Archives for September 2014

Display at New Britain Octoberfest Art League of New Britain will be at OCTOBERFEST  this weekend.   http://ctoktoberfest.com/ We would like to display some of your Art that fits in with the spirit of the Fest. Landscapes, Autumn Scenes, Cityscapes, Snow capped peaks, Evergreens, Northern European flavored, beer stein paintings, still life with accordian, still life with stein, street scenes, people in festive costume, …. Any media welcome. Work can be for sale. We are asking a voluntary commission for the League. Email us at contact@alnb.org or call 860 2291484

TheaterWorks   City Arts on Pearl 233 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT 06103 theaterworkshartford.org  860.527.7838

A New Trade Promotion Authority Would Be a Blessing for the U.S. Economy
By Drew Johnson

News about the economy just went from bad to worse. The Commerce Department released new figures showing gross domestic product fell 2.9 percent in the first quarter of 2014 and corporate profits plummeted more than 9 percent from last year’s numbers. It seems that the U.S. economic engine is still meekly sputtering, thanks in large part to poor decisions made by President Obama and members of Congress.

It seems anytime Washington gets involved at trying to spur the economy, things seem to go to hell in a handbasket.

But Congress actually can do one thing that would grow exports, expand GDP, fuel job creation and spark the American economy: Pass a modernized Trade Promotion Authority.

From Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W. Bush, U.S. presidents have enjoyed the authority to work with Congress to fast track trade agreements that would benefit the economy and American workers. The authority has always defined U.S. trade goals and created a positive and timely framework for Congress and the White House to deal with trade pacts. The modern form of Trade Promotion Authority was established in 1974 and renewed regularly until it was allowed to lapse in 2007.

Specifically, Trade Promotion Authority permits members of Congress to outline the goals they want the president to pursue in trade negotiations. The president is then required to consult with Congress as the negotiations unfold. Congress then agrees to vote up or down on trade deals without amendments within a set time period. As a result, the authority has succeeded in keeping trade agreements moving quickly through even the most divided Congresses.

The authority doesn’t let the president impose his will unilaterally, something few Americans would want, given Obama’s record on the economy and foreign policy. Congress is empowered to determine the framework for a trade agreement, shapes it as it’s being made and retains the right to reject the final product. The authority assures our negotiators and their counterparts from other nations that Congress will vote on the agreement as negotiated and won’t try to change it through amendments.

Trying to grow America’s economy internally is a laudable goal, but it simply isn’t enough. More than 80 percent of the world’s purchasing power, 92 percent of its economic growth and 95 percent of its consumers live outside the United States. In order for American businesses — and workers — to thrive, we must encourage free trade throughout the world.

Unfortunately, countries across the globe are blocking U.S. goods and services because trade agreements are needed. Current trade deals are languishing and negotiations regarding future pacts are bogged down because there is no Trade Promotion Authority in place. American businesses, workers and families are paying the price.

Making it easier and faster for American negotiators to draw up tough and fair trade agreements that open those markets to American products is a foolproof way to quickly and dramatically kick start the U.S. economy.

Nearly 40 million American jobs depend on exports and imports. Such jobs typically pay 15 percent to 20 percent above the national average. Trade Promotion Authority would create even more of these quality jobs for hard working Americans.

The additional free trade agreements spurred by a new Trade Promotion Authority would allow American firms to import certain foreign goods, such as raw materials, basic components and machinery that could be used to lower production costs, slash prices and become even more competitive in the global market.

With the economy struggling to stay afloat and American workers still in dire need of stable, well-paying jobs, now, more than ever, the U.S. must harness the power of international trade. That means lawmakers must take the steps necessary to promote fair access for American goods and services in as foreign markets as possible, as quickly as possible. That’s why Congress needs to pass Trade Promotion Authority.

Drew Johnson is a senior fellow at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to a smaller, more responsible government.

Mario Barth And Starlight Tattoo Present 2014 Inked Out New Jersey: Sept. 12-14 at Meadowlands Expo Center

Mario Barth Brings Back His Amazing Body Art Festival With More Tattoos, Celebrities and Entertainment!

World-famous tattoo artist Mario Barth invades the Meadowlands September 12-14 with “Inked Out New Jersey,” an annual convention that brings a unique mix of art, entertainment, music and more to New Jersey.  The event is one of the world’s largest tattoo conventions and takes place at Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ.

On Friday, Sept. 12, the convention will offer free admission to all Fire Fighters, EMS, Police and Military with credentials.  (Children 12 and under are always free.) To celebrate our service men and women, Inked Out is partnering with The Heroes Project, a non-profit organization that works with veterans, soldiers, marines and military families and communities to improve the care and protection of heroes through individual support, community empowerment and systemic change. Inked Out will donate $5 per entry on Free Ticket Friday to The Heroes Project. Special guest appearance will be made by former Marine and war hero, Alex Minsky.

Some of the notable guests at this year’s convention will be cast members from popular TV shows, such as Ink Masters, Best Ink, Tattoo Rescue, and Tattoos After Dark, as well as That Metal Show.

Sponsors include: Bergen County Harley Davidson, 89.5 WSOU FM (Seton Hall’s Pirate Radio), Sullen Clothing, Rider Insurance, INTENZE Products, Inserra Supermarkets, Urban and Rebel Ink Magazines, and Custom Tribal Choppers.

The convention is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the general public to be tattooed by the world’s top artists from around the globe.  Industry icons from around the globe that are otherwise unavailable will travel to New Jersey to work on convention goers.

WHAT:	Mario Barth and Starlight Tattoo’s “Inked Out New Jersey,” a skin and body modification convention that will host a mixture of art and entertainment.  The conference will host celebrity appearances, tattoo contests, kids’ play area, and exhibit of The Les Paul Museum.
WHO:	The world’s top artists and vendors are expected to attend this year’s show. Industry icons include: Mario Barth, Mike DeMasi, Horitoshi I (Japan), Shane O’Neill, and Boris from Hungary. Also included will be a wide array of special performances and appearances, such as NJ-based band, Saint Caine; singer/songwriter Jimmy Gnecco of the band OURS; singer, songwriter and host Constantin Luger; and international burlesque performer Raquel Reed.
WHEN:	Convention Days: Friday, Sept. 12, 4:00-10:00 PM; Saturday, Sept. 13, noon – 10:00 PM; Sunday, Sept. 14, noon- 8:00 PM.
WHERE:	Meadowlands Expo Center 355 Plaza Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094

For more information, please visit www.inkedoutnj.com.

ABOUT Mario Barth
Mario Barth Enterprises is the premier international tattoo organization with high-end tattoo studios, merchandise and the online supply company, Intenze™, the leading tattoo pigment company. The first OSHA approved tattoo studios in the nation, Mario Barth’s Starlight Tattoos feature Barth’s revolutionary Intenze™ inks. CEO, inventor and celebrity tattoo artist Mario Barth has an extraordinary clientele including: Usher, Sylvester Stallone, Lenny Kravitz, Tommy Lee and many others.

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Patricia Mui
(201) 254-4347
(201) 342-4446, ext. 113
patricia@starlighttattoo.com

Dan Lorenzo
(201) 981-1963
(201) 342-4446, ext. 114
d.lorenzo@intenzeproducts.com

Ledyard Lions Club is sponsoring a Fall Craft Show on October 18, 2014. Hours are 9-3 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Rt. 12 in Gales Ferry. We will have lots of things to see, among them will be 20 vendors,

quilt raffle, raffle baskets, food, silent auction, used books and white elephant tables.  Free Admission.  Proceeds will benefit the Lion Low Vision Center of Eastern Connecticut.

For more information please call  Lion Eva at 860-464-8440

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy continues to be recognized as one of the best institutions for undergraduate education in the nation. According to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2015 publication rankings, the Academy is listed as No. 1 in the “Regional Colleges North” category. In the “Best in Undergraduate Engineering Programs” category, the institution placed No. 12 in the annual publication known as one of the oldest and best-known rankings of academic institutions.