<h2><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Community Champion: </span><a href="https://www.age-machine.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Age Against the Machine LLC</a></h2><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Chris Hackett founder of the ultimate party band </strong><a href="https://www.age-machine.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Age Against the Machine LLC</strong></a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why did you start your band?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I love to play music with great musicians at community events. We are dedicated to building community through our music!</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Most requested service or product?</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dance music and covers for parties.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Can you name a few places where our readers can find you?&nbsp;</strong></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We play at Coalhouse Pizza, The Castle Black Rock, The Goose American Bistro, Halloween Yacht Club, Christ Church Greenwich, Joey's Port Chester, Dry Dock Bar &amp; Grille, Farmhouse at the Crossroads, the St. Lawrence Club, just to name a few. [For a list of upcoming shows visit </span><a href="https://age-machine.com/shows.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">https://age-machine.com/shows</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">].</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Booking &amp; information: contact Chris Hackett at 203. 550. 2853 or email </span><a href="mailto:chris@age-machine.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">chris@age-machine.com</a></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow along on Instagram @ageagainst_themachine</span></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><br></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">MAYOR’S UPDATES</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Stamford Veterans Resource Anniversary: We celebrated the two-year anniversary of the Stamford Veterans Resource Center. Since opening in 2023, it has connected hundreds of veterans with local, state, and federal resources, hosted workshops, and held its first Stand Down Event with Connecticut Veterans Affairs. Thank you to our veterans for their service and continued civic engagement. Visit the Veterans Resource Center at Old Town Hall every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">St. Patrick’s Day/Irish Flag Raising: Hope everyone had a happy St. Patrick’s Day! On Monday, we proudly raised the Irish flag in celebration of Stamford’s vibrant Irish-American heritage and community.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">ICYMI - FY2025-26 Budget: This budget upholds my administration’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and ensuring high-quality and reliable city services for Stamford residents. For more information on the FY25-26 City of Stamford budget, visit: </span><a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.stamfordct.gov%2Fgovernment%2Fadministration%2Foffice-of-policy-management%2Fbudget-information/1/01000195ba4c17e2-0b1e6e67-4ad1-4403-9aa0-b5a52321edec-000000/6_-rfTFeYlJ4sBWu-YKXZRwouQhHotHjoSbwwSf3CcU=397" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Budget Information | Stamford, CT</a></li></ul><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">CITY NEWS</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Old Long Ridge Road Bridge: After a visual inspection of the Old Long Ridge Road Bridge, just south of Hunting Ridge Road, city engineers have implemented a temporary one-way traffic pattern, effective immediately. The City will share further updates as they become available.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Small Business Survey: My administration recently launched a quick survey to help us better understand small business challenges in our community and explore ways to support your success. </span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Learning in Retirement: Learning in Retirement is beginning a new semester! Classes in art, music, current events, and history are offered to senior citizens and other retirees. For information and to register, visit </span><a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.lirstamford.org%2F/1/01000195ba4c17e2-0b1e6e67-4ad1-4403-9aa0-b5a52321edec-000000/eauVPlUUeVrvEiiammER_lQCrUsSjh7F-A02_gZ9m4E=397" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">www.lirstamford.org.</a></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">March Arts &amp; Culture Guide: The City of Stamford and the Stamford Arts and Culture Commission are excited to announce, “Stamford Spotlight: A Celebration of Arts and Culture.” This guide highlights upcoming arts and cultural events in Stamford. Be sure to stop by and support our local organizations! </span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Lathon Wider Community Center: On the morning of Thursday, January 2, the City Facilities Department was notified of a flooding incident in the basement of the Lathon Wider Community Center (137 Henry Street) caused by a failure in a piece of mechanical equipment. The target date for reopening the building is July 1, 2025. For any questions or urgent needs regarding the Health Department’s walk-in health services, please call (203)-977-5652.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Stamford 2035 Update: We were thrilled to see over 250 Stamford residents at our recent Stamford 2035 open house! If you missed the event or have additional insights, please take a few minutes to complete the </span><a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.stamfordct.gov%2F%3Fsplash=https%253a%252f%252fsasakistrategies.typeform.com%252fmycitystamford%26____isexternal=true/1/01000195ba4c17e2-0b1e6e67-4ad1-4403-9aa0-b5a52321edec-000000/QigZ9onEVv45gGeRwoEqu0dSCdLn6pIIHXPQqfVyfwI=397" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">My City Stamford survey</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> to help us prioritize goals and shape the city's future. Stay involved by visiting </span><a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.stamfordct.gov%2Fgovernment%2Foperations%2Fstamford-2035-comprehensive-plan/1/01000195ba4c17e2-0b1e6e67-4ad1-4403-9aa0-b5a52321edec-000000/KMToWdIfN9fd3q7kjIO6A5yiYNnDVSo6l9dNXYdXYvs=397" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">our website</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> for updates and more information about the Stamford 2035 Comprehensive Plan, or by sharing your thoughts and ideas through our surveys and community events.</span></li><li class="ql-indent-1"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Upcoming Event: My City Stamford Day - On April 9, 2025, we will host My City Stamford Day, where over 16,000 Stamford Public Schools students and their families will engage in hands-on urban planning activities. This event promises to be an exciting opportunity for Stamford’s students to come together and envision the future of Stamford.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Stamford Transportation Center Master Plan: Our administration has been meeting with the Connecticut Department of Transportation and city transportation officials to continue to make progress on the Stamford Train Station Master Plan.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Paving Update: Click </span><a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.stamfordct.gov%2Fgovernment%2Foperations%2Froad-maintenance%2Froad-paving%23!%2F/1/01000195ba4c17e2-0b1e6e67-4ad1-4403-9aa0-b5a52321edec-000000/jWWr42Q9AZgDoB8rfSj16SdHkP1DjZEUWqHPM5lYdQQ=397" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> for the priority list for paving operations established in response to a city-wide road assessment in 2022.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Apply for a Special Events Permit: To reserve a pavilion or host events at city parks click </span><a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fstamfordct.portal.opengov.com%2Fcategories%2F1091%2Frecord-types%2F6547/1/01000195ba4c17e2-0b1e6e67-4ad1-4403-9aa0-b5a52321edec-000000/3s8QnMKa_oUsrpm54Dw-Q-QhaWKoaQ-KEdZoejnM7Bs=397" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent;">.</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Beach Permit Information: Click </span><a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.stamfordct.gov%2Faround-town%2Fparks%2Fbeach-parking-permits/1/01000195ba4c17e2-0b1e6e67-4ad1-4403-9aa0-b5a52321edec-000000/Xvx5wYiuGUmzQXYl99e_lO4COaXYmy6_Kw9dzc3yfL4=397" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> for more information on how to apply for a beach permit.</span></li></ul>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC Buzz HamletHub Weekend March 21-23</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/all-in-this-together-highlights-from-our-printmaking-programs-f3bf7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>All In This Together: Highlights from our Printmaking Programs</strong></a></p><p><strong>Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk</strong></p><p>Friday Mar 21, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm</p><p>Over the past 12 months, the Center for Contemporary Printmaking has facilitated the printmaking projects of dozens of artists. We’ve hosted Artists-in-Residence, conducted collaboration and editioning services, offered workshops across a spectrum of printmaking processes, and mentored high school students through our Grace Ross Shanley Fellowship Program.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/colab-a-new-program-by-the-schubert-club-44dcc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>CoLab: A New Program By The Schubert Club</strong></a></p><p><strong>Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Weston</strong></p><p>Friday Mar 21, 2:00 pm - 2:00 pm</p><p>The Schubert Club introduces CoLab, a new pilot program where all ages and all stages come together to perform works from any genre of music: Parents with their children, grandparents with their grandchildren, friends with friends, teachers with students, all combinations or solo. No rules!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/hansel-and-gretel-22eab" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Hansel and Gretel</strong></a></p><p><strong>Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Bridgeport</strong></p><p>Saturday Mar 22, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm</p><p>Get ready to embark on a deliciously delightful adventure as we journey into the enchanted world of Hansel &amp; Gretel at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre! Join Hansel and Gretel, the brave brother and sister duo, as they venture into the mysterious woods and stumble upon a house made entirely of gingerbread—yes, you heard right, gingerbread! But beware, because lurking within is a tricky witch with a sweet tooth and a mischievous plan. Will Hansel &amp; Gretel outsmart the witch and find their way back home?</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/norwalk-symphony-s-music-for-all-ages" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Norwalk Symphony's "Music for All Ages"</strong></a></p><p><strong>Norwalk Concert Hall, Norwalk</strong></p><p>Sunday Mar 23, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm</p><p>Celebrate the winner of our 2025 Concerto Competition with the Norwalk Symphony. Also on the program are Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" narrated by TV News Host Craig Melvin, Gershwin's "American in Paris" and more!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/children-s-pillow-concert-featuring-the-haven-string-quartet" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Children’s Pillow Concert Featuring the Haven String Quartet</strong></a></p><p><strong>Suzuki Music Schools, Westport</strong></p><p>Sunday Mar 23, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm</p><p>The Pillow Concert Series features professional artists performing in an informal setting designed for the whole family. Children of all ages can bring a pillow and sit up close with the performers. Concerts are about 45 minutes long and suitable for children ages 4 and up.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/lila-downs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Lila Downs</strong></a></p><p><strong>Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Sunday Mar 23, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm</p><p>Iconic Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winning singer Lila Downs is one of the world’s most singular and powerful voices. Her compelling stage presence and poignant storytelling transcend all language barriers. Raised in Minnesota and Oaxaca, this global superstar’s exquisite artistry bridges traditions from across the Americas, with influences ranging from the folk and ranchera music of Mexico and South America to North American folk, jazz, blues, and hip-hop. In 2023, Downs released her 14th album, La Sánchez, influenced heavily by music from the north of Mexico.</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>The American Red Cross is helping three&nbsp;families – ten adults<span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">&nbsp;</span>– two children&nbsp;after a fire yesterday&nbsp;on Frederick Street, Stamford.&nbsp;The Red Cross provided assistance to meet the families'&nbsp;immediate needs. Responders included: Jay Kuczenski, Henry Kuczenski, Heather Dunn, Felipe Adelmann Brants and Kathy Wong.</p><p>The Red Cross also provided a recovery envelope containing information helpful to families recovering from a fire, including tips on cleanup; notification of important contacts; dealing with damaged items and more.&nbsp;The Red Cross is also providing comfort kits containing personal care items such as deodorant,&nbsp;toothbrushes, shaving supplies and other items a resident might need when suddenly displaced from their home by a fire.</p><p>Those affected will connect with Red Cross caseworkers in the coming days to work on a longer-term recovery plan. The Red Cross is able to provide assistance through the generosity of our donors and commitment of our volunteers.</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>The GR Art Gallery presents Ellen Gordon “A Creative Journey II” April 4</strong>^{<strong>th</strong>}<strong>, 2025 – May 30</strong>^{<strong>th</strong>}<strong>, 2025&nbsp;</strong></p><p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Opening Reception on Saturday, April 5</strong>^{<strong>th</strong>}<strong> from 4 PM – 7 PM</strong></p><p>“A Creative Journey II”” is Ellen Gordon’s first solo exhibit at the GR Art Gallery. This exhibition is a retrospective of paintings and drawings by the artist created since 2009. In 2009 Ms. Gordon had her first solo exhibition entitled “A Creative Journey” at the Stamford Mayor’s Gallery. The exhibit will be on display from April 4^th thru May 30^th.&nbsp;Gallery hours are Wednesday - Saturday from 12-6 pm and from Sunday 12-4. Any time by appointment, 203-274-7497.</p><p><strong>The GR Art Gallery will host a reception to celebrate the artist on Saturday April 5th from 4 – 7 PM.&nbsp;The public is invited.</strong></p><p>Ellen Gordon is a Stamford, CT-based award-winning mixed media artist.&nbsp;The colors and patterns in her artwork are roller coaster rhythms of fences, grids, and fractured geometries – a kind of mapping. She guides us along a journey of the personal narrative through landscaped layers of abstraction and portraiture. Playful and speculative, the rhythms remain determinedly open-ended and essentially borderless. An un-plotted story with unbounded possibilities.&nbsp;Over the past two decades, Gordon’s work has evolved through many phases, but her main body of work centers on figurative collages - intimate yet colorful portrayals of a woman in her own thoughts, providing the viewer a window into honest moments with a series of striking and bold women. Her most recent work has been a transition into the abstract patterns, experimenting with geometric shapes and inverted forms in color palettes evoking various states of mind.</p><p>Ms. Gordon has been active in the local arts for many years. She currently serves on the board of The Greenwich Art Society and The Connecticut Women Artists. Ms. Gordon is a commissioner of The City of Stamford’s Cultural Arts and Culture Board.&nbsp;She is the former Executive Director of the Loft Artists Association and was Co President of the Stamford Art Association.</p><p>In 2022, Ms. Gordon became the curator of the Mayor's Art Gallery in Stamford, CT.</p><p><strong>The GR Art Gallery is located at 1086 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06903. Gallery hours are Wednesday - Saturday from 12-6 pm and from Sunday 12-4. Any time by appointment, 203-274-7497.&nbsp;Parking is available and the building is handicap accessible.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>From apartments to anglers, from barges to beaches and from shellfish to sailboats: what is the state of Stamford Harbor in 2025? SoundWaters, a Stamford-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting Long Island Sound, will host a special panel discussion to answer this question on March 24.</p><p>“Stamford Habor: Thriving Habor. Thriving City” will cover the important role Stamford Harbor serves as a center of business, education and community life. The discussion will also highlight the Harbor’s transformation from a colonial fishing port to the vibrant, thriving center it is today.</p><p>Public radio host Ira Flatow, known for his work on NPR’s <em>Science Friday</em>, will moderate the panel discussion featuring a lineup of local leaders and experts including Stamford’s Land Use Bureau Chief Ralph Blessing; Vice President of O&amp;G Industries, Inc. TJ Oneglia; Chair of the Stamford Harbor Management Commission Damian Ortelli and SoundWaters President Leigh Schmitz. Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons will deliver the opening remarks, and the panel will be followed by audience Q&amp;A and a light reception.</p><p>Flatow will lead the discussion with panelists on the transformation of the Harbor and the impact of these changes on the community and the environment.</p><p>“Stamford Harbor: Thriving Harbor. Thriving City” will take place on Monday, March 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center at Boccuzzi Park, 200 Southfield Avenue in Stamford, CT. The event is free and open to the public, and all are welcome, including local residents, business owners, educators and community leaders. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. For more information and to register, visit: <a href="https://web.charityengine.net/Default.aspx?tsid=33076" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SoundWaters.org/march24</a>.</p><p>SoundWaters prepares the next generation for their future.&nbsp;With our climate in crisis, we teach tomorrow’s leaders the science they will need.&nbsp;With Long Island Sound as our classroom, we create love and respect for the natural world.&nbsp;As a matter of justice, we open the water to all.&nbsp;As a matter of urgency, we work to protect our common home. For more information, visit <a href="https://soundwaters.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">soundwaters.org</a>.</p>