A Taste of Hartford

by Reyna Boucaud
DTHartford Staff

    Connecticut is known as the insurance capitol of the world, but did you know it is also known for its food.  Next to big cities like New York and Las Vegas , Connecticut competes with them  for the best food. Food festivals are not only a great activity but a great cause, as proceeds from food festivals are donated to local charities

     There is always something cooking in Connecticut all year round. Connecticut holds multiple food events and festivals so the general public will never go hungry. April is known as food month in Connecticut. Two big foods events that take place in April is Hartford’s Taste of the Nation and  Flavors in Connecticut.   Each food event usually has a theme -- the Flavor of Connecticut  theme was to showcase a variety of different foods not local to the area, giving eaters a new culinary experience, while Taste of the Nation  focused on local foods in Connecticut.

     Food events and festivals are not the only way to experience different foods for a great price, local business in CT usually hold special  food events for promotion. Don’t wait for a food festival to dine out in Connecticut -- something is always cooking.

     Food festivals are fun, but behind the scenes it takes a lot of work and planning.  You need a location,  promote, and most importantly the food.  Food festivals are usually a community event, many of the  people in the kitchen who bring it all together are neighbors in your own backyard. 



    Ackley Beaumont, an employee at  Director of Facilities- Trades  is not only a  University of Hartford employee but also a Foodie. Of Caribbean decent, Ackley is a volunteer in the Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival, he explains how hard it can be to deal with celebrities guests: 
   “I dealt with this celebrity -- I don’t want to mention his name -- and he was a great guy but his agent was so pushy, demanding the check when they arrived late. I don’t do it for the perks but I do it for the food.” 
     An Aramark worker found her way in to "restauranting" through working behind the scenes in food festivals. “I noticed my passion for food and volunteering at food festivals gave me the skills and a push to open my own Jamaican restaurant."

     Everyone has a reason for participating in a food festival. Aspiring chef and foodie, Diamond Bell, speaks about her experience during Hartford’s restaurant week. “I’m from New York so I’m big on restaurant week and I love the great food and the affordable prices." 
     But price is not all that makes Diamond’s mouth water but, as she says, “I get to be a food ambassadors, and try lots of different foods.”

      Restaurants love the business, but their passion for cooking is what drives the need to participate.  A local chef and business owner shares his reasons for participating in food events. “Food festivals, tasting and events bring in a lot of customers and that’s great, but  I will continue to cook minus the business because I love to cook. Also it is a great feeling doing my two favorite things -- volunteering and cooking.”

      If after reading this you are hungry, there is a list of local food events in the area at http://www.foodreference.com. There is a food event at least once a month. 

  

Wadsworth Atheneum Opens to a More Modern Artform

by Samantha Pulley
DTHartford Staff

                Splashes of deep vermilion, aqua, chartreuse and other blends of indescribable colors can be seen plastered throughout the halls of the Wadsworth Atheneum, located on Main Street in Downtown Hartford. What one wouldn't expect however is to see these colors moving. The Wadsworth Atheneum is bringing colors, images and stories to life by allowing its visitors to watch movies about the different works of art. The movies change on a weekly basis with the themes ranging from Italian and French art to the works of more local artists.

                 “I feel like these films give art a whole new meaning,” said Ms. Doreen Cunningham, a fifth grade teacher in the Hartford area.
                “In this day and age, children are used to being able to find information in videos and are uninterested in the information if it’s not multimedia. With this aspect of the Atheneum, my children can witness all of the art I've grown up with without getting bored,” said Mrs. Arielle Johnson, a mother of three from Hartford.

                The films allow people of all generations to appreciate art more, while giving the audience more information than it may have expected. The films showcase the art, its origination, and what was going on historically at the time it was created.

                While many of the films are about art and artists, there are a few that resemble movies that can be seen in theatres today. “If I Were You” is a comedic drama about a woman who suspects her husband’s infidelity and tries to outwit his mistress. While this may not be about art, it is bound to draw in a crowd of viewers.

                So if the Wadsworth Atheneum is so renowned for its art, why would it play films? “The film gives way to a new art form taking over the world. People are creating less and less with paint, clay and other traditional medium and are now becoming more digital,” said Deborah Gaudet, curator of film and theatre.

                Guadet’s words can be mirrored through the voices of many of the film-goers. “I like how diverse the movies are. Sometimes I forget I’m at a museum, because the movies can have little to nothing to do about art or museum-type things,” said Aidan Marshall, a frequent visitor of the Atheneum. Marshall can be seen at the Wadsworth watching its films almost every week, as they are local and less expensive than other theatres.

                For adults to attend a film at the Wadsworth, tickets are only $9, and $8 for students with IDs. The movies are held in the Aetna Theatre. For more information, you can check their website: www.thewadsworth.org/films. 

Hartford's Storefront Facelift

   

by Sam Sulzer
DTHartford Staff

     The Department of the Economic and Community Development Offices of Culture and Tourism created the Arts Catalyze Placemaking Program  in an attempt to invest in the state of Connecticut’s arts based cultural activities. It was also created as a way to increase attractiveness and competitiveness of cities, towns, villages, and to make these areas an appealing community in which to live and work. The state had received 29 applications for the program and 11 cities and organizations were awarded the grants.

     Kristina Newman-Scott, the director of Hartford’s Marketing, Events, and Cultural Affairs Division, stated that city officials are eyeing several spaces to be converted into art based venues or pop-up shops. Pop-up retailing is the new craze of a temporary venue in which a sample sale could be featured at one day and then the next a private cocktail party. The trend is based on stores “popping-up” one day and then disappearing anywhere from a day to a few weeks later and coming back with something new. They are typically unique environments that engage consumers and generate a sense of relevance, which in turn creates its buzz and popularity. Based on what Newman-Scott and her team have assessed thus far, they want to have at least four into fruition by May. City officials as well as Newman-Scott, envision the spaces being a co-op style store that patrons would be able to purchase items made by local artists and to have other stores as remote broadcast studios in addition. These storefronts would occur throughout the Hartford area in high trafficked locations.

     The whole idea of this project is to remind people what a vibrant city they are in and that the point of a downtown area is to encourage people to get outside and walk around while being able to view and appreciate the city they have. One project that they have followed through with was working with WNPR (a Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network) in September to create a “pop-up” broadcast studio which took place in a former bank space downtown where radio hosts broadcasted well known shows which created a buzz throughout the city.

     A similar effort to the Arts Catalyze Placemaking Program is Project Storefronts, which was created and started in New Haven in 2010. Margaret Bodell who started Project Storefronts had “pop-up” retailers in vacant storefronts as well as hosted activities there to see if either concept would catch on or if the location would continue to work for these purposes or for another business. Since then at least two dozen new business have been launched and representatives behind the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven are the ones who were the brains behind the project and its launching. Both Project Storefronts and the Arts Catalyze Placemaking Program are still striving with the overall goal of improving their cities by making these cities a more appealing place to live by generating more reasons for those to walk around and further their appreciation for what their areas have to offer.

Many New Plans for Downtown Hartford

by Deja Robertson
DTHartford Staff

There are many new plans for downtown Hartford, with the transformation of new storefronts, plans for more housing and transfer of a UConn campus moving downtown is all in the works.

The city of Hartford was awarded a $100,000 grant to transform downtown Hartford. The grant is from the state in order to transform vacant downtown storefronts into a more creative destination. The grant is part of the state’s Arts Catalyze Place making program, which invests in Connecticut’s arts-based infrastructure and cultural activities to ultimately draw more people to cities and towns. These creative destinations may transform into retail or pop-up stores, a remote broadcast studio or an art exhibition. New possible locations may be Main Street, Pratt Street and Pearl Street. 

One Hartford citizen Bonnie O’Malley said that she is very fond of visiting art exhibits and would be in favor of the expansion of this program. “The Wadsworth museum and real art ways are popular places I visit, but I am eager to visit a new place as well," O’Malley concluded. 

In favor of this new program that will be implemented to generate a greater sense of community, O’Malley mentioned she would invest her money into a program in which would flourish. With talks of these new transformations brings excitement to residents and possibly a new crowd to visit the city.

Downtown housing blueprints are starting to proliferate as well, with hundreds of new apartments envisioned for the central business district in the next three to five years. Architect Abul Islam plans to build an apartment building at the site of the old Broadcast House on Constitution Plaza. Hartford residents are excited for construction to begin. 

Hartford resident Adreanne Good stated, “I read about this plan in the Hartford Courant; this will be a good look in bringing new residents to live downtown”. Good mentioned the issues she has encountered over the years with Hartford’s limited housing. The new housing plans give her the opportunity to possibly relocate and move to a better fitted apartment.

From wfsb.com: “Facing an estimated $25 million in renovations to its Greater Hartford branch in West Hartford, UConn plans to move the campus to downtown Hartford within a year, bringing along 2,100 students and 60 faculty members”. Moving the Greater Hartford campus back to the city where it began and belongs is the motto that UConn President Susan Herbst is using. 

Ashley Johnson, a sophomore at UConn, stated, “Many of my friends have mixed feelings about the move; I think this will be a great decision for UConn.” Some students are excited for the move, expressing that it enables out of town students to explore more of downtown. While other students’ say it won’t matter to them; being that they are located at the Storrs campus.

With these new plans downtown Hartford may enjoy a boost of new businesses, and more tourists.

The Hartford Group Closes Simsbury Campus, Consolidates

by Jeremy Fisette
DTHartford Staff

      The Hartford Group, the largest Connecticut insurance company, announced plans recently to move out of and sell their Simsbury campus. This move will leave only the Windsor and downtown Hartford campuses, which according to spokesperson Thomas Hambrick will be enough.

      “We have plenty of space here for any future growth of the business,” Hambrick said. Even after the many recent business and campus sales (Southington and Farmington have also been sold in the near past), Hambrick explained, “We’re still going to have a definite presence here.”

        Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman said that it is a “devastating decision for the town [of Simsbury].” As First Selectman, Glassman exhibits the general powers of a mayor (as some New England towns do not have a mayoral position). According to Glassman, The Hartford’s presence in Simsbury provided a large chunk of the town’s annual income. “Simsbury’s budget is $18 million,” Glassman said, and The Hartford provided $1.6 in property and real estate tax revenues.

        Glassman went on to describe the other losses the town is currently facing, such as the loss of jobs and Hartford employees’ business at Simsbury small businesses, as well as the proposed removal of the car tax the town currently instates, which would cut another $6 million in annual tax revenue.
        “That’s roughly one third of our budget; a significant impact on the town.” Glassman said, concerned. However, Glassman and the town is “working on creative ways to track new business,” and hope that plans for road creation and tax incentives will help alleviate and counteract this loss.

         So why the move? “Over the last few years we’ve sold several of our businesses. As a result, we are more focused,” Hambrick elucidated. We reviewed the needs of our ongoing businesses and decided that our Hartford campus and our Windsor campus were the right fit for our company going forward.”

         And speaking of the Windsor campus, that one is actually fairly new. “We built it with an eye towards [sic] sustainability,” Hambrick said. The facility comes equipped with “sun-controlled architectural elements,” and “high-efficiency cooling an dheating system.” Hambrick uttered more than once that the company has been trying to “consolidate our footprint.”

          There will be no loss of jobs in the closing of the Simsbury campus, which will move every one of the 1,500 Simsbury employees to either the Hartford (which already has 4,100 employees) or Windsor campus. “We went back to our real estate consolidation plan,” Hambrick says. That is the reason the company “decided to move our employees and sell the building.”

         Also, the company would like to reassure that they are not trying to sell the Simsbury campus just for the sake of selling it. Instead, they “remain focused on finding an attractive buyer for the community,” said Alan Kreczko, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at The Hartford in a press conference last week. “We are pleased with the Town of Simsbury’s partnership in marketing the facility.”

       The Hartford Insurance Group’s move out of Simsbury definitely has some repercussions of the town, but Glassman is hopeful that this substantial loss can be counteracted. As for The Hartford, they are still going strong, and Hambrick is confident this will be the last act of downsizing the company will need in order to reduce their footprint while also remaining highly efficient and dependable as a business. The move will be completed within the next two years.

Hartford's Gun Buy-Back Program

By Renee Smith
DTHartford Staff

        Guns are not only the top weapon for killings but also the top guns for accidental or suicidal killings and 60 percent of killings are a gun homicide. In Connecticut there has been a number of shooting incidents as well as self-inflicted killings. This is why pediatric trauma surgeon Dr. Brendan Campbell and adult trauma surgeon Dr. David Shapiro began the gun buy-back program to take unsafe and unused guns off the streets and from homes.

         “Even one gun taken out of circulation is important because it reduces the potential that someone could use that particular gun in a lethal matter” said Bill Seymour, head of public affairs in the gun buyback program.

        Within the gun buyback program Dr. Campbell and his team hold as many buybacks that is set up at the local St. Francis Hospital. At the buy-back you can actually turn in your gun and what the program does with the guns is melt them back into metal so they are never used again. The program also rewards with a $25-$75 gift card depending on which firearm is turned in. To keep the program running, help from Hartford Hospital, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, St. Francis Hospital, Hartford Police Department, and more show their support with donations. These buybacks only happen every so often due to funds. Even with all the buy-backs support there are still more buy-backs to be held.

        A student from The University of Hartford, Slone Davis, was able to work with the program and participate in one of the buybacks along with speaking about the program on FOX CT news in 2012.          “This experience opened my eyes to gun safety and the importance of educating those who are unaware of how to safely keep a firearm,” said Davis.

         A big concern for the program was that some individuals might look at this program as an anti-gun program, which is not the case. The programs focus is to take unused and unnecessary guns out of the hands of individuals who may or may not be at risk for lethal matter. The program knows they are not reducing gun violence but they believe that the buy-backs are reducing the chances of an accident waiting to happen.

         Dr. Campbell, pediatric trauma surgeon has seen the worst of child gun wounds and experienced all the repercussion from the parents after letting them know details of their children’s conditions. As a parent himself “I never want to experience some of the heart break and unfeasible emotions some of the parents feel after I tell them horrific news about their child,” said Dr. Campbell.
           After interviewing Dr. Campbell on what his job entails as a trauma surgeon and why he helped start the buy-back program, Dr. Campbell said, “If 6 year old Wyatt Matteau had his father turn in the gun instead of keeping the pistol under his pillow, Wyatt Matteau wouldn’t have gone into his fathers bedroom and shot himself in the eye.”

           “We believe in what we are doing, we think it’s important,” said Bill Seymour when expressing his future aspirations about the program and how important it is to continue growing the program and gaining more support. The gun buy-back program would like to raise $12-15 thousand in 2013 if possible. They have a huge support system but in this case it will never be enough.

For more information on Hartford gun buy-back go to the following websites Connecticut Children's Medical Center and the  Gun buy-back Facebook page. 

Hartford Speaks: We the People Can Save the Second Amendment

by Justin Snide
DTHartford Staff

     Despite gun violence being a major issue for states all across the country, citizens are still holding their ground and doing all that is possible to protect the Second Amendment. On March 14, a hearing was held at the Connecticut State Capitol building in Hartford, CT, to discuss gun policies and to try and find an effective way of gun control in the state of Connecticut. Since the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting on December 14, that left twenty children and six adult staff members dead, gun control has been a major topic of interest in the Hartford community. 

     The 42nd Annual Greater Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade was held on Saturday, March 9th. The famous Irish colors green and white held a second meaning this year. The colors were utilized to honor those affected by the Sandy Hook Shooting, as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and members of the Newtown community started the parade. The December shooting has played a major part in legislature moving forward in their gun control policies, but some local residents are fed up with the lack of results involving the issue. 
     “It is time for the legislature to actually do something positive, their needs to be less talk and more affirmative action regarding personal gun control,” said Hartford resident Michael Gary.   

     So what can we the people do to help move these policies along? Many people have already started making an effort in moving this process forward. The public's first actions started by getting rid of the problem completely, by selling their old firearms and ammunition. 
      However, there are many other people who do not want to take this step because they believe it violates their rights as Americans, and goes against the Second Amendment. When the United States Constitution was created, the Second Amendment was made to protect our rights to keep and bear arms. For many years guns have been more than just a weapon, they have been used as tools for many different purposes. Until recently, guns have never seemed to be a topic of concern. Since the recent tragedies that have taken place in the last year, however, government officials and lawmakers have been pushing to make a change. 

     As legislators look to pass new bills regarding gun policy, some residents of the community are unhappy with the decisions they have imposed.  One bills’ goal is to make it illegal for someone under the age of 21 from buying a rifle or firearm.  
     Lucille Lenares of Wethersfield, CT had much to say regarding this bill that has been tabled in legislature. “If my 18-year-old son is a responsible enough adult to be drafted into the army and handed a gun to utilize, then why isn’t any other 18 year old person responsible enough to own a gun?” said Lenares.  Lenares also had the same thoughts for the drinking age of the country as well.  

     With all of the commotion regarding gun control in Connecticut, President Barack Obama has been scheduled to speak at the University of Hartford about his plan for gun control nationwide.  Preparations for the speech began early last week as agents from the The United States Secret Service arrived on the university’s campus to scope out the athletic center, where the speech will be held. President Obama has been very active recently in trying to make changes regarding gun control as seen in his recent public speakings.  On Thursday, students waited in line for as long as four hours, hoping to receive a ticket for admission to Obama’s speech.  
      University of Hartford student Kevin Smith was one of the lucky students that was able to get a ticket for the event. Smith said, “Although I don’t agree with everything Obama is trying to do, seeing him speak at my University will be a unique experience that I will never forget.” The speech took place on Monday April 8th.

     President Walter Harrison of the University of Hartford said, "All of us in the University of Hartford community are pleased and proud to welcome President Barack Obama to the University campus."

     More information about President Obama's speech can be found at http://www.hartford.edu/president-obama/message-uhart-president.aspx

What Hartford Can do to Combat the Obesity Epidemic

 by Ingrid Ore
DTHartford Staff

     Obesity is not something new to America. It is an issue that keeps rising and rising as days pass.       According to the Sate of Connecticut, this trend has started in big cities, but has now expanded to small cities like Hartford.

     According to City-Data, in 2009 Hartford residents with income below the poverty level was 38.5% and Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level was 15.2%.

     Fast food seems the right choice especially for its cheap price and the variety of it. There are more than eight McDonalds within the Hartford area and hundreds of fast food restaurants.

     According to the Connecticut State Board of Education, “children who eat well and are physically active learn better.” Conversely, poorly nourished, overweight, sedentary or hungry children tend to have weaker academic performance and score lower on standardized achievement tests. As a solution, the State of Connecticut designed a system to improve children healthy by promoting education and learning more on this disease. They believe that if we work together as a community we could improve this issue.

    First lady, Michelle Obama’s campaign “Let's Move,” is a motivational campaign that promotes a healthy life from an early age through the consumption of healthy food and the practice of sports. States the webpage: “Everyone has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity, including parents, elected officials from all levels of government, schools, health care professionals, faith-based and community-based organizations, and private sector companies. Your involvement is key to ensuring a healthy future for our children."

    However when we search in this same web page, we do not get to see the city of Hartford working on this. Seems like although the campaign has started three years ago, first lady campaign has not reached this side of the country yet.

    As Hartford citizens we are in charge of promoting healthy habits, fostering an active life, taking care the children who are the future of our city and of course taking care of ourselves.

   According to the web page of Hartford Public Schools, Olympic medalist Elana Meyers is involved in a campaign, which includes monthly video lessons, and live video chats to create awareness and foster an active life, “Values such as hard work, perseverance, and dedication are some of the things we practice on a daily basis as Olympic athletes.  Growing up today is difficult --we’re in an age of cyber bullying, economic downturn, and an increase in childhood obesity.  I hope I can help teach the students values that will help them handle adversity so they can achieve their dreams.” Meyers said.

   Let's start now because giving up is not an option. 

iQuilt Expected to Rejuvenate Downtown Hartford

by Matt Bilodeau
DTHartford Staff

Downtown Hartford’s latest project is expected to not only rejuvenate a section of the city, but also to encourage sight-seeing and decrease the city’s traffic. Known as iQuilt, the project will add new green areas while creating safer pedestrian walkways. The area will take on the appearance of a quilt, with patch-like sections coming together, hence the name iQuilt.

Jackie Gorsky Mandyck, managing director for the iQuilt sponsorship, says it all began at The Bushnell. “They were looking for ways to connect to other cultural institutions and also looking at the parking available to their patrons at the State Office Building parking lot and seeing if there could be improvements made to the spaces connecting everything.”

When the Phoenix Insurance Company building on Constitution Plaza needed to be renovated, one of their executives was so impressed with the iQuilt proposal that he rethought his company’s renovation plans and decided to make the new area an environment with greenery.  “The hope is that iQuilt will encourage more businesses in downtown Hartford to do the same,” Mandyck said.

The project began in 2007 and so far has seen a renovated city hall, as well as 275 signs established at 45 intersections to help pedestrians and remind them how close together venues are in the downtown area. Construction work at Bushnell Park will begin in 2014 and Travelers Insurance has been working for the past two years on its plaza area, and expects to be finished in 2015. “iQuilt will connect the city of Hartford’s many cultural aspects, which is in fact ranked 14^th among U.S. cities,” said Mandyck. 

“The overarching theme of the iQuilt Plan is walking, culture and innovation.  We hope that by connecting cultural institutions, celebrating our past innovation and encouraging future innovation and making improvements to streetscapes that it will promote walking, which all of these tied together will make for a more vibrant downtown Hartford,” according to Mandyck.  

The iQuilt’s project manager hopes that more activity, better lighting, and new events will make people feel safer in the area and will let them walk around more. The walk from the Capitol building to the Connecticut River takes only 15 minutes. A path called the Green Walk hopes to encourage people to walk with a visually pleasing area along the path.

Douglas Suisman, head of Suisman Urban Design and a key architect involved in iQuilt, says, “This project wants to give people a reason to enjoy the areas on their way to and from restaurants and cultural attractions. It will tie the whole area together, giving the area a good feel.”

Jonas Maciunas, senior assistant to Hartford's chief operating officer, is working on a transportation system in Connecticut. “We want to fast track New Britain to Hartford in 2015 with a special bus route with its own dedicated line and numerous stops along the way,” he said. Hoping that more people will make use of the transportation system and walkways this will clear traffic congestion throughout the area.

According to Mandyck, the city of Hartford has very few vacancies. Most apartments and businesses are occupied today. “Hartford has a remarkably low vacancy rate at only 3 percent. The project is encouraging developers to renovate the vacant areas to create new apartments and businesses. The project also gained financial support from the city. Last year, the city embraced the iQuilt project. The city of Hartford earned $10 million and an additional $13 million,” she added.

Many new events have come out of iQuilt. This past fall, the iQuilt areas in downtown Hartford housed Envision Fest. This was a festival with food, entertainment, face painting, live music and hands-on activities. There will be another Envision Fest on September 21, 2013. 

The iQuilt team believes that Downtown Hartford is like the living room of the city of Hartford. They want it to welcome guests to Hartford with new restaurants, shopping, and scenery as well as encourage new residents and businesses to move there.

Learning Made Fun for the Whole Family at the CT Science Center

by Amy Lopez
DTHartford Staff

The Connecticut Science Center, located in Hartford, is a place to immerse oneself in fun, educational, and interactive experiences related to science. The hands on, minds-on exhibits are fun for children and their parents to enjoy as a family. With five floors of endless exhibits, the Science Center creates a whole day of adventure.

 Darius Wilmot, children’s counselor from Southbury said, “Everything is crazy, from the noises to the children running around with excitement. It’s an overall great atmosphere. The kids’ favorites exhibits are always the dinosaur and space floor. It’s a time for them to explore, and for me as well.”

 It is impossible to see with over 150 exhibits to visit all in one day. If visitors get tired or a little restless, the center’s 3D IMAX theatre could be a good place to take a break, before venturing out again. Hungry for a meal? Check out the cafeteria to grab some grub to refuel for the next exhibit.

Most of the children that visit the Science Center say that their favorite place to visit is the Space Floor. The ceilings are filled with bright stars and planets making one feel lost amongst the universe. This is just one of the 5 themed floors featured at the Science Center.

As Spring is just around the corner, the relaxing garden rooftop will soon be open to visitors to enjoy once again. Many anticipate its reopening because of how serene it is. It is just as fun to sit in and watch a movie as well like, The Last Reef, in 3D, which visitors of all ages can certainly find enjoyable.

Parents find it nice that their children can move freely around the museum. “My kids can get to where they want to go instead of being forced to stay with a group. They can explore for themselves," said Trevon Bray, visitor of the center.

“My kids love to come from time to time to get their hands dirty,” said, Lisa Cook, a visitor of the Center.  My son Dillon is obsessed with dinosaurs, so I’m always dragged there first. Hitting the gift shop is always a must. They find the freeze dried, astronaut ice cream sandwiches -- the greatest things ever.”

The Connecticut Science Center’s running hours are from Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Children under the age of three pay no entrance fee. It is located near the Connecticut River, on 250 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103. 

Apple Picking in Downtown Hartford: Not Just a Fall Activity

by Katie Roth

DTHartford Staff

Imagine that you are standing outside of your favorite restaurant in downtown Hartford, waiting to meet up with your friend for after-work drinks. There is the usual bustle of city streets, the occasional car horn, and the dim lighting of the building’s interior. You’re bored, so what do you do? Take out your phone and preoccupy yourself, of course. Checking Twitter, Facebook, or sending a quick text seems like quite a harmless public activity. In reality, this is how most crimes of “apple picking” start, and a small moment of inattentiveness can put you in a dangerous situation.

            The term “apple picking” doesn’t just mean a fun fall family pastime anymore, especially in downtown Hartford. The term refers to the theft of Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and iPods, generally in public areas. In downtown Hartford, thieves do not discriminate, as victims have been adults, teens, and students.  These thefts are not exclusively of Apple products, and may include Androids or other smartphone brands. There has been a significant increase in these types of crimes in Hartford in the last six months. Hartford Police are starting to crack down to try and stop these robbers.

            Lieutenant Brian Foley, commander of the major crimes division for Hartford Police Department, said that there are no statistics out yet for these crimes in the Hartford area, but that there is a campaign being launched to warn residents of the potential risks of having their electronics out.  Foley said, “We advise people to be aware of their surroundings and to pay attention to what you are doing as opposed to just your device. To a thief you are holding cash, not a phone.” Cash is exactly what thieves are getting for these electronics, while a second-hand iPhone can yield large profits up to $400 when resold through online outlets.

            Foley said, “Majorly violent thefts are not the norm, but that the term “apple picking” generally refers to much more minor assaults, or a snatch-and-grab type of crime.”  He warns Hartford residents not to walk around with headphones in, because that is an immediate indicator that you have a device. It is also recommended that people do not text while walking, since this does not allow you to pay attention to your surroundings. Numerous apple picking offenses start with thieves walking down the street and seeing a pedestrian with a phone that they could potentially steal.

Foley said apple picking has become increasingly common around restaurants, bus stops, libraries, and surprisingly: schools.

            Amanda Winkler, a student teacher who has worked at Betances, a public school in downtown Hartford, has recently seen a lot more kids with their cell phones or iPods out and visible. Winkler said, “They take them (phones) out at lunch to check Facebook or show their friends something. A lot of kids have their headphones in walking to and from school.” Winkler said that some local Hartford teachers do not bring their phones or electronic devices to school because they are fearful that they will be stolen. “Students can steal from other kids, or even from teachers… for some teachers it’s easier just to leave it home.”

            To combat these thefts, the Hartford Police Department has been putting up fliers to help educate Hartford residents and students of the risks of having electronic devices out in the open. Fliers have been given to schools as well as put up in public high-traffic areas. Several arrests were made at the end of March, but Foley said the best preventative measure is to educate the public.

While downtown, staying in well lit, public and populated locations is essential. Alex Hall, a student at the University of Hartford who has interned for The Hartford Insurance Group located downtown, said that she was always very cautious when walking from her car to work. “Sometimes I would have to cross large deserted parking lots downtown… I never walk with my phone in visible sight or have it in my pocket, especially when I am alone.”

            Hartford police recommend downtown Hartford residents to register the GPS device that is available on most smartphones, and to create a passcode lock. However, being aware of surroundings before making a call or text could prevent many of these apple picking crimes. Hall explained, “You have to keep your phone on you for emergency purposes, but you have to pay attention because you never know what could happen.” To assure that you are not a victim, avoid showing off or attracting the attention of your friends to your electronic devices. By showing off, you are also attracting attention from thieves.