is filming a movie in connecticut! why there's such a big uproar over filming a horror movie is BEYOND me.
Wes Craven To Film Horror Movie In Former Tolland High School
By MATT BURGARD And STEPHANIE SUMMERS
Courant Staff Writers
Not surprisingly, Wes Craven likes red sauce on his spaghetti.That's the way the horror movie maestro ordered it when he stopped for a bite locally last month, ahead of ironing out the deal signed Wednesday with the town to film part of his next fright feature, "25/8," at the former high school on Old Cathole Road..........
...........Writer/director Craven and his crew of 80 or so plan to begin work on "25/8" inside and outside the vacant building April 14. He'll pay the school district $37,000 plus expenses for the privilege, Superintendent William Guzman said Thursday.The movie, written by Craven, is about a serial killer who stalks seven teenagers born the night the killer purportedly died 15 years earlier.Craven's Stamford movie company, Lucky Cricket Productions, has assured the school board that violent scenes would not be filmed at the school and a fictitious town name will be used. Filming also takes place in New Milford and Stamford.Scenes shot here will show "kids doing normal kid things," film location manager Mike Nickodem said Thursday. Characters will be filmed in the halls, at biology class and on the soccer field."Nothing on the campus that is going to be done is an untoward event," said Guzman who prefers a "good drama" to a horror flick...........
Saturday, April 05, 2008
way to go governor weicker!
i always thought lowell looked like my old boss bill. both very tall, very strong men. unfortunately bill died a few years back. a YOUNG man. cancer. i went to his funeral at an air force base on cape cod. as far as funerals go, it was quite lovely and moving. i miss bill. i HATED working for him. we fought all of the time. others were intimidated by him because of his size and his power. i of course wasn't. i once even walked out of his office durning my annual review, slamming the door. years later, on a business trip we discussed that. i told him if i didn't walk out he would have had to fire me. i would have verbally AND physically assaulted him. when bill stopped being my boss (i started to report to someone else), we became the BEST of friends. one thing about bill i always admired, he treated everyone the same. from the mailroom employees to ceos. i miss you bill!
Former Connecticut governor Weicker endorses Obama
Stephanie Reitz
HARTFORD, Conn.—Former Republican senator and Connecticut independent Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. endorsed Barack Obama's presidential bid Friday, saying the Illinois Democrat "has the smarts, quite frankly, to do a damn good job."
more stories like this
Weicker, 76, said Obama's positive outlook, vision for the country's future and common sense made him the obvious candidate to endorse.
"Even though I'm almost 77 years old, I want a fresh start and a young start for this country," Weicker said. "I think we've had enough of the old-timers in both parties."
Weicker, a former U.S. congressman and senator, was elected Connecticut's governor in 1990 as an independent under his "A Connecticut Party" label. He served one term.
Reached by telephone Friday while traveling in Virginia, Weicker called Democratic contender Hillary Rodham Clinton "a very capable individual," but said he did not endorse her because "it's time to get on with some new thinking in this country.".........
Former Connecticut governor Weicker endorses Obama
Stephanie Reitz
HARTFORD, Conn.—Former Republican senator and Connecticut independent Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. endorsed Barack Obama's presidential bid Friday, saying the Illinois Democrat "has the smarts, quite frankly, to do a damn good job."
more stories like this
Weicker, 76, said Obama's positive outlook, vision for the country's future and common sense made him the obvious candidate to endorse.
"Even though I'm almost 77 years old, I want a fresh start and a young start for this country," Weicker said. "I think we've had enough of the old-timers in both parties."
Weicker, a former U.S. congressman and senator, was elected Connecticut's governor in 1990 as an independent under his "A Connecticut Party" label. He served one term.
Reached by telephone Friday while traveling in Virginia, Weicker called Democratic contender Hillary Rodham Clinton "a very capable individual," but said he did not endorse her because "it's time to get on with some new thinking in this country.".........
finally!
sit-n-knit has moved from west hartford center (yuk yuk and triple yuk) to bloomfield. i stopped by yesterday on my way home from work. the new location is HUGE AND there is plenty of FREE parking (unlike west hartford center). it's easy to get to, about 10 minutes from the old location (give or take)
so do stop by. no need to rush through the store so you can hop out to feed the parking meter. take your time. sit n knit!
Friday, April 04, 2008
uh oh, know what time it is?
it's time to reveal ANOTHER stupid connecticut criminal!
(b & e, i'm praying this one isn't related to you as well)
Police: Man Arrested After Reporting Vandalism To Stolen Car
WVIT-TV
SOMERS, Conn. - A Somers man was arrested after reporting his car was vandalized. He went to state police Wednesday to report that his 2008 Cadillac sedan was vandalized, police said.
State police determined the car was stolen after the trooper taking the vandalism report became suspicious and asked Duval how he could afford the car, police said.
Police said Duval stole the car from an Avis rental car company in Windsor Locks........
(b & e, i'm praying this one isn't related to you as well)
Police: Man Arrested After Reporting Vandalism To Stolen Car
WVIT-TV
SOMERS, Conn. - A Somers man was arrested after reporting his car was vandalized. He went to state police Wednesday to report that his 2008 Cadillac sedan was vandalized, police said.
State police determined the car was stolen after the trooper taking the vandalism report became suspicious and asked Duval how he could afford the car, police said.
Police said Duval stole the car from an Avis rental car company in Windsor Locks........
Thursday, April 03, 2008
c'mon all of you stupid id-jits
if we don't do EXACTLY what da liebs says, al qaeda won't just be in iraq and iran IT WILL BE IN WEST HARTFORD CENTER (goddess forbid!), AND GREENWICH AND LITCHFIELD AND DUBUQUE AND MINNEAPOLIS AND ORLANDO AND OF COURSE BRIDGEPORT
Joe Lieberman Attacks Barack Obama On Fox News (Video) (click the link for video)
By: Jane Hamsher
There's nothing quite like seeing it live:
LIEBERMAN: Well, I think that - let me say generally that Sen. Obama doesn't come to this debate with a lot of credibility. Basically on the question of Iraq, John McCain has had the guts to stand out on his own arguing for what he thought was right. And it turned out that he was right about the surge working to improve conditions in Iraq.
If we did what Sen. Obama wanted us to do last year, Al-Qaeda in Iran would be in control of Iraq today. The whole Middle East would be in turmoil and American security and credibility would be jeopardized.
On the specific question of the 100 years, I think that's an unfortunate example of the way Sen. Obama has used it, of playing political gotcha with a national security question.........
Joe Lieberman Attacks Barack Obama On Fox News (Video) (click the link for video)
By: Jane Hamsher
There's nothing quite like seeing it live:
LIEBERMAN: Well, I think that - let me say generally that Sen. Obama doesn't come to this debate with a lot of credibility. Basically on the question of Iraq, John McCain has had the guts to stand out on his own arguing for what he thought was right. And it turned out that he was right about the surge working to improve conditions in Iraq.
If we did what Sen. Obama wanted us to do last year, Al-Qaeda in Iran would be in control of Iraq today. The whole Middle East would be in turmoil and American security and credibility would be jeopardized.
On the specific question of the 100 years, I think that's an unfortunate example of the way Sen. Obama has used it, of playing political gotcha with a national security question.........
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
a big ol' shout out to bill earls
i was reading buzzflash when i came across an article he wrote. a GREAT, ON THE MARK, SINCERE, INSIGHTFUL article. a truthful and sad article.
the only thing i would have done differently is cram in the article SOMEWHERE, 'da liebs is a GIANT STEAMIN' PILE O' SHITE'. the end
Bill Earls: Joe Lieberman's hypocrisy and the Hartford Courant's irony
Credit the Hartford Courant's layout editors with a sense of cruel irony.On Monday's front page, there was a four column photograph of Mrs. Autumn Letendre helping her son Dillon, 4, press his hands into cement at the dedication of a New Britain, CT park named in honor of his father, Captain Brian Letendre, who was killed in Iraq.Just to the right of that was the headline "Lieberman's Pain." It was a tie-in to a story about how badly our junior Senator feels about today's political climate.I wanted to reach for the airsick bag and, had Joe Lieberman been nearby, I'd have been tempted to hit him with a rock and say, "Feel some real pain, you hypocrite."Let's walk through it slowly, using short words so that even people who think Lieberman speaks for decency, honor, or common sense can understand.Go online and punch in "Marine, Brian Letendre," and read the many stories and tributes; you'll be awed, impressed, and incredibly saddened. Letendre was a genuine hero, a genuine patriot. We do not have enough people like this. We never will. Letendre was popular in high school, a college soccer star, the kind of boys other boys are drawn to, that girls with values -- honor, integrity, decency -- are drawn to. And he joined the Marines, maybe the world's finest fighting force, because the Marines, above, all represent and live by that warrior code that stresses brotherhood and integrity. He married his college girlfriend, and their son Dillon was born while his dad was on his first tour of Iraq during the invasion of 2003.Go online and punch in "Lieberman." An early track record of supporting Democratic issues - education initiatives, programs to lift people out of poverty, government that helped people -- and then sometime around 9/11, he went dark. By fall 2002, when the Bush Administration began lying about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein and wrongly connecting Hussein with the 9/11 attacks, Lieberman was one of the most prominent people buying into it. (Hillary Clinton bought into the same nonsense, and so did John McCain -- so, unfortunately, did most newspaper editors.)...................
my original posting on Captain Brian Letendre
the only thing i would have done differently is cram in the article SOMEWHERE, 'da liebs is a GIANT STEAMIN' PILE O' SHITE'. the end
Bill Earls: Joe Lieberman's hypocrisy and the Hartford Courant's irony
Credit the Hartford Courant's layout editors with a sense of cruel irony.On Monday's front page, there was a four column photograph of Mrs. Autumn Letendre helping her son Dillon, 4, press his hands into cement at the dedication of a New Britain, CT park named in honor of his father, Captain Brian Letendre, who was killed in Iraq.Just to the right of that was the headline "Lieberman's Pain." It was a tie-in to a story about how badly our junior Senator feels about today's political climate.I wanted to reach for the airsick bag and, had Joe Lieberman been nearby, I'd have been tempted to hit him with a rock and say, "Feel some real pain, you hypocrite."Let's walk through it slowly, using short words so that even people who think Lieberman speaks for decency, honor, or common sense can understand.Go online and punch in "Marine, Brian Letendre," and read the many stories and tributes; you'll be awed, impressed, and incredibly saddened. Letendre was a genuine hero, a genuine patriot. We do not have enough people like this. We never will. Letendre was popular in high school, a college soccer star, the kind of boys other boys are drawn to, that girls with values -- honor, integrity, decency -- are drawn to. And he joined the Marines, maybe the world's finest fighting force, because the Marines, above, all represent and live by that warrior code that stresses brotherhood and integrity. He married his college girlfriend, and their son Dillon was born while his dad was on his first tour of Iraq during the invasion of 2003.Go online and punch in "Lieberman." An early track record of supporting Democratic issues - education initiatives, programs to lift people out of poverty, government that helped people -- and then sometime around 9/11, he went dark. By fall 2002, when the Bush Administration began lying about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein and wrongly connecting Hussein with the 9/11 attacks, Lieberman was one of the most prominent people buying into it. (Hillary Clinton bought into the same nonsense, and so did John McCain -- so, unfortunately, did most newspaper editors.)...................
my original posting on Captain Brian Letendre
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
it IS imperative we do something
about the cost of home heating oil (and OTHER utilities as well). i have mentioned SEVERAL times before, my father's (who will be 82 this month) last oil bill was over $700.00. who can afford that? even working families. that is a STRAIN.
Fuel dealers say customers can't pay bills, Larson proposes bill
By Susan Haigh
HARTFORD, Conn.—More than 60 days delinquent in paying her oil bill, a desperate Middletown woman recently called Peterson Oil Co., asking for help.
more stories like this
Jim Meehan, president of the Portland-based home heating oil company, said he has other customers who are more than 90 days late in paying their bills. Given the rising price of fuel, coupled with higher food costs and other expenses, many of his customers cannot afford the $1,000 it often costs to fill their oil tanks.
"We try to accommodate. It's tough," he said, adding that some customers owe $1,500 to $2,500 in back heating bills, creating a cash flow problem for his business. "They just have no way of paying it."
Meehan and a group of fuel dealers appeared at the state Capitol on Monday with U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., to support federal legislation that aims to remove the speculation in the energy futures market. An Energy Department official this month said market speculation on energy prices may have added as much as 10 percent to crude oil costs.
Larson's bill would require investors in the commodities market to be able to take delivery of the petroleum product in which they are investing. Such a move, he said, would eliminate speculators from the market.
"I think the government has to step in here and say to speculators, 'No, you're no longer going to be able to do this,'" Larson said. A U.S. Senate hearing on the issue is planned later this week........
Fuel dealers say customers can't pay bills, Larson proposes bill
By Susan Haigh
HARTFORD, Conn.—More than 60 days delinquent in paying her oil bill, a desperate Middletown woman recently called Peterson Oil Co., asking for help.
more stories like this
Jim Meehan, president of the Portland-based home heating oil company, said he has other customers who are more than 90 days late in paying their bills. Given the rising price of fuel, coupled with higher food costs and other expenses, many of his customers cannot afford the $1,000 it often costs to fill their oil tanks.
"We try to accommodate. It's tough," he said, adding that some customers owe $1,500 to $2,500 in back heating bills, creating a cash flow problem for his business. "They just have no way of paying it."
Meehan and a group of fuel dealers appeared at the state Capitol on Monday with U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., to support federal legislation that aims to remove the speculation in the energy futures market. An Energy Department official this month said market speculation on energy prices may have added as much as 10 percent to crude oil costs.
Larson's bill would require investors in the commodities market to be able to take delivery of the petroleum product in which they are investing. Such a move, he said, would eliminate speculators from the market.
"I think the government has to step in here and say to speculators, 'No, you're no longer going to be able to do this,'" Larson said. A U.S. Senate hearing on the issue is planned later this week........
Monday, March 31, 2008
YOU re-elected him
i didn't. he's horrid. the democratic party didn't change da liebs, YOU changed. well not really. i think you're just showing your TRUE feelings a bit more these days
Lieberman Blasts Democrats As Protectionist, Isolationist
HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman blasted the Democratic Party Sunday as protectionist, isolationist and hyperpartisan.
Speaking on ABC's `This Week,' Lieberman said it is not the same party that made him its vice presidential candidate in 2000.
"It's not the Bill Clinton-Al Gore party, which was strong internationalists, strong on defense, pro-trade, pro-reform in our domestic government," he said. "It's been effectively taken over by a small group on the left of the party that is protectionist, isolationist and very, very hyperpartisan. So it pains me." ...............
..................McCain, he said, is "a reformer, somebody who understands ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country and remembers the other part of the Kennedy inaugural, which said that we will bear any burden, pay any price to assure the survival and sustenance of liberty. That's John McCain."
Lieberman also blasted Sen. Barak Obama for voting against a resolution to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group.
"These people are responsible for killing hundreds of American soldiers," Lieberman said." Senator Obama voted against that. Now, to me, that was an irresponsible vote. And I give Senator Clinton credit; she voted for it."...........
no da liebs. iran isn't responsible for killing hundreds (make that 4,007) of american troops. YOU, king george and the whole rest of the court ARE
Lieberman Blasts Democrats As Protectionist, Isolationist
HARTFORD, Conn. -- Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman blasted the Democratic Party Sunday as protectionist, isolationist and hyperpartisan.
Speaking on ABC's `This Week,' Lieberman said it is not the same party that made him its vice presidential candidate in 2000.
"It's not the Bill Clinton-Al Gore party, which was strong internationalists, strong on defense, pro-trade, pro-reform in our domestic government," he said. "It's been effectively taken over by a small group on the left of the party that is protectionist, isolationist and very, very hyperpartisan. So it pains me." ...............
..................McCain, he said, is "a reformer, somebody who understands ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country and remembers the other part of the Kennedy inaugural, which said that we will bear any burden, pay any price to assure the survival and sustenance of liberty. That's John McCain."
Lieberman also blasted Sen. Barak Obama for voting against a resolution to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group.
"These people are responsible for killing hundreds of American soldiers," Lieberman said." Senator Obama voted against that. Now, to me, that was an irresponsible vote. And I give Senator Clinton credit; she voted for it."...........
no da liebs. iran isn't responsible for killing hundreds (make that 4,007) of american troops. YOU, king george and the whole rest of the court ARE
Friday, March 28, 2008
i just turned 55 a few days ago
i have always looked different. from the time i was a child until now - and oh, by the way, i'm NOT going to stop looking different either. i like myself. it took time, but i do. i don't want to blend. i don't want to be the grrrl next door (nothing wrong with that, it's just NOT me). i stand out. i get stared at. i'm NOT seeking that mind you (no matter what you think, i'm not). my friend philip (my best friend for years and years and years, but we no longer are in touch) and i conducted an experiment in nyc once. you figure i'd get stared at HERE but not there, right? wrong. this was years ago (i think we were about 20 give or take) but here's what we did.
in the day time, we went out. i was in a flannel shirt, jeans and construction boots (ok, they WERE silver) and little makeup. he walked away from me and observed people's reactions to me. he was in the state of disbelief. he swore to me he never noticed how many people stare at me. AND i was very low key. then we went out at night. i got all gussied up. full makeup, jewelry (well i wear my jewelry ALL of the time), clothing..... the reactions were JUST the same. neither of us had an answer.
i remember one year my old boss had a friend of his visit him at work. jim (my old boss) introduced me to his friend. at one point the friend came up to me and asked why i looked like i did since halloween had already passed (yes, this DID happen and yes it DID come from an 'adult').
not everyone is cruel and stupid. GOOD things happen to me as well. once at work this older (yup, older than me) woman came up to me and told me she looked forward to seeing me each and every day. i was a bright spot in her day - she loved seeing what i was wearing. another time in the grocery store another woman said almost the same thing, how everyone else looked alike and was rather drab. she was glad to see someone looking like me shopping in that store! and this stands out in my mind as well. i was standing in a very long line in a movie theater one day (afternoon showing). a group of young boys was in another line (it was obviously a birthday party). the birthday boy broke away and came over to me. he was calling his father and saying something like, 'dad, take a look at this lady'..........i was starting to cringe, when all of a sudden he grabbed my hand and said, 'dad, look at all the cool stuff this lady has on' (i couldn't stop smiling for DAYS afterward).
i take the bad with the good. i know i can be rather imposing. i also know if someone took the time to say hello, i wouldn't cast a spell on them, i'd say hello back!
please take the time to say hello to people who are not exactly like YOU. you may be more than pleasantly surprised!
Teenager guilty of goth murder
By Kim Pilling, PA
A 15-year-old boy was today convicted of kicking and stamping to death a young woman in a park because she was dressed as a Goth. Brendan Harris attacked Sophie Lancaster, 20, as she begged him and four other youths to stop beating her boyfriend, art student Robert Maltby. Preston Crown Court heard the assault was totally unprovoked and the two victims from Bacup, Lancashire, were singled out because they looked different to their attackers. Miss Lancaster, a gap year student, died from serious head injuries two weeks after the attack in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, in the early hours of August 11 last year, while Mr Maltby, also a Goth, survived. A jury of nine men and three women found Harris guilty of murder within hours of retiring. After the verdict trial judge Anthony Russell QC lifted an order banning identification of Harris and Ryan Herbert, 16, who had pleaded guilty to Miss Lancaster's murder. Harris had denied the murder charge but pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Maltby after drinking two litres of cider, a bottle of Stella Artois lager and "quite a lot of" peach schnapps. ........
in the day time, we went out. i was in a flannel shirt, jeans and construction boots (ok, they WERE silver) and little makeup. he walked away from me and observed people's reactions to me. he was in the state of disbelief. he swore to me he never noticed how many people stare at me. AND i was very low key. then we went out at night. i got all gussied up. full makeup, jewelry (well i wear my jewelry ALL of the time), clothing..... the reactions were JUST the same. neither of us had an answer.
i remember one year my old boss had a friend of his visit him at work. jim (my old boss) introduced me to his friend. at one point the friend came up to me and asked why i looked like i did since halloween had already passed (yes, this DID happen and yes it DID come from an 'adult').
not everyone is cruel and stupid. GOOD things happen to me as well. once at work this older (yup, older than me) woman came up to me and told me she looked forward to seeing me each and every day. i was a bright spot in her day - she loved seeing what i was wearing. another time in the grocery store another woman said almost the same thing, how everyone else looked alike and was rather drab. she was glad to see someone looking like me shopping in that store! and this stands out in my mind as well. i was standing in a very long line in a movie theater one day (afternoon showing). a group of young boys was in another line (it was obviously a birthday party). the birthday boy broke away and came over to me. he was calling his father and saying something like, 'dad, take a look at this lady'..........i was starting to cringe, when all of a sudden he grabbed my hand and said, 'dad, look at all the cool stuff this lady has on' (i couldn't stop smiling for DAYS afterward).
i take the bad with the good. i know i can be rather imposing. i also know if someone took the time to say hello, i wouldn't cast a spell on them, i'd say hello back!
please take the time to say hello to people who are not exactly like YOU. you may be more than pleasantly surprised!
Teenager guilty of goth murder
By Kim Pilling, PA
A 15-year-old boy was today convicted of kicking and stamping to death a young woman in a park because she was dressed as a Goth. Brendan Harris attacked Sophie Lancaster, 20, as she begged him and four other youths to stop beating her boyfriend, art student Robert Maltby. Preston Crown Court heard the assault was totally unprovoked and the two victims from Bacup, Lancashire, were singled out because they looked different to their attackers. Miss Lancaster, a gap year student, died from serious head injuries two weeks after the attack in Stubbylee Park, Bacup, in the early hours of August 11 last year, while Mr Maltby, also a Goth, survived. A jury of nine men and three women found Harris guilty of murder within hours of retiring. After the verdict trial judge Anthony Russell QC lifted an order banning identification of Harris and Ryan Herbert, 16, who had pleaded guilty to Miss Lancaster's murder. Harris had denied the murder charge but pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Maltby after drinking two litres of cider, a bottle of Stella Artois lager and "quite a lot of" peach schnapps. ........
anybody else read this in the hartford advocate this week?
why am i NOT surprised the school board in MY town, west hartford, had stuff to HIDE?
why am i NOT surprised our taxes are going through the roof and they ARE INDEED EATING CAKE?
is anyone else as disturbed as i am?
Let Them Eat Cake
How much tax money does West Hartford's Board of Education spend on catered meals for itself? They won't tell us.
By Jennifer Abel
The current West Hartford school budget is close to $118 million, about $11,670 per student. According to the CIA World Factbook, this is more than the per capita income of 141 of Earth's 230 nations.
According to the board of education it's still not enough to teach the kids, so they're requesting an extra $7.5 million next year.
There's already grumbling in town about how taxes, once again, are rising higher than inflation. And since the school budget is over 60 percent of the town's total, much of that grumbling's directed toward school spending. It's mostly off-the-record, though, because people who speak against school spending are branded as selfish.
The budget's not presented in a line-item form that lists individual expenses. So when we first heard complaints about the board allegedly having breakfasts and lunches catered to meetings on the taxpayers' dime, we didn't know if this was a big deal or not because we couldn't go to the budget and read "Refreshments: X dollars."
Are we talking "coffee and donuts" or "five-course banquets"? A woman at the Avon Board of Ed. said she usually makes coffee for meetings; Simsbury said they'll provide a meal if they are scheduled back-to-back during the dinner hour. This sounds reasonable; is that what West Hartford's doing?...............
why am i NOT surprised our taxes are going through the roof and they ARE INDEED EATING CAKE?
is anyone else as disturbed as i am?
Let Them Eat Cake
How much tax money does West Hartford's Board of Education spend on catered meals for itself? They won't tell us.
By Jennifer Abel
The current West Hartford school budget is close to $118 million, about $11,670 per student. According to the CIA World Factbook, this is more than the per capita income of 141 of Earth's 230 nations.
According to the board of education it's still not enough to teach the kids, so they're requesting an extra $7.5 million next year.
There's already grumbling in town about how taxes, once again, are rising higher than inflation. And since the school budget is over 60 percent of the town's total, much of that grumbling's directed toward school spending. It's mostly off-the-record, though, because people who speak against school spending are branded as selfish.
The budget's not presented in a line-item form that lists individual expenses. So when we first heard complaints about the board allegedly having breakfasts and lunches catered to meetings on the taxpayers' dime, we didn't know if this was a big deal or not because we couldn't go to the budget and read "Refreshments: X dollars."
Are we talking "coffee and donuts" or "five-course banquets"? A woman at the Avon Board of Ed. said she usually makes coffee for meetings; Simsbury said they'll provide a meal if they are scheduled back-to-back during the dinner hour. This sounds reasonable; is that what West Hartford's doing?...............
Monday, March 24, 2008
i didn't know about this
and even if i did, i don't know that i could live on $3.00 to $4.00 of food a day. i spend that much on coffee. i'm not being flippant. one just doesn't realize people DO have to live on $4.00 worth of food a day. i will remember that
I'm One Of The Lucky – My Hunger Ends Tuesday
Susan Campbell
Hartford's monthlong Food Stamp Project ends Tuesday, and that can't come too soon for me.For a few days or all month, project participants agree to live on $3 to $4 of food a day, roughly what a food-stamp recipient can expect these days. This is the second year for the Charter Oak Cultural Center exercise. Rabbi Donna Berman, executive director, dreamed it up as a way to make hunger more real to citizens of one of the country's richest states. Yes, people go hungry here. All around the state, clergy urged their congregations to participate, a couple of high school classes signed on, as did the entire staff at End Hunger CT — all without registering formally. "I think," said Berman, "this is bigger than we know." Last year, word spread, and all over the country, people participated, including the governor of Oregon and several members of Congress.This year, the center partnered with regional anti-hunger organizations such as Foodshare Inc., End Hunger CT as well as their recipient charity, Hands On Hartford, the former Center City Churches...........
I'm One Of The Lucky – My Hunger Ends Tuesday
Susan Campbell
Hartford's monthlong Food Stamp Project ends Tuesday, and that can't come too soon for me.For a few days or all month, project participants agree to live on $3 to $4 of food a day, roughly what a food-stamp recipient can expect these days. This is the second year for the Charter Oak Cultural Center exercise. Rabbi Donna Berman, executive director, dreamed it up as a way to make hunger more real to citizens of one of the country's richest states. Yes, people go hungry here. All around the state, clergy urged their congregations to participate, a couple of high school classes signed on, as did the entire staff at End Hunger CT — all without registering formally. "I think," said Berman, "this is bigger than we know." Last year, word spread, and all over the country, people participated, including the governor of Oregon and several members of Congress.This year, the center partnered with regional anti-hunger organizations such as Foodshare Inc., End Hunger CT as well as their recipient charity, Hands On Hartford, the former Center City Churches...........
thanks to the day
for not only realizing they made a horrible error, but for SAYING they did
Connecticut Paper Hits Joe Lieberman -- Sorry for Endorsement?
By E&P Staff
NEW YORK When he ran for re-election in 2006, Sen. Joe Lieberman on Connecticut was defeated in the Democratic primary by a little-known antiwar candidate, Ned Lamont. So he ran as an independent, and won in a three-way race.Since then he has embraced President Bush's stand on Iraq and seems intent on being John McCain's running mate, or at least chief adviser. This was too much for The Day newspaper, which carried an apologetic editorial today noting that it had backed Lieberman then but thought "it was supporting a candidate who demonstrated a history of pragmatic leadership and a willingness to seek bipartisan solutions.We wonder what happened to that senator."Sen. Lieberman's open-ended commitment to military involvement in Iraq comes as no surprise. The senator made it clear when running for re-election that was his position. Sen. Lieberman wants the United States military to remain in Iraq until the war is won, whatever that means. It conflicts with this newspaper's position that the time has come for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. forces."Despite that difference of opinion, The Day editorially backed the senator because of his experience, his willingness to put principle above politics, as demonstrated by his condemnation of former President Clinton following the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and his even-handed political approach.........
and now for the editorial itself
We Don't Know This Sen. Joe
Sen. Lieberman has been too busy burning bridges to build any.
When The Day endorsed Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman for re-election in November 2006 it was supporting a candidate who demonstrated a history of pragmatic leadership and a willingness to seek bipartisan solutions.
We wonder what happened to that senator.
Sen. Lieberman's open-ended commitment to military involvement in Iraq comes as no surprise. The senator made it clear when running for re-election that was his position. Sen. Lieberman wants the United States military to remain in Iraq until the war is won, whatever that means. It conflicts with this newspaper's position that the time has come for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. forces.
Despite that difference of opinion, The Day editorially backed the senator because of his experience, his willingness to put principle above politics, as demonstrated by his condemnation of former President Clinton following the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and his even-handed political approach.
But while Sen. Lieberman remains experienced, he is no longer even-handedly principled.........
Connecticut Paper Hits Joe Lieberman -- Sorry for Endorsement?
By E&P Staff
NEW YORK When he ran for re-election in 2006, Sen. Joe Lieberman on Connecticut was defeated in the Democratic primary by a little-known antiwar candidate, Ned Lamont. So he ran as an independent, and won in a three-way race.Since then he has embraced President Bush's stand on Iraq and seems intent on being John McCain's running mate, or at least chief adviser. This was too much for The Day newspaper, which carried an apologetic editorial today noting that it had backed Lieberman then but thought "it was supporting a candidate who demonstrated a history of pragmatic leadership and a willingness to seek bipartisan solutions.We wonder what happened to that senator."Sen. Lieberman's open-ended commitment to military involvement in Iraq comes as no surprise. The senator made it clear when running for re-election that was his position. Sen. Lieberman wants the United States military to remain in Iraq until the war is won, whatever that means. It conflicts with this newspaper's position that the time has come for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. forces."Despite that difference of opinion, The Day editorially backed the senator because of his experience, his willingness to put principle above politics, as demonstrated by his condemnation of former President Clinton following the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and his even-handed political approach.........
and now for the editorial itself
We Don't Know This Sen. Joe
Sen. Lieberman has been too busy burning bridges to build any.
When The Day endorsed Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman for re-election in November 2006 it was supporting a candidate who demonstrated a history of pragmatic leadership and a willingness to seek bipartisan solutions.
We wonder what happened to that senator.
Sen. Lieberman's open-ended commitment to military involvement in Iraq comes as no surprise. The senator made it clear when running for re-election that was his position. Sen. Lieberman wants the United States military to remain in Iraq until the war is won, whatever that means. It conflicts with this newspaper's position that the time has come for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. forces.
Despite that difference of opinion, The Day editorially backed the senator because of his experience, his willingness to put principle above politics, as demonstrated by his condemnation of former President Clinton following the Monica Lewinsky scandal, and his even-handed political approach.
But while Sen. Lieberman remains experienced, he is no longer even-handedly principled.........
Sunday, March 23, 2008
welcome back!
to 6th Motor Transport Battallion. thank you for serving but boy oh boy, we're ALL glad you're home
Marines come home in time for Easter
New Haven(WTNH) _ Twenty-six members of the 6th Motor Transport Battallion returned to New Haven today after spending about seven months in Iraq.
They were given a warm welcome home Saturday. The reservists were escorted back into the Elm City by the Patriot Guard and a sea motorcycles. Flags, friends and former Marine News Channel 8's Gil Simmons were there to say 'thank you.' "How does it feel to be back?""Best feeling in the world, put a lot of hard work in a lot of build up, got the mission accomplished can't tell you how good it feels, proud to be doing this for my country, my family, my unit here," Marine Reservist L. Cpl. Andrew Plante."Just happy to be home my family is here everyone I just want to go home and spent time with them." L. Cpl. Plante says the first thing he wanted to do was take a nap well deserved rest. ........
Marines come home in time for Easter
New Haven(WTNH) _ Twenty-six members of the 6th Motor Transport Battallion returned to New Haven today after spending about seven months in Iraq.
They were given a warm welcome home Saturday. The reservists were escorted back into the Elm City by the Patriot Guard and a sea motorcycles. Flags, friends and former Marine News Channel 8's Gil Simmons were there to say 'thank you.' "How does it feel to be back?""Best feeling in the world, put a lot of hard work in a lot of build up, got the mission accomplished can't tell you how good it feels, proud to be doing this for my country, my family, my unit here," Marine Reservist L. Cpl. Andrew Plante."Just happy to be home my family is here everyone I just want to go home and spent time with them." L. Cpl. Plante says the first thing he wanted to do was take a nap well deserved rest. ........
Saturday, March 22, 2008
to the family, friends and fellow brothers and sisters
of officer Matthew Morelli, my thoughts and prayers go out to you
Norwalk officer fatally shot
By John Nickerson
NORWALK - City police, the FBI and the state police Major Crime Squad spent the day trying to figure out how city police Officer Matthew Morelli, 38, was shot and killed in a church parking lot in South Norwalk early yesterday morning.For more than 13 hours, state police investigated the parking lot off Lubrano Place and the surrounding area before taking Morelli's body to state chief medical examiner's office in Farmington. Police and city officials said a rifle, described either as an AK-47 or older, military-style rifle, was found immediately next to, or under, Morelli's body when police found him lying in the Calvary Reformed Church parking lot.Chief Harry Rilling said the 11-year department veteran, who served four years in the Marines before joining the department in 1996, called headquarters at 12:26 a.m. to say he was checking suspicious activity in the lot and stepped out of his vehicle............
Norwalk officer fatally shot
By John Nickerson
NORWALK - City police, the FBI and the state police Major Crime Squad spent the day trying to figure out how city police Officer Matthew Morelli, 38, was shot and killed in a church parking lot in South Norwalk early yesterday morning.For more than 13 hours, state police investigated the parking lot off Lubrano Place and the surrounding area before taking Morelli's body to state chief medical examiner's office in Farmington. Police and city officials said a rifle, described either as an AK-47 or older, military-style rifle, was found immediately next to, or under, Morelli's body when police found him lying in the Calvary Reformed Church parking lot.Chief Harry Rilling said the 11-year department veteran, who served four years in the Marines before joining the department in 1996, called headquarters at 12:26 a.m. to say he was checking suspicious activity in the lot and stepped out of his vehicle............
Friday, March 21, 2008
of course there's a correlation
between people who abuse animals and people who abuse people
BOTH must stop
Animal Cruelty task force
By News Channel 8's Bob Wilson
(WTNH) _ Cruelty to animals may lead to violent behavior against humans. A new state task force will be looking into the correlation and what can be done.
Could an abused dog or cat be one of the first signs that someone else other than the family pet is being abused? Lawmakers announced the formation of the task force on animal cruelty and the circle of violence to look into just that."We know that when an animal is being abused, more than likely the children in the house hold are being abused," Diana Urbana, of North Stonington, said. So, while the task force will study the circle of violence -- pet professionals like animal control officers and workers at the Connecticut Humane Society in Newington -- are keeping their eyes open for abused animals.
"If we do find that and we do have the name, telephone number and address of the individual at that point we would call the police in that town and make a report," Alicia Wright, of the Connecticut Humane Society, said..............
BOTH must stop
Animal Cruelty task force
By News Channel 8's Bob Wilson
(WTNH) _ Cruelty to animals may lead to violent behavior against humans. A new state task force will be looking into the correlation and what can be done.
Could an abused dog or cat be one of the first signs that someone else other than the family pet is being abused? Lawmakers announced the formation of the task force on animal cruelty and the circle of violence to look into just that."We know that when an animal is being abused, more than likely the children in the house hold are being abused," Diana Urbana, of North Stonington, said. So, while the task force will study the circle of violence -- pet professionals like animal control officers and workers at the Connecticut Humane Society in Newington -- are keeping their eyes open for abused animals.
"If we do find that and we do have the name, telephone number and address of the individual at that point we would call the police in that town and make a report," Alicia Wright, of the Connecticut Humane Society, said..............
Thursday, March 20, 2008
if i make it to 80
i hope i can be as conscientious as jim barron and caroline bridgeman-rees. of course, there were all ages present at the protest. of course i shouldn't wait until i'm 80 to be conscientious, moral and patriotic.
Protesters gather for fifth anniversary of Iraq war
By DAVE COLLINS
Five people were arrested Wednesday for blocking the front door of a federal courthouse during a protest to mark the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.Among the five were Jim Barron, 80, of New Haven and his minister, the Rev. Kathleen McTigue. Also arrested were Caroline Bridgeman-Rees, 80, of Hamden and father and daughter Mark and Keely Colville of New Haven. Police charged the five with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. They were led to police cruisers amid applause from about 100 other protesters gathered on the sidewalk.Barron has participated in protests for decades, but never risked a trip to jail. He opposed the war from the beginning and has written letters of protest to Congress, but his feelings intensified while hearing the names of the war dead read each week in his church.The final straw, he said, was reading an article about U.S. soldiers who suffered permanent brain damage in Iraq.........
Five Arrested In Iraq War Protest
By HILDA MUÑOZ And NOMAAN MERCHANT Courant Staff Reporters
A protest Wednesday by roughly 200 clergy members, religious activists and citizens marking the five-year anniversary of the United States invasion of Iraq started with prayer and song and ended with the arrest of five protesters in Hartford.
The protesters had blocked an entrance to the federal building in Hartford.
Keeley Colville, 17, her father Mark Colville, James Barron, 80, Caroline Bridgman-Rees, 85, and Rev. Kathleen McTigue were taken into custody. Bridgman-Rees and Barron were released on a promise to appear. Keeley Colville was issued a $500 bond. Her father and McTigue were each issued a $1,000 bond............
ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THE IRAQ WAR, an interfaith coalition gathered to oppose the war in Hartford. The rally, organized by the New Haven-based group Reclaiming the Prophetic Voice, ended at the Federal Building, where five people were arrested on trespassing charges for blocking the entrance to the building in protest. Hartford police help up 85-year-old Caroline Bridgeman-Reese before arresting her. At right is Jim Barron, who was also arrested. (SHANA SURECK / March 19, 2008)
Protesters gather for fifth anniversary of Iraq war
By DAVE COLLINS
Five people were arrested Wednesday for blocking the front door of a federal courthouse during a protest to mark the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.Among the five were Jim Barron, 80, of New Haven and his minister, the Rev. Kathleen McTigue. Also arrested were Caroline Bridgeman-Rees, 80, of Hamden and father and daughter Mark and Keely Colville of New Haven. Police charged the five with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. They were led to police cruisers amid applause from about 100 other protesters gathered on the sidewalk.Barron has participated in protests for decades, but never risked a trip to jail. He opposed the war from the beginning and has written letters of protest to Congress, but his feelings intensified while hearing the names of the war dead read each week in his church.The final straw, he said, was reading an article about U.S. soldiers who suffered permanent brain damage in Iraq.........
Five Arrested In Iraq War Protest
By HILDA MUÑOZ And NOMAAN MERCHANT Courant Staff Reporters
A protest Wednesday by roughly 200 clergy members, religious activists and citizens marking the five-year anniversary of the United States invasion of Iraq started with prayer and song and ended with the arrest of five protesters in Hartford.
The protesters had blocked an entrance to the federal building in Hartford.
Keeley Colville, 17, her father Mark Colville, James Barron, 80, Caroline Bridgman-Rees, 85, and Rev. Kathleen McTigue were taken into custody. Bridgman-Rees and Barron were released on a promise to appear. Keeley Colville was issued a $500 bond. Her father and McTigue were each issued a $1,000 bond............
ON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THE IRAQ WAR, an interfaith coalition gathered to oppose the war in Hartford. The rally, organized by the New Haven-based group Reclaiming the Prophetic Voice, ended at the Federal Building, where five people were arrested on trespassing charges for blocking the entrance to the building in protest. Hartford police help up 85-year-old Caroline Bridgeman-Reese before arresting her. At right is Jim Barron, who was also arrested. (SHANA SURECK / March 19, 2008)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Raymond Bechard, connecticut cool person of the week
thank you for founding ahava kids and thank you for caring
............Child Trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing crime in the world for organized crime syndicates. It is also the most profitable crime simply because a child can be sold for sex multiple times every day for many years. Along with the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), young people are also used for forced labor (cocoa, coffee, diamonds, rugs, silk, etc.), illegal activities (begging, selling drugs), child soldiers, forced marriage, illegal adoption, and in the international trade of organ harvesting. Domestically, child trafficking occurs in every community in America. The FBI has determined that 300,000 young people are trafficked within the United States each year and that the average age for females entering prostitution in America is 13. Young victims are usually runaways or otherwise disenfranchised youth who are then recruited in malls, bus stations, shelters and online........
A mission to save the children of Iraq
Old Saybrook (WTNH) _ In a matter of weeks, an Old Saybrook man will be embedded with U.S. soldiers in Iraq on a mission of his own.
Raymond Bechard founded Ahava Kids in 2003. He will be the first person to investigate the condition of children in Iraq and says human trafficking is often seen where there is war, poverty and economic chaos.
"Iraq has all three," Bechard said. "What we look for are children who look desperate."
Bechard says you do not have to look far and wide to find human trafficking or prostitution. More than 400 women and girls in Eastern Connecticut alone can be found with a click of the mouse on your computer. Bechard's group offers anonymity and a safe place to stay for those who want to leave that life and the people who profit from them. .....
............Child Trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing crime in the world for organized crime syndicates. It is also the most profitable crime simply because a child can be sold for sex multiple times every day for many years. Along with the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), young people are also used for forced labor (cocoa, coffee, diamonds, rugs, silk, etc.), illegal activities (begging, selling drugs), child soldiers, forced marriage, illegal adoption, and in the international trade of organ harvesting. Domestically, child trafficking occurs in every community in America. The FBI has determined that 300,000 young people are trafficked within the United States each year and that the average age for females entering prostitution in America is 13. Young victims are usually runaways or otherwise disenfranchised youth who are then recruited in malls, bus stations, shelters and online........
A mission to save the children of Iraq
Old Saybrook (WTNH) _ In a matter of weeks, an Old Saybrook man will be embedded with U.S. soldiers in Iraq on a mission of his own.
Raymond Bechard founded Ahava Kids in 2003. He will be the first person to investigate the condition of children in Iraq and says human trafficking is often seen where there is war, poverty and economic chaos.
"Iraq has all three," Bechard said. "What we look for are children who look desperate."
Bechard says you do not have to look far and wide to find human trafficking or prostitution. More than 400 women and girls in Eastern Connecticut alone can be found with a click of the mouse on your computer. Bechard's group offers anonymity and a safe place to stay for those who want to leave that life and the people who profit from them. .....
Sunday, March 16, 2008
did you know we had 11,000 returning troops
in our state (from the war)? i didn't. that's a HUGE number. did you know that at the VERY LEAST 1/4 of them have symptoms for ptsd? i didn't.
Many Returning Troops Struggle To Reconnect
By LISA CHEDEKEL Courant Staff Writer
From a distance, the more than 11,000 state residents who have returned from war in the past five years have disappeared seamlessly into the Connecticut landscape — back to colleges, spouses, civilian or military jobs.But up close, the transition has not been so smooth.A first-ever survey of returning state troops shows that at least one-quarter of them meet the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder, while many cite problems with a spouse or partner and difficulties "connecting emotionally with family" as major concerns. A state mental health hot line has fielded more than 300 calls for assistance from Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their family members in the past nine months. Recently, the state veterans' affairs commissioner has begun working with the courts to ensure that increasing numbers of recently returned troops who are arrested for domestic violence, drunken driving or other offenses are flagged and referred to counseling programs."There's a lot of real high risks here — not only for the military members themselves, but for their families," said Linda Schwartz, commissioner of the state Department of Veterans' Affairs. "We have people in almost every town in our state who have served deployments, and the VA is just not going to be able to get to them all. We have to do more to reach out to them … to catch them when they fall."............
......The state's mental health hot line for military members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their family members is 866-251-2913................
Many Returning Troops Struggle To Reconnect
By LISA CHEDEKEL Courant Staff Writer
From a distance, the more than 11,000 state residents who have returned from war in the past five years have disappeared seamlessly into the Connecticut landscape — back to colleges, spouses, civilian or military jobs.But up close, the transition has not been so smooth.A first-ever survey of returning state troops shows that at least one-quarter of them meet the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder, while many cite problems with a spouse or partner and difficulties "connecting emotionally with family" as major concerns. A state mental health hot line has fielded more than 300 calls for assistance from Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their family members in the past nine months. Recently, the state veterans' affairs commissioner has begun working with the courts to ensure that increasing numbers of recently returned troops who are arrested for domestic violence, drunken driving or other offenses are flagged and referred to counseling programs."There's a lot of real high risks here — not only for the military members themselves, but for their families," said Linda Schwartz, commissioner of the state Department of Veterans' Affairs. "We have people in almost every town in our state who have served deployments, and the VA is just not going to be able to get to them all. We have to do more to reach out to them … to catch them when they fall."............
......The state's mental health hot line for military members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their family members is 866-251-2913................
this story takes place in maryland
but it's the same in connecticut. my 82 year old father got an oil (heating) bill for $728.00. how are people (working families and like my father, the elderly and retired) supposed to pay that? his electric bill went way up as well.
how can we all afford 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 utility bills? how much longer do you think this is going to go on? i mean how much longer before we all STOP paying our bills because we CANNOT.
(king george has to pay his bills for the crawford ranch, no? doesn't he see we're all f**ked?)
By Kirstin Downey Washington Post Staff Writer
George Mann, an $18-an-hour grocery store clerk in Waldorf, found himself trembling last month as he wrote the check to pay his $644 electricity bill. Still financially recovering from a $549 electricity bill in January, Mann said he noticed he was "shaking" as he paid the bill, full of anxiety about how he would find the money to pay other household expenses for the three-bedroom rambler where he lives with his wife and four children.
"When they deregulated the market, there was supposed to be competition and prices were supposed to go down," he said. "But why did the bills go in the opposite direction?"
That is a question being echoed in households across the region, particularly as heating bills rise in the coldest months of the year. .............
"When they deregulated the market, there was supposed to be competition and prices were supposed to go down," he said. "But why did the bills go in the opposite direction?"
That is a question being echoed in households across the region, particularly as heating bills rise in the coldest months of the year. .............
Saturday, March 15, 2008
i guess he ain't so 'MAGNIFICANT' any more
is 23 years (i'm sure WAY less than that with parole) enough for someone who is guilty of forcing a TWELVE YEAR OLD GIRL into prostitution? my answer is HELL NO
and if you don't think this kind of thing goes on ALL of the time, think again
NY man convicted in human trafficking ring
Associated Press
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A New York man pleaded guilty Friday in New Haven federal court for his role in a human trafficking ring that forced adolescent and teenage girls to work as prostitutes and dancers.Corey "Magnificent" Davis, 36, of Queens, pleaded admitted to one count of sex trafficking of a minor before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall. Davis was arrested in December 2006 on several charges including sex trafficking, forced labor and transportation of a minor for immoral purposes. His trial was scheduled to begin on Monday. He has been detained since his arrest.As a result of the guilty plea, Davis agreed to a prison term of 23 years when he is sentenced on June 2. Federal prosecutors said a victims' fund also has been created from profits of the criminal enterprise........
and if you don't think this kind of thing goes on ALL of the time, think again
NY man convicted in human trafficking ring
Associated Press
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A New York man pleaded guilty Friday in New Haven federal court for his role in a human trafficking ring that forced adolescent and teenage girls to work as prostitutes and dancers.Corey "Magnificent" Davis, 36, of Queens, pleaded admitted to one count of sex trafficking of a minor before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall. Davis was arrested in December 2006 on several charges including sex trafficking, forced labor and transportation of a minor for immoral purposes. His trial was scheduled to begin on Monday. He has been detained since his arrest.As a result of the guilty plea, Davis agreed to a prison term of 23 years when he is sentenced on June 2. Federal prosecutors said a victims' fund also has been created from profits of the criminal enterprise........
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