Cheap Flicks, Marilyn's Saloon, and Back to School for the Kiddies

Middletown Patch's new weekday feature gives you tidbits of information that you need to know about town. Check back daily for news you can use and pass along to your neighbors.

• We're sorry to be the bearer of bad news, kids, but your parents (unless they are teachers!) will likely rejoice at the news that the school year begins anew in less than a month. The first day of the Middletown Public Schools 2013-2014 school year is Aug. 29. This year, provided there are no snow days (ha!), school gets out on June 12, 2014  and there WILL be both a February and April vacation. (See attached PDF).

• Tonight is the final showing in the four-part Marilyn Monroe Hollywood Icons film series at Wesleyan University's Center for Film Studies. River of No Return, 1954: Set in the Pacific Northwest in 1875, this Western stars Marilyn Monroe as Kay, a saloon singer who has been caring for a young boy, Mark. Mark’s father, the rough Matt Calder (played by Robert Mitchum) comes to fetch him. A wild adventures ensues. With introduction by Marc Longenecker, programming and technical manager of the Film Studies Department. 

• The monthly North End Gallery Walk features a host of artists of every stripe on Friday. It would be a travesty to miss them: Astromythosby Jon Sideriadis, Ursel's Web, Sally Barr; Tesoro has Cindy Basset, MAC 650 Sandcastles in the Sky, The Buttonwood Tree will have artist Paul K. Mercado's "Between Earth and Sky," and finally, Steve, Lauren, and their daughter Haily Cryan at Middletown Framing.

• If you've been dying to catch a filming of The Wolverine or the Way, Way Back and movie ticket prices have you second guessing a first-run showing, Metro Square 12, formerly Destinta, in Middletown has some specials for you. Early bird weekends is a deal for those who stop by before 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and Senior Wednesdays, ( for those 52 and older!) are all $5 all day. Normal prices are $10 for adults and $7.50 for children.

• The Pickle Stand Delicatessen and Pub, coming soon to the former Central News storefront at 195 Main Street, will be run by Keagan's Irish Pub owner Walter Stojak, of Hair of the Dog Saloon, and his brother Lauren Rondinone, are looking for help. Plans are to open on Sept. 1. Stop by the shop weekdays for details.

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