“Sandy Hook is a special place,” said Mike Burton, S.H.O.P. President.  “It is a great opportunity for people to come, enjoy the day, and celebrate all that Sandy Hook has to offer.  We have over 30 businesses participating this year – some new, and many returning.  This event grows every year and is always an exciting day.”

The event, sponsored by i95, Newtown Savings Bank, and Andy Sachs’ Deals Around Town, will feature live music from two bands, giveaways or discounts at local shops, samples from dining establishments, face painting, a Bounce House, special visits from the Newtown-Strong Therapy dogs and Bocker the Labradoodle, and the Newtown Juggling and Circus Arts, among other activities.

“Sandy Hook is a wonderful place to own a business,” said Sharon Doherty, owner of PJs Laundromat.  “I am looking forward to welcoming frequent visitors and new faces.  It’s a fun day for people of all ages to be in Sandy Hook.”

During the event, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Department will have a fire truck on hand.  The truck will serve as both a “touch-a-truck” for participants to enjoy, as well as a “stuff-a-truck.”   The Passport event is free, but participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to help stuff the truck. Items will be donated to the Faith Food Pantry.

On October 12, participants will be able to pick up their passport from any of the participating locations in Sandy Hook.  As they walk from place to place enjoying the treats, they will receive a stamp.  Completed passports will be entered in a drawing to receive a prize package worth over $1,500.

“This year, Sandy Hook village will be even more accessible for walkers,” said Rob Manna, owner of LRM, Inc.  “The streetscape project is well underway with new sidewalks, crosswalks, and street lights.  This will be the first chance for a big crowd to take advantage of these exciting new additions.”

For more information, please visit www.experienceSandyHook.com or “like” S.H.O.P. on Facebook by searching “Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity.”

Click here for a list of participating businesses and details about events at each location.

On Friday, Oct, 4, there will be a buffet-style dinner and meet-and-greet at 7 p.m. in the Science Building on the Midtown campus. The events will be free and open to the public. Donations to support the T.J. Lobraico Scholarship Fund and Wounded Warrior Project will be accepted.

Saturday, Oct. 5, will feature a variety of events, including a 10 a.m. nature walk at the Westside Nature Preserve, a luncheon at noon in the Westside Campus Center Ballroom and a 2 p.m. “Hoops for Heroes” basketball game. The evening activities will include a 5 p.m.cocktail hour, followed by a 7 p.m. semi-formal dinner in the Westside Campus Center Ballroom. All of the Saturday events will be on the Westside campus. The dinner is free for WCSU faculty, staff, students and veterans. The public may attend for $20.

For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Photo courtesy Brookfield Library

  
The sale will be held in the Community Room of The Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Road (Route 25, across from Williams Park), Brookfield, CT  06804.  

Filmgoers in Danbury, CT will unite with audiences in over 300 cities spanning six continents to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world when the 16th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival screens at The Palace Danbury on Friday, October 4, starting at 7:30 PM.

MANHATTAN SHORT began in 1998, when Mason screened 16 short films onto a screen mounted to the side of a truck on Mulberry Street, Little Italy, in New York City. A year later, the Festival moved uptown to Union Square Park in New York City. In the aftermath of 9/11, MANHATTAN SHORT transformed into a worldwide phenomenon, becoming the only film festival on the planet that unfolds, simultaneously, in more than 250 cinemas on six continents, bringing over 100,000 film-lovers in all corners of the globe together for one week, via the next generation of filmmakers. Click here to read how it all began  For more information on the Festival and to read detailed interviews with the 10 Finalists visit www.ManhattanShort.com or click on the following links: 

Western Connecticut State University

In addition to the discussions, each event will include the opportunity to sign a pledge against violence and have a pinky nail painted red, receive a card with the pledge and a free t-shirt or wristband.

Upcoming events will include:

Tuesday, Oct. 1:    “Stereotypes & Myths” – In the Midtown Student Center courtyard, attendees will participate in writing on a large banner titled “What have you been called?” prompting a discussion about myths and stereotypes related to gender, race and the realities of abusive relationships.

Monday, Oct. 7:    “Fighting Words” – In the Westside Campus Center, using the banner from Oct. 1, there will be a discussion about reactions to hostile language, the impact of these words, and how to respond or intervene within those circumstances with guest speaker State Victim’s Advocate Garvin Ambrose.

Thursday, Oct. 17: “Intimate Partner Violence” – In the Midtown Student Center courtyard, there will be a display and discussion about intimate partner violence, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and rape.

Wednesday, Oct. 23: “Campus Violence” – In the Midtown Student Center courtyard, the activities will conclude at 12:30 p.m. and the event will be moved into the Student Center Theater at which time guest speakers Executive Director of CCADV Karen Jarmoc and Attorney General George Jepsen will discuss campus violence.

“Each events’ activities are interactive and meant to prompt reflection along with buildingawareness,” said Shaun McDonough, who co-chairs the OJR Committee with Women’s Center of Greater Danbury Campus Advocate Monica Seivel. “The committee is tremendously appreciative of the support and encouragement of the campus community in our efforts to promote a better campus and larger community.”

For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Grab your gal pals and head to Ladies Evening Out for a fun night! The event will feature local businesses offering information, premier shopping, free or discounted services and activities, entertainment, FREE Signature Tote Bags filled with treats just for the ladies, cocktails, lots of FREE giveaways to WIN including a Couples Getaway to Woodloch Resort with a Spa Credit to their luxurious Lodge at Woodloch and much more.   Escape from everyday life and spend the evening with your friends at Ladies Evening Out!

The event producers, Connectologie, will hold this fun event in the beautifully renovated Ballroom of the Portuguese Cultural Center located at 65 Sand Pit Road in Danbury, CT.  Save now and purchase your advance tickets for just $12 online at www.womanologiect.com through September 30, 2013.  Ticket prices thereafter and at the door will be $20. For those bringing a group of friends, special pricing is available, contact info@connectologie.com or call 203 794-6612 for rates. 

Businesses wanting to become an Exhibitor or Vendor at Ladies Evening Out can also take advantage of discounted fees available now through September 30, 2013. The event is a perfect venue to reach the women of the greater Danbury Area and surrounding towns in a relaxed party setting.

Being an Exhibitor at Ladies Evening Out gives businesses a chance to reach their local market directly. “Face-to-face marketing has an advantage over other types, by appealing to all the senses and creating a personal connection between the customer and the business,” said Lisa Agresta, Partner of Connectologie LLC. “Connecting businesses with their customers is the mission of our company.  In the virtual world we live in, we believe getting back to the basics of a warm handshake and getting to know customers individually can help to create long-lasting and profitable business relationships.” For information on how you can become an Exhibitor or Vendor at Ladies Evening Out, contact the organizers at info@connectologie.com or 203-794-6612. 

“Ladies Evening Out” is a premier Womanologie event produced by Connectologie, LLC, www.connectologie.com. In addition to “Ladies Evening Out,” the Company has produced three successful children’s events in the Fairfield County area.  The Company’s most recent production was the 2^nd Annual “Kidologie Goes Back to School” event held on August 18, 2013 at the Westfield Trumbull Mall with more than 1500 attendees.  The company also produced “Kidologie Gets Ready for Summer” held in early spring 2013 at the Reed Intermediate School in Newtown which benefited the Newtown Memorial Fund.   In addition, Lisa Agresta, participated in the production of a fundraiser and fun night out for women located in Bethel, CT, which benefited the EverWonder Children’s Museum in June 2012.                                                 

This pre-school readiness program is designed for children (without parent/caregiver) to experience the joy of learning, cooperative play, and social interaction with other children in hopes to prepare them for their first preschool experience. A typical class includes circle time, songs and parachute play, weather, group gym games, an arts & craft project, and a story. Appropriate transitions between activities allow children to recognize and become familiar with the structure of the day and to look forward to the next activity. Children must turn two by the start of the program and do not need to be potty trained. Please pack a snack and a drink for your child for each class.

Do you have a child at home ages 2-5?  If so, check out KidsFit!  October marks the start of the  fall sessions of Kidsfit in Brookfield and Newtown.   

For more information about KidsFit, email kidsfitct@aol.com or call 203-312-0470.

The family friendly Monsters University opens this Friday, August 16th at Edmond Town Hall and will run through Thursday, August 22nd. 

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (G) – This prequel to “Monsters Inc.” takes us back to the not-so-good old days at “Monster U” where Mike met Sully for the first time. A less than cordial start to their becoming best friends in this often hilarious animated family comedy.
Running Time: 1:44
With the vocal talents of : Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Helen Mirren, Steve Buscemi, Alfred Molina

Schedule:
Fri. thru Thurs. 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Matinees: Fri; Mon. thru Thurs. 1:00pm
Sat. & Sun. 1:00pm & 4:00pm

Edmond Town Hall is located at 45 Main St. in Newtown, CT.