tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26541046527930363642024-03-19T08:08:43.475-04:00Sad City HartfordWith its low self-esteem and high urban blight, Hartford is the ultimate underdog city. Sad City Hartford documents the joys, sorrows and eccentricities of New England's Rising Star.Jumper McKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00841003792575367125noreply@blogger.comBlogger712125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-45019416483371683142013-04-24T22:14:00.002-04:002013-04-25T10:16:51.706-04:00Sun Sets On Sad City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you hadn't noticed, we've wrapped things up here and this just serves to make it official; the era of Sad City Hartford is over and the blog has officially retired. From <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/2010/06/eddie-perez-i-never-learned-to-read.html">our first post on June 12, 2010</a>, we had a ton of fun and it wouldn't have been possible without each and every person who stopped by to read our silly little site.<br />
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Today The Hartford Advocate announced that our readers have voted <a href="http://www.ct.com/entertainment/best-of-ct/2013/hartford/media-and-education/wtxx-best-of-hartford-2013-best-local-blogger-20130422,0,7831211.story">Sad City as the Best Local Blogger in The Advocate Best of 2013;</a> a humbling honor for a niche blog hosted on blogspot that relied on our ability to craft a joke or tell a funny story from any picture or situation. From what we remember we join <a href="http://courantblogs.com/colin-mcenroe/">Colin McEnroe's To Wit</a> and <a href="http://www.localbandreview.com/">Local Band Review</a> as the only winners in this category. Sweet. This win goes next to our place and show results from 2011 and 2012 in Local Blogger, Best Twitterer, and Best Hyperlocal News Site.<br />
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We sincerely thank you for all the votes.<br />
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There was no way either of us would have guessed that Sad City would have become so popular so quickly or lasted so long. It was a great ride, but in the almost three years since Sad City's birth, we've done just about everything Hartfordcentric there is to do, we had some awesome adventures and experiences and met some super cool people and made some great memories.<br />
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At this point our lives have changed and Sad City no longer fits, three years is more than long enough for a blog anyway and we'd rather leave behind some entertaining work than drag on with a half-effort. With all due respect to Time Wakefield, we're more into the Pedro Martinez career arc. This is a young persons game anyway and soon someone younger and wittier will come along with a new fresh look at the city.<br />
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There's no way we could thank everyone, but we can try. Thank you to the readers, Craig The Porn Star, WCCC, Helen Ubinas, Jenna Carlesso, Steve Goode, Rick Green, The Hartford Courant, Colin McEnroe, Chion Wolf, Patrick Skahill, Tucker Ives, WNPR, Dennis House, UConn Law, The Hog River Revival Project, Shelly Banjo, CT News Junkie, Doug Hardy, Hartford.com, The Spigot, Watermelon Ale, Pay Phones, Hartford for being so funny and so sad, and of course, rest in peace our great, great friend and one of the inspirations for <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/search/label/Chuckles">Sad City the one, the only, the legend himself, Chuckles.</a> You are missed man.<br />
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Again and finally, all the readers. If you all didn't keep coming here, we would have stopped a long, long time ago. If got just a sliver of the enjoyment out of this that we did, we are happy to entertain you.<br />
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Whether this is your first time here or you're a long time fan, we hope you take some time and click around on some of our older posts and remember what Sad City was all about. We think it's a pretty good snapshot in time of the city from mid 2010 to late 2012. We'll <a href="https://twitter.com/SadCityHartford">still be around from time to time on Twitter</a> if you want to check in with us there.<br />
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Thanks again everyone! It was unexpected, it was unplanned, it was exciting and we had an absolute blast. We will miss you all!<br />
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Love,<br />
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Hakaan & Jumper<br />
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Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com154tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-7172180985903623482013-02-15T08:53:00.002-05:002013-02-15T08:54:10.374-05:00Hartford Pic Of The Week: Price Gouging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Admidst the endless hang-wringing about snow removal, which replaced guns as everyone's most passionate cause de jour on the internet, the concept of price gouging was forgotten in the latest storm. Some fine Hartford entrpreneurs, located on the corner of Farmington and Evergreen took advantage of the situation and raised there gas prices accordingly last Thursday. While most station charged $3.89 for a gallon of regular, this fine Hartford business charged a robust $4.39. Fair play in a supply and demand market or unethical?Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-64799818005535626852013-02-11T13:46:00.001-05:002013-02-11T13:48:52.504-05:00A Legitimate Gripe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-6887943744811085602013-02-01T09:20:00.002-05:002013-02-01T09:20:17.216-05:00Hartford Pic Of The Week: It's Tax Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hartfordites have no excuses for being late on their taxes as dancing Statue of Liberties serve as a reminder for months.</div>
Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-24416936306760645222013-01-28T21:08:00.000-05:002013-01-28T22:45:09.547-05:00Hartford Business: Di Fiore Pasta Company<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">While many lament the downfall of the South End over the last generation, some gems, throwbacks to the bygone era when the neighborhood was known as "Little Italy" remain today. The Di Fiore Pasta Company may just be the best of them all. Located at 556 Franklin, Di Fiore Pasta is a family owned shop specializing in homemade pastas and raviolis that are nothing short of sublime. </span></div>
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The ravioli case is really the crown jewel of this tiny pasta shop located almost directly across the street from other favorites MC's Barbershop and DiBacco's Grocer. The cooler is full of raviolis stuffed with mouth watering ingredients that we would never have dreamed of folding into a ravioli. If there's any downside it is that the options are so many, and so appetizing, that they can cause paralysis by overanalysis in trying to make a choice. Ever have breaded buffalo chicken ravioli? Good, damn good.<br />
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The rest of the shop features prepared items, most just needing to be heated up. Fresh pastas, sauces, and bread are all readily available. From red sauce to clam sauce, lasagna to stuff manicotti to hand dipped ricotta, if you are craving Italian, Di Fiore is the place.<br />
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Another unbelievable feature at Di Fiore's is the olive oil and balsamic bar. Featuring infused olive oils and balsamic dressings, Di Fiore does expected combinations superbly (galic or basil infused olive oil) and the unexpected absurdly well, the green apple balsamic being a Sad City favorite.<br />
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While everyone is trying to identify the new up and coming thing, or bemoaning what Hartford doesn't have it is easy overlook what Hartford does have and easy to forget that the classics are old classics for a reason; they are just flat good. You aren't going to get better, fresher pasta anywhere, period.<br />
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When they say Hartford Has It: Art or Hartford Has It: Food, Di Fiore Pasta Company, because this is truly food as art, classically done and beautifully executed.<br />
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<br />Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-18853008551002506512013-01-28T09:19:00.003-05:002013-01-28T09:19:54.756-05:00Carbone's & The South End: 20 Years Ago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Carbone's is one of the most famous restaurants in Hartford. Located in the South End on Franklin Ave, Carbone's is one of those places you hear about once being "the place to be in Hartford." As the stories go, in the halycon days, Carbone's was a place that top area power brokers and politicians could be found at. </div>
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These days Carbone's remains, but the South End has undergone a profound change in the last quarter-century. The theories on the reasons for these changes are innummerable, and run a wide gamut, including the opening of the casinos in Connecticut. Whatever those reasons may be, we recently came across a 1992 Hartford Courant article in which many of the same questions that remain today existed 20 years ago. The text of the article from October 29, 1992. </div>
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<em>"Carbone's restaurant, started by his father and uncle 54 years ago, was the first on the avenue. He remembers when it was pretty easy getting people to the Avenue. Nearby Bulkeley Stadium was home to the Hartford Chiefs -- a farm team of the then-Boston Braves -- and the Hartford Indians of what was then called The Negro League.</em></div>
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<em>Carbone's then was called the Southern Plantation, served fried chicken and spaghetti, and Carbone remembers seeing baseball greats such as Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Warren Spahn eat in the restaurant's kitchen to avoid autograph seekers. Events no longer draw people to the South End, but rather than sing "Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?", the restaurateurs are looking for other ways to draw in customers.</em><br />
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<em>Franklin Avenue restaurants must promote the whole "avenue of foods" as a destination, Carbone said.</em><br />
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<em>There has been talk about getting a sign at the Airport Road exit off I-91 marking the area as "Little Italy" or "Restaurant District."</em><br />
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<em>The restaurateurs also are allied in a battle against public perception. One chief concern they share is that some would-be patrons are worried about safety in the neighborhood.</em><br />
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<em>"The biggest thing they get in phone calls is -- is it safe?" Fusco said. "People make early reservations and leave by nine."</em><br />
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<em>Overall crime in the South End neighborhood in the first six months of this year increased more than 30 percent from the same period last year -- the biggest percentage increase among the city's 17 neighborhoods, according to Hartford Police Department records. "</em>Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-90990471082595283942013-01-16T09:15:00.000-05:002013-01-23T08:34:29.296-05:00We Like To Shop At The Dollar Store Shop<br />
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Hartford has lots of dollar stores. Lots and lots and lots of dollar stores. More often than not, when a new business comes to town, it seems to be a dollar store. These announcements are usually followed with the usual hand-wringing and kavetching wondering why Hartford can't get a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.<br />
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At Sad City, when life hands us a Hartford, we try to make lemonade because in the immortal words of Rick Pitino "Trader Joe's ain't walking through that door." We bet if we stopped worrying why West Hartford gets Whole Foods and we get dollar stores (is that really a difficult question to answer?) we can find some great bargains at dollar store. <br />
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Batteries are a huge ripoff. Stock up at the dollar store.</div>
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Has someone got shot on your block lately? Putting out these religious candles is a must after a shooting. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkKK-rEwBeZjul4r-w58uT-9jEd6aEUrALbIJ7LtuOe5YS64P3bxL5OtTXBmSB8Zi5LLkFq99aBDXEM_6Cv3-6HGJ7PnJnNsb757IDKO7MaNWInw9G_sinoJuse-antiKu1I92pzIpg/s640/blogger-image--872473893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkKK-rEwBeZjul4r-w58uT-9jEd6aEUrALbIJ7LtuOe5YS64P3bxL5OtTXBmSB8Zi5LLkFq99aBDXEM_6Cv3-6HGJ7PnJnNsb757IDKO7MaNWInw9G_sinoJuse-antiKu1I92pzIpg/s400/blogger-image--872473893.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Frames are another item you get gouged for on the regular. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXvKdXs86pfg7ezdsLLOZ2irgjWWtbZE8iwAUbyEtlIcKf6l5rE1jXBjbN08ToV_SjnSQZX4my5wPEwa3mx8E4DYomBd6BuyrQMBWjJwA8srPkdNzcpd663DEPHNDTmazQN-Qa2xyCw/s640/blogger-image--1691370811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXvKdXs86pfg7ezdsLLOZ2irgjWWtbZE8iwAUbyEtlIcKf6l5rE1jXBjbN08ToV_SjnSQZX4my5wPEwa3mx8E4DYomBd6BuyrQMBWjJwA8srPkdNzcpd663DEPHNDTmazQN-Qa2xyCw/s400/blogger-image--1691370811.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Guys know that cards are a big waste. Smart guys know that women consider cards to be crucial and meaningful. Very smart guys know that paying $1 > paying $4.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVHKFcLDHg8hfO5df49zdnIPsizxsvFC3iJXsf3B7r6uvbAQe3yRLgAiR8HTdS_IeZ4ElZQp5wrOYV_0kYif0Fva7woXF5IzlA4eWd8Kz9YvpkAKweUvghk_zBRFTAvww-NXeVxOxCg/s640/blogger-image-311267932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVHKFcLDHg8hfO5df49zdnIPsizxsvFC3iJXsf3B7r6uvbAQe3yRLgAiR8HTdS_IeZ4ElZQp5wrOYV_0kYif0Fva7woXF5IzlA4eWd8Kz9YvpkAKweUvghk_zBRFTAvww-NXeVxOxCg/s400/blogger-image-311267932.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Most of these cleaning products are the exact same as the name brand products at other stores. Sad City rates as a buy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCarLFjc5pb_feyYBWmKG1Rl2rHT4haWZ0VerKgo3-Sy2iBxyn7BzhwiNtROfnNQt2BDBToad5-FUwaAhl8corh3nDfxs5qLuHUwaOxQSjTxBZJnq9PKNE-mgJZYwLiucpmKTQBJRFSA/s640/blogger-image--778208247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCarLFjc5pb_feyYBWmKG1Rl2rHT4haWZ0VerKgo3-Sy2iBxyn7BzhwiNtROfnNQt2BDBToad5-FUwaAhl8corh3nDfxs5qLuHUwaOxQSjTxBZJnq9PKNE-mgJZYwLiucpmKTQBJRFSA/s320/blogger-image--778208247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Is anything a bigger ripoff than Yankee Candle? Test the smell, save 99% at the dollar store. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgvxXf55uvRHTavQ-piPj4aP_E7CoWP7q0jxzOFMksjrbbWhkl0jDsB_JGbM8G2KWXISd-U_tFG0MGkmTiaYplmvMH7kuaUydI8devIj4L8LS210cxT4dSXTbTFaxJeTby1lmCX8sCw/s640/blogger-image--2040216696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgvxXf55uvRHTavQ-piPj4aP_E7CoWP7q0jxzOFMksjrbbWhkl0jDsB_JGbM8G2KWXISd-U_tFG0MGkmTiaYplmvMH7kuaUydI8devIj4L8LS210cxT4dSXTbTFaxJeTby1lmCX8sCw/s320/blogger-image--2040216696.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Candy corn is at best questionable on Halloween. After New Year's it is a definite pass.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFsm_IeawJCszjlceDro_IGHeh_f8wXAoboFH9L60yfVamJML2SMzK6YJVt7pFGfrYVEgG9WqXWm0sTQ-gb_oM-n_H9vj2StRCjn8XK2iZmWYg3E_XsiiFg9dNxsU_4JAuy1MlgYO_g/s640/blogger-image--2026819322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFsm_IeawJCszjlceDro_IGHeh_f8wXAoboFH9L60yfVamJML2SMzK6YJVt7pFGfrYVEgG9WqXWm0sTQ-gb_oM-n_H9vj2StRCjn8XK2iZmWYg3E_XsiiFg9dNxsU_4JAuy1MlgYO_g/s400/blogger-image--2026819322.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fake maple syrup is gross whether it costs a dollar or not. Pony up for the real stuff.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2y5oYfUA7tjBg8mtlgzPDrtNSW2FHVZe6mFQ-URjteev-7NtIWZ416myGyCZdRW2j2KYwvv6GFVXL9PLS8CJsWzDHW84vDwgsIRF08-yh4AXnjYh1hjJMcofPY8u73utihhFRBSpdOQ/s640/blogger-image--265150217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2y5oYfUA7tjBg8mtlgzPDrtNSW2FHVZe6mFQ-URjteev-7NtIWZ416myGyCZdRW2j2KYwvv6GFVXL9PLS8CJsWzDHW84vDwgsIRF08-yh4AXnjYh1hjJMcofPY8u73utihhFRBSpdOQ/s400/blogger-image--265150217.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This sort of imitation cheese is also at the top of the gross food list.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwgT2p_-MLmho-CpARxg6a2DQDzMNPzHql5l3TUVdJ-xbjGjZoevmUyY5uz3Hfl9jm8s44uru_au5CCH5IN2A7MKmNtISPgNeaajNHd0g2D1DvzGimGZQUGxu5x4lO8ortUC6pg2MIg/s640/blogger-image--2095894441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwgT2p_-MLmho-CpARxg6a2DQDzMNPzHql5l3TUVdJ-xbjGjZoevmUyY5uz3Hfl9jm8s44uru_au5CCH5IN2A7MKmNtISPgNeaajNHd0g2D1DvzGimGZQUGxu5x4lO8ortUC6pg2MIg/s400/blogger-image--2095894441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Star & Stripes soda?!?!?!? Any true "Merican would get six. Make it eight in case of an impromptu party. Need to keep stocked up you guys.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vWvMWaeFKo-qzcRWlsp8BMRe3LYUpfQbtudhO2KkSRGxzQkd6PA8MRPxjwdsprOU6hr5rZFCuLuI7MclhyeKmOjANW4vwL6LzMFRerY2sxvfvabENgQBeTyrDJgCxdjrdhIVezgHDw/s640/blogger-image-297089310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vWvMWaeFKo-qzcRWlsp8BMRe3LYUpfQbtudhO2KkSRGxzQkd6PA8MRPxjwdsprOU6hr5rZFCuLuI7MclhyeKmOjANW4vwL6LzMFRerY2sxvfvabENgQBeTyrDJgCxdjrdhIVezgHDw/s400/blogger-image-297089310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Remember CDs? Remember how great Guns N Roses was? Remember waiting over ten years for this album? It's not worth a dollar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AbthEEZYUu3n0lSD_8R2Hb0WgW4mpdYdw51e42rpERafCLQZuciea33A6O1uTwHqAmHgL4oeSst2xgAE_JGXdQT2WSTqhftGduT5pc7RgSdPcvx1mjWf88XgOaZP99AdOKk0uY-uzw/s640/blogger-image--299006612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AbthEEZYUu3n0lSD_8R2Hb0WgW4mpdYdw51e42rpERafCLQZuciea33A6O1uTwHqAmHgL4oeSst2xgAE_JGXdQT2WSTqhftGduT5pc7RgSdPcvx1mjWf88XgOaZP99AdOKk0uY-uzw/s320/blogger-image--299006612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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No successful trip to the dollar store is complete without a checkout line candy bar and pregnancy test. </div>
Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-49086557730138720462013-01-11T08:19:00.000-05:002013-01-11T08:19:59.180-05:00Hartford Pic Of The Week: If Only....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAdY3WHH_lfmzCUG7hSJsDqniu74FFBwpWXiNbvR2WhHqPv4S5tTePferzCdkBuKCUoW8kC9vzhtaGaPZ_CDg9mqCZSgyvgHDiOB8lZJ-KBsC_jtiXU7XutZq2I3Kl394c1ZF6eHtvQ/s1600/photo(25).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAdY3WHH_lfmzCUG7hSJsDqniu74FFBwpWXiNbvR2WhHqPv4S5tTePferzCdkBuKCUoW8kC9vzhtaGaPZ_CDg9mqCZSgyvgHDiOB8lZJ-KBsC_jtiXU7XutZq2I3Kl394c1ZF6eHtvQ/s400/photo(25).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Some call it graffiti, some call it art. We call it wishful thinking.</div>
Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-74561582864257102652013-01-08T22:29:00.000-05:002013-01-08T22:29:51.764-05:00An Endorsement On XL Center Management<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVwePlkGFOZzD65_OLVZloXquAigS5h4USZ-FBD3KeW0QOKIJ_Sushcpf4_oakwKyncE51UsTbv4QEvWg3fsxdWWaf51hcgbAMXAzXKvrBuwh2wEsC8CKK_0_nO2MTe8KKBBnyCDLzA/s1600/boosterclub.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVwePlkGFOZzD65_OLVZloXquAigS5h4USZ-FBD3KeW0QOKIJ_Sushcpf4_oakwKyncE51UsTbv4QEvWg3fsxdWWaf51hcgbAMXAzXKvrBuwh2wEsC8CKK_0_nO2MTe8KKBBnyCDLzA/s400/boosterclub.jpeg" width="227" /></a></div>
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With the announcement that the NHL will in fact have a season this year, followed by the curiously vague New York Post story asserting that Governor Malloy is looking into bring the NHL back to Connecticut, hockey is suddenly back in the news.<br />
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While we have no idea how dedicated the Governor is to bringing the NHL back to Connecticut, we do know that the <a href="http://whalerwatch.com/">Hartford Whalers Booster Club</a> is very dedicated to the idea. Over 15 years after the NHL departed Hartford for tobacco and NASCAR country, the HWBC soldiers on with the dream that the NHL will one day return to Hartford.<br />
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As some Hartfordites might know, <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/2012/12/big-changes-ahead-for-hartford.html">a bidding process and decision on the future management</a> of the XL Center is currently underway. While on the surface, one might think that the management group of the XL Center might not greatly effect downtown, getting the right (or wrong) group in place could have massive medium and long term effects on the area. Even more so than a grocery store downtown.<br />
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Without further ado, we present the endorsement of the Hartford Whalers Booster Club and, as Sad City, endorse this endorsement. If you feel that the reasoning below is sound, don't hesitate to follow through with the contacts at the end of the memo. The NHL is a longshot, maybe a pipe dream at best, but if there's any hope, the right pieces need to be in place.<br />
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<i>"We would like to take this opportunity to thank Larry Gottesdiener
(Northland Investments) and Howard Baldwin (Whaler Sports &
Entertainment) for all they have done to keep Hartford on the mind and
map of the NHL powers that be. It has been over 15 years since our
Whalers left Hartford, our
Club's efforts have always been to remind everyone of our place in NHL
history and to bring back the NHL to Hartford. We have done our level
best to keep the Whaler name alive and out there. Thanks to Larry
Gottesdiener and Howard
Baldwin putting their time and money into bringing back the NHL,
Hartford is still in the running as a viable NHL market. We personally
feel that the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut could have
done something to be supportive of this effort. It is not easy battling
the naysayers - especially when it is costing you money. Our Club will
be forever grateful to both Howard and Larry for keeping the dream
alive.<br /><br />As you may or may not be aware, Capital Region Development
Authority [CRDA] (100 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 500, Hartford, CT
06103-2819 | <a href="tel:860.527.0100" target="_blank" value="+18605270100">860.527.0100</a>) has accepted "requests for proposal" from
organizations to manage the Hartford XL Center.<br /><br />Our Club
membership has met and discussed at length the remaining organizations
in the running. </i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>As our mission is first and foremost the return of NHL
hockey to Connecticut, we have chosen to support
the group most likely to achieve this goal. We believe <span style="line-height: 115%;">Global
Spectrum (parent company is </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Comcast
Spectacor) is that organization. When the Civic
Center was originally opened, Frank E. Russo, Jr. was the Executive
Director - serving from 1975-1983. The Civic Center was a profitable
enterprise during that time. Frank is currently Global Spectrum's
Senior Vice President for Business Development and Client Relations. He
resides in Glastonbury. He would personally be a good fit back into
the Hartford arena. Global Spectrum operates over 100 venues world wide
including Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia; Mass Mutual Center
Springfield, MA; the Roanoke Performing Arts Center in Roanoke, VA; and,
the Mullins Center Ice Rink at UMASS Amherst. They are well known to
the NHL powers as the Wells Fargo Center is the home of the Philadelphia
Flyers.</b><br /><br />To that end, we are writing you to ask you if you agree that Global Spectrum would be the right choice, to email:<br /><br />Suzanne Hopgood,
Chairwoman of CRDA <a href="mailto:hopsuzcrda@gmail.com" target="_blank">hopsuzcrda@gmail.com</a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Michael Freimuth, Executive Director of CRDA <a href="mailto:mfreimuth@crdact.net" target="_blank">mfreimuth@crdact.net</a> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><br />to let them know you support Global Spectrum's RFP. In
light of the newly announced interest of Gov. Malloy for the NHL, you may copy <br /><br />Gov. Dannel Malloy at <a href="mailto:gov.malloy@ct.gov" target="_blank">gov.malloy@ct.gov</a><br /><br />I would appreciate receiving a copy of your letter of support as well. I know this has been quite a discourse, thank you for your patience and hopefully your supportive efforts in writing the CRDA. We believe your emails of support during the last selection process was instrumental in selecting the group we supported - I believe it can be again. Thank you."<span class="HOEnZb"><span style="color: #888888;"><br /><br /><br />Alan M. Victor<br />Hartford Whalers Booster Club</span></span></span></i>Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-1558414200435431212013-01-04T11:18:00.003-05:002013-01-04T11:18:54.722-05:00Hartford Pic Of The Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoufuBAhqwEdY-CrNbIAy0J_3RKCnjt1KXJqjFPdJFJU25Ni11qP6HAUBWKnVJUblCwv1cPRWeVfYQJzeMjYbjIl-IH1DxwZr5wD0RBmK02OPHqdSzA9SgAdErHXLNuMYdCyuH8WcsPg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoufuBAhqwEdY-CrNbIAy0J_3RKCnjt1KXJqjFPdJFJU25Ni11qP6HAUBWKnVJUblCwv1cPRWeVfYQJzeMjYbjIl-IH1DxwZr5wD0RBmK02OPHqdSzA9SgAdErHXLNuMYdCyuH8WcsPg/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Protect your valuables!</div>
Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-19278512068750005452013-01-03T08:28:00.000-05:002013-01-03T10:04:07.333-05:00What's The Story With 36 Lewis?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHlJBMg20-xQlYV43wqEK6i8wMqX2kiMFCtkBLW4Ou74w7g4vElAPyqxhmJh4YjrWvI9N_LHAbvmNvstLB3O8lbyWAe6G03iAY_OzJnszOujkFL2MF_r7Wgr2p0xVTE1Z0cQn5J6swA/s1600/.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHlJBMg20-xQlYV43wqEK6i8wMqX2kiMFCtkBLW4Ou74w7g4vElAPyqxhmJh4YjrWvI9N_LHAbvmNvstLB3O8lbyWAe6G03iAY_OzJnszOujkFL2MF_r7Wgr2p0xVTE1Z0cQn5J6swA/s400/.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
Everytime we mention Lewis St to the 40 and over crowd, the first thing that gets mentioned is 36 Lewis and its wild reputation.<br />
<br />
"That 36 Lewis was quite the place."<br />
<br />
"36 Lewis, you could get anything there!"<br />
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"There's a lot of ghosts of good times over at 36 Lewis."<br />
<br />
"You could always tell a person was a good time if they hung out at 36 Lewis."<br />
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We are too young to remember when this was a happening spot, but it sure sounds like there are some good stories an we'd love to here them. Do you have any tales to tell of this great spot? We'd love to put together a collection of stories from the heyday. Feel free to leave them here in comments or <a href="mailto:hakaanloob@gmail.com">send them in email.</a>Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-41012571824296511082012-12-19T19:25:00.000-05:002012-12-21T08:44:28.970-05:00Big Changes Ahead For Hartford Entertainment?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">This week the Capital Region Development Authority accepted three requests for proposals to manage both the XL Center and Rentschler Field. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The CRDA announced earlier this fall that companies can submit to manage or purchase the XL Center and Rentschler Field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two venues are the largest sporting complexes in the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hartford</st1:place></st1:city> metro area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three competitors for the venues have very big ideas for what direction <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hartford</st1:place></st1:city>'s should go in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a look at each and what they may have in store for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hartford</st1:place></st1:city>’s entertainment and sports district.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">AEG has managed the XL Center since 2007.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AEG owns the Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings and is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About two years ago AEG released a performance rating on two hundred of the arenas and venues that they manage, the XL Center was 70th on the list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In</span> the last few years AEG has attracted major performers to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hartford</st1:place></st1:city> like Bruce Springsteen, Roger Waters, Rhianna, Taylor Swift and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">George</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Strait, showing that they</st1:placename></st1:place> have the resources to bring in the top entertainers of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Chuck Steedman,</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Manager of Hartford said on “Face the State” with Dennis House, that AEG has the capital to pay top entertainment performers up front and that's what gets these acts in Hartford instead of skipping the XL in route to one of the casinos, <st1:state w:st="on">New York</st1:state> or <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">As for hockey in Hartford, Steedman said at a June UConn hockey press conference that he would attempt to capture a bid to host a Hockey East Championship in Hartford. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>UConn was accepted into Hockey East and will begin playing in the NCAA’s top division starting in the 2014-2015 season. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Capturing the Hockey East Tournament and moving it from <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city> to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hartford</st1:city></st1:place> is one tall order. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you listen you may hear <st1:placename w:st="on">Boston</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">College</st1:placetype> and <st1:placename w:st="on">Boston</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype> laughing at the idea of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hartford</st1:city></st1:place> hosting the big tournament, but if it Steedman could pull it off, it would be a huge boon for the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has been the downside to AEG?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In </span>2009-2010 they managed the marketing of the Whale and attendance fell to its lowest point in 37 seasons of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hartford</st1:place></st1:city> hockey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The average crowd was a little over 4,200 people per game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently AEG was put back in control of marketing the Connecticut Whale and while the season isn't half over yet the team is currently last in attendance. That isn't a good sign for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hartford</st1:city></st1:place> hockey. It was just two years ago under Whalers Sports and Entertainment that the team was twelfth in the AHL in attendance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>THE BUSHNELL</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The Bushnell </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">currently manages Rentschler Field</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> and has gotten involved in the bid to manage the XL Center ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> joining with</span> local businesses to form the Capital Region Sports and Entertainment Group LLC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This group contains former Hartford Whaler and New York Ranger Bob Crawford, who owns several skating rinks in the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also included is LAZ Parking, the largest owner of parking lots and garages in the city,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul Pendergrast, the former president of the St. Francis Hospital Foundation, and James Carter, owner of Carter Realty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crawford does business with the New York Rangers as the team uses his facility in Cromwell for practices and some preseason games which could be helpful if they city is interested in keeping the Rangers in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hartford</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bushnell also has increased the amount of events at Rentschler Field under their management.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>GLOBAL SPECTRUM</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Global Spectrum, out of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Pennsylvania,</st1:state></st1:place> is a subsidiary of Comcast Global, and they also own the Philadelphia Flyers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the front men is Frank Russo who managed the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hartford</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Civic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> from 1974-83, as the Executive Director responsible for the 16,500-seat coliseum and 95,000-square-feet of convention, tradeshow, and meeting space. Russo was known to schedule over 600 events per year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was back when the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Civic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> was a place that had retail, restaurants and expositions, and of course, NHL hockey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Comcast also holds 80% of the cable market in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Connecticut</st1:place></st1:state>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This could be a very interesting point if an NHL team ever wanted to relocate to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hartford</st1:place></st1:city>, which is still the 30th largest media market in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Howard Baldwin Sr. got his start with the Philadelphia Flyers and also worked with Frank Russo when <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hartford</st1:place></st1:city> had it's sporting and entertainment heyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">With bids due by December 17, the CRDA will begin the task of sorting out which company has the best in store for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hartford</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should know which company will control the buildings by mid to late January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Whoever wins the bid</span> may have to go to work quickly as the XL Center’s contract with the New York Rangers expires this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The concessionaire, Delaware North also has an expiring contract <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">It’s not really known who the state is favoring or has their attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay tuned to the CRDA website to see what is in the proposals from each bidder, and also to find out when a decision will be announced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-51031440678860289642012-12-19T00:10:00.002-05:002012-12-19T00:13:21.197-05:00Sad City's Guide To NES Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you are of a certain age, the Nintendo Entertainment System was the be all and end all of entertainment. With a complete and total hammerlock on the home gaming market, it is impossible to overstate how ubiquitous the NES was in the late 80's and early 90's.<br />
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An entire generation built their hand eye coordination mashing the rectangular controls and ride the emotional roller coaster of game glitches, cheat codes, throwing controllers, occasional horribly designed games, the repeating theme songs, a thrown controller or two, and blowing into the system and onto the cartridge in a desperate a tape to get a game to work. Many of us from the generation vividly remember getting our first NES console, conquering favorite games, and devastating defeats at the hands of that always cheating computer.<br />
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With more hours invested into the NES than all other gaming systems combined, we have come up with our list of our Top 25 NES games. Certain classics that make every great game list aren't hear simply because we barely played them. So don't yell at us, yell at our parents for not buying us EVERY game. With apologies to those games, we present the Sad City Guide To NES Games.<br />
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<b>25. MARBLE MADNESS</b></div>
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A popular arcade game before reaching the NES platform, Marble Madness was a unique NES game in which the player guided a marble through maps filled with undulations and pits. One of the best types of games; simple, with a high replay value.<br />
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<b>24. PAPERBOY</b></div>
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Another PC classic that made it's way to the NES, Paperboy made a mundane suburban activity into a fun video game. The premise was simple, get papers in the mailbox or on the porches of subscribers (denoted by house color) while dodging the dangers of a suburban neighborhood. Paperboy was fun, but we never seemed to get very far, we aren't even sure if it was beatable.<br />
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<b>23. ADVENTURE ISLAND</b></div>
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Nintendo really made their bones with the 2D platform scroller back in the NES days. Adventure Island was a younger, hipper, tropical version of Mario Bros. complete with skateboarding and milk drinking. Always wished more time had been spent on this one. </div>
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<b>22. IKARI WARRIORS</b></div>
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Now here is a game that some serious time could be spent on. With endless life, Ikari Warriors,went on, and on, and on, and on. A perfect two player game to waste hours with a friend, Ikari Warriors seemed to always freeze at the same spot on level four, which took about three hours to get to. Apparently, you could actually beat Ikari Warriors, and true to the era it was very difficult to beat and had a weak ending. Nothing like investing hundreds of hours for a great payoff.<br />
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<b>21. EXCITEBIKE</b></div>
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One of the first NES games, Excitebike was mind blowing for the time. Not only would it save top scores during that gaming session, you could actually build your own tracks. Of course it was all wiped out when you shut the machine off, but for the mid 1980's, it was quite a feat.<br />
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That damn temperature gauge would drive you crazy though.<br />
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A quarter century later Red Lynx would release Trials HD. Upon first trying it we exclaimed "this is like Excitebike on crack!" A week later an XBox 360 was purchased. At the apex, Hakaan was ranked in the top 500 Trials HD players in the world out of 1.4 million downloads.<br />
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<b>20. TOP GUN</b></div>
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One of the very few games Hakaan can remember his father playing, Top Gun was HARD. Even once you had mastered getting through the levels unscathed, you still had to land on the aircraft carrier which was always a feat. With only four levels, Hakaan could barely get to the third. His father could get to the fourth. Never seen anyone beat it. </div>
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What is more fun than refueling in mid-air and what is more 1980's than Top Gun?</div>
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<b>19. ICE HOCKEY</b></div>
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Fat guys, skinny guys, medium guys. The overrated Blades of Steel be damned, Ice Hockey was the bomb. You want to go with three fatties and one skinny.</div>
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<b>18. DUCK TALES</b></div>
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Another classic 2D side scroller, Duck Tales was just a flat fun game. You could pogo around with old Uncle Scrooge McDuck to that catchy theme song for hours. </div>
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<b>17. TIGER-HELI</b></div>
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Another one of those seemingly endless NES games, Tiger-Heli was notable because you could shoot anything on the screen which was a novel concept at the time. Kind of a precursor to Grand Theft Auto. How cool was it when you got those tiny little choppers flying at your side and shooting in all directions?</div>
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<b>16. CALIFORNIA GAMES</b></div>
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Another game brought over from PC, we first came across California Games on the Commodore 64. Years later we were still doing the six event competitions. Skateboarding, surfing, hacky-sack, the half-pipe, and bmx were all great. That dumb discus throw not so much. The theme music is still radical dude. </div>
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<b>15. RIVER CITY RANSOM</b></div>
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Nothing like strolling through town trying to find your kidnapped girlfriend, beating up bros, and crushing some waffles to refuel on the way. A very, very cool unique game and one we wished we spent a lot more time on. </div>
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<b>14. MEGA MAN 2</b></div>
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Yes, this is way too low, and yes this is the only Mega Man on our list. We just didn't play many of the other ones at all. Mega Man 2 is just awesome. Believe it or not, it seemed novel that you could fight the bosses in any order. It's an all-time classic series and we have to apologize for giving Mega Man short shrift back in the day. </div>
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<b>13. CONTRA</b></div>
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The most legendary of all cheat codes, no one can forget up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a, b, a, select, start. Everyone can beat the game with the code, very, very few without. </div>
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The heart at the end of the game was so weird. </div>
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<b>12. DOUBLE DRAGON</b></div>
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Another trip through a city beating up thugs to save a girl, an NES classic theme and a classic NES game. Double Dragon was pure pattern recognition, but it was hard. Could get to the last guy in the game but never defeat him. The poor girlfriend is still captive all these years later. </div>
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<b>11. TETRIS</b></div>
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What can we say about Tetris that hasn't been said? One of the most popular games ever. The NES version sped up to insane speeds when you reached Level 19, even with a clear screen it was impossible to advance to Level 20. Personal record is 197 lines.</div>
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<b>10. SUPER MARIO BROS.</b></div>
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Our introduction to the Italian plumbing brothers, Super Mario Brothers set the standard for platform games and was imitated for years. The most successful franchise in the history of video games, Mario Bros. has introduced a handful of iconic characters. Many 1980's kids could pick this game up and maneuver through the levels today. </div>
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<b>9. RC PRO AM</b></div>
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The best racing game on NES and possibly the most underrated game on NES. Still fun today. And still impossibly hard. We don't know anyone who has beat it. The rumor back in the day was that there were 32 levels. Oil slicks will get you every time once you get into the 20's.</div>
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<b>8. TECMO BOWL</b></div>
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The first great football game, Tecmo Bowl was just flat out awesome. Forget the fact that there are only four plays per team, at the time this game was out of the world and still plays today. The time capsule aspect of video game rosters lets us play with John Elway, Joe Montana, Phil Simms, Dan Marino, Bo Jackson, Walter Payton, and Lawrence Taylor in their primes. </div>
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While Tecmo Bo Jackson gets a lot of internet run as the best video game player ever, Tecmo Lawrence Taylor gets overlooked for his dominance on the defensive side of the ball.</div>
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<b>7. RBI BASEBALL</b></div>
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Yes, the players may be all fat white guys and the ball may be diamond shaped, but RBI Baseball reigns as one of the best games ever. Real players (Reggie Jackson is in this game!) pitcher fatigue, unexplained errors, Doc Gooden and Nolan Ryan throwing unholy gas, RBI has it all. Almost thirty years later you can find Youtube tributes and mods all over the internet with rosters from all eras of baseball imported into RBI Baseball. </div>
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Jumper and Hakaan are known to grab a six pack and have a seven game series to this day.</div>
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<b>6. SUPER MARIO BROS. 3</b></div>
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Today it is hard to describe how far ahead of its time Mario 3 was. Perhaps the most anticipated game in NES history, we distinctly remember staying up all night at a birthday party shortly after the release, playing Mario 3 all night and planning to sell the secrets in our new magazine "Nintendo Illustrated." The magazine never really got off the ground, but it wasn't for lack of playing Mario 3. The last of the great NES games.</div>
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<b>5. MIKE TYSON'S PUNCH-OUT</b></div>
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It's hard to find anyone who didn't play and love Tyson's Punch-Out. One of the ultimate pattern recognition games, Punch-Out gets criticized today for being culturally insensitive. </div>
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With a Russian chugging "pop," a Spanish fighter with a rose between his teeth, a German named Kaiser, a Japanese fighter named Honda, and an Indian with a turban, there is some truth to that, but it was a different era. Hell, there was a game called "Rush-N-Attack." That's about as subtle as putting out a game called "I Ran & I Rocked."</div>
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We could get one punch away but we could never beat the penultimate character, Super Macho Man. We don't know anyone who could beat Tyson. Anyone who could was a great schoolhouse myth. </div>
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<b>4. DRAGON WARRIOR</b></div>
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Higher than most would probably rank it, we love Dragon Warrior. An epic quest of upgrading swords and armor, rescuing princesses, slaying dragons, and travelling through towns, Dragon Warrior is an all-time classic RPG.</div>
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The sequels never measured up to the original.</div>
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<b>3. SUPER MARIO BROS. 2</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsa97YjM86fUUVqXw44hy2Qo-UOud_UfE-w3UBHjIVfTdekZHArnggtFhHeXtArSJEz1XUsOPdZV7LLpdxqWgBOdvOMcPEX1Lj3FXzvxS-IdRRvsbHaKpI74GuUcdrv7ZrCL41860VQ/s1600/various30_080312b-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsa97YjM86fUUVqXw44hy2Qo-UOud_UfE-w3UBHjIVfTdekZHArnggtFhHeXtArSJEz1XUsOPdZV7LLpdxqWgBOdvOMcPEX1Lj3FXzvxS-IdRRvsbHaKpI74GuUcdrv7ZrCL41860VQ/s200/various30_080312b-l.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Our favorite of the Mario Bros. series, Mario 2 was an epic leap in technology at the time. With the ability to select from one of four characters each level, side and vertical scrolling, Mario 2 was an instant classic. Still very playable today. Go with the Princess.</div>
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<b>2. BASEBALL STARS</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QuTeXgM2G61HZJv4mhA-VTwZ-pyPPJLysjTTNxZaAK4MAs_J28EQ0EpjuZP_6Xdo02tpHuTFqZieEVq2FVUenj0UhR-6wlAeqDkjwys-QmRGureE8PoOCEOuI6zeYEyLdqySAZrFvA/s1600/48947-baseball-stars-nes-screenshot-team-selects.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QuTeXgM2G61HZJv4mhA-VTwZ-pyPPJLysjTTNxZaAK4MAs_J28EQ0EpjuZP_6Xdo02tpHuTFqZieEVq2FVUenj0UhR-6wlAeqDkjwys-QmRGureE8PoOCEOuI6zeYEyLdqySAZrFvA/s1600/48947-baseball-stars-nes-screenshot-team-selects.gif" /></a></div>
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Baseball Stars was light years ahead of other sports games in terms of options. You could rename players, select the attributes to improve, create teams, play full seasons. There was nothing else like it at the time. The gameplay was incredible too. A skilled defensive player could time dives and even climb walls to rob home runs. It's quite possible multiple 100 game seasons were played back in the day. Still one of the greatest sports games ever. </div>
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<b>1. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPm2LwAvXpXNZH7QenHNS-DapRkoQn4lBwhLLBLMFzJCJkGcdv2m3P4rzMfSI0bCPPtGTkWl-r6KdYXMh47pxEmYPQgHIFUSc_Z4j4lMdZ8OfQBAeqF3AMXiF0XZG1kcQM5ImhcvS9g/s1600/the-legend-of-zelda-nes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPm2LwAvXpXNZH7QenHNS-DapRkoQn4lBwhLLBLMFzJCJkGcdv2m3P4rzMfSI0bCPPtGTkWl-r6KdYXMh47pxEmYPQgHIFUSc_Z4j4lMdZ8OfQBAeqF3AMXiF0XZG1kcQM5ImhcvS9g/s400/the-legend-of-zelda-nes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As you can see by now we never played much Metroid or Castlevania or Ninja Gaiden. While they may have all cracked the Top 25, they certainly would not have taken the top spot from Zelda. </div>
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With the ability to "go anywhere" on the map, play the levels in any order, and unlock an incredible amount of secrets, Zelda was a one of a kind, genius game. Almost thirty years later they are still churning out sequels to this iconic franchise. They are still hard pressed to match the fun of the first.</div>
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We must have beaten it, 10, 15 times? One time in college Hakaan made an all day attempt to beat Zelda without dying (and not on some computer or fancy modded machine, a real genuine NES.) It took hours and all went well until meeting the final boss Gannon and forgetting the hit pattern to defeat him. Oh well. Man was college fun. </div>
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Did you know the creator of Zelda also created Super Mario? That's like having John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the same band, it just isn't fair.</div>
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Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-54631883148175386162012-12-17T21:16:00.004-05:002012-12-17T21:57:32.584-05:00Local Business: Freed McKeen LLC<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEg4AgeMY03Xv9fqMyWgdwQJJ3f15kx1vnV7s2Pc0lTJg_e1i30E5EZrkzvkcdweS3NerNRLhF6ovLb1TN68om8SGlFdU2qsLXYKXoh9lSeVtFAtzrZdy4sIW51aV9q_kc31N6wCaPw/s1600/freed-mckeen-winter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEg4AgeMY03Xv9fqMyWgdwQJJ3f15kx1vnV7s2Pc0lTJg_e1i30E5EZrkzvkcdweS3NerNRLhF6ovLb1TN68om8SGlFdU2qsLXYKXoh9lSeVtFAtzrZdy4sIW51aV9q_kc31N6wCaPw/s320/freed-mckeen-winter1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was only a matter of time before Sad City landed us in a lawyers' office. While spending time with lawyers isn't as scintillating as portrayed on television, we gladly accepted the invite from <a href="http://aconnecticutlawblog.com/">Ryan McKeen</a> to visit his practice recently opened with partner <a href="http://bellyuptothebarexam.com/">Meghan Freed</a>.<br />
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Beyond a cursory curiosity as to what lawyers were like and what they actually do all day, we were intrigued by the idea of checking out the space. Located street level in <a href="http://www.freedmckeen.com/">The Linden at 491 Main Street, Freed McKeen</a> isn't the office building, industrial carpeted, fluorescent lit spot one would expect from a law firm. Instead it gives off the cozy feel of a Pier One catalog.<br />
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While the firm has a contemporary cool look, the building is quite old, and the space, if not historical, is at the very least infamous, and certainly quite entertaining. In a bizarre life cycle, the law office has been a restaurant, and a high end nightclub complete with a throne and beds before Ryan and Meghan brought a slightly more sane and dignified business to the space. A brief and sordid history from Mr. McKeen;<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"The restaurant was Spencer's. Spencer's had a great run. It's the
kind of place that any Hartfordite over 50 spent time at. Political
folk, business people and such. Spencers closes in the early to mid 90s.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The place gets bought and briefly becomes Corny T's. <a href="http://www.uconnhooplegends.com/menslegends/ThompsonCorny.html">Corney T was a UConn basketball player</a>. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Athlete owns bar - bar closes. (Ed. Note: Shock of shocks!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The
place then falls into the hands of Don King. Don King does nothing with
the property except pay taxes and fees. Don King owns it for years.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Don then sells to Sean Eddy. Sean opens the Emperor at the Linden. The Emperor is both a high end restaurant <b>complete with thrones and a
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It turns out Hartford can't support the prices on
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Litigation ensues for years. The bar at the Emperor
was once owned by Al Capone. The Emperor doesn't pay its bills and their
lawyer sends marshals out to execute on the bar. It's now in his home.
Evidently there are news stories about the bar coming to Hartford.</i></span></div>
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<i>The Emperor closes. The place sits empty. We buy what was the chef's private dining room and make it our office."</i></div>
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Meghan and Ryan have done a great job remodeling the place and it is really remarkable. Both are undoubtedly talented attorneys and we wish them the best of luck in their endeavors No doubt Sad City will be retaining their services on our way to world domination! (Wait!! Does that form a contract?!?!?!)<br />
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Here is a tour of <a href="http://www.freedmckeen.com/">Freed McKeen</a></div>
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Here are some photos from The Emperor, which was, clearly, quite the party spot. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvvjiP5lMSBCYNdgnByRtdmCV88dq2to5a6jFMqXs_IaEHwKc7KUVVk7xAbpUlAgnS4LH77T4f6y2BKSmi0klTOqTro9zNc1C_yKcMuu6cRI_0Ic7b8O_WTr3HgbJMkqDD94HM48Gtw/s1600/la.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvvjiP5lMSBCYNdgnByRtdmCV88dq2to5a6jFMqXs_IaEHwKc7KUVVk7xAbpUlAgnS4LH77T4f6y2BKSmi0klTOqTro9zNc1C_yKcMuu6cRI_0Ic7b8O_WTr3HgbJMkqDD94HM48Gtw/s400/la.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3lx0h98rOfkXZcRBid52URegqBhF7GJ28Ot-62w_OPswvfdwbcX7lLwYFuuY19XDmD6xB_bYn_E4BpItoFArqgOlRznY0LabBlFP9qDXL7hcPK6EarNhndrKYVJ3ISqizGwr5oeEmQ/s1600/lb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3lx0h98rOfkXZcRBid52URegqBhF7GJ28Ot-62w_OPswvfdwbcX7lLwYFuuY19XDmD6xB_bYn_E4BpItoFArqgOlRznY0LabBlFP9qDXL7hcPK6EarNhndrKYVJ3ISqizGwr5oeEmQ/s400/lb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJOv8tTB0qgxdxNk8q67TnPd6Zi71Ve4N-fhpmoxt4UgOy3b3vWN1IzHfeCH6yoZteg_j3NQ1ydVATT023fkAA4Lh_RIjYouIhbZgPp4biBTTT56CGSgXmw4_sfqYWBJXyuLrXHaHCg/s1600/lc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJOv8tTB0qgxdxNk8q67TnPd6Zi71Ve4N-fhpmoxt4UgOy3b3vWN1IzHfeCH6yoZteg_j3NQ1ydVATT023fkAA4Lh_RIjYouIhbZgPp4biBTTT56CGSgXmw4_sfqYWBJXyuLrXHaHCg/s400/lc.jpg" width="327" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the chef's private dining room that is now the meeting room at Freed McKeen.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKJncn0ordrAdRR4yMSYdBBwkTIK-rrMgGHpztPgDQ2RqdHmVL5wnBnlWDF0w08ADlqJZ_VqipvN5CjNNyyE0ey1rr83OCewkopiIPb6s9QXoVhoPQ1J_06yjYMEn81mqv8yhsoMsgw/s1600/l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKJncn0ordrAdRR4yMSYdBBwkTIK-rrMgGHpztPgDQ2RqdHmVL5wnBnlWDF0w08ADlqJZ_VqipvN5CjNNyyE0ey1rr83OCewkopiIPb6s9QXoVhoPQ1J_06yjYMEn81mqv8yhsoMsgw/s400/l.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.499999046325684px;">Who doesn't want to be in a room full of beds in Hartford?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQpL3NkguGHyI4XJ4nlXKkbx6jjQswFMOVJmA4e2-CF99IZTj3i7w56nkcbQBqJtljcJtXDIYjdclCLzuGUnlQDco3jSS59Fzk0SZ2at5oRxcJ-wfouChKvSwyN1DHkbKBBwkLJ-xZA/s1600/le.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQpL3NkguGHyI4XJ4nlXKkbx6jjQswFMOVJmA4e2-CF99IZTj3i7w56nkcbQBqJtljcJtXDIYjdclCLzuGUnlQDco3jSS59Fzk0SZ2at5oRxcJ-wfouChKvSwyN1DHkbKBBwkLJ-xZA/s320/le.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Emperor was regarded as the classiest club in Hartford.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaEh0Pn7mTZo56k8MAAAx_NoQ0YwoPYobEoYARCOh3g_l6jWKDUp1IJBim_aoEC8_t6bRlNZfZUbxOqS52zhaUYXs0Xlu6bDP6Uowe0_E2c0NKx9dObeyyzPPOB3a4PaXQMsEC6R_ZA/s1600/lf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaEh0Pn7mTZo56k8MAAAx_NoQ0YwoPYobEoYARCOh3g_l6jWKDUp1IJBim_aoEC8_t6bRlNZfZUbxOqS52zhaUYXs0Xlu6bDP6Uowe0_E2c0NKx9dObeyyzPPOB3a4PaXQMsEC6R_ZA/s320/lf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And years later an embarrassing pic will randomly resurface on the magical place known as the internet. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://us.myspace.com/emperorct/photos">More photos from The Emperor!</a></div>
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Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-88599158649642119312012-12-13T21:21:00.002-05:002012-12-13T21:21:44.471-05:00Hartford Pic Of The Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YoiOjM84bAodpOgCJWd1G1-tUBJbUN4pwGpVCT4gLY42qCXMCuq-9c7Azmn_L8EVrs9YIve2Rt6I1zON3v72cIxA-0wk5BCl5nqjtlrIClg-RO7MagniiutszbwTUSdShxG5VS0BKA/s1600/photo(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YoiOjM84bAodpOgCJWd1G1-tUBJbUN4pwGpVCT4gLY42qCXMCuq-9c7Azmn_L8EVrs9YIve2Rt6I1zON3v72cIxA-0wk5BCl5nqjtlrIClg-RO7MagniiutszbwTUSdShxG5VS0BKA/s400/photo(1).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Finally we learn that fried chicken is that ever elusive fourth meal. What is your favorite spot for fried chicken and jo-jo's?Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-57846231517641780862012-12-11T20:53:00.001-05:002012-12-12T07:36:23.969-05:00Sad City's Guide To Christmas Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5yTNL_J7f5z43KTWHxjGuRuKVyujxRzc4AA-QwabgaRXjdwDzSAd_1EngMzyhWaQ0bj5famTTbTv5ZX29gfO9y2jxvLJUhhOdu2EG4f3y_4tnjkjCRH_vXTHKivh6tfSl5Sfd19RzA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5yTNL_J7f5z43KTWHxjGuRuKVyujxRzc4AA-QwabgaRXjdwDzSAd_1EngMzyhWaQ0bj5famTTbTv5ZX29gfO9y2jxvLJUhhOdu2EG4f3y_4tnjkjCRH_vXTHKivh6tfSl5Sfd19RzA/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We are within two weeks of Christmas which is followed by the most miserable time of the year, commonly referred to as January and February. With only a few shopping days (we aren't sure how shopping days are calculated, nor do we care) left before Christmas, there's always Amazon.com but some insist on personally venturing into the commercial sector. That's cool, that's what we are here for.<br />
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We aren't going to get all super boring and tell you to get some gift cards to a local restaurant, you aren't amoeba, you already know that. Nor are we going to lecture you on buying only "local only, organic only, no animals, no Republicans, no sugar, all natural" you aren't schoolchildren. What we do have is some fine Hartford area selections. Think of anything we missed? Leave it in the comments.<br />
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Without further ado, we bring you the Sad City Christmas Guide, <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/search/label/Guide">the latest installment in the Sad City Guide series</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiN6_v9ObWnRfa5XA-5MbexFix09IHNNyvLwifsaJcnGUeom8X9CFHHDawhFnnjC0keaFKAr_IfpE_QPbFjj4lmble1B8oQJCWixHjGJo1wB_OjC8imtFv24vNMrAGI-0IRfonvOjfQ/s1600/13837_329710045590_659540590_9682597_3095340_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiN6_v9ObWnRfa5XA-5MbexFix09IHNNyvLwifsaJcnGUeom8X9CFHHDawhFnnjC0keaFKAr_IfpE_QPbFjj4lmble1B8oQJCWixHjGJo1wB_OjC8imtFv24vNMrAGI-0IRfonvOjfQ/s200/13837_329710045590_659540590_9682597_3095340_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.hookerbeer.com/store/">HOOKER BEER</a></div>
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One (of the many) bad thing about summer ending is no more Hooker Watermelon. Hooker offsets the loss of the Watermelon Ale with their stellar Nor'Easter brew, which everyone should sample. The Hooker store offers a variety of Hooker items, many with amusing one-liners playing off the Hooker name.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYRgby8KWVOsLubzvnvHdvyS-8r_PrnhRJAKqt878UaHMZPkD81AytIfNa4bREMCvIIppeMeHx7XUL0T57Zar3tawz7wO_6efw2S7iau154wL_DNUd41oe9ltSiEODKME6viWOwL00Q/s1600/IMG_20101117_151938.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYRgby8KWVOsLubzvnvHdvyS-8r_PrnhRJAKqt878UaHMZPkD81AytIfNa4bREMCvIIppeMeHx7XUL0T57Zar3tawz7wO_6efw2S7iau154wL_DNUd41oe9ltSiEODKME6viWOwL00Q/s1600/IMG_20101117_151938.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.hartforddenimcompany.com/">THE HARTFORD DENIM CO.</a></div>
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It's not a journey, it's an experience and the <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/2010/11/hartford-business-hartford-denim.html">Hartford Denim Co. makes the coolest</a> and most durable jeans you are going to find. Stop by the store, select a pair and they are guaranteed for life. The boys recently inked a deal with Timberland, so look for them to get bigger and better. Get in now before Brad Pitt is hocking their jeans on tv!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGhKwUryOkOQ_mdbhvdYeBR69vQha1o60LjKrptezmvNfN54I6ApvYON_UzpMBl_xQFbtpxAkjkErwGVxjiHih_0TiXr9W6pa3wzghBdSBdAbjVbZxAo59C9QZx4sKjQounwxI-OUCg/s1600/JF1_6509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGhKwUryOkOQ_mdbhvdYeBR69vQha1o60LjKrptezmvNfN54I6ApvYON_UzpMBl_xQFbtpxAkjkErwGVxjiHih_0TiXr9W6pa3wzghBdSBdAbjVbZxAo59C9QZx4sKjQounwxI-OUCg/s320/JF1_6509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://jrenecoffee.com/">J. RENE COFFEE</a></div>
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J. Rene not only brews up a serious cup of jo, they sell their top notch coffee by the pound and sell a wide variety of fancy coffee makers. Some of the coffee makers can only be described as "coffee bongs." We have no idea how they work and we are pretty sure we'd knock them over and break them in our apartment, but they are guaranteed to impress your coffee snob friends. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTDI8ox_-8Ecpm-I_ZeBhGm1EgkGPojqWt1GXLnuvzsddATrMi9EecRwc5by88skgs95zC7HEl2pEb6eGp7Vf5UXoFog0pCKM2BN9IahgVFxDzdWGJACa4NSvcSTLnKQWRTgDAmojRA/s1600/20762_227295121831_506046831_2983882_7676151_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTDI8ox_-8Ecpm-I_ZeBhGm1EgkGPojqWt1GXLnuvzsddATrMi9EecRwc5by88skgs95zC7HEl2pEb6eGp7Vf5UXoFog0pCKM2BN9IahgVFxDzdWGJACa4NSvcSTLnKQWRTgDAmojRA/s320/20762_227295121831_506046831_2983882_7676151_n.jpeg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.callswithoutwalls.com/PledgeCart_ver2/PledgeCart/?projectID=158">CHION WOLF VOICEMAIL MESSAGE</a></div>
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Ok, it might not be listed on the link, but we heard for $120 donation to Connecticut Public Radio you can get your voicemail message recorded by <a href="http://www.chionwolf.com/">Chion Wolf</a> of <a href="http://www.cpbn.org/program/colin-mcenroe-show">The Colin McEnroe Show</a>. That's pretty sweet. Seriously who would you rather have on your voicemail? James Earl Jones? Morgan Freeman? Axl Rose circa 1987? Maybe, but ya ain't getting them. Bonus good cheer for a good cause. </div>
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RETRO JERSEYS AT THE SALVATION ARMY</div>
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Let's see. Retro? Check. Affordable? Check. Charity? Check. Ironic? Check. Folks, this is what's known as a win-win-win-win. Bring the memories of summers past on Christmas with a jersey shirt from your heros of yesteryear. R.A. Dickey models likely available soon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsuMfjTm_QxXROCzbQbFfB9IKgv-8m8goE-NUfNvxPx7yrhCO4mGeaqWXH-NYvUp8-A3n57NPFXUKZ5bE1NNcnfuA6MR1mVgDcHzV5EPwrOK4pryXqAeDg4_mFIEin8z28_Wjk6obGQ/s1600/ct_hartford_gold_club.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsuMfjTm_QxXROCzbQbFfB9IKgv-8m8goE-NUfNvxPx7yrhCO4mGeaqWXH-NYvUp8-A3n57NPFXUKZ5bE1NNcnfuA6MR1mVgDcHzV5EPwrOK4pryXqAeDg4_mFIEin8z28_Wjk6obGQ/s320/ct_hartford_gold_club.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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GOLD CLUB CASH</div>
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The Gold Club is a popular Hartford adult entertainment destination. In this picture we see from the patron outside that even <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=962&bih=646&tbm=isch&tbnid=pjs2WeFI4K2QhM:&imgrefurl=http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jawa&docid=3ZCnVQSphKv7xM&imgurl=http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100111172703/starwars/images/7/74/Jawas.jpg&w=588&h=752&ei=c-LHUM_EFomW0QGCxYDIAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=4&vpy=136&dur=1620&hovh=254&hovw=198&tx=57&ty=98&sig=116804054755416104356&page=1&tbnh=146&tbnw=105&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:126">jawas</a> like to frequent the establishment. Finish your shopping list by getting some Gold Club cash for the nightlife loving individual on your list. Local business? Yup. Helping artists? Yup, dancing counts. Support education? Of course, you know they are all working their way through grad school.<br />
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Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-63175862530701717832012-12-07T05:45:00.000-05:002012-12-07T07:09:09.210-05:00The Undeground Park River Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJ_DFX4aYJg1ch9U5vh2nd4DbfNY-eKQKXH3dvG6E5fjTGN79b4dFSfOG8s0hiweSiZkR1cx7S12Hn_835fC9uUlylZ0Z1vuiiwgrNfX9hSpYoDNFmOOY5ga4k-ZEnXyHKsNxrQtKM8nE/s1600/bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJ_DFX4aYJg1ch9U5vh2nd4DbfNY-eKQKXH3dvG6E5fjTGN79b4dFSfOG8s0hiweSiZkR1cx7S12Hn_835fC9uUlylZ0Z1vuiiwgrNfX9hSpYoDNFmOOY5ga4k-ZEnXyHKsNxrQtKM8nE/s400/bike.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Originally posted May 29, 2012. After many misfires, Hakaan and Jumper finally got to get through the Park River thanks to the Hog River Revival dudes. Relive our journey on this post and check out the awesome work by the guys at the Hartford Art Walk tonight 6-8 at the Hartford Public Library on Main St. <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/search/label/park%20river">Check out more of Sad City and the Park River here.</a>)<br />
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We've long since had a dream of riding underneath the city in the mysterious Park River. Yes, we know that as far as dreams go, it's kind underwhelming. But a childhood built upon repeated viewings of The Goonies and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles created a fascination with the subterranean. The mystery that the cement caverns held seemed liked the most amazing adventure promised. Well, thanks to the Hog River Revival guys, our dream was made a reality. And we brought our video camera along!<br />
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The video is available after the jump.<br />
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So after several <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/2010/08/adventures-in-urban-kayaking-park-river.html" target="_blank">failed attempts</a> and <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/2010/08/urban-kayaking-update-poop-park.html" target="_blank">missions</a> to explore the underground conduit, we now have a check mark on our bucket list. <br />
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The Hog River Revival guys have a couple of days left on their <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2144454971/the-hog-river-revival" target="_blank">Kickstarter.</a> Anyone interested in going on their own tour of the tunnels should definitely check it out. <br />
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Also, for additional perspective, here's Hakaan <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2144454971/the-hog-river-revival/posts/233209" target="_blank">giving his take on the adventure with our old friend Craig the Porn Star on WCCC</a>.<br />
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<br />Jumper McKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00841003792575367125noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-72407093593632021802012-12-04T21:39:00.000-05:002012-12-04T21:58:59.495-05:00Adventures in Urban Kayaking: The Park River<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>(Sad City has a <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/search/label/park%20river">long and storied history with the Park River</a>. This post is from the first time we attempted to conquer Hartford's hidden river, originally posted back on August 4, 2010 (before Sad City became the soulless corporate behemoth it was destined to become). </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>We are looking back on this Park River post to celebrate Art Walk opening this Friday December 7 at from 6-8 at the Hartford Public Library. The Art Walk will be featuring incredible images from our good friend Senator Joe McCarthy, who has spent countless hours on the Park River documenting and photographing the tunnels beneath our fine city. It's really some fine work. Be sure to stop by and check it out. Rumors has it that there may even be a photo of Jumper and Hakaan in the gallery. </i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone knows about the <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/2010/07/seven-visible-from-highway-wonders-of.html">Connecticut River</a>. It’s the largest river in the state and serves as the City of Hartford’s eastern border. People are not as familiar with Connecticut’s other river, the Park (née Hog) River. Last weekend, the Sad City Hartford team went urban kayaking down Hartford’s forgotten river. Let’s just say it was a learning experience.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.parkriver.org/History2.html">Park River</a> originally divided Hartford into northern and southern sections and was a major part of Bushnell Park but the river was nearly completely enclosed and buried by flood control projects in the 1940s. The Park River used to be called the “Hog River” because it was where the city would dispose of its sewage and industrial waste.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too often the activity of kayaking is limited to the confines of rural Connecticut. To counteract this grave injustice, the Sad City Hartford team traveled down the Park River to discover what sort of water sport (not the gross kind) the City of Hartford had to offer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We dropped our kayaks off on the backside of the University of Hartford campus. Big mistake! The water is pretty shallow and we spent most of our time getting stuck on rocks and having to carry our kayaks passed fallen trees. It took us roughly 90 minutes to travel across the UHa campus. And while the travelling sucked, the scenery was pretty.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once we got passed the initial slow goings, things picked up slightly. We were able to travel several hundred yards at a clip before having to pull out of the water and walk our kayaks passed naturally formed water dams constructed of trees, branches and garbage. There are few feelings worse than crashing into a pool of swirling river garbage. (That happened a lot.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you ever decide to kayak down the Park River, and we strongly DON’T recommend it, wear long pants. Jumper set out on the journey dressed for the excursion like a frat boy at spring break, circa 1997. It was hysterical listening to him whine as his bare legs brushed against prickers and poison ivy. Also, be prepared to get wet. The water is gross and it won’t kill you, but there are parts of the trek that require you to wade through the river.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Park River winds by some very diverse tracts of property. From the mansions of Scarborough Street to the housing projects of Woodland Drive, we were struck by how close those areas physically are from each other. There is something very surreal about being surrounded by trees and forest while you ride down a river and then suddenly hearing a police siren whiz by, but that is part of the joy of urban kayaking. You never know what you will encounter. We saw a deer scamper through the woods near Mark Twain Drive. At one point, we think we saw junkies “up to no good” near Homestead Avenue. The diversity of scenery was one of the few upsides of the trip.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our journey ended right before the entrance that leads to the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/31/nyregion/paddling-hartford-s-scenic-sewer-abused-underground-river-up-close-noxious.html">legendary tunnel</a> under Hartford. When we initially set out on the trip, we intended to paddle the entire Hartford stretch of the river, including the tunnel, but we wussed out in the end. It had taken us much longer than anticipated to get down the above-ground-portion of the river (roughly 4 ½ hours) than we expected. Plus, Jumper was whining like a little girl. We fully intend to make the trek down the covered portion of the river in the next few weeks. And when we do, we’ll be sure to report back.</span>Jumper McKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00841003792575367125noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-14949063434009001912012-11-29T08:06:00.001-05:002012-11-29T08:06:55.706-05:00Barber Brings Bling to Hartford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A lot of time our friends will tell us "you have to try this fancy new barber in (Downtown/West Hartford)." Our reply is always the same, thanks but we're all set in that department. For about four years <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/2010/11/hartford-business-mcs-barbershop.html">MC's Barbershop on Franklin Ave has been the official barber of Sad City</a>.<br />
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Over the last year, MC has been telling us about being entering haircutting competitions and by the look of things, MC has been bringing some impressive hardware back to Hartford. With first place finishes in regional competitions, MC recently entered a large international competition in New York and finished in second place. The competition was also filmed as part of an upcoming documentary on barber competitions which we look forward to seeing MC in. We will keep you posted on details about the film as it gets close to release.<br />
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For now you'll just have to be content to take a ride out to 617 Franklin Ave to check out the trophies and get the best haircut in town.<br />
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<br />Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-12726986886159217342012-11-27T07:47:00.000-05:002012-11-27T08:48:17.554-05:00Sad City Hartford Guide to Walmart<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHYdY26ydbvkwhBT1ZmFnCLpYggeSs_ZCzqEgRx4fc00uslp9q2cIXCkeMWEOVkZRw4gy3YhkCgeYIUzssXHqVU9ScA27zAcWfdo3uxKV7iIWvEbYslVEw2mmDExTj6NpyCe1Rhkq9zWM/s1600/walmart02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTHYdY26ydbvkwhBT1ZmFnCLpYggeSs_ZCzqEgRx4fc00uslp9q2cIXCkeMWEOVkZRw4gy3YhkCgeYIUzssXHqVU9ScA27zAcWfdo3uxKV7iIWvEbYslVEw2mmDExTj6NpyCe1Rhkq9zWM/s320/walmart02.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess where this photo was taken.</td></tr>
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<i>(Originally published November 13, 2011)</i><br />
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People often make a big deal about the fact that big box stores homogenize our society and make everything the same. To a certain extent, it's true. They often bring a certain level of standardization to things. But as easily as you can identify the connecting threads like logos and signage that exist from store to store, there are often very telling divides that exist when you examine a single retailer with stores in several communities. Anyone who has ever flipped through <a href="http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/photos/random-photos" target="_blank">pics on Wal-Creatures</a> or wandered into a Walmart in Mississippi knows what I am talking about.<br />
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Although they are only 11 miles apart, the Hartford and Avon Walmarts might as well be run by different companies. The inconsistencies between the two stores can create a fascinating, consumerized lens that spotlights the differences between the two communities as a whole. Community wealth, ethnography, cultural preferences and societal issues all come to life when you juxtapose the two stores. To help you better make sweeping judgements and gross oversimplifications of the complex socio-economic forces at play in our great state, we've created a handy guide to help you understand the difference between the Avon and Hartford Walmarts. We're sure you could probably do the same thing if you looked at the respective school systems of the two communities, but that level of access is much harder to come by and the contrasts are far more bleak. <br />
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So without further ado, the <i>Sad City Hartford Guide to Understanding Class Disparities Between Hartford and Avon by Examining Their Respective Walmarts.</i><br />
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<b>The Parking Lot</b><br />
Obviously the cars in that fill the parking lot of the Avon parking lot are different from the cars in Hartford. Beyond simple automobile value, the vibe is different. In Avon, Girl Scouts and their mothers sell cookies at folding tables with linens. Carriages are orderly stowed in the carriage return. Gardening supplies sit unsecured on the sidewalk. The loudest sound you will hear is a toddler throwing some sort of tantrum. In Hartford, a rent-a-cop cruises around the parking lot in a dented security car with flashing yellow lights. Bass from car steros vibrates in the background. Guys perform oil changes and other small car repairs in the far end of the lot. Dozens of carriages litter the lots and provide random obstacles as you try to park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyr1jKhn5Ipv9FiSIArddplkS3HWXHTM16qncFBia9kEw-AhpcTA46NUL6JukrO0uraI2OyYLRYp1cqhGH7rMAa9_FtRGXX7My_A76irzRGf8eUjIl2wOR0B6KSVTZ5FGCwtvmhkPZBLa/s1600/walmart07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyr1jKhn5Ipv9FiSIArddplkS3HWXHTM16qncFBia9kEw-AhpcTA46NUL6JukrO0uraI2OyYLRYp1cqhGH7rMAa9_FtRGXX7My_A76irzRGf8eUjIl2wOR0B6KSVTZ5FGCwtvmhkPZBLa/s400/walmart07.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hartford always has grape soda at the front of the store. That's messed up, right?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>The Greeters</b><br />
In Avon, the greeter is typically some good natured retired gentleman who took the job because he wants to remain active. In Hartford, the greeters don't so much as greet as they audit the receipt of each exiting, non-white customer. Seriously, watch what happens in that exit line. It's pretty messed up. Also messed up is the way the Hartford Walmart always seems to have large displays of grape and orange soda right as you walk into the store. I know that this touches on a <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2011/11/obama_fried_chicken_incident_explaining_racist_food_stereotypes.html" target="_blank">very sensitive topic</a>, but you would never see that same display set up at the Walmart in Avon. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeLHb2BTbd0At4T9j6-w4vaRPVxLasfc19RRGFV6FT4UVkFwaUmNW9E1NQyYHl_b3wopDlr0N2bMwtqbbBTY2pEVMs3-DPqOYRyvCfh3egm4GXuWwcYeAjzJsGjQMOkqpaxf5xnK7eGc6/s1600/walmart08.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeLHb2BTbd0At4T9j6-w4vaRPVxLasfc19RRGFV6FT4UVkFwaUmNW9E1NQyYHl_b3wopDlr0N2bMwtqbbBTY2pEVMs3-DPqOYRyvCfh3egm4GXuWwcYeAjzJsGjQMOkqpaxf5xnK7eGc6/s400/walmart08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps the source of Hartford's mattress problem</td></tr>
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<b>The Shelves</b><br />
The shelves in the Avon Walmart are orderly, well stocked symbols of abundant supply and efficient management. The shelves in Hartford feel like they were organized by meth heads with ADD. The order is random. Half the shelves are inexplicably bare when others are piled sky high. Random boxes are everywhere.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hartford Walmart apparently sells crumpled up boxes. Awesome.</td></tr>
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<b>The Crowds</b><br />
Why the heck does it always seem like the Hartford Walmart always seems to have random children under the age of ten wandering the store after 9 p.m. on a school night? You know that kind of crap doesn't go do in Avon.<br />
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<b>Specialty Products</b><br />
Avon Walmart carries an abundant supply of t-shirts that features wolves, eagles and large-mouthed bass. Hartford Walmart has more than 62 varieties of Jesus and Mary candles. Nothing else needs to be said.<br />
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<b>Check Out Lines</b><br />
Other than the lack of order, the complete understaffing and the fact that a fist fight can go down at any minute the Hartford Walmart's check out line is very similar to the Avon Walmart's checkout line.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avon checkout lines in all of their glory.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experience the joys of the line at the Hartford Walmart.</td></tr>
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Jumper McKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00841003792575367125noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-76061959055880991162012-11-16T08:24:00.000-05:002012-11-16T08:25:37.491-05:00This Weekend: Hartford Harvest Farmer's Market<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXEEXPyzFDIhCEiDRXG7WMikZspxbCuaRTTlovC3qEf5i2-DrewLzjXpjhuFHAgTNAN-vlYy9rOHcqP1qItSpLHmR3qx9bSkckCl1aM9eYyXZWD-KBq89cXlZDZcQYYiSLyJ0Duqikg/s1600/Food2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXEEXPyzFDIhCEiDRXG7WMikZspxbCuaRTTlovC3qEf5i2-DrewLzjXpjhuFHAgTNAN-vlYy9rOHcqP1qItSpLHmR3qx9bSkckCl1aM9eYyXZWD-KBq89cXlZDZcQYYiSLyJ0Duqikg/s400/Food2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How about them tomatoes?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: small;">Saturday November 17th 10am-1pm inside the Knox Parks Greenhouse at 75 Laurel St. </span></strong></div>
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<em>Wouldn't you love to be able to do most of your Thanksgiving shopping at one place, all while supporting CT farmers and vendors? Well, Hartford's Farmers' Markets have been working hard to make that wish come true by organizing the 2nd Annual Hartford Harvest Farmers' Market! </em><br />
<em>Come to this fun and festive market where you'll find potatoes, apples, pumpkins, carrots, greens, eggs, a variety of cheeses, coffee, pies, cupcakes, gelato, beans, rice, and great craft items! A true "one stop shop" for your Thanksgiving dinner! </em><br />
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<em>There will be live music and kids activities, so this will definitely be a kid friendly market! And don't worry, this market will be indoors at the lovely Knox Parks Greenhouse! </em><br />
<em>The market will accept SNAP/foodstamp benefits!"</em>Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-91901194886581250582012-11-08T22:35:00.000-05:002012-11-08T22:44:27.050-05:00What To Do? Music at J.Rene Coffee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0CcaNKqPhPr_ONLrvjPKyPCkwOWqMKs4sOeTtQFXPA736uctTiHolkaFT68Fu-AMhMH3ekUuzTDxgRwF5bH0iMD30XQkGl06fzxbCxOP4-QaXH08dDvOEQwghM0jM3Xc7Ln4Wc7YSA/s1600/IMG_1857.TIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0CcaNKqPhPr_ONLrvjPKyPCkwOWqMKs4sOeTtQFXPA736uctTiHolkaFT68Fu-AMhMH3ekUuzTDxgRwF5bH0iMD30XQkGl06fzxbCxOP4-QaXH08dDvOEQwghM0jM3Xc7Ln4Wc7YSA/s640/IMG_1857.TIF" width="430" /></a></div>
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Sad City has been drinking <a href="http://jrenecoffee.com/">J.Rene Coffee</a> exclusively for a couple years now and well, if you're serious about coffee, this is where you should be drinking it too. While J.Rene has been roasting up the best coffee in the area for awhile, Jose Rene Martinez, the esteemed owner and roasting maestro, has taken a quantum leap forward and has opened hands down the best coffee shop in the area.<br />
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Don't believe us? Fair enough, we aren't coffee experts, but we know it's good. <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/2010/12/hartford-business-jrene-coffee-roasters.html">If you like coffee, check out J.Rene's for yourself</a>.<br />
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Located at 320 Park Rd in West Hartford, J.Rene's offers superb coffee in a great atmosphere. One of the popular attractions at J.Rene's is live music on Friday nights. Tonight the shop is featuring <a href="http://www.infinitango.com/INFINITANGO...Connecticuts_leading_tango_band/Home.html">InfiniTango</a>, a band that alone has an interesting enough look and name to make us want to check them out. Eagle-eyed Sad City readers will also note the bands promo shots were taken in Hartford City Hall.<br />
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So what is InfiniTango? According to the <a href="http://www.infinitango.com/INFINITANGO...Connecticuts_leading_tango_band/Home.html">band's website</a>;<br />
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<i>"InfiniTango's performances combine the essence of Argentine and
International Tango and other Latin styles - the pulse, the sorrow and
its emotional intensity together with the musicians’ personal
expressions. This dynamic ensemble has created a bright and unique
repertoire equally suited for the dance hall, the concert stage or your
special event. While evoking an unforgettable Latin sentiment with
classics from “Golden Age”, they also create new, innovative works with a
timeless sense of beauty. InfiniTango plays the music with a deep
understanding of tradition as well as an obsessive desire to evolve the
art form to new levels." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>Sounds pretty exciting to us. So there you have it, you're Friday night is booked. InfiniTango at <a href="http://sadcityhartford.blogspot.com/2010/12/hartford-business-jrene-coffee-roasters.html">J.Rene Coffee Roasters</a>. Let's face it, that won't even be the whole night, after a set of InfiniTango and a couple J.Rene coffees you're going to be feeling like Steve Tyler circa 1977 and be ready to paint the town red all night.<br />
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<br />Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-89118556740782735482012-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-31T08:25:16.972-04:00CANDY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkgbLcx3VnjzLNxdw3Vymqye9nA5_SEaaRHeX0AX3AD3f8cPQVcgCeaCNzHkOuPMtRhlyNFyQEICtOcNnJS-TQ-TgmdVoLV-zIo06DJMtOnwIPocAqL41vwowGscCbb7JkOiaDgl3Z5I/s1600/Halloween-2004-Jack-o-Lantern-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkgbLcx3VnjzLNxdw3Vymqye9nA5_SEaaRHeX0AX3AD3f8cPQVcgCeaCNzHkOuPMtRhlyNFyQEICtOcNnJS-TQ-TgmdVoLV-zIo06DJMtOnwIPocAqL41vwowGscCbb7JkOiaDgl3Z5I/s200/Halloween-2004-Jack-o-Lantern-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Everyone loves candy. It's one of the highlights of life as a child and long after most other guilty pleasures have reached the stage of inappropriate, candy remains an acceptable vice.Who doesn't love popping open one of those movie size boxes of<a href="http://www.sugarstand.com/wt/wt007920058778-wonka-rainbow-nerds-theatre-candy-box.htm"> Rainbow Nerds </a>and pouring as many as possible into your mouth?<br />
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On Halloween there is nothing more satisfying than a great trick-or-treat stop. That said, there is little more frustrating than a bad trick-or-treat stop. With a nod to out most macabre holiday, Sad City looks at Halloween candies.<br />
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Nothing beats the full size candy bar on Halloween. It hardly even matters what kind of candy is being given out. Immediately trick-or-treaters will have a great fondness for the full-size candy giver. Usually these good-natured souls are the friendly older couple whose kids are grown. They have just guaranteed that their house won't be getting egged.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWzJhpY9cl3hEEV0Osy6cExex8hWUm3gpTMn15ReIQfAnquivjkvCtRAMwC2VMuN5FGiDxaK__jvvk33uCTyyjGwmxy5lVXXLkaqfvB8rqCSMYmm2m2l8IS3DZ0LpARS8nEk2NKvBpOM/s1600/2747-C1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWzJhpY9cl3hEEV0Osy6cExex8hWUm3gpTMn15ReIQfAnquivjkvCtRAMwC2VMuN5FGiDxaK__jvvk33uCTyyjGwmxy5lVXXLkaqfvB8rqCSMYmm2m2l8IS3DZ0LpARS8nEk2NKvBpOM/s200/2747-C1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The unguarded bowl is Halloweens version of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Oft accompanied by a sign stating "Happy Halloween! Take two please," even the tamest of trick-or-treaters will take 3 or 4. The more daring will take the majority or just clear the bowl out.<br />
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It's always a real disappointment being beaten to the bounty and coming across an already cleared out bowl. If we ever moved to the suburbs, a good night of entertainment could be had by setting up the unguarded bowl with a webcam on the porch. Usually put out by single people or the introverted older couple that doesn't want to deal with the kids.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfyz8Luzx-YLOQFs0frEocVqzTes_jY50UX6FgRbNyKNMnU3kVKy5GB8lWhBp4PQSKdBcqI087JoJK8mLTUyNj_D-dN6cxRk8H_YBWMQFn2yvdhCHI6BXLsR6bsN44_BQv8Ujd7P5p4g/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfyz8Luzx-YLOQFs0frEocVqzTes_jY50UX6FgRbNyKNMnU3kVKy5GB8lWhBp4PQSKdBcqI087JoJK8mLTUyNj_D-dN6cxRk8H_YBWMQFn2yvdhCHI6BXLsR6bsN44_BQv8Ujd7P5p4g/s200/images-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Why are Halloween SweeTarts smaller than the<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://a6.vox.com/6a00c225280b7a8fdb00e3989c68c60002-500pi&imgrefurl=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php%3Ftopic_id%3D27142927&usg=__tAANcSRrr3ehvLby9m-q0xB4nks=&h=188&w=250&sz=11&hl=en&start=0&sig2=_89S9ART4VvCrApDaydgGQ&zoom=1&tbnid=5qtAtTZbc8HihM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=165&ei=28nMTLb2HoSq8AaKp-yYAQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsweettarts%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1176%26bih%3D562%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=492&vpy=265&dur=749&hovh=150&hovw=200&tx=69&ty=76&oei=28nMTLb2HoSq8AaKp-yYAQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0"> regular SweeTarts</a>? They just don't seem to be as good. It doesn't make any sense. We won't even dignify chewy SweeTarts. <br />
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The ultimate F.U. on Halloween. No trick-or-treater is pleased to get the dreaded red box of Sunmaid Raisins on Halloween. Almost always dispensed by a female upwards of 50, raisins are well intended but completely miss the mark for Halloween. Listen lady, if we wanted raisins they are right in the cupboard at home. <br />
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The standard fare. The vast majority of houses will supply this. There has to be at least a dozen candies that only are produced from sales on these Halloween mid-size candies. Is anyone purchasing Dots, Mr. Goodbar, Mounds, Rolo, or Skor at any other time of the year?<br />
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We're huge fans of those rare vanilla flavored Tootsie Rolls.<br />
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Possibly the most under represented candy on Halloween is the Sour Patch Kids. Just look at those suckers. They are practically glowing. They don't look fit for human consumption. Yet they are great. Wash them down with some <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://hotelminishop.com/mountain_dew.jpg&imgrefurl=http://hotelminishop.com/USBeverages1.html&usg=__UmvOPSWMKDcfibup0mYII3D6mNk=&h=280&w=280&sz=10&hl=en&start=0&sig2=pTpMNjnXtlOIk2WdW1ED0g&zoom=1&tbnid=-eycaJlLS5y2UM:&tbnh=125&tbnw=119&ei=1NnMTOOyEoO78gbXyeyXAQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmountain%2Bdew%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1176%26bih%3D562%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=635&vpy=94&dur=346&hovh=224&hovw=224&tx=130&ty=95&oei=1NnMTOOyEoO78gbXyeyXAQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0">Mountain Dew</a> and now we can eat AND drink things that don't look fit for human consumption! <br />
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Yo, nice try lady! Those are still raisins!<br />
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<b> Happy Halloween!</b><br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vFwYJYl5GUQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param>
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vFwYJYl5GUQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-67981968735100771552012-09-27T16:41:00.001-04:002012-09-27T21:52:25.155-04:00Hartford Stage Pass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hartford Stage is offering <b>Stage Pass, a $38 season ticket,</b> for young adult theater goers<b>ages 18-27</b>. Purchasers will receive unlimited admissions to all Mainstage productions at Hartford Stage for the 2012-2013 season. Stage Pass is available <b>through Sept. 29</b> and can be purchased by calling the Hartford Stage Box Office at <a href="tel:860-527-5151" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" value="+18605275151">860-527-5151</a>, or in person by visiting the Hartford Stage Box Office. Purchase requires a valid State ID. <u></u><u></u></div>
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The 2012-2013 season includes: <i>A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder</i>, world premiere musical, October 11-November11; the 15<sup>th</sup> Anniversary production of <i>A Christmas Carol</i>, November 23-December 29; <i>Breath and Imagination – The Story of Roland Hayes</i>, world premiere with classical and gospel music, January 11-February 3; <i>Man in a Case</i>, featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov, February 21-March 24; Beth Henley’s <i>Abundance</i>, April 4-28; Shakespeare’s <i>Twelfth Night</i>, May 18-June 16.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Visit <a href="http://www.hartfordstage.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.hartfordstage.org</a> for more information and to learn more about the shows for the 2012-2013 season. </div>
Hakaan Loobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08719519612262502384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654104652793036364.post-20101583245415207512012-09-26T07:31:00.000-04:002012-09-26T09:01:18.888-04:00Sad City Classic: Where Are They Now? Local Celebrities From the 1980s<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>(Originally posted by Jumper September 13, 2010)</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being self-centered children of the 1980’s, we decided to take a Sad City Hartford trip down memory lane and look at some of Connecticut’s local celebrities, then and now.</span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(EDITOR’S NOTE: Somehow this list ended up being really WFSB biased. It’s probably because that’s just what our parents made us watch as kids. Send us suggestions and info on local celebrities you would like to see covered in the future.)</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gayle King</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back in the day, Gayle King used to be on WFSB. She was a news anchor. Even back in the 1980s, the thing that Gayle King was best known for was being Oprah’s best friend. For the past 25 years, she’s basically been the Chewbacca to Oprah’s fat Han Solo. She also spends a lot of time </span><a href="http://www.hollyscoop.com/oprah/gayle-king-oprah-and-i-are-not-gay_22099.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">deflecting rumors</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These days, Gayle King is so big that it’s hard to imagine her ever being subjected to the gulag that is local television news. But we dug up an old WFSB promo that features her “being a part of the team” by helping Gerry Brooks and his awesome pornstar mustache hang a banner at the </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsLYuXHC2TE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WFSB pizza shop</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sebastian</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we were 9-years-old, before we knew that he was really just a blatant Howard Stern rip-off, Sebastian was the man. We would wake up every morning before school, tune into 106.9 WCCC and catch the very start of his show at 5:55. It always started with a recording of The Dominos’ 60 Minute Man. He played funny pre-recorded bits. He talked about chicks and other stuff our parents did not approve. He was WAY cooler than Gary Craig. And even though they sometimes had an interesting comic strip in the Sunday Courant, Picozzi and the Horn couldn’t compare. Sebastian was pretty much pure radio awesome. Then we discovered Howard Stern on Channel 9. And from that point on, Sebastian seemed like a sad imitation desperately clinging to a morning show mimic act in the 50th largest radio market.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sebastian left WCCC in 1994 and headed to WZMX 93.7, which was in the process of making a format change from easy listening to 70’s classics. WZMX soon ditched Sebastian and, somewhere along the line, switched to a hip-hop format. After Howard Stern went to Sirius, WCCC needed something to replace his syndicated show. They found Sebastian in the obscure nether regions of Internet </span><a href="http://secure2.sebastiansports.com/moneypic.cfm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sports gambling advice web sites</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (seriously) and put him back on the air. The show lasted a few years before dying a death-by-contract-dispute. Today, as far as we know, Sebastian sits in his basement, grooms his dogs and tries to convince people to pay him </span><a href="https://secure2.sebastiansports.com/sebastian4.cfm?mpID=1114&PriceType=Seasonal&Price=4299"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">$4,300 for gambling advice</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. He also has a really bad dye job. The kind that gives his hair a creepy reddish hue seen only in imitation fox fur coats and narcissistic white men over the age of 50.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jim Vicevich</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we were a kid, Jim Vicevich was a business reporter. We even vaguely remember him having the noble distinction of working at all three major Connecticut television stations. (WTNH, WVIT and WFSB. WTIC didn’t count back then. They just aired Mama’s Family and Hunter reruns back then.)</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, Jim Vicevich is a batsh*t crazy radio talk show host on WTIC 1080. He serves as the programming equivalent of a fluffer, for the conservative gang bang that is the Rush Limbaugh Show. He also hangs out with those </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjxbZuC-otM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wacky Teabaggers</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. His transformation from slick business reporter to a really poor man's Glenn Beck is pretty remarkable.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TX Critter used to host the cartoon Kidstime [sic] on WTXX Channel 20. And while he was a puppet, we really liked him. He is hard to describe visually, but he kind of looked like a yellow version of ALF. His voiced changed a lot of the years as different interns got hired and fired over the years. We always tried to convince our mom to let us go down to the sutdio and be on the show, but she never seemed all that into schlepping a couple of sugar high youngsters down to Waterbury to hang out with a stuffed animal that had a grown man’s hand up its ass. Looking back, she probably made the right decision.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For this story, we tried to dig up some images and video of TX Critter to further juice the nostalgia, but it seems like someone has gone to great lengths to erase him from the Internet. A couple of years ago, when MySpace was new and cool, we joined a group called “TX Critter, Where Are You?!” It had a great collection of pictures and video clips. When we went back there to dig them up, all we found was a </span><a href="http://groups.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=groups.groupprofile&groupID=100106015"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">bunch of broken links</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Do any sleuth Sad City Hartford readers know what’s up with that?</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Al Terzi</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing up, Al Terzi was the white haired news anchor on WTNH who did the “before dinner” news. Today, Al Terzi is the white haired news anchor on WFSB who does the "before dinner" news. He looks exactly the same. How is that possible? Well, it’s quite simple really. The Al Terzi that you have been watching do the news for the past 30+ years is not really “Al Terzi." He’s a human cyborg created by the government after the real Al Terzi was killed in plane crash in 1978. The cyborg newscaster program was discontinued soon after Reagan was elected. The funds were diverted to Star Wars Missile Defense program.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that whole <a href="http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20127587,00.html">Janet Peckinpaugh/sexual harassment thing</a>? That was just his CPU chip malfunctioning during a routine hug and kiss. He inadvertently tried to use tongue.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhzYcd03CQcdmf6UL-gElMVJdm-dYsh-jPBpUoXfGYeT5dRopUKXT8XIct8c2OQea_U8ptZsFrEaxbzLt9O_aU38CcfCy0Ik_66zCK13flkMCQi6TGVKe2Ez00DAcMkzMBcJ705sYxCCR/s1600/ch3-hilton-kaderli.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhzYcd03CQcdmf6UL-gElMVJdm-dYsh-jPBpUoXfGYeT5dRopUKXT8XIct8c2OQea_U8ptZsFrEaxbzLt9O_aU38CcfCy0Ik_66zCK13flkMCQi6TGVKe2Ez00DAcMkzMBcJ705sYxCCR/s320/ch3-hilton-kaderli.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hilton Kaderli</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were really lucky to have a weatherman like Hilton Kaderli. We were not a big market, but somehow WFSB was able to keep him around for a long time. Weather guys are usually really freaking annoying, but Hilton Kaderli was somehow tolerable to watch. He was the perfect mix of folksy and charming. Plus, he knew his weather stuff. He knew the difference between a Nor'easter and a Gullywumper.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hilton retired in 1998. Today, he is probably staring at a wall somewhere in Oklahoma, waiting to make more Gutter Helmet commercials. Oh well. At least we can always look back on that time that he almost got blown off Mt. Washington.</span></span></div>
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Jumper McKayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00841003792575367125noreply@blogger.com74