SIZZLING SUMMER FUN HAS FIZZLED

2009 will be remembered as the year that summer took a holiday. Never before in my 18 years as a New England resident have I seen such a dreary,depressing summer. All the old stand by hot weather activities have been grounded. Beach day?...what's that? How's your tan?..still pale white. Soccer, baseball, boating...the weather has made those staples of summer sketchy. So what's the fall back plan..how do we salvage a good time as the clouds and rain continue to reign? We could book an expensive getaway to a remote island...but not many of us have a lot of money to throw around these days. Always searching for budget friendly places...I recently took a look at a North Branford entertainment center that provides inexpensive fun for all ages..rain or shine.

SUMMER SAVINGS AT THE CONNECTICUT SPORTSPLEX

In a perfect world, the summer sun would never end. And at the CT Sportsplex in North Branford..if that were the case, they would have all their bases covered...plenty of ball fields..some of the best soccer and cheerleading camps in the state and a full service OUTDOOR season of activities. But take a look at what's inside and you will find amazing alternatives tailor made for the drizzly cool summer we are getting used to. It's called the Fieldhouse Family Fun Center and it mixes classic arcade games with cutting edge sporting activities. And the best part...you can enjoy it all for small prices. Buy their value packages and you can pack a full day in, with loads of kids, for a suprisingly low cost.

BUMPER CARS MEET LACROSSE?

The centerpiece of the Fieldhouse is a new attraction called Cyber Sport. There are only 3 of its kind in the country and the game is addicting. Players ride around in bumper cars holding a small lacrosse type stick. Two teams face off and the aim is to scoop up a spongy ball and hurl it into a goal that stands about 10 feet off the ground. The games last 8 minutes and good passing skills are a must. Penalties can be called for ramming one bumper car into another and an electronic scoreboard keeps tally. Naturally, kids can't get enough of the game..but the General Manager, Don Westfall, tells me that once adults try it...they get addicted too. The Grand Opening price is grand..3 full 8 minute games for just $7.50. The Fieldhouse also has an eye popping laser tag arena. A multi level arena with glow in the dark laser zapping fun. Younger kids will love the Playscape...a jungle gym of fun that provides an unlimited amount of fun for 8 bucks..and that includes arcade tokens and soft drinks.

DONT FORGET THE FUN PACKS

Buy in bulk and save a bundle. Here are some examples of the value deals at the CT Sportsplex:

Family Fun Night: every Sunday from 5pm to 8pm a family of 4 gets dinner, all you can play laser tag, playscape and 60 arcade tokens for just $50

Playscape Pack: A full day pass and free soft drinks and 20 arcade tokens for just $8 dollars a person

Laser Tag Fun Pack: Two rounds of laser tag (4 games), 20 arcade tokens and free soft drinks for only $13.

Want to know more?...Check out their expanding web site at www.ctsportsplex.com

RESTAURANTS FEELING THE SLOWDOWN

When cracks started appearing in the economy 2 years ago...it was just a matter of time before discretionary spending took a hit. One industry that has been particularly hard hit has been the restaurant biz.In 2008, dinner traffic at eateries slumped 2%..the number or people eating out for lunch has also fallen. In January of this year. many of the major restaurant chains reported sales drops of over 50%. Chains like Starbucks and Ruby Tuesday's are scaling back in the wake of the sharp pullback in consumer spending. For many of us..spending 50 bucks for dinner and drinks just doesn't add up any more. So where can we go to get restaurant quality food prepared and served in a fine dining atmosphere for a fraction of that? Try going back to school...read on and learn more!

MUNCHIES AT MANCHESTER

Manchester Community College is an amazing resource for learning and career preparation. The beautiful campus is home to many thriving programs for just about any career path. One program that doesn't get as much attention as it should is their Hospitality Program. This includes culinary arts, foodservice management and hotel and tourism management. The culinary arts program offers a unique way for the public to get a taste of what's going on inside. Jayne Pearson is the director of the program and she oversees eager students as they learn all aspects of culinary work. They cook, serve and clean. And anyone can sample their work for just a few bucks. Each semester, reservations are taken for the general public to enjoy the meals they cook..served in a dining room on campus. Lunch prices start at $8 and dinners for $12. And we are talking great food. From Italian to Mexican...Middle East fare to American fare..the variety is endless. On some nights, wine tastings are even scheduled. Full course meals..from soup to nuts. And don't tip your chef/server...simply fill out a comment card and this acts as their "report card" for their instructor.

CHOW DOWN AFTER LABOR DAY

The next chance to sample the student work is coming. Joan Pearson says she expects to release the upcoming dates around Labor Day. But act fast..reservations are limited and the meals go quickly. All of the key information is found on their website: www.mcc.commnet.edu For the students..they get immediate feedback on their creations and service. All ages are enjoying the program at Manchester Community College..some take the courses for fun..others are looking to use their education as a launching pad for a rewarding career. Some numbers to ponder:

* By 2014, the culinary industry will employ 13.5 million people

* There will be a 15% increase in jobs over the next 5 years

* The employment rate for the industry will grow faster than all others