<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Fairfield, CT - </strong>Some would say that no summer is complete without attending a classic car show and there will be a great one right here in Fairfield this Sunday to benefit a wonderful local charity, Operation Hope.</p><p>The Connecticut Seaport Car Club is a large and active car club with 135 , which hosts 12 car cruises on Thursday nights between May and October, marches in 5 parades, including the Fairfield Memorial Day Parade and Southport’s Blessing of the Fleet, and puts on one major car show each summer. &nbsp;</p><p>With much anticipation, the CT Seaport Car Club is excited to announce that our <strong>9</strong>^{<strong>th</strong>}<strong> Annual Antique and Classic Car Show</strong> will be on <strong>Sunday, June 8</strong>^{<strong>th</strong>}<strong> at Fairfield Ludlowe High School’s back parking lot</strong> from 9:00am-3:00pm.&nbsp;The back parking lot offers many parking spots in the shade under the solar s, which is a rare and very welcome commodity at a car show.&nbsp;All show cars are welcome.&nbsp;No cut off year.&nbsp;This show is FREE to the public, and $20 per show car.&nbsp;Over 200+ classic cars are expected.</p><p>The Club celebrated our 15^th anniversary last year and simultaneously I moved our car show from another town to Fairfield.&nbsp;We were pleasantly surprised by and appreciated the extent of offered by the Town of Fairfield, and Fairfield Parks &amp; Rec in particular. &nbsp;</p><p>This car show offers much more than just beautiful classic cars, as there are quite a few other things going on for all to enjoy.&nbsp;Highlights include:</p><ul><li>Show cars arrive at 9:00am</li><li>Welcome address by Bill Gerber, First Selectman of Fairfield at 10:30am</li><li>Blessing of the show cars by Fairfield University Jesuit Priest, Father John Savard at 10:35am</li><li>Welcome address by Carla Miklos, Executive Director of Operation Hope at 10:40am</li><li>Dog Demonstration by the Fairfield Police K9 Unit at 11:00am</li><li>Live Music by <em>Jukebox 45 Show Band</em> (CT’s Premier 50’s &amp; 60’s band) at 11:30-1:00pm</li><li>National Anthem sung live at 12:00pm</li><li>Goody bags for the first 100 show cars</li><li>Over 100 trophies to be awarded starting at 1:45pm</li><li>Vendors, Food Trucks, Ice Cream, and Popcorn</li><li>News 12 covered the show last year</li></ul><p>The CT Seaport Car Club’s June 8^th car show will be an Official Connecticut Cruise News Ring Event again this year, sponsored by Danbury Dodge Jeep Kia.&nbsp;This enviable competition created by Don Clady, Publisher of the CT Cruise News, boasts a 7-foot trophy, a large championship ring, and a WWE style championship belt for the first person who wins 10 Rings with the same show car in the same year at participating Ring Events.</p><p>The Club offers many thanks to our additional show sponsors: Joe Pramer and Rick Krollman of Morgan Stanley on the Brick Walk in Fairfield, Z2 Motorsports of New Britain and MGM ATM Service &amp; Supply of Stratford, CT.</p><p>For more information about any CT Seaport Car Club event, including the Sunday, June 8^th car show (rain date is Sunday, June 15^th), go to <a href="http://www.ctseaportcarclub.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(11, 76, 180);">www.ctseaportcarclub.com</a> for more details. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent;">Norwalk, CT - </strong><span style="background-color: transparent;">Designed by notable artist, writer and curator Richard Klein, SIGHT AND SOUND invites audiences to delve into Long Island Sound's significance through diverse artistic perspectives, shedding light on its ecological resilience, rich cultural history, and striking natural beauty.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">This dynamic exhibition features fourteen contemporary artists whose work explores Long Island Sound's beauty, history, and evolving environmental story - one of the region's most vital yet often overlooked natural landscapes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">Participating artists include:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent;">s Ashforth, Christopher Baker, Marion Belanger &amp; Martha Willette Lewis, Christopher Coffin, Kenneth Martin, Brechin Morgan, Constance Old, James Prosek, Duke Riley, Alexis Rockman, Jeremy Slater, Beth Stewart-Kelly and Catherine Vanaria.</span></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent;">A Free Opening Reception</strong><span style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;will feature opening remarks from curator Richard Klein and participating artists, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo reciting poetry inspired by the water, and a special Copps Island Oysters tasting.</span></p><p><strong>When:</strong><strong style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Thursday, June 12, 2025,</p><p>6:00pm - 8:00pm</p><p><strong>Where:</strong><strong style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The Norwalk Art Space 455 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850<span style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</span></p><p>Additional Information:<span style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;</span></p><p>Parking is available in Matthews Park or on the corner of West Avenue and Matthews Park Drive</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Westport, CT&nbsp;</strong>—<strong>&nbsp;</strong>The Westport Book Shop is pleased to welcome local artist Erin Nazzaro as guest exhibitor for the month of June at the Book Shop’s Drew Friedman Art Place.&nbsp;&nbsp;Erin will be exhibiting several of her vivid acrylic paintings on canvas.</p><p> Erin says she is inspired by her travels throughout South and Central America, Mexico, Portugal, the American Southwest, as well as her origins in Connecticut.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I am especially drawn to the Spanish culture because of its vibrancy and color. I paint the people, the landscapes they live on, the animals on these landscapes and the birds that surround them all,” said Erin.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p> Erin Nazzaro studied art at The University of Hartford, and The University of Bridgeport.&nbsp;&nbsp;She is a d with The Artists Collective of Westport, The Carriage Barn Arts Center, New Canaan, The Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Inc, N.Y., The Greenwich Art Society, The Kent Art Association, Oak &amp; Oil Gallery, Katonah, N.Y., The Ridgefield Guild of Artists, The Rowayton Arts Center, and Silvermine Arts Center, New Canaan.</p><p> The Westport Book Shop will hold a reception for Erin and her exhibit on Wednesday evening, June 18, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Space is limited; please RSVP to the Book Shop by phoning 203-349-5141 or sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a></p><p> Erin Nazzaro’s artwork will be on exhibit at the Book Shop through June 30, 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;All work on display is available for purchase.&nbsp;&nbsp;The art exhibit is open to the public during the Book Shop’s regular business hours:&nbsp;&nbsp;Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from Noon to 5 p.m. </p><p> Westport Book Shop, a nonprofit independent used book store, is downtown Westport’s only source for gently used and antiquarian books, vintage vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and audio books.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is located at 23 Jesup Road, right across Jesup Green from the Westport Library.</p><p> The Book Shop’s “Drew Friedman Art Place” is an area of the store dedicated to exhibiting the work of community artists year-round, on a rotating basis.&nbsp;&nbsp;Miggs Burroughs, a Trustee of the Drew Friedman Community Arts Center, and a founding member of The Artists Collective of Westport, curates these exhibits, which change monthly.</p><p><em>The Westport Book Shop is operated by Westport Book Sale Ventures, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit enterprise with the dual social mission to provide meaningful competitive employment for adults with disabilities, while raising for The Westport Library, through used book sales. In addition to the nonprofit Westport Book Shop, gently used books are also offered for sale online through the company’s eBay store at&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.ebay.com/str/westportbooksalesct" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>www.ebay.com/str/westportbooksalesct</em></a><em>, and at periodic large book sale events. For more information, or to make a charitable donation, please visit our website at&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.westportbooksaleventures.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>www.westportbooksaleventures.org</em></a></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><em>Westport Book Sale Ventures welcomes volunteers for all aspects of our operations, from book donation receipt and sorting, to preparing for and working at book sale events, to work in our online sales operation, and at the Westport Book Shop. For more information, and to get involved, please visit&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.westportbooksaleventures.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>www.westportbooksaleventures.org</em></a><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong><em>or send an email to&nbsp;</em><a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>info@westportbooksales</em><strong><em>.</em></strong><em>org</em></a><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></p><p><br></p>

<p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">HARTFORD, CT — State Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield)</strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">&nbsp;tonight cast a decisive “no” vote on&nbsp;</span><a href="https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&amp;which_year=2025&amp;bill_num=7287" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Emergency Certified House Bill 7287</a><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">, the biennial state budget, calling it “unsustainable, overleveraged, and a troubling step backward for Connecticut’s fiscal health.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“This budget sets an illusion of stability while quietly breaking down the very guardrails that protect taxpayers,” said Senator Hwang. “With no more federal ARPA funds to cover ongoing expenses, it’s Connecticut taxpayers who are left holding the bag.”</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Key Fiscal Concerns with the Budget:</strong></p><ul><li><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">$635 million in new taxes on Connecticut residents over two years</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">$2.5 billion in new spending that far exceeds responsible growth</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">$360 million in new business taxes that will stifle job growth</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Weakening of fiscal guardrails through budgetary gimmicks and unsustainable endowments</span></li></ul><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“Where is the money going to come from when the surplus and rainy day funds are gone?” Hwang asked. “This budget doesn’t answer that question. It’s another example of backroom budgeting that leaves Connecticut families, hospitals, and businesses to pick up the pieces.”</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Lack of Transparency and Due Process</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Senator Hwang also criticized the process by which the budget was crafted via emergency certification and closed-door negotiations that excluded many voices and viewpoints.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“This isn’t democracy. It’s government by one-party decree,” said Hwang. “Transparency and due process are essential, not optional. Sadly, this budget ignores those fundamental principles.”</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Impact on Hospitals and Medical Healthcare</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">While Hwang praised the budget’s investments in special education, education cost sharing (ECS) funding, and early childhood programs, all longstanding priorities he has championed - he still could not a budget that undermines healthcare access and local hospitals.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“This budget will raise the hospital tax by $375 million in FY27, forcing hospitals to make up a $235 million gap every year thereafter,” Hwang said. “This is an unfair, backdoor tax on hospitals that will raise healthcare costs for patients and communities.”</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Dangerous Expansion of Union Prevailing Wage</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Hwang raised alarms about a major policy change quietly buried in the budget: the expansion of prevailing wage requirements to off-site workers for the first time.&nbsp;“This is government overreach at its worst,” Hwang said. “It will increase construction costs, stifle competition, and burden small businesses—and it was done without public debate or scrutiny.”</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Retired Teachers’ Health Insurance</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Another key concern is the budget’s reduction in the state’s share of retired teachers’ health insurance, shifting more of the burden onto retirees themselves. “We have a moral obligation to our retired teachers,” Hwang said. “This budget breaks that promise to those who gave decades of service to our children and our state.”</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">A Call for Bipartisan Governance</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Hwang pointed to the 2017 bipartisan budget deal, forged in an evenly divided Senate, as a model for true, balanced governance.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“That bipartisan budget brought stability and ability to our state’s finances,” Hwang said. “When both parties are at the table, you get real ability, balanced priorities, and trust. That’s what’s missing here. I voted no today because this budget puts short-term promises ahead of long-term fiscal health, erodes transparency, and burdens Connecticut’s taxpayers, hospitals, and businesses,” Hwang concluded. “Connecticut deserves better. I remain committed to fighting for sustainable, transparent policies that respect taxpayers and protect our state’s future.”</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>WESTPORT, CT —&nbsp;The Artists Collective of Westport&nbsp;will explore the inner worlds of physical, metaphysical, and emotional spaces through the visual arts with an all-member show at The Westport Library this summer.</p><p><a href="https://www.artistscollectiveofwestport.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">The Artists Collective of Westport’s</a>&nbsp;two-part exhibition will encom all three of the Library’s galleries —<em>Interiors: A Look Inside</em>&nbsp;in the Sheffer Gallery and South Gallery, and&nbsp;<em>Piece by Piece</em>&nbsp;in the Jesup Gallery.</p><p>The two exhibits will open Friday, June 6, and run through Tuesday, July 29, with the artist’s reception and reveal of&nbsp;<em>Piece by Piece</em>&nbsp;to be held at the Library on&nbsp;Friday, June 6, from 6 to 8 pm.</p><p>For&nbsp;<em>Interiors</em>, each of the Artists Collective were invited to display a work in the medium of their choice that explores what “interiors” means to them. Contributors this year include Bonnie Edelman, Lynn Carlson, Peggy Dembicer, and Ros Shaffer, as well as Norm Siegel, Suzanne Benton, Julie Leff, Diane Pollack, Miggs Burroughs, Kat Evans, Niki Ketchman, and more.</p><p><em>Piece by Piece</em>&nbsp;is a 6-foot by 8-foot art installation composed of the work of 48 Artists Collective . Each artist received a 12-inch by 12-inch blank along with a 12-inch square section randomly selected from a well-known modern painting. The artists created their individual piece, replicating a part of the larger painting in their own style, without knowing what the final painting will look like until it is revealed at the opening reception.</p><p>Each 12-inch by 12-inch “piece” of&nbsp;<em>Piece by Piece</em>&nbsp;will be available for purchase starting the night of the reception. Each square will be $100, with 50% of the proceeds ing the Library’s art programs and 50% going to the artist. The additional artworks on display in the Sheffer and South Galleries will also be available for purchase, with a percentage of the proceeds also going to benefit the Library’s art programming. Additional exhibit is provided by The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center.</p><p>“Now in its fourth year, this multi-gallery exhibit with over 100 artists participating showcases the robust visual arts community flourishing in Westport today and continues to be an important and exciting collaboration between the individual artists, the Library, and the community at large,” said Carole Erger-Fass, the Library’s exhibit curator.</p><p><strong>Artist Reception for&nbsp;<em>Interiors: A Look Inside</em>&nbsp;and the Reveal of&nbsp;<em>Piece by Piece</em>&nbsp;with The Artists Collective of Westport</strong></p><p>Friday, June 6</p><p>6-8 pm</p><p>The Westport Library</p><p><strong>Artist Reception:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://westportlibrary.org/event/artist-reception-for-interiors-a-look-inside-and-the-reveal-of-piece-by-piece-with-the-artists-collective-of-westport/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.org/event/artist-reception-for-interiors-a-look-inside-and-the-reveal-of-piece-by-piece-with-the-artists-collective-of-westport/</a></p><p><strong>Story link:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/artists-collective-of-westport-to-explore-the-inner-worlds-of-physical-metaphysical-and-emotional-spaces-with-all-member-show-at-the-westport-library/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.org/artists-collective-of-westport-to-explore-the-inner-worlds-of-physical-metaphysical-and-emotional-spaces-with-all-member-show-at-the-westport-library/</a></p><p><strong>More on&nbsp;<em>Interiors: A Look Inside</em>:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://westportlibrary.org/the-artists-collective-of-westport-interiors-a-look-inside/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.org/the-artists-collective-of-westport-interiors-a-look-inside/</a></p><p><strong>More on&nbsp;<em>Piece by Piece</em>:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://westportlibrary.org/the-artists-collective-of-westport-piece-by-piece/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.org/the-artists-collective-of-westport-piece-by-piece/</a></p><p><strong>Art at the Library homepage:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/art-at-the-library/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">https://westportlibrary.org/art-at-the-library/</a></p><p><strong>About The Artists Collective of Westport</strong></p><p>The Artists Collective of Westport is a nonprofit organization composed of&nbsp;150 local artists<em>&nbsp;</em>who have ed forces to discuss, create, and develop dynamic experiences for the Fairfield County community.&nbsp;The collective is open to all&nbsp;active&nbsp;artists&nbsp;in&nbsp;pursuit of&nbsp;expanding their&nbsp;careers and&nbsp;in developing a strong,&nbsp;diverse&nbsp;arts&nbsp;community.&nbsp;For more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.artistscollectiveofwestport.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">artistscollectiveofwestport.org</a>.</p><p><strong>About The Westport Library</strong></p><p>Founded in 1886, built in 1908, and transformed in 2019, The Westport Library is one of the most active and innovative public libraries in the nation, devoted to enriching the intellectual and creative lives of the community. Among its many highlights are a full collection of books for children, teens, and adults; an engaging and colorful Children’s Library; a MakerSpace; a Library of Things; a Seed Library; a robust café and store; and professional art installations that rotate throughout the year. The Westport Library is also home to Verso Studios, replete with an SSL hybrid analog sound studio and broadcast control suite featuring a state-of-the-art console and six robotic cameras, and the Trefz Forum, an open, flexible space that can accommodate up to 600 patrons and features an 18-foot video wall, 35-foot stage, state-of-the-art sound, and theatrical lighting. Situated in the heart of downtown Westport overlooking the scenic Saugatuck River, The Westport Library annually hosts StoryFest, the largest literary festival in Connecticut, and VersoFest, its multi-day music and media festival. Above all, the Library strives to serve the whole community as a vibrant gathering spot where people of all ages come to seek information, gain knowledge, exchange ideas, and share experiences. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">westportlibrary.org</a>.</p><p><strong>Art at the Library</strong></p><p>Westport has a rich heritage as an artists' community, which continues today with a vibrant, local arts scene. Our goal is to honor this legacy by making the arts accessible to everyone. Our three galleries of rotating exhibits provide visitors with the opportunity to experience original work by local artists. The Library's permanent art collection and ongoing arts programming further demonstrate our deep commitment to the local and regional arts community. For more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://westportlibrary.org/art-at-the-library" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">westportlibrary.org/art-at-the-library</a>.</p>

<p><strong>HARTFORD, CT –</strong>&nbsp;Yesterday,&nbsp;<strong>Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield)</strong>&nbsp;cast a “yes” vote in of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&amp;which_year=2025&amp;bill_num=4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Senate Bill 4</a>:&nbsp;<em>An Act Concerning Energy Affordability, Access, and ability</em>, a bipartisan compromise aimed at providing modest relief to Connecticut electric ratepayers and bringing much-needed transparency to the utility sector.</p><p>“This was not an easy vote,” said Senator Hwang. “For too long, Connecticut residents have been burdened by some of the highest energy costs in the country, with hidden charges and little ability. This bill takes important first steps to lower costs for families and small businesses, but it falls short of the comprehensive reform we desperately need.”</p><p><strong>Key Relief Measures:</strong></p><ul><li>Eliminating certain charges from electric bills, saving ratepayers over $100 million statewide.</li><li>Utilizing state borrowing to fund vital public benefit programs, including home conservation efforts and energy assistance, rather than burying these costs in monthly bills.</li><li>Adjusting subsidies for electric vehicles and solar installations to improve fairness and transparency.</li></ul><p>“These changes are a small but important step forward,” Hwang said. “They end hidden taxes on utility bills and move these programs into the General Appropriation Fund, where they can be reviewed and debated openly like every other budget priority. Transparency and ability.”</p><p><strong>Balancing Clean Energy and ability</strong></p><p>Senator Hwang acknowledged concerns from environmental advocates about renewable energy impacts, but emphasized that this bill is not a retreat from clean energy, it’s about demanding honesty and transparency.</p><p>“We are not abandoning clean energy. We’re bringing ability to how those funds are spent,” Hwang said. “We owe it to ratepayers to make sure every dollar spent is truly delivering value.”</p><p><strong>Ongoing Concerns and the Need for Deeper Reform</strong></p><p>Despite these improvements, Hwang highlighted several concerns that remain unresolved:</p><ul><li>Provisions expanding the authority of the PURA Chair without sufficient checks and balances.</li><li>Language that could retroactively validate contested decisions, impacting ongoing litigation involving PURA, Eversource, and Avangrid.</li><li>A toxic atmosphere of mistrust and lawsuits that continues to plague Connecticut’s energy regulation system.</li></ul><p>“Connecticut’s energy system is broken and the cost burden on ratepayers is unaffordable,” Hwang said. “We have a regulatory environment marked by lawsuits, gridlock, and a deep breakdown in trust. While Senate Bill 4 brings some relief, it is only a stopgap, not the long-term solution we need.”</p><p><strong>A Call for Structural Reform</strong></p><p>Senator Hwang called for bold, bipartisan action to address the underlying dysfunction in Connecticut’s energy governance:</p><ul><li>Formal mediation processes to resolve disputes between regulators and utilities.</li><li>Greater demand for transparency, ability and responsive consumer services and reliability.</li><li>True stakeholder collaboration to develop sustainable, affordable energy policies that respect the environment and ratepayers alike.</li></ul><p>“My vote today was a reluctant yes, because our residents need relief now,” Hwang concluded. “But make no mistake: we must keep fighting for structural reforms that restore trust, protect consumers, be cost efficient and make our energy system fair, transparent, and able to the people it serves.”</p><p>Senate Bill 4 now heads to the House of Representative and upon House age, goes to the Governor’s desk for final approval.</p>