• Renée CanadaPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Tolland, CT

E-mail: renee.canada&#64;patch.com<br>Phone: 860-830-2353<br>Hometown: Tolland, CT<br>Birthday: December 13

Renée Canada graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Communication and a focus on Media Technologies. After graduating, she worked as an associate editor of web development for an online technical portal, DevX.com. She also secured an internship at Wired magazine. Ever the multi-tasker, Renée was a business columnist for a local weekly paper while co-writing and publishing a nationally cited industry trade report on the construction industry for a Silicon Valley workforce group.

Eventually, she was drawn back to the place she will always consider home, no matter where she lives: Connecticut. While teaching, she freelanced for The San Francisco Chronicle, The Hartford Courant, Moondance: Celebrating Creative Woman, and contributed to the <strong>Internet Cool Guide.</strong> She became a dedicated contributor to Sturbridge Times Magazine, while regularly covering her hometown of Tolland for ReminderNews. She looks forward to focusing more in-depth on stories and events that matter to the residents of her community for Tolland Patch.

As a singer/songwriter and budding novelist, Renee is especially drawn to stories about the arts. She has a strong interest in integrative medicine, fitness and education (as a former teacher), as well as human interest stories.

Renée has lived in Tolland on and off for over 20 years, is very close to her family and has known some of her closest friends since childhood. She loves to bake, can do an impressive amount of pull-ups and is in love with her new Wii. She has a bengal cat named Alexei, who likes to go for walks, fetch, bend his paws like a Pointer dog and drink from a water bottle.

<b>Your Beliefs</b>

<i>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.</i><br><br><b>Politics</b>

I&#39;m a registered independent because I think both parties have their faults, and I consider things by the issue, not the party. On many social issues, I tend to lean to the left.

<b>Religion</b>

I was raised in the United Congregational Church. I&#39;ve been exposed to many different religions and faiths in college and on trips to Nepal and Thailand. My spirituality at this time is very personal and is not tied to any single church, though I consider myself a Christian.

<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b>

Having lived and worked in this town, I have seen the strain of budget cuts on the school system in particular. It concerns me that crucial faculty have either been cut or their hours have decreased enough to lose benefits. My hope is that budget cuts in the future can be spread out in other areas. 

Students now have to pay to play school sports. Having been a three-sport athlete, my mother informs me that I just wouldn&#39;t have played sports under the present system. A lot of character-building develops in sports, and I hope the less financially-privileged students still get the opportunity to enjoy athletics.

In 2009, Tolland was rated the 27th Best Small Town to Live in America by Money Magazine. It is no surprise that a lot of young families are moving into the area, and developers are rushing to meet their housing and commercial needs.

I&#39;m interested to see if the Tolland Village Area will come to fruition, with its mixed-use vision of more walkable areas, biking paths, and open spaces paired with a hotel, more commercial/retail spaces and single-family condos and duplexes. Will Tolland be able to retain its small town appeal with increasing commercial and residential development?

Posting Activity

Tolland|News|

Raring to Ride, Drawn to the Rhythm, PZC and Parks & Rec Meet

Start the morning with some exercise, then sing or drum your way into the day. At night, the Parks &amp; Rec Advisory Board and Planning and Zoning Commission meet. Also, TIS is looking for a parent volunteer for the library.

Raring to Ride, Drawn to the Rhythm, PZC and Parks & Rec Meet
Tolland|News|

Bargains and Freebies For the Week of Feb. 14

This week, we offer specials on winter sports, museum admission and fitness for women, as well as baby, toddler and children clothing.

Bargains and Freebies For the Week of Feb. 14
Tolland|News|

The Week in Review

For a change-up this Sunday, we offer highlights from this past week in Tolland Patch.

The Week in Review
Tolland|News|

Give a Smile, Garden Paths Gala, Go Skating

Here&#39;s what is in store for the weekend: free dental care, a garden club gala, learn about the job search from the HR perspective, public skating and live music from local youth.

Give a Smile, Garden Paths Gala, Go Skating
Tolland|News|

Music For Your Heart, Hip Knitters & Joint Budget Meeting

Here&#39;s what&#39;s on tap in Tolland today: MOMS club meets, virtual fun at senior center, intro to knitting for the new generation, a Valentine&#39;s Day PJ story time and a joint budgetary meeting of the town council and BOE. Also, sign up for M

Music For Your Heart, Hip Knitters & Joint Budget Meeting
Tolland|News|

Need a Little Romance for Valentine's Day?

Tolland Patch offers a list of some of the more romantic or fun places for a couple or a close-knit group of friends to consider over the Valentine&#39;s Day weekend.

Need a Little Romance for Valentine's Day?
Tolland|News|

What’s On For the Weekend For Feb. 11-13

Here&#39;s what is on tap on for the weekend: local music live, a winter family fun day, vicious valentine plays, a Whalers Hockey Fest and comedy at The Funny Bone.

What’s On For the Weekend For Feb. 11-13
Tolland|News|

Introducing the Tolland Patch Moms Council

Starting today, the council—comprised mostly of local moms—will lead a &#39;Moms Talk&#39; discussion on Tolland Patch about issues that matter to parents.

Introducing the Tolland Patch Moms Council
Tolland|News|

Moms Talk Q&A: Boundaries

How Can You Help Your Child Set and Respect Boundaries?

Moms Talk Q&A: Boundaries
Tolland|News|

Grab The Kids and Go - For the Week of Feb. 8

This week we have a virtual trip to Mars, a Valentine’s Day pajama story time and a parent-child dance, ice fishing and a coffee house open mike.

Grab The Kids and Go - For the Week of Feb. 8
Tolland|News|

UPDATE: The Heart of the Matter, Positive Parenting, Town Council Meets

Kick off the morning with Zumba or low-impact exercise. Learn about the human heart at Lutz&#39;s. There&#39;s the bowling for special needs program at Spare Time and the Positive Parenting program at Birch Grove. Tonight, the Town Council meets.

UPDATE: The Heart of the Matter, Positive Parenting, Town Council Meets