Nonprofits land grants to secure property from hate crimes, attacks

BOSTON — Five nonprofits in Hampshire County and Holyoke have landed grants from the state to make critical security improvements to their properties as prevention measures against hate crimes and terrorist attacks.

Awarded through the Office of Grants and Research’s Massachusetts Nonprofit Security Grant Program, some $4.75 million in grants went to 81 organizations in the state and total $4.75 million. Recipients include houses of worship, educational institutions, health care providers and other organizations at heightened risk of a hate crime or extremist attack.

The local organizations receiving money include: Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity in Florence ($75,000); Congregation B’nai Israel in Northampton ($73,594); Hampshire Regional YMCA ($75,000); Lighthouse Holyoke ($22,000); and Trustees of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley ($74,800).

Belchertown moves community yard sale to Aug. 16-18

BELCHERTOWN — Due to Hurricane Debby, the Belchertown Community Yard Sale originally scheduled for this weekend will move to Aug. 16-18, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.

Maps will be sold at the Belchertown Community Yard Sale booth in the parking lot of Town Mart (10 Federal St., Belchertown) starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 16.They are not available before this day and time, and are not being sold inside Town Mart. Maps can be purchased for $5 each (cash only) to benefit Better Together Dog Rescue. Digital maps will be provided at no extra cost with the paper maps.

For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/881162963877227

Jigsaw puzzle swap at Jones Library

AMHERST — Inspired by the conservation message of the Summer Reading Program theme of “Read. Renew. Repeat,” a jigsaw puzzle swap takes place in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library on Saturday at 3 p.m.

People should bring jigsaw puzzles with 500 pieces or more to the Jones Library reference desk through Friday, in exchange for a ticket that will be used at the swap on Saturday.

For more information, contact Janet Ryan, head of programming and outreach, at 259-3223.

Evening of puppetry, music at brewery

FLORENCE — Jess Martin, Amy West, and Abby Hanna present an evening of puppetry and music at the Drawing Board Brewing Company on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 7-9 p.m. at 36 Main St. in Florence.

The performance will showcase original songs by Northampton-based singer-songwriter Jess Martin, including “Nevermore,” “Danger in the Deep,” and “Bride of Frankenstein.” These works are the first in a longer project that the trio plans to present at festivals and venues throughout New England.

The evening will feature live and projected puppetry, with all music performed live. Audience feedback is encouraged as part of this workshop series, making it a collaborative and engaging experience for all attendees.

For more information, visit https://www.jessmartin-music.com/.

HCC to hold ‘registration express’ event

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College will hold a “registration express” event for the fall 2024 semester on Saturday, Aug. 24.

During registration express, prospective students can apply for admission, take the college placement test, meet with an academic adviser, register for classes, and set up financial aid — all in one day. The event will also be an opportunity for prospective students to learn about MassEducate, the state’s new free community college program.

Registration express will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Campus Center on the main campus at 303 Homestead Ave. Students who can’t attend that day or need additional time to finish their steps can also return for extended admissions and advising hours Aug. 26-29 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Aug. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Full-term, 14-week fall classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 3. HCC has two additional fall flex start dates: Sept. 16, for 12-week classes, and Oct. 28, for seven-week classes.

For more information and instructions about accessing registration express via Zoom, visit at hcc.edu/regexpress or contact HCC Admissions at 413-552-2321.