WORK_SPACE’s PERSPECTIVES’s Art Exhibit has 2nd Life in Hartford

In 2019 an Art Exhibit & Experience originated in the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE as part of the Town of Manchester’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative. “PERSPECTIVES: We Are All Different…We Are All One.” A true creative collaboration, this 8-wk exhibit was made possible by support from the Office of Neighborhood and Families, the Manchester Art Association, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, & Connecticut Office off the Arts, (which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency).

In August 2019, WORK_SPACE Manager, Stacey Zackin and Exhibit Coordinator, Patricia Johnson invited artists in the Greater Hartford area “to submit artwork that is expressive of the uniqueness, distinctiveness, creativity, and ingenuity of the group, or groups, with whom they identify.” They quickly realized that displaying artwork from a diverse array of artists does little to forward the Town of Manchester’s initiative to better understand, respect and honor the diversity of the community and make strides towards greater equity, inclusion, and accessibility. It was important to bring these artists together with other community members to share in common experiences and have an opportunity to discuss the many ways in which our experiences differ.

By the opening event on November 7th over 100 works by 60 artists were selected by a jury of art professionals and displayed in 2 of WORK_SPACE’s 3 gallery spaces. In addition, a calendar of 14 events led by 25 artists and educators was created to expand perspectives and foster positive social change via poetry, movement, body art, mindfulness, technology, conversations on identity and ritual, folk, indigenous & rap
music. Manchester Mayor Jay Moran spoke at the opening commenting on how the show represents the best of Manchester, “a collective of diverse people with different life experiences, varied point-of-views, and a wide array of talents coming together to create a shared experience that celebrates our differences, expands our perspectives, and helps us to move forward united.”

Curated by members of the Manchester Art Association and WORK_SPACE’s in-house curator, Christiane O’Brien, the show ended December 26th. Although hundreds of people have had the opportunity to see the artwork and even more have experienced the programs, Coordinator Patricia Johnson felt the show was too dynamic to disappear. She reached out to Gil Martinez, Executive Director of Hartford Public Access Television
who eagerly agreed to install the show in their newly renovated Community Art Gallery at 20-28 Sargeant Street in Hartford. Pat Johnson and Christiane O’Brien will continue their roles as Coordinator and Curator (respectively). All though this version of the show comes down in March, it won’t be the end of PERSPECTIVES which is slated to become an annual affair at the Galleries @ WORK_SPACE in Manchester.

Glastonbury Boathouse Selected as Winner of WeddingWire 2020 Couples’ Choice Awards

The Town of Glastonbury is pleased to report that the Glastonbury Boathouse was selected as a winner of the 2020 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®.  Wedding professionals receiving this recognition are members of WeddingPro, a leader in the global wedding planning industry which encompasses the online marketplaces WeddingWire and The Knot.  To determine these distinguished wedding professionals, WeddingWire analyzed reviews across more than 20 service categories, from venues and caterers to florists and photographers, to find the most highly rated vendors of the year.  The Glastonbury Boathouse was selected as a winner for exhibiting superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when interacting with the millions of consumers who turn to WeddingWire to help ease their wedding planning process each month.  The Glastonbury Boathouse was among 40 venues in Connecticut recognized in its category, including many privately-owned and long-standing venues.

With less than five years in the wedding and private event space, the Town of Glastonbury is honored to have the Glastonbury Boathouse earn this formal recognition as one of the top wedding venues in the state and nationwide.  Glastonbury staff is dedicated to providing outstanding customer service and a high quality experience to all Boathouse clients and this award is a wonderful celebration of those efforts.  To learn more about the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®, please visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.

Glastonbury Health Department Offering Free Radon Test Kits for Residents during Radon Action Month

January is National Radon Action Month and the Glastonbury Health Department is urging residents to perform radon tests in their homes this month. Residents may obtain a complimentary radon testing kit during the month of January and while supplies last.

Radon, a radioactive gas formed from the decay of naturally occurring uranium, is found in rock, soil, and water. While the presence of radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, it can enter homes from the surrounding soil and become a health hazard when present inside a residential dwelling. As the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, it is estimated that radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States.

Radon is odorless and invisible, therefore people are often unaware that this poisonous gas could be in their homes. Because it is impossible to detect, radon testing and reducing any elevated levels is essential for the health and safety of Glastonbury community members. It is recommended that all Glastonbury homes be tested for radon, and testing is simple and inexpensive to perform. Radon testing is recommended during the winter months, when radon tends to build up indoors. Glastonbury residents who have not received a free test kit in the past can have Health Department staff visit their home to place a test kit, which will be collected a few days later and submitted for testing at no charge. Test kits will be available during the month of January or while supplies last. To obtain your kit, please contact the Glastonbury Health Department at (860) 652-7534, or visit them in person on the third floor of Town Hall, Monday through Friday, between 8:00am and 4:30pm. Test kits can also be purchased from the American Lung Association of New England by calling 1-800-LUNG-USA or at your local hardware store.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that homes with radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L be addressed. Homeowners should consider reducing their potential lung cancer risk by remedying homes with radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. Smokers exposed to radon have a much higher risk for developing lung cancer. Elevated levels of radon can be corrected by a qualified radon contractor, with costs typically ranging between $1,200 and $1,500. Homeowners should hire a qualified radon mitigation (reduction) contractor to decrease airborne radon levels.

To learn more about radon and to obtain a list of qualified radon mitigation contractors, please visit the Connecticut Department of Public Health Radon Program website at http://www.ct.gov/dph/radon. The site also includes additional resources including a video that provides step-by-step instructions on how to test your home for radon. Questions regarding the Glastonbury testing kits should be directed to the Glastonbury Health Department at (860) 652-7534 and an announcement will be made on the town website when testing kit supplies have been depleted.

CT Trailers and Bolton Motors Donates Coats & Toys to Local Families

Connecticut Trailers & Powersports and Bolton Motors are sharing the warmth of the holidays with local families in need by donating a trailer full of winter clothing and toys. The two businesses partnered with their local State Police department to host the 5^th Annual “Stuff A Trailer” charity winter clothing and toy collection.

The campaign accepted new coats, hats, boots and gloves for children and adults from November 29 through December 20, 2019 at both Bolton-based businesses. Additionally, Connecticut Trailers contributed coats from Zahner’s in Rockville in honor of every customer purchase during its Red Tag sale.

“We want to thank everyone for their generous donations that made this campaign such an incredible success,” said Gary Bergeron, President of Connecticut Trailers. “This was our first year collecting winter clothing along with toys and we met our goal to fill one of our largest trailers from top to bottom.”

Bergeron delivered 55 coats along with hundreds of toys and other clothing items collected to Connecticut State Police Officers with the Bolton Residents Troopers Office just in time for the Troopers to distribute the donations to local families in need and CT Children’s Medical Center before the holidays.

 

Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity seeking volunteers to join construction team in 2020 as crew leaders

Construction Crew Leader Training

Date: Saturday January 11th, 2020
Time: 8AM – 12PM
Location: 780C Windsor Street, Hartford

This training is an introduction course for new crew leaders or folks curious about volunteering as a crew leader. The first half of the morning will involve reviewing expectations of this position and provide an opportunity to ask questions of staff and other crew leaders. There will be a brief coffee/donut break mid-morning followed by a hands-on tool training. Safety guidelines for commonly used construction equipment will be reviewed. All tools, materials, and resources will be provided.

If you …

-enjoy learning new skills
-take pride in your work
-love to volunteer and help others
-like meeting new people

Then this training is for you! No prior construction experience is required.

Please email construction@hartfordhabitat.org to RSVP for this training, or with any questions.

Best of Bauer Chelsea Groton Bank: 5-Star Rated Since September 1994

BauerFinancial, Inc., the Nation’s Premier Bank Rating Firm, proudly affirmed that Chelsea Groton Bank has once again earned its highest (5-Star) rating for financial strength and stability. Earning a 5-Star rating indicates this bank excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Chelsea Groton Bank has earned and maintained this top rating for 103 consecutive quarters, beginning in September 1994. This achievement has secured an even higher status for Chelsea Groton Bank as a “Best of Bauer Bank”. The “Best of Bauer” designation is reserved specifically for banks that have earned Bauer’s highest rating continuously for 25 years or longer.

“While other banks are trying to win back the confidence and trust of their customers, community banks, like Chelsea Groton Bank, never lost it,” notes Karen Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. “In fact, a recent Federal Reserve survey found that while fewer than half of Big Bank customers were satisfied with their overall banking experience, the vast majority of community bank customers are satisfied. And, local businesses dealing with community banks not only reported the most satisfaction, but also the most success.”

Chelsea Groton Bank has been helping its neighbors and friends since it was founded in 1854. Today, after 165 years, it continues to provide a superior personal experience through 14 bank branches in Southeastern Connecticut, a lending office in Hartford County, and online at chelseagroton.com.

“Support Our Troops” Chocolate Community

Patterson Family Chocolates LLC, Your Online Chocolate Store honors our American history this holiday and in the 2020 New Years by respecting our active military and veteran families. Chocolates will be exclusively discounted for our troops and will be wrapped with a special “Support Our Troops” ribbon dedicated to those that sacrificed for our country.

All active military, veteran personnel and respective families with direct association to the US Armed Forces (and our allies) will receive a 15% discount for life. “Help save freedom for America and for others, and we will help you save to enjoy chocolates with your family,” Ed Patterson, President, of Patterson Family Chocolates LLC. “It’s not about us, it’s about those that put their lives on the line as the ultimate sacrifice. They personify selflessness. We practice the “spirit of service” values by helping others first and sharing first; and, our brothers and sisters in the military do more for our country and deserve more appreciation from us. It’s our responsibility to give back to them the respect and smiles to those in uniform and their families without question.”

Chocolates are a U.S. Government ration. Chocolates are provided to the soldiers during all of the Great World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. Today, Patterson Family Chocolates LLC is standing on the front-line and making a sweeter American “chocolate” community to foster healing, warmth and empathy. Rebuilding a new culture of humanity not out of need but out of kindness. The local chocolate company hopes that chocolates brings everyone home for the holidays. And, dreams big to create sweeter memories of joy and care throughout this holiday season and into 2020.

Patterson Family Chocolates LLC is collaborating with the CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce in Glastonbury, CT. For more chocolate information, please reach out to the Chamber of Commerce; or, Ed Patterson directly at 860-215-1349/ ed@pattersonfamilychocolates.com,  or Patterson Family Chocolates (URL); and, follow them on Facebook & Instagram.