<p class="ql-align-justify">Governor Ned Lamont today announced the launch of&nbsp;<a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail20.com/t/j-l-gnltld-tlluktiylh-u/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);"><strong>Connecticut’s first-ever oyster trail</strong></a>, accompanied by the premiere of the new short-form documentary,&nbsp;<a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail20.com/t/j-l-gnltld-tlluktiylh-o/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);"><strong><em>Rising Tide to Table</em></strong></a>, which celebrates the state’s thriving oyster industry, from farm to fork.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The Connecticut Oyster Trail meticulously maps out the diverse array of oyster farms and culinary destinations statewide, encourages residents and visitors alike to savor the local flavor of Connecticut's acclaimed oysters.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">“Connecticut is the Napa Valley of oysters,”&nbsp;Governor Lamont said. “Once hailed as the ‘Oyster Capital of the World,’ we are reclaiming our place at the forefront of this maritime and culinary tradition. Today, we honor the tireless dedication of our aquaculture farmers, whose passion and perseverance are instrumental in inspiring a new generation of chefs to think about this fruit of the sea as king of the kitchen.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">“As we celebrate the launch of Connecticut’s first-ever oyster trail, I urge our state’s restaurants to embrace our local bounty and feature Connecticut oysters on their menus,”&nbsp;<strong>Governor Lamont said</strong>. “Supporting our local oyster farmers not only strengthens our economy but also allows diners to experience the exceptional quality and freshness of our coastal treasures right here in our own backyard.”</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Anyone interested in viewing the map of the Connecticut Oyster Trail and watching the documentary can find both on the Connecticut Office of Tourism’s website at&nbsp;<a href="https://officeofthegovernor.cmail20.com/t/j-l-gnltld-tlluktiylh-z/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 113, 187);"><strong>www.CTvisit.com</strong></a>.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">These two projects were created in partnership between the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.</p><iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W__8bMvZCow?showinfo=0"></iframe><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br></p><p><br></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Darien Chamber and HAYVN Coworking Announce “Mastering Unique Brand Positioning: A Method to Unlock Your Brand DNA” Event</strong></p><p>The Darien Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with HAYVN Coworking Community, is presenting a dynamic Professional Development and Networking 3-Part Series, next up is, “Mastering Unique Brand Positioning: A Method to Unlock Your Brand DNA” with Jacqueline Lieberman, Founder, Chief Strategist, BrandCrudo Consultancy on May 21, 2024. </p><p>In this enlightening keynote, attendees will hear Jacqueline’s unpopular view on why brand positioning is much more powerful than brand storytelling. After years at a storytelling ad agency, she makes a case that marketing around a brand’s irrefutable truth - rooted in a brand’s DNA - is the true bedrock of successful communication.⁠</p><p>Through well-known use cases, Jacqueline takes the audience through BrandCrudo’s DNA Method, outlining key steps to uncover the defining attributes that set you apart from the competition. This keynote is a step-by-step playbook you can apply to your business – don’t miss out!⁠</p><p>All events will take place at HAYVN, 320 Boston Post Road, Darien, starting at 5:30pm with networking and lite fare, concluding at 7pm. The fee is $10 per event for DCC and HAYVN members and $30 for non-members. Thank you to our sponsors, Naya, The Town Cellar and Bedford &amp; New Canaan Magazine.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For more information, registration, event and speaker details and our sponsors, please visit </span><a href="http://www.darienctchamber.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">www.darienctchamber.com.</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The Darien Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to assuming a leadership role in advancing the business community and enhancing the quality of life in Darien. The mission is to foster an economically and socially thriving community by planning and implementing programs, </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">benefits, and events that cater to the diverse needs of all Chamber members. We aim to create a vibrant and interconnected community that benefits both businesses and residents alike.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">HAYVN is a dedicated, flexible workspace for connecting, learning, collaborating, advancing, growing and achieving business dreams with an unparalleled networking community through a combination of topical and aspirational programming.&nbsp;HAYVN coworking has private offices, dedicated desks, coworking space as well as meeting rooms and events space to rent. In addition, it has a robust event/social membership for people that do not need physical coworking.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">According to Thriving Youth Darien’s 2023 Youth Survey, 69% of high-school aged youth believed it would be sort of or very easy to access alcohol, and 53% report getting alcohol from an adult or parent with their permission.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">To address these concerning findings, Thriving Youth Darien is partnering with the Darien Police Department on a “sticker shock” campaign this spring to raise awareness in our community about Connecticut’s Social Host Law, which holds parents and property owners liable for underage drinking and/or cannabis use that occurs in their homes. A person convicted of violating this law may be fined up to $2,000 and receive up to one year in jail.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">The “sticker shock” campaign launches in May to coincide with prom and graduation celebrations. Youth representatives from Thriving Youth Darien, The Community Fund of Darien’s Youth Asset Team, and The Depot’s Students Against Destructive Decisions group and Volunteer Club will place signage and stickers with the reminder “If teens can’t buy it, don’t supply it” at participating local wine and liquor retailers. The stickers also direct residents to more information about the social host law, along with free resources and tips for parents to talk to their kids about alcohol and other substances (</span><a href="http://www.communityfunddarien.org/ty-social-host-law" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">www.communityfunddarien.org/ty-social-host-law</a><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">). </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">A special thank you Sipstirs, Frate’s Wines and Liquors, and Leary’s Liquor Cabinet for partnering with Thriving Youth Darien and Darien Police Department to share this important message with our community.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">The educational campaign will continue in May and June with social media posts highlighting CT’s social host law and findings related to underage drinking from the 2023 Darien Youth Survey. Follow @thrivingyouthdarien on Instagram and Facebook for posts and the latest updates about this important initiative.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">“This campaign is a reminder that underage drinking is a community problem, not just a teen problem,” noted Thriving Youth Director Sarah McCarty. “It also raises awareness about the harmful effects of alcohol on the still-developing teen brain that may have life-long impacts, including an increased risk for adult alcohol addiction and poor school performance.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">This year, as teens celebrate milestones or simply gather for fun, remember the Social Host Law! Please keep our community safe and keep alcohol away from our teens.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">For more information on the Social Host Law and substance use resources, please visit </span><a href="http://www.communityfunddarien.org/ty-social-host-law" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">www.communityfunddarien.org/ty-social-host-law</a><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;"> or follow @thrivingyouthdarien on Instagram or Facebook.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">Thriving Youth Darien is a volunteer coalition that brings together local community organizations to promote and empower positive youth development and mental health, with the goal of reducing teen substance use. The diverse group includes mental health, substance use and healthcare professionals as well as leaders from the schools, police, town government and clergy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); background-color: transparent;">Thanks to its federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Grant, Thriving Youth Darien, in partnership with the Darien Public Schools, surveys Darien 6-12th grade students about their mental health and substance use patterns every two years and presents results to parents and the town. The findings are also used to inform TYTF members’ educational program planning. Thriving Youth Darien, which is convened by The Community Fund of Darien, was created in 2008 and meets every other month during the school year.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p>

<p>Registration is open now for Darien Arts Center summer dance and art camps, classes and intensives for all ages that begin in June. View all offerings and register at <a href="http://www.darienarts.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;">darienarts.org</a> or call (203) 655-8683. The DAC is located at 2 Renshaw Road in Darien, behind the Town Hall.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/s9q8xh/8t9ktj/42dz8x" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong><u>Creative Movement</u></strong></a><strong><u> </u></strong><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/s9q8xh/8t9ktj/0nfz8x" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong><u>&amp; Art Camp</u></strong></a><strong><u>:</u> Ages 3-5 | 11-1:30pm</strong> | June 10-13 | June 17-20 | June 24-27</p><p><em>&nbsp;</em></p><p><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/s9q8xh/8t9ktj/w8gz8x" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong>Cartooning Camp</strong></a><strong>:</strong></p><p><strong>Grades 1-3 | 2:30-4pm</strong> | June 10-13 | June 17-20</p><p><strong>Grades 4-7 | 2:30-4pm</strong> | June 24-27 | July 8-11</p><p><em>&nbsp;</em></p><p><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/s9q8xh/8t9ktj/stiz8x" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong>Good Morning</strong></a><u> </u><a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/s9q8xh/8t9ktj/oekz8x" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong>Art Camp</strong></a><strong>:</strong></p><p><strong>Grades K-2 | 10-11:30am</strong> | July 8-11 | July 15-18 | July 22-25</p><p><strong>Grades 3-5 | 10-12pm</strong> | July 29-August 1 | August 5-8 | August 12-15</p><p><br></p><p><strong><u>Summer Dance Camps &amp; Classes for Ages 3-6:</u></strong></p><p><a href="https://register.darienarts.org/CourseCatalog/CategoryView.asp?ID=142" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong><u>Petite Dancers Class</u></strong></a><strong><u>: </u></strong>Ages 3-6. Sign-up available for 1 or 2 weeks. June 17 - June 27 | M-Th, 12pm - 3pm</p><p><a href="https://register.darienarts.org/CourseCatalog/ScheduleView.asp?ScheduleId=877" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong>Dance Beginnings Class</strong></a><strong>: </strong>Ages 3-4<strong>. </strong>July 15 - August 12 | Mondays, 12pm - 12:45pm</p><p><a href="https://register.darienarts.org/CourseCatalog/ScheduleView.asp?ScheduleId=878" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong>Pre Ballet Class</strong></a><strong>: </strong>Ages 4-5<strong>. </strong>July 15 - August 12 | Mondays, 1pm - 1:45pm</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://register.darienarts.org/CourseCatalog/CategoryView.asp?ID=143" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong><u>Summer Dance Intensives for Ages 10-18</u></strong></a><strong><u>:</u></strong></p><p><a href="https://register.darienarts.org/CourseCatalog/ScheduleView.asp?ScheduleId=884" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong><u>Intermediate Summer Intensive</u></strong></a><u>: </u>Ages 10-13. July 22 - August 2 | Monday-Friday, 2pm - 5pm</p><p><a href="https://register.darienarts.org/CourseCatalog/ScheduleView.asp?ScheduleId=883" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong>Advanced Summer Intensive</strong></a><strong>:</strong> Ages 14-18. August 12-23 | Monday-Friday, 12pm – 4pm</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://register.darienarts.org/CourseCatalog/CategoryView.asp?ID=141" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;"><strong><u>Adult/Teen Open Classes</u></strong></a><strong><u>:</u></strong></p><p>June 24-August 12 | Mondays, 10am -11:30am</p><p>June 27-August 14 | Thursdays, 10am -11:30am</p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ladies of Summer&nbsp;on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - 6:30pm</strong></p><p>Our annual Ladies of Summer event is back - you are cordially invited to the literary party of the year!</p><p>We are ECSTATIC to welcome Beatriz Williams, Kristan Higgins, and Annabel Monaghan to Wee Burn Country Club for a captivating panel plus conversation and book signing with guests. Learn more about these women and their books below. Each ticket includes entry, a glass of wine, and light bites. Additional drinks will be available for purchase.&nbsp;</p><p>Tickets on sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ladies-of-summer-2024-tickets-880878139227" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(28, 92, 66); background-color: transparent;"><strong>NOW</strong></a>!</p><p>Learn more <a href="https://www.barrettbookstore.com/event/ladies-summer-2024" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.barrettbookstore.com/event/ladies-summer-2024</a></p>

<p>DARIEN, CT, May 14, 2024 – Impact Fairfield County (Impact FFC), the area’s premier women’s collective giving organization, awarded two $100,000 Grants to Fairfield County nonprofits:&nbsp;<strong>Boys &amp; Girls Club of Stamford&nbsp;</strong>(“BGCS”)<strong>&nbsp;</strong>and&nbsp;<strong>Filling in the Blanks</strong>&nbsp;(“FITB”). Each grantee will also receive an additional $10,500 in unrestricted funding. In addition, Impact FFC awarded three $20,000 unrestricted general operating grants to the other finalists:&nbsp;<strong>Jewish Family Services of Greenwich</strong>,<strong>&nbsp;OPTIMUS Health Care</strong>,<strong>&nbsp;</strong>and&nbsp;<strong>Teaching Matters</strong>. This year’s finalists’ applications requested support for early literacy programming, transportation for a human services agency, after-school youth counseling, maternal health navigation, and mobile food pantry services.</p><p>The winners of the $100,000 Grants were selected by a vote of Impact FFC’s 281-women membership at their Grant Awards Celebration in Darien on May 8th. The vote followed a rigorous application process which narrowed down an initial pool of nearly 60 nonprofit applicants to five finalist organizations who presented at the Grant Awards Celebration. After undertaking a comprehensive review of the applications and conducting thorough site visits, members selected the five finalists, and ultimately the two winners, based on criteria including the organization’s demonstrated impact, the population served, and the long-term sustainability of the project. Kellyann Day, CEO of New Reach and Reverend Sara Smith, CEO of nOURish BRIDGEPORT, also presented updates on their 2022 Impact FFC Grant Award initiatives. Last year, New Reach saw a 98% eviction prevention rate and nOURish BRIDGEPORT distributed 14 tons of fresh produce throughout Bridgeport and other areas of Fairfield County.&nbsp;</p><p>Impact FFC’s 2024 Grant winners:</p><ul><li>The Boys &amp; Girls Club of Stamford’s mission is to enable all youth to reach their full potential. The average household income of the families served is $25,000; half live in single-parent households; 95% are individuals of color; half are English Language</li><li> Learners. 550+ children and teens attend BGCS daily, participating in a wide range of programs that support their academic, emotional, and social development. The Impact FFC Grant will support the transformation of BGCS’ after-school services by integrating</li><li> youth mental health gatekeeper and social-emotional development frameworks. BGCS will equip staff through the Recognize, Refer, and Respond model and Mental Health First Aid. Staff will learn to identify signs of distress, to de-escalate, and make referrals.</li><li> Fostering a culture of emotional intelligence and empathy through Yale University’s RULER model, this initiative will impact all 3,000 youth that BGCS serves and provide clinical counseling to 300 children and teens per year.</li></ul><p>“We are a safety net for the 550 children and teens that come to us each and every day. With Impact FFC’s grant, we’ll be able to reduce the stigma of mental health and dramatically increase support at the intersection of the most underserved youth in our trusted space where they spend so much of their day,”&nbsp;said Craig Baker, CEO of The Boys &amp; Girls Club of Stamford.</p><ul><li><strong>Filling in the Blanks, </strong>based in Norwalk, CT, is fighting childhood hunger by providing over 8,000 children in need with meals on the weekends, delivering over 3 million meals in their 11 year history. After learning that</li><li> families were sharing the meals provided for the children, FITB launched the "Fresh Food on the Move" mobile food pantry program, which conducts two monthly distributions in Norwalk and Stamford, CT. This initiative serves 900 families a month, offering grade-A</li><li> quality fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, grains, and dairy, empowering families to cook nutritious meals at home and eat together. “Fresh Food on the Move” creates a supportive environment similar to a farmers’ market, partnering with local agencies and providing</li><li> services ranging from hygiene products, winter coats, books, flu vaccines, health insurance, housing and employment opportunities, and financial literacy at the events, in addition to the food pantry. With support from the Impact FFC Grant, FITB will fund</li><li> seven mobile food pantry events, providing over 175,000 pounds of fresh food to community members.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>“Our mobile pantry is more than just food - it’s a community hub providing essential services with dignity and compassion and helping to reduce stress from their lives. With the addition of these seven events, we’ll be able to provide increased consistency, trust and compassion for our families, transforming the lives of so many who struggle with food insecurity and other challenges” said Shawnee Knight &amp; Tina Kramer, Co-Founders, Presidents of Filling in the Blanks.</p><p>With Impact FFC’s membership representing 19 towns across Fairfield County, Impact FFC continues to push the boundaries of where and how Impact FFC can make a difference, across the spectrum of age groups and supporting a variety of initiatives ranging from education and skill training, to healthcare, to basic needs.</p><p>In its ninth year of investing to transform the lives of Fairfield County’s neediest, Impact FFC has provided over $2.1 million in total grant funding. “With this year’s grants, we will be supporting initiatives designed to better meet the health, wellness and basic needs of our community members. We look forward to seeing these organizations use their grants to impact so many,” said Impact FFC Co-President Jenny San Jose.</p><p>Next year’s grant cycle will represent Impact FFC’s tenth year of giving, which will be celebrated throughout the year.</p><p><br></p>