As we've said before, we always enjoy opening our Inbox, because (like that infamous box of chocolates) we never know what we're going to find ... well, today it held a couple of photos of the Ferry Road (Rte. 148) causeway in Hadlyme across Whalebone Cove flooded out by Connecticut River "freshet" (high water caused by spring rains and snow melt upstream in northern New … [Read more...] about Chester-Hadlyme Ferry Service Suspended Due to High Water
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Talking Transportation: A Report Card for Metro-North
If Metro-North were a student and commuters its teacher, the railroad’s winter report card would be a D+ and the comment would be “needs to improve”. As new Metro-North President Joseph Giulietti finishes his second month on the job, he’s making the rounds to meet and listen to commuters. But his 100-Day Plan for bringing the railroad back won’t conclude until mid-June, so … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: A Report Card for Metro-North
Letter From Paris: Two Local Elections — Two Remarkably Different Outcomes
Local elections have just taken place in Turkey and in France. The outcomes of the elections speak a great deal about these two countries . Primeminister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, already in power for 12 years, is showing no intention of stepping down. His aura at the polls was barely affected by the scandals and accusations of wrong-doing. Particularly the violent … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Two Local Elections — Two Remarkably Different Outcomes
Information Meeting Tonight on Proposed Bus Route From Clinton to Middletown
A public information meeting will be held this evening at 7 p.m. at Clinton Town Hall auditorium regarding the proposed new 9 Town Transit bus service connecting Madison, Killingworth and Haddam to Middletown. The purpose of the meeting is in part for the public to demonstrate the need for this service by telling the story of how this service could benefit you or someone you … [Read more...] about Information Meeting Tonight on Proposed Bus Route From Clinton to Middletown
Letter From Paris: Following a New Silk Road
The presidents of the United States and of China were in Europe this week. It was the first visit of a Chinese president to the European Union's (EU) headquarters since 1975. He will meet with the presidents of the Council, Herman Van Rompuy, of the Commission, Manuel Barroso and of the Parliament, Martin Schuls, showing a nascent interest in Europe as a political … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Following a New Silk Road
Lyme Democrats Endorse Bjornberg, Stone
In addition to endorsing those democratic incumbent state office holders who have announced their intent to run for reelection, the Lyme Democratic Caucus endorsed two newcomers to the State scene: Mary Stone for State Representative, and Emily Bjornberg for State Senate. The chairman of the Caucus, Steven Mattson, commented, “We are extremely pleased to endorse state … [Read more...] about Lyme Democrats Endorse Bjornberg, Stone
Letter From Paris: Mr. Putin, You Have Much To Lose
At the foot of Mount Mithridates, in eastern Crimea, stood the ancient city of Pantikapeion founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonists. It is where King Mithridates killed himself in 63 BC by the sword since his body was immune to poison. In 1992, I joined the archaeological expedition from the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts led by Dr. V. Tolstikov, head of the … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Mr. Putin, You Have Much To Lose
Letter From Paris: A Week Like No Other in French Politics
It has been a week out of the ordinary in French politics, to say the least. A summary of the sequence of events may help the foreign reader in deciphering the situation. It all started March 2 with a few revelations about the UMP (Union for Popular movement) right wing party. Jean François Copé, UMP president, was denounced in the weekly magazine "Le Point" of … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: A Week Like No Other in French Politics
Death Announced of Jean Washburn Hernandez, Florence Griswold Museum Board Member
Jean Washburn Hernandez died peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at her home in Essex Meadows in Essex, Connecticut. She was 93 years old. Jean was born on September 20, 1920, in Brooklyn, NY, to Lawrence and Margaret Washburn and was the oldest of three sisters. Raised in Montreal, Canada and Scarsdale, New York, she was the 4th generation of women in her family to … [Read more...] about Death Announced of Jean Washburn Hernandez, Florence Griswold Museum Board Member
Talking Transportation: The Commuter Manifesto
“Quit your moaning!” “You’re not a railroad person, what do you know?” “You don’t like the train, try driving.” These are the reactions I get, especially from railroad employees, when I have been critical of Metro-North in the last few calamitous months. They think I’m a “moaner”, though I try just as hard to be positive about the railroad as to criticize its … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Commuter Manifesto
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About a ‘Passive House’ … But Nothing to Do with the Kids!
Can you heat a home with a hair dryer? You will find the answer at a free-to-the-public program hosted by the Shoreline League of Democratic Women (SLDW) on Sunday, March 30. Their special guest speaker Douglas Mcdonald of MyCodePlus.com is a Passive House expert and developer, and builds Code Plus homes. The event will be held at 1:30 p.m., at the Guilford Free Library, 67 … [Read more...] about Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About a ‘Passive House’ … But Nothing to Do with the Kids!
Letter From Paris: US Academy Awards Spark Thoughts on ‘Le Cinéma Francais”
The ceremonies of the 86th "Oscars" and of the 39th "Césars" took place this week within two days of each other. In comparison with the glamorous and giant show of the American Academy Awards, the French Césars seemed almost like an intimate affair. But for the French it is very important as a way to evaluate the status of the film industry and for professionals in this field … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: US Academy Awards Spark Thoughts on ‘Le Cinéma Francais”
Stone Announces Candidacy for Giuliano’s Seat
Democrat Mary Stone of Old Lyme will formally announce her candidacy for State Representative of the 23rd district of the Connecticut General Assembly next Friday. The 23rd District includes the towns of Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Lyme, along with coastal Westbrook. The seat is currently held by Republican Marilyn Giuliano, who has served for six terms and recently announced … [Read more...] about Stone Announces Candidacy for Giuliano’s Seat
Lanier Announces Candidacy for Giuliano’s State Rep. Position, Giuliano Stepping Down
Vicki Lanier (R) of Old Lyme, announced today her candidacy for state representative for the 23rd district of the Connecticut State Assembly serving the towns of Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Lyme and a portion of Westbrook. The seat is currently held by Marilyn Giuliano, who has announced her intention not to run after six terms of service. Lanier states, “I am excited and … [Read more...] about Lanier Announces Candidacy for Giuliano’s State Rep. Position, Giuliano Stepping Down
CT Republicans Demand Public Hearing on Common Core, Pushes to Freeze Implementation
Yesterday, House Republicans forced Democrats to conduct a formal public hearing on the controversial Common Core state standards, the public school teacher evaluation process, and the transition from Connecticut Mastery testing to the computerized Smarter Balanced assessment. The Republican caucus said they felt it necessary that the voices of all stakeholders be heard – … [Read more...] about CT Republicans Demand Public Hearing on Common Core, Pushes to Freeze Implementation