Free community concert at Pines Theater coming up

NORTHAMPTON – A free day of music, food, kids activities and community will take place Aug. 25 at Look Park’s Pines Theater.

The Concert For Community is the next chapter in a 40-plus year tradition of free summer concerts at the Pines, originally launched by singer-songwriter Roger Salloom. Last year, Salloom announced that it would be his last, and officially passed the torch onto longtime collaborator and friend, Jamie Kent.

Kent is a Florence native who spent the better part of the last decade touring the country as an artist (with the likes of Huey Lewis and Reba), while also growing his own music marketing and events company, The BAM Group.

Traditionally, Salloom held his concerts on a Wednesday evening and featured a rising local artist as an opener. This year, Kent and a group of collaborators (including fellow local artist and entrepreneur Fran O’Connell) decided to move the event to a weekend and extend the music throughout the whole afternoon.

Additionally, the next iteration of the Concert For Community will feature food trucks, a local beverage tent, and a kids zone with face painting, performances from Talking Hands Theater and a kick off parade led by the Expandable Brass Band.

The musical lineup will also feature some of the best local/regional talent around including Kent, The Gaslight Tinkers, Poor Monroe, StompBoxTrio, FrannyO Show, and of course, a special appearance from Roger Salloom.

The event is free and is sponsored by several sponsors including Liberty Bank. These sponsor dollars will not only cover the cost to produce the event, but will also help to raise money for local music education nonprofit Northampton Community Music Center.

Gates will open at 12 p.m. and musical programming will take place from 1-7 p.m. The all-ages concert will be free to attend, though a $10 vehicle entry fee for non-season passholders will remain.

Northampton earns $10K risk management grant

NORTHAMPTON – The city has received a $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), the city’s property and casualty insurance provider, to fund risk management activities and equipment. Northampton used the grant funds to enhance the energy efficiency of municipal mechanical systems by adding new temperature controls on boilers in city buildings, including Ryan Road Elementary School.

“The enhanced temperature controls will help us improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs and environmental impact, as well as ensure consistent comfort for occupants and extend the lifespan of our equipment,” said William Coffey, Northampton’s chief procurement officer. “These upgrades help strengthen the city’s overall risk management practices and our commitment to building safety.”

For the 2024 fiscal year, MIIA awarded $1 million to fund over 150 grant requests from members for public safety activities and equipment. Municipalities were able to conduct safety training, procure equipment, purchase infrared cameras and security equipment for schools and public works departments, among many other initiatives.

MIIA is the nonprofit insurance arm of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. As a member-based organization, MIIA’s focus is to provide service and quality risk management solutions to nearly 400 cities, towns and other public entities in Massachusetts.

Holyoke CPA Committee seeking applicants

HOLYOKE – The city of Holyoke Community Preservation Act Committee has opened its fiscal 2025 grant cycle. Potential applicants are invited to submiteligibility determination forms from Aug. 15-Sept. 15. The CPA was created by Massachusetts in 2000 and adopted by Holyoke in 2016. Its purpose is to support historic preservation, recreation and open space and community housing within Holyoke.

The Holyoke CPA has funded a variety of popular projects throughout the city including the new Miracle League Playground, the restoration of the stained-glass windows at City Hall, Lady Liberty and the Korean Conflict Memorial at Veterans Park and many others. Since adoption, the Holyoke CPC has disbursed over $4.2 million to preserve Holyoke’s character and improve quality of life.

For more information, visit HolyokeCPAC.org. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact CPC Administrator Amy Landau at Landaua@holyoke.org with questions and for support in the application process.