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Hello Waterbury! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Painting with goats, AI reshaping banking, and adaptive skiing lessons + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Grants and tax credits at work: Waterbury Housing Authority could soon begin a $27.7 million West Grove project with Brass City Residences and Heritage Housing, its first public-private partnership, adding affordable homes with 13 reserved vouchers — see what’s planned and funded.

Two-speed transformation in banking: AI adoption in Connecticut banking is accelerating, with tools like Microsoft Copilot spreading. Naugatuck-based Ion is ramping up training and webinars as smaller banks balance staffing limits and compliance needs — see how banks are adapting.

Making winter sports inclusive: At Mount Southington, Leaps of Faith teaches adaptive skiing, helping Connecticut residents with disabilities build confidence and community. Volunteers and local schools join in, with summer programs also offered — learn more about the program.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Learn witches’ viral Shake Your Bacon dance
• Masquerade ball benefiting Transplant Team of CT
• Get free groceries with NEST, Whole Foods
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Crave-worthy island bites: Turn dinner into a mini vacation at Ventanas Bar & Restaurant, where Caribbean-American flavors meet mojitos, camarones al ajillo, brick-oven flatbreads, and legit mofongo that tempts friendly thievery. Ideal for sharing with a friend, so everyone wins.

Dial in that shot: Sportsmen’s Outpost makes dialing in your setup easy, with a full-service archery shop, indoor range, and an on-site tech who listens. Fine-tune your bow and get straight talk on the gear you’ll want for your next weekend in the woods.

A cozy movie night: Apple Cinemas Brass Mill is the low-effort, high-reward plan when the week goes sideways. Think fresh releases, popcorn that beats your stovetop, and just enough hush to forget your inbox. Bring a friend or go solo to reset right here in Waterbury.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🥞 Pancake Breakfast @ Indian Rock Nature Preserve | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Stack your weekend with pancakes smothered in ELCCT’s own pure maple syrup, plus bacon or sausage, and coffee, milk, or OJ. Then wander over to meet the animals and catch maple sugaring demos, past and present. Real syrup, real cozy, zero brunch attitude.

🎨 Van Goat Painting @ Bradley Mountain Farm | Saturday (3/7) at 11:30 AM – Yes, you’ll be painting with goats, and they’re surprisingly supportive critics. They supply the canvas, brushes, and goat snacks, you bring your family, patience, and a sense of humor. Leave the farm with a masterpiece, happy kids or grandkids, and hay in your shoes.

🕌 Eid Bazaar @ Masjid Gym | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Nothing beats a neighborhood bazaar when your gift list, sweet tooth, and wardrobe all need attention. Masjid Al-Mustafa’s Eid Bazaar has clothes, accessories, jewelry, food, and all the festive buzz, plus local vendors you know. Bring the family, shop a little, catch up a lot.

☘ St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Washington Park House Sylvan Ave | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Waterbury’s St. Patrick’s Day parade steps off from the Washington Park House on Sylvan Ave., a hometown march with bagpipes, drumlines, and banners. Stake a spot, bring a chair, a thermos, and someone you actually like, then enjoy the candy scrambles, cheers, and Waterbury pride.

🕯 Wax and Splash Candle Making Class @ Creative Jam Art Co. | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Trade your errands for a double feature at Creative Jam Art Co on Riverside Ave: pour a custom candle, then unleash your inner Pollock while it sets. It’s back because locals kept asking for it, kids welcome with an adult, aprons encouraged, mess inevitable.

🐐 Goat Snuggles @ Bradley Mountain Farm | Sunday (3/8) at 11:30 AM – Goat Snuggles is bringing stress relief the old-fashioned way, with hay breath and headbutts. Lounge on the grass or by the pellet stove as you pet, feed, and cuddle the herd, plus a free bag of goat snacks. Bring a blanket, leave your inbox.

🌸 Pressed Flower & UV Resin Ring Dishes @ The Bristol Bazaar | Sunday (3/8) at 2:00 PM – Whether your jewelry lives in a pile or you just like pretty things, make two ceramic ring dishes with pressed flowers and UV resin. Thirty bucks gets all supplies, light snacks, a goodie bag, and yes, BYO sips, at The Bristol Bazaar.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Waterbury report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 50°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 10%

Sunny. High near 50, with temperatures falling to around 47 in the afternoon. Northwest wind around 2 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of freezing rain after 4am. Partly cloudy. Low around 29, with temperatures rising to around 31 overnight. Northwest wind around 1 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Little or no ice accumulation expected.

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Tomorrow – High: 44°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 59%

A slight chance of freezing rain before 7am, then rain likely. Mostly cloudy. High near 44, with temperatures falling to around 41 in the afternoon. Northeast wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This versatile Cape-style home offers 4 bedrooms, with two on the main level and two upstairs. An expanded primary retreat stretches nearly twice the length of the others. The open-concept kitchen and living area features granite, an island, and stainless appliances. A Trex deck overlooks the above-ground pool, plus an electrified cooking gazebo, dual driveways, and an under-house garage.

Take a peek inside →