Jamie Ramos- New Haven Connecticut Real Estate Agent

On March 31, 2007 over 2 million people and businesses in Sydney Australia turned off their lights for one hour. Earth Hour is now going global. On March 29, 2008 at 8pm you are invited to turn off your lights (tvs, radios etc) for oe hour. Let's all be part of saying that we are aware of global environment issues and we want to do something to help.

Please visit the link below for more information and sign up for Earth Hour 2008!

http://www.earthhour.org/user/eIzY

The wait is finally over. The Big Y officially opened its doors at 7:30am. And it didnt take long for the parking lot to fill up. I think the anticipation has been building and now people are just relieved that it is over. They sent out a really great flyer to all residents introducing department heads and talking about what they offer.

They were also promoting some real great sales prices and contests as well. You could win a free bag of groceries.

They pride themselves on buying local produce so maybe this will be a benefit to our community and local farmers.

If you went in today drop me a line and tell me what you think!

First let me state that I have not been paid or offered any kind of incentive for recommending these restaurants.

GREAT SUSHI---Wasabi

Without a doubt Wasabi is one of the better sushi places around this area. The fish is fresh and they offer a full menu of dinner options including Chicken Teriyaki and Bip Bam Bowls (delicious)! They have specials four nights a week with Monday being free sake night, Tuesday is half off all sushi. Wednesday is Senior Citizen and Thursday is Ladies night...ladies get a free drink or dessert. Be warned however that the secret about Wasabi is out and if you decide to go on say Tuesday night the wait can be as much as 45 minutes. So get there early to put your name on the list and relax. It i well worth the wait.

GREAT PIZZA- A tie between Bobby's and Slice

Bobby's has been a recognized name in North Branford for as long as I can remember which is about 20 years back. Their pizza is delicious and they offer a wide variety of toppings. Their stuffed breads are also excellent and they offer a dinner menu as well. Although they do not deliver they do a bang up business due to the quality of the pie.

Slice is a bit newer to North Branford and I am only guessing when I say almost 3 years. I discovered them when they first opened up because they are right next door to Country Paint and Hardware (excellent store but that is for another post). They make a great pizza and offer some really cool choices like their Mashed Potato pie. It may sound weird and I was actually put off but tried it last summer at my parents. Darn good pizza. I absolutely love their clams casino pie as well. They have a nice atmosphere for dining in and offer make your own smores right at the table. They also deliver which is king!

GREAT BURGER- Doodys

Not only does Doody's have my favorite burger but they make a fantastic buffalo chicken sandwich as well. They offer a full menu and delicious daily specials. Their Doody burger is mouthwatering and their fries are to die for. You can get regular or spicy curly fried depending on the mood you are in. They also have a great teriyaki chicken sandwich and their oriental salad is divine.

GREAT SEAFOOD- Supreme Seafood

Hands down the best fried seafood around! Their scallops melt in your mouth and their fillet sandwiches are so fresh it is unbeatable. They have shrimp, calamari and clams. Their lobster bisque soup leaves you wishing the bowl would never end. And the New England Chowder is awesome. they also have burgers and dogs as well as some dinners like scampi and linguine with clams. I usually get the fried dinner platter which is an overflowing huge serving platter piled high with shrimp, calamari, clams, fillet and fries. Delicious!

See you around town!

The income limit varies by town and there are also sales price limits as well. You may use a mortgage to purchase existing one to four family home, a new construction sinlge family or new contruction two family but only in targeted areas. Condominium that are on the list of eligible complexes as well as mobile homes also can be financed.

All CHFA Mortgage Program interest rates are
subject to change weekly. The following rates
are in effect until Thursday, January 31, 2008:
_____________________________________________

Homebuyer Mortgage Program

Interest rate: 4.875 % (APR range 4.975 - 5.375 %)
Fees: Up to One Point (1% Origination Fee) * Payable to Lender
Term - 30 years, fixed rate

* Additional fees may apply __________________________________________________

Interest rate: 4.875 % (APR range 4.975 - 5.375 %)
Fees: Up to $200 Application Fee * Payable to Lender
Term - 30 years, fixed rate

(NOTE: If at any time the interest rate for the Homebuyer Mortgage Program exceeds 6%, the DAP interest rate will be capped at 6%.)

* Additional fees may apply

For further information please visit www.homesforfamilies.com

****The rates are taken from the CHFA website.

WIth the impending opening of Big Y to our little suburb I was wondering what the overall feeling of the community is. I know that there have been numerous letters to the editor of the Totoket Times regarding the traffic situation in that area resulting from the merge at the railroad underpass. I have been there myself a few times and was not pleased to wait 15 minutes to get to the bridge, especially since I am turning right at Rte 139. I now completely avoid going that way after 4pm and go down Twin Lakes. I can only assume that once Big Y opens the traffic in that area will only get worse.

I am also concerned for the businesses in Central Plaza which have been there for years. IGA has plans to stay open and see what happens. IGA has an excellent deli and meat department, I just don't know if they can survive on that alone. And if IGA goes what happens to Poppy's, Great Wall or Central Pizza. I heard a rumor months ago that the post office was moving so if that happens what about Country Home Furnishings? I am confident that McDonalds and Dairy Queen will be okay as well as Wasabi but let's face it new businesses have struggled there.

So I would like to hear from other people about what their feeling on it are. Are you happy Big Y is coming or concerned for the town overall because of it?