CALENDAR

Saturday, Feb. 6

ALIGNED WITH SOURCE: Saturdays, Aligned with Source with Annaita Gandhy - 10:30 a.m.-noon, free. Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org, TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com or 860-3474957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

WINTER ART SHOW: The Winter Show of all new works by 27 local artists opens at Earth and Fire Art Studio, 2 Main St., Essex, Jan. 30, with paintings, sculptures, pottery and jewelry made by River Valley Artists, a group of artists from Chester, Essex and Deep River and other neighboring towns. To see the show and to learn more about River Valley Artists, visit www.rivervalleyartists.com, or call 860-753-2435. The show runs through April 17.

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.

ART FUNDRAISER: The Essex Art Association is hosting its first online fundraiser at www.essexartassociation.com through Feb. 15. Members have donated nearly 40 paintings and photographs, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go directly to the gallery. At the website, look for “Exhibitions” and then the show's title, “This One's For Us.”

THE BEATLES: The Beatles: From Liverpool to Abbey Road, a lecture on the Beatles as they embark on their historic journey, presented by the Friends of the Blackstone Library, 2 p.m. Feb. 6, Blackstone Library. To register visit www.blackstonelibrary.org or call 203-488-1441 ext. 318. Free.

SEAL ENCOUNTER: Virtual Harbor Seal Encounter with the New England Aquarium, 11 a.m. Feb. 6, for children and families, all ages with the Durham Library. See www.durhamlibrary.org for more information and to register.

MOTHER GOOSE STORIES: Mother Goose Storytime with the Durham Library’s Miss Diana on YouTube. See www.durhamlibrary.org (click on the Kids tab at the top) for the link.

VIRTUAL SEAL PROGRAM: Virtual Harbor Seal Encounter with the New England Aquarium, 11 a.m. Feb. 6 with the Durham Library. For children and families of all ages. See www.durhamlibrary.org for more information and to register.

SOUPER BOWL: “Church on the Rock” in Branford invites the community to tackle hunger during the Souper Bowl of Caring, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 6. The annual event is going contact-free this year with a canned soup collection in the United Methodist Church’s parking lot, 811 East Main St., Route 1 in Branford. Volunteers will take your donations right from your trunk, and in return, will send you home with a delicious bowl of chili. Donate in your favorite team’s soup pot; winner announced on Facebook. For more information, please contact Pastor Kent Jackson at 203-488-0549 or umcbranford1966@gmail.com

HEALTHLINE: Dr. Kristy Mascarenhas, is the guest on the next edition of the health information radio program — Healthline. Dr. Mascarenhas, an ophthalmologist with Middlesex Eye Physicians, will discuss the different types of glaucoma, the symptoms associated with glaucoma and how it can be treated. Healthline is produced by the Middletown Health Department and can be heard Feb. 6 at 3:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. on WIHS 104.9 FM.

ART SHOW OPENING: Six Summit Gallery, 314 Flat Rock Place, Suites F135 & F140, Westbrook, presents its new show, “Of Beauty and Chaos” with works by Vito Bonanno and Samantha Smith, Feb. 6-March 14. Opening is Feb. 6, 1-4 p.m. For information call 860581-8332 or @sixsummitgallery

LIBRARY DAYS: Take The Library To Your Child, Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke, Clinton, through the month of February, free, with activities. For information call 860-669-2342 or email: askus@hchlibrary.org

VIRTUAL 5K: A new virtual 5K in Old Saybrook is being held March 7-20, to raise money for new play areas at the Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School. Registration is $20, and runners can sign up online at runsignup.com/ goodwingallop5K.

CHDR AUCTION: Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue is holding an online auction for a chance to win a date with a CHDR horse, either in-person or on Zoom, with one or more of our horses The auction runs until Feb. 14 at 11:59 p.m. and winners will be announced. Minimum bids are $25; bid on multiple horses. Go to www.ctdraftrescue.org/winadatewithadraft to read more about the horses and event.

VALENTINE TAKE AND MAKE: Valentine Kit Pickup/Dropoff, through Feb. 28, Henry Carter Hull Library, 10 Killingworth Tpke, Clinton. Free. Pick up/dropoff heart in library lobby. For information call 860-669-2342 or email sarah@hchlibrary.org.

CANDY CRUISE: Participants are wanted for the City of Middletown's Recreation Department Easter Candy Cruise at Crystal Lake, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 27. The Easter Candy Car Cruise will run just like our Halloween Car Cruise, last October. Participants will enter the lake and loop through all the vendor stops. Email Karen Nocera at karen.nocera@middletownct.gov if you are interested in being a stop or for information.

Sunday, Feb 7

STANTON HOUSE AUCTION: The Adam Stanton House Museum, 63 East Main Street, Clinton, is sponsoring a virtual auction fundraiser to continue to raise the funds needed to replace the roof this spring. Bidding opens March 1 and closes March 11. Instructions for pickup will be given to successful bidders. Auction details can be found on the museum’s website at adamstantonhouse.org. For information on donating items for the auction, call the museum at 860-669-2132, weekdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and weekends 1-3 p.m.

BRANFORD FORUM: Do Social Programs Work? Large Problems Require Large Solutions But Are They Effective?, A Conversation with Jesus M. Amadeo, 2 p.m. Feb. 7. To participate, send your name and email to the Branford Forum at rabinkux@sbcglobal.net.

IN-PERSON SERVICES: First Congregational Church, 355 Main Street, Cromwell, CT is holding in- person services on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. all are welcome. Masks must be worn at all times. Social distancing is practiced and temperatures are taken prior to entering the sanctuary. See our website at www.fcccromwell.org. Sunday School starts at 8:45 a.m. To attend Sunday School, call the church office at 860-638-8014, leave your information and be contacted by the Sunday school superintendent. Or, watch the service via our Facebook page, at First Congregational Church Cromwell or on the website.

Monday, Feb. 8

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.

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.

BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be held Feb. 8, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Clark Memorial Fireman's Field, 210 Elm St., Old Saybrook. Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Tuesday, Feb. 9

CIVICS WORKSHOP SERIES: A free upcoming workshop series, Civics 2.0: The Ins & Outs of Serving on a Town Inland Wetlands Agency, will be offered in four two-day sesssions. Participants can choose the date they want to attend: Feb. 20, 27, 1-3 p.m.; March 22, 29, 7-9 p.m.; April 8, 15, 7-9 p.m.; or May 12 and 19, 7-9 p.m. Presenters include Janet Brooks, an experienced wetland attorney, and Kelly Starr, Natural Resource Specialist, Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District. For more information, including how to register, contact civics2.0@yahoo.com.

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.

BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be held Feb. 9, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Water's Edge Resort & Spa, 1525 Boston Post Road, Westbrook. Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

JEWS AND CIVIL RIGHTS: Jewish Historical Society presents a talk at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 by historian Cheryl Greenberg: “Jews, Civil Rights, and Lessons Learned.” Go to jhsgh.org/jews-civil-rights/ to register.

AUTHOR TALK: Neal Shusterman, “Game Changer” , In conversation with Karen Schumann, 7 p.m., Feb. 9. Free on Zoom. Registered attendees will be provided with a link and password to the virtual meeting. RJ Julia Booksellers, details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203245-3959.

AUTHOR TALK: Madeleine Henry ,“The Love Proof” , In conversation with Jessica Ambrose, 6 p.m., Feb. 9, free on Zoom, registration required. Registered 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

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.

MANAGING YOUR MONEY: UConn Extension Educator in family economics and resource management Faye Griffiths-Smith, free illustrated workshop on creating financial security, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9. Essex Library on Zoom. Focus is on creating and following a spending plan and managing credit and debt. Registration is required. RSVP: 860-7671560 or www.youressexlibrary.org

CRM TALK: Join us Tuesday evenings this spring for CRM Talks, a Virtual Speaker Series, 6 p.m. on Zoom, with a focus on the history and environment of the Connecticut River and its Valley. $5 members, $10 guests. Space is limited; reserve early. Go to ctrivermuseum.org for more information and to register. Feb 9, Andrew Fisk, Executive Director of the Connecticut River Conservancy kicks off the series by discussing “How Did We Clean Up Our Rivers? An Environmental History of the Legislation, Technology, and Politics of Clean Water in the Connecticut River Watershed.”