Earthstock Connecticut was held on April 19, 2009 from 10am-4pm in the courtyard at Tunxis Community College. The event, coordinated by a grassroots group of eco-minded individuals from the college and local community, aims at educating the public on conserving, protecting and restoring the world’s most precious natural resources. About 3,500 people attended this fun-filled green fest that featured over 70 vendors and exhibitors, music, food, dancing, drumming circles, arts and crafts and many family activities. Next year’s event is planned for April 25, 2010. For more information please visit earthstockconnecticut.com
Short video from Earthstock 2009
On Thursday April 16, 2009 from 6 to 8 pm the Tunxis Library and the Celebration of Womanhood club co-sponsored “Music and Poetry on the House” in celebration of National Library Week and National Poetry Month, with Debbie Rossel in concert, and a poetry reading from the Fine Line Poets (an all woman group) of Massachusetts.
Debbie Rossel is a local singer/songwriter whose music is rooted in acoustic folk rock and rhythm and blues. She teaches in the Academic Strategies Department at Tunxis Community College and in the Rhetoric and Professional Writing Department at University of Hartford. Debbie received her MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She transfers her background in poetry to composing songs, and is currently recording a full-length album, with an anticipated release this year. You can hear a sample of her music at her website: http://www.myspace.com/debbierossel
Five poets from the group of seven read selections of their works: Virginia Bradley, Jean Tupper, Marcia Szymanski, JoAnne Preiser and Nancy Tupper Ling. More information on the group may be found at their website http://www.finelinepoets.com/
The event was coordinated by Carolyn Boulay, with assistance from the library staff, and Maggie Ducharme of the Celebration of Womanhood Club.
Part I | PartII | PartIII | Part IV
On Wednesday, April 15, from 11:40 to 1:15 in the former Tunxis Library, Dr. Rafaele Fierro led a panel discussion about the current economic challenges we face as a nation and the resulting political responses from President Obama and the Congress. The concepts and events of our current situation were discussed in comparison to the Great Depression, President Roosevelt and the New Deal. Panelists also analyzed the impact of decisions made by Connecticut’s Governor Rell and the State Legislature on Tunxis Community College and its students. The panelists were President Cathryn Addy, Professor Bob Brown, Professor Andre Blaszcznyski, Dr. Fran Coan, and Dr. Rafaele Fierro. The session was moderated by Dr. Terry Cassidy, the coordinator of the Center for Teaching.
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV
Sarah Nichols, a student at Tunxis Community College, is one of five Connecticut Student Poets who have been chosen to read from their work as part of the Connecticut Poetry Circuit. The event took place on March 9, 2009. For over 30 years, the Connecticut Poetry Circuit has sent award-winning students on tour to read at colleges statewide. The student poets will read in the following order: Matthew Gilbert from University of Hartford, Katherine Rowe from Albertus Magnus and Sarah Nichols from Tunxis Community College.
Part I | Part II | Part III
Multi-media and public works artist, Joe Sam. gave a wonderful and engaging talk about his work Thursday March 5 at Tunxis Communtiy College. His many stories enlivened the evening with laughter, joy, and fascination about his life as an artist and his views on becoming an artist. Joe Sam related his personal experiences that shaped his growth and gave his work its colorful look. A thoroughly delightful night was enjoyed by all. - Bill Kluba, Barnes-Franklin Gallery director.
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV
Tunxis Professor Sally Terrell gives an introduction to memoir writing. She cites examples from her own work as well as others working in the genre.
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV
On February 19, 2009, Dr. Barry Loewer spoke at Tunxis Community College. He addressed the conflicting theories of Quantum Mechanics and the question of what it all means for our views about the nature of space and time. Dr.Loewer is Chair of Philosophy at Rutgers University.
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV
Poet and independent scholar Charles Stein reads key passages from his major new verse translation of Homer’s Odyssey, interspersing the performance with insights into the theological, aesthetic, cultural, and economic dimensions of the Homeric milieu and its successors. Tunxis faculty member in English and philosophy Jesse Abbot provides the opening act with a meditation linking Homer, hierophany (sacred manifestation) and hypertext. One major conceptual hub to which Stein repeatedly returns is the complex and nuanced Greek perspective on fate.
Part I | Part II | Part III
Tunxis Community College hosted the Third Annual Evening of Art, Poetry and Jazz on October 21, 2008. The Kevin O’Neil Jazz Duo played music, Kurt Brown was our guest Poet and students participated in a poetry slam. The event was emceed by Professor Sally Terrell and was open to the public.
Part I | Part II | Part III
Tunxis hosted a mock presidential debate featuring Professor Andre Blaszczynski as John McCain and Professor Robert Brown as Barack Obama. The event was organized by Rafaele Fierro. Enjoy the clips.