Published 12:00 am, Saturday, December 30, 2017
Job Network to meet
The Housatonic River Job Network will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at Case Memorial Library, 176 Tyler Road in Orange.
Guest speaker will be Rob Thomas, president or Rob Thomas CT LLC, who will speak on “Is Your Networking Working?” Discussion will touch on identifying prospects, holding strategic conversations and best practices for holding meetings, and more.
The Housatonic River Job Network is an “open group dedicated to those underemployed or in transition to meet, share leads, hear guest speakers, and obtain great information for their job search,” according to a release.
For information, email alexy56@hotmail.com.
New pet supply store opens in Woodbridge
WOODBRIDGE — The outline of two beagles forms the logo of The Better Beagle Co., a new natural pet food and supply store in the town’s D’Andrea’s Plaza on Litchfield Turnpike. One of those dogs, Ellie, greets customers and the other, Betty White, passed away several months before the store opened.
Owner Kristen Marano said she adopted Betty White as a senior dog with multiple health issues including incurable kidney disease. The dog’s illness inspired Marano to take pet nutrition courses, and she now is finishing a degree in the subject. Marano’s other beagle, Ellie, has joint problems and instead of medicine Marano feeds her healthy foods and supplements.
“I’m on a mission to help pet owners extend the life of their pets naturally,” Marano said. The store is full of grain-free dry and wet food, freeze-dried and raw food, as well as diets specifically formulated for puppies, small and large breeds, seniors, pets with weight management issues and pets with allergies. There also are supplements and healthful pet treats, including human-grade dog cookies.
Many of the brands Marano carries are cruelty-free, made in the USA and not tested on animals. The Better Beagle Co. also sells pet supplies including leashes, toys and dog accessories such as bowties and knit sweaters.
Marano also hopes to host adoption events, fundraisers for local shelters and nutritional seminars.
Marano, formerly an accountant, and her husband, Kevin, often spoke about opening a pet supply store, she said. Marano was a frequent shopper at Arlyn’s, and when that store moved, “It pushed me to open the store,” she said. “I love this area and I’m excited to be here.”
Deputy First Selectman Mica Cardozo attended the store’s ribbon-cutting this month on behalf of First Selectman Beth Heller.
“I am pleased that Mica was able to welcome The Better Beagle Co to our business community and show the Town’s support to the Maranos,” said Heller. “One of my goals is to focus on economic development and it is so exciting that a new business has chosen to make Woodbridge home.”
The Better Beagle Co. is located at 1646 Litchfield Turnpike and the store is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, visit http://ift.tt/2zP97JZ.
— Betsy Yagla, assistant administrative officer, Town of Woodbridge
Griffin group among grant recipients
DERBY — Griffin Faculty Physicians was among six health care organizations recently awarded grants from the American College of Preventive Medicine to help fight type 2 diabetes,
Groups receiving a grant “will develop and test new models to increase prediabetes awareness and screening, testing, and referral of patients with prediabetes to diabetes prevention programs recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” according to a release. “The work will include referral models focused specifically on populations covered by Medicare as the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program is scheduled to become a covered benefit starting April 1, 2018.”
Organizations receiving grants, two from each of three provider categories, were:
South Nassau Community Hospital - Oceanside, New York (Integrated Delivery System).
Portland Family Medical Center - Portland, Maine (Integrated Delivery System).
Griffin Faculty Physicians - Derby, Connecticut (Independent Practice Association).
Accent on Health - Washington, D.C. (Independent Practice Association).
Northeast Missouri Health - Kirksville, Missouri (Federally Qualified Health Center).
Christopher Rural Health Planning Corp. - Mulkeytown, Illinois (Federally Qualified Health Center).
“The need to raise awareness and promote physician referrals to the program is critical,” Robert Carr, president of ACPM, said in the release. “There is tremendous value in the National DPP for preventing one of our nation’s most prevalent and growing conditions. We need to increase the number of patients who are referred by their physicians to the CDC-recognized diabetes prevention programs. We are excited about the innovative ideas and models that the grantees will develop to amplify and accelerate uptake in this important effort.”
