On Monday, the nation will celebrate and honor the life of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Below, I will share details about several events in Hartford and West Hartford remembering his life and legacy.
Veterans in Hartford and West Hartford have access to free dental care! Keep scrolling to learn how a local program is paying tribute to our military heroes.
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You will find the following sections in today's email:
- Stay Indoors During Dangerous Cold
- Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Free Dental Services for Veterans
- Minimum Wage Increase
- Meet Me In Person For a Conversation
| Stay Indoors During Dangerous Cold |
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| I encourage you to stay indoors because we are about to experience another round of dangerously cold air. The governor activated the Severe Cold Weather Protocol from 5 p.m. Thursday (tonight) until Friday at 12 p.m. Overnight temperatures are expected to fall into the low to mid-teens with wind chills ranging between zero and 10 degrees. |
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The protocol ensures that warming shelters, many of which are our public libraries, are open. If you need a warm place to stay, visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.
Please take a look at the graphic below to find the closest warming center near you. If the font is too small to read, CLICK HERE for a larger image. |
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| Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
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| On Monday, we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream and our duty to fulfill it. Dr. King widely advocated for the investment in black and brown communities, a guaranteed income, the right to decent housing, and adequate education for all. We will continue to push for progress in his memory. |
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Let us honor Dr. King's mission by recommitting ourselves to the pursuit of equity, inclusion, and unity in our communities. You're invited to a celebration of Dr. King's life on Monday, January 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium. The event will air live on West Hartford Community Interactive (Comcast Channel 5, Frontier Channel 6098) and YouTube. Free parking is available in the Town Hall lot (50 South Main Street).
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Fiona Vernal, Associate Director of the Africana Studies Institute (ASI), Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies, and Director of Engaged, Public, Oral, and Community Histories (EPOCH) at the University of Connecticut. |
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| You can also honor Dr. King’s enduring legacy with a day of creativity and reflection through art, performances, tours, and more at The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art on Main Street in Hartford. Admission is free on Monday, January 19 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. CLICK HERE to learn more! |
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| Finally, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra will honor Dr. King's legacy with a free concert reflecting his vision of equality, justice, and hope. The Fierce Urgency of Now: MLK Tribute Concert will take place Thursday, January 22 at 7 p.m. at Hartford's Asylum Hill Congregational Church (814 Asylum Avenue). Registration is encouraged, but not required. CLICK HERE to learn more. |
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| Free Dental Services for Veterans |
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| Veterans in need in Hartford, West Hartford, and nearby communities can receive free dental care! The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative is offering this vital health care through its Salute to Smiles program, which honors our veterans' service by connecting them with quality oral health education, preventative care, and treatment resources. You will find of the eligibility information below. |
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| On January 1, the Connecticut minimum wage increased to $16.94 per hour, reflecting the rising cost of living. This adjustment is part of our state's commitment to ensuring that wages keep pace with everyday expenses. More than 160,000 workers will directly benefit from this increase, helping families better cover basic necessities. |
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| Meet Me In Person For a Conversation |
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Please join my West Hartford colleagues and me for a conversation about our goals for the new legislative session. You can join the discussion on Thursday, February 6 from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall (50 South Main Street).
This is an opportunity to share your priorities, ask questions, and provide feedback as the 2026 legislative session gets underway. Your input helps shape the work I do on your behalf at the State Capitol. Come by and be part of the conversation. I look forward to seeing you there! |
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