Michael Gonzalez Candidate for Honor

Getting for Giving: Police Officer Michael Gonzalez has been nominated as an "America's Most Wanted" All Star.

He donated a portion of his liver to the daughter of fellow officer Jay Leos last year, and Leos has nominated him. You can vote once per day at  http://www.amw.com/allstar/2011/nominee-detail.cfm?id=9571.

Sing With Your Child Month: Children ages birth to 6 and their parents can celebrate "Sing With Your Child" Month at the  on March 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The program will feature young children engaged in singing, dancing and movement play with their parents as well as various instrument exploration using scarves and egg shakers. Families will be led in live music making experiences.

The program is being offered by Music Together of Monroe/Newtown, a licensed Music Together center offering classes in Trumbull, Monroe and Newtown.

The Music Together early childhood music program provides parent-child music and movement classes for children of ages birth through kindergarten. Classes are held worldwide in over 2,000 communities.

Free Yourself from Joint Pain: Hear a free lecture from a panel of Bridgeport Hospital experts at the  starting at 6:30 p.m. on March 28.

The doctors will discuss the causes and treatment of joint pain, from arthritis to muscle strain, overuse and sport-related injuries. Speakers include orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Geiger, Chief of Rheumatology  Dr. Germano Guadagnoli and Physical Therapist Pamela Mongillo. Reservations required, by calling 1-888-357-2396.

Cleaning Up the Town and Helping the Hungry: The Republican Town Committee will hold a food drive in conjunction with Trumbull Community Women's Club "Tidy Up Trumbull Day" on April 9.

“The TRTC is committed to getting more involved in the community and to continue to make a positive difference in Trumbull,” said Jack Testani, RTC chairman. “We are focused on continuing to ensure that Trumbull is a better place to live, work and play.”

Donations can be made in the parking lot of the old Henderson Lumber building on Reservoir Avenue. Please bring a non-perishable food item to the parking lot at 9 a.m. for collection for the .

Karen Egri, vice chairwoman, and Dee Chiota, recommendation chairwoman of the TRTC, will be coordinating volunteers for the event. To sign up, contact Karen at kegri@trumbullgop.org or Dee at dchiota@trumbullgop.org.

Senior Living Community, Middlebrook Farms at Trumbull, Receives Major New Investment: on Reservoir Avenue was recently part of a new multi-million dollar partnership with one of the country’s largest senior housing investors. 

Ohio-based Health Care REIT invested $890 million, the largest such investment in the New England area to date, according to a press release. Middlebrook Farms at Trumbull is one of 34 senior housing communities throughout New England managed by Benchmark Senior Living that are part of the new partnership with REIT, the release states. 

“This partnership gives us the financial strength to keep expanding and adding to our unique services for seniors, like our first-in-the-nation Benchmark Connections program to help residents get online in an easy and social way with senior-friendly computers and personal training and support,” said Tom Grape, Benchmark’s chairman and chief executive officer.

Benchmark is New England’s largest senior living operator, with a total of 15 facilities in Connecticut, according to the release. "Under the terms of the deal, Health Care REIT and Benchmark will own properties and Benchmark will continue to operate the properties under a management contract." There will be no changes in day-to-day operations.

“Benchmark is committed to improving the experience of senior living, as well as continuing to be one of the best places to work in the industry,” said George L. Chapman, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Health Care REIT.

Middlebrook Farms at Trumbull and a number of other Benchmark communities, offer independent and traditional assisted living choices, as well as specialized care for residents that are memory impaired. They also offer short-term respite stay programs for seniors who need time to recover after a rehab stay or hospitalization, according to the release.