Discover fun and educational events happening this week in Western Mass, along with announcements, upcoming events, links, resources and the HFVS podcast.
SUGGEST AN EVENT
It’s a great day to get out into the snow! Just add kids and go! This month in “What to Play? Play Ideas for Family & Community,” Hilltown Families Contributing Writer, Carrie St. John, shares creative activites to do in addition to traditional snowy day activities. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
If you have a community event, educational program or service opportunity for youth/families 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.
Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families supports development and enhancement of our local economy and community. Local businesses, individuals, schools and non-profits are encouraged to partner with Hilltown Families through sponsorship and advertising. Let us help get the word out about your after school/homeschool class, event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business/school, service, open house, volunteer opportunity or general announcement. Deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. Click HERE to find out more.
BEST BETS
Saturday, January 19th in Hampden County from 10am-5pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURE: The Springfield Museums are opening a new exhibit! GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked the World shares the history and science behind the iconic musical instrument. Visitors can also learn about over 60 rare, unique, and antique instruments, learn about playing music through hands-on interactive exhibits, and more! The opening celebration will feature a performance by Mister G, a local (but internationally known!) kids musician whose songs (often bilingual!) feature silly, sing-along style lyrics that kids love. 800-625-7738. 21 Edwards Street. Springfield, MA. (<$)
Saturday, January 19th in Berkshire County from 1-7pm – MUSEUM/ANIMAL ADVENTURE: The Berkshire Museum is coming alive with creatures of the night – the museum’s newest exhibit is all about bats, Bats: Creatures of the Night, and it opens today! There will be fun family activities from 1-3pm, including a scavenger hunt, echolocation experiments, and wing-making. At 4pm, the museum is offering a lecture on bats – great for older students with audience skills. Finally, from 5-7pm, families can enjoy bat-themed treats and take tours of the new exhibit (plus, admission is free after 5pm)! 413-443-7171. 39 South Street. Pittsfield, MA. (FREE with museum admission)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The Franklin Land Trust is teaming up with Hawley’s Stump Sprouts Cross Country Ski Center on an outdoor adventure for all ages! The adventure is a Full Moon Getaway to be held Jan 27-28, and Hilltown Families has a family 4-pack of passes to giveaway! The Full Moon Getaway begins at 1pm, with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or hiking, depending on snow conditions. Drop-in ski instruction, lessons, rentals, hot mulled cider, snacks, lunch and dinner will be available, as well as music and a special Moonlight Frolic. Participants can choose to stay for the afternoon, into the evening or overnight. A family 4-pack of passes is good for day/evening or both, good for Sunday or Monday, January 27 or 28 (Value $36-$48). Passes do not include lunch/dinner nor overnight stay. To enter for a chance to win, email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com with “Franklin Land Trust” in the subject line and your full name and town in the body of the email. Deadline to enter for a chance to win: Jan 24th by 11:59PM (EST).
Handmade Community Valentine Swap: It’s that time of the year again for the 5th Annual Hilltown Families Handmade Community Valentine Swap! For the past several years Hilltown Families has coordinated a community Handmade Valentine Swap — and we’re doing it again! Push back against the commercialization of Valentine’s Day while getting creative with your kids and connecting with your community… sign up to participate! Swapping happens through the mail with 10 other families! It’s free to sign up and open to all families in Western MA. Deadline to sign up: Jan. 31. Western MA (FREE)
Parent Workshop on Tuesday, Jan 29 from 6:30-8:30pm: Talking to Your Kids About Sex. Having trouble finding a comfortable, productive way to talk to your kids about sex? Hilltown Families is sponsoring another workshop for parents on approaching the subject with their children. The event takes place after hours at Cup and Top Cafe, and will be facilitated by Brooke Norton, a certified sex educator. The talk will begin with talking with youngest kids, and progress through teens. Sexuality, puberty, body image, and sexual identity will also be discussed. 413-585-0445. 1 North Main Street, Suite 2. Florence, MA. (FREE)
BULLETIN BOARD
Jan 19
Chris Smither is performing in Ashfield on Saturday, January 19th and Hilltown Families has two pairs of tickets to giveaway for a PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT! Deadline: Jan 17th by 11:59pm (EST).
Chris Smither will be in concert at Ashfield Town Hall on Saturday, January 19 at 8pm. A profound songwriter, Chris continues to draw deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and philosophers and will perform songs from his newest album, Hundred Dollar Valentine. “Smither’s momentum as a rockin’-thumbed guitar picker with an insistent and fully-integrated tapping foot has all the hallmarks of a truly formidable one-man band,” hailed The Glasgow Herald. A perfect night out for fans of acoustic roots, Americana, and blues music. General seating tickets are $20adv/$25dos, and are now on sale at MightyAlbert.com and in-person at Elmer’s Store in Ashfield. For more info call 413-628-4003.
Jan 20 – Mar 19
Are you looking for an affordable way to get your family into art? Art Party Studio in Easthampton, MA, is now offering art classes for kids, teens, and adults. Registration for their winter session is now open and features classes for youth including: a child/parent art class (ages 2 to 5), Fiber Arts (ages 6 to 9), Youth Fine Art (ages 10 to 14), and Comics for Teens (ages 12 to 16). Classes for adults are open to ages 17 and up unless otherwise stated and include: Oil Painting, Comics and Visual Storytelling, Crochet, Figure Drawing, and more! Classes run for 8 weeks, from January 20th to March 19th. To register, visit online at www.joinartparty.com or send an email to artpartystudio@gmail.com if you’re looking for a payment plan.
Jan 24
Free introductory sign language class for parents and children 0-3 yrs on Thursday, Jan 24th at 11am at Cradle in downtown Northampton. An 8-week class to follow on Thursdays at 11am, running Jan 31-Mar 21, also at Cradle. Cost: $100. Drop-ins: $15/class. Instructor: Kathryn Petruccelli. Classes follow the Baby Signing Time series with additional activities, songs and stories. Teaches real American Sign Language. A space to play and learn around this amazing communicative tool and watch our children speak to us with their hands – sometimes even before we get to hear their voices! Expectant parents welcome. Register for the series by Jan 24 and be entered to win one of two Signing Time gifts. More info: www.startwithsign.com.
Jan 26
The Common School in Amherst will host an Open House on Saturday, January 26th from 10am-12noon. Offering independent, progressive education for children age 3-12 in the Pioneer Valley, The Common School’s mission is to develop strong academic and social skills while nurturing each child’s love of learning, respect and compassion for others, and commitment to the environment. Parents and children are welcome to come to the Open House. Come meet the faculty, play in classrooms, and explore the beautiful campus. Accepting applications now for fall 2013. To schedule a visit call 413-256-8989. Find out more at www.commonschool.org.
Jan 27
Open House at Cloverdale Cooperative Preschool – Sunday, January 27, from 2-3:30pm in back of the Florence Congregational Church at 130 Pine St. Visit the classroom and meet the teachers – Meet the teachers and parents who can answer all your preschool questions. Cloverdale, a half-day parent cooperative preschool, with an option for extended days, has been in existence since 1954. Its philosophy has remained unchanged throughout the years. In the true sense of the word, cooperative teachers & parents work closely together to provide children a meaningful blend of experiences to peak their innate curiosity, therefore imparting a lifetime love of learning. For more info visit www.cloverdalepreschool.com or call 413-586-1106 after 12:30pm.
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT OR OPEN HOUSE: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! See your community event, open house, auditions, afterschool class, homeschool program, workshop, school, wellness program or business featured here in the bulletin board section of our list of Weekly Suggested Events and eNewsletter, reaching thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA! Find out more about our enhanced publicity packages and options and how we can help with your online marketing by emailing us at hilltownfamilies@gmail.com.
JOIN OUR TEAM OF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Interested in becoming a Contributing or Guest Writer for Hilltown Families? We welcome writings that reflect the community building and educational efforts parents, teens, teachers, artists, activists and community leaders work towards and accomplish and how that affects, supports and empowers our families. All writing styles welcomed, including local reviews, DIY posts, seasonal cooking/local food, and community-based educational & community service learning opportunities/resources. Send your query to hilltownfamilies@gmail.com
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
January 19th-25th 2013
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter
