Dawn Holder’s installation in the ArtWalk Gallery at the Hartford Public Library is like visiting Florida at this time of year. The porcelain garden is a foray into an otherworldly springtime.
It made me nervous as hell.
Not particularly clumsy, but not particularly graceful either, I fall into the category of worrier. In all my time working retail, I was fortunate to have smashed only one item. It was a large, Waterford crystal vase. It cost more than I made in two weeks at the time. While ringing it up, I was very mindful of handling it carefully when somehow it slipped. The crash was heard on the other side of the large store. While worried that I would have to pay for it (I didn’t) and embarrassed for being careless, I still enjoyed the bright, tinging sound it made as it burst apart. If you can ever afford to smash a hefty piece of crystal, I strongly recommend it.
I did not know who made the vase I broke, but I do know Dawn Holder. Knowing how awful I would feel if I decimated a piece of her artwork, I tried to keep a safe distance from the flowers that seemed to grow out of the library’s floor. Continue reading 'The Idea of This Perfect Edenic Place'»
Other than the military personnel who are armed to the teeth with coffee and junkfood from Dunkin Donuts, I rarely see significant foot traffic near the Legislative Office Building. Mostly, people drive to the parking garage and enter the building through the pedestrian entrance, never needing to come into contact with sunlight. Yet, there are large, well-marked warnings painted on the driveway, warning motorists to slow down. There are stop signs posted in places that make them more noticeable. There are even neon yellow signs telling motorists to stop for pedestrians — the signs are posted right in the crosswalks. I do appreciate this, as I use the area as a safer passage to downtown, given that the alternative of continuing along Capitol Avenue means having to cross the I-84 on/off ramp. Even with the stoplights all working and with the pedestrian walk signal on, the cars do not stop. Last week I saw a noticeably pregnant woman pushing a stroller across and the cars were not even obeying the law for her. It seems strange that few such safety features exist along a major street, but within a parking lot, traffic is managed quite well.
Sunday morning, when I read about the volunteer crossing guard who was threatened with arrest for keeping children safe, my heart sank. I read the article a few more times, trying to find a hidden clue that would make this story make sense. In a nutshell, a grandfather, who happens to be a disabled Vietnam Vet, decided to contribute to society by helping children safely get across the street to the Achievement First Academy in the Blue Hills neighborhood. He began this back in September. He had been honored by the school in the school newsletter and by being given a vest and stop sign. That sounds like his actions had been more than merely approved of by those he was interacting with directly.
Why threaten a man with arrest for helping society? Continue reading 'Whose Interests Are We Guarding?'»
Blue Hills, Crime & Justice, Education, Hartford, commentary, gutless officials, hpd, political b.s., quality of life, system, tax money in action, transportation
Between working and trying to unpack dozens of boxes, I have been a little preoccupied. This past weekend, I was lucky to get out for a few hours to enjoy the warm sunshine.
Continue reading 'Cedar Hill Cemetery'»
Very fancy restaurants tend to make me feel uncomfortable and provoke bad behavior in me, like imitating that scene from the Blues Brothers. Dish did not bring this out of me. When I showed up wearing jeans and a decidedly not fancy shirt, the restaurant staff were just as welcoming as if I arrived in an evening gown.
Months ago I read some review that said the decor was reminiscent of bondage.That was not really my impression, though it definitely felt industrial inside. There are chains hanging from the ceiling. There’s a water feature. Near the time we were getting ready to leave it sounded like karaoke had started on the other side of the restaurant. I don’t see karaoke listed on their website, so it may have just been a cover band.
To drink, I had sangria. You can not tell from the photo, but it was essentially a keg-sized glass. Continue reading 'Dish'»
After the Red Carpet segment, I have always just shut the television off because the award portion of the Oscars felt pointless. The types of films I see in the theatre tend not to be the blockbusters that everyone talks about or nominates for awards. This year, I could have reason to pay attention to at least one category.
On Saturday I got to see the animated short films that have been either nominated or given praise. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen the Real Art Ways theatre this full. Having kids in the audience (quite the change from the typical demographic there) was fun. During Matter of Loaf and Death there is a reference to Ghost, which everyone was laughing at, but the child behind me blurted out, loudly, ‘What is so funny? Why’s everyone laughin’?” which provoked more laughter, since there were amazingly people on the planet whose brains were not wired to associate a pottery wheel and “Unchained Melody” with anything. Only one of the films, the last, was dubbed to be not child-friendly, and I feel for the loss of the parents who missed out on the experience due to having to shuffle their innocent progeny out the door before obscenity could rain upon the little ones’ ears. Continue reading 'Animated Shorts at Real Art Ways'»
The final community listening session for the Planning & Zoning Commission will be Tuesday evening at Rawson School. So far, there have been sessions at the Pope Park Rec Center, United Methodist Church, and Metzner Rec Center. Each session has focused on proposed land use for nearby neighborhoods.
Continue reading 'Proposed Land Use for Hartford’s Neighborhoods'»
Asylum Hill, Barry Square, Behind the Rocks, Blue Hills, Clay Arsenal, Economics, Environment, Frog Hollow, Hartford, POCD, Parkville, South End, Urban Renewal, West End, architecture/design, blight, class, commentary, community, downtown, housing, library, neighborhoods, north end, parks, photos, quality of life, south green, tax money in action, transportation
This shows some of the produce available in El Mercado, a marketplace and food court on the corner of Park and Babcock. Admittedly, there are a number of items in the market that I can not identify, but as anyone can see, they have the fixings for homemade guacamole. Aside from the eggplant (not pictured), everything appeared fresh.
The small markets in Hartford get a bad rap for not carrying nutritious foods. Much of the time, this reputation is deserved; however, El Mercado’s shelves and bins were stocked with plenty of nutritious choices. Sure, the food court area is predictably meat-centric, but I did not see greasy hamburgers and fries among options. Continue reading 'more photos of frog hollow'»
Yesterday was a spectacular let down in terms of the lack of snow, but I went for a walk anyway.
Continue reading 'Day Off Downtown'»
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