P&Z Commission Fails To Elect Regional Council Rep

The Planning and Zoning Commission could not agree at its last meeting on a candidate to serve as Middletown's representative on the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments. Two candidates were nominated, Molly Salafia (R) and Michael Johnson (D), the votes were strictly along party lines. Each party suggested that the other candidate serve as the alternate, the Republicans additionally expressed concern about Johnson's attendance record.

New, Exciting Teen Repertory Experience

This season adventurous, committed teenagers can experience cutting-edge theater in a challenging, new way.  The winter/spring Teen Repertory Company will be not be approaching theater in the same old way.  Students in grades 9-12 will have the unique opportunity to expand not only their acting skills, but their directing, designing and producing skills as well.  

CALLING ALL POETS, MUSICIANS …

Anything Goes Open Mic Monday @ The Buttonwood Tree
Every Monday
7:30pm sign-up, 8:00 the show starts!

The World’s a stage … the mic is OPEN! This Open Mic is for YOU – the budding artist. Showcase your talents, nurture them with this supportive group. Recite a poem, sing a song, dance, read some spoken word, the microphone is yours for the asking. Community spirit prevails.
We have congas and a piano or BYO instrument. Ends around 9:30 – 10pm.

605 Main Street | Middletown, CT | (860) 347-4957

In Atlantic Monthly: "Violence and Mental Illness in Middletown, Connecticut"

Lindsay Abrams, who graduated from Wesleyan last year, writes in The Atlantic Monthly about the impact that the murders of Jessica Short in 1989 and Johanna Justin-Jinich in 2009 had on our city.

She extensively discusses the efforts of Paul Gionfriddo to improve mental health care at all levels, and uses the Farm Hill Elementary School "Scream Room" investigation to highlight inadequacies in that care.

Zoning Code Text Change Application Would Block New Commercial Development Around Wesleyan

The Planning Department has received an application to change the text of the zoning code, to restrict the possible uses of land zoned ID. It was submitted by Ed McKeon, a community activist who is opposed to the development of a strip mall in a residential area between Pearl and High on Washington Street.

The ID (Institutional Development) zone applies to land around Wesleyan, Middlesex Hospital, and Connecticut Valley Hospital. It provides wide latitude to the institution to build facilities "compatible with its setting in scale and design."

The zoning code currently stipulates that land in the zone "not used and endorsed by the institution" must meet the requirements of the MX zone, which allows residential as well as professional offices, neighborhood stores, and other low-intensity commercial uses. A recently proposed text change would allow very high-density commercial use.

McKeon's proposed text would stipulate that properties in an ID zone that have been used as residences and are not being used by the institution would have to meet the requirement of the RPZ zone. RPZ is a residential zone does not allow commercial use.

All zoning code text change decisions take place after a public hearing at the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Commission is likely to schedule such a public hearing for one of its meetings in February.

No News Is Bad News

Since I moved to Middletown more than 12 years ago, my Sunday morning ritual has been to stop into Central News, on Main Street to pick up a copy of the Sunday New York Times, and then head to a local coffeeshop for caffeine and eggs.

Today was my last opportunity to do so.

Since 1946, Central News has been the go-to shop for newspapers, magazines and tobacco products.  As of today, Sunday January 13, 2013, Central News will no longer be selling newspapers.

"We can't make money on it anymore," said Bill Sbona, proprietor, on Sunday.  "The newspapers keep squeezing and squeezing, and there's not enough left over for a profit."

"We'll still be selling magazines and tobacco, but today is the last day for newspaper sales," Sbona said.  "It's a sad day."

This is but one more sign of the decline of print news media, as paper circulation has shrunk steadily over the last decade as web news sources have cannibalized readership.

"Give me a minute to let this sink in," a regular patron said after reading the sign Sbona had posted about the end of newspaper sales. 

Salafia Says Partisan Politics Prevent Prudent Planning

The letter below is opinion/commentary and represents only the opinion of the author, Molly Salafia.
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At the last P&Z meeting, we were informed that the Midlstate Regional Planning Committee which is comprised of various towns was being dissolved and transformed into the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments. Middletown needs to send a representative from the commission and an alternate. Commissioner Michael Johnson (D) has been the representative for the past four years. Yet, attendance to P&Z meetings is rare because of his job as a lobbyist in Hartford. Commissioner Fazzino nominated me to be the new Middletown representative to replace Johnson. He felt my professional background in architecture and planning would serve Middletown well. Again, at the meeting Johnson was not present. The vote was taken, and the Democrats voted along party lines to keep Johnson as the representative, and offered me to be alternate. Johnson has never in my history on P&Z or before my time provided the Commission with any reports about what goes on at these monthly meetings, or comment on his ability to attend. Citizens concerned with Middletown being adequately represented at this important board should direct questions to Johnson.

Molly Salafia
Assoc. AIA, LEED GA
Planning and Zoning Commissioner

Great Jazz Weekend at The Buttonwood Tree

This weekend The Buttonwood Tree will host two great jazz shows that showcase seasoned performers and will surely leave audiences satisfied.
Saturday mornings are packed with classes to strengthen and nourish your soul and body. Qigong at 7:30, yoga at 8:45 and "Aligned with Source" an empowering and enlightening workshop that starts at 10:30. All are free with various suggested donation levels. Buttonwood events are priced based on the concept of "Pay what you can". 

First Church Architecture. The Meeting House and the Gothic Revival.

Second Hour Program this Sunday 11:20 a.m.– 190 Court Street, Middletown

Joseph Siry – First Church Architecture. The Meeting House and the Gothic Revival.

First Church's beautiful building of 1873 follows from a long tradition of both New England meeting houses going back to the seventeenth century, and the Gothic Revival of the nineteenth century. This talk seeks to give historical perspective on how such worship spaces developed.

MCA Grant Opportunities - Deadline Jan. 15

January 15, 2013 is the deadline for all grant category applications. Applications must be in our office by 4:30 p.m. or postmarked with a Jan. 15 date to be considered.

Access the MCA Grant forms and Guidelines directly from the City website or via arts2go.org.

The application forms are in PDF format and may be filled in by computer. The Category 1 applications are for General Operating Support (any level of funding) and for Arts Project Support (greater than $8,000). The Category 2 and 3 applications are for projects and may range from $1 to $8,000.

If, after reviewing the Guidelines and application, you have questions or concerns, please call or email the City Arts Office for more details at 860.343.6620 x201 or arts@middletownct.gov.

Middletown Commission on the Arts
100 Riverview Center - Suite 140

Argentine Tango Series: Ready, Set, Go! at Vinnies

1-3pm: Tango 101 - Each month this class will cover fundamental elements that make up Argentine Tango. This class is geared for beginners and for others who want to brush up on their fundamentals for better control of their skills in more advanced material. The three critical leading and following elements are parallel and crossed system walking, forward and back ochos, and grapevine or molinete.

3-5pm: Tango 102 - Tango 102 will cover the fun applications that define the multiple expressive possibilities for both leader and follower in Argentine Tango. This class is geared for people who have some basic experience with Argentine Tango. Tango 101 students are welcome to also take the 102 class. Applications over the 3 months will include sandwiches, paradas, sacadas, boleos, trading center and circumference roles, planeos and calisitas, barridas, ganchos, and dancing to tango, milonga and vals music.

5-6pm: Guided Practica - The Guided Practica after the classes will be opportunity to practice material from the classes and get more individual feedback from the instructor.

Cost:
General: $30 for both classes and practica when pre-registered. $20 per class at the door
Students and seniors: $25 for both classes when pre-registered, $18 per class at the door

Register now online:
<http://www.vinniesjumpandjive.com/>
[link:http://www.vinniesjumpandjive.com/events.php#argentinetango]

Blues Fusion Dance at Vinnies Tonight!

Tonight at Vinnie's on Main Street, the dancing community of Middletown presents it's monthly blues dancing night, with DJed music by Chris Okansen and Tyler Ames (of NY). From 8-9 PM is a beginners/fundamentals class if you are new to dancing or if you need to brush up on your basics. No partner or experience is needed. After that, join us on the floor from 9-12pm for the dance!

Do I need a partner?
Nope! It’s fun to go with friends, but you’ll make lots of new friends at the dance, too!

Ok cool. But how much does all this cost?
$10 class & dance (general & students)
$8 dance-only general admission
$5 dance-only student admission