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SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WJAR) — Jayd Bun, a popular Chinese food takeout spot in Wakefield, recently received what owners said is their best review yet.

Having opened their doors just a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe Parisi and his wife Annie took a gamble.

“We opened up October of 2019 right before the COVID outbreak," said Parisi. “It was pretty scary. It was slow, we weren’t even sure if we were going to survive the winter with COVID, but then things slowly started getting busier and busier."

Fast forward three years, and Parisi said his business is booming.

The couple prides themselves on their authentic Chinese food menu which is inspired by where Annie hails from: Tianjin, China.

The Parisi's said everything is house-made.

“We always ask people to spread the word, leave reviews, social media, and just little by little we’ve improved," said Parisi, “We care what people think. All we want to do is please everyone and make everyone happy. We want people to love our food. Whenever we get bad feedback or someone complains, we try to learn from it. We learn and get better from it.”

The reviews have been working.

Inside of the establishment, the Parisi's have hung their accolades all over, including articles from The Providence Journal, The Boston Globe, Yelp, and Best of Rhode Island, and other awards up for their customers to see and read.

“That way people can read it and see that it's just love," said Parisi.

The Sabins' of Glastonbury, Connecticut, can't get enough of their food.

They first tried it while on a family trip.

They had read reviews from nearby restaurants.

"We were like, 'This is the best food we’ve ever eaten,', We are big foodies, and hard to please, but this is by far the best Chinese food we’ve ever had,'" said Whitney Sabins. “We live in south Glastonbury, Connecticut, and yes, we do travel an hour and a half from time to time to get our Jayd Bun fix. This is a very welcoming place. You can tell there is joy everywhere, including in their food.”

On a most recent trip, after leaving, the Sabins' two kids, 12-year-old Keegan and 9-year-old Macaire, had an idea to show appreciation for their favorite restaurant.

“Keegan gets a lot of Lego sets for his birthday, Christmas, any type of thing with gifts. Then he builds them, we play with them, then we get tired of them destroy them," said Macaire. "We had a big bucket of Legos and we make anything out of the pieces, extra pieces that we have. We just looked at each other and we were like, 'Let’s make Jayd Bun.'"

The siblings took some time carefully constructing a replica of Jayd Bun using their Legos.

They even made a dumpling roof.

There was no detail too small.

“Keegan comes up, he's like, 'Mom, we created Jayd Bun.' I was like, 'What do you mean?' and I looked at it and I was like, 'Bud, this is like, one of your best creations,'" Sabins said. "It was so creative, and I loved it so much and I was like, 'I have to reach out.' I was super proud of them. They whipped it up it was so creative and it looks like Jayd Bun.'"

Sabins took a picture of the display and posted it on social media, hoping it would reach the Parisi's, and it did.

“I was like, 'Oh my God, that’s awesome,'" said Parisi. “I showed my wife, she actually cried a little bit, she was like, 'That is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,' she showed her parents in China, all her family in China, she was showing it off. I was like, 'I want to buy it.' She was like, 'Yeah, yeah, yeah, see if we can buy it.'"

After some thought, the kids negotiated a price and didn't mind giving up their Legos.

“I was like, 'We should probably do that because they need to be more recognized as such a great restaurant,'" said Keegan. "And so we thought we would do that.”

Currently, the Lego display is front and center at the business.

Parisi also printed out the original social media posts from the Sabins' so customers could understand where it came from and what it meant.

“As a mom, I was thankful they appreciated the work that my children put into that," said Sabins.

“It just shows customer satisfaction. It shows they went home and thought about us. They built it. It meant everything to us. It shows you what we’re doing is working, and that just meant a lot," said Parisi.

New Music and albums being released this year and working with new talent here and in the UK as well as existing partnerships.

Music is the soundtrack of our lives, so why not make it a good one ! Keep the music playing !”

— James A Norkawich

GLASTONBURY, CT, US, February 17, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- In this social and economic time of uncertanity, James A Norkawich, Pianist, Composer and Arranger has been able through the power of music to capitivate his audience in the USA and abroad with his unique style of Jazz, Classical Crossover, Pop and R&B just to name a few styles of music. In 2022, James A Norkawich has worked with Michelle Brooks-Thompson, Ellen Williams, Sara Janueva and more, and in 2023 things are heating up with new music that will sure to make an impact in this ever changing world that we live in. Norkawich thanks all of the listeners worldwide for a successful Christmas turnout with his debut album A Connecticut Christmas as well as the follow up single releases and EP's. Norkawich also hopes to do more interviews to share his story about his background, current music and goals and aspirations for 2023 and abroad. "Things are moving well" Norkawich says about this year releases, with such releases as the single " You Amaze Me " and a beautiful jazz rendition of " My Funny Valentine." Norkawich plans on performing and playing out this year with not only the music he has released but classic music that we all love and cherish.

In addition to recording, performing and playing, education in the arts with children from 8th grade- High School is something that is important to Norkawich's heart therefore he is working to get a program started in the Hartford Connecticut are like the one he was in during his highschool years. Norkawich believes by bringing children from all backgrounds, races, religions and skill levels into one arena, your able to unite each and every child under music and dance to form a common goal.. One band, One Sound. Norkawich believes in this credo and wants to encourage the youth of today to make music, make art, and become a positive role model in your community and not end up in an unhealthy place. There are so many options and the doors are open he states and its time we show the world what we can do through the healing power of music we can make a change in a world that is unsettled and set the tone for success and change.

Below you can find the links to Norkawich's Music, Website and Contact Information. Dont forget to like, follow and suscribe on social media.

Website for James A. Norkawich - www.jamesanorkawich.com

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesanorkawich

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamesanorkawich/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6qi5IQRl3iahaR75zA6LuD?si=grs8MVfsTGOuPCYsRX3AFg

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/artists/B09W32VGPQ/james-a-norkawich?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_m3sK4yjMp7L1BsdfwJ5fHS46F

Deezer - https://deezer.page.link/ekDRVg4mFX7vHyHP8

I-Tunes - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/james-a-norkawich/1615404089

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruW2ckvS-OYoNRqIQsSJGA

Norkawich's Music Can also be found on Pandora, Itunes .

Also Tuesday Thru Friday in the UK - Tune into Hit The Road With Sean Usher 1pm EST - on Tringradio.uk.co or on the Tring Radio App.

James E Norkawich James A Norkawich +1 203-873-1715 [email protected] Visit us on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube TikTok

After years of being a premier farm for picking and homemade goods, Rose's Berry Farm in Glastonbury has closed down. This past weekend was the final time that Rose's Berry Farm was open for picking. Owner Sandi Rose said that the farm would continue "in another form that is still to be determined."

"Thank you for all the love, friendship,and support over the past 40 years," Rose said in a statement on Facebook. "But all things much change, and I am grateful to both the town of Glastonbury and private buyers who have allowed me to step-aside and know that our legacy will continue and be kept beautiful."

Rose, the namesake of the farm, said in the statement that she would be retiring and moving to a home on Lake Norman in North Carolina, which is near family. Despite Rose moving down the coast, she said that "part of us will always remain here, with our friends, families and memories of all that we shared."

"I have been fortunate to grow up and live my life in South Glastonbury. After college and some business experience, I left the corporate world to work side-by-side with Henry as we expanded the vision and offerings at Rose’s Berry Farm," Rose said in her statement. "This beautiful enclave in the hills of South Glastonbury holds so many [families] pasts and futures."

The farmstand on 1200 Hebron Ave., which is rented from the Holy Cross Cemetery, "may continue in 2023" depending on if another farmer is found to occupy the stand. As for the land, the Glastonbury Town Council voted earlier this month in favor of purchasing 23.18 acres of the farm for $1.09 million. The 23.18 acres are next to the 52 acres of the farm that Glastonbury bought for development rights in 2018. Glastonbury Town Manager Richard J. Johnson told the Journal Inquirer that a purchase and sale agreement could be drafted at the next Town Council meeting, which takes place on Nov. 9.

Affectionately known as “Lights on Fisher Hill," now it’s called “Lights on Eastbury Pond."

GLASTONBURY, Conn. — It’s a holiday tradition well known in the Glastonbury community. After everyone is stuffed with their Thanksgiving favorites, “The Lights on Eastbury Pond” are turned on at 5 p.m. for the community to enjoy during the holiday season.

With one click, houses turn into a winter wonderland.

“It’s the biggest year ever,” said Janna Danco.

The Danco family has been doing this tradition for 14 years. It’s affectionately known as “Lights on Fisher Hill” but this year they’re in a new home not even a mile away from their old one.

Now it’s called “Lights on Eastbury Pond.”

“At our old house, we were at our max capacity so we couldn’t put a single light anywhere else. So here we have the opportunity to expand on four acres,” said Danco.

There’s history on these four acres, decades of it.

“This house was in my family for over 100 years. My father grew up here and he raised his four kids here,” said Kristen Cofiell.

Kristen Cofiell sold the house to the Danco’s after her parents passed away.

“You can’t ask for anything better when something means a lot to you and I have no doubt that my dad and mom who love to see the lights. They loved when it was time for them to turn on and they talked about them all the time and to now be looking down to see this on their property. I know how proud they would be,” said Cofiell.

The home and land that gave this family so many memories is now lighting up another family's life.

“To know that Jana and Steve are going to raise their boys here and their boys are going to be able to have some of the experiences that we had as kids and to know how much this property means to them, it just made it so much easier. It just made it so much easier to be able to walk about and be like maybe it’s not the Cofiell home anymore, but it’s still a home,” said Cofiell.

All Christmas lights bring cheer, but for folks here, these lights are even more illuminating.

“It’s amazing. It’s amazing,” said Cofiell.

This display is up until New Years Day from 4:45 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

If you’re unfamiliar with the display simply put “Eastbury Pond” into your GPS.

To enjoy the display, park at the Eastbury Pond parking lot.

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GLASTONBURY — The Planning and Zoning Commission approved an application last week to construct an apartment complex on the corner of Hebron Avenue and Manchester Road.

The building will have 74 units, including at least 30 percent that will be considered affordable housing.

But Glastonbury residents have mixed feelings about the development.

“I think allowing an apartment complex is a great idea because it allows those who otherwise have been priced out of Glastonbury a chance to live here,” said Dorothy Mills, who has lived in town since 1938. “It will help with diversity and bring new friendly faces to town.”

Several others disagree. In the Glastonbury Friends and Neighbors Facebook page, residents expressed concerns about bringing an apartment complex to an area that does not have many amenities.

“I think it’s a horrible location for any development —commercial or residential,” one woman wrote on Facebook.

Amy Gallatin lives just over a mile from the site. Her concerns about the construction focus on the potential safety issues of drilling near wells and increased pedestrian traffic in an area where she feels there is no room for kids to play.

“I'm through that intersection all the time,” Gallatin said. “I see how people barrel down Hebron Avenue from that hill directly above that intersection, no matter the speed limit.”

The 2.4-acre parcel is located at 1199 Manchester Road (Route 83) and is owned by the Manchester/ Hebron Avenue LLC.

The property is across the street from the fire department and abuts the cul-de-sac neighborhood of Stanley Drive. It is the only parcel in the area zoned for greater than single-family housing.

Mills said she can understand some of the anger of those opposed to the development, but challenged them to consider the advantages.

“People are angry out of fear,” Mills said. “I challenge these people to take a look in the mirror and ask how they'd feel if they were in the shoes of the future apartment tenants. Let's open our arms and welcome our new friends to town as I have been doing for many, many years.”

But some residents seemed concerned about increased traffic in the area. Since Jan. 1, 2020, there have been 45 crashes on Hebron Avenue. On Route 83, there have been 113 crashes during that time period.

During last week’s meeting, the consulting firm, Tighe and Bond, discussed the results of a traffic study that indicated there are ample sight lines for traffic exiting the complex and the development will “not have an adverse impact on traffic conditions” according to Chris Granatini, professional engineer.

Diana Wind, of Glastonbury, who lives at nearby Hurlburt Street, spoke at the meeting to express her concerns about increased traffic. She said the addition of a Trader Joe’s supermarket farther down Hebron Avenue has already started to make the area more congested.

“My husband and I reject the proposal because of traffic safety, air quality, noise and overall quality of life in this area of Glastonbury,” Sandra Davis, a Manchester Road resident who lives across the street from the proposed construction site, said during the meeting.

“The additional traffic at this intersection will increase accidents and possible deaths.”

Section 8-30g housing sets a goal that each Connecticut municipality has at least 10 percent of its housing stock be affordable. This particular complex would qualify as a “set-aside development” because at least 30 percent of units for at least 40 years will remain at prices that are less than 30 percent of a family’s income.

“We cannot deny this application unless we find substantial health and safety issues,” Planning and Zoning Commission Secretary Michael Botelho said. “The record does not reflect those issues. We have reports from the town and the town’s consultants Tight and Bond to support that.”

Gallatin believes the development, while affordable, does not reflect a commitment to providing affordable housing that is safe and connected to the community.

“If the developer and his attorneys truly believed in the mission of affordable housing, they would not be horsing this development into an area with no supporting infrastructure and no walkability for those who would be availing themselves of this affordable housing,” Gallatin said.

The town planning and zoning commission members have not responded to requests for comment. Four commission members voted in favor of the development and two opposed.

According to Glastonbury's affordable housing plan, 6 percent, or 783 units, of the town’s housing stock is classified as affordable under 8-30g. The report acknowledges the vast majority of housing in Glastonbury is single family, and 40 percent of renter households are cost-burdened.

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