Family Time with Multi-Arts

Join us in a fun, engaging artistic activity aim to bond you with your child creating collaborative art work that brings you: Laughter, Joy & Communication Saturday May 19 at 2 pm Tina Zorz will lead families in a Vision Boarding workshop Create a collage that has everyone's values and personality in the same work of art. You and your family will choose images and words that spark excitement and meaning to your unit. Hang your family-created vision board high in your home for an every day reminder of your values, inspirations, and connection to one another! Place: Immanuel Lutheran Church 867 N Pleasant St, Amherst FREE of charge - donations welcome

Catalina Arrubla
Director
www.multi-arts.org
413-584-7951

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/IYAnLs

Love Arts? http://www.razoo.com/story/Multi-Arts

Valley ADHD Parent Support Group Monthly Meeting on May 7

next meeting:

Monday, May 7, 2018

1st Monday of Every Month

6:30pm - 8:00pm

Northampton Area Pediatrics, LLP

193 Locust St., Northampton

Conference Room

          Join other area parents and caregivers to...

-         Receive ADHD information and support

-         Be heard without being judged

-         Hear how others cope with similar issues and challenges

-         Learn about local resources for families

-         Hear from area specialists on pertinent topics

-         Learn new strategies to try at home

-         Leave feeling empowered and hopeful

Light refreshments will be available.

Questions?  Please contact:

ValleyADHDfamilies@gmail.com

Mass General Hospital Seeking Pediatric Volunteers for Research Study

The Cognitive Neuroscience Group at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston is recruiting children who are (or are soon turning) 8 or 10 years old to participate in a research study funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). 

This is a longitudinal study that follows children over a period of 3 consecutive years. Our goal is to improve understanding of learning in children. The study consists of 1 in-person visit (about 2.5 hours) per year for 3 years (weekdays/weekends). During this visit, children play several games on the computer and complete several language/memory tasks. The lab visit includes safe and noninvasive EEG recording. The day after the visit, kids complete a quick follow-up task from a home/library computer. Payment is $60 per year. We provide free all day parking at the Navy Yard. 

Please email us at cnglead@mghihp.edu or call us at (617) 643-4821 if you are interested or if you have any questions. More information can be found at: https://clinicaltrials.partners.org/study/feedback_learning

Multi-Arts: Time Traveling Stories on March 24

Join Multi-Arts on a time traveling theatrical adventure!

This latest installment of Time Traveling Stories takes us on a journey to the 1840’s! When young Justine is sent back in time, she meets Angeline Palmer, a brave African American girl who was saved from slavery with the help of the town. Learn the true story of Angeline and discover the roots of what makes Amherst such a unique place: our avant-garde spirit, celebration of differences, and ability to come together as a community to stand up for human rights.

The new play is written by Maia Kinney-Petrucha, an Amherst High School and Hampshire College Alum, and features fellow Amherst High alum Haley Parker, and Wildwood Elementary students Violent and Lena Ennis.

Come hear a staged reading of the script at Barnes and Noble in Hadley on March 24th at 2 pm! This program is supported in part by a grant from the Hadley, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. 

Helping Our Toddlers, Developing Our Children’s Skills (HOT DOCS)

Helping Our Toddlers, Developing Our Children’s Skills (HOT DOCS)

A Partnership Between the University of Massachusetts Amherst School Psychology Program and the ARPS Family Center

The ARPS Family Center is working with the University of Massachusetts School Psychology program to offer ARPS parent/guardian a unique opportunity to sign up for a 7-session workshop to improve family interactions, decrease stress, and build parenting skills! 

HOT DOCS is a parent/guardian education program for families of young children (2-7 years of age) who have some challenging behaviors. This program is appropriate for caregivers and parent/guardian of all children, including those with disabilities.  During the (7 week) 2-hour group sessions, you will be able to connect with other parent/guardians to learn specific strategies and parenting tips to prevent and manage your child’s problem behaviors. 

HOT DOCS Course Preview:

Week # 1 – Early Childhood Development.

Week # 2 – Routines, Rituals, and Development.

Week # 3 – Development and Behavior.

Week # 4 – Developing Preventions.

Week # 5 – Teaching New Skills.

Week # 6 – Planning New Responses.

Week # 7 – Reducing Stress the HOT DOCS Way

This program has been used with thousands of families who report improvements in family well-being and decreased parent stress.  Together with other parents, you will learn more about child development, engage in hands-on activities, watch and discuss videos, and practice applying HOT DOCS problem-solving approach to real-world parenting scenarios.

At home, you will complete brief daily activities with your child to practice the skills learned in class. After you complete the training, you will be able to figure out why your child misbehaves, and have the tools necessary to help your child be more successful at home and at school.

We will offer HOT DOCS in two seven-week session on Tuesdays.  Each session will last for 2 hours.  Light refreshments will be served.

The first session will meet on Tuesday mornings from 9:00am – 11:00am on:  9-26-2017 / 10-3-2017 / 10-10-2017 / 10-17-2017 / 10-24-2017 / 10-31-2017 / 11-7-2017

The second session will meet on Tuesday evenings from 5:30pm – 7:30pm on:  11-14-2017 / 11-21-2017 / 11-28-2017 / 12-5-2017 / 12-12-2017 / 12-19-2017 / 1-3-2018

Amherst Swimming and Diving Lessons Registration Open

Registration is ongoing for youth swimming and diving lessons at the Amherst College Pratt Pool. This program is offered by the Amherst College Swimming and Diving teams and has been popular with many local families. Please see attached flyer and waiver form for details.

Registration and Waiver

Jones Library | Film & Discussion: Three Short Films from Brave New Films

Join us on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 7 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next in this ongoing film and discussion series that may educate, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.

This month showing is an excellent three-part series from Brave New Films that explores the many ways black Americans face racial bias. These short, but powerful films – Racism is Real; Black Protests vs. White Riots; and Prison System by the Numbers – explore the effects of racial bias on the lives of black Americans and the ways in which racism impacts American society as a whole. The film will be followed by a brief discussion and then an opportunity to continue work on some local anti-racism action projects.

Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

This film series is co-sponsored by the Jones Library and Coming Together.  More information about Coming Together can be found at http://www.coming-together.org/.

Daffodil Run 5K Walk/Run & 10K Run THIS Sunday, April 30

The Daffodil Run 5K Walk/Run & 10K Run

Sunday, April 30, 2017

10:00 AM

Kendrick Park, Amherst

Registration costs before April 1st:

5K Run Adult: $25, Student: $18, Child (under 12): $8

Join the fun in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County! The Daffodil Run is a community event for all ages and abilities.  Run or walk, enjoy entertainment, food and more.  Register before April 1st for early bird rates and an event t-shirt.  Registration is live on RaceWire.com. Visit our web site for more details or call 413-259-3345.

Visit www.chd.or/DaffodilRun

Amherst Tritons Swim Try Out on April 23

The Amherst Tritons hosts a new swimmer try out day and invites all interested swimmers to register. The try out day for new swimmers is April 23rd from 11:00am-12:00. Parents can register their children for new swimmer day by visiting ATST.org and selecting "contact us.” Try out information will be forwarded to interested parties. Click here for a printable flyer to share.

Jose Antonio Vargas to speak @ UMass on April 11 at 4pm

Come hear journalist/activist/filmmaker Jose Antonio Vargas speak about immigrants’ rights and his experiences.  

#artcontinues on April 19 and April 26

There are two upcoming, open to the public, #artcontinues events this month!

On Wed., April 19th, from 6:30-9:00 at AmherstWorks, there's a BYOB Wine & Painting event, featuring Henri Matisse's The Egyptian Curtain.  (This painting is also featured in a new exhibit at the MFA in Boston.)

On Wed., April 26th, from 6:30pm-9:00pm at Bistro 63/The Monkey Bar, there's an #artcontinues Art & Cocktails event, featuring one of Claude Monet's Poplars with excellent cocktails & wines (and food) for sale!

Sign up now at terimagner.com

Bring a friend!  "Who hasn't tried this yet?" 

"Nobody does Wine & Painting like we do!" 

Happier FAMILY Comedy Show on April 15th

The Happier FAMILY Comedy Show on April 15th is a benefit show for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and will kick off our quarterly benefit show series. Please use the edited description below. Thank you.

Happier FAMILY Comedy Show: Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, best for 5-12 year olds and their adults. Saturday, April 15th at 4-5pm at the Community Room (Suite 160,) Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton). This month's show is a benefit show for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and will kick off our quarterly benefit show series. Tickets: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/3 yrs and under. For more info: www.happiervalley.com.

Sanctuary Meeting followed by NAACP and Coming Together co-sponsored School Committee Candidate Forum March 20

 non-PGO event ... invitation from Coming Together Amherst

"On Monday, March 20th there are two events in Amherst for those who care about issues of racial justice.  Please come to one, or both, if you can. If you are interested in both events, please come to the Amherst Sanctuary Pre-Meeting at 5:30 and/or the Select Board meeting at 6:30pm and then go to the Bangs Center when it's time for the School Committee Forum. 

The Amherst Select Board will be deciding whether or not to recommend the Amherst Sanctuary Community Bylaw to Town Meeting

Select Board Meeting - Town Hall

Monday, March 20,  6:30PM

We will be meeting ahead of time for an

Art Build and pre-meeting at

5:30PM at First Congregational Church

165 Main St

Please RSVP and let us know you will be attending at

bit.ly/March20AmherstSanctuary

Please also go to the Facebook page for this event at

https://www.facebook.com/events/234787616929365/

For more information email: amherstsanctuary@gmail.com

School Committee candidates to answer questions about equity and social justice...

NAACP and Coming Together are sponsoring a special forum for School Committee candidates to be questioned by the community

Monday, March 20, 2017, 7-9 pm The Bangs Center, large activity room

For more information, please contact Alyssa Melnick / alyssa@mmelnick.com

Many of us have long believed that candidates for the Amherst School Committee should share their views about issues of race and social justice with the public prior to election day.  This is the first time for this event and a sizable audience will help show everyone that these issues are important in our community.

www.coming-together.org

Film Screening & Discussion: What Does My Headscarf Mean to You?

From the Jones Library ...

Join us on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 7 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next film in this ongoing film and discussion series that may educate, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.  

 

This month’s film is a TEDxSouthBank video talk entitled “What Does My Headscarf Mean to You?”given by Yassmin Abdel-Magied.  Unconscious bias is a prevalent factor driving culture, causing us all to make assumptions based on our own upbringings and influences. Such implicit prejudice affects everything, and it’s time for us to be more thoughtful, smarter, better. In this funny, honest talk, Yassmin Abdel-Magied uses a surprising way to challenge us all to look beyond our initial perceptions.

 

The film will be followed by a brief discussion and then an opportunity to continue work on some local anti-racism action projects.

 

Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223. 

 

This film series is co-sponsored by the Jones Library and Coming Together.  More information about Coming Together can be found at http://www.coming-together.org/.

AEF Celebrates Music in our Schools on March 18

SPECIAL GUEST MICHELLE BROOKS-THOMPSON!

AEF is thrilled to announce its spring fundraiser: Music in our Schools!

Saturday, March 18, 2017

6 - 9 pm

Emceed by Performing Arts Department Chair John Bechtold and State Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose, the evening will be filled with tributes, performances, and wonderful food and drink.

AEF will be giving a special award to ARMS Chorus Director Dave Ranen and lifetime achievement recognitions to all of our district’s music educators, past and present, who have taught for more than 20 years in the schools.

AEF has invited all music educators to be our guests at our event, and is pleased to announce that we will be joined by Fort River Music Teacher Anne White, Crocker Farm Music Teacher Eleanor Lincoln, Wildwood Music Teacher Jacob Brownell, ARHS Chorale teacher Todd Fruth, and retired Band Leader Sue Dunbar. The list is still growing!

Proceeds will support AEF's 2017 excellence grants, with a portion going directly to the ARPS music program.  Tickets can be purchased online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aef-celebrates-music-in-our-schools-tickets-30365825000#tickets or by clicking here.

The event will be held at:  Marriott Center, Campus Center, 11th floor, UMass-Amherst, 1 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA.

EmbraceRace Parenting Conversation on Tuesday, February 28 at 9 pm.

shared at the request of local non-profit EmbraceRace:

An *EmbraceRace conversation, Parenting in the Age of Trump, will occur on Tuesday, February 28 at 9 pm.  We will be joined by child psychologist Allison Briscoe-Smith. Many parents and educators from around the country have already signed up and submitted questions.

Register now to join or to receive the recording after the event.

*EmbraceRace is an online community of discussion and practice about raising and caring for kids, all kids, in the context of race. We'll have a web site, podcast, FB page, and other platforms, all forming an interactive community of support for those of us – parents, teachers, counselors, grandparents, day care providers, aunts and uncles – trying to raise kids with healthy racial sensibilities. Kids are very welcome too!

EmbraceRace is not only for parents! It's for anyone who has a role in the lives of children or anyone who might have useful information, insight, questions, concerns, or experiences to share w/them - about race, for example. In other words, the community is meant for a great many of us!

Happier FAMILY Comedy Show on April 15

Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, best for 5-12 year olds and their adults. 
Saturday, April 15th at 4-5pm 
at the Community Room (Suite 160)
Eastworks (116 Pleasant Street, Easthampton). 

Tickets: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/3 yrs and under. 
For more info: www.happiervalley.com.

Vacation Week Fun @ Jones Library

Bilingual Storytime En Español!

February 21^st 2:00-2:45pm in the Kids’ Room

This bilingual storytime in English and Spanish features stories, songs, and activities designed to introduce preschool-aged students to new vocabulary and concepts. In February we will be learning about penguins. Seven species of penguin live in South America!

Movie Matinee

Surf’s Up 2: Wavemania (PG)

February 21^st 3:00-4:30pm in the Woodbury Room

A crew of surfing penguins team up to find a secret spot with great waves. Hang ten!

The Enchanted Circle Theater presents: Reading Alive!

February 22^nd 10:30-11:30am in the Woodbury Room

In this interactive presentation, Enchanted Circle Theater makes words jump off the page and the stories of Arnold Lobel (Frog and Toad Are Friends) come to life through dramatic readings and theater games! This program is recommended for kids preschool- 3rd grade and their caregivers.

Lego Club (Ages 6-10)

February 22^nd 3:30-5:00pm in the Woodbury Room

Come work solo or with a team! Create something from your imagination or be inspired by our monthly theme.

Annual Kids’ Library Tea Party (Ages 4-9)

February 23^rd 2:00-3:30pm in the Woodbury Room

Bring your favorite doll or stuffed animal to the library for our annual tea-party! This fancy affair will include stories, crafts, games, and tea time. Pleas pre-register in the Kids' Room or at 413-259-3091/ kids@joneslibrary.org

Mi Tierra in Hadley Hosts Fundraiser for Amherst A Better Chance on January 9

Here are some details about a wonderful community event (not sponsored by the PGO):

Please join Mi Tierra Mexican restaurant in Hadley for a fundraiser to support Amherst A Better Chance. 100% of the food profits will go to support Amherst A Better Chance's work bringing "better chance" experiences to young men of color. All you have to do is come and enjoy delicious Mexican food! 

January 9 from 5 to 9 pm

Reservations are especially encouraged for larger parties:

Call 413-587-9820

SNOW DATE: JAN 16TH

Event Details on Facebook

Amherst A Better Chance's Mission:

Amherst ABC provides a supportive ‘better chance’ experience for young men of color coming from resource-disadvantaged school districts. We seek to create robust academic and social challenges, opportunities, and activities that allow each young man to realize his full potential within a close-knit community of family, teachers, and volunteers.

26th Annual Amherst College Baseball 2017 Winter Instructional Clinic

26th Annual Amherst College Baseball 2017 Winter Instructional Clinic

Dear Coaches,

We hope that you enjoyed the excitement of the MLB season and that you and your teams had successful seasons. This email is in regard to the 2017 Amherst College Baseball Winter Instructional Clinic. For the seventh straight year we have been able to keep the clinic fee constant to encourage attendance. Some of your players participated in last year’s winter clinic and we hope that you will forward this information to your team so that you have more participation this year.

The purpose of the instructional clinic is to provide an environment where participants develop their baseball skills while having fun. Players will participate in small groups and will be given individual attention and instruction by college coaches and college players.

The clinic will take place in Calvin Coolidge Cage at Amherst College. There will be sessions for two age groups. With the younger group (ages 9-13), we concentrate on basic techniques to help participants develop proper mechanics and to build their confidence. There will be competitive and fun games for the participants to use what they have learned and to challenge their skills.

With the older group (14-16), we concentrate on individual techniques and skills they will need to master in order to compete at the college level. We will teach techniques and drills that participants can practice at home or in small groups, as well as use in game situations.

Session 1 - Hitting Clinic

All Age Groups (ages 9 – 16): Monday, January 16 (6:30 – 8:15 p.m.)

* Clinic will be divided into two sections for age groups 9-13 & 14-16

                                                         

Session 2 - Pitching & Positional Play (catching, infield, outfield)

All Age Groups (ages 9 – 16): Wednesday, January 18 (6:30 – 8:15 p.m.)

       * Clinic will be divided into two sections for age groups 9-13 & 14-16

Cost for attending one session: $60

Cost for attending two sessions: $110

To register for the clinic, please fill out and submit the online registration form that can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/jlgwwmp

For questions, call: 413-542-2284

Information and clinic details will be sent to participants upon registration.