<p>Who will win Super Bowl LIX? According to Rasal, a 39-year-old harbor seal at The Maritime Aquarium, the Philadelphia Eagles are going to win Sunday’s big game!</p><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YuqiMnxrlMM?showinfo=0"></iframe><p><br></p><p>“Our Seal Super Bowl Pick is a tradition that our community looks forward to every year at the Aquarium! This year, Rasal made her prediction by retrieving a football with the Eagles’ logo,” <strong>said Trainer Marisa Miloro</strong>. “It's always fun to feel the excitement of the crowd as it becomes clear who she is predicting to win.”&nbsp;</p><p>Like the Kansas City Chiefs, Rasal is attempting a three-peat. She correctly predicted the defending champs to win in both 2023 and 2024. For her to achieve a three-peat, she’ll need the Eagles to disrupt the Chiefs’ winning streak.&nbsp;This is Rasal’s seventh Super Bowl prediction at the Aquarium. Her personal record for accurate predictions, 3-3, is slightly better than the seals’ overall record, 6-7.&nbsp;</p><p>Rasal has resided at The Maritime Aquarium since 2005 and is one of the oldest harbor seals in human care. She currently lives in Pinniped Cove with five other seals—Leila, Feisty, Gracie, Sono and Mikey. Prior to her time at the Aquarium, she received training from the United States Navy.&nbsp;&nbsp;While training is a form of enrichment, it also plays an important role in allowing animals to participate in their own healthcare. The Aquarium’s trainers rely on their participation to administer medication, perform veterinary examinations, and move animals to different locations. Visitors can watch their daily sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.&nbsp;</p><p>To plan your next trip to the Aquarium, visit <a href="https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">www.maritimeaquarium.org</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Town Players of New Canaan (NPNC) presents Terra Nova&nbsp;February 21 through March 9</strong></p><p>In the winter of 1911-12, five Englishmen and five Norwegians raced each other to the bottom of the Earth. Only the Norwegians returned. Terra Nova is the story of Captain Scott’s expedition to the South Pole. The discovery that Amundsen has preceded him, the bravery and sufferings of his team, the self-sacrifice of Captain Oates and the final tragedy, are recounted in a mixture of fantasy and realism which underlines both the human and the epic qualities of the adventure.</p><p>Terra Nova premiered at the Yale Rep in 1977 and its 1984 NYC production earned the writer an OBIE Award. The name is taken from the title of Captain Robert Scott’s ill-fated early 20th century, scientific expedition to the South Pole, whose name itself was taken from the whaling ship on which they travelled.</p><p>Playwright, Ted Tally is perhaps best known for winning the 1992 OSCAR for Best Adapted Screen play of The Silence of the Lambs.</p><p>‘Terra Nova’ is the story of that fatal expedition, and of Scott’s the discovery that the Norwegian explorer Amundsen had beaten him to the Pole. It opens and closes with Scott writing the final entries in the journal from which all the details of his last weeks are known. The bravery and suffering of his team, climaxing in the famous self-sacrifice of Captain Oates and the final tragedy are recounted in a mixture of fantasy and realism. This is achieved by the conjured presence of Scott’s wife, Kathleen, and, – in a variety of guises – of Amundsen.</p><p>The play is drawn from the journals and letters found on the frozen body of Captain Scott. Refusing the use of sled dogs as unsporting, Scott and his team struggle to drag their heavy gear across a frozen wasteland, only to find that Amundsen has preceded them to their goal. The play is also a study of British pride and upper-class resolve, Scott’s aristocratic sense of destiny and command, and his young bride’s ability to understand her husband’s compulsive drive while failing to accept his motivations. But it is in the tragic trip back, as the members of the expedition die one by one, that the play reaches its dramatic conclusion, capturing with chilling intensity the awesome bravery of men who must accept the bitter knowledge that suffering and death will be the only reward for their heroism.</p><p>Purchase tickets <a href="https://tpnc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://tpnc.org/</a></p>

<p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">In the Spotlight</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Pages &amp; Putts: Mini Golf at the Library</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Friday, 2/28</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">6:00pm - 9:00pm</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Saturday, 3/1</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">10:00am - 3:00pm</span></p><p><a href="https://ohvwq5bab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001V2xJt3aymW83_PHRU8Buu-GGVdSB9nnRV0MYM-CsUue_o_ZI5efP8J7ftw4DHl951o4km_2X8qlRAKi4OlEDNG24-Y9AsddlBs1OdSSN9MzoEOrT6X66tZlFyDW-0cAry1KLlJgtNEczZaqO76sy1PGaLpnTdfiT9JbVz6az3RDZseWUOHE9ki6n227_iQu7&amp;c=-bTDxQi7bfhMBkPiRoikkfw8X8q-jdbQi_8C_SZjspEL9nn9hkaV9Q==&amp;ch=99rv5xX2Q8SUQfWnPSAmm1RcbHIeu0fX3hrxXWhGBKgbqw5YM4A7Hg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Buy Tickets Here&nbsp;</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Join the New Canaan Library for Mini Golf fun by putting around the stacks! $10 per person.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The Survival Budget: Understanding Poverty for Local Working Families</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Tuesday, 2/4</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">6:30pm - 7:30pm</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Jim &amp; Dede Bartlett Auditorium</span></p><p><a href="https://ohvwq5bab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001V2xJt3aymW83_PHRU8Buu-GGVdSB9nnRV0MYM-CsUue_o_ZI5efP8DYUkXLhnYANWQUKybE7UXs_W_3HxN5GKfpy_b_GQXTrlh24haUwllE7cHN7OeLC3C7bMqxX_hQSue7Wa92NGjvRG1fm6A9FSp6bzLKUPH23CWA1PA0WeQxEIqaR8cMpApfCOKlzbXXzGphu9-YsMOeWxWC9CgatO0c5aoS6aiz3&amp;c=-bTDxQi7bfhMBkPiRoikkfw8X8q-jdbQi_8C_SZjspEL9nn9hkaV9Q==&amp;ch=99rv5xX2Q8SUQfWnPSAmm1RcbHIeu0fX3hrxXWhGBKgbqw5YM4A7Hg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">REGISTER</a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Interior Styling with Mieke ten Have</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Wednesday, 2/5</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">PRE-EVENT 11:30am-12:30pm</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">12:30pm - 1:30pm</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Jim &amp; Dede Bartlett Auditorium</span></p><p><a href="https://ohvwq5bab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001V2xJt3aymW83_PHRU8Buu-GGVdSB9nnRV0MYM-CsUue_o_ZI5efP8DYUkXLhnYANBIM5Ieyf4xn3TrwERxkwVP87P4a-5Q8FJXhvo1xnU5rSFb2Gp_gOYf9sFN9dWDoZFw6yKQyHkuPppRdCAo4MFHeU_hYrlT_QP4KN9aYtuYVmLZ4gcbe8Qyx3ry3hRbwWSzgksB8XIC0YMvA-7nr_Vw==&amp;c=-bTDxQi7bfhMBkPiRoikkfw8X8q-jdbQi_8C_SZjspEL9nn9hkaV9Q==&amp;ch=99rv5xX2Q8SUQfWnPSAmm1RcbHIeu0fX3hrxXWhGBKgbqw5YM4A7Hg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">REGISTER&nbsp;</a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Film Screening: Crooklyn by Director Spike Lee</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Saturday, 2/8</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">3:00pm - 5:00pm</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Craig B. Tate Room</span></p><p><a href="https://ohvwq5bab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001V2xJt3aymW83_PHRU8Buu-GGVdSB9nnRV0MYM-CsUue_o_ZI5efP8J7ftw4DHl95fyM5GdBRvwes3KpiFL4Lz4Vw6ljy8beGyoDOt4vEWwjK2118ckcGjsGLXQFznX3uN_uM3aXIeih6Z5CaxUhq7pUSyvmiDkzvrFtkhaQkNFAA2_i2qS3TWLU33nuOrwsVtaTFgNB0y67kcNogx-v2D40Nde9q6pJMxydkcNE3u48=&amp;c=-bTDxQi7bfhMBkPiRoikkfw8X8q-jdbQi_8C_SZjspEL9nn9hkaV9Q==&amp;ch=99rv5xX2Q8SUQfWnPSAmm1RcbHIeu0fX3hrxXWhGBKgbqw5YM4A7Hg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">REGISTER</a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Upcoming</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Legislative Priorities in CT: Session Kickoff with Our Legislators</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Monday, 2/10</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">6:00pm - 7:00pm</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Community Room</span></p><p><a href="https://ohvwq5bab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001V2xJt3aymW83_PHRU8Buu-GGVdSB9nnRV0MYM-CsUue_o_ZI5efP8DYUkXLhnYANkndSQB-rlqDjWd15pFM5W1AAf8SfRt_XKKbhz-5xzNXVkyUHf8uqunWkk3lgKWm9b3OkjwrCSZtEGDWPgIrWvxSDq-hTs22d04L7W_ee5NBFT8zVxl4qHU152dZHEeMMO0g99pf05PNR8NEPDBqOpiwS1KkWUeRp&amp;c=-bTDxQi7bfhMBkPiRoikkfw8X8q-jdbQi_8C_SZjspEL9nn9hkaV9Q==&amp;ch=99rv5xX2Q8SUQfWnPSAmm1RcbHIeu0fX3hrxXWhGBKgbqw5YM4A7Hg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">REGISTER</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Tuesday, 2/11</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">6:00pm - 8:00pm</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Jim &amp; Dede Bartlett Auditorium </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">DROP-IN</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Renowned Author Elinor Lipman Presents Every Tom, Dick &amp; Harry</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Wednesday, 2/12</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">1:00pm - 2:00pm</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Jim &amp; Dede Bartlett Auditorium</span></p><p><a href="https://ohvwq5bab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001V2xJt3aymW83_PHRU8Buu-GGVdSB9nnRV0MYM-CsUue_o_ZI5efP8LinHcJe8H7pvJBTAe46oEAxooKBLjIkTtvAm0FrJzv8iWA9sRjckcn1Zx-AkHQLVcq_KBIyrxt4tuIRJ45HTo_af1kGnqmkzYWS5RU1rCjW3IphjkCC9l6N2ltU6qw5W8BGsyVpr1ENFbFn2EUBh5zGhdWKoEzTew==&amp;c=-bTDxQi7bfhMBkPiRoikkfw8X8q-jdbQi_8C_SZjspEL9nn9hkaV9Q==&amp;ch=99rv5xX2Q8SUQfWnPSAmm1RcbHIeu0fX3hrxXWhGBKgbqw5YM4A7Hg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">REGISTER</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Thursday, 2/27</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">7:00pm - 8:00pm</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Jim &amp; Dede Bartlett Auditorium</span></p><p><a href="https://ohvwq5bab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001V2xJt3aymW83_PHRU8Buu-GGVdSB9nnRV0MYM-CsUue_o_ZI5efP8DYUkXLhnYANCR6yOGvhTNbZgzVT4W1xsuZVNN02gZ87L3eXObLxkABOtIqrnZpOVSrYsOCSi8bmT9K68hhYP0wn1Cic-MAiov2ntK9twZBpLIAad1aEZ68mvE3Lzu7eY_kTiqHRnyeot-YgL0AV1V4b0xPz4jcYCNR7ZkegWFnr&amp;c=-bTDxQi7bfhMBkPiRoikkfw8X8q-jdbQi_8C_SZjspEL9nn9hkaV9Q==&amp;ch=99rv5xX2Q8SUQfWnPSAmm1RcbHIeu0fX3hrxXWhGBKgbqw5YM4A7Hg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">REGISTER&nbsp;</a></p><p>For a complete list of upcoming events visit <a href="https://www.newcanaanlibrary.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.newcanaanlibrary.org/</a></p>

<p>Interested in adding “award winner” to your resume? The Connecticut Press Club announced today the opening of its annual state-wide contest. All communicators are invited to submit their 2024 published work – be it a news article, personal essay, book, blog, public relations or social media campaign, photographs, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Connecticut Press Club’s popular Communications Contest, which rewards excellence in 63 categories, will be judged by professionals with corresponding expertise.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Categories include:</strong></p><p>online and print news articles and columns</p><p>personal essay</p><p>social media campaigns</p><p>nonfiction, fiction, poetry, young adult and children's books</p><p>specialty articles in the arts, food, business, education, travel and more...</p><p>page design, editing, photography and graphics</p><p>radio and TV</p><p>podcasts and blogs</p><p>advertising and PR</p><p><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">HERE</span> is a complete list of categories.&nbsp;</p><p>In addition to the professional competition, the Connecticut Press Club is holding a High School Communications Contest. Entries must be produced by a current high school student or a recently graduated student who produced the work in their senior year between February 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. Entries must have been published or broadcast by a school or professional publication in a recognized medium for the category. i.e., a school, local, or national newspaper, website, etc.&nbsp;</p><p>To enter, follow the directions on the <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);">contest site</span>.&nbsp;</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Email </span><a href="mailto:CTPressClub@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CTPressClub@gmail.com</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> with questions.&nbsp;</span></p><p>A few requirements to keep in mind:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Eligibility:&nbsp;Communicators who live and work in Connecticut are eligible to enter. Work published from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, is eligible.&nbsp;</li><li>Contest Fees:&nbsp;The fee is $25 for the first entry and $15 for Connecticut Press Club members (click here to join); non-members pay $30 for the first entry and $20 for each additional entry. High school entry fees are $10 per entry.&nbsp;Entrants do not need to be members of the CT Press Club.</li></ul><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Deadlines:&nbsp;The </span><span style="color: rgb(30, 30, 30);">Early Bird deadline is January 29, 2025 at noon EST. </span><em style="color: rgb(30, 30, 30);">A one-time $25 fee will be assessed to all entrants after this date. The </em><span style="color: rgb(30, 30, 30);">final deadline is February 19, 2025 at noon EST. The final deadline for entrants submitting books is February 5, 2025 at noon EST.</span></p><p>We will celebrate the winners with a cocktail party and awards celebration in the spring.</p><p>Anyone who receives a first-place award in the Connecticut Contest will&nbsp;be eligible to enter the National Federation of Press Women National Communications Contest, provided annual NFPW membership dues have been paid.&nbsp;(Membership dues can be paid when you register for the contest.)</p><p>The Connecticut Press Club is an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW), and includes both male and female members. The club welcomes all types of communicators: writers, editors, bloggers, authors, educators, public relations professionals, media photographers, students and more. Plans for the coming year include lectures by sought-after speakers, professional development workshops, networking and social outings. For more information, e-mail <a href="mailto:ctpressclub@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);">ctpressclub@gmail.com</a>.</p><p><em>Photo Caption: The Connecticut Press Club announces their annual contest for work published in 2024. Here at last year’s event (from left) are Contest Director Tom Renner, Vice President Prowitt, Keynote Speaker Alisyn Camerota, Director of Publicity Aline Weiller, and President Michele Turk. </em></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC Buzz Weekend January 31 - February 4</strong></p><p>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.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/zeppelin-reimagined" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Zeppelin Reimagined</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford</strong></p><p>Friday Jan 31, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>From the creators of Magical Mystery Doors comes Zeppelin Reimagined. Zeppelin Reimagined is not just another Led Zeppelin tribute band; they are a groundbreaking experience that merges the timeless power of classic rock with the cutting-edge technology of today. With a dynamic stage presence, LED screens, and a visual spectacle that complements their sound, Zeppelin Reimagined offers a fresh take on the iconic music of Led Zeppelin.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/pride-and-prejudice-b2a4d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Pride and Prejudice</strong></a></p><p><strong>Westport Community Theatre, Westport</strong></p><p>Friday Jan 31, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm</p><p>A new adaptation based on Jane Austen's classic novel, is the 3rd production in Westport Community Theatre's acclaimed season, running January 31 – February 16, 2025. Marriage is far from Elizabeth Bennet’s top concern, yet with four sisters, a determinedly match-making mother, and a parade of ill-suited suitors, the topic is inescapable. When Elizabeth, strong-willed and independent, crosses paths with the intriguing yet reserved Mr. Darcy, she resolves to keep her emotions in check. However, the path to the truth proves more tangled than expected…</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/on-view-sm-nc-giants-f1e9a" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>On View: SM&amp;NC GIANTS</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Museum &amp; Nature Center, Stamford</strong></p><p>Friday Jan 31, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm</p><p>Large in format, bold in color, brash in context. We call them the "giants" of our collection. Representing a range of styles and mediums, many of these works have not been on view for decades, including mammoth works by Hunt Slonem, Rhonda Wall and Nicholas Krushenik. Others you may recognize from previous exhibitions; works from Peter Bradley, William Ronald and Steven Brent. We're pleased to present them once more before they return to our collections vault.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/rowayton-arts-center-from-the-rac-studio-77fe5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"> <strong>“From the RAC Studio”</strong></a></p><p><strong>Rowayton Arts Center, Norwalk</strong></p><p>Friday Jan 31, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm</p><p>This all media exhibition features over 100 pieces of artwork by RAC Instructors and students created in the past year. RAC celebrates the study, creation and appreciation of the arts through classes, exhibitions and events open to all in the community.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/artist-talk-anette-millington" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Artist Talk with Anette Millington</strong></a></p><p><strong>Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk</strong></p><p>Saturday Feb 1, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm</p><p>Anette Millington is an Assistant Professor of Fashion Systems and Materiality at Parsons School of Design and Associate Director of the Textiles MFA Program. Her interdisciplinary creative practice focuses on patterns and spans print, textiles, and sculpture. Anette abstracts flora and fauna—flowers, butterfly wings— to design new protective surfaces and symbols. She explores the psychological dimension of symmetry, building magic and metaphor from mathematics. In her Artist Talk, Anette will share more about her residency project: creating small-scale sculptures from wood-block printed paper.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/voices-cafe-presents-the-brian-torff-group" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>The Brian Torff Group</strong></a></p><p><strong>Voices Cafe</strong></p><p>Saturday Feb 1, 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm</p><p>The Brian Torff group has been described as a band driven by a desire to capture the complexity of the American story “through American roots music with an updated twist.” Torff’s music honors Black History Month by blending original music with classic Delta Blues, demonstrating the deep impact of Black music on our nation’s culture through original, creative, inspiring music.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the <a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a> page at <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a> Sign up for the <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a> to receive top picks and spotlights&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why Small Businesses&nbsp;Matter</strong></h2><p><em style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Shop small, do big things for your community</em></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Robert Zalkin, founder of </strong><a href="https://www.fivestarpainting.com/bedford-new-canaan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Five Star Painting of Bedford &amp; New Canaan</strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</strong></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Q: Why did you start your business?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A: I started my painting business because I saw a gap in the market for exceptional, detail-oriented service tailored to high-end homes. I wanted to create a company that not only delivered impeccable results but also provided a seamless, professional experience for homeowners who value their time and their property. For me, it’s about transforming houses into homes with a level of quality and care that customers can trust.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Q: What is your best-selling service?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A: Our best-selling service is interior painting for luxury homes. Homeowners appreciate our meticulous attention to detail, from surface preparation to the final brushstroke. We also specialize in accent walls and custom finishes, which add personality and elegance to any space. Clients come to us because they know we’ll deliver top-notch results that elevate their home’s aesthetic.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Q: Have you "reimagined" your small business?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A: Absolutely. As the market and customer expectations evolve, we’ve embraced technology and innovative practices to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. For example, we use tools to streamline project planning and communication, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Additionally, I’ve leveraged social media platforms like </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fivestarpaintbedfordnewcanaan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Instagram</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and Facebook to educate and connect with homeowners, turning our expertise into a resource while building trust with potential clients.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Visit Five Star Painting of Bedford and New Canaan’s website </strong><a href="https://www.fivestarpainting.com/bedford-new-canaan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://www.fivestarpainting.com/bedford-new-canaan/</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow along on Instagram @</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fivestarpaintbedfordnewcanaan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">fivestarpaintbedfordnewcanaan</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fivestarpaintingbedfordnewcanaan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Facebook</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HamletHub thanks</strong><a href="http://www.jkinfordbeautygroup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Fairfield County Bank </strong></a><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p>