What’s New on HartfordInfo.org

October 2008

What’s New on HartfordInfo.org is a periodic update announcing recent additions to HartfordInfo.org. Please feel free to forward this message to others. To be added to the distribution list send an email message through our feedback page.

HartfordInfo.org, a program of the Hartford Public Library, is a gateway to information and data on issues important to those who live and work in Hartford and the region.

Translation Work Moves Forward:

A great deal of progress has been made in recent months in Spanish translation of HartfordInfo.org. This work has been made possible thanks to the generosity of the Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA) with support from the AT&T Foundation. To access HartfordInfo.org in Spanish, go to www.hartfordinfo.org and click on the Espanol link in the upper right corner. Thank you, SAMA! (Visit SAMA’s web site at http://www.samact.org/).

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New Community Programs on HartfordInfo.org:

To view any of these recent programs, go to www.hartfordinfo.org and click on the View Community Programs box on the right side of the page:

Shall There Be A Constitutional Convention? (October 22, 2008)
Civil Liberties and the Presidential Election (October 16, 2008)
State Senators and Representatives Candidate Forum (October 15, 2008)
Hartford Registrars of Voters Primary Candidates Forum (August 7, 2008)
Hartford State Senator and Representatives Primary Candidates Forum (July 30, 2008)
Charter Reform 101 (July 24, 2008)

New Reports on HartfordInfo.org:

The State of Connecticut Public Education: A 2008 Report Card for Connecticut Public Schools - Connecticut has the largest achievement gap in the country. But there has been progress and there are encouraging signs in the largest cities. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “report card 2008” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
2008 Charter Reform Public Hearing Summary Report - In April, 2008, the Hartford City Council voted to hold a series of public hearings to gauge public sentiment about whether the Council should empanel a charter reform commission. This report summarizes these meetings. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “charter reform” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
From Trauma to Tragedy: Connecticut Girls in Adult Prison – An analysis of services to girls incarcerated at the York Correctional Institution. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “adult prison” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Missing Out: Suspending Students from Connecticut Schools - This report examines out-of-school suspension policy and practice. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “missing out” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Connecticut Counts 2008: Point-in-Time Homeless Count Final Report - On January 30, 2008 communities across Connecticut conducted a count of homeless individuals and families. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “counts 2008” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
American Community Survey 2007 Data Profiles - 2007 Data Profiles provide data on demographic, social, economic, and housing topics for the city of Hartford. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “acs 2007” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Redevelopment Plan For The Downtown North Project - This Redevelopment Plan proposes to revitalize a section of Hartford’s Downtown through a series of proposed public and private investments. The Downtown North Project consists of 81 properties in an area generally located to the north of downtown Hartford along the northern side of I-84. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “downtown north" in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
EITC Interactive - Explore tax return data from 1997-2005 - This interactive web page from the Brookings Institution allows the user to create reports that show the number of households that received Earned Income Tax Credits by zip code, or city/place, or county, or state, or Metropolitan Statistical Area, or congressional district through time. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “interactive” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Reversal of Fortune: A New Look at Concentrated Poverty in the 2000s - An analysis of the changing geographic distribution of low-income workers and their families, measured by receipt of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit in 1999 and 2005, nationwide and in 58 major metropolitan areas across the country. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “reversal” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Impact of Undocumented Populations on 2010 - This report compares the allocation of House seats in 2010 using two scenarios building from the most defensible 2010 population projections for each state. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “impact 2010” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Boosting Metrohartford’s Economic Performance In The New Millennium - This report proposes a series of specific policy recommendations that would help lay the foundations for MetroHartford’s emergence as a truly effective regional, national, and global competitor. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “boosting” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Draft Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan - This document presents a program that will make the region more bikeable and walkable. The goal is to create a plan that will lead to significant shifts in the numbers of people who walk and bike for regular transportation. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “bicycle” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Homeward Bound: Recent Immigration Enforcement and the Decline in the Illegal Alien Population - Monthly data collected by the Census Bureau through May 2008 shows a significant decline in the number of less-educated, young Hispanic immigrants in the country. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “homeward” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

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New Articles on HartfordInfo.org:

Through agreements with the Hartford Courant, the Hartford Business Journal, the Hartford News, the Hartford Advocate, and the Northend Agent's, HartfordInfo.org continues to offer selected articles as permanent additions to the web site. Some recent additions include:

Good News in Hartford:

Eyesore Transformed Into Fine Arts Gem - A long-vacant eyesore on Albany Avenue has been renovated into a fine arts jewel, thanks to the largest fundraising project ever by the University of Hartford. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “eyesore” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Future Citizen Prizes Her Vote - Susan Campbell writes about Alisa Dzananovic, who recently passed her citizenship test. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “alisa” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Coltsville Historic District Gains U.S. Designation - The Coltsville Historic District in Hartford, has reached the end of its years-long quest to be included among the country's National Historic Landmarks. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “coltsville gains” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Dutch Point Condo Project to Draw Homeowners to City - The construction of 58 townhouse condominiums underway at the former Dutch Point housing project on Wyllys Street promises to boost Hartford’s homeownership rate. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “dutch condo” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Owner Plans To Demolish Main Street Building - The end could be near for downtown Hartford's “Butt Ugly Building,” one of the city's most visible eyesores. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “demolish” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

Downtown Development:

Costly Hartford Development Plans Falter - Thanks to the flagging credit market, money for new, big building projects is nearly impossible to get. For now, at least, the downtown building boom is done. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “building boom” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Bringing A Beautiful Bridge To Light - Thousands of drivers cross the Connecticut River on I-84 to Hartford every day, unaware that the magnificent but unseen structure beneath them holds a coveted spot on the National Register of Historic Places and turns 100 this month. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “bridge” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
The Intern Strategy: Courted In Hartford - The most recent strategy for injecting young people into downtown Hartford is to roll out the red carpet for corporate interns and hope they stay. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “intern” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Where’s ESPN? - Officials of the sports media giant say they continue to review their options at Front Street, the housing, retail, and entertainment district of Adriaen’s Landing. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “espn” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

Education and Youth:

First Phase Of Reforms Launched In Hartford Schools - The Hartford school system has begun the first phase of a reform plan designed to transform the way children in the state's poorest city are educated. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “hartford reforms” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Local Education Fund To Track Progress Of Hartford Schools - As Hartford's school system settles into a major transformation this year, a new nonprofit entity created to oversee the changes is also getting under way. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “local education fund” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Riding the Back of the Miracle - Covenant Preparatory School, a private, rigorous middle school for high-performing yet at-risk Hartford students, opened in September. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “miracle” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
A College President Takes A Gamble - When thousands of students converged on the campus at Eastern Connecticut State University for the beginning of another year, college President Elsa Nuñez welcomed nine very special new students to campus. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “college gamble” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Rappers' Program Sends Anti-Gang Message - Two rappers from Boston took the stage recently at the Learning Corridor in Hartford. But unlike mainstream hip-hop, they didn't glamorize the thug lifestyle, they warned against it. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “rappers” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

Public Safety:

Violence Won't End Until Media Stops Promoting It - Rabbi Stephen Fuchs comments on violent crimes that occur in Hartford and the nation. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “fuchs” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Effects Of Hartford's Curfew Debated - Opinions vary on the effectiveness of the curfew for teens in Hartford. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “curfew debated” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Mounted Patrols Back In Hartford – The Hartford Police Department has brought back mounted patrols. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “mounted” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Telling the Cops Isn’t An Easy Call - Helen Ubiñas comments on the street code against calling the cops. Her example demonstrates how this pathological phenomenon of silence paralyzes Hartford. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “telling cops” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Our Violent Culture vs. Our American Exceptionalism - Ken Krayeske comments on the violence in Hartford which continues to frighten suburbanites, and worse, this rash of violence paralyzes political leadership on all levels. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “violent culture” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

Notable Transitions:

An Activist Librarian – Hartford Public Library Chief Librarian Louise Blalock will retire at the end of the year. She made the library a cultural and intellectual center of the community. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “activist” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Ken Kahn Stepping Down From Arts Leadership Position - Ken Kahn is stepping down as executive director of the Greater Hartford Arts Council. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “kahn” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

Hartford History:

A Tribute To Suffragist Isabella Beecher Hooker - Isabella Beecher Hooker of Hartford, along with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, worked to get the vote for women. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “hooker” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Legendary Hartford Bandleader Paul Landerman Dies - The legendary Hartford bandleader, trombonist and top entertainment-booking agent for many decades died September 19. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “landerman” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

Other Major Developments:

Perez Signs Immigration Rule - Hartford Mayor Perez signed an ordinance recently that stops police from arresting or detaining anyone solely because of their immigration status. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “perez signs” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Myanmar Refugees Changing Face Of Connecticut - Hartford is host to a number of Burmese refugees who have legally immigrated to American cities in the past two years. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “burma” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Hartford Council Flexing Its Muscle - Stan Simpson comments that until now, the knock on Hartford's city council was that it was a virtual rubber stamp in a strong-mayor government. That's changing. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “flexing” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”
Protests Over Library-Closings Prevail - Stan Simpson writes about the reopening of two Hartford branch libraries after community organizers persuaded the state to bail out the city. Go to www.hartfordinfo.org and type “library closings” in the Google search box and then click “Search.”

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