Town Times & Places

TUESDAY

November 18

PFLAG Meeting

Greater New Haven/Shoreline Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays) meets to offer support, information, and education and to advocate for LGBT loved ones. They maintain a lending library of materials on the various aspects of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender life. Meetings are held at the Church of the Redeemer 185 Cold Spring Street, New Haven, the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For more info e-mail greaternewhavenpflag@yahoo.com or call (203) 458-0493.

Heritage Quilters

Heritage Quilters of Wallingford will meet in the Auditorium at Masonicare, Masonic Avenue in Wallingford. The evening's program will be "Four Decades of My Mother's Quilts," a lecture and trunk show by Nancy Hooper. Please note: refreshment and social time 6:30 to 7 p.m., meeting begins promptly at 7 p.m. Heritage Quilters meets at this location on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Guests and new members are welcome; guest donation $5. For information, call (203) 269-2065.

Cancer Survivor Clinics

The Cancer Center at MidState will be launching Survivorship Clinics for cancer survivors who have completed treatment but are still looking for ongoing support. Leaders will help survivors adjust to life after cancer. The program will be held in the Horwitz Conference Center, and a light dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program from 6 to 8 p.m. Visit www.midstatemedical.org for future clinics.

BKPTA

The Brewster Korn Parent Teacher Association will meet at Brewster School at 6:30 p.m.

Powerful You

Powerful You meetings are open to all women from business owners, corporate executives and non-profit companies to women who do not have a job or a company to represent. Membership in the group is not required to attend meetings. Powerful You! Women's Network will hold its next meeting at 8 a.m., at Friendly's restaurant, 851 Washington St. in Middletown. This month's group discussion is about The Pleasures of Food: How food affects our life and how life affects our food. We will also have a guest speaker that will be discussing "Internet Marketing on a Shoestring." There is a $10 charge for first time attendees. Visit the meetings page at www.powerfulyou.com for more information or call Karen Gregaitis at (860) 250-8048 or Jessie at (860) 343-0077.

Blood Drive

Notre Dame Church, Main Street in Durham will host a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE for more information or to make an appointment.

WEDNESDAY

November 19

TOPS

Durham TOPS Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. For information call Naomi Klotsko at (860) 349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at (860) 349-9433.

Shopping Spree

Join the ladies of the Lions Club in a shopping spree to be held at St. Colman's Church, Hubbard Street in Middlefield from 6 to 8:30 p.m. There will be various local vendors showcasing their items. The goal is to have a good time and to help raise money to support the Lion's efforts to prevent blindness.

Welcome Home

Robert Wasilewski, of Durham will be returning from Iraq. A welcome home party is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Danbury War Memorial. Wasilewski is with the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion as an Army Reservist.

Business Seminar

Understanding the Generations will be presented from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Chamber conference room, 393, Main St. in Middletown, with Dr. Michael Stern and John A. Green. For tickets, call (860) 347-6924 or e-mail info@middlesexchamber.com.

Parents Forum

The CRHS Parents Forum will be meeting at 7 p.m. in the CRHS library. Representatives of parent and community organizations that impact Coginchaug High School will present information about their groups and how they contribute to the needs of students at Coginchaug. Everyone is welcome.

THURSDAY

November 20

Easy Holiday Gifts

Learn how to make unique, creative gifts at noon at the Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown. They will teach you how to handcraft unique jewelry, prepare wonderful edible jar mixes, assemble forced bulb kits and make lovely rubber stamped greeting cards. Instructors will provide easy to follow directions plus all the necessary supplies. Bring your lunch and the library will serve dessert and beverages.

T-Shirt Deadline

The deadline is today to submit your Nice T-Shirt design on a clean piece of white paper and send to Nice T-Shirt, P.O. Box 355, Durham, CT 06422. Call (860) 349-0727 with questions.

FRIDAY

November 21

Business Networking

The local chapter of Business Networking International will meet in the United Churches hall, 228 Main St. in Durham at 7:30 a.m. this and every Friday. Midstate BNI has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in business for local businesspeople through member referrals, while providing higher levels of accountability and service to customers. To learn more about this professional and dynamic group, contact Kirk Hagert at (860) 349-5626 for more information.

Dance Program

Wesleyan University hosts Tere O'Connor tonight and tomorrow at 7 and 9:30 p.m. with a performance of "Rammed Earth," which explores architecture as a fundamental, subliminal force in the choreographic form as well as in the human experience. Visit www.tereoconnordance.org for more information.

Poet Magdalena Gomez

Magdalena Gomez will perform at the Green Street Art Center, 51 Green St. in Middletown from 8 to 9:30 p.m. with a potluck reception at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8, $5 for seniors, students and members. For more information call (860) 685-7871 or visit www.greenstreetartscenter.org.

Candlelight Concert

The Wesleyan Concert Choir will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. in the Memorial chapel on the Wesleyan campus. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

SATURDAY

November 22

Setback Tournament

The K-Club's annual setback tournament will be held at 168 Main St. in Rockfall at 7 p.m. Donation is $10 per person. For directions call (860) 346-9521.

Craft Fair

Haddam-Killingworth Middle School PTO is holding its 21st annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at HK Middle School, 451 Route 81 in Killingworth. Admission is free. There will be over 50 professional crafters, lunch, snacks and a bake sale.

Holiday Bazaar

MidState Medical Center will hold the auxiliary holiday craft bazaar in the Horwitz Conference Rooms from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All items are handmade by employees and volunteers and include jewelry, purses, scarves, belts, lotions and accessories for the home. Twenty percent of all sales will benefit the MidState Auxiliary, which supports the hospital through volunteering and fundraising activities.

SUNDAY

November 23

Publishing a Children's Book

Barbara Mariconda, published writer and experienced educator, comes to RJ Julia, 768 Boston Post Rd. in Madison at 4 p.m. to answer all your questions on getting your manuscript published as a children's book. Learn how to navigate the complicated and seemingly impenetrable world of publishing with the help of an established, knowledgeable insider! Tickets for the event are $15, and reservations can be made by calling RJ Julia at (203) 245-3959. For additional author events, visit www.rjjulia.com.

Interfaith Thanksgiving

The Middletown Faith Community invites the public to a service of Thanksgiving to be held at 6 p.m. in the First Church of Christ, Congregational at 190 Court St. in Middletown. Prayers and voices will represent the Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Christian and Buddhist traditions that grace this region. Special music will be provided by the Synagogal Singers of Congregation Adath Israel. An offering of non-perishable food will be received for Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Any monetary donations will be given to the work of St. Vincent de Paul Place. For more information, contact Sue Latourette at (860) 346-6657 ext. 12.

MONDAY

November 24

Health Screening

Life Line Screening will be at the Middlefield Federated Church beginning at 9 a.m. to provide stroke and osteoporosis screening. Call 1-800-697-9721 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com for an appointment.

Durham 60+ Club

The Durham 60+ club Thanksgiving luncheon will be held at noon at the United Churches of Durham Fellowship Hall on the corner of Rt. 68 and Main Street. There will be a thanksgiving potluck meal and all members are asked to bring their favorite dish. Everyone is welcome to come to this meeting.

Sports Banquet

The CRHS fall sports banquet will be held at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at Coginchaug.

WEDNESDAY 

November 26

Holiday Centerpiece

Join the Middletown Area Green Children at Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown to focus on appreciating, protecting and learning from the outdoors and nature. At 4 p.m. the group will create holiday centerpieces from leaves, dried flowers, seed pods and other natural materials.

TOPS

Durham TOPS Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. For information call Naomi Klotsko at (860) 349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at (860) 349-9433.

FRIDAY

November 28

Business Networking

The local chapter of Business Networking International will meet in the United Churches hall, 228 Main St. in Durham at 7:30 a.m. this and every Friday. Midstate BNI has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in business for local businesspeople through member referrals, while providing higher levels of accountability and service to customers. To learn more about this professional and dynamic group, contact Kirk Hagert at (860) 349-5626 for more information.

SATURDAY

November 29

Picture with Santa

Get your dog's picture taken with Santa at Country Flower Farms, 320 Baileyville Rd., in Middlefield from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to support the Mi-DOG dog park. For more information, send an e-mail to midog@comcast.net.

MONDAY

December 1

Stroke Club

Middletown Stroke Club will meet at 1 p.m. at the Theresa and John Rook Social Center at Reilly Manor, Hicksville Road in Cromwell. The Stroke Club meets the first Monday of every month. For information call Ida at (860) 344-9984, Ray at (860) 349-9226 or Ann at (203) 235-4275.

Ebony Singers

The Ebony Singers will perform in the Crowell Concert Hall on the Wesleyan campus at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 to $7. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

TUESDAY

December 2

Free Winter Concert

The Wesleyan Wind Ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. in the Crowell Concert Hall on the Wesleyan campus. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

MOMS

The MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) Club of Middletown will meet at 10 a.m. The MOMS club of Middletown is a chapter of the International MOMS Club, a non-profit, non-denominational organization for stay-at-home and part-time working mothers and their children that provides support and social activities. E-mail funmomsclub@hotmail.com or visit www.geocities.com/momsclubofmiddletown for information.

Business After Work

Middlesex Chamber of Commerce offers a business after work event from 5 to 7 p.m. at Harbor Park Restaurant in Middletown. Call (860) 347-6924 for more information.

WEDNESDAY

December 3

Cancer Survivors

The Gaylord cancer survivors support group will meet at 6 p.m. in the Gaylord Hospital, Chauncey Conference center in Wallingford. If you are a cancer survivor you are welcome to bring a family member, caregiver or friend. As cancer survivors, we share our experience, strength and hope with one another. For more information, call (860) 349-3443.

The Threepenny Opera

A milestone of 20th-century musical theater, The Threepenny Opera rolls on unstoppably into the 21st. In their opera "by and for beggars," composer Kurt Weill and playwright Bertolt Brecht transformed saccharine, old-fashioned opera and operetta forms, incorporating a sharp political perspective and the sound of 1920s Berlin dance bands and cabaret. This event takes place in the Memorial Chapel/Patricelli '92 Theater on the Wesleyan campus at 8 p.m. with additional perfomances through Dec. 6. Tickets are $5. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa.

TOPS

Durham TOPS Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. For information call Naomi Klotsko at (860) 349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at (860) 349-9433.

Anthony Braxton

Professor Anthony Braxton's students will perform for free at 8 p.m. in the Crowell Concert Hall on the Wesleyan Campus. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

THURSDAY

December 4

Writers Out Loud

Green Street Art Center, 51 Greet St. in Middletown hosts the Writers Out Loud program beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $3 (free for Green Street members). Call (860) 685-7871 or visit www.greenstreetartscenter.org for more information.

Free Movie

As part of the Hollywood Film Noir series, the movie Touch of Evil will be shown at the Russell Library, 123 Broad St. in Middletown at noon. For more information call the library at (860) 347-2528. Viewers are invited to bring a sandwich and the library will serve dessert and beverages.

Javanese Dance

Experience the culture of Java and Bali at 7 p.m. in the World Music Hall on the Wesleyan Campus during a free performance of the Wesleyan Gamelan. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

FRIDAY

December 5

Business Networking

The local chapter of Business Networking International will meet in the United Churches hall, 228 Main St. in Durham at 7:30 a.m. this and every Friday. Midstate BNI has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in business for local businesspeople through member referrals, while providing higher levels of accountability and service to customers. To learn more about this professional and dynamic group, contact Kirk Hagert at (860) 349-5626 for more information.

Anthony Braxton

Anthony Braxton will perform for free at 8 p.m. in the Crowell Concert Hall on the Wesleyan Campus. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

Middletown Symphonic Band

The Middletown Symphonic Band will perform at Westbrook High School at 7 p.m. For more information call (860) 347-5183 or visit www.middletownsymphonicband.org.

Cookie Decorating

R.J. Julia Booksellers is pleased to host Amy Krouse Rosenthal as she presents her children's book, Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons at 4 p.m. We'll bring the cookies - you bring your imagination and creativity! All ages welcome. Bring your family and friends to decorate and then deliver cookies to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen, followed by Rosenthal reading from her book. This event will be held at the Mercy Center, 167 Neck Rd. in Madison

SATURDAY

December 6

Christmas Fair

The Killingworth Nursery School Association's annual Christmas Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Killingworth Elementary School on Route 81 in Killingworth. For information, call (860) 663-2950.

Community Round-Up

Teams of students will visit area neighborhoods to collect food, grocery gift cards and cash for turkeys from 9 a.m. to noon today. Please leave your donation by the front door if you will not be home. Or information or to volunteer to help, call Beth Galligan at (860) 349-7221.

Holiday Craft Fair

Craftspeople and vendors from the Connecticut Shoreline area will present their wares at the third annual HCH Library holiday craft fair from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Henry Carter Hull Library. Crafts range from handmade knit items and baked goods to hand crafted soy candles and custom blended coffees. Contact Carol Walter at (860) 669-2588 or visit www.hchlibrary.org for more information.

Javanese Gamelan

A magnificent orchestra of bronze gongs, xylophones, drums, string and voices will conduct a free performance in the World Music Hall on the Wesleyan campus at 8 p.m. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

SUNDAY

December 7

Free Concert

A free concert by the Wesleyan Collegium Musicium featuring medieval and renaissance music will be held at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel on the Wesleyan Campus. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

Vocal Chords

The Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords will present their 19th annual winter concert at the Portland High School at 2 p.m. For tickets, $18 for adults and $15 for seniors, call (860) 346-8045 or (860) 342-3120.

Black Holes

Wesleyan University's Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green St. in Middletown, will host professor Ed Moran at 2 p.m. Moran will discuss black holes in the Milky Way's back yard at 2 p.m. Each monthly salon includes time for socializing and a reception with light refreshments. Admission is $5 ($3 seniors and students). For more information or reservations call (860) 685-7871 or visit www.greenstreetartscenter.org.

Holiday Craft Fair

The annual holiday craft fair in Wallingford will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PNA Hall, 15 Prince St. in Wallingford. The fair will feature a variety of talented artisans and crafters, as well as a bake sale to benefit the Humane Society and a pet food and kitty litter drive to benefit local animal shelters. There will be special appearances by Rudolf and friends throughout the day. New this year will be a kid's crafts corner and face painting. Admission and parking are free. For more information e-mail believe.originals@yahoo.com.

East Asian Music

Diverse styles of Chinese classical and contemporary music will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Crowell Concert Hall on the Wesleyan Campus. Tickets are $2 and $3. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

TUESDAY

December 9

Business Seminar

Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, 393 Main St. in Middletown will present The Importance of Building Business Value with Greg Rush of Citi Capital Strategies and Rob Moquin of Citi Family Office, from 8 to 10 a.m. For tickets or information, call (860) 347-6924 or e-mail info@middlesexchamber.com.

Photography Meet-up

Flash Forward: Photography Meet-up at the Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green St. in Middletown from 7 to 9 p.m. Fee: $3 (free to members) This new series is a chance for photographers and photo enthusiasts to share work, tips, questions and opportunities! Bring up to five recent works to share with the group, or participate in monthly photo projects and share results online at www.flickr.come/groups/flash51/. Call (860) 685-7881 or visit www.greenstreetartscenter.org for information.

WEDNESDAY

December 10

TOPS

Durham TOPS Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. For information call Naomi Klotsko at (860) 349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at (860) 349-9433.

Local Author

William Boylin, author of Bedlam will do a book reading and signing at Broad Street Books in Middletown at 7 p.m.

THURSDAY

December 11

Holiday House Tour

The Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum will hold its 28th holiday house tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring Mark Twain's 19-room home at 351 Farmington Ave. in Hartford along with several historical and architecturally impressive private homes in West Hartford and Hartford. Each home will be decorated for the holidays and will feature live music and floral arrangements. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (860) 280-3112 or visit www.marktwainhouse.org.

FRIDAY

December 12

Business Networking

The local chapter of Business Networking International will meet in the United Churches hall, 228 Main St. in Durham at 7:30 a.m. this and every Friday. Midstate BNI has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in business for local businesspeople through member referrals, while providing higher levels of accountability and service to customers. To learn more about this professional and dynamic group, contact Kirk Hagert at (860) 349-5626 for more information.

West African Drumming

An invigorating drum performance will be held at 8 p.m. in the Crowell Concert Hall on the Wesleyan Campus. Tickets are $6 to $8. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

SUNDAY

December 14

Middletown Symphonic Band

The Middletown Symphonic Band will perform at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main St. in Middletown. For more information call (860) 347-5183 or visit www.middletownsymphonicband.org.

Christmas Concert

At 4 p.m. the Senior Choir, Celebration Singers and Heart in Hand Bell Choir of First Church of Christ will present "Christmas Candlelight Concert." The concert will be held at the First Church of Christ, 190 Court St. in Middletown. This event is, and donations will be accepted. For more information call (860) 346-6657.

TUESDAY

December 16

PFLAG Meeting

Greater New Haven/Shoreline Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays) meets to offer support, information, and education and to advocate for LGBT loved ones. They maintain a lending library of materials on the various aspects of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender life. Meetings are held at the Church of the Redeemer 185 Cold Spring Street, New Haven, the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For more info e-mail greaternewhavenpflag@yahoo.com or call (203) 458-0493.

WEDNESDAY

December 17

TOPS

Durham TOPS Club meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on the third floor of the Durham Town Hall. For information call Naomi Klotsko at (860) 349-9558 or Bonnie Olesen at (860) 349-9433.

THURSDAY

December 18

Planning for Agriculture

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) will host a workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Durham Town Hall to roll out a new publication, Planning for Agriculture: A Guide for Connecticut Municipalities. The workshop will expand on the information provided in the 62-page guide and is meant to help the interested parties fully understand the issues facing agriculture in Connecticut, what it means to an individual municipality, and what steps can be taken to support agriculture in our state and help participants begin these important discussions on a local level. Workshop attendees will be provided a copy of the new guide, which can also be downloaded at www.ctplanningforagriculture.com.

FRIDAY

December 19

Business Networking

The local chapter of Business Networking International will meet in the United Churches hall, 228 Main St. in Durham at 7:30 a.m. this and every Friday. Midstate BNI has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in business for local businesspeople through member referrals, while providing higher levels of accountability and service to customers. To learn more about this professional and dynamic group, contact Kirk Hagert at (860) 349-5626 for more information.

Solo Guitar of Spain

In the Limelight: Latino Voices will present Daniel Salazar at the Green Street Arts Center, 51 Green St. in Middletown at 8 p.m. Guitar Under the Stars" founder and internationally acclaimed guitarist Daniel Salazar continues to expand the boundaries of the traditional Spanish guitar. There will be a reception at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 and $5 for members, seniors and students. For inforamation call (860) 685-7881 or visit www.greenstreetartscenter.org.

SATURDAY

December 20

Live Music

Eternal Perks Coffee House is a friendly spot to relax, listen to good live music, meet others and ultimately be refreshed. Open every other month on the third Saturday at 7 p.m. at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 1055 Randolph Road in Middletown. Tonight enjoy the Christmas music and sing-along carols by the Grace Worship band. Popcorn, desserts and beverages are included. Admission is free, and there is plenty of free parking. For directions and more information, call (860) 346-2641 or visit www.GraceMiddletown.org.

MONDAY

December 29

CSI with Henry Lee

The Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science will present a course entitled "Crime Scene Investigation" with Dr. Henry Lee, founder and professor of the Forensic Science Program at the University of New Haven (UNH) and his colleagues as part of the Institute's "Dr. Lee and Friends" series. Lee will discuss what it takes to become a crime scene investigator and what happens at a crime scene, including the types of evidence that might be found and how to document and test the evidence. Real cases will be used to enhance the presentation. The course is open to the public and costs $100 for adults; $50 for students with a valid ID. For more information call (203) 479-4596. To register go to http://henryleeinstitute.com/worxcms_published/courses_page79.shtml. The course will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dodds Hall Auditorium, UNH campus.

TUESDAY

January 13

Business Seminar

The Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, 393 Main St. in Middletown will present Developments in Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, from 8 to 10 a.m. with Attorney David Jiminez and Attorney Tokunbo Akinbajo from the law firm Jackson Lewis. For information or Tickets call (860) 347-6924 or e-mail info@middlesexchamber.com.

SATURDAY

February 21

Awaji Puppet

The Awaji Puppet Theater comes to Wesleyan tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the World Music Hall on the Wesleyan Campus. Tickets are $8 to $18. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

FRIDAY

February 28

Chamber Music

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will perform at the Crowell Concert Hall on the Wesleyan campus at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.chambermusicsociety.org. For ticket information call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa.

SATURDAY

March 7

DanceMasters

The annual DanceMasters Weekend begins today on the Wesleyan campus. Tickets are $8 to $23. Call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa for more information.

CRHS Scholarship Ball

The annual ball will be held at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cromwell. Call Kim Donecker at (860) 349-9840 for tickets.

FRIDAY

April 24

Dance Program

Wesleyan University hosts Rubberbandance Group Phase II tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. This is a collective of world-class dancers from contemporary and break-dance backgrounds that investigate human relationships through an inventive hybrid choreograph of hip hop dynamics and contemporary ballet. Visit www.rubberbanddancegroup.com for information. For ticket information call (860) 685-3355 or visit www.wesleyan.edu/cfa.