Ryan Woods Autism Foundation Event! Feb. 25

The next RWAF Event Fundraiser is Saturday, February 25, 2012 6:00-8:00 p.m. at 100 Riverview Center, Suite 102, Middletown -- CELEBRATING AUTISM: During Black History Month. Theme: "We're EXTRAordinary People" - Mayor Dan Drew will give the opening remarks. $5/pp - Thanks for posting this event and your efforts in supporting this great cause. Check out our RWAF FB and TWITTER account and also our website at www.ryanwoodsautismfoundation.org for upcoming events.

Ryan Woods Autism Foundation-NEW LOCATION

100 Riverview Center Suite 102lower level,Middletown, CT, 06457

(860) 346-8777 - Venue Website

We are located in the Riverview Center (lower level) behind the Middletown Police Department. Parking: City Garage. Walk across to our Autism Teen Center.

Hours: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (School Days) 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. Parent Support Group Meetings 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. RWAF Board Members (closed meetings) COMING SOON: Extended day / evening hours and weekends!

Accessible to persons with disabilities.

Health Dept.Grants Ryan Woods Autism Foundation $5k

The grant from Middletown's Health Department will go towards an after school program.

Press release by founder and grandmother of Ryan, Brenda Wilson:

"In an economy that appears to be traveling down the road of no return, there is still a Lil’ City called Middletown that cares about its people. “I am so proud to be a resident of this City, said Wilson, Foundation founder. This generous donation from the City of Middletown’s Public Health Department speaks volumes about their philanthropic spirit, and their desire to support children with intellectual disabilities.” “Providing educational opportunities to meet the evolving needs of students on the spectrum is essential to help those lead fulfilling lives of productivity and independence.”

“They have made a lasting impact on our students and programs. This grant will allow us to share our story and the many wonderful services our after-school program offer students of residents in the city of Middletown” said Ian Woods, Program Director.

When RWAF’s founder made her application for the grant and explained the purpose of continuing to enhance socialization, life skills, building relationships with peers, peer mentors in the lives of our youth affected by autism, the City of Middletown’s Public Health Department stepped up to the plate to make things a little easier. RWAF offers an after-school program and is the only concept like it in the state of Connecticut where only youth with autism, Aspergers and other Special Needs come, feel safe in a warm and beautiful location. ‘Our boys and girls who are different – and, different is good -- want a place to meet up with friends, play basketball, dance, learn boundaries, healthy eating, laugh and identify with others like them.’ This is their Teen Center, said Wilson.”

The founder, Brenda Wilson, notified her Committee Members immediately -- “The grant I applied for from the City of Middletown Public Health Department was approved and we received the $5K check today.” “Our after-school autism Teen Center needs every penny of it” exclaimed Wilson. “All I can say is that dreams still come true and every life has reason.”

If you would like to know how you can help, please contact the Ryan Woods Autism Foundation at rwaf@comcast.net - call 860-346-8777.

We need furnishings; computer equipment; supplies and nutritional foods (gluten-free and sugar-free) they eat like grown men and women after school. And, “Keep on sending up those prayers.”"

Ryan Woods Autism Foundation is located at:

One Riverview Center, lower level (Take Dingwall Ave.)

Suite 102 (behind the Middletown Police Station)

Middletown, CT 06457

www.ryanwoodsautismfoundation.org * (860) 346-8777

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ~~ Mon-Fri (by appointment)

The group held a music festival in August on the South Green.

Weekend Review: 4th Annual Ryan Woods Autism Awareness Event

The fourth annual Ryan Woods Autism Awareness Fundraiser and Fair was held this past Saturday Sept. 10th on the South Green. Donning vibrant orange shirts, volunteers served up snow cones, hot dogs, hamburgers and refreshments. The Ryan Wood Autism Foundation (RWAF) offers a variety of activities geared to the specific needs and requests of members. RWAF offers outreach and support for families with children on the spectrum; recreational and educational activities such as: bowling; annual music festivals; annual gala in November that engages the City of Middletown and surrounding towns. In October 2010, RWAF launched the first After-School program for Teens with Special Needs in the state of Connecticut. The program is called RWAF After 3. The program will be facilitated effective June 22, 2011 in the Masonic Lodge, 33 Pleasant Street, Middletown, CT. The organization is now aligned with Middletown Public Schools to further RWAF's mission of educational advocacy and enhancing outreach programs for not only children with autism, but their families and non autistic children to help them better understand autism.

The Taiko Drum Ensemble group of Wesleyan took the stage in the show mobile to provide an entertaining musical interlude. (photo left)

Various talented artists sold wares to benefit the foundation. Two large bounce houses, one of which was a water slide kept children in attendance entertained thru-out the afternoon. The Middletown fire department was on staff to monitor the event and provide a watchful eye on the large inflatable water slide. In the photo to the left, 6 year old, Daniel Gwynn, a child with autism, of East Hartford cools off in the waterslide with his friends and his on looking mom nearby. (photo left)

Mayor Giuliano (R), Councilwoman Debra Kleckowski (R), Councilman Phil Pessina (R), and the distinguished human rights advocate and City Human Rights committee member Roland Cockfield (first photo above right) were on hand to give inspirational messages of hope and praise to the volunteers. Deputy Mayor Joe Bibisi, and Republican council candidates Linda Salafia, Matt Fraulino, P&Z candidates, Fred Terrasi, myself, and BOE candidate Tami Kapacziewski were also on hand to meet & praise 10 year old Ryan Woods who has autism, who was the inspiration for the event.

A touching moment was when common council candidate Ed Dypa (R) (photo immediate left) spoke to the crowd about his own adult son, who has cerebral palsy & learning disabilities, as being his inspiration, and reminded people how special every child is. Dypa's has been a longtime member of the Board of Directors for MARC (Middlesex Association for Retarded Citizens) and life long advocate for persons who cannot necessarily speak for themselves, who have what in his words are what society has labeled "disabilities." Dypa, who made no references to his own campaign through out his speech, reminded the crowd that the focus should always be on a child's abilities, and integrated education for children with special needs with children without those needs is key to bending the cycle of discrimination that differently abled adults face. Mayor Giuliano praised event coordinator Brenda Wilson, grandmother of Ryan Woods and foundation founder, (first photo top right) for being a community leader and expanding her grassroots effort into such a wide spread and successful City wide event that has shaped the way the community sees autism & all children. Giuliano, who spoke of his young cousin who is on the autism spectrum as well, reiterated that "many hands make a perceived burden light" in regards to the tedious & daunting task that society undertaken as far as research about finding cures and coping mechanisms for autism.

Various local artists, crafters, and vendors

had table the Green selling their wares with various percentages of the proceeds going to RWAF. One of the local artist's who's work caught my eye was Middletown resident

J. Burts (photo right). I found particularly engaging was his Michael Jackson tribute piece, which sold early in the day.Burts is a multi media artist who specializes in airbrush art, and has been creating art for over a decade.

Middletown resident Lulu McArthur sold her hand made brightly colored afghans and slippers. When I asked, I was shocked to find that McArthur has only been making crocheted items, which were exquisitely crafted for about 6 months & she is completely self taught! McArthur spoke passionately about RWAF and said crocheting was a good excuse for her to void housework. (photo below)

To find out more information about The Ryan Woods Autism Foundation visit:

http://ryanwoodsautismfoundation.org/

rwaf@comcast.net

Office: (860) 346-8777

J. Burt's does commisioned work and can be reached at (860) 834-9502, or at his website http://burtsartwork.com

Saturday in the Burg (9/12)

Much to do on this day and the events range from book sales to fundraisers to jazz and rock music.

The Friends of the Wesleyan Library "Book Sale" takes place from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Olin Library, Church Street. Read here for more information.

As I wrote earlier this week, the Friends of the Russell Library is holding its "Bag Book Sale" Friday, Saturday and Monday (9/11-14). Saturday hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Both events feature fine reading material and both are worth perusing.

The 2nd Annual Ryan Woods Autism Foundation Music Festival takes place on the South Green from 11 a.m - 6 p.m. Plenty of music and dance for the whole family including a petting zoo, "moon bounce", face painting, bubble machine, raffle prizes, food and craft vendors and speeches from local dignitaries including the Mayor and members of the Common Council. Musical guests include Folk Summit, the A.M.E. Praise Dancers, Ian Woods, Mr. Keys and Little Miss Jacqueline Gordon, along with the Oddfellows Playhouse Circus & Roving Performers. Not sure what the contingencies are in case the day is rainy. For more information, call 346-8777 or email to terrigwynn@sbcglobal.net.



The Buttonwood Tree presents the trio of Joe Fonda (bass), Michael Jefry Stevens (piano), and Emil Gross (drums) at 8 p.m. Fonda, a former Middletown resident and frequent collaborator with Anthony Braxton, is one of the more melodic and muscular bassists on the contemporary jazz scene and works often with Stevens (their new Quartet CD, just released on the Playscape label, is pictured above.) Gross is a young (19) percussionist from Austria that Stevens and Fonda met on one of their many journeys overseas. The music should be exploratory, challenging yet also approachable. FYI - Fonda's website (www.joefonda.digitalspace.net/) lists saxophonist Cliff White as the 3rd member of the Trio - for more information, call 347-4957.

The Aquatudes return to the Cypress Restaurant and its "Patio Music Series" for an 8 p.m. "luau." The weather may force the "surf music" trio indoors but the beach party will still go on. Call 346-3367 for more information.

Boney's Music Lounge welcomes back the Tom Sanders Band for an 8:30 p.m. gig. Featuring the dual guitar attack of Sanders and Jim Shepley, the quintet plays classic rock and American roots music. For more information, go to www.myspace.com/tomsandersband.