Marc Caldarone

Norwalk, CT - Ray Rumer, Marijean Sommer and Jan Woodward all formerly with Coldwell Banker have joined the Norwalk office of Prudential Connecticut Realty, announced Marc Caldarone, leader of the company's Norwalk and Rowayton offices.

A successful real estate agent for the past 15 years, Mr. Rumer specializes in listing and selling residential properties. He also has experience with select commercial properties. Ray holds a master's degree in business from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a bachelor's degree from Temple University.

A graduate of Fordham University and the RCA School of Television Programming, Ms. Sommer specializes in first time homebuyers. She is actively involved in every stage of the transaction and serves the areas of Norwalk, Darien, Wilton, Weston and Westport. She is a true professional having earned the Graduate REALTOR® Institute designation.

From entry level homes to historic properties to multimillion dollar estates, Ms. Woodward has sold it all. A native of Norwalk, she can trace her family's roots in the town back to 1625. She also has a bachelor's degree from Elmhurst College and is an active volunteer in many local charitable organizations.

Ray, Marijean and Jan can all be reached at Prudential Connecticut Realty's Norwalk office at 69 East Avenue. Or, contact Ray at 203-899-3230; Marijean at 203-899-3213; and Jan at 203-899-3263.

Prudential Connecticut Realty is the largest real estate firm in Connecticut and the 13th largest in the United States. For more information, visit www.prudentialCT.com.

The Staples High School Jazz Ensemble won second place at the 17th annual Norwalk High School Jazz Festival--the second trophy during the past month for the band. In February, Staples was chosen as one of the top three bands, out of 15 competing schools, at the Jazz Festival at Brian McMahon High School in Norwalk. On Saturday, March 27, the Staples Jazz Ensemble will be participating at the annual Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival at Greenwich High School. The event is sponsored by Wynton Marsallis and Jazz at Lincoln Center. The Staples Jazz Ensemble includes Tom Burhill, Mitch Feinberg, Matt Takiff, Willys DeVoll, Jason Lustbader, Emily Messina, Kevin Copeland, Ole Vaagen, Ellen Kempner, Sam Wilkes, Joe Genetti, Evan Lester, Alex Okon, Cory Bacon, Will Kniffen, Alan Southworth, Jordan Ratner, Cameron Bruce, John Solder, Will Hagen, Cole Manley, and David Haswell. Director is Nick Mariconda.

Norwalk, CT -- Druha Karunakaran has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President's Volunteer Service Award.

The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was presented by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. Druha participated in the Spirit of Community program this year as a representative of Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk where he is a student.

Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities. More than 250,000 young people across America have been considered for these awards since the program began in 1995.

"The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities," said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "They truly deserve all of the praise and encouragement we can give them."

"The young people recognized by the Spirit of Community Awards demonstrate an enormous capacity for giving and reaching out to those in need," said Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. "NAASP is proud to honor them as they are wonderful examples of the high caliber of young people in our nation's schools today."

Program applications were distributed last September through all public and private middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCA's, and affiliates of HandsOn Network. After local honorees were named, state-level judges selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists, and Certificates of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth.

NAASP, based in Reston, VA, is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the worlds. Prudential Financial, based in Newark, NJ, provides more than 50 million individual and institutional customers worldwide with life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services.

Norwalk, CT- The Science Fair Awards Assembly will be held at Norwalk High School, April 6th, Monday evening at 6:30 PM in the auditorium. The Special Award recipients, the first, second, third, and honorable mention winners will be recognized. The Best of Fair awards will be conducted at the end of the program.

The science fair was held February 2 through February 4 at West Rocks Middle School. The objectives of the science fair include the following: to stimulate students' interests in the sciences and provide them with opportunities for experimental research, for creative inventions and for opportunities to interact with real scientists. The students in Norwalk have come a long way! Based on the judges' observations last year, the caliber of the experimental research and the unique design of the inventions have shown a significant improvement in terms of sophistication and creativity. Many of the high school students have received awards at the Connecticut State Science Fair. The science fair has been one of the major vehicles for demonstrating the fact that Norwalk students have a great deal of scientific talent.

"Every year I continue to be impressed with the exceptional scientific talent, creativity, and hard work that is demonstrated by our students," commented Ken Martinelli, science instructional specialist.

On the average a total of $10,000 of prize money has been donated.

Northrop Grumman Norden Systems will provide $1500 in funding for the "Best of Fair Awards", at the elementary, middle and high school levels, which are the fair's most prestigious awards, as well as providing judges for the fair.

The Leo and Libby Nevas Family Fund of the Fairfield County Community Foundation sponsor all first, second and third place awards. (First place winners received $100, 2nd Place $50 and 3rd Place $25.)

Winners of special awards receive checks, gift certificates, savings bonds or other prizes, and provide judges from local industry and service organizations, such as: Arch Chemicals, Inc., Brooks Laboratories, General Electric Company, Sidney Gerhard Memorial, King Industries, Inc., MBI, Inc., Norwalk Kiwanis Club, Norwalk Lions Club, Norwalk Woman's Club, Pepperidge Farm, Purdue Pharma, L.P., Benedict Rich, D.D.S., Stew Leonard's, R. T. Vanderbilt Chemical Company, Inc.

A cadre of judges from corporate sponsors, the community and Norwalk Public School teachers volunteered to serve in the 2 day judging process.

Tony Parenti

Rocky Hill, CT - Tony Parenti of the Norwalk office has been awarded the Sales Executive of the Month Award for the company's Southwest region for October 2008, announced Melissa Riley, Regional Vice President for Prudential Connecticut Realty's Southwest Region.

Mr. Parenti won the award based on his outstanding sales results and his commitment to Prudential's core values and vision of providing extraordinary service. Prudential's core values include authenticity, relationships, service, growth, empowerment and compassion.

"I am thrilled that Tony is being recognized with this award," said Marc Caldarone, Leader of the Norwalk office. "His actions always reflect the core values that govern the way Prudential Connecticut Realty conducts business and he is dedicated to giving his clients the best customer service."An award-winning top producer, Mr. Parenti can be reached at the Norwalk office at 203-846-1611, or at aparenti@prudentialct.com. Or, check the homebuyers and sellers tips on his website at http://aparenti.prudentialct.com.

Prudential Connecticut Realty is the largest real estate firm in Connecticut and the 13th largest in the United States, earning more than $5.1 billion in sales with more than 1,800 real estate agents. For more information, visit www.prudentialCT.com.