Michelle L. Cook

With the first day of school just a few weeks away (August 29), Torrington Public Schools wants to make families are aware of several upcoming events, including school orientation days, meet and greets, and a school supply giveaway. This Sunday, Friendly Hands Food Bank will host its "Kicks 4 Kids" event, including free backpacks, shoes, clothing, and more (see the rules regarding this event in this e-newsletter). And don't forget - Connecticut's Sales Tax-Free Week starts Sunday and runs through next Saturday. If you'd like to support the Torrington High School Marching Band, the group will be holding a car wash on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lowe's parking lot at 420 Winsted Road.

I'm also providing an update regarding the increases in electric bills - a number of my colleagues and I are urging PURA to reconsider the Annual Review of the Rate Adjustment for Eversource and United Illuminating.

The Warner Theatre will be hosting a sensory-friendly movie screening of Sonic 2 next Thursday. This is a great opportunity for audience members on the autism spectrum or anyone who enjoys a gentler theater experience.

A resident has brought the Rainbow Bridge to Torrington and its official unveiling is coming up this month. I'll share more information about that in this e-newsletter.

Finally, I'm honored and humbled to have been recognized by the CT Early Childhood Alliance as one of the organization's Children's Champions for 2024. 

I hope you have a great weekend!

• What the Moderate Caucus is Asking for Re: Electric Bills
• Children's Champions 2024
• Housing Roundtable with Senator Murphy
• Torrington's Rainbow Bridge Will Open Soon
• Sales Tax-Free Week, August 18-24
• Important Dates & Events for Back-To-School in Torrington
• Litchfield County Dispatch is Hiring
• New Sensory Room at DDS-Torrington
• Stand Down 2024 is September 20
• Women's Business Development Council Grant Applications Are Now Open
• DOL to Hold a Free Employer Webinar on Paid Sick Leave Law on September 12
• Torrington Library Events
• Torringford Volunteer FD's Annual Car Show is August 16
• THS Marching Band Car Wash is August 17
• And More

As state representatives, we represent a wide variety of constituents from diverse districts and different socioeconomic situations. However, one thing is clear: we are uniformly hearing is outrage and distress from our constituents regarding the Eversource issue.

Below, you'll find a copy of the letter. I was one of more than 20 members to sign onto it.

You can read the Courant's article, "You know your Eversource bills are soaring upward. Here’s what’s driving the spike" HERE (gift link).

As legislators, we aim to better the lives of children and their families and promote early childhood education and development. I thank CTECA for recognizing my work and that of my colleagues and Torrington Child Care Center for hosting the event. I was "Miss Michelle" to the children of Torrington Child Care Center before becoming a legislator.  

The CT Early Childhood Alliance is a statewide organization committed to improving outcomes in learning, health, safety, and economic security, for children ages birth to eight. The goal of the Alliance is for all children in Connecticut to enter kindergarten healthy, eager to learn, and ready for school success.

To read more about the roundtable in the Torrington Register-Citizen, click HERE. 

To learn more, click HERE or click the graphic below. 

During this tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced less than $100 are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing less than $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer in the same transaction. It applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.

Below is a video with several dispatchers sharing their experiences on the job. 

The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is preparing for its annual STAND DOWN event which will be held at five regional locations.

FIVE REGIONAL LOCATIONS

• Bridgeport - University of Bridgeport, Wheeler Recreational Center, 400 University Ave.
• Bristol - St. Gregory CCD Center, 1043 Stafford Ave.
• Danbury - Danbury War Memorial 1 Memorial Drive
• Norwich - Easter Seals Veterans Rally Point, 24 Stott Ave.
• Rocky Hill - CT DVA main campus 287 West Street
• Stamford - UCONN, One University Plaza

The DVA continues our commitment to serving Connecticut’s Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel, and their immediate families by providing this “one stop” access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, Veterans organizations, and community-based non-profits at these regional sites across the State.

A list of confirmed service providers and transportation schedule will be released soon.

For any additional information please contact:

Call: 860-616-3772 or Email: standdown@ct.gov

Ignite Grant applications will be accepted through September 24.

The application period for Child Care Start-Up and Expansion Grants closes on September 9. Other Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

More information on Ignite, including upcoming informational sessions, can be found HERE. 

Additional information on Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grants, including upcoming informational sessions, can be found HERE. 

Ignite Grants are designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth & profitability.

WBDC Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grants are designed to help licensed and aspiring childcare businesses. These grants of up to $25,000 are offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood & available to childcare programs at different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand.

This session will provide an in-depth look into CT’s new Paid Sick Leave Law coming into effect as of January 1, 2025, and explore what employers can expect in the coming years. This law will significantly expand the state’s current paid sick leave, and it’s important that CT employers are aware of these changes.
 
CT Department of Labor’s Legal Director, Heidi Lane, will lead a discussion on CT’s new Paid Sick Leave Law, as well as answer questions throughout the presentation. 
 
Topics include:

• Who is a covered employer on January 1, 2025, and who will be a covered employer in the coming years?
• Are any employers exempt?
• What employees are covered and are there any exempt employees?
• Which employees are considered “seasonal”?
• What are the reasons for which paid sick leave may be taken? 
• Who is a family member?
• How is sick leave accrued?
• How much paid sick leave may be accrued in a year?
• What are the notice requirements for both the employer and the employee?
• What documentation may the employer require?

To register, click HERE or click the graphic below. 

Participants will be provided t-shirts and water. There will also be a food truck.

Scan the QR codes in the flyer or go to www.torringtonpal.org to register your team now before it is too late!

To register, go to: www.torringtonlittleleague.com

Any player that is 6-15 is welcome to register for fall ball, which is a travel league organized by District 6. Player ages are based on the 2024 Little League Age Chart.

There will be 2 divisions of players for baseball and softball with instructional being co-ed:

• Instructional for players Age 6 -7 - coach pitch with an emphasis on more development
• Little League for players Ages 8-12
• Seniors for players League Age 13-15

Teams will be assigned based on registration numbers as well as the number of towns in the area participating.

THE DEADLINE for Registration is August 25 at 11:59 p.m. 

Games are on Saturdays and Sundays. There will be 1-2 practices per week. The season will run from early September through the last week of October (weather permitting). The cost is $125 for Little League & Seniors and $70 for Instructional (t-shirt included) and must be paid online at the time of registration.

Please note: if your child has never participated in Torrington Little League before, you will need to submit a copy of their birth certificate as well as three proofs of residency at time of registration.

If you have any questions about this program, contact TLL President Joe McCoy at tllpres@gmail.com. Any questions about the website or online registration can be sent to ttownlittleleague@gmail.com.

Click HERE and print, then color away! All submissions are due by August 30 at closing.

• Over 1,000 pairs of shoes
• Over 1,000 backpacks
• Clothes for kids & adults
• Games prizes & free food

RULES

• Must have a valid CT Photo ID (no passports) or you will be turned away
• Children must be with you to receive items
• ONE DAY ONLY - if you miss the event, you cannot get items afterward - please don’t call the food bank asking, because the answer will be no
• Arrive early for the best selection
• BRING BAGS - none will be provided

RSVP HERE and scroll to the leadership events for September 11 and 12 to register.

These sensory-friendly movie screenings are for audience members on the autism spectrum or anyone who might enjoy a gentler theater experience.

For tickets and information on the accommodations being made, please click HERE. Use the code EGGMAN when purchasing.

Funding for sensory-friendly movie nights was generously provided by the Neag Foundation.

Auditions are August 25 and 26, with callbacks on August 27. 

Check out the auditions page for more information on the roles available and book your audition slot now.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Tony Bennett: The Official Musical Celebration scheduled for October 12 has been canceled. 

Refunds for ticket holders have already been processed, please allow 14 business days for the funds to reach your bank or credit card account. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Box Office at 860-489-7180 x1.

Fans of The Princess Bride are in for a treat as Cary Elwes, who famously portrayed Westley, brings his beloved event, "An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes," to the Warner Theatre’s Oneglia Auditorium on September 21, at 7:30 pm.

The audience will journey back to the enchanted lands of Florin and Guilder as they join Elwes for a behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the set of the timeless film, The Princess Bride. The evening will begin with a screening of the iconic movie, followed by a discussion moderated by Chion Wolf, host of Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public. Elwes will share never-before-told stories and anecdotes from the making of the film, offering fans an exclusive glimpse into the magic behind the scenes. 

Elwes’ extensive career spans a multitude of film and television roles, including Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Saw, Twister, Liar, Liar, Stranger Things, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He recently starred in Guy Ritchie’s “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre,” “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1” with Tom Cruise, Zack Snyder’s sci-fi epic, “Rebel Moon, and his latest movie, Guy Ritchie’s “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” based on the true story of the first British secret mission during World War II.

Don’t miss out on a night filled with laughter, memories, and a chance to relive the magic of The Princess Bride. Limited tickets remain for An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes on September 21. Reserve your seats before they’re gone! Tickets start at $29.00 and can be purchased HERE or call 860-489-7180 x 1.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Sal Vulcano at The Warner Theatre on November 21 is moving to February 27, 2025. All previously purchased tickets will be honored on the new date, and refunds will be provided upon request until August 31.

For more information, please contact the Box Office at 860-489-7180 x1.

Mesmerizing Matt Szat, NYC Magician & Mentalist
Coming to us from New York City, Matt Szat (ZAT) is one of the most sought-after magicians and mentalists in the country. He is the go-to performer for some of the biggest companies in the world like Google, Pepsi, Spotify and Facebook, has worked on shows off-Broadway and at the prestigious Carnegie Hall, and is the only magician in the world to do half of a magic trick on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE (and he did it twice). Matt is also regularly hired for private events for celebrities and dignitaries such as former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Oscar-nominated Director M. Night Shyamalan, NYSNC’s Joey Fatone, and St. Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre.
 
Your jaws will hurt from laughing and smiling as Matt takes you on a one-of-a-kind adventure that’s equal parts amazing and hilarious. He’ll pluck thoughts straight from your brain, bring you back in time, and even make impossible magic happen with his laundry.

Johnny Irion, Singer-Songwriter 
Enjoy the soulful tunes of Johnny Irion, the acclaimed singer-songwriter whose heartfelt performances have earned praise from the likes of Rolling Stone.
Johnny’s music blends Americana, rock, and folk, creating a unique sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh– known for his captivating performances at venues like Carnegie Hall and the Newport Folk Festival. “Lovingly crafted songs…” – Rolling Stone. 

Gourmet Catering by Emily's
Indulge in the culinary delights provided by Emily’s Catering Group, known for their exceptional service and delicious food. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, dinner stations, and desserts.

For Information, please contact Kelly Baxter Spitz, Director of Development, at 860-489-0931 Ext. 1008 or kbaxterspitz@chwctorr.org​.​

Please RSVP by August 19. Tickets, which are $200 each, can be purchased HERE.