First Contradance of 2012

Hi everyone!

The first contra dance at Wesleyan this semester will be this Friday, February 3rd.

8-11 pm

Beckham Hall
(on Wyllys Ave., on the Wesleyan campus)

The caller will be Luke Donforth, a young and energetic caller who's recently moved to Hartford.

Music will be by Jetstream: Emily Troll on fiddle and accordion, Josh Van Vliet on guitar, and Rebecca McCallum on fiddle.

As always, the dance is free and open for everyone (though we appreciate your donations.)

Beginners more than welcome! We'll see you on Friday! "

CFA February Schedule

Center for the Arts, Wesleyan University • Middletown, CT 06459 •www.wesleyan.edu/cfa • boxoffice@wesleyan.edu 860-685-3355 • CFA Blog • Facebook • Twitter

APOTHECARY (storehouse): new paintings by David Schorr Opening Reception: Friday, February 3, 5pm to 7pm Davison Art Center FREE! With more than 75 paintings on paper, this exhibition reveals the recent work of David Schorr, Wesleyan Professor of Art. Meticulously executed in gouache and silverpoint, the works in this series depict antique apothecary bottles, complete with mysterious labels such as Deep Dark Secrets, Sleepless Nights and Love Remembered. In the accompanying catalog, Phyllis Rose, Wesleyan Professor of English, Emerita, identifies the Shakespearean sources for labels such asRough Magic and Present Mirth. Other labels remain obscure, tantalizing the viewer, for whom the bottles dance just out of reach. APOTHECARY (storehouse): new paintings by David Schorr will be on view from Friday, February 3 through Thursday, March 8, 2012.

This Weekend: Great Small Works in CFA Hall Friday, February 3 & Saturday, February 4, 8pm CFA Hall Each performance will be followed by a post-show discussion. Tickets: $15 general public; $12 senior citizens, Wesleyan faculty/staff, non-Wesleyan studetns; $6 Wesleyan students "[Great Small Works has] breathed new, pointed life into the form of toy theater." -The Village Voice Co-founded in 1995 by Wesleyan alum Mark Sussman '85, the New York-based collective of Great Small Works met through their associations with Vermont's Bread and Puppet Theater. The group draws on folk, avant-garde and popular theater traditions to address contemporary social issues. The company's shows at Wesleyan this weekend will feature performances by Cassandra Burrows, John Bell, Trudi Cohen, Jenny Romaine and Xavier of the works Short, Entertaining History of Toy Theater; Toy Theater of Terror As Usual, Episode 12: Desert and Ocean, a surreal serial drama using excerpted texts and images quickly cut from daily newspapers; and Three Graces, acantastoria (picture-based storytelling work) in which three mythical graces - Harmony, Strategy and Splendor - float down to earth for an op-art romp inspired by Grace Paley, Grace Kelly, Grace Jones and Grace Lee Boggs.

Upcoming Events at the Center for the Arts Tickets are on sale now. Click here to buy your tickets online. Buy tickets to four or more Performing Arts Series events and save 10%! Buy tickets to six or more Performing Arts Series events and save 15%! Call or visit the Wesleyan University Box Office at 860-685-3355 to receive a discount on your purchase of four or more Performing Arts Series events. This special offer also applies to theOutside the Box Theater Series and the Wesleyan Jazz Orchestra Weekend. MUSIC 1. Karas String Quartet: Afternoon with Chamber Music - Sunday, February 5, 3pm, The Russell House 2. February Organ Fête- Friday, February 10, 8pm; Saturday, February 11, 4pm; Memorial Chapel 3. Music of Bresnick and Bruce - Sunday, February 12, 3pm, Crowell Concert Hall THEATER 4. Great Small Works - Friday, February 3 & Saturday, February 4, 8pm, CFA Hall 5. Theater after Wesleyan: Class of '06 - Monday, February 6, 5pm, CFA Hall SPECIAL EVENTS 6. RISK!- Friday, February February 10, 7pm & 10pm, Crowell Concert Hall IN THE GALLERIES 7. Passing Time - Through Sunday, March 4 in the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery 8. A Late Christmas Gift: Contemporary Prints from Japan - Wednesday, February 1 through Friday, March 9 at the Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies Gallery (Gallery Talk: Wednesday, February 1, Noon) 9. Pojagi Workshop with Jinyoung Kim - Sunday, February 5, 2pm, Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies Gallery 10. APOTHECARY (storehouse): new paintings by David Schorr - Friday, February 3 through Thursday, March 8 at the Davison Art Center (Opening Reception: Friday, February 3, 5pm)

Drew Proposes Senior Citizen Property Tax Programs

The Finance and Government Operations Commission voted on Wednesday evening to send to the full council an ordinance with three programs to provide tax relief for senior citizens. Mayor Dan Drew presented the programs to the Commission, with the technical support of Damon Braasch of the Tax Office. Each of the programs provides either a tax credit, a tax freeze, or a tax deferral.

With FGO approval, the tax relief ordinance will be voted on by the full Common Council at

Sell Jewelry To Support Project Graduation

From Diane Dianne Scotton, MHS Project Grad Publicity Coordinator
------------
MHS Project Graduation Presents:

GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE

FEBRUARY 7TH 6:30 – 8:30

at MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL in the Media Center
200 LaROSA LANE

How many single earrings, broken chains, bracelets and rings (including class rings) do you have that you’ll never wear? Turn that “old gold” jewelry into cash…you get the idea.Bring your gold and silver and walk away with a check.

PLEASE feel free to bring your friends & family – or just their gold! We can call them right from the party with a price!

JUST STOP BY!

15% of gold/silver bought will go to the Project Graduation Fundraiser

No money out of your pocket –JUST PICK UP YOUR CHECK!

PLEASE BRING DRIVERS LICENSE!

For more info email: MHS.PGrad@gmail.com

Nocera Promises Improvements

In a phone interview, the Chair of the Board of Education, Gene Nocera, told The Eye that the Board was committed to working with the City to resolve some of the issues raised by the recent audit of the city's finances. That audit found several issues of concern with the finances of the Schools.

Nocera said the first step was to get all of the parties together, and he said a meeting between himself, the Superintendent's Office, and the Mayor was being scheduled now. "We want to be certain the city and the Board of Education agree on the accounting principles."

Nocera said some of the issues in the audit are from last year. He spoke about the sharing of information among the city, the central administration, and the Board of Education, "If there was a problem with communication, it will be corrected."

Eye on...Food: Forbidden City Bistro

We introduce Eye on...Food, a monthly column by an average Joe turned critic.  The monthly column will put the microscope on local establishments, providing a unique take on food and other experiences in Middletown and surrounding areas.
Year of the Dragon Shines; Service “A Hot Mess”

It’s a good thing that Forbidden City makes a great entree.  Sure, there is the beautiful lighted bar area and the brick-lined main dining room.  Yes, the wine and martini selections are excellent.  And I need to mention the bathroom...man, I had to make excuses for multiple visits to the sleek, tile-covered bathroom.  But the frustratingly inconsistent service almost overshadows all of it.

Forbidden City Bistro recently featured a special “Year of the Dragon” menu headlined with its Year of the Dragon Dish.  A wok-flashed lobster was presented beautifully in dragon-like fashion with ginger and scallion seasoning, and it tasted as good as it looks.  For a restaurant with a largely static menu of favorites, the special menu brought some flair to the already creative cuisine.  From the looks of the number of similar crustaceans consumed by my fellow diners, this was truly was the start of the Year of the Dragon at Forbidden City.

The Peking Duck Confit “sandwich” represented a different take on the classic Peking Duck, with slow roasted duck combined with shiitake mushrooms on top of pillow buns.  Don’t know what a pillow bun is?  Sounds good though, huh?  The pillow buns were doughy pastries of goodness, the highlight of the meal, and the dish was served as a make-your-own-sandwich, accompanied by a soy-based sauce.  The dish was accompanied perfectly by a Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Savignon, a reasonable value on the extensive wine list.

Although the entrees soared, the other dishes of the night were largely forgettable.  A crab cake was plain, filler-filled. The crab cake was served with the same sauce as the spring rolls, which still remains a favorites.  And the recommendation would be to skip dessert and just make the drive to DQ after enjoying your wonderful entrees.  The Bourbon Pecan Tart was a pile of sweetened pecans in a flaky crust.  Good, but it was missing the creativity of their entrees.  And the “flourless” chocolate cake should have been described as the “tasteless” chocolate cake, a cold, flavorless brownie on a plate with a squirt of whipped cream.  Had me thinking that they perhaps should have added the flour after all.

And the service....oh, the service....was scattered and disorganized at best.  My dinner companion eloquently referred to it as a “hot mess.”  Even though we made reservations, we were offered a nice table behind a column and next to the kitchen and a door with a metal placard saying “Employees Only” and another ripped paper sign saying “Employees Only” in case you didn’t get it the first time.  Refusing that table, we were offered a table in the bar area.  The inattentive service and lack of open tables was blamed on a backup on the Arrigoni bridge, which compressed the reservations that evening.  However, that fact does not excuse being greeted with an “Are you ready to order?” which made me think I was dining at Applebee’s, not at an upscale Chinese restaurant with the best-looking bathrooms in Connecticut.

Most frustratingly, the Forbidden City seems to use a “team” approach to serving, meaning that you are not quite sure who your server is....or when your wine will be served....or when you will have bread....or if you need more water....you get the idea.  A basketball fan might liken it to a zone defense when a man-to-man might be more appropriate.  In particular, I like having someone looking after me when I dine, say, if I need to have chocolate cake taken off my bill.

So the Year of the Dragon roared in with mixed success at Forbidden City.  When you next make your reservations there, I strongly suggest focusing on the creative entrees and breathtaking bathrooms, but be ready to flag down a server, any server, to get attention.  For me, the food will keep bringing me back, but the service will keep me shaking my head.

Forbidden City Bistro is located at 335 Main Street in Middletown near Court Street.  Open for lunch and dinner daily (until 9:30 Sunday-Thursday; 10:30 on Friday and Saturday).  Dress is upscale casual and reservations are recommended (available online at opentable.com).  Bathrooms are available for patrons only...sorry.

Grand List Shows Very Small Drop

Property tax is the source of a large portion of the city's revenue. The total amount of property tax collected is a product of the tax (mill) rate and the aggregate value of all taxable property in the city. If there is a drop in the value of taxable property, then the tax rate on the remaining property must rise to maintain city revenue.

This year's Grand List has a total value of $3.74 billion. This is down by $11.3M from last year, a drop of about one third of one percent.

City Auditor: Board of Education Had $1M Deficit in 2011

The Finance and Government Operations Commission last night heard from Joe Kask, a partner in the accounting firm of Blum and Shapiro, which audited the financial statements of the city for the fiscal year ending on June 30th, 2011. Their report gave a glowing assessment of the city's financial book-keeping. However, Blum Shapiro uncovered several issues with the accounts of the Board of Education. These involved "internal control over financial reporting", and a combined "negative fund balances" of over $1M.

ARTISTS FOR WORLD PEACE ESTABLISHES NEW ARTIST’S FUND AT MxCC

The Artists for World Peace Foundation has established a new Artist’s Fund for students studying art, digital arts, music, theatre, broadcast cinema or multimedia at Middlesex Community College.  The new fund, which will be administered by the MxCC Foundation, will help students pay for art supplies, materials and student kits required for the different arts courses offered at the college.  Eligible students may apply for the funds each semester by completing the forms available online at www.mxcc.commnet.edu and at www.mxccfoundation.org.

The Artist’s Fund was created by Wendy Black-Nasta, an adjunct art professor at MxCC, and founder of Artists for World Peace, a renowned Connecticut-based non-profit organization with the mission of “creating opportunities for artistic expression – fostering world peace and raising funds to benefit humanitarian causes around the world.” 

 
As an accomplished jewelry designer, Black-Nasta has created unique pieces for museums, galleries, and stores around the world (including Macy's, Sak's Fifth Avenue, and Jacobson's). In 2003 she created a sterling silver belt using out-of-circulation coins and gems representing 115 countries and symbolizing the peaceful unity of all nations. This belt became known as The International Peace Belt (TIPB), and has traveled to 24 countries on 5 continents under the stewardship of Artists for World Peace.  It has been worn during hundreds of artistic performances, sacred ceremonies, and at peaceful and spiritual gatherings in New York (Ground Zero), South Korea, Haiti, Spain, Brazil, Tanzania, Canada, Egypt, Tonga, Scotland, and more.

“We know art is such a crucial part of our society, bringing people together, inspiring thought, and achieving positive goals such as peace,” explains Black-Nasta.  “We all benefit when we support artists on any level, but I think most especially at the student level, when new artists are learning how to integrate their talents into their careers and lives.  The Artist’s Fund will alleviate some of the financial pressures they may be feeling so they can focus on their purpose at MxCC – to become part of the next generation of artists.”

Each semester, the MxCC Foundation will oversee a review committee to evaluate all applications for the Artist’s Fund and select recipients for the awards.  This year, the committee will include MxCC professors Judith DeGraffenried, Matt Weber, and Donna Bontatibus, along with MxCC Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Steve Minkler. 

Founded in 1966, Middlesex Community College (www.mxcc.commnet.edu) is an independent member of the Connecticut Community College System. The school offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs on its main 38-acre campus in Middletown, and at the Meriden Center in downtown Meriden. 

CHC Launches National Music Video Campaign featuring local Macdonaugh Students

From the CHC Press Release: Recess Rocks Launches National Music Video to Fight Childhood Obesity Recess Rocks has teamed up with Steve Roslonek of PBS Kids’ popular show “SteveSongs” to produce an energetic Recess Rocks theme song and music video, designed to spur kids into action. The music video as well as other Recess Rocks resources, blend a variety of aerobic movements—like kickboxing, African drumming and yoga— with upbeat, energizing music. The sustained-activity programs can be used at school to get kids fit, sharpen young minds, encourage natural “feel-good” energy, build self-esteem and nurture lifelong healthy habits. Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC) developed Recess Rocks – a national program to reverse childhood obesity and to redefine and redesign how recess is incorporated into the school day. Recess Rocks is a free, dynamic movement program for elementary school children that can be adapted to any part of the school day. It brings fun, non-competitive aerobic exercise and kinesthetic learning into the classroom and beyond. Download the theme song from iTunes. Visit www.RecessRocks.com to watch the music video and learn more about how to get started with Recess Rocks in your community. Recess Rocks is a program of the Community Health Center, Inc. 635 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457 www.chc1.com

Healthline Radio Update

Contact: Louis Carta

Phone: 860.398.1824

NUTRITION & EXERCISE RADIO TOPIC

Middletown — Pam Rosow, Sports Nutritionist for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center,

is the guest on the next edition of the health-information radio program — Healthline. Ms.

Rosow will discuss the role of good nutrition and regular exercise in combating obesity, heart

disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.

Regular exercise not only prevents or lowers the risks of serious health conditions but promotes

psychological well-being, strengthens the body and improves the flexibility of joints and bones.

Good nutrition is just as important because it enables you to manage weight keep you energized

and helps reduce the risks of developing chronic diseases.

Healthline is produced by the Middletown Health Department and can be heard Saturday,

February 4 at 3:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. on WIHS 104.9 FM and “on-demand” at

cnxradio.com.

Author reads at Russell House

Author Daniyal Mueenuddin

The 2012 Jacob Julien Visiting Writers

Wednesday, February 15^th, 2012

Russell House, 350 High Street, Middletown, CT

8 P.M.

Celebrated author Daniyal Mueenuddin will read from his recent work on Wednesday, February 15^th, 2012 at 8:00 P.M.in Wesleyan University’s Russell House, 350 High Street, Middletown, CT.

Daniyal Mueenuddin’s first story collection, In Other Rooms, Other Wonders, was the 2010 winner of The Story Prize and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. His stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, and other periodicals and in The Best American Short Stories 2008 (selected by Salman Rushdie) and PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories 2010. A graduate of Yale Law School, he practiced law in New York for a number of years. He now lives on a farm in Pakistan’s southern Punjab.

Of Mueenuddin’s recent work, In Other Rooms, Other Wonders (W.W. Norton & Company), Robert Braile of The Boston Globe has said, “The eight short stories of Daniyal Mueenuddin’s enchanting debut are dreamlike, illuminating contemporary Pakistan’s societal contradictions in prose as clear and serene as the contradictions themselves are subtle and tumultuous.”

Mueenuddin’s collection was praised by Publishers Weekly: “An elegant stylist with a light touch, Mueenuddin invites the reader to a richly human, wondrous experience.”

Free and open to the public.

Reception and book signing to follow the reading.

For more information, please call 860.685.3448 or visit http://www.wesleyan.edu/writing/community/writing-events.html.