Searching the Horizon

Darius Kinsey: Highlead logging using steam skidder

The New Britain Museum of American Art has a new exhibit titled Searching the Horizon: The Real American West 1830-1920 (through March 4th, 2012). As the title suggests, it contains art of and about the American west. Through paintings, photographs, sculptures and other objects, it explores four themes: Settlement, Landscape, Native Americans and Urbanization and Industry. I wasn't too impressed with the paintings, but the exhibit contains some great photography. Darius Kinsey (see the photo at left) chronicled the logging industry in the Pacific Northwest. His photos show the enormity of the undertaking, as well as the often dangerous activities it involved.

Things that are good: Hartford Denim Company

The mark of the company.

Last winter, after losing two pairs of jeans to the treacherous ice, I decided to invest in some better denim. After searching around for a while, looking for something well-made and hopefully domestic (nothing against China, I just don't see why my jeans should be better traveled than I am), I came across the Hartford Denim Company. This is a company started by three guys in Hartford. It was originally housed in a crappy office building on Pratt Street in downtown but has since moved to 30 Arbor St, next to Real Art Ways.

Anyway, last winter I headed down to Pratt Street, went past the Pole Control Studio, and made my way up to their office. It was filled with workbenches, old sewing machines, and denim. I handed over my $240 and left with a very nice pair of jeans with beautiful red buttons and rivets made from salvaged copper.

My broken-in jeans

Unfortunately, a few weeks ago I was riding my bike, while I was wearing my favorite pair of jeans, and I had a confrontation with a bulb-out. After being thrown from my bicycle in a very elegant manner, I scraped my knee on the sidewalk. I'll spare you the pictures. In addition to drawing blood, bruising skin, and cracking my noodle, I tore a hole in my beloved pants. Fortunately, the good folk at Hartford Denim Company back their product with lifetime repair service.

Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter / The Sadies

Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter and The Sadies will be playing at the Wadsworth this Sunday at 8pm (doors at 7pm). Should be a good show. If you aren't familiar with them, the Sadies are a Canadian Alt-Country band that have played with the likes of Neko Case and John Doe (of the punk band X). Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter are a Seattle-based freak-folk band. They have a very low-key sound, laid back and haunting.
The Wadsworth is a great venue. Concerts take place in the beautiful downstairs theater. Lest you think this will be some sober art event, you can buy beer in the lobby.
Arrive early check out Patti Smith's (Patti Smith!) "Camera Solo" and Claire Beckett's "Simulating Iraq". Both are great photography exhibits that will make you a more cultured and well-liked person.

Things that are good: Hartford Baking Company

The Hartford Baking Company (oddly enough, not located in Hartford) is home to the best cup of coffee in the county, as well as some darn good bread. Located along West Hartford's depressing (perhaps hellish better describes it), largely abandoned New Park Avenue, in a non-nondescript strip mall, HBC is a true diamond in the rough.

While they are primarily a baker, and a good one at that, they are most notable for their coffee. Not only do they use some excellent beans (from Stumptown Coffee in Brooklyn), but they also offer coffee made with the "pour over" method. This simple method uses carefully measured ingredients to make a superior, flavorful, cup of coffee (see this jazzy video for a demonstration). When brewed with this method, the subtle flavors and aromas of the coffee are on full display. Unlike Starbucks, where the primary notes are of charcoal, at HBC one coffee will have strong citrus aromas while another will taste of dark chocolate. They also pull a mean shot of espresso and, I'm told, have the best iced coffee in the state (brewed in cold water for an entire day).

Oh, and they have baked goods. HBC carries a wide variety of freshly baked bread. I recently purchased a loaf of pain de mise, which was chewy, slightly sweet, and made great sandwiches. While a bit expensive ($5 for a normal size loaf), the bread is worth it. They also make sandwiches at their retail location; I've only tried the grilled cheese, which was, in keeping with their other offerings, excellent.

The pastries at HBC are also good, though somewhat less consistent. The raisin scone (I know, currants are more traditional) was chewy, slightly tart, and moist. The orange scone, on the other hand, was a bit dry and crumbly. I'll try the rest of them (for the sake of science) and update later.