GCC Community Chorus presents first concert of semester

GREENFIELD — The GCC Community Chorus will present its first concert of the spring semester on Friday, March 8, from 12:15 to 12:45 in GCC’s Sloan Theater.

The program is titled “Of Seasons and Singing.” Music includes madrigals and rounds about the pleasures of singing as well as Arthur Sullivan’s quartet “The Long Day Closes,” the traditional spiritual “I’m Gonna Sing,” “How Can I Keep from Singing” in a 1996 arrangement by Vermont composer Gwyneth Walker and “Sing to Me” by contemporary Arkansas composer Andrea Ramsey.

The March 8 program will serve as a preview of a longer performance scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on April 12 at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew in Greenfield. Margery Heins is director and Meg Reilly is accompanist. Both concerts are free, with donations welcome.

Anyone who is interested in joining the chorus is welcome to attend a spring concert to learn more or contact Heins at heins@gcc.mass.edu.

Six-week fall prevention program starts March 13

GREENFIELD — VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson Hospital, in partnership with the Greenfield Senior Center, invites residents to a six-week fall prevention program.

Attendees are asked to commit to attending all six sessions on Wednesdays, March 13, 20 and 27, and April 3, 10 and 17. Each session is from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

VNA physical and occupational therapists will lead sessions on determining the risk of falling, as well as strengthening exercises, balance activities, managing medications, visual concerns and home safety recommendations. Practical items like strengthening devices, medication organizers and visual aids will be given to participants.

The sessions and items are free of charge thanks to a grant from Eversource. Advance registration and Senior Center membership are required. The sessions will be capped at 20 participants.

Call the Senior Center at 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the front desk to register before March 12.

Volunteers offer gambling disorder screenings

GREENFIELD — Volunteers from The RECOVER Project will be at the Greenfield Public Library on Tuesday, March 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. for National Gambling Disorder Screening Day.

Visitors can participate in a brief screening, learn more about gambling disorder, and get connected to services and support. The first 25 people to participate in a screening will receive a $5 Dunkin’ gift card.

Gambling disorder leads to financial, emotional, social, occupational and physical harms, yet many cases go undetected and untreated. Screening identifies individuals who should seek further assessment for potential gambling-related problems.

Hospital gift shop offering shoe sale

GREENFIELD — The Baystate Franklin Medical Center gift shop will hold a shoe sale in the hospital’s main lobby on Wednesday, March 13, and Thursday, March 14, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The sale will include comfort shoes, socks and handbags. Featured brands include Dansko, Klogs, TRAQ by Alegria and Spring Step.

Cash, Mastercard, Discover, Visa or payroll deductions will be accepted as payment. Proceeds benefit patient services.

Book talk to discuss Greenfield women and their historic businesses

GREENFIELD — Local authors Sara Campbell and Shari Strahan will talk about their recently published book, “Did Grandma Have a Filling Station? Greenfield Women and Their Historic Businesses,” and their route to self-publishing on Wednesday, March 13, at 3 p.m. at the Greenfield Public Library.

Women in Greenfield have contributed to commerce, agriculture, social and religious life, education, and on the most basic level, raising each generation of citizens. This book reveals details of the lives of a dozen largely invisible women who filed Married Woman’s Business Certificates around the turn of the 20th century.

Copies of their book will be available for purchase.

March 14: Author talk with Christopher Paolini

GREENFIELD — In partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium, the Greenfield Public Library invites the community to a virtual talk with Christopher Paolini regarding his latest book in the Eragon young adult fantasy series, “Murtagh,” on Thursday, March 14, at 4 p.m.

In the latest publication, the world is no longer safe for the dragon rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated, exiled to the outskirts of society.

Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey where Murtagh and Thorn must use every weapon in their arsenal, from brains to brawn, to find and outwit a mysterious witch.

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

Balzarini to lead improv workshop

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host a free improv workshop for adults, led by improv teacher and performer Henry Balzarini, on Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

No improv experience is necessary. The workshop is limited to 15 people, so those who are interested are asked to sign up by emailing hbquit@hotmail.com.

Balzarini, a Boston native who studied acting in New York City in the 1980s, acted in various scripted roles before discovering improv. He performed in improv groups and productions in Boston and Brattleboro, Vermont, taught teen groups in Keene, New Hampshire and most recently, Zoomed improv during the pandemic.

Next Environmental Sunday Series talk discussing EVs

GREENFIELD — The next talk in the Environmental Sunday Series at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew will discuss electric vehicles. The program will be held Sunday, March 17, at noon.

Speakers include a representative from the Green Energy Consumers Alliance, a Boston-based nonprofit; Nate Ramlochan from Fairfield Kia, who has been selling vehicles for 10 years; and Brian Summer, a Shelburne Falls resident and EV driver.

Attendees are advised to enter the church through the doors facing Federal Street. The one-hour talk will be followed by half an hour for audience questions. Attendees can bring lunch or a snack.

For more information, contact Ella Ingraham at ejmai127@gmail.com.

Free talk to explore regenerative medicine

GREENFIELD — Arcana Chapter No. 50, Order of the Eastern Star, is sponsoring a regenerative medicine presentation at the Masonic Lodge, 215 Munson St., on Monday, March 18, at 6 p.m. The public is welcome.

March 21: General House and Buildings

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. presents General House and Buildings, a live music project featuring guitar and effects by Steve Koziol, on Thursday, March 21, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

A donation of $2 to $5 is suggested at the door or online at thelavacenter.org/donate.