Community Access

We spoke with Joyce Bray, President of the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative about the Connecticut Race in the Park at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain on May 9, includes a 5K run, survivor breakfast, kids' runs, and various family activities.

We spoke with Joy Peck, a registered nurse coordinator, and Kirsten Foster, a registered nurse, from the Smiley Cancer Center at St. Francis Hospital to discuss the upcoming Cancer Survivor's Day celebration on June 7.

We spoke with Events & Communications Manager Jenn Frontiero and Membership & Development Director Kate Kobs about the 2026 WEHA Health and Wellness Expo on Tuesday, May 19, from 12 to 3 PM on Isham Road in Blue Back Square. The event offers local health and wellness businesses a platform to showcase their services, including traditional medicine, physical therapy, fitness, mental health, chiropractic, senior care, and spa services.

We spoke with Mimi Madden, programs consultant for American Mural Project about the America 250 celebration with various programs, including personal storytelling, historical presentations, and live performances.

We spoke with Dr. Abbas Mohammadi, founder of Columbia Dental about their locations and oral cancer awareness month.

We spoke with retired police officer Vinnie Infante about giving back to the community through his amazing coffee shop. 

We spoke with Board member Melissa Tweedie and Executive Director Michaela Fissel about Advocacy Unlimited. 

We spoke with Associate Director/Associate Choreographer Emily Rafala and their Dance Captain Melissa Green about the show the upcoming show at Warner Theatre.  

We spoke with Kathy K. Taylor, Esq. President and CEO of Connecticut Community Foundation about Give Local and the Foundation.

We spoke with Elicia Pegues Spearman CEO of the Girls Scouts of CT about a new girl scout cookie and that cookie season is underway.  

We spoke with Founder and Director Helen Chase of The Social Chase about an upcoming event.  

We spoke with Sheree Marcucci Director of Special Events and Curated Programs Palace Theater Waterbury about two upcoming events. 

We spoke with Wayne Pesce about the Connecticut Food Association.

We spoke with Kyle Eagleson who is President and CEO of Ascend Bank.

We spoke with Connecticut Author Jennifer Mancini who wrote a children's book.

We spoke with Bonnie Meyers and Brendan Faulker who are with Brain Injury Alliance of CT.

We spoke with Julie Cruz who is the Director of Assisted Living Home Care Services.

We spoke with Melissa Cooney who is a reporter for NBC 30. They are doing a podcast.  "Decades Unseen: The Waterbury Captivity Case" by NBC CT. 

We spoke with Founder of Columbia Dental, Dr. Abbas Mohammadi about how the office offers free cleanings.

We spoke with Board President Edwin Thrower about the 2026 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival. It is a fun night of Shakespeare-themed music, performances, and games. Don't miss Shakespeare Fun Night — “The Bard at Barcelona” on Thursday, March 26 from 6-9 p.m. at Barcelona Wine Bar, 971 Farmington Avenue, in West Hartford.

We spoke with Jack Barrett who plays Grover in the show who talks about the premis, the music, the stage, costumes and more!

We spoke with Quinn Blake and Sophia Parente who are both playing Matilda in Matilda Jr. They talk about the show and sing a song together.

We spoke with Chris Gagne from the Branford Compassion Club about an upcoming event. This fun gathering will help raise funds for the care and medical needs of stray, abandoned, and feral cats in the greater New Haven area.

We spoke with President and Founder Donna Palomba about Jane Doe No More's programs and the 15th Annual Gala and Dr. Henry C. Lee Awards. 

We spoke with Chief Executive Officer Eric Person about the Connecticut Home and Remodeling show from March 6-8. 

We spoke with Show Organizer Kristie Gonsalves and owner of The Local Fly Co Chris Parisi about the Connecticut Fishing & Outdoor Show at Mohegan Sun from March 20-22.

We spoke with Dawn Rousseau, Broker Associate for Showcase Realty, about the current buyers and sellers' market.

We spoke with President and Director Ann Cianciolo about how people can foster and adopt cats from Foster and Forever Pet Rescue and the upcoming Boot Scootin' for Felines Fundraiser on March 22. 

We spoke with Director of Learning and Social Impact Andrew Robbin about upcoming events from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra.

We spoke with Founder and CEO Lab Ryan Gresh about The Feel Good Lab's individualized treatments for chronic pain with natural plant-based products and how The Feel Good Lab can help you live as the best version of yourself.

We spoke with VP of Operations Kevin Gagliard and Director of Quality Chris D'Auria about what's new at Pepe's Pizza. 

We spoke with the director of Matilda Jr., Lili Eleanor Jacobs, and Senior Director of Education, Talent, and Business Design Kristin Davis, about the upcoming show Matilda Jr. at The Bushnell. 

We spoke with Dr. Abbas Mohammadi about Columbia Dental's 25-year anniversary. 

We spoke with Executive Director Jeff Dunn and Director of Programming and Education Andrea Bingham about the upcoming shows and events at the theatre. 

We spoke with Big Sister Mary Mackey and Little Sister Charlize about their rewarding experience at Big Brothers Big Sisters and how people can get involved as a mentor in the organization. 

We spoke with President and CEO, Michael Smith,  and Director of Integrative Health Coaching and RN, Jennifer Terray, about the nation's first Brain Health and Dementia Prevention Clinic located at LiveWell in CT, how to reduce risk of dementia, and how LiveWell can help.

We spoke with Mike Monaco, co-owner of Monaco Ford, about his induction into the Connecticut Veteran's Hall of Fame and how he supports veterans around the state.

We spoke with Dr. Stephanie Saucier, a cardiologist at Hartford HealthCare, and Executive Director of the American Heart Association, Adria Giordano, about risk factors and how to prevent cardiovascular disease and the upcoming Go Red for Women Reception and Luncheon.

We spoke with Executive Director, Nadine Thomas, about how The Underground New England supports survivors of human trafficking and is working to eradicate human trafficking.

We spoke with Executive Director Jane Levis about Legacy for Women, a residential recovery program that helps women find restoration and healing from addiction. 

We spoke with Owner of Restore Hyper Wellness, Jaime Gray, about the benefits and ease of cryotherapy, red light therapy, IV's, and other wellness routines to improve your health, accelerate recovery, and live better.

We spoke with Kristie Gonsalves, Show Organizer, and Vonice Carr, Chair of The Federated Garden Clubs about the upcoming Connecticut Flower and Garden Show from February 19-22 at the Connecticut Convention Center. 

We spoke with Ben Silliman, Camp Director and leader of Chill for Change, about YMCA Camp Ingersoll's 12th Annual Chill For Change winter plunge on Saturday, February 28 to raise funds for children to go to camp.

We spoke with Chris Shea, Founder of Hero to Hero, about how the organization connects qualified military personnel with first responder careers. 

We spoke with co-founders of Naples Home Buyers Dominic Santaniello and Luke Giusto about how their real estate investors can sell your house fast for cash without the hassle of a traditional real estate sale.

We spoke with Jeremiah Rufini, Program Director of the Soup Kitchen at Saint Vincent De Paul in Middletown, about the upcoming Valentine's Day Sweetheart Soiree fundraiser and the community support programs offered at Saint Vincent De Paul.

We spoke with Danielle Small, Vice President of Clinical Services at Monte Nido, about Eating Disorder Awareness Week, fighting for change, and the levels of care offered at Monte Nido.

We spoke with Brett Raphael, Artistic Director and Founder of the Connecticut Ballet, about their upcoming show Be My Valentine. 

We spoke with Laura Lyon, an education consultant at Greater Hartford Regional School Choice Office (RSCO), about the RSCO school choice program, application tips, and February 6 application deadline.

We spoke with Kari Kaplan, Chief Operations Officer at Girl Scouts of Connecticut and Karissa Peckham, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Quinnipiac University, about the new $92,000 Girl Scouts of Connecticut Achievement Scholarship created by Quinnipiac University for one Girl Scout who demonstrates exceptional leadership, community service, and academic excellence. 

We spoke with Dr. Abbas Mohammadi  about what makes Columbia Dental special from other dentist practices and their upcoming free cleanings.