NEW HAVEN, CT: Trauma Recovery, EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs (Trauma Recovery/HAP) hosts the second annual EMDR Walk in the Park on Sunday, October 1 at 10am in New Haven! The flat, 2-mile walk winds through College Woods and East Rock Park. The event features a post-walk picnic at the College Woods Pavilion with refreshments, food, music, and more! All participants receive a commemorative T-shirt. The event also offers a Virtual Walk Option for those who are unable to attend the October 1^st event in-person.  

All event proceeds will benefit Trauma Recovery/HAP. Walkers are encouraged to fundraise as individuals or teams, engaging their friends, families, and co-workers in raising support for EMDR therapy and mental health. Those who raise $250 or more receive a complimentary yard sign, which will be placed along the walk course on the day of the event.  

The mission of Trauma Recovery/HAP is to increase the capacity for effective treatment of psychological trauma in underserved communities anywhere in the world. Trauma Recovery/HAP works through a network of professional volunteers to offer direct support after natural and man-made disasters and to train clinicians in EMDR therapy in underserved areas. Their continuous efforts have positively impacted the lives of many individuals, enabling them to move forward with their lives and be free of the trauma experienced. Learn more about Trauma Recovery/HAP at emdrhap.org. 

Trauma Recovery/HAP and JB Sports organize the event. JB Sports is an event management company that also coordinates the MJP Wealth Advisors Fairfield Road Races and Faxon Law New Haven Road Races. To register or learn more about the EMDR Walk in the Park, visit jbsports.com or call (203) 481-5933. 

The EMDR Walk in the Park is sponsored by: EMDR Institute, CE-Classes.com, Docuprintnow, L.H. Brenner Insurance, Newport Healthcare, One Purpose Performance Consulting.  Additional sponsors include Antoinette M. Tease, P.L.L.C., bilateralstimulation.io, CIU Travel, Datapay Payroll Services, EMDR Research Foundation, Farnum Realty Group and 99.1 PLR. 

Norwalk, CT – The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk today announced it won the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s (AZA) highest Education Award for its Maritime Summer Academy, a summer school program developed in partnership with Norwalk Public Schools, at the association’s annual conference in Columbus, Ohio.

With the overarching goal of leveraging the motivating power of live animals and the Aquarium’s unique resources to provide highly engaging and authentic learning opportunities, the program has transformed the perception of summer school in the community. This award recognizes its innovative design and its ability to promote conservation knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.

“The Maritime Summer Academy is just one of the important ways we support our community,” said The Maritime Aquarium President and CEO Jason Patlis. “In partnership with Norwalk Public Schools, we have transformed summer school for students struggling at grade level to be fun, educational and memorable for the students, their families, and their teachers.”

AZA represents more than 235 facilities in the United States and overseas, which collectively draw more than 200 million visitors every year. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums meet the highest standards in animal care and welfare and provide a fun, safe, and educational family experience.

The Maritime Summer Academy was piloted in 2021 with 771 students, grades K-3. It served 1,343 students, grades K-8, in 2022, and 794 students, grades K-8, in 2023. The students enrolled in the program are considered the districts neediest both academically and financially, with free lunch eligibility 10 percent higher than the total student population.

During the five-week program, students engage in a variety of activities including animal encounters and trips aboard the Aquarium’s research vessel. Classroom math and literacy activities expand on conservation themes, and students are encouraged to learn more about what interests them through hands-on, project-based learning. The summer culminates with a night at the Aquarium for the students to share what they learned with their families. 

Norwalk Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alexandra Estrella said, “The collaboration with The Maritime Aquarium has been instrumental in reshaping our Summer Academy, turning it into a dynamic and immersive learning experience that goes beyond traditional summer schooling, ultimately enhancing the educational journey for our scholars. We deeply appreciate the aquarium's generosity in welcoming our families at the end of summer, allowing our scholars to proudly showcase their newfound knowledge.

The Maritime Aquarium Vice President of Education Tom Naiman said, “The Aquarium’s relationship with Norwalk Public Schools has never been stronger. Our collaboration is producing exciting innovations like this one, which are creating lasting benefits for Norwalk’s students and families.”

The Maritime Aquarium Education Manager Lauren Magliola said, “Partnering with Norwalk admin and teachers to create an authentic, hands-on summer learning experience for students has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The value this partnership provides is evident in the excitement students show when visiting the aquarium and engaging in learning experiences with our educators, and most especially in the pride students have when sharing that learning with their families at the aquarium at the end of the program.”

The Maritime Summer Academy was funded in part by Connecticut State Department of Education grants of $244,180 in 2021 and $224,879 in 2022.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo also won an AZA Education Award at the conference for its RIZE program in partnership with Fairfield University Associate Biology Professor Ashley Byun, Ph.D. and Vertebrate Zoology Lab students that focuses on behavioral observation studies.

THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK inspires people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the global environment through living exhibits, marine science and environmental education. The aquarium is home to over 7,000 animals of hundreds of species including seals, sharks, rays, jellies, turtles and meerkats. Additionally, it offers sensory-enhanced 4D movies, in-person and virtual education programs for schools and families, and public cruises aboard its hybrid-electric research vessel. The Maritime Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, and receives support from the State of Connecticut DECD’s Offices of Culture and Tourism. For more information, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Sacred Heart University has appointed Matthew Shields as executive director for mission integration. He will oversee matters concerning SHU’s mission, campus ministry and community engagement.

“This role has many responsibilities, the most important being integrating SHU’s mission in all aspects of student life. Matthew has made it very clear that this is his top priority,” said Francis Origanti, senior vice president for mission & culture. “I am looking forward to seeing how he does this.”

Sacred Heart University is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts. The University’s mission highlights the importance of social justice and educating students in mind, body and spirit to prepare them personally and professionally to make a difference in the global community.

Previously, Shields was the director for mission and ministry at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, NY, where he and the Sisters of Charity worked on volunteerism, spirituality and mission integration with students, faculty and staff. He was also a campus minister at William Paterson University in New Jersey, engaging students in service, self-awareness and spiritual activities.

In a question-and-answer interview, Shields shared why he thinks student engagement in community service is important.

Community service and volunteering are big parts of student life at Sacred Heart. Do you have any specific goals when it comes to increasing student involvement and/or community outreach?

I hope to build upon the tremendous programs already in place with student outreach in our local, regional and global community. The Princeton Review just reported that Sacred Heart University ranks number 21 for most engaged students in community service. My main goal as I begin is to learn the structures that are in place to create such a dynamic office and discover how I can use my background and skill set to ensure that we continue to develop programs that empower students.

Why is community engagement so important at the SHU?

Connecting with the region through community service has been essential to Sacred Heart University’s mission since its founding. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, the University is called upon to be a prophetic presence in the world, especially with our sisters and brothers who are experiencing hardship both near and far. This work is not easy, and it is not quick. It takes empathy, patience, compassion and perseverance to build relationships and partnerships with people and communities. We also need to keep in mind that charity begins at home. Sacred Heart's vision reminds us that as we achieve prominence through academics, athletics, performing arts and other programs, we are also striving to cultivate a campus community that is authentically inclusive, caring and creative.  

What distinguishes Sacred Heart from other universities?

Growth. In a challenging environment, Sacred Heart has been able to attract a record number of students over the last decade. At the same time, each incoming class is more distinguished. Such strategic growth offers Sacred Heart the unique opportunity to be an anchor in the community and an example of excellence in the field of higher education.

What was it about this position that piqued your interest when you applied? Have you held similar positions in the past?

Sacred Heart’s mission and vision, along with its solid structure of programs and innovative mindset, are what attracted me to this position. I have held similar positions in the past, most recently as the director for mission and ministry at the College of Mount Saint Vincent and as a campus minister at William Paterson University. Coming to Sacred Heart at this stage in my life feels like a homecoming. Twenty-four years ago, I began my undergraduate journey at Seton Hall University, studying religion, philosophy and Catholicism while being heavily involved with campus ministry. I hoped that I would be able to work professionally in a field where I could put my studies and passion into practice. Two decades later, I feel very blessed to have been able to do this work for so long and I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to serve and grow here at Sacred Heart.

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About Sacred Heart University

As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Westport, CT - On Friday the 13^th, just two weeks before Halloween, there’s no better place to celebrate than at The Westport Library — and with Fireside Mystery Theatre.

On October 13 in the Library’s Trefz Forum, Fireside Mystery Theatre, the award-winning audio theatre production company, will premiere Nightfall on the Nutmeg State, a set of original pieces written for The Westport Library.

Fireside Mystery Theatre performs unique shows reminiscent of the old-time radio mysteries of the 1930s. The troupe’s actors will read live on stage, in full costume, each standing in front of a mic and with scripts in hand. The live performance will be recorded and later featured on Fireside Mystery Theatre’s podcast feed, which has reached millions of listeners around the world — bridging the gap between the Golden Age of Radio and the podcast era. 

Tickets are $20, and the event serves as the precursor to StoryFest, the Library’s annual literary festival, which runs October 20-22 featuring Neil Gaiman, Angie Kim, Gabino Iglesias, Caroline Kepnes, Eric LaRocca, Josh Malerman, and many more.

“We are so excited to be able to team with the brilliant minds at Fireside Mystery Theatre to bring this special production to the Library,” said Bill Harmer, Westport Library executive director. “They are the perfect partner for a library — delivering storytelling in its purest form, well-timed for Friday the 13^th and a week ahead of StoryFest.”

Nightfall on the Nutmeg State is comprised of four unique stories, performed by an ensemble cast with live underscoring and three music performances. The stories are as follows:

• Old Wolf Put: Long ago, wolves roamed the forests of Connecticut until, one fateful night, the last one was cornered in a dark and ominous cave.
• The Grave of Midnight Mary: A coven of witches uncover the legend of Midnight Mary Hart, who was buried alive after a swoon (or so they say) and now haunts Evergreen Cemetery. 
• Little Miss 1565: The true-life nightmare of the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire provides the backdrop for an unsettling, unsolved mystery.
• The Confession of Amy Archer-Gilligan: The heart-stopping tale (and part of the inspiration behind the classic Arsenic and Old Lace) of a boarding home for the old and infirm and a killer hiding in plain sight. 

Fireside Mystery Theatre invites all to come to this special show: “Thrill to an evening of strange sights, sounds, and stories specially sourced from Connecticut's darkest local myths, mysteries, and legends. Fireside Mystery Theatre's cadre of actors, musicians, and technicians will amaze you as they conjure unforgettable stories etched in sound — where the real meets the fantastic and the ordinary joins the bizarre.”

“We relish in thrilling and chilling our audiences wherever we go,” said Fireside Mystery Theatre presenter and actor Ali Silva. “But we especially look forward to this privilege of hand-delivering to the fine folk of Connecticut a lovingly crafted evening of our peculiar brand of dark and delightful entertainment.”

Led by co-creators and producers Silva and Gustavo Rodriguez, Fireside Mystery Theatre has been lauded by numerous outlets for its inventive storytelling and throwback feel. That includes Popsugar, which called Fireside Mystery Theatre one of the “10 scary podcasts to listen to on a dark and stormy night,” and The New York Times, which cited Fireside Mystery Theatre as one of the top five podcasts to bring into your home when theaters went dark in 2020.

“The episodes feature sound effects, musical acts, and a fully improvised score to bring the nostalgia to its fullest,” noted The New York Times. “Each play also brings a laugh and a chill as the group’s specialty is the eerie and macabre.” 

For more on Fireside Mystery Theatre, visit its website at firesidemysterytheatre.com. And click here to purchase tickets to the special event at the Library on Friday, October 13.

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Event Information:

Fireside Mystery Theatre — LIVE at The Westport Library!

Friday, October 13

6:30-9 pm

Trefz Forum, The Westport Library

Story link: https://westportlibrary.org/fireside-mystery-theatre-to-stage-special-live-friday-the-13th-performance-at-the-westport-library/ 

Event listing: https://westportlibrary.org/event/fireside-mystery-theatre-live-at-the-westport-library/    

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fireside-mystery-theatre-live-at-the-westport-library-tickets-675501141097 

Bridgeport, CT - Members of the community, police and youth groups will be among those who gather to pay their respects to Connecticut residents who lost their lives due to domestic violence when The Center for Family Justice holds its second annual Regional Domestic Violence Awareness Month Vigil on October 10 at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport.

The event is free and open to all who wish to join. The program runs 6 - 8 p.m. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“It is tragic, but people are still dying from abuse within their families,” said Debra Greenwood, President/CEO of The Center for Family Justice. “Instead of being safe in their own homes, too many people are in life-threatening situations.”

CFJ continues to face high demand for its free and confidential services for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse. CFJ serves more than 5,000 people from Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull.

“We work closely with not only the families, but with law enforcement, schools and other community partners to stop the cycle of violence and help more people realize that they can thrive and succeed after leaving those situations,” Greenwood said. “We can get them away from danger and to safety in the short term, but can also help them rebuild to a brighter future in the long term.”

Gary MacNamara, former Fairfield police chief and current Executive Director of Public Safety and Government Affairs at Sacred Heart University, also chairs CFJ’s White Ribbon Committee - a group of male volunteers and community leaders who want to take a stand against gender-based violence.

MacNamara said he encourages everyone in the community to gather at the vigil to continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

“Everything the Center does throughout the year - every event, all the training, all the awareness efforts and all the support for victims - is done to stop this from occurring,” MacNamara said of domestic violence fatalities. “Until that day, we gather as a community every year for this event to remember the victims, support their families, and celebrate their lives, through music, dance and togetherness.”

CFJ VIDEO WILL HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORING IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION

As part of the vigil, CFJ will present a video during which participants discuss CFJ’s “HOPE Coach” mentoring program, which brings male role models together with boys to build a pathway to a future without violence. 

“Our HOPE Coach video demonstrates the value and impact of mentoring from the perspective of mentors, mentees, and community leaders because we all benefit tremendously from the mentoring experience,” said Scott Redfern, secretary of CFJ’s Board of Directors and member of the White Ribbon Committee. “As you’ll see from the video, these life lessons and memories are often carried with us throughout our adult lives, and mentors are often former mentees who are paying it forward to the next generation.”

THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALTAR

The vigil will also feature “The Domestic Violence Altar,” which is put together by CFJ’s Latine Unit. The altar is a powerful way of honoring those lives lost to domestic violence and survivors of violence.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Other highlights of the vigil include:

•          A talk by Miss Connecticut 2023 Gina Carloto, who will share her own story of domestic violence.
•          Badges – made up by the Bridgeport Police Department in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month – will be available for sale. Proceeds will go toward The Center for Family Justice programs.
•          Performances from various youth groups.

Questions about the vigil can be directed to the Development Department at (203) 334-6154.

The vigil is a free event. Food will be available for purchase from Dave’s Planet Pizza Truck.

If anyone wishes, please bring a bag of Halloween candy, which we will use to serve client families at our upcoming Boo Bash later in October.

About The Center for Family Justice, Inc.

The Center for Family Justice breaks the cycle of abuse and violence – domestic, sexual and child – by providing services that create hope, restore lives and drive social change through education and community collaboration.

Our vision is to end domestic and sexual abuse and violence in our communities.

We believe that:

•          Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect.
•          Collaboration with our clients, partners and communities is vital to achieve individualized choice, success, and empowerment.
•          Trust is essential for our work in building self-sufficient survivors.
•          Compassion and hope allow people to thrive and feel safe.
•          Community education, awareness and outreach are essential to drive and maintain social change and justice.

For more information, please visit: https://centerforfamilyjustice.org/about-us/what-we-do/mission-vision-values/

If you are in a crisis situation and need help, please call our 24/7 hotlines:

•          Domestic Violence: 203-384-9559
•          Sexual assault: 203-333-2233
•          Spanish: 888-568-8332
•          Text: (888) 999-5545

Norwalk, CT – On Friday, Oct. 20, The Maritime Aquarium will host its biannual “Homeschool Day.” This special event offers homeschool students and their families the opportunity to participate in the same award-winning, hands-on educational programming as traditional students.

“The Aquarium is an incredibly unique educational resource,” said Vice President of Education Tom Naiman. “During these sessions, students will build a deeper connection to nature and the world around us.”

Homeschool Day features nine grade-appropriate programs that meet Next Generation Science Standards through animal encounters and scientific investigations. Families will be delighted by three new programs – Build Like a Beaver, Community Science for All, and Water Water Everywhere – that develop critical thinking skills. 

Discounted admission is $14 for children ages 3-12, $19 for adults, and $18 for seniors. Use the promo code HSD23 to receive the discount. The deadline to register for discounted admission and add-on programs is Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 5 p.m. 

For more information, visit https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/homeschool-students. 

THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK inspires people of all ages to appreciate and protect the Long Island Sound ecosystem and the global environment through living exhibits, marine science and environmental education. The aquarium is home to over 7,000 animals of hundreds of species including seals, sharks, rays, jellies, turtles and meerkats. Additionally, it offers sensory-enhanced 4D movies, in-person and virtual education programs for schools and families, and public cruises aboard its hybrid-electric research vessel. The Maritime Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, and receives support from the State of Connecticut DECD’s Offices of Culture and Tourism. For more information, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org.

New York, NY - WHISKY LOVERS, tune up your tastebuds and man your tasting glasses!! WhiskyFest is serving up good fun THURSDAY evening, NOV. 9, at the New York Marriott Marquis Broadway Ballroom, 1535 Broadway (at 7th Ave.), New York, NY!

Taste Whiskies From Around the World and meet the whisky distillers, master blenders and other whisky experts who will be in attendance. This is your chance to taste from a selection of single malt and blended Scotch, Irish, bourbon, rye, Tennessee, Japanese, Canadian and craft-distilled whiskies, all assembled in one Grand Ballroom. The focus is on education, and many distillery representatives will be on hand at the pouring booths to explain how their whiskies are made.

Purchase tickets:

GENERAL ADMISSION (6:30-9:30PM): https://www.squadup.com/events/whiskyfest-new-york-general-admission-2023

VIP ADMISSION (5:30-9:30PM): https://www.squadup.com/events/whiskyfest-new-york-vip-admission-2023

#whiskyfest #whiskyfestnewyork #tastewhiskiesoftheworld #whisky #spirits

Why Small Businesses Matter

Shop small, do big things for your community

Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!

You're IT LUVOURPETSLONGER!

Three questions with Lisa Costello, founder of LUVOURPETSLONGER.

Why did you start your business?

I started my online pet health & wellness business 14 years ago. It was the perfect fit for me because it allowed me to follow my passion which is helping people and the pets they love live longer happier healthier lives. I work with a small employee-owned company that has been making health and wellness products for dogs & cats for the last 25 years without a recall. I’m proud to be able to share these veterinarian-formulated products which are comprehensive, balanced and safe.

What is your best-selling product/service?

We offer an entire line of uniquely formulated products focused on ingredients that help your pets live to their full potential which includes:

- Dog & Cat food
- Treats
- Supplements
- Pet care products

Our best-selling product would be our custom dog & cat foods which are a great alternative to mass-produced products because they are NOT SOLD IN STORES but are made often in small batches and delivered right to your door with 1-2 days.

Creating custom formulas for pets is an art form. Down to the last micronutrient, each selected ingredient was chosen for more than just its overall benefit, but also for the way it interacts with other ingredients to nourish the body and all its complex systems. Made right these truly healthful foods address every part of the body, inside and out. With an emphasis on gut health, including species-specific probiotics as well as our proprietary fiber blend appropriately named Firmtastic creates stools that are firmer and less stinky because it helps your pets develop a healthier gut. And the health of their gut ultimately determines your satisfaction, as you’re left to pick up after them. Their stomach is where their overall wellness starts and home to the bacteria that play an important role in their digestion, immune health, mood, and overall well-being.

Here’s what we leave out of these recipes:

- No artificial flavors or colors
- No corn or corn gluten
- No wheat or wheat gluten.

And with our strict inventory controls and quality assurance tests, we can guarantee the safety of each tasty bite. Our employee-owners watch over every product until it begins its journey to you from one of our facilities. Made in frequent batches, you can trust that our rigorously developed and thoroughly tested foods will give your pets the bountiful nutrition you’ve been seeking

Have you "reimagined" your small business?

Covid has changed a lot of things - with the lockdown in place, we were unable to promote our products by doing local events. Therefore, we had to pivot and start using social media more (ie Facebook). Using my personal page I began to brand myself by sharing relevant pet-related topics and using my boy Jake as my brand ambassador ( btw - he’s better known than me LOL)! This allowed me to establish relationships with fellow pet moms which opened up discussions regarding their own pets. This enabled me to share my nutritional resources, and offer them free samples and wellness assessments. I then developed a Facebook group called PAWsome Pet Moms where pet moms could interact, have fun and meet fellow pet moms & I could share more pet-related content and my nutritional resources. A win-win for everyone!

Lastly, the supply chain issues impacted the pet food industry as well. Pet Moms were having difficulty finding food for their pets – because of our direct-to-consumer model of distribution, we were able to keep a steady supply of food and offer pet moms a very desirable alternative for their pets during a very anxious time!

Lisa would like to nominate Dr. ANDREW MARSH, DVM from Greenfield Animal Hospital to be featured next!

Visit LUVOURPETSLONGER online HERE and visit them on Facebook @luvourpetslonger

HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!

Westport, CT - Navigating The Westport Library website has never been easier.

The homepage for westportlibrary.org has been fully redesigned, with a new look and feel and a fresh design to make finding what you need easier, more intuitive, and more rewarding.

Among the highlights of the new design are a simplified menu and a robust footer so patrons can more easily access the Library’s core offerings. The redesigned homepage also offers a primary content space at the top of the page for increased engagement, more ways than ever before to discover upcoming Library events and existing Library assets, and breakout boxes highlighting current Library content such as reference guides, videos, podcasts, news, and more.

The redesign also creates a user experience that is responsive and accessible, an important element in making sure that the Library’s front-facing digital platform is open to all.

“These changes were all made with our patrons in mind,” said Bill Harmer, Westport Library executive director. “Through months of thoughtful planning and collecting feedback, we worked to create the optimal experience to find what you need as well as all the things we offer that you never knew you needed. It’s a great advertisement for all the services and programs that the Library offers, and the right entry point to engage with us on whatever level you would like.”

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Homepage: https://westportlibrary.org/    

Story link: https://westportlibrary.org/westport-library-prioritizes-the-patron-experience-in-launching-new-homepage/

Westport, CT — Westport Book Sale Ventures announces that tickets are now on sale for “Chapter Two: Spanning From Retail to E-Tail” — a benefit event to support the expansion of the Book Sale’s employment and job training program for adults with disabilities, to its eBay online sales business.  Participation in our online sales business will provide training in valuable computer, data entry and office-type skills, broadening the work experience and marketability of our employees.  It will also provide support for the Book Sale’s fledgling online sales business.  

The Chapter Two benefit will be held on Wednesday evening, October 25, 2023, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Westport Library.  The event will include live music by Zoe’s Lounge, light bites catered by Seaside Catering, a paddle-raise, and both a live and a silent auction of a representative sample of the kinds of things the Book Sale sells on eBay, plus artwork and signed books donated uniquely for this event.  Tickets are $75 each, and are available for purchase on eventbrite, at:  https://WestportBookSale_ChapterTwoBenefit.eventbrite.com 

A catalog of auction items is available on the Westport Book Sales website, at www.westportbooksaleventures.org/our-events.  Auction items include a first edition of Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince; two new copies of The New Yorker in Westport donated by its authors Eve Potts and Andrew Bentley; books signed by Laura Linney; a poster autographed by Sylvester Stallone; artworks donated by local artists Nina Bentley, Miggs Burroughs, Kirsten Rao, Norm Siegel, and Rowene Weems; and much much more. Event participants can also bid on the opportunity to have exclusive access to the next Westport Library Big Fall Book Sale on December 1, 2023, or the next Big Spring Book Sale on May 17, 2024, for one hour before anyone else is admitted to the sale!

The Book Sale is grateful to its very generous early event Sponsors: Dan Levinson, Robin & Brad Berggren, Eileen Lavigne Flug, Linda & Scott Hopper, Jocelyn & Walter Barandiaran, Ann Sheffer & Bill Scheffler, and the firm of Rolleri & Sheppard CPAs LLP.  To become an event sponsor, contact the Book Sale at info@westportbooksales.org

The proceeds of this event will support the Company’s employment and job training for adults with disabilities, and our used book sales that raise funds to support the exceptional programs and services of The Westport Library. 

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Westport Book Sale Ventures, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit enterprise with the dual social mission to provide meaningful employment and job training for adults with disabilities, while raising support for The Westport Library, through used book sales.  We offer gently used books, vinyl and other media for sale at our downtown Westport Book Shop, as well as at periodic large book sale events held at the Westport Library, and online on the company’s website www.westportbooksaleventures.org/shop and through our eBay store at www.ebay.com/str/westportbooksalesct. For  more information, or to make a charitable donation, please visit our website at www.westportbooksales.org

Westport Book Sale Ventures welcomes volunteers for all aspects of our operations, from book donation receipt and sorting, to preparing for and working at book sale events, to work in our online sales operation, and at the Westport Book Shop.  For more information, and to get involved, please visit www.westportbooksales.org or send an email to info@westportbooksales.org 

Norwalk, CT - Join The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts for Scary Tales, The Brothers Grimm, a haunted house experience. This live walk-through maze of spine-chilling, bone-tingling fun, screams, and laughter tells the Scary Tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel & Gretel, and many more of those stories and creepy characters from our childhood that spurred our imagination and caused us sleepless nights. The Scary Tales experience features 50+ live actors, live entertainment, a themed bar, and enough thrills to last the entire Halloween season!

This spirited haunted house is being produced for the third year. The house of horrors is constructed on Parking Level 1.5 at The SoNo Collection, Norwalk, Connecticut's premier retail, lifestyle, and event space. Upon entering Scary Tales, thrill-seekers are greeted with a themed bar serving beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. Live music performed by Norwalk Conservatory talent adds to the party atmosphere and the (nervous) energy that is palpable while the audience awaits to be summoned by The Brothers Grimm host. The haunted house is a 30-minute experience wrapped in dark and winding paths, macabre sounds, dastardly villains, and surprises around every turn.

Norwalk Fright Nights and The Brothers Grimm are part of the larger fundraising efforts of The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts. All proceeds go towards a student scholarship fund to attend the college and study the performing arts.

*Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult (strictly enforced). Parents are urged to use their best judgment if bringing younger children.

Dates:

Friday-Sunday, Oct 13-14, 7-9:30 PM

Friday-Sunday, Oct 20-22, 7-10 PM

Thursday, Oct 26, 7-10 PM

Friday-Saturday, Oct 27-28, 7-10:30 PM

Sunday, Oct 29, 7-9:30 PM

Tuesday, Oct 31 (Halloween Night), 7-9:30 PM

https://bit.ly/scarytalesct (non-refundable)

STANDARD TICKETS: $25 LIMITED VIP TICKETS AVAILABLE: $40 Skip the line and enjoy a complimentary soft drink or alcoholic beverage. Please note that wait times may range from 5-10 minutes even with a skip-the-line pass.

SPONSOR TICKETS: Support the arts and help send students to college. This ticket option is TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Sponsors are listed at the event and on all digital/social media platforms. Sponsor Benefits: skip-the-line access (for 4 adults), go through the haunted house up to three times a night and enjoy your first cocktail for free (plus unlimited Coca-Cola beverages, water, and snacks).

Westport, CT - Halloween is arriving at The Westport Library a few days early this year.

The Library, in partnership with the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a Halloween Concert and Costume Ball featuring Bella’s Bartok. The event will be held in the Library’s Trefz Forum on Saturday, October 28. Doors open at 7 pm, with the concert kicking off at 8 pm. 

"Get ready for a hauntingly good time with Bella's Bartok, where music meets mayhem and costumes are your ticket to the freakishly fabulous,” said Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. 

Bella’s Bartok is uniquely suited to perform at this event. Known for their raucous theatrical performances edging at times toward the macabre, the band plays a high energy mix of funk, pop, and folk that will have everyone dancing during their two full sets. 

This nocturnal happening is the adult accompaniment to the Children’s Halloween Window Painting Contestthat will be held earlier the same day (also run by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce). Costumes are encouraged, with contests and prizes awarded for the best outfits in multiple categories. Specialty cocktail potions along with beer and wine will be available to allow patrons to pick their own poison. 

“This night is about creativity both on and off the stage, a melding of concepts that I’m sure will get people’s imagination going,” said Matthew Mandell, executive director of the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce. “I am a big fan of the band. This will be a fun show!” 

The event is the latest musical collaboration between the Library and the Chamber, including the Supper & Soul events featuring Cris Jacobs, Johnny Folsom 4, and more.

Tickets to the Halloween Concert and Costume Ball are $35 and are on sale now.

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Event Information:

Halloween Concert and Costume Ball Featuring Bella's Bartok

Saturday, October 28

7-10 pm (doors open at 7 pm; concert starts at 8 pm)

Trefz Forum, The Westport Library

Story link: https://westportlibrary.org/westport-library-to-host-halloween-concert-and-costume-ball-featuring-bellas-bartok/

Event listing: www.westportwestonchamber.com/music 

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-concert-costume-ball-bellas-bartok-tickets-682165143307