About The People's Press We are a community newspaper and a viewspaper serving Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut. It's your write to express yourself. That's right; The People's Press is made up of submissions by YOU! It's all about your LocalMotion. You can submit a photo, a story, a poem, a recipe, community and local news or whatever you would like. That's what makes us a viewspaper and a newspaper! It's not about us, it’s about you! You can email us all of the above at andy@peoplespressnews.com . You will also find information from the Wallingford and Meriden Mayors, the Wallingford and Meriden Public Libraries, the Wallingford and Meriden Senior Centers, the Wallingford and Meriden Health Departments, other various town and city departments and events as well as information about the wonderful groups and civic organizations that help Wallingford, Meriden and all of Central Connecticut to be a better place. We list news and events before they happen and not after they happen so you can be a part of them. You will also find only LOCAL BUSINESSES in our paper! We invite you to join us by becoming a part of the family of our submitters and sharing your news, stories, photos and views that matter most to Wallingford, Meriden and Central Connecticut. We are YOUR newspaper. The People's Press - Your Town, Your News, Your Views! Visit http://www.peoplespressnews.com/ to read the entire paper in image or pdf form. Plus there is local links, coupons and more! Welcome Back Dear Friends: I am excited to begin my tenure as your Superintendent of Schools. As a life-long Meriden resident, a product of the Meriden Public Schools, and father of two future students, I care deeply about our school system and our students. I believe in them! The Meriden Public Schools provided me with a terrific education that prepared me well for all of my future endeavors. As your Superintendent, I am committed to making sure that all of our students have the same positive experiences that I did. Our children need to know we care, that we believe in them, and that we will listen to them. Our parents must be ready to partner with our dedicated teaching staff. Our most successful students have involved parents who work hand in hand and side by side with our schools. Get to know your child's teachers, let them know that they have a support network with you. I look forward to working with you and your children. Please help us get off to a great start by having your child prepared and ready for our first day of school on Monday, August 30th. We are committed to providing schools that are places of discovery, creativity, challenge, and support. I wish you and your family a most successful school year. All the Best! Mark D. Benigni, Ed.D. - Superintendent of Schools Mayor’s Corner – Meriden Summer seems to be flying by as August has arrived. In Meriden, we have had a good string of successful outdoor events including the Italian Night, Meriden Black Expo, Cole Brothers Circus, The Westfield Fireworks Party; National Night out at City Park, and the 24th Annual Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival at Four Points by Sheraton. Upcoming events of interest at the downtown Hub include the Meriden Housing Authority Block Party on August 18; and the Annual Back to School Expo & Book Bag Distribution on August 24. These events promise lots of family fun and excitement and they are easy to attend in downtown Meriden. The 43rd Annual Puerto Rican Festival will take place at Hubbard Park on August 15 from 1-8 PM. This newly energized event is chaired by Hector Cardona Sr. working with a large festival committee. This year’s festival features a robust offering of Spanish food vendors; four live Latin bands; dancing; free and reasonably priced amusements for children; a “Cultural Tent” featuring the foods, art, attire, music, atmosphere, and customs of the beautiful island of Puerto Rico; and activities for children and elderly. This festival is for anyone who would like to experience the richness of the Puerto Rican culture. Come out to Hubbard Park on Sunday, August 15th and join us for a memorable day! Meriden is a diverse community and we are fortunate to be able partake in a wide variety of enjoyable cultural experiences in our own city. Enjoy the rest of the summer. Warm regards, Mike Rohde - Mayor of Meriden Read The People’s Press in image form, pdf form and more at www.peoplespressnews.com We are Meriden and Wallingford Connecticut’s Community Newspaper and News Source. MAX E. MURAVNICK MERIDEN SENIOR CITIZENS’ CENTER News and Events The Max E. Muravnick Meriden Senior Citizens’ Center is open to all Meriden residents age 55 and over. Membership is free of charge and new members may sign-up any weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. by presenting a driver’s license or other proof of age. New members receive an information package about senior services and a coupon entitling them to one complimentary lunch in our Senior Community Café. Sign-up today and find out about all that is offered for Meriden seniors at the Max E. Muravnick Senior Center! Meriden’s Back to School Expo Annual Book Bag Drive is a great way for seniors to help students in our community be well prepared to start the school year. The goal this year is to distribute 1,300 book bags to students from pre-school through the 8th grade! You can participate by leaving your donations of school supplies including pencils, crayons, magic markers, erasers, rulers, pads of paper, glue sticks and related items in the collection box in the front lobby by August 13 and we will forward them to Beat the Street for distribution at the Meriden Hub in late August. Thank you for anything you can do to help Meriden students get the school year off to a good start! The 43rd Annual Puerto Rican Festival will be held on Sunday, August 15 from 1:00 – 8:00 pm at Hubbard Park. This year the Senior Center will provide free mini-bus transportation to seniors interested in attending this event which will feature four bands with traditional Latin music, more food vendors and amusement rides, domino playing area for seniors and a cultural tent to highlight Puerto Rican culture. For further information on transportation speak to Transportation Coordinator Becky Racine or call her at 203.237.3338. The Senior Center will run a trip to the Big E on Monday, September 20 leaving at 8:30 am and returning at 6:15 pm. The cost for the bus is $25 and people can purchase admission tickets at the gate on their own when the bus arrives at the Big E. For further information call Recreation Coordinator Diana Naimo at (203) 237-0066. The next AARP Driver Safety Class will be held at the Senior Center on Wednesday, November 3 and Friday, November 5 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the mezzanine. The cost of the class is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members and completion of the two day refresher training course entitles you to a discount on your automobile insurance premiums. Sign-ups for the November class are now being accepted in the front office or by calling 203.237.0066. Senior Center staff will continue to take applications from Meriden residents for the Rent Relief Program sponsored by the State of Connecticut until September 15. The program provides eligible renters with money back on their 2009 rent and utilities based on their income and expenses. To be eligible, applicants must have been 65 or over as of December 31, 2009 or be enrolled in Social Security Disability and meet the income limits. For further information or any questions about the rules and requirements of the Rent Relief Program, please inquire in the office. For a complete listing of all Senior Center classes, activities, trips and meal menus, pick-up a copy of our newsletter available on the first of each month at the reception desk in the front lobby. John F. Hogarth - Senior Center Director Mayor’s Corner - Wallingford Dear Residents: We are all concerned about the economy and the problems it has created for so many people. The Town of Wallingford and Workforce Alliance have announced a Management Re-Employment Workshop for Wallingford middle and upper management professionals. Workforce Alliance is a policy and oversight organization, based in New Haven, responsible for creating a comprehensive, community-wide response to the challenges of building a highly skilled workforce. Through the coordination and administration of a variety of employment and training initiatives, they have prepared thousands of individuals for jobs and have assisted numerous employers with training and employee transition. The Workshop will be held at the Wallingford Public Library on August 11th from 10:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This program is targeted to the needs of management-level workers who find themselves unemployed. Connecticut’s economic challenges often differ from region to region and town to town. This workshop offers local residents a creative way to approach the job search. It targets resumes, networking, on-line job search, social media and time management. The workshop is free and includes lunch. Reservations are required. Please call Robert Fort, at Workforce Alliance, 203-624-1493 x242, or by emailing info@workforcealliance.biz. Sincerely, William W. Dickinson, Jr. – Mayor WALLINGFORD SENIOR CENTER News and Events Senior Center Transportation Change Note: Shop Rite is now open on Route 5 in Wallingford. You now have a choice to shop at Shop Rite or Wal-Mart on Thursdays. Please anticipate your needs and make your reservations early. Regular schedule: Wallingford senior residents call the Senior Center at 203-265-7753 to make your reservation. Two days notice required and as the schedule allows. • MONDAY: Kohl’s, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and appointments between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. • TUESDAY: Appointments from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. • WEDNESDAY: Appointments from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. • THURSDAY: Shop Rite & Wal-Mart, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and appointments between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. • FRIDAY: Stop & Shop from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. MEMORY LANE Did you know that the Wallingford Senior Center is one of the few senior centers in the state to offer a social-model, adult day program? Formerly the Daily Activities for Independence Program (D.A.I.), Memory Lane is a program designed to promote and maintain independence for seniors with mild cognitive impairments. We offer a variety of different programs and activities throughout the day such as group word games, daily chair exercises, pet therapy visits, baking sessions, arts & crafts projects, and monthly day trips. Our doors open at 9:15 a.m. and close at 2:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. Eligibility is based on an assessment and interview by the Memory Lane Program Coordinator, (medical clearance and meeting certain program criteria required). Please call Melinda Welch, Memory Lane Program Coordinator, at 203.265.7753, Ext. 205, for more information and your free trial day! SOCIAL SERVICES IN ORDER TO SERVE YOU BETTER, PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SOCIAL WORKER, EILEEN FLYNN, AT 265 7753. THANK YOU. CT Energy Assistance Program Season 2010-2011 Guidelines for eligibility for this energy assistance year have not yet been established. As soon as this is established, appointments will begin to be taken. No appointments will be scheduled at this time. Health Reform and Medicare Part D The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law March 23, 2010 makes several changes to Medicare Part D to reduce your out-of-pocket costs when you reach the coverage gap (donut hole). Included in these changes are the following: ♦ Year 2010: If you have expenses in the coverage gap, you will receive a $250 rebate from Medicare. Your Plan D (Prescription Drug Insurance Company) will notify CMS of beneficiaries who qualify for this rebate. No action needs to be taken on the part of the beneficiary. The first round of checks will be sent to the beneficiary in June 2010. ♦ Year 2011: If you reach the coverage gap (donut hole), you will be given a 50% discount on the total cost of brand name drugs while in the gap. Medicare will phase in additional discounts on the cost of both brand name and generic drugs. By 2020, these changes will effectively close the coverage gap (donut hole) and rather than paying 100% of the costs, your responsibility will be 25% of the costs. IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS Please remember if you’re Medicare Part B premium ($96.40) is being paid for under one of the Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB OR ALMB) you will need to complete a re-determination in order for this premium to continue to be paid for you. This re-determination should be mailed to you approximately one month prior to your anniversary date by the Department of Social Services. Failure to complete this re-determination will mean that the premium will start to be taken out of your Social Security check and you will need to re-apply. Important Notice Regarding Connpace Please be aware that if you do not renew your ConnPACE when it is due, you will not be able to re-enroll until November 15th. This is due to changes that have been made in the ConnPACE program. New enrollment in the ConnPACE Program will be limited to November 15th through December 31st. A few exceptions do apply. You will be able to join ConnPACE 31 days after turning 65 or after becoming eligible for Social Security Disability (SSDI) or State Supplement Insurance (SSI). Veterans Services Tuesday, August 31, 1:00 – 3:00 PM George Messier, Veterans Services Officer for the Town of Wallingford, will be available to answer questions and assist with benefit information. An appointment is required. Please call 203-265-7753. PROGRAMS Summer Party! Wednesday, August 18, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Music, food and fun . . . find it all at our annual Summer Party! The Humble Bees will entertain us at 11:00 AM; Zandri’s will provide a delicious buffet lunch at noon (ziti with meat sauce, pasta primavera, sausage and peppers, breaded chicken, and salad); and after lunch you can try to win prizes during our own version of the “Minute to Win It” game show! Tickets are $6.00 for members, $10.00 for guests, and are on sale through August 13. Hurricane 2010: Is This The Year? Thursday, August 26, 10:30 AM Meteorologist Art Horn will present a program on the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, as well as on the hurricane forecast for this season. There has been a long drought of land-falling hurricanes in southern New England with only two in 48 years. Find out why that may be about to change. Please sign up if you plan to attend. Do You Love To Eat? Thursday, August 19, 10:00 AM Join us for the third in our four-part cooking series sponsored by Skyview. Watch a cooking demonstration, sample prepared foods, and leave with recipes, shopping tips and more. This month’s program will focus on cooking DINNER for one as well as myths about food and sleep. Please sign up to attend. Free Hearing Services Monday, August 9, 2:00 – 4:00 Nick Wills, Hearing Aid Specialist from Miracle Ear will provide hearing tests; ear canal inspections; hearing aid cleaning; Miracle Ear hearing aid adjustments; and general advice on hearing aids and coping with hearing loss, on a first come, first-served basis. Giant Tag Sale Saturday, September 18, 8:00 AM – Noon The Computer Learning Center will sponsor a giant indoor tag sale on September 18, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Vendors are needed! You may rent a 60” round table for $20 or an 8’ rectangular table for $25. Make checks payable to Wallingford Senior Center. Set-up will take place Friday, September 17, 3:00 – 6:00 PM. Donations wanted: We will gladly accept your unwanted items in good, clean condition to sell at the tag sale. Please bring your donations to the Senior Center beginning September 13. VISIT our website at www.WLFDSENIORCTR.COM! Wallingford Senior Center August 2010 CLASSES NEW Belly Dance This exercise class is rooted in classic belly dance technique and meets weekly in the Fitness Room at 5:00 p.m. Instructor: Aleenah Cost is $25 (10 weeks) Book Club resumes August 19 in the Library. Our August book selection is Headlong by Michael Frayn. The books will be available to sign out at the front desk after July 19. No Fee NEW Ceramics Studio meets weekly at 6:00 p.m. in the Creative Arts Room. Instructor, Larry Elledge, will teach basic ceramic techniques including pinch, coil, slab, and throwing on the potter’s wheel, firing clay, and glazing. Cost $25 (7 weeks) Evening Bridge this Social Bridge game meets on August 19 in the Game Room. Instructor: Mike McDermott No Fee Evening Tai Chi meets weekly in the Fitness Room at 7:15 p.m. Led by Kathy Brenner. Cost $25 (10 weeks) Great American Best-Sellers A different classic work of literature is highlighted every week, with DVD and discussion components. Class resumes on August 5, meeting weekly in the Library. Please note the class will now meet at 5:30-6:30 p.m. No Fee Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Must be a WSC member to play, men and women are welcome. Cost: $2.00 per player. August 12 & 26 Zumba Gold Zumba infuses Latin rhythms and simple dance moves to create a fun and exciting total body workout. Meets weekly in the Fitness Room at 6:00 p.m. beginning August 5. Taught by Kayt Keirn. Cost $25 (10 weeks) Wii Bowling available for open play on August 12 & 19. Please register for Wii Bowling Individual Players Tournament on August 26. Prizes will be awarded. Ping Pong is available in the Creative Arts Room from 4:00 p.m. until closing time. SAVE THE DATE Cruise Night Enjoy the collection of classic cars in the WSC parking lot, August 12, from 5-8 p.m. Refreshments will be available to purchase. Free and open to the public. Mexican Fiesta Celebrate the beauty of Mexican culture including live entertainment by a strolling Mariachi band at 6:30 p.m. on August 12. Snow Cones available for purchase for 25 cents! The Love Boat come out for a fun-filled night, including frozen non-alcoholic drinks and entertainment by T-Bone Stankus on August 19 at 6:30 pm. The Survivors will treat us to a performance at 5:00 p.m. on August 26 in the Great Room. Introduction to the Healing Arts of Reiki and Meditation Diane Esposito will be leading this program on August 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Activity Rm. Financial Retirement Strategies Rose Lewis from Prime America will share her informative presentation on August 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Activity Room. LAKE VIEW CAFÉ SUPPERS Served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased, in advance, from the front desk for $6.00. All meals include a small beverage. 8/19 - Turkey with Cider Gravy, Apple Cornbread Stuffing, Peas & Onions, Cranberry Sauce 8/26 - Seafood Newburg, Rice Pilaf, Roasted Summer Vegetables, Dinner Roll & Butter Read The People’s Press in image form, pdf form and more at www.peoplespressnews.com We are Meriden and Wallingford Connecticut’s Community Newspaper and News Source.