Friday, July 10, 2015

Where in Downtown Wallingford Is This? (#2)

So here is a tougher one to guess since last week's picture (link).  So if you think you know where this is downtown, tell below in the comments section! Thanks!

Where in Downtown Wallingford Is This? 



The answer will be posted next Friday, July 17th, 2015!  Again, please share answers in the comment section below!! Thanks. Have fun!

And you can find Up with Downtown Wallingford at:

 You can find our website at: http://www.upwithdowntown.org//

We are also on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/upwithdowntownwallingford?ref=hl

Answer to: Where in Downtown Wallingford Is This? (#1)

As many of you guessed the answer to this week's "Where in Downtown Wallingford Is This? (#1)" (link) is the WPAA TV and Community Media Center building.  The mural is painted on the left side (see second photo) of the building.


WPAA TV and Community Media Center is open for business for the community and YOU!


 Did you know that WPAA works with the community to provide opportunity for the citizens of Wallingford to create their own shows, assist you in filming and using their equipment in the studio or on your own?  They will show your creations (within their guidelines) on the air.  One of their biggest philosophies is promoting free speech!

I went in one day last year and was shown how to edit and film.  They showed how they loan out equipment. On another occasion, I was also interviewed in studio for one of the great local shows done here in Wallingford by a Wallingford resident.

I also hope to do a much more in depth piece on WPAA in the near future.  I do highly encourage you to explore there yourself.  There is much there to benefit you and the community.  We are very lucky to be able to have such a resource in our community. I highly encourage you to use it!

You can see and find out much more about WPAA at the following links:
Facebook:                                 wpaa page                 Mascot Freeman P. Quinn page

Website:                                                                         website

Contact info:                             WPAA-TV, 28 So. Orchard St., Wallingford, CT 06492
                                                      Phone: (203) 294-9722



The incredible tiger mural is on the side of the building!














There is a story to the mural, which I also hope to do a more in-depth post on also.

In the mean time, here is a video from the Freeman P. Quinn channel on Youtube about the mural:




Thursday, July 9, 2015

Tell us your stories...We might put it here!

Do you have an upbeat story or funny (but upbeat) about downtown Wallingford, CT that you would like to share?  We would like to hear from you!  If you have memories from long ago, recent past or just the other day, we would love to hear from you. If you have photos to go along, that's even better!
We are looking for stories in your own words, that are well written and upbeat.  Did you meet your spouse somewhere, for example? My husband tells the story of how his mother dropped him and his brother off at the movie theatre downtown for an all day marathon of all the "Planet of the Apes" movies.  

Do you have a story about one of the shops or businesses that are presently downtown

 We do reserve the right to edit for clarity and length, but you will receive full credit as a guest writer for what we post.  Stories should be no more than a few paragraphs, well-written, without swear words and without degrading or defaming anyone. Anything otherwise will not be printed. There is no reward, except for bragging rights of being printed, and sharing your story with others!


Please send any questions or stories to upwithdowntownwallingford@outlook.com .  We look forward to hearing from you.   This is an ongoing thing unless we say otherwise.

 
And you can find Up with Downtown Wallingford at:


 You can find our website at: http://www.upwithdowntown.org//

We are also on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/upwithdowntownwallingford?ref=hl

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Top 10 Reasons to Support Locally Owned Businesses


The following comes from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a national nonprofit organization working to strengthen independent businesses and local economies, and is reprinted here with permission.

1.  Local Character and Prosperity

In an increasingly homogenized world, communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character have an economic advantage.

2.  Community Well-Being

Locally owned businesses build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbors in a web of economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes.

3. Local Decision-Making

Local ownership ensures that important decisions are made locally by people who live in the community and who will feel the impacts of those decisions.

4.  Keeping Dollars in the Local Economy

Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy, enriching the whole community.

5.  Job and Wages

Locally owned businesses create more jobs locally and, in some sectors, provide better wages and benefits than chains do.

6.  Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.

7.  Public Benefits and Costs

Local stores in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services relative to big box stores and strip shopping malls.

8.  Environmental Sustainability

Local stores help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers-which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.

9.  Competition

A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

10.  Product Diversity

A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
© Institute for Local Self-Reliance.


And you can find Up with Downtown Wallingford at:

 You can find our website at: http://www.upwithdowntown.org//

We are also on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/upwithdowntownwallingford?ref=hl



Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Part 2: A Summer Afternoon Stroll through Downtown Wallingford



At the intersection of Colony Road (Rt. 5) and Center Street, I started on a shorter stroll through the beginnings of North Colony Rd.  I turned off Center Street to see more of what is here. 
I caught a glimpse of Redscroll Records, a rare treasure trove for the music lover.
In the same building you will find other treasures, whether it be a salon to treat yourself wonderfully, a unique chocolate shop to tantalize your senses, or a place to find something you can use, decorate with or treat yourself with!



Across the street you can find some beverages in an architecturally interesting building!


One landmark place is Rosa's Deli, with subs to go or many great Italian and American foods.  When I was bed bound for six weeks after a major surgery, the people I worked with thought of sending me flowers. Instead, one practical person had the idea to order all kinds of food from there for me. My husband picked it up and heated up the food for me.  It was a super treat!  My recovery went very well!



I love looking in the window of the Hot Rod Parts place- with all the unique cars from all different days and types.



Across the street is Holy Trinity Church and Rectory. As I was passing Rosa's Deli, I caught glimpse of a priest who crossed my path going into Rosa's Deli.  It couldn't be more convenient for him, could it?


As I pass the convenience store, I noticed Los Mariachis, a popular Mexican Restaurant.





Across the street are Fazzino Napa Auto Parts and a real Hardware Store (True Value), making things available where we don't have to go to a big box store.


At this point I am turning around and you can see the parking lot of Fazzinos and the True Value on the right and local neighborhood houses on the left.
You get a sense of the small town feel and convenience of everything.



I love this old car in the parking lot of the Hot Rod Parts place.
As we pass by the Record shop, Chocolate Shop, Salon and Unique Shop, we can see the gazebo at Fishbein Park on the right.

After crossing the street towards the right, we see Healing Hands chiropractic,



Flowers by Amelia,
Massage by Kimberly,
Don's Barber Shop,
and some other views while looking in different directions. The train station,
Holy Trinity Church in the distance, are great landmarks to easily have a sense of direction.





If you cross over toward the train station, you will find it convenient to see where passengers get off and on-either having convenient access to travel off somewhere or to greet Wallingford- perhaps coming home!

A simple walk brings one right into town from the train station.











Thanks for joining me on this enjoyable brief stroll.  We will come back again, making visits to many places here.

And you can find Up with Downtown Wallingford at:

 You can find our website at: http://www.upwithdowntown.org//

We are also on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/upwithdowntownwallingford?ref=hl




Monday, July 6, 2015

Where in Downtown Wallingford Is This? (#1)

Where is this incredible painted tiger mural in downtown Wallingford?
Can you tell us where this incredible painted tiger mural is in Downtown Wallingford?

Tell us your guesses in the comments below!!!  The answer will be given in a future blog post!  Try to name the name of the place and the street.  We will reveal the answer in the post on Friday, July 10th, 2015.



And you can find Up with Downtown Wallingford at:

 You can find our website at: http://www.upwithdowntown.org//

We are also on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/upwithdowntownwallingford?ref=hl

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Twilight Tunes: Six Foot Step on July 8th

Twilight Tunes

Come have a wonderful evening under the stars with the Twilight Tunes. Before that, take a stroll down Center Street and enjoy a great meal or cocktail at one of downtown's wonderful restaurants. Or pick something up to enjoy at the concert. Stop by a fine restaurant or bar after the show for a drink or dessert (or both)! A great way to enjoy an evening in the middle of the week!

 

Six Foot Step               Facebook Link

Wednesday, July 8, 2015
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Wallingford Parade Ground
South Main Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
Driving Directions

Sponsored by the Department of Parks & Recreation and Stop & Shop Supermarkets.

Information: 203-294-2120.



And you can find Up with Downtown Wallingford at:

 You can find our website at: http://www.upwithdowntown.org//

We are also on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/upwithdowntownwallingford?ref=hl