Taste of Middlesex County begins Feb. 15

The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s sixth annual Taste of Middlesex County is here. For the COVID-19 pandemic, the chamber is reinventing the event to meet Connecticut Safety Guidelines and to help support local restaurants by offering two weeks in 2021: Feb. 15-21 and June 21-27.

Like past years, this celebration of local food will allow residents to discover Middlesex County’s award-winning food scene.

These restaurant weeks are designed to highlight the numerous and diverse dining experiences within the greater Middlesex region. Participating restaurants have come up with ideas such as a fixed price menu ($20.21 or $30.21), meals for two, family meals, or dine-in/carry-out options.

Participating restaurants so far include: 1741 Pub & Grill in Middlefield, Eli Cannons Tap Room in Middletown, Fire at the Ridge & Ridgeside Tavern in Middlefield, Scotch Plains Tavern in Essex, and Water's Edge Resort & Spa in Westbrook. To learn more or to register a restaurant to participate, please visit https://www.middlesexchamber.com/pages/taste-of-middlesex-county. Follow updates on social media by searching the hashtag #TasteOfMiddlesex

Literacy Volunteers offer free training

WESTBROOK — Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore’s mission is to teach residents of the Shoreline area to read, write and speak English to better their work and life skills for themselves, their families, their employers, and their community.

LVVS is now accepting applications for individuals to become volunteer English tutors and to attend our Spring 2021 Virtual New Tutor Training Workshop.

The workshop is a 12-hour program conducted over eight facilitated sessions, and is being presented virtually. It will include a review of prepared materials presented by a Workshop Leader as well as group discussions and exercises.

The next training workshop begins April 8 and runs through May 11. Potential tutors choose either the AM sessions from 9:3011 a.m. or the evening sessions from 7-8:30 p.m. A fee of $35 is requested to offset the cost of materials. If interested in becoming a tutor, find an application at www.lvvs.org. For more information, contact the Literacy Volunteers office at 860-399-0280 or email jargersinger@lvvs.org

Free tax prep services available

MIDDLETOWN — Connecticut’s Community Action Agencies are providing free tax preparation services to eligible individuals and families across the state through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

VITA is available for residents with low to moderate incomes, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance preparing and filing their tax returns. Last year, over 10,000 people filed their tax returns at CAAs.

Most of Connecticut’s Community Action Agencies provide VITA, and those who need help should contact their local agency to make an appointment. Services are being offered remotely or onsite. To prepare for their appointment, taxpayers should have: a valid photo ID; social security cards for all family members; last year’s state and federal tax return (if available); all income forms, i.e., W-2, 1099s, and 1098s; and proof of all other income.

For direct deposit, a check or savings account number with routing number is required. If someone is filing married filing jointly, both parties must sign the Income Tax Form. Additional information may be needed depending on the individual or family’s situation.

As the largest statewide health and human services network, CAAs are the safety net for Connecticut and serve all 169 cities and towns. They provide many other critical, basic human needs services like childcare, food, heating assistance, housing support, and employment and training, and served nearly 200,000 people across the state last year.

For more information on the VITA program or to find your local CAA to apply, visit www.cafca.org or contact the Connecticut Association for Community Action at 860-832-9438. Each CAA’s VITA site contact number is below.

Virtual 5K registration now open

OLD SAYBROOK — A new virtual 5K in Old Saybrook is being held to help the Kathleen E. Goodwin Elementary School generate funds for new play areas.

The Goodwin Gallop 5K Presented by Whelen Engineering will take place virtually between March 7–20. Registration is $20, and runners can sign up online at runsignup.com/goodwingallop5K.

Club offers scholarships

CHESHIRE — The Women's Club of Cheshire is offering a scholarship to a Cheshire woman who is seeking to further her education at an accredited college for a better employment opportunity.

If interested, call Jane Richards at 203-272-8249 to receive an application. Applications must be returned by March 31.

CCD holding virtual coffeehouse

CROMWELL — Cromwell Creative District’s second annual Coffeehouse is going virtual. The event will take place online, going live on the evening of Feb. 26.

Performers: email cromwellcreativedistrict@gmail.com with a video performance (must be kept under 5 minutes), please include your name, contact info and brief background on the performer(s). Subject line to include Virtual Coffeehouse.

Artists: email cromwellcreativedistrict@gmail.com photos of artwork in .jpg with artist name and contact, brief bio, and description of work (to be read while images are on screen). Subject line to include Virtual Coffeehouse.

This is a family friendly event. Performers of all ages are welcome. Fun family videos (including pets, culinary specialties, snow sculpture, COVID activities) are encouraged. Submissions of performances or art are due by Sunday Feb. 14 at 11:59 p.m. If you have any questions, contact CCD via email: cromwellcreativedistrict@gmail.com