West Hartford Business Buzz: October 5, 2015

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

By Ronni Newton

Well that was certainly a rude awakening – a sudden shift from summer-like warmth and humidity to a November-like chill in just a few short days.

You all probably know by now that I am a warm weather person and that I love summer and absolutely hate being cold. However, I am also incredibly stubborn and on general principle I refused to turn on the heat in the house on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Yes, it was in the 50s in our bedroom. Yes, it was barely 60 in some other rooms. Yes, I was shivering and wearing a down vest inthe house. My husband and 17-year-old son were complaining, searching for fuzzy blankets, and wanted the heat on. I turned on the gas fireplace in the family room and tested out the heated seats in the new car, but the switch to the furnace is still in the off position.

I can’t really say why I insisted on the self-imposed torture. Maybe I need to remember that I am tough enough to run the Hartford Half-Marathon this Saturday so I am trying to prove that I am also tough enough to withstand a not-very-comfortable home.

I even took a poll on Facebook on Saturday morning. Heat or no heat? There were 86 comments, and I tabulated the responses. (Some people commented more than once, or changed their mind after they first commented, so that’s why the votes don’t match the number of comments.) There were 44 of my friends who turned the heat on either Friday or Saturday – including two in North Carolina. There were 39 hold-outs.

I’m not sure how to count Dana Gordon who didn’t turn the heat on but said he took a steamy shower that resulted in the smoke detector going off that resulted in a visit from the fire department that resulted in his family turning the heat on. (I think we all agree that was a good choice.) One friend held out in the face of a threat to call child services. Lots of hold-outs cuddled with their pets. Some plan to stay heat-free until Nov. 1. “Bundle up, Buttercup,” said another.

I digress. This is Business Buzz, not a weather column. But I for one am glad that the temperatures are going to moderate this week.

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:

Karen Elizabeth Salon & Academy is offering free haircuts and styling to anyone with breast cancer or who brings a friend with breast cancer during the month of October, and also offering pink strands for $10. Karen Roche (at right) with Gabriella (left) and Francesca Giordano who are both sporting pink strands in honor of their great aunt, “E” Elaine Deasy, who is battling breast cancer for the second time. Photo courtesy of Karen Roche

Props to Karen Roche of Karen Elizabeth Salon and Academy. The West Hartford business at 635 New Park Ave. is observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout the month of October and has posted the following on their Facebook page: “Bring a friend that has or had breast cancer for a complimentary haircut and blowdry all through October. Feeling like pink-receive a pink strand from the artists for $10. Together we can make a difference! ‪#‎FIGHTLIKEAGIRL‬.” Melissa Braidich did the “pinking” of the Giordano girls shown in the photo! Their companion business, The Playground (also located at 635 New Park), is also observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a promotion – “Bosom Buddy Workouts” – to honor survivors. “Bring a friend that had or has breast cancer to work out for FREE. Together we can beat cancer! ‪#‎FIGHTLIKEAGIRL‬,” states the Playground’s Facebook page.

There’s no major restaurant news this week, but we did get an email from Arugula, located at 953 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford Center advising us that now that summer is over they are once again open for dinner on Sundays. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. through closing and they accept reservations. For more information, call 860-561-4888 or visit www.arugula-bistro.com.
ICYMI, and this one is also food-related, several West Hartford chefs will be participating in Taste of the Nation Hartford, which benefits Share Our Strength in support of the “No Kid Hungry” campaign. For details about the organization’s upcoming fundraiser on Oct. 29, click here.

There was a rumor that Lululemon was staying at its West Hartford Center location through the holidays, but that’s not the case. Lululemon will depart for Westfarms Mall (upper level, near Nordstrom) later in October.

West Hartford Magazine (which just published its 5th anniversary “Terrific Teens” issue and publishes four full-color magazines a year) requires a subscription to ensure delivery. However, each paid subscription also includes a donation to two pivotal West Hartford organizations. A $10 share of each $35 subscription will be donated to West Hartford Community Television as well as your choice of one of the town’s neighborhood assosciations: Bishops Corner, Elmwood, Park Road, West Hartford Center/Blue Back Square, or the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. For details, call 860-508-4032 or watch for the postcard in the mail to sign up.

Dr. Paul Scalise. Submitted photo

Congratulations to West Hartford resident Paul Scalise, M.D., F.C.C.P., who has been named executive vice president and chief medical officer of the Hospital for Special Care (HSC), in New Britain. According to a news release, Dr. Scalise, who joined HSC in 1993 and is board-certified in critical care and pulmonology, will lead all clinincal strategy and care delivery. “I am honored to have Dr. Scalise as my partner in leadership here at HSC,” HSC President & CEO Lynn Ricci, FACHE, said in the release. “Paul is a tremendous asset to our team as well as the community. His diverse complex care experience and clinical skills are unmatched in our industry.”

Congratulations also go to West Hartford resident Jason Giulietti, who has just been named vice president of Business Recruitment for Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc, (CERC). According to a news release, Giulietti will be working to helping “CERC support the state’s business development and recruitment initiatives by cultivating and managing relationships with strategic partners and prospective business clients, both national and international, interested in doing business in Connecticut.” Giulietti previously worked for the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, the UConn Foundation and CBIA, and has a master’s degree in public administration and an undergraduate degree in political science from UConn.
Julie Alfin. Submitted photo

Lots of great people news in this week’s Business Buzz! This week the Mandell JCC announced that resident Julie Alfin, who grew up in West Hartford and graduated from Hall High School has been named corporate relations and business development director. “We are excited to have Julie on board during such a pivotal time at the Mandell JCC.” stated David Jacobs, executive director of the Mandell JCC, in a news release. “We’re coming to a close on our Centennial year, and with it, we’re looking towards the future and the growth of our agency, as well as new opportunities to connect with the community. Julie will be instrumental in creating those opportunities, and fostering growth,” said Jacobs.