Tuesday, May 31, 2016
News Busted - Final Episode - TSA Looking for Ways to Speed Up Airport Check-In
Jodi Miller announced that after nine years of News Busted, this will be the final episode. She will be hosting a new comedy feature, "News Wrap with Jodi Miller" starting June 7th. Log in to her new web site, News Wrap with Jodi Miller.
Roots in Ripon - The Ecstasy of Chocolate
30
May 2016
Chuck Roots
The Ecstasy of
Chocolate
Chocolate! The word alone elicits delicious
memories of moments of absolute taste bud euphoria which can only truly be
experienced by a true lover of the cocoa bean and its eventual liquid, solid or
powdered form.
The makers of chocolate are known as chocolate
makers by creating chocolate from cocoa beans and other ingredients. This is
not to be confused with chocolatiers. A chocolatier is a person or company who
makes confectionary from chocolate. Confectionery is also called sweets, or
candy. In any event, chocolate is the end result of their efforts. Bless them!
As a kid my favorite chocolate bars were Three
Musketeers and Baby Ruth. While in Marine Corps boot camp our training period
ended just after Christmas of 1969. Since we had performed very well during our
training, winning many honors for our drill instructors, we were told we could
receive some Christmas goodies from home. Even with this permission being
announced I was unwilling to take the chance so I wrote my parents and family
members and specifically instructed them not to send me any goodies. They
complied and I was spared the humiliation of possibly having to eat a whole lot
of chocolate or other sweet, gooey stuff which more than likely would have
wreaked havoc on my innards.
Days before Christmas small packages began
arriving for guys in my platoon.
Revised: Cat Tales - Walk-a-Thon/Run, Upcoming Events
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Monday, May 30, 2016
Coalition of CT Sportsmen - "The History of Memorial Day" - Legislaton
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Patch Reports 21 State Employees Earn More than $500K
Reported by the Darien Patch:
At the top of the list are the University of Connecticut’s men’s and women’s basketball coaches, which likely isn’t a surprise to many people.
Numerous employees in the University of Connecticut Health Center are included on this list too.
In 2014-15 state employees earned a total of $6.26 billion in salary and fringe benefits. Currently, lawmakers are pursuing mass layoffs of state employees in an effort to plug a $960 million budget deficit.
Read the full article, here: Darien Patch
At the top of the list are the University of Connecticut’s men’s and women’s basketball coaches, which likely isn’t a surprise to many people.
Numerous employees in the University of Connecticut Health Center are included on this list too.
In 2014-15 state employees earned a total of $6.26 billion in salary and fringe benefits. Currently, lawmakers are pursuing mass layoffs of state employees in an effort to plug a $960 million budget deficit.
Read the full article, here: Darien Patch
"FROM BEHIND BARS" - A Series, Part 32 - Day 513
Image Fox61.com |
In this issue, our correspondent talks about getting a calculator for school, Ohio more trucker-friendly since they raised the speed limit, his cousin visiting, lock downs and conditions worsening, training new COs, the state piling on more debt . . .
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Friday, May 27, 2016
Rep. Lesser Announces Increase in Graduation Rate
More students are graduating!
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I am pleased to announce that last year's state record of an 87.2 percent graduation rate is 4.5 points higher than five years ago and 4.9 points higher than the national average.
The graduation rate in struggling school districts, known as Alliance Districts, has risen 6.4 percentage points since 2011 to 77.6 percent last year. In the 10 lowest performing Alliance Districts, known as the Educational Reform districts, the graduate rate went up 8 points to 71.6 percent during that same period.
It is also important to note that over the past five years, the graduation rate for our high needs students across the state, which includes English learners, those eligible for free or reduced price lunch, and students receiving special education services, has jumped 11.2 points. Last year, high needs students increased again to 76.1 percent.
Four-year cohort graduation rates by state, district and school are available on the Connecticut State Department of Education’s new data portal, EdSight.
As graduation rates rise, I will continue to advocate for an increased investment and focus on education.
Sincerely,
Matthew Lesser
I am pleased to announce that last year's state record of an 87.2 percent graduation rate is 4.5 points higher than five years ago and 4.9 points higher than the national average.
The graduation rate in struggling school districts, known as Alliance Districts, has risen 6.4 percentage points since 2011 to 77.6 percent last year. In the 10 lowest performing Alliance Districts, known as the Educational Reform districts, the graduate rate went up 8 points to 71.6 percent during that same period.
It is also important to note that over the past five years, the graduation rate for our high needs students across the state, which includes English learners, those eligible for free or reduced price lunch, and students receiving special education services, has jumped 11.2 points. Last year, high needs students increased again to 76.1 percent.
Four-year cohort graduation rates by state, district and school are available on the Connecticut State Department of Education’s new data portal, EdSight.
As graduation rates rise, I will continue to advocate for an increased investment and focus on education.
Sincerely,
Matthew Lesser
Shakespeare Goes To Italy Rooftop Gala on June 17 in Middletown
Soprano Thalia Berardozzi |
Italian opera, Italian theater, fine wine and food from Middletown’s
best Italian restaurants await the guests at ARTFARM’s Shakespeare Goes To Italy Gala in the rooftop garden of the
Community Health Center on Friday, June 17.
After ten years of presenting professional outdoor
Shakespeare each summer in Middletown, ARTFARM will be transporting Shakespeare
in the Grove to Italy this summer with a production of Carlo Goldoni’s classic
comedy The Servant of Two Masters.
The production will run July 13 – 24 on the campus of Middlesex Community
College.
Shakespeare Goes to
Italy promises to be an unforgettable evening in the unique rooftop garden
overlooking downtown Middletown and the river
Sen. Len Fasano on 22 Million Dollar Hedge Fund Give Away
In this NBC Connecticut story, the Malloy Administration says giving $22 million of your tax money to the world’s largest hedge fund is a great idea for CT taxpayers. Meanwhile, CT Democrats are cutting funding for schools, for seniors, for hospitals, for the disabled, and for vital services to vulnerable individuals of all ages. ***Do you think sending a $22 million check – your (borrowed) state tax money – to a multi-billion hedge fund is a great idea? If you don’t, then:
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"FROM BEHIND BARS" - A Series, Part 31 - Day 492
Image from Carrington.edu |
In this issue, our correspondent talks about his pen pal's trip out of state, starting school, a ban on porn, cartooning, the outrageous cost of phone calls (yes, they have to pay for calls out of pocket), the worsening food, and more.
Those following this series will observe that the letters started out rather "slow" but as time went by, they became more personal, revealing the emotional and physical distresses faced by those committed to Connecticut's prisons. These distresses are not confined (no pun intended) to just the prisoner, but extend to the prisoner's family and friends. And we pay for it.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
TRAGEDY - Body of Missing Teenager Found
Photo from the Silver Alert |
Today, Middletown Press editor Cassandra Day reports the body found Tuesday was identified by authorities as being that of Justina Alicia, the subject of the Silver Alert issued last week.
At 3:45 AM, security cameras at the Sunoco station on Washington St. picked up her image, indicating she was walking west, toward Meriden. She was reported missing by her family on May 20th.
The Press article reports; while there was no sign of foul play, police major crimes unit and state medical examiners are investigating.
Few other details were given.
Editorial: Why Charges Should be Pressed Against Teen Vandals
Middletown resident Kevin Kelly with sign vandalized in broad daylight. |
Jeff didn't want to press charges because the thieves were young, and Jeff was once young "and did stupid things, too". I can understand that; nevertheless, I recommend preferring charges for the following reasons:
1) They knew what they were doing was wrong and REASONED they would get a pass because of their age.
Purple Heart Homes takes May Military Appreciation Month and the Entire Year Seriously to Improve Veterans' Lives One Home at a Time
89 year old WWII Veteran Alex Sawchyn and wife Theresa |
STATESVILLE, N.C., May 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/
When 89-year-old Redding, CT
WWII Veteran Alex Sawchyn received a knock on his door last summer, an
insurance representative handed him a list of all that he needed to get
done in order to maintain the homeowners insurance policy he faithfully
paid for 50 years.
Sawchyn obtained an estimate of what it would cost. Where was he going to come up with $42,000
to take down trees, paint the house and put a new roof on his home? He
and his wife started to seriously look at selling their home and moving
into a costly assisted living facility.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Sen. Martin: Don’t Use CT State Taxpayer $$ to Finish Hartford Baseball Stadium
Click to enlarge |
“We are writing to urge you not to use state
taxpayer dollars to bail out Hartford’s Dunkin Donuts Stadium,” reads
the (attached) May 25 letter to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy that is signed by
15 Republican senators, including Sen. Martin. “As
a result of construction of the stadium exceeding the agreed upon
deadline, we understand that costs are now likely to increase for the
project. We are also aware of comments from the Hartford Stadium
Authority indicating that they will not go back to the
city to seek the needed added capital. That needed capital should not come from the state and our already overburdened taxpayers.”
Sen. Martin (www.senatorhenrimartin.com) represents
Bristol, Harwinton, Plainville, Plymouth and Thomaston. He can be reached at
Henri.Martin@cga.ct.gov or at 860 240-0022.
Opinion by Rep. Rob Sampson: The New Economic Reality
The "New Economic Reality" is Getting Old Fast
As I write this, I’m still digesting the debate over revisions to the
FY17 Connecticut state budget that were voted on during the May 13th special
legislative session. This was an unusual situation as we typically
vote on our state budget in the first year of every two-year legislative
term. The reason for a budget debate this second year of the biennium
has been the gargantuan and growing projected deficit.
$22 million….of your (borrowed) tax money… Goes to Hedge Fund
Democrats in Hartford cut state funding for the disabled, our seniors, our schools, our hospitals, and our lowest income residents.
Now, they will spend $22 million of your (borrowed) taxpayer money on the world’s largest hedge fund?
Please read the attached article and tell me what you think at Art.Linares@cga.ct.gov .
http://www.ctpost.com/local/
Energy Forum Following Chamber’s Thursday Member Breakfast
(Middletown,
CT.) Chairman Vincent Capece of the Middlesex County Chamber of
Commerce announced that the chamber’s 2016 Energy Forum will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Radisson Hotel in Cromwell.
This
event, sponsored by Eversource, Connecticut Natural Gas, Southern
Connecticut Gas, and Pullman & Comley LLC, will feature a packed
agenda full of outstanding content focused on economic development
through energy efficiency. It will be held following the chamber’s May
Member Breakfast Meeting with Dr. Edison Liu, CEO of the Jackson
Laboratory. The forum will begin at 9:15 a.m. and will conclude at 11:30 a.m.
CEO of Jackson Lab to Speak at Middlesex Chamber May Breakfast
Edison Liu, president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory TO SPEAK AT MIDDLESEX CHAMBER’S MAY BREAKFAST
(Middletown,
CT.) Chairman Vincent Capece of the Middlesex County Chamber of
Commerce announced that Edison Liu, M.D., president and CEO of The
Jackson Laboratory will serve as guest speaker at the chamber’s Member
Breakfast Meeting on Thursday, May 26, 2016.
This event, sponsored by Farmington Bank, will be held at the Radisson Hotel Cromwell, with networking beginning at 7:00 a.m., breakfast buffet at 7:30 a.m., and meeting program 8:00-9:00 a.m.
The
Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit organization focusing
on mammalian genetics research to advance human health. Their mission is
to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the
global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.
"FROM BEHIND BARS" - A Series, Part 30 - Day 457
Image from momsneedtoknow.com |
In this issue, our correspondent talks about lock downs and shake downs, filing the appeal brief, "pink slime", the expensive commissary food, the Republican primary, NASCAR; more.
Those following this series will observe that the letters started out rather "slow" but as time went by, they became more personal, revealing the emotional and physical distresses faced by those committed to Connecticut's prisons. These distresses are not confined (no pun intended) to just the prisoner, but extend to the prisoner's family and friends. And we pay for it.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Incident on Rt. 9 in Middletown - With video
Last night, Monday, May 23rd, at approx 6:50, while parked in front of city hall ahead of the monthly RTC meeting, I noticed a trooper with
his lights on and saw a male running in the grass along the side of the
road directly across from the boathouse at Harbor Park.
The trooper stopped the man and patted him down. The trooper was joined moments later by three Middletown police officers who questioned the man. I was able to get a few photos and a short video, before running out of space on the card, and since the meeting was about to start, was not able to continue to observe the situation unfold.
The trooper stopped the man and patted him down. The trooper was joined moments later by three Middletown police officers who questioned the man. I was able to get a few photos and a short video, before running out of space on the card, and since the meeting was about to start, was not able to continue to observe the situation unfold.
Local Pastor Goes to Indy for the 100th Running
Sen. Formica Honored by AARP for Protecting Seniors
On May 20 at the
East Lyme Senior Center, Sen. Paul Formica was presented with a
Legislative Achievement Award from the Connecticut AARP. The award
recognized Sen. Formica’s advocacy in protecting consumers from
unaffordable expenses for essential energy services.
Formica
represents
Bozrah, East Lyme, a portion of Montville, New London, Old Lyme, a
portion of Old Saybrook, Salem, and Waterford. On the web:
www.aarp.org and
www.senatorformica.com .
Attached
photo, left to right: AARP State Advocacy Director John Erlingheuser,
Sen. Formica, and AARP Volunteer Joanne Davis of Waterford.
MegaVote - How Congress Voted in CT's 3rd Distict and Senate
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COMING EVENTS AT RUSSELL LIBRARY - JUNE 2016
Russell Library 123 Broad St., Middletown, CT
COMING EVENTS AT RUSSELL LIBRARY
Russell
Library Hours for June 2016
Russell Library, 123 Broad
St. in Middletown is open 9am-8:30pm Monday through Thursday; 9am-6pm on
Fridays; Saturdays 9am-5pm. The library is closed Sundays throughout the summer
months.
All library programs are
free of charge.
EXHIBITS
Metal
and Clay: Four Artists
Throughout
June, in the Lobby Case.
Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Featured is work by four ceramic
artists, two of whom also work in metal. Members of the Wesleyan Potters Guild,
the artists exhibiting are: Marcia Eager, Marcy LaBella, Cheryl Tuttle, and Art
Tuttle.
Missing U and Other Abstract
Paintings by Catherine Filloramo Thrall
Throughout June.
Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Catherine
Filloramo
Thrall graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Studio Art. She has been studying calligraphy with internationally
acclaimed artists for the past 35 years. Her work is abstract, primarily on
paper using gouache, watercolor, ink and acrylic. She creates paintings,
drawings, collage and artists books, often using the strong influence of letter
forms. Her featured piece, Missing U,
is an abstract alphabet.
“Balancing formal elements on a foundation of calligraphy
my art vocabulary includes line, shape, texture, and color arranged in a wordless
journey that evokes visual and emotional memory.”
Natural Inspiration: Paintings by Ellen Dougan
Monday, May 23, 2016
Tremors Felt at Middletown City Hall
Szynkowicz with senate candidate Len Suzio |
At tonight's monthly Middletown Republican Town Committee meeting, held in the council chambers at the town hall, Board of Education pit bull, Linda Szynkowicz was nominated to run against twenty eight year 33rd District incumbent Rep. Joe Serra, (who's children live out of state but are registered to vote in Middletown). Szynkowicz said she intends to run against Serra's voting record as representative and the damage and costs his record brought to Middletown and Connecticut.
Middlesex Community Collage student Anthony RJ Moran received the party endorsement to run against incumbent NeverHadaRealJobInHisLife, Matt Lesser. Moran says he will run a campaign highlighting Lesser's history of fiscal irresponsibility. Moran, an ordained minister, was also endorsed for Justice of the Peace and served as ballot clerk in April's Republican primary. (no photo available)
Earl Roberts, (no relation to Oral) was also endorsed as candidate for Connecticut Senate seat in the 9th District, running against Paul Doyle, office holder since 2007.
At tonight's meeting, town committee members endorsed twenty candidates for Justice of the Peace. The endorsed candidates are Leslie P. Adams Jr., David
P. Bauer, Stephen T. Gionfriddo, Kimberly Inglis, Tami J. Kapacziewski, Kevin
Kelly, Ryan Kennedy, Deborah Kleckowski, Victoria A. McDowell, Anthony RJ
Moran, Anton A. Petras, Diane A. Petras, Jonathan Pulino, Annabel L. Resnisky,
Leslie A. Spatola, Patricia D. Sloan, Eleanor C. Tomaszewski, Lea L. Tomaszewski,
Anne M. Tommasi, William S. Wilson.
David Bauer, nominee |
Then the earth moved.
In the only contested battle for office, the 32 RTC members present cast their ballots. Challenging 16 year veteran Republican Registrar of Voters, Janice Gionfriddo (no photo available), was former Councilman David Bauer. The secret ballots were issued via roll call by RTC Secretary Helen Landry. After all the ballots were counted, they were counted again.
RTC Chair Chris Petter |
The vote count was tied; sixteen votes for Gionfriddo, and sixteen votes for Bauer. Per statute, when a tie vote occurs, the Town Committee Chair casts the tie breaking vote. Newly elected Town Committee Chair Chris Petter, cast the tie breaking vote for . . . David Bauer.
After the vote was announced, Gionfriddo graciously conceded to Bauer and offered him her support. Janice was recognized for her many, many years of service to the community and the Republican Party going back decades before she was registrar, and received a standing ovation from all in attendance, including Bauer.
Wednesday May 25 at Maria’s Pizza in Colchester: Linares and Ziobron Update Taxpayers
Wednesday at Maria’s Pizza in Colchester:
Linares and Ziobron to Update Taxpayers
Are taxes going up?
Is funding for schools being cut?
What bills have become law?
Sen. Art Linares and Rep. Melissa Ziobron are inviting area
taxpayers to get these and other questions answered on Wednesday (May 25) at Maria’s Pizza, 744 Middletown Rd., Colchester.
The lawmakers will meet with area residents from
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
For more information, contact 800 842 1421.
Middletown Department of Planning, Conservation and Development - Newsletter
City of Middletown
Department of Planning, Conservation and Development Weekly Newsletter for May 23, 2016 |
UPCOMING
MEETINGS-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riverfront Boathouse Design Workshop
Tuesday, May 24, 2016, 7:00 PM, Council Chambers
Tuesday, May 24, 2016, 7:00 PM, Council Chambers
Please
join us to help review the concept design for the new community
boathouse for the Riverfront. This community facility will be the heart
of the riverfront and we need you input. You can sign up on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Riverfront-Middletown-Connecticut/456448574448563 or email michiel.wackers@middletownct.gov
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can find agendas, minutes and legal notices at www.middletownplanning.com
“How will you be remembered?”
23
May 2016
Chuck Roots
What Will They
Say?
It is an enormous assumption, but I’m certain
everyone has wondered at some point how they will be remembered once they have
passed from this life. What will others say about you? What will come to their
mind when you are mentioned in conversation? Perhaps most importantly, how will
your family remember you?
As I recall, my first real confrontation with the
brevity of life came when I turned 25. Some months prior I had been in Vietnam
exposed to enemy fire and feeling very fortunate to still be on this side of
the grass. Like most war veterans you do not forget your first exposure to
combat. How quickly a life is gone! Snuffed out in the blink of an eye.
My 25th birthday had an impact on me
which startled me with just how quickly that first quarter-century had slipped
past. Would the rest of my days on planet earth go by as quickly? Is there a
brake handle I can pull on to slow down this train of life?
"FROM BEHIND BARS" - A Series, Part 29 - Day 423 - BONUS ISSUE
Image from DamnedCT.com |
In this issue, our correspondent talks about his pen pals' job and new son-in-law, Micheal Skakel, a new prisoner (a transvestite), filing a brief, closing the chow hall, "Super Sandwich Sunday" and more!
Those following this series will observe that the letters started out rather "slow" but as time went by, they became more personal, revealing the emotional and physical distresses faced by those committed to Connecticut's prisons. These distresses are not confined (no pun intended) to just the prisoner, but extend to the prisoner's family and friends. And we pay for it.
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