<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>First-of-Its-Kind Event Brings Together Talented Young Artists from Across the Region</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong>CityCenter Danbury is excited to announce the&nbsp;<strong>Danbury Rising Art Expo</strong>, a brand-new event celebrating the work of emerging artists from&nbsp;<em>Western Connecticut State University, Naugatuck Valley Community College, Danbury High School, and beyond.&nbsp;&nbsp;</em>This dynamic exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience the creativity and innovation of the next generation of local artists.</p><p><strong>Grand Opening:</strong>&nbsp;Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM - <strong>FREE ADMISSION – open to the public!</strong></p><p>Art lovers, collectors, and community members are invited to the expo’s grand opening, where they can meet the artists, participate in a live Q&amp;A, and immerse themselves in a diverse collection of artwork.&nbsp;The event will also feature complimentary light bites and refreshments, generously sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mothershipbakeryandcafe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><strong>Mothership Bakery</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Extended Public Viewing</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>For those unable to attend opening day, the exhibition will remain open to the public for&nbsp;<strong>one week only</strong>, allowing visitors more time to explore the incredible works on display.</p><p>“We are thrilled to provide a platform for rising talent in our community,” said Lazaro Chavez, Executive Director.&nbsp;“The Danbury Rising Art Expo is not just an art show—it’s a place to showcase our up-and-coming generation of artists and emerging talents.&nbsp;We are proud to host this inspiring event right here in our beloved Downtown Danbury, where creativity and culture continue to thrive.”</p><p>Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind pop-up experience; come support local artists, connect with the community, and discover the future of art in Danbury!</p><p>For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.citycenterdanbury.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><strong>www.citycenterdanbury.com</strong></a></p>

<p>Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the&nbsp;<a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail20.com/t/j-l-wjrnit-tlluktttuu-u/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);"><strong>FY 2026/2027 biennial state budget proposal</strong></a>&nbsp;that he presented to the Connecticut General Assembly last month continues recent trends under his administration of increasing state funding for Connecticut’s town and city governments to support the administration and delivery of municipal services, even while the state has made challenging funding decisions and streamlined costs across state government.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Municipal aid is the largest category of state spending within the entire general fund. Since taking office since 2019, every state budget Governor Lamont has enacted has not only held municipal funding harmless, but it has also increased that funding each year.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Over the last five years:</p><ul><li>The&nbsp;<strong>Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant</strong>&nbsp;to municipalities, which supports the operations of K-12 public schools, has&nbsp;<strong>increased 17%</strong>. The state’s per pupil spending of $22,000 is among the highest in the country (top five) and nearly $5,000 above the national per pupil average of $16,665.</li><li><strong>PILOT funding</strong>&nbsp;to municipalities has&nbsp;<strong>doubled</strong>.</li><li><strong>General government aid</strong>&nbsp;to municipalities has&nbsp;<strong>doubled</strong>.</li><li>More than&nbsp;<strong>$400 million&nbsp;</strong>in state grants have been provided to the state’s most distressed municipalities through the&nbsp;<strong>Community Investment Fund</strong>, which Governor Lamont and the General Assembly established in 2022 to support capital improvement projects in towns and cities.</li><li>More than&nbsp;<strong>$3.3 billion</strong>&nbsp;has been provided to municipalities to fund&nbsp;<strong>school construction projects</strong>.</li></ul><p class="ql-align-justify">The FY 2026/2027 budget that Governor Lamont proposed and is currently being considered by the state legislature contains several areas of increases for municipal services, including:</p><ul><li>An&nbsp;<strong>$85 million increase</strong>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<strong>ECS grant</strong>&nbsp;to municipalities in FY 2026. This increase will bring ECS aid to municipalities a full two-years ahead of the schedule planned in the state’s current ten-year phase-in timeline.</li><li>A&nbsp;<strong>$40 million increase</strong>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<strong>Excess Cost Grant</strong>&nbsp;in FY 2027 to support special education services.</li><li>The&nbsp;<strong>creation of a new state grant to municipalities&nbsp;</strong>called the&nbsp;<strong>High-Quality Special Education Incentive Grant</strong>, which will support the ability of school districts to provide high-quality special education programming in-district and regionally, reducing reliance on out-of-district placements and meeting students’ needs as identified by their individualized education program in the least restrictive environment. The budget proposal invests&nbsp;<strong>$10 million</strong>&nbsp;from the general fund and&nbsp;<strong>$4 million</strong>&nbsp;in bond funds in this grant program for FY 2027.</li><li>The&nbsp;<strong>largest expansion of preschool access</strong>&nbsp;in Connecticut history through the creation of the&nbsp;<strong>Universal Preschool Endowment</strong>, which will be seeded by&nbsp;<strong>$300 million</strong>&nbsp;from the FY 2025 surplus and in the following years will receive funding from any unappropriated surpluses in the general fund.</li><li>An investment of&nbsp;<strong>$9.9 million</strong>&nbsp;in FY 2027 to continue the&nbsp;<strong>Learner Education and Engagement Program (LEAP)</strong>, which Governor Lamont established during the COVID-19 pandemic to help address chronic student absenteeism and engagement.</li><li>An investment of&nbsp;<strong>$700,000</strong>&nbsp;in FY 2026 to&nbsp;<strong>eliminate reduced price lunch and breakfast fees</strong>&nbsp;for students statewide.</li><li>An additional investment of&nbsp;<strong>$12.4 million</strong>&nbsp;in FY 2027 to provide&nbsp;<strong>universal free school breakfast</strong>.</li><li>An investment of&nbsp;<strong>$5 million</strong>&nbsp;in FY 2027 to support a High Dosage Tutoring Grant program, which will serve nearly 12,000 students to provide tutoring support.</li><li>An investment of&nbsp;<strong>$350 million</strong>&nbsp;in FY 2026 and 2027 combined to continue grants through the&nbsp;<strong>Community Investment Fund</strong>.</li></ul><p class="ql-align-justify">The General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee are currently reviewing the governor’s budget proposal and are anticipated to act on it in the coming weeks.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">&nbsp;</p><p><br></p>

<p>Get ready for a day of legendary talent, community spirit, and unforgettable entertainment as the Ridgefield Playhouse hosts the <strong>9th Annual Bernie Williams Day</strong> on <strong>Saturday, June 14, 2025</strong>. This beloved tradition brings together sports fans and music lovers for a celebrity softball game and an all-star concert, all in support of the Playhouse’s mission.</p><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5362b2atiPY?showinfo=0"></iframe><p><br></p><p><strong>A Day of Action and Entertainment</strong></p><p>The event kicks off at <strong>1:00 PM</strong> at Governor Park, right next to the Playhouse, where former New York Yankees center fielder and accomplished guitarist <strong>Bernie Williams</strong> will lead a lineup of athletes and musicians in a fun-filled softball game. Whether you're a baseball enthusiast or just love a great community event, the game is sure to be a highlight.</p><p>Then, at <strong>4:00 PM</strong>, the excitement continues at the Ridgefield Playhouse with an all-star concert as part of the <strong>BMW of Ridgefield Jazz Series</strong>. Bernie Williams, known not just for his Hall of Fame-worthy baseball career but also for his musical artistry, will take the stage alongside special guests from the worlds of sports and music.</p><p><strong>How to Attend</strong></p><p>Multiple ticket options are available, including early access passes, game-only or show-only tickets, and bundle packages for those who don’t want to miss a moment of the action.</p><p>Don’t miss this incredible day of sports, music, and community fun. Member tickets are available NOW <a href="https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/bernie-williams-day-ridgefield-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/bernie-williams-day-ridgefield-2025/</a></p><p>Public Sale this Friday, March 28 at 10:00 am.</p><p>For more information and to purchase tickets, visit <a href="https://ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/bernie-williams-day-ridgefield-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ridgefield Playhouse</a>.</p>

<p>DANBURY, Connecticut — The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/schoolsafetycenter/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;"><u>Center for School Safety and Crisis Prevention</u></a>&nbsp;will host its inaugural AI and School Safety Conference on Wednesday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Westside Campus Center Ballroom, on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;"><u>Western Connecticut State University</u></a>&nbsp;Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury.&nbsp;<strong>The event is sold out, but the media is invited to attend and cover. Please advise if you plan to attend at </strong><a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>pr@wcsu.edu.</strong></a></p><p>This will be a dynamic, participant-driven session that invites attendees to actively engage in meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of AI and school safety. Rather than traditional presentations, this conference emphasizes small-group discussions where participants will explore critical questions, share insights, and collaborate on solutions.</p><p>Attendees will work together in facilitated discussion groups to address pressing challenges related to the use of AI. These conversations will focus on real-world issues, such as the concerns AI poses for students and the integration of AI technologies into school safety practices. Groups will discuss assigned questions, report out on their findings, and contribute to actionable strategies for navigating AI and leveraging AI to enhance safety and resilience in schools.</p><p>By fostering collaboration and prioritizing participant expertise, this event is designed to harness the collective knowledge of practitioners, academics, and technology leaders to shape innovative solutions for today’s most urgent challenges.</p><p>For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/schoolsafetycenter/wp-content/uploads/sites/233/2025/01/March-26-2025-AI-School-Safety-Conference.pdf.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;"><u>https://www.wcsu.edu/schoolsafetycenter/wp-content/uploads/sites/233/2025/01/March-26-2025-AI-School-Safety-Conference.pdf.pdf</u></a>&nbsp;or contact Communications and Marketing at&nbsp;<u style="color: blue;">pr@wcsu.edu</u>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Danbury Westerners are excited to announce their 31st Celebrity Breakfast, featuring special guest Mookie Wilson, on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury.</p><p>Mookie Wilson, renowned for his pivotal role in the 1986 World Series with the New York Mets, will share insights from his illustrious baseball career. This event offers attendees a unique opportunity to engage with a baseball legend while supporting the Danbury Westerners.</p><p>Individual tickets are available for $50, and tables seating ten can be reserved for $450. Given the anticipated high demand, early reservations are recommended. Tickets can be purchased online through <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/31st-danbury-westerners-celebrity-breakfast-with-mookie-wilson-tickets-1253175695239?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eventbrite.com</a>.</p><p>Alternatively, checks payable to "Danbury Westerners" can be mailed to:</p><p><em>Danbury Westerners</em></p><p><em>PO Box 3828</em></p><p><em>Danbury, CT 06813</em></p><p>Join the Danbury Westerners for a memorable morning celebrating baseball and community. Secure your spot today to ensure you don't miss this special event.</p>

<p>Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 24th, from 5:30-7:30 PM and head over to Nod Hill Brewery in Ridgefield, CT, for a dog-friendly happy hour you won’t want to miss!</p><p>Pints for Pups features live acoustic music by the talented Dan Carlucci, ensuring a relaxing atmosphere for both you and your furry friends. Enjoy a delicious food truck and plenty of refreshing brews while supporting a great cause.</p><p>Tickets are just $15 and include your first Geobunny Beer, making this an affordable night of fun for you and your pup! You’ll also have the chance to spoil your dog with treats from Woof Gang Bakery in Danbury and Paul's Custom Pet Food, both of whom will be in attendance.</p><p>All proceeds from this event benefit DAWS, supporting their mission to help animals in need. So, grab your pup, invite your friends, and come enjoy an evening filled with great food, music, and company—all for a fantastic cause!</p><p><em>21+ only, please. Don’t miss out on this paw-some event—purchase your tickets today!</em> <a href="https://e.givesmart.com/events/H7L/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get your tickets here</a></p>