Route 66 In Marlborough Reopened

According to courant.com, Route 66 in Marlborough by Roberts Road has been reopened after a two car collision. The Department of Transportation reported the accident on Sunday around 1 pm. Route 66 was reopened a little after 2 pm. According to state police, two people were brought to Hartford Hospital, as a precaution for non-life threatening injuries.

Action Figure of Steve Jobs Gets Apple Rotten

Recently, Apple forced the wildly popular Chinese "Steve Jobs Action Figure" to be discontinued. M.I.C. Gadget, a Chinese toy-making company, sold a batch of 300 figures at $79 a piece before they were forced to stop by Apple. When asked by CNN why they would do this, Apple replied:

"Unauthorized use of a person's name and/or likeness constitutes a violation of California Civil Code Section 3344, which prohibits the use of any person's name, photograph or likeness in a product without that person's prior consent..."

Many are disappointed that wanted to purchase the action figure, and there are no figures on eBay as of now.

(story courtesy of CNN.com)

Broadway Review: The Pee Wee Herman Show

Paul Reubens, the goofy actor behind the HBO series Pee Wee's Playhouse, has recently attempted to make a come-pack of his prized character. This time, however, he took the playhouse to Broadway. What resulted was a classic, zany, and up-to-date play as the playhouse came to life, and it should surely be seen by any Pee-Wee fan.

With Paul Reubens and other original show actors like Lynne Marie Stewart (Ms. Yvonne) and John Moody (Mailman Mike), the show feels just like the original series did. All of the original playhouse characters show up, including favorites like Cowboy Curtis, Chairry, and The King of Cartoons. The playhouse is identical to the original series as well.

The humor in the show is sharp and modern. There are original jokes and dances mixed in with modern topics (ex. making fun of Sham Wow). Also, everything is appropriate for children; although there are very obvious adult double-entendres, they will go right over the heads of anyone under the age of 11 or 12. This makes the show a fun event for everyone in attendance.
Overall, the Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway is a fun time for adults and children. It will be especially rewarding for fans of the old show, where all old characters play a key role in the production.


RATING: 4/5
REASON: It is a very funny and rewarding production for children or those who have seen the Pee-Wee Herman show. However, do not expect any serious emotions or an innovative storyline that characterize common broadway plays.

Tamar Kaprelian "Sinner or a saint" review

The sad reality of reviewing music is that 90% of what you get to review is either

a. shallow
b. un-original
c. bad

d. All of the above

I must admit, upon getting a CD of "Sinner or a Saint" I had my doubts. But when I started listening I was pleasantly surprised.

The CD opens with the song, "New Day." The song is uplifting yet sprinkled with a pseudo-depressing mood. It was written during a dark time in her musical career. This song lays out the foundation of the rest of the album, painting a picture of a girl who's been forced to ride the roller coaster we call life.

The second song on the album, Sinner or a saint, is probably my favorite. It opens with a catchy punk-esque guitar riff that is soon welcomed by the full band. Tamar's voice harmonizes beautifully with the instruments. I couldn't resist bobbing my head to the song as I wrote this review.

What I think I liked best about this album was that Kaperlian doesn't strike me as being the same as every other pop musician. Her music doesn't flat out say that she's had a "bad Romance" or that "We are who we are. " She's more artistic with her lyrics, being vague and forcing his listeners to really pay attention to understand her emotion. She sings with a passion that says she's really felt pain, this is real, this isn't some kind of pre-packaged corporate puppet-this is a real person.

In the end, this is a very enjoyable album. Tamar Kaperlian demonstrates lots of potential for the future. I look forward to seeing what else she can bring to the music world. Her voice, her lyrics, and the way the instruments compliment her and each other make this an everyone should give a chance.

Rating: 4.5/5

3 children, 1 adult found dead in Florida home

According to CNN.com four people, including one woman and her three children, were found dead in their home in Tallahassee, Florida. A Florida medical examiner is working to find out the exact cause of death of this family. Police believe that the children were two 6-year-olds and a three-year-old. Tallahassee Police have begun a homicide investigation, based on the condition of the dead. "There's obvious violence in the home," said Tallahassee police spokeman David McCranie. "How that violence transpired, we're not sure." Investigators have been talking to neighbors, relatives, and friends of the dead, who were found in a single-family home. According to McCranie, the police found the bodies in a typical, suburban Tallahassee neighborhood. Police have not named any official suspects so far in this investigation.

Tanks To Be Sent To Afghanistan

According to CNN:



For the first time in a nine-year-long war, the U.S. is sending tanks to Afghanistan. Spokesman Major Gabrielle Chapin for the U.S. Marine Corps said that M1A1 Abrams tanks will be sent overseas. The military has said that it will allow for more aggressive missions. At the same time, it will decrease the risk to infantry. The tanks are scheduled to arrive in Afghanistan by early spring. This decision comes as Afghanistan will top the agenda at the NATO summit on Friday.



Source: CNN.com

KFC Gives Out Big Bucks For a Good Tweet

Fast food chain KFC has recently announced that it will give out a $20,000 college scholorship in a contest for the best "tweet". Yes, thats right; one lucky high school student with get thousands of dollars, equivalent to 2500 hours of minimum wage work, just to go online and type in a few thoughtful words. Seniors in high school will write a "tweet" to KFC on why they feel like they deserve the college scholorhship. The tweet must include hashtag #KFCScholar and include no more than 140 words. The winner will be announced December 1st, and receive $5,000 a year for four years to the college they attend.

"This year, through one of the hottest emerging forms of media, we want to offer students a creative way to realize their dreams of obtaining a college education," KFC said. So far tweets received have been across the board, from joking, to playful, to determined and serious. Thousands of high school seniors will be tuning in online on December 1st to see if they are the lucky recipient.

Music Review: Boy Band "Mindless Behavior" Sounds Like Mediocrity

Auto-tune, electronic effects, and pulsing beats have been sweeping through modern day hip-hop music. Songs with clean, sometimes distorted vocals to a catchy beat are the hottest thing in music. So what happens when a group of four talented 12 and 13 year-old singers step into this uprising genre and try to make super-group history? Unfortunately, the answer is mediocrity.

The music group "Mindless Behavior" is a collaboration of 4 boys, ages 12-13 that all come from artistic backgrounds. They are proclaimed as "super group" by their record company, although that title gives them more credit than they deserve. Super groups like the Jackson 5 and Backstreet boys have rocked the industry before in unprecedented record sales and fanfare. The key to fame, however, with these groups is that they all possessed a key ingredient to music; originality. In a world of music, nobody had seen a group of young boys or men rise up and sing together, and this element made them unlike anything seen before, and therefore containing very high appeal.

The problem with "Mindless Behavior" is that although their music has the high, clean vocals that artists like Akon have utilized, they do not bring anything new to the table. Here is a rundown of their new single, "My Girl".

- A song about girls, love, and texting... we have seen this before in dozens of songs, is it nothing new. Especially from 12 and 13 year-old boys, anybody older than a pre-teen will think this is impossible to relate to.

- A bass-heavy, catchy, bright beat with some added vocal effects... this can be seen from various artists, and it sounds just like the rest.

- A group of 12 and 13 year-old boys trying to take a step into the industry... this has already been done by artists in this sam industry, most notably Justin Bieber. While Bieber was more of an unprecedented artist for such a young age and mature genre to take on, these boys seem to just be trying to gain success in his wake.

Overall, the music of "Mindless Behavior" is no different than any other song heard in the mainstream market. The lyrics are shallow, speaking of pre-teen love, which will be impossible for anyone over 13 to relate to. It is hard to imagine an adult getting excited and turning the volume up in their car because "My Girl" comes on the radio, with a 12-year-old saying the first line, "Dang, we text each other A LOT." This music has a chance of catching on with middle school girls, but that is its limit of an audience.

I give this artist a 3/5, because they succeed in making average music in their genre, but it will not stand out as anything unique or special. Their lack of originality, both in their music and idea of "reviving the super group", has been done before, and the country won't get taken by storm as easily anymore.

iTunes and The Beatles

The songs of The Beatles have now found their way onto iTunes. This update was announced on November 16, 2010. iTunes is offering all 13 of the original albums and they are also offering a "Box Set" that has every song from every album. And every song from every album comes with the iTunes LP so you can have the album cover on your iPod. Although the band is no longer around, their songs can be enjoyed right on your iPod anywhere you go. Apple also dedicated a website to The Beatles. http://www.apple.com/the-beatles/











Sources:



Apple Computers

New Haven Fire Sends Man To The Hospital

According to courant.com, one person was sent to the hospital on Sunday because of an overnight fire at a multi-family home in New Haven. According to Battalion Chief John King, firefighters answered to a kitchen fire at 236 Davenport Avenue, a three-family home around midnight. A man was taken to an area hospital so he could be treated for smoke inhalation. His condition wasn't immediately available. Two people who were displaced by the fire have been given temporary lodging and clothing and food needs by the Red Cross, according to Senior Director of Communications and Government Relations Paul Shipman. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Elderly Man Dies In Hampton, CT Crash

According to courant.com, on Thursday an 88-year-old man died when the car he was riding in crashed into a pole on Route 97, police said. John Grenier of Hampton was going north in a car driven by Karen Shaw, 50, of Windham, when the car went off the road near Kimball Hill Road around 11:30 am. The car struck a pole, killing Grenier and injuring Shaw. Grenier was pronounced dead at the scene and Shaw was brought to Windham Hospital for medical treatment. P0lice haven't determined if speed or the weather played a role in the crash. Between Kimball Hill Road and Lewis Road, Route 97 was closed for about three hours while police investigated the crash. Route 97 was reopened around 2:30 pm.

Two Injured In One-Car Crash In Marlborough, CT

According to courant.com, Connecticut state police are investigating a one-car crash that has left two men critically injured early Saturday. Malcolm Privott, 22, of Middletown, was driving a 2006 Jeep Wrangler west on Route 66 when the car went off the road and flipped over right before 3 am. Passenger John A. Loree Jr., 29, of Cromwell and Privott were in critical condition and air-lifted to Hartford Hospital. This accident is still under investigation and anyone with information or who saw the crash are asked to contact Trooper Tyler R. Charette at the Colchester barracks at 860-537-7500.

Sugarland "The Incredible Machine" Music Review

Jennifer Nettles and the musical group Sugarland are releasing their fourth and newest album, The Incredible Machine. Sugarland has won many Grammy, CMA and ACM awards and this album had many expectations to live up to. Not being much of a country music fan I didn't know what to expect with this group I have never heard much about. But this album was not what I would have thought of.

This eleven track album was an great collection of modern country music. This was a great album that had a mix of slower and fast-paced tunes. I even liked the modern and pop influenced track and I found the message in some of the songs to be a positive influence. Overall I liked it and I would give it a 4 out of 5. This wouldn't be an album that I would go out of my way to buy it but if it were on my iPod I would enjoy listening to it. The Incredible Machine is now in stores and for more information you can visit http://sugarlandmusic.com/ for album comments and Sugarland updates.

Serious Vehicle Accident in Andover, CT

November 6: 2 vehicle collision on Rt.6 in Andover Ct. near Route 316.

One patient transported by LifeFlight helicopter.

AllStar Weekend Music Video Review

I took a look at two of their videos. the first one is "Come Down With Love". I give it 2 stars. First the music was not entertaining at all and a song about love turned into a party scene. The video did not compliment the song at all. There were far too many rack focuses on the lead singer. it got to be very annoying. I did not get the impression it was about their music. It apeared to be more about their faces and hair. the next one was "Dance Forever". I also give this one 2 stars. The music again was not entertaining but the video did kind of go along with the lyrics. It was another party video. Their whole marketing scheme is about the members faces and hair and not the music. There was also a large man who kept apearing and did not make sense at all. In short these videos lacked purpose and quality. When they want to go somewhere they should get the camera off their faces and focus on something more important.

Red Dead Redemption DLC Review: Undead Nighmare

Rockstar Games has recently released their highly anticipated downloadable content story : Undead Nightmare. The new "alternate-ending" type story follows former outlaw John Marston as he tries to cleanse the Wild West of a recent outbreak of zombies.

I didn't know what to expect coming into the game, after playing the original story of Red Dead, I had my theories to what the game was actually going to be. I paid the $9.99 , the rate for 800 Microsoft points and waited , meanwhile watching trailers for the game. I was immediately launched into the story, watching John Marston kill his uncle and hogtie his wife and son, who I had learned to love in the last game, was a genius start to the story, and believe it or not, the writers at Rockstar Games somehow incorporated some humor into the biting and graphic scene. I now rode my noble steed into the unknown, encountering hoardes of zombies, and cleansing graveyards. I couln't help but think, this game is awesome.

Overall, the way you play the game is the same as the original story in Red Dea , fans will enjoy recalling familiar scenery, and talking to familiar faces like Nigel West Dickens and the grave digging maniac Seth Briars. The graphics are improved, there's more blood and more gore. The story is delightfully cliche, cheesy and full of Marstons wit and profanity. Ten dollars is a low price if you enjoy slaughtering crowds of zombies salivating for human flesh or you just want to enjoy and interact with a decently written horror story. I give this DLC a 5/5.

Video Game Review- Fable III

Fable III is the latest title the popular series of fantastical games. After the second game came out, gamers have been clamoring for the next title. Does it live up to the hype? Quite frankly, yes. It lives up to the hype in spades.


The story revolves around you, a prince (or princess, depending on gender) whose brother is the king of Albion. As the citizens continue to complain about his tyrannical rule, you go out to lead a rebellion and take the crown. It's a good story. It feels traditional and yet new to the series. The story isn't stuck to just the main storyline, but also extends to the sidequests that citizens of Albion give you. The sidequests allow you to build up your character as good or evil, which will in turn define the kind of ruler you will be.


This game looks really good. It has a strange look that looks like a mix between realistic and cartoony, but fans will like it, as that's been the design of the last few games. The environments are fun to look at and character models look different from one another. Sound is also a good factor. Music is familiar to the rest of the series and is very nice to listen to. The character voices are probably the best part. Along with celebrity voices, the voices all fit the characters.


The gameplay is where this game really shines. As I said, sidequests allow you to build up your character as good or evil, but it goes much deeper than that. Like in the previous games, you can interact with villagers through a series of scripted interactions that affect your standing with people. You can also make moral decisions that can be something like freeing people being sold into slavery or taking some money to look away. The only real complaint with this game is that the interaction system has been oversimplified and you don't have as many options for it as before. However, besides that, this game is incredible. It's one of the best games of 2010 for sure.



5/5