The U.S. food supply is controlled now by a handful of corporations that put profit ahead of food safety, the livelihood of farmers, the safety of workers and the environment, according to a new documentary, Food, Inc. The film investigates the unintended consequences and hidden costs of our current system of producing food.

This new exposé of our food-producing system is especially significant because it draws together the system’s many diverse elements in entertaining and informative ways and will be widely distributed in local theaters throughout the summer. Its producers hope the documentary will rattle the industry and shake up complacent consumers.

We have chickens with huge breasts, the perfect slab of ribs, insecticide-resistant, genetically engineered soybeans, even tomatoes that never spoil, yet we also have new strains of harmful bacteria that cause illnesses for an estimated 73,000 annually and spur meat and vegetable recalls that make headlines on a regular basis. (Click here to read the full story and to find the official movie site.)

Litchfield Visual Arts, Inc., Launches 'Litchfield Arts Guide'

“A new reason to visit Historic Litchfield, CT” “Follow the trail to world class art.”

On Sunday October 12, 2008 Litchfield Visual Arts, Inc. released the premier edition of the Litchfield Art Guide. A launch party was held at the Litchfield Saltwater Grille Restaurant to introduce both Litchfield Visual Arts and the Litchfield Art Guide to the public. The Art Guide features information on galleries, artists, artisans and restaurants throughout the town of Litchfield. Included in the Art Guide is a map to the seven gallery locations.

Over 60 attended the event including guide advertisers, members of the Board of Selectmen, Economic Development Commissioners, State Representative Craig Miner and State Senator Andrew Roraback. After the launch party a town-wide studio and gallery tour took place, which was open to the public.

The Marie Louise Trichet Gallery at Wisdom House was one of the “stops” on the tour. Amelia de Neergaard’s show, “Natural Connections” on exhibit in the gallery.

The directors of Litchfield Visual Arts, Inc. are Carolyn Fugere, President, who currently manages the Litchfield office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Pamela Stockamore, Vice President, Artist Matthew Sweet, Treasurer, Investment Executive with the First National Bank of Litchfield, Brett Clugston, Secretary, owner of the Litchfield Saltwater Grille Restaurant, Helen Bunnell, of Litchfield’s Bunnell Farm, Tony Caretta, owner of New Arts Gallery, Albert Coffill, Artist and Educator and Lee Losee, Warden of the Borough of Litchfield, Michele Murelli, Artist and Art Educator, Leo Paul, Litchfield’s First Selectman.

The Litchfield Art Guide is now available at various locations throughout Litchfield, or its pages can be viewed a www.lvart.org

Mission Statement: Litchfield Visual Arts, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed to promote the visual arts (galleries, artists and artisans) within the greater Litchfield area. The mission of the organization is to enhance economic development within greater Litchfield through the promotion of the visual arts and to create public awareness of the visual arts establishing greater Litchfield as an art oriented destination.

Sister Jo-Ann Iannotti with other artists.
and Sister Rosemarie Greco with Martha Bernstein at the launch party of
Litchfield Visual Arts, Inc.