Kevin Brown

On Friday, March 20, at 12:00 p.m., Representative Jaime Foster and I, along with Department of Veterans Affairs Officer Devon Julien Sr., will be hosting an informational session at the East Windsor Senior Center (28 Abbe Road, East Windsor).

During this session, we will provide an overview of available benefits, share helpful resource materials, and facilitate an open dialogue to answer questions and address concerns.

Our goal is to ensure that seniors and veterans are fully aware of the benefits and services available to them in a welcoming and accessible setting.

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions women have made to our communities, our state, and our nation. Here in Connecticut, countless women have shaped our history through leadership, innovation, advocacy, and perseverance.

While this month offers a special opportunity to reflect, their stories deserve to be honored all year long. From historic homes and museums to landmarks connected to groundbreaking achievements and social movements, our state is rich with places that preserve and share the legacy of women who helped shape Connecticut’s past and future.

Take some time to explore these meaningful sites and learn more about the women behind them.

Don’t forget to spring forward this weekend! As Daylight Saving Time begins, be sure to move your clocks forward by one hour on Saturday night before you go to bed. 

While you’re adjusting the clocks, it’s also a great opportunity to take care of a few quick seasonal tasks like checking the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, updating timers on appliances, and getting ready for the longer, brighter days ahead. Enjoy the extra evening daylight!

With the tax deadline approaching on April 15th, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help for low-to moderate-income (under $58,000) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers, sponsored by various organizations, receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Visit Connecticut's 2-1-1 website and the Free Tax Help page for VITA assistance updates, or visit the IRS Site Locator. 

AARP's Tax-Aide Program, a partnership between the AARP Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service, provides free tax counseling and preparation services to middle-and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to people age 60 and older. Many sites will e-file your federal and Connecticut returns at no cost to you. Visit the AARP Tax-Aide Site Locator to find a location near you. 

The UConn Law School Tax Clinic is a pro bono (free) legal clinic that provides free legal help to low-income taxpayers with tax problems, either with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Lisa Perkins, Clinical Professor & Director, and law students will work on your case. The Tax Clinic also works with attorneys in Connecticut who volunteer to help low-income taxpayers pro bono. The Tax Clinic is independent and separate from the IRS and DRS. It is important to note, that the UCONN tax clinic is only able to assist individual taxpayers with Connecticut income tax problems. Contact Lisa Perkins at lisa.perkins@uconn.edu or 860-570-5165.

The statewide Poetry Contest is free and open to all students in grades 9–12. Participants may submit up to three unpublished poems, with a maximum of 40 lines per poem.

Click here to submit your work and to learn more about other poetry contests taking place throughout the year. The submission deadline is Sunday, March 15 at 6:00 p.m.