Welcome New Members:

Chef K. Products

ClockTown Brewing Company

Connecticut State Marshal Vincent Dwyer

Maja Diner

Naugatuck Glass

Oasis Senior Advisors

Pink Artistry

Redeeming Life Nutrition

Scoopin Ice Cream Shop

Senor Pancho's Mexican Restaurants

Thryv

Vitality24

W.F. Kaynor Technical High School

*Joined 9/6/23 to 10/3/23

Upcoming Chamber Member Ribbon Cuttings

  • Wednesday, October 11 @ noon - Connecticut State Marshal Vincent Dwyer - 617 Highland Avenue, Waterbury
  • Thursday, October 12 @ 11:30 a.m. - Natural Balance Massage - 250 Main Street South, Southbury
  • Friday, October 13 @ 11 a.m. - Maja Diner - 1622 Thomaston Avenue, Waterbury
Come help celebrate your fellow Chamber Members on their special day!

Recent Ribbon Cuttings

September 13: Monty's Downtown - 775 Main Street South, Southbury

September 14: JMS Cleaners & Laundry Service - 220 Street South, Suite #2, Southbury

September 28: Russell Speeder's Car Wash - 1015 New Haven Road, Naugatuck

October 3: Suzanne Clerkin Photography - 77 Main Street North, Suite 203, Southbury

Barker Specialty Announces New Look

Barker Specialty of Cheshire revealed its new brand identity late last month. The new design embodies Barker Specialty’s cutting edge and contemporary position as a leader in the world of branded merchandise, company webstores and proprietary marketing strategies.  


The choice was made to maintain similar color schemes, secondary design elements and the company name in order to preserve the recognition of the family-owned business that Herb and Gloria Barker started in 1951. By introducing a completely new logo, Barker Specialty demonstrates the importance of being able to adapt and modernize. The new logo is intentionally subject to varied interpretations, with the overarching goal to represent the concepts of caring and concern for customers, company and community.  


Along with the brand refresh, Barker Specialty has reframed its mission, vision and values to highlight its commitment to an enhanced client experience, focus on the environment and continued emphasis on employee growth. 


“Adapting to an ever-changing world, while maintaining core values is the driving focus behind the excitement of this rebranding. We are thrilled to reintroduce ourselves with a fresh, modern and vibrant persona.” – Chelsea Fishman, Director of Marketing 


Gerry Barker, president, stated, " I have so much respect for our marketing team who have led this initiative and worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition. Removing our revered dog from our logo wasn't an easy choice but reflects our growth as a worldwide supplier of promotional marketing products." 


The new brand identity can be found throughout the Barker Specialty website and social media channels. 

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Charter Oak State College moves to newly named New Britain Center for Higher Education

On the afternoon of October 4, 2023, Charter Oak State College, (www.CharterOak.edu), Connecticut’s public online college, joined with invited members of the community to celebrate their move to new administrative offices in downtown New Britain.


After intensive budgeting and planning, the collective efforts in the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) system brought this much needed project to completion. Charter Oak State College was able to combine its administrative staff from two buildings (Paul Manafort Drive, New Britain and Alumni Road, Newington) into two floors of one building located at 185 Main Street, New Britain, where they are co-located with the leadership of CT State Community College (www.ctstate.edu). 


The Ribbon Cutting ceremony included the announcement of a new name for the building, the New Britain Center for Higher Education, which was approved by the Connecticut Board of Regents just days earlier.   Danielle Panton, an associate degree graduate of CT State Community College, and a Tuition Match Scholarship recipient who went on to earn her bachelor’s degree at Charter Oak and is currently a graduate program student, cut the official ribbon.

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October 5: Open House at Paparazzi Boutique in Watertown

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October 7: Main Street Waterbury Presents: 17th Brass City Brew & 'Que; Rain or Shine

More Information

City Youth Theater: Youth Playwriting Class Starts Oct. 11; November Bus Trip to NYC

City Youth Theater / City Stage Company is hosting a new youth playwriting class that starts October 11 and runs every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Silas Bronson Library until November 18. Signup link: tinyurl.com/cytcscplaywrite

City Youth Theater & City Stage Company are hosting a Community Bus Trip to New York City. The Bus Trip package includes tickets to see Back To The Future on Broadway, Sightseeing, and Shopping! Register here.

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Upcoming Events at the Mattatuck Museum

NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSUEM

OCTOBER 16 @ 8AM-5PM

Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum to see the home of American Illustrative art and enjoy the leaves changing this fall with this day trip with The MATT! Enjoy a tour of the museum and Rockwell’s private studio led by a museum educator. After lunch (included) all participants will have the opportunity to explore independently. Depart at 8:30 AM, Return by 5:00 PM. Limited spots available. Register here.

WATERBURY'S FOOD & ARCHITECTURE

OCTOBER 19 @ 11AM

Take a walk around The Green and Downtown Waterbury to get a behind the scenes look at some of the most prominent buildings and businesses. Stops at local restaurants will offer all in attendance complementary bites of their best dishes. Register here.

CALLING PUERTO RICO

OCTOBER 6 & 7 @ 7-9:30PM

Enjoy an evening at The MATT with this production of Calling Puerto Rico, a new play sure to take you on a powerful journey. In New York City, Joel is an amateur radio operator who has not been out of his attic apartment for about a year. He gets news about Tropical Storm Maria and the potential it has to harm Puerto Rico. Worried, he decides to reach out over the radio to a man he hasn’t spoken to in a long time, his grandfather, Aníbal. Register here.

BETWEEN WORLDS CULINARY EVENT

OCTOBER 13 @ 5:30-8PM

Spend an evening enjoying the different cultures of Waterbury. Highlights include African drumming, Puerto Rican dancers, and a meal prepared, demonstrated, and served by James Beard Award Nominee and Executive Chef of Bar Cino and La Vecina Taqueria in Newport, RI, Mariana Gonzalez- Trasvina. Register here.

More Events

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Upcoming Events at the Palace Theater

Broadway fans rejoice! Acclaimed director Jack O’Brien will be at the Palace Theater for a very special engagement on Saturday, October 28th at 1:00 pm. He is the Tony Award-winning Director of Hairspray 2003, Tony Award-winning Director of Henry IV 2004, Tony Award-winning Director of the Coast of Utopia 2007, Director of the Tony Nominated Musical Shucked 2023, and the Winner of Five Drama Desk Awards. Tickets to this engagement are offered on a first come, first served basis and seating is limited. 


Tickets to this event are $20. Tickets may be purchased at the Palace Theater Box Office: 203-346-2000 or palacetheaterct.org

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Oct. 12: Quilts that Care Annual Fundraiser at The Village at East Farms
SAVE THE DATE
Celebrate with Us
Quilts that Care Celebration
 
The Village at East Farms, 180 Scott Road, Waterbury
 
Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023
MC: Lisa Carberg, WTNH-8 Anchor and Medical Reporter
Food, cocktails, quilt raffle, quilt display, basket raffle
 
5-8 p.m.
Tickets: $45
860-782-1043

October 16: First Time Homebuyer's Seminar Hosted by Savings Bank of Danbury

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October 16: Program 4 Purpose (P4P) Golf Tournament

November 2: BMW of Waterbury i5 Premier Night Event

Join BMW of Waterbury on November 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the premier of the 100% electric i5.


With a range of up to 295 miles and cutting-edge technology like the high-touch Interaction Bar, BMW Curved Display, Highway Assistant hands-free driving and the debut of the AirConsole gaming system, the i5 redefines what an electric vehicle can do.



RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/ynns4tbp

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Nov. 4: Taste of the Harvest Benefit for St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury and Brass City Harvest
Taste of Harvest
A joint fundraising event hosted by St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury and Brass City Harvest
 
Gather with us for a unique event, featuring inspired culinary creations
prepared by Chef Frank Parafati and the students of the St. Vincent DePaul Merriman
Culinary Arts Program using local products procured by Brass City Harvest.
 
The event, in the charming Warming Hut in historic Fulton Park in Waterbury, will offer passed hors d’oeuvres with special offerings from wineries, breweries, and spirit vendors from Watertown Liquor Super Store to tantalize the senses.
 
Special guests include the State of CT Commissioner of Agriculture Bryan P. Hurlburt & CT State Senator Joan Hartley to discuss the impact these two non-profits are making in the community. Learn more about how SVDP and Brass City Harvest
are working to address food insecurity in the South End with innovative and collaborative programs and initiatives.
 
Tickets are $100/person and sponsorship opportunities are available Space is limited, so reserve your spot online TODAY.

Do not miss this rustic-chic fete!!
 
Proceeds will be split between the SVDP and BCH. Both registered 501(c)3e entities,
all contributions are fully tax-deductible in accordance with current tax laws.
Oct. 21: Walk in Their Footsteps Fundraiser
Event Flyer
Registration Form
Donation Form

Why Companies are Benchmarking their 401k Plans Now

By taking the time to benchmark their 401k plans, companies can receive insight into current plan performance and how it stacks up against other similar plans. This allows you to track participant metrics (savings, investments, and diversification) while ensuring your fees and expenses are reasonable for today’s market.

 

BENEFITS OF BENCHMARKING:

  • Measures the efficiency of a retirement plan.
  • Identifies actionable insights for improved performance.
  • Certifies plan compliance with Laws & Regulations as defined by the IRS.
  • Ensures plan participants are on the right track towards retirement.
  • Evaluates asset allocation and determines if fees and costs associated with plan are reasonable.
  • Reduces Fiduciary exposure.

 

Give me a call to schedule a conversation about the importance of benchmarking your company’s 401(k) plan.

475-557-6004 or email me at [email protected]

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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! How Available Is Your Business to a Hacker?

Get A FREE Security Risk Assessment from Valued Technology Services


Attention all Business Owners and managing partners - cybercriminals view small businesses as low-hanging fruit because they know most owners aren’t doing anything to proactively protect their business.

Don’t be a sitting duck waiting around for an attack to happen to you. Secure your business today!

Get a FREE Security Risk Assessment with our team to find out how to fight back against hackers – www.valuedtechnologyservices.com/security-assessment

IT News from Golden Technology Services

Summer of spam


Spam is the use of electronic systems e.g. email, text or voice-mail to send messages to large numbers of individuals to get them to act on your behalf (phishing) such as clicking on a link, downloading an attachment or providing sensitive information to a request before verifying first its legitimacy.


WorkWise is a suite of cybersecurity topics that increases your awareness and reduces your risk online.


Test drive one module of WorkWise (Social Engineering) at no charge which improves your organization's Cybersecurity.


National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

 

The Department of Homeland of Security (DHS) began designating October as National Cybersecurity Awareness month in 2004 to make individuals, businesses, schools and government agencies alert to communicating and exchanging information more secure while online.


www.dhs.gov


Every year there is a theme. This year’s is Secure Our World. Areas to focus on this month. Use strong passwords and multi factor authentication (MFA). MFA increases security by requiring not only a user I.D. and password but a second step like entering a code texted to a to phone or one generated by an authenticator application.  


http://www.inteproiq.com/socialengineering/


Contact: Justin Golden 

[email protected] 

1(972)679-9738 (mobile)

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Happy National Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

 

I am pleased to announce that coming in the next couple of weeks is Bsquared Intel’s first online self-paced course Web Digital Literacy. This course covers everything from the basics of understanding your web browser, to understanding how some websites are designed to mislead you, to techniques to help you better find and verify information. These are all core skills everyone needs in this digital age.

 

To get notified of this release, please sign up for Bsquared Intel’s newsletter at https://bsquaredintel.com/newsletter-signup/ and like/follow us on our socials for the announcement:

 

 

 

Feel free to contact me with any questions or just to say hello and network.

 

Bill Becker

President Bsquared Intel | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 203.828.0012

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Comcast Op-Ed: Economic Development Depends on Smart Broadband Investments

Comcast recently penned an op-ed in the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Magazine, "Economic Development Depends on Smart Broadband Investments," which underscores the invaluable role that chambers can play in enhancing economic growth by advocating for strategic broadband deployment and use. Read it here.

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