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

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: AI rules debate, Monster Jam stunts, and goats at the library + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Bristol 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

Championing women’s financial stability: Irene Bassock was named chair of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. The attorney serves on Bristol Hospital’s executive compensation committee and brings decades of experience to community work — read the full story.

Innovation, regulation, and opportunity: At Bristol’s Connecticut Technology Summit, speakers urged embracing AI with light-touch rules, hosted by CBIA’s Chris Davis, while Yale Ventures’ Josh Geballe highlighted economic promise amid hundreds of AI bills — read the full story.

Local push against hunger: Southington Bread for Life is seeking volunteers to help collect donations at the Southington Walmart for a Backpacks for Break food drive supporting students during Spring Break near Bristol — see how you can help.

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:

• Celebrate spring with Greek culture and cuisine
• Hop aboard the Easter Bunny Express
• Watch monster trucks perform jaw-dropping stunts

🫶 We got your back

Serious sandwich Cravings? In Bristol, Cravings piles fresh-baked bread high with generous fillings, and backs it up with homemade soups and crisp salads. It’s the reliable lunch spot you keep on repeat: quick service, friendly faces, and flavors that make midday feel like an easy win.

A quick nature fix: Rockwell Park serves up woodsy trails, a skate plaza, a splash pad, courts, and a real-deal dog park. It’s perfect for a quick reset after work or a lazy weekend wander, giving you fresh air and fun close to home, no long drive required.

Level up your shelf: From new releases to deep-cut back issues, plus figures and other collectibles, Boom Tube Comics makes midweek errands more fun. Aisles invite easy wandering, curiosity leads to finds that zap you past the Sunday scaries.

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.

🎬 Rom-Com & Craft @ Manross Memorial Library | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:30 PM – If you’ve been craving a St. Paddy’s plan that does not involve noisy pubs, hit the library for Irish Wish with Lindsay Lohan, rock painting, and refreshments, including a green snack. Free, friendly, and low effort, just sign up in person or call 860-584-7790.

💧 Once Upon a River – World Water Day Celebration! @ Silas Bronson Library (Waterbury) | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Bring the kids and grandkids for a free World Water Day magic tale where Cyril the Sorcerer plots to steal a river, and a farm kid fights back. Clever enviromagic, not a lecture, with laughs, wonder, and a nod to the water we all share.

🎵 Wild Notes @ The Congregational Church of Plainville | Sunday (3/22) at 3:00 PM – At the Congregational Church in Plainville, Wild Notes kicks off the concert series with sprightly reels, soulful ballads, and fiddle concertina magic we secretly love. No tickets, just a free will offering and refreshments. Come for the jigs, stay for the cookies.

🌵 Connecticut Cactus and Succulent Society’s 41st Annual Show and Sale @ Bristol CT Senior Center | Sunday (4/12) at 10:00 AM – Think your succulents are thriving? This 41st annual show offers free admission, free plants for early birds both days, vote-worthy specimens, smart lectures, and vendors with rare finds, pots, and art, plus auctions and door prizes, so you leave happy and slightly prickled.

🐐 Goats @ Manross Memorial Library | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Goats are taking over Manross Library, and Herd Queen Kristin Gill is ready for all your goat questions. It’s a quick, family-friendly meet and bleat with limited 15-minute slots, so register early by calling the library. Good, clean fun, fainting optional.

👪 Plainville Family Fest 2026 @ Linden Street School | Saturday (5/9) at 10:30 AM – Free and local, Plainville’s family fest lets kids burn energy while you reconnect with the people and resources that actually help around here. Expect DJ Clarence O’Neal, Judi Ann Jones the Energizer, a petting zoo, and more to come. Community orgs, hop in here: https://forms.gle/GoAnbhTzu72f9NQ86.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Bristol report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 73°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 2%

Sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. South wind 1 to 6 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 64°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 31%

A chance of rain and patchy fog after 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 64. South wind 2 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. South wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 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 beautifully renovated 1900 charmer in Chippens Hill blends character with crisp updates. New hardwoods anchor living and dining, and a sleek kitchen shows off tile floors, a breakfast-bar island, granite, and stainless. Main-level laundry, a flexible bedroom or office, and a bright sunroom add versatility. A new deck, fenced yard, and solar add outdoor appeal near Chippanee Golf Club.

Take a peek inside →