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Monday, January 20, 2014

BEAT THE COLD AT THE SPOTLIGHT THEATER



We seem to always hear that there is nothing to do in Hartford.

 This might be the weekend to end that idea.

Start off the weekend by enjoying one of the last few weekends remaining of Ice skating in Bushnell Park.  Afterwards , as the weather turns much colder and we might be digging out from snow, why not check out one of Hartford’s not so new gems and warm up watching a first run movie . I am behind the times but I recently visited the Spotlight Theater at Front Street. The theater has been open a little over a year now and features 4 full size theaters playing the latest releases. It also offers the convenience of being able to watch a movie while enjoying food and drinks at your seat. Or if you prefer, eat in their large dining room or at the full service bar serving various appetizers and entrees. There is also a private area for fundraisers or corporate meetings and events.


The Spotlight opens daily at noon for lunch and hosts a Happy Hour daily from 3:00PM to 7:00PM . They also offer a Sunday Brunch
Check out the Spotlight Theater and what’s playing now here


Also, if you enjoy a good cigar, stop by the Smoke Shop on Pratt Street. There is almost nothing more relaxing than sitting by the front window puffing on a good Cigar and watching the world walk by. There is an interesting mix of customers in the shop and almost always an interesting conversation to jump in on.


Also, check out the new menu at the Tavern Downtown. Even though my favorite, the meatloaf, is no longer on the menu there are many great appetizers and entrees on it. The lobster mac and cheese is great comfort food on a cold day and the coconut shrimp are a good addition to the menu . The burgers and sandwiches are very popular also. If you are west of Hartford, check out the newest addition, The Tavern at the Exchange across from the UConn Health Center in Farmington.


Here is the Tavern's new menu


If you are looking for something to do on a Friday night downtown, stop by Vito's on the Park. I went last Friday night with a couple friends for Vito's Trivia Night. We actually won the $50.00 first place prize. I think I had an unfair advantage though.


The question that helped put us over the top was "What Fortune 500 Company is named after an insect?" My mother is from Peoria , Illinois and most of her family, including her brother who was a Vice -President, all worked for Caterpillar Tractor.  The final bonus round category was "politics", something many would argue I know very little about. The trivia contest takes place at Vito's every Friday night from  8:00PM until done. The full menu and appetizers are available.


And if you are attending a UConn game or an event at the Bushnell, the Hook and ladder is an easy stop at 207 Main Street, right next door to the home of the Hartford Fire Department Engine 1 and Ladder 6. Plenty of free parking is directly behind the restaurant on John Street.


Check out their menu here


And remember, when you support these businesses, you are also supporting Hartford jobs and the local economy.


See what Hartford has to offer and enjoy

A FITTING TRIBUTE TO THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

Too many times our Holidays are celebrated  without any regard to the meaning behind the day. Memorial Day is more about kicking off summer and cookouts rather than honoring those who have dies in the service of our Country. Presidents Day is more about mattress sales and Car Dealer messages than those that built our Country through their leadership. And Christmas is a mass marketing effort and very little about the birth of Christ.

I think the same can be said about today and doesn't seem to be about the legacy of Dr. King in our lives everyday, but it seems to be more about a day off from work or school. Doctor Kings message seems to get lost in the translation somewhere.

It was about equality for everyone. That we should all have the same opportunities regardless of race or color. It is not something that anyone should have to fight for, it should just come naturally because we all are part of the human race. A child in Hartford should not get a substandard education  because of the color of their skin. They should have the same opportunity as a child in Avon or Farmington.

There should be no place in our communities for anyone that tries to drive a wedge between human beings and using racism as a crutch. I would challenge you that the next time you hear someone spouting off about racism and using that to divide, ask them what they have done lately to make freedom ring in their City or Town, as Dr. King would have done.

Last night I was invited to attend an event for the Scribe Institute at the Pond House in Elizabeth Park.  The brochure for the event is below, but I first met Dr. Aaron Lewis , the founder and Director  of the Scribe Institute when he was a guest on our "We the People" program.

I was expecting the typical Director of a non -profit, making his plea for money to be able to live the good life and build his little empire, as many groups in Hartford do.



My expectations were shattered. The Scribe Institute is funded through private donations. Dr. Lewis is a volunteer Executive Director and the passion for his vision is clear within moments after starting to speak with him.



The Scribe Institute is all strictly volunteers that work with younger children on literacy issues. Those efforts were displayed Sunday night as children that have gone through the program gave speeches and read their remarks in Honor of Dr. King. They were almost flawless in their delivery and it shows that literacy can be accomplished when approached properly.



I was a little disappointed by the remarks of Mayor Segarra when he spoke about the need for literacy for black and Latino children. I think Dr. Kings message would have been literacy for ALL children, regardless of the color of their skin.



"This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing  ' My Country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing' " according to Dr. King. Until all of us are treated as equal, not much will change. Whether it is black and Latino students in Hartford or a white student in Avon as Dr. Kings message stated all of God's Children should be equal.




Dr Aaron Lewis and the Scribe Institute are trying to make that happen, one child at a time, regardless of skin color. I think that Dr. King would be impressed with Doctor Lewis's efforts. Dr. Lewis is walking the walk in the true meaning and message of Dr. King's life. That people are following Dr. Kings message in real life is more of a tribute than any day off could ever be.




You can read Dr .King's full "I have a Dream Speech" here


And remember Dr. King's question... "What are you doing for others?"


January 20th is more than just a holiday, it is a way to live your life

For information on making a tax deductible donation to help the Scribe Institute, click below

Mail to:

The Scribe Institute
PO Box 380640
East Hartford, CT 06138


More on the Scribe Institute here:

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

HARTFORD NEEDS A REPUBLICAN PARTY

Single Party rule serves no one in a democracy, not Republicans, not Democrats, no one, especially the members of the democracy. For far too long Hartford's Republican Party has been in decline. The opportunity to start turning that around is solidly in the hands of Hartford's registered Republican voters tonight.

The Hartford Republican Town Committee will caucus tonight at 7:00PM at Hartford City Hall to elect members of the Republican Town Committee for the upcoming two year term. This is an opportunity for any registered Republican to break out of Jurassic Park. The Republican Party both nationally and locally is stuck in their ways and needs to break free from the ideas that worked in the 50's and 60's and begin to embrace younger members of all national origins and races, sexuality and beliefs.

 If the Republican party is to survive, it needs to end the perception that it is the old white guys club.

Younger leadership that is able to communicate with voters in all of Hartford's neighborhoods is needed. Now this may sound a little odd coming from me, currently registered as a Democrat and also a member of the Hartford Democrat Town Committee. I strongly believe in the ideals our forefathers established and that includes checks and balances on our government. Those checks and balances include a voice for all people and an opposition party that isn't afraid to raise their voices and question our government.

That has been missing from Hartford Government for many years now, from the time when Hartford's last real Republican on the Council, John O'Connell was never afraid to pound the dais and raise his voice when needed.

We need that opposition to hold our elected officials accountable. Tonight there is an opportunity for any registered Republican voter in Hartford to show up at City Hall in the function room and begin the change. Get involved in your local government and start the rebirth. Everyone will benefit from more citizen involvement with new and younger ideas

Monday, January 6, 2014

THE MEMORIES STILL REMAIN

Many of you have called wondering if I was OK because I took a little time off during the holidays to relax and unwind. One regular reader wads concerned that I was still healthy and alive. I told her that I was and if anything happened, she would be the first to know because I would immediately begin haunting her upon my death. I think she appreciated that she was on the top of my list.


Anyway, this may not be the easiest posting to start the New Year off with, but it is one of those anniversaries I hate having to celebrate. Toady marks the ten year anniversary of my fathers death. Death is inevitable for everyone one of us, but it just never seems to get easier as the years go by.


I consider myself very fortunate that I have those memories of my father being a strong factor in my life. Remembering the vacations and things we had done as a family. The memories over the years of the things he had done. The stories that can never be replaced.


The story of the Hindenburg passing over his one room school house in Windsor, probably the same day as it went down in flames as his classmates looked up in awe. Bombers returning to Bradley Field during the war. The trolleys that used to run from Hartford to Rainbow before they turned around and headed back downtown. The model T's and the Model A's that were his first cars and his luck that he survived driving them.


The stories of why he volunteered for the Marines at a time of War and how he met my mother, and the life long romance that survived over 50 years. Even though we probably never realized it until we were much older, my father was the type of role model that is largely lacking in many young peoples lives today. This world would definitely be a much better place if children growing up today had a role model like my father, and still to this day, my mother also.


My father was a hard worker and set the example of a solid work ethic of getting up every morning and heading off to work, like a father should. Many nights, especially during colder weather, we didn't see our dad because he would work late most nights and we would be in bed before he ever made it home. But that is what fathers do, they provide for their families.


He also came from the period when men respected their wives. I think part of that was his Marine training, but I can honestly say I never saw my parent's fight. I never saw my Dad raise his hand to my mother. He was always a gentleman. He provided for my mother and us, even in his retirement he made sure that my mother was well prepared to go on and live comfortably after his bouts with Cancer.


He passed away from Colon Cancer that eventually spread to his liver and took his life after a long battle on January 6, 2004, two days after his January 4th Birthday. That Birthday we knew the end was near, the morphine pump was at least keeping him comfortable, and throughout that day the flow of our friends and family coming through the Hospital  to say goodbye seemed endless. Everyone had a comical story to tell about my father it seemed.


Even the priest that came that day to give him the last rites was impressed. There was more food in the room than Hometown Buffet and Father Vargo said that was what "Death with Dignity" was all about before he put holy oils on Dad's forehead The celebration of his life as we remembered him and being along side my mother for the tough period we knew was coming.


My mother has been remarkable in how she carried on after her best friend left her alone to carry on. She has shown great strength and keeps well occupied. The marine who brought her  coffee in bed every morning was no longer there to wake her with his whistle every day before he woke her up. ( I bought her a Keurig for the coffee, but I know that doesn't come close to the cup of love she was served every morning.)


Mom still tells me regularly that " I went and talked to your Father today" and my usual retort is "Did he answer you?"  I am sure she was probably down there today amongst the meticulous rows of white marble stones at the Veteran's Cemetery chastising my father for leaving her alone early.


The time may go by but the memories still remain strong. Thanks Dad for teaching us what you did and for setting the example for us to live by



Sunday, December 15, 2013

DO AS THEY SAY, NOT AS THEY DO



As dozens of cars were towed around Hartford for violating the parking ban and hundreds of $99.00 tickets were issued, apparently the word of the ban didn't get out at City Hall.

This is probably another example of the Segarra Administration's "Leadership by Example" as the City of Hartford vehicle pictured above was left on Prospect Street, directly behind City Hall in violation of the Snowstorm parking ban. As you can see in the picture, the van was hampering snow plowing operations as the plows had to navigate around the van , instead of being able to plow to the curb.

Also, this may not come as a consolation to those who were ticketed and towed, but the press release from the Mayor's Office was incorrect. The fee to retrieve a vehicle towed is not $196.84. The car can be retrieved by paying directly to the tow company $97.84, the parking ticket fee of $99.00 is paid to the Hartford Parking Authority.. The Hartford Police Department does not collect fees for parking violations

If your vehicle is missing from the street and you think it was towed, contact the Hartford Police Department at 860-757-4000. Be prepared to give them the location where it was parked and the plate number on the vehicle . They can tell you which towing company has your vehicle.

In the meantime, next time there is a parking ban, pay attention to it. Even if the City of Hartford doesn't

Friday, December 13, 2013

GET WELL SOON, CHIEF

 
 
Hartford's Police Chief James Rovella has been going through some medical issues for the past few weeks.
 
Today Assistant Chief Brian Heavren put out the following statement in regard the Chiefs absence.
 
"As many of you know, Chief Rovella has recently been out sick.  I spoke to him today and he is feeling better and he sounded good.

He appreciates the thoughts and prayers and was very interested in what was going on here at the PD.

He  remains at the hospital and due to various procedures, visitation is limited.

I appreciate the support and your hard work during his absence."
 
Please keep the Chief and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he continues top recover.