Do you have what it takes to beat the times on the leaderboard? Join us Thursday for our next installment of our MATT By Night: Virtual Escape Room! Invite your friends and create a team, or let us place you with a group of sleuths and make new friends. You will get the chance to jump inside various paintings from the Mattatuck’s collection, but be careful…you only have 45 minutes to escape before the clock runs out! Learn more at www.mattmuseum.org/matt-by-night. 

Local People's United Bank Branches are hosting a Back to School backpack and supply drive to benefit fellow Chamber member the Annie C. Courtney Foundation. All three bank branches in Waterbury, as well as the Straits Turnpike branch in Watertown, will be collecting supplies through Monday, August 31st.

The United Way of Naugatuck & Beacon Falls works to advance the common good by increasing opportunities for children and youth to succeed; helping people become more self-sufficient in meeting their basic needs; and increasing financial stability. We are proud to support our partner agencies that help to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors every day. Proceeds for the annual golf event provide support to our member agencies, which provide services to our families, friends and neighbors. We ask for your support. Please consider sponsoring a hole, donating a raffle prize and recruiting players to participate in this “FUN”raiser. To view all details and registration form, click here.

As a twenty-two year-old theatre company, Shakesperience Productions, Inc. has spent the last seven years teaching area students of all ages to narrate, sing, and act the history of Waterbury, neighborhood by neighborhood. The company has also annually persuaded civic leaders of all stripes to do the same for fun and the benefit of educational theatre programs. On September 23, 2020, at 6:30pm, Shakesperience presents “Neighborhoods!” at Hawk Ridge Winery and virtually everywhere! The audience can participate virtually from anywhere, and up to 100 can attend safely outdoors at Hawk Ridge in Watertown. In-person participants receive a glass of wine and a selection from the Winery menu. The event will also include a virtual auction.

Whether attending virtually or in-person, the evening features scenes and songs to celebrate the history of the Brass City performed by Shakesperience students, actors, and David Drescher of Ion Insurance, Selim Noujaim of Noujaim Tool Co. Inc., Lena Fusco- Hassinger of Cavallo's Deli, George Frantzis of Quassy, and more!

Participants may purchase tickets soon. Students can enroll now by emailing outreach@shakesperienceproductions.org to virtually rehearse for the performance with Shakesperience professional actors. And companies and individuals can support the event by calling 203.754.2531 to donate auction items and gift cards to support Shakesperience educational programs.

“Neighborhoods!” is sponsored by Waterbury Police Activity League, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Connecticut Community Foundation, Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation, Elizabeth Carse Foundation, Eversource Foundation, Hawk Ridge Winery, A6 Studios, and DECD Office of the Arts.

Shakesperience is a professional theater company located in Connecticut that reaches a Northeast audience of adults and students alike with outdoor and in-studio performances, Saturday and private acting classes, school & camp tours, and residencies. To find information on these programs visit the shakesperience.org, or find us on Facebookm LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter.

Looking to advertise your company's news? The Chamber is happy to get updates out to members about your latest news. Click the button below and fill out the form to see your information featured in next month's newsletter!

Pure Shaka is producing hand sanitizer - stock up and 15% of your purchase will benefit the Chamber! The company has been contracted to manufacture large volumes of hand sanitizer (70% alcohol) to service hospitals, 1st responders, etc. Sanitizer is available to ship OR Pickup in Prospect, CT .

Current Chamber Member Lense Robinson of Life's Precious Moments said, "Before I met Eric finding hand sanitizer of any type was next to impossible so I had to make my own and what I did find smells like pure alcohol it was sticky. Eric's hand sanitizer is 70%, its well priced, it smells nice and it's not sticky. I am a massage therapist and that is all I use."

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE: pureshaka.com/product-category/sanitizer/

Need sanitizer dispensers? Email Eric at ekipperman1@gmail.com for wall mount and freestanding units.

Staples presents special offers exclusively to members of Chamber of Commerce. 10% Off your in-store purchase of regular priced items or 20% your in-store order of $50 or more on Print and Marketing Services. Both offers expire 10/3/2020. Click here for coupon to redeem in store and to view full details.

The Waterbury Career Center, located at 943 Wolcott Street, Waterbury, is open and ready to serve you! Check out their current hours and guidelines. NEW HOURS: 9AM to 4PM, Center will be closed from 12:45PM to 1:30PM for lunch. We are taking up to 2 clients per hour and you may visit for up to an hour. Clients will be admitted up to 15 minutes into a start time. Any later an arrival you must wait until the next start time. Clients are limited to 1 visit per day. No visitors may accompany you into the center. This includes children. Limited 1 on 1 assistance with coaches while social distancing. Clients’ temperature will be taken at entry as career centers are a confined space. Masks/face coverings are to be wore when entering the Career Center. Services Available include Online assistance with job applications, Job search navigation, Faxing and printing, Internet and Email Access, Microsoft Office certifications, Updates to existing cover letters and resumes. For questions, call 203-596-1216.

Brass City Raceway is Waterbury's premier indoor karting facility, featuring a high speed race track that is fun and challenging for all skill levels. BCR is offering 10% Off for Chamber Members on regular priced activities! The venue includes axe throwing cages, batting cages, arcade games and more. 10% off not to be combined with other promotions. To learn about all of the possibilities, visit www.brasscityraceway.com

Branagan Communications Consultants LLC Launches Publicity Campaign for September Events at Wisdom House Spiritual Retreat Center

Barbara Branagan-Mitchell, owner of Branagan Communications Consultants, LLC for 27 years, a public relations, publicity placement and marketing communications specialty agency, launched a publicity placement campaign for three “Earth Wisdom” events to be held September 12 at the Wisdom House Spiritual Retreat and Conference Center in Litchfield. A “Spiritual Vision of Reality: Thomas Berry and Teilhard de Chardin” seminar will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., a ceremony to donate 54 acres from Wisdom House to the Litchfield Land Trust will be held from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m., and an Artist’s Talk from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. will feature Northfield photographer Lee Cantelon to introduce “A Place For You”, his exhibit of photos of Nigerian women who were abducted by the Boko Haram when they were girls. Branagan Communications Consultants specializes in ‘creating positive awareness’ of a company or organization via press releases, event listings, and public service announcements (P.S.A.) placements with print and broadcast media outlets across Connecticut. Barbara Branagan-Mitchell offers free phone consultations to help businesses/organizations learn how they can publicize upcoming activities, achievements, recognitions, etc. Visit https://www.branagancommunications.com, call Barbara Branagan-Mitchell at 860-210-0149 or email to barbara@branagancommunications.com.

The Connecticut Boys and Girls State Foundation is proud to announce the creation of our first podcast, “Empowering Inspired Leaders”, a podcast for leaders, by leaders. Episodes of “Empowering Inspired Leaders” will consist of interviews with local leaders across all different fields with the goal of educating our listeners on ways to become leaders in everything they do. If you or someone you know is a leader in their respective field and has a leadership story to share, please feel free to reach out to James Heffner at jheffner@ctbgsfoundation.org.

Enter your ADORABLE PET in Uniquely Yours Photography, LLC's PAWSITIVELY ADORABLE CONTEST and help raise money for Perfect Imperfections, which educates people about dogs who are born deaf, blind, physical impairments and neurological issues. For all details, visit the contest form at http://form.jotform.com/UniquelyYoursPhoto/pet-contest-form

Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Centers has compiled blog post articles, videos, a “Work from home healthy” packet and a poster that can be downloaded and printed for office use. Feel free to utilize any of these resources to bring your employees back to a healthy workplace! Ergonomics and Work From Home Healthy information packet (can be viewed and downloaded here): https://ptsmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/WFH-Tips.pdf

Unique and fun ideas for getting active with your kids in quarantine: https://ptsmc.com/kids-activities/

Our experts tell you the 7 common mistake you’re making in your home workouts: https://ptsmc.com/home-workouts/

Exercises for seniors to stay active during social distancing: https://ptsmc.com/chair-exercises/

Some “Handy” advice - experts offer ways to prevent hand pain while working from home: https://ptsmc.com/hand-pain/

Video: How PTSMC clinics are continuing to provide safe treatment in the clinics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp8RtgGK_fs

Video: How Telehealth PT helps people continue treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShE1Gp2dwyQ

PThe new Tidal Wave giant pendulum ship is now in full swing at Quassy Amusement & Waterpark in Middlebury, Conn. The attraction, supplied by SBF/Visa Group of Italy, is shown during testing before the landmark property opened for the day. SBF/Visa Group is represented in North America by Rides4U, Somerville, N.J. Quassy, in its 112^th season, is open daily through Labor Day. Learn more at www.quassy.com

Wheeler received $50,000 in emergency grant funding from the medical aid organization Direct Relief, in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers. Funds support the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for use at its four community health centers in Bristol, New Britain, Hartford, and Waterbury. Wheeler was among 518 federally qualified health centers to receive funding through Direct Relief’s $25 million COVID-19 Fund for Community Health, which recognizes the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the finances, services, staff, and patients of community health centers. The grant facilitated Wheeler’s purchase of 50,000 disposable face masks for health center staff who have direct contact with patients and all patients who come into the health centers during their visit, as well as gowns, shoe and head covers for health center personnel; hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Nearly 30 million (1 in 12) of the country’s most vulnerable residents -- including 1 in 3 individuals living in poverty, 1 in 5 Medicaid beneficiaries, and 1 in 9 children -- rely on federally qualified health centers like Wheeler for their health care. That number is expected to rise as more people lose employer-sponsored insurance. As a federally qualified health center, Wheeler is part of a network of community health centers nationwide that provide affordable, accessible health care for more than 29 million Americans. Learn more: www.wheelerclinic.org

Marta Nerin State Farm is offering a big rate reduction for auto insurance customers starting in July as a part of our response to Covid-19. We would like to help our fellow chamber members and see if we can offer them a better value for their money. Many customers save even more when they bundle their Life, Home or Renters and Auto Insurance with Marta Nerin State Farm as well! Switching to Marta Nerin State Farm is easy, and we appreciate the opportunity to earn the business of chamber members. Please contact us by calling or texting: 203-528-3779 or email: marta@martaismyagent.com to discuss.

Upgrade your business with the help of CMAC, an industry leading specialist in hand assembly and quality assurance. At CMAC, the quality, care and control are the same as you would want in your own facility. Let us take your hand assembly needs and execute them to your specifications and on your schedule.

Planning your next move?

Look no further! The Connecticut Manufacturing Assistance Center is here for all your hand assembly and quality assurance needs. Centrally located in Waterbury, CT, CMAC’s unique operation can assist by providing a high quality and on time product for you. For more information contact: Zachary Westfahl 920-204-4969 or email Zach.zach.westfahl@gmail.com

New offers are added throughout the year so bookmark www.aarp.org/ctdiscounts and check back often for information about current discounts for AARP members and updates. Special restrictions may apply, so please be sure to read all offer details before purchasing. For information about discounts for AARP members from exclusive merchants and national retailers, click here.