A round-up of openings, closings, and other news about West Hartford businesses.

By Ronni Newton

Happy Monday!

I’m not inspired to talk about the weather today, so I’ll get right to the Buzz, which is jam-packed this week and includes some bird news and two YouTube video links!

Screenshot of red-tailed hawk in nest on site of future Delamar West Hartford Hotel. From YouTube video by soltice1.

If you have tips about businesses opening or closing, or doing something worth sharing, please provide that information in the comments or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

Here’s this week’s Buzz:

• The Delamar West Hartford Hotel already has a guest – and a maternity ward! In early April, a red-tailed hawk began building a nest in large pine tree located right next to the Raymond Road sidewalk on the land where the hotel is going to be built. Director of Community Service Mark McGovern said he was notified of the nest-building by a Delamar contractor as well as a resident on the same day. “We learned that red-tailed hawks, as predatory birds, are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918,” McGovern said. Although they are not endangered, they are protected, McGovern said, and “if the nest is deemed to be active, they are not to be disturbed.” It took a few weeks of observing, but it has been confirmed that the female red-tailed hawk is incubating, and that particular tree will not be posted for removal until the incubation period (28 days) has been completed and the chicks have fledged (45 days). “It’s not going to delay the start of the project, but it will necessitate extra protection for the tree,” McGovern said. Delamar has received its permits for site mobilization, which includes setting up a trailer and bringing power to the are, and work should begin shortly. McGovern said that Delamar has been fully cooperative and is doing the right thing to protect the hawk and build goodwill in the commumity. Delamar told McGovern, “We’re in the hospitality business. We have someone staying here, and we’re going to take care of her.” Several YouTube videos of the hawk building its nest and incubating are available on soltice1’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyCEzBCqPLo

• Stride on over to the West Hartford showmobile in West Hartford Center on Thursday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. for a fashion.show presented by Fleet Feet Sports. The event was postponed due to last Thursday’s weather (remember the sleet?), and will highlight and bring to life the “fit fashions” for the season as seen in the latest issue of West Hartford Magazine. Stephanie Blozy and Michelle Kurnik from Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford Center are the fashion stylists, and will show off some options that will help you look good while inspiring more successful workouts. Studies show that you can get much more out of your exercise routine when your attitude, and fashions, start out on a positive note!

Ribbon-cutting at the ITG Diet Center. Photo courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce

• The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting on April 16 at the ITG Diet Center on Park Road. Chamber Chairperson Cindy Cicchetti and John Paindiris from the Park Road Association helped cut the ribbon with Pam Brown the owner of ITG Diet Center. There were approximately 15 Chamber members in attendance. ITG Diet Center opened their doors in January at 74 Park Rd. At the core of the ITG Program is good nutrition and there is a full array of nutritional dietary items  available in their store and on-line, according to a news release from the West Hartford Chamber.
  

  Lisa Schwartz will be honored as one of eight outstanding women. Submitted photo

• West Hartford resident Lisa Schwartz is one of eight women to be honored by the Hartford Business Journal at its 13th Annual Women in Business awards luncheon on Thursday, May 14, at the Connecticut Convention Center. Schwartz is vice president, Integrity Merchant Solutions. Other honorees include: Carolyn Bligh, principal, Bligh Graphics, LLC; Susan Herbst, president, University of Connecticut; Mary Ellen Jones, vice president of sales, Pratt & Whitney; Kristen Roberts, vice president of public relations & community investment, Comcast; Catherine Smith, commissioner, State of Connecticut Economic and Community Development; Nivea Torres, superintendent of schools, CT Technical High School System; and Carol Wallace, chairman, president & CEO, Cooper-Atkins Corporation. During this year’s luncheon, Hartford Symphony Orchestra will introduce Fanfare for the Hartford Woman. This first of its kind competition, sponsored by the Orchestra, challenged aspiring composers to create special compositions to honor the Hartford Woman, according to a news release.
• West Hartford resident Burke Doar, who is also a member of the West Hartford Town Council, was featured last week in a Hartford Business Journal “Executive Profile.” Doar, a senior vice president at Farmington-based Trumpf, Inc., spoke about his mentors – including his late father, the prominent civil rights attorney John Doar.

• If you’re craving tapas for Sunday brunch, Barcelona can now fill that need. The West Hartford restaurant has added a new Sunday brunch option, including tapas, sangria, and a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, according to CT Now. The brunch menu is available on Sundays from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Bouvier Insurance was mentioned in last week’s Business Buzz for the generosity of owner Rob Bouvier in donating the majority of the funds needed to purchase a wheelchair accessible van for an Enfield man. We’re giving them another shout out this week for this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACiRZvzKg30. Bouvier’s employees, and Rob Bouvier himself (who stars in the video), are obviously quite happy in their jobs, as evidenced by their dancing and lip-synching to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.” The video was made last year in honor of the company’s 55th anniversary, but we discovered it when it resurfaced this past week on Facebook for the company’s annual meeting.

Remember, if you have any business news to share, remember to add it in the comments section below or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

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