check out:
Big Al’s Big New Year
featuring Big Al Anderson with his Allstar Band
CD Release Party
Live at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA Sunday, December 31, 2006 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM Legendary guitarist and songwriter Al Anderson is probably still best known for his 22-year stint with roots rock renegades NRBQ, although he's also distinguished himself as a gifted songwriter and solo artist since striking out on his own. His all-star band is back for a very rare concert appearance on New Year’s Eve at the Horse!
the first show is sold out. there are still tickets for the second show. if you've never seen him and are in the area, i encourage you to go see him. WONDERFUL.
iron horse
me, i'm staying home. i don't 'do' new year's eve.
while i'm on the subject, the iron horse is a gem. it's a showcase for some incredible talent. i've seen so many kick ass people there over the years (my favorite being dan hicks (sometimes with his hot licks)
i also see enter the haggis is coming to the iron horse soon. they'll be the half door in hartford on january 6th. if you've not seen them either DO SO (it's an order)
Saturday, December 30, 2006
town of the day
colebrook
and is it true, or is it just a story? we may never know..........
and the town of the day's legend of the day the colebrook cave
.................When I arrived on Monday evening, there were some twenty persons around the cavern and others in it. I borrowed a lantern and joined the ones inside. The mouth of the cavern is towards the southeast. If all the loose stones in and around it which seem to have fallen from the cliff above were removed, the cave at the mouth would be as near as I can judge, about 50 feet wide and 30 feet high. The air on entering has a peculiar smell which I can compare to nothing. I imagine the candle burnt less brilliantly than in the open air. For the first three or four rods the way is a good deal obstructed by sharp rocks, then comes a smooth gravelled floor as hard as macadamized road. Ten rods from the entrance we measured and found the width to be 83 feet and again at 30 rods we found it 67 feet. The sides are quite even, especially the east side which is as smooth as if it had been chiseled. The roof is broken and craggy. In some parts rising very high at others descending to within 10 feet of the floor. The flooring for the most part is level and smooth, consisting of stone and hard gravel.
We met with several deep pits into one of which we were near fallling. Two of them resembled wells. We sounded one of them to the depth of nine fathoms and another to the depth of five and one-half fathoms. In the first well we found water but the latter well was dry or appeared so. The main part of the cave is remarkably straight and uniform in width for the most part. It runs in a north and northeast direction for a quarter of a mile where it ends abruptly. We met with numerous openings at the right and left. Some large enough to admit a horse and carriage and others scarcely a man. We only marked them with chalk and passed on to the end of what seemed to be the main part of the cavern.
Here we stopped for a few moments. All stood without speaking gazing about with amazement and wonder. The silence was painful. No dropping of water or creaking of insects, not a sound could be heard, but the low suppresssed breathing of the company. It seemed as if I could hear their hearts beat - it had risen several degrees. The thermometer stood at 60 1/2 degrees.
As we prepared to retrace our steps, we discovered an opening on the west side a few rods from the termination of the part of the cavern we were in. We drew near and listened. There was a low murmuring sound as of a distant waterfall and the air which issued from it seemed colder and damper. This led up to suppose it must be of very great extent but we were too cold and weary to prosecute our researches farther at this time." ...............
and is it true, or is it just a story? we may never know..........
and the town of the day's legend of the day the colebrook cave
.................When I arrived on Monday evening, there were some twenty persons around the cavern and others in it. I borrowed a lantern and joined the ones inside. The mouth of the cavern is towards the southeast. If all the loose stones in and around it which seem to have fallen from the cliff above were removed, the cave at the mouth would be as near as I can judge, about 50 feet wide and 30 feet high. The air on entering has a peculiar smell which I can compare to nothing. I imagine the candle burnt less brilliantly than in the open air. For the first three or four rods the way is a good deal obstructed by sharp rocks, then comes a smooth gravelled floor as hard as macadamized road. Ten rods from the entrance we measured and found the width to be 83 feet and again at 30 rods we found it 67 feet. The sides are quite even, especially the east side which is as smooth as if it had been chiseled. The roof is broken and craggy. In some parts rising very high at others descending to within 10 feet of the floor. The flooring for the most part is level and smooth, consisting of stone and hard gravel.
We met with several deep pits into one of which we were near fallling. Two of them resembled wells. We sounded one of them to the depth of nine fathoms and another to the depth of five and one-half fathoms. In the first well we found water but the latter well was dry or appeared so. The main part of the cave is remarkably straight and uniform in width for the most part. It runs in a north and northeast direction for a quarter of a mile where it ends abruptly. We met with numerous openings at the right and left. Some large enough to admit a horse and carriage and others scarcely a man. We only marked them with chalk and passed on to the end of what seemed to be the main part of the cavern.
Here we stopped for a few moments. All stood without speaking gazing about with amazement and wonder. The silence was painful. No dropping of water or creaking of insects, not a sound could be heard, but the low suppresssed breathing of the company. It seemed as if I could hear their hearts beat - it had risen several degrees. The thermometer stood at 60 1/2 degrees.
As we prepared to retrace our steps, we discovered an opening on the west side a few rods from the termination of the part of the cavern we were in. We drew near and listened. There was a low murmuring sound as of a distant waterfall and the air which issued from it seemed colder and damper. This led up to suppose it must be of very great extent but we were too cold and weary to prosecute our researches farther at this time." ...............
a secret santa in bridgeport
i love stories like this!!!
Mystery man makes holiday happy
AARON LEO aleo@ctpost.com
Secret or not, this Santa was the real deal.
The Father Christmas at the center of this urban Yuletide tale remains a mystery, even to the Bridgeport police officers he deputized to help make city children's holiday a little brighter.
But his last-minute gesture can be identified as the true spirit of Christmas.
The miracle on State Street began to unfold last Sunday afternoon when the motorist flagged down police Lt. Tom Lula.
The man told Lula he didn't know where to donate 40 to 50 wrapped gifts, collected at his company's holiday party, which he was carrying in the back of his car. The gifts were even labeled with the appropriate genders and ages for recipients.
The man and Lula loaded the gifts into the cruiser, but before the officer could ask the man's name, he drove away.
So Lula and Sgt. Giselle Doszpoj got their chance to play Santa's helpers, with more than the usual authority: They activated their patrol cruiser's overhead lights to attract attention.
"We just rolled up on people we saw with children," Doszpoj said.
Then they handed out the gifts, which all went quickly, she said.
"What a night. It was the best night I've worked in years," she said.
It was a first for the two officers, who have almost 50 years' experience in law enforcement between them.
Lula said gifts were given to one woman with two babies living in a basement apartment with nearly no furniture..............
Mystery man makes holiday happy
AARON LEO aleo@ctpost.com
Secret or not, this Santa was the real deal.
The Father Christmas at the center of this urban Yuletide tale remains a mystery, even to the Bridgeport police officers he deputized to help make city children's holiday a little brighter.
But his last-minute gesture can be identified as the true spirit of Christmas.
The miracle on State Street began to unfold last Sunday afternoon when the motorist flagged down police Lt. Tom Lula.
The man told Lula he didn't know where to donate 40 to 50 wrapped gifts, collected at his company's holiday party, which he was carrying in the back of his car. The gifts were even labeled with the appropriate genders and ages for recipients.
The man and Lula loaded the gifts into the cruiser, but before the officer could ask the man's name, he drove away.
So Lula and Sgt. Giselle Doszpoj got their chance to play Santa's helpers, with more than the usual authority: They activated their patrol cruiser's overhead lights to attract attention.
"We just rolled up on people we saw with children," Doszpoj said.
Then they handed out the gifts, which all went quickly, she said.
"What a night. It was the best night I've worked in years," she said.
It was a first for the two officers, who have almost 50 years' experience in law enforcement between them.
Lula said gifts were given to one woman with two babies living in a basement apartment with nearly no furniture..............
Friday, December 29, 2006
if i didn't know better
i'd say he was high on acid. he sure is hallucinating - that's fo sho. he's seeing things that aren't there. he's hearing things that aren't being said. he's ignoring things that ARE there and that ARE being said. he's living in a fantasy world that has NOTHING to do with what is GOOD and MORALLY RIGHT for the people of not only his state, connecticut, but for the people of ALL of the united states. he has an agenda. he always had an agenda. this is AMERICA and we all must do what is good for AMERICA.
we invaded a land that never touched us. they never flew planes into the world trade center. they never attacked us NEVER (i mean PRIOR to us illegally invading their land to bring them 'democracy' and 'freedom').
i am sick and tired of this ugly war. it's not even touching me a zillionth as much as it is touching those serving, their family members and friends and ALL of the people in the middle east.
when will we rise up and say ENOUGH. ENOUGH killing, ENOUGH war, ENOUGH bombing, ENOUGH ENOUGH ENOUGH
when will someone stop these madmen (and women)? lieberman, the king and ALL of his court.
i myself would pick up arms to defend my country. we are NOT defending our country here. we've invaded a country for goddess only knows why. one of the reasons is to line the pockets of the good ol' white boy network. another reason is sheer insanity. another reason is payback (for insulting the kings father so many years ago).
STOP
STOP
STOP
oh and one more thing, I CANNOT BELIVE YOU PEOPLE RE-ELECTED THIS A**HOLE. I JUST CANNOT
(can you tell i'm foaming at the mouth right about now)?
Why We Need More Troops in Iraq
By Joseph Lieberman Friday, December 29, 2006; Page A27
I've just spent 10 days traveling in the Middle East and speaking to leaders there, all of which has made one thing clearer to me than ever: While we are naturally focused on Iraq, a larger war is emerging. On one side are extremists and terrorists led and sponsored by Iran, on the other moderates and democrats supported by the United States. Iraq is the most deadly battlefield on which that conflict is being fought. How we end the struggle there will affect not only the region but the worldwide war against the extremists who attacked us on Sept. 11, 2001.
Because of the bravery of many Iraqi and coalition military personnel and the recent coming together of moderate political forces in Baghdad, the war is winnable. We and our Iraqi allies must do what is necessary to win it.
The American people are justifiably frustrated by the lack of progress, and the price paid by our heroic troops and their families has been heavy. But what is needed now, especially in Washington and Baghdad, is not despair but decisive action -- and soon........
we invaded a land that never touched us. they never flew planes into the world trade center. they never attacked us NEVER (i mean PRIOR to us illegally invading their land to bring them 'democracy' and 'freedom').
i am sick and tired of this ugly war. it's not even touching me a zillionth as much as it is touching those serving, their family members and friends and ALL of the people in the middle east.
when will we rise up and say ENOUGH. ENOUGH killing, ENOUGH war, ENOUGH bombing, ENOUGH ENOUGH ENOUGH
when will someone stop these madmen (and women)? lieberman, the king and ALL of his court.
i myself would pick up arms to defend my country. we are NOT defending our country here. we've invaded a country for goddess only knows why. one of the reasons is to line the pockets of the good ol' white boy network. another reason is sheer insanity. another reason is payback (for insulting the kings father so many years ago).
STOP
STOP
STOP
oh and one more thing, I CANNOT BELIVE YOU PEOPLE RE-ELECTED THIS A**HOLE. I JUST CANNOT
(can you tell i'm foaming at the mouth right about now)?
Why We Need More Troops in Iraq
By Joseph Lieberman Friday, December 29, 2006; Page A27
I've just spent 10 days traveling in the Middle East and speaking to leaders there, all of which has made one thing clearer to me than ever: While we are naturally focused on Iraq, a larger war is emerging. On one side are extremists and terrorists led and sponsored by Iran, on the other moderates and democrats supported by the United States. Iraq is the most deadly battlefield on which that conflict is being fought. How we end the struggle there will affect not only the region but the worldwide war against the extremists who attacked us on Sept. 11, 2001.
Because of the bravery of many Iraqi and coalition military personnel and the recent coming together of moderate political forces in Baghdad, the war is winnable. We and our Iraqi allies must do what is necessary to win it.
The American people are justifiably frustrated by the lack of progress, and the price paid by our heroic troops and their families has been heavy. But what is needed now, especially in Washington and Baghdad, is not despair but decisive action -- and soon........
this is NOT a good thing
if you're in this neighborhood be careful!!! (there are a couple of grocery stores in this area. i frequent them as do many people i know. so as i said, BE CAREFUL)
Man Stabbed In West Hartford1:02 PM EST, December 28, 2006
By DANIEL P. JONES The Hartford Courant December 28 2006, 1:02 PM EST WEST HARTFORD -- A 32-year-old West Hartford man was stabbed Wednesday night on Prospect Avenue near the Hartford city line in what police say was a robbery attempt by two men wearing ski masks.The victim, who was not identified by police, was stabbed numerous times in the back, according to police. He was taken to Hartford Hospital by ambulance and was in stable condition, police said.The stabbing occurred shortly before 10:30 p.m., police said, near the corner of Prospect Avenue and Boulanger Avenue, which is two blocks north of the busy Prospect intersection with New Park Avenue.........
Man Stabbed In West Hartford1:02 PM EST, December 28, 2006
By DANIEL P. JONES The Hartford Courant December 28 2006, 1:02 PM EST WEST HARTFORD -- A 32-year-old West Hartford man was stabbed Wednesday night on Prospect Avenue near the Hartford city line in what police say was a robbery attempt by two men wearing ski masks.The victim, who was not identified by police, was stabbed numerous times in the back, according to police. He was taken to Hartford Hospital by ambulance and was in stable condition, police said.The stabbing occurred shortly before 10:30 p.m., police said, near the corner of Prospect Avenue and Boulanger Avenue, which is two blocks north of the busy Prospect intersection with New Park Avenue.........
my sister and i saw this on the news last night
and we are aghast. this is un effing believable
Grandmother, mother charged in home alone fire
(Waterford-WTNH, Dec. 28, 2006 3:45 PM) _ A Waterford grandmother and her daughter have been charged with leaving three children home alone where a fire broke out.
by News Channel 8's Tina Detelj
Neighbors still cannot believe what went on inside a Waterford home the night it went up in flames.
"I would say if they had not have gotten out who knows? Within another five or six minutes they wouldn't be alive today," said neighbor Bill Meyer.
According to court papers, an eleven year old boy who was home alone with his younger sister and cousin, called his grandmother at work to tell her there was a fire in her bedroom.
The boy said, "I'm scared, I'm really scared."
The grandmother, 51-year old Edwina Naholnik then asked, "How much smoke is in the house?"
He answered, "The whole house. Are you going to come home?"
Naholnik responded, "I'm not, but I'm going to get Mommy to."
Police say nearly 18 minutes passed before Naholnik called 911 to get firefighters to the scene.........
............Naholnik's daughter, 29-year old Brandi Naholnik, the mother of two of the children, made it to the house just in time to get them out. Apparently the grandmother did not want anyone to know the kids were left home alone while she worked the nightshift at Pfizer's emergency dispatch center.
According to the center's tapes, Edwina Naholnik told her daughter, "You have to tell them that you were sleeping and that the kids woke you up." ...............
Thursday, December 28, 2006
i enjoyed your work mr sperber
you drove me CRAZY at times, but you did keep my mind occupied!
thank you mr sperber for 27 years of fun AND frustration
Such Fun He Supplied; A Puzzler Has Died
By JOEL LANG Courant Staff Writer December 27 2006
Elliott Sperber, the shameless punster and rhymester whose cryptogram puzzles appeared in the Sunday Courant for 27 years until last month, died Saturday at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford.Sperber was 79. Aileen Sperber, his wife of 55 years, said that the cause of death was recently diagnosed lung cancer.In private conversation, Sperber displayed the same kind of humor he injected into his word puzzles. He spoke in a deep baritone that rumbled with a permanent chuckle."When he was dying in the hospice, he had the social workers hysterical. He had the doctors laughing. That's who he was - he saw humor in every part of life, dark and not dark. He was mostly sardonic, I guess," his widow recalled Tuesday at their home in West Hartford.Sperber's first cryptogram appeared in The Courant on July 22, 1979, during a gas shortage crisis. Its four-line answer read: "Gas lines are sure a shame/We don't know who to blame/No matter what your views/Please mind your peace and queues."At the time, Sperber was still in his 37-year career as a federal court reporter, working most regularly in the courtroom of Judge T. Emmet Clarie. "He would come home from a day at the court with these hysterical stories. I'm sure the other people there didn't see it," Aileen Sperber said.Sperber got the ideas for his puzzle from the periodicals he read, including The Courant, The New York Times, The New Yorker magazine, Time magazine and the nightly news on PBS. "It was a challenge for him, and he really liked to do it," she said. ............
thank you mr sperber for 27 years of fun AND frustration
Such Fun He Supplied; A Puzzler Has Died
By JOEL LANG Courant Staff Writer December 27 2006
Elliott Sperber, the shameless punster and rhymester whose cryptogram puzzles appeared in the Sunday Courant for 27 years until last month, died Saturday at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford.Sperber was 79. Aileen Sperber, his wife of 55 years, said that the cause of death was recently diagnosed lung cancer.In private conversation, Sperber displayed the same kind of humor he injected into his word puzzles. He spoke in a deep baritone that rumbled with a permanent chuckle."When he was dying in the hospice, he had the social workers hysterical. He had the doctors laughing. That's who he was - he saw humor in every part of life, dark and not dark. He was mostly sardonic, I guess," his widow recalled Tuesday at their home in West Hartford.Sperber's first cryptogram appeared in The Courant on July 22, 1979, during a gas shortage crisis. Its four-line answer read: "Gas lines are sure a shame/We don't know who to blame/No matter what your views/Please mind your peace and queues."At the time, Sperber was still in his 37-year career as a federal court reporter, working most regularly in the courtroom of Judge T. Emmet Clarie. "He would come home from a day at the court with these hysterical stories. I'm sure the other people there didn't see it," Aileen Sperber said.Sperber got the ideas for his puzzle from the periodicals he read, including The Courant, The New York Times, The New Yorker magazine, Time magazine and the nightly news on PBS. "It was a challenge for him, and he really liked to do it," she said. ............
i haven't picked up a yankee magazine in YEARS
i enjoyed it whenever i DID read it though. i liked the ads the best. new england 'stuff'.
i don't know how the change is going to go over though. we ARE indeed new englanders and we are not necessarily open to change.
i'll pick up a copy next week (or whenever the new format takes place) and give it the a rose is a rose once over
Yankee Magazine' Gets A Dandy Makeover, Bigger Size
Associated PressDecember 27 2006, 9:53 AM EST DUBLIN, N.H. -- The dowager of New England magazines is getting botox and collagen.Yankee Magazine will start the new year with a dandy new look, growing from digest size to full-size in hopes of attracting new readers and advertisers. It also will cut circulation and reduce the number of issues from 10 to six annually.The changes reflect industry trends and the soft advertising market for magazines. But change is a particularly delicate balancing act at Yankee, which has used New England humor, yarns, recipes and travel tips since 1935 to become something of an institution. The regional magazine needs to retain its base while attracting new readers in its target demographic: women age 35 to 65 with household incomes of $75,000 and up.To do that, it must persuade younger women it's not their grandmother's Yankee, while reassuring the grandmothers that behind the facelift is their trusted old friend.For many younger women, "Their perception of Yankee is frozen in time," said Jamie Trowbridge, president of Yankee Publishing Inc., the privately held company that publishes Yankee, the Old Farmer's Almanac, and the newsstand-only Yankee Magazine Travel Guide to New England."Fifteen years ago when they were 30, they looked at Yankee and said, 'That's not for me.' We want them to take another look," he said.Yankee saw a 10 percent drop in the number of pages of advertising from 2005 to 2006, according to the Magazine Publishers of America. But industry analyst Dan Capell said the larger format should attract more national and high-end ads."Everyone's doing it now," said Capell, editor of Capell's Circulation Report, an industry newsletter. "Advertising's off, (so) let's cut the frequency, let's cut the circulation."Some long-time subscribers are worried about the changes, but editor Mel Allen said it's reassuring to know readers care.......
i don't know how the change is going to go over though. we ARE indeed new englanders and we are not necessarily open to change.
i'll pick up a copy next week (or whenever the new format takes place) and give it the a rose is a rose once over
Yankee Magazine' Gets A Dandy Makeover, Bigger Size
Associated PressDecember 27 2006, 9:53 AM EST DUBLIN, N.H. -- The dowager of New England magazines is getting botox and collagen.Yankee Magazine will start the new year with a dandy new look, growing from digest size to full-size in hopes of attracting new readers and advertisers. It also will cut circulation and reduce the number of issues from 10 to six annually.The changes reflect industry trends and the soft advertising market for magazines. But change is a particularly delicate balancing act at Yankee, which has used New England humor, yarns, recipes and travel tips since 1935 to become something of an institution. The regional magazine needs to retain its base while attracting new readers in its target demographic: women age 35 to 65 with household incomes of $75,000 and up.To do that, it must persuade younger women it's not their grandmother's Yankee, while reassuring the grandmothers that behind the facelift is their trusted old friend.For many younger women, "Their perception of Yankee is frozen in time," said Jamie Trowbridge, president of Yankee Publishing Inc., the privately held company that publishes Yankee, the Old Farmer's Almanac, and the newsstand-only Yankee Magazine Travel Guide to New England."Fifteen years ago when they were 30, they looked at Yankee and said, 'That's not for me.' We want them to take another look," he said.Yankee saw a 10 percent drop in the number of pages of advertising from 2005 to 2006, according to the Magazine Publishers of America. But industry analyst Dan Capell said the larger format should attract more national and high-end ads."Everyone's doing it now," said Capell, editor of Capell's Circulation Report, an industry newsletter. "Advertising's off, (so) let's cut the frequency, let's cut the circulation."Some long-time subscribers are worried about the changes, but editor Mel Allen said it's reassuring to know readers care.......
congratulations to kevin o'connor!!!
(i think our local authorities MUST concentrate on the violence HERE too. yet ANOTHER death in new haven this weekend. a young kid, 16 i believe was shot in the face and just taken off of life support yesterday. someone in downtown hartford in front of the trumbell kitchen was robbed AND SHOT a few days ago. this MUST stop. it's getting so you don't want to go into hartford or new haven). but i am still pleased for mr o'connor and i do wish him very much luck!
Top federal prosecutor in Conn. named to national position
By John Christoffersen, Associated Press Writer December 27, 2006
NEW HAVEN, Conn. --Connecticut's top federal prosecutor has been appointed to a national position focused on combatting violence amid signs that a three-year lull in crime is ending, officials said Wednesday.
U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor has been named associate deputy attorney general at the U.S. Justice Department, where he will lead a team focused on violent crime and initiatives to crack down on gangs and illegal guns. He also plans to remain U.S. attorney for Connecticut for at least six months.
"I'm honored that they asked me to do it," O'Connor said. "To me this is a great opportunity to be involved on the national level on the same issues I've been involved in on a local level."
Preliminary FBI data released last week showed that murders and robberies continued to rise across the country during the first six months of 2006. Violent crime figures are on pace for a second straight annual increase. Violent crime rose 2.2 percent nationally last year -- the first increase since 2001.
Authorities around the country also are worried about a resurgence in gangs. O'Connor held the state's first gang summit in September, and his office has been stepping up prosecutions.
O'Connor, who was appointed U.S. attorney in 2002 and starts his new position next week, also has been active in Project Safe Neighborhoods, which targets gun-carrying felons and has recovered about 4,000 guns over the past five years, he said............
Top federal prosecutor in Conn. named to national position
By John Christoffersen, Associated Press Writer December 27, 2006
NEW HAVEN, Conn. --Connecticut's top federal prosecutor has been appointed to a national position focused on combatting violence amid signs that a three-year lull in crime is ending, officials said Wednesday.
U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor has been named associate deputy attorney general at the U.S. Justice Department, where he will lead a team focused on violent crime and initiatives to crack down on gangs and illegal guns. He also plans to remain U.S. attorney for Connecticut for at least six months.
"I'm honored that they asked me to do it," O'Connor said. "To me this is a great opportunity to be involved on the national level on the same issues I've been involved in on a local level."
Preliminary FBI data released last week showed that murders and robberies continued to rise across the country during the first six months of 2006. Violent crime figures are on pace for a second straight annual increase. Violent crime rose 2.2 percent nationally last year -- the first increase since 2001.
Authorities around the country also are worried about a resurgence in gangs. O'Connor held the state's first gang summit in September, and his office has been stepping up prosecutions.
O'Connor, who was appointed U.S. attorney in 2002 and starts his new position next week, also has been active in Project Safe Neighborhoods, which targets gun-carrying felons and has recovered about 4,000 guns over the past five years, he said............
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
ravings of a semi-sane madwoman: when i grow up i'm going to be.......#links
ravings of a semi-sane madwoman: when i grow up i'm going to be.......#links
please read this nyt article. please - it's worth it
please read this nyt article. please - it's worth it
hmmmmm, now THIS is very interesting
da liebs, mr morally better than you or i, mr music and games and tv should be censored is taking donations from people who make VIOLENT video games........hmmmmmmmmm
i've been known to call people who say one thing and do another thing a hypocrite
Lieberman Defends Video-Game Money
By DAVID LIGHTMAN Washington Bureau Chief December 26 2006 WASHINGTON -- It has become a holiday ritual: Joe Lieberman and family-research officials hold a well-attended press conference to decry the impact on children of excessive video game sex and violence.And, again in 2006, Lieberman indulged in another yearly ritual: taking campaign money from the entertainment industry.An analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan watchdog group, found that the Connecticut Democrat, who won re-election last month as an independent, received about $73,000 from a variety of industry sources over the past two years.Among the donors were Linda McMahon, chief executive officer of Stamford-based WWE Entertainment. McMahon said in an e-mail that she gave money to Lieberman because "I make contributions to a variety of candidates whom I respect."WWE is well known for its video games and television shows. Its games are usually rated "T," meaning the content is considered appropriate for ages 13 and up. TV programs carry different ratings, depending on content.WWE warns parents on its website that, during its more violent shows, "Characters may `hit' opponents with objects, such as metal chairs, sledgehammers, shiny new trashcans, baking sheets, metal stop signs or kendo sticks," or may slam opponents "through folding tables, announcer booths, ring barricades and turnbuckles."............
...........The senator also took money recently from gaming-related interests. John Farahi, chief executive officer of Reno's Atlantis Casino Resort Hotel, was among them, and there was a surge of last-minute contributions from 14 Foxwoods Casino employees and 11 officials of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which owns and runs the casino. Farahi could not be reached for comment................
i've been known to call people who say one thing and do another thing a hypocrite
Lieberman Defends Video-Game Money
By DAVID LIGHTMAN Washington Bureau Chief December 26 2006 WASHINGTON -- It has become a holiday ritual: Joe Lieberman and family-research officials hold a well-attended press conference to decry the impact on children of excessive video game sex and violence.And, again in 2006, Lieberman indulged in another yearly ritual: taking campaign money from the entertainment industry.An analysis by the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan watchdog group, found that the Connecticut Democrat, who won re-election last month as an independent, received about $73,000 from a variety of industry sources over the past two years.Among the donors were Linda McMahon, chief executive officer of Stamford-based WWE Entertainment. McMahon said in an e-mail that she gave money to Lieberman because "I make contributions to a variety of candidates whom I respect."WWE is well known for its video games and television shows. Its games are usually rated "T," meaning the content is considered appropriate for ages 13 and up. TV programs carry different ratings, depending on content.WWE warns parents on its website that, during its more violent shows, "Characters may `hit' opponents with objects, such as metal chairs, sledgehammers, shiny new trashcans, baking sheets, metal stop signs or kendo sticks," or may slam opponents "through folding tables, announcer booths, ring barricades and turnbuckles."............
...........The senator also took money recently from gaming-related interests. John Farahi, chief executive officer of Reno's Atlantis Casino Resort Hotel, was among them, and there was a surge of last-minute contributions from 14 Foxwoods Casino employees and 11 officials of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which owns and runs the casino. Farahi could not be reached for comment................
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
i've written about the hill-stead before
it's worth it. it's lovely and it's close (to the greater hartford area). it holds so many treasures. if you are ever in the area, DO stop by. i believe in the summer, they have poetry readings on the lawn. perhaps a little concert to two as well
Hill-Stead's Grounds Receive Needed Attention
By GREGORY SEAY Courant Staff Writer December 25 2006 FARMINGTON -- Indoors, the Hill-Stead Museum's fine works of art and period furnishings and documents are impressive. Keeping them in good condition is a constant job.The museum works just as hard conserving its outdoor treasures - 10 historic buildings, pastureland and woodlands hugging the undulating 152-acre landscape of what was once the early 20th-century country estate of renowned architect Theodate Pope Riddle and her family. Along with its gardens, a centerpiece of Hill-Stead's scenery is a ¾-acre pond, once a water hazard for a private golf course.But the race to keep the pond free of invasive plants and algae has long posed its own special challenge, one that until a few years ago Hill-Stead admits it was losing.Now, with the help of a $15,000 donation from the Connecticut Valley Garden Club and pro bono advice from natural-resource specialists, the pond landscape is getting an environmental face-lift that will restore a living classroom for plants, wildlife and people.The Hill-Stead's grounds and pond serve as a habitat for wildflowers and a menagerie of animals, among them birds, frogs, turtles, snakes, deer, beaver, and an occasional moose, officials say."It's a wonderful, living natural resource that is gentle and quiet," said Linda Steigleder, Hill-Stead's director and chief executive officer...........
Hill-Stead's Grounds Receive Needed Attention
By GREGORY SEAY Courant Staff Writer December 25 2006 FARMINGTON -- Indoors, the Hill-Stead Museum's fine works of art and period furnishings and documents are impressive. Keeping them in good condition is a constant job.The museum works just as hard conserving its outdoor treasures - 10 historic buildings, pastureland and woodlands hugging the undulating 152-acre landscape of what was once the early 20th-century country estate of renowned architect Theodate Pope Riddle and her family. Along with its gardens, a centerpiece of Hill-Stead's scenery is a ¾-acre pond, once a water hazard for a private golf course.But the race to keep the pond free of invasive plants and algae has long posed its own special challenge, one that until a few years ago Hill-Stead admits it was losing.Now, with the help of a $15,000 donation from the Connecticut Valley Garden Club and pro bono advice from natural-resource specialists, the pond landscape is getting an environmental face-lift that will restore a living classroom for plants, wildlife and people.The Hill-Stead's grounds and pond serve as a habitat for wildflowers and a menagerie of animals, among them birds, frogs, turtles, snakes, deer, beaver, and an occasional moose, officials say."It's a wonderful, living natural resource that is gentle and quiet," said Linda Steigleder, Hill-Stead's director and chief executive officer...........
malachi is wicked cute!!!
there is NO doubt in my mind malachi IS indeed a therapy companion. NONE. i am so very happy the people around mr slight fought to get BOTH he AND malachi into an apartment. a story WITH a happy ending (yes, it's about time)
A Long Road Home As a vet and his dog wandered Middletown streets, officials struggled to find them shelter — together.
By ALAINE GRIFFIN Courant Staff Writer December 25 2006 MIDDLETOWN -- It's been a while since Roger Slight had a home.Back in April, the 54-year-old Navy veteran was told that he qualified for federally funded public housing. Problem was, Slight's dog, Malachi, a 125-pound American bulldog, didn't.So Slight held out on a home to be with his buddy - even if it meant shivering through the nights and waking up in his tent recently with a dusting of frost covering his scraggly beard.Slight's devotion to his docile dog became the talk of the town at the local soup kitchen. Some thought he was crazy. Word soon spread to a band of social workers, who joined Slight in his quest for a home. The 8-month push reached the mayor's desk and the offices of doctors, who told housing authority officials Slight needed Malachi for emotional support.But Slight, a shy but personable man with a smoker's-hack laugh, had struggled with homelessness before. He prepared for the worst."My doctor told me she had a new tent for me if this didn't work out. And there's always him," Slight said pointing to Malachi. "He keeps me warm. He's like a horse, you know."The old tent, worn and stuffed with sleeping bags, was pitched among brush along the Connecticut River just steps from Route 9 traffic. A rusted baby carriage parked next to a suitcase there held cans of food and served as Slight's clothesline. A tattered soccer ball, chewed-up stuffed animals and empty ALPO cans marked Malachi's spot at their riverfront home................
...........Malachi showed Vasiliou what outreach workers, locals at the soup kitchen and downtown merchants already knew - he wasn't just any dog.Like good medicine, Malachi's name was on the prescription slips of doctors who advocated for Slight to be allowed to keep Malachi in public housing. The dog is Slight's emotional support, they said, a service dog in a sense who, like a guide dog leads the blind, serves as the antidote to Slight's depression and antisocial ways.............
ROGER SLIGHT returns to his campsite on the Connecticut River with Malachi, his 125-pound bulldog, after lunch at the St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen in Middletown.
(CLOE POISSON)
A HAND-ROLLED CIGARETTE gives Slight some comfort in the cramped tent he once shared with Malachi. Slight often spent his evenings with a flashlight propped on his shoulder, reading science fiction.
(CLOE POISSON)
Monday, December 25, 2006
my friend beth and i were mulling it over
going to see him later this week. for some reason, we both decided NOT to go, even though we BOTH wanted to so very badly i am sorry to say, the godfather of soul, the hardest workin' man in show-bidnez has passed
James Brown, 73, Dies; ‘Godfather of Soul’ By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 6:01 a.m. ET ATLANTA (AP) -- James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured ''Godfather of Soul,'' whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73. Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said. Copsidas said the cause of death was uncertain. ''We really don't know at this point what he died of,'' he said. Along with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and a handful of others, Brown was one of the major musical influences of the past 50 years. At least one generation idolized him, and sometimes openly copied him. His rapid-footed dancing inspired Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson among others. Songs such as David Bowie's ''Fame,'' Prince's ''Kiss,'' George Clinton's ''Atomic Dog'' and Sly and the Family Stone's ''Sing a Simple Song'' were clearly based on Brown's rhythms and vocal style. If Brown's claim to the invention of soul can be challenged by fans of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, then his rights to the genres of rap, disco and funk are beyond question. He was to rhythm and dance music what Dylan was to lyrics: the unchallenged popular innovator. ''James presented obviously the best grooves,'' rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy once told The Associated Press. ''To this day, there has been no one near as funky. No one's coming even close.''.......
i'm eatin' popcorn, with my hotpants, on my goodfoot with my brand new bag, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE (don't go)
James Brown, 73, Dies; ‘Godfather of Soul’ By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 6:01 a.m. ET ATLANTA (AP) -- James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured ''Godfather of Soul,'' whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73. Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said. Copsidas said the cause of death was uncertain. ''We really don't know at this point what he died of,'' he said. Along with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and a handful of others, Brown was one of the major musical influences of the past 50 years. At least one generation idolized him, and sometimes openly copied him. His rapid-footed dancing inspired Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson among others. Songs such as David Bowie's ''Fame,'' Prince's ''Kiss,'' George Clinton's ''Atomic Dog'' and Sly and the Family Stone's ''Sing a Simple Song'' were clearly based on Brown's rhythms and vocal style. If Brown's claim to the invention of soul can be challenged by fans of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, then his rights to the genres of rap, disco and funk are beyond question. He was to rhythm and dance music what Dylan was to lyrics: the unchallenged popular innovator. ''James presented obviously the best grooves,'' rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy once told The Associated Press. ''To this day, there has been no one near as funky. No one's coming even close.''.......
i'm eatin' popcorn, with my hotpants, on my goodfoot with my brand new bag, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE (don't go)
it's no longer the night before, but do stop by
make it stop! make it stop
to read (the rest):
Twas the night before Christmas
And all through [White] HouseThe creatures were stirring
Including head louse
The neo-cons sat one by one with great air
And looked at their mess with nary a care
They laughed with glee at where they had led
As visions of "victory" floated in their heads
And Cheney at his desk with W in his lap,
Who had just settled down for his afternoon nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
They jumped from their desks to see what was the matter
And "whish" past their eyes what was that mad flash?
Was it, could it, have been making a dash?
Past the secret service and with something in tow
It looked like a sleigh to eyes watching below.............................
to read (the rest):
Twas the night before Christmas
And all through [White] HouseThe creatures were stirring
Including head louse
The neo-cons sat one by one with great air
And looked at their mess with nary a care
They laughed with glee at where they had led
As visions of "victory" floated in their heads
And Cheney at his desk with W in his lap,
Who had just settled down for his afternoon nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
They jumped from their desks to see what was the matter
And "whish" past their eyes what was that mad flash?
Was it, could it, have been making a dash?
Past the secret service and with something in tow
It looked like a sleigh to eyes watching below.............................
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
finally
this is a great christmas present for mr fernandez and his family. the army finally stepped up and did the right thing. let's hope they treat ALL of the 'unfit for duty' cases with care, concern, understanding and compassion
Veteran Excused From Iraq
By LISA CHEDEKEL Courant Staff Writer December 22 2006
An Iraq war veteran from Waterbury who was called back to duty despite a diagnosis of severe post-traumatic stress disorder has been exempted from returning to combat and released from the military.Damian Fernandez, 24, who became suicidal and was hospitalized after receiving orders last month to prepare for another deployment to Iraq, has been excused from reporting to duty Jan. 14 and discharged altogether from the Army's ready reserve, according to a letter Thursday from the Army's Human Resources Command.After Fernandez's case was recently featured in The Courant, U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal asked the Army to grant him an exemption.Fernandez's mother, Mary Jane Fernandez, said she received the letter and a personal call Thursday from Col. Robert T. Marsh, commander of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, notifying her that her son was being released from the military. She said she was relieved that Damian, who has been in a lockdown unit at the Northampton VA Medical Center in Massachusetts since receiving his call-up orders, would no longer have to worry about being sent back to war."Now that he knows he'll never have to go back, maybe he can finally start to get better," Mary Jane Fernandez said of her son, who suffers from paranoia, flashbacks and depression and has been deemed 70 percent disabled with PTSD by the Department of Veterans Affairs.Fernandez is one of about 8,200 inactive soldiers who have been ordered back to duty involuntarily, under a controversial policy that allows the military to recall troops who have been discharged from the service but have time remaining on their enlistment contracts. Some of those being recalled have PTSD and other mental health problems, raising alarm among families and veterans' advocates.Army officials say they have no system for checking the medical status of inactive soldiers with the VA before sending out the call-up letters, because the VA and the military do not share medical records. Instead, the onus is on mentally ill or otherwise disabled soldiers to alert the military to their conditions and seek exemptions.....
Veteran Excused From Iraq
By LISA CHEDEKEL Courant Staff Writer December 22 2006
An Iraq war veteran from Waterbury who was called back to duty despite a diagnosis of severe post-traumatic stress disorder has been exempted from returning to combat and released from the military.Damian Fernandez, 24, who became suicidal and was hospitalized after receiving orders last month to prepare for another deployment to Iraq, has been excused from reporting to duty Jan. 14 and discharged altogether from the Army's ready reserve, according to a letter Thursday from the Army's Human Resources Command.After Fernandez's case was recently featured in The Courant, U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal asked the Army to grant him an exemption.Fernandez's mother, Mary Jane Fernandez, said she received the letter and a personal call Thursday from Col. Robert T. Marsh, commander of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, notifying her that her son was being released from the military. She said she was relieved that Damian, who has been in a lockdown unit at the Northampton VA Medical Center in Massachusetts since receiving his call-up orders, would no longer have to worry about being sent back to war."Now that he knows he'll never have to go back, maybe he can finally start to get better," Mary Jane Fernandez said of her son, who suffers from paranoia, flashbacks and depression and has been deemed 70 percent disabled with PTSD by the Department of Veterans Affairs.Fernandez is one of about 8,200 inactive soldiers who have been ordered back to duty involuntarily, under a controversial policy that allows the military to recall troops who have been discharged from the service but have time remaining on their enlistment contracts. Some of those being recalled have PTSD and other mental health problems, raising alarm among families and veterans' advocates.Army officials say they have no system for checking the medical status of inactive soldiers with the VA before sending out the call-up letters, because the VA and the military do not share medical records. Instead, the onus is on mentally ill or otherwise disabled soldiers to alert the military to their conditions and seek exemptions.....
gretchen
look at that face...........
how could ANYONE do that to her? cheers to the town of naugatuck for authorizing gretchen's surgery
Donations sought to care for wounded dog
(Naugatuck-WTNH, Dec. 22, 2006 Updated 10:15 PM) _ A Naugatuck veterinarian and an animal control officer are trying to raise money to pay for surgery for a dog that was beaten and abandoned.
The dog, a young gray pit bull, was found abandoned last week in the City Hill Street area. Authorities say it had a football-sized tumor on its side.
A veterinarian determined that the tumor wasn't cancer, but was a hematoma caused by a beating. The dog also had several broken ribs.
Even though Naugatuck doesn't have the money in its budget, officials authorized the $600 surgery.
Marilyn Weid, the town's assistant animal control officer, is hoping for donations to cover the cost...........
if you can think about adopting her. the article goes on to say if she doesn't find a home she may be put down
Friday, December 22, 2006
i wish i believed this
i don't. da liebs has some nasty-bad ideas (like staying in iraq for one). he's NOT representing ME or MY beliefs.
does da liebs have ulterior motives? yes, i think he does. i don't think he has the well-being of the people of the great state of connecticut in mind
well i DO hope ari melber is right and a rose is a rose is WRONG in this instance
The Irrelevance of Joe Lieberman
by ARI MELBER
[posted online on December 21, 2006]
Here's a New Year's resolution that liberal bloggers and mainstream journalists can agree on: Let's talk less about Joe Lieberman next year. A lot less.
For most of 2006, Connecticut's junior senator was relentlessly lambasted by bloggers, who jump-started Ned Lamont's successful primary campaign, and hailed by Beltway reporters, who celebrated Lieberman's re-election by declaring him the most pivotal member of a closely divided Senate. The unrelenting criticism, glorification and analysis of the political enigma that is Joe Lieberman could certainly benefit from benign neglect in 2007.
Yet just as Augustine prayed, "grant me chastity...but not yet," perhaps one last rehash of the fall and rise of Joe Lieberman is in order. Especially if it's a freewheeling, three-hour knock-down debate with strategists from the three campaigns from Connecticut's Senate race, local and national reporters, an academic pollster (and this writer) at a symposium convened by Lieberman's alma mater, Yale University. That was the scene this month, in two feisty panels that showed Lieberman's supporters and detractors still have plenty to fight about. (C-SPAN posted both panels here under "Conference on Connecticut Senate Race, Part 1.")
Bill Hillsman, a maverick adman who worked for Paul Wellstone and Ralph Nader before helping Lamont's primary campaign, argued that Democrats would not have won Congress "if it wasn't for Ned Lamont." Across the country, he said, Democrats' antiwar ads and messages were pulled right from Lamont's playbook. "My cat could have run those ads," replied Lieberman strategist Roy Occhiogrosso. He said it was obvious that Democrats should run against the unpopular war. The two camps traded barbs in that vein for about half an hour.
Then the discussion turned to the elephant in the room, but absent from the panel. What exactly did those famous bloggers do? .....
does da liebs have ulterior motives? yes, i think he does. i don't think he has the well-being of the people of the great state of connecticut in mind
well i DO hope ari melber is right and a rose is a rose is WRONG in this instance
The Irrelevance of Joe Lieberman
by ARI MELBER
[posted online on December 21, 2006]
Here's a New Year's resolution that liberal bloggers and mainstream journalists can agree on: Let's talk less about Joe Lieberman next year. A lot less.
For most of 2006, Connecticut's junior senator was relentlessly lambasted by bloggers, who jump-started Ned Lamont's successful primary campaign, and hailed by Beltway reporters, who celebrated Lieberman's re-election by declaring him the most pivotal member of a closely divided Senate. The unrelenting criticism, glorification and analysis of the political enigma that is Joe Lieberman could certainly benefit from benign neglect in 2007.
Yet just as Augustine prayed, "grant me chastity...but not yet," perhaps one last rehash of the fall and rise of Joe Lieberman is in order. Especially if it's a freewheeling, three-hour knock-down debate with strategists from the three campaigns from Connecticut's Senate race, local and national reporters, an academic pollster (and this writer) at a symposium convened by Lieberman's alma mater, Yale University. That was the scene this month, in two feisty panels that showed Lieberman's supporters and detractors still have plenty to fight about. (C-SPAN posted both panels here under "Conference on Connecticut Senate Race, Part 1.")
Bill Hillsman, a maverick adman who worked for Paul Wellstone and Ralph Nader before helping Lamont's primary campaign, argued that Democrats would not have won Congress "if it wasn't for Ned Lamont." Across the country, he said, Democrats' antiwar ads and messages were pulled right from Lamont's playbook. "My cat could have run those ads," replied Lieberman strategist Roy Occhiogrosso. He said it was obvious that Democrats should run against the unpopular war. The two camps traded barbs in that vein for about half an hour.
Then the discussion turned to the elephant in the room, but absent from the panel. What exactly did those famous bloggers do? .....
i didn't want to post this
but it is news and it does involve connecticut. my thoughts and prayers are indeed with all of these service people and their families. more importantly my thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones and familes of the iraqi civilians who lost their lives.
(BRING OUR MEN AND WOMEN HOME and we wouldn't have to worry about this type of thing happening)
i wasn't there. i don't know what happened. i'm not judging anyone. i want all of this to stop though. we have NO RIGHT to be in iraq. NONE
CT marine charged with murder of 24 civilians
(WTNH, Dec. 21, 2006 6:40 PM) _ A marine from Meriden is facing murder charges for the deaths of two dozen Iraqi civilians. For a year, investigators have been trying to figure out what exactly happened in Haditha.
by News Channel 8's Alan Cohn
Frank Wuterich isn't just facing charges. According to the Marine Corp, he is the central figure in what's been described as the massacre of Iraqi civilians. Charges include 12 counts of murder, one count of ordering the men under him to kill six other civilians and asking other marines to lie about the incident to investigators.
The incident took place just over a year ago in Haditha. Twenty-four civilians were killed after a roadside bomb exploded killing a U.S. marine. Staff Sergeant Wuterich was the squad leader.
When the allegations first surfaced last June, his parents told News Channel 8 they were confident when the real story came out he wouldn't be charged..........
and:
Family Stands By Conn. Marine Charged In Haditha Murders
MERIDEN, Conn. -- A Marine from Connecticut is at the center of the biggest U.S. criminal case involving civilian deaths in Iraq.
In November 2005, a Marine was killed by a roadside bomb in Haditha. Witnesses claim fellow Marines went on a rampage, killing 24 innocent civilians.
Staff. Sgt. Frank Wuterich of Meriden is the person who military officials allege ordered the attack
He is charged with murdering 12 of the civilians and ordering soldiers under his command to kill six others.
But the Marine's family defended him outside its home Thursday.
"My wife and I and all his friends feel that he is innocent," Dave Wuterich said. "People at home don't know what it's like over there."...........
(mr wuterich IS right, we DON'T know what it's like over there.)
(BRING OUR MEN AND WOMEN HOME and we wouldn't have to worry about this type of thing happening)
i wasn't there. i don't know what happened. i'm not judging anyone. i want all of this to stop though. we have NO RIGHT to be in iraq. NONE
CT marine charged with murder of 24 civilians
(WTNH, Dec. 21, 2006 6:40 PM) _ A marine from Meriden is facing murder charges for the deaths of two dozen Iraqi civilians. For a year, investigators have been trying to figure out what exactly happened in Haditha.
by News Channel 8's Alan Cohn
Frank Wuterich isn't just facing charges. According to the Marine Corp, he is the central figure in what's been described as the massacre of Iraqi civilians. Charges include 12 counts of murder, one count of ordering the men under him to kill six other civilians and asking other marines to lie about the incident to investigators.
The incident took place just over a year ago in Haditha. Twenty-four civilians were killed after a roadside bomb exploded killing a U.S. marine. Staff Sergeant Wuterich was the squad leader.
When the allegations first surfaced last June, his parents told News Channel 8 they were confident when the real story came out he wouldn't be charged..........
and:
Family Stands By Conn. Marine Charged In Haditha Murders
MERIDEN, Conn. -- A Marine from Connecticut is at the center of the biggest U.S. criminal case involving civilian deaths in Iraq.
In November 2005, a Marine was killed by a roadside bomb in Haditha. Witnesses claim fellow Marines went on a rampage, killing 24 innocent civilians.
Staff. Sgt. Frank Wuterich of Meriden is the person who military officials allege ordered the attack
He is charged with murdering 12 of the civilians and ordering soldiers under his command to kill six others.
But the Marine's family defended him outside its home Thursday.
"My wife and I and all his friends feel that he is innocent," Dave Wuterich said. "People at home don't know what it's like over there."...........
(mr wuterich IS right, we DON'T know what it's like over there.)
don't drink and drive
or else........
you may get stopped (and that would NOT be a good thing)
Over the limit, under arrest
(Hartford - WTNH, Dec. 21, 2006 9:10 PM) _ Police are trying to prevent holiday tragedies this season. State and local police are working together on a campaign to keep drunk drivers off the road and save lives.
by News Channel 8's Bob Wilson
State police are out in full force this holiday, not only helping stranded motorists, but watching the highways for drunk drivers.
"The holiday season is underway, holiday, office parties, after work parties, we simply are sending a clear message: if you are going to get behind the wheel of a car, do not consume alcohol in any road in the State of Connecticut," said Lt. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police.
Extra troopers have been called in to beef up the patrols. it's called Operation Santa, which stands for Stop Another Needless Tragic Accident. Police are not only targeting drivers, but sending the message to people who throw parties. .........
you may get stopped (and that would NOT be a good thing)
Over the limit, under arrest
(Hartford - WTNH, Dec. 21, 2006 9:10 PM) _ Police are trying to prevent holiday tragedies this season. State and local police are working together on a campaign to keep drunk drivers off the road and save lives.
by News Channel 8's Bob Wilson
State police are out in full force this holiday, not only helping stranded motorists, but watching the highways for drunk drivers.
"The holiday season is underway, holiday, office parties, after work parties, we simply are sending a clear message: if you are going to get behind the wheel of a car, do not consume alcohol in any road in the State of Connecticut," said Lt. Paul Vance of the Connecticut State Police.
Extra troopers have been called in to beef up the patrols. it's called Operation Santa, which stands for Stop Another Needless Tragic Accident. Police are not only targeting drivers, but sending the message to people who throw parties. .........
Thursday, December 21, 2006
AND our senator dodd is doing something about it!!!
unlike OTHER senators (whose names i won't mention DA LIEBS, whom i am PROUD to say i did NOT vote for), this one IS doing something to protect our men and women
oh and a shout out to richard blumenthal as well!
Dodd Seeks Call-Back Exemptions For Unfit Soldiers
By LISA CHEDEKEL Courant Staff Writer December 20 2006
U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd is asking newly appointed Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to ensure that soldiers debilitated by post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses are not sent back into combat."If experienced VA doctors diagnose military personnel with incapacitating disabilities, such as severe PTSD, it would seem counter to our national security interests for the military services to somehow disregard these evaluations for less thorough assessments performed by military officials," Dodd wrote in a letter Tuesday to Gates. "It seems unacceptable and perhaps even reckless to ask our servicemen and women to entrust their lives to soldiers deemed mentally unfit by medical professionals."Dodd, D-Conn., said he was troubled by recent reports that some Connecticut veterans who had left active duty and had been deemed disabled with PTSD were being recalled for repeat deployments to Iraq. The Courant featured several of those soldiers in a recent story.One of the soldiers, Damian Fernandez, 24, of Waterbury, was diagnosed with severe PTSD and rated 70 percent disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs after returning from Iraq in 2005. When he received a letter from the Army last month ordering him to report for duty Jan. 14, he became suicidal and was admitted to a lockdown unit at the Northampton VA Medical Center in Massachusetts, where he remains. The Army is now reviewing his medical records.Dodd asked Gates to exempt Fernandez from being recalled...........
oh and a shout out to richard blumenthal as well!
Dodd Seeks Call-Back Exemptions For Unfit Soldiers
By LISA CHEDEKEL Courant Staff Writer December 20 2006
U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd is asking newly appointed Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to ensure that soldiers debilitated by post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses are not sent back into combat."If experienced VA doctors diagnose military personnel with incapacitating disabilities, such as severe PTSD, it would seem counter to our national security interests for the military services to somehow disregard these evaluations for less thorough assessments performed by military officials," Dodd wrote in a letter Tuesday to Gates. "It seems unacceptable and perhaps even reckless to ask our servicemen and women to entrust their lives to soldiers deemed mentally unfit by medical professionals."Dodd, D-Conn., said he was troubled by recent reports that some Connecticut veterans who had left active duty and had been deemed disabled with PTSD were being recalled for repeat deployments to Iraq. The Courant featured several of those soldiers in a recent story.One of the soldiers, Damian Fernandez, 24, of Waterbury, was diagnosed with severe PTSD and rated 70 percent disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs after returning from Iraq in 2005. When he received a letter from the Army last month ordering him to report for duty Jan. 14, he became suicidal and was admitted to a lockdown unit at the Northampton VA Medical Center in Massachusetts, where he remains. The Army is now reviewing his medical records.Dodd asked Gates to exempt Fernandez from being recalled...........
more on 'unfit for duty'
the OUTSTANDING (they, lisa and matthew, had better win some sort of journalism award) series of articles in the hartford courant
if you go to the link below for the current story, there is a link to the whole series. it's well worth it. we MUST take care of our men and women. they VOLUNTEERED to serve and protect their country.
Army Cites Therapy Progress
By LISA CHEDEKEL And MATTHEW KAUFFMAN Courant Staff Writers December 20 2006WASHINGTON -- Top Army medical officials touted progress Tuesday in breaking the stigma associated with mental health care, even as they released a new report showing the suicide rate among soldiers in Iraq reached a record high last year and reports of acute stress and depression also climbed.The long-awaited report by a team of military mental health experts found that soldiers serving in Iraq were less fearful that seeking psychiatric care would hurt their standing in the military - a finding that Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, the Army surgeon general, attributed to better training of soldiers and increased understanding among commanders.But the report, based on surveys of soldiers in late 2005, also found a significant increase in levels of stress, anxiety and depression - especially among troops who had served more than one deployment. About 14 percent of soldiers serving in Iraq last year reported acute stress symptoms, up from 11 percent a year earlier. Among soldiers on a repeat deployment, more than 18 percent reported acute stress, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.In other findings, the report found a drop last year in soldiers' confidence in their ability to get mental health care for their troubled comrades. And fewer than half of mental health providers treating troops in Iraq said they had adequate resources, while a third reported experiencing a high "burnout level."In a media roundtable at the Pentagon, Kiley said the Army would "keep plugging away" to improve mental health care for troops during and after deployment."Are we concerned that soldiers on second or maybe third deployments could be at increased risk of increasing stress which may lead to PTSD? Sure," Kiley said. "Are we encouraged because stigma is dropping, and soldiers who've got plenty of access to mental health care are starting to tap into that? Yes. We're not rocking back on our heels, but that's encouraging."The Courant reported in May that the military was increasingly sending mentally troubled troops into combat and keeping them there, in some cases resulting in suicides. Army officials confirmed Tuesday that 22 soldiers had killed themselves in Iraq in 2005, a rate of 19.9 per 100,000 - the highest since the war began, and nearly double the 2004 rate. Of the 22, five were serving repeat tours.....
if you go to the link below for the current story, there is a link to the whole series. it's well worth it. we MUST take care of our men and women. they VOLUNTEERED to serve and protect their country.
Army Cites Therapy Progress
By LISA CHEDEKEL And MATTHEW KAUFFMAN Courant Staff Writers December 20 2006WASHINGTON -- Top Army medical officials touted progress Tuesday in breaking the stigma associated with mental health care, even as they released a new report showing the suicide rate among soldiers in Iraq reached a record high last year and reports of acute stress and depression also climbed.The long-awaited report by a team of military mental health experts found that soldiers serving in Iraq were less fearful that seeking psychiatric care would hurt their standing in the military - a finding that Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, the Army surgeon general, attributed to better training of soldiers and increased understanding among commanders.But the report, based on surveys of soldiers in late 2005, also found a significant increase in levels of stress, anxiety and depression - especially among troops who had served more than one deployment. About 14 percent of soldiers serving in Iraq last year reported acute stress symptoms, up from 11 percent a year earlier. Among soldiers on a repeat deployment, more than 18 percent reported acute stress, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.In other findings, the report found a drop last year in soldiers' confidence in their ability to get mental health care for their troubled comrades. And fewer than half of mental health providers treating troops in Iraq said they had adequate resources, while a third reported experiencing a high "burnout level."In a media roundtable at the Pentagon, Kiley said the Army would "keep plugging away" to improve mental health care for troops during and after deployment."Are we concerned that soldiers on second or maybe third deployments could be at increased risk of increasing stress which may lead to PTSD? Sure," Kiley said. "Are we encouraged because stigma is dropping, and soldiers who've got plenty of access to mental health care are starting to tap into that? Yes. We're not rocking back on our heels, but that's encouraging."The Courant reported in May that the military was increasingly sending mentally troubled troops into combat and keeping them there, in some cases resulting in suicides. Army officials confirmed Tuesday that 22 soldiers had killed themselves in Iraq in 2005, a rate of 19.9 per 100,000 - the highest since the war began, and nearly double the 2004 rate. Of the 22, five were serving repeat tours.....
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
talking is ALWAYS a good start
whether you agree with syria's politics or NOT. how the hell can we have peace if we don't open dialogs? the answer is NOT invading EVERY COUNTRY who doesn't agree with us. we have NO RIGHT to do that (king george).
KUDOS to senator dodd and senator kerry (and the others in the party)
Kerry, Dodd In Syria Sens. Kerry and Dodd arrive in Damascus for talks on Iraq
By ALBERT AJI The Associated Press December 19 2006, 2:00 PM EST DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Christopher Dodd arrived in Syria today to discuss how Damascus could help bring about stability and security to neighboring Iraq.The two Democratic lawmakers declined to speak to reporters after landing at Damascus airport on a U.S. military plane.Their visit came a few days after a similar one by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, who met with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Kerry, a Massachusetts lawmaker and a critic of U.S. President George W. Bush's administration policies in Iraq, flew in here after visits to Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon. Dodd, a Connecticut senator who is considering to run for U.S. president in 2008, also was in Iraq -- his third trip there since the war began.The U.S. lawmakers are expected to hold talks with Assad, who is currently on a two-day visit to Moscow and is due back home on Wednesday.The diplomatic push from Congress comes on the heels of a recommendation by a bipartisan panel that the U.S. engage Iran and Syria on the war in Iraq. Bush has expressed reluctance to seek help from Damascus on Iraq until the Syrians curb their support to radical Palestinian groups and to the Lebanese Hezbollah.Syria has influence with Iraqi Sunnis, and some leaders of the Sunni-led insurgency are believed to be living there. Kerry has criticized the Bush administration for refusing to engage with Syria and Iran, as was recommended by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group................
KUDOS to senator dodd and senator kerry (and the others in the party)
Kerry, Dodd In Syria Sens. Kerry and Dodd arrive in Damascus for talks on Iraq
By ALBERT AJI The Associated Press December 19 2006, 2:00 PM EST DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Christopher Dodd arrived in Syria today to discuss how Damascus could help bring about stability and security to neighboring Iraq.The two Democratic lawmakers declined to speak to reporters after landing at Damascus airport on a U.S. military plane.Their visit came a few days after a similar one by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, who met with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Kerry, a Massachusetts lawmaker and a critic of U.S. President George W. Bush's administration policies in Iraq, flew in here after visits to Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon. Dodd, a Connecticut senator who is considering to run for U.S. president in 2008, also was in Iraq -- his third trip there since the war began.The U.S. lawmakers are expected to hold talks with Assad, who is currently on a two-day visit to Moscow and is due back home on Wednesday.The diplomatic push from Congress comes on the heels of a recommendation by a bipartisan panel that the U.S. engage Iran and Syria on the war in Iraq. Bush has expressed reluctance to seek help from Damascus on Iraq until the Syrians curb their support to radical Palestinian groups and to the Lebanese Hezbollah.Syria has influence with Iraqi Sunnis, and some leaders of the Sunni-led insurgency are believed to be living there. Kerry has criticized the Bush administration for refusing to engage with Syria and Iran, as was recommended by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group................
if you are going to a mall to shop
be very careful. a helpful hint from me is: if you're of the female persuasion, DO NOT bring your purse. wear pants with pockets. put your plastic (or a couple of checks or your cash) in those pockets (oh, and don't forget your license). not only will your purse not be stolen, you will have one less thing to carry.
if you are of the male persuasion, i have no helpful hints for you at this time.
i went to westfarms last wednesday. it was a DISASTER. i found NOTHING. i usually buy a few ornaments at filene's (now macy's i know i know) and lord and taylor. i couldn't find ANY ornaments. i sure don't know where they hid them or even if they are still carrying ornaments. i got the nieces and nephews stuff from limited too and discovery store. other than that, NADA, ZIP.
on thursday i went to avon. i SHOULD have done that all along. there are a TON of stores and i struck gold. oh and i also got a few gifts (and stuff for ME too) at japanalia on one on whitney street in hartford (such kick ass clothing)
Westfarms Mall beefs up security for holiday season
if you are of the male persuasion, i have no helpful hints for you at this time.
i went to westfarms last wednesday. it was a DISASTER. i found NOTHING. i usually buy a few ornaments at filene's (now macy's i know i know) and lord and taylor. i couldn't find ANY ornaments. i sure don't know where they hid them or even if they are still carrying ornaments. i got the nieces and nephews stuff from limited too and discovery store. other than that, NADA, ZIP.
Westfarms Mall beefs up security for holiday season
on thursday i went to avon. i SHOULD have done that all along. there are a TON of stores and i struck gold. oh and i also got a few gifts (and stuff for ME too) at japanalia on one on whitney street in hartford (such kick ass clothing)
Westfarms Mall beefs up security for holiday season
a shout out to my boss and my department
we had our holiday luncheon in avon yesterday (my old stomping ground). it was LOVELY. with great insight, the restaurant put us in a separate room. we weren't rowdy but we WERE loud. lovely buffet and wonderful desserts. we grabbed some trivial pursuit cards from the bar and proceeded to play among our tables (MY table kicked ass by the way).
i mentioned a few posts ago, i'm knitting hats for my whole department. well i'm going to fall short so everyone will have to wait until the week AFTER christmas. i have about 9 more to do (totaling about 30). they don't read this blog so i can say that............
(one of the hats i finished)
i mentioned a few posts ago, i'm knitting hats for my whole department. well i'm going to fall short so everyone will have to wait until the week AFTER christmas. i have about 9 more to do (totaling about 30). they don't read this blog so i can say that............
(one of the hats i finished)
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
monk parakeets
i was LIVID when ui started killing them off. yes, i know there nests were built in dangerous places BUT there HAD to be a better way to solve the problem
UI, monk parakeets get along uneasily
The Connecticut Post
by Ken Dixon
Connecticut’s monk parakeets have recovered from last year’s eradication program and have settled into a tense, if nonviolent, relationship with The United Illuminating Co.
The green birds that are native to South America and have colonized Connecticut’s coast since the early 1970s are showing at least partial interest in man-made nesting platforms erected over the last year.
And while it seems unlikely that a law to protect the birds — proposed in the General Assembly, where it failed last May — will be revived, the Darien-based Friends of Animals has a lawsuit pending against UI to permanently stop the tactics that slaughtered 179 birds last year.
Two months ago, UI crews tore down 76 nests in utility poles in West Haven, Milford and Stratford.
Unlike last year, there were no U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel working with UI to kill birds on the spot. The parrots immediately went back to building nests in about a third of the utility poles. Most of the parrots, however, built nests in trees, not poles.
There are about 1,500 monk parakeets in the state, officials said.
“They’re doing fine,” said Julie Cook, of Ocean Avenue in West Haven, who was the first to allow the erection of a nesting platform for parrots left homeless by last year’s capture-and-kill program..........
UI, monk parakeets get along uneasily
The Connecticut Post
by Ken Dixon
Connecticut’s monk parakeets have recovered from last year’s eradication program and have settled into a tense, if nonviolent, relationship with The United Illuminating Co.
The green birds that are native to South America and have colonized Connecticut’s coast since the early 1970s are showing at least partial interest in man-made nesting platforms erected over the last year.
And while it seems unlikely that a law to protect the birds — proposed in the General Assembly, where it failed last May — will be revived, the Darien-based Friends of Animals has a lawsuit pending against UI to permanently stop the tactics that slaughtered 179 birds last year.
Two months ago, UI crews tore down 76 nests in utility poles in West Haven, Milford and Stratford.
Unlike last year, there were no U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel working with UI to kill birds on the spot. The parrots immediately went back to building nests in about a third of the utility poles. Most of the parrots, however, built nests in trees, not poles.
There are about 1,500 monk parakeets in the state, officials said.
“They’re doing fine,” said Julie Cook, of Ocean Avenue in West Haven, who was the first to allow the erection of a nesting platform for parrots left homeless by last year’s capture-and-kill program..........
there's a permanent link to a list on my blog
but it's worth listing the names of all of the men and women with connecticut ties who perished in iraq and afghanistan
we the people of the good state of connecticut thank you for serving. our thoughts and prayers go out to your families and friends.
Servicemen and civilians with Connecticut ties who have died since March 2002 in Iraq and Afghanistan:
Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, 36, March 4, 2002, Afghanistan
Marine Staff Sgt. Phillip Jordan, 42, March 23, 2003, Iraq
Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom Chanawongse, 22, March 23, 2003, Iraq
Army Pfc. Wilfredo Perez Jr., 24, July 26, 2003, Iraq
Army Staff Sgt. Richard S. Eaton Jr., 37, Aug. 12, 2003, Iraq
Army Sgt. David Travis Friedrich, 26, Sept. 20, 2003, Iraq
Army Pfc. Anthony D'Agostino, 20, Nov. 2, 2003, Iraq
Army Sgt. Maj. Philip Albert, 41, Nov. 23, 2003, Afghanistan
Army Pfc. Jeffrey Braun, 19, Dec. 12, 2003, Iraq
Army Capt. Eric Paliwoda, 28, Jan. 2, 2004, Iraq
Army Sgt. Benjamin Gilman, 28, Jan. 29, 2004, Afghanistan
Army Spc. Tyanna Avery-Felder, 22, April 7, 2004, Iraq
Army (National Guard) Sgt. Felix Del Greco, 22, April 9, 2004, Iraq
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, 24, April 24, 2004, Iraq
Army Spc. Jacob David Martir, 21, Aug. 18, 2004, Iraq
Eric Miner, 44, employee of U.S. security firm DynCorp, Oct. 14, 2004, Iraq
Army Chief Warrant Officer William Brennan, Oct. 15, 2004, Iraq
Marine Cpl. Kevin Dempsey, 23, Nov. 13, 2004, Iraq
Army Sgt. Joseph Michael Nolan, 27, Nov. 18, 2004, Iraq
Army Lt. Col. Michael J. McMahon, 41, Nov. 27, 2004, Afghanistan
Army (National Guard) Staff Sgt. Henry E. Irizarry, 38, Dec. 3, 2004, Iraq
Army (National Guard) Spc. Robert Hoyt, 21, Dec. 11, 2004, Iraq
Army Staff Sgt. Thomas E. Vitagliano, 33, Jan. 17, 2005, Iraq
Barbara Heald, 60, civilian employee of the Army, Jan. 29, 2005, Iraq
Marine Lance Cpl. Lawrence Philippon, 22, May 8, 2005, Iraq
Lance Cpl. John T. Schmidt III, 21, May 11, 2005, Iraq
Army Spec. Christopher Hoskins, 21, June 21, 2005, Iraq
Army Maj. Steve Reich, 34, June 28, 2005, Afghanistan
Marine Sgt. David Coullard, 32, Aug. 1, 2005, Iraq
Marine Capt. Brian S. Letendre, 27, May 3, 2006, Iraq
Marine Cpl. Stephen Bixler, 20, May 4, 2006, Iraq
Marine Cpl. Jordan C. Pierson, 21, Aug. 25, 2006, Iraq
Marine Lance Cpl. Philip Johnson, 19, Sept. 3, 2006, Iraq
Army Pfc. Nicholas A. Madaras, 19, Sept. 3, 2006, Iraq
Army Capt. Jason Hamill, 31, Nov. 26, 2006, Iraq
Army Staff Sgt. Joseph E Phaneuf Jr., 38, Dec. 15, 2006, Afghanistan
we the people of the good state of connecticut thank you for serving. our thoughts and prayers go out to your families and friends.
Servicemen and civilians with Connecticut ties who have died since March 2002 in Iraq and Afghanistan:
Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, 36, March 4, 2002, Afghanistan
Marine Staff Sgt. Phillip Jordan, 42, March 23, 2003, Iraq
Marine Cpl. Kemaphoom Chanawongse, 22, March 23, 2003, Iraq
Army Pfc. Wilfredo Perez Jr., 24, July 26, 2003, Iraq
Army Staff Sgt. Richard S. Eaton Jr., 37, Aug. 12, 2003, Iraq
Army Sgt. David Travis Friedrich, 26, Sept. 20, 2003, Iraq
Army Pfc. Anthony D'Agostino, 20, Nov. 2, 2003, Iraq
Army Sgt. Maj. Philip Albert, 41, Nov. 23, 2003, Afghanistan
Army Pfc. Jeffrey Braun, 19, Dec. 12, 2003, Iraq
Army Capt. Eric Paliwoda, 28, Jan. 2, 2004, Iraq
Army Sgt. Benjamin Gilman, 28, Jan. 29, 2004, Afghanistan
Army Spc. Tyanna Avery-Felder, 22, April 7, 2004, Iraq
Army (National Guard) Sgt. Felix Del Greco, 22, April 9, 2004, Iraq
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan B. Bruckenthal, 24, April 24, 2004, Iraq
Army Spc. Jacob David Martir, 21, Aug. 18, 2004, Iraq
Eric Miner, 44, employee of U.S. security firm DynCorp, Oct. 14, 2004, Iraq
Army Chief Warrant Officer William Brennan, Oct. 15, 2004, Iraq
Marine Cpl. Kevin Dempsey, 23, Nov. 13, 2004, Iraq
Army Sgt. Joseph Michael Nolan, 27, Nov. 18, 2004, Iraq
Army Lt. Col. Michael J. McMahon, 41, Nov. 27, 2004, Afghanistan
Army (National Guard) Staff Sgt. Henry E. Irizarry, 38, Dec. 3, 2004, Iraq
Army (National Guard) Spc. Robert Hoyt, 21, Dec. 11, 2004, Iraq
Army Staff Sgt. Thomas E. Vitagliano, 33, Jan. 17, 2005, Iraq
Barbara Heald, 60, civilian employee of the Army, Jan. 29, 2005, Iraq
Marine Lance Cpl. Lawrence Philippon, 22, May 8, 2005, Iraq
Lance Cpl. John T. Schmidt III, 21, May 11, 2005, Iraq
Army Spec. Christopher Hoskins, 21, June 21, 2005, Iraq
Army Maj. Steve Reich, 34, June 28, 2005, Afghanistan
Marine Sgt. David Coullard, 32, Aug. 1, 2005, Iraq
Marine Capt. Brian S. Letendre, 27, May 3, 2006, Iraq
Marine Cpl. Stephen Bixler, 20, May 4, 2006, Iraq
Marine Cpl. Jordan C. Pierson, 21, Aug. 25, 2006, Iraq
Marine Lance Cpl. Philip Johnson, 19, Sept. 3, 2006, Iraq
Army Pfc. Nicholas A. Madaras, 19, Sept. 3, 2006, Iraq
Army Capt. Jason Hamill, 31, Nov. 26, 2006, Iraq
Army Staff Sgt. Joseph E Phaneuf Jr., 38, Dec. 15, 2006, Afghanistan
you can get anything you want.........
at alice's restaurant. walk right in it's around the back, just a half a mile from the railroad tracks.........
it's just NOT the start of the holidays, thanksgiving, without hearing this song. it's special to me (and lots of others). i love love love it
PLUS i love the berkshires. wonderful area.
Arlo's Stockbridge
By ANDREA SACHS Washington Post December 17 2006 Imagine if you had heard Frank Sinatra sing "New York, New York" in a smoky Manhattan club, or caught John Denver performing "Country Roads, Take Me Home" atop a West Virginia mountain. Gives you chills.When Arlo Guthrie performed "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" at the Guthrie Center in Stockbridge, Mass., in October, the legendary folk singer summoned the ghosts of the 1960s, calling forth Alice and Ray, the garbage dump and the draft - all characters and scenes intimately familiar to anyone who grew up singing along to the protest song-cum-Thanksgiving staple. Nearly everyone in the high-ceilinged church, aglitter with candles set on the 100 (sold-out) tables, knew the lyrics by heart. And during the sing-along refrain, the effect was more religious revival than concert."I grew up with Arlo," said Dennis Dilmaghani, a middle-aged New Yorker who was taping the show from the second-floor balcony. "This is the most genuine place to see Arlo and the most fitting place to hear" the fabled 18-minute story-song.Thanks to "Alice's Restaurant" and its perennial radio play, Stockbridge and Guthrie will forever be linked. "It's become a little part of the history of the town," Guthrie said during a pre-show chat on the back porch of the Guthrie Center. "That's what makes an area feel like home - you have a history with it."But times do change. Forty years later, there's no Alice's Restaurant, but you pretty much can get anything you want in Stockbridge.Arlo Guthrie would never dump on Stockbridge.In 1965, however, it was a different story. Back then, the young hippie and a friend tossed a VW van-load of trash off a cliff in the western Massachusetts town, creating a stir - and a song."Garbage has been very good to me," said Guthrie, 59, now a father of four whose hair has grayed and waist size has doubled since his youth, but whose vigor has hardly waned. "The great thing was, when the record came out, most people thought it was a nice piece of fiction."........
THE LOCKED-UP entrance of what used to be Alice’s Restaurant in downtown Stockbridge. (JOHN LONG)
it's just NOT the start of the holidays, thanksgiving, without hearing this song. it's special to me (and lots of others). i love love love it
PLUS i love the berkshires. wonderful area.
Arlo's Stockbridge
By ANDREA SACHS Washington Post December 17 2006 Imagine if you had heard Frank Sinatra sing "New York, New York" in a smoky Manhattan club, or caught John Denver performing "Country Roads, Take Me Home" atop a West Virginia mountain. Gives you chills.When Arlo Guthrie performed "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" at the Guthrie Center in Stockbridge, Mass., in October, the legendary folk singer summoned the ghosts of the 1960s, calling forth Alice and Ray, the garbage dump and the draft - all characters and scenes intimately familiar to anyone who grew up singing along to the protest song-cum-Thanksgiving staple. Nearly everyone in the high-ceilinged church, aglitter with candles set on the 100 (sold-out) tables, knew the lyrics by heart. And during the sing-along refrain, the effect was more religious revival than concert."I grew up with Arlo," said Dennis Dilmaghani, a middle-aged New Yorker who was taping the show from the second-floor balcony. "This is the most genuine place to see Arlo and the most fitting place to hear" the fabled 18-minute story-song.Thanks to "Alice's Restaurant" and its perennial radio play, Stockbridge and Guthrie will forever be linked. "It's become a little part of the history of the town," Guthrie said during a pre-show chat on the back porch of the Guthrie Center. "That's what makes an area feel like home - you have a history with it."But times do change. Forty years later, there's no Alice's Restaurant, but you pretty much can get anything you want in Stockbridge.Arlo Guthrie would never dump on Stockbridge.In 1965, however, it was a different story. Back then, the young hippie and a friend tossed a VW van-load of trash off a cliff in the western Massachusetts town, creating a stir - and a song."Garbage has been very good to me," said Guthrie, 59, now a father of four whose hair has grayed and waist size has doubled since his youth, but whose vigor has hardly waned. "The great thing was, when the record came out, most people thought it was a nice piece of fiction."........
THE LOCKED-UP entrance of what used to be Alice’s Restaurant in downtown Stockbridge. (JOHN LONG)
volunteer knitting
i've written about it before, but it needs mentioning again
Knitters Eager To Help Infants Caps Help Keep Newborns Warm
By STEPHANIE SUMMERS Courant Staff Writer December 18 2006 MANSFIELD -- Who says you can't change the world by knitting in front of the fire?Don't try to tell that to Kay McNabb of Mansfield Center, whose dining room table is covered in colorful knit caps that soon will warm the noggins of underweight newborns in Bangladesh and Malawi.And don't try to tell it to the women in her Manchester tennis club, Coventry gardening club, UConn walking and knitting groups, or the auxiliary that runs a high-end, second-hand shop for charity in Simsbury. They made more than 600 of the baby beanies.In fact, don't try to tell any of the nation's knitters of 68,000 caps overflowing the mail and conference rooms at Save the Children headquarters in Westport.Theirs is a close-knit world."The knitters are a very generous bunch - generous and engaged," Save the Children spokeswoman Kate Conradt said Friday from her Washington, D.C., office.Knitters first contacted Save the Children after seeing a May 2006 "State of the World's Mothers" report that focused on newborn health. It said that of 4 million newborns who die each year, 2 million die in their first 24 hours. In that vulnerable time, something as simple as a knit cap could save a baby, experts say................
Knitters Eager To Help Infants Caps Help Keep Newborns Warm
By STEPHANIE SUMMERS Courant Staff Writer December 18 2006 MANSFIELD -- Who says you can't change the world by knitting in front of the fire?Don't try to tell that to Kay McNabb of Mansfield Center, whose dining room table is covered in colorful knit caps that soon will warm the noggins of underweight newborns in Bangladesh and Malawi.And don't try to tell it to the women in her Manchester tennis club, Coventry gardening club, UConn walking and knitting groups, or the auxiliary that runs a high-end, second-hand shop for charity in Simsbury. They made more than 600 of the baby beanies.In fact, don't try to tell any of the nation's knitters of 68,000 caps overflowing the mail and conference rooms at Save the Children headquarters in Westport.Theirs is a close-knit world."The knitters are a very generous bunch - generous and engaged," Save the Children spokeswoman Kate Conradt said Friday from her Washington, D.C., office.Knitters first contacted Save the Children after seeing a May 2006 "State of the World's Mothers" report that focused on newborn health. It said that of 4 million newborns who die each year, 2 million die in their first 24 hours. In that vulnerable time, something as simple as a knit cap could save a baby, experts say................
Monday, December 18, 2006
my little christmas trees
i mentioned the other day. the one on the left is the one i made for my department and the one on the right, for my boss' new son. they really came out a bit better than the pictures portray (if i DO say so myself). and yes, these were the cause of my glue gun injuries
only NOW support is waning? c'mon. who in their RIGHT mind can support king george?
the decider mis-decided long long long ago
Enthusiasm for president waning among Greenwich Republicans
(Greenwich-AP, Dec. 17, 2006 5:25 PM) _ Greenwich is the birthplace of the Bush political dynasty, but even Republicans in this wealthy New York suburb are questioning the president's handling of the Iraq war and other important issues.
The Bush family has ties to Greenwich dating back to the 1920s. President Bush's grandfather, Prescott Bush, served as moderator of the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting before winning election to the U-S Senate. Former President Bush grew up in Greenwich, and several Bush relatives still live in town.
Town Republicans tell the Greenwich Time newspaper that they still strongly support the president. But they acknowledge they have reservations about his handling of the war, government spending, immigration and his choice of advisers. .............
Enthusiasm for president waning among Greenwich Republicans
(Greenwich-AP, Dec. 17, 2006 5:25 PM) _ Greenwich is the birthplace of the Bush political dynasty, but even Republicans in this wealthy New York suburb are questioning the president's handling of the Iraq war and other important issues.
The Bush family has ties to Greenwich dating back to the 1920s. President Bush's grandfather, Prescott Bush, served as moderator of the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting before winning election to the U-S Senate. Former President Bush grew up in Greenwich, and several Bush relatives still live in town.
Town Republicans tell the Greenwich Time newspaper that they still strongly support the president. But they acknowledge they have reservations about his handling of the war, government spending, immigration and his choice of advisers. .............
my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Joseph Phaneuf II
i am so very sorry for your loss
Eastford soldier killed in Afghanistan
(Eastford-WTNH, Dec. 17, 2006 6:30 PM) _ Eastford is remembering a hometown hero as another Connecticut soldier is killed while serving on the front lines.
This latest casualty of war is Staff Sergeant Joseph Phaneuf II. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
The family tells News Channel 8 that Phaneuf was killed by a roadside bomb on Friday while driving a truck in Afghanistan.
Phaneuf was a member of the National Guard 1-102nd out of New Haven. In 2004 he was serving in Iraq, returned home and then was deployed to Afghanistan.
His wife says that he was a hero.......
Eastford soldier killed in Afghanistan
(Eastford-WTNH, Dec. 17, 2006 6:30 PM) _ Eastford is remembering a hometown hero as another Connecticut soldier is killed while serving on the front lines.
This latest casualty of war is Staff Sergeant Joseph Phaneuf II. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
The family tells News Channel 8 that Phaneuf was killed by a roadside bomb on Friday while driving a truck in Afghanistan.
Phaneuf was a member of the National Guard 1-102nd out of New Haven. In 2004 he was serving in Iraq, returned home and then was deployed to Afghanistan.
His wife says that he was a hero.......
Sunday, December 17, 2006
connecticut oddity of the day
new england vampires
Bioarcheological and Biocultural Evidence for the New England Vampire Folk Belief
............HISTORICAL EVIDENCE The final piece of evidence is this historic newspaper account (Wright, 1973): "In the May 20, 1854 issue of the Norwich (Connecticut) Courier, there is an account of an incident that occurred at Jewett [City], a city in that vicinity. About eight years previously, Horace Ray of Griswold had died of consumption. Afterwards, two of his children--grown-up sons--died of the same disease, the last one dying about 1852. Not long before the date of the newspaper the same fatal disease had seized another son, whereupon it was determined to exhume the bodies of the two brothers and burn them, because the dead were supposed to feed upon the living; and so long as the dead body in the grave remained undecomposed, either wholly or in part, the surviving members of the family must continue to furnish substance on which the dead body could feed. Acting under the influence of this strange superstition, the family and friends of the deceased proceeded to the burial ground on June 8, 1854, dug up the bodies of the deceased brothers, and burned them on the spot."
This account places the vampire belief in the Jewett City/Griswold area just after the time span of the Griswold cemetery. The excellent preservation of the vampire skeleton indicates that it was probably buried toward the latter time period for the cemetery (ca. 1800-1840), thus placing the internment of this individual close to the time of the above account. The town of Griswold was settled just after 1812, in part by emigrants from Western Rhode Island, who were, according to local tradition, uneducated and "vicious" (Phillips, 1929). Note in Table 1 that several vampire accounts are also located in Western Rhode Island. The Rhode Island belief was examined by Stetson (1898), who relates that the Rhode Islanders he interviewed did not consider their practice to be vampirism but rather believed it was a way to protect living relatives from potential vampiristic actions of a deceased consumptive. ..........
the jewett city vampires
Bioarcheological and Biocultural Evidence for the New England Vampire Folk Belief
............HISTORICAL EVIDENCE The final piece of evidence is this historic newspaper account (Wright, 1973): "In the May 20, 1854 issue of the Norwich (Connecticut) Courier, there is an account of an incident that occurred at Jewett [City], a city in that vicinity. About eight years previously, Horace Ray of Griswold had died of consumption. Afterwards, two of his children--grown-up sons--died of the same disease, the last one dying about 1852. Not long before the date of the newspaper the same fatal disease had seized another son, whereupon it was determined to exhume the bodies of the two brothers and burn them, because the dead were supposed to feed upon the living; and so long as the dead body in the grave remained undecomposed, either wholly or in part, the surviving members of the family must continue to furnish substance on which the dead body could feed. Acting under the influence of this strange superstition, the family and friends of the deceased proceeded to the burial ground on June 8, 1854, dug up the bodies of the deceased brothers, and burned them on the spot."
This account places the vampire belief in the Jewett City/Griswold area just after the time span of the Griswold cemetery. The excellent preservation of the vampire skeleton indicates that it was probably buried toward the latter time period for the cemetery (ca. 1800-1840), thus placing the internment of this individual close to the time of the above account. The town of Griswold was settled just after 1812, in part by emigrants from Western Rhode Island, who were, according to local tradition, uneducated and "vicious" (Phillips, 1929). Note in Table 1 that several vampire accounts are also located in Western Rhode Island. The Rhode Island belief was examined by Stetson (1898), who relates that the Rhode Islanders he interviewed did not consider their practice to be vampirism but rather believed it was a way to protect living relatives from potential vampiristic actions of a deceased consumptive. ..........
the jewett city vampires
Saturday, December 16, 2006
soy sauce???
i wish i had heard of this sooner. aloe DOES work, but i didn't have any on that fateful night last week.
i made a christmas tree for my department and another one for my boss' new son. yes, i use a glue gun. YES i know i'm NOT allowed to use a glue gun. (blogger is NOT letting me post the pictures. if i remember, i'll try again later)
the glue gun dripped and i didn't realize it dripped on my jeans. i accidently put my hand on my pants and my right hand was covered in molten glue. i had NOTHING in my house (which is unusual for me) to help. my fingers blistered horribly but there was no pain after the initial contact. no pain that is until a couple of days ago. the blisters popped a while ago, but just two days ago my skin under the blisters cracked. i have some nasty HURTING wounds.
More Testimony For Soy Sauce As Burn Treatment
By JOE GRAEDON and TERESA GRAEDON December 15 2006
Q: I listened to your public-radio show and heard a man call in recommending soy sauce for burns. "How weird is that?" I thought. But then, as I took a loaf of bread out of the oven, the inner edge of my thumb and the fleshy pad underneath hit the metal rim of the pan. I expected a painful burn. Since I had nothing else at hand, I decided to try the soy-sauce remedy.The pain eased up in less than a minute; the soreness did not materialize; and even the redness went away! It may be weird, but it certainly did work!A: We wish we knew why this home remedy works, but we have heard from several people that it does, including an Army Ranger who told us that U.S. Special Forces medics also used soy sauce for combat-related burns............
i made a christmas tree for my department and another one for my boss' new son. yes, i use a glue gun. YES i know i'm NOT allowed to use a glue gun. (blogger is NOT letting me post the pictures. if i remember, i'll try again later)
the glue gun dripped and i didn't realize it dripped on my jeans. i accidently put my hand on my pants and my right hand was covered in molten glue. i had NOTHING in my house (which is unusual for me) to help. my fingers blistered horribly but there was no pain after the initial contact. no pain that is until a couple of days ago. the blisters popped a while ago, but just two days ago my skin under the blisters cracked. i have some nasty HURTING wounds.
More Testimony For Soy Sauce As Burn Treatment
By JOE GRAEDON and TERESA GRAEDON December 15 2006
Q: I listened to your public-radio show and heard a man call in recommending soy sauce for burns. "How weird is that?" I thought. But then, as I took a loaf of bread out of the oven, the inner edge of my thumb and the fleshy pad underneath hit the metal rim of the pan. I expected a painful burn. Since I had nothing else at hand, I decided to try the soy-sauce remedy.The pain eased up in less than a minute; the soreness did not materialize; and even the redness went away! It may be weird, but it certainly did work!A: We wish we knew why this home remedy works, but we have heard from several people that it does, including an Army Ranger who told us that U.S. Special Forces medics also used soy sauce for combat-related burns............
faith for 22
i don't live next door to faith. i did grow up a street or two away. the houses on her street are fairly LARGE. i'm sure there is PLENTY of room for faith AND her hounds from hell. if they're quiet and faith keeps the yard clean, i wouldn't have a problem with her having 22 of 'em
Dog Owner Will Appeal Ordinance
By GREG SEAY The Hartford Courant December 15 2006, 3:00 PM EST WEST HARTFORD – -- The owner of 22 Shih Tzu dogs said today she has no plans to part with members of her "family'' and has lodged an appeal of the town's efforts to force her to have no more than three of the animals."I want my dogs till they die,'' dog owner Faith Kilburn said. "I love them. They love me.''.........
Faith Kilburn opens the backdoor of her West Hartford home to let in 6 of her 22 Shih Tzus dogs after taking a walk around the backyard. (JOHN WOIKE)
Friday, December 15, 2006
i didn't even know senator dodd was going to syria
until the king and his court complained about it!
what is the answer to the ills of the world? well many things but it ALL STARTS WITH TALKING. yes talking. even with those we don't care for. how the hell are we supposed to FIX things if we don't first UNDERSTAND THEM?
if iran wants to talk to us, WE SHOULD talk to them. FIRST STEP. baby steps but FIRST steps.
White House Criticizes Dodd Trip
By DAVID LIGHTMAN
Hartford Courant December 14 2006, 2:30 PM EST WASHINGTON -- The White House today called the visits of Sen. Christopher J. Dodd and other senators to Syria "inappropriate," saying the visits mean the Syrians have won a public relations victory.Dodd, D-Conn., who plans to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad on a Middle East trip that begins later this week, quickly fired back."Congress is a separate and co-equal branch of government, and as a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee, where oversight is a critical component, members need to go to hotspots not just garden spots," he said.Dodd is one of several senators visiting Syria. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., met with Assad for an hour Wednesday, and Dodd will be joined at his meeting by Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass.White House spokesman Tony Snow was asked about the trips at today's briefing."A lot of times, you know, a member of Congress may think, 'Well, I'm going to go there and I'm going to tell them exactly the same thing. I'm going to take a tough line,''' Snow saidBut, he added, "You can take a tough line all you want, but the Syrians have already won a PR victory. And so it's important to realize that in this case, it is not that there is a want of communication. We do have diplomatic relations with the Syrians and they do know what our position is, and that position is not going to change."..................
what is the answer to the ills of the world? well many things but it ALL STARTS WITH TALKING. yes talking. even with those we don't care for. how the hell are we supposed to FIX things if we don't first UNDERSTAND THEM?
if iran wants to talk to us, WE SHOULD talk to them. FIRST STEP. baby steps but FIRST steps.
White House Criticizes Dodd Trip
By DAVID LIGHTMAN
Hartford Courant December 14 2006, 2:30 PM EST WASHINGTON -- The White House today called the visits of Sen. Christopher J. Dodd and other senators to Syria "inappropriate," saying the visits mean the Syrians have won a public relations victory.Dodd, D-Conn., who plans to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad on a Middle East trip that begins later this week, quickly fired back."Congress is a separate and co-equal branch of government, and as a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee, where oversight is a critical component, members need to go to hotspots not just garden spots," he said.Dodd is one of several senators visiting Syria. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., met with Assad for an hour Wednesday, and Dodd will be joined at his meeting by Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass.White House spokesman Tony Snow was asked about the trips at today's briefing."A lot of times, you know, a member of Congress may think, 'Well, I'm going to go there and I'm going to tell them exactly the same thing. I'm going to take a tough line,''' Snow saidBut, he added, "You can take a tough line all you want, but the Syrians have already won a PR victory. And so it's important to realize that in this case, it is not that there is a want of communication. We do have diplomatic relations with the Syrians and they do know what our position is, and that position is not going to change."..................
a connecticut man paints spiders on stamps!
another cool connecticut resident
Winsted stamp painter makes his mark on the mail
By Jim Moore, Republican-American December 14, 2006
WINSTED, Conn. --Steve Buchanan traded a life of concert halls and classrooms for brushes and bugs, and he's never looked back.
From his meticulously tended home and studio beside a babbling brook on Colebrook Road, Buchanan has illustrated countless books, magazines, newspaper stories, product packages and postage stamps, all part of a flourishing second career.
"I kind of got a late start," Buchanan, 57, said with a laugh. He learned to draw in his 30s while teaching classical piano at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.
Known for his photo-realistic style and exacting eye for detail, Buchanan's art career blossomed in the late 1990s, thanks to a commission from the U.S. Postal Service to paint insects and spiders.
The 20-stamp set remains among the most popular in postal service history. It's number six on the postal service's list of stamps sold but never used, said Terry McCaffery, manager of stamp development for the postal service.
Buchanan is among a select few to be called on repeatedly to paint postage stamps; he has also painted motorcycles, tropical flowers, reptiles and amphibians, carnivorous plants and, most recently, a set of images for the "Pollinators" collection to be released next year when rates change........
Winsted stamp painter makes his mark on the mail
By Jim Moore, Republican-American December 14, 2006
WINSTED, Conn. --Steve Buchanan traded a life of concert halls and classrooms for brushes and bugs, and he's never looked back.
From his meticulously tended home and studio beside a babbling brook on Colebrook Road, Buchanan has illustrated countless books, magazines, newspaper stories, product packages and postage stamps, all part of a flourishing second career.
"I kind of got a late start," Buchanan, 57, said with a laugh. He learned to draw in his 30s while teaching classical piano at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.
Known for his photo-realistic style and exacting eye for detail, Buchanan's art career blossomed in the late 1990s, thanks to a commission from the U.S. Postal Service to paint insects and spiders.
The 20-stamp set remains among the most popular in postal service history. It's number six on the postal service's list of stamps sold but never used, said Terry McCaffery, manager of stamp development for the postal service.
Buchanan is among a select few to be called on repeatedly to paint postage stamps; he has also painted motorcycles, tropical flowers, reptiles and amphibians, carnivorous plants and, most recently, a set of images for the "Pollinators" collection to be released next year when rates change........
Thursday, December 14, 2006
i for one think it's about time
they installed cameras on avon mountain. i for one can live with the registered owner getting a ticket even if they are not the ones driving. it's a dangerous stretch of road and any and everything should be done to make it safer. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
New Cameras Could Catch Speeders On Avon Mountain
A new proposal includes installing cameras to catch speeders on Avon Mountain.
Slowing down speeders on Avon Mountain has been a top priority for police ever since a dump truck lost control last year and caused a fiery crash that killed four people.
The cameras would track speeders with special cameras. It's one of several safety improvements that was proposed after last year's tragedy.
The new cameras would work by snapping a picture of someone's license plate. That information would identify the car’s owner, and he or she would get a ticket in the mail.
It's sounds simple, but not everyone's smiling for the cameras, including members of Avon's Town Council.
One of the issues, said town manager Phil Schenck, is that registered owners will get speeding tickets even if they're not the ones caught on camera. That's currently illegal In Connecticut.........
New Cameras Could Catch Speeders On Avon Mountain
A new proposal includes installing cameras to catch speeders on Avon Mountain.
Slowing down speeders on Avon Mountain has been a top priority for police ever since a dump truck lost control last year and caused a fiery crash that killed four people.
The cameras would track speeders with special cameras. It's one of several safety improvements that was proposed after last year's tragedy.
The new cameras would work by snapping a picture of someone's license plate. That information would identify the car’s owner, and he or she would get a ticket in the mail.
It's sounds simple, but not everyone's smiling for the cameras, including members of Avon's Town Council.
One of the issues, said town manager Phil Schenck, is that registered owners will get speeding tickets even if they're not the ones caught on camera. That's currently illegal In Connecticut.........
cool school
i don't know if many people in connecticut know about talcott mountain science center. it's right on top of avon mountain. a long windy road. i didn't know about the cost of tuition for the students. i do so hope there is help to the parents of GIFTED students who can't afford that steep price. it sure would be a shame if some were kept out just because they couldn't afford it. we (america) need ALL of the scientists we can get AND we do have to start EARLY. get kids interested in science and math. and NOT just boys either
TEAM MEMBERS Zach Wolf, 13, of Manchester, left, and Jason Whitehouse, 13, of Avon, explain their project using an instrument they made that measures light reflecting from the moon. Two dozen teams at the Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology presented their projects to a NASA scientist. (MICHAEL MCANDREWS)
By ROBERT A. FRAHM Courant Staff Writer December 13 2006AVON -- Scientist Marci Delaney of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center worries about the state of science education in America but is encouraged by what she saw Tuesday from young scientists such as 10-year-old Chandler Libby.Chandler and fellow fifth-grader Benjamin Suski measured the diameter and depth of craters on the moon using a lunar replica model from NASA and actual observations of the moon through telescopes.Theirs was one of about two dozen projects presented Tuesday by students from the Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology in NASA's "Moon Math Challenge.""Oh, fantastic," Delaney said, summing up the quality of projects devised by Talcott's middle school students. "I'm blown away. These kids obviously enjoy the science and math they're doing."The academy, a private school for gifted children from kindergarten through eighth grade, is a place where children can experiment with solar panels, monitor the weather with instruments such as Doppler radar, or observe the moon through a large telescope on their campus atop Talcott Mountain.Though it is rare for schools to have the kind of equipment or expertise found at the academy, the school is a model for the kind of practical, hands-on education that experts believe is needed if the United States is to keep its edge in science and technology."They're in a special situation here," said Delaney, who visited the academy to observe the "Moon Math Challenge," part of NASA's "Exploring Space Challenges" program promoting science education.............
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
i have a favorite niece
my family doesn't read this blog so i can say that. i love all of my nieces and nephews but from the time k was born, i knew she was extra special. she had a special look about her. she has a special attitude. as a baby and toddler she was FEARLESS (that by the way is NOT always a good thing). she has always had a mind of her own. she has a twin brother and a sister who is one year older than them.
they found a mass in her gut yesterday. she's going in for surgery tomorrow. it's not right when they find a mass in the gut of a 12 year old. it's just not
i called k last night to remind her of something. when she came to visit her aunt (me) after HER surgery. aunt was staying at grandma's house (for ONE day only. aunt couldn't take more than that. when grandma offered to warm auntie's pajamas, auntie got VERY SCARED indeed). k was a very little grrrl at that time. aunt had her piglet at grandma's house to keep her company. aunt LOVED that piglet. k walked in and took that piglet and aunt didn't have the heart to take piglet back. k still has that piglet and auntie is STILL steamed.....
anyway, as i said, it ain't right when a 12 year old has to have her abdomen opened up.
they found a mass in her gut yesterday. she's going in for surgery tomorrow. it's not right when they find a mass in the gut of a 12 year old. it's just not
i called k last night to remind her of something. when she came to visit her aunt (me) after HER surgery. aunt was staying at grandma's house (for ONE day only. aunt couldn't take more than that. when grandma offered to warm auntie's pajamas, auntie got VERY SCARED indeed). k was a very little grrrl at that time. aunt had her piglet at grandma's house to keep her company. aunt LOVED that piglet. k walked in and took that piglet and aunt didn't have the heart to take piglet back. k still has that piglet and auntie is STILL steamed.....
anyway, as i said, it ain't right when a 12 year old has to have her abdomen opened up.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
awwwwwwwwwwww
Pups picture perfect at photo sessionFELICIA HUNTER, Correspondent
MILFORD — Nacho looked to the right, but the pose didn't flatter his best side.
He glanced to the left, but that position seemed a bit too dogmatic.
When he gazed directly ahead, utilizing the full rays of his sunbeam key light, everyone agreed that Nacho was finally ready for his close-up.
A 7-year-old rat terrier, Nacho was among dozens of pets expected to have their picture taken with Santa by the end of the day Saturday at Perfectly Spoiled Pet Boutique. As of 1 p.m., two hours into the event, about 25 dogs had taken their turn sitting on Santa's lap.
Some, like Nacho, were old pros.................
"Nacho" checks out Santa and sniffs his beard as he gets ready to have his photo with Santa at the Perfectly Spoiled Pet Boutique in Milford Saturday afternoon. (Whitney Kidder-Alvarez/Connecticut Post)
someone's getting a LUMP OF COAL in their stocking this year
idiots. just idiots. who could set a fire to letters to santa? idiots that's who
Police Seek Grinch Who Lit Fire In 'Santa's Mailbox'
WEST HAVEN, Conn. -- Hundreds of letters from West Haven children to Santa Claus won't make it to the North Pole this year.
Kids' hopes to reach out to Santa were dashed by what police were calling either a careless or destructive soul.
A red mailbox is set up every year on the West Haven green for kids to drop letters to the jolly ole elf..............
Sunday, December 10, 2006
our new wandering minstral
Wandering Minstrel Job Filled
It sounds kind of medieval, but Connecticut has a state troubadour.Pierce Campbell will take over the job from Thomasina Levy for his two-year term in 2007.It's a tradition established in 1991 by the Connecticut General Assembly. Previous troubadours were Dennis Waring, Kevin Briody, Hugh Blumenfeld, Jeff and Synia McQuillan, Sally Rogers, Mike Kachuba, Bill Pere, Phil Rosenthal, Sandy and Caroline Paton and Tom Callinan..........
(pierce plays at the half door from time to time.)
It sounds kind of medieval, but Connecticut has a state troubadour.Pierce Campbell will take over the job from Thomasina Levy for his two-year term in 2007.It's a tradition established in 1991 by the Connecticut General Assembly. Previous troubadours were Dennis Waring, Kevin Briody, Hugh Blumenfeld, Jeff and Synia McQuillan, Sally Rogers, Mike Kachuba, Bill Pere, Phil Rosenthal, Sandy and Caroline Paton and Tom Callinan..........
(pierce plays at the half door from time to time.)
Friday, December 08, 2006
briefly met up
with maureen and hannah yesterday. it was a pleasure to make their acquaintance!!! it's always so nice to meet new friends. due to my odd hours, i did have to dash rather quickly and i'm sorry about that part
Thursday, December 07, 2006
going back
the hartford courant is still doing one hell of a job on this story, mentally unfit, forced to fight. i am so very impressed.
last the armed forces said was, they were handling this. well this story sure doesn't sound like they are handling this
it's absolutely absurd AND MORE of a recipe for DISASTER
Broken By War, And Ordered Back
By LISA CHEDEKEL Courant Staff Writer December 10 2006
Nothing was stranger for Mary Jane Fernandez than the events of last Christmas, which had her 24-year-old son, newly returned from the war in Iraq, downing sedatives, ranting about how rich people were allowed to sit in recliners in church, and summoning the Waterbury police to come arrest him.This Christmas may top that.Despite being diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and rated 70 percent disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Damian Fernandez has been called back to duty and told to prepare for another deployment to Iraq.Two weeks ago, Fernandez, who was discharged from active duty in the Army last year and was working to settle back into civilian life, abruptly received orders to report to Fort Benning, Ga., on Jan. 14.When the FedEx letter from the Army arrived Nov. 28, he calmly told his mother and girlfriend, "I got my orders," staring hard at them with vacant eyes.That night, he snapped. He told his girlfriend, Riella Darko, that he wanted to die and asked her to take him to the emergency room of St. Mary's Hospital, where he was placed on a suicide watch. He has since been transferred to a locked ward in the Northampton VA Medical Center in Massachusetts.His callback orders have not yet been rescinded. Even if they are, his mother said, simply being told he must go back into combat has set back his recovery."I don't understand why the military would put him through this," Mary Jane Fernandez said. "He was just starting to come back to reality a little, and now he's lost again."Fernandez is one of 8,262 soldiers who have left active duty but have been ordered back under a policy that allows the military to recall troops who have completed their service but have time remaining on their contracts. About 5,700 of those called up have already been mobilized, with Fernandez among about 2,500 ordered to report in the coming weeks.The practice of recalling inactive soldiers involuntarily is itself controversial, with some members of Congress and veterans' advocates calling it a backdoor draft................
last the armed forces said was, they were handling this. well this story sure doesn't sound like they are handling this
it's absolutely absurd AND MORE of a recipe for DISASTER
Broken By War, And Ordered Back
By LISA CHEDEKEL Courant Staff Writer December 10 2006
Nothing was stranger for Mary Jane Fernandez than the events of last Christmas, which had her 24-year-old son, newly returned from the war in Iraq, downing sedatives, ranting about how rich people were allowed to sit in recliners in church, and summoning the Waterbury police to come arrest him.This Christmas may top that.Despite being diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder and rated 70 percent disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Damian Fernandez has been called back to duty and told to prepare for another deployment to Iraq.Two weeks ago, Fernandez, who was discharged from active duty in the Army last year and was working to settle back into civilian life, abruptly received orders to report to Fort Benning, Ga., on Jan. 14.When the FedEx letter from the Army arrived Nov. 28, he calmly told his mother and girlfriend, "I got my orders," staring hard at them with vacant eyes.That night, he snapped. He told his girlfriend, Riella Darko, that he wanted to die and asked her to take him to the emergency room of St. Mary's Hospital, where he was placed on a suicide watch. He has since been transferred to a locked ward in the Northampton VA Medical Center in Massachusetts.His callback orders have not yet been rescinded. Even if they are, his mother said, simply being told he must go back into combat has set back his recovery."I don't understand why the military would put him through this," Mary Jane Fernandez said. "He was just starting to come back to reality a little, and now he's lost again."Fernandez is one of 8,262 soldiers who have left active duty but have been ordered back under a policy that allows the military to recall troops who have completed their service but have time remaining on their contracts. About 5,700 of those called up have already been mobilized, with Fernandez among about 2,500 ordered to report in the coming weeks.The practice of recalling inactive soldiers involuntarily is itself controversial, with some members of Congress and veterans' advocates calling it a backdoor draft................
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