News Briefs

Published on February 27, 2009

Affordable housing talk to be given

The Amherst League of Women Voters will sponsor a panel discussion, "A Roof Over Their Head? The Status of Affordable Housing in Amherst and the Region" on March 5 at 7 p.m. in the Town Room at Amherst Town Hall.

The panelists include: Jayne Bernhard, housing planner from Pioneer Valley Planning Commission; Donna Crabtree, director of Amherst Housing Authority; and Joanne Campbell, executive director of the Valley Community Development Corp. For information, call 253-0633.

Float workshop, other 250th events

The Rose Bowl parade has floats with lots of flowers. But there are other options to create floats. Learn the nuts and bolts, cardboard and crepe paper for floats at a parade float making workshop March 5 at 7 p.m. at the VFW, 457 Main St. The workshop serves as a prelude to Amherst's 250th Anniversary Parade that will be held Sept. 27. The workshop is free and no advance registration is necessary.

The Parade Committee that is headed by Pat Wagner said it wishes residents will become involved in making this a celebration to remember, according to a release.

Groups or residents who want to participate, have suggestions or need information should contact: 250th Parade Committee, Attn: Float Committee, 1 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002.

Besides the float workshop, other 250th anniversary events for March, themed "War, Peace, and Human Rights," are scheduled.

"Amherst Women on the Move, 1959-2000" will be held March 6 from 4 to 5:30 p.m at East Lecture Hall, Franklin Patterson Hall, Hampshire College. A panel discussion includes a group of accomplished local women who will explore what brought them to Amherst and how and why they became engaged with women's activism. Panelists include: Lorna M. Peterson, executive director of Five Colleges Inc.; state Rep. Ellen Story; Lucy Wilson Benson, former national president of the League of Women Voters; Robin Dizard, former Keene State College English professor; and Karen Lederer, UMass Women's Studies program academic advisor. The audience will be able to tell their stories as well. Admission is free.

The Valley Light Opera will present "The Beauty Stone," March 7 at 8 p.m. at Amherst Regional High School to benefit the Amherst History Museum. Tickets will be sold at the door. Group discounts and reservations are available for 12 or more people. For information, call 256-0678.

Robert Romer, Amherst College physics professor emeritus, will speak on "Slavery in Colonial Amherst" March 8 at 2 p.m. at Hope Community Church, 20 Gaylord St. Admission is free.

An interactive science program for fifth and sixth graders will be held March 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Amherst History Museum as part of the David Peck Todd Birthday Celebration. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call 256-0678 or email amhersthistory@yahoo.org.

Family fun day to be held

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation hosts a free Winter Family Fun Day at the Notch Visitor Center, Mount Holyoke Range State Park, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Highlights include a guided outdoor nature exploration at noon, and storyteller John Porcino will perform at 1:30 p.m. Throughout the day, there will be a selection of ongoing crafts and activities indoors and out, hot chocolate and snacks and a woodfire stove.

Winter Family Fun Days is a new program by the DCR with an emphasis is on easy, fun ways for families to enjoy nature and the season, said Gini Traub, a regional educator for the state parks that have been hosting a series at various parks throughout the state. The end of February is when we start to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. That's the theme for some of the day's doings, she said.

Visitors should dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots, hat and mittens.

The center is located at 1500 West St., Route 116 in Amherst, next to the South Hadley town line. The DCR will make special accommodations with advance notice. For information, call 584-6788.

Rotary invites all

The Rotary Club of Amherst invites the public to its meetings when there are speakers of general interest.The schedule: March 5, John Moon from the National Education for Assist Dog Services group (with dogs) ; March 12, Greg Keochakian, executive director of The Fisher Home; and March 26, Dr. George Hartwell, Cooley Dickinson Hospital heart specialist. The club meets at the Hickory Ridge Country Club on Pomeroy Lane at 11:45 a.m. Lunch is $12 and reservations can be made by calling Kathy Rice at 549-3660, ext. 251.

Amherst Club has its own invite, too

The Amherst Club invites the public to its meetings when there are speakers of general interest.The schedule: March 3, Amherst Police Department Capt. Michael Kent; March 10, Amherst DPW Superintendent Guilford Mooring; and March 17, state Sen. Stan Rosenberg. The club meets at the Hickory Ridge Country Club on Pomeroy Lane at 12:15. Lunch is $12 and reservations can be made by calling 256-8831.

Jewish summer camp registration

Camp Shemesh, the Jewish Community of Amherst's summer day camp for ages 6 to 11, and counselors in training, 12 and up, is accepting registrations. The camp, located at Amherst College, offers three, two-week sessions from June 29 to Aug. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday. The camp incorporates arts and crafts, music, theatre, yoga, dance, swimming, field games and sports into its Jewish-themed programming. A registration form is at www.j-c-a.org. For information, call 256-0160, ext. 250, or email shemesh@j-c-a.org. Partial scholarships are available.

Music program offered

PELHAM - The United Church of Pelham, 142 Amherst Road, will present a program by musician Larry Kellogg Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door. Refreshments will be served. For information, call 253-5863.