Full Worm Moon - and Total Lunar Eclipse

Hi all:

For all you skywatchers out there, I continue my practice of informing you about each full moon. Here's the info. for March from Space.com:

March's full moon will occur on March 3 at 6:17 p.m. EST.

It is called the Full Worm Moon. In this month the ground softens and the earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter, or the Full Crust Moon because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation.

In addition, a total lunar eclipse will take place on this night; the Moon will appear to rise while totally immersed (or nearly so) in the Earth’s shadow over the eastern United States. The rising Moon will be emerging from the shadow over the central United States, while over the Western U.S. the eclipse will be all but over by the time the Moon rises.

Alas, tomorrow's forecast for Southeastern Connecticut is partly cloudy, so we may not get to see the eclipse. I hope you can see it whereever you are!

Enjoy!

hrh

"The Guardian" showcases the U.S. Coast Guard

Hi all:

If you live in selected cities (alas, nowhere near me - more on that later), you can go to a Sneak Preview this Saturday 9/16/06 of the new movie The Guardian starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher.

I haven't seen the movie so this is a qualified recommendation, but I love the subject matter for personal reasons: It is based on true stories of U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers, and my dad has worked at the U.S. Coast Guard Research & Development Center here in Southeastern Connecticut for almost 30 years! So our family is personally aware of all the great services the Coast Guard provides, and I'm thrilled for this government service to finally get its big screen due!

I'm not really a Kevin Costner or Ashton Kutcher fan, but lots of people are, so if their big names can draw attention to the Coast Guard's work, then whoopee! Thank goodness for celebrities!

Here's the poster with more info. on the movie:

Click on the poster for trailers, photos, credits, downloads, and more. Check the top of the page for the search function to see whether the Sneak Preview is playing in your areas.

As I said at the top, the movie is not playing here in New London County, which seems odd since we're home to the:

• U.S. Coast Guard Research & Development Center
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy
• U.S. Coast Guard International Ice Patrol
• U.S. Coast Guard Museum (soon to get a new building!)

Now I ask you: Doesn't this seem like a logical place to preview a movie about the U.S. Coast Guard? I'm just sayin'!

Anyhoo, if you go this weekend, come back and tell us what you think by clicking on "comments" at the end of this entry. I have to wait until 9/29/06 to see it. Sniff.

Enjoy!

hrh

GraceFest coverage in "Norwich Bulletin"

Hi all:

I had a great time at the third annual GraceFest yesterday at Colonel Ledyard Park!

I noticed that today's Norwich Bulletin featured the festival in the top banner of the front page and on the front page of the "Local News" section. They're even running a photo gallery in their online edition.

The home page of the online edition is also currently running a poll, "Are you a fan of Christian rock music?" It's in the lower left sidebar. Click here to vote. [Sorry guys, the poll is gone. 8/28/06]

Hope to see you next year at the Fest!

hrh

Third Annual Gracefest

Hi all:

If you live in Southeastern CT and are looking for a great way to spend a Saturday, come to Colonel Ledyard Park this Saturday, 8/19/06, for the third annual interdenominational Gracefest sponsored by the Council for Christian Arts of New London County. Here's a quick description:

SOURCE
The Day

Holy (rock 'n') Rollers
By Rick Koster
Published on 8/17/2006

December Radio

What Stryper proved — other than an ability to dress like Bees — is that so-called Christian rock really could rock. Similarly, Jars of Clay taught us that Christian rock really could sound like Vertical Horizon, even though JOC came along before Vertical Horizon.

Now we see that DecemberRadio, who channel Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz and the Black Crowes even as their songs are “worship selections,” have tapped credibly into arena-style, riffy, power guitar music — and it'll be on display at the Third Annual GRACEfest, aka “The Church Without Walls,” Saturday in Colonel Ledyard Park in Ledyard.

DecemberRadio's self-titled debut CD came out June 27 and has garnered plenty of solid reviews from the secular as well as the religious press, and Billboard included the group as a Band to Watch for 2006. They also recently performed on a nationally televised Connecticut Suns game.

GRACEfest, sponsored by the Council for Christian Arts of New London County, is a coming-together of area churches of various denominations. Local crafters, artists, and musicians are combining their resources for the occasion, and there will be concessions, continuous live music culminating in the DecemberRadio performance, and games and entertainment for kids.

GRACEfest, featuring the national touring act DecemberRadio, takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday in Colonel Ledyard Park, Ledyard. Tickets are $5. There's a $25 maximum for families. Kids under 5 get in free.

I love it when churches work together! Read John 17 (especially verses 20to 23) for the unity concept. I'll probably ride my bike on over there some time in the afternoon. Hope to see you there!

hrh

CareNet Crisis Pregnancy Center

Hi all:

The first group I'll write about is

This is a national organization that supports women who are experiencing unexpected or crisis pregnancies. Their motto is
They provide:

• Counseling about options for pregnant women
• Health information
• Pregnancy and baby supplies
• and more

to help women who weren't expecting to start a family, but who now find themselves expecting!

I've been giving monthly support to my local CareNet center for several years now and am confident that many women and their families are being helped.

The Center holds an annual banquet, which serves both as a fundraiser and an annual presentation on the work of the Center. I've attended several of these dinners and am always moved by the new young moms and their stories.

The Groton, CT CareNet Center also provides:

• Free pregnancy tests
• Ultrasounds and medical help with a registered nurse
• Post-abortion counseling
• Abstinence programs for area high schools
• Quarterly newsletter for donors

If you live in the area and need any of these services, please give them a call. Or if you feel led to support the work with finances and prayers, please call

If you don't live in Southeastern Connecticut but want to know more about CareNet in your area, call or write their national

Thanks for any support you can give to this great organization! And thanks to CareNet for all the wonderful work you do.

hrh

Good News, Bad News ... but the Sun Comes Out

Hi all:

Well, the good news is the town budget was rejected and that more people want the Education budget lowered, which is my position.

The bad news is that the Bill Library addition was also rejected. Very shortsighted of the town. It looks like the nefarious tactics of some in town regarding misinformation spread on signs along roadways had its intended effects. Too bad. It's their loss just as much as ours.

Anyhoo, here's the numbers from today's Day paper:

"Ledyard Rejects Budget, Library Expansion
Plans Shot Down By Wide Margin

By Jenna Cho

Published on 5/17/2006

Ledyard — Residents rejected both the proposed $45.9 million 2006-07 town budget and the $3.5 million proposed Bill Library expansion at Tuesday's budget referendum.
The Town Council will revise the budget in time for the second referendum, scheduled for May 30. The council's budget, a 5.65 percent increase from this year's budget, included $19.1 for general government and $26.8 million for schools.

The budget was rejected on a vote of 1,554-919, and the library-expansion proposal was defeated 1,565-909.

Town officials said the referendum results reflect residents' rising discontent with increasing property taxes and inconsistent property-value assessments. The proposed tax rate of 25.95 mills, combined with the recent property revaluation, would have resulted in a 7 percent average increase in taxes.

“I think this vote is indicative of the need for property-tax relief in the state of Connecticut,” Mayor Susan Mendenhall said after the votes were counted. “Between the taxes and reval, people were just overwhelmed. ... Hartford has just got to add property-tax relief.”
In advisory questions on Tuesday's ballot, 1,135 voters said they wanted the school budget reduced, while 1,084 said they didn't. Another 743 said the school budget should stay the same, while 1,453 said it should not. And 555 residents said the school budget should be increased, while 1,701 said it should not.

“I'm deeply disappointed that the budget didn't pass,” said Superintendent of Schools Michael Graner. “But I think it's a reflection of the revaluation and people's concerns about the tax increase. ... I think people see that the town officials worked really hard to balance the needs of the town versus the ability to pay. The voters have spoken, and we need to go back to the drawing board and develop a budget (that is) more suitable.”

The Board of Education will discuss changes to the school budget at tonight's meeting. The board, mayor and Town Council will work together to pare down the budget for the second referendum."

At least the sun is shining today for the first time in over a week!

hrh

Vote "Yes" Today

Hi:

Today is voting day in Ledyard. For today's blog, I've pasted an editorial from The Day on why citizens should vote "yes" for the Bill Library expansion:

"Bill Library Worth The Cost

By Day Staff Writer

Published on 5/16/2006

Ledyard, don't do it again. Don't defeat a measure to expand the Bill Library just to save money ...

Today you have the opportunity to go to the polls and vote yes on the $3.5 million, 8,385-square-foot addition to the Bill Library, off Route 117 in Ledyard Center. The plan will more than double the size of the existing library, and allow for the essential expansion of the children's room, which is currently the size of a household living room. It will also make the building more accessible for the handicapped, add an area for young adults to meet and study and cover the cost of other improvements.

The Town Council voted 8-1 to recommend the library addition to voters, an indication that a cross-section of informed residents understand the importance of the project.

A year ago, a larger, more expensive addition was defeated, but in an advisory, voters said they would favor a smaller, less costly Bill Library expansion project.

So the building committee has been at work, and it's back with a new plan ... Library supporters have raised $350,000 toward the cost of the project, and after planning expenses for the new proposal have $225,000 left to help offset the building cost. They're hopeful, too, that most or all of a previously approved $500,000 state library grant will still be available for the upgrade. The balance will be bonded.

People are tired of paying higher taxes. That's understandable. But the library addition is a cost that can be calculated in more than dollars and cents.

A library is a town's treasure. It is part of its heart and soul. It is a repository of a town's history, a meeting place, and a home for books, computers and other reading materials.

It's been 10 years since the alarm was first sounded that the Bill Library was inadequate, and while there has been talk about what to do, there has been no forward movement.

Today is another chance."

Thanks for voting "yes." You won't regret it.

hrh

National Library Week - April 2 - 8

Hi all:

Don't forget to celebrate National Library Week this week!

When was the last time you visited your friendly local library? They have more than books, you know. Most also have:

• Great collections of the latest hit videos and DVDs for FREE loan
• Audiotapes and audio CDs
• Newspapers and magazines
• State and federal tax forms
• Cheap copying and faxing services
• High-speed internet connections
• Art displays
• Classes and programs on everything from healthcare to scrapbooking
• Children and family Storytimes and special events
• And much more ...

My local library also offers guided hikes, babysitting classes for teens, Japanese fighter kite making classes, a crafts fair, a local artists and writers showcase, and more.

That's a lot to celebrate!

What's going on at your library? Stop by today and see ...

You won't be disappointed.

hrh

Blog of "The Day"

Hi all:

A quick note to say that Kathleen Edgecomb, an Arts writer at my local paper, blogged yesterday about a "Doctor Who" scarf pattern she had found on the Internet.

She didn't know much about the Doctor and called him "a famous television detective in England." I s'pose that's not necessarily wrong, but it's surely the most understated description of the year!

She also doesn't seem to realize that there are 10 versions of him, only one of whom wore the 12-foot scarf! But "who" knows? Maybe she'll tune in next week to the Sci-Fi Channel looking for the scarf, get hooked on the character, and go searching for 4th doctor stories. People become fans in all kinds of crazy ways.

Anyhoo, I responded with a few comments of my own ...

TTFN,
hrh

Scriptwriting for Stage & Screen

Hi all:

Monday & Tuesday of this week we had our play and film scenes read at the Branford Mansion at Avery Point. It was great fun to see these wonderful local actors bring our written words to life. Since scripts are meant to live in real space and not on the page, writers learn loads by seeing their words acted out. It brings a wonderful thrill when something works and a stark clarity when something doesn't ...

Our sports nut teacher, Nick Checker, also invited what he calls his "heavy hitters" to comment on our works in progress. They included off-Broadway playwright and director of the Avery Point Playhouse, Michael Bradford, playwright and director Kato McNickle, and playwright and actor Michael McGuire.

On the film scenes night we also had some great local filmmakers to comment on how certain scenes would or would not work in front of a camera. This was the first time for film scenes to be staged this way and it was an adventure. A successful one I think anyone who attended would agree.

The actors also piped in with comments about lines and staging that are of invaluable help to writers. You could tell which scripts worked just by the enthusiasm the actors put into their performances!

The classes that lead up these final performances are great fun, and I recommend them highly to any writers who are tired of slaving away in isolation. They're offered by the Groton Parks & Recreation Department. The next sessions begin March 20 & 22.

TTNF,
hrh

Sunday is "Trashed" Day

Hi all:

If you're in Southeastern Connecticut and looking for something to do Sunday February 19, come out to the Garde Arts Center in New London at 7:00 p.m.

Local filmmaker Nick Checker is presenting his film Trashed, which explores eminent domain and homelessness issues. This docudrama features local actors and crew, and was filmed in and around New London County in the summer of 2005.

Sunday night's event also features live music with local musicians and guest speakers who are prominent experts on the issues in the film.

This benefit showing supports the Leah Beyer Foundation and the Niantic Center School.

Click the links for more information.

Enjoy!

hrh