| 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. Keep scrolling to learn how you can stay informed and engaged in 2024! |
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| While you stay up to date on everything happening in Hartford, please take a moment to go over a quick tutorial on how a bill becomes a law. Read below for a full step-by-step breakdown of that process.
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. Look below to see how you can celebrate this month in our state.
The state enshrined a local veteran into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. I'll break down how Michael Gozzo has been giving back to our community after bravely serving our country.
And don't forget to take your child to the library on Saturday! You will find detailed information below about tomorrow's fun events for the kids.
Here are the sections and topics in this week's email:
- Celebrating Black History Month
- Stay Connected This Legislative Session!
- The Legislative Process
- In The News
- Orange Police Remind Drivers To Lock Cars
- Local Veteran Honored
- Scholarship Program for Minority Students Interested in Public Health
- Take Your Child to the Library Day
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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| 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.
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.
Click here to read more about Black history in our state. |
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| There’s no other way I would rather kick off Black History Month than honoring a friend and colleague we lost far too soon. Quentin Williams was the first-ever Black person to be elected to represent the 100th house district of Middletown in the Connecticut General Assembly. He was a trailblazer in so many ways, and a fierce advocate for education. Join me in keeping Q’s philanthropic spirit alive. The Q Fund will support the charitable causes and nonprofit missions he cared most about. |
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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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| The 2024 Legislative Session is right around the corner! Don’t be intimidated -let’s break down the process in just six steps. |
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| Orange Police Remind Drivers To Lock Cars |
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| Orange Police remind everyone to lock their cars after a recent rash of thefts. Officers say criminals recently stole six vehicles in town all of which were unlocked with the keys inside.
In January alone there have been over a dozen calls for vehicles having been rummaged through and many calls from people who have reported attempts. Officers are actively investigating with the help of witnesses and video surveillance. They have some great leads on suspects with several of the stolen vehicles recovered already.
Please LOCK YOUR CARS, keep valuables out of plain sight, and contact police to report any suspicious activity. |
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| The state inducted Michael Gozzo into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. Gozzo, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was honored last week with 10 others from around the state. He is standing next to Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz on the right side of the image below.
The hall recognizes distinguished Connecticut veterans who have made significant contributions to their communities after leaving military service. |
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| Gozzo has made been involved with Derby Public Schools over the past 17 years. He has played a significant role in students' lives as their 8th grade social studies teacher and inspired many of Derby's top runners as the long-time middle school running club coach.
Gozzo stays connected with his students and athletes at the high school. Each year, he presents a scholarship at graduation on behalf of the Bella Vita Foundation to a member of the graduating class in memory of his daughter, Isabella Gozzo. Congratulations, Mr. Gozzo on this worthy recognition! |
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Scholarship Program for Minority
Students Interested in Public Health |
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| Yale New Haven Hospital is attempting to help minority high school seniors in all four communities in the 114th district pursue higher education. The Yale New Haven Hospital Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship Program is designed to help minority students who plan to study specific health related majors.
The hospital system offers renewable scholarships each year for full-time study at an accredited institution. The application deadline is March 3. |
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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. Your local library is an ideal place for children to play, discover, make friends, and have fun. Take Your Child to the Library Day is the perfect time to discover some library magic, and all four communities in the 114th district are taking part!
Derby Neck Library will host different events for each age group from
1:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. There will be games and crafts for the littles in the Children’s Room and video games for the big kids and teens in the Community Room. Every child who attends and checks out a book will be entered into a raffle for a great mystery prize. Complete the library scavenger hunt for an extra ticket! |
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Miller Memorial Library in Hamden will host several events from
10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. in the Children’s Department including:
- Drop in crafts
- Scavenger hunt
- Guessing how many candy hearts are in the jar
Case Memorial Library in Orange is celebrating Take Your Child to the Library Day with a two-day event where children can win a free book! Kids will take part in a bingo scavenger hunt where they need to find books and objects that match a box. Teens will solve puzzles in a treasure hunt! No registration is required. CLICK HERE and HERE to learn about both events.
Woodbridge Town Library: |
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| Check out the event below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar.
Click on the images below to learn more about that individual event. |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Take a look and click on the fliers below to learn more about the upcoming events. Make sure to check out the button at the bottom of this section to learn about other events. |
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The Louis Astorino Ice Rink, located at 595 Mix Ave in Hamden, will host public skate nights every Friday in 2024 from 8:15PM to 10PM. The first public skate night took place last Friday.
Skating is $10, skate rentals are $10, and the snack bar will be open. Both cash and card will be accepted for admission and skate rentals, and only cash will be accepted for the snack bar. |
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| Miller Memorial Library is hosting a Black History Month Teen Trivia event on Tuesday, February 6 from 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. Test your knowledge on a variety of topics as they relate to Black History Month. Like any proper trivia tournament, there will be multiple rounds, winners, and prizes. CLICK HERE to reserve your spot. |
| Listen to some Valentine's Day stories and do a simple craft at Brundage Community Branch Library at 6:00 P.M. Recommended for ages 2-7. Please complete a separate registration for each participant. This event is free and open to the public. CLICK HERE to register |
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| The Hamden Fire Department is teaching the community about what it takes to become a firefighter. Crews will host an "Intro to the Fire Service" presentation on Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30 P.M. at Hamden Middle School. |
You can learn about the Traditions of China Acrobatics with Li Liu on Saturday, February 17 at 1:00 P.M. at Thornton Wilder Hall in the Miller Cultural Complex on Dixwell Avenue.
Tickets are available at the door only: $3 for adults, $2 for children, cash only. |
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| Check out the flier and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| The Hooked on the Sound (HOTS) Crochet Guild is coming to Case Memorial Library on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. to share stitch successes, assist with pattern problems, and have a great time crocheting! Bring any crochet project you are working on or one you may need help with. No registration is necessary. |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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| Check out the event below and click the button under that to access the Woodbridge community calendar. |
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| CLICK HERE to register for this event at Woodbridge Town Library. |
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