<p><strong>Danbury High School Peer Leadership Among Grant Recipients for Youth-Led Service Projects</strong></p><p>(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Office of Higher Education Commissioner Timothy D. Larson have announced the awarding of $38,787 in mini-grants through the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, also known as Serve Connecticut. These grants will support five youth-led initiatives across the state, including a standout project at Danbury High School.</p><p>The funding, made available by a grant from The Allstate Foundation in partnership with America’s Service Commissions, aims to increase youth-led service opportunities in Connecticut. Serve Connecticut is one of only ten state and territorial service commissions selected to receive a 2024 Empowering Youth-Led Service Grant.</p><p>“The volume and quality of youth-led service project proposals received by Serve Connecticut for this opportunity is a testament to the motivation among youth in our state to have a voice and make an impact,” Governor Lamont said. “We are so proud of every applicant and urge them all to keep up the great service.”</p><p>One of the awarded projects, <strong>Danbury High School Peer Leadership</strong>, engages students in designing and implementing fundraising initiatives that unite the school and surrounding community in support of youth-selected causes. This initiative empowers Danbury students to take charge of philanthropic efforts, fostering leadership and a spirit of service among young people.</p><p>“Serve Connecticut congratulates the five youth-led service mini-grant recipient projects and is eager to see these projects come to life and create the impact these youth envision in their communities,” said Commissioner Larson, who also serves as a Service Connecticut board member. “We are grateful to The Allstate Foundation for providing this resource to our state’s youth.”</p><p>The other awarded projects include:</p><ul><li><strong>The Community Table/Mesa Comunitaria Foodshare</strong> (Willimantic) – Providing culturally relevant food boxes to families in need.</li><li><strong>Co-Curating for Younger Children and Youth with Limited Access to the Arts</strong> (Shelton) – A mobile juried art exhibition bringing middle and high school art to young children who lack access to museum enrichment.</li><li><strong>EmpowerHER Period Poverty Initiative for Girls</strong> (Bridgeport) – Supplying menstrual products and education to girls ages 10 to 18.</li><li><strong>Teen-Driven Community Service</strong> (New London) – Supporting youth-led service projects while providing positive development opportunities.</li></ul><p>Serve Connecticut received more than 150 applications from schools, municipalities, agencies, and youth-serving organizations proposing a wide range of youth-led service initiatives. Mini-grants of up to $8,000 were awarded to support project development and implementation.</p><p>“The Allstate Foundation believes that empowering youth to lead service is key to supporting communities and creating lasting change,” said Greg Weatherford II, director of The Allstate Foundation and Social Impact. “These grants catalyze youth service opportunities by increasing access, deepening quality, and putting dollars behind young people’s innovative and transformational ideas about how to strengthen their communities.”</p><p>For more information about Serve Connecticut and future grant opportunities, contact Kate Scheuritzel, Serve Connecticut’s director of programs, at <strong>Kate.Scheuritzel@ct.gov</strong>.</p>

<p>The City of Danbury Fire Department is excited to announce the groundbreaking of our new Fire Training School! </p><p>This state-of-the-art facility will replace a 40-year-old building and provide firefighters with advanced training environments, including a three-story tower, burn rooms, and rescue props. Not only will this new facility enhance the skills of our fire department and volunteer firefighters, but it will also serve our neighboring communities making Danbury one of the premier sites for training. </p><p>Thank you to Hawley Construction and WHP Fire Towers for bringing this vision to life. The project is expected to be completed by September 2025.</p><p>View additional photos =&gt; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cityofdanbury" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/cityofdanbury</a></p>

<h2><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Local Business Champion: </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lux.lightingllc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Lux Lighting</strong></a></h2><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Fabrício Rocato founder of </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lux.lightingllc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Lux Lighting</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);">Why did you start your business?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I started my small business after being inspired by a friend. My favorite holiday since I was a kid has always been Christmas, and what it means to bring families together with holiday decorations and cheer. Once I heard that there were businesses dedicated to installing holiday lights, I knew that I wanted to be involved and be a part of the memorable Christmas experience for each family.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What is your best-selling product or service?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The best-selling service we provide is tree/trunk wraps. This is where we wrap lights around selected trees and their branches to create a beautiful array of light. This is the perfect way to transform the landscape as the sun sets, with trees glowing warmly to capture the joy and coziness of the holiday season.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Hopes for the future?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In the future, we image our business will have a larger outreach and work with commercial properties. We hope that with our lights, we can help small businesses get more exposure and make a positive impact on their customers' experience.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow along on Instagram @</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lux.lightingllc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>lux.lightingllc</strong></a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Questions? Email </span><a href="mailto:rocatolux.lighting@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">rocatolux.lighting@gmail.com</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>

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

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

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