This Nov 11 at Battell Chapel, the New Haven Chorale will hold their concert Thanksgiving and Remembrance.   In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season this will be a community celebration of the people, places, and experiences that have made a difference in the lives of both choristers and audience.

The Chorale is now requesting the community at large to send in images for inclusion in a projected-images concert component.  They ask the community to reflect on the positive influences and fond memories in their lives, go through photo albums (paper and digital) to find images of them, and send those photos to the Chorale for inclusion in the concert.

This is such an interesting way for the community to be involved in the concert and has the potential to reflect a broad range of the human experience.

Please send  images to media@newhavenchorale.org or by mail to  New Haven Chorale, P.O. Box 1897, New Haven, CT 06508

Have you heard about Operation Save a Life yet? Please check out the link if you haven’t.  I wanted to update everyone on how the local firehouses are getting these smoke and CO alarms to the community.

The North Farm volunteer fire department will be having their open house this Saturday the 22nd from 11-3pm at 636 Barnes Rd in Wallingford.  They will be having public  safety demos, signing people up to join as volunteers and giving away smoke alarms.

Keep a look out for news about other Connecticut Fire Houses.

Some of you may have heard our NEWS story on Wednesday about how often child safety seats are installed incorrectly.  Public safety personal must be certified for safety seat installation in CT so if you are having trouble finding someone to help please see below.

The Guilford Police department holds regular child seat installations, free of charge on the 1st Wednesday of the month from 7:30am-9:30am and the 3rd Sunday of the month from 3:30pm-5:30pm.  This is not only for Guilford residents and they only ask that people please call beforehand at 203.453.8061.

Their safety efforts are made possible by the Kelley Mason family who after loosing their daughter in a fatal car accident have committed to community outreach for driving safety in her memory.  Rose Mason, Kelley’s mother, hopes their family’s efforts can help other parents avoid the tragedy of  loosing a child.

On this Sunday, September the 23rd from 11-3pm they will be holding a brunch at Anthony’s Ocean View.  100% of the proceeds from the $30 admission charge and a silent auction will go toward child safety seats being donated to the Guilford Police Department.

Did you know a percentage of seniors are sometimes forced to choose between food and medication? This is unfortunately true and one of the many reasons why seniors are among the most vulnerable to malnutrition and hunger in Connecticut.

Comfort Keepers Connecticut offices are starting a month long food drive specifically aimed at fighting senior hunger.  All donations are going to the Connecticut Food Bank.    Here is how to participate:

• By dropping off your food items at 722 Village Walk in Guilford any time during the week from 9AM to 4PM before September 30; and

• By visiting comfort keepers at the Guilford Wellness Fair on the Guilford Green this Saturday, September 15, 2012, from 10AM to 2PM.
•  virtual food drive

In recognition of September as Hunger Action Month WTNH Community Affairs will be highlighting events/fundraisers that are  helping to fight hunger in Connecticut communities.

The New Milford food bank is holding their unique annual event Walk-A-Mile.  This event is designed to bring in much needed donations and raise awareness and empathy to some of the additional struggles of the economically disadvantaged.  New Milford Social Worker, Leah Pullaro, says that many clients of the food bank cope with issues such as car ownership, funds to purchase gasoline and even a bus ticket.

Participants purchase a bag of groceries and walk, carrying their purchases, about 1 mile to the local food bank. Once they reach the food bank, participants help sort their purchases and get the opportunity to see the pantry’s shelves begin to fill.

Sunday September 23rd, 2012

During the hours of 1pm-3pm

Meet at the Big Y Shopping Center

Walk to the New Milford Social Services Food Bank

Located at the Richmond Center (40 Main St.)

Please contact the New Milford Social Services Dept to register or with additional questions:
860-355-6079

If you or your group cannot attend the walk but wish to donate items, or would like to walk on another date, the pantry says please feel free to do so.  Food and household items accepted at Social Services Monday – Friday, 8am-4pm.

Please share in the comments if you know of any other events this anniversary of September 11th

Trumbull Volunteer Fire Co. #1, 860 White Plains Road, is holding a blood drive through the American Red Cross on 9/9 from 9-5:30 to remember their fallen comrades and the anniversary of 911.

The CT United ride, 9/09, starts in Norwalk and goes through Fairfield county, ending in Bridgeport at the beach. This is a 60 mile ride with police motorcycle escorts and ending with a 5 mile parade through Bridgeport! In all 11 towns, each fire department is hanging American flags over the route!  Visit the website and learn how you can participate.

Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a Patriot Day at St. Joseph Church, 4 Main Street, North Canaan, CT. This is a 24 hour vigil that begins at 12 midnight on September 10th.  Please contact Nick at 860-671-1018 if you are looking to participate in the event.

 If you sing, read music and are interested in becoming a member of a professionally orchestrated group of singers who are committed to musical excellence and a sense of community you are in luck!   

The New Haven Chorale is a group of 100 singers who are not only known for their talent and love of music but also their dedication to community service. 

Among their many contributions to the community is their ”Student Singer” program which mentors and offers scholarships to young singers in the community as well as their frequent performances at nursing homes, hospitals and community events. 

Auditions for their 2012-2013 season will be held at The Educational Center for the Arts, 55 Audubon Street, New Haven on Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To schedule an audition, please contact the Chorale business office E-mail: business@newhavenchorale.org     Phone: 203 776-SONG