April 23, 2015

Transcription

April 23, 2015
INTRODUCING A REVOLUTIONARY SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM!
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
Our amazing summer camp
program—kids say it’s the
best in the Hartford area!
PALMER, MA
PERMIT #22
Transportation is available from
West Hartford to camp location in Avon.
EDUCATIONAL PLAYCARE
PRESS
West Hartford
www.educationalplaycare.com l 860-232-5038
iN sports
Conard LAX
takes on
Ludlowe
PAGE 17
L O C A L N E W S • S P O R T S • E N T E R TA I N M E N T • A N D M O R E
Vol. 6, Edition 17
Thursday
April 23, 2015
in the press
Budget
adopted in
party line vote
During what Mayor Scott Slifka referred to as “typically our
most polarizing night of the
year” – though he and Minority Leader Denise Hall noted it
is “not reflective” of how the
Town Council usually works
together, as it often makes bipartisan decisions – the governing body adopted a budget
on party lines with Democrats in favor and Republicans
against. The 6-3 split vote was
cast Monday, April 20, bringing
to a close the annual budgeting process in town. PAGE 9
Photo by Abigail Albair
Perfecting pickles to celebrate the earth
A Smith STEM Elementary School student adds dill to a jar filled with vinegar, cucumbers and other ingredients to make pickles during an after school
activity April 21 in celebration of Earth Day, which was the following day. Many schools in town marked the occasion last week. Read more on page 7.
FREE Train Rides
It’s our way of saying Thank You!
KloterFarms.com
860-871-1048
216 West Rd, Ellington, CT
Corner of Rte 83 & 286
Mon & Wed 9-6, Tu & Th 9-7, Fri 9-5,
Sat 8-5 • Closed Sun
FREE DELIVERY in CT, MA, RI
$1500 min. purchase. Extra charge for Cape Cod.
Fun for the Family!
& Ice Cream Sundaes!
This Saturday!
Jump on
The Kloter
Farms Express
11-4PM
NEWS
THIS WEEK
A&E
4
Kids
6
The Buzz
8
Town News
9
Business
12
Editorial
14
Sports
15
Calendar
19
Classifieds
20
Quotes
of Note
Wild about animals
“This is West Hartford.
We are a high service
community and that’s
what the voters have
voted for year after year
after year and after
decade and it’s what has
made our community
what it is.”
-Harry Captain in “Budget
adopted by...” on page 9
Courtesy photo
8
Reader Susan Hitt shared this photo of her frequent backyard visitor – a black bear. If you have a photo
of a critter that you’ve spotted locally, submit it for this segment to Abigail at [email protected].
Include “Wild About Animals” and the animal spotted in the subject line. Be sure to mention your town of
residence as well. All submissions will be considered for inclusion in a future issue.
THE DOCTOR IS IN.
UConn welcomes
Omar Ibrahim, M.D.
DIRECTOR OF INTERVENTIONAL PULMONARY
Dr. Ibrahim is one of a few physicians in the region offering the latest minimally
invasive procedures to diagnose lung disease or stage lung cancer, and remove
abnormal lung tissue or fluid around the lungs.
His advanced training includes a fellowship in interventional pulmonary at
Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
OFFERING PERSONALIZED CARE FOR:
•Advancedlungandairwayprocedures
•Benignandmalignantdiseasesofthelungandairway
OFFICE LOCATIONS: Farmington
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY.
Call 860.679.8300 or visit uchc.edu
263 FARMINGTON AVENUE, FARMINGTON, CT
uchc.edu
2
The
West Hartford Press April 23, 2015
“This will fix [I-84] in the
sense that it will make it
safer. It will bring 84 to a
modern construction –
it’s currently out of date
– and make it safer and
reduce congestion.”
-Mark McGovern in “DOT to
host...” on page 9
‘Every dog goes to heaven’
West Hartford veteran credits happiness to service dog and ECAD organization now celebrating 20 years
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
Tony Charles, an Iraq War veteran, considers his service dog Dozer a guardian angel.
“He’s like a gift of God to me. He’s like
an angel more than a dog,” Charles, of West
Hartford, said. “He’s convinced me that dogs
have souls and every dog goes to heaven. He’s
made such a difference in my life and I thank
God every day for that.”
Charles, an army chaplain who retired in
2012, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, has a spinal cord injury and a traumatic
brain injury.
Dozer, who is trained to respond to 90
different commands, helps with the ongoing
issues.
Charles got the dog from Educated
Canines Assisting with Disabilities Project
HEAL Program, a program that places service
dogs with veterans living with PTSD, physical
injuries and/or traumatic brain injury.
ECAD, which has campuses in Torrington and upstate New York, was started
in a garage in West Granby in 1995 by Dale
and Lu Picard and is celebrating its 20th
anniversary.
According to a press release, through
Project HEAL, ECAD dogs help veterans who
have become disabled and/or are contending
with PTSD or TBI.
As part of Project HEAL, therapy dogs
are brought to Veterans Administration hospitals and schools.
ECAD also places dogs with children
with autism and people living with a variety
of disabilities including multiple sclerosis
or muscular dystrophy, ALS, sleep apnea,
stroke-related disabilities and others.
ECAD tailors each dog’s skill to the
specific needs of the client, according to the
press release.
Dozer was specifically trained to gently
wake Charles from nightmares and be there
as a comfort to him, according to ECAD lead
trainer Sherry Cookinham.
Charles credits the dog with saving his
life twice.
“It’s been twice that he jerked me back
and I didn’t know why he jerked me back, and
all of a sudden a car went by,” Charles said.
“He’s prevented me from getting hit by a car.”
Poor, low and blurred vision are among
the lingering issues from the traumatic brain
injury.
As Charles spoke during a recent interview, the golden retriever lay quietly at his
feet. That was not the case when the duo first
arrived for the meeting in Bishops Corner in
West Hartford. Dozer, at first, would not sit
or relax, a reaction to anxiety he sensed in
Charles, who had just driven from Norwich in
heavy traffic.
The dog can sense if Charles is feeling
stressed or anxious by the smell and taste of
his skin and will lick his hand to see if he is
calm or not.
If Charles exhibits anxiety or stress, the
dog reacts by standing near him, an action
which makes Charles take a few deep breaths
and pet the dog to help calm down.
“When I’m calm, he knows it and he
knows that he’s done his job,” Charles said.
“When I’m anxious, he will stand up, get my
attention so I will pet him, calm down and
Courtesy photo
Iraqi War veteran Tony Charles relies on his service dog Dozer, a golden retriever, to help him deal with daily life in the aftermath of PTSD, a
traumatic brain injury and a back injury. Since getting the dog last summer, Charles has been able to shop at malls again and can stop for
refreshment at a coffee shop, things which he was unable to do before the dog became his companion.
then he will sit.”
The dog also pulls him out of potentially
stressful situations, including those with loud
noise or bright lights that may cause flashbacks, often before Charles recognizes the
“He’s convinced me that dogs
have souls and every dog goes
to heaven. He’s made such
a difference in my life.”
–Tony Charles
threat, he said.
“If it’s really bad, Dozer will literally pull
me by the pants or the shirt and pull me to
the door,” Charles said.
In addition, Dozer performs numerous
tasks for Charles, including helping him go
up and down stairs and bracing him when he
sits or stands to prevent spasms in his back.
“He helps me with stability, mobility and
balance,” Charles said.
The dog retrieves keys dropped on the
floor, gets Charles his shoes and can even get
a piece of paper off the floor.
Charles got Dozer in July of 2014.
Getting the dog involved an interview
process with members of ECAD, who also
spoke with his doctor and were apprised of
NOT AFFILIATED WITH EHRLICH’S OF HARTFORD
his prognosis, Charles said.
Then there was the training. The dog
was already trained, but Charles also needed
to know some things including how to communicate and care for the dog.
During a two-week period, known as
Team Training or “Boot Camp,” clients, dogs
and teachers come together for intense education with personal education sessions, including visits to a mall.
Training was also where Charles met
and was chosen by Dozer. He described the
scenario as something akin to musical chairs,
where the people getting dogs would run
with them and each dog would make it clear
which person they liked best.
“The dogs will come back to that person
over and over again,” Charles said. “It was like
love at first sight. ... Dozer kept coming to me
and I was enthralled.”
Cookinham said she had had Dozer in
mind for Charles since the first time she met
the man.
“You kind of get a feel when you meet
somebody,” Cookinham said. “You have a feel
for who they are and what their lifestyle is.”
To raise and educate a service dog
costs an estimated $25,000, according to the
press release. ECAD does not charge for its
service dogs, but clients are expected to secure $10,000 before being placed with their
dog, and ECAD asks each client to join the
Alumni Network and participate in the “Pay
it Forward” fundraising campaign. Funds are
raised by clients for clients, helping them to
receive future successor dogs.
Charles raised funds for Dozer and donated to the cause himself. In addition, the
family of a veteran who had committed suicide donated $10,000 toward Charles’ dog,
and ECAD itself raised about half the funds.
To date, ECAD has placed 275 service
dogs in more than 20 states.
For additional information on ECAD
and its programs, visit www.ecad1.org, www.
facebook.com/ECADServiceDogs www.twitter.com/ECADServiceDogs.
NEW SHOWROOM
OPENING SALE
The Original Ehrlich Interiors Since 1902
FABRIC ~ REUPHOLSTERY ~ CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS
BLINDS ~ SHADES
50% OFF
CUSTOM WINDOW
TREATMENTS & REUPHOLSTERY*
INCLUDES FREE CONSULATIONS - HOME OR OFFICE
EHRLICH
Expires
May 1, 2015
INTERIORS
Farmington Design Center
2 Eastview Dr., Farmington, CT 06032
Hours: M-F 10-5, Evening & Weekend
Appointmentts Available on Request
WWW.EHRLICHINTERIORS.COM
April 23, 2015
860.678.0111
The
*LABOR ONLY
West Hartford Press
3
PRESSARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
West Hartford Art League’s
CT+6 exhibit and May Day Party
Courtesy photo
This impressionistic watercolor by Paul Zimmerman will be up for auction April 24.
Noah Webster House to auction
Paul Zimmerman work at War of the Words
The Brick Walk Art
Gallery at 322 Park Road
recently donated a Paul
Zimmerman watercolor to
the Noah Webster House
& West Hartford Historical
Society’s annual fundraiser,
Webster’s War of the Words.
The art will be sold as a
live auction item during the
event to help raise money
for the museum.
The work is an impressionistic watercolor view
of the Farmington Valley.
Those interested in bidding
on the piece should attend
Webster’s War of the Words
Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at
West Hartford Town Hall.
Tickets are available at
www.noahwebsterhouse.
org. Zimmerman was an
artist and professor emeritus of the Hartford Art
School.
He was the recipient
of scores of awards for his
artwork, including: The
Hallgarten Prize (1954);
The Wallace Truman Prize
(1956); The Salmagundi
Club Prize from the National Academy (1962); Members Prize, Boston Arts Festival (1964); The Patrick B.
McGinnis Award, Berkshire
Arts Festival (1961); Second Prize at Chautauqua
(1955); The Howard Penrose
Award, Connecticut Academy (1959); Third Prize,
Kearney Memorial Regional Exhibition, Milwaukee,
Wisc. (1964).
CT+6, a regional exhibit originated by the West
Hartford Art League in
2008, will hold an opening
reception for its eighth annual exhibit Sunday, April
26 from 2-4 p.m. The exhibit
will be on display in the Art
League’s two galleries at 37
Buena Vista Road through
May 31. The juried exhibit
is the league’s largest exhibit and is open to artists
through New England and
New York in all mediums.
Over 500 works of art were
entered and pared down to
slightly over 100 accepted
works by jurors Nicola Lorenz, director of the Forum
Gallery in New York City,
and Connecticut artist David Dunlop, a painter and
teacher, and writer and artist on the PBS series “Landscapes Through Time with
David Dunlop.” Awards will
be given out in the Clubhouse Gallery at 3 p.m., including the Best of Show
award, which comes with
a $1,000 cash prize and a
one-person exhibit. Monthly
exhibits of regional artists
are held in the two galleries.
The first May Day Party, will take place Friday,
May 1 from 6-9 p.m. at the
Schoolhouse building at
87 Mountain Road. Tickets
are $25 and include wine,
cocktails, burgers from Teds
Food Truck, known for their
steamed cheeseburgers, and
a silent auction of original
Small Works donated by art
league members including
Leonard Hellerman, Jane
Shaskan, Laerta Premo, Linda Rahm, Anne Pingpank,
Julie Bidwell, Agnes Wnuk,
Margaret Doherty, Rob
Loebell, Nancy Hoffman,
Beth Reynolds, Nan Runde,
Peggy Dembicer, Jim Duval,
Amy Conover, Jessica Lent
and Joan Jardine. Work may
be previewed at westhartfordart.org/may-day-2015/.
Tickets can be purchased
through Wednesday, April
29 at westhartfordart.org/
events-calendar/.
The Civil War in West Hartford
On Wednesday, April
29 at 7 p.m., The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, 227
South Main St., will offer a
lecture and discussion on
the Civil War’s impact on
West Hartford and Connecticut at large. Dr. Matthew Warshauer, professor
of history at Central Connecticut State University
and West Hartford resident,
will present the lecture.
Warshauer will focus on
Connecticut’s involvement
in the Civil War and the role
that West Hartford played in
the conflict. He will include
a discussion of a number of
soldiers that are buried in
the Old North Cemetery.
Warshauer is a specialist on
19th century political and
constitutional history and
is the author of four books.
He currently serves as cochair of the Connecticut
Civil War Commemoration
Commission and is helping to coordinate activities
across Connecticut to focus
on the importance and lasting legacies of the American
Civil War and Connecticut’s
involvement in it. CRABGRASS
BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
OUR LAWNS LOOK GREAT!!
with our double application crabgrass control strategy
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Yours can too!
Superior weed and crabgrass controls
Reliable, high quality fertilization service
No hidden costs, no telemarketer calls
Fully licensed, and insured experts
Landscape Bed Weed Control
Core Aeration
Tick Control
Professional Tree and Shrub Care
Machine and Hydro Seeding
Service based on
Old Fashioned
Honesty & Integrity
FREE Law
n
& EvaluaEstimates
Veteran tions
&
DiscounStenior
s
Visit us today at
www.thegreenscene.info
Call Today 860-528-0373
Local, Family Owned Since 1983
4
The
West Hartford Press
April 23, 2015
B#0378
PRESSARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Book Festival pays respect to local tragedy
Courtesy photo
Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman of Aztec Two-Step
Aztec Two-Step at Sounding
Board Coffeehouse
Aztec Two-Step will be
at the Sounding Board Coffeehouse at The Universalist
Church of West Hartford,
433 Fern St., Saturday, April
25 at 8 p.m. Rex Fowler and
Neal Shulman have spent a
lifetime of making music together as the folk/rock duo
Aztec Two-Step.
With four-plus decades
on progressive FM radio,
major record deals and
non-stop touring, they continue to impress audiences
with intelligent songwriting, dazzling acoustic lead
guitar and soaring two-part
harmonies.
The duo has performed
worldwide, been critically acclaimed in major U.S. newspapers, reviewed in Rolling Stone
and appeared on many
radio and TV shows.
Aztec Two-Step will be performing its “Classic Duos”
show at this concert, featuring songs from Simon
& Garfunkel, The Everly
Brothers and, of course,
their own hits.
Tickets are $25 general,
$22 members, $12 students
with ID, $10 children 12 &
under. For reservations, go
to [email protected], or
call Janet at 860-635-7685.
For its final signature
event, the Mandell JCC
Jewish Book Festival brings
critically acclaimed author
Mike Kelly to speak about
his latest book, “The Bus
on Jaffa Road,” which tells
the story of the 1996 terrorist attack that took the
lives of West Hartford native and rabbinical student
Mathew Eisenfeld and his
fiancée Sara Duker, as well
as the legacy they have left
behind. The event takes
place, Sunday, April 26 at
7 p.m. at the Mandell
JCC, Zachs Campus, 335
Bloomfied Ave., as a part
of the Israel Festival.
“’The Bus on Jaffa
Road’ weaves from the
streets of Jerusalem to a
West Bank refugee camp
to the White House,
the Congress and a U.S.
courtroom where the
victims’ families filed a
lawsuit against Iran for
financing the bombing –
then to a prison in the Negev desert in Israel where
the author confronts the
man who built the bomb
on the Jaffa Road bus. It
is a story that prefigures
many of the difficulties
of America’s ‘war on terrorism’ and reminds us of the
intractable nature of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
that continues to this day.”
—Bob Simon, correspondent, CBS “60 Minutes.”
Kelly is an award-winning columnist for The
(Bergen) Record of New
Jersey and the author of
three critically acclaimed
non-fiction books. As a
newspaper
columnist,
Kelly has covered some of
the biggest stories of the
last 25 years, including the
Clinton impeachment trial, the 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, the sectarian
fighting in Northern Ireland, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Iraq
War. His assignments have
taken him to Northern Ireland, Israel, the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip, Iraq,
Malaysia and Kenya. Kelly
has appeared often on radio and television, in particular on National Public
Radio, the “John Gambling
Show,” the CBS Evening
News, MSNBC’s “Hardball
with Chris Matthews” and
was profiled in a special report by Bill Moyers on the
war in Iraq.
The event is free and
open to the community.
For more information, contact Jill Ziplow, 860-2316339, jziplow@mandelljcc.
org. For updates, follow the
Mandell JCC on Facebook
and Twitter.
Programs and events
subject to change.
Get pre-approved for your mortgage
right this
way
Sunday jazz lunch at the senior center
You are invited to join
the West Hartford Senior
Center, 15 Starkel Road,
Sunday, April 26, at 1 p.m.,
for a fun, exciting, interactive and motivating performance of jazz standards,
Island, R&B vocals, Caribbean, Latin, Motown, party
and summer music provided by the Airborne Jazz Trio.
Lunch will be prepared
by Krause Caterers and include: salad, chicken jambalaya (New Orleans style
breast of chicken and Andouille sausage with tomatoes and peppers), dirty rice
(rice with ground beef, tomatoes and kidney beans),
sugar snap peas and carrots, rolls and butter, and
carmel custard. Cost per
person is $10 members, $12
non-members. Any questions, or to reserve a seat,
call 860-561-7583.
Depend on us for your
mortgage needs:
No closing cost loans
Fast turnaround times
Competitive rates
Expert advisors who know, live
and work in your community
Mandell JCC hosting First Israel Festival
The Mandell JCC is
hosting its first Israel Festival going on now through
Tuesday, April 28.
Events are taking place
at six different locations in
Greater Hartford throughout the festival.
At the heart of the festival Thursday, April 23 at
7:30 p.m. is a concert with
CAPA’IM, an Israeli music
experience at the Mandell
JCC.
Tickets are $20 per
person at 860-231-6316.
Following the concert will
be a free Hora Dance Party.
On the weekend, families
can welcome in Shabbat
with an Israeli twist Friday,
April 24, 6:30-8:15 p.m. at
Congregational Beth Israel,
with candle lighting, songs
and Egalitarian Service and
a Traditional Service followed by a family-friendly
dinner. Tickets are $15/$20
at the door.
Young adults can enjoy an Israeli DJ Dance Party Saturday, April 25 from
9 p.m.-midnight featuring
an Israeli DJ at the Tavern
Downtown in Hartford,
$20 in advance at 860-2316333/$25 at the door, and
on Sunday, April 26 from
10:30 a.m.-noon, teens
can take part in a workshop sponsored by JTConnect and Stand With Us at
Emanuel Synagogue.
On Sunday, the Jewish Book Festival signature
event with Mike Kelly, au-
thor of “The Bus on Jaffa
Road,” will be at the Mandell JCC at 7 p.m.
The book tells the story of the 1996 terrorist attack that took the lives of
West Hartford native eand
rabbinical student Mathew
Eisenfeld and his fiancée.
It is free and open to
the community. Rounding
out the film festival are
two free film screenings:
Monday, April 27 at 7 p.m.
is “Shores of Light” and on
Tuesday, April 28 at 7:15
p.m. is a screening of “Body
and Soul – The State of a
Jewish Nation” at the Mandell JCC. Prices, dates and
locations vary, visit www.
mandelljcc.org for complete brochure.
Second home financing
Spring is here and the snow is melting–not only are the temperatures
heating up, but so is the home buying market! Have Simsbury Bank
pre-approve you for a mortgage, and see a greener shade of grass
this spring.
SimsburyBank.com/mortgages
860.392.7623
NMLS #441327
April 23, 2015
The
West Hartford Press
5
PRESSKIDS
Intensive Education Academy and NWC
partner in Unified Theater production
Jason Krajc and Mark Dombrofski
Members of BSA Troop 163 celebrate the successful completion of their Hekawe Race
outside Ranhoff Lodge at June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation in Ashford.
BSA Troop 163 braves cold, snow, freezing
rain to practice orienteering skills
You have four hours to find five points
using one map and a compass – go.
This was the challenge Scoutmaster Michael Stimson gave members of BSA Troop
163 on a winter weekend at June Norcross
Webster Scout Reservation in Ashford.
The Scouts braved cold and snow to
practice their orienteering skills as part of
their inaugural Troop 163 Hekawe Race.
The event is an important part of the troop’s
preparation for the larger Klondike Derby.
The Klondike Derby is one of the most
exciting events of the scouting year. Patrols
of four to eight Boy Scouts pull their sleds
over a field course to simulated towns,
where the patrols can earn points by solving
problems using their scouting skills.
Challenges can include first aid, fire
building, knot tying and lashing, orienteering, wilderness survival and team work.
Troop 163 competed in the Mark Twain
District Klondike Derby in February at the
same location.
The race was the culmination of the
weekend orienteering program, as the troop
received hands-on orienteering training
from Stimson, and also completed several
course mapping exercises as practice before
starting the race.
“Events like the Klondike Derby and
our troop’s Hekawe Race allow Scouts to
put into practice many of the life skills we
teach in the scouting program,” said Stimson. “To be successful, the boys need to
thoroughly plan and pay close attention to
details. These events are very challenging
both physically and mentally, and provide
opportunities for the older Scouts to practice and hone their leadership and decision
making skills.”
All three patrols did very well, despite
the rain and snow. This year’s winning patrol was led by Joshua Dam (patrol leader),
Daniel Markham, Sean Dombrofski, Joey
LaSpada and Peter Brown. The team was
awarded the inaugural trophy, which was
handcrafted by Troop 163 committee member Marc Colbert.
“I love the Klondike Derby. It is a fantastic field test for every troop’s newer Scouts
to demonstrate all of their outdoor skills,”
said J.P. Cassidy, Troop 163 senior patrol
leader. “The Klondike is also an event for a
troop’s best orienteers and hikers to go head
to head with teams from other troops in an
orienteering race.”
The troop plans to make the Hekawe
Race, as the event was dubbed, an annual
one.
For more information on Troop 163,
email Stimson at [email protected]
or www.westhartford163.mytroop.us/.
Earlier this month, students from the
Intensive Education Academy and Northwest Catholic partnered together for a
Unified Theater production. Unified Theater focuses on ability, bringing special
education students together with their
typical peers. Together, the students write,
direct and produce their own production.
This year’s production, “Lessons
Learned Through Time,” combined time
travel with lessons in morality. Two time
travelers made their way through prehistoric times, the ‘70s and found their way
into the future. Each scene saw a combination of over 40 Northwest and IEA students supporting each other. Teamwork,
leadership and communication were
clearly evident as the two groups of students worked together.
“The whole experience was just wonderful. Seeing the kids working together
and their excitement at putting on the
production – it’s incredible to see what
these kids can do,” said Tracy Barbour,
Courtesy photo
Gavan and Josh, two IEA students, during
their scene in a “Journey Through Time”
assistant director of education at IEA and
Unified Theater liaison.
The March performance at the Richard Rice Auditorium at Northwest Catholic was attended by friends and family
members of the performers, as well as residents of the local community. Students
from both schools look forward to working together again next year on another
original production.
Achieving Eagle rank
Matt Thomas (left) and Andrew Festa (right) of West
Hartford Boy Scout Troop 146 received their Eagle
Scout awards at a Court of Honor held last month.
Andrew and Matt are both college-bound seniors
at Conard High School. Matt’s Eagle service project
was conducting a bike collection drive, where the
collected bikes were then shipped to developing
nations. Matt has been accepted at UConn and is
awaiting responses from several other colleges.
Andrew’s Eagle service project was preparing and
conducting a program at Smith Elementary School
to help interest younger students in STEM, science,
technology, engineering and math. Andrew has
been accepted at Rochester Institute of Technology
and is waiting to hear from Vanderbilt. Parents of
the new Eagles are Ana and Tom Festa and Diane
and Doug Thomas (an Eagle Scout himself).
‘Mathlete’ does
well in Hartford
Matteo Carrabba 19’
of West Hartford represented Watkinson School last
month in Hartford at the
MathCounts State Competition and placed 28th in a
field of nearly 200 top middle
school mathletes.
While only the top four
competitors continued on to
national rounds, ranking in
the top 15 percent is still a
huge accomplishment. “I am really happy with
my finish. I just wanted to
break the top 60. The questions were challenging, and
I did better than I expected,“
said Matteo.
Since this competition
is open only to students in
grades six to eight, this was
Matteo’s last MathCounts
victory, but coach Paige Kenausis is excited to keep him
on as assistant coach and will
seek other opportunities to
keep Matteo involved competitively in upper school.
FEDERATION HOMES
Dedicated to Independent Living
accepting applications for our
1 & 2 bedroom waiting list
Applicants must be 62 years of age or older, handicapped
or disabled in order to apply. Income Limits restricted.
Contact Federation Homes at
860-243-2535 for an application
156 Wintonbury Avenue, Bloomfield, CT
6
The
West Hartford Press
April 23, 2015
of our
Avon Store on
Saturday, April 25th!
• Free Samples • Contests • Giveaways
• Valentine the Clown from 1-2 p.m.
• Bring in this ad for a FREE truffle!
We now have two locations to better serve you.
Avon Village Marketplace
35 East Main St., Avon
860-335-0510
Canton Village Shopping Center
220 Albany Turnpike, Canton
www.cakegypsy.com
PRESSKIDS
Photos by Abigail Albair
A student in the STEAM PM class looks on as another adds mustard seed to his jar of vinegar,
cucumbers and other ingredients to create pickles.
A student smiles as parent and STEAM PM section facilitator Anna Shusterman adds salt to
her pickle jar.
Pickles and paint are part of Earth Day celebration
By Abigail Albair
Editor
F TF T
is uist huet he
He uHre ure
re re
! !
All the elements of a cheeseburger come from dirt.
That was a lesson children at
Smith STEM Elementary School
learned last week during Earth Day
activities.
Second-, third- and fifth-grade
students in the cooking and gardening section of STEAM PM, which is
an after-school program based in
science, technology, engineering,
art and math, traced items such as
tomatoes, which grow in dirt, and
beef, which comes from cows that
eat grass that grows in dirt, back to
the ground.
Parents Anna Shusterman and
Susan Kamin lead the section every
Tuesday to teach children about
growing their own food, being part
of a sustainable food system and
healthy cooking.
In celebration of Earth Day,
which was April 22, the children
spent the afternoon of April 21 making pickles and Earth Day murals.
They laughed and made silly
faces as they added ingredients such
as vinegar, mustard seed, salt and
dill, along with cucumbers, to jars
where the pickles will be made.
Smith students have added four raised garden beds to the
school’s existing garden space,
which will be used to grow fruits,
vegetables and herbs.
The pre-kindergarten and first
grade students planted seeds in
the classroom in March using grow
lights, and students are preparing
for the school farmers’ market in
June.
“The garden is a natural fit for
the STEM curriculum that we focus
on at Smith,” Sharon Zajack, STEM
specialist at Smith, said in a press
release. “I have wanted a garden for
the teachers and students to utilize
for interactive learning. We are so
excited that it is going to be a reality
this spring.”
Almost every school in the
district has a garden or is in the
processing of developing one. Each
school has a different spin on how
they use the garden to engage students and teachers, the release
explains.
Growing Great Schools, a local not-for-profit, supports school
gardens by providing teachers with
access to curriculum tied to the
common core and by organizing
volunteers to build and sustain the
gardens at individual schools.
“Gardens offer students and
teachers a dynamic setting to learn,”
said Rita Neal, a Charter Oak parent
and one of the founding members
of GGS. “They offer a space for interdisciplinary lessons – science,
math, social studies, writing, art and
more – that encourage students to
become active participants in the
learning process.”
Charter Oak has coordinated
an after-school Garden Explorations
class, students from which prepared
Leaders in New
Leaders
in New
Laser Assisted
Laser
Assisted
Bladeless
Custom
Bladeless
Custom
Cataract Removal
Cataract Removal
Alan Solinsky, MD
David J. Jeng, MD
Alan Solinsky, MD
David J. Jeng, MD
Among the
1st & Most
g the
Amon
enced
Experi
1st & Most
cticut
Conne
inExperi
enced
in Connecticut
LLC
QUALITY | EXPERIENCE | EXCELLENCE
QUALITY | EXPERIENCE | EXCELLENCE
LLC
Above, left: Students painted Earth Day murals at Smith school April 21;
Above, right: A student samples vinegar from her pickle jar.
soil to plant seeds of greens, peas
and carrots in raised beds last week
as part of Earth Day.
Duffy students planted micro-greens in pots during March
that were served on the salad bar in
the cafeteria on Earth Day.
Liz Schott, the art teacher, and
Andrea DeSimmone-Rafferty, the
Spring is here!
Let’s meet
at the
Fish House
WEST HARTFORD CENTER
www.solinskyeyecare.com
WEST HARTFORD CENTER
860.233.2020
www.solinskyeyecare.com
860.233.2020
1013 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center
Spanish teacher, will be working
with students to label all the plants
in the garden in English and Spanish. The school plans to use one of
its raised beds to Plant a Row for the
Hungry in conjunction with Westmoor Park.
That school will also hold a garden celebration for May Day.
www.SaybrookFishHouseCanton.com
The Intersection of 44, 202 & 179
Reserv. Accepted: 860.693.0034 • Open 7 Days & 7 Nights
OF CANTON
est. 1978
Lunch: Mon.-Fri. 11:30-4 • Sat. 12-4
Dinner: Mon.-Thurs. 4-9 • Fri. & Sat. 4-9:30 • Sun. 12-8
April 23, 2015
The
West Hartford Press
7
Cards for the community
Courtesy photo
Pictured at the West Hartford Town Hall for the check presentation are from left to right Dave Hager, Jay Washburn, Helen
Rubino-Turco, Dave Halstead, Suzanne Oslander, Paul Connery and Amanda Moffo.
Exchange Club makes donation to Town That Cares
Courtesy photo
Students from the Bet class at Beth El Temple Religious
School met after regular religious school hours last
month to make Passover cards for residents of Hoffman
Summerwood Community in West Hartford. Pictured
above, left to right: front row: Baylee Krulewitz and Samantha Epstein of West Hartford, Elliot Kershen of Hartford, Hallie Braunstein of Avon; back row: Jared Stevens
and Jacob Yontef Mathog of West Hartford, teacher: Steven Levine
The West Hartford
Exchange Club donated
$4,000 to The Town That
Cares from the proceeds
of its ninth Annual Wine
Tasting Event, which was
held in February.
The Exchange Club
partnered with Wine Cellars 4, and heavy hors
d’oeuvres were featured
from various local restaurants, Jill Konopka, investigative reporter for WSFB-TV, was the emcee, and
Miss Connecticut, Acacia
Courtney, was also in attendance. “This event was the
best ever thanks to those
who bought tickets, our
restaurants who donated
food, the many donations
for our silent auction, Wine
Cellars 4 and their wine
distributors for the great
tasting and, of course, our
Exchange members who
worked so hard to make
this event a success,” said
Jay Washburn, president of
the Exchange Club.
The Exchange Club was
supported by A’vert, McLaddens, Beachland Tavern,
American Legion, Whole
Foods, The Cheesecake
Factory, The Pond House,
Blue Plate Kitchen, Cheng
Du, Black Bamboo, Moe’s,
Elmwood Bakery, Salute,
The Elbow Room and Tapas
Restaurant West Hartford.
The Town That Cares,
which is administered by
the town of West Hartford
and funded by contributions, is a special fund to
assist residents in crisis. “We are so grateful
for this generous donation, which will benefit us
at a time when many in
our community need our
support,” said Helen Rubino-Turco, director, Human
& Leisure Services for the
town of West Hartford that
administers The Town That
Cares Fund. The West Hartford
Exchange Club’s mission is
to make its community a
better place to live through
programs of service in
Americanism, community service, youth activities
and its national project, the
prevention of child abuse. The club sponsors the West
Hartford Police & Firefighters Annual Service Awards
and provides annual scholarships to Hall and Conard
graduates. The club also
donates to a variety of local
charities.
Walk to Cure Arthritis to be held May 3
Help find a cure by participating in and fundraising
for the 2015 Walk to Cure Arthritis May 3 at the University
of Saint Joseph. Formerly Arthritis Walk,
Walk to Cure Arthritis is the
Arthritis Foundation’s signature, national fundraising
event to prevent, control
and cure the nation’s leading
cause of disability.
The 2015 corporate
chairs are David Ellovich of
UBS and Christopher Aroh
of CohnReznick. As chairs,
8
The
Ellovich and Aroh will provide leadership in helping
the Greater Hartford Walk to
Cure Arthritis reach its fundraising goal of $110,000. Arthritis is a crippling
disease that impacts more
than 50 million adults and
300,000 children – or approximately 22 percent of the
United States population.
The disease costs the
U.S. economy $128 billion a
year, and is a more frequent
cause of activity limitation
than heart disease, cancer
West Hartford Press
April 23, 2015
or diabetes.
Funds raised through
the Walk to Cure Arthritis –
Hartford, will go toward programs, research and advocacy initiatives.
To learn more and register for the Greater Hartford
Walk to Cure Arthritis, visit
walktocurearthritishartfordct.kintera.org/ or contact
Luellen Perkins at Lperkins@
arthritis.org or call 860-5631177. To learn more about
the fight to cure arthritis, visit www.arthritiswalk.org. Hoffman SummerWood residents say ‘thanks’
Hoffman SummerWood Community residents and staff thanked local fire department, police
department and ambulance service recently. Clad
with balloons and cards,
they delivered lunches as
a gesture of appreciation
for services. Pictured from
left: Fire Department Lt.
Adam Pacheco; SummerWood residents Hannah
Wiener, Miriam Singer,
Millie Chase, Lillian Hillman; firefighter Brandon
Bohan; firefighter Matt
Hebert; Gene Ferstenberg;
Barbara Luchs; Apparatus
Operator Scott Fredsbo;
and Sydney Fischler.
PRESSNews
Budget adopted by
party line vote
By Abigail Albair
Editor
The proposed site next to Cornerstone pool is outlined in red above.
Courtesy image
Potential dog park site debated at meetings
By Abigail Albair
Editor
Dog Park Coalition members
spoke in favor of a potential location for a dog park last week while
neighbors to the site spoke against
the plan.
Advocates had the floor during
an informal meeting Tuesday, April
14, while, two days later, members
of the Buena Vista Property Owner’s Association argued against
locating a dog park next to Cornerstone pool. Both meetings were
with Mayor Scott Slifka and Town
Council Minority Leader Denise
Hall, the two of whom comprise a
special committee formed by Slifka
to further investigate the matter.
Slifka explained to both groups
that the intention of the committee
was to allow he and Hall to gather
more information about the coalition’s intentions and the concerns
of the neighborhood. Because the
land on which the park would be
located is owned by the town, the
town would need to be a co-applicant on the proposal should it proceed to the Town Plan and Zoning
Commission for approval.
A special use permit is required
for the site because, although it
is located in a recreational area,
the area is zoned for single-family
homes, Director of Human and Leisure Services Helen Rubino-Turco
explained when the site was chosen
for consideration, clarifying that
most parks and municipal facilities
are located in a residential zoning
district and operated under special
use permits.
The spot next to Cornerstone
pool is the latest in a string of possi-
ble locations considered for a park.
The current location under
consideration meets all the criteria
the town and Dog Park Coalition
put forth for an off-leash, fenced-in
space for dogs.
Should the park ultimately be
situated there, it would not directly
abut any residences, not interfere
with other established programmed
spaces, not be within a sensitive environmental habitat, not be in close
proximity to a playground and have
minimal visual impact.
Parking is also available nearby, rounding out the list of requirements for a potential site.
The Town Council endorsed
the concept of a dog park in 2009
and agreed to work with advocates
to try and find a suitable site.
See DOG PARK on page 18
During what Mayor Scott
Slifka referred to as “typically our
most polarizing night of the year”
– though he and Minority Leader
Denise Hall noted it is “not reflective” of how the Town Council
usually works together, as it often
makes bipartisan decisions – the
governing body adopted a budget
on party lines with Democrats in
favor and Republicans against.
The 6-3 split vote was cast
Monday, April 20, bringing to a
close the annual budgeting process in town.
“I never find a lot of joy in
passing one of these budgets because I always have in mind that
one or two or more people who
have contacted us to say they’re
struggling and they might not be
able to stay,” Slifka said.
Still, he said, “A budget should
not be judged on a tax rate alone.
How we arrive there is just as important.”
Since the town manager’s
proposed budget for fiscal year
2015-16 was presented early last
month, several reductions were
made resulting in an overall drop
in the spending increase from the
initially proposed $8.2 million, or
3.25 percent, to roughly $6.2 million, or 2.5 percent.
The adopted budget totals
$257.5 million.
The mill rate will increase
from 37.37 mills to 38.31 mills – a
tax increase of 2.5 percent, down
from a proposed 3.5 percent tax
increase.
The savings were realized
from a reduction in electricity
costs, anticipated savings from
energy conservation projects, a
decision to fund police and fire
purchase requests from the Capital Non-Recurring Expenditure
Fund, and a reduction to risk and
health programs on the town side,
according to Director of Financial
Services Peter Privitera.
All council members praised
Town Manager Ron Van Winkle
and town staff for their work crafting the annual budget.
Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor,
the chair of the council’s finance
and budget committee, said the
budget “focuses on our priorities,
meets our obligations and continues to strengthen us for the future.”
She said the budget “contains
no gimmicks. It does not raid any
funds. In fact it continues to preserve fund balances at strong, almost record levels.”
Cantor lauded the town for
work tackling the challenge of
long-term liabilities and the impact contract negotiations have
on the budget.
“This budget is a fiscally sound,
prudent, responsible budget that
reflects our commitment to public safety, education, infrastructure
and the quality of life that makes
West Hartford a desirable place to
live, work and play. A place to invest
and reinvest,” she said.
That was a sentiment with
which fellow Democrats agreed.
“People want to be here in
West Hartford,” Leon Davidoff
See BUDGET on page 10
Hello! West Hartford coming up
DOT to host Open Planning Studio on viaduct project
By Abigail Albair
Editor
An Open Planning Studio
event scheduled to begin at the
end of this month will solicit public feedback on the plan to improve I-84.
The Connecticut Department
of Transportation is hosting the
studio as part of the ongoing process to hone a project design.
Last fall, the CTDOT issued a
newsletter outlining four options
for a rebuild that were developed
following a needs and deficiencies
analysis. The deteriorating bridges
require the project be done, but
other deficiencies within the corridor will also be addressed, including safety, congestion, mobility of all road users, visual impacts
and urban design, according to
the newsletter.
“While continuing to serve as
a critical transportation corridor,
I-84 must be carefully threaded
through a busy urban setting,” the
newsletter reads. “The study area
includes many businesses, residences and cultural resources –
along with local streets, a railroad,
the buried Park River and CT fastrack.”
Potential design concepts
will be presented and discussed
during the open planning studio,
including the “no build” option,
the rebuilt elevated highway, a
lowered highway and a tunneled
highway.
A Public Advisory Committee has been “instrumental” in the
planning process, a press release
reads.
West Hartford Director of
Community Services Mark McGovern serves on the committee, which
he said continues to consider impacts of the plan alternatives.
While McGovern noted there
may be short-term interruptions
File photo
The Fourth Year in “Revue” for Hello! West Hartford will be held
Monday, April 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Town Hall. A scene
from last year’s event is pictured. The cultural celebration will
feature videos, music, food and displays. In addition, two Dr. Karen List Global Ambassador Award winners from Hall and Conard
will be announced. For more information or to participate email
[email protected] or call 860-325-0852.
See STUDIO on page 11
April 23, 2015
The
West Hartford Press
9
Clean-up day at Fernridge Park April 25
The fourth annual Park
Clean-Up Day at Fernridge
Park will be held Saturday,
April 25.
“This winter was particularly hard on our park,”
an announcement from the
Friends of Fernridge Park
explains. “If you’ve ventured
over recently, you know that
there is debris and trash
throughout the park. The
grounds would appreciate
some love before things get
going for the outdoor season.”
Volunteers are needed
any time from 9 a.m. to noon
with gloves and rakes to help
clean the park.
Sports and recreational
teams, community and civic
groups are all welcome to
participate.
Town pools are scheduled to open June 20. The
Friends of Fernridge Park
Snack Shack will open at
that time, and volunteers are
needed to staff the shack.
“This is a great opportunity for teens looking to get
some service hours in over
the summer,” the Friends announcement reads. “Hours
are typically in the afternoon
and you can volunteer for
as few or many days as you
want – weekdays and weekends. Duties include opening and closing the snack
shack, making and tracking
sales, handling and counting
money and inventory. We’re
looking for responsible and
reliable teens and adults.” For more information,
find the Friends of Fernridge
Park on Facebook.
Community Kitchen offering free lunches
The Fern Street Community Kitchen began offering a Free Community
Lunch for neighbors in
need April 18.
The lunches will be
held the third Saturday of
every month.
These family-friendly
events include a meal with
dessert, prize drawings for
grocery and restaurant gift
cards, a play area for kids
and a mini-market of free
food items to take home.
The kitchen is located
at The Universalist Church,
433 Fern St. in West Hartford. Doors open at noon
and lunch is served from
12:30-1:30 p.m. There is no
charge, reservations are
not needed, and all are
welcome.
In partnership with
Foodshare, the Hartford
region’s food bank, the Fern
Street Community Kitchen
addresses food insecurity
in West Hartford and the
Greater Hartford area.
For more information
about the Fern Street Community Kitchen, contact
[email protected].
Local students given Human Relations awards
The National Conference for Community and
Justice, NCCJ, founded in
1927 as the National Conference of Christians and Jews,
presented its 2015 Annual
Human Relations Award to
Michael J. Casparino, president, Northern Connecticut, People’s United Bank;
Jerry W. Long, founder
and CEO, PCC Technology
Group; Judith Rosenthal,
principal, JRR Consulting;
and Stanley Black & Decker
this week. The 2015 Youth
Award was presented to
four high school students
for their work in promoting
a positive and inclusive en-
vironment in their school
and communities. Honorees
include
Tahreem Ali and Liz George
of Conard High School, and
Jasmine Ortiz and Amanda Youmans of Hall High
School. As of press time, the
event was scheduled for
April 23.
The National Conference for Community and
Justice presents the Annual
Human Relations Award to
individuals and companies
who have distinguished
themselves by conducting their daily lives with
open-mindedness and re-
234 MAIN STREET,
RTE 10, FARMINGTON
(860) 676-2969
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
& EQUIPMENT
Wheelchairs
Bath safety
Walkers
Lift chairs
urs
Order yo
today!
Incontinence
Surgical hosiery
Hospital beds
Power scooters/
wheelchairs
Sport braces & supports
Surgical dressings
spect, showing leadership
by example, and diligence
in their fight for human
rights and dignity. These individuals have
been active in humanitarian concerns such as combating prejudice, discrimination and bigotry in the
community and workplace. They have demonstrated their commitment
to fostering social justice
and cooperation among
all races, religions, cultures
and abilities. Dr. Andrea C. Kandel,
president/CEO of NCCJ
Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, said,
“Each award recipient has
shown tremendous leadership in our community
and has worked tirelessly
to help promote an inclusive society for all.” 495
DIRECTIONS: ON ROUTE 10 BETWEEN
MISS PORTER’S SCHOOL AND CVS
10
The
West Hartford Press
April 23, 2015
from page 9
said. “The budget accurately
reflects our community’s priorities. … In my opinion, West
Hartford’s brightest days lie
ahead of it.”
For his part, Republican
Chris Barnes said the opposite, arguing that the budget
“sets forth our priorities as a
town and sets forth a roadmap.”
“Unfortunately
this
roadmap is leading us in the
wrong direction,” he said.
He took issue with the
“maintenance budget,” one
that he said is driven primarily by employee salaries and
health care and pension contributions without providing
new services or programming
for residents.
“I believe if we are not focused on the big drivers of our
budget … we are not doing
our job as elected officials,” he
said. “We need bigger, newer
thinking to address these important issues.”
He said the town is facing a “very dangerous trend”
of higher budgets and higher
taxes each year.
“We need to control
our spending, lessen our tax
burden on our residents and
break the cycle of maintenance budgets,” he said.
Republican Burke Doar
said he believes the town is
too expensive for low-income
families, and said he would
rather see no tax increases
and less services than an increase in taxes and the same
services.
“What’s happening now
in West Hartford, in my judgment, is that we are a fabulous
town for the wealthy, we are a
fabulous town for the middle
class, but what we’re lacking
is how we address this town’s
needs from the perspective of
the one-car garage families,”
he said.
Hall, the council’s third
Republican member, said her
“no” vote was one meant to
send a message to state officials that changes are needed.
While she said she was
pleased with the work that’s
May 8-9
10am-4pm
hairst
Lift Cin
a
Start g
$
We service all major brand chair lifts and scooters
BUDGET
taken place on the pension
plan and that “I think the
trajectory of the funded status has changed,” she noted
several budget drivers that
the town does not control,
but rather elements that are
controlled by the state government.
“I think I’d like to use
my budget discussion to emphasize the things that need
to change on the state level,”
she said. “Invariably throughout this process, we are asked
‘What cuts do you want to
make to the budget?’ And,
frankly, I don’t want to make
any cuts. I’d like to invest more
money in our infrastructure.”
She spoke about the
town’s grossly underfunded Education Cost Sharing
grant, something which state
Sen. Beth Bye has proposed a
bill to help correct.
The bill would establish
a floor for ECS funding, but
Hall noted that the bill would
increase funding in West
Hartford this year by $3.3
million, a number that would
“barely make a dent” in the
shortfall that has grown over
the 19-year grant history.
She raised concerns
with proposed new Department of Environmental and
Energy Protection requirements under the Clean Water Act that could add hundreds of thousands of dollars
in street sweeping and catch
basin clearing costs for the
town, took issue with the
“prevailing wage” threshold
that impacts project costs
and with collective bargaining constraints.
“Unions make decisions
in private negotiations that
should be part of public deliberations,” she said. “We
need the state to change the
law that holds us hostage to
union leadership.
“My ‘no’ vote may be
symbolic,” Hall said, “but it
stems from the fact that I
have no control over the major drivers in the budget.”
Judy Casperson, the
chair of the Human and Leisure Services committee of
the council, said she “focused
on what we could control,”
when considering the budget
proposal, listing the variety of
facilities in town that add to
the quality of life, stating that
the council is “making very
thoughtful decisions in terms
of what we can control.”
Clare Kindall said the
town is one with “amazing vision,” noting as others did the
number of people seeking to
invest in town, and said, “For
the things that we do control,
we have done nothing short
of a remarkable job.”
Harry Captain talked
about everyday expenses,
such as grocery shopping,
and the rise in such costs over
the years. He noted the $209
average impact that a West
Hartford taxpayer will see
with this budget and said, “I
know this isn’t easy, but comparatively, the increase is reasonable and responsible.
“This is West Hartford,”
he said. “We are a high service community and that’s
what the voters have voted
for year after year after year
and after decade and it’s what
has made our community
what it is.”
Slifka shared concerns
of fellow council members
about challenges like ECS
underfunding, something he
called a “financial albatross,”
and other state budgetary
struggles and the impact that
may have on the town.
Although Slifka said that
“West Hartford is blessed
to have very intelligent and
committed people” on both
sides of the aisle “who care
very deeply about the details of the budget,” he spoke
sharply against the Republican members’ ‘no’ votes on
the budget.
“I don’t have the luxury
of a symbolic vote or simply
voting no, perhaps without
suggesting how to improve
it,” he said. “I’ve got to pass a
budget.
“Wherever you lie on
the political spectrum, you
can talk about ‘if only this,
if only that. We have to deal
with, one, the responsibility
of passing something tonight
and, two, we have to deal with
it in the world we live in.”
Though he said that “no
budget is ever perfect,” he said
to Republican Council members, “There are tough decisions to be made. I didn’t hear
any suggestions [ for budget
adjustments]. In the absence
of that, I’ve got to move forward with my [Democratic]
colleagues.”
Tailoring & Alterations
by Sew Amazing ~Since 1989~
Garden, Home & Gourmet
70+ Exhibitors, Speakers, Food, Music & More
hillstead.org for tickets
Presenting Sponsor:
35 Mountain Road | Farmington, CT | 860.677.4787
Hems • Zippers • Repairs • Take-ins • Resizing
Lining Replacements • Leg Tapers
Shorten Sleeves • Sports Wear • Formal Wear
TRUST US WITH ALL YOUR OCCASIONAL WEAR!
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.
10% Discount for new Customers
998 Farmington Ave. • Suite 100 lower level • West Hartford Center
860-313-0234 • Tue.-Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-2:30
STUDIO
from page 9
caused by the project, there will
be needed long-term benefits.
“I think it’s going to change
traffic patterns, at least temporarily during construction, and
that will have an impact on West
Hartford both in terms of our residents that work east of here and
travel I-84 on a daily basis, and
those who work west of here and
get off [the highway] and continue
their journey through West Hartford,” he said. “This will fix [I-84]
in the sense that it will make it
safer. It will bring 84 to a modern
construction – it’s currently out of
date – and make it safer and reduce congestion.”
He noted that CTfastrack is
also anticipated to reduce congestion on the road.
The “no build” option for the
rebuild must be evaluated due to
the National Environmental Protection Act, but because doing
literally nothing is not an option
due to the condition of the I-84
bridges, this alternative includes
extensive bridge repair and replacement work as required and
regular, costly maintenance of the
viaduct for the next 25 years.
The estimated cost range of
this option is $1.9 to $2.3 billion.
A rebuilt elevated highway
would replace the existing viaducts with a new, single viaduct
between Sigourney and High
streets at a higher elevation thanthe existing viaduct. Interchanges
would be reduced, allowing for
fewer ramps and better efficiency
as well as a smaller footprint on
the city, the newsletter details.
The estimated cost of this option is $4.3 to $5.4 billion.
In the lowered highway option, the railroad would be relocated to the north of the highway
and I-84 will be brought to or
below ground level between Park
and Trumbull streets. Local roads
would be bridged over the highway and interchanges would be
reduced to as few as two or three
from the current eight.
The cost range of this alternative is $3.8 to $4.6 billion.
The railroad would also be
relocated north in the tunneled
highway option so the highway
can be constructed below grade
and covered from Myrtle Street
to Laurel Street in a tunnel. The
same reduction in the number of
interchanges as the lowered option would likely occur
The cost range for this option
is $8.3 to $10.4 billion.
CTDOT is evaluating the
I-84 Hartford corridor in cooperation with the Federal Highway
Administration, the Capitol Region Council of Governments,
the city of Hartford, the town of
East Hartford, the town of West
Hartford, and other local agencies
and stakeholders, according to a
press release. The expectation of
the open planning studio is that it
will give planners and designers a
“hands-on” exchange of ideas and
information to help with the design process.
The open planning studio will
take place the week of April 27 to
May 2. The Studio will be open to
the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday through Friday, April
27 to May 1, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday, May 2. The event will
be held at Christ Church Cathedral Auditorium, 45 Church St. in
Downtown Hartford.
To learn more about the project, visit the project’s website at
www.I84Hartford.com. Language
assistance may be requested by
contacting the Department of
Transportation’s Office of Communications at 860-594-3062 at
least five working days prior to
the meeting.
We’d like to care for
you in the hospital.
The Hospital at
Hebrew HealthCare.
Jeff Finkelstein, MD
Chief of Emergency Medicine, Hartford Hospital
Hartford Hospital and The Hospital at Hebrew HealthCare have formed a special partnership to help
ensure that seniors receive the best care in the best setting. That’s why doctors in the Hartford Hospital
Emergency Room may recommend that you or your loved one be admitted to The Hospital at Hebrew HealthCare.
The Hospital at Hebrew HealthCare has experts who specialize in geriatrics – care of the elderly, as well as many
of the common conditions that cause older people to need hospitalization. The Hospital at Hebrew HealthCare is
designed with the elderly in mind. And Hartford Hospital doctors are important members of the Hebrew Hospital
team, which works together to help patients to recover as quickly and completely as possible.
For more information, call or visit us online
860.218.2323 | www.hebrewhealthcare.org
April 23, 2015
The
West Hartford Press
11
PRESSBUSINESS
People on the move
Attorney receives CT
Probate Assembly’s
Pro Bono Award
The Connecticut Probate Assembly has recognized West Hartford attorney Michael J. Croll with its
2015 Pro Bono Award for his
work in assisting families
who use the Probate Courts,
especially those with limited resources or whose cases
are complicated.
“Attorney Croll is one
of those folks you can call
at any time, and he is more
than willing to take on any
case requested by a Probate
Court,” Judge Sydney W. Elkin, president-judge of the
Probate Assembly, said in
awarding Croll the award
at the assembly’s annual
meeting April 15. “He helps
some of the most vulnerable people in our courts,
not only in West Hartford
and the Greater Hartford
area, but also in many
courts statewide. He does
a good job with what often
are difficult cases. He’s a
worthy recipient.”
“I am honored and
humbled to be recognized
by the Probate Assembly
as this year’s recipient of
the Pro Bono Award,” Croll
said. “The Probate Court
system excels at protecting
vulnerable people facing
challenging circumstances
and it has been a privilege
to play a role in this important process. I am grateful to
Judge Elkin and Judge Robert K. Killian Jr., formerly of
the Hartford Probate Court,
for their guidance and support over the years and for
instilling the value of being
an advocate for people in
their time of need.”
Since 2004, Croll has
been a sole practitioner at
We’ve Made Our Plans,
Now It’s Time To Start
Making Yours
Welcome to the future of Seabury. Here’s a
unique chance to be part of it. We have teamed
with a top architectural firm and developed plans
for 65 additional distinctive, well-appointed
independent living residences — and so much
more! Many unique floor plans are available, each
with beautiful views and vistas in all directions and
the flexibility to customize them to your personal
taste. And that’s just the beginning. Join us for
an info session to learn more about the state-ofthe-art features and amenities included in our new
expansion, as well as the Seabury At Home program.
Discover Seabury and Seabury At Home at our
info sessions held at Seabury every 1st Thursday at
1:30 p.m. and every 3rd Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
Call (860) 243-6081 or (860) 243-4033 for
reservations or e-mail [email protected]
Now accepting
reservations
from those
50 and over.
the Law Office of Michael
J. Croll in West Hartford, focusing on probate law. His
work as an attorney and
guardian ad litem extends
to the range of probate
matters, including parental
rights, guardianships for
children and conservatorships for people with intellectual or psychiatric disability. He currently serves
as conservator or guardian
for many indigent individuals and families requiring
such services.
Croll earned his law
degree from the Quinnipiac University School of Law
in 2003 and a bachelor’s
degree in communication
sciences from the University of Connecticut in
1996. From 1996 to 2003, he
worked for what is now the
Phoenix Insurance Group.
Active in community and charitable pursuits,
Croll serves on the board
of corporators for the
American School for the
Deaf in West Hartford and
on the board of directors
for the Mandell Jewish
Community Center of
Greater Hartford. He is
a second vice president
of the Greater Hartford
Chapter of Probus Club,
which supports people
with intellectual and
physical disabilities, and
formerly coached speed
skating for the Special
Olympics.
The Probate Assembly comprises the
54 judges of the Probate
Courts, which administer
decedents’ estates, wills
and trusts, appoint conservators and guardians,
grant adoptions and handle other matters. The assembly’s Pro Bono Award
honors advocacy on behalf of children and families in probate matters.
Posh Tomato opened last week in the former Pinkberry space on Isham Road.
Posh Tomato opens in Blue Back Square
By Abigail Albair
Editor
ident,” Taskila, who used to
live in town before moving to
New Jersey several years ago,
said. “We have a family connection [in town].”
Taskila said the concept
of Posh Tomato is what attracted him and Kirby to the
franchise opportunity.
“Fast, casual pizza is becoming very popular,” he said.
“I knew the franchisors for
a few years and really liked
their concept. The pizza is
unique and distinctive.”
Favorite varieties, according to the release, include
the Spicy Buffalo which features Frank’s RedHot sauce,
grilled chicken, onion and
gorgonzola; the 3 Little Piggies made with house sauce,
pepperoni, hot capicolla and
bacon; as well as the Charcuterie & Fromage, which
incorporates alfredo sauce,
prosciutto dipparma, ricotta
cheese and parmesan. Dessert pies include the Chocolate, created with chocolate
sauce, cinnamon dust, and
marshmallow.
Posh Tomato places an
enormous emphasis on fresh,
quality ingredients which
are both locally sourced and
hand selected and imported,
according to the release.
Taskila characterized
the pizza as “gourmet pizza
The first location of Posh
Tomato outside of Brooklyn opened last week in Blue
Back Square.
“The grown-up version
of everyone’s favorite Mom
and Pop pizza joint,” as it
is described on its website,
moved into the former Pinkberry spot in the square at 3844 Isham Road.
The restaurant, founded by three brothers in 2011,
offers a signature thin-crust
brick oven pizza topped
with hand-pulled mozzarella
cheese, tomato sauce and toppings at four company-owned
and franchise locations.
The new West Hartford
store is operated by Daniel
Taskila and Chad Kirby of
Connecticut Brothers Pizza,
LLC.
The two also operate
other franchises: Goldberg’s
Bagels in town and on the
Trinity College campus.
Having two successful
businesses in the area was
one reason why the pair wanted to open another franchise
locally, Taskila said, though
they chose West Hartford specifically due to family ties.
“My family lives there.
Chad is a West Hartford res-
that’s guilt-free.”
“You can have an 11inch individual pizza and eat
the whole thing because it’s
around 400 calories,” he said.
“It’s very tasty. You get very
good flavor in every bite,” he
said.
He added of the franchise, “The whole concept of
getting a pizza in under five
minutes was very attractive.”
Taskila said he believes
Posh Tomato will do well in
Blue Back Square.
“There are a lot of other
businesses there that attract
people for dinner, and with
the shopping and movie theater right up the stairs, we’re
hopeful it will be a good location,” he said. “We opened
up Wednesday [April 15] and
didn’t do any advertising. We
just opened the doors and
the sales were very positive
and the customers have absolutely loved it.”
A grand opening event
will likely be held in early May,
Taskila said.
Posh Tomato in West
Hartford is open Sunday
through Thursday from 11
a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday and
Saturday from 11 a.m.-midnight. Contact the local shop
at 860-967-3783.
For more information,
visit poshtomato.com.
Summer Arts Adventures 2015 Farmington Valley Arts Center An Active Life Care Community
200 Seabury Drive Bloomfield, CT 06002
(860) 286-0243 or (800) 340-4709
seaburylife.org
25 Arts Center Lane, Avon CT 06001 The Farmington Valley Arts Center’s picturesque campus is a place where young artists can unleash their creativity with an emphasis on fun! Eight one-­‐week sessions led by teaching artists, using a variety of media, include pottery, painting, drawing, sculpture and collage. Sessions begin June 22nd (9 a.m. -­‐ 1 p.m.) and are ideal for kids entering Grade 2 – Grade 8. For more info: www.artsfvac.org (860) 678-­‐1867 12
The
Courtesy photo
West Hartford Press
April 23, 2015
PRESSBUSINESS
Wagging Tails mobile pet service celebrates 20th anniversary
By Sloan Brewster
Senior Staff Writer
When, after graduating from
Syracuse University and getting a
corporate job, Krista Cugno Lofquist
decided to switch to a career in dog
walking, one of her first thoughts
was how she would tell her parents.
She pondered the conversation
with them, chatting it up with her
dog, Bella, a Labrador retriever puppy she got when she moved to Boston for her new corporate job.
By then, Lofquist was already
walking dogs for friends and neighbors and, as she put it, people who
liked their jobs and worked long days
and through lunch. Unlike them, she
took every excuse she could to leave
the office.
“I was running out the door to
be with Bella,” she said.
Once she decided to take a leap
of faith and leave her job, Lofquist
needed to name the dog walking
business. That involved Bella, too.
“I looked at Bella [and said],
‘What are we going to do?’ and she
wagged her tail,” Lofquist said.
That was when she came up
with the name Wagging Tails Pet Sitting. She also decided to come back
home to Connecticut. For a time,
while she lived in an apartment in
Waterbury and did business in other
towns, she even hired dog walkers to
care for her pets, a fact that gave her
a bit of a chuckle as she recalled it.
That was 20 years ago. Since
then, in 2009, Lofquist added a mobile grooming service.
In celebration of the 20-year
milestone, the firm launched a completely revised website and blog, and
is expanding its service area with a
second mobile grooming van, according to a press release.
The fully equipped vans offer all
the luxuries of a traditional grooming salon in a portable platform. The
firm uses 100 percent all-natural
grooming products, and vans contain specialized equipment to accommodate the needs of senior pets,
impressionable puppies and those
with special needs.
While the mobile business has a
PO box in Southington, Lofquist’s clients are all over the state, including
in West Hartford.
Included in the services is pet
sitting, even overnight stays during
which the sitter will take in the mail,
water the plants, feed any and all
pets in the home, walking the dog,
and clean up pet waste or other
messes.
Currently, there are 22 pet sitters and two groomers that work for
Wagging Tails, Lofquist said. She no
longer does the pet walking or sitting, save when there’s a special case
such as a disabled dog that requires
special attention.
Lofquist still has clients she
took on years ago, she said.
Since those beginning days, the
business has changed and it’s now
much easier to do things on the run,
Lofquist said. She remembers her
old-fashioned cell phone, big and
clunky, and the $800 bill that came
with it and the days when she had to
carry quarters for pay phones.
Back then, dog walking was a
luxury that fewer people thought
of doing, but as dogs have become
members of the family, filling
their needs has become more of
a necessity.
Carol Elyett, who is 71, has
worked for Wagging Tails for 10
years.
“It helps keep me healthy,” she
said.
As Elyett spoke, she was walking Klondike, a 1 1/2-year-old wolfhound that was begging for attention. Another visit she did that day
involved a house with two dogs, Stella, a black lab, and Shalia, a border
collie. Elyett tossed a stick for Shalia
and, while she chased it, gave Stella
some extra love.
A downside to the job is when
one of the pets she cares for passes
away, she said.
“It’s like losing your own all over
again. That’s the only drawback to
this job because you do get attached
to the four-legged,” she said.
Debbie Markowitz of West
Hartford has been relying on Wagging Tails to check in on and visit
her pets for about six years, she
said. The menagerie that is cared
for includes three cats, two dogs, a
guinea pig and some goldfish in a
koi pond in her yard.
In truth, the sitters come to feed
and play with the cats and dogs if
they are there, but while there, they
also feed the fish and put in a little
play time with the guinea pig, Markowitz said. If the family is away on
vacation, they also bring in the mail.
Markowitz also takes advantage
of the mobile pet grooming services.
She has been especially pleased
with the staff ’s ability to work with
Cooper, a mini Australian shepherd she rescued. In particular, the
groomer has a way of calming the
high-strung rescue dog.
“I mean this is a dog, for the
most part, that is a growler,” Markowitz said. “He has stranger danger
big time.”
This year Markowitz used a
new service Wagging Tails offers, after-winter poop cleanup. The woman who came and did the cleanup
was meticulous, even stopping beneath shrubs to get hidden clumps.
“It was probably the best 80
bucks I have spent,” she said. “I
am not going to go rooting around
looking for dog poop that’s four
months old.”
Over the years the family has
used Wagging Tails, they have recommended the business to a lot of
people, Markowitz said.
According to the press release,
the Wagging Tails team is no stranger to large and unique pets that include horses and pot-bellied pigs.
Wagging Tails provides pet sitting
services for a comprehensive array of
small and large pets that include fish,
ferrets and reptiles to birds, rabbits
and chickens.
Wagging Tails has been the recipient of the Reader’s Choice Award
for Best Pet Care and Best Groomer for nine years in a row. Lofquist’s
team of professionals is trained in pet
CPR and first aid to ensure the highest level of safety for precious pets.
For more information, Lofquist
can be reached by phone at 860-6217387 (PETS), via email at [email protected], or by visiting Wagging Tails online.
THE DOCTOR IS IN.
UConn welcomes
Christopher Morosky, M.D.
OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST
Dr. Morosky is an accomplished obstetrics and gynecology expert. He is a
graduate of the UConn School of Medicine where he also completed his
internship and residency. His research interests include contraception, reducing
the Cesarean delivery rate and preventing complications of gynecologic surgery.
OFFERING PERSONALIZED CARE FOR:
• General obstetrics and gynecology
• Contraception
• Prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
• Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery
OFFICE LOCATIONS: Farmington, East Hartford, and Southington
LANGUAGES: Spanish and Japanese
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY.
Call 860.679.2792 or visit uchc.edu
263 FARMINGTON AVENUE, FARMINGTON, CT
800 CONNECTICUT BOULEVARD, EAST HARTFORD, CT
1115 WEST STREET, SOUTHINGTON, CT
uchc.edu
April 23, 2015
The
West Hartford Press
13
PRESSOPINION
Capture
the
Moments!
West Hartford
PRESS
www.turleyct.com
540 Hopmeadow St.
Simsbury, CT 06070
Phone: 860-651-4700
Fax: 860 606-9599
Click on the
SmugMug link on
our home page to see
EDITORIAL
www.turleyct.com
Put focus on underage drinking prevention
The West Hartford Press
is a publication of TurleyCT
Community Publications
albums
of photos that have
appeared in the
newspaper
Letters
policy
Letters to the editor should be
400 words or less in length. Political letters should be 250 words
or less. Guest columns will be
published at the discretion of
the editor and should be no
more than 650 words in length.
No unsigned or anonymous
opinions will be published. We
require that the person submitting the opinion also include his
or her town of residence and a
phone number where they can
be reached. We authenticate
authorship prior to publication. We reserve the right to
edit or withold any submissions
deemed to be libelous, unsubstantiated allegations, personal
attacks or defamation of character. Send opinion submissions
to: our editor, Abigail, via email
at [email protected] or via
mail to 540 Hopmeadow St.,
Simsbury, 06070. Deadline for
submissions is Friday at noon for
the following week’s edition. Call
our office, 860-651-4700, with
questions.
14
The
West Hartford Press
Being vigilant about underage drinking
should be a constant concern for parents and
guardians, but with the Department of Consumer Protection recognizing April as Alcohol Awareness Month, it’s a reminder to discuss the consequences with teenagers.
Warmer weather, prom season and other social events occurring in the spring make for the
perfect time to revisit this topic.
“With added freedom, young people will
have more opportunities for drinking alcohol,
and parents need to equip their teens with a full
understanding of the real-life consequences they
face whenever they drink,” Jonathan A. Harris,
DCP commissioner, said in a press release.
The Department of Consumer Protection
is running messages on radio and television
this month to encourage parents to have these
important conversations with their teenagers.
Many parents choose to adopt the “not my child”
stance about underage drinking, which can result
in a painful reality check.
“The potential consequences of drinking can
and often do have an immediate and lasting effect on a teen’s future,” Harris said. “In addition to
the health and safety risks and legal consequences if caught, a student’s scholarships, financial aid
awards, community and academic awards, job
opportunities and even participation on sports
teams may be jeopardized.”
Parents may be unsure how to broach the
topic, which is why Conard students in the student-run Lead by Example campaign are hosting
an event for parents of middle school students.
“Opening Lines: A Student-Led Workshop for Parents on Talking with Your Teen About Substance
Abuse” will take place Friday, April 24 from 6:30-8
p.m. in Sedgwick Middle School’s multi-purpose
room.
The event will include results of student research about communication between teens and
parents, communication tips for parents, and a
panel discussion featuring high school students
and their parents about their perspectives.
Along with discussing the consequences, it’s
important for parents to ensure that any venue or
party where their teen will be has safeguards to
prevent underage drinking, such as responsible,
present adult supervision.
Reaching out to other parents, especially
those who will be hosting a party, can also be a
deterrent to drinking.
Peer pressure is an unfortunate factor in underage drinking, but parents can teach refusing
and coping skills as a way for teenagers to deflect
the offer of a drink and not feel obligated to partake in what others at a gathering may be doing.
Parents should make sure they practice
what they preach when it comes to alcohol; think
about how drinking is portrayed in their home,
and what messages kids could be receiving based
on their parents’ or other trusted adults’ actions.
Delivering local news,
sports, entertainment
and more to the
West Hartford community
Keith Turley
Publisher
Abigail Albair
Editor
[email protected]
David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
Melissa Friedman
Advertising Director
860-978-1345
[email protected]
Barbara Ouellette
Classified Sales
[email protected]
Read
West Hartford
PRESS
www.TurleyCT.com
April 23, 2015
FIND US ON
PRESSSports
Gray
Matters
By Scott Gray
Photos by David Heuschkel
Conard’s Sarah Hamilton (3), left, hits an infield pop with Charlotte Leyland on third base. The Chieftains managed to score four runs for
pitcher Bridget Garach, right, but it was not nearly enough in an 11-4 loss to Southington last week.
Four runs not enough for Conard
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
In his 20-plus seasons as
softball coach at Conard High,
Tom Verrengia is not ashamed
to say any of his teams have
never beaten Southington. He
said his players knew that when
the Chieftains hosted the Blue
Knights in the second game of
the season last week.
Looking to instill some confidence in them, Verrengia made
sure his players were aware of a
recent development. Southington’s Kendra Friedt, an All-American pitcher, would not be in
the circle for the Blue Knights
because she was serving a sixgame suspension. The Boston
College-bound senior was
among 29 teenagers cited for underage drinking at a house party
recently. Initially, Verrengia said
he wasn’t going to tell his team.
He decided he would, thinking it
couldn’t hurt.
“I thought that might help
their mindset to start,” he said.
Southington’s No. 2 pitcher, Brenna Sarantides, and her
teammates had other thoughts.
The Blue Knights gave her an
early cushion and by the time the
Chieftains started to make some
noise with their bats, the deficit
was too much to overcome.
In an 11-4 loss to the topranked team in the state April
15, Conard managed to score
more runs than it had in the
previous six games against the
Blue Knights. The Chieftains
were shut out in five of them.
Sarantides, a junior, retired
the first nine Conard batters she
faced before Charlotte Leyland
led off the fourth with a single.
Sarah Hamilton followed with
another hit, and the Chieftains
scored three times in the inning.
“Brenna doesn’t lose her
composure. She doesn’t get rattled easily,” Southington coach
Davina Hernandez said. “I think
for this being her second varsity
start. … I call her the stone cold
face. She doesn’t let anyone rattle her, she keeps her composure.
She doesn’t really get distracted
by the outside factors.”
“She was very impressive
considering she’s not a No. 1,”
said Verrengia, whose team
opened the season with a 6-4
win over Rocky Hill in 12 innings.
Verrengia acknowledged
that with an experienced squad,
this was an opportune time to
get his first coaching win against
Southington.
“The problem with playing them, they’re going to score
10 runs almost every game, no
matter who you got [pitching],”
Verrengia said. “They got the 10
by the fourth [inning] or so. That
makes it very difficult. I don’t
care who they’ve got throwing.
It’s hard to score more than
what we scored today.”
See FOUR RUNS on page 16
Hall squeezes out 12-inning win over Simsbury
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
In a wild and somewhat
wacky game, the Hall High
baseball team pushed a run
across in the 12th inning on
Patrick McHale’s squeeze bunt
that gave the Warriors a 10-9
walk-off win over Simsbury
April 17.
The teams combined
for 30 hits with McHale, Tim
Dickson and Dan Roth having
three apiece for the Warriors,
who improved to 3-2. Dickson
also had a good day behind the
plate, throwing out three base
stealers and blocking a lot of
balls in the dirt.
The game featured four
lead changes and two ties – in
the first seven innings. Francis
Byrne, the third pitcher used by
Hall coach Jeff Billing, earned
his first career varsity win with
five scoreless innings in relief.
He allowed an infield single
and retired the last 14 batters.
McHale, who started the
game, allowed two runs in the
first inning, but the Warriors
scored four in the bottom half.
Simsbury scored two in the
third and three in the fourth,
taking a 7-4 lead.
The Warriors scored four
runs in the sixth, taking a onerun lead into the seventh, only
to see the Trojans answer with
two runs to regain the lead.
Hall scored a run to tie in the
bottom half and had several
chances to win it.
With the bases loaded,
Josh Singer singled up the middle and Omar Montalvo trotted home from third to tie it.
Ian Henderson was thrown out
trying to score from second.
With runners on the corners and one out, Matthew Skwiot was caught stealing home
on a botched suicide squeeze
for the second out. Singer
moved to second on the play.
Neil Kelley was intentionally
walked and Roth followed with
an infield single, loading the
bases for McHale.
With a 3-and-1 count,
McHale took a fastball that he
thought was high and outside.
It was a delayed strike call by
the plate umpire.
“Everyone thinks it’s ball
Seasons change. The transition from winter to
spring comes as a blessing this year. In Central
Connecticut, the change of seasons puts two
minor league coaches at opposite ends of the
spectrum.
Just as New Britain Rock Cats manager Darin Everson tries to get a read on his team as they
prepare for their final season in the Hardware City
in their first season as an affiliate of the Colorado
Rockies, Hartford Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander has had a full season to evaluate his talent,
individually and as a unit. As the Rock Cats wrap
up their first home stand of the Eastern League
baseball season, the Wolf Pack opens the American
Hockey League playoffs as the #3 seed in the East,
against #6 seed Providence, in a series that opened
Wednesday at the XL Center.
The Wolf Pack clinched the Northeast Division
title on the final day of the season with a 2-1 win at
Bridgeport to cap a season-ending surge that saw
them win seven of their last eight games. Following
a critical comeback win in that run, Gernander said
he saw in his team the necessary ingredients that
make them ready for the postseason.
“Everybody, collectively, recognizes how important these points are,” Gernander said after what he
called a ‘character’ win. “And we felt it was within
us to go get them.
“Obviously, you want to shore a few things up,”
he added. “But, if we’re just looking for character
in the collective group, it’s pretty strong. But we’re
not always going to have that ability to come from
the back, so we have to do a little bit better job of
managing the puck.”
As will happen over a long season, certain standouts emerge, players a coach can rely on in pressure situations. Certainly Chris Bourque, brother
of Wolf Pack veteran Ryan, new to the team this
season, has stepped up big, leading them in scoring
with 29 goals and 37 assists, while Oscar Lindberg
added balance with 28 goals and 28 assists, and
Danny Kristo gave the Pack three 20-goal scorers
with 22. At the other end of the ice, Gernander has
had extended looks at five goaltenders, and McKenzie Skapski stepped up with a 15-8 record and a
2.4 goals against average.
“With goalies the thing you look at is the winloss column,” said Gernander, who believes the key
to postseason success relies on, as he puts it, ‘the
collective.’ He feels very comfortable with his. “We
have contributions up and down our lineup.”
Two towns away, Darin Everson has had less
than a month to observe his team as a ‘collective.’
The Rock Cats came together in the final week of
the Rockies spring training camp in Arizona, and
they’ve been together in the regular season for just
two weeks, through one road trip and one home
stand. Heading into their opening game in Portland,
Maine, Everson had seen them perform as a unit
just three times.
“We have a lot of balance on this roster,” he
said after evaluating those first three games and
assessing a team that has four pitchers with major
league experience and three big-time prospects,
including center fielder David Dahl, the #1 overall
prospect in the Rockies organization. “They’ve already started meshing. Our defense can really go
get the ball; our catching (including Tom Murphy,
another top prospect) will be outstanding. I’d love
for our pitchers to pound the zone. If we can get
all that together as a unit, we’ll be a good team.”
The Rock Cats won their home opener with
an impressive offensive display, beating the New
Hampshire Fisher Cats 8-5. They were 4-6 following their first home series. After his first week-plus
of real action with his new team, Everson had a
better handle.
four,” Billing said.
Leading off first, Roth begins to celebrate and jogs toward second base. He thinks
the game is over until he sees
the Simsbury catcher running
at him. Seeing that Roth and
Kelley are at second base, Singer bolts down the third-base
line for home and gets caught in
a rundown before being tagged
out at the plate, sending the
game to extra innings tied at 9.
It remained that way until
the bottom of the 12th. Singer
and Kelley walk to start the
inning and a sac bunt by Roth
moves the runners up. With a
1-and-1 count on McHale, he
bunts a curveball in a perfect
spot and Singer races home
with the winning run.
April 23, 2015
See GRAY MATTERS on page 16
The
West Hartford Press
15
Scoring no problem for Hall boys lacrosse
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
Photo by David Heuschkel
Conard freshman Lena Proietti drives in a run with a single
that scored Keleigh Brown.
FOUR RUNS
from page 15
The last time Conard
scored a run against Southington was a 6-3 loss April 18,
2012. In the next five games,
the Blue Knights outscored
the Chieftains 63-0.
When Crysta Wolski’s
single in the fourth inning
scored Leyland, it broke a
37-inning scoreless streak by
Conard against Southington
dating back to 2012.
By beating Conard,
Southington extended its win
streak to 48 games. The Blue
Knights went 24-0 last season
with Friedt (24-0, 0.25 ERA)
pitching the team to its second straight Class LL state
championship.
In 2011, the year Conard
won the Class LL state title, the Chieftains lost 3-2
and 3-1 to Southington.
Northwest Catholic, in 2011,
and Simsbury (in ’12) are
the only CCC West teams
to beat Southington since
the Blue Knights moved into
the division five years ago.
“They’re really just a focused team,” said Hernandez,
in her second year as Southington coach. “We laugh a
lot, we have a lot of fun, but
as soon as they get out between those lines, it’s all business. We haven’t missed a
beat [since the suspensions],
and I think everybody has
really stepped it up and done
the things we need to do. … I
think we’re showing we have
more than just a pitcher.”
Honorable mention
Kelan Brady of West Hartford, a senior on the Watkinson School basketball
team, was named Honorable Mention in the Hudson
Valley Athletic All League.
Watkinson went 19-7 this
winter and won the HVAL
regular season title and the
league tournament for the
first time in school history.
GRAY MATTERS from page 15
Photo by Jake Koteen
THE BALL
STOPS HERE
a powerful combination to provide goalkeepers and field players
with an outstanding training experience.
Our camp is located at the world class
Westminster School facility in Simsbury, CT.
(All CSS and SGA programs offered each week)
July 12–16
July 19–23
July 26–30
• All programs offered
• FEMALE Connecticut
Olympic Development
Program and YPDP
• MALE Connecticut
Olympic Development
Program and YPDP
t
t
• All programs offered
• All programs offered
Dan Gaspar
with Messi
at the 2014
World Cup
in Brazil
• SGA World Champions
Week (Co-ed)
Dan Gaspar
with Ronaldo,
2015 FIFA
World Player
of the Year
Register online today at: ctsoccerschool.com or
stargoalkeeper.com. Questions? 860.221.8613
16
The
West Hartford Press
Top: Hall senior Will Witter (4) scored five goals in the win
over Granby. Bottom: Jordan Weinstock uses his stick to
force Granby’s Zac Parker to make a U-turn.
sonal, five technical) and
Hall had five infractions.
With the Bears a man
down, the Warriors capitalized often.
“There’s still work to
get done, but we’ve got a
great group here and they
want the best for everybody,” Callahan said.
“Development is the most important thing,” says Everson, “You
have to make sure these guys
get better every single day. If you
don’t get better that day, you’re
going backwards. Keep getting
better and winning will come.”
That’s the primary job of a
minor league coach: successfully combine development with
winning. It’s that combination
that will get Darin Everson, at
the end of his season, where Ken
Gernander is at the end of his. It’s
a matter of figuring out just what
kind of hand you were dealt.
Best Private Golf Club Value
in the Farmington Valley
Above rates are subject to 10% CT state taxes and facility fees
Farmington Woods also
provides a private full
service Pub & Restaurant
in addition to a large
public Banquet facility to
host events.
Other available membership categories include:
Full, Weekday Only, After 2 p.m., Social, Junior,
and Business Memberships
Please contact : Cristin Cook
Private Dining / Banquet Mgr.
[email protected]
Membership Promotion
Camp Schedule 2015
• All programs offered
• All Female Week
“I’ve learned that we compete very well,” he said during
the New Hampshire series. “You
never know how that’s gonna go.
We were very aggressive in spring
training, and that’s rolled over into
the season. We’re doing a great
job of when we’re down, when we
come back and tie, we’re still looking to be aggressive and take the
next step, try to get that extra base,
try to help each other out.”
At the minor league level, winning is only part of the equation.
Photos by David Heuschkel
TM
Connecticut Soccer School and Star Goalkeeper Academy form
July 5–9
Sean Callahan has seen
plenty of scoring in his first
season as Hall boys lacrosse
coach. The Warriors have
averaged nearly 15 goals in
their first five games, three
more than its opponents.
The opposition may have
something to do with it.
In a recent three-game
stretch, Hall scored a total
of 55 goals. This included
a 17-9 road win at Granby
in a non-conference match
April 15.
Kevin Carr and Will
Witter each scored five
goals for Hall, and Owen
Macca had four. Keith Marlor scored four goals for
Granby, and Logan Strain
had three.
Whereas Hall is the
largest and only Class L
team Granby will play in
the regular season, the
Bears are one of six Class
S teams on Hall’s 15-game
schedule. The Warriors
play five M teams and four
L teams. A year ago, Hall’s
regular season schedule included nine Class L teams,
four M and three S.
“We’re going to get
ready for every single
game,” Callahan said.
It was the sixth year in
a row the Warriors defeated Granby, the margin of
victory ranging from one
goal to 13. For the second
year in a row, the difference
in the outcome was one
quarter.
Last spring, Hall
scored seven goals in the
second and went on to an
11-5 victory. Last week,
the Warriors scored six
unanswered goals in the
final 5 minutes of the third
quarter, including two in
the closing seconds that
pushed their lead to 14-6.
“We were really pushing it. We wanted to play
hungry,” Callahan said.
“We had a great practice
[the day before], and we’ve
been really working on the
fine things that make the
game complete. If we see a
set that we don’t like on offense, we can easily switch
it and everybody’s on the
same page.”
Hall continued to push
in the opening minutes
of the fourth. Witter and
Macca scored 43 seconds
apart. The eight straight
goals gave the Warriors
a 16-6 lead. Witter had a
hand in seven of the eight
goals, scoring four and assisting on three.
“They really did a nice job
of pressuring the ball all over
the field and making us respond to that,” Granby coach
Dave Emery said. “We didn’t
respond particularly well.”
Hall controlled the
tempo and was the more
disciplined team. Granby
was assessed 10 ( five per-
April 23, 2015
Single: $2,860 for 2015, $3,070 for 2016
Family: $4,290 for 2015 $4,600 for 2016
Young adult, ages 22-29:
- $1,530- Single
- $2,200- Family
Call the Farmington Woods Pro Shop for details ~ 860.673.0062
George DeVita, Director of Golf ~ [email protected]
Margaret Hoops, Membership Coordinator ~ [email protected]
See us online at www.farmingtonwoods.com
Read
West Hartford
PRESS
online at
www.TurleyCT.com
NW Catholic baseball
The Northwest Catholic baseball team scored two runs in the first, added four more in the second, and went on to a 12-2 win over Farmington
April 15. Clockwise from left: NW Catholic pitcher Justin Gallichio; Leon Babcock lines a two-run triple to make it 6-0 in the second; Aaron
Renker is waved home by NWC coach Cory Carlson; Tom Meucci (3) lines an RBI single to the center; Hunter Tralli pokes a bloop single to right
for another run; Babcock slides into third with his two-run triple; Evan Michalek lines a single to left.
Photos by David Heuschkel
Conard doesn’t have an answer to Ludlowe
By David Heuschkel
Sports Editor
Some coaches may cringe at
the prospect of playing a very good
team that was blown on in its previous game. Not Bill Condon.
The Conard High boys
lacrosse coach said it can
play out one of two ways.
Your opponent can either
be reeling from the loss,
or more determined to
avenge it.
Either way, Condon anticipated Fairfield Ludlowe
would present a stiff challenge.
He’s been around long enough,
and his teams have played Ludlowe
enough times to know what
to expect from the Falcons.
And sure enough, it
wasn’t easy in the slightest bit
for Conard as the Chieftains lost 13-4
in a non-conference match April 16
at McKee Stadium.
Fairfield Ludlowe scored six
unanswered goals in the first half
and five unanswered goals in the
fourth. Conard did not score in the
second and fourth quarters.
“There was a stretch where
we had trouble getting the
ball into the offensive end,”
Condon said. “Give credit
to them. They did a nice job
riding us. That hurt us.”
Turnovers hurt Conard.
Ludlowe’s speed in transition also hurt the Chieftains.
Another factor was experience – the Falcons have
16 seniors on their roster,
compared to six for Conard,
which has 18 juniors.
“We got a senior laden team for sure against
a junior laden team over
here. So, our guys picked it
up, they rallied,” Ludlowe
coach Chris Parisi said.
“We moved some personnel
around a little bit and we pushed
transition. Our kids were very
good in transition today.”
Ludlowe has beaten Conard
six straight years. The Chieftains last beat the Falcons
in 2009.
“We knew
they’re a good
Photo
by David
Heuschkel
Conard
longstick
middie
Sam Lefante
team. That’s
why we play them,”
Condon said. “They’re
a benchmark for us to
keep getting better.”
Ludlowe scored
four goals in the first
quarter and two in the
second, building a 6-1
lead at halftime. When
senior Lorin Tobey
picked up a ground
ball after a turnover by
Conard and fired a shot
from 25 yards out past
goalie Tyler Carson (14
saves), the Falcons had
a six-goal cushion with four minutes left in
the third.
Conard junior Andrew Hollerbach
scored on a
breakaway
with 3 ½ minutes
left.
With just
under
2
minutes
left, Matt
McCormick
set
up Jack O’Connor
for another goal to make it 7-3.
Ludlowe’s Joe Casucci scored 16 seconds later, but Nate Richam fed O’Connor
for his second goal with 47 seconds left
in the third, trimming the deficit back to
four goals.
O’Connor nearly scored in the closing
seconds of the quarter. His point-blank shot
from the right of the net was stopped by freshman goalie Carter Leibrock (seven saves).
Parisi, who watched his team absorb
a 15-3 pounding by Ridgefield two days
earlier, hammered home a point about the
Chieftains to his players.
“The thing that you always say to
a team on the scouting report of a Bill
GP
Condon team is the team will never quit.
They’re going to keep coming at you,” Parisi said. “It doesn’t matter how many goals
you’re up, they’ll keep coming.”
Conard had a chance to keep coming. Early in the fourth, Ludlowe’s Riley
Carson was assessed a 2-minute penalty for a head check. Jack Gerudno, who
scored Conard’s first goal, was stopped
twice by Leibrock, and the Falcons quickly transitioned into a 2-on-1, resulting in
a goal by Tim McDonald that made it 9-4
with 9 ½ minutes left.
“That was kind of the momentum killer for us,” Condon said. “I’m proud of the
fact that we
came back
[in the third
quarter]. We
just told our
defense to
Great winter prices on:
play tough,
3
keep us in it,
* Ceiling repairs
and repainting
let the offense
3
get their legs
* Wallpaper installation
and removal
under them.”
It is a great time
to paint!
3
OFFICE: (860) 379-9041
CELL: (860) 830-0257
COMPLETE LAWN CARE
LLC
Want those popcorn
ceilings finally
smooth and flat?
We do that too!
FENCE INSTALLATIONS
PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS
PROFESSIONAL DESIGNS
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
$100
OFF
OFF
A NEW AIR
AACONDITIONING
NEW
SYSTEM
NEW SYSTEM
SYSTEM
*Expires
5/31/15
(only
one coupon
*Expires
12/31/2013
(only
one coupon
per per
*order,
Expires
12/31/2013
(only
perof call)
order,
mention
coupon
at theone
time
of call)
mention
coupon
atcoupon
the
time
order, mention coupon at the time of call)
Call us now or visit
chamberlandpainting.com
• Northern White Cedar
• Ornamental Aluminum
• Maintenance Free Vinyl
• Chain Link
• Stockade
• Picket
• Post & Rail
• Guard Rail
• Arbors & Pergolas
• Mail Box Posts
• Custom Lamp Posts
• FREE Estimates &
FREE Consultations
BARKHAMSTED, CT 06063
* Interior trim work
and staining
3
* Expert wall painting
3
* Whole house
interior repaints
CALL
LIC #601427 FULLY INSURED
www.gpfence.com
April 23, 2015
The
860-243-9910
West Hartford Press
17
NW Catholic loses to Simsbury
By Ted Glanzer
Staff Writer
Displaying a seamless offense that typically
doesn’t materialize until
later in the season, the
Simsbury boys lacrosse
team scored early and often in an 18-3 victory over
Northwest Catholic in a
CCC match April 14 at
Holden Field.
Attacker Ben Levin
led the way with six goals,
while Hagan Wunderle
scored three times and
Zach Levin had a goal and
three assists in the victory.
Spencer Shafer also added
two goals as Simsbury improved to 3-0.
“We tried to jump in
early this year,” Simsbury
coach Jim Martocchio said
of the fast offensive progress.
“So, we’ve been just working
really hard on a number of
returners who played different positions last year. …
They dominate on attack. It’s
what they have always done,
but last year with Mason
Burr and Aaron Ricchio here,
they kind of filled those spots
as seniors.”
The Trojans jumped on
the Indians from the outset,
taking a 7-1 lead by the end
of the first quarter and an
11-1 lead at halftime.
“We kind of knew what
we had in the pipeline with
those two [the Levins], and
it was a matter of putting
together an offense that
would really utilize them,”
Martocchio said. “And our
middies are strong and fast
and they are really talented
as far as moving the ball up
the field. We’re trying to put
together a complete offensive package.”
Photo by Ted Glanzer
Northwest Catholic senior Connor Murphy tries to make his
way around a Simsbury defender.
Simsbury scored 39
goals in wins over New
Fairfield, Hingham (Mass.)
and Northwest Catholic.
Northwest
Catholic
face-off specialist Connor
Murphy, who won more
than 80 percent of the draws,
accounted for the Indians
only goal in the first half.
“Our face-off guy did
an awesome job dominating,” Northwest Catholic
coach Peter Vlahakis said.
Simsbury continued
to dominate in the second half, leading 16-2 by
the end of the third period
before
the
reserves
played the bulk of the
fourth quarter. Northwest
Catholic was shorthanded. Vlahakis said starting
goalie David Kalamarides
was on a class trip in Europe and a few other starters were also away on col-
lege-related trips.
“We’ve got to know
it’s such a team game that
everyone has to know
where to be, especially on
the defensive side,” Vlahakis said. “We’ve got guys
who were just in there and
didn’t know what to do.”
Still, Vlahakis said he
believed there was enough
talent on the squad to make
a solid run in the CCC and
the state tournament.
“We’ve got potential,
especially with the faceoffs that we’re winning,”
he said.
Martocchio said he
feels he has the talent to
go deep in the state Class L
tournament.
“This year, our goal is
to have a more complete
team; I think that’s going to
take us even further,” Martocchio said.
DOG PARK
from page 18 and would communicate via
its website and social media
President of the Dog Park Co- with members to ask them to
alition Phil Karlin explained not use the park during mathat when the site by the pool jor sporting events.
There is also additional
was first identified, he and
other members of the group parking available on Cornermeasured the distance to the stone Drive, he said.
With regard to noise,
nearest houses – 400 feet or
more – which are on a hill Karlin said the coalition
completely obscured by trees. gathered 14 dogs at the park
The park would be in January to test the decibel
roughly 2/3 of an acre, have level of noise when all the
two double-gated entries, dogs were barking and they
small and large dog areas, found the level to be at or
benches, a bulletin board for below the town limits of 55
communications, a few trees decibels during the day and
planted to allow for shade on 45 decibels at night at varyhot days and a utility gate to ing distances. At the top of
allow the town to bring in the hill, where the nearest
homes are located, the readmaintenance equipment.
“It is smaller than we’d ings were between 47 and 45
like but we are familiar with decibels, he said.
“At that point, we are
dog parks in other areas that
are that size and are success- talking about basically the
ambient level,” he said.
ful,” Karlin said.
Concerns related to
Funds raised by the coalition, which is in the process Buena Vista golf course, othof forming a 501(c)(3), would er than noise interference
cover the cost of construct- with games, were that an
ing the park as well as yearly errant ball could hit people
in the dog park. While coamaintenance, Karlin said.
He said the site is a lition members argued that
good one because it does the direction of play is away
not directly abut residences, from where the park would
and addressed neighbors’ be, neighbors and those who
concerns such as parking frequent the course said it is
and noise. The coalition has not beyond the realm of posbeen conducting an informal sibility for a stray ball to land
parking study, he said, doing on the potential site.
Sherry Haller, the pressample counts on a variety of
ident of the Buena Vista
days.
“We find the patterns Property Owner’s Associaare clear,” he said. “Usually tion, said the neighborhood
there is parking. There are is one of the primary reasons
two times when parking is a she moved to West Hartford,
calling it one that is “richchallenge in the lot.”
Those times include ly dense with recreational
when sporting events are opportunities for the whole
going on at the rink and town,” something that she
when swim meets are at the said makes it unsuitable for
pool. Saturday mornings a dog park. “Why would we
also tend to see a lot of con- put a dog park in the most,
gestion, he said.
or one of the most, populated
Karlin said, if need be, recreational spots in town?”
the coalition could ask mem- she asked.
bers to refrain from using the
Dave Mccormick, a respark on Saturday mornings ident of Brookmoor Drive,
said his home looks directly
down at Cornerstone Pool
and “we never would have
bought that house if there
was a dog park there.”
“We hear people talking
on the golf course, so the fact
that we would be subjected
to a dog park would be very
disturbing,” he said. “It feels
unfair as a property owner. …
I will hear every bark, every
yell. It has a direct impact on
the quality of my life and my
house.”
Additional
worries
neighbors had included the
cars that may line Cornerstone Drive, the impact increased traffic would have
on children walking through
the area as well as increased
“stranger danger” for young
children who would encounter more strangers brought to
the area due to the dog park.
Opponents of the site
also said the terrain – primarily a steep hill – is difficult terrain on which to build
a dog park.
Karlin said during the
coalition’s meeting with the
committee, advocates see
the hill that would be in the
middle of the large dog area
and think, “Great, it will tire
my dog out.”
While Karlin said the
coalition would prefer to
move forward and cooperate with the BVPOA in an
effort to negotiate and modify plans so neighbors would
find it acceptable, Haller said
she does not believe a compromise can be reached.
“In an area that is as
dense as it is now, you’re
going to try to force fit, as
the last straw, this dog park
when however many sites
considered had the exact
issues and, I would dare say,
didn’t have anywhere near
the density that this site has:
it makes very little sense to
me,” she said.
Make Your Marble Shine Again!
Marble Floor Polishing
Connecticut Veterinary
Center & The Pet E.R.
470 Oakwood Avenue, West Hartford
American Animal Hospital Association Certified
Call 860.233.8564
Affiliate
Also Serving
Windsor
620 Bloomfield Ave.
860-688-2026
18
The
Kensington
88 High Road
860-229-8960
West Hartford Press
Glastonbury
11 Naubuc Ave.
860-657-3965
April 23, 2015
Animal Clinic Hartford
505 Wethersfield Ave.
860-296-7187
• Honing • Grinding • Cleaning • Sealing
Marble
Limestone
Granite
Terrazzo
Tile Repair
& Installation
• Regrouting
• Sealing
• Mexican Tile
Refinishing
STONE &TILE SERVICES
ZIGGY OSKWAREK
860-913-4473
P.O. BOX 433, AVON, CT 06001
EMAIL: [email protected]
Visit us at stonepolishingct.com
NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS
check it out
Kindergarten registration
Kindergarten registration will be held Thursday,
April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Braeburn School, 45
Braeburn Road, 860-561-2200; Charter Oak
International Academy, 425 Oakwood Ave., 860233-8506; and Webster Hill, 125 Webster Hill
Blvd., 860-521-0320. On Thursday, April 30,
registration will be at Bugbee, 1943 Asylum Ave.,
at 7 p.m., 860-233-1234; Duffy, 95 Westminster
Drive, at 5:45 p.m., 860-521-0110; and Norfeldt,
35 Barksdale Road, 860-233-4421. For those
who have a child eligible to enter kindergarten in
the fall of 2015 (5 years of age on or before Jan. 1,
2016), plan on attending the orientation.
Newcomers Club events
The West Hartford Newcomers Club’s monthly
Guy’s Night Out is Poker Night Thursday, April 23
at 8 p.m. On Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m., the
Monthly Adult social event will be a scavenger
hunt throughout West Hartford Center. And, on
Thursday, April 30, Monthly Girls Night Out is a
get-together at the Elbow Room. For more information, go to [email protected].
Senior Center events/programs
West Hartford Senior Center, 15 Starkel Road,
860-561-7583
• Thursday Afternoon Movies at 1 p.m.: April
23 “The Theory of Everything” and April 30
“St. Vincent”
• New Member Welcome Wednesday, April
25, 10 a.m., call to register
• Sunday Jazz Lunch April 26, 1 p.m.,
$10/$12, register in advance
Elmwood Senior Center, 1106 New Britain
Ave., 860-561-8180
• Trips: Trip Down Memory Lane with Hall High
School Jazz Band Thursday, April 23, 2:30-4:45
p.m., at St. James’s Episcopal Church auditorium, 1018 Farmington Ave., free, but tickets
required at The Bridge, Senior Center and Elmwood Senior Center; “Liberace” Jon England at
Aqua Turf Monday, April 27, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.,
register; Mohegan Sun May 5, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.,
$20/$23/$24
• Movies & Munchies “Patch Adams” Friday,
April 24, 1-3 p.m.
• Geocaching Fun Session 1 Monday, April 27,
10:30-11:30 a.m. at Elm Theatre and Session II
May 18 at Beachland Park, $5/$7/$9, pre-register
• Simply Swing Band Friday, May 1, 6:30-8 p.m.
Duncaster’s Great Courses
Duncaster in Bloomfield offers a Great Courses
seminar series to look at the lives of seven of the
greatest U.S. presidents that meets Fridays thru
May 29 from 2-3:30 p.m. featuring the commentary of Professor Allan Lichtman. April 24
will feature Franklin D. Roosevelt, Provocative
Politician and New Dealer, and May 1, Franklin
D. Roosevelt, Into the Storm and President in a
World at War
Great Courses series is also offering “Museum Masterpieces: The Louvre” Mondays during
April and May, 2-3:30 p.m. The course will be
moderated by historian Richard Brettell. On April
27 the discussion will include Rubens and Flemish painting, early German Rembrandt, Vermeer
and Dutch painting.
The courses are free and open to members
of the community, however, pre-registration is
required. For more information or to enroll, contact Fran Kent at [email protected] or call
860-380-5006.
Events at Elmwood Community Center
The Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New
Britain Ave., will offer the following:
• Gym-time fun for toddlers for 1-5 year olds for
fun and socializing on Fridays, thru May 1 between 9 and 10:30 a.m., drop in, $2 fee per child
To submit an event for the calendar,
e-mail Sally at
[email protected]
• Babysitting class for 10-13 year olds on child
care skills, register for the Saturday, April 25 class
at 860-561-8160, $65 residents/$70 non-residents – covering basic first aid, diapering, cleanliness, bottle feeding and personal safety
Beth El Temple events
Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave., 860-2339696, will offer the following:
• The Shabbat Zone Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.,
for kids in grades 3-6 to experience Shabbat;
snacks, prizes, games
• Shabbat Family Experience Saturday, April 25,
11 a.m., grades K-2
• Tumbling with Torah Saturday, April 25, 11
a.m., children up to age
Spring Fling
The Shops at 485 New Park will have their Spring
Fling event Friday, April 24 from 4-7 p.m. and
Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring
over 50 local businesses celebrating the arrival of
spring. A portion of the proceeds will be donated
to the West Hartford Town That Cares Fund.
Fernridge Park Clean-Up Day
The Friends of Fernridge Park, Inc. and the West
Hartford Departments of Leisure and Public
Works will co-sponsor the fourth annual Fernridge Park Clean-Up Day Saturday, April 25 from
9 a.m.-noon. Projects include weeding flower
beds, painting park benches, raking grounds,
and picking up trash and plant debris. Meet in
the main parking area at 567 Fern St. Children
under 12 are welcome to participate with adult
supervision. Any questions, contact [email protected].
Clothing/Book Drive
The Never Going Back to Abuse Project of CTAlive will benefit from the proceeds of a clothing
and book drive Saturday, April 25 to mark April as
Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The drive will
be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the parking lot of
the Price Rite Shopping Plaza, 983 New Britain
Ave., near the Shield Street Post Office. For more
info, contact Susan Omilian at 860-236-2401.
United Church of Christ conference
The annual United Church of Christ Historians’
annual workshop will be held Saturday, April
25 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Rocky Hill
Congregational Church, 805 Old Main St., Rocky
Hill. The fee is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 860233-5564, ext. 104 or go to [email protected].
CT Walks for Haiti
The sixth annual CT Walks for Haiti will take
place Saturday, April 25 and honor two people
– weather personality Joe Furey of Fox CT News
and Ned Wentworth of Wentworth, Diangelis
and Kaufman Insurance. The walk begins at St.
Peter Claver parish center, 47 Pleasant St., for
a Haitian-themed festival before departing on a
2.5-mile walk through West Hartford Center and
Blue Back Square. The festival begins at 10:30
a.m. and continues until 2:30 p.m., and the walk
begins at noon. Activities take place at Blue
Back Square. For more information, visit www.
ctwalksforhaiti.org, or contact Nancy Pelletier at
860-803-6270.
Easter Concert
Holy Family Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, will
hold an Easter concert Saturday, April 25 at 7:30
p.m. The concert will be music and prayer for
the Easter season. A reception will follow. Cost
is $35. (860-760-9705)
Vendor Showcase
Sunday, April 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. is the date
of the Emanuel Synagogue Sisterhood Vendor
At the Library
Noah Webster Library,
Noah Webster Library,
20 South Main St., 860-561-6980
• Comedy Thursday Film Series at 1:15
p.m.: April 23, “Footlight Parade” and April
30, “42nd Street”
• New Yorker magazine meeting Friday, April
24, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., discussion of April
20 issue
• An Afternoon of Poets Laureate Sunday,
April 26, 2 p.m., register
• L.A.F.F. Presents: Spring Cleaning Monday,
April 27, 7 p.m., with Corina Torrey, a professional organizer, register
• A Novel Thrill Ride with Alex London,
16
The
West Hartford Press
author of “Proxy” and “Guardian!” for teens
Tuesday, April 28, 7 p.m., register to reserve
a seat
• Connecticut Screenwriters meeting
Wednesday, April 29, 7 p.m.
• Gallery exhibits thru April 30: Karen Israel’s
pastels in gallery; Lawn Bowling display in
the collection case
• Author Erika Robuck Monday, May 4,
7 p.m., register
• Bus trip to NYC May 6, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.,
$40 per person, mail check payable to
“Friends of West Hartford Libraries” to
West Hartford Public Library, Administrative
Offices, 20 South Main St., West Hartford,
06107
April 16, 2015
Showcase in the Silverman Auditorium, 160
Mohegan Drive. There is no entrance fee. Win
raffles donated by the vendors, and refreshments will be available for purchase. Vendors
displaying and showing include: Beading Adventures, Diane Cohen, Alfibags, GPC Designs,
Next Step Living, Iris Photography, Totally
Awesome Soap, Debbye Rosen pottery, Negev
Sun jewelry, Pain in the Glass Stuio, Moxy Boutique, Allison’s Attic, Stella and Dot, Hand Made
by Rayna, Polka Dot Creations, Alicia Meredith,
Emanuel Sisterhood Gift Shop and more.
An Afternoon of Poets Laureate
An afternoon of poetry, provided by state and
town poets laureate will take place Sunday, April
26 at 2 p.m. in the Meeting Room at the Noah
Webster Library. Dick Allen (Connecticut poet
laureate), Rennie McQuilkin (Simsbury), Charlie
Margolis (South Windsor), Julia Paul (Manchester), Gordy Whiteman (Guilford), Joan Hofmann
(Canton) and Ginny Lowe Connors (West Hartford) will all read selections. Register online or
call the library at 860-561-6990.
Celtic service
A candle-lit Celtic Evening Eucharist Service
will be held Sunday, April 26 at 5 p.m. in the
chapel at First Church of Christ Congregational,
12 South Main St. The service will focus on the
mystery of God’s presence among us through
scripture, prayer and communion, with Celtic
music central to the worship service. All are welcome. For more info, go to ww.whfirstchurch.
org, or call 860-233-9605.
Adult improv class
Beginning Monday, April 27, Playhouse on Park,
244 Park Road, will offer an adult intermediate
improvisation class led by Claire Zick. Prerequisites include Intro to Improvisation, or permission
from the instructor. Each class will meet Mondays
thru June 22 from 7-10 p.m., with the exception
of May 25, with a performance June 23. The fee
is $200. To register, visit www.playhouseonpark.
org and download registration form, or call 860523-5900, ext. 10 for more info.
Playful Pals Playgroup
Playful Pals Playgroup, a free playgroup for children ages birth to 5 along with their caregiver,
will meet Tuesday, April 28 from 10-11 a.m. at
The Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy, 53
Gabb Road, Bloomfield. The program will run
every Tuesday morning until June 2. For info,
call 860-243-8333 or go to the website www.
sigelacademy.org. The program is free and open
to the community.
West Hartford Regents meeting
On Tuesday, April 28, 1:30 p.m., at the Elmwood Senior Center, 1106 New Britain Ave.,
the West Hartford Regents will have Richard
Freund, Ph.D., chairman of Judaic studies at
the University of Hartford, as its speaker. All retired men are invited. A coffee hour follows the
meeting. For info, call 860-236-2704, or visit
www.whregents.org.
West Hartford’s Hidden History
In celebration of The Noah Webster House Museum’s 50th anniversary, the museum is teaming
up with the Presidents’ College of the University
of Hartford for a series on the history of West
Hartford. On Tuesday, April 28 from 2-3:30 p.m.
at the museum, 227 South Main St., the second
lecture will be “Bungalows, Four-Squares and
Triple-Deckers: West Hartford’s 20th Century
Residential Architecture” presented by Mary
Donohue, assistant publisher of Connecticut
Explored magazine. Registration is required. Call
860-768-4495.
Special senior matinee at Playhouse on Park
Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, announces
an exclusive senior matinee Tuesday, April 28 at
2 p.m. for its production of “The Importance of
Being Earnest.” If the response is favorable, a
trend may be sent for future productions. Tickets for the matinee are $22.50 each for reserved
seats.. Call 860-523-5900, ext. 10, or visit www.
playhouseonpark.org.
Arts & Events
At the Hartt School, 200 Bloomfield Ave.,
West Hartford, 860-728-4428:
• “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” ThursdaySaturday, April 23-25, 7:30-10 p.m., and
Sunday, April 26, 3-4:30 p.m., at Handel
Performing Arts Center HPAC Kent McCray
Theater, 35 Westbourne Parkway, Hartford
• Richard Garmany Chamber Music Series
featuring International Contemporary Ensemble Thursday, April 23, 7:30-9:30 p.m.,
Lincoln Theater, tickets $35/$30/$25 at
860-768-4228
• An Evening with Guitar Thursday, April 23,
8-9:30 p.m., Berkman Recital Hall
• Hartt Dances Friday, April 24, 7:30-9:30
p.m., Saturday, April 25, 2-4 p.m. and 7:309:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 26, 2-4 p.m.,
Millard Auditorium, tickets $20/$18
• Capitol Symphonic Winds Wednesday,
April 29, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Lincoln Theater
• Hammerklavier Wednesday, April 29,
8-9:30 p.m., Berkman Recital Hall
• Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz Ensemble
Concert Thursday, April 30, 7:30-9:30 p.m.,
Millard Auditorium
• “As You Like It” Thursday-Saturday, April
30-May 2, 7:30-10 p.m., Handel Performing
Arts Center
At the Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main
St., Hartford:
• MATRIX Artists in Conversation: Michael
McMillen & Betye Saar Thursday, April 23,
6-9 p.m., arrive between 5 and 6 p.m. to
view newly reinstalled Contemporary Art
galleries and attend a reception, free and
open to the public
• American Fine Art Craft Show preview
party (at the XL Center) Friday, April 24, 6-9
p.m., tickets $50 at 860-838-4100; Craft
Show of 135 artists Saturday, April 25, 10
a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday, April 26, 11 a.m.4 p.m., at the XL Center, $14/$13/$6 or $15
weekend pass
• Film “Imitation of Life” Sunday, April 26,
2 p.m., free, intro and post-film discussion
with Dr. Jeffrey Obgar, UConn professor
• Fine Art & Flowers May 1-3: Coney Island
Café cocktail reception inspired by Coney
Island exhibit Friday, May 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m.,
tickets $35 in advance, $45 at the door at
thewadsworth.org/flowers or at 860-8384100 – featuring Onyx Moonshine, NoRA
Cupcakes, Bear’s BBQ Smokehouse and City
Steam Brewery, plus treats from Coney Island
At Bridge Street Live, 41 Bridge St., Collinsville, 860-693-9762: April 23, 8 p.m.,
Heather Maloney album release tour w/special guest Will Dailey; April 24, 8 p.m., New
York vs. Boston Comedy Series; April 25, 8
p.m., The Country Jamboree National Touring Musical Revue w/special guest LittleHouse, Simsbury’s Joe Patrina’s four-piece
band; Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m., Jeff Przech;
April 30, 8 p.m., Courtney Drummey
At Infinity Music Hall and Bistro:
20 Greenwoods Road North, Norfolk, 860542-5531: April 23, 8 p.m., The Ballroom
Thieves w/Tall Heights; April 24, 8 p.m.,
Gary Burr & Georgia Middleman; April 25, 8
p.m., Robben Ford into the sun tour; April 26,
1:30 p.m., Glenn Miller Band; April 26, 7:30
p.m., Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion
(rescheduled); (Rhainnon Giddens rescheduled from April 14 to July 22)
32 Front St., Hartford: April 23, 7:30 p.m.,
Howie Day w/Will Evans and The DuPont
Brothers; April 24, 8 p.m., Mighty Mystic;
April 25, 8 p.m., Eric Clapton Tribute: The
Bell Bottom Blues Band; April 26, 7:30 p.m.,
Ralphie May; April 29, 8 p.m., The Wailin’
Jennys with special guest Heather Maloney
“The Importance of Being Earnest” at
Fundraiser for Jonathan’s Dream playground
On Tuesday, April 28, 6-9 p.m., at Sweet Frog
Frozen Yogurt in West Hartford Center, come
mingle and enjoy tasty frozen yogurt. A percentage of sales will help rebuild Jonathan’s Dream,
a playground on the campus of the Mandell JCC.
For more information, visit www.jonathansdreamreimagined.org.
Thursday, April 30 at Chatfield, One Chatfield
Drive, from 7:30-9:45 a.m. The guest will be
Linda Kelly, director of the Hartford Foundation
for Public Giving. Cost of the meeting is $2. For
information, call 860-573-3501 or go to www.
westhartfordwomeninnetworking.com.
Women in Networking meeting
West Hartford Women in Networking will meet
Farmington Bank concert series
Farmington Bank has announced its fourth
annual Community Concert Series, featuring
April 23, 2015
Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West
Hartford, performances Thursdays, April 23
and 30 at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays,
April 24, 25, May 1 and 2 at 8 p.m., and Sundays, April 26 and May 3 at 2 p.m., tickets
$15-$35 at 860-523-5900, ext. 10
Northwest Catholic Dramateurs’ “Once
on This Island” Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April
26 at 2 p.m. at the school, 20 Wampanoag
Drive, West Hartford, tickets $12 at www.
NorthwestCatholic.org/Island
University of Saint Joseph’s Dance Ensemble’s spring repertory Friday, April 24
and Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m., Hoffman
Auditorium, 1678 Asylum Ave., West Hartford, tickets $10/$7, 860-231-5555 – student choreographed and performed dances
“Finders/Keepers” by Alta: a renaissance
wind trio Saturday, April 25, 2 p.m., in sanctuary of Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Sigourney St., Hartford, admission $15 at the door
Christopher Ladd, artist/teacher, director
of the Hartt School Guitar Festival and
chair of the Guitar and Harp Program at
the University of Hartford, performing
Saturday, April 25, 3 p.m., in the Meeting
House of the Simsbury Historical Society,
800 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, free with
donations suggested
Lara Herscovitch and Kristin Graves,
state troubadours, at Roaring Brook Nature
Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton, Saturday,
April 25 at 7:30 p.m., $18 in advance, $20
at the door, 860-693-0263
Friends of Northwest Park’s evening of
urban folk featuring The Porch Party Mamas Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m., at Northwest Park Nature Center, Lang Road, Windsor, reservations at www.northwestpark.org
or at 860-285-1886
Sacred Music at the Red Door, Pipes
Alive! Recital, Monumental Mendelssohn,
on the St. John’s Austin organ Sunday, April
26, 12:30 p.m., at St. John’s Episcopal
Church, 679 Farmington Ave., West Hartford
– Sonata II and Sonata III, “Wedding March”
Simsbury Theatre Guild’s “Dearly Departed” Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m. and Sunday,
April 26 at 2 p.m. at Eno Memorial Hall, Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, tickets at www.
theatreguildsimsbury.org
Cromwell Record Riot Sunday, April 26,
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza
Hotel, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell, $3 admission (860-635-2000)
Baby Grand Jazz Series featuring Hey Rim
Jeon & Friends Sunday, April 26, 3-4 p.m.,
in the atrium of the Hartford Public Library,
500 Main St., Hartford – Jeon on piano, John
Lockwood on bass and Yoron Israel on drums
University of Hartford’s Deeds Symposium
lecture, “How Freedom Got Lost in the War
on Global Poverty” by William Easterly
Monday, April 27, 5:30 p.m., in the 1877 Club
in the Harry Jack Gray Center, University of
Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford,
free and open to the public, reserve a seat at
www.anchoronline.org/2015-deeds
Suffield Players production of “Hearts”
by Willy Holtzman April 30, May 1, 2, 8, 9,
15 and 16 at 8 p.m. and May 10 at 2 p.m., at
Mapleton Hall, 1305 Mapleton Ave., Suffield,
860-289-6148 or 860-668-0837
18 performances by Simply Swing, a 10-piece
swing orchestra based in Connecticut. The series kicks off Friday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. with
a free concert at the Elmwood Community
Center, 1106 New Britain Ave. Simply Swing
specializes in the music of Glenn Miller, Duke
Ellington and Count Basie, vocalists Ella Fitzgerald, Natalie Cole and Diana Krall, and swing
dance favorites.
The
West Hartford Press
19
Classifieds
Help Wanted
Help Wanted
McLean in Simsbury
has the following openings:
Refuge Maintenance worker needed May through August. Maintain and
blaze current and new trails along with general upkeep of grounds and
public areas. Must be able to operate power equipment.
Knowledge of environmental science or related field a plus. 40 hours
weekly as weather permits.
Assisted Living aides needed for regular part-time hours. 12 hour shifts either 7p-7a or 7a to 7p or 4 hour morning and evening shifts. Must have
current CNA registration and prior home care or assisted living experience.
We are growing and need the right people to deliver excellent assistance
to our new residents! Some benefits are included.
Certified Nurse Aides are needed for all shifts to provide care to our residents. Must have long-term care and or post-acute experience. 7-3:30,
3-11:30 and 11:15p-7:15a.
Water aerobics instructor needed for Wednesday am classes. Experience
and certification necessary.
Please call 860-658-3724 for more information or e-mail your resume to
[email protected]
Learning Manager for Cigna Health
& Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT) to estab, maintain & govern
Cigna’s global competency model &
framework, identifying progression
opportunities & initiating assignments/
experiences to fulfill reqmts. Reqs
master’s (or equiv.) in economics,
bus. admin or rltd & two yrs HR exp,
or bachelor’s (or equiv.) in economics,
bus. admin or rltd & five yrs HR exp.
Exp must include global competency modeling, dvlpmt action planning,
knowl of bus. practices in Europe,
Asia, & the Middle East. Position allows for telecommuting. Mail res. to
Karen Kocher, 900 Cottage Grove Rd,
Bloomfield, CT 06002.
JCWeb makes professional business
websites and gets you listed on Google and up to 90 different directories.
Call James at 860-940-8713 or visit
www.jcweb.org
TRAVELING MUSIC
TEACHER
Music lessons in the comfort of
your own home. Musician Billy
Romanos offers piano and
guitar lessons for all levels,
ages, and styles of music. Over
40 years experience.
Graduate of Berklee College of
Music in Boston.
Billy 860-978-3333
At Your Service
Does Health Insurance confuse you?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Affordable Care Act plans
Medicare Supplement Insurance plans
Medicare Advantage Plans
Prescription Drug Plans
CT Exchange plans
Dental/Hospital/Cancer plans
And more!
“We do Obama care and
the Affordable care act
plans!” Call us to make
it easy! 860-922-2005
Come see why people say “I have my health insurance with Dylan!”
Free no obligation no pressure consultation at my office in
Farmington or home visits available upon request! 860-922-2005
Call Dylan Cowen at 860-922-2005 today, to make the confusion go away!
Your local licensed independent Health Insurance Broker. [email protected]
There is no extra cost when purchasing insurance through a Servicing Agent
HOUSE CLEANING
POLISH /ENGLISH SPEAKING
WOMAN CAN CLEAN
YOUR HOME.
3RD CLEANING - 50% off.
Satisfaction guaranteed.
Insured. Bonded. Call 860-538-4885
HOUSE CLEANING
HOUSE CLEANER
Residential/commercial cleaning.
References available.
Competitive pricing. First cleaning
comes w/a free plate of homemade
Polish pierogis!
Call Regina 860-869-5021.
West Hartford
PRESS
www.TurleyCT.com
Mother’s Day Special
3hours H-E-L-P!
for $99
BBB Accredited and
Angies List Approved
INTERIOR PAINTING
Complete prep work.
Ceilings and Trim
call for free estimate
Cell:860-916-6287
Home 860-523-4151
LANDSCAPING
Northern Pine Landscaping. Weekly
lawn cutting. Consistent meticulous
maintenance. Very conscientious,
3rd generation landscaper. Spring &
Fall cleanups. Trimming, mulching,
organic lawn fertilizing. Long-standing references. Reasonable rates.
860-836-9620.
Wanted
I BUY houses
AS-IS. Cash.
Bonded and Insured
Gift
Certificates
Daily, Weekly and
One-Time Rates Available.
MORAWSKI CLEANING LLC
A Super Service Award Winner
Call Sandy at 860-651-4601 • MORAWSKICLEANING.COM
[email protected]
The
WEBSITES
Websites done right
At Your Service
Polish lady is looking for houses to
clean. Insured, reliable, many years
of experience, excellent references.
Second cleaning 50% OFF.
Please call Mariana
860-748-3172
Read
20
At Your Service
West Hartford Press April 23, 2015
Call TODAY
860-674-9498 or
Email:
john@boucherbuilding.
com.
CT.REG.# 530518.
Tag Sale
Indoor Estate Tag Sale:
11 Overbrook Road, West Hartford
Saturday, April 25th and Sunday, April 26th
from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
read the
paper
or visit us
online...
West Hartford
PRESS
TO ADVERTISE:
860.651.4700
www.TurleyCT.com
Home Improvement
BATHROOMS
BATHROOMS
Remodeling Your Bathroom?
BATHROOM
Bathroom
Pros
Baths & Tiling Our Specialty
Full & Partial Remodels
Also...Kitchens, Floors, Painting,
General Repairs & more
REMODELING
Suffield
668-8000
West Hartford
232-8002
DO IT NOW Affordable Remodeling
bathroompros.com
203.434.0021
860.505.8537
HIC #613103
CT’s Bathroom Remodeling Experts
CT LIC #0673079
CEILINGS
F
U
L
L
Y
L
I
C
E
N
S
E
D
We knock out
Home of the
&
6
2
8
0
5
4
F R E E E S T I M AT E S
860.953.6519
www.renew-asphalt.com
Call for
Free Estimates
CT Lic. 575422
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Call
for
FREE estimate
860-749-8383 • 860-930-7722
Call 860-706-2565 Today,
for a FREE quote!
HIC 0638889
CHIMNEYS
CHAMPS
Insured • Prompt Service
SPRAY-TEX
CHIMNEYS
LLC
CHIMNEY SWEEP!
With Full Safety Inspection
G R E AT P R I C E
ELECTRICAL
Brannack Electric Inc.
DECKS
DECKS*R*US
You Dream It, We Build It!
• We specialize in wood and
composite decking/railing
• Professional craftsmanship
• EARLY SPRING SPECIALS
• Free design/consultation
Elite
Pro Installer
Get inspired at www.decks-r-us.net
860.209.1485 [email protected]
DRIVEWAYS
COMMERCIAL &
RESIDENTIAL
✔ Driveways
✔ Parking Lots
✔ Excavating
Call For Free Estimates
860-242-6486
35 Peters Road
Bloomfield
ELECTRICAL
FLOORING
A.D. FLOORS
Wood Floors
Sanding & Refinishing
of West Hartford
24 Hour Emergency Service
• Generator installations
• Interior & Exterior Lighting
• Remodeling & Additions
• Service Upgrades
• Telephone, Cable TV, &
Computer Network Wiring
• Repair & Upgrades
• Pool & Spa Wiring
35 yrs. consistent, quality service.
Very reasonable prices.
Call Tony - leave a message or
available after 6:00pm.
License #103858 & 103859 • Fully insured
860-953-4732
www.brannackelectric.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT
CPA REG. #593039
860-521-6942
Senior Citizen Discounts • Insured & Guaranteed
Residential * Commercial * Industrial
Call today
for your
FREE, no
obligation
consultation
& estimate.
ER PA
EWSince 1958 VI
G
860-693-3404
WWW.VALLEYCHIMNEYSWEEPLLC.COM
• Sealcoating
• Hot Crack Filling
• Line Striping
CT License #557873
N
Offer Expires 5/30/15
220 Albany Tpke., Rte. 44, Canton Village, Canton, CT 06019
RENEW ASPHALT
MAINTENANCE
Custom Design Tiling with
Mosaic, Stone, Marble,
and Porcelain materials.
HIGH QUALITY WORK
CHIMNEYS
& SERVICING
DRIVEWAYS
• Textured Ceilings • Drywall & Plaster Repair
• Ceiling Painting • Interior & Exterior Painting
& Refinishing
• New Ceiling Installation
• Bathtub Reglazing
CALL TODAY 860-594-8607 www.chimneychamps.com
$20 OFF
HIC License #0674006
Specializing In: Cracked And Water
Damaged Ceilings
specializing in
$99
VALLEY CHIMNEY SWEEP LLC
Since 1984
by Todd Malinosky
the Competition
STOVE
ONE CHIMNEY FLUE CLEANING PELLET
CLEANING
Offer Expires 5/30/15
CEILINGS
NEW CONSTRUCTION • REBUILDING • REPAIRS
CAPS • CHIMNEY LINERS • WATER PROOFING
CHIMNEYS
$20 OFF
CEILINGS
Custom Bathrooms
CHIMNEYS
CHIMNEY
I
N
S
U
R
E
D
BATHROOMS
BR
$29-1 week
BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY
$150- 6 weeks $300-13 weeks Add WEST HARTFORD Press for 1/2 Price!
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
ROB’S
GUTTER CLEANING
POWER WASHING
ROOF CLEANING
860-982-3300
RobPolo.com
April 23, 2015
The
West Hartford Press
21
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Bruto’s General Services, LLC
LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES
• Expert Tree Removal
• Pruning
• Stump Grinding
• Landscaping
• Lot Clearing &
Excavation
and much more.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
15% off
• Patios
• Walkways
• Steps
• Retaining Walls
• Driveways
• Chimney Repointing
• Nautral Stone Walls
* Concrete * Stone Walls * Patios
* Bricks * Belgium Blocks * Chimneys
* Wood Fencing
All your home improvement needs at one place!
203-206-2839
Call David 860-539-0495
ROOFING
SIDING
REPLACEMENT WINDOWS
GUTTERS
ADDITIONS
TOTAL REMODELING
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
Lic.#514976
In business for a blessed 29 years
(860) 582-0712
PO Box 9656, Bristol, CT • Fully Ins. Worker’s Comp & Liability
Email: [email protected]
HOME IMPROVEMENT
MODERN MAINTENANCE, LLC
• Complete
Landscaping
SENIOR
DISCOUNTSServices
HOME IMPROVEMENT
• Complete Basement Renovations
• Kitchen & Bathrooms Updated
• Windows/Doors Installed
• Pre-Finished Floorings • Custom Ceramic Tile
• Maintenance-Free Decks • Finish Carpentry
• Complete Painting Service • Custom Countertops
www.advancedprosite.com
860-798-4275
Visit us at www.dhradomski.com
LOW
PRICES
Jim Barrett, Owner
CT REG.
ROOFING
#509749
SIDING • WINDOWS
DOORS • GUTTERS • DECKS • AWNINGS
D.H. RADOMSKI, INC.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
High in Quality and Dependability
CT. LIC. #602130 • Office (860) 796-0131
JUNK REMOVAL
860-296-3405
FREE ESTIMATES
JUNK REMOVAL
JUNK REMOVAL
Junk Removal
Pro House Cleanouts
& Dump Runs
$149
For single truck load up to 1 Ton
Spring Special
Whole Trailer Load - $150
• Downsizing • Moving
• Foreclosures
PINNACLE
MAINTENANCE,
LLC.
Dump Trailer Rentals
Fully Insured • Senior Discounts
Call Rich
860-881-4745
LANDSCAPING
154 Reed Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110
Quality Top Soil & Mulch
Gravel & Sand Product • Colored Stone
PICKUP, DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION SERVICES
Great Prices and Outstanding Customer Service
Construction and Design Services
Dennis Volpe
STONE MASON CONTRACTOR
860.225.3077
cell 860.839.8971
30 Years Experience • License #0630165 • New Britain, CT
SPECIALIZING IN:
Stone Wall Patios & Veneers • Patio Walls - Walk Ways
Chimney Rebuilding - Brick & Block Additions - Partition Walls
Basement Waterproofing - Drainage Work - Pre-Cast Retainer Walls
Pre-Cast Artificial Stone Veneers - Ceramic Tile Installed
Bobcat Service - Snow Plowing - Trucking
West Hartford Press April 23, 2015
Price includes dump fees,
labor and fuel cost. We will
remove junk from basements,
attics, and garages
Mattress & Box Springs
$50 extra.
“Building Trust By Doing Jobs Right!”
P.O. Box 791
[email protected] Farmington, CT 06034
www.pinnaclemaintenancellc.com T 860-284-8975 Fax: 860-255-7900
LANDSCAPING
Simply
Landscaping
MASONRY
The
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Home Improvement Contractor
So Many Amateurs . . . So Few Professionals!!
FULLY
INSURED
Lic. #578351
860-461-7616
WestHartfordStoneandMulch.com
22
DESIGN AND REMODEL YOUR HOME
860-250-1715
Fully
Insured
• Additions • Vinyl Siding Trim
HIRE
• Sunrooms • Flooring
US
• Garages • Drywall & Taping
because
• Interior Painting
• Decks
we like
• Windows • Popcorn Ceilings
what
we do!
• Snowplowing
• Roofing
• Kitchens
One Call Does It All!
• Bathrooms
Quality Work Cleanup Daily
• Basements
Over 20 Years Experience
LANDSCAPING
FallMowing
Clean-ups
Weekly
• Mulching
Aerating
• Overseeding
Hedge Trimming
& Pruning
• Mulching • Weekly Mowing
Powerwashing
•
Stump
Grinding
Pruning • Hedge Trimming
Complete Landscape
• Powerwashing
• StumpServices
Grinding
860-483-1912
Lic#
0631459
BARRETT ENTERPRISES LLC
• Gutter Cleaning, Installation and Repairs Professional
and
• Interior Painting and Wallpaper
Courteous
• Kitchen and Bathroom Restoration
• Carpentry Work • Additions
Free Estimates
Insured
• Grab Bar Installation
Lic#569912
• Odd Jobs - no jobs too small!
West Hartford Connecticut
860-561-9654
Email: [email protected]
www.mcnallysllc.com
[email protected]
ADVANCED PRO HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOME IMPROVEMENT
McNally’s
Carpentry • Roofing
Decks • Siding • Porches
Windows • Masonry
Landscaping
Custom Ceramic Tile
HOME IMPROVEMENT
FREE
ESTIMATES
No Job Too
Small
• Additions
• Media Rooms
• Garages
• New Homes
• Restaurants
• Consulting
860-740-2161
203-819-1612
Over 25 Years Experience
www.accentbuildingco.com Licensed & Insured | HUD 203K & RRP Certified
Fax: (860)410-1190 or (860) 583-2183
HOME IMPROVEMENT
ROCKY
CONSTRUCTION
HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR
A Full Service Building Contractor
• Kitchens
• Basements
• Dormers
• Barns
• Offices
• Designs
Email: [email protected]
CT License #HIC0616677
HOME IMPROVEMENT
ACCENT BUILDING, CO.
ACCENT KITCHENS, LLC
CONTRACTORS
Serving the Farmington Valley
for over 10 years
• Painting, Carpentry, Tiling, Flooring
• Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
• Maintenance and Repairs
HOME IMPROVEMENT
AVALLONE
CONSTRUCTION
Rocke
Construction
Handyman Service
EXPIRES 5/30/15.
959-999-4056
860-218-7886
Fully Licensed & Insured
MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
NICK
SPRING SPECIAL
FREE ESTIMATES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
LANDSCAPING
AD MASONRY
All type of Masonry Work
• Patios
• Walls
• Driveways
• Pools in Stone
• Brick, Bluestones
& Pavers
• Stairs and Walkways
Spring Clean-Ups
Weekly & Bi-Weekly Lawn Mowing
Lawn Seeding & Installation
Hedge & Shrub Pruning
Edging, Mulch Installation
860-402-2168
[email protected]
MASONRY
MASONRY
Free Estimates
Booca
Masonry Company
•
•
•
•
Stone/Brick Walls
Side Walks/Steps
Fireplaces/Chimneys
Firepits/Outside Living
(203) 263-0109
Cell: (203) 558-8019
[email protected]
WWW.BOOCAMASONRY.COM
Serving the Farmington Valley
for over 17 years!
FREE ESTIMATES
CT Lic# 602717
860-368-9486
MASONRY
ALEX EUROPEAN MASON
Over 30 years experience
Retaining Walls, Chimney Repair,
Steps, All Masonry Services
Free Estimates • Fully Insured
203-232-0257 Lic. #0580443
860-810-4196
MASONRY
MASONRY
Stonewalls • Brick Walls
Bluestone • Steps
Fireplaces • Chimneys
Patios • Sidewalks
We can also do all
Masonry Repairs!
All Masonry Repairs
Andi’s Masonry
PAINTING
PAINTING
INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING
• Powerwashing • Deck Staining
• Ceiling Repairs • Spraying
• Home Improvements & Renovations
25 years of experience
in Farmington Valley
and more
Over 15 years of experience
Reg #0562179
Free Estimates • Lic#0604514
Ken (203) 558-4951
Specializing in:
Power Washing,
Deck Staining, Light Carpentry
Quality Workmanship
860-417-9968
PAINTING
Interior & Exterior Painting Painting and Remodeling
Fully Insured
Satisfaction Guaranteed ~Free Estimates ~ Lic#0637095
Buki -
BRECHUN PAINTING
KC MASONRY
Stone Walls • Veneer Stone
Brick Walls • Blue Stone
Steps • Fireplaces
Chimneys • Patios • Sidewalks
Pavers • Retaining Walls
Akcent
PAINTING
EPA
CERTIFIED
860-673-7280
Call Chris @ 860 944 9100
www.AkcentRestoration.com
PAINTING
PAINTING
PAINTING &
CEILING REPAIR
WATER DAMAGE REPAIR
PAINTING -ALL PHASES
• Ceilings – Textured or Smooth –
Repaired, Repainted, or Replaced
• Woodwork – Crown Molding, wainscoting,
etc – Installed, Repaired or Replaced
• Drywall & Plaster Repairs
• Wallpaper Removal & Hanging
HIC#0629057
Pro Quality
Painting & Home
Repair, LLC
860-201-7788
www.pqpainting4u.com
Small renovations,
home repair, carpentry
& painting.
Complete prep.
Olde Tyme Service
T.C. Home Improvement
Call Andrew at 860-930-0392 or 860-659-1296
I will respond to all phone calls and will be present on all jobs.
Over 25 years experience. Insured • Free estimates • 24 Hour Message Center
CT LIC. #621995 • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
www.OldeTymeServiceLLC.com
• High Quality interior/exterior painting
• Remodeling • Interior/exterior restorations
• All home repair • Fully licensed and insured
Cell 860-916-6287
Free
Estimates Home 860-523-4151
PAINTING
The best decision you’ll ever make
PAINTING
PAINTING
PAINTING
L.A.G. Painting Services
ZB PAINTING
Interior & Exterior
Aluminum, Vinyl & Wood
Siding & Shingles
ANY JOB AROUND YOUR HOME
Interior & Exterior
• Good painting preparation
• Trim, Window Painting & Glazing
• Shingle Repair • Power Washing
Painting, Carpentry, Roofing, Drywall,
Tiling, Masonry, Hardwood Floors,
Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling,
Power Washing & Roof Washing
INTERIOR WORK: repair ceilings, walls, trim,
moldings, baseboards, doors, windows
EXTERIOR WORK: Small Masonry Repair
Free estimates. You can count on us for a precise & excellent job!
20 year experience. HIC #0575928
860-706-7479 or 860-897-1735
Manoel
Paulo
Call: Zenon 860-518-0630
Bodgan 860-518-2625
POOL CONSTRUCTION & REPAIR
PAINTING
POOLS
PLUMBING
POOL
CONSTRUCTION
& REPAIR
Complete In House
Services
include:
ANDY WOTTON
Complete In House &
Services
include:
POOL
CONSTRUCTION
REPAIR
POOL
CONSTRUCTION
&
REPAIR
POOL
CONSTRUCTION
&
REPAIR
PLUMBING
&
POOL
CONSTRUCTION
&
REPAIR
Complete
In House
Services
include:
Plumbing
- Coping
-Complete
Tile
-CONSTRUCTION
- Paint
POOL
REPAIR
Plumbing
- Coping
- include:
Tile
- Plaster &
- Paint
Complete
In House
Services
include:
InPlaster
House
Services
MARK’S PLUMBING
HEATING, LLC
Complete
In
House
Services
include:
POOL
CONSTRUCTION
&
REPAIR
Plumbing
Coping
Tile
Plaster
Paint
Water
Features
Spas
Stonework
Patios
- Decks
Plumbing
Coping
Tile
Plaster
Paint
Plumbing-- Spas
Coping
Tile
Plaster
Paint
Plumbing
Coping
Tile
Plaster
Paint
Water Features
Stonework
Patios
Decks
POOL CONSTRUCTION
&
REPAIR
Complete In
House
Services include:
(860) 833-8153
FREE
ESTIMATES
Quality
Guaranteed
Water
Features
- Spas
---Stonework
- Patios
- Decks
Plumbing
Coping
-Tile
Tile
- Plaster
- Paint
Water
Features
Spas
Stonework
-Patios
Patios
-Decks
Decks
Complete
In--House
Services
include:
Water
Features
Spas
Stonework
Patios
Decks
Water
Features
Spas
Stonework
Old
fashion,
honest, reliable
Plumbing
Coping
Plaster
Paint
FREE ESTIMATES Quality
Guaranteed
FREE ESTIMATES
Quality Guaranteed
Complete In House Services include:
Water Water
Features
-860-559-9104
Spas
Stonework
-AllPatios
Decks repairs
Features
- Spas -- 860-559-9104
Stonework
- Patios
-residential
Decks - plumbing,
Water Features
Spas
Stonework
Patios
Decks
Licensed
&
Insured
35
years
of
craftsmanship
done
from
leaky
faucets to
FREE
ESTIMATES
Quality
Guaranteed
FREE
ESTIMATES
Quality
Guaranteed
860-559-9104
860-559-9104
FREE
ESTIMATES
Quality
Guaranteed
-Guaranteed
Coping
- TileQuality
- Plaster
- Paint
FREE ESTIMATESPlumbing
Quality
FREE
ESTIMATES
Guaranteed
860-559-9104
Licensed
& Insured - 35 years of craftsmanship
860-559-9104
FREE ESTIMATES
Quality Guaranteed
service at a reasonable price.
Licensed & Insured860-559-9104
- 35 yearsLicensed
of 860-559-9104
craftsmanship
& Insured - 35 years ofshow
craftsmanship
you quality still
AFFORDABLE, PROMPT &
DEPENDABLE
Lic. #277593 & Insured
Licensed & Insured - 35Licensed
years of craftsmanship
difference!
& Insured - 35makes
years ofacraftsmanship
ROOFING
860-236-8450
Complete Plumbing Service
Repair or Replace all
your plumbing needs.
snaking your main drain.
Licensed & Insured - 35 years
of craftsmanship
Licensed
& Insured
-860-559-9104
35years
yearsofofcraftsmanship
craftsmanship
Licensed
& Insured
- 35
Call today and we will
ROOFING
PLUMBING
For immediate response anytime call 860-712-9461
ROOFING
ROOFING
ROOFING • SIDING
• WINDOWS • & more...
Call now.
Roofing
& Siding
Sale!
Lic #:HIC0607969
HARMONY
Home Improvement (860) 645-8899
Creating HARMONY
between customer,
contractor & community
STUMPS
Lic. #0639246
TREE CARE OR TREE REMOVAL
Grimshaw Tree Service
and Nursery Company
Smartwood available
grimshawtreeco.com
rv
Call 860-658-4420 for a free
estimate or for more information
ntral Connectic
on how we can
h Ce
ut s
ort
inc
help your trees.
gN
e
n
i
68
19
860-614-1173
When It Comes To Tree Service
We Run Rings Around The Competition.
Se
STUMPS?
G OT
Call
VALLEY STUMP
GRINDING, LLC
TREES
TREES
Fully Insured
FREE Estimates
Lic. #604200
WINDOWS
New England Arborist
Tree Care, LLC
A higher standard
Commercial & Residential - Year Round Services
All aspects of Tree Care,
from pruning and
spraying to removals.
Conservation/Preservation/Restoration
Call 860-454-7866
CT State License
Arborist #S-5664 B2706
“Residential”
WINDOWS & DOORS
*Sales * Service * Installation*
860-747-8875
thewindowmanofct.com * [email protected]
*Bill Morrell Contractor * Ct Lic.#0509785 * Insured*
April 23, 2015
The
West Hartford Press
23
HALL’S MARKET
Land O Lakes
American Cheese
2.99
$
ESTABLISHED 1935
WWW.HALLSMARKET.NET
Fresh Lean and Tender
Pork Chops
Half $
lb!!
2.99
WHOLE PEELED
Chicken
Drumsticks or Thighs
99
MIX AND MATCH, 10 FLAVORS TO CHOOSE.
ALL FLAVORS OF BEEF, TURKEY, PORK AND
VEGGIE INCLUDED!
SORRY SALMON BURGERS EXCLUDED.
lb.
19.95
$
¢
lb.
excludes salmon burgers
Flat Cut
Our Fresh
Ten 1” - 6 oz. avg. Heat and Eat Marinated
Filet Mignon Fully Cooked Steak Tips Ground Sirloin or Barrell Style
Steaks
BBQ Ribs Ready to Grill Meatloaf Mix Corned Beef
59.90
$
lb
custom cut
and freezer
wrapped free
of charge
Gourmet 1/2 lb.
Hand Pressed
BURGERS
1.99
Price!
lb.
Beef
Tenderloins $
9.99
Box of 8
Center Cut
PorkWOW!
Tenderloins
SAVE $5.00/
$
Pre-sliced
lb. 1 lb. min.
6.99 7.99
$
ea.
All Beef
lb.
lb.
3.99 2.99
lb.
lb.
BUY ONE
GET ONE
lb.
lb.
FREE 2.99lb. 1.99lb.
$
SEAFOOD
$
lb.
Turkey
Burgers
BUY two
GET ONE
FREE
Mix and Match!
PREPARED FOODS
Store Made
Fresh Atlantic
$
Ready to Cook St. Louis Style Country Style
Italian
Chicken
Pork
Pork
Sausage Cordon Bleu
Ribs
Ribs
$
Bratwurst
3.99 5.99 $4.99
$
3lbs
or more
Store Made
Hot Dogs
$
$
They’re back!
Hall’s Freshly Made
Fresh
Salmon Fillets Salmon Cakes Swordfish Steaks
5.99 3for 10 11.99
$
$
lb.
Grinder of the Week
Italian Meatball
$3.99 ea. +tax
Gourmet Sandwich
Pulled Pork!
$4.99 ea. +tax
Hall’s Best BBQ pulled pork with
coleslaw & cheddar on a kaiser roll!!
OVEN ROASTED TURKEY BREAST ................................... $5.99/lb
HONEY ROASTED TURKEY BREAST ................................ $6.99/lb
VIRGINIA BAKED HAM .................................................... $4.99/lb
HONEY BAKED HAM ........................................................$5.99/lb
PASTRAMI ...................................................................... $6.99/lb
CORNED BEEF ................................................................ $6.99/lb
CHEDDAR CHEESE ......................................................... $3.99/lb
PROVOLONE CHEESE ..................................................... $3.99/lb
HALL’S FRESH MOZZARELLA & TOMATO SALAD.................. $5.99/lb
HALL’S MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD ......................... $4.99/lb
HALL’S EGG POTATO SALAD ........................................... $3.99/lb
HALL’S TUNA PASTA SALAD ........................................... $4.99/lb
331 Park Road, West Hartford, CT • 860-232-1075
Convenient parking in the rear & our lot to the east of Hall’s
24
The
West Hartford Press
lb.
DELI
Sandwich of the Week
Kielbasa & Sauerkraut
$1.99 ea. +tax
$
April 23, 2015
Prices good from April 23rd
through April 29th
April 23 - April 29
~ Hall’s Italian Sausage & Spinach Lasagna
~ Low Sodium Roast Pork With
Mashed Butternut Squash & Potatoes
~ Maryland Style Crab Cakes With Coleslaw
~ Honey Lime Chicken Skewers With Brown Rice
~ Creamy Spinach Tomato Tortelini
~ Maple Pecan Salmon With Rice Pilaf & Asparagus
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am to 6pm; Sat. 8am to 6pm; Closed Sundays
Follow us on facebook and visit hallsmarket.net and sign up to receive our specials in email!
Not responsible for typographical errors. We reserve the right to limit quantities