<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC Buzz Weekend January 24-26</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/night-at-the-museum-wild-wetlands" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Night at the Museum Wild Wetlands</strong></a></p><p><strong>Bruce Museum</strong></p><p>Friday Jan 24, 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm</p><p>A family evening of crafts, activities, and adventures for kids of all ages. Come dressed in your favorite pajamas or duck-inspired attire!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/norwalk-symphony-s-annual-young-artists-festival-concerto-competition" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Norwalk Symphony's Annual Young Artists Festival &amp; Concerto Competition</strong></a></p><p><strong>Norwalk Concert Hall</strong></p><p>Saturday Jan 25, 11:30 am - 5:00 pm</p><p>Festival 1 &amp; 2 will start at 11:30 on Saturday, January 25 at Norwalk City Hall. Junior and Senior Competitions will run concurrently. The Concerto Competition will start at 2:00pm in the Concert Hall.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-met-live-in-hd---verdi-s-aida" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Verdi’s Aida</strong></a></p><p><strong>Quick Center for the Arts</strong></p><p>Saturday Jan 25, 12:30 pm - 4:15 pm</p><p>American soprano Angel Blue takes the lead as the Ethiopian princess caught between love and country in a new production of Verdi’s Aida by Michael Mayer. The staging immerses audiences in the grandeur of ancient Egypt with intricate projections and dazzling animations. Romanian-Hungarian mezzo-soprano Judit Kutasi stars as Aida’s rival, Amneris, alongside Polish tenor Piotr Beczała as the soldier Radamès, completing opera’s greatest love triangle. Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts the performance.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/new-year-new-members-our-annual-new-member-exhibit-2f464" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>New Year-New Members Our Annual New Member Exhibit</strong></a></p><p><strong>Loft Artists Association</strong></p><p>Saturday Jan 25, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm</p><p>Featuring recent work of five new Loft Artists members. The exhibition includes work from; Chantal Disler, Jeff Hyman, Christine Kwon, David Pollard, Marc VanDermeer.</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: Anette Millington</strong></a></p><p><strong>Center for Contemporary Printmaking</strong></p><p>Saturday Jan 25, 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/new-barrel-launch-event-for-sono-1420-finished-at-sea-bourbon" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>New Barrel Launch Event for SONO 1420 Finished at Sea Bourbon</strong></a></p><p><strong>SoNo 1420 America's Maritime Distillery</strong></p><p>Saturday Jan 25, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm</p><p>1420 Finished at Sea bourbon follows in the traditions of pre-prohibition bourbon makers who aged their whiskey on flatboats floating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Instead of flatboats on rivers, SONO 1420 whiskey is aged and exposed to the elements on the Long Island Sound aboard oyster boats operated by Norwalk, Connecticut’s Copps Island Oysters. The result? A full-bodied bourbon that embodies SONO 1420’s maritime environment while embracing the whiskey making traditions of old.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/reflections-on-light-eea14" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>"Reflections on Light"</strong></a></p><p><strong>Heather Gaudio Fine Art</strong></p><p>Saturday Jan 25, 10:30 am - 5:30 pm</p><p>Creating the visual discourse at the gallery will be paintings by Miya Ando , Pegan Brooke and Kathleen Jacobs alongside sculptures by Ann Gardner. These artists share a preoccupation with the nature of light and its ephemeral qualities. Fleeting aspects and impermanent moments are harnessed and captured into serene visual experiences intended to give the viewer pause and consider our relationship with nature. Each artist uses their specific medium and unique process to create beautifully contemplative and nuanced artworks that are sublime records of time, place and experiences. Including Miya Ando’s work in the exhibition is made possible with the generous collaboration of Sundaram Tagore Gallery in New York City.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/sensory-friendly-morning" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Sensory Friendly Morning</strong></a></p><p><strong>The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk</strong></p><p>Sunday Jan 26, 8:00 am - 9:30 am</p><p>From 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. all Aquarium galleries and exhibits will be open with lights dimmed and music and other sounds turned down or off. For those wanting to include a short film in the 4D theater, guests can enjoy a film wearing 4D glasses, but with sounds lower and theater lights brighter, and without any of the sensory effects. Plus, enjoy a special seal feeding at 9 a.m. in Pinniped Cove with our Animal Husbandry Team.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/guided-gallery-tour-greenwich-during-the-revolutionary-war-a-frontier-town-on-the-front-line" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Guided Gallery Tour Greenwich During the Revolutionary War: A Frontier Town on the Front Line</strong></a></p><p><strong>Greenwich Historical Society</strong></p><p>Sunday Jan 26, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm</p><p>Gain deeper insights and information on the exhibition with Greenwich Historical society staff-led guided tours every other Sunday. Bring the kids and enjoy the “Let’s Learn” interactive exhibition feature. Take the opportunity to tour the National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House before or after the gallery tour to learn more about how the Bush family navigated the formation a new nation.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/puzzle-competition-sponsored-by-the-toy-room" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Puzzle Competition Sponsored by the Toy Room</strong></a></p><p><strong>Bethel Public Library</strong></p><p>Sunday Jan 26, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm, hosts a<strong> </strong>. Join us as we host a Ravensburger Puzzle contest sponsored by our neighbor and friend The Toy Room! Race opposing teams to complete a 300 piece puzzle. Teams can consist of up to five members aged 6 and up, and must have one adult (age 21 and over) or be accompanied by a parent/guardian for the duration of the competition.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/bethel-arts-in-view---wier-farm-artist-collective-a67d8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Bethel Arts in View - Weir Farm Artist Collective</strong></a></p><p><strong>La Zingara Restaurant</strong></p><p>Inspired by the lush landscape of Weir Farm, the artists bring us visions of Connecticut terrain in all seasons and times of day. Rolling hills, historic buildings, flowers in bloom and magnificent trees serve as inspiration for the varied expressions of this group of talented artists.</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 each week in your inbox.</p>

<p><strong style="color: rgb(181, 25, 7);">Financial Fitness: The Power of Budgeting </strong><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thursday, January 23 at 6:30-7:30 PM pn person at Bethel Library and on Zoom.</strong></p><p>This interactive seminar will explore the importance of creating and maintaining a budget; examine the difference between wants and needs; and set goals for personal spending, savings and debt repayment.</p><p><em>Presenter Maria Xavier has been a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones since 2018. She left her career in telecom sales to pursue her passion for personal finance and investing. She enjoys teaching at libraries to help spread knowledge on how to plan using money as a tool.</em></p><p><em>Register </em><a href="https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/financial-fitness-the-power-of-budgeting" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/financial-fitness-the-power-of-budgeting/</em></a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(181, 25, 7);">Benefits of Music Therapy on Brain Health </strong><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Friday, January 24 from 2:00-3:00 PM</strong></p><p><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In person and on Zoom</em></p><p>Please join Sherrye Platt, MS, MT-BC, RVNAhealth Music Therapist, to learn how the brain responds to music stimulation; the benefits of music on the aging process; and group music-making activities. No previous musical experience is necessary.</p><p><em>While an undergraduate at Montclair State University, presenter Sherrye Platt was introduced to music as an evidence-based therapeutic tool. Platt quickly re-focused her studies to leverage the poser of music to improve people's lives. Platt earned her master's degree at world-renowned Berklee College of Music.</em></p><p><em>Register </em><a href="https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/benefits-of-music-therapy-on-brain-health" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/benefits-of-music-therapy-on-brain-health/</em></a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(181, 25, 7);">Puzzle Competition Sponsored by the Toy Room </strong><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Sunday, January 26 from 1:30-4:30 PM</strong></p><p>Join us as we host a Ravensburger Puzzle contest sponsored by our neighbor and friend The Toy Room!&nbsp;Race opposing teams to complete a 300 piece puzzle.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Teams can consist of up to five members aged 6 and up</strong>,&nbsp;and must have one adult (age 21 and over) or be accompanied by a parent/guardian for the duration of the competition.<strong>&nbsp;Limited to 8 teams.</strong></p><p><strong>When registering, please reserve only 1 spot for a team.&nbsp;</strong>All the supplies and puzzles are provided by Ravensburger.</p><p>Prizes:</p><ul><li>1st Place: $50 Ravensburger Gift Certificate</li><li>2nd Place: $25 Ravensburger Gift Certificate</li><li>3rd Place: $15 Ravensburger Gift Certificate</li></ul><p><strong>Prizes to be redeemed at the Toy Room.</strong></p><p><strong>Register </strong><a href="https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/puzzle-competition-sponsored-by-the-toy-room" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/puzzle-competition-sponsored-by-the-toy-room/</a></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(181, 25, 7);">Bearing Witness: One Family's Holocaust Story </strong><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thursday, January 30 from 6:30-7:30 PM</strong></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In person and on Zoom</strong></p><p>As a descendant of two Holocaust survivors, Redding's Renee Bronner Pessin will mark this International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27) by telling the story of her parents, Helen and Sam Bronner, who met while imprisoned in a concentration camp during the atrocities of the Holocaust. Helen was the only survivor of more than 50 members of her immediate and extended family in Poland, while Sam and one brother were the only survivors of his immediate family.</p><p>Renee shares the story of her parents through excerpts of her mother's video testimony to the Shoah Foundation and through family pictures that survived the horrors of the Holocaust. Renee feels it is more urgent than ever to share their story, especially to community listeners, to ensure that history does not repeat itself.</p><p><em>Renee Bonner Pessin moved to Redding over 7 years ago. Over the years, Renee has worked as a registered nurse, editorial associate for scientific journals, and for over 20 years, as a freelance biomedical grant and manuscript editor.</em></p><p><em>Register </em><a href="https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/bearing-witness-one-familys-holocaust-story" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/bearing-witness-one-familys-holocaust-story/</em></a></p><p><a href="https://o9vh5xbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001AbC6ZYDUPjyWlMakVS0N79Pw9KMDTLOVkG5ovaLWxCoE9TB7IBQOKGhYyqsALxsr_jM0Vnvf9AXd79pAoOsQ3bmPakcfjInC576T_AX1QOww8CIUsSJ5xX6iHv6IK5OTqqcTucJ5QbWFQguFBnPlFuaqiSvXfx-ZHNnYx4aDPRWrH9Tkky0xJUHgy2SN_pHUi8vMdornWvbKfP8-muYLoeYx9xWvnW_r6lpo0DNXHd6Ry8RkBr6wS03ChscA68iK&amp;c=zGE02ysz5E7NViWjxB6A-Y76Ke_PcJF_s5aJK-eOGiAfhN2aqatTnw==&amp;ch=jmZPmZlQ2cw7-CGAQ5YJafJnIIJ9pjNbIdatUoQvx0OlrvVvOAkoLg==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Click Here to Register Your Team</strong></a></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(8, 8, 9);">Join us at the opening reception and to view the works of Weir Farm artists (see below) on Sunday, January 26 from </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(8, 8, 9);">5 to 7pm at The Gallery at La Zingara. The exhibit is on view through March 16, 2025.</span></p><p>ARTISTS:</p><p>Randy Carboni&nbsp;</p><p>Leslie Carone</p><p>Tom Carruthers&nbsp;</p><p>Roberta Delano&nbsp;</p><p>Diane Dooley&nbsp;</p><p>Bobbi Eike Mullen&nbsp;</p><p>Jama Hansonbrook&nbsp;</p><p>Maria Reed&nbsp;</p><p>Clarice Shirvell&nbsp;</p><p>Lesley Schwartzchild</p><p>Eileen Tavolacci&nbsp;</p><p>Jane Wolf&nbsp;</p><p><em style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">The Park is offering a new opportunity for local artists to connect and share during monthly gatherings, led by artists, for artists. The Weir Farm Artist Collective is a collaboration of independent artists following the tradition of creativity within the Weir Farm landscape. Its purpose is to inform, support, encourage and engage accomplished artists of all mediums to share ideas, opportunities and technical solutions. </em></p><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">Learn more about the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.nps.gov/wefa/planyourvisit/weir-farm-artist-collective.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--bs-link-color);">Weir Farm Artist Collective</a><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">! </span></p>

<h2><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Stay home if you can and watch football. If you need to drive, take it slow, and if you approach a plow, please keep a safe distance and allow them do their jobs.”</span></h2><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today is advising Connecticut residents to prepare for the first significant statewide snowfall the state has experienced so far this winter season. As of this afternoon, meteorologists say that current models indicate most of the state will receive about four to ten inches of snow beginning late in the afternoon on Sunday, January 19, 2025, and continuing into Monday morning.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared to stay off the roads during the height of the storm.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s fleet of more than 600 snowplows and specialized snow removal equipment is ready to deploy across the state. Crews are on standby all weekend and will remain active until the roads are clear of snow and ice.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">“We’ve only had relatively light snow so far this winter, but this is the first storm where most of the state can expect to see an accumulation of more than several inches,” Governor Lamont said. “This storm is being forecast well in advance, which is why now is the time for motorists to plan ahead and get to where they need to be before the snowfall begins on Sunday afternoon. Stay home if you can and watch football. If you need to drive, take it slow, and if you approach a plow, please keep a safe distance and allow them do their jobs.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">“If you must travel during this storm, please slow down, use caution, and leave extra space between your vehicle and others,” Laoise King, deputy commissioner of CTDOT, said. “Most importantly, give plow drivers the room they need to work safely and efficiently. Crowding the plow makes their job harder and delays the process of clearing roads. For your safety and ours, don’t crowd the plow.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Winter weather presents significant safety challenges for drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022 there were 498 fatal traffic crashes and an estimated 32,213 injury crashes that occurred when there was snow and/or sleet conditions at the time of the crash. CTDOT emphasizes that preparation is essential for safe winter driving.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Tips for staying clear of snowplows</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Snowplow operators are critical in keeping roads safe during winter storms. Drivers should:</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Maintain distance: Stay well behind snowplows and avoid their blind spots, particularly in the back corners.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Avoid passing plows: Passing snowplows is dangerous, as it reduces visibility and risks collisions with thrown snow or the plow.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Give operators space: Allow plenty of room for snowplow operators to do their work effectively and safely.</span></li></ul><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Tips for winter driving safety</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">To ensure safety during icy and snowy conditions, CTDOT urges the public to:</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Slow down: Adjust your speed to match road conditions and allow extra stopping time.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Keep a safe distance: Increase the space between your vehicle and others to allow for sufficient reaction time.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Equip winter tires: Use winter tires to improve traction on slippery roads.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Stay updated: Check weather reports and road conditions before traveling. Consider delaying trips if conditions are hazardous. Visit </span><a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-wlikykl-tlluktttuu-u/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">CTroads.org</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> for real-time traffic and road conditions.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Prepare an emergency kit: Carry essentials such as blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, and a first aid kit in your vehicle.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Never drive impaired: Driving impaired is illegal and endangers everyone on the road.</span></li></ul><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">For additional information on snowplow awareness and winter driving tips, visit </span><a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-wlikykl-tlluktttuu-o/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">To subscribe to alerts from Connecticut’s emergency notification system, visit </span><a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail19.com/t/j-l-wlikykl-tlluktttuu-b/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">ct.gov/ctalert</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</span></p>

<p><strong>Town of Bethel Jobs</strong></p><p>Interested in working for your town? We are hiring! Bethel has a few career opportunities posted and a few more due to be posted soon.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/Employment" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/Employment</a>. The Town of Bethel is an Equal Opportunity Employer.</p><p><strong>TOD Presentation</strong></p><p>Planning and Zoning is holding a special meeting on Thursday, January 23rd at Town Hall in Meeting Room D at 7:30 pm. On the agenda is a discussion about the Transit Oriented Development and a review of the Mobility and Parking Study completed last year. This is not a public hearing. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-zoning" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-zoning</a>&nbsp;or watch the meeting from home at&nbsp;<a href="https://meet.google.com/xud-tkkh-rac" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://meet.google.com/xud-tkkh-rac</a>.</p><p><strong>Volunteer Fire and EMS</strong></p><p>If you are new to Bethel, you may not know our both of our Fire Departments are volunteer! We have some paid staff on our ambulances during the day, but we rely on volunteers for our medical and fire response. Are you interested in a really unique volunteer opportunity? Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bvfdinc.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.bvfdinc.com/</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stonyhillfiredepartment.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.stonyhillfiredepartment.com/</a>&nbsp;to learn more about our volunteer departments!</p><p><strong>Friends of Parks and Rec</strong></p><p>The Friends of Bethel Parks and Recreation have some volunteer opportunities available! If you like researching online, you could help locate 501(c)3 grant opportunities for Parks and Rec.&nbsp;They are also developing a web survey look at park needs in the future. FBPR is working in a summer fundraiser event and can used some organized planners. Please email&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);">friendsofbethelpandr@gmail.com</span>&nbsp;or visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.friendsofbethelpandr.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.friendsofbethelpandr.org/</a>&nbsp;for more information on FBPR!</p><p><strong>Arctic Blast</strong></p><p>The Governor announced activation of Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol starting this Sunday night, January 19th and remaining in effect until Friday, January 24th. We are expecting the coldest weather that the state has seen so far this winter. Anyone in need of shelter or warming center is urged to call 2-1-1 to get connected to these services.</p><p>We are expecting snow on Sunday night. Please remember to remove vehicles, garbage cans, basketball hoops, or anything else from your street that could interfere with snow removal. The Town is not responsible for any damage occurring to these items if not addressed prior to snow removal.</p><p><strong>Hometown Heroes</strong></p><p>The Bethel Patriotic Association still has banners available for the Hometown Heroes Banner Program for 2025 that honors local members of the Armed Forces. The 18” x 36” digitally printed double-sided vinyl banners will be placed on town owned lampposts on School Street in front of the Bethel Town Hall. Each banner will honor a specific Bethel service member. Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bethelhometownheroes.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.bethelhometownheroes.org</a>&nbsp;for info and the application or stop by the First Selectman’s Office in Town Hall or the American Legion Post 100.</p><p><strong>Bethel Softball</strong></p><p>Bethel Softball Association's Spring registration is open!&nbsp;BSA is a youth softball league focusing on teaching the game of softball for ages PreK-4 through 13.&nbsp;They offer both recreational as well as travel divisions.&nbsp;Register by Friday, January 24th for the early bird discount; registration ends March 4th.&nbsp;Sign-up at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bethelctsoftball.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.bethelctsoftball.com/</a>.</p><p><strong>Music Therapy</strong></p><p>Explore the Benefits of Music Therapy at the Bethel Public Library on Friday, January 24th from 2 pm to 3 pm. Learn how the brain responds to music and how music helps during aging! Find information on this FREE presentation sponsored by RVNAhealth at&nbsp;<a href="https://rvnahealth.org/calendar/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://rvnahealth.org/calendar/</a>. Call the Bethel Public Library at 203-794-8756 or email&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);">tborysiewicz@bethellibrary.org</span>&nbsp;to register.</p><p><strong>Teen Yoga at BPL</strong></p><p>Relax and stretch on Saturday. January 25th with Yoga Space's Yoga program for teens at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bethellibrary.org/events/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bethel Public Library</a>! Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/teen-yoga/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethellibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/teen-yoga/</a></p><p><strong>Legislative Breakfast</strong></p><p>The Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, January 28th at 8 am at La Zingara Restaurant. We are expecting a good showing from our State Senators and State Representatives. For tickets visit&nbsp;<a href="https://bethelchamberofcommerce.com/event/2025-legislative-breakfast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethelchamberofcommerce.com/event/2025-legislative-breakfast</a>.</p><p><strong>BEF Mardi Gras Carnival</strong></p><p>The Bethel Education Foundation is hosting their “Mardi Gras Carnival” Annual Benefit on Saturday, March 1st at 6 pm. This event their largest fundraiser and includes dinner, dancing, and both live and silent auctions. The Dr. Janice Jordan Excellence in Education Awards are presented to educators whose creativity within the classroom, school or district has had a significant impact on student performance and achievement. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.betheledfoundation.org/annual-benefit.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.betheledfoundation.org/annual-benefit.html</a>&nbsp;for information and tickets.</p><p><strong>Shoutouts</strong></p><ul><li>A shoutout to the Bethel American Legion for their work cleaning uniforms and displays in Veterans Hall!&nbsp;Come by and take a look next time you are in Town Hall</li><li>A shoutout to Ms. Galbraith and her P7 and P8 Civics Classes! Your questions about education budget and how you can make a difference at the State Capitol were fantastic!</li><li>A huge shoutout to the Cadets and Staff of the Bethel High School Navy Junior ROTC on the completion of your annual inspection! You always impress!</li><li>Lady Wildcats are still going strong at 10-2! GOOD LUCK at your home basketball games on Tuesday and Thursday next week! Game time 6pm.</li></ul><p>Good luck to the Boys Basketball team against Joel Barlow tomorrow at home! Game time 3pm.</p><p>Town Hall is closed Monday, January 20th in Observance of Martin Luther King Day.</p><p><br></p>

<p>Bethel Arts desires your help raising funds&nbsp;for the Arts in our town of Bethel Connecticut.&nbsp;If you love Jazz then we are sure that you will want to attend this&nbsp;spectacular Jazz concert&nbsp;featuring some of New York’s finest musicians on February 8 at 7pm.</p><p>The renowned&nbsp;<a href="https://bethelartsct.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dfc8d62dd1253be9cc77b47d5&amp;id=1858f20d65&amp;e=7b6d9bb104" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);">Aaron Goldberg Trio</a>, including&nbsp;the legendary John Patitucci on bass and the master drummer&nbsp;Al Foster, will take the stage on February 8, 2025, at the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall located on the WCSU Westside&nbsp;campus.</p><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kn8dnhn0ceI?showinfo=0"></iframe><p><br></p><p><a href="https://bethelartsct.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dfc8d62dd1253be9cc77b47d5&amp;id=3c012e6658&amp;e=7b6d9bb104" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);">Purchase tickets here.</a></p><p>Seating is limited so it is advised to purchase tickets soon.</p><p><a href="https://bethelartsct.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dfc8d62dd1253be9cc77b47d5&amp;id=fb08615da0&amp;e=7b6d9bb104" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);">Watch&nbsp;a sample of Aaron Goldberg leading a trio on YouTube.</a></p><p><a href="https://bethelartsct.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dfc8d62dd1253be9cc77b47d5&amp;id=2803789294&amp;e=7b6d9bb104" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);">Read the Bethel Grapevine story about the musicians</a></p><p>This event is not only a celebration of world-class music but also a vital fundraiser for Bethel Arts. Proceeds will support our 2025 outdoor sculpture exhibit and other arts programs that enrich the Bethel community.</p><p><a href="https://bethelartsct.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dfc8d62dd1253be9cc77b47d5&amp;id=5a973f4506&amp;e=7b6d9bb104" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 124, 137);">Also, please consider becoming a sponsor for this exciting event.</a></p><p><br></p>