Central CT Blogs

• Two-wheel Turkey Delivery

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  Hundreds of motorcycles and their riders crowded Broad Street as turkeys were unloaded for the annual turkey run for the Red Cross sponsored by the Renegade Pigs motorcycle club Saturday around noon. [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 21, 2009, 1:46pm EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Ways to Serve the Community - Vacancies on Town Committees and Commissions

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  Mayor Sebastian Giuliano has said more than once in public, if you want to get involved in helping make the city a better place, volunteer to serve on a municipal committee or commission. There are several vacancies now open, some with party restrictions, and anyone interested in serving is advised [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 21, 2009, 8:27am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• UConn-Hartford Hospital deal is dead

  —Bristol Blog

  Number of comments: 5
  The Hartford Courant's Chris Keating has an email that indicates the proposal for a partnership between the UConn medical school and Hartford Hospital is kaput.Bristol Hospital officials are no doubt thrilled, having warned that a new hospital in Farmington, paid for by taxpayers, could cripple Bristol's own hospital.
  *******
  [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 20, 2009, 3:42pm EST
  by Steve Collins

• City to drop local emergency planning position

  —Bristol Blog

  Number of comments: 2
  The city plans to eliminate the part-time local emergency planning coordinator position it created 15 years ago.
  Its functions will be shifted to the Capitol Region Emergency Planning Committee beginning in January.
  The former chairman of the city’s Salary Committee, Frank Nicastro, said the move is part of the ongoing [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 20, 2009, 3:41pm EST
  by Steve Collins

• Open House at the Wesleyan Observatory

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  Wesleyan's Van Vleck Observatory will be hosting a special public event from 8-10 PM on Saturday, November 21st. This event is part of celebrations of the International Year of Astronomy, which commemorates the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first telescopic study of the sky. Visitors will be able to look through [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 20, 2009, 1:37pm EST
  by fishmuscle (Stephen H. Devoto)

• Bristol Mums owner dead at 62

  —Bristol Blog

  Number of comments: 4
  The owner of Bristol Mums - Jerry Heresko -- has died at age 63. It's a real loss to the community.Here's what reporter Jackie Majerus wrote about him back in 2007:
  Jerry Heresko knows his mums.

  Owner of Bristol Mums Inc., he oversees the cultivation of hundreds of thousands of the [...]

  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 20, 2009, 1:22pm EST
  by Steve Collins

• Middletown History Sunday at First Church

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  Normal MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:34am EST
  by John Hall

• South Church Snowflake Fair on Saturday

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 20, 2009, 10:08am EST
  by fishmuscle (Stephen H. Devoto)

• Water and Sewer Deparment RequestsRate Increase and Permission for Service Shut Offs

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 3
  With delinquencies still plaguing the department Water and Sewer Commissioner Guy Russo convened a special meeting of the WPCA (Water Pollution Control Authority) Thursday to vote on a request to conduct a hearing for a sewer usage rate increase.According to Russo's memo, the rate increase will amount to a 12% [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 20, 2009, 8:26am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Theater & Music Around Town (11/20-22)

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  Friday (today) November 20:A reminder: The Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presentation of "Around the World in 80 Days" has 2 performances this weekend - tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. To find out ticket availability, call 860-347-6143.The Buttonwood Tree presents Frank Critelli and Shandy Lawson tonight at 8 [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 20, 2009, 6:25am EST
  by CultureCreature (Richard B. Kamins)

• Memorial service for Deschaine on Saturday

  —Bristol Blog

  Number of comments: 3
  A memorial service hosted by a Washington, D.C. city council member will be held Saturday in the nation’s capital to honor Desi Deschaine, a Bristol native who drowned last summer in a boating accident.
  Deschaine, 30, made such a mark in politics in Washington that the Gertrude Stein Democrat Club [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 4:01pm EST
  by Steve Collins

• Conservation Commission Meeting Notes 11/12/2009

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  The Conservation Commission meets on the second Thursday of every month. The November meeting was held on 11/12. There were two members of the public present to address the Commission. David Bauer addressed the commission to say that it has been nearly a year since we celebrated the 90th birthday [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 3:04pm EST
  by Karen Swartz

• House Concert This Saturday - More Great Irish Music

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  THE MIDDLETOWNHOUSE CONCERT SERIES presents:John Whelan with Flynn Cohen Saturday, November 21st, at 8pmSuggested donation: $25 general in advance ($28 at the door), $12 students, $7 children 12 & underPlease call Jody Cormack 860-983-7963 for reservationsor email jcormack@wesleyan.eduAlthough he grew up near London in Dunstable, England, John Whelan was raised [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 2:57pm EST
  by CultureCreature (Richard B. Kamins)

• Transparency in Government: A View From the Inside

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  Commentary by John Milardo, President of the Middletown Managers and Professionals Association, Local #6092, AFT-CT. Milardo is Superintendent of Parks in Middletown's Park and Recreation Department. The views expressed in this article are those of Milardo and opposing viewpoints are welcome.The newly elected Middletown Common Council held their Organizational meeting [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 2:40pm EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Board of Ed Reduces Public Comment Time

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  At Tuesday night's Board of Education meeting, the Board voted on several policy changes, including a change to the Bylaws of the Board to reduce the amount of time individuals have to speak from 5 minutes to 3 minutes during the "public session" portion of the agenda.The Board also updated [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:40pm EST
  by Jam

• New Common Council Rules Amend Public Comment

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  As reported in the Eye, proposed new rules for public comment at Common Council meetings have been adopted.It is the responsibility of each newly-elected Council to review and amend rules as the Council sees a need for change or improvement.The new rules limit the amount of time for public comment [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 1:36pm EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Appointments Announced For City Commissions

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  At an organizational meeting held Tuesday November 17, the Common Council voted to appoint Republican Council member Joe Bibisi as the returning Deputy Mayor. In addition the Council voted and approved the following Coucil and mayoral appointments.FINANCE AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS:RONALD P. KLATTENBERG, CHAIRMAN GERALD E. DALEY HOPE P. KASPER JOSEPH [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 11:33am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Things to Do or Ponder the Next 2 Days

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  Today November 19:Need an escape from the onslaught of 24-hour news cycles? Bemoaning the loss of the warmer weather? Bored? Today at 12noon, The Russell Library has the cure for the symptoms above and more. The "Gutter to Penthouse" Film Series presents "Gold Diggers of 1933", a movie musical extravaganza [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 9:04am EST
  by CultureCreature (Richard B. Kamins)

• NEAR Receives Grant for Food Not Bombs

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  From North Ends Arts RisingThe Liberty Bank Foundation has graciously awarded a $2,000 grant toNorth End Arts Rising, Inc. for the Food Not Bombs food sharingprogram which happens Sundays at The Buttonwood Tree on the corner ofLiberty and Main Streets.Since 1997, the Liberty Bank Foundation has given over $5.4 million [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 5:00am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Middletown's State Reps Score Well on Environment

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 2
  The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters released their 2009 Scorecard for lawmakers in the State Capitol on Tuesday. Overall, 58% of the State Senators and Representatives were given an A or A+ on environmental voting. Middletown's delegation was even better than the rest of the State, of our 6 elected [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 19, 2009, 5:00am EST
  by fishmuscle (Stephen H. Devoto)

• Buttonwood Buzz

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  The Buttonwood Tree was a buzz Sunday with a full day of art music and food. Some arrived in time for the delicious lunch prepared by Food Not Bombs and left after the last note was played, some nine hours later! FAITH McCANN described her art exhibit, "Dreaming" and mingled [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 18, 2009, 6:48pm EST
  by Karen Swartz

• Discovering THE SKRIKER and The Eiko and Koma Retrospective Project

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  An excerpt from this week’s CFA Blog, written by Director Pamela Tatge: I’ve just wandered over to the CFA Theater where the Theater Department is preparing to open THE SKRIKER, by Caryl Churchill. Some of you may remember the department’s call to campus and community members for donations of items [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 18, 2009, 4:08pm EST
  by Adam Kubota

• Conversation on Health Care

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  Today, Wednesday September 18, 4:30 PM, WESU, 881.FM or www.wesufm.org. [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 18, 2009, 3:14pm EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Recycling Center Now Accepting #3-7 Plastic Containers

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  From Kim O'Rourke, Middletown Recycling CoordinatorIn an effort to encourage Middletown residents to recycle more, the City of Middletown is excited to announce that it will accept #3 - #7 plastic containers at its Recycling Center for recycling. Currently the City accepts plastic containers with a #1 and #2 on' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 18, 2009, 10:26am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Farmers' Market Today

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  The weekly Farmers' Market is moving indoors for the first time this year. It will be inside beautiful Beckham Hall on the Wesleyan campus (on Wyllys Avenue), from 11-2. The following local vendors will be there: Beltane Farms, Long Lane Farm, Three Sisters Farm, and Meriano's Bake Shop. You will' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 18, 2009, 9:39am EST
  by fishmuscle (Stephen H. Devoto)

• Redevelopment Agency to Keep Streetcar on Track

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  The Middletown Redevelopment Agency met on Tuesday at Middletown Transit Authority headquarters on Main Street to discuss plans for making progress on bringing a street car to Main Street. The city will pursue state and federal money to fund the streetcar, which will be a short spur, running from the [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 18, 2009, 7:52am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Can't See the Forest For the Trees They Cut Down To Print Their Paper

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 6
  CommentaryI spent $2.50 last week to prove a point to myself, and to you.The Middletown Press has begun to see, and portray Middletown through a particularly bloody lens.When one of the former reporters was leaving the employ of our hometown daily, the reporter chuckled and confided that the publisher wanted [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 18, 2009, 2:15am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• JCJ Architecture Presents Report to Board of Education

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  (Note: A complete report on the Board of Education meeting Tuesday will appear in a later post on the Middletown Eye.)On Tuesday, principal architect for JCJ Architecture, Greg Smolley shared his company's findings and conclusions with the Board of Education regarding a plan to redistribute students and reconfigure classrooms to [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 10:19pm EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• JCJ Report and Presentation Available on Web

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  For parents not able to attend Tuesday's presentation of recommendations by JCJ Architecture on the redistricting of elementary schools, the entire presentation, and detailed report are now available on the Middletown Public Schools website, here. [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 10:16pm EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Raczka Re-elected Board of Education Chair

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  As expected, Democrat Ted Raczka was re-elected Board of Education Chair, and Bill Boyd co-chair, and while the Democratic majority on the board tilted the vote in Raczka's favor, it was not a vote entirely along party lines.In fact, Democratic board member Renee Johnson-Thornton started the proceedings by breaking with [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 10:04pm EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Damn flu

  —Bristol Blog

  Number of comments: 23
  I'm down and out.
  *******
  Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
  Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 4:16pm EST
  by Steve Collins

• Correction: Soul of the People

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  November 18:The final event in the "Soul of a People" project takes place at 12:30 p.m. (and not 7 p.m. as I wrote earlier today) in the Library of Middlesex Community College, Training Hill Road. Anne Paluck will lead a discussion of Zora Neale Hurston's groundbreaking book "Their Eyes Were" [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 3:56pm EST
  by CultureCreature (Richard B. Kamins)

• PACE ourselves for Clean Energy

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  A common experience for almost everybody these days is the constant stream of invitations to events, pleas for donations, and calls to action. Whether its in your paper mail, your email inbox, over the phone, radio, or word of mouth, we are all constantly bombarded with messages and faced with [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 3:55pm EST
  by Karen Swartz

• JCJ Recommends Review/Redrawing of Elementary School District Lines and New Use for Macdonough

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 2
  (Proposed elementary school district realignment.)CORRECTION: At Tuesday's presentation by JCJ Architecture, the firm did not recommend the closure of Keigwin or a consolidation of the middle school as previously stated in this post before the presentation by JCJ Architecture.The conclusions drawn by a year-long study by JCJ Architecture of Middletown' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 11:29am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Jonah Center Presents Diane Lane on Global Warming

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  Tuesday, November 17, at 7 p.m. At First Church of Christ, Congregational (UCC) 190 Court Street, MiddletownUsing “Google Earth” to visualize changes across our planet, Diana Lane will give viewers a guided tour of future climate predictions for different regions across the world. What changes are predicted by 2030, 2050 [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 11:20am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• H1N1 Clinic on Sunday

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  From the Department of Health:-----------------The seventh in a series of H1N1 flu clinics sponsored by Mass Dispensing Area 36 (MDA 36) is scheduled:Sunday, November 22 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM Middlefield Federated Church402 Main Street, Middlefield. The Federated Church is opposite the Middlefield Fire Station. The clinic is open only [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 10:13am EST
  by fishmuscle (Stephen H. Devoto)

• Kleckowski Responds to Dan Russo

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 4
  Commentary, by Deborah Kleckowski---------Dan Russo shame on you! It is reprehensible that you have the audacity to spew lies and mischaracterizations, I can assure you, and the residents of Middletown, I did not have a ”worse attendance record than Barbara Plum” as you incorrectly stated. I regularly attended meetings and [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 8:58am EST
  by fishmuscle (Stephen H. Devoto)

• A First Look at the Arts This Week (Tuesday & Wednesday)

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  I'm in my typical post-production mode, basically laying about in a warm coat and "pass the remote." Thanks to all who came out to see "Juno & The Paycock" this past weekend, thanks for you responses and donations, most of which will go to Congregation Adath Israel and Oddfellows Playhouse' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 8:24am EST
  by CultureCreature (Richard B. Kamins)

• Committee Reportedly Studies Transformation of Macdonough to Magnet School

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  Tonight JCJ Architecture will discuss their recommendations for school redistricting at the Board of Education meeting (Middletown High School Communications Center, 7:00 PM), among those recommendations are several unconfirmed options for Macdonough Elementary school reported to the Eye.Macdonough has received well-deserved attention lately for an impressive improvement in learning and [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 17, 2009, 8:08am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Baldwin retires, new lawyers to be hired

  —Bristol Blog

  Number of comments: 22
  

  The retirement of longtime city lawyer Ann Baldwin leaves a gaping hole in the city attorney’s office.

  Baldwin, a 32-year veteran, was one of two full-time attorneys working for the city.

  Her departure means the city has to get by without a corporation counsel – the part-timer who’s supposed to [...]

  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 16, 2009, 6:13pm EST
  by Steve Collins

• United Way Seeking Tax Preparation Volunteers

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  From Jill Davoll at the Middlesex United WayHere’s a way to make a difference at tax time – volunteer to become a tax preparer and you can help working families get back the money they’ve earned. Free tax preparation services are available during the tax season through the Volunteer Income [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 16, 2009, 12:42pm EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Will Partisan Squabbles Hobble P&Z Again?

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 2
  It didn't take but a few moments.At the first meeting of the Planning and Zoning commission after the election, in which two new members were placed on the commission, the election of a chairperson turned the meeting into a contentious deja vu session of multiple vote-takings, without a commissioner ever' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 16, 2009, 8:52am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Middletown Resident Rockets to International Fame

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  The alternative rock group Weezer released a new album (Raditude) this month, with a cover photo that has catapulted Sidney the dog into fame and glory. Sidney, whose National Geographic photograph was previously reproduced in The Eye, shares a house in the South Farms district of Middletown with cats Pancho [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 16, 2009, 5:00am EST
  by fishmuscle (Stephen H. Devoto)

• The Nutcracker to be performed in Middletown

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  Candy come to life, dancing wooden toy soldiers, and a battle against the giant warrior mice and their evil king -- sound familiar? It's Tchaikovsky's classic holiday ballet: The Nutcracker. And this year, you won't have to go out of town to see it.Presented by the renowned ballet troupe Joseph' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 15, 2009, 12:30pm EST
  by Jen Alexander

• Jonah Center Advocacy Paved Way for Improved Parking Lot

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 1
  In May 2008, President Barry Chernoff and Executive Director John Hall testified before Middletown’s Inland Wetlands Commission, urging improvements to the proposed parking lot construction at Palmer Field. Specific recommendations included reduction of pavement area, retention of storm water run off, and a vegetated buffer to mitigate the parking lot’s [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 15, 2009, 12:19pm EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Renaissance impressed New Hampshire officials

  —Bristol Blog

  Number of comments: 25
  If you care about the fate of downtown, don't miss reporter Jackie Majerus' story today about the experience in Nashua, N.H. of one of the two competing developers. Click here to read it.
  You should also check out her piece previewing tomorrow's Bristol Downtown Development Corp. meeting.
  Figuring' [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 15, 2009, 9:20am EST
  by Steve Collins

• New Proposed Rules for Common Council Meetings Limit and Expand Public Comment

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 6
  A resolution for new rules for the Common Council has been submitted for a vote at the next Council meeting.These proposed rules contain some significant changes in the way the public will be able to address the Council.The proposed rule changes will be voted on at the first meeting of [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 14, 2009, 11:26am EST
  by Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)

• Trash Talk From Mayor Sets Wrong Tone At Start of New Term

  —NB Politicus

  Number of comments: 0
  Mayor Stewart began a new term this week with an official call for an "end to political warfare" between his office and the City Council, according to Courant coverage
  
  And there was some high-minded rhetoric from Stewart to get things going:
  
  "Today we stand at the" [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 14, 2009, 10:02am EST
  by NBpoliticus

• Noah Delivers

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  A splendid evening of music in Crowell Concert Hall with the world premiere of Noah Baerman's "Know Thyself." Big crowd as well and they were treated (in the second half of the show) to an expansive work, a 60-minute plus song cycle that was melodic, passionate, at times funky, sweet, [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:17pm EST
  by CultureCreature (Richard B. Kamins)

• Positive Deconstruction

  —Middletown Eye

  Number of comments: 0
  submitted by The Rockfall FoundationAs the season’s first frosts and holiday guests lurk around your doorstep, come gather amongst kindred spirits, bask in the ambience of sunny Italy—and explore the movement towards positive deconstruction here in Connecticut!Please join us for this month’s Meet Your Greens drinks at Tuscany Grill on [...]
  Share | Rate | Archive

  Posted: November 13, 2009, 9:32pm EST
  by Karen Swartz