Westfair reporter receives journalism award
Westfair Communications reporter Evan Fallor was awarded a first-place prize May 21 at the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism contest.
Fallor took top honors for general reporting series (circulation: 18,000-40,000) for his series “The Death of Benjamin Seitz” while previously working as the Ridgefield reporter for The News-Times (Danbury).
The eight-story series focused on the death of Benjamin Seitz, a 15-month-old Ridgefield toddler who was mistakenly left in a hot car by his father in July. The toddler was meant to be dropped off at day care in the morning, and his father did not realize he had been in the car all day until after he had left work. The father was eventually charged with negligent homicide.
The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists holds an annual dinner to honor journalists in print, television and online media. This year”™s contest received more than 800 entries.
Fallor writes for the Westchester County and Fairfield County Business Journals and WAG magazine.
Rich honored by Mill River Park Collaborative
Thomas L. Rich, president and CEO of Stamford-based F.D. Rich Co., was honored by the Mill River Park Collaborative at its annual “Dinner in the Park Gala,” May 7, Mill River Park, 1010 Washington Blvd., Stamford. Rich has been involved in real estate and construction ”“ including the revitalization of Stamford ”“ for 35 years and as one of the Mill River Park”™s supporters. The Rich Family embraced the vision for the park in its earliest planning stages and has continually supported the efforts to realize this vision.
The Kennedy Center receives state recognition
Trumbull”™s The Kennedy Center, a rehabilitation agency, was recognized by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) for achieving exemplary fidelity status in 2014. Only five of the 30 funded programs in Connecticut attained a score of 115 or above and The Kennedy Center received the highest score out of agencies that qualified in Fairfield County. The Kennedy Center provides work placement and career development for up to 150 individuals in Bridgeport through DMHAS Work Services, part of Kennedy Employment Services.
Parallel Post partners with Bridgeport students
Parallel Post is this year”™s restaurant host for the third annual Bridgeport Regional Aquaculture Science & Technology Education Center”™s “Taste of the Season,” Mon., June 8, 6-8 p.m., 180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull. Hosted by Chris Molynuex, executive chef of Parallel Post, the event provides students with the opportunity to sharpen their culinary skills and provide preparation support while utilizing the school”™s harvested clams, school-raised tilapia and barramundi and seaweeds.
The center provides a rigorous education program promoting informed decisions concerning society”™s relationship with the aquatic environment. For more information, call Parallel Post at 203-380-6380.
Relay for Life of Fairfield
The 2015 Relay for Life of Fairfield, an initiative to raise funds for The American Cancer Society”™s programs, is being held June 6 at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. This year, marking the 30th national anniversary of the initiative, is expected to draw a crowd of 2,000, including more than 130 teams of children and adults whose lives have been touched by cancer.
Team check-in begins at 3 p.m. at the main entrance to the school”™s track and field. The opening ceremony, beginning at 6 p.m., includes speeches by the year”™s honorary chairman, cancer survivors Ilene Young and Cameron Yates. For more information or to register, visit relayforlife.org/fairfieldct.
Lockwood-Mathews”™ annual Ice Cream Social
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum Ice Cream Social, 2014. Photo courtesy Sarah Grote Photography
Norwalk”™s Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is hosting its second annual “Ice Cream Social,” June 14, noon to 4 p.m., Mathews Park, 295 West Ave., Norwalk. Hunter Arton of Wilton and Andy Garfunkel of Norwalk are co-chairmen of the event, which features family-friendly entertainment, including performances by T.A.T., the Mulkerin School of Irish Dance, Norwalk Academy of Dance, The Grandmas and Grandpas of Wilton, magician and juggler Jason Pipitone, palm reader Jessica Fattahi of Stamford, high-wheelers and more.
For more information, visit lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.
AmeriCares officials participate in American Express Leadership Academy
Three emerging leaders from Stamford-based AmeriCares, an emergency response and global health organization, participated in the seventh annual American Express Leadership Academy, May 17-22, at the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Ariz. The participants spent five days engaged in class discussion, case studies, team exercises and leadership-style evaluations. They included:
Kate Dischino, associate director of emergency response, has been on the front lines of emergencies including Hurricane Sandy, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu and the Nepal earthquake.
Lindsay O”™Brien, U.S. medical assistant manager, directs the nonprofits program, which supplies more than $85 million in free medicines and supplies to safety net health clinics serving more than five million patients in need.
Marty Zanin, director of Latin America and Caribbean partnerships, is responsible for supplying health care facilities in seven countries with more than $90 million in medicines and supplies.
The Fez undergoes renovation
Stamford”™s The Fez, a restaurant and live music locale, prepares for six-week shutdown, beginning May 31 at 11:59 p.m., 227 Summer St., Stamford. The restaurant is scheduled to re-open midsummer.
Children”™s boutique opens in Greenwich
Jeune Arbre, a children”™s boutique, held its grand opening in Greenwich, 89 Greenwich Ave. Jeune Arbre, meaning “Little Sapling” in French, features preppy clothing for children, with sizes ranging from four to 16, in addition to a baby line, with toddler sizes joining the collection this fall. For more information, visit jeunearbre.com.
Studio 210 wins Grand Award
Norwalk-based Studio 210, a design firm with an office in Singapore, won the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards at the 2015 ASTRID Awards competition, sponsored by Mercomm Inc. The Grand Award winner, titled “Mobile Money,” created by Studio 210 for its MasterCard Asia/Pacific Pte Ltd. client, was named a Gold Award winner in the marketing category, as well.
The annual contest, open to international creative design firms, evaluated more than 570 entries from firms in 14 countries. Studio 210 was one of two U.S. firms to receive a Grand Award.
United Way pilots Strong Start
Stamford”™s United Way of Western Connecticut is piloting its Strong Start Neighborhood Initiative at Park Avenue School in Danbury. The purpose is to connect families with children younger than 5 in the Park Avenue neighborhood with services and to get families involved in the life of the school.
Phase 1 began in November and provides funding for play-to-learn playgroups at the school. Additionally, this phase is also funding a “Transition Night,” providing workshops for families whose children are transitioning from preschool or home to elementary school. Phase 2 of the approach is beginning in the fall, with the launch of “Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors” at Park Avenue School, a parent-education program developed by and for Latino parents.
Million-dollar program helps homeless
Norwalk-based New Reach Inc., an organization providing emergency shelter for families, launched its Fairfield County housing program at its Norwalk office, bringing best practices in case management for the homeless to all Fairfield County homeless service providers at no cost. The program is funded through a grant from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and will bring $1 million in resources to service providers throughout Fairfield County.
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