New Media Haven was started several months ago by our friends Bobby and Eric at Prolific Interactive,  and is a combination of  social and business networking with a seminar thrown in. Unlike virtually all other networking meetings New Media Haven focuses on exactly that. New media. When we say new media, really, it’s the internet, and the tools needed to capitalize on it’s potential. You will find everyone from attorney’s who specialize in laws and regulations  for the internet, web developers, and entrepreneurs who are making  a go at on the internet. If you are interested in starting a web based business, getting your own website, or even just getting tips on how to use social media, the Kelly’s on Crown for New Media Haven is the place to be.

“Over the last ten years, downtown Middletown has established itself as one of the state’s best ethnic dining destinations, but casual yet quality options are limited,“ noted Michael Stone, the Emporium’s creator and owner. “The Eatery at the New England Emporium will offer an alternative to full-service restaurants without sacrificing quality or creativity. We will take the casual restaurant experience to the next level. Also, the Marketplace at The Emporium will add an element of distinction, enhancing the restaurant experience.”

The Eatery features artisan sandwiches, soups, wraps and crepes – all made to order – as well as a salad station, a selection of daily hot meals and desserts, hot and iced locally roasted coffee and whole-leaf teas. Michael Stone hand-selected award-winning food service and hospitality firm Jordan, based in Cheshire/Darien, to direct and manage the Eatery’s food service. Jordan has received the designation of Best Caterer by Connecticut Magazine for over ten years. Debbie Rapoport – co-owner of Jordan and the Emporium’s director of operations – added, “Jordan has a strong commitment to community and sustainability, and our menus have always been inspired by fresh, high-quality ingredients. As a Connecticut-owned and operated business, we are proud to have been selected to be a part of this exciting new venture.”

The Marketplace will feature a wide array of hand-selected items from over 200 New England vendors by Director of Vendor Relations, Janet Blanchard. “We scoured New England to find the best possible products to offer. Our goal is to create a destination for consumers seeking locally made, wholesome products that are not mass-produced or distributed,” said Blanchard. Regularly scheduled product demonstrations and samplings by the Emporium’s vendors will take place in the Marketplace.

The New England Emporium’s beautifully designed 5,000 square feet will also serve as a crossroads for the community as a place to gather, enjoy distinctively fresh, local food, demonstrations, artists, music, shopping and more.

About The New England Emporium Eatery & Marketplace

The New England Emporium Eatery & Marketplace is located at Main Street Market, 386 Main Street, Middletown, Conn. 06457. Hours are 7 am – 9 pm, 7 days a week. For more information and a complete schedule of ongoing events, the public can call 860.346.1200.

http://www.newenglandemporium.com/

We are also proud to present out keynote speaker, Attorney Eric George. George specializes in health care policy and represents businesses on health care issues before the State legislature and administrative agencies. He will discuss the implications of recent changes in the laws for businesses.

The Town of Branford and the shoreline continue to be a dynamic area in which businesses can grow and thrive. Despite the economic downturn of 2009 many companies have been able to utilize this time to engage in their most creative thought processes and work. Through self analysis has come innovation and creativity. At the “Celebration”, the Chamber will recognize many of the stories of those businesses that have found ways to weather the economic storm and businesses that have thrived by creating new markets and by preparing themselves for the future through creative savings and the use of new technologies.

Cost for the Event is $10 and reservations may be made by calling the Chamber at 203-488-5500 or e-mailing info@branfordct.com.Reservations can be made safely and quickly by visiting www.Branfordct.com .Continental breakfast will be served.

This event is sponsored by Dow Realty, New Alliance Bank, FedEx Office and Woodwinds.

The Upper State Street Farm Market is delighted to announce its opening day, to take place on May 22, 2010, at 1006 State Street, near the corner of State and Lawrence. The Market will be open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Thanksgiving. Building on the success of the inaugural season in 2009, this year’s Market will feature an expanded list of vendors and a larger location.

This year’s Market marks the return of last year’s local farm vendors selling a full range of CT-grown produce, eggs, meats, maple syrup, honey, and flowers. Returning farm vendors include Eaglewood Farms of Barkhamsted, Flowers from the Farm of Hamden, Greczyk Farm of New Hartford, and Killam and Bassette Farmstead of South Glastonbury. The Farm Market will also feature local vendors Chestnut Fine Foods, selling freshly-baked breads and baked goods, local milk and cheeses, and homemade organic yogurt and cereals; Creative Organics, selling cookies and cookie mixes; Han Mi, selling dumplings and noodles; Koffee on Audubon, selling fairly-traded organic coffee and coffee beans; and the Soup Girl, selling seasonal and organic soups. The Market is excited to welcomes the following new vendors:

• Little Monster Cakes, New Haven (vegan, gluten-free cupcakes and baked goods)
• Ripe Drinks, Wallingford (fresh, locally-made cocktail mixes and juices)
• Meriano’s Bakeshoppe, Guilford (Italian baked goods, stuffed breads, and sweets)

The Market will also feature visits from additional periodic vendors such as Shannon Capasso selling botanical soaps; a knife-maker and woodworker; relishes and sauces from Giff’s Originals; and exhibitions by State Street’s Fitness Haven. The Market will also be partnering with local organic farming activists Freelance Farmers of New Haven, who will install permanent raised vegetable beds on the site, which will allow the organizers to offer a wide variety of garden-centered activities for kids and families.

“We are delighted that the market will open earlier this year on an expanded area and with more merchants and products,” said local business leader Bob Frew, who contributes his property as a site for the market. “The market is a way to bring the community together and to encourage a Saturday morning walk through the East Rock and State Street neighborhoods.”

Fred and Patty Walker, who moved their catering business Chestnut Fine Foods to State Street from Wooster Square six years ago, agree. Fred noted, “Last year, under the leadership of Melissa Goodall, we were amazed at how quickly the Market established itself in a short period of time. This year we expect the Market to be even more interesting with the return of great vendors and the addition of new, exciting vendors and products. We’re also looking forward to reaching the community through regular events, including the planting of two new raised vegetable beds right on our Market grounds.”

Local resident Melissa Goodall, who serves as market director and who grew up in the neighborhood, celebrates the Market’s shared goals of fostering sustainability and community. “It is such a pleasure to help make this happen. It is really a neighborhood market—developed by the community for the community. It is gratifying to be a part of the network of support in the Upper State Street area.”

Organized by a volunteer committee of neighborhood residents and coordinated by the Upper State Street Association, the mission of the Upper State Farm Market is to help local farmers connect with consumers while promoting community on Upper State Street and in New Haven. A new tradition on Upper State Street in New Haven, the Farm Market welcomes local farmers and residents to “Come for the Food, Stay for the Community.”

For more information, please contact:

Melissa Goodall / (203) 936-7774 / melissa.goodall@gmail.com

Michelle Komie / (203) 823-7813 / mfkomie@gmail.com

Are you ready for a new look?  Perhaps you are looking for a change ?  Enter YOLO’s  divorce makeover contest sponsored by The D Spot, www.discoverthedspot.com!

Fan us on facebook www.facebook.com/yolomedspa and send us a message telling us WHY you deserve a makeover to enter or email Nikki at nikki@yolo.ws.

Winner will be announced on May 12th, 2010 at our Extreme Divorce Makeover Wine and Cheese Party taking place at YOLO Aesthetic Boutique and Med Spa Guilford, Connecticut at 6:00 pm!  Any woman can attend the party…even without entering the contest!!!

Your Divorce Makeover will include:

Customized makeover at YOLO Boutique and Med Spa to include facial/lunchtime peel, makeup instruction and application, (may include Botox and laser services )!  Value  $300

Four weeks of divorce and life reinvention coaching to help you design your new life!  Value $450

A free two hour wardrobe session by Amy Lyons Kemler, owner and CEO of FRESH START WARDROBE CONSULTING.    Value $300

A free Money Saving Meal planning home study course from Wendy Battles, Clean Eating Coach at Don’t Worry Get Healthy Inc., which teaches you a holistic system to save money, plan quick, healthy and delicious meals and kick food waste to the curb. Value $197

Two, one hour sessions with Janice Christopher, a Life Design Expert. Janice will take you through The Passion Test- The Effortless Path to Discovering Your Life Purpose. Value $300

As well, ALL participants will receive a complimentary Life Reinvention Coaching session with Laura Campbell, founder of The D Spot and Divorce and  Life Reinvention Expert,  a free 30 minute Passion Coaching Session with Janice Christopher, Life Design Expert to create their strategic life plan, and a Makeover Goodie Bag!

Deadline to enter is May 11th!

First up, congrats go out to Trish Flanagan Denison, who won the Swedish Massage from Daydreams. Two of the owners form Daydream, Paul and Mark, chose from all of you who signed up for their Facebook fan page. Now the really cool thing about this is the fact that Trish’s birthday was this weekend. So, Happy Birthday Trish. We will be giving away another massage this month, so get ready for that one.

Next off, Mary Ling Vetel won the four tickets to “Cats” at The Garde Arts Center, and she has already received them. Pretty good seats to boot. Thanks goes out to The Garde for those, and look for some really cool things from them in not so distant future.

And finally, Jerry Prejean won his choice of a gift certificate to either Eli’s on the Hill in Branford or to The Stone House in Guilford. It will be a bit of a drive for him, but well worth it.

So, off to a good start this month, and in another week or two, I will announce the next giveaways, but got to think of a cool way of doing it.

YOLO Aesthetic Boutique and Med Spa and Guilford Savings Bank, headline sponsor of the contest, announced the launch of the bridal makeover contest on February 24, 2010. Brides getting married this year are encouraged to sign up for the makeover contest by April 16, 2010 for a chance to win over $6,000 in prizes and to look amazing on their wedding day. The winner of the contest will be announced at a Bridal Fashion Show at Laurel View Country Club in Hamden on April 25, 2010.

The YOLO Bridal Show is a comprehensive “wedding style” show supported by event planners, Weddingistas, complete with a cocktail hour starting at 5pm with tastings supplied by Laurel View Country Club followed by a fashion show and vendor tables. The White Dress by the shore will be featuring bridal gowns by couture designers to include: Modern Trousseau, Priscilla of Boston and Melissa Sweet. Astrid Niemelainen is showcasing mother of the occasion couture fashion and Beneath the Gown will be featuring fine European lingerie for the bride’s big day.

“Planning a wedding is the most exciting and stressful time in a womans’ life,” states Gil Simmons, Weekday Morning Meteorologist of WTNH-TV. “I’m excited to be the MC for the YOLO bridal fashion show where I can bring some fun to the process and inspire brides to look and feel their best on their wedding day. This is going to be a great party where brides can relax and leave the details to the experts.”

COCKTAIL PARTIES AND FREE SPA TREATMENTS

Leading up to the YOLO Bridal Show, a happy hour is planned for all area brides at Eli’s On the Hill at 624 West Main Street, Branford, CT. Brides are encouraged to bring friends to the events to take advantage of food and drink specials. YOLO will be giving away free spa treatments and prizes at the bar. The happy hour is scheduled for April 15, 2010 at 4:30pm.
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The makeover contest bridal registration is from February 26 through April 16, 2010. To enter YOLO’s contest, brides – to – be must submit a video and/or photo and a short essay to an entry area on YOLO’s website (http://www.yolobridalmakeovercontest.com) explaining why they think they should win the “YOLO’s Bridal Makeover” contest. The winner will be announced at the Laurel View Country Club in Hamden in combination with an elegant bridal fashion show on April 25, 2010. When the bridal makeover is complete, an unveiling party will be hosted by Café Grounded, located in Guilford, CT.

One of our projects that we are working on is video.  All sorts of video. Some will be promotional, others will be what kind of trouble can I get into. So in order to facilitate this, we have started a youtube channel. This way, in addition to linking it to the appropriate article, you will also be able to watch anytime that you want. So, here it is.

First thing I would like you to do is watch the videos on the YouTube channel now, and let me know which one is best suited for our “Destination Guilford” post. Just tag this post with your thoughts. The other thing that I would like is your ideas for videos that you would like to see us do.  It can be a destination spot, a how to video, or something that you think will just be too funny. Pretty much anything is fair game.  That includes me doing virtually everything. About the only thing that is off limits is me being pushed out of a plane. With or without a parachute.  Now, if you leave a comment, then I will choose one of you and give you your choice of a gift certificate to either The Stone House or Eli’s on the Hill.

The next thing I have is the fact that I would like to welcome aboard Daydream Massage and Facials to the site. They have a new and unique way for you to spoil yourself and save money. Just like us, they love having members. So if you become a member, you can save money on all of their fine services. Check out their fan page and learn how to become one. And to sweeten the pot, I will throw in your first massage for free. Yup, FREE, so you can try out Daydream before signing up for a membership. And here is how you win. Go to their fan page, Daydream Massage and Facials, and leave a note that we sent you, and I will have them choose from one of our members. That’s it. You don’t have to sign up for a membership, all you have to do is show up and get a massage. That’s it.

So, hopefully this makes for a better start to your week. I can’t control the weather, but I can make the week more enjoyable for you.

So, as I have always promised, when I get stuff, I am not keeping it for myself. Rather it gives me the most joy to give back to all of those who have helped me, so, time to give stuff away, and in no particular order.

First off, at The Garde Arts Center, “Cats” will be coming, and we have a family four pack for that one.  But, it gets better, The Sigels have also thrown in two tickets to” The Oasis Room” which has some really great shows, but also a much more intimate setting. If you have not seen the interior of the Garde, you have been missing out.

Next, our great friend, Chuck Still, Executive Director of The Kate is inviting four of you to come out and see  well known Boston comedian Peter D’Angelo  this Friday. FYI, I will announce a winner for that one on Wednesday. You all know how much Out and About loves The Kate,  now here’s your chance to check it out on Chuck, and Shoreline Out and About.

So, what do you do with the kids on a really nasty day like today?  How do you get them so tired that when the babysitter shows up so that you can come out and play with us, that they go right to sleep?  Here’s a thought, why don’t I give away two sets of a family four pack to the Children’s Museum Of Southeastern Connecticut?  If you have not been there, then here’s a hint.  It is a great interactive enviorment for the kids to run around in, and learn about all sorts of cool things. they also have multiple play settings so your kids can just play and have fun.

Now, what do you have to do to win these things? Well if you are a member, nothing, you are all set. if you are not, just come to the website, and join. It’s free, and I promise that we will NEVER sell your private information. Contrary to what some wonder kids think, just because you use their social media site, it does not mean that you want your information sold. More thoughts on that one soon enough.

So tell your friends, and have them come on board too. The bigger the site gets, the more I can give away, and I will start giving away some serious stuff.  All of these prizes will be given away on March 27th, except for The Kate, which will be drawn on the 17th. And all you have to do is tell friends, and come to us often. Better yet, make us your home page. Think about it, shouldn’t your home page be about your home anyways?