Warming Homeless Hearts collecting sleeping bags
GREENFIELD — As temperatures drop for the winter, Warming Homeless Hearts, a group of seven volunteers, is collecting sleeping bags for the homeless.
Residents can drop off sleeping bags at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Iglesia Pentacostal Alpha & Omega, Franklin County’s YMCA, Four Rivers Charter Public School and RegalCare at Greenfield until the end of November.
Greenfield resident Heather Carmichael, who started the sleeping bag drive in 2024, said she counted 55 sleeping bags in the first year. This year, with more volunteers helping out, she is aiming to collect 100 sleeping bags by Thanksgiving.
The volunteer group will then distribute the sleeping bags at community meals and homeless campsites. Inside each sleeping bag will be a “word of hope” with a scripture blessing, Carmichael described.
GCC to host ‘Kili Big’ screening
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College will host a screening of “Kili Big,” an award-winning documentary that follows a group of plus-sized women as they take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Following the screening, attendees will be joined by Director Ida Joglar and Greenfield’s own Eve Bogdanove, one of the climbers featured in the film who hiked the mountain to celebrate her 50th birthday. Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP at gcc.mass.edu/events/kili-big.
Greenfield Public Library issues call for artists
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library has two gallery spaces — the Conference Room and the Community Room — that are available for month-long shows throughout 2026 and is issuing a call for Franklin County-based artists to exhibit there. Online applications may be submitted through Sunday, Nov. 30.
For guidelines and information on how to apply, go to greenfieldpubliclibrary.org/p/2091/Art-Exhibit-Policy. With questions, email gpl.artshow@gmail.com.
Library hosting party for last season of ‘Stranger Things’
GREENFIELD — Teens and young adults ages 13 to 20 are invited to stop by the Greenfield Public Library’s Teen Room on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. to prepare for the final season of “Stranger Things” with an Eggo Snack Bar, trivia, tote-bag making, 1980s-style crafts and a chance to win a “Stranger Things” Season 5 viewing kit.
Artists sought for sidewalk mural project by Dec. 1
GREENFIELD — The city is seeking sidewalk mural artists to help commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution through a new public art project.
Ten sidewalk murals will be commissioned for greater downtown Greenfield. The murals will highlight the American Revolution and its ideals, and Greenfield’s own revolutionary
history. This project is modeled after a successful 2024 sidewalk art project on abolitionist history in Greenfield that can be found at visitgreenfieldma.com/art-walk.
Artists selected for the project will receive stipends of $1,100 per mural, plus $100 for each design mockup. The murals will be unveiled in June 2026 as part of a series of guided walking tours led by local historians, to take place in June and July.
The call is open to all U.S. residents over the age of 18, with special encouragement for artists with Greenfield or Massachusetts connections, and those experienced in community-based and inclusive arts. Artists of all experience levels are welcome to apply.
Pre-application materials must be submitted by Dec. 1, at 11:59 p.m. For full details, including a link to the pre-application form, visit greenfield-ma.gov/departments/community_and_economic_development/artist_opportunity.php.
Nov. 28: Comedy Project Open Mic
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host a Comedy Project Open Mic on Friday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m.
Comedians can put their names in a hat for a 1- to 5-minute set. There will also be special guests. Residents are also welcome to attend to enjoy other people’s jokes and stories.
A donation of $1 to $5 is suggested to benefit The LAVA Center’s Fall Appeal.
Kathy’s Creative Creations holding sale at Baystate Franklin
GREENFIELD — Kathy’s Creative Creations will be in the main lobby at Baystate Franklin Medical Center on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This vendor sale will feature handmade items such as jewelry, hats, shawls, pocketbooks, purses, crocheted dragons and holiday decor.
Cash, Venmo and checks will be accepted, and hospital employees can opt for payroll deductions.
City alerts residents to Assessor’s Office property visits
GREENFIELD — The city is notifying residents that inspectors from the Assessor’s Office will be visiting properties to collect data for property tax assessments.
The state Department of Revenue requires that the city inspect each property every 10 years. The inspection should consist of a full measure of the exterior and an attempt at gaining entry for interior information. The data collected will be used to calculate assessed values. Accurate data is critical to ensuring that property taxes are fair and equitable.
Two individuals will be performing inspections on behalf of the city: Alexander Sendzik, a contractor working for the city who will be driving a dark blue 2025 Toyota RAV4 and who carries a letter from the Assessor’s Office explaining his employment; and Evan Gregg, a newly hired city employee who will be wearing a city identification badge and who will be driving a city vehicle with an Assessor’s Office logo on it.
The city asks that residents provide these inspectors with access to their property. They
will review parcel data by checking the exterior measurements and interior elements such as room count, bathroom count and interior condition, as well as update the exterior photograph of each site. If residents are not at home at the time of the inspector’s visit, inspectors will leave a card with information about how to schedule an interior inspection.
Inspectors will be visiting properties on an ongoing basis. Any questions can be directed to the Assessor’s Office at 413-772-1509.
Greenfield student earns degree in astronomy
AMHERST — After finishing courses over the summer, Greenfield resident Kieran L. Dowd graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst on Sept. 1 with a bachelor’s degree in astronomy. Dowd also completed a minor in Chinese.
Hindustani slide guitarist coming to LAVA Center
GREENFIELD — Local record label Root Cellar Sound will present a concert of Hindustani slide guitarist Joel Veena, titled “Ragas & Sagas,” at The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Veena, who has been traveling between his native Vermont and India to study and perform Hindustani classical music since 2007, will be accompanied by Yousuf Kerai, hailing from Karachi, Pakistan. The concert will feature traditional north Indian ragas and original compositions alongside tales from the lore of North Indian classical music. The music will be performed on the 20-stringed Indian slide guitar, modified slide guitar, electric guitar and tabla, with two songs included from Veena’s electric live-looping set.
“This concert represents a new chapter for my music and concert style, and I’m really excited to share it with my audience,” Veena said in a statement. “My traditional training is finding new expression through the stories I’ve learned from other musicians and musicologists, and combining this with my background in popular musical styles like reggae and rock music offers a fresh and contemporary sound.”
The Nov. 29 performance will also feature a staple of Indian hospitality: masala chai brewed especially for the concert, and samosas.
For tickets and more information, visit JoelVeena.com/tickets.