Read Me! Recycle me! Volume 1 · Issue 1 · September 2018
Word Mill MagaZINE
Torrington Community, Art, Culture
Perspectives Torrington Eats Jam Session Voices And Visions And ProFiles Word Mill Magazine Staff
Amelia Ellis (Editor-in-Chief/Lay- Amber White (Staff Writer, “Tor- out) is a New England native, sing- rington Eats”) is a graduate of John- er-songwriter, and founder of Word son and Wales University, Providence, Mill Literary & Arts Organization. She RI. She spent the first few years of received her MA in Arts Politics from her career at a German bakery in the NYU Tisch and BA in English and Catskills before moving to the Hudson French from The College of New Valley to explore Third Wave coffee Rochelle. Her original work has been culture. It is there that she received two featured in Bystanders—produced by years of training as a barista. Now in Anna Deavere Smith’s Institute on the Torrington, Amber works at Good Com- Arts and Civic Dialogue—the Kimmel pany Coffee House where you can find Gallery in Manhattan, and in various her both behind the espresso bar and music venues throughout NYC. working her magic in the on-site bakery.
My name is Brandon Beardsley (Staff A lifelong native of Southern New Writer, “Jam Sessions”), a local res- England coastal communities, ident of Torrington, CT. Been living Susan Bryce (Copyeditor) now calls the here for a full fourteen years and I beautiful Litchfield Hills her home. “Tor- love Torrington to pieces. This city is rington has within a rare nostalgic feel- my home and always will be. I’m re- ing for the way things used to be and a ally into writing poetry and short sto- real sense of hope for the way things ries, and am a songwriter and vocal- can be as we move into the future—the ist for local band The Local Dreamer. perfect blend.” I have a fondness for business and stocks and am a manager at Target. All the thanks in the world to My goal in life is to change the world Public relations and Grassroots fuel for the better and make Torrington a expert rana Justice. beautiful place we can all call home.
El Lobo Gordo ama la comida. Le en- canta comer y revisarlo. Él siempre Send correspondance to quiere comida. El 95% del tiempo [email protected]. tiene hambre el 100% del tiempo. Alimenta el Lobo Gordo y recibirás mu- chas bendiciones en tu hogar. El Lobo All business ads were placed for free. Gordo te verá más tarde. Él debe ir We do not sell ad space. aullar a la luna ahora. Donations accepted. Email for details.
visit wmctliteraryandarts.wordpress.com
Word Mill Magazine is a biorhythmic zine. It is a zine that follows the flow of the editorial staff. It is not set in stone and is constantly evolving and growing, only to diminish and then open up its spirit again.
"Historically, zines have been self-published as pamphlets or leaflets as early as the 1700s. They were circulated independently by socially-marginalized groups to give voice to their opinions and beliefs... While magazines are typically produced by a publishing company or group, zines are often self-published or published by a small collective. Print zines are known to come in limited editions and often target a more specific audience than mainstream magazines. Rather than putting a large focus on profit, the goal of zines is often expression and creation...” (Issuu, “Zines vs. Magazines: What’s the Difference?”) From the Editor-In-Chief This magaZINE is here to start that trend. We want to bring up local issues that the larger newspapers will not touch—not to make ourselves an anarchist source, but because, as Torrington ord Mill Literary & Arts Organization had a mission when tax payers, you deserve to know what’s happening; to celebrate it was first established as a business back in May. It read: the city’s history and diversity; to engage the community and W“Word Mill Literary & Arts Organization’s mission is to by- bridge generational gaps through food, culture, and arts; and pass the social and financial hierarchies of Western art forms in to serve as a literary and arts magazine anyone can submit to. order to bring art closer to those who may not have opportunities to participate in traditional gallery, performance, and publication We do not subscribe to divisive bipartisan tactics. We are not settings. We believe in keeping art R.E.A.L.— Relatable, Education- part of City Hall. We are not Democrat or Republican. We are al, Accessible, and Local — redefining what it means to be part of grassroots. We operate on greyscale politics. We call things as an artist community, and looking for ways in which art can enrich we see them, we are not bought, and when something goes and support families and local businesses and artists.” against practices of logic and compassion, it bothers us and we write about it. But don’t be fooled, this is not a traditional po- With the release of this magaZINE, the mission of the organiza- litical magaZINE. This is a community magaZINE. We will push tion has not changed, but has taken on larger goals. Over the the boundaries of political thought, of course, and pick things past few months, we have been introduced to residents who are apart, but we also want to praise Torrington for the things it ac- working to foster community, create “ensembles” of people— complishes. To show people that though there is much work to thanks, Desultory Theater!—and turn Torrington into an appealing be done, there are already things to celebrate in our community. place, not just for tourists, but also for the people who live here. It is important, when using the arts to rebuild economy, as Torrington The first edition of this magaZINE was fueled by these ideals. is doing—which is code for tourism—to include locals: the small Our staff worked tirelessly to put it together in between day jobs business owners, the families who live paycheck-to-paycheck, the and personal responsibilities, and we are excited to see how it young people who are about to graduate high school (or just did) will grow and morph over the months to come. and are looking for jobs, deciding whether or not to spend tens of thousands of dollars on college, or to stay in Torrington. Well, folks. This is it. We have to admit we’re a bit nervous, but if we waited for the sake of our nerves, nothing would get done. As much as art tourism is important to the economic stability So, in the words of Jane’s Addiction, “Here we go!” of a city, we cannot simply create a golden, “art for art’s sake” hub without understanding that Torrington has local problems we Amelia Ellis, Editor-in-Chief need to address in order to improve the safety and well-being of residents. We have a drug problem, Coe Park is not safe to walk alone at night, our roads are full of potholes, and we lack 4 Perspectives and Profiles jobs, nighttime entertainment, alternative spaces for education, and overall pride in our city. Our focus should shift from tourist-ori- Issue+Opinion: The Problem With Trash ented to local-oriented development. It is so much easier to get behind art initiatives and encourage a healthy votership when 6 Political Punks locals are being recognized and taken care of. Spotted in Torrington City for Sale 8 Press Releases All submissions are subject to review and approval by the editorial board of Word Mill Literary & Arts Organization and may be edited for purposes of discretion, formatting, and structure. Torrington Historical Society ©2018 by Word Mill Literary & Arts Organiaztion. Torrington Public Library All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any way without prior written permission of Word Mill Literary & Arts Organization. 13 Torrington Eats Printed by The Franklin Print Company, Torrington, CT.
Voices & Visions Food, Philosophy, & Practice Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or used in a ficticious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living Community Cookbook or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The opinions expressed in the Voices & Visions El Lobo Gordo Reviews portion do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board. Restaurant Spotlight 20 Jam Sessions
Issue+Opinion: Where is the Music Scene? 22 Voices and Visions
34 T-Town Calendar Perspectives And Profiles
Issue + Opinion: The Problem with trash and Property Management
n Saturday, August 18th, a group of locals par- tually having to go out and buy, manage or finance ticipated in the first of many grassroots-initiated property” (reit.com). Rent from leasing out the prop- O downtown Torrington clean-ups. But as much as erty is collected and the dividends are then given to this op-ed would like to simply report on the success shareholders. Though REIT’s are great for job cre- of the clean-up, there are other issues that must be ation and city economy, the issue of Brixmor property addressed in order to fully understand the environ- management is a sticky one. The closest property mental neglect of the city’s streets. management office is two hours away in Long Island with the second closest being Boston, MA. The realtor Part One: BRixmor's Torrington Plaza who deals with Torrington Plaza also handles the rest of Brixmor’s Connecticut portfolio (plazas in Meriden, Property management and ownership in the City of Hamden, Waterbury, to name a few). Her official title Torrington is a complex matter. This does not refer is Senior Leasing Realtor and she operates out of to the small business owners or store managers, but Brixmor HQ in New York City. Considerable distance the actual owners of buildings, acreage, and shopping between shopping plazas and property owners and centers like Torrington Plaza on 1 Main Street, which managers is not an uncommon occurance. was the main focus of the August clean-up event. It may not be immediately apparent how prop- Torrington Plaza is a Brixmor property. Brixmor oper- erty ownership/management would impact the ates more than “475 commericial real estate proper- environment. However, by using Torrington Pla- ties strategicaly located across 36 states” (brixmor. za as an example, we can begin to reveal the com). As a real estate investment trust (REIT), this inconveniences of having an out-of-state proper- company calls themselves “long-time property own- ty manager who is not an active participant in the ers” and partners with big franchises such as TJ management of the waste the property produces. Maxx, Target, and PetSmart. REIT’s like Brixmor allow “The stockholders... [to] earn a share of the income This arrangement creates a problematic relation- produced through real estate investment—without ac- ship between the Connecticut Clean Water Act, the
4 Perspectives And Profiles
Naugatuck River. and the people who wish to keep Connecticut Clean Water Act the city clean. Wealthy property investors who have zero accountability to the town in which Brixmor owns these properties, have decidedly less interest “Polluted water is an extravagance that in the proper upkeep and maintenance of the envi- Connecticut can no longer afford...” ronment around the commercial properties they own, and a long-distance property manager can only do The Connecticut Clean Water Bill was enacted so much to monitor a plaza’s trash problem. The en- in 1967, after outrage over the quality of Con- vironmental concern in question here is the portion necticut water reached an all-time high. Not only of the Naugatuck river between Torrington Plaza and does the act list sources of pollution and envi- Franklin St. The situation is similar to old industri- ronmental findings, but also recommendations al Northwestern, CT. The factory owners were con- on how to maintain pure rural waters. The act cerned with their building, but not the rivers they also states the responsibility of industries to, in dumped their waste into. It didn’t matter if the river layman’s terms, clean up their own messes in stunk, so long as the factory didn’t. Who cares what Connecticut’s bodies of water. The document re- happens to the trash, as long as it’s out of sight and veals succinctly the horrors and realities of water business is good? clean-up—down to the low salaries of sanitation workers. In 1970, Connecticut’s water quality Instead, corporate property managers rely on the sys- standards were approved by the federal govern- tem to care for them: city waste management, custo- ment. Since then, water quality has significantly dial engineers, and a series of business managers. improved throughout the state, and steps have been taken to improve the Naugatuck River. In Brixmor as an REIT does have a theoretical com- 1983, the Naugatuck River underwent an aquat- mitment to sustainability. It is a bullet point on their ic life toxicity study. This would show how at risk website that reads, “Direct environmental impact.” aquatic life was due to the presence of chemi- This still does not reveal what the property manag- cals. In 1992, the Seymour sewage system was er’s commitment to sustainability is. Seeing what the upgraded. Plymouth and Torrington both upgraded clean-up crew experienced, it is questionable that the sewage treatment plants in 1994. This opened up property manager has interest in the envrionment sur- 10 miles of the Naugatuck to fishing. In 2000, the rounding the plaza at all. Waterbury sewage treatment plant was rebuilt. Perspectives And Profiles
Part Two: The Clean-Up Part Three: Litter bugs
It started when Rana Rylander-Strawson, who headed If there is so much litter coming out of the plaza, why the clean-up, overheard some people talking about not do something more than fine the property manag- Danielle Mailer’s Fish Tales mural. The conversation er the meager $100-$500 littering fine mandated by turned quickly, from the beauty of the mural to the the state of Connecticut? Why not call out the man- amount of trash along the riverbank. ager for failing to find effective solutions to waste disposal? It’s not that simple. First, let’s look at the “I agreed, “ Rana states. But instead of just agree- littering law: ing with the comment, she decided to take action. “I could probably clean up a small area, but if I had “The law prohibits people from throwing, scattering, a helper we could cover more ground. So I went to spilling, placing, or causing to be blown, scattered, Facebook and just threw it out there.” She wasn’t ex- spilled, thrown, or placed, litter pecting much of a response at first, but she definitely got one. “People actually reached out and wanted to 1. on state public property, do something.” 2. on state public land, 3. on private property belonging to another, or Rana sought out permission from the City of Torrington 4. in state waters” and the businesses at Torrington Plaza to move for- (Paul Frisman, “Connecticut Littering Laws”). ward with the project. All obvious parties approved of the initiative. Materials were provided by volunteers, Torrington Plaza is technically private property. It is like down to the dumpster. An official at City Hall informed throwing a candy wrapper on your own front yard—you Dennis Harrafin, a volunteer for the event, that they won’t be fined for that. Despite this, an argument can would not provide the dumpster as—apparently—there be made that the litter that originates from the Plaza was not the space for it, nor the resources for proper does end up in the Naugatuck River. This could be waste removal. Torrington hosts their own clean-up due to the neglect of the property manager to control two days out of the year, and this was not one of the trash, which causes the litter to blow into state those two days. waters. This is not the problem of the store manag- ers—they can only do so much to work with the city At 10am, the first wave of volunteers arrived at Good to request proper waste disposal bins—but of the Company Coffee House on Franklin St. with contrac- property owner, as per Torrington code. tor bags, gloves, containers for needles and glass, and even a truck. Clean-up began behind Torrington Regardless of whatever contract Brixmor has in place Plaza. By 11am, at least ten full bags of styrofoam, with plaza tenants, trash being blown onto the river- soggy cardboard, and other waste were taken to the bank and in the river should be reason enough for the dumpster. By the end of the day, over 70 bags of trash city to raise this issue with the property manager. They went into the dumpster. Among the cardboard, styro- are not complying with the Connecticut Clean Water foam, etc., volunteers picked up two plaza-affiliated Act. According to this act, an industry or business is shopping carts, a bicycle, used headlight lamps, and held responsible for cleaning up state waters when heavy metal and concrete items. they have made a mess. Perhaps due to Corporate Personhood, the notion that businesses have similar Dumpsters belonging to plaza businesses were over- rights to humans and protects them from unfair treat- flowing, possibly accounting for the increased amount ment by government, the city hesitates. Or, maybe, the of trash scattered behind the Plaza and on the river- city values the relationship with the property manager bank. In fact, Rana’s team transferred at least one- so much that they fear this kind of scolding would dozen bags from the business’s dumpsters into the cause Brixmor to shut down the plaza and pull out of one donated for the clean-up. Torrington. But why not just start the dialogue with the property manager? What is the harm in raising aware- As Harrafin stated later on, “It’s all litter.” ness and protecting our Naugatuck River from trash? Why should Brixmor be exempt from regulation?
6 Perspectives And Profiles
Part Four: Naugatuck River Pollution Northwestern, CT. Since then, awareness of and com- mitment to the health of the Naugatuck River have The Naugatuck River stretches 40 miles long, from grown. Still, this does not mean that the problem does Torrington, joining the Housatonic River in Derby, and not exist anymore. People are still careless about pouring into Long Island Sound. It is a fluvial desti- their trash, storm drains empty out into the river, and nation for trout-hungry fisherman, and for first-time we have a corporate trash issue! country goers, a breath-taking winding river to follow. But it’s pretty dirty. In 2017 alone, there were at least Fortunately, there are people like Rana and her volun- three spills of raw sewage from the Waterbury Waste- teers who care enough to pick up litter on the streets and water Treatment Plant. After a frozen pipe burst at in the river; to bring awareness to people that trash on the Somers Thin Strip Company earlier this year, streets and from businesses blows into the Naugatuck. nearly 6,000 gallons of hydraulic oil poured into the Since the clean up, white egrets have returned to the river’s waters. It is common knowledge that factories Franklin St. section of river and another clean up along the river have been dumping waste since the has been scheduled. Yet, this city cannot rely on 19th century and that the Naugatuck was once con- volunteers forever. There has to come a point when sidered so polluted that only Uniroyal’s fictional, squat the city puts its foot down and brings up the issue little monster, Nauga, could survive its toxicity. of garbage with property managers. It is the duty of the government to uphold the Clean Water Act and Restoration projects for the river started in the 1990s, protect state waters. Don’t make litter permissible. including the Dam Removal Project which took down dams put in place during the industrial growth of Amelia Ellis, Torrington, CT. Photos from Street Clean-Up. Permission from Rana Rylander-Strawson.
the SParks of Torrington
A Concert to Support the September 15th Downtown Clean-Up Initiative. Because Clean Streets Rock.
With Performances By Amelia Ellis Sophic Bloom Ian Matthew Old Bones Living Weary Yankee Blues ...AND MORE! September 13TH @ 6pm-11pm Noelke Gallery 15 Water St. Torrington, CT. Perspectives And Profiles
It is not enough to have Political an idea. Punks An idea is passive. You need a verb.
A verb is active. Spotted in Torrington You do not need a revolution.
You need evolution.
Woody Guthrie is the original punk rocker.
This Machine Kills Facists. Found on Water St. Lonely newspaper dispenser found in This Machine defies Philistine. Torrington. Old news wasting away in the Gulag. Трамп The Kremlin has the key, but won’t fight to get it back. Old news wasting away in the Gulag. This Machine Resists Bigotry. That’s American news being held captive by the Russians. But it is just another day in the U.S.A. This Machine Is protected by the That’s The Putin Regular. first Amendment.
8 Speak Up, Speak OutTorrington Eats
Young, prohibition-era city for sale, population included, located in In revitalizing a city, it is, no doubt, important to fo- Litchfield County, Connecticut. cus on the economic benefits of tourism and art for Coordinates 41º48’N 73º07’W, settled outsiders, of libations for the age group that car- ries the money—but it is equally, if not even more 1740. (City listed on Wikipedia.) important, to focus on the people who already live there. A simple goal in Torrington’s revitalization: to Only been a city since 1923—that’s as old as encourage young families to stay. Well, we need to your grandmother, that’s 95 years old, that’s nine give them a reason to stay. We need to give young decades and a half, may all your grandmothers people something to look forward to, not the phone live to be 95. The 19th Amendment was passed in screens, when they go downtown—safe spaces and 1920—that’s as old as your grandfather—no women social networks in the watchful eyes of responsible passed that law—that’s 98-years-old. That’s three businesses—so they grow up knowing that when years older than this city for sale, city for sale, we they hit their teenage years, when they go into their have a 95-year-old city for sale, population includ- 20s, there will still be something for them to do and ed—36,383 people included. something for their future children to do.
We have retail space, bars, barstools, barflies, and If we do not start focusing on building family-friendly restaurants on one side of the street; halfway homes, entertainment options now, then the generations on full-way homes, one quarter cup of sugar homes. which we rely to carry this city into the future will We got dope heads, crack heads, trash heads, gun either not be here, or will not be interested in carry- heads, Dead Heads. We got retirees, Dunkin’ Donuts ing the city’s burdens on their shoulders. The city’s employees, got some homeless people, too, we got burdens for sale. them fleas; old people who won’t see through young people’s eyes, and young people stuck on computer Set up the city for Millennial and Generation Z screens, TV screens, phone screens—young peo- success. Both generations grow weary with the ple who have more strength in their thumbs than monotonous tendencies of bar life with no activities. the middle-aged folks who work their asses off in We grow weary of no activity. Atari Cafe sits empty, blue-collared jobs only to come home to young kids Billiards Cafe sits empty, the karaoke nights sit emp- who won’t get off their damn phones. ty, the music...
The phones, the phones, the phones, these phones You take away their music, you take away their bowl- are ruining the country, we can’t talk to young peo- ing alleys, you take away their art classes, child de- ple because of their phones. Who gave them their velopment classes; you take away their textbooks in phones in the first place? Old regime, domineering, class and yet you complain about them using their suffocating, money-grubbing old regime. Fix down- phones. Now they’re using their drugs. You take away town, fix downtown, get the inspector, the planner, the phones, they’ll replace it with drugs—and we ain’t the artist—oh, we fired him yesterday—get the city talkin’ marijuana, we’re talkin’ smack and you smack planner, pay him hundreds of thousands of dollars to talkin’ kids when you do nothing to help them. Say no fix downtown. to dope, say no to nope. City for sale. City for sale. You take away their lives because you’re afraid we’ll Pay him. Hundreds. of. Thousands. of. Dollars. to take away your guns. Keep your damn guns, we don’t make a suggestion. Don’t listen to his suggestions. want your guns—it’s flu season, anyway. We want you All them blue-collared workers working so hard to to give us—city for sale! We want you to give us—city pay for your suggestion. Old regime. You give them for sale! phones because you cannot give them a city. City for sale. City for sale. Phones are their safety blanket. We want you to give us a city. Press Release
Press Release: Torrington Historical Society Presents
ALL HANDS ON DECK: TORRINGTON AND WORLD WAR I
World War I Exhibit at Torrington Historical Society
Now through November 11, 2018 Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm. Torrington Historical Society 192 Main St. Torrington, CT. Contact: Mark McEachern Phone: (860) 482-8260 Email: [email protected]
Erwin P. Manteuffel, ca. 1918, Collection of the Torrington Historical Society
orrington Historical Society, 192 Main Street, Torrington, is pleased to announce War I Army jacket, and a woman’s factory uniform. T a new exhibition, All Hands on Deck: A special feature of the exhibit is a reproduced Torrington and World War I. The exhibit opened on list of the nearly 1,400 Torrington men and wom- Saturday, July 28th and will be on view through No- en who served in the military; this is the first time vember 11, 2018. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday, since 1919 that a complete list of Torrington’s 10–4. Admission is free; donations are welcome. World War I veterans has been displayed in the city. Recent research by Historical Society staff All Hands on Deck: Torrington and World War I indicates that over 25% of the names on this list interprets Torrington’s contributions during the were immigrants who served their newly adopted World War I years, from 1914–1918. During the country during World War I. war, Torrington was a bustling factory town that was home to approximately 20,000 residents. The exhibit also includes a film of Torrington’s Visitors to the exhibit will learn about the veterans, 1919 Welcome Home parade and the documen- home front activities, and the local industries that tary Never Forgotten (produced by the American contributed to the war effort. The exhibit sheds Battle Monuments Commission, 2015) which tells light on the Torrington residents who served in the the story of Paul Maynard, a Torrington doughboy military as well as the residents who aided the who was killed on the last day of the war. war effort by working at local factories, rationing food, creating ‘Victory Gardens’, or volunteering All Hands on Deck: Torrington and World War I has for organizations such as the Red Cross and Tor- received financial support from the Connecticut rington Home Guard. Items on exhibit include mil- Humanities, Torrington Savings Bank and Rotary itary uniforms, photographs, posters, documents, Club of Torrington-Winsted. and medals. Many unique items pertaining to Torrington residents are displayed. Included are For more information about the Society, please a rare Czechoslovakian Legion uniform, a World visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.
10 Press Release
Press Release: Torrington Public Library Presents
PERFORMER SHOWCASE
Torrington Library to Host Performer Showcase for Event Planners and Activities Coordinators
Friday, September 21st, 2018 10am-3:00pm Torrington Public Library 12 Daycoeton Place, Torrington, CT. Contact: Jessica Gueniat, Director Phone: (860) 489-6684 / Fax: (860) 482-4664 Email: [email protected]
he Torrington Library is hosting a Performer Showcase on Friday, September 21st from T 10:00-3:00. The Performer Showcase is a one-day event highlighting quality performers and presenters available to entertain audiences of all ages and demographics. The showcase will feature live performances where entertainers present their talents in brief, but exciting mini-performances! The event is open to everyone, with a focus on event planners and activities coordinators for libraries, schools, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, senior centers, and more. Presenters include musicians, story tellers, historical Torrington Library Director, Jessica Gueniat com- performers, lecturers, mind readers, and much more. ments, “Choosing quality entertainment for patrons or clients can be difficult. A performer showcase al- Participants may register to view 8 children/teen fo- lows an event planner/coordinator to see a mini-per- cused presenters OR 8 adult focused presenters. formance and decide if that presenters is a good fit for her organization. Plus, it is a good way for new Admission to the Performer Showcase is $20.00 presenters and performers to advertise their talents. per person (lunch included). Registration is required It’s a win-win for both event planners and artists. It and the event is limited to 50 people per showcase. also makes for a fun Friday!” People may register by calling the library or visiting www.torringtonlibrary.org. This year, the Torrington Savings Bank Community Room will feature 8 adult focused presenters. Run- If you have any questions, please feel free to ning concurrently, the Ronda and Harold Burns Pro- contact Jessica Gueniat, at 860.489.6684 or email gram Room will feature 8 children/teen presenters. her at [email protected]. Torrington Eats
12 Torrington Eats TorringtonTorrington
Blackberry Almond Upside-DownEatsEats Cake, Good Company Coffee House Food, Philosophy, & Practice.
lose your eyes and sit for a moment; think back to a time you felt safe, warm, and loved, surrounded by friends and family, laughter and light. C Now think to a time you felt alone, lost in the dark and looking for comfort. Looking back at those two situations may feel vastly different, and they are. But one thing bridges the gap between: food. If there is one thing that binds all experiences, binds all people across the globe, it’s food. Food is what we reach for in times of joy and celebration, in times of despair, in times of plenty, and times of scarcity. Food marks milestones in our lives, brings communities together, spans generations, continents, and cultures. Historically, the act of breaking bread, sharing meat or mead, and the giving of salt signified a welcome, safe passage, and hospitality. The simple act of sharing the most basic of needs was met with a reverence, a respect, and an appreciation we rarely see in American culture today. Many fam- ilies struggle to find time to prepare a full dinner and it’s even rarer that they are able to sit at the same table to enjoy that meal together. Somewhere along the way, we, as a society, have lost the emotional connection to communal experiences through food. We continue to make less and less of our own foods at home, and more of what we are taking the time to eat is so processed it can hardly be considered food in the true sense. Somehow, amongst this culture of specialized diets, food allergies, sensitivities, food trends, and the rise of farm to table movements, we are still struggling in the average American home. And, as we all know, what we experience in the home is carried with us throughout our lives. Torrington Eats
If, as a child, you live in a home that grows a garden full of nutritious vegetables, it is expected that you will grow to learn how to plant, harvest, break down, store, and cook with them. Many of those experienc- es will reveal themselves later in life as attention to detail, the ability to focus, connection with the earth, and an appreciation for what is put into their bod- ies. But what happens if a child grows up in an area where you have no land to grow on, no access to grocery stores with fresh produce, or live uncertain if they will eat that day? Children who grow with chron- ic hunger or food insecurity have a much higher rate of chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and toxic stress. As per the American Psychological Associa- Food and politics go hand-in-hand; companies like Ty- tion (APA), about one in five children nationwide suffer son and Monsanto flood the FDA with former employ- from chronic hunger and its adverse effects. Many of ees, creating a systemic conflict of interest. Large these effects come into play socially, through stigma corporations like these also lobby congress to legal- and judgements from their peer groups or the adults ize personal agendas, many of which are morally com- that are supposed to offer support, such as teachers. promised or in legal grey areas. The practice of fund- When we begin to shame children for hard life circum- ing campaigns of congressional hopefuls is also one stances out of their control and the efforts of their that while perfectly legal, harm to the citizens of this parents to adequately feed and care for their chil- country and the food we feed our children. By allowing dren in the most difficult of life’s offerings, we create these practices to continue, our country has seen an a cycle. This cycle of shame and anxiety will follow upturn in unsavory food handling procedures all the these children through their lives, affecting how they way from planting and harvesting, to the service in view the world and themselves. How does this cycle grocery stores and restaurants. These practices also and these experiences and perceptions alter culture, have a larger effect on the global community; large traditions, and economies? corporate farms and pesticide usage contribute neg- atively on the climate, and have pushed global warm- Calling the Crowd! ing into overdrive.
We are looking for people, no matter what age, These are issues that face us here in Torrington, but to go on the record and share internationally. Together we must face these head their experiences with us. on, challenging those in power and the practices that have led us here. Together we must join hands and Next month’s column is all about the school lunch fight for a future full of promise. I hope that through program. We want to know the good and the writing this column and sharing these issues we can bad. What is/was your experience with the lunch bring food activism and national food issues back to program in Torrington Public and Private Schools Torrington and begin a conversation that sparks a like? Have you worked in a school cafeteria larger, positive chain of events. before? Send us your thoughts! Amber White, Torrington, CT. Email us at [email protected] ATTN: Amber at Torrington Eats.
14 Torrington Eats Community Cookbook Torrington’s Recipe Exchange
The Clam Boil: The Event of the Summer
arly morning we’d pile into the station wagon We kids changed into our bathing suits to swim and with Dad. First stop, the meat market for hot- catch minnows at our backyard beach on the bank E dogs, breakfast sausage, and chourico links. of the Taunton River, but first we sat at the picnic ta- Next, the farm stand for freshly picked corn, onions, ble shucking the corn while Dad set up the charcoal and red skinned potatoes. Lastly, the fish market grill and filled the big plaid metal cooler with bottles for two giant waxed paper sacks of steamer clams, of beer, soda, and ice. Gramma set out the summer all of which were in glorious abundance in our little red checkered tablecloth and a general pleasing Southeastern Massachusetts town at the mouth of cacaphony of clatter ensued from the kitchen window. the Narragansett Bay. At the water’s edge, we watched the seagulls spin Back at home, Mom and Gramma resurrected the and dive and the boys of summer on their water skis, giant boil pot from the garage. The clams were placed the heavenly aroma of corn and clams on the boil in the wide, low porcelain basin sink and covered with wafting across the beach grass, a sure signal the a handful of corn meal and water to soak for a few feast would soon begin. hours. Two big butter blocks sat in the saucepan on the stove. Susan Bryce, Torrington, CT.
Susan’s mother and father, Susan, center, with friends, 1967. Joan and William Slaby, 1967. Torrington Eats
New England Add water to stock pot along with red pepper flakes, Portuguese Clam Boil salt and pepper, potatoes, onions, and breakfast sausage links. Bring to a boil. Turn heat down and sim- • 2 quarts water mer until potatoes are almost cooked through. Then • 1–2 pounds red skin potatoes add corn, chourico, and hot dogs and cook til done, • 4 small yellow onions halved 5–7 minutes. • 3–4 pounds steamer clams • 1 package hot dogs Add the steamer clams, raise heat and boil • 3–4 links chourico sausage, sliced into until the shells open, about 5–7 minutes. 2” chunks Discard any clams that don’t open. • 1 package of uncooked breakfast Ladle into separate bowls, serve with melt- sausage links ed butter and broth on the side for dipping. • 4 ears fresh corn broken in two • Salt & pepper to taste and a I always use the full fat authentic Portuguese tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes chourico, such as Gaspars, which can be found in • 1/4 cup butter or more melted for the kielbasa section of the grocery store. dipping clams A big basket of sliced rustic bread is a welcome Rinse clams and then soak in cold water with a addition to the feast! handful of corn meal about an hour or so. Drain, rinse.
Send Us Your Recipes!
You can share your recipes with the rest of Torrington, too! Send us a recipe that means a lot to you and give us the story behind it.
Email [email protected] Kiss the cook! William Slaby, 1967. ATTN: Community Cookbook.
16 Torrington Eats
ooking for organic products and locally-grown, Act Natural is also home to The Porch Smoothie bar organic produce? You don’t have to go far— where Pinto serves up refreshing drinks, from organic L just visit Act Natural Health & Wellness on 24 smoothies, to vegan lattes, to cold brew coffee and Water Street! Owner and nutrition consultant Pam kumbucha on tap. Paired with some delicious banana Pinto offers Torrington healthful food options, correct chips, which can be found up front, it makes a great education on the use of herbs as medicine, and lunchtime pick-me-up! And you can be sure it’s good. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) resources at As her slogan reads, “If we won’t eat it, we won’t this haven of health. serve it!”
She is currently having a sale on Wayfare Dairy Visit the Act Natural Health & Wellness Facebook Free Butter and Sour Cream, 30% off. The sale page and website for more details. will run through September while supplies last. There is an opportunity to sign up for a Winter 24 Water St. Torrington, CT. CSA with Oasis Gardens across the street from Tues, Wed, & Fri: 11:30am–5pm; the store. It is a 10 week Hydroponic CSA with Thurs: 11:30am–7pm; Sat: 10am–3pm weekly pick up on Saturday at the store, from 1–3pm. Save $25 off the regular price of $225 for Early Bird Phone: (860) 482-8477 Registration, if signed up and paid for by October 15th. Email: [email protected]
Good News at Good Company Coffee House
Starting September 9th, Good Company Coffee House, the Franklin Street coffee house with a Brooklyn vibe, is extending its hours to include Sundays and Mondays. The time is to be determined after Labor Day weekend. Expect to see small music acts featured on Sundays, including local band and Bob Dylan cover experts, Surreal.
These new hours come as a pleasant surprise for Good Company regulars and opens up Franklin St. to the echo of acoustic music. Torrington Eats El Lobo Gordo Eat. Review. Repeat.
Taste of Thailand
This new gem is a perfect addition to a growing appreciation of culinary diversity in Torrington. We recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a warm meal with layers of flavor that will fill you up, but not put you to sleep. Some things to note before you visit Taste of Thailand. 1) Spicy dishes are marked on the menu. Spiciness is automatically toned down because not everyone can tolerate the traditional Thai kick. The amount of spice can be Duck Lad Na, $16.95 modified. 2) Chop sticks are available upon request. 3) It is perfectly acceptable to eat family style. We peanut sauce is exceptionally smooth and offers a suggest it. The portions are pretty sizeable. unique sweetness in contrast to the savory chicken. Slather it on! El Lobo Gordo’s Dining Experience: Beef drunken noodles and duck lad na followed our We started off with scallion pancakes and appetizers. Steam from the brothy lad na base dif- chicken satay. The crispy, scallion rice flower pan- fued delicious aromas into the air. The pan fried cakes come with a side of ginger soy sauce. These noodles were perfectly chewy. A generous portion pancakes are seriously addicting! There are only of sliced duck sat on top of the noodles. It was four slices to a plate. You’ll want to order more. We crispy on the outside and tender and succulant on the inside. It is irresistable to taste buds! The beef drunken noodles were just as easy on the eyes. Slices of beef, flat noodles, bell peppers, car- rots, onions, and basil were arranged carefully to create a mouth-watering presentation. Now this is a spicy dish! Both entrees had the perfect amount of salt. Not so much that we felt thirsty and swollen afterwards, but just enough to add life to the dish. To mix it up a bit our server recommended pickled jalapenos with the duck lad na, which surprised us with a sweet twist.
Dessert was mango sticky rice. Any guilt that may Chicken Satay, $5.95 accompany dessert will disappear with this one. Warm, savory sticky rice soaked in coconut milk wanted to, at least! The chicken satay includes is the perfect counterpart to slices of cool, ripe, three portions of juicy, beautifully grilled marinated tropical mango. chicken skewers. It also comes with a peanut sauce and a pickled carrot and cucumber relish. The Continued on next page...
18 Torrington Eats
El Lobo Gordo: Taste of Thailand Taste of Thailand
A traditional Thai dining experience will take you 19 McDermott Ave. through four elements: sweet, savory, salty, and Torrington, CT. spicy. Our meal successfully delivered those notes. Eat. Review. Repeat. 06790 We went home full, happy, and craving more! . Hours (860) 201-4684 Mon-Thurs 11am–3pm; 5pm–9pm Fri & Sat 11am–3pm; 5pm–9:30pm Sunday 12pm–3pm; 5pm–9pm *Take Out Available Mango Sticky Rice, $5.95 Restaurant Spotlight: Cafe 38
oing South on Main Street sits Cafe 38, a Sessa, who is currently in the process of establish- Gcozy little cafe with impeccably clean windows ing nighttime hours, is working to open up her space and the best loaded baked potato in town. to local artists even more. “We are testing the wa- Run by Tina Sessa, Cafe 38 offers your basic ters with extended hours to see if there is interest lunch fare: salads, sandwiches, wraps, and soups, having a small cafe open later,” Sessa explains. It including a scrumptious Texas chili served in a warm will take the correct staffing for the hours to take bread bowl. Inside, walls are decorated with artwork effect, but there still is the opportunity to have by local photographers and a display features jew- the cafe open later through the hosting of special elry by Dawn Designs. events. “We are looking into inviting local artists into our cafe to teach evening classes.” For a small luncheonette, Cafe 38 holds its own against bigger restaurants like Sasso’s Coal It is this kind of creative thinking about space utili- Fired Pizza and 829 Restaurant and Lounge. Its zation that helps meet demands for entertainment lively lunch hour can easily draw in enough and activity in Torrington. However, it is not just up people to fill the cafe, and personalized, friendly to the small business to run successful activities. If service and easy-to-understand meals keeps bring- a demand is met and an opportunity is given, it is in ing people back. On top of the cafe’s popularity as the city’s best interest for those who demanded it to a lunch spot, Sessa’s catering options make up a follow up with what is given to them. The success of large part of overall sales. This was an unexpect- Cafe 38 in their endeavor to open up the luncheon- ed, but welcome twist to the cafe’s business. “I can ette for diverse evening entertainment options is not honestly say I love catering and knowing that we up to the owner alone, but also to the people who can help make someone’s event extra special,” wanted these options in the first place. Sessa states. Cafe 38 is one of the “unicorns” in Torrington. It is a The success of the restaurant goes beyond its ca- business that does not rely on the sale of alcohol to tering demands and good food. It is a restaurant survive. Having a place that will be open to all ages that finds satisfaction in supporting local artists in in the evening encourages year-round family foot their endeavor to turn their craft into a business. For traffic that the city has not seen in many years. Sessa, “supporting local artisans is 3 fold: it sup- ports our local community; brings to light the tre- Interested in teaching a class? mendous talent we have locally; and it adds to the Email [email protected]. overall vibe in the Cafe.” The Secret Society for free music Presents
A Secret Concert
Email [email protected] for details.
Shh! It’s a Secret!
Friday, September 21st 6pm-10pm Free Admission
20 JAM SESSION Issue + Opinion: Where is Torrington’s Music Scene?
ost of us find ways to incorporate music However, despite its problematic history, it was a into our lives, whether as musicians, fans, or place to present original work, where an artist could Mboth. But whether it’s because we’ve been feel comfortable in front of an audience, and find pushed to do so or because of our own drive and support from locals. It was a valuable asset to the ambition, once we have that passion for music, we city and the closing of its doors was a loss. It left find ways to keep it active in our lives. the city of Torrington without a space dedicated to music and performance. What do we do now? For a lot of young people learning music, their main outlet, outside of practice and lessons, is school. With dozens of empty spaces in downtown Tor- But what about after school? Where does one go rington alone that could be used to promote oppor- from there? Some people look to conservatories, tunities to play outside of an educational setting, but not everyone can afford or desire to attend col- the question becomes one of ‘why’ as opposed to lege. Some musicians want to tour a small city cir- ‘what.’ It is not longer, “What can we do to build Tor- cuit or form a band for fun and self-improvement. At rington’s music scene,” it is, “Why aren’t we doing the end of the day, they look to where they live for anything to build Torrington’s music scene?” the next music outlet and that determines the steps they take going forward. Money is one of the obvious answers. Time is an- other. It takes investment of funds and labor to The Performance Hub, which was formerly located maintain a music venue. But that should not stop us across the street from the Warner Theater, was a from trying to bring music back to Torrington. When non-profit organization that was exactly what this we allow money to overrule the creative spirit, we city needed: a place for performers to showcase allow money to dictate a human’s right to artistic ex- their talents. It provided an opportunity for people to pression and enjoyment. Once the creative spirit is come and sing, play, and speak. It was even funded oppressed, you lose the creative thinking that could by George’s Music Center, On Deck Sound Studio, turn lights back on in a city, so to speak. and The Roberts Group. It had money, attention, and hungry musicians. Unfortunately, once the money ran Music is a huge part of our society, a major part of out, so did the Hub’s time. The space was also not our everyday lives, and with that, it should be one used to its fullest potential and traveling musicians of the most valuable aspects of our lives. A music were required to pay to perform. It seemed that the scene in Torrington is not impossible and by not ex- Hub, though it started strong, became too much ploring the possibilities of music, Torrington contin- about the money and too little about finding sustain- ues to sit on a pool of unused potential. It aches me able ways to support Torrington’s music scene. to see it collect dust.
Brandon Beardsley, Torrington, CT. Voices & Visions Torrington’s Literary & Arts Magazine
Table of Contents
23 Untitled 28 Apple Cider Hopeless Romantic Jonah and His Sister What is Black & Blue All Over? Bridget Boucaud Theresa Elizabeth 29 Make small footprints... 24 You are infinite, boundless, and free... Frail Fina Brandon Beardsley Accidental Early Arrival Nancy Devore 26 A Reign of Rain Amber White 30 The Leak Amelia Ellis 27 Ghosts in the Night Sky Allison Helt 32 Spare Rib Tamari Witkin
Send submissions and inquiries to [email protected] ATTN: Voices & Visions
22 Voices and Visions
Untitled Hopeless Romantic by Theresa Elizabeth by Theresa Elizabeth north side haven I've loved so truly unlikely companions yet I've lied so fiercely from the street was it all untrue? it may look like nothing did I dream you up? but to us, because I can't touch you now tonight you had hairy ears it is a welcome luxury and I guess that bothered me we went to dinner with mom and dad I played pretty while you ordered my food they let me take your books What is black and and the only four t-shirts you owned you once read me poems in bed blue all over? a romantic gesture by Theresa Elizabeth made realistic by their love lost nature I never cared that you were sick only when I really thought about it I hate blue ink but it's all I've got and I rarely thought much I hate this feeling I wish it never stopped snowing but I forget to forgot I wish spring never came Black is better and I wish I never left It's obvious, I know now you are gone But black is honest and you aren't coming back and honesty blows I'm sorry I lied I just want you to know, I loved you the only way I know how Voices and Visions
You are infinite, boundless, and free... by Brandon Beardsley
Part I Part III
You are infinite, boundless, and free. I’ll help you up Do as you please. Even with all my hatred But if you would— That’s what I do And if you could— As a patron. Walk with me In a field of roses. As the rain falls It beckons to be collected I’m head over heels Waiting to be grasped My head is in the clouds In all its wetness Too far for you to reach As you collect what remains But somehow you Remember to be quick Of all people For the rain will fall Have found a way To breach me. faster and You’ve kissed these lips faster Under the torchlight On the beaches of the west. As the night drains itself away Did you forget the taste of my breath Don’t fear the overcast As I have forgotten the taste of yours? Hail will tumble As you speak in your tongue How am I to find my space, A foreign language How am I to find anyone to replace, I wish to hear sung How am I to be myself once more? A figment of what you used to know So where does one man draw the line— A memory that has long been forgotten Never truly forgiven Sadly I knew But always in your thoughts It just wouldn’t last. I long to hold your hand I might understand the alien existence To walk with you along the coastline That is you Out of sight from minds that whine I wish to comprehend all that you are Envious of your beauty To study— No doubt. To observe— To extract... Part II
No I never wrote a letter For her It didn’t even matter Crushing minds like dark matter Selfish and impure She was rancid for sure.
You chase what you want And take what you need
24 Voices and Visions
Part IV
Race the sun if you would Chase the clouds if you could Do anything you please
I pray for a moment Where we can be free, True to ourselves, But only for a moment
Lost in a storm of thoughts. What seems to race amongst the lost Where is the lantern? Darkness is seeping. Where is the cavern? The end is reaching. Bats are screeching While the water rises.
I race to the end of the truth, Oblivious to how hard I might fall. Always assuming I’ll hear your call, Knowing damn well I’ll never see it at all.
Part V
As beautiful as a cactus, you are sharp & strong— Protective of yourself Never letting the world keep you down.
Admirable
As I fade back to yesterday Could you give me a reason to let you go. I do not want to.
You are infinite, boundless, and free. Voices and Visions
A Reign of Rain by Amber White
Sitting on my throne of moss, a crown of flora upon my brow. I look down to the pond where the peepers once slept. A steady rain has been falling, marring a crystal surface. And welcoming the haze, Rising around my shoulders in a welcome embrace. The touch of a heavy blanket I am saddened to find was missed. A carpet of cattail and fern has lost its lush green sheen. Instead, silver-edged leaves shine under moonlight, and a chill has taken the air. Slowly the stars have begun to fade, and the moon rays become a faint memory. Frost creeps around my veins, and I find myself falling into a frozen land left long ago. And instead of soft flora, cold glass rests in my hair. A queen once of green, then a queen of rain; has now become a queen of ice and glass. And yet I am not sorry, I welcome the frost as a lover once lost. And I find that it too, welcomes me home once again, to the land of snow and ice.
26 Voices and Visions
Ghosts in the Night Sky by Allison Helt
She took a deep breath, A cosmic breath. All the way to the stars. She inhaled the galaxies, She exhaled the gravity. So far from Earth, Head in the sky. The universe called her home As she danced with the constellations. The moon was her Mother, Her Father the sun. She was the shooting star, Wished upon at midnight. She was a supernova, The North Star, The cosmic dust in between. She is everything, And nothing. People studied her. Pondered her. Yearned to explore her. They reached depths that became too much. But still not enough. They were shallow, Her darkness would kill them. Black holes would swallow them, Never to be seen again. Her dreams would haunt them, Searching for ghosts in the night sky. Voices and Visions
Apple Cider by Bridget Boucaud
The first woman said it was ok To drink the cider And the other woman with the plastic face of fear Drank the cider and tripped going down the stairs
And I thought of the woman who said it was ok to eat from the tree of knowledge And how she probably thought it was ok because she was unhappy alone with Adam And she wanted to go on an adventure and explore the world And not always play nice And as sometimes happens She was blamed for her voice And the snake was silent And the man was unsure
And today the plastic Jesus lays in the dirt outside while women stand up for themselves And decide for themselves Whether they will eat the apple or toss it
Jonah and His Sister by Bridget Boucaud
I am Full Exhausted The familiar state of a pregnant woman taut with creation There’s no more room in my inn
I want to incubate Hibernate Isolate And unrelate for a season
Or maybe
I could be swallowed by the whale like Jonah and his sister And live inside her Until she takes me to another shore Where I am spit out Released And Resurrected
28 Voices and Visions
Make small footprints... Frail Fina by Nancy Devore by Nancy Devore
Make small footprints this winter Frail Fina’s live sparsely... house of fragile choose few... dried potted plants economy of words things and deeds and vases of dried roses placed starkley flour and porch littered leaves will not askew and piles of newspapers the bones paper magazines of you. paper envelopes and notes. Records of past kept in fear guised as hope. Accidental Early Arrival On top of which is posed by Nancy Devore birthday notes Christmas cards Christmas tree My dream drifting mind dust clinging ornaments caught so much curbside updraft of ribbon and filagree 24 hours upended before me. all paper-thin compant for her photo family. Voices and Visions
The Leak and that meant there was a repetition of a noise they by Amelia Ellis had grown used to, which is the noise of the leak, the noise of the leak dripping from the down. The third n the wide wild villa of the grassy green knolls sits reason there could be a leak is that the river had final- the funky town of Teecheekamunda where three ly overflown and was presently submerging the house hep cats who have never lifted a soft finger to in its factory radiated water but there was no river some knucklehead crossing their paths just rolled a nearby and the river wouldn’t want to touch the house Ibone and moved a stone away from the creaky cellar anyway. So the spider sister said, “There’s a leak” door of their mother’s fifty-year-old house. There was and the three reasons didn’t apply so there must be a leak seeping through the floor in the kitchen but a fourth reason which, in Teecheekamunda, was un- the water was coming from the down, not the up— heard of because for the past eight years things have the down, it was coming from the down—not the soft been fine, yes things have been fine with just three stuff from that white feathered dinosaur, the goose, reasonable explanations for things for the past eight one of which two of those hep cats, who happen to years. Much better than the four years that came be- be brothers, owned, and used to chase around their fore that. The four years that came before that were sister in the backyard. It’s because she wasn’t a hep definitely not as good as the past eight years that cat and had no claws or four legs to chase the goose introduced its Ramen noodle soup packet explana- back, though the goose didn’t care what had claws or tions to explain away all the other explanations that four legs, it would chase you anyway and bite you in didn’t explain the new administration’s actions. Sure the ass. this could be a story about the explanations but who wants to listen to explanations of explanations when The leak was coming from the down, the down as in the only two explanations needed are that that’s the the water wasn’t dripping from the top—the top, as way things are now and who wants to go back to the in the ceiling. The sister came inside, a fine eight- four years before the past eight years. legged beauty who wove her hair into neat threads so she could floss her teeth—she was a spider, or Now there are four of them—the three hep cats, two seemed to be a spider—when they were high she was of them brothers, one of them a friend, and the spi- a spider ‘cause she had silk hair and two legs and der sister—and they’re all thinking of this number four two arms and was a dancer so when she moved her and notice all the things that are made of four. What limbs it made a trail of eight. The sister came inside, could explain the leak? Their table has four legs, the agitated by the wayward goose who nipped her finger chairs have four legs, the cat has four legs, the fork as she was reaching in its cage to drop some down has four tines, and the explanations for an event—the for its nest and she saw the leak and said, “There’s event being the leak—have reached four. What could a leak.” Now in Teecheekamunda there are three explain the leak? Four is death, that’s why there are reasons why someone would have a leak. The first only three explanations for all those who believe four reason is that the up is dripping onto the floor which ain’t for them. They don’t want to die. means you’ve got problems with your pipes, but this leak wasn’t from the up ‘cause the pipes had been All books with the number “four” were banned eight inspected by the father with X-ray vision who knew years ago: Fahrenheit 451, 1984, The Three Muske- what he was talking about without having to actually teers (if you consider D’Artagnan to be a musketeer look at the pipes. The pipes were fine, the pipes were along with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—which the new fine, Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes are fine. The second administration did—then it’s really the four muske- reason you could have a leak is that you could have teers), Catch-22 (in numerology 22 adds up to four), a seep from say, the crack between the door and to name a few. All of those white books written by all floor and it rained and the water came in and made of those white guys ended up burning at 500º Fahr- a soggy mess. But this wasn’t a seep it was a leak enheit. Damn, you couldn’t even play Chicago’s “25 or because the levels of agitation in the house grew 6 to 4” on the radio.
30 Voices and Visions
The leak is four, man, a hep cat said. and bellies when they smelled the dirty animals. Re- member when weed was legal and not a crime and Then came the movers. The movers moved all those mother’s joints felt perfectly fine? The three hep cats who had eyes with four corners to some place in Tex- sauntered over to the leak and crouched down on as. They had the death eyes, the administration said. their knees to watch the stain spread across the tiled The fear, they told us, was that those people who floor. “Spider sister, give up your hair,” they said. So had four-cornered eyes—well—their eyes would bring she took a thin strand of silk from her head and made death. They had the death stare, the death stare, so sure there were no clingers. Then, with her thumb and all the killer looking cats were shipped to the top of forefinger she grabbed the base of the silk stalk and Texas where they could stare each other to death all pulled until in her ears she heard a small pop and the day long for no cost at all. Let them kill themselves, hair was free. Spider sister let the hair float to the that’s right. Four eyes were bad, four eyes were bad. ground, hitting the stain on the tile, making it ripple. Double vision, worse. 20/20 vision is a life sentence. “Give up another,” they said. So she did. She gave up her hair, pulling the strands out one by one, filling up Calm down, you’re freakin’ me out, another hep with ecstasy as she reached the last strand and re- cat said. leased it from its stronghold. Her scalp, covered with pinpricks of blood, could breathe. Families with four members were exterminated be- cause the nuclear family held no power over Russia The three hep cats took the hair and rested it on the anymore and were just considered bombs. That’s why leak where it turned into polliwogs and swam away to in mother’s house there were two boys and a spider the down. That’s the way things are now. Who wants sister and a father with X-Ray eyes. That made five. to go back to four years before the past eight years? Five fingers on a hand can do something. Four fingers We are in danger. We are in danger. Did the polliwogs on a hand is defective. That’s what they said about know we are in danger? They ran away. Live life feel- hands—and that’s what they said about families of ing danger. Who is Danger and why are we in him? four. It was a defective family. Add one more, make Why are we feeling him? Why am I forced to inter- another child, kill another child, be five or three, but act with him? Danger is in Teecheekamunda, so the not four. The other hep cat, the friend of the brothers, exterminations and book burnings were for a good was an only child and one of his fathers passed as a cause, a good cause. Everyone say ‘yes’ when it’s woman. The neighborhood kept quiet about that one for a good cause. Please say ‘yes’ and if you won’t when the official came up from Secondmondalia... say ‘yes’ we’ll replace you with someone who knows they were a nice family and he was a nice boy. No the English language. But exterminations and book one told the administration the thumb is technically burnings didn’t fix the leak in mother’s house and as not a finger. they looked at how the table and chairs were kept up by four legs and forks had four tines and there were Last week the movers evacuated an entire block in four of them in the room they felt for a split second the middle-of-nowhere Connecticut—40 homes—and that maybe they had been lied to and that four was a took mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons to a hold- good number since it was the only number that could ing facility in New Jersey. We don’t know why they are explain the leak. doing this. We just know all of those people were a threat to us. They were going to kill us. Kill us all.
“There’s a leak,” said the spider sister. The three hep cats had finished their finger and the spider sister could smell the skunks from up there on her high thighs and the incense made sense to her and she wondered if her mother or father would step through the door of the house and feel the past in their lungs Voices and Visions
Spare Rib position to examine my wife’s drawers, but instead, by Tamari Witkin fell upon them hard, with my arms draped with suit- case bag straps and laden with papers. Had I exam- fter energetically carrying all the boxes and ined the drawers my wife had placed at the office furniture into our new home, I found myself door, it should have suited us much better: You see, Ato be still reeling from the many shocks of the ‘wise’-crack’ was on ME! I cracked my rib! I was recent weeks: My house sold in foreclosure late-July so mad at her for creating this additional obstacle and I found us an aparment to move into for August course for me: this gave a whole new meaning to the 1st, but we were literally smoked-out of it when the term, Adam’s rib, when it comes to the origin of the live-in landlords’ second-hand cigarette smoke made fairer-sex—it should have been ‘’Chaz’s rib’ (not Ad- its way through the air-conditionining vents of the rent- am’s Rib), as my partner of the female sex was far al apartment downstairs. This made both my wife and from fair: she was most ill-advised to set a boobie our dog so sick that we had to pack up just days after trap for me. She behaved most officiously to me af- moving in. Fortunately, my in-laws allowed us to gath- ter I chewed her out for it, and took a piece of my er ourlselves up and ‘camp out’ in their living-room, rib in her ‘evil’ trap! I should have been observing the allowing us to save up a little money while looking for drawers at the door in front of me, instead of imagin- a suitable rental. We were barely there for a couple of ing her drawers: One can see more clearly when one weeks, when the transmission and exhaust system on observes. When it rains, it pours, as it did with these my wife’s Olds gave out. Down to one car, no employ- drawers! — that makes obstacle #7! ment, and dealing with an ailing shih-tzu, our buddy, Toffee, had become too ill to care for comfortably: he So it was, with my immediate woes upon moving to had to be put down on the 22nd. Never Boulevard—I should have called it Never Bully yard! Subsequent to this unfortunate mishap of falling One week after these five hurdles (foreclosure, a upon dresser drawers instead of falling into her dress- move to a toxic apartment, relocation to temporary ing drawers, I drew a vivid picture in the mind of my housing at relatives, with one car down and the death attending doctor the next day. of our ‘fur child’), another unexpected obstacle arose: On the 28th, six days after Toff’s death, I was driving in Dr. Hindsight asked me what happened in my environ- my blue Dodge Caravan, when a distracted driver wal- ment to cause me such a mishap, and how I felt im- loped me in a head-on-collision. This impact deployed mediately thereafter, as a result of the fall. I thought the airbag from my steering wheel, sucker-punching for a moment, then, with a perfectly straight expres- me in the gut while the plastic teeth of the exploding sion, I related, “I was out cold—yes, I was stunned, dashboard gashed my forearm! This became hurdle and at that moment, I was a little boy sitting at the number six. Still in shock, I called my best friend who edge of the Ohio River fishing.” (I gauged my doctor’s picked me up from the scene of the accident to take reaction: he looked white as a sheet, but indicated, by me back to my nephew’s house, where he was staying. his gaping expression, that he wanted to hear more) Days after this sixth hurdle, my wife and I resumed our “Oh, wait! I was never in Ohio! That must be anoth- search for suitable rental apartments throughout the er story!” My doctor’s instinctive reaction was to sud- state while I was still in this state of shock. We finally denly sport a shit-eating grin and pronounce, “I never found one that we both loved in an unexpected town, expected that!” He ordered an x-ray to be performed within reasonable driving distance from our relatives. on my chest, where I was sore, and in fact it was con- The landlords accepted us and our deposit, and we firmed that I had broken a rib. This fall for a crack left were able to move into our new home on October 1st. me hungry. Do you have a spare rib?
My lovely wife worked tirelessly alongside me, bring- After these seven obstacles I felt I had expiated the ing in furniture, boxes, and bric-a-brac to our new worst part of my karmic debt and now I shall experi- home. Among the things she brought in were a stack ence the joy of triumph for the long haul! of drawers to our bedroom dresser. Now I was in NO
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T-Town Calender
O’Connor’s Irish Pub Sol Cafe Sunday Nights, 4pm-7pm Saturday & Sunday Nights Live music. DJ Nights Happy Hour 2pm-7pm.
Monday Nights, 4pm-10pm 829 Restaurant & Lounge Free pool. One dozen steamed clams for $10. Saturday & Sunday Nights Happy Hour 2pm-7pm. DJ Nights, 21+.
Tuesday Nights, 4pm-10pm Half-rack of baby back ribs, coleslaw, and corn- bread for $8.99 with purchase of draft or cock- tail. Happy Hour 2pm-7pm. Act Natural Health & Wellness Thursday, September 6th, 1:30pm-5:30pm Wednesday Nights, 8:30pm Healing Open House Trivia. Happy Hour 2pm-7pm. Offering energy work, card readings, nutrition con- sultations, crystals, in-store samples of some of Thursday Nights, 4pm-10pm our gluten-free and vegan products along with Tacos for $2.50 ea. herbal tea. First Thursday is the first Thursday Happy Hour 2pm-7pm. of every month. Visit Facebook page for more in- formation. Friday Nights, 2pm-7pm Happy Hour 2pm-7pm. First Two Tuesdays of Every Month, 11:30am-1pm Lunchtime Thrive Sasso’s Coal Fired Pizza We offer Community Chiropractic with Dr. Rick Sundays, TBD Araya from West Hartford and Chair Massage Live music. with Christine Decarolis, LMT from Morris. Com- munity Chiropractic and Chair Massage is our Wednedays, 6pm-9pm way of offering affordable wellness options to the Live music. community. No appointment necessary!
Gina’s Cafe Tony’s Westside Restaurant Saturday, September 8th, 12-3pm Saturday, September 8th, 6:30pm Teen Advisory Board Car Wash Fundraiser Live Performance by Days Off Support the Torrington Library’s Teen Advisory Monday, September 22nd, 6:30pm Board and have your car washed for $5.00! Live Performance by Stache. Tickets are available at the library now! Live music. 21+, no cover charge
34 T-Town Calendar Torrington Public Library Five Points Gallery Thursday, September 6th, 6:30pm Thursdays-Mondays, August 23rd-September Mad River Market & You: 29th, 1pm-5:00pm Help Us Write the Story Artist Exhibitions.
Mad River Market is a food co-op coming together I.D.Entity Jack Rosenberg to serve the Northwest Corner with a communi- Creatures/Gig Lavery TDP Gallery ty-owned full service grocery store to be located Personal Identities Justyna Dabrowski, in Winsted. Come find out about co-operatives— Camilla Marie Dahl, Brad Guarino, Ronald J. including food co-ops like ours, about our plans, Sloan, Grier Torrence. and share with us what you would like to see in our market! A 15 minute presentation will be fol- Friday, September 14th, 6:30pm lowed by Q&A and discussion with the audience. Artist panel discussion. Register online. Moderated by Jackie Branson.
Thursday, September 20th, 6:30pm The Enchantment of Korea Sanctuary Yoga Studio Friday, September 14th, 5:45-pm-7pm This multimedia presentation brings to life Korea’s Yoga With Reiki, Essential Oils & rich and unique cultural heritage, from colorful art Sound Healing to modern Korea. After viewing a presentation in- cluding a documentary films & the reenactment of Join Heather for a gentle flow class that will in- traditional Korean wedding, participants will enjoy clude hands on assists, reiki & use of essential a traditional Korean meal prepared by members oils. Class will be set to live, healing music by Kel- of the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Proj- vin Young of Sacred Sounds Healing. The room will ect. Works of art, including paintings, objects, and be a comfortable temperature (not heated). And costumes, will be on display. Register online. assists, reiki & oils are all optional. Expect to leave feeling renewed & empowered. Space is limited. Thursday, September 27th, 6pm Pre-registration is recommended. $25 entry fee. Friday, September 28th, 1pm Phone: 860-496-1500 BYOD and A Movie: Book Club
Diane (Diane Keaton) is recently widowed after 40 years of marriage, Vivian (Jane Fonda) enjoys her Hey, Torrington, men with no strings attached, Sharon (Candice Have An Event Coming Up? Bergen) is still working through her decades-old divorce, and Carol’s (Mary Steenburgen) marriage Let Word Mill help you advertise! It’s free. is in a slump after 35 years. The lives of these four lifelong friends are turned upside down after Send us the name of your business, the event, reading the infamous “50 Shades of Grey,” cata- date and time, and a brief description. pulting them into a series of outrageous life choic- es. PG 13 / 107 Minutes Bring your own dinner and We also accept press releases. enjoy a movie! We’ll set up the Community Room with chairs and tables for you to enjoy your dinner Questions? Submissions? with friends. You can bring everything from pizza, Email us at [email protected] to grinders, to sushi! Register online. ATTN: Calendar. 266 Main Street Torrington, CT. 06790
Maria Maria Bakery Bread from Heaven is an authentic Puerto Rican Bakery bringing you Cuban sandwiches, empanadas, and a variety of original pastries like a quesito (a puff pastry with sweet cream cheese inside).