The Valley’s Got Talent - A Benefit for Amherst Senior Center

The Pioneer Valley is home to many gifted and creative people of all ages who will showcase their talent at the First Annual "The Valley's Got Talent" Competition.  

There will be a panel of six judges who decide the top three winners along with your help- audience participation.  

All proceeds will benefit the Amherst Seniors.    


1st Prize $1000, 2nd Prize $500, 3rd Prize $250!

 Sunday, March 26th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

Buckley Recital Hall- Amherst College.  

Tickets are available at the Amherst Senior Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst.  Adults- $15; Students and Children- $7.   

For more information:  Contact: 413-813-7041 or the Amherst Senior Center at 413-259-3860 valleysgottalentcompetition@gmail.com

Election Day Food Drive

You can donate food to your neighbors when you vote at the Amherst townwide election on Tuesday, March 28th. 

At polling places throughout the town of Amherst from 7am to 8pm, look for the Amherst Survival Center food drive barrels for this ELECTION DAY FOOD DRIVE.  Participate in local democracy *and* help our neighbors in need, everyone wins! Thank you!

https://www.facebook.com/events/283732728724309/

ACLU Summer Advocacy Seminar

Know any young civil liberties superstars in high school? Encourage them to apply to the ACLU’s Summer Advocacy Institute!

The ACLU is now accepting applications for a week long advocacy training and leadership development seminar at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., from July 29 – August 5, 2017. The ACLU Summer Advocacy Institute will bring together a diverse group of high school juniors and seniors from across the United States to participate in an advanced, firsthand learning experience for the next generation of social justice advocates. Through an intensive eight-day program, students will learn directly from lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other experts working to defend the civil rights and liberties critical to a free and open society.

Students will be immersed in the real world of political and legal decision-making in Washington, D.C., as they explore the complex nature of defending and advancing civil liberties in our current society. Students will have an opportunity to meet with elected officials and community organizers as well as participate in classroom sessions, lectures, daily debates, and workshops with civil rights pioneers and other current youth activists.

If you know of any young civil liberties activists that might be interested in the Institute, please encourage them to apply!

Applications are due by Friday, April 7, and scholarships are available!

For any questions or to request a code to waive the application fee, please contactsummerinstitute@aclu.org. Thank you for spreading the word and helping us find the next generation of civil liberties advocates!

Amherst College Splash Registration Now Open

It’s that time of the year again! Registration for Splash! Spring 2017 is now open.

Amherst Splash is a one day event where middle and high school students take classes taught by Amherst College students. This year, Splash! will be held on Saturday, April 15th from 9am to 4pm.

 

We are thrilled to debut an awesome course catalog. This year features old favorites like How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube, as well as exciting new options like Introduction to Sailing and Minimal Logic. View the full list of classes here: https://amherstsplash.learningu.org/learn/Splash/2017_Spring/catalog Each student will register for 5 hour-long classes (one of which must be lunch), which are filled on a first come, first serve basis! There is a $10 registration fee that will cover all five courses, materials, and lunch. Scholarships available on request.

Register for Splash! here: https://amherstsplash.learningu.org/learn/register.html

Registration will be closing on Monday, April 10th at midnight! If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at amherstsplash@gmail.com.

Amherst Charter Commission - Upcoming Workshops

Amherst residents will have an opportunity to respond to the specific proposals for changing Amherst government that the Amherst Charter Commission has developed in response to input from many residents, Amherst town staff, elected officials and committees, as well as perspectives and beliefs of the individual commissioners.

The first round of “listening workshops” sought broad input on any and all topics of concern and passion to participants.  Few feedback sessions have been scheduled for the spring. During these sessions, we will describe the elements of the draft charter, and seek your input on the potential organization of the legislative and executive branches, along with the citizen participation mechanisms we have added into the draft charter.All sessions will be in the Jones Library's Woodbury Room.

All workshops will be held in the Jones Library Woodbury Room (basement of the Jones library).  They are scheduled for different times of day in hopes there will be a time that is convenient for most people.  Modest refreshments will be served.
·           March 30, Thursday, 7:00 – 9:00
·           April 5, 10:00 – 12:00
·           April 11, Tuesday 7:00 – 9:00

You can also provide feedback in other ways:

• Send an email to the entire Charter Commission by emailing charter@amherstma.gov.
• Complete the Feedback Session Comment Form (print out and email back to us, or drop off at the Town Manager's Office; there will be an online form of similar content available soon)
• Complete the Public Input Form, by clicking here.

Benefit for Whole Children at Barnes & Noble with Cammie McGovern

ARHS parent and acclaimed author Cammie McGovern will be part of a benefit fundraiser for Whole Children on April 1 at Barnes and Noble in Hadley.

Cammie will read from her latest book, Chester and Gus, at 12:00 pm. Other events including performances by the Milestones theater troupe and the Joyful Chorus will also take place during the day.

If you shop at Barnes and Noble in person on April 1, or online at BN.com between April 1-5, use code 12106027 and Whole Children will receive part of the proceeds.

Thanks for your support of this wonderful local organization that  benefits so many of our families!

Bicycle Camp for Individuals with Disabilities Now Accepting Applications

iCan Shine is a non-profit organization that teaches individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle through it’s iCan Bike program.  This five-day camp, requiring riders to attend only one 75-minute session per day, is taking place August 13th – 18th, 2017 at the Cambridge War Memorial.

iCan Shine is a non-profit organization that collaborates with local organizations to host camps in their communities.  This camp is being hosted by local high school students Nina Katz-Christy and Zaida Block in collaboration with the Cambridge Recreation Department.

iCan Shine uses adapted equipment, trained professionals and volunteers. With 75 minutes of instruction over five days, over 80% of riders learn to ride a conventional bicycle independently by the end of camp.

To be eligible to enroll, riders must be at least eight years old, have a disability and be able to walk without an assistive device such as a walker or cane.  Riders must be able to side-step quickly to both sides.  Riders must have a minimum inseam measurement of 20 inches and weigh no more than 220 pounds.

Cost of the camp is $250. Rider Registration and Volunteer Registration forms can be found at: http://icanshine.org/ican-bike-cambridge-ma/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: icanbikecambridgema@gmail.com