SHELTON: Pier 131 Opens Along Newly Renovated Riverfront

 

SHELTON (FAIRFIELD COUNTY) CT: Nestled along the newly renovated Shelton Riverfront with stunning views of the Housatonic River and the historic Old Shelton Railroad Bridge, Pier 131 is located in one of the most stunning spots in Fairfield County. 

Although very much a neighborhood restaurant, this high energy gathering place and urban retreat is quickly becoming a popular destination attracting diners and photographers from all over Fairfield and New Haven Counties. The setting immediately draws you in and the food keeps you coming back. Pier 131 is the ultimate dining experience.

Located in a brand new 4,300-square-foot building, the main dining area while large and spacious has a cozy and intimate vibe with its rustic roughhewn wood covered walls juxtaposed by elegant deep red leather covered banquettes, and seats 100. Gas fireplaces line the far wall giving each seating area a warm and inviting tone that will certainly be welcome in the cooler months to come. The restaurant’s open dining and bar areas are well suited for corporate meetings and milestone celebrations. 

The large, airy bar with expansive views of the river and the railroad bridge brings the outside in.  The setting is never the same, and changes with each sunset, rainstorm and snowfall. Diners get a front row seat to the change of seasons in this space that seats 54 very comfortably. Sports fans will be able cheer on their favorite team on one of the eight oversized televisions in the bar.

For those wanting to enjoy the fresh air, there is currently outdoor seating for 60 with expansions planned for 150. Gas heaters keep diners warm and comfortable. 

Prior to Pier 131, Owner Artan Ismaili owned the popular and successful Casanova in Shelton and Pizzeria Mazzo Wine Bar in Danbury. Art, a Shelton native and lifelong resident and second generation restaurant owner, is happy to be back in Shelton and bringing foot traffic to the newly renovated Canal Street area.

At the helm of the kitchen is Executive Chef/Owner Louis Arias, who comes to us from Malibu Taco, The Sinclair, and Molto in Fairfield, and Boca in Westport. Chef brings his fan favorites to Pier 131 and offers up some exciting new introductions.  

The menu might be described as upscale pub-fare, with fan favorites such as the Nashville Hot Chicken, Steak Sandwich and Smash Burger. Starters range from the Butter Crab Roll with sticky rice, Siracha aioli and clarified butter. General Tso’s Broccoli served over sticky rice is all of the pleasure with none of the guilt! Other favorites include Grilled Lamb Chops, Oven Roasted Wings, Steak Frites, Spicy Baby Bok Choy and Maple Honey Brussel Sprouts.

Because sometimes you want brunch even though it’s not Sunday… We have a full brunch menu that we offer daily from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. And come discover our Brunch Bottles which are available in 6 different varieties: Mimosa, Bellini, Mango Mimosa, Pineapple Mimosa, Strawberry Bellini, Champagne and Rosé.

Individual Pizzas, Fig, Margarita, Hot Oil and Buffalo are great to share or enjoy on one’s own, and sure to satisfy all pizza lovers.Mussels in a Pot is offered 5 different ways – White, made with white wine, garlic, butter and cream. Red, is tomato-based with capers, basil and cherry peppers. Thai Style, has a base of coconut cream, curry, lime, ginger and lemongrass. New Orleans, has a chipotle base, with Cajun-roasted trinity corn. The Champagne Bisque features lobster, scallions, and a Champagne cream.  

Salads and Rice Bowls a plenty for those wanting healthy options. Eat the rainbow with The Greek, marinated lamb, peaches, tomatoes, onions, spicy cucumbers, tzatziki and a feta vinaigrette. Big Sur, features chipotle-marinated shrimp, guac, feta, mango, roasted corn and a cilantro-lime vinaigrette. There’s a chicken, sliced steak and vegan option as well as Marinated Ahi Tuna and Seared Salmon Teriyaki. All options are available over super greens, brown rice or combine the two! 

A solid well-executed Main Course menu with items such as Chicken 131, all-natural bone-in chicken served au jus with Yukon Gold potatoes and roasted vegetables, Salmon on the Pier, teriyaki-glazed with roasted Yukon Gold potato and baby bok choy, Pork Chops, pan-seared with cherry peppers and a brandied cream sauce, Lamb Chops grilled and served with broccoli and Yukon Gold potatoes, and a NY Strip Steak in a peppercorn sauce with broccoli and potatoes for those wanting something a little more upmarket.

A brand new Happy Hour menu has just been released - $9 appetizers include wings, mussels, calamari hot oil pizza, buffalo chicken pizza and $5 guac served with tortilla chips. Additionally, there will be select wine, beer and drinks available at just $5. Also newly launched is our all-day “Margarita Tuesday” at a very celebratory $5 price tag. Flavors include, peach, mango, strawberry, and Jalapeño. 

About The Old Shelton Railroad Bridge:

The railroad and trestles were laid on the Shelton side of the Housatonic river sometime in 1888 immediately following the Industrial Revolution. Steam locomotives ran from New York to the area; a popular location for the many factories that relied on the river for their power. During the 1970s Shelton’s factories started to shutter and after many years of neglect, the downtown is seeing a revitalization once again with the old being renovated and developed as modern apartments. The train tracks are operational but only in the dark of night. Not exactly abandoned and not exactly in use, this old bridge and tracks makes a stunning subject for both the novice and the accomplished photographer. Food bloggers and Instagrammers have been known to photograph some of our items with the bridge in the backdrop!

TORRINGTON: These Accounts Help Disabled People Pay Qualified Disability-Related Epenses

 

GOOD TO KNOW: Achieving a Better Life Experience, also called ABLE accounts, are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families.

These accounts help disabled people pay qualified disability-related expenses without affecting their eligibility for government assistance programs.

Here are some key things people should know about these accounts.

Annual contribution limit

• The 2021 limit is $15,000.
• Certain employed ABLE account beneficiaries may make an additional contribution up to the lesser of these amounts:
• The designated beneficiary's compensation for the tax year.
• The poverty line for a one-person household. For 2021, this amount is $12,880 in the continental U.S., $16,090 in Alaska and $14,820 in Hawaii. 

Saver's credit

• ABLE account designated beneficiaries may be eligible to claim the saver's credit for a percentage of their contributions. 
• The beneficiary claims the credit on Form 8880, Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions. The saver's credit is a non-refundable credit available to individuals who meet these three requirements:
• Are at least 18 years old at the close of the taxable year
• Are not a dependent or a full-time student
• Meet the income requirements

Rollovers and transfers from section 529 plans

• Families may roll over funds from a 529 plan to another family member's ABLE account. 
• The ABLE account must be for the same beneficiary as the 529 account or for a member of the same family as the 529 account holder. Rollovers from a section 529 plan count toward the annual contribution limit. For example, the $15,000 annual contribution limit would be met by parents contributing $10,000 to their child's ABLE account and rolling over $5,000 from a 529 plan to the same ABLE account.

Qualified disability expenses

• States can offer ABLE accounts to help people who become disabled before age 26 or their families pay for disability-related expenses. These expenses include housing, education, transportation, health, prevention and wellness, employment training and support, assistive technology and personal support services.
• Though contributions aren't deductible for federal tax purposes, distributions, including earnings, are tax-free to the beneficiary, if they are used to pay qualified disability expenses. 

More Information:
ABLE Accounts - Tax Benefit for People with Disabilities
Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities
Form 1099-QA, Distributions from ABLE Accounts 
Form 5498-QA, ABLE Account Contribution Information 
Instructions for Forms 1099-QA and 5498-QA

HARTFORD: Protecting The Most Vulnerable Residents Of Connecticut

 

HARTFORD (HARTFORD COUNTY) CT: Governor Ned Lamont has announced that in an effort to protect some of the most vulnerable residents of Connecticut from the impact of COVID-19, he has directed an executive order be issued to require employees of all long-term care facilities in the state to be vaccinated against the virus.

Executive Order No. 13B, which was filed yesterday and takes effect immediately, requires staff from these facilities to receive at least their first dose of the vaccines no later than September 7, 2021. Failure of a long-term care facility to comply with the order will subject the facility to a $20,000 civil penalty per day.

The definition of long-term care facilities includes:

• nursing homes;
• residential care homes;
• assisted living services agencies (i.e. agencies that provide staff to certain long-term care facilities);
• intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities;
• managed residential communities; and
• chronic disease hospitals.

“We know for a fact that COVID-19 presents increased risk of severe illness and death among older adults, particularly those who have chronic conditions and compromised immune systems,” Governor Lamont said. “Now that vaccines are widely available and scientifically proven to be safe and the most effective method for preventing hospitalization and death, it would be absolutely irresponsible for anyone working in a long-term care facility to not receive this protection that could prevent widespread infection among those who are most vulnerable from dying of this communicable disease, some of whom for medical reasons cannot be vaccinated themselves. I applaud the staff of our long-term care facilities for everything they do to protect our older populations.”

Approximately one-third of COVID-19 deaths in the United States have occurred among residents and staff of long-term care facilities. Recently in Connecticut, the state has seen a significant increase in cases of COVID-19 in nursing homes among staff and residents. In the past three weeks, there have been 51 resident cases, a sharp increase compared to the 6 cases reported over the previous three-week period. There have also been several deaths in recent weeks of residents who tested positive for COVID-19, which followed a period of 7 consecutive weeks without a death relating to COVID-19.

To date, approximately 55% of all nursing homes in Connecticut have a staff vaccination rate of lower than 75%. Only 21% of nursing homes in the state have a staff vaccination rate higher than 85%.

To find a location in Connecticut to be vaccinated against COVID-19, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.

Executive Order No. 13B was signed by Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz in her capacity as acting governor at the request of Governor Lamont.