EASTHAMPTON — The 2022 Oscar-contending documentary film, “American Justice on Trial: People v. Newtown” will be shown on Sunday at Luthier’s Co-Op, followed by a panel discussion facilitated by Darryck Dean of the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service.

The documentary centers on the 1968 murder trial of Black Panther co-founder Huey Newton in the summer of 1968.

Panelists include Bridgette Baldwin, professor of law at Western New England School of Law, and Lise Pearlman, the first presiding judge of the California State Bar Court, retired California trial lawyer and author of the book that inspired the documentary.

The free community event is held in celebration of Black history and presented by the Community Relations Committee and the city of Easthampton in association with the Easthampton Film Festival.

The event begins at 5 p.m. at 108 Cottage St. in Easthampton. For more information, call 413-527-6627.

Southampton committee hosts information session

The ad hoc Senior Center Building Feasibility Committee and Allston-based architectural firm Abacus Architects + Planners are hosting an information session on Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. at William E. Norris School.

The committee and the town’s consultant will present progress made on a feasibility study for a new senior center.

The formation of the committee and study came about after the town learned that a late resident had left a substantial bequest to the town for the construction of a new senior center. The resident, David “Red” Parsons, who died May 17, 2021 at the age of 86, left the town $2.5 million from his estate with the caveat that a feasibility study for a new facility be completed within two years of his death. The will also funds the study.

If the study is not completed by May 17 of this year, the money will be split equally between four entities:  Shriners Hospitals for Children, the First Congregational Church of Southampton, the Southampton Historical Society, and the Southampton Council on Aging.

Westhampton to offerrabies, microchip clinic

Kelli Wainscott, the animal control officer for the towns of Westhampton and Chesterfield, will hold a rabies and microchip clinic on Saturday, March 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Chesterfield Fire Department, 5 North Road in Chesterfield.

Residents from all area towns are welcome to bring their cats and dogs for rabies vaccinations and microchip implantation. The South Deerfield Veterinary Clinic will be providing services.

Chesterfield dog owners can also register for annual licenses at the event.

For more information, contact Wainscott at 413-695-8343.

City offers free smokedetectors to residents

The Easthampton Fire Department is partnering with the American Red Cross to install free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to residents with homes built before 1975.

Installations will take place on Monday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Eligible individuals must own their own home and current smoke detectors must be at least 10 years old.

To sign up for this program, email brouthier@easthamptonma.gov or call 413-527-4200 ex. 2180.

The deadline to sign up is March 27.

Library features origami swan-making March 15

Jean Pao Wilson will lead an origami swan-making event at the Edwards Public Library, at 30 East St. in Southampton, on Wednesday, March 15, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

For more information about the event, visit southamptonlibrary.org or call 413-527-9480.

Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.]]>