Western MA Democracy Fair coming up

NORTHAMPTON — A Western MA Democracy Fair will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the front lawn of the Unitarian Society of Northampton & Florence, 220 Main St., next to Northampton City Hall.

Fairgoers will learn about democracy and what’s going on western Massachusetts to defend, strengthen, and fix democracy. There will be voter registration, postcarding, phonebanking, education, and much more as local organizations share what they are doing. Plus, International Democracy Day is Sept 15, and the event will include discussion about ways democracies around the world have succumbed to autocracies and have overcome authoritarian regimes.

The event will be family friendly, with music, puppets, street theater, and activities for kids along with speakers and timely conversations. If it rains, the event will move inside the Unitarian Society building.

Speakers will include state Sen. Jo Comerford, state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, and the Rev. Andrea Ayvazian, director of the Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership. Organizations at the fair will include ACLU, Climate Action Now, Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, Indivisible Northampton/Swing Left Western MA, League of Women Voters, Movement Voter Project, Pioneer Valley Workers Center, Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership, UU Mass Action, USNF the Vote, and Voices Rising Together/Freedom Writers. Performers will include Ellen Cogen & Friends, the Raging Grannies, and Court Dorsey.

Hadley library launches survey

HADLEY — The Hadley Public Library is conducting the second of its three weekly surveys during August. The subject of this week’s survey is “Library as Community Commons.” The survey will take less than 10 minutes and you can complete it by clicking here.

The results of the surveys will be used to inform a long-range plan for the library. In addition to helping the library staff and trustees plan for the next five years, the plan will be filed with the state and will allow the library to apply for grants.

Jazz Bones to play Granby concert

GRANBY — The Jazz Bones will present a music concert on Monday, Sept. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Town Green in Granby. The concert is open and free to the public. In case of rain, the concert to be held at Church of Christ at 235 State St.

The trombone ensemble has a powerful five-part harmony whether they are playing a hard swing, fast jazz or a sweet ballad and backed by a rhythm section to drive the beat. To listen to the group, visit thejazzbones.com.

For more information contact David Neill 413-686-5027 tbn8@aol.com

Meet-and-greets at Holyoke schools

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Public Schools students in grades PreK-8 and their families are invited to attend meet-and-greet programs to meet teachers and tour their schools.

Visits to the district’s elementary schools will take place on the following days: Donahue School: Friday, Aug. 23, 3-4:30 p.m.; E.N. White School: Friday, Aug. 23, 2-3:30 p.m.; Kelly School: Call the school at 413-534-2078 to tour the school since the open house has already taken place; Lawrence School: Thursday, Aug. 22, 3:30-5 p.m.; McMahon School: Thursday, Aug. 22, 3-4 p.m. and Morgan School: Wednesday, Aug. 28 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Visits to the district’s middle schools will take place on the following days: Holyoke STEM Academy: Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2-3:30 p.m.; Metcalf School: Friday, Aug. 23, 2-3 p.m.; and Sullivan School: Thursday, Aug. 22, 4-6 p.m.