McCue Mortgage Career Pathways "It's Time"                                                              

Learn About an Emerging Profession: Loan Origination Are you looking for a career change? Join McCue Mortgage and your peers for an introduction to the mortgage industry as we share the essentials of a successful career. Learn from our experienced team as we provide a productive session of networking opportunities, information about the mortgage industry and loan origination and discussion of career opportunities in the industry. With the increasing demand in the real estate market, we're projecting significant growth for Loan Origination, making now the best time in years to explore this emerging career path. Join McCue Mortgage on Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at CoCo Key Water Resort and Convention Center, 3580 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06705. To register visit www.mccuemortgage.com/pathways.

Easter Seals - 21st Annual Chocolate Lovers' Spring Expo for 2014

The 21st Annual Chocolate Lovers' Spring Expo to benefit Easter Seals will be held on Sunday, April 6 from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Southbury. A fun-filled spring day is planned for everyone - with plenty of chocolate treats of all kinds and delicious specialty foods. Other exhibitors will be showcasing their unique gift items, products and services and many other surprises! Guests will enjoy festivities including; door prizes, music, special drawings, entertainment, and chocolate demonstrations.Adult tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Children's tickets (ages 5-12) are $5. For tickets or exhibitor information please contact Carolee Kalita, 203-754-5141 ext. 243. Proceeds benefit the programs and services of Easter Seals, serving the special needs of infants, children, and adults with disabilities in greater Waterbury, central, and northwestern Connecticut. www.waterburyct.easterseals.com.

Clothes Encounters Extending Magic 3 Holiday Special

Happy New Year! Clothes Encounters Holistic Image Consulting is pleased to be extending the Magic 3 Holiday Special through January 20, 2014 in order to accommodate those who expressed a desire to do so, but just couldn't fit it in during December. Receive a Rainbow Personality™ Consultation, color analysis, and a one hour private consultation-all three for $99.00 (regular price value $183.00), a savings of $84 or 46%. Payment is due in full prior to January 20, 2014 in order to take advantage of this special and two of the three appointments need to be held prior to January 31, 2014. Act fast as there are limited appointments available. Check out Diane's website www.clothesencounters.org for details on a brand new offer, Winter Workshop Series Special! and call 203-753-9901 or email diane@clothesencounters.org to take advantage of this special.

Jaci Carroll Staffing Services Receives 2013 CT Excellence Award

Jaci Carroll Staffing Services has been selected for the 2013 Connecticut Excellence Award amongst its peers by the Small Business Institute for Excellence in Commerce (SBIEC).  Each year the SBIEC's panel of industry executives and consultants identifies companies that have achieved demonstrable success in their local business environment and industry category, both meeting and exceeding benchmarks based on a business survey commissioned on various industries. Jaci Carroll Staffing Services has been recognized as having enhanced the commitment and contribution of small business through service to their customers and community. Jaci Carroll Staffing Services was founded in 1976 by Jaci Carroll after a decade of managing Connecticut branches for a large public international staffing service. Jaci Carroll Staffing is a member of the American Staffing Association and Jaci has served as its President and received the prestigious ASA Hall of Fame Award for outstanding service to the staffing industry.  She has also received the Malcolm Baldrige Community Award, the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation Champion Award, the Franciscan Life Center Business Person of the Year Award, the Business Women's Forum of the Greater Waterbury of Chamber of Commerce Business Women of the Year Award and the UCONN Family Business of the year Award just to name a few.  Jaci Carroll Staffing is a Nationally Certified Women Owned Business by the NWBOC.  For more information on Jaci Carroll Staffing Services Inc. go to www.jacicarroll.com or contact Kathie Hanratty, President at khanratty@jacicarroll.com or 203 574 4838 ext.18.

Grants Available to Area Nonprofits

Connecticut Community Foundation (CCF) is currently accepting grant requests for its first round of funding in 2014. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, February 3, 2014. Through funds established by area donors, Connecticut Community Foundation serves the people of Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. In 2014, CCF will collaborate with nonprofits, municipal organizations and residents in its service area to foster Thriving Communities for All Ages.The Foundation's grants will emphasize the following priorities:
* Healthy Residents and Healthy Communities: Aligns with local health priorities and encompasses access to care, increased availability of healthy food, mental health and substance abuse, fitness, prevention, and safe neighborhoods. 
* Participation in Arts and Culture: Promotes cultural participation across all ages including an arts and youth initiative, sponsorships, and Lifelong Libraries initiative.
* Residents Engagement and Leadership: Encourages community conversations on education, aging and regional issues. Supports the growth of citizens through leadership programs and involvement in the nonprofit community. 
* Environmental Awareness and Action: Promotes land conservation and preservation of water quality; also includes efforts to increase environmental awareness in residents of all ages.

To review the foundation's grant guidelines or to apply for a grant, visit www.conncf.org/grants-overview. For more information, please contact the Program Department at (203) 753-1315, or grants@conncf.org.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

655 Main Street South, Southbury, CT Please RSVP by January 10, 2014 to

(203) 267-7100 or email Laurie at lmichaels@thehearthllc.net

Saint Mary's Hospital Foundation will host Gala 2014, "A Night in Venice"

The gala will be held on Saturday, February 1, at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. This year's event will feature an elegant dinner and dancing as well as Saint Mary's legendary live and silent auctions and a specialty raffle for a $25,000 gift certificate from Onyx II Fine Jewelers of Watertown. The chairmen of this year's Gala are Dr. J. Alexander and Mrs. Abagail E. Palesty and Mr. Richard M. and Mrs. Robin M. Sills. Presenting sponsors are Brown Rudnick, Onyx II Fine Jewelers and Webster Bank. Proceeds from the 2014 Gala will benefit Saint Mary's Patient Care Fund. Tickets are $200 per person or $2,000 for a table of 10. Attire is black tie optional. In the spirit of Venetian Carnival, all guests are invited to wear or bring traditional masks. For information about tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please call (203) 709-6391 or visit www.stmhfoundation.org.