"Hummingbirds of the World" at the Jones on May 10

An opportunity to learn about hummingbirds near and far comes to the Jones Library in a presentation by local naturalist John Root.  Please join us in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 7 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

This presentation is a visual one that features spectacular images of hummingbirds from around the world. Topics discussed include myths and legends about hummingbirds in different cultures, special adaptations for flight, co-evolution of hummingbirds and the flowers that they visit, courtship and nesting behavior, and migration. Information about attracting hummingbirds with feeders and hummingbird gardens is also presented. Comments and questions are welcome throughout the program.

This program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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

Daffodil Run 5K Walk/Run & 10K Run on April 29

April 29th, 2018 marks the 8th annual Daffodil Run in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County! 

This family friendly community event held at Kendrick Park in downtown Amherst offers participants a 5k walk/run or 10k run option. Race past many of the 50,000 daffodils planted in celebration of the Town of Amherst’s 250th anniversary. Festivities include a pre-race warm up, music, bounce house, games, barbecue and more! 

Join us to help make a difference in the lives of Hampshire County children facing challenges. Celebrate spring with us at the Daffodil Run!

Register at RaceWire.com: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=8654

Amherst Sustainability Festival on April 14

Amherst Sustainability Festival

SATURDAY, APRIL 14th 

10 AM – 4 PM

TOWN COMMON

Join us for a day of family fun, education and entertainment. The Sustainability Festival is in its ninth year and is bigger and better than ever! There is literally something for everyone with over 100 vendors of renewable energy, energy efficiency product suppliers, advocacy groups as well as sustainable crafts and artisans! Stay tuned for more information!

Click for sustainability resources for kids and teens

2018 Talent Showcase THIS Friday, March 23 at 6:30 PM

The 2018 Talent Showcase will take place Friday, March 23, at 6:30 PM in the Fort River gymnasium. 

Proceeds benefit the 5th and 6th Grade Classes. All money raised will stay at Fort River. Donations for adult admission to the show will be accepted at the door and all kids will attend for free! No one will be turned away. 

There is a MANDATORY Dress Rehearsal immediately after school on Thursday, March 22. A few parent volunteers are needed to assist with acts and help keep students focused. Contact Shilpa if you are able to help: shilparph@mac.com.

ATTENTION 5th AND 6th GRADE PARENTS! Click here to donate baked goods or volunteer during the show on Friday. 

Registration Open! Second Annual Civics Fest on April 6

Food! Music! Theater! Competition!! A celebration of Government and Politics.

Join the League of Women Voters of Amherst for the Second Annual Civics Fest on April 6, 2018, starting at 7 p.m. in the Amherst Regional High School auditorium. Once again, State Representative Solomon Goldstein-Rose will be the Master of Ceremonies. The theme for this year is Public Education.

Teams will compete in a trivia round, an optional debate round, and a final “creative policy” round for the top teams. Register your team here!

To view the event flyer, click here.

2018 Talent Showcase on Friday, March 23, at 6:30 PM

The 2018 Talent Showcase will take place Friday, March 23, at 6:30 PM in the Fort River gymnasium. 

Proceeds benefit the 5th and 6th Grade Classes. All money raised will stay at Fort River. Donations for adult admission to the show will be accepted at the door and all kids will attend for free! No one will be turned away. 

There is a MANDATORY Dress Rehearsal immediately after school on Thursday, March 22. A few parent volunteers are needed to assist with acts and help keep students focused. Contact Shilpa if you are able to help: shilparph@mac.com.

Click here to donate baked goods or volunteer during the show on Friday. 

RESCHEDULED! Family Math & Pi Night now Wednesday, March 14 from 6 - 7:30 pm

Fort River Elementary School presents a Title 1 and PGO sponsored school-wide event

Family Math & Pi Night - Math is everywhere!

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

6:00 -7:30 pm

Please click here to sign up to help with the pie auction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Noche Familiar de Matemáticas y  Pi/Family Math & Pi Night

¡Matemáticas en todos lados!/Math is everywhere!

Miercoles, 13 de Marzo del 2018/Wednesday, March 13, 2018

6:00 -7:30 pm

la subasta silenciosa de torta en beneficio del viaje a Boston del 5º grado

Pie silent auction to benefit 5th grade Boston trip

Juegos de Matemáticas "jugar y tener"/“Play and Take” Math Games

         

6:00-6:30

Cena de pizza y la introducción en la cafeteria

Pizza dinner and introduction in the cafeteria

6:30-7:15

Juegos de matemáticas y la subasta silenciosa a través de la escuela

Math games and silent auction throughout school

7:15-7:30

Sorteo del gran premio en el vestíbulo principal

Grand prize raffle in the main lobby     

* Los autobuses recogerán en Mill Valley a las 5:30 p.m., Rolling Green @ 5:40 p.m. y Colonial @ 5:50 p.m. y los regresará después del evento 

*Buses will pick up Mill Valley @ 5:30, Rolling Green @ 5:40, and Colonial @5:50 and drop off after the event

Family Math & Pi Night on March 13 (Note date)

SAVE THE DATE!

Fort River Elementary School Presents a Title 1 and PGO sponsored school-wide event

Family Math & Pi Night - Math is everywhere!

Tuesday, March 13, 2017

6:00 -7:30 pm

Math Games! Pi Recitation! Lesson insights.

Pie silent auction to benefit 5th grade Boston trip.
Please click here to sign up to help with the pie auction. 

Winterfest Challenge Cup at the Mullins Center on February 5

Amherst Leisure Services presents WinterFest Challenge Cup at the Mullins Center

February 5, 2018 – 6:30-8:00pm

with Skating Club of Amherst 50th Year Exhibition from 5:30-6:15pm

The WinterFest All-Stars face off against the Franklin County Sheriff's Department! Watch an action-packed game unfold on the ice between two local teams, each playing for a worthy cause. This is a free event but donations of any amount are appreciated. All proceeds will go to the charity foundation of the winning team. The teams will be playing for the following charities, respectively:

The Mission of Wounded Warrior Project®: Honoring and empowering Wounded Warriors, our vision is to foster the most successful, well adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history.

The Sergeant Jacob Garmalo Memorial Foundation: Sergeant Jacob Garmalo brought a caring and compassionate presence to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office that was valued by both staff and the men incarcerated there. His character was exemplary and commanded respect for himself and those around him. Always willing to listen, he worked closely with the men and fought against stigma and shame, spurned being judgmental, and worked to bring out the best in everyone. Jacob’s youthful energy, drive and motivation helped the men rise to the challenges of everyday life, and he was a beacon of hope, brightening the days of those around him. Jacob had a dream and vision to help individuals successfully recover from the hardships in life that led to their incarceration. Tragically, Jacob’s life ended in 2016 in a motorcycle accident at the young age of 21. The goal of this foundation is to continue his legacy and keep his vision alive.

Come out to support both teams on the ice this Monday night! And be sure to come an hour early to watch the Skating Club of Amherst perform a special routine in celebration of WinterFest and their 50 year anniversary!

Contacts: 

Barb Bilz, Amherst Leisure Services: bilzb@amherstma.gov  413-259-3138

John Coelho, Cherry Hill Golf Course: CoelhoJ@amherstma.gov 413-531-3587

Chili Night for a Chilly Night 2018 - Thanks and Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who helped make the 2018 PGO Chili Night the best ever! We raised over $400 and had a total of 18 chilis! Attendance was fantastic and the food was fabulous. Congrats to ALL cooks for their tasty entries and to our winners on their success!

Best Name
"May the Chili be with You" by Lisa Solowiej

5-alarm
"Sweet Heat n' Meat" by Angela Russo

Kid Pleasin'
"Hot Chili in the City" by Steph Jones

Golden Ladle
"Turktacular Chili" by Nate Cartel 
(with a 1 vote margin over Craig Albertson's "Green Chicken Chili")

LSSE’s WinterFest Amherst from February 3 to 10

WinterFest Amherst is the largest winter festival in Western Massachusetts, featuring over 40 events including music, food, sports, recreation and community activities. 

Among this year’s highlights are 10 events on the first day, including a Luminaria, sponsored by the Amherst BID, on the Town Common. Other highlights include the WinterFest Ice Hockey Challenge Cup, 5K Indoor Run, Men and Women’s Amateur Basketball, Food Demonstrations, Nature Hikes, Lectures and Discussions, Figure Skating, Winter Crafts for Kids, Painting for Children, Live Music, Winter Farmers’ Market, Movies and more. 

WinterFest concludes on February 10, with fireworks, beauty queens, and more at the Grand Finale at the Cherry Hill Golf Course. 

Click here for details or for the very latest updates visit WinterFest Amherst on Facebook.

6th Annual CHILI NIGHT for a CHILLY NIGHT on January 24

BRRRR! Are you looking forward to steaming hot chili next week? 

The Fort River 6th Annual CHILI NIGHT for a CHILLY NIGHT is just days away! Don't forget to add your chili ingredients to your grocery list! Many, many more cooks are needed! (There are 15 openings on the sign up list!) We have extra crockpots if you need one - email Stacey - stacey.fortriver@gmail.com

Don't do chili? How about making some cornbread? At least 10 volunteers are needed to bake or purchase cornbread! Sign up NOW! 

Donations of tortilla chips and beverages (no soda!) are also needed! Please sign up! 

Don't cook at all? You can donate your time helping to set up! Follow this link to sign up: http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/iMSHyEFLb80

YOU HEARD ABOUT THE PRIZES, RIGHT??? Everyone votes for their favorite chili with prizes for 5-Alarm, Kid-Pleasin', and the Golden Ladle! 

Dinner is $1 suggested donation per bowl. All funds raised support our teachers and learners! We hope to see you there! 

Wednesday, January 24

6 - 7:30 pm
Fort River Cafeteria

BRRRR! 6th Annual Chili Night for a Chilly Night on January 24

Baby it's COLD outside! 

Later this month is your chance to FEEL THE HEAT at the 6th Annual Chili Night for a Chilly Night! This fiery hot competitive family evening pits classmates and families against each other for epic bragging rights to the school's best chili.  🏆🔥🏆🔥🏆

Sign up to bring chili, cornbread, or to help setup, cleanup, etc. at http://frpc.pleasebringit.com/public/iMSHyEFLb80

This Week at the Jones Library

from the Jones Library: 

As the snow comes down outside, you might be wondering how to find out if the library is closed due to winter weather.  We try to announce the closing on our website and social media as soon as possible.  You can also call the library closure line at 413-259-3094.  In general, the libraries close when other town offices close due to winter weather.

Learn Ukulele with Julie

Wednesday, December 13 from 4 - 5 pm

Kids ages 8 - 12 are invited to come learn some ukulele basics with Julie, play some songs, and have fun! Ukuleles will be provided.

Please pre-register in the Kids Room, call 413-259-3091 or email us at kids@joneslibrary.org!

Harry Potter Holiday Craft

Thursday, December 14 from 4 - 6 pm

Come celebrate the season with Harry Potter drop-in crafts, recycled book ornaments, and warm cider!  Open to all ages. 

Early Closing @ the Jones

Friday, December 15 at 3 pm

The Jones Library will close at 3 pm on Friday, December 15 for the Town of Amherst Employee Holiday Party.

The North Amherst branch will be open regular hours that day, so you can visit us there from 2 - 5:30 pm!

Family Ukulele Storytime

Saturday, December 16 from 10:30 - 11:30 am

Kids ages 4 -8 and their families are invited to join Julie for a beginning ukulele lesson, stories, and a simple craft. Ukuleles will be provided.

Please pre-register in the Kids Room at 413-259-3091 or kids@joneslibrary.org

Holiday Movie Classic: White Christmas

Saturday, December 16 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm

This one got snowed out last year, so let's try again!

Join us for a free screening of this holiday classic.  Enjoy song and dance by Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen in this 1954 holiday classic by Irving Berlin.

LSSE Basketball Clinic on October 28

Basketball is just around the corner and LSSE will  be running basketball clinics this weekend.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Cost: $5 per Child (Fee collected at door)

Schedule

WHERE:  ARHS GYM
GIRLS:  K-8 10am-12pm
BOYS:  K-8 1-3pm

Enhance your:

§  Dribbling

§  Shooting

§  Passing

§  Rebounding

§  Defensive footwork/strategies

§  Offensive footwork/strategies

View Girls Clinic Flyer

View Boys Clinic Flyer

Contact Chris Johnson
Sports Director, LSSE
Office – (413)259-3144
Fax – (413)259-2407

Community Family Dance on October 22

Plans are afoot for another season of COMMUNITY FAMILY DANCES that are fun for all ages!

Sunday, Oct 22, 3-5 p.m.

at the Common School

521 South Pleasant St., Amherst.

Check out the Facebook event: Family Dance Facebook Event.

All dances taught by Jim Fownes

Music by Double Time: Ron & Louise Grosslein and Robin Harrington & Jim Fownes

Potluck snacks at the break (please bring something to share)

Suggested donation: Free for ages 0-2; $3-5 per person for ages 3 through adult; $15-20 maximum per family

Fall Fun at Atkins Farms: Scarecrow Workshop and Apple Picking

Every weekend through October 22, 11am - 4pm build your own life-size scarecrow at Atkins Farms Country Market Pavilion, 1150 West St., South Amherst.

Apple and pumpkin picking also available ... Follow the U-PICK signs from the roundabout near the flagship store east Bay Road toward Belchertown to 211 Bay Road (1/2 mile from the store on the right).

Don't forget to sign up for Atkins' reward program and please list Fort River as the school beneficiary. The program is so easy! No cards or key FOBs ... simply give your phone number at checkout.

6th Annual BID Block Party on October 4th at 5pm

Come on out for Amherst's 6th Annual BID Block Party this Wednesday, October 4th, from 5-9 pm. Located on North Pleasant Street, this year the Party will feature great bands including Trailer Park, Glass House (ARHS students - FR alum!!), and Banish Misfortune. The evening will include your favorite local food, acrobats, street artists, and more! Hope to see you there!

Save the Date! AEF Trivia Bee on October 26 with New Youth Round!

news from Amherst Education Foundation ...

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

AEF Trivia Bee!

Thursday, October 26, 2017, 6:00-9:00pm

ARMS Auditorium

DOORS OPEN AT 5:30pm for a fun evening that includes over 100 players in costumes, raffle prizes plus refreshments, an audience trivia game and prizes.

NEW FOR 2017!

We will have a youth-only Trivia Round before the main competition. Teams of players 14 years of age and younger will answer age-appropriate questions on the way to becoming our first-ever Youth Trivia Bee Champions!

Admission is free with donations benefiting Amherst Education Foundation and Amherst public schools.

More information to come...