It's a Wonderful Life, Friday

It's a Wonderful Life
Benefit Showing for Gilead Community Services
Friday, December 18, 7PM
Goldsmith Family Cinema, Washington Terrace,
Wesleyan University Middletown CT

Because it's not always a wonderful life, Gilead Community Services has to constantly seek sources of revenue to help those in need. Gilead provides mental health services, and related services like housing, for hundreds of individuals in Middlesex County who work diligently to fit into a society which is not always welcoming to individuals who struggle with mental health issues.

Especially at this time of year, the staff at Gilead feel compelled to make sure that the basic needs of their clients are met.

Friday's showing of It's A Wonderful Life will help assure that those helped by Gilead will find the help they need.

So, when you buy a ticket to enjoy Frank Capra's classic, you will not only have the pleasure of seeing, on the big screen, a film which has become an icon of the holiday season, but the satisfaction of knowing that you've helped someone in your community who really needs your help.

It's A Wonderful Life is often shrugged off as a "Christmas movie," and while it is set during the Christmas season, it's only about Christmas in the way it portrays giving to those around you, as the only way a community can survive.

It's A Wonderful Life is a complex, beautiful film, at times giddy and silly, and at other times so dark that some of the worst impulses of human behavior are on display - greed, fear, want, betrayal, desperation, envy and duplicity. But it's this glimpse of life's darkest shadows which make the triumph of the film so satisfying and joyous.

Marc Longenecker, of the Wesleyan University Film Studies program, and an expert in the films and career of Frank Capra, has agreed to introduce the film. Below you'll find a short interview with Longenecker which was originally broadcast on WESU-FM.

The Middletown Eye is co-sponsoring the showing, but we will receive no monetary benefit. We invite you to join us Friday evening to enjoy, perhaps enjoy again, one of America's best-loved films shown with an original film print in the state-of-the-art Goldsmith Family Cinema. We hope to fill every seat, and if you want to be sure you have one, call today, 860-343-5300, ext 0.

Four Days to Five Guys

Five Guys Burgers & Fries opens on December 20 on Washington Street. Now that was fast!

Night of Giving Collects Toys

From the Connection

The Connection, Inc. will be hosted its Night of Giving toy holiday party at Nikita’s Bar and Bistro, 484 Main Street in downtown Middletown, on Monday, December 14 from 5-9 p.m. sponsored by AFLAC.

Individuals who purchased tickets received a discount coupon to Amato’s Toy and Hobby for 20 percent off their purchase for their donated toy purchase. Toys will be delivered to The Connection’s Supportive Housing for Families and Hallie House for Women and Children programs in Middletown. Supportive Housing for Families works with families to provide adequate housing so they may be reunified with their children after they had been placed in foster care, or for adults who are working to prevent their child from entering foster care. Hallie House for Women and Children provides residential care for women who are pregnant and or parenting and are suffering from substance abuse.

“The toys will benefit families who may not otherwise be able to put gifts under their tree,” said Heide Erb, Director of Communications for The Connection, a local nonprofit human services agency serving people in need since 1972. “Many of these children have been separated from their families and are looking forward to being reunited for the holidays.” Erb encourages those who live and work in the Middletown area to come out and enjoy an evening of food, fun and music and to provide joy to many families in Middlesex County.

Pearl Street Re-opens

After many months of rebuilding, the Pearl Street bridge, over the railroad tracks, in the block between Grand and Spring streets is reopened for traffic. The rebuilding project, which began in the summer, demolished the old bridge and created a new span.

Events This Week (Part 1: 12/15-17)

Tuesday December 15:
Now in its 20th season, the Free at Last Players have done its best to shatter the illusions around mental illness and substance dependency.  The troupe, created with the help of CT Heritage Productions, uses theater, songs and poetry to get the message across.  The Buttonwood Tree presents the FALP at 7 p.m. tonight - check them out at www.freeatlastplayers.org. 

The performance duo of Eiko & Koma (pictured left, courtesy of Phillip Trager) will give a guided tour and video talk of the Retrospective Project &  Exhibition currently in Wesleyan's Zilkha Gallery at 7 p.m. Titled "Time is Not Even, Space in Not Empty", it's a fascinating view of how both dancers have expanded upon their visions to create new and groundbreaking work.  The event is free and open to the public.

A reminder - The Russell Library presents a lecture titled "The Brownstone Quarries of Portland" at 7 p.m. in the Hubbard Room.  Click here for more information. 

Wednesday December 16:
The 3rd of 4 scheduled Advent Organ Recitals at South Congregational Church takes place at 12:10 p.m. and features the fine local pianist Carolyn Halsted.

Thursday December 17:
The Russell Library's "Gutter to Penthouse: Depression Era Film Series" presents the classic 1934 Frank Capra movie "It Happened One Night"at 12noon in the Hubbard Room.  Starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, the movie is considered the grandfather of "screwball comedies" and is probably best known for its "hitchhiking scene" in which Ms. Colbert's character instructs Mr. Gable's out-of-work news reporter in the fine art of flagging down a ride.  It's a treat and well worth the time to view, even if you've seen it before.  Bring your lunch and the Library staff provides the beverage.  For more information, call 860-347-2528, extension 135.

GIFT IDEAS (continued) - I wrote about CD choices the other day for Holiday gifts but how about a gift that combines music with dance. Vinnie's Jump & Jive is offering gift certificates for as low as $10. and they're good for any of the classes the Main Street dance emporium offers.  Those classes range from Ballroom to Salsa to Swing, B-boy to Belly Dance to Tap and even Yoga.  All you have to do is call 860-347-6971, extension 3662, and the fun can start.

School District Reorganization Committee Announced

Update: Monica Polanco provided nice coverage of the parents meeting at Macdonough last night, in the Hartford Courant.

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Board of Education Chair Ted Raczka announced the names of the Ad Hoc Feasibility Committee, which will work on possible redistricting and other changes to the school system. A series of possible changes have been proposed by JCJ Architecture, a consulting firm hired by the Board to study facilities utilization.

Michael Frechette, Superintendent of Schools, has made all of the information about the JCJ study and possible changes in the district available conveniently in one place. Included is a list of committee members with all contact information for each.

Board of Education:

• Sally Boske (sboske@aol.com)
• Judy Russo (judithhrusso@comcast.net)
• Corinne Gill (Gillce39@aol.com)

Parents

• Ava Hart, Bielefield
• Taneone Hurlburt, Macdonough
• Kevin Smith, Moody (guile01@sbcglobal.net)
• Lukanya Wilborn, Wesley

Common Council

• Hope Kasper (hopekasper@snet.net)

Community Members

• Jen Alexander, Kidcity (jalexander01@snet.net)
• Betty Graham, Cross Street
• Izzy Greenberg, NEAT (Izzi.greenberg@neatmiddletown.org)

Teachers

• Jen Cannata, Moody (cannataj@mps1.org)
• Joanne Jukins, Macdonough (jukinsj@mps1.org)
• Sarah Esposito, WWMS (espositos@mps1.org)

Principals

• Jim Gaudreau, Snow (gaudreauj@mps1.org)
• Jon Romeo, Macdonough (romeoj@mps1.org)
• Colleen Weiner, MHS (weinerc@mps1.org)

Central Office

• Barbara Senges (sengesb@mps1.org)
• Ken Jackson, as needed (jacksonk@mps1.org)
• Jared Morin, as needed (morinj@mps1.org)
• Mike Milardo, as needed (milardom@mps1.org)
• Donna Marino, as needed (marinod@mps1.org)

Loffredo Calls for Movement on Riverfront Plan

Councilmen Bibisi, Bauer, Santangelo, Daley, and Loffredo at Monday's EDC

South Cove Riverfront Development

The newest member of the Economic Development Committee, Vincent Loffredo, called on the EDC to play a more active role in moving a long-stalled riverfront development plan forward. The EDC agreed to ask Mayor Seb Giuliano and Water and Sewer Director Guy Russo to

update the committee at their February meeting.

The riverfront development plan known as South Cove was created over 5 years ago. It proposes a mixed-use waterfront district including national retail, entertainment, housing, and professional office uses, on an 85 acre parcel of land south of Harbor Park. The plan requires the involvement of the State DOT, for changes to Route 9, and an agreement with the Mattabessett District Wastewater Treatment facility, to replace the Middletown treatment facility in the area of the proposed development.

Gerry Daley, Chair of the EDC said that the EDC had not been involved because an agreement first had to be reached to move the sewer treatment plant, "We have a plan for developing South Cove. Until the sewer plant is relocated we can't go forward." Committee member Joe Bibisi concurred, "We're at the mercy of the Mattabesett Commission." Loffredo was insistent, however, "This thing's got to move," and all agreed that an update from the Mayor and the head of Middletown Water and Sewer would be appropriate.

Ordinance to regulate Sexually Oriented Businesses

Director of Planning Bill Warner opened the discussion of a proposed new ordinance with the comment that it was a "Belt and Suspenders" situation. He said that existing Zoning regulations had prevented many business dealing in adult material from opening to Middletown, but the new ordinance would provide further restrictions. The proposed ordinance would allow a business to devote no more than 10% of their floor area to sexually oriented business.

Maromas business proposals

Warner updated the EDC on two of the six proposals to lease city-owned land in Maromas. The

deed restrictions on the land allow "active recreation" but do not allow residential development. He said that Artfarm co-founder Dic Wheeler had informed him that the Artfarm vision for an arts and agriculture center required interns to live on the property, and said the mayor had written to Attorney General Blumenthal asking for a legal interpretation on the issue of whether the deed restrictions prevent residency by Artfarm interns.

The EDC also heard an update on the proposal to build a 9-hole golf course in Maromas, to be called Arawana. Warner and the golf course proposer, Tony Pioppi, said they have been holding intensive negotiations on the terms of a possible lease. Pioppi was at the meeting and he explained that he needed a long-term lease to justify the $3M investment for building the course. Pioppi and Warner are discussing a 10 year lease with eight 10-year extensions possible only if all conditions of the lease are upheld.

The EDC grappled with the City's need to maintain control of the land until the time when it could ensure that there would be appropriate and productive development, and Pioppi's need to gain "control of the land" before he could convince investors to support his project. Before moving forward, EDC members wanted to know what kind of lease might be negotiated. Warner and Pioppi mentioned a rent of 2.5% of gross revenue, based on the model for the Pin Oaks Golf Course, which was proposed off of Newfield Street.

Negotiations are ongoing over the issue of taxes. Arawana would own the improvements to the land, including the greens, and taxes on these improvements could easily top $60k per year, far more than Pioppi hopes to pay in the rent. Warner indicated that the city could offer tax abatements and other incentives to reduce the tax burden for Arowana.

The EDC voted to review the two Maromas proposals again at its January 11th meeting.

Rescheduled Schools Meeting Tonight!

Tonight: December, 14th.
Where: Macdonough School Cafeteria
Time: 6:00 pm.

Childcare and Dinner will be provided

What: Come discuss the future of our schools. The focus for this workshop will be North End schools, but the implications could touch all of downtown, as well as property values and quality of life. Everyone should attend this workshop.

Call NEAT if you have questions or need transportation 860-346-4845

Connwood Foresters Christmas Trees

This year we again went to Connwood Foresters in Rockfall for our Christmas tree. Connwood is a forestry consulting firm in Rockfall, at 39 Cherry Hill Road.

Connwood has both standard sized beautiful Christmas trees for $20 to $40, and a pretty extensive selection of blue ribbon specials--trees tagged with blue tape which are "too big" to be Christmas trees, available for only $10.

Since our Christmas tree motto seems to be "bigger is better", we cannot resist the supersized trees. It's hard to turn down a 20' tree for $10, even knowing that we'll need to trim half of it off the bottom.

This year Connwood also is offering other local products, including honey, blue bird boxes, and beeswax candles molded into evergreens. Having saved so much money on our tree, we went home with three of the candles to give to family members.

As we harvested the tree, we were treated to a lovely chorus of bells from nearby Saint Colman's Church. It seemed a fitting serenade for the task at hand.

Police Arrest Vehicle Occupants After Foot Chase

From the Middletown Police Department

On 12/13/09 at approximately 10:00 am Middletown Officers were attempting to stop a 1993 Green Acura Vigor bearing CT REG 476 TVW for several motor vehicle violations and the suspect vehicle would not stop. The Middletown officers followed the vehicle for several blocks and it as it approached the intersection of Pearl and Court Street, the vehicles occupants jumped from the vehicle and began to run. One of the Middletown officers was driving his marked cruiser in the direction of the two suspects when the suspect vehicle rolled into the cruiser passenger doors. There were no injuries and minor damage to the cruiser.

Operator of the vehicle was 25 year old Melissa Latronica of Cromwell Ct and she was charged with:

Misuse of marker plate, operating under suspension, operating without insurance, operating unregistered M/V, display plate/valid insert, Interfering w/officer, two counts of criminal mischief, reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer and failure to set parking brake.

Latronica was released on a $5000 non-surety bond

Passenger of the vehicle was 29 year old Michael Konefal of Middletown and he was charged with the following:

Interfering w/officer

Konefal was released on a $1000 non-surety bond.

New Britain Herald Compares Middletown to New Britain

I grew up in New Britain, and live now in Middletown, so this comparison of the two cities in the New Britain Herald is of obvious interest, but I find the analysis somewhat facile.

Both cities have suffered the fate of many downtowns during the advent of the American automobile culture. Sprawl, suburbs, parkades and mall development, along with cheap gas, new highways and lack of downtown parking doomed the core cities.

But it wasn't just the car. It was the abandonment of center cities by major retailers, the destruction of historic buildings (most notably in New Britain), and the disappearance of major employers in the center city which doomed the downtowns.

I watched, as a college student, while entire blocks of Main Street were leveled for a new highway (which bypassed the downtown without an exit), and for ugly "modern" buildings which were as univiting to pedestrians as they were unappealing to retailers. All the while, the politicians wore "Accent NEW Britain" lapel buttons.

Middletown did it's share of destroying important historical buildings, and leaving empty lots behind (people still lament the loss of the old city hall - replaced by one of the ugliest buildings in town), but long stretches of Main Street were left untouched.

The murder on Main Street in Middletown may have had a significant impact, but the factors of sprawl and the parkade mentality would have had the same effect eventually. But the murder may have also been a catalyst for town leaders to preserve, develop and promote retail and restaurants on the main drag.

The mayor is right, Wesleyan has helped, and the fact that for many years Wesleyan owned housing stock, and allowed students to live off-campus (something that is the exception today), helped preserve that center city housing which feeds into life on Main.

Brownstone Presentation At Russell Library Tuesday