February 2019

Jan 16, 2019

Our annual 40 Under 40 feature is like a box of fine chocolates: full of discoveries that are unique, outstanding and hard not to love. The talented and inspiring young people from our state that make up the Class of 2019 includes artists and musicians, entrepreneurs and political players, community activists, professional athletes, journalists and more. One of them, Charlie Ebersol, is about to launch a brand new football league (but he's not competing with the NFL). Also in the February issue, we take a look at some stunning new homes built by acclaimed architect Paul Harris and some new body-shaping treatments that can help eliminate unwanted pounds without surgery.

Features

THE CONNECTICUT STORY

Charlie Ebersol Is Launching a Football League of His Own

Mike Wollschlager

As the Alliance of American Football prepares to launch, the son XFL creator Dick Ebersol is determined to avoid the mistakes made by leagues past.

THE CONNECTICUT STORY

40 Under 40: The Class of 2019

Erik Ofgang, Mike Wollschlager, Albie Yuravich, Sherry Shameer Cohen

Our newest list of 40 up-and-comers in Connecticut under the age of 40 is as distinguished and impressive as ever. Prepare to be inspired!

Health & Science

New Body-Shaping Spa Treatments Promise to Destroy Fat and Shed Inches Without Surgery

Michelle Bodak Acri

There are no knives or incisions, anesthesia or recovery time involved in the newest body-shaping techniques. Nonsurgical, noninvasive shaping, sculpting and contouring can annihilate fat cells and, in in one case, increase muscle mass without endless trips to the gym.

Home & Garden

Architect Paul Harris Is Moving From Small-Scale Spec Homes to Bigger Projects

Thomas Connors

Two new adjacent, multi-million-dollar spec houses on Darien’s Brush Island represent a new venture for Harris.

First

The Brewing Battle: Beverage Makers Want More Flexibility to Sell Their Products

Erik Ofgang

Under current state law, alcohol sales at breweries, wineries and distilleries are tightly restricted. Changing that isn't going to be easy.

Newly Launched, Ziggy Crafts Nontoxic Furniture and Accessories in Southington

Ann Loynd Burton

When homeowners are hunkering in for a chilly Northeast winter with windows and doors sealed, indoor toxins are trapped in the house as well.

Celebrity Chef Jacques Pépin’s Love of Cooking is Rivaled Only by His Love of Painting (Especially Chickens)

Robert DiGioia

Over the decades, Jacques Pépin has prepared award-winning meals in some of the world’s most renowned kitchens, starred in more than a dozen cooking shows, including on PBS with Julia Child, and authored more than two dozen cookbooks. But what’s his true passion?

New Books Include Connecticut Fiction and Quotable New England

Erik Ofgang, Mike Wollschlager, Albie Yuravich

A monthly look at new books with a Connecticut connection.

Stepping Out with the Beardsley Zoo, Women in Business, 'Something Rotten' at the Shubert and More

Fundraisers, galas, charity balls and other events where people have been seen around the state.

Stepping Out During the Holidays

Connecticut steps out, and steps up, during the holiday season.

This Month

Steve Martin and Martin Short Bring Their Show to Foxwoods Feb. 16

Mike Wollschlager

Steve Martin and Martin Short need no introduction. Their Now You See Them, Soon You Won’t tour stops by Foxwoods Resort Casino on Feb. 16.

Don’t Ski or Snowboard? Regional Ski Resorts Still Have Plenty to Offer

Kristin L. Wolfe

You might be surprised at how many things there are for a non-skier can do at some of the mountains in our area.

New Haven Firefighters Case Heads to the Theater in Yale Rep’s 'Good Faith'

Frank Rizzo

Playwright Karen Hartman was “inspired” by the landmark labor case and describes the play as “an imaginative response to transcripts, interviews, and the many histories of New Haven.”

Hockey Star Theo Fleury On Coming Out of the Abyss and Finding His Purpose

Mike Wollschlager

Canadian hockey great and motivational speaker Theo Fleury will be at the Ridgefield Playhouse on Feb. 28.

Six Events To Catch in February

Greg Moody

Our top picks for events happening around the state this month.

Columns

Backstage

Willy Wonka, 'Tiny Beautiful Things,' 'Detroit '67' and Singer Linda Eder on Stage in February

Frank Rizzo

Frank Rizzo takes a look at happenings on the Connecticut theater scene this month.

Beachcombing

Connecticut Circle Magazine and the Rebranding of Connecticut

Randall Beach

First launching in 1938, Connecticut Magazine's predecessor, Connecticut Circle, was dedicated to selling the good life in the Nutmeg state.

TRAVEL

Ridgefield Offers Cosmopolitan Culture in a Country Setting

Erik Ofgang

Ridgefield residents describe their town as a best-of-both worlds destination. On one hand, it is a classic New England country town complete with stone walls, historic buildings and a beautiful town green. On the other, it’s only a short train ride or an hour-and-change drive to New York Ci…

The Connecticut Table

The Beamhouse Adds to Glastonbury’s Growing Dining Scene

Erik Ofgang

“Finely crafted fare” is the slogan of The Beamhouse, a new restaurant in Glastonbury. It is fitting, as the place seems determined to incorporate every element one might associate with the word “craft” and all it has come to mean in the last decade or so

Make Valentine’s Day a French Celebration With This Grand Marnier Soufflé Recipe

Pamela Brown

Chef Stefan Kappes' frozen Grand Marnier soufflé as a bit exotic with a blend of old school, but simple to make.

Famed Chef Peter Chang's New Restaurant Lands in Stamford

Erik Ofgang

The famed but enigmatic chef has finally settled down, and at his new namesake restaurant the food lives up to the myth.

Colt Taylor, Owner of The Essex, Triumphs Again with His New Los Charros Cantina

Mike Wollschlager

Colt Taylor, chef and owner of Los Charros Cantina in Essex, is taking taste buds on an educational tour of Mexico. And it’s a master class.

The Rum Evangelist: Dominick Splendorio Presides Over a Distilled Sugar Cane Emporium at New Haven’s Zafra

Erik Ofgang

“The journey of rum with me has been an evolution,” says Dominick Splendorio, owner of Zafra Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar in New Haven. Today if you want to learn more about rum, Splendorio is the guy to ask.

Ridgefield and Kent's 109 Cheese Shops are Great Lunch Finds

Erik Ofgang

It is clear from the names of 109 Cheese & Wine in Ridgefield and its sister shop, 109 Cheese Market, that these are good places for cheese. But they are also great places to grab lunch and even dinner.