Nov. 8: Canvas Design Basics workshop

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library invites residents ages 16 and up to attend a Canva Design Basics workshop, led by Tech Foundry, on Friday, Nov. 8, at 10:30 a.m.

Workshop attendees will learn the essential tools and tricks to create eye-catching social media graphics, presentations, posters and more. No prior design knowledge is needed. The workshop is ideal for entrepreneurs, educators, social media managers and anyone who wants to take their visuals to the next level.

This program is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register for the hour-long session at greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/12711512?hs=a. For more information, contact Pamela McBride at librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org or call 413-772-1544, ext. 5124.

Chorus director, author to speak at library

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library will welcome “Fiery Hope” author Eveline MacDougall on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room. Pre-program music will start at 6:15 p.m.

MacDougall is the director of the Fiery Hope chorus, formerly known as the Amandla Chorus. She’s also a multi-instrumentalist, music teacher, Greenfield Recorder columnist, visual artist and community gardener.

MacDougall’s presentation will include vignettes that have occurred since the publication of her book about the chorus, as well as musical selections featuring John Clark on French horn and electric bass, her son Gillis MacDougall on guitar, and members of the Fiery Hope chorus.

For more information, contact Lisa Prolman at librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org or call 413-772-1544.

‘Sita Sings the Blues’ to be shown at LAVA Center

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will present a screening of the 2008 film “Sita Sings the Blues” — directed, written, produced, designed and animated by Nina Paley — on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m.

Sita is a Hindu goddess, the leading lady of India’s epic the Ramayana and a dutiful wife who follows her husband Rama on a 14-year exile to a forest, only to be kidnapped by an evil king from Sri Lanka. Despite remaining faithful to her husband, Sita is put through many tests. Nina (the filmmaker Nina Paley herself) is an artist who finds parallels in Sita’s life when her husband — in India on a work project — ends their marriage via email. Three Indonesian shadow puppets narrate the ancient tragedy and modern comedy.

Paley released the movie — her first feature-length film — into the public domain without copyright, so The LAVA Center can screen it for free, though donations are welcome. Half of all donations will support The LAVA Center while the other half will go to Paley.

Learn more about the movie at sitasingstheblues.com.

Kathy’s Creative Creations selling goods in hospital lobby

GREENFIELD — Kathy Pezzuto, of Kathy’s Creative Creations, will be selling handmade gifts in the main lobby at Baystate Franklin Medical Center on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Items for sale will include jewelry, shawls, crocheted Minions and Yodas, snow people, and Christmas tree hats.

Attendees can pay using Venmo, personal checks or cash. Additionally, hospital employees can pay by payroll deduction. The sale is sponsored by the gift shop at Baystate Franklin, and proceeds benefit patients and services at the hospital.

Nominations sought for Human Rights Award

GREENFIELD — The Human Rights Commission is seeking nominees for the fourth Greenfield Human Rights Award recognizing an individual who exemplifies the commission’s values, including promoting a positive community and uniting people.

The Human Rights Commission will accept award nominations until Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. Members will then vote anonymously to select a winner, who will be recognized at an award ceremony and will have their name added to a plaque at City Hall at a later date.

To qualify, a nominee must be a Greenfield resident, must be 15 years old or older and must represent the values of the Human Rights Commission outside of a work setting. To submit a nomination, fill out the Google Form at forms.gle/VWNHD7329HkWA2VH9.

The award ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Dec. 9, at the John Zon Community Center. The ceremony coincides with National Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.

The Greenfield Human Rights Commission reinstituted the Human Rights Award in 2023 after the ceremony was inactive for several years. Last year’s winner was Gloria Matlock, the director of Twice As Smart, an after-school program she began in her home seven years ago. She’s also a founding teaching artist with Musica Franklin, a member of Racial Justice Rising and a former board director with Stone Soup Cafe.