Real Hartford

How to Build Community (Against All Odds): Part One

The Syracuse Cultural Workers created a poster which I’m sure many readers have seen before, but which I feel compelled to discuss regardless. The items in bold are on their list of ways to build community, and my comments are in a regular font.

Think of no one as “them”: Creating categories based on difference allows individuals to more easily justify the unjustifiable, to excuse the inexcusable. The result? When some kind of crime or wrongdoing occurs in an certain area or to a person who belongs to a different group (race, class, sexuality, ability, gender, religion, political affiliation, you name it…), it is not thought of as something that might concern all in society. Thus, it’s remains to be addressed in a productive way. The “answer” goes something like this: “avoid Hartford,” “bulldoze it and start over,” “more prisons,” “send criminals/undesirables to Springfield.” Those sentiments are not productive by any stretch of the imagination.

Don’t confuse your comfort with your safety: In my walks to work, I have felt discomfort. In my old neighborhood, I would pass a homeless shelter and park where people who were basically up to no good, or had no other place to go, would congregate. Even with the verbal street harassment which made the trip sometimes irritating, I never felt unsafe. Continue reading How to Build Community (Against All Odds): Part One…

The Other Opening Day

Today is the first day for the season that the Farmers’ Market at Billings Forge will be open. Last year they only ran one day each week, but now they will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from 11am-2pm. Last year I found some tomatillos and great bread there. Billings Forge is on Broad Street in Frog Hollow, close to Capitol Avenue (near the Fire Box restaurant). Besides cash, they accept Visa, Mastercard, EBT, and WIC for payment.

edited to add: There are two bread vendors, dressing, pies, asparagus, salad greens, tomato and pepper plants, herbs, granola, rhubarb, maple candy, goat cheese, and things I’m surely forgetting.

New Farmers’ Markets
Although not open yet, there will also be two new markets at different locations in the city.

There will be a market run at the Alchemy Juice Bar from May 31st-September on Fridays from 3-7pm and Saturdays from 10am-noon. There will also be an indoor winter market running in the old G.Fox building (960 Main) from November 6, 2008 through April 30, 2009 on Thursdays from 9am-3pm. Currently, vendors set up tables on Thursdays from about 10-2 (some earlier, some later) in that space, selling jewelry, sunglasses, bags, random junk and crafts.

Good News = Not News

I had to dig a little to find anything on Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the South Branch Trail in the Behind the Rocks neighborhood. Of course, news of heroin convictions and other crimes are posted as headlines for the city. Eventually, the trail should connect up to Bushnell Park and Pope Park, if the funding does not disappear.

Tangentially related, there will be a plant sale over the Memorial Day weekend (that’s May 23 and 24th, for those of you who are oblivious to such holidays) at 75 Laurel Street (Knox Parks Foundation). There will be flowers, herbs, and vegetable plants for sale. This is a fundraiser for the Knox Green Crew.