May 8 ‘Ending Apathy’ event includes coffee house, petting zoo, workshops and more

An "Earth Gong" used to induce relaxation.

You are invited to attend the “Ending Apathy” event at E. O. Smith High School today [May 8]. There is a $5 charge to attend the event, which runs from 12:30 to 9 p.m.

The theme of the event is to increase awareness of issues around the world and what each of us can do to help. Proceeds will be donated to charity.

Speakers include a former child soldier and a holocaust survivor.

It’s also about having some fun. There will be a silent auction, a coffee house, a petting zoo, workshops and talks about the issues, gong baths for relaxation and a movie.

The “Ending Apathy” event is a joint project of students and teachers, and arose from schoolwide efforts to help after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti in January.

Half of the proceeds will be donated to Roots of Development and half to the Adam Rivard Environmental Organization.

Roots of Development is an organization that supports the Haitian village of La Gonave. The Adam Rivard Environmental Organization focuses on bringing purified water to developing countries.

Posted May 8, 2010

Related links:

OsmoPure video demo (re: Adam Rivard)

http://www.alternate-energy.net/Z/video/0/video/Adam%20Rivard/-8_Gkv6FzuU.html

UConn President Hogan: ‘We must act together to de-escalate Spring Weekend’

UConn President Michael Hogan. Photo courtesy of UConn Advance

This week, University of Connecticut President Michael Hogan announced he is appointing a task force to review Spring Weekend.

The task force is made up of senior university administrators and its charge is to address the violence  associated with the annual event, which is held as classes end and final exams begin.

Hogan said task force members have a Sept. 1 deadline to complete their study.

He said the task force was created to produce a “set of actionable strategies which will result in substantial reduction of violence and risk” associated with the weekend.

This year’s Spring Weekend was marred by a fight that resulted in the death of 20-year-old UConn student Jafar Karzoun of Milford. Karzoun reportedly was punched, fell backward and hit his head. He died Saturday at Hartford Hospital.

“The loss of any of our students is unacceptable, as is any act of violence in our community,” Hogan said. “To reduce the risk of violence, we must act together to de-escalate Spring Weekend.”

The man charged with attacking Karzoun on April 23 is 19-year-old Edi Rapo, 19, of East Hartford, who is not a UConn student.

Rapo appeared in Rockville Superior Court Wednesday [May 5] on charges of second-degree assault, breach of peace, issuing a false statement and third-degree forgery. To date, no new charges have  been lodged against him now that his victim has died.

According to Rapo’s lawyer, Edward Morelli of South Windsor, Rapo and his family feel “terrible” about the situation.

“It’s a tragedy,” said Morelli after Rapo quickly exited the courthouse and left in vehicle waiting for him.

As to whether Rapo will face additional charges, Morelli said, “It’s in the early stages… There’s still a lot of facts that need to be gathered.”

Posted May 8, 2010 as edited by HTNP.com Editor Brenda Sullivan

Storrs Farmers Market back at Town Hall May 8

Everything at the Storrs Farmers Market is Connecticut grown and picked fresh, including greens and herbs. Photo © by Brenda Sullivan.

Storrs Farmers Market begins its 16th season on Saturday, May 8.  Open every Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m., the market is set up in the Mansfield town hall parking lot on Storrs Road (Route 195).

The market is within walking distance of the Mansfield Community Center, UConn and several WRTD bus stops.

At Storrs Farmers Market, everything is Connecticut grown and produced. In fact, the average distance from farm to the market is just 17 miles. Compare that to the national average of 1,300 miles that food travels from farm to supermarket. And the food at Storrs Farmers Market is picked when it’s perfectly ripe and sold fresh.

Storrs Farmers Market is the area’s only year-round market. And because everything sold at the market is grown and produced locally, the offerings change throughout the year.  During Storrs Farmers Market’s 16th year, visitors can expect to find all-natural beef, heritage breed pork and lamb, raw milk, and goats’ milk and cheeses along with an array of vegetables and fruits, including heirloom varieties.

Hand-spun wool, local honey, local maple syrup, beeswax products, goats’ milk soaps, and fresh baked goods are available all year.

If you would like more information about the Market or to sign up for the weekly e-newsletter, please email StorrsFarmersMarket@gmail.com.

Posted May 8, 2010