Reception planned for halfway point of silent auction
GREENFIELD — As The LAVA Center’s silent auction of art donated by local creatives reaches its halfway point, a reception will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a chance for residents to meet the artists from noon to 2 p.m.
The exhibit of art is produced in collaboration with Art Deviation Gallery. More than two dozen works by assemblage artist Andy Rothschild are anchoring the exhibit, accompanied by donations from other artists whose work has been shown at The LAVA Center.
All highest bids by Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. win, and new art featuring even more artists goes up by Thursday, Nov. 6 for the remainder of the auction, which will culminate in a closing reception on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Interfaith Council hosting potluck
GREENFIELD — The Interfaith Council of Franklin County invites residents to the Second Congregational Church of Greenfield on Monday, Oct. 27, at 6 p.m. to cultivate connections through a potluck meal and small-group conversations about concerns, hope, faith, values and supporting the community.
With questions, email interfaithcfc@gmail.org.
Next Writers Read set for Nov. 12
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will present the next installment of its Writers Read series, featuring Avery Cassell, Christy Grecsek and Lea Banks, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m.
Each second Wednesday of the month, three writers read from their work, followed by a discussion facilitated by Lindy Whiton. A $1 to $5 donation is suggested.
Cassell is a queer writer and artist. Their books include “Resistance: The LGBT Fight Against Fascism in WWII,” “The Solstice Gift: Behrouz and Lucky on the Longest Night,” “Burning: poems for resistance,” “Smoldering: poems of desire” and “Butch Lesbians” coloring books. Their work in progress is a memoir, “Look at Me/Don’t Look at Me.”
Grecsek’s short fiction has been published in several regional magazines and journals. She’s had two nonfiction stories published in “Chicken Soup for the Soul” collections. Three of her short stories placed in contests, including the 2020 Hampshire Life fiction contest, which allowed her to record the winning story in the WHMP/WRSI studio.
Banks is the founder of the Collected Poets Series in Shelburne Falls. She attended New England College’s MFA Program and was poetry coordinator for the Brattleboro (Vermont) Literary Festival. She has been the recipient of fellowships, grants and residencies from the Vermont Studio Center, The Frost Place, the Solstice Writing Fellowship and the American Association of University Women, among others. Banks is also the author of “All of Me” (Booksmyth Press).
‘Ismene’ available for viewing online
GREENFIELD — Jan Maher’s play “Ismene,” which played to sold-out houses at The LAVA Center in September, is now available for viewing online.
Ismene, ancient Greek sister of Antigone, daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, is the forgotten child of family trauma. Enter Martha, who sees herself as small and unimportant. But it is her close observation and compassionate listening that allows Ismene — at long last — to tell her story, and find peace and resolution.
“Ismene” stars Freya Andromeda as Ismene and Liza Manchester as Martha. Kiersten Samalis served as assistant director and production stage manager.
The video of the September performance is now available to view online until the end of the year in exchange for a donation to The LAVA Center’s fundraising campaign. Sliding-scale tickets are available at tixtree.com/o/lava.
The production was made possible in part by a grant from the Greenfield Cultural Council.
City reminds residents about livestock registration, inspections
GREENFIELD — The Mayor’s Office is reminding residents that the state Department of Agricultural Resources requires that all farm animals be inspected and reported annually. Animals should be registered with the Greenfield Health Department to facilitate inspections. The requirement applies to all livestock, including those not on commercial farms.
Inspections are performed by the Greenfield animal inspector under the direction of MDAR. Residents who have livestock can find links to the livestock registration form, in both PDF and Microsoft Word formats, at tinyurl.com/GreenfieldLivestock.
Registrations can be submitted by email to Megan Tudryn at megan.tudryn@greenfield-ma.gov or can be mailed to/dropped off at: Greenfield Health Department, 20 Sanderson St., Greenfield, MA 01301. The Health Department’s hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Barn inspections are designed to get a good census of the domestic animal population of the city; be sure that all animals appear to be in good health and free from disease; and observe animal housing, ensuring ample food and water are supplied.
Inspections are held randomly and are performed between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 each year.
Tree planting begins this week
GREENFIELD — Seventy-one new trees are being planted in the neighborhoods surrounding Baystate Franklin Medical Center and Greenfield Middle School.
Fifty-six shade trees and 15 smaller trees will be planted along Beacon, Sanderson, High, and Federal streets, as well as near parking lots and outdoor gathering areas. These new trees will provide shade and reduce heat in the neighborhood by increasing tree cover.
The Greenfield Department of Public Works and the Greenfield Tree Committee partnered to develop the project proposal. The project is funded by the Cool Corridors Grant Program offered by the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
The project area is considered a “hot spot” by the EEA. Hot spots can emerge in areas with swaths of surfaces like asphalt and buildings, which absorb and re-emit heat. Trees can cool these areas and the people in them by providing shade, reducing heat absorption and releasing water into the air.
Amherst Nurseries was awarded the contract for installation and maintenance of the street trees. Amherst Nurseries’ two-person crew will plant primarily native trees, starting on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The planting will take around four weeks to complete.
“The city of Greenfield recognizes that tree planting is an important cooling strategy as the climate warms,” Mayor Ginny Desorgher said in a statement. “These new trees will help to cool neighborhoods and walking routes, making people more comfortable, reducing heat-related illness and saving on cooling costs.”
Snowflake Bazaar set for Nov. 8
GREENFIELD — The annual Snowflake Bazaar, sponsored by Arcana Chapter No. 50, the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, located at 215 Munson St.
The Snowflake Bazaar is one of many fundraisers the chapter holds for its charities and hosts a wide variety of craft vendors. A popular feature is the coffee can auction that includes Pampered Chef items along with crafts donated by each vendor.
A lunch of corn chowder with chicken salad sandwiches and spice cake is typically popular. There will also be drawings for a scratch ticket tree and a holiday food basket will be drawn. Baked goods and many other items will be available.
For more information, call 413-773-0404.
Nov. 21: Telecast Yo-Yo Ma concert
GREENFIELD — Visitors to the Greenfield Public Library on Friday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. can see a telecast concert by Yo-Yo Ma, who will perform Bach’s complete suites for solo cello for the first time in one evening at home, in Boston.
Admission to this simulcast event is free. Registration is required, with a limit of 80 people, and doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Registration opens on Friday, Oct. 24, at greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/15022557.