You've heard mention of the Armory community garden during several past management team meetings and you are invited to a special day at the garden tomorrow, Saturday June 4th from 12 - 2 pm.
We will be having an abbreviated garden workday where we do some planting, watering and weeding, and we will also have a presentation from Yale School of Architecture professor Elihu Rubin and several of his students (who are also all Armory gardeners) on our beloved Goffe Street Armory which serves as a beautiful backdrop to the garden AND we'll be having a cooking demo from the one and only Farmer D!
The workday will run from 12 - 12:30 pm, the Armory presentation from 12:30 - 1 pm, and the cooking demo from 1 - 2 pm. Please feel free to share among your networks as we learn more about our historic armory and efforts to save it and enjoy some delicious vegan food as well.
The garden is located at 97 County Street (one-way side) across the street from Goffe Street Park.
See the flyer below for more info and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow...
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We have seen a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases in the state and now in New Haven. In response to this increase, we are making the following changes to keep the New Haven community safe and reduce the spread of the virus:
We will not be opening schools in the hybrid model on November 9th as originally planned. Instead, students will continue remote learning, as they have done since the start of the school year. We know this decision creates a hardship on many New Haven families. The Health Director, Dr. Tracey and I did not make this decision lightly.
Student learning hubs that the City operates will be closed indefinitely starting this coming Monday, November 2nd. Starting next Wednesday, November 4th, City Hall will be closed and accessible by appointment only.
Furthermore, we are also rolling back opening guidelines for our business community. Starting immediately, the City will move from Phase III to Phase II of COVID-19 reopening. Reducing the occupancy caps for many businesses. Our COVID task force will be increasing enforcement on establishments to ensure we are in compliance.
It is critical that you do your part to ensure the virus does not spread. The surge in cases is happening because more and more residents are attending social gatherings, parties, and having other interactions with those outside of their core family group. By not following the COVID-19 guidelines from medical experts, you are risking exposure to others who could then lose their lives to the virus. If the number of cases go back down, we will be able to open up again.
Finally, we continue to offer free COVID-19 testing for anyone in New Haven. Check out the City’s COVID website or call the Health Department at (203) 946-4949 for more information on testing sites. Please be smart about this, New Haven.
Always serving you,
Mayor Justin Elicker
Senator Leonard Fasano
Legislative Office Building
300 Capitol Avenue – Room #3402
Hartford, CT 06106
October 19, 2018
Dear Senator Fasano,
I received your letter, dated October 17, 2018, asking for a forensic audit of New Haven’s budget. Curiously, I received it after news reporters asked for a response to it, suggesting they received it first.
That aside, I’m pleased you’ve decided to take an active interest in New Haven’s affairs, and I welcome what I’d like to think is your intention to serve as an honorary state Senator representing New Haven. To start, so you’ll have an accurate and complete picture of New Haven’s financial opportunities and challenges, I’ll be happy to arrange a time for my team to provide you with the facts about all it takes to run what is arguably Connecticut’s most successful city in an era of state funding cutbacks.
Please schedule a phone call or visit to my office. Clearly, since you seem intent on helping, we should begin by ensuring you receive all the facts, rather than simply relying on supposition and a couple news articles.
Regarding your specific request, if you’d sincerely like to join Senators Looney and Winfield as an honorary New Haven Senator, I’m prepared to consider your request for a forensic audit as a courtesy if you, in return, are prepared to demonstrate your willingness to help my city with the following acts of good faith:
• Introduce, and shepherd through the legislature in 2019, a 2% commuter tax, to compensate New Haven for covering the costs to provide assorted regional services to North Haven residents, from the use of transportation infrastructure to the public safety, emergency, and other public services North Haven residents use when they work, eat, shop, and otherwise visit New Haven.
• Formally request that North Haven public officials implement affordable housing projects beyond the 10% requirement under CGS 8-30g and introduce legislation at the general assembly to ensure it happens – with applicable penalties moving forward if it is not accomplished.
• Ask the North Haven First Selectman and Board of Selectmen to support budget allocations from North Haven to the City of New Haven for social and human services provided to the town’s residents on a daily basis: i.e. ask North Haven to contribute $250k to New Haven’s homeless services budget, $250k to New Haven’s public health services budget, and $250k for the city’s re-entry programs.
• Introduce and shepherd legislation through the General Assembly requiring the Town of North Haven to forward ECS monies as appropriate as tuition for all North Haven students attending New Haven Schools. In addition, this legislation should include a count of all suburban students so New Haven can recoup education monies from other feeder towns for all their students and have the appropriate resources to serve all students in city schools.
Since I understand you will need North Haven’s First Selectmen and other town officials to assist you while making these improvements to the benefit of our respective municipalities, I have copied them with this letter and look forward to their support of New Haven’s expanded Senate delegation for the betterment of the City of New Haven.
Sincerely,
Toni N. Harp
Mayor – City of New Haven
p.s. Once you’ve completed these items, I trust you to find the money among state funds to pay for the forensic audit you requested.
cc: Michael J. Freda – North Haven First Selectman
William J. Pieper – North Haven Second Selectman
Sally J. Buemi – North Haven Third Selectman
We're going LIVE from Facebook today at 12:30pm EST!!! Don't miss it! #BBD #ThreeStripes
NHPD Safety Tips for Back to School
Traveling to and from School
Plan a walking route to school or the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossings and, if possible, with intersections that have crossing guards.
Walk the route with your child beforehand. Tell him or her to stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields and other places where there aren’t many people around.
Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers. Remember, a stranger is anyone you or your children don’t know well or don’t trust.
Make sure your child walks to and from school with a sibling, friend, or neighbor.
Teach your kids — whether walking, biking, or riding the bus to school — to obey all traffic signals, signs and traffic officers. Remind them to be extra careful in bad weather.
If your child bikes to school make sure he wears a helmet that meets one of the safety standards (U.S. CPSC, Snell, ANSI, ASTM, or Canadian). Research indicates that a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent.
Be sure that your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call 911 for emergencies.
Avoid any drawstrings on the hood or around the neck of jackets and sweatshirts. Drawstrings at the waist or bottom of jackets should
extend no more than three inches long to prevent catching in car and school bus doors or getting caught on playground equipment.
Bullying
Make sure you discuss bullying with your child and that he or she knows to report it to you or a teacher.
Notify Police or school administrators if you suspect your child is being bullied.
Strangers
Avoid talking to strangers. Teach your children to get distance between themselves and anyone who tries to approach or make contact with them.
If a stranger does approach your child, make sure they know to immediately report the incident to you or a teacher.
Teach your children to never get into a vehicle with anyone, even if they know them, without your permission.
School Resource Officers
Have your child introduce themselves to the SRO
Social Media
Monitor your child’s social media or texting interactions so you can identify problems before they get out of hand.
Disable Location-based services. Location-based services can be one of the most dangerous features provided by social networking sites. It exposes the profile user’s location and whereabouts. The service also has a feature that allows users to tag who they are with at any given time. While it can be fun to share your location with friends and family, it can also increase your vulnerability, potentially opening you up to being a crime victim.
Predators can use this tool to track your movements and determine when you are alone or when you are not at home.
New Haven's Ferry St Bridge to be closed for routine maintenance Tuesday, July 18 from 9:00 a.m. -
11:00 a.m.
RIVERFEST
Annual Celebration of the Quinnipiac River and the Historic Fair Haven Waterfront
New Haven, CT, May 15, 2017: The Chatham Square Neighborhood Association, working in collaboration with Fair Haven businesses and nonprofits, is offering a weekend of fun for all ages.
On Saturday May 20 from 11am-4pm the Chatham Square Neighborhood Association will present Quinnipiac Riverfest at Quinnipiac Marina, 309. The rain date is Sunday, May 21. Event Sponsors include Brewery Square Apartments, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, The Mary Wade Home, the Urban Specialist at Real Living Realtors, Denali Outdoors, The Quinnipiac Watershed Association and Wine 101 of Hamden.
Featuring: Live Music and dancing with Carlos y Su Momento Musical, Four Barrel Billy, the Bregamos Drummers and the Sweet Sixteen Dancers
Tasting: Black Hog Brewery and Spiked Seltzer
Food: Anastasio's Boat House Café, Green Wave and Moon Rocks Gourmet Cookies
Canoeing: Quinnipiac River Watershed Association
For kids: Arts, Crafts & Educational Activities and Face Painting by Face painting by Art plus Studio
NEW this year: the Front Street Dash - 1 mile race at 11am
Attendees will also be able to purchase seedlings, plants, hanging baskets & more from students at the Sound School of New Haven
The Chatham Square Neighborhood Association is an all-volunteer group of Fair Haven residents, businesses and nonprofits working to restore a sense of community and pride to our neighborhood. For more event information and updates visit:www.QuinnipiacRiverfest.com
On the eve of his Apple Music Festival performance, Elton John talks about the possibility of quitting touring so that he can spend more time with his family.
Photo courtesy of Will Paul
UNDEFEATED WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS junior middleweight Freddy Sanchez returns to Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I., on Friday, Feb. 19th, 2016 in CES Boxing's season opener when he faces Pennsylvania veteran Evincii Dixon in a 6-round bout. Sanchez is one two fighters from Worcester on the card, joining stablemate Khiary Gray, who puts his unbeaten record on the line in the 10-round main event against Cameron Sevilla Rivera for the vacant WBC Youth World Junior Middleweight Title.
The following are quotes from Monday's pep rally / press conference at Rocky's Food, Spirits & Music in Worcester to promote CES Boxing's February 19th, 2016 season opener at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I.
The upcoming event features Worcester's Khiary Gray (11-0, 9 KOs) in the 10-round main event against Washington's Cameron Sevilla-Rivera (6-2-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World Junior Middleweight Title, plus a 10-round co-feature bout between Providence, R.I., middleweight Kali Reis (7-5-1, 3 KOs) and New Mexico's Victoria Cisneros (12-18-2, 5 KOs) for the vacant Universal Boxing Federation (UBF) Middleweight World Title.
Worcester junior welterweight Freddy Sanchez (7-0, 5 KOs) puts his unbeaten record on the line in a 6-round bout against Lancaster, Pa., vet Evincii Dixon and Alaskan middleweight Fatlum Zhuta (2-0, 2 KOs) returns to Twin River to face Greg McCoy of New Haven, Conn., in a 4-round bout.
Massachusetts junior welterweights Mohamed Allam (1-1) of Holyoke, Julio Perez (3-0) of Marlborough, Timmy Ramos (2-0-1, 2 KOs) of Framingham and Travis Demko (4-0, 1 KO) of Stoughton are featured on the undercard in separate 4-round bouts.
Tickets for the Feb. 19th season debut are priced at $40, $75 and $125 (VIP) and are available for purchase online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Casino Players Club.
For more information visit www.cesboxing.com or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cesboxing. Updates are also available at www.facebook.com/cesboxing.
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Cameron Sevilla-Rivera
Fife, Wash., junior middleweight
"First and foremost, I want to thank CES for the opportunity. I know they're putting their fighter through the ringer against someone who will fight back a little bit. He's a very come-forward fighter and I respect that. I'm excited to see what happens when he takes a step back."
Kendrick Ball
Trainer, Khiary Gray
"I want to thank our team, the entire team CES. I want to thank my team, Sean Fitzgerald, my cut man, Chico Lopez, my No. 2, my advisor, the new guy on our team, Tank [Steve Tankanow], and I'd also like to thank the [Camp Get Right] ladies and all the people from our gym who buy tickets. Also, Khiary's mom, Khiary's dad, for their whole support. February 19th, we're fighting for the WBC Youth World Championship. This is a big fight for us. We don't underestimate anyone we fight. We go into every fight with a game plan. Our first game plan is we're going to come home with the belt, we're going to bring it back to Worcester. Our second game plan is Khiary is going to go in and look as sharp as he did in his first 11 fights. People who know or have seen Khiary, the kid can fight. You've seen his power, you've seen his speed. This fight here, he's going to be a little more calm and we're going to pick this guy apart. I think once he starts feeling Khiary's power he's going to curl up and want to get up out of there. I understand he was saying, 'Can Khiary fight going backwards?' Well, he'll see that night we can fight going backwards, he can fight going to the side, he can fight going forward. We have a gear on us that can go anywhere we want to go, and for us to bring the belt back, we're going to put on a good show and we're coming back with the belt. Khiary, this fight here is real big. I think we're starting to move up the ladder and we're starting to get known more. Us bringing home this belt, it's going to open up a lot more eyes and we're hoping other guys will step up to the plate and take fights with us. We want to thank Jimmy Burchfield because we're 19 months into it going onto our 12th fight. It's overwhelming to be as busy as we are and as long as Khiary stays healthy and sticks to our game plan and sticks to our goals, the sky's the limit. Our goal is to be in the same shoes as Jose Rivera, to become a world champion and to do that, you need to be focused, dedicated and give 100 percent to what you need to do. For this fight right here, trust and believe we're going to give 100 percent and you're going to get the same results you've been getting, a 'W.' I'm not going to predict a knockout, but you will get a 'W.'
Jimmy Burchfield Sr.
CES Boxing President & CEO
"What this fighter [Cameron Sevilla-Rivera] from Washington doesn't know is not only what punching ability that this young fighter, this young champion [Khiary Gray] has, but when he starts hitting, I've never seen anyone work the body like he's been doing. Kendrick, it's just been amazing to see the body punching, because that's what breaks everything down. They've done a great, great job."
Khiary Gray
Worcester, Mass., junior middleweight
UBF Northeast Junior Middleweight Champion
"I just want to thank CES, my team, Kendrick [Ball], Chico [Lopez], Sean [Fitzgerald], Tank [Steve Tankanow], all my family, Camp Get Right, everyone that's been here supporting me. Come February 19th, you can expect a whole lot of action coming from me. I'm the main event, but I'm going to steal the show regardless. That's what I came to do. He says he wants to see me fight backwards. I can fight backwards, just like Ken says, sideways, forward, it doesn't matter. All the fights I've had, they've been knockouts. We don't go out for knockouts in the game plan, but if you make that mistake I'm going to capitalize on it and I'm going to stop you. Come February 19th, he better not make any mistakes, because I'm ending it in the first or third round."
Steve "Tank" Tankanow
Advisor / agent for Khiary Gray
"I never thought I'd be in this position again, but for the last year and a half, Sean Fitzgerald -- you know I managed him -- he'd come to my office every month and say, 'Tank, Tank, Tank! We've got a new fighter!' I'm not interested. Go home. A week later, 'Tank, Tank, Tank!' Finally, he wore me down. He got me to go to Twin River to watch the kid fight. I came back and he said, 'What do you think?' and I said, 'I don't like him, now go away!' A month later, he says, 'Tank, Tank, Tank! He's fighting again!' I went to the fight and said, 'He's getting better, but I'm still not interested.' This went on for three or four fights. Finally, I went to his last fight [December 18th] and saw him fight and I liked the way he fought. He fought a great fight. I said, 'Sean, you're starting to wear me down.' Finally, Kendrick and Khiary came in and said, 'We'd like you to work with us.' I didn't want to be a manager. I think Kendrick is a great trainer / manager. I'll be his agent. I'll navigate him through the pitfalls and the rises. I did it once before. I know how to get someone to be a world champion. I only came on board because I respect Mr. Burchfield. I've known him for 15, 20 years. I respect everyone involved with Khiary -- Kendrick, Sean, Chicho, who, I don't know if you're aware, Chico was the trainer of a world champion. This guy went over to Germany [in 2003] -- the three of us -- and Jose [Antonio Rivera] beat the German champion [Michael Trabant]. Three little guys from Worcester, whom nobody gave a shot, and he brought the world title home to Worcester, Massachusetts."
Kali Reis
Providence, R.I., middleweight
IBA Middleweight World Champion
"I am so excited. I have not fought on home ground, on USA soil, in well over three years. I'm a road warrior. I've been fighting the top, pound-for-pound, middleweight, welterweight, junior welterweight, every weight -- if I get the call, I go. I want to fight. I fight. That's what I do. I put the pound-for-pound, No. 1, undefeated WBO middleweight champ [Christina Hammer] on her ass. I didn't win, but I got her on her ass and that just tells you I'm supposed to be here. I'm ready to do work on February 19th. I've got to thank CES for finally giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills. I've been around CES and I've been around boxing forever. It's just a real honor to actually fight at home. I'm fighting a girl, Victoria Cisneros, who comes to fight. She's a WBC champion and she comes to fight. I don't put anything past any opponent I'm in front of. It's seek and destroy. I've learned a lot from these past fights. I've got losses on my record, but I've never been beaten. I'm ready for February 19th.
Freddy Sanchez
Worcester, Mass., junior welterweight
"Thank you guys for coming out. I promise February 19th I'll put on a show like I always do. Like I said, I don't know anything about this guy I'm fighting, but I'm just going to go fight my fight. That's about it."
Rocky Gonzalez
Trainer, Freddy Sanchez
"Freddy, as you guys know, gets underestimated because he looks skinny like he can't fight, but once he lands a good shot, the fight changes. He usually has to start chasing guys. I'm just going to keep working off of that and hopefully he knocks out everyone he fights. Pros, that's why you get 4, 6, 8, 12 rounds. People want to see knockouts and exciting fights. That's why I'm always pushing my guys to be exciting fighters. I always tell my fighters I'd rather lose getting knocked out trying than going the distance, getting the decision knowing you could've done more. If you see me pissed off in that corner, it's for a reason. I want to see an exciting fight."
Julio Perez
Marlborough, Mass., junior welterweight
"I'm in very good shape. I want to say thank you to CES for putting me on the card. I feel I'm in my greatest shape. I want to thank my coach who's always been there for me, my father, and thank you all for supporting me."
Mohamed Allam
Holyoke, Mass., welterweight
"I promise to give a show as I always will and as I always do and I'll continue to do so for the rest of my life. I promise you I'll give you the best I've got."
Jose Antonio Rivera
Worcester, Mass., native and former three-time world champion
"I'm honored to be here today with some future world champions. This is great support, everyone being here today. I remember when I was coming up, this is what we were looking for, this is what, as fighters, we strived for. This support, it's huge, because it helps the promoter keep running shows to keep helping us, the fighters. I'm very happy you guys are here and I'm sure the fighters are happy you guys are here. More importantly, make sure you're there on February 19th. That's what's going to count. There's a lot of talent here and you're going to see it on February 19th. Some of the things these fighters know, the hard work, a lot of people don't understand the hard work it takes to be a world champion, a lot of sacrifice. Those are the things a lot of people don't see. I want them to be successful, but I want to tell them something: It doesn't matter how hard you work in the gym, the sacrifices you make outside of the gym are what will help you become a world champion. You've got to eat, sleep and live boxing. You've got to take care of your body nutrition-wise, you've got to go to bed early, you've got to do your roadwork, you can't be going out partying. Sometimes there are no birthdays, no Christmas, no Thanksgiving. We've got to sacrifice, because if you sacrifice now, it's worth it later. When you become a world champion, then you can party. We'll all party. The city of Worcester will party. The city of Providence will party. Everyone will party after you do your work. It's like [New England Patriots coach] Bill Belichick says, 'Do your job.' On February 19th, you're going to see some talented fighters do their job. CES is going in the right direction. I've been in boxing for 24 years and I've seen CES grow tremendously. I wish they were where they're at now back when I started, but they're here now and that's all that matters. Take advantage of what they have to offer."
Bob Benoit
Former Worcester, Mass., light heavyweight boxer
"Years ago, we never had anything like this. Mr. Burchfield has his finger on the pulse of boxing. He knows what to do and he does it and he does it right. He does it right. Thank you all for being here tonight. We'll see you at the fights."
Rich Cappiello
CES Boxing matchmaker
"All of you fighters around New England, and the trainers and managers, you really don't understand what's standing in front of you. There are fighters I make fights for on a weekly basis, they've got to pack up and go out of town to fight. There is some really good, talented kids out there with upside down records, but they're forced to go out of town because they don't have the ability of having a guy in their area to build a following and build your record and learn along the way to create bigger opportunities down the road. This opportunity, this company, CES Boxing, they are a true boxing promotional company. I've got to tell you, I've dealt with every promoter in the world and in my honest opinion, there is positively no guy that grinds it out and that really feels and believes in this sport and who truly wants to impact in this business like Jimmy Burchfield. You need everyone to work, not just the fighters, but the trainers and managers and the fans, you've got jump on board and support these kids to keep this program going. We need the support from everybody. You've got the ground work, you've got the platform for huge opportunities that come within time. Get involved, because this is the company."
-- CES --
ELM CITY SOFTBALL LEAGUE WEEKEND REPORT- 8 - 23 - 15
more https://soundcloud.com/beautifulone/elm-city-softball-league-weekend-report-8-23-15/recommended
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LINCOLN, R.I. (Feb. 19th, 2015) -- Fourteen-time Bellator vet and 2004 U.S. Judo Olympian Rick Hawn (19-4) makes his CES MMA debut against Derek Loffer (9-2) in the main event of "CES MMA XXVIII," scheduled for Friday, March 13th, 2015 live from Twin River Casino on AXS TV.
The top four bantamweights in the northeast will also be in action on national television when Joey Gomez (5-0, 5 KO) takes onKin Moy (6-1) and Andre "The Asian Sensation" Soukhamthath (8-2) fights Brian "Boom" Kelleher (11-7). Providence's Greg "Ribz" Rebello (17-6) faces "Crazy" Mike Mucitelli (7-1) and Todd "The Hulk" Chattelle (12-11) returns to battle Roger "The Lepracaun" Carroll (15-11) on the main televised card.
The undercard features several exciting bouts, including Kyle Bochniak (4-0) taking on Dominic Warr (5-4); Willie Brown(2-1) battling Jesse McElligott (5-1) and Tommy Venticinque(1-2) facing Toby Oden (1-1). Tickets are priced at $40, $55, $100 and $125 (VIP) and can be purchased online atwww.cesmma.com and www.twinriver.com, by phone at 401-724-2253/2254 or at the Twin River Players Club.
-- CES --
A Message from the President:
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| Classic Entertainment & Sports CEO Jimmy Burchfield Sr. |
From all of us at Team CES, we hope that you are having a wonderful start to the summer and that you enjoy this season with friends and family.
Here at CES, we have been busy putting together our next installment of CES MMA on AXS TV Fights, which takes place next Friday, June 12th, right here at the beautiful Twin River Casino!
We have stacked the card with the best fighters around and we are confident the fans will leave wondering when and where they can purchase tickets to the next event!
In the main event, we have CES MMA welterweight champion Chuck "Cold Steel" O'Neil defending his title against tough Ohio veteran Dom Steele! If you want to be inspired, read the story below about co-feature Matt Bessette's battle with cancer and then watch next Friday as he takes on the always exciting Khama Worthy.
If that isn't enough, we have a major cruiserweight bout between the two best big men around, Tyler King and Greg Rebello! Also on the card, Eric Spicely faces Harley Beekman, Dinis Paiva battles Bruno Marques, Nate Andrews takes on Jay Bakanowski, James Murrin faces Joe Pingitore, Pete Rogers squares off against Evan Parker, and so much more! I hope to see you all at the fights!
Thank you for being the BEST fans in the world!
We'll see you at the fights!
Much respect,
Jimmy
cancer survivor Bessette continues remarkable journey
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The victory outside of the cage may always be the biggest for Hartford's Matt Bessette.
He's won 14 times as a professional in mixed martial arts, many under the bright lights of national television on the sport's biggest stage, but the 30-year-old featherweight has gained crossover appeal for battling and conquering Leukemia at a young age.
Open and honest about his struggles as a child -- the doctor's visits, the sleepless nights with his mother at his bedside --Bessette has drawn a new legion of fans both in and out of the MMA community, a concept he still struggles to grasp every now and then.
"Every time someone reaches out to me," Bessette said, "I think to myself, 'Who the hell am I? I'm just a fighter.'"
But to many, he's more than just "The Mangler," the name most people know him as on fight night. To the young college student with Leukemia whom he visited on campus at the University of Connecticut, or the countless others whose day he's brightened with something as simple as a reply, Bessette is an inspiration, an example of how life's roadblocks don't always have to derail your dreams.
"It's inspiring for me, too," said Bessette, who returns to the cageFriday, June 12th, 2015 on the main card of "CES MMA XXIX" live from Twin River Casino on AXS TV, "but at the same time, I'm lucky to be here myself. We're all in this together."
To read the rest of the story, click here!
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Exclusive Sneek Peak interview from The Upcoming Transformed Documentary....Watch as Coach Kelvin Moore talks about his coach (Momma Moore) he becomes very emotional as he goes down memory lane and opens up about his past and his relationship with his coach. as he prepares for his transition of the TBK Transformed Health and Fitness Ministries LLC to Washington DC.
Photo courtesy of Will Paul
CES MMA LIGHTWEIGHT champion Julian Lane of Mansfield, Ohio, seen here celebrating his win over Luis Felix in August, returns to the cage Friday, Jan. 30th, 2015 to defend his title against Boston's Lucas Cruz on the main card of "CES MMA XXVII" live from Twin River Casino on AXS TV. An alum of The Ultimate Fighter reality television series, Lane is looking to break through in 2015 and reinvent himself as one of the top contenders in the 155-pound weight class
Out from under the shadow of reality TV, Lane prepares for first title defense Friday
LINCOLN, R.I. (Jan. 28th, 2015) -- No matter where he goes, Julian Lane can't escape his memorable stint on The Ultimate Fighter reality series, not even more than 600 miles east of his hometown.
As he prepares for the first defense of his CES MMA lightweight title Friday night in Rhode Island, Lane is waiting out this week's blizzard cooped up in the same hotel as former TUF teammate Jon Manley, who is also fighting on Friday's card.
The two never saw eye-to-eye while sharing the spotlight on national TV, with Manley going as far to suggest Lane's drunken exploits were nothing more than a ploy to get himself kicked out of the house instead of having to face the pressure of fighting on one of the sport's biggest stages.
"I don't know if he wants to see me or not," Lane said Wednesday after wrapping up a promotional vignette for AXS TV. "We really weren't that cool on the show, but he's a nice guy and all. I'm sure we'll say hi. I have no beef with the guy."
Lane (8-3-1, 1 KO) has matured since his breakthrough in 2012. He's still the same brash, outspoken fighter who nearly punched holes in the walls during his intoxicated rant on TUF, but after beating hometown favorite Luis Felix on AXS TV in August in front of a sold-out crowd at Twin River Casino, he's finally earning recognition as a legitimate contender in the 155-pound weight class, not just "the drunk on TV."
"Everybody said I couldn't fight, or that I was just there because of my Mohawk or my tattoos or how I run my mouth," said the 27-year-old Mansfield, Ohio, native, "but now everybody sees I'm full of talent.
"I've got a gift God gave me and I'm using it to my advantage. Hopefully, it gets me all the way to the top."
Fighting on AXS TV under the promotional guidance of CES MMA has allowed Lane to reinvent himself as a fighter. He'll get the opportunity to continue climbing the ladder Friday, Jan. 30th, 2015 when he defends his title in a five-round bout against Boston's Lucas Cruz(7-2, 2 KOs) on the main card of "CES MMA XXVII" at Twin River, one of two title fights scheduled for Friday's AXS TV broadcast.
Tickets for "CES MMA XXVII" are on $40.00, $55.00, $100.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com or by phone at 401-724-2253/2254. All bouts are subject to change.
"There's nothing like fighting on national TV," Lane said. "You're on the spot right there. It's not prerecorded."
Life has changed for Lane since choking out Felix five months ago on national TV. No longer the underdog, Lane finds himself in an enviable position as the fighter everyone else is chasing after, desperate to get their hands on that championship belt.
"I've actually never been the guy holding the belt," Lane said. "Like they say, it's lonely at the top, man. It's true. But you've got to earn your keep. That's what I'm going to do."
The win over Felix also sparked a flurry of social media backlash from some of the region's top fighters, many of whom openly challenged Lane to put his title on the line.
"I'm basically like, 'Dude, catch up. You'll get your shot when you have your chance. Work hard enough to get your shot.' I put all my hard work, all my dedication, all my sacrifices for my kids and my family," Lane said. "I've earned my shot at the title. I'm here to prove my point. I'm the champ. I've got the belt, so of course everybody is coming at you now because you've got the gold and they're trying to get a meal ticket off of you.
"Everybody's trying to get their shot, man, and if it's by running their mouth, if they try to get it that way, then that's cool. I'm like, "Fuck that, man." Earn it with your hands. Earn it with your skill."
Felix controlled the pace in the fight against Lane, circling the cage and keeping Lane at a distance with solid right hands and leg kicks, but Lane wasn't just picking his spots. The reigning champ admits he sprained both of his ankles during the fight, which limited his mobility and forced him to switch up his game plan.
"He pulled back on some of the kicks I threw and I guess, like, if you graze someone with your kicks and land with your toes it really hurts bad, man, and I slam my kicks in there, so it caught me off guard," Lane said. "I slowed up kicking.
"As you could see, I wasn't kicking and in the third round that's why I was just standing in the cage. I was standing in the cage like, "Fuck it. I'm not moving no more. I'm just going to stand here and wait for him to come. I'm just going to fake that left and I know he's going to circle to my power." That's what happened. I faked that jab and threw the overhand."
Lane landed a clean shot, sending Felix crashing to the canvas, and quickly finished the fight with his "bread and butter" move, the guillotine choke. He admits he had trouble throwing high kicks during the fight - "whenever I do, I fall on my ass," he said - but has since fixed the problem with an impromptu trip to the spa.
"I went to get a pedicure the other day," Lane said with a laugh. "My feet are really soft, so now I've got some grip. You're going to see a hell of a lot more kicks."
Asked to describe Friday's opponent, Lane grimaced and offered only a generic scouting report, noting that Cruz "throws a lot of kicks and punches or whatever" while focusing more on what he plans to do once the door closes and the bell rings.
"I really don't look at what he's going to do. I worry about what I'm going to do," he said. "When I get in that cage I'm focused on what I'm doing and I'm going to work my game plan, push the pace and look for the finish."
It's business as usual for the reigning CES MMA champ, even after driving through blizzard-like conditions from Ohio to Rhode Island earlier this week to get an early ju mp on Friday's fight. On the surface, Lane is the same loose cannon who gained popularity with a nationwide audience on TUF - complete with all the tattoos and the unconventional hairstyle - but he's finally out from under the shadow of reality television, ready to earn praise for his skills inside the cage.
"I'm trying to build another name just to show my real character and show people the real me," Lane said. "They can actually see me fight instead of two-round exhibitions with no audience. I get my rage from the crowd, from the fans, from the hate, from the love, so that's what fuels my fire. There's nothing like fighting live."
The main event of "CES MMA XXVII" stars Bourne, Mass., welterweight Chuck O'Neil (14-6, 4 KOs) defending his CES MMA title against Jersey City's Manny Walo (7-1-1, 1 KO) in a five-round bout. Also on the main card, Dedham, Mass., welterweight Brett Oteri (12-5, 1 KO) battles Ludlow, Mass., vet Jon Manley (8-2) while Felix (11-8, 4 KOs) returns to face D'Juan Owens (11-8-1, 4 KOs) of Richmond, Va. East Providence, R.I., bantamweight Dinis Paiva (5-5, 3 KOs) opens the main card in a three-round bout against Matt Doherty (3-1, 4 KOs) of Salem, Mass.
The undercard of "CES MMA XXVII" features six bouts, including a three-round featherweight showdown between Kyle Bochniak (3-0, 1 KO) of Boston and Long Island vet Thomas English (5-5, 2 KOs) and a lightweight bout between battle-tested veteran Jeff Anderson (11-9, 2 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., and Andres Jeudi (6-4, 2 KOs) of Dorchester, Mass.
Middleweight Eric Spicely (5-0, 2 KOs) of Providence faces Kevin Haley (3-2, 1 KO) of Rollinsford, N.H.; and South Boston's James Murrin (2-1, 2 KOs) battles Baltimore's Robert Sullivan (4-3) in a featherweight bout. Flyweights Chris Cole (3-2) of Andover, Mass., and Dan Cormier (4-4, 1 KO) of East Providence, R.I., battle in a three-round bout and featherweight Rico Disciullo (3-0, 1 KO) of Peabody, Mass., faces newcomer Mak Kelleher of Selden.
- - CES MMA --
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