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Connecticut and Maine restaurants take home honors at the 33rd annual James Beard Awards – The Boston Globe

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Connecticut and Maine restaurants take home honors at the 33rd annual James Beard Awards – The Boston Globe


The James Beard Foundation held its 33rd annual awards ceremony on Monday, June 10, in Chicago. Several area restaurants and chefs were finalists, and a trio of New England spots earned accolades.

Portland, Maine, is on the rise as a bakery destination with two James Beard honors. Atsuko Fujimoto from Norimoto Bakery won the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker award.

Fujimoto thanked the bakery’s six employees — “a golden team,” she said — and reflected on her improbable success: She came to Maine from Tokyo at age 30 without any kitchen experience.

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Also in Portland, ZU Bakery won the Outstanding Bakery award.

“It is a mysterious business, this making of bread, and once you are hooked by the miracle of yeast, you will be a bread maker for life,” said owner Barak Olins, quoting James Beard.

Fried smelts at The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic, Connecticut.Bread and Butter Photography/Lisa Nichols/Hearst CT Media

Meanwhile, Mystic Pizza is no longer the best-known restaurant in Mystic, Conn. David Standridge from The Shipwright’s Daughter was named Best Chef: Northeast. His restaurant, focusing on locally sourced seafood, opened at the height of the pandemic, in June 2020.

Standridge credited his young kids for his success.

“When they came along is when my perspective as a chef shifted from doing what’s best for me to doing what’s best for the community and next generation, to leave this world a little better than I found it,” he said.

Norimoto Bakery’s focaccia made with seaweed for Seaweed Week.

Senegalese restaurant Dakar Nola edged out Dorchester’s Comfort Kitchen in the Best New Restaurant category. Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker from ID EST Hospitality Group in Boulder, Colo., won in the Outstanding Restaurateur category. Chris Viaud from Ansanm, Greenleaf, and Pavilion in Milford and Wolfeboro, N.H., was also a nominee.

Langbaan in Portland, Ore., was named Outstanding Restaurant. Michael Rafidi from Albi in Washington, D.C., was named Outstanding Chef.

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Kara Baskin can be reached at kara.baskin@globe.com. Follow her @kcbaskin.





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Justice Department sues Connecticut over sanctuary policies

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Justice Department sues Connecticut over sanctuary policies


NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) – The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state of Connecticut and the city of New Haven, arguing their “sanctuary” policies illegally interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, targets Connecticut’s “Trust Act” and local rules that limit cooperation with federal authorities.

Named in the suit are Gov. Ned Lamont, Attorney General William Tong, and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

Federal officials claim these policies violate the U.S. Constitution and allow “dangerous criminals” to be released into the community instead of being handed over to federal agents.

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“This lawsuit seeks to end such open defiance of federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate.

The move is part of a broader federal crackdown on sanctuary cities, with similar legal actions recently filed against Los Angeles, New York City, and Boston.



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Connecticut lawmakers go head-to-head in Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic

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Connecticut lawmakers go head-to-head in Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic


HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Lawmakers put aside politics on Monday for a good cause, going head-to-head on the field.

Democrats took on Republicans in the Fifth Annual CGA Kickball Classic at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford. All ticket sales go towards charity, with this year’s recipient being United Way of Connecticut.

The Democrats won for the second year in a row, the Republicans had a three-year win streak previously.

“It’s great, especially because we’re coming into the real heat of the legislative session, so it’s a lot of fun to be out here,” State Rep. Jason Doucette (D) said. “We have a fun time with our friends across the aisle.”

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“United Way is a great organization, a statewide organization, and all of our local United Ways,” Former House Minority Leader Themis Klarides (R) said. “Especially in this day and age, people need so much help just for their everyday activities and keeping their families going, so we’re just really proud to have them be our charity this year.”

Lawmakers on both sides encouraged Connecticut residents to support their local United Way organization however they can.



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This CT city is one of the ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US,’ according to Livability

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This CT city is one of the ‘Top 100 Best Places to Live in the US,’ according to Livability


Livability released its annual list of small to mid-sized cities throughout the nation where residents can “truly thrive,” according to its website. Livability analyzed more than 100 data points in eight essential categories to measure a city’s overall health and “fun factor.”

The Fairfield County city was named to the list for being “home to a charming downtown, excellent schools, an arts community” and its proximity to New York City.

Danbury ranked high for its health, safety and amenities such as dining variety and access to parks and museums. Livability highlighted places in the city such as Danbury Museum, Railway Museum, Danbury Music Centre, Ives Concert Park, The Palace Danbury, Aldrich Museum, Danbury Ice Arena, Thrillz Park, Tarrywile Park and the Danbury Fair Mall.

Some of Livability’s top reasons to move to Danbury include the city being a “commuter’s dream,” as it is 50 miles from New York City and an hour from Hartford. The website also stated that Danbury is “affordable” compared to other Connecticut cities, with a median home value of $417,303, an average household income of $91,100 and median monthly rent of $1,679.

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Livability also described Danbury as a “regional powerhouse for retail and health care” and stated that it was “one of the most diverse cities in the country” for its culinary and cultural scenes.

Danbury previously was named to Livability’s “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.” list in 2024 and 2025.



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