newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts by newsandviewsjb

Manchester Parkade on West Middle Turnpike Buoyed by Fitness Center

Posted on February 10, 2012

                              Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Although the older, blighted Broad Street Parkade in Manchester, Connecticut is slated for demolition, the West Middle Turnpike portion of Manchester Parkade is open for business, buoyed by the addition of a fitness center. Since the arrival of Cardio Express, which took over an empty storefront, more and more cars fill the lot on the west end of the shopping strip daily. Anchoring the eastern end is busy Stop & Shop Supermarket. An approximate half mile walk from one end of the shopping strip to the other, it is a good mini workout unto itself. In between are a number of stops,…

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Tough Loss for Tom Brady & the New England Patriots

Posted on February 6, 2012

By: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb From the first ball possession things did not go well for the New England Patriots yesterday in a 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI loss to the New York Giants in Indianapolis. Sunday’s game was a Super Bowl rematch between the Patriots and Giants and quarterbacks Tom Brady and Eli Manning. An apparent mistake by Brady who grounded the ball while under pressure from the Giants defense in their end zone put the Giants on the score board first with a two point safety. Soon after, in what television commentators described as another “un New England Patriots like” error, the Pats were penalized for having twelve men on the field. Though Brady had good moments, his concentration appeared to be off –…

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Go Pats! New England Patriots Head to Super Bowl with Connecticut Presence

Posted on February 4, 2012

by: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb It does the heart of a University of Connecticut alumna and New England Patriots fan good to scroll the the Patriots roster and under college read “Connecticut.” As the Patriots head for Super Bowl XLVI Sunday, February 5 to take on the New York Giants in Indianapolis, they do so with former UConn football standout Donald Thomas primed to play in the position of offensive guard. Thomas represents a significant Connecticut presence with the Pats that includes two other players plus the wizard himself – Coach Bill Belichick. Quite an accomplishment for a small New England state, especially one – with the exception of UConn basketball- better known for its prominence in the defense industry, “insurance city” as its capital…

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Cure Cabin Fever at Northwest Park

Posted on February 3, 2012

Cure Cabin Fever at Northwest Park                Write-up & photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.wordpress.com In light of New England’s mild winter thus far, cabin fever – irritability and listlessness due to long periods of confinement-may not be an issue. Nonetheless, Northwest Park in Windsor, Connecticut is still slated to host its annual Cabin Fever Festival on Saturday, February 4. With clear skies and temperatures in the mid 30s predicted it seems like a great place to spend some time outdoors before hunkering down to watch Super Bowl XLVI on television for the Sunday night showdown between the New England Patriots and New York Giants. Northwest Park is not easy to find but it is worth the effort of…

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Steven Tyler Unfairly Maligned

Posted on January 27, 2012

Commentary by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb Give me country crooner George Strait over Aerosmith any day. That said, Steven Tyler, lead singer for the Boston-based Aerosmith rock band and American Idol judge, has been unfairly maligned for his rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” during the American Football League championship game between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens January 22, in Massachusetts. The Internet has been burning up with condemnations of Tyler for “screaming” the national anthem. When doesn’t Tyler sound like he is screaming? Critics charge that at 63, age and hard living have caught up with Tyler who struggled to reach the high notes. Though somewhat deteriorated, Tyler’s performance last Sunday did not sound all that different from his renditions at a…

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Dom’s Eatery in Windsor CT Supports Troops &”Pay It Forward” Project

Posted on January 21, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com A benefit for the troops at Dom’s Broad Street Eatery in Windsor, Connecticut was a perfect fit for the launch of a “Pay It Forward” project put together by a Windsor soldier and local police detective. Every third Friday of the month Dom’s Eatery hosts a benefit for SEND HOMETOWN WINDSOR TO THE TROOPS from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A steady stream of patrons arrived January 20 to enjoy supper and and support SEND, a WIN-TV project coordinated by Ann Walsh. Through SEND, care boxes have been mailed to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past six years. For restaurant owner Jason DiBella the monthly benefits are an opportunity to support American troops and show…

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285th Annual Meeting Planned for Somers Congregational Church Destroyed by Fire

Posted on January 20, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb                                                                                         “The Building is Gone – the Church Remains.” As reconstruction efforts advance the 285th Annual Meeting will be held Sunday for the Somers Congregational Church in Connecticut destroyed by fire on New Year’s Day, according to the church website. In addition to worship service, the Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 22 in Somers Town Hall across from the church remnants at 599 Main Street. Although the church was built in 1842, the…

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Silk City Chorus – A Connecticut Gem

Posted on January 13, 2012

Write-up and photo by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Follow the blissful harmony inside Manchester’s Second Congregational Church on Monday nights and it will lead to rehearsal for a Connecticut gem, the award-winning Silk City Chorus. Practices are preparation for various competitions and performances throughout the year, including the group’s big 50th annual show, “Everybody Loves a Hero,” scheduled for Manchester High School, January 14, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This year’s performances will feature Crossroads Quartet, the 2009 International Champions and Da Capo, the 2011 Harmony Sweepstakes National Champion. Organized in 1963 and growing ever since, Silk City Chorus is an 80-man chapter of the Barbershop Harmoney Society, an international body “dedicated to preserving the particular style of singing in four-part a capella harmony,” according to…

Categories: Music, NEWS

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Destination: Bart’s Restaurant & The Beanery Windsor, Connecticut

Posted on January 6, 2012

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com  Bart’s Drive-In Restaurant in Windsor, Connecticut is a friendly place where new and familiar faces are welcomed with warmth. “Cruise back in time” at Bart’s – the deep turquoise walls and garage front doors are a homage to the era of hot rods and rock&roll. Opened year-round, Bart’s Magic Grill has been pleasing palates for more than six decades transforming what began as a hot dog stand in 1946 into a local institution. The Beanery Bistro at Bart’s is an added attraction sharing the restaurant’s location for the last three years on the banks of the beautiful Farmington River at 55 Palisado Avenue, offering gourmet coffee, signature sandwiches and yummy baked goods. “The walls are this color intentionally,”said part-owner…

Categories: NEWS, Restaurants

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Blighted Broad Street Parkade Set for Demolition

Posted on December 30, 2011

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com                                                                                The New Year will bring a much anticipated landscape improvement in Manchester, Connecticut where the blighted Manchester Parkade on Broad Street is slated for demolition. The outdoor shopping plaza was purchased by the town for about $1.85 million, taken from an $8 million bond approved by voters in a 2009 referendum to renovate the Broad Street commercial area. Plans include the widening of Broad Street, a  busy connector between West Middle Turnpike and Center Street. A thriving shopping…

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