Chelsea Handler performed her comedy act to a sold-out audience at Mohegan Sun Arena on April 9th.
by Angela Olsen
April 9th brought Chelsea Handler, host of E!’s wildly popular show “Chelsea Lately,” to Mohegan Sun for a hilarious night of comedy in the Arena, followed by a Sights and Signings event at Spin Street for her her newest book, “Chelsea-Chelsea Bang Bang.”
To celebrate Chelsea’s sold-out performance, Mohegan Sun’s Public Relations team hosted a private, “No Boys Allowed” party for women in media and public relations in Mohegan Suns’ Arena Suite. The team rolled out the red carpet, treating the Resident to a fabulous risotto bar, a gelato station, and of course, complimentary cocktails! Woo Hoo!
Chelsea is dubbed “the sharpest tongue in late night,” for her wacky sense of humor, panel of comedians, little-person sidekick, “Chuy” and chop-busting interviews with major celebrities. As a disclaimer, if you are easily offended, and cannot handle talk about topics such as awkward sexual moments, self-gratification, flatulence, racial stereotypes, private parts, or a potty mouth in general, Chelsea is not for you.
The show opens with Heather McDonald, a comedienne, and cast member of “Chelsea Lately.” Heather is super-animated, and does uncanny impersonations of Celine Dion, (whom people say she resembles) “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” Drew Barrymore, and the Kardashian family, who star in an E! Network reality show, “Keeping up With the Kardashians.” Impersonating Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashians’ mother who is married to Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner, she says, that Kim is “working so hard, posing for pictures, and blowing kisses!” Her bit about the Kardashians always ends with a reference to how poor-Bruce Jenner, is always left in the dark, and the last to know, even about monumental events, “One thing we knew for sure was…we couldn’t tell Bruce!” Hilarious!!
Chelsea takes the stage and the crowd goes insane. She speaks of her love of fat babies, and how she resents skinny kids, since it’s the one time in life you look better fat. Chelsea, like myself, has no children, and hates whiny antics. She catches my ear, talking about a three-year old who was at an earlier book signing with his mother. “The kid was wailing, ‘Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy…!’ He just said Mommy 18 times! Hey, you’re the mommy, ANSWER HIM! Do you want me to come over and Supernanny his #ss!? He is three, not six months old…if you have a three year old who won’t shut up, you need to tell him. If he knows what mommy means, then he knows what ‘shut the bleep-up’ means!!!”
On her love-hate relationship with programming for women, she talks about silly movies where a woman trips and falls over a leaf, only to be rescued by a Prince-Charming type. Chelsea says, “I fall all the time!! You know who comes to get me? The bouncer, telling me to pack my sh*t and go home!!”
You can check out Chelsea for yourself at 11:00 pm on the E! network.
Cindy Arpin, RN, Stroke Program Coordinator, The William W. Backus Hospital
Because 80 percent of strokes are preventable, it is important for people to be aware of their risk factors and the warning signs of stroke.
• Every 40 seconds someone has a stroke, with 795,000 strokes annually in the United States.
We’ve made advances medically with new treatment options, but it is really up to the public to be aware of the warning signs and to call 911, because the sooner treatment begins, the better the outcome.
Most people don’t die from a stroke, but they become disabled. The long term affects of stroke are huge for both the patient and their family. In fact, stroke is the No. 1 cause of disability and the No. 3 cause of death in the U.S.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Controllable medical risk factors include high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol and diabetes and controllable lifestyle risk factors include smoking and tobacco use, alcohol use, physical inactivity and obesity. Obviously, it is important to know your risk factors and to control the ones you can.
Symptoms of a stroke can be outlined in the FAST response method – Face, Arms, Speech and Time. Does one side of the face droop? Does one arm drift downwards when both arms are held up? Is speech slurred? If a person shows any of these symptoms, time is important, call 911 immediately.
And if there is an emergency, residents of Eastern Connecticut are lucky to have a state designated Primary Stroke Center at Backus, meaning it offers rapid, high quality, evidenced based care as a part of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program.
Sincerely, Cindy Arpin, RN
Stroke Program Coordinator
The William W. Backus Hospital
Chefs Michael Stafford and James Martell welcome you to the Fisherman Restaurant of Noank. Mother’s Day is May 9th and fast approaching.
Come enjoy the newly opened Patio, which is now open for the 2010 Season!
Imagine you’re sitting and enjoying some remarkable food and beverages, feeling welcomed, warm and comfortable. On your right sits pristine Palmer’s Cove, ahead of you a fantastic view of Fishers Island, and a bit off to your left, only a stones throw away, the white sands of Esker Point Beach.
Congratulations are in order because you are sitting in one of the area’s best!
The Fisherman Restaurant! Offering extraordinary views, amazing value and exceptional food in a relaxed casual atmosphere.
Planning on hosting a party or event? We have a variety of options to meet any budget, executed by a personable, professional staff. We treat every event as if it were our very own.
With a seaside setting and close proximity to some of New England’s most productive fishing ports, we are fortunate to be able to offer the very best of our local waters bounty.
In our dining room, you will find fresh and imaginative preparations well prepared and created with flair. Whether in for a lunch with friends or out for dinner, find out for yourself why people are talking, and loving The Fisherman.
An original musical piece was performed for the very first time in honor and memory of Nelson Grenier, active member of the NFA Wildcat Band Boosters, on April 6. Gathered that night are members of the Grenier family (l-r) Nelson’s sons, David and Adam, Dianne, Nelson’s wife, and daughter, Michelle Mini.
story & photo
by Maren Schober
Nelson Grenier will always be remembered at Norwich Free Academy for his love of music and his untiring and dedicated activities for the NFA Band Boosters Club. His family remembers a very loving and committed husband and father.
On April 16th, 11 years agon, Nelson’s life suddenly and tragically ended. “We lived in Voluntown at the time and Nelson was walking home after leaving his car off for repairs,” his wife Dianne tells me. “It was a beautiful sunny day. Nelson was struck and killed instantly by an automobile.”
During the four years that Nelson and Dianne’s son Adam played in the concert band, jazz band and marching band at Norwich Free Academy, Nelson was very active with the NFA Wild Cat Band Boosters. “Nelson served on numerous committees,” Dianne explains. “He also volunteered to sell tickets, chaperone and act as security at band concerts. He was always there whether it be an in state or out of state performance to provide moral support to the band kids. Nelson took special pride in being a member of the Pit Crew. He would load equipment, haul instruments, and make sure everything was set up in time for competitions. He wore his Pit Crew jacket with pride. Many a night he’d talk about how much fun he had with his Pit Crew friends.”
NFA staff, students, and friends in the Booster Club wanted to do something special in his memory. What could they do to honor this wonderful loving husband, father and friend? Matthew Aubin of NFA suggested having a musical piece commissioned for Nelson. Everyone liked this idea. This idea required a lot of fundraising over the next ten years. Patricia Marino of NFA was just one of the many who dedicated so much time in this effort. NFA building replicas were made and sold. The result? Mr. Carl Holmquist, a composer, band conductor and music teacher in Arlington, VA, was commissioned to compose an original musical piece which he did under the title of “A Place To Harbor His Dreams.”
This musical tribute to Nelson Grenier was performed for the first time ever at the band concert on April 6th in the auditorium at NFA. The whole event was planned by Martha Healy. Dianne Grenier was present along with her three children, Michelle, David and Adam, and their spouses and children. The auditorium was filled with family and friends! NFA band director Thomas Gourgault conducted the Jazz Band, Orchestra and Concert Band. Carl Holmquist himself directed his newly composed piece which brought a standing ovation amid tears of appreciation.
“Though I never had the opportunity to know Nelson Grenier, through correspondence with his wife and children, I was given a window into this remarkable human being, a loving father and husband, and a life long lover of music,” Carl reflects.
“It is such a wonderful tribute to my dad to have a music piece composed in his honor and memory,” Michelle states. “My dad played the guitar his whole life. He would be very touched by the amazing amount of thoughtfulness, work and love that went into this.”
“Anyone who knew my father remembers him as a devoted family man,” affirms David “It’s very touching that such a humble man is still remembered and celebrated in the community.”
“Music will always play a bonding role within our family and this dedicated piece will only strengthen that close connection,” Adam comments.
Everyone agrees this memorable night will long be remembered and treasured.
William Ciaramello, VP Operations for Original SoupMan, serving soup samples at Mohegan Sun.
by Philippe Montblanc
The Original SoupMan hosted a private tasting party for the media at Mohegan Sun on Friday, March 26th. This Original SoupMan location opened back in November 2009 in the recently revamped Food Court called Fidelia’s Market in the Winter Entrance of Mohegan Sun. The Original SoupMan enjoys a prominent location opposite Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletano.
The Soup Man, of course, is Al Yeganeh, famously satirized as the Soup Nazi in Seinfeld. Yeganeh took umbrage at the word “Nazi,” but portrayals of his personality as a disagreeable martinet and his soups as knee-bucklingly good are both said to be accurate. Yeganeh operated an immensely popular soup stand called Soup Kitchen International, which first opened at 55th Street & 8th Avenue in Manhattan in 1984.
The legendary soup stand eventually closed in New York, but the Original SoupMan company was formed and Yeganeh’s legacy lives on. Original SoupMan outlets can now be found from New York to California, from Florida to Ontario. The growing company has developed a delicatessen menu to accompany its world-famous soups.
An example of the new line of soups available at local and major retailers.
The private tasting I attended was designed to introduce the company’s new premium line of gourmet heat-and-serve soups. Members of the media were asked to compare the fresh soups served at the restaurants with the frozen variety the company had developed for home use. The two we blind-tested were the tomato basil soup and the seafood bisque. I have an exceptional palate, and I couldn’t tell the difference between the fresh and the frozen.
Both soup versions were awfully good, but I expected that. For me, the greater revelation was the deli sandwiches, including the Hudson (lean shaved steak, melted American cheese, mushrooms and mayonnaise on a toasted sub), and especially, the 42nd Street Reuben (extra lean corned beef with sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on grilled rye bread), worthy accompaniments to the tremendous soups.
The Mohegan Sun franchise outlet is owned by fast-food titan Lloyd Sugarman, who is heavily invested in the Johnny Rockets chain, which also has an outlet at the casino. Sugarman reportedly intends to expand his investment in Original SoupMan outlets as well.
The Original SoupMan proved to be a revelation. We recommend you try the delicious soups and deli sandwiches at the Mohegan Sun outlet or seek out the new heat-and-serve soup line through major and local grocers or online at originalsoupman.com.
