X Files Movie This Summer

Countdown to the new X-Files Movie!
Coming this Summer!
As a bonifide X-Phile, I am reaaaaly excited, it will be like getting together with old friends!
Watch the trailer below

Driver in I-91 tanker explosion dies of burns

by The Republican Newsroom
Saturday March 29, 2008, 10:09 PM


Editor's note: This is an update of a story posted at 1:49 p.m. on Saturday.

By ALEX PESHKOV
apeshkov@repub.com

CHICOPEE - A New Hampshire truck driver, whose tanker exploded in giant fireball on Interstate 91 in Chicopee Friday morning, died that evening at the burn care facility of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a hospital spokeswoman said Saturday.

Aaron Staelens, 43, of Richmond died at about 8 p.m., Jennifer Gundersen said.

Staelens' tanker hit a guardrail and exploded after he swerved to avoid a car that veered into a vehicle in front of him. The driver of the car, Victor Aponte, 35, of Holyoke "has been summoned to face charges of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, reckless operation and failure to operate within marked lanes," state police Lt. Eric Anderson said Saturday.

Staelens' tanker was carrying 9,500 gallons of gasoline and 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel in the right lane when Aponte, driving a 1995 Subaru, lost control and cut off the tanker.

According to state police Capt. Barry J. O'Brien, Aponte, 35, of Holyoke, was entering I-91 from Interstate 391 when the vehicle stalled then regained momentum. Aponte lost control, crossing in front of the tractor trailer.

Witnesses described a horrific scene, with passers-by trying to help the truck driver out of his burning cab.

Staelens worked for Abenaqui Carriers of North Hampton, N.H., whose president Paul Marston said in a statement Saturday that everyone at the company was saddened to learn of Staelens' death.

"All of us at Abenaqui Carriers were saddened to learn of the passing of Aaron Staelens who has been a respected driver in the tanker truck industry for more than 15 years. Our thoughts are with Aaron's family during this difficult time," the statement said.

Abenaqui Carriers, a trade name owned by P.S. Marston Associates, is a family owned and operated business founded in 1973. The company is a diversified hazardous material carrier specializing in tanker trucks. It serves New England, New York and Florida.

Don Brooks, who said he is the boyfriend of Aaron Staelens' sister, answered a call to her Deerfield home Saturday.

"I knew him. There are lots of good words (to say) about Aaron, but I can't speak for the family. The family is gathering together at his other sister's home right now," he said, declining further comment.

Witnesses said several drivers ran to pull Staelens from the burning cab, including some carrying blankets and jackets to smother the flames, but the fire drove them back.

O'Brien said Staelens eventually freed himself and ran ablaze through a "ring of fire" around the cab before police and other drivers put out the flames. A passenger in Aponte's car received minor injuries in the crash.

The fire burned about 90 minutes after the crash, and smoke could be seen for miles.

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.

91 Shut Down By Tanker Truck Explosion!

This Morning as I was driving on 91 North on my way to Holyoke, my journey was brought to an abrupt halt in Chicopee by this terrible accident and tanker truck explosion! I shot this video with my camera phone.
My thoughts and prayers are with the poor driver, who was burned on 70% of his body. I wish him comfort and healing.

Another Awesome Concert!

Tuesday, May 27th & Wednesday, May 28th 8pm

Natalie Merchant
with
The Boston Pops!

Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts

Click Here For Tickets

See You There!

Smooth Jazz Concert Milford Connecticut

Coming April 26th to Milford, CT!!!!
One Night Only!!!!!!
Jay Rowe's Smooth Jazz For Scholars!!!!!

Online Ticket Sales
www.jayrowemusic.com
or call 203-874-4150

An Excellent Night of Music in Beautiful Seaside Milford, CT

Miss It At Your Own Risk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most Livable State

From WCAX-TV

Concord, New Hampshire - March 26, 2008

For the fifth year in a row, New Hampshire has been named the "Most Livable State".

A new report from the CQ Press puts the Granite State in the top spot. Vermont comes in seventh. New York is 29th, and Mississippi is considered the least livable state in the U.S.

The rankings are based on 44 factors including household income, crime rates, taxes, employment, health, environment and education.

Generosity

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.

I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprizing a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes, but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas.

I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good. '

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'

'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'

'Good. Anything I can help you with?'

'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'

'Would you like take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost.'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble', Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.

With a smile said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.

When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.

A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one.

Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.

Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men.

One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking.

They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.

Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket.

Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles.

With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them.

Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho '.
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

An unexpected phone call from an old friend.

Green stoplights on your way to work.

The fastest line at the grocery store.

A good sing-along song on the radio.

Your keys found right where you left them.

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!

History Of Nintendo

Mario's First Trade, Donkey Kong, Original Nintendo Gaming System and More.............

A Minisieries Not To Miss

HBO's Minisieries "John Adams" kicked off with a bang! Wonderfully acted, parts 1 & 2 bring you right into the time leading up to the Revolutionary War. You feel like you have been immersed in the politics, danger, fear, anger, and uncertainty. One can just imagine what it was like for those brave and intelligent people, taking risks and standing by what they believe in.
Paul Giamatti does a superb job acting the role of John Adams! All the characters are very believable.
Don't miss this minisieries! It will be shown on HBO on Sunday nights at 9:00 Eastern. I'll be watching!
http://www.hbo.com/films/johnadams/

I have the best hairdresser!

Frank, one of the hairdressers at David Ryan salon (located on the lower level at the Connecticut Post Mall) has been doing my hair for over a year now, and I LOVE HIS WORK!!!!!!
People stop me on the street, in the store, at work... EVERYWHERE to ask me where I get my hair done. It is just funky and different enough, yet it also is classy. The way he does the color is fantastic, and people always ask how he does it.
I don't know, he just seems to have the magic touch!
If you want a REALLY GREAT hairdresser who is also a fantastic person, go see Frank at David Ryan Salon.
The phone number is 203-878-3520. His hours are Tuesday 3-9, Thursday 3-9, Saturday 3-9, and every other Sunday 11-6. Walk ins are accepted, but I would recommend calling ahead for an appointment.
Tell Frank that Shaileen sent you!

My Favorite Commercial!!!

Daycare Closing Liquidation Sale!

Daycare Closing Liquidation Sale!

What Do Retired People Do All Day?

What Do Retired People Do All Day?

Working people frequently ask retired people what they do to make
their days interesting. Well, for example, the other day the wife and
I went into town and went into a shop. We were only in there for about
5 minutes.

When we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket. We
went up to him and I said, 'Come on man, how about giving a senior
citizen a break?'

He ignored us and continued writing the ticket. I called him a Dumba&&.
He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tires.

So Mary called him a sh!+head. He finished the second ticket and put
it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing a third
ticket.
This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him, the more
tickets he wrote.

Personally, we didn't care. We came into town by bus. We try to have
a little fun each day now that we're retired. It's important at our age.