The adult cabaret class is directed by CMS Artist-in-Residence Karli Gilbertson and accompanied by pianist Sue Sweeney.

The concert is free and open to the public. Please call 860-767-0026 or visit www.community-music-school.org for additional information.

CHESTER – Maple and Main Gallery at One Maple Street is having a clothesline sale of art Saturday, May 25 as part of the annual town-wide tag sale.

The gallery is also offering bargains but these are original unframed paintings which will be hung with clothespins on lines strung between the gallery’s porch columns. More unframed art will be on display inside the gallery.

The clothesline sale is open Saturday, May 25 from 8 am to 6 p.m. and continues inside the gallery on Sunday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information: visit  mapleandmaingallery.com; 860-526-6065; mapleandmain@att.net.

Spend part of Memorial Day weekend paddling with naturalist Phil Miller on a family canoe/kayak on Mill Pond, sponsored by the Essex Land Trust.  The event will take place on Saturday May 25 at 2 p.m. at Fall’s River Park, Ivoryton.

Mill Pond is part of the Falls River Preserve, a 40-acre waterfront park with a peninsula of forest and ledge projecting into the Falls River. The preserve is an important stopover for warblers, vireos, blackbirds and other migrating songbirds and is the year-around home of chickadees, titmice, cardinals, nuthatches and woodpeckers. Waterfowl include swans, wood duck and mallards, while egrets, cormorants and osprey drop in from Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River. Bass, perch, sunfish and catfish populate the pond. Jean’s Island will be a possible stop. Open to paddlers of all ages, but basic experience is required.

The event is part of the Essex Great Outdoors Pursuit program. Park at the canoe/kayak launch on Falls River Dr. Bad weather cancels.

The idea of a single monthly meeting was raised by First Selectman Norman Needleman at the conclusion of Wednesday’s meeting. Needleman, a Democrat elected top job in 2011, said the board’s agendas have been light in recent months, and he “would be OK with having one meeting a month.”  Needleman said the board could call a special meeting if important issues arose that required another meeting.

Selectwoman Stacia Libby and Selectman Joel Marzi each said they were open to a change in the meeting schedule. The board agreed to discuss, and possibly vote, on a change to the meeting schedule at the board’s next meeting on June 5.

The Essex Board of Selectmen has been following a twice monthly meeting schedule for more than two decades. Selectmen in Chester and Deep River currently adhere to a twice monthly meeting schedule.

Chester author D. Joseph Jacques would suggest that our lives can be a quest if we want them to be; a quest for meaning and virtue through which we can reclaim and nourish the very best of who we are. When rooted in ethics that are central to Western culture, our living quest can heal not only ourselves but our world as well.  Surely such a meaningful life, which incorporates such concepts as truth, the purpose of freedom, Nature’s Law, and the attainment of personal authenticity, is both an ongoing adventure and very relevant to 21st century society.

Inquisitive minds are invited to join the author at Chester Library on Monday, June 3, at 7 p.m. in a thoughtful conversation about reclaiming the best of ourselves and our society. Mr. Jacques drew on 35 years of experience in social work and a deep appreciation of Arthurian Literature in writing The Deeper Quest, which will provide the basis for this conversation. Refreshments will be served and books will be available for purchase.

For more information visit www.chivalrynow.net.

Voters at a town meeting Tuesday approved a resolution accepting the grant provided under the Inter-town Capital Equipment Incentive Program (ICE). With Deep River as the host town, selectmen and town meetings in Essex and Chester are also authorizing a joint application to apply the funds to the school district shared by the three towns. Region 4 is expected to provide matching funds to cover the estimated $38,000 to $40,000 cost of the radio system.

The funds will be used to purchase radio repeater equipment that would be attached to an existing 100-foot telecommunications tower at John Winthrop Middle School. The new system will provide direct radio communications between the middle school, central office, Valley Regional High School, and the elementary schools in Chester, Deep River, and Essex. The radio system could be used during any emergency, whether weather-related or as a result of an incident at one of the schools. The new radio system is expected to be installed over the summer to be put in operation during the next school year.

CDR Beckman, on the faculty of the Naval War College in Newport, is part of the College of Operational and Strategic Leadership and interacts routinely with the U.S. Navy’s maritime operations centers around the globe to improve war-fighting effectiveness at the operational level. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the U.S. Naval Academy, a M.S. in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Masters in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University.

The Rhode Island Federal Executive Council (RIFEC) recognized outstanding federal employees for their work and accomplishments over the past year at a ceremony held at the Radisson Hotel in Warwick, RI.

Fifty-five years ago, the Rotary Club of Essex introduced the quintessential New England event to the Connecticut Shoreline.  A unique fundraiser and dining experience known as a shad bake.  For our shad lovers, the lure is the secret ingredients and the authentic method of preparation and cooking handed down from Connecticut natives.

Imagine sumptuous pieces of this rare and local fish being nail to seasoned 50 lb. boards.  Now envision 20-30 of these boards standing on end as they encircle a once raging fire that now boasts hot coals that cook each piece to perfection given the appropriate seasoning and timing.  Add to this delicacy homemade potato salad, tossed green salad, and apple pie from Lyman Orchards garnished with a hunk of cheddar cheese and you’ve got yourself a gourmet meal!  Don’t care for shad?  We offer BBQ chicken and hot dogs.  Share a piece of Connecticut and Essex history with your friends and family.

The event is always held on the first Saturday of June and we guarantee great weather as well as music from Stu Ingersoll and his band and games for the kids.  The atmosphere is vibrant with antique cars, picnickers, and the delicious smell of shad roasting around the open fire.

This is an all volunteer event hosted by the Rotary Club of Essex and coordinated by Bake Master Joe Shea of AJ Shea Construction.  You might find one of your favorite doctors or dentists at the de-nailing table or visit Greg Shook from Essex Savings Bank for a freshly shucked clam or oyster.

Join seasoned Shad Bake pioneers like Herb Clark, Chet Kitchings, and Dan Lapman for a story from shad bakes of yesteryear including the year of the big flood.  Curiosity, hunger, whatever your motivation, join us at the Essex Elementary School in Centerbrook on June 1st, 4.30 – 6.30 p.m. for one of the “Top 20 Summer Events” according to Yankee Magazine.

Tickets are $25 with discounts for children.  Visit our website at www.rotaryclubofessex.com to purchase tickets and view a great video of the Rotary Club of Essex in action.

The parade will follow a three mile route as it makes the following stops to pay respects:  Riverview Cemetery, First Baptist Church, Town Hall, Centerbrook Cemetery, and the Essex Veteran’s Memorial Hall.  There will be a short ceremony at the Veteran’s Hall at the conclusion of the parade (approximately 11:15 a.m.).

If weather precludes a parade, ceremonies will be held at Essex Town Hall at 9:30 a.m. and at the Essex Veteran’s Memorial Hall at 11:00 a.m.  All interested parties please contact Phil Beckman at 860.767.9755 or philipbeckman@yahoo.com with questions.  Veterans who may require transportation, please contact Phil Beckman.

The spending plan includes a $6,967,461 town government budget, and a $7,634,917 appropriation for Essex Elementary School. The town’s $8,081,772 share of the Region 4 education budget had already been approved by voters in a May 7 referendum. The total spending appropriation of $22,684,150 represents a 2.69 percent increase over the current spending total.

The board of finance will set the tax rate for 2013-2014 at a meeting Thursday. First Selectman Norman Needleman and finance board chairman Jim Francis each said after the vote the tax rate is expected to increase by “about one-half mill” to fund the total spending package. The current tax rate is 18.47 mills, or $18.47 in tax for each $1,000 of assessed property value. The property tax rate was increased by 0.49 mills last year to fund the current town and school budgets.

First Selectman Edmund Meehan said there have been no changes to the budget that was presented to a handful of residents at the May 1 public hearing. The total $12,328,940 spending plan, which is $419,141 less than current spending, includes the $3,515,054 town government budget, a $373,620 capital expenditure plan, a $4,182,373 appropriation for Chester Elementary School, and the town’s $4,257,893 share of the Region 4 education budget. The Region 4 education budget was approved by voters of Chester, Deep River, and Essex in a May 7 referendum.

Education spending in the proposed budget is down by $467,000 because a declining enrollment at the elementary school, and fewer students from Chester attending the  two Region 4 secondary schools, Valley Regional High School and John Winthrop Middle School. The decrease in enrollment has led to a $426,084 reduction in the Chester share of the Region 4 budget.

Meehan has described the proposed 2013-2014 budget as “an anomaly” that is unlikely to be repeated in future budget years. The enrollment-driver reduction in education spending has allowed the board of finance to recommend a one-half mill reduction in the tax rate, from the current 22.45 mills to a tax rate of 21.95 mills. The new rate represents $21.95 in tax for each $1,000 of assessed property value. Unlike many past years, the board of finance has found no need to transfer funds from the town’s undesignated fund balance as a way to hold down taxes. The fund balance is projected to total $1.57 million when the budget year ends on June 30, 2014.

The state DOT wants to increase fares from $3 to $6 for vehicles and from $1 to $2 to walk-on passengers. The discount coupon book that currently goes for $40 for 20 tickets would be doubled to $80. With the ferries running at a deficit of about $650,000, the DOT says this plan will help keep both ferries viable and open.

But residents worry such a steep increase will drive ridership down and ultimately lead to the closure of Connecticut’s historic ferries. State Representatives Marilyn Giuliano (R- Old Saybrook) and Melissa Ziobron (R- East Haddam) are working with local and state officials to look for possible alternatives to doubling the fees.

“We have to be careful not to make short-sighted decisions that have the opposite of the intended result,” Giuliano said. “Doubling the fees might make sense on a balance sheet but, in practice, could be harmful to the bottom line- we need to look at all possibilities.”

“People in this region are passionate about the ferries and they play an important role in tourism including for Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam,” Ziobron added. “We have to do our due diligence to make sure we have explored all our options before we simply double the fees. This has to be an ‘all of the above’ approach.”

Giuliano and Ziobron have arranged to speak with local stakeholders and the Department of Transportation Commissioner to discuss various alternatives to the proposed fee increases.

DOT plans to hold hearings on the fare increases this month. On May 20th there is a hearing in the Rocky Hill Community Center and on May 22nd there will be a hearing at the Chester Meeting House. Both begin at 6:30pm. Giuliano and Ziobron said they would like to attend the meeting in Chester but will likely be held up in legislative session in Hartford.

Anyone wishing to speak with them regarding the proposed rate increases can feel free to call their office at 1-800-842-1423 or send an email to Marilyn.Giuliano@housegop.ct.gov or Melissa.Ziobron@housegop.ct.gov

Photo by Thomas Giroir.
Sophie the Swan is danced by Emily Kramm of Old Lyme.

On Sunday, May 19, Eastern Connecticut Ballet will perform a double-bill at The Garde in New London, comprising the world premiere of Ballerina Swan and a new take on an old favorite, Carnival of the Animals.

Little Sophie the Swan wants to be a dancer more than anything in the world.  In her dreams she is a lovelyballerina with a golden tiara perched on top of her head.  But, alas, poor Sophie is only a swan, with very uncooperative bright orange webbed feet.  Will she ever realize her dreams and become a Ballerina?

Fly with Sophie as she leaps from the pages to the stage in Eastern CT Ballet’s World Premiere of a delightful ballet based upon Allegra Kent’s new award winning children’s book, Ballerina Swan.  Kent is one of NYC Ballet’s most celebrated ballerinas and illustrator Emily Arnold McCully has won many prestigious awards including the Caldecott Medal.  Original choreography has been crafted by Gloria Govrin, Eastern CT Ballet’s Artistic Director and acclaimed NYC Ballet soloist.

Laugh and cry as Sophie follows her dream, leaving the safety of her home on the water to humorous escapades in the ballet classroom.  Will she fit in?   Will she earn a role in her school’s production of Swan Lake?   The ballet concludes with breathtaking variations from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, the perfect fusion of a whimsical children’s tale and the magical beauty of classical ballet.

The lead role of Sophie is performed by Emily Kramm of Old Lyme and more than half of the remaining dancers are from Lyme, Old Lyme or East Lyme.

The animals are having a Carnival!   Lions, birds and fish will frolic on stage in Carnival of the Animals, completing this unique, double-bill family event.  One of Camille Saint-Saën’s most famous musical masterpieces has inspired Govrin to create her own special vision of the ballet.  Each musical selection describes a comical animal that comes alive when introduced with a witty narrated poem.  Carnival of the Animals is a perfect children’s introduction to classical music and dance.

These two dynamic ballets, performed by ECB’s talented, professionally trained Company, will be performed at the Garde Arts Center in New London on May 19 at 2 pm.  For tickets call 860 444-7373 or online at gardearts.org.

Allegra Kent

Following both ballets, Allegra Kent, will be at the theater to autograph copies of her book.  Guests at the ballet are invited to meet this world acclaimed Balanchine ballerina and other cast members while enjoying free Rita’s of New London ices.  For your convenience, copies of Ballerina Swan will be available for purchase.

Based on the book, Ballerina Swan by Allegra Kent, Holiday House © 2012,  illustration copyright © 2012 by Emily Arnold McCully and sponsored in part by the Garde Arts Center, special group, senior and military discounts are available.

Eastern CT Ballet is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Photo credit: Thomas Giroir.

Uncharted-Territory by Renni-Ridgeway-Korsmeyer

The Essex Art Association is pleased to announce the opening of a new show “Favorite Things” showing the work of the Elected Artist Members. Opening Reception May 31, 2013 from 6-8 pm public welcome. The show runs from June 1 – 22, open daily 1-5, except Tuesdays.

The Exit Gallery features the art of Renni Ridgeway-Korsmeyer of Old Lyme.

Renni Ridgeway-Korsmeyer was raised among the beautiful fields and farm land of Ohio. She now resides in Old Lyme Connecticut where in the art community there she discovered her love of painting. She works in oils and pastels and enjoys each medium equally.
In painting glimpses of nature, she strives to capture a moment in time and the ambiguous transitory qualities of the landscape. While painting each unique landscape, it is learned that, like life, all things change. With those changes, feelings and emotions in the artist and the viewer begin to unfold, shift, and evolve.

Essex Art Association is a non-profit open to the public.

Essex Art Association
10 North Main Street
Essex, CT 06426

860-767-8996
EssexArtCt@gmail.com
www.EssexArtAssociation.com

(l-r): Organizers, sponsors and participants gather to toast the 20th Annual RiverFare happening on May 30 at the Connecticut River Museum. Olive Oyl’s Owner and Chef Kevin Kendall, Gourmet Galley Owner Anna Lathrop, Connecticut River Museum Executive Director Jerry Roberts, Red House Owner Marc DeTour, Red House Chef David Schumacher, Red House Chef Brian Checko, CRM Vice-President Peter Prichard, RiverFare Committee Member and Vegetable Ivory and Organics Owner Desiree Richardell, and Essex Savings Bank President Greg Shook.

ESSEX-– On Thursday, May 30 from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, the waterfront lawn of the Connecticut River Museum will be the scenic setting for RiverFare 2013.  The unofficial kick off of summer on the shoreline, features savory bites, fine spirits and silent auction overlooking scenic Essex Harbor.  This year’s lineup of Connecticut’s leading restaurants and food purveyors includes Red House, Marley’s Cafe, Essex Coffee & Tea Co., Fromage Fine Foods, The Cheese Shop of Centerbrook, Gourmet Galley Catering, Griswold Inn, Olive Oyl’s, Saybrook Point Inn, Seaflour Foods, Selene’s Sweet Shoppe, The Ivory Restaurant and others.  RiverFarers can sample signature dishes and drinks while perusing and bidding on a diverse array of fine gifts, services, and entertainment experiences up for silent auction.

Tower Labs and Wells Fargo Advisors are this year’s Presenting Sponsors. Other sponsors include C. Sherman Johnson Co., Inc., Centerbrook Architects and Planners, Clark Group, Essex Savings Bank/Essex Financial Services, Bogaert Construction, Rachel Thomas Real Estate, Middlesex Hospital, Reynolds’ Garage & Marine, Inc., Essex Boat Works, Inc., Caulfield & Ridgway, Inc., blp Enterprises, Sapia Construction, Essex Printing, Rhode Van Gessel Design, Connecticut Rental Center, Apparel Plus and Valley Courier.

Event admission is $60 per person in advance and $65 on the day of the event.  Patron tickets may be purchased for $150 and include a premium bar and $100 tax deduction.  Net proceeds will help support the Connecticut River Museum’s mission to increase public awareness and access to the heritage, culture, and natural beauty of New England’s Great River.  For more information or to make advance reservations, go to www.ctrivermuseum.org or call 860.767.8269.    The Connecticut River Museum is located at 67 Main Street in Essex.

NairCo LLC is a partnership run by Barbara Nair, who operates the Killingworth Arts Center on North Parker Hill Road in Killingworth. The arts center is a non-profit organization in operation since 2003. NairCo. LLC purchased the 61 Main St. property for $760,000 last November.

The commercial building, located near the traffic light in Centerbrook, has been mostly vacant for more than three years, with a pool supply and repair business currently leasing space in a section of the building. In March 2012, the zoning board of appeals denied a variance appeal that would have allowed a coffee and pastries shop in a section of the building. Earlier this spring, the zoning commission approved NairCo’s request to amend zoning regulations to allow art studios as a permitted use in a commercial zone.

The May 20 public hearing agenda also includes a request by the Essex Volunteer Fire Co. to amend zoning regulations to include fire training facilities as a permitted use in the limited industrial zone on Plains Road. The volunteer fire company is hoping to construct a fire training facility on a section of Greider Field, a recreation field on Plains Road that is owned by the fire company. The public hearings convene at 7 p.m. in town hall.

The Valley News Now (April 26) quotes Senator Linares at length in remarks before a recent seniors’ luncheon of the Estuary Council explaining why he voted against the Newtown gun control law.  In my opinion, Mr. Linares’s remarks are unconvincing.  They set a standard of glib analysis that hopefully will not characterize his future votes in office. Equally important, Mr. Linares’s remarks leave me wondering whether he has told us the whole story of his “ no” vote. The News reports that he did not volunteer his explanation, but only responded to questions after having  “consented” to a discussion.  Mr. Linares’s web site does not mention his vote.  Why is that, on an issue of such importance to his constituents?

Mr. Linares is quoted by the News as saying he “did not have a chance to read the bill.”  This is hard to credit.  The new law is largely the work of the Bipartisan Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention and Children’s Safety established last January – of which Mr. Linares was a member from the beginning.  The Task Force took extensive testimony, and legislative proposals began to emerge from it as early as the beginning of March.  The members of the Task Force then reportedly met behind closed doors to negotiate the legislation for two months before emerging in early April with a bipartisan proposal. Is it possible that Senator Linares was still clueless after participating in such a process?

The News quotes Mr. Linares as saying that the legislation “could create a black market” in guns. So what?  A black market in heroin “could be” the result of existing laws prohibiting that substance.  Mr. Linares does not, I assume, favor legalizing heroin. Taxes on cigarettes and regulatory restrictions on the production of pharmaceutical products arguably have fostered black markets in those products.  Does Mr. Linares support eliminating cigarette taxes or allowing the production of prescription drugs in substandard facilities? The answer to black markets is to enforce laws against them – not cave in.

Mr. Linares’s thought process in explaining his  “no” vote is so obscure he sometimes seems to speak in riddles.  He is quoted as saying, for example, that his concern was for police officers.  He reasons that taking guns away from common citizens could have the effect of being “dangerous to law enforcement officers.”  What does he mean by this?  How can it be good for the police, let alone the rest of us, to allow every Tom, Dick, and Harry, irrespective of mental instability or terrorist proclivities, to have access to military style weapons?  Mr. Linares does not explain.

Mr. Linares claims that “most guns are used for self defense”. This seems doubtful. I would guess that “most guns” are used for hunting or target practice.  Still, if Mr. Linares is correct that ”most guns are used for self defense,” perhaps it is because folks are returning fire — in which case it might also be true that “most guns are used in violent crime.”  In any event, Mr. Linares’s observation is irrelevant because the legislation does not ban “most guns” in Connecticut, but only a small subset of them, specifically some 100 types of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines.

Few would contest Mr. Linares assertion that citizens should have the “right to defend themselves.”  However, that is not the issue presented by the Newtown legislation, which leaves intact an individual’s access to a huge variety of guns.  The issue presented by Newtown is whether we as citizens also have a right to gather in public places without the nagging fear of being attacked by an unstable, violent few bearing arms of such great destructive force that they properly belong in the military for our collective defense.

A few weeks after he voted “no” on the Newtown legislation, Mr. Linares posted a piece on his web site entitled “what I’ve heard in my first 100 days as State Senator.” There is no mention of Newtown.  Instead, Mr. Linares speaks forcefully against fiscal irresponsibility and wasteful government spending.  Is it not wasteful to spend scarce taxpayer dollars on the compensation of elected officials who do not have the  time to read important legislation and yet proceed on the basis of superficial analysis to vote against it?

In the meantime, well over a month after the enactment of the Newtown legislation, Mr. Linares still has not posted on his official website an explanation of his reasons for voting no.  I respectfully call upon him to do so now.  This is important to the transparency of his position.  All of Mr. Linares’s constituents have the right to know his reasoning, not only those who happened to attend the seniors’ luncheon at the Estuary Council.

In the context of such disclosure, it would be helpful if Mr. Linares would also clarify his dealings with the National Rifle Association.  According to the non-partisan voter education organization “Project Vote Smart”( www.votesmart.org), Mr. Linares last year was accorded a 92% approval rating by the political action committee of the National Rifle Association.  This entity, known as the “NRA Political Victory Fund” (NRA PVF), is the campaign finance arm of the NRA.  The 92% approval rating given Mr. Linares apparently was the highest accorded any member of the Connecticut General Assembly (shared with only a distinct minority of his colleagues). The NRA PVF website in turn states that it “ranks political candidates – irrespective of party affiliation – based on voting records, public statements and their responses to an NRA-PVF questionnaire.”

Since Mr. Linares had no voting record on gun control at the time of his 92% ranking in 2012, and his public statements on this issue have in my experience proven elusive, it would be reasonable to assume that Mr. Linares’s stellar NRA ranking was the result of his answers to their questionnaire.  Those answers in turn hold the key to understanding what standard Mr. Linares applied when he told the seniors’ luncheon that the Newtown legislation “ went too far and was too extreme.”

The issue now is whether Mr. Linares will be as forthcoming to his constituents as he apparently has been to the NRA.  Towards this end, I call upon Mr. Linares to publish on his web site his responses to the NRA questionnaire together with any other information he has provided to the NRA that would shed light on his gun control views.  This would help his constituents understand whether it was the Newtown legislation, or Mr. Linares’s own position, which “went too far and was too extreme.”

Sincerely,

David Harfst
Essex

The town government budget of $3,701,379 is combined with a $43,000 capital expenditure plan and $348,060 in debt service for a total town government appropriation of $4,094,439. The proposed $5,511,158 elementary school budget is up by $110,371, or 2.04 percent, over the current appropriation for the elementary school.

The annual budget meeting is set for Monday May 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the newly renovated second floor auditorium at town hall. This will be the first town meeting vote on a town budget since 2000. The town has been holding referendum votes on budgets since 2001, but ever decreasing voter turnouts for the annual referendums led the board of selectmen to hold a town meeting vote on the budget this year. The vote will be conducted by paper ballot.

Teacher Mrs. Haut models a sari

Thanks to the Justus W. Paul World Cultures Program, the Essex Elementary School Foundation recently treated 3rd Graders to a day full of education about India.  Students sampled cuisine, created artwork and learned about authentic clothing during the celebration on Friday, May 3rd. 

This not-for-profit, volunteer organization provides funds for enrichment programs at the school, such as an iPad lab and a historian-in-residence.  For donation information, head to www.essexelementaryschoolfoundation.org.

First produced at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, part of the School of Fine Arts at the University of Connecticut, in 2011,  I’m Connecticut became the biggest selling non-musical ever produced in CRT’s Main Stage Series. The Hartford Courant called the romantic comedy “hysterically funny” and named it one of the top ten productions of the year.  It was also named Best Play of 2012 by Broadway World Connecticut and it won a Special Recognition award from the Connecticut Critics Circle.

Mike Reiss

Emmy Award winning writer Mike Reiss will be joining us for the performances on June 6th, 7th and 8th and will be participating in a talk back with the audience. Mike was born in Bristol, CT but his career now spans both coasts. Mike has been a writer and producer of The Simpsons from its beginning and is currently working on season 24.  He received a Peabody Award in 2006 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Animation Writers Caucus.  He also co-wrote The Simpsons Movie, The Lorax, Horton Hears A Who! and Ice Age, Dawn of the Dinosaurs.  He has published 17 children’s books, including seven Christmas tales.
The cast will include two actors from the original production – Harris Doran and Jerry Adler.  Harris is a talented young actor who, just last year, won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Long Island International Film Expo for his work in the feature film, Junction.

Jerry Adler

Jerry Adler, a Connecticut resident, is a veteran of over 50 Broadway productions as Producer, Director and Production Stage Manager, including the original My Fair Lady (the revival of which he directed), Coco, The Homecoming, Annie and many more, as well as the Tony Award-winning Good Evening which he directed with Dudley Moore and Peter Cook – before he began his new career as an actor. He then appeared in Woody Allen’s Manhattan Murder Mystery and The Public Eye with Joe Pesci.  He has since been seen on many television productions, including The West Wing, Law and Order, Northern Exposure, CSI: Miami and was a regular on Mad About You.  He is an original cast member of The Sopranos and was “Hesh”, Tony’s mentor/advisor throughout that award-winning HBO Production’s run.

His recent films include In Her Shoes opposite Shirley MacLaine and Cameron Diaz, Prime with Meryl Streep and Uma Thurman, Find Me Guilty, directed by Sidney Lumet,  Synecdoche playing Philip Seymour Hoffman’s father, and the soon-to-be-released Last Angry Man in Brooklyn with Robin Williams.  On TV, he was the Fire Chief on Rescue Me with Denis Leary and is presently Howard Lyman on The Good Wife.

Directed by Jacqueline Hubbard, the cast includes Gwen Hollander*, Bill Mootus*, Rebecca Hoodwin*, Gino Costabile*, and Elizabeth Talbot. The set design is by Daniel Nischan, lighting design by Marcus Abbott, and costumes by Kari Crowley

I’M CONNECTICUT opens in Ivoryton on June 5th  and runs through June 23rd. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org  (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

Generously sponsored by:  Webster Bank and Comcast

*member of Actors Equity

If you love Essex, history or both, come join in on the fun; more is always merrier. We will be celebrating our community and springtime in Essex at the Pratt House on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 4:00 pm. We will have our party hats on rain or shine — because with people like you, no rain can dampen our spirits!

For more information, call 860-767-5011 or browse www.essexhistory.org.

“You can tell a story a hundred times, and it will still be different each time,” says Peninnah Schram, internationally-know storyteller and recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s Lifetime Achievement Award for “sustained and exemplary contributions to storytelling in America.”  Schram will
be at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek synagogue in Chester on Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8.  She will tell stories and conduct a workshop to show others how to find the stories in their lives.  The program is free and open to the public.

In addition to being a professional storyteller, Schram, who was born and raised in New London, is a teacher, author, recording artist and Professor of Speech and Drama at Stern College of Yeshiva University.  She is the author of 12 books of Jewish folktales and the recipient of the prestigious Covenant Award for Outstanding Jewish Educator.

Friday evening’s Shabbat service, starting at 6:15 pm, will be combined with a pot-luck non-meat dinner, punctuated by Schram’s stories and music.  On Saturday Schram will be a contributor to the synagogue’s Torah Study group, followed at 10:30 am by services with Schram interweaving stories in her discussion of the weekly Torah portion.  At 12:30 pm, there will be a pot-luck lunch and a storytelling workshop.  Saturday’s program will conclude with a Havdalah service at 5:00 pm with Schram recounting stories of the Prophet Elijah.  A complete program schedule can be found on the CBSRZ website: www.cbsrz.org.

Schram promises that the sessions will be spontaneous and entertaining.  She says, “As a storyteller, I never know when a story or an image or words from a story will take hold, like a seed that is planted that may take seven years to root and flower. But I know that with these Jewish stories I have been nourished and nurtured in my understanding of people and the wisdom of Judaism. And so I hope to enrich others with these stories.”

Elie Wiesel, award-winning author and humanitarian, said of Schram, “At a time when the unique culture of the groups within the Jewish community is fading, Peninnah is passing on their stories to future generations.”

Guests may attend any part of the program without charge.  However, those planning to attend the Friday night dinner are asked to call the office at 860-526-8920. Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek is located at 55 East Kings Highway in Chester.

The Scholar in Residence Program is made possible through the Sheldon Kutnick Visiting Scholars Fund, in memory of Sheldon Kutnick.

Classical pianist Dalia Lazar comes to Chester for the third Music & More concert on May 19 at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek.

Born in Croatia, Ms. Lazar began studying piano at an early age. Her first piano teacher recognized her uncommon talent, and at the age of 16 she was admitted to Moscow’s P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory. During her studies in Moscow, Ms. Lazar performed throughout the then-Soviet Union. Immediately after her graduation from the Moscow Conservatory, Ms. Lazar decided to continue her career in New York and London.

Dalia Lazar made her New York debut at Rubenstein Hall, followed by her Carnegie Recital Hall debut later that year. Since then she has performed a broad repertoire as a soloist in concerts and recitals worldwide, including the United States, Russia, Venezuela, Israel, Switzerland, Croatia, Mexico and Romania. Critics and peers have praised her artistry as “such noble playing,” “a profound sentiment,” “that rare combination of charisma, personality and terrific pianistic facility,” and “. . . an inspiring display of musical excellence.”

The performance takes place at the synagogue at 55 East Kings Highway in Chester. It starts at 5 p.m., with a reception following the concert to meet the performer and enjoy refreshments, sponsored by the Lori Warner Studio/Gallery of Chester. At the concert, a program book is distributed featuring local businesses. Concert tickets are $25 each; and children under 16 are free. For ticket reservations and purchases, please call (860) 526-8920, or visit www.cbsrz.org. Look for Music & More on Facebook as well.

The Association immediately initiated the petition drive by creating an on-line petition at SignOn.org.  Click here to add your name to the petition.

Paper petitions will also be circulated throughout the communities served by the two Connecticut River ferries — the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry and the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry.

All the petitions will be presented to the state DOT officials who will be making the decision on whether to raise the fares and by how much.

The position adopted by the members at the meeting states that the Association opposes the state’s proposal to double the fares and instead urges the state to give serious consider to other alternatives that could increase revenues, including:

– Increasing posted fare prices but provide a discount for cars with Connecticut license plates.

– Institute a system of On-peak & Off-peak pricing (similar to that used by commuter railroads) that would charge higher fares on weekends and holidays when there are usually long lines of cars waiting to ride the ferries.

– Increase hours of operation on weekends and holidays to take advantage of generating more fares when ridership demand is the highest.

– In addition to the current discount ticket books, offer a flat “annual pass” fare with a sticker to place on cars to identify those who have purchased the pass.

– Working with state tourism and parks agencies, aggressively promote both Connecticut River ferries to tourists and visitors.

Connecticut DOT will be holding public hearings on the proposed fare increases on May 20 and 22.

Hadlyme Hall Association President Curt Michael urged all those concerned about or affected by the proposed fare increase to sign the petition and to attend the public hearings.

Click here for more info on the fare increase proposal and the public hearings

Related article:  Giuliano, Ziobron Exploring Options for Ferry Revenue

But the result was close in Deep River, where the budget carried on a 68-64 vote. The budget carried in Essex on a 161-69 vote. In Chester, where a decrease in students attending the two secondary schools has set the stage for a one-half mill decrease in the tax rate, the budget carried on a 45-12 vote.

A total of 419 voters from the three towns turned out for the referendum. Voter turnout was down from the 2012 referendum, where 619 voters turned out the approve the budget on a 412-207 vote. A total of 699 voters participated in the 2011 budget referendum.

The low turnout prompted Region 4 Board of Education Chairwoman Linda Hall to suggest the board should reconsider it’s policy of holding an annual referendum vote on the budget. The annual referendums began in 2001, the last year a Region 4 budget was rejected by voters of the three towns. In previous years, the budget had been considered by voters at a district meeting held on the first Monday in May.

Hall, a veteran board member who has served two six year terms on the panel, said she will not be seeking another term in the November municipal election. But Hall suggested said the board that is seated in December, after the election, should take another look at the annual referendum policy based on the decreasing voter turnouts of recent years. “It’s something that should be brought to the table,” she said. “It’s such a low turnout and it is an expense for the towns.”

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification is an internationally acknowledged standard for environmentally conscious design. Its criteria include sustainable siting and materials, water efficiency, energy savings, indoor air quality, day lighting, consumer waste management and design innovation. Factors that contribute to the sustainability of this project site include its location in a historic urban campus building, ease of pedestrian access, the addition of bicycle racks with affiliated changing/shower facilities and a convenient Zipcar location.

Energy conservation measures include building envelope upgrades such as window replacement and improvements to the existing masonry walls to reduce heat loss through air infiltration, innovative lighting design (lighting energy loads were reduced by more than 25%), active chilled beams for radiant heating, cooling and ventilation, Energy Star appliances and a comprehensive program for commissioning to ensure mechanical systems run as intended. Water fixture upgrades and the use of high efficiency fixtures with sensors and programmable controls yield a 30% reduction in building water use over current EPA standards.
Environmentally preferable and low emitting materials were specified. Materials with high recycled content were used. Brick, steel, wood, gypsum board and furniture were selected from regional sources of extraction and manufacture, reducing energy consumption for transportation of goods and supporting the local economy. Wood doors, millwork and laboratory casework are certified as sustainably harvested by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC rated). Interior adhesives, paints and coating meet the strictest standards for emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds. Engineered wood products are all made without use of added urea-formaldehydes (a known carcinogen). In addition 98% of generated waste from demolition and construction was diverted from landfills to recycling agencies.

Sustainable strategies were used in the design and construction to create a 21st century research facility within an early 20th century academic building which had antiquated, inefficient mechanical systems and undersized, dimly lit workspaces. The result is an efficient and aesthetically pleasing research environment successfully marrying modern technology and historic design.

The project included a team of design and construction professionals: Babbidge Facilities Construction provided construction management. Other collaborators included the Yale University School of Medicine Facilities Planning and Construction office, R.G. Vanderweil Engineers (MEPFP), Sage Design and Consulting (LEED), Michael Horton Associates (Structural), Robert Schwartz and Associates (Specifications), Philip R. Sherman, P.E. (Code Consulting), EcoOne Solutions (Waste Management) and other local subcontractors and suppliers.

The Deep River Fire Department is actively seeking new recruits to join the department. Positions in  fire fighting- both junior division, (14 years and over) and senior division, grant writers, computer specialists and volunteers to help the auxiliary are all welcome.

The ability to serve a community is an honor, sometimes hard work, very fulfilling and always a challenge. Please consider helping us meet that challenge. Interested individuals please stop by the Union Street Station any Wednesday at 6:30.

For additional information visit: deepriverfd.com.

From the late 1800’s until the early 1900’s, shoreline residents could travel by trolley cars throughout the region. But automobiles soon caused the demise of the trolley companies, and regional public transportation became non-existent.

As the population grew in the 1970’s, Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency director Stan Greimann saw a growing need for public transportation. He envisioned a bus system that would not only enable commuting to New Haven, but would provide travel throughout the nine town region.  He worked tirelessly to spread his vision, until in 1981, nine estuary region towns created the Estuary Transit District (ETD).

Thirty-two year later, the transit district Greimann created and led for over two decades has grown to provide nearly 100,000 passenger trips annually servicing the estuary region with thirteen buses connecting to four other regional transit systems under the name 9 Town Transit.

As a tribute to Greimann’s contribution to public transit in the region, the ETD board of directors dedicated the new Old Saybrook bus shelter in his memory.  The dedication ceremony, held on April 25, 2013, was attended by local elected officials and members of his family.

Long time ETD board member Virginia Zawoy of Clinton said of Stan, “He spent countless hours looking for ways that would enhance public transportation in the estuary region.”

A plaque memorializing Greimann and his contributions to public transit was installed on the shelter located on the Boston Post Road across from Staples.  State representative Marilyn Giuliano commented that “Stan’s contributions were many, commendable and deserving of this honor.”

The Estuary Transit District provides public transit service to Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook through its 9 Town Transit service.  Connections are available to New Haven, Middletown, Hartford and New London/Norwich bus services as well as the Shoreline East Commuter Rail.  All services are open to the general public with no age or disability restrictions.

Additional information, route maps and schedules are available online at www.9towntransit.com or by calling 9 Town Transit at 860-510-0429.