West Hartford Magazine Feb/Mar 13

19 I 43 I

GETTINGFITFORSPRING

IreneW.Yukash

Ifyouarelookingforanew fitnessroutine,WestHartford hasoptions,andherearesix ofthem.

HEALTHYBABIESARE WORTHTHEWAIT

NikkiA.Sambitsky

TheMarchofDimes(which iscelebrating75yearsof life-savingachievements), touchesthelivesofour littlestresidents!

INSERT:SPECIALSECTION

HomeDesignDistrictofWest Hartford–Meetthebusinessowners whomakethisdestination

“Yourroadtoabetterhome!”

JoininontheFUNraising!

PEOPLE

TheBridgeFamilyCenter CovenantPreparatorySchool

EVENTS

Mayor’sCharityBall

SPECIALSECTION

Presenting,theArtofCurb Appeal,byJeffHodges

TRAVEL

Antarctica,TheAdventureof aLifetime!

GARDEN

Growindoorherbstobring fragranceandflavortolife

MaybeMomwasRight

AMatterofTaste WEDDINGS

Barrieau&Iacovazzi Levine&Brogadir

FINANCE

Vacationhomes:torentornot torent?

SUBSCRIPTIONCLUB Memberlisting

SPECIALSECTION

JewishFederationofGreater Hartford’s“Impact”newsletter

ONTHECOVER: PhotographerPattySwansonhasdonatedhertimeandexpertisetoTheMarchofDimesbyphotographingparents withtheirpreemiebabies.

Burst

Light CARAVAGGIO

998FarmingtonAve.,Suite205,WestHartford,CT06107 www.westhartfordmagazine.com office860-523-1800

WestHartfordMagazineispublishedsixtimesayearbyWHMedia,Inc.SUBSCRIPTIONS:Oneyearfor$29.Newsstand$4.95each. Tosubscribe,reneworchangeaddresswrite:WestHartfordMagazine,998FarmingtonAvenue,Suite205,WestHartford,CT06107; www.westhartfordmagazine.com.EDITORIAL&LETTERS:editor@westhartfordmagazine.com–pleaseincludefullname,townandphone number(forverificationonly,notforpublication).ADVERTISING:860-523-1800.©2013WHMedia,Inc.Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthis periodicalmaybereproducedwithoutexpresspermissionofthepublisher.WestHartfordMagazineisaregisteredtrademarkownedby WHMedia,Inc.TheopinionsexpressedbywriterscommissionedforarticlespublishedbyWestHartfordMagazinearenotnecessarilythoseofthemagazine.

Publisher ThomasP.Hickey,II tomh@westhartfordmagazine.com

ChiefOperationsOfficer

JoyBrighamTaylor joyt@westhartfordmagazine.com

ManagingEditor

LisaLelas editor@westhartfordmagazine.com

PublicationDesigner

JenniferInocencio graphics@westhartfordmagazine.com

StyleEditor

BridgetteLarcada style@westhartfordmagazine.com

Interns

TrentonJackson,LaurenMilka

PublishingAdvisor

JonathanMoffly

ContributingWriters&Columnists

ThomasJ.Filomeno,TammyKroll, NikkiSambitsky,KarlaDalley,Ertan S.Sener,NormaSpadola,IreneW.Yukash

ContributingPhotographers

BrianAmbrose,CarlaTenEyck,IraLippke Studios,K.ZwickPhotography,Patty Swanson,Powerstation,TrentonJackson

PrintAdvisor

BobCarr

Bookkeeper

DebbieRoberts

bookkeeping@westhartfordmagazine.com

Proofreader

BarbaraGordon

Correction

The"YearRoundGiving"story inthe November/December2012issuelistedthe foundingpresidentsoftheRotaryClubof WestHartford,ratherthanthe 10pastpresidents.Herearethe organization'srecentpastpresidents: ElizabethHoryn2011-2012

LouVamvakas2010-2011

BruceStanger2009-2010

MichaelHoward2008-2009

HenryMondschein2007-2008

DavidMangs2006-2007

EileenRau2005-2006

DeborahBuckley2004-2005

DavidJones2003-2004

PeterKovalevich2002-2003

Tom and ShevonHickey at TheBridgeFamilyCenter’sChildren’s CharityBallinJanuary.WestHartfordMagazineisamediasponsorfor theannualevent.(Seepage12formorephotos).

Westhartfordites…JoininontheFUNraising!

Forthepast14yearsShevonandIhavekickedoffeachnewyearattheannual Children’s CharityBall.Weenjoyedtheeveningbutmostimportantly,theeventraisedarecord breaking$225,000for TheBridgeFamilyCenter.WESTHARTFORDMAGAZINEwas proudtobetheirmediasponsor,andourdonatedliveauctionitemcalled“NightOutOn TheTown”raisedarecord$3,000forTheBridge!

ConsiderthisyourinvitationtojoinWESTHARTFORDMAGAZINEatthefirstannual TownThatCares partyonMarch15thatthePondHouse.When DavidRyanPolgar introducedmetothiseventhesaidWestHartfordneedsLESSGOWNandMORE TOWNwhenitcomesto“fun”raisingintown.Thiscasualattire,nightout,withadvance ticketspricedatonly$50willbenefit WestHartford’sFoodBank.Wearepleasedto shareourMediaSponsorshipwith WestHartfordPatch.PatchEditor Ronni Newton,andSalesManager KaushikMakati andIhavebeenlookingforawaytowork morecloselytogetherandwefeelthisistheperfectopportunity.Sopleasejoinusfora casual,FUNnightout.(Moreinformationandticketorderformisavailableat: www.westhartfordnewcomersclub.com)

WewillwelcomespringtoWestHartfordbyspendinganightunderthestarsonthe frontlawnofTownHallonSaturday,May11thbyattending TheMayor’sCharityBall WESTHARTFORDMAGAZINEwillbethemediasponsoronceagainsoweencourage youtojoinus.SeeMayorScottSlifka’sletteronpage12andplanonjoiningus.

ThefollowingThursdayevening,(May16th) TheNewChildren’sMuseum will bringtheir17thannualgalatotheirgroundsonTroutBrookDrive,under,youguessedit, anothertent.Wearehonoredtobetheirmediasponsoraswell.

PublishingCalendarfor2013

OurTeamatWESTHARTFORDMAGAZINEhasdecidedtomakesomevery important,andwefeelnecessary,changestoourPublishingCalendarfor2013.Wewill stillpublishsixissuesbuttheywillnotfollowthetraditionalmagazinepublishingcalendar (firstofthemonth,everyothermonth).Wedonotattractnationaladvertisingsothere isnoneed(rightnow)forustofollowthatschedule.Itismoreimportantthatwearrivein yourhomeandonthenewsstandwhenyouwelcomeusandthatshouldnotbewhileyou areonvacationorduringareligiousholiday.Checkoutwww.westhartfordmagazine.com formoredetails.Pleaseletusknowwhatyouthink.

PleaseconsiderjoiningourSubscriptionClub(seepage42)sowecanguarantee deliverytoyourhomeorofficeandyouwon’tmissasingleissue.Worthnotingthatifyou JOINtheCLUByougetlotsofperks.

NewArrival

BESTWISHEStoourPublicationDesigner, JenInocencio onthebirthofhersecond daughteraswewenttopresswiththisissue.

YournextissueofWESTHARTFORDMAGAZINEwillbeinyourhomejustafterweall havefiledourtaxes.Inthemeantime,nomatterwhatcauseyousupport,buyaticket, volunteer,ormakeadonationandjoinusinallourlocalFUNraising!

ThomasP.HickeyII Publisher

tomh@westhartfordmagazine.com

Emceefortheevening, ScotHaney,withballorganizerandDirectorofCommunityServices forTheBridge JudyBierly.

TheBridgeFamilyCenterExecutiveDirector, MargaretHann

Olaf andWestHartfordTownCouncilmember JudyCasperson

Dr.FeliciaWilion,apediatricianwithProHealth Physicians,aGoldSponsoroftheball,and Jay Frankel, Pratt&Whitney,thePresenting Sponsorofthegala.

TheBridgeFamilyCenter

Children’s

CharityBall

WestHartfordcommunityandbusinessleaders enjoyedthe“sunshineandbutterfly-themed”Children’s CharityBall,afundraiserforTheBridgeFamilyCenter,at theHartfordGolfClubonJanuary19.Forthetwelfthyear inarow,ScotHaney,Channel3MeteorologistandCo-Host of“BetterCT,”entertained380guestsasemceeand auctioneerfortheevening.Afterbiddingandraisingtheir paddles(foratotalnetprofitof$225,000),manyguests dancedtoliveband ShadedSoul untilmidnight.Ball organizerandDirectorofCommunityServicesforThe BridgeFamilyCenterJudyBierlysaidthatthisyear’s galasetanewfundraisingrecord.PeterandCynthia GutermannweretheHonoraryChairsforthe2013 Children’sCharityBall.

FindmoreaboutTheBridgeFamilyCenterat www.bridgefamilycenter.org.

Sean and JaniceO’Donnell, representingING,a SapphireSponsoroftheball.

HonoraryChairs, Peter and Cynthia Gutermann. PeterisVicePresident& GeneralCounsel,UTCPropulsion& AerospaceSystems.

JoshGorman,aseniorvicepresidentfor RockvilleBank,aSapphireSponsorofthe gala,andhiswife, Christina

Dr.JasonMielcarek and Dr.SteveHall ofDentalAssociates,a SilverSponsoroftheball.

CovenantPreparatory School‘sAnnualdinner: ReachFar

CovenantPreparatorySchoolheld its 3rdannual'ReachFar'dinnerinthefallat theCTConventionCenter.Theeventwas agreatsuccesswithmorethan350 friendsandsupportersinattendance. Guestsbidonauctionandraffleprizes, includinganAfricanphotosafari,toraise moneyfortheschool.BradDrazenfrom NBCConnecticutNewswastheemcee. ThehighlightoftheeveningwaspresentationsfromNewYorkTimesBestSellingauthors,Dr.SampsonDavis,Dr.Rameck HuntandDr.GeorgeJenkins,whowrote “ThePact”,“WeBeattheStreet”and“The Bond”,basedontheirtruelifepactthat theywouldsticktogether,graduate collegeandbecomedoctors. CovenantPrepisanindependent, tuition-freemiddleschool(grades5-8)for under-servedboysintheHartfordarea. ww.covenantprep.org

February1,2013

DearFriendsandNeighbors: ThankyouforyoursupportoftheMayor’sCharityBall,now celebratingits14thyearasWestHartford’spremiercommunityevent.

ThoughIamproudtolendmytitletothisevent,theMayor’sCharity BallisreallyaboutbringingtheWestHartfordcommunitytogetherto supporttwoimportantnon-profitsthataresovitaltoourtown.

The2013ballwillonceagainbenefitHopeWorksandPlayhouseon ParkandwillbeheldonMay11thunderagrandtentonthefrontlawnof theWestHartfordTownHall.Asanewtwist,theballwillhaveanOld HollywoodRegencythemethisyear.Inaddition,ifyouhostatableof 10,thetenthticketisfree.

Aspreparationsareunderwaytomakethisyearthemostsuccessful ballyet,theboardisactivelyseekingauctiondonations,sponsors,and ofcourseticketsales.Thewebsitecanprovideadditionalinformation andcanbefoundatwww.themayorscharityball.org.

WestHartfordcertainlyhasreceivedagreatdealofnational attentionbyearningtheTop10“BestCitiesintheNationfortheNext Decade”byKiplinger’sMagazine,and“Top100BestPlacestoLiveinthe Nation”byCNNMoney.com,aswellasseveralothernationalmentions.

Again,IthankyouforyourcontinuedsupportoftheMayor’sCharity Ballandlookforwardtoawonderfulevening.

Sincerely, R.ScottSlifka,Mayor

CREATIVE.EXPERIENCED. ENTHUSIASTIC!

Everyclienthasaparticularsetoflandscapingneeds,goalsand expectationswhenapproachingaoutdoordesign.Ifyouareseekinga “natural”look,orifyouprefera“refined”look,wecanhelpyouachieve yourgoals.Workingtogetherwecancreateadesignthat satisfiesyourneeds,withoutsacrificingyourdreams.

Callmeforapersonalconsultation! -Jeff

Getting FIT for Spring

Ifyou’relookingfora newfitnessroutine, WestHartfordhasoptions!

storyandphotography byIreneW.Yukash

Ifyouarelikemanywhoneedextra motivationandinspirationtogiveyourselfa freshstarttofitness,you’reintherightplace!

Fitnesscentersareplentifulandfitness classesinabundancethesedaysas WestHartforditesarejumping intogetfit!

AkuaBa 87MemorialRoad

TuckedawayinthecornerofBlueBack Squareisthishiddengem.Youmightnot haveactuallyevenseenitopenwhenyou drivebybecausethisfitnesscenterhasno sethours.D’MarioSowahandfiveother trainersworkbasedupontheirclients schedules.SowahopenedAkuaBafive yearsagowiththegoalsofpromotingphysicalaswellasmentalhealth.

“Ourwholemethodologyhereisreally gettingtoknowtheindividual.Gettingto knowhowyouthinkaboutyourself,how youviewfood,findoutwhatyourenvironmentislike,understandanytragedies you’vehadinyourlife,andwhatstressyou areenduring,”saidSowah.“Allthosethings factorintoyourlife.”

Assistingingoalslikelosingweightand obtaininganenviousbeachbodyareonly partofthepackageatAkuaBa.Sowahsets outtochangelifestylesandhabitsbybuildingself-esteemandleadershipwhilemaintainingachallengingenvironment.

Inadditiontopersonaltraining,AkuaBa offersprograms.Indicatedinthename, STF-90isa90-dayprogramthatholdsyou accountablewithaworkoutjournaland specificgoals.Boxingcoursesandmuscle confusionclassesarealsoofferedanddates canbefoundonakuabafitness.com.

Pricesvarydependingonthecourseand personaltraininghoursaresoldinthree bundledpackagesstartinginthe$400dollarrange.Newmembersareinvitedinfora freeassessment.

“Iwanttomakepeoplehappybecauseit makesmehappyindoingso-that’showI findmyhappiness,”addedSowah.

MandellJewishCommunityCenter 335BloomfieldAvenue

WestHartforditesseekingasenseof communityshouldheadtowardthis‘Jackof alltrades’gym,whichisafitnesscenter,so-

cialhub,andeventspaceallunderthesame roof.

“Ourmottoisthatyoubelonghere, we’rereallyopentoeveryoneofallfaiths andbackgrounds.Weofferculturalprograms,”saidReneeSt.Louis,MarketingDirector.Aseasonalprogrambookcanbe pickedupatthefrontdesk.“Weareableto doanythingatthisfacility,”addedSt.Louis.

Atourisrecommendedtonewmembers, asonecouldeasilygetlostinthespaciousfacility.Fitnesswise,roomsarededicatedtoa pool,basketballcourt,racquetball,suspensiontraining,fitnessclasses,andseveral roomsforchildren’sfitness.

Apartfromtheirbabysittingroomand programs,theJCChasanentirekids-only roomfilledwithexercisemachines,WiiFit, andarock-climbingwall.Don’tworrymom anddad,astaffmemberalwaysmonitorsit.

Whetheryou’reaparentofoneorten (undertheageof24),youpaythesame;$100 permonthforthefamily.Individualmembershipsrunat$66permonth,andcollege studentsreceiveadiscountedratewithaletterfromtheregistrar’soffice.Butnoteveryonehastobeamembertopartakeinsomeof theJCC’sofferings.

“Weofferculturalprograms,filmfestivals,bookfestivals,mostopentobothJCC membersandnonmembers,”saidSt.Louis.

Whentheworkoutisover,memberscan visittheSpaorkoshercafé,bothlocated withintheJCC.Anyonethinkingabout joiningshouldcontacttheMemberServicesCenterat(860)236-4571.“Ithinkalot ofpeoplecomehereforthefriendships,the classesandthepeoplethattheymeet,” addedSt.Louis.

AnyTimeFitness

340NorthMainStreet

Maybeyou’rethetypeofgym-goerthat prefersamoreintimatesettingandflexible schedule.Ifthat’sthecase,this24-hourfacilitymightbeforyou.

“We’rethegymforbusypeople.Wegenerallyattractpeoplewhodon’treallyliketo workoutbutknowthatit’simportantto them,”saidAndrewBreton,ownerofAnytimeFitness.“Psychologyandfitnessgo handinhand,whenyouhelpyourbody,it helpsyourmind.”

Bretonbelievesthatworkingoutiscomparabletobuildingahouseinwhichthe propertoolsandinstructiononhowtouse thosetoolsisnecessary.“Wetrytoprovide

everybodywiththeeducationwhenthey comeinheretogetthemtheresultsthat theysignupfor,”addedBreton.

AnyTimeFitnessfocusesonmember engagement,andinadditiontooffering membershipsthatrangefrom$30-$40per month,theyofferpersonalcoachingina one-on-one,semi-privateandgroupsetting.

NotonlyisAnyTimeFitnessopen365 daysayear,buttheyalsogivemembers theirownkeytotheplace.Itnotonlyopens theNorthMainStreetlocationbutalllocationsinandoutoftheU.S.

Afreetwo-weektrialisofferedtoanyonewishingtotestdrivethisgymbefore signingup.Bothyearlycontractsaswellas month-to-monthmembershipsareavailable.

“Startsensibly,getyourstartingpoint, getyourbaseline,andmeetwithaprofessionaltomakesureyou’reidentifyingyour limitations,”Bretonsumsup.

PlaygroundFitness

635NewParkAvenue

Childhooddaysofjumping,skipping, playingandrunningarenolongerathingof thepastthankstothisestablishmentlocatedat635NewParkAvenue.

“Webelievethatadultsshouldmove likechildren.Ourwholeexercisemottois basedonthepremisethatadultsusedtobe childrenandtheycanstilldothosethings theyusedtolovedoing,theirbodiesrememberitandtheirbodiesstillcraveit,” saidco-owner,GlenMarcella.

MarcellacollaboratedwithKarenRoche andopenedPlaygroundFitnesstwoyears ago.“Wewanttochallengepeopleandproducealittlebitofanostalgiafeelandsome laughterintheprocess,”saidMarcella.His combinedexperienceinthefitnessindustryaswellasexperienceasafatherhasinspiredthisdiscipline.Theestablishment pridesitselfoncreatingachallengingwork-

outforeventhemosteliteathletes.

“There’snothingwrongwithhavinga senseofrenewal.Iwouldchallengepeople tosayhey,let’sthinkofanewchallengeof howtotransformyourbodyandfitness. Startthinkingsimplicityandfitness,”said Marcella.NewmembersjoininginJanuary canlockinona$125permonthcontractinsteadof$145permonth.Althoughtheyare primarilyagymforgym-goers,Marcella andRocheencourageanyonetotryitout.

“Weoftenaskpeople‘areyouplaygroundfit?’andwechallengethemtocome inandfindoutiftheyare,”addedMarcella. WestHartfordYMCA

12NorthMainStreet

“TheYisforyouthdevelopment,

healthylivingandsocialresponsibility. Withinthose3pillars,wehaveprogrammingforourcommunity,”saysExecutive Director,ShawnFongemie.

Programsarebasedonthecorevalues oftheYMCA:caring,honesty,respectand responsibility.Fromswimminglessonsto basketballteams,membersoftheYworkto instilltheimportanceofthesevaluesin children.

“We’renotaclass,we’reateam.We’re heretopracticelikeateamandworklikea team,”addedAmandaGorski,ProgramDirector.

Whiletheactualgymfacilityislocated intheSt.ThomasSeminaryArchdiocese Center,467BloomfieldAvenue,registrationcanbedoneattheYMCAofficeon NorthMainStreet.

Fongemiesurmizes,“Attheendofthe day,we’reoneofthelargestnon-profits.We raisemoneyeveryyear,sofamilieswho can’totherwiseaffordtocometoaswim lesson,orcan’taffordtocometoa camp…can!”

CrossFitRelentless 635NewParkAvenue

Ifyouareoneforvariety,CrossFitmaybe

afitforyou.Theirconceptisfunctional movements,constantlyvariedandperformedathighintensity.

“Constantlyvaried,meaningthatit’sa differentworkouteverysingletime,”said CrossFitCoach,TimRoesch.Theirprogramconsistsofpowerlifts,jumprope,calisthenics,andmore…workingatahigh intensityforarelativelyshortamountof time.

“Wetakeanylevelathletefromadivisiononeathletetoastayathomemother andmakethemstronger,makethemfitter, andmakethemmoreuseful,”saidRoesch.

Opensevendaysperweek,thefacilityofferspersonaltraininginanhourlongclass setting.“Wewanttoshowpeoplethatthis works.Mostpeople,whentheycomeinand trytheclassforthefirsttime,realizehow differentitis,”saidRoesch.

At$110permonth,CrossFitasksfora six-monthcommitmentfromnew-comers. Moreinformationabouttheclassesand membershipcanbefoundatcrossfitrelentless.com.

“Ifyouwanttochangeyourlife,youcan haveresultsorexcuses,notboth,”added Roeschbeforeheadingtoteachhisclass. ■

byNormaSpadola

Ifyouaskedpeoplewhattheir “dream”destinationwouldbe, theirresponsesmightbepredictable,rangingfromtheromanceofcities(London,Paris, Rome)toidyllicorremoteislands (Tahiti,Capri,StBart’s),orexoticculturaldestinations(India,Africa, SouthAmericaandSoutheastAsia).So,it maysurpriseyoutoknowthatoneof travel’shottest“dream”destinationsinrecentyearsisinfact…cold!Wouldyouhave guessedAntarctica?

Consideredadesert,itisthecoldest,driestandwindiestcontinentonearth!When the2007movie,“TheBucketList”featured Antarctica,theinterestanddemandby travelersofallagestovisitthe“WhiteContinent”seemedtoskyrocket.Perhapsfor

some,itrepresentsthechallengeofconqueringalandofunimaginableextremes, ormaybebeingpartofthegrowingsustainabletourismeffort,whileforothers,itwas merelyawaytomarkasignificantbirthday milestoneinauniqueandmemorableway.

Onefrequentlyaskedquestionis“when isthebesttimetogotoAntarctica?”The answerdependsuponyourexpectationsof theexperience.Thebeginningoftheseason isconsideredlateOctoberuntilearlyNovember,whenicepackisthickandpristine, affordingphotographersextraordinaryopportunitiesforbreathtakinglandscape shots.Thepenguinsarecourtingandmating.PeakseasonrunsfromlateDecember untiltheendofJanuary,whendaylightlasts for20-24hoursandtheweatheriswarmest. Duringlatesummer(February-March)

GrouptrekkinginAntartica.

TravelTips

• PeakseasoninAntarctica runsDecember-January,when daylightlastsfor20-24hoursand theweatheriswarmest.

• Travelviasmallerexpedition ship toenjoyareal‘upcloseand personal’experiencewiththe wildlife.

• TheInternationalAssociation ofAntarcticTourOperators providesguidanceforallvisitors www.iaato.org.

whalewatchingisatits’bestandthepenguinchicksbegintosporttheirfeather coatstofacethependingwinterontheir ownwhiletheadultpenguinsshedtheir coats.

Afriendoncedescribedthisexperience asacoldweathersafari!Wildlifeonland,in theairandintheseasurroundsyou.Most prolificarethepenguins,witheachregion oftheAntarcticPeninsulaboastingadifferentspecies.TheSouthShetlandIslandsare hometotheChinstrappenguins,sonamed forthedistinctiveblackstripeundertheir chin.ThelargestcolonyofGentoopenguinscanbefoundnestingintheislandsof andaroundtheAntarcticpeninsula.Adelie penguinrookeriesarefoundonPauletIs-

land,alsohometothepredatorleopard seal.TheFalklandIslands,mostmemorable totheAmericanmarketforthewarin1982, ishometotheMagellanicandRockhopper penguins.

SouthGeorgiaboaststheKingpenguin, alongwiththeuniqueSouthGeorgiapipit, theonlysongbirdfoundinAntarctica! Here,too,onefindsthesouthernElephant seals(halfoftheworld’spopulation)as wellas95%oftheworld’ssouthernfur seals.Minke,Humpbackandtheincredibly hugeBluewhaleaboundinthesewaters.

While‘inexpensive’isnotawordtobe usedinthesamesentencewhenconsideringajourneytoAntarctica,theinvestment inthisadventureofalifetimeiswarranted. Sincetheseasontovisitisamere5months long,advancereservationsaremandatory. Travelbyshipisthemostpopularwayto visitAntarctica,butunderstandthatships carryingmorethan500guestsarenotallowedtolandpassengersinthesewaters. Asaresult,atrueAntarcticexperiencecan onlybehadtravelingonsmallerexpedition shipswhereyouwillenjoyareal“upclose andpersonal”experiencewiththewildlife.

Off-shipexcursionsareagreatway togetupcloseandpersonal.

Bylaw,only100passengersareallowedto stepfootonAntarcticaatanyonetime.Safe andstabletransferfromtheshipsismade bysturdyZodiacboats.Accommodations aboardsmallshipsrangefrom“barebones” icebreakerresearchvesselstoluxurysmall cruiseships,featuringgourmetcuisineand theservicesofyourownpersonalbutler!

Fortheextremeadventurer,tourcompanieslikeAbercrombieandKentoffer uniqueopportunitiestobeginatrekfrom

ElephantIslandtothe“finaldegree”-the last70milesoftheAntarcticdesertbefore theSouthPole!Atruetestofbodyand mind,youcancrosscountryskiandsled overtheblue-whitesnowandiceinaland of24hoursunlight-beforemakingcampon theiceeachday.

Investinginproperattireisessential whenplanningatriptothisregionandwill ensureyourcomfortonthejourney.Most upscaletouroperatorsandcruiselineswill providethenecessaryparka,complimentary,aspartoftheirpackage.

Whilethismightbeoneoflife’smost spiritualandchallengingtravelexperiences,providingtheultimateinbragging rights,don’tforgettomailafewpostcards hometofriendsandfamilythatboastthe rareAntarcticstampsor,asadearfriend oncedid,makea“snowangel”tocelebrate yourtravelachievement! ■

NormaSpadolaisaLuxury Travelspecialist. Nspadola@aol.com (800)722-9955

Celebratingourcirclesoffriendship

WewanttoknowwhatmakesyourBFFfabulous! Describeyour“friendshipworld.”Tellusherstory.Shareyour connectionandwhyyouloveandcelebrateyourbestfriend! Sendusyourstoryin500words,orless,andyoumaywina beautifulPandoraBraceletdesignedjustforyou,andher,to celebrateyourfabulousfriendship!

Sharefashionand friendshipatBK&CO! AttendourFabulousEvents withyourBFFandcelebrate friendshipwithourFabulous EternityPendant.Bringyour FabulousCard andwe’ll punchitatourevents–and whenyouandyourBFFs have5punches,you’ve earnedyourpendants. P.S.We’restillpunching ringcardstoo!

GRANDPRIZE: (2)SilverPandoraClaspBraceletswith 5charmsspeciallychosentorepresentyourunforgettable momentswithyourfabulousfriend.($500value)

64LaSalleRoad WestHartfordCT www.bkcostyle.com 860-232-6225

CONTESTSUBMISSIONDEADLINE: March31,2013

FORDETAILS: VisitourFacebookfanpage Facebook.com/bkcostyle ORVISITUSONLINE: www.bkandcompany.com/events/bestfriends.

Window–Before

Window–After

Siding–Before

Siding–After

Lockin 2012RatesBookNOW!

D.H.Radomski,HomeImprovementhasgrownintooneofthemostreputable andrecognizablenamesinWestHartford...andbeyond.Whetheryou’relooking tomakeyourhomemoreenergyefficient,orifyouwantimproveitsappearance andfuncionality,wecanhelpyouwithallofyourneeds,including:Roofing, Doors,Siding,Gutters&LeafProtection,Windows,DecksandPorchEnclosures. Pleasekeepinmind,we’lltraveltosummercottagestoo.

spiceupyour kitchen

GrowIndoorHerbstoBring FragranceandFlavortoLife

byKarlaA.Dalley

Springiscoming,butwarm weatherisstillseveralweeks away.Ifyouhavecolorfulplants indoors,theyareprobably brighteningyourhomeright now.But,eventhemostcolorful houseplantscanonlygosofartolifta mood.

Forlonger-termbenefits(includingsome healthbenefits)trygrowingsomeherbsindoors.Theflavoroffreshherbsaddedto soups,saucesandstewscannotbeover-estimated.Theycanbringalittletasteof summerbackduringthesegreydaysand makeeventhemostblandmealtastemore exciting.

Eventhescentofthesmallleaveswhen harvestedforcooking,tea—orforalittle aromatherapy—canhelpchaseawaysome oftheendofwinter'sgloomandremindus thatspringwillsoonbehere.

Smallherbplantsareeasilyobtained eventhistimeofyear,ifnotfromyourlocal nursery,fromyourgrocer.Somewilleven haveorganicallygrownherbs.

Unlessyouareanexperiencedgrower withgrowlights,startwithplants.Seeds, particularlyherbseeds,canbetrickyinthe lowlightconditionsofwinter.Plantshave establishedrootssotheydon’thavetogasp justforwaterandnutritionfromthesoil. Mostindoorherbspreferatleast4hours ofsunlightaday.Ideally,thatmeansa south-facingwindow.Afew,likeparsley, chives,tarragonandthyme,willmakedoin aneastorwest-facingwindow.(Coincidentally,thesearetheherbs,comenextsummer,thatwillbeabletosurviveonpartial

sun).Sincethesearesome ofthebestforthetypesofcookingwedoin winter—stews,soupsandroasts—this makesthemidealforindoorgrowing.

Themoresunyoucangivetheherbs,the happiertheywillbe.Someherbsmusthave thefullsunthatasouthwindowprovides andifyoudon’thavethat,perhapsyou shouldconsiderjustbuyingthecutvariety fromthegrocer.Bay,oregano,herbsinthe mintfamily,includinglemonbalmifyou canfindit,andsage(whichtechnicallyis alsointhemintfamily)areallgoingtoneed thebrighterlightofasouthwindow—withoutit,theywilllanguishandbeproneto pestsanddiseases.

But,forthosethatdohavefullsun,an aromaticbayplant,orbetteryet,oneofthe mintsforsometeaandsomesageforallthe stuffingwemakethistimeofyeararegreat tohave.Mintteadoesdoubledutysoothing indigestionandclearingourheadsaswell.

Herbscanbenotoriouslyfinickyindoors, asanyonewhohastriedtokeeponeof thoserosemarytrees,ringsortopiaryforms thataresopopularattheholidayshasdiscovered.Rosemarylikesbrightsun,extremelycool(forthehome)temperatures, andmoistbutnotwetconditions.Ifanyof thoseconditionsarenotmet(toowarm, toowetortoodark)rosemarygetsasubstancethatlookslikebabypowderonthe leavescalledpowderymildew.It’suglyto lookatandworsetothinkaboutusingin cooking.

There’sasimplefixforthisproblem (asidefromthoseperfectconditionsImentioned).A50/50%solutionofmilk(any

kind)andwatermixedinasprayerand sprayedontheplantshouldtreatthe fungus.Bestofall,sincemilkisedible,the plantisstillperfectlyfineforcooking.

Basilisanotherherbthatisreallytoo problematictogrowindoors.Itisatrue sunandheatloverandwehavetoolittleof eithertomakeithappyduringthewinter.It tendstogetveryleggyandtoproducevery fewleaves—andsincethebasilleafiswhat wegrowitfor,again,besttojustbuythecut varietyuntilsummercomesandwecan growitoutdoors.

Aswithallhouseplants,youwanttobe vigilantaboutwatchingforinsectssince you’llbeusingtheseforcooking.Asa generalrule,insectsoftenavoidherbsoutdoors,butindoors,aphidscanoccasionally beaproblem.Ifyoucatchthemearly,it’s quiteeasytowashtheplantoffundera streamofwateratthesinktowashthe aphidsdownthedrain.Iftheplantisbadly infested,youshoulddiscarditsinceyou surelydon’twanttotreatitwithchemicals andthencookwithit.

Oncetheherbsaregrowingnicely,their usesarelimitedonlybyone’stastesand imagination! ■

KarlaDalleyisagarden writerandspeakerfrom WestHartford. kdalley@comcast.net. gardendaze.wordpress.com

YourRoadtoa BetterHome

LocatedintheNewParkAvenueareaofWest Hartford,the HomeDesignDistrict offers everythingtoday’sbusyhomeownercouldneed tobuild,renovate,decorate,repairorfurnisha home.Whetheryouarea“do-it-your-selfer”or inneedoffulldesignandinstallationservices, youcanfinditthere!Theindependentmember businesseslocatedinonesquaremilemake homeprojectseasyandenjoyable.Itmaysound clichétosaythis,butit’strue.Whenyouvisit thebusinesses,meettheexpertsandseethe showroomsandthevastselectionandgrand arrayofdesignideas,you’llbeblownawayby theservice,affordabilityandquality.

Turnthepagetomeetthefacesbehind thebusinessesshownhere!

Since1992,SteveVendetta’s CTShower &Bath isbestknownfortheircustom glassenclosurestofitanytuborshower. Buttheyoffersomuchmore,including designandremodeloftheentirebath. You’llbeabletochoosefromanexhaustivelistofqualitybrandnameproducts thatwillfityourbudget.Steveandhis teamwanttohelpyoubuildtheperfect bath–yoursanctuary. 555NewParkAvenue.860.236.6500 www.CTShowerandBath.com.

GlassSamplesinavariety oftextures.

IfThese Walls CouldTalk

Theguysat CoastalTool&Supply knowtheirtools. CoastalTool has beeninbusinessforoverthirtytwo yearsandtheextemelyknowledgable staffcansellyoutherighttoolfor anyjobattheireverydaylowprices. Theypridethemselvesontherelationshipsthattheyhaveestablished overtheyearsbyservinghomeowners,contractors,industry,andstate andfederalagencies.Ifyoucan’tget totheirstore,visitthemonlineat www.CoastalTool.com. 510New ParkAvenue. 860.233.8213.

For76years Bartlett Brainard hasbeenknown asthecontractorin GreaterHartfordthat standsbehindtheirproductsandservice.From roofing,siding,windows anddoors–they’vegot theoutsideofyourhome covered!Atwo-timewinneroftheBetterBusiness BureauTorchAwardfor OutstandingMarketplace Ethicstestifiestotheir qualityyoucantrust. CathyDavis represents thethirdgenerationof YandowsatBartlett Brainardandthefirst womanowner.Withover 30yearsofexperienceand knowledge,shealsoadds awoman’sperspectivein herdesignservicesand attentiontodetail. 75TalcottRoad. 860.233.4475 www.BartlettBrainard.com

MarvinJanow’s CustomFraming Depot at 485NewParkAvenue has beenprovidingcreativeframingfor homeowners,officesandartistsfor morethan40years.Theyhavehundredsofmouldingsinstockandready toframeyourcherishedpieces!They arealsoknownforverycreative,custommirrors.Marvinandhisdaughter Laurel,arereadytomeetwithyouto planyourframingprojects.Stopinto seethevastselectionandtheirnew computerizematcutterwilldowondersforyourartpieces. 860.236.0800

www.CustomFramingDepot.com

KitchenDesignsfor YourLifestyle

DaleneFlooringCarpetOne: Witha vastarrayofflooringoptionstochoose from,DaleneFlooringoffersthelatest trendsinwood,laminate,tile,vinyl,carpet(broadloom,arearugsandrunners) andlinoleum.Theyalsospecializeindustlesssandingandfinishingofexistinghardwood.Asalocal,family-owned& operatedflooringstoreforover63years, theyhavetheknowledgeandexperience tohelpyoucreatethespaceyouimagined. Theyworkwithmanylocaldesignersand areaccustomedtohandlingcustomfabrications,intricateinstallationsandcarrya high-endselectionofwoolcarpets. 588NewParkAve.860.231.1576 www.DaleneFlooring.com

HollandKitchens&Baths featuresa spectacularshowroomwithallthetop-rated kitchenproductssuchasWood-Mode& Brookhavencabinets,CambriaQuartzcountertops,GrohefaucetsandsinksandSub-Zero refrigerators.Theirexperienceddesigners,who arerenownedfortheiringenuity,arehappyto assistyouwiththedesignofyourproject.And withover40yearsofexperienceinhomeremodeling,theirstaffhastheabilitytotakeyourproject fromdesigntocompletion.Theyhavethequality craftsmanthatwillmakeyourdreamprojecta realityandsomethingyouwillbeproudtoshow off! 590NewParkAvenue.860.236.3111. www.HollandKitchens.com

HisTeamRocks!Creativityin TheseWalls

SalCamera andhisloyalteamofskilled tradesmenknowthestonebusinessand givegreatattentiontodetail. Surfacesin Stone providescustomcountertops,vanities,fireplacesurroundsandothercustompiecesinalmosteverycoloryoucan imagine,inGranite,Marble,Limestone, Soapstone,andmore.Theyalsohave manyengineeredquartzbased stones.Visittheirshowroomin Tile

America forexamplesoftheir finework. 585NewParkAvenue 860.236.1931

SurfacesInStone.com

Jerry at JoeCornfield’sWallpaper hasover600,000wallpaperpatterns, andover1,000wallpaperbookson hand.Ifyoucan’tfinditthere,you won’tfinditanywhere!Aselect groupofbookscanbeborrowed toallowyoutolookatthepatterns inyourownhome.Newtothe showroomaredesignerblinds& shadesaswellascustomcloset designsondisplay. 485NewParkAvenue 860.233.0070 www.WindowsWallsClosets.com.

Jerry andloyal side-kick Corkyinthe wallpaper “library.”

BartlettBrainardProducts Category:Windows,Doors&Siding www.BartlettBrainard.com

CTShower&Bath Category:BathDesign&Products www.CTShowerandBath.com

CoastalTool&Supply Category:Tools www.CoastalTool.com

CunninghamSupply Category:PlumbingFixtures& Supplies www.CunninghamSupply.net

CustomFramingDepot Category:PictureFraming www.CustomFramingDepot.com

DaleneFlooringCarpetOne Category:FloorCovering www.DaleneFlooring.com

JoeCornfield’sWallpaper Category:WindowTreatments, WallCovering www.WindowWallsClosets.com HollandKitchens&Baths,LLC Category:Kitchens&BathDesign www.Hollandkitchens.com

SurfacesinStone Category:Countertops www.SurfacesInStone.com

TileAmerica! Category:Tile&Stone www.TileAmerica.com

TilesTiea Room Together

JoeLimieroinacornerof histileshowroom

Tile samples. Wood-texturedfloortile.

JoeLimiero’s enthusiasmfor newandartistic tilesisobvious. Thevarietyof colors,textures andpatternson displayat Tile America! at 585 NewParkAvenue willblowyour mind! (The5,000 sq.footshowroomis full,neatandinviting.)Theglasstiles arestillpopularasanaccent,as arethemetallics.Oneofthenewer stylesthatisgrowinginpopularity isthetilemadetolooklikewood! 860.236.1931 www.TileAmerica.com

CunninghamSupply isathird-generation,familyownedandoperatedresidentialandcommercial plumbingandheatingsupplier.Theyhavebeen providingtopnotchservicetohomeownersand contractorssince1948.Their“KohlerPremier Showroom”at 705OakwoodAvenueExtension inWestHartfordwillsurpriseyou–itisavirtual Kohlercatalog! 860.953.2101. www.CunninghamSupply.net

Best Beauty Tips

MaybeMomWas RightAfterAll!

byTammyKroll

Althoughwemayhatetoadmitit,manyofourhealth andbeautypitfallscouldhavebeenavoidedearly onhadwelistenedtoourmother’s‘wellmeaning’ advice.

Whilethereareplentyofgoodproductsand programstogetusbackontrackthattrulydowork, perhapsthebestadviceforlookingandfeelinggoodcamefrom dearsweetmom(anddad)!Comestrollwithmedownmemory laneaswerecallsomeofourmom’ssoundadvice.

Anappleadaykeepsthedoctoraway

Turnsout,momwasright!Asmostofusarenowaware,that dailyfiberfromanapplekeepsweightdown,lowerscholesterol andkeepsus,let’sjustsay,‘regular’.Whenyourinsideisfunctioningwell,theoutsideshowsit.Sinceapplesarehighonthepesticide list,makeyoursorganic.

Don’tmakethatfaceorit’llstaythatway

Thetruthis,ourexpressionsandwhatwedowithourfacehasa lastingimpactovertime.You’veprobablyheard,‘Ittakesmany moremusclestofrownthattosmile–sosmile.’Wellit’strue…the musclesyoubuildfromfrowningarenotflatteringoneswithage. So,uploadanupliftingnovel,rentcomedyfromNetflix,andsimply smileatpassersbytoliftthosecheekbonesanddefinethatjawline.

EatyourVegetables

Wereyouoneofthosekidslastatthedinnertablestaringinto thatgreenblobonyourplate?Wereyouthefamilydog’sfavorite? Well,now,asadults,wecanmakeourveggiestasteverygoodwith someamazinglysimplerecipes.Justaddalittlegarlic,oliveoil,sea saltandparmesancheesetobroccoliunderabroilerforafewminutesandvoila!Ican’tkeepmykidsfromeatingit.Vegetablesare keyinkeepingourbody’sphbalancedandmaintainingourhealth andgoodskin.Topacolorfulsaladwithlimeandoliveoildressing. Themorevarietythebettertoinsurewegetthemostbenefitand vitamins.

GoToBed!

Whydidwefightit?Didn’twanttomissanythingIsuppose.But everyoneneedssleep.7-9hoursismosteffectiveforadults.Getting plentyofrestisimportantinafewways.Youdetoxifythroughyour poursasyousleep,whichinturn,setsyourbodyuptobetterabsorbthenutrientsyougetfromeatingthosevegetables.Yourbrain alsoneedstimetosortandprocesstheinformationfromtheday. Anddidyouknowthatyourhairgrowsfasterwhenyousleep? (Hello?SleepingBeauty’sgorgeousblondelocks!).Thatfactalone makesmewanttocurlupwithmyblankieforamarathonnap.

StandUpStraight

Rememberthisone?Badposturenot onlychangeshowyoulookbutalsohow youfeel.Itcancompressyourlungs,crowd yourstomachcausingdigestiveissues,and evenputastrainonyourheartmuscle! Thereareundergarmentsofcoursetocorrectthis,butforlastingresults,keepingin mindtostandupstraight,andevenpracticingexercisesthatbuildupbackandabmuscles,arekey.Notonlywillyourclothesfit andlookbetter,you’llfeelbetterandthink clearerwithincreasedoxygen,bloodflow andbetterdigestion.

DrinkyourMilk

Andwhilewearetalkingposture,how aboutsomecalciumforthosebones.They arethefoundationandframeworkforyour wholebody.Growingupdrinkingmilk,especiallyincombinationwithVitaminDand Magnesiumforabsorption(olderboomers mayrememberadoseofMilkofMagnesia aswell–yum!).Trytopowerpackyourcalciumandgetitfromhighproteinsources suchasorganicGreekyogurtwithacidophilusfordigestion.

TakeyourCodLiverOil

‘Youwantmetodrink,what!?’Thisoneis mostlyrememberedbyBabyBoomers. Believeitornotcodliveroilisoneofthe bestsourcesofEPAandDHAOmega3fatty acids(importantforbrainandnervoussystemfunction),vitaminA(keyvitamininassistingtheuptakeofmineralsandwater solublevitaminsinthediet),andvitaminD (linkedtoimmunesystemfunctionand preventionofcancer),allofthemcontributingtohealthyglowingcomplexion, hairandoverallbeauty.However,salmon andotheroilyfishmaybemorepalatable sources.

GoOutsideAndPlay (GetSomeFreshAir)

Rememberthedaysofheadingoutafter lunchorschoolandnotcomingbackin untilyouheardthe6o’clocksiren,dinner bell,ormom’swhistle?Well,thosedays seemtobegoneasallofus,youngandold, sitmesmerizedinfrontofaglowingscreen, atwork,schoolandeven…for‘playing’!We maybeexercisingourbrainsbutourbodies areslowlyatrophying.Doyourselfafavor

andgetoffthatchairandwalkthruthat frontdoor-evenifit’sjustawalkaround theblockatlunch-time.Rideabikeinto workifpossible.TakeBusterforajogwhen yougethome.Awalkonatree-linedpath hasaddedbenefitsofde-stressingyou. Addingjustonenewoutdooractivitycan dowondersforyourwaistline,skinand overallphysicalandmentalhealth.

So,I’mgonnasayit:“Standupstraight whileyoueatthatappleanddon’tforgetto drinkyourmilk!Don’tyoumakethatfaceat meorI’llgiveandextradoseofcodliveroil withyourvegetables.Andbeforeyougoto bedIwantyoutoplayoutsideandgetsome freshair.Oh…andBENICE! ■

TammyKrollisaDistrict ManagerwithArbonneSkin Care&alicensedZumba instructor.Contacther TammyKroll2@yahoo.com.

AllcontentwithinthisBEAUTYcolumnisprovidedforgeneral informationandeducationaluseonly,andshouldnotbetreated asasubstituteforthemedicaladviceofyourowndoctororany otherhealthcareprofessional(oryourownmother).

AMatterof TASTE

Trustyourinstinctsandbecomeyourownwineconnoisseur byErtanS.Sener

ThismonthIwantedtoshare interestingresearchmy friendJordanRoss,aUC DavisOenologyGraduate, hasdocumented.Ihadthe pleasureofworkingwith Jordanonapresentationaboutsensoryand perceptionsofwinetasting.

TastevsSmellPreferences: InnateorLearned?

Whethertasteandsmellpreferencesare innateorlearnedrepresentsafundamental differencebetweenthesetwosenses.We knowthathumanshaveaninbornpreferenceforsweetandanaversiontosourand bitter.Evidencecomesfromexperiments, whichmonitoredthefacialexpressionsof infants.Adropofsugarplacedonthe tongueresultedinaslightsmileandlicking ofthelips,whileadropofquinine(bitter) producedagrimace.

Researcher,Pelchatexplainshowinborn aversionscanbemodified,“Weallknow thatwe’resupposedtolikedrywines,but manystartoutlikingsweeterwinesbecausewe’repre-wiredthatway.Atfirst, peopledon’tlikebitterorastringent,but youcanlearntoacceptlesssweetnessand morebitternessandastringencyinawine, butit’salearningprocessoftenrequiring repeatedexposure.”Thebitternessofcoffeeandbeerandtheburnofchilipeppers (notataste)areexamplesofsensations thatarenormallyconsideredunpleasantat firstbutwithrepeatedexposurecanresult inliking,evencraving.Pelchataddsthatexposurealonedoesn’tmeanyou’lllikethe wine:“Iwouldsaythatitismoreaquestion oftemperament.WhenIgotothePhiladelphiaAcademyofMusic,somepeoplewalk outiftheyplayamodernpiece.Withwines,

areyouwillingtoputupwithafew glassesofatannicCabernetsoyou learntoappreciateit?Somearethrill seekerssaying,‘I’mgoingtolearnto likethis,’othersdrawtheline.”

Whilepreferencesfortastecan change,thoseforsmellareeven moremodifiablebyexperience. Thismaybebecausewecontinue tolearnnovelodorsthroughour entirelife,whereasweexperiencethebasictastesearlyon.In anycase,odorstakeonmeaning whentheyarepairedwithexperiencebecausememoryandsmell (nottaste)areprocessedinthesame partofthebrain.Whenweencounter anaromathathasbeenpreviouslypaired withapositiveexperience,ourresponse tothatwinewillbefavorableandcertainly differentfromsomeonewithoutthis experience.

Anexampleofhowwelearntolikean aromaisthebarnyardscentcausedbythe spoilageyeastBrettanomyces.Brett,asitis called,usedtobemorecommoninEuropeanwinesandifyougrewuptastingthese wines(ChateaudeBeaucastel,forexample) youlearnedtoassociatethesmellwitha luxurywine.Duetotheincreaseduseof newoakbarrelsandstricterwinery hygiene,Brettislesscommon today.Butwhenitisencountered,insteadofbeingconsideredanattractivenuance,itis consideredaflawbytastersmoreattunedtotheripefruitaromasofnewworld wines.Brettdemonstratesakeypointrelatedtoliking:familiarityisthemostimportantdeterminantofpreference.

Whiletherearepersonalitytypesthat seekouttheunfamiliar,generally,youlike

Basedon theiruniqueprior experiences,criticsare convertingtheirfeelings aboutawineintoanumber. Thesystemisnotperfect butit’seasyforconsumers touseandtherefore, goodforwine consumption.

whatyouknow.However,repeatedexposure toastrange,newwine,particularlyinfavorablecontextssuchasafinerestaurant,an endorsementfromarespectedfriend,wine criticorsocialfactors(‘I’llhaveaglassof merlot’)canresultinanincreaseinliking.

Smell,MemoryandEmotion.

Ifyouhaveeversmelledanaromaand beentransportedbacktoaspecifictimeor place,youwillagreethatsmellingawine canevokehighlyindividual,evenemotional reactions.Herz,anotherwineresearcher states,“Odorsmaytriggeramemoryofuncommonemotionalpotency.Andthatemotionalconnectionisrootedinthewaythat smell,emotionandmemoryareentangled withinthebrain.”Becausewinearomasgo directlyintothebrain’slimbicareaswhere emotionisprocessed,yourfirstresponse canbeanemotionalone.

Herz’sfindingsshowthatmemories evokedbyodors,incontrastwithmemories triggeredbysightsorsounds,haveanemotionalquality,somuchsothatthesame odormayevokedifferentfeelingsineachof us,animportantsourceofvariationbe-

Ertan’swine Cabinet

• Becausewinearomas godirectly intothebrain’slimbicareaswhere emotionisprocessed,yourfirst responsecanbeanemotionalone.

• Smellandemotionare soentwinedwithexperiencethateachof usmayperceivethesameodorwith fardifferentfeelings.

• Today,inmostcases, qualityis definedbythemediascoresawine receivesfromRobertParkerand WineSpectator

tweentasters.Ifyougrewuponafarm,you mayfindthesmellofearthinessinawine pleasant,whilesomeoneelsemayfindit objectionableornotevennoticeit.

Istheresuchathingasanobjective qualityrating?

Whatisquality?Today,inmostcases, qualityisdefinedbythemediascoresa

winereceivesfromRobertParkerand Wine Spectator.Thesystemisnotperfectbutit’s easyforconsumerstouseandtherefore, goodforwineconsumption.Whatusersof scoresshouldbearinmindisthatnumericalscoresarenotqualityratings,butliking orpreferenceratings.Basedontheirunique priorexperiences,criticsareconverting theirfeelingsaboutawineintoanumber.A winewithamicrobialnosesuchasDomaineTempierRougemayreceive80 pointsbyareviewerwhodoesnotlikenonfruitaromas.Thesamecharactermaybea positiveonetoanothercriticwhomaygive it90points.Isawinethatscores90points higherqualitythanonethatscores80 points?It’sadifficultquestiontoanswer butitisclearthatthereis,infact,apsychologytoquality. ■

ErtanS.Sener,wineeducator, hasbeenseenin Wine SpectatorMagazine,andisthe buyer/manageratWestSide Wines&Spirits.860-233-1241. westsidewines.com.

Congratulations Jackie Barrieau &Drew Iacovazzi

photographybyCarlaTenEyck

Aperfect‘candidacy’formarriage!Althoughtheyattended differentschools,JackieandDrew,lifelongresidentsofWest Hartford,kneweachothersincechildhoodthroughTheHartford GolfClub.Despitestayingintouchviasocialnetworks,thedidn’treconnectuntilcollegegraduation.Bothwereinvolvedwiththe2010 mid-termelections,supportingseparatecandidates,andbegan datingasaresult.Itturnedouttobeawinningballotforthecouple!

ThebrideisthedaughterofGerardandJoanBarrieau,ofWest Hartford.JackiegraduatedfromSyracuseUniversitywithaB.S. inCommunicationsandRhetoricalStudies.Sheiscurrently employedbytheStateGovernmentAffairsDivisionatUnited Technologies,inHartford.

ThegroomisthesonofCathyIacovazzi,ofBloomfieldandVito Iacovazzi,ofWestHartford.DrewgraduatedfromChamplain CollegeinBurlington,VTwithaB.S.inBusiness.Hecurrentlyworks forLindberg&Ripple,inWindsor.

AnAugustweddingtookplaceatSt.PeterClaverChurchwitha grandreceptionatTheHartfordGolfClub,whereguestsdanced thenightawaytothesoundsof‘TheSultansofSwing’.Thecouple honeymoonedinTurksandCaicosandresideinWestHartford. ■ Visitwesthartfordmagazine.comformoreWEDDINGS.

(above): Drew and Jackie ashusbandand wife,(rightcenter):entertainmentby the SultansofSwing band. (Inset,left):Weddingcakeby ALittleSomethingBakery, (inset,below): Jackie andher father, GerardBarrieau,(below): Thegroomsmenandbridesmaids posewiththebrideandgroom.

Weddingparty: NickSpiro,MichelleSchwadron,DavidRocco,RachelYura;bestman,twin brotherofgroom BenjaminBrogadir; AlisonLevine,maidofhonor,sisterofbride;bride&groom; LindsayFirger,BenSpira,ElizabethWeiner, and MarkFriedman

Congratulations Jennifer Levine &Nathaniel Brogadir

photographybyIraLippkeStudios

Callitdestiny!Theywerejust13yearsoldwhenJenniferand NathanialfirstmetatsummercampinNewHampshire.Asthey gotolder,theydatedonesummerandbecameclosefriends,as aresult.Asfatewouldhaveit,theyrekindledtheirrelationship afterrandomlybumpingintoeachotheratapartyinNewYork City,wheretheybothhadmovedaftergraduatingcollege. HowfittingthatNathanielproposedtoJennifer,lakeside,while visitingthecampwheretheyfirstmet!

ThebrideisthedaughterofAnnetteandJackLevine,of WestHartford.JenniferisagraduateofHallHighSchooland theUniversityofMichigan,andwillgraduatewithanM.B.Afrom NewYorkUniversitySternSchoolofBusinessthisyear.Sheisa marketingspecialistforSchroderInvestmentManagementin NewYork.

ThegroomisthesonofIleneandDr.StuartBrogadir,of Bedford,NewHampshire.Nathanielgraduated cumlaude from theUniversityofPennsylvannia.HeisemployedasaSenior EquityResearchAssociate,specializingininternetanddigital mediaforStifelNicolaus,inNewYork.

ASeptemberweddingtookplaceatBethElTempleinWest Hartford.ThenewlywedshoneymoonedinBoraBoraand currentlyliveinManhattan. ■ Visitwesthartfordmagazine.comformoreWEDDINGS.

*Offervalidatparticipatinglocationsshownbelow.Validonarrangementsanddippedfruitboxesonly.Offerexpires4/30/13.Offercodemustbeusedwhenplacingorder. Arrangementsavailableinavarietyofsizes.Containersmayvary.Deliverynotavailableinallareas.Cannotbecombinedwithanyotheroffer,promotion,couponorcoupon code.Excludestaxanddelivery.Notvalidonpreviouslypurchaseditems.Acceptanceanduseofcouponissubjecttoallapplicablelaws.Voidwhereprohibited.Seestore fordetails.EDIBLEARRANGEMENTS®&DesignandallothermarksnotedaretrademarksofEdibleArrangements,LLC.©2013EdibleArrangements,LLC.Allrightsreserved.

Vacation Homes

ToRent,orNottoRent?...ThatistheQuestion

byThomasJ.Filomeno,CPA

Withhousingprices lookingmoreattractivethantheyhave beeninadecade,are youoneofthosewho issaying“I’mbored andcoldanddaydreamingofpotentially purchasingavacationhome”?Ifyouhave thoughtsofthesunortheslopes,thereare someimportanttaxandwealthmanagementimplicationstoconsider.

Whileintheshortterm,allassetsfluctuateinvalue,vacationpropertiesaremore likelytoretaintheirvalueandappreciate becauseoftheirdesirablelocationson shorelines,golfcourses,etc.Demographers alsopointtothegrowingnumberofbaby boomersapproachingretirementaspotentiallycreatingdemandforvacationproperties.However,justbecauseitislikelyto holdorincreaseinvalue,“likely”isnota guarantee.Ifyoudodecidetomakethisinvestmentor,likemanypeoplehavedonealready,akeyconsiderationbecomes:Should werentit?

ToRent?

Manysecondhomeownersbecomevacationhomelandlordstohelpdefraythecost ofownership.Perhapsoneofthegreatest freebiesinthetaxcodeistheabilitytorent avacationhomefor14daysorfewerwith thehousestillconsideredasapersonalresidence.Underthesecircumstances,youcan chargewhateveryouwishandpocketthe cashtax-free.

But,rentingformorethan14daysis wherethebreakdownbetweenpersonal andrentalusegetscomplicated.Fromday 15andbeyond,youmustreportallrentalincome(eventhefirst14days).Youcan deductrentalexpenses,butitisessentialto keepsolidrecordssincecostswillneedto beappropriatelyallocatedbetweenpersonalandrentaluseandbecausethetax treatmentofrentallossesdiffersgreatlydependingonhowmuchthepropertyisused forpersonalpurposes.

Ifthepropertyisusedsignificantlyfor personalpurposes(morethan14daysor 10%ofthedaysrented),itisconsidereda “secondhome”andrentallossesarenotdeductible.Ifinstead,itisusedlessthanthat forpersonalpurposes,itisconsidereda

“vacationhome”andthelossesmaybe deductibleagainstotherincome.

Forexample,let’ssayMr.andMrs.Smith ownasecondhomeinVail,Colorado.Ifthe Smithsortheirfamilyusethishome30days outoftheyearandrentitfor90,75%of theircosts(90dividedby120),suchas interestandpropertytaxes,insurance premiums,utilities,etc.,wouldberental expenses.Anypropertymanagementservicescanbewrittenoffentirely.Inaddition, theSmithscouldclaimdepreciationdeductionsbasedon75%ofthevalueofthe house.Whiletheexpensesareconsidered rentalexpenses,theextensivepersonaluse meanstheycanonlybeclaimedtothe extentoftherentalincome.Therefore,no rentallosscanbeclaimed.However,the personalportionofthemortgageinterest andtaxescanbeclaimedaspersonalitemizeddeductions(subjecttotheAlternative MinimumTaxrules–atopicforanother day).

Inanotherscenario,let’ssaytheSmiths decidetodesignatethehomeasabusiness andonlyvisitVailfor14daysor10%ofthe totaltimethepropertyisinuse.Inthisscenario,upto$25,000inlossesmightbede-

ductibleeachyear.Butbylimitingpersonal usetheSmithsdolosethewrite-offforthe portionofmortgageinterestandtaxesthat don’tqualifyasarentalorpersonalresidenceexpense.

Inaddition,oneessentialpointisthat timespentmaintainingthepropertyisnot countedaspersonaluse,buttheSmiths shouldtaketimetothoroughlydocument theirfix-uptimesincetheIRShasbecome verywisetothosetryingtousethese “maintenancedays”asameanstosqueeze inextrapersonalusedaysundertheradar. Thinkreceipts,logs,photos,andany othermeanstodocumentlegitimate maintenance.

Nottorent?

Ifyouchoosetousethevacationhome exclusivelyasanotherpersonalresidence, interestonthemortgageisdeductiblein theverysamewayasthemortgageonyour firsthome.Inaddition,youcandeduct propertytaxespaidonanynumberof homesyouown.And,remember,youcan stilltakeadvantageofthe14daytax-free

FinanceTips

• Ifyouhavethoughtsof thesunor theslopes,therearesomeimportant taxandwealthmanagement implicationstoconsider.

• Manysecondhomeowners becomevacationhomelandlordsto helpdefraythecostofownership.

• Interestonthemortgage is deductibleforavacationhomeused exclusivelyasanotherpersonal residence,intheverysamewayas themortgageonyourfirsthome.

rental;however,thatwillbealloftherental incomefortheyearsoyoumustbeinapositiontocovertheremainderofthecostsof owningandmaintainingthehome.

Lookingahead

Manypeoplebuyvacationhomesforthe hereandnow,butdoyouhavealong-term

plan?Willyousellthehome?Retirethere? Giftittoarelative?Allofthesescenarios havetheirownprosandconsthatshouldbe proactivelyconsidered.

Thereisnotaone-size-fits-allanswerto therentalquestion,buttheoptionsareunlimited.Howtouseavacationhomeisan individualchoicethatdependsonyour lifestyle,incomeandothervariables.

Besuretogetguidancefromyourwealth managerand/ortaxadvisorsotheycanhelp youdecidewhatisrightforyouandhelp younavigatethecomplexityofthetaxcode. Afterthatallyouhavetoworryaboutis whetherornotyouwantanumbrellain yourdrink! ■

ThomasJ.Filomeno,CPA,

CEO/PresidentofFilomeno& Company-forbusinessadvising, successionplanning,accounting,auditing,taxplanning,and estateplanning. www.Filomeno.com 860.561.0020.

Thisarticleisforinformationalandeducationalpurposesonly andshouldnotberelieduponasthesolebasisforaninvestment decision.Consultyourfinancialadvisor/tax/legalconsultant regardingyourpersonalcircumstancesbeforemakingany investmentdecisions.

“You’veGotMyWhole FamilyComingand ThatIncludes 5Vehicles.”

-Tony,customer

“Ilovethiscarwash!” -Theresa,customer

“Absolutelythebestcarwashin NewEngland!Iamveryperticarwhenitcomesto myvehicles.IlovewhatIdriveandIwant whatIdrivetolovemeback.”

-John,customer

DETAILING: Thecompletedetailingexperienceissecondtonone... airventsarecleaned,windowswashedinsideandout,carpetsshampooed... yougettheidea!

RUSSELLSPEEDER’SFULLSERVICEHANDWASH associatesarehiredbecausethey arethebest.Theyarefriendly,speedyandpassionateaboutcustomerservice. Yourvisitstartswithahospitablegreetingwhileyoudeterminewhichservice yourvehiclerequires.Thenyouareinvitedtooneofthepristinewaitingareas whileyourcarisdriventotheconveyorbelt(nopullchainsusedhere),then theyvacuumtheinside,washtheexteriorbyhand,cleanthewheels,anddry thecar.Thentheycleantheinsidewindows,wipethedashandconsoleand wipethedoorjambs!

Whenyoumix CUSTOMCARWASH equipmentwiththebestcleanersavailable, theresultisacarthatiscleaner,shinieranddrierthanyoucouldeverimagine.

“Three’sCompany”,byPattySwanson,isonexhibitattheTender MomentsGalleryatUConnHealthCenterinFarmington.

Eachyearmorethan4,000 babiesinthestateofConnecticutareborntoosoon. OnAugust25,2011,myson becameapartofthosestatistics.November6thwas originallyscheduledtobe myduedate,butIfoundmyselfinlabor, abouttogivebirthattheendofAugust.

Itseemedlikeaneternity.Aftergoing throughthatveryuncertainandfrightening time,Iamnowthankfuleachandeveryday forthelifeofmyson,myhusband,family, thedoctors,nursesandstaffatThe UCONNHealthCenterinFarmington,and lastly,forthegreatsupportIreceivedfrom theMarchofDimes.

Recently,inNovember,theMarchof DimesheldtheirannualSignatureChefs AuctionatTheHartfordGolfClubinWest Hartford.Theevent,whichfeaturedbotha liveandsilentauction,hostedsomeofthe area’spremiererestaurants,suchas BarcelonaRestaurant&WineBar,Bartaco, BesitoMex,BriccoTrattoria,Salute,and UnionStreetTavern.

ThisparticulareventwasTheMarchof Dimes“Sweet16th”yearofhostingits ChefsAuctionevent.Galassuchasthisone, however,wereinitiallycelebratedinconjunctionwiththebirthdayofFranklinDe-

lanoRoosevelt,thefounderoftheMarchof Dimes,saidMarcSpencer,communitydirectorfortheConnecticutChapterwhichis locatedinGlastonbury.

“TheMarchofDimeshasbeenaround for74years,and2013willbeour75thanniversary.Theeventcameaboutbecause ourfounderwasFDR,andeveryyearwhen hestartedthechargetofightpolio,which hehad,theyheldgalasforhimandlarge partiesaroundhisbirthday,”explained Spencer.“Soovertimesince1938,thishas cometobeourversionoftheoriginalFDR celebration.Wehavefoodiestyleevents withartisticrestaurants,butattherootwe stillhonorFDR,whowasourfounderin 1938.”

Forthosewhomaynotbefamiliarwith theMarchofDimesorwhattheorganizationdoes,Spenceraddedthatthemaingoal ofthecharityistoprovidesupportforfamilieswithbabiesintheNeonatalIntensive CareUnitorNICU,advocatefortherights ofpregnantwomenandbabies,aswellas educate.ThemainmissionoftheMarchof Dimesistopreventprematurebirths,birth defectsandinfantmortality.Theorganizationcontinuestohaveastrongpresencein hospitalssuchastheConnecticutChildren’sNICUatUCONNaswellasNICU FamilySupportatYaleNewHavenHospital

Weareencouraging

momstoletnature takeitscourse.

Theymaybe

uncomfortable,but thosehealthybabies areworththewait intheend.

andConnecticutChildren’sMedicalCenter inHartford.TheMarchofDimescontinues toeducatewomenandpregnantwomenon theimportanceoftakingcareoftheir healthandtheirbody,bothbeforeandduringtheirpregnancy.TheyalsoprovidesupporttofamilieswithbabiesintheNICUby meansofsupportgroups,scrap-booking events,educationandemotionalsupport. Theorganizationalsoworkswithelected officialstopasslawsforhealthcarefor pregnantwomenandtheirbabies.

Thecharity’scurrentcampaign“The39 WeekInitiative”educatespregnantwomen ontheimportanceoflettingnaturetakeits coursebyoptingoutofearlyCesariansections.

“Oneofourcurrentmessagesis“Healthy BabiesAreWorthTheWait.”Alotofmoms aregettinganelectiveC-sectionandendup havingthatCesarianpriortowhenthebaby isdue…dramaticallyprior.Notjustafew daysbutafewweeks…possibly3-5weeks early,”Spencerexplained.“Thisisverydangeroustothebaby.Apercentageofthose babiesendupintheNICUfornoreasonat allbeyondthatofthemotherordoctor choosingtohaveaCesariantooearly.We areencouragingmomstoletnaturetakeits course.Theymaybeuncomfortable,but thosehealthybabiesareworththewaitin theend.Wewantthemtomakesurethey aredoingtherightthingforthemselvesand theirbaby.”

November’srecentfundraisingauction washostedbyChannel3-WFSB-TV’s,Irene O’Connor,aWestHartfordnative.Althoughtheatmospherewaslightandfilled withfood,laughterandfun,itwasclearto

allwhoattended,theyshouldkeepinmind whytheywerethere.Everyyear,theMarch ofDimesselectsafamilytobethe‘AmbassadorFamily’fortheorganizationtoattend theeventsandsharetheirownpersonal storyofhowprematurityaffectedtheirlife. Thisyear’sAmbassadorFamily,TheBoccasilefamily,sharedtheirharrowingstory ofhowprematuritytwiceaffectedtheir lives.Thefirsttimewiththeirdaughter,Isabella,whoisnow11,andthesecondtime withtheirlatedaughter,Lily,whowasborn prematurelyatjust24weeks.

“Wedidthissothathopefullywecan makeadifference,andsothatperhaps somebodyelsewon’thavetogothrough whatwewentthrough,”saidAprilBoccasileofherexperience.“Begratefulfor whatyouhaveinyourlifebecauseyou neverknowwhenitisgoingtobetaken fromyou.Weareeternallygratefulforallof theequipmentthatkeptIsabellaalive.And wearethankfulforallofyouwhocameout tothefundraiser.”

Boccasilehastwootherchildren,Max andAva.Withherhusband,Aaronbyher sidewhenIsabellaandLilywereborn,

INTRODUCINGNEWLINE LEATHERFURNITURE

(above):WestHartfordnativeandBarcelona Restaurant&WineBarExecutiveChef Adam Greenberg,wasbestowedthehonorofbeing calledLeadCheffortheMarchofDimes SignatureChefAuction.(above,right):Emcee fortheAuction, IreneO’Connor,News Channel3anchor.(right):GrantsOwnerand ExecutiveChef BillyGrant withhisson BillyGrant

BoccasilebecameanNICUnurseasaresultoftheirexperiencewithpremature birth.Thefamilystillkeepsthememoryof daughterLilyalivebysharingtheirstoryin ablogcalled“Lily’sAmazingGrace,”as wellasamemorialgardenattheirhome.

IreneO’Connor’slifehadalsobeenaffectedbyprematuritywhenhertwins,now three-yearoldboys,RobertandQuilty, werebornsixand-a-halfweeksearlyatSt. FrancisHospitalinHartford.Becauseof experiencingthislife-changingevent,she wasalsoselectedafewyearsbacktobethe AmbassadorMomforTheMarchofDimes. Althoughshedescribesherexperienceas notasdifficultaswhatsomefamiliesgo through,O’Connorsaidsheandherhusbandstillhadtoendurethehealthconcernsthatmostprematurebabiessuffer from.

“Weweretoldthatoneoftheboyscould gohomeandthenthatsameboy,whowe weretoldcouldgohomethatafternoon, stoppedbreathingforalittlebit.He’sfine now,thankGodhewasthereintheneonatalunit,butIalwaysfeltasthoughhedidn’t wanttogohomewithouthisbrother;that

EFFIE&JOHN PAINDIRIS

Openseven daysaweek forbreakfast, lunchand dinner.

GreatHome-CookedMeals! Effie’sPlaceFamilyRestaurantwelcomesyou tocomedelightinahomestylemealwith yourfamily,friends,orco-workers.Wehave somethingforeveryonetoenjoy,fromGreek specialties,salads,steaksandseafoodto Effie’sPlacefavorites.Plussomeamazing desserts.

860-233-9653 www.effiesplace.net

hewantedtostaythere,togetherwithhim, intheneonatalunit,”O’Connorrecalls. “Eventhoughmyboyswerenotinasseriousconditionasmanyotherbabies,these arethetypesofconditionsprominentwith prematurebabies.Theyhavealotofserous healthproblems.Someprematurebabies arebornmonthsearlymarkingarealproblembecausetheyreallyneedtobeinthe wombaslongastheycan.Momsneedtobe pregnantaslongaspossible,andwiththat said,itwasaharrowingexperienceforme. MyhusbandandIwerereallyworriedabout theseboys.But,IalwayssaytherewereangelsintheneonatalunitatSt.FrancisHospitalwhogotusthroughiteverystepofthe way.”

O’Connorcontinuedtorecallwhythe MarchofDimesisanorganizationthat staysnearanddeartoher.

“IdecidedtogetinvolvedwiththeMarch ofDimesaftermyownexperiencebecauseI reallythinkit’simportanttogivepregnant womentheeducationtheyneedtotryto preventthesetypesofthingsfromhappening,andtotrytogivepeoplemoreinforma-

tionaboutthecomplicationsassociated withhavingaprematurechild,”shesaid.“If someoneisbornreallypremature,thereare usuallyalotofproblemslaterinlife.Many childreninthiscountrydon’tmakeitsimplybecausetheyarebornprematurely.”

Ontheculinaryentertainmentsideofthe fundraisingevening,WestHartfordnative andBarcelonaRestaurant&WineBarExecutiveChefAdamGreenberg,wasbestowed thehonorofbeingcalledLeadChefforthe auction.Henotedthattakingpartinthe auctionnotonlyhelpsagreatcause,but alsoallowslocalrestaurantstoshowcase theircuisine.

“DirectorMarkSpencercalledmeandI starteddoingtheeventfouryearsago.He askedmeifIwantedtobetheleadcheftoget otherrestaurantsinvolvedandIsaidyes,” saidGreenberg.“He(Spencer)isreally proudofhisfoundation,andallthatitis doingforthecommunity.It’sacoolopportunitytoreallydosomething.Ilikebeingan ambassadoraspartofmycareerandforthis charity.IespeciallywanttoseeWestHartfordcontinuetobeeducatedonfoodand

continuetobeexcitedaboutthecultureof food.Overall,wejustwanttohelpandwe wanttobeapartofthelocalcommunity.For us,it’sagreatthingthatMarc’slocal;weare alllocal,andwearespendingourtimetogetherhelpingacause.TheMarchofDimes isagoodorganization,it’saverygoodfront forwardcharity.” ■

Author, NikkiSambitsky’sson,RyanJoseph, nowalmost20monthsold,wasbornfour monthsprematurebutdoingwellaftersupport fromTheMarchofDimessincehisbirth.

ContributingPhotographer KimberlyZwick is aselftaughtvisualartistandfamilylifestyle photographer,specializinginFamilyand Childrenportraiture.Asanactivesupporterof TheMarchofDimesbecauseofclosefamily connections,Kimphotographsmanyoftheir events.www.k.zwickphotos.com

ContributingPhotographer PattySwanson’s twinswereborn10weeksprematurein1995, motivatinghertodonatehertimeandexpertise totheMarchofDimesbyphotographing parentswiththeirpreemiebabies.Manyphotos canbeseeninUConn’sNICUGallery. www.pattyswanson.com.

JOSEPHRIBKOFF STYLEEVENT

Friday,March22nd ◆ 11am-7pm

◆ TrunkShowintheJRSTYLEVAN

◆ Over200newfashionlooks

◆ Hotsellers

◆ Travelpieces10%off

◆ Springstyletips

◆ Freedoorprizes

JointheWestHartfordChamberofCommerce!

Goodforyourbusiness,goodforthecommunity.

Community Calendar

(readbyapproximately700peopleeachweek)which helpsyougettotherightpeopleforyourbusiness.

Membershipalsoincludes: Yourbusinesslistinginouron-line MembershipDirectoryandanew memberadvertisementin WestHartfordLife. Freeeventpromotions onour

MeetWestHartford’sbusinessleadersinacasualsetting! EnjoygoodfoodandbeverageasyounetworkthroughtheChamber’s

Business AfterHours

andWestHartfordConnectionsevents.

ExclusiveChamber Rewards

includingmember-to-memberproductopportunities,specialoffers,andinnovativeand competitivelypricedbenefitsolutionswithCIT.Takingadvantageofjustoneoftheserewards canpayforyourmembership!

For Membership information,pleasecontactBarbaraorMaryellenat(860)521-2300or e-mailmembership@whchamber.com.Welookforwardtohearingfromyousoon! www.whchamber.com

Together,wedo extraordinarythings

Webelieveinthestrengthofapeople!Webelieveinthepowerofcommunity!

TheJewishFederation'sAnnualCampaignisaresponsiveandcollaborative effort,dedicatedtoJewisheducation,engagementandoutreach,andsocial commitment.Thecampaignfuelsthestrengthofourpeoplethroughdollars raisedandallocatedto49localprograms,allwithanimmediateandpersonal impactonJewishfaithandvalues.

TheJewishFederationofGreaterHartfordisthesoleorganizationwhose missionensuresthecontinuationofouruniqueJewishstorybyreachingoutto Jewsevenwithlimitedornoaffiliation.ItpromotesJewishcorevaluesthrough actsoflovingkindnessfortheelderly,themostvulnerablewithinourcommunity, aswellaswithinIsrael,and70countriesaroundtheworld.

OnlytheFederationcontinuallyre-imaginesourfuturebycreatingand fundinginnovativeinitiativeswhilealsoprovidingforbasicneeds–whetherby supportingovernightcampershipsforchildren,connectingparentsandyoung childrenthroughJewishstorybooksprovidedbythePJlibrary,fundingcounseling fortheunemployedthroughJewishFamilyServices,supportingteentripsto IsraelthroughTaglit-BirthrightIsrael,orfeedinghungryseniorsintheformer SovietUnion.

ThankyouforbelievinginthePOWERofcommunity,theSTRENGTHofa people,andforbelievingthattogetherwecanmaketheworldabetterplace.

JudithSchlossberg,ChairoftheBoard

KosherFoodPantry

MorrisFinehasnoticedonebigdifferenceinhisrefrigeratorthisyear–it’sfull.Morris, ahomeboundWestHartfordseniorwaseatingonemealadayuntilhediscoveredThe KosherFoodPantry,aJewishFederationofGreaterHartford-fundedprogram.

Today,MorrisreceiveshisweeklygroceriesfromJewishFamilyServicesofGreater Hartford’sfoodpantry.Duringtheholidays,thereareevenspecialitemssuchas akosherturkeyforThanksgivingandtraditionalfoodsforPassover.

Demandforkosherfoodhasrisensteeplyoverthepastthreeyears. Infact,morethan4,300bags–roughly53,000poundsoffood–weredeliveredthroughthisprogramlast yearalone.

AgifttotheFederationisa promisethatsocialservicesand communityorganizationswill continuetoprovidelife-saving foodtothoselikeMorrisand ouraginglovedones. ●

Taglit BirthrightIsrael

SethCohengrewuphearingalotabout Israelfromhisparents.Butitwasn’tuntil afteraJewishstudiesclassincollegethatthe interesttovisithisfamily’shomelandhithim. “Asanartmajor,Iwasreallyinterestedin understandingJudaismfromaculturaland artisticperspective,”Sethsaid.

TheTaglit-BirthrightIsraelprogramisathreewaypartnershipbetweentheStateofIsrael, theAdelsonFamilyMatchandtheJewish FederationofGreaterHartford’sAnnual Campaign.Each$1,000gifttoFederation’s AnnualCampaignallowsonestudenttotravel onafree10-daytriptoIsrael.

Sethspenthis10daysinthecountrylast yearlearningasmuchabouthimselfasthe artsheintendedtoexplore.Infact,Seth isoneofmorethan1,000HartfordTaglitBirthrightIsraelparticipantswhosaidthat

OneHappy Camper

Wheniscampmorethanjustcamp?

Whenit’sJewishcamp.AtJewish overnightcamp,“thesummerof yourlife”ismorethanjustan expression.It’sagift.It’saplace whereyourchildcandiscoverwho theyare—andwhotheywantto become—whilehavingatotalblast.

Foryourchild,Jewishcampisjust plainfun.Butit’salsosomuchmore thanthat—it’scampwithasoul. Atcamp,yourchildwillhavean amazingsummerracingdowna zipline,singingunderthestars,and makinglifelongfriends.They’llalso learnvalueslikeself-confidence, independence,andleadershipthatwilllastthemlongafterthesummer’sgone.

Thisyeara$1,000grant(percamper)fromtheJewishFederation’sannualcampaign, withmatchingsupportfromtheFoundationforJewishCamp,willhelpprovidefirst-time campersfromtheGreaterHartfordregionwiththeirfirstJewishovernightcamping experience.

AtJewishcamp,ruach(spirit)ispartofeveryactivity—fromdancingtohittingahome run—allowingcamperstoexploretheirconnectiontoJudaisminameaningfulwaywhile havingthesummeroftheirlives. ●

PJLibrary

thetripmadethemfeellikeIsraelistheir secondhome.Researchalsoshowsyoung adultswhoexperienceprogramssuchas Taglit-BirthrightIsraelfeelmoreconnected totheirJewishrootsandstayconnectedto theirJewishcommunityastheyage.

Currently,manyyoungadultswhoapplyare notacceptedintothisprogramduetolack offunding.Thisyear,wewanttodoublethe numberofstudentswesend,buthaveonly beenabletofund20.Ourgoalistoraisean additional$30,000tomeetthisimportant communitycommitmentofsendingmore GreaterHartfordstudentsonthisonce-in-alifetime,life-changingexperience–and securingourcommunity’sfuture.

Thesedays,Sethisnotjusthearingabout Israel–he’stalkingaboutittoo. ●

Six-year-oldMichaelRothwaits eagerlybythefrontwindowas thelettercarrierwalksuptothe housewithapackageaddressed justforhim.Eachmonth,Michael receivesaJewishchildren’sbook ormusicCDfromThePJLibrary, aprogramoftheMandellJewish CommunityCenter,thathe insistsheandhisparentslistentoorreadimmediately.

Theprogram,whichisfreeforthefirstyear,isdesignedtogiveparentsand childrenuptoageeightoneofthemostpowerfulandnurturinglearning experiences–readingandlisteningtomusictogether.

ThePJLibraryhasdistributedmorethan32,000bookstofamiliesinthe GreaterHartfordareaoverthepastfiveyears.Familieslovetoreportthe newandtreasuredmemoriescreatedeachmonthwiththeirPJLibrary package.

LittledoesMichaelknowhispackageaddressedtohim,isreallyforthe wholefamily.Nowthat’sastorybookending. ●

(860)232-4483|www.JewishHartford.org

ZachsCampus 333BloomfieldAvenue,SuiteC WestHartford,CT06117

OurMission

ThemissionoftheJewishFederationof GreaterHartfordistoenhance,buildand perpetuateJewishlifeinGreaterHartford, inIsraelandaroundtheworld.

TheFederationfulfillsitsmissionthrough itsannualcampaign,financialresource development,planning,communityrelations effortsandbyworkinginpartnershipwith local,nationalandinternationalJewish charitableorganizations,socialservice agencies,educationalinstitutionsand synagogues.TheFederationisguidedby theJewishvaluesofTzedakah(righteous giving),TikkunOlam(improvingtheworld) andKlalYisrael(TheunityoftheJewish People).

recenthighlights

WhyaWomen’sGift?

Women’sgivinginthe Federationsystemis thefastestgrowing componentofthe AnnualCampaign. Nationally,women’s giftsrepresentnearly 25percentofthetotal fundsraisedinannual Federationcampaigns. InGreaterHartford, women’sgivingtopsthatnumberatnearly30percentoftheAnnualCampaign.

OurWomen’sPhilanthropyannualwomen’scampaigninvitesyoutojoinusinan environmentwhereeveryJewishwomancanenrichandstrengthenheridentity bothasawomanandaJew.Forgenerations,GreaterHartford’sJewishwomenhave workedtogethertopreserveourcommunity'sheritage.Weencouragewomen tosharetheirtime,intellectandfinancialresourceswithourlocal,nationaland internationalJewishcommunity,supportingJewishlifethroughfundraising, educationalprogramsandcommunityservice.

Weoffermanyopportunitiesforwomentotakeastandonissuesaffectingour communityandinspireotherJewishwomen.Makingagiftmeansmorethanwriting acheck;it’saboutbeingpartofthecollectivestrengthofourcommunity.Itsignifies power.Themorewegiveindividually,thegreaterourpowerasleadersandpolicy makers,andthestrongerourinfluenceindetermininghowourgiftsarespent.When supportforIsraelandourlocalcommunityaremeasured,governmentleaderscount thenumberofdonors.Makinganindividualgiftinyourownnameenablesevery womantostandupandbecounted!

Comeandconnecttootherwomen,ourJewishcommunityandthegoodworkwe dohereeveryday.Thankyouforbelievinginthepowerofcommunity–thathelping peopleinneed,andnurturingandsupportingourJewishcommunityisbothour privilegeandourresponsibility.●

TheHartfordJewishCoalitionforLiteracy(HJCL)hasbegunits15thyearofpromotingliteracyintheGreaterHartfordarea.Approximately50newvolunteersweretrainedinSeptember.Forthe2012-2013year,HJCLhasatotalof 142volunteerstoreadwith165kindergartenthroughthirdgradestudentsinourElementaryExpressProgram.

connectwithus

HJCLheldasuccessfulkick-offeventin Septemberwithguestauthorandillustrator, DeborahFreedman.Withover50volunteers inattendance,itwasanexcitingeventforthe volunteerstogettogetheranddiscusstheir experiences,aswellaslearnfromeachother andenjoyawonderfulguestspeaker.