February Adult Book Discussion
MANCHESTER — A work of alternative history, “Underground Airlines” by author Ben H. Winters describes a modern America, but one where the Civil War never occurred. The meeting will take place in the Howroyd Room at the Mary Cheney Library, 586 Main St., at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26.
The free program is open to the public and registration is not required. Light refreshments will be served. For further information, call Adult Services/Reference at 860-645-0821.
Community Breakfast Benefit
MANCHESTER — The Manchester Brotherhood in Action’s annual community breakfast will benefit the families of Lilyana Berson of South Windsor and Chris Nieves of East Hartford. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Masonic Temple, 25 East Center St.
Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door, at $5 for adults and $3 for children. Proceeds will help the families offset expenses incurred from medical bills. For more information, visit brotherhoodinaction.blogspot.com or call John Connolly at 860-748-5013.
Cheney Cinema Saturday
MANCHESTER — The Manchester Public Library, 586 Main St., will show a fictional movie about an actual court case in Connecticut in the 1940s during Cheney Cinema Saturday at 2 p.m. Feb. 24.
Due to license restrictions, since admission is free,t the library cannot release the name of the movie being shown, however it is rated PG-13, and run time is 1 hour and 58 minutes. Based on true events and taking place in Bridgeport, a young NAACP lawyer takes on the defense of a black man accused of the sexual assault and attempted murder of a wealthy white woman. Can’t guess the name of the movie? Call the library for more information.
Light refreshments will be served. No registration is required for this free event. For more information, visit http://library.townofmanchester.org or call 860-643-2471.
Lincoln Day Dinner
MANCHESTER — The Manchester Republican Town Committee will be holding its annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Friday, March 2, at the Manchester Country Club, 306 South Main St.
The honored guest and speaker will be Matthew Cory. All proceeds from this event will go to support his campaign to unseat U.S. Senator Chris Murphy. The special guest will be Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, state representative from the 31st District in Glastonbury, who is a candidate for governor. Cocktails will began at 6 p.m. and the buffet will be at 7 p.m. The donation is $50 per person. Visit www. manchesterctgop.com and click on the events tab to find reservations and contribution forms. Mail to Donald Palmer, 97 Overlook Drive, Manchester CT, 06042, by Feb 26. For more information, contact John J. Deeb at J-deeb@cox.net or 860-646-5690.
Grange Breakfast, Book Sale
EAST HARTFORD — Hillstown Grange, 617 Hills St., is holding a pancake breakfast and book sale on Saturday, March 3. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the Grange will be cooking and selling until 11 a.m.
The menu features pancakes, sausage, coffee, tea and juice, all for $5 or $3 for kids up to age 14. This month’s special is maple bacon pancakes.
Grandma’s Attic is temporarily closed while she is on vacation but an expanded Jon’s book sale will be open during breakfast. There is free admission to the book sale. For more information on this event, contact Frank at hillstowngrange@aol.com or 860-690-2945.
Garden Club Participates In Flower Show
HARTFORD — Manchester Garden Club members Lynda Brown, Lynda Tingley, Tracey Zeller, Mary Ann Sartor, Peg Newton, Nancy Cretaro, Lynn Beaulieu, Gerry Lupacchino, Joan Kelsey, Pat Cannon, Kate Deasy, Deb Flower, Don Kelsey, George Brown, Peter and Beth Brunone, Pat Bragdon, Terry Caxide, Carole and Ron Hebert, Lauren Pliska, Gail Secchiaroli, Linda Snider and JoAnn Thulin will be an entrant or participants in the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut’s Advanced Standard Flower Show, that is part of the 37th annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show.
The Connecticut Flower & Garden Show will be held from Thursday, Feb. 22, through Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. The hours are Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The colorful, fragrant show will cover almost three acres with the 2018 theme, Breath of Spring.
Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors age 62 and over on Thursday and Friday only, and $5 for children ages five through 12. Admission is free for children under age 5. Admission is payment by cash only.
Group rates are available for 15 or more people; Contact Kristie@northeastexpos.com or 860-844-8461. Visit www.CTFlowerShow.com or call North East Expos, Inc. at 860-844-8461, for more information on the show.
Exploring Spirituality
MANCHESTER — On Thursday, Feb. 22, Exploring Spirituality will hold the second presentation in its series, “Finding Calm in Chaos.”
With the help of presenter, Erin Day, guests will practice breathing techniques, gentle movement, shared experience and written meditation. Day owns Ten Summit Yoga & Earth Based Wellness, a studio in East Hampton.
The workshop will be held in the Fr. Hussey Hall, St. Bartholomew Church, Manchester and will begin at 7 p.m. For questions or additional information, contact Chris Seethaler, chris122042@gmail.com or call 203-578-5123.
Celebrate Recovery
MANCHESTER — Do you have a habit? If you have ever been hurt, you may have developed a habit to relieve or escape your pain. Sometimes you may acquire a habit by bad example or almost by mistake. A habit is an addiction to someone or something.
Maybe ‘Celebrate Recovery’ is for you. You don’t have to struggle alone. The group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at Manchester Church of the Nazarene, 236 Main St. For more information, call 860-646-8599.
Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration
MANCHESTER — A Dr. Seuss birthday celebration cosponsored by Manchester Public Library and the Pi Beta Phi Manchester Area Alumnae Club will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Mary Cheney Library, 586 Main St.
There will be treats, a Seussical craft, photo op and a silly story. Remember your camera. Call 860-645-0577 for more information.
Seeking Volunteers To Read With Preschoolers
AREA — Children’s Reading Partners is seeking volunteers to read one-on-one with at-risk preschoolers in Hartford and Bloomfield this spring. Its Preschool Pals program matches trained volunteers with children who need extra help to get ready for kindergarten.
Children who lack a strong foundation of literacy skills early in life are more likely to fall behind in school and more likely to drop out. Reading with a caring adult helps young children develop the skills they need to succeed academically, such as appreciating stories and recognizing letters, words and numbers.
Preschool Pals volunteers complete a simple application and attend a training session, then select a weekly, 30-minute time slot to read with a child. The program lasts 10 weeks, and anyone age 12 or older can volunteer.
Training sessions will take place Thursday, Feb. 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Community Services Building, Zachs Campus, 333 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford. Prospective volunteers must attend one of these two sessions. To learn more or to register, contact Ronni Breiter at rbreiter@jewishhartford.org or 860-727-6129.
Children’s Reading Partners, part of the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, serves at-risk public school students in Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, New Britain, Manchester and West Hartford. Volunteers of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome. Learn more at www.jewishhartford.org/childrens-reading-partners.
Manchester Latino Affairs Council
MANCHESTER — The Manchester Latino Affairs Council has formed a Latino Organization for its Latino community.
The Manchester Latino Affairs Council is an organization that will advocate and address the political issues, cultural diversity and social equality in the community. As a new organization, there are many proposals underway, such as the opening of a resource center in Manchester, addressing the gap and concerns of Latino children not achieving academic success and advocating and mobilizing the Latino community when it deals with political issues.
Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m., at 48 Purnell Place, Suite 13. The Manchester Latino Affairs Council, or MLAC, is comprised of Maria W. Cruz, Chair;
Candy Lopez, Vice-Chair; Brenda Ramos, Secretary; and Kattie Bonilla, Treasurer.
Children’s Events
MANCHESTER — The following events are offered by the Manchester Libraries. Call 860-645-0577 for more information.
Preschool Dance Party: Friday, Feb. 23, from 2 to 2:30 p.m. at Mary Cheney Library. For children up to six-years-old, this program is a time for caregivers and little ones to rock out at the library.
Dr. Seuss Magic Show: Saturday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Cheney Library. Tommy James will present a magic show about the wonderful world of reading, while highlighting the life and works of Dr. Seuss.
Peter Rabbit: Saturday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Cheney Library. Remember your camera for this fun photo opportunity and craft with Peter Rabbit.
St. Teresa Of Calcutta Events
MANCHESTER — The following events are offered by St. Teresa Of Calcutta, 80 Main St.
Praying with the Sunday Scriptures and Faith Sharing: Thursdays: Feb. 22, March 1, 8, 15 and 22. Time: Either 1 to 2 p.m. or 7 to 8 p.m. Place: St. Bartholomew Church, Meeting Room, 736 East Middle Tpke. A six week small group experience for adults in the parish. Using the readings from the Sunday Mass, participants will listen to the readings, have a brief time of silence and then explore how God’s message is active and relevant today.
Let’s talk peace. Jesus said, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.” What was Jesus talking about? Different people have promoted different interpretations over the centuries … and still are. Let’s explore what has been said and what this might mean for us today. What do you think about the challenge of Jesus to be a peacemaker? Where are you with this now? Where would you like to be? Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. in the St Bartholomew Church Meeting Room, 736 East Middle Tpke.
Passion Narratives & Resurrection Appearances Bible Study. Wednesdays: Feb. 28; March 7, 14, 21; April 4, 11. Times: 1 to 2 p.m. in Meeting Room or 7 to 8 p.m. in Room 8, at St. Bartholomew Church, 736 East Middle Tpke. The first class will be an orientation and passing out of materials.
Stupid Cupid Steampunk Ball
MANCHESTER — The third Stupid Cupid Steampunk Ball will take place on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and close at 11 p.m.
Tickets to the Stupid Cupid Steampunk Ball 3 are available at the door for $20 and can be purchased for $15 via the account oddballnewtstuff@yahoo.com on PayPal. The ball is a fundraiser for the Cetacean Society International, an all-volunteer, non-profit conservation, education and research organization working on behalf of cetaceans and their marine environment.
Join organizer Oddball Newt and a colorful cast of anachronistic characters in top hats, corsets and spats for an evening of music, fashion and revelry to benefit the Cetacean Society International. his year’s lineup is a who’s who in the world of steampunk. The ball is open to goths, Whovians and muggles; All are welcome and invited.
The eclectic musical stylings of Frenchy and the Punk, Montague Jacques Fromage, The Eternal Frontier and Waterbury’s own Venus Lens Cap will be performing. There will be a fashion show by New York designer Kristin Costa Studios, who will unveil her new line from The Book of Magdalene collection.
For those interested in civilized combat and a cookie, the Hudson Valley Steampunk duo Birdy and Dolly will be on hand to host tea duels and instruct attendees on how to Cha-Cha-Cha, while others who are interested in an authentic British tea can do so with Windsor’s Tea Round. Vendors, chocolate and art; There is something for everyone.
Those unfamiliar with steampunk may have their concerns with the raucousness associated with the word punk, but steampunk is not that kind of punk. Steampunk is an artistic movement that embraces the imagination, the love of Victorian fashion and speculative science fiction in the vein of H.G Wells, H.P Lovecraft and Charles Dickens.
Oddball Newt is a Manchester based husband and wife team of David and Linda Carlson. Both are committed to creating art, drinking tea and making Manchester a steampunk hub. And it seems they are achieving that goal because the Mayor, the Honorable Jay Moran, declared it Steampunk Day last September and Manchester businesses are providing support through sponsorship, contributions and drink and meal specials.
Seeking Hospice Volunteers
AREA — Friendly volunteers are welcome to join the Hartford HealthCare at Home Hospice Care team to visit hospice patients, provide respite for weary caregivers, be a listening ear, connect with patients’ goals, assist with bereavement or spiritual support, share gifts of music or art, visit as a registered pet therapy team or help with clerical projects.
The Hartford HealthCare at Home volunteers provide 400 hours each month to individuals and families in central and Eastern Connecticut. Volunteers visit based on their individual schedules.
Free training is provided so volunteers can be educated and feel valued in their role by understanding the history and philosophy of hospice, clinical aspects of dying, communication skills, family dynamics, issues of spirituality and religion, and grief and bereavement.
Visitors are needed to connect with hospice patients in Berlin, Cheshire, Danielson, East Hartford, Enfield, Glastonbury, Groton, Hartford, Manchester, New London, Newington, Norwich, Plainfield, Putnam, Waterbury, Waterford, Watertown and Wolcott. Volunteer clerical support is needed in Southington.
For more information, call John Roush, volunteer coordinator, Hartford HealthCare at Home & Hospice, at 860-951-6997.
Tri-County Baseball League
AREA — Tri-County Babe Ruth will be sponsoring spring and summer baseball leagues for players ages 13 to 19. For the spring, Tri-County is partnering with Glastonbury baseball and will have teams for the 13 and 14 and 15 and 16-year-old age group. This recreational program will feature a 14 to 16 game schedule and be played at RHAM Middle School and various fields in Glastonbury.
For the summer, a separate program will involve the Farmington Bank/Vantis Life league. In this competitive league, which runs from June 5 through the end of July/the first week of August, teams are expected to be entered in their 13-year-old prep, 14 to 15-year-old junior, and 16 to 19-year-old senior divisions. Games will be played at RHAM and various towns in the greater Hartford area.
Registrations for all programs began mid-January. For additional information or questions, visit tricountybaberuthct.org and click “Contact Us.”
Rebuilding Together Manchester Accepting Applications
MANCHESTER — Rebuilding Together Manchester is accepting applications for 2018 home repair and maintenance projects. They are a non-profit organization that assists low-income Manchester homeowners, specifically the elderly, disabled, and families with children, with maintenance and home repairs that they are unable to manage on their own.
The work is completed at no cost to the homeowner primarily through volunteer labor. To qualify, the home must be located in Manchester and the applicant must be the legal owner of the property. Income verification is required as we can only assist low-income homeowners.
Examples of projects include interior and exterior repairs, accessibility modifications such as installation of grab bars and railings, painting, yard work, and clutter removal. They do have grant funding for roof repairs and install handicap ramps for those who qualify.
The largest annual event, National Rebuilding Day, will take place on April 28, but projects are done on a year-round basis. They are currently seeking skilled contractors, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and painters. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Contact Molly Devanney at 860-338-1612 or molly.devanney@gmail.com for more information or to fill out an application today.
Family Fun Night
MANCHESTER — Family Fun Nights indoors at Nathan Hale Recreation Center, 160 Spruce St., will take place once a month on Fridays, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dates are Feb. 23, March 9 and April 20.
Admission is free and pre-registration is not necessary to this drop-in program. For more information, call 860-647-3089. Each Family Fun Night is aimed at providing families an opportunity to connect with their children and each other around creative, play-based, and/or educational opportunities and activities. Most of the families in attendance have children in early childhood, under age 10, however, families with older children and older siblings also are invited to attend. These events provide families a positive, no cost opportunity for connection and recreation.
National Alliance For Mental Illness Meetings
MANCHESTER — The National Alliance for Mental Illness support group will hold its regular meeting on the third Thursday of every month. The location of the meeting will be held at the Center Congregational Church, 11 Center St., from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The meeting is open to all families and friends of people with mental illness and focuses on sharing experiences and information. All the information is confidential. For more information on the meeting or becoming a member of NAMI, call Karen at 860-649-5659.
Bible Studies
MANCHESTER — Non-denominational Bible studies are available for women with some Bible knowledge or none at all. Materials will be provided. Call Evelyn for more information and location details at 860-649-8356.
Free Braille Calendars
AREA — The Community Outreach Office of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut has 2018 Braille calendars, free of charge. For more information, contact info@nfbct.org or 860-289-1971.
Community Action Agencies Accepting Energy Assistance Applications
AREA — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services just released $67,255,113 in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. This amount is 90-percent of LIHEAP funds allocated for the State of Connecticut.
Connecticut residents struggling to pay their utility bills this winter can apply for home heating assistance through Connecticut’s Community Action Agency Network. The Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are the only nonprofit agencies administering LIHEAP, which provides home heating assistance to Connecticut’s most vulnerable residents. Each CAA has application intake sites throughout their service regions. Some sites may include local town halls, and customers should check with their local CAA for a complete site listing.
In Connecticut this program is called the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and is housed under the Department of Social Services (DSS). The state’s Community Action Agencies administer the $74M+ program locally in all 169 cities and towns. CAAs are now accepting CEAP applications for the 2017-2018 winter season and expect more applications in the coming weeks, especially as temperatures begin to drop. Homeowners and/or renters may apply, and funds may be used to pay for whatever source of heating residents have in their homes. This includes wood, electric, oil, kerosene, or natural gas.
CAAs will certify oil deliveries starting Wednesday, Nov. 15, for those who heat with oil, propane, and deliverable fuels. May 1, 2018, is the last day households can apply for benefits unless the household is utility heated and has a shut off notice for its primary source of heat. May 15, 2018 is the last day a utility heated household with a shut off notice for its primary source of heat can apply for benefits.
Another protection for Connecticut’s struggling families is the utility moratorium, or winter hardship, which provides protection for eligible households against heat source shut-offs between November 1st and May 1st. Gas and electric utilities cannot be shut off (summer or winter) if lack of the utility creates a life-threatening situation. If a customer is having trouble paying their utility bills during the winter moratorium period, Community Action Agencies will work with them on affordable utility payment programs, including the Matching Payment Program (MPP) and Below Budget Payment Plans. MPP is a payment incentive program that allows eligible utility customers to maintain year-round electric and gas service and pay an agreed-upon amount each month to pay down the balance on their heating bill. If customers cannot afford the utility payment plan, CAAs work with the customer and can submit a Below Budget Payment Plan based on the household income and expenses.
A CEAP benefit to a household automatically makes that household eligible for weatherization services. So, in addition to heating assistance, CAAs will refer customers to those agencies providing weatherization services, which helps minimize energy-related costs and fuel usage in homes through retrofits and home improvement measures. Additionally, there are funds available this year through the CAA for heating system repair and replacement if such services are deemed necessary and as the amount of funds allocated allow. Lastly, when a customer comes to a CAA for energy assistance, the agency will also assist customers in accessing other benefits for which they may be eligible including SNAP and other food programs, financial counseling, child care, and case management.
Connecticut’s poorest families struggle each and every year to heat their homes in this a state with one of the highest utility rates in the country; customers many times having to choose between heating and eating or heating and paying for their medicines. CEAP allows them to not only cover high home energy costs and keep warm during the cold winter months, but gives low-income families the opportunity to address other critical, basic needs, rather than having to choose between them. Any resident who needs help paying their heating bill this winter should contact their Community Action Agency immediately.
For more information on Connecticut’s Energy Assistance Program, how to find your local CAA to apply, or to make a donation, visit www.cafca.org or contact the Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA), 144 Clinton Street, New Britain, CT, 06053, 860-832-9438.
Write Out Loud Open Mic Nights
MANCHESTER — Come take part in youth-led poetry and hip-hop dance workshops and then close your night with performing and/or cheering on others who display their talent and creativity at Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center, 153 Spruce St., from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 23, March 30, April 27 and May 25.
The open mic nights are for performers ages 13 through 19. No registration is required. Call 860-647-3089 for more information.
Jewish Life
MANCHESTER — Beth Sholom B’nai Israel invites people to come and see its community, be a part of Jewish life in Manchester and meet the clergy. Religious School is tuition free for members; the school is open to all Jewish children. For more information, visit www.myshul.org or call 860-643-9563.
Pet Food Drive
MANCHESTER — Bennet PTSA representatives are holding a pet food and supply drive to benefit Manchester residents through Manchester Animal Control. They are collecting crunchy and canned dog and cat food, used tennis balls and waste bags. Email bennetacademyptsa@gmail.com for more information.
Yoga Classes
MANCHESTER — Morning and evening yoga classes for people of all levels will take place at the Meetinghouse of Unitarian Universalist Society: East, 153 Vernon St. West. For more information, visit www.uuse.org or 860-646-5151.
Cost to attend is $40 per eight-week session or a $6 drop-in fee. Guests are asked to bring a yoga mat or large towel and wear loose clothing. First-time students are asked to arrive 10 minutes early.
Poets And Writers
MANCHESTER — The Wit & Wisdom Poets and Writers Club in Manchester is looking for new and established poets and writers. Club meetings are held at the Arbors, 403 W. Center St., on the second Saturday of each month, between 1 and 3 p.m. For more information, email Debbie at wwpoetryclub@gmail.com or contact Charles Gilbert at 860-647-7348.
MCC Library Goes Live
MANCHESTER — As part of the Integrated Library Project, the Raymond F. Damato Library at Manchester Community College has gone live with a comprehensive online search tool that will find and deliver materials stored not just at MCC but also at the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) libraries and the Hartford-based Connecticut State Library.
Any state resident of high school age or older with valid ID is welcome to register as a borrower at MCC’s Library. To use the new search tool, visit www.manchestercc.edu/library and enter keywords.
Youth Mini Grant Program
MANCHESTER — The Manchester Youth Commission is requesting proposals for mini grants. Applications for the Manchester Youth Commission Mini Grant Program are available at townofmanchester.org. Contact Heather at 860-647-5215, or heatherw@manchesterct.gov for details.
Hoopla Digital Content Available
MANCHESTER — Manchester Public Library card holders can download the free Hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or iOS device or visit hoopladigital.com to begin enjoying thousands of titles. Once registered patrons can borrow up to 10 items each month and Hoopla digital’s automatic return feature eliminates late fees. Hoopla allows multiple simultaneous downloads so there is no wait to borrow. Titles are available for instant streaming or temporary downloading. To learn more about this exciting new offering click on the “Online Databases” link at library.townofmanchester.org.
MS Support Group
MANCHESTER — The Manchester MS Support Group meets at the Presbyterian Church, 394 Lydall St., at 10 a.m. on the first Monday of each month. Contact Nancy at 860-742-5155 or Karen at 860-746-4247. Visit ctfightsMS.org or call 800-FIGHT MS.
