It’s autumn and that means well-known Connecticut personalities are back in the groove with new projects that bring new exposure.
Master floral designer extraordinaire Ruth Loiseau of Suffield, has launched a new magazine, Couture Flowers. Well-known for her work as a floral designer at the White House and her nationwide lecture series, “From the White House To Your House,” Loiseau called the magazine “a dream come true.”
The magazine features tony floral and interior design, fashion, fine and craft art, and special events. An interactive publication, it also features wedding, special events and garden pictures and stories submitted by readers as well as “how to” articles on creating floral arrangements. For more information go to coutureflowersmagazine.com
Also launching a new magazine is Marlborough foodie, blogger and cookbook author Cindy Anschutz. Her magazine “Cindy’s Table” features cooking and entertaining tips as well as recipes designed for everyone, including those who may have allergies or food sensitivities.
For more information go to cindystable.com
If watching TV is more your style, mark your October calendars.
Orange business owner and nail artist Temeka Jackson is on Oxygen Network’s new show “Nail’d it” on Oct. 7. Best known for her presidential -inspired nail art of President Barack Obama and his family, Jackson will be one of 18 contestants on the reality show that airs at 9 p.m. EST.
On Oct. 23, Vito’s restaurants owner Rob Maffucci will be either suffering tricks or celebrating treats on “Beat Bobby Flay” on the Food Network.
“They asked me to be on another food network show a few years ago but I had to decline because I couldn’t take that much time away from the business and my kids,” said the popular restaurateur who owns Vito’s by the Park in Hartford, Vito’s by the Water in Windsor and Vito’s Pizzeria in Wethersfield. “In May the network invited me to be on Bobby Flay’s show and it was something I could handle so I said yes.’’
The show involves a first round between two invited chefs who must cook using “mystery” items to create a dish. The winner of that round then goes head-to-head with celebrity chef Flay in the final challenge.
Maffucci, who is initially pitted against culinary instructor James Gillespie, cannot say how he fared on the show but you can tune in at 10 p.m. to see the Halloween-themed episode titled “Orange is the New Beat.”
And if you can’t go to the TV let it come to you.
Former Lifetime Network “Project Runway” contestant and All-Star winner Mondo Guerra will be the celebrity judge at the annual “We Can” (Women End the Course of Aids Now) fundraising fashion show on Oct. 11 in Hartford.
Guerra, now a successful designer, mentor and fashion expert who has worked tirelessly as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, is returning for a second year to the fundraiser held at New Country Motor Cars. The event will feature 16 designers including Charles Neumann, Emily Hancock, Nigel Ramsay and KARA, all competing in the show that benefits AIDS Connecticut. If you want to meet Guerra up close there is a VIP reception before the show as well as general admission tickets. For more information go aids-ct.org/wecan
And with a new season, also comes some goodbyes
Longtime WTIC-AM radio personality Scott Gray retires as morning sportscaster is retiring on Friday, Oct. 3.
“These last 34 years have been the best of my life,” Gray said in his commentary announcing his retirement. “They brought me Bob Steele, Arnold Dean, Bob Downes, Ross Miller, Ray Dunaway, Angela Dias, John Elliott, Dana Whalen and the most professional broadcast staff a man could ever have the honor of working with. And the last 43 years have brought me you, a radio audience it has been a privilege to serve. You’ve all become my neighbors and friends. I will miss you all very much.”
WTIC producer and play-by-play announcer for UConn Women’s Basketball Bob Joyce will anchor the morning sports reports until a permanent replacement is named.
Source: http://www.courant.com/java/hc-hartford-restaurateur-on-food-network-lifetimes-project-runway-winner-in-hartford-20140929-story.html