CALENDAR

Monday, Jan. 25

ONLINE LUNCH: Online Lunch with Shoreline Unitarian Minister, Mondays at noon starting Jan. 11 on Zoom, the Rev. Terry Sweetser, To receive the Zoom link for this virtual lunch and virtual Sunday services at 10:30 a.m., contact the church office: office@shorelineunitarian.org or (203) 245-8720.

DRIVING AND DEMEMTIA: A free virtual class, “Keys to Consider – Driving and Dementia,” 2-3 p.m. Jan. 25, will cover a variety of topics including the progression of dementia; how dementia affects the skills needed to drive; safety concerns; and a question and answer session. Registration required; call 855442-4373 or go online to www.Hartford HealthCare.org/VirtualClasses.

OPEN MIC: Anything Goes Open Mic with Moments of Gratitude, Mondays, 7 p.m., free, Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION: Registration for kindergarten at Valley View School, Portland, is open to children turning five on or before Jan. 1, 2022. Contact the school at pgross@portlandct.us and provide your child's full name, phone number and address. Further information regarding registration will be provided once you contact the school.

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Legislative Breakfast at 8 a.m. Jan. 29. This event, which will be held virtually for the first time, is sponsored by Comcast. The format is mainly question and answer, and at the event, the chamber’s 2021 Public Policy Agenda will be formally presented to the Middlesex County Legislative Delegation. This event is free to attend for members of the chamber. Advance registration required; go to www.middlesexchamber.com.

Tuesday, Jan. 26

BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be held Jan. 26, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Tee Connecticut, 55 Golf Club Road, Cromwell. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-REDCROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa. Those who donate up to Jan. 20 will be entered to win a Big game at Home package.

BLOOD DRIVES: Blood drives will be held Jan. 26, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 1-6 p.m., at the Middletown Elks Lodge, 44 Maynard St., Middletown. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa. Those who donate up to Jan. 20 will be entered to win a Big game at Home package.

YA BOOK CLUB: Today’s YA Book Club: “In the Penalty Box” by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount, 7 p.m., Jan. 26, free on Zoom. Registration required; attendees will be provided with a link and password to the virtual meeting. RJ Julia Booksellers, details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959.

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE: First Tee - Connecticut will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 26 at First Tee – Connecticut, 55 Golf Club Road, Cromwell,. For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 860-3162513 or sign up online at redcrossblood.org with sponsor code Cromwell.

BOOK CHAT: Book Chat Online: January Edition, Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, 9:30 a.m., Jan. 26, free. Registration required,eemail sarah@hchlibrary.org to sign up or call 860-669-2342.

LAUGHTER YOGA: Tuesdays: Laughter Yoga - 7 p.m., free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

MONEY MANAGEMENT: Managing Your Money In Challenging Times: The Basics, A 5-Part Series presented by Faye Griffiths-Smith with the Essex Library, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 26, every other Tuesday through March 23 on Zoom. Free, registration is required. For more information or to register, please call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560 or see the website at: www.youressexlibrary.org

VACCINATION TRANSPORTATION: The Middletown Transit District’s Complimentary COVID Vaccination Transportation provides free accessible transportation to COVID-19 vaccination sites, including drive-through sites, in the district 7 days per week. Trips must begin in Middletown, Middlefield, East Hampton, Portland or Durham and may be to any testing site in those towns. Any resident regardless of age or ability is eligible, and up to four people may travel together. Trips must be booked at least one day in advance by calling Curtin Transportation at 860-443-1655 between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. weekdays. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are available upon request. Face coverings are required when riding. Full program details are available at www.middletownareatransit.org.

YA BOOK CLUB: Today’s YA Book Club: “In the Penalty Box” by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount, 7 p.m. Jan. 26, free on Zoom with RJ Julia Booksellers. Registered attendees will be provided with a link and password to the virtual meeting. Details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203245-3959.

DIAPER DRIVE: Bare Necessities, a non-profit organization, is hosting the fourth annual Law Enforcement Diaper Drive, Feb. 1-15. Kicks off Jan. 26, 9 a.m. at the Branford Police Department, 33 Laurel Street. Masks and social distancing is required. This year's participating Police Departments include Branford, Clinton, Connecticut State Police - Troop F, East Haven, Guilford, Madison, and North Branford. Donations may be dropped off anytime at any of the participating police departments, at the Madison Coffee House,724 Boston Post Road in Madison, or use Bare Necessities Amazon wish list and have them shipped directly to their warehouse.

Wednesday, Jan. 27

D&D ON ZOOM: Zoom Dungeons & Dragons. Wednesdays at 7 p.m. starting Jan. 13. Grades 7 and up welcome. See www.durhamlibrary.org (Kids tab at top of page) to register.

AUTHOR TALK: Shelli R. Johannes, “Libby Loves Science: Mix and Measure (I Can Read Level 3)”, 4 p.m., Jan. 27, free on Zoom. Registration required; attendees will be provided with a link and password to the virtual meeting. RJ Julia Booksellers, details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959.

MAKE POTSTICKERS: Learn to make potstickers, or Chinese dumplings, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27, on Zoom with the Deep River Library and Katie Shepherd, registered dietician with Food Explorers. For information and registration, go to deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com and click on our monthly calendar, or call the library at 860-526-6039.

SCIENCE TALK: “Games, Drugs, And Rock & Roll: Artificial Intelligence In Everyday Life” With Yale Science Communication, on Zoom, Jan 27 at 7 p.m. hosted by the Essex Library. The focus will be on artificial intelligence in our everyday lives through the lens of game theory, pharmaceutical research and music therapy. Registration is required. www.youressexlibrary.org or call Essex Library at 860-767-1560.

AUTHOR DISCUSSION: Shelli R. Johannes and Kimberly Derting, “Libby Loves Science: Mix and Measure (I Can Read Level 3)”, 4 p.m., Jan. 27, free on Zoom with RJ Julia Booksellers. Registered attendees will be provided with a link and password to the virtual meeting. Details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203245-3959

Thursday, Jan. 28

BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be held Jan. 28, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Middlefield Federated Church, 402 Main St, Middlefield. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-REDCROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa. Those who donate up to Jan. 20 will be entered to win a Big game at Home package.

BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be held Jan. 28, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Church of Christ, 366 Main St., Old Saybrook. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa. Those who donate up to Jan. 20 will be entered to win a Big game at Home package.

STORY TIME: Terrific Thursday indoor Story Time at Deep River Library, Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, in person or online, masks required. Take-and-make crafts are available on a first come, first serve basis. Room capacity is limited; registration is a requirement. Email the Children’s Department for more information: drplchildrensdept@gmail.com

UNDERSTANDING SEPSIS:A free virtual class “Understanding Sepsis,” 10-11 a.m. Jan. 28 with Nicholas Arsenault, transitional care nurse with Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. Registration is required; call 855-442-4373 or go online to www.Hartford HealthCare.org/VirtualClasses.

GOTTA’S OPEN MIC: Thursdays, Bob Gotta's Open Mic, 7 p.m., free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org, TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

INTERPRETING DREAMS: Dream Interpretation with Rev. Lee Ireland on Zoom, 7 p.m. Jan. 28. Learn how to analyze your dreams. See www.durhamlibrary.org to register. Zoom program.

Friday, Jan. 29

VITA TAX HELP: Safe Tax Prep Assistance with VITA volunteers and Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke, Clinton. Registration begins Jan. 2, 10 a.m. You must register to receive an appointment for this service. Visit hchlibrary.org for current service hours; to register call 860-669-2343.

FAST FRIDAY: Fast Friday, live Zoom class to say hello to our friends and share stories, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29. Visit the library calendar for the Zoom link or email the Children’s Department: drplchildrensdept@gmail.com Recorded Story Times will be posted to our Linktree once weekly. You may also request to be on the weekly email list to automatically receive these story time links. https://linktr.ee/deepriverpubliclibrary

SPANISH CONVERSATION: Spanish Conversation on Zoom. Fridays at 4 p.m. Practice your Spanish with moderator Marilyn Horn. Email kmcnally@durhamlibrary.org for the weekly Zoom link to the meeting. All levels welcome.

AUTHOR TALK: Samuel P. Fortsch, “Pawtriot Dogs”, 4 p.m., Jan. 29, free on Zoom. Register and receive the zoom link and passwordk. RJ Julia Booksellers, details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203245-3959.

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Legislative Breakfast at 8 a.m. Jan. 29. This event, which will be held virtually for the first time, is sponsored by Comcast. The format is mainly question and answer, and at the event, the chamber’s 2021 Public Policy Agenda will be formally presented to the Middlesex County Legislative Delegation. This event is free to attend for members of the chamber. Advance registration required; go to www.middlesexchamber.com.