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Friday, February 1, 2013
A town with heart
newington 3311 berlin turnpike (Between Target and Best Buy)
Mon - Fri 10AM To 6PM • SAT 10AM To 4PM • SUn 11AM To 4PM
Breaking ground
Town designated as ‘HeartSafe’ in recognition of expanded CPR training, addition of defibrillators By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
Hearts are safer in Wethersfield now thanks to the efforts of the town’s Volunteer Ambulance Association and the Central Connecticut Health District, who recently made the town a HeartSafe Community. The HeartSafe initiative is administered by the Connecticut Department of Public Health Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, which awards towns HeartSafe status for a three-year period based upon their ability to Volume 53, No. 5
50 Cents
work together to reduce the risk of death after cardiac arrest events. WVAA Chief and Assistant Chief Phil and Kimberly Lombardo began the project more than four years ago, and more recently CCHD Health Educator Lori DiPietro became involved in the efforts. On Jan. 7 the town officially received HeartSafe status. “I’m really pleased to see how the town has come together to keep this effort going, and I’m excited to see how the town will work together to ensure that residents are kept safe and their lives are saved in the event of an emergency,” DiPietro said recently. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the nation and in Connecticut. About 4,500 Connecticut residents die each year from sudden cardiac events, according to the DPH. Because most of these events occur outside of a hospi-
An artist’s rendering of a new facility which will house the Capitol Region Education Council’s Discovery Academy. The project, slated to break ground this month, will be built at the former site of Northeast Utilities, 176 Cumberland Ave., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2014. See story and photos on Page 2.
See TOWN, Page 4
INSIDE:
Performances of ‘Joey and Maria’s Comedy Italian Wedding’ to benefit schools, Page 6 Local artists honored at Natl. Arts Program ceremony, Page 5
Resident’s book, adapted into a play and set for performance, Page 3