Posted by Miryam - Thu, Mar 1, 2012, 9:42 P

Call for Artists

CALL FOR ARTISTS:
M.A.M (Montague.Art.Movement) is hosting it's 4th Annual May Day Fine Art Sale and Exhibit on Sunday, May 6th, 2012. This is a non-juried one day show. The show is open to Montague residents. We are looking for artists in any medium who create fine art. Artwork should be priced at $150 or less. The show is limited to 15 artists. Registration fee is $10.

Send email to Montague.Art.Movement@gmail.com by March 18th, 2012 for further information.
 

Posted by MCTV - Thu, Mar 1, 2012, 1:53 P

MCTV Program Schedule 3/2/12 thru 3/8/12

Posted by steerpike - Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 7:53 P

Regarding the Recorder Article,

Clegg, indeed. These are hard times for so many people.

I also did not like the tone of the Co-op manager, citing again the "them" over in the low-income housing. It also bears mention that Mayor Martin (in)famously evicted the residents of the "Jungle," uprooting many of Greenfield's truly homeless.

My beef also extends to the affluent folks of Greenfield and the area, the ones who have occasionally cited feeling "nervous" about going downtown, because they don't feel "safe." I think folks of the upper Valley need to re-evaluate how lucky the ARE to have a thriving downtown in a post-industrial small town. Throughout New England and the country, few such small cities and towns are so lucky to have a People's Pint, a co-op, a movie theater, a department store, local bookstore, local music shops and venues, and arts events. A quick trip east to the centers of Athol or Fitchburg is all they should need to realize just how good they have it, in Greenfield and accept that, yes, lesser-privileged humanity exists, even outside the venerated doors of overpriced, trans-continental, organic kale and intra-affluent-caucasian fellowship that the co-op provides.
 

Posted by Rob - Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 7:12 P

Regarding the Recorder Article,

Go out and get jobs is not that easy since you have to get jobs plural to afford housing, a vehicle, and the mandatory health insurance. Businesses want you to have reliable transportation to and from work especially for shifts that are completely different than any other business in the area so public transportation can not affordably be made available. You want to buy a car, you need to have had the job for three to six months before they will give you the loan but you have to have the car before you can start your job. Also many of the industrial jobs want you to have specific safety or clothing to start the job like steel toed shoes or in a retail setting to match the color scheme. And on top of this the jobs are part time with varying hours so you have to convince one employer to work around the schedule of the other employer. The days of walking in to a company looking for a job and being hired on the spot are long gone.
Just because somebody is hanging around outside during your working hours does not make that person anything other than a person. They may be employed on a different shift, they may be passing through town to visit old friends, they may be on a lunch break. Without asking you will never know for sure. Treat them like good neighbors and most will respond in kind.
Judge not, lest you be judged.
 

Posted by clegg - Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 5:43 P

Regarding the Recorder Article,

Some folks seem to be commenting on a recent article in the Greenfield Recorder about homelessness- bums-street urchins on Main Street in Greenfield without having a clue. Not every person hanging around on the street is a " bum". Sometimes, just maybe sometimes bad things happen to good people.
A large amount of home owners/renters/child support dads are just one pay check away from being behind in the mortgage payment or rent and these are those working folks. Just ask me!
Some extra hanging around in Greenfield may have something to do with the fact that there is a "No Smoking" order in many subsidized apartments in downtown Greenfield ( most recently the old Harco Rooms on Main St.) and a no smoking policy in the Veterans Park.

Locally in Turners Falls, the apartments offered through Franklin County Housing Authority are also going to be, (and many already are) non-smoking. So maybe we can expect people hanging around outside the apartments on 3rd street for the Multenbry Apts, the Crocker building on the corner of Avenue A and 2nd Street or the Cultery Apts on 4th Street since these are also subsidized. And what is wrong with that.
 

Posted by PaulK - Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 5:19 P

Regarding the Recorder Article,

I agree with Newbie on this one. The main thing that's changed regarding how the poor and homeless and disabled get by in our society is that we have nicer words to label them with now: homeless instead of beggars, disadvantaged instead of bums. And just like always, we've got politicians pointing at them and blaming them not only for the circumstances they're in but for making the rest of us look bad in the bargain. Why can't they just go get jobs??!! Never mind that we stopped funding all the programs for in-house mental health problems and put everyone out on the streets. Never mind that there are no affordable childcare solutions for single parents. Never mind that companies are not hiring full-time workers anymore, but only part-time hourlies so they don't have to cover sick time or insurance or anything else. Never mind that we're putting less and less money every year into mass transit, public health, public housing. Never mind the unconscionable number of children in poor WORKing familes who go to bed hungry every night. These bums should just go away and stop making things look yucky. We renamed them the homeless now or the working poor and stopped calling them bums so we've done all we can do. Let's stop bugging our "job creators" and drop the whole thing.
 

Posted by linda - Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 4:48 P

Library program snow cancellation policy

If there is no school in Gill-Montague, we cancel our morning library programs. So if there is no school on Thursday, Music and Movement will not be held. If there is a delay tomorrow, we will cancel. Music and Movement will be held at the Montague Center Library March -June on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. For more info- 863-3214.
 

Posted by lithium - Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 1:31 P

Regarding the Recorder Article,

Maybe they should be made to wear a black triangle badge.
 

Posted by lithium - Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 1:06 P

rail road tracks

My father-in-law helps out sugaring with Quinn's Sugar House up in Northfield. They supply the maple syrup for the annual NFD pancake breakfast, its good stuff. They're open to the public from the last week of February to the first week of April.

13 Parker Avenue, Northfield MA
Tel: (413) 498-0259
Email: quinnsugarhouse@yahoo.com


- Mike Henry
 

Posted by lithium - Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 1:00 P

Closings

Just a heads up, received the robocall that the afterschool program is cancelled for tonight.

There is no dance class or no Legally Blonde rehearsal tonight for Ja'Duke Center of Performing Arts and the preschool there will be closing early at 3:30pm. The bowling party has been cancelled.

Tech already released at 11am and the Franklin County Emergency Dispatch Feasibility Study public forum has been cancelled. Later date announced.

Also, the Board of Health meeting rescheduled for tonight has again been rescheduled to March 7th,
 

Posted by mik - Wed, Feb 29, 2012, 12:11 P

MUTTON AND MEAD CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

MUTTON AND MEAD CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Mutton & Mead, the Medieval Festival in Montague, MA, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd and 24th, 2012, is looking for Day, and Pre-Faire Volunteers.

Day Volunteers will work a four-hour shift within the festival, on either day (or both) and then have four hours access as a guest on that day.

Pre-Faire Volunteers will assist with the creation and set-up of the festival on weekends and some evenings leadig up to the Festival weekend, at their availability, on tasks such as set design, construction, materials transport and management, or committee work. All pre-faire volunteers who put in at least eight hours of volunteer time will gain access to the festival for one day. Those who put in at least 16 hours of volunteer time will gain access to both days of the festival.

All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and a certificate of appreciation from the festival.

Everyone wishing to register as a volunteer for the Mutton & Mead Medieval Festival should go to the online application form, located on the Festival's official website.

www.MuttonAndMead.com

Donna DuSell, the Volunteer Manager, will coordinate all volunteers, and can be contacted through the form above.

More information about the Festival and photos from last year can also be found on the website.

Mutton & Mead's Medieval Festival is a fund raiser for both the Food Bank of Western Mass and the Montague Grange.

###
 

Posted by patrick - Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 8:47 P

Great deal on Red Fire Farm produce

Cool, do they carry Green Giant? Just kidding, I'm on this like a flea on a mangy dog.
 

Posted by MikeNaughton - Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 8:22 P

Power outage

I heard a transformer blew near the hospital.
 

Posted by Mark1 - Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 3:10 P

Great deal on Red Fire Farm produce

Hey neighbors,

Quick heads up - Red Fire Farm (aka Old Depot Gardens) has a few 30% off certificates in the online store at the River's website. It's a wicked good deal if you want to save money on locally grown produce.

It's a 'farm stand CSA' which means you get a swipe card and can pick out what you want, when you want it.

https://www.valleyge...h=63&products_id=811

Mark1
 

Posted by ChrisP - Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 10:22 A

Power outage

Does anyone know what took out power to some of Montague and Leverett this morning? We were out from about 8:45-9:45.
 

Posted by linda - Tue, Feb 28, 2012, 9:59 A

Upcoming Library Programs

On Saturday, March 3rd at 10:30 a.m., Dawn Marvin Ward will offer a program on Dinosaurs at the Carnegie Library. Particpants will learn about the dinosaurs who once roamed Turners Falls, explore real dinosaur fossils, make their own "fossils" and help create a volcano. The Montague Cultural Council funded program is designed for children ages pre-k - 3rd grade and their families.
Music and Movement will be held at the Montague Center Library from March - June on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. The very popular free program with Tom Carroll and Laurie Davidson is for young children of all ages.
Hands-On Science for Homeschoolers has been extended through April 11th. It is held on Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m. at the Carnegie Library. Electromagnetism is the current theme. Science teacher Jim Klaiber is the instructor, and it is designed for children of all ages. For more information on library programs, call the Carnegie Library, 863-3214.
 

Posted by newbie - Mon, Feb 27, 2012, 8:30 A

Regarding the Recorder Article,

Not wanting to stir the pot,but in my Grams day they were called bums.Not a lot has changed but what they get called. Again just pointing out a bit of history and not looking for an arguement. There for the grace of GOD go us....
 

Posted by MCTV - Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 4:05 P

MCTV Program Schedule 2/24/12 thru 3/1/12

Posted by jporcelli - Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 12:12 P

Horse Boarding

Two 12X12 stalls available, with paddocks, in newer, modern barn. Lighting and heated tack room. 3 acres of sun and shade, access to trails. Highly skilled barn manager with one mare who needs company! Rough, semi-rough or full board available. Co-op situation preferred. Call us! Janet or George 413-367-2110
 

Posted by ChrisP - Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 8:11 A

Bitzer property

I wish the Adamses lots of luck. It looks like a huge project! It's been exciting to drive past and see activity there.
 

Posted by thegarth - Thu, Feb 23, 2012, 9:04 P

Bitzer property

I believe it finally sold to a conservation buyer. according to MassLandRecords.com 1/13/12 sold to Lisa and Robert Adams (of Lake Pleasant) for $137,500.
 

Posted by ChrisP - Wed, Feb 22, 2012, 5:12 P

Bitzer property

Anyone know what's going on at the old Bitzer Farm on Hatchery Rd.? There's been a lot of activity - fields have been tilled and the barn has been cleaned out and repaired. It's nice to see that someone is taking care of it.
 

Posted by mark2 - Wed, Feb 22, 2012, 3:24 P

No proof readers in DC

I wonder who wrote "W's" speeches. :). That guy had a real command of the English language. And he could duck a shoe with cat like reflexes.
 

Posted by mik - Wed, Feb 22, 2012, 2:53 P

No proof readers in DC

Oh, right. Sorry. You were just cranking on the staffer that wrote the press release. You didn't drag the entire administration into it, or insinuate that the whole US of A was screwed because of... whatever.

Apparently Santorum's press writing staff is no better.

http://www.nydailyne...se-article-1.1025666
 

Posted by newbie - Wed, Feb 22, 2012, 2:10 P

No proof readers in DC

WHERE DID I SAY OBAMA SAID OR SPELLED????. You guys are sure thin skinned and defensive of a guy thats a one timer.. Go Newt