20,881 gallons discharged during sewer overflow

GREENFIELD — A sanitary sewer overflow consisting of 20,881 gallons of untreated sewage and waste occurred in Greenfield on Saturday, March 23, from 7:35 to 9:30 p.m.

The untreated sewage discharged from a regulator chamber outfall located behind 302 Deerfield St. along the Green River. The overflow was caused by heavy to moderate rain during a flood watch, and does not impact drinking water.

Street sweeping underway this week

GREENFIELD — Having secured a contract with Arlington Sweeping, the city is conducting street sweeping through Friday, March 29, weather permitting.

Street sweeping will occur during the day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. The downtown and municipal/school parking lots will be swept overnight. The general area for street sweeping is south of Silver Street and east of Interstate 91.

In addition to spring sweeping, the downtown business district will be swept as needed. Business owners in the downtown area are reminded that it is their responsibility to sweep and keep their sidewalks clean. Litter should be picked up and not swept into the street.

The city asks residents to observe the following tips to facilitate street sweeping:

■Avoid parking on the street during daylight hours until after your street has been swept.

■Do not sweep sand into piles; the sweeper can do a better job if the sand is not consolidated. If the homeowner wants to pick up the sand, it can be brought to the Transfer Station without charge. Residents should not place sand in the trash.

■Do not rake grass, leaves or branches into the street.

The city also appreciates residents’ patience with the noise and dust. Although water is used for dust control, some dust is unavoidable.

With questions or concerns, call the Department of Public Works at 413-772-1528.

Book talk to consider history of food and culture

GREENFIELD — Residents are invited to virtually step into the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History with Curator Paula Johnson on Tuesday, April 2, at 2 p.m. as she discusses the book “Smithsonian American Table: The Foods, People and Innovations That Feed Us.”

The book is a sweeping history of food and culture that takes a fresh look at some of the people, ingredients, events and movements that have shaped how and what we eat. Johnson, curator and project director of the American Food History Project, will discuss several stories featured in the volume, with an emphasis on those that intersect most directly with the Smithsonian’s research, collecting and programming around food history.

For more information and to register, visit libraryc.org/greenfieldpubliclibrary.

This program, offered by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium, is free.

Brown bag program set for April 4

GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag grocery distribution for income-qualifying seniors will be held Thursday, April 4, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the Weldon apartments, 54 High St.

For more information, call 413-247-9738 or visit foodbankwma.org.

Palm readings available at Senior Center

GREENFIELD — Learn about palmistry and enjoy a personalized palm reading with Andrea Cohen-Kiener at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, April 5, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Cohen-Kiener has studied palmistry for 40 years. She sees the palm as a small map of a person’s life. Cohen-Kiener uses palmistry as a supplement to counseling and a way to explore human nature.

A $5 donation is suggested. Advance registration is required by calling the Senior Center at 413-772-1517, ext. 0.