Community Corner

A Biological Exploration, Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, a Rock Climbing Competition, and More in Vernon This Weekend

Check out what is going on in the region this weekend.

Pet Adoption Event
Friday, 4 p.m. and Saturday, noon - Packleaders Dog Rescue is having an adoption event on Friday and Saturday at Petsmart in Manchester. There will be many dogs, puppies, kittens, and cats to meet and adopt. For more information, visit www.packleadersrescue.com.

Joshua's Trust Biological Exploration of Chenes Roches Preserve
Saturday, 10 a.m. - Join professional naturalists Tom Harrington and Ted Taigen on a biodiversity exploration of this beautiful 55-acre woodland. This Joshua's Trust property does not yet have trails, so come prepared to explore the landscape and discover the biological inventory of plants and animals found there. Families and children are especially encouraged to come with us to investigate this preserve. Program will begin at 10 a.m. and will run for approximately two hours. Inclement weather cancels the event.

2013 Hartford Walk for Farm Animals
Saturday, 10 a.m. - The Walk for Farm Animals raises vital funds for Farm Sanctuary’s lifesaving work and brings together thousands of people to change hearts and minds about farm animals. Enjoy fun, vegan food, music, prizes, and more. This is a family-friendly event, and dogs are welcome. Check-in is at 10 a.m. and the walk is from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. To sign up, visit http://events.walkforfarmanimals.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=632.

CarFit
Saturday, 10 a.m. - AAA, AARP, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Injury Prevention Center of Hartford Hospital/Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Genesis Rehab Services are partnering to bring CarFit to the Manchester Senior Center. This is a free event. Trained volunteers will lead drivers through a 12-point checklist with their vehicle, recommend personal vehicle adjustments and adaptations, and offer community-specific resources and activities that could make their personal vehicles “fit” better and enhance their safety. An occupational therapist will also be on hand to provide information to older drivers on how to maintain and strengthen driving health. Individual appointments will take approximately 30 minutes. For an appointment, please call 860-249-1245.

Underland Art Festival
Saturday, 3 p.m. - Underland Art Festival is an offbeat event created and run by artists with a mission to celebrate unique art. The festival will host artists, vendors, and live music. All proceeds will benefit the Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association. General admission is $5 and donor tickets are $10. Tickets are available online or at the door. Space for artists, vendors and bands is still available for $25. For more information, visit www.underlandartfest.com or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/underlandartfest.

Mission Improv-able: Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. - MCC's own semi-professional, semi-serious and always-silly Improvisation Comedy Troupe - "Mission Improv-able" - presents its next Murder Mystery Dinner Theater with another original show. Included in your ticket price is a catered dinner, moving from its MCC Culinary Arts Dining Room location to MCC on Main. Detective Chuck E. Chan and a colorful cast of outrageous characters serve up hilarious, interactive improv entertainment. Bring a friend and solve the "whodunnit" together. The cost is $28.50 or 2 for $50. For more information, contact Kenyon Grant at kgrant@mcc.commnet.edu or 860-647-6030.

Roomful of Blues at Stafford Palace

Saturday, 7 p.m. - For nearly half a century, Roomful of Blues has been delivering its signature blend of swing, rock ‘n’ roll, jump, blues and R&B to euphoric audiences all over the world. The band has earned five Grammy Award nominations and a slew of other accolades, including seven Blues Music Awards. Twice, the prestigious DownBeat International Critics Poll has selected them as Best Blues Band. With their masterful combination of jumping, horn-heavy blues and R&B, it’s no wonder why the great Count Basie called them “the hottest blues band I’ve ever heard.” Billboard simply says, “Roomful is so tight and so right.” Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. Call the box office at 860-851-9780 from  5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Mount Carmel Boxing Under the Stars
Saturday, 7 p.m. - Once again, Mount Carmel and San Juan Center Sports team up for a night of live, outdoor boxing. Gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at Freshwater Package Store, Troiano Oil, or at Danny's Pizza. Ticket prices range from ringside for $25, reserved seating for $20 and grandstand or standing room for $15. Children under 10 free for grandstand seating. Grandstand seating will be available at the gate but ringside seating will be limited. Call ahead to purchase your tickets. Mount Carmel will have food and beverages available. Call 860-745-0321 for further details.

Pentatonix at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts

Saturday, 7 p.m. - Vocal sensation and winner of season three of NBC's The Sing Off, Pentatonix is taking instrument-free music far beyond anyone's wildest expectations. Pairing their intricate arrangements with cleverly re-imagined pop songs, Pentatonix has quickly cultivated a sound and style that is entirely unique, undeniably infectious, and filled with limitless sonic possibility. Tickets start at $20.

Ashford Metric Century+ Bike Ride
Sunday, 7 a.m. - Nerac Earth, a nonprofit cycling club located in Tolland, is pleased to invite everyone to come out and participate in the sixth annual Ashford Metric Century+, a fund-raising bicycle ride event. The 10, 25, 62 and 100 mile routes travel through the “quiet corner” of northeastern Connecticut and surrounding areas in Massachusetts for the longer rides. The back country roads, stunning fall foliage and cool weather conditions make this a classic New England bicycle ride. All routes are fully supported and there are multiple rest stops stocked with food, drinks and water. In addition, all pre-registered riders will receive a 2013 Ashford Metric Century+ t-shirt and after the ride, we will be serving baked potatoes with all the fixings and homemade apple crisp with ice cream. There will be free massage offered by CT Center for Massage Therapy to get you rolling again. The ride starts at the Ashford Elementary School on Route 89 in Ashford. Registration will take place from 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. The 100-mile starts at 7:30 a.m., the 65-mile ride at 9 a.m., the 25-mile ride at 9:30 a.m., and the 10-mile ride at 9:30 a.m. Registration can be done online. This is a USA Cycling permitted event. Helmets must be worn and approved by the CPSC or US DOT standards.

Halfway to St. Patrick's Day 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - The Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee is hosting the inaugural Halfway to St. Patrick's Day 5K Run/Walk on Sunday at the Irish Club in Glastonbury. The proceeds will benefit the 2014 Greater Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade. Children 8 and under can compete in the Wee Mile Race (1/4 mile). All Wee Milers will receive a medal. The top three finishers in each age group will also receive a medal. The after party will include food and music. To register, visit http://www.stpatshalfway5k.com/.

Rosewood Chamber Ensemble in Concert
Sunday, 2 p.m. - The Rosewood Chamber Ensemble with flutist Barbara Hopkins and guitarist Judy Handler will present Melodies of Mark - a celebration of Mark Twain’s passion for music at the Windsor Art Center. This performance follows Twain’s life and musical interests from his early days in the South to his final days in Connecticut. Twain was drawn to spirituals that he heard as a boy, loved Scottish and Irish songs, enjoyed popular music of his day and later came to appreciate some of the classical composers of the Romantic era. A special feature of the Rosewood Chamber Ensemble’s concert is its use of historical instruments. Handler will play a Martin parlor guitar that is the same make and model as one owned and played by Mark Twain. Hopkins will play period flutes, including a wooden Asa Hopkins flute made in Litchfield, Connecticut, in the 1830s. The suggested donation is $10.

Rock Climbing Speed Climbing Competition
Sunday 6 p.m. - This speed climbing competition is an easily approachable format that is geared toward youths age 6 and older, and is great for teenagers. No experience is necessary. Even if you have never climbed before, you can participate fully and be competitive. The entry fee is $15. More details can be found at www.stoneagerockgym.com.


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