The recent cool and weather aside, it’s officially summer! Time to get out and enjoy our state’s wonderful parks and beaches and take advantage of TOR. You know what TOD is, right? Transit Oriented Development … building homes and offices near mass transit facilities. Well, I’m going to suggest you think about TOR… Transit Oriented Recreation. Did you know … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Transit-Oriented Recreation
Columnists
The Movie Man: Reflections on the Renaissance of Anakin Skywalker Actor, Hayden Christensen
Hoping Hayden Hears the 'Voice of the People' UPDATED 5/20 with an Editor's Note. I was able fully nourish the wonder that came from the space soap operas of George Lucas. And now that I was an adult, I was also able appreciate the intellectual influences of Star Wars. These included anthropologist Joseph Campbell, Eastern spirituality, and the samurai movies of Akira … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: Reflections on the Renaissance of Anakin Skywalker Actor, Hayden Christensen
Talking Transportation: Some ‘Fun Facts’
Over the twenty years I’ve been writing this column, I’ve come across some “fun facts” about transportation. Try dazzling friends at your next BBQ with some of these gems. HIGHWAYS: Some 180,000 vehicles drive all or part of the 112 miles that I-95 runs through our state. But even factoring in true interstate drivers (think Florida to Maine), the average distance … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Some ‘Fun Facts’
Talking Transportation: On Air Pollution and Transportation
Our air stinks. In fact, Fairfield County ranks in the top 25 of most polluted areas in the US, mostly due to ozone levels. And while much of those noxious gases drift our way from New Jersey and New York City, a large part of our pollution is home-grown: it’s due to heavy volumes of traffic, especially diesel trucks, which emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: On Air Pollution and Transportation
Talking Transportation: Don’t Believe the Hype
Don’t believe everything you read or see in the media. Sage advice on any topic, but especially when it comes to coverage of transportation. A couple of recent stories illustrate my point. Improved Cell Service on Metro-North The Governor and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner held a media event recently in Stamford to promote the … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Don’t Believe the Hype
Gardening Tips for Late Spring from ‘The English Lady’
Though April showers may come your way, They bring the flowers that bloom in May,So if it's raining have no regrets, Because it isn't raining rain you know, it's raining violets.- Al Jolson April was a month of activity in the garden, and our old nemesis, weeds are beginning to rear their heads, so we need to extract the little devils before they take hold and are … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Late Spring from ‘The English Lady’
A View From My Porch: A Lesson in Civics, Part 1
Epigraph: “It's a story they tell in the border country, where Massachusetts joins Vermont and New Hampshire;” “and they say that if you go to his grave and speak loud and clear: ‘Daniel Webster, Daniel Webster!’ “The ground'll begin to shiver and the trees begin to shake. And after a while you'll hear a deep voice saying: ‘Neighbor, how stands the Union?’” “Then you better … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: A Lesson in Civics, Part 1
Talking Transportation: Enjoying the View
Commuting can be “Oh so boring”, especially if you’re driving. But when you’re on the train, you’ve got plenty of time to do work, read a book, take a nap or just look out the window. Enjoying the view from the train is one of the perks of being car-free, and some parts of the ride are especially beautiful. Traveling along the coast, especially east of New Haven (on Shore … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Enjoying the View
Literature in the Lymes: ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ by Richard Osman
Oh, I wish there were a million more of his books. Instead, this far, there are only four in this series and one in the new series. More to come, but who can wait when they are this good? Osman is not only a maestro of the mystery but a comedy man. His characters are spot on cleverly written and usually hilariously so. Osman is a writer, who doesn’t assume … [Read more...] about Literature in the Lymes: ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ by Richard Osman
‘Talking Transportation’ is Back! Five Worst Ideas for Solving Traffic Congestion
Editor's Note: We are delighted to welcome transport guru Jim Cameron , pictured left, back to LymeLine. He was wrote for us regularly for almost 10 years starting in 2011 and his columns were always popular with our readers. He is the founder of the Commuter Action Group and advocates for Connecticut rail riders. He writes a weekly column called 'Talking Transportation,' which … [Read more...] about ‘Talking Transportation’ is Back! Five Worst Ideas for Solving Traffic Congestion
Gardening Tips for Early Spring from ‘The English Lady’
“Those March winds shall blow, and we shall have snow and what will the Robin do then poor thing? He’ll hide in the barn and keep himself warm and hide his head under his wing.” March was a month of “wait and see” as we anticipated walking around our gardens. This morning, I walked outside, into a westerly breeze and a gentle sun. I took a deep breath and as I did, I … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Early Spring from ‘The English Lady’
Legal News You Can Use: Can One Spouse Retain Their Full Pension After a Divorce?
Divorce is often a very stressful and traumatic experience. Even the person who files for divorce may struggle to deal with their emotions. One of the ways that people get through the divorce process is by focusing on the future. They imagine their life after the end of the divorce to get through the hardest parts of the process. Those trying to think about the future … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Can One Spouse Retain Their Full Pension After a Divorce?
Gardening Tips for Early Spring from ‘The English Lady’
This winter, as in other winters when I need a blossom boost, I enjoy the fragrance of the paper-white narcissi that I planted in tall glass vases. I surrounded the bulbs with seashells from White Sand Beach here in Old Lyme and kept them in a dark cool area, ensuring the shells and the bulbs were moist as the roots developed. When the bulb foliage reached about six … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Early Spring from ‘The English Lady’
Legal News You Can Use: Climate Change Impacts on Workplace Injuries, Compensation
Climate change affects many aspects of life, including job safety. Knowing how climate change impacts work injuries and workers’ comp claims is crucial for employers and employees. How climate change affects work injuries Climate change can increase severe weather occurrences, raising the risk of work injuries. These changes include: These factors can … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Climate Change Impacts on Workplace Injuries, Compensation
A View From My Porch: A Short History of the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD), Why it is ‘a Worthy Project’
Feb. 16, 2025—Prologue: I read a fluorescent green flyer Sunday morning that was seeking signatures on an online petition; which I ignored. The flyer disparaged the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD) and, of course, had no author or organization. It was anonymous; and began “BEWARE!” and then went on saying something about “A WOLF IN SHEEP’s CLOTHING!!” that may have been … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: A Short History of the Halls Road Overlay District (HROD), Why it is ‘a Worthy Project’