CALENDAR

Today

OPEN MIC: Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m., July 30, free, registration required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown . Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939.

FREE AT LAST PLAYERS: The Free at Last Players, 7:30 p.m., July 30, cover, Buttonwood Treet, 605 Main St., Middletown. Details at buttonwood.org.

DRAFTS AND DEBATES: At the end of July, candidates for president of the United States will broadcast their viewpoints to the nation. At the same time, the Middlefield public is invited by the Democratic Town Committee to discuss ideas, personalities, and power of the debaters. The televised programs, featuring one-half of the candidates each night, will be shown at the Indian Springs Golf Club from 8 to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. A political agenda based on economic, social, racial, and environmental justice will be weighed and examined. There will be ample opportunity for eating, drinking, and voting among one another.

Wednesday, July 31

SCIENCE CENTER: Super-Cold Science with the Connecticut Science Center, 6 p.m., July 31, Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown. For families with children in grades k - 12 (ages 6 - 18). Drop in; no registration required but space is limited to 60.

KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM: Kindergarten Kickstart, 10 a.m., July 31, Activity Room, Russell Library, 123 Broad Street, Middletown.For ages 3 - 6 (pre-k — kindergarten); siblings welcome. Drop in; no registration required. WALDO CELEBRATION: Find Waldo Grand Celebration, 6:30 p.m., July 31, free, registration required. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St., Middletown . Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860-685-3939. RELATING TO FOOD: An an educational workshop on eating, July 31, 6 p.m., Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton, with registered dietitian Jessica Dean. Details at hchlibrary.org.

ANIMAL EMBASSY: Animal Embassy will visit the Deep River Library, 5:30 p.m., July 31, free. Live animals, for all ages. No registration required. Details, go to deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com or call 860-526-6039

JEDI TRAINING: Jedi Training with Darth Vader, 3 p.m., July 31, for ages 5 and up, Chester Town Hall, Chester. Here’s a chance for your young jedi warrior to defeat the evil Sith Lord. Each participant will receive a lightsaber and the opportunity to use his or her best moves against Darth Vader. Registration required; call 860-526-0018 or visit http:// chesterct.org/library-programregistrationm or on Facebook.

DRAFTS AND DEBATES: The Middlefield public is invited by the Democratic Town Committee to discuss ideas, personalities, and power of the debaters. The televised programs, featuring onehalf of the candidates each night, will be shown at the Indian Springs Golf Club from 8 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. A political agenda based on economic, social, racial, and environmental justice will be weighed and examined.

Thursday, Aug. 1

GAZEBO CONCERT SERIES: 2019 Joseph N. Goff House Gazebo Concert Series, free, 6:30 p.m., Center School Gazebo, East Hampton Village Center, Main Street. Bring chairs or blankets and a picnic. Aug. 1, Bill Naughton Jr., Aug. 8, Survivors Swing Band. Goffhouseehct.blogspot.com for information.

BUBBLEOLOGY: See Keith Michael Johnson’s Bubbleology show, 10:30 a.m., Aug. 1, free, Richard Smith Town Hall Auditorium, Deep River, presented by the Deep River Public Library and Deep River Park and Recreation. Open to all, no registration required. For details, go to deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com or call the library at 860-526-6039

Friday, Aug. 2

LAWN THEATER: Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy’s free Summer Theater on the Lawn Series. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic. Programs are held on the lawn of the Kidz Konnection Shoreline Theater Academy, 61 East Main St. Aug. 2, Peter Pan, Jr.; Aug. 11, 5 p.m., Aug. 12 2 p.m., Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” at Old Brick; Aug. 16, 3 p.m., The Jungle Book Kids; Aug. 24, 6 p.m., Aug. 25, 12 p.m, 6 p.m., Aug. 26, 4 p.m., “Mamma Mia.” For more information call 860-227-2363. Email kidzkonnectionct@gmail.com or visit kidzkonnectionct.org

Saturday, Aug. 3

HUGE TAG SALE: Tag sale, Aug. 3, Sept. 7, Oct. 5, rain or shine, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. More than 40 vendors with antiques, tools, plants, pictures, produce, furniture, crafts, records, jewelry, yarn, greeting cards, handmade items Vendor spaces, $15. Vendors do not need to register, just show up that morning. Church hall will have “Hidden Treasures” with clothing, toys, Christmas and Holiday items, jewelry, china, a variety of linens, brass, kitchen supplies, craft supplies. Refreshments for sale. Call Bill Shumway for more information 860 349-3397.

NATURE WALK: Beth Lapin will offer a walk on the Mattabesset River Trail through Middletown’s Recreation Division Saturday at 10 a.m. Using a two-mile paved section of the multi-use trail system, people will walk along the Mattabesset River for about one and a half hours. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Children under age 16 must attend with an adult 18 or older. Directions: Newfield Street to Tuttle Road, then right on to Tuttle Place to the cul-de-sac (GPS: 54 Tuttle Place, near Direct Energy Solar). Email Beth@HealingNatureCT.com to attend. For questions that morning, call 860262-2788. This trip will be canceled for inclement weather.

Sunday, Aug. 4

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Worship with Eucharist, 9 a.m., Adult Education “Loving Jesus,” 10:30 a.m.: at Faith Lutheran Church, 300 Washington Street, Middletown. For more information go to www.faithelcamiddletown.org

SUNDAY WORSHIP: Trinity Episcopal Church, 345 Main St., Portland, holds Sunday worship at 9 a.m. followed by the coffee hour. Sunday School is held at 9:30 a.m. All are invited. The church’s missional priest is the Rev. Phil Bjornberg. SACRAMENT MEETING: Sacrament meeting, 10 a.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 130 South St., Cromwell.

MORNING PRAYER: Beginning Sunday and running weekly through Sept. 1, the Church of the Holy Trinity, Middletown, will hold morning prayer in the air-conditioned chapel at 9 a.m. Enter through the red double doors on the south side of the building and into the Victorian Room door on the right to access the chapel. The Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at Holy Trinity, 345 Main St., Portland. Sept. 1 will be a Mass on the Grass with the Praise Band. Thursday Holy Eucharist at Holy Trinity, Middletown, will not be celebrated during August.

Monday, Aug. 5

LIFE DISCOVERIES: A six-week series, Life Discoveries: Hands-On with the Middletown Green Community Center, 11 a.m., July 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3, 10, 17, for ages 7-12. Register at: middletowngreencommunitycenter@gmail.com MOVIE AT THE LIBRARY: “Long Shot,” 1 p.m., Aug. 5, free, with popcorn, Henry Carter Hull Library, Clinton. New releases every Monday. Details at hchlibrary.org.

SUMMER READING: Summer Reading Series: Under The Sea Adventures Story Time, 11 a.m., June 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5, free. Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore , 413 Main Street, Middletown. Details at www.wesleyanrjjulia.com or call 860685-3939.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

GIVING GARDEN MEETING: The next meeting of the Giving Garden will be held Aug. 6, 6 p.m., in the garden, rain location, Middlefield Community Center. Bring a dish to share and a place setting.

Wednesday, Aug. 7

EMBLEM CLUB: The Middletown Emblem Club 452 will hold its monthly meeting Aug. 7 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Elks Lodge at 7 p.m. President Susan Charter will preside. Officers are asked to contact Charter if unable to attend. Topic of discussion is the Veterans Stand Down Sept. 20 and the Military Whist Sept. 26. Volunteers are needed to set up and clean up on that day. Members are asked to bring socks for the veterans and items to contribute to the backpacks.

POTLUCK DINNERS: Summer potluck dinners at the First Congregational Church, 355 Main St., Cromwell, 6:30 p.m., July 10, Aug. 7, Aug. 21, Sept. 4. Meet others in the community and the church. For more information call the church office at 860-635-4806

KIDSCAPADES: Kidscapades: Little Astronauts, 4 p.m,. Aug. 7, free, Chester Public Library, for 18 months to Pre-k. Let your toddler explore outer space through sensory bins and science. Registration required; call 860-526-0018 or visit http://chesterct.org/library-programregistration, or on Facebook.

Thursday, Aug. 8

GAZEBO CONCERT SERIES: 2019 Joseph N. Goff House Gazebo Concert Series, free, 6:30 p.m., Center School Gazebo, East Hampton Village Center, Main Street. Bring chairs or blankets and a picnic. Aug. 8, Survivors Swing Band. Goffhouseehct.blogspot.com for information.

Friday, Aug. 9

SINGLES DINNER: Singles can have dinner, 6:30 p.m., Aug. 9 Esca Restaurant, 437 Main Street, Middletown. To reserve, call Gail at 860-463-6906. Sponsored by Singles Social Connections.

Saturday, Aug. 10

FILMS ON FOSS: Films on Foss, presented by the Mayoral Youth Cabinet, a group of students from 5 different Middletown schools, an outdoor film series at Foss Hill on the Wesleyan Campus. Saturday, Aug. 10, The Goonies. Food trucks, free popcorn, face painting, raffle. Picnic at 7 p.m.; movie at sundown. Visit filmsonfoss.com for any last minute weather information, see the video on the creation of Films on Foss.

LIFE DISCOVERIES: A six-week series, Life Discoveries: Hands-On with the Middletown Green Community Center, 11 a.m., July 13, 20, 27, Aug. 3, 10, 17, for ages 7-12. Register at: middletowngreencommunitycenter@gmail.com

CUT-A-THON: 2nd Annual Cut-A-Thon to benefit Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Aug. 10, $25, at Scissor Happy Salong, 864 PortlandCobalt Rd, Portland. Cut, style or braiding, $25. No appointments necessary. A silent auction and CHDR retail items available. To donate, go to www.ctdraftrescue.com.

SHORELINE WINE FEST: 13th Annual Shoreline Wine Festival, 12-7 p.m., Aug. 10, 12-6 p.m., Aug. 11, tickets $35, $10 designated drivers, at Bishops’s Orchards Farm Market, Guilford. For more information and tickets, visit www.shorelinewinefestival.com or contact Erica DeNuzzo at 203-453-2338, ext. 215.