This shows some of the produce available in El Mercado, a marketplace and food court on the corner of Park and Babcock. Admittedly, there are a number of items in the market that I can not identify, but as anyone can see, they have the fixings for homemade guacamole. Aside from the eggplant (not pictured), everything appeared fresh.

The small markets in Hartford get a bad rap for not carrying nutritious foods. Much of the time, this reputation is deserved; however, El Mercado’s shelves and bins were stocked with plenty of nutritious choices. Sure, the food court area is predictably meat-centric, but I did not see greasy hamburgers and fries among options.

St. Anne’s, on the corner of Putnam and Park, has masses in French, Spanish, and English (last is more Spanglish than English).


The church pictured above is being used as a no-freeze shelter. It’s within sight of the Children’s Hospital, State Library, and the Bushnell, and is located at the Lafayette/Russ intersection. When I walked by, there were no homeless people loitering outside or causing any of the problems that some feared would exist if the shelter had been located on Gold Street. Actually, the only people I saw “loitering” in the area were directly in front of the courthouse, dressed for what I would assume would be court appearances, and pacing anxiously, as one is wont to do before making said appearance. They also were not creating any nuisance.

This sculpture is near the court house. I don’t know what it’s supposed to be. Maybe a person carrying his guilt around?

This is a view of Putnam Heights during our recent snow storm. I think all the snow melted away about twenty seconds after I snapped this picture.

A farmers’ market runs during the winter months inside The Studio at Billings Forge. In addition to bikes, bird decor, and suit jackets, they have goat cheese, ciabatta and French bread, salad greens, garlic, kiwi, meat and eggs. Someone regularly has coffee for sale, and recently I have seen an artist selling his work. During warmer months the market is set up in between the Studio and the Firebox.