Hilltown Families 
Suggested Events 02/27/10-03/05/10
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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
Snowshoe Trails in Western Mass. (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
DINNER IN THE HILLTOWNS
- Thursday & Friday in Ashfield at Elmer’s: (Thurs.) Chicken enchiladas or cheese enchiladas, both with refried beans and rice; (Fri.) Seafood Pasta with shrimp, mussels, scallops, calamari, Haddock in a tomato Basil Sauce over Linguini, or Pasta Primavera. 396 Main Street. Take out or FREE DELIVERY! 628-4003
- Saturday in Cummington at Remington Lodge: Polska Kielbasa with fresh bread & homemade butter, mixed green salad with Cathy’s secret dressing, potato and cheese pierogies, Holiday Brook Farm kielbasa with homemade whole-grain mustard and fresh sauerkraut, and chocolate babka for dessert. 21 West Main Street. Dinner served from 6 to 8pm by advance reservation only. Please call 413-634-5493. BYOB
FEATURED EVENT
FAMILY CONTRA DANCE WITH WILD ASPARAGUS: On Sunday, February 28th, from 2:30-5:30pm, bring the family to the Guiding Star Grange (401 Chapman Street) in Greenfield, home to some of the best contra musicians in the country, for contras, squares & singing! Are you wondering what Contra dancing is? Contra dancing is New England Folk Dancing with lines and reels, and a caller of course! Fiddles, guitars, keyboards, base, bombarde and singing. What’s a bombarde? You’ll have to come and find out. – A family dance is a great way for people of all ages and abilities to learn. $8 adults, $6 students & seniors, $4 kids, under 5 free All proceeds benefit the Greenfield Center School. For more information please call the Center School at 773-1700.
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.
COMMUNITY MEETING: On Saturday, February 27th at 10am, parents of R.H Conwell Students are invited to learn more about an option to start a Community Education Center in the town of Worthington, MA this fall. A group of parents and town members will be hosting a meeting to discuss their goal to provide a local, community directed educational experience for Worthington area elementary students (preschool-6th) at the town hall. Worthington, MA. More info here.
ECO-THINKING: Training for Transition, a 2-day course happens this weekend at the Woolman Hill Retreat Center in Deerfield, MA. More info here.
JELLY!: Have you guys heard about Jelly? Jelly is a casual event where independents & creatives come together to co-work, offering a space with a table, some chairs, and WiFi/ethernet access. You bring your coffee, your laptop (or whatever you need to work) and a friendly disposition. Together, get work done, bounce ideas off each other and have interesting conversations. Like an office, without the politics. Beginning Monday, March 1st from 1-5pm, Jelly comes to Northampton at the C3 space in Thornes Market. To register email: mistinguettes@gmail.com. Find out about Jelly at www.workatjelly.com.
GARDENING: The West County Resilience Conversation presents Grow More and Mow Less: A Free Mini Gardening Workshop at the Shelburne Falls Senior Center on March 2nd from 7-9pm. Emma Stamas will lead a discussion designed to help you expand your garden, share seeds, plants, and ideas, and enable you to save money and energy by growing more and mowing less this year. Emma has been growing garden vegetables for 50 years and would love to share your ideas and questions and discuss the many ways we can lengthen the garden season, cut down on work, increase productivity, and enjoy gardening more. Bring your questions and ideas and extra seeds to this mini workshop about vegetable gardening. For more information call Emma at: (413) 624-3240
YOUTH CONFERENCE: On March 5th from 8am-2pm, the Community Coalition for Teens (CCT) will host the 19th annual CCT Youth Conference at Pioneer Valley Regional Schoo in Northfield, MA. Twelve different morning and afternoon workshops for youth and adult participants. This year’s theme, “Your Future, Your Choice,” has inspired workshops based on self improvement, healthy choices, and community growth. Workshop themes include healthy eating, tips for job seekers, GLBTQ education and support. Youth Programs participants are leading the “Get a Job, Keep a Job”, “GLBTQ – What the Community Faces”, and “Get off the Dollar Menu” workshops This event is sponsored by CCT and is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services.
MUSIC DEMO: The Northampton Community Music Center would like to invite you to a free demonstration workshop for children ages 7-12 years old on Wednesday, March 10th, at 4:30pm. (cancelled) The workshop will be held at the music center and will last about an hour. The workshop will be presented by Ricardo Frota. Frota, a native to Brazil, is a musician, music educator, violinist, percussionist, performer, improviser, and a graduate from the New England Conservatory. He has performed throughout Europe, the US, and the South Americas, and is now joining us here at NCMC to demonstrate the use of traditional and invented rhythm instruments by using recycled and naturally found materials to create new dimensions of sound making. For more info call 585-0001
TEACHING KIDS ABOUT THE CENSUS: The Census bureau has developed an instructional web site about the 2010 Census for schools, families and children. These materials are designed to sharpen kids skills in critical thinking, reading comprehension, history, math, geography, and data and map analysis. As the 2010 Census questionnaire arrives at YOUR home, discuss the importance of completing and returning this document. It is important to your school district and its member towns that all families complete and return their questionnaire, as funding for towns and schools relies on some of this data.
WEEKLY LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS
Suggest an Event | Local Forecast | 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 – 02/27
Sunday – 02/28
Mondays in Conway, MA
9:15-10:15am
Morning Yoga with Toddlers at the Town Hall
with Lisa Schmitt
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Tuesday, March 2nd in Amherst, MA
Ballet Folklórico de México
7:30 PM, UMass Concert Hall
Stunning Performance that Disseminates the Rich Traditions and Folklore of México
Ballet Folklórico de México sets itself apart by combining their artists’ talents with the traditional music, elaborate dance and ornate costumes of Mexican culture. The result is a stunning performance that disseminates the rich tradition and folklore of Mexico throughout the world. The New York Times calls Ballet Folklórico de México’s performance, “a fast-paced, entertaining show that can make viewers want to rush right off to Mexico.”
$35, $25, $15, Five College/GCC/STCC students and Youth 17 and under: $15
Please join in the lobby prior to the show for a Mexican Fiesta beginning at 6:30 PM.
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Wednesdays in Northampton, MA (FREE)
Jewish Family Jam – 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.
Leader: Felicia Sloin
Cost: Free
Location: Lander Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect Street, Northampton, MA
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Wednesday March 3rd in Northampton, MA
Middle School Poets at the Forbes Library
7:00 PM
In Northampton, poetry is happening… among all age groups. As children’s art is unbounded and unexpected, so is their poetry. Outstanding teachers encourage this creativity in their students with special units that include attending the Smith Poetry Center readings, writing poems in Emily Dickinson’s bedroom, or bringing poets in to talk to their students and work with them. Forbes is proud to present the students of three of these teachers; Tom Weiner and Laura Ramsey (6th grade at the Campus School) and Diana Ajjan (7th grade at JFK Middle School.)
This is the third year we have invited middle school students to our series. There can be no better way to celebrate National Poetry Month than by listening to these talented and brave young poets.
This reading is part of the Seventh Annual Forbes Poetry Series. The series takes place on the first Wednesday of the month from October to May. Readings are free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served courtesy of the Friends of the Forbes Library. Location: Coolidge Museum
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Wednesdays in Hadley, MA
Support Group for Kinship Caregivers
Are you a grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or sibling who is raising your relative’s children? If so, you are a Kinship Care provider! A free ten-session educational and support group for Kinship Caregivers who are parenting at least one child age six or under, will begin January 27th from 5:00 pm until 7:30 pm at Berkshire Children and Families 220 Russell St. Suite 200, Hadley, MA. A meal and child care will be provided. For more information call Katarina Noyes at 413-584-5690 ext.140.
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Fridays in Pittsfield, MA
10 & 11 a.m.
Aquarium Adventures
Each week children can get up close and personal with different animals from our aquarium and watch them eat. Story time is included; recommended for ages 2 – 4. Free with Museum admission.
Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA
http://www.berkshiremuseum.org
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Friday, March 5th in Amherst, MA
Indonesia: Gamelan and Vocal Music of Bali
Bowker Auditorium at 10am
$6 students, $8 adults; All Ages
Parking available in Campus Center Garage for $1.00 with ticket stub.
Good seats still available! Members of Gamelan Galak Tika (featuring modern contemporary composer, Evan Ziporyn of Bang on a Can fame) will demonstrate the mystical music of the Balinese shadow puppet plays, the enchanting vocal rhythms of the Kecak (monkey chant) and movements of Balinese Dance in an interactive performance for students. Legendary Balinese dancer and choreographer, I Madé Bandem will lead students in a fun filled Kecak demonstration where students will learn the basics of Balinese kotekan (interlocking rhythms) and the facial movements that makes Balinese dance so enticing.
Curriculum Connections: Indonesian Culture/Cultural Diversity, Movement Elements, Choreography, Rhythm and Tempo
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Friday, March 5th in Sturbridge, MA
Home School Day at the Old Sturbridge Village
On Winter Home School Day we offer you and your children the opportunity to visit the Village and join in hands-on activiities and participatory programs. This is a great opportunity for children to gain exposure to many aspects of 1830s New England life in an interactive way.
On this Home School Day, learn about traditional winter work and play activities. See maple sugaring as it was done in the early 19th century. Learn about the history of maple sugaring from Molly Geet (right), an 1830s traditional Native American Doctress. Observe maple sugar being made and learn about how it was used in cooking.
http://www.osv.org/orders/listprograms.html?ID=14&G=T
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Friday, March 5th in Williamstown, MA (FREE)
New parents are invited to a free gallery talk at the Clark at 10:15 am. Moms and dads, along with their babies, will enjoy a relaxing hour discovering and discussing art in the Clark collection. Parents may bring strollers or carry their infants in the galleries. Backpack-style infant carriers are not permitted in the galleries. Front-hanging carriers are welcome. The Clark, 225 South Street, Williamstown, MA.
http://www.clarkart.edu, 413-458-2303.
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Friday, March 5th in Amherst, MA
Balinese Music & Dance: Gamelan Galak Tika
Bowker Auditorium from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
$6 students, $8 adults
Gamelan Galak Tika will demonstrate the mystical music of the Balinese shadow puppet plays, the enchanting vocal rhythms of the Kecak (monkey chant) and movements of Balinese Dance in an interactive performance for students. Legendary Balinese dancer and choreographer, I Madé Bandem will lead students in a fun filled Kecak demonstration where students will learn the basics of Balinese kotekan (interlocking rhythms) and the facial movements that makes Balinese dance so enticing.All Ages
Curriculum Connections: Indonesian Culture/Cultural Diversity, Movement Elements, Choreography, Rhythm and Tempo
http://www.umass.edu/fac/calendar/globalarts/events/Indonesia.html