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Hey Stratford, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: AI bills reshaping hiring, secret tourist pass discounts, and a Saint Patrick’s Day parade + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Stratford protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Fresh ideas for living spaces: On April 25, the West Haven & Milford Region Home Show at Milford’s Connecticut Post Mall will connect homeowners and DIY fans with renovation pros, hosted by Milford Regional Chamber — get all the event details.

Smarter sightseeing on a budget: Planning spring outings from Stratford? A new guide breaks down Connecticut’s money‑saving tourist passes, like Passport to the Parks and Mystic Pass, plus what popular spots these passes don’t cover — find discounts and exclusions.

New guardrails for algorithms: Connecticut lawmakers proposed AI bills to protect workers, renters, and consumers, led by Milford/West Haven Sen. James Maroney. They would increase transparency in pricing, hiring, and AI-related layoff reporting — learn what the bills require.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day pancake breakfast
• Share your voice at Milford Open Mic
• Score free drive-thru dog treats, green bandanas

🫶 We got your back

Weekday lunch upgrade: When lunch calls for a serious Italian hero, Gaetano’s Deli delivers Arthur Ave-style care in Stratford with stacked Italian sandwiches and classic deli staples. The crew’s been at it since 1997, so it’s easy, satisfying, and exactly what you’re craving this week.

Step into oddball history: On a lazy afternoon, wander Boothe Memorial Park & Museum’s rose garden, its quirky windmill and clocktower, and shady paths, part picnic spot and part Stratford time capsule. A low-stress escape you forget is nearby until you need a simple reset.

Small-store magic, big smiles: When last-minute strikes, Toy Polloi makes it look thoughtful with handpicked toys, craft kits, puzzles, and books that nail the “you know my kid” vibe, plus pretend-play picks that keep imaginations buzzing well past screen time.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🏍 Bike Night Season Opener @ Cycle Gear Orange | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:00 PM – Ready to thaw out the throttle hand? Bike Night’s season opener at Cycle Gear Orange returns with pizza, soft drinks, and a free-to-enter giveaway, so stop in to kick tires, swap road stories, and remember why we love two wheels. All bikes and riders welcome.

🎶 First Church Annual Lenten Recital Series @ First Church Congregational (Fairfield) | Wednesday (3/11) at 12:15 PM – First Church offers five Wednesday lunchtime mini recitals by regional talent on the mighty Klais, then lunch, because art pairs well with soup. Free to attend, donations welcome, and a calm way to ignore your inbox during Lent.

🎤 New Joke Night @ Artisan Stack Cafe 281 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT, United States, Connecticut 06604 | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to try that shower routine, New Joke Night at The Stack is free and low pressure. Watch locals test fresh material, sip something decent, and enjoy free evening street parking, which might get the biggest laugh.

⛺ Fun Scout Event @ Nike Recreation Fields (Shelton) | Thursday (3/12) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been meaning to see what Troop 28 is about, pop into the Scout Hut at the Nike Rec site on Mohegan Road any Thursday at 7 for a free meeting. Expect friendly faces, a little knot talk, and zero sales pitches.

🎲 Connecticut Game Club Meeting @ Hyatt Place Milford (Milford Lawns) | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’ve painted Napoleonic uniforms or just miss a cardboard showdown, the Connecticut Game Club meets at Hyatt Place in Milford, off Exit 40. First-timers play free, regulars chip in $20, food’s welcome, and you can bring any game to join 15 to 25 locals.

🐶 Lucky Dogs Drive-Thru @ Chick-fil-A Shelton | Tuesday (3/17) at 6:30 AM – Lucky Dogs Drive-Thru is spoiling your four-legged co-pilot this St. Patrick’s Day. Swing by for complimentary dog treats, a festive green bandana, and the rare joy of a passenger who appreciates your driving, your music, and your life choices.

☘ Greater Bridgeport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade @ Burroughs Community Center | Tuesday (3/17) at 12:00 PM – Black Rock does St. Patrick’s the right way, with a proper parade rolling from Burroughs Community down Fairfield Avenue to The Castle. Bring a lawn chair, your best green, and a tolerance for bagpipes, confetti, and neighbors you only see once a year.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Stratford report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 63°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 0%

Patchy fog before 8am. Mostly sunny. High near 63, with temperatures falling to around 60 in the afternoon. South wind 1 to 6 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Southeast wind around 3 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 59°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 26%

Patchy fog before 8am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 59, with temperatures falling to around 56 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 2 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy. Low around 48, with temperatures rising to around 50 overnight. South wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Connecticut but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This sunny 2-bed, 3-bath Whittier model in Oronoque Village overlooks the 3rd hole of Black Hawk Golf Course with sweeping green and pond views. Vaulted ceilings, open layout, wood floors, a wet bar, and an entertainment center behind lacquer doors shine. An extended deck, private primary suite, finished lower level with guest suite, and 55+ amenities complete the scene.

Take a peek inside →