Good News!

From a fortune cookie:

This is a good thing to remember. Be thankful.
And, don't forget,  tofu is delicious when properly prepared.
#ChinaPavilion

PS Try their Salt and Pepper Shrimp as well!

Raise Your SAT Score NOW!

Milford-based
College Placement Firm Expands

Disclosure: The following is a Press Release from First College Placement,  the brainchild of the terrific James Maroney, who is our newest State Rep from Milford. Beyond that, they do wonderful work and increase teens SAT scores to get them into the best possible position for applying to College.
Get your kids enrolled right away!

First Choice College Placement is pleased to announce it will be opening new classroom facilities to serve students in Norwalk, Monroe, Wallingford and their respective surrounding communities. In Norwalk they will be located at 430 Main Avenue, in Monroe at 601 Main Street, and in Wallingford at 950 Yale Avenue. The new facilities are the result of a strategic partnership with All-Star Driver, Connecticut’s leader in driver’s education. 

First Choice College Placement has been providing SAT/ACT test preparation classes in Milford since 1999, and beginning in August, those same test preparation classes will be available at the three All-Star Driver classroom facilities - Norwalk, Monroe and Wallingford.

“Our two businesses serve the same groups of high school juniors and seniors, so it just made sense to utilize these state-of-the-art classrooms when they are available,” said James Maroney, Director of First Choice College Placement LLC. “We employ a variety of technologies to assist students in the classroom, such as white boards, iPads, and recording of each session for review at the student’s convenience. In addition, all classroom sessions are taught by our highly qualified tutors who are graduates of top universities.”

First Choice has worked with a number of recruited athletes to help them get the scores to qualify for Ivy League schools and other academic requirements, along with helping a wide variety of students, including high academic achievers, realize their college-related goals.

“First Choice gave my son direction on studying for the SAT’s, his essay and selecting the right school,” said Peter Graeb of Wallingford. “My son’s ultimate college choice could not have been better for him and the experience was so rewarding we used them again with my younger son, with the same great results.”

For more information, call (800) 575-0950 or email jmaroneyct@gmail.com.  www.firstchoicecollege.com/

 And, yes, James, I am impressed.

Do you know about Dante Bartolomeo?

Check out the parts I put into other colors. Dante' Bartolomeo is running for State Senate as an advocate for Education and Families. Danté is the Democratic nominee for State Senate in Connecticut's 13th District, which includes Meriden, Cheshire, Middlefield, Middletown and Rockfall. 

About Dante´ Bartolomeo

Dante´ Bartolomeo has served on the Meriden City Council since 2008 and is currently Deputy Majority Leader. She is also Chair of the Public Works and Parks & Recreation Committee, Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee and Liaison to the Board of Education. Under her watch, Meriden has reduced its operating expenses three out of the last four years, fully funded its pension obligations and increased its bond rating by three notches to AA-. Prior to her role as a City Councilwoman, Bartolomeo served her community as an advocate for universal health care and enhanced educational opportunities for Meriden students. She and her husband, Doug, have two sons: Riley, 16 and Cameron, 10.

Public School Teachers Back Bartolomeo in Race for 13^th Senate District

Endorsements Cite Candidate’s Longstanding Leadership and Support for Education

MERIDEN – City Councilwoman and 13^th Senate District candidate Dante´ Bartolomeo today announced that her campaign has received endorsements from the American Federation of Teachers Connecticut affiliate, as well as the Meriden and Middletown Federation of Teachers.  All three organizations cited Bartolomeo’s advocacy on behalf of Meriden’s schools.  

“We know that Dante´ will fight for working families at the capitol,” said Melodie Peters, Vice-President of AFT Connecticut. “She understands that public education is necessary for an effective democracy and a vibrant education. Dante´ Bartolomeo supports health care benefits and pensions because they are part of the pay earned by workers.”

During her tenure on the City Council, Bartolomeo has served as Liaison to the Board of Education and negotiated responsible education budgets on behalf of Meriden’s public schools each of the last four years. Prior to holding elected office, Bartolomeo was a member of the Board of Education’s Full Day Kindergarten Committee and a former President of Nathan Hale Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization.

“As a City Councilwoman and Liaison to the Board of Education, Dante´ has proven she understands what a school system needs to sustain itself and improve,” said Erin Benham, President of the Meriden Federation of Teachers. “She has been a great asset to the Meriden Federation of Teachers, and I have no doubt that the expertise Dante´ has demonstrated at the local level will serve her well at the state level.”

“Dante´ has shown through her work in Meriden that education is one of her top priorities,” added Steve McKeever, President of the Middletown Federation of Teachers. “She brings fresh ideas and a great work ethic to the plate. She will be an outstanding leader and representative for the people of her District.”

Bartolomeo’s life in public service first began when she successfully challenged the City’s public school system to ensure her oldest son, Riley, received access to special education necessary for his future development. Today, Riley is an honors student and was recently reelected as Class President for his junior year at Maloney High School. The complexities of navigating the system motivated Bartolomeo to then support other Meriden families whose children had special education needs.

“Giving our students the best chance to succeed should never be a partisan issue, and as a mother of two sons, I recognize the need to provide quality education to our children,” Bartolomeo said. “We must invest intelligently in our public schools so that we can close the achievement gap throughout Connecticut. The only way to provide the highest quality of education is through enhanced cooperation at all levels, accurate student assessment, and the hiring and retention of effective teachers.”

Dante´’s support of strong public schools stands in sharp contrast to her opponent, Senator Len Suzio. Last year, Suzio voted to cut $165 million from the State’s public education budget, which would have dramatically decreased the quality of education by increasing class sizes and eliminating programs dedicated to school readiness and other vital student resources.

Important! "Education, Jobs, and Minimum Wage" - Black CT rePost

Black Connecticut Weekly Information March 19, 2012

Education, Jobs and Minimum Wage Last Wednesday, I was at the State Capitol celebrating Women’s Day at the Capitol hosted by the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.  That day, there were many top focus events happening including an education rally and hearings on the death penalty.  Unfortunately, for some reason the legislators are under the impression that the death penalty is the top focus agenda item this legislative session for the minority community.  While the death penalty is important, education jobs, and raising the minimum wage are far more important to everyone in “OUR Community”. The legislators need to know that the true ranking of top focus items for the minority and female citizens of CT and they are: 1.       Education 2.       Jobs 3.       Increasing Minimum Wage 4.       Health Care 5.       Domestic Violence 6.       Daycare 7.       Fair Housing 8.       Fair Pay 9.       Elder Care Somewhere well after the items listed is the repeal of the death penalty.   This was easily proven by the number of people of color attending events at the LOB last week.   Far more people of color participated and attended other events vs. the death penalty hearings.  If the legislators are truly representing the people, especially “OUR Community” they will place more time and resources into bills that will positively impact more people color.   It is imperative that the legislators begin to focus on issues that truly impact “OUR Community”.  If it is possible that they do not know or have forgotten, let’s remind they that is EDUCATION, JOBS and raising the MINIMUM WAGE.   While the repeal of the death penalty is a major focus for minorities in other states; especially those in the South, it is not a top issue for us in CT.  While the repeal of the death penalty helps a few in CT, the real impact is providing a foundation for securing the repeal of the death penalty in the southern states.  While it is the right thing to do, it is far more important that focus is given to Education, Employment and Small Businesses.