MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Saturday, March 8th @ 1:30pm in Northampton .Princess Katie & Racer Steve, will make a triumphant return to Northampton with a rock concert for kids and their parental units at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 in Lyman Hall at First Churches of Northampton, 129 Main Street, Northampton, MA, co-presented by the Valley Free Radio programs, Hilltown Family Variety Show (HilltownFamilies.org) and Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child

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 | Family Centers (Ages 0-4)

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

Saturday – 03/01

7am – 10am – FAMILY RADIO – (Air Waves) While traveling around town, tune-in to The River from 7-9am or 103.3 FM from 8-10am to hear fabulous family-friendly music on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child . [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)

10am-4pm – HORTICULTURE FOR KIDS – (South Hadley) The youngest gardeners, along with their families and the public, will be in for a horticultural treat when the Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden hosts its annual spring flower show Saturday, March 1, through Sunday, March 16, in the Talcott Greenhouse. The theme of this year’s show is “Cultivating Kids,” featuring backyard delights such as a tree swing, a sandbox, and even a mud puddle amid spring-blossoming bulbs and plants. 413.538.2116 [Free] (Families)

10:30am – KIDS CONCERT – (Amherst) The Pop Rockets will be performing at the Jones Library in Amherst. [n/a] (Families) – POSTPONED UNTIL APRIL 5TH

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 – ART EXHIBIT – (Northampton) The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens presents Healing Hearts with Handmade Art exhibit and reception at the Hampshire Regional YMCA in Studio 1. Hear songs, view original works of art & learn more about The Garden program. Refreshments 413.584.7086 x124 (Free) [Families]

Sunday – 03/02

Noon – 4pm – CO-OP SNEAK PEAK – (Northampton) Take the family to see the River Valley Market in a guided tour. The Sneak Preview will feature live music from Appalachian Still and free refreshments. [Families] (Free)

1pm-2pm – ART WORKSHOP – (Holyoke) The Children’s Museum at Holyoke will be offering an art workshop: Let’s Do it Ourselves! Snow Globes. Make your own snow globe from recycled baby food jars, sequins and more. Bring your own trinkets to put inside or use some that we have collected. 413.536.KIDS [n/a] (Ages 5 & older)

3pm – 4:50pm – ICE SKATING – (Amherst) There will be a public skate at the Mullins Center Ice Rink. Skate rentals available. 413.545.3990 [Families] ($)
3pm-5pm – ICE SKATING – (Easthampton) Open ice skating every Sunday at Williston Northampton School’s Lossone Rink. 413.529.3000 [Families] ($)

Monday – 03/03

4pm-5pm – OUTDOOR ADVENTURES – (Chesterfield) Outdoor Adventures for Kids in the Hilltowns at the Chesterfied 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 – 03/04

10am-11:30am – FATHER’S GROUP – (Amherst) Please come to talk about fathers’ issues, meet other dads and have coffee with us at this drop-in fathers’ group. You will be able to find out any common issues you face and just talk with other dads. Held at the Amherst Family Center in the basement of the Unitarian Church at 121 North Pleasant St. in the center of Amherst, entrance is at the back of the building. Childcare provided. [Free]

(Father’s)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)

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)

9pm – ASTRONOMY: EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION – (Home) The History Channel presents: The Universe: Cosmic Collisions. The Universe series offers an epic exploration of the universe and itsmysteries, providing an in-depth analysis from the planets to the stars to the edge of the known. In this new one hour episode entitled Cosmic Collisions, viewers learn about clusters of comets and asteroids known as collisional families; experts explain such phenomenon as the impact of star collisions, galaxy cluster collisions, and mass extinction impacts involving asteroids and comets. Educators may want to use clips from this documentary to lend a visual element to their course units and lectures on related topics, or to prompt conversations among students about methods scientists use to uncover new information about our world. Appropriate for middle school and high school students. It would be useful for Science, Astronomy, Earth Sciences, and Technology courses. [TV] (Families)

Thursday – 03/06

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)

Friday – 03/07

11am-1pm – HOMESCHOOL ICE SKATING – (Amherst) There will be a homeschool skate at the Mullins Center Ice Rink. Skate rentals available. 413.545.3990 [Families] ($)

4pm-7pm – FAMILY NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM – (Amherst) Storytime at 5:30 pm and Film at 6:15 pm. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art offers families the opportunity to meet, eat, and enjoy all of the Museum’s regular public programs and special exhibitions at a time convenient for you! First Fridays @ The Carle invites visitors to head to the Museum after school/work to enjoy a storytime in the Reading Library, drop by the Galleries, take in a short film in the Auditorium, and create a masterpiece in the Art Studio . . . all before bedtime! 413.658.1100[Families] (Free w/museum pass. Borrow museum pass from your local library.)

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] ($)

6:30pm – MUSIC – (Haydenville) At Blue House Cafe catch Chite – Joli Lobrose & Cole Bishop, fiddler & guitarist from the local Celtic rock band Malachite, performing as a duo. [Donation] (Families)

6:30pm – FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT – (Williamsburg) Friday Family Night at the Movies at the Anne T. Dunphy School, featuring The Princess Bride. Bring pillows, blankets and come in your PJ’s. Popcorn and beverages. 413.268.8421 [>$] (Families)