Shoreline Democratic Women Host Season Kick-Off Event at Saybrook Pavilion

State Representative Diana Urban will be the guest speaker at the SDLW kick-off event, Sept. 6.

State Representative Diana Urban will be the guest speaker at the SLDW
kick-off event, Sept. 6.

The Shoreline League of Democratic Women (SLDW) hosts its 2013-14 Season Kick-off event on Friday, Sept. 6, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pavilion at Saybrook Point, 150 College Street in Old Saybrook. Special guest speaker will be CT State Representative Diana Urban, 43rd District.

All shoreline Democratic women are welcome to attend this free networking event.

To RSVP, call 860-669-7034 or 860-399-1147, or email:sldworg@gmail.com.

The SLDW draws membership from the towns of Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Lyme, Old Lyme, Centerbrook, Essex, Ivoryton, Deep River, Chester, Killingworth, Madison, Guilford and Branford. Visit their website for more information: www.SLDW.org.

Diana Urban was first elected to the General Assembly in 2000, and is currently serving her fifth term. She is a member of the Legislature’s Environment Committee, and the Program Review and Investigations Committee.  She is Chair of the Select Committee on Children, as well as Co-Chair of the Results Based Accountability Sub Committee of the Appropriations Committee.  She previously served on the Energy and Technology Committee and the Planning and Development Committee.

Urban has significant concerns about both the economy and environment, and is committed to finding and maintaining a balance to encourage sustainable growth within Connecticut.  She wishes to protect the most vulnerable children and provide ample educational opportunities to all children in Connecticut, recognizing the role they will play in the future.

She has been the legislative champion for addressing the “circle of violence” that recognizes that animal abuse too often is a harbinger of domestic abuse and criminal activity.  Urban’s legislative agenda reflects these values and she works closely with constituents and advocacy groups to craft legislation to impact these issues.

For 26 years Urban was employed as an Economics and Political Science professor.  Most recently she taught Micro and Macro Economics, Environmental Studies and Regulation as an Adjunct professor at Three Rivers College and Environmental Conservation at the University of Connecticut Avery Point.  She is currently a Senior Consultant with the Results Leadership Group in Washington DC.

Throughout her tenure in the General Assembly, Urban has led the fight for Results Based Accountability (RBA) in Budgeting in the State of Connecticut  She has also been recognized by Governing Magazine as a National Leader in High Performance Government for her work on RBA and recently the NCSL awarded Connecticut the Con Hogan Award for RBA and Work on Innovation in Government.  She fervently believes that accountability and transparency are essential to good government.

The Shoreline League of Democratic Women is a social and political fellowship that unites Democratic women along the shoreline, and focuses on issues important to women of all ages. Women are encouraged to join the SLDW and participate in the organization’s valuable work in the community.

Participation may be 30 minutes a month, or 30 minutes a year. As a part of the SLDW educational charter, members will be notified of important pending state and national legislation.

For more information on the Shoreline League of Democratic Women, send email to sldworg@gmail.com or contact Kathleen Skoczen at 860-669-7034 or Belinda Jones at 860-399-1147.

For more information about our events and organization, visit our web site at http://www.SLDW.org.

Cappella Cantorum Men’s Chorus Gives Concert at ‘The Kate,’ Sept. 29

The 30 voice Men’s Chorus of Cappella Cantorum returns to the stage at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St. in Old Saybrook, on Sunday, Sept. 29th at 3 p.m.

Music features selections from Phantom of the Opera, a Civil War Medley, gospel, spirituals, and barbershop favorites by The Hill Top Four.  Barry Asch is the conductor with Deborah Lyon as accompanist.

In early October, the Men’s Chorus will conclude their performance schedule in Dennis, Mass., Cape Cod.

Tickets are $16, and may be reserved by calling The Kate at 877-503-1286 or online at www.thekate.org.

‘Mark Twain’ Rides Aboard Essex Steam Train Today

twain_trainMark Twain will create a unique experience aboard the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat today, riding along and interacting with visitors.

The “Passengers from the Past” experience is new this year, and is designed to take passengers back in time alongside popular historic figures. This special visits will take place  Sunday, Aug. 25.

Previous visitors aboard the train have included President Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln and William and Helen Gillette.

The special passengers are personified by some of the most renowned historic figure actors in the country.  Visitors will be able to spend quality time on the steam train and riverboat with some of the most interesting people in history.

There are no additional fees for the “Passengers from the Past” experience.

Mark Twain

Mark Twain, one of Connecticut’s most famous residents, will visit the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Aug. 24 and 25, to do what he does best – entertain crowds with storytelling and humor.  Often called “the father of American literature,” Mark Twain is best known for his novels The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

He is also a celebrity humorist and will be sure to share many stories with fellow passengers.  Always with a smile, always with wit, Mr. Twain plans to make the “Passengers from the Past” experience fun and exciting.  A tip for your ride aboard the Becky Thatcher riverboat: be sure to ask Mr. Twain about the Tom Sawyer character the riverboat is named after.

Watch video.

Old Saybrook Farmers Market Offers Crafts, Music, Fresh and Local Foods

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Since 1998 the Old Saybrook Farmer’s Market has offered Connecticut grown or made products and produce to an appreciative crowd, growing from two vendors in the first season to 24 in 2013.

Open every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Oct. 30, vendors supply an abundance of high quality produce picked only hours before the market opens, along with breads and bakery items baked fresh that day.

Also available are organic and pesticide free fruits and vegetables, local honey, free range eggs, beef, pork and fish, award-winning jams, relishes, guacamole, salsa, pesto, specialty sauces, hummus and more – all hand made with local ingredients.

Live music is always a special attraction at the Old Saybrook Farmers Market.

Live music is always a special attraction at the Old Saybrook Farmers Market.

There’s more than just food at the Old Saybrook Farmer’s Market.  Fine crafted items such as hand woven linens, hand dyed yarn, local wool, hand made clothes, bags, soaps, pottery, a variety of plants and flowers and more, are valuable additions to this market.

On Saturdays, grab a cup of fresh roasted coffee and a delicious bakery item or a hand scooped Italian ice while relaxing and enjoying live music performed by artists such as Glenn Roth, an innovative fingerstyle guitarist and folk artist Geoff Kaufman to name a few.

There are demonstrations scheduled from the local martial arts studio Middlesex Tang Soo and other craftsmen and women.  Check the website for more details at www.oldsaybrookfarmersmarket.com.

Old Saybrook Farmers Market is certified by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and guarantees that everything sold at the market is Connecticut Grown
or made.

Estuary Council Seeks New Executive Director

The Estuary Council of Seniors, Inc, in Old Saybrook is seeking an Executive Director. They are looking for a proven leader with a passion for working with older people, with fund development, marketing and finance experience. Excellent communication skills, including networking, public speaking and the ability to work well with volunteers are also required. The full-time position reports to the Board of Directors.

A Bachelors’ Degree is preferred and prior executive experience in non-profit or business sectors would be helpful. Computer literacy is necessary.

Interested applicants should e-mail a cover letter and resume by October 1 to: Sharon Howell, Chair of Search Committee at Execsearch92@gmail.com