ODDFELLOWS PLAYHOUSE SEEKING YOUNG ACTORS for 2014 Productions!

Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theatre will produce two Connecticut original productions this Spring with actors in grades 6 - 12 through the Teen Rep and Jr. Rep Companies.

The Teen Rep Company is seeking actors ages 14 - 20 for the Connecticut premiere production of  SHE KILLS MONSTERS by Qui Nguyen.  It will be directed by Kristen Palmer.

The show switches between fantasy and reality as his edgy teen focused play tells a story of loss, family, identity and acceptance – in an exciting comic book style.  When Tilly dies suddenly in a car accident her older sister Agnes’s only connection to her is a role playing adventure Tilly left behind. Agnes enters her sister’s fantasy world and learns about who her sister was – while fighting off the real and imagined monsters that plagued Tilly’s short life.

Young Actors will thrive in this show as they develop their acting skills and are part of an ensemble Teen Rep Production project. There will be opportunities for stage combat, choreography, puppetry and creating stage effects.

All interested teens are invited to attend an open workshop to learn more about the script and ensemble at Oddfellows Playhouse on January 6th or 8th from 6-8pm.  Rehearsals start January 13th and will be held every Monday and Wednesday nights from 6 - 8:30pm.

Performances: March 20-23^rd

Tuition: $300.  Financial Aid, Scholarships and Work-Study Available. 

The Jr. Rep Company seeks actors in grades 6 – 8.   This show will also feature a first ever east coast musical production.  The Connecticut premiere production of BUCCANEERS by Liz Duffy Adams will be directed by Lorra Webb.

Young Enid Arabella longs for adventure and escape from her family’s poverty. She runs away and is captured by a pirate king and his crew of kidnapped children. She summons her courage and wits to lead a mutiny and overthrow their oppressor – only to find herself in charge of a crew as fractious as the seas.

This new musical, premiered in 2012, is an exciting performance opportunity for young actors to sing, dance, act and be a part of an ensemble that values their voices and talents at any stage of development. Led by long-time Jr. Rep director Lorra Webb this musical presents great messages about leadership, empowerment and family.

Rehearsals begin January 14th and are held every Tuesday & Thursday, 4:30-6:30pm until the Performances on April 3, 4 and 5th.

Tuition is $300.  Scholarship and Financial Aid are available.

All actors will have a role in the production.  Oddfellows has been producing plays with young people for over 38 years.  The cadre of directors and designers are professional artists with a commitment to young people’s personal growth and artistic development.

To register, or for more information on how to get involved go to oddfellows.org or contact Artistic Director, Kristen Palmer at 860 347 6143, ext. 103.

About us:

Oddfellows Playhouse was founded in 1975 as a community-based, multicultural theater program designed to include children from all backgrounds. Oddfellows remains Connecticut’s largest and most active year-round youth theater, an independent, not-for-profit organization that annually serves over 1,200 young people.  The mission is “ to build essential life skills through the performing arts.”
In 2013 Oddfellows Playhouse was named “Connecticut’s Best Children’s Theatre by Connecticut Magazine.  In 2012 Oddfellows was awarded its very first National Endowment for the Arts award for the Our Town grant. In 2003, Citizens Bank named Oddfellows Playhouse its Community Champion for youth services, and CPTV featured the Playhouse and its program on a special titled art.culture.life. In 1999, the Playhouse received a Community Service Award from the Middlesex County NAACP in recognition of its years of commitment to young people, particularly those challenged by poverty.  The New England Theatre Conference recognized the Playhouse’s history of quality performing arts and youth education with an Award of Excellence in 1998.
The Playhouse has produced over 350 shows, including classics, contemporary and world premieres.

For more information contact:  Kristen Palmer at (860) 347-6143 ext. 103 or Kristen@oddfellows.org.

West Street Bridge Meeting Tonight

The State Department of Transportation will hold an informational meeting about the West Street Bridge replacement project, tonight in City Hall. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

The West Street bridge is a narrow, wood surfaced bridge over the rail tracks, about 200 yards south of Route 66. West Street is the most direct route from Washington Street to much of the southern part of Middletown, including Wesleyan Hills. As such, it is a thoroughfare for drivers and cyclists traveling to and from the High School on Newfield Street, as well as those traveling from Route 66 to Route 157 and on to Middlefield and Durham. The bridge is also used by those traveling between Wesleyan and Route 66. Residents of the homes, apartments, and condominiums on West, Butternut, Cross, and Butternut Knoll Streets routinely walk across the bridge en route to the businesses on Washington Street.

According to an article in the Hartford Courant, the state is proposing to replace the 17-foot wide bridge with one that is nearly twice as wide.


Concerns about the bridge project have been raised on a facebook post about the hearing (excerpts):

• "I like it the way it is as a relic of the past."
• "It needs a sidewalk for pedestrians and the road surface could be better, but it doesn't need to be any wider and the stop signs need to stay."
• "A sidewalk/pedestrian bridge are a must."
• "Also almost impossible for tandem kid-bike or bike trailer. There aren't many of us, but it is a deterrent..."
• "It'll be a positive upgrade in the safety of the bridge. But a negative move for those that live next to it. Some homes are right alongside the bridge."

The meeting is open to the public, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

State Rep Joe Serra Welcomes State Funds For City Arts

From State Legislature Democratic office
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State Representative Joe Serra welcomed the approval of state funds for seven local arts groups in Middletown.

“We have some of the finest art programs here in Middletown and I am thrilled that these grants will assist in our mission of keeping the arts alive,” said Serra. “I am pleased that Department of Economic & Community Development’s CT Office of the Arts, has recognized such worthy groups with nearly $40,000 of support.”

Serra applauded the organizations who received funds, which are: The City of Middletown Arts & Culture; Northern Middlesex YMCA Ingersoll Center for Children; Greater Middletown Concert Association; The Buttonwood Tree; Oddfellows Playhouse; Wesleyan Potters Inc; and the Wesleyan University Center for the Arts.

The grants for Middletown arts were announced on November 25^th from the Arts Catalyze Placemaking grant program in the categories of Arts Leadership and Supporting Arts in Place.  These programs are funded in part by state appropriations the National Endowment for the Arts. 

A total of 93 grants were awarded statewide, totaling $831,989.31. The grants ranged from $1,500-$25,000.

ARE WE CONTENT?

(A commentary by Brian Kaskel)

This week’s Board of Education meeting proved that we are either content with the status quo, or as New Englanders, we are getting soft. Yes, there was two inches of snow on the ground, and yes there were twenty degree temperatures, but yes, there WAS a Middletown Board of Education meeting on December 10th. Besides myself, and those who were there as members of the media, and/or presenters from the BOE administration office, there was one member of the community in attendance.

I will chalk this up to the “weather” and hope that we as citizens have not fallen into a coma of complacency. The unfortunate result of the low attendance – was that the general public was not informed about the Superintendent’s first draft budget proposal.

Let’s dive into Dr. Charles’ budget goal, and as this is my first attempt at a blog, please grant me a bit of reprieve, as you begin to understand my banter and slightly right leaning stance. First off, Dr. Charles is asking for what I feel to be a fair and modest increase in the Board Budget for next year. It is not pie-in-the-sky, nor will it meet all the needs we have as a district – but it will keep us going as is and begin to bridge the gap on the glaring deficiencies we are dealing with.

Dr. Charles, will be asking the Board of Education, to approve her budget proposal that will end up in the hands of the Common Council. At this point, all numbers are subject to change, Dr. Charles is asking for an increase of almost $4.4 Million dollars, plus the lion share of the Alliance Grant due to the BOE from the State, that has to run through the City coffers. (More on that later)

The increase suggested will total 5.81% over last year’s budget, yet it will only be enough to fund one new, full time teacher. It is designed to cover a 2% raise for teachers based on the current contract as well as adding additional support staff in areas such as nursing, custodial, substitutes, intervention, para-professionals, and special education. It includes, based on City recommendations, a preparation for an increase of 15% to the total insurance package (health, dental, life, workman’s comp).

There were many areas Dr. Charles and her budget team were able to project a reduction in cost, due in large part to the board’s partnership with a resource and facility company by the name Sodexo. Key areas that are affected by this, is waste management, facilities, and maintenance. Other way’s the district will be saving money is the based on adjusted income levels due to last year’s position elimination and coming to the end of retirement pay-outs.

As I alluded to above, the state of Connecticut issues an Alliance Grant to our district, and requires the money to be spent on the schools. However, this is not done without smoke and mirrors. The State also lets the City decide how this will be allocated to the school. They allow for a “Substantial Majority” to go to the schools directly and then will allow the City to use the difference to off-set or subsidize if you will, the city’s share of the Board of Education allocation. Middletown has decided that a “Substantial Majority” is to be considered 51% (I would hate to see a simple majority). So for example; the State issues roughly $2,000,000 to Middletown via the Alliance Grant. The City allows $1,020,000 to be used by the Board. The city uses the other $980,000 and towards money that they were already going to give to the board per state mandate. Essentially, we are allowing the city “rob from Peter to pay Paul.”

If you continue to read my commentaries moving forward you will see my continued request for public and parent involvement with the Board of Education. On that vein, I encourage the public to attend the Board of Education Budget workshop on December 17th (7pm) to observe what I hope will be a “no stone unturned” attempt at squeezing every last dollar out of this budget.

  I have said it before, and I will say it again – it is time to have the city make some tough decisions. It is time for a reallocation of existing funds, to be funneled to the improvement of our schools. Time to put the schools as a focus in this town. Enough bowing down to promises of corporate tax bases, and focus on what makes a community stronger. The Schools. Assistant Superintendent Enza Macri summarized it best when she said, “we know what works when we can use laser-like concentration… we do not have the funds to spend on all schools the way we know we need to….”

So, to my neighbors of Middletown, it is my suggestion that for now, we put our bi-partisan support behind the current BOE administration, until they give us a reason not to. I for one agree with the statements from newly elected board member, Vincent Loffredo when he suggests, “the Board needs more presence at the State level”. And later heard sentiments of agreement echoed by a few members of the board regarding Ed McKeon’s thoughts about the new common core legislation and the unfunded mandates that comes with it, reminding us, that “we shouldn’t make people in the reform industry rich, when we are facing tough times”

Other Items of interest from the Board of Education Meeting 12/10/13:

• Issues pertaining to student’s concerns about the Middletown High School late bus are still being investigated
•  Family School Connection grant was adopted
•  Grant and Bonding was delayed for the Public Safety Initiative, until calendars and meetings can be lined up.
• The Middletown department of Emergency Management is in the beginning stages of planning a “Full Shooting Exercise” at a school location for this summer. This will incorporate, Local Police, Fire Department(s), Emergency Management, Health Care Workers, State and Federal response agencies. It will require the Board’s support, and such, the Board has requested more information at a later meeting.

Brian Kaskel, is a Middletown parent and former candidate for the Middletown Board of Education

CT's State Troubadour, Kristen Graves, Sings Out with Glenn Roth at Buttonwood Tonight

Tonight, Friday, Dec 13th, Kristen Graves graces The Buttonwood Tree's cozy room with stories and song, starting at 8 pm. She co-bills with accomplished veteran singer/songwriter, Glenn Roth and together they will warm the wise audience who shows up. Reservations are available here or arrive by 7:30 ish to be sure of seating. Refreshments are available.  Our low $10 cover charge is a gift to anyone who comes! BONUS: Patrons who pay the full door fee are entitled to a free book from our library and members receive one free, non-alcoholic, beverage per visit.

Listen to Kristen and Glenn

Tomorrow the Charter Oak Bluegrass show has been POSTPONED until January 4th!

All morning workshops and classes are still on, see our website or Facebook page for closings and details. Buttonwood Calendar

watch Kristen and Glenn here


Kristen Graves is a folk/pop singer & songwriter with a voice that commands attention, lyrics that catch your heart, and melodies that stay with the listener long after the evening ends. Named Connecticut’s 15th State Troubadour, Kristen is honored to promote the arts throughout the state and represent Connecticut in song. Kristen’s songs have a coziness to them like a well-worn winter blanket, but don’t underestimate her; she can pack a serious emotional punch at a moment’s notice. Picture an energetic Sarah McLachlan, or Tracy Chapman with a pop edge, and you’ve found Kristen Graves.


Glenn Roth is not your typical commuter from Connecticut. Instead of a briefcase, he carries a gig bag. His workspace is the vaulted splendor of Grand Central Terminal or the tunnels and platforms of the New York City subway system. A literal “underground” sensation, Glenn is a licensed performer in the MTA’s “Music under New York” program, playing for the most distracted and demanding audience in the world: legions of workers rushing to jobs throughout the Big Apple. And his fingers work magic, creating a soundscape of compelling melodies that invite them to leave the city rush behind on an aural escape.
Glenn is a fingerstyle guitarist, his thumb riding the bassline and the melody driving all. His compositions suggest multiple guitars, but it’s really just one guy, ten flying fingers, one instrument. All instrumental, Glenn’s songs suggest moods and narratives that compel the listener to fill in the details.
Glenn's website


Listen to Kristen sing on Capitol Hill

The Buttonwood Tree is at 605 Main Street, next to It's Only Natural market. Park for free on Main Street or behind the market. Doors open at 7:15pm. Show is 8-10 pm. 860-347-4957

Pessina Pleads, Devoto Defers, Russo Reigns: P&Z Elects Officers

Last night’s P&Z meeting opened with what commissioner Salafia called “political maneuvering,” but call it what you will, it ultimately led to a unanimous vote on a bi-partisan slate of officers including the Phoenix-like rebirth of Dan Russo as Chair, Molly Salafia as Vice Chair and Joyce Rossiter as Secretary.

The item in question was an email forwarded from Bill Warner containing a Formal Opinion by General Counsel Brig Smith stating that “the planning and Zoning Commission is required by Charter and its own Bylaws to elect a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary as its first item of business, and that it cannot conduct any other business until that duty is fulfilled (emphasis added).” This may very well qualify as maneuvering not only because it is contrary to past practice (P&Z has on more than one occasion gone months without electing a Chair), but also because commissioners received the email just three hours before the meeting.

To further complicate the matter, Bill Warner informed the commission at the start of the meeting that according to the bylaws, the commission has 65 days from the first hearing of a proposal to rule on it. In the absence of a ruling, a proposal receives automatic approval. According to Warner, that time period would lapse before the next scheduled meeting for two items on the agenda and the lawyers would most likely file for automatic approval. Several rounds of voting ensued.

Round One.

Russo nominates a bipartisan slate of Pelletier, Salafia, Rossiter (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary) citing Salafia’s standing as senior Republican and valuable architectural background and defending Pelletier’s “informal” meeting style as a means of making the meeting less intimidating to the public. Pelletier accepts the nomination, Salafia’s comes out swinging emphatically rejecting the nomination, questioning the last minute political maneuvering, objecting to the numerous calls she received from Pelletier to solicit her support, and criticizing Pelletier for “getting us sued twice because he can’t run a meeting.”

Round Two

Devoto nominates a slate of Devoto, Salafia, Rossiter. Pelletier nominates a slate of Russo, Pelletier, Rossiter. Staff notes that Rossiter can’t be on two slates. Rossiter declines Devoto’s slate. Pelletier’s slate is defeated 3-4, with the three Democratic nominees in favor and Devoto, Emery, Salafia and Clark opposed. These voting lines remained throughout all but the last unanimous vote.

Round Three, Four, Five, Six

With no more slate nominations, the commission attempts to elect individuals. Pelletier for Chair, defeated 3-4. Devoto for Chair, defeated 4-3, Salafia for Vice Chair, defeated 4-3. Pelletier for Vice Chair, defeated 3-4. And finally, Rossiter for Secretary, after an opinion from staff that, in the absence of a Chair and Vice Chair, the secretary could run a meeting, the nomination (is defeated 3-4) passes unanimously 7-0.

Round Eight

At this point, alternate-turned-peer-mediator Pessina spoke up calling for a “recess to rethink” what was happening. He spoke generally of his disappointment and embarrassment over the commission’s inability to move forward and urged everyone to “disconnect” from their position in the hopes of moving forward. Repeating several times that it would only be for a year, Pessina directed his final appeal specifically to Devoto, asking him to consider that it is his first year on the commission and to consider a position as Vice Chair as "a year of learning."

Round Nine

Returning from recess, which included a closed (glass) door meeting in the foyer, Pelletier nominated Dan Russo for Chair and Molly Salafia for Vice Chair. With little discussion the nomination was approved unanimously.

Post-Bout Analysis

While on its surface, a unanimous vote on a bipartisan slate of officers would seem to signal an end to the partisan bickering that has plagued P&Z, and despite having all the intrigue (but thankfully none of the sex) of Game of Thrones, what really occurred was a John Boehner-inspired game of chicken like the one that shut down the Federal government. Only in this case, the three Democrats (Russo, Pelletier, Rossiter) who voted for no bipartisan slates until the last in which two of them were nominated, won the game because they rightly assumed that the two Democrat two Republican coalition of Devoto, Emery, Salafia, and Clark, who voted for only bipartisan slates, would put the business of the city ahead of party politics.

Whether the ends justify the means remains to be seen, but the bottom line is that city business was conducted at the Planning and Zoning meeting last night. And in all fairness to the new commission, business was handled well. The commission voted to extend the meeting past eleven and heard all business items on the agenda (report to follow in a separate post). The meeting was run efficiently; all commissioners asked relevant questions, sought clarification on issues of public concern, voted when those questions were answered satisfactorily and tabled items when they were not.

While the motives and mysteries of the meeting my never be revealed, there is a chance, in this season of hope, that a functioning commission has emerged. 

Oddfellows Playhouse Winter 2014 Class Registration is OPEN!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Exciting Theatrical Winter Classes and Productions Offered by Oddfellows Playhouse

Middletown, CT

December 11, 2013

Exciting new theatre arts classes and productions are being offered for children and youth ages

4 - 20!  Registration is now open for Winter Classes and Productions at Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theatre.

Kids can explore their creative side, become confident in public speaking and enjoy working as a team while experiencing the arts through classes in acting, improvisation, technical theatre and creative dramatics.  This winter there are several unique opportunities.

●       Playwriting will be taught for grades 6-12 by Artistic Director, Kristen Palmer.  Palmer is an experienced playwright and creative writing teacher.  Students will explore their dramatic imaginations and write original ten-minute plays over the 8 week session.

●       Puppetmania! will be lead by Master Teaching Artist, Renee Soares.  Students in grades 2-4 will design and craft unique puppet-making projects and creating a puppet show working with a live production.

●       Shakespeare’s Fairies, Witches and Ghosts will introduce 4-5th grade actors to the dynamic scenes and characters from Shakespeare’s plays.  This mini-production is a great introduction to the language and stories of the world’s most well-known playwright.

All classes at the Playhouse are taught by professional artists dedicated to arts education.  Each session culminates in a sharing for families and friends!

Details and registration is available at www.oddfellows.org

Winter classes start the week of January 13th and end the week of March 3rd.

Tuition ranges from $120 - 300.

Financial aid, Scholarships and Work-Study arrangements are available.

All classes take place at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown.

About us:

Oddfellows Playhouse was founded in 1975 as a community-based, multicultural theater program designed to include children from all backgrounds. Oddfellows remains Connecticut’s largest and most active year-round youth theater, an independent, not-for-profit organization that annually serves over 1,200 young people.  The mission is “ to build essential life skills through the performing arts.”
In 2013 Oddfellows Playhouse was named “Connecticut’s Best Children’s Theatre by Connecticut Magazine.  In 2012 Oddfellows was awarded its very first National Endowment for the Arts award for the Our Town grant. In 2003, Citizens Bank named Oddfellows Playhouse its Community Champion for youth services, and CPTV featured the Playhouse and its program on a special titled art.culture.life. In 1999, the Playhouse received a Community Service Award from the Middlesex County NAACP in recognition of its years of commitment to young people, particularly those challenged by poverty.  The New England Theatre Conference recognized the Playhouse’s history of quality performing arts and youth education with an Award of Excellence in 1998.
The Playhouse has produced over 350 shows, including classics, contemporary and world premieres.

For more information contact:  Kristen Palmer at (860) 347-6143 ext. 103 or Kristen@oddfellows.org.

MHS Holiday Cookie Sale Saturday

From Project Graduation. 
-------------- 
Saturday Dec. 15, 2013,
9-11am Middletown High School,
200 LaRosa Lane

Perfect for Holiday Parties or Gift-Giving! Choose from dozens and dozens of delicious homemade holiday cookies! Pack a box and save yourself hours of baking time!
 SMALL BOX $15
 LARGE BOX $25

MHS Project Graduation Annual,
All proceeds go towards the SAFE GRADUATION PARTY for MHS Seniors.

 Get there EARLY before we sell out!

Open Letter To Matt Lesser

Sent in by Eric Lopkin, who notes that after this letter was published in The Patch, Rep Lesser responded that the program in question was a starting point. He stated that he was glad the issue had been brought to his attention and is currently following up.
 ----------------
 Dear Representative Lesser: After reading your 2013 Capitol Update, I must say that I am appalled by what you consider an accomplishment. I am referring to your contention that you stood up for people with disabilities by fighting to set aside “one third of janitorial jobs in state buildings.”

I am legally blind and since the state’s determination that I am disabled I have become exasperated at the state’s image of who disabled people are. Over the past several years, I have had state agencies and non-profit organizations insist that there are wonderful opportunities in janitorial and call center work. While these are fine jobs, I am insulted by the apparent belief that these are the only jobs that disabled people are capable of.

We are entrepreneurs and executives. We are accountants and marketers. We are farmers and printers. We run marathons. We come from all walks of life and are capable of amazing feats. Disabilities affect different people in different ways, but the state insists on treating us all the same. Worse, for many of us, there is technology that we can use to overcome our disabilities that the state actively prohibits us from suing.

 If you want to stand up for those with disabilities, bring the state’s image of us out of the stone age.

 Eric Lopkin

Bonus Issue: How to Read Popcorn by The Colonel

Remember how Big Meme used to say, “Before you throw something away, get the good out”?

Well, to get the good out of each item in a typical Popcorn, this is what you need:

First, slip into loose, comfortable clothes.

Sit in a chair or on the floor in the lotus position if you are limber enough to sustain it.

Close your eyes and take a slow, moderately deep breath through your nose, if you are human or temporarily maintaining human form.

Hold that breath for a New York minute (the amount of time between when the traffic light turns green and the cab behind you starts honking), then let it out gently through your nose.

As you let the breath out, open your eyes and read one item slowly as many times as necessary for you to “get” not just the surface meaning, but the deep meaning.

When that happens, you will experience a slight tingle in your vagus nerve, or, very rarely, a grand mal seizure.

Calmly let it pass, then close your eyes once more, draw a slow breath in as before, and repeat the process till you come to the end of the last item in the day’s column.

At that point, you will feel enlightened, refreshed, and ready to rezone the city in a balanced, fruitful way.

Resist the impulse. Turn instead to firmly but gently tending your own garden.

Finally, pass these tips on to all those in your power, possession, or control. Epiphania did, and the next day she fell into a state of persistent bliss. Letrell didn't, and that very night a private investigator hired by his wife photographed him in circumstances that will cost him dearly for years to come. Whose luck would you prefer to befall you?

**************************

"Learning is weightless -- a treasure easy to carry anywhere."

Complete Streets Committee Members Describe Their Proposals for Making Middletown More Bike and Pedestrian Friendly at Presentation

The Jonah Center for Earth and Art hosted a presentation by the city’s Complete Streets Committee last Tuesday night at Russell Library. The presentation, entitled “Making Middletown Bike-And Pedestrian-Friendly”, saw members of the Complete Streets Committee describe their proposals for making specific Middletown streets and intersections safer and more inviting for bicyclists and pedestrians and building trails that will connect different areas of the city.  

The program mostly focused upon the proposals outlined in the Complete Streets Master Plan the Complete Streets Committee introduced in April. Any transportation improvements to the city will be designed according to its guidelines. Speakers used PowerPoint slides to display their recommended improvements to specific streets and intersections and proposed routes connecting residential neighborhoods to downtown areas, parks, and schools.

Following brief introductions from Mayor Dan Drew and Jonah Center Executive Director John Hall, Beth Emery discussed how making Middletown more bike and pedestrian friendly could result in exciting benefits. She said that doing so would protect the safety of bicyclists and walkers, increase the overall capacity and efficiency of transportation networks, encourage physical fitness, bolster economic growth and stability by providing connections between different areas of the city, and ultimately improve the quality of life in Middletown.

Howard Reid spoke about proposed improvements to Saybrook Road and the sidewalk from Tryon Street to Stop & Shop. He said that Saybrook Road could become much more accessible to bicyclists and pedestrians if its existing sidewalks were repaired, new sidewalks were built in certain places and its bike lanes were widened. Reid then recommended that the city improve the quality of the current sidewalk on Tryon Street leading into Stop & Shop and add a second sidewalk on the opposite side of the road, and also place traffic lights at the entrance to the store. These measures would allow all residents to travel to the store more safely and easily.

Ron Krom spoke about proposed improvements that would allow bicyclists and pedestrians to travel more easily on heavily congested Newfield Street much more easily or bypass it altogether. He said that widening the sidewalks on Newfield Street would be a simple measure that makes a tremendous difference, as doing so would keep travelers from having to use the narrow bike lanes and lower the number of traffic accidents on the street. Krom then said that the Complete Streets Committee is recommending that Middletown look into building a footbridge connecting Jackson Street and Berlin Street that would allow people to bypass Newfield Street. The footbridge would have to travel through the Berlin Court Tunnel below Newfield Street, and he made it clear that the Tunnel would have to be cleaned up extensively because it is in poor shape and rarely used.    

John Hall also briefly discussed the proposal to build pedestrian and bike bridges that would travel from Veterans Park to Washington Street and its intersection with West Street.   

Amy Vaillancourt discussed the current proposed routes of the Wesleyan Hills to Wesleyan University multi-use trail and the Westlake Area Bikeway extension. Both multi-use trails would make it much easier for people to travel from their residential neighborhoods to Wesleyan and Middletown’s public schools.

Vaillancourt said that the Complete Streets Committee is currently recommending that the Wesleyan Hills to Wesleyan University trail extend from Fountain Avenue on the Wesleyan campus to Randolph Road. From Fountain Avenue, the trail would move onto Pine Street before turning onto Wadsworth Avenue and then Long Lane. After Long Lane ends at Long Hill Road, the trail would head south for a little ways before stopping at the point where Long Hill Road meets Randolph Road.

She then said that the Complete Streets Committee has proposed that Westlake Area Bikeway be extended so that it links together Lawrence School, Keigwin School and Middletown High School. The trail currently ends on Westlake Drive near Grandview Drive, but would now end at Middletown High School on LaRosa Lane. 

Pam Frost spoke about proposed improvements to the streets and areas surrounding Macdonough School and Snow School. These would include putting a crosswalk at the intersection of Pearl and Spring Streets so students who walk or bike to and from Macdonough can get there more safely, building a pathway to Macdonough through the park on its left, and improving the infrastructure of the sidewalks next to Snow and Macdonough. She said that improving the sidewalks would make students commute to and from these schools much less difficult.

Emery was the final member of the Complete Streets Committee to speak. She concluded the night by discussing the educational component of the Master Plan. The committee will oversee Bike Safety classes that teach students how to ride their bikes carefully and practice defensive biking. Emery said that the ultimate goal of the classes is to make riders feel safer and more confident when out on the road.

For more information about the work of the Complete Streets Committee or these programs, contact John Hall at 860-398-3771 or send a message to www.thejonahcenter.org

           

Foot Heads Arms Body -- Popcorn by The Colonel #74

The title above was an actual headline in The Times of London when Michael Foot became the head of a nuclear weaponry panel.

Isn’t it sad how Cyber Monday got so commercialized?

The thin shell of snow this morning shocked us. We had just bought a good snow blower. When we last did that, it didn’t snow for a year.

One small part of the Borough of Manhattan (different entity but same territory as New York County) is on the North American Mainland: the Marble Hill neighborhood surrounded by the Bronx.

Is it truth or myth that the name Bronx originated from the Bronk family’s having owned large tracts of land in the area, so it became known as “the Bronks’.” We can’t be troubled to Google it or Snopes it, but the name sounds Dutch, like Dave van Bronk.

Moomins. In the children's tales of Tove Jansson, Moomins were a race of small, shy, fat, hibernating creatures inhabiting the forests of Finland. Jansson received the Hans Christian Andersen award in 1966 for contributions to children’s literature, but starting in 1968, she wrote six novels and five books of short stories for adults. Jansson’s sigoth was Tuulikki Pietilä. The Irish form of “Jannson” is “McKeon.”

Words of comfort to raconteurs: “If some of your jokes don’t bomb, you’re not taking enough chances.”

Chuck Norris can sit in the corner of a round room.

Doesn’t “Take The A Train” have too many articles? Shouldn’t it be either “Take A Train” or “Take The Train”?

“Photographers — idiots, of which there are so many — say, ‘Oh, if only I had a Nikon or a Leica, I could make great photographs.’ That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. [Great photographs are] nothing but a matter of seeing, and thinking, and interest.” --Andrea Feininger

“At a certain point in a drunk’s career it does not matter all that much whether he’s actually been drinking -- that’s just the way he is.” --David Foster Wallace

“[O]ur greatest laws are hidden, our greatest wisdom is authorless, and our most valuable treasures are in our hearts.” --Name withheld by request

“I don’t get no respect in my apartment building. The super told me to wipe my feet in my apartment before I go out into the hall.” --Rodney Dangerfield

“On the contrary!” These were Henrik Ibsen’s last words. His wife had just remarked that he seemed much improved, and would be quite well again. Ibsen sat up in bed and objected, as it turned out, with no little justification.

“MRCA” stands for “most recent common ancestor.” Try looking at everyone you meet today and speculating on the date of birth of your MRCA. Demographics can be counter-intuitive. For example, almost everyone of Northern European stock is a direct descendant of Charlemagne.

Speaking of Charlemagne, December 25 is the 1213th anniversary of his coronation as the first Holy Roman Emperor. That is, if Christmas was celebrated on December 25 in A.D. 800.

It’s a cosmopolitan world. Legal documents in international trade are sporting references to the “Gregorian calendar.” For the avoidance of doubt, no doubt.

Comeback to bad pickup line: “I’m sure the police consider you a person of interest, but I don’t.” Implied threat? Mailed fist inside velvet glove?

This line from The Who’s 1967 “I’m a Boy” is metrically perfect. It sounds like a series of nails, each hammered down with a single blow: “My name is Bill and I’m a headcase.”

Follow your bliss for a week and find out if it’s two-timing you.

The Christmas carol for persons with paranoia is Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Us.

Schizophrenia: Do You Hear What I Hear?

Alzheimer’s: Walking in a Winter Wonderland, Miles From My House, in My Robe and Slippers

Social Anxiety Disorder: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas While I Sit Here and Hyperventilate

We asked Woody Allen how how his 25 years of psychotherapy was going. He said, “Slowly.”

If drones are going to make home deliveries, can they also do our shopping? Can you imagine drones duking it out at Filene’s Basement?

If it’s an “exaltation” of larks, a “pride” of lions, a “murder” of crows, what’s a group of drones? Put your nominations into a comment.

With climate change, New Englanders don’t have to move to Florida anymore. Just stay alive, and Florida will come to you.