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By Kerri Provost, October 31, 2011 4:59 pm

Although many areas in the state have experienced complete devastation, other sections were relatively untouched. A walk from Frog Hollow to the Connecticut River involved no fallen power lines, a few down trees, and many branches strewn about.

All businesses appeared to be open.

Roads were clogged — particularly around gas stations — with impatient and careless drivers. Late last night, the lines at the pumps were only two or three cars deep. East of the Connecticut River, only a few gas stations were open because of the power outage.

Damage could be seen on the State Capitol grounds, in parks, and in residential areas alike. Continue reading 'Storm Alfred: Wreckage and Beauty'»

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By Kerri Provost, August 26, 2011 9:51 am

On Tuesday, Connecticut residents were preoccupied with the earthquake, which did little damage here. On Twitter, people sounded frantic about the possibility of aftershocks. This concern was rarely for/by those near the epicenter, where some property damage occurred. For perspective, a Richmond news site had no stories about the earthquake “above the fold” that evening, while every mainstream news outlet in Connecticut had it posted as the top story.

As Hurricane Irene became a formidable threat, again, the news jumped on it, making it a top story. Announcements, such as the one that Malloy declared a “state of emergency” are rarely accompanied with information about what this actually means. All people see is the word “emergency” and get their emotions stirred further. When it is declared, it means a disaster is believed to be imminent, or, it has already occurred; but, the intention is to secure funds and temporary powers to assist with the situation. Remember when a State of Emergency was declared last winter after all that snow fall? Nobody was out rioting in the streets, but removing all the snow cost a lot of money. The declaration was to help defray the cost.

Here is an explanation of the Declaration of Emergency, from the Governor’s website:

For those constantly tuned in for news updates, they are barraged with “breaking stories” — often of marginal importance — lots of red, flashing, scrolling data, dramatic music, and even graphics prepared for the occasion. Something that should be treated with attention and concern is converted into a spectacle of obsession. Continue reading 'Preparation without Panic'»

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By Kerri Provost, August 25, 2011 11:32 am

About half the seats were filled at the start of Wednesday’s forum; by the end, only a few dozen people remained, and many of those were candidates’ families, or, candidates running with the Republican and Working Families parties. Two of the ten Democrats running for City Council did not attend. It was a rare event that finished early in spite of many questions from the audience.

The forum provided Democrats with the opportunity to distinguish themselves from the other candidates; few bothered to do so. Instead, candidates were quick to agree with each other, rarely adding anything meaningful to previous comments; a few candidates gave rambling responses to most questions, stumping the audience as to the point being made. Continue reading 'Council Primary Candidates Forum'»

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By Kerri Provost, August 21, 2011 6:41 pm

Those who rode their bicycles last Thursday had a different experience than those who took the bus or trolley for the annual community garden tour. Those using motorized transportation went to the Watkinson Community Garden after departing from the Niles Community Garden*, while the cyclists opted to visit some alternative locations.

Continue reading 'Touring Community Gardens by Bicycle'»

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By Kerri Provost, August 7, 2011 10:44 pm

Just over a month ago, five young women from New England Climate Summer — Team RICONN — biked through Hartford, after starting their trip in Providence. Their goal was to make stops in Rhode Island and Connecticut, before heading straight from New Haven to their final destination: Boston.

They did it.

On Wednesday evening they rolled into Boston.

What does one learn after spending ten weeks away from home?

In a thank you letter sent by Team RICONN, Ellie said, “This summer has restored my faith and confidence in humanity. [...] I found myself constantly in awe of the level of hospitality and warmth with which we were met and the short amount of time that it took me to feel at home wherever we went.” Continue reading 'Climate Summer a Success'»

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By Kerri Provost, July 16, 2011 10:34 am

Nearly a year ago, we wrote about the MDC public hearing regarding the potential closing of West Hartford Reservoir to recreation. The impetus for this discussion was a frivolous lawsuit, filed and won, by a cyclist who had been seriously injured at the reservoir. As a result, the MDC had to hand over $2.9 million.

On Wednesday, Governor Malloy signed into law the Recreational Liability Protection for Muncipalities bill (HB 6557 / PL 11-211). The purpose of this law is to protect cities against frivolous personal injury lawsuits. This law goes into effect on October 1, 2011.

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By Kerri Provost, July 10, 2011 8:06 am

Photo by Christopher Brown

Riverfest — which has not actually been held on July 4th for years — drew lots of people into downtown Hartford on Saturday evening. The tradition has become to seek out a new spot for viewing each year. In the past we’ve tried the overlook at Elizabeth Park, the Riverfront Plaza, East Hartford’s Great River Park, and this rooftop, just to name a few. For those with a low tolerance for crowds, I recommend the latter.

Photo by Christopher Brown

Rivaling the fireworks display was the post-show entertainment: watching traffic jams, a safe distance from impatient motorists.

Photo by Christopher Brown

Even with the exodus following the fireworks display, restaurants were doing well hours after the show ended. One establishment that can usually neatly fit all customers into the bar was forced to reopen its formal dining area.

Photo by Christopher Brown

Continue reading 'Riverfest 2011'»

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By Kerri Provost, July 6, 2011 5:39 pm

This pig lives at Holcomb Farm, a farm that provides produce to Foodshare

It’s not accurate to describe Hartford as being a food desert. This term implies that food is unavailable. The obesity rate says otherwise.

Instead, we should be calling it what it is — a food swamp. Prof. Molly Anderson used this phrase during her presentation at a recent forum held at the Lyceum. Rather than a lack of food being the problem, it’s that there is, in these areas, “far too much of the wrong kind of food,” she argued.

Food security was the topic of discussion at the “IForum” in late June. Anderson, the keynote speaker, delivered her presentation, “A Home’s Not Just a House: Why Food Security Must Be Part of a Strong, Affordable Community”; a response panel comprised of Julia Pon, Margaret Williams, and Martha Page followed. Continue reading 'The Great Food Swamp'»

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By Kerri Provost,

Eighteen people, ranging from traditional college students to retirees, gathered in a musty basement bordering the Trinity College campus, yet not one was currently affiliated with this institution. Reaching them required navigating around the bicycles; bikes were tied to the chain link fence, to other bikes, to the porch, or just leaning against the narrow hallway walls inside.

Five young adults from New England Climate Summer were meeting with community members during their week-long stop in Hartford. They are one team of six taking part in this action and are cycling across New England specifically to speak with local activists in various towns and cities so that these individuals and organizations are acknowledged.

The Connecticut/Rhode Island team — an all female team — began in Providence (RI) before coming to Hartford. Next, they will make stops in Bridgeport, North Kingstown (RI), Westerly (RI), Stonington, Mystic,New Haven, and will end their trip in Roxbury/Boston (MA). The majority of all New England Climate Summer participants, actually, are women.

After Thursday evening’s potluck meeting, attended by folks affiliated with CCEJ and The Summer of Solutions, and others, I spoke with women from the Climate Summer Connecticut/Rhode Island team about their adventure so far. To set out on such a trip, one would expect the cyclists to have raced or at least trained for it. Instead, they said:

No one in the group has [done] anything like this before. In fact, most of us weren’t even avid cyclists before the trip. We’re learning as we go, and I think a lot of us will definitely be inspired to bike much more now that we’ve had this experience. Now that we’ve done a couple of 50+ mile days, biking one or two miles to the store won’t seem like a big deal.

This home in Shandaken, New York (near Woodstock) is one of many with anti-fracking signs in the yard.

This might not seem like a lifestyle change to some, but 40% of trips people in urban areas take are within two miles of home, yet 90% of those trips are made using an automobile. In an age when peak oil is no longer something that may possibly happen in a few generations’ time, it’s hopeful that there are young people taking energy issues seriously.

While they report a few minor snags, like potholes, debris in the road, and the lack of shoulders, they say that generally, their experience has been “very positive”:

Avoiding using automobiles for the summer is much more doable than people might initially think.

The Climate Summer group says they have “most enjoyed Continue reading 'Climate Summer'»

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By Kerri Provost, June 27, 2011 11:49 am

Elizabeth, Bushnell, Colt, Keney, Pope, and Goodwin are usually the spots that come to mind when green areas are mentioned. Maybe Riverside Park and Charter Oak Landing will be included.

Not always as public as the actual parks, community gardens provide an equally relaxing environment, yet they might seem “hidden” to those who rely on private transportation to move about the city. Most of these gardens are, in fact, not hidden at all.

Unlocked gardens allow anyone to pass through, though going into individual garden plots is discouraged unless the gardener extends an invitation. Likewise, it’s poor etiquette to pick flowers and vegetables unless invited: anything growing outside of the main fence, however, is generally up for grabs.

If you’re looking to relax, smell some flowers, listen to birds chirp, and covet your neighbor’s heirloom tomatoes, here are some places you can do this: Continue reading 'Secret Gardens'»