CALENDAR

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 GriffithsSmith, 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: 860-767-1560 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.”

Wednesday, Feb. 10

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.

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.

CHESS COACHING: Coach Matthew Shirvell leads a chess club on Zoom with the Deep River Library to hone your skills, practice puzzles and play, 4 p.m. First two meetings, Feb. 10, Feb. 24. Players are encouraged to register for both. Beginners and budding grand masters are all welcome, from kindergarten through grade 12. Participants must sign up for a free account at www.chess.com prior to the program. For information go to deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com and click on our monthly calendar, or call 860-5266039.

BEAVER ECOLOGY: See a new educational video, “An Exploration of Beaver Ecology–Hartman Park, Lyme CT,” with naturalist Mike Zarfos, 7-8 p.m. Feb. 10. Q&A with Mike and Sue Cope, who edited the video, on Zoom. To register for the program, email sue.cope@lymelandtrust.org and receive a link a few days before the Zoom event.

AUTHOR TALK: Paul Vidich, “The Mercenary” , In conversation with Stephen Schiff , 7 p.m. Feb. 10, free on Zoom, RJ Julia Booksellers. Registration required. Registered attendees will be provided with a link and password to the virtual meeting. Details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959.

Thursday, Feb. 11

BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be held Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 573 Main St., Cromwell. 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.

BLOOD DRIVES: Blood drives will be held Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., and 12:30-5:15 p.m. at St. Peters Church, 30 Saint Peter Lane, Higganum. 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.

TERRIFIC THURSDAY: Terrific Thursday, an indoor story time for families with young children, Deep River Public Library, will feature books and music and movement, with social distancing; masks for all participants over 2, and an air scrubber will be used. Take-and-make crafts are available on a first come, first serve basis. Capacity is limited and registration is required, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 4, 11, 18, 24. Email the Children’s Department for more information: drplchildrensdept@gmail.com

AUTHOR TALK: Brigid Kemmerer , “A Vow So Bold and Deadly” In conversation with Stephanie Garber 7 p.m., Feb. 11, RJ Julia Booksellers, on Zoom, tickets required, $18.99 includes admission, signed book plate while supplies last and a copy of the book. Ticket holders will be provided with a link and password to the virtual meeting. Details at www.rjjulia.com or call 203-245-3959.

ESTATE PLANNING: Essential Estate Planning, 7 p.m. Feb. 11 with the Durham Library. Learn how to create your own estate plan. See www.durhamlibrary.org to register.

DIPLOMA INFORMATION: High School Diploma Information Sessions: Presented by Shoreline Adult Education, 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. Feb. 11 with the Blackstone Library on Zoom. Registration is required to receive a link to these online events. To register visit www.blackstonelibrary.org or call 203488-1441 ext. 318. Free.

DIGITAL LIFE: Adjusting to Digital Life: Topics include emailing, web browsing, device maintenance, and more, 2 p.m. Feb. 11, Blackstone Library. Registration is required to receive a link to this online event. To register visit www.blackstonelibrary.org or call 203-488-1441 ext. 318. Free.

Friday, Feb. 12

GET YOUR GED: Middletown Adult Education invites residents to register for free, online classes to hear their high school diploma. MAE has free online high school completion classes and a free, online GED program to prepare for the GED exam. Registration is ongoing for area residents. Call 860-343-6044.

FAST FRIDAY: Fast Friday with the Deep River Public Library, a live Zoom class to say hello to friends and share stories, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26. Visit the calendar for the Zoom link or email the Children’s Department: drplchildrensdept@gmail.com

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.

COOKING CLASS: The Estuary Council offers virtual cooking demonstrations every other month with a complete walk through on how to make a different dish, led by Aaron Pratt, ECSI’s Food Service Manager, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 on Zoom. Learn how to make Chocolate Mousse and Tempered Chocolate with Dipped Fruits. This event is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register, email events@ecsenior.org with Cooking Class in the subject to sign up and receive the link to the demonstration as well as the recipe.

Saturday, Feb. 13

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 860-347-4957. Donations are appreciated to help keep the organization serving its mission.

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/drop-off heart in library lobby. For information call 860669-2342 or email sarah@hchlibrary.org.