Comments (2) The American experience in Jamaica is typically limited to visiting resorts.
The documentary Life and Debt explores what happens behind the scenes at these resorts, along with how globalization has affected the rest of the island.
This film, released in 2001, will be shown at the Charter Oak Cultural Center at 7p.m. on January 26, 2012.
Great Path Academy / Photo courtesy of Hartford Public Schools
Beginning on July 1, 2012, Great Path Academy — a “middle college high school” located on the Manchester Community College (MCC) campus — will be managed by the Hartford Public Schools. It is currently managed by the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC).
Students at Great Path Academy follow the college semester calendar, have access to MCC’s resources, and primarily reside in Manchester, Tolland, East Hartford, Glastonbury, Bolton, and Coventry; 29% of Great Path Academy students are Hartford residents. The 2010 enrollment of 283 represented 15 towns in all. Current enrollment is at 247. David Medina, Director of External Communications for the Hartford Public Schools says that now Great Path Academy serves students from only seven other towns in Greater Hartford. No explanation was provided for the drop in enrollment and range of towns represented from 2010 to 2011. Continue reading 'Kishimoto Calls Decision to Manage Another School “Logical”'»
Thought the new year moved civilization forward, toward more compassion, mindfulness, and understanding? Headlines from this week demand we rethink how those in Connecticut view ourselves.
First, we have two examples of blaming a murder victim for his death. The Republican American headline reads:
In the rehashed version of the story published by the Courant, the title remained equally distasteful:
screenshots taken because headlines change
Words matter.
Headlines are first impressions and frame the story. The message here is not that the person who brutally murdered another is to blame, but that the victim’s alleged sexual advance triggered this. The headlines announce that a perceived or real advance is the cause, not someone’s homophobia.
Then, when we wonder what kind of climate would permit such crime and thoughtless use of language to describe it, we gain some answers by reading about compassion in sheep’s clothing, Continue reading 'Welcome to 1912 Connecticut'»
Continue reading 'Smitten in New Britain with Hartford’s Burlesque Troupe'»
Here are a few of the upcoming Halloween events to look out for later this month:
Steampunk Halloween Masquerade Ball
Exactly what it sounds like. The Steampunk Bizarre artwork will still be on exhibit during this event. There will be a costume contest and participants should wear masks. This is at the Mark Twain House & Museum.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Jonathan Kruk, the official storyteller of New York, will be performing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at the Mark Twain House & Museum at 7:30 on the evenings of October 25th and October 26th.
Cedar Hill’s Haunted History Lantern Tour
Wear comfortable shoes and dress warmly. Once you think you have done that, add one more layer. The wait for this tour has been long for a reason; in the past, it was likely that you would spend about an hour pacing about before guided through Cedar Hill Cemetery. This year, they are requiring attendees to make reservations for the tour on the evening of October 28th. Character actors will tell tales of their lives, and of their deaths. This is probably not appropriate for young children. You may want to bring a flashlight.
M.A.D. Costume Party
The New Britain Museum of American Art is awesome, so the trip is worth taking anyway, but on October 28th their monthly party will feature a costume contest, along with a burlesque performance by Hartford’s own Beat City Beauties. This event is for adults over 21 only. Before complaining about the admission price, take note: it’s an open bar. The NBMAA will have trompe l’oeil works by Sarah Lamb on exhibit, as well as minimalist art by Arthur Carter. Victoria Bradbury’s new media interactive installation will project viewers’ heads onto that of a boar. The museum is at 56 Lexington Street in New Britain.
Nosferatu with the Alloy Orchestra
At 8pm on October 29th, Real Art Ways will be hosting a silent film screening accompanied by live music! If you’ve never had this type of viewing experience before, it’s worth taking the risk.
Spirits at Stowe
Every Friday and Saturday evening in October, there are 45-minute tours (6:30, 7:30, and 8:30) of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s house, with a focus on her “interest in spiritualism.”
Spooky Storytimes
At 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., the SAND/Ropkins branch of the Hartford Public Library will have this 30-minute storytime for children ages 3-5. This is located at 1750 Main Street. Free.
Is there anything not on the list that should be?
photo courtesy of Afonso Lima
Click here to read about how a student in Hartford opted out of the Connecticut Mastery Test.
The Connecticut State Department of Education website makes the No Child Left Behind threats both clear and obscure at the same time:
The phrase “academic performance” is Continue reading 'Back to School Guide: Reclaiming Your Child’s Education (2/2)'»
The following is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Rather, these are my snobbish selections of what sounds most interesting in the upcoming month. Also, to mark the ten years since September 11, 2001, there will be numerous events, re-broadcasts, etc. For this calendar, I am only including those that appear to promise not to pander to reactionaries, nor foster chauvinism.
August 31- September 4th
Quidam: Cirque du Soleil at the Civic Center.
September 1st
Art After Hours: Escape to India. The Wadsworth Atheneum’s monthly party will feature Indian cuisine, dancing, henna body painting, and a fashion show by Sadhna’s, a downtown clothing boutique. The event begins at 5pm and concludes after the screening of Monsoon Wedding.
The Art of Carlos Hernandez-Chavez: “I am My Mother.” The opening reception will be from 5-8pm at the Pump House Gallery, located at 60 Elm Street at the edge of Bushnell Park. This collection of work by “Hartford visual artist, muralist, photographer, musician, arts educator and activist Carlos Hernandez-Chavez” will be on display through September 29th. Continue reading 'Happening(s) in September'»
Local activists began a rolling fast at the beginning of this month to show solidarity with prisoners in the California state system; 6,600 prisoners had been on a hunger strike to urge officials to change conditions in prisons, including the indefinite solitary confinement at Pelican Bay State Prison.
The rolling fast will be ending tomorrow, August 23rd. From 6:30-8:30 pm there will be a speak-out at La Paloma Sabanera. On this National Day of Action and Solidarity, local activists will be sharing their own stories about fasting. They will provide education about prison conditions, not just in California, but here in Connecticut as well.
This event is free and sponsored by Connecticut in Solidarity with California Prisoners.
Last month, 6,600 prisoners in California participated in a protest against indefinite solitary confinement. It began at the Pelican Bay State Prison; eventually, inmates at a total of thirteen prisons participated. On the twentieth day of action, the state government agreed to reassess the use of solitary confinement (in which prisoners might be kept for years) in its prisons. The protests — which also included lawyers, family members, and community members – involved marching, petitioning, chanting, and fasting. There have been conflicting reports about when the prisoner hunger strike ended, partly because the media had been refused permission to interview prisoners participating in the action.
Now, locals are fasting in solidarity to keep the pressure on the State of California. Connecticut in Solidarity with California Prisoners has organized this action. So far, thirteen people have committed to participating, three of whom will be fasting twice. One activist — a diabetic — will be fasting on the same day as another person. Continue reading 'Rolling Fast'»
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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