New Britain CT
2024 Little Poland Festival in New Britain to be June 9th
Editor’s Note (6/9/2024): Festival organizers have announced that the, “Little Poland Festival is rain or shine. Come on down! The rain will pass. Official opening is at 12:30.” The 2024 New Britain Little Poland Festival is planned for Sunday, June 9, celebrating the 11th time the widely popular cultural event has been held. “What began […]
Watershed: New Britain’s 1989 Mayoral Campaign (Part 2)
The Municipal Election That Changed New Britain Politics For A Generation Introduction In 1989, Donald DeFronzo became New Britain’s 34th Mayor ending the late William (Billy Mac) McNamara’s six terms as the city’s top elected official, a modern-day record not matched until last November when Mayor Erin Stewart won a sixth, two-year term. “During the […]
Democrats May Have Primaries for Party Governing Committee in Two Wards
In two of the five wards of the city, Democrats may have primaries for who will serve on the Democratic Party’s governing Town Committee. The potentially contested wards are Ward 1, which includes the West End, Willow Brook and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods, and Ward 3, located in the center of the city. Unlike the city’s […]
Sanitary Main Break Across from 499 College West Apts: Road is Buckling Per the On-Site Tech
By Frank Chase The Oak to Stanley section of Allen St. Seems to be a problematic stretch of road. B&J Construction was called in for the repair. More costly repairs!? City officials insist on paving over this section of Allen St. holding the road together for the short term. Meanwhile, the outdated, undersized clay mains […]
CCSU Planetarium Presenting Show on Binary Star Systems with Valentine’s Day on the Way
“Valentine’s Day is on its way!” says the CCSU Planetarium. “In celebration of this holiday for lovebirds, let’s explore celestial systems that are coupled in space. Join us to learn more at our next free public planetarium shows!” The Planetarium says, Doors to the planetarium will open 30 minutes before show time. Plan on arriving […]
New Britain Museum of American Art: First Friday With The Ebbas
The New Britain Museum of American Art is to have live music from The Ebbas at its popular First Friday event. The Museum calls the monthly event, “Our signature social event features live music, art, food, spirits, and good friends.” “New Britain’s best Happy Hour, since 1995!” the Museum adds. The Museum’s February, 2024 First […]
Students’ Art, Music and Essays Commemorate MLK Day in New Britain
“America has not reached greatness yet because we are all not great together.” –Bishop Rha-Sheen Brown, Right Now Ministries by John McNamara On the 38th anniversary of the national holiday for the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 95th anniversary of his birth, New Britain held its commemorative program Monday (January 15) featuring music, […]
Engineering Report Confirms Residents’ Concerns About Effects of Neighborhood Flooding
A professional engineer has reported that the effects of repeated flooding, “can be structurally compromising,” of a home in the neighborhood to the southwest of CCSU that includes, Newbury, Hampton, Allen, Brighton and Stewart streets and Eton Place and Roxbury Road. Residents in the neighborhood have been seeking action by the city to address long-standing […]
Ten New Britain Schools Need Major Renovations in 10 Years – A New Report Suggests
On the January 8th 2024 Consolidated School District of New Britain Board meeting, the board heard a report titled “Facility Condition Assessment & Energy Audit” prepared by Bureau Veritas. In the current buildings’ conditions only Holmes Elementary was not classified as “well maintained” but as in “functional conditions.” Holmes Elementary School was original constructed in […]
Martin Luther King and the Economic and Social Bill of Rights
By Tim O’Brien Editor’s note: The following commentary is a republication of an article originally published personally by the author in 2014. This weekend, our nation, state and communities celebrate and remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments. It is a time when I have always felt inspired by his work, […]