Amherst A Better Chance (ABC House) To Host Reception and Honor Local Doctor on May 19th

The Amherst A Better Chance Program will host a reception at the Red Barn at Hampshire College on Thursday, May 19th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Local doctor Kate Atkinson and her staff at Atkinson Family Practice will be honored as 2016 Amherst ABC Local Heroes. Dr. Atkinson is a Fort River alumni parent. 

A reception will begin at 5:00 pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with ABC scholars and hear their stories. Formal remarks begin at 5:45 pm. At 6:15 pm, there will be a tour of the new R.W Kern Center, Hampshire College’s new “living building,” a structure designed for sustainability and intended to promote ethical citizenship. [Amherst ABC is the FIRST community organization to have the opportunity to tour this exciting new “zero-net energy” building.]

Tour leaders will meet guests at The Red Barn and escort them to the Kern Center for tours guided by Hampshire College staff. Tours will start at approximately 6:15.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event on May 19th. We hope that many members of the community join the ABC Scholars and the Board of Directors to celebrate this program, with the bonus opportunity to tour a new facility that promotes sustainability and thus, in a very real sense, can provide all of us as well as future generations with a better chance.

The ABC Board of Directors asks that those who plan to attend send an email to
mail@amherstabetterchance.org by May 13th.

For more than four decades, teenage men of color have come to our community to find “A Better Chance” in our safe, loving, focused boarding home environment while they attend Amherst Regional High School. During that time, Amherst ABC has helped more than 125 young men transcend the barriers to success, nurturing them and encouraging them to reach their highest potential academically as well as personally. It is the Amherst community that has made this incredible success story a reality.

PGO Elections on June 6th

Elections for the 2016 - 2017 PGO Board positions will take place on June 6th at 9 am in the Fort River Cafeteria.  This meeting is open to the public, and all families with a current student at Fort River have a vote and a voice in shaping the future of the PGO.

Brainstorming ideas are always welcome. Please attend any PGO Coffee or the June 6th elections to get involved, or email any current Board Member with your feedback and suggestions. The PGO Board can also be contacted at ftriver@gmail.com, or individually via email (addresses listed on the PGO website).

Star Wars Events This Week at the Jones Library

Star Wars Faux Terrariums (ages 10- up)

May 3rd 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm in the Crafts Room

Make your own faux terrarium of the landscape of your choice! Endor, Dagobah, a fairy garden, or whatever you imagine! 

Please pre-register in the kids' room or at 413-259-3091/ kids@joneslibrary.org

Star Wars: May the Fourth Be With You

May 4th in the Woodbury Room

10:30 am-11:30 am Space-themed Storytime 

4:00 pm- 6:00 pm Star Wars crafts, trivia, video games and more!

6:00 pm-8:30 pm After-hours free movie screening, for fans of all ages. (Library can be entered through the back/ garden entrance) Join Rey, BB-8, and old favorite characters on an epic adventure!

Shakespeare Movie Marathon on May 14th

As a way of supporting an exciting exhibition of Shakespeare's First Folio at Amherst College during the month of May, the Jones Library is one of several other local institutions in Amherst that are hosting complementary programming to encourage the wider community to enjoy and celebrate this special exhibit.  

Join us in the Woodbury Room on Saturday, May 14 for a screening of 3 films based on Shakespeare’s First Folio works. The 10 am screening is an animated film for young viewers that is rated G.  The 12:30 pm and 3 pm screenings are feature films that are rated PG-13.  For the program of specific film titles, pick up a flyer on your next visit to the library or visit our website for complete movie titles and ratings information at www.joneslibrary.org.

This film series is possible thanks to the Friends of the Jones Libraries.  Free and open to the public.  For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413/259-3223.

Ultimate Weekend Comes To Amherst May 7-8th

Thirty-two high school teams will compete in the oldest youth Ultimate frisbee tournament in the country, the Amherst Invitational. The 25th Annual Amherst Invitational Ultimate Tournament will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8, 2016, and is hosted by Amherst Regional High School (ARHS). 

The Tournament will be held on the athletic fields at ARHS and the Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS) in Amherst, Massachusetts, the birthplace of the growing sport. 

This year will also be the largest event in the tournament’s history, with separate A and B divisions for both boys and girls, to reflect the growing popularity of the sport.  ARHS is one of the few high schools in the country that can field three boys and three girls teams, and the middle school team is also very competitive.  All seven Amherst teams (including the ARMS Spring Ultimate teams) will be participating in the Amherst Invitational.  

Come cheer on your favorite ARMS and ARHS Players!

More information at http://www.facebook.com/amherstinvitational

See more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbK-TXnnQDA&nohtml5=False

“Just A Piece of Cloth” Screening at the Jones Library on May 12

“Just a Piece of Cloth” will be screened at Jones Library on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Woodbury Room for the next film in this ongoing film and discussion series that may education, touch your heart, and inspire you to action to help dismantle racism.  A facilitated discussion will be held after the screening.

"Just a Piece of Cloth" is a documentary that unravels stereotypes perpetuated by the mainstream media about Muslim women.  It is a film about Muslim women, the hijab, and other issues of Islamophobia and racism.  A facilitated discussion will follow the screening.

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/.

May Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Clinical and Support Options (CSO) is offering a FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid Course – 8-hour public course on May 13 & 20, 2016, from 12:30-5 pm, at 8 Atwood Drive, 3rd Floor Training Room Northampton, MA 01060

A young person you know could be experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can help them. You are more likely to encounter someone — friend, family member, student, neighbor, or member of the community — in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack.

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or in a crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self help care.

Anyone can take the 8-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid course, but it is ideally designed for adults who work with young people, ages 12-18 — teachers, coaches, leaders of faith communities, social workers, and other caring citizens. Sometimes, the best first aid is you. Take the course, save a life, strengthen your community.

To register, please email your name, phone number, email address, occupation and employer name and reason why you are participating in the training to: mdefant@csoinc.orgor call 413-582-0471 ext. 5559.