What is up with Torrington Mayor Ryan Bingham's multiple connections to tonight's Oscars ceremony?

We told you a few months ago about George Clooney's role as "Ryan Bingham" in the Oscar-nominated "Up in the Air."

A coincidence, maybe.

But then ANOTHER Ryan Bingham showed up at the Oscars, and won tonight. Ryan Bingham, the musician and songwriter, won Best Original Song for a piece that was on the "Crazy Heart" soundtrack.

Torrington made history by electing one of the youngest mayors (age 22) ever in Ryan Bingham four years ago.

(And two resounding re-election victories later, he's still one of the youngest.)

And it made waves again early this year by naming 33-year-old Chris Leone as school superintendent.

Now the two young leaders will meet, together, with the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals group.

The get-together is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, at the Chamber's offices at 333 Kennedy Drive, Torrington.