QUICK REMINDER: NEAT MONTHLY MEETING FEBRUARY 1st, 7PM @ GSAC

NEAT's monthly meeting will be this Wednesday February 1, 2012 at the Green Street Arts Center at 7:00pm. There have been a lot of changes at Farm Hill Elementary School, including a new principal Mark Proffitt as of January 30, 2012. This meeting will be a meet and greet with Farmhill's New Principal Mark Proffitt. We encourage parents and children to attend. Childcare and pizza for the kids will be provided.

Time is running out for CL&P Credit: Apply if you are eligible!

Customers of Connecticut Light & Power, the state's largest electric utility, are running out of time to apply for a credit to help compensate them for lengthy power outages following the freak October snowstorm.

Eligible customers have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to apply for the credit, which ranges from $100 to $200.

The amount will be determined by the number of customers who apply and meet eligibility requirements by being without power after noon on Saturday, Nov. 5.

The $30 million fund is being paid for by shareholders of Northeast Utilities, the parent company of CL&P.

Eligible residential customers can apply on the utility's website or by calling 1-888-566-9257. The credits will begin to be applied to February's billing statements.

MEETING AT FARMHILL: FAMILY-SCHOOL COMPACT

Farmhill will be having a meeting for Parents and Staff and Community at the Farm Hill School Library on Thursday, February 2nd from 3 pm to 5 pm to begin to create the Family-School Compact. If you can attend, that will be great.

The program will be facilitated by Patti Avallon from the State Department of Education and Donna Marino, the Partnership Coordinator for our schools. We hope you can be part of the Compact process which has been lauded in the Educational Leadership Journal of May 2011.

You may refer to the following web site http://schoolparentcompact.org/news/ for more details. Please contact Donna Marino, Partnership Coordinator at 860-638-1462 and email marinod@mps1.org if you have any questions.


The program highlights FOCUS ON STUDENT SUCCESS AND COMMUNICATION:

• Workshop will show you how to engage families, teachers and students in designing a School-Parent Blueprint for action tied to your school goals.
• Each step in the easy 10-step process includes templates and samples to help create a School-Parent Compact for Farm Hill School.

RSCO Application deadline extended to January 23, 2012

There is still time to complete the RSCO application for magnet schools if you are interested. The deadline for RSCO has been extended to January 23, 2012. Applications are for children from pre-K through 12. Contact NEAT if you would like to complete your application online on one of our computers. The regular office hours are from 10-5pm. Call NEAT @ 860-346-4845 or drop by the office located at 654 Main Street.

Jonah Center News

As “project advocate” for the proposed $1 million multi-use trail, the Jonah Center is assisting the Mayor in forming the committee described below.

On December21, Middletown’s Common Council authorized Mayor Dan Drew to form a committee to assist in drafting a “Complete Streets and Middletown Bikeway Master Plan.” This committee will solicit and process input from the cycling community and other stakeholders in order to develop a master plan to make our streets safer and more usable for cyclists and pedestrians. The ultimate goal is to encourage safe bicycling and walking for transportation, recreation, and exercise purposes.

The Mayor’s Office wishes to meet and speak with a range of individuals who are interested and available to serve on this committee. If you are interested in being a member of the committee, please contact Linda DeSena in the Mayor’s office at 860-344-3401 to say that you will attend one of the sessions listed below. These conversations will be held in Room 111, on the first floor of City Hall. Please act promptly, since there are only 4 slots available for each session, for a total of 16.

Monday, Jan. 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 30, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 6, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

During these one-hour conversations, those who are interested in serving on the committee will share information about their cycling experience, preferred or desired routes, place of residence, and some initial ideas about street improvements, off road paths, or other infrastructure that would make our city safer and more inviting for bicycling. The membership size of the committee has not yet been determined.

In addition to the official members of the bikeway committee, all members of the bicycling community and other stakeholders will have ample opportunity to provide input on the Complete Streets and Bikeway Master Plan that is developed.

Middlesex County NAACP Branch Voters Registration Drive

Middlesex County NAACP Branch
Unit #2018

“Your Vote Counts” launches its Voters Registration Drive 2012 at the Zion First Baptist Church

93 Main St Middletown, CT 06457
Sunday, January 15, 2012
12:00noon. – 2:00 p.m.

Open to the public.

Computers at NEAT office

Computers with internet access are available at the NEAT office for public use. The computers are connected to Russell Library Databases so if you need to job search or look something up you can do it here. They are available for use any time the office is open which is usually 10-5pm. Please call ahead to make sure we are here or otherwise stop in. The office number is 860-346-4845. Also, while you are here, check out the office for more information about upcoming events and other useful information. Hope to see you at Tonight's NEAT Meeting at the GSAC (51 Green St.) at 7pm! This is an important informational on School Options for your pre-K-12 child!

NEAT MEETING: January 11, 2012

Do you Understand Your Magnet School Options?
NEAT is Hosting an Informal Information Session.
Wednesday, January 11th
7pm: Green St. Arts Center
Everyone is Welcome
Childcare and dinner will be provided!

We will have an overview of :
1) Middletown Schools vs. Magnet Options: what is best for your family?
With Guest Speakers: Christina Lapierre from Regional School Choice Office for Greater Hartford and Ralph D'Amato, Head of Guidance for Middletown High School.
2) the process for applying
3) resources for finding the best school for you


We have hear from many families who are considering magnet schools, and feel overwhelmed by the process. They may not be picking the best one for their family or child because of lack of education.

Our session is meant to give you the tools to make the best decision for your family, whether that school is in the Middletown district or a magnet outside of the district.

Middletown Adult Education Free Classes!!

Middletown Adult Education Has Free Classes available! These continuing education classes are being offered to provide continuing education for interested people involved with the fields of agriculture. For a complete list of classes, directions to the Ag Center and more information, click here. To register, call (860) 704‐4594 & leave message, or e‐mail Megan Nesci at nescim@mpsct.org . There are great classes involving horses, dogs and other animals so take advantage!

Local Food Stores and Pharmacies Opportunity to apply for WIC authorization

The Connecticut Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is offering an opportunity for all food stores and pharmacies to apply for WIC authorization from January 3, 2012 – January 31, 2012. Authorization is required for stores to be able to accept WIC checks and serve Connecticut participants in the WIC Program.

Beginning January 3, 2012, applications to participate in the WIC program will be available through the DPH website at www.ct.gov/dph/wic, and selecting “For Vendors”. The website provides information on the application process, criteria for eligibility, and links to register for required training sessions. The application package will only be available to print after registration for a training session is completed.

By January 31, 2012, stores who would like to apply must: 1) register online to attend a training session and; 2) print the application package. The completed application package and all required documents must be submitted at the selected training session.

If you are interested, please take advantage of this great opportunity!

Send us Your Hotspots

This Friday will be our first Community Policing and Code Enforcement Meeting. Please send us any hotspots by clicking here or contact us at the NEAT office. Let us know what we can improve by staying connected and making your issues known. You may also contact the NEAT office at (860) 346-4845 and speak with our Community Organizer Bobbye Knoll. Together we can make this a safe, pleasant and beautiful year for the neighborhood.

VITA TAX PREPARATION

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Call to Schedule an Appointment Today. You may call the NEAT office to schedule appoints in Middletown at 860-346-4845 or call 211 for more available appointment sites.

Free income tax assistance by IRS trained and certified volunteers is available at the local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites for people for people with Incomes under $50,000. You can save up to $150 in tax preparation services alone.

Volunteers will ensure that you are filing for all of the tax credits for which you are eligible including the new state Earned Income Tax Credit.

Call United Way 211 will schedule an appointment for you. Simply dial 211 on your phone. Or you may call the NEAT office at (860) 346-4845. Appointments will be scheduled for January 24-April 11, 2011 evenings and Saturdays.

There are two downtown Middletown VITA Locations:

Middlesex United Way, 100 Riverview Center Suite 230

NEAT, 654 Main Street

What you need to bring with you to your appointment:

Valid Picture ID

Social Security Cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITN) for you, your spouse and any dependents living with you born before January 1, 2012.

Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents

Documentation is also required for deductible education expenses and student loan payments.

Interest and dividend statements from banks or other financial institutions (Forms 1099)

Total paid for child care. Bing day care provider’s address and tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security Number or business Employer Identification Number)

A copy of last year’s Federal and State income tax returns, if available

Current year’s tax package, if you received one

Have your refund deposited directly to your checking account.

If you have a checking account, bring a checkbook or a voided check with you or a statement with your bank account name, number and the 9-digit American Bankers Association (ABA) routing number. Contact your bank if you need assistance identifying the ABA number.

You could qualify for the Federal and new state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.

Two quick ways to get your refund

Direct Deposit

Or Debit Card available at Vita Sites.

Community Music Initiative

CMI is back - first event of 2012! Join us on January 7, 2012 from 11am-1pm at the Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green Street. We will kick off the year with African Drumming with Jocelyn Pleasant. After, we will gather for a potluck lunch. The event is Open to all ages - perfect for families! Best of all, it's FREE! Please call NEAT at 860 346 4845 with any questions or if you're interested in volunteering. Check out our website for more info on the program: www.neatmiddletown.org/cmi.

Middnight On Main

SATURDAY DECEMBER 31, 2011
3 PM TO MIDNIGHT
WWW.MIDDNIGHT.ORG

FIREWORKS AT 6PM

Enjoy more than 100 performances and activities at more than 12 locations within 4 blocks of Main Street.

Magic. Sword Swallowing. Rock Bands. Chess Matches. Japanese Taiko Drumming. Comedy. Irish Step Dance. Crafts. Kidcity Play. Jazz. Contra Dance. Roller Skating. Gospel Funk. Speed Dating. Funny Films. Piano Sing-a-long. Brazilian Capoeria. Fiddle Music. Break Dance Lessons. Wizard Rock. Matt's Physics Lab. Hula-hooping. West African Drumming & more!

Slate for Advisory Board Elections

Voting for the Advisory Board Elections will take place at our January 4, 2012 General Meeting.

The following is the slate of nominees up for election:
(Terms are for two years.)

Cookie Quinones
Michael Taylor
Rob Rosenthal
Carlton Dobson
Dmitri D'Alessandro

Sandra Wise

Hope to see you tonight and please come out to our January meeting to vote!

NEAT HOLIDAY PARTY!!

NEAT ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY DECEMBER 7, 2011

Join us for NEAT's annual holiday party. The party will be help this Wednesday night at 7 pm at the Green Street Arts Center. The event is a potluck so feel free to bring your favorite desert savory or sweet to share with the group. If you don't have time to whip up a dish feel free to join us anyway. We will bring extras.

The NEAT Glee club will be there to perform a song.

We look forward to seeing our friends, neighbors and stakeholders!

If you know that you will be attending and bringing a dish let us know (you can comment here or call the office) (860) 346-4845

Thank you!

Choice Application Period is Open!

The Greater Hartford Regional Open Choice Application period is now open. Open Choice gives you choices on what school you would like your child to attend in the Greater Hartford Area. The application deadline is January 20, 2011. The website has more details so please take a look. More information from NEAT will be available. Information is available in Spanish.

YOUR ACTION NEEDED FOR MIDDLETOWN BIKE-WAY

The Jonah Center for Earth and Art invites the public – especially those who ride bicycles and are interested in making our city more “bicycle-friendly” – to attend 2 important meetings. The reason: Middletown has an excellent chance to receive $800,000 in U.S. Dep’t of Transportation funds for infrastructure to make urban areas more bicycle-friendly.

The first meeting is on Tuesday, November 29, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 208 of City Hall. Middletown’s Director of Planning, Conservation and Development, Bill Warner, will present a bicycling “master plan.” Public input on the details of the plan and support for the project in general is being sought.

To meet the grant application deadline of December 21, this matter needs to come before the Common Council at the Dec. 5, 7 p.m. meeting in the Council Chambers. A public demonstration of support by large attendance and some spoken testimony at the beginning of this meeting is needed. We hope Middletown will take advantage of this exciting opportunity to join sustainability-minded communities around the nation and become more bicycle-friendly.

END HUNGER CT SNAP ALERT: REPLACEMENT SNAP

If you or someone you know received SNAP benefits in October then an automatic 15% of those benefits will be added into your or their account as replacement for lost food from the early winter storm Albert.

SNAP recipients will receive an automatic 15% replacement of SNAP benefits, which will be added to EBT cards and made available next week.

SNAP recipients will also receive a replacement for the supplement issued on October 11th for Tropical Storm Irene.

Request for additional funds over the 15% replacement can be requested by calling 2-1-1 or visiting their website no later than midnight Friday, November 18th.

The amount of the 15% mass reissuance, plus the individual replacement request, cannot be more than their October benefits, including any TS Irene supplements received on Oct. 11th.

COMMUNITY MUSIC INITIATIVE UPCOMING EVENT

Community Music is meeting this Saturday, November 19th, 11-1 for Jamaican Drumming and Singing and a big old potluck-style lunch. Bring friends and family and a lunch contribution if you're planning ahead! This program is great for families with kids age 5-13. CMI meets at the Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green Street. See you then! Contact, Emily or the NEAT office for more details. No sign-ups are required.

Urgent Need for Turkeys Issued to Fill Thanksgiving Baskets

The Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project (MCTP) has registered 350 Middletown families for Thanksgiving baskets this year. However, with less than two weeks remaining until Thanksgiving, the MCTP is falling short of turkey donations to fill those baskets.

“The MCTP is short approximately 100 turkeys to make the holiday meals complete,” said Brenda Simmons, project manager of MCTP.

The public is being asked to donate frozen turkeys. If you can help, a refrigerated truck will be stationed at Fellowship Church, 1002 Saybrook Road in Middletown on this Saturday, November 19^th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to receive turkey donations. The truck has been donated by Jukonski Trucks of Middletown.

For additional information and other ways to help, call Brenda Simmons at (860) 346-8695.

State Senator Paul Doyle Helps North End Action Team, Inc. Secure Needed Funds for Youth Entrepreneur Program

State Senator Paul Doyle recently helped secure a $10,000 grant from AT&T
Connecticut to help fund the North End Action Team’s Youth Entrepreneur Program.

The North End Action Team (NEAT) is a grassroots community organization dedicated
to the revitalization and development of indigenous participation and leadership within
the North End neighborhood of Middletown, CT. NEAT’s goal is to identify priorities,
convene process, build partnerships and find solutions to neighborhood issues that lead
to the development of the North End as a socially and economically vibrant
neighborhood.

The Youth Entrepreneur Program is designed to engage local at-risk youth to develop
entrepreneurial skills through the creation of a small business – from the beginning idea
through creating and marketing the product and designing and implementing a retail
space.

“There is a growing need for programs that can create job opportunities and build
workforce-based skills for local youths,” stated State Senator Paul Doyle. “This grant
from AT&T will help to provide program participants with real world experiences and
skills that they can take with them into their careers.”

“NEAT’s Youth Entrepreneur Program will help students develop the networking and
social skills needed to succeed,” stated Izzi Greenberg, Executive Director of NEAT.
“Thanks to Senator Doyle and AT&T, the program will be able to help students identify
their specific talents and interests that will help them thrive in the future.”

"We commend Senator Doyle for his efforts to help NEAT’s Youth Entrepreneur
Program” stated Abby Jewett, Director, External & Legislative Affairs “When we learned
from Senator Doyle about the need for program funding, we were happy to help."

Swearing In Ceremony

The Swearing in Ceremony for

Mayor-Elect Daniel T. Drew
Common Council
City Treasurer
Planning & Zoning
Board of Education
Board of Assessment Appeals

Will be Tuesday, November 15th , 2011 at 7 pm

Woodrow Wilson Middle School, 370 Hunting Hill Avenue, Middletown CT 06457

Reception to follow in the Cafeteria. Light refreshments will be served.

The Public is Invited and Encouraged to Attend

NEAT MEETING TOMORROW

Please join us for the monthly NEAT meeting at 7:00pm. The November meeting will be dedicated to a community conversation about the Green Street Arts Center.

If you are an active Green Street participant or if you have never been to Green Street, we want to hear from you! We want to engage in a meaningful conversation about what Green Street means to the community and what you would like to see from GSAC in the coming years.

If you don't join us and share your thoughts we won't know what you want!

Refreshments will be served. Childcare and pizza for the kids will be available.

A GUIDE TO WRITE IN CANDIDATES

A few candidates are running as Write -In Candidates. If you are interested in any write-in candidates for any position, location the section where the position is located (horizontal line at top). Then locate the write in votes line (vertical line on the left). At the the intersection, you may write in any candidates you would like. Please make sure to shade in the circle for your write-in candidate. You do not need to vote for the full number of candidates indicated on the ballot but you cannot vote for more. Please write the candidates name in clearly and legibly.

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2011

Tomorrow, Tuesday November 8, 2011 is Election Day. Please get out and vote! Exercise your rights! Polls are open from 6-8pm. The North end is in District One and votes at Macdonough School.

NEAT will have an informational table available near the North End's Voting Site at Macdonough School (Pease Avenue Entrance). The table will have voter's information. If you would like to volunteer to help with NEAT's nonpartisan election table please call us at 860-346-4845 or email us at neat@neatmiddletown.org. Shifts are open from 6-8am and from 6-8pm. Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered to help!


Even though our local press has done a good job of reporting on elections, NEAT members asked for the information all in one place. In response, NEAT has created a Candidate Guide for your added convenience. Please click on guide for more information. Also, NEAT has send out an email to everyone on our email list. Please take the time to read the information presented. As a reminder, NEAT does not endorse any candidate nor does NEAT endorse the information or opinions presented. These are mainly links to possible resources:

Local Press Sites:

List of 2011 Candidates by Position
Middletown Eye
Middletown Patch
Middletown Press
The Hartford Courant


If you have any questions, please call NEAT at 860-346-4845, stop-in or stop by our election table near Macdonough. NEAT volunteers will be there throughout the day.
See you at the polls!

OUR LAST MARKET!

There is still time to shop at the last North End Farmer's Market of the season. Come out for one last round of farm fresh produce!

CITY OF MIDDLETOWN NEW WEBSITE

Check out the new CITY OF MIDDLETOWN website. Middletown is stepping up it's use of technology. The website promises to be more user-friendly and eye-catching. In addition, more information will be readily accessible and updated regularly. For a quick look, below is a snapshot of the site. If you have some basic questions, this site may just provide some answers. Take some time to navigate if you can!

The Nightmare on Green Street...

Willy Pep Park Ribbon Cutting Tomorrow!

What happens when neighborhood kids need a skate park? They organize. They go to meetings. They put up with a lot of setbacks and persist. And once it's built, they celebrate.

Come and celebrate with us tomorrow, October 19, 2011 from 3:00 to 3:30pm at the Willy Pep Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

THREE more markets!

THREE more weeks to enjoy fresh fruits and veggies right in our own backyard!

North End Farmers Market

Fridays 10-2

Corner of Liberty and Main

860 346 4845

www.northendfarmersmarket.org

*We accept WIC, SNAP/EBT, and Senior Farmers Market Vouchers.

And we can double your money for fruits and veggies with our Double Dollars program!

Special this week:

A visit from Double G Alpaca Farm!

Carol will be bringing wool and wool products to share with us. She'll also be doing a spinning demonstration. Not to be missed.

Smoothies and sandwiches!

Raw Youniverse (raw organic smoothies) and the Whey Station (gourmet grilled cheese) are back again this week. Come on out for lunch.

Bluegrass by the Mattabassett String Collective!

If you missed these guys earlier in the summer, here's your chance to hear them again. With classic harmonies and great fiddling and picking, the Mattabassett String Collective is sure to put a smile on your face and get your toes tapping.

Music is from 12-1.

REGISTER FOR THE ROCKFALL 25TH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM!

This Thursday October 13, 2011 is the Rockfall Foundation's 25th Annual Symposium titled Our Future Food Security: National Issues Local Response. This important event will look at ways in which Middletown can

* plan and reclaim its agricultural legacy

* create a healthful, sustainable food system

* maximize community self-reliance?

There is still time to register. The event starts at 8:30 am to 12:15pm a the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Center with an optional lunch and Common Gardens Tour at the Grace Episcopal Church. It features keynote speaker Mark Winne and discussion panel moderated by Susan Campbell. Amongst the discussion panelists is our very own Izzi Greenberg. Registration, more details and location information can be found through the following link.

North End Farmers Market - tomorrow!

Apples and squash and potatoes - oh my!

Fall produce is in full swing, come get your own!

North End Farmers Market

Fridays July-October

10-2

Corner of Liberty and Main

*We accept WIC, EBT/SNAP, and Senior coupons.

Visit www.northendfarmersmarket.org for more info.

Or contact the North End Action Team at 860 346 4845.

Music

Izaach Lichter-Marck is bringing his banjo and his friends to serenade us with old-timey tunes during the lunch hour. It's 12-1. Be there be square!

Special guest vendor

Raw Youniverse is back again with delicious raw smoothies, and what a variety of delicious options!

Lunch

They Whey Station will be providing gourmet grilled cheese and local cheese by the pound.

Community Music is back!

Hey everyone!

The Community Music Initiative (CMI) is starting up this Saturday at the Green Street Arts Center with a great event from 11-1.

There will be African Drumming with Jocelyn Pleasant and a big community lunch as always. Bring a dish or drink to share!

The event is FREE and open to all ages. Kids under age 12 need to attend with a guardian over age 15. Kids 12 and over are welcome to come on their own.

For photos and memories of last year, to get a sense of what CMI is all about, please LIKE us on Facebook.

Please give us a call with any questions or suggestions (860 346 4845).

Hope to see you there!

-Emily

Farmers Market - it's that time of the week!

One month left!

North End Farmers Market

Fridays July-October

10-2

Corner of Liberty and Main

*We accept WIC, EBT/SNAP, and Senior coupons.

Visit www.northendfarmersmarket.org for more info.

Or contact the North End Action Team at 860 346 4845.

Music

Izaach Lichter-Marck is bringing his banjo and his friends to serenade us with old-timey tunes during the lunch hour. It's 12-1. Be there be square!

Lunch

Eli Cannon's is bringing us two signature wraps - yum! The Zen (portabello mushroom and hummus) and the Knapp Wrap (smoked turkey, bacon, swiss). Enjoy!

Special guest vendor

Raw Youniverse is back again with delicious raw smoothies, and what a variety of delicious options!

They Whey Station will be providing gourmet grilled cheese and local cheese by the pound.

October 5th Meet the Candidates Night

NEAT's invites you to Meet the Candidates Night on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 7:00pm at the Green Street Arts Center. This will be an informal meet and greet where you can bring your questions and be heard. Take the opportunity to meet the candidates and be informed. Free Dinner and childcare will be provided. Also, you can register to vote at the event!

FREE Foreclosure Prevention Clinics

Know Your Rights in the Foreclosure Process

Who Can Attend: Any homeowner who is facing foreclosure or having trouble paying his/her mortgage.Registration by phone is requested before the event. There is no charge to attend.

What: The clinics will offer homeowners information about the judicial foreclosure and mediation process along with guidance on how to prepare and what
documents to bring to court. Referrals to housing counseling agencies will also be made.

Register by calling:
(203) 777-6925 ext. 26

When:
September 27, 2011
November 22, 2011
January 24, 2012
March 27, 2012
May 22, 2012

July 24, 2012


Where: Meriden City Hall
142 East Main St.
Meriden, CT
Room 28

All clinics will begin at 5:30 p.m. and run until 7:30 p.m.
Clinics are brought to you by the following Groups: