The week in photos – February 23, 2023

West Haven High School juniors Malachi Calhoun and Dana Davis, holding certificates, receive a Black Heritage Committee award for leadership and academics from, from left, West Haven state Rep. Treneé McGee, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, school Principal Dana Paredes, committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins and Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro.

West Haven High seniors Jo’Vante Witter and Ayannah Obas, holding certificates, receive a Black Heritage Committee award for leadership and academics from, from left, West Haven state Rep. Treneé McGee, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, school Principal Dana Paredes, committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins and Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro.

Holding their Black Heritage Committee awards, from left, West Haven High junior Malachi Calhoun, seniors Jo’Vante Witter and Ayannah Obas, and junior Dana Davis receive an envelope containing a $500 academic scholarship from state Rep. Treneé McGee, D-West Haven, and the committee.

7th District Councilwoman Katherine Tucker, second from left, receives “African American Citizen of the Year” citations from, from left, West Haven state Rep. Treneé McGee, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Black Heritage Committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins during the 27th annual Black Heritage Celebration at City Hall on Feb. 16. Tucker, a lifelong Westie, is a board-certified advanced practice registered nurse and the clinical program director of outpatient programs at Yale New Haven Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Center. The cultural event, in honor of Black History Month, is presented by the Black Heritage Committee

Councilwoman Katherine Tucker, D-7, receives an embroidered “West Haven Black Heritage Citizen of the Year 2023” jacket from last year’s recipient, the Rev. E. Carl Howard of the First Congregational Church of West Haven

Rich Deso, Quentin Fowler, and the Surfside Veterans helped to ensure fellow vets in West Haven get a good night’s sleep on new mattresses (six and counting). In loving memory of his brother, Barry Lee Cohen’s donation went to the Veterans Home at 372 Elm Street, along with a bed frame and backboard for another vet in need. How can you help? Monetary donations are greatly appreciated to purchase more mattresses and other supplies. Please contact Rich Deso at 860-710-1833 for more information.

Boxes of personal protective equipment, including N95 and surgical masks, are donated by the West Haven Department of Emergency Management to the Diyanet Mosque in New Haven on Feb. 16. The PPE will aid the earthquake relief effort in Turkey and Syria.

Elm Diner at 111 Elm St. is collecting monetary donations — as well as donations of blankets and clothes, including hats, gloves and scarves — for those affected by this month’s catastrophic earthquake in Turkey.

Bailey Middle School students posing with Darryl McDaniels after presenting him a check for his foundation, The Felix Organization.

From left to right: Superintendent Neil C. Cavallaro, Destiny Davis, Ariel Akwada, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi

Holding a pair of oversize scissors, Ryan Trevethan, the owner of The Side Plate in West Haven, and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cut the ribbon to celebrate the fast-casual restaurant’s grand opening at 1 Atwood Place in downtown Allingtown on Jan. 18. With them are, from left, Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing for the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce; Trevethan’s wife, Nicole; sons Zachary, 17, and Tate, 12; Trevethan’s aunt, Marylin Powers; son Shane, 14; kitchen manager Carlos Mota; City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath; Rossi Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito, Jr.; and City Council members Robbin Watt Hamilton (D-5), Colleen O’Connor (R-at large), and Chairman Peter V. Massaro (D-6).

Owner Ryan Trevethan, center, with members of The Side Plate staff.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, joins Robin and Gabe Alvandian during the city’s 33rd annual Valentine’s Day party at the West Haven Senior Center on Feb. 14. The Alvandians, who live on Ocean Avenue and have been married for 65 years, were among 17 married couples of at least 50 years honored by Rossi during the two-hour celebration, presented by the mayor’s office and the Department of Elderly Services. They were the event’s oldest couple. Other couples were Mariann and Ken Lord, and James and Patricia Serry.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, joins Robin and Gabe Alvandian during the city’s 33rd annual Valentine’s Day party at the West Haven Senior Center on Feb. 14. The Alvandians, who live on Ocean Avenue and have been married for 65 years, were among 17 married couples of at least 50 years honored by Rossi during the two-hour celebration, presented by the mayor’s office and the Department of Elderly Services. They were the event’s oldest couple. Other couples were Mariann and Ken Lord, and James and Patricia Serry.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, joins Robin and Gabe Alvandian during the city’s 33rd annual Valentine’s Day party at the West Haven Senior Center on Feb. 14. The Alvandians, who live on Ocean Avenue and have been married for 65 years, were among 17 married couples of at least 50 years honored by Rossi during the two-hour celebration, presented by the mayor’s office and the Department of Elderly Services. They were the event’s oldest couple. Other couples were Mariann and Ken Lord, and James and Patricia Serry.

Justice of the Peace Jo Ann Callegari, holding a marriage certificate, officiates the marriage of Alyssa M. Palmieri and James M. Clark Jr. in the Harriet C. North Community Room at City Hall on Feb. 14. Palmieri and Clark, who live on Captain Thomas Boulevard, were among six West Haven couples united in matrimony on Valentine’s Day as part of an annual service sponsored by the city clerk’s office, which offers free weddings to couples who apply for a marriage license at City Hall.

The original Christ Church building stood perpendicular to the present building and served the congregation until the new church was consecrated in 1907. Built by the firm of Cram & Goodhue, the church is considered one of the finest examples of the firm’s Gothic Revival style. The old church was disassembled and used for a chapel-of-ease, St. Martin’sin-the-Fields on the corner of Washington Avenue and Park Street. It was repurposed after its closure, and now serves as a residence.

February's Student Recognition breakfast took place on Feb. 6, with family members on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of their children. Those recognized were: Beatrice Adu-Gyamfi (Gr. 1), Savannah Clark (Gr. 2), Travis Sanders (Gr. 3), Isabella Celentano (Gr. 4), Lehanna Philogene (Gr. 5), Presley Lorusso (Gr. 6), Daimeon Griffin (Gr. 7), and Robert Bunton (Gr. 8). Students are selected based on criteria geared toward their grade levels. This includes things they have done well, including showing kindness, hard work, helping others, and excelling at school or some other achievement in their class. James Rullan (center), sixth grade homeroom teacher, emceed the breakfast.

Tropical Caribbean co-owner Juan Reyes, center left, and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, holding oversize scissors, clap their hands after cutting the ribbon to celebrate the homestyle restaurant’s grand opening at 703 Campbell Ave. on Feb. 2. With them are, from left, Reyes’ son Julius, 11; server Altagracia Gutierrez; Reyes’ daughter Brenda, 22, son Justin, 14, and daughter Emily, 20; City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath; city Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli; Rossi Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr.; DJ Felix Solano; and Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing for the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce. The new restaurant is co-owned by Reyes’ best friend, Alex Brito.

Amani Abuhatab celebrates with her teammates following the senior’s breaking of the all-time West Haven scoring record.

Amani Abuhatab drives for the layup in the Westies’ victory over Foran. the Westies advanced to the finals of the SCC Tournament.

Bernett Scoot pulls up for a jumper versus NDWH. The Westies dropped their second of the season against their crosstown rivals. The season is wrapping up with the Blue Devils awaiting the CIAC pairings.