The new Storrs Center Parking Garage, located on Dog Lane, will begin full operation, complete with working gates, beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19. Parking at the garage is free for the first two hours, after which there is a $1-an-hour charge for each additional hour. The daily maximum is $8. Image courtesy of LeylandAlliance
The Storrs Center Parking Garage, located on Dog Lane, will begin full operation, complete with working gates, beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19.
Parking at the Storrs Center garage is free for the first two hours, after which there is a $1-an-hour charge for each additional hour. The daily maximum is $8.
Patrons will pay to exit either at the gate with a credit card, or with cash or a credit card at the pay station located in the lobby adjacent to the first floor elevator.
The new “downtown” opened this month.
Storrs Automotive, Select Physical Therapy, Travel Planners, Skora’s Barber Styling Shop, Body Language and Subway have all opened in their new locations.
Residents of the first 127 apartments of The Oaks on the Square also have moved in – many of them UConn students.
Additional businesses have signed agreements to become tenants, including PriceChopper, 7-11, and medical offices for the UConn Health Center.
Questions? Please contact the Town of Mansfield Public Works Department at 860-429-3331 Monday through Friday during office hours (offices close at noon on Friday) or send an email to StorrsCenterInfo@mansfieldct.org
Posted September 18, 2012 based on a press release
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Storrs Farmers Market is open today (Saturday, Sept. 15) from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building (Town Hall) parking lot – next door to E.O. Smith High School on Route 195/Storrs Road.
Storrs Farmers Market is open today (Saturday, Sept. 15) from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building (Town Hall) parking lot – next door to E.O. Smith High School on Route 195/Storrs Road.
Today it’s “Music @ the Market” with Avery.
And today’s fresh and local offerings include: apples, squash, tomatoes, beef, baked goods, honey… and much more!
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Editor’s note - Please see the end of this psot for a correction to the Aug. 27 story.
Right now, Congress is considering a request from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to allow an end to Saturday mail delivery and closing post offices on Saturdays.
And in an effort to dig itself out of debt, the USPS also has plans in place to eliminate 150,000 postal jobs by 2016.
Over the last three years, the USPS has already eliminated thousands of jobs.
It’s probably difficult for most people to understand why the postal service is in so much trouble – it’s a government agency, right? Why can’t the government give it more money?
Well, besides the fact that the country is still digging out from a recession, the fact is the U.S. Postal service is not a government-funded agency. It is responsible for its own costs and revenues.
At the same time, however, it is mandated to provide certain services. Like the first regulations governing telephone service – whose purpose was to ensure everyone in the country had access to affordable phone service – the post office is supposed to serve Americans of all economic levels.
It is supposed to accomplish this goal and be profitable.
There have been several news reports on the degree to which email and other aspects of the Internet have taken business away from the postal service – in particular, there’s been a huge drop in the volume of first-class mail – but a report written by Jen Wieczner for the Marketwatch section of the Wall Street Journal shines a light on much more fundamental and much more financially devastating problems.
In “10 things the post office won’t tell you,” Wieczner points out that the U.S. government requires a financial commitment from the Postal Service well beyond similar requirements for federal agencies; the USPS is mandated to make payments to pre-fund health care benefits for postal retirees 75 years into the future.
This requirement was established in the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006.
Wieczner reports that of the $11.6 billion loss reported by the Postal Service for the first three quarters of 2012, nearly 80 percent or $9.2 billion is due to the pre-funding of these benefits.
This story also reports that for the first time since the 2006 mandate, the Postal Service did not pay its $5.5 billion bill (due Aug. 1) and it will likely default on the Sept. 30 bill, as well.
Currrently, there is $44 billion in the fund, and the Postal Service wants to let that fund grow with interest – without causing any problems for retirees, according to this story. Wieczner writes that the Postal Service pension fund is more than 100 percent funded, compared with 42 percent for all federal pension funds.
This excellent news report also outlines strategies being suggested for boosting the USPS revenues (such as adding banking services), delves into the surprising portfolio of real estate owned by the postal service (and the private investors who have benefited financially from it), how “junk mail” helps pay the USPS bills, and exposes the tie between the federal budget and postal service revenues.
In the original post of this story (Aug. 27, 2012) I stated: “Over the last three years, the USPS has already eliminated thousands of jobs and replaced many ‘non-performing’ post offices across the country with vending machines that dispense stamps and packaging and provide other limited services.” An inquiry from a reader prompted me to seek verification of this information. According to local U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman Christine Dugas, the self-service kiosks (or Automated Postal Centers) were placed about 10 years ago in locations where there was a high volume of business, in order to reduce customer wait times. They are often placed in lobbies where the customer has 24-hour access, and they provide a wide range of postal services. Currently there are over 32,000 post offices and only 2,500 APC kiosks nationwide, Dugas said. She added that in 2011, “APCs nationwide generated $543 million in revenue through nearly 86 million transactions.” Dugas noted that since 2006, the volume of first-class mail has declined about 25 percent, and this has caused serious problems covering operating costs, but the kiosks are not related to the financial losses. Dugas added that the Postal Service’s proposal to close 3,500 post offices across the U.S. is currently on hold.
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Users of social media often don’t question the statements made in posts such as this one posted on Facebook.
There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the development and federal approval of genetically-modified foods (or organisms), also known as GMOs.
Currently, California is getting ready to vote on Proposition 37 in November, which would require foods (i.e. spaghetti sauce, cereal, breads and most recently, a “non-browning” apple) that contain GMOs (transgenic) to state as much on their labels so that consumers can choose whether to buy these items, or not.
Not surprisingly, companies that produce GMOs are opposed to labeling because it could lead to consumers avoiding these foods.
There also are groups, worldwide, calling for a ban on genetically-modified foods (in some countries, they are already banned) because opponents feel not enough research has been done on long-term effects on the human body after consuming these foods (i.e. corn).
For example, a Monsanto-brand of corn is genetically engineered to release its own insecticide.
Opponents say that the insecticide also kills beneficial insects – such as honey bees, which are necessary for pollinating plants so that the plants can form new seeds.
Just Label It video
Other opponents are concerned about the impact on the natural world.
Video about connection between bees and GMOs (full-length video can be viewed on YouTube at http://youtu.be/UCqwQmS1KXw )
Bees are also of concern today because of “bee die-off.” Without bees, human beings will not have vegetable foods to eat, and the animals we eat will not have food to eat (grain, corn, etc.) either.
Beneficial insects also are necessary to control the populations of non-beneficial insects.
Proponents of GMOs say they will help produce more food, particularly in countries where there is danger of famine because, for example, they are less susceptible to disease or are drought tolerant. There is disagreement, however, about the success of these new plants or the cost-benefit balance.
Other concerns center around companies such as Monsanto and their actions toward farmers. You can find news stories online that document Monsanto successfully suing farmers whose fields were “contaminated” by drifting GMO/patented seed, as well as farmers who (until now) were in the habit of saving seed from their crops in order to lower their costs.
Monsanto promo video
The photo posted with this story represents another side of the problem – misinformation – and the hazards of automatically “sharing” photos and posters and the like in social media without checking the facts.
In this case, the photo depicts a list of organic food companies that people have come to rely on for safe, wholesome foods and states that they are in fact opposed to labeling GMO-containing foods and are also “funneling” funds to stop labeling.
In the comments that accompany the photo, a reader shares that he wrote to these companies and two responses, to date, paint a very different picture.
As for other examples of information-sharing in social media, caution should also be exercised when passing along alerts about missing children, health scares, crime scares, computer virus scares, etc. One good source for verifying these announcements is Snopes.com and for computer-related issues, McAfee.com
One of the most powerful aspects of social media, such as Facebook, is that it can be used to educate others, and gather support for civic and social action… but it is also all too easy to pass along misinformation by hitting that “share” button.
Social media continues to evolve in many areas of our lives and like most “tools” can be used for benefit or to do harm – so it is up to us to exercise good judgment.
For the record, I support labeling foods containing genetically-modified ingredients.
And so, this is what Gordon Könyāhû Hayes wrote in Facebook about the GMO photo posted by NaturalNews:
I wrote to all of these companies the other day and have so far received 2 responses. This information is F A L S E! Neither Kashi or Silk have donated a red cent to defeat Prop 37. And Silk is supporting a NATIONAL effort to require labeling.
Gordon Könyāhû Hayes – I have written NaturalNews and complained about their lie tactic as well as reporting them to the companies they are falsely accusing.
SeedsNow.com @ Gordon – would you mind sharing their responses with us? It’s good to hear the other side of the story. Please share.
Gordon Könyāhû Hayes – Not a problem.
Gordon Könyāhû Hayes – I have also called for a boycott of NaturalNews until they can quit using deceptive practices.
Gordon Könyāhû Hayes – [from Silk® ]
Thank you for your recent e-mail to Silk®. We appreciate your interest in our products.
At WhiteWave, we believe consumers have the right to make informed choices about the foods they eat, and support labeling foods that are made with non-genetically modified ingredients.
• We support labeling foods that are made with non-genetically modified ingredients.
• While we support the underlying principles of Prop 37, we choose to support national initiatives, such as Just Label It and the Non-GMO Project that will not impede the availability of our products.
Just look at two of our national brands – Silk and Horizon Organic. They are both produced without the use of genetically modified ingredients and the package clearly indicates this.
Our entire Silk plant-based beverage portfolio is verified by the Non-GMO Project, and proudly carries the Non-GMO Verified logo.
All of our Horizon Organic products carry the USDA Organic Seal, and have since 2001. Consumers have come to know and trust that the certified organic label means their food is produced without the use of pesticides, antibiotics, added growth hormones, and GMOs.
Today at WhiteWave Foods, 85 percent of our products are non-GMO, and we are working to move additional ingredients in our portfolio to non-GMO.
We are proud of the national initiatives in which Silk and Horizon Organic engage.
The Just Label It! initiative is supported by a broad coalition of consumers and businesses interested in how their food is produced, including Silk and Horizon Organic. The campaign involves a petition with the FDA seeking mandatory labeling of GM foods.
Consumers can make a public comment in support of the petition on the campaign’s website at www.justlabelit.org
Thanks again for contacting the Consumer Affairs Department.
Gabriel Gonzalez
Consumer Response Representative
Gordon Könyāhû Hayes – [From Kashi]
Hello Gordon, Thanks for reaching out to us about the recent media coverage supporting proposition 37. We appreciate the opportunity to respond.
While Kellogg is our parent company, Kashi operates as an independent business in La Jolla, CA and has not made any contributions to oppose GMO labeling. We are committed to significantly increasing the number of USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified foods we offer over the next few years.
Today, we purchase over 35 million pounds of organic ingredients annually and are proud to have Non-GMO Project Verification of seven Kashi cereals, including Kashi® Autumn Wheat®, Cinnamon Harvest®, Island Vanilla®, Strawberry Fields®, 7 Whole Grain Flakes, and 7 Whole Grain Puffs cereals, and Kashi® 7 Whole Grain Pilaf.
In addition, two cereals, Kashi® Simply Maize and Kashi® Indigo Morning™ are currently in the process of becoming Non-GMO Project Verified. To learn more, please visit http://www.kashi.com/ourcommitment. We understand your concern about GMO ingredients. This issue is larger than just Kashi and positive change requires time and collaboration across many partners within the food system.
We appreciate hearing your voice. Thanks again for contacting us.
Note: If you are interested in this issue, there is a GMO Free Farmers Market and Education Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bushnell Park in Hartford, CT on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012. It is hosted by GMO Free Hartford.
Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )
The HTNP News Facebook page contains “bonus” news posted throughout the day, and if you “like” the page, you can post your news and questions and photos directly to the page.
HNTP.com, which is the umbrella under which we publish eight local news sites, has a very popular and active Facebook page, HTNP News. As of this posting, we are averaging 8,036 unique visitors.
On our Facebook page, I share “bonus” news ranging from local arts and entertainment events to photo galleries of local events to state and national news affecting us all.
And if you “like” our page, you can post your news, events and photos directly to it – which allows me to share it with upwards of 8,000 readers. Plus, you’ll be notified when there’s a new post.
As always, please also feel free to send us your press releases, news tips, event photos and Letters to the Editor at editor@htnp.com
Thank you, again, for your support – these are challenging times for small businesses.
85-year-old Max Cohen of Coventry, CT may not drive anymore, but he’s got enough money for a new car and maybe a driver as a $25,000 winner in the CT Lottery game, Lucky for Life. Photo source: CT Lottery
The youngest of eight children, Max Cohen of Coventry, CT has seen a lot of life in his 85 years. On July 31, 2012 Cohen experienced a new life first when he came to CT Lottery headquarters in Rocky Hill to claim the second highest prize in the Lucky for Life* game – worth $25,000.
On July 26, Cohen missed matching the Lucky Ball number, which was 5, but matched the other five winning numbers (6 – 8 – 23 – 34 – 38). “The numbers I played are special, they all relate to my mother,” said Cohen.
Cohen, who served in the First Marines, 1st Marine Division in World War II, was pleasantly surprised with his $25,000 win. “For now, the money will go in the bank,” Cohen said.
Cohen’s daughter, Lisa Duclos, helps her father play his numbers, “now that he doesn’t drive anymore,” she told Lottery officials.
“When I checked his numbers on the Lottery website (http://www.ctlottery.org), I said to my husband, ‘Oh my God, I think I have five numbers.’ I had my husband check; I checked a couple more times, and then I used a lottery Ticket Checker just to be sure,” Duclos said.
Cohen’s winning ticket was purchased at CV Mart, at 1237 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon, CT.
Across New England, 77,649 winning Lucky for Life tickets were purchased on that date; 24,129 were sold in CT alone with prizes ranging from $2 to $25,000.
Since the “first” Lucky for Life drawing on March 15, 2012, there have been 1,076,799 “lucky” winning tickets sold in CT alone.
Posted Aug. 2, 2012
*About the Lucky for Life game – The top prize is up to $7,000 a week for life. If you don’t win the top prize, there are nine other prize levels, from $2 up to $25,000, on every ticket. Drawings are held every Monday and Thursday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox CT – Channel 61 and WCCT-TV – Channel 20.
Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on our NEW Twitter page at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )
Due to construction of the new Dog Lane connection to Storrs Road (Route 195) as part of the Storrs Center project, Dog Lane will be closed between Route 195 and Bundy Lane beginning today (Thursday, July 19, 2012), according to an announcement made by the Town of Mansfield today.
“We expect this portion of the road to be reopened to traffic by Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012,” the announcement states.
Also:
“Businesses located on Dog Lane between Willowbrook Road and Storrs Road (Route 195) should direct their employees and customers coming from Storrs Road to use Gurleyville Road and Bundy Lane as a temporary detour.”
Gurleyville Road is across from UConn’s north campus, next to the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.
“From the intersection with Bundy Lane, Dog Lane will be limited to local traffic between Bundy Lane and Willowbrook Road to allow access to Dog Lane residents and businesses, according to the announcement.
All construction traffic to Storrs Center will be rerouted through UConn property; no construction traffic will be directed to other local roads, according to the announcement.
Any problems with construction traffic or the road closure should be directed to the Town Manager’s Office during office hours at 860 429-3336 or via email to StorrsCenterInfo@mansfieldct.org
Town Hall is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays from 8:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Note that Town Hall (the Audrey P. Beck Municipal Building, 4 South Eagleville Road) closes early on Fridays – hours are 8 a.m. to noon.
Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on Twitter at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )
UConn officials have considered the relocation of the facility for at least a decade. Some area residents claim the university has been dragging its feet. They are concerned about the possibility of contamination of the Willimantic reservoir and the Natchaug and Shetucket rivers, though there haven’t been any reported incidents.
The University of Connecticut recently established an advisory committee to identify alternate sites for the hazardous materials storage facility, now known as the “main accumulation area” (MAA).
The current facility located off Horsebarn Hill was constructed as a temporary storage area for chemical, biological and medical waste and “low-level” radioactive material generated by the academic and research facilities.
The committee, which includes UConn and town representatives, is tasked with identifying five potential alternative sites, said UConn Environmental Compliance Analyst Jason Coite.
The group will review options that have been considered in the past, as well as the current site and any others brought to the table.
“We’re still working off the original options that were proposed back in 2003-04,” said Coite.
UConn officials have considered the relocation of the facility for at least a decade.
Some area residents claim the university has been dragging its feet. They are concerned about the possibility of contamination of the Willimantic reservoir and the Natchaug and Shetucket rivers, though there haven’t been any reported incidents.
Coite said reconvening the committee “was the best first step” to getting conversations about the MAA going.
The MAA site advisory committee includes Chair Richard Miller who is UConn Office of Environmental Policy Director, representatives from the Willimantic River Alliance and Windham Water Works, Mansfield Planning and Development Director Linda Painter, Mansfield Fire Chief David Dagon and resident Bill Lennon.
As part of its charge, the advisory committee will identify a preferred location and other options, a process they hope to complete this summer.
Its next meeting has not been scheduled.
Once the locations have been recommended, they will undergo an environmental impact evaluation (EIE), a process Coite said could take a year or more. Community members will have the opportunity to comment on the EIE findings throughout the process.
Options to be reviewed by the committee include two locations on the northern UConn campus, one in the science quadrangle and another in the northwest corner of campus.
According to university officials, the current MAA facility is regulated by various agencies, including the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the state Department of Public Health. The water company also regularly tests local water to ensure it is not being contaminated by hazardous materials.
Chemical waste is securely stored in the facility for no more than 90 days before it is transported off-site for disposal by an EPA-permitted company, according to UConn officials.
Posted July 19, 2012
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“We’d love for you to participate in the photo shoot if you can. ‘Extras’ will be needed to show people walking, peeking in storefronts, dining outdoors or interacting with friends, children or pets.”
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