Dear Neighbor,
February is Black History Month, a time to honor the many accomplishments and contributions Black Americans have made to American society. It's a time to rejoice, reflect, and remember. Please keep scrolling to see how you can celebrate this month in Wilton and Ridgefield.
The legislative session starts next week, and I want to make sure you are updated on important bills and events taking place at the Capitol. Read below to learn how you can stay informed and engaged in 2024!
Tomorrow is Take Your Child to the Library Day, and what better way to celebrate than by going to Wilton Library and listening to stories and singing songs? You will find more information below.
Here are the sections in today's email:
- Celebrating Black History Month
- Stay Connected This Legislative Session!
- Traffic Control Signal Upgrades on the Way
- Take Your Child To The Library Day
| Celebrating Black History Month |
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February is Black History Month, a time when we celebrate the many achievements and contributions of individuals from the Black diaspora, as well as reckon with the systemic racism from our past that is still prevalent today. The theme for this year's month-long celebration is “African Americans and the Arts,” which spotlights Black Americans who excelled in various fields of creative expression, and the influence they have on our country's culture.
Connecticut was home to several notable moments in Black history. The Canterbury Female Boarding School, the first boarding school for young Black girls in the country, was in Canterbury. Abolitionist John Brown was born in Torrington. The 29th Colored Regiment, an all-Black regiment based out of Fair Haven during the Civil War, were one of the first units to enter Richmond, Virginia after it was abandoned by the Confederate Army. Click here to read more about Black history in our state.
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Thanks to the tireless work of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and other colleagues in the General Assembly in 2019, Connecticut became the first state to require public schools to include Black and Latino history in their curriculums. Black history is American history, and this law ensures that the stories and triumphs of Black Americans will be taught throughout the school year.
You can learn much more about Black History Month this month in and near our district. Wilton Library is hosting a celebration as the Serendipity Chorale will perform gospel songs and spirituals along with songs of the civil rights movement.
The group's leader Gigi Van Dyke will narrate about the role this music played in Black history, and in particular, how spirituals were sung among slaves to communicate how to escape and reach the underground railroad. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 20 from 2:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. in the Brubeck Room.
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A few hours later, the Ridgefield Playhouse is recognizing Black History Month with a Reel to Real screening of “Fruitvale Station” to look at racism and police violence against black victims.
“Fruitvale Station,” is based on the real-life story of Oscar Grant who was fatally shot on New Year’s Day by Bay Area Rapid Transit police. The movie portrays this 22-year-old man as he tries to lead a clean life after previous problems with the law. He loves his mother, cares for his 4-year-old daughter and wants to be a good partner to his girlfriend.
The free screening will be held on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:00 P.M.
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| I encourage you to take some time to celebrate and learn more about Black history, locally and throughout America. Click here to find more places in honor and support Black history and culture in our state. |
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| Stay Connected This Legislative Session! |
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| With the legislative session just around the corner on Wednesday, February 7th, I am committed to keeping you informed and engaged in the democratic process. |
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The resources below will help you stay updated on crucial developments, events, proposed policies, and key discussions as they happen in Hartford. I urge you to please follow along and get involved.
Here's how you can stay connected and actively participate:
- The non-partisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) recently released the 2024 Major Issues Report. This comprehensive document summarizes key issues the legislature could take up during the upcoming session.
- You can view the Connecticut General Assembly's upcoming events by checking out its schedule on the CGA official website.
- Follow CT-N for live coverage of committee meetings, as well as House and Senate floor debates.
- You can register to monitor any bill's journey as it goes through the legislative process. By signing up, you can enter the bill number and receive real-time updates. Stay informed with email notifications whenever there's a change in the bill's progress.
- Visit this website for information on how to testify on a bill at a public hearing.
Together, we can make a positive impact and ensure that our community's needs are represented.
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| Traffic Control Signal Upgrades on the Way |
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The state is working on plans to upgrade traffic control signal equipment in Wilton and several other towns. Please read below to see which intersections will be affected.
Traffic Control Signal – Partial Replacement (pedestrian facility upgrades):
- U.S. Route 7 and Route 33 (Norwalk-Danbury Road) at Cricket Lane, Town Hall, Old Highway, and Old Ridgefield Road
Traffic Control Signal – Partial Replacement (controller upgrades):
- U.S. Route 7 (Norwalk-Danbury Road) at Route 33 (Westport Road and Norwalk-Danbury Road)
- U.S. Route 7 and Route 33/U.S. Route 7 (Norwalk-Danbury Road) at Route 33 (Ridgefield Road) and Crossways Plaza Drive
- U.S. Route 7 (Norwalk-Danbury Road) at School Road and Wilton Plaza
- U.S. Route 7 (Norwalk-Danbury Road) at Drives to Wilton High School and Kiwanis Park
- U.S. Route 7 and Route 33 (Norwalk-Danbury Road) at Route 106 (Wolfpit Road) South Junction
- Route 33 (Westport Road) at Drive to 10/20 Westport Road and Lambert – Commons
- U.S. Route 7 (Norwalk-Danbury Road) at Station Access Road
- U.S. Route 7 and Route 33 (Norwalk-Danbury Road) at Route 106 North Junction (Sharp Hill Road) and Private Drive
- U.S. Route 7 (Norwalk-Danbury Road) at Cannon Road and Olmstead Hill Road
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| Take Your Child to the Library Day |
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Let's get your kids in our wonderful libraries! Take Your Child to the Library Day will be held on Saturday, February 3.
Wilton Library will hold an interactive family story time where the littles ones can sing songs, learn rhymes, move around, and use instruments while building literacy and social skills! The event will begin at 10:30 A.M. in the Story Room. No registration is required.
Then, children 4 and up can meet cast members of Norwalk Symphony Orchestra's "The Music Man." Kids will get to sing, act, and dance with the pros from 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. CLICK HERE to register and learn more.
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