🌱Palm Endorsed By Environmental Groups + Jigsaw Puzzle Competition

Hey, friends. Karena Garrity here with your Monday edition of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily, filled with all the local news you need to know right now.

First, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 76 Low: 67.

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Here are the top stories today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

1. It's tax free week! The annual summer sales tax-free week will run through Saturday, August 27. Many clothing and footwear items sold for under $100 won’t incur the typical 6.35 percent sales tax. “This is the second weeklong sales tax holiday the state is holding this year, and it is scheduled right at back-to-school season to help families stretch their dollar a little bit more during this busy time, while also giving businesses an extra boost to their bottom line,” Governor Lamont said in a statement. (Patch)
2. According to a recent press release, "State Rep. Christine Palm has been endorsed by several influential environmental advocacy groups, including the Sierra Club, the youth-led Sunrise Movement of Connecticut and the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV). Palm, who serves as vice chair of the General Assembly’s Environment Committee, is running for her third term serving the 36th General Assembly district, which comprises Chester, Deep River, Essex, Ivoryton, Centerbrook, Haddam and Higganum. Because of her legislative work, Palm has been named a “Legislative Champion” for the second time. This designation is the highest conferred by the CTLCV on an incumbent legislator. “There is no doubt that Christine Palm is a leading voice for the environment and for our state’s historic progress on climate legislation this year,” said CTLCV Executive Director Lori Brown. Palm successfully championed a multi-year effort to ensure that climate change education will now be taught in all public schools. Her efforts drew national attention, including from the National Center for Science Education. She also fought successfully this year for state funding to address the growing problem of invasive plants (such as hydrilla and water chestnut) that are damaging our state’s lakes and rivers, and she pushed through legislation to eliminate toxic PFAS from our drinking water. She was a lead proponent of the Connecticut Clean Air Act, which will dramatically reduce carbon emissions. “Protecting the environment is one of the main reasons I ran for office, and so endorsement by these research-driven, passionate, effective groups means a great deal to me,” Palm said."
3. Are you the fastest jigsaw puzzler in town? Join the Essex Library's first jigsaw tournament in a team of two to four competitors. Teams will compete to finish the same 500-piece puzzle in the least amount of time. Prizes, including bragging rights, will be awarded to the first two teams to finish the puzzle. Register via email at staff.essexlib@gmail.com, stop by, or call the Library at (860) 767-1560. Space is limited to 10 teams so don't wait!(Essex Library via Facebook)

Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

• River Valley Fund for Families/CFMC - Essex Library Association (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Essex Library: "Wondering what all the fuss is about records? Come check out our record player, located in the young adult section. Play one of our records or bring your own (or your parent's) music to relax, chill, and see why records are held as a standard in the music industry" (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Free SCORE Webinar: Small Business Loans: Issues and Options Monday, September 12, at noon - 1:30 p.m. Register at: http://ow.ly/UVqI50Knl39 It will feature a panel of lending professionals from a cross-section of small business lenders." (Essex Library via Facebook)
• Deep River Public Library: "Miss Elaine is beginning to plan fall story times! Terrific Thursday starts on September 29 and Fun Friday starts on September 30. Both are at 10:30 a.m. Pop onto our website calendar, Facebook Events page or LinkTree to register." (Deep River Public Library via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a native of Connecticut, who currently resides in the Tri-Town community of Chester, Deep River and Essex. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my small town community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com