West Hartford's LocalOnlineNews.TV

During the Affordable Care Act debate, you may have heard the term health care exchange come up. Exchanges are a key part of the law that its supporters hope will create a competitive marketplace where consumers and small businesses can compare and buy insurance. We take a closer look at Connecticut's exchange that will be opening soon.

Driving through Hartford, you can't help but notice that big, beautiful, blue dome. Look below it though and you see that it sits on a decrepit building. But with new developers renovating the Colt armory building and the city of Hartford having a grand vision for it- the landscape will soon look very different. An effort is underway to have the Colt property recognized as a national park. Adam Chiara spoke with Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra to learn more.

Holding a forum at West Hartford's Town Hall, Congressman John Larson and Nick Nyhart of the Public Campaign Action Fund discussed why reforming money in politics is necessary. Nyhart says the the most startling fact that outlines this issue comes when looking at where winning members of congress get their money.

In West Hartford's well developed downtown, one open space stands out… But it may not for long. The town is taking proposals from hotel developers that want to build on the land which is owned by the town. West Hartford is looking for a full service hotel with about 120 rooms. Though the town already has the West Hartford Inn which is very close to the center, Community Development Director Rob Rowlson says a modern hotel in the center is needed.

Looking for great jazz? You'll find it in Hartford, Connecticut - even at the Hartford Public Library. This is the first On Your Block story from Adam Chiara and Sarah Miner.

Many veterans experience depression when returning from overseas, with some showing signs of being suicidal. While a veteran's family and friends might notice these warning signs, they don't always know how to approach the situation. The Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs recognizes this and has a new program called Coaching into Care. The program helps loved ones of veterans get help for those who need it.

West Hartford may not have the Hollywood sign, but it does have lights, cameras, and action going on inside what was once a Friendly's restaurant in the town's center. The movie being filmed is an action thriller called Pawn and has stars like Michael Chiklis, Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta and Nikki Reed. A major reason the high profile film is being shot in Connecticut is because of the tax credits the state offers movie makers. LocalOnlineNews.TV was granted an exclusive interview with Pawn's producer Jeff Most to find out why they chose West Hartford as a shooting location. Pawn is scheduled to be released in 2013.

Lights, Lights and more Lights…They’re everywhere you look this time of year. How safe are they? And is anyone reading the fine print on the box? Localonlinenews.tv asked the store manager at Moscarillo’s in West Hartford, to help us with the safety warnings for stringed lighting and how they should be used.

If you want to go beyond bringing that store-bought bottle of wine to your next holiday party, try making your own. Sarah Miner checks out the Cork and Brew in Southington that helps customers do just that. The unique shop can help you make your own wine, beer, and soda.

NASA launched the Mars Curiosity rover to the red planet on November 26, 2011. Read more at CTTechjunkie.com.

West Hartford's A Hand Up helps the homeless transition to new homes by accepting donations of furntiture and other household goods. They will pick goods up from your home, but bringing donations to their location helps them save money on fuel and transportation.

Rolling into Connecticut in high gear, the Connecticut International Auto Show began its weekend showing at the convention center in Hartford. Governor Malloy and DEEP Commissioner Esty were some of the first spectators. Malloy stressed the importance of the auto industry in the state.

If you're sick of high gas prices- now you can complain about long lines too. The rare October snowstorm has done more than just knock out power and damage property - it's caused a scramble to find an open gas station. And when you do find one like this Sunoco near the corner of Farmington Avenue and Prospect street in West Hartford, the lines can be ugly.

Occupy Hartford protesters have set up camp at Turning Point Park in Hartford at the corner of Broad Street and Farmington Ave. Approximately 20 are living at the site full time, with others coming and going throughout the week. But the small group faces a big problem- most passing by have no clue what Organize Hartford is doing. A telling sign is that no one nearby would comment on the protest because they had no idea what was going on. This includes residents from Capitol View, the apartment building across the street.

This workout isn’t your jog in the park, but then again, CrossFit athletes wouldn’t want to have it any other way. CrossFit is a work out program that combines strength and cardio training, and uses full body and high intensity movements. Athletes had a chance to put their skills to the test by competing in the Beast of the East recently at the Durham Fair Grounds.

Walking, culture and innovation- these are the cornerstones of the iQuilt project- a plan which will redesign downtown Hartford. iQuilt is in the early stages, but the vision of turning Hartford into a tourist destination is already in place.

The Incredible India Festival is an all day tribute to Indian music, dance, food, handicrafts and culture. It took place in Hartford on September 18, 2011.

It's a swim teacher's worst nightmare – a pool full of doggy-paddlers. But at the annual "Pooch Plunge" at Kennedy Park in West Harford these canines get a pass on learning the stokes. The event helps raise money for the West Hartford Dog Park coalition.

The Connecticut Department of Labor is assisting unemployed residents in their job searches.

The Billings Forge Farmers' Market, established in 2007, brings locally grown fresh foods to the Frog Hollow section of Hartford. Sarah Miner reports.

The City of Hartford along with the Connecticut Science Center have grants of up to $15,000 available for small business innovators located in the city. Adam Chiara reports.

The team from CTTechJunkie.com shot exclusive FLIR infrared footage of Atlantis' final landing. They were also present for the shuttle's "tow back" to the Orbiter Processing Facility where United Space Alliance employees walked alongside the orbiter they have worked with for nearly three decades.

Adults looking to go to college will be happy to hear that the Saint Joseph’s weekend program for adult learners was just given a $25,000 grant for scholarship aid by the Hartford Foundation for public giving.

Our partners at CTTechJunkie.com met up with Sesame Street's Elmo at the Kennedy Space Center ahead of the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Elmo answered questions from CTTechJunkie's readers.

LocalOnlineNews.TV's Lauren Meltzer visits the rose garden at Elizabeth Park to learn more about its beauty and history.

A look inside Space Shuttle Discovery with the help of United Space Alliance employees. Discovery is in the process of being prepped for shipment to the Smithsonian in Washington DC.

Lon & Doug traveled to the Kennedy Space Center last week to witness the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour. The Shuttle had technical difficulties that are still being worked on, but the guys did visit upstart SpaceX to hear about how they plan to take astronauts into space by 2014.

Jim Bolton, NASA Vehicle Manager for Space Shuttle Atlantis gives a demonstration on the shuttle's heat shield tiles. CTTechJunkie.com visited NASA's Kennedy Space Center for the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour.

New technology and gadgets are constantly on the horizon, and when the newest is in the oldest is out. But is there a danger in having all those old computers and cell phones sitting in our landfills? Adam Chiara looks at how these devices can get recycled safely.

He's probably the biggest celebrity you've never heard of. Social media superstar Gary Vaynerchuk visited Madison's RJ Julia bookshop to talk about his latest book "The Thank You Economy."

Protestors gathered on tax day outside the Bank of America Branch on North Main Street in West Hartford yesterday. The demonstrators, organized by the Connecticut Citizens Action Group, Connecticut Action Alliance for a Fair Economy, and MoveOn.org, say that Bank of America did not pay any state or federal income taxes in 2009. The group also said Bank of America withheld loans from small businesses.

Connecticut Public Broadcasting may soon see their budget reduced. Adam Chiara spoke with WNPR's John Dankosky to find out how potential federal cuts might impact Connecticut programming.

It’s the tale of two neighboring cities. While West Harford has two competing leagues, Harford is struggling to just keep one.

Bushnell Park is America's first public park, and a symbol of Hartford. And though the park looks beautiful for being over one hundred and fifty years old, the benches have seen better days. A new effort is underway to restore them.

Why do dogs do the things they do? Kelley Bollen, an animal behavior consultant, says it's all about instinct and survival. She spoke recently to about sixty people at a free forum hosted by the veterinary specialists of CT in West Hartford.

LocalOnlineNews.TV's Kimberly Howard reports on inaugural day festivities for Connecticut's 88th Governor.

The popular HGTV show House Hunters will feature West Hartford on an upcoming episode. We spoke with Realtor Evan Berman to find out more.

It's the holiday season, and that means, celebrations, reunions, wine and eggnog. And for the West Hartford police, it also means stepping up DUI enforcement.

Children's musician and PBS KIDS host SteveSongs headlined a benefit concert at King Phillip Middle School in West Hartford. The event will benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

Join host Sarah Miner as she takes you around Blue Back Square during the annual West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square Holiday Stroll. LocalOnlineNews.TV can help your business or organization develop a custom (and affordable) newscast. Send an email to sales@localonlinenews.tv to find out more!

West Hartford officials detailed the status of three major projects: the Busway, New Britain Avenue Road project, and the proposed dog park.

There's a lot of talk about the Rell Center coming to the University of Hartford. But what is it? We talked to University President Walter Harrison to find out more.

West Hartford resident David Roth issued a challenge: He'll match any grant made to the Hartford Symphony Orchestra through May 31, 2011, up to a grand total of $500,000.

NASA once relied on big networks and even bigger names like Walter Cronkite to help carry its message. But now NASA is broadening its reach to social media. The agency recently invited 150 of its Twitter followers to a space shuttle launch "tweetup" event, giving people like math professor Joel Glickman - and his live streaming iPhone - access that was once reserved only for the media's elite.

It's been said "For an indicator of what's to come, one must study the past." And that is just what Dr. Tracey Wilson, former West Hartford town historian, touched on when she recently discussed West Hartford's past, present and future at the Universalist Church.

A Veterans' Day ceremony was held at the Veterans' Memorial in West Hartford Center, honoring those who have served or are serving in our nation's armed forces. The observance offered a way for residents to pay tribute and show their appreciation to our men and women in uniform.

11 independent middle schools held a fair at the Renbrook school recently. The fair was sponsored by the Central Connecticut Independent Middle School Consortium. The Middle School Consortium is a regional group of schools working together to promote awareness of private middle school programs.

Election Day is less than two weeks away, and two candidates vying for West Hartford's open 19th House District seat are busy meeting voters. LocalOnlineNews.TV's Kimberly Howard caught up with Democrat Brian Becker and Republican Denise Berard Hall.

Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson visited Hartford to help raise funds for the YMCA of Greater Hartford. LocalOnlineNews.TV's Adam Chiara was there.

The annual Park Road parade began back in 1988 as a celebration for a two-year road reconstruction and beautification project that brought businesses and residents together. Participants in this year's parade ranged from town officials, state politicians, businesses, dogs and antique cars. If you didn't make this year's parade, here's what you missed.

Batt Burns is an internationally known Irish storyteller. He's been featured on shows such as Good Morning America, and has performed at several universities including Harvard and Notre Dame. His latest stop at the West Hartford library entertained a sold out crowd.