Arts + Culture

Ballet Theatre Company

Celebrating 25 Years of Dance: A Journey of Passion and Inclusion Article by Brian Boyer | Photography by Thomas Giroir Since its inception 25 years ago, the Ballet Theatre Company (BTC) in West Hartford has been more than just a dance organization—it's been a beacon of joy, passion and inclusivity for the community. Led by Director Stephanie Dattellas, whose love for dance began at the age of 3, the organization has evolved from a performance ensemble to a thriving training school and...

March 2024

Fitness

Investing In Your Fitness

GYMGUYZ: Bringing the Workout, and Expertise, to You Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Brian Ambrose As anyone who has embarked on a new fitness goal can tell you, the biggest hurdle is getting out, whether for a run, an indoor workout, or to the gym. Sure, you can buy expensive gym equipment for your garage, spare bedroom or basement, but how many of us end up using that stationary bike or treadmill as coat racks?  What if your workout came to you instead, trainer, workout, and...

March 2024

Finance + Legal Services

Redefining the Investment Advice Model

A Transparent Approach to Wealth Management  Article by Lucinda Jamison | Photography by Connecticut Headshots In a world where financial advisory firms often blur into a monotonous landscape, one voice stands out, advocating for transparency, lower costs, and genuine client-centric services.  Metric Financial brings a refreshing perspective to the table and the expertise of its founder and CEO, Tim Baker, a CFA with a background steeped in investment management, not sales tactics.  He...

March 2024

Professional Services

Retirement Coaching

How to Live Your Best Life In Your Golden Years Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Brian Ambrose Call it retirement or your second act in life, if your career is at an end do you know what you’ll do next? How do retirees who still have years of life left figure out what the next phase of their life should look like? Those questions, and the challenge of helping others figure out the answers, is what led Ashley Rigby into her own new career path. The founder of Goldinage...

March 2024

Arts + Culture

Jerry's Artarama

The Landmark Art Supply Store is a Beacon For Arts & Crafts Lovers Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Connecticut Headshots For three decades Jerry’s Artarama of CT has served the needs of the Connecticut art community with a wide array of fine art and crafting supplies, boasting the “biggest and best selection of quality supplies for artists of all kinds, as well as tons of novelty items for artists and non-artists alike.”  But more than that, Jerry’s Artarama, which marked its...

March 2024

Home + Design

Crafting Timeless Homes

Kathryn Hunt Studio Provides Expert Advice for Creating Your Dream Space Article by Lucinda Jamison Finding the perfect balance between style and function when you’re building a home or renovating can be a daunting task.  The key to success lies in making informed decisions with the help of a design professional. A full-service interior decoration and design firm in West Hartford, The Kathryn Hunt Studio works in an array of visual styles to assist clients through the design process and...

February 2024

Real Estate

Real Estate Trends - 2024

A Conversation With Sherri Kagan Schwartz, of Coldwell Banker Realty Article by Eileen M. McNamara | Photography by Hannah Schwartz, Naesan Ponnudurai With nearly 20 years of experience in real estate, Sherri Kagan Schwartz is a licensed Realtor who works with Coldwell Banker Realty in West Hartford.  She serves residential and commercial clients in the Greater Hartford area and beyond and is also licensed in Massachusetts.  “I frequently assist buyers who are looking in towns close to the...

February 2024

Food + Beverage

Shephard's Pie

Try skipping the usual corned beef this year for a more sublime, authentic Irish meal Article by Eileen M. McNamara Looking for an alternative to the typical corned beef dinner on St Patrick's Day? Corned beef is Irish-American, immigrants came up with it when they came to this country. So here's a recipe for an authentic Irish meal, one you would easily encounter any day in Ireland. Traditionally the Irish used ground lamb in Shepard's Pie, but you can substitute ground beef, chicken or...

February 2024

Life + Culture

West Hartford Reader's Choice

Article by West Hartford Lifestyle Staff | Photography by Ira Nozik, Connecticut Headshots, Nadine Zuchorski, Gwen O'Donnel The votes are in and we have the winners of West Hartford Lifestyle Magazine's Reader's Choice Survey.    Best Bakery Spruce & Rye Baking Company  Spruceandryebakingco.com   Best Accountants Cowen Tax Advisory Group Inc. Cowen Tax Advisory Group provides financial services, including tax preparation, retirement planning and wealth management. Cowentaxgroup.com   ...

January 2024

Arts + Culture

A Brief History of Valentine's Day

The Roots of Our Annual Celebration of all Things Love Article by Eileen M. McNamara February is the month of love here in the U.S., thanks to our celebrations of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. While the roots of this holiday are shrouded in lore and mystery, it contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions.  One legend of Valentine’s Day says it was created more than 1,500 years ago in Europe to mark the martyrdom of Saint Valentine, who was killed by a Roman emperor because...

January 2024