2015 Ollie Awards Red Carpet

It's almost time for "The Ollies"

Are you excited to see who's going to be walking the red carpet this year?

Will you be joining us this year?

KT and Me: A Kwanzaa Family Special

It's Day 3 of Kwanzaa

Today's #Artful8ths item is a cute cartoon story 

It follows the adventures of a young boy and his Teddy Bear who teaches him about the principles of the Black American holiday celebration of Kwanzaa.

We thought that you might want to share with your family and friends regardless of race so that they and the children can better understand what Kwanzaa is.

Have you ever attended a private family celebration or a public community celebration of Kwanzaa in your city or town?

#nq

2017 into 2018 New Year New Challenges

New Year New Challenges Approaching 2018

We here in CT have a new year quickly approaching with looming debt, possibly more layoffs and either much higher taxes or additional budget cuts coming - a lot of very hard choices to make in a "Short Session"

What will happen in the "Lame Duck" months of our government in CT?

What SHOULD happen and what WILL happen of course are 2 very different things. 

The democrats still control the general assembly until the new senators and representatives are sworn in in January 2019; where the senate will hopefully no longer be tied 18 to 18 and the difference in the house is greatly reduced or switched for majority party.

What SHOULD Happen is attacking the enormous budget problems... 
but the democrats have other plans which will result in raising our taxes again in various forms. They are forcing our families, homeowners and taxpayers in small towns and the suburbs to pay for the mismanagement and corruption of the cities that are doing poorly for their choices and refusal to spend their money wisely...

Ideally our elected officials will do the hard work of properly downsizing our bloated government and find solutions that will make that needed part of government that is needed to run more efficiently while providing Better Service for those needed items while managing to Lower the Costs of providing those services.

It is going to be a very hard job if the elected officials have the fortitude to make the cuts going through the budget line by line and department by department...

Each department and all of their offices need to be opened up and  looked at separately as well as to how they relate to the whole wider government.

Weigh whether the department is in fact needed or has it become an old outdated form of government that really does not meet the needs of the citizens of Connecticut in the 21st century...

Weigh out exactly what each position does from the very top to the bottom in each of these departments which positions should be eliminated entirely or adjusted for our present and future needs?

Asking Important questions like:

What expenses are being paid to out of state or even out of country businesses that should be instead being contracted with Connecticut businesses?

Can the position be done more effectively in the private sector? 

Can the position be done more effectively at the town level?

Can the job be done in an electronic manner to reduce time and cost?

How many employees are actually needed vs how many are high level titles that really shouldn't be there in the first place because they do not actually assist in getting the work done for the people in Connecticut?

If you were able to make changes in our government what suggestions would you make to which departments and why would you make them? 

Leave me your thoughts in the comments below.

The Story Of Kwanzaa: From Civil Rights To Corporate America

December 26th begins the holiday celebration of Kwanzaa that is celebrated in some Black American families, this video gives a brief history about the holiday

The Winans - The Real Meaning Of Christmas

As we prepare for Christmas 

Let us remember the reason for the season 

is God's love us in sending Jesus Christ 

down to earth to live the life of a man as the sacrifice for All Mankind.

 

 #nq

Entire Neighborhoods Battle for Best Christmas Light Display

Christmas Lights

Does your neighborhood decorate for the holidays?

Has anyone in your area gone all out with their Christmas light displays like the families in this video clip?

WOW Mind Blowing New Light Show 2016 - Full Aerial Sync Wizards In Winte...

This family certainly went all out to mega-decorate for their Christmas lights.

Enjoy the drone footage with the non-traditional music and lights designed with aerial viewing in mind

#nq

Little Drummer Boy (African Tribal Version) - Alex Boye' ft. Genesis Choir

This is a video that showcases Musical Fusion & modern storytelling in a beautiful manner...

Enjoy this old favorite Christmas song set into a video which tells a story of a modern family in a sad but all to common situation of falling on hard times & ending up homeless & a positive Christian Community Response to the family

Winning Phipps Family Light Show - The Great Christmas Light Fight

Christmas Lights

Neighborhood Decorations Contest

I do love this time of year at night.

I love to see the streets with houses that are all decorated with Christmas lights. 

Some cities & towns still do their streets with decorations but sadly not as many as there used to be back when I was a child.

When I was a child we used to get in the car as a family and my Dad would drive us around the near by city to go see how the people decorated their homes while listening to the radio station that was playing Christmas music.

Now in "modern" times although not as many people decorate with outdoor lighting those that do now have many updated electronics to use to make their homes stand out.

With my own children being grown and out of the house we don't decorate the house like I used to do (yes I was one of those who put up the tree in early November) but I do still enjoy looking at the homes that are decorated.

I've not yet come across the mega-decorated homes as showcased on TV but I do enjoy watching them on TV and videos. 

Enjoy this mega-decorated home

#nq

John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together "12 Days of Christmas"...

Enjoy this version of the 12 Days of Christmas 

sung by our favorite silly critters & John Denver 

from the Christmas special "A Christmas Together"

 

#nq