A team of employees from Diageo Corporation, Norwalk, clean-up at Bunnell’s Pond in Beardsley Park. The Pequonnock River is dammed in Bridgeport at the Bunnell’s Pond Dam, forming Bunnell’s Pond.
by Alexa Jaccarino
Most people don’t realize that between the urban towns of Monroe, Trumbull and Bridgeport, runs the Pequonnock River, an amazing ecosystem that is an essential pathway for herring and other fish to migrate throughout their lives. River herring are migratory fish; they are born in the fresh water of the river, they migrate to Long Island Sound, and once they are mature and ready to spawn new fish, they must return to the Pequonnock.
Unfortunately, when the CT Department of Transportation (DOT) was realigning Routes 1 and 8 in Bridgeport, they installed a concrete apron in the river to prevent erosion. This now leaves a very shallow path of water for the herring to swim through which can lead to fatal damage of the fishes scales and fins, as well as expose them as easy prey for waiting birds such as Black-Crowned Night Herons and even eagles. Continuing to lose the herring this way would have a serious effect on the ecosystem of the Pequonnock River.
Save the Sound’s new initiative to “Protect the Pequonnock” is attempting to rehab the entire waterway as well as create a passageway in the concrete apron that will allow the fish to travel safely upstream.
The plans to create this passageway are completed and in cooperation with several organizations, including the National Fish and Wildlife Organization, almost all of the necessary funding was raised. The Pequonnock River Initiative is hoping to install a step pool fish ladder “comprised of a series of weirs and concrete pools through the center of the apron.”
The step pool and weir structure would also maintain the DOT’s initial intention to prevent erosion. The structure will take only a few months of construction to complete and if full funding is reached this fall, the Initiative is hoping to begin construction the summer of 2011.
Save the Sound and the Pequonnock River Initiative offer many opportunities for involvement from the community. Opportunities include directly becoming involved by heading up or joining a committee of the Initiative, or simply attending some of the awareness activities the organization presents; such as “river walks” where a guide will teach you about the river and identify areas to improve, river clean-ups and general public meetings to discuss the progress of the project.
Other ways to help protect our environment that these groups have created include, helping in invasive species (non-native plant) removal from the river, as well as storm drain stenciling (you’ve probably seen “No Dumping, Drains to the Sound” painted onto a storm drain or two–you can thank Save the Sound).
For more information or answers to any questions you may have regarding these issues, check out the Save the Sound or CT Fund for the Environment websites: www.savethesound.org, www.ctenvironment.org.
(l-r) Tom Cantone, VP of Sports and Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Ringo Starr, former drummer for The Beatles, and Lynn Malerba, Tribal Chairwoman and forthcoming Chief of the Mohegan Tribe, unveil Ringo’s star on Mohegan Sun’s Walk of Fame.
story & photo
by Alexa Jaccarino
On June 27th, a typically bustling Sunday afternoon at Mohegan Sun, another star was unveiled on the Walk of Fame located outside the Mohegan Sun Arena. The star bore the name of Ringo Starr, former drummer of The Beatles and now frequent performer at Mohegan Sun with his All-Star Band.
The ceremony was brief, but momentous. Lynn Malerba, Tribal Chairwoman, and the forthcoming Chief of the Mohegan Tribe, spoke fondly of her personal memories of Ringo Starr and his rise to stardom with The Beatles. Lynn recalled how The Beatles, “Changed music in America once The Ed Sullivan Show came out,” and how she and all of Mohegan Sun were “thrilled to have with us a man who will forever be a permanent part of our history.”
With no further introduction needed for the musical legend, the doors were flung open and Ringo Starr sped his way to the podium, brandishing signature peace-signs in the air as fans from over four generations screamed after him. Flanked on either side by Lynn and Tom Cantone, VP of Sports and Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, Ringo stood over his still-covered star and asked the crowd to join him in a countdown.
On count one, Ringo whisked away the velvet covering and proudly posed with his star. In receiving his place as the 19th star on the Mohegan Sun Walk of Fame, Ringo joins the equally legendary likes of Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart and Journey.
In the short acceptance speech that followed, Ringo noted how he has a history with Mohegan Sun, first performing there in 1989 when he played in “the tent” (the arena wasn’t opened until 2001). He went on to say thank you for the “incredible honor,” and for being placed in such “good company,” amongst the other inductees.
After preaching “peace and love, peace and love!” and posing for a few more photos, Ringo was off to prepare for his and the All-Star Band’s 7:00pm concert in the Arena.
Beyonce’s on-stage diva persona, Sasha Fierce, exudes outrageous confidence and sexiness while on stage at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday, July 23.
Beyonce gave the sold-out crowd more than their money’s worth with elaborate costumes, sky-high acrobatics, and of course, unfailing vocals. In fact, Beyonce brought famed 80s designer Thierry Mugler out of retirement to create ten different outfits, as well as, serve as creative advisor, for her tour. In the two-and-a-half hour show, Beyonce wore creations as outlandish as a white body suit with an enormous butterfly wing-esque skirt, an armored cat suit that lit up in all the right places and a structured black body suit with crystal shoulder pads.
The “I AM” tour focused on songs from her latest album (I Am Sasha Fierce) including the hits “Diva,” “Hello,” and “If I were a Boy.” In between, Beyonce performed covers of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” and Sarah McLachlan’s “Arms of the Angels,” as well as a stunning take on the classic “Ave Maria.” Too big for just one stage, the diva scampered across the floor to a second stage in the middle of the arena to booty pop along to hits off of her earlier solo records as well as some from her Destiny’s Child days.
If the gravity of Beyonce’s voice (and hair) were not moving enough, she recreated her performance for President and Mrs. Obama at the Inaugural Ball with Etta James’ “At Last,” while showing footage of the President and other notable black historical figures. Toward the end of the show, Beyonce asked for a moment of silence in dedication to the lateMichael Jackson, one of her personal heroes and “an inspiration for all performers” of and after his time.
To top off her performance, Beyonce was lifted to the ceiling of the arena and soared above the crowd, landed on the center stage and asked the crowd to sing “Irreplaceable,” the hit song from her last album, Bday, to her acapella. “Single Ladies” was heard twice- once a recording played to a backdrop of the thousands of YouTube impersonations of the songs’ music video, followed by Beyonce’s live performance of the song (sans mechanical hand). Her latest single, “Halo,” rounded out the show.
As I left Mohegan Sun, I overheard many “Wow’s” and “Amazing’s,” but perhaps the most candid sentiment: “It doesn’t seem fair for someone to be so outrageously talented and beautiful, but you can’t resent her for it because she just seems so genuinely nice!”
Foxwoods’ Fox Theater opened its curtains to some of the most legendary performers of the past several decades. Stars Tina Turner, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Jay Leno and even the beloved Michael Jackson came to town July 10th and have pleased crowds with their biggest hits and characteristic antics ever since.
Maybe I should explain this improbable combination of talent. Legends in Concert is an “internationally acclaimed pioneer of live celebrity impersonator shows and possesses the greatest collection of celebrity impersonators ever assembled.” Legends has seven venues nationwide and is booked to perform with two different casts at Foxwoods until September 6th.
As I mentioned, currently performing nightly are musicians “Tina Turner,” “Madonna,” “Justin Timberlake,” and “Michael Jackson.” Comedian “Jay Leno” opened the show and served as host, transitioning between performers with racy jokes and political humor rolling off of his prominent chin. “Tina” shimmied across the stage, tapping her toes and shaking her lean gams to her biggest hits including “What’s Love Got to do With It?” and “Proud Mary.” Her performance began slowly, but in true Tina fashion, by the time she was “Rollin’ on The River,” the sexy confidence that epitomizes Tina’s career was in full effect.
Up next was “Justin Timberlake,” a near dead-ringer aesthetically if not vocally, though I think JT’s true fans would concur that it is not his singing, but his dance moves and pretty boy looks that elevate him to legendary status anyways.
Even before the lights shined on her, Madonna fans were chanting her name. She opened with “Like a Prayer,” and won the crowd over by bringing a male fan on stage to serenade with “Like a Virgin,” caressing his chest, propping herself in his lap, and leaving red kiss marks on his balding forehead. It was a welcome throwback to see a pre-muscle-crazed version of Madge performing her biggest early career hits.
Finally, closing out the show was “Michael Jackson,” looking a bit healthier, but with a chiseled face structure strangely accurate to the late Jackson’s. The entire cast of dancers and musicians came out in ghoulish attire to perform the “Thriller” dance, and “MJ” moonwalked and elbow-popped his way into the crowds’ heart to “Billy Jean,” and “Black or White.” A few moments were paid in tribute to his career, with impersonator Michael thanking real Michael for giving him a career and for inspiring all future musicians.
From August 4th to September 6th, a new cast of impersonators will take to the Foxwoods stage including “Garth Brooks,” “Gwen Stefani,” “Bette Midler” and “Elton John,” with surprise appearances by one of the biggest Legends stars, “Elvis Presley.” The Legends show was a highly entertaining evening and I plan to visit the Fox Theater again when the “celebrities” switch out. For only $25 a ticket, you can’t beat it! Top rate entertainment!
Agreeing to cover the Carrie Underwood concert in the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods on August 1, was not a daunting task. Given the fact that Carrie earned her fame by winning a national singing competition, it was a safe bet that the girl could sing. Her girl-next-door public persona convinced me that her show would contain the same wholesomeness. However, when I left the theater that evening, I gained a newfound respect for Carrie’s musical abilities. It turns out, she can do more than “G-rated.”
The evening began with the band Blue Country playing a decently entertaining, but appropriately short set on their guitars. Then a brief intermission preceded Carrie’s entrance. At 9:40 p.m., the theater lights dimmed and the viewing screens lit up with enticing desert images. Then, devoid of any superfluous and distracting smoke, flames, or lights, Carrie took to the stage and immediately filled the theater with “Flat on the Floor,” the first song off her new album, “Carnival Ride.” Carrie then offered a quick “Hello, CT,” and then finished up her light-hearted hits “Wasted,” “Get Out of This Town,” “The More Boys I Meet,” and her new single “Just a Dream.”
After a quick costume change, Carrie emerged in a stunning purple gown and gave a captivating performance of her emotional ballads “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” and “I Know You Won’t.” Underwood then interrupted her singing to tell her audience about the simple life she lived in Checotah, OK, and how her dreams of being a singer finally came true when she auditioned for American Idol in the spring of her senior year of college. As Carrie revealed a new, flashier dress beneath her long skirt, she also revealed the person she grew into with her mounting fame through her song “I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore.”
Once again, Carrie expressed her gratitude for American Idol for “making (her) the luckiest girl ever” before finishing up the main part of her show with the chart toppers “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” “Twisted,” “All American Girl,” and “So Small.” For her finale, Carrie donned a silver bomber jacket and performed a very bold cover of the Guns N’Roses classic, “Paradise City.” Rather than doing what was expected and putting a country spin on the hit, Carrie went for the song as it was first sung, and proved that she is capable of rock n’roll as well. To finish out the concert, she performed her inspiring, crowd-pleasing, number 1 single, “Before He Cheats.”
Watching Carrie grace the stage in outfits as diverse as thigh-high leather boots and a chain belt, a classy purple gown, or jeans and a plain t-shirt as she sang songs just as varied, showed me that she was not just the girl-next-door country music singer I envisioned. Carrie Underwood is undoubtedly a talented performer; no matter what genre she chooses to sing. Perhaps it was because of her start on American Idol, where she was forced outside of her singing comfort zones, but she successfully keeps the focus of her shows on her music, rather than sets or intricate costuming, making for a very honest show. Carrie Underwood: a little bit country, a little bit rock n’roll, and hopefully, a great deal more in the future.
