Farrell takes on "American Idol"

Jerry Farrell Jr. is fighting for those passionate about music.

Farrell, the commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection, wrote to the Fox Entertainment Group today. He wants to ensure that Connecticut residents are able to enter the "American Idol Songwriting Contest."

The commissioner, who lives in Wallingford, said that at least one state resident has said that "American Idol" rules attempt to prohibit Connecticut residents from entering the contest.

In his letter, Farrell talks about how Connecticut regulates a "game of chance" versus "a game of skill." Connecticut law allows a entry charge in a game of skill, he said, adding that the "American Idol" contest comes with a fee. Farrell has deemed the Idol competition a game of skill.

"Connecticut has many musically-talented residents who might want to submit their songs to "American Idol," Farrell said. "I do not want a misunderstanding of our laws preventing them from competing alongside residents of other states."

Did you know Sam Caligiuri...

- is the son of immigrants. His father came to the United States from Italy and his mother came from Canada.

- talks to his mom every morning while driving to work.

- met his wife, Lori, at the state Capitol in the 1990s. Lori was an aide to Republican Mark Nielsen, a former state representative and state senator. Sam worked for former Gov. John Rowland.

- has a 5-year-old daughter, Grace, who spends some of her time writing speeches. Politician in the making?

- has always considered his faith very important to him.

- was seven when U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., started out as a congressman.

- has a framed map of Southington in his Capitol office. U.S. Rep. Christoher Murphy, D-Conn., gave it to him with a note. Caligiuri succeeded Murphy in the state Senate, and when Caligiuri leaves office, he intends to leave the map for his successor.

- is a history buff. He loves going to historical places. He and his wife went to colonial Williamsburg on their honeymoon.

- likes to hike and spend time with his family.

- ran the Hartford Marathon in 2005. He has also run half marathons and other road races. His goal is to complete a mini-triathlon.

UConn wins either way

The way I see it, UConn wins even if they lose.

UConn President Michael Hogan sent President Obama a letter today. In it, he expressed disappointment. Obama chose Memphis to win the men's NCAA basketball Final Four -- not UConn.

"I have to doubt your judgment in this matter," Hogan wrote. I bet that's not the last time Obama will have someone questioning him.

Anyway, Hogan challenged the president. If Obama is right and Memphis wins, UConn's Conn Men, an a cappella group, will go to the White House to sing Memphis' fight song and and its rendition of "Hail to the Chief. If UConn wins, the president will be UConn's May 2010 commencement speaker and will accept an honorary degree from the university.

Apparently, UConn hasn't heard from Obama yet.

As a graduate of UConn, I hope the Huskies win it all. But if they don't, the university wins either way if Obama accepts Hogan's challenge. The UConn name will take center stage regardless of whether the men's team wins a trophy.

Donovan greets Obama

Like many other state leaders, House Speaker Chris Donovan was in Washington, D.C., today for a National Conference of State Legislatures' meeting.

He heard from the Office of Management and Budget about the stimulus package. Donovan said he now knows who to go to if he has any questions. He also added that those looking for more information on stimulus money should check out www.recovery.gov.

The secretary of transportation chatted with Donovan about Amtrak and a New Haven to Springfield commuter line. The secretary urged Connecticut to do what it can in the area without Amtrak. The process takes a while, Donovan was told.

And then there was the president. President Obama gave a 10-minute speech to those in attendance. Donovan said he focused on the need for transparency in government and the importance of the stimulus package.

Obama greeted people and answered questions.

"I said hello and shook his hand," Donovan said. "He didn't call on me though."

E-mails to chairmen prompt arrest

The chairmen of the Judiciary Committee each received e-mails from a New Britain resident March 10 that made reference to the lawmakers' residences. The e-mails also insinuated retaliation for Rep. Mike Lawlor and Sen. Andrew McDonald's position on Senate Bill 1098, a bill that would have limited the powers of clergy in the Catholic Church.

Discussion on the bill has been tabled.

Capitol Police were notified of the e-mail and investigated the incident. As a result, Timothy Kane, 26, of New Britain, was arrested by warrant without incident and was charged with second-degree harassment. He posted a $500 bond and is due to appear in Hartford Superior Court March 27 for arraignment.

So much for the Catholic Church trying to make its point peacefully and without incident.

Caligiuri for U.S. Senate?

I know the story about Sam Caligiuri's possible bid for the U.S. Senate ran earlier this week, but I never got the opportunity to blog about it.

So, I'm blogging now.

Sam is a pretty new state lawmaker. He's in the first year of his second term. He, however, has a lot of political experience. He is a former Waterbury alderman and acting mayor, and he was an aide to former Gov. John Rowland when Rowland was a U.S. congressman. Afterward, he was a deputy legal counsel to the governor from 1995-1997.

Sam won the state Senate seat vacated by now U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy in November 2006.

Could it be that the 16th District Senate seat is a lucky seat? Do you think Sam will follow in Chris' footsteps?

Sam is pondering whether he will try for the Republican nomination, but he said it is likely that he will. If he wins the nomination, he'll face long-time incumbent U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd. Dodd not only has experience on his side, but he has his name. I almost equate the Dodd name to the Kennedy name.

Dodd also has Democrats on his side. In a state that tends to vote Democrat, that means something.

A recent Quinnipiac poll says that Sam is largely unknown, and it says voters favor Dodd in a Caligiuri-Dodd match up. Sam would be the underdog, but underdogs have won seemingly impossible matches before.

Chris Murphy is an example. He beat long-time incumbent Nancy Johnson in the 2006 U.S. House race.

Like I said, maybe there is something in the 16th state Senate District that allows energized politicans to beat the odds.

Career day coming to Wallingford

F.Y.I. Wallingford:

Area residents looking for work or who want to be trained for a new career can attend events associated with Wednesday’s job search and career day.

The state Department of Labor will station its Career Express Van, a mobile job search office, in the rear parking lot of the town’s public library, 200 N. Main St., from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Lori Pendleton, admissions director for Charter Oak Community College, will speak at Town Hall, 45 S. Main St.

Pendleton will present the college’s program for improving marketable skills for careers.

The job search and career day is sponsored by Rep. Mary M. Mushinsky, D-Wallingford, the Department of Labor and Charter Oak Community College. It is open to all area residents.