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.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY...

Liberty Bank and the North End Action Team will present a free How to Save workshop on February 21 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the North End Action Team, 654 Main St., Middletown.

The seminar helps first-time savers understand the basics of personal money management, credit, and how to set and save for a goal.

There is no charge for the seminar, but attendees must register in advance. To sign up or obtain more information, contact Rosa Carrero, community development officer, Liberty Bank, at (860) 344-7328.

Free African Drum Class

Free African Drum Class! This Wednesday February 15, 2012, the North End Artist's Co-op located next door to the NEAT office at 654 Main Street will be running a Free African Drum Class with Jocelyn Pleasant and Aaron Greenberg. The class will take place at 7:00pm. There is a limited amount of drums available for those who do not have their own.

CMI highlights - Fall 2011!

Did you know …

NEAT's very own music program, the Community Music Initiative (CMI), is half-way through YEAR TWO?!

Jocelyn pleasant leading African Drumming.

We’ve already had SEVEN events featuring African drumming, singing, and music games?!

Dancing and singing "Dixieland."

All three of our piano students have performed at least ONE time, and our new Glee Club, too?!

Glee Club performs "I want you back" complete with choreography!

We went caroling with FIFTY people throughout the North End, singing silly songs, pretty songs, and winter songs?!

And it’s far from over. We still have TEN events left to go, a parade to march in, and lots more performances from budding singers, dancers, and instrumentalists.

Join us February 18^th for African Drumming with Jocelyn Pleasant, followed by a potluck lunch. The event is 11am-1pm. It’s FREE and no registration is necessary.

Feel free to call us with questions anytime: 860 346 4845. CMI is run by the North End Action Team, at 645 Main Street.

Meet the North End Glee Club!

If you happen to pass by the NEAT office on a Monday evening, you may be lucky enough to catch the North End Glee Club in the midst of rehearsal. You may hear Michael Jackson lyrics faintly through the window or observe some beginning choreography as the club puts together a new song.

Glee Club is a place for North End rock stars to make music together, work together on a well-rounded performance, and most of all, have fun with music they love.

The repertoire so far, includes:

“I want you back” – Michael Jackson

“I’ll be there” – Michael Jackson

“Pricetag” – Jessie J

*and many more to come!

The Glee Club will continue through the end of the school year – so stay tuned for performances near you! And a new session will begin mid-March with several open spots, so please refer interested 11-14 yr olds.

The Glee Club is a new part of the Community Music Initiative, providing participatory music-making in the North End neighborhood. See our website for more information.

Photos of rehearsals, and our very first performance - check out the MJ-inspired white gloves!

Free Financial Literacy Class

Finally, your financial resources are here to help! Interested in learning more about your credit options? The financial secrets to achieving good credit are no longer secrets! Learn how to achieve good credit, gain financial security and more by attending a Free Financial Literacy class February 21, 2012 at the North End Action Team, Inc. at 654 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 from 6:30-8:30 PM. Please contact Rosa Carrero at 860-344-7328 for additional information or N.E.A.T office at 860 -346-4845. Financial success starts now!

VINNIES JUMP AND JIVE FAMILY DANCE

Vinnie's is hosting a Family Dance on February 11th! This will be a really fun, exciting opportunity to be active as a family.

Saturday February 11th

2-4pm

$6 for adults, $3 for students

*The maximum price a family can pay is $20

Family dancing includes accessible, energizing, and interactive dances for folks of all ages. There will be circle dances, snakes, trios, and so much more! Bring friends and family to join you at this fun community event. Healthy snacks will be provided.
This is ideal for kids over age 5, but little ones are welcome to come try it anyway!

LET'S GET READY FREE SAT PREP CLASSES

Attention High School Juniors and their Parents: Free SAT Prep Classes for qualifying students are available with Let's Get Ready! THERE IS STILL TIME TO SIGN UP! EVEN IF YOU MISS THE MAKE-UP DIAGNOSTIC YOU CAN STILL PARTICIPATE. You can use a prior PSAT score or do a take home test. So get ready, apply and take advantage of opportunity! To apply, click here to start the application.
Important Dates:

1. Make-up diagnostic = February 6 (location & time TBD)
2. Intro Session & Parent/Student Orientation = February 9 (location &
time TBD, but parents will be invited during normal class hours)
3. First official class = February 14


For more information and program details, contact Bobbye Knoll by phone at 860-346-4845, by email at bobbye@neatmiddletown.org or by dropping in during office hours from 10am-5pm.

***Seniors interested in retaking the SAT will be waitlisted and added depending on space availability. Apply if you are interested because there is a chance to get a seat in the class.***