Time to clear the air about clearing air
At its purest, air is made up primarily of oxygen and nitrogen, along with smaller amounts of other gases, including argon, carbon dioxide, methane, neon, helium, krypton, hydrogen, xenon, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, iodine, as well as trace amounts of carbon monoxide and ammonia. But as we have all become keenly aware these past many months, the air is also filled with pathogens in the form of bacteria, viruses, mold, and other microorganisms that can cause disease.

Thankfully, we become immune to most over time, but we are not immune to them all nor can we avoid them all. In fact, the reason we are still battling this most recent pandemic is because the germ that caused it is both airborne and ubiquitous — a fancy word for everywhere. And while we will develop immunity to it in varying degrees through various means sooner than later, just as we always do, it still concerns many. The good news? There’s a way to actually clean the air we breathe even in — and especially in — crowded settings, such as restaurants, businesses, stores, and sports and performance venues. It’s called the ActivePure Technology.

Originally developed for NASA, and available locally through Aerus, ActivePure is safe and effective, and because the system does not use chemicals or ozone to purify the air, it is ideal for enclosed spaces. Indeed, all you’ll feel with ActivePure is the profound relief of knowing that every breath you take is 99% free of all pathogens and contaminants. Indeed, recent independent laboratory tests prove that the ActivePure Technology can eliminate 99.98% of the airborne COVID-19 virus within three minutes — and that’s a number that can make everyone breathe a little easier.

You’ll also be glad to know that the ActivePure Technology continuously disinfects all surfaces, as well, which makes it perfect for anywhere food preparation and serving takes place. Keeping staff members safe from routine illnesses keeps the customers safe, too. After all, when people go out for dinner, the only thing they really want to “get” is what they ordered for dinner.
For more information on how you can proudly display the ActivePure Badge in your place of business, setting minds at ease and enhancing business, contact Vince Aspromonti at Aerus today. — J.H.

Aerus of West Hartford
37 South Main St., West Hartford
860-236-4251
aerusofwesthartford.com

The Paws That Refreshes
Most dog owners will tell you that dogs are people, too. They just happen to have four legs, fur, and a language that consist of barks and yips, with a whine here and there. Likewise, most dog owners will tell you that dogs, like people, get bored — bored with their toys and foods and treats, and sometimes (though it’s often hard to tell) with their collar, leash, or even that coat they pretend they hate wearing when it’s freezing out — all of which means that pooches, like people, need a little spoiling, too. Well, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is the place to go for that. Located in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square, and now open in The Shops in Canton, Woof Gang offers high quality dog foods, as well as the treats dogs deserve when “Who’s a good boy?” and a belly scratch isn’t quite enough. And when it’s a special occasion (like a birthday or a Tuesday), Woof Gang has a great assortment of fresh-baked cookies and pupcakes for your fluffy friend. Need accessories? They’ve got it all, from collars, harnesses, and leashes to bandanas, sweaters, and raincoats. And toys? There’s a wall of them, many with the built-in squeaks, crackles, and grunts dogs love. And while your pup might not enjoy getting bathed in your kitchen sink or out in the driveway, a Woof Gang grooming is spa-class indulgence — with a great selection grooming supplies on hand to keep your just-coiffed canine looking and smelling as close to just-coiffed as a good roll in mud will allow. So if you’ve got a dog, go. Or should I say come…? — J.H.

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
West Hartford - Blue Back Square • 860-216-5917
Canton - The Shops • 860-764-4264
woofgangct.com

Game. Set. Matchless.
Want to know why tennis buffs love this place? It’s because Racquet Koop beats everyone when it comes to having it all and doing it all for their tennis buffs.

Let’s start with the racquets — a whole wall of them, in fact, featuring a large inventory of all the major brands, like Babolat, Dunlop, Head, Prince, Wilson, Yonex and Volkl — all of which you can try out. And for a small fee (which is applied to your final purchase), you can even test-drive your favorite racquet. And they have a nice selection of smaller, pre-strung racquets for the junior crowd, too.

Need Shoes? Take your pick. Their stock of shoes includes light-weight breathables, such as Nike, Babalot, Wilson, and New Balance, as well as the heavier, more durable, more laterally supportive shoes designed by Adidas, K-Swiss, Prince, and Head.
An ever-changing selection of apparel for both adults and juniors is aimed at making sure you look and feel your best as one season yields to the next and popular styles come and go.

And there’s another wall you’ll want to peruse, featuring just about anything your tennis game might need, from replacement grips and overgrips to sweatbands, sport socks, vibration dampeners, and ball clips. There are tennis elbow aids and supportive insoles and Oakley and Bolle sunglass in different frame variations and lens colors. And balls? The selection includes all different kinds of ProPenn, Wilson, Prince, and Dunlop — including low and high altitude balls and pressureless balls — along with ball hoppers for a quick and easy pick-up.

Of course, they string and restring racquets, in addition to replacing broken strings for those with a great forehand, a wicked backhand, or who just got frustrated with their serve and whacked something on the way to the car. And since string matters, Racquet Koop carries everything from very soft, playable, multifilament string to the very durable single filament polyester kind. Take your pick.

Finally, they not only install grips but recommend you treat yourself to one that’s wrapped professionally, so you won’t have to deal with the lumps and bumps of DIY grips — and the blisters they cause. Racquet Koop’s grips come in different colors, with a feel for every preference, including rubber slip-on grips for racquetball racquets.

Think you can beat that line of tennis products and services? We doubt it. This place is a winner.
— J.H.

Racquet Koop
908 Whalley Ave., New Haven
203-389-1900
Racquetkoop.com

Putting the “Din” in Dinner
There’s only one place we know of where you are guaranteed actual sizzle with your meal, and that’s Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Fact is, Ruth’s Chris Steak House learned a long time ago that broiling the finest cuts of beef to perfection, topping them with a buttery mix of freshly chopped parsley, then serving them on a 500-degree plate so customers can actually hear the savory flavor isn’t simply the way to a man’s (or woman’s) heart. It’s the shortest route. And when they discovered that they could make chicken and chops and seafood deafeningly delectable, it sort of lit a fire under them — and before you knew it, Ruth’s became an international favorite. The good news is there’s one close by in Newington. Where? Just follow your ears. — J.H.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
2513 Berlin Tpke., Newington
860-666-2202
www.ruthschris.com

Hungry? Experience the world of difference just around the corner.
Open since 1995, Tangiers International is certainly not the new kid on the proverbial block — though they did relocate a few streets from the original location a few years back, giving their considerable following (including The West Hartford Book’s Inside Diner, who is a longtime devotee) momentary heart failure. But the angst abated the instant Tangiers International reopened and it was clear that this exotic little getaway remains everything it has always been — and more! Indeed to this day, everything from their superb little menu of sandwiches, salads, small plates, and complete meals is superb, from their legendary Gyros and Kebabs to their Baba Ghanoush and Baked Kibbee. The heavenly pastries are more aptly named than you can possibly imagine. (Do not leave without trying at least one.) And when you’re full, take a taste of the world home with you by visiting their international market, which features specialty foods for all people — Lebanese, Greek, Turkish, Jewish, Macedonian, Italian, Indian, Moroccan, Egyptian, Bulgarian, French, and Armenian. And after a truly fine meal and some equally fine shopping, you’ll agree that this West End favorite is a West End favorite for very good reason. — J.H.

Tangiers International
550 Farmington Ave., Hartford
860-233-8168
www.tangiersmarket.com

You’re Going to Dig These Guys.
Because these are the guys who will come and dig up that overgrown tangle of a garden spanning your entire yard — or the dreadful lawn you couldn’t see for all the snow when you bought your new house last winter. They’re the guys who will dig out that crumbling concrete sidewalk leading from the parking lot to your beautiful new offices — or reclaim all of that wasted space along your store’s stunning glass façade, now choked with old mulch, leftover gravel, and weeds.

And when these guys are through doing their digging, they will replant that massive garden. Regrade, seed, and fertilize your entire lawn to make it every bit as lovely as your new home. Lay hard-pack gravel and sand along that new walkway to your office before adding the cobblestone pavers that will welcome clients properly. They will even design and build a beguiling little terrace featuring perennials along your store’s exterior approach, inviting window shoppers to do some window shopping before stopping in for a closer look.

But then that’s just some of what these guys, also known as SVL, LLC, do. They’re experts at developing and executing both landscape and hardscape designs — large and small, residential and commercial — all while providing the ongoing lawn, garden, and overall property maintenance required to ensure that each customer’s investment retains its beauty and value for years to come.

And you can dig that, too! — J.H.

SVL, LLC
369 West Main St., Avon
860-819-9929
www.svlct.com

There are a lot of things in life you can do without.
But a heating and plumbing expert is not one of them. Nope. Not here in New England, where “brrrrrrrrr” is considered an actual word. Not if you’re planning to redo that tired old kitchen or bath. And not if your home has running water. (We’re assuming it does.) So remember this name: Avon Plumbing & Heating. Their staff is experienced at designing and installing plumbing and heating systems, including radiant heat, whether it’s a small residential project or a major commercial build — and if a repair is all you need, just say the word, because they’ve got one of the best selections of parts in these parts. If remodeling your kitchen or bath is in the cards, you’ll want to collect a few of theirs, because their professional showroom consultants will help you select everything from their actual working displays. And they specialize in the roll-in showers, walk-in tubs, and other accommodations that make living at home easier (and sometimes just plain possible) — as well as the systems and services that homes with well water often need or want. They even install gas logs, so the warmth of a fire can be yours at the flip of a switch. Avon Plumbing & Heating. Their experts will be there when you want them — and there when you need them. — J.H.

Avon Plumbing & Heating
124 Simsbury Rd., Avon, 860-677-9721 www.avonplumbing.com