West Hartford, CT June 2023

MANOJ DASWANI, OWNER OF DASWANI CLOTHIERS IN WEST HARTFORD CENTER

Happy Father's Day!

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18 and as an homage to all the dads and father figures out there June is also our Gentlemen's Issue. In keeping with that theme we have several stories in this issue about and for men.

Our cover guy is Manoj Daswani, owner of Daswani Clothiers on Farmington Avenue. We talked to Manoj, the fourth generation member of his family to run the store, about the long-term success of Daswani’s, an upscale shop that sells suits and other men’s clothes, and also has a tailor and stylist on staff.

Looking for a great gift for Father’s Day? How about some fresh coffee roasted and brewed locally? Perkatory Coffee Roasters , which roasts its own coffee beans sourced from countries around the world, recently opened a new shop on New Park Avenue. With an 80s-influenced punk rock/skater vibe, the coffee shop is a unique addition to New Park’s food and beverage shops.

We also spoke with wealth management specialists Roy Caso and Mike Briggs about the importance of long term care coverage to protect your assets as you enter or near retirement. The two men have nearly 30 years of experience in wealth management and with working with people looking for financial security.

Lastly, we have a feature this month on how to make an impact on Dad on Father's Day with some memorable activities and gifts.

We hope you enjoy this issue of West Hartford Lifestyle Magazine and that you have a Happy Father’s Day!

GARY PERRELLI, PUBLISHER @WESTHARTFORD_LIFESTYLE

June 2023

PUBLISHER

Gary Perrelli | gary.perrelli@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Eileen McNamara eileen.mcnamara@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Jill Barry | jill.barry@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Ivy Perrelli | ivy.perrelli@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Lucinda Jamison

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ira Nozik Photographers, Nadine Zuchorski, Megan Elizabeth Photography, Kara Dorsey, Melanie Lust

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Whitney Lockhart

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Welcome to

AVIVA

West Hartford

Apartments starting at $2500 /month

Independent Living ◆ Assisted Living ◆ Memory Care

AVIVA West Hartford is a magnificent senior living community that is centrally located in desirable West Hartford, Connecticut. Built in the early twentieth century, this grand, historic landmark puts you just minutes from downtown Hartford’s museums, parks, medical centers, shops, and restaurants. Far more than location and amenities, we are uniquely defined by our highly-acclaimed wellness programs that are designed to enhance the quality of life for each of our residents. Call 860-523-9333 to Learn More ◆ 1 Hamilton Heights Drive, West Hartford, CT

city scene

Where

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1: Steve and Lisa Sadinsky, with Johanna and Brian Zelman, at Watkinson School's "A Watkinson Affair." 2: Watkinson' Head of School Teri Schrader and Marjorie Davis at the event. 3: Avi and Erica Smith-Rapaport "A Watkinson Affair." 4: Alison and Chris Murphy at the annual Watkinson School event. 5: Raheem and Nichelle Mullins, Katie Blair Powers and Dana Greenberg 6: Michael and Valerica Schoenfeld attended "A Watkinson Affair." 7: Christina and Tom Villecco at the event, which was held at the Hartford Marriott.

Photography by Kara Dorsey

Business savvy real estate agents representing buyers and sellers. With the highest client retention rate in Hartford County, we serve our clients with grace, compassion, facts, and data.

Business savvy real estate agents representing buyers and sellers. With the highest client retention rate in Hartford County, we serve our clients with grace, compassion, facts, and data.

Business savvy real estate agents representing buyers and sellers. With the highest client retention rate in Hartford County, we serve our clients with grace, compassion, facts, and data.

Business savvy real estate agents representing buyers and sellers. We ensure a luxury experience, no matter the price point. We have the relationships and resources to create a seamless process from “We are thinking of selling” to “We sold!” and “We found a house! ” to “We are home.” Learn more at www.TheConnecticutRealtors.com

Nakia Alexander

Nakia Alexander

Nakia Alexander

Michael Treviso

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

New Season in Life Event

New Season In Life, LLC welcomes Michelle Wolff, OT/R and Senior Care Consultant to its team. Michelle is passionate about helping seniors live their best lives. She will provide care management services and patient advocacy for clients and we are so excited to have her on our team. Visit Newseasoninlife.com  for more information.

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Photography Provided

Gina Trusiewicz Exhibit at Noah Webster House

The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society presents the exhibit Pastel Paintings by Gina Trusiewicz. An opening reception was held May 4 and the exhibit,  which is free and open to the public, runs through June 19. The paintings were inspired by scenes around West Hartford. The historic house and exhibit spaces are open Mon-Sat., 1-4 p.m. For information on the museum’s extensive school and public programs, visit Noahwebsterhouse.org or call 860-521-5362.

Photography Provided

Greenwich Medical Spa Introduces New Product

Greenwich Medical Spa, at 65 Raymond Road, has launched The Generator Facial, our most efficacious and scientific facial yet. The Generator Facial experience is a next-level Diamond Glow Facial, enhanced with the GMS Generator add-on, also known as exosomes; a supercharger of collagen rejuvenation and anti-inflammatory processes for a more radiant youthful appearance. For more information visit Greenwichmedicalspa.com.

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Photography Melanie Lust

Noah Webster House & Museum Accepting Registration for Summer Camp

Children can explore life in the 1700’s this summer by spending a week as a colonial child at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society's Colonial Child's Camp. This year's camps will run July 10-14 and July 24-28 and will be held at Webster House and Westmoor Park. The price is $285 for members, $310 for nonmembers. Register by phone, 860- 521-5362 Ext. 12, or by email  gerrisha@noahwebsterhouse.org.

Photography Nadine Zuchorski

Studio 310 Opens in West Hartford

Studio 310, a new fitness center at 310 Newington Road, is a collective of trainers who provide a personalized fitness experience and have developed a process to ignite your passion for wellness. Enjoy a private gym with everything you’ll need to feel stronger and healthier. Our trainers, Blessed, Delany, and Travis, offer personal training tailored specifically to you. They specialize in powerlifting, conditioning and mobility. Visit Studio310ct.com, or call 860-402-0234, for more information.

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Your Money Matters

WEALTH ADVISORS

MIKE BRIGGS AND ROY CASO DISCUSS PERSONAL FINANCES AND LONG TERM CARE COVERAGE

Post Game Financial, owned and operated by Roy Caso and Michael Briggs, has more than 30 years of experience working with people looking for financial security. They specialize in financial planning, investment allocation, and risk management, focusing on long term care.  Their unbiased, fiduciary approach gives you the assurance that there are no ulterior motives. Both Roy and Michael hold AIF designations, which stands for Accredited Investment Fiduciary.  They provide straightforward and easy to understand options with a clearly defined path forward.  We spoke with Roy and Mike about Long Term Care insurance and here is their advice:

Q. WHAT IS LONG TERM CARE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

A. Long Term care usually involves personal care activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, using the bathroom, and moving from one place to another, like going from a bed to a chair.  These tasks are also known as activities of daily living.  Being under the skilled care of a doctor, nurse or physical therapist will qualify for long term care benefits.  Benefits from a policy can also include

Mike Briggs

Megan Elizabeth Photography

home care should an individual want to stay in their house.  “As we age and extend our mortality, there is a greater need we will need more care.  Medical technology has extended our lifespans and thus increased the odds we all will need some care in the future”, says agent Michael Briggs.

Q. WHO SHOULD BUY LONG TERM CARE AND WHAT AGE SHOULD YOU CONSIDER IT?

A. “We have a rule of thumb for any individual or couple, if you have 100,000 or less, you will probably qualify for state aid and the cost of a longterm care policy wouldn’t be worth protecting the nest egg.  If a couple has 4 million of net worth or greater, they can self-insure.  Everyone in between should consider protecting their assets” says Roy Caso.  He went on to add that anyone in their late 50s should begin exploring the options.  The longer you wait, the more costly it becomes and the less benefit one will receive.

Q. WHAT TYPES OF LONG-TERM POLICIES ARE THERE IN THE MARKETPLACE?

A. Long Term Care coverage started in the 1970s as a traditional policy, whereas there was a premium and benefit pool for care.  This type of coverage still exists and has evolved but was mispriced in the early years, thus causing the premiums to increase significantly.  The other negative to these old policies, was that if you never used the coverage the premiums were gone.  The newer policies are more hybrids.  They act like a life policy with an LTC rider.  The strength of this policy is if you don’t use the care benefit, your heirs receive the death benefit or unused premiums.  There is cash value associated with the policy should you need cash in an emergency, all good reasons for considering long term care coverage.    There is one other way to pay for long term care and that’s through a Long term care annuity, which has some excellent tax treatments.  Caso/Briggs would love to discuss options that best fit your situation.

For more information contact Roycaso@financialguide.com or Mbrigss@financialguide.com, or call 860-997-8010.

“Medical technology has extended our lifespans and thus increased the odds we all will need some care in the future."

—Mike Briggs

Roy Caso

West Hartford’s Go-To Shop For Men’s Clothing

Manoj Daswani tries on a jacket with the help of his co-workers, Daniele Antoniella, left, and Benjamin Zuk, right.

DASWANI CLOTHIERS

ARTICLE BY LUCINDA JAMISON PHOTOGRAPHY BY IRA NOZIK PHOTOGRAPHERS

Daswani Clothiers in West Hartford Center is a true gentlemen’s clothing boutique.

The family-owned men’s tailor and clothing store on Farmington Avenue has offered the finest hand-tailored workmanship, leading stylized consultations and exceptional customer service for nearly 50 years. Delivering a uniquely personalized experience, Daswani’s talented and experienced staff provide a wealth of knowledge of menswear merchandise, custom tailoring, and an unparalleled ability to create a distinctively comfortable customer visit.

The current owner, Manoj Daswani, told West Hartford Lifestyle about being a fourth-generation custom tailor.

“I grew up in the custom trade. My grandfather was a fabric supplier, and my father was a direct salesperson who wanted to settle and set up a brick-and-mortar establishment.”

The family was drawn to the Northeast for its abundance of professional men and started their first skilled custom menswear shop in 1977. In 2007, Daswani Clothiers began designing and making their own brand and private label merchandise and even

have a tailor on site. Manoj also is a trained tailor.

The store’s mission is to define contemporary menswear on its own terms.

“This is what custom comes down to: I don’t want to be everything to everyone. I want to be the best suit in their closets. And I’d like to be able to offer all possibilities.”

Manoj sees menswear as a unique clothing arena.

“We find customers coming in when they have to step up to the big leagues of their companies or their trades, businesses, conventions, and trade shows. Business trips where men seem to want to raise the bar for themselves. And I like that.”

He went on to define what a businessman’s ideal closet might include.

“There are the bread-andbutter staples. There should be a navy blue and a black or gray suit. And some blazers.  And then a couple of pants, khakis, gray, maybe a brown or olive, charcoal, a few staples. There are different ways to figure out what someone needs. But if you’re going into a job that requires suits, there’s a method to that.”

CONTINUED >

Manoj Daswani outside Daswani Clothiers, a familyowned men's clothing store and tailors.

Within their resources of warehouses, suppliers and vendors, they can supply upscale menswear at an unparalleled quality level.

“I want the integrity of our brand to be that we keep getting better every year, season after season, and that we keep asking ourselves ‘What do our customers not have? What could they need? How do we make them or get them the next best thing?”

Daswani Clothiers is very hands-on in creating clothing for every man, but Manoj says the most important thing is figuring out what customers don’t have. What could they need? How does this business make them or get them that can take them to the next level in their wardrobe options.  Like everything else in the luxury tangible world, what’s the top tier and how do you get to that pinnacle of excellence?

“My door’s always open, come on in. At the most, we’ll show you some things. It’s always free to test drive. If you need a tailor, that’s when we’re going to show you what we can do. But otherwise, we’re a humble, good men’s store to work with. And there’s so few of those left in the world that I want to protect and keep that trade going.”

Daswani Clothiers

959 Farmington Ave. 860-233-4435

Online: Daswaniclothiers.com

Manoj Daswani with Daniele Antoniella, Daswani’s clothing stylist.

daily specials,

Samples of some of Perkatory Coffee Roasters unique blends.

The coffee shop features

some of which are developed by the baristas.

Artwork by Kevin Boudreau adorn Perkatory Coffee Roasters walls.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EILEEN M. MCNAMARA

a hip house COFFEE

Perkatory Coffee Roasters in West Hartford recently opened its stand-alone space just a few doors from its previous location in the GastroPark gathering hub. With an 80s-influenced punk rock/skater vibe, this unique coffee shop is a cool addition to the growing New Park food-and-drink scene.

Owned and operated by Joe and Johanna Perazella, the West Hartford location is the fourth in their succession of Perkatory Coffee shops. Specializing in handcrafted artisan-roasted coffee, the cafes feature large Shaka-waving skeletons and skateboard riding reapers paintings by artist Kevin Boudreau on the walls and an energetic, upbeat playlist for ambiance. A unique place to meet friends or hang out and enjoy, Perkatory offers a coffee experience.

“It all just boils down to our passion behind our products and wanting to showcase that,” Johanna explained. “We were born in the mid-80s, grew up listening to punk rock and skateboarding, and thought Perkatory was such a clever name that fits in perfectly with the brand we wanted to create. “We believe that coffee and punk rock just go really well together.

It all ended up blending nicely, but it’s really just a fun mix of my and Joe’s personalities.”

All of Perkatory’s coffees are hand-selected from specialty-grade coffee beans that have been graded thoroughly. The beans undergo

CONTINUED >

PERKATORY COFFEE ROASTERS HAS OPENED

The exterior of Perkatory Coffee Roasters.

a rigorous quality control process before they get to Perkatory’s roasting operations in Middletown.

They purchase as much as possible from direct trade to ensure that the small farms they buy from get the most profit and that the beans go through as few sets of hands as possible in the journey to the stores’ roasters.

“Joe is the head roaster, and he has a real passion for sourcing the coffees,” Johanna told us.

The stores’ coffees are from single-origin countries with diverse growing seasons, creating a carefully curated assortment of coffee choices throughout the year. Each store has a uniform menu of core drinks, but the baristas are given free rein in crafting specialty-themed beverages each month.

“The coffee is so, so important to us, but the real love and passion behind Perkatory are the connections made with people while they’re catching up over coffee. The whole experience of it is just really amazing.”

Along with increasing recognition for their coffee, the Perazellas want to use Perkatory as a platform to raise awareness for causes that are personal to them.

“We do a lot of fundraising, and we give back as much as we can. For example, I’m a diabetic, and every November for World Diabetes Day, we donate all the company proceeds to Type 1 Diabetes International organization,” Johanna said.

They also want to shine a light on another heartfelt cause.

“Our son was adopted through the agency Adoptions from the Heart. Jackson is turning four on June 9, so we are letting him pick out the monthly specialty drinks. All the profits from the four cafes that day will be donated to the Connecticut chapter of Adoptions from the Heart.”

The proceeds will support the nonprofit’s birth mothers’ fund, which helps them buy food, pay for rent and medical care, and anything they might need during their pregnancy.

Johanna and Joe invite the community to drop by for coffee on June 9 and to help raise funds for this essential local cause.

Perkatory Coffee Roasters

625 New Park Ave.

Online: Perkatoryroasters.com

On Facebook: @PerkatoryWestHartford

On Instagram: @Perkatorycoffeeco

Top: Party Wave is a new coffee blend at Perkatory Coffee Roasters.

Bottom: Shaka-waving artwork by Kevin Boudreau

“The coffee is so, so important to us, but the real love and passion behind Perkatory are the connections made with people while they're catching up over coffee.”

—Johanna Perazella

MAKE AN IMPACT FOR DAD

What do you buy for the man who has everything? Perhaps an experience oriented around what dads value most – time together – is just what he needs. Fathers and father figures are invaluable in our lives. They help shape and mold us. They’re there for us and support us. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Dad feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your dad, husband, brother or father figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Memorable Ways to Celebrate The Father Figure in Your Life

LEARN ABOUT HIS FAMILY TREE

Family heritage websites can offer insight into dad’s past and be an interesting way to study the history of your family. Present Dad with a report on his ancestors or dig in together!

PLAN A STAYCATION

You don’t need to go very far to have a great time with Dad! Explore a new neck of your own woods with a family staycation. You can go out on the town, stay at a fancy hotel and maybe even enjoy some room service!

GO BIRD WATCHING

Lay out a blanket in your backyard and grab your binoculars for a peaceful, naturefilled day. Make a list of how many different kinds of birds you see and guess if you can identify them.

GO BOWLING

Bowling is a timeless classic Dad is sure to enjoy. Bonus if the bowling alley has an arcade, chicken wings and Dad’s favorite beverage of choice.

PLAY FRISBEE GOLF AS A FAMILY

Find a local frisbee golf course and grab a slot for the family to play. This activity is fun for both young and old and helps you take advantage of being in the beautiful outdoors together.

HAVE A PIZZA PARTY

Everyone loves pizza. Make or buy some premade pizza dough and put different toppings in bowls and have Dad and the kids decorate it!

MAKE

Dig a hole in your backyard and have Dad help the kids gather items around the house (like a current newspaper or flyers) and put them in a waterproof bag.

HAVE

Fondue

Wholeness Acupuncture Center promotes holistic healing medicine and utilizes the principle of unity of the body. Powerful benefits of Chinese Medicine can help to heal and restore the wholeness and harmony of the mind, the body, and the spirit.

Mission

Architects

Builders with the imagination and experience to craft your better home!

A sample of recently sold properties by local agents in West Hartford

This data is a sampling of sold properties from April 2023. Source: MLS system.

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

Watkinson Hosts Campus Tours

WATKINSON SCHOOL, 180 BLOOMFIELD AVE., HARTFORD | 9:00 AM

Watkinson School is currently accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year and is accepting requests for private tours. "We invite you to learn more about the admissions process and tour our beautiful 40 acre campus with our admissions team." To book a tour, visit Watkinson.org/visit.

JUNE 2ND

Playhouse on Park Presents: Webster's B

PLAYHOUSE ON PARK, 244 PARK ROAD | 7:30 PM

When their Editor-in-Chief gets caught using profanity, the employees of Webster's Dictionary find themselves at the center of an internet uprising over gender and obscenity in the age of social media. A play about vulgar words and the people who define them. Tickets $25-$55. Additional dates, June 3-18. Visit Playhouseonpark.org for information and tickets.

JUNE 7TH

Lotus Flower Lantern Workshop

WEST HARTFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY, 20 SOUTH MAIN ST. | 6:00 PM

Members of The Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project will help attendees make a lovely traditional lotus flower lantern using colored paper and wire frames and at the end of the class, we will show short documentaries on Korea. In addition, we will hand out books on Korean history and culture for free. Visit Westhartfordlibrary.org for information.

JUNE 8TH

Understanding Memory Loss

RAYMOND LIBRARY, 832 RAYMOND HILL ROAD, OAKDALE | 6:30 PM

Liz Cornish, of New Season in Life, will present an overview of dementia and how it's different from normal aging. She'll discuss different forms of dementia and common symptoms of memory loss, as well a things to look for in seniors that can cause confusion. She'll also review six ways to decrease your risk of dementia. Visit Newseasoninlife.com/events for information.

JUNE 10TH

Wordhouse Poetry

NOAH WEBSTER HOUSE, 227 SOUTH MAIN ST. | 2:00 PM

A series of poetry readings, WordHouse, has been organized by James Finnegan, West Hartford’s third Poet Laureate. Free and open to the public at the Noah Webster House. Donations are greatly appreciated. Visit Noahwebsterhouse.org/events

JUNE 18TH

Blue Back Farmers Market Returns

TOWN HALL PARKING LOT, 50 SOUTH MAIN ST. | 10:00 AM

The popular Blue Back Farmers Market returns for a second season this year, delivering a robust portion of fresh produce, creative arts and crafts, live music and a whole lot of family entertainment! The Certified CT Grown Farmers Market runs every Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., until Oct 28. Visit Bluebackfarmersmarket.org for more information.

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