IT’S THE HALF WAY POINT OF WINTER … LET’S CELEBRATE!

We’re starting off February with several fun and exciting events to shake those winter blues away!

On Friday (02/01) over at the Children’s Art Museum is a Sand Mandala “playshop” for families to discover Tibetan culture through art. The playshop is from 4pm-6:30pm in Shelburne Falls, MA. Give Tony(a) a call at 413.625.2030 to reserve your spot. This is the first of three in a series of cultural explorations through art. The next one is Discovering Russian Culture with Matryoshka Dolls on Feb. 10th. Be sure to sign up straight away. (Co-sponsored by Hilltown Families). (Update: Postponed until Sunday, 02/03 @ 10am due to inclement weather.)

Then on Saturday (02/02) it’s Uncle Rock at 10:30am at the Florence Civic Center (90 Park in Florence, next to the Lilly Library) with a kid/family concert. You can hear Uncle Rock live on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child before the concert too. Tickets are only $6 per person and infants are free. Gather up your families and friends and come celebrate the mid-point of winter with a rockin’ kids concert! For more information call 413.296.0096. (Sponsored by Hilltown Families)

And on Sunday (02/03) join Marla BB for some dog sledding. Did you see last week’s article in the Hampshire Gazette about Marla’s adventures in Alaska, both at last year’s Iditarod and training for this year’s? She’ll be at DAR in Goshen from 10:30am-1:30pm Sunday (and from 1:30pm-4:30pm on Saturday) offering kids and their families an opportunity to mush with a full dog sled team. She’ll be MC-ing at the Uncle Rock concert on Saturday. Come by and find out more about her adventures. If you have a subscription to the Hampshire Gazette, click here to read last weeks article.

But that’s not all …

• Peruse our list of Suggested Events below for a load more of fun and educational things to do with the family, include events for National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
• Click here to see photos from the Deedle Deedle Dees concert last Saturday at Lyman Hall. Check out lead singer and stand up bass player Lloyd Miller rockin’ the house with his 2-year old daughter Hazel (what a trooper!).
• Scroll down and check out our Groundhog’s Day links in the left-hand column under “the outside world.” This list of 100 web sites is added to nearly every day, offering new places on the web worth exploring.  We add educational web sites, curriculumn ideas, fun sites for kids, craft projects, articles, blogs, recipes … you name it.  So get off your blog reader and come check it out!

THIS WEEK’S LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS IS SPONSORED BY:

To find out how you or your business can help support Hilltown Families by becoming a sponsor, drop us an email or give us a call at 413.296.0096 for more information. By having individuals in our community and area businesses become sponsors, Hilltown Families can continue to offer a weekly list of suggested events, a weekly podcast, updated resources, articles and much more.

• Submit an Event

If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, or would like to submit your event to the Hilltown Families calendar of Suggested Events, email Sienna at swildfield@juno.com, or post your event on our community bulletin board. Comments are warmly welcomed!

Local forecast | Get directions | Free Museum Passes | School Closings & Delays

Events Happening in the Hilltowns
The following key represents the sum cost of one adult and one child:
(>$) Under $10; ($) Between $10-$19; ($$) Between $20-$44; ($$$) Over $45

Saturday – 02/02

Groundhogs Day

8am – FAMILY RADIO – (Air Waves) While traveling around town, tune-in to WXOJ 103.3 FM in Northampton, MA, from 8-10am to hear fabulous family-friendly music on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child with UNCLE ROCK live in studio! [All ages] (Free)

8am & 9:15am – KIDS BASKETBALL – (Worthington) Throughout the winter months, the Worthington Recreation Department is offering co-ed basketball program for kids at the town hall. Grades 1-2 begin at 8am. Grades 3-4 begin at 9:15am. No registration is necessary. 413.238.5500 [Ages 6-9] (Free)

10:30am – KIDS CONCERT – (Florence) Indie kids musician UNCLE ROCK will be performing a rockin’ kid’s show the whole family will enjoy at the Florence Civic Center (90 Park Street, next to the Lilly Library off Route 9). Click here to discover Uncle Rock. 413.296.0096 [Families] ($6 per person, Infants Free)

10am-2pm – LOCAL FOOD – (Greenfield) The Winter Fare begins today at the Second Congregational Church. Click here to read more about this week long event that supports local food. 413.773.5188 [Families] (Free, $)

10am-2pm – BOYS & READING – (Holyoke) The Dangerous Boys Club will be happening at the Holyoke Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Activities include essential hands-on-activities to keep boys engaged in reading: Worlds Best Paper Airplane, How to Make a Battery, How to Juggle, Navigation, and more. 413.532.3200 [Boys] (Free)

1:30pm-4:30pm – DOG SLEDDING – (Goshen) Dog sled rides for families will be offered at the DAR with Marla BB from Hilltown Wilderness Adventures. For more information call 413.296.0187. [Families] ($)

4pm-6:50pm – ICE SKATING – (Amherst) There will be a public skate at the Mullins Center Ice Rink. Skate rentals available. 413.545.3990 [Families] ($)

5pm-7pm & 6pm-8pm – PUPPET SHOW – [Easthampton] Come see a magical shadow puppet presentation of Jane Yolen’s classic book Owl Moon and learn about the seven native owl species in Massachusetts. After the show, we’ll take a walk in the dark, brisk winter woods to call for owls. We can’t guarantee that we will see or hear owls, but we will certainly have fun trying. After the walk we will return indoors to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and a snack. Dress warmly since we will be outdoors for about 45 minutes. [Ages 5-10] (>$)

6:30pm-10:30pm – MARDI GRAS PARTY – (Westhampton) Come in costume and celebrate Mardi Gras at the Westhampton Town Hall. There will be finger food, desserts, maskmaking, party favors, and music by The Gypsy Wrangers. [Families] ($)

7pm-9:30pm – MOONLIGHT SLEDDING – (Buckland) Red Gate Educational Farm will host a special sledding night at the farm. Warm your hands by the bonfire before you go sliding down the hill. Climb back up to enjoy some cocoa and company and then take another run! Bring your own sled or borrow one of ours! No registration is required, but your RSVP is appreciated. [Families] (Free)

Sunday – 02/03

10am-12:30pm – ART & CULTURE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS – (Shelburne Falls) Come discover Tibetan culture while celebrating the Tibetan New Year at the Children’s Art Museum. Create Sand Mandalas and Prayer Flags. Tibetan Folk Tales will be read. Click here for more information or call 413.625.2030. Co-sponsored by Hilltown Families & CAM. [Families] ($)

10:30am-1:30pm – DOG SLEDDING – (Goshen) Dog sled rides for families will be offered at the DAR with Marla BB from Hilltown Wilderness Adventures. For more information call 413.296.0187. [Families] ($)

11:30am-1:30pm – GIRLS & SPORTS – (Amherst) UMass Amherst Athletics is sponsoring a Girls in Sports Day. Girls can attend an informational/hands on clinic in Boyden Building, and then attend the UMass Women’s basketball game at 2:00 (kids are free, adults accompanying them are $2.00). Call to register: 413.545.6523 [Girls ages 5-12] (Free)

12:30pm-4pm – GIRLS & SPORTS – (Northampton) National Girls & Women in Sport Day Youth Clinics for girls will be hosted by Smith College Athletics. Girls will get a sample of five different sports, rotating amongst the teams. The clinics are free but pre-registration is necessary. Call or stop by Ainsworth Gym and complete a registration. 413.585.2171 x 2705 [Girls grades 3rd-5th] (Free)

2pm – CHOIR CONCERT – (Northampton) At Smith College, The Howard University Choir, Dr. J. Weldon Norris, director, and the Smith College Glee Club, Jonathan Hirsh, director, present a program of works by European and American composers of African descent. Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall. [Families] (Free)

3pm – FOOD HISTORY FILM – (Pittsfield) Families wanting to discover the history of food might be interested in the film Big Night at the Koussevitzy Hall, K-11 Stage at the Berkshire Community College. This movie offers insights from food historian Francine Segan. A variety of popcorn will be tasted during the film. 413.443.7171 [Ages 10 & up] ($)

3pm-5pm – ICE SKATING – (Easthampton) Open ice skating every Sunday at Williston Northampton School’s Lossone Rink. 413.529.3000 [Families] ($)

Monday – 02/04

2pm-4pm – HOMESCHOOL CLASS – (Shelburne Falls) Monday Afternoon Art at the Children’s Art Museum begins today and runs through 03/08/08. 413.625.2030. tlemos@valinet.com [All ages] ($$$)

1pm-4pm – HOMESCHOOL CLASS – (Easthampton) Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary offers a Monday Winter Homeschool Class beginning today and running through 03/17/08. Homeschool children are invited to join their winter session focusing on wildlife of Massachusetts. Registration is required. 413.584.3009 [Ages 5-10] ($$$)

4pm-5pm – OUTDOOR ADVENTURES – (Chesterfield) Outdoor Adventures for Kids in the Hilltowns at the Chesterfield Base Camp. Through age appropriate activities, young kids can explore their surrounding environment and learn about our ecology through indoor and outdoor activities and games. Click here for more information. 413.296.4249 [Ages 5-7]

Tuesday – 02/05

10:15am-12:15pm – POSTPARTUM STRESS SUPPORT GROUP – (Northampton) Every Tuesday there is a drop-in support group at 56 Vernon Street. Free child care and snacks. A welcoming group for all mothers to share the adjustment to motherhood, especially those experiencing postpartum stress, anxiety or depression. Find support, connection with other women. 413.253.8990 [Mothers & their children] (Free)

12:30pm – CLASSICAL MUSIC – (Northampton) Homeschoolers might like to check out Music in the Noon Hour: Beethoven and Messiaen at Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall at Smith College. [Families] (Free)

4pm – READING & WRITING – (Florence) Readers & Writers club at the Lilly Library. Click here for more info. [Kids must be able to read & write] (Free)

7pm – FAMILY RADIO – (Air Waves) Tune-in between bath and bedtime to the Hilltown Families very own radio show, the Hilltown Family Variety Show, on WXOJ LP 103.3 FM, Valley Free Radio out of Northampton, MA. www.valleyfreeradio.org. [Families] (Free)

Wednesday – 02/06

National Girls & Women in Sports Day

9:30am-11:30am – POSTPARTUM SUPPORT – (Northampton) Pregnancy and Postpartum Support Coalition Hosts Open House and Training. Click here for more information. [Adults] (Free)

10am-2pm – HOMESCHOOL CLASS – (Shelburne Falls) Wednesday Home Schooling Co-op at the Children’s Art Museum has some spots open this winter. 413.625.2030. tlemos@valinet.com [All ages] ($$)

Noon-1:50pm – ICE SKATING – (Amherst) There will be a public skate at the Mullins Center Ice Rink. Skate rentals available. 413.545.3990 [Families] ($)

7pm – CO-OP MEETING – (Florence) Bring your family to learn more about the River Valley Market Co-Op, including where we are in the building process and what you can expect when we open this spring. The first 25 people to arrive at each information night will receive a free bar of organic, fair-trade Equal Exchange chocolate. Love your co-op! [Families] (Free)

Thursday – 02/07

Open till 8pm – LOCAL LIBRARY – (Williamsburg) Did you know the Meekins Library stays open until 8pm every Thursday? A great thing to have in the winter months. Take the kids in their PJ’s and spend time at the library before bed time reading stories or getting help with homework. [Everyone] (Free)

7pm – CELTIC MUSIC – (Northampton) The Wailing Banshees will be performing a concert of traditional and contemporary Celtic music featuring jigs, reels and songs from Ireland and beyond. Earle Recital Hall, Sage Hall, at Smith College. [Families] (Free)

Friday – 02/08

10am-11:30am – PARENT WORKSHOP – (Florence) Siblings – Will They Ever Leave Each Other Alone? at the Lilly Library. This workshop reviews common struggles and strategies for coping with sibling rivalry without contributing to it. If you’ve attended our workshops on these topics before, please join us again as new issues are raised each time. Free childcare. Call to register. 413.582.2636 [Parents] (Free) (snow date – 2/15)

4pm-6pm – VALENTINE’S – (Shelburne Falls) Come make valentine cards and gifts at the Children’s Art Museum to give to your favorite valentine and friends. Call to register. 413.625.2030 [Families] (>$)

4:45pm-7pm – GIRLS & SPORTS – (Amherst) The Amherst College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will host a community event to celebrate National Girl Sports Day. Amherst athletes and coaches will host clinics in sports such as volleyball, squash, lacrosse, field hockey and more. Pizza and refreshments will be served, and the event will be followed by the Amherst women’s basketball game vs. Connecticut College at 7 p.m. For registration and further information, please contact Sarah Harper at 413/542-2218 or sbharper@amherst.edu. [Girls Grades K-6th] (Free)

5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – (Ashfield) Elmer’s invites community members to come together to share dinner and conversation every Friday evening. Click here for menu 413.628.4003 [Families] ($)

5pm-8pm – ART WALK – (Northampton) Visit 16 galleries and shops in downtown Northampton on the second Friday of each month. Participating galleries and shops include A.P.E. Third Floor Arts; Artisan Gallery; Basha Oriental Rugs; Claytopia; Don Muller Gallery; Guild Art Supply; R. Michelson Galleries; Northampton Center for the Arts; Old Court House Gallery; Oxbow Gallery; Pinch; Scandihoovians. com; Silverscape Designs; Smith College Museum of Art; The Naked Art Gallery; and William Baczek Fine Arts. [Families] (Free)