Teens disrupt Trumbull Mall

Yeah, I admit it. This is only posted because it happened nearby my own location. But it is proof of what happens when you combine high unemployment with rainy weather - teens with nothing to do will find something to occupy themselves. "Idle hands are the devil's tools."

Hundreds of teenagers became embroiled in a melee and were ejected Saturday night from the Westfield Trumbull mall after harassing customers and exhibiting "rowdy and disruptive behavior."

That resulted in a 17-year-old Bridgeport youth being stunned by a town police officer after charging and knocking the officer to the ground outside the mall, police said.

Here's hoping 2010 is a better year for the economy, so these kids can have better things to do with their time.

Video of the Trumbull High School Marching Band at the Inaugural Parade

And again, I played in this band when I was in high school. Played for President George Herbert Walker Bush, back then.

Trumbull Marching Band Departs for the Inaugural

It is really great seeing my alma mater going off to see this moment in history. I wish they had shown a little more of the performance, of course. :-) Also, here is a blog of the events leading up to the parade by one of the students (I think).

Trumbull Marching Band to march in Obama's Inaugural Parade

In high school, I was a member of the marching band (one of the few oboes). One of the highlights of my experience there was playing for President George H. W. Bush during his first run for the presidency. It was not that I was a big supporter, but it was great being part of history. Now, the marching band is being honored again by a chance to play in Barack Obama's inaugural parade.

Band members learned late Friday they have been selected from a field of 1,300 organizations to represent Connecticut in Barack Obama's presidential inaugural parade Jan. 20. The marching band is made up of 105 members and 25 color guard performers.
"We got a call from the inaugural committee yesterday saying we had made it. It was real exciting," Band Director Peter Horton said today.
Dan Connolly, a senior at the high school and the band's lone drum major, said "It seemed like a long shot, but we made it. It was kind of a shock, I'm still a little in disbelief."

Congratulations, band members. May you remember this all of your lives as a moment of greatness.