Nov. 30: ‘The Green Palmers Chronicle’ book talk

GREENFIELD — Greenfield resident and Greenfield Recorder columnist Jon Huer will give a talk on his newly published novel, “The Green Palmers Chronicle,” at the Greenfield Public Library on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 3 p.m.

Tickets available for Taste of the Towns Restaurant Raffle

GREENFIELD — The drawing for the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library’s annual Taste of the Towns Restaurant Raffle will be held at the Greenfield Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 1:30 p.m.

Participating restaurants offering gift cards include: Blue Heron, The Blue Rock Restaurant and Bar, Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern, Gianni Fig’s Ristorante, Harvey’s, Hope & Olive, Gypsy Apple Bistro, Kobe Hibachi Sushi and Bar, Magpie Pizzeria, Main Street Bar & Grille, Namaste, Terrazza, Thai Blue Ginger, The Farm Table, The Gill Tavern, The People’s Pint and The Whately Inn.

Proceeds from this fundraiser go toward library programming for children, teens and adults, as well as museum and state park passes that are offered for free to the community.

Tickets are one for $5, three for $10 or seven for $20. Tickets are available at the Greenfield Public Library, World Eye Bookshop and Imaginary Bookshop, or online at go.rallyup.com/2023restaurantraffle/Campaign/Details.

All Souls Church hosting talk on housing security

GREENFIELD — Trenda Loftin will present “Finding Home: The Journey to Space and Spaciousness” at All Souls Church, 399 Main St., on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 10:30 a.m.

Loftin will provide a glimpse into her participation in the development of Greenfield’s The Compost Cooperative and Oxbow Design Build’s housing initiative, as well as the founding years of Willow Permanent Real Estate Cooperative. Loftin, who is also a theater artist and social justice consultant, will discuss the importance of housing security in cultivating a sense of spaciousness and the essential role of rest in social justice efforts. She seeks to support others with the cultivation of strategies for increasing access for those facing historical and present barriers.

The All Souls Pop-Up Choir will also perform. Those who would like to sing with the choir should arrive at 9 a.m. to warm up and learn the songs.

Monthly brown bag distribution set for Dec. 7

GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for qualifying seniors will be held Thursday, Dec. 7, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Greenfield Senior Center.

Seniors who receive fuel assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or other benefits will qualify. Applications are also on hand at the Senior Center, and a SNAP coordinator will be present during the Dec. 7 distribution to assist with filling them out.

No appointments are required. Seniors who are unable to get to the food distribution can send a friend or family member in their place.

‘Treasure Hunt Special’ offered at gift shop

GREENFIELD — Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s gift shop is hosting a “Treasure Hunt Special” from Dec. 4 to Dec. 9.

Patrons can find a discount card placed somewhere in the gift shop to apply the discount to their entire purchase. The offer excludes flowers, candy and gourmet items. Limit of one discount card per customer.

The gift shop is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Racial Justice Rising hosting Kwanzaa celebration

GREENFIELD — Racial Justice Rising will host a Kwanzaa celebration at the First United Methodist Church, 25 Church St., on Sunday, Dec. 10, from 3 to 6 p.m.

The holiday was started in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, an activist and teacher who wanted people to learn more about African history, culture and customs. Kwanzaa — which is derived from the word “first” in Swahili — takes inspiration from the start of the harvest season in Africa, when the first crops are gathered.

Amilcar Shabazz, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, will lead the program. He commentates on contemporary issues and history in local, national and international media, and is the former president of the National Council of Black Studies.

Joining Shabazz will be seven children in the Twice as Smart youth group who will sing Kwanzaa songs. Dinner will also be served.

Space is limited. Attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing Emily Greene at guacomolly54@gmail.com. Masks are optional. The program is free, but donations are welcome and can be made in person or online at racialjusticerising.org.

Dec. 10: Franklin County Community Chorus concert

GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Community Chorus, under the direction of Paul Calcari and accompanist Laura Josephs, will perform its annual Holiday Concert on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m. in the Greenfield High School auditorium.

The program will feature a mix of traditions, old favorites and new arrangements.

Guests are advised to use the events entrance at the rear of the building, which is fully accessible. A $5 donation is requested.

The Soubrettes to sing at Guiding Star Grange

GREENFIELD — The Soubrettes, a 20-member vocal ensemble led by Anna Patton under the umbrella of the Vermont Jazz Center, will perform contemporary songs in the style of the swing era at the Guiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St., on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m.

Songs by Anna Patton’s brother Ben have long been a mainstay of The Soubrettes’ repertoire. He has released 14 albums of original songs, ranging from retro pop and folk to swing and jazz.

Ben Patton’s songs in this Soubrettes program include “Put It in a Pan and Fry It,” “There Aren’t Enough Love Songs,” and from his latest album, “Put on a Tie.” Along with writing originals, he is a dedicated armchair scholar of the American Songbook, releasing a cover of an old American song each week on his “Ben Sings Old Songs” YouTube channel.

Anna Patton’s original songs in the program include “Pinwheel,” a rumination on the joys of excess, and “Long Beard Wise,” a romp through the modern-day muddle of trying to recognize wisdom amid its trappings. Deb Patton’s “Disappointed Blues” is also on the program, and several trios and quartets will take center stage.

The entire Patton family is joining The Soubrettes for these concerts. Deb Patton will add her voice on a song or two, and Will and Ben Patton will accompany the group on bass and guitar, respectively. In addition, Anna Patton will play clarinet, and Sarah Hadley-Yakir will step out of the soprano section to appear as a guest fiddler.

Admission donations of $10 to $20 will help cover costs and support the scholarship fund at the Vermont Jazz Center in Brattleboro.

Author to discuss memoir, ‘Crazy Like My Mother’

GREENFIELD — Greenfield author Cherryl Jensen will talk about her book, “Crazy Like My Mother,” and read excerpts from it at the Greenfield Senior Center on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

In this memoir, a woman looks unflinchingly at her own mental illness — a subject that many people shy away from. The author doesn’t just survive, but moves beyond survival to understanding how all aspects of her life led her to be the person she is.

A native of eastern Iowa, Jensen has had her writing appear in numerous publications. She received her master’s degree in fine arts from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2022.

There will be ample time for questions, and time for book signing and sales after the program. This program is free and open to the public, though advance registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk.

Senior Center hosting holiday party

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host a holiday party on Friday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Musical entertainment will be provided by local favorites Tom and Steve. Light refreshments will be served.

Advance registration with $5 payment and Senior Center membership (free) are required. Stop by the center’s front desk to buy a ticket. Tickets are non-refundable but they are transferable.

Dec. 21: ‘How to Survive the Holidays’

GREENFIELD — Social worker Matt Aversa will lead a free program titled “How to Survive the Holidays” at the Greenfield Senior Center on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

A holiday season full of high expectations for joy and happiness can cause feelings of loneliness and social isolation. In this group, participants will explore ways to redefine those expectations and be proactive about making connections.

Advance registration is required as space is limited to 11. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the Senior Center’s front desk to sign up. Residents of all towns are welcome.

Mayor announces free holiday parking

GREENFIELD — Mayor Roxann Wedegartner has announced that parking will be free in all municipal parking lots from Friday, Dec. 1 through Tuesday, Dec. 26.

“There is so much to do in downtown Greenfield during the holiday season, from shopping to dining to entertainment. We hope free parking in our municipal lots will encourage people to come downtown to see all we have to offer,” Wedegartner said in a statement. “For instance, this weekend is the Greenfield Business Association’s JingleFest event, which includes an Amazing Race challenge organized by our very own Recreation Department.”

Permits will still be required for permit-only parking spaces, and parking fees will remain in effect for the Olive Street Parking Garage and for on-street metered parking. As always, metered parking is free on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays.