Sizzling Salsa Nights at Green Street

Join local salsero Jason Pepin on Saturday, October 9th at 7pm at Green Street Arts Center for a sizzling Salsa Social. A Salsa Social is a one-night event where anyone can come to Green Street, get a taste of Salsa with a beginner lesson, and then spend a few hours immersing themselves in Latin culture. Music videos are projected on the walls, while sultry Latin rhythms fill the space of our beautiful Performance Studio.

Beginners are welcome for instruction from 7-8 pm (included in price of admission) and encouraged to join dancers of all levels as the fiesta unfolds. For more information visit Green Street's blog at www.greenstreet.blogs.wesleyan.edu. To reserve your spot call 860-685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu.

Salsa Socials
Saturdays, October 9 & December 11 | 7-10 pm
Regular: $8; Members/Family & Friends/Students/Seniors: $5
Green Street's resident salsero Jason Pepin presents two evenings of hot music, open floor, and the best dance crowd in Connecticut. Beginners welcome for instruction from 7-8 pm (included in price of admission).

SAVE ENERGY AND EARN $$$

Jonah Center WRAP Energy Services

In order to promote WRAP home energy services, the Jonah Center for Earth and Art, with the support of a grant from the Liberty Bank Foundation, will pay bonus payments of $25 each to anyone who obtains and submits through the Jonah Center or NEAT a qualifying Middletown resident’s application for WRAP energy services when that application results in a completed energy audit/services visit.

Here are the details:

WRAP services are offered to renters and homeowners who have a CL& P account AND whose income is below 60% of the state median. (See guidelines below.)

WRAP services lower annual energy costs by approx. $200, by sealing leaky windows, installing new light bulbs, and other measures. In some cases, the program will add insulation or replace an old, inefficient refrigerator or other appliance.

Individuals are eligible to receive a $25 payment for signing up their own household, but only after they have recruited at least 1 other qualifying household to participate. For example, if you sign up yourself and another household, you will get 2 bonus payments, or $50. You are then eligible for an additional $25 payment for each additional qualifying audit application you obtain.

Funding exists for a total of 40 bonus payments of $25 each. The bonuses will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and be discontinued after the funding is exhausted.

Bonus payments will be paid only after the audits are successfully completed. If the household named on the application does not qualify or does not follow through and allow the service to take place, no bonus payment will be made.

FAMILY PLAY DATE AT THE FAMILY WELLNESS CENTER

With Jo Allen

Jo is a dedicated student at Middlesex Community College. She is currently interning at the Family Wellness Center in Middletown. She has enjoyed working with children for many years.

Come Join us for a fun filled afternoon with many activities (mini-pumpkin decorating, foam painting) and Pizza for you and your child to enjoy. Parents &Children Ages birth-5 are welcome!

Tuesday, October 19 1 pm - 2:30 pm

Family Wellness Center

635 Main Street, Middletown

For more information & to register please contact

Julie Deak at 860-347-6971 x3662 or deakj@chc1.com

ST VINCENT DE PAUL AND AMAZING GRACE NEWS

Exciting news! St. Vincent de Paul Middletown has completed the purchase of the building at 16 Stack Street in Middletown’s North End for the new Amazing Grace Food Pantry!

Now comes the hard part – lots of work to get it ready to open on Nov. 1.

Right now we are looking for volunteers EVERY SATURDAY (except Oct. 2), 8am – 3pm. JUST SHOW UP. Please bring your own paint brush and rollers.

We also can use volunteers on weekdays – individuals or groups up to 5 people – but you need to let us know you are coming. Again, please bring your own paint brush and rollers. Reply to me at the above address or email Ron Krom, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul Middletown – ron@svdplace.org . You can also call me at 860-347-1829.

And for the BIG MOVE the last weekend in October – Oct. 30 & 31 – we’ll need lots of volunteers to move EVERYTHING from the Main Street Extension location to Amazing Grace’s new home. Put that date on your calendar and let us know if we can count on you that day.COMING UP THIS SATURDAY --

ALSO: St. Vincent de Paul Middletown & Amazing Grace Food Pantry invite you to the 2010 Kickoff of The Amazing Challenge Saturday, October 2, 2010 6 – 8:30pm

Fox Parish Center at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 10 Elm Street, Middletown

Fill your bowl with soup –

Fill our bowl with donations.

Come and Enjoy a Delicious Soup Supper

Silent and Live Auctions, Short Program

EXCITING AUCTION ITEMS INCLUDE:

*Signed UConn Women's 2010 Championship Basketball…

*4 day stay at a lovely cottage in Chatham, Mass…

*RCI week anywhere in the world..3-4 bedroom unit…

*Pearl/diamond sterling silver pendant…

*Red Sox Baseball signed by JD Drew…

*One year YMCA membership…

and more!

For more information, contact Claudia DeFrance, 860-930-3447 or www.svdmiddletown.org

New Skate Park in Town?

On Thursday, Oct. 14th at 6:30, NEAT will host a meeting at the Green Street Arts Center to talk with Park and Rec Department Director, Ray Santostefano about a current site plan for the new Willy Pep Park at the corner of Green St. and deKoven Dr.

The current plan includes a small skate/bmx park and will have space for passive recreation (community garden or something like it) and potentially a small play scape for younger children. If you have questions or concerns about the potential park, please come to the meeting to get answers.

From some experts: philosophy that should be considered.

"Skaters for Public Skateparks have been proponents of poured-in-place skateparks for years and believe that designing skate spaces that appeal to the wider public help illuminate the value and contribution of skateboarding youth. Landscape architects, community planners, and skaters are all aware of a new era in skatepark design. The spaces are more integrated, visually compelling, and structurally innovative. In recent years skatepark design has taken a dramatic turn toward architecturally arresting design. This shift has brought more people to the skateparks and has helped reestablish the skatepark as a prominent place to recreate, hang out, and develop skateboarding skills.

NORTH END FARMERS MARKET IS STILL GOING STRONG

The North End Farmers Market (in front of Its Only Natural Market from 10-2 on Fridays) is still great. Though many people are surprised to hear it, there is still a great variety of fresh produce to be had.

There are the traditional squash, pumpkins, apples and brussel sprouts that make you think of fall, along with this week's guest vendor who is bringing 9" pots of assorted Mums for $6. But, there are still some surprised. Many of the vendors still have tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, betts, corn, onions, string beans and more!

GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE AT MACDONOUGH

Last night, Conncan, a statewide educational advocacy group, hosted a gubernatorial debate at Macdonough School. You can go to the Middletown Eye to read more about it.

The forum was moderated by Robert Frahm of the Connecticut Mirror and Tom Monahan of NBC 30 and hosted by ConnCAN (Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now). ConnCAN chose Macdonough as the venue for the debate because the school has made “exceptional progress” in closing the achievement gap in Middletown.

“We celebrate Macdonough School as one of the success stories in closing the achievement gap in Connecticut,” Johnston said.

He went on to describe Macdonough as “an example of what is possible in public education in Connecticut today.” (copied from the Macdonough School Blog )

NEW PARK ON GREEN & DEKOVEN (and NEAT MEETING CHANGE OF DATE)

The corner of Green St. and deKoven Dr. is now the site of "Willy Pep Park", named in honor of great boxer who hailed from Middletown. The Park and Rec department is going through the process of designing the site and NEAT has invited them to come to our October NEAT meeting to discuss the issue. Their interest (after discussion with residents) is to put a well-designed skate park, some kind of recreational space for kids (a playscape or something similar) and some kind of passive recreation (maybe a community garden?). BUT, we want the North End to have a say in how this park is designed so that it works for the neighborhood.

Because of scheduling problems, they can't come to our regular NEAT meeting on Wed, Oct. 13th. So, we're moving the date of the NEAT meeting to the next day, Thursday, October 14th. We're going to do a lot of outreach to those who live in the Ferry, Green and Rapallo blocks, but spread the word to anyone that you may know. It's important to have good participation.

GARDEN PARTY PICTURES

Sorry it took me so long to get these out! Click here to see the pictures of the 2010 NEAT Garden Party. It was a wonderful event. Thanks to everyone who made it happen and to Citizens Bank for its generous sponsorship!

Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts Presents the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

Wesleyan's Center for the Arts is generously offering free tickets to NEAT members for the Friday and/or Saturday evening performances of Drift. Please contact the NEAT office if you're interested. Tickets are limited, so call soon!! This is a great thing to bring kids to...we've taken them before and it's always interesting.

DRIFT

Dance Exchange Performs New Work by Company Member Cassie Meador
Plus, Excerpts of How to Move a Mountain and Blueprints of a Restless Nature

When: Friday & Saturday, October 1 & 2, 8pm

Where: CFA Theater

About: Farmland becomes a strip mall. Time passes. Businesses move out and a church takes over. The corn field that yielded to a supermarket is now a church sanctuary--complete with automatic doors. By turns comic, provocative, and wistful, Drift moves forward and backward in time. What happens when land changes hands? What becomes of people and their jobs? Where does our food come from? And what are California peaches doing in Georgia?

Five years after the premiere of Ferocious Beauty: Genome, the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange returns with a new work by company member Cassie Meador. They will also be performing excerpts from from How to Move a Mountain, which examines how our resources come to us and Blueprints of Relentless Nature which explores movement the concept of “pure” movement. The company is known for creating groundbreaking dance works that make meaningful connections between people and art and are performed by a multi-generational company. Presented in conjunction with the campus-wide exploration, Feet to the Fire: Feast or Famine. Co-sponsored by the College of the Environment.

Artist Website: http://danceexchange.org/

Video Excerpt of Drift: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=He7XsOdy7c

NEAT is Hiring!

NEAT is looking for a community organizer and an administrative assistant to add to our (small) team. If you think this might be for you, go to our website and check out the postings. You can apply online.

Homeownership Classes Starting Tonight

Becoming a Homeowner: First Time Homebuyer Seminar
Instructor: Rosa Carrero
Tuesdays | 6-8 pm | Free
September 28; October 5, 12, 19
Childcare will be provided
Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green St.

Rosa Carrero from Liberty Bank presents four info sessions designed to help you take the first steps toward buying a home. Topics include budgeting and credit counseling (Session 1), the lending process (Session 2), working with the realtor (Session 3), and understanding legalities (Session 4). To register call 860-346-4845 or just show up.

This program is presented in partnership with the North End Action Team.

Opening Evening & Mural Unveiling at Green Street Arts Center

A Free Sample of Green Street’s Fall Semester Classes Plus the Unveiling of a New Mural

Join teaching artists, students, and friends of Wesleyan University’s Green Street Arts Center on Friday, September 10 for a celebration of creativity. Guests can preview Green Street’s fall calendar with mini-classes in Salsa dance, West African Drumming and Dance and more. There will also be performances featuring music and dance from around the world, visual arts projects for the whole family, food from Green Street’s partner restaurants and guided tours. The festivities start at 5:30pm at 617 Main Street for the official opening of Green Street’s new mural, on the wall of St. Vincent DePaul place. At 6pm, the event moves across the street to Green Street Arts Center and then concludes at 8pm. This event is free and open to the public.

This event is the kick-off event for Green Street’s Fall Season of classes and events, which starts on September 13th and features such classes as Tai Chi, Yoga, West African Drumming, Writing Workshop, and Sound Recording.

To register for classes or request more information, visit www.greenstreetartscenter.org or call (860) 685-7871. Green Street Members receive 20% off of all classes. Registration is now available online. Wesleyan University’s Green Street Arts Center is located at 51 Green Street in Middletown, Connecticut.

Quote:
“Our community truly shines when it comes together—as it so often does—in celebration of creativity. Opening Evening is an opportunity for us to celebrate ourselves, and for new members of our artistic community to meet and join us.”—Sarah-Jane Ripa, Artistic and Education Coordinator, Green Street Arts Center

“Watching the mural come together over the last few months has been truly inspirational—an incredible example of community collaboration, partnership and human bonding. I hope everyone will join us as we celebrate its official unveiling and all of the people who made it come alive.” —Jessica Carso, Managing Director, Green Street Arts Center

Green Street Arts Center of Wesleyan University is a vibrant center for arts education, serving the community and Greater Middletown region. Created in collaboration with the City of Middletown and the North End Action Team, Green Street is housed in the former schoolhouse at 51 Green Street. Programming includes an After School Arts & Science Program and a wide range of affordable classes and workshops for people of all ages in music, dance, visual arts, theater, sound recording, media arts and creative writing. Green Street enables people from all walks of life to converge in one special place, a place that encourages us all to learn more about the world we share and to appreciate people’s differences and similarities, respecting who we are as individuals through the arts.

Cheese Truck at the Market Today!

The North End Farmers Market runs today, Friday from 10-2 in front of It's Only Natural Market, 575 Main St.

Today at the market, we'll have a great line-up of produce and dessert vendors, and our special guest lunch will be the Caseus Cheese Truck! Check out the website of this New Haven favorite. It looks REALLY good.

NEAT's annual garden party Tonight!

NEAT's Annual Garden Party is this evening at 5:30. It's such a great party, and a wonderful time for our community to celebrate. If you haven't seen how beautiful the Erin St. Garden is, now is the time. The sunflowers are literally 12 feet high.

Please join us.


Tonight, Thursday, August 12, 2010
Five-thirty in the evening

This is a very special party...it's NEAT's TENTH garden party and we'll have 10 years of memories displayed and a beautiful birthday cake donated by Sweet Harmony Cafe.

The Suggested donation (tax deductible) is: $30 individual, $50 family. The party is free to North End residents and NEAT members or anyone who wants to volunteer at the party. Come help out, meet new people, catch up with old friends or experience what the North End has accomplished in 10 years!

There will be a great dinner provided by area restaurants and music featuring a performance by Bill Carbone and Friends. The party will be held in the Erin Street Community Garden on the corner of Erin and High Streets in Middletown.

No RSVP necessary, just come down.

Call NEAT for more details: 860-346-4845

Citizens Bank is proud to be the Signature Sponsor of the North End Action Team’s Tenth Annual Garden Party.

NEAT's TENTH Annual Garden Party is Coming Up!

The North End Action Team Cordially Invites you to the

*Tenth Annual*

Erin Street Community Garden Party

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Five-thirty in the evening

This is a very special party...it's NEAT's TENTH garden party and we'll have 10 years of memories displayed and a beautiful birthday cake donated by Sweet Harmony Cafe.

The Suggested donation (tax deductible) is:

$30 individual, $50 family

The party is free to North End residents and NEAT members or anyone who wants to volunteer at the party. Come help out, meet new people, catch up with old friends or experience what the North End has accomplished in 10 years!

Heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by area restaurants

Featuring a performance by Bill Carbone and Friends

The party will be held in the Erin Street Community Garden on the corner of Erin and High Streets in Middletown.

You can RSVP to NEAT, 668 Main St., Middletown, CT 06457

or donate online at http://neatmiddletown.org/contribute.htm

Call NEAT for more details: 860-346-4845

Citizens Bank is proud to be the Signature Sponsor of the North End Action Team’s Tenth Annual Garden Party.

Market Updates August 6th

The North End Farmer Market will run today, Friday, from 10-2 in front of It's Only Natural Market, 575 Main St.

I can't believe it's already August! Watermelon is finally in season, and we're beginning to see pears and apples. We have the same great line-up of farmers returning to the market this Friday, as well as Starlight Gardens, which sells heirloom tomatoes, O'Rourke's, Linda's Sweet Memories, and Crystal Pistritto's hula hoops. The Cardinals Nest will sell delicious homemade pizza for lunch, and Vecchitto's truck will be back.

Looking for interesting ways to prepare your vegetable purchases? 'Recipes for Health' from the New York Times, featuring a lot of the local produce we have at the market, is a great resource. This week's recipe, Zucchini "Pasta," is from this collection.

NEW: North End Farmers Market tote bags are now available! They are printed on ECOBAGS® 10 oz. Recycled Canvas Tote with double stitched seams and stress points. Super-sized to hold all your market goodies, this bag folds easily to fit into smaller spaces and will last for years. You can get a bag for $10 at the market, or donate $15 to NEAT and we'll mail you one. (You can always give more to support the market. Your contribution is tax deductible.) Visit neatmiddletown.org for more info and to order your bag!

Also, if you haven't already, please join us on facebook! "Like" the North End Farmers' Market and use this as a forum to discuss recipe ideas and share photos.

The restaurant of the week is CARDINALS NEST and guest vendors are STARLIGHT GARDENS, CRYSTAL'S HULA HOOPS and VECCHITTOS ITALIAN ICE.

Click Here for the recipe of the week: Zucchini "pasta"

Meet Your Vendor

Each week we profile a vendor from the market. This week, it's Tom from Ceccarelli Farm.

Farmers' markets are all about knowing where your food comes from. Whereas supermarkets shelves are stocked with produce that was likely picked from industrial-scale farms up to two weeks in advance, farmers' markets are much more intimate. The produce is local and fresher, and you are free to talk with the person who grew your food. Here we feature an interview with a vendor from the North End Farmers' Market, seeking to promote connections between buyers and sellers.

Name: Tom Dilella

Farm: Ceccarelli Farms

Location: Old Post Rd, Northford, CT

Tom's favorite product: Can't choose

Customers' favorite: Corn

Why are local farms important?

"The reason local farms are important is because it's just not natural for food to come from far away. Food that is closer is more nutritional, and it allows you to better connect with your surroundings. People easily forget where their food come from. Lastly local food is better, fresher, and something all the people from the community can share."

How is this growing season?

"The weather has been real erratic--heavy rains, hot periods. But the farm is doing really well even with the unpredictable weather. It is what it is. If it's always hot no greens, rainy no corns. The weather has been extreme."

What do you like about the North End Farmer's Market?

"You get in touch with different people and vendors, great coming out and having fun, and being in a new location."

Recipe of the Week: Zucchini "Pasta"

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds zucchini (or a combination of yellow and green zucchini)

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 3/4 cup fresh tomato sauce (optional)

• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, for serving (more to taste)

Directions

1. Using a vegetable peeler, cut the zucchini into lengthwise ribbons. Peel off several from one side, then turn the zucchini and peel off more. Continue to turn and peel away ribbons until you get to the seeds at the core of the zucchini. Discard the core. You can also do this on a mandolin, adjusted to a very thin slice.

2. Cook the zucchini strips in two batches. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the zucchini ribbons and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, tossing and stirring the zucchini, for two to three minutes, until softened and beginning to turn translucent. Adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper to taste, and transfer to a serving dish. Repeat with the remaining olive oil and zucchini. Serve, topping with tomato sauce and freshly grated Parmesan if desired.

Yield: Serves four

Advance preparation: This dish is best served right away. But you can enjoy leftovers, which I like to eat cold, doused with lemon juice and a drop of olive oil

Today at the Market

The North End Farmers Market runs Today and every Friday from 10 am - 2 pm in front of It's Only Natural Market, 575 Main St.

North End Farmers' Market returns today, Friday from 10 to 2 with the same great line-up of farmers, O'Rourke's Diner, Linda's Sweet Memories, and Whey Better Soaps.

Jerkfish Restaurant will sell authentic Jamaican food for lunch, and the Vecchitto's truck will be back (the forecast is warm and sunny, perfect for Italian ice!) String Band Madness will return with their sweet, old-timey sounds.

Despite steady rain, many people gathered last week at the market to buy local produce, hula hoop with Crystal Pistritto's beautiful hoops, and listen to the Wesleyan Ghanaian Drumming Ensemble. Rain or shine, the market goes on!

In the news: The Kids Market was featured in the Hartford Courant this week. Read about it here.

Also, if you haven't already, please join us on facebook! "Like" the North End Farmers' Market and use this as a forum to discuss recipe ideas and share photos.

NEAT's Director and NEFM Market Master, Izzi Greenberg was on CT Outdoors radio show on WMRD this week. Click here to listen to the audio. They talked about the North End, the Farmers Market and other programs in the community.

Farmers Market Today

The North End Market will run today, Friday, from 10-2 in front of It's Only Natural Market, 575 Main St.

The Guest Vendor will be: Linda's Sweet Memories Baked goods

The Guest Restaurant will be: Iguanas y Ranas (Was supposed to be Typhoon, but they had a last minute emergency)

The Music will be: The Atticus Kelly Quartet (jazz)

As Always, we'll have a great variety of locally produced and organic foods and products.

Hope to see you there!

Here are some pics of last week's market. If you missed Crystal's amazing hoola hoops, she'll be back next week!

North End Nights with Floating Theater Company

In Your Face: Untamed and Unapologetic
Presented by the Floating Theater Company

Thursday, July 15, 2010 7pm

Floating Theater Company returns to Green Street Arts Center of Wesleyan University for their annual staged reading of new plays by Connecticut writers. This year’s theme is IN YOUR FACE, nine short works based on social and political topics. Please Note: Mature subject matter and language may not be suitable for children.

In these new works, playwrights take on a variety of contemporary themes from corporate greed to gun control. The adult situations and language used in the works expand upon themes including the circus-like politics surrounding a women's right to choose, labor and safety issues for American factory workers, and sexual identity and self-expression.

The Floating Theater Company (FTC), with co-directors Jean Wertz and Jenny Lecce, provides support to playwrights and actively seeks to partner with existing theater companies and Connecticut actors in the development of new works.

Tickets are $8; Member Price $5. For tickets call (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

SAVE ENERGY AND EARN $$$

Jonah Center WRAP Energy Services

In order to promote WRAP home energy services, the Jonah Center for Earth and Art, with the support of a grant from the Liberty Bank Foundation, will pay bonus payments of $25 each to anyone who obtains and submits through the Jonah Center or NEAT a qualifying Middletown resident’s application for WRAP energy services when that application results in a completed energy audit/services visit.

Here are the details:

WRAP services are offered to renters and homeowners who have a CL& P account AND whose income is below 60% of the state median. (See guidelines below.)

WRAP services lower annual energy costs by approx. $200, by sealing leaky windows, installing new light bulbs, and other measures. In some cases, the program will add insulation or replace an old, inefficient refrigerator or other appliance.

Individuals are eligible to receive a $25 payment for signing up their own household, but only after they have recruited at least 1 other qualifying household to participate. For example, if you sign up yourself and another household, you will get 2 bonus payments, or $50. You are then eligible for an additional $25 payment for each additional qualifying audit application you obtain.

Funding exists for a total of 40 bonus payments of $25 each. The bonuses will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and be discontinued after the funding is exhausted.

Bonus payments will be paid only after the audits are successfully completed. If the household named on the application does not qualify or does not follow through and allow the service to take place, no bonus payment will be made.

SAVE ENERGY AND EARN $$$

Jonah Center WRAP Energy Services

In order to promote WRAP home energy services, the Jonah Center for Earth and Art, with the support of a grant from the Liberty Bank Foundation, will pay bonus payments of $25 each to anyone who obtains and submits through the Jonah Center or NEAT a qualifying Middletown resident’s application for WRAP energy services when that application results in a completed energy audit/services visit.

Here are the details:

WRAP services are offered to renters and homeowners who have a CL& P account AND whose income is below 60% of the state median. (See guidelines below.)

WRAP services lower annual energy costs by approx. $200, by sealing leaky windows, installing new light bulbs, and other measures. In some cases, the program will add insulation or replace an old, inefficient refrigerator or other appliance.

Individuals are eligible to receive a $25 payment for signing up their own household, but only after they have recruited at least 1 other qualifying household to participate. For example, if you sign up yourself and another household, you will get 2 bonus payments, or $50. You are then eligible for an additional $25 payment for each additional qualifying audit application you obtain.

Funding exists for a total of 40 bonus payments of $25 each. The bonuses will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and be discontinued after the funding is exhausted.

Bonus payments will be paid only after the audits are successfully completed. If the household named on the application does not qualify or does not follow through and allow the service to take place, no bonus payment will be made.

SUMMER LUNCH AND THE NORTH END KIDS MARKET PROGRAM

CRT is hosting free summer lunch this season at the Salvation Army on Main St.

Send your children to a safe, supervised area for a FREE, healthy lunch and fun in the sun with friends!

Salvation Army: 515 Main Street 6/28 to 8/27

--Snacks will be served Monday through Friday 10am to 10:30am--

--Lunch is servedMonday through Friday noon to 1 pm--

Activities include crafts, games, and raffles.

For more information, dial 347-4465 OR 2-1-1

Also, NEAT and the Community Health Center are sponsoring a North End Kids Market which gives any child that attends the summer lunch program on Fridays $5 to spend at the North End Farmers Market. The kids take a field trip over and get to buy whatever fresh fruits and vegetables they would like. Send your kids on Fridays to visit the market. Last week was so much fun!

Farmers Market News of the Week

The North End Farmers Market on Main St. had its first market of the year this past Friday.

There were hundreds of people shopping, eating, chatting with friends and listening to the old-timey sounds of the blugrass jam. The line for fish tostadas was 10 deep for about an hour, and the chefs had to keep running back to the restaurant to restock. The bike rack was full and so were the bellies.

There was amazing fresh produce from six CT farms, incredible fresh baked goods (scone, anyone?) from O'Rourkes Diner and beautiful soaps from our guest vendor, Whey Better Farms.

Click here to see pictures of the Market

This market will come again this Friday from 10-2 in front of It's Only Natural Market. We'll have the same great lineup of farms and breads but this week's guest vendor will be selling handmade hoola hoops. If you've never wiggled with a really good hoop around your waist, come down and try one out. It's really fun.

This week's guest restaurant will be Patty Palace with drinks by Javapalooza.

Guest Vendor July 9:

Crystal Pistritto's Handmade Hoola Hoops

Nutrition Tip of the Week!
Calcium is in more than dairy! Broccoli, kale, turnip greens, and collards are all calcium-rich and thus promote strong bones, teeth, and muscles!

This week's featured restaurant is Patty Palace

Patty Palace will be selling fresh Jamaican Beef Patties and other specialties...to be announced!

What's in season in Connecticut?

Find the full-sized calendar here:USDA Connecticut Grown Crop Availability Calendar

Recipe of the Week Cucumber Soup Great for a hot summer day! Ingredients 2 1/4 cucumbers, peeled and cut into chunks 3 garlic cloves, peeled 1/2 cup plain yogurt, preferably a thicker variety like Brown Cow or any Greek yogurt 1 1/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon salt Cracked black pepper 1/2 cup mint 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Procedure Place cucumbers and garlic in food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Add yogurt, vinegar, salt and a few cracks of black pepper and combine. Chop the mint and add. Stir in the olive oil. Chill for at least a half hour. Serves four as a starter. Have a great recipe idea? Send it to Emma at mendele@chc1 to be included in an upcoming newsletter!

This Week's vendors include:

Beckett Farms

The Beckett family started farming in Glastonbury in 1973, when Chip's father bought the Old Cider Mill to keep it from being developed into condominiums after the original condo sale fell thru. Chip worked during off times in college and vet school until 1982, and returned to Glastonbury in 1983 to start his own practice and help out with the farm. In 1985, he bought the farm next door to build the veterinary clinic, Beckett and Associates, and adds the acreage to the Cider Mill property. Originally, we sold most things to the Cider Mill, along with wholesalers in Hartford. We have gradually sold to more stands and added farmer's markets two years ago, when his daughter, Leah, was old enough to drive to the markets. The CSA is the next evolution for our farm, to let people see and share what we do with our productive land and good weather.

Ceccarelli Farm

Ceccarelli Farm is run by Nelson Ceccarelli. The farm runs Farmer's Markets, Farm Stands, and Community Supported Agriculture. They sell to restaurants, grocery stores, school, cafeterias, inns, and personal chefs. Some of the vegetables they have are lettuce, cabbage, corn, eggplant, green beans, corn, summer squash, and tomatoes. They also have a list of recipes located on their website.

Chaplin Farms

Chaplin Farms is a family farm owned and operated by the Rose Family. The owner Stephen Rose is a fourth generation farmer and has been farming for over 20 years. At the farm they grow both traditional and heirloom vegetables. We will have strawberries, blueberries, plums, peaches, nectarines, pears and over 15 varieties of apples including Honey crisp, Macoun and Mutsu.

George Hall Farms

At George Hall Farm, they pride themselves on providing their local community with the freshest, high quality organic and conventionally grown produce. Currently, they have more than 60 acres in production with the majority of the land Certified Organic. Since 1966, they have been using sustainable techniques that are environmentally safe. Almost all of their produce is organic and their other conventional produce is grown with minimal or no pesticides. There produce comes to there members and customers at the height of freshness and nutritional value. They are Certified Organic through the Bay State Organic Certifiers of Massachusetts. They offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, a farm stand on the property, produce at many local Farmer's Markets, eggs and honey, and farming internships.

Gotta's Farm

They are the proud grower's of quality plants, fruits, and vegetables, and fun ornamentals since 1898. Gotta's Farm and Cider Mill is a 4th generation farm established in 1898. They now have two seasonal retail locations -- Gotta's Farm on Rte 17 and the QP Market on Rte 66, both in Portland, CT. They are the proud growers of quality plants, fruits, vegetables and full ornamentals, and they offer strawberries, peaches, apples and pears that you can pick yourself when they are in season. Gotta's Farm maintains a farmstand bakery with fabulous pies, breads, and cookies, and they participate in three regional Farmers' Markets. Gotta's Farm is now open for our 112th Season. All our annual flowering and vegetable plants are grown here from the best hybrid seed available. Come by and pick some of their delicious, fresh strawberries! There fields are located on Main St. in Portland, Connecticut
Picking hours are from 8am-8 pm

Rose's Berry Farm

There farm is now open on weekends and limited days during the week. Due to all the warm weather they had in May, the strawberries came early and are now at the end of the season. They now will have raspberry picking and hopefully blueberry picking within the next week and a half! They have made a few changes to their website as they aim to expand their online shopping as well as provide more up-to-date information regarding the farm. Many new products have been added to our online store, so check them out now! Rose's Berry Farm is about more than just berries. They have put together a variety of activities that appeal to people both young and old. You are invited to the farm each and every season to see for yourselves just how much fun the country has to offer! They also have recipes located on their website made with all the delicious fruits.

Click here to see a video of Rose's Berry Farm

Using your EBT card at the market Find the table with the sign, "Use your EBT here!" Here, you can use your card to purchase $1.00 wooden coins, which will act as cash in the market. You can then use your tokens to buy approved food items. Frequently Asked Questions What can I buy with my tokens? Fruits, vegetables, breads, meats, dairy, maple and honey products, seeds and plants that produce food, baked goods, jams, and sauces are all okay. You cannot buy nonfood items, foods meant to be eaten on site, and vitamins. Since the tokens are issued in dollar increments, what happens if I purchase something that is $2.50? The vendors may choose to add product to your purchase to bring the value to an even dollar amount, or you can pay the $0.50 with your own change. Unfortunately, vendors cannot give cash change for any tokens. Does it cost anything to purchase tokens? Tokens are purchased with your EBT card, so there is no cost to you. Do tokens ever expire? You can use your tokens until the market ends in October. Any unused tokens can be returned and the value transferred to your benefits account.

For more information, visit www.neatmiddletown.org or call at (860) 346-4845

Do you work or live downtown? We will deliver to your home or office so you can go back handsfree, and don't have to worry about struggling with bags back to the office. We will deliver to Main St. or anywhere in the North End.

What's in season in Connecticut?

Find the full-sized calendar here:USDA Connecticut Grown Crop Availability Calendar

NORTH END FARMERS MARKET IS HERE!

On Friday, July 2 from 10-2, the North End Farmers Market will begin in front of It's Only Natural Market on Main St. You should get a seperate email from NEAT with all of the exciting updates from the market. There was too much for one email!

THURSDAY NIGHT HERB GARDEN CONCERT SERIES

For four consecutive Thursday evenings in July, the North End of Middletown will come alive with the sounds and sights of free music at the annual summer concert series, beginning July 1 at 6:30 p.m.

The concerts will take place at the Luis Lopez Community Garden, located on the 600 block of Main Street (corner of Green Street) in Middletown. Sponsored by the Community Health Center, Inc., with support from the Middletown Commission on the Arts, the concerts are free, open to the public, and family-friendly.

July 8: Buru Style, World, Reggae, Funk.

6:30-8:30

Rain Date: July 29

July 15: Melvin Sparks with special guest David Davis, Soul-Jazz.

6:30-8:30

Rain Date: July 29

July 22: The Downshift Band, Jazz, Pop, Rock.

6:30-8:30

Rain Date: July 29

SAVE THE DATE FOR NEAT'S GARDEN PARTY

NEAT's annual garden party will be held on Thursday, August 12th this year. We need volunteers for the party planning committee, so if you're interested, please contact NEAT.

Cooling Center Opened: Sprinkler Openings Scheduled

From the Middletown Police Department

Mayor Sebastian Giuliano announced that the City of Middletown will be opening a cooling center and taking other measures to help residents cope with the ongoing heat wave.

The cooling center will be at Middletown High School, 200 LaRosa Lane (formerly Wilderman’s Way) for those who require relief from the heat. It will be open until 9 P.M. today and from 9 A.M – 9 P.M. Wednesday through Friday. Only water will be provided. Domestic animals will be allowed. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in carriers. Updated vaccination records are requested.

Transportation may be provided to the cooling center. Arrangements can be made by calling Middletown Area Transit (MAT) at 860-346-0212 (Ext. 7) until 6 P.M. each day. After those hours, contact Middletown Emergency Management at 860-343-8002.

The City of Middletown will also be opening fire hydrant sprinklers at designated times and locations as follows:

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

A Community Gathering Around Internationally Inspired Art

Our first event, A Trio of Solos will be held on Thursday, July 8 from 7-9pm and we hope that you will join us.

A Trio of Solos is a community event featuring three incredibly talented artists who will be displaying their work during our first North End Night event. Guests will enjoy live music from Ceol Go Maidin (formerly The O'Rourke's Irish Session Band), food and art (some of which will be available for purchase). Meredith Arcari, Susan Aranoff, and Jennifer Theokary will fill Green Street with their paintings, prints, jewelry, sculpture and collage work. For more information about the artists and the event, please visit our blog.

A Trio of Solos
Thursday, July 8, 2010
7-9pm
Regular Price $8; Member Price $5
For tickets call (860) 685-7871 or email gsac@wesleyan.edu
Tickets will also be available at the door.

Fun at the Farmers Market

The North End Farmers Market on Main St. had its first market of the year this past Friday.

There were hundreds of people shopping, eating, chatting with friends and listening to the old-timey sounds of the blugrass jam. The line for fish tostadas was 10 deep for about an hour, and the chefs had to keep running back to the restaurant to restock. The bike rack was full and so were the bellies. There was amazing fresh produce from six CT farms, incredible fresh baked goods (scone, anyone?) from O'Rourkes Diner and beautiful soaps from our guest vendor, Whey Better Farms.

This market will come again this friday from 10-2 in front of It's Only Natural Market. We'll have the same great lineup of farms and breads but this week's guest vendor will be selling handmade hoola hoops. If you've never wiggled with a really good hoop around your waist, come down and try one out. It's really fun.

Here are some pictures from the first market.

First Farmers Market Today!

Come down and get your groceries for the holiday weekend!

Summer is here and it's market season! Today is opening day of the North End Farmers' Market, in front of It's Only Natural Market (575 Main St.) The market features local vendors selling delicious fruits, vegetables, cheeses, baked goods, and more! Also look for live music, recipe samples, and food from local restaurants. We accept SNAP/EBT, Senior and WIC coupons. So come out to the market today and every Friday between 10 and 2 to enjoy the summer weather, great food, and fun times!

The Featured restaurant for today's market is Iguanas y Ranas Taqueria. There lunch be a market special delicious fish tostadas for $2.00!

Our vendors include:
Beckett Farms

The Beckett family started farming in Glastonbury in 1973, when Chip's father bought the Old Cider Mill to keep it from being developed into condominiums after the original condo sale fell thru. Chip worked during off times in college and vet school until 1982, and returned to Glastonbury in 1983 to start his own practice and help out with the farm. In 1985, he bought the farm next door to build the veterinary clinic, Beckett and Associates, and adds the acreage to the Cider Mill property. Originally, we sold most things to the Cider Mill, along with wholesalers in Hartford. We have gradually sold to more stands and added farmer's markets two years ago, when his daughter, Leah, was old enough to drive to the markets. The CSA is the next evolution for our farm, to let people see and share what we do with our productive land and good weather.

Ceccarelli Farm

Ceccarelli Farm is run by Nelson Ceccarelli. The farm runs Farmer's Markets, Farm Stands, and Community Supported Agriculture. They sell to restaurants, grocery stores, school, cafeterias, inns, and personal chefs. Some of the vegetables they have are lettuce, cabbage, corn, eggplant, green beans, corn, summer squash, and tomatoes. They also have a list of recipes located on their website.

Chaplin Farms

Chaplin Farms is a family farm owned and operated by the Rose Family. The owner Stephen Rose is a fourth generation farmer and has been farming for over 20 years. At the farm they grow both traditional and heirloom vegetables. We will have strawberries, blueberries, plums, peaches, nectarines, pears and over 15 varieties of apples including Honey crisp, Macoun and Mutsu.

George Hall Farms

At George Hall Farm, they pride themselves on providing their local community with the freshest, high quality organic and conventionally grown produce. Currently, they have more than 60 acres in production with the majority of the land Certified Organic. Since 1966, they have been using sustainable techniques that are environmentally safe. Almost all of their produce is organic and their other conventional produce is grown with minimal or no pesticides. There produce comes to there members and customers at the height of freshness and nutritional value. They are Certified Organic through the Bay State Organic Certifiers of Massachusetts. They offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, a farm stand on the property, produce at many local Farmer's Markets, eggs and honey, and farming internships.

Gotta's Farm

They are the proud grower's of quality plants, fruits, and vegetables, and fun ornamentals since 1898. Gotta's Farm and Cider Mill is a 4th generation farm established in 1898. They now have two seasonal retail locations -- Gotta's Farm on Rte 17 and the QP Market on Rte 66, both in Portland, CT. They are the proud growers of quality plants, fruits, vegetables and full ornamentals, and they offer strawberries, peaches, apples and pears that you can pick yourself when they are in season. Gotta's Farm maintains a farmstand bakery with fabulous pies, breads, and cookies, and they participate in three regional Farmers' Markets. Gotta's Farm is now open for our 112th Season. All our annual flowering and vegetable plants are grown here from the best hybrid seed available. Come by and pick some of their delicious, fresh strawberries! There fields are located on Main St. in Portland, Connecticut
Picking hours are from 8am-8 pm

Rose's Berry Farm

There farm is now open on weekends and limited days during the week. Due to all the warm weather they had in May, the strawberries came early and are now at the end of the season. They now will have raspberry picking and hopefully blueberry picking within the next week and a half! They have made a few changes to their website as they aim to expand their online shopping as well as provide more up-to-date information regarding the farm. Many new products have been added to our online store, so check them out now! Rose's Berry Farm is about more than just berries. They have put together a variety of activities that appeal to people both young and old. You are invited to the farm each and every season to see for yourselves just how much fun the country has to offer! They also have recipes located on their website made with all the delicious fruits.

Click here to see a video of Rose's Berry Farm

Guest Vendors for this week:

Beltane Farm

Whey Better Farm

Using your EBT card at the market

Find the table with the sign, "Use your EBT here!" Here, you can use your card to purchase $1.00 wooden coins, which will act as cash in the market.

You can then use your tokens to buy approved food items.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I buy with my tokens?

Fruits, vegetables, breads, meats, dairy, maple and honey products, seeds and plants that produce food, baked goods, jams, and sauces are all okay. You cannot buy nonfood items, foods meant to be eaten on site, and vitamins.

Since the tokens are issued in dollar increments, what happens if I purchase something that is $2.50?

The vendors may choose to add product to your purchase to bring the value to an even dollar amount, or you can pay the $0.50 with your own change. Unfortunately, vendors cannot give cash change for any tokens.

Does it cost anything to purchase tokens?

Tokens are purchased with your EBT card, so there is no cost to you.

Do tokens ever expire?

You can use your tokens until the market ends in October. Any unused tokens can be returned and the value transferred to your benefits account.

What's in season in Connecticut?

Find the full-sized calendar here:USDA Connecticut Grown Crop Availability Calendar

For more information, visit www.neatmiddletown.org or call at (860) 346-4845