private boolean openConnection()
	{
		try {
			System.out.println("about to open the connection");
			conn = DriverManager.getConnection(connectionStr, USERNAME, PASSWORD);
			return true;
		}
		catch (SQLException e) {
			System.out.println("Unable to connect\nCause: "+e.getCause());
			System.out.println(e);
			return false;
		} 
	}