The summer of 2018 rolled out a diverse and highly entertaining selection of concerts to attend and review, culminating in a breathtaking multi-act bill as Connecticut hosted its first Farm Aid, which appropriately happened on the first full day of Autumn.
The seven-member Joni Mitchell’s Jazz will celebrate Joni Mitchell’s 75th birthday by playing to audiences at Edmond Town Hall Theatre on Saturday, October 13. Proceeds will go to the Edmond Town Hall restoration fund, earmarked for the historic building’s theater.
In a new partnership with Newtown United Methodist Church, Newtown Parent Connection will present “A Spotlight On Addiction,” Sunday, September 30, at 11:30 am, at the church.
Newtown Cultural Arts Commission and C.H. Booth Library will bring a uniquely Newtown project to the community in recognition of National Arts and Humanities Month. “The Main Street Replica Project” includes free workshops that will teach participants how to use 3D printers to create a miniature replica of Main Street.
C.H. Booth Library will welcome the return of ArtScapades next week for the group’s 25th lecture in Newtown. On Wednesday, September 26, at 6:30 pm, Robin Hoffman and Jodi Stiffelman will present “East Meets West: From Japonism to Impressionism.”
The Newtown High School Marching Band and Guard’s Tenth Annual 100 Family Tag Sale will take place on Saturday, September 22, from 9 am to 2 pm, at the high school. The group will then continue its Saturday with a competitive performance at New Milford High School just a few hours after the fundraiser.
The art of Newtown resident Patricia Singer will be featured in "Collage Alchemy: Patricia Singer’s A Healing Journey,” a one-artist exhibition at La Zingara Restaurant that will celebrate its opening reception on Wednesday, September 19. The exhibition will then remain on view through late November.
The idea that a freshman Democrat would be able to stand up to the special interests and prioritization of urban districts that are the base of that caucus to deliver results for Newtown is laughable - especially someone who could not even build the "relationships, coalitions, and the support necessary" to garner the endorsements of her fellow Democrat Council members ahead of Newtown's local caucus this spring.
More likely Newtown would see something akin to Leeper in Fairfield, performative actions after vote counting, while privately advancing their party's interests over their community's.
Dear Alyssa, Kelela, and Brandon,
We send our sincere sympathy to you and your family. We will also keep you in our prayers asking our Lord to grant you comfort and peace.
With love,
Vince and Sandy Venitelli
Bruce, your advice that voters should “read, listen, and engage” would be much more persuasive if you practiced it yourself.
You campaigned on openness and responsiveness. You declared that “evasive answers or silence are unacceptable in government” and promised to answer constituent inquiries within two days. Yet you never answered my straightforward public question about Main Street demonstrations, traffic disruption, pedestrian safety, and the effects on local businesses.
After taking office, meaningful public engagement has largely been replaced by “Brews with Bruce” at the Senior Center—requiring reservations and, for some residents, a day pass. That is not accessible, townwide engagement. Previous first selectmen held open coffee hours and walk-and-talk sessions that any resident could attend.
Then came the failed storm communications, your apology, and another promise to communicate better—followed shortly afterward by more silence while multiple police agencies conducted a significant search near Saw Mill Road.
You now tell voters to examine what candidates say and “how they say it.” I would suggest going one step further: compare what politicians promise while seeking office with what they actually do after winning.
Your record presents a stark contrast. You told voters exactly what they wanted to hear to get the job, then failed to live by those promises. Whether that is dishonesty or simply indifference, it is the same familiar, two-faced politics you once claimed you would replace.
Nothing says “I care about Newtown homeowners” quite like lining Main Street with plywood campaign billboards—apparently built just inches below the size at which officials say they can take action. At this rate, we’ll need property-tax relief just to offset the loss in curb appeal.
