running around.

Some great pictures of the Max O’Hartford 5k Road Race over at Cottage Industries!

wow, springer isn’t really very “connecticut,” is he?

It’s not Hartford specific news, but Governor Rell announced on Friday that both Jerry Springer and Maury Povich’s shows may be moving to Stamford to take advantage of tax incentives.

So odd.  But, we’ll take what we can get.

Mmm… Donuts. Mmm… Free Donuts!

Tastease Mini Donuts, 70 New Park Ave.

Tastease Donuts, a little slice of heaven in Parkville, is celebrating their 500,000-donut milestone by giving away free coffee and donuts this coming Friday.

Since opening four and a half years ago, owners Tony and Susan Mendes have dished out a half million of the sugary treats that bring loyal fans from near and far. 

How can you choose just one?

“Who couldn’t use a free cup of coffee and a sweet treat these days?” said owner Tony.

Anyone who stops into the Parkville bakery on Friday, March 6th, 2009 from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. will receive a free cup of coffee, and one of Tastease’s spectacular mini-donuts.  Each gourmet mini-donut is handmade and painstakingly decorated.  Customers have their choice of perfect mini versions of the classics and some of Tastease’s own creations:  pumpkin, cappuccino, chocolate glazed, blueberry frosted, apple streusel with a cream cheese frosting, cinnamon sugar dusted coconut cream, lemon cream, and double chocolate frosted are just the tip of the iceberg.  

Born and raised in Hartford, Tony’s father bought the property when Tony was about six months old. His wife, Susan, is from Westerly Rhode Island. She moved to Hartford in 2000 to marry Tony. The couple opened the New Park Avenue shop on June 8, 2004.

“We originally made really teeny donuts in all different flavors, which no one else did,” Tony said. “But I wasn’t happy with the really little donuts so we went to the next size up. Everybody else was making bigger and bigger donuts – even hubcaps… and I didn’t want to do that.  So we brought it to the size we sell now – 2 ¼ inches wide – which I think is the perfect size donut.”

Stop on by for a gift of a hot cup of coffee and a little taste of donut perfection

Friday, March 6, 2009
7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Tastease Mini Donuts
70 New Park Ave, Hartford, CT

the elusive poly

That much raved about but most recondite restaurant in town, The Polytechnic ON20, has happily made a wee wade into the mainstream. 

That’s right – one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Hartford is now, finally, open for dinner.  Well, on Fridays, at least.  Beginning tonight, from 4:30 to 7:00 every Friday the restaurant is open for cocktails, and from 5:30 on they are featuring their terrific three course prix-fixe menu for $45.

We have been so lucky as to have lunched at The Polytechnic, and are among those that swear it is the best restaurant in the city.  Recently they have been open in the evening for an increasing number of special event dinners – including a pre-Hartford Stage prix-fixe and Valentine’s Day.  This expansion of hours to include Friday nights hopefully signals their intent to be a player in the Hartford evening dining scene.

You may recall that a year of so ago The Polytechnic Club changed it’s name to ON20, the theory being that too many folks believed it was still a private club.  ON20 is a reference to the floor of the Hartford Steam Boiler building that houses the restaurant — and yields its enviable views of the river.  Although we understand that the “club” may have been confusing, we never liked the new name — it sounded too much like the top floor restaurant at some Sheraton, and held none of the antique mystery of the word “polytechnic.”  Hopefully the restaurant’s new, too long name signals an eventual change back to the simple and appealing “The Polytechnic,” or, maybe, as those in the know call it, “The Poly.”

Any who, we’ll be doing drinks, at least, there this eve and Fridays to come.  Hope to see you.

good old days

The Laurel linked to a segment on Morning Joe tormenting Mika Brzezinski with a great old Channel 3 video of  Mika sitting in front of the Constitution Plaza fountain reporting on “Gale King Day” in Hartford.  Mayor Mike’s there, too.  Hilarious.

more about “msnbc.com Video Player“, posted with vodpod

it’s curtains for the connecticut opera

The Courant reported today that the Connecticut Opera is cancelling its two remaining productions. 

Opera is particularly expensive compared to other types of performance — Mo, the infrequent writer, former professional trumpeter over at Two Ladies in Waiting can tell you why it’s so expensive better than I. 

As for me, I’m just sad.

Walk, Don’t Walk

Inspired by this post from Mira Hartford, late last night we sent an email to 3-1-1 about the busted crosswalk signals at Capitol and Main and were pleasantly surprised to get  a response as early as 8:53 this morning:

I reclassified your request to have the walk signal at Capitol and Main fixed and there is a new case number.  It is 101000027998.

Thank you for letting us know about this problem!

Director of Constituent Services
Office of Mayor Eddie A. Perez
City of Hartford

Now, let’s see how long it takes to actually get fixed….

Hartford.com gets facelift and attitude adjustment

We are liking the major facelift that Jordon Polon and the fine folks at the Business Improvement District have given the Hartford.com website. We also like that it doesn’t take itself too seriously and is full of wit, but in a non-snarky way (and we think a lot of that has to do with the lovely Jordan’s personality).

We are impatient for the Neighborhoodipedia to be updated, though. Maybe they need some clever residents, say, maybe some Hartford bloggers we know (hint, hint, see the list on the right!) to do write-ups of their neighborhoods….  Delegate we say! Outsource!  Share the love (and link back to our blogs!)…

Asylum Hill is One of the Best Places to Buy an Old House

This Old House just named the Asylum Hill neighborhood one of the best places in the Northeast to buy an old home!  The article also gives a shout out to NINA Hartford, the Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance.

Free stuff to do in Hartford next week

Shag Frenzy: dance till you can’t dance no more Saturday January 17th 10pm til………
We hear local artist Anne Cubberly will be down there celebrating her birthday that night…
45 Bartholomew
shagfrenzy.com

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is open from 10am to 5 pm
 Monday January 19th
Wadsworthatheneum.org

Real Art Ways  free wifi ! Commune with your computer, a warm beverage and a cozy seat.
Tues.-Thurs. 2-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 2-11pm, Arbor St.
realartways.org

The Russell: Love Jones Experience, gusty poetry and music don’t miss it!
Mondays starting at 9pm, 103 Pratt St.
therussellct.com

Fire Box : 539 Broad St.
Wednesdays Jazz from 8-11 pm
Sundays Bluegrass from 5-8 pm
fireboxrestaurant.com

Maybe we’ll see you there!