“Healthy Bones and Balance” Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., St. John’s corner. Free. For more information, call 413-625-2502.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS): Meets Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. at Athol Memorial Hospital, 2033 Main St. Attendees should use the main entrance and turn left to the conference room on the right. Visitors to a TOPS chapter are welcome to attend their first meeting free. Membership is $32 a year plus nominal chapter fees. Harvey Laprade has been named the new chapter leader. To find another local chapter, visit tops.org or call 800-932-8677.
Photographer Program: “Finding My Valley: A Search for Connection and Meaning in the Pioneer Valley Landscape” with Michael Zide. Thursday, 7 p.m. at Greenfield Community College’s main building, 1 College Drive. Zide has created a body of work that has been featured internationally and in galleries from New York City to Los Angeles. Registration can be done via the GCC website, but it is likely seats will be available for walk-ins. Free.
Mindfulness Meditation Classes: “Meditation, It’s Not What You Think,” Tuesdays, 4 to 5 p.m. at The Body Shoppe/Orthopedic Physical Therapy, 306 High St. Ongoing six-week courses, walk-ins welcome. All levels can participate. Chairs and cushions provided; $5 fee for class. 413-774-2138 thebodyshoppe.org.
Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St.: The Food Bank’s brown bag food distribution for qualifying seniors will be Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the center. Qigong and seated yoga registrations this week. Classes begin March 10 and 11. Stop by or call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 for more information. Specialized telephones: Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. Specialized landline and cellular phones are available for people with disabilities. Discover if you qualify for a free or subsidized cost phone. Learn about the different specialized options available, and pick up an application. Drop-in. Open to the public. With Marguerite Szczawinski, Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program field advisor. Funding provided in part by a Community Development Block Grant.
Building Bridges Veterans Initiative will offer free weekly veterans lunches Thursdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Elks Lodge, 2 Church St. Building Bridges is a veterans initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Mass. buildingbridgeswma.com.
Greenfield Moose Family Center: A pasta meal is served Wednesday, 6 p.m., at the center. The cost is $8. Open to members and guests. A line dance is at 7.
Gamblers Anonymous: If you have a gambling problem, there are local resources available. For more information, call Bob at 413-325-1389 or Terry at 413-237-6546. There is also a hotline available by calling 855-222-5542.
Franklin County Cadet Squadron (CAP) Seeks Recruits: Meets Thursdays, 6:45 to 9 p.m. Greenfield Teen Center, Sanderson Street. CAP is seeking new recruits, ages 12 to 18. If interested, call Maj. Gary Longley at 413-773-9331.
Al-Anon — Struggles for Intimacy: Thursday, 7:15 to 8:30 p.m., The RECOVER Project, 68 Federal St. Anyone who feels her/his life has been affected by close contact with a problem drinker is eligible for membership in Al-Anon or Alateen. Al-Anon is online at al-anon.org.
Ongoing Yoga for Ages 60 and Up: Mats and props provided. Drop in anytime Thursdays, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Town Hall, 69 Main St., second floor. Elevator available at ground level; parking at rear of building. Donations appreciated but not required. Donations are used for equipment and additional exercise sessions. Simple seated and standing yoga postures, breathing exercises, relaxation and concentration techniques. Accessible to men and women with any amount of flexibility and yoga experience. Funded by grants from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Title III grant administered by LifePath, and Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA).
Tai Chi led by Lois Bascom runs every Thursday morning from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Senior Center. Easy forms and repetition. Good for improving balance and stability.
Village Neighbors Volunteer Orientation will be Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Shutesbury Town Hall. Village Neighbors is a rural community of neighbors in Leverett, New Salem, Shutesbury and Wendell helping aging adults lead independent and engaged lives at home. Fill out an application, learn about the organization and find out about the wide range of volunteer activities to choose from. Bring identification, a Social Security number and contact information for two character references, and if you choose to offer rides to members, bring your driver’s license and a copy of the Coverage Selections page of your auto insurance. RSVP by emailing volunteers@villageneighbors.org. 413-345-6894.
A Low-Cost Yoga class will be offered for seniors (55 and older) Thursdays, 4 to 5 p.m. at the Gill-Montague Senior Center, 62 Fifth St. Andrea Chesnes will offer gentle mat yoga stretches, yoga breathing techniques and deep relaxation. Seniors from all towns, including beginners, are welcome. A $1 donation is requested. For more information, call 413-863-4500.
Emergency Basic Needs Program: This is a program of Montague Catholic Social Ministries and is open Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, for resources and referrals. If you have questions or want to make an appointment, call Mary at 413-863-4804, ext. 1002, or email BasicNeeds@mcsmcommunity.org. To access Emergency Basic Needs, buzz No. 103 at the Moltenbrey entrance on Third Street.
Playgroup: A program of Montague Catholic Social Ministries meets Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 78 Avenue A. This informal, drop-in playgroup for parents, caregivers and children younger than 8 offers music, movement and other early literacy activities, a children’s clothing exchange and a parent resource lending library. For more information, contact Mary King at 413-863-4804, ext. 1005 or email mary.king@gmrsd.com.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program helps adults who are ages 55 and older find meaningful local volunteer opportunities. Share your lifetime of experience, meet new friends and help nonprofits in your community who depend on volunteer assistance, like volunteer drivers. If you have two hours weekly, a dependable vehicle and want to make a difference, contact Pat Sicard, RSVP volunteer manager, at 413-387-4558, ext. 1 or psicard@hcg-ma.org.
Free Hearing Screenings: Baystate Rehabilitation Care, 48 Sanderson St., Greenfield. For an appointment, call 413-773-2227.
Information and Caregiver Resource Center (ICRC) at LifePath: ICRC at LifePath has answers to all your questions about elder services/caregiver support. LifePath resource consultants are experts in finding the information you need to solve any problem. Contact ICRC at LifePath at 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259.
Free Mediation: Landlords/tenants can save money and time using free eviction prevention mediation services. The Mediation & Training Collaborative is offering mediation at no cost to help resolve housing-related problems before they go to court. For more information, call 413-475-1504 or 413-475-1503.
Breastfeeding Support Group: Meets Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to noon, Obstetrics Classroom, third floor of Baystate Franklin Medical Center. Led by Suzanne Stoneham. The group is for mothers who are breastfeeding infants (moms are welcome to bring their infants). For more information, call the Birth Place at BFMC at 413-773-2359.
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