MARK YOUR CALENDARS: MONTHLY MEETING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2012

Next Wednesday, June 6, 2012 will be our next Monthly meeting at 7 PM at the Green Street Arts Center. This month's agenda will focus on What is happening with the Board of Education?  Many changes are being made in our Middletown Schools.  This June let's take a moment to check in on what is happening, share our views and make plans to be part of the process.  Childcare and Pizza for the kids will be provided.  For more information, call the NEAT office at 860-346-4845.

FREE COOKING CLASSES

NEAT will hold a six week cooking class this summer in partnership with Cooking Matters.  Learn great tips on how to use economical, healthy food to feed yourself and your family. The first class will begin on Wednesday, June 6th from 5:30 PM.  Please call the NEAT office to sign up, or email Bobbye@neatmiddletown.org.

HIKE TO CASTLE CRAIG ON JUNE 9TH

The long-awaited next hike of the season will be June 9, 2012 to Castle Craig. Hikers will meet at 8:30 AM  at the Green Street Arts Center, and will return from the hike in early afternoon. Sign-ups for the event are required. If you are interested in signing up, please call the NEAT office  at 860-346-4845.   Hikes are for children ages 8-14. Hikers should wear comfortable shoes and bring bottled water.  If you would like to have a schedule of future dates, please contact us. Adults are also welcome.

COMMUNITY POLICING: SEND US YOUR HOT SPOTS

Do you have a hot spot issue you would like addressed or concerns that need to be addressed? Tell us about trash, crime and any other quality of life issue you may be facing on your block. SEND US YOUR HOT SPOTS BEFORE THE NEXT JUNE 1, 2012 Community Policing and Code Enforcement Meeting!  You can enter a hot spot directly on NEAT's website (NOTE: please scroll to bottom of page link).  You can also drop in to the office and speak with our staff!

Free talk at MAC 650 on Wednesday May 30th.

 

STRINGS - a special talk with Jef Johnson

Free to Public

7:00 pm Wednesday May 30, 2012

MAC 650 Gallery & Artist Co-Op

650 Main Street, Middletown, CT 

 

 

Jef Johnson is a leader in the field of performance theory. His research focuses on naive experience, consciousness, play, patterned behavior and social identity. He is a principle artist in the Broadway and International touring company of Slava’s Sn...owshow. He has also worked with Cirque du Soleil as clown-animator, special artistic consultant and workshop director. He has been investigating personal perception, performance and play for the past 25 years and has more than 20 years of experience working in live performance. He has given Master Classes, Conferences and Workshops to many organizations, theaters and universities including Cirque du Soleil, Slava’s Snowshow, Circo Sentido, Circo de Mente, Camp Broadway, University of Houston, University of Pennsylvania, Colombia University, University of Minnesota, CUNY, SUNY, NYU, UNAM, UDEM, UQROO, and CENART. He is director of Mascara/Clown and is on the faculty of the Nouveau Clown Institute in Barcelona, Spain. Currently he is in Mexico, conducting research into the nature of human consciousness, creative association and social performance. Drawing from Clown, Mask and Butoh, his work has initiated deeper investigation into the primary essence of human experience, character and performance.

 

May 25th is last day to Apply for Schools!

Attention Parents and their kids!  The Regional School Choice Office deadline  approaches. It is you last chance to apply  for available seats in six (6) new schools and five (5) existing magnet schools. Seats are available in the following grades: PK3, PK4, Kindergarten, elementary grades 1 through 4; middle-school grades (6,7,8) and in high school, grade 9 only. The deadline for submitting a lottery application is Friday, May 25, 2012. Click here for  descriptions of the 6 new schools and 5 existing magnet schools, which have available seats.

If you would like more information about these opportunities, please call RSCO at 860-713-6990 or visit the RSCO website. For a direct link, click here.  If you need assistance, please feel free to stop by the NEAT office and use our computers.  Our staff would be happy to assist.

COOKING CLASSES

NEAT will hold a six week cooking class in its office on Main St. this summer.  Learn great tips on how to use economical, healthy food to feed yourself and your family. The first class will begin on Wednesday, June 6th from 5:30 PM.  Please call the NEAT office to sign up, or email Bobbye@neatmiddletown.org

.

REGIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE FAIR TONIGHT MAY 23RD 2012

There will be a New Schools and Opportunities (NSO) Fair located at 43 Vernon Street, Learning Corridor/Commons Building, Hartford on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 from 5pm - 7:30pm. This will be the final fair so please attend if you are interested.

CMI - music for families this Saturday!

Hey everyone! The Community Music Initiative (CMI) has only TWO more events before the summer. Hope you can join us!

THIS Saturday, May 26th - Fun with Rhythms
And also Saturday June 9th - Games and Songs
11am-1pm, at the Green Street Arts Center

These events are great for families, open to all ages, and best of all, FREE! We start with a workshop at 11am, then break for a potluck lunch, and finish up with an Open Mic. Bring a song or story to share, or even a silly joke, and sign up when you arrive. Hope to see you Saturday!

CMI is a program of the North End Action Team. Give us a call for more info: 860 346 4845. You can also email me directly at emily@neatmiddletown.org.

SONG-DANCES AT CMI - THIS SATURDAY, MAY 14TH

Join us at Community Music this Saturday at 11am for Song-dances with Emily Troll. Learn silly musical games and dances, then join us for a potluck lunch and Open Mic. This week our Open Mic will feature Alexis, of the North End Glee Club, singing 'Try Again' as well as a few other special musical guests. Bring a story or a song to share and sign up when you arrive!

 

The event is from 11am-1pm at the Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green Street. It's FREE! And open to all ages. 

 

We only have two more events after this weekend, so come check it out before we break for the summer!

 

CMI is a program of NEAT. More info at www.neatmiddletown.org/cmi

 

Next event: May 26th, Fun with Rhythms led by Edward Leonard.

APPLY NOW: NEW SCHOOL CHOICE LOTTERY

Attention Parents and their kids!  The Regional School Choice Office has announced that it has started another application and lottery process for available seats in six (6) new schools and five (5) existing magnet schools. Seats are available in the following grades: PK3, PK4, Kindergarten, elementary grades 1 through 4; middle-school grades (6,7,8) and in high school, grade 9 only. The deadline for submitting a lottery application is Friday, May 25, 2012. Click here for  descriptions of the 6 new schools and 5 existing magnet schools, which have available seats.

If you would like more information about these opportunities, please call RSCO at 860-713-6990 or visit the RSCO website. For a direct link, click here.  If you need assistance, please feel free to stop by the NEAT office and use our computers.  Our staff would be happy to assist.  This week the NEAT office will be open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If you need assistance after hours this week, please call the NEAT office at 860-346-4845 and if possible, we can schedule someone to be available later in the day. Next week, the NEAT office will return to its normal schedule and be open until 5:00 PM.

MONTHLY NEAT MEETING

This Wednesday, May 2, 2012  let's get together at the Green Street Arts Center for our NEAT Monthly Meeting at 7:00pm.   This month the meeting will be an Open Forum for residents to share their updates and concerns. 

Childcare and Pizza for the kids will be provided.  If you are bringing your child, wear clothes that can get dirty.
This week, as a special treat, kids will be working with Wesleyan Students on a Visual Arts Project.

Loan Scams Make National Headlines Again

ATTENTION RESIDENTS: LOAN SCAMS ARE ON THE RISE!

As you may have seen in the April 19 New York Times article, loan scams are on the rise again. The FTC has issued a consumer alert on mass joinder lawsuits and New York Attorney General Eric Holderman has warned about scams associated with the $25 billion mortgage settlement between banks and states.

To protect homeowners from falling victim to such scams, NeighborWorks continues to publicize these twists via the Loan Scam Alert campaign website and its social media channels.

You can do your part by reading tips from the Loan Scam Alert team on the top three signs of a scam and by spreading the word about scams in your community.

COMMUNITY MUSIC

Community Music is back, THIS Saturday April 28th! It's African Drumming and Dance led by Jocelyn Pleasant. The event includes the workshop, a potluck lunch, and an open mic after lunch. Bring songs and instruments to share! Start time is 11am.

Community Music - African drumming and dance

Saturday April 28th 11am-1pm

At the Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green Street

CMI is a program of NEAT. More info at www.neatmiddletown.org/cmi

BOARD OF EDUCATION BUDGET MEETING

The final Board of Education Budget Meeting is this week. This will be your chance to hear important budget details. You can also access the proposed budget here.  On April 26TH @7 PM, it is the community's turn to share thoughts, make comments and be informed about public opinion on the budget.  The meetings will both take place at City Hall's Council Chambers at 245 Dekoven Rd. Attend and be informed!

Check out the pics from North End PRIDE Day, 2012.  There were projects all over the neighborhood including opening up the established Erin St. Community Garden, working in the up and coming Ferry St. Community Garden and general cleaning.

Because we had so many volunteers, we were able to build the amazing Alondra Hernandez Community Garden in one day!  We still have more to plant, but we're well on our way to a new community space.  For those who remember what 20 Portland St. looked like last year (see below for a reminder), this garden is a big change.  The Mayor declared Saturday North End PRIDE Day in the City of Middletown, which was quite an honor for our residents and their hard work.

Thank you to our amazing residents, volunteers, Comcast Cares Volunteers, Macdonough School, the Young Democrats, the Republican Town Committee, Minuteman Press, Sherwin-Williams of Cromwell, Stone Depot, Home Depot, Gorilla Graphics, St John's School in Old Saybrook, Ballek's Garden Center, CT SignCenter and the City of Middletown Public Works Department for all of the help!!  Comcast even gave the North End Action Team and Macdonough School a grant to help support our programs.



*History: When 20 Portland St. was condemned and taken in foreclosure, the city offered the lot for free (and they were going to give $$ to help rehab) to anyone willing to take the lot and rehab the buildings. The houses were in such bad shape that the city couldn't find any takers.  They were a safety concern and were bringing down the quality of life for the people who lived around them.

The city ultimately tore down the properties and issued an RFP (Request for Proposals) for ideas with what to do with the space.  NEAT submitted a proposal along with residents of Portland St. that was approved. So, NEAT now has control over the site and we built a garden this week as a partnership between NEAT and Comcast Cares Day.

GET YOUR PRIDE ON!

This Saturday April 21, from 9 am -1 pm, we will be celebrating our Pride with cleanup and beautification projects all over the North End. We hope that you have seen information about Pride Day in our emails and our newsletter. We are very excited about this years event. We have some exciting projects planned including breaking ground on two new community gardens!

Pride Day is about more than Spring cleaning. It is about getting our residents, our local businesses, and friends of the North End outside together working on common goals and building relationships. We love our neighborhood and want to take time to celebrate it.

As a friend of the North End we hope that you will join us on Saturday and spread the word in your organization. We have numerous projects that need volunteers. If you are a business or organization that is located in the North End you can also organize a project at your site. if you would like to sign up to work on a project, or are willing to join in on the project that needs you most you can call the NEAT office at 860-346-4845

Projects include:

Breaking ground at the Alondra Hernandez Memorial Garden
Breaking Ground at the Ferry Street Garden
Waking up the Erin Street garden
Miller/Bridge street park clean up
Block by block clean up and trash pick up

NEAT will provide the work gloves, water, tools, and trash bags.

We are excited to have volunteers from the neighborhood, Macdonough School, Comcast, The Young Dems, and Wesleyan University. We would love to have you join us as well!

We hope to see you on Saturday!

MEN'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS DAY - APRIL 14

This FREE event is designed to provide access to healthcare and community services for men who have limited or no health insurance. It will be Saturday, April 14, 2012 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church 24 Old Church Street Middletown, CT. There will be Prostate cancer screening and education, foot care, medical assessment of health concerns, basic eye exams, blood pressure screenings, smoking cessation, cancer prevention education, physical therapy, mental health services and massage therapy/reflexology. Registration is required by calling (860) 358-2043.

COMMUNITY MUSIC INITIATIVE: Looking for something fun to do over the school vacation?

Community Music is back, THIS Saturday April 14th! It's Fun with Rhythms led by our own Edward Leonard. Get ready for some drumming, singing, and general silliness. The event includes the workshop, a potluck lunch, and an open mic after lunch. Bring songs and instruments to share! Start time is 11am.

Community Music - Fun with Rhythms

Saturday April 14th 11am-1pm

At the Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green Street

CMI is a program of NEAT. More info at www.neatmiddletown.org/cmi

Join us for North End Pride Day!

NORTH END PRIDE DAY-SAVE THE DATE APRIL 21ST

It's getting warmer which means, we will soon be having our Annual North End Pride Day!

This year North End Pride Day will be April 21st, 2012 at 9:00 AM. Save the date and let's spend the day together beautifying our neighborhood and having fun!

Here are some of the projects we are planning for the day:

Clean up your yard!
Help clean your neighbors yard!
Be a block captain and organize a clean-up for your street!
Join one of our neighborhood teams!
Garden at the Erin Street Garden!
Help to break ground on the New Portland Street gardens!
Volunteer to help out by calling the NEAT office(860) 346-4845.

MEN'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS DAY - APRIL 14

This FREE event sponsored by the Middlesex Hospital is designed to provide access to healthcare and community services for men who have limited or no health insurance. It will be Saturday, April 14, 2012 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church 24 Old Church Street Middletown, CT. There will be Prostate cancer screening and education, foot care, medical assessment of health concerns, basic eye exams, blood pressure screenings, smoking cessation, cancer prevention education, physical therapy, mental health services and massage therapy/reflexology. Registration is required by calling (860) 358-2043.

HUSKY HEALTH PROGRAM

An informational forum for HUSKY Health Program Members to discuss the changes in the HUSKY and Medicaid programs is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, from 1 to 3 PM. at the YMCA at 99 Union St. in Middletown. If you or anyone you know uses this program, please advise them of this important event to learn about changes and new healthcare options.

SESAME STREET'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT: EATING WELL ON A LOW BUDGET

Parents, caregivers, and providers, check out Sesame Street's Food for Thought on EATING WELL ON A LOW-BUDGET! Food for Thought: Eating Well on a Budget is a bilingual, multimedia program designed to help support families who have children between the ages of 2 and 8 and are coping with uncertain or limited access to affordable and nutritious food. The website has great resources to empower parents, kids and community members to eat healthy. Check it out by clicking here.

April 2nd, Town Hall Meeting with Governor Dan Malloy on Education

The Connecticut State Conference of NAACP & Middlesex County NAACP Branch
will be hosting A Town Hall Meeting with Governor Dannel P. Malloy. Governor Malloy will discuss his Education Reform Bill SB24 with the NAACP on Monday, April 02, 2012 at 6:30 P.M. The meeting will take place at the Shiloh Baptist Church located at 346 Butternut St Middletown, CT 06457. Here is your opportunity to have your questions answered! This is your opportunity to speak out for your child and for the children in your communities!

SIGN UP FOR SUMMER CAMPS!

Summer is around the corner, so get your kids ready to enjoy the summer months! Sign-up for summer camp at the NEAT Office (654 Main Street) between the hours of 10:00 AM -5:00 PM on Mondays through Fridays. Right now, NEAT has very limited Scholarships for Camp Ingersoll through the YMCA. There are also applications available for the City Arts Program (NEAR and Oddfellows) and Park and Rec programs. These exciting programs will fill up fast so please sign-up early.

COMPLETE YOUR H.S. EDUCATION!

Interested in Completing your H.S. education? Middletown Adult Ed has opportunities for adults to complete their high school education and offers support. Worried about your kids? There is childcare. Worried about transportation? There is transportation offered for Middletown residents. Worried in general? Talk to a guidance counselor. Their Even Start program is great for parents with kids. There are options available to meet your needs. If you speak Spanish, there are opportunities for you as well. For more information and to see if you are eligible, call 860-343-6050 or visit the website at www.maect.org. Take advantage of opportunity!

FREE HOME-OWNERSHIP CLASSES IN APRIL

Would you like to walk in to your living space and know that it is yours and and belongs to no one else? Owning a home may be the answer. If you are interested in becoming a homeowner, get educated on the process! There will be four free home-ownership classes on Wednesdays in April with Rosa Carrero from Liberty Bank. The Home-ownership classes will take place at the Green Street Arts Center at 6:30pm. If you are interested, you must sign up. Please call NEAT at (860) 346-4845.

NORTH END PRIDE DAY-SAVE THE DATE APRIL 21ST

It's getting warmer which means, we will soon be having our Annual North End Pride Day! This year North End Pride Day will be April 21st, 2012 at 9:00 AM. Save the date and let's spend the day together beautifying our neighborhood and having fun!

BOARD OF EDUCATION AGENDA FOR TUESDAY MARCH 13TH 2012

Board of Education Regular Meeting
March 13, 2012, 7:00 PM
Middletown Common Council Chambers

A G E N D A

I. Call to Order	Gene Nocera
II. Salute to the Flag	Gene Nocera
III. Adoption of Agenda	Gene Nocera
IV. District Highlights - Unified Theatre	Gene Nocera
V. Public Session - Agenda Items Only	Gene Nocera
VI. Communications	Gene Nocera
A. Report of Student Representative	Michael Durso
VII. Consent Agenda	Gene Nocera
A. Minutes of BOE Regular Meeting of February 14, 2012	Gene Nocera
B. Personnel Action	Barbara Senges
C. Policy #5131.6 Alcohol Use, Drugs and Tobacco (Revision) – Second Reading	Sheila Daniels
D. Bylaw #9325.2 Order of Business (Revision) – Second Reading	Sheila Daniels
E. Extended Field Trip - MHS Girls Swim Team Trip	Trevor Charles
VIII. Report of the Superintendent
A. District Data Team	Barbara Senges
B. Transportation Report	Ken Jackson
C. District News	Gene Nocera
IX. Committees
A. Budget Committee	Ted Raczka
1. Financial Statement	Nancy Haynes
B. Communications Committee	Ryan Kennedy
C. Curriculum Committee
D. Feasibility Committee	Ed McKeon
E. Policy Committee	Sheila Daniels
F. Representative Reports	Gene Nocera & Cheryl McClellan
X. Action Items
XI. Future Agenda Items
A. New Items
XII. Public Session - Non-Agenda Items	Gene Nocera
XIII. Personnel Matter (Proposed for Executive Session)	Gene Nocera
A. Executive Session	Gene Nocera
XIV. Adjournment	Gene Nocera

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Middletown Public Schools is to enable all students to achieve at their highest potential by challenging them through a system structured around a common core of knowledge, skills, values, and a variety of educational experiences. Through partnerships with family and community, our schools will promote the pursuit of lifelong learning, responsible citizenship and decision making in a culturally diverse world.

Writers Out Loud

WRITERS OUT LOUD

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE:March 8, 2012

Second Thursday

　

WHERE:

The Buttonwood Tree

605 Main Street

Middletown, CT 06457

860-347-4957

　

TIMES:

Admission: 6:45 P.M.

Signup: 6:45 P.M.

Setup: 6:45-7:00 P.M.

Program: 7:00 P.M.

　

LIMIT:

The number of presenters is set at a maximum of six (6).

　

TREATS:

Snacks and soft drinks are provided FREE.

　

DONATION:

WRITERS OUT LOUD, an entity under the 91914 MINISTRIES, INC. umbrella, is a NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. As such, no entry fee can be charged. However, a suggested donation is allowable. Therefore, WOL encourages and appreciates $4.00 per person.

　

JOB POSTING

Retention Specialist (P/T) – Middletown
Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to assist clients in maintaining competitive employment. Perform diversified job duties to support assigned individuals in their employment to facilitate successful job retention by working with CRS Employment Specialists, employers and CRS consumers as appropriate. This requires a specific plan that includes in-person follow-up, assisting clients with problem-solving work related issues, assistance with learning actual job skills and/or workplace culture, ability to discuss difficult issues such as addiction, discrimination and/or destructive personal habits; as well as the ability to balance being supportive and encouraging while fostering personal responsibility, accountability and the capacity for good decision-making. Identify natural supports, i.e. friends, family, counselor, etc., that may be available for long-term support to foster employment success as well as barriers to successful employment, i.e. housing, childcare, interpersonal skills, educational and skill training needs, etc. Weekend, evening and holiday hours may be required based on individual work schedules of assigned clients and their support needs. Assist with client transportation as required, including use of personal vehicle (May require the ability to obtain a Public Service License necessary to transport program participants in an Agency owned/leased vehicle). HS diploma/G.E.D and 1-3 three years’ work experience (may include experience during a period of incarceration). Pay rate $12.50/hr 30 hours w/benefits

Qualified candidates can fax resume (203-495-6108) or email (hr@esginh.org). Mailing address is 432 Washington Ave., North Haven, CT 06473. Employment applications can be completed at the Washington Ave. location. Hiring rate is typically within the first quartile of the salary range. Please visit our Agency website: www.eastersealsgoodwill.org

JOB POSTING

Employment Specialist, Community Re-entry Services (F/T) - Middletown

Perform diversified job duties to support and advocate for assigned individuals to facilitate successful re-integration into the community following a period of incarceration. Work as part of the interdisciplinary team to assist individuals receiving services in identifying and making choices about their social, vocation and personal goals; and in choosing, getting and keeping employment. Coordinate intake process for new referrals and/or interdepartmental transfers to include conducting a comprehensive intake interview, development of an Individual Service/Recovery Plan (ISP/IRP). Implement the ISP and insure employment readiness (i.e. appropriate attire, bus fare/tokens, etc.) and the smooth and timely transition to employment. Assist individuals with transportation as required, including travel training and/or the use of personal vehicle. Assist in the facilitation of training programs such as job seeking, job retention and relevant life skills (i.e. travel training, sexuality awareness and abuse prevention, socialization and self-advocacy). B.A. in a related field; plus two years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Pay rate $15.50/hr 37.5 hours w/benefits

Qualified candidates can fax resume (203-495-6108) or email (hr@esginh.org). Mailing address is 432 Washington Ave., North Haven, CT 06473. Employment applications can be completed at the Washington Ave. location. Hiring rate is typically within the first quartile of the salary range. Please visit our Agency website: www.eastersealsgoodwill.org

Altrusa Club Members Launch Little Free Library

Altrusa International of Central Connecticut launched their newest literacy project for Middletown Community with the first "Altrusa Little Free Library" at NEAT (North End Action Team) 654 Main Street location. "The Little Free Library" was unveiled on February 29th by Altrusa club members and Izzi Greenberg the Executive Director of the North End Action Team.

Stef Labbe (co-chair), Linda Ring (Altrusa President), Jamie Santangelo (so-chair) & Izzi Greenberg (NEAT Executive Director)

Altrusa of Central Connecticut has recently expanded one its literacy projects to "Altrusa Books for Community." The "Altrusa Little Free Library" project will continue to bring books to the community. The "Little Free Library" is a non profit organization seeking support of local service organizations. Their mission is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide. Literacy is an area of focus for Altrusa with an emphasis on "literacy for all ages." The "Little Free Library" will have books for the community to take and read. The books can be returned to the "Little Free Library" or passed on to a friend or family member. The main focus of the project is to get the community reading. This is the first "Little Free Library" in Connecticut . The library will provide popular novels to young adults age 16 and older. Altrusa will maintain the library through book donations from the community and plan to add additional libraries in the sourrounding community.

JONAH CENTER EVENT ON BIKEWAY MASTER PLAN

PRESS RELEASE

DATE OF EVENT: FEBRUARY 28, 2012
CONTACT: JOHN HALL, 860-398-3771

A “Complete Streets and Bikeway Master Plan” for Middletown

The Jonah Center for Earth and Art invites the public to a forum on Middletown’s efforts to develop a comprehensive and detailed plan to make our city safer and more conducive for walking and bicycling. The program will be held on Tuesday, February 28, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Room at First Church of Christ, Congregational, 190 Court Street, in Middletown.

The forum will begin with 3 short presentations. Kari Sullivan from the Connecticut Department of Education will describe programs like “Safe Routes to School” and how walking contributes to public health. Local cyclist and biking educator Beth Emery will explain how both cyclists and motorists can make our streets safer for all who use them. Middletown Engineer Tom Nigosanti will be available with maps and information regarding improvements such as sidewalks, off-street trails, and bike lanes.

The proposed $1 million multi-use trail connecting downtown Middletown, Wesleyan University, and the Wesleyan Hills neighborhood will also be described, but it is not the primary focus of this program. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to indicate their preferred routes for walking or cycling by using orange or green markers on a Middletown street map.

This event is free and pre-registration is not necessary. For more information, contact John Hall at 860-398-3771 or visit www.thejonahcenter.org and click on “send us a message.”

Dance at Vinnie's - this Friday night!

Come dance away your midwinter blues with our second big dance-for-all at Vinnie's! Bring friends, bring coworkers - this will be a great night out. With fabulous teachers and DJs, Vinnie's is truly back in the swing of things this month.

We are still looking for a few volunteers for set-up, clean-up, and helping at the door - please get in touch if you are interested in volunteering in exchange for free admission.

Friday, February 17th

Midwinter Swing and Blues

8pm-12am

$8 / $5 for students

8-9 beginner lesson in swing and blues

9-11 swing for all

11-12 late-night blues

*DJs Chris Oksanen and Diana Shiroma*

*Instructors Diana Shiroma and Bruce Johnson*

Vinnie's Jump and Jive

424 Main Street, Middletown

860 347 6971 ex 3777

vinnies@chc1.com

www.vinniesjumpandjive.com

A few photos of our last dance, by Ning Dai.