Big East Athletic Conference Commissioner At Chamber Breakfast

Modified from a Middlesex Chamber of Commerce release.
------------
Chandler Howard, Chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that Michael Aresco, Middletown native, will serve as Guest Speaker at the Chamber’s January Member Breakfast Meeting to be held on Monday, January 28, 2013.

Busy Night for EDC

The city council's Economic Development Committee dealt with a large agenda at its monthly meeting Monday night.  Some of the highlights:

30 PORTLAND ST.
Director of Planning Bill Warner said that preparations were being made to demolish the vacant house at 30 Portland Street, which the city acquired through foreclosure.  He said "a lot of people say it's going to collapse".  That prompted member Tom Serra to say that the city is liable in case the building does collapse.  "This should be an emergency situation," he said.  Councilman Joe Bibisi noted the roof had partially fallen in and he was concerned about any heavy rain.  "We own it, and it could all fall on Portland Street."

Chairman Gerald Daley said the building department, fire marshal or other authority should officially determine the building's safety.  Bibisi noted that the building was boarded up for security.  There was some question as to which city department would pay for the demolition.  The committee unanimously approved a resolution to make the demolition a priority.  Warner later said he would request a $30,000 appropriation so work could begin.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOB PROGRAMS
Jeff Pugliese of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce appeared before the committee to request funds for two jobs program.  The Worker Preparation Program provides job seekers help such as resume consulting, mock interviews, help with dressing professionally, and networking through chamber contacts and functions.  The committee unanimously approved $7500 for the program, as it had last year.

Pugliese also asked for $30,000 to support the chamber's "Youth @ Work" program.  The program, primarily funded by Workforce Alliance, placed 37 Middletown teens in jobs last summer.  Last year the city originally provided $20,000 for the program. It then provided an additional $7000 to match the $27,000 in private funds the chamber was able to raise.  Pugliese said that "city support definitely sparks private donations."  He said that the chamber hopes to raise even more in private donations this year.  The committee unanimously approved a resolution to recommend that the Mayor propose the funding in his budget.

RIVERFRONT PLANNING
As previously requested, Warner provided the committee with a report detailing the history of the "South Cove"section of the riverfront.  The land will become available for development after the decommissioning of the current sewage treatment plant there.  Warner said there has been great interest in future of the land.  Bibisi suggested that members visit the Norwich Harbor area, a similar area which has been developed with a miles-long walkway.

LONG HILL ESTATE
Connecticut Underwriters, which rents space from the city at the Wadsworth Mansion, has a new lease.   Any rental leases for the Long Hill Estate property must be approved by the Common Council.  The committee unanimously voted to recommend the council approve the new lease.  Said Daley "You couldn't ask for a better tenant."

NoRA Cupcake To Get Award

NoRA Cupcake Company is to be a recipient of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce award for Hometown Main Street Business of the Year. The award will be given at Chamber's first Small Business of the Year Awards Luncheon. This event will be held as a key part of the 2012 Middlesex County Business to Business EXPO on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell.

Vrrrrrrrrrrrrrmm! Motorcyle Mania Main St. Wednesday 8/10!

What?: Motorcycle Mania
Where?: Main Street
When:? 5-9pm Wednesday August 10, streets are closed off for bike parking.
What to wear?: Leather. And lots of leather.

Food, vendors, prizes,bikes, trikes, family fun.

The Dan M. Hunter “Functionality with Style” Award is in memory of a founding sponsor of this event, this is the second year this award is being given in his memory.

See the full list of sponsors here: http://www.midtownmcmania.com/

5K Charity Run Downtown Wednesday!

Wednesday Evening
July 20

Citizens Bank, The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business District, YMCA and Oddfellows Playhouse are sponsoring a unique family oriented festival and road race. The festival features Oddfellows street performers, ARTFARM’s Circus for a Fragile Planet, moonwalk, giant slide and extended hours at Kidcity Children’s Museum. Throughout the event, music and dancing entertainment will be provided.

Race Day Schedule: Citizens Bank, Main St.

4:30 p.m. Packet Pickup & Race Day Registration

6:30 p.m. ½ Mile Kid’s Fun Run

6:45 p.m. 5K Road Race

7:00-8:00 p.m. Post Race Celebration

7:30 p.m. Awards

Tech T-shirts to the first 500 5K entrants. The first 150 participants in the Kids Run will receive t-shirts. Showers will be available after the race at the Middlesex County YMCA. All participants are invited to enjoy our post race snack, live music, street performers and awards ceremony.

Corporate Team Competition Winning team gets to display the Pratt & Whitney Team Trophy until next year’s race. Teams can be of unlimited size – three fastest runners determine team time. Fastest team time wins. Companies can enter an unlimited number of teams. Team members must work for the organization. Applications must be sent together with a team roster. Prize for fastest team.

Awards Top three male & female finishers: 12 & under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+ and Wheelchair. The first male & female Middletown resident also receive awards. All finishers of the Kids Run receive ribbons.

Race Benefits
Receiving donations from recent races were the Northern Middlesex Habitat for Humanity, the YMCA of Northern Middlesex County, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Mentor Program, Amazing Grace, Art Farm, Middlesex Bike Club, Kiwanis Club, Oddfellows Playhouse, Warm the Children and the Ed Gorecki Memorial Fund.
Volunteers: Middletow Republican Town Committee & Kiwanis Club of Middletown will be among many other groups volunteering to provide support to runners.

It's Lee Osborne Day!

The Mayor has declared that today, June 10th, is Lee Osborne Day in the City of Middletown, in recognition of Lee's designation as a "Distinguished Citizen" by the Chamber of Commerce. In honor of Lee, let's all take a train, chair a committee or tell a bad pun today!

Holidays come early at the Chamber

Even though it's March, the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce spent Tuesday night ringing the bells of Holiday Cheer and asking everyone to imagine twinkling lights on decorated trees, carols sung to candlelight, and tiny tots with their eyes all aglow.

That's because Tuesday night's Chamber Auction is the primary fundraiser for the Holiday on Main celebration which the Chamber hosts every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas. With the funds raised (typically in the $10,000 range), the Chamber coordinates hayrides, a sidewalk train, photos with your favorite red-suited, white-bearded holiday elf, and the big tree-lighting and carol-sing on the South Green which opens the season. The events, which are liberally promoted in the media, are a draw to holiday shoppers and help Main Street compete with the mall.

This year's Chamber Auction was standing-room-only in the old Sons of Italy hall on Court Street, with a dozen or so local restaurants providing the nosh, and hundreds of donated items up for the silent and live auction. Unless I missed something, the top selling item was a tie between a weekend on Harbour Island, RI, and going to a baseball game with Chamber President Larry McHugh -- each went for $700.

By the way, if you know anyone who is new in town who wants to make new friends quick, joining the Chamber's Holiday on Main committee is a sure thing. This energetic group always seems to be having a lot of fun while producing one of the biggest downtown events of the year. The top photo shows committee member Daniel Ostrow of Tat Wong Kung Fu (left) showcasing an auction item which promises lunch with Fire Chief Gary Ouellette (right).

Around Middletown in 80 Days: Day 3

Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast

Phileas accepted an invitation to attend today's Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast. After being in Middletown for only two days, Phileas already learned that the Chamber provides many programs, services and activities that can enhance your business. Benefits and opportunities available for you include exposure and referrals of your business, numerous networking events and continuing education programs.

Phileas should be impressed with the attendance of the largest chamber in the state, and one of the largest in the country.

As well as being a traveler, Phileas is also a fan of sportsmanship and feats of athleticism and eagerly awaits the remarks of University of Connecticut Football coach, Randy Edsall.

Randy Edsall to Speak at Chamber Breakfast

From the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce

UConn head football coach Randy Edsall will be the guest speaker when the Chamber holds its monthly member breakfast meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Cromwell. The breakfast is sponsored by People’s United Bank.

As Randy Edsall enters his 11th season as the head coach at the University of Connecticut, he continues to see the positive effects of his first decade in Storrs as the program has blossomed from a major college football newcomer to a team that has made three bowl appearances in the past five years.

Caron Butler to Speak at Chamber Breakfast

From the Middlesex Chamber of CommerceNBA All-Star and former UConn standout Caron Butler will be welcomed as a guest speaker and Role Model Award honoree when the Chamber holds its monthly member breakfast meeting on Monday, July 20, from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Cromwell.

Butler joins the list of other recipients of this award such as former UConn standout and NBA player Kevin Ollie, former Houston Astro Jeff Bagwell, former Philadelphia Philly Rico Brogna, former NFL players Chris Hetherington and Joe Andruzzi, former MLB player Ricky Bottalico, former LPGA Pro Suzy Whaley, New England Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli, former WNBA great Rebecca Lobo, Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino, and NBA World Champion Ray Allen. The breakfast is sponsored by Citizen’s Bank.

About Caron Butler:

Professionally: Is a two-time NBA All-Star (2007, 2008)…Was the only NBA player to average at least 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals per game in 2007-08,and became the first player to do so since LeBron James and Larry Hughes in 2004-05…Joined Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Vince Carter as the only four players to average 20+ points, 6+ rebounds and 4+ assists per game in 2007-08…Recorded his first three career triple-doubles in 2007-08…Scored a career-high 40 points in a career-high 50:39 minutes at MIL (1/27/08)…Was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of 1/15/07 – 1/21/07…Combined with Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison to form the highest-scoring teammate trio in the NBA (67.4 points per game) in 2005-06…Named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2002-03.

Personally: Full name is James Caron Butler…Lists his mother Mattie Paden as the person he most admires and a person who made a difference in his life, raising him as a single mother…Married Andrea Pink in August, 2005…Has two daughters, Mia Caron and Camary, and a son, Caron Jr…Served as team co-captain with Antawn Jamison in 2007-08…Traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2008 as part of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders delegation to conduct clinics, visit schools and speak to youth…Hosts Caron Butler’s Summer Homecoming in his hometown of Racine, Wisconsin, every summer, consisting of several charity events focused on the youth in the community…The City of Racine proclaimed June 8, 2007, Caron Butler Day at City Hall…Through his Caron’s Coats for Kids program, distributes coats, hats and gloves to youth in Racine as well as in Washington DC…Through his “Bike Brigade” program has teamed up with The Salvation Army and Wal-Mart to distribute 800 brand new bikes and helmets to youth in Washington DC and Racine since 2005…Also sponsors the “Cops n Kids” Legacy Project in Racine to continue the betterment of the Racine community…Was selected to receive the 2008 “Good Brother Award” by the National Congress of Black Women, a group of 20,000 members nationwide…Was awarded the NBA’s Community Assist Award for June 2007, in recognition of his efforts in the community and for his ongoing philanthropic work…Hosts two summer basketball camps in the DC metro area, one in Chantilly, VA, and one in Forestville, MD…With teammate Andray Blatche, visited with injured soldiers and their families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC in September 2007…Threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Washington Nationals game in June 2007…Along with his wife Andrea, was chosen as a 2007 recipient of the Conversation Changers award on behalf of the DC Campaign to prevent teenage pregnancy…Joined DC Tobacco Free Families to help launch the Quit Smoking Campaign at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC in June 2007, and teamed with Facundo Erpen of D.C. United and members of the DC City Council to announce a landmark $10 million dollar tobacco prevention and cessation campaign…Recognized by The Sporting News as one of the top “Good Guys” in sports in 2006 for his charitable endeavors…Was tabbed as a Special Deputy by the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Department in March 2006…Helped organize “Urban Dialogue: Stop The Violence — A Community Outreach Event” in Racine in August 2005…Was a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in September 2005 in a show titled “How My Worst Moment Made Me a Star”…Visited incarcerated youth at Oak Hill Youth Detention Center to offer support and share his life story…Would like to open a group home and run it when he is done with his playing career…Teamed with NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen, as well as NFL players Michael Strahan, Kevin Faulk and Donnie Edwards among other investors to start Ramsell Dining LLC, which purchased 18 Burger King franchises in Norfolk, VA, and Richmond, VA…Was a communications major at Connecticut…Played two seasons at UConn before becoming an early entry candidate for the NBA Draft…Earned Honorable Mention All-America honors from the Associated Press as a sophomore in 2001-02…Had his uniform number (54) retired at Racine Park High School during All-Star Weekend in February 2006…Also had his number (25) retired at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Maine in 2002…Was inducted into the New England Sports Hall of Fame in September 2003…Splits time between Fairfax, VA, and Racine, WI.

Biography courtesy of the Washington Wizards.

The breakfast will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Cost is $18 for Chamber members and $28 for non-members. The breakfast will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Cromwell. For more information, or to make your reservation, please contact the Chamber at 347-6924. The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce has over 2,350 members who employ more than 50,000 people.

Cine-Fare Shuttle Schedule

For those planning to dine in downtown Middletown before the free showing of It Happened One Night Tuesday evening at the Goldsmith Family Cinema on the Wesleyan campus, here is the shuttle schedule between restaurants and cinema. The shuttle is sponsored by the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce

6:00 p.m. - Arriving in front of TUSCANY GRILL, 120 College Street

6:10 p.m. - TAVERN AT THE ARMORY (Inn at Middletown), 70 Main Street.

6:13 p.m. - OSAKA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE, 130 Main Street

6:17 p.m. - FISHBONE CAFÉ, 106 Court Street

6:20 p.m. - TYPHOON RESTAURANT, 360 Main Street

FORBIDDEN CITY BISTRO, 335 Main Street. - please cross street to catch the bus in front of Typhoon Restaurant

6:22 p.m. - FIREHOUSE STEAKHOUSE & HALLIGAN TAP ROOM, 412 Main Street

6:27 p.m. - NIKITA’S BAR & BISTRO, 484 Main Street

6:42 p.m. - Arrive at the GOLDSMITH FAMILY CINEMA at Wesleyan University

The Shuttle Bus will circle around this same route after leaving passengers off at the Goldsmith Family Cinema, so there will be two opportunities to board the bus. At the conclusion of the film, passengers will be transported back to their pick-up location on Main Street.

Real Estate Market Update Thursday

From the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce

the Chamber, along with Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano and Trevor Davis Commercial Real Estate, will hold a press conference to discuss the 2009 First Quarter Greater Middletown Real Estate Report. The press conference will take place on Thursday, July 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the Mayor’s Office, 245 DeKoven Drive, Middletown.

A slower pace has come to the commercial real estate market in Middletown and Cromwell due to the national and international recession, but there is still a healthy balance of supply and demand. Availability rates have risen in general only slightly, but in some cases have indeed gone down. The commercial markets are clearly healthier than the residential, although the unavailability of attractive lending terms is beginning to have a chilling effect on new and existing commercial sales.

Notably, Downtown Middletown Class A vacancy is only 7.1%. This is usually a sign that there is an undersupply, almost astonishing given that Downtown Middletown is probably the only city in Connecticut where there have been two new competitive buildings built, albeit small. Both of these are mixed use with retail on the street level and office space on the upper floors. Class B and C rates are understandably somewhat higher, but the overall availability rate in Downtown Middletown is only 9.1%.

The Renaissance continues in the Downtown with the addition of live music to the restaurant mix. The new projects are occupied as the newest one is announced, a new, ‘green’ building in the North end of Main St. for the Community Health Center.

Suburban office space is closer to, but still lower than the larger Hartford and New Haven markets. Middletown is measured at 11.4% and Cromwell 15.2 % compared to the larger cities rates measured by different firms between 15% and 19%.

The industrial availability rates of Middletown are slightly higher than we measured previously, but still quite healthy at 8.5% compared to Hartford and New Haven’s 9% to 13%. For this Report we removed a Cromwell building that has been unavailable for occupancy for over 5 years due to the environmental liability, thereby bringing the vacancy rate for industrial buildings in Cromwell down below 3%.

Due to the economy and the perceived distress in the market, rental rates and sales prices per square foot are being challenged by tenants and buyers. So far, the landlords and sellers have had little justification to lower them, but continued pressure will force the most motivated to lower their rates.

We should note that, because of its size, we have treated the Aetna health insurance building as an owner occupied structure, even though it technically isn’t. They intend to vacate this 1.4 million sq. ft. office complex sometime in 2010. The owners are currently evaluating the reuse potential, although it is unlikely to become a multi-tenant building.

This is the first time we have made public the historical rates for our Reports. Due to the evolution of the research data, the only group that presents a true and interesting perspective is the Middletown and Cromwell office market. Most of the noticeable jumps occur when a building is classified differently, such as the hospital purchasing a competitive building that would therefore be removed from our calculations.

However, the trend lines clearly follow the economy of our State and nation. Although upper Middlesex County is relatively small there is a vibrancy that visitors notice in Downtown Middletown. A return to the cities is a global trend, but Middletown far surpasses most cities. This attractive Downtown has blossomed from fruits of long efforts by the City, the Chamber, Downtown Business District, Wesleyan University and many businesses and individuals.

PDF with full data available at:

http://www.trevordavis.biz/marketreports.html

Golf Tournament Breakfast with Chamber

From the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce

PGA TOUR PRO J.J. HENRY TO SPEAK AT MIDDLESEX CHAMBER’S ANNUAL TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP BREAKFAST MEETING ON JUNE 23

J.J. Henry will be the guest speaker when the Chamber holds a monthly member breakfast meeting on Tuesday, June 23 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell Hotel. The breakfast is sponsored by Travelers.

J.J. Henry is a talented junior athlete in many sports...Exposed to high-level golf at a young age from his father, who played in numerous British and U.S. Amateurs...Awarded the 1998 CSWA Bill Lee Award given to the state's Male Athlete of the Year by the Connecticut Sportswriters Association...Among biggest thrills in golf was his hole-in-one on the 17th hole in the last round of the 1998 WAC Championship to win both the team and individual title...In 2006, founded the Henry House Foundation, which funds tangible projects to promote health care and well being for children in Fort Worth, Texas and southern New England. A golf tournament and gala are held annually to support the foundation.

The breakfast will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Cost is $18 for Chamber members and $28 for non-members.

Lieberman Conducts Business Roundtable

From the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber hosted a meeting with U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman on Monday, June 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Pegasus Manufacturing, Inc. in Middletown.

In the roundtable meeting, 15 business leaders from Middlesex County were invited to attend. The purpose of the meeting was to allow Senator Lieberman to gather information from the local business community regarding healthcare issues in the business sector. The Senator sought out feedback from these representatives of the business community to identify the types of government action that would assist them versus actions that may be an impediment.

Healthcare is a major priority for President Obama, and Lieberman, along with Congress, expects to work through the summer on healthcare legislation in order to present the President with a bill by October of this year.

Citizenship for dinner

We're having a full-course meal of Chamber of Commerce events this week -- and if Monday morning's meeting was the appetizer, then Wednesday's Annual Awards Dinner was the main course. Each year, the Chamber honors members who have used their business success to give back to the community, naming them the "Distinguished Citizens of the Year." Last night, more than 500 people gathered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell as Emcee Bill Howard led the announcements of this year's scholarships and awards, and especially to celebrate three men who each have a long history of community work.

Marc Levin (pictured above) received his honor first - and movingly used his remarks to pass the credit on to his wife, his staff and his parents. Marc has been the owner of Mallove's Jewelers on Main Street since he took over the jewelry store from his father in 1992. There were probably some difficult years when simply running a family business on Main Street seemed like an act of community service, but Marc has made the store thrive, and has become known for his generosity. Local charities, from school groups to social service organizations, come to Mallove's for support for their fundraising activities, and rarely go away empty-handed. Beyond the store, Marc volunteers with a number of business and non-profit groups in town, including co-chairing the Interfaith Golf Tournament, and the Downtown Business District (disclosure: Marc and I have served together since 2001 as commissioners for the DBD, which is a special-taxing district that covers part of downtown).

Robert "Red" McKinney had the biggest fan club with him, judging by the cheers, hoots and hollers that accompanied his announcement (some of his loudest fans looked quite a bit like him, so I'm guessing that he brought the family). Aside from his political and community work in his hometown of East Hampton, Red is known for lending his charisma as an auctioneer for local causes such as the Gilead House, where he has helped raise funds during their annual Quiz Night each Fall. Red's family owns and manages a number of properties in the county, including retail property on Main Street in Middletown.

Norm Needleman is a Brooklyn transplant who has made Essex his hometown. His company, Tower Laboratories has Connecticut plants in Essex and Clinton, and he's been active in a wide range of community and political activities in Essex, most notably in his leadership role at the Ivoryton Playhouse.

The Chamber's annual scholarship winners were announced at Wednesday night's dinner, including:
•Evelyn Benvie (Judge Raymond E. Baldwin Scholarship)
•Nicholas John Stanford (Harry H.S. Phillips, Jr. Scholarship)
•Rachel Nowakowski (Lorraine C. McHugh Scholarship)

The Chief Michael L. Green Award, which goes to a local "first responder" each year, was given to Judi Reynolds of the Essex Emergency Services.

In addition to the official business, the annual dinner is a chance for Chamber members to socialize and reflect on the year's work. I enjoyed the chance to catch up with old friends (several were busy congratulating Barbara Arafeh on receiving the Gov. William O'Neill Public Service Award) and make some new connections, as I chatted with women who graduated from the Side Street to Main Street program about their business plans. I also got to chat with real estate developer Bob Fusari about green building projects. Bill Howard even gave the Middletown Eye a plug from the podium, and if any new readers have joined us: welcome!

The evening was the final responsibility for outgoing Chamber chairman Ken MacCormac, who was recognized for his year of service. Anthony Assante was welcomed as the new chair.

Arafeh feels the love & local boy makes good

As Chamber President Larry McHugh likes to say, the sun always shines in Middlesex County. That sums up the mood at this morning's Chamber breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell.

A crowd of about 600 people shared breakfast, while Middletown maven Barbara Arafeh was honored for 40+ years of public service, and Xavier '71 alumnus Joe Waz delivered a speech on why companies do well when they commit themselves to community service, highlighting his work nationwide with the Comcast Foundation of Philadelphia.

Service to the community is a favorite theme for McHugh and the Chamber. Waz noted that his visit to his hometown coincides not only with Arafeh's honors, but with the Distinguished Citizen awards later this week. Clearly, he said, this is a Chamber that "gets it". He said: "You can't have a better business climate unless you have a strong community", and then he announced a $15,000 gift that Comcast is making to our local YMCA for their work at Camp Ingersoll and in helping kids with digital literacy. Waz also got the crowd laughing as he invoked the image of his young teenage self (a star on Xavier's bowling team) learning to drive from then-instructor Larry McHugh. Waz credited him with inspiring a "fear of failure" so strong that it spurred him to a virtually flawless driving record over the past 40 years.

Barbara Arafeh was presented with the Governor William O'Neill Public Service Award for her decades of efforts to bring the arts to children, the elderly and the general Middletown Community. Mayor Sebastian Giuliano praised her for bringing the Opera back to Middletown this Spring, and Mary Ellen Klinck pointed out the 2-page list on every table which summarized the groups with which Arafeh has volunteered since she came to Middletown in 1960 "as a bride." Arafeh is obviously well-loved by the local crowd, and she gave it right back by ending her remarks by asking anyone in the room who has ever worked on a community project with her to stand up -- at least a hundred people rose, and ever the organizer, she didn't miss the chance to call another half-dozen people to their feet by reminding them of arts projects they shared.

Family and friends milled around after the official 9 AM close of business, congratulating Barbara and encouraging her to keep up the good work.

Arafeh to be Honored At Chamber Breakfast

Barbara Arafeh, a lifelong supporter and promoter of the arts, especially in Middletown, will be honored at Monday's Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Breakfast with the Governor William O'Neill Service Award. The award is given annually to a person who has performed outstanding public service for the citizens of Connecticut. In his congratulator letter, chamber president Larry McHugh wrote:

"Your untiring commitment to numerous organizations throughout the county has earned our respect and gratitude. We are honored to present you with this prestigious award."

The monthly chamber breakfast is held between 7:30-9:00 AM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell. Joseph Waz, president of the Comcast Foundation will be the featured speaker

Chamber to Host Affordable Housing Forum

From the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce:

the Chamber will host a forum entitled Overcoming the Obstacles to Affordable Housing in Connecticut on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell. Registration for the event will begin at 7:30 a.m. The forum is sponsored by the Liberty Bank Foundation.

Confirmed panelists for the program are: Diane Randall-Executive Director, Partnership for Strong Communities, Joan McDonald-Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Graham Stevens-Chief of Staff to the Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Liz Verna-Partner, Verna Properties, Noel Bishop-First Selectman, Town of Westbrook, Christine Nelson-Town Planner, Town of Old Saybrook ,Tim Hollister-Land Use Attorney, Shipman and Goodwin, Chandler Howard-President and CEO, Liberty Bank

The Forum will be moderated by Rick Green of the Hartford Courant.

For more information on the Overcoming the Obstacles to Affordable Housing in Connecticut Forum, please contact Jeff Pugliese at the Chamber at 860-347-6924 or email him at jpugliese@middlesexchamber.com.

Taste of Middletown Auction

From the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce:

Kenneth MacCormac, Chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and Al Santostefano, Chairman of the Auction Committee, announced the Chamber will hold the 25th Annual “Taste of Downtown” Business After Work Auction at the Sons of Italy Hall, 74 Court Street, Middletown on Tuesday, March 24 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Chamber encourages members to attend this event. Members will have the opportunity to network with over 300 guests, while enjoying the “Taste of Downtown,” with samplings from the menus of area restaurants that will delight any palate! Beer, wine, soda, and coffee will also be provided.

“We urge all our members to come out for this great event,” said Chamber President Larry McHugh. “We also thank many of our downtown Middletown businesses and others, who so generously donated gifts as well as their time to make this auction happen.”

The event will feature close to 20 Downtown Middletown restaurants.

In addition to the Auction and the "Taste of Downtown," members will have the opportunity to enjoy "Sweet Hour" from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. with tasty desserts from Cold Stone Creamery,

Sweet Harmony, One MacDonough Place, and The Green Room.

Network with other members while taking chances in the raffle, Treasure Chest and Teacup Auction, and bidding during the Live and Silent Auctions! The Auction begins at 6 p.m.

Larry McHugh awarded for contributions to higher education

Larry McHugh was recognized for his leadership of Connecticut's state universities at the Marriot Hotel in Boston on Friday night.

Locals know Larry for his 21 years as the coach of Xavier's football team, followed by his 26 years (and counting) as the president of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. When Larry joined the Chamber in 1983, there were 282 members - now there are 2,400, making it one of the fastest growing chambers in the country.

In his spare time, Larry also spent the last dozen years as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System, which oversees 4 colleges including Central, Eastern, Southern and Western. That's what led the New England Board of Higher Education to choose Larry for their David C. Knapp Award for Trusteeship. I know that the state universities are a significant trainer of teachers for our local schools, and sure enough, the CSUS website confirmed that 35% of their graduates are in education, followed by large numbers in the business and social service majors. In other words, the graduates of these colleges have a big impact on our quality of life here in Middletown!

For the roadtrip to the Boston awards, some local folks went to cheer Larry on, including my spouse Mark Masselli, Wilfredo Nieves from Middlesex Community College, Arlene Mazzotta, Larry Marino, Jim Cama, Steve Gorss, Al Hamrah, Joan Wood and Michael Price from the Goodspeed Opera House. Also in the group were Senator Don Williams, Senator Eileen Daily, and Senator Jonathan Harris (whose mom also won an award.) Of course, Larry's wife Patty and granddaughter Chelsea were there too.

Here's what Mark had to say about the event:
Larry gave an inspirational speech, noting that more than any other asset, New England has intellectual power - other regions might have other resources, but this is our great strength and we need to protect that resource in this downturn. So those of us who are committed to higher education have to stand up and say so!

Congratulations Larry!


Larry pictured with Michael Price and Mark Masselli