Easthampton High students head to national civics competition

EASTHAMPTON - There came a moment when Easthampton High School history teacher Kelley Brown knew something big was about to happen.

She was at a statewide civics competition last month where 10 of her students were competing.

Easthampton Bear Fest organizers offer Cub Crafts Day during school vacation

EASTHAMPTON - The organizers of the city's Bear Fest are holding a special event for children during the upcoming school winter break. A Cub Crafts Day will be held Feb. 24 at Eastworks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring kid-friendly activities such as bear mask-making, sheet coloring and a collaborative Bear Fest quilt that will later be auctioned to support local arts education programs.

Easthampton officials praise departed city planner Stuart Beckley

EASTHAMPTON - On his last day as Easthampton's city planner on Feb. 2, Stuart Beckley reflected on how he felt when he first took the job as in 1989. "It was intimidating," he said. "It was not knowing the people, not being totally familiar with the public process."

People in the news

The following local residents have been named to the fall semester dean's list at American International College in Springfield:

Ryan Boisjolie, Taryn Crisafulli, Anne Feliciano and Eric John Koloski of Easthampton, andRyan Baker and Morgan Bean of Southampton.

Events for seniors

EASTHAMPTON

Note: Events and programs take place at the COA Enrichment Center, 19 Union St., unless noted otherwise. For more information call 527-6151.

February movies: "Taming of the Shrew," today, 12:30 p.m.; "Seven Years in Tibet," Feb. 16, 12:30 p.m.; "The Visitor," Feb. 23, 12:30 p.m.

Summit calendar

ENTERTAINMENT

# Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra, Friday, 7 p.m., $8, Flywheel, 43 Main St., www.flywheelarts.org.

# Insights into Fiddling, Friday, 7 p.m., Westhampton Public Library, North Road. A musical performance by Sarah the Fiddler.

'Pajama Game' opens Thursday at White Brook in Easthampton

EASTHAMPTON - You could call it theater for the 99 percent. The Easthampton High School Drama Club production of "The Pajama Game" which opens tonight at White Brook Middle School, is based on a novel about workers at a pajama factory whose demands for a raise are being ignored by the owners. Among the well-known musical numbers from the show are "Steam Heat" and "Hernando's Hideaway."