City To Hire New Water And Sewer Director

From the City's employment page.

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8/30/2016 - Director of Water & Sewer
POSITION TITLE:    Director of Water & Sewer
SALARY RANGE:    $89,606 - $132,600    

The City of Middletown is accepting applications for the position of Director of Water & Sewer. This position is located in the Middletown Water & Sewer Department.  Completed City of Middletown Application for Employment forms must be received in the Human Resources Division no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 20, 2016.

Complete job description and application forms  may be obtained in the Human Resources Division, Room 206, Middletown Municipal Building, 245 deKoven Drive, Middletown, Connecticut 06457; or, applications can be printed from our website at www.Middletownct.gov. Click on Employment.  (Faxed or e-mailed applications are not accepted.)

City To Hire New Director of Planning

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Michiel Wackers is leaving his position as Director of Planning Conservation and Development, on October 14. He is relocating to Ohio, where his wife has accepted a prestigious position with the Ohio State University system.  
Yesterday, the city advertised the open position. 

The Director's position profoundly influences the city, shaping decisions ranging from open space acquisition to the density and types of housing to the location of commercial and industrial activity. The new hire will staff the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Economic Development Commission, Inland Wetlands, the Conservation Commission, the Design Review and Historic Preservation Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Redevelopment Agency, and the Citizen's Advisory Commission. 
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POSTED: 8/30/2016
DEADLINE: 9/20/2016

POSITION TITLE:    Director of Planning, Conservation & Development
SALARY RANGE:    $85,197 - $126,090

The City of Middletown is accepting applications for the position of Director of Planning, Conservation & Development. This position is located in the Middletown Planning, Conservation & Development Department.  Completed City of Middletown Application for Employment forms must be received in the Human Resources Division no later than 4:30 p.m. on September 20, 2016.

Complete job description and application forms  may be obtained in the Human Resources Division, Room 206, Middletown Municipal Building, 245 deKoven Drive, Middletown, Connecticut 06457; or, applications can be printed from our website at www.Middletownct.gov. Click on Employment.  (Faxed or e-mailed applications are not accepted.)

Link for more information- http://www.cityofmiddletown.com/qcontent/NewsFeed.aspx?FeedID=662

State's Residential Solar Program Comes To Middletown!

Solarize Middletown is a program to help residents adopt solar energy for their home electricity needs.  This helps our State and region move toward greater use of renewable energy and, therefore, to rely less on fossil fuels and nuclear energy.  Solarize Middletown simplifies the process for residents, because Middletown's Clean Energy Task Force has selected the provider -- Sunlight Solar, a well-respected company -- and insured that the pricing is competitive.

Fishlike Men Are Not Scary, She Wrote -- The Colonel Carries On #46

By Danish O'Pear and Robert "Ratty" Rhadamanthus

As midsummer weather refuses to wane, the mind decomposes. You are reading the result.

You may be able to Google some of the following clickbait. No guarantees.

The secret Jews of The Hobbit

Is there such a thing as a "neutral" American accent?

How big is a fart?

Is light pollution hiding the stars and hurting our souls?

Cat Tales ~ Cat of the Week ~ OLIVER!!

OLIVER

Gender:  Male

Breed:    Domestic Short Hair

Color:     Buff

Age:        4 years old

I had a rough life and I'm thrilled that I now have a safe, warm place to stay at Cat Tales. I like to be pet and I like when volunteers talk and socialize with me. I have stomatitis (inflammation in my mouth which can be sore) and need to have regular vet check ups. I sometimes need medicine for this.  A patient, cat experienced person who'll give me time to adjust to a quiet new home is what I'm looking for. I'd love to be your only pet, or would also do fine with a non dominant cat. Come meet me and see how sweet I can be!

Special NeedsNo Dogs

Web:  http://CatTalesCT.org/cats/OLIVER

Phone: (860) 344-9043

Email: ​​info@CatTalesCT.org

Sunday: Open Air Market and Festival at the Wadsworth Mansion

From Deborah Moore, Executive Director
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The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown is hosting their annual Open Air Market and Festival on Sunday August 28, 2016. The Festival will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. rain or shine. The event is free.

The historic Mansion will transform its 700 foot vista into a marketplace and festival where a variety of vendors will gather to sell their Connecticut grown or made products. One can stroll from tent to tent purchasing fresh produce, fruit, cheese, breads and prepared foods. Local artisans, such as potters, painters, and jewelers have been invited to sell their work. Visitors will be encouraged to lounge on the lawn with lunch and listen to live music performed on the patio. Families can bring their children and spend the day. It will be a day to discover the Wadsworth Mansion, enjoy music and art, and experience the tradition of shopping at an open-air market.

Over eighty Connecticut vendors will be participating this year including: Cold Goats Farm, Ballek’s Garden Center, Cato Corner Cheese, Hometown Bakery, Alison Designs, and Summer Glass. Liv’s Oyster Bar, selling their warm lobster rolls, will be back by popular demand. Grand Gourmet will bring their pizza wagon to sell brick oven pizza.

New food temptations include Cyr’s Bbq.

Children’s and musical entertainment will be featured throughout the day. The Middletown Symphonic Band will play from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and Jazz Affair will entertain from 12:00-1:45 p.m. Legacy Coverage will close out the musical entertainment. Docent-led historical tours will be given by the Friends of Long Hill Estate throughout the day.

Convenient shuttle parking will be available from Snow School and Vinal Tech. Additional parking is available at Snow School, Mercy High School and Vinal Tech.

For a complete listing of performers and vendors visit www.wadsworthmansion.com.

No One Has the Right to Novelize Son House's "Death Letter Blues" -- The Colonel Carries On #45

by Tommy James and the Last Shondell

Epigraph: “These are the top twenty unisex baby names: Casey, Riley, Jessie, Jackie, Avery, Jaime, Peyton, Kerry, Jody, Kendall, Payton, Skyler, Frankie, Pat, Quinn, Harley, Reese, Robbie, Tommie, Justice.” --The Internet

1/ It always bugged The Writer Manque that he couldn’t write fiction. (He couldn't write non-fiction, either, but that didn't bug him.) His attempts at fiction came either (a) to naught or (b) out very strange. Ironically, he could write flat-out lies with dismaying fluency. And his plagiarism was so vast he felt his profession was more typewriter than writer. Sometimes he adapted his sources, which he called popping popcorn.

2/ It was night. (Gloomy.) It happened one night. (Better, but not new.) It was a dark and stormy night. (Cliche, but isn’t cliche another word for “tried and true”?) The clock on the wall struck midnight. (Oh, please.) I was working in the lab late one night when my eyes beheld an eerie sight. (Now we’re cookin’.)

KAYAKERS AND CANOEISTS NEEDED

Saturday, August 20, 5 - 7 p.m.,  Water Chestnut Removal Continues

So far this summer,  many volunteers have pulled out many invasive water chestnut plants in the Floating Meadows, enough to fill 40  canoes!  It has been a hugely successful effort and we thank everyone who has helped. Unfortunately, on our last outing on July 22 we found a few more large patches, with large nuts formed and almost ready to drop, but we couldn't reach them due to the shallowness of the water during the outgoing tide.  

We are making one final effort this season to remove all of these plants.  We have arranged for at least 5 canoes.  Now we need more kayaks or canoe paddlers in order to finish the job and to save the precious Floating Meadows from this invasive menace.

Please come this Saturday, Aug. 20, to the Phil Salafia Canoe and Kayak Launch at 181 Johnson  Street, next to the City's recycling center, and be ready to launch at 5 p.m. (at mid-level tide, when the plants are not under water.)  This is actually a fun and very gratifying activity, building enthusiastic camaraderie among the participants. Also, late afternoon in August is the most spectacular time of day and year to be out on the meadows.  The wild rice is high and bright green.  Please join us.

With one more big effort, we can make a big difference to the future of the Floating Meadows ecosystem.

For more information on this effort, click here.

Motorcycle Mania 2016

Delay can make the satisfaction greater. After being rained out last week, the annual Motorcycle Mania  brought out an enthusiastic crowd of bike lovers. Mayor Dan Drew estimated that 6000 to 7000 motorcycles were present. Each paid either $5 or $10, depending on whether they wished to be considered for an award. 

Here are a few pictures of the people who attended this year. 

Middletown Policemen in their SWAT uniforms

Motorcycle dudes in their uniforms

More photos below the jump break

Make a Fairy or Gnome House at the Russell Library

A Fairy House by Ann Smith

On Thursday evening, August 18, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, we are inviting teens and adults to make a fairy or gnome house at the Russell Librayr's Hubbard Room. 

One of the most popular children's summer program is the Fairy and Gnome House Workshop at Russell Library. For years, parents have requested that they get a chance to make their own, and now the library is offering the workshop to folk of ALL AGES! 

Using three-dimensional design concepts, with a wide variety of materials, we will create model homes for the wee folk -- fairies, gnomes, and perhaps others!

Materials and tools will be provided. All you need is your imagination and a desire to make things! 

Drop-in, no registration.

Cat Tales ~ Cat of the Week ~ BANDIT!!

Meet Bandit!!

Gender:  Male

Breed:  Domestic Short Hair

Color:  Black & White

Age:  4 years

Hi everyone, I'm Bandit. My mom has fallen on hard times which was making me anxious, but she wanted a good life for me so I am feeling a little better now that I am at Cat Tales. I am a handsome fella who enjoys getting my chin rubbed and receiving attention but I'm also independent. I enjoy the company of others and will roll over for belly rubs but I can also keep myself occupied with a toy (or reflection on a wall - super exciting!!). I would prefer a quiet home where I can choose to peacefully nap alone in the rays of sunshine, or lounge on the couch with you while you read a book or watch TV.  I am waiting for my new family to come along - I miss having one, so please stop in to see me.

No DogsNo Children

Web:  http://www.CatTalesCT.org/cats/bandit-2/

Phone:  (860) 344-9043

Email:  ​​Info@CatTalesCT.org​

See our commercial! https://youtu.be/Y1MECIS4mIc

Motorcycle Mania To Invade Main Street Wednesday

In 2012, a motorcycle enthusiast
faced away from Tina's Fine Lingerie

The annual Middletown Motorcycle Mania will take place on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 from 4:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. resulting in road closures in the downtown area. Main Street between Dingwall Drive and Court Street will be closed at 2 P.M. till 9 P.M. The remainder of Main Street from Union Street to Washington Street will be closed from 3:30 P.M. to 9 P.M.

All motorists are strongly encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays.

Connecticut's Kid Governor to Visit Russell Library

Connecticut's Kid Governor visits Middletown!

Connecticut’s Kid Governor Elena Tipton will visit the Russell Library on Monday, August 15 at 1:00pm as part of her Summer Library Circuit. Governor Tipton, a recent graduate of Dr. Thomas S. O’Connell Elementary School in East Hartford, will present her Campaign for Kindness platform and discuss how she and other students are working to make Connecticut a kinder state. Elena will also share her vision of installing “Buddy Benches” at 10 Connecticut playgrounds and explain how kids, adults, schools and civic groups can work together to fulfill her goal. 

The program is free and open to kids and adults alike, and will be held in the Main Floor Children’s Activity Room.  All attendees will get to participate in a kindness activity! Also in attendance will be Gizmo the Therapy Dog. 

This past November, hundreds of 5th graders across the state elected Elena Tipton as the first ever Connecticut’s Kid Governor through a pilot program created by the Connecticut Public Affairs Network (CPAN). Governor Tipton is making several appearances at local libraries as part of her Connecticut’s Kid Governor Summer Library Circuit to share her platform and ways to take action. For more information about Governor Tipton’s platform and the Connecticut’s Kid Governor program, please visit CT.KidGovernor.org. 

“We are honored to have CT Kid Governor Tipton visit our Library,” said Matt Poland, the Library’s Director. “Her message about kindness is an important one for all of us.”

Russell Library is located at 123 Broad Street, Middletown CT.