How we doing Hartford County!?
Today is August 4, aka National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, which is a holiday I can fully get behind. I don’t splurge often, but a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie is worth breaking the rules for every so often. Hit reply and tell me who makes your favorite in the area.
In Today’s HartCo Buzz:
Local Drinks
Meet My Dog
West Indian Celebration
Buzz & Tell
The Mantis Backstory
50+ Local Events
Let’s dive in!
-Todd DiGiovanni
LOCAL DRINKS
Summer is made for a nice cold drink, so I figured it was time to put together a guide to Hartford County’s local breweries, wineries and distilleries. I haven’t had a drink myself in years, but I still want to make sure you know about all the great places pouring, creating and bringing people together around the county. Check out the guide, find a new favorite and support local!
SAY HELLO TO MY NEW SIDEKICK
On July 19, I rescued a mini poodle who is just 10 inches tall and weighs 9 pounds, and she has already decided I should never be more than a few inches away from her. She has the sweetest disposition and is a total Velcro dog.
It is quite a change from my previous rescue, Bailey, a 65-pound pit bull who was one of the gentlest and most loving dogs you could ever meet. They could not be more different in size, but both have been wonderful reminders of how much love rescue dogs bring into a home.
Since we share adoptable pets in the newsletter each week, have any of you found and rescued a dog through one of our posts? Hit reply and tell us your story. I would love to hear it!
HOW DINNER CLUB WORKS:
Fill out a quick quiz about your interests, food preferences and the kind of people you’d actually enjoy meeting.
We’ll match you with five other Hive Members who seem like a good fit.
The morning of the dinner, we’ll send your invite and reveal which Avon restaurant your group is heading to.
During dinner, everyone gets the secret afterparty location. Totally optional, so if dinner wins and the food coma hits, nobody will judge you for heading home.
HART CO TRIVIA🤔
This week’s Buzzword is live, and you’ve got six guesses to crack it. Think Wordle, but with a little more Hartford County in the mix.
FEATURED EVENT
64th West Indian Independence Celebration
Hartford gets a full dose of Caribbean color, flavor and energy at the 64th West Indian Independence Celebration this Saturday, August 8 from noon–9 PM. The free festivities kick off with a costumed parade from Albany and Main streets to Bushnell Park, followed by live soca, reggae and dancehall, authentic Caribbean food, vendors and a big concert in the park.
BUZZ & TELL
🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Merlin, an energetic, people-loving 8-month-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix who’s wicked smart, eager to train and ready for an active home that can keep up with him.
🏡House of the week: This contemporary cul-de-sac stunner packs 4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms and 4,837 square feet into a home built around jaw-dropping western views. Walls of windows, a massive deck, a three-car garage and an owned solar system make those nightly sunsets even sweeter. Check it out!
🥾Sighting of the week: Ruby-throated Hummingbird | (Archilochus colubris)
🔭Sky report: The Perseids are warming up, so keep an eye out for early shooting stars after midnight, with the big moonless peak coming August 12–13. The Moon hits third quarter Wednesday at 10:21 p.m., then lines up near the Pleiades around 4 a.m. Friday and orange Mars around 4 a.m. Sunday. Earlier in the evening, look overhead for the Summer Triangle, marked by Vega, Deneb and Altair.
THE MANTIS BACKSTORY
I was honestly surprised that most of you knew Connecticut’s state insect is the European praying mantis. A fourth-grade class from Center Road School in Vernon brought the idea to lawmakers, and it officially became our state insect in 1977. The strange part is that it is not actually native to Connecticut. It originated in northern Africa, southern Europe and parts of Asia before being introduced here.
Connecticut is the only state represented by the European praying mantis, although we are not the only state with a non-native official insect. Its name comes from a Greek word meaning “prophet” or “diviner,” inspired by those folded front legs that make it look like it’s praying.
Think you know Hartford County? You can still put your local knowledge to the test anytime at hartcobuzz.com/trivia.
BRIEF BITES
New Openings:
🍕 Tavello Pizza is firing up handmade Neapolitan-style pies, cannoli, gelato, espresso, beer and wine at 140 North Main Street, Bristol, open daily from 11 AM–9 PM.
🛍️ Goodwill just leveled up to a bigger Southington home with wider aisles and a streamlined donation drive-thru at 328 Queen Street, Southington, open Monday–Saturday from 9 AM–8 PM and Sunday from 9 AM–7 PM.
📚 Barnes & Noble is officially back at Westfarms with shelves packed with books, toys, games, vinyl and more at 211 West Farms Mall, Farmington, on the mall’s lower level.
🍵 Bliss Matcha & Beyond soft-opened at 981 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, serving matcha lattes, soft serve, tiramisu, bubble tea, desserts and plenty more.
🎭 Dionysus Theatre Company has a new black-box home inside the Manchester Historical Society at 175 Pine Street, Manchester, giving the local theater company a fresh stage for productions and auditions.
Flight Buzz: Hartford to Barbados from $424 roundtrip*, 1-stop for a week trip the end of Sept. Pack your bags. *Prices may change from time of writing
BEE LINE EVENTS
TUESDAY (8/4)
Avon | Nightshift DEBUTS at the Avon Town Green Gazebo | 6 PM - Classic rock covers kick off the summer concert series on the Town Green. Rock Out
Bristol | Rockin Out at Rockwell: Spirit Shaker | 6:30 PM - Heavy rock power trio shreds 70s, 80s, and 90s hits at Rockwell Park (63 Dutton Ave). Tune In
East Granby | Music Bingo at The Grill at Copper Hill | 6:30 PM - Name that tune bingo with prizes at The Grill at Copper Hill.
Simsbury | Macramé Plant Hanging Workshop | 6:30 PM | ($) - Create a modern plant hanger with guided instruction (961 Hopmeadow St). Get Crafty
Wethersfield | National Night Out | 5:30 PM - Come enjoy live Rock n Roll from Backlash at 30 Greenfield Street.
WEDNESDAY (8/5)
Berlin | Moody Minerals Workshop | 6 PM | ($) - Paint-your-own crystal art at Coles Road Brewing (817 Farmington Ave). Create Away
Hartford | Mass-Conn-Fusion Concert | 6:30 PM - Motown, R&B, and jazz on the John G. Martin Foundation Stage at Elizabeth Park.
THURSDAY (8/6)
East Hartford | InterCommunity Art of Wellness Day | 11 AM - 7 PM - Free block party with health screenings, live music, and food at 281 Main St. Celebrate
Farmington | Piano Man Meets Rocket Man | 6:30 PM - Billy Joel and Elton John tribute show at Staples House Green (1554 Farmington Ave).
Manchester | Free Concert: KC Sisters | 6 PM - Rising TikTok stars perform Americana, folk, and country at Center Memorial Park.
Marlborough | Nightshift Returns | 6 PM - Rock the lake at Blish Park for the 8th year running (32 Park Rd).
South Glastonbury | Thursday Cruise Nights | 4-8 PM - Cars, craft beer, live music, and food trucks at Hops on the Hill (275 Dug Rd).
Springfield | Nate Bargatze | 7 PM | ($) - Stand-up comedy at PeoplesBank Arena. Laugh Out Loud
West Hartford | Jazz in the Square | 5 PM - Live jazz on the Blue Back Stage at Blue Back Square (65 Memorial Rd).
FRIDAY (8/7)
Farmington | Firefly Fridays on the Farm | 5:30-8:30 PM - Live music, food truck, cut-your-own flowers at Hein Farm (303 Meadow Rd).
Hartford | Salsa Under the Stars | 7-11 PM - Salsa warm-ups and dancing on the patio at Parkville Market (1400 Park St).
Marlborough | Friday Night Lights Concert | 6 PM - Live music, food trucks, and cold beer at The Farm at Carter Hill.
New Britain | Art Happy Hour | 5:30 PM - Live music, cocktails, and snacks on the terrace at New Britain Museum of American Art (56 Lexington St).
SATURDAY (8/8)
Bloomfield | Deadheads at Back East Brewery Anniversary | 6 PM - Free outdoor Grateful Dead tribute at Back East Brewing Company.
Bristol | New England Auto Museum Car Show | 3-8 PM - Classic cars gather on Hope Street (enter from Riverside Ave).
Hartford | Friends Of The Brothers with Jaimoe | 8 PM | ($) - Allman Brothers tribute with special guest at Infinity Hall (32 Front St). Catch the Show
Simsbury | RGB Celebrates Jerry Garcia | 6:30 PM - Grateful Dead tribute at Talcott Mountain Collective. Rock Out
Windsor | Candle Making Workshop at Beer Garden @ Bart's | 1 PM | ($) - Create custom candles with dried florals and crystals (135 Day Hill Rd). Make It
SUNDAY (8/9)
Broad Brook | A Farewell to Kings (Rush Tribute) | 8 PM | ($) - Powerhouse Rush tribute at Broad Brook Opera House (107 Main St). Rock Out
Hartford | 2nd Annual G.O.A.T. Card Show | 9 AM | ($) - 100+ tables of sports cards and collectibles at Dunkin' Park (1214 Main St). Browse Around
Hartford | Summer of Soul FREE Outdoor Yoga | 10 AM - All-levels yoga on Pratt Street with Afterglow Yoga Studios. Find Your Center
Hartford | Pratt Street Sunday Market | 11 AM - Local produce, artisans, and family activities on Pratt Street. Shop Local
Manchester | Shout: Elton John Tribute | 9 PM - Elton John tribute at Main Pub (306 Main St). 21+.
MONDAY (8/10)
Hartford | The Outlaws | 8 PM | ($) - Southern rock legends at Infinity Hall (32 Front St). Rock Out
New Britain | BackTrax Summer Concert | 7 PM - Dual keyboardists and vocal harmonies at Walnut Hill Park Band Shell.
KID FRIENDLY
8/4
Enfield | Summer Concert: 7 Roads (National Night Out) | 7 PM - Free kids' crafts and family-friendly concert on Enfield Town Green.
South Windsor | SWPD's National Night Out | 5:30 PM - Food, games, and music for the whole family at Nevers Road Park.
8/6
Manchester | Children's Performance Series: Curious Creatures | 11 AM - Live exotic animal show with snakes, chinchillas, and more at Wickham Park (1329 Middle Tpke W, Manchester). $7 vehicle entry. Explore
8/8
Glastonbury | Echo Asia Festival | 11 AM - Free admission with games, karaoke, Asian food, and free ice cream for all ages. Join the Fun (runs through 8/9)
New Britain | First Annual Summer Picnic | 11 AM - 3 PM - Family picnic at Churchill Park.
8/9
Hartford | 2nd Annual G.O.A.T. Card Show | 9 AM | ($) - 100+ tables of sports cards and collectibles at Dunkin' Park (1214 Main St). Browse Around
That’s a wrap for this week’s Hart Co Buzz. If you enjoyed Hart Co Buzz then please share with friends and family who will also benefit from staying in the loop with local happenings. See you next week!
Talk soon,
Todd
