McGee to speak at MLK Day celebration

MIDDLETOWN — The MLK Scholarship of Greater Middletown will present the 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration Jan. 17 at noon on Zoom. Keynote speaker will be state Rep. Brandon McGee Jr., D-Hartford.

To log on, visit tinyurl.com/Middletown MLKbday. Call 929-205-6099, and ID is 946 6060 1745 #.

Library cancels used items collection

PORTLAND — The Portland Library has canceled its “Read & Recycle” collection of used items that was scheduled by the Friends of the Portland Library for Jan. 15.

The next event will be March 26, the announcement said. The library welcomes donations of gently used books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles and games. Sales of these items benefit library services.

Virtual office hours

PORTLAND — State Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex, and state Rep. Christie Carpino, R-Cromwell, will hold virtual office hours on Jan. 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Portland residents will have the opportunity to speak with these elected officials ahead of the start of the 2022 legislative session, an announcement said.

To sign up, register at appoint.ly/s/ House.Republicans/ CarpinoNeedlemanOfficeHours. Rep. Carpino’s office will send a Zoom link that will include instructions on how to log in and meet with the legislators virtually, the announcement said.

Free radon test kits

CROMWELL — The Cromwell Health Department is urging residents to test their homes for radon gas.

Health officials estimate that radon, cited as the leading national environmental cause of cancer mortality, is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, a news release said.

Naturally occurring, radioactive gas formed from the decay of uranium, radon is found in rock, soil and water, according to the news release. Radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, but it can enter homes from the surrounding soil and become a health hazard inside buildings, it said.

The state Department of Public Health recommends testing homes for radon during the winter. Free test kits are available for residents at Cromwell Town Hall, 41 West St. The kits are available by appointment only by calling 860-632-3426. For information, contact Salvatore Nesci, public health coordinator, at that number or snesci@cromwellct.com.

January is National Radon Action Month, To learn more about radon and to obtain a list of qualified radon mitigation contractors, visit ct.gov/radon.

Preschool screening set for Jan. 28

PORTLAND — Valley View School at 81 High St. will conduct a preschool screening on Jan. 28 for children ages 3 to 4.

Connecticut public schools are responsible for identifying children who are eligible to receive special education services, an announcement said. The screening is designed to answer questions or concerns about a child’s development, and identify children who may be eligible for the preschool selection process, the announcement said.

Children will meet with staff and participate in a variety of activities. These activities assess different developmental areas, including cognition, communication, fine and gross motor skills and social interaction, according to the news release. Parents and caregivers will meet with another staff member to discuss the children’s adaptive and personal social skills.

To attend, children must participate in the screening. For an appointment, call 860-342-3131.

Museum to undergo assessment

OLD SAYBROOK — The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center’s museum has been selected to participate in the Collections Assessment for Preservation program.

The museum will work with a team of preservation professionals to identify preventive conservation priorities, the announcement said, adding that a final assessment report will help the museum prioritize its collections care efforts.

On the first floor of the Kate, the museum was newly renovated and expanded in 2021, an announcement said. It is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and one hour prior to performances. Admission is free and donations are accepted. For information, go to thekate.org/about/museum.

Arts commission offers grants

EAST HAMPTON — The East Hampton Arts & Culture Commission is accepting applications from East Hampton High School juniors and seniors for $250 grants to support two capstone projects.

Applicants will be invited to present their capstone project idea to commission members during an agreed upon commission meeting. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1.

Applications, available at artsforeasthamptonct.org, can be submitted to arts@easthamtponct.org, mailed to or dropped off at the town manager’s office at town hall.

The commission welcomes grant applications from local organizations and individuals with programs and/or projects that enrich the lives of residents through the arts, the announcement said. Deadline to apply is April 1 to arts@easthamptonct.org.

Two $500 grant are available. Eligibility requirements and criteria can be found at artsforeasthamptonct.org. An interview may be requested of the candidate prior to awarding the grant. Applications are available at the website and can be returned to the town manager’s office or sent to the email address above.

Gallery ‘Ebony & Ivory’ art show

MERIDEN — Gallery 53, a nonprofit arts organization at 53 Colony St., will be receiving works later this month for the gallery’s upcoming “Ebony & Ivory” art show.

Works can be submitted Jan. 28 from noon to 3 p.m. and Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The exhibit — “with a splash of color,” according to a news release, will be a themed show highlighting black-and-white works. Pieces may also incorporate a splash of color, but should be predominantly black and white, the announcement said. Paintings, drawings, photographs and digital compositions will be accepted. Four prizes will be awarded.

Artists can also submit their work digitally to be featured in the virtual exhibit, online store and social media.

The opening reception will take place on Feb. 5 from noon to 1:30 p.m. The show will run from Feb. 4 to 24. For information, visit gallery53.org or call 203-235-5347.