability Beyond launched Disability Solutions nearly a decade ago to help companies create more inclusive work environments and show the value those with disabilities can provide to their organizations.

Since then, the division has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies including Pepsi, Synchrony Financial, Uber and more to drive true disability inclusion.

“It is clear fundamental change is needed to improve healthcare for the disability community,” said Julie Sowash, the Executive Director of Disability Solutions. “The need for inclusion in health care settings for people with disabilities is pervasive. By taking action, BMS becomes the leader in the pharmaceutical industry in breaking down one of barriers keeping people with disabilities in poorer health than our non-disabled counterparts. And we are proud to partner in the initiative.”

BRIDGEPORT: Focus On Park City Studios

 

BRIDGEPORT (FAIRFIELD COUNTY) CT: Four questions with Alex Torres, founder of Park City Studios.

Why did you start your business?

I started my business to bring high-quality photography to the Greater Bridgeport area. I have spent the past 6 years photographing over 60 weddings while also teaching in the Bridgeport Public Schools. Through that experienced, I have learned the necessary skills to photograph in a wide range of settings and want to support my community and local businesses with high-quality photography.

What is your best-selling product/service?

My focus has been on business branding, specifically in photographing food for local restaurants, headshot photography, and photographing live music at the newly opened Park City Music Hall (which is in a part where my business name comes from).

How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?

For gear, I have purchased cameras and equipment from Milford Photo. I frequently work at Harborview Market to edit my photos, send emails, and have lunch meetings. Additionally Park City Music Hall has allowed me to use the venue in the mornings as a studio space. There is a large wall painted by Deux Femmes Decorative Arts which makes for really nice backdrops for moodier headshots.

Have you "reimagined" your small business?

I have recently started a subscription service for local restaurants to help them get consistent, high-quality content for their websites, advertisements, and social media. Having worked in the restaurant industry before, I know how important it is to get the public's attention with engaging photography and most restaurant owners have too much on their plates (pun intended!) to get this content themselves.

Owners have the option to schedule shoots monthly or quarterly to get a few dozen photos each session which is certain to whet their customer's appetites!

Visit Park City Studios online here, and check out their Facebook page as well.

BRIDGEWATER: Country Fair Returns After 2-Year Hiatus

 

BRIDGEWATER (LITCHFEILD COUNTY) CT:  A motorcycle show, racing pig contests, and Fireman’s Parade are just some of the attractions at this year’s country fair.

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the fair, sponsored by the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department, will be returning for its 69th year from Aug. 19 to Aug. 21.

The fair weekend will kick off with the annual Bridgewater Fireman’s Parade on Aug. 19, with opening ceremonies and the parade, scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Featuring around 50 fire companies from across the state, this year’s parade will be led by a monster truck.

Additionally, the fair will feature a variety of new vendors, performances and other entertainment.

The Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor a raffle to benefit the fire department.

Bridgewater Country Fair Chairman and Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department President Eric Gsell said all of the fair food will be ordered, bought, cooked and sold by the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department’s emergency medical technicians and volunteers.

Bridgewater Country Fair Chairman and Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department President Eric Gsell said the department relies on the fair for 90 percent of its operating budget.

For the past two years, however, the fairs were canceled — due to the pandemic.

BROOKFIELD: Conservation Commission Is Seeking Volunteers

 

BROOKFEILD (FAIRFIELD COUNTY) NY: Volunteers are needed Saturday, September 17th from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Williams Park entrance to remove invasive species from our Parks.

Please bring garden gloves and gardening tools including pruning shears. Our Master Gardener will be available to help identify and provide information about the dangers of these invasive species.

Please contact Cheryl at cdepoi@yahoo.com with any questions.

Join their Facebook page at Brookfield Conservation Commission for our efforts to rid our Open Spaces of Invasives.

View the event flyer here.

COS COB: Focus On Sandra Eagle, LCSW Transformational Psychotherapy

 

COS COB (TOWN OF GREENWICH) CT: Three questions with Sandra Eagle.

Why did you start your business?

I believe my gift is seeing the best in people, and my commitment is to facilitate one's courage to live their best life.

What is your best-selling product/service?

Psychotherapy with all ages and the gamut of issues.

My approach is a blend of understandings and techniques from the consciousness/wisdom and psychotherapeutic traditions to facilitate breakthroughs and growth.

I am also certified in Somatic Experiencing and in Integral Somatic Psychology, both trauma schools that help clients know how to partner with their nervous systems to promote well-being and skillfulness and to heal issues of rage, panic, and depression.

How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?

Some clients may also be involved with a psychiatrist for medication.

I support many local businesses including Greenwich Jewish Family Services Center where I trained other therapists in trauma healing interventions.

You can find Sandra Eagle, LCSW at 34 E Putnam Avenue in Greenwich.

Visit Sandra's practice online here, and check out her Facebook and Twitter pages as well.