Alarcon takes first prize in raffle drawing

Written by Rachel Kirkpatrick
Saturday, 09 January 2010 00:00

First Selectman Natalie Ketcham was on hand at The Olive Market in Georgetown on New Year’s Eve to draw the winning tickets for a raffle held in conjunction with the first-ever Georgetown Holiday Festival on Dec. 6.

The festival featured a parade and activities hosted by merchants in the Georgetown village area. All of the proceeds from the raffle benefit Connecticut Hospice.

H1N1 flu clinics set

Thursday, 07 January 2010 00:00

On Thursdays, Jan. 7 and 14, H1N1 flu vaccine clinics for Redding are being held by appointment onlyfor all who wish to receive it. Call 203-938-2559 for an appointment. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Possibilities after high school: Discussion focuses on ‘gap year’

Written by Jennifer Wastrom
Wednesday, 06 January 2010 12:56

The Joel Barlow High School PTSA is presenting a discussion on “Gap Year” possibilities — work, volunteer service, study and travel opportunities for graduating high school seniors as an alternative to college — tonight, Jan. 7 at the Mark Twain Library. The program begins at 7 p.m.

The panel will include former Barlow students who will discuss their post-high school experiences, and Mitch Holmes, academic dean at Naugatuck Community College.

Brooks will bring the blues to Jan. 8 coffeehouse

Tuesday, 05 January 2010 00:00

The Lyrics Coffeehouse Series is offering a night of blues with Brooks Williams on Friday, Jan. 8, at the Redding Community Center at 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Williams “is a blues-singing, guitar-picking, bottleneck-slide playing certified road warrior who has been wowing audiences for 23 years on stages at clubs and festivals throughout the world. From Dallas to London, Istanbul to Anchorage, Toronto to Dublin, this guy has got some serious miles under his belt,” according to a press release.

Battle of the Troupes set for Jan. 9

Written by Janis Gibson
Friday, 01 January 2010 00:00

In celebration of the third anniversary of the debut performance of Troupe du Jour, an improv group of high school students under the direction of Diana Canova, a competition titled Troupe du Jour vs. Troupe du Yester-jour will be conducted at the Redding Community Center Saturday, Jan. 9. It will feature current members of the group and Troupe alumni, original members who graduated in June.

The show, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature improv game competition between about a dozen each original and “new” members of the troupe, with audience members acting as judges.

Area magnet school is accepting applications

Tuesday, 29 December 2009 12:28

Western Connecticut Academy for International Studies Magnet School has announced that it is accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year.

Redding residents with children who will be entering grades kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome to apply. The application deadline is Jan. 22 with a lottery drawing taking place on Feb. 4.

Digital camera use topic of new course

Thursday, 24 December 2009 00:00

Did you receive a new digital camera over the holidays? Are you uncertain what all those buttons do? Help will be on the way in January when the Redding Learning Center, sponsored by SeniorNet, offers a four-week course, “Using Your Digital Camera.”

This class begins on Thursday, Jan. 14, and will continue on consecutive Thursdays through Feb. 4. Classes will be held at Heritage Center in the Redding Community Center from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The cost for this course is $20 plus $10 for materials. To register, call Heritage Center at 203-938-9725.

Brown Bag Lunch is Jan. 6

Monday, 04 January 2010 00:00

U.S. Congressman Jim Himes (D-2) will be the guest at First Selectman Natalie Ketcham’s Brown Bag lunch with constituents on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at noon.

Catered lunches are available at Heritage Center

Wednesday, 30 December 2009 00:00

Heritage Center is now serving meals on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at noon to those aged 60 or over. The meals are prepared by the Sidestreet Café in Bethel with a suggested donation of $4 per meal. Reservations are required.

The program is operated through the auspices of New Opportunities Inc., the community action agency serving Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington the greater Danbury area and 26 surrounding towns. The agency offers a variety of social service programs designed to eliminate poverty and assist people in need. This program is funded by participant donations and Title IIIC of the Older Americans Act through the Western CT Agency on Aging.

College alternatives is the topic of Jan. 7 program

Thursday, 31 December 2009 00:00

On Thursday, Jan. 7, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at the Mark Twain Library, the Joel Barlow High School PTSA will present a discussion of college alternatives. The panel will include former Barlow students who have taken a gap year between high school and college, and Mitch Holmes, academic dean at Naugatuck Community College.

Mr. Holmes will discuss the various academic and technical certificates and degrees that can benefit students, whether they continue their education, pursue their passion or enter the workforce. He will also present information on the success of Barlow students who have attended Naugatuck Community College.