HCC, STCC to launch Gaming SchoolSPRINGFIELD — Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College are offering a new gaming school for people interested in working as a professional card dealer or croupier at the soon-to-open MGM Springfield.
The community colleges, through TWO, their Training and Workforce Options collaborative, and MCCTI, the Massachusetts Casino Career Training Institute, will operate the gaming school on the ninth floor of 95 State St., Springfield. Classes begin Feb. 26.
The training programs are for six different types of casino games: blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, carnival games, and mini-baccarat-PGP. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participants who successfully complete training programs for at least two different table games will be guaranteed an “audition,” or tryout, to work at the $960 million MGM Springfield casino, scheduled to open in September 2018.
For more information, go to mccti.org
O’Connell Care at Home marches for hunger awarenessHOLYOKE — O’Connell Care at Home was a sponsor of Monte’s March 2017, and founder Fran O’Connell was among those who joined local supporters alongside 93.9 The River’s Monte Belmonte for the eighth annual Monte’s March, a charitable two-day trek to benefit The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Inc.
The marchers departed from Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Springfield Nov. 20 and arrived at Magpie Woodfired Pizzeria in Greenfield on Tuesday evening.
The group visited Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen in Chicopee, Kate’s Kitchen and Enlace de Familias in Holyoke, and the Amherst Survival Center, a few of the many regional facilities The Food Bank directly supports. Monte’s March organizers expect the event’s fundraising tally to exceed last year’s, which totaled more than $211,000.
Moriarty joins Sen. Humason’s officeWESTFIELD — Michelle Moriarty of Holyoke began work Oct. 10 as state Senator Don Humason’s new scheduler and constituent services aide.
Moriarty is a Holyoke High School graduate and attended both Holyoke Community College and Westfield State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She has over 20 years of public service experience, including eight and a half years as a police officer in Northampton and, most recently, as a lease enforcement officer for the Northampton Housing Authority.
Humason represents the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District, including Easthampton and Southampton.
Valley Educational Assoc. announces staff promotionHATFIELD — Jennifer Goselin has been promoted to clinical services supervisor at Valley Educational Associates Inc.
Goselin has worked in three locations in western Massachusetts for two-plus years.
Formerly, Goselin served on the agency’s psychological services team. In her new role, she will oversee the agency’s clinicians and day service participants. She will implement evaluation and assessment improvements for the program participants.
Goselin holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Walden University. She is a director for Arena Civic Theatre in Greenfield and a member of the Northfield Cultural Council and 100 Who Care Franklin County.
Attorneys named to Super Lawyer, Rising Star listsSPRINGFIELD — Eight attorneys from Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin in Springfield were selected to the 2017 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List and two attorneys were selected to the 2017 Massachusetts Rising Stars List. Local area super lawyers include shareholders Gary S. Fentin of Conway and Carol Cioe Klyman of Westhampton.
Local area rising stars include shareholder David K. Webber of Amherst.
Attorney Winston speaks to NAMINORTHAMPTON — Attorney James B. Winston of Northampton spoke on Nov. 16 about disability and employment related issues to the National Alliance of Mental Illness Family to Family Support group. Attorney Winston is also a director of NAMI of Western Massachusetts.
This year marks the 10th year of the James B. Winston Law Office in downtown Northampton. Winston specializes in Social Security Disability appeals, employment discrimination, (including unemployment hearings) and family law cases.
Country Bank employees support Be Bold Be BaldWARE — Employees of Country Bank, with 14 offices in locations including Belchertown, recently supported the Be Bold Be Bald campaign, a national fundraising event held on the third Friday of October each year.
Their staff surpassed their $2,500 goal and raised $4,500 to help combat cancer. All funds have been donated to the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.