<p class="ql-align-center"><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">HARTFORD, CT –&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">Senator Tony Hwang</strong><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">&nbsp;(R-28, Fairfield/Newtown) spoke at length of his steadfast support of law enforcement and public safety against crime, and his innovative support for providing educational and financial incentives to recruit and retain police officers in Connecticut during his exchange with Public Safety &amp; Security Committee Chair Senator Herron Gaston (D-25, Bridgeport) on&nbsp;</span><a href="https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&amp;which_year=2024&amp;bill_num=421" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(66, 133, 244);">Senate Bill 421</a><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">&nbsp;today. The bill, when originally passed out of committee unanimously, contained multiple provisions to provide funding for training programs and various recruitment incentives. However, after extended debate and negotiation by Democratic leadership, it was amended to remove these provisions with costs to the state attached to them, much to Senator Hwang’s dismay.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">“I am disappointed that we missed an opportunity to make a strong and bipartisan statement that law enforcement and crime prevention should have no fiscal barrier to ensure the safety and protection of the people in our community,”&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">Senator Hwang</strong><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">&nbsp;remarked.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">Despite these challenges, Senator Hwang ultimately supported the remaining provisions hoping to reiterate a commitment to implement those provisions next legislative session. The passed amendment included a section to analyze how certain state college courses can augment police basic training, a section requiring the Board of Regents to develop a pathway to assist police officers in obtaining higher education degrees, and others.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">“I fully support the provisions in this bill to assist our law enforcement in their education and training. I want to reiterate my commitment and belief that when we invest in our officers, the dividend we receive as a society comes in the form of better-trained, more effective police officers who can provide enhanced safety and law enforcement to the community. I look forward to reinforcing in future debates the need to place police training funding and financial police retention incentives as budgetary priorities,”&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">Senator Hwang</strong><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">&nbsp;added.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Greenwich, CT - Abilis</strong>, the nonprofit organization providing services and support to more than 800 individuals with special needs and their families, is thrilled to announce the success of its annual&nbsp;<strong>Spring for Abilis Gala</strong>, held on April 27, 2024, at the Greenwich Country Club. This year's event raised more than $680,000 for the nonprofit, which will directly benefit new Abilis programs and initiatives.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Spring for Abilis was held at Greenwich Country Club, which is one of Abilis’ employment partners that provides employment opportunities to several Abilis community members. The beautiful venue, combined with terrific planning by the events co-chairs,&nbsp;<strong>Afton Fraser of Greenwich, Gena Mann of Weston, and Hillary Sollinger of Fairfield</strong>, along with the high-energy entertainment by&nbsp;<strong>ETA Music</strong>, performances by&nbsp;<strong>Billy Blanks, Jr.</strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>The Dance Pointe</strong>, as well as a beautiful acoustic performance of the song “Hallelujah” by songwriter and record producer&nbsp;<strong>Billy Mann</strong>&nbsp;and his daughter&nbsp;<strong>Lulu</strong>, made for an incredible evening. Billy Blanks, Jr. also served as the event’s emcee and auctioneer.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">"We are overwhelmed by the incredible support for Abilis shown at this year's Spring for Abilis Gala," said Amy Montimurro, CEO and president of Abilis. "Thanks to the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and attendees, we have surpassed our fundraising goal, which will help us in supporting new initiatives for our services and supports for our community members.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The success of the event would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of the 2024 Spring for Abilis Gala co-chairs, who are all parents of young adults supported by Abilis who all live together in one of Abilis' newest residences and participate in Abilis' day support programs. As each co-chair took the stage to share their own personal journey with their child, the attendees were moved to tears hearing how Abilis has transformed their lives.</p><p>Abilis would like to thank the many sponsors who contributed to the success of Spring for Abilis, including Diamond sponsor:<strong>&nbsp;</strong>DARCARS Automotive Group,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Premiere Platinum sponsor:<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Holland &amp; Knight, Platinum sponsor:<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Cathy &amp; Lou Pagia,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Gold sponsors: The Custar Family, Hal and Linda Ritch, along with our numerous Silver and Bronze sponsors. Abilis was proud to partner once again with both Moffly Media’s Greenwich Magazine and travel partner AmFund.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">To learn more about Abilis or to donate, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://jhowardpr-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/2Z1dp7sLdUJ2t09E6wih1ItWzFNVVIdnwfMFFH0DIn6jYwBE7jwEfkOY0iRUVECfuYNTdpNpAem1QNKKZ8ggQY6jOFSPk1jLbqLz92k_OEW4gLuejAXiOBMexl8bcLEwYYYdTmMGi-J6TaCoacnBH-9iP87J9NMl_mZUmodQcGlt-yKFZ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">abilis.us</a>.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><strong>Abilis</strong>&nbsp;is a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports more than 800 individuals with disabilities and their families from birth through the senior years. Founded in 1951, Abilis is a leader in providing meaningful support to the community in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in towns including Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Westport and Wilton. The organization has a long-standing reputation for individualized, high-quality supports. For more information, visit<a href="https://jhowardpr-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/2GfFr4pRkoqgbGaqpGu1X6pVcscz4QsFkcpARFl58xYffwBE7jwEFq-nQUcqm1lTf5f9FdjzGqc-4CGRRw5rZTqVVwdz6KPK3DUgNnVjNlCe1NZ3XYIZJA7-zsE5Yv5zxgltU1p_P9Iw3DVVkzq4ONI8J2sewTJwPqdM_usUc7gwKa8jd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.abilis.us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.abilis.us</a>, or follow on&nbsp;<a href="https://jhowardpr-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/2tzIytJoG2ZRu58eacRez6gL5-pXNUUzJSzFIVHUKnTHnwBE7jwEl9NhJXNK3d-eGLybrYBIZQGv_PwfLTDyD6nQJrqFMjYFxBAO8NcwCbwVQ-DpZmJOlbc0h83oq33AveTvi4i9VABxAb8EHrcRbe1guDaDSwDU3GPGVJixLIIN4h7mRKAPVVQupx90" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;@Abilis, Inc.,&nbsp;<a href="https://jhowardpr-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/2DcFd9pmuRU_UzQ5qDGNn-pCAbzc6NVZ7mpf3TB7URTPswBE7jwHCHLoJzBP8rhqLuJjiaRU-vsxTiC0Mc-Owc5nwNshFXMSdxsCzwxvJmg3wqy1STc9EqzGfRFOHLiqSI907uxSbye9y6yeSXUGIsIXvD6SeaKJjSRJ58D7ZtSpa2o7HWPR_QSuPUA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;@abilis_us or&nbsp;<a href="https://jhowardpr-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/2MpwPMSkGzi7Oi6BUXzQ6Nlt7H_Msrg-3rdkYWgdsDTLzwBE7jwGEjxy8iuNql_84PaukpxoEpVEdHU6gsFRBCz5MRi5CpkeHvJc80JJBfdfqixoJnT6EUcZGW-kfF8TrMDPzMQdLivGRQy4D-4EOM6XoPy0le3yM3S8n6KD5sHFVDxQKJA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;@Abilis.</p><p><br></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>WESTPORT, CT:&nbsp;</strong>Chef/Owner Vinicio Llanos of Arezzo Ristorante &amp; Bar, Westport’s charming Italian restaurant and event space situated along the beautiful Saugatuck River, is excited to unveil the restaurant’s new patio bar this week. The new addition is a full-service bar built</p><p class="ql-align-justify">from the ground up, adding to the patio’s spirited ethos and al fresco dining experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Boasting one of the most picturesque views of the Post Road Bridge leading into downtown Westport, Arezzo’s breathtaking all-weather sun deck, open-air patio, and gardens can accommodate up to 150 people. A recent renovation introduced a brick-faced wood-fired oven and an</p><p class="ql-align-justify">expansive wine bar wrapped in dark wood furnishings with rich brown leather accents. The main dining room, seating 65, was also refreshed this year and is framed in rustic wood beams and stone archways, Tuscan orange stucco walls, and brand-new furniture. Eclectic artwork from the</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Westport River Gallery next door and panoramic river views complete the restaurant’s captivating design aesthetic.&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Llanos, along with his family members Sergio and Patricia, embarked on their hospitality journey in 2014 when they purchased the restaurant from its former owner. The family reimagined the menu, adopting a more rustic approach to its Italian/Mediterranean influences. Llanos' culinary</p><p class="ql-align-justify">vision was to harness the intense heat and smokiness the wood-burning oven could impart on dishes, utilizing the oven for more than the restaurant’s popular Neapolitan-style pizza.&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Menu highlights include appetizers such as warm buffalo mozzarella over braised artichokes&nbsp;with roasted Roma tomatoes and prosciutto di Parma, and grilled octopus with marble potatoes, red onions, capers, green beans, fresh lemon, and extra virgin olive oil. Homemade trofie al pesto</p><p class="ql-align-justify">with shrimp, and&nbsp;pappardelle with braised lamb shank ragout are just a few favorite pasta dishes. Arezzo’s land and sea menu is beautifully illustrated by the grilled prime New York steak served with Tuscan fries, arugula salad, and bleu cheese, the baby organic chicken roasted in the wood</p><p class="ql-align-justify">burning oven served with brussels sprouts and fingerling potatoes, and the wood oven-roasted whole Mediterranean sea bass with sautéed spinach and roasted potatoes. Patricia prepares all of the desserts in-house. Indulge in&nbsp;crema catalana with pistachio biscotti, creamy tiramisu, and&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify">ricotta cheesecake with raspberry sauce.&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The global wine list highlights many Italian varietals and winemakers. Top-shelf spirits, creative cocktails, local craft and imported beer, and a selection of port, grappa, and aperitifs round out the beverage program.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Spring is here, and Arezzo Ristorante &amp; Bar looks forward to welcoming guests to their riverfront sun deck and patio for great food and drinks and that gorgeous view.</p><p class="ql-align-center">&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-center">5 Riverside Avenue |Westport CT 06880 | 203-557-9375&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://arezzowestport.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">arezzowestport.com</a></p><p><br></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Danbury, Conn. –&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Hillside Food Outreach recently hosted its 15th annual “Dancing with Our Stars” competition at The Summit in Danbury, attracting more than 100 supporters to the ballroom and raising $30,000 to combat food insecurity in the community. All proceeds from the benefit support the nonprofit's mission to provide high-quality, nutritious food to thousands of low-income families, seniors, and the chronically ill each month.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Four champions&nbsp;showcasing the most dazzling dance moves were crowned&nbsp;by a panel of judges&nbsp;amidst cheers and applause&nbsp;from the&nbsp;crowd.&nbsp;Billy Clifford&nbsp;and Arthur Murray dance pro&nbsp;Dolly&nbsp;Zurzusi&nbsp;wowed the&nbsp;judges&nbsp;with their Country Medley dance to Luke Bryan's "Country Girl (Shake it for me)," while Shelly Hardie and&nbsp;Arthur Murray Danbury owner&nbsp;Andy Cabel&nbsp;scored high&nbsp;with their Swing performance to Glen Frey's "The Heat is on."&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Taking home the Peoples’ Choice Awards – the dance duos who generated the most votes and fundraising dollars from the audience – were&nbsp;Stacey Cohen and Denzel Santos,&nbsp;who&nbsp;stole the&nbsp;show&nbsp;with their Hustle/Merengue style&nbsp;dance&nbsp;to Maroon 5's "Moves like Jagger," while Michael Grace and Yulya&nbsp;Zubava mesmerized&nbsp;the crowd&nbsp;with their Argentine Tango &amp; Paso Doble to "Spanish Tale for Two."&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">All of the participants partook in weekly dance lessons for three months at Arthur Murray dance studios, and were partnered with their instructor for the competition.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Kathy Purdy, CEO and Founder of Hillside Food Outreach, expressed&nbsp;immense&nbsp;gratitude to all who&nbsp;supported the 15th&nbsp;Annual&nbsp;Dancing with Our Stars&nbsp;competition.&nbsp;“Dancing for a great cause is about as good as it gets, and this annual event directly helps&nbsp;change&nbsp;lives and offer hope to so many neighbors in need.&nbsp;Access&nbsp;tonutritious food is a right that everyone deserves,&nbsp;but unfortunately food insecurity is at a decades-long high, and too many&nbsp;vulnerable members of our communities are forced to choose between eating healthy or paying for basic necessities.”&nbsp;</span></p><p>Hillside is a delivery-only food pantry providing high quality, nutrient-dense foods, staples and essentials to nearly 1,000 households and over 2,000 individuals across Westchester, Putnam and Fairfield Counties, including elderly residents who find it difficult to travel and carry grocery bags; those who are housebound due sickness or disability; and people with health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension who require nutritious diets. The nonprofit fills the nutrition need while establishing both connection and engagement with those feeling hopeless, alone, or forgotten.&nbsp;</p><p>Hillside Food Outreach is headquartered in Mount&nbsp;Kisco, N.Y. and operates in Fairfield County, Conn. through its Danbury satellite location. It may be reached at 914-747-0095 or by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://hillsidefoodoutreach.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">hillsidefoodoutreach.org</a><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">.&nbsp;</span></p><p><strong>PHOTOS</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Images of the 15th&nbsp;Annual&nbsp;<em>Dancing with Our Stars</em>&nbsp;competition can be viewed&nbsp;<a href="https://cocommunications.box.com/s/xkuxb6eobaqheab3f9zwp3chr3fk9lon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">here</a>. Suggested captions included.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>About Hillside Food Outreach&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>As food insecurity reaches its highest point nationally since the 2008 financial crisis, Hillside Food Outreach continues to deliver high-quality, nutritious groceries free of charge to low-income limited mobility families, seniors, veterans, and the chronically ill. What began as a&nbsp;micro-endeavor&nbsp;in 1997 by founder Kathy Purdyhas grown into an essential food delivery organization, now serving more than 2,000 neighbors in need throughout Westchester,&nbsp;Putnam,&nbsp;and Fairfield&nbsp;Counties, each and every month.&nbsp;For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://about:blank/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">hillsidefoodo</a><a href="utreach.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">utreach.org</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">FC BUZZ Weekend MAY 3 - MAY 5</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.</span></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/all-things-equal---the-life-trials-of-ruth-bader-ginsburg-4180e" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">All Things Equal – The Life &amp; Trials Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Westport Country Playhouse</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Friday, May 3, 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Directed by Laley Lipard</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In this one-woman play starring Michelle Azar, Court Justice “RBG” welcomes a friend of the family to her cozy chambers to convey, over the course of ninety fascinating and often funny minutes, a sense of her life and its many trials.</span></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/duets-chucho-valdes-dianne-reeves-joe-lovano" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Duets: Chucho Valdés, Dianne Reeves, Joe Lovano</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Friday, May 3, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Since 2021, these three legends, with a combined 12 Grammy Awards between them, have been creating rare and magical evenings filled with their original takes on jazz standards. The evening features one of the most influential figures in modern Afro-Cuban jazz, the 82-year-old pianist Chucho Valdés, sharing the stage with preeminent jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves and celebrated saxophonist Joe Lovano.</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/discourse-art-across-generations-and-continents/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Discourse: Art Across Generations and Continents</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">browngrotta arts Gallery</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, May 4 to May 12, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In "Discourse: Art Across Generations and Continents," the gallery will assemble an eclectic group of works that celebrate this diversity. Included will be works from fiber art’s origins 60 years ago, current mixed media works and sculpture, and pieces created in the decades between — spurring a dialogue across generations and across continents.&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/frog-frolic-family-festival-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Frog Frolic Family Festival</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Redding Community Center</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, May 4, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A special day for the whole community, where folks of all ages can come together to enjoy live music, food trucks, play games, craft, and spend time with friends! For 2+ decades, The Frolic has kicked off Spring while generating necessary funds for our one-of-a-kind library – don’t miss it!</span></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-upscale-garage-sale-at-the-artisan-marketplace-spring-edition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>The Upscale Garage Sale at the Artisan Marketplace: Spring Edition</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">MoCA Westport</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, May 4, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This exclusive collaboration between MoCA Westport and Designport promises an unparalleled fusion of creativity, community, and curated craftsmanship.</span></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/jane-s-walk-bridgeport-2024" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Jane's Walk Bridgeport 2024</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Bridgeport Downtown Special Services</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, May 4, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Explore the unique story of how we see, interact with, and feel about Downtown Bridgeport on foot, on film, and collaborative discussion.&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/traveling-shoes-at-by-francis-pressley-reception-may-4th/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>“Traveling Shoes”: Art by Francis Pressley</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">City Lights Gallery</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, May 4, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet the artist and poet Francis Pressley at City Lights Gallery! View a series of large-scale portraits of prominent artists and important world leaders, interpreted through the heart, mind, and hand of Francis Pressley. Also on view are Bridgeport-based portraits and scenes, along with paintings of his beloved dogs.</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/derby-day-celebration-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Derby Day Celebration</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Pequot Library</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, May 4, 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A Fundraiser for Pequot Library, experience the excitement of the Kentucky Derby at Pequot Library! Take a stroll around the Great Lawn to view the festive hats, attire, and decorated tailgates. Bid on Silent Auction items and get your Derby Dollars so that you can enter to win raffle items, take home a bottle of bourbon from the Bourbon Wall, choose your winning horse and take home the top prize in the 50/50 raffle, and new this year: be the first in New England to experience the mobile driving range Dryvebox. Prizes will be awarded for closest to the pin, and the Best Hat, Best Dressed, and Best Tailgates will take home trophies as well. Visit our website for more details!</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/jesse-terry-sam-robbins-at-voices-cafe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Jesse Terry &amp; Sam Robbins</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Voices Cafe</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Saturday, May 4, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Jesse Terry, a full-time touring artist for well over a decade and Wilton CT native, promises a touching performance that will resonate deeply in the hearts of audiences.</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/pin-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Pin Ups</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">art/place gallery</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, May 5, 12:00 am - 12:00 am</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The public is invited to attend the reception at Art/Place Gallery of this All-Member show of unframed work.&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/finely-tuned-paintings-by-marlene-siff-reception-and-artist-talk-with-miggs-burroughs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Finely Tuned: Paintings by Marlene Siff, with a Reception and Artist Talk with Miggs Burroughs</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Westport Library</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, May 5, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Timed to coincide with VersoFest 2024, each of the five large dimensional works in "Finely Tuned, Paintings by Marlene Siff" — Fanfare, Crescendo, Legato, Elegy, and Fugue — is named for, and linked to, a specific expression found in music. Visitors to the gallery can scan a QR code next to each piece and listen to the musical selections that the artist used as inspiration.</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/ridgefield-guild-of-artists-14th-juried-member-show-walk-and-talk-sunday-may-5-from-2-to-4pm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>14th Juried Member Show Walk and Talk</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ridgefield Guild of Artists’</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, May 5, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Come hear four of our artists speak about their inspirations, origins, and where they hope to go. Our speakers are: Claudio DaNapoli, Eddie Hall, Nancy Lazar, Clarice Shirvell.</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/fairfield-county-childrens-choir-presents-why-we-sing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Fairfield County Children’s Choir with Why We Sing</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Klein</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, May 5, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">FCCC's 29th annual spring concert features 300 choristers performing a wide variety of selections which celebrate the joy of singing, such as "How Can I Keep from Singing?", "Lift Every Voice and Sing", "I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says 'Sing'", "When Children Sing", "Where the Music Comes From", and "Music Down in My Soul".</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/sunday-soundscapes-baroque-virtuosity-trio/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Sunday Soundscapes: Baroque Virtuosity Trio</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Weston Public Library</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, May 5, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Baroque Virtuosity Trio takes us on a journey back to an elegant time when music was made with harpsichords, lutes, and viols.&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/event/connecticuts-own-music-with-oboe-and-piano-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Connecticut’s Own: Music with Oboe and Piano</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Wilton Library</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, May 5, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Another Sunday afternoon of chamber music in the Connecticut's Own series. Wilton residents Ralph Kirmser (oboe) and Kyong Hee Cho (piano) will perform pieces by Robert Schumann, Pierre Sancan, and Frederic Chopin.</span></p><p><a href="https://uuwestport.org/ministers-greeting/upcoming-services/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>“Seeking Home”</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">UU Westport</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, May 5, 10:00 pm</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">An original composition for two guitars, drum, voice &amp; Native American flute “Seeking Home” was created to acknowledge and raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Men, and Youth (MMIW) occurring throughout the US and Canada. All donations will go to “Medicine Wheel Ride” – an Indigenous MMIW advocacy non-profit organization.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">See these and discover hundreds more events on the FCBUZZ EVENTS page at</span><a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> https://culturalalliancefc.org</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. Sign up for the Cultural Alliance eBuzz to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</span></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">HARTFORD, CT – With the support of Senator Tony Hwang, the Connecticut State Senate passed Senate Bill 292, which creates a timeline for banning the sale of, and collecting information on, certain products that contain perfluoro/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">These forever chemicals are found in products throughout the economy, from firefighting foams to mattresses, nonstick pans, dental floss and more. PFAS from these items can and do find their way into our bodies and have been found by the CDC to contribute to higher cholesterol levels, pregnancy complications, liver disease, testicular cancer, kidney cancer and more. These chemicals can stay in the body for many years.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">“PFAS is a part of our everyday lives. This bill will, on an incremental basis, change the utilization of PFAS and create awareness of these forever chemicals that are so ubiquitous in society,”&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">Senator Hwang</strong><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">&nbsp;said. “We must understand that difficult and environmentally proactive decisions regarding public health safety must be balanced with business and economic interests, as many consumer products involve PFAS. This legislation is an important start, and it is imperative for all of us to begin a process of eliminating these chemicals from everyday usage to protect people from their effects.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">Senator Hwang is a CTLCV environmental champion and co-sponsored this bill, supporting not only its positive health impacts for consumers but also its environmental impacts. Senator Hwang’s district contains significant watershed lands, and he recognized the strong imperative for protecting drinking water from PFAS leakage.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">“The urgent issue relating to these chemicals going forward is the leaking of PFAS into our drinking and public water supply. Future legislation must address this reality head-on and continue to protect our drinking water from these dangerous substances,”&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">Hwang&nbsp;</strong><span style="color: rgb(49, 49, 49);">added.</span></p><p><br></p>