SUPER-sized and in 3D

In order to draw people out of their make-shift theatre living environs and into movie theatres, Hollywood needs to sweeten the deal. Besides, it's much more comfortable on my couch with the ability to pause and rewind while wrapped in a blankie than it is sitting nearly straight up in a hard chair in an either freezing or hot room with two heads right in front of me.

However, entice me with a screen that is 72 feet wide and 52 feet tall and have the characters jump out into my lap, and I might pay the ten to 14-dollar ticket.

With Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D Experience, which opened Wednesday, Warner Bros. has released the world's first live action feature with segments converted from ordinary two-dimentions into IMAX 3D. I saw a screening of the movie Tuesday night and it is interesting that you don't have to wear the large goofy glasses throughout the entire movie. Flashing icons tell you when to put the glasses on or to take them off. I enjoyed the experience,  but now worry my own 50-inch screen won't suffice.

I just hope the current trend of making two-hour-plus movies doesn't last. Maybe it's meant to make you feel like you got your ten-dollars worth, but I still don't want to sit in a non-childproof kick chair for that long. The only criticism I have for Superman Returns is that it was too long. Two-hours and 34-minutes in all. (No, that is AFTER previews.)

A local link to the film: Kate Bosworth, who plays Lois Lane, lived in Darien from the age of nine to 13. The new Superman, Brandon Routh, grew up in Norwalk, but not Connecticut, rather Norwalk, Ohio. He's cute anyway. To see the movie in both IMAX and 3D, you might have to drive to Manchester, Connecticut, or New York. Find out here.

To see compare figures at the box office from this weekend to last weekend to a year ago, click here.

Sweet Strawberries

Have I mentioned that I am SO SICK of the rain?

Some farmers here in southwestern Connecticut are tired of it too! Jamie Jones of Jones Family Farms in Shelton told me yesterday that the rain has been keeping people away from the farm during this very important time: strawberry picking season. Though he says the abundance of rain has made for large, juicy strawberries, if people aren't picking, they'll just rot on the vine. He needs the sun to come out because people only have a week or two left to pick!

I went out to the farm yesterday to shoot this upcoming weekend's "What's To Do" report - to remind people that strawberry season is very short- it begins in June and ends in mid July. When we arrived around 9:30 it was overcast and humid, but there were a dozen or so people already out filling their baskets. So we grabbed the camera and boarded the "Very Merry Berry Ferry" which takes you out into the middle of the farm for the best picking. As soon as we started shooting, it started pouring.  I got drenched. I looked like I had just stepped out of the shower... and I had to be at a news conference and do a live-shot in just two hours.

Of course the heavy rain that drenched me stopped in about five minutes, so we were able to do some picking of our own. At least while I was blow drying my hair via the car air-conditioner, I was able to eat breakfast.

You know how the strawberries you buy from the store often have a tasteless, hard white part in the middle and top near the stem? Not these. From top to bottom they are soft and sweet. Jones Family Farms shares some its favorite recipes for strawberries on its website, including strawberry salsa, strawberry soup and strawberry jam. Actually, that is what the fresh strawberries smell like to me- sweet strawberry jam.

Jones says the strawberries are at their peak now. They are less than two-dollars a pound.  The current special is all-you-can-fit into the Jones box pictured at the beginning of this blog for $20.30. Call the daily crop report at (203) 929-8425.

If you go out this 4th of July holiday weekend, be sure to visit Jamie in his tasting room at the Jones Winery. Oh, by the way, blueberry season starts soon- usually in mid-July.

Try WNBA

In a previous blog and in stories on News 12 Connecticut, I've tried to figure out which baseball team southwestern Connecticut should cheer for: the New York Yankees or the the Boston Red Sox. Of course Yankee stadium is closer to us here in southwestern Connecticut, plus its usually easier to hear Yankees games on the radio or see them on TV. On the other hand, the Red Sox is New England's team, and historically Connecticut is considered New England. However, I've found most die-fans are reared. All it takes is a few trips to the stadium as a child, and a family tradition is born. I'll pose another dilemma. Should people in southwestern Connecticut root for the WNBA's New York Liberty or Connecticut Sun? The distance between where these two teams play isn't as great as Yankee Stadium to Fenway. The New York Liberty play at Madison Square Garden, about 48 miles from Norwalk. The Connecticut Sun play at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, about 80 miles from Norwalk. Since the WNBA is celebrating its 10th season, the league hasn't been around long enough to build generations of fans, so take your pick! If you haven't watched much women's basketball, now may be a good time to take in a few games. The NBA season is over- and America is out of the World Cup - plus, you can get an inside look at how these professional women train in my "Living Fit" reports on News 12 Connecticut. Tomorrow beginning at noon, find out what the first thing   #24 Megan Mahoney does after practice. Then tomorrow night, both the Connecticut Sun and the New York Liberty play at home. It's Connecticut vs. the Houston Comets and New York against the Charlotte Sting.

If you are a fan of either team, please let me know! Send an email to BlogHRKovar@news12.com .

Bring Your Dog to Work Day

Friday was  Bring Your Dog to Work Day.

I didn't know until I heard it on the radio while driving in and it was too late to fetch Ms. Willamena. However, I was really close to bringing her in Friday morning anyway.  I was going to use her as a prop in my "What's To Do Report." I had even written the script. But at the last minute I decided to leave her at home because she really isn't too helpful at the office and its too hot and cruel to make her wait in the car.

I should introduce you to Willamena. She is an eight-year-old full-blood NEWSHOUND. She was a rescue pup and is said to be a mix of Lab, German Shepard and Rottweiler. Whatever she is, she enjoys digging up good news stories!

She once tried her paw as "Willamena with the Weather", but she likes using her nose to uncover truth, justice and whatever food is left out on the sidewalk.

Yes. Willamena has a boyfriend. His name is Otis and lives in Black Rock.

Blame it on the Rain

I've learned my lesson on complaining about southwestern Connecticut weather. In a blog I wrote just before going to Houston for Father's Day, I pointed out how sick I was of rain. We had nearly seven inches of rain in May and almost eight inches in April. So I fly to Houston for the weekend and am pummeled with more than ten inches of rain in ONE DAY! I was scheduled to fly home Monday morning, but as my parents and I went down for breakfast at our hotel, the elevator doors opened to a sea of water in the lobby. I promise you a minnow swam over my foot.

(click on pictures to enlarge)

We were stranded at the hotel for hours, with roads closed and all flights suspended. Not knowing when flights would resume, I thought about walking through the waist-high water outside to get to Hobby airport, which was only three miles away. But then I heard a news report advising people not to walk in high water unless they've had a tetanus shot. My parents' car was submerged and had to be towed away when the flooding finally went down.

Despite the fact it rained here on Mother's Day when my parents came to see me, I have to say  Mother's Day was much better than Father's Day. Yet it wasn't all bad. I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with my parents. I also got to see my grandmother, Momo. She lives in Crystal Beach, Texas, a ferry ride away from Galveston. She is so funny, and always has a joke to tell!

My parents and I also spent some time in Galveston. Our last-minute motel was nice, we had a balcony overlooking the Gulf, where people were attemping to surf.

I did, however, get a glimpse of what was to come when I rented rollerblades Sunday morning. As soon as I started out along the seawall, it started pouring. I was drenched. Of course as soon as we packed up to drive to our hotel by the airport, the sun came out and it was perfect beach weather. But that night is when all the rain began. According to reports, overnight into Monday marked the rainiest day in Houston since Tropical Storm Allison hit the area in June of 2001. I finally made it to the airport by hitching a ride with a Texas truck equipped with monster wheels. My 10:00 am flight turned into a 7:00 pm flight.  By the time we boarded we were informed the flight would be delayed another two hours because of bad weather back home in the northeast. I finally made it home safe, but we are still waiting to hear from the insurance company as to what they are going to do with my dad's car.

Taste of the Caribbean

In honor of the warm weather finally arriving, a taste of the Caribbean. In this weekend's "What's Cooking" on News 12 Connecticut, two chefs from the U.S. VIrgin Islands visit to promote tourism there. I'm now ready to visit, and it's not just because of the lack of spring weather we've had in southwestern Connecticut. Its the food. Spicy and sweet. Chef Leslie Gumbs taught me how to make cinnamon coconut whipped creme that I can't wait to see if I can actually make myself.

Also Chef Larry Nibbs, click on picture to enlarge, shared his secrets for Creole Yellowtail Snapper.  Enjoy your trip to the tropics this weekend.
Chilled Mango-Papaya-Mint Fruit Coulis Soup Topped with Cinnamon Coconut Whipped Creme
(Can be served with pound cubed cake)
72 Servings
Mango/Papaya Mint Fruit Soup
10 lb Mango (Diced)
10 lb Papaya (Diced)
3 cup Passion-Fruit Juice
2 oz Pear Essence
1 cup Karo Corn Syrup
2 spring Mint Leaves

Cinnamon Coconut Whipped Creme
2 qt Heavy Cream
8 10X Sugar
4 tbl Cinnamon
2 tsp Coconut Extract
1/2 cup shredded coconut                              
Combine mango and papaya (peeled, pitted and cubed) into mixing bowl.  Retain 3 lbs of papaya and mango cubed.
Puree 7 lbs of mangos and papayas in a bowl.  Puree mint in karo corn syrup.  Add 1 cup of passion fruit juice to loosen.
Combine fruits, mango-papaya puree and mint puree.  Refrigerate and serve chilled.
Whisk heavy creme, coconut extract, cinnamon and coconut in chilled mental bowl.  Add sugar in stages until a stiff peak.
Serve fruit soup in small bowl and pipe whip cream in center with a mint leaf for garnish. 

Creole Yellowtail Snapper Style
1 8-10 lb. whole fish (clean and seasoned )
1 red pepper med julienne cut
1 green pepper med julienne cut
1 onion med julienne cut
1 tomato med julienne cut
2 tsp tomatos paste
2 oz of lemon juice
1 tsp garlic ( minced)
2 oz of olive oil
2 spring thyme
4 fresh lemons
1 bay leaf
1hd of romaine lettuce
1 tsp scotchbarnet ( hot sauce)
1 oz worcestershire sauce ( Lea & Perrins )
7 oz of water ( fish stock optional)
2 oz of white wine
Salt and pepper
Method of Creole sauce:
In a med sauce pan, over med heat add oil, saute vegetables, add garlic, thyme and bay leaf. Add wocestershire sauce, lemon juice, white wine, water or stock. Bring liquid to boiling temperature. Add hot sauce and salt to taste,add tomatoes paste to thicken in liquid. Sitr occasionally and simmer until flavor blend in for 10 to 12 mins.
Whole Fish Baking Method:
Heat oven to 350 degree. Place whole fish in a nonstick baking pan one side down other side facing up.Place fish in oven for 15 to 20 mins. Check fish for proper cooking .Place baked fish in a platter.garnished with romaine lettuce places around each side with lemon crown on the top of the lettuce and then add creole sauce on top to finish.

June 16, 2006

Spring Shortage

Hopefully you have outdoor plans this weekend. If not, think about this: my morning weather pal Paul Piorek says it is going to be sunny and in the 80's-- a rare springtime occurrence here in southwestern Connecticut. I'm looking at it as more of an early summer, which begins next week on the June 21st.

With summer approaching, I feel like I'm still waiting for my "spring break" from dreary weather. I've found that I'm not alone. Several people are telling me "What Bugs" them is that southwestern Connecticut doesn't seem to have their once-favorite season anymore, spring!

Plus, the state of Connecticut is blaming a slight drop in employment on the spring's cool and rainy weather.

Click here for the full report from the state.

Basically, the state Department of Labor says the rainy weather kept tourists away and halted construction work.

"Poor weather in May not only depressed beach goers in Connecticut, but also the employment figures for the month," said State Labor Economist John Tirinzonie. " With cloudy, cool conditions and record precipitation during May, the construction and leisure and hospitality industry sectors in May showed significant losses in jobs when seasonally adjusted," he noted. "Landscaping and retail building and garden supply stores seem to also feel the effects of a cooler and wetter than normal May. Hopefully, when summer finally heats up in June so will the state's job market."

For the past two years I've done "What's Bugging You" reports on the issue because people want their springtime back!

I have to thank Paul Piorek for compiling the weather statistics for me.  Lets take a look at what we're complaining about.

According to rainfall totals at Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, more than double the amount of what's normal for the month fell in the first two weeks of June. As of June 13th, we've received 3.73". The normal for the month is 1.44".

May and April were wetter-than-normal, too.

May's total: 6.50". May's average: 4.03".

April's total: 7.98". April's average: 3.99".

2005 was cool and rainy as well. Southwestern Connecticut had five straight weekends with measured rain- beginning on the weekend of April 23rd. Plus, temperatures in the month of May were nearly 5 degrees below normal.

So get out your bathing suit, sunscreen and grill and enjoy this Father's Day Weekend, because before you know it we'll be complaining about the constant hot and humid temperatures of summer.