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Located on Farwell St. in West Haven, CT, Thermaxx is run by 75 employees and has been in business in CT for 25 years. The CFO, Larry Campana, received a phone call from the owner of Thermaxx one day with a promise to a Fire Chief that he had to keep - “We have a joke at Thermaxx that our owner makes promises and it’s our job to keep those promises. So he called us and said ‘hey, I just promised a fire chief we were going to make him 10 medical gowns." Before announcing their decision to make protective gowns, Thermaxx was faced with the decision of what to do. Like all businesses in the world right now, the decision was to shut their doors or figure something else out. Luckily, the Thermaxx team figured out the “something else”, now it’s about the how, how do you create protective gowns? Four prototypes later, Thermaxx created a disposable gown, made of house wrap, readily available. “It actually makes sense because what we are trying to do is to keep things out, keep out moisture and particles and that’s what you wrap a house in when it’s under construction. You wrap it so things can’t get in,” says Campana during a WTNH interview. Thermaxx quickly converted its insulation blanket factory line to make the promised disposable gowns for first responders. Before March, this Connecticut-based manufacturer had never made a product for humans, but now that they do, they’re sharing their knowledge. According to TJ McCue, of Medium.com, “Within two days of announcing their disposable gown over 2,000 were requested by over 40 organizations from hospitals to fire departments. By April 1st, 130 groups had requested more than 5,000 gowns from Thermaxx.” According to Campana, Fire departments, EMS and nursing homes were leaving compelling comments on the company web page, saying, “We are out. We are in dire need. Our need is immediate. We will come and pick it up.” Thermaxx can barely keep up, but with what needs they can fill, they’re doing so by donating and absorbing all of the cost. Not only that, but they are also making their gown design available to the public.. Campana proudly says, “We just have an incredible group of people, that’s doing the right thing. It’s amazing. To Learn More About Thermaxx Gear click here.

Be it your own child, your little brother or sister, your niece or nephew, your godson or goddaughter, they are children and they have questions just like the rest of us. Sometimes these questions are innocent and easy to answer, sometimes not so much. So, we’ve assembled some cute little characters to help break Coronavirus down for you so you can break it down for the rugrat in your life. Read by clicking here.

Greenwich Alliance for Education Is Pivoting To Meet The Needs It has been a month since teachers and students interacted face to face in the classrooms to discuss and discover new concepts, research and report on interesting facts, practice reading skills by holding a book together, collaborate and solve problems in small groups, learn simple and complex math problems and equations, and act as a learning community as we have always known it to be. At an instance, school-based education has changed to distance learning – teachers are teaching from their homes and students are learning from their homes –with this huge transformation in the educational experience the Greenwich Alliance for Education is pivoting to meet the short and long-term ­needs of the Greenwich Public Schools – teachers and students. We are funding school supplies for both students and teachers, contributing to the GEA COVID-19 Response Fund, and are funding a request to purchase books for every student at New Lebanon School as the absence of books was being noted by the teachers. We can handle more of these educational requests right away. We continue to focus, in particular, on the AVID community – teachers, students, and alums. (AVID implementation was funded by the Greenwich Alliance). AVID – Advancement Via Individual Determination – a college readiness system is taught to over 300 students at Greenwich High School and Western and Central Middle Schools and has graduated over 200 students. AVID students represent many of the families whom the district is providing school lunches and internet hot spots and who are receiving food and other services from other local agencies. For the AVID students and the AVID alums, we are building up our mentoring program, setting up a job board for money-earning projects, continuing to fund our college scholarships – as this is as critical as ever, and maybe assisting with paying for internet accounts should this issue arise. It is a distinct role that the Greenwich Alliance for Education plays in the community as the local education foundation supporting the Greenwich Public Schools. While we never envisioned a time when school would happen entirely from home, we are here for our educators and students to immediately react and respond to their needs. We thank all of those who are working in healthcare and in the many essential businesses for the benefit of the community. We are looking forward to all reconnecting in the classrooms again. Stay safe and well! ____________________________________________________________________________ If you would like you would like to SPONSOR A JOB ON OUR JOBS BOARD, CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND, DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES or find out how you can virtually help please email Julie at julie@greenwichalliance.org with your name and contact information, along with how you can help and she will get back to you on the next steps. If you would like to learn more about the Greenwich Alliance for Education click here.

First and foremost, as our community faces these unprecedented times, our thoughts are with you and your families' safety, along with our furloughed family of Brand Specialists, Support Staff, Valets, and Technicians. We hope we can bring everyone safely back soon! In the meantime we ask for your support in making sure all our workers have a work home to go back to when this time has passed by buying local. Remember, we’re all in this together. If you, or someone you know is in need of a new car or in need of having a vehicle serviced, we are here and we are ready to help. Our website reflects the best price on every vehicle taking the stress and pressure off purchasing a car. Schedule your service online or give us a call, we will make sure you're taken care of without having to interact face-to-face with a single person. We also offer additional delivery and pick up options. Please let us know how we can serve you better in this time of need, and remember, all trouble is temporary. We will get through this! Eric Sandstrom Managing Partner Maritime Chevy

A few years ago bloggers and social media stars started advertising beds that came vacuumed sealed in a box the size of a large dog. These bloggers & social media stars would then film how their vacuumed sealed mattress, that just showed up looking like aged tofu, would expand and turn into their dream bed. According to CNBC there are now “175 bed-in-a-box companies in business and their sales account for 12% of the $16.5 billion mattress industry” Lets face it, buying a new mattress is inevitable. It’s kind of like a car, we can hold on to them for many years, but eventually, we are forced to upgrade. Luckily Consumer Advocates.org, has our backs with a new in-depth study into these boxed mattresses. With over 220 hours of research, 50 credible sources used, and 43 companies vetted- You’re going to discover the perfect mattress for you and your sleeping needs in this study. Visit https://www.consumersadvocate.org/mattress to read this study.

Maritime Chevrolet is being celebrated as a CARFAX Top-Rated Dealer based on verified reviews from actual customers. The select group of dealers being recognized in the inaugural CARFAX Top-Rated Dealers of 2019 received 5 stars out of five. They are being celebrated for their commitment to building consumer confidence through exceptional service and customer care. “These are verified ratings from real consumers,” said Scott Fredericks, CARFAX Vice President of Marketing. “These ratings help other shoppers feel confident about choosing where to take their business. This exclusive group of top-rated dealers is setting the standard for service.” CARFAX.com has more than a million verified customer reviews. Maritime Chevrolet- https://www.maritimechevy.com/ About CARFAX CARFAX, part of IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO), helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, own and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides exclusive services like CARFAX Used Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value and the flagship CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world’s largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post and Glassdoor.com. Shop, Buy, Own, Sell – Show me the CARFAX™. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

How To Prepare According to the Red Cross, you want to have the following in your household for two-weeks: Have a supply of food staples and household supplies like laundry detergent and bathroom items, and diapers if you have small children. Dry goods like rice, pasta, beans, and oats should be the foundation of your stockpile, Alyssa Pike, a registered dietitian and manager of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council, recently told Business Insider. You should also stock up on canned foods that contain liquid, such as tomatoes, beans, and tuna, according to Pike. The excess liquid can be used to cook dried food like rice and pasta. (Make sure you have a can opener.) And don't neglect comforting food items like chocolate and coffee, even if they're not strictly essential. As Business Insider recently reported, such items can make a big difference in your mental health and morale during a home quarantine. As most of us know, toilet paper is hard to come by these days. Who would have thought? So look for other items that are toilet safe and tush safe, for instance, wet wipes from Kleenex brand or Cottonelle brand, and look for ultra-soft tissue. Check to make sure you have at least a 30-day supply of your prescription medications and have other health supplies on hand Including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes and vitamins. Think Pedialyte or Gatorade, Tylenol, cough syrup containing Dextromethorphan, thermometer(s), throat lozenges Women don’t forget the products that you will need for that special time of the month. Emergen-C or Vitamin C, and Vitamin D (Since most of haven’t spent time in the sun since October.) These vitamins help support your immune system. Know how your local public health agency will share information in your community and stay informed. Find more information here. Learn how your children’s school or daycare, and your workplace will handle a possible outbreak. Create a plan in the event of any closings, event cancellations or postponements. For more ideas on how to keep your kids busy at home click here. Help family members and neighbors get prepared and share the safety messaging with those who may not have access to it. For more information on COVID-19 visit the Red Cross, CDC, or the World Health Organization. How To Stay Busy Here is a list of 10 different things you and your family can do to stay busy at home : 1. Complete a puzzle: The more pieces the better! Feeling extra saucy? Take on a Rubik's Cube. More of a word person? Crossword puzzle! 2. If it won't bother your neighbors: Dust off that old instrument and practice. 3. Watch all the really long movies you’ve avoided until now. 4. Download Duolingo, or a similar app, and teach yourself a foreign language. 5. It is Spring… get to Spring cleaning. Everyone’s home, take advantage of those extra bodies and get Martha Stewart organized. 6. Play games! Candy Land, Life, Monopoly, Cards Against Humanity, Go Fish - if everyone is 21 and older you can turn these games into drinking games giving old classics a fresh spin. 7. Coloring, have you tried this recently? Adult coloring has shown it can lead to reducing stress and helps improve brain flow, give it a try with your kids or without. No judgment here. 8.  YouTube - Learn how to braid, or change a tire. Take this time to finally teach yourself something you’ve always wanted to learn. 9. Workout, do yoga in your backyard, run in a place, use YouTube for free workout classes. Just because we have to stay at home doesn’t mean we can’t get fit. Try Pop Sugar or Yoga with Adrienne. 10. Work on your finances. This isn’t that fun but it’s necessary. We don’t know what to expect these next few months, so make sure you’re wallet has a plan.

First and foremost, we wish for the health of all of you and your loved ones. Greetings to all those we consider family after all these years of a shared relationship that means everything to us. Below is a list of what we are currently doing to help keep everyone healthy and happy. 1. Disinfecting the Dealership - We will be disinfecting the dealership multiple times per day with PermaSafe disinfecting solutions: all door handles (including the door handles on vehicles); bathroom stalls/bathroom countertops; and the chairs/tables in the customer waiting areas and sales offices. PermaSafe is non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-hazardous, odor-free, environmentally neutral, and can remain antimicrobial active for the life of the surface to which it’s applied. For more information on PermaSafe, click here. 2. No Touch Policy - We are practicing social distancing which includes a strict No Touch Policy. 3. Sick Leave - All team members will be required to take sick leave if they are not feeling well. We ask that you not visit our store if you are experiencing sickness of any kind. 4. Hand Sanitizer Stations - We will be placing hand sanitizer stations throughout the dealership for both our customers and team members to use freely. We will also be offering complimentary hand sanitizer bottles to our customers, while supplies last. 5. Expanding Pick-up/Drop-off Services - We will be expanding our pick-up/drop-off services for both sales and service. If you would rather not visit the dealership for whatever reason, please call either our sales or service department and we will do our best to arrange a pick-up/drop-off for you. We will be scheduling on a first-come-first-serve basis, so please bear with us if we are unable to accommodate your request for a specific day or time. Our Management Team is keeping a close eye on how things develop in our community and we will be updating our efforts as necessary. We will be here for you in the days ahead, and we will get through this together. Warmest Regards, Eric Sandstrom Managing Partner Cadillac of Greenwich Maritime Chevrolet

Chevrolet’s iconic people and cargo haulers begin a new chapter today with the introduction of the all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Each has been redesigned to be the ultimate SUV – offering the most interior space of any SUV, exclusive technologies and features, and the best driving dynamics in the full-size segment. “There are no vehicles like Tahoe and Suburban – which have starred in Hollywood movies, carried military heroes and world leaders, and helped create countless family memories,” said Barry Engle, Executive Vice President and President, General Motors North America. “We’ve taken what people love about these pioneering SUVs and made them even better – adding more room for people and cargo, more advanced technology and an unrivaled driving experience.” This was achieved through a complete transformation of Chevrolet’s full-size SUVs, combining the strongest aspects of its new full-size truck architecture with entirely new systems tailored to the needs of today’s SUV drivers and passengers. “With an increasing number of SUVs on the market, we knew the all-new Tahoe and Suburban needed to reach higher than ever,” said Tim Herrick, Vice President, Global Product Programs. “We transformed Tahoe and Suburban to offer all-new technologies and features and deliver a better driving experience, while staying true to the versatility and capability that have earned people’s trust for generations.” The 2021 Tahoe and Suburban go on sale in mid-2020 in North America, joining the new Silverado and Silverado HD to completely redesign Chevrolet’s full-size truck and SUV lineup within 24 months.

Dogs - a four legged creature who always seem to capture the human heart. Some scientists think our friendship with dogs could go as far back as 40,000 years. They have continued to grow alongside humanity from helping us hunt mammoths to chasing after sticks in the yard. We’ve loved them all along the way. Having a dog is also good for your health as recent studies have confirmed. Dogs help to lower blood pressure and can even help with anxiety levels, not to mention, they can make car trips better too. But driving with Fido can also put his life at risk. Dogs should be restrained to avoid interfering with the driver and to prevent injury in the event of a collision. People sometimes have a hard time grasping the thought of buckling their over sized dog, be it a Great Dane or a Labrador into a car, but trust us, it’ll save your life and your pet’s life too. In a collision, an unrestrained animal becomes a projectile with the potential to cause enormous harm. The magnitude of the force is a straightforward calculation based on weight, speed and the distance it takes to stop. In a typical 30 mile-an-hour head-on crash, a 50-pound dog flies forward with an impact force of 1,500 pounds. Not to worry though, we have just the thing to put your mind at ease. The Center for Pet Safety organization works hard to research pet safety and educate pet owners on how best to keep their pets safe. Click here for their pet-travel tips and other important safety resources. The Center for Pet Safety is a non-profit organization that relies on consumer donations, grants and sponsorships to further their efforts on behalf of pet owners. Get involved by clicking here and making a donation today.

Escape to warmth and relaxation this winter with these two resort getaways. The first, located in Barbados, is the Port Ferdinand Yacht & Beach Club Residences and the other, in Key Largo, is the Baker’s Cay. Not only do they still have availability this winter, but they are also offering special rates. Port Ferdinand Yacht & Beach Club Residences This luxury resort is specifically located on the Platinum Coast of the Caribbean Sea and from now through April 17th, 2020, they are offering a 40% off winter sale for stays of three nights or longer. To stay active on the water, enjoy sailing or yachting. For relaxation, enjoy an award winning spa with a treatment for everyone and the most extraordinary culinary. All of the island’s sports, culture, cuisine and lifestyle is yours to embrace and explore with the help of their top-tier concierge staff. They can also assist you with experiences in-resort. Anything you can imagine is just a stroll, water taxi or phone call away. Baker’s Cay in Key Largo, Florida If you prefer not to go as far as the Barbados, you might try Florida instead. Head to Baker’s Cay in Key Largo, Florida, a part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Located on a secluded waterfront property, Baker’s Cay is exemplary of pristine island tropics perfect for a family trip or a romantic getaway. Enjoy fun activities with the family such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing, all of which are included in your stay. Or, for a more relaxing experience, book a Paint and Sip Night for 2 with the resort’s skilled paint instructor. The hotel is now offering savings of up to 30% for rooms reserved and paid for in advance. The daily resort charge of $38 per night (per room) includes everything from beach chairs and umbrellas to paddle boards and kayaks. Oh, and did we mention that it’s currently 79 degrees there?

With winter in full swing, keeping your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently is more important than ever. No one wants to get stuck on the side of the road during a nasty storm, or spend their time in the car shivering because the heater blows cold air. Even though some things are uncontrollable, there are things you can do to keep your vehicle in top shape. With the temperatures dipping below freezing in many parts of the country, your heating system needs to be in good shape. The system should be inspected at least once a year, or in accordance with your owner’s manual, by the trained technicians at your dealer. A sufficient amount of antifreeze mixed at the right proportion of water to antifreeze is important to the proper functioning of your heating and cooling system. The system should be checked for leaks and the heater fan should be checked for proper operation. It’s also important to have your exhaust system checked for any leaks, including carbon monoxide. Undetected carbon monoxide leaks can prove especially dangerous during winter, when the windows are primarily closed. A braking system in good working condition is important year round. If you hear squealing or grinding, feel vibration or sponginess in the pedal, or the vehicle pulls to either side when you brake, it’s time to bring the vehicle in and have the brake system inspected. Modern brake systems are sophisticated and can include electronic sensors and interrelated safety features in addition to the usual items like pads, rotors and calipers. That’s why it’s important to have your brakes serviced by manufacturer-trained service technicians for your make of vehicle. Often overlooked items like windshield wipers (front and rear, if so equipped) and wiper fluid should be checked and replaced/refilled as necessary. Your windshield should be free from cracks and chips. If not, visit your dealer; minor chips can often be repaired or stabilized to prevent larger cracks, or your dealer can arrange windshield replacement if necessary. Again, properly trained technicians will use manufacturer-approved adhesives and replacement techniques to ensure a proper seal, and they have the experience necessary to avoid damaging rain sensors, windshield-mounted cameras or other features your vehicle may have. Your battery works extra hard during the colder months, so make sure it’s in good shape. A dead battery can be the difference between starting right up and having to wait for a jump-start in a dark parking lot. Have it tested to prevent unexpected failure, and replace it if necessary, before it dies. Headlamps, taillamps, fog lamps, daytime running lights, turn signals, parking lights and reverse lights are important for good visibility. Make sure they are all functioning properly and replace any that are out. Your dealer’s parts counter will have the bulbs specific to your make and model. A set of heavy-duty floor mats for your car or truck can offer better protection for your carpeting during the winter, as can cargo area liners. Look for products made specifically to fit your vehicle. A bag of sand or kitty litter, an extra blanket, some water and some flares in your trunk can be very useful this time of year, too. Your vehicle might be one of your biggest investments, and making sure it is ready for anything now can save you a great deal of time and trouble in the future. This article is presented by Maritime Chevrolet in Fairfield, CT.