Around the world in 45 minutes! Courtesy of Dennis Waring.

At the end of our session last Saturday, Rakesh asked me “how long do you think it took to travel around the world and get all those instruments? Do you think he did it in 80 days?” Our workshop leader Dennis brought instruments from Africa, Cuba, and folk USA - I’m pretty sure it’s taken him his whole lifetime to collect them and learn about them! On Saturday, we were lucky enough to have him share his knowledge, his instruments, and his enthusiasm with us.

Dennis Waring – demonstrating!

We sang, we danced, and we got to try a whole lot of cool percussion. Best of all, we got to see how music from different countries can be closely connected – even when those places are oceans apart.

Latin band – check out the maracas and the claves!

Our next event is February 26^th 10:30-1:00 at the Green Street Arts Center. The workshop will be on Song-dances from Folk USA! Come learn some fun group dances that have been around FOREVER in our very own U.S.ofA. Bring your singing voices and your stomping feet… and a little something for the potluck lunch.

For more info on CMI in general, please take a look at our page on the NEAT website: www.neatmiddletown.org/community%20music.htm

NEAT/WESLEYAN WINTER MARKET

The Farmers Market is back! Come out next Wednesday, February 16, 2011 from 11:00 am to 2:00pm at Fayerweather 202 (Beckham Hall) at Wesleyan University. The market is indoors but just as vibrant. Come browse and check out the fresh, nutritious, and affordable local produce. The farmers market will be accepting WIC, SNAP, Senior and FMNP checks. For more information, please visit the Wes Farmer's Market site, call (856)630-7000 or email wesleyanfarmersmarket@gmail.com or sroodojalvo@wesleyan.edu.

February NEAT Meeting

FEBRUARY NEAT MEETING TOMORROW

Join us for NEAT's February meeting, tomorrow, February 9, 2011 at the Green Street Arts Center at 7p.m. This is a very important meeting and your input is needed. Board Elections will be held at this meeting and NEAT's direction and initiatives for the year will be planned and discussed.

Child care is provided - Pizza will be served to the kids and adults

We will have announcements about upcoming programs and update residents about the safety of Main Street buildings.

We look forward to seeing you there.

CMI starts off 2011 with a some joyful noise!

On January 29^th 2011, the sounds of pirate voices, stomping, clapping, and rowdy singing echoed through the halls of Green Street. What could it be? Well, the Community Music Initiative of course!

CMI is back, with participatory music events every other Saturday through May. Our first event this year was a great success, with many new participants and a core of experienced community members, performing, volunteering, and making music. There was a special appearance by two of the Fiddle Kids, several energetic music games, a delicious potluck, and a joyful singing session focusing on call and answer songs, from gospel to kids’ songs to sea shanties (which is when the pirate voices happened).

Some photos of the awesome Fiddle Kids from Buru Style’s holiday concert in December. Aidan and Dermot (left) performed on January 29^th and Ani, Alana, Ivan, and Nora (right) will be performing at a CMI event in the next month – stay tuned!

The next event! Please join us this Saturday (February 12^th) for an exciting workshop by Dennis Waring, part-time Middletown resident and much respected musician and teacher. Dennis will be sharing his beautiful instruments with us and teaching about music from Africa, Latin America, and Folk USA.

All CMI Saturday events run from 10:30am-1pm at the Green Street Arts Center. Bring yourselves, your friends, and a little something for lunch.

Please contact NEAT anytime (860 346 4845) or email program coordinator Emily (emily@neatmiddletown.com). We’d love to hear from you.

MIDDLETOWN PARKING BAN

In anticipation of the snowstorm, Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano is declaring a parking ban effective at 12:00 A.M. on February 1, 2011. The Department of Public Works requests that you make arrangements to remove your vehicles parked on City streets. Should you need off-street parking, you may park at the following municipal parking lots:

Corner of Washington / Broad Streets (by Kidcity Children's Museum)

Broad Street (across from Russell Library)

Melilli Plaza (behind Main Street Market)

Parked vehicles on City streets must be removed by 12:00 a.m., or run the risk of being towed by Middletown Police at the owner's expense. If a vehicle is towed during the parking ban, you may claim the vehicle by contacting Middletown Police Dept. at 860-347-6941. All payments, i.e., the ticket and towing charge, must be paid at the Police Dept. before a vehicle is released.

The Mayor asks for everyone's cooperation. Due diligence will be exercised, but safety will remain a priority. Please help the Public Works Dept. employees to properly clear all City streets.

Questions? Contact Bill Russo, Director at 860-344-3407

Flamenco & Family Festival at Green Street

¡Viva Flamenco! A Demonstration and Workshop with Marta Torres
Friday, January 28 | 7–8:30 pm
Regular: $8; Members/Students/Seniors: $5

Marta Torres, a native of Madrid Spain, will demonstrate flamenco dance and explain its history, including a question and answer session. The final half hour will allow audience members to try flamenco for themselves—participation encouraged, but not required.

Family Festival at Green Street—Come in from the Cold!
Saturday, January 29 | 10:30 am–2:30 pm | FREE!

Join us at Green Street for a day of family activities for all! All ages are welcome; children must attend with a parent or caretaker. This event is free, but your donations will help us hold future events.

10:30 am-1 pm Community Music Initiative (all ages)

12-1:30 pm Hip Hop with Eric Quiñones, ThoroEnergy (ages 8-12)

1-1:45 pm Early Childhood Music (ages 5 and under)

1:45-2:30 pm Storytelling (all ages)

1-2:30 pm Creative Arts Workshop (all ages)

Parking Ban begins today at NOON.

THERE IS A SNOW BAN IN EFFECT BEGINNING AT NOON Today.

The City of Middletown has a snow ban in effect for this afternoon and evening, please remember the following:
If your car is preventing the snow plows from properly cleaning the street, it will be ticketed and towed.

IF YOU NEED SHELTER DURING THE STORM PLEASE CALL 211.

Also, as a reminder, city ordinance requires you to shovel any sidewalk in front of your property no later than 24 hours after a snowfall. Please be considerate of your neighbors and shovel and/or salt your sidewalk.

If you are unable to shovel because of physical limitations, please call NEAT and we may be able to find help for you. (860) 346-4845.

Or, if you are a renter and your property owner is not clearing the sidewalks, please let NEAT know so that we may inform the city Sidewalk Inspector.

If you need off-street parking, you may park at the following municipal parking lots:

Corner of Washington/Broad St.(behind Kid City), Broad Street (across from Russell Library), Melilli Plaza (behind Main Street Market) and the lot on the north and south sides of Green Street (near the Green Street Arts Center and behid the Luis Lopez Herb Garden).

The City policy states that: "Parked vehicles of City streets must be removed by 12:00 pm. or run the risk of being towed by the Middletown Police at the owner's expense. If a vehicle is towed during the parking ban, you may claim the vehicle by contacting the Middletown Police Department at 860-347-6941. All payments, i.e., the ticket and towing chare, must be paid at the Police Department before a vehicle is released."

Thank you and enjoy the snow!

There is a parking ban beginning at 6 pm tonight

THERE IS A SNOW BAN IN EFFECT BEGINNING AT 6 pm TONIGHT.

The City of Middletown has a snow ban in effect for this evening and tomorrow, please remember the following:
If your car is preventing the snow plows from properly cleaning the street, it will be ticketed and towed.

Also, as a reminder, city ordinance requires you to shovel any sidewalk in front of your property no later than 24 hours after a snowfall. Please be considerate of your neighbors and shovel and/or salt your sidewalk.

If you are unable to shovel because of physical limitations, please call NEAT and we may be able to find help for you.

Or, if you are a renter and your property owner is not clearing the sidewalks, please let NEAT know so that we may inform the city Sidewalk Inspector.

If you need off-street parking, you may park at the following municipal parking lots:

Corner of Washington/Broad St.(behind Kid City), Broad Street (across from Russell Library), Melilli Plaza (behind Main Street Market) and the lot on the north and south sides of Green Street (near the Green Street Arts Center and behid the Luis Lopez Herb Garden).

The City policy states that: "Parked vehicles of City streets must be removed by 12:00 pm. or run the risk of being towed by the Middletown Police at the owner's expense. If a vehicle is towed during the parking ban, you may claim the vehicle by contacting the Middletown Police Department at 860-347-6941. All payments, i.e., the ticket and towing chare, must be paid at the Police Department before a vehicle is released."

Thank you and enjoy the snow!

Important information for students and families preparing for college.

On January 30th, at several locations throughout CT, individuals and/or families can receive FREE technical assistance to complete the FAFSA (federal financial aid form). This form is very important for financial assistance and funding for post secondary education.

If you want to receive this technical assistance, please register on the College Goal Sunday flyer link.

If you or a family member needs a bilingual translator or any other special services, contact the site.

Parents - Please do not wait until high school to start discussing continuing education plans and future goals with your children.

"Instilling the value of education and linking school work to future goals is what the middle school age group needs to excel in school, more than parents' helping with homework or showing up at school," say Nancy E. Hill, PhD, of Harvard University.

WEDNESDAY MEETING CANCELED/Snow Ban info

DUE TO THE SNOW STORM TOMORROWS NEAT MEETING IS CANCELED.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our February 9th meeting.

THERE IS A SNOW BAN IN EFFECT BEGINNING AT 6 pm TONIGHT.

The City of Middletown has a snow ban in effect for this evening and tomorrow, please remember the following:
If your car is preventing the snow plows from properly cleaning the street, it will be ticketed and towed.

Also, as a reminder, city ordinance requires you to shovel any sidewalk in front of your property no later than 24 hours after a snowfall. Please be considerate of your neighbors and shovel and/or salt your sidewalk.

If you are unable to shovel because of physical limitations, please call NEAT and we may be able to find help for you.

Or, if you are a renter and your property owner is not clearing the sidewalks, please let NEAT know so that we may inform the city Sidewalk Inspector.

If you need off-street parking, you may park at the following municipal parking lots:

Corner of Washington/Broad St.(behind Kid City), Broad Street (across from Russell Library), Melilli Plaza (behind Main Street Market) and the lot on the north and south sides of Green Street (near the Green Street Arts Center and behid the Luis Lopez Herb Garden).

The City policy states that: "Parked vehicles of City streets must be removed by 12:00 pm. or run the risk of being towed by the Middletown Police at the owner's expense. If a vehicle is towed during the parking ban, you may claim the vehicle by contacting the Middletown Police Department at 860-347-6941. All payments, i.e., the ticket and towing chare, must be paid at the Police Department before a vehicle is released."

Thank you and enjoy the snow!

North End Action Team: 2010-2011 Slate for Board of Directors and Officers

New Members Agreeing to Serve for the 2012 Term

Sarah-Jane Ripa-Green Street Arts Center

Mark Reid-Wharfside Commons

Terms Ending in 2010 and Members Have Agreed to Renew for 2012

(Acting) Chief of Police Patrick McMahon

Stephen Lapenta

Mandy Sickle Smith (Vice President)

Tina Brown (Board Chair)

Steven Kovach

Erica Hulme-Artist Co-op

Terms Ending in December 2011

Stacy Barka (President)

Cookie Quinones

Rob Rosenthal

Michael Taylor

Rose Fountain

Pam Frost (Treasurer)

Amy Waterman (Administrative Secretary)

Tania Herring

Don Sateline