2.5% UConn tuition hike proposed

The University of Connecticut is hosting an infor­mational meeting Friday to dis­cuss a recommended 2.5-percent tuition increase.

UConn spokesman Michael Kirk said the meeting will start at 3 p.m. at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center Friday, where Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Richard Gray is expected to unveil his recommendation for the 2.5-percent increase.

Kirk said the public can attend to get information from Gray, as well as ask questions and make comments.

Gray is hosting the meet­ing before he makes his recom­mendation to the UConn Board of Trustees at a 9 a.m. meeting Tuesday in the Rome Ballroom.

Legislators want UConn game available for non-subscribers

Coach Calhoun. File photo

With the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team set to begin its journey for another NCAA title tonight, two Connecticut lawmakers in Washington are expressing con­cern some Nutmeggers can’t view the game.

UConn’s game against Bucknell is slated for a 7:20 p.m. start, and TNT will broadcast the game.

But U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District have sent letters to the NCAA and CBS expressing concerns that residents without cable or satellite access cannot view the game.

CBS has broadcast the NCAA men’s basketball tournament for decades, but this year TNT, TBS and truTV also have rights to carry games.

Blumenthal and Courtney said an estimated 150,000 households across the state do not have access to cable or satellite television and, thus, cannot watch TNT or their Huskies.

They said in the letters, sent to NCAA President Mark Emmert and CBS President and CEO Les Moonves, that local CBS affiliate, WFSB Channel 3, should broad­cast the UConn/Bucknell game.

WFSB, along with CBS sta­tions around the country, is slated to broadcast the Brigham Young University-Wofford game, which starts at 7:15 p.m.

Both games involve teams with No. 3 seeds – UConn and BYU – facing No. 14 seeds – Bucknell and Wofford.

“This news is extremely dis­appointing, and I ask for your assistance in remedying this situ­ation,” Courtney said in his letter Wednesday.

He also asked for WFSB to have broadcasting rights for the UConn game in place of the BYU/Wofford game, and Blumenthal, in a letter his morning, said he agreed “with the request made by Congressman Courtney.”

” I believe the public interest would be better served by enabling fans in Connecticut to view Thursday night’s game, instead of its accessibility to just those house­holds that have cable or satellite service,” he said.

CBS Vice President of Communications Shannon Jacobs and Senior Vice President of Sports Communications Leslie Wade could not be reached for comment this morning.

WFSB officials this morning deferred com­ment to network headquarters in New York.

The estimated 150,000 households across the state make up slightly more than 10 per­cent of households, according to available census data.

The 2010 census data has not yet specified the number of households in the state.

But Courtney said the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments are “one of the stron­gest uniting threads in Connecticut.”

“Husky basketball is a source of pride for just about everyone you will meet, and inter­est in the NCAA Championship tournament can be found in every corner of the state,” he said.

The UConn/Bucknell game was listed on the schedule for March Madness on Demand, which allows viewers to watch any of the tournament games on line for free at ncaa.com/mmod.

The women’s basketball team, meanwhile, begins tournament play Sunday at 12:05 p.m. against the University of Hartford.

That game will be broadcast on ESPN2, also only available via cable or satellite service, and on ESPN3.com, ESPN’s web site for sports event telecasts.
Posted 3-17-2011

Blarney Stone Dash, Indoor Farmers' Market, grinder sale and more this weekend

Saturday March 19

COLUMBIA LIONS CLUB PANCAKES BREAKFAST
The Columbia Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast in the Horace W. Porter School cafeteria, School House Lane, Columbia, 7 to 11 a.m. Free eye screening, 8 to 11 a.m. and a silent auction. Advance tickets for adults are $5.50, seniors $5, children (under 12) $3. Add 50 cents to each price at the door. All proceeds benefit Lions projects. Tickets/info: Joe Pernaselli, (860) 228-0808.

BOOK SALE
Janet Carlson Calvert Library, 5A Tyler Drive, Franklin, will host a book sale with free admission from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. Fill a bag for $5 (bag provided). Info: (860) 642-6207 or www. calvertlibrary.com.

MARCH MADNESS SALE/WINTER CLEARANCE
The Thrift Shop and Kid’s Boutique, open 9 a.m. to noon at the First Congregational Church, 199 Valley St., Willimantic. New items every week. Donations accepted. Info: (860) 423-6827 or visit www.churchw. org.

BLARNEY STONE DASH
A St. Patrick’s Day road race will be presented by the Irish Club and the Windham Recreation Department at 10 a.m. Information: (860) 465-3046. Event starts at Windham Middle School, Quarry Street. Registration is at timing@thelastmileracing.com or by calling (860) 456-4451. Funds raised are for scholarships.

BASKET MAKING WORKSHOP
Lebanon Historical Society, 856 Trumbull Highway, Lebanon, will host a basket-making workshop from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $25 for members, $35 for non-members and includes all supplies. Information or register, call (860) 642-6579.

SATURDAY BEREAVEMENT GROUP
Hospice of Eastern Connecticut, 34 Ledgebrook Drive, Mansfield, will host a bereavement support group from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Group is appropriate for those who are grieving a year or more. Group is open to the community. For information, call (860) 456-7288, ext. 293.

PRE-ORDER GRINDER SALE
Pick-up only 11 a.m. to noon, downstairs hall, Franco-American Club at 116 Club Road, North Windham. Pre-orders are requested, at (860) 423-5385, by Friday, March 18. Grinders are $5 for an 8-inch grinder, and choices are ham or salami grinders with American or pro­volone cheese.

ASHFORD INDOOR WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET
The Ashford Indoor Farmers Market will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Route 44 across from the Ashford Library in the old post office building. Features fresh-brewed coffee, fresh farm eggs, lamb meat, farmstead cheese, jams, jellies, pickles, relish, healers, special recipes, honey, maple syrup and candy, spring plant orders and more.

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE SUPPER
The Second Congregational Church of Coventry Church Community House will host a corned beef and cabbage dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Adult, $9, seniors, $8 and $4 for children 6 to 12. Children under 6 are free. Reservations at (860) 742-8130. Take-out orders are available.

SPAGHETTI DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION
Boy Scout Troop 58 will host its 10th annual spaghetti dinner and silent auction from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lebanon Fire Safety Complex. For advance tickets or more information, contact Sue at (860) 450-9463. Advance tickets: $7, 12 years and older; $5 seniors and children 6-11; children 5 years and under are free. Tickets at door: $8, 12 years and older; $6 seniors and children 6-11; children 5 years and under free. Take-out available.

‘YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN’
Coventry High School, Veteran’s Auditorium, 78 Ripley Hill Road, Coventry, will showcase “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $10 adults, $7 students and seniors, children under 5 are free. Info: (860) 742-7346, ext. 581.

FULL MOON WALK
A full moon walk is scheduled at 8 p.m. in the form of a 2-mile walk on level ground along Rail Trail. Free and suitable for all ages, but no dogs please. Meet at the Hop River Rail trail parking area on Hop River Road, on the Coventry side of the river. Overcast skies will cancel. Sponsored by the Columbia Trails Committee. Info: Joan Hill (860) 228 2849.

Sunday March 20

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES – STORRS
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Storrs, 10:30 a.m., will host Sunday worship services with the Rev. Darrick Jackson, who will retell the creation story from the point of view of the tree with a sermon entitled, “Tree: Guardian and Witness.” Info: (860) 429-6088.

BOOK SALE
Janet Carlson Calvert Library, 5A Tyler Drive, Franklin, will host a book sale. Free admission. Sale is from noon to 3 p.m. Fill a bag for $5 (bag provided). Info: (860) 642-6207 or www.calvertlibrary.com.

WORLD’S SMALLEST QUARTET
The “World’s Smallest Quartet” will be performing at the Canterbury Town Community Room (Route 14), beginning at 3 p.m. This acous­tic group plays an impressive range of music from the 1960s to the pres­ent. This free town event is being sponsored by the Cat Hospital of Canterbury, Chelsea-Groton Bank and Reflections Hair Care.

Posted 3-17-2011

Spring is almost here and so is the 30th Annual Home Show

The Annual Home Show sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. Photo courtesy of Jenks Productions

If you’re thinking home repairs and other property improvement projects this spring, there will be a wealth of resources to peruse at the 30th annual Home Show, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT this weekend.

Visitors can talk with builders, remodelers, landscapers, contractors and tree experts.

You also can shop for pools and spas, water conditioners, cookware, home gadgetry, windows and doors, gutters and siding, wireless services, flooring and wall coverings, heating and cooling systems, stone products, security systems, kitchens and baths and appliances.

And you can learn more about health products/services such as East-West Chiropractic as well as community services (i.e. Autism Speaks Community Leadership Council, Foster Care & Adoption, Habitat for Humanity) and see innovative products such as the Bios water-powered vehicle.

The show runs from Friday through Sunday, March 18-20 and is held at the Connecticut College’s Dayton Arena and Athletic Center, on Route 32 in New London.

Show hours are from 5 to 9 pm on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets, available at the door, are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children under age 12 are admitted at no charge.

Parking is free and there will be shuttle service from the campus South Lot.

The company organizing the show, Jenks Productions, is partnering with the United Way by offering $1 off adult admission if you bring one or more non-perishable food items to donate to the United Way’s Community Food Drive. There’s a limit of one discount per person (not valid with any other coupon or special offer).

Click here for directions.

Click here for a video about the Home Show.

And for a list of vendors, click here.

Posted March 17, 2011

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