<p><strong>Car Show on April 27 from 11am to 3pm at New Milford High School</strong></p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Show Car Admission</em></p><p>This ticket includes 1 parking space. If you'd like to park with a specific car club or group, please arrive together.</p><p>$20.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Show Car Admission- NMHS Student</em></p><p>This ticket includes 1 parking space. Must show student ID when arrive. If you plan to park with a group of friends or car clubs, please arrive together.</p><p>$15.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Car Clubs</em></p><p>This ticket includes 1 booth and 2 show car spaces.</p><p>$100.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Food Trucks</em></p><p>Must have a&nbsp;<a href="https://hvhdct.gov/environmental-health/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 120, 5); background-color: transparent;">Housatonic Valley Health District permit</a>&nbsp;to participate in this event. Please send a copy of your permit to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nmhsgradparty@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 120, 5); background-color: transparent;">nmhsgradparty@gmail.com</a></p><p>$100.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Vendor Registration</em></p><p>Auto-related vendors, please.</p><p>$100.00</p><p><em style="color: inherit;">Spectator Admission- FREE</em></p><p>(donations are always appreciated; you can make a $5 donation <a href="https://tickets.thefoat.com/NMHSGradpartyCarshow/New+Milford+High+School+Grad+Party+Car+Show+2024/tickets/id-2LQauH6s5sma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>

<p>9th Annual Wheels For Wheels Fundraiser Car Show on Saturday, May 4 from 12–4PM at John Pettibone Community Center</p><p>All are welcome: Cars, Trucks, Bikes, etc. Pets too!</p><p>$20 Suggested Donation</p><p>The goal of Wheels for Wheels is to uplift and mobilize the disabled community.</p><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L_BWww099ls?showinfo=0"></iframe><p><br></p><p>You’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks as always, but we’d love it if you could support our awesome and giving food and drink vendors. Right from the get-go, Kash &amp; Liv will have their homemade iced coffees and teas ready for you. Plus, John’s serving up his classic hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Don’t miss “Rice to Meat You” for some American favorites like smash burgers, chicken fingers, and fries – and let’s not forget their amazing Dominican rice bowls and empanadas that are just out of this world. And of course, it wouldn’t be the same without Cookie Cloud 9 and their irresistible buckets of chocolate chip cookies that just melt in your mouth.</p><p>Learn more&nbsp;<a href="https://newmilford-chamber.com/events/21072" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">https://newmilford-chamber.com/events/21072/</a></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p>DANBURY, Connecticut — <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Western Connecticut State University</a>&nbsp;will celebrate its recent <a href="https://news.wcsu.edu/wcsu-designated-a-hispanic-serving-institution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">designation</a> as a Hispanic-Serving Institution with an afternoon of events on Thursday, April 25, that pay tribute to the heritage of the community the university serves. The festivities will take place at the Berkshire Hall lobby and patio on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury, and will be free and open to the public. The first 150 attendees will receive an HSI T-shirt and everyone who attends will be entered in a raffle for some WCSU Swag. RSVP at <a href="https://wcsutickets.regfox.com/wcsu-hsi-designation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wcsutickets.regfox.com/wcsu-hsi-designation</a>. </p><p><strong>Planned events include:</strong></p><p>3:30 p.m. – Welcome by WCSU Pre-Collegiate &amp; Access Programs Associate Director Jessica Coronel, and Gabriela Perez, a graduating senior majoring in Anthropology/Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Multicultural Studies. Perez’s senior thesis for the Anthropology/Sociology major is an ethnographic study focusing on what makes a quality HSI. She is interviewing students and faculty, and will be summarizing her findings and personal experiences of the difference that intentional HSI planning and development can make in the lives of Hispanic students.</p><p>3:45 p.m. – Celebration of Puerto Rican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrassCityBomba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brass City Bomba</a></p><p>4:15 p.m. – Celebration of Brazilian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connecticutcapoeira/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Benção Capoeira</a></p><p>4:30 p.m. – Lobo Awards Ceremony, presented by WCSU Interim President Dr. Manohar Singh and Chair of the Department of Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology Dr. Carina Bandhauer. Recipients are: Lobo Leadership Award –&nbsp;Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves; Lobo Student Award – Najely A. Clavijo; Lobo Faculty/Staff Award – WCSU Director of Financial Aid &amp; Student Employment Melissa Stephens; Lobo Alumni Awards – Carolina Bortolleto and Camila Bortolleto</p><p>5:10 p.m. – Celebration of Mexican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/trio.lospajaros/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trio Los Pájaros</a>&nbsp;– Mariachi Music</p><p>5:45 p.m. – Celebration of Ecuadorian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by dancers from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentroCivicoEcuatoriano/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ecuadorian Civic Center of Greater Danbury</a></p><p>6 p.m. – Closing</p><p><span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">In addition to the entertainment, WCSU’s Sodexo dining services will provide an assortment of food to celebrate the occasion in style. Among the offerings will be an aguas frescas station, and tortilla and plantain chips with assorted dips including jalapeno cheese sauce, pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole and hot sauce. A buffet will feature grilled chicken asada, jasmine rice and a garden salad, and there will be a churro station for dessert — all at no cost to celebration participants.</span></p><p>For more information, contact WCSU Communications and Marketing at <a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pr@wcsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Flanders is excited to announce that watercolor artist Diane Dubreuil (www.dianedubreuil.com) will be leading a three-session plein air watercolor class on May 8, 9, and 10 meeting from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM each day on the Van Vleck Farm &amp; Sanctuary. This adult class is designed for those who wish to begin painting </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">'en plein air'</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> with watercolors or for those with some experience who may need help redirecting his/her creative thinking. The class will be held outside, or in the Studio if the weather is inclement. Bring your art supplies and a bag lunch. Following registration, a materials list will be emailed to participants.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A resident of New Milford, Diane is a signature member of the International Plein Air Painters WORLDWIDE, a juried member of the New England Watercolor Society, a member of the CT Plein Air Painters, a member of the NH Plein Air Painters and Plein Air Painters of Maine, and several local CT and ME art organizations.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Class size is limited. Interested parties can register online on the Flanders website </span><a href="https://flandersnaturecenter.org/program-events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://flandersnaturecenter.org/program-events/</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> or by calling the office at 203-263-3711.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p>DANBURY, Connecticut — The Senior Portfolio Exhibition, featuring works by 24 <a href="http://www.wcsu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Western Connecticut State University</a> undergraduate <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/admissions/programs/art/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">art</a> majors who are candidates this year for the Bachelor of Arts degree, will open with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on <strong>Thursday,</strong> <strong>April 18, </strong>in the <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/art/gallery/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gallery</a> at the <a href="http://www.wcsu.edu/svpa/svpa-center.asp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Visual and Performing Arts Center</a> on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury.</p><p>Viewing of the exhibition will be offered at the gallery from <strong>Friday, April 19, through Sunday, May 5. </strong>Gallery hours will be from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free to the reception and the exhibition, and the public is invited. An RSVP is requested at <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/o/visual-amp-performing-arts-center-at-wcsu-6275173871" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com</a>.</p><p>The WCSU <a href="http://www.wcsu.edu/art/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Department of Art</a> presents the Senior Portfolio Exhibition each spring as a capstone experience for students pursuing the B.A. in Art in one of four areas of concentration: graphic design, illustration, photography and studio arts (painting). This year’s exhibition will feature six art majors with a concentration in graphic design, 11 in illustration, six in photography, and one in studio arts. The following 2024 B.A. in Art candidates will show selected works:</p><p><strong>Graphic Design</strong>: Ashley Faraco and Genesis Gonzalez, of Norwalk; Simran Lamba, of Stamford; Denise Sweeney and Jack Teplica, of New Milford; and Riley Weaver, of Danbury</p><p><strong>Illustration</strong>: Cailey Brochero Sarrazola, of Vernon; Celine Demers and Reagan Sorenson, of New Milford; Maren Dion, of Brookfield; Georgianna Eckley and Daniel Lippman, of Hopewell Junction, New York; Olivia Escalera and Nyla Sok, of Danbury; Gavin Golisano, of Stormville, New York; Owen Hernandez, of Watertown; and Jadon Richardson, of Ansonia</p><p><strong>Photography</strong>: Barry Andrew Collins, of Morris; Marnie De La Rosa, of Southington; Melanie Liptak, of Elmwood Park, New Jersey; Krysty McDonnell, of Carmel, New York; Alison Rotty, of Brookfield; and Colin Smith, of Purdys, New York</p><p><strong>Studio Art:</strong> Nyla Sok, of Danbury</p><p>For more information, contact the Department of Art at (203) 837-8403 or WCSU Communications and Marketing at <a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pr@wcsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Six days of shopping offered at Spring Arts and Fine Crafts Show</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mother’s Day gifts and local art is a focus at the seventh annual Spring Arts and Fine Crafts Show at the historic Merwinsville Hotel in Gaylordsville, CT. The organization will offer six days to shop over two weekends before Mother’s Day. The show will again be on two weekends, April 26-28 and May 3-5, for three days each weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Over 90 local artists and artisans will have work on display at the show and all is for sale. A portion of all sales benefit the Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, a 100 percent volunteer nonprofit that has worked to restore the building for over 50 years. The 181-year-old building needs constant maintenance and renovation.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The show features artwork in glass, photography, jewelry, sculpture, fiber, woodwork, pottery and paintings in watercolors, oil and acrylic. Locally grown plants are also available for sale from Meadowbrook Garden in New Milford and The Village Farm Shop and Greenhouse in Gaylordsville.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">One of the features of the spring show is live artist demonstrations during both weekend days from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Past years have included spinners, weavers, jewelry making, wood carvers and many more. </span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">There is a suggested $2 donation per person for the Spring Show. Children under 10 are free. Members are admitted free and those at the sponsor level and above will receive a discount on art purchased at one of the three annual shows. </span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Merwinsville Hotel is a national historic landmark located at 1 Browns Forge Road in Gaylordsville, CT, only 15 minutes from Kent, Sherman, New Milford and the Harlem Valley/Wingdale Railroad Station. For further information, call 860-350-4443 or visit </span><a href="http://www.merwinsvillehotel.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.merwinsvillehotel.org</a></p>