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.
Maribeth and Derek at Sangha Farm in Ashfield, MA write: Sangha Farm has outgrown our current farmland & in order to meet the growing demand for our products we are looking for another piece of land to move our farm & family to by 2012. We are looking for land in the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts, preferably in the Ashfield, Plainfield, Hawley area. We need at least 15 acres of farmable land for crops & pasture. To find out more about Sangha Farm, please visit our website at www.sanghafarm.com or email us at info@sanghafarm.com.
Amy Coyne of Goshen, MA writes in response to Gateway Regional School District to Consolidate Elementary Schools: With this closing of the RH Conwell–Worthington elementary school, I know there are already a certain number of families looking elsewhere (out of district) for school. Some may consider homeschool, and others Berkshire Trail in Cummington, Kitteridge in Hinsdale–and/or New Hingham in Chesterfield.
OUTDOORSWOMEN: January 22-24 is Women’s Wellness Winter Weekend in Becket, MA. Once again, MassWildlife’s Becoming an OutdoorsWoman Program plans to partner with the YMCA Camp Becket in the Women’s Wellness Weekend Workshop. BOW instructors have been recruited for: Winter Survival, Animal Tracking and Winter Tree Identification. This is a very enjoyable and comfortable seasonal experience. See the Camp Becket website for more details and registration. This is a Camp Becket program for adult women. Registration is through the YMCA.
OPEN HOUSE: On Friday, January 22, 2010, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, the Northampton Community Music Center invites the parents of children with autism spectrum disorder to explore the school’s Music Therapy program; offering both private and group therapy. Michael Williams-Russell, resident Music therapist, will be on hand to talk about the program and answer questions. At the open house, parents will learn how NCMC’s program initiates the relationship between their child and music and how this relationship is beneficial to the child. – Now in its 23rd year, NCMC is a not for profit organization whose mission is “to foster the love and pursuit of music with in the community through quality musical education, performances, and activities that are accessible to all.” NCMC is the only music school in Hampshire County that offers financial aid: no qualifying student has ever been denied scholarship. For more info call 585-0001 or email lindsay@ncmc.net.
HILLTOWN FAMILIES GIVEAWAY WINNERS: Congratulations to Ellen Doyle of Williamsburg, MA and Jennifer Gottlieb of Florence, MA. Both families will receive the Scholastic Storybook Treasure DVD, March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World. Big thank you to everyone who participated in our giveaway. Stay tuned for more giveaways coming soon!
‘DOCTOR FOR A DAY’ PROGRAM ON MARCH 24: The Hampshire District Medical Society will host the annual event, which matches high school students who aspire to be doctors with a practicing physician mentor for the day. High school juniors and seniors must apply and submit two letters of recommendation; applications are available in the guidance office. The society must receive applications by February 5; guidance staff recommend completing applications no later than January 29. (413) 685-1003
SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR POSITION: The Town of Lenox, MA seeks an energetic community organizer knowledgeable in the field of energy conservation. The Coordinator will lead a series of efforts geared toward mobilizing residents to reduce their energy consumption and engaging in community discussions about our energy future. Work hours are flexible with an expectation of devoting at least 12-15 hours a week to the position for six months (February through July). A monthly stipend of $1000 is offered. Depending on future grants, the time frame may be extended. For more info, contact Gregory T Federspiel, Lenox Town Manager at 413-637-5500, or email townmanager@townoflenox.com.
GAME SWAP: Family Board Game Swap Now Forming. Families with games their families have out-grown are invited to participate in a family game SWAP! Email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com with the names of the game(s) you have to swap and the name of the town you live in. If there is a good response the organizing will begin!
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
PARENTING SUPPORT PROGRAM: Program for Parents of Hyperactive Preschoolers Begins New Group Sessions in February at UMass Amherst, MA. More info here.
SCHOOL CONTEST: Organic Trade Association launches contest for students, teachers to win organic garden or fully stocked organic vending machine. More info here.
HOMESCHOOL SALON SERIES: Introducing the AHEM Salon Series. Come partake in lively, stimulating discussion with fellow homeschooling parents in a relaxed, friendly environment. Each month will feature a different topic. More info here.
Saturday – 01/23/10
6-10am – FAMILY RADIO: 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.
9am-3pm – FOOD | WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET: Winter Farmer’s Market at the Dynamite Space at Thornes Marketplace. From honey to hamburger, kale to apples, you’ll have access to the best in local produce, brought to you by the best in local farmers. Plus, live music, art, and a warm space to get out of the cold and into the community. Northampton, MA
MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Armed & Dangerous: Explorations of Human Culture and the Animal Kingdom opens at the Berkshire Museum. 443-7171 www.berkshiremuseum.org Pittsfield, MA
9:30am-4pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Kids Free at OSV. Enjoy the museum’s outdoor winter activities and warm up by one of their many fireplaces doing hands-on activities. www.osv.org Sturbrige, MA (KIDS FREE)
1pm – FILM & PEACE WALK: At First Congregational Church there will be a showing of the film from The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, For the Next 7 Generations. Peace walk to follow at 3pm. Ashfield, MA (FREE)
2pm – FAMILY CONCERT: The Royal Order of Chords and Keys (R.O.C.K.) will perform at the Community Music School. 732-8428 Springfield, MA (>$)
2pm & 7:30pm – THEATER: Amherst Leisure Service Community Theater presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Bowker Auditorium at UMass. 259-3065 Amherst, MA ($)
5-7pm – WINTER BIRD PROGRAM: Owl Moon family program at Arcadia. this will be a night of fun and learning with a puppet show presentation of Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon. Learn about owls in MA and go on a night hike calling for owls! 584-3009 www.massaudubon.org Easthampton, MA (>$)
7:30pm – SUPPORT THE REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM: Springfield Falcons VS Hartford Wolfpack. An action packed Hockey Game on January 23rd, 2010 at 7:30 MassMutual Center Arena. Come out and meet Wally the Green Monster along with a night of action packed hockey to benefit the Regional Library System that faces deep state budget cuts! Tickets $17 $10 this game only. Ticket order forms available at the Meekins Library in Williamsburg, MA, or call Julia Kincade at (413) 739-3344 x 105. The offer is NOT valid at the box office.
8pm – CONCERT: Swing Caravan at Elmer’s Store. Come celebrate Django Reinhart’s 100th birthday with gypsy jazz. Jambalya served up starting at 5pm. 628-4003 www.elmersstore.com Ashfield, MA (>$)
8-10pm – BENEFIT CONCERT: The Academy of Music presents a live concert for the Northampton Fire Victims featuring Arlo Guthrie, Primate Fiasco, The Winterpills, and special guests. Northampton, MA (Benefit)
If you are a musician, poet, juggler, tightrope walker, dancer, magician, teller to tall tales or similarly inclined individual interested in being a part of the 
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