WEST HARTFORD –  In the face of dwindling donations and devalued investments, the state’s only job bank for seniors might close within two weeks.
That’s because private donations and grants, about 80 percent of the free referral service’s budget, have plummeted in the last two years.  In addition, the job bank’s investments have been impacted during the recession, according to news reports.
“Our mutual funds lost nearly half their value, and we don’t know if we have the funds to continue,” said Ed Dombroskas, executive director of the job bank.” At this point, it looks like there’s going be an interruption in our program.”

Since 1974, the nonprofit Seniors Job Bank has helped link people 55 and over to corporate jobs in Greater Hartford, or referred individuals to area residents who needed home services.

Dombroskas said the job bank is hoping to raise at least $75,000 to keep a few programs and the staff a while longer.

In the last several years, job referrals decreased; some clients switched to other sources, mostly on the internet, to find jobs. The job bank developed a niche market that referred clients to  home services such as landscapers, drivers and home companions for the elderly.

“Cadillac Records,” is crammed with three bio pics of complicated individual stories into the central story of Chicago-based Chess Records, the label that launched many rhythm and blues stars during the 1950s and ’60s.

“Cadillac Records” chronicles the rise of Chess Records and its recording artists. In this tale of sex, violence, race and rock and roll in 1950’s Chicago, the film follows the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America’s musical legends, including Muddy Waters, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James, and Chuck Berry.

The film stars Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, Columbus Short as Little Walter, Mos Def as Chuck Berry and BeyoncéKnowles as Etta James.

Rounding out the cast are Emmanuelle Chriqui, Cedric The Entertainer , Gabrielle Union, Eamonn Walker and Tammy Blanchard.

The music alone in this movie is worth the 107 minutes in the theater. Knowles “sang” Etta Jame’s “At Last.” Mos Def shines. Jerry Wright and Andrian brody was superb.

“Cadillac Records,” a Sony Music Film release, is rated R for pervasive language and some sexuality. Running time: 107 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

Written and directed by Darnell Martin, “Cadillac Records” is Produced by Andrew Lack and Sofia Sondervan for Sony Music Film and Executive Produced by Beyoncé Knowles and Marc Levin.