CALLING ALL NORTH END RESIDENTS - IT'S PARADE TIME!

The North End Action Team will be marching in this year's Memorial Day Parade and everyone is invited to join us. It's a great chance for us to have some fun as a community and enjoy a fabulous festive day! The parade is this Monday, the 30th. We will meet at the corner of Pease and Stack Streets at 9:30am. Don't forget to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Please call the office (860 346 4845) or Emily (339 440 0532) to confirm your attendance.

Kazoos will be provided by the Community Music Initiative, as well as CMI t-shirts for anyone who has attended at least two CMI events. We'll also have sunscreen and water in case it's a beautiful sunny day.The parade goes from the North End all the way to the South Green. It begins promptly at 10:30.

Photo of the Day!

Community Music Photo:

Singing:

WE WILL ROCK YOU!

Look out for more community music pictures to come!

PHOTO OF THE DAY FROM CMI

COMMUNITY MUSIC PHOTO OF THE DAY:

THIS PICTURE IS FROM THIS PAST SATURDAY'S EVENT. THE KIDS ARE PLAYING ON THE UKELELE!
MORE PICS AND POSTS TO COME FROM OUR LAST EVENT!

Hiking Club Canceled for May 22, 2011

Unfortunately, due to unfavorable weather conditions, this weekend's hike has been canceled. The next regular scheduled hike will be in June. More information and dates will be forthcoming. Please look out for an email and blog posting with further details. Sorry for the change but hope to see you at the next hike in June!

The Connecticut Humane Society Pet Food Pantry

The current economy as well as catastrophic events place many families in a position they never thought they would face; deciding whether or not they can afford to keep their beloved pet. At the Connecticut Humane Society we understand… Now operating out of the Newington shelter is our pet food pantry program for people in financial need. Our goal is to provide people with quality pet food so they don’t have to choose between feeding their family and feeding their pet.

Due to the huge turnout, they are in need of donations. Donation information is on their website. In addition, there are special requirements in order to receive these benefits. For more information on these requirements and what you need to bring, please visit the website.

Where is the pet food pantry located? At the garage that is on the Newington property at 701 Russell Road but separate from the main building. The distribution will occur from the middle bay.

When will the pet food be distributed? Pet food will be distributed while supplies last on the following dates: May 20, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm June 3, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm June 17, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm July 1, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm July 15, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm August 5, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm August 19, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Future dates will be announced and posted on this page in the near future.

HELP BABIES IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY STAY HEALTHY AND HAPPY!

The following is an appeal from the Middlesex Diaper Committee.

Dear friends,

Thousands of babies in Middlesex County live in families too poor to buy enough disposable diapers to diaper them properly. Healthy babies need clean diapers to avoid diaper rash and other conditions that lead to poor health, behaviors and outcomes. Day care centers require disposable diapers...but food stamps and other programs do not cover diapers. And most laundromats do not allow cloth diapers to be washed in their facilities. Food comes first, so diapers, so necessary to prevent infection, discomfort and major illnesses, often are left on the store shelf. Through the efforts of the Middlesex Diaper Committee, Middlesex County is now a service area of The Diaper Bank. The Diaper Bank is the most cost-effective way to provide diapers to families in need of them. Last month The Diaper Bank began distributing 120,000 diapers a year through Maternal & Child Health Programs at Middlesex Hospital, Early Head Start, Even Start at Middletown Adult Education and the Family Wellness Center at the Community Health Center. To continue our wonderful partnership with the Diaper Bank, we need to raise $25,000. We hope you will help.

For a timely gift of $25 or more, we will send your special person a lovely card in time for Mothers or Fathers Day, in your name. Just think, your gift to The Diaper Bank/Middlesex County can honor the person most important to you and help provide diapers to the most vulnerable families right here in our community.

Please click here to read the flyer for more information and access the reply form here to help or you may contribute on line at www.thediaperbank.org and write in "Middlesex County" in the designation box. Want to save on paper and postage and pay securely by credit card? Click here. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration to promote wellness in our community.

Most Sincerely,
Patti Anne Vassia
Chair Middlesex Diaper Committee

Final Community Music event for the school year...

Last chance! (Until our summer events start up - stay tuned).

CMI is a great place for kids and families to make music together and get connected to the community. It's fun, educational, and FREE.

If you have questions, need transportation, or want to learn more, please contact NEAT (860 346 4845), or the coordinator Emily (339 440 0532).

This Saturday, the 14th

10:30-1

Green Street Arts Center

51 Green Street

The schedule:

1) Performances by CMI students

2) Musical playshop - improvise! With our new workshop leader, Julie Cook.

3) Community lunch (bring a dish to share)

4) Music games

Hope to see you there! Bring friends, neighbors, and family. Everyone is welcome.

Green Street Benefit Concert featuring Tierney Sutton '86

Friday, May 20, 2011 | 8pm
Crowell Concert Hall
$65 post-performance meet and greet reception with Tierney Sutton ’86 and preferred seating at the performance; $40 performance only; $25 performance only for students and GOLD (graduates of the last decade) Note: For GOLD purchasers, please select the Wesleyan student rate when buying your tickets online

Click here to purchase your tickets or call 860-685-3355

Support the After School Arts & Science Program at Wesleyan’s Reunion & Commencement Weekend with renowned jazz vocalist and Wesleyan alumnus Tierney Sutton ’86. Sutton was an undergrad at Wesleyan when she first discovered jazz music and decided to become a performer. Since then, she has graced the stages of many prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, Birdland, the Rainbow Room, and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Returning to where it all began, Sutton, joined by flutist Hubert Laws and guitarist Larry Koonse, will be performing at Crowell Concert Hall for this season’s benefit concert for Green Street’s After School Program.

Community Music Continues!

Don’t miss these upcoming opportunities to make music with your family, friends, and neighbors:

May 14^th – Community Music Saturday (last Saturday event this school year)

Julie Cook will be leading us in a musical playshop where we will improvise in a group, making up our very own music. As usual, the event will also include performances by music learners, a communal lunch, and music games to finish.

Green Street Arts Center, 10:30am-12am

May 30^th

CMI and NEAT march in the Memorial Day Parade

Muster time is 9:30 at Macdonough School. Bring and NEAT or CMI t-shirt, or we’ll provide one. We’ll also have kazoos and drums, a giant banner, and lots of loud voices to sing with. Cross your fingers for good weather!

Macdonough School

9:30-12

June 11^th – Open House day at Green Street

Community Music will be leading a singing circle as part of Green Street’s Open House. Come visit us and raise your voice in song! For more about Open House, call Green Street at 860 685 7871 or visit their website

Summer fun

Where is CMI over the summer?

1) leading field trips to great concerts around Middletown

2) hosting music-making before concerts at the NEAT evening markets

(July 19^th, August 9^th, and September 20^th)

3) spontaneous music at North End Farmers Markets on Fridays

(July-October)

And next year?

Community Music has been fully funded for next year! Stay tuned for a complete description of all the awesome events and programming coming up.

NEAT MONTHLY MEETING - Wednesday at 7 pm

NEAT MEETING WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Please join us for the May NEAT meeting

Wednesday May 4^th at 7 pm at the Green Street Arts Center

We will be discussing ways to improve the parks and public spaces in the North End.

The North End Parks include Donovan Park (Macdonough school), Roosevelt Park (Miller St.), The park behind Wharfside Commons and Willie Pep Park (Bottom of Green Street).

We need to hear from you about what you would like to see in the parks. If we don’t hear from you then we won’t know what you want.

For more information call Bobbye at (860) 346-4845

FREE CHILDCARE IS PROVIDED FOR NEAT MEETINGS

PRIDE DAY

Thank you to everyone who came out for the 2011 North End PRIDE day. It was a great event thanks to all of you.