Jason Rojas

Dear Neighbor, 

 

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. 



The topics covered are as follows:

• Today in CT History
• Sales Tax Free Week
• Community Resources
• Manchester Community Events 
• East Hartford Community Events

On the afternoon of August 9, 1878, the worst tornado ever to touch down in Connecticut roared through Wallingford, wreaking unimaginable destruction across the entire town. In the late 19th century, most Connecticans lived under the impression that the monster tornadoes that annually devastated the Great Plains could never happen in New England. So on August 9th, many residents were too quick to dismiss the incoming storm clouds as “merely” another bad summer thunderstorm. They failed to seek shelter before the storm’s massive, half-mile-wide funnel cloud touched down. As a consequence of that, at least 34 people died as a direct result of the deadly tornado.

Weather historians and meteorologists have since classified the Wallingford tornado as an F4 on the Fujita scale, with estimated wind speeds of up to 260 miles per hour. In minutes, it cut a two-mile-long path through the town, destroying everything from modest wooden homes to multi-story factory buildings. The devastating twister also snapped massive trees in half as if they were twigs. A shantytown full of day laborers near the train station was completely wiped out, and the town’s new brick schoolhouse was nearly leveled. Nearby telegraph poles were ripped from the ground, delaying communication with neighboring communities during the first crucial hours after the skies cleared. According to local officials, in addition to the storm’s 34 fatalities, over 100 people were injured, many seriously.

In the days following the storm, trains brought both relief in the form of physicians and nurses, and aggravation in the form of thousands of morbidly curious spectators. They hampered rescue efforts by climbing through ruined buildings and crowding Wallingford’s streets, gawking at, and, in some cases, photographing the devastation. Many of those photographs, taken in the immediate aftermath of the storm, have helped historians understand the devastating impact of one of Connecticut’s most formidable natural disasters. These images can be easily viewed today in online galleries.

Further Reading

“The Great Wallingford Tornado,” connecticuthistory.org

“A 3-D View of the Wallingford Tornado of 1878,” Hartford Courant

Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 18 and runs through Saturday, August 24. It provides a chance to save money, whether it is taking the kids back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.

 

Retailers throughout the state offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax-Free Week, providing consumers with even more ways to stretch their spending power.



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.

 

Shop smart – and locally whenever possible to support small businesses – to save during Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week!

 

ArrayRx is a Discount Card in collaboration with state partners with one common goal — to create pharmacy solutions that are accessible to the people in our communities. All Connecticut, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington residents can enroll for free. For more information on how to sign up and to see the frequently asked questions.



https://arrayrxcard.com/

Town Resources

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents

 

Town Newsletters

Pulse of East Hartford     

East Hartford Public Schools

East Hartford Works

Early Voting for the Republican Primary will be held at Mahoney Recreation Center, located at 110 Cedar Street (rear entrance). 



*You must be a Republican to vote in this Primary Election for US Senator.



• Fri. Aug. 9, 2024, 10am – 6pm

• Sat. Aug. 10, 2024, 10am – 6pm

• Sun. Aug. 11, 2024, 10am – 6pm



The Republican Primary Election will take place Tues. August 13, 2024. 



All polling locations will be open 6am – 8pm on Tues. Aug. 13, 2024.

This year the Manchester Peach Festival’s home will be MARC, INC. here in Manchester at 151 Sheldon Road. It will be on August 23rd, 2024 from 6-8 P.M. Tickets will be $6 per person. A few of the things included at our event will be our well-known Peach Shortcake, live music provided by Nightshift, a chance to talk to fellow community members and leaders, and so much more. The Manchester Peach Festival will be turning 73 years old this year. Stay tuned to our Facebook, Manchester Fire Support Group, for more exciting updates as we work with our community to make this the best Manchester Peach Festival yet!

Union Pond is shallower than usual, due to construction on the dam. Let’s take this opportunity to pick up the litter along the exposed shores!



Where: Union Pond Park, 110 North School St.



When: Saturday, August 10, 2024, 9:30am-11:30am

Apply for assistance here

To make a donation click here

The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts is now accepting second-round applications for community grants for fiscal year 2025. Applications received by August 20 will be considered at the CCFA’s September meeting.



The program has two components: program/project grants, and grants for operating support.



East Hartford-based 501(c)3 arts nonprofits are eligible to apply for funds to support their operating budgets. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of consistent engagement in arts and/or cultural programming and/or services.



For artist program/project grants, the proposed activity must be fully planned and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Eligible creative endeavors include, but are not limited to, concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, and public art.



Learn more here: https://www.easthartfordct.gov/.../apply-now-for-a-second...

 

The Town of East Hartford is excited to announce a new East Hartford Farmers’ Market schedule and location for the 2024 season! Our East Hartford Farmers’ Market will be held Tuesdays from July 9 through October 29 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Town Green / Alumni Park (1047 Main Street).

“Our farmers’ market is a valuable program that fosters community connection while providing access to fresh, local produce and products made by Connecticut vendors,” said Mayor Connor Martin. “We are looking forward to expanding the market by hosting additional vendors and offering more family-friendly activities such as games and live music at our new location on the Town Green.”

CALL FOR FARMERS’ MARKET VENDORS:

Market organizers are in the process of recruiting vendors to expand the variety of Connecticutmade foods as well as other vendors to improve the selection for customers.

Are you a farmer or market vendor who produces honey, milk, eggs, bread, other foods, or locally produced crafts who wishes to be part of the East Hartford Farmers’ Market? Are you a business or non-profit organization looking to promote your services? Please visit the East Hartford Farmers’ Market website for guidelines and to access the vendor application (both online and printable options are available). There is no cost to participate as a vendor and individuals are able to request space for specific dates or the full market season. Once your application is submitted, organizers will review and determine if your product or service is appropriate for the farmers’ market.

DONATE TO BECOME AN EH FARMERS’ MARKET PARTNER!

The Town of East Hartford is asking for donations from residents, community organizations, and businesses to support our market programs that fight food insecurity right here in our community. Your support will help residents buy fresh, healthy foods from farmers that support our market. Donations will help the Town provide additional support to SNAP, WIC, and SFMNP recipients through farmers’ market matching vouchers.

Donations can be made online by visiting the Social Services Donation Program website and choosing the “Farmers’ market partner program” option. Alternatively, cash or check donations can be dropped off to East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division located at the Community Cultural Center at 50 Chapman Place. Checks should be made payable to the Town of East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division with “Farmers Market” noted in the bottom left. Any amount helps!

For more information regarding the various benefit programs and the Social Services donation program, please visit East Hartford Farmers’ Market website.

Se ofrecerá un curso de educación financiera en español de 8 semanas en la Biblioteca Raymond en East Hartford a partir del 19 de Septiembre de 2024.

El objetivo de este programa de educación financiera es impulsar la movilidad económica ascendente para las familias latinas a través del empoderamiento de los adultos latinos para maximizar el uso de sus ingresos y activos para generar riqueza y trabajar para lograr sus aspiraciones financieras.

Cada clase tendrá una duración de 2 horas. Entre los temas que se tratarán están:

• Presupuestos familiares, gestión del dinero Mantenimiento de registros financieros
• Banca y endeudamiento
• Gestión de la deuda; creación, mantenimiento y reparación de crédito; robo de identidad Creación de activos, incluida la propiedad de viviendas y automóviles
• Programas e impuestos gubernamentales, incluidos EITC, VITA y Baby Bonds
• Creación de empresas

Para complementar el plan de estudios con ejemplos de la vida real, habrá conferenciantes invitados profesionales: un contable, un agente inmobiliario, un abogado, un banquero, un agente de seguros y un asesor empresarial. El aprendizaje en el aula estará respaldado por asesoramiento 1:1, que permitirá a los alumnos abordar sus situaciones financieras personales con un profesional en detalle y con privacidad.

aprende más

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An 8-week Spanish language financial literacy course will be offered at Raymond Library in East Hartford beginning September 19th, 2024.

The objective of this financial literacy program is to propel upward economic mobility for Latino families through empowering Latino adults to maximize the use of their incomes and assets to build wealth and work to achieve their financial aspirations.

Each class will be 2 hours long. Among the topics that will be covered are:

• Household budgeting, money management
• Financial record-keeping
• Banking and borrowing
• Debt management; credit building, maintenance and repair; identity theft
• Asset building, including home ownership and cars
• Government programs and taxes, including EITC, VITA and Baby Bonds
• Business start-ups

Supplementing the curriculum with real-life examples will be professional guest lecturers: an accountant, a realtor, a lawyer, a banker, an insurance agent, and a business counselor. Classroom learning will be supported by 1:1 counseling, which will allow learners to address their personal financial situations with a professional in detail and with privacy.

 

Check out the link below for an update on projects happening around town.

The East Hartford Commission on Aging, in collaboration with the Department of Health & Human Services and the Mayor’s Office, conducted a townwide senior survey of East Hartford residents to better understand the needs of our senior population.

The survey garnered 512 responses and the Mayor’s Office reviewed the analysis to come up with a plan of action to address some of the concerns.

We have identified several categories that need to be addressed:

1. House maintenance support:

· Looking into utilizing our volunteer group as well as partnering with Community Renewal Team (CRT), Habitat for Humanities, Rotary Club, the Lions Club and Bank of America to potentially assist residents with property maintenance.

2. General Information & resources:

· Looking to collaborate with our departments to conduct workshops/info sessions for senior residents on Accessible Dwelling Units (ADUs), tax exemption programs, as well as our Safe Streets Initiative.

3. Communication:

· Looking for ways to communicate with our senior population more effectively through means that they prefer. Potentially expanding the senior newsletter to include programs & services from other departments and have it mailed out to seniors.

· Broadening our reach for programming and services for seniors.

· Expanding Health & Human Services social media to consolidate communication to expand reach.

SEE THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY HERE:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ENGLISH RESPONSES

SPANISH RESPONSES

WRITTEN COMMENTS

My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.



Sincerely,



Jason Rojas