<p><strong>BRIDGEPORT, CT&nbsp;-&nbsp;</strong>All season long, music lovers of&nbsp;<strong>The Greater Bridgeport Symphony (GBS)</strong>&nbsp;awaited the results of the two-year-long search for a new permanent conductor.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eduardoleandro.net/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><strong>EDUARDO LEANDRO</strong></a>&nbsp;was chosen for the role in January and has since spent time creating a spectacular concert for his grand inaugural concert&nbsp;<strong><em>Something Big!</em></strong>&nbsp;taking place on&nbsp;<strong>Saturday, May 10&nbsp;</strong>at&nbsp;<strong>The Klein Memorial Auditorium&nbsp;</strong>in&nbsp;<strong>Bridgeport, CT</strong>&nbsp;at&nbsp;<strong>7:30pm</strong>&nbsp;and planning the five concerts for next season.</p><p>“We are so thrilled to have him,” said&nbsp;<strong>GBS Executive Director Phyllis Rhodes Cortese</strong>.&nbsp;“He will be an important part of this community for a long time to come.”&nbsp;</p><p><strong><em>Something Big!</em></strong>&nbsp;will certainly live up to its name, the evening will feature&nbsp;<strong>Brahms’</strong>&nbsp;most popular, “<strong>Symphony No. 4</strong>,”&nbsp;<strong>Mendelssohn’s ‘Electric Overture’</strong>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<strong><em>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</em></strong>, and&nbsp;<strong>Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto No. 2</strong>,” with one of Connecticut’s favorite pianists,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.andrewarmstrong.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><strong>Andrew Armstrong</strong></a>.&nbsp;“When we planned this season, no one knew who the new Conductor would be, and so no one – even in our own management – knew what the music would be until Eduardo was hired,” says&nbsp;<strong>GBS President Mark Halstead</strong>.&nbsp;“We asked Eduardo to create something big, and he did!&nbsp;Additionally, the<strong>2025-26 Season,</strong>&nbsp;<strong><em>New Horizons,</em></strong>&nbsp;will be announced at the concert and the upcoming shows will feature Shostakovich, Britten, Tchaikovsky and many others in surprising combinations.</p><p>Leandro originally from Brazil, and now a US citizen, attended the Sao Paulo State University, the Rotterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands, and Yale University.&nbsp;His conducting mentor and teacher was<strong>Gustav Meier</strong>, Music Director of GBS for over four decades. With his fluency in languages, GBS’ Board of Trustees selected Leandro for a myriad of his talents which include being a world-renowned percussionist, an educational leader, and for his proven skills working in community outreach and music education programs with Bridgeport youth. Maestro Eduardo looks forward to broadening communications with the many diverse groups in the greater Bridgeport area.&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">He has already made himself known around town through school visits and is now a regular at Bridgeport’s Brazilian</span><em style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">churrascarias</em><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Maestro Leandro routinely engages symphonygoers for their thoughts on the music GBS presents, and he plans to lead the nearly 80-year-old orchestra as a living representation of the diverse cultures of the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Bridgeport mayor Joseph Ganim</strong>&nbsp;says Leandro “has demonstrated qualities of talent, generosity, civic pride, dedication to the arts, concern for the inner-city and cultural ambassadorship, which show the best of what Bridgeport is and can be.”&nbsp;With the announcement of next season’s concerts imminent, GBS’ fans can look forward to being engaged in symphonic music as never before.</p><p>The May 10 concert will also feature GBS’ twice-annual food drive to benefit the&nbsp;<a href="https://bridgeportrescuemission.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><strong>Bridgeport Rescue Mission</strong></a>.&nbsp;Concertgoers are encouraged to bring canned and non-perishable food items to The Klein, where a truck will stand by to collect goods.&nbsp;The concert is sponsored by the Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation; the late Mrs. Trefz was an ardent supporter of GBS’ work in the community for decades.&nbsp;Mr. Armstrong’s appearance is sponsored in honor of Herbert Harrington by friends of his wife, Doris Harrington, former Chairman of the GBS Board.&nbsp;Both Mr. and Mrs. Harrington passed away this past winter after nearly 40 years of philanthropy and leadership.&nbsp;GBS’ Board of Directors recently voted to dedicate its next season, GBS’ 80^th, “to the life and work of Herbert and Doris Harrington.”</p><p>Tickets for the May 10 show range from $18.00 to $72.00 and are available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gbs.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">www.GBS.org</a>.&nbsp;Just in time for Mother’s Day, adults get 15% off regular priced tickets with accompanying children under 19 who will gain free admission. To take advantage of this offer, please call GBS at (203) 576-0263.</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Monroe, CT:</strong>&nbsp;Seasoned restaurateurs Nicholas and his father Idilio DeVellis opened their modern Italian Eatery and bar in January of 2023 in Clock Tower Square, 477 Main Street in Monroe. The space, formerly occupied by family member Sam DeVellis’ popular Trattoria Carl Anthony restaurant since 1997, has now reinvented itself as Marcello's Italian Eatery, infusing a more rustic approach to its cuisine and a more casual neighborhood vibe. The family’s culinary lineage included Giove’s Pizza in Trumbull and Shelton, CT.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Marcello’s is named after Nicholas’ late grandfather and pays homage to the family dinner table.&nbsp;Nicholas and his father are the Executive Chefs at Marcello’s, with Nicholas pulling double duty as the enthusiastic and welcoming host.</p><p>“I grew up in this business and thoroughly enjoy it,” says Nicholas, “The restaurant continues to evolve. We’ve added a variety of comforting dishes, creative cocktails, and a live music program that adds to the restaurant's energy and social scene that ensues on any given night. We’re developing a community here, and it’s beautiful.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Menu highlights include a fun and interactive Chef’s Cheese Tasting with baked fontina with fig jam, burrata with roasted peppers and basil, and fried goat cheese with pistachio and strawberry balsamic jam. Customer favorites run the gamut from pan-roasted salmon with a seafood stuffing crust and cognac cream sauce to slow-roasted suckling pig with cherry pepper jus, Nicholas’ handmade chocolate fettuccine laced with a creamy Madeira wine sauce and crushed pistachios, and a show-stopping cheese wheel pasta&nbsp;which is prepared tableside in a wheel of premium cheese, melted to perfection using a dramatic flame of grain alcohol. Freshly cooked linguini is then tossed in the wheel of cheese, absorbing the rich, creamy flavors.&nbsp;A finishing touch of shaved truffle adds to the luxurious flavor.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Join Nicholas and his family for Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6 PM (with an extended Thursday Happy Hour until closing), where you can enjoy a variety of food and drink specials.&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><u>The upcoming live music schedule includes:</u></p><p>Friday, May 9, Sister Funk, 8-11 PM</p><p>Friday, June 13, Happy Sally Duo,&nbsp;8-11 PM</p><p>Friday, June 27, No Strings Attached, 8-11 PM</p><p>Friday, July 25, No Strings Attached, 8-11 PM</p><p>Friday, August 8, Sister Funk, 8-11 PM</p><p><em style="color: rgb(38, 35, 28);">477 Main Street, Monroe, CT 06468</em></p><p><a href="about:blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>203-268-7811</em></a></p><p><a href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsy82KKyEQQOGn0Z3BKsu_hYts8hrB1gqRa3fnqgxMnn7IMNvvcGrCUEg7yQk8OUCwSPKZ0BWfIZZH1poqo0eIHphMhcLsimzJBTCbLsU-nI93sDWg12RstEiC9GyV_7X_as-t85jK-y1SqLSResfwpssnyJ6ea72mMFeBN4G3PY_CvZ-zrdxbPjgvHt-Xcu4Cb3Ln2rIa3DlPVq2mX7j_gTDX4IxGOdJ2jqPxFKTP1zqP3g6-HLzkXIN5_5wVgLUpUZmAoChXUPGRnWJP4IoGthHkV8KfAAAA__9APVgO" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>https://marcellositalianeatery.com/</em></a></p><p><em style="color: rgb(38, 35, 28);">Monday CLOSED</em></p><p><em style="color: rgb(38, 35, 28);">Tuesday-Thursday 4:00-9:00 PM</em></p><p><em style="color: rgb(38, 35, 28);">Friday-Saturday 4:00-10:00 PM</em></p><p><em style="color: rgb(38, 35, 28);">Sunday 4:30-9:00 PM</em></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">HARTFORD, CT</strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">– State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield)</strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">&nbsp;today applauded the Senate’s bipartisan passage of </span><a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&amp;which_year=2025&amp;bill_num=1426" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Senate Bill 1426</strong>,&nbsp;<em>An Act Making Changes to the Firefighters Cancer Relief Program</em></a><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">, calling it a critical advancement in protecting the health and well-being of Connecticut’s firefighters and their families.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The legislation expands the current Firefighters Cancer Relief Program to include coverage for skin cancer, extends benefits to state-employed firefighters, and ensures that surviving dependents of firefighters who have applied for relief remain eligible. It also includes key clarifying updates to improve access and effectiveness of the program.</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“This bill is about honoring our ongoing responsibility to protect those who risk their lives protecting us,” said Senator Hwang.</strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">&nbsp;“Firefighters are exposed to serious cancer-causing risks every time they respond to a call. This legislation ensures that when they or their families face a diagnosis, they won’t face it alone.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Senator Hwang has been a longstanding advocate for Connecticut’s first responders. He played a central role in the creation of the original&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Public+Act&amp;which_year=2016&amp;bill_num=10" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Firefighters Cancer Relief Program in 2016</a><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">, serving in a leadership capacity on the Firefighter Cancer Working Group and co-sponsoring the original legislation that established the program.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The 2016 law created a framework for wage replacement benefits for municipal and volunteer firefighters diagnosed with specific cancers linked to firefighting exposure. It also included eligibility requirements focused on prevention and early detection, including regular cancer screenings and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“With the passage of SB 1426, we are expanding that safety net, strengthening the foundation, and modernizing our commitment to our 1st responders,” Hwang added. “No firefighter or family should be left behind when cancer strikes due to service. This legislation is about compassion, fairness, and doing right by our heroes.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Senator Hwang extended his gratitude to fire service leaders, advocacy organizations, and legislative colleagues on both sides of the aisle who worked collaboratively to ensure passage of this bill.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“This is a bipartisan win for public health and for the brave men and women who selflessly serve our communities each and every day. I will always stand with our firefighters, first responders, and their families—they deserve nothing less.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The bill now goes to the House of Representative for bicameral passage and then approval from Governor Lamont for final passage.</span></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Bridgeport, CT</strong>&nbsp;– Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is calling all local makers, creatives, and small business superstars to the Community Corner for the 2025 season.&nbsp;Community Corner is a lively weekend pop-up on zoo grounds and the perfect place to showcase your products, share your story, and connect with thousands of zoo visitors from Memorial Day through Labor Day, every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.</p><p>Community Corner is designed to bring the vibrant spirit of farmer's markets and vendor fairs to the heart of the zoo, providing a pop-up shop space available for rent. This initiative not only supports local businesses but also enhances the zoo experience, offering guests a chance to explore and purchase unique products in a charming farmstand setting.</p><p>Participants from the previous seasons have included a diverse group of businesses ranging from artisanal crafters with handmade jewelry, to specialty shops offering soaps, pet gear, home goods and locally harvested honey.</p><p>Businesses interested in participating in Community Corner should note that all products require proper licenses and permits approved by Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo.</p><p>For more information or to reserve your space, please contact Lindsay Durkee at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ldurkee@beardsleyzoo.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">ldurkee@beardsleyzoo.org</a>.</p><p><strong>About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo</strong>&nbsp;Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating 102 years, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Andean bear, maned wolves, Mexican gray wolves, red wolves, Red Panda, and a new prairie dog exhibit. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participant in its Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs, the non-profit Zoo is committed to the preservation of endangered animals and wild habitats. Tickets must be purchased at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Zoo’s website</a>.</p>

<p>Fairfield, CT — May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Fairfield Police Department reaffirms its commitment to supporting wellness initiatives within the community and addressing mental health-related challenges with compassion, professionalism, and care. The Fairfield Police Department understands that individuals experiencing mental health crises may sometimes come into contact with law enforcement. When those situations arise, our goal is to respond with empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of the unique needs of those involved. </p><p>To that end, the department has developed and maintained a <strong>Crisis Intervention Team </strong>(CIT)<strong>, </strong>comprised of officers who have received specialized training to safely and effectively respond to calls for service involving mental or behavioral health issues. These officers are equipped to de- escalate situations and connect individuals with appropriate resources. </p><p>Additionally, the Fairfield Police Department is proud to have a <strong>licensed social worker </strong>embedded within the agency. This social worker assists in handling cases that originate through police calls for service and provides ongoing support to individuals and families facing mental health challenges. By offering follow-up care and resource coordination, our social worker helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and community-based mental health services. </p><p>In 2022, the department formalized its commitment to integrated mental health response by creating the <strong>Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network</strong>. This network meets on a quarterly basis and brings together the department’s embedded social worker, members of the Crisis Intervention Team, and other stakeholders to review current practices, discuss recent cases, and identify ways to better serve the Fairfield community. The Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network serves as a forum for continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation in how law enforcement and mental health services intersect. </p><p>As part of our continued efforts to lead in this area, the department is also expanding its mental health support program by introducing a social work intern. This position is designed not only to provide additional assistance to our current caseloads, but also to serve as a learning opportunity for future social workers. The role represents a growing collaboration between the fields of law enforcement and social work, an innovative model that enhances community support and helps shape the next generation of mental health professionals. </p><p>In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Fairfield Police Department is raising funds throughout May to support our <strong>Behavioral Health Network</strong>. Proceeds will be used to provide continued training for members of our <strong>Crisis Intervention Team</strong>, assist in offering critical resources to members of the Fairfield community facing mental health-related challenges, and support programs that enhance networking and outreach opportunities coordinated by our embedded social worker. </p><p>Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to care for one another. The Fairfield Police Department remains dedicated to promoting mental wellness and ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion, because mental health is public safety. </p><p>For more information about our Crisis Intervention Team, embedded social worker program, or fundraising efforts, please contact the Fairfield Police Department at (203) 254-4800 or visit our website at <a href="http://www.fpdct.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">www.fpdct.com</a>. Anyone willing to donate to this worthy cause can do so at <a href="https://fpdct.com/about/donate.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">https://fpdct.com/about/donate.php</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><em>The Fairfield Police Department remains dedicated to maintaining a safe community, protecting life and property, reducing crime and the fear of crime and to performing its function in a manner which promotes public trust and confidence. The Department strives to achieve its mission through the core values of Professionalism, Honor and Excellence. </em></p>

<p class="ql-align-center">FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Tatum Nordin ’25 and Taylor Walker ’25, nursing students at Fairfield University’s Austin Campus, were honored with Flower Bud Awards by St. David’s North Austin Medical Center. The prestigious award recognizes exceptional students who embody the core qualities of compassion, empathy, and professionalism during their clinical rotations.</p><p>Nordin and Walker are in their third semester of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fairfield.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/second-degree-nursing/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Accelerated Second Degree Nursing</strong></a>&nbsp;program at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fairfield.edu/academics/schools-and-colleges/egan-school-of-nursing-and-health-studies/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies</strong></a>. They were assigned to St. David’s as part of their Medical-Surgical Nursing II course.</p><p>“The qualities for which Tatum and Taylor received recognition are fundamental to Fairfield’s Jesuit identity and the Egan School’s vision, mission, and purpose,” said Christina Trezza, MSN, RN, CNE, CCM, instructor of the practice and clinical coordinator in Austin. “It is no surprise that these exceptional students are turning heads with their outstanding and compassionate care for patients. I am so proud of them.”</p><p>The Flower Bud Award draws inspiration from the DAISY Award, an international nomination-based award given to registered nurses who demonstrate extraordinary compassion and outstanding clinical skills. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.daisyfoundation.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>DAISY Foundation</strong></a>&nbsp;recognizes the Flower Bud Award as a companion award for nursing students.</p><p>Nordin and Walker received their award certificates in a ceremony attended by several of their Fairfield classmates, the nurse manager, and the chief nursing officer at St. David’s. The two students were celebrated for their dedication to excellence, exemplified by their enthusiasm for learning and clinical experiences.</p><p>“Nursing school is incredibly challenging, so this recognition is a sign that all my hard work is paying off,” said Walker. “I am genuinely grateful for the acknowledgement and support from St. David’s.”</p><p>Modest and sincere, Walker was quick to recognize her friends and faculty at Egan Austin. “I would not be at this point without my classmates, clinical instructor, and nursing professors,” she said. “This award honestly belongs to everyone!”</p><p><em>Fairfield University is a modern, Jesuit Catholic University, rooted in one of the world’s oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. More than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 44 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and 46 countries, are enrolled in the University’s five schools. In the spirit of rigorous and sympathetic inquiry into all dimensions of human experience, Fairfield welcomes students from diverse backgrounds to share ideas and engage in open conversations. The University is located in the heart of a region where the future takes shape, on a stunning campus on the Connecticut coast just an hour from New York City.</em></p>