NORTHAMPTON — Professor David N. Myers, distinguished scholar of modern Jewish history and professor of history at UCLA, will speak at Congregation B’nai Israel, 253 Prospect St., Northampton, Tuesday, July 18 at 7 p.m.
The event, “Democracy in Israel — How did we get here? What should we do?”, is sponsored by CBI’s Task Force for Israel Democracy. In addition to exploring the historical roots of Israel’s current crisis of democracy and the protest movement, Myers will discuss how concerned Americans can support the pro-democracy movement in Israel. A question-and-answer period will follow the talk.
The event will be in-person and livestreamed. To attend or receive the livestream link, register at cbinorthampton.org/form/myers-talk.
For further information contact Congregation B’nai Israel Task Force for Israel Democracy (Tamar Fields) at 413-584-3593, or at naomi@cbinorthampton.org
HOLYOKE — The public is invited to drop in on an all-day book fair that will feature poets and spoken word artists at Gateway City Arts, 92 Race St., in Holyoke on July 22. The event will begin at noon and go until 6 p.m. Donations are requested at the door on a $0 to $25 sliding scale. Books will be for sale. Cash is encouraged.
Sponsors have their logo on all media about the festival, starting at $75. Tables (provided) will be rented for $10-$20 each on a sliding scale. Authors/vendors who rent tables for $25-$50 (sliding scale) will have their name on the event website and in all the media. Food will be available from 11 a.m.
For more information, contact Paul Richmond at paul@humanerrorpublishing.com.
CARLISLE — Pelham resident Benjamin Mazzei, a firefighter with the state Department of Fish and Game, left Wednesday along with 15 other state wildland firefighters to Quebec, Canada, to help battle some of the more than 70 wildfires that have continued to burn since the beginning of June.
The crew, also known as a “21-person Initial Attack Hand Crew,” will travel to Baie-Comeau, Quebec, where they will be assigned to one of many ongoing fire incidents throughout the eastern part of the province. On their trip to Quebec, the 16 Massachusetts firefighters will be joined by four firefighters from Connecticut and one from Vermont.
They will engage in direct fire suppression, working on the fire line for about 14 days — building fire breaks, securing fire perimeters, containing fires, and protecting structures.
This crew follows an 11-member DCR wildland firefighter crew who was deployed to Quebec on June 15 and returned home last Friday.
BELCHERTOWN — It’s not too late to get tickets to the Swift River Sportsman’s Club Chicken BBQ/Pig Roast happening on Saturday, Aug. 26.
The event runs from 12-6 p.m. at 350 Cold Spring Road in Belchertown. Three different meal tickets will be offered: chicken barbeque, pig roast and a combination chicken barbecue/pig roast.
Entertainment will be provided by the Time Trippers from 1-5 p.m. For more information, including tickets, contact Mike at 413-205-6778 or Ed at 508-981-7249.
SOUTH HADLEY — Master kora player Yacouba Sissoko will perform this Sunday as part of a concert series at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 7 Woodbridge St. Sissoko will be performing live and in person with fellow band members at 3 p.m.
The kora is a 21-stringed instrument that is plucked and produces a distinctive sound that is quickly associated with West Africa. Throughout West African history, the kora was played as a solo instrument by djelys, or storytellers, whose roles in society were to perform for kings, nobility and village chiefs. The songs sung by djelys were stories that had been passed down from generation to generation, and captured the oral history of the people and culture of West Africa describing social life, cultural identity and family backgrounds.
Taught kora by his grandfather, Sissoko comes from a family line of Malian musicians dating back centuries. He also leads his own band, SIYA, meaning “source” in Bambara.
Tickets are available at the Halcyon Arts website, hartsne.org, or by calling 413-345-2917.
SHUTESBURY — Police Chief Kristin Burgess will present an informational program on safety awareness and self-protection Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Shutesbury Community Church, 6 Town Common Road.
According to statistics from the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, violent crime in Massachusetts increased 8% from 2020 to 2022. Sexual assault increased by more than 7% during that period while aggravated assault increased almost 9%.
Burgess said women are especially encouraged to attend the program as 90% of sexual assault victims and nearly half of aggravated assault victims are female. However, the program will include information on personal safety, self-protection and self-defense that will benefit everyone, male and female. The public is invited. Refreshments will be served.
The program is part of an ongoing series of public service and educational programs hosted by Shutesbury Community Church.
WHATELY — Rep. Natalie Blais and Sen. Paul Mark will take questions and invite comments at a “ReMarks & Refreshments” town hall forum in Whately from 9-10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 14. The event is open to the public and will be held at Town Hall, 194 Chestnut Plain Road.
The legislators will start the forum by sharing legislative updates from the State House before taking questions and comments from attendees and engaging in a conversation about opportunities and challenges facing Whately and western Massachusetts.