Poll Taxi offers rides to polls

NORTHAMPTON — Rides to the polls in Northampton, Southampton and Westhampton are being offered Tuesday, the day of the primary election in Massachusetts.

The Poll Taxi has been operated by Florence resident John Martine for five years. Rides are offered free of charge.

Anyone who needs a round-trip ride to the polls Tuesday should email Martine at johnmartine88@yahoo.com as early as possible and reserve a time.

The Poll Taxi will pick voters up at their homes, take them to the polling place and bring them back home, at no cost.

“I believe in helping people and building a sense of community,” Martine said in a statement. “I believe in the power of voting, especially in 2024. This election has been called the most important election in our lifetime, and I believe it is.”

Codepink to rally
for International
Women’s Day

NORTHAMPTON — Codepink will celebrate the 19th annual International Women’s Day on Friday, beginning with a rally at 4:15 p.m. on the steps of Northampton City Hall. This year the organization will honor and commemorate the tragedy of the people of Gaza, with the theme of “We mourn, we resist, we organize: Peace & Justice for the Palestinians and all peoples.”

The rally begins with songs by the Raging Grannies followed by several speakers. Our multi-generational presenters will focus on the genocidal crisis for women and children in Gaza, the crisis of U.S. funding of Israel’s government, and the dangers of expanded wars.

A march through town will follow the rally, with chants and music. The rally ends at 5:30 a.m. with the Offbeat Womyn Drummers as participants enter Lyman Hall in First Churches for light refreshments, a social gathering and a brief discussion.

For more information, call Susan Triolo 413-665-8246.

Pollinator habitat workshop in Shutesbury

SHUTESBURY — A pollinator habitat workshop, led by the Franklin Council of Governments and the town’s Open Space and Recreation committees, is being held Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 1 Cooleyville Road.

Participants will learn the importance of pollinators and the variety of habitat that pollinators need, study landscape-scale maps to brainstorm pollinator habitat enhancement and connections and identify strategies for making pollinator habitat happen.

For more information, contact FRCOG staff member Tamsin Flanders at tflanders@frcog.org.

Wistariahurst to host art exhibit for Women’s History Month

HOLYOKE — Celebrate Women’s History Month by viewing the Nature/Nurture Art Exhibit at Wistariahurst Museum from March 12 to April 16.

Wistariahurst will host an artist talk/opening reception on March 12 from 4:30-6:30 p.m., with an artist panel at 5:30 p.m.

Artists identifying as female or nonbinary were asked how they viewed the theme of nature versus nurture. The jury selected five artists to showcase for the exhibit: Anne Bradford Spencer, Deborah Yaffe, Shelsy Rodiguez, Camille Roos and River Nation.

Gallery open hours will be Mondays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Admission to the artist talk and gallery open hours are free and available to everyone.

For more information, visit, wistariahurst.org/events/.

Holyoke Dems to elect delegates to state convention

HOLYOKE — Registered Democrats in Holyoke will hold a caucus on Saturday, March 9, at 1 p.m., at the Holyoke Public Library, 250 Chestnut St.

Registered and preregistered Democrats ages 16 years old by Thursday, Feb. 15, may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youths (age 16 to 35), people with disabilities, people of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/massdems-convention.

The 2024 Convention will be in person at the DCU Center in Worcester on June 1.