Community speaks out on military spending ahead of Tax Day

GREENFIELD — Although April 18 was the official day taxes were due, the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, Veterans for Peace and roughly 40 local activists convened on the Greenfield Common on Saturday to speak out against tax dollars being used for the government’s war-related expenses.

Musicians Tom Neilson and Lynn Waldron, The Raging Grannies group and Annie Hassett performed songs with lyrics matching the situation. Speakers included Sunderland resident Aaron Falbel, who talked about how he became a war tax resister; early war tax resister Betsy Corner, who spoke on behalf of fellow war tax resister Randy Kehler; Merriam Ansara, a board member of Massachusetts Peace Action; and Greenfield native Eric Wasileski of Veterans for Peace. Speakers demanded peace and for resources to be reallocated away from military operations.

Girl Scouts band together for trash cleanup

GREENFIELD — Girl Scout Troop 64980 of Greenfield spent Sunday afternoon cleaning up the area around Poet’s Seat Tower and the Beacon Field parking lot.

According to troop co-leader Cindy Pease, the Girl Scouts filled two blue bags of trash, which they got for free from the Department of Public Works, in the parking lot before heading up the face of the mountain. Twelve bags of trash were collected in all, with the largest item being a pallet. Other items collected included a yoga mat, a metal grill pan, a cat litter bucket, a lawn chair, and various cans, bottles and food wrappers.

“They made it all the way to the rock face, which was part of their goal as they could see the trash from the road,” Pease wrote in an email. “They want to do it again just for broken glass pick-up.”

Those who are interested in cleaning up litter in Greenfield can get free trash bags at the John Zon Community Center at 35 Pleasant St. and the Department of Public Works at 189 Wells St.

Farmworker leader to speak at LAVA Center

GREENFIELD — As part of its indiVISIBLE project and the No Somos Máquinas exhibit, The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host a talk by farmworker leader and organizer Claudia Rosales on Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. There is a $5 suggested donation.

Rosales joined the Pioneer Valley Workers Center team as farmworker organizer in March 2020 before becoming co-director. A former farmworker from El Salvador, Rosales was also a longstanding member of the Springfield Workers Committee and a founding member of the Riquezas del Campo farm cooperative.

Walk to focus on vernal pools,
migrant birds

GREENFIELD — Greening Greenfield will offer a “spring awakening” walk at Highland Park on Saturday, April 29, at 8:30 a.m.

During the walk, wildlife ecologist and naturalist Pat Serrentino will share information on many habitats in this urban park. Participants will look and listen for the animals that reside there year-round, as well as those that migrate to the area in the spring.

The focus will be on vernal pools and the migrant birds that breed in the forest. Highland Park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including wood frogs, spotted salamanders and garter snakes, as well as Eastern phoebes, common ravens, pileated woodpeckers and warblers.

The walk is free and geared toward adults and children over 8 years old. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended for this easy to moderate walk. Participants should be prepared for biting insects and ticks. Binoculars are also helpful but not required. Heavy rain cancels.

To register or with questions, email Greening Greenfield member Edie Heinemann at ediesh82346@gmail.com. Simply write: “I wish to join the April 29th nature walk” and give your name(s) and phone number(s) to register. Heinemann can also be reached by phone at 773-465-1646.

GCVS offers virtual STEAM night

GREENFIELD — Greater Commonwealth Virtual School (GCVS) recently offered a virtual exploration of STEAM topics focused on outer space. Ten middle schoolers and their families participated.

The event began with a video about how food is made and shipped to outer space, and several activities followed. Students and their families took part in an activity that allowed them to interact with a 3-D model of the International Space Station; a Gravity Trivia game; and Mission Control, a Pear Deck activity that requires students to draw an object based on instructions from the mission commander (played by a teacher).

“The activities students took part in as part of STEAM night are great examples of how much fun STEAM topics can be,” GCVS Vice Principal Jennifer Paine said in a statement. “Science, technology, engineering, the arts and math can all be challenging subjects, but they are also subjects that open up a wide variety of interesting options and adventures for students.”

Another STEAM night is being planned for late May.

Shelburne Falls poet to lead LAVA Center benefit

GREENFIELD — Award-winning Shelburne Falls poet Martín Espada, accompanied by local poet Mishie Serrano, will lead a benefit show at The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., on Saturday, May 20. All proceeds support The LAVA Center, and in particular, the LAVA Center’s many spoken and written word programs.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the reading will start at 7 p.m. Seating is limited, so attendees are asked to buy tickets, available on a sliding scale, in advance at bit.ly/3mKiY1Z. Ticket buyers contributing at the highest donation levels will receive an autographed copy of Espada’s poetry collection “Floaters,” winner of the 2021 National Book Award for Poetry.

“As a small venue, there are no bad seats at LAVA,” LAVA Center manager Vanessa Query said in a statement. “Everyone will be up close and personal with Martín as he performs, and everyone will have a chance to chat with him as he signs his books, which will be on sale at the event.”

The LAVA Center strongly encourages masks for all patrons.

Monthly brown bag distribution set for May 4

GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for qualifying seniors will be held Thursday, May 4, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center, located at 35 Pleasant St.

According to a notice from Senior Center Activities Director Kathy Dunn, seniors who receive fuel assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other benefits will qualify. To apply, call the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts at 413-247-9738.

Applications are also on hand at the Senior Center, and a SNAP representative will be present during the May 4 distribution to assist with filling them out. No appointments are required.

Hair appointments coming to Senior Center

GREENFIELD — Thanks to a new partnership with The Hairloft, basic men’s and women’s haircuts, beard trims, blow drying and curling appointments will be offered at the Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St., on the first Monday of each month from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Appointments are available for Greenfield residents ages 65 and up starting May 1. Sign up at the Senior Center’s front desk or by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0.

Guests are advised to arrive with clean, dry hair. Donations of any amount to help cover the stylists’ time and expenses will be accepted. A selection of Aveda sample sizes will also be available to buy.

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