Nov. 22: Silver Bell Bazaar
BUCKLAND — Mary Lyon Church on Upper Street will host its annual Silver Bell Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church and Buckland Public Hall.
The event will feature homemade crafts, a silent auction, plants, the “Festival of the Wreaths” raffle, watercolor prints, books, a quilt raffle, handmade potholders and table runners, unique gifts and more. There will also be homemade soups and rolls, with pie for dessert.
DESE reviewing English Learner Education Program at Mohawk Trail, Hawlemont schools
BUCKLAND — The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Language Acquisition is reviewing the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional school districts’ English Learner Education Program.
The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s English Learner Education Program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state regulations. Areas of review include English learners’ student assessments; identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in; parent and community involvement; curriculum and instruction; student support services; licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administrators; program plans; and evaluation and recordkeeping.
Parents and other individuals may email Office of Language Acquisition Review Chair Elenita Irizarry-Ramos at elenita.irizarry-ramos@mass.gov to request a telephone interview as part of the report. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.
The report will be available to the public in approximately 60 days at doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr.
Nov. 30: ‘A Long Line of Peace’
SHELBURNE FALLS — Attendees can expect lively percussion, storytelling and participatory singing at “The Long Line of Peace: Celebrating Hope Through Story and Song” on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 3 p.m. at Trinity Church.
For 50 years, event organizer Sarah Pirtle has been researching early history through books and classes. At the event, she’ll describe how excavations at a UNESCO World Heritage Site show no sign of weapons or warfare 9,000 years ago in Çatalhöyük, in modern-day Turkey. Instead, people traded and cared for each other’s welfare.
“When I was growing up, we were taught that humans are basically aggressive and there’s always been war,” Pirtle said in a statement. “It turns out that research shows the reverse is true. Cooperation and mutual care are at our foundation.”
The event will start will percussion led by Heath resident Carol Sartz and songs by a troupe of local women.
Pirtle will tell stories and share examples of people caring for each other throughout history. Using a 10-foot-long gold ribbon timeline that lists women in history, the program will also detail notable women of wisdom starting with Hypatia, a mathematician and astronomer from 2,300 years ago.
In the second half of the show, audience members will meet in small groups to either draw, learn a song, play percussion or choose a reading to contribute to the closing scene.
All ages are welcome. For more information, contact Pirtle at sarahpirtle@gmail.com
Dec. 13: ‘Chat with the Chiefs’
ASHFIELD — Residents are encouraged to stop by Wicked Good Cafe between 9 and 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, for “Chat with the Chiefs.”
Ashfield’s Police Chief Beth Bezio and Fire Chief Kyle Walker will answer questions, listen to suggestions and commentary, and engage in informal conversation.
Annual holiday concert returns
CHARLEMONT — Local musicians Tinky Weisblat and Jerry Noble will once again take the stage on Sunday, Dec. 7, for their annual holiday concert.
The performance will be held at 2 p.m. at the Charlemont Federated Church, 175 Main St. After the performance, the church will host a tree lighting. Attendees can also enjoy cookies and cocoa.
Winter concert planned at Mohawk Trail Regional School
BUCKLAND — Mohawk Trail Regional School will host its annual winter concert on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m.
Attendees can enjoy jazz, classical, pop, movie themes and traditional folk songs performed by students. The Mohawk Trail Music Association will also host a 50/50 raffle.
‘Project Yourself’ coming to Shelburne Falls
SHELBURNE FALLS — On Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., more than 100 images created by local artists will be projected onto the sides of four buildings in the village center.
The event, titled “Project Yourself,” is a local response by “The Artivists” group to Fall of Freedom, a nationwide call to artists to unite in the protection of creative expression. The Artivists is a group of artists based in and around Shelburne Falls. The group focuses on creative actions in western Massachusetts.
Also, in affiliation with Fall of Freedom, Climate Change Theatre Action will present 10 short plays by international playwrights at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, in the Shelburne Falls Theater at Memorial Hall. The short plays will be joined by a 20-minute production of “The Leader” by Eugene Ionesco. Admission is $10, with proceeds going to The Art Garden.
The theater productions are supported by Creekhouse Quagmire Productions and the West County Climate Circle.