CALENDAR

Friday, Feb. 8

FUN FRIDAY: Fun Friday at the Deep River Public Library meets Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22; 10:30 a.m. Stories and songs followed by craft and open play. Perfect for the preschool set. Drop in, no registration.

JAZZ TRIO CONCERT: The TJ Thompson Trio performs at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, Feb. 8, 8 p.m., $15 cover. Details, call 860-347-4957 or visit www.buttonwood.org.

8 TO THE BAR: Eight to the Bar swing band will perform at Vinnie's Jump and Jive, 242 Main St., Middletown, for a Valentines swing dance, Friday, 8:3011:30 p.m. For information call 860-3476971 ext. 3777 or visit www.vinniesjumpandjive.com.

Saturday, Feb. 9

OPEN HOUSES: The Children’s Tree Montessori School, 96 Essex Road, Old Saybrook, will hold an open house Feb. 9, and March 2, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. For more information call 860.388.3536 or visit www.childrenstree.org. OPIOID CRISIS RESPONSE: Epoch Arts, 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, presents an arts response workshop on the opioid crisis, Feb. 9, with art in any form. All are welcome. For more information, www.epocharts.org. 27 Skinner Street East Hampton.

GET ORGANIZED: Real Simple columnist and Professional Organizer Ellen Madere, free talk on home organization and clutter clearing, 1:30 p.m. Feb. 9, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., focus on room by room organizing tips. RSVP: 860-767-1560. CREATING CARTOONS: Karen Schumann, children’s event coordinator from RJ Julia Booksellers, will show how to create cartoons in the style of Dogman and Bad Guys, Feb. 9, 10:30 a.m. at the CHester Public Library, Registration required. Call 860-526-0018 to reserve a seat. PALLET PAINTING: Abigail Roccapriore from Shoreline Pallet Design will teach how to create one-of-a-kind artwork on reclaimed wood, Feb. 9, 11 a.m. at the Chester Public Library. $10 materials fee required with registration. Call 860-5260018 to reserve a seat.

MAN OF THE YEAR: The Knights of Columbus, Council 6 of Cromwell have selected Doug Sienna as the 2019 Cromwell Man of the Year. He will be honored at a ceremony at Cromwell Town Hall, Feb. 8, followed by a reception at the KofC hall. Tickets are available from Mark Walsh 860-306-2219 or Tom Tokarz 860-250-5991. TASTE OF ITALY: Community Music School will present the third annual Taste of Italy fundraiser with a lively game of Italian cheese rolling, Feb. 9 at Angelini Wine in Centerbrook. Tickets $65 include food, wines and cheese rolling. For additional information and tickets, visit www.cmsct.org/cheese or call 860-767-0026.

FILM SCREENING: Documentary film about Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, free screening on revolutionary garden design, 4 p.m. Feb. 9 and 4 p.m. Feb 20, Essex Library, 33 West Ave., focus on Oudolf’s gardens, design process, theories and ecological implications. RSVP: 860-767-1560.

AUTHOR TALK: The Chatham Historical Society and East Hampton Library present a talk and slide show by author John Cilio on his book, “Women’s Work in WWII,” 1 p.m. at the East Hampton Library Community Room at 105 Main St. in East Hampton. Free, with refreshments, donations welcome. Register at http:// engagedpatrons.org/ EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=6559& EventID=355896&PK= or call 860-2676621. STAN SULLIVAN AND FRIENDS: Stan Sullivan and Friends including Don Sineti perform Saturday at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, 8 p.m. $20. Reserve at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957. ART RECEPTION: A reception for artist Cathy Valley’s show, “Be Love Now,” Saturday, 4-6 p.m. at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Free. Details at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.

EPOCH ARTS PRESENTS: Epoch Arts, 27 Skinner St., East Hampton, will present “An Arts Response: The Crave: Battling Opioid Addiction,” Feb. 9, 8 p.m. The school partnered with the East Hampton Prevention Partnership and a representative pharmacist from CVS and hosted several opioid workshops. The show includes stories, art, film, poetry, music, dance. Tickets $8 at the door. Details go to www.epocharts.org

STORY TIME: Special Story Time, “Mirabel’s Missing Valentines” with author Janet Lawler at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown, Saturday, 10:30 a.m., free. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860685-3939

Sunday, Feb. 10

PALLET PAINTING: Abigail Roccapriore from Shoreline Pallet Design will teach how to create one-of-a-kind artwork on reclaimed wood, 11 a.m. at the Chester Public Library. $10 materials fee required with registration. Call 860-526-0018 to reserve a seat.

LIVE JAZZ: Jazz Affair with Trevor Davis on drums, John Smayda on reeds, Steve Donovan on piano and Steve Bulmer on double bass, 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Angelico's Lakehouse, 81 North Main Street, East Hampton .

SERVICE TIME CHANGE: Beginning in February, Haddam Neck Congregational Church services will begin at 11 a.m. Services offer scripture, music and quiet contemplation. A coffee hour follows in the church schoolhouse at 408 Quarry Hill Road, Haddam Neck. All are welcome. Learn more at www.haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist 9 a.m.; Sunday School, Adult Ed. on Forgiveness,10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church on 300 Washington St., Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org.

Monday, Feb. 11

SNAP CIRCUIT PLAY: Snap Circuits for ages 8-12 meets Feb. 11, 6 p.m. in the Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Drop-in; no registration required.

KINDNESS CARDS: Kindness Cards & Cocoa at Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, Monday, 3-6 p.m. Make holiday cards for local seniors and veterans and enjoy some hot cocoa and Munchkins. All ages are invited. hchlibrary.org for details.

Tuesday, Feb. 12

WOMEN’S HIKE: Join Women of the Woods 9 a.m. Tuesday, 2-3 mile hike at Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middletown. Contact Lucy Meigs for details and to register Lucy@EveryoneOutside.org or 860-395-7771 or visit EveryoneOutside.org and click on calendar.

CAREER WORKSHOP: Career Workshop with Dr. Marcia LaReau, founder of Forward Motion and author of “Careermageddon: Cracking the 21st Century Career Code,” Feb. 12, 5 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Registration is requested but not required. For questions or registration contact Bob Carlson or Christy Billings at 860-347-2520.

RUSSELL READERS: Russell Readers: “My Old Man” by Ernest Hemingway, meets Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Meets the second Tuesday each month. For information contact Chantal Foster at 860-573-2946 or Chantal.foster@comcast.net.

BOOK PLAY: Book Play! , 10:30 a.m., Feb. 12, playful story time, for 18 months-3 years old at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Free, drop in, Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939

COMIC BOOK WORKSHOP: Cardinal Kids: Comic Book Making Workshop, Feb. 12, 4:30 p.m., taught by Jahnavi Mehta, at Wesleyan R. J. Julia Bookstore, Middletown. Create storylines, characters, and dialogue using colors and their imagination. Free event, email books@wesleyan.edu to register. CHAMBER WORKSHOP: The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s KeyBank workshop series will present “Best HR Practices in Hiring, Disciplining and Firing Employees” Feb. 12, 8 a.m. Registration $30 members, $40 guests, at middlesexchamber.com.

Wednesday, Feb. 13

MATH ESCAPE: Love Monster Math Escape at the Deep River Public Library, Feb. 13, 5 p.m. Open to children ages 5-8. Registration is required. Link to register: Love Monster Math Escape, call 860526-6039 or email drplchildrensdept@gmail.com.

AUTHOR TALK: “Soldiers of a Foreign War” with author Charles McNair, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Books will be available for signing and purchase after the talk.

COMEDY MOVIE: The 2018 comedy,“Juliet, Naked” based on the novel by Nick Hornsby, will be shown Feb. 13, 5:30 p.m. at Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, with free popcorn from Chips Pub III.

PORTLAND LIONS: The new Portland Lions Club was formally chartered for service in September 2018. Meetings will be held on the second Wednesday, Feb. 13, March 13, April 24, May 8, June 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Portland Waverly Center, 5 Waverly Avenue, Portland.

SIMPLE TAI CHI: Simple Tai Chi with Mike McEwen at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, Feb. 13-April 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. or Feb. 14-April 4, 12-1 p.m. $80 for 8 weeks. Pre-register at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957 BOOK GROUP: Forever YA Book Group, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m., at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Register at at books@wesleyan.edu.

POTTERY SHOPPING: Wesleyan Potters Gallery Shop, 350 South Main St., Middletown, celebrates Valentine’s Day with a special Men’s (andWomen’s) Night Out shopping event, Feb. 13, 5-7 p.m. Free gift wrapping, a beer tasting, silent auction, food and a large selection of hand crafted gifts will be available. For more information, call 860-347-5925 or visit www.wesleyanpotters.com.

Thursday, Feb. 14

LIBRARY JOB GROUP: Job Group meets on Thursdays, Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Each Thursday a different topic related to careers is discussed, followed by a networking session. Drop-in; no registration required.

INDOOR SNOW FIGHT: Indoor Snow Fight, STEM Activity, at the Deep River Public Library, Feb. 14, 4 p.m. Build catapults fit to launch mini-marshmallows. Registration is required for this program, open to children ages 5-9. Registration is required. Call 860-526-6039 or email drplchildrensdept@gmail.com.

BABY BOUNCE: Baby Bounce at the Deep River Public Library meets Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28; 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and play. Best for children up to 24 months; older siblings welcome. Drop in, no registration.

SIMPLE TAI CHI: Simple Tai Chi with Mike McEwen at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center, 605 Main St., Middletown, Feb. 14-April 4, 12-1 p.m. $80 for 8 weeks. Pre-register at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957 VALENTINE’S DAY MUSIC: Valentines Day with Jacquelyn and Friends, Thursday, 7-9 p.m. at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts & Cultural Center, 605 Main St., Middletown. Free, with refreshments. Details at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-347-4957.

WORLD ART: Cardinal Kids: World Art, 4:30 p.m., Feb. 14, at Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Irmina Benson will lead students in reading, activities and a short art lesson. Free event, email books@wesleyan.edu to register. POT LUCK LUNCHEON: The Durham 60+ Club and Travel will have their annual Valentine's Pot Luck Luncheon Feb, 14 12:30 p.m., Durham Activity Center, Second Floor, 350 Main Street, Durham. Set up 11:30 a.m. All participants will share their special dish. Seniors from surrounding towns are welcome.