North End Action Team 2015 - Advisory Board Slate

Join us for us on January 7th at 7 pm for the first NEAT meeting of 2015. 

We will be voting on our Advisory board for 2015.

The slate proposed slate is as follows:

 Members being considered for re-election

Gary Wallace
Rob Rosenthal
Cathy Lechowicz
Marc Pattersen
Cookie Quinones

Proposed new members in 2015

Joe Salafia
Melanie Carfora
Yohanny Rodriguez
Lou Julia
Tina Brown


Members continuing on to serve year two of their term

Yasemin Kuytu
Alison Cleary
Ryan Cayer
Arlene Lazo
Marilyn Dunkley

Please plan to join us at the Green Street Arts Center on Wednesday January 7th at 7 pm to vote on the proposed slate. We want to have community input on our advisory board. If we missed someone who is interested in serving on the board we will also be taking nominations from the floor on that day.

In addition to electing our 2015 Advisory Board we will also be meeting with representatives from Middletown Little League to discuss eliminating barriers to particpation and other ways to increase participation from North End kids.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Gun Buy-Back this Saturday from 10-2

Kids Arts 2014 Summer Employment - Applications Available Now

Looking for a summer job opportunity? Check this out now!

Kids Arts 2014 is the City of Middletown Commission on the Arts 5-week summer arts enrichment camp featuring the Oddfellows Playhouse Children's Circus and NEAR, Inc. Creative Arts Workshops for kids 6-14. The program begins June 30 with mandatory staff training during the week of June 23.

If you are between the ages of 16 and 23, you may be eligible for a summer position with the program as a counselor in training, counselor, or artist in training.

Applications are available online and the deadline for submission is March 21, 2014.

For more information you may call the City Arts Office: 860.638.4510 or email: arts@middletownct.gov

Healthcare Enrollment Fair at the NEAT Office Friday, December 20th, 2013

There will be an enrollment fair at the NEAT office this Friday, December 20th, 2013.  Please call Sonia at the NEAT office at 860-346-4845 or call Wilda at 860-465-8281, ext. 106 to sign up for a slots.  Slots are filling up so please sign up!  Check out the details in the image below.

North End Action Team Advisory Board 2014 - Slate of candidates.

The North End Action Team Advisory Board for 2014 will be elected at our December 4th meeting. The meeting will be held at 7 pm at the Green Street Arts Center. All North End residents and supporters are encouraged to attend the meeting and vote on the slate. 

The December NEAT meeting is also our holiday meeting. If you are able - bring a dish or dessert to share and come celebrate the holidays with your friends and neighbors. 

Advisory Board members continuing terms in 2014

Steven Kovach - NEAT/Board President

Michael Taylor - Treasurer

Marc Petterson (Mac 650)

Gary Wallace (MPD)

Cookie Quinones 

Cathy Lechowicz

Rob Rosenthal 

Potential new Advisory Board members:

Jimmy Brackett 

Yasemin Kuytu 

Arlene Lazo 

Marilyn Dunkley 

Ryan Cayer 

RSVP FOR THE COLOR OF JUSTICE NOV 13TH @ 5:30 PM

Nov. 13th from 5:30-8:00pm 

Screening to start at 6:00pm

Community Health Center Meeting Room, 675 Main Street, Middletown, CT

Light dinner and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP with Katie Kesten at kestenk@mpsct.org.

Come learn more about new health care options!

Change is here. Health Care Reform is making it easier for Connecticut residents like you to get health care coverage. Discover everything you need to know at our live Healthy Chat event, Connecticut’s New Health Insurance Marketplace: Big Changes, Big Benefits. Here are our next Healthy Chats. Please click on a location to RSVP: Middletown: Thursday, October 17, 5:30pm to 7:30pm Community Health Center, 675 Main Street, Middletown, CT RSVP for Middletown » Willimantic: Monday, October 21, 6pm to 8pm Generations Family Health Center, 40 Mansfield Avenue, Willimantic, CT RSVP for Willimantic » Danbury: Tuesday, October 22, 6pm to 8pm WCSU, Student Center - Room #201, 181 White Street, Danbury, CT RSVP for Danbury » Healthy Chats provide a great opportunity to ask questions, learn about Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, Access Health CT, and find out if you might save money. Space is limited, so please register now. We look forward to seeing you there.

Leaf collection information from Public Works.

October 15, 2014

For more information contact: William Russo, Public Works Director, 860-638-4850

                                                 

Middletown Commences Leaf Collection Program

The City of Middletown will begin its fall leaf collection program on Monday, Oct. 28, 2013.     Leaves will be collected from the curb and brought to a central location for composting.

Due to leaf collection operations, bulk waste collection, which is available for $75/pick up will be suspended from Oct. 31^st  until March 2014.  The exact date of commencement of bulk waste pick up will be dependent upon the weather.

Residents may rake their leaves to the curb or bag their leaves in biodegradable paper bags and leave them at the curb for collection. Please do not use plastic bags.  Leaves must be kept separate from brush, grass and rubbish.  Only leaves are acceptable with the leaf collection.  Public Works crews will be operating during the next two months to pick up the leaves in vacuum trucks.

Guidelines for Middletown Leaf Collection

·                     Leaves can be raked to the curb and left loose at the curb for collection with vacuum trucks.

·                     Leaves can be placed in biodegradable paper bags and placed at the curb for collection

·                     For safety reasons, leaves should not be placed on the road.

·                     Leaves must not be mixed with other yard waste, such as brush or garbage.

It is very important that residents make sure leaves do not get raked onto the street.  It is extremely dangerous if children decide to play in leaf piles or if cars park on top of the piles.  Also, leaves in the street can clog catch basins, causing flooding and other difficulties.

Leaves can also be brought directly to the Recycling Center on the corner of North Main Street and Johnson Street.  If leaves are bagged, they must be emptied out of the bags at the Center.   The Recycling Center is open Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and every Saturday through the month of November from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Beginning December 7, the Recycling Center will be open on the first and third Saturday of the month from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Residents can also choose to compost their own leaves in their backyard.  Backyard composting is an easy way to recycle leaves and make valuable compost that can be used in gardens, flowerbeds and houseplants.  For information on backyard composting, contact the City Recycling Coordinator, Kim O’Rourke, at 860-638-4855.

Join us for NEAT's MEET THE CANDIDATE NIGHT

MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT!

Be informed before you vote in this year's elections! Join NEAT at the Green Street Arts Center for Meet the Candidates Night on October 2, 2013 at 7:00 PM! 

Meet and talk with the local candidates running in this year's election. 

This election season residents will be casting votes for Mayor, City Treasurer, Common Council, Board of Education, Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Assessment Appeals.  

If you are interested in finding out more about your local candidates and what issues are affecting the North End, please join us on Wednesday night. 

 NEAT will have a candidate slate, voter registration forms, a question list for candidates and other information.  

If you have any questions you think we should address to the candidates, please email sonia@neatmiddletown.org.  

This is the moment for North End Residents to have their voices heard and questions addressed. Everyone is welcome to attend the Meet the Candidate event. We encourage any interested Middletown resident to join us and get educated about the candidates that for local office. 

See you at Meet the Candidates Night! 

Cooling Centers for Upcoming Heatwave!

With another heat wave about to bear down on the area, Mayor Dan Drew has announced that the City of Middletown will again open cooling centers in an effort to help residents cope with the heat wave. The cooling centers are expected to continue operation through Friday. 

Residents can  get a break from the heat at: 
1. Municipal Building Council Chambers, 245 Dekoven Drive, from 8:00 A.M. – 7 P.M., 
2. Lobby of the Middletown Police Department, 222 Main Street, which is open 24 hours a day. 

There are also public facilities with air conditioning. These facilities will be open for public use during their normal hours of operation. They are :
1. Russell Library on Broad Street 
2. The Middletown Senior Center on William Street 
**The Council Chambers will have bottled water available on a limited basis.
***Transportation may be provided to the cooling center. Arrangements can be made by calling Middletown Area Transit (MAT) at 860-346-0212 (Ext. 2) until 6 P.M. each day. 

The City of Middletown will also be opening fire hydrant sprinklers though Friday as well. The designated times and locations as follows:

1. The Highlands Crescent Drive bus stop from 12 P.M. – 4 P.M.
2. Maplewood Terrace from 2 P.M. – 5 P.M.
3. Summer Hill Road and Woodbury Circle from 2 P.M. – 5 P.M.
4. Macdonough School from 12 P.M. – 3 P.M. and 6 P.M. – 8 P.M.
5. Santangelo Circle from 12 P.M. – 3 P.M.
6. Daddario Road from 6 P.M. – 8 P.M.

Green Street Knitting Class Canceled for Tonight 6/12

This week's knitting class is canceled for tonight Wednesday, June 12th but check out the Cruise on Main from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM.  Have a good time!

NORTH END RESIDENTS RSVP TO THE UPCOMING JUNE 11TH MEETING ON DOWNTOWN LIVING

COME HOME TO DOWNTOWN: COMMUNITY MEETING FOR DOWNTOWN LIVING

Would you like to walk to work, school and entertainment?  Are you interested you interested in turning lights on upstairs in your building? 

Join the Downtown Business District in a Community Meeting on June 11, 2013 @ 7:00PM to learn about the new possibilities in living in Downtown Middletown.  They want to hear from you! 

The meeting will be held at the Community Health Center at 675 Main Street- Middletown, CT.  Come Home to Downtown is a program that seeks to boost downtown living, improve walkability, bring new life to mostly vacant historic properties and help teach business owners ways to finance real estate upgrades.  

Come hear how the original Amato's Toys building was selected as a model to show how it can be renovated to include apartments upstairs and retail downstairs, and learn how you can influence downtown's design.

Anyone who lives or works downtown, owns a business or building or who cares about what's happening in downtown should attend! Your input is key to a successful downtown Middletown.  

RSVP to Middletown Downtown Business District (DBD) at 860-347-1424 or quentin@downtownmiddletown.com. 

Upcoming Events at Green Street on Saturday, June 8th as part of CT Open House Day.

Upcoming Events at Green Street on Saturday, June 8th as part of CT Open House Day. 

• Origami Make and Take – fun for the whole family! No experience needed and something for all ages. From noon to 4pm. 
• Concert in the Garden – come see what our teaching artists have to offer as they perform for the community from 4-6pm. Like what you hear? Ask us about signing up for private lessons, we have lots of openings over the summer to fit your schedule. 
• "Count Your Blessings: A Vision of Hope" photography exhibit by Roslyn N. Carrier-Brault - exhibit opens Friday, June 7th during the Gallery Walk and will be on display through June. 
• Check out our freshly laid pebble mosaics in the planters out front as part of our Greening Green Street project. 

Celebrate Connecticut and come see us on Saturday, June 8th to learn more about the Green Street Arts Center and Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science. Then feel free to hang out downtown for dinner to support our local businesses. 

And don't forget to come check out our new stitching group if you're interested in knitting and crochet. The group meets every other Wednesday  from 6:30-8pm.

GEAR UP AND GET OUTSIDE FOR THE NEXT NEAT HIKE!

Hikers get ready to hike the Mica Ledges in  Durham on June 2, 2013.  At 9:00 AM, everyone will gather at the Green Street Arts Center parking lot to leave for the location.  Permissions slips and sign-ups are required.  Hikes are open to youth ages 8-14 but younger kids can hike if they come with a parent.  NEAT will have water bottles and snacks.  Call or stop the NEAT office for more information.   

Avoid Newfield Street today May 22, 2013: Water Main Break

There is a major water main break on Newfield Street. The City is closing Newfield Street between Tuttle Road and Mile Lane to address the problem. Right now, Public Works, Middletown Sewer and Water, and the Police are coordinating efforts. Traffic is being redirected from the area and delays are expected to occur into the night.  Residents are advised to avoid Newfield Street area in order to avoid increased traffic delays.  In addition, the police Department will be working with  to reroute school buses for Lawrence, Keigwin and Middletown High School.

NEAT's Hike on May 4th

Check out the pics from NEAT's last hike.  It was an exciting adventure!

MIDDLETOWN REMIX MAY 11TH FACEBOOK EVENT AND DETAILS!

We know you have been asking and we know you are excited, so here goes a few more details to get you to this exciting event:


Check out the Facebook event for Middletown Remix here  for complete event details, locations and activities!

There are further information and links on the Facebook page. 

Just in case you are not on Facebook:  check out Middletown Remix on the Web. 

You can also call  860-685-3355 for more information. 

Check out the links! They will tell you all you need to know!

MIDDLETOWN REMIX THIS SATURDAY MAY 11TH!

MiddletownRemix: Hear More, See More

A Festival of Art & Sound 

Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 2pm to 5pm

FREE!

NEAT MONTHLY MEETING: WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2013

Mark your calendars and lets gather on Wednesday May 1, 2013 at 7:00 PM for our NEAT Monthly Meeting! We have some catching up to do and hope to see everyone on Wednesday.  Bobbye Knoll Peterson will be leading the meeting as the new Interim Executive Director of NEAT.  There will be a parking updates, and Kimberly from the Department of Social Services will be sharing details on becoming a foster parent.  Plus, NEAT will be sharing updates for summer programs and events.  If you have any concerns or questions, please let us know and we can add to the agenda if there is time.   See you at this Wednesday's meeting.

CITY OF MIDDLETOWN BUDGET MEETING: APRIL 30TH, 7-9PM @ CITY HALL

Tomorrow, Tuesday April 30, 2013 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at City Hall Council Chamber, there will be a public hearing on Middletown's City Budget.  During the meeting, residents will have the opportunity to hear the Mayor's proposed budget and make comments.  NEAT will attend to support the full funding of the school budget. We hope you can attend this important meeting with NEAT.  The North End voice and presence must be heard during this process.  We hope to see you tomorrow! If you have any questions on the budget, feel free to call or stop by the NEAT office.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOBBYE KNOLL PETERSON & IZZI GREENBERG!

Bobbye will be stepping up as the Interim Executive Director for the North End Action Team and Izzi will be replacing Betsy Morgan as the new Director of the Middlesex Coalition for the Children. We expect both Bobbye and Izzi to meet the challenges and continue to work to make positive change in the North End, Middletown and Middlesex County. NEAT is excited for the changes and to continue our work to build a strong community. You can congratulate Bobbye at tomorrow's North End Pride Day Event. We look forward to seeing you all there! 

North End PRIDE Day!!

First Hike of the Season!

The North End Action Team's Hiking Club embarked on the first hike of the season Sunday, with a group of 12 North End Kids, six Wesleyan University Students and a wonderful host of community volunteers. The group hiked the Chapman Pond trail by Gilette's Castle and a great time was had by all. They found lots of signs of spring, including skunk cabbage flowers, daffodils and new buds, as well as the remnants of winter...the remains of a swan and an abandoned paper wasp nest. If you're interested in hiking with us, give us a call at 860-346-4845 or email at neat@neatmiddletown.org The hiking club is generously funded by Outdoor Nation and the Middletown Area Substance Abuse Prevention Council

Adult Capoeira Classes @Green Street Arts Center

Capoeira Classes for Adults & Teens
Capoeira is a unique Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, dance, music and acrobatics. In Capoeira classes, students develop physically, emotionally, and mentally as they learn Capoeira’s challenging movements. Students learn to play traditional instruments, to sing in Portuguese, and to apply their training in an exciting improvised “game” which in turn, helps to develop personal strength, response time, creativity, courage, and self-expression.



Classes will be held on Friday evenings
from 5:15-6:15 p.m., beginning on January 4th.
8 classes for $96 (Wesleyan students discounted cost is $80)
Tentative schedule of classes:
1/4, 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22
For more information or to register call
Green Street Arts Center: 860-685-7871
51 Green Street, Middletown, CT 06457 www.greenstreetartscenter.org

NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSON'S MEMORIAL DAY

NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSON'S MEMORIAL DAY

Dear NEAT Members,

Please come out and support our community's most vulnerable residents by attending the Middletown event for National Homeless person's memorial day.  It would be wonderful to have a strong NEAT community presence at the Memorial Service & Candlelight Vigil.

St. Vincent DePaul and the Community Health Center will be holding a Memorial Service & Candlelight Vigil to remember the homeless individuals who have died in our county this year. The event will take place at the Church of Holy Trinity 381 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 on 4PM Friday, December 21, 2012, the First Day of Winter & Longest Night of the Year.

Help us fight to end homelessness in our through acknowledgement, generosity, and political advocacy.  The Memorial asks us to remember that: Health care is a human right.  Housing is a human right.  Physical safety is a human right.  Remember our neighbors and friends who have died without homes.  Remember why they died.

For more information, or to help out, please see contact information below:
Asya Tsarkova at the Community Health Center, Inc. TsarkoA@chc1.com (860) 224-3642 ext. 5551.
Lydia Brewster at St. Vincent De Paul, lydia@svdmiddletown.org (860) 344-0097 ext. 18.

Free Holiday Presents!

Thanks to a very generous donation from the YMCA,  NEAT has Holiday Presents for North End Youth.  There are presents for a range of ages.  If  you have kids or know of kids in need, please call the NEAT office 860-346-4845 or drop by the office.  Please stop in and help us spread the joy throughout the neighborhood!  THANK YOU!

SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES FROM AAAC

The African-American Affairs Commission has compiled a listing of available scholarships and resources to assist students with their search for scholarships. The booklet contains a brief description of each scholarship. Each scholarship contains contact information and/or links that will direct you to the actual scholarship and application. Feel free to click on the link below and download a copy of the "AAAC 2012 - 2013 Scholarships Resources & Information" booklet.  Also attached is a nomination form for the AAAC 2013 Youth of the Year Scholarship.  If you know a high school senior who has demonstrated academic excellence please feel free to complete the attached nomination form and return it to our office.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please don't hesitate to contact our office.

VIEW SCHOLARSHIPS / RESOURCES & INFORMATION

NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSON'S MEMORIAL DAY

NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSON'S MEMORIAL DAY
Dear NEAT Members,

Please come out and support our community's most vulnerable residents by attending the Middletown event for National Homeless person's memorial day.  It would be wonderful to have a strong NEAT community presence at the Memorial Service & Candlelight Vigil.

St. Vincent DePaul and the Community Health Center will be holding a Memorial Service & Candlelight Vigil to remember the homeless individuals who have died in our county this year. The event will take place at the Church of Holy Trinity 381 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 on 4PM Friday, December 21, 2012, the First Day of Winter & Longest Night of the Year.

Help us fight to end homelessness in our through acknowledgement, generosity, and political advocacy.  The Memorial asks us to remember that: Health care is a human right.  Housing is a human right.  Physical safety is a human right.  Remember our neighbors and friends who have died without homes.  Remember why they died.

For more information, or to help out, please see contact information below:

Asya Tsarkova at the Community Health Center, Inc. TsarkoA@chc1.com (860) 224-3642 ext. 5551.
Lydia Brewster at St. Vincent De Paul, lydia@svdmiddletown.org (860) 344-0097 ext. 18.

CMI "HOLIDAY SING" TONIGHT

CMI "HOLIDAY SING"
Join your friends and neighbors for a celebration of the season. All people from all traditions are warmly welcome!  Refreshments and Songbooks provided.
 
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18^th at 7:00 pm
MAC650 Gallery (650 Main St, Middletown)

Check out NEAT in Building Healthy Communities Video.

Check out the DEEP/CRCOG Building Healthy Communities Video which  features the North End Farmers Market and other markets.   The link to the video is here!  Please share.

CMI Saturday Event: Hip Hop!

CMI is proud to announce our upcoming Saturday Music Event:

Self Suffice the RapOet presents the rapOetry workshop featuring DJ NEB!!

This is the Hip-Hop event we've all been waiting for.  2 of the areas most talented artists, Self Suffice and DJ NEB will introduce our group to the basics of freestyle rapping, with some breakdance moves thrown in!  Beats will be supplied by DJ NEB.  We're lucky to have these two as guests- don't miss out on this free event!!  All ages welcome! (kids under 12 must be accompanied by someone over 15).

It's all taking place on Saturday, December 15th at the Green Street Arts Center from 11am-1pm.  Immediately following the workshop, we'll share a community potluck lunch and then practice our new moves during our classic CMI dance party.  Bring something for the potluck if you can, but if you can't, don't let that stop you from coming.  See you this Saturday!

For more information, please contact program coordinator Carolyn Reeves at:  Carolyn@neatmiddletown.org  or, call the NEAT office at 860-346-4845

CMI Presents HOLIDAY SING

HOLIDAY SING!! 
Join your friends and neighbors for a celebration of the season. All people from all traditions are warmly welcome!  Refreshments and Songbooks provided.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18^th at 7:00 pm

MAC650 Gallery (650 Main St, Middletown)