Connecticut gets $6 Million from settlement with drug company

Abbott Laboratories allegedly offered and paid illegal remuneration to health care professionals and long-term care pharmacy providers to encourage them to promote and/or prescribe Depakote

Connecticut Atty. General George Jepsen said today (May 7) the state will receive approximately $6 million from settlements with Abbott Laboratories in relation to charges the pharmaceutical company marketed the prescription drug Depakote for uses not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Depakote is approved by the FDA for treatment of seizure disorders, “mania” associated with bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.

According to complaints, Abbott also marketed the drug for behavioral disturbances in dementia patients, anxiety, conduct disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol and drug withdrawal, attention deficit disorder, autism and other psychiatric conditions – uses the FDA has not deemed to be effective.

According to the allegations in the complaint, Abbott Laboratories promoted Depakote for unapproved uses by:

• making false and misleading statements about the safety, efficacy, dosing and cost-effectiveness of Depakote for some of these uses;

• improperly marketing the product for use in nursing homes;

• and by offering and paying illegal remuneration to health care professionals and long-term care pharmacy providers to encourage them to promote and/or prescribe Depakote.

Abbott Laboratories’ marketing for non-FDA approved uses allegedly resulted in false claims to Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs.

Jepsen said these settlements “will serve as a deterrent to other companies who seek to benefit unfairly from government healthcare programs.”

“Most importantly, they will help to protect consumers who were prescribed an expensive drug with little evidence the drug could help their condition,” Jepsen said.

In the settlements, Abbott has agreed to pay the involved states and the federal government $800 million in civil damages and penalties.

Connecticut’s share of Medicaid claims is more than $3.9 million.

Connecticut will also receive $499,000 for state-funded benefit programs administered by the state Department of Social services.

Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby said, “Our claims data indicated a significant and inappropriate impact on Medicaid expenditures, a factor that will now be mitigated by this major settlement.”

The company has also agreed to a $700 million criminal fine and forfeiture for violating the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Another $100 million settlement with 45 states and the District of Columbia, resolves civil consumer protection claims that the company engaged in unfair and deceptive practices by illegal off-label marketing of Depakote.

Connecticut’s share of the consumer protection settlement is more than $1.5 million, including $150,000 for the state Department of Consumer Protection’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said, “The funding that the settlement provides for Connecticut’s Prescription Monitoring Program will directly benefit patient health by assisting pharmacists and physicians to better monitor potentially dangerous drug interactions and prescription errors.”

Abbott also agreed to enter into a corporate integrity agreement with the federal government.

For a period of five years, Abbott must also limit:

• the creation and use of responses to requests by physicians for non-promotional information about off-label uses of Depakote;

• dissemination of reprints of clinical studies relating to off-label uses of Depakote;

• and use of grants and continuing medical education.

It must also disclose payments to physicians and register and disclose clinical trials.

The healthcare fraud settlement was based on four qui tam cases, filed under federal and state false claim statutes that were consolidated and are pending in U.S. District Court in Virginia.

Assistant Atty. General Thomas Saadi handled the consumer protection settlement for the Attorney General with Assistant Atty. General Phillip Rosario, head of the Consumer Protection department.

Consumers can make inquiries of the Attorney General’s office by calling 860-808-5318 during office hours or sending email to attorney.general@ct.gov You can also follow the office on Facebook at Attorney General George Jepsen and on Twitter @AGJepsen

Posted May 7, 2012, based on a press release

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Chris Murphy endorsed for U.S. Senate by Malloy, Wyman and Tong

Congressman Chris Murphy at a send off of National Guard troops. Murphy has been endorsed by Gov. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Wyman and former Democratic candidate William Tong to fill the open U.S. Senate seat for Connecticut. Photo source: Rep. Chris Murphy

Gov. Dannel Malloy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and State Rep. William Tong today (May 1) joined together to endorse Congressman Chris Murphy’s candidacy for the open United States Senate seat in Connecticut.

Willliam Tong announced that he is ending his bid for the U.S. Senate.

“I want to congratulate William on a well run campaign,” said Gov. Malloy. “His positive message and personal story struck a chord with many people and I have no doubt that he’ll find success in whatever he sets his mind to next.”

“But now, it’s time for us as a party to get behind the best candidate in this race, and I have no doubt that that person is Chris Murphy,” Gov. Malloy said. “He’s smart, he gets things done and he’s not afraid to stand up to the status quo in Washington. That’s what we need in our next Senator, and I’m happy to put my support behind his candidacy. Now is the time for the Democratic Party to rally around Chris as we head into the nominating convention.”

Lt. Gov. Wyman said, “It is always good and sad when two very qualified people run for the same office… William Tong is a newer face to politics and a leader in his own right. Over the past few years I have become a friend and am proud of his abilities. William is a true leader and we will be seeing him in the future.”

Wyman added, “I am proud to add my name to the endorsement of Chris Murphy, who has a proven record in the State House, State Senate and as our 5th Congressional Representative to be our next U.S. Senator. Chris is a caring and hard working leader. Thank you William and Chris for putting the people of Connecticut first.”

State Rep. Tong said, “I am proud to endorse Chris Murphy for the United States Senate and join his team… I’ve learned a lot about Chris in this campaign. We are both sons of Connecticut who love our home state. And I have learned that he has the same fight, the same grit, the same commitment to working people like my parents. And I know he has the heart, the backbone and the integrity we need in the United States Senate. I am proud to call him my friend. I will be prouder still to call him my Senator.”

Rep. Murphy called these announcements, “an important unifying moment for our party and praised Tong’s campaign. “And I’m honored to earn his support today,” he said.

“Together, with the help of William, Gov. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Wyman and the thousands of grassroots activists who have enlisted to help our campaign, we’re building a coalition that can’t be beat,” Murphy said.

Posted May 1, 2012

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CT Gov Malloy, on signing bill to repeal capital punishment

"I saw people who were poorly served by their counsel. I saw people wrongly accused or mistakenly identified. I saw discrimination. In bearing witness to those things, I came to believe that doing away with the death penalty was the only way to ensure it would not be unfairly imposed." - CT Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, April 25 2012

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Wednesday (April 25) released the following statement after signing S.B. 280, An Act Revising the Penalty for Capital Felonies:

“This afternoon I signed legislation that will, effective today, replace the death penalty with life in prison without the possibility of release as the highest form of legal punishment in Connecticut. Although it is an historic moment – Connecticut joins 16 other states and the rest of the industrialized world by taking this action – it is a moment for sober reflection, not celebration.

“Many of us who have advocated for this position over the years have said there is a moral component to our opposition to the death penalty. For me, that is certainly the case. But that does not mean – nor should it mean – that we question the morality of those who favor capital punishment. I certainly don’t. I know many people I deeply respect, including friends and family, who believe the death penalty is just. In fact, the issue knows no boundaries: not political party, not gender, age, race, or any other demographic. It is, at once, one of the most compelling and vexing issues of our time.

“My position on the appropriateness of the death penalty in our criminal justice system evolved over a long period of time. As a young man, I was a death penalty supporter. Then I spent years as a prosecutor and pursued dangerous felons in court, including murderers. In the trenches of a criminal courtroom, I learned firsthand that our system of justice is very imperfect. While it’s a good system designed with the highest ideals of our democratic society in mind, like most of human experience, it is subject to the fallibility of those who participate in it. I saw people who were poorly served by their counsel. I saw people wrongly accused or mistakenly identified. I saw discrimination. In bearing witness to those things, I came to believe that doing away with the death penalty was the only way to ensure it would not be unfairly imposed.

“Another factor that led me to today is the ‘unworkability’ of Connecticut’s death penalty law. In the last 52 years, only 2 people have been put to death in Connecticut – and both of them volunteered for it. Instead, the people of this state pay for appeal after appeal, and then watch time and again as defendants are marched in front of the cameras, giving them a platform of public attention they don’t deserve. It is sordid attention that rips open never-quite-healed wounds. The 11 men currently on death row in Connecticut are far more likely to die of old age than they are to be put to death.

“As in past years, the campaign to abolish the death penalty in Connecticut has been led by dozens of family members of murder victims, and some of them were present as I signed this legislation today. In the words of one such survivor: ‘Now is the time to start the process of healing, a process that could have been started decades earlier with the finality of a life sentence. We cannot afford to put on hold the lives of these secondary victims. We need to allow them to find a way as early as possible to begin to live again.’ Perhaps that is the most compelling message of all.

“As our state moves beyond this divisive debate, I hope we can all redouble our efforts and common work to improve the fairness and integrity of our criminal justice system, and to minimize its fallibility.”

Posted April 27, 2012

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Young inventors to converge on UConn Saturday

More than 700 young inventors will display their ingenuity at the 29th annual Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) on Saturday at the University of Connecticut’s Gampel Pavilion.

More than 700 young inventors will display their ingenuity at the 29th annual Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) on Saturday at the University of Connecticut’s Gampel Pavilion.

Students in grades K-8 will exhibit their inventions during the CIC, which is the nation’s oldest continuously running children’s invention convention.

The public is invited and admission is free.

Young inventors exhibit their practical solutions to everyday problems.

The 700 students, representing 130 schools statewide, were selected from nearly 10,000 youngsters at more than 100 local competitions.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. and the awards ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m.

The keynote speaker is teacher Rachael Manzer, who is president of the Connecticut Science Teachers Association and one of seven teachers nationwide to be selected to fly into space on a commercial spacecraft as part of the Teachers in Space Program.

The day’s schedule:

10 to 10:30 a.m. — opening ceremony.

10:30 a.m. to noon — judging circles, student and judges.

Noon to 1:30 p.m. — public viewing of inventions.

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. — closing remarks and awards ceremony.

For more information on the Connecticut Invention Convention, visit www.CTInventionConvention.org

The Connecticut Invention Convention is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit program underwritten by grants and in-kind support from the community, educational institutions, businesses and charitable organizations, including the University of Connecticut Schools of Engineering and Business and platinum level sponsors Connecticut Light & Power, GE Energy Industrial Solutions, Pitney Bowes Inc., Stanley Black & Decker and United Technologies.

Posted April 27, 2012

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Feds allow UConn to fly copter drones

Illustration source: An UAV Saab Skeldar- Paris Air Show 2007, Wikimedia Commons – used by permission, Salon International de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace de Paris-Le Bourget, 2007

By Jesse Leavenworth – Courant

A remote-controlled helicopter the federal government has allowed University of Connecticut researchers to fly on campus can make its own in-flight decisions.

But the drone chopper — a 6-­foot, battery- powered helicopter called “Maxi Joker 3” — won’t be buzzing dorms or snapping spring break photos.

It’s just for running tests, UConn mechanical engineering Professor Chengyu Cao wrote in an e-mail Tuesday (April 24). “My research is mainly about flight control and unmanned systems,” Cao wrote.

UConn is among about 60 entities around the nation that have received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly “unmanned aircraft systems.”

The list, which includes police departments, universities and even small towns such as Otter Tail, Minn., came to light recently through a Freedom of Information Act request pursued by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

The organization — focused on privacy, free speech and consumer rights in the digital world — holds that drones “pose serious implications for privacy, and the public should have all the information necessary to engage in informed debate over the incorporation of these devices into our daily lives,” according to a statement on its web site http://www.eff.org

Drones are mostly associated with the military arena, but in recent years, they also have been used for land surveying, forest fire monitoring and protecting borders and ports, among other uses.

The FAA decides who gets to fly unmanned aircraft outside restricted air space.

Flight tests at UConn will be done on Horsebarn Hill, Cao wrote. Flights must be limited to an altitude of 400 feet and the aircraft cannot fly beyond the operator’s sight, he wrote.

No autonomous flights have taken place, Cao wrote, “but we have hover-tested the helicopter under direct control.”

The FAA and EFF agree that interest in non-military drones is keen and expanding.

But the federal agency is focused on safety in an already busy national air space, while the foundation’s concerns are centered more on possible rights abuses.

“Drones give the government and other unmanned aircraft operators a powerful new surveillance tool to gather extensive and intrusive data on Americans’ movements and activities,” EFF Staff Attorney Jennifer Lynch was quoted as saying in a foundation press release.

“As the government begins to make policy decisions about the use of these aircraft, the public needs to know more about how and why these drones are being used to survey United States citizens,” Lynch states.

Some people have asked if this will be used in the course of some sort of “surveillance,” said Professor Baki Cetegen, head of UConn’s mechanical engineering department, in an e-mail Tuesday (April 24, 2012).

“It will not be; our faculty will not be flying a UAV for any purpose other than for academic research,” Cetegen said.

Distributed by MCT Information Services, reposted by HTNP April 27, 2012 courtesy of the Chronicle

Illustration source: An UAV Saab Skeldar- Paris Air Show 2007, Wikimedia Commons – used by permission, Salon International de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace de Paris-Le Bourget, 2007

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USDA announces farm-to-school grants

“School cafeterias are great places to champion U.S. agriculture and to teach students where their food comes from,” said U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan. Image source: consumerwellness.org

U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced this week that the USDA will invest in farm-to-school programs nationwide to help eligible schools improve the health and well-being of their students and connect with local agricultural producers.

“School cafeterias are great places to champion U.S. agriculture and to teach students where their food comes from,” said Deputy Secretary Merrigan.

“More and more, schools are connecting with their local farmers, ranchers and food businesses each day and these programs are a great way to bring more local offerings into school cafeterias and support U.S. producers as well. As we struggle with obesity and associated diet-related diseases, farm-to-school programs give us one important tool to help our kids make lifelong healthy eating choices,” she said.

The Farm to School Grant Program is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which authorized and funded USDA to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm-to-school programs that improve access to local foods.

Farm-to-school initiatives can also include agriculture- and nutrition-education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes.

These grants, administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), will help schools respond to the growing demand for locally-sourced foods.

In this first cycle, $5 million will be provided to USDA to support grants, technical assistance, and Federal administrative costs.

Food and Nutrition Service anticipates awarding up to $3.5 million in grants, while the remaining $1.5 million will support a combination of training and technical assistance, administrative costs, and/or additional farm-to-school grants.

Letters of Intent are suggested but not required by May 18, 2012, while proposals are due by June 15, 2012.

To assist eligible entities in preparing proposals, USDA will host a webinar related to Implementation grants at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, May 15 and a webinar related to Planning grants at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, May 17.

For more information on webinars, the farm-to-school grant program, or USDA’s farm-to-school efforts in general, please visit the USDA Farm to School website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFK) of 2010 marks a great win for the nearly 32 million school children that participate in the National School Lunch and the 12 million school children that participate in the School Breakfast Programs each school day.

The USDA is working to implement historic reforms that will mark the most comprehensive change to food in schools in more than a generation, which include:

• updated school meals nutrition standards to increase fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy;
• science-based standards for all foods and beverages sold on the school campus;
• performance-based funding increases for schools – the first real increase in 30 years;
• and training and technical assistance to help schools meet improved standards.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that, in addition to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and National School Lunch Program, also include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and the Summer Food Service Program. Taken together, these programs comprise America’s nutrition safety net.

Posted April 18, 2012

Related links:

FarmtoSchool.org http://www.farmtoschool.org

The Connecticut Farm to School program http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?A=2225&Q=299424

WK Kellogg Foundation Food & Community program grants http://www.foodandcommunity.org/What-We-Do/Grantee-Stories/National-Farm-to-School-Network-Improving-Health-of-Children.aspx

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Comedy, pasta, and medicinal teas among Friday’s local events

Babcock Library, 25 Pompey Hollow Road, Ashford, presents free workshop, Medicinal Teas – Grow Your Own at 7 p.m., Friday, April. 13. Presenter is from Topmost Herb Farm in Coventry, CT. Open to all. Photo courtesy of www.orientspiration.com

Some of the interesting events taking place in our area on Friday, April 13, 2012.

BENJAMIN’S CLOSET RE-OPENING — CHAPLIN

The Chaplin Congregational Church, 43 Chaplin St., will re-open Benjamin’s Closet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

REFLEXOLOGY — MANSFIELD

Mansfield Senior Center, 303 Maple Road, Storrs, will offer reflexology appointments with Therese John at 10 a.m. Call Kathy for an appointment at (860) 429-0262.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE — UCONN

The Red Cross will host blood drives at the University of Connecticut — 2358 Alumni Drive and 626 Gilbert Road, Ext. — Storrs, from 11:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Info: (800) REDCROSS or visit www.redcross.org

SMILING SENIORS — MANSFIELD

Mansfield Senior Center, 303 Maple Road, Storrs, will host a program called “Smiling Seniors” presented by the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Interactive oral health education program offered for free.

PASTA DINNER AND RAFFLE FUNDRAISER

Coventry High School, 78 Ripley Hill Road, Coventry will host a Nathan Hale memorial fundraiser from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children, under 5 are free. Tickets, call the high school at (860) 742-7346, ext. 165 or Captain Nathan Hale Middle School at (860) 742-7334, ext. 325.

SVFD COMEDY NIGHT 11

The Scotland Volunteer Fire Department will host “SVFD Comedy Night 11” at 7 p.m. at the Elk’s Lodge, 198 Pleasant St., Willimantic. Tickets are $20 and can purchased online at www.svfd16.com, at J&S Radio Sales, Main Street, Willimantic, or by calling (860) 450-1525, ext. 12.

MEDICINAL TEAS — GROW YOUR OWN

Babcock Library, 25 Pompey Hollow Road, Ashford, presents ‘Medicinal Teas – Grow Your Own’ at 7 p.m. Free program and plants will be available for purchase. Presenter is from Topmost Farm in Coventry.

PROGRAM ON SAMUEL AND ELIZABETH COLT

William Hosley will present an illustrated talk, “Sam and Elizabeth: Legend and Legacy of Colt’s Empire” at the Buchanan Auditorium at the Mansfield Public Library at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free for members and children under 16; $3 for non-members. Sponsored by the Mansfield Historical Society.

Posted April 13, 2012

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This weekend – Farmers Markets, Theater, Food

Saturday July 23

CHURCH BREAKFAST
First Church of Christ, Routes 89 and 195, Mansfield Center will host a blueberry breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Breakfast includes hot blueberry French toast with blueberry sauce, sausage, bacon, home fries and blue­berry muffins. In addition, local blueberries, blueberry jams and sauces, muffins, and pies will be available for purchase. Info: (860) 423-9008. Tickets $10/children under 12, $5.

‘YOUNG PEOPLE’S DAY’ AT HEBRON FARMERS’ MARKET
Hebron Farmers Market is hosting a Young People’s Day. This is an opportunity for (five) young entrepreneurs to sell during regular market hours, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children age 10-16 are welcome to set up a booth to sell their hand made products or home grown produce. A par­ent (or guardian) must be present with their children during the market. Apply as soon as possible on the comments/questions page at www.hebronfarmersmarket.com. Include the child’s name, age, product and phone number.

VFW TAG SALE
Canterbury VFW will hold a tag sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 21 North Canterbury Road, Canterbury.

LEBANON FARMERS MARKET
The Lebanon Farmers Market located on the town green, 579 Exeter Road, Lebanon, is held every Saturday through Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon.

THE FANTASTIC WORLD OF FERNS
The Goodwin Forest Conservation Education Center will host session about ferns at its center located off Route 6 at 23 Potter Road, Hampton from 10 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is requested but not required. For information or to register: (860) 455-9534 or juan.sanchezjr@ct.gov.

FAMILY BUILDING DAY
The Scotland Public Library will host a Family Building Day with KEVA Planks from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to the library and create amazing structures with small wooden KEVA building planks. This pro­gram is open to children 5 and up and a parent or caregiver. The library is located at 21 Brook Road in Scotland. Info: (860) 423-1492.

INSECT INVESTIGATIONS
The Goodwin Forest Conservation Education Center will host “Insect Investigations” from 1 to 3 p.m. This is a chance to swing a net and catch some insects. For children ages 6 and up. The center is located off Route 6 at 23 Potter Road, Hampton. Pre-registration is requested but not required. Information/register: (860) 455-9534 or juan.sanchezjr@ct.gov.

PUPPET SHOW – STORRS
Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, University of Connecticut campus at 3:30 p.m. Thomas Getchell, excerpts from “The Proleptic Voice: A Visual Poem.” A marionette tour-de-force of vignettes reveal­ing themes of faith, hope and charity in the poetry of one of America’s greatest poets, Emily Dickinson, inspired by her metaphor of life as a circus. Admission is $3 for children, $5 for adults.

CHICKEN BARBECUE
The Gilead Congregational Church, Meeting House Road and Route 85, Hebron, will host its annual chicken barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $12 adults and $5 children. To order tickets or for more information, (860) 228-3328.

SACRED GROUNDS COFFEE HOUSE
Visitors are invited to come out for a night of fellowship, snacks and entertainment. Free. Coffee house event to feature “Sound Judgment” from 7 to 9 p.m. in an outdoor concert, South Windham Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, South Windham. Bring chair or blanket. Info: (860) 423-8375 or (860) 230-7147.

ELTON JOHN AND TIM RICE’S ‘AIDA’
The Windham Theatre Guild presents Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida” at the Burton Leavitt Theatre, 779 Main St., Willimantic, at 8 p.m. Adults are $19; students/seniors, $16; $11 children under 12. Can be purchased online at www.windhamtheatreguild.org or by calling (860) 423-2245. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Sunday July 24

SPECIAL SERVICE
First Congregational Church of Coventry will host a special service featuring Bruce John’s music at 9:30 a.m. at 1171 Main St., Coventry. Open to the public Info. (860) 742-8487.

ASHFORD FARMERS MARKET
The Ashford Farmers Market is held at Pompey Hollow Park off Route 44 across from Ashford Town Hall. The market will run every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October. Info: Loretta at bird­eye123@earthlink.net.

MUSICAL MUSTER AT THE NATHAN HALE HOMESTEAD
Connecticut Landmarks’ Nathan Hale Homestead hosts the 24th annual Musical Muster from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums Corps presents this free event, which includes perfor­mances by the Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums Corps, the Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Fife & Drum Corps, Westbrook Drum Corps, Colonial John Chester Fife & Drum Corps, Deep River Drum Corps, Sailing Masters of 1812, Windsor Fife & Drum Corps, Connecticut Valley Field Music, Marlborough Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, Abel Joslyn Irregulars and the Marquis of Granby Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corp. At noon, a parade will commence and the traditional music muster will take place from 1 to 5 p.m.

COVENTRY FARMERS MARKET
The Coventry Farmers Market is held at the Nathan Hale Homestead at 2299 South St. The market will run every Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October. Info: www.coventryfarmersmarket.com.

CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CHURCH FUNDRAISER
A church fundraiser will take place from 2 to 7 p.m., El Pilon Restaurant, 725 Main St., Willimantic. $10 plates include rice, beans and pork. Other items will be sold at additional prices. Kingdom Life Christian Outreach Church is sponsoring the Kingdom Connection Youth Center, a youth center geared towards empowering and building the youth of Willimantic. Call (860) 634-8320 for further information.

ELTON JOHN AND TIM RICE’S ‘AIDA’
The Windham Theatre Guild presents Elton John and Tim Rice’s “Aida” at the Burton Leavitt Theatre, 779 Main St., Willimantic, at 2 p.m. Adults are $19; students/seniors, $16; $11 children under 12. Can be purchased online at www.windhamtheatreguild.org or by calling (860) 423-2245. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Posted 7-22-2011

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