Connecticut Agriculture Growth Gains National Attention

Connecticut may be the third smallest state in the nation, but it has a large agricultural presence - which led to the state being featured recently by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the federal agency’s website. Bucking the national trend, USDA reports, Connecticut farming has been growing for the past two decades. The state - based on the 2012 Census of Agriculture - has nearly 6,000 farms, which is a remarkable 60 percent increase from the 3,754 farms in Connecticut in 1982. At the same time, the state’s farmland acreage remained relatively stable, which means that the size of an average farm has been trending down, to an average of 73 acres.

More than 900 Connecticut farms harvested vegetables for sale in 2012, with bell peppers being the most popular crop. To meet the needs of East Coast homeowners and landscapers, in 2012, 880 of Connecticut's nurseries, greenhouses, floriculture and sod farms grew and sold almost $253 million worth of those crops.

In addition, Connecticut’s coastal area has hosted shellfish farms since Colonial times. In 2012, the state’s aquaculture industry sold nearly $20 million worth of seafood, primarily shellfish from Long Island Sound. There is livestock as well, USDA notes, with 774 farms in Connecticut raising cattle and calves. Most of the sales on the livestock end come from milk, however. In 2012, the state’s farms sold nearly $70 million worth of milk from cows.

Contrary to history and stereotype, in 2012 more than 25 percent of all Connecticut farms were operated by women as principal operators. That is an incremental increase from 23 percent in 2007. Overall, the 2012 Census counted more than 3,700 women farmers in the state.

Connecticut farmers have also stepped up their efforts to get agricultural products into consumers’ hands, the USDA report indicated. With the growing “buy local” movement, nearly a quarter of Connecticut farms market human food products directly to consumers. About 10 percent of the farms in the state now market their products directly to retail outlets such as restaurants, stores, and institutions; and at the same time, 218 of our farms participate in community-supported agriculture programs allowing local residents to partake in their harvest.

Although the USDA did not specifically mention the longstanding “Connecticut Grows” campaign from the state’s Department of Agriculture, it has served as a lynchpin for intensified efforts using technology.

The CT Grown Program was developed in 1986, during the administration of former Gov. William A. O’Neill, when the now-familiar green and blue logo was created to identify agricultural products grown in the state. During nearly three decades, the CT Grown Program has blossomed into a multifaceted campaign that promotes these products through a diverse array of avenues in local, regional, national and international markets.

It now features CT Grown producer listings and brochures, connections to farmers markets, the CT Seafood Council, CT Farm Wine Development Council, CT Food Policy Council, CT Milk Promotions Board, and other related councils and commissions.

More recently, the website www.buyctgrown.com was established as “a place to connect people who are ready to discover CT Grown foods and experience Connecticut agriculture.” buyCTgrown is a program of the non-profit CitySeed and receives support from our partners including UConn Extension, CT Farm Bureau, CT NOFA, and the CT Department of Agriculture.

The website’s “CT 10% Campaign” asks people to spend 10 percent of their existing food and gardening dollars on locally grown goods.” Individuals and businesses can sign up to “take the pledge” on the website, and will receive ongoing information about locally grown products.

Report Calls for Transition to Livable Communities Across Connecticut

In Connecticut, more than one-third of the population is over the age of 50, and that proportion continues to increase. Connecticut’s Legislative Commission on Aging has issued “Connecticut for Livable Communities,” a new report to the state legislature which outlines more than 50 recommendations for communities looking to enhance livability. The Commission has also launched a website which includes a list of communities that are responding to the call for more livable communities, and suggests a wide range of actions that communities can take.

Connecticut is undergoing a permanent and historic transformation in its demographics, the report points out. Between 2010 and 2040, Connecticut’s population of people age 65 and older is projected to grow by 57 percent, with less than 2 percent growth for people age 20 to 64 during the same period.

Livable communities are vibrant, inter-generational places that are easy to get around, according to the report. “They include affordable, appropriate housing options, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options. They foster independence, engage residents in civic and social life, and allow people to age in place. Done well, they benefit community residents across the lifespan.”

The 50-page report indicates that residents born in Connecticut today can expect to live to be 80.8 years old - the third highest life expectancy in the nation. A lengthy series of recommendations are highlighted in seven different areas: community engagement, health and well-being, housing, planning and zoning, safety and preparedness, social and support services, and transportation.

The recommendations include promoting opportunities for intergenerational collaboration, promoting in-home programs that improve health outcomes, creating a balanced transportation system that connects residents with health care services, and adopting policies that encourage incorporation of accessible housing features into new construction. The recommendations also include a call for municipal plans of conservation and development that include planning for older adults and individuals with disabilities to remain in their homes and communities, and building compact, mixed-use development “to encourage walking and eyes on the street.”

Creating livability requires “robust partnerships, long-range planning and sustained commitment.” To support those efforts the Legislative Commission on Aging plans to be:

• Providing educational opportunities on livable communities for community leaders and other partners in Connecticut;
• Creating partnerships to support the multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary endeavor of creating livable communities;
• Supporting, inspiring and incentivizing communities to enhance livability; and developing policies to support aging in place

To help communities implement the recommendations over time, the Commission plans to:

• Recognize localities that have implemented livable communities initiatives, pursuant to Public Act 14-73 (which established the livable communities initiative)
• Expand partnerships across multiple sectors to advance livability,
• Continue to convene municipal leaders, legislators and other thought leaders for statewide and regional forums on creating livability;
• Continue to identify funding opportunities for municipal leaders, seeking to implement or sustain livable communities initiatives;
• Work with partners to conduct asset mapping across all Connecticut communities, with the goal of helping each community understand its facilitators and barriers to developing livable communities;
• Continue to research models in other states, nationally and internationally;
• Work with the Connecticut General Assembly to identify and advance policy solutions that incentivize and inspire the creation of livable communities;
• Provide technical assistance to Connecticut communities seeking to enhance or promote livability; and
• Create town-specific data profiles to enable towns to enhance livability in a targeted and strategic fashion.

Among the communities listed on the new website as having best practices in place in parts of their towns or cities are Branford, Guilford, Madison, Bridgeport, Danbury, Darien, Enfield, Hartford, Middletown, New Haven, New Canaan, Norwalk, Seymour, and Torrington.  The Commission plans to proceed with "asset mapping across all Connecticut communities" and "continue to identify innovations, ideas, and best practices for implementing livability in the state. "

Simsbury, New Haven, New Britain Top Bike- and Walk-Friendly Towns in State

As part of a new "complete streets" initiative that began earlier this year, Bike Walk Connecticut has developed a first-of-its-kind ranking of the state's cities and towns on how bike- and walk-friendly they are. The results paint a varied picture of smaller communities and major cities taking effective steps to earn the designation bike- and walk- friendly. Connecticut’s top ten include: Simsbury (1), New Haven (2), New Britain (3), Glastonbury (4), Middletown (5), Canton (6), Weston (7), Hamden (8), Plainville (9) and South Windsor (10).

The scorecard and rankings of the most bike- and walk-friendly communities are based on an online, statewide public opinion survey that ran this spring and was open to anyone who lives or works in Connecticut.

The rankings are also based on municipal leadership and engagement efforts -- whether cities or towns have bicycle and pedestrian master plans; citizen task forces or advisory groups; complete streets policies; and whether they have conducted any public outreach efforts related to cycling, walking or complete streets.

Plans are for the surveys and scorecard to be conducted annually as part of Bike Walk Connecticut's new five-year initiative to make it safer and easier to walk and bike by implementing "complete streets" in cities and towns across Connecticut. Complete streets make it easier and safer for people to get around on foot or by bike, in order to become more physically active.

"We want this project to encourage cities and towns to take a really robust approach to complete streets and being bike- and walk-friendly,” said Kelly Kennedy, Executive Director of Bike Walk Connecticut. “Being able to get around safely by bike or on foot isn't just a fad or a health issue or environmental issue. It's an economic development issue.”

Rounding out the top 25 towns in Connecticut in the survey were 11. Coventry, 12. Torrington, 13. Meriden, Milford, 15. Hartford, Manchester, 17. Stonington, 18. Old Saybrook, 19. Southbury, 20. Colchester, Somers.

Bike Walk Connecticut has also started to develop an online repository for complete streets resources. The entire project is made possible through the financial support of the Connecticut Department of Public Health through Cooperative Agreement 1305 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the purpose of which is to promote statewide implementation of policies and actions to promote health and prevent and control chronic diseases.

Serious Health Issues Faced by State's Asian Pacific American Residents, New Study Reveals

Stereotypes about a thriving and problem-free Asian Pacific population in Connecticut are just plain wrong, according to a new statewide Needs Assessment Study which reveals “high rates of physical and mental health problems” and serious concerns about access to proper food and healthcare, often exacerbated by communication breakdowns  and language barriers." The 21-page study, by the Connecticut Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, is said to be the first of its kind in Connecticut.  The 2010 U.S. Census reported APA’s as one of the fastest growing minority populations, growing from 2.4 percent of Connecticut’s population in 2000 to 4.4 percent by 2010. The Census projects a steady increase of the APA population through 2050.

The Needs Assessment was developed in collaboration with three community-based organizations: the Khmer Health Advocates, Lao Association of Connecticut and Connecticut Coalition of Mutual Assistance Associations. The project was also supported by the Asian American Studies Institute at UConn, the UConn School of Pharmacy and the UConn School of Social Work. It focused on housing, education, language access, employment, access to public resources, and medical and mental health.

More than 300 Southeast Asian Connecticut residents – all over age 18 - participated in the study, include just over one hundred from each of three ethnic groups: Cambodian, Lao, and Vietnamese. The study found clear distinctions between the populations in Connecticut, and researchers stressed that viewing the Asian Pacific American (APA) population in the state as one block of people does a disservice to them, and does not adequately respond to their needs.

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity was a “prominent problem,” according to the report. “Close to half reported that they often or sometimes couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals and 43 percent indicated that their food supplies ran out The survey also reviewed “several measures of food insecurity” and found “significant association” between the ethnic groups and “finding it too expensive to have a balanced meal often or sometimes,” as well as “going hungry for lack of sufficient money for food.”

The report also indicated that “all of the ethnic groups reported concern that some members of their community were socially isolated. In particular, they reported that those age 50 and older were most at risk for isolation.”

Healthcare Concerns

Regarding healthcare, “nearly half experienced at least some difficulty in getting the healthcare they believed they needed,” the report indicated. In addition, “more than half of all participants reported experiencing a language barrier with their physician, and for those that needed an interpreter, 59 percent indicated that a professional interpreter was never or rarely available for healthcare visits.”

In regards to Southeast Asian Refugees, the report noted "chronic mental and physical health conditions follwoing a history of severe trauma," adding that "it is vital that primary care physicians and others treating these individuals screen for a wide range of physical health conditions as well as PTSD and depression."  At a State Capitol news conference releasing the report, Dr. Megan Berthold, Assistant Professor in the UConn School of Social Work, said that there is an "urgent need" to address these concerns, adding that the lack of communication can be "dangerous" and could "lead to misdiagnosis."

Among those who received prescriptions, nearly one-third said they did not fill it due to the expense, and among all surveyed, 17 percent “did not see a doctor when they felt they need to” during the past year due to the high cost.

Among the ethnic differences, a greater number of Vietnamese are smokers, Cambodians were “significantly more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD and depression,” and the Lao community indicating the least frequency of language barriers with physicians. Overall, however, the report indicated that “these communities continue to be underserved due to the limited to no resources available to focus on the cultural and linguistic needs of their communities.”

Numerous Recommendations

Included in the recommendations, the study report states that “service providers, state agencies and stakeholders are encouraged to partner with APA communities” in multiple ways, and calls for additional research that “can advance the needs of the APA population.” The series of 14 recommendations include greater training and education, promoting preventative care, actively recruiting APA members in various professional fields, creating diversity in the workforce, translating materials into the most common APA languages, and raising awareness among the APA population regarding their rights.

It is hoped that Needs Assessment studies can focus on other APA ethnic groups, such as the Indian and Chinese communities, in future years. The APA population in Connecticut includes approximately 50 ethnic groups, sharing some similarities and having great diversity. As the initial study demonstrated, specific needs may vary – an important fact for policy makers and those working with this fast-growing aspect of the state’s population.

Among those commenting on the report during the news conference were Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Commission when she was House Majority Leader in the legislature, Marie Spivey, Chair of the State Commission on Health Equity, Tanya Hughes, Executive Director of the state's Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and Dr. William Howe, Chair of the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (see photo, at left). Theanvy Kuoch, Executive Directo of Khmer Health Advocates, noted that "working together we can improve outcomes for our community members while engaging them in their own care.  We have evidence that this approach also saves health care dollars."

The Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission was created in 2008 by an act of the Connecticut legislature.  The 21 member bipartisan commission oversees matters concerning hte Asian Pacific American population in Connecticut, and makes recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor on the health, safety, education ,economic self-sufficiency and efforts to remain free of discrimination within the APA population in the state.

Woodstock is CT's Best Town for Teens, Analysis Shows

Last week, Connecticut by the Numbers reported that Connecticut’s under-18 population has declined during the past decade, and the state now ranks #37 in the nation in the percentage of residents less than 18 years-old. Now, the Hearst newspapers in Connecticut have researched the best towns for teens to live in the state. Topping the list were the small towns of Woodstock, Cornwall, and Prospect. The Hearst analysis to determine the state’s best towns for teens, included five sets of numbers: the town’s four-year graduation rates for high schools; the percentage of the population between the ages of 15 and 19; the percentage of teens holding a job; teen pregnancy rates; and arrests numbers for teens charged with drug offenses and driving while intoxicated.

Here are Connecticut’s Top 10 Towns for Teens:

1. Wood stock 84.3
2. Cornwall 82.5
3. Prospect 82.0
4. Mansfield 80.9
5. Eastford 80.7
6. Wolcott 80.6
7. Brooklyn 80.2
8. Scotland 80.0
9. Bolton 79.9
10. New Hartford 79.9

At the bottom of the list are the towns of Winchester (38.6), East Windsor (38.2) and Derby (19.3), the data indicates.  Not a single Southwestern Connecticut town cracked the top 10 of the list, according to the story published by Hearst Media. Newtown is the Southwestern Connecticut town with the highest score, coming in at No. 14, with a total score of 78.5 out of 100.

“Though idyllic towns dotting the landscape around Fairfield County and surrounding areas are often heralded as havens for raising children, many of the smaller, more affluent spots were ranked near the middle of the list or below: Ridgefield came in at No. 38 with a score of 74.6; New Canaan came in at No. 72 with 69.6 points; Darien was No. 81 with 68.4 points; Westport was No. 106 with 65.2 points; and Greenwich was No. 119 out of 169, with 62.3 points,” Hearts Media reported, in a story published by the Connecticut Post.

Connecticut’s Under-18 Population Ranks #37 in USA, Has Dropped During Past Decade

Where are the nation’s young people? Definitely not in New England, proportionally speaking. Nearly one-third of Utah’s residents - 31.3 percent - are under age 18, the highest percentage in the nation. In Connecticut, the under 18 population is just over one-fifth, at 22.4 percent, ranking the state at #37, and below the national average of 23.7 percent.

Connecticut, however, fares better than its New England neighbors in the percentage of population that is under age 18. The New Engalnd states of Rhode Island (20.8 percent), Maine (20.4 percent) and Vermont (20.1 percent) are ranked #48, #49, and #50 at the bottom of the list, with the smallest percentage of residents under age 18. Massachusetts ranked #44 and New Hampshire at #45.

Among the states with the highest percentage of their population under age 18, after Utah, are Texas at 27.1 percent, Idaho at 27 percent, Alaska at 26 percent and Georgia at 23.5 percent. The lowest percentage is in Washington, D.C. at 17.1 percent.

Connecticut’s percentage of residents under age 18 has dwindled during the past decade, from 24 percent in January 2004 to 23.6 in January 2008, to 22.4 in January 2012. Between May 2010 and May 2012 only Michigan, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont experienced a larger drop in the percentage of under 18 population.

New York (#42) and Pennsylvania (#43) are also in the bottom ten. New Jersey has the highest percent of young people in the region, ranked at #30, with 23.2 percent.

Under 18 years old is defined as the percent of the total population under age 18. Data on age were collected as part of the American Community Survey (ACS) of the U.S. Census, a nationwide survey designed to provide communities with demographic, social, economic and housing data every year. It has an annual sample size of about 3 million addresses across the U.S. The data was reported by Bloomberg.com, using the latest ACS data through 2012, and was compliled in 2013.

CT Ranks #12 in Meeting Long-Term Care Needs of Older Residents

When it comes to support for seniors and caregivers, it matters where you live – and Connecticut is better than most places. According to a new, comprehensive state-by-state Scorecard from AARP, Connecticut ranks 12th in the nation in meeting the long-term care needs of older residents and people with disabilities. Even with the solid showing, AARP officials stress that more needs to be done, especially as the state’s 50-plus population continues to grow. Specific areas cited include more support and training for family caregivers, and easing patient transitions to and from the hospital or a skilled nursing facility.

Raising Expectations 2014: A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities, and Family Caregivers – an update of the inaugural 2011 Scorecard – ranks each state overall and within 26 performance indicators along five key dimensions:

• affordability and access;
• choice of setting and provider;
• quality of life and quality of care;
• support for family caregivers; and,
• effective transitions.

New indicators this year include length of stay in nursing homes and use of anti-psychotic drugs by nursing homes, raising serious concerns about the quality of institutional care. The Scorecard was complied by AARP with support from The Commonwealth Fund and SCAN Foundation.

According to the state Scorecard, a majority of family caregivers (59.4%) face a degree of stress and worry. In addition, Connecticut ranks last (51) when it comes to the percent of home health patients with a hospital admission. This signifies a need for more resources and training for family caregivers - especially around complex medical tasks – so that their loved ones don’t end up back in the hospital and can continue to live independently at home, according to AARP officials.

“The vast majority of older Connecticut residents want to live independently, at home, as they age – most with the help of unpaid family caregivers,” says Nora Duncan, state director of AARP Connecticut, which serves nearly 600,000 members age 50 and older in Connecticut.

Today, unpaid family caregivers provide the bulk of care for older Connecticut residents, in part because the cost of long-term care remains unaffordable for most middle income families. In Connecticut, it is estimated that more than 486,000 residents help their aging parents, spouses and other loved ones stay at home by providing assistance with bathing and dressing, transportation, finances, complex medical tasks like wound care and injections, and more.

“When it comes to helping older Connecticut residents live in the setting of their choice, this silent army of family caregivers assumes the lion’s share of responsibility,” explains Duncan. “Many juggle full-time jobs with their caregiving duties; others provide 24/7 care for their loved ones. With every task they undertake, these family caregivers save the state money by keeping their loved ones out of costly nursing homes – most often paid for by Medicaid. They have earned some basic support.”

The top 12 states overall are Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont, Wisconsin, California, Maine, District of Columbia, and Connecticut, which make up the top quartile among the states. At the bottom of the rankings are Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Kentucky.

According to the Scorecard, Connecticut ranks 29th in the percent of Medicaid long-term care dollars that support care provided at home and in the community – the care setting that most residents prefer. The Scorecard spotlights specific areas that call for improvement, including:

• Percent of home health patients with a hospital admission;
• Percent of nursing home residents with low care needs;
• Percent of people with 90+ day nursing home stays successfully transitioning back to the community.
• Family caregivers without much worry or stress, enough time, well-rested;

Of the 26 Scorecard indicators, 13 may be improved through state policy changes, which officials say points to the importance of AARP’s multi-state advocacy campaign, launched this year, to help older Americans live independently, at home, and the family caregivers that support them. “Even facing tight budgets following the Great Recession, Connecticut is making clear progress to help our older residents. However, this Scorecard shows we have more to do – and with a predicted ‘silver tsunami’ sweeping over our state in the next 20 years, the time to act is now.”

The full state Scorecard, along with an interactive map of state rankings and information, is available at www.longtermscorecard.org.

Nicknames Tomahawks, Redmen, Chiefs, Warriors Remain in CT High School Sports

The New Haven Register editorial page has called on Connecticut high schools to do what Washington’s NFL franchise has thus far refused to do. Get with the times. The Register reports that “at least 23 high school teams in the state have names associated with Native Americans that could be considered offensive, from the Derby and Torrington Red Raiders to the Nonnewaug Chiefs or the Killingly Redmen and Glastonbury Tomahawks. Names containing Indians or Warriors are also popular among the state’s high schools,” the paper indicated.

“While these names may have initially been created with the thinking they were honoring Connecticut’s rich history, they are not only offensive, but keep us rooted in a culture of racism that has lingered for too long. And while a name change may temporarily disrupt the identity of the school and its sports teams, if done right, it can be successful and be used to the school’s advantage.”

The list of team nicknames that are of concern varies. Some consider “Indians” inappropriate, yet the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB) have received virtually none of the criticism that has been leveled at the NFL’s Washington franchise. MLB’s Atlanta Braves fans have long been known for doing the “tomahawk chop” at teams’ games, and the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs are not seen as being as offensive as the franchise name used in D.C.

Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford recently told WFSB-TV that the school’s teams no longer officially use the name “Indians,” but as of this week, the schools website continued to feature its parent booster club as the “Tomahawk Club.” At Glastonbury High School, the athletics teams are called the “Tomahawks.”

There have been some changes among Connecticut’s high schools and colleges, as the Register indicates. “Quinnipiac University, for example, changed the names of its sports teams and mascot in 2002 from Braves to Bobcats. At the time the name change was announced, the school indicated that ‘the university community clearly recognized the difficulties of using a name that has the potential to misrepresent and denigrate an entire group of people. And, despite our clear intention to honor and remember the Native Americans once known as the Quinnipiaks, to do so only through athletics was found to be no longer appropriate.’”

In addition, “Newtown changed its name from Indians to Nighthawks. Its old Indian chief mascot had previously been discarded. Hall High School in West Hartford voted in 2012 to change its logo and mascot, but kept its team name, the Warriors,” the Register reported.

Among the Connecticut high schools that have received some attention on local and national websites are those with Indians, Chiefs, Warriors, Raiders, Sachems, Tomahawks, Redmen, Red Raiders and Chieftans (see below).

Two years ago, the Hartford Courant reported that a national Native American rights organization, the Morning Star Institute, indicated that “two-thirds of Native American symbols in educational sports have been eliminated since 1970. Among the colleges that have changed nicknames are St. John's University in New York, from the "Redmen" to the "Red Storm," and Marquette in Wisconsin, from the "Warriors" to the "Golden Eagles."

The unofficial list of high school team nicknames that are receiving attention in the midst of the Washington NFL franchise controversy:

Canton High School (Warriors), Conard (West Hartford) High School (Chieftans), Derby High School (Red Raiders),Enfield High School (Raiders), Farmington High School (Indians), Glastonbury High School (Tomahawks), Guilford High School (Indians), Hall (West Hartford) High School (Warriors), H.C. Wilcox Technical (Meriden) High School (Indians),Killingly High School (Redmen), Manchester Senior High School (Indians), Montville High School (Indians), Newington High School (Indians), Nonnewaug (Woodbury) High School (Chiefs), North Haven Senior High School (Indians), Northwest Catholic (West Hartford) High School (Indians), Norwich Regional Vocational Technical School (Warriors), RHAM Junior Senior High School (Sachems), Torrington High School (Red Raiders), Valley Regional (Deep River) High School (Warriors), Wamogo (Litchfield) Regional High School (Warriors), Watertown High School (Indians), Wilcox Technical (Meriden) High School (Indians), Wilton High School (Warriors), Windsor High School (Warriors), Windsor Locks High School (Raiders).

12 Connecticut School Districts Named "Best Communities for Music Education"

Twelve Connecticut school districts have been named as being among the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education (BCME). The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation recognized 376 school districts across the country for exemplary music education programs. These districts and schools “set the bar in offering students access to comprehensive music education.”

The Connecticut school districts earning the recognition are: Avon, Canton, Cheshire, Glastonbury, Greenwich, Newington, Newtown, Southington, Torrington, West Hartford, Weston and Westport.

The BCME program applauds the efforts of teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders working to assure that music education is part of the core curriculum. More than 2000 schools and school districts participated in this year’s survey, according to the Foundation.

Now in its 15th year, the BCME program evaluates schools and districts based on funding, staffing of highly qualified teachers, commitment to standards, and access to music instruction. The NAMM Foundation with the assistance of researchers at The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service of Lawrence, Kansas (an affiliate of the University of Kansas) evaluate participants on these factors. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and greater access to music education.

“These schools and districts make a strong commitment to music education in the core curriculum supporting its essential value to a well-rounded education for every child,” said Mary Luehrsen, NAMM Foundation executive director.

A study published in 2007 by Christopher Johnson, professor of music education and music therapy at the University of Kansas, revealed that students in elementary schools with superior music education programs scored around 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent higher in math scores on standardized tests, compared to schools with low-quality music programs, regardless of socioeconomic disparities among the schools or school districts. Johnson compares the concentration that music training requires to the focus needed to perform well on a standardized test, according to an article published by the Public Broadcasting System.

Nina Kraus, a neuroscientist at Northwestern University and an author of a recent study that was published in The Journal of Neuroscience in November 2013, looked at 44 healthy adults ages 55 to 76, measuring electrical activity in a region of the brain that processes sound. The New York Times reported that they found that participants who had four to 14 years of musical training had faster responses to speech sounds than participants without any training — even though no one in the first group had played an instrument for about 40 years.

The BCME program is described as one of the NAMM Foundation’s foremost efforts to bolster support for school-based music education programs “that must be available for all children. Providing music education for all students is something any community can accomplish if it has the collective will to do so, regardless of size or affluence,” the organization points out.

The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 9,000 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.

The full list of school districts is available on the NAMM Foundation website.

239 Towns in Connecticut Vie to Win State's "Fan Favorite" Tourism Contest

If you’re looking for your town on the drop down menu at the state’s tourism site as part of the second annual “fan favorite” contest, don’t be surprised if the list seems longer than you’d expect. The list of “towns” includes each and every one of the state’s 169 municipalities - plus 70 additional geographic entities that really aren’t towns at all. Some are familiar, many are not – except perhaps for the people who live or near their boundaries. Either way, they’re not towns or cities. Which could make it interesting as the votes are tallied.

Might “Woodstock” and “South Woodstock” divide the Woodstock vote? Or “Redding” and “Redding Ridge” the Redding vote? And where is Central Village, Oneco, Pine Meadow, or Quaker Hill? All are included on the list of towns.

That’s not even mentioning the back-to-back listings for “Barkhamstead” and “Barkhamsted” – presumably one is a misspelling, not a distinct geographic entity.

Although the site asks for individuals to “vote for the town,” there are 239 choices available. Of course, after identifying a “town,” respondents need to indicate which “revolutionary place in town” has earned their vote for “fan favorite.”  No suggestions are offered there - entrants are on their own.

Voting opened earlier this month and continues on the agency's Facebook page through July 25. The winners will receive advertising and public relations support from the tourism office, and will also be featured in the 2015 Connecticut Visitor's Guide.

The state’s tourism Facebook pages urges visitors to “Vote now for your chance to win a getaway to Niantic! The ZIP and ZEN prize package includes a four-night stay at the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina, $100 gift card to Grace boutique and a free all-day pass to Niantic Bay Bicycles.” Visitors are also asked to share a photo, presumably for posting on the state’s tourism web pages.

And if you’re wondering when it was founded – the state, not the Facebook page – the date listed is January 9, 1788.

The state’s tourism website, www.ctvisit.com, also provides a link to the contest, as well as the state’s visitors guide and a range of “52 getaways” and travel details and special offers. One can even sign up to be a “Connecticut Ambassador.” That web form does not include a drop down menu of towns – one simply just types in your town, without any suggestions or prompting.