Brookfield Farm Shares Available

Join Us. Share The Harvest.

Brookfield Farm - CSA shares available. We grow delicious produce for all our shareholders – pick up at the farm from early June through November. We’re proud that we’ve been nourishing the community since 1986. And each year writes a new story, as first-time families join our long-time shareholders in making this farm their own. 

Now is the time to purchase a share for the coming season: Visit our website – www.brookfieldfarm.org - to join online or to get more information. If you would like to speak with someone about our CSA shares directly, please call 413-253-7991. We hope you join us for the coming season!

Sing This Summer! Summer Camp at Amherst College

Sing This Summer offers exceptional week-long programs for young singers in grades 2-12 on the beautiful Amherst College campus, in Amherst, MA. This summer we’ll be welcoming returning and new campers to our programs from June 24-29. The same program is also offered at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME from July 22-27. We would love to have your students join us! Students can now register online at www.singthissummer.com/register-now.

SING! (grades 7-12) offers daily classes in musical theater, choir, individual and group voice lessons, musicianship, movement and collegiate-style a cappella with recreational activities interspersed throughout the day for a balance of intensive music and fun.

SING! Jr. (grades 2-6) features all of the same classes and recreational activities as SING! while focusing on helping younger students explore their vocal skills and build musicianship skills.

Click for printable flyer.

Local Showing of Mudbound on March 21

Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst Social Action Committee presents:

Mudbound, a 2017 film about two veterans, one black, one white, and their respective experiences when they return home from WWII. The New York Times review puts it this way: ‘‘Mudbound" is a Racial Epic Tuned to Black Lives and White Guilt.

"Mudbound" is a movie about how things change — slowly, unevenly, painfully. It is also, as the title suggests, about how things don’t change, about the stubborn forces of custom, prejudice and power that lock people in place and impede social progress. Set mainly in the Mississippi Delta in the years just after World War II, when Jim Crow was still enshrined in law and practice, the film, directed by Dee Rees, tests and complicates William Faulkner’s much-quoted claim about the not-even-pastness of the past. It’s a work of historical imagination that lands in the present with disquieting, illuminating force….” (N.Y. Times, November 16, 2017)

Refreshments will be served.

Wednesday, March 21, 7-  9:15PM

Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst

121 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst

Questions: 413-253-2848

Joy Art Space Class for Artists ages 8 - 11 Starting March 22

Drawing and Painting (Ages 8-11)

In this class, students will find their unique artistic voice while developing drawing and painting skills. In a warm supportive environment, we will explore the process of taking our ideas and turning them into works of art that are meaningful to us.

Together, we will explore skills and techniques for drawing and painting with a variety of materials. This class is capped at 6 students for small group atmosphere and individual attention.

Thursdays 3:30-4:45

March 22 - May 3 (5 Sessions) $200

March 22 - June 14  (11 Sessions) $400 (One bonus class)

No classes March 29 and April 19 due to School Breaks and Holidays

To register for this class click here. 

More information about Joy Art Space classes and private lessons for children, teens, and adults: www.joyartspace.com

Youth Lacrosse Spring Registration through February 28

Registration for Boys and Girls Bantams and Juniors is open.

If you are a returning player, welcome back! If you are a new player, welcome to a wonderful sport! Equipment is available to rent for a modest fee so that costs are not a barrier for participation.

Registration for the Girls and Boys lacrosse teams are capped when a limit is reached. Please register early in order to ensure that your son/daughter has a spot on the team.

AYL prides itself with making the sport accessible for families. Please consider applying for the Jamie Mullins scholarship if the fees are too burdensome or contact AYL directly if you need some flexibility in this area.

REGISTRATION FEES for the Boys and Girls Programs:

$185 – Base registration

$170 – Registration if you don’t need a jersey

$160 – Registration if you don’t need jersey or shorts

$90 – Free and reduced lunch rate (includes full uniform)

$70 – MiniMites (8U) (includes reversible jersey)

All registrations include a 1 year US Lacrosse membership

Sign up now through Feb. 28 at Amherstyouthlacrosse.org.

KidsBestFest 2018, a Film Festival for Kids and their Adults: February 19 – 23

Winter School Break Free Film Festival: February 19 - 23

When?

Doors Open at 1:00PM

Showtime at 1:30 PM 

Where?

Academy of Music Theatre

274 Main Street Northampton

MA 01060

What?

A film festival for kids and their adults during winter school break, part of the Four Sundays in February winter arts series presented by the Northampton Arts Council and the Academy of Music Theatre.

How Much?

FREE, donations encouraged.

Teen Painting and Drawing classes beginning March 2

Joy Art Space presents Teen Painting and Drawing classes with Lily Joy Friedling beginning Friday, March 2!  This is a great opportunity for teens to get involved in an enriching after school activity where they can engage in self expression in a supportive environment. The studio is right on North Pleasant Street, walking distance from the Amherst schools. Spaces are limited and fill quickly -- register soon to ensure a spot in the class!

Drawing and Painting (Ages 12 - 17)
In this class, students will find their unique artistic voice while developing drawing and painting skills. In a warm supportive environment, we will explore the process of taking our ideas and turning them into works of art that are meaningful to us. Together, we will explore skills and techniques for drawing and painting with a variety of materials.

Section 1 (Ages 12 - 14) Fridays 5:00 - 6:15pm
Section 2 (Ages 14 - 17) Fridays 6:30 - 7:45pm
March 2 - April 27  (6 Sessions) $240
March 2 - June 17  (12 Sessions) $440 ($40 discount)
No classes March 16, March 30, April 20, and June 8 due to School Breaks and Holidays

To register for this class click here.

More information about Joy Art Space classes and private lessons for children, teens, and adults: www.joyartspace.com

Joy Art Space

196 N. Pleasant St. Ste. 15

Amherst, MA 01002

413-345-2747

www.joyartspace.com

NEW! The Center Dance Studio’s Company Program

Introducing The Center Dance Studio’s Company Program for kids in grades 3-12!

The Center’s pre-professional Company Program is designed for students seeking an intensive course of study in ballet and/or contemporary dance forms. Two separate tracks are offered; our Ballet Track provides students with rigorous training in classical ballet (with the option to advance to pointe work), while our Multidisciplinary Track allows students to hone their skills in ballet, modern and hip hop.

Visit our Company Program page for all the info.

The Center Dance is owned and operated by Fort River alums!

ALSCT Beauty and the Beast Auditions September 15 - 18

from ALSCT:

It’s that time of year again! 

Once again, Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater (ALSCT) is creating a fabulous, large-scale musical, with lavish sets and costumes, a full live orchestra, and enthusiastic audiences fill the 600-seat UMass Bowker Auditorium for nine performances in January. This year, we’ll be presenting Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the classic “tale as old as time”. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 are encouraged to audition! 

AUDITIONS: Friday, Sept. 15^th, Saturday, Sept. 16^th, Sunday, Sept. 17^th

Callbacks Monday, September 18^th

Click for a printable flyer.

Auditions for the Hampshire Young People’s Chorus on June 6

Does your child love to sing?  

The Hampshire Young People’s Chorus (YPC), an award-winning youth choir, will hold auditions on June 6 for new members for the 2017-2018 year.  

YPC offers children the opportunity to experience choral singing in a comfortable and encouraging atmosphere.  Healthy vocal technique and fundamental music skills are taught through singing a wide range of music from many styles and traditions.  The choir’s roster includes more than 45 children in two age divisions – Concert Choir (grades 3-6) and Chamber Singers (grades 6-10).  

Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays in Amherst.  For more information, please visit www.hampshireypc.org or call the director, K.C. Conlan, at 413-530-9337.

PGO, Social Media, and Community Events

The PGO is happy to promote non-PGO, non-school based events, classes, or activities that may interest our families. These days the easiest way to do so is on social media. 

If you do not follow the PGO on Facebook or Twitter please considering doing so. If you'd like the PGO to share information about your favorite youth sports team, theatre group, art or dance classes, etc., please consider posting these to our Facebook page or messaging our Communication team directly via social media. 

As always, non-school content is shared at the PGO Board's discretion. You can still email the PGO at ftriver@gmail.com or hit reply to any PGO emails that you receive. 

AYSA Spring Soccer Registration Available Now

Registration for spring soccer in Amherst is now open. Please register at https://amherstsoccer.org/. If you have any questions, please contact Moe Mooney at aysamgr@gmail.com

Sing This Summer Camp Registration Now Available

Sing This Summer offers exceptional week-long programs for young musicians in grades 2-12 on the beautiful Amherst College campus, in Amherst, MA. This summer we’ll be welcoming returning and new campers to our vocal and string programs from June 25-30. We would love to have your students join us! Students can now register online at www.singthissummer.com.

SING! (grades 7-12) offers daily classes in musical theater, choir, individual and group voice lessons, musicianship, movement and collegiate-style a cappella with recreational activities interspersed throughout the day for a balance of intensive music and fun.

SING! Jr. (grades 2-6) features all of the same classes and recreational activities as SING! while focusing on helping younger students explore their vocal skills and build musicianship skills.

Strings@Amherst (grades 2-12) offers a variety of instrumental classes such as group technique, chamber music, orchestra, fiddling, and musicianship with a focus on building orchestral, solo, and chamber music technique. Students participate in recreational activities alongside SING! participants.

ACLU Summer Advocacy Seminar

Know any young civil liberties superstars in high school? Encourage them to apply to the ACLU’s Summer Advocacy Institute!

The ACLU is now accepting applications for a week long advocacy training and leadership development seminar at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., from July 29 – August 5, 2017. The ACLU Summer Advocacy Institute will bring together a diverse group of high school juniors and seniors from across the United States to participate in an advanced, firsthand learning experience for the next generation of social justice advocates. Through an intensive eight-day program, students will learn directly from lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other experts working to defend the civil rights and liberties critical to a free and open society.

Students will be immersed in the real world of political and legal decision-making in Washington, D.C., as they explore the complex nature of defending and advancing civil liberties in our current society. Students will have an opportunity to meet with elected officials and community organizers as well as participate in classroom sessions, lectures, daily debates, and workshops with civil rights pioneers and other current youth activists.

If you know of any young civil liberties activists that might be interested in the Institute, please encourage them to apply!

Applications are due by Friday, April 7, and scholarships are available!

For any questions or to request a code to waive the application fee, please contact summerinstitute@aclu.org. Thank you for spreading the word and helping us find the next generation of civil liberties advocates!

Leapfrog – after school program for K-4

Join the Snowy Owls, a weekly after school program for K-4, and plunge into a wild world of nature exploration, crafting and feasting! Explore the woods, streams and trails while learning awareness, naturalist and survival skills!

This program meets once a week, participants picking a Tuesday or Thursday clan, from 3:45 to 5:30 at Amethyst Brook Conservation Land, Amherst. Begins Tuesday March 7, 2017.

Snowy Owls is offered by Leapfrog Programs. Leap frog Programs cultivates nature connection and education for humans of all ages in Western Massachusetts, offering during and after school programs and weekend workshops. We work to empower participants with meaningful and practical life-long relationships between each other, and the living land.

To sign up or to find out more visit us at: leapfrogprograms.weebly.com

With gratitude from The Compost Collective,

Margaret and Sara

https://thecompostcollective413.wordpress.com/

Registration for Multi-Arts' Summer Camp is now OPEN!

Children will have a unique time exploring all the arts with top-notch professional artists every day.  Our superb educational experience will enrich children’s lives now and in their future.

Space is limited, so register NOW!

Check this fantastic video created by children who attended Multi-Arts in the past: Clear message. Fun. Creative. Reflects the power of the arts.

Hope to see you this summer or in our Spring Camp on April 17-21

PS: Check our Counselor in Training program for teens and our Internships for college students.

www.multi-arts.org    413-584-7951

The Center Dance Studio Announces Winter/Spring Class Schedule

sharing this non-PGO activity information from The Center:

At The Center, children spin stories from movement using classical and modern dance techniques. Sister duo Ashley and Caddy Carlisle (Fort River alums) combine their years of dance training in the Pioneer Valley, New York City, and Montreal with a special approach to teaching that gets kids reading, writing and dancing;  connecting, collaborating and creating.  It’s a holistic approach to dance.  In classes geared to children and teens of all ages, kids combine elements of what they imagine with what they observe to create movement that is inventive, entertaining, and deeply satisfying.

The Center. Where we’re not just spinning, we’re spinning stories.

Multi-Arts Update: Counselor Training Opportunity and Winter Vacation Camp

from Multi-Arts, not a PGO sponsored activity:

Counselors in Training (CIT) Job Opportunity

We are looking for several creative people to join our Multi-Arts staff to work with children ages 4-12. Counselors in Training (CIT) Supervised work for teens who want to gain experience as an Assistant Counselor.

For more information and to apply visit:

http://www.multi-arts.org/job-opportunity–volunteer.html

Catalina Arrubla, Director (and alumni parent from Fort River)

http://www.multi-arts.org

413-584-7951

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/IYAnLs
Love arts? http://www.razoo.com/story/Multi-Arts

WINTER CAMP   ::   FEBRUARY VACATION CAMP 2017

February 20-24   

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

$300 week 

For non-members a $45 registration fee will apply

Half-day:  $200 for non-member / $160 for member 

Two options: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m

One-day option: $85 for non-member / $70 for member

Amherst Baseball Registration

Amherst Baseball online registration is open. Here is some information:

How do I register?

Online registration for the 2017 season begins on January 15 at www.amherstbaseball.org. If you wish to register in person, we will have a table at Winterfest on February 11 and we will make registration available during indoor Spring Training on March 11 at the Amherst College cage. You can also request a registration form by sending an email to amherstbaseball@gmail.com.

Do you offer financial aid?

Yes! Scholarships are available to qualified families. Please email amherstbaseball@gmail.com if you wish to be considered for a need-based scholarship.

Who can register?

We have Spring leagues for children who are 5 years old up through and including the age of 16.  We have Summer leagues for ages 14 through 19, and Fall leagues for ages 9-13. All leagues are co-ed. You are eligible to play if you live or go to school in Amherst, Hadley, Pelham, Shutesbury or Leverett, and for Babe Ruth, Belchertown. You can also play with waiver from the district president. Email amherstbaseball@gmail.com for more information on waivers.

Do you offer any clinics?

Amherst College hosts its annual Winter Instructional Clinic on January 16 and 18, 2017 for ages 9-16. Players will participate in small groups and will be given individual attention and instruction by college coaches and players. You can register at  http://athletics.amherst.edu/sports/bsb/2016-17/releases/20161218m7n7or . We also offer coaching clinics.

When does the season start?

Our season starts with Indoor Spring Training will be held on Saturday March 11 and Sunday March 19 at the Amherst College cage. Please save the dates and we will provide more information on the website regarding the exact times for each age group. We practice for much of April outside, and games generally begin around May 1.

When does the season end?

The season ends around the same time that school ends in mid-June. Post-season tournaments for 9-10 and 11-12 year olds run from mid-June to mid- to late-July.

Do you have equipment available for purchase?

Families are invited to bring any unwanted baseball equipment to Spring Training on March 11. We will sort and offer this equipment on a first come-first serve basis at the March 19 Spring Training.

My child is playing for his school team. Can he also play Amherst Baseball?

Yes! We work closely with the schools to ensure that kids can play both school and town baseball by avoiding conflicts with practices and games.

Amherst Youth Lacrosse registration is now open!

Sharing this information from Amherst Youth Lacrosse ...

To all kids in grades 3 to 6 ... If you are a returning player, welcome back!  If you are interested in playing lacrosse, welcome!  New players are strongly encouraged to give the "fastest sport in two feet" a try.  Equipment is available to rent for a modest fee so that equipment costs are not a barrier for participation.  

Registration for the Girls and Boys lacrosse teams are capped when a limit is reached.  Please register early in order to ensure that your son/daughter has a spot on the team.  If you need more time to pay the registration fee please complete the on-line registration but hold off on the final registration payment.  You will still need to pay the $25 US Lacrosse membership fee.  AYL prides itself with making the sport accessible for families.  Please contact me directly if you need some flexibility in this area.

Our season runs from late April to early June.

Learn more, and register at www.amherstyouthlacrosse.org

Questions? Please contact: 

Andrew MacDougall

President, Amherst Youth Lacrosse, INC

president@amherstyouthlacrosse.org