Want to be an extra at a Storrs Center photo shoot?

The Storrs Center development team is having some professional photos taken on Thursday, May 16 – throughout the day – to be used on websites, marketing materials and other promotional uses. Image source: publicdomainpictures.net

The Storrs Center development team is having some professional photos taken on Thursday, May 16 – throughout the day – to be used on websites, marketing materials and for other promotional uses.

If you’d like to be a part of this, all you have to do is, as the Beatles said, “act naturally.”

According to an email sent by the Storrs Center team:

“Now that the first buildings are completed, trees and sidewalks are installed and businesses and restaurants are open, we’d like to capture the spirit of Storrs Center with new photography.

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Paving Storrs Road – Route 195 in Mansfield

Milling and paving of Storrs Road (Route 195) – part of improvements being made to this main roadway associated with the Storrs Center development – is expected to begin on Friday, May 17, 2013.

Press Release

Milling and paving of Storrs Road (Route 195) – part of improvements being made to this main roadway associated with the Storrs Center development – is expected to begin on Friday, May 17, 2013.

During this work, traffic will be restricted at times to alternating one-lane patterns.

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Malloy proclaims National Teacher Day in CT

Social studies teacher at Berlin High School, David Bosso is 2012 Connecticut Teacher of the Year. (See video) He has enriched his teaching about world history and cultures with trips to Ghana, China, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Egypt. On his blog, Global Wanderings, Bosso writes, “I have a keen desire to not only educate my students about the world around them, but also to learn as much as possible to better inform my own knowledge base.”

Press Release

Gov Dannel P. Malloy has proclaimed Tuesday, May 7, 2013 as National Teacher Day in the State of Connecticut.

National Teacher Day is part of Teacher Appreciation Week, which is celebrated May 6-10, 2013.

“While today is National Teacher Day, the fact is that the work our teachers do is something that deserves celebration every day,” said Gov. Malloy.

“Improving our public schools is a top priority of my administration, and that includes getting more and better resources and quality professional development to our teachers, so they can prepare the next generation for success in the 21st Century,” Gov. Malloy said.

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CT Main Street Center recognizes Storrs Center project

This is the third Award of Excellence the Mansfield Downtown Partnership has received from the CT Main Street Center. Illustration from MDP website.

Press Release

The Mansfield Downtown Partnership announced today (May 7) that it has received the 2013 Award of Excellence: Economic and Business Development from Connecticut Main Street Center.

The MDP was recognized for its efforts in retaining and relocating Mansfield businesses affected by the development of Storrs Center.

When development of Storrs Center began, there were 25 existing tenants (both commercial and university uses) in the buildings slated for demolition.

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Coventry Farmers Market to pop up at Topmost Farm

This Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit one of our most beautiful farms when the Coventry Regional Farmers Market goes on tour with our first-ever “Pop Up Market” at Topmost Herb Farm!

Press Release

This Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit one of our most beautiful farms when the Coventry Regional Farmers Market goes on tour with our first-ever “Pop Up Market” at Topmost Herb Farm!

What to expect…

Drive down the dirt road leading to Topmost to find a gorgeous farm and more than 25 of our vendors offering gorgeous asparagus, rhubarb, greens and other spring produce, vegetable plants, eggs, meats, cheeses, artisan foods and more!

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Jeepin for the Cause to benefit Windham Hospital

Jeepin’ for the Cause, a recreational-Jeep ride sponsored by Capitol Chrysler Dodge Jeep to benefit Windham Hospital, is coming up from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, May 5, 2013.

By Brenda Sullivan | HTNP News Editor

Jeepin’ for the Cause, a recreational-Jeep ride sponsored by Capitol Chrysler Dodge Jeep to benefit Windham Hospital, is coming up from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, May 5.

Capitol Jeep has sponsored seven of these popular events and raised more than $43,000 for local charities.

“We offer three different trails of varying terrain and difficulty to maximize driver challenge and passenger enjoyment,” said Owner/President of Capitol Chrysler Dodge Jeep Scott Lewis.

“These rides are always a lot of fun. Our entire staff gets behind these events and we invite the community to join us on the trails, rain or shine,” Lewis said.

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AAA identifies motorist breaking point on gas prices

The report finds that roughly two-thirds of Americans (62 percent) are offsetting high gas prices by changing their driving habits or lifestyle. At the top of that list is less driving in general, less dining out and less shopping; at the bottom of the list is using public transportation.

Half of U.S. adults consider gas prices to be “too high” when it reaches $3.44 per gallon, indicating a potential breaking point on gas prices, according to a new consumer price index developed by AAA.

The report also points to the negative impact on consumer spending in other areas, in order to keep gas expenditures to a manageable level.

The report finds that roughly two-thirds of Americans (62 percent) are offsetting high gas prices by changing their driving habits or lifestyle.

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CT DEEP Commissioner to demonstrate electric-vehicle service at Storrs Center

CT DEEP Commissioner Esty is expected to charge his Chevy Volt at one of the stations – there are four Level 2 retractable electric charging stations in the Mansfield Garage – and a Hertz car-share program will be introduced.

By Brenda Sullivan, HTNP News Editor

Connecticut Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty is expected to join Mansfield Mayor Betsy Paterson and other local dignitaries beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 16 to tour the Storrs Center development.

The visit is meant to highlight energy and pro-environment aspects of the development, including electric vehicle charging stations for the public.

Commissioner Esty was originally scheduled to visit Storrs Center and talk about the electric-vehicle leasing service on March 19, but that visit was rescheduled because of bad weather.

His April 16 visit begins at the Storrs Center Parking Garage and then moves to the businesses on Dog Lane.

The lower level of the parking garage features electric vehicle charging stations for the public. Commissioner Esty will park his Chevy Volt and connect it to a charger.

There are four, Level-2 retractable electric charging stations – and a Hertz car-share program will be introduced.

This demonstration will be followed with a speaking program on the sidewalk along Dog Lane, outside of retail shops and restaurants. (In the event of rain, the group will move inside the Dog Lane Café).

A reception will follow at Dog Lane Café.

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