A Valentine . . .

1. CTfastrak: People who ride the Fastrak love the Fastrak. There’s service every single day of the week. The first weekday 101 bus leaves downtown Hartford at 4 AM and the last at 12:45 AM. On the busway, you can board through any door; this means that when fare collection resumed last year, CTfastrak buses were still making good time, while the regular buses on busy routes (Farmington Avenue and Wethersfield Avenue, for example) slowed way down. New Britain has fully embraced transit-oriented development and West Hartford (at least in Elmwood) is getting there. Even some stodgy businesses in Hartford have finally acknowledged their proximity to the CTfastrak Parkville Station. The future is not parking lots.

2. Emrey’s: This, my friends, is how you do nostalgia. You don’t sit around bemoaning what’s gone. You revive it, with a twist. It’s pink. Fizzy. It’s not entirely as it appears. Friends, it makes for a nice place to meet up to catch up.

3. The Affleck Street Contraflow Bike Lane: While Milford had the first contraflow bike lane in the state back in 2015, not a ton of places followed. New Haven only got their first in 2022. Ours appeared in 2023, and not by magic. It’s the result of political will. The lane is not perfect. People will drive into any space that is not physically protected. What it does is give cyclists more of a chance and really announce that we are allowed to not only be in this space, but to ride in any direction on a street that is one-way for motorists. This is what equity looks like. It’s not “shared responsibility” but an acknowledgment that there is a difference in harm caused based on different size, speed, force, etc. of the different modes.

4. Renovations to Colt Park: In my personal ranking of Hartford’s parks, Colt Park typically comes in dead last, though sometimes it ties Goodwin Park during cars-looking-at-lights-in-the-park season. I think we place an extreme emphasis on sportsball, to the point that some parks are taken over by these fields and offer not a whole lot else for those uninterested in the noise of the games. I can’t say that I have any plans anytime soon to become a more regular visitor of Colt Park, but I applaud several of their revisions in the last year. One major improvement was the creation of a pavilion with picnic tables. The location is sensible. It looks inviting. People are already using it. The other noteworthy change is that they added bollards and improved the entrance where Masseek Street and Hendricxsen Avenue come together. In case anyone was wondering about ways to discourage people from driving in parks, they can view an effort being made here.

5. FREE HART Closet: The free art supply store moved into its new location in Parkville a few months ago, relocating from New Britain Avenue where they opened in 2022. Anybody can shop the free store and it’s geared towards adults. There are occasionally workshops/classes offered here. It’s not charity, it’s mutual aid. It’s also a kind of community that doesn’t quite exist in standard art supply stores where customers are rushed through the checkout line. On any given day you can have an artist in the building pop by to assemble and share their zines, a muralist drop in to look for varnish and then share all the pics of others’ works they admire, conversation with an artist who lived in northern Europe and is used to there being much more social support for the arts. It’s a great resource for those interested in trying a new craft. Not sure what size frame works best? Take a couple and bring back the one that doesn’t work for you — no need for receipts, absolutely no hassle. Stop by on Sundays from 11-4 and knock to be let inside.

6. Victus Coffee:  Victus Coffee/J Rene  . . . we already know they know how to do coffee and pastries. They’ve more than proved themselves at their former kiosk in the Science Center and former location on LaSalle Road in West Hartford, not to mention the current J. Rene spot on Park Road. They very freshly soft opened at 777 Main Street and it is such a different vibe from the previous two tenants. The lighting and seating feels less institutional. There’s a more sensible flow to ordering. They have actual reusable mugs for patrons — a show of respect and an invitation to linger.

The 777 storefront has one obvious challenge: the tinted windows that make it hard to tell if they’re open. Unless you’re an actual speakeasy, you have to tell people you exist and are open, and that’s something the previous tenant didn’t do, which is too bad because their bread and cronuts were great. Victus has already made an effort to address this problem by using a sandwich board on the sidewalk to tell people there’s a business nearby. They have an open sign. They have a sign telling people what their hours are. Their name is readable on the doors and front windows. They communicate via social media. We’ll see if they keep up with this in another six months, but right now it looks like they understand that a business has to do more than just have the doors unlocked and a barista inside.

Welcome, friends!

7. Hartford Jewish Organizing Collective:  Because the mainstream institutions wouldn’t take the moral high ground, last year a group of Jews in Greater Hartford formed to call for a ceasefire and safe return of all hostages. Many live in Hartford proper, but some live in West Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, and elsewhere nearby. Besides the activism piece – which has included writing letters and delivering them to Senator Murphy, and organizing a Chanukah for Ceasefire rally –  they have held a Chanukah party and a Tu B’Shevat Seder in a home in Hartford. Not too shabby for a city that has not had a functional synagogue since the mid-1980s.

8. The Russ Street diverter: A few years ago giant concrete blocks were dropped at several intersections along Russ Street. The jersey barriers were later painted with help from people in the neighborhood. They were functional, but quickly collected garbage. A few months ago, one of these intersections was upgraded from the industrial, temporary treatment to a permanent diverter. This looks less like an emergency barricade and more like intentional infrastructure. It has trees — three of ’em! More of this! Let’s add trees back into the streets.

9. Leadership: Having a new mayor with promise after eight years of Mayor Bronin’s smart and competent administration. No, it wasn’t perfect, but anyone who can stop being petty for five minutes can see that we’re in much better condition now whether we’re looking at housing, education, arts, or just general quality of life. There was a healthy transition from Luke Bronin to Arunan Arulampalam. Bronin raised the bar, and hopefully Hartford’s new mayor will lift that bar even higher for those who eventually follow him.

10. Public Transportation:  It must be an embarrassment for those who could take public transportation but still choose to drive. Want to see a musical? There are buses. Want to walk down memory lane at Christmas? Take a bus. Having a wee transit equity event at the State Capitol? You’d definitely be taking the bus or train. Right? Hartford is not some god-forsaken public transportation wasteland and we can be proud of that.

11. Niles St Crossing Guard: Some people go way above and beyond their job. Besides making sure children can get safely to West Middle – no easy task given how the road is treated like a speedway – she greets just about everyone, even when they are across the street and halfway up the block. And, she will stop traffic for adults.

12. Creative Use of Parks: On the lawn of Bushnell Park I’ve seen people playing cricket, badminton, Wiffle ball, golf, and Frisbee. On the stage, I’ve seen people battling with light sabers. When a space isn’t designated for a super specific type of use, you allow for an imaginative and dynamic place.

13. Park River Path Restored: There is a trail along the Park River’s North Branch in the West End that had fallen into disrepair for several years. Last year, the path was fixed.

14. Whatever Is Happening at 825 Main Street: I’m not going to pretend to know what is going on with this kiosk but it is a noticeable improvement. The door that opened out onto the narrow sidewalk near a major bus stop was moved to the other side where people would be less likely to get smacked as they walked by. Plus, look at how colorful this is.

15. Fernando: Quietly pleasant and friendly, this neighbor helps keep far more than his own property looking tidy. When I hear someone being intellectually lazy by declaring how “nobody cares,” I will fire back every single time that there is Fernando and a lot of others out here like him if they would just pay attention to the fact.

16. Dock, RIP: Dock, the Riverfront dog, was the best.

17. The World of the Bus: People who never ride the bus have no idea that it is its own world where you will find some of the most generous folks. While riding buses in Hartford I’ve seen people give: spare change for fare, bus passes, food, directions, job advice, moral support, compliments, conversation, and wishes for all passengers to “have a blessed day.” Fellow passengers have told me about the best public swimming pools in the area, about how their family members served in various wars and came back in need of mental healthcare, about their frustration with trying to visit synagogues in West Hartford because the bus does not stop there and the town doesn’t have sidewalks on parts of Route 44. The politicians scratching their heads over the whole “loneliness epidemic” thing might consider incentivizing people to exchange their polluting solo car commutes for ones that put them in a shared, communal space.

18. The Tree Planting at the Frog Hollow Roundabout: More trees in the middle of where the road had been! If you’ve seen them but don’t get what the big deal is, get out of your car and walk around. The difference is immediately noticeable and will become even more so as they grow taller.

19. More Trees: No such thing as too many! Last spring, with no notice, the City of Hartford did a major tree installation on my street and the one parallel, and in other places in my neighborhood. It felt like an excellent super early birthday present, and was an interesting coincidence since I was just then considering how to get something planted out front. Right now, Hartford is rightfully prioritizing tree maintenance and planting in these neighborhoods: Blue Hills, South Meadows, Sheldon-Charter Oak, South Green and Frog Hollow. Residents can sign up here for a free tree.

20. Return of First Thursdays at the Wadsworth Atheneum: It took a few years, but the free evening event is back, making the artwork once again available for viewing by people who can’t make it out before 5 PM.

21. More Benches: Connecticut Urbanists continue to give people, especially those waiting at bus stops, a place to sit. Many seats were added in the Frog Hollow and Behind the Rocks neighborhoods last year. Despite warnings by those who have little trust in their fellow humans, the benches have not all gotten stolen or destroyed. Most of these have been funded by a Love Your Block grant, and to get this, the LYB powers that be are supposed to have projects approved by the DPW, so any beef they might have needs to be discussed BEFORE the projects are underway.

22. Return of Drinking About Museums: The casual networking event for museum workers was on hiatus for awhile, but this too has been revived. The mainstream networking events are just not the best fit for artists and cultural workers.

23. Main Street Bike Lanes: We were told this was impossible. We pushed back. Suddenly the impossible became possible. If you’re on a date, no means no. If you’re asking government employees to use tax dollars better, their no is an invitation to begin negotiation.

24. Flex Posts: Hartford has ’em, and we’re not afraid to use ’em.

25. Bloom Bake Shop: A bakery that’s also a coffee shop that’s also a florist. They’re consistent, friendly, and reasonably efficient. Go in on the weekend and you might have trouble finding a table if all the yoga people come here after class. Their blueberry scones are the best in Greater Hartford and I will fight you on that.

26. Actual Coffee Shops In Downtown: When I moved to Hartford, there was no place to get coffee in downtown on the weekend (unless you count Dunkin, which I don’t). Besides Bloom Bake Shop and Victus, there’s also Semilla Cafe & Studio, DoNo Cafe (one block south of Semilla), Berkins (inside Hartford Public Library and the only part of the downtown library consistently open to the public currently), and several Starbucks (Cityplace, UConn bookstore, and in the Marriott). I would not at all be surprised if there were other places I somehow didn’t know about — and if there are, tell me in the comments.

27. The people who live here

28. And the cats

29. Fine Art & Flowers: I’d known about this exhibit/event at the Wadsworth Atheneum for years but felt kind of meh about it. Art and flowers? Who cares?! But, then I figured I’d go try something new and it was nothing like I’d imagined it being. The nature of live flowers — pun intended — means this event can’t be spread out over several weeks, so it is a bit more crowded than I’d prefer, but it’s a different expression of creativity and a nice taste of spring. Worth having to wait a little to see the installations.

30. Hartford isn’t so small that people are always able to guess the mystery place. Several, including this one and this one, remain unidentified by you.

31. Story Stash: The outside lockers have been helpful in the aftermath of the Hartford Public Library’s Great Flood of 2022, and will continue to be even after they eventually reopen for the simple fact that not all of us keep schedules that make it easy to go to the library during their limited hours. It’s not as satisfying as bringing a stack of books over to a table and browsing through them, but when you know what book you want, this does what it needs to do.

32. Cemetery Art: See above. . . as seen in Zion Hill Cemetery.

33. Palestinian Film Week: Cinestudio played this series of films back in December. Good for them for having the guts to do this.

34. The Garden Around The Garden at Hawthorn and Sigourney: The pollinator garden installed outside the community garden fence brings the butterflies and the bees. If you try crossing this intersection, you know that there is a ridiculously long wait for the Walk signal. The flowers make the wait a bit more bearable.

35. Revamped Black Lives Matter Mural: When they repaved Trinity Street last year, the City easily could’ve decided that the street mural would be done. Over. Served its purpose. They didn’t. Artists were invited to repaint the Black Lives Matter mural, and this worked out in their favor since the original had been painted on uneven and cracked pavement.

36. Unhinged Holiday Decor: No need to keep a calcified idea about long gone festivals as the way to experience a holiday when there are some terrific and terrifying displays throughout Hartford. Let traditions evolve. Nothing says “Party Like It’s December” like the Park Street lions.

37. Fire by Forge: Firebox Restaurant reopened under a new name with some changes to the menu, but some items remain the same, like those salted chocolate chip cookies.

38. Hartford Livable Coaliton: New group led by Hartford residents aiming for transit improvements, more walkable neighborhoods, and more. Want working water fountains in all city parks? Talk to them.

39. The BOP:  A new coffee roaster in Parkville that any day now is about to open cafe space on Pratt Street in the space shared with Refuge Tattoos. He roasts beans at the Parkville location and lives upstairs. This is what it looks like to invest in Hartford.

40. Bizarre Bazaar: Anywhere can have a Christmas craft fair. Hartford has a Halloween one, outdoors, on a street we decided was not for cars anymore.

41. Tisane’s Tiramisu: Is it authentic? Don’t know, don’t care. Gimme that mason jar and a big spoon.

42. We Show Up: There is nothing at stake when buying coffee for the person behind you in line who can obviously afford it because they are in a drive-thru (car owner) and ordering coffee (disposable income).

While kind, there’s no risk involved in rallying around a family who is experiencing misfortune of one kind or another.

This happens here too, but what we have going on in Hartford that isn’t quite so widespread is the willingness of people to show up and put their reputation at risk by speaking against war, by urging housing reform, by standing with signs and asserting themselves in a society where moral courage is often not rewarded in the short term. We’re told that compassion is either weak, wrong, or both. We’re told the same about vulnerability.

Around Valentine’s Day we’re sold puffy notions of love in the shape of expensive dinners and jewelry, and useless trinkets.

Unquestionably, though, what love actually looks like is someone showing up to support the right of strangers on the other side of the globe to simply exist– no strings attached.

43. Our ability to show demand for vegan restaurants exists.

44. Learning Opportunities: You can go to Makerspace CT to learn how to weld or how to make a birdhouse with hand tools. Interested in mending clothes? Decorative visible mending techniques have been taught at Gentle Bull Shop and simple-yet-practical ones at FREE HART Closet, where you can also explore resin casting, grief wreaths, and sun catchers. A modern calligraphy class offered at Urban Lodge Brewing was sold out. At the library you can learn about painting ceramics, making vision boards, and how to prevent an overdose. Free yoga? There are classes year-round between Toivo, Riverfront, Unitarian Society of Hartford, Pat & Tony’s, and Yoga in Our City — all free or small donation requested.

45. Charging Stations: Free phone/device charging stations have been added inside Union Station. If you don’t see the point, you’ve clearly never lost your charger in IKEA and returned to Hartford with 5% battery and needed to recharge enough to last until you can grab your backup charger from work the next day.

46. Mercado Popular: Opening at 22 Orange Street this spring, CSA shares will be made available to residents. Huge round of applause for someone thinking about healthy food access in a way that isn’t simply a standard supermarket that’ll end up with aisles of the junk foods that are already abundant in Hartford.

47. The Absolute Realness of My Neighborhood Captured In A Single Lawn Sign: It was displayed for the briefest moment before becoming litter, but it possessed the directness of someone who just spent way too long trying to clean poop off their shoes.

48. Trinity Street: The recent removal of parking signs on the Bushnell Park section of Trinity Street shows a commitment to making this space a more permanent people-centered one.

49. Pratt Street: It’s nice to continue bragging about Pratt Street to friends who live in towns that resist improving themselves. The road is closed to cars. It still supports: multiple restaurants, a bakery/florist, two boutique/gift shops, and a new brewery that is often SRO (which they need to seriously get under control). It’s also seen an expansion of a package store. There is an incoming tattoo parlor/coffee shop, and a comic book store. There’s an uncountable number of psychics. Okay, maybe not uncountable, but any feels like a lot. A few clothing/accessory stores. The street itself becomes a dance floor, a craft fair, and a concert venue. It’s a patio. A selfie spot. But if those boring ass towns nearby want to prioritize cars instead of creating a fun destination, that’s their right.

50. Neighborhood Investment: At time of publication, Story & Soil and Capital Ice Cream are closed. Were this ten years ago, the response would be a stinging shrug. Hard to get places to stick around when there are absentee nonsense landlords. But, this time, the closures are only temporary and for good reason: both businesses in the same building need more space for patrons. The coffee shop was (and will be again after a few weeks of full closure because the water main has to be shut off) operating during construction and it’s the off-season for the ice cream shop, so they aren’t impacted negatively during renovations.

Only a few years ago, businesses along this part of Capitol Avenue relied hard on State of Connecticut employees to keep them afloat. Then, that stopped being the case. Part of what helped here was that the owner of 387 Capitol Avenue lived in the building, and then later just a block away. This wasn’t the status quo of a property owner living in Simsbury or, hell, New York, and being disconnected from the day-to-day, being emotionally disinvested from who was in the building. This is stabilizing. Then, there was the pandemic that really drove it home to business owners: take no customer supply for granted and work a whole lot harder to build loyalty and relationships. Mediocre isn’t going to draw people out of their home offices. Similar is seen on the rest of this block — businesses like Aurora’s becoming more established, keeping reliable hours.

Off the main road, there are more properties owned and managed by neighborhood residents. This seems like it should just be normal and expected.

It’s not always roses, which helps make the point. For instance, last year one of the local residents with multiple properties was negligent about having the sidewalks cleared. Instead of trying to get this resolved through 311 (ha ha, yeah right) or tracking down a property owner several states away, the person, because they are known, was able to be reached directly. It could have all been a more polite exchange on both ends, but the situation was quickly resolved, and has not recurred since. If you’ve paid attention to any of the tenants’ union actions statewide, you know that when the landlord is not living in the same area as their tenants, that’s when you’re going to get persistent substandard living conditions. Harder for someone to neglect their property when they have to look tenants in the eye every day.

For years, there’s been this attempt to crack a code: how HOW do we make Hartford more attractive?!

And the answer wasn’t either of the sportsball stadiums. The answer isn’t bringing back the Whalers. It’s not a warehouse or a mall. It’s not a wall of massive buildings along Columbus Boulevard or a Learning Corridor, and it sure as hell isn’t the greed-based expansion of the medical industrial complex on Washington Street.

It’s this, what we’re finally getting around to now: improving properties, citywide, with an eye to keeping returns right here in Hartford. We’ve seen it in Frog Hollow. Asylum Hill. We’ve seen it up at Swift, which requires a continuous mention because of how it was the first true investment in that neighborhood in decades.

Much of this requires changing our own narratives that we have about Hartford, specifically, and cities, generally. It requires some people investigate their biases and unlearn their racism. We’re moving in the correct direction.

51. Many Small Things: The best of what we have are the small things. The top photo is found art in a public place that did not ask or get permission to be there. Similar works are found in bus shelters (above), on old parking signs, on the dull columns supporting the Aetna Viaduct, elsewhere; these pieces in a temporary rotating gallery are unsigned. They are ephemeral. They don’t need to be feature stories. The small things are gestures about who we are, what we value. They are scaled down and evolved celebrations. The small things are a couple people leading beautification projects that include planting edible fruits, vegetables, and berries — despite naysayers warning them that their efforts will be for nothing, will be vandalized. They are functional pieces of art. They are a series of small efforts made to improve food access. You’ll find that reporters often want to soundbite reality, have like one (maybe three, at most) giant shiny projects that they can point to in a single year as being The Thing. Hartford defies attempts at being reduced, and those who are willing to slow down and immerse themselves are rewarded with the ability to see what we have already.