I want to share some highlights including state and local updates.
In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.
A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section.
A number of new laws that are effective on October 1st were passed during the 2023 legislative session that address several issue areas to improve our great state.
New laws include wrong-way driving prevention with a test program on 120 highway exit ramps that are determined high risk for wrong-way drivers, gun violence prevention, and prohibiting hand-harvesting of ecologically important horseshoe crabs or their eggs from state waters.
Additionally, we prohibited deceptive and coercive interrogation methods, and implemented proper notification of inmates’ families and any associated victims of related crime(s) when they transfer them from one facility to another.
These are just some of the laws, follow the link below for the full list.
As a member of the Community Investment Fund, I am pleased that we approved funding for Phase III of improving the Veterans Terrace complex.
Connecticut is about to take a transformative step toward making prescription drugs more affordable for all.
On October 2, all Connecticut residents will be eligible tosign upfor ArrayRx, a prescription drug discount card program that provides up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state.
Valid physical Connecticut addresses and email addresses are required to enroll, and a digital card will be provided after registering.
The program is part of Public Act 23-171, An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs, which I proudly supported.
I urge you to not miss out on this great opportunity. Residents should never have to worry about getting access to lifesaving care, and this free program is a significant step forward.
While this program will benefit all residents of the state, I am mindful that some older folks do not have access to - or a comfort level with - online sign-ups and may not use email. If you care for an elder who needs help with signing up (or know someone who does), please call ArrayRx at 800-913-4146 for help getting started with this digital program.
For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit arrayrxcard.com
Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade
After the recent postponement of the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival del Coqui, we are pleased to announce the rescheduled date. The event, originally planned for September 10, 2023, was delayed as a mark of respect for the fallen officer of the Hartford Police Department.
The parade and festival will now take place on Sunday, October 8, 2023, promising a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican culture and community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their understanding and support during this time.
In the coming days, we will release further details regarding the updated festivities and itinerary, ensuring an enriching experience for attendees. Expect an exciting lineup of entertainment, delicious cuisine, and engaging activities that showcase the beauty and traditions of Puerto Rico.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the participants, sponsors, volunteers, and community members for their patience and cooperation during this change. We value their unwavering support as we strive to organize a memorable and inclusive event for the Greater Hartford community.
Stay tuned for further updates on our official channels, including our website, social media platforms, and local news outlets. For any inquiries or media requests, please reach out to our Public Relations department at (860) 904-7860.
We are eagerly looking forward to celebrating the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival del Coqui on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Let's come together to honor our heritage, embrace our diversity, and create unforgettable memories.
PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
Después del reciente aplazamiento del Desfile Puerrtorriqueno de Hartford y el Festival del Coquí, nos complace anunciar la nueva fecha programada. El evento, originalmente planeado para el 10 de septiembre de 2023, se pospuso como muestra de respeto hacia el oficial caído del Departamento de Policía de Hartford.
El desfile y festival ahora se llevarán a cabo el domingo 8 de octubre de 2023, prometiendo una vibrante celebración de la cultura y comunidad puertorriqueña. Agradecemos de todo corazón a todos por su comprensión y apoyo durante este tiempo.
En los próximos días, daremos a conocer más detalles sobre las festividades actualizadas y el itinerario, asegurando una experiencia enriquecedora para los asistentes. Esperen una emocionante selección de entretenimiento, deliciosa comida y actividades interesantes que exhiban la belleza y tradiciones de Puerto Rico.
Queremos expresar nuestro sincero agradecimiento a todos los participantes, patrocinadores, voluntarios y miembros de la comunidad por su paciencia y colaboración durante este cambio. Valoramos su apoyo inquebrantable mientras nos esforzamos por organizar un evento memorable e inclusivo para la comunidad de Greater Hartford.
Estén atentos a más actualizaciones en nuestros canales oficiales, incluyendo nuestro sitio web, plataformas de redes sociales y medios de comunicación locales. Para cualquier consulta o solicitud de prensa, por favor contacten a nuestro departamento de Relaciones Públicas al (860) 904-7860
Estamos ansiosos por celebrar juntos el Desfile del Día de Puerto Rico y el Festival del Coquí de Greater Hartford el domingo 8 de octubre de 2023. Unámonos para honrar nuestro patrimonio, abrazar nuestra diversidad y crear recuerdos inolvidables.
Sammy Vega
President of CICD
Connecticut Institute for Community Development – Puerto Rican Parade, Inc.
80 Cedar Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Today In History
Today in 1904, the USS Connecticut was launched as the flagship of a new class of heavy battleships intended to show off a new era of American naval dominance in the early 20th century. These battleships were the hallmark of President Theodore Roosevelt’s signature initiative to modernize the American navy.
The USS Connecticut, a handsome vessel with beautiful gilded scroll work adorning its white steel bow, was the fourth U.S. Navy vessel named after the state of Connecticut. It was formally commissioned on September 29, 1906, two years to the day after it was launched, and sponsored by the granddaughter of Gideon Welles, the Connecticut native who served as Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of the Navy during the Civil War. In 1907, she led a flotilla of newly-built Navy warships, colloquially known as the “Great White Fleet,” on a tour around the world intended to spread American goodwill and underscore the United States’ role as a major naval power.
President Theodore Roosevelt (wearing a top hat, at right) gives a speech on the deck of the USS Connecticut in 1909.
The emphasis on naval power as the expression of American prowess was largely a response to Alfred Mayer Mahan’s The Influence of Sea Power Upon History:1690–1783, published in 1890 while Mahan was President of the U.S. Naval War College. The book argued persuasively that a large and powerful navy was crucial to the rise of great nations and empires, and sparked a global naval arms race. The Great White Fleet, and the battleship USS Connecticut, was the United States’ most visible expression of its desire to be viewed as a great world power.
After her global tour, the Connecticut was primarily used as a training vessel and — as the famous flagship of the Great White Fleet — for ceremonial purposes. During World War I, she made several transatlantic trips to bring U.S. soldiers back home from the battlefields of Europe. After the war, the Connecticut continued serving as a training vessel until her decommissioning in 1923. Because of the provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922, which set tonnage limits for the navy of every signatory nation, the U.S. Navy promptly sold the USS Connecticut for scrap mere months after she was decommissioned. After the flagship of Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet was dismantled, the state of Connecticut would remain without a namesake vessel until 1997, when the Seawolf-class nuclear submarine USS Connecticut (SSN-22) was launched.
Beginning December 1, 2023, a new electric bill discount will be available if you have a financial hardship status on your Eversource electric account. Based on your household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit, you may be eligible for a 10% or 50% discount off your electric bill per month. Your discount will depend on your annual household income for all adults over 18 or receipt of a public assistance benefit for at least one household member.
You must apply for or verify the financial hardship status on your electric account before the new hardship year begins on November 1. This will prevent service shut-off and ensure that you get a discount. This verification is required annually.
Please arrive early to be in line for 9 am as the truck leaves promptly at 9:30 am. Open to the public--bring a sturdy grocery bag! This program is made possible by Foodshare and Winn Residential - Resident Service Program. For more information call 860-646-1280.
Squire Village, 48 Spencer Street, 06040 (1st parking lot off Imperial Drive #78)
Our fall litter cleanup event that was scheduled for this past Saturday has been postponed one week, due to inclement weather. Join us on Saturday, September 30, 10am-12pm at Center Springs Park, 39 Lodge Drive.
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
A giant tag sale will benefit the Manchester Land Conservation Trust and its work to preserve open space lands.
Shop Friday, September 22 through Saturday, September 30, from 10:00 to 3:00 each day at 330 Bush Hill Road, Manchester, in the old cider barn on our farm property. Browse through 5,000 square feet of books, games, dishes, tools, artwork, jigsaw puzzles, toys, furniture, machinery, household and sports items, near-antiques, glassware, holiday décor, and items both useful and decorative. There are four miles of trails at the farm, so you can shop and hike on the same day. Donations may be placed in shed on right side of barn, or phone Terry any time 860-643-1823. Please, no computers, televisions, encyclopedias, clothes. Info about the Land Trust and its events at www.manchesterlandtrust.org.
Manchester Bicentennial
Manchester has launched planning efforts for its 2023 Bicentennial Celebration. This year long celebration will consist of a variety of opportunities to remember the past, celebrate the present, and dream about the future. Festivities will include historical and educational programs, special events, and commemorative projects.
It was a wonderful summer in the town of East Hartford! To celebrate the upcoming fall season, East Hartford Parks & Recreation would like to invite you in welcoming the fall season at their Annual Fall Festival Event. The event will take place on Saturday, October 7th from 11:00am-3:00pm, at the East Hartford Town Green, 1021 Main Street. Fall Fest is one of the Town’s largest events, averaging over 2,000 participants the past few years and there is always loads of fun activities for the entire family to keep you busy celebrating the autumn season all afternoon. There is a $5-fee for visitors that provides an unlimited access to attractions, games and a pumpkin decorating activity that participants will get to take home.
The Fall Festival is the perfect family-friendly, community event that offers fun activities for children and adults alike.
Among many activities, this year there will be a variety of vendors, food, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow decorating, pumpkin bounce house, inflatable corn maze, face painter, glitter tattoos and more. Crafters, vendors and non-profit organizations are welcome to participate in this event.
If you are a vendor interested in participating in the event, please fill out a vendor application form below or call Parks and Recreation at 860-291-7160:
In case of inclement weather, the event will be Sunday, October 8th from 11:00am-3:00pm.
The East Hartford Farmers’ Market are excited to present to you their new and improved Farmers' Market, with new vendors and updated hours. The 2023 farmers’ market dates are held Tuesdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m. They invite residents to celebrate Connecticut-grown fruits, vegetables and locally produced foods, as well as enjoy our market - a place to connect with others in our community.
Location: Raymond Library at 840 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
East Hartford Social Services Invites Local Families to
Sign up for Koats 4 Kids Program
The East Hartford Youth and Social Services Department is accepting applications for the Back to School Koats 4 Kids program! The program provides qualifying parents with assistance up to $60 per child to purchase a new coat for their children entering grades K-12 this fall 2023.
The Koats 4 Kids Program is sponsored by the East Hartford Rotary Club in collaboration with Burlington Coat Factory.
Social Services will work with parents of eligible children in grades Pre-K to 12th to receive a coat. The coats will be distributed to the first 100 registered families on Sunday October 15, 2023 starting from 8:00 AM at the Burlington Coat Factory (940 Silver Lane, East Hartford).
Participants must be an East Hartford Resident and attend a school within the East Hartford Public Schools system, graded Pre-K to 12th grade. Children can be referred by their school, East Hartford Youth Services, church, or be self-referred.
Deadline to register is Wednesday, October 11 at 4 PM. Please call the Social Services Department at 860-291-7248 with questions.
Join us for an open house at Goodwin University’s Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Labs to learn more about modern manufacturing and rewarding careers. Awesome things are made in Connecticut. In celebration of CT MFG Month, see the latest cutting-edge technology and meet with industry experts.
East Hartford Parks and Recreation
Offering Fall Swim Lessons
East Hartford Parks and Recreation has resumed our aquatics operations at the East Hartford Middle School Pool, offering opportunities for residents and non-residents to continue swimming during the school year and now we are excited to announce that we are also offering Fall swim lessons!
Group Swim Lessons at the Middle School Pool
Group Swim Lessons will be held on Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings beginning October 4th. Lessons are offered as an 8-week session and the fee for the session is $40 for residents or $50 for non-residents. Registration is required online atwww.ehparks.org, and registration will open on Tuesday, September 19th for residents and Tuesday, September 26th for non-residents. Our group swim lessons are taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors with an enthusiasm and dedication to helping children and adults achieve their swimming goals.
Semi-Private Swim Lessons at the Middle School Pool
Semi-Private Swim Lessons will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and are available for ages 4 and up. Each session includes four 30 minute lessons and the fee for the session is $59 for residents or $69 for non-residents. Registration is required online atwww.ehparks.org, and registration will open on Tuesday, September 19th for residents and Tuesday, September 26th for non-residents.
Private Swim Lessons: Private lessons are available for ages 4 and up. Please check www.ehparks.org for the schedule and fees for private lessons.
East Hartford Middle School is located at 777 Burnside Avenue, but the pool is only accessible from the school entrance on Scotland Road.
For more information on our swim programs, or to review the pool rules please visit www.easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation or call our office at 860-291-7160.
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
