[CASL-L] Early Childhood Education Endowment Public Hearing | Registration closes on Monday, December 8th at 5:00 PM.
CASL President
president at ctcasl.org
Sat Dec 6 13:24:12 PST 2025
If you'd like to speak at this annual public hearing or send written
testimony, see details below.
*Valerie DiLorenzo*
CASL President
Connecticut Association of School Librarians' Organization Address:
4 Wotton Lane
Burlington, CT 06013
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Senator Maher <maher at senatedems.ct.gov>
Date: Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Subject: Early Childhood Endowment Public Hearing | Local Events & News
Check out my weekly enews with updates from across our district and state!
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Dear Neighbor,
Join the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board for its annual
public hearing on Wednesday, December 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the
Legislative Office Building in Hartford. This is an important chance to
help shape the future of early childhood education in Connecticut and share
your perspective with the board. You can register to testify either in
person or via Zoom here.
<https://senatedems.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d71bd19fdbe20f487488c3f4b&id=e99aaee943&e=9b1349c473>
*Tour of the South Norwalk Walk Bridge Construction Site*
I was fascinated on my tour of the construction site of the new Walk Bridge
in South Norwalk this week. The project is an engineering marvel and is
being built to enhance safety, reliability, and accessibility for both
trains and the surrounding community. It was inspiring to see the progress
firsthand and to learn more about this important project that will benefit
our state for years to come! Kudos to DOT for their work throughout this
years’ long investment in our future.
As always reach out to my office with any comments, questions, or concerns.
Take care,
*-Ceci *
*SNAP Still At Risk For 36,000 In Connecticut*
Although the government shutdown has ended and SNAP benefits are being
issued on schedule, access to food assistance remains uncertain. The
Connecticut Mirror reported that new eligibility rules in the Republican
federal budget approved in July 2025 could remove roughly 36,000
Connecticut residents from the program, about 10 percent of current
recipients. That shift is raising alarms about public health and food
security for people already vulnerable.
Adults ages 55 to 64 and parents with children 14 and older would be
required to meet work obligations for the first time, and exemptions for
veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth would be
eliminated. Although 2/3 of participants in SNAP benefits currently work,
this new cohort of participants would need to document 20 hours of weekly
work. Refugees, asylum seekers and certain survivors of domestic violence
and sex trafficking would also lose access to benefits under the changes. Read
more here
<https://senatedems.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d71bd19fdbe20f487488c3f4b&id=585546b4e9&e=9b1349c473>
.
*New Campaign To Fight Opioid Epidemic*
End Stigma CT,
<https://senatedems.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d71bd19fdbe20f487488c3f4b&id=b856fcfa24&e=9b1349c473>
a new campaign in Connecticut, is working to push more people to seek
treatment for opioid use. The new initiative, supported by a $10 million
federal grant, is designed to reduce the stigma of opioid use, which can
lead to people not seeking care and continuing to suffer or not receiving
the care they need. The initiative uses stories from people with opioid use
disorder and loved ones of struggling individuals, guiding more people to
seek care.
*Pizza Capitol’ Campaign Bolsters Connecticut Tourism*
For the past few years, Connecticut’s “Pizza Capitol of the United States”
campaign has promoted the state as home to the nation’s best pizza, and the
strategy is paying off. According to CT Insider, the campaign has helped
Connecticut rise to third place nationally
<https://senatedems.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d71bd19fdbe20f487488c3f4b&id=113a93437a&e=9b1349c473>
when people are asked where they think the best pizza comes from, behind
only New York City and Chicago, and many say Connecticut pizza rivals New
York’s. Interest has surged, with searches on the state’s tourism website
up 50% and Google searches for Connecticut pizza up nearly 70%
year-over-year. Even better, while typical marketing campaigns generate
about $3 for every $1 spent, the Pizza Capitol campaign generated $11 for
every $1 spent.
*Winter Driving Reminders*
With snow in the forecast this week and a wetter winter expected, AAA has
issued reminders for safe winter diving
<https://senatedems.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d71bd19fdbe20f487488c3f4b&id=110d79b417&e=9b1349c473>.
Drivers should reduce speed in poor conditions and avoid sudden braking or
sharp turns. Begin gradually, maintain a greater following distance and use
extra caution on hills. Rather than accelerating while climbing, build
momentum before reaching an incline to help keep control.
Wilton: Grange Holiday Market
On Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Cannon Grange will hold
its Holiday Market at 25 Cannon Road in Wilton. The event will have a $5
entry fee to access the works of artisans and enter raffles and a silent
auction.
Wilton: Great Trains Show
Wilton’s Great Trains Show runs through Sunday, January 18 Wednesdays
through Sundays at the Wilton Historical Society. Admission is free for
members, $5 for non-member children and $10 for non-member adults.
Westport: Library Book Sale
The Westport Library will hold a book sale from Friday, December 5 to
Monday, December 8 in the library, with sales starting Friday at noon,
Saturday at 9 a.m., Sunday at 11 a.m. and Monday at 9 a.m., with an early
access event Friday morning. The event will have free admission with gently
used books in 50+ categories plus vintage finds, puzzles, music and art.
Westport: Cookie Walk and Holiday Gift Market
On Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the United Methodist Church
– Westport and Weston, at 49 Weston Road in Westport, will hold a Cookie
Walk and Holiday Gift Market.
Westport Thanks The Community
Westport’s Department of Human Services recently thanked the many residents
who contributed to supporting neighbors this Thanksgiving. The Westport
Women’s Club provided $11,000 in grocery gift cards to households in need,
while the Westport Center for Senior Activities, Friends of the Senior
Center, Westport Women’s Club, Calise’s Food Market, Coleytown Middle
School, Coleytown Elementary School, Stepping Stones Preschool, Temple
Israel’s Early Childhood Center, Gault and the Westport Food Fund all
received recognition for donation efforts. Anyone wishing to join the
community support trend heading into the holiday season can visit
www.westportct.gov/donate
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.
Redding: Blood Drive
On Monday, December 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Redding’s Joel Barlow
High School will host a blood drive, with donors receiving $15 e-gift cards
for their time.
Ridgefield: Holiday Stroll
Ridgefield is kicking off the season with two days of music, performances,
carriage rides, Santa’s HQ at the Lounsbury House, and festive fun across
Main Street. This Friday, December 5, events run 5-9 p.m., including
carolers, toy soldiers, special youth performances, and extended hours at
Keeler Tavern Museum. On Saturday, December 6, festivities run noon-4 p.m.
with the outdoor holiday market on Bailey Avenue, pony rides, Santa on Main
Street, more youth choir performances, and the Bernese Mountain Dog Parade
at 12 p.m. More information is available here.
<https://senatedems.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d71bd19fdbe20f487488c3f4b&id=128fdc2849&e=9b1349c473>
Stamford: Mill River Park Holiday Market
Stamford is celebrating the season with the Mill River Park Holiday Market
this Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy a
festive weekend with Santa visits, tree shopping, skating, fire pits, hot
cocoa, local bites, live music, and artisan vendors offering handmade gifts
and décor. Rain date: December 13 and 14.
New Canaan: Y Winter Wonderland
The New Canaan YMCA will hold a Winter Wonderland event on Sunday, December
7 from 3-5 p.m. with crafts, games, cookies, a visit from Santa and more –
it’s free and open to the community. Learn more at www.newcanaanymca.org
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Darien: Old Fashioned Holiday
On Saturday, December 6 from 2-5 p.m., Darien’s Tilley Pond Park will host
a Parks and Recreation celebration of the holidays with caroling, crafts, a
holiday market and more.
Darien: Wreaths Across America
Darien will recognize Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, December 13
at noon at Spring Grove Veterans Cemetery. Wreaths are still needed to
honor local veterans; visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
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to donate.
Contact Me
If you have any questions, please contact my office at *860-240-0068* or by
email at *Maher at senatedems.ct.gov* <Maher at senatedems.ct.gov?subject=&body=>.
Thank you and I hope to hear from you!
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State Senator Ceci Maher
Connecticut Senate Democrats
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Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106-1553
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