Hamden|News|
What's Up This Weekend: Book Drive, Art Show, Sandy Hook School Benefit
In need of plans this weekend? Read on to help plan your social calendar.

kathleen.ramunni@patch.com
Phone
203.654-0466
Hometown
Hamden, Conn.
Birthday
April 15
Bio
Kate Ramunni grew up in Hamden and has lived in the northern section of town since 2002. She attended Alice Peck School, Sleeping Giant Jr. High School and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy.
Kate began her journalism career with Hometown Publications, where she was the founding editor of the Hamden Journal. From there she covered the Naugatuck Valley for the Connecticut Post for 12 years before coming to Patch.
Kate is an animal lover and spends her free time working with rescue groups to help find homes for homeless dogs. She has several dogs of her own, most of whom were adopted from area animal shelters.
Kate can be reached at kathleen.ramunni@patch.com or at (203) 654-0466.
Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
Since moving back to Hamden in 2002 I have been registered as a Democrat, but only so that I could vote in the Democratic primaries for mayor. I agree with the Republican Party on some issues and with the Democrats on others.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself?
I am Roman Catholic and it is a very important part of my life.
Local Hot-Button Issues
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
Hamden today is a very different town than it was when I was growing up. The population has grown and in many ways so have the problems. Like most communities, Hamden's greatest challenge is providing services at a cost affordable to taxpayers. The potential for economic growth is mostly limited to what is already in place because there is little open space left available for development. Therefore, town officials have limited options in attracting new revenue.
In need of plans this weekend? Read on to help plan your social calendar.

The students are experiencing the joys of giving back and community service work with a second-year project called “Life is Delicious," preparing food for the evening meal at the Columbus House Overflow Shelter in New Haven.
The Hamden Rotary recently presented a check to the Children's Center to go toward the purchase of bikes and helmets for the kids there.
The Hamden Rotary Club recently presented the Hamden Library with a check for $1,500 for the purchase of Large Print books.
Shenell Edmonds, a young actress from Hamden, has been nominated for the 44th NAACP Image Awards.
The Hamden resident was a graduate of Quinnipiac College and a World War II veteran, serving in the Army Air Corp.
Known for her love of nature, she was very artistic, an avid reader, a gentle quiet lady who gracefully weathered life’s many challenges.
The first part of December was busy for Hamden Police, who made arrests for charges including falsely reporting an incident, possession of narcotics and risk of injury to a child.
Police say they saw higher than expected traffic volume during the Christmas holiday enforcement campaign called "Operation SANTA."
He was pulled over on Orange Center Road after an officer saw him driving erratically, according to police.
Phyllis was active in the New Haven community as past president of the Wives of Rotarians, a member of the Woodbridge Congregational Church Ladies Guild, the Woodbridge Garden Club, and the Whitney Center.
Blaze graduated from Texas Christian University and served two terms in U.S. Marine Corp. during the Korean Conflict.
He was a veteran of WWII Army Air Force and served in the Pacific Theater with the 52nd Bombardment Squadron, received the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon and American Theater Campaign Ribbon.
The website commonly used by teachers to raise money for extras for students is establishing a fund where donations made will go to Newtown teachers for classroom projects.
The website commonly used by teachers to raise money for extras for students is establishing a fund where donations made will go to Newtown teachers for classroom projects.
Throughout the workshop, explore social issues, media imagery and self-expression all while making movies.