CALENDAR

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.

Friday, Feb. 15 THE BIKINIS:

“The Bikinis” at the Connecticut Cabaret Theater, 31 Webster Square Road, Berlin, Feb. 15-March 16, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets $35, call 860-829-1248 or go to www.ctcabaret.com

MARY POPPINS: Colchester Community Theatre will stage Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins”, Feb. 15, 7 p.m, Feb. 16, 2 p.m., 7 p.m., and Feb. 17, 2 p.m., at Bacon Academy High School Auditorium, 611 Norwich Avenue in Colchester. Adults $15, children 12 and under, seniors, $12. Preferred limited seating, $25. Reserve at ShowTix4U, or go to Plotkin’s Jewelry, Colchester, or Photo Connection, Colchester) after Feb. 8. Sponsors are needed; call 860-639-9315. Weather questions, check the group’s Facebook page.

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.

ARCHITECT SERIES: Architectural historian Christopher Wigren will give a free illustrated talk on Connecticut architecture from his recent book: “Connecticut Architecture: Stories of 100 Places,” 7 p.m. Feb. 15, in The Cube at Centerbrook Architects, 67 Main St., Centerbrook. Copies of the book will available for purchase and signing after the talk. RSVP: 860-767-1560.

LOVE CONCERT: Waberi Jordan celebrates love with music, Friday, 8-10 p.m., $10 admission at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Reserve at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957

Saturday, Feb. 16 BOTTOMLEY TRIO:The

Brett Bottomley Trio will perform at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. Tickets $15. Playing Latin, original and jazz standards, featuring Ken Fischer on piano and Bob Ahern on drums. Details, call 860-347-4957 or visit www.buttonwood.org.

BOWLING FUNDRAISER: The DeSoto Council #6 of the Knights of Columbus in Cromwell is hosting a bowling fundraiser to benefit the Cromwell Food Bank, Feb. 16, 12-3 p.m. at Bowl-O-Rama in Newington. $20/bowler ($10 kids 12 & under). Advance registration preferred, go to www.cromwellkofc.com/charitybowl.htm for registration details. Questions, email cromwellkofc@yahoo.com.

MARY POPPINS: Colchester Community Theatre will stage Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins”, Feb. 15, 7 p.m, Feb. 16, 2 p.m., 7 p.m., and Feb. 17, 2 p.m., at Bacon Academy High School Auditorium, 611 Norwich Avenue in Colchester. Adults $15, children 12 and under, seniors, $12. Preferred limited seating, $25. Reserve at ShowTix4U, or go to Plotkin’s Jewelry, Colchester, or Photo Connection, Colchester) after Feb. 8. Sponsors are needed; call 860-639-9315. Weather questions, check the group’s Facebook page. TEEN OPEN MIC: Open mic for teens, Saturday, 3-5 p.m., $5. admission. For ages 12-18, art, music, bands welcome, at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957.

Sunday, Feb. 17 ‘THE PRODIGALS’:

William H. Foster III reads “The Prodigals,” Sunday, 4 p.m. $8 adults, $5 under 18, at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Reserve at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957.

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.

MARY POPPINS: Colchester Community Theatre will stage Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins”, Feb. 15, 7 p.m, Feb. 16, 2 p.m., 7 p.m., and Feb. 17, 2 p.m., at Bacon Academy High School Auditorium, 611 Norwich Avenue in Colchester. Adults $15, children 12 and under, seniors, $12. Preferred limited seating, $25. Reserve at ShowTix4U, or go to Plotkin’s Jewelry, Colchester, or Photo Connection, Colchester) after Feb. 8. Sponsors are needed; call 860-639-9315. Weather questions, check the group’s Facebook page. VALENTINE TEA: Haddam Neck Congregational Church, Quarry Hill Road, Haddam Neck, will host its annual Valentine Tea, after the 11 a.m. service, Feb. 17 in the church schoolhouse building featuring home made treats and beverages. Donations will benefit Heifer International, a global anti-hunger initiative. www.haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org

Monday, Feb. 18 THE BIKINIS:

“The Bikinis” at the Connecticut Cabaret Theater, 31 Webster Square Road, Berlin, through March 16, Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m. Tickets $35, call 860-829-1248 or go to www.ctcabaret.com

Tuesday, Feb. 19 POLKA DOT ART:

Obliteration Room with artist Yayoi Kusama, “the princess of polka dots,” Tuesday, 12-4:30 p.m. in the Storytelling Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. All ages; Drop-in; no registration required.

FAMILY-OPOLY: Create a game unique to your family, Tuesday, 2 p.m. in the Hubbard Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. Library provides a blank game board; bring ideas for personalized categories and questions, and game pieces. For age 7 and up.

TED TALK FILMS: Discuss ideas and TED Talk short films with Lynn Hidek, Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. at Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. This month’s talks feature how movies and film shape our world through technology and culture. Details at hchlibrary.org. SOUND BOWL HEALING: Crystal Bowl Sound Healing w/ Lou Sorrentino, Tuesday, 7:30- p.m. at the Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at www.buttonwood.org or call 860-3474957. AARP MEETING: AARP Chapter #3310 will meet Feb. 19, 1 p.m., St. Pius Church, 310 Westfield Street, Middletown. Membership activities and trips will be discussed. Guest speaker is attorney Phrances Leverton Szewczyk, whose practice is in Middletown, with an overview of probate and estate planning. Members, bring a non-perishable food item for the Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Any questions please call Shirley, 860 916-5978.