Where Have All the SnowMen Gone

Driving around Middletown the past few weeks, I have noticed the glaring absence of snow men. Like me, most adults are probably way too exhausted from all the shoveling and scraping to even think about a snow creation once the walks are cleared. Does that mean that the kids aren't learning how to build snow creatures? I know I saw a few last year, but so far this year, I haven't seen any. Anyone out there who's reading this, if you built a snow man, snow fort, or what have you, please tell us about it!

It's easy to see the hassle and challenge brought on by winter weather. We all know the work of clearing snow off our property, the dread of driving and being on the road if its unavoidable, the worry about how we're going to get errands done, or how we'll make up for lost work time or get to a meeting that was postponed to a less convenient day. In situations that are beyond human control and where routines are interrupted, it can be tough to maintain calm. In times like these, I like to stop and remember the childlike joy that my dad used to express every time it snowed. As soon as the snowfall stopped, he would be the first one out building his beloved snowmen. Dad took advantage of every opportunity to live life to the fullest without complaint of any kind. He would never miss an opportunity to build a snowman.

When I'm feeling sorry for myself and how achy I am from all the shoveling, or feel like I have the winter blues, or want to complain about the cold, I remind myself that I chose to live in the Northeast and this is part of the deal. Facing challenges is necessary to fully appreciating times of comfort and fun. And there is an up side to everything. On the up side of the seeming neverending storms of late, we have many things to be thankful for. Sledding, hot chocolate, the beauty in ice-crusted trees, and of course, Snow Men!

I don't have any digital photos of my dad's many snowmen, one of which is wearing a cardboard sign around his neck that proclaims “I Love Snow !” … I do have this photo of the most innovative snow creation I've seen lately. Its a plow pile snow head carving by Gabriel Duquette. EYE readers, let's see what you've got!

This Sunday at First Church - 10 am

West African Dance & Drums

Dance to the Music
of the Drum

First Church of Christ, Congregational
190 Court Street
Middletown, CT

In my search for a home church a few years ago, I decided to give First Church another chance. It was a life-changing decision: As I walked into the Parish Hall, the hypnotic fullness of drum beat and energy stirred me beyond words, and I was home.

On Sunday, Guinean dance and drum master Aly Tatchol Camara will again perform at First Church. A choreographer, as well as singer, dancer, and drummer, Aly is a native of the West African country of Guinea and principal dance instructor for the New Haven School of African Dance and Drumming at Yale University. He will perform with his son and with the First Church African Drumming Ensemble. We invite you to come and see what it's all about.

___________
First Church is an Open and Affirming Church: All are welcome into the full life of our community regardless of their race, age, gender, nationality, marital status, economic situation, mental or physical ability, or sexual orientation. No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome. Come visit and see. We won't bore you. We won't talk down to you. We will love you and respect your intelligence. We will give you tools to help you deepen and pursue your spiritual path.

Child care is provided on Sundays, and parking is available on Court Street and in the surrounding neighborhood.

Drug Bust at Wharfside Commons

From the Middletown Police Department

On 1-20-11, at approx. 5:30pm, the Middletown Police Department’s Street Crime Unit executed a Search and Seizure warrant at 30 Ferry St., apartment 4-c (Wharfside Commons), with the assistance of the Patrol Division.  The Search Warrant was a result of a lengthy investigation into a male subject who resides at the residence, Marcus Mickens, age 41.  Mickens was the focus of a narcotic investigation in which the Street Crime Unit had received numerous complaints of drug trafficking.

During the execution of the warrant, there were a total of six people located in the apartment, two being minors.  Upon entry into the apartment, there was a cloud of smoke from a burning marijuana cigarette.  After all the people were secured, a search of the residence was conducted and a large amount of narcotics were located.  The subject of the investigation, Mickens, was present in the residence and was in possession of approx. $600.00 cash.  An employment history check of Mickens was conducted and it revealed that he has never officially been employed.  Mickens was placed under arrest for the narcotic violations and risk of injury to the minors.  Mickens’ wife, Stephanie Mickens was also present in the apartment and was charged for risk of injury to minors as well.

During the search, a total of 7 grams of crack cocaine (packaged for sale), 8.5 grams of marijuana, numerous empty pill bottles of hydrocodone (scheduled 2 controlled substance), 53 pills of hydrocodone and a large amount of partially burnt marijuana cigarettes (blunts) were located.  Weighing scales used to weigh narcotics and baggies used to package narcotics were located as proof that the residence was that of a drug factory. 

Also seized was more than $700.00 cash, a Cadillac Eldorado registered to Marcus Mickens and several pieces of expensive electronics.  These items were seized and will be applied for asset forfeiture.  Video evidence was located which revealed Mickens cooking crack cocaine and running a drug factory in the residence.

A criminal history check of Marcus Mickens revealed that he is a convicted felon with numerous past convictions for possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana, sale of control substances and other narcotic related offences.

A criminal history check of Stephanie Mickens revealed past arrests for narcotic related offenses.

DCF was contacted and is investigating the incident as well.

The warrant was proof of the continued effort by the Middletown Police Department to combat the narcotic trafficking in the city’s north end area.  Any/all citizens are urged to contact the Street Crime Unit with information pertaining to narcotic activity in the north end and any part of our town.

Arrested

One 17 year old Youthful Offender:

Charges:

Risk of injury to minor (2 counts)

Possession of controlled substance

Possession of narcotics within 1500 ft school zone

Bond: $1000.00 non surety

Arrested

Marcus Mickens age 41

Charges:

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Possession of narcotics

Possession of narcotics with intent to sell

Possession narcotics within 1500 ft school

Possession of controlled substance

Possession drug paraphernalia in drug factory

Possession with intent to sell within 1500 ft school zone

Risk of injury to minor (2counts)

Bond: $200,000.00

Court date: 2-1-11

 

Arrested

Stephanie Mickens age 36

Charges:

Risk of injury to minor (2 counts)

Bond: $5000.00 non surety

Court date: 2-1-11

International Dance Ensemble in Middletown February 13

he universally-acclaimed Collage International Dance Ensemble will come to

Middletown’s MHS Performing Arts Center on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 13, at 2:00 p.m.

An ensemble of 15 dancers will perform both traditional and choreographed dances from

Turkey, the Balkan countries, Argentina, Israel, Uzbekistan, Hungary, Spain,

Transylvania and Mexico under the visionary leadership of Ahmet Luleci. The dance

ensemble is coming to Middletown as part of the Greater Middletown Concert

Association’s  2010-2011 Series. The MHS Performance Center is located at 200

LaRosa Lane (opposite 680 Newfield St.).

     The Collage International Dance Ensemble advocates for multicultural collective

expression exemplifying its mission to promote harmony among people from different

cultural and social backgrounds. “Led by Ahmet Luleci, the company’s choreography

infuses traditional movement with contemporary flair, and the first-rate dancers perform

with vibrant energy, impressive precision , and heart,” wrote the Boston Globe reviewer.

     Individual tickets are available at $25 and $22 each (adults) and $15 and $12 each

(students).  For tickets or further information call 860 347-4887 or 860 346-3369, or go

to the web site: www.greatermiddletownconcerts.org, or e-mail: bmwa@aol.com. All

major credit cards are accepted. Partial funding for the performance is from a grant of the

Middletown Commission on the Arts.

SNOW BAN at 6 pm

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 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 behind 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 charge, must be paid at the Police Department before a vehicle is released."

Thank you and enjoy the snow!

Audition Update

With all of the snow and ice over the last several weeks, Oddfellows Playhouse has been forced to cancel several pre-audition workshops for the Teen Repertory Company. We want to make sure interested students have a chance to get involved. We are extending the audition process, and will be holding auditions on Thursday 1/20, Tuesday 1/25 and Wednesday 1/26 from 7-9:30 pm. Students are welcome to attend auditions more than once.

The first production is Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen and adapted by Arthur Miller. Renowned for its medicinal waters, a small Norwegian coastal town is enjoying the fruits of this economic boom. When Dr. Thomas Stockman discovers the waters are in fact poisoned by waste products from industry. His attempts to alert the unknowing public are met with tremendous force and resistance from those in power.
Directed by Missy Burmeister, opening night is March 31.

The second mainstage performance of the Teen Rep Company is The Farnsworth Invention. Written by Aaron Sorkin, whose The Social Network just won a Golden Globe, The Farnsworth Invention continues Oddfellows dedication to bringing cutting edge and relevant works to our community.

With a successful run on Broadway, The Farnsworth Invention is about two men and their race for the rights to one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century: the television.
As noteworthy as the selection is the director. Marcy Arlin, Artistic Director of the OBIE award winning Immigrant’s Theatre in New York City, will direct. Arlin is also a Fulbright Senior Specialist and member of the Lincoln Center Theatre.

Opening night is set for Apr. 28.

Citizens' Advisory Committee Has Vacancies

From Deputy Director of Planning Michiel Wackers
-------------------
The City of Middletown has two At-Large seats and one Low and Moderate Income seat available for interested volunteers to serve on a City committee.

The Citizens' Advisory Committee oversees and makes recommendations to the Common Council on who to best use its approximate $400,000 annual Community Development Block Grant Entitlement.

The committee meets monthly on the third Wednesday at 5pm.

For more information or to express interest, please contact Michiel Wackers at 860-344-3425 or email michiel.wackers@cityofmiddletown.com

　

MSA to Host a School District Budget Presentation

The Middletown Schools Association will host a presentation on the proposed school budget on:

January 24th, 2011
6:30pm
Wesley School

Dr. Frechette will be speaking on the current proposed school budget and answer any questions you might have on the budget and how it was determined. All are invited and encouraged to attend. You may preview and print the budget currently available online on the District website.

Heavenly Harmonies

The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center will feature the heavenly harmonies of Americana trio The Boxcar Lilies

Date and Time: Friday February 4th, 2011, Time: 8:00pm
Venue: The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts and Cultural Center 605 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Ticket Price: $10 suggested donation
To reserve tickets: (860) 347-4957; E-mail: thebuttonwoodtree@gmail.com;

website: www.buttonwood.org

The show is one of three Connecticut area performances in support of the trio’s recently released debut CD Heartwood, which was produced and engineered by Dave Chalfant (Erin McKeown, The Nields) and features the wonderful guitar and Dobro work of Jim Henry (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tracy Grammer). Comprised of 9 originals and a stellar version of Neil Young’s “Old Man”, the collection pays homage to a variety of traditional genres (folk, bluegrass, country), but has a decidedly contemporary feel. Accompanying themselves on guitar, banjo, ukulele, and washboard, their singing voices, like their writing voices, are distinct and exceptional, but combine to make a delicious whole – a sound that is sometimes delicate, sometimes gritty, but always uniquely warm and welcoming.

Based in Western Massachusetts, The Boxcar Lilies are Stephanie Marshall, Katie Clarke, and Jenny Goodspeed. The three met through a local musician’s cooperative and soon began performing together informally at local gigs. In the summer of 2009, Marshall and Clarke joined Goodspeed in the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist showcase and they knew they had something special. They decided to make it official. Over a few beers and a plate of nachos at a local tavern, The Boxcar Lilies were wed. Yes it was a shotgun wedding. They married their love (read: obsession) for great songwriting and sweet harmonies and set out to arrange originals and some of their favorite cover songs by the likes of Fred Eaglesmith, Neil Young, and Gillian Welch. Each an accomplished singer and songwriter in her own right, together as The Boxcar Lilies they are a high energy and engaging Americana trio with a knack for heavenly three-part harmony and exceptional songwriting.

contact for more information about the band:

email: contact@boxcarlilies.com

web: www.boxcarlilies.com

This Sunday at First Church - 10 am

Chase the Winter Blues Away

Get Ready for
West African Dance & Drums

First Church of Christ, Congregational
190 Court Street
Middletown, CT

On January 23, Guinean dance and drum master Aly Tatchol Camara will be with us again at First Church. Aly is a native of the West African country of Guinea and principal dance instructor for the New Haven School of African Dance and Drumming at Yale University. A choreographer, as well as a dancer and drummer, Aly will tell us more about the role of music and dance in his Guinean community, and entertain and enliven us with drumbeat and dance.

Aly is considered a master drummer, dancer, and choreographer, and his New Haven-based dance company, the Kouffin Kanèckè Company, performs frequently at various venues at Yale as well as the renowned Shubert Theater in New Haven.

The First Church African Drumming Ensemble was initiated in 2004 and provides occasional up-beat inspiration before, after, and during worship. The group focuses on rhythms from Aly's native Guinea. Aly's son, also a skilled drummer, will perform again this year with the church drum circle.

Aly's past visits have featured drums, dancing, and a virtual frenzy of energy at front and center in our Parish Hall, and many members of the congregation joined in to dance and follow as Aly demonstrated his simple but vigorous movements. Just watching it quickens your pulse!

So get ready. Come join us and chase away the winter blues. For additional information on the New Haven School of African Dance and Drumming, contact Aly at alytatcholcamara@comcast.net. The school is based at the Afro-American Cultural Center, Yale University, 211 Park Street, in New Haven.

Child care is provided; and parking is available on Court Street and in the surrounding neighborhood.

City Opens Shelter After Power Outages

From the Middletown Police Department

Mayor Sebastian Guiliano has just announced that the city will be opening an emergency shelter at 10:30 this evening at Middletown High School, 200 LaRosa Lane because of a major power outage. Over 3,000 homes are currently without power. Middletown residents and their families can utilize the shelter at least through tomorrow. Pets will not be allowed and food will not be provided but may be brought in. The police department will provide security.

 For more information, call the American Red Cross in Middletown at (860) 250-5555.

Ice To Meet You

Driving was proving treacherous, though the roads were mostly wet Tuesday evening as the relentless Winter of 2011 marches on.

I took a short walk downtown and saw a Wesleyan Public Safety vehicle which had been t-boned at the intersection of Pearl and Washington.

A block away, a firetruck served as warning for a traffic light that wasn't working at Broad and Washington, and in fact the entire length of Broad Street was dark due to a power outage caused by a blown transformer.  Crosswalk signals were out too.

The ice storm was making even the most common branches works of art.  And Jesus was sprouting icicles too.

Main Street was quiet, and slick.  A warning for the morning ahead.