‘Hands Off’ rally set for Thursday

SHELBURNE FALLS — Residents are invited to attend a “Hands Off” standout at the Iron Bridge on Thursday, May 1, at 5 p.m.

The standout is part of a series of protests being held nationwide calling for the Trump administration to take its “hands off” democracy, and is protesting actions taken by the administration.

Birds of prey coming to Hawlemont

CHARLEMONT — Join the Tyler Memorial Library and Charlemont-Hawley Cultural Council to meet six birds of prey that are native to New England at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the Hawlemont Regional School gymnasium.

Wildlife rehabilitators Julie Anne Collier and Jim Parks will be at the school with a group of falcons, hawks and owls. Attendees can learn how different bird characteristics such as sharp beaks, sharp talons and strong eyesight keep these birds at the top of the food chain.

For more details, call the library at 413-339-4335, ext 1.

Arms Library to host animal advocacy program

SHELBURNE FALLS — State Sen. Paul Mark will be at the Arms Library at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 5, with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (MSPCA) Advocacy and Community Engagement Coordinator Bethany DeZolt and her dog Wally to discuss animal advocacy and how residents can connect with elected officials to voice concerns about animal protections.

To register, visit bit.ly/WallyArms.

Academy places 25th in quiz bowl championship

CHARLEMONT — The Academy at Charlemont’s quiz bowl team made it to the playoffs and tied for 25th place in the Open Division of the National Academic Quiz Tournaments’ annual championship for small high schools.

The team, consisting of Coco Gamsey-Boudier, Ivan Harder, Fallon Paxton and Lucas Tikkala-Cutler, was the only Massachusetts team competing in the national championships in Chicago last weekend. The team won six out of 12 matches and earned a total of 3,515 points in a range of categories covering history, science, sports, pop culture and more.

Harder ranked 15 out of the 311 students competing.