Hilltown Families 
Suggested Events 02/20/10-02/26/10
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Discover fun and educational events happening this weekend in Western Mass, along with announcements, upcoming events, links, resources and the HFVS podcast.
SUGGEST AN EVENT
Maple syrup buckets stacked and waiting for sugar season at Red Gate Farm in Buckland, MA. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
If you have a family friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, post your event on our “Suggest An Event” page. The events below are “suggested.” Please take the time to confirm that these events are happening, along with time, place, age appropriateness and costs before attending
BULLETIN BOARD
SPONSORSHIP, ADVERTISING & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Deliver your message to a large local family based audience while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. Advertise your event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business or announcement on our Weekly List of Suggested Events. Serious inquiries can email us at hilltownfamilies@gmail.com for details.
HERB CLASS IN HILLTOWNS: Hand-Crafted Herbalism at Blazing Star Herbal School in Ashfield, MA. This is THE course in do-it-yourself herbalism. Class runs for four Sundays (March 14, March 28, April 11, April 25) from 1-5pm. Topics includes: Kitchen Medicine; The Fine Art of Tea Making; Natural Ways to Clean Your Home; Creating Your Own Body Care Products; Lost Art of Topical Applications; Herbal Garden Planning; Herbal Entertainment; Nourishing Recipes; and more! For more information contact Tony(a) Lemos at (413) 625-6875, tlemos@noho.com.
Marie Westburg of Williamsburg, MA writes: Calling all residents of Williamsburg: Come to a meeting about Time Banking in Williamsburg on Sunday, February 21st at the Williamsburg Grange. A speaker from the Commonwealth Center for Change will come talk to us about The Valley TIme Trade and how we can become part of their program in burgy. Please come from 4-5pm. Doors open 3:45pm. Donations of $1 to pay for rental fee for the space are gladly accepted. For more info.about this event contact Marie Westburg at amwestburg@verizon.net. Not a resident of Williamsburg? To arrange a meeting for your community contact Jenn Ladd at www.commonwealthcenter.org, www.valleytimetrade.org.
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE: Looking for help with selecting the right Child Care in Hampshire & Franklin Co? Community Action can help. More info here.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Children’s Used Clothing Swap/Sale to Benefit Forbes Library on March 27th. Volunteers needed. More info here.
ENERGY DAY AT WESTERN MA SCHOOL: In November, Williamstown Elementary School learned about ways that they can make a difference by saving energy in their school and at home. The day was kicked off with inspirational words about how students use energy and why saving energy is important. Students spent the remainder of the morning attending hands-on workshops focusing on energy efficiency, heat transfer and solar energy. In the afternoon they toured the school to learn about energy use and then met in their classrooms to brainstorm actions to save energy and resources. At the end of the day, students convened in the auditorium to share their ideas and recommendations. For more information about energy education in your school, contact Cynthia Grippaldi at Center for Ecological Technology: (413) 445-4556 x25.
WINNING FAMILIES: Congratulations to Gus Perkins of Chesterfield, MA and Amanda Verlander of Greenfield, MA! Both of these families have won a family 4-pack of tickets to see AudraRox at the Iron Horse in Northampton, MA this coming Sunday at 2pm. Thank you to everyone for participating in our giveaway. – Tickets are still available to see AurdraRox at the Northampton Box office, online at http://www.IHEG.com, or by calling 413-586-8686. – If you did not win or have a chance to enter, no worries … there are always opportunities to win tickets, music and more on Hilltown Families. Recently we have partnered with Nonotuck Community School to offer one lucky family a chance to win a family 4-pack of free tickets to see The Primate Fiasco as they continue with the schools Winter Family Concert Series in Northampton, MA on Saturday, February 27th at 10:30am, at The First Churches of Northampton (129 Main Street) in The Sanctuary. Deadline to enter to win is 02/24/10.
CAR SEATS: Wondering if your child still needs a car seat? Check out our Car Seat Safety Links for guidelines, video and more here.
AFTERSCHOOL & HOMESCHOOL CLASSES: Are you looking for an afterschool or homeschool class for your kids? Have a class you would like to recommend to our community of families? There is a bulletin board on Hilltown Families that has been created to both post and seek these classes: Suggest an Afterschool or Homeschool Class. Check out all of the great recommendations recently shared, and post one of your own.
SPONSOR: Warm welcome to our newest sponsor, Sangha Farm in Ashfield. Please visit all of our sponsors and thank them for their support of Hilltown Families. Sponsorship inquiries can email us at hilltownfamilies@gmail.com for details
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
We’ve uploaded a New Music Podcast that will air this Saturday from 9-10am. Click here to see our playlist, video and podcast. Families have several ways to tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show:
HFVS Podcast: Listen to our most recent episodes anytime you wish! Click here to see our current select of episodes, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast too! Streaming Audio: Surf on over to ValleyFreeRadio.org on Saturday mornings and listen to us live via streaming audio from 9-10am. On Your FM Dial: Tune in to WXOJ 103.3FM if you live near Northampton, MA from 9-10am.
WEEKLY LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS
Suggest an Event | Rain or Shine? | School Closings and Delays | Free Museum Passes
Family Centers (Ages 0-4) | Movies in the Valley | Movies in the Berkshires
Events Happening in the Hilltowns
Saturday – 02/20
11am – MOVIE: So You Want to be President? will be showing at the Eric Carle Museum as part of their Black History Month Film Series. 658-1100 www.carlemuseum.org Amherst, MA (FREE W/ADMISSION)
Sunday – 02/21
Monday, February 22nd in Northampton, MA (FREE)
Breastfeeding Support Group
Mon Feb 22 2010 12:00 PM
COST/FEE: FREE; First Come First Serve
Baby weight checks, product purchases, pump rentals, basic breastfeeding questions.For more information contact Paula Mattson at (413) 582-2096. Cooley Dickenson in Northampton
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Monday, February 22nd in Northampton, MA ($)
Prenatal Yoga
Mon Feb 22 2010 5:30 PM
FEE: $65 for 6 sessions or $13 per class. Cash or check made out to “CDH Parent Ed”. Financial assistance is available. Arrive early and speak to instructor.Must be at least 10 weeks pregnant.Pre-registration required. Call 582-2736 and press “2″ for Yoga.Bring to class: Small pillow and either a blanket or mat. Wear comfortable clothes. Cooley Dickenson in Northampton
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Monday, February 22nd in Northampton, MA ($)
Self-Hypnosis for Birth, Pregnancy and Beyond
Mon Feb 22 2010 6:00 PM
This class may be attended at any time during your pregnancy. For the greatest benefit to pregnany, we recommend that you attend it during your 2nd trimester. FEE: $110 for 3 session series. For more information or to register please call Maria Curtin-McKenna at (413) 582-2736. Cooley Dickenson in Northampton
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Wednesdays in Northampton, MA (FREE)
Jewish Family Jam
Wednesdays, February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, and 26
10:30-11:15 a.m.
Jewish Jam is for infants, toddlers and their caregivers. Appropriate for ages 0-3. Together we will sing, drum and dance our way through the Jewish cycles and explore musical play and rituals that your family can enjoy together.
No class on March 31st or May 19th.
Leader: Felicia Sloin
Cost: Free
Location: Lander Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect Street, Northampton, MA
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Wednesday-Friday in Springfield, MA ($)
Disney On Ice presents Finding Nemo
Wed, Feb 24, 2010 7:00 pm
Thu, Feb 25, 2010 7:00 pm
Fri, Feb 26, 2010 7:00 pm
Location: MassMutual Center
Ticket Prices: $16, $24
Description: Join the ocean-sized adventure of the curious clownfish Nemo, his overprotective father Marlin and their absent-minded yet lovable pal Dory as Disney On Ice immerses you in a vibrant aquatic world in Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo. Follow alongside Marlin and Dory on a daring search of the big blue. Ride the current with “super-dude” turtle Crush and make waves with Nemo’s new friends the Tank Gang as they plot an escape from the dentist’s aquarium in this whale of a tale full of laughter and fun!
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Thursday, February 25th in Northampton, MA ($)
Childbirth 101
Thu Feb 25 2010 6:00 PM
FEE: $50 per family (individual or couple)
CLASS CODE: Th2
This 4 class series takes place on Thursday nights from Feb. 18- March 11.Recommended due dates: March 25- Apr. 22. Class topics include the natural process of labor and birth and the supportive choices available to you – both naturally and medically. Relaxation skills are taught including: relaxed breathing, positions for labor, massage and other labor coping skills. Partners are a very important part of the birth experience. Class topics include ways that partners can care for the mom and themselves during the postpartum. A tour of the Childbirth Center is included.For more information or to register please call Maria Curtin-McKenna at (413) 582-2736. Cooley Dickenson in Northampton
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Thursday, February 25th in Northampton, MA (FREE)
Breastfeeding Hot Topics
Thu Feb 25 2010 6:30 PM
FEE: Free
For more information call (413) 582-2096. Cooley Dickenson in Northampton
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Thursday, February 25th in Amherst, MA (FREE)
Spotted Salamanders and Amherst’s Famous Amphibian Tunnels with Ted Watt from 7-9pm
Pre-registration required; please call 413-256-6006.
As many of us know, the first amphibian tunnels in North America were installed on Henry Street in 1987. The history of the tunnels is a fascinating glimpse into the workings of international conservation and the interface with local species preservation efforts. Ted will speak about the history of the tunnels. He will also show images and describe the spotted salamanders’ life history and adaptations. Don’t miss this opportunity to catch up on your local and natural history. All will be invited to participate in the upcoming events to maintain the tunnels and census the Henry Street salamander population.
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Friday, February 26th in Northampton, MA (FREE)
What: Concert: The Duo of Clara Cernat, violin and Thierry Huillet, piano
When: February 26, 8 p.m.
Where: Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall, Smith College, Green St., Northampton, Mass.
Tickets: Concert is free and open to the public. Visit our performing arts Web site: http://www.smith.edu/smitharts or call 413.585.ARTS for more information.
Smith College Music Department Presents the International Sensation of Clara Cernat, violin and Thierry Huillet, piano
Romanian born violinist Clara Cernat and pianist Thierry Huillet of France each had distinguished solo careers before meeting, marrying, and launching an extraordinary new chapter as a duo. When renowned violinist Tibor Varga heard them perform together he immediately suggested that they play Ravel and Enesco in the International Festival of Sion (Switzerland) in 1991. They have been mesmerizing audiences throughout Europe, Asia and the United States ever since. American music critic Donald Rosenberg wrote of them in the Plain Dealer in Cleveland, “A couple of musicians who have learned how to merge their talents at the highest levels. … Musicians of great individualism, with charismatic personalities, who breathe together, like a single entity.” The couple will perform music for violin and piano by George Enescu, Maurice Ravel, and Camille Saint-Saëns on February 26 at 8 p.m. in Sweeney Concert Hall at Smith College. The concert, which is free and open to the public, is made possible by the Ernst Wallfisch Memorial Scholarship Fund.
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Friday, February 26th in Northampton, MA (FREE)
“28 FEET”: Piti Theatre Co. Brings Emotional
Comedic Twist to Living with Chronic Illness
Live, Laugh, Learn, Grow With This Inspiring Play;
World Premiere at Northampton Center for the Arts, Feb. 26th
Do you suffer from diabetes or heart disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or another chronic illness? If not, you probably know someone who does. 28 FEET – the new solo show from writer/performer Jonathan Mirin and the Piti Theatre Company – provides all of us with the opportunity to be highly entertained while connecting with a community of those who journey – often silently and painfully – along the lonely, rocky path of illness and incapacity.
28 FEET comes to Northampton Center for the Arts, 17 New South Street, 3rd Floor for it’s world premiere before continuing on to Memorial Hall, Shelburne Falls on March 13th (as part of Piti Theatre’s SYRUP: One Sweet Arts Festival) and Boston on April 9th & 10th.
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Friday, February 26th in Northampton, MA (FREE)
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Elementary School Reading Group at the Forbes Library
Contact: Sarah Karol 413-587-1010
The 3rd to 5th grade reading group will be reading “The Door in the Wall” by Marguerite De Angeli,” a book chosen by popular demand. It is set in the 1300’s in England and should be an exciting read. We will meet Friday, February 26th in the Community Room from 3:30 to 4:45pm. Ask at the Children’s desk or call 587-1010 to register and reserve a copy of the book. Sign up today!
Location: Community Room
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Friday, February 26th in Windsor, MA (FREE)
Moonlight Skiing and S’mores at Notchview from 7 – 9PM
Members: FREE. Nonmembers: Adult $10; Child $2.
413.684.0148
notchview@ttor.org
This is a traditional Nordic ski event and a favorite at Notchview. This year we’ll offer s‘mores and a campfire. Bring the kids. Cider and popcorn, too. Please pre-register.