Pink Partini Fashion Show for Midstate Medical Center

Over 800 people attended Midstate Medical Center's , "Pink Partini" Fashion show to benefit Breast Cancer and Midstates Cancer Center. It was a night to celebrate Life and survivorship. Ladies were treated to gift boutiques, makeovers,massages and a magnificent room dressed in pink and black! "Bob Thomas of Hamden Ford" provided the "Warriors in Pink" limited edition 2009 v-6 Mustang black convertible! It was truly beautiful and I would love to see lots of these on the road next year! Scot Haney of of WFSB Channel 3 was master of ceremonies and all of the "novice" models did a wonderful job!

Hats off to the development commitee and the hospital Auxilary for putting on such a wonderful event!

Starbright Ball for Cherish the Children

What a beautiful evening for the 7th annual Starbright Ball for the Cherish the Children foundation! Mrs. Connecticut was on hand to assist with the Diamond Necklace raffle courtesy of Glastonbury Jewelers. Partygoers were entertained by the Starlight Orchestra's Sarah Scott Band and everyone enjoyed ESPN's Neill Everett as the evenings master of ceremonies. The silent auction and ALL the raffle items were incredible.












The foundation has started a "teen" volunteer group within the organization and all the young girls wore tiaras to identify themselves and helped sell raffle tickets and assist with the event, what a wonderful way to get our youth involved with giving back!
CTCF is a 100% VOLUNTEER based organization made up of a dedicated board of directors, an army of enthusiastic volunteers, and generous donors, all of whom have identified CTCF as their charity of choice. CTCF serves a unique role in Connecticut as a direct resource for children who have a financial or medical equipment need, which often stem from a terminal or long-term illness and is not being met by traditional funding such as insurance. Please log onto thier website and donate to this very special organization! http://www.ctchildren.org/

Homeless Connect fair

Today was a day for reflection. Sometimes we never even think about how much we have in our lives and are grateful to the wonderful family and friends that we all share.

Homeless Connect Fair took place in my hometown of Waterbury. It was a chance for people that no longer have anything, friend or family, a roof over thier head, to come inside and get a free haircut, a visit with a doctor or dentist, get a mammogram , pick up some free winter clothing and generally just have ALL the services that they need, under one roof.

The amount of volunteers it took to run this event was mind blowing! I am so inspired by the many people who took the time off of work to come out and lend a hand.I helped organize the food line for the event, and then helped people pick out a winter coat so they could better prepare themselves for life on the street. There were many tears an behalf of the volunteers. What many of us take for granted on a daily basis are actually life saving wonderful gifts for many of the people that attended today.

I am so proud of my city~

Bright Bold and Beautiful!!! Luncheon with Model and Business woman Stacy Schiefflin

Model Stacy Schefflein helped kick off this years St. Mary's hospital Auxiliary "Enlightenment series" luncheon. Over 70 women participated ,had lunch, and listened to Stacy's vibrant lecture on "how to learn to be your own best friend"! She is not only a model but a successful business woman. She launched her own cosmetic line called "Models Prefer" and has just started a new company called "YBF" (Your Best Friend) . Her vivaciousness was contagious and everyone left feeling truly inspired!Check out her website at :http://www.ybfstacey.com/home.asp

Celtic Rock 2008!!!!

A HUGE shout out to Bernadette and Briana for making me feel so welcome!!! Thank you for taking such good care of me!!!

















The day was PERFECT for the first annual Celtic Rock event in East Haven! This all day event was held to raise money for the children's gaelic football team ! Bands played all day and a great time was had by all. Local dignitaries popped in throughout the day including The Irish parade Queen Brianna Conway,Attorney General Richard Blumenthal,April Almon the Mayor of East Haven, State Representatives and Majority speaker of the house Micheal Mooney.
Co host of this years event was TV actor Micheal Lombardi from "Rescue Me" . All the kids had a great time and hopefully a lot of money was raised so the whole team could get to play in Ireland!!!

Family Services Block Party!

What a beautiful day it was for a Block Party!
Many neighborhood children turned out for face painting, touch a truck,dancing,snacks and a vist from Congressman Chris Murphy! Established in 1909, Family Services of Greater Waterbury, Inc. is a private, not-for profit 501 (c) 3, multi-service agency offering a range of social services involving behavioral health, employment support, and children's programs. They strive to strengthen and support families and individuals of all ages and at all stages of life regardless of their social or economic resources.
Throughout the years, they have continued to focus on the changing needs of children and families through professional therapeutic programs and support services designed around the vision, mission and core beliefs providing an important sense of caring, purpose, pride and ownership in thier clients' success. Hopefully, the l block party will become an annual event that all area children can look forward too!

David Capiello/Rudy Guiliani Fundraiser

This afternoon I had the honor and the privilege of formally meeting former NY Mayor Rudy Guiliani at the David Capiello for Congress fundraiser. Many dignitaries turned out to hear David Capiello and Rudy Guiliani speak, including Lieutenant Governor Micheal Fedele. Needless to say it was an inspiring day to hear one of our countries great american heroes, speak to a crowd of 500.

Pictured~ David Capiello
and I














Lieutenant Governor Micheal Fedele & I













State Represenative, Rob Simmons & I

Miss America Scholarship Pageant ~ Judges Workshop

Today I became an official "certified" Judge for the Miss America Scholarship pageant. Many of us spent the day learning about what it is like to sit on the "other" side of the table, and it was truly eye opening as to how judging works for MAO. I am looking forward to judging some preliminary state pageants in 2009 and hoping to be able to pick that one "special woman" who just may become our next "Miss Connecticut"!

Nikki's Walk ,Run and Roll for Pediatric Cancer

Nikki's Mom and I, with a little "help" from "Build a Bear"! Read Nikki's story below!

After the remnants of Tropical storm Hannah, we all awoke to a truly beautiful sunny day!
Perfect day for the 6 annual "Nikki's run walk and roll" to support pediatric cancer, in Manchester.
I joined Miss Ct USA 2004,Shiela Waitr , Miss CT Earth, Tracy Harrison to help make this a truly memorable event.




Nikki Giampolo was a cross country runner at RHAM High School in Hebron, CT. In July of 2001, Nikki was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer that often affects young people.
Nikki's dream was to help other children with cancer by increasing awareness so that they would be diagnosed as early as possible. It was also her wish to give more children with cancer the hope of finding a cure by funding research programs. Nikki died just 6 months after her diagnosis, on New Year's Day 2002.

PLEASE! Support cancer research!

We saved our Heart Center!

What a wonderful day!
Almost 200 people turned out at our state capitol to speak out about the future of our cardiac center. After 5 hours of testimony and public commentary, The Waterbury Heart Center was given a 6 month extension to remain open and eventually get it's permanent certificate!!!
All of our representatives and Senators spoke of the importance of the center remaining open. It services a population of over 300,000 residents and since it's inception it has saved thousands of lives. To all that signed the petition, I personally thank you and could not be more proud of all the people that made this thier personal mission!

Pictured with me above: My dear friend, State Rep. Kevin Delgaddo









Pictured: Mayor Micheal Jarjura,Me, and
Senator Sam Caliguri
Below: State Rep Anthony Damelio,Me,Senatore Joan hartley and State Rep Jeffrey Berger