🌱Easing Pain At The Pump? + Connecticut's Best Highlights

Morning, neighbors! Karena Garrity here with your brand-new copy of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Daily.

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 50 Low: 36.

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

1. In an effort to ease the pain at the pump Connecticut residents are currently experiencing, legislative Republicans in the state are calling for Connecticut to suspend its gross receipts tax on gasoline until July 1 and for the federal government to suspend the 18.4 cent tax on gasoline. Combined, the suspensions would cut 44.8 cents per gallon from the cost of gasoline. (Patch)
2. Check out the weekend weather forecast. See what mother nature has in store for your weekend plans. (Essex, Chester, Deep River Patch)
3. Get inspired by the beauty in nature all around you and be part of the "Writing from Nature" workshop, scheduled for Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Incarnation Center, Deep River. Christine Woodside, has been leading workshops such as this for the past five. She intertwines nature, observation and guided writing exercises into the program to help participants get the most out of their experience. (Zip06.com)
4. The April 9, Connecticut Shoreline Fire Departments Food Drive will mark the 10th year the Fire Departments have teamed up with the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries to host a one-day food drive. The one-day collection of non-perishable food for shoreline residents in need will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at various locations throughout the shoreline and tri-towns areas. (Digital Journal)
5. The Nutmeg State has a lot to do if you are looking for a vacation respite. A recent U.S. News & World Report article points out some of Connecticut's best highlights such as scenic drives through the countryside, sunbathing on the beach, eating fresh seafood and strolling around towns rich with history and culture. (U.S. News & World Report)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

From my notebook:

• Valley Soccer Club: Registration for Spring Travel Season is now open. We start up in April. (Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Register for SCORE's free webinar, The ABCs of a Business Plan and Understanding a SWOT Analysis on Tuesday, March 29 at 10:00 am. http://ow.ly/1LKc50IamiC Learn the importance of business plans and SWOT analyses with an Economic ..." (Facebook)
  
• Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau: "Valley Safe Grad is having a virtual raffle with more than 30 prizes! Help support our graduating seniors!" (Facebook)
• People of Essex: Save the date! The May market is scheduled for May 7. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Oddfellows Junior Rep Company Presents: Alice in Wonderland! (March 17)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you soon.

— 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.