Street sweeping to begin
GREENFIELD — Street sweeping in Greenfield is expected to begin this week, with a tentative start date of Wednesday, March 25. Sweeping is expected to be completed within a week and a half, depending on the weather.
No parking ban is anticipated during sweeping. Residents may continue to use on-street parking unless notified otherwise. Parking ban notifications are issued via the city’s Greenfield Alert system, on social media and on the city’s homepage.
Street sweeping may occur during the day, at night and in the early morning. Sweeping will begin in the downtown business district, followed by municipal parking lots (including schools) and residential streets.
Most streets east of Interstate 91 and south of Route 2 within Greenfield will be swept. Streets outside of the sweeping area are excluded due to budget constraints, the typical absence of curbing on those streets (which allows grit to wash off the street), and lower volumes of bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
A sweeping map is available at tinyurl.com/GreenfieldSweepingMap, with the sweeping area highlighted in yellow.
Residents are advised not to sweep sand into piles, as the sweepers are more effective if the sand is not consolidated, and not to rake grass, leaves or branches into the street.
The city advises that residents’ patience with the noise and dust is appreciated. Water is used for dust control, but a small amount of dust is unavoidable.
With questions or concerns, call the Department of Public Works at 413-772-1528.
Make reusable bags at the library
GREENFIELD — The community is invited to the Greenfield Public Library Makerspace on Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to make reusable bags.
Attendees can make reusable bags from large bags that were used to hold feed for birds, chickens, cows, pigs, goats, etc. Handles are made from drip tape that was previously used for irrigation. Participants will learn how to use grommet machines to make sturdy grocery-sized bags.
The program is free and all materials are provided. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Brown bag program returns April 2
GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for income-qualifying seniors will be held at The Weldon apartments at 54 High St. on Thursday, April 2, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
April 7: ‘Spot the Scam Bingo’
GREENFIELD — Consumers lose billions of dollars to scams, fraud and identity theft each year. In “Spot the Scam Bingo” at the Greenfield Senior Center, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office will share tips on how to spot these scams before they happen.
Rachel Webber, coordinator of the Elders & Persons with Disabilities Unit, and Anita Wilson of the Consumer Protection Unit, will host the program on Tuesday, April 7, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Advance registration is required, but Senior Center membership is not necessary. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to sign up.
SHINE LIGHT dance sessions start April 3
GREENFIELD — Fitness professional Julia Keane will lead SHINE LIGHT dance sessions at the Greenfield Senior Center on Fridays, April 3, 10 and 17, from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
SHINE LIGHT is a branch of the popular SHINE Dance Fitness class specializing in
low-impact, simplified choreography. Participants will learn mood-lifting routines that allow for increased stability and modified moves to meet their needs.
Registration with the $15 payment and Senior Center membership (free) are required by Friday, March 27. The class will be held in the fitness studio, so clean shoes that have not been worn outside are needed. At least 10 people must register for the class to be held.
Register for chair Pilates by March 27
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will offer chair Pilates on Fridays from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on April 3, 10, 17 and 24.
Chair Pilates helps with better posture and mobility, and is especially helpful for those struggling with osteoporosis. There are various exercises that can be done while seated to tone a person’s whole body. This is a slow-paced and gentle exercise class.
A $20 payment and Senior Center membership (free) are required by Friday, March 27.
Bingo event to raise money for Spanish trip
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield High School Spanish Club Parents Group is holding a Bingo fundraiser at the Greenfield Elks Lodge, 3 Church St., on Friday, March 27, in an effort to raise money for an upcoming trip to Spain.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the first game will be at 7 p.m. A cash bar and raffles will also be available.
Gift shop sponsoring ‘I Love My Clogs’ sale
GREENFIELD — The gift shop at Baystate Franklin Medical Center is sponsoring an “I Love My Clogs” sale in the hospital’s main lobby on Tuesday, April 7, and Wednesday, April 8, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The sale will feature comfort shoes, socks and handbags, with brands including Dansko, Sanita, TRAQ, L’Artiste and Alegria.
Cash, Mastercard, Visa and Discover cards will be accepted, and hospital employees can opt for payroll deductions. Proceeds from the sale benefit patient services.
Make paper boxes at the Senior Center
GREENFIELD — Visitors to the Greenfield Senior Center can make paper boxes with Marsha Leavitt on Friday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to noon.
These small, sturdy paper boxes are ideal for holding small gifts or storing small items, and can provide a new use for outdated calendars slated to be recycled. Attendees will make two boxes using modular origami instructions. The class is limited to 10.
Advance registration and Senior Center membership (free) are required. There is a $5 materials fee (cash, exact change only) paid to the instructor on the day of the class. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to sign up.
Violin students to perform
GREENFIELD — The Agape Violinists, students of Christine Johnson, ages 7 to 16, and members of the Moldovian Baptist Church will perform at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, April 24, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
The students learn hymns for Sunday worship, and music for weddings and funerals. They are preparing for the Spring Recital, which means learning more challenging classic pieces, many of which will be heard at the concert, as well as a few hymns.
The concert is free and Senior Center membership is not required, but advance registration is necessary. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to sign up.
Ellie Harris to teach pour painting
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host pour painting with Ellie Harris on Wednesday, April 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Pour painting is an abstract art technique where thinned acrylic paint is poured onto a surface to create flowing patterns. Rather than using brushes, artists tilt the canvas and use unique items to create a design.
There is a $5 materials fee. Space is limited to six. Participants are advised to register in advance by stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk.
Preschoolers learn about maple syrup production
GREENFIELD — After reading a nonfiction book called “Turning Sap into Maple Syrup,” students at Beacon of Light Preschool recently learned how to tap a maple tree at their playground.
Students examined the tools used for tapping trees and collecting sap, including a hammer, measuring tape, spile, tubing and bucket, before helping to measure 3 feet above the ground and use a compass to find the south side of the tree to plan for where to drill a hole that would produce the best sap collection. Students took turns drilling the hole into the tree, tapping the spile in with a hammer and sampling the fresh maple sap, which teachers plan to boil into maple syrup.
