McMAHON SIMMONS PRE-CONVENTION APPEARANCE TOPS ROTARY SPEAKER CARD

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on image

details in poster and via link

Litchfield-Morris Rotary

Howard Zinn Awarded The Ridenhour Courage Prize

Howard Zinn is awarded The Ridenhour Courage Prize for his determination to showcase the hidden heroes of social movements throughout history, his refusal to accept the history of only the powerful and victorious, his steadfast belief in the potential for a better world, his unflinching moral stance on fighting whatever he perceived was wrong in society, his fight to inspire students to believe that together they could make democracy come alive, and, in the words of his former student Alice Walker, "his way with resistance."

Complete Article

Howard Zinn Tribute @ Busboys and Poets, 2-15-10

Cancer Prevention Show Repeat Sunday

Program To Be Rebroadcast
Sunday, March 28 at 2:30 p.m.

Among Highlights:
Author Rand Cooper's View
Of 'Recreational Colonoscopies,' Segment Three

Story In Litchfield News

Segment Can Be Viewed @ Stay In The Game

Young Writers 13th Year Judging Under Way; Year 14 Uncertain

LCT
THE LITCHFIELD COUNTY TIMES MONTHLY
April 2010

Story Includes
Quotes From Amy Ma, Rand Cooper

story in LCT Monthly

-- Amy Ma WNPR Interview Pre- Jan. 15 Triple KO Event

Hartford Club Mag Makes Pitch For CT Young Writers

--Chip Perez Talks About Jan. 15 Sparring Session @ The Hartford Club With Israel Pito Cardona & Mike Mike Machine Gun Oliver & His Upcoming Bout Jan. 29 @ Mohegan Sun [Chip won]. Co-Master Of Ceremonies Rand "Blood" Cooper Conducts The Interview With The Focused Guidance Of His Colleague, "Irish" Ravi Shankar.

Litchfield County Times

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on
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LCT Monthly

UPCOMING
regional celebrations
@ CSU System campuses in April
annual celebration
site & date 2 b announced.

IT'S OFFICIAL: RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES IN CT YOUNG WRITERS COMPETITION

NOTE TO SPONSORS
TY 4 KEEPING THIS PROGRAM ALIVE
FOLLOWING THE DEATH
OF OUR FOUNDING / PRIMARY SPONSOR LAST FALL

-- 2010 PROGRAM SPONSORSHIPS R AVAIL AS FOLLOWS:

* biz card in program, $250

* county champion sponsor, $500

* state champion sponsor, $1,000

all donations greatly appreciated and publicly acknowledged

--------------plz send checks 2

CT YOUNG WRITERS TRUST
231 Beach St.
Litchfield, CT 06759

thank you thank you thank you

Connecticut Young Writers Trust Website

Ron Winter, Author Of New Book On Elder Abuse, To Speak @ Litchfield-Morris Rotary May 20, 2010

The Litchfield-Morris Rotary meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month, usually @ Forman School. Watch for updates ...

For more information, contact:
Rotary Club speaker committee member Andy Thibault
@ tntcomm82@cs.com / 860-690-0211

Litchfield-Morris Rotary

About Ronald Winter

Ronald Winter is an author, public relations executive, college professor and award winning journalist. He regularly writes and speaks on the military and politics.

Ron is author of the book Masters of the Art, A Fighting Marine's Memoir of Vietnam published by Random House, and writes Winter's Soldier Story, his website blog column.

His newest work of non-fiction is Granny Snatching, How a 92-Year-Old Widow Fought the Courts and Her Family to Win Her Freedom.

Granny Snatching

Ron gave up an academic scholarship at the State University of New York at Albany in 1966 to join the Marines and fight in Vietnam as a helicopter crewman and machine gunner. He flew 300 combat missions and was awarded 15 Air Medals, Combat Aircrew Wings, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

After Vietnam he earned undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and English Literature. In a two-decade journalism career Ron was the recipient of several prestigious awards and a Pulitzer nomination.

He was featured in 2004 in the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project; is an adjunct professor of communication at the University of Hartford; is a judge for the annual Connecticut Young Writers competition; and is a director for Michael J. London & Associates Public Relations firm in Trumbull, CT. Winter also was a team member of Poets & Writers For Avery, supporting free speech rights in the landmark case [aka The Famous Douche Bag Case] now before the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals.


ABOUT
GRANNY SNATCHING

Elder care is a serious issue as the American family faces the sometimes overwhelming strain that caring for aging parents creates. In generations before, the elderly were part of the family till the end. Today, they are often closed away behind institutional doors as their children participate in a growing trend called Granny Snatching.

We anticipate a safe and secure retirement where we hold hands with our life's partner during leisurely strolls on golden sands...and suddenly, darkness falls upon us and our world is turned upside down as family members appear from nowhere, seizing us, dragging us toward an unanticipated and unwanted future, penniless, powerless, confined in the clutches of "elder care."

Unlikely? Think again. It happens every day all over America and it can happen to you. Is your future reasonably well planned out; ensuring that when you reach retirement age you will live the independent life you envisioned? Do you have a good lawyer who will help you navigate the uncharted waters of life for America's elderly - including proper care in case of illness or injury? Will your financial plans remain intact? Will you live as you hoped and planned for all those years with your family lovingly by your side?

Granny Snatching is an insidious creeping menace from which no one is safe. What nearly happened to Ella Winter can happen to you. Your life, like hers, can suddenly be thrown into chaos and disorder. Will you knuckle under or will you learn from her fight, and like Ella Winter stand tall and strong in the face of adversity.

GRANNY SNATCHING provides thought-provoking information on the true symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, and how to respond if family members attempt to confiscate an elder person's assets.

Complete Announcement For New Ron Winter Book

Ron Winter Website / Blog

Bobby McGee X 3

Crystal Bowersox

Pink

Janis Joplin

CPTV Premieres "Confronting Colorectal Cancer" on Wednesday, March 24 at 8 p.m.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and CPTV is taking part in this effort by premiering the live town meeting special Confronting Colorectal Cancer on Wednesday, March 24 at 8 p.m., with rebroadcasts airing on Friday, March 26 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, March 28 at 2:30 p.m. The program also will be streamed live at StayInTheGameCT.com, and will be available on this site for on-demand viewing after its original broadcast.

Complete Article

DIANE SMITH
ON WTIC
MORNING SHOW
TODAY

8:50 -- Dr. Suzanne Lagarde, gastroenterologist for Rocco Basilica -- New London firefighter and president of the local union. Basilica is profiled in the CPTV show tonight.

WTIC Home Page Listen Live

Stay In The Game

Gone Fishin'

Cool Justice has gone fishin'

...

Back soon. Happy springtime.

BOB THIESFIELD FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHT PHOTOS, FOXWOODS, 3-12-10; Live Twitter Coverage @ cooljustice

-- THIS JUST IN
From
Cam'ron Da Boxer:

I just turned five. I love every sport and like to dance. I'm good at everything I do ... Become a fan!!! Cam'ron for Colon Boxing watch my progress."

-- PHOTO BELOW

FOR REPRINT USE,
BOB THIESFIELD
PHOTOS ------
CONTACT
tntcomm82@cs.com
or
860-690-0211

OR

BOB THIESFIELD'S EMPIRE IMAGE GROUP

-- MIKE MACHINE GUN OLIVER CELEBRATES
photo by Bob Thiesfield

Mike Oliver's Stunning Victory

Complete Foxwoods Fight Results

LIVE
TWITTER
COVERAGE
@
cooljustice


Impressive Victory For Mike Machine Gun Oliver @ Foxwoods 10:11 PM Mar 12th via mobile web

Mike might fight @ 118; made 120 no prob 10:13 PM Mar 12th via mobile web

Link, twitter@cooljustice

-- TONY TNT GRANO THE AGGRESSOR
THROUGHOUT THE FIGHT
photo by Bob Thiesfield


More
LIVE
TWITTER
COVERAGE
@
cooljustice

Oak Tree Playing Possum But Lost 1st 3 Rounds To TNT Tony; will this fight b won by KO? 10:18 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


Ref 2 Oak Tree: be civil. Boxers talking 2 each other 10:21 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


R5- Tony way ahead on points. They r becoming reacquainted... 10:25 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


R6- Tony scoring. Ref warning Oak Tree. Oak Tree sweating all over Tony 10:28 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


R7 2 come nothing happened yet 10:30 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


On my card Tony has won every uneventful round. Some good punches traded R7 10:33 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


R8- Tony connecting. Oak Tree smiling 10:37 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


R9- Tony takes a few; does bolo. Can only lose by KO 10:42 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


R10- Tony down 10:42 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


Tony up 10:44 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


R10 - only round for Oak Tree. Tony standing 10:46 PM Mar 12th via mobile web


Unanimous decision 4 Tony TNT Grano 10:48 PM Mar 12th via mobile web

Link, twitter@cooljustice

-- MIKE ON THE OFFENSIVE
photo by Bob Thiesfield


-- MIKE, KERMIN GUARDIA EXCHANGE BLOWS
photo by Bob Thiesfield


-- TONY, OAK TREE MIX IT UP
photo by Bob Thiesfield


-- OAK TREE GOT IN AN ELBOW, FOREARM HERE & THERE
photo by Bob Thiesfield


-- OAK TREE HUGS TONY, GETS ARMPIT SHAMPOO
photo by Bob Thiesfield


-- OAK TREE PRE-FIGHT
photo by Bob Thiesfield


--PROMOTER JIMMY BURCHFIELD,
FAMED TRAINER ANGELO DUNDEE,
5-TIME WORLD CHAMP VINNY PAZ
photo by Bob Thiesfield


-- AND NOW A WORD FROM THE SPONSORS
photo by Bob Thiesfield


--FAN GETS DUNDEE AUTOGRAPH;
JUDGE GLENN FELDMAN IN BACKGROUND [right]
photo by Bob Thiesfield


-- THIS JUST IN
From
Cam'ron Da Boxer:

I just turned five. I love every sport and like to dance. I'm good at everything I do ... Become a fan!!! Cam'ron for Colon Boxing watch my progress."

-- THE BIGGEST
LITTLE FIGHTER
@ FOXWOODS, 3-12-10
photo by Bob Thiesfield


-- WATERBURY'S OWN FELIX RODRIGUEZ
w ANGELO DUNDEE
&
FELIX'S ALI BOOK
photo by Bob Thiesfield

About Felix & His Ali Book

-- ANDY T. & HOMEYS, aka The 2 Johns
photo by Bob Thiesfield

Iceman John Scully Analyzes Pacquiao Clottey Fight On ESPN

Pacquiao Fought Like A 20-Year-Old ...
... Clottey Didn't Open Himself To Be Knocked Out

The Announcers Were A Little Hard On Clottey ...
... Clottey Landed Some Of The Best Shots;
There Just Weren't Enough Of Them

Video

Iceman Web Site

CT Coffee Parties

Via
Orient Lodge

Did you got to a coffee shop today? If so, how was it?

Complete Article

Connecticut Bob Post

Complete Foxwoods Fight Results

-- Tony TNT Connects w Oak Tree
Emily Harney photo, CES


Grano avenges only loss
with decision against Brown

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (March 12, 2010) – Fan favorite Tony “TNT” Grano gained revenge for his only loss as a pro, winning a unanimous 10-round decision [Friday] night against Mark “Oak Tree” Brown in the main event on the “Brace For Impact” card, promoted by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment and Sports, Inc., (CES), in a sold-out Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Grano (17-1-1, 13 KOs) was cruising along through a rough fight until early in the final round, when lightning nearly struck again as Brown (15-3, 7 KOs), who knocked out Tony in the 8th round of their first fight, dropped Grano with an overhand right early in the 10th round. Grano, however, kept his composure and remained out of trouble to win on the judges’ scorecards (98-91, 97-92, 97-92).

“I didn’t want to overextend myself and rush in,” Grano commented. “This (revenge) was sweet. He’s a tough guy. He comes to fight. I give him credit for giving me a rematch.”

In the third round of the co-feature, super bantamweight Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver (23-2, 8 KOs) unloaded a right uppercut that dropped former 2-time world champion Kermin Guardia (37-12) for the 10-count in the third round.

“I did everything I had to do, everything that (head coach John) Scully told me,” Oliver explained after the fight. “I was relaxed and focused, instead of getting crazy in the ring. I felt real good. I cracked him to the body. It was a good shot and then he went down. I’m building everything back up (after suffering his only two losses, two years ago).”

Living legend and Hall of Fame trainer, Angelo Dundee, was inducted into the CES Ring of Honor during a special ceremony that included promoter Jimmy Burchfield and 5-time world champion Vinny Paz, who is a charter member of this exclusive club.

2008 U.S. Olympian Sadam “World Kid” Ali (6-0, 3 KOs) turned in an impressive performance, highlighted by the Knockout of the Night, in the third round against Jose “Hands of Steel” Duran. Ali hurt Duran early in the third with a left hook to the temple area and a finished him off with a right, followed by a vicious left hook that sent Duran to the mat for the 10 count, and his mouthpiece flying into his corner. “In the amateurs I used a lot of speed,” Ali said after the fight. My power has kicked in on by itself. In the pros you have to have power.”

Undefeated, power-punching Puerto Rican middleweight David Bauza (4-0) went the distance for the first time, out-pointing Erix Quintros in a 4-round bout for a majority decision that saw Quintros staggered a few times but never down.

Super middleweights Manuel Antonio Lopes (5-0-2) and Greg McCoy (0-1-1) fought to an entertaining 4-round majority draw.

New York light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) registered his third straight knockout victory, stopping Carlos Adams only 43-seconds into the opening round.

New Haven super lightweight Edwin Soto (3-0) kept his unbeaten record intact, out-classing veteran Joey Ortega by way of a second-round technical knockout.

CES moves over to Twin River (Lincoln, RI) next Friday night (Mar. 19), featuring unbeaten junior welterweight Danny O’Connor, in “ShamRock’d.”

“Brace For Impact” Results

HEAVYWEIGHTS:
Tony Grano (17-1-1, 13 KOs), Hartford, CT WDEC10 (98-91, 97-92, 97-92) Mark Brown (15-2, 7 KOs), Salem, NJ

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS:
Joe Smith, Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs), Long Island, NY WTKO1 (0:43) Carlos Adams (2-8, 0 KOs), Memphis, TN

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS:
Manuel Antonio Lopes (5-0-2, 1 KO), Marshfield, MA MD4 (39-37, 38-38, 38-38) Greg McCoy (0-1-1), New Haven, CT

MIDDLEWEIGHTS:
David Bauza (4-0, 3 KOs), Hartford, CT WDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 38-38) Erix Quintros (2-4, 1 KO), Atlanta, GA

WELTERWEIGHTS:
Sadam Ali (6-0, 1 KO), Brooklyn, NY WKO3 (1:37) Jose Duran (6-5-2, 3 KOs), Sarasota, NY

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS:
Edwin Soto (3-0, 2 KOs), New Haven, CT WTKO2 (2:31) Joey Ortega (3-17, 1 KO), Lowell, MA

SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS:
Mike Oliver (23-2, 8KOs), Hartford, CT WKO3 (2:19) Kermin Guardia (37-11, 21 KOs), Miami, FL

-CES-

CONTACT:
Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482, bobtfcp@hotmail.com

Mike Oliver's Stunning Victory

Weigh-In

Interesting Strategies, Beneath The Surface, In Shelton, Ct Federal Corruption Case

By RICHARD MEEHAN
The Cool Justice Report
www.cooljustice.blogspot.com
March 12, 2010


EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is available for reprint courtesy of The Cool Justice Report, http://cooljustice.blogspot.com


What strategies lurk beneath the surface of the Shelton, Ct federal corruption case?

The curious trial of Shelton developer James Botti continues in New Haven federal court.

Botti is charged with bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud. At the center of the government's case is the claim that Botti gave gifts to public officials in Shelton, principally Mayor Mark Lauretti.

Veteran New Haven veteran trial attorney Willie Dow represents Botti. Dow successfully brokered a plea deal for John Rowland, helping the former governor avoid a potentially long prison sentence. In this case he represents the alleged gift giver, not the recipient.

Bribery, like ballroom dancing, requires two people. You can't bribe yourself.

Essentially, the crime requires proof that something of value was given in exchange for consideration by the recipient. In the law we refer to that exchange as a quid pro quo, Latin for "this for that."

Merely providing a gift to a public official with nothing expected in return doesn't rise to the level of a federal bribe. If it did then every president who ever accepted a replica football jersey from the Super Bowl winners would be serving time in the federal pokey.

Most governmental entities have ethics rules. In Connecticut the need for clear-cut ethical guidelines on gifts became apparent after the Joe Ganim case in 2003.

Mayors and governors, like state representatives and senators, are frequently the object of the largesse by lobbyists. The Ganim case was defended on the theory that there was no brightline guidance on when a politician can accept a gratuity. The jury in that case set the bar, however; rejecting the argument that the gifts given to Bridgeport's mayor represented general gratuities not tied to specific projects. (Full disclosure: I was Joe Ganim's lead counsel.)

That case followed the Department of Justice playbook for prosecuting politicians.

Sent to jail before Ganim was former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci, now a radio talk show host.

The feds began each case by "flipping" potential witnesses close to the mayors. In the typical investigation evidence is compiled on these possible "co-conspirators." With enough evidence to indict, the target is then persuaded ("flipped" as we say in the law business) to trade cooperation for leniency. Add a few thousand wiretapped conversations, a little "quid pro quo" and "voila!" you have a bribery indictment of a public official.

On the surface, the Botti case doesn't seem to fit the corruption playbook. This is a fact not lost on lawyer Dow.

Now, every trial lawyer loves a good theme in a case -- something to resonate with the jurors as the trial progresses. For Johnny Cochran and O.J. it was, "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit!"

Dow's mantra is words to the effect of, "Do you see Mark Lauretti sitting in this courtroom?"

As mantras go, that one gets the point across. If this is truly public corruption, why hasn't the mayor been charged?

It's a question that jurors will have to ponder. Does it rise to the level of a defense for Jim Botti? That one will have to be answered by the verdict.

The real question is, does it make sense?

What does the government gain by trying Botti without formally charging Lauretti? Why expose their evidence in a potential future corruption indictment of the public official? If they have provable evidence of corruption in Shelton, why let a cagey trial lawyer like Willie Dow create credibility issues with witnesses who may later form the core of that prosecution?

With Cianci, Ganim and Rowland, the government offered leniency to the gift givers in exchange for the bigger prize: the public official. They followed the playbook and won. It remains to be seen if this different approach carries the day.

Or, underneath it all, is this really a different approach. Let's see how far the trial progresses.

Valley Independent Sentinel Coverage

Connecticut Post Coverage

Bridgeport, CT attorney Richard Meehan Jr. was the lead defense counsel for former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim's corruption trial. Meehan has been certified as a criminal trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1994 and serves on the organization's Board of Examiners. He is a Charter Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America -- Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. Meehan has also obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex medical and dental malpractice and personal injury litigation. He is a past president of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association and appears regularly on TruTv. His column also appears in the Sunday Norwich, CT Bulletin. Website, www.meehanlaw.com

Meehan law firm

Jimi Hendrix - Sunshine of Your Love - Live Stockholm '69

Video

New Jimi Hendrix Album

Two More Top Speakers Booked @ Litchfield-Morris Rotary

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, has agreed to speak and answer questions July 15 during a meeting of the Litchfield-Morris Rotary.

Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, Democratic candidate for governor, has agreed to speak and answer questions June 17.

Meetings begin promptly at noon. Sites to be announced.

They join a growing list of candidates and other speakers appearing at the Litchfield-Morris Rotary, including all three Republican U.S. Senate candidates.

For more information, please see the Litchfield-Morris Rotary newsletter on line:

Whipping Post newsletter

Duane Allman Fillmore East Version, Whipping Post

Official Weights, Photos, Friday Fight Card @ Foxwoods

-- Mark Oak Tree & Tony TNT


-- Kermin Guardia & Mike Machine Gun

Weight Chart, Lineup, More Photos

VIDEO: Oak Tree, Tony TNT Mix It Up @ The Hartford Club

Billy's Law Video From Floor Of The U.S. House

-- Congressman Chris Murphy
With Smolinski Family
Waterbury Observer Photo

TESTIMONY
FROM
THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. First of all, let me extend my sincerest thanks to the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Scott, for bringing this bill to the floor with such speed, and then let me extend additional thanks to the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Conyers, and Ranking Members Gohmert and Smith for their assistance in bringing this bill to the floor today.

Madam Speaker, when I was home over the break, I told a lot of people that I saw that for all of the attention on the news about the things that Republicans and Democrats disagree with, this legislation, Billy's Law, is an example of the vast legislative underbrush that happens here that changes lives but don't necessarily get the big headlines, places where both parties work together to make this government work better and to make it more compassionate.

I'd like to thank Representative Poe for sponsoring this bill with me. This House has no stronger advocate for the rights of victims and their families, and it has been my pleasure to work with him to move this legislation forward.

But above all, I'd like to extend my personal thanks to Jan Smolinski and her husband Bill, the parents of Billy Smolinski, for whom this legislation is named. Their story is tragic, but Jan's pursuit of justice ...

C-Span Text & Video

"There has been a lot that happened and we need to get the truth out ..."

Linda McMahon To JI: Will Primary If Necessary

McMahon vows to spend more,
force primary if she is rebuffed
by Republican Party

By Don Michak
Journal Inquirer
Published: Thursday, March 11, 2010 12:49 PM EST

Linda McMahon, the former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., said Wednesday she’s prepared to spend tens of millions of dollars more from her personal fortune to win election to the U.S. Senate, and that she would force a primary election should she fail to secure the Republican nomination at the party’s convention in May.

McMahon, however, also said that should she lose in a primary, she wouldn’t run as an independent petitioning candidate, as U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman did after losing the Democratic primary four years ago.

“I want to send a Republican senator from Connecticut to Washington with the election this coming November,” she said.

Journal Inquirer

SENATE SMACKDOWN @ THE LITCHFIELD INN

VIDEO: Oak Tree, Tony TNT Mix It Up @ The Hartford Club

Hartford Club Exhibition / Press Conference

Next Dance: Tony & Iron Mike?

THE MIGHTY OAK TREE SPEAKS

* Waterbury Paper Campaign Notebook 3-10-10: GOP candidates for Senate to Speak

Page 8B
Waterbury Republican American
www.rep-am.com
3-10-10

Campaign Notebook
GOP candidates for Senate to Speak

LITCHFIELD -- The three Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Cponn., have agreed to discuss their candidacies and take questions during meetings of the Litchfield-Morris Rotary Club this spring.

Linda McMahon and Rob Simmons will both address the Rotary Club on April 15. Peter Schiff will appear May 6. Their party convention will choose the nominee later that month.

The Rotary Club will meet promptly at noon at the Litchfield Inn on both dates. Cost is $20, cash or check to Litchfield-Morris Rotary. Rotary members may invite guests, and must make reservations by April 9. For information or reservations, e-mail tntcomm82@cs.com or call 860-690-0211.

Senate Smackdown @ The Litchfield Inn

Senate Smackdown @ The Litchfield Inn

District 7890
Litchfield-Morris
Rotary Club
Announcement


Litchfield Inn To Host U.S. Senate Candidates
For Rotary Club Luncheons


The three Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Chris Dodd have agreed to discuss their candidacies and take questions during upcoming meetings of the Litchfield-Morris Rotary Club beginning April 15.

Rob Simmons and Linda McMahon will both address the Rotary Club on April 15. Peter Schiff will appear May 6. Their party convention will choose the nominee later that month.



The Rotary Club will meet promptly at noon at the Litchfield Inn on April 15 and May 6. Cost is $20, cash or check to Litchfield-Morris Rotary.

The meeting is open to the public via Rotary members. Rotary members and their guests must RSVP by Friday, April 9. Write to tntcomm82@cs.com or call 860-690-0211.



Other upcoming guests include:










-- Democratic candidate for governer, Dan Malloy, site and date to be announced.









-- Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Richard Blumenthal, site and date to be announced.






-- March 18, John Wages, An Impression of Japan, Forman School

-- April 1, Kie Westby, Republican candidate for Congress, Forman School

Rotary Club Whipping Post Newsletter Has RSVP Details / Club Info

THE MIGHTY OAK TREE SPEAKS

PHOTOS
BY
EMILY HARNEY,
CES

Facebook Event Page

'It wasn’t like I caught him with a lucky punch ... '

“Oak Tree” Brown
ready to chop down
Grano again

“Brace For Impact” Friday night at Foxwoods

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 8, 2010) – New Jersey heavyweight Mark “Oak Tree” Brown plans on proving to Tony “TNT” Grano that lightning can indeed strike twice when the two battle Friday night in the 10-round main event on the “Brace For Impact” pro boxing card, presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Entertainment &Sports, Inc. (CES), in Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Brown-Grano is a rematch of their WBF All-Americas title bout Sept. 27, 2008, in which Brown (15-2, 7 KOs) overcame two knockdowns to stop Grano (16-1-1, 13 KOs) in the eighth round. A 2005 U.S. National Championships winner and National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up, the Hartford-based Grano is coming off of a career-changing, nationally-televised knockout of previously-undefeated prospect Travis Kauffman (18-0) last September.

Due to what Brown describes as being a “problem child” growing up, the 41-year-old “Oak Tree” didn’t start boxing until he was 35, winning six of seven amateur bouts before turning pro at 37. “There were no jobs and I was fighting underground in the streets,” Brown explained. “I was always athletic – a good wrestler who can dance. There was only two ways out – dying or jail – so I tried boxing. I won the Diamond Belt and came within one fight of qualifying for The Regionals.


“He’s a boxer; I’m a hardcore street fighter trying to bring (Mike) Tyson’s style back. Strength is the last thing to go in older fighters, so I’ve been working on my stamina so I don’t tire after 3 or 4 rounds. Grano has some good pop and he’s a good counter-puncher. He knocked me down twice in he second round, but I came back to be the only fighter to beat him. They had hand-picked fighters, but they didn’t know who I was and just went by my age. I don’t have a regular gym or travel around for sparring. They picked the wrong guy. He had never fought anybody who put pressure on him.

“Grano’s saying our first fight was a fluke. How can that be a fluke? I’m the only one to knock him out. It wasn’t like I caught him with a lucky punch. The ref stopped the fight. He’s a better boxer, but I got up off the canvas, and he didn’t. They pulled the wrong rabbit out of the hat. I’ve been in training for four months because I usually get last-minute calls, like I did against Fres (Oquendo). I’m going to keep my hands up, fire some jabs, and work the body. If this fight goes into the fifth or sixth round, I’m guaranteeing a knockout. I’m going to show Grano that lightning can strike twice. I’m fighting him hard. Hey, I’m living a dream. I’m still like an amateur because of my background, but I’m fighting world-class fighters, and still learning to box. Give me two more years to learn and tell the world that ‘Oak Tree’ is coming.”

The 8-round co-feature pits Hartford super bantamweight Mike “Machine Gun” Oliver (22-2, 7 KOs), the reigning New England and EBA champion, against former 2-time world champion Kermin Guardia (37-11, 21 KOs) of Miami, Fla., in a non-title fight.

Also slated to fight in 4-round bouts are Long Island (NY) light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), a 2008 New York Golden Gloves champion, vs. Dameon Marshall (1-2); Brooklyn (NY) welterweight Sadam “World Kid” Ali (5-0, 2 KOs), a 2008 U.S. Olympian, vs. Jose “Hands of Stone” Duran (6-4-2, 3 KOs); Marshfield (MA) super middleweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (5-0-1, 1 KO) vs. Greg McCoy (0-1); Hartford middleweight David Bauza (3-0, 3 KOs), who trains in New Haven, vs. Erix Quinteros (2-3, 1 KO), and New Haven super lightweight Edwin Soto (2-0, 1 KO) vs. 19-fight veteran Joey Ortega of Lowell (MA). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Living legend, Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee will be a special guest at the “Brace For Impact” pro boxing show. Dundee, 88, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994, and he is best known as head trainer for Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard.

Tickets for “Brace For Impact,” priced at $40.00 (SOLD OUT), $60.00 and $100.00, are available to purchase by calling CES (401.724.2253/2254) or Foxwoods (800-200-2882), going online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com, or in person at Foxwood’s box office.

For more information contact CES (401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.

“Brace For Impact” will air live and then On Demand via www.GoFightLive.tv for $9.99. Pat Sullivan and Michael Parente will be ringside announcers.

Contact Pat Sullivan (Pat@CESBoxing.com/401.724.2253) for information about a special CES KO ticket value package.

-CES-

CONTACTS:

Bob Trieger, Full Court Press, 978.664.4482 (office), bobtfcp@hotmail.com

Lori A. Potter, Foxwoods, 860.312.4010, LPotter@foxwoods.com

Shannan McNair, Foxwoods, 860.396.6727, SMcNair@foxwoods.com

After TNT Tony & Mike Machine Gun Card, 2 More Big Events By Burchfield @ Foxwoods This Year

Sellout Predicted For Friday, March 12

WNPR Podcast: Novelist / Newsman Jim Smith Talks About "Wah-Say-Lan"

She is a Seneca, a unique, courageous and adventurous woman. He is a slave, a Continental soldier fighting for his freedom. In their journey, they fall in love and cross paths with Cornplanter, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Lafayette and Red Jacket.

In his first novel, author Jim Smith tells the story of the Seneca, one of the six nations of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy and allies of the British in the Revolutionary War, and the love story of Wah-say-Lan and Freeman Trentham/Jamwesaw.

Complete Article

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Jim Smith Short Story
Fall 09 Ct Review

Connecticut Review