How we doing Hartford County!?

I have a confession: my order at the deli counter hasn’t changed in about six years. Turkey, provolone, hots, oil and vinegar. So when I realized today is National Sandwich Day, I took it as a personal challenge to finally branch out, and you get the results.

🗳️ It's also Election Day! We don't do politics around here, but we figured it's our civic duty to remind you. Polls are open 6 AM–8 PM today.

We've got a lot to cover today, including a chance to snag two FREE tickets to live music this weekend. Let's get buzzing!

-Todd DiGiovanni

You voted, I listened, and my back has been cleared for duty. We're meeting at Heirloom Market in Old Wethersfield: a cafe tucked inside one of the country's oldest seed companies. Come for a coffee, stay for the seed wall, and meet a few fellow Buzz readers.

I’m not exaggerating when I say Maple Giant Grinder in Hartford, served up one of the best chicken parm grinders I’ve ever had. The chicken cutlets were sliced thin, lightly breaded, and fried just right. Honestly, they reminded me of how my father used to make them growing up. The sauce was spot on, not too sweet or too acidic, with plenty of melted mozzarella cheese and roasted green peppers bringing it all together.

And Frankie, the owner, couldn't have been more welcoming. Another true paisan! It felt less like walking into a sandwich shop and more like hanging out in a family kitchen. Great conversation, positive energy, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stick around. That's exactly the kind of local place I love supporting.

10/10, No notes. Not a doubt in my mind I'll be back very soon!

Next week we’re building the Hartford County Sandwich Map, and you’re writing it. Nominate your go-to by hitting reply: the spot, the town, and exactly what to order.

Congrats to October champ: LMDIWW, who finished October on top with 1189 points. November’s leaderboard resets today, so everyone starts at zero. Play BUZZLE, BUZZWORD, and BUZZEYE!

Veterans Day is next Wednesday. Next week we want to spotlight a few Hartford County veterans: the coach, the shop owner, the neighbor who mows everyone’s lawn. Hit reply with a name, their town and one sentence about why.

🍽️ Dinner Club is coming to Middletown on Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 PM!

You asked, we listened! Middletown has been recommended by quite a few of you, so we're giving it a shot. We're also making a few improvements based on your feedback, from restaurant selection to table assignments and the afterparty.

Here's the deal: Fill out a quick questionnaire, and we'll match you with five other locals for dinner at a surprise restaurant. You'll find out where you're going that morning, show up at 6:30 PM, and pay your own tab.

During dinner, we'll text you the location of our secret afterparty, where you can keep the night going and meet even more people. Totally optional!

Good food, new faces, and hopefully a few new friends. That's what it's all about!

Thinking about buying a home? Here's the reality check: The national 30-year mortgage average climbed from roughly 6.6% in August to 7.24% in late October. Meanwhile, Connecticut home prices rose 4.4% year-over-year in September.

The takeaway? Don't focus on interest rates alone. Compare monthly payments, APR, and closing costs before making a move.

Our mortgage expert Kimberly Joy can help you crunch the numbers and explore your options.

Connect with Kimberly →

WALL-E on the Big Screen! 🤖 Real Art Ways is bringing Pixar’s beloved robot to the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford on Saturday, November 7 at 3:00 PM, with a little science before the movie! UConn robotics expert Dr. Shalabh Gupta kicks things off with a fascinating look at how robots are changing our world, followed by a screening of WALL-E at 3:30 PM. A fun one for the whole family! Tickets start at $6 for eligible members; regular admission is $12.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Shawn, a lovable Lab mix is ready to claim a spot on your couch, steal your heart, and make your house a whole lot happier! 🐾

🏡House of the week: Built in 1840, this five-bedroom Colonial has plenty of old-school charm, with nine-foot ceilings, three fireplaces, and a beautifully updated kitchen. Out back, there's an in-ground pool, pergola, and fire pit, so your house might become everyone's new favorite hangout. Check it out!

🔭Sky report: Sunset is already down to 4:42 PM. Not great, but at least Saturn is out after dark, while Mars and Jupiter creep closer in the morning sky. The real show comes Saturday, Nov. 7, around 5:45 AM, when a razor-thin Moon meets brilliant Venus low in the east. Monday's New Moon brings dark skies and a chance to spot a Taurid fireball.

New Britain is getting a serious dose of the blues (the good kind)! The Connecticut Rhythm & Blues Festival takes over Trinity-on-Main on Saturday, November 7, from 3–9 PM, featuring Toronzo Cannon, Chambers DesLauriers, The Name Droppers, and young performers from the Queen Ann Nzinga Center. Tickets are $35, with an optional $17 all-you-can-eat Italian buffet. Even better, the festival supports music education and local musicians.

Headed to the meetup Saturday, or need a coffee to go with your sandwich? Our Hartford County Independent Coffee Shops Field Guide has the cozy cafes, hidden gems and locally owned spots worth going out of your way for.

🍻 Hartford | Iron Horse Sports Pub (Coming Soon) | The former City Steam Brewery space on Main Street is getting new life with sports, burgers, wings, and plenty of TVs.

💐 Newington | Flowers for Ladies & Events (Now Open) | A new florist has bloomed downtown, offering fresh arrangements, delivery, and event decor. Grand opening November 5!

🌯 Wethersfield | Food Street (Coming Soon) | A halal Pakistani street-food spot bringing tikka rolls, kebabs, burgers, and bold flavors to Silas Deane Highway.

☕ Simsbury | Casa Benvenuto Play-Cafe (Coming Soon) | A Montessori-inspired play space where little ones can explore while parents enjoy coffee and baked treats.

FLIGHT BUZZ:

✈️ From Hartford to Moab, Utah for 379 bucks* 1-stop roundtrip, in Dec. for a week stay. Pack your bags *Prices at the time of writing subject to change

Click below to see the full calendar line-up of upcoming events throughout Hartford County!

Hartford | In Her Own Words x Every Avenue | 7PM | ($) - A pop-punk double bill on The Perfectly Unfamiliar Tour at The Webster. Loud!

Simsbury | Immodest Trivia! | 7PM - Bring a team and your sharpest guesses to trivia night at Talcott Mountain Collective. Brainy!

Hartford | Little Bear Ridge Road | 7:30PM | ($) - A family reunion with plenty of baggage, on stage at TheaterWorks Hartford through Sunday. Moving!

Manchester | Cliff Cash | 7PM | ($) - A midweek stand-up headliner at the Funny Bone. Hilarious!

Bristol | Sip & Craft Night | 6PM | ($) - Craft a pinecone ornament after hours at the American Clock & Watch Museum. Festive!

Glastonbury | GOZA Latin Jazz | 6PM - Samba and salsa rhythms with dinner at Cotton Hollow Kitchen. Rhythmic!

Hartford | The Weight Band | 8PM | ($) - Members of The Band and the Levon Helm Band play the classics at Infinity Music Hall. Rootsy!

Hartford | Violin Masterpieces: Wieniawski | 7:30PM - A free concert with a world premiere at First Presbyterian Church. Elegant!

South Glastonbury | Kt Lay at Hops on the Hill | 4:30PM - Live tunes and craft beer at the hilltop brewery. Easy!

South Windsor | Stained Glass Pumpkin Solder & Sip | 6PM | ($) - Make a glass pumpkin at Connecticut Valley Brewing. Handy!

Berlin | Stairway to Halen | 8PM | ($) - A night of hard-rock tributes at The Truck Bar. Shredding!

East Windsor | Neighbor! | 8PM | ($) - A live band at the historic Broad Brook Opera House. Lively!

Hartford | Disney Worlds Collide Concert Tour | 7PM | ($) - Disney film scores played live at PeoplesBank Arena. Magical!

Hartford | Guster with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra | 8PM | ($) - Guster’s indie-pop hits get the full orchestra for one night at The Bushnell. Epic!

Manchester | The Prom | ($) - The big-hearted Broadway musical comedy takes the stage at Cheney Hall. Joyful!

New Britain | First Friday: Out of Orbit | 5:30PM - After-hours art, music and drinks at the New Britain Museum of American Art. Cosmic!

Simsbury | Booyah! | 7:30PM | ($) - A live band brings the party to Talcott Mountain Collective. Lively!

Southington | Blondie & Bowie Night III | 8PM | ($) - A glam double tribute in Kinsmen Brewing’s Clark Hall. Glam!

Bristol | Purple Piano: A Tribute to Prince | 7PM | ($) - A one-man Prince show at the Rockwell. Funky!

Hartford | Fortunate Sons: Creedence Tribute | 8PM | ($) - CCR’s swamp-rock hits at Black Eyed Sally’s. Swampy!

Hartford | John Violinist | 7:30PM | ($) - R&B and soul played on four strings at The Bushnell. Soulful!

Manchester | Shout! Hall & Oates + Huey Lewis Tribute | 4PM - The Main Pub’s resident tribute band plays ’80s hits. Retro!

Simsbury | McLean Presents: Azkana Trio | 2PM | ($) - A chamber trio in the McLean concert series. Graceful!

South Glastonbury | Fall Vendors Day Market | 11AM - More than 50 artisan vendors plus craft beer at Hops on the Hill. Handmade!

South Windsor | Fall Artisan Vendor Market | 10AM - Early holiday shopping with local makers at Connecticut Valley Brewing (Sat & Sun). Local!

Windsor | David Keith | 1PM - Afternoon live music at the Beer Garden @ Bart’s. Easygoing!

Canton | Author Signing: J.L. Polanco | 1PM - Meet the author at The Shops at Farmington Valley. Signed!

Granby | Jeff Blaney | 1PM - Sunday-afternoon tunes among the vines at Lost Acres Vineyard. Relaxing!

Hartford | CSO: Where Shadows Speak | 3PM | ($) - The Connecticut Symphony Orchestra plays Florence Price and Ulysses Kay at The Artists Collective. Powerful!

Hartford | Echoes of Italy | ($) - A Sunday Serenades concert of Italian music at the Wadsworth Atheneum. Bellissimo!

New Britain | Randall Kane Quartet | 3PM - Sunday jazz in the galleries at the New Britain Museum of American Art. Jazzy!

Simsbury | The Substitutes | 3PM - A Sunday-afternoon set at Talcott Mountain Collective. Mellow!

Bloomfield | Family Fun at Auerfarm | Sun 11AM | ($) - Hayrides, goat walks and the Discovery Barn. Charming!

Hartford | Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience | Sun | ($) - Trick-flipping pups take over The Bushnell. Pawsome!

Hartford | Pokémon Day | Sat 10:30AM | ($) - Games and activities for Pokémon trainers of every level at the Connecticut Science Center. Electric!

That’s a wrap for this week’s Hart Co Buzz. Go vote, go get a sandwich, and I’ll see some of you Saturday at Heirloom.

Talk soon,

Todd