Breast Cancer Awareness Month & Home Heating Help

October 27, 2023


As I shift my attention to the upcoming legislative session, I want to remind everyone that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. As a breast cancer survivor myself (8 years cancer free and counting!), I can't stress how important it is to get your annual mammogram. But don't stop there – self exams can find problems that mammograms miss, especially if you have dense tissue. Talk to your doctor about the type of exam that is right for you and your circumstances, and keep scrolling to see where to find a screening center near you.

You may have noticed the colors changing outside, but that also means it's getting chillier. You can apply now for home heating assistance before the mercury drops even further. Please read below to learn about this valuable resource.

There will be plenty of Halloween activities in the coming days so please be sure to walk safely when trick-or-treating, drive slowly in neighborhoods, and carry glow sticks or flash lights to help drivers see you. CLICK HERE for more Halloween safety tips.

Here are the sections in this week's email. Keep scrolling until you find the topic you are looking for:

  • What's Our Rep Been Up To?
  • Support For Appellate Court Judge Nominee
  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month
  • Home Heating Assistance
  • Help For Families in Need
  • Fall Foliage Timeline
  • New Website Celebrating CT Parks
  • Veterans Information Meeting
  • Community Events
 
What's Our Rep Been Up To?
I had a great time at my first Fall Fashion Show & Senior Luncheon with great fashion models sporting their finds from Favarh Thrift Shop! Thank you to all the volunteers who put on this wonderful community event with a great bipartisan showing of support!
 
Support For Appellate Court Judge Nominee
I was honored to attend the Judiciary Committee Public Hearing this morning concerning Governor Lamont’s nomination of Judge Dawne Westbrook to the Appellate Court. As the sitting Chief Administrative Judge for Juvenile Matters, Judge Westbrook has an impressive array of experience in criminal court, family court, and juvenile court. She also had extensive private practice and trial court experience as an attorney before she joined the bench.
Diversity of professional legal experiences for judicial nominees has been a key theme from the Judiciary Committee, and I applaud Governor Lamont for nominating such an outstanding and qualified jurist for elevation to the Appellate Court. I was so pleased to be able to enthusiastically vote YES to appoint Judge Westbrook today.  
 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This month and all year long, I'm committed to fighting for those affected by breast cancer here in Connecticut. We will never stop working to find cures, address the needs of patients and their families, and make treatments affordable.

We have many more tools at our disposal to fight this awful disease. Doctors use mammograms, which are x-ray exams used to detect breast cancer in those who may not be showing or be aware of breast cancer symptoms.

You can find a screening center by clicking RIGHT HERE. Anyone who needs assistance obtaining a mammogram can find resources at ct.gov/dph/screening or call (860) 509-7804 for more information.
While it's important for women to begin discussing getting baseline mammograms around the age of 40 especially if there is a family history of breast cancer, this landmark legislation requires certain health insurance policies to cover a baseline mammogram for a woman age 35 to 39 and one every year for a woman age 40 or older.
 
No out-of-pocket costs
No meeting outrageous deductible
No co-pays
No co-insurance or cost-sharing
 
That's the power of legislation!
 
Home Heating Assistance
Even though the weather is getting chillier, you still have time to apply for benefits through Connecticut’s Energy Assistance Program! The deadline to submit applications for the 2023-2024 winter heating season is May 31, 2024.
 
Crews are screening deliverable fuel to households and will start assisting electric/gas heated homes in November. Look below for eligibility and much more.
Enrollment for the program occurs on an annual basis so even if you received assistance last year, you will need to re-apply. CLICK HERE for more information on eligibility and how to apply.
 
Help For Families in Need
It's getting to be that time of year. Connect with Simsbury Community and Social Services if you are a family in need with children or looking to help make the holiday special for a family.
 
Fall Foliage Timeline

I got an amazing reminder of how special Simsbury is when I went on my morning walk. The fall colors are breathtaking, and we are so lucky to have pristine natural beauty.

Congratulations to Simsbury Farms Golf Course for ranking #7 on the LINKS Magazine list of Top 20 U.S Courses For Fall foliage! Just one more reason Simsbury is a great place to call home!

Connecticut Fall Foliage Report
 
New Website Celebrating CT Parks
Are you looking to learn more about our state parks? The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) launched CTParks.com, a new website showcasing our Connecticut State Parks in a more user-friendly fashion.
 
More people are going outdoors and enjoying activities such as hiking, camping, biking, and fishing just to name a few. CTParks.com will allow you to learn about and access our wonderful state parks such as Talcott Mountain and Stratton Brook State Parks.
Connecticut is home to 142 state parks and forests covering more than 255,000 acres of pristine coastline, rolling hills, and enchanting forests. I encourage you to visit our green spaces and unplug.
 
Veterans Informational Meeting
I want to let our veterans know about an upcoming informational hearing that will be held on November 8 from 1 P.M.- 4 P.M. in Room 2C of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
 
The Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee informational public hearing is designed to gather feedback from members of the public regarding veterans affairs in preparation for the upcoming legislative session.
 
Community Events
Pull on your costume and get ready for a skele-fun time at one of our GLOW Public Skate sessions! Be sure to also take a walk through Charter Oak Figure Skating Club's HAUNTED LOCKER ROOM!*
Friday 10/27: 7:00 P.M. -8:00 P.M.
Saturday 10/28: 1:00 P.M. -2:00 P.M.
Sunday 10/29: 3:00 P.M. -4:00 P.M.
$10/person, $5/skate rental, $5/ice walker, and FREE glow sticks for all!
 
 
Save Your Spot Now!