Four- and five-year olds at Grace Childcare Center, located at Grace Lutheran Church on Chapel Street, were excited to meet first responders who came to visit their school on two different days, said director Suzette Williams.

On Oct. 3, Connecticut State Trooper Paul Macisco talked about what a trooper does out in the field, general safety, and what to do if the students see something suspicious. Macisco took time to answer the many questions that students had about the items on his police belt as well as what to do in certain situations and how to help friends in trouble.

In the beginning of November, Grace Childcare’s students were again visited by Stratford’s finest as the Stratford Fire Department’s fire rescue truck crew led by Captain Jermaine B. Atkinson arrived to teach them about fire safety. In addition to stop-drop-and-roll, the children learned about what to do if there is smoke and who to call for help. One firefighter dressed in full fire gear to show the students that they should not be afraid of firefighters in an emergency if they cannot see their faces.

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Fly tyers will be able to compete against one another in a contest modeled after the Food Network Show Chopped when the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited holds its annual holiday meeting Tuesday, Dec. 20.

The gathering will take place at Port 5, 69 Brewster Street, Bridgeport, from 7 to 9 p.m. There is no charge for admission. There will be raffles and a silent auction.

There will be a potluck dinner prepared by members of the chapter, which covers Fairfield, Westport, Weston, Easton,  Redding, Trumbull, Monroe, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and Shelton.

Competitors in the contest, which is open to all, will tie a nymph in the first round, a streamer in the second round and a dry fly in the third and final round. Each round will last 10 minutes. There will be elimination at the end of each round. Prizes will be awarded for each round, and the overall winner will receive a $25 gift card.

Contestants must provide their own tools and thread. Materials for the mystery flies will be provided. One need not be a Nutmeg TU member to enter the tying contest.

Extra fly tying tools will be available for those who wish to learn how to tie. The chapter holds regular tying nights, open to all, and holds meetings the third Tuesday of each month at Port 5.

Information about the chapter, its fishing outings, and its efforts to conserve, protect and restore coldwater fisheries and their watersheds, particularly in local rivers such as the Saugatuck, Mill, Aspetuck, Pequonnock, and Farmill, may be found at nutmegtrout.org.

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Senior Girl Scout Troop #37291 of Stratford is holding a Toiletry Drive for the residents of Prospect House of Bridgeport and The Lord’s Kitchen of Stratford on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10-noon, at Lordship Community Church, 179 Prospect Drive, Stratford.

Items needed include:

• toothbrushes
• toothpaste
• dental floss
• deodorant
• hand sanitizer
• shampoo
• conditioner
• bar soap
• skin cream
• small brushes
• small combs
• fingernail clippers
• lip balm
• shaving cream
• disposable razors
• sanitary napkins

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Dean Franco

Dean Franco, 54, was reported missing on Nov. 30.

Franco was last seen in Bridgeport.

Anyone who has had contact with Franco or knows where he may be is asked to contact Detective Murolo at 203-385-4127.

The post Police seek assistance in missing person case appeared first on Stratford Star.

Kathleen Cox

Two women accused of selling drugs and promoting prostitution via a website are facing charges after their arrests by Stratford Police.

Stratford Police officers from the narcotics, vice and intelligence unit worked with the Bridgeport Police Department on Nov. 28 to execute a prostitution/narcotics search warrant at a home on 295 First Ave. in Stratford.

Police said Ariel Perry, 46, and her roommate Kathleen Cox, 31, were advertising prostitution on the website Backpage.com. Police said their investigation revealed that Cox and Perry were selling heroin and cocaine from the home as well as using it to prostitute.

Ariel Perry

Police detectives seized heroin, cocaine, scales and paraphernalia and items related to prostitution during the search. Police said that Cox also had an extraditable warrant out of Kentucky for drug-related offenses.

Perry was charged with possession of heroin with intent to sell, possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell and prostitution. She was ordered held on $500,000 bond.

Cox was charged with possession of heroin with intent to sell, possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell, promoting prostitution and conspiracy to commit prostitution. She was ordered held on $100,000 bond.

Carlos Cordero

Police also arrested Carlos Cordero, 47, of Norwalk, who was at the residence at the time of the search. Police found he had two violation of probation warrants. Cordero was ordered held on $10,000 bond.

All three are scheduled to appear on Thursday in Bridgeport Superior Court. 

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The Northeast Charter Schools Network invites community members to engage in an open dialogue with a diverse group of panelists to discuss the impact of charter schools on Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 5-8 p.m., at Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport.

Connecticut has 24 charter schools that face a number of challenges, namely in the areas of per-pupil funding, budget cuts that disproportionately impact charter schools, as well as opposition from the anti-charter movement.

Wednesday’s panel discussion will bring the charter school community together for an open dialogue about Connecticut’s charter schools and their true impact, and will give an opportunity for voices on all sides of this issue to be heard.

Registration is free and open to all, and may be completed by following this link.

Confirmed panelists:

• Ronelle Swagerty, CEO of New Beginnings Family Academy in Bridgeport
• John Taylor, Executive Director/Principal of Booker T. Washington Academy in New Haven
• Barbara Ruggierro, Executive Director of Brass City Charter School in Waterbury
• Brooke Lafreniere, Principal of Path Academy in Windham

The Northeast Charter Schools Network is the membership and advocacy organization for the more than 250 charter schools in New York and Connecticut. Its mission is to support and expand high quality charter schools. For more information, visit necharters.org.

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Parents looking to partner with the Stratford Public Schools and be leaders on educational issues are invited to participate in Parents Supporting Educational Excellence (Parents SEE), a parent leadership training program offered to parents, foster parents and grandparents of Stratford Public School children in pre-kindergarten through grade six.

The program, sponsored by the Stratford School Readiness and Child Care Advisory Council, in cooperation with the Stratford Public Schools, will be held at Stratford Academy/ Johnson House (Stratford Parents’ Place and Early Childhood Services Office) in the winter/spring of 2017 beginning Jan. 28, 2017.

This free course includes a five hour Saturday retreat and continues for 12 Wednesday evenings, from 5:30-9 p.m., with dinner. Childcare is provided.

For more information and a short application, interested parents may contact Carrie Satta, at 203-381-6992 or sattac@stratfordk12.org.

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Chiweenies

These two little cuties are Chiweenies.  A mix of Chihuahua and Dachshund.  They are brother and sister about one-year-old-and have been spayed and neutered and vaccinated.  These two were in a family with young children and very playful.  Call Trumbull Animal Shelter at 203-452-5088 for more information or to visit these two and other dogs, cats, and rabbits available for adoption at Trumbull Animal Shelter, 324 Church Hill Road.

Seeking donations

The Trumbull Animal Shelter is always in need of the following items: Canned cat food, clay cat litter, large rawhide, Kong or Nylabones for larger breed dogs. They can be dropped off at the Trumbull Animal Shelter.

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The blessing of the new Sandy Hook Memorial on the grounds of St. Margaret Shrine, 2523 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m.

There will be an 11 a.m. mass led by Bishop Frank Caggiano followed by a procession to the memorial where the dedication and blessing will be.

The Sandy Hook Memorial is sponsored by John DiMarco from Luigi’s Italian Pastries in memory of his mom and dad, Assunda and Frank DiMarco.

A reception will follow at the Circolo Sportivo Club, 2500 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, across from the Shrine.

For more information, call St. Margaret Shrine, 203-333-9627.

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Concerns about the cost of tuition to magnet schools in Bridgeport has prompted the Stratford Board of Education to call a special meeting on Wednesday.

The discussion of magnet billing legal strategies is on the agenda for the special Board of Ed meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Board of Ed’s headquarters at 1000 East Broadway.

The board is expected to take up the billing legal strategies during an executive session.

Board of Ed Chairman James Feehan said Sunday in an email that the meeting was called in order to ”take steps to combat this money grab.”

Officials from Stratford and other area school districts met with state lawmakers last month to discuss their concerns about state law changes that allowed magnet schools in Bridgeport to charge suburban districts for tuition. Students from Stratford are attending Interdistrict Discovery Magnet School and the Interdistrict Science Magnet Schools on the Fairchild Wheeler School campus.

Because of recent legislation, the magnet schools were allowed to charge up to $3,000 per student coming in from Stratford and other suburban districts, Superintendent Janet Robinson said recently. Stratford will billed for $576,000 in the 2017-18 school year, with 67 students attending Discovery and 125 attending Franklin Wheeler.

“It’s a hardship for the sending districts,” Robinson said on Monday. “For Stratford alone, it’s $576,000. We’ll have to make cuts.”

The Board of Ed will also review transportation to magnet schools with the possibility that Stratford may no longer pay for magnet school transportation. The school board is also expected to discuss a magnet schools recruitment ban.

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The following students were named to the first quarter honor roll at Bunnell High School:

First honors

Grade 9 — Gredniela Jhovana Atencio, Julia Baldowski, Kahaelea Keren Barrett, Mackenzee Amanda Berger, Melissa Kathryn Blanco, Zahira Ijaz Butt, Alexandra Ceballos, Lauren N Chechoski, Sebastian Jozef Chodorowski, Rachel Lauren Ciuci, Patrick B Dahdal, Daniela Nicole DeBernardo, Alaysha Anaya DeCastro, Catie Ann Delaney, Kathryn Marie DePeano, Jerry Omar Dominguez, Briana Rose Dunn, Alani Elias, Samantha Rose Elmadjian, Andrew Erik Feliciano, Timothy James Fraedrich, Chenoa Amelia Francis, Jillian Michelle Gerardi, Julianna Glick, Henry Philip Gloria, Owen Edward Jaekle, Fatima Rauf Khan, Joshua Edward Kusinski, Kaitlyn Mary Lemieux, Joseph Lumasag, Brianna Alexia Mayne;

Also, Risa Lynn McLaughlin, Jacob David Mead, Nephtalie Medeus, Ashley Nicole Merritt, Fabiola Ashley Millien-Faustin, Joseph Anthony Monte, Luke Evan Noel, Alyssa Rose Pelletier, Maureen Sheridan Petersen, Brandon Ngoc Phan, Susan Nicole Poisson, Kristen Marie Poplaski, Katelyn Bridget Quinn, Michael John Quinn, Alexander Henry Rice, Samantha Rabia Rizzi, Tiana Roshea Rodriguez, Jasmin May Saksene, Sara Julia Salej, Kayla Sokunle, Courtney Marie Stewart, Christopher John Truedson, Alexander Ugarte, Hannah Sheridan Van Etten, Jake Charles VandenBroek, Andrew Glen Verkovod, Lianna Huan Wagner, Ayisha Zakir.

Grade 10 — Nowsheba Sharin Absar, Alyssa Rose Adintori, Kchrea Doyl Alindato, Kyla-Jerusha Elira Bailey, Sandy Carina Barrios, Anthony James Broadhurst, Kaylie Marie Broadhurst, Malcolm Alfredo Brown, Erik Alexander Cedillo, Amanda Lynn Celentano, Alexander Matthew Cronin, Allison Marie Curcio, Vienna Alexandra DeRubis, Cassandra Lee Dunford, Lauren Ann Fazekas, Sara Michelle Federici, Justin Ryan Figueroa, Grace Elisabeth Gilbertie, Daisy Kassandra Gonzalez, Christopher Alan Gulish, Sarah Harrison, Jayleen Rose Herrera, Max Jacob Honafius, Kristen Hubbell, Kaliha Monique James, Sasha Belle Kalson, Maura Lynn Kelly, Jacob Evan Kudysch, Heather Josephine Lamontagne, Juliana G Leblanc;

Also, Francis Paul Lembo, Jeremiah Lopez, Carrie Faith Lutian, Shania Angela Mahabee, Danielle Mae Malota, Kerina Mary Mandl, Devin Jacob Martinez, Eileen Amanda Morales, Erin Annesley Mullane, Kaitlyn Oliva, Magnus Ordner, Hanna Palosina, Christina Pavone, Daniela Brennan Petillo, Mikaela Julia Puzzo, Kaia-Lynn Renee Rizzo, Maximus Robert Rodman, Rebecca Nicole Romano, Holly Shaye Rosa, Brooke Anne Royal, Ashley Marie Ruiz, Brandon Cruz Russell, Julianna Milagros Santiago, Sofia Concepcion Santiago, Katie Anne Schulte, Christopher James Serreti, Kenneth Alexander Sholomicky, Janaya Elsie Vazquez, Daelynne Zoey Veloz, Michael Ajon Vernon, Justin Thomas Williams, Sarah Elisabeth Williams, Alyssa Jean Wright.

Grade 11 — Luis Alberto Acabeo, Anthony Christopher Angelo, Brandon Christopher Anglin, Alexis Awad, Nathalie Barrios, Danette Berrios, George Marron Bloom, Philip Frederick Bloom, Claire R Budnick, Amanda Kathleen Bull, Alexa Julianne Capuano, Matthew Daniel Cerino, Andrew Michael Curti, Yan Lee DeJesus, Alisa Lori Delaney, Dante Lorenzo DiFederico, Laura Danielle Dominique, Laurie Sara Dominique, Mia Lynn English, Brisa Chrystal Figueroa, Starr Figueroa, Sarah Ayanna Francis, Michelle Nicole Gabriele, Quentin Donel Goodman, Ryan Alexander Gravereaux, Daniel Gerard Halchak, Michelle Lorraine Harrison, Sianna Riley Haviland, Kelly Ann Hylton, Jamielyn Caneo Iquina, Maxwell Robert Jaekle, Beatrice Cortez Jocson, Tiffany Lauren Johnson, Alexandra Kalicki, Hope Catherine Kavulich, Jonathan Carl Larsen, Nathaniel Edward Larsen, Allyson Patricia Lazarre, Michelle Lin;

Also, Maison Lindsie Liscinsky, Hannah Leigh McLaughlin, Kara Sabrina McLean, Emma Jean McNamara, Klajdi Memelli, Kaleigh Mirowski, Alyssa Breanne Moore, Angelica Nicole Morales Lopez, Emani Morris, Thelma Ugochi Ogazi, Nkiru Lynae Ogbogu, Christopher Leo Palumberi, Felipe De Abreu Paparelli, Kellie Marie Perillo, Dellan Giovanni Pierre, Ryan Zachary Poisson, Kateryna Polyak, Rohit M Ramakrishnan, Larissa Ann Rapoport, Dillon Craig Rattray-Mattis, Rose Alexandra Reynolds, Christopher John Root, Jocelyn Santaella, Alyssa Seara, Scott Michael Seperack, Rachel Elizabeth Sherwood, Eileen Catherine Sholomicky, Kellie Scott Taylor, Umu Thiam, Natalya Turbaba, Samantha Joan Vitka, Kristina Louise Weyhrauch, Kyle Robert Zadrovicz, Zaheeda Zakir, Kayla Noemi Zurlo.

Grade 12 — Anthony R Abed, Marlin Daniela Arteaga Jimenez, Chrisaine S Bailey, Destiny Lynn Barnum, Francesca Rose Barone, John J Battaglia, James Bavolacco, Devon Michael Binion, Emily Rose Booth, Kathryn Mary Boyle, Carly Alexis Brainard, Jennifer A Cadley, Catherine Ann Chmielewski, Lindsay Marie Colacurcio, Nicole Yingzhen Collins, Danielle Marie Costa, Carissa Emily DiCicco, Kayla Angie Dominique, Thomas A DuRivage, Caroline Mary Early, Zachary Jan Fagan, William Ryan Fazekas, Mariana Fontinele Dias Da Silva, Kwann Anton Geer, Angelo Giannitelli, Courtney Jordan Greene, Erin Beth Hanna;

Also, Abbas Mohamed Harris, Mikayla Dean Hartman-Brown, Monika Hlinka, Damian Isaiah Hopkins, Alexander Steven Kells, Dalisa Claire Kennedy, Lawrence Lam, Angelina Lee LaMonica, Peter Francis Lembo, Melissa Marie Lemieux, Tina Nicole Leone, Breyanna Nicole Lesperance, Elizabeth Ann Liquori, Emily May MacDaniel, Rebecca Nicole Marrero, Hannah Marie McGettigan, Sara Nicole Moore, Michele Frances Morra, Bryanna Morris, Casandra M Mott, Neil James Murdoch, Noureen Z Nassra, Haylee J Norton, Saira Nahomy Ordonez, Ruth Maribel Padilla, Joseph M Pellegrino, Clarissa Polynice, Isabella Josephine Puzzo;

Also, Anthony Ramos, Madison Theresa Robotti, Jacob M Roettger, Isabella Katherine Romano, Olivia Faith Sage, Evelyn Santana, Adam J Santiago, Yoselyn Sarceno, Chadwick Emerson Schroeder, Rachel C Scott, Mark Frederick Sennello, Cooper John Shea, Zoe Lynn Stradinger, Jasmine Sherelle Streeter, Jessica M Taliercio, Maria Isabella Terrizzi, Alexis Anastacia Trovarelli, Yeymi Francisca Velasquez Alfaro, Alyssa Ann Velez, Marlon A Vinza, Ashley A Williams, Gabriel E Williams, Kylie Elizabeth Zack.

Second honors

Grade 9 — Ava Marie Almeida, Amira Jahira Bailey, Kelly Lynn Bavolacco, Emily Reilly Beck, Cheyenne Olivia Blackwell, Keiana Christina Brown, Dariel Ceballos, Max William Chapman, Claudia Chudecki, Morgan Rose Colacurcio, Justice Elijah DeVonish, Michael Gerard DiToro, Jasin Dovolani, Lili Sara Dowell, Molly Ann Duff, Ethan William Erickson, Leah Rose Evan, Caitlin Patricia Fenton, Miguel Angel Fernandez, Sabrina Fideles, Assiah Arianna Ford, Keily Marie Garcia, Chloe Elisabeth Gariepy, Benjamin Michael Gloria, Colin Keegan Grib, Sarah Elizabeth Ickowitz, Ciera Loren Johnson, Olivia May Kells, Vincent Edward Koorse, Savoula Koutroulas, Kane Bernard Lafond, Megan Marie Lutheran, Riley Pamelia Matto;

Also, Misael Nathan Mercado, Jason Miranda, Sarah Sue Mohamad, Ricardo Gabriel Molina, Catherine M Nelson, Amaya Kayla Nichols, Quincy Nunn, Nicholas Ochoa, Justin Chisom Ogazi, Zachary Gray Ormsbee, Arianna Althea Palmer, Marithsa Veniath Pierre, Bryan Angel Polanco, Shannon Nicole Porzelt, Donato Quattrucci, Crystal Rankin, Haley Nicole Reynolds, Shakeria Chelsea Richards, Ariana Eliz Rivera, Rachel Ann Rivera, Shamika Tyrah Saint-Hilaire, Yaritza Santos, Jasmine Naomi Soto, Madison Meier Talbot, Steven Ludwig Tarkowski, Sarah Beth Tartaglio, Elizabeth Aurora Thompson, Henry Valerio, Brianna Rose Vitka, Jasmine Alexandria Williams, Savanna Lee Yakush, Kristin Marie Zack.

Grade 10 — Sarah Aktim, Chelsea Grace Alexandre, Joline Akunne Alisa, Julie Artiaga, Carl Augustin, Dwight O’Conner Barnes, Juliana Marie Barone, Brittany Gabrielly Boaventura, Joseph Peter Breban, Gianee Brianna Burgos, Logan Caleb Caraballo, Natalie Castillo, Tiyana Musick Coleman, Hannah Marie Cologgi, Samantha Lynn Crowther, Angelina Maree Dermastja, Joseph Anthony Farrell, Nya Dolo Gardner, Yvemalya Stella Germain, Joshua Dale Giannoni, Dominique Sade Green, Trevon Quentin Griffin, Justin Ricardo Herrera, Connor Peter Hikade, Danka Hlinka, Ayisha Ijaz, David Leon Jaconski, Kacie Lyn John, Shayna Alyse Johnson, Vincent Michael Keller, Rammy Mohammed Khouja, Joshua Natalino Lisi;

Also, Christopher Allen Martinez, Alexander Maurice Mosley, Alyssa Marie Negron, Jenna Rose Petro, Jimmy Thanh Pham, Ximena Floricelda Pineda, Samantha Michele Piroh, Shawn William Prince, Talia Rose Ranocchia, Jessica Rosalina Reynolds, Colin James Richards, Trevor George Ricketts, Kayla Marie Rodriguez, Naomi Ariana Rodriguez, Gayle Kathleen Rookwood, Alexander Sanchez, Tyler Dimas Souza, Jackson Henry Sprouse, Amanda Laura Stauber, Matthew Michael Torpey, Jake Thomas Toth, Delanah Faith Urban, Isabella Maria Valerian, Ashlie Felecia Virgo, John David Vitone, Tarik Marc Williams, Yariah-Lynn Kharmyl Williams.

Grade 11 — Grace Louise Almeida, Jason Michael Antonucci, Jaileen Artiaga, Aaliyah Condoleezza Asante, Joshua John Auten, Brianna Lyn Bahr, Jack Nicholas Barnhart-Sullivan, Doryliz Bastell-Davila, Serena Bhushan, Sergio E Bran, Christopher Patrick Brown, Brenden Alexander Castro, Chelsea Annellisse Chamba Cabrera, Jonathan Cineus, Hannah M Coello, Sean Colbree, Savannah Jazell Colon, Erick Omar Cruz, Gwen Elizabeth Dascenzo, Carla DaSilva, Brianna Chelsea D’Haiti, Grant Michael diBenedetto, Kaylie Joyce Gariepy, Helena Michelle Gerardi, Linamaria Gonzalez, Janice Maria Guzman, Benjamin Fairbend Heiden, Cesar Riccardo Hernandez, Leanny Hernandez, Emiliano Jakob Jasso, Romanya Joseph, Alex Michael Koletar, Fiona Kyle, Elizabeth Alexandra Larsen, Robert Patrick Lombard;

Also, Michael Lopez, Montana Shelby Macey, Glenn Wayne Marsh, Christopher Cody McCreanor, Calum Kenneth McKenna, Rafael Alejandro Mesias, Lexi M Mola, Kaitlyn A Monteiro, Daria Munia, Natasha Mutambo, Danny Nguyen, Erica Eliza Nieves, Jasmin M Ochoa, Melissa Evelyn Paris, Joseph William Petrino, Shakera Natalee Powell, Joshua Pushefski, Ly’Nette Alexia Rios, Larissa Xenia Roettger, Faith Danielle Roos, Emily Robin Shevlin, Lindsey Victoria Sierer, Michael Joseph Soares, Richard Chairman Souffrant, Jack Emmett Spillane, Brittney Marie Stewart, Kyle Sullivan, Eriona Ny’Shay Thompson, John Steven Tu, Isabella Carol Vaitkus, Maciel Roy Valle, Tyler William Vancho, David Joshua Vereen, Cecilia Vicens-Aca, Ayianna Williams, Rodgenae Tisheena Williams.

Grade 12 — Kevin D Acuna, Michael Obinna Alisa, Kyle Joseph Bannister, Tyler Joseph Barnum, Ryan Batka, Samuel J Battaglia, Ava Grace Blashke, Abby Nicole Bociek, Brett J Bogdwicz, Rochelle Mia Buchanan, Naya Julia Clapp, Leanne Comerford, Ashley Elizabeth Conley, Deanna Nicole Costanzo, Holly A Crowther, Yeimieliz Cruz, Gabriela Concetta DeMatteo, Philip Michael DiNardo, Liridona Egriu, Melissa Andrea Escobar, Melissa Fernandes, Lourdes Rose Figueroa, Joshua Michel Foucault, Jessica Helene Guerrucci;

Also, Alexis Shannon Hartman-Brown, Carly Margaret Horch, Kathrine Jankowska, Mary Katherine Jovanelly, Michael James Kelly, Julianna Rose Koonitsky, Emily Grace Kratochwil, Ta’Hira Marie Magliochetti, John Thomas Merritt, Joseph M Minopoli, Vanessa Misurale, Michael Dean Monelli, Hannah G Mott, Shannon Mullings, Emilia G Ordner, Hannah Orr, Dominic Francis Parrella, Clarinda Polynice, Tayliah Erin Quiles-Sisk, Michelle Nicolle Rodriguez, Bianca Alexis Seaton, Elaine Nicole Stephens, Joshua M Vazquez, Pedro Villa, Bryianna Davina Williams.

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Live Green CT!, along with partners, Stratford Economic Development and Stratford Chamber of Commerce will hold an Energy Management Workshop for business owners and faith-based organizations on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 8-10 a.m., at Encon, 1265 Woodend Road, Stratford. Special guests include CT Green Bank and United Illuminating.

The goal of this workshop is to demonstrate how energy efficiency projects can save one money and how easy it is to get started on a project and start saving.

C-PACE is an economic development tool that creates a more competitive environment for retaining and attracting new businesses by lowering energy costs through energy upgrades. The reduction in energy costs can help create jobs, reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

C-PACE provides 100% upfront, fixed rate, long-term financing to property owners for qualified energy upgrades. One of the many benefits of the program is that C-PACE assessments may qualify as an operating expense. This means owners can finance improvements without incurring additional debt and preserve capital and credit lines for core business investments. Also, under typical leases, payments — as well as energy savings — can be passed along to tenants. Owners will achieve lower operating costs due to increased energy efficiency, improved asset value from new equipment, better indoor air quality and comfort for tenants.

The Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program is designed to provide cost-effective, turnkey energy-saving services for small commercial and industrial customers who do not have the time, financial resources, or in-house expertise necessary to analyze and reduce their energy usage.

Workshop agenda

• 8-8:30 a.m. Registration and coffee
• 8:30 Welcome Daphne Dixon, Live Green CT!
• 8:35 Amy Knorr, Stratford Economic Development
• 8:40 Mary Dean, Stratford Chamber of Commerce
• 8:45 Alysse A. Lembo-Buzzelli, CT Green Bank
• 9:15 Dennis O’Connor, United Illuminating
• 9:30, C-PACE Case Study
• 9:45 Q & A

To register visit events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=s6mlhwcab&oeidk=a07edi3hcvaebf73499

For more information contact Daphne Dixon at Daphne@LiveGreenCT.org.

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Nicholas Bodine

The Easton Police Department is asking the public if they have seen Nicholas Bodine, 23, who. has not been seen by his family or friends since the night of Nov. 30.

Bodine was last seen in Milford, Police Chief Tim Shaw said. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts or see him in your travels, you are asked to call 911 so officers can check on his welfare.

The vehicle Bodine was last seen driving is a 2000 Saab 95, four-door, dark blue, with tinted windows. Connecticut plate # 884-ZBG.

The Saab has a very loud muffler and a left front headlight broken with black tape in it, Shaw said  Bodine is 5’8”, 180 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information on Bodine’s whereabouts is asked to call the Easton Police Department at 203-268-4111.

The Easton Police Department is at 700 Morehouse Road, Easton, Conn. — Nancy Doniger photo

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Stratford Recreation Department’s Supreme Beauties Dance Team took first place in the 10th annual City Kidz Got Skillz Competition held on Nov. 12. The competition was sponsored by the Greater Bridgeport Area Prevention Program in Bridgeport.

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The Stratford Police Department is reminding everyone to be vigilant during the holiday season.

Protect yourself and others by following the recommendations below, and report suspicious activity while shopping and in your neighborhood.

• Do not leave purchased items visible in the car — leave them in the trunk.
• While stores may be less crowded in the evening hours, there are additional potential risks. When parking in a lot, use areas with adequate lighting. Consider shopping with someone rather than going alone.
• Make sure purses and wallets are secure on your person and you are aware of their location at all times.
• Keep the amount of available cash you have at a minimum or separate it into different pockets or locations on or about your person. This way, all of it is not lost if your purse or wallet is misplaced or stolen.
• Credit cards offer convenience and security. However, keep track of all cards and keep receipts to compare to your monthly statements.
• Remain aware of your surroundings at all times and move to and from your vehicle with confidence and purpose. Have your keys ready before getting into your car so you do not have to search for them while standing near it.
• Report suspicious people or activity to law enforcement immediately.
• If you shop online, make sure you know when packages will be delivered. If you cannot be home, have someone you trust secure the packages for you to avoid theft.
• Always lock your house and set the alarm if you have one.
• Do not advertise on social media when you are out shopping, thereby alerting potential thieves that your house is unoccupied.

Have a safe and happy holiday.

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Nicholas Bodine

The Easton man who had been reported missing by his family since  Nov. 30 was found safe in Maine last night.

“Thank you for the help,” Easton police Chief Tim Shaw said Wednesday morning. “Nicholas Bodine was located in Maine last night.”

Bodine’s mother, Janet Haller, administrative assistant to the Easton first selectman, also confirmed that her son had been found safe.

“We are relieved and grateful that he was found safe,” Haller said. “We thank not only our friends and family for their support but also the efforts of Chief Shaw and the entire Easton Police Department.”

Shaw on Dec. 6 sent out a press release, asking the public if they had seen Bodine, 23, who was last seen by friends Nov. 30 in Milford.

Police supplied information about the car Bodine had been driving and asked anyone who had any information regarding his whereabouts or had seen him in their travels to call 911 so officers could check on his welfare.

Bodine is a 2011 graduate of Joel Barlow High School in Redding.

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The Stratford Library Children’s Department will hold Star Wars Fantasy Crafts on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m.

Children ages 6-12 will make three different Star Wars crafts.

Interested patrons should register from the events page at stratfordlibrary.org or call 203-385-4165.

Yoda snowflake craft

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Baldwin Center calendar

Mondays-Fridays, 8:30-4

1000 West Broad Street

203-385-4050

Friday, Dec. 9 — 9 CARES, zumba, men’s club; 9:30 mahjongg; 11 trip; 11:30 chair yoga; 11:45 lunch; 12:30 cards; 1 pokeno, ping pong, tap, Baldwin Players rehearsal.

Monday, Dec. 12 — 9 CARES, aerobics; 9:30 blood pressure; 10 Pearl Harbor, strength, tai chi; 11 qigong; 11:30 Italian; 11:45 lunch; 12:30 quilting; 12:45 bingo; 1 ping pong.

Tuesday, Dec. 13 — 9 CARES, zumba tone; 10 sittercize, COA; 10:30 line dance; 11 Spanish, yoga; 11:45 lunch; 12:30 ladies poker, mahjongg; 12:45/2:30 painting; 1 holiday party, clutter, Golden Tones; 2 reiki.

Wednesday, Dec. 14 — 9 CARES, strength; 10 zumba, meditation; 11 qigong; 11:45 lunch; 12:30 men’s poker, Wii bowling; 1 writing, pickleball.

Thursday, Dec. 15 — 9 CARES, aerobics; 10 sittercize; 10:30 line dance; 11 preschool, yoga; 11:45 lunch; noon reflexology; 12:30 Wii bowling; 1 ping pong; 2 holiday concert.

Holiday party

Brian Gillie will perform favorite holiday tunes Tuesday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. Festive refreshments served. Co-sponsored by AARP. Free, but registration required.

Guided imagery

Meditation is good for the soul (and high blood pressure). We live with a lot of stressors in this day and age; staying healthy, paying bills, relationship issues, to name a few. Stratford Senior Services Director Diane Puterski will teach participants how to relax at home through the power of guided imagery Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. Guided imagery is a technique that anyone can learn to do to feel calm, reduce stress, and help you focus.

Holiday concert

Lifelong Learners presents the Baldwin Center Chamber Orchestra holiday concert Thursday, Dec. 15, 2 p.m., Baldwin Center Main Hall. The group, under the direction of Ruth Johnson, has been in existence since 2009, and includes violins, piano, bassoon, flute, oboe and bass. Light refreshments served after performance, which is open to the community.

Chair yoga

Chair yoga will be offered Fridays, 11:30-12:30 through Jan. 6. Fee is $2/class. Registration is not necessary. Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is practiced sitting on a chair, or standing using a chair for support. Chair yoga has helped people with the symptoms of many health issues including: hypertension (high blood pressure), anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, vertigo (medical), multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, osteopenia, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, and chronic pain.

Men’s Club meeting

The Men’s Club meets at 9 a.m. on the first and third Friday of every month at the Baldwin Center. New members welcome; Don Coulson, 203-375-9937.

Qigong

Awaken your vital life-force energy with a combined approach of movement, breathing and relaxation Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

All levels exercise  

Classes include aerobics, zumba, zumba tone, qigong, strength, yoga, tai chi and sittercise. Cardio classes and low impact classes help with balance, coordination and flexibility. Visit the center and pick up a current schedule or try out a class; Lauren Donovan, 203-385-4050.

Strength training

Classes held Mondays, at 10 a.m.  and Wednesdays, at 9 a.m. Strength training in older adults improves flexibility and balance, which may decrease the likelihood and severity of falls. Increased bone density is another benefit. Bring 1-2 lb. hand weights. Registration not necessary. Class fee is $1. Open to the senior community.

Men’s Club seeks members

The Stratford Senior Men’s Club is looking to expand its membership. The group gets together to bowl, play bocce, pinochle, etc. Club meets twice a month at the Baldwin Center. They host speakers that cover topics ranging from hobbies, sports, history, local news, health and more. Information: Don Coulson, 203-375-9937.

Laugh therapy

Laugh therapy can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and can give an overall feeling of well-being. Laughter increases blood flow just as cardio exercise does with the same benefit. It is the easiest form of meditation and brings instant relaxation. In addition, studies have shown laughter increases immune-boosting antibodies. No experience or physical ability necessary. Instructor (and Baldwin Center member) Mary Torres will have you laughing. Classes are held the first and third Monday of each month. No registration necessary. Fee $2 per class.

CARES program

Stratford Senior Services is accepting new participants for its CARES program. CARES is a social model activities program designed for older adults who may have a memory impairment or are physically too frail to participate in the programs at the Baldwin Center. The program provides seniors with a variety of therapeutic recreational activities within a supervised and structured environment.

The C.A.R.E.S. Program is housed at the Raymond E. Baldwin Center, 1000 West Broad Street. Program hours are Monday-Friday, 9-3:30. Participants are provided with a continental breakfast in the morning, a hot lunch in the afternoon, and snacks. Programming includes music, exercise, trivia and other word games, and activities that help individuals with balance and hand-eye coordination.

Cost to attend the C.A.R.E.S. program is $15/day for Stratford residents, and $20/day for non-Stratford residents. For more information, call 203-385-4050 or 203-385-4055 and ask for Erin or Diane.

Poker anyone?

The men’s poker group that plays on Wednesday afternoons at 1 p.m. is looking for more players. To join, or for more information call Vinnie at 203-335-3623.

Tap dancing

Led by a Stratford Dance Academy Instructor, $4/class. Call for the date of the next six-week session.

Monday bingo

The Baldwin Center offers bingo in the main hall on Monday afternoons at 12:45. Bingo cards are .50 cents per card or three cards for $1. Several different games are played. Any senior age 55 and older may attend.

Dakim BrainFitness

Easy to use, computer-based program designed specifically for adults exercises six essential cognitive domains in every session and self-adjusts the level of challenge for each user in each domain, so everyone receives customized therapy. It is the number one brand of brain fitness in America’s senior living market and has been shown to significantly improve memory, both immediate and delayed, and language skills as it strengthens attention, focus, and concentration. To schedule a session, call Lauren Donovan, 203-385-4050.

Spanish class

Instructor Cindy Brand offers a beginners class which includes speaking and culture, as well as vocabulary and grammar, Tuesdays, 11 a.m., $2, 203-385-4050.

Wii bowling

Play every Wednesday and Thursday, 12:30. Additionally, group competes against other senior centers in the area. No experience required.

Italian classes

Conversational Italian taught by Anna Sincavage Mondays, 11:30, Baldwin Center library. Class fee: $2, 203-385-4050.

Sikorsky Teamsters of Stratford

Meets second Wednesday of the month, 11, Union Hall, 150 Garfield Ave. Bette, 203-375-7313 or 203-243-5633.

Free Internet

Stratford Senior Services offers free wireless connection to the Internet at the Baldwin Center Coffee Shop weekdays, 9-3.

CT Veterans Wartime Service Medal

Established by the 2005 General Assembly, any veteran who served at least 90 days during wartime and was honorably discharged is eligible for the medal. Visit ct.gov/ctvg. Applications also are available at Baldwin Center Main Desk, and can be submitted to the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.

Stratford Senior Services Director Diane Puterski will teach participants how to relax at home through the power of guided imagery Wednesday, Dec. 14.

The post Baldwin Center senior calendar: Dec. 9-15 appeared first on Stratford Star.

Operation Fuel released its statewide 2016 Home Energy Affordability Gap report on Dec. 6.

While Connecticut’s annual energy affordability gap decreased for the past year, it still is substantial and presents a crushing financial burden for more than 322,000 households that can’t afford to pay their energy bills, according to the Home Energy Affordability Gap: Connecticut (2016) report, which Operation Fuel released on Dec. 6 during a news conference at the state capitol.

There now is a $399 million energy affordability gap for state households with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The affordability gap is the portion of their energy bills that 322,000 households can’t afford to pay, not the entire amount that they owe.

While the gap declined by nearly $71 million from $470 million in 2015, this drop is primarily attributed to a reduction in the price of home heating oil and natural gas over the past year. There are about 9,000 more Connecticut households this year that can’t afford their energy bills compared with 313,000 last year. On average, each of the 322,000 households owes about  $1,241 more in annual energy bills than they can afford to pay. Many of these households consist of working families with young children or elderly adults who are living on a fixed-income.

“Even though energy prices were lower this past year, there still is a significant gap between what lower-income households pay for energy bills and what they actually can afford to pay. And when low-income households do pay their bills in full and on time, it is frequently at the expense of other basic necessities such as nutritious food, healthcare and education,” said Karen E. Adamson, Operation Fuel’s executive director.

Operation Fuel is Connecticut’s only year-round, statewide nonprofit emergency energy assistance program. This past fiscal year, Operation Fuel provided over $3.18 million in energy assistance to more than 7,705 households.

“The State of Connecticut has a large home energy affordability gap facing its low-income households, with available resources grossly insufficient to address the problem. As a result of this mismatch between energy bills and the resources needed to pay them, low-income households incur unpaid bills and experience the termination of service associated with those arrears,” stated the energy affordability gap report, which was prepared for Operation Fuel by regional economist Roger D. Colton, a partner with Fisher, Sheehan & Colton Public Finance and General Economics, of Belmont, Mass.

“The need for emergency energy assistance for Connecticut’s most vulnerable households is extensive. But our state’s available resources for addressing this problem are extremely insufficient.We must continue to work together to find solutions to Connecticut’s energy affordability crisis,” said Adamson

Now in its 40th year, Operation Fuel is a private, nonprofit program that provides emergency energy assistance year-round through its statewide network of 107 fuel banks to lower-income working families and individuals, the elderly, and disabled individuals who are in financial crisis.

For more information and to see the Home Energy Affordability Gap report, go to operationfuel.org/our-publications/

Key findings of the 2016 report include:

• The state’s annual home energy affordability gap currently is $399 million for households with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• There are more than 322,000 Connecticut households that can’t afford their energy bills. On average, each owes about  $1,241 more in annual energy bills than they can afford to pay.
• For Connecticut households in “deep poverty,” home energy costs not only impede their ability to keep their energy services, but also obstruct their access to housing, food, medical care and other basic necessities.
• Connecticut’s available resources for addressing the energy affordability crisis are extremely insufficient. The federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the state’s primary source of energy assistance.
• This past year, LIHEAP continued to cover only a fraction of the Home Energy Affordability Gap for a fraction of income-eligible households despite the decrease in the home energy affordability gap.
• Connecticut’s LIHEAP allocation for the 2015-16 heating season was $85 million, which covered only about 21% of the state’s total affordability gap in 2016.
• More than 400,000 Connecticut residents with incomes at or below 200% of poverty live in multi-family housing units, and the vast majority are renters. Energy efficiency in multi-family housing could be improved by about 30%.

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A Stratford man accused of operating a drug factory inside his apartment is facing drug and weapons charges after his arrest on Tuesday.

Evaristo Castro

Evaristo Castro, 56, of 295 Putnam St., was charged on Tuesday with sale of cocaine, operating a drug factory and criminal possession of a firearm.

Stratford Police investigators from the narcotics vice and intelligence unit finished on Tuesday an investigation into alleged cocaine sales in local bars. Police obtained an arrest warrant for Castro and a search warrant for Castro’s home. Police said Castro was taken into custody during a traffic stop and the search warrant was executed immediately afterward with the assistance of Bridgeport Police.

Police seized an SKS rifle, approximately $18,750 and 260 grams of cocaine.

Castro was ordered held on $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear on Dec. 16 in Bridgeport Superior Court.

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