Trailblazer Branford, Denali Cheshire, and Denali Wakefield "are collecting clean, gently used coats and jackets as part of the One Warm Coat community service project," according to a release.

"Coats of all shapes sizes are welcome. One Warm Coat is dedicated to distributing reusable coats, free of charge, directly to local children and adults. The program is an easy way for you and your family to pass along coats and jackets that you no longer need."

to donate, just bring your clean, gently used coats and jackets to any of these locations from Nov. 21 through Dec. 2.

Trailblazer Branford’s coats will be given to Harbor Health Services Clothing, while Denali Cheshire coats will go to Master's Manna, Inc., and Denali Wakefield coats will go to local agencies in need, the release said.

While in any of these participating store locations, take 10 percent off a purchase when making a coat donation. No purchase is necessary.

“More people than ever need help these days. I am proud of the thousands of coat drive organizers whose creativity and generosity of spirit are making a real difference in their own communities.” said Sherri Wood, President of One Warm Coat, also in the release.

One Warm Coat is national non-profit organization that supports and encourages coat drives. It helps individuals, groups, companies and organizations across the country collect coats and deliver them to local agencies that distribute the coats free to people in need. More than one million coats have been provided to those in need at no cost since its inception in 1992.

Trailblazer is located on the Branford Green at 1004 Main St  203.488.0802

Denali Cheshire is at l Maplecroft Plaza - 151 Highland Ave.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.

With Thanksgiving a week away, it is time to plan your holiday meal. What are your favorite food selections on "Turkey Day?" I recently tried the above Tofurky roast with gravy, which cost about $10, and serves five. It was good, though a bit salty for my taste. I would buy it again. Do you prefer to go the route of having a replacement, vegan selection that is similar to a turkey? Or do you like to just have a variety of vegetable-based offerings? Share your holiday ideas and recipes with our readers!   

We are all talking about former CIA director and retired Gen. David Petraeus. And when we are not talking about his sex scandal, we likely are talking about Gen. John Allen. What's not to love about sex scandals? 
Yet, as soon as I sigh (I do not care who consenting adults have sex with) and continue to wonder what is really going on here, I learn that there is another general the Department of Defense is talking about.
A quick look at my emails, in fact, shows that the other general, Gen. William E. Ward, is the one we should be talking about too. Misuse of funds? Misuse of aircraft?

Tell me again why we are talking about Petraeus and Allen? Oh yeah. Sex.

Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary George Little on General William E. Ward Secretary Panetta has decided that General William E. Ward (O-10), former commander of U.S. Africa Command, should be retired at the grade of Lieutenant General (0-9). Secretary of the Army John McHugh concurs in this decision. The Department of the Army will also seek to recoup roughly $82,000 in expenses stemming from Gen. Ward's misconduct in travel, misuse of military aircraft, misuse of staff, and the receipt of reimbursements to which he was not entitled. In June 2012, the Department of Defense Inspector General issued a report of investigation substantiating that Gen. Ward had engaged in numerous substantiated acts of misconduct related to misuse of government funds during his tenure as commander of U.S. Africa Command. Since departing U.S. Africa Command, by operation of law Gen. Ward reverted to the grade of Major General (0-8) and is currently serving as a special assistant to the Army vice chief of staff in that grade. Secretary Panetta insists that leaders within the Department of Defense exemplify both professional excellence and sound judgment. The secretary recognizes that the vast majority of senior officers in the military abide by the letter and spirit of our laws and regulations, and utilize sound judgment in their stewardship of taxpayer resources. The secretary is committed to ensuring that any improprieties or misconduct by senior officers are dealt with swiftly and appropriately. Here is the statement released on Gen. Allen

Statement by the Secretary of Defense on General John Allen

            On Sunday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation referred to the Department of Defense a matter involving General John Allen, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.   
            Today, I directed that the matter be referred to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense for investigation, and it is now in the hands of the Inspector General.   I have informed the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The House Armed Services Committee has also been notified.
             While the matter is under investigation and before the facts are determined, General Allen will remain Commander of ISAF.  His leadership has been instrumental in achieving the significant progress that ISAF, working alongside our Afghan partners, has made in bringing greater security to the Afghan people and in ensuring that Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists.  He is entitled to due process in this matter.
             In the meantime, I have asked the President - and the President has agreed - to put his nomination on hold until the relevant facts are determined. I have asked both Senators Levin and McCain that the confirmation hearing on General Allen's pending nomination to be Commander of United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe be delayed.
             The President has nominated General Joseph Dunford, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, to succeed General Allen at ISAF.  I respectfully requested that the Senate act promptly on that nomination.

Photo credit: Feb. 2, 2012 file photo shows CIA Director David Petraeus testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington. Petraeus has resigned because of an extramarital affair. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)