Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School/Old Saybrook Middle School is one of the ten finalists for America’s Greenest School. The contest entry, submitted by Billy and Maddy S., is a video titled, Climb Aboard 2B Green. The video shows initiatives the school has taken to go green.
For the second consecutive year, America will be able to vote for the most deserving school as part of the search for America’s Greenest School. Ten finalists have been selected from a pool of entries from nearly 1,600 students nationwide that tout how their schools are committed to being environmentally friendly.
Between now and April 2, the public can vote online at www.AmericasGreenestSchool.com to view entries from the ten finalists and select their favorite.
The winning school will receive a hybrid school bus from IC Bus, the nation’s largest school bus manufacturer. Each hybrid school bus can increase the fuel efficiency of standard school buses by up to 65 percent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40 percent. The hybrid bus has an estimated retail value of $150,000. The school will also receive a green audit of their school from a LEED Accredited Professional and approximately $20,000 for their school to use toward additional green improvements to the school. The student or students who submitted the winning entry will win or share a $3,000 scholarship.
Linda Musch, CCE, AAC, of Narragansett, RI, chef-instructor, Chariho Area Career and Technical Center, Wood River Junction, RI; ACF Rhode Island Chapter is one of the three chefs that were awarded the American Culinary Federation, Inc., (ACF) Cutting Edge Award. They were awarded at the 2010 ACF Northeast Regional Conference held at the Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA.
The Cutting Edge Award was also presented to the following professionals by ACF national president Michael Ty, CEC, AAC, in recognition of their leadership and service to the culinary profession:
• Maria Campbell, CEC, of Media, PA, chef-instructor, The Art Institute of Philadelphia; ACF Philadelphia Chapter
• Mark Kent, CEC, of Akron, OH, operations manager, University of Akron; ACF Akron-Canton Area Cooks and Chefs Association
The 2010 ACF Northeast Regional Conference, hosted by ACF Harrisburg Chapter, brought hundreds of chefs, cooks and foodservice professionals to Hershey. The conference provided attendees with opportunities to advance their professional development and enhance their culinary skills through business seminars, cooking demonstrations featuring the latest trends and techniques, cooking competitions and awards.
Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, photographs the Parade from the Mystic River Bridge House.
Bridge Facts
Built: 1922
Operated by the State of CT Department of Transportation, the bridge is operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Average Openings per year: 2,2000
Average Opening Time: 7 min.
Total Bridge Length: 218 ft.
Roadway Width: 33 ft.
Movable Span Length: 85 ft.
Total Bridge Height: 33 ft. 9 in.
Road Clearance Center: 18 ft 8 in.
Tower/House Height: 33 ft. 9 in.
Movable span weight: 660 Tons
Each count weights: 230 Tons
Channel Width: 74 ft. 6 in.
Channel Depth: 20 ft.
There are 150 grease fittings.
The bridge is driven by two 40hp direct current motors – each motor weighs 1,400 lbs.
The bridge monitors marine channels: 13 (ship to shore) and 16 (hailing and distress)
Mystic River Bridge Radio call letters: KXR912
“My clothes are now too big, my depression is under control and I believe in the goodness of people again,” says Angela Olsen, Groton, after making the changes Patti Stanger, Millionaire Matchmaker, suggested at her Boot Camp.
by Angela Olsen
In the last issue of the Resident, I shared frank words of advice from Patti Stanger, given to me during her Singles Boot Camp on Valentine’s Weekend at The Cabaret Theater at Mohegan Sun. I never anticipated the dramatic changes taking place in my life from a serendipitous event for singles! I essentially planned to buy Patti’s book and, if I was lucky, get it autographed. This is a way more exciting ride, exceeding every possible expectation!
During Boot Camp, Patti gave a considerable amount of attention to “The Law of Attraction.” I love books about that topic and am fascinated by the notion that through positive thinking, we have the power to manifest anything. Part of her advice to every woman, myself included, was to attract a flower over the weekend. She said to stand in front of the mirror and ask the universe for a flower while envisioning it.
I left Singles Boot Camp with a massive to-do list. My first order of business was to attract my flower. While I was applying my makeup on Saturday, the night before Valentine’s Day, I pictured a beautiful red rose in my mind. I looked in the mirror and said, “Universe, please bring me a stunning red rose.” Don’t laugh yet, I know the idea of talking to oneself in the mirror can sound a bit “Stuart Smalley-esque.” but you need to step outside of your inner cynic to use this law. I asked the universe one more time before bed and I let it go. Sunday evening, around 9:30, I received a package. When I opened the package, it was a canvas. And on that canvas was an original, one-of-a kind painting of… an exquisite, red rose. I know the artist and he is not my “Mr. Big” by any means, but the homework was to manifest a rose, not a man. It was eerie, yet fascinating!
I re-read Chapter Two, “Mirror Mirror” of Patti’s book, “Become Your Own Matchmaker,” which details the second of her eight steps to finding your perfect mate. At Boot Camp, Patti told me to focus my energy on this chapter, and work on mysexuality factor.
Accordingly, the next bit of homework was to get my butt to the gym. For the record, I already go to the gym, but I usually wear my apparently un-fabulous glasses – maybe hiding behind them a little bit. I was also resentful about having to exercise.
Before I spoke to Patti, the thoughts running through my head as I arrived at the gym were often, “Why do I have to embark on this weight-loss journey? Why can’t I have the instant gratification I want and feel entitled to? Why do I feel like I am swimming against the tide?” I also often felt lonely and judged by people around me at the gym.
This time, I went sans glasses and without the heavy emotional burden which I owned for so long. I also decided to treat myself to some instant gratification by getting a spray tan. I already deepened my mousy brown hair to something a bit richer called “cinnamon stick.” Most importantly, I checked my bad attitude at the door and began to view each visit to the gym as a wonderful opportunity to improve my overall health, mood included.
So it began, 45 minutes into my planned four-hours of cardiovascular exercise for the day, I’m sweating profusely! These were not delicate, sexy beads of perspiration. I was sweating profusely and quite sure my lovely spray tan was streaking all over my face, making me look like a dirty girl with jaundice! I closed my stinging eyes and asked the universe to send me someone I knew so I could ask him, or her, for a piece of paper towel. I avoided looking around desperately or thinking of the lack of the paper towel. I only thought of how good it would feel to wipe away the sweat and melting spray tan.
In my periphery, I noticed a man head to the trash can, where the cleaning solution and paper towels are kept – a robotic ritual for club members: end workout, walk to trash can, grab towel, spray with cleanser, wipe machine, exit gym. I began to feel an undeniable presence while I was exercising. Finally, the presence was so overwhelming that I had to acknowledge it, thank goodness, because here came my towel! The man, a complete stranger, stopped his workout and brought me a gently folded piece of paper towel! I was breathless. My heart rate increased dramatically! There truly are not words to describe a situation like this, other than to say that it was surreal. I was so moved that I thanked the man abundantly and told him that this was a profound experience. He didn’t seem impressed and disappeared. I thought, “Great job, Ang – ya freak!” A few moments later, he returned with a terry-cloth towel that he must have stored in his vehicle and handed it to me. Could this get any better?
Later that evening, I bumped into a man I have known for several years with his precious little daughter. Apparently, he is back on the market. I know this because he asked me for my phone number! And for the record, yes, he is divorced. I was truly taken aback, because all of the tips that I learned from watching “Millionaire Matchmaker,” and attending Patti’s Boot Camp seemed to be “the real deal” and unfolding so quickly!
As far as the gentleman, he asked me out for drinks and that violates club rules. Since Patti’s rules proved to be so beneficial thus far, I am going to adhere to them. He since asked me out to lunch – another no-no which Patti calls, “an interview” – and finally dinner.
Unfortunately for the dinner date, he mentioned that he “had to tell me all about his divorce” which killed my interest and was a huge red flag. The homework Patti gave me is hard work and I will be damned if I am going to listen to a dreadful tale of divorce on my first date in two years!
Could the rose, the towel, the date all be coincidental? Maybe, but I was single for the past two years and never experienced a fluke like this then. Patti did not tell me to undergo any bizarre surgeries or to do anything that would put my health in jeopardy. My clothes are now too big, my depression is under control and I believe in the goodness of people again. My feelings of emptiness, insecurity and hopelessness are a faint memory, and, well, I guess a few members of the opposite sex think I’m special.
Trace Adkin’s performs his AMC Song of the Year “You’re Gonna Miss This.”
story & photos
by Alexis Ann
When Sunny D’s Shine All Night Tour visited Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, March 13th, country artists Sarah Buxton, Trace Adkins and Martina McBride delivered an evening full of delight and wonder – just as the name suggests. Trace and Martina – two of country’s biggest voices – co-headlined the tour. Wow!
Sarah Buxton, the two-time top new female vocalist nominee for the Academy of Country Music, opened the show. You might recognize her from the new single “Outside My Window” and Keith Urban’s cover of her song “Stupid Boy.” Sarah’s self-titled debut album was released on February 23. The album sold 8,000 copies in its first week, making Sarah the highest-selling debut for a female country artist since Julianne Hough in 2008.
“Ladies Love Country Boys”
Country tonker Trace Adkins opened his set with “I Got My Game On” and continued with his hits like “Swing,” “Songs About Me,” “Chrome,” and “Rough and Ready.” Later, he slowed down and performed “You’re Gonna Miss This” – AMC Song of the Year. He switched back into high gear with fan favorites “Hot Mama,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.”
For his encore, a gospel choir joined Trace as he showed off his powerful baritone with “Muddy Waters” and Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” complete with fiddle solo.
Martina McBride stole the crowd. She sang, “shine while you have the chance to shine” from her hit song “Ride.”
Martina’s set began with a techno remix of her hits. On screen, a giant disco ball took shape as Martina appeared on stage. She launched into her hit “Ride” from her newest album, “Shine” – singing the line that gave birth to the tour name “shine while you have the chance to shine.”
The petite singer with the enormous voice continued with hits “When God Fearin’ Women Get The Blues,” “Happy Girl,” and “Wild Angels,” Martina’s first number one.
Martina’s performance included songs from her entire career., spanning nearly two decades. She mixed it up by singing “The Way That I Am,” one of her earliest songs, and continued into her newest “Wrong Baby Wrong.”
Martina then launched into her version of “Lean on Me” and a stunning acoustic cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night.”
On screen, stars twinkled over a cityscape. In the background, a steel guitar played the haunting intro to a familiar song. As the moon set over the city, Martina rose into the air seated on a crescent moon, serenading the crowd with the heart-wrenching, “Concrete Angel.”
Martina landed on a stage at the back of the house and gave fans there a taste of the front row. She dropped to her knees as she sang “I’m Trying,” a song about a woman’s unwavering love for her husband despite his battle with alcoholism. Then she blended “Love’s the Only House” and “Blessed” before singing “This One’s For the Girls” as she returned to the main stage.
Martina showcased her strong and pure voice with the final two songs of her set, “Broken Wing” and “Independence Day.” The crowd went wild and she returned for an encore of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69.”
