Five Things: Rocky Hill Applies For Grants to Improve Silas Deane Highway

The daily five items that Rocky Hill residents need to know for Wednesday, July 18.

What's the Weather?

The National Weather Service predicts a mostly, cloudy day with a high near 93 and low around 69. There is a 40 percent chance of rain.

Grants Would Help Improve Silas Deane Highway

The Rocky Hill Town Council authorized Town Manager Barbara Gilbert to apply for up to $500,000 worth of Small Town Economic Assistant Grants to help with improving the facades of businesses along the Silas Deane Highway as well as the streetscape itself.

There are currently six businesses applying for money to "renovate their business properties," town documents stated. STEAP money has already been used for 14 facade projects, 26 facade renderings and phase one of the . Since 2005, the town has receieved $1.7 million in STEAP grant money, according to town doucments.

If the town receives the full amount of money, a portion of the money will be used to offset the cost of phase two of the , which is expected to receive federal funding. The remainder of the funding would be used to improve the six businesses' facades.

According to Gilbert, the businesses have to do the improvements first and then, the town will reimburse them up to 50 percent.

"It is a purely volunteer program," Gilbert said at the Monday night.

Food Drive to Benefit Town Pantry

will hosting a food drive starting Monday with all the canned goods collected benefiting the . 

People are asked to drop off donated can goods at the One Elizabeth Ct. between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. from July 23 to Aug. 27.

The following non-perishable :

• Canned tuna/chicken
• Beef stew
• Juice boxes
• Granola bars
• Canned fruits 
• Rice
• Soup
• Potatoes 
• Peanut butter
• Jelly 
• Pasta sauce
• Paper products

The summer months are usually the slowest time for the donations to the food pantry.

For more information, visit the Atria Greenridge Place's website or call 860-257-0000.

Iaido Class Sign Ups

The Rocky Hill Parks and Recreation Department is asking residents interested in learning about Iaido to sign up for a series of classes starting this fall.

"A typical Iaido martial arts class consists of a traditional bow in, followed by a short meditation," according to a release from the Parks and Recreation Department, "After meditation, the class warms up with some exercises designed to loosen and stretch the muscles. Then, students receive instruction in the three basic blocks and 18 basic draws, followed by partner block-and-strike exercises."

The program, which is for people ages 13 and older, will start Sept. 10 and run through Nov. 5. It is being offered Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The price of the program is $80.

For more information about the event, please call the Parks and Recreation office at 860-258-2772 or visit their website.

Fans Experience Motocross Through Helmet Camera

The KDX Rida takes his Youtube followers on a ride on the tracks of the Connecticut River Motocross facility and you get to go along. 

The viewer experiences the twists and turns through the lens of the helmet camera. It is unclear, which track The KDX Rida is riding, but the video was filmed during the week of July 2. 

"Got a chance to sit back and chill with The KDX Rida last week and he had the great idea of going to Rocky Hill Motocross," according to the video description. "So I snagged the old camera and we got dirty with some video at the course."

The over five-minute Youtube video already has more than 840 hits.

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