Real Hartford

Peace It Up!

This Friday at the CT Convention Center from 8am-4pm:

In order to spur continuous progress in reducing youth violence in our communities, Communities Empowering Youth (CEY) is hosting its second annual Peace It Up conference! The conference is being sponsored by Communities Empowering Youth (CEY), which is a partnership initiative of Capital Workforce Partners & the City of Hartford’s Office for Youth Services. It is intended to bring together the many audiences that must be part of crafting solutions to the problem of youth violence: community providers, funders, youth, the faith community, workforce, policy makers and legislators.

Continue reading Peace It Up!…

Cultural Events at the Riverfront

Mark September 20th, 21st, and 27th on your calendars. These events are free and open to the public. There are nearby bus stops and parking lots.

September 20: Dragon Boat Races and Asian Festival : There will be dancing, drumming, and martial arts. All of these events promise food.

Septemeber 21: Incredible India Festival and Walk : music and entertainment

September 27: Pipes in the Valley Celtic Festival : Highland games, whisky tasting, Red Hot Chili Pipers, bagpipes, drumming, kilt-wearing, and kids’ activities

Lunch Break

On my lunch break today I visited Sadhna’s, the new clothing shop located in 960 Main. Finally, a clothing store downtown that appeals to me. There are, of course, already a few places to buy new threads, including Above Us, which is right next to Capital Community College and looks like it is where most of my students from there shop. Sadhna’s, however, is attractive to those of us who like shiny things, bright colors, and long skirts. There are gorgeous embroidered pants there for $29.99. The salesclerk there mentioned that everything was 20% off. There are sparky shoes, sparkly bangle bracelets, basically, sparkly everything. I’m not sure how I left without buying something. They have both fancy and casual clothing, and the prices, for the most part, seem to match the quality. I didn’t have time to peek at the jewelry counter.

They are open M-F 11-5, closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Hartford Curfew Extended

File that under “Totally Predictable” and “Exploitative Use of 9/11 and Homeland Security-esque Tactics”

Christine at CT News Junkie has the scoop.

Any bets on if this will later be extended to last through Christmas?

Coming in October…

CTTRANSIT TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING
Capitol Region Council of Governments, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Greater Hartford Transit
District and The Hartford Public Library Partner CTTRANSIT, in partnership with the Capitol Region Council of Governments, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Greater Hartford Transit District and The Hartford Public Library will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, October 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Central Branch of the Hartford Public Library in downtown
Hartford. The address for the library is 500 Main Street.

The purpose of the public meeting is to give CTTRANSIT bus users an opportunity to make suggestions for changes
and share ideas for improvements.

Continue reading Coming in October……

but, like, then we would have to tell the truth, omg

Maybe I don’t see the need to throw so much venom at Sarah Palin because Hartford has our very own Sarah Barr, Mayor Perez’s spokesperson. Today’s Hartford Courant reports yet another ethics violation associated with Perez, this one regarding his lack of transparency. Barr, using tremendously flawed reasoning, writes:

If this novel concept was adopted by the FOI Commission, no Governor, Mayor, or any public official could convene a group of volunteer advisors to receive advice and counsel on important issues in a private setting

Duh! That’s the point!

What is the problem of “receiv[ing] advice and counsel on important issues in a private setting” in this case? Continue reading but, like, then we would have to tell the truth, omg…

NACA Workshop Update

Late last night I was notified that the workshop planned to happen today in the Hartford Public Library was moved to the Windsor Public Library because of a scheduling error. I’m wondering how many residents were not notified and how many won’t be able to attend now. I’m also wondering why another acceptable venue for this could not be found in Hartford itself. I know that tons of red tape would probably be involved, but there is that lovely facility in the old G.Fox building that contains many classrooms, only a few of which get used on Saturdays. My plan is to still attend, and give a report on it later this weekend.

City Council Agenda: 9/8/08

The City Council has their upcoming agenda posted. This ought to be an interesting meeting on September 8th, as it was just announced that there is a projected city deficit of$800 Trillion $8 Million dollars. Here’s what I think is relevant/intriguing to watch for:

2. MAYOR PEREZ, with accompanying resolution de Authorization to apply and receive

funds from the State for Local Prevention Council Program.

4. MAYOR PEREZ, with accompanying resolution de Authorization to enter into a

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the State Administrative Agency (SAA) for the

Regional Emergency Operation Plan and Regional Emergency Preparedness Spending Plan.

7. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE de Discussion regarding impact of

community violence, health, safety and human services aspects, need for extension of

community activities (hours and variety of services) for youth, elderly and all other ages.

Continue reading City Council Agenda: 9/8/08…

One More “No Place to Shop” in Hartford

Sadhna’s, an “Indian fabrics” shop, will be having their Grand Opening on September 8th from 11-5 pm, during which time everything is 20% off. A flash of your Student ID will get you an additional 10% off. This store, located in 960 Main, will be selling a variety of goods from bedding to shoes to belly dancing outfits.

Sadhna’s is on the same floor as the Petrini Art Gallery, an antique shop, and a vendor market. They also share the building with Capital Community College, Ambassador of India, Mezzanine & Gershon Fox Room, and Room 960.

politics are dirty, but our river doesn’t have to be

On Saturday, October 4th, the Connecticut River Watershed Council will be coordinating the 12th annual Source to Sea Cleanup. That’s a month away, but they would like volunteer teams to register by September 15th, though late registrations are accepted. So far, there are cleanups planned in Wethersfield, Glastonbury, Higganum, Middletown, Cromwell, Deep River/Essex/Old Saybrook, Windsor, and in the Farmington Valley. If anyone would like to form a team for Hartford, they should look over the guidelines on the CT River Watershed Council website and contact the organization.