Celebrate Love this Weekend at The Buttonwood Tree with Waberi Jordan!

Waberi Jordan returns to The Buttonwood Tree for the 2nd time, to celebrate Love.

Friday, February 15, 8-10pm

“If one were to describe Waberi’s Sound, one might say that it is an Inter-Galactic fusion of deliciously playful rhythm splashed across a Cosmic canvas on which her voice shines through  like a symphony of Angels dancing through the air…”

…

February 15th, by popular demand she takes the stage, with music that speaks to the heart and warms the soul. And if all the stars align, there will be a few joyous surprises as well!

Having begun her musical Journey in Los Angeles – specifically in Leimert Park – her mentors and influences include Billy Higgins, Horace Tapscott’s Pan Afrikan Peoples’ Arkestra and the Great Voice of U.G.M.A.A. and the inimitable Dwight Trible who admonished her to follow her heart with her music and voice when he was so moved by her haunting-yet-refreshed recording of Strange Fruit. Dwight “made it his life’s work to help the world to hear her voice.” More than a beautiful voice and a guitar, Waberi performs music that is reflective of a complex narrative, gently sculpted around jazz, blues, and her own style that makes Jordan highly sought after as a featured vocalist and collaborator. Some of the most innovative and exciting new musicians, from multiple genres, has garnered Waberi a swiftly growing international audience from Los Angeles and New York to UK, France and Amsterdam

Details here

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nationofwaberia

Aligned with Source: A Personal Development Workshop & Meditation

February 16 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

This Weeks Topic: REVERENCE

How do we approach others & all things in our life? What does it mean to be in reverence? How does it change our lives?

Explore simple concepts of living in awareness that: open you up to the wonders of life; discover who you are; let go of fear and all that keeps you stuck. You create your reality and as co-creator of this world, find out how you can bring to it and you, peace, harmony, health and abundance. Each session ends in a powerful guided meditation.

Suggested donation: $10

TEEN OPEN MIC

February 16 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Teens, looking for a place to perform? A place to recite your latest poem?

How about your newest original scene? Or, a time-tested monologue? If so, The Buttonwood Tree Teen Open Mic is FOR YOU!

Be a part of Buttonwood’s first ever open mic specifically for teen performers ages 12-18. Perform any type of artwork: you can use our piano or bring a guitar, ukulele, or other instrument to play! Cover your favorite song or perform an original! Whether it is your first time performing or you are an experienced teen musician, poet, or artist, the Buttonwood Tree is a positive, supporting environment for teens to perform. Parents and friends are welcome to come support!

Thanks to our sponsor, the Community Foundation of Middlesex County for supporting this program and Matt at the Middlesex Music Academ for providing a back line of a full drum kit, bass amp and guitar amp with advance notice. Email or call us to make arrangements. Details here

Facebook: @tbt.teen.open.mic 

  The Brett Bottomley Trio will perform at The Buttonwood Tree

Saturday, February 16th    8-10pm   $15.  Reservations suggested

 

An All-star group featuring internationally renown Chapman Stick player BrettBottomley. The Trio performs Latin , Original and Jazz standards. The All Star cast includes Ken Fischer on piano and  Bob Ahern on drums. Details here

Brett Bottomley Trio Website

Tai Chi Classes Start This Week at The Buttonwood Tree

Simple Tai Chi 

“Just for the Health of it” with Mike McEwen

The Buttonwood Tree offers a diverse array of programs to the community, with a new class starting this Wednesday and Thursday, Feb 13 and 14, "Simple Tai Chi". The same class is offered twice, and participants may attend either or both, but must Pre-register, no walk-ins accepted. Register here


Fun, informative & life-changing, this Simple Tai Chi class was created for busy people of all ages. Give yourself the gift of better health and more relaxation with this 8 week class.

Mike understands the challenges of finding time for yourself and realizes the value in quieting the mind and relaxing the body.  With an emphasis on reducing stress to improve your overall good health, it also serves to build a stronger focus.  All are welcome to learn these Simple Tai Chi techniques and principles that can be utilized in your every day movements.

This class allows you to receive the best of Tai Chi, without struggling to fit the lengthy study of a traditional Tai Chi class into your busy lives. Mike became a certified instructor of Tai Chi in 2006, from Central Connecticut Tai Chi Ch’uan. He also has over 25 years experience as a practitioner of Qi gong and Reiki Healing Energy. He has a strong passion to share this knowledge with others and has lead previous classes at The Buttonwood Tree. Recognizing the health and other benefits that one receives, by the power of this life force energy better known as Qi energy, former students have requested more classes … here they are!

Find out more, and register here.
Classes are held at The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street, Middletown.
More info: (860) 347-4957 or email to TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com

~ First Church Presents: DANCE with L.A.M.F. ~

Dance on Middletown's 2nd-best dance floor!
First Church Middletown  *  190 Court Street  *  Side Door

 Free or $5, as you are able  * All proceeds to First Church

Geen Thazhampallath Offers a Tribute To Tom Serra

Former mayor and Common Council majority leader Tom Serra died this week after a battle with pancreatic cancer.  This tribute is authored by Geen Thazhampallath, who interned with Serra and is now the city's Parking Director.

Thomas J. Serra is the G. O. A.T. Greatest Citizen. Greatest Public Servant. Greatest Middletonian of All Time. No one is even close.

Is the G.O.A.T. Brady or Montana? Is it Lombardi or Belichick? Jordan or Lebron? Is it FDR, or Lincoln? The debates are endless and the answers usually tinged by one’s own time of life.

Here in Middletown, there are certainly formidable names to consider for our G.O. A. T. nominations. Past and Present. Titans of business, icons of education, sports, arts, and pols that have served at every level. Garafalo, McHugh, Masselli, Alexander, Cacciola, Gallitto, Cotton, Thompson, Baldwin, Snow, Bysiewicz. All worthy of mention. None worthy of the top spot. That spot belongs solely to the life and now memory of Tom Serra.

Serra was a god-like figure in my life from about age 10 when I first saw him throw a 30-yard perfect spiral, in a dress suit, to my buddy on Roberta Drive, while he was out campaigning for Council. Over the next 35 years he moved from god-like figure to father figure as our lives crisscrossed each other. Five years ago, I lost my dad. Tom filled the void as we often talked about life and true public service.

You probably are thinking that filling a void in one life doesn’t qualify anyone to be the G.O.A.T. You may be right in that assessment except for the fact that Tom played the role of mentor, friend, cheerleader, fixer, and family patriarch in hundreds, if not thousands, of local lives.

• He served as principal of Vinal High School for two decades touching the lives and careers of young people that now reach into every facet of service, manufacturing, carpentry, and technical know- how throughout Middletown and Middlesex County.
• He helped shape the very Middletown skyline that we see today. He was there when the State Court, Kidcity, the Middlesex Tower, Aetna complex, Fed-Ex and other major projects took height and flight.
  
• Tom wasn’t just a former Mayor, current Councilman or Majority Leader, he was a civic giant unlike any other. His public service was eclipsed only by his fervent love of family, his support or leadership of veterans, public schools, public sports and recreation, the Sports Hall of Fame, St. Sebastian’s parish, and local labor organizations. Few, if any, have showed up at every civic club event, dinner or fundraiser and served the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce like Tom did. In the last few years he often mentioned to me that his greatest love was organizing the Chamber’s career fair for young people. Once a teacher, always a teacher.
• He was a high school sports legend in his own right and still physically looked the part in his 70s. We should also remember that the sports legend of yesterday was called upon in 2006 to save his old school one last time. If it weren’t for Tom, the new MHS would still be a giant hole in the ground. Trust me. I was the one in the back ground calculating what goal line we needed Tom to cross, for all of us, one more time. A million dollars here, another four million there.
• Here’s the ultimate irony. He did all this in a very public eye that spanned over 50 years of his life often getting blamed for things he had nothing to do with. Yet, not one bit of it makes him the G.O.A.T. He and anyone else, in that rare high air, are not there based on what we see, but it’s based on all that stuff we don’t see. It’s based on all the extra work, sacrifice, personal advice, and private calls for help answered, that makes them great. That’s the stuff of legends. That’s the stuff that will always make Tom Serra Middletown’s G.O.A.T. End of debate.

Senate Proposal Would Connect City to State and National Trails Network

Our City lies between two regionally known trails for bicycles and walkers, and yet is currently connected to neither. A bill introduced in the state legislature proposes to remedy this.  

From the Jonah Center, click to enlarge

The north-south Farmington Canal Heritage Trail is an 82 mile trail for bicycles and pedestrians that runs from New Haven to Northampton, with a few short interruptions. The 48 miles from New Haven to Tariffville are part of the East Coast Greenway Trail, which will stretch from Maine to Florida.

The east-west Airline trail begins in the village of Thomson, in the far northeast corner of the state, and was recently extended to Portland.

Neither trail reaches our city.

Our city's two State Senators, Mary Abrams and Matt Lesser, are cosponsors of a bill whose purpose is to connect our city to both of these trails. The connection would pass through the Meriden train station, allowing bicycle access to the New Haven to Springfield train service.

The Transportation Committee at the Capitol will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 10:30 A.M. in Room 1E of the LOB. Letters in support or opposition to this  proposed trail system can also be sent to the Transportation Committee, and to Senators Mary Abrams and Matt Lesser.

Part of the proposed connection would utilize a proposed Newfield corridor trail. This trail is the subject of a public hearing also on Wednesday,  in the Community Room of the Police Station at 222 Main Street.

New Multi-Use Trail Being Planned

Middletown’s Department of Public Works has scheduled an important hearing on the Newfield Corridor Trail on Wednesday, February 13, 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Police Station at 222 Main Street. The Department of Public Works will make a brief presentation on the planning, surveying, and design phase of the project. Members of the public will have an opportunity to express support and ask questions.

The Jonah Center began advocating in 2012 for a multi-use trail that will start close to the downtown area (such as Veterans Park) and connect with the Mattabesset Bike Path in the Westfield/Westlake section of the city at Tuttle Road. We are excited and delighted that the Public Works Department appears ready to move forward with this long-awaited and talked-about project. The process of route definition, survey, wetland delineation, permitting, and design is likely to take a number of years. The Jonah Center and Middletown’s Complete Streets Committee would appreciate your presence and show of enthusiasm at this meeting to send a strong message to City officials that bicycle and pedestrian are important to you. A strong turnout will help move the project along at a quicker pace! 

The City has many infrastructure projects in the works and tends to give priority to those that are perceived to benefit the largest number of residents. So it is important to show that this project has strong support and matters to residents from all over town, not just to those who live in the immediate vicinity of the trail. Delays could result in the funds earmarked for the project purchasing far less than they would have originally. 

More information on the trail can be found by clicking on the following links:

Newfield Corridor Trail

Air Line Trail – Farmington Canal Trail Connector Route.

Opinion: Board of Education Chair Should Not Be a Mayoral Appointee

From Lisa Loomis, member of the Middletown Board of Education.
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Senator Duff’s bill allowing mayors to appoint the chair of the board of education in municipalities where the education budget comprises more than 50% of the overall municipality’s budget is wrong-headed.

Senator Duff has provided a weak explanation to justify this proposal: “elected officials of a community are the one that put budgets to their residents and ultimately are held accountable.” Duff is suggesting the mayor is held accountable for the board of education budget, so the mayor should have more power over it. Municipalities that have elected boards, as we do in Middletown, already have that accountability in place. Duff’s proposal would put an appointed person, not an elected official, in a position of significant sway over the education budget - this decreases accountability and transparency, rather than increasing it. Duff knows that saying this proposal would increase accountability makes it more palatable to voters, but what it really does is increase the mayor’s power at the expense of the community and the superintendent.

Having an appointed chair unnecessarily complicates the relationships between the board members and potentially with the superintendent. The mayor’s appointee may feel beholden to the mayor and may therefore act in his/her best interests and not in the best interests of the children, and s/he may not be willing to work in good faith with other board members and the superintendent.

Essentially, this bill would require certain municipalities to have a hybrid board, that is a board comprised of both elected and appointed members. There is no clear evidence within education research that a particular board structure is more effective than another, probably because municipalities are so different that what works in one place may not work in another. That is why this is a choice communities should make for themselves, not be foisted upon them by outside lawmakers. Anyone who values community voice in school governance should call on Senator Duff to withdraw this bill.

Cardinal Kids teaches free arts and science classes

Cardinal Kids is a teaching collective run by Wesleyan students from all domains of campus life. They have recently partnered with Wesleyan RJ Julia to bring free arts and science programming to children in grades 1-5. All events are free. See full list of events here: https://www.wesleyanrjjulia.com/events.asp

This Weekend at The Buttonwood Tree Jazz Trio, Stan Sullivan & Friends and More

This weekend at The Buttonwood Tree The TJ Thompson Trio will join us for an evening of jazz, Friday, February 8 at 8-10 pm. Seats may be reserved online here.

Winner of the IMEA Jazz Artist of the Year for their recent album Take Two: The Sound of Playing, this group plays a combination of originals along with the Soul, Blues, and Jazz of New Orleans, Memphis, and beyond. We cover everything from Jelly Roll Morton, Professor Longhair, Thelonious Monk, Booker T and the MG’s, Jimi Hendrix, The Dead, and more. Leader T.J. Thompson performed with Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, and as a result was a featured artist on Branford Marsalis’ Jazz Set show on NPR. In 1998 he recorded and produced Thompson Trio Take One, an album consisting mostly of original works, which received good reviews from Goldmine and Cadence magazines. A student of both Henry Butler and George Cables, he has opened for and worked with such artists as Henry Butler, Mel Torme, Ed Thigpen, Dave Liebman, and Koko Taylor as well as being a featured soloist on the Morgan Powell Jazz Album.

Reverb Nation: Songs and Info

Aligned with Source:  A Personal Development Workshop & Meditation

 Details here

10:30-12 pm

Topic: NURTURING THE SOUL

How complete within yourself do you feel? Do you see yourself as different, superior or lacking? Give yourself the gift of Acceptance. In times when your personal path seem to conflict with collective path, where do you look or choose & how do you make sense of your role?

Explore simple concepts of living in awareness that: open you up to the wonders of life; discover who you are; let go of fear and all that keeps you stuck. You create your reality and as co-creator of this world, find out how you can bring to it and you, peace, harmony, health and abundance. Each session ends in a powerful guided meditation.

Suggested donation: $10 (Give what you can)

Saturday, February 9, 4-6 pm come and meet the artist for this month.

"Be Love Now" Cathy Valley Art Reception

“I borrowed the title for the show from a book by Ram Dass: “Be Love Now”. The paintings represent a Love of Nature; a love between humans, a love of felines, a love of birds, and hopefully they also depict the invisible quality of Love that just Is….”-Cathy Valley

Ms. Valley has a Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy from Central CT State University, studied art at Swain School of Design in New Bedford, MA and attended The Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven, CT. 

Saturday, February 10th at 8-10pm folk/americana artist Don Sineti will be perform with guitar instrumentalist Stan Sullivan along with Steve Roys on concertina/harmonicas and Cece Borjeson on banjo/harmony vocals.

Playing the banjo in old time and claw hammer styles, Don will sing songs from his CDs A Sailor’s Valentine, Dog Watch and Iron Men and Wool Ships. Co-founder of the CT Cetacean Society and a fine artist, Don promotes awareness of whales and dolphins through his music and superb oil paintings and drawings. Hartford-based Stan Sullivan has competed in Finger style Guitar competitions in 6 states and Canada and has won songwriting award for his multi-topic songs at festivals in Kansas and Arizona. Special guest Cece Borjeson will sit in with Stan on banjo and harmony vocals. Stan will perform songs and tunes from his CDs The Right Road and Do You Like the Rain? plus covers of Richard Thompson’s “Dimming of the Day” and Sting’s “ Fields of Gold.”  

Sea music master and Folk/Americana artist Don Sineti will perform a split-bill concert with award-winning singer- songwriter and guitar instrumentalist Stan Sullivan. Don has entertained audiences from Mystic to Maui and Nantucket to the North Sea.He will be joined by Steve Roys on the concertina and harmonicas. Seats may be reserved online here.

The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center is located at 605 Main Street, Middletown. There is ample, free parking behind It's Only Natural market. Refreshments, viewing of Buttonwood's Art show, the bookstore and refreshments are all open and available. Call for info: (860) 347-4957. If you want to see what events we have lined up for the month check our website's event calendar here.

If you still need to be convinced or would like a sample of what the evening will have in store there are videos down below of Stan's and Don's performances!

It’s Not Too Late to Enroll at MxCC for Spring Classes

Middlesex Community College offers “late-start” classes that begin throughout the Spring 2019 semester in Middletown and online. Students can still take advantage of a broad range of continuing education courses and noncredit certificate programs available during the semester.

For a list of classes that begin on February 19, 2019, please visit the college’s website at https://mxcc.edu/late-start. For more information about late-start courses, please contact the Office of Enrollment Services at 860-343-5719 or email mx-enrollmentservices@mxcc.edu. To register for a course, students can visit the Office of Enrollment Services located in Founders Hall at Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Road in Middletown, Connecticut.

In addition, several accelerated online classes begin on March 3 and April 14. Students can earn three credits in five weeks. Course subjects include criminal justice, communications, history, marketing, sociology, and more.

Since 1966, Middlesex Community College has provided high-quality, affordable, and accessible education to a diverse population, enhancing the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. A part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, MxCC offers more than 70 degree or certificate programs at the main 38-acre campus in Middletown, MxCC@Platt in Meriden, and online.

Rare Treat of a Gypsy Swing Jazz Band Performing This Weekend at The Buttonwood Tree

 The Buttonwood Tree welcomes Annaita's return this Saturday, February 2nd at 10:30-12 pm!

Aligned with Source:  A Personal Development Workshop & Meditation

 Details here

Topic: EXPRESSION of SELF

Harness your Power, Be your fullest Self

In times when your personal path seem to conflict with collective path, where do you look or choose & how do you make sense of your role?

Explore simple concepts of living in awareness that: open you up to the wonders of life; discover who you are; let go of fear and all that keeps you stuck. You create your reality and as co-creator of this world, find out how you can bring to it and you, peace, harmony, health and abundance. Each session ends in a powerful guided meditation.

Suggested donation: $10 (Give what you can)

SATURDAY, February 2nd The Django's Reserve formally known as The Three Buskateers are coming to The Buttonwood Tree! Seats may be reserved online here.

Django's Reserve

(The Three Buskateers) 

Tickets: $15

Django’s Reserve is an all acoustic ensemble that came together because of three guitarist’s mutual admiration of the music of the legendary Django Reinhardt. Luke Hendon, John Florio and Preston Parish weave their way from jazz standards of the 30’s and 40’s up to the present with tasty harmonies and original arrangements. Armed with European style guitars popularized by Reinhardt, the accomplished group creates a sound that mixes contemporary sounds, world music and an infectious swing. An acoustic jazz trio featuring guitarists playing European-style Selmer-Maccaferri guitars. Their repertoire consists of jazz standards popularized by Django Reinhardt in the 30s & 40s, as well as contemporary music ranging from video game themes to arrangements from other genres. An acoustic jazz trio featuring guitarists playing European-style Selmer-Maccaferri guitars. Their repertoire consists of jazz standards popularized by Django Reinhardt in the 30s & 40s, as well as contemporary music ranging from video game themes to arrangements from other genres.

Django’s Reserve is an acoustic jazz trio featuring guitarists playing European-style Selmer-Maccaferri guitars. Our repertoire consists of jazz standards popularized by Django Reinhardt in the 30s & 40s, as well as contemporary music ranging from video game themes to arrangements from other genres. Our group features NYC transplant Luke Hendon, Norwalk native John Florio, and Preston Parish, out of Torrington.

Soundcloud:https://soundcloud.com/user-681652401-861332850/sets/djangos-reserve-repertoire-selections

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djangosreserve/

The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center is located at 605 Main Street, Middletown. There is ample, free parking behind It's Only Natural market. Refreshments, viewing of Buttonwood's Art show, the bookstore and refreshments are all open and available. Call for info: (860) 347-4957. If you want to see what events we have lined up for the month check our website's event calendar here.

Meet Your Greens with State Senator Matt Lesser

The Rockfall Foundation is holding its monthly February Green Drinks environmental networking event on Thursday, February 21st at BaciGrill, 134 Berlin Road, Cromwell. All are welcome to join for drinks and conversation 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Our guest speaker will be State Senator Matt Lesser who will talk about the state’s budget and issues facing Connecticut, from insurance to environment.

Senator Matt Lesser is serving his first term representing the 9th State Senate District: Middletown, Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Newington and Wethersfield after serving five terms in the House. He's chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee, and serves on the Appropriations, Judiciary, Energy & Technology, Labor & Public Employees and Education Committees. Matt is an active member of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators.

Join us for socializing and to hear the guest speaker!

For those of you not familiar with Meet Your Greens: Middletown Green Drinks, this monthly event provides networking opportunities for anyone who is interested in making connections and exchanging news about emerging environmental issues to help keep Lower Connecticut River Valley communities green and growing. An official location of Green Drinks International, this informal monthly gathering of people drawn from the community, nonprofit groups and the business world offers time to brainstorm ideas and plant seeds for collaboration. All are welcome and there is no admission fee, unless otherwise noted. For more information, please visit our website.