Fireworks...What Our Youth Are Teaching Us

The
Hamden Journal
Hamden, Connecticut
www.thehamdenjournal.com
July 2, 2010
Fireworks...What Our Youth Are Teaching Us
by Chris LaTorraca
As America gets ready to celebrate the 234th anniversary
of independence from tyranny,
the landscape of this country
has changed since 1776. We are
a country of over 300 million
people from almost every corner of the earth who risked everything to achieve life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness.
We, in Hamden, are the descendants of those risk takers who
came for religious, economic,
and political freedom. As this
country struggles through a
tough recession, we see American ingenuity at its best in the
tents and stores of the firework
dealers in town. Two stores,
one a non-profit and one for
profit, are a true microcosm of
the greatness of the American
people.
Frontline Ministries based
on State Street has a fireworks
store in the Home Depot plaza.
“The profits from the store will
go toward the church youth
group,” leader Justin Kuehne
said. Justin is confident the
store can produce a two to three
thousand dollar profit. Several
of the kids are helping out, donating their time to make a difference. “We have close to a
dozen volunteers,” Justin told
The Hamden Journal. Frontline is one of many non-profits
who have taken advantage of
firework stores as a means to
generate revenue. According to
Giving USA, charitable donations were down 3.6 percent in
2009. The year 2010 is shaping
up to be much of the same for
places that rely on donations;
therefore, opportunities like
these should not be passed up.
A couple of miles down the
road, at the center of town, sits
the Whitney Sandwich Shop.
The deli is co-owned by Eric
Gallicchio and Rich Dubay.
“We want to give back to the
community. This is a business
model for teens to learn responsibility, earn commission,
and develop an entrepreneurial
mindset,” states Rich. With
teen unemployment hover-
While Starbucks is feeling the
hangover from its earlier rapid
expansion, coffee seems to be
assisting some local businesses quite nicely in the current
challenging economy.
“People are buying more
coffee with us than ever before,” said Jaime Zapata of
Bread and Chocolate, 2547
Whitney Avenue, Hamden,
told The Hamden Journal earlier this week. “I believe that
part of it is due to the economy, but another reason is the
taste and strength of what we
serve.” Zapata says that customers tell him they prefer
Bread and Chocolate’s brewed
coffee “because they aren’t
weak, but they aren’t overlystrong, either.” Zapata charges
lower costs for quality brewed
coffee than most of his competitors.
Willoughby’s Coffee and
Tea, celebrating 25 years in
business this year, sees the
only negative aspect regarding coffee sales being low at
its highest volume store, lo-
cated in New Haven. “We’ve
been down at that location
for two years,” said co-owner
Bob Williams. “The reason,
unfortunately, is that traffic in
that area (Church and Grove
Streets) is down, due to a large
number of layoffs. Our other
three locations are up.” Willoughby’s other locations are
in Branford (2) and Madison.
Williams added that the
company’s other coffee divisions are doing well. “Our
mail-order business is growing. People are dining out
less, but spending a bit more
of their dollars with us.” He
said that Willoughby’s wholesale business is also growing.
(The company is sponsoring
a summer-long exhibit, “Coffees of the World,” at the Peabody Museum – see “Local
Getaway” on page 13.)
Jaime Zapata has noticed that
while his coffee sales are up,
“our customers tend to share
more of the food that they buy
here. More and more we’ll see
three people share two desserts or splitting their lunches
in some way.” The store’s fa-
A Semi-Monthly
Publication:
1st & 3rd
Fridays of Each
Month
Pictured Left (left to right):
Alexa Gallicchio, Alison
Canelli, and Taylor Anastasio
Pictured Below: Justin
Kuehne helping customer.
ing at 25 percent, this firework
tent is providing jobs for high
school students that otherwise
wouldn’t have existed.
These two examples of people thinking outside the box
are what make this country the
greatest country on earth. We
have, as Americans, the freedom to do what we believe is
best for ourselves, our families, our lives, and our futures.
So, as we hear and read all the
negative stories out there, let’s
Coffee is King in this Economy
by Bill Hartigan
FREE
mous breads “are selling more
than ever on the retail side, but
we’re seeing some cutbacks
in the wholesale area. Restaurants are cautious with their
spending now.”
Zapata noted that he and
co-owner Alejandra Quintero
experienced “a big drop in our
catering business, especially
among professional offices.”
By revising its catering and
lunch menus, as well as their
pricing, Bread and Chocolate
has reversed the trend. “People know good value and good
quality. Give it to them and
your phone will ring off the
hook.”
remember that there are people
who want to make a difference
and are not asking for handouts.
God Bless America and “Let
Freedom Ring!”
Fireworks at the Transfer
Station
by Chris LaTorraca
At press time there is no notice of a special meeting of the
Legislative Council for a contract for Trash Master to operate the transfer station. Since
a contract wasn’t in place with
Trash Master by the start of the
new fiscal year on July 1, Mayor Jackson has made a temporary arrangement for operation
of the transfer station at 1125
Shepard Avenue.
Hanging in the balance are
possible layoffs for the town
employees. The mayor’s office has stated repeatedly that
this move toward privatization
will save the town an enormous
amount of money. However,
the union that represents the
town employees of the transfer
station disagrees maintaining
that unexpected costs could occur.
In the next edition of The
Hamden Journal, we’ll have
complete coverage of the ongoing events and, hopefully
for the taxpayers of Hamden, a
resolution that saves the people
of Hamden money while maintaining a level of service to
which they are used.
Inside this Edition
Arts & Entertainment................................. 13
Classified Ads............................................. 15
Faith Matters.............................................. 14
Financial Strategies...................................... 5
From the Editor............................................ 3
Hamden Chamber......................................... 6
Hamden Fun Facts........................................ 4
Health & Wellness...................................... 12
Local Business.............................................. 6
Police Log.................................................... 3
Sports & Recreation................................... 11
Page 2 — July 2, 2010
The
Hamden Journal
The
This newspaper is published
semi-monthly on the first
and third Fridays of each
month.
Hamden Journal
From the Editor
Founders / Publishers
Chris & Shala LaTorraca
Editor-in-Chief
Shala J. LaTorraca
Director of Sales
Christopher D. LaTorraca
Staff Writers
Christopher D. LaTorraca
Shala J. LaTorraca
Columnists & Contributors
Thad K. Bartley
Kristen Cox
Ronald S. Gambadella
Bill Hartigan
Ricardo Henriquez
Joanne Hoffman
Patricia Leary
Elizabeth L. Maloney
Jeff Pangaro
Richard Rocco
Dr. Eugene Zeitler
Webmaster
Carl E. Bartley
Proofreader
Phyllis J. Bartley
The Hamden Journal LLC
PO Box 187101
Hamden CT 06518
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info@thehamdenjournal.com
www.thehamdenjournal.com
The articles and opinions of columnists and writers do not necessarily
reflect the opinion of this publication.
Distribution Sites
(not exhaustive)
Aspen Glen Apartments
Bread & Chocolate
Bread Basket
Brownstone
Cappie’s Apizza
The Corner Deli
The Clarion
Davenport-Dunbar Residence
Dr. Robert Golia, DDS
Elite Fitness
Getty Food Mart
The Hamden Chamber of Commerce
Hamden Town Hall
Hamden Variety Store
Hamden/North Haven YMCA
Krauzer’s
L.A. Fitness
Lake Whitney Wine
The Liquor Mart
Lucian’s Florist & Greenhouse
Marisa’s Hair Salon
Miller Memorial Central Library
Modern Chiropractic
Nutmeg State Nutrition
Olde World Apizza
Ray & Mike’s Dairy & Deli
Shea’s Service Center
Si Mangia
Snack Plus - Deli
Spring Glen Medical Center
The Corner Deli
Thyme and Seasons
Town House
Towne Billiards
Town Walk Apartments
Whitney Center
Whitney Donut
Whitneyville Food Center
July 2, 2010 — Page 3
As we celebrate our independence and freedom as a
nation, I’ve been pondering,
“What does it mean to be
free?” According to the Mi-
crosoft Word dictionary, some
of the definitions of “free”
mean to “cost nothing, not be
kept prisoner, not be regulated (by anything external), not
be restricted in rights, and not
be physically restricted.”
In America we have many
freedoms that the rest of the
world doesn’t enjoy. We
live in a democracy and can
help decide the direction of
our local, state, and national
governments. We live in a
capitalistic society – we can
dream big and become entrepreneurs if we want. We have
freedom of religion, speech,
and choice – at least for now.
Many of us think we are
free because we can say whatever we want, do whatever
we want to do, and live however we desire. That is part
of freedom, but what if you
have everything you’ve ever
wanted and can do whatever
you want to do, but inside
you continue to feel like you
are in bondage? You think,
“There has to be more to this
life than just this stuff.” Then
what? How do you become
free in your mind and soul?
I’ve had many times in my
life that things have looked
great on the outside, but on
the inside it seemed like I was
dying. No one knew what
was going on but me. Not to
Washington Avenue, New Haven, was charged with Robbery
in the Second Degree, Larceny
in the Fifth Degree, Violation
of Protective Order, Possession
of Controlled Substance Less
than Four Ounces, and Sale of
Controlled Substance.
with Assault in the Third Degree and Application for Permit.
Dexter Thomas, 25, of Sheffield Avenue, New Haven,
was charged with Possession
of Controlled Substance Less
than Four Ounces.
June 22
Ronald Bidon, 51, of James
Street, New Haven, was
charged with Misuse of Plate,
Operating Unregistered Motor
Vehicle, No Insurance, and Operating without a License.
Melvin Johnson, 45, of Willis Street, was charged with
Possession of Narcotics, Illegal Manufacture/Distribution/
Sale/Prescription, and Improper Signal for Turn.
Kenneth Jones, 36, of Webb
Street, was charged with No Insurance and Mutilated Plate.
Roben Mejia, 34, of Saltonstal Avenue, New Haven, was
charged with Operating without a License.
Salvatore Midolo, 27, of
Hesse Drive, was charged with
Operating under Suspension,
Operating Unregistered Motor
Vehicle, No Insurance, and Improper Use of Marker/Registration/License.
Miriam Ortiz, 22, of Cherry
Ann Street, was charged with
Assault in the Third Degree
and Breach of Peace in the Second Degree.
Hugo Serrano-Hernan, 21,
of Lynn Street, New Haven,
was charged with WindshieldDefective Wipers, Operating
Unregistered Motor Vehicle,
No Insurance, and Operating
without a License.
Kewon Strickland, 24, of
Cherry Ann Street, was charged
June 23
Clayton Carney, 33, of St.
Mary Street, was charged with
Disobeying Officers Signal,
Reckless Driving, and Possession of Controlled Substance
Less than Four Ounces.
Robert Piscitelli, 28, of Hartford Turnpike, was charged
with Assault in the Third Degree, Disorderly Conduct, and
Using/Tampering Motor Vehicle without Permit.
Michael Rawls, 20, of Pearl
Avenue, was charged with Failure to Obey Stop Sign and Operating under Suspension.
John Sibby, 50, of West Helen Street, was charged with
Failure to Appear in the Second
Degree.
cram religion down anyone’s
throat, but I have found true
freedom by going to God – by
reading the Bible and finding
out how to truly be free. The
Bible is full of wisdom and
how to live a life filled with
victory. I hope you find true
freedom and independence
this 4th of July!
Thank you for reading
this edition of The
Hamden Journal...your
place for fun facts and
local news.
Police Log
The following is a selection of
arrests made in Hamden. Log
accuracy is dependent on all
information being entered correctly by those doing data entry.
June 17
Jasmine Cannon, 23, of Goodrich Street, was charged
with Operating Unregistered
Motor Vehicle and Operating
under Suspension.
Christopher Crawley, 37, of
Elm Street, New Haven, was
charged with Possession of
Narcotics and Illegal Manufacture/Distribution/Sale/Prescription.
Kassia Ford, 26, of Wolcott Street, New Haven, was
charged with Larceny in the
Sixth Degree.
Aaron Hebron, 19, of Frederick Street, was charged with
Inciting to Riot, Criminal
Trespass in the Third Degree,
Breach of Peace in the Second
Degree, and Assault on Peace
Officer/Fire Marshall/EMS.
Suely Hernandez, 24, of First
Street, was charged with Assault in the Third Degree and
Injury/Risk of Injury/Impairment to the Morals of Children.
Christopher Packard, 40,
of Towne House Road, was
charged with Disorderly Conduct.
Dustin Parker, 22, of Elm
Street, New Haven, was
charged with Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree,
Assault on Peace Officer/Fire
Marshall/EMS, Failure to
Obey Officer Signal, Engaging
Police in Pursuit, Operating
under Suspension, and Failure
to Renew Registration.
Gilberto Rodriguez, 21, of
June 24
Deon Coleman, 19, of Sherman
Parkway, New Haven, was
charged with Robbery in the
First Degree with a Firearm,
Larceny in the Second Degree,
Kidnapping in the First Degree,
Carry and Sale of Dangerous
Weapon, and Interfere with an
Officer/Resisting.
Hyron Davis, 44, of Griffin
Street, Stratford, was charged
with Threatening.
Clarence Freeman, 29, of
Ferry Road, Orange, was
charged with Larceny in the
Sixth Degree and Breach of
Peace in the Second Degree.
James Murry, 21, of Belden
Road, was charged with Assault on a Peace Officer/Fire
Marshall/EMS, Threatening,
Interfere with an Officer/Resisting, and Breach of Peace in
the Second Degree.
Victor Pergee, 27, of Circular Avenue, was charged with
Breach of Peace in the Second
Degree and Sexual Assault in
the Third Degree.
Alejandro Santiago, 33, of
Grand Avenue, New Haven,
was charged with Assault in the
Third Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, and
Burglary in the Second Degree.
Samual Zarate-Perez, 46, of
Lloyd Street, New Haven, was
charged with Operating under
Suspension.
June 25
John Fitzpatrick, 40, of Hillfield Road, was charged with
Breach of Peace in the Second
Degree, Threatening, Possession of Controlled Substance
Less than Four Ounces, and
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Rose Ortiz, 43, of Lilac Street, New Haven, was
charged with No Insurance and
Operating Unregistered Motor
Vehicle.
June 26
Raquel Jones, 22, of Trumble Avenue, Bridgeport, was
charged with Possession of
Controlled Substance Less
than Four Ounces.
Darius Moody, 22, of Shelton Street, New Haven, was
charged with Sale of Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana Greater than
Four Ounces.
Page 4 — July 2, 2010
The
Hamden Journal
Then the Walls Came Tumbling Down
by Ronald S. Gambardella
For any structure to withstand
the ravages of time, it must
be built on a solid foundation.
Like anything else, foundations tend to crack, erode, and
deteriorate with the passage
of time. Without proper care
and maintenance the walls will
eventually tumble down. Hamden’s town finances are in fact
the town’s fiscal foundation.
When our financial house is in
order, then town services will
flow unimpeded, taxes will be
affordable and predictable and
the overall quality of life in
Hamden will continue to improve. Consequently, when the
town’s finances begin to erode
the complete opposite is a
more likely outcome – services
are interrupted, taxes spiral out
of control, and our quality of
life in Hamden deteriorates.
The bad news is that cracks
are beginning to appear in
Hamden’s financial foundation.
In Standard and Poor’s May
14 credit profile, the town’s
risk outlook was changed from
“stable” to “negative” as reported in the May 26 edition
of the Post Chronicle. Standard and Poor’s review, timed
with the selling of $12.7M of
General Obligation Bonds, is a
warning to prospective buyers
that the Hamden’s bonds pose
more of a risk now as suggested by the downgrade from
“stable” to “negative.” Caveat
emptor - buyer beware!
Meanwhile, the town had
built up a $10M deficit in its
medical self insurance fund.
Some of the proceeds of the
recent bond offering were set
aside to pay off this debt. You
have heard the old saying: It’s
like borrowing from Peter to
pay Paul. This deficit payment
is very similar to that, only the
taxpayer in the end will bear
the brunt of poor planning,
poor decision-making, and
poor judgment. The payment
did nothing more than to pay
the back balance on prior debt;
nothing was done to stop the
bleeding. The patient is about
to go into cardiac arrest. If
the bleeding isn’t stopped, the
medical self insurance deficit
will only grow again over time.
Borrowing more will not be an
option going forward. There
won’t be any more Peter’s left
to borrow from.
The town hasn’t addressed
the fundamental problem – that
is the health insurance benefits
that the town offers to its employees are too rich and cannot
be sustained. The work force
will continue to age, the cost
of medical care will continue
to increase, and the deficit will
continue to grow. You can be
certain that the town did not
adequately fund this line item
in its current budget for fear
of increasing taxes more than
they already have. When considering the underfunded pension plan, along with an underfunded medical self insurance
line item, the cracks in the
foundation will most assuredly
widen.
To solve the problem, the
town must work with the
unions in a matter of fact, no
nonsense manner showing the
growth in tax revenue cannot
possibly keep pace with the
growth in projected expenses.
Either taxes will continue to
increase to cover the escalating
cost or expenses will have to
subside. The recent employee
layoffs are a clear indication
that the town’s finances are
eroding. This is just the beginning of more pain to come.
It doesn’t have to be like
this. We can work toward job
security and prosperity for
both employee and the taxpaying public. However, the town
must work together with the
unions in a non-adversarial and
confrontational manner to resolve the formidable financial
issues ahead. In so doing, the
town can stave off a complete
collapse of its foundation and
prevent the walls from tumbling down.
Ronald S. Gambardella, EA,
is a Registered Representative
of Lincoln Financial Securities
Corporation. He can be contacted at 203.281.5512, toll
free at 800.685.5727, or visit
him on the web at www.ron
gam.com. Securities and advisory services offered through
Lincoln Financial Securities
Corporation, Member SIPC.
Bake Sale for Jonathan Metz
On Friday, July 16, from 11am4pm and on Saturday, July 17,
from 9am-12pm, Atria Larson
Place is having a BAKE SALE
to help raise money and donate
it to Jonathan Metz who needs
a prosthetic arm after losing
his left arm in a terrible accident at his home on June 7.
For more information, please
call 203.248.8880.
Hamden High School Class of 1945
Members of the class of 1945
of Hamden High School are
asking classmates to contact
Ed and Marilyn Cole concerning organizing a 65th Reunion
lunch on a Sunday during
July or August. Please call
the Coles at 203.453.3539 to
express your interest in this
event. It is important for classmates to call or email friends
so that there will be a large
group of the classmates to enjoy this reunion.
Columbus Day Parade Committee to
Hold Planning Meeting
The Greater New Haven Columbus Day Committee will
meet at 7:00pm on Thursday,
July 8, in the third floor conference room, Hamden Government Center. Plans are
being discussed for the 2010
Columbus Day Parade, which
will be held in Hamden on October 10, 2010. Several other
events leading up to the parade
are also being planned. The
Columbus Day Parade rotates
among the Towns of New Haven, North Haven, East Haven,
West Haven, and Hamden.
Members of the community
are invited to attend and pres-
ent their ideas and suggestions
and to volunteer to work on
one of the several committees.
If your organization is interested in marching on October
10, please contact Gerry Tobin
in the Mayor’s Office via email
at gtobin@hamden.com.
If you are interested in working with the Committee to plan
these events, meetings are held
on the second Thursday of each
month in the third floor conference room, Hamden Government Center. For further
information, please call Gerry
Tobin in the Mayor’s Office at
203.287.7100.
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Hamden Fun Facts
Architecture in Hamden: Greek Revival 1830-1860
The Classical elements popularized in the Federal period
(pilasters, cornices, dentils)
were codified in the 1830s and
1840s into the Greek Revival
style which dominated Hamden (and, indeed, almost all of
America) to the near exclusion
of other styles. Greek architecture had connotations of antiquity, of democracy (because it
was in Athens that the concept
of democracy originated), and
of the struggle for indepen-
dence which was then going on
to liberate Greece from Turkish
rule. Greek Revival can be differentiated from Federal Classicism by the heavier proportions of columns and pilasters
and by the absence of arched,
elliptical, and other geometric
forms. The fanlight attic window is replaced by a rectilinear form in which the muntins
outline alternating wide and
narrow panes. Doorways are
almost invariably framed by
Doric pilasters supporting a
heavy lintel. The most common orientation is with the
gable end facing the road. The
gable, combined with a full
cornice return, helps to create the templelike appearance
which was prized during the
period.
Hamden’s Greek Revival
buildings are not very elaborate compared with those in
other towns. Corner pilasters
and free-standing columns are
rare. Our finest examples in
this style are the Congregational meetinghouses in Whitneyville and Mt. Carmel.
Reprinted from Hamden: Our
Architectual Heritage by permission from The Hamden Historical Society Library, Miller
Memorial Cultural Center,
2901 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden. For more information,
visit www.hamdenlibrary.org/
historical society, or visit them
Did you know...?
...in 2000, the median real
estate property taxes paid
for housing units was 2.4%
($3,285) in Hamden. In
Connecticut, it was only
$1.8% ($2,961).
--Read more at
www.city-data.com.
Tuesday from 10am-Noon or
Thursday from 1-4pm.
Largest and Most Elaborate
Built in 1840, located on 7173 Gilbert Avenue. Although
modern siding has obliterated
original details and the entry
porch has been crowned with
a balustrade, it is still evident
that this is one of the largest
and most elaborate Greek Re-
vival houses in Hamden. Massive Doric porch columns, a
wide frieze and full cornice return on the gable ends proclaim
a splendid dignity. There is evidence that under the siding are
corner pilasters that enhanced
the original design. These are
found on only one other Greek
Revival house in Hamden.
This was the home of Jesse
Gilbert II (1797-1851), a prosperous farmer who served three
terms as Town Selectman.
Reprinted from Hamden: Our
Architectual Heritage by permission from The Hamden Historical Society Library.
The
Financial Strategies
Hamden Journal
Declare Your Own Financial
Independence Day
The Fourth of July is almost
upon us. To commemorate Independence Day, we shoot off fireworks, attend picnics, and maybe even walk in parades. While
it might not be as dramatic,
another celebration of freedom
should eventually play a big role
in your life — specifically, your
personal Financial Independence Day. And you can speed
the arrival of this day by making
the right moves. Here are a few ideas to consider:
• Boost your 401(k) contributions. To build the resources
you’ll need to become financially independent during your retirement years, you should take
full advantage of your 401(k) or
other employer-sponsored plan.
Whenever your salary goes up,
try to contribute more to your
401(k). Generally, your contributions are made with pretax
dollars, so the more you put
in, the lower your taxable income. And your contributions
grow on a tax-deferred basis. In
2010, you can put up to $16,500
into your 401(k), or $22,000 if
you’re 50 or older.
• “Max out” on your IRA. In
2010, you can contribute up to
$5,000 to your IRA, or $6,000
if you’re 50 or older. Your traditional IRA contributions may
be deductible, depending on
your income level, and your
earnings can grow tax deferred.
Contributions to a Roth IRA
are never deductible, but earnings can grow tax free, provided
you don’t take withdrawals until you’re 59½ and you’ve held
your account at least five years.
• Build an emergency fund. Try
to build an emergency fund containing six to 12 months’ worth
of living expenses, placed in a
liquid account. Without such a
fund, you may be forced to dip
into your long-term investments
to pay for needs such as a new
furnace or a big doctor’s bill —
and the more you tap into your
investments, the longer it will
be until you can attain financial
freedom.
• Cut down on your debt. It’s
easier said than done, but by
reducing your debt load, you’ll
have more money to invest for
the future. You might want to
start by eliminating the smallest
debts first, then moving on to
whittle away at the bigger ones.
• Don’t “over-focus” on your
investment statements. Obviously, you want to know how
your investments are performing. But you may be better off
not checking on your investments every day, or even every
week. When you pay extremely
close attention to the movements of your investments, your
emotions may lead you to make
decisions based on short-term
events rather than long-term
goals. Invest with your head, not
your heart.
• Avoid “time traps.” Many
people know they need a certain
amount of money at a certain
time for a specific goal, such as
a down payment on a home, the
first college tuition payment, or
even the first year’s living expenses during retirement. Yet
they get into trouble because
they set aside the money in an
inappropriate investment — that
is, one whose price can fluctuate greatly. If you know when
you’re going to need the money,
put it in a lower-risk investment
and avoid the time trap.
Taking these steps won’t instantly enrich you. But eventually, they can lead you down the
path to your personal Financial
Independence Day — and that
may be reason enough to celebrate.
This article was provided by
Jeff Pangaro, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments,
203.248.5888, and was written
by Edward Jones for use by your
local Edward Jones Financial
Advisor. See ad this page.
July 2, 2010 — Page 5
Keep Your Landscape Lush while Saving
Water and Money
(StatePoint) It’s one of springtime’s most popular activities:
preparing your yard for enjoyable summertime use. However, the rising scarcity of water
across the country continues to
drive up the cost of landscaping and gardening.
In fact, more and more states
nationwide are beginning to
prohibit daily watering altogether.
“Fortunately, there are an increasing number of efficient approaches to home landscaping
that are surprisingly easy to get
started, such as mulching and
installing new nozzles that use
up to 30 percent less water than
the nozzles we grew up with,”
points out Mike Baron, Toro
water management specialist.
“Using less water doesn’t mean
sacrificing a beautiful yard.”
Go Natural
There might not be an easier
technique to save water than
mulching. Placing a three- to
five-inch layer of mulch around
your plants will help to hold in
the moisture and is most effective when used in conjunction
with plants native to the local
environment.
Easy to Save
There’s no need to dig up
your yard to completely re-
place your irrigation system
with one that will save water
and money. Every spray should
have a removable nozzle that
you can swap out for a more efficient one – and it’s literally as
easy as changing a light bulb.
One of the key parts of the
conventional irrigation system
that has seen the most development in recent years is the
spray nozzle. A perfect example is the new Precision Series Spray nozzles from Toro,
which can save water and cash.
Responsible for spraying water
evenly around a given area, inground Precision Series Spray
nozzles use a special, embedded chip that creates a spray
pattern which offers better coverage and, most importantly,
uses less water.
These nozzles offer higher
overall irrigation efficiency
while delivering larger water
droplets, minimizing the effect
of evaporation. Using up to
one-third less water of regular
spray nozzles, this technology
can make a world of difference
financially and environmentally.
All the parts of an irrigation
system – controller, valves, and
sprinklers – work together to
ensure your plants get proper
watering. Replacing just one
portion of a system with an ef-
ficient option helps save water.
Over time, replacing all components with efficient irrigation
products ensures optimum savings.
Drip Efficiently
Drip irrigation is another efficient approach to green landscaping. By putting water only
where and when you need it –
at the base of shrubs, flowers,
and vegetables – you can use
up to 50 percent less water than
conventional sprinklers. These
systems deliver water slowly,
allowing the soil to better absorb water and minimize or
eliminate runoff.
Because drip systems are designed to put water closer to
a plant’s roots, they offer the
most efficient way to cultivate
a lush garden while saving water.
“It’s an opportunity to demonstrate good citizenship. No
matter what type of grass and
plants you choose, you can
take pride knowing that you
can grow a beautiful, natural
landscape while still being environmentally conscious,” says
Baron.
For more information about
landscaping equipment and irrigation, visit www.toro.com.
To place an ad, call 203.687.3075 or email sales@thehamdenjournal.com.
For press releases, email info@thehamdenjournal.com or mail to
PO Box 187101, Hamden, CT 06518.
Page 6 — July 2, 2010
The
Local Business
Hamden Journal
The Second Amendment Is Alive and Well
Hamden resident, Andy Piscitelle, along with Marty
Rudnick, co-owns Perfect
Trigger, a place to find anything for your gun sporting,
knife, and self-protection
needs. The store carries several
name brands, including Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer, Savage
Arms, Buck Knives, Gardell
Safes, and much more. Besides
the huge selection, Andy and
Marty offer a wide range of
classes and certifications. The
CT Pistol Permit, along with
classes like the Home Firearm Safety, makes this establishment a one-stop-shop for
all your firearm products and
training needs. However, what
sets this business apart is the
knowledge and passion for the
products and services they sell.
According to Andy, “Perfect
Trigger has the inventory of a
large store and the personalized service of your local small
town merchant.” Andy also
stated, “The slow economy has
had little effect on business.
Home and personal protection
is still our number one area for
sales, but we have noticed a
big uptick in people purchasing firearms since the Obama
administration took office.”
Andy is an NRA Certified
Instructor in several disciplines, a State of Utah Certified Instructor, and he holds
his concealed carry permit in
Connecticut, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Maine, and
Florida. He is also a Chief
Range Safety Officer. In addition, Andy competes in IDPA
and IPSA matches.
Marty is a member of the
North Guilford Archers, National Field Archery Association, and CT State Archery Association. He received his rifle
certificate in the 1970s and is
the former advisor of both the
North Haven High School’s
and Milford High School’s Rifle Teams.
Perfect Trigger is located at
207 Foxon Road, North Branford. Call 203.208.3282 or you
can visit them on the web at
www.perfecttrigger.com. Open
365 days a year, store hours are
Monday through Friday from
11am to 8pm, and Saturday
and Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
On July 16 and 17, the store
will be having a huge sale with
specials, and on July 17 representatives from Beretta and
Savage Arms will be available
to help answer any questions
or concerns that folks might
have. Radio 104 will be on
site from 5-9pm on Friday and
Saturday from Noon-4pm with
giveaways and much more.
Please see ad on page 7.
Ways You Can Improve Your Local Community
(StatePoint) If you are like most
Americans, you like your neighborhood and community but
think it can be even better.
While many citizens are concerned about the direction in
which the country is heading, lo-
cal communities are facing challenges concerning education,
jobs, healthcare, and neighborhood safety.
However, there are many ways
you can improve your community, say experts.
“One person can make a difference, especially when it comes
to common sense solutions to
things like strengthening neighborhood schools and improving
See Local, Page 9
Hamden Chamber of Commerce
Hamden Chamber Upcoming Events
Thursday, July 15, from 8:309:30am at Atria Larson Place,
1450 Whitney Avenue, Hamden.
Business Before Hours:
Coffee Around Town
Join the Hamden Chamber and
local business owners for a
great cup of coffee and morning networking on:
Business After Hours
The Hamden Chamber is hosting a great evening of networking on:
Tuesday, July 13, from 5:307:30pm, at Dunn’s Pub, 2345
Whitney Avenue, Hamden.
Evening is co-sponsored by
Dr. Bryan Barry.
The cost for each night is $10
for Chamber members and $20
for future members.
All of the Chamber events require an RSVP please. You
may do so by emailing hcc@
hamdenchamber.com or calling 203.288.6431.
Hamden Chamber Travels to Ireland
The Hamden Chamber of
Commerce will be touring the
Heart of Ireland from November 3 through November 10.
We are excited to offer a great
rate for you, your family, and
friends. Per person total cost
is $1,750. If you have any specific questions, you can contact
Christine at Mt. Carmel Travel
directly at 203.281.4316.
For
detailed
information on the tour, visit www.
hamdenchamber.com.
Charter Oak Insurance and
Financial Services Opens in Hamden
Ribbon Cutting at Charter
Oak on June 30.
Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services Co. (Charter
Oak), one of the largest general
agencies of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
(MassMutual), is now represented in Hamden, Connecticut.
The new location is headed by
Stu Grove, CLTC, who specializes in retirement planning, as
well as in large group and corporate benefit plans. Mr. Grove
conducts seminars at universities, businesses, and professional establishments in the Hamden
area.
Charter Oak’s Hamden office is located at 2319 Whitney
Avenue, Suite 6C, Hamden, CT
06518.
Charter Oak Insurance and
Financial Services Co. is a general agency of Massachusetts
Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and serves the
risk management, business services, and retirement and investment planning needs of more
than 65,000 clients throughout
New England. With offices in
Farmington, Hamden, Holyoke,
Southbury, and Stamford, Charter Oak considers helping others the heart of its business and
is proud to support many philanthropic organizations in all of
the markets it serves. To learn
more, visit www.charteroak
insurance.com.
Securities, investment advisory, and financial planning
services offered through qualified registered representatives
of MML Investors Services,
Inc., member SIPC (www.sipc.
org), 330 Whitney Avenue, Suite
600; Holyoke, MA 01040. Tel:
413.539.2000. Insurance offered through Massachusetts
Mutual Life Insurance Company and other fine companies.
Group insurance products not
offered through MassMutual but
may be offered through other
fine companies.
Stu Grove California insurance license #: 0G07180
The
Hamden Journal
July 2, 2010 — Page 7
Small Touch, Big Return
by Bill Hartigan
Last Sunday’s CBS Sunday
Morning had an interesting
segment on personal relationships, and those little things
that make them much stronger
and energized. It wasn’t cars,
houses, vacations, or jewelry
that mattered too much, not
that those things don’t have
their place. Rather, it’s things
like grabbing a partner’s hand,
squeezing it, telling him/her
“you look nice in that,” leaving a note that says “I love
you.” Please don’t do that with
a client or customer. However,
if you do “like” that – show
them they’re special – you’ll
make a mint. Don’t believe
me? Here’s perhaps the alltime classic case.
It’s no big deal today to
check into a hotel and find
your sheets turned down, see
fresh cut flowers, or to discover something similar. We
pretty much expect something
similar today. That wasn’t always the case, though. In fact,
the first such “touch” created a frenzy and the type of
media coverage that we all
dream of. The site was a nice
California inn known for good
service, and for being warm
and homey. One small addition took that to another level.
Before all of today’s “nice
touches” became commonplace, this location started the
trend by simply placing a mint
on the pillows of their guests.
You’d have thought they were
shares of Berkshire-Hathaway.
People were overwhelmed and
couldn’t stop talking about the
gesture. It wasn’t all that long
ago, either. For simply thinking of a nice touch, that inn literally made a “mint.”
I’m not big on getting my
car serviced, but one place
gained a load of clients just
by how they treated me. This
particular place only does
wheel alignment, but do they
ever do it right. When you
call, you hear a voice that’s
polite, clear, steady, and conversational. No “yo, whaddayuh need?” – the same type of
voice that you and I use when
addressing someone whom
we respect and admire. You’re
then ushered into a brief, concise, but pleasant conversation
about the relevant specifics of
your car and its need. Setting
the appointment is made to
suit your needs and schedule.
You’re told how long the service will be and its cost. The
facility is always clean and
its waiting area even more so,
being nicely appointed and
more comfortable than most
professionals’ offices. You
pay about five percent more
for this experience, and you’ll
refer everyone to them. Their
“word-of-mouth” business is
sensational, as it should be.
They didn’t need a PhD or a
huge investment to own their
market.
Lastly, I’ll tell you about an
incident that took place in a
Bon Marche department store
in Spokane, WA. My girlfriend and I made our way to
the Men’s Department, where
we were greeted by a salesgirl’s soft smile and just as
soft “hello.” Rebecca and I
browsed awhile, and a few
minutes later the young lady
said, “Sir, we have something
here for you.” Expecting a
product pitch, I slowly walked
over. Extending her hand
which held a small bottle, she
looked me in the eye and said,
“You’re the Golden Boy.” No
“come-on” nuance or theatrics, just a statement. I took the
cologne sample, thanked her,
and walked away shortly after.
That simple moment has never
left me, and that story’s been
told countless times. Any idea
where I shopped for Rebecca’s
gifts that year?
Are you doing anything at
all that’s like the scenarios
I’ve mentioned? It’s very easy
to be somewhat blasé, to play
it close-to-the-vest, to stay “in
control” and not have to take
a simple step or two towards
your customer or client. In
fact, that type of “approach”
is very common. That “extra”
step is what leads to gold.
Bill Hartigan writes and reports on business for The
Hamden Journal. A former reporter for ABC, he’s reported
and produced stories and pro-
gramming for local, national,
and international news outlets. His business clients range
from IBM and ITT to oneperson start-ups. Success after Forty (AndrewsMcMeel) is
one of several published books
he’s written. You can contact
him at writeups@juno.com.
To submit a press release,
please
email
info@thehamdenjournal.com,
call 203.668.6307, or mail to
PO Box 187101, Hamden, CT
06518.
To place an ad, please call
203.687.3075 or email sales@
thehamdenjournal.com.
Page 8 — July 2, 2010
The
Hamden Journal
From Politicians to Pupils
Glassman Challenges Candidates To Debate
Voters Need Opportunity to Hear From the “Other Half” of the Ticket
On June 14, on the eve of the
Connecticut
Gubernatorial
debate, Mary Glassman – the
First Selectman of Simsbury
and a Democratic candidate
for lieutenant governor – challenged all other lieutenant governor candidates to a televised
debate. “The time has come
for a major debate that allows
candidates to discuss the major issues facing Connecticut,”
Glassman said.
Glassman’s idea for the event
included a proposal to combine
questions from both traditional
print and online news outlets,
as well as new media. “With so
many people getting their news
from varying sources these
days, we should have as many
options as possible to ensure
full participation,” Glassman
said. “As a former newspaper
reporter, I understand the value
of the newspaper, but also un-
derstand that media is shifting.
We should center the debate
on as wide a platform as possible.”
Glassman said she would be
reaching out to the other candidates in the next two days
to gauge their interest and
has already begun contacting potential hosts in order to
facilitate organization of the
event. “This will be an excellent opportunity for us to explain why we are running and
what we bring to the table. In
a state where lieutenant governors become governors, it is
important for voters to be able
to compare the candidates and
hear our views on the issues.”
Glassman, who served as
chief of staff for Lieutenant
Governor Kevin B. Sullivan,
witnessed firsthand the shift
in roles during the political
turmoil of 2004. “This job is
Prefer the internet?
Check us out online at www.thehamdenjournal.com.
the ‘second in command’ for
the state and people deserve to
know what we think and why
we’re running,” said Glassman.
“I hope all of my fellow candidates will join with me in
this forum because important
issues are facing the people of
Connecticut,” Glassman continued. “In a state with no plan
for the future, struggling with
unprecedented budget deficits,
the worst job creation in the
country, and the highest bond
indebtedness, there is no more
important time to compare
candidates for higher office
than right now.”
Glassman, a six-term First
Selectman in Simsbury, Connecticut, is running on a ticket
with cable entrepreneur, Ned
Lamont. The two face a Democratic primary on August 10.
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Join our fan page on facebook at The Hamden Journal LLC.
Hauser on Taxes, the State Budget,
and the Economy
On June 17, Debra Hauser, who
is running in the Democratic primary for the 96th Assembly District, released proposals for fixing Connecticut’s economy and
making its tax structure fairer.
Hauser’s policies will help ease
the property tax burden on homeowners and close a tax loophole
that penalizes small businesses.
“State government needs to be
smarter and fairer in managing
our money,” says Hauser. “Reforming both the tax structure
and the budgeting process itself
must be high priorities for the
next legislature. But the state
must also do better at generating
revenues from businesses: Connecticut has to promote a stronger economy.”
The tax structure must be
made fairer.
“Connecticut’s current tax
structure is unfair to homeowners, small businesses, and lowincome residents,” says Hauser.
She offers three solutions.
• Raise the upper tax rate on
those earning over $500,000
annually and close the “carried
interest” tax loophole. “In effect,
our income tax is regressive. After all taxes – income, sales, gasoline, and property taxes – have
been paid, low-income residents
have little money to spend.
Some can’t afford their mortgages. Some can’t buy needed
medications.”
• Mandate a combined tax reporting system to close a loophole that unfairly benefits large,
multi-state corporations. “A corporate tax reporting loophole has
become a double whammy for
small businesses: it allows large,
multi-state corporations such as
Staples or Wal-Mart to first put
smaller retailers out of business
and then pay less in taxes.”
• Ensure full funding of the PILOT program and work harder
to get federal monies to moderate property tax increases.
“When the state fails to obtain
available federal dollars or decimates its Payments In Lieu Of
Taxes (PILOT) funding, it almost forces municipalities with
large tax-exempt institutions to
raise property taxes. This places
an unfair burden on local prop-
See Taxes, Page 14
The
Hamden Journal
July 2, 2010 — Page 9
Local ~ Continued from Page 6
On June 26, Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman joined New Haven Mayor John
DeStefano, Jr., on a bike ride to promote the Connecticut Greenway and Mary Glassman’s
newly unveiled Bike Policy for Connecticut. The ride kicked off at the corner of Goodrich St.
and Dixwell Ave. in Hamden, and concluded at 25 Science Park, New Haven.
Democratic Party Summer Picnic
The Hamden Democratic
Town Committee announced
that it would hold a Democratic Party Summer Picnic at
Town Center Park, on Sunday,
July 25, from 3 to 6 pm. Hot
dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and soda will be available.
The cost is $15 per person, $25
per family.
“The Democratic Party is
inviting all the statewide candidates for office,” said Joseph
McDonagh, Hamden Democratic Party chair. “We have a
very exciting primary contest
in Connecticut, with candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of the
state, and comptroller. We’ve
invited them all, along with
the Democratic candidates for
offices not on the August primary ballot: Richard Blumenthal, who is running for the US
Senate; Denise Nappier, who is
running for re-election as Connecticut’s State Treasurer; and
George Jepsen, who is our candidate for Attorney General.”
local communities,” says
Jim
Houtz,
author of the
new
book,
“Saving America: Common
Sense
Solutions to Washington Nonsense.”
“Major problems
across
America that
should have
simple solutions
have
become complicated
by
politics
and
business
as
usual. It doesn’t have to be this
way and you can start fixing
things in your own hometown,”
he adds.
Here are some ways you can
get involved to make your community stronger:
* Shop Locally: Do your family’s shopping at neighborhood
stores, whenever possible. These
businesses create local jobs, advertise locally, and pay taxes that
help the community.
* Get Involved in Local Elections: Learn about all the candidates, whether they are Democrats, Republicans, Tea Partiers,
or Independents. Get involved
in fixing problems by learning
where your local tax dollars are
going and get involved to help
funnel them to the right causes,
such as education, jobs, health
care, and energy programs.
* Fix the Schools: You can become part of the solution to the
education problem by getting involved with your child’s school.
* Create Job Opportunities:
When hiring, local employers
might consider splitting jobs
where appropriate, so they can
hire two part-timers instead of
one full-timer. Since local entrepreneurs are the backbone of our
nation, with the right job and tax
incentives they can help put the
economy back on the right track.
For more ideas from Houtz on
how you can make a difference,
visit www.jimhhoutz.com.
The event is
open to everyone. For more
information,
please
visit
the
Democratic
Party’s website,
www.hamden
democrats.
com, or call
203.676.
6271.
State Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-Cheshire, Hamden, Wallingford) met with three fifth grade classes
from Hamden’s West Woods School at the Connecticut Science Center on June 3, 2010.
Page 10 — July 2, 2010
The
Hamden Journal
The
Sports & Recreation
Hamden Journal
July 2, 2010 — Page 11
Summer Daisy Girl Scout Programs
Girls entering grades K-1, who
are new to Girl Scouts, are invited to our Girl Scout Summer
Program! Girls, along with their
parents/guardians, will have an
opportunity to meet new friends,
learn about Girl Scouting, and
earn their first pin! This fourweek session will take place on
Thursdays, July 8, 15, 22, and
29, from 6:30-7:30pm. The fee
for this program is $20, which
includes supplies, pins, and
certificates. For more information and location information,
please contact Melissa McLeod
at 203.239.2922 ext. 3366 or
mmcleod@gsofct.org.
During Hamden Fathers Major League Gold Championship Game, Colin Miller makes a home
run. Arcade Metal Stamping defeated the Scorpions 11-7 in their ninth straight Major Gold title.
Slamma-Jamma Basketball
Come join Coach Art Leary’s
Slamma-Jamma
Basketball
Clinic, in conjunction with
Hamden Parks & Recreation, at
Hamden Middle School, 2623
Dixwell Avenue, from July 19–
July 23. Coach Leary’s clinic
is built on individual instruction and fundamentals. The goal
of his program has always been
to provide instruction that will
help your child become a better
basketball player. As the saying
goes, “Basketball players are
made during the summer and
perform in the winter.”
Check out their website at
www.slamma-jamma.com
to
download registration information. The program is for Boys/
Girls Grades K-3, 9am-Noon,
$115, and Boys/Girls Ages 7-14,
9am-3pm, $150.
For
additional
information regarding this program
and other sports clinics, check
out www.hamden.com or call
the Parks & Recreation office
at 203.287.2579 and ask for
Laura.
New Officers Named for Bridge Group
The Singles Bridge Group of
the Greater New Haven area announces its new officers for the
coming year: President, Beverly Harrison, North Haven;
Vice President, Shirley Fruchter,
Orange; Secretary, Mary Athey,
Hamden; and Treasurer, Carl Yohans, New Haven.
The club welcomes new members to join them the second and
fourth Fridays of each month at
the Spring Glen Church, 1825
Whitney Avenue, Hamden.
Games start at 7pm, and cost
$4.00. Light refreshments are
served.
In addition to the Friday bridge
games, members have an active
social schedule, which includes
the celebrating of holidays
with picnics
and
parties
at members’
homes.
For
more
info,
please
call
203.239.2138
or
203.248.
2846.
Members of the Hamden U-10 DEVO Gold Team, who are
also members of the Hamden Soccer Association, were the
champion winners of the Green Mountain Challenge Soccer
Tournament held in Weston, Vermont, June 19 and July 20,
2010. The Hamden U-10 Gold team was undefeated in the
tournament winning all four games making them the champions for their age bracket.
Featured bottom, left to right: Katie Mongillo, Jordan Yasgar, Jadyn Reilly,
and Abigail Malin
Featured second row, left to right: Madeleine Malin, Hope Riley, Lily
D’Ostillo, Alexa Cornacchia, and Assistant Coach Karen D’Ostillo,
Featured top row, left to right: Brianna Wilson, Katie Kearney, Madison
Yasgar (team mascot), Katie Vita, and Miranda Iannone.
Championship Soccer Offered thru
Hamden Parks & Recreation
Come join Coach Bedocs and
staff, in conjunction with Hamden Parks & Recreation, for a
summer soccer clinic for boys
and girls ages 6–12 at Hamden
High School, 2040 Dixwell, August 2–6. Program runs from
9am–Noon for $125. Clinic
includes instructions, camp Tshirt, awards, team photos, evaluation, and swimming. Walkins are welcome!! For additional
information, call 203.248.3976.
Page 12 — July 2, 2010
The
Health & Wellness
Hamden Journal
Serving Up Some Good-for-You Fat!
by Joanne Hoffman
Monounsaturated fats, also
known as the GOOD fats, can
have a beneficial effect on your
health, when eaten in moderation and when used to replace
saturated fats or trans fats.
Monounsaturated fats can help
reduce bad cholesterol levels
(LDLs) and can raise good cholesterol levels (HDLs) in your
blood and lower your risk of
heart disease and stroke. They
also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s
cells. Monounsaturated fats are
also typically high in vitamin
E, an antioxidant vitamin many
Americans need more of.
From a chemical standpoint,
monounsaturated fats are simply fats that have one doublebonded (unsaturated) carbon in
the molecule. Monounsaturated
fats are typically liquid at room
temperature but start to turn
solid when chilled. Olive oil is
an example of a type of oil that
contains monounsaturated fats.
Most foods contain a combination of different fats. Examples of foods high in monounsaturated fats include vegetable
oils such as olive oil, canola oil,
peanut oil, sunflower oil, and
sesame oil. Other sources include avocados, peanut butter,
and many nuts and seeds.
The fats in the foods you eat
should not total more than 25–35
percent of the calories you eat in
a given day. For good health, the
majority of those fats should be
monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Be careful how much fat
you actually take in. One tablespoon of olive oil has 14 grams
of fat. There are nine calories
in every gram of fat, regardless
of what type of fat it is. Let me
help you…that’s 126 calories in
just one tablespoon!!! That can
quickly sneak up on you if you
pour generously. Want more?
One cup of avocado has 21
grams of fat (a whopping 234
calories total). Last one – 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter has 16 grams of fat (200 calories total). That’s a lot of calories
compared to carbohydrates and
proteins, which contain four
calories per gram. Because fats
are so energy-dense, consuming
high levels of fat – regardless of
the type – can lead to taking in
too many calories. That can lead
to weight gain or being overweight.
Joanne Hoffman, M.S. is a Nutritional Consultant with 16
years experience. To find out
more about her practice and
to schedule your free consultation, visit www.eats4life.com, or
contact Joanne at 203.915.5707
or
jhoffman@eats4life.com.
Joanne also does presentations
for groups and companies. Also,
see Eats 4 Life ad on page 9.
Juveniles Arrested for Damaging Jeep
On June 23, at approximately
11:45pm, Hamden Police responded to the area of Sanford
Street, near the Farmington Canal Line, on the report of a motor vehicle damaged by a thrown
rock. In the recent weeks, Hamden Police have received numerous complaints regarding
motor vehicles being damaged
by thrown rocks from the canal
line.
Officer William May subsequently observed two individuals quickly exiting the area.
Further investigation led to the
arrest of the two individuals. A
Jeep Cherokee was damaged by
several thrown rocks.
Hamden Police arrested two
15-year-old Hamden residents.
They were both charged with
Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, and Breach of Peace. They
were both released to their relatives. Their court date is scheduled for July 7 in Juvenile Court
in New Haven.
On June 24, at approximately
8:00pm, Hamden Police responded to Lilac Street in New
Haven on the report of a robbery
that occurred in the parking lot
of a Hamden restaurant.
Investigation revealed that the
victim, a 17-year-old New Haven resident, was approached by
an individual who threatened to
shoot her if she didn’t give him
her personal belongings. The individual then forced the victim
into a bus stop located at Dixwell Avenue and Arch Street.
While at the bus stop, the individual stole her cell phone and
money. He then fled the area.
Moments later, Sergeant John
Testa and Officer Mark Katz detained and subsequently arrested
the individual responsible for the
armed robbery. He is identified
as Deon Coleman, 19, of 963
Sherman Parkway in New Haven. Coleman was in the posses-
sion of a BB handgun.
Coleman was charged with
Robbery in the First Degree
with a Firearm, Kidnapping in
the First Degree, Larceny in the
Second Degree, Carrying a Dangerous Weapon, and Interfering
with a Police Officer. Coleman,
who was detained at police headquarters on a $100,000 bond, is
scheduled to appear in court in
Meriden on July 8.
Man Arrested for Robbery and Kidnapping
Dental Tip from the
Desk of Dr. Anthony Prezioso
This issue’s dental tip is for
parents or grandparents of
toddlers. Toddlers should use
toothpaste without fluoride until you are sure they can expectorate (spit) all the remaining
tooth paste out. Brushing toddler’s teeth can be a challenge!
Here are some ideas to encourage a toddler to brush:
• Brush with them to show it
is how it is done.
• Sing the Happy Birthday
song for a gauge as to how
long to brush.
• Refer to their teeth as
“friends.” Say, “It is time to
tickle and give your friends a
bath.”
• Clap at the end to let them
know they did a great job.
• Given them a sticker for
good brushing for a job well
done.
If at any time your toddler
complains of tooth pain consult a dentist.
Dr. Anthony Prezioso is a
graduate of Tufts University
School of Dental Medicine. He
has patients from 1 -100 years
old. Find out more about him,
his wonderful team, and practice at www.prezidental.com.
Cauliflower Potato Salad
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
3 green onions, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
OR chopped red or green pepper
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cook cauliflower in large pot of boiling water 10 minutes or until
tender. Drain and rinse under cold water; pat dry. In a large mixing bowl, mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, sugar, and mustard. Add
cauliflower, green onion and pepper. Mix well until veggies are
evenly coated with dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill
30 minutes for flavors to blend.
Notes: Nice for a change!!!
.
--Joanne Hoffman, M.S., of Eats 4 Life
Art History Presentation at Atria
Larson Place
On Monday, July 19, captivating speaker and history teacher, Gordon Williams, will give
a lecture and presentation on
“Norman Rockwell’s America,” beginning at 2:30pm. The
lecture is FREE and open to
the public. Atria Larson Place
is located at 1450 Whitney Avenue in Hamden. For more information, call 203.248.8880.
The
Arts & Entertainment
Hamden Journal
Summer Concert Series
Hamden Arts Commission is
pleased to announce its 2010
free summer concert series.
The series will include concerts on five consecutive Fridays in July at Town Center
Park at Meadowbrook, 2761
Dixwell Avenue. Opening acts
begin at 7:30pm; headliners at
8:15pm. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and
blankets. Food will be available on site.
This year’s exciting lineup is
as follows:
“Everytime You Go Away,”
and “Do It for Love.”
Friday, July 2: United States
Air Force Band of Liberty
This 45-member orchestra
will perform at Hamden’s Independence Day fireworks
display sponsored by Hamden’s Volunteer Firefighters.
The concert starts at 7:30pm;
the fireworks at 9:20pm. If bad
weather forces postponement
of the fireworks to July 3, the
concert will be held on July 2
at Hamden High School Auditorium, 2040 Dixwell Avenue.
Friday, July 30: Tower of
Power
One of the groups most often requested by residents, this
horn-based, soul band from
California has been producing original music and touring
the world giving unforgettable
performances since the 1960s.
Friday, July 9: The Turtles
The 1960s duo that combines
music with satire will perform
their hits: “Happy Together,”
“It Ain’t Me Babe,” “Elinore,”
“You Baby,” “She’d Rather Be
with Me,” “Let Me Be,” “You
Showed Me,” and “You Know
What I Mean.”
Friday, July 16: Daryl Hall
The concert will feature the
founder and lead singer of the
duo, Hall & Oates, who released 11 Billboard Number
One songs in the late 1970s
and 1980s: “She’s Gone,”
“Rich Girl,” “Kiss on My
List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t
Go for That,” “Say It Isn’t So,”
“Maneater,” “Out of Touch,”
Friday, July 23: Santana’s
Gregg Rolie
Rolie is the cofounder, lead
singer, and keyboard player for
the explosive, Latin-inspired,
and eight time Grammy-winning group Santana. He has reunited with other Santana band
members to bring back the
hits, including: “Black Magic
Woman,” “Evil Ways,” and
“Oye Como Va.”
In the event of inclement
weather, concerts might move
to Hamden High School, if
circumstances allow. For information, listen to AM 1220
WQUN or WEBE 108 (107.9
FM) or contact the Arts Commission at 203.287.2546 or
www.hamdenartscommission.
org.
The summer concert series is
always made possible thanks
to a partnership with many
groups and individuals. There
are about 30 volunteers who
work on the concerts. There
are no paid employees working
on concert nights, except for
police. Our summer concerts
are gifts to our community
from many wonderful people.
July 2, 2010 — Page 13
Local Getaway to the ‘World of Coffee’
Always a hot commodity, now
you can enjoy coffee as a great
summer exhibit at the Peabody
Museum in New Haven. Films,
artifacts, and photos take you
from the fields where coffee
is grown to coffee “culture” in
our own backyard. Along the
way, you’ll learn some interesting facts. While many of us
still think of “Juan Valdez” as
being the prime link to coffee
development, it was actually
discovered in Ethiopia more
than a millennium ago. Would
you be surprised to learn that
plants are big fans of caffeine –
as a natural pesticide?
This isn’t all “fun facts”
though. The $60 billion a year
coffee industry is under fire for
damaging our environment, for
its harsh working conditions
and low wages, and remains
under the microscope as to its
effects upon our health. Stop
by and learn how to select the
perfect cup, help the environment, and gain fair pay for all
who work in this global indus-
try. Coffee: The World in Your
Cup is on display now through
September 19. (THJ tip: the
Peabody Museum is free to the
public, Thursday afternoons
from 2 to 5; so, too, is parking
at the lot adjacent to the museum.)
The exhibit’s presenting
sponsor, Willoughby’s Coffee
& Tea, is celebrating its 25th
year of business. Willoughby’s
has four locations between
New Haven, Branford, and
Madison.
Jonathan Dickerman House Summer Schedule
The Hamden Historical Society
will open the Jonathan Dickerman House Museum, 105 Mt.
Carmel Avenue in Hamden,
for public tours Saturdays and
Sundays from 1-4pm during
July and August. There is no
charge to visit this furnished
1792 farmhouse which is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, with barn
and garden maintained by the
Spring Glen Garden Club.
Copies of Eric D. Lehman’s
new book, Hamden: Tales
from Sleeping Giant, are available for purchase at the site.
For further information call
203.288.0017.
Branch Libraries List Summer Offerings
Summer reading activities
will be offered for children
throughout the summer at both
the Whitneyville Branch Library at 125 Carleton Street
and the Brundage-Community
Branch Library at 91 Circular
Ave.
The following programs have
been scheduled at Whitneyville
Branch. Call 203.287.2677 to
register.
Thursday, July 8 at 2pm,
the Children’s Museum presents “RAYS Bridges” for
grades 1-5. Getting by a pesky
troll who lives under a bridge
is only the start. After that, stu-
dents find out about different
kinds of bridges and build one
of their own!
Monday, July 12 at 2pm, is
Bubbleology with the CT Science Center for grades K and
up.
Thursday, July 15 at 2pm,
the Two-Cat Band performs for
all ages.
Brundage
Community
Branch will also present programs. Call 203.287.2675 to
register.
Thursday, July 1 at 3pm,
“Read and Roll” with Peter
Menta, for ages 5-10. Kick off
Summer Reading in this inter-
active music program.
Thursday, July 8 at 3pm,
“Make a Splash” Art & Music
Activity with Jan Hebel, for
ages 6-10. Take a journey in a
yellow submarine and explore
an octopus’ garden in a Beatles
sing-along with craft activity.
Thursday, July 15 at 4pm,
join us for “Where in the
World?” (Highwood Pack Program), for ages 6-10. Where
did your ancestors come from?
Celebrate your heritage and
culture in this multi-cultural
craft activity.
Prefer the internet? Check us out online at www.thehamdenjournal.com.
Social Networker? Join our fan page on facebook at The Hamden Journal LLC.
Page 14 — July 2, 2010
The
Faith Matters
Hamden Journal
Why?
by Richard Rocco
“Why don’t I always feel the
presence of God?”
I have been following God
for almost 28 years now and
this question has been asked
over and over by men and
women of all ages.
What does the presence
of God feel like? Maybe it’s
when you’ve heard a song
about how great God is...or
when you read a scripture that
really nails what’s going on in
your life...maybe when God
heard your prayer and you felt
like everything was going to
be alright... Did you feel His
presence then? How do you
know? Some would say that
they cry – onions can do that;
others would say that they felt
goosebumps – sitting next to
your girlfriend might get that
same response; others would
tell me that they have a warm
sensation – hot chocolate can
bring you there. So, is God like
hot chocolate, your girlfriend,
or onions? I don’t think so.
How do you know? And
whose fault is it when you
don’t feel Him? Is it God’s?
Does He make decisions to be
with some and not others? Is
that how He works? Maybe
it’s your fault? Maybe you just
had a bad day or you’re just
not good enough today. Could
it be someone else’s fault? You
know, that guy that just ran a
red light and almost hit you?
Or, could it be that argument
that you had last night with
your spouse?
Why is it that sometimes you
really feel the presence of God
and other times you feel He is
farther away than the farthest
planet?
I have a few of Biblical reasons why we don’t always feel
God’s presence.
We Over-Sensationalize
John 6:30 NIV says, “What
miraculous sign then will you
give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?”
They were saying, “Jesus,
WOW me; impress me; I’ll
believe you if you tingle my
physical senses.”
Many times we rate our
Christian experience on a scale
of 1 to 10 – one being no feeling and ten being a buffet of
emotions. This is not a good
idea. The Bible tells us that
He will never leave us. NO
EXCEPTIONS! Sometimes
God works in a sensationalized
way; at other times, in a still
and quiet way.
Our Heart Is Hard
Matthew 13:14-15 NLT says,
“This fulfills the prophecy of
Isaiah that says, ‘When you
hear what I say, you will not
understand. When you see
what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these
people are hardened, and their
ears cannot hear, and they have
closed their eyes – so their eyes
cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal
them.’”
How does this happen? Maybe your prayers didn’t get answered. Maybe someone really
hurt you and you’ll never let
this happen again!
We have all experienced
heartache in life. The one
thing I know is that God is
all-powerful and loves you so
much that He works all things
for your good. Another thing I
know is that people aren’t perfect! They will let you down.
Don’t let your heart grow cold
or hard. God wants to have a
real and personal
relationship with
you.
Summer Youth Events at Dunbar UCC
The
Christian
Education
Committee at Dunbar United Church of Christ has announced the following events
for the summer months.
Summer Storytime Sundays at the playscape - Join
us for a story, snack, and craft.
We’ll tend to our vegetable
garden and have fun on the
playscape, too!
Vacation Bible School, July
11, 10:00am-2:00pm. Includes
a Congregation-wide Pot Luck
Brunch at 11:00am. Please
bring a dish and enjoy some
summer fun and fellowship!
Members,
friends,
and
neighbors are all welcome to
participate in these events. If
you need more information
or would like to help out with
Summer Storytime or Vacation
Bible School, please contact
Cindy at 203.415.8940. For
more information about Dun-
bar
United
Church
of
Christ, call
203.288.2342
or
visit
www.dunbar
church.com.
Taxes ~ Continued from Page 8
erty owners.”
The state needs to be smarter
and fairer in managing our
money.
“Connecticut needs to get
leaner and more strategic in how
it spends money,” says Hauser.
“We must adopt Results Based
Accountability (RBA) to bring
state spending in line with revenue and reduce the growing
deficit. RBA would improve
the state’s budgeting process
overall, but its strategic value
is that it would force legislators
to make better judgments about
what programs to fund when
money is tight.”
The overall economy must be
strengthened.
“Connecticut needs more taxpayers,” says Hauser, “not more
taxes!” Heading her list of ideas
for how to do this, she proposes
to strengthen the economy by
improving the education system,
creating jobs, rigorously supporting small businesses, establishing enterprise zones, streamlining the permitting processes
for businesses, and encouraging the construction of afford-
able housing
to keep young
workers from
leaving
the
state.
For further details see Hauser’s website,
w w w. d e b r a
hauser2010.
com.
Disobedient
You might have some unfinished business to deal with.
In John 14:21 NIV it says
that “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is
the one who loves me. He who
loves me will be loved by my
Father, and I too will love him
and show myself to him.”
Simple, Jesus shows Himself
to those who obey Him. God
doesn’t turn His back on you,
but actually you turn yours on
Him. When the prodigal son
wanted to get his inheritance
and leave his father’s house,
the father gave it to him, and
let him go. In the same way,
God will let you choose the
road you want to walk down,
but He won’t be taking that
walk with you. The good news
is that in the same way the father was waiting for his son to
come home, God is waiting for
you. He loves you.
The Bible is full of the idea
that whether you feel His presence or not, He is there. He
loves you and wants to be with
you for all eternity. Just know
that He is there, because His
Word tells us so.
It says in Jeremiah 29:13-14
NCV, “‘You will search for
me. And when you search for
me with all your heart, you
will find me! I will let you find
me,’ says the LORD.”
God’s presence is like radio
waves. You can’t see them and
you can’t even hear them, unless you have the right equipment and turn it on. They
are all around us. Like God,
sometimes you can hear Him,
sometimes you can’t...but it
doesn’t change the fact that
He’s always surrounding you
with His love. It’s not about
feeling Him; it’s about knowing Him! Never forget: if you
seek God with all your heart,
you will find Him.
Richard Rocco is the Pastor
of Frontline Christian Church,
2340 State Street, Hamden.
For more information, please
visit www.frontlinecc.com or
call 203.287.9417. Also, see
ad this page.
The
Classified Ads
Hamden Journal
Hamden Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal
Prison for Illegal Gun Possession
What’s Happening in Real Estate
June 15
Jamie Koreiwo and Jennifer
Pagnucco of 75 Clover Circle
sold their home to Robert Amarone for $245,000.
Iwan and Anna Damkowsa
of 119 Park Road sold their
home to Natasha Henry for
$191,000.
Steven Labulis and Robert Labulis of 13 West Helen
Street sold their home to Paul
Somogyi for $192,000.
Bruce and Janet Devlin of
1730 State Street #215 sold
their home to Alexander Wong
for $80,500.
July 2, 2010 — Page 15
June 18
Chris Vargas of 17 Daniel
Road sold his home to Peter
Knopp for $203,000.
Sirie Godshalk of 79 Helen
Street sold his home to David
and Lely Evans for $300,000.
HSBC Bank USA, who
owned 48 Homestead Avenue, sold the home to Carolyn
Whitted for $157,500.
Wells Fargo Financial America, who owned 266 Goodrich
Street, sold the home to Nga
and Pham My for $42,500.
Social Networker?
Join our fan page on facebook at The Hamden Journal LLC.
David B. Fein, United States
for the District of Connecticut, announced that Anthony
Davis, 40, formerly of Rolling
Road, Hamden, was sentenced
on Monday, June 28, by United
States District Judge Vanessa
L. Bryant in Hartford to 96
months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. On December 7,
2009, Davis pleaded guilty to
one count of unlawfully possessing a firearm after being
convicted of a felony offense.
According to court documents and statements made in
court, on October 29, 2007,
New Haven Police officers received information that Davis
was in possession of a firearm
in the vicinity of Grand Avenue
and Poplar Street in the Fair
Haven area of New Haven.
When officers approached Davis, he fled
on foot. Officers pursued Davis,
who discarded a ninemillimeter
pistol during
the pursuit.
Davis was arrested immediately thereafter.
Davis faced a sentencing guideline range of 70 to
87 months of imprisonment.
However, the Government argued for a sentence above the
guideline range based on Davis’ extensive criminal record,
which includes 12 prior felony
convictions.
This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives and the New Haven
Police Department. The case
was prosecuted by Assistant
United States Attorney, Christopher M. Mattei.
U.S. Attorney Fein noted
that this prosecution is part
of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. This program
is aimed at reducing gun and
gang violence, deterring il-
legal possession of guns, and
improving the safety of residents throughout Connecticut.
Participants in the initiative
include community members
and organizations as well as
state, federal, and local law enforcement agencies.
To place an ad, submit
a press release, or for
questions or comments, please email
info@thehamden
journal.com,
call
203.668.6307,
or
mail to PO Box
187101, Hamden, CT
06518.
Page 16 — July 2, 2010
The
Hamden Journal