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

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.

FEATURED EVENTS

Saturday, May 15th, 10am-7pm. The family-friendly Hilltown Spring Festival happens at the Cummington Fairgrounds.  A daylong celebration of Hilltown music, arts, culture and community featuring 15 musical acts on two performance stages, including kids concert with The Primate Fiasco and headliner Charles Neville.  There will be children’s activities all-day, local food and local brews, arts and crafts and a sustainable living expo. (Listen to PSA)

Sunday, May 16th, 2pm. Matinee family concert with Brady Rymer at the Iron Horse in Northampton.  Part of Spare the Rock’s No Nap Happy Hour Series.  More info here.

DINNER IN THE HILLTOWNS

Friday, May 14th at  Elmer’s in Ashfield: Cream of Broccoli & Cheddar soup; Platter of Salad Nicoise with Grilled Ahi Tuna; Mixed greens, tomatoes, Nicoise olives, capers, hard boiled egg, baby potatoes, green beans, cannelloni beans, and red onions; Pan-seared Ahi tuna. BYOB 628-4003

Saturday, May 15th at Bread Euphoria in Haydenville: Local Shredded Pork, Braised Greens, and Macaroni and Cheese.  Open mic! Beer & wine available. 268-7757

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Saturday, May 22nd, 9am-4pm,Chester on Track 20th Anniversary in Chester, MA.  The annual Chester Railway Station celebration will include a parade, helicopter rides, train show, craft fair, live entertainment, a blacksmith, historic re-enactments, live steam and classic-car displays, and more! Dine in a wooden boxcar, ride on a wagon, tour the Keystone Arch Bridges. For more information, call 354-7878, or visit chesterrailwaystation.org

Sunday, May 23rd, 2pm, Academy of Music, Northampton CARTOON-A-PALOOZA to benefit the renovation of the Forbes Library Childrens and Teens area. Enjoy a special screening of award-winning animation by Mo Willems, from Sesame Street and Nickelodeon shorts to Carnegie Award-winning adaptations of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Knuffle Bunny, and the world premiere of the adaptation of The Pigeon Finds a Hotdog! Mo Willems, a 3-time Caldecott honoree and Northampton resident, will be on hand to answer questions after the screening, and will be signing limited-edition Forbes Library posters featuring Elephant and Piggie.  To purchase tickets, visit the Forbes website or the Academy box office. (Listen to PSA)

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 here in the Bulletin Board section of our List of Weekly Suggested Events. – SPONSORSHIP: Interested in supporting the work of Hilltown Families?  Find out how to be a sponsor! Inquiries can email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com for details

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT TICKET GIVEAWAY: On June 4th, Chris Smither will be performing a Friday night fund-raising concert at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls for the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School … and Hilltown Families has a 4-pack of free tickets along with a signed CD to offer one lucky person! Deadline to enter to win is 05/28/10. Click on banner to find out how you can enter to win.

LOCAL MAMAPRENUER  FEATURED NATIONALLY:  Congrats to Hilltown Families Listserv member and local mamapreneur Angie Gregory for having her business, Mother Herb Diaper Service, featured in Mothering Magazine this month!

KIDS & DRINKING: Does restricting R-rated movies really affect kids’ drinking? A new study from Dartmouth College shows that kids whose parents restrict R-rated movies drink less, and start drinking later.

WORST TOY: Nickelodeon’s AddictingGames.com Wins CCFC’s TOADY Award for Worst Toy of the Year

RECYCLING: There will be an Electronic Recycling Collection May 15th, 2010 from 9-12 at Smith Vocational High School. The location is 80, Locust Street, Northampton. The collection is open to the public- you do not need to be a Northampton resident. Recycling fees run between $2-$10 and benefit Northampton Public Schools. There is no charge to recycle printer cartridges or cell phones. we are unable to accept refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, or any appliances containing freon at this collection. Co-sponsored by the Northampton DPW, the Northampton Chamber of Commerce, The Daily Hampshire Gazette, and WRSI. Special thanks to Duseau Trucking

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS: Want to buy a home but don’t know how or if you can afford it? Hilltown CDC, on behalf of the Town of Chesterfield, offers FREE, one-on-one, pre-purchase counseling and First-Time Homebuyer workshops. Many first-time homebuyers come into the process with a lot of questions and anxiety. People may worry that their credit isn’t good enough or that they don’t have enough savings, or they may just not know where to start. Both pre-purchase counseling and a First Time Homebuyer workshop can help dispel those concerns.  Contact Bea at 296-4536, ext 115 or beavh@hilltowncdc.org for more information, or look on the Hilltown Families Community Bulletin Board for more details.

MUSIC GIVEAWAY: Uncle Rock has released a new family CD, The Big Picture, and we have a copy to giveaway to one luck family!  Click here to find out how you can win a copy of his newest release! Deadline to enter to win is May 17th by 7pm (EST).

ANTI-BULLYING STATE LAW PASSED: While many may already be aware that the Massachusetts legislature passed a law, you might not already know about this website. In addition to the new law, the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Library contains additional legal resources on everything from cyberbullying, stalking, hazing and an “Eyes On Bullying” toolkit for caregivers and parents to use in child care programs, afterschool programs and camps.

WANTED: LOCAL/REGIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION RESOURCE: Strategic Planning Initiative  for Families and Youth (SPIFFY) is compiling a bullying prevention resource list for schools and community agencies, and they are looking for local experts who can offer technical assistance around bullying prevention using evidence-based strategies. They also are looking for groups who have successfully used evidence-based strategies/curriculum to create a positive and welcoming school climate.  Please send any recommendations to Sue Cairn at scairn@collaborative.org

TICKET GIVEAWAY: Congratulations to Amanda Saklad and Suzanne Holt of Belchertown, MA. Both families have won a family 4-pack of tickets to see Brady Rymer at the Iron Horse in Northampton on Sunday, May 16th at 2pm, along with a signed copy of Brady Rymer’s newest CD, “Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could.”

GREEN BURIAL: The Green Burial Committee of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Mass will be hosting an information session at Green Field Market on Sunday, May 16th from 2-4pm. Find out what a green or natural burial is, why you might like to have one, where the nearest green cemeteries are located, and how to help start a green cemetery here in Western Mass. Call Carol for more info 774-2320.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: The Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society needs animal care volunteers. Positions and available times vary. Call 548-9898 to discover volunteer opportunities.

SUBMIT A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Looking for volunteers for your non-profit, service organization or not-for-profit event? Post your “call for volunteers” on our Community Bulletin Board for profile consideration.

HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW

HFVS airs every Saturday from 9-10am, and encores air on Sundays from 7-8am, on 103.3FM WXOJ Northampton, MA.

Tune in on Saturdays from 9-10am, or listen to our podcasts HERE. Encore episodes are aired every Sunday from 7-8am. Families have several ways to tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show:

Streaming Audio: Surf on over to ValleyFreeRadio.org on Saturday & Sunday mornings and listen to us live via streaming audio.

On Your FM Dial: Tune in to WXOJ 103.3FM if you live near Northampton, MA.

PODCAST: Listen to the most recent episodes of the Hilltown Family Variety Show anytime you wish! Click here to see our current select of episodes, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast too!

PLANT SALES FOR SATURDAY, MAY 15TH, 2010

• Amherst: 8:30-11am on the Town Common
• Holyoke: 9am-1pm at the Wistariahurst Muuseum. 322-5660
• Worthington: 9am at the Historical Society building

---

WEEKLY LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS

Suggest an Event | Local Forecast | Free Museum Passes | Family Centers (Ages 0-4) | Movies in the Valley | Movies in the Berkshires | Farmers’ Market | Listen Here

Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Saturday – 5/15

6-10am – FAMILY RADIO: Guest DJ, Randy Kaplan on the HFVS! Valley Free Radio (WXOJ-LP 103.3FM Northampton, MA) offers 4-hours of commercial-free family programing every Saturday, including the Hilltown Family Variety Show and Spare the Rock. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org.

10am-7pm – HILLTOWN SPRING FESTIVAL: The 4th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival, a daylong celebration of Hilltown music, arts, culture and community, will take place at the Cummington Fairgrounds, featuring 15 musical acts on two performance stages, including headliners Charles Neville, The Primate Fiasco and Swing Caravan, all-day children’s activities, local food and local brews, arts and crafts and a sustainable living expo. Cummington, MA (FREE, Parking Fee Applies)

10am-12Noon – PARENTING SOCIAL: “Color Play,” a program for families parenting children of color, will take place at the Forbes Library Community Room. Color Play is a monthly social and craft for families raising children of color (all ages). Transracial adoptees and LGBTQ families are strongly encouraged to join. Come celebrate spring and make a Wild Flower Seed Ball. 658-5096 mocai.org Northampton, MA (FREE)

11am-2pm – DOG ADVENTURES: Join the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society’s Bark in the Park at Forest Park. Bring your dogs and join local celebrities for music, demos, parade, and more. 781-4000 x364 www.dpvhs.org Springfield, MA (FUNDRAISER)

11am – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Margaret Wise Brown Day at the Eric Carle Museum with special studio activity, readings in the library, family concert with Uncle Rock and films in the auditorium. 658-1100 www.carlemuseum.org Amherst, MA

11:30am – FAMILY PERFORMANCE: Happy Dan the Music Man will perform a family music show at the Hilltown Spring Festival at the Cummington Fairgrounds. Cummington, MA (FREE, Parking Fee Applies)

12Noon-3pm – OPEN HOUSE: Montague Farm Cafe at Montague Farm Zen House. 367-5275 Montague, MA

12Noon-5pm – ART ADVENTURES: Canal Gallery’s Artists’ Market, between 2 canals next to the Childrens’ Museum. This Artist Market comes alive with music, food, and color. Inspired by markets of a 100 years ago; also those in warmer more colorful places and early Americana circuses & carnivals. 532-4141 Holyoke, MA

12:15pm – SPRING DANCE: Dance around the Maypole at the Hilltown Spring Festival at the Cummington Fairgrounds. Hosted by EarthSpirit of Worthington, the community maypole dance will be accompanied by traditional rhythmic stepping by multiple teams of Morris Dancers. Cummington, MA (FREE, Parking Fee Applies)

1-4pm – BIKE ADVENTURES: Baystate Village Bike Bonanza happens with bike tune ups, decorating, safety clinics, games and prizes at Maines Field (570 Riverside Drive) Northampton, MA (FREE)

2pm – FAMILY CONCERT: The Primate Fiasco will perform psychedelic dixieland for kids at the Hilltown Spring Festival at the Cummington Fairgrounds. Cummington, MA (FREE, Parking Fee Applies)

2pm – UKULELE WORKSHOP: Bring your ukulele to the Hilltown Spring Festival and join in a community jam and workshop.  Cummington Fairgrounds. Cummington, MA (FREE, Parking Fees Applied)

6pm – CONCERT: Charles Neville will be the final act at the Hilltown Spring Festival at the Cummington Fairgrounds.   Click here to see all the great music to be heard during the festival, including Swing Caravan, The Primate Fiasco, Academy Freightshakers, Gaia Roots, The Shapeshifters, and more! Cummington, MA (FREE, Parking Fee Applies)

7:30pm – COMMUNITY DINNER: Burgy Bullets Annual Chicken BBQ with live music at 12 Laurel Road.  268-3226 Haydenville, MA ($)

---

Sunday – 5/16

7-8am – FAMILY RADIO: Guest DJ with Randy Kaplan! Valley Free Radio (WXOJ-LP 103.3FM Northampton, MA) airs encores the Hilltown Family Variety Show every Sunday morning. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org.

9am-5pm – FISH ADVENTURES: Bring the kids to visit the fish lifts and ladders on the Connecticut River at the Robert E. Barrett Fishway in Holyoke and the Turners Falls Fishway in Turners Falls.  A great educational program to discover the annual migration of our local anadromous fish.  Click here to download a fishway brochure. 800-859-2960 Turners Falls & Holyoke, MA (FREE)

9am-3pm – TRUCKS: Big Rig Day for kids at the Fedor Pontiac Parking Lot. There will be huge rigs, antique trucks, tree trucks, fire trucks and maybe a helicopter or crane. Concessions benefit Dollars for Scholars. www.bigrigday.com Easthampton, MA (FREE)

1-6pm – CLOTHES SWAP: Women And Children Clothing  And Everything Swap, hosted by Valley Time Trade.  Location is 24 Elizabeth Street.  Call for info. 584-0162. Northampton, MA (FREE)

2-3pm – COMMUNITY CONCERT: Florence Community Band will be performing at the Northampton Senior Center.  A great opportunity to take the kids to an intergenerational concert. 67 Conz Street 587-1228 Northampton, MA (FREE)

2-4pm – BIKE ADVENTURES: St. Jude’s Bike-a-thon beginning at the Straw Bale Cafe. 527-6184 Westhampton, MA (FUNDRAISER)

3pm – CHORUS: The South Hadley Children’s Chorus will perform, Mouse Music, a family-friendly hour of songs an dpoems inspired by Leo Leonni at the Eric Carle Musuem. 658-1100 www.carlemuseum.org Amherst, MA (FREE)

3-5pm – SEWING: Ashfield Needles and Threads meets at Elmer’s. Get together and sew, knit, crochet, chat, hook rugs… ibranson@crocker.com Ashfield, MA (FREE)

6:30pm – PARENT NIGHT OUT: Wine tasting at the Old Creamery with Wayne Glaser of Arborway Imports. RSVP 634-5560 Cummington, MA (FREE)

7:30-8:30pm – SONG CIRCLE: Jewish Women’s Song Circle. Lead by Felicia Sloin. 737-2601 www.jfswm.org Northampton, MA (FREE)

---

Week of May 17th-21st

• Click here to find your local Family Center.

Monday – 5/17

• 9:15-10:15am in Conway: Morning Yoga with Toddlers at the Town Hall with Lisa Schmitt
• 10:15 – 11:30am in Northampton: Momma and Baby Yoga (Start after 7 weeks postpartum) at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Get back in shape, connect with other mothers. Recondition your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. Whether baby is feeding in your arms or lying on you or next to you, your baby is included in the fun. Momma and Baby Yoga classes are offered weekly as long as there are enough families pre-registered to attend Cost: $44 for 4 classes; or $13 per single class. Pre-registration is required: 582-2736, press “3” for Yoga
• 10:30am in Pittsfield: Kick Ball Game for homeschoolers on the Little League field at Clapp Park. (FREE)
• 12Noon – 1:30pm in Northampton: Free Mother-Mother Breastfeeding group hosted by a certified lactation consultant every Monday from noon-1:30 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Baby weight check – Information discussed includes but not limited to: latching, pumping basics, introducing bottles, introducing family foods, allergies, weaning. Medela Symphony pumps available to rent by the day or month. Full line of Medela pumps and products are available, including camisoles and bras. Fittings by appointment. 582-2096
• 4pm in Northampton: Art reception for Northampton High School Honors Art Students show work at Forbes Library. 587-1013
• 4:30-5:30pm in Northampton: The Forbes Library hosts a Manga/Anime Club. Drop-ins welcomed. In the children’s department.
• Northampton: YMCA in Northampton: Family Karate on Mondays at the YMCA in Northampton. Free for members!
• 6pm in Whatley: Movie night at the Whatley Library. The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock (PG13) will be screened. Based on the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. (FREE)
• 7pm in Northampton: The Northamptones, Northampton High School advanced choral group, will perform at the Iron Horse. 586-8686
• MUSIC GIVEAWAY: Uncle Rock has released a new family CD, The Big Picture, and we have a copy to giveaway to one luck family! Click here to find out how you can win a copy of his newest release! Deadline to enter to win is May 17th by 7pm (EST)

Tuesday – 5/18

• 10am-5pm in Stockbridge: International Museum Day at the Norman Rockwell Museum. 298-4100
• 10:30am in Northampton: Young Peoples Performing Arts with storyteller Tim Van Egmond at the Northampton Center for the Arts. 584-7327 (Free for Kids)
• 1:30pm in Northampton: Tuesday Farmers’ Market in Downtown Northampton, behind Thornes Marketplace! Food, plants, baby animals, live music, family-friendly from 1:30-6:30pm. 586-7586
• 3:30pm in Northampton: BagShare sew at Thornes Market. stephanie@cornucopiafoods.net
• 3:30pm in Amherst: Bring the kids bikes to a Bicycle Maintenance Clinic on the Town Common.
• 5:30pm in Amherst: Amherst BikeFilmFest at the Jones Library. Music, poetry, discussions, and a film screening of “The Bicyclists.”

Wednesday – 5/19

• 9am-5pm in Turners Falls & Holyoke: Bring the kids to visit the fish lifts and ladders on the Connecticut River. Click here to download a fishway brochure. 800-859-2960
• 10:30am in Williamsburg: Preschool Storytime at the Meekins Library with Children’s Librarian Rochelle Wildfong. (FREE)
• 10:30am in Easthampton: Small Smiles Story Time and Puppet Play at the Easthampton Family Center. Small Smiles Family Dentistry will come share a story about the importance of toothbrushing, in a fun and interactive way. All children will leave with a special goody bag to take this important message home. Time for parents to ask questions too. (FREE) (CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS)
• 10:30-11:45am in Amherst: Momma and Baby Yoga (Start after 7 weeks postpartum) at the CDH outpatient offices at 170 University Drive. Get back in shape, connect with other mothers. Recondition your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. Whether baby is feeding in your arms or lying on you or next to you, your baby is included in the fun. Momma and Baby Yoga classes are offered weekly as long as there are enough families pre-registered to attend. Cost: $44 for 4 classes; or $13 per single class. Pre-registration is required: 582-2736, press “3” for Yoga
• 12:30pm in Northampton: Academy of Music host their Spring Lunch Box Series with Berkshire Hills Music Academy. Enter through stage door for an intimate performance on stage with the musicians. (FREE)
• 2pm in Florence: Wednesday Farmers’ Market on the lawn at the Florence Civic Center (Route 9) from 2-6pm
• 3pm in Greenfield: Animal Adventures with Rachel Roberts at the Greenfield Public Library. This class includes a story time with a featured book and multiple hands-on thematic art and science activity stations, focusing on adult and baby animal pairs and their differences and similarities and using local animals as examples as much as possible to make more meaningful connections to our everyday animal exposures. Geared towards families with young children but has activities all ages can enjoy. For more information or to register, contact Rachel Roberts at robertsrml@verizon.net. 772-1544 (FREE)
• 4:30pm in Amherst: Youth Bicycle Safety Class at the Bang Center. (413) 427-6524
• Northampton: Family Yoga on Wednesdays at the YMCA in Northampton. Free for members! http://ow.ly/1AtEt
• 6pm in Pittsfield: Birth Circle at Chapters Bookstore will discuss Water & Birth. Tell and hear stories about all of the wonderful uses of water for labor and birth- drinking it, soaking in it, using it for warmth, cooling, relaxation and for healing postpartum and of course, giving birth in it. 518-672-4576
• 6:30pm in Williamsburg: Discover song birds of the Northeast with John Root at the Meekins Library.

Thursday – 5/20

• 9am-5pm in Turners Falls & Holyoke: Bring the kids to visit the fish lifts and ladders on the Connecticut River. Click here to download a fishway brochure. 800-859-2960
• 9am in Great Barrington: Fruit of the Earth Community Garden. Be a part of your community garden! Join together on Thursday mornings at 9:00am to weed, nurture and harvest the fruit of your labor! Interested Gardeners will meet to tend to the community garden while sharing tips and tricks to improving your green thumb.
• 10am in Greenfield: Meme and Pepe Grandparent Group and their Grandchildren Playgroup Time with the Greenfield Family Center. A bilingual (Spanish/Englis) playgroup. (FREE)
• 10am in Turners Falls: Music and Movement at the Millers Falls Public Library. A fun and interactive experience for families. (FREE)
• 10:45pm in Northampton: Tom Knight Puppets will host the Northampton Parent Center’s music class this week. 582-2636
  
• 11am in Springfield: Public ice skating at Smead Arena (1780 Roosevelt Ave.) until 1pm. Skate rentals available. 781-2599 ($)
• 11am in Greenfield: Sunshine Story Time for young ones at the Greenfield Public Library. 772-1544 ext.5 (FREE)
• 5pm in Pittsfield: 3rd Thursday in downtown Pittsfield with the theme “Celebrating Youth!”
• 5pm in Holyoke: community event at Nuestras Raíces Farm to learn about chicken rearing at La Finca Farm. 535-1789 ext. 4 www.nuestras-raices.org
• 6pm in Hadley: Adoptive Parents Support Group. (FREE)

Friday – 5/21

• 9:30am in Holyoke: Think and Play Friday at the Childrens Museum (http://www.childrensmuseumholyoke.org). The program begins every Friday at 9:30 am and runs for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. This program is designed principally for our curious museum visitors who are preschool age and offers valuable guided learning experiences that will introduce our young guests to our exhibits as well as talented members of our museum staff. Be looking forward to music and movement, fun with food, art projects, and more with Ashley! Arrive for the program promptly because it’s only $6.00 per family (this includes admission to the museum) and is free for members. Anyone arriving after 10:00 am will have to pay regular museum admission prices.
• 10am in Greenfield: Jump into Fitness Indoor Obstacle Course Playgroup at the YMCA. (FREE)
• 10am & 11am in Pittsfield: Aquarium Adventures. Each week children ages 2-4 meet a different animal from Berkshire Museum’s aquarium and watch as their new friend enjoys a meal. Story time is included. Free with Museum admission.
• 11am in Greenfield: Mother Goose on the Loose for Toddlers at the Greenfield Public Library. 772-1544 ext.5 (FREE)
• 11:30am-5pm in Westfield: Blast Off Astronaut Day Calling all astronauts! Prepare for a journey into space for story and craft time. Stick around for a Solar Search scavenger hunt at Amelia Park Children’s Museum.  For all ages.  (413) 572-4014 (FREE w/ Admission)
• 3:30pm in Rowe: Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) will bring his Coffee & Conversation program to the Franklin County community of Rowe. (FREE)
• 9am-5pm in Turners Falls & Holyoke: Bring the kids to visit the fish lifts and ladders on the Connecticut River. Click here to download a fishway brochure. 800-859-2960
  
  5:30pm in Holyoke: Pavillion Summer Concert Series at the Summit View House. www.summitviewbanquethouse.com 538-7431 (FREE)