Mid-week Roundup: ‘Animaniacs’ at The Rockwell Theater, blood drive sponsored by American Legion Post 209 and first of two BBCG programs

Downtown Live presents “Animaniacs: In Concert” this Saturday evening

“Animaniacs: In Concert,” based on the animated Warner Bros series, will be the next Downtown Live performance at The Rockwell Theater, Saturday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The family-friendly show stars the show’s original Emmy-Winning composer, Randy Rogel, on piano and the voice-talents of Emmy winner Rob Paulsen (Yakko & Pinky on “Animaniacs;” Raphael on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”), and Maurice LaMarche (The Brain on “Animaniacs;” Kif & Calculon on “Futurama”).

Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets, at $30 for a child under 10 years and $40 general admission, are available here.

American Legion Post 209 sponsors blood drive at DoubleTree

A blood drive, sponsored by American Legion Post 209, will be held Monday, Feb. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton of Bristol.

For an appointment, contact 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: BristolCT.

All donors receive a $20 Amazon gift card via email.

First of two BBGC events this Friday evening

The Bristol Boys and Girls Club is sponsoring two events this month.

A “Sweetheart Dance, featuring dancing, face painting and cookie decorating will be held on Friday, Feb. 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost is $5 for members (in-person only) and $10 for non-members. For information contact Jessica Killean via email at jkillean@bbgc.org.

The annual “Bowling Pins, Pizza & Prizes” fundraiser benefitting Imagine Nation and sponsored by the Bristol Boys and Girls Club will be held Sunday, Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Spare Time Entertainment on Farmington Avenue. Sponsorships are available. For information, contact Doreen Stickney at (860)314-1400 ext. 160 or via email at doreen.stickney@imaginenation.org.

Bristol Veterans Council fundraising for POW/MIA monument

The Bristol Veterans Council continues to raise funds for a POW/MIA monument to be installed on Memorial Boulevard. The six-foot high, 10-inch thick and three-feet wide gray granite monument will honor each branch of the military. The goal for the installation is Memorial Day 2024.

Donations may be sent to Bristol Veterans Council, Inc., P.O.W./ M.I.A. Fundraiser, c/o Stanley J. Piotrowski–Treasurer, P.O. Box 2634, Bristol, CT 06011-2634.

Local NAACP program celebrates local activists during Black History Month

A Black History Month program, “Honoring Local Activists of Our Time: Come Let’s Celebrate Some of Our Own,” will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carousel Museum.

Among those being honored are Pastor Daniel R. Collins, Anthony Floyd, Johnie M. Floyd, Barbara Hudson, Jay Maia, Laura S. Minor, Frank Robinson, Ellen Zoppo-Sassu, Dayna Snell, Pastor Eddie C. Whitehead, Sr., and Gale Williams.

The program is being sponsored by the Greater Bristol Branch of the NAACP. Tickets are, for adults, $40; for children 10 and under, $20. Tickets are available until Feb. 18, by contacting Lexie Mangum, (860) 202-9965 or Tim Camerl, (860) 977-5722

State officials warn against potential government imposter scam

Connecticut businesses have been the target of an ongoing potential government imposter scam, according to a release from Attorney General William Tong, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, Commissioner of Banking Jorge Perez, and Commissioner of Consumer Protection Bryan T. Cafferelli.

In this scheme, a company called CT UCC Statement Service, attempts to get businesses to pay $90 for a copy of a Uniform Commercial Code report. While the solicitation is designed to look like a government notice, this company has no affiliation with the State of Connecticut. In fact, UCC reports may be accessed for free via the Secretary of the State’s website at business.ct.gov.

While the company notes in small print that they are “not affiliated with any state or government agency” and that businesses are not required to use their services, such a disclaimer may not be sufficient.

To report a scam or instance of fraud to the Office of the Attorney General, please file a complaint online here: https://www.dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint.

Lamont announces new one-stop-shop portal for jobseekers

The launch of Connecticut’s new jobs portal, jobs.ct.gov was announced by Gov. Ned Lamont last week, in a release from the governor’s office. The portal is aimed at assisting Connecticut residents and those seeking to move to the state in the process of finding a job.

It represents the latest development in the Lamont administration’s ongoing journey toward an all-digital state government, according to the release.

Jobs.ct.gov joins health.ct.gov and business.ct.gov as the next service category to be developed in the new digital, one-stop government ecosystem. Some of the resources available through the jobs portal include:

  • Powerful job search tools;
  • Job search tips and personal help;
  • Free and low-cost training, certificate, and classroom programs; and
  • Resources to help employers hire, train, and retain employees.

All of the resources are Connecticut-specific and focus on connecting jobseekers with the variety of employment and workforce development opportunities offered in the state.

Yard waste barrels available from Public Works

Public Works is accepting applications for yard waste barrels for the 2024 yard-waste season.

New and renewal application for yard waste barrel applications for the 2024-yard waste season are now being accepted by Public Works.

New customers are ones who do not currently have a yard-waste barrel on site, and are required to pay a $90 yard-waste fee, plus a $50 barrel deposit fee per barrel.

Renewal customers are ones who already have a yard-waste barrel on site, even if from a previous owner, and are required to pay the $90 service fee.

The 2024 season will begin Monday, April 1, and will run through Friday, Dec. 6. The online form that must be filled out with all forms of payment may be obtained here: https://bristolct.seamlessdocs.com/f/yardwaste2024.

Acceptable yard waste consists of grass clippings, leaves, woodchips, and small twigs no thicker than 1 inch and no longer than 12 inches. All yard waste must be placed in the provided yard waste container in such a manner that the material will freely exit the container when it is inverted.

For more information on the city’s yard waste program, click here: https://ct-bristol2.civicplus.com/240/Yard-Waste.

Taste of Bristol tickets on sale

Taste of Bristol tickets are now available for sale for the 2024 promotion, it was announced by the West End Association.

Last year’s sales broke a record, according to president Jesse Jablon. The proceeds support the activities of the West End Association, both in its mission to promote and maintain its neighborhood as well funding the annual Rockwell Park Festival.

Purchasers of the tickets, which are $5, get 20 percent off at 42 local restaurants during the months of March and April 2024.

Each ticket includes an entry in a drawing for over $500 in restaurant gift certificates (prizes range from $10 to $25 per winner). The drawing, to be held on or about April 30, will be drawn from all tickets received by April 20.

Winners need not be present and will be notified.

Please see www.westendbristol.org for details and ticket selling locations. Tickets are available through West End Association members and several locations around the city. You can also contact WestEndBristol@gmail.com to get tickets.

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program accepting applications

The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is accepting applications through May 31. CEAP helps Connecticut residents afford to heat their homes. Applications for CEAP typically take 30-45 minutes. Basic benefits towards heating bills range between $180 and $530. Benefits are usually paid directly to the utility company or fuel supplier. Households that heat with deliverable fuels like oil or propane may be eligible for additional free tank fills.

Connecticut residents that meet the following may be eligible: already receive food stamps (SNAP), SSI, TANF or other benefits from the Department of Social Services and have an annual household income falls at or below 60 percent of the state’s median income.

In Bristol, CEAP applications are available at HRA, 55 South St., (860) 356-2000. Email: energyapp@hranbct.org.


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