ACROSS THE AREA MAY 28TH – JUNE 10TH

May 28
Flicks @ Six. Saving Mr. Banks. 6pm. Cragin Memorial Library, Colchester. 860.537.5752.

Get Real! Wise Women Speak. 6pm. La Grua Center, Stonington. 860.535.2300.

Classic American Films, Then and Now. 6-8pm. Brainerd Memorial Library, Haddam. 860.345.2204.

Homeschooling Workshop. 6-7:45pm. Westerly Library, Westerly, RI. 401.596.2877 x 3.

May 29
Video Game Night, 6-12 graders. 6pm. Bill Memorial Library, Groton. 860.445.0392.

“A Song of Whales & Men” traditional Maritime Songs. 6pm. Bill Memorial Library, Groton. 860.445.0392.

Time Out! Book Club. 10:30-11:30am. New London Public Library. 860.447.1411.

Let’s Look at Insects. 9:15am. Children’s Museum SE CT. 860.691.1111.

May 30
Friday Nite Live: Braiden Sunshine & Band. 7-9pm. Nightingale’s Acoustic Cafe, Old Lyme.  860.434.1961.

Author Matthew Goldman Q & A. 5:30pm. Friends of Rathbun Free Library, East Haddam.  860.873.8210.

Closet/White Elephant Sale. 9am-noon & 4:30-6pm. St. Mary’s Church, Groton.  860.445.1446.

Twilight Trail Run Benefit for Safe Futures. 6pm. Bluff Point, Groton.  twilighttrailrun@hotmail.com.

May 31
Town-Wide Tag Sale. 8am-2pm. Wheeler Library, N. Stonington. 860.535.0383.

Honky Tonk Dance Party. 6-10pm. Greenvale Vineyards, Portsmouth, RI. 401.847.3777.

June 1
Choral Club of Clinton Spring Concert. 4pm. United Methodist Church, Clinton. 860.669.2702.

Guided Tour of Stonington Borough. 2pm. Start at Old Lighthouse Museum, Stonington. 860.535.8445.

June 2
Scottish Talk by Jeff Robertson. 6:30pm. Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. 860.669.2342.

CT High School Musical Awards. 6pm. Palace Theater, Waterbury. 203.346.2000.

June 3
Nerds to Go Talk: Computer Viruses. 6pm. Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. 860.669.2342.

New singer auditions. 4-6pm. Kent Performance Hall, Westerly, RI. 401.596.8663.

June 4
Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. 10am-5pm. Several locations and times. Call 203.230.1201.

The Fault in Our Stars Trivia Challenge. 5-6:30pm. New London Public Library. 860.447.1411.

The Kite Runner author Khaled Hosseini. 7pm. Garde Arts Center, New London. 860.444.7373 x 1.

Flicks @ Six. American Hustle. 6pm. Cragin Memorial Library, Colchester. 860.537.5752.

June 5
Garden Talk with Giddix and Reil. 6:30pm. Cragin Memorial Library, Colchester. 860.205.5898.

Deadline for registration for Men Against Domestic Violence. Contact Safe Futures at  860.447.0366 x 203.

The Smithereens. 8pm. The Kate Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook. 877.503.1286.

Intro to Internet Class. 6:30-7:30pm. Cragin Memorial Library, Colchester. 860.205.5898.

Driving Miss Daisy Live Performance. 2, 4 & 7pm. The Kate Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook. 877.503.1286.

June 6
Week-long Book Sale Preview Party. 5-7pm. Sale is June 7-14. Mystic & Noank Library, Mystic.  860.536.7721.

8th Annual Auction. Begins 6:30pm. Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia Orthodox Church, Norwich.  860.822.9955.

Flowers & Fantasy/Into the Wild. Art Opening. 5-8pm. Artists Cooperative Gallery, Westerly, RI.  401.596.2221.

Madonna Place Wine Tasting and Auction. 6pm. Holiday Inn, Norwich.  860.698.6267.

June 7
Friends of Mystic & Noank Library Spring Fair. 9:30am-2:30pm. 40 Liberty St., Mystic. 860.536.7721.

Dr. Joe & Friends Jazz. 8pm. The Kate Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook. 877.503.1286.

Walk With Naturalist, Ranger Russ Miller. 1pm. Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, Westbrook. 860.399.0136.

June 8
Guided Tour of Stonington Borough. 2pm. Start at Old Lighthouse Museum, Stonington. 860.535.8445.

June 9
Blood Pressure Clinic. 9-10am. CVS Pharmacy, Waterford. 860.444.1111.

Chip Tasting. 4-6pm. Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. 860.669.2342.

Science Fiction Book Discussion. 7pm. Bill Memorial Library, Groton. 860.445.0392.

June 10
Teen Terrific Tuesday. 3:30-4:30am. New London Public Library. 860.447.1411.

Autism…Continuing the Conversation. 7-9pm. 46 Plaza Court, Groton. 860.445.7626 x 115.

Ongoing Events
Boy Scout Venturing Co-Ed Program. Ages 14-21. 2nd Friday each month. 6:30-8:30pm. The Lighthouse, Niantic. To join, call 860.445.7626 x 115.

Norwich VFW post 594 meets the 2nd Tues. of each month 7pm. 860.892.1400.

Joseph’s Living Center offers a monthly bluegrass jam. 7 – 9 p.m. Monthly on third Tues. Windham. 860.455.9400.

Full Throttle Biker Church meets the second Friday at Seaport Community Church 28 Great Brook Road Groton 860.448.6224.

Open computer time for practice and projects. Mon – Thurs 1:30-5pm. Groton Public Library.  860.441.6750.

Toddler Time.  Wednesday Mornings. 10am. Groton Public Library. 860.441.6750.

Preschool Stories. Thursday Mornings. 10am. Groton Public Library. 860.441.6750.

Tiny Tots Table. Fridays. 10am-2pm. Cragin Memorial Library, Colchester. 860.537.5752.

Discussions about simplifying our lives. 3rd Monday of the month. 10am. Niantic Community Church. 860.739.6208.

Transitional Skills Workshops for young adults identified with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Ages 16+. Weekly M-F. Niantic. livectaprograms@lvcenter.com. 860.691.2546.

Caregiver Support Group. First Tuesday of the Month. 2:30-4pm. Griswold Senior Center, Jewett City. 860.376.2604.

Caregiver Support Group. Last Tuesday of the Month. 2-3:30pm. Ross Adult Day Center, Norwich. 860.887.3561×124.

Relative Caregivers of Children Meeting. Last Tuesday of the Month. 9-11am. Rose City Senior Center, Norwich. 860.887.3561×124.

Disabled American Veterans Chapter 10 Meeting. Buckingham Building, Norwich. Call for info. 860.546.9754.

Sign up for the Groton Fourth of July Parade! Groton Parks & Recreation. 860.536.5682.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of SE CT meets 1st and 3rd Wed. 7:30pm. 401 W. Thames St Bldg 301, Norwich. 860.537.3073.

Gentle Yoga By the Sea Sundays. 10am. Stonington. 860.572.9642.

Free Vinyasa Flow Yoga for Veterans. Fridays. 5:30pm. Stonington. 860.572.9642.

Call to artists: Art on Groton Bank. Apply early for July 19 show. Grounds of Bill Memorial Library, Groton. 860.445.7626 x 108.

Lyme Junior Women’s Club Art Show & Benefit. April 18-June 1. Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme. 860.663.3095.

Greasy Luck: The Whaling World of the Charles W. Morgan. Through June 8. Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London. 860.443.2545.

Yoga Dance. Tuesdays 6pm. New London Healing Arts Center. 860.574.3572.

Common Ground Acoustic Open Mic. Wednesdays 7-11pm. Bulkeley House Saloon, New London.  860.444.7753.

Register for Groton Fall Festival, October 11, Groton. Deadline July 18.  860.572.9578.

From Stage to Screen and Back AgainMay 16- June 8. Granite Theatre, Westerly, RI.  401.596.2341.

Pine Point School Art Show.  April 30 – June 1. Artists Cooperative Gallery, Westerly, RI.  401.932.6728.

American Folk Art from the Fenimore Museum.  June 7 – September 21. Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme.  860.434.5542.

Thistles and Crowns: The Painted Chests of The CT Coastline.  June 7 – September 21. Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme.  860.434.5542

Call for Artists. Nautilus 60th Anniversary exhibit.  Deadline August 29. For more info, visit www.summerinthecitygroton.com. 

Rescuers of 12 Year Old Recognized

 


Rescuers of 12 Yr OldStory & photo

By Jon Persson

 

 

Keith Mutch is clearly not a man in search of a stage, nor is he at ease at the center of attention. But on May 4 his recognition of a developing crisis set in motion the series of actions that resulted in a young girl’s adventure being a lesson in life and not a tragic story. 

 

At a session of the New London City Council on May 19th, Keith relates how he watched as a 12 year old girl and her dog were being buffeted by waves off the mouth of the Thames River. He notes that he was concerned while waves were breaking over the small boat’s rails. Next, he watched the canoe capsize, casting the girl and her dog into the cold waters. Unable to contact 911, Keith used his handheld radio to contact the Coast Guard for assistance.

 

In recognition of his actions and the decisive actions of the crew of Cross Sound Ferry’s John H and the United States Coast Guard, State Representative Ernest Hewett sponsored a proclamation by the State Legislature, joined by proclamations and citations from Connecticut Governor Dannell Malloy and New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio. Mayor Finizio begins the evening’s ceremonial presentations, declaring the recipients, “Heroes of the City of New London.” Representative Hewett  is next, presenting blue bound citations from, first, the Legislature, and then the Governor.

 

Keith Mutch is first to receive his awards, and is asked to describe his actions on that fortunate day. He is quick to say that, “Without the crew of the John H, the girl would have drowned.” 

 

The crew of the John H takes center stage, where their actions are described as maneuvering close enough to throw a life ring to the young girl, keeping her safely secure until the Coast Guard could arrive.

 

Next, the Coast Guardsmen are recognized. Commander Jonathan Theel comments on the daily practice and the teamwork present which resulted in a successful rescue, and “not a grieving family” had things not unfolded as they did. He then gives out Coast Guard coins to the crew of the John H, and to Keith Mutch, a traditional commendation transferred by a handshake between presenter and recipient.

 

The events and responses on May 4 by people aware and prepared to act resulted in the best of outcomes–A young girl treated and released from the hospital, to live with more wisdom and a dog found after making the long swim to shore. 

 

A Blessing for animals

Grace_Church

9th Annual Blessing of the Animals

Grace Episcopal Church

8 Chapel Hill Road

Yantic, CT.  06389

Sunday, May 25 at 1 PM

www.gracechurchyantic.org

Phone; 860-887-2082

 

For Immediate Release – May 12, 2014

Media Contact; Kevin Harkins, 860-886-0762

www.gracechurchyantic.org

 

A special blessing for animals will be offered in front of Grace Church in Yantic at 1 o’clock on May 25.

 

The public is invited to bring animals and pets to receive prayer and blessing at 1 PM on Sunday, May 25, in front of Grace Episcopal Church in Yantic.  The annual event takes place on Rogation Sunday, a day set aside to ask God’s to watch over crops and creatures of all kinds.  Father Peter D’alesandre, Vicar of Grace Church, will preside at the short afternoon service.

 

“Cats, dogs and other animals are more than welcome”, said John Baldwin, Senior Warden at Grace Episcopal Church.  Baldwin suggests that our four pawed friends be leashed or in carriers as they will be close to other animals.

 

Rogation Sunday is the day when the Church has traditionally offered prayer for God’s blessing on the fruits of the earth and the labors of those who produce our food. The word “rogation” is from the Latin rogare, “to ask.”

 

Since 2006, Grace Church has been conducting this simple service giving thanks and seeking divine mercy for all growing things.  Those whose animals are unable to attend are encouraged to bring an item belonging to that creature such as a toy, food dish or bridle, for example.  The service takes place on the driveway in front of the historic old church.

 

Grace Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut and offers a safe, welcoming community for all ages.  Weekly worship services and Christian education take place at 9:30 AM each Sunday, and child care is available.

 

To learn more about Grace Episcopal Church in Yantic, visit-

www.gracechurchyantic.org

Or call, 860-887-2082.

 

Work Vessels for Vets

Memorial_Day_Message_SITE

 

 

Coast Guard Museum Ground Breaking

CG347: May 2, 2014: History in the Making National Coast Guard Museum Association board members join Adm. Robert J. Papp, Coast Guard Commandant (center) in letting the ceremonial dirt fly. (l-r) John S. Johnson, Treasurer; James J. Coleman, Jr., Chairman;  Richard J. Grahn, Esq., Secretary; Hon. Catherine W.  Cook and RADM John N. Faigle, USCG (Ret.) CG51: (l-r) Seamen Mockler, Linton, King and Yeacer of the United States Ceremonial Honor Guard stand ready to post the colors. CG90: Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr. and James J. Coleman, Chairman of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, salute the colors.

CG347: May 2, 2014: History in the Making
National Coast Guard Museum Association board members join Adm. Robert J. Papp, Coast Guard Commandant (center) in letting the ceremonial dirt fly. (l-r) John S. Johnson, Treasurer; James J. Coleman, Jr., Chairman; Richard J. Grahn, Esq., Secretary; Hon. Catherine W. Cook and RADM John N. Faigle, USCG (Ret.) CG51: (l-r) Seamen Mockler, Linton, King and Yeacer of the United States Ceremonial Honor Guard stand ready to post the colors. CG90: Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert J. Papp Jr. and James J. Coleman, Chairman of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, salute the colors.

Coast Guard Museum Groundbreaking

By Jon Persson

On May 2nd, Admiral Robert Papp formally accepted the transfer of the property deed from the City of New London to the United States Coast Guard where the National Coast Guard Museum will soon be built.

The pomp of these ceremonies is underscored by the towering presence of the Coast Guard barque Eagle, and CG36500, the lifeboat that rescued 32 crew members from the sinking tanker Pendleton during a fierce storm in February, 1952.

The first of the two ceremonies, held on the afternoon of May 2nd, officially transfers ownership of the waterfront property bordered by Union Station and the Cross Sound Ferry complex. New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio gives a brief legal tutorial on the procedure for such  transfer: after being sworn in, he signs the document on behalf of the entire city of New London. Admiral Papp then signs on behalf of the United States government. Mayor Finizio has asked that Mayors Henchey and Galbreath of Norwich and Groton witness the signing, in recognition of the two neighboring cities which share New London’s harbor.

Mayor Finizio and Admiral Papp are joined by Governor Dannel Malloy, Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, and Representative Joe Courtney. Senator Chris Murphy notes that “efforts that are most worth it are always difficult,” adding that the Revenue Cutter Service, which later became the Coast Guard, was America’s “only naval force for the first ten years” of the nation. Governor Dannel Malloy offers that the history and presence of the Coast Guard has made it apparent that the “Coast Guard Museum needs to be in New London.”

Senator Richard Blumenthal promises to continue the difficult quest for funding, which has been bolstered by Governor Malloy’s pledge of $20 million dollars from the State. Representative Joe Courtney is quick to remember the work of Senators Joe Lieberman and Chris Dodd, and of his own predecessor Representative Rob Simmons, in establishing the legislative framework for the Coast Guard Museum to be specifically located in New London.

Finally, Jimmy Coleman, Chairman of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, is introduced with the most poignant announcement of the day, that of a personal pledge of $150,000 to the museum project. With now-familiar modesty he offers praise for the work and exploits of others engaged in the task to memorialize the contributions of the men and women United States Coast Guard. 

The ceremonies close with a symbolic breaking of ground by the official party, Senators and Mayors wielding shovels embossed with the emblem of the Coast Guard. Funds still need to be raised and appropriated, contracts awarded, logistics worked out all before this museum can become a reality. Celebrity figures, John Amos and Arnold Palmer amongst them, have already joined the effort. The process has begun.

The Charles Morgan Journey

The_Morgan_Docked_FB

By Michael Johnson

The Resident

The Charles W. Morgan, a staple of Mystic seaport  is the last wooden whale ship in the world.  It  began it’s 38th voyage on Saturday.

The ship was towed to nearby New London, its first stop of a three-month-long trip to historic ports in New England.

The Morgan was built in 1841.  It has been docked at Mystic Seaport since 1941. On Saturday, The Morgan was guided  down the Mystic River by a tugboat. See more pictures on our Facebook page.  It was then pulled through Fishers Island and up the Thames River to New London, where it will dock at City Pier.

The Morgan will remain in New London until June 7. its next stop will be Newport Rhode Island, and then on to the ships port of origin, New Bedford Massachusetts.  The ships journey can be tracked on the mystic seaports website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Child_Bird

May 15, 2014

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –ARTIST OF THE MONTH 

 

Southington Library and Museum

255 Main Street

Southington, CT 06489

Jeanne Chmielewski phone 860-628-0947 ext 113 fax 860-628-0488

Email chmielewski@southington.org 

 

Let Inspiration Soar an ”Art for a Cause” exhibit to benefit student selected charities

Birds by Kelley Elementary School student artists are up for auction with more than 20 charities to benefit! ‘Let Inspiration Soar’ is a collection of 42 birds artfully decorated by kids in kindergarten through 6th grade. Completely transforming the Café area of the Southington Public Library for the month of May, the young students’ creativity has already raised almost $200 for charity!!

That’s a lot to chirp about! Up for auction now through May 30th: The artists participate in an after school art club called ‘Art for a Cause’. After they create they give ALL their work away to their community. How incredible is that?! For this project, they’ve donated all their birds to the Isthmian Gallery in order to raise money for charities that are important to them. Many students chose well-known nonprofits, others chose nonprofits to honor their peers who have passed away or to support those currently fighting a disease, and several chose local nonprofits in their own communities. To place your bid on your favorite bird and a complete list of organizations to benefit,  visit The Isthmian Gallery website at http://www.theisgallery.org Bidding is easy: visit our website at www.theisgallery.org and register for free by clicking ‘login’, then ‘register now’. Once you have registered, you can see all 42 birds by typing ‘Let Inspiration Soar’ in the search box. Clicking on a thumbnail enlarges the information and allows you to see more, and larger, photos of each bird. Bidding starts at just $10 and 95% of the purchase price goes directly to the student-named charity (the other 5% goes back to the Isthmian Gallery to make it all happen and support our other programs).

None of this would be possible without the dedication of the club’s leaders, Kim Rees and Clare Bean. Both ladies have been volunteering (along with the help of many parents of children in the club) since January 2013 when it was found, through a survey administered by the STEPS Coalition, that there was a strong desire for an extracurricular art activity. While they’ve received some grant money from the Joe and Kay Calvanese Foundation, their local JoAnn Fabrics, and the Isthmian Gallery*, they’ve still invested plenty of their own money (not to mention time & effort!!). Both Kim and Clare have created their own birds that are on display alongside the students. While their birds are not available for purchase through the Isthmian Gallery, they are available for anyone who would like to make a donation to the ‘Art for a Cause’ club by contacting Kim at reeskim@rocketmail.com.

If you live local, or are passing through, be sure to stop by the Southington Public Library and have a peek at the wonderful display that took Kim, Clare and other volunteers countless hours to set up. Inside the library, you’ll not only find marshland, forests and flowering gardens full of beautiful birds, but also a binder that you should definitely look through. In this binder are pictures of each artist with their bird and, written in the artist’s own hand, how they intend to make the world a better place. It will definitely inspire you to bid on a bird or two, if you weren’t inspired already!!

Visit the exhibit in the library café while on display through May 31st.

AMERICAN IDOL XIII

Top Two Finalists Jena Irene and Caleb Johnson

Top Two Finalists Jena Irene and Caleb Johnson

 

 

AMERICAN IDOL XIII” Top Two Finalists Jena Irene and Caleb Johnson Release New Singles Available Now!

 

AVAILABLE ON AMERICANIDOL.COM AND ITUNES

FINALISTS WILL PERFORM THE ORIGINAL MUSIC LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THE “AMERICAN IDOL XIII” SEASON FINALE ON TUESDAY, MAY 20TH, ON FOX

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — For the first time in “American Idol” history, fans will be able to hear the Top Two Finalists Jena Irene’s and Caleb Johnson’s new original songs before they perform them live during the AMERICAN IDOL XIII Season Finale.  Both singles are streaming at americanidol.com and are available now on iTunes (iTunes.com/AmericanIdol).

Caleb Johnson’s debut single “As Long As You Love Me” is written by Justin Hawkins and produced by Howard Benson.

Jena Irene’s single is “We Are One” written by Anne Preven, Felicia Barton and Mitch Allan and produced by Mitch Allan.

The AMERICAN IDOL XIII Season Finale will air Tuesday, May 20, (8:00-9:00 PM live ET/tape-delayed PT) and Wednesday, May 21, (8:00-10:00 PM live ET/tape-delayed PT) on FOX.

This summer, Jena and Caleb embark on the American Idol Live! 2014 concert tour.  The 41-show tour kicks off June 24, in Binghamton, NY and stops in major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, before wrapping in Redmond, WA on Saturday, August 23.  Tickets are on sale now via www.americanidol.com/tour.

AMERICAN IDOL XIII is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group.

About 19 Entertainment/CORE Media Group Inc.

19 Entertainment is a division of CORE Media Group Inc. and home to iconic and enduring properties like AMERICAN IDOL and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. CORE Media Group Inc. launched in May 2012 as a newly-branded version of the company formerly known as CKx. For more information about CORE Media Group Inc. and 19 Entertainment, visit www.coremediagroup.com.

About INTERSCOPE GEFFEN A&M

Combining the legacies of three of the most influential record labels in modern music history, Interscope Geffen A&M embarked on a new tradition of musical achievement with its unification on January 1, 1999.  Headed by Chairman and CEO Jimmy Iovine, Interscope Geffen A&M is a major force in global music, developing chart-topping artists across a wide range of musical genres including rock, rap, pop and alternative. Interscope Geffen A&M is part of Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company. www.interscope.com

CONTACT: Christine Wolff, Interscope Records, (212) 841-8048Christine.Wolff@umusic.com; or Meghan Prophet, PMK*BNC, (310) 967-7246Meghan.Prophet@pmkbnc.com

 

2014 WNBA.com GM Survey Taps Minnesota Lynx to Win Title

NEW YORK – May 15, 2014 –If the WNBA’s general managers are accurate prognosticators, the Minnesota Lynx will be taking part in a championship parade for the third time in four years. The Lynx, led by All-Stars Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Maya Moore, and Lindsay Whalen, collected 58 percent of the votes as the team most likely to win the WNBA Finals presented by Boost Mobile in the 12th annual WNBA.com GM Survey.  Minnesota was also selected as the team that is most fun to watch, receiving 42 percent of the votes from the GMs.  The Atlanta Dream, led by All-Stars Angel McCoughtry and Erika de Souza, as well as rookie shooting guard Shoni Schimmel, was picked to win the Eastern Conference.

The complete results of the exclusive survey will be posted on WNBA.com in advance of WNBA Tip-Off 2014 presented by Boost Mobile, when the defending WNBA champion Lynx and reigning WNBA Finals MVP Moore tip off the league’s 18th season in the nation’s capital against the Washington Mystics on Friday, May 16 (7 p.m. ET).  WNBA Tip-Off 2014 presented by Boost Mobilewill feature 22 games from May 16 through Memorial Day (May 26), including the launch of ESPN2’s season-long coverage of the WNBA.  ESPN2 will debut its schedule of WNBA games on Saturday, May 17, when the Chicago Sky, led by Elena Delle Donne, the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year, visit the New York Liberty, featuring newly acquired veteran Tina Charles, the league’s 2012 MVP, at Madison Square Garden (8 p.m. ET).

 

The Lynx’s Moore, the Fever’s Catchings, the Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi, the Sparks’ Parker, New York’s Tina Charles, and sisters Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike figured prominently in a number of categories.

 

Parker, who took home not only her second regular-season MVP award in 2014, but also MVP honors of WNBA All-Star presented by Boost Mobile, was selected to once again earn the league’s top individual honor (50 percent, edging out the 33 percent for Moore).  Moore was also named as the player GMs would select if starting a franchise today (33 percent) and as the league’s best small forward (42 percent).

 

Catchings earned the top spot in the voting as the toughest player in the WNBA (64 percent), the top power forward and the player who is best at making her teammates better (50 percent each), as well as for the player likely to be named Defensive Player of the Year presented by Samsung (42 percent).  The 2011 regular season and 2012 Finals MVP also was selected as the best leader (58 percent), grabbing the mantle from Seattle’s Sue Bird, who earned the honor the last five years.

 

Taurasi captured the votes as the league’s best pure shooter (67 percent), the player GMs would most want taking a shot with a game on the line (58 percent), and the player with the best basketball IQ (42 percent).  The six-time All-Star and former league MVP (2009) also shared top billing – along with Augustus and New York’s Cappie Pondexter – as the player deemed best at creating her own shot (25 percent each).

 

Charles, who the Liberty acquired in a draft day trade with the Connecticut Sun, racked up the No. 1 spot in four categories.  While the move of the league’s 2012 MVP from the Sun to her hometown Liberty was considered the most surprising offseason move (67 percent), it also resulted in Charles being viewed as the one player acquisition that will make the most impact (58 percent).  Now entering her fifth WNBA campaign, Charles also was voted as the player with the best post moves (50 percent), and the league’s top rebounder (42 percent).

 

Chiney Ogwumike, who the Sun made the No. 1 overall selection in the 2014 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, and her older sister, Nneka, who was selected first overall by the Sparks in 2012, were considered by the GMs to be among the league’s best athletes.  Nneka led all vote-getters (50 percent) as the most athletic player in the WNBA, while Chiney tied with Connecticut teammate Alyssa Thomas as the leading vote-getters for the most athletic rookie (33 percent apiece).  Chiney, however, was edged out by Tulsa Shock guard Odyssey Sims, the No. 2 overall pick in the recent draft, as the player most likely to earn Rookie of the Year presented by Samsung honors (50 percent) and as the rookie who will develop into the best player five years from now (58  percent).

 

While the GMs saw Los Angeles as the team that made the best offseason moves (earning 50 percent of the votes following the team’s acquisition of veterans Armintie Herrington, Sandrine Gruda, and Candice Wiggins), Connecticut – which signed veteran star Katie Douglas away from Indiana and used draft day to select Chiney Ogwumike and acquire No. 4 overall pick Alyssa Thomas via trade with New York – captured the vote as the team that will be most improved (33 percent), edging New York and San Antonio (25 percent each).

Ten players received votes as the player most likely to have a breakout season, with Phoenix’s Brittney Griner and Los Angeles’s Ogwumike sharing the top honor (17 percent each).  Similarly, nine players were in the mix as the league’s most underrated player, with Seattle’s Tanisha Wright leading the way (27 percent).

 

The coaching category included a variety of winners. Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve was given the nod as the best head coach (42 percent) and the coach that runs the best offense (50 percent); Seattle’s Brian Agler was considered to be the best head coach in the last two minutes of a game and the head coach with the best defensive schemes (42 percent each), as well as the head coach that makes the best in-game adjustments (33 percent).  The Washington Mystics’ Mike Thibault, a three-time winner of the WNBA’s Coach of the Year award (2006, 2008, and 2013), was voted as the head coach that is the best at developing young players (42 percent).

 

The GMs also felt that Seattle will be bolstered in 2014, not only by the return of seven-time All-Star point guard Sue Bird, who missed the entire season a year ago following knee surgery, but also by a rabid fan base at KeyArena. The Storm, for the fifth straight year, was considered by the GMs to have the best home-court advantage.

 

Additional leaders in the WNBA.com GM survey included:

  • Minnesota’s Whalen – best point guard (58 percent)
  • San Antonio’s Becky Hammon (now in her 16th season and returning from ACL surgery) – player with the greatest hunger to win a championship (33 percent)
  • Chicago’s Delle Donne, Phoenix’s Griner, and Minnesota’s Moore – player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments (17 percent apiece)
  • Atlanta’s McCoughtry – player who is the most dangerous in the open floor (58 percent)
  • Seattle’s Bird, San Antonio’s Hammon, and Washington’s Kara Lawson – active player that would make the best head coach someday (25 percent each)

 

About the WNBA

The WNBA – which features 12 teams and is the most successful women’s professional team sports league in the world – is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity.  The league, which counts Boost Mobile as its leaguewide marquee partner, will tip off its 18th season on May 16, 2014.

 

Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase breast and women’s health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education. For more information on the WNBA, log on to www.wnba.com.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Announces 2014 Charles O. Thompson Scholars

WORCESTER, MA (05/15/2014)(readMedia)– Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced the following local students as Charles O. Thompson Scholars for the 2013-14 academic year.

Eric Fast of Stonington,  is a first-year student majoring in aerospace engineering.

Kevin Ouellette of Colchester, is a first-year student majoring in robotics engineering.

Andrew Rathbun of Pawcatuck, is a first-year student majoring in aerospace engineering.

Lindsay Schneider of East Lyme, is a first-year student majoring in biomedical engineering.

Kyle Young of Bozrah, is a first-year student majoring in robotics engineering.

Named in honor of the first president of WPI, this honor recognizes outstanding performance by first-year students. To be eligible for membership, students must achieve all A’s and B’s (with a minimum of six A’s) in their academic subjects during their first three terms at WPI.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation’s first engineering and technology universities. Its 14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. WPI’s talented faculty work with students on interdisciplinary research that seeks solutions to important and socially relevant problems in fields as diverse as the life sciences and bioengineering, energy, information security, materials processing, and robotics. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university’s innovative Global Perspective Program. There are more than 35 WPI project centers throughout North America and Central America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe.