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By Kerri Provost, August 31, 2010 10:33 am

By now, you’ve probably heard that Hartford was placed on a controversial list. It’s funny how some have latched right on to the notion, but when Hartford makes other lists, its presence on them is instantly dismissed.   For example, CNNMoney.com named Hartford as one of the best places to start a small business. The posting of this link to a friend’s Facebook page was followed by immediate reactionary comments, dismissing the ranking. But between CNN and a source I had never heard of, I am going to typically find CNN to be more reliable. The opposite seems to be true for many; they believe whichever source reaffirms their own beliefs. Yet, how is it that multiple pieces of evidence are routinely ignored? Forbes.com placed Hartford on a list of Best Cities to Find a Job. On another list, Hartford moved from #149 (out of 200) in 2008 to #49 in 2009 Best Performing Cities. Those are just three lists that refute the claim that Hartford belongs on a “worst” list based on its economy. Hartford is known for its insurance industry, but insurance is not the only game in town. The economy is also not the only way to take a city’s pulse. A neighborhood in Hartford was named on “Best Places for First-Time Buyers to Get an Old House” published on This Old House. But that’s a positive story, so there’s nothing to see there. Right?

Live in Hartford, a local blog, has published a number of articles which implicitly, and at times explicitly, make the case that Hartford is very much alive. Heck, the name of the blog itself, no matter which version of “live” one reads it as, makes this exact point. While some are using economics as the way to take a city’s temperature, Emily and Julie measure life in another way. In an article published yesterday, Emily directly addresses the recent controversial list. In March, she took a similar approach by listing the plethora of arts and entertainment activities happening within city limits. In January, Julie wrote about the standpoint theory, and described how someone from not here referred to Hartford as a cosmopolitan city. Going back to June 2009, Julie shows what a party for the brand new science center looks like. A piece from March 2009 talks about what it is like to live here as young(ish) professionals. This is just a sampling of what a single blog has done to describe, in words and pictures, Hartford, at length. There are no bait-and-switch tactics, no sensationalism, and no appeals to emotions used here (well, except for when the bloggers try to find homes for dogs). It’s honest. But as Emily writes, “what do I know, I just live and work and shop and play here.”

Every so often a major media outlet declares something dead. Or, they will mask a statement by turning it into a question. They will ask if  God is dead, or feminism is dead. Egregious claims and controversial debates sell copies, more than nuanced argument will. Take for example the claims made by a District Attorney candidate in that state just to our north. Continue reading 'It’s Called the Heartbeat for a Reason'»

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By Kerri Provost, August 13, 2010 3:54 pm

On August 6th a group of Muslims were verbally attacked after prayer in Bridgeport. The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut states:

The children were called “murderers” and the protesters using bullhorns yelled “Islam is a lie” and “Jesus hates Muslims”.

There have been protests against Mosques in Manhattan recently. Reminiscent of book burnings in Germany, there have also been burnings of the Qur’an. The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut and Muslim Leadership Council of Connecticut, along with various other faith organizations, organized and held a rally against Islamophobia this afternoon at the State Capitol.

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By Kerri Provost, May 31, 2010 7:37 am

On Saturday, Hartford will be hosting the annual Connecticut PRIDE Rally and Festival in Bushnell Park. It starts at noon, ends around 7pm, and will feature singer Inaya Day. I’m still waiting for the day when there is an actual parade and political edge to the Hartford event, but at least they chose a musician with an impressive resume this year.

Someone recently asked “PR parade is also next weekend (Sun) wonder what the gay boricuas will do.” Well, a weekend has two days, my friend.

Sunday is the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival del Coqui. If you look carefully, you’ll notice that the name of the parade has slightly changed, as it is hosted only by CICD (Connecticut Institute for Community Development) this year, and there is a new board of directors.

CICD says, “We are a new board that is trying to keep this beautiful cultural tradition alive by implementing different element such as the red carpet VIP area, celebrity hosts and cultural costumes and floats.” Celebrities?! If we start the rumor that Ricky Martin is among them, do you think we could get him to come to Hartford?

The parade begins at corner of Wawarme and Wethersfield Avenues (edge of Colt Park) at 11 a.m. and heads up Main Street, ending at Central Row and Prospect Street. From there, people can head to the Riverfront where Festival del Coqui will follow from 2-8 p.m.

The press release promises that, “There will be many surprises throughout the parade route with some celebrity appearances on floats. At the Festival del Coqui audiences will enjoy Spanish food, local cultural entertainment, and a battle of salsa bands that will allow the audience to select the winner.”

I’m already seeing people getting their cars ready for the parade. If you have never been to Hartford before during the Puerto Rican parade, I’d suggest giving yourself plenty of time to find parking or arrange detours. Better yet, just walk.

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By Kerri Provost, May 27, 2010 8:03 am

This has been the question posed, but the definition of caring is one that I reject. The Courant has framed the issue as follows: Hartford residents do or do not care about the city based on political corruption and/or low voter turnout.

As if those were the only indicators of caring!

Don’t Blame Me for Perez
I have voted in every election. Because I am not able to see the world through rose-colored glasses, I know that people can be corrupt, evil, or just plain stupid, regardless of party affiliation; thus, I do not vote along any party line. Although I do not despise him as many do, I have never voted for Perez. And guess what? Many others in Hartford did not vote for him either. Citing as proof that Hartford residents do not care because Mayor Perez was reelected is like saying Americans did not care because GWB was elected twice. I do not understand why some would cast their votes in favor of certain candidates, but they do.

Low voter turnout is a problem, but it is not a problem unique to Hartford. Even in presidential elections, Americans do not take part as they could. Do we blame voters for not participating in a system that they view as broken or unable to be affected by the people? I don’t. I’ll admit to not always believing that my vote matters, but I do it anyway…in the same way that I wear a seatbelt or a bike helmet. It might be futile, but then, it might not, and it does not hurt me to do so.

Instead of framing the outcome of an election as a sign that Hartford residents do not care, why do we not ask instead why better candidates are not running for political office?

I do not care about Perez
Sure, I care about him as a human being. He’s never been unpleasant in my very few interactions with him. But I do not care about his trial. There. I said it.

The media cares about the Perez trial because it is scandalous (low grade scandal is what I would call it) and scandal sells papers, gets viewers, and allows “reporters” to sit in a court room tweeting inane, irrelevant observations, passing that off as news.

It’s not that I am a supporter of corruption. If the Mayor did in fact do something illegal, he should be punished appropriately for it. But — here’s a shocker — his fancy counter tops do not affect my everyday life. They are not the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing before I go to sleep. No, the last thing I think about when going to bed is how the “noise ordinance with teeth” is more like one with dentures, in that when residents call for enforcement, the teeth have been removed. I care about the need for stronger enforcement of leash laws. There are people who let their pit bulls roam, which causes problems when they tangle with other dogs; there are some in my neighborhood who are afraid they will be bitten. Another thing I care about is how lackadaisical traffic law enforcement is. The police only need to park themselves at the corner of Broad and Capitol to meet any ticket quotas they might have. Every single time I am at this intersection I see people running red lights, speeding through the intersection, and doing other amazingly idiotic things, like texting while turning. Sit by the highway on and off ramps. I would feel safer standing in the middle of a driving school parking lot. I care about low literacy, bullying in schools, and the lack of employment for residents. I care that in certain neighborhoods where there are high rates of diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure, I see prominent billboards advertising alcohol and fast food. I care about the way downtown landlords price out low income residents or new small businesses, how the city demolishes buildings they own rather than maintain them so that they can be used, how the parks are not maintained as they should be, and how a minority of violent thugs make life unbearable in small sections of the city.

When I do not have so many other things to care about, then maybe I will have room in my brain for caring about a rather minor accusation made of a politician, who, by the way, has not gotten us into a war (or two), permitted torture, or wrecked the economy. Let’s prioritize our outrage. If Perez acted illegally, then he should be punished, but there is no need to sensationalize the trial, as this is not worthy of sensationalism.

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By Kerri Provost, May 25, 2010 8:29 am

I’m updating some of the other pages of this blog, but since not everyone makes it into these sections, I thought I would publish this information also on the front page. If you’re an old time reader or don’t care about this kind of thing, then just enjoy the photograph of roses in my neighborhood and then move along.

Answers to Frequently, Sporadically, and Rarely Asked Questions
History
Real Hartford began in March 2007 as a “Town Blog” hosted by CT Local Politics. In July 2009 it moved to its current address. During the life of this blog, I have lived in the South Green, West End, and Frog Hollow neighborhoods. I recently purchased a home in Frog Hollow; so far, I love the home and the neighborhood. I enjoy being in a vibrant and diverse community, and only blocks from “New England’s Hispanic Main Street‘” (a designation that makes me both smile and roll my eyes).

This blog was born all slimy, kicking and screaming out of my discontent with how my home was being portrayed by the mainstream media and by some vocal, ill-mannered people in surrounding towns. It has been nurtured by those in the community who also understand that stereotypes are for the intellectually lazy.
Blog Content and How to Contact Author

To inform about upcoming actions and events in Hartford CT, send press releases to me by email; please give at least several days of notice before an event, as there are not legions of reporters here, just me. When my schedule allows, I go to events that seem to have the intention of improving life in Hartford, continue to add vibrancy to the city’s cultures, or have a socio-political aim. Unlike the television news or newspapers, I apply critical thinking. I do not have loyalty to any politician, political party, organization or corporation; additionally, I do not claim to approach any story, event, or issue with an ounce of objectivity, as humans are not objective beings. National events get plenty of coverage on other blogs and in the mainstream media, so limit press releases to local events. I almost exclusively write about Hartford. Generally speaking, I am not going to waste virtual ink on events that I can not afford to attend. An exception will be made occasionally if I believe the cause is a very good one or if something about the event seems particularly awesome to me. I could cite the economic meltdown we’ve been experiencing as my reasoning for this, but it’s not. Hartford has consistently been plagued with high poverty rates, yet it is the capitol of the richest (or second richest, depending on the year) state in the country. So, I have to ask: Is it good for the Hartfordites? Is this event something that either the majority of my neighbors could afford to attend or something that will benefit the community greatly? Continue reading 'Real Hartford Blog FAQ Refresher'»