From the Wall: A Weekly Roundup of Hilltown Families Status Updates on Facebook

If you haven’t already, join Hilltown Families on Facebook too, and be sure to add us to your interest list to receive our status updates in your Facebook newsfeed.

As part of our a communication network, every day we post status updates to the Hilltown Families Facebook page, including announcements, volunteer opportunities, conversation starters, promotions, links to archived posts, videos, podcast… To receive these daily status updates, check the wall on our Facebook page, or better yet, “Like” our page then add Hilltown Families to your interest list to receive status updates in your Facebook newsfeed.

Here’s a round up of what we shared and are talking about this past week.  Click on the links to follow through to our page and join in on discussions and find links to access more info:

CISA needs volunteers on two Saturdays, January 26 (in Springfield & Northampton) and February 2 (in Greenfield & Amherst), to help out at the farmers’ markets holding this year’s Winter Fare events. Tasks may include greeting attendees, handing out maps and taking surveys. Markets will run from about 10am-2pm. Please email volunteer@buylocalfood.org if you would like to get involved.The nomination period for the 2013 Colin Higgins Youth Courage Awards is now open! Know of a LGBTQ youth who has demonstrated courage in the face of adversity and discrimination based on gender and/or sexual orientation? Nominate them today!

Wondering how to stave off colds and flu this winter? Check out these Western MA folk remedies, compiled by Hilltown Families Contributing Writer, Tony Lemos:

Mark your calendars for the 91st Annual Greenfield Winter Carnival happening February 1st-3rd… 3 days of winter play!!!

Athol Public Library writes, “Bring your gently used jeans to the Athol Public Library for our “Teens for Jeans” campaign. Jeans will be taken to Aeropostale and donated to teens in area homeless shelters. Donations will be accepted now through January 31st. A great opportunity to help out! For info please call: 978-249-9515

There will be a teacher workshop at Smith College Museum of Art on Asian Art on Wed., Feb. 6th from 10am-3pm for K-12 teachers. Explore interdisciplinary connections between Asian and “Western” art objects through exercises and presentations led by SCMA Education staff. Curator Fan Zhang will provide teachers with an overview of the Collecting Art of Asia exhibition and Anne Prescott, Director of the Five Colleges Center for East Asian Studies will outline valuable K-12 resources for teaching about Asia across the curriculum.

If you missed the broadcast of the Hilltown Family Variety Show’s South Africa Episode last May with guest DJ, Debbie Lan of Grenadilla, no worries! You can listen the podcast anytime. Gather the kids around and follow the link. Debbie features music by Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mafikozolo, Amompondo, and many others, including a few cuts off of their newest CD, “Can’t Wait,” one of our top 11 picks for 2012!

Have your kids asked yet how babies are made, or where babies come from? What did you say? If they haven’t asked yet, how might you reply when they do?

Last year we asked our readers to share their love for their pediatricians, recommending a pediatrician to families in Western Massachusetts who might be looking for a doctor for their children…

Thinking about venturing out to the Norman Rockwell Museum with the kids this winter? Check out their family guide! Designed specifically for families interested in extending art studies past a museum trip, the Norman Rockwell Family Guide is full of Rockwell’s work and includes information and questions to keep in mind while examining the images. Follow the link to check it out our write-up from last year with links and resources:

There have been lots of opportunities lately to volunteer with your families as a Citizen Scientist, assisting with bird population counts! Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count and Bald Eagle Count both took place recently, but there’s another bird count that you can do any time of year! Mass Audubon offers a checklist of birds that visitors to Canoe Meadows in central Berkshire Cty. can print and take along on their excursion.