Waterbury City Guide 2018

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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The Waterbury Observer’s City Guide 2018

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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155 THOMASTON AVE. WATERBURY, CT. 06702 TEL:203-754-5700 FAX:203-754-5701

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Welcome To Waterbury

The city of Waterbury, with a population of 109,679 and acreage of 28.96 square miles, is the largest city in the Central Naugatuck Valley Region, the fifth largest city in the state and the ninth largest in New England. Located in the region’s geographic center, the city offers a variety of regional retail, commercial, health, education and social services. The city is also located along the Naugatuck River, Interstate 84 (Yankee Expressway) and Route 8, and has a Metro-North railroad station with connections to Grand Central Terminal and is situated 77 miles (about 90 minutes) away from New York City. Waterbury lies in the humid continental climate zone, and normally sees cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Waterbury was once known as the “Brass City” because of its long history as the center of the nation’s brass industry and it is now home to citizens of diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.

Today Waterbury is taking steps to build a sustainable future that makes the links between transportation, housing and the environment so that neighborhoods are livable and walkable. With the presence of a skilled and educated regional

workforce, affordable real estate, and the convenience and culture of city life balanced by the nearby rural beauty of the country and riverside, Waterbury continues to be known for its advanced technology capabilities, historic architecture and facades, and most importantly, its strong communities, culture and neighborhoods.

Downtown Revitalization

Waterbury offers affordability and one-of-a-kind urban planning. With well over 150 businesses located within its boundaries, which include professional offices, restaurants, entertainment venues, educational facilities, and retail establishments. The central business district offers elegantly refurbished brownstones and turn-of-the-century architecture with affordable housing opportunities, retail and office space.

Main Street Waterbury

The National Main Street Center has recognized Main Street Waterbury as a National Main Street Community by granting

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Program Accreditation for “outstanding accomplishments toward the goal of downtown revitalization.” This recognition is presented based on the results of work done and progress made in the preceding year.

Mission Statement: Advocate, educate, and collaborate for downtown revitalization to enhance downtown through the Main Street four point program focus on economic restructuring, promotion, organization and design.

Vision Statement: Easily accessible regional center and downtown neighborhood to learn, live, work and play.

Connecticut residents, many of whom have distinguished themselves in the fields of community service, business, education, law and politics. Today, the campus is located in a modern, state-of-the art facility in the heart of downtown Waterbury.

University of Connecticut at Waterbury 99 East Main Street Waterbury, CT 06702 Phone 203-236-9800 www.waterbury.uconn.edu

Main Street Waterbury 83 Bank Street Waterbury, CT 06721 Contact: Carl Rosa, Executive Director Phone: 203-757-0701 ext.302 www.mainstreetwaterbury.com www.vibesafterfive.com www.brasscitybrewfest.com

Western Connecticut State University

Waterbury Development Corporation

The Waterbury Development Corporation is the premier economic development agency servicing the City of Waterbury. WDC provides direct business financing as well as recommends technical assistance providers, financial counseling and site selection information.

Waterbury Development Corporation 24 Leavenworth Street Waterbury, CT 06702 Phone: 203-346-2607

Downtown Merchants Association

The Downtown Merchants Association is a free forum for all merchants in Waterbury’s central business district to share ideas and work together to improve our mercantile area.

The association strives to unite the Waterbury community through updates on upcoming events and opportunities to participate in making downtown a cleaner, safer, and more lucrative place to be!

Downtown Merchants Association 158 Grand Street Waterbury, CT 06702 Phone: 203-757-2279

Education

In addition to the public school system Waterbury also has a number of non-public, private, and parochial K-12 schools as well as five institutions of higher education.

UConn Waterbury

The University of Connecticut’s Waterbury campus serves more than 1,000 students annually. In its sixty years of operation, UConn Waterbury has opened the doors to educational access and excellence to thousands of

Waterbury is located on the campus of Naugatuck Valley Community College. It offers a convenient location for students in the Greater Waterbury area to take the same academic programs for a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in management or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The same classes are offered n Waterbury as those in Danbury, so Western students may take classes at both locations. All courses are conveniently scheduled to accommodate working students, and are taught by Western’s faculty members.

Western Connecticut State University 750 Chase Parkway, Ekstrom Hall 627 Waterbury, CT 06708 Phone: 203-596-8777 www.wcsu.edu/waterbury

Naugatuck Valley Community College

At Naugatuck Valley Community College, students learn in technologically advanced classrooms amid beautiful, safe surroundings that are conveniently located at exit 18 off of I-84 in Waterbury. The College offers more than 100 accredited programs leading to associate degrees or professional certification and more than 100 non-credit courses to sharpen proficiencies and improve employable skills.

As a member of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (ConnSCU), NVCC offers its students the most affordable prices in higher education and the opportunity to complete their first two years of college right here in Waterbury. Plus, NVCC students receive free unlimited rides on city buses, which makes it easy to get to class day or night. For students looking to complete a bachelor’s degree or beyond, NVCC also offers full credit transfer to Connecticut State Universities, Charter Oak and more.

NVCC is the only Connecticut community college to offer associate degree programs in aviation science, horticulture, and visual and performing arts (dance option). The campus is also home to unique facilities including two theaters, a freestanding greenhouse, an observatory, many teaching and learning gardens and the new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. All students have access to the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE ) for tutoring seven days a week, computer use, English as a Second Language help, research assistance, a specialized Math lab and writing center.

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The Waterbury Police Department added a Mounted Unit in 2017 and it has ben highly visible in downtown, at schools, and at community events. The unit is comprised of police officers Jose Diaz, left, Dan Jones, middle, and Andrea Carr.

Through NVCC’s Bridge to College programs, the College provides early intervention, mentoring programs and academic support services to at-risk students, ensuring the completion of high school, matriculation and college graduation. We are proud to be the first Connecticut community college to grant more than 1,200 associate degrees and certificates at commencement in May 2014.

NVCC alumni become productive employees, raising families and helping to make the Waterbury community economically stronger to live, work and thrive in. Our students find work through the Job Placement Center where they learn how to write a resume, practice their interview skills, attend job fairs and connect with employers who are actively hiring interns or employees. They continue to give back to their College and their community through volunteerism, civic action and annual giving. To learn more about attending your community college, visit www.nv.edu or call us for a tour.

Naugatuck Valley Community College 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708 Phone: 203 575-8000 www.nv.edu

Post University

Celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2015, Post University provides students with the knowledge, personal skills and experience required to be leaders in their chosen fields.

Located on a 58 acre campus in Waterbury, Post University offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for on-campus and online students of all ages, and is known for its quality, career-driven academic programs, small classes, and competitive NCAA Division II athletics.

The University’s full- and part-time resident, commuter, and online students come from the United States and abroad, and are supported by faculty whose mission is to prepare students to compete and succeed in today’s global workplace. To learn more about Post University, call 800.345.2562, or visit www.Post.edu or http://blog.post. edu.

Post University 800 Country Club Road Waterbury, CT 06723 Phone: (800) 345-2562 www.Post.edu

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Dear Friends, Welcome to the 7th Edition of The Waterbury Observer’s City Guide.

The City Guide, published annually, is a valuable reference with a wealth of information on City departments, businesses, and neighborhood associations. In addition to services you will also find restaurant and entertainment options available in the greater Waterbury area.

I encourage you to take a copy of the City Guide, leaf through, and discover the variety that Waterbury has to offer.

Sincerely,

Neil M. O’Leary Mayor, City of Waterbury

235 Grand Street • Waterbury, ConneCtiCut 06702 • (203)574-6712

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Waterbury Public Schools

Approximately 17,445 children attend the Waterbury Public Schools which consists of 19 elementary schools, two Interdistrict magnet schools, three middle schools, three high schools, one alternative education school and one learning center.

Waterbury Public Schools Superintendent’s Office 236 Grand Street Waterbury, CT 203-574-8000 www.waterbury.k12.ct.us Non-public, private, and parochial K-12 schools can be viewed through the City of Waterbury’s web site - www. waterbury-ct.gov Al Yaqeen Academy, Alpha&Omega Christian Academy , Blessed Sacrament Catholic Day School, Chase Collegiate School, Childrens Community School, School Of Norwalk/ waterbury Site, Holy Cross High School, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Our Lady Of Mount Carmel School, Sacred Heart High School, St Peter & Paul School, St Mary School, St. Francis Xavier School, Stepping Stones School, Waterbury Christian Academy, Wee Care Nursery & Day Care, and Yeshiva K’tana Of Waterbury.

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Quality of Life

Waterbury is conveniently located at the crossroads of Interstate 84 and Route 8 in one of the most historic and beautiful areas of the country. Approximately one-third of the nation’s total population is within a 500-mile radius.

Known as the “Brass City” because of its long history as the center of the nation’s brass industry, With a population of over 110,000 people Waterbury is the metropolitan center of a thirteen-town region known as the Central Naugatuck Valley Region (CNVR).

Centrally located, this Southern New England City is less than two hours away from New York City, Boston and Providence. The region is widely recognized for its abundant and affordable housing and the city’s neighborhoods offer a wide variety of style and price. Housing costs are competitive and currently below the state average. With comfortable two-bedroom condominiums and three-bedroom homes available in a family neighborhood setting, you’re sure to find accommodations to meet your needs.

For more information, the National Association of Realtors maintains a website known as realtor.com at: www.realtor. com - a comprehensive source for realtors and homes in Connecticut.

One of the unique and interesting aspects of life in Waterbury is its strong sense of community. Waterbury counts as its strengths its ethnic diversity and strong neighborhood associations. Waterbury is proud of the

Visit our website at: www.rosachiropractic.com What Is Chiropractic?

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Chiropractic is based on applying scientific fact to stimulating your body’s own remarkable resources. These important self-regulating and self-healing functions are controlled by your brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

When the nervous system is impaired through illness, injury or stress it can cause tissues and organs throughout the body to function poorly.

Doctors call this degenerative chain reaction the vertebral subluxation complex. It is an underling cause of many health problems.

With chiropractic’s hands-on, drug-free health care approach, millions have found a healthier lifestyle through diet, exercise and maintaining proper spinal function.

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203-573-0011 | 715 LAKEWOOD RD WATERBURY

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Waterbury Waterbury– – Intersection of Interstate 84 & Route 8 

A Strategic Location between NYC, Boston & Stamford

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Center for Economic Investment

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Strong Stable Government

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Diverse Housing Choices

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Thriving Neighborhoods

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Strong Higher Education Choices

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Vibrant Arts and Culture Director of Economic Development • Joseph McGrath (203)574-6712 • jmcgrath@waterburyct.org

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Welcoming All: Moving Forward for Student Success

Waterbury has identied the following district goals to support the success of ALL students:

    

Increase students’ ability in grades K‐12 to read critically to comprehend increasingly complex texts.

Students in K‐12 will increase critical thinking and problem solving skills in mathematics in order to develop solutions to modern day problems.

Improve attendance by reducing Chronic Absenteeism districtwide.

Reduce suspensions by improving strategies that aid in classroom management and tiered support structures.

Implement recruitment and retainment strategies to diversify the teaching and administrative staff.

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Robert Henry, Deputy Superintendent

236 Grand Street / Waterbury, CT. 06702 / 203 574‐8000 / waterbury.k12.ct.us

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Waterbury

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Registrars of Voters

Hours of Operation: 8:50 a.m. to 4:50 p.m.

Republican Registrar, Timothy De Carlo (tdecarlo@waterburyct.org)

Democratic Registrar, Teresa Begnal (TBegnal@waterburyct.org)

The polling places for November 6th, 2018 will be State Districts Mission Statement The Registrars of Voters are responsible for conducting elections, primaries and special elections and maintaining accurate voter records. Other activities include redistricting, canvassing and registering voters, having special voting sessions and conducting registration sessions at high schools.

Registration Requirements U.S. Citizen | Waterbury Resident | At least 18 years old on or before the next election

Waterbury Polling Places 71-1 Kennedy High School, 422 Highland Ave. 71-2 Gilmartin School, 94 Spring Lake Rd. 71-3 Tinker School, 655 Congress Ave. 72-1 Mount Olive AME Zion Church, 82 Pearl St. 72-2 Jonathan Reed School, 33 Griggs St. 72-3 Woodrow Wilson School, 235 Birch St. 72-4 Regan School, 2780 North Main St. 72-5 Edward D. Bergin Apartments, 70 Lakewood Rd. 73-1 Carrington School, 24 Kenmore Ave. 73-2 Blessed Sacrament School, 386 Robinwood Rd.

73-3 Kingsbury School, 220 Columbia Blvd.

73-4 Sprague School, 1443 Thomaston Ave. 74-1 Chase School, 40 Woodtick Rd. 74-2 Crosby High School, 300 Pierpont Rd. 74-3 St Peter & Paul School gym, 116 Beecher Ave. 74-4 Wendell Cross School, 1255 Hamilton Ave. 5-1 Willow Plaza Community Center, 60 Elmwood Ave. 5-2 Washington Park Community House, 283 Sylvan Ave. 5-3 Maloney School. 233 South Elm St 5-4 St. Francis Xavier Church Hall, 625 Baldwin Street

Voter Registration Forms: Register to vote in Connecticut | Change your name and/or address on current registration Enroll in a political party or change party enrollment

236 Grand Street, 1st Floor, Waterbury, CT 06702 Phone (203) 574-6751 Fax (203) 346-3533

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Mission Statement

The mission of the Town Clerk’s Office is to preserve and protect all records placed in the custody of this office and to provide a wide range of services to the public in a professional and courteous manner.

OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK Core Functions

• Record and Index City Land Records • Issue and Record all Vital Records including Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates • Issue Marriage Licenses • Issue Burial and Cremation Permits • Issue and Maintain List of all City Dog Licenses • Record and Issue Military Discharge Papers • Record and Certify Notary Public Certificates • Record and Maintain List of Justices of the Peace • Maintain City Liquor Permits • Enforce Campaign Finance Filings and Make Available to Public • Various Elections Duties including Issuing Absentee Ballots • Maintain Permanent Records of Elected Officials and Election Results • Provide Graphic Design, Printing and Mail Services to All City Departments

Antoinette “Chick” Spinelli Town Clerk Antoinette “Chick” Spinelli aspinelli@waterburyct.org Town Clerk aspinelli@waterburyct.org

Hours of Operation Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM City Hall - 235 Grand St., Waterbury, CT - 1st Floor Town Clerk (203)574-6806 | Vital Statistics (203)574-6800

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Office of the City Clerk Mission Statement The Office of the City Clerk of the City of Waterbury is committed to providing accurate records of all Municipal Board and Commission meetings of the City of Waterbury in a friendly and expedient manner.

Michael J. Dalton, Core Functions • Receive correspondence and keep records for municipal boards and commissions • Provide public access to records of all municipal boards and commissions • Oversee the creation of agendas for municipal boards and commissions • Post and advertise meeting notices and agendas • Schedule, staff and record various meetings of municipal boards and commissions • Oversee and assist the Board of Aldermen in the legislative process, from introduction of proposed legislation to final approval and publication • File, maintain and store all legislation, minutes and other recorded documents related to the operation of city government • Provide copies of ordinances, meeting notices and minutes, and other matters of public information to members of the public • Serve as a document and resource center for the Mayor, Board of Aldermen, City departments and members of the public • Assist in the research of requested information and/or documents • Serve as a direct contact for City departments, outside agencies, and the general public on behalf of municipal boards and commissions • Accept and process claims and suits filed against the City

City Clerk mdalton@waterburyct.org The following is a list of the current fees as charged by the Office of the City Clerk: Charter Operating Budget Capital Budget Three Year Financial Plan Digital Copy of Charter Labor Contracts Copies per page

$30.00 $20.00 $10.00 $10.00 $15.00 $10.00 $0.50

For any documents that exceed $10 in cost, payment will be required prior to the duplication of the documents.

Hours of operation: Mon-Fri, 8:50 a.m.-4:50 p.m.

City Hall- 235 Grand Street, Waterbury, CT 06702 203-574-6741|Fax: 203-574-6745

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Questions? Report an Issue?

Citizens Service Center Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (203)597-3444

citizenservicecenter@waterburyct.org www.waterburyct.org

@mayoroleary

City Hall, 2nd Floor • 235 Grand Street • Waterbury, CT 06702 • (203)574-6712

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Potholes, Blight Downed Trees Barking Dogs, Etc...

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 311 or (203)597-3444

@mayoroleary

citizenservicecenter@waterburyct.org www.waterburyct.org

Joan V. Hartley

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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State Senator 15th District

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Best Legislator Most Powerful Woman Representing Waterbury, Middlebury & Naugatuck

Deputy President Pro Tempore Chair: Commerce

Vice-Chair: Appropriations;Insurance and Real Estate Member: Executive & Legislative Nominations; Legislative Management

Contact Senator Hartley at...

Legislative Office Building, Room 1800, Hartford, CT 06106-1591 Web: www.SenatorHartley.cga.ct.gov

What’s happening at the State Capitol and around the state? Find me on Facebook and find out. It’s paperless, informative and immediate. www.facebook.com — Search: “Joan Hartley”

Hartley@senatedems.ct.gov 1-800-842-1420

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many neighborhood-based community groups that actively promote quality of life for their residents. This type of enthusiasm creates a positive atmosphere in which to live, work and raise a family. Senior Resources are also listed for your reference. Other community resources that provide activities and programs for local families and youths are available below.

Senior Resources East End Senior Center 117 Southmayd Road Waterbury, CT 06705 Phone: 203.757.1307 Meals on Wheels is the most recognized name brand of senior nutrition programs. But other senior meal programs by various names are in many communities in the U.S. and around the world and often go by names other than Meals on Wheels (a generic term generally reserved for home delivered meal programs). While Meals on Wheels programs are delivered to the home, seniors may also find congregate meal programs at local senior centers, churches, or community centers.

Meals on Wheels 232 North Elm Street Waterbury, CT 06704 Phone: 203-756-5261

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South Waterbury Senior Citizens South Congregational Church 160 Piedmont Street Waterbury, CT 06706 Phone: 203-754-8154 Transportation provided for Waterbury senior citizens for medical visits, shopping and recreation. Door-to-door service is offered at no additional cost. Van is lift-equipped for seniors who are disabled. The shuttle transports Waterbury seniors to all Waterbury doctors and medical services, including medical buildings in Prospect and Middlebury.

Waterbury Senior Shuttle Phone: 203-757-5355 Hours: Reservations: M-F: 9am-12noon Fees: Donation requested Eligibility Requirements: Resident of Waterbury; Ages 60+; Call in advance New Opportunities’ Elder Services Division offers older citizens a variety of supportive programs which provide everything from affordable household help on a sliding scale, nutrition services including Meals On Wheels, fuel assistance, subsidized volunteer opportunities and more.

Age requirements vary from 55 and above to 65 plus, depending on the individual program.

Animeals, BRASS (Bringing Resources to Action to Serve Seniors), CHORE, Comprehensive Outreach Project for

Geraldo Reyes Jr. State Representative 75th District

Downtown Waterbury, South End, Hillside and Brooklyn Neighborhood

• Appropriations Committee • Vice Chair Commerce Committee • Environmental Committee • Chair Rules & Regulations

“Waterbury is an extraordinarily diverse city and we are stronger when we all work together to improve the quality of life in the city.” geraldo.reyes@cga.ct.gov 1-860-240-8585

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Waterbury’s Recycling Coordinator, CJ May, is a magician, a storyteller, and a passionate man about the environment.

CJ visits schools and community groups and neighborhood associations to use a mix of magic and charm to inform Waterbury residents about the importance of recycling. May attended the April 25th meeting of Project Clear Water and delighted the crowd with magic tricks, and then held the group’s interest with a 30-minute Q&A about Waterbury’s conversion to 96 gallon recycling cart-based collection for the 32,000 households serviced by curbside collection. The big change from little orange bin to big cart is planned for June 2017. His burning wallet trick is used to illustrate the money the city loses by the low percentage of residents recycling.

Elders (COPE), Emergency Response System - VoiceCare, Foster Grandparents Program, InHome Services, Meals On Wheels, MedSmart, Money Management Program, RSVP, Senior Cafe, Senior Companions, Senior Dine, Senior Nutrition Hotline, Tribury Friendly Visitors NOI Elder Services 232 North Elm St., 3rd Floor Waterbury, CT 06702 T: 203-575-4268 Elder@NewOppInc.org

Community Resources

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Waterbury is one of the oldest Clubs in America, Established in 1888, the Club has been serving Waterbury youth for 125 years. The Club’s goals stem from our Mission and the goals are for all youth to have a positive self-identity, community involvement, health & well-being, a well-rounded moral compass and educational, employment, social, emotional and cultural competencies by the age of eighteen. The Club does this by promoting the development of young people by instilling a sense of competence, a sense of usefulness, a sense of belonging and a sense of power or influence.

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Waterbury 1037 East Main Street Waterbury, CT, 06705 Phone: 203-756-8104 www.bgcgwater.org

Girls Inc. provide girls with strategies to overcome social, intellectual, and economic challenges while helping empower them to be the change agents for the coming generations. Open six days a week during the school year, Girls Inc. of SWCT offers both summer and after school programs in safe, girl-only empowerment zones.

Each girl can learn, explore, create, and interact with their peers and overcome any challenges. Service area spans from the Greater Greenwich to Greater Waterbury area, including cities such as Stamford, Greater Norwalk, Weston, Bridgeport, Watertown, Prospect and Beacon Falls.

Girls Incorporated of Greater Waterbury 35 Park Place Waterbury, CT 06702 Phone: 203-756-4639 www.girlsincswct.com Waterbury Youth Service System, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization committed to providing services that promote the overall wellbeing of children, youth and families who reside in Waterbury Connecticut and the 11 surrounding towns.

Waterbury Youth Service has grown to include a wide range of programming and services for children, youth and families and has a diverse client base representative of the demographic makeup of the area. Many services target at risk youth; extensive programming that is non-targeted and open to any youth who desires to participate. Programming

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and services for children, youth and parents treat the family as a whole.

Waterbury Youth Service System, Inc. 83 Prospect Street, Waterbury CT 06702 Contact: Kathi Crowe, Executive Director Phone: 203-573-0264 www.waterburyyouthservices.org The YMCA is a membership organization open to all people; it welcomes women and men, girls and boys of all ages, races, ethnicities, religions, abilities and financial circumstances.

YMCA programs and branches embrace diversity, reflecting the needs and composition of the community and embody a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering responsibility.

YMCA 136 West Main Street Waterbury, CT. 06702 Phone: 203-754-2181 Fax: 203-754-9095 www.waterburyymca.org

Healing

Greater Waterbury has two major teaching hospitals, The Waterbury Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital, with a

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total of over 600 beds. Both are equipped with Level II trauma centers, have emergency helicopter pads and both are affiliated with Yale University School of Medicine.

The Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, a partnership between St. Mary’s Hospital and Waterbury Hospital, is home to a collaboration of the outpatient cancer services and resources of both hospitals including: outpatient radiation and chemotherapy treatments, oncology consultations and patient and family support services. Services include: education programs, nutrition counseling and pastoral care.

Most recently both hospitals formed their second partnership to create The Heart Center, an advanced cardiac care program, offering patients at St. Mary’s and Waterbury Hospital immediate access to a complete range of cardiac services, including angioplasty and open heart surgery.

Approximately 400 licensed physicians in all major health fields serve the region’s hospitals and clinics. Multiple ambulance services with trained paramedical personnel provide emergency services.

Today, more than 3,700 of your neighbors and friends are hard at work caring for you, your family and our community.

Both hospitals continue to expand their network of services, forging alliances with other key health care providers and exploring new ways to comfort and cure. The Orthopedics Center for Joint Reconstruction at Waterbury Hospital ranks in the top 5% for orthopedic care, garnering five star ratings

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Waterbury Senior Center

“Now is the time for you to take advantage of all the resources that our City has to offer!”

The Waterbury Senior Center is a “one stop shop” for Waterbury residents 60 and over. The Senior Center hosts programs like: • • • • • • •

nutrition and wellness seminars fitness classes plus a fitness room weekly blood pressure screenings arts, crafts, and music lessons a pool hall a weekly lunch program and much more!

Participation in these programs and services can help you feel empowered, while improving your mind, body, and spirit. We aim to keep you informed and involved in your community. We can also provide you and your family with information about local agencies and services. The Waterbury Senior Center staff invites you to visit and explore all that the senior center has to offer. If you need transportation to the Center, please call us. We hope to see you soon!

Danessa Marshall Director/Municipal Agent

Waterbury Senior Center 1985 East Main Street St., Waterbury, CT 06705 203-574-6746 www.waterburyct.org/seniorservices

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What is BRASS?

“BRASS is a collaboration of organizations working together to engage Waterbury residents ages 60+, by offering a range of opportunities and programs to help our city become a great place to grow old!”

Programming. Advocacy. Resources.

Paola Vargas- BRASS Program Coordinator

Are you interested in participating in programs such as wellness, fitness, arts, music, and technology classes for free?

Join BRASS!

Danessa Marshall- Waterbury Municipal Agent for the Elderly and Waterbury Senior Center Director.

Do you need an advocate to help voice your concerns?

Join BRASS!

Francesca Robles- BRASS Information and Benefits Specialist.

Are you having difficulty accessing important resources on health insurance?

Join BRASS!

“Being a BRASS Member means being part of a growing family, and having access to senior services, programs, support, friendship and member discounts at no cost. All you need to do is register!”

For more information please call 203-575-4219

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

David Martin, Fire Chief

Hon. Neil M. OʼLeary, Mayor

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William Quinn, Director of Health

An Important Public Safety Message From: The City of Waterbury Fire Department & Department of Public Health

The END of the Opioid Crisis Begins with YOU! SAFE USE: Talk to your physician SAFE STORAGE: See the video “Proper Disposal of Unused Meds in Trash” on the “additional links” tab of the Fire and Health Departments’ websites by going to www.waterburyct.org www.waterburyct.org/opioid

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: THE FIRE & HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AT:

www.waterburyct.org www.waterburyct.org/opioid

SAFE DISPOSAL: Bring unused medication to your Police Department for incineration – Waterbury Police Department, 255 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702-2301. Or call your community’s local Police Department for a Safe Disposal Site.

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ORTHOPEDIC CARE JUST GOT

URGENT CARE HOURS Mon thru Fri: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sun: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

LAB/BLOOD DRAW HOURS Mon thru Fri: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sat: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sun: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

RADIOLOGY HOURS Mon thru Fri: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Saint Mary’s introduces OrthoSwift,

Sat: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

conveniently located in all of our

Sun: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

urgent care locations. We specialize in the treatment of sports injuries,

CHESHIRE

sprains, strains, fractures

1154 Highland Avenue

and injured joints. We’ll get

(203) 709-4825

you up and running…FAST!

NAUGATUCK 799 New Haven Road

INTRODU

(203) 723-5636

CING

ift!

OrthoSw

WOLCOTT 503 Wolcott Road (203)879-7900 WATERBURY 1312 West Main Street (203) 709-4575 WATERBURY

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Learn more at stmh.org/urgent-care

3801 East Main Street (203) 709-4030

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Bureau of Streets

51 East Aurora Street (203)574-8261 Mark Mancini, Supervisor

Engineering & Traffic

185 South Main Street (203)574-6851 Paul Bellagamba, City Engineer

Bureau of Parks & Golf Courses

185 South Main Street (203)574-6793 Mark Lombardo, Supervisor

Bureau of Public Buildings

235 Grand Street (203)574-6860 Jim Nemec, Supervisor

Bureau of Recreation

185 South Main Street (203)574-6793 Ed McCann, Supervisor

Central Vehicle Maintenance

500 Captain Neville Drive (203)574-6859 Pat Mulvehill, Fleet Supervisor

Bureau of Refuse

500 Captain Neville Drive (203)574-6857 Bart Startup, Supervisor

Director of Public Works • David Simpson 185 South Main Street • (203)574-6851

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com for kip and knee replacement, back and neck surgery, including spinal fusion and overall orthopedic care.

St. Mary’s has combined wellness and convenience through a wellness outpatient facility. The 5,500 sq. foot building is the new home of St. Mary’s Outpatient Physical Therapy Center and includes Sleep Disorder Laboratories.

In addition, the Waterbury Region has numerous licensed residential care homes, nursing centers, assisted living facilities and retirement communities.

St. Mary’s Hospital 56 Franklin Street Waterbury, CT 06706 Phone: 203-709-6000 Waterbury Hospital 64 Robbins Street Waterbury, CT 06708 Phone: 203-573-6000 www.waterburyhospital.org The Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center 1075 Chase Parkway Waterbury, CT. 06708 Phone: 203-575-5555 www.leevercancercenter.org Heart Center of Greater Waterbury Hospital 1075 Chase Parkway

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Waterbury, CT 06708 Phone: 203-575-1992 www.heartcentergw.org

Entertainment

The Palace Theater is a majestic, landmark theater that first opened in 1922. After hosting all the greatest names in entertainment history for almost sixty years, it closed in the late 1980s, following the fate of many similar theaters of its day.

It was saved from the wrecking ball and reopened in 2005 amid great fanfare after undergoing an extensive $30 million restoration transforming it into a state-of- the-art performing arts facility. Boasting a 5,000 square foot stage, a 2,600-seat main hall, an intimate dining space that can accommodate up to 80 for dinner, a grand staircase, and several ornate lobby spaces, this presenting theater offers the national tours of Broadway shows, headline acts and emerging new talent in music and comedy, family and education entertainment.

The Palace has become one of the area’s most desirable venues offering outstanding entertainment choices and a unique backdrop for all your special events and receptions.

Palace Theater 100 East Main Street Waterbury, CT 06702 Phone: 203-346.2000 www.palacetheaterct.org

Thapa’s Convenience Store Dean Thapa made his way to Waterbury from the Himalayan Mountains in Nepal. He now owns and operates his own convenience store and is thrilled to be living the American Dream. Stop in for your lotto or scratch tickets, to say hello, or to buy what Dean said is......

“The Coldest Beer In Town” 704 Watertown Ave, Waterbury (Next to Carvel & Frankies)

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Naugatuck River Revival Group Nothing Is Impossible Just Act

It’s beeen a busy year for the Naugatuck River Revival Group (NRRG) as the watershed has been battered by sewage and oil spills. After millions of gallons of raw sewage was dumped into the Naugatuck River in October, it was the NRRG led by Kevin and Sondra Zak that became the voice of the Naugatuck River.

The Zak’s hiked through the damage to document the enviromental disaster, and did so again in January 2018 when thousands of gallons of oil spilled into the river. Despite the environmental impact on the watershed, Kevin Zak has been bolstered by the public outcry from the spills. “Thirty years ago no one would have cared,” Zak said, “now it’s statewide news. This is progress and I believe the river will heal itself.”

Kevin Zak at (203) 530-7850

e-mail kznrrg@sbcglobal.net

The mission of the NRRG is to increase awareness of one of the great environmental comeback stories in New England.

For two centuries industrial giants used the Naugatuck River as a glorified toilet to wash away toxins, dyes and garbage. Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons have returned. The factories are gone, but they left behind chunks of iron, steel and brass in the river. Inconsiderate city residents continue to deposit tires, shopping carts and mattresses in the river. In response, the NRRG has declared war on trash in and along the river. NRRG has organized clean-ups with local schools, sponsored Annual River Day celebrations, and is committed to winning the war on trash.

If you’d like to get involved cleaning the Naugatuck River please consider contacting the group. It doesn’t matter if it’s for a few hours, or a few days....your help is appreciated.

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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The center of Italian life can be found at La Tavola—The Table

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Chef Nicola Mancini and Pasquale Salvatore shared the same vision: to create a smart, original, upscale celebration of Italian cuisine. La Tavola is the culmination of Nick’s over 20-year commitment to the culinary arts and Pasquale’s 15 year experience in restaurant design and construction. At its heart is a passion for fresh local ingredients, classic offerings that honor a proud Italian heritage with a distinctive approach and the promise of real dining value.

La Tavola will also cater offsite for parties as small as 20 and as large as 200. So when you want the best – without the aggravation and worry that comes with trying to pull together the perfect event – let us be your table.

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Best Restaurant, Best Fine Dining Best Chef - Nicola Mancini

The center of Italian life can be found at La Tavola—The Table

2016 Connecticut Chef of the Year

Chef Nicola Mancini

Best Restaurant Best Italian Restaurant Best Chef ~ Nicola Mancini Best Appetizers

Chef Nicola Mancini and Pasquale Salvatore shared the same vision: to create a smart, original, upscale celebration of Italian cuisine. La Tavola is the culmination of Nick’s over 20-year commitment to the culinary arts and Pasquale’s 15 year experience in restaurant design and construction. At its heart is a passion for fresh local ingredients, classic offerings that honor a proud Italian heritage with a distinctive approach and the promise of real dining value.

La Tavola will also cater offsite for parties as small as 20 and as large as 200. So when you want the best – without the aggravation and worry that comes with trying to pull together the perfect event – let us be your table

702 Highland Avenue • Waterbury • 203.755.2211 www.latavolaristorante.com

Pasquale Salvatore has a passion for artisan wood fired pizza.

We are now booking dates for the 2018 pizza truck season.

203-755-2233 or info@latavolapizzatruck.com

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Voted Best Family Restaurant The Pizza Castle would love for you to be, not only a customer, but a part of our family.

For over 35 years, Pizza Castle has served excellent food and provided excellent service.

Seafood Dishes Pasta Specialties Pizza Daily Specials

Join us for Lunch or Dinner ~ 7 days a week.

Dine In v Take Out v Local Delivery Service Now offering Party Platters for your special occassion!

Call now to place your order 203.755.3501

Pizza Castle

Hours Monday - Thursday 11:30am - 1:00am Friday & Saturday 11:30am - 2:00am Sunday 10:30am - 1:00am 143 Chase Avenue • Waterbury • 203.755.3501 www.pizzacastlect.com

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

203.753.9505

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Featuring a 70' Walk-In Cooler The Largest in Greater Waterbury!

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Best Liquor Store 19 Years Best Beer Selection 15 Years

The Spirit Shop 657 Watertown Avenue • Waterbury, CT

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The United Way’s Day of Action food challenge bewteen the Waterbury PD and the Waterbury Fire Department drew a record response last summer. From left to right are Fire Chief Dave Martin, McDermid’s Frank Monteiro, Deputy Police Chief Fred Spagnolo and Sandy Monteiro.

The Seven Angels Theatre produces a Main stage

the only fully-professional symphony in Connecticut. The WSO is now led by Leif Bjaland, Musical Director and Conductor since 1994.

The Symphony draws over 100 talented musicians from across New England to perform in our concert series at the Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center in Waterbury and various locations throughout Litchfield County.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra 110 Bank Street, Waterbury, CT 06720 Phone: 203-574-4283 www.waterburysymphony.org

The Waterbury Symphony Orchestra (WSO) founded in May 1938 under the direction of Maestro Mario DiCecco, has spent the past several decades promoting the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of symphonic and orchestral music. Originally incorporated as the Waterbury Civic Orchestra (1940), the Symphony and its mission have grown in both vision and artistic merit, expanding from a community orchestra to the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra (1956). By the early 1970s, it became

The Mattatuck Museum, located on the Green in downtown Waterbury, is a treasure house of collections focusing on over three centuries of the heritage of the region and the master artists of Connecticut. The museum houses a 300-seat performing arts center, an art studio classroom, and a research library. The Mattatuck Museum was established as the Mattatuck Historical Society in 1877 to preserve the history of that part of Connecticut “anciently known as Mattatuck” - roughly the ten town region surrounding present-day Waterbury. The Mattatuck Museum collects,

series of quality professional plays and musicals from fall through spring. Seven Angels also presents a summer theatre series, children’s theatre and cabaret concerts. In addition, Seven Angels Theatre runs the Stage II Community Theatre, the Seven Angels Youth Company, a Summer Theatre Camp, and a summer program for “at risk” inner city youths. Also offered are workshops, classes and apprenticeships.

Seven Angels Theatre 1 Plank Road, Hamilton Park P.O. Box 3358, Waterbury, CT 06705 Box Office: 203-757-4676

We All Came From Somewhere

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Now It’s Time To Come Together (Again)

The Gathering, September 22nd Library Park Downtown Waterburuy 11 am to 7 pm

waterburygathering@gmail.com

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BUILD MORE THAN MUSCLE at the Greater Waterbury Y Take advantage of our Wellness Center, Pools, Free Group Fitness Classes, friendly and knowledgable staff and SO MUCH MORE! At the Y, you’ll get stronger and so will your community. Take a tour and try the Y for free for a week!

www.waterburyymca.org | 136 W. Main St. Waterbury 06702 | 203-754-9622

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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The annual Mayor’s Kids Marathon in Waterbury is one of the top community events of the year as it gets thousands of students exercising and learning about good nutrtion. preserves, studies, and exhibits American art and history with a focus on the art and cultural history of Connecticut.

For more than two decades the Mattatuck Museum has been identified as a leader in youth educational programs, services, and outreach, receiving regional recognition and state awards. It also offers an extensive and varied calendar of Gallery Talks, Lectures, Programs, Tours, Trips, and Events.

Mattatuck Museum 144 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702 Phone: 203-753-0381 www.mattatuckmuseum.org

The Waterbury Chorale brings outstanding choral music to the Greater Waterbury area, while providing an opportunity for amateur and semi-professional singers to enjoy the performance of great musical literature. The Chorale, now in its 45th year, performs a wide range of repertoire, from established masterworks to varied programs of contemporary music and music from other cultures.

The Waterbury Chorale Post Office Box 36 Middlebury, CT 06762

Phone: (860) 274-0577 www.waterburychorale.org

Shakesperience is a professional theater company located in Connecticut that reaches a Northeast audience of adults and students alike with outdoor and in-studio performances, Saturday and private acting classes, school & camp tours, and residencies. Shakesperience was founded in 1996 by Emily Mattina and Jeffrey Lapham, with a mission to educate and inspire students, families, and theater professionals through the arts. The non-profit organization is headquartered on Bank Street in the heart of downtown Waterbury.

Shakesperience Productions 117 Bank Street Waterbury, CT 06702 Phone: 203-754-2531 Waterbury Movie Theaters: Regal Cinemas Brass Mill Center Mall 495 Union Street Waterbury, CT 06706 Phone: 203-757-2244

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“JUST LIKE A GIRL” From science, to math, to engineering, to technology, to coding, to art, leadership and everything in between…

Karate, dance, gymnastics, cooking, sewing, Fashion design, drawing, Robotics…

After school, school vacations, full day & half day summer camps and Friday nights…

at our facility or off-campus throughout Greater Waterbury...

It’s what we do, every day… for every girl!

For over 154 years, we are Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold! *Summer camp registration opens in March* Girls Inc. of Greater Waterbury, 35 Park Place Waterbury, CT 06702 PH # 203-756-4639 info@girlsincswct.org www.girlsincswct.org facebook.com/GIWCT

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Sullivan Brothers Remodeling “Building on a Strong Foundation Since 1987”!

Free Estimates

Visit our Showroom

RESTORATIONS ● ADDIT IO N S T KITCHEN S & BATHS

NEW CON STRUCTION ● AGING IN PLACE

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“Your One Stop Remodeling and Building Center”

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The Crosby LifeSmarts team won the Connecticut State Championship and the team had an extraordinary run at the National Tourament where Jason Margison, right, finished 3rd in nation in the Individual Buzzer Round “Last Smarty Standing”, Klajdi Gjonaj took home 3rd place in the written exam on personal finance, and Alyssa Simoes presented on panel at Nationals Food Waste Audit and received a college scholarship from Toyota. LifeSmarts is a consumer knowledge competition established by the National Consumers League, with five main categories: personal finance, technology, consumer rights, environment, and health and safety.

Apple Cinemas 920 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, CT 06705 Phone: 203-295-7777 www.applecinemas.com Affordable matinee and evening tickets for adults and kids.

Interesting film options.

Recreation

Waterbury has a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for you to enjoy. A number of parks, golf courses and other recreation facilities are sure to satisfy even the most discriminating person’s needs.

It’s also recognized as a regional destination for shopping.

From the “Magical Retail Mile” on Wolcott Street/Lakewood Road to the first rate Brass Mill Center Mall and Commons to our bustling downtown district you’re sure to find a variety

of activities to suit your fancy.

Waterbury is also known for its top quality dining establishments. Whether looking for a quiet dinner for two or family style restaurant you’re sure to satisfy your culinary desires.

For information on entertainment and tourism destinations contact the Northwest Connecticut Convention & Visitors Bureau located by web at www.northwestct.com, by phone at 203-597-9527.

Approximately 902 acres of municipal park property are located in Waterbury. Included in the many parks and playgrounds are 42 tennis courts, 35 softball and baseball fields, and a public lake with a swimming beach. The City of Waterbury’s Municipal Stadium is the perfect venue to take in a variety of High School, College and professional sporting events.

OPEN MON.-FRI. for LUNCH • MON.-SAT. for DINNER • SUNDAYS - Available for PRIVATE P 39 The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

BAR SPECIALS OPEN MON.-FRI. for LUNCH • MON.-SAT. for DINNER • SUNDAYS - Available for PRIVATE

LEE DIMO

Mon.-Fri. • 3-6pm PARTIES

$1 OFF ALL DRINKS AN BAR SPECIALS $2 OFF ALL APPETIZE sings Sinatra Mon.-Fri. • 3-6pmSATURDAY BAR SPEC EVERY THURS & FRI $1 OFF ALL DRINKS AND from 5:30-9:00pm 8pm til close $2 OFF ALL APPETIZERS A ANY BEER & ANY BURGER SATURDAY BAR SPECIALS with Fries or Salad

LEE DIMO

sings Sinatra EVERY THURS & FRI from 5:30-9:00pm

8pm til close

PRIX $ FIXE MENU

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A ANY BEER & ANY BURGER SERVED MONDAY THRU THURSDAY EVEN with Fries or Salad

SPECIALS PRIX FIXE MENU$

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OPEN MON.-FRI. LUNCH MON.-SAT. for SUNDAYS --Available forfor PRIVATE PERSON OPEN MON.-FRI.for for LUNCH • MON.-SAT. forDINNER DINNER •SERVED SUNDAYS Available PRIVATEPARTIES PARTIES MONDAY THRU THURSDAY EVENINGS

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PLUS TAX & TIP. NO SUBSTITUTIONS PLEASE

CHOICE OF APPETIZER PER Signature Soup PERSON w/Escarole, Sausage & Cannelloni Beans Fried Mozzarella Cheese PLUS TAX & TIP. PLUS TAX & TIP. NO SUBSTITUTIONS PLEASE Monday, Steak Night Lightly Beer Battered, w/ House Sauce & Shaved Parm NO SUBSTITUTIONS PLEASE Classic “Steak Frites,” 12 oz. New York, w/ Marty’sCHOICE OF APPETIZER Rhode Island Crispy Calamari Signature Soup Hot Peppers, Fresh Herbs, Crumbled Gorgonzola & Hous Handcut Fries & Bearnaise ...........................................

23 CHOICE OF APPETIZER w/Escarole, Sausage & Cannelloni Beans Mushroom Risotto Tuesday, Calves’ Liver & Bacon Signature Soup w/Escarole, BeansArray w/ White Truffle Drizzle Fried Mozzarella Sausage Cheese & Cannelloni Forest Mushroom Monday, Steak Night Steak Night Monday, Sautéed Onions, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Marsala Fried Mozzarella Cheese Lightly Battered, Sauce & Shaved Parmigiana Lightly Beer Battered, w/Beer House Sauce & w/House Shaved Parmigiana CHOICE OF ENTRÉE Classic “SteakClassic Frites,“Steak ” 12 oz.Frites,” New York, Marty’s 12 oz. w/ New York, w/ Marty’s Rhode Island Crispy Calamari Pan Glaze, w/ Mashed Potatoes ..................................

19 Island Rhode Crispy Calamari Includes Signatures House Salad w/Apricot Vinaigret Hot Peppers, Fresh Herbs, Crumbled Gorgonzola & House Sauce Fries & ...........................................23 Bearnaise ...........................................

23 Handcut FriesHandcut & Bearnaise Hot Peppers, Fresh Herbs, Crumbled Gorgonzola & House SauceSt. Ginsburg Wednesday, Baked Stuffed Shrimp Chicken Mushroom Risotto Boneless Breast, Breaded & Sautéed in a Sherry Demi G Tuesday, w/ Crabmeat Stuffing, Drawn Butter & Chef’s Risotto Tuesday, Calves’ Liver Calves’ & BaconLiver & Bacon ForestStyle MushroomMushroom Array w/ White Truffle Drizzle w/ Forest Mushrooms & Mozzarella, Served w/ Chef’s Style Potat Sautéed Onions, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Marsala .......................................................

Potato & Vegetable 24 Forest Mushroom w/ White Truffl e Drizzle Sautéed Onions, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Marsala CHOICEArray OF ENTRÉE Pan Seared Duck a l’Orange Pan Glaze, w/ Mashed Potatoes ..................................

19 CHOICE OFw/Apricot ENTRÉE Thursday, Veal Parmigiana Includes Signatures House Salad BonelessVinaigrette Maple Leaf Farms Breast, Classic Orange-Cogna Pan Glaze, w/ Mashed Potatoes ..................................19 Wednesday, Baked Stuffed Shrimp Chicken St. Ginsburg Includes Signatures Salad w/Apricot Vinaigrette Served w/ Angel Hair Pasta & House Sauce ................

25 House w/ Chef’s Style Potato & Vegetable Wednesday, w/ Baked Stuffed Shrimp Boneless Breast, Breaded & Sautéed in a Sherry Demi Glaçe, Chicken Parmigiana Crabmeat Stuffi ng, Drawn ButterFriday, & Chef’sSurf Style& Turf Chicken St. Ginsburg Forest Mushrooms & Mozzarella, Served w/ Chef’s StyleOver Potato & Vegetable Angel w/House Sauce & Mozzarella C w/ CrabmeatPotato Stuffing, Drawn Butter & Chef ’sPetit Style & Vegetable .......................................................

24Frizzledw/ Breaded & SautéedServed in a Sherry DemiHair Glaçe, Filet Mignon w/ OnionsBoneless Breast, Pan Seared Duck a l’Orange Penne alla Vodka w/Chicken Potato & Vegetable .......................................................24 Thursday, Veal Parmigiana & Lobster Tail w/ Drawn Butter w/ Forest Mushrooms &Farms Mozzarella, w/ Chef ’s Style Potato & Vegetable &Boneless Chef’s Style MaplePotato Leaf Breast, Served Classic Orange-Cognac Sauce, Tossed in Lightly Creamed House Sauce (Whole Wheat Past Served w/ Angel Hair Pasta & House Sauce ................

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Chicken Parmigiana Over Style Mushroom 29 Tossed in Lightly Creamed House Sauce (Whole Wheat Pasta Available) Handmade Ricotta Cavatelli & Coarse Grind Sweet Sau PER Petit Filet Mignon w/ Frizzled Onions & Lobster Tail w/ & Vegetable ..................................................................

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$20 $25

Wine Tasting & Mozzarella, Served w/ Chef’s Style Potato & VegetableAt the Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne DESSERT SELECTIONS WITH COFFEE OR TEA Potato & Vegetable ....................................................... 24Featuringw/ Forest Mushrooms Pan Seared DuckIn a l’Orange Spumoni • Vanilla Gelato w/ Chocolate Sauce • Mini Cannoli BernardusD’oeuvres Chardonnay, & Hors Door Nov. 13th | 5-7 pm Perla Prosecco, Thursday, Veal Friday, Parmigiana Maple LeafPrima Farms Breast,Brulée Classic Orange-Cognac Sauce, Mini Creme Hangtime Pinot Boneless Noir, Advance ating up to 40 Se ith w Served w/ Angel Hair Pasta & House Sauce ................

25 w/ Chef’s Style Potato & Vegetable Jason-Stephens Syrah, Parties ts ~ HolidayTasting te EvenWine Chicken Parmigiana Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne Cor po t Parties Friday, Surf &raTurf At the en m ge ga En ~ s nner Served Over Angel Hair w/House Sauce & Mozzarella Cheese hearsal Di gs in er Hors D’oeuvres Door th Petit Filet Re Mignon w/& Frizzled Onions Ga Prima Perla Prosecco, ily m Fa ~ s er Penne alla Vodka w/Chicken ow Sh Bridal

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Monterey California Santa Clara Valley

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& Lobster Tail w/ Drawn Butter & Chef’s Style Potato & Vegetable .................................................................. 28

Tossed in Lightly Creamed House Sauce (Whole Wheat Pasta Available) Petit Filet Mignon Merlot Demi Glace, w/ Chefs Style Potato & Vegetable Saturday, Pork Ossobuco Grilled Rack of Lamb FREE ParkingRosemary at CenterMerlot Street Parking Lot - Across from Marshall’s Office Slowly Braised in Red Wine w/ Celery, Carrots & Onions, Reduction, Chef’s Style Potato & Vegetable Over Mushroom Risotto ............................................... 29 Handmade Ricotta Cavatelli & Coarse Grind Sweet Sausage www.SignaturesRestaurantWaterbury.com w/ Caramelized Onions, Broccoli Rabe & Fresh Herbs Seared Sea Scallops FREE Street Parking Lot - Across fromPan Marshall’s Office n ioCenter Occasat ialParking Light Citrus Beurre Blanc, w/ Chef’s Style Potato & Vegetable Book Your Spec enovated Calamari Françese www.SignaturesRestaurantWaterbury.com In Our Newly R w/Capers, Artichoke Hearts & Diced Tomato, White Wine Lemon Sauce, w/ Basmati Rice & Chef’s Style Vegetable Market Fresh Catch of the Day

203-575-1190 29 LEAVENWORTH STREET, WATERBURY 29 LEAVENWORTH STREET, WATERBURY FREE Parking at Center Street Parking Lot - Across from Marshall’s Office

M BANQUET RO40O

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The Gathering Traditional Bomba and Plena from Puerto Rico was performed by the legendary Roberto Cepeda at Library Park on September 23rd.

Waterbury Parks Dept: 203-574-6793 Children’s Programs: 203-574-8292 • Bunker Hill Park, 265 Bunker Hill Avenue • Bucks Hill Park, Montoe Road • Fulton Park, Cooke Street • Hamilton Park, East Main • Lakewood Park, Lakewood Road • Murray Park, Leone Street • Town Plot Park, Rosemont Avenue • Washington Park, 283 Sylvan Avenue • Waterville Park, 1443 Thomaston Avenue •Woodtick Recreation Area, Nichols Road, Wolcott • Municipal Stadium Chase Park, 150 Sunnyside Avenue •Waterbury East Mountain Park, Route 69 There are two 18-hole municipal courses and a private course located in Waterbury.

Municipal course with 18 holes: Western Hills Golf Course Park Road, Waterbury 203-756-1211 East Mountain Golf Course 171 East Mountain Road, 203-753-1425

Private Golf Course Country Club of Waterbury Oronoke Road Waterbury, CT 067202

203-756-6644

Recreation Centers:

Chase Park House Debra Damicis – Assistant Director of Recreation James M. Geary – Recreation Leader 150 Sunnyside Avenue Waterbury, CT 06708 203-574-8292 ddamicis@waterburyct.org jmgeary@waterburyct.org North End Recreation Center Maria E. Torres-Padua – Director of Recreation Darius Butler – Recreation Leader Dwayne Clements – Recreation Leader 262 North Main Street Waterbury, CT 06702 203-574-8294 mtorres@waterburyct.org

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Made In Connecticut

Waterbury Buttons Wiffle Ball, Bovano Woodbury Pewter AKA Collectibles and more...

The Connecticut Store .

www.theconnecticutstore.com 1-800-474-6728

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Community Spirit For the past five years the Hendricks Family has thrown a free block party on Walnnut Avenue called, “Community Vibes”. The Hendricks reach in to their own pocket to rent bouncy houses, water slides and they feed 700 people. From left to right is Tafari, Ryan, Cheryl and Carroll Hendricks. They are making a difference in their neighborhood in the North End of Waterbury..

River Baldwin Recreation Center Victor Cuevas – Director of Recreation Jessica Donahue-DiBattista – Recreation Leader 135 East Liberty Street Waterbury, CT 06706 203-574-8342 vcuevas@waterburyct.org jdonahue@waterburyct.org Washington Park House Joyce Hotchkiss-Dubicki – Recreation Leader 283 Sylvan Avenue Waterbury, CT 06706 203-574-8297 jhotchkiss@waterburyct.org

Waterville Recreation Center Debra Damicis – Assistant Director of Recreation 1433 Thomaston Avenue Waterbury, CT 06704 203-574-8352 ddamicis@waterburyct.org

Rail

Metro-North Railroad provides rail service from Waterbury to Grand Central Station and New Haven as well as other locations.

Phone: 800-638-7646 www.mta.nyc.ny.us

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Madre Latina Inc.

www.madre-latian.com Madre Latina Inc., is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization based in Waterbury, Connecticut and surrounding areas.

We were founded in November 2011 and attained nonprofit status in 2013. We initially began as a support group for Latina Mothers quickly turned into a philanthropic group.

We offer many opportunities to our participants to connect through various networking mixers, professional development workshops, group mentoring activities, health and wellness and much more.

Madre Latina Inc., help Latinas banish insecurities and break barriers. Madre Latina educates, connects and empowers Latinas to rise to their full potential.

Our programs and meetings are held monthly, quarterly and yearly, in person and virtually, offering our community the opportunity to build a Network for Latinas.

For more information visit: www.madre-latina.com/ office: 475-235-2044

The Waterbury Observer P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 1-203-754-4238 waterburyobserver.org

Dr. Lisa Seabra-Veiga

1389 W Main Street Suite 202 Waterbury, CT 06708 203-597-9388 lisasveigadmd@gmail.com

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market place kitchen & Bar conquers new territories locavores, you have another reason to cheer! the market place restaurants are expanding. as the popularity of farm-to-table restaurants continues to rise, the market hospitality group continues to delight food lovers with distinctive places to dine. there are currently market place kitchen & Bar restaurants in danbury, ct, Woodbury, ct, and West dover, vt, and they are excited to be expanding into avon in early 2017 and newtown by summer 2017 with restaurants that offer their signature style and great food to more people. these upscale, casual restaurants have floor-to-ceiling wine racks, huge fireplaces, remarkable combinations of brick and reclaimed wood and private party rooms that can accommodate various party sizes. they offer fresh, seasonal, organic and locally sourced food when possible. the rest of the best comes from — allen Brothers steaks from illinois, free-range chicken from pennsylvania, Berkshire pork, gin and bourbon from litchfield distillery, and craft beers from Black hog Brewing co., two roads Brewing co. and relic Brewing co., just to name a few. there are no secrets at these restaurants — the warm and cheerful staff members will cite the source. and there are outstanding kids’ menus

and many vegan and glutenfree dishes and beers for those with dietary restrictions. hey, good food is something we can all agree on! the 189 sports café in Brookfield has food you don’t expect at sports bars as well as a craft-centric, ever-changing beer menu. the café holds several benefits each year to support the special olympics of connecticut, the american cancer society and ann’s place, a communitybased cancer support center. ski lovers will make their vacations more memorable when they come to the market place at mount snow and the last chair Bar & grill at mount snow. mp catering will bring the market place restaurants’ great fare to your venue. connecticut has great farms and great wineries, and it’s always nice to support local businesses.

Whatever type of event you are planning, mp catering will make it better with great food.

Market plaCe kitChen & Bar DanBury 33 mill plain road, danBury • 203-616-5835 executive cheF: alex loWe general manager: matt dohan

Market plaCe kitChen & Bar wooDBury 641 main street s., WoodBury • 203-586-1215 executive cheF: roy kalil general manager: courtney maggio

soon: Market plaCe at Mount Snow “Avon andcoming Newtown are open no 189 SportS Café & the laSt Chair Bar & Grill Market plaCe kitChen & Bar at avon 189 Federal road, BrookField w and we 336 are W. expecting the Southbury 267 route 100, West dover, vt • 802-464-8600 main st., avon 203-775-7072 Market plaCe kitChen & Bar at newtown location summer of 2018.”

MP Catering • marketplacehospitalitygroup.com the village at lexington gardens, neWtoWn

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Serving the legal needs of businesses, municipalities, non-profit organizations and individuals We provide a broad range of legal services, including: n

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44 years of providing quality healthcare services in Waterbury

“We at StayWell would like to wish all of you a happy holiday season. We do our very best year-round to help make the Waterbury community healthier and happier. Here’s to a new year of improving health and increasing access to care!

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StayWell Health Care, Inc. is committed to providing high quality, community health care and social services, including preventive medical and mental health services to the underserved population of the Greater StayWell Health Care, StayWell Inc. is committed to providing highInc. quality, Waterbury community.

Health Care, has adopted a community health care and social services, including preventive medical, dental, andcommunity mental health services the underserved the comprehensive, basedtoapproach to population serving ofpeople by providGreater Waterbury community. StayWell Health Care, Inc. has adopted a ing education, advocacy, and bilingual/bicultural comprehensive, community based approach to serving people services. by provid- All patients ing education, advocacy, and bilingual/bicultural services. All patients are accepted regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. are accepted regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.”

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Best Health Care Facility Best Dental Clinic

19 Years Voted Best Health Care Facility in Greater Waterbury

1302 South Main 203.597.9044 1302 South Main 80 Phoenix Ave. 203.756.8021 203.597.9044 80 Phoenix Ave. 95 Scovill St. 203.805.4930 203.756.8021

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Education Funding Is Mayor’s #1 Priority

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Story By John Murray

Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary visited the Bucks Hill Community Club in late January and delivered what amounted to a state of the city address to 20 concerned citizens. The Mayor stood before community club members and uncorked a 90-minute speech that swept through all four quadrants of the city, and touched on major issues and projects in Waterbury.

Mayor O’Leary zeroed in on the imbalance of education funding as the #1 issue he will champion in the 2018 Legislative session in Hartford. O’Leary said the Waterbury school system continues to grow, while suburban student populations have shrunk by up to 25%.

“Waterbury’s student population is growing but state funding for our school system has not increased,” O’Leary said. “Suburban schools have had a sharp decrease in their student populations and their funding has remained the same.”

Mayor O’Leary stated that Waterbury is being underfunded by $40 million a year and that he has brought the issue to Governor Dan Malloy. Waterbury was part of a lawsuit that challenged the state formula for funding school districts. In September 2016 a Superior Court Judge ruled that Connecticut was defaulting on its constitutional duty to fairly educate its poorest children and ordered the state to come up with a new funding formula for public schools. After the initial victory, an appeals court judge recently overturned the verdict.

“After the latest verdict we’re back to square one,” O’Leary said. “School dollars will be the #1 legislative issue this year and we need everyone to contact their state legislator and urge them to prioritize this issue.”

Mayor O’Leary said the Waterbury school district now has 19,250 students and it continues to grow.

“Every year we gain more kids. They are coming from Latin America, they are coming from NYC, they are coming

Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary from all over the place,” O’Leary said.

“Why are they coming? Because Waterbury is very safe compared to where they are coming from. Waterbury has low rent and the cost of houses is relatively low.”

Another factor leading new families and students to Waterbury, O’Leary said, is that Waterbury’s schools were better than schools in some other cities in Connecticut.

Mayor O’Leary also said 295 new children from Puerto Rico have enrolled since October and November. “These students were displaced by Hurricane Maria,” O’Leary said, “but the funding for our school system has not kept up with the growth of our population.

We need to address this and seek a solution. I expect this issue to be a huge focus in Governor Malloy’s last year in office. ” Mayor O’Leary is the president of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), which according to their website is “the state’s largest, nonpartisan organization of municipal leaders, representing towns and cities of all sizes from all corners of the state, with 165 member municipalities.”

“This is the #1 issue on the agenda of CCM this year,” O’Leary said, “and we need everyone’s help.”

For additional project updates turn the page.......................................

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New Public Works Campus One of the first moves in the O’Leary administration was to cancel plans to build a Public Works campus on the site of the former Chase Brass factory in Waterville. Instead, Mayor O’Leary acquired a property from McDermid Inc. and is buidling the campus on Aurora Street, while recruiting new business and taxpayers (King Industries) to Chase Brass.

Anamet

The Waterbury Development Corporation set up a limited liability company to purchasee the 17 acre Anamet property along South Main Street to remediate the site and market it for redevelopment.

Demolition will begin this year.

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Risdon Manufacturing Bristol Company The City of Waterbury was awarded $2.1 million dollars to begin Phase One clean-ups of the ďŹ re ravaged Risdon Manufacturing plant and the Briston Company on Bristol Street, both in the South End of Waterbury.

The Naugatuck River has had a tough year as the watershed has endured million of gallons of raw sewage being dumped into it, and a 6000 gallon hydraulic oil spill. Despite the grim incidents, new protocals have been developed up and down the river, and Mayor O’Leary has launched a River Brigade to clean the river from Thomaston to Naugatuck in the Summer of 2018.

Naugatuck River

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Displaced by the Lounsbury Street fire.

The Lounsbury Street fire in May 2017 was the worst neighborhood fire in Waterbury in the past forty years. 39 city residents - almost all Hispanic - were displaced. Swift action from the Hispanic Coalition helped coordinate a compassionate response from people all across greater Waterbury who donated 2000 bags of clothes, $10,000 in cash, gift cards, toys and lots of love.

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Zumba Class Tuesday @ 11 am

Victor Lopez, left, is the executive director of the Hispanic Coalition

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

e Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury, Inc. has been in existence since 1988.

The Coalition has three decades of social services experience in the greater Waterbury area and is a principal leader for bilingual services, advocacy, collaboration, education, and policy development in the Latino community.

Case Management Program - provides assistance with obtaining essential vital records, i.e.; birth

rtificates, divorce paperwork, identification cards, etc. Also Community advocacy, Family crisis intervention, ranslation of documents, Medical Transportation and Immigration Services.

a Casa Bienvenida - Our Adult Day Center ensures that the elders within the Hispanic Community

ave the necessary nutritional supplements and that their social and medical needs are met. Transportation is ovided to and from the Center daily.

Cultural Arts Program - provides middle and high school students with after-school programming to

elp advance their knowledge of the Latino Culture through art, music and dance.

.A.C.E. Youth Development - program seeks to promote youth development via four components:

eadership, Athletics, Community and Education.

Developmental Services

- we’re contracted with the Department of Developmental Service to provide pport for the individuals with mental disabilities, behavioral disabilities and psychiatric issues or impairments.

Bingo

Thursday & Friday 9:30am to 11:00am.

Dominoes

very day from 9:00am.

llecting donations for fire victims

Annual Three Kings Day celebration.

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The Augelli Way

Photograph By Derek Ward

Story By John Torsiello

One of the first questions out of Nick Augelli’s mouth when he made it through coronary bypass surgery last June was “Am I going to be able to coach again.”

Well, the 71-year-old veteran Crosby boys basketball mentor got his answer shortly after his surgery. “The doctors told me that there was no reason I couldn’t return to coaching and all normal activities.” Whew. He greeted the news with a sense of immense relief.

Not that it wasn’t a tough two months of rehab following surgery that was required after a blood test showed unusually high levels of calcium, a tipoff that something wasn’t right. Indeed, he had blocked arteries that meant he had to get into surgery as fast as possible. His cardiologist, Dr. Mark Ruggerio, ironically, is a former student of Augelli and member of a Crosby tennis team his now patient coached.

“Sure, it was scary, but I was lucky they found out about it and took care of the situation,” recalled Augelli. “It could have been very bad. The funny thing is that I felt great, no signs of anything

wrong. It wasn’t a fun summer. I have a place in Rhode Island and it was tough to climb the steps, and I couldn’t use my boat. But I slowly regained my strength and I’m at a point where I feel good again.”

Part of feeling good means he’s back where he belongs, on the sidelines directing the high-flying Crosby boys hoopsters as they seek Naugatuck Valley League and state titles. “I like this team.

We had a slow start but we are really coming around as the season progresses,” said Augelli, as he prepared for practice. Crosby won nine of its first 14 league games and was sitting at fifth in the NVL as the second week of February rolled around.

This is Augelli’s 49th year of coaching at Crosby, 39th as head coach. His teams have compiled a magnificent record of 669-254, winning three state titles, 14 NVL championships and 10 NVL Tournament championships. His team ran off 42 straight wins over the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, had an NVL win streak of 61 games from 2002-03 to 2005-06, and recorded a city record 27 wins during the 2004-05 campaign.

Augelli graduated from Fairfield Prep and went on to receive Bachelors degree from Villanova University, a Masters in math-

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Nick Augelli is in his 49th year of coaching at Crosby High School, 39 of them as head coach. Photographs by Clay Johnson ematics from Central Connecticut State University, and a school administrators degree from Sacred Heart University. Augelli also served as Crosby’s head tennis coach for both the boys and girls teams, where he posted another combined 100 wins. He has received numerous accolades, and in October of 2015 the basketball court at Crosby High School was named “Coach Nick Augelli Court” in his honor.

Augelli has also been active in public service as a member of the Waterbury Board of Aldermen for 14 years, serving as the minority and majority leader as well as president. He was a member of the police and fire boards and the finance commission. He served on the board of the Naugatuck Valley Development Corporation, and has been a trustee of St. Michael Church.

Asked about his favorite moments as a coach, Augelli mentioned several.

“I had a team back around 2000 that people said would win around three games and we wound up winning 17. That was the closest I have ever been with a team and I still attend the players’ stags and weddings. Of course, winning that first state title in 1998 was a great moment. We had buses going up Route 84 to and from the game and it was quite a thrill. Also, when they named the

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Augelli has led the Crosby Bulldogs to 14 NVL championships and three state championships. Photograph by John Torsiello court after me it was very special.” He’s also pleased to have had a number of is former players go on to become basketball coaches at other schools.

As for his coaching style Augelli called himself “old school.” He isn’t afraid to confront his players when they make mistakes, either physical or mental (the later especially grating), and he asks that they show up at practice ready to give 100 percent. “What I say goes,” he commented.

“He gives everybody chances,” said junior Tyler Spears. “He’s a good coach and he always pushes us to be better.”

Kevin Prince, another junior, heard the news of Augelli’s health problems last summer and was concerned. “I didn‘t know what was going on and I was worried. When I found out I was apprehensive about whether he would be back. But it was great when he came back.”

Larry DeVito has been an assistant under Augelli for nearly 30 years and handles the junior varsity team. The two work seamlessly and Augelli calls DeVito something of a co-coach. “Nick relates to the kids even after 40 years as a head coach,” DeVito said. “Of course, we want to win, but Nick also cares about the kids off the court as well,” Will Mahoney, another assistant coach, has also been with Augelli for the past years. Cathy Awwad recently joined the program.

When individuals face a life threatening situation as Augelli did, it often brings a new perspective to their approach to life. Augelli has changed his eating habits and exercises regularly. But as for

his surgery being a life-changing cathartic experience, that didn’t really happen.

“I think I’m still the same person. Maybe I don’t yell as much during games as I once did, but I still get involved. I think I have had more of a lifestyle change. I lost over 25 pounds after the surgery, but I put some of it back on and I feel I’m where I need to be now. One of the things I need to do is take what I call a power nap during the day. During the season we are going seven days a week and that often involves nights. It’s practices, games and scouting.

It does get a bit tiring, so I have to pace myself and refresh myself every day.”

As for his long run of success as a coach, Augelli commented, “I have been blessed with a lot of great players over the years. I took over for Bobby Brown and I have employed some of the same concepts he employed, although we are different people.”

The one aspect of coaching he dreads? Having to cut kids from the team after tryouts.

“We had 100 kids out for the team, so that means I had to tell 70 kids they didn’t make it, even though I’m sure they were thinking that they were just as good as some of the kids who made it. I really don’t like that part of the job at all.”

Nick Augelli would love to have kept all 100 of those kids and help them enjoy the game of basketball and be productive students and citizens, just as he has done for so many other youngsters for almost 50 years.

•

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Waterbury OIC, Training People For Life

HELP US CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU Now in our 40th year, WOIC and our partners, Waterbury Adult Education, Waterbury Construction Careers Program, HP Contractors, ME First, LLC and Greater Waterbury Black Business Association, have worked with low income and poor communities, providing free life skills and job preparation programs, giving new hope and paths to greater opportunities.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, WOIC continues working to rebuild our neighborhood, providing new housing, jobs and offering residents engagement and community empowerment.

Help us create an opportunity for you.

Visit, Call, Volunteer, Donate or Join Us On Facebook

Waterbury Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc (WOIC) 77-79 BISHOP STREET | WATERBURY, CT 06704 (203) 756-7987 | FAX: (203) 754-2118 | OPPORTUNITY.INDUS@SNET.NET

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Parental Responsibility

By Danielle Hargrove Albert

Our children are our responsiblity. Our responsibility as their parents. I have 3 beautiful daughters and they are my responsiblity to raise to become good, strong independent women who are productive members of society. No one else’s. Not their teachers, school systems, grandparents, president or Pope. Mine. It’s that simple. Whether you are from 1920 coming on a boat from Hungary, or it’s 2018 in Waterbury. Parents are the driving force behind their children.

I have spent many years advocating for the needs of all of our children in the Waterbury School District. Several situations have arisen recently that have offered me a different perspective as a mother and advocate.

Having young daughters; I have potentially 9 more years in the Waterbury school district; that is quite an investment.

I had expectations that the direction of the district would change, improve and show progress. But now is the time to

ask the question many don’t want to hear or answer.

When are we going to start educating our children who want to be educated?

A recent article on absenteeism brought this to a culmination for me as a parent. The article was extremely upsetting.

Not so much from the stand point of children not coming to school, but the excuses that have been made and tolerated for years. I am tired of the blame and the unnecessary responsibility placed on this school system.

To quote, “The children not trusting teachers”. What happened to “go to school or else?”

I’ve spoken before the Board of Education often about system and district process flaws. Those responsibilities lie with the district. Raising children does not. We all know that family values and basic life responsibility starts at home. In as much as I have said it is the job of the district to provide services, it is not the job of a Board of Education to feed,

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clothe or put my children to bed.

It is the BOE’s job to educate, help them succeed and achieve goals. You can lead a horse to water but it is our job as parents to get them to drink. If I was in any other district I would be in the majority of parents, but I am here in Waterbury.

The learning expectations of my children should not be “dumbed down” or lowered. My daughters should not be cheated because we are the minority in this city.

During the superintendent search forum, the question was asked, “What is the best thing about this district?” The silence was deafening. There was no best after-school programming, best special education, sports opportunities.

Nothing, and it speaks volumes.

Why haven’t the atrocious test scores been the focus rather than discussing ways for commissioners to potentially video satellite into committee meetings they can’t attend? Why should the violence and arrests in this city be more of a focus than academic achievement?

Why are valuable resources being over-extended rather than getting students who bring weapons to school moved to Enlightenment -- where they belong?

We have children getting shot in cars and committing suicide. The Waterbury School district is not Social Services, DCF or the Waterbury Police Dept. They are its partners.

Is a new superintendent actually going to change the status quo and make real progress and reform? Is this district finally going to utilize the individuals that go unrecognized;

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like Michelle Baker who essentially created a Talented and Gifted Program, Steve Strand who is exposing parents to curriculum and trying to create out of the box learning opportunities; Mr. John Reed who is developing a Science Curriculum to match the goals of the CMTs and Pam Baim who has never missed an opportunity to respond to my concerns as a parent.

Remember that goal of academic achievement? It is why our children attend school and these individuals are part of the solutions.

This City needs to keep these leaders. Give them the support and monies, and stop wasting time and chasing tails of excuses. Or are we going to continue to tolerate the unacceptable of those who don’t produce?

If children aren’t being raised in a home with structure, guidance, rules, discipline, and consequences, it is not the responsibility or in the job description of the Waterbury Board of Education, our teachers, or the next Superintendent to be the parent. My daughters (and other children) are being robbed of a valuable education. That is a fact.

Let your teachers teach. Let your learners learn. And don’t force families who have lives here to look for solutions outside of this city. Our education leaders have one responsibility: to give students and families across this district high expectations worth striving for.

The Waterbury Observer posted this essay on our facebook page and asked our readers to respond, and they did.

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Felix Manuel Rodriguez - By far one of the most vocal

and strongest advocates in the city. Danielle does her homework. She is the epitome of what it means to be an involved parent who truly cares about their children’s success. Urban education is not easy, don’t let anyone fool you to think it is.

There are so many challenges in this district. From special education, chronic absenteeism, test scores, etc, but there are significant advantages. This district has some of the best teachers and administrators in the country. We need more innovative ways to keep our students engaged in education. I believe our district is headed in the right direction.

We need to stand ready to support the new superintendent and the board of education. It’s easy to point fingers when things go wrong but we need to focus on what is working and celebrate the achievements. Our students deserve that.

Jimnahs Miller - How can I attend BOE meetings to listen?

I assume all is posted on our City’s .gov or .edu website?

Bc Orintas -

Jimnah, everyone is welcone at BOE meetings. It will be great if you go because you are interested. As with Commissions, I presume, there is a list of BOE members on the city website with their phone numbers. Call one of them or call the Eduation Dept downtown to inquire.

John Ramonas - I’m only early 30s but even so when I

went to school the teachers were the boss. If I got in trouble my mom would yell at me, not my teacher. As I got older I saw it more and more. Parents coming in and defending

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com their kids and blaming the teachers. This is only one small part, but it’s where it begins. At home. It’s not the city or school, it’s up to the parents. And I feel the same way about my 3 kids in school now and one more coming up. Change is needed.

Laurine Gambardella - It is ridiculous how the parents defend their kids and blame the teacher, principal and the school. Their kid is never at fault. I agree with you about my parents yelling at us. I never blamed the teacher if my kids did something wrong. These parents need some class time on how to raise kids.

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scores are horrible? Because every Thursday he is given the answers to his math test for Friday. All he has to do is memorize the answers to get a good grade. Want to know the house principals response to my complaint about this?

That’s ok, as long as the district assessment scores are ok.

Want to know what my kid gets for a grade on that? A 100% for participating. So now I have a child who knows that he doesn’t need to pay attention in class or learn math because he’s getting the answers for his test all year. So as I parent, I have a choice to close the book on my kid and let him fail his math test every week, or allow him to memorize the answers. I was asked by the teacher if I wanted my child to have a different test than the rest of the class. Needless to say my response to that question was not nice. He receives one sheet of homework all week for math and it doesn’t even supplement the lesson of the week. I continually get phone calls about his “behavior” because he’s getting out of his seat in class to throw away papers. When addressed with my child, he told me he was picking up the papers other kids threw in the garbage from their seats and missed. He’s being given a numerical grade for non existent homework which I’ve questioned. I was told classwork is graded as homework sometimes. All year the only papers that have come home from that class is the occasion test. I voice my opinions often and usually get a response, but have gotten to the point that I need to go higher than the school itself.

Mary Cumbersnatch

- The State Department of Ed. will solve your issue quickly.

Isabel Gaspar Antonucci - As parents we’re our kids

first teachers. They go to school to get an education and we hope that they’re getting it. Teachers are not babysitters like some parents think. Teach your kids to respect. It goes a long way.

Simona Carter - I agree with Danielle but some statements she made are questionable. All children need an education and all children learn differently and they deserve the same respect as natural learners. Yes there are children with behavioral issues who go to enlightenment or state street we may not know the entire story because I’m sure there is one, but can no longer make excuses or rush to judgement when it comes to others. Great job Danielle we need to get back to education & support our students. Give them tools for success, not excuses not to succeed.

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Jennifer Michelle - Danielle Hargrove Albert as a parent and teacher in this city I cannot agree more.

Kelley Scott - Great points Danielle, unfortunately, the

school system corresponds with the City. I had two children (11 years apart) that went through the Waterbury Public School system and I must say it was quite different with my older child then my child that graduated 2 years ago...different times, different parents...our city is in a mess across the board and we are in a very fearful time.

Susan Goodman

- Not just Waterbury, this country is crazy and it takes a village, but that’s long forgotten.

Robin Soares - Thanks to people like Michelle Baker my son is in the gifted and talented program. Unfortunately they can only work with him once a week. I DON’T even bother anymore trying to get him into a magnet school since # 84 on the list doesn’t ever seem to come around. He’s in the 5th grade and it’s sad that I feel as though my only option as a single parent is to try and save money to move to a better school district. My older children went to Wilby and back then the students had to share books because there wasn’t enough for the whole class. If the children are our future, Waterbury is gonna be a sad place for senior citizens.

Elizabeth Ann - As a former Waterbury educator this hits the nail right on the head. It’s sad to hear it’s still the same. I wanted to further my career in education so I left and went to another district. Hopefully a new leader can turn things around. This is a fantastic article.

Maureen Johnson

- Poverty limits are now double digits in Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, Stamford and Bridgeport. Two out of the 5 of these has 100% of their kids on the school free lunch program. This poverty has a lot to do with how students learn, or best yet, show up. It’s schools and many beyond those 5 that are only concerned with test scores. Not providing quality education & life skills or basic job skills to get a job. It’s a real travesty to our future generations and society. Our numbers in America speak for themselves. We are ranked #25 in the world in education.

That tells that we are putting out illiterate young adults that will only add burden to our welfare system & shortfall of educated resources to fill jobs.

Danielle Hargrove Albert - I agree Simona. I’m talking Shakirah Howard - We are in fact teaching our children about the students who are violent, repeated years of discipline issues.. etc. Every student does deserve an education.

And if resources were monitored and supervised properly some of what I said may not have been said. My daughter should not be removed from her classroom while a child with serious behavioral issues is allowed to throw chairs and flip a desk. It’s intolerable.

to make excuses and blame others for our short comings.

Susan Tanguay - At the beginning, when my boys attended WAMS , the motto was “No one rises to low expectations.” It was eliminated before my second son graduated. It should once again be a Waterbury-wide goal.

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Maureen Cormack - My granddaughter who has sever-

al issues could not function past freshman year at Kennedy...

She did night school her 2nd year and when they removed that program from that school she went on Homebound...

When she graduated she did so with honors... BUT I had to fight with the school system every step of the way to get her an education, one that she deserved.

Richard Ettson - We also have to realize yes it is the parent’s job first. School is just the extended home. A lot of teachers in this district are just here for their monies. And some parents including child is not interested or bored with the curriculum. It’s really gonna take a whole reshaping of parent/teacher relationship w/the board of education.

Carah Sepanski Barrieau - This is spot on! Families are

running away from Waterbury because of our school system, yet we have some of the best teachers in the state.

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Jessica Irizarry - I am thankful my kids have graduated out of the Waterbury school system. For years they were forced to be dumbed down by the failing system. So bad they are struggling in college. Not fair. Not fair to the kids that want to learn. Grades given just for being in class. That is awful. So most kids pass just becaise they show up. This is BS. It’s time people be held accountable for the gross negligence against our children. Fire them all.

Sarah McNerney - I applaud and 100% agree with everything you said. I have 2 in 2 different H.S. and 1 in M.S. and the horror stories are endless. There are fine lines involved that need to be reevaluated and someone needs to step up and do it so things can change.

Nicole D’Amelio Kendall - The Pre-K to 8 school model, which Waterbury has started to follow, is a good start to fostering learners. Smaller based schools allow for a more nurturing environment which in turn helps teachers and staff know not only the student but also the families which they

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come from. Knowing the obstacles children face at home goes a long way in understanding a student.

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with new teachers this year making sure my kids take the right classes for college super happy this year.

Rose Quintana - We need teachers who are there to teach Shawnna Lee and enjoy the job not the time off. I had my kids late in life and still have 10 yrs of school to go. I’ve gotten myself involved in school just to keep eyes on my boys cause of the things I’ve seen and gone through.

Brenda Falcone

- The time off? When’s that? I plan lessons, attend workshops, complete days worth of paperwork etc on my so called “ time off” !

Joe LeClair - The teachers aren’t the problem. The families are. Teachers devote too much time to discipline. They get poor cooperation from too many parents.

Amy Fantauzzi - Most teachers are there and have to play parent on top of teacher to 20 plus kids. More on the plus side. They don’t get the time off our children do. They are attending lessons and workshops. I commend my kids teachers daily. There may be a teacher here and there that is fed up. If you feel that is the case than you need to address superintendent and if that falls upon deaf ears the state department of education. I have dealt with my kids teachers as well as seen how amazing many many other teachers are.

Im fortunate to have not experienced any who weren’t there for our kids and to do as much as they can with the limited resources given. But time off? They’re doing stuff.

Jessica Marie - Don’t even get me started on the Waterbury school system and how horrible it is . My son has high functioning autism no matter how many meetings we have nothing gets done to accommodate him . We have to stand up for our children. Thank you because I see I’m not the only one fighting. God bless.

Christine Guiditta - Absenteeism has forever been the number one problem in education. If they don’t come they don’t learn. Having said that it is no excuse to pass over the education of those who attend school. The most important commodity in any city is it’s children. They are the number one concern and our focus should be forever with them.

Those parents who choose not to be concerned with their child’s attendance need to be called out for their irresponsibility and legal action taken. Not by school dept but by city officials. The most beautiful facilities do not guarantee an education, rather teachers working with students on a daily basis anywhere is the key to learning.

Janice Cherena - I have honor students in the ACE program at wilby and have had issues with teachers. I firmly believe education first, and my kids know this and I help them out with whatever is needed but, when you see videos from your kids on how teacher talk to kids. The ACE program is great and teachers this year are great. Currently working

I left Waterbury 8 years ago when my daughter was starting school. I couldn’t let her go to Waterbury schools (even though i went through them). My nephew is in HS in Waterbury now and he says it’s so dumbed down it’s ridiculous. He’s absolutely bored with the constant repetition because the kids are just not getting it. I don’t understand what’s going on there but something needs to happen somewhere and I agree, it starts with the parents and teaching your kids at home. It’s sad, really because I love Waterbury, but the schools are a mess.

Charo Soberany - My son is bored and I’ve been trying for years to get him in a magnet school with no luck. I just don’t think it’s fair.

Danielle Hargrove Albert - Then come to the podium and advocate for what you want for your son.

Elaine Curley

- I remember the day my daughter told me that both her honors 6th grader, and honors 8th grader brought home the same exact homework assignment. Scared for my grandchildren that their lives will be maimed and potential limited by the education they are receiving.

Dolores Rodriguez - You hit the nail on the head! I hope the powers that be listen, learn, and act accordingly to what you have to say. I thank you. I wish more parents would take your stance and speak up.

Allisyn Stewart - We shouldn’t be worried about best

test scores. That’s just paper. These kids need a more hands on approach to learning. Take them outside. Show them actual life skills, how to change a tire, how to do your taxes, apply for a job, make a résumé, actually teaching these things along with basic knowledge of math at the levels they can comprehend at their specific ages. If they need help in certain areas it should be one on one. You want your daughter to be in more advanced subjects, bump her up a grade, help her to learn more at home, or home school her. These students need more help than caring about standardized testing. Worrying about CMT’s, CAPT , SAT’s just give kids unneeded anxiety, which makes them flunk portions, and the teachers don’t help them in the areas that they fail.

McCready Queenie Colleen-

I need Danielle to clarify,”we are the minority”. I am hoping that she is trying to refer to what she feels her and her children are as a family that wants a good education, although her view of that is questionable. My kids have been in this school system for 12 and 10 years, respectively. I know we are in the majority of families that want and are receiving a good education. They are not dumbed down to. I agree that this is not the best

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

school system in CT, but compared to other states we have much more here.

Danielle Hargrove Albert - Absolutely. There’s not a

line up of people at the Board of Ed podium every week.

There’s alot of complaining but not very many come and voice thier concerns. But after reading and rereading this thread you are out here. If parents would come forward and voice issues I wouldn’t be the minority.

Jennifer Michelle - We need substitute teachers. Come

substitute and see for yourself what a day in the life of a teacher is like....eye opening.

Clark Kathan

- The problems too is when kids come home with certain homework and ask us parents and we sit there scratching our heads because we are lost to as to what we are looking at. Then when we teach our kids at home the way we learned math and they get confused in school because they teach these kids such a ridiculous way of doing things.

Valerie Vicenzi - The city keeps creating high paying po-

sitions that they think will take care of it. There’s so much testing in kindergarten (I’m an assistant) that takes away

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from the teaching time.

Richard Rivera

-OMG, I thought I was alone. No bigger set of truths and accuracies has ever sounded so loud in Waterbury. This needs to be exploited, and pursued until it reaches momentum and solution.

Bc Orintas - The family is supposed to be the first teacher of their children. Those that want to be educated should have an atmosphere that allows them to succeed. They should not have to be subjected to those that don’t care and that create an atmosphere of chaos. I do believe in grouping students so that those who can should be able to do so.

Having disruptive students in with those that want to learn, does not change their behavior, it just holds the others back.

Those that are disruptive need much more help of a different kind, because sadly, they did not have this great family help in the early years. Their misbehavior is sending a deep, strong message that we do not see and those that want to be educated seem to have to pay the price for it.

Marika Murray - Here are a few ideas; Let’s start with getting rid of Common Core, it has proven to be a huge failure. How about teachers actually teaching with creativity? Doing things outside the box. These kids need hands

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on learning, not to be given a packet of work and told to look it up on Google. I know this is a technological age, but this generation needs to be shown how to do things, not just told how to do it. There should be more creative engagement between teacher and student. The kids want to do things that excite and motivate them to succeed. Both my kids have said at one point or another that they felt they were being “dumbed down” , that the teachers don’t care anymore, and that they were being set up for failure. That’s not what any parent wants to hear. No doubt teachers today have a tough time. I feel more than ever, parents need to get more involved with school events, to communicate more with the teachers, and to support every effort to help their children succeed. Teachers should also have the ability to discipline (not physically) students who act out inappropriately. Many kids have no respect for the teachers authority and will act out at will because they know they can get away with it. More power and freedom needs to be given back to the teachers. The system is a mess and needs to get back to basics once again. As the saying goes;” What’s old, is new again”.

Sarah McNerney - My son is a Sophomore in the SOAR program and its still honor students or above. They have set, strict guidelines, dress code and required parental involvement. The staff in the school that I have dealt with is wonderful, especially the SOAR staff.

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LaTanya White - Teachers aren’t trusted because they’re

forced to teach lies and half truths to students. They are learning more fundamental truths about history, society and even science, outside of the classroom.

Liz Brown - I’m glad the District is getting the recognition it deserves for innovation and responsiveness to our parents. I often think of the biblical quote, “those who have been given most, much is expected”. May we all continue to share our gifts and talents.

Warren Leach - My peers, my siblings and myself had consequences at home that far outweighed the discipline at school. Parents desperately need mentorship programs. It used to be that more mature neighborhood parents acted as mentors to younger parents and a chain of discipline was established community wide separate and apart from school.

You will get no traction from this very thoughtful letter because that would mean parents would need to do 2 things: admit their shortcomings and then ask for and accept help.

Now, also be aware that DCF to some degree has taken away parents rights to reasonable discipline. They may think they are acting in the best interest of children, but later that lack of discipline manifests itself as a lack of respect for authority.

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Latin studies to help students identify talents, dreams and self awareness and give them a path and funds to realize those aspirations. Everyone needs to get into the game.

over. I’m not a public official. Hold no office. Have no title, no organization affiliations, No aspirations to any position.

That is by design.

Danielle Hargrove Albert - I agree! That was my point- parents/ families need to start taking ownership of some of this. In some cases DCF should be involved but they are their own monster....Warren everyone is working in their own pods- in many cases on fabulous things however much of it cant go the distance because no one is collaborating. And that was another point. We have amazing resources in this City- Its not the responsibility of the school system to raise our children. But to bring these resources together.

Heather Ann Quinones

Warren Leach

- Everyone is working from their own pods because point blank most are working from personal agendas and self interest first, students second. We really should talk. because I for one am ready to dump all dirty laundry regardless of where it leads... If I’m in the wash as well so be it, but status quo is dead

Danielle Hargrove Albert -

I am happy you said itpeople are out for their piece of the pie. I have had it- that’s why I wrote this; because it effects my family and the children of people I care about.

Warren Leach

- I’m gonna say a lot of things before its

- Too many times have I seen parents who don’t give their kids the foundation they need to do great in school. They don’t teach their kids right from wrong, let them behave very disrespectful towards teachers/ principals because the parents do it too, or just don’t push their kids to do better. There have been countless times I’ve seen a parent argue with a school staff member over something ridiculous because their kids are lying to their parents or they feel that they are always right. I’ve rarely seen parents be parents because they want to be their child’s friend rather than their parent. I agree that their education starts at home. Not many parents are making sure their children are in school, paying attention, and doing their homework and making sure they understand what is being taught. We need more parents who care about their children’s education and not if their teacher yelled at them to stop disrupting the classroom so the teacher can teach. This city needs more parents who care.

Lisa A Fortier - We need to educate parents. That’s were it all begins. Great article.

•

Wishing all the citizens of Waterbury and Wolcott a wonderful 2018 With compassion, fidelity, and a true desire to protect the rights of all of our citizens.

Probate Judge Elect Matthew P. Vaccarelli

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Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Eric Rosengren, second from right, was on hand at the press conference to announce the Working Cities Challenge grant. To Rosengren’s right is Victor Lopez from the Hispanic Coalition and Kevin Taylor from Neighborhood Housing.

Mayor Neil O’Leary is on the other side.

Waterbury Secures $1 Million For Job Creation In South End Story By John Murray

With robust state, private sector and non-profit support, Waterbury has snagged $1 million to invest in job creation in the South End of the city. The citywide effort to earn a Working Cities Challenge grant zeroed in on the River-Baldwin neighborhood in an effort to reinvigorate job growth in an economically distressed area of the city. With the money Waterbury will address the economic and racial inequalities that have devalued the once-vibrant River Baldwin neighborhood.

“That section of the city has been suffering for decades,” Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary said at a press conference announcing the award. “My parents and grandparents lived in this part of the city. It was the only place they could come from Ireland. Ironically, we have a new wave of people coming here from Hurricane Maria.”

O’Leary touted the hard work of a large group of stakeholders that championed the city in the competive grant process, and cited the work of Victor Cuevas, Geraldo Reyes and Victor Lopez for championing the South End of Waterbury.

“As mayor, this is a good day for Waterbury,” O’Leary said. “This is a big deal. This side of town hasn’t had this

Former Webster Bank CEO ,Jim Smith

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com amount of attention in 50 years.” $450,000 is a direct jobs grant through the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The other $550,000 will be provided by the State of Connecticut, Webster Bank, Stanley Black & Decker, the Connecticut Community Foundation, Eversource and others.

Kevin Taylor of Neighborhood Housing said the particular tract that won the investment had an increasing unemployment rate. “The goal is to reduce unemployment inn this census tract from 23% to 12% in a ten year period,” Taylor said. “We hope to create 150 career liveable jobs with the money.”

State Senator Joan Hartley said the effort was, “a perfect public-private partnership” and credited former Webster Bank CEO Jim Smith for using his contacts with the Reserve Bank to help the application.

In addition to Waterbury, four other Connecticut cities won a Working Cities Challenge grant; Danbury, East Hartford, Hartford, Middletown.

The five cities will each receive multiyear grants of $450,000 to support programs designed to bolster economic equality and workforce development in the cities.

About the Working Cities Challenge - The Working Cities Challenge, launched in 2013 in Massachusetts, builds on Boston Fed research that identified cross-sector collaboration and leadership as the key ingredients in resurgent smaller cities across the country. The Working Cities Challenge in Connecticut builds upon the success of the initiative in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Funding for the Working Cities Challenge is not provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, but by a collaboration of the state of Connecticut including the Malloy administration, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Living Cities, NeighborWorks America, Avangrid Foundation, Stanley Black & Decker, Boehringer In-

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gelheim Pharmaceuticals BI Cares Foundation, Eversource Energy, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Travelers Companies, Inc., Webster Bank, Liberty Bank Foundation, Bank of America, Barnes Group Foundation, Hartford HealthCare, Hoffman BMW of Watertown/Hoffman Auto Group, United Technologies, Charter Communications, Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Connecticut Community Foundation, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Main Street Community Foundation, Thomaston Savings Bank, Ion Bank, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Valley Community Foundation, Jewish Community Foundation of Hartford, New Canaan Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, and the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

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www.waterburyobserver.org

Albanian dancers perform during the annual festival on Raymond Street.

A New Wave

The Latest Immigrants To Waterbury Are From Asia, Albania and Latin America (Story was originally published in the Observer in November 2012)

Column By John Murray A Google image search for Tanahun, Nepal, reveals a spectacularly beautiful village surrounded by terraced farms carved into sides of mountains in central Asia. This is where Dean Thapa began his improbable journey towards Waterbury, and like thousands before him who have come from England, Ireland, Italy and Lithuania, Dean Thapa clawed his way across the earth to reach a place where hard work promised advancement, Thapa finished high school in Tanahun, and at the age of 17 he moved to Kathmandu to become a waiter in a small cafe where he began meeting tourists from all over the world. For eight years Thapa stayed in Kathmandu working in the tourism business, eventually securing a job in hotel management. “I was very happy but not making very much money,” Thapa said. “I used to hold up an American dollar bill and ask myself how this dollar was able to buy so much.”

At that time Thapa said the exchange rate was 70 to 80 Nepalese rupees to one U.S. dollar. “Our money was not worth very much,” Thapa said. “But the American dollar?

Wow. I left Nepal to come to the best country in the world to work for that dollar. Everybody in the world wants to come to America to explore opportunities. I came for a better life.”

Thapa arrived on a tourist visa in 1998 and began working as a chef in a hotel in West Haven. The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) categorized Thapa as a skilled worker and gave him a green card that allowed him to establish permanent residency. In 2005 Thapa met Kim Chantara, a Cambodian woman living in Waterbury.

“She came to America one year before I did,” Thapa said.

“We are both Buddhists, and we both made it to Connecticut from very far away.”

Thapa and Chantara dated for five months, married, and now have two children ages three and five. After the mar-

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com riage Thapa moved to Waterbury and continued to work in West Haven until he was laid off in 2010. Unable to find a job in the midst of a vast recession, Thapa collected unemployment until he saw an empty store on Watertown Avenue next to Frankie’s Hot Dogs. Where some people saw an empty building, Thapa saw an opportunity.

He negotiated a deal with the landlord, built the inside counters and shelving himself, and on May 13th he opened Thapa’s Convenience Store. Five months into his new venture Thapa continues to work 16 hours a day, seven days a week. “I am working very hard, but I am building something,” Thapa said. “I feel very lucky.”

Spend a few minutes with Thapa inside his store and the exceptional customer service he learned in the tourism business in Kathmandu is on full display. He knows most of his customers by their first names. He knows the numbers they pick for their lottery tickets, and the brands of cigarettes they purchase every day. “I like to talk to my customers,” Thapa said. “And after five months I am breaking even. Maybe next year I can hire someone else to work here and I can go home and play with my children.”

His wife and kids come down to the store every day to eat dinner with him, and Thapa’s work intensity is fueled by the knowledge that his children will not have to endure

Dean Thapa

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A Google image search for Tanahun, Nepal, reveals a spectacularly beautiful village surrounded by terraced farms carved into sides of mountains in central Asia. This is where Dean Thapa began his improbable journey towards Waterbury, and like thousands before him who have come from England, Ireland, Italy and Lithuania, Dean Thapa clawed his way across the earth to reach a place where hard work promised advancement, Thapa finished high school in Tanahun, and at the age of 17 he moved to Kathmandu to become a waiter in a small cafe where he began meeting tourists from all over the world. For eight years Thapa stayed in Kathmandu working in the tourism business, eventually securing a job in hotel management. “I was very happy but not making very much money,” Thapa said. “I used to hold up an American dollar bill and ask myself how this dollar was able to buy so much.”

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At that time Thapa said the exchange rate was 70 to 80 Nepalese rupees to one U.S. dollar. “Our money was not worth very much,” Thapa said. “But the American dollar? Wow. I left Nepal to come to the best country in the world to work for that dollar. Everybody in the world wants to come to America to explore opportunities. I came for a better life.”

Thapa arrived on a tourist visa in 1998 and began working as a chef in a hotel in West Haven. The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) categorized Thapa as a skilled worker and gave him a green card that allowed him to establish permanent residency. In 2005 Thapa met Kim Chantara, a Cambodian woman living in Waterbury.

“She came to America one year before I did,” Thapa said. “We are both Buddhists, and we both made it to Connecticut from very far away.”

Thapa and Chantara dated for five months, married, and now have two children ages three and five. After the marriage Thapa moved to Waterbury and continued to work in West Haven until he was laid off in 2010. Unable to find a

Waterbury has always been diverse, but it is now a microcosm of the world itself. It was the Irish and Italian immigrants that fueled the brass industry 100 years ago, and it is this new wave of immigrants to Waterbury who have to hit the replay button to forge a new identity for the city.

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job in the midst of a vast recession, Thapa collected unem- salads they would be a bowl of lettuce with an occasional ployment until he saw an empty store on Watertown Avenue tomato and cucumber. America, however, was built on imnext to Frankie’s Hot Dogs. Where some people saw an emp- migration, and diversity is a cornerstone of our country. Our ty building, Thapa saw an opportunity. salad would be eight varieties of lettuce and spring greens, He negotiated a deal with the landlord, built the inside tomatoes, cucumbers, red peppers, onions, olives, spinach counters and shelving himself, and on May 13th he opened and artichokes. Take everything from the garden and hurl it Thapa’s Convenience Store. Five months into his new ven- into the bowl. America was built on ingredients from every ture Thapa continues to work 16 hours a day, seven days a corner of the world, and the new diversity in Waterbury is week. “I am working very hard, but I am building some- astonishing. thing,” Thapa said. “I feel very lucky.”

Dean Thapa is from the Himalayan Mountains, but I have Spend a few minutes with Thapa inside his store and the encountered two brothers from Bangladesh running a Subexceptional customer service he learned in the tourism busi- way store in the Brass Mill Mall, a friendly young man from ness in Kathmandu is on full display. He knows most of his Fiji running a liquor store on West Main Street, a Russian customers by their first names. He knows the numbers they Continued on Page 93 pick for their lottery tickets, and the brands of cigarettes they purchase every day. “I like to talk to my customers,” Thapa said. “And after five months I am breaking even. Maybe next year I can hire someone else to work here and I can go home and play with my children.”

His wife and kids come down to the store every day to eat dinner with him, and Thapa’s work intensity is fueled by the knowledge that his children will not have to endure the hardships he experienced to live a slice of the American dream. “I feel so happy that my kids will have all these portunities that I did not,” Thapa said. “I don’t mind paying taxes.

The services are great, my kids go to great schools, why not pay tax?”

One of the things Dean Thapa loves most about his new home is the extraordinary diversity in Waterbury.

“In my hometown everyone was Nepalese,” he said. “In Waterbury the people are from everywhere.”

And they are.

A month ago I wrote a Facebook post that called Waterbury one of the most diverse small cities in the world. While some agreed, others were stunned at the statement and accused me of gross exaggeration.

I stand by that statement. Having travelled through 45 countries and all 50 states I have yet to experience a small city as diverse as Waterbury.

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www.waterburyobserver.org

Waterbury: An Inspiration Column By Carmine Capobianco

Yes sir. Born and raised in this here city. Lived here for half a century. And I left.

But I had so many ties to Waterbury. First and foremost were my three absolutely wonderful daughters whom I got to see often, because they loved visiting their new baby brother in West Hartford.

There were other things I missed, like my friends and the fun we had - especially during the fourteen years we did the silliest cable show at Channel 13. It was every Wednesday at 10:00 right after our weekly belly-busting feasts at Mr. Wok’s. I missed Domenick and Pia’s Pizza and Blackie’s Hot Dogs and The Brooklyn Baking Company.

And now, for the past three and a half years, I’ve been working in the Brass City. I’m here about 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year. Before I got this job, I was out of Water-

bury completely for five and a half years. And, boy has it changed!

If you live and/or work in Waterbury, I don’t need to tell you about the changes. Nor do I need to tell you about all the hard work so many residents and non-residents are doing to (yes, I’m going to say it) “Make Waterbury Great Again”!

I could say that it’s not the buildings or the architecture, the restaurants, Holy Land, the theater, the shopping, the parks and the special events but rather the people. But it IS the people. It’s everything I mentioned AND the people.

Many of the younger people today are unfamiliar with the Waterbury that we “old folks” remember. They seem to focus on the corruption at City Hall over the years, the shootings, the hit and runs, the falling down tenements and they’ve nicknamed the town “Dirty Water”.

Do they ignore the grandiose beauty of St. Anne’s and The Basilica? Have they never stopped and looked at some of the

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com houses in this city and marveled at the architecture? Have they never bit into a slice of pizza downtown or a glazed donut from our local bakery, breakfasted at our local diners or a dined at one of our fine Italian eateries? We have plenty of shopping and fast food franchises but, here and there, we have a scattering of small stores full of treasures.

We have a theater that showcases Broadway shows and a movie house that everyone can afford. And landmarks? We have a clock tower that is a replica based on the 14th century Torre del Mangia in Siena, Italy. Although deteriorated, we have Holy Land USA on its way to being restored. In its heyday, 40,000 people visited annually and so many enjoy the cross now, especially on the 4th of July during the spectacular fireworks display. And, of course, Carrie Welton’s horse, Knight, immortalized in 2500 pounds of brass above the fountain on the green who, in life, kicked Carrie’s pop in the noggin.

When I talk about Waterbury with other natives, many who still live here usually complain about their taxes, the lack of police presence, disregard for traffic laws or the shootings.

Then someone will mention how some little thing was better in the past and the conversation swings in an entirely new direction. Waterbury is spoken about with reverence and one can tell that they truly love their city. Yes sir, they ain’t going nowhere. And I understand.

I love talking with these residents, to walk down memory lane with them as they relate things to me that I may have barely remembered because I was too young or had no experience because I wasn’t even born. How I wish I could go back in time to early Waterbury and experience it – when downtown was the hub, you could sled anywhere, movies houses had double features, newsreels, cartoons and chan-

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deliers, the restaurants served freshly prepared food without salty additives and the waitresses called you “Hon”, the stores were small and privately owned and if you wanted to shop big, you went to Howland-Hughes. And the customer service everywhere was, of course, impeccable.

I grew up in the Kmart/Bradlees/Two Guys/Caldor’s era but the store I loved the most was the one from my actual childhood. It was over in the South End and it wasn’t on the main drag. It was a chain store but many of us thought that we Waterburians had the only one. The chain was started in 1945 in New Bedford, MA by William, Herbert and Lester Palestine and named after William’s son, Arlan. When Mom called out, “I’m going to Arlan’s! Does anybody want to come?”, I was the first one in the car with a buck or two in my pocket. I never knew what I was going to buy. Sometimes, it was a 45 rpm record, an Aurora Monster Model, a 50 ft super 8 movie or a turtle. I bought my first Smothers Brothers album there and, of course, the coolest album ever: “Music to Read James Bond By”. I wasn’t 100% nerd. I got a few Beatles records and kickballs at Arlan’s. I don’t know exactly when they closed up but in 1973, they filed for Chapter 11.

Over on Thomaston Avenue in the Colonial Plaza, there was the huge supermarket/department store called GrandWay. I didn’t love it as much as Arlan’s but I know my parents spent a lot of money there at Christmastime. GrandWays were born in 1956 and finally died in 1975. Twas a good run.

The other aforementioned stores were big when I was in my teens and I ended up actually working Sundays in the Major Appliance department at Caldor’s and then the Camera Department at Two Guys. When they opened up

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the Roy Roger’s Restaurant in the parking lot of Two Guys, they drew the biggest crowd ever when Roy Rogers himself made a personal appearance. God, I loved their Double R Bar Burgers – juicy with a slice of ham. I think it’s a Taco Bell now, Two Guys is a whole bunch of stores including a Chinese buffet and Caldor’s is a gym.

I love talking about downtown with some of the older people who recollect a lot more than I can. I did a lot of shopping downtown as a young ‘un and I mostly remember my mother taking me to either Miller & Peck’s or The Rose Shop to get me my uniform clothes for St. Mary’s School. I had to get “husky” sizes for a while and one of these stores was the place to get them.

Miller & Peck’s was first opened by Henry H. Peck and Charles Miller in the mid nineteenth century in “Baldwin’s block” (with only two cases of prints and three pieces of dress goods) and in 1861 they moved to “Hotchkiss block”

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and then finally to their South Main location that we know.

In 1867, Peck withdrew from the business so, if any of us wanted to complain, it wouldn’t have been to Henry Peck.

And then, in February of 1894, an early morning fire destroyed tens of thousands of dollars of Miller & Peck stock and they rebuilt. Well, Charlie Miller did, anyway.

But, I was always fascinated by the theaters in downtown Waterbury.

I never had the pleasure of going to The Strand at 77 East Main St. It opened around 1913 and was demolished in 1951 for the F.W. Woolworth and W.T Grant stores - seven years before I was born. The theater was cheap and small and ran second-run movies. It was a cheap date destination.

Another one I missed out on was Jacques Opera House, opening in 1885 on the corner of Phoenix Ave. and East Main. Two interesting things about this “theatre”: 1. Jacques was pronounced “Jake’s” and 2. There was a fat chance you’d see an opera there.

This was Waterbury’s burlesque house.

You got to see lots of vaudeville acts that may have included juggling AND jiggling with people with names like Honey Bee Keller and Bubbles Yvonne. When they started showing movies there and you went to see one, you took your life in your hands. The hand-cranked projector they used didn’t have a take up reel so as the film went through the projector it accumulated in a paper bag. They painstakingly rewound it back on the original reel by hand to prepare it for the next viewing.

Now here’s the dangerous part. First, you must know that old movie prints delivered to the theaters before the 1950s were on celluloid which was so extremely flammable that they would self-explode when exposed to temperatures over 300 degrees. Now add to this the fact that they used a carbon arc lamp to project the image. Many theatres burned down over the years and, thankfully, Jacques wasn’t one of them. It was torn down, however, in 1954 for the Waterbury Savings Bank parking lot. Monkey Kirkland, Billy “Cheese ‘n Crackers” Hagen and the lovely six foot four inch spirited dancer, Lois Defee probably never came to Waterbury again.

But Roz Russell did! She came at the beginning of one of the darkest periods of the history of Waterbury.

But first, let me see if I can get this history right. First there was the Broadway Casino at 137 East Main St. Then it became The Broadway Theater in 1909 (which housed Waterbury’s very first theater organ). In 1914, it became The Bijou and changed to The Rialto Theater in 1917. Finally, on Saturday, March 30, 1929, it became the mag-

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com Holy Land USA as it looked in the 1950s and 1960s.

nificent State Theatre, the city’s first theater to show movies with sound! Whew!

Now back to Ms. Russell. In mid-August, 1955, Waterbury welcomed Rosalind Russell (His Girl Friday), Fernando Lamas (Dangerous When Wet with his wife Esther Williams), Eddie Albert (TV’s Green Acres) and Gloria DeHaven (pretty much every TV show from the 60s on) while Dave Garroway from The Today Show showed up with his crew to host all this Hollywood glitz live from the Elton Hotel.

Waterbury’s State Theater was going to change its name to the Rosalind Russell State Theater to honor the Waterbury native and host the world premiere of Roz’s newest film, “The Girl Rush” starring the stellar visitors listed above.

On August 18, everyone was escorted to the theater by The Mattatuck Drum Band and Roz unveiled the plaque hung on the outside of the theater which most of us remember seeing. It read, “This plaque commemorates the homecoming of Rosalind Russell and the world premiere of ‘The Girl Rush’ at this theatre, August 15, 1955.” There were limos all over the place and those really cool spotlights beamed up and probably criss-crossed in what was a very cloudy sky.

Then, 80 years to the day of the big flood of 1875, the rains started and caused The Great Flood of 1955. Thirty people were killed, there was $54 million in property damages and 95 local businesses suffered another $70 million in loss.

The State Theater and its neighbor, White Tower, that sold mini five-cent burgers, were eventually demolished and is

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now, basically, a parking lot.

There was the “old” Poli Theatre at 145 East Main St. on the same side as the State that opened on December 19, 1897.

Imagine the legends that came to Waterbury then. We do know that the stage hosted some of the Barrymore family, the inimitable Sarah Bernhardt and Mr. George M. Cohan.

This theater closed in 1928.

On January 28, 1922, the Loew’s Poli Palace Theater opened with a $1 million dollar investment from Sylvester Z. Poli to create its spectacular décor and amazing architecture and was the city’s largest with 3,419 seats. You could see everything from great vaudeville shows to silent and sound films, from big bands to rock bands, from Louis Prima to Frank Zappa. Sixty-five years later, in 1987, it closed.

After a $30 million three-year renovation, the theater reopened in 2005 as a center for the performing arts.

My memories of this great theater and the State are numerous. I saw so many movies at each one and spent some time at the Palace with Buddy Rich, Lionel Hampton, Gene Krupa, Georgie Jessel, Red Buttons, Alan Sherman, Garrison Keillor and The Smothers Brothers.

It was The Loew’s Poli that sparked my lifelong love affair with the movies. I saw all the Sean Connery James Bond films there (Dr. No I saw in a rerelease because in 1962 I was only 4), all the Planet of the Apes movies and all the

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Roger Corman and Hammer Films horror flicks – some of them shoddily based on Edgar Allan Poe stories. My cousin took me to my first “R” rated film, Cotton Comes to Harlem when I was 13 and I was very proud to relate to my friends later that I had seen “boobies at the movies”.

When I was about 10, my family and I were watching the Ed Sullivan show one Sunday evening. Charlton Heston was on and promoting his new film, Planet of the Apes. I barely remember it all but I think he talked about the incredible makeup used to create the ape faces for Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall. The makeup artist, John Chambers, began his career creating prosthetic noses and such for soldiers disfigured in World War II. He was portrayed by John Goodman in the movie, Argo.

I remember the show treating us to a scene from Planet of the Apes and I was blown away. I couldn’t wait to see this movie.

It opened at the Poli soon afterwards and was screened on a double bill with, I believe, The Undefeated with Rock Hudson and John Wayne. The Poli had this movie as the second feature quite often and I lost count at how many times I sat through it.

The movie started and when I saw Chuck Heston’s rugged toothy face ten feet tall – this was Moses and Judah Ben-Hur for crying-out-loud – I was breathless. When I saw the apes

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on-screen for the first time, I was in awe. When Linda HarThe theater experience in Waterbury inspired me to create rison, Charlton Heston’s scantily clad mate came on screen, and gave me my love of cinema. I opened up a few video I was smitten. (I met her years later and the photo of Linda stores in Waterbury and dealt with movies every day for 14 and me together is quite a prized possession.) years.

At 10 years old, I didn’t understand the irony, the symbolThis was one of many ways that “Dirty Water” has influism and the sarcasm of the great Rod Serling’s script but I enced my life. So no matter what hard feelings people harloved the movie, the costumes, the makeup and the high bor about the town or how much they complain about the range tapping of a piano key for some of the musical score. property taxes, Waterbury is a special place.

This movie immediately became my favorite of all time I read about the people on Facebook who claim that they and Chuck, Roddy McDowall and Linda my favorite actors. are so happy to be away from here. But, I read about just as It set off an obsession and I couldn’t seem to watch enough many, if not more who are happy to stay or if they did move movies, read enough books on the subjects of movies, make- away, how much they miss it. up, actors or filmmaking in general and question my older And everybody eventually comes back for a slice of pizza relatives about older movies. I was at the State or the Poli al- or a glazed donut or a peek at the horse, the tower and the most every weekend. Later on it was Colonial Cinemas and cross. And everybody comes back for the people. the theaters at the Naugatuck Valley Mall. Naturally, there Yes sir. Born and raised in this here city. were the drive-ins and their double and triple features that • drew me in.

When I started collecting super 8 films and screened them for friends and relatives and listened to them laugh during or clap at the end, I knew that I needed to make movies.

I began to make my own super 8 films with friends and relatives but it wasn’t until the mid-80s that I really entered the business. My first three films were partially shot in Waterbury. You can see a pan of Waterbury from the top of the ramp garage and Holy Land in one film and we shot a few scenes inside and outside the prerenovated city hall in the others.

These films are available all over the world so people in, say, Germany, Italy and Denmark for instance, are seeing Waterbury. They read about Waterbury and the thanks we showered on the mayor for giving us permission to film in the Brass City.

I was born in this town, raised a family and ran a business here. I have a bunch of friends here and we still frequent the amazing restaurants. I still bring my son into town from time to time to taste the wonders, play at Chuck E Cheese or to visit his sisters.

We occasionally will take in a movie 860.283.1874 LOCAL here, maybe a show at 7 Angels or 855.344.1874 TOLL FREE The Palace or just walk around the mall having some fun on the massage thomastonsb.com chairs or scarfing down some teriyaki chicken or ice cream.

I used to bring him downtown like I did my daughters, but there’s not a lot left to see or do. I wish I could Member FDIC have shared the majesty of the Loew’s Poli with any of my children.

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Gomes, Glass and Benevento Inducted Into Waterbury Hall of Fame

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Three notable Waterburians will be inducted into the Silas Bronson Library’s Waterbury Hall of Fame at a ceremony to be held on Saturday, October 21, 2 p.m. at the Mattatuck Museum. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

This year’s honorees are Justice Robert D. Glass, Philip V. Benevento, and Ryan Gomes. They were selected for induction by a library board-appointed committee and named by the library Board of Agents this summer.

• Robert D. Glass, J.D. (1922-2001) overcame racist education systems in the Deep South to eventually earn his law degree and begin practicing law. He moved to Waterbury in 1962, becoming Connecticut’s first African American Juvenile Court judge in 1967, and the first African American Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court in 1987. The Juvenile Matters Courthouse on Kendrick Avenue in Waterbury was renamed the Honorable Robert D. Glass Courthouse in

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2008. Glass credited his mother for his success in life, noting that she “took a poor plantation boy and made him a judge.”

• Philip V. Benevento, Jr. (born 1943) is a dedicated supporter of local organizations, a keeper of the flame for Waterbury’s history, and an influential and much respected educator. He has served on numerous boards, including the library’s Board of Agents, and was co-chair of the Cass Gilbert City Hall Renovation Committee. He served as City Historian from 2004 until 2017, fostering the public’s love of the city and its past through his presentations and tours.

One of his former students, Louis Aburdene, established a scholarship fund in his honor at UConn Waterbury. Two funds, at the Mattatuck Museum and the Silas Bronson Library, were established in honor of Benevento last year to promote education, cultural enlightenment, and Waterbury history.

Please contact our Admissions Office at 203-721-6354.

142 S. Elm Street . Waterbury, CT 06706 . www.sacredhearthighschool.org

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com • Ryan Gomes (born 1982) is well known for his professional career in the NBA and for his philanthropic work on the national and local level. The former Wilby High School basketball star has played for the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Credited by many Waterbury athletes for his mentoring skills, Gomes transitioned to coaching last year.

Following the 2005 death of fellow athlete Stanley Myers in 2005 from Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Gomes founded Hoops for Health to promote public awareness and to place lifesaving Automated External Defibrillators in rec centers, schools, and other public places. Gomes has also given back to Waterbury, collaborating with Acts 4 Ministries and other local charitable organizations to help those in need.

The Silas Bronson Library’s Waterbury Hall of Fame is comprised of Waterbury natives and residents who have made a significant impact on the history of Waterbury or who have achieved recognition for their accomplishments throughout the city, state, country or world.

New members are inducted into the Hall of Fame at an annual ceremony held in the fall. The ceremony is open to the public.

The mission of the Hall of Fame is to honor these notable Waterburians, to educate the public about Waterbury’s rich past and present, to promote interest in Waterbury history and the local history resources of the Silas Bronson Library and other city institutions and, through the nomination pro-

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cess, to increase the library’s historical information about the city.

Hall of Fame members are elected annually by a nine-member committee appointed by the library Board of Agents.

Nominations are submitted by the general public as well as committee members. Candidates include – but are not limited to - civic, cultural, government and religious leaders, artists, writers, educators, historians, war heroes, industrialists, business and professional people, and sports figures.

The Silas Bronson Library is the public library of the City of Waterbury. Located at 267 Grand Street, the Library is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays from Labor Day to the weekend before Memorial Day, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. For more information, please visit www.bronsonlibrary.org.

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Continued from Page 81

estinian refugee. These are the new Waterburians and the city’s future will soon be in their hands.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census data, Waterbury has a population of 110,336 people- 58.8% white, 31.2% Hispanic, 20.1% black and a smattering of Asian, Native American and Hawaiians. That adds up to more than 100% because some people identified themselves in multiple categories. No matter how you slice it, Waterbury is now comprised of 50% minorities (black and Hispanic), who will soon be the majority.

Additionally, Waterbury has one of the largest populations of Albanians outside of Albania, and the largest percentage of Italian-Americans in any city in North America with a population of 150,000 or less.

Tell me where there is a city of 100,000 that has the diversity of Waterbury - Italians, Irish, Lithuanians, Albanians, African-Americans, Lebanese and an extraordinary mix of Latinos from the Caribbean, Mexico and South America.

Add in the new wave of immigrants from Myanmar, Russia, Thailand, Fiji, Palestine, Nepal, Bangladesh and India, and about the only thing missing is penguins from Antarctica.

The largest number of Hispanics in Waterbury are Puerto Ricans, who are not immigrants, since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and every child born there since 1917 has automatically been a U.S. citizen. But for many Puerto Ricans the challenge to assimilate into the fabric of America is no less daunting than what faces a recent arrival from Central America.

Dr. Paul Sequeira is an assistant superintendent of schools in Waterbury and was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to parents from Goa, India. Sequeira finished his high school education in Kenya before attending college in America, and his background exemplifies the diversity in Waterbury’s public school system which now teaches students who speak 36 different languages - Albanian, Arabic, Bangla, Bengali, Burmese, Cantonese, Chinese, Creole-Cape Verdean, Creole-Haitian, Dari, Farsi, French, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Karen, Khmer (Cambodian), Kurdish, Macedonian, Mandarin, Mondingo, Montenegrin, Pashto, Pilipino (Filipino), Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese and Yorubu.

Waterbury has always been diverse, but it is now a microcosm of the world itself. It was the Irish and Italian immigrants that fueled the brass industry 100 years ago, and it is this new wave of immigrants to Waterbury who will have to hit the replay button to forge a new identity for the city.

In February 2012 Dean Thapa became a United States citizen, a moment he said is among the proudest of his life.

Thapa works unimaginably long hours - 112 hours a week - but he is deeply satisfied. “This is not a hard life,” he said.

“We have food and we get whatever we want. Back in Nepal the people don’t have the opportunity to work. There is no law and no opportunity. Waterbury is now my home, This is my city, my place. My kids, my family are all here. I am very lucky and very happy. I am in America..”

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As an independent community based bank we are committed to our customers and our communities.

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203.729.4442 Toll Free 877.729.4442 | IonBank.com

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www.waterburyobserver.org Five Italian artists spent a month in Waterbury creating public art pieces inspired by Roxbury’s Alexander Calder., a world famous sculptor who made many of his pieces in Waterbury. The artists; Raffaele Falcone, Eduardo Giannattasio, Vincenzo Liguori, Deborah Napolitano and William Papaleo worked in an abandoned factory at 170 Freight Street. The pieces will be installedaround the city in the Spring of 2018.

Change your address not your lifestyle.

“The Hearth is our home away from home.”

Carmen & Louise Donnarumma Living More since 2010

655 Main Street South, Southbury, CT 06488

(203) 364-5724 • www.thehearth.net

INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

FREE MUFFLER INSPECTION (at Major Muffler)

15% OFF

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MAJOR MUFFLER

2098 South Main Street, Waterbury, 754-1662 • Expires 1/1/2019

Voted Best Muffler Shop18 Years

Spanish American League of Social Activities

Donato bury, CT 06708 41 st.com

Our Organization provides needed services as identified by the community. Some of the services that are provided are not limited to: community advocacy, youth leadership initiatives, after school programs, and recreational activities for youth and adults. The organization collaborates with community and government constituents to create self-sustaining entities and enhance the well being of the Hispanic community. SALSA Inc. operates out of the River Baldwin Recreation Center at 135 East Liberty Street, Waterbury, CT 06706. Our current activities include:

Men’s Softball League (Spring/Summer) High School Boys Pre-season Basketball League (Fall) Men’s Women’s, and Youth Indoor Soccer (Fall/Winter/Spring) Men’s Outdoor Soccer (Spring/Summer/Fall) High School Boys Baseball League (Fall)

For More Information Call 1-203-574-8342

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

BINGO Thursday Nights 7PM - 10PM Two Progressive Jackpots Two Winner-Take-All Games

DOOR PRIZES

Food & Snacks Sold FREE Coffee & Tea

645 Congress Avenue 203.232.6513

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Second Chance

Discover! Experience! Enjoy!

Join us on our 27th Inspiring Season with these fantastic Equity Plays and Musicals Red Hot Mama: The Sophie Tucker Story February 15 - March 11

Tony Award nominee Sharon McNight in a “musical tribute” to the legendary Sophie Tucker

Yesterday and Today; Interactive Beatles March 17th at 8 pm Featuring Billy, Matthew and Ryan MccGuigan. The all request Beatles show, where you pick the set list each night

Wounded Angels April 22 at 5 pm

A Play Reading by Chuck Miceli Tickets only $10

Second Chance April 5-29

At the urging of his aggravated, but devoted son Larry, 77-year-old widower Jack Korman, a grouchy stick-in-the-mud, oh-so reluctantly tries out the assisted living life. A comedy for the times

Second Chance

Red Hot Mama

The Everly Brothers Experience May 5th at 8 pm

The Zmed Brothers pay tribute to the Everly Brothers

Rock and Roll Redemptions: The Story and Music of Dion DiMucci May 17th-June 17

The story of Dion DiMucci, the Hall of Fame musician from the Bronx

Plank Road, Waterbury 203-757-4676 SevenAngelsTheatre.org Free parking. Just Off I-84

SKYE XIII Public / Education / Government “Find us on Facebook”

Community Access Television

The purpose of Skye Cable XIII/PEG television is to promote a diversity of ideas and programming, provide freedom of expression, train and educate all who wish to participate in all areas of television and video production and serve the community in the cable franchise area. Skye Cable XIII provides residents of Waterbury, Middlebury, Prospect, Wolcott, Plymouth, and Terryville with access to non commercial television programs (Channel 13), government programming (Channel 96) and educational programming (Channel 16), as well as production and supporting services at no charge on Comcast Cable. We also broadcast statewide on Frontier U-Verse Channel 99.

117 Sharon Road, Waterbury, CT 06705

skye13.com

(203) 755-1113 skyecable@aol.com

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

Party SuPPlieS & rentalS

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for all occaSionS Partying with Greater Waterbury for 29 Years!

95 Wolcott Rd • Wolcott • 203-879-0073 or 203-879-9951

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Voted BEST PARTY SHOP for 19 Years

PARTY RENTALS

Tents for every event … from backyard celebrations to elegant weddings!

Tables • Chairs • Dance Floors • Table Linens & Chair Covers Wedding Arches & Gazebos • Catering & Cooking Supplies Portable Toilets Let us help you plan your Special Event!

BALLOON ART from individualized arrangements to dramatic arches & displays. Balloon Delivery ~ 7 days a week FUN ROOM & BOUNCE HOUSES & MORE Have your party with us in our private party room!

Or rent Bounce Houses, Dunk Tanks, Karaoke Machines, Grills, and absolutely everything you need to make your party at success!

PARTY SUPPLIES & BIG PACK PARTY SUPPLIES

HUGE Selection of Party Supplies and BIG PACKS mean BIG SAVINGS!

Interesting Facts About Waterbury

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• William H. Bristol, inventive genius and pioneering manufacturer, was born in Waterbury. In 1915, he invented the “Bristolphone” to simultaneously record voices and other sounds with motion in moving pictures. His Bristol Co. in Waterbury manufactured the largest and most complete line of industrial instruments in the world from the early 1900s to the 1960s.

• Entertainer Nick Apollo Forte had a major role in Woody Allen’s movie Broadway Danny Rose in 1984.

• Roger Connor, major league baseball player in the Baseball Hall of Fame[19] Bob Crane, actor, of Hogans Heroes fame was born in Waterbury and had a radio program on WATR.

• Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the internationally acclaimed memoir “Eat, Pray. Love” was born in Waterbury.

• Andre Deyo, singer songwriter, best known for writing “Jenny From The Block” for Jennifer Lopez in 2002, graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury.

ldWine & Liquor e fi r i Fa

• Dr. Robert Gallo, a U.S. biomedical researcher, best known for his role in identifying the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as the infectious agent responsible for the (AIDS).

• Joan Joyce, one of the greatest woman athletes of all time, made her name as an All-American softball player but also excelled in basketball, bowling, and golf, and struck out baseball legends Ted Williams and Hank Aaron with her 110+ mph pitches in exhibition games.

Near TowN PloT IGa 296 FaIrFIeld ave • waTerbury 203.755.0058

HOURS Mon-Sat. 9am-9pm Sunday 10am-6pm

Wide array of wines & liquors ~ including your favorite local wines

We Welcome Special Orders of any size... Call Now for your Celebrations!

Delightful Customer Service ~ Visit us once & we are confident you will return ~ Ample off-street parking ~ Great prices!

HUGE Selection of Local Craft Beers ~ Most items priced at State minimum pricing

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

13th Annual Albanian Festival June 21 (Thurs 5-11 pm), June 22 (Friday 5-11 pm), June 23 (Saturday 2-11 pm)

“We invite the entire city into our home to share our cultural values of hospitality, honor, and respect. Through eating, drinking, dancing, singing, and meeting the community, we open our doors and ask you to join us and feel like family at the Albanian Festival of Waterbury.”

- Visar Tasimi

All Food Made From Scratch

Chicken • Lamb • Meatballs Byrek • Traditional Albanian Desserts Kosovo Wine & Albanian Beer

38 Raymond Street Waterbury, CT (South End) No Admission (Pay for food and drink)

www.facebook.com/albanianfestivalwaterbury

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Thank You For Voting Us Best Funeral Home

200 Benson Road • Middlebury Conveniently located at Exit 16 off I-84

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• Billiards champion Edwin Kelly was inducted into the Billiards Congress of America Hall of Fame in 2003.

• George Metesky (1903-1994), the “Mad Bomber” who launched a reign of terror in New York City in the 1940s and 1950s.

• Brian Lanese, lead singer and songwriter for Los Angeles-based funk band “Permanent Ability”, was born in Waterbury and attended Sacred Heart High School. Lanese, also an accomplished graphic designer, won multiple Emmy awards while working for ESPN.

• Rev. Joseph Moffo, Roman Catholic priest who appeared in the Godfather Part II. Fr. Moffo was pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in New York City where a portion of the movie was being filmed and was asked to play the part of a priest.

• Annie Leibovitz, celebrated portrait photographer, was born in Waterbury in 1949.

• Michael Lombardi, actor best known for his role as Mike Silletti on the TV show Rescue Me

• John S. Monagan (1911-2005), Mayor, Congressman, author and biographer of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 5:30 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am - 2:00 pm Sunday: Closed

Next door to McDonald’s

• Chief Two Moon Meridas lived in Waterbury from 1914 to 1933 and claimed to be a full-blooded Pueblo Indian, but many doubted his assertions. He sold Chief Two Moon Tonic, laxatives, ointments, creams and herbal powders that were made in his laboratory on East Main Street throughout the United States and Europe. Meridas was one of the first inductees to the Waterbury Hall of Fame in 1997.

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• Richard A. Mastracchio, a NASA Astronaut who was a member of the Atlantis shuttle crew in 2000 and is currently a member of the Endeavour crew which launched on August 8, 2007.

• Charlie Monagan executive editor of Connecticut Magazine. Lives in Waterbury.

SERVE

Joe’s Tire Shop, Inc. is a pillar of the Waterbury, CT community. Joe’s Tire Shop, Inc. is a leader in offering name brand tires, wheels, auto repair and brake services for customers located in and around the Waterbury, Connecticut area. Our goal is to focus on customer service, which is the foundation of our business. Joe’s Tire Shop, Inc. employs a well-trained staff specializing in the sale and installation of passenger car, performance and light truck or SUV tires. Custom wheels are available at Joe’s Tire Shop, Inc.. Special wheels and rims compliment any tire or customer vehicle. Complete under-car services, such as oil changes, brakes, shocks, struts, and alignments for both foreign and domestic vehicles are readily available at competitive prices. Take this opportunity to browse Joe’s Tire Shop, Inc. website or call us for personalized service.

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Best New Bar Best Cocktails Highland Brass Co is the brainchild of three “lifers” in the hospitality industry, Corey Bonderenko, Dimitrios Zahariadis and John Bourdeau, who wanted nothing more but to bring the cocktail resurgence to Waterbury that is taking the world by storm. Creating custom cocktails and paying homage to the classics that the Connecticut market is thirsting for, literally. So please take a look at our newest cocktail menu and if there is something you want that you don’t see, we will do our best to blend you a libation that will satisfy.

728 Highland Avenue, Waterbury CT 06708

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Celebrating 15 Years Serving the Greater Tribury Area!

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The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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BEST MASSAGE for 9 Years in a row!

15% OFF Online Gift Certificates with code

OBSERVER2018 These are just 4 of over 500 Five-Star Reviews ~ I absolutely love the entire experience. The staff are all so nice and make me feel relaxed and at ease from the moment I walk in. Thank you girls for another wonderful experience.

If I could I would be there 3 times a week for a massage – that’s how good it feels.

One of the best massages that I have ever had and great customer service to make our appointment! Definitely will be back!

You guys rock! We love you guys!!

SOUTHBURY 250 Main St. South

203.264.0371

WATERTOWN

755 Thomaston Road

860.274.1555

www.naturalbalancect.com

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Welcome to 2-1-1, Connecticut’s community resources database. Our database information for approximately 4,600 health and human service providers and 48,000 service-sites to help meet your needs. Most of the resources are Connecticut-based. You can access this database directory by selecting an option below. If you do not find the service you need, please dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Connecticut to speak to a specialist. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is 2-1-1?

2-1-1 is Connecticut’s free, confidential information and referral service. Simply by dialing 2-1-1, a toll-free number throughout Connecticut, callers can reach knowledgeable, multilingual staff and get information, referrals or seek help in a crisis. 2-1-1 is supported by the State of Connecticut and Connecticut United Ways.

BASIC NEEDS: Food/Energy/Housing/Transportation • HOUSING: SUBSIDIZED RENT RE-ENTRY SERVICES FOR EX-OFFENDERS • CONSUMER SERVICES DISABILITIES / OLDER ADULTS • DONATION OPTIONS • EDUCATION GOVERNMENT / COMMUNITY ACTION / ENVIRONMENT • HEALTH CARE INCOME: Employment / Financial Literacy / Public Benefits INDIVIDUAL / FAMILY SERVICES • KINSHIP CAREGIVERS LEGAL ISSUES / CRIMINAL ISSUES • MENTAL HEALTH CARE PARENTING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT • SUBSTANCE ABUSE SUPPORT GROUPS • TEEN SERVICES / YOUTH SERVICES

www.211ct.org United Way 2-1-1 Handled More than Half a Million Requests for Information in 2012.

During these challenging economic times, it is critical that people know where to turn for help.

In Connecticut, for over 30 years, residents have been able to find that help through United Way 2-1-1, a centralized information and referral service funded by the State of Connecticut and Connecticut United Ways and administered by the United Way of Connecticut. A call to United Way 2-1-1 gets people connected to the health and human services assistance they need.

Now more than ever, this is proving to be a critical resource for state residents who are struggling to make ends meet. All told, in 2012, 2-1-1, handled nearly 413,000 calls offering more than half a million referrals.

www.unitedwaygw.org

The Waterbury Observer | P.O. Box 910, Waterbury, CT 06720 | 203.754.4238 | waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Do You Spa?

Middlebury Guilford Courtyard Waterbury Downtown 203-598-7525 www.visobello.com

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Waterbury Connecticut’s Independent Newspaper

Issues. PeOPle. evenTs. Project Clear Water October 24th

The Waterbury Observer

waterburyobserver@gmail.com

October 2016

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The Gathering Waterbury’s Angie Vargas performed a traditional Peruvian dance, Valicha and Anaconda, at The Gathering on September 24th

Photograph By John Murray

The Waterbury Observer

waterburyobserver@gmail.com

December 2016

Civil Rights and Donald Trump

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Albania

A shepherd outside of Bilisht, Albania.

Photograph by John Murray

The Waterbury Observer

June 2016

Best Of Waterbury waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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July 2016

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Positive Change At The Library

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Thousands of ethnic Albanians fled the Balkan Peninsula in the past 70 years and have settled in Greater Waterbury. Here is a peek at where they came from, and why they left their beautiful homeland.

Project Clear Water Tackles Issues

The Waterbury Observer

August 2016

waterburyobserver@gmail.com

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Person Of The Year Kennedy High School Teacher Jahana Hayes Was Selected National Teacher Of The Year

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The Traffic Stop

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The nation is on edge after shootings in Minnesota, Louisiana and Texas have taken the lives of black civilians and police officers. As advocates for Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter, and All Lives Matter are engaged in raucous debate, members of the Waterbury Police Department organized a community forum with black clergy and role played a routine traffic stop for the audience at Mount Olive A.M.E. Zion Church. The police went through three scenarios to give the public safety tips, and stirred a controversy with a handout about “surviving” a police stop. Photograph by John Murray

The WATERBURY

Home Run Waterbury’s Maryam Moaken graduated from Crosby High School in June and recently received a $1000 Connecticut Red Sox Service Scholarship presented on the field at Fenway Park in Boston.

Photograph by Vanessa Cook

waterburyobserver@gmail.com waterburyobserver.org facebook.com/TheWaterburyObserver

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THE POWER OF

Working together, the organizations of Waterbury HEALTH are providing comprehensive, high quality care to our community. From primary and specialty medical care to acute and emergency healthcare services to home health and rehab services, Waterbury HEALTH offers a vast network of services to help keep you healthy and well and take care of you when you are sick or injured. That’s the Power of WE.

The Greater Waterbury Health Network is now...