Learn how you can take advantage of state and government incentives to reduce your energy costs.]]>
In an earth-bermed or "underground" house, the temperature remains in the 50s, making it easier to cool in the summer and easier to heat in the winter. This method of energy-conserving house construction gained popularity in the 1960s. Photo from http://underground-homes.com .
Saint Clements Castle invites you to attend The Saint Clements Castle Clean Energy Expo planned for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 25. Help set the stage for the future by participating in this special Clean Energy Expo focusing on alternative energy and conservation for your business and home.
Admission is $5, which will be donated to local charities. A light lunch is included.
- Receive the latest information on clean energy from our guest speakers
- Learn how you can take advantage of state and government incentives to reduce your energy costs
- Visit with local Clean Energy Task Force members to see what’s being done in your community
Gather information and visit with the vendors and enjoy refreshments from our Tavern with the folks from your community.
We look forward to seeing you at Saint Clements Castle, located at 1931 Portland-Cobalt Road in Portland, CT 06480.
For more information, please call 860-342-0593.
Posted March 10, 2010
Related link:
Underground-Homes.com
http://underground-homes.com/underground-homes-advantages.htm
Green Home Building
http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/QandA/earthshelter/waterproofing.htm
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The two guests also discuss government stimulus programs for first-time buyers and loan modification plans for at-risk borrowers trying to avoid foreclosure.]]>
The Connecticut housing market will be the topic of the Get Real show at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 15 on cable channel 15.
Carl Guild of Prudential Connecticut Realty East Hampton and mortgage broker Lori Gemma Grodzki of CT Home Mortgage Middletown will discuss the state of home sales in Connecticut, in particular East Hampton - and how the recession is affecting home values.
Guild and Gemma-Grodzki offer guidance to prospective buyers and sellers and give their opinions on market trends.
The two guests also discuss government stimulus programs for first-time buyers and loan modification plans for at-risk borrowers trying to avoid foreclosure.
Of particular concern are the coming changes to FHA qualifications for condominium owners.
The changes in bank mortgage options available to borrowers are also discussed, as well as the shifting lending criteria set forth by lenders.
The Get Real show airs each Monday evening on at 7pm on cable channel 15.
Posted March 10, 2010
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The Huskies held West Virginia without a point for nearly the final 11 minutes until a meaningless layup with 28 seconds left.]]>The victorious UConn women's basketball team. This is the Huskies’ 16th Big East tournament championship. Photo © Vito J. Leo for HTNP.com Sports
Tonight, UConn is celebrating an overwhelming victory against West Virgina, 60-32, and the Huskies’ 16th Big East tournament championship.
Kalana Greene scored 15 points to help top-ranked UConn rout No. 9 West Virginia, for the team’s 72nd straight win.
Greene also made her first seven shots and grabbed 12 rebounds to earn Most Outstanding Player honors for the tournament.
Caroline Doty was in her customary place in the starting lineup despite suffering a scary head and neck injury during the Huskies’ NCAA-record 71st straight victory Monday night [March 8].
The sophomore guard was inadvertently elbowed in the head by Notre Dame’s Ashley Barlow, with 50 seconds left in Monday night’s game.
Doty didn’t show any outward signs of the injury, but was ineffective in her 16 minutes, and scored just one point
Picking up the offense
With All-Americans Maya Moore and Tina Charles having off-games, Greene and Tiffany Hayes carried the offense.
Hayes finished with 15 points. Charles had 12 and Moore 10 – but they combined to make just three of their first 22 shots.
UConn improved to 14-0 against top-10 opponents, winning by an average of 26.3 points.
The Huskies have now won the last 22 meetings with West Virginia, including an 80-47 rout at the XL Center on Feb. 2. In that game the Mountaineers played tough for 25 minutes before succumbing to the Huskies.
West Virginia was making only its second trip to the championship game.
Putting up a fight
On Tuesday night, it looked like UConn would once again blow past West Virginia.
The Huskies, who have won every game during its record streak by double figures, used a 20-4 early run in the first half to turn a one-point lead into a 27-10 advantage with 6:42 left.
But the Mountaineers wouldn’t wilt, and used their tenacious defense – which allowed only 51.5 points coming into the game – to stick around.
West Virginia answered with a 18-6 spurt of its own, spanning the half, to close to 33-28 on Natalie Burton’s free throw with 15:32 left in the game.
Liz Repella had eight points during the burst – including a 3-pointer from the top of the key that hit the front rim, bounced straight up and then in – that made it 33-27 UConn. She finished with 10 points to lead West Virginia (28-5).
On a run
The Huskies then went on one of their typical runs. UConn scored 27 of the next 29 points and ended any hopes West Virginia had of an upset.
The Huskies held West Virginia without a point for nearly the final 11 minutes until a meaningless layup with 28 seconds left.
Greene had six points during the spurt, and also a nifty pass to Moore for a layup off an offensive rebound that made it 49-30 with 8:51 left.
Charles, who had missed seven of her first eight shots, hit three foul line jumpers and a layup during the burst.
The Huskies, who have won both the regular season and conference tournament title the last three years (and 14 times in school history), held West Virginia to the lowest total in a Big East championship game.
Will they bring home another win?
The Huskies have won five of the last six conference tournament titles and enter the NCAAs unbeaten for the fifth time in school history.
UConn went on to win the national championship in 1995, 2002, and 2009.
In 1996-97, they lost to Tennessee in the regional final.
UConn (33-0) also stands six wins short of becoming the first team to go through consecutive seasons unbeaten.
The Huskies surpassed their own NCAA record for consecutive wins on Monday night [March 8].
Posted March 9, 2010 as edited by Brenda Sullivan, HTNP.com Editor
William P. Mott hit two parked vehicles and a stone wall and mailbox. He was arrested for operating under the influence and evading responsibility.]]>
On Saturday, 2/20/10 an 18-year-old male juvenile was arrested for possession of marijuana.
On Saturday, 2/20/10 Thomas A. Debaise Jr., 20, of 19 Christians Crossing, Durham, CT was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol, failure to drive right, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On Tuesday, 2/23/10 Richard D. Klemyk, 55, of 102 Mountainview Road, East Hampton, CT was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol and failure to drive right.
On Saturday, 2/27/10 William P. Mott, 39, of 8 Hayes Road, East Hampton, CT hit two parked vehicles and a stone wall and mailbox. Mott was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol, failure to drive right and three counts of evading responsibility.
On Sunday, 2/28/10 Sean Cullen, 19, of 74 Barton Hill Road, East Hampton, CT was arrested pursuant to a warrant on charges of aiding in the commission of a crime (evading responsibility) as the result of an accident that occurred on 11/5/09.
On Sunday, 2/28/10 Robert L. Daniels, 28, of 68 Creek Row, East Haddam, CT was arrested for speeding.
On Monday, 3/1/10, Brian Dill, 22, of 131 Beebe Road, East Haddam, CT was arrested pursuant to a warrant on charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol and failure to drive right on 12/12/09.
On Tuesday, 3/2/10 Adam R. Travers, 21, of 20 Edgerton St., East Hampton, CT was arrested for speeding.
On Wednesday, 3/1/10 Brian D. Stone, 48, of 29 Bevin Blvd., East Hampton, CT was issued a ticket for failure to obey a control signal.
On Wednesday, 3/3/10 Francis M. Palma III, 37, of 3 Wangonk Trail, East Hampton, CT was issued a ticket for passing in a no-passing zone.
Posted March 6, 2010
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The exhibits included structures, patios, fire pits, water features, retaining walls, specimen trees, flowering shrubs and masses of bulbs forced into bloom for this winter spectacle.]]>StoneBridge Craftsmen Exhibit. All photos © Cheryl Pedemonti.
The Connecticut Convention Center was transformed into a spring playground for gardeners during the 29th annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show in downtown Hartford.
The show, which was held on February 18 to 21, included award-winning landscape exhibits, a standard flower show, gardening seminars and a slew of garden-related vendors.
I look forward to attending the show because it’s a nice break from winter and it gets me thinking about gardening again.
There is something magical about walking into the Convention Center and seeing flowers in bloom on a cold winter day. I think this winter was exceptionally gray and dreary, so attending the flower show was an uplifting experience in more ways than one.
“Spice of Life” Standard Flower Show
"Titillating Tango"
The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. put a great deal of work into creating horticultural exhibits and floral arrangements. The 2010 theme for the flower show was the “Spice of Life.”
Talented gardeners from garden clubs throughout the state entered their floral arrangements and other horticulture displays. There was something for everyone, including natural arrangements made from flowers, fruit and fabric.
There were also some rather unusual arrangements, including a pair of mannequin legs covered in black fishnet stockings with bright red flowers. It reminded me of the lamp in the Christmas Story movie. Take a look at that photo!
Award-winning landscape exhibits
Rooftop garden by Prides Corner Nursery
In addition to the flower show provided by the Federated Garden Club, there were amazing landscape exhibits created by local landscape companies.
My favorite part of the flower and garden show are these exhibits. I give all of the contractors a big thumbs up for the amount of preparation and physical labor that goes into creating these temporary exhibits. No detail is overlooked.
The exhibits included structures, patios, fire pits, water features, retaining walls, specimen trees, flowering shrubs and masses of bulbs forced into bloom for this winter spectacle.
As a landscape designer, I enjoy observing the details that make each landscape exhibit stand out from the next one.
Something for everyone
Supreme Landscapes Exhibit
Awards are given to the landscape exhibits based on best use of color, texture, plants, stone work, water, structures and other criteria.
Every exhibit included something that caught my eye, such as the heart shaped paver insert in front of the stone fireplace by Supreme Landscapes or the red cushioned chairs in the rooftop garden display by Pride’s Corner Nursery.
Pondering Creations is famous for their stone mosaics and they brought back the amber colored globes from last year that help to light up their water display.
The display by Hillside Nursery included an outdoor bar, complete with granite countertop and television - but it was a pair of mature Swiss Stone Pine trees in their display that captured my heart.
Lawncare, Etc. Exhibit
Lawncare, Etc. had an ambitious exhibit with a hillside planting complete with retaining wall, paver patio, water garden, lush turf and a covered dining area.
As you can see in the photo to the left, there was no shortage of daffodils, tulips and azaleas in full bloom at the Convention Center.
Lights, cameras, action!
Aquascapes of Connecticut Exhibit
Many visitors at the show were enchanted by the colorful light display coming from the water fountain in one of the exhibits by Aquascapes of Connecticut. The fountain changed colors and was synchronized with music.
I was more intrigued, however, with their exceptional use of landscape lighting against a garden shed and throughout the surrounding garden area that included a picnic pavilion.
Their exhibit included two espaliered Japanese Maple trees that were an excellent use of specimen trees.
Aquascapes of Connecticut exhibit
Aquascapes was an adventurous contractor this year and set up a second exhibit. It was a large circular exhibit with a small sailboat docked on the edge of a pond which included a carved stone waterfall.
A white gazebo stood off to one side and was surrounded by a lush planting of rhododendrons and evergreens. This free-standing exhibit was surrounded by large logs, which added a unique “edging” to the landscape design.
And the award goes to…
My personal choice for the best exhibit this year goes to an Italian-inspired design built by StoneBridge Craftsmen (see the photo at beginning of this column).
They created a fascinating design complete with a stone archway that was draped with red roses. The archway beckoned you into a pleasing landscape of soft green turf and a smooth sandstone patio with a table set for two.
The backdrop was a stucco house painted white, then aged by applying stain with a brush. The house had a red door and red window boxes that would have made my Italian father-in-law feel like he was back home.
A mix of evergreens and flowering shrubs gave the exhibit a splash of color. And a circular stone pool repeated the curves that were used throughout the entire design.
In the center of the pool was a fountain with water bubbling out of the top of stacked stones. The sound of splashing water enhanced the peaceful feeling of this landscape.
If it hadn’t been for the signs warning visitors to keep off the display, I could have easily made my way over to the table and chairs to enjoy a glass of vino in this Tuscan village.
Shop ’til you drop
One of the seasonal items for sale
When I had finished admiring the landscape exhibits and horticultural offerings by the garden club, I couldn’t help but “walk the gauntlet” between rows of vendors. There are hundreds of vendors who fill up the nearly 3 acres of display space within the Convention Center.
I saw garden tools, tractors and a shed to store it all in.
Then, I perused the hats, gloves, T-shirts, birdhouses, wreaths, garden decorations, fences, gazebos and hot tubs.
There was every type of plant available, including flowering houseplants, forced branches of pussy willow and forsythias, orchids and some amazing bonsai specimens.
If you were not interested in the above vendors, you could shop for food, candy, herbs, lotion, soap, jewelry, paintings, photography and everything else gardening-related you could think of.
Starry flowers on Witchhazel
During my adventure through the vendor section, I purchased a garden dibber, a black-red double flowered peony for my garden collection and a glass wall hanging of preserved butterflies in every iridescent color you could imagine (the butterflies died of natural causes and the proceeds were donated to save the rain forest).
Schedule for next year…
If you haven’t seen the CT Flower and Garden Show in the past few years, I would recommend that you put it on your calendar for next winter. It offers plenty of inspiration for your own garden and it’s a great escape from the cold, gray days of winter. Spring is just weeks away and I am looking forward to getting out into the garden once again!
Posted March 6, 2010
Dietters Water Gardens - A colorful display using plants and ceramic water fountains.
To the superintendent's credit, her budget is lean wherever it's allowed to be. That is to say that more than two-thirds of the education budget is fixed costs that are either mandated by law or contracted or can't be avoided, like energy bills.]]>
Ceramic mini-piggy bank by Lefton China Company.
To the Editor:
Well, it’s that time again, the annual rite of spring angst in town governments as municipalities try to cobble together budgets that no one seems particularly happy about. Unfortunately, East Hampton is not immune to this.
The Board of Education - of which I am a member - voted on its 2010-2011 budget at its Feb. 22 meeting. The headline take away from the meeting was its 3.88 percent increase in spending over last year.
The vote was 6-3 for passage. I was one of three voting “no.”
During the meeting (which was well-attended because of an erroneous rumor of teacher layoffs that prompted even Channel 3 Eyewitness News to send a film crew), I made the point that taxpayers might be concerned with the increase, considering the inflation rate is just 2.63 percent and that during a nasty recession like this one, any kind of increase in spending is not kindly looked upon.
I also stated that it is highly doubtful that this budget would remain intact and that any alterations should come from the Board of Education first, before being forwarded to the finance board or town council. However, this idea didn’t resonate.
To the superintendent’s credit, her budget is lean wherever it’s allowed to be. That is to say that more than two-thirds of the education budget is fixed costs that are either mandated by law or contracted or can’t be avoided, like energy bills.
Well, what’s to be done, then?
Compromise.
If this recession has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is written in stone. There are no sacred cows. That government, both management and labor, have to be imaginative and nimble to navigate these difficult economic times.
- Josh Piteo, East Hampton Board of Education
Posted March 4, 2010
[This letter also appeared in The Rivereast on Feb. 26, 2010 and is published in East Hampton Today with the permission of the author.]
Twenty-one winners will be selected – including one grand prize winner of $10,000, five winners of $5,000 and 15 winners of $2,500.]]>The New England Patriots are currently accepting nominations for the 2010 Community MVP Awards program, which is supported this year by the Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund.
The Community MVP Awards honor individuals who exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteerism.
Through the program, nonprofit organizations throughout New England have the opportunity to reward their hard-working volunteers for the invaluable time and support they provide to their communities.
Twenty-one winners will be selected – including one grand prize winner of $10,000, five winners of $5,000 and 15 winners of $2,500.
The money will be awarded to the nonprofit organization for which each honoree volunteers.
Additionally, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will visit the top six organizations to recognize and honor the winners.
In 2009, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation donated more than $50,000 to local organizations via the Community MVP Awards.
New England residents who are 13 years of age or older and provide volunteer services for nonprofit 501(c) (3) organizations are eligible for nomination.
Only one nominee may be considered from each organization.
The strongest applicants will be hands-on volunteers who do not receive any compensation (monetary or otherwise) for their efforts.
Winners will be selected by the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.
Nonprofit organizations may nominate volunteers by completing the application found at www.patriots.com/community.
Completed applications must be received by March 31, 2010.
This is the first year the Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund, which has the largest donor-advised fund program in the nation, has been involved with the Community MVP Awards. The association represents a continuation of the Gift Fund’s support of volunteerism, which began last year when it conducted a landmark study on volunteerism and formed an alliance with the nonprofit VolunteerMatch to encourage more Americans to donate time and talent.
About the Foundation
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the nonprofit organization established by the Kraft family in 1994 to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout New England.
This support comes in the form of direct grants and the donation of signed memorabilia to charitable causes, as well as from Patriots players who offer their direct support by appearing at charity functions throughout the year.
The foundation’s primary goal is to support programs that aid the youth and families of the New England region by assisting programs that foster cultural diversity, education, family and health.
The foundation has taken special interest in youth programs that encourage education, creativity and development of character.
For more information about the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, please visit www.patriots.com/community.
About the Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund
The Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund was established by Fidelity Investments® in 1991. The mission of the Gift Fund is to further the American tradition of philanthropy by providing programs that make charitable giving simple and effective.
Since its inception, the Gift Fund has helped more than 56,000 donors recommend more than $9.5 billion in grants to over 130,000 nonprofit organizations, with the Giving Account®, its donor-advised fund program.
To learn more about the Gift Fund, please contact Fidelity Corporate Communications at (617) 563-5800.
Posted March 3, 2010
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They save their clients money by reducing taxes and by providing efficient payroll and bookkeeping services.]]>
Officially cutting the ribbon to the new home of Serra & Associates, LLC at 11 West High St. are (L-R) Ray Serra, Heidi Serra, East Hampton Economic Development Commission Chair Rich Leone, Jennica Serra and Kevin Serra. Courtesy photo
The East Hampton Economic Development Commission is pleased to announce that an Open House and ribbon-cutting was recently held at Serra & Associates, LLC at its new home at 11 West High St. in East Hampton.
A light lunch was provided by Chatham Caterers.
Ray and Heidi Serra recently purchased the property and renovated the building to house their certified public accounting firm.
This new location will allow them to better provide the professionalism, responsiveness and quality for which Serra & Associates’ employees are well known.
Serra & Associates, LLC services encompass nearly every aspect of financial life. They are experienced in all matters of accounting and taxation.
They save their clients money by reducing taxes and by providing efficient payroll and bookkeeping services.
The Serra family thanks those who helped celebrate their new location, as well as all those friends who supported this move.
Posted March 3, 2010
This can include the fields of veterinary medicine, botany, horticulture or other agriculture-related studies.]]>
Marlborough Grange #205 is offering a $2,000 scholarship to a student who will be furthering his or her education in the study of agriculture. The application deadline is April 1.
This can include the fields of veterinary medicine, botany, horticulture or other agriculture-related studies.
Applicants can be residents of East Hampton, Marlborough, Bolton, Hebron, Andover, Glastonbury, Colchester, Columbia or Lebanon and they must be accepted as a full-time student for the 2010 college year.
An applicant may be a graduating high school student, already attending college, or anyone from the eligible towns who will attend school and major in an agricultural field of study.
Grange membership is not a requirement.
For an application or more information, contact the local high school guidance office or town hall or call Marlborough Grange President Laura Coombs at 860-228-3668.
Posted March 2, 2010
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The Annual Tours and Tasting Open House will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday March 6.]]>
Rick’s Sugar Shack, located at 69 Collie Brook Road in East Hampton, is now open to the public for tours and maple sugaring demonstrations.
The Annual Tours and Tasting Open House will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday March 6 (snow date is March 7).
Learn the maple-sugaring process from start to finish. (It’s suggested you dress for the current damp and muddy weather conditions).
Rick’s Sugar Shack is also open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through the end of March, and by appointment during the week. School groups, Scouts or other civic groups can arrange a private tour.
Maple syrup and maple products will be produced in the sugar shack until early April. The Maple Sweets Shop offers maple syrup and products such as maple mustard, popcorn, candy, jelly, bread and other baked goods.
Rick’s Sugar Shack is located on the unpaved part of Collie Brook Road, which is accessible from South Main Street or Tartia Road.
For more information, call 860-267-7117.
Posted March 1, 2010
Tell them, “I read about it in East Hampton Today.”