Rebecca Makas

I love writing about people who've provided me with great service. It seems that there is, more than ever, a new line being drawn between the "big box" philosophy and the "local store-great service" philosophy.

I had to have some body work done to my car (much to my dismay, it was my fault and mine alone!) and I asked my neighbor where they've taken their cars in the past. She referred me to Steben's Auto on Park Road in West Hartford.

Steben's was fantastic. They did the work they said they would do, in the time frame they said they would do it in. They co-ordinated everything with my insurance, AND with the rental car office up the road. On top of that, they were pleasant, professional and great to work with.

If that's not enough, I got back into my car to take it home, AND IT WAS SPOTLESS! They had cleaned the inside, washed the windows with some magical cleaner that left no streaks of any kind and washed the outside, including the wheels.

I hope I never have to go back, but if I do, I know where I'll be going.

A resolution was put forth at a recent Town Council meeting which would allow solar panels to be installed on some town buildings. The installation of the panels could potentially be free as the investors could receive state or federal funds in the form of incentives or rebates. Best of all, the town would be able to save in the neighborhood of 10% on it's electricity costs.

The Town Council voted unanimously to refer the resolution to a committee headed by Tim Brennan, one of the council members. The town already has committed to a goal of having its municipal facilities buy 20 percent of its energy from clean energy sources by 2010, and is about halfway to that goal, according to Brennan.

As part of a $1.1 million funding for the arts the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism awarded a $15,000 grant to the West Hartford Art League. The grant is for the annual Art Walk which displays artwork of various mediums in store fronts and store windows in West Hartford's downtown area.

The Art League is one of 44 organizations statewide that were awarded grants this year, as announced this week by Governor Jodi Rell.

Last fall, sixty three merchants in West Hartford Center displayed artwork by more than 120 various Connecticut artists. The Art League is using this year's grant to expand the walk, which will have it's five year anniversary in September.

As a resident living right outside of West Hartford Center, I know how wonderful it is to have constant new reasons to go shopping and walking downtown. The Cow Parade, the ArtWalk and so many other events bring people from the neighborhood, but all over CT to the shops in West Hartford Center. I know that when my family visits from out of state, they always comment on how great it is to live so close to a thriving "old fashioned" walkable "downtown".

The town of West Hartford's Leisure Services Department in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department offer literally dozens of summer programs for kids from both inside of West Hartford and other towns. There are 2 week sessions, that start the week after public school ends. They run from 8:30 - 4:40 daily, with extended care available until 5:30 daily. Best of all, you can register for these day camps as well as other individual classes as well in things like dance, sports, crafts for kids, magic ONLINE! The link is below.

http://www.west-hartford.com/leisureservices/Summer%20Programs.htm

My son Ben is 8 1/2 and went to Fernridge Park's Funtastic program last year. He had daily swimming lessons in the huge Park pool, along with daily free swim. They played all kinds of sports, games, and even had competitive "field day" type events with the other park programs! There was a talent show, and they typically take the kids bowling once per session.

What I loved the most was the quality of the counselors. They were all kind, experienced, and interacted very well with my son. Ben made new friends and came home exhausted every day. Any of you with grammer school age boys know that is a feat in an of itself, to tire out an 8 year old!

I recommend the program highly, and Ben's going back this summer!

A Social Studies teacher from Hall High School has been named Teacher of the Year by the New England History Teachers Association. Elizabeth Devine won the award, and has been a teacher at Hall for many years. The award was given to Ms. Devine at the Northeast Regional Social Studies conference, held last week in New Haven, CT.

The committee made specific mention of Devine's work with Advanced Placement US history students, and her Human Rights program at Hall.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Devine and Hall High School!