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Author Jarrett J. Krosoczka, pictured speaking at the William E. Norris School in Southampton in 2019, will visit the Greenfield Public Library on Tuesday, April 2, for a presentation on his 2018 National Book Award finalist graphic memoir “Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father and Dealt with Family Addiction.” -
Julie Stepanek leads a workshop on how to play a ukulele at Carnegie Public Library in Turners Falls in 2018. Stepanek is coming to the Greenfield Public Library for a “Ukulele Play Along” on Tuesday, April 2.
GREENFIELD — Construction work to install a 12-inch water main on Nash’s Mill Road was completed Tuesday afternoon by Haluch Water Contracting Inc., the city announced Wednesday. The work was accomplished more than three weeks ahead of schedule, allowing Nash’s Mill Road to reopen to traffic.
“The new water main will provide critical support for the water supply in the meadows area,” Greenfield Communications Director Matt Conway wrote in an email.
GREENFIELD — Beginning on Monday, April 1, City Hall will extend its public-facing hours of operation to Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Previous City Hall hours were Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is an exception for three departments: the City Clerk’s Office, the Treasurer/Collector’s Office and the Assessor’s Office, which will close daily at 4:45 p.m.
The change will increase access to City Hall and provide more opportunities for residents to accomplish necessary tasks. Extending City Hall’s hours was an early term benchmark for Mayor Ginny Desorgher, who believes it is imperative for residents to have increased opportunities to conduct city business, with many previously facing restrictions due to their work schedules.
“I deeply appreciate the city staff embracing this change,” Desorgher said in a statement. “I believe that increasing City Hall’s availability is a terrific step in providing an open and transparent city government for the community.”
Public-facing offices at City Hall include the Assessor’s Office, the City Clerk’s Office, the Human Resources Department, the Licensing Office, the Treasurer/Collector’s Office and the Mayor’s Office.
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library welcomes author Jarrett J. Krosoczka on Tuesday, April 2, at 5:30 p.m. for a presentation on his 2018 National Book Award finalist graphic memoir “Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father and Dealt with Family Addiction.”
“Hey, Kiddo” is a memoir about growing up in a family grappling with addiction and finding the art that helps you survive. Krosoczka’s mother was in and out of rehab, and thus in and out of his life. Meanwhile, he didn’t know his father, so he lived with his grandparents. Krosoczka went through his childhood trying to make his life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing. Only as a teenager was he able to begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father.
Time for audience questions and a book signing will follow the presentation. Copies of “Hey, Kiddo” are available for checkout at Greenfield Public Library and will be for sale at the event.
For more information, contact Francesca Passiglia at francesca.passiglia@greenfield-ma.gov or 413-772-1544. The event is free to attend thanks to funding from the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library welcomes Julie Stepanek for “Ukulele Play Along” on Tuesday, April 2, at 6 p.m.
Focusing on easy songs that everyone knows, Stepanek leads an hour of singing and playing ukulele. This is not a lesson and a minimum understanding of the instrument is necessary. Ukuleles are available to borrow or attendees can bring their own.
Registration is not required, but attendees can get a copy of the music in advance by emailing librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Greenfield Cultural Council and the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library.
GREENFIELD — Guest author Megan Madison. Megan will share some of the “First Conversations” books (about bodies, race, gender, etc.) she has co-authored during a storytime for families with children up to age 12 on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m. at the Greenfield Public Library.
For more information, contact Children’s Librarian Ellen Lavoie at ellen.lavoie@greenfield-ma.gov or 413-772-1544, ext. 5104.
GREENFIELD — The Department of Public Works is offering Bulky Curbside Collection, by appointment only, every other Friday from April 5 to Oct. 25.
Greenfield residents can call the DPW office at 413-772-1528 to provide a list of items to be collected. At that time, residents will be provided with a scheduled date for the curbside collection of the approved items. The resident will also be provided with the total cost of the collection, which must be pre-paid by noon the day before collection. Any scheduled collections not paid by the noted time and will be removed from the schedule. All curbside collections include a $13 pick-up fee per stop.
Payments can be made by cash, check or card in person at the DPW office at 189 Wells St. Checks made out to the City of Greenfield may also be mailed to that address.
Residents can refer to the Materials and Pricing Guide for a breakdown of item pricing by visiting bit.ly/43BVlKa. Demolition materials, brush, automobile parts and chemicals will not be accepted.
GREENFIELD — Mpress Bennu of Greenfield Savings Bank and Donna Dusell, coordinator of Greenfield Community College’s Cyber Seniors program, will lead two “Tech Savvy” talks that are geared toward iPad users, but open to people with other devices.
The events will be held at the Greenfield Senior Center on Fridays, April 5 and April 12, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Advance registration is required by calling the Senior Center at 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or by stopping by the front desk.
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. hosts a monthly series, Writers Read, on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Reading on April 10 will be Adam Grabowski, Amy Laprade and Carrie Kline.
Grabowski’s poems have appeared in such journals as Ninth Letter, New Ohio Review and OVERSOUND. He’s associate poet editor for The Maine Review, as well as the host and creative director of The Word at Workshop13, a monthly reading series and open mic in Ware.
Laprade is the author of three books: “So Nice To Finally Meet You,” “Behind The Magic 8 Ball,” and “Silence Is Premeditated: A Collection.” In 2020, her poem, “Silence,” was selected for “The Sixty-Four Best Poets of 2019,” by Black Mountain Press. She is currently writing a memoir.
As a folklorist and audio storyteller in Sunderland, Kline records oral testimonials. She has taught old songs as social history in the West Virginia schools. She operates Talking Across the Lines to share documentary services, programs and performances.
There is a $5 suggested donation. For more details, visit tinyurl.com/LAVAApril10.
GREENFIELD — Libby Volckening will lead “Yoga for Wellness” sessions at the Greenfield Senior Center between April 10 and May 22 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. each Wednesday.
These classes are open to people ages 55 and up with any level of flexibility or experience, including beginners. This is a mat yoga class held in the fitness studio, so clean footwear (not worn outdoors) is required. Participants must be able to get onto and up from the floor unassisted.
Register for the seven-week series with a $45 payment at the Senior Center by April 5 to reserve a spot. Space is limited. For more information, visit yogalibre.net.
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host a Memory Café that welcomes attendees from all towns on Friday, April 12, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Memory Cafés are designed to be supportive gathering places for people living with memory loss and their caregivers. Lunch is provided, followed by an activity. The free event is sponsored by The Arbors at Greenfield.
Advance registration is required. To sign up, call the Senior Center’s front desk at 413-772-1517, ext. 0.
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Recreation Department is seeking lifeguards, camp counselors, gate attendants, concessions workers and tennis instructors for the summer season. For more information, visit greenfieldrecreation.com.