Town Events Jan. 4 - Jan. 11 - The Reminder

Town Events Jan. 4 - Jan. 11

From The Reminder

EAST LONGMEADOW
SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The E.L. Senior Friendship Club will welcome Merle Safford on Jan. 7 as a guest speaker on the history of Norcross House at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 N. Main St.

VOLUNTEER DISHWASHERS NEEDED
The E.L. Council on Aging is in need of volunteers to help in the kitchen as a dishwasher for four hours a day, one or more days a week. The hours needed are from 9:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Call Sandy Grabierz at 525-5436.

MONTHLY EVENTS
Capuano Care will offer free blood pressure, glucose and total cholesterol screening on the first Fri. of each month at 8 a.m. at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 N. Main St. The next date is Jan. 8. Performance Rehabilitation will be here the second Mon. of each month at 8 a.m. offering stretching exercises before walking with the Morning Glory Walkers.

HOW TO BUY A BRA THAT FITS
Cynthia Lydiard, Certified Fitter from Helen's Bra Clinic, will be at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 N. Main St., on Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m. to speak about the benefits of a properly fitting bra, an important health and comfort issue. This seldom addressed topic will be presented with sensitivity and humor! Call 525-5436 to register.

MEMORY WRITING WORKSHOP
The public is invited to attend a free interactive workshop offered by writing coach Donna Bailey-Thompson titled "Sharing Our Memories" on Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 N. Main St. Attendees will have the option of enrolling in a six week course beginning Feb. 4. Call 525-5436 to register.

BEGINNER ACRYLIC PAINTING
A minimum of 10 students is needed for this new course to take place at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 N. Main St., beginning Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. Instructor Barbara Gordon will guide students in drawing from picture or still life display, no portraits. Emphasis will be on drawing, color mixing and shading. Cost is $80 for eight weeks (two hour classes -- supplies extra.) Call 525-5436 to register.

BOOK CLUB
The Book Club meets the last Tues. of each month at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 N. Main St., at 10:30 a.m. The selected reading for Jan. 26 is "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory.

HAMPDEN
"LATE NITE CATECHISM"
The Hampden Senior Center will travel to Torrington, Conn., March 4 to see the comedy "Late Nite Catechism." The bus will leave the Hampden Senior Center, 104 Allen St., at 10 a.m., for the Black Rock Tavern for lunch, then to the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre for the matinee performance. Cost is $77 and includes transportation, lunch, the show and driver's tip. Bus seating assigned as full payments are received; payment deadline is Jan 29. Call Bobbi at 566-8271 to sign up.

LONGMEADOW
DISCOUNTED FALCONS TICKETS
The Parks & Rec. Dept. is offering discounted $11 tickets for Springfield Falcons home games at the MassMutual Center. The Parks & Rec. Dept. will receive $1 from each ticket sold. Ticket vouchers may be purchased at the Parks & Rec. office via cash, check or credit card and exchanged at the MassMutual Center box office for any home game. Visit www.falconsahl.com for advance home game dates.

RED CROSS SWIM LESSONS
Ages 4 - 18. All levels are taught by experienced lifeguards. Class levels may be combined depending on enrollment. Children should be comfortable in the water and toilet trained. Instruction will focus on stroke development, endurance and water safety. Classes meet on Sat. Jan. 16 - March 13 at the LHS pool. Visit www.LPRD.net for additional info and registration.

DANCE & MOVEMENT
Ages 2.5 - 3.9. Tip toe through a fun educational dance experience. Children will learn basic ballet, jazz and tumbling techniques while singing and dancing in this exciting class. No participation in the recital in this class. Class meets on Mon. Jan. 4 - April 26 or Thurs. Jan. 7 - April 29 in the Community House Dance Studio. Visit www.LPRD.net for additional info and registration.

DANCE MOVEMENT & TAP
Ages 3.9 - 5. Children will learn ballet, jazz and focus on tap technique in this exciting class. Dancers will explore basic barre, center and across the floor work in these three areas of dance. No participation in the recital in this class. Class meets on Mon. Jan. 4 - April 26 or Thurs. Jan. 7 - April 29 in the Community House Dance Studio. Visit www.LPRD.net for additional info and registration.

SMALL SAMURAI
Do you have a 3 - 5 year old with energy to spare? This program can harness that energy in this martial arts movement class for preschoolers. Children learn about respecting others in a fun and interactive way that improves their coordination, balance and focus. Class meets on Tues. Jan. 12 - Feb. 23 at Greenwood Children's Center. Visit www.LPRD.net for additional info and registration.

ADVENTURES WITH ANIMALS IN ART
Ages 3 - 12. These Art-rageous Art-ventures explore the world of critters. Create fish, pigs, dinos, bears, birds, snakes, frogs and more using clay, ceramics, fabrics, sand, wood, tissue and other textures, techniques and mediums. We help art explorers to think outside the box about art as it relates to the world around us. These playful excursions include music, literature, history, humor, games and a masterpiece to take home each week. Classes are on Sat. Jan. 16 - March 27. Visit www.LPRD.net for additional info and registration.

AFRICAN/CARIBBEAN HAND DRUMS
Ages 7 and up. This is a hands-on participatory class focusing on folkloric and contemporary Afro-Caribbean and West African drumming, percussion and singing. Participants will learn basic hand and instrument technique, an understanding of how drum patterns fit together, the cultural context of the music, drum patterns and exercises, accompanying songs in many languages and the opportunity to develop, arrange and perform a mini finale presentation. At the conclusion of the classes, there will be a special performance that will be open to the family and friends of the participants. Program meets on Jan. 14, 21; Feb. 11, 25; March 11, 25; April 8, 15, 29 and May 6 and 13 at Greenwood Children's Center. Visit www.LPRD.net for more info.

KARATE- SHOTOKAN STYLE
Ages 5 - 13. Shotokan Karate-Do is a traditional Japanese martial art. Students train in the basic exercises involving punching, blocking, kicking, stances, forms, sparring and self-defense. A white karate uniform is required. Class meets Tues./Thurs., Jan. 12 - Feb. 25 at Olde Town Hall. Visit www.LPRD.net for additional info and registration.

LONGMEADOW SOFTBALL ASSOC.
The Longmeadow Softball Assoc., through the New England Youth Sports Assoc. (NEYSA) offers the opportunity for girls in grades 1 - 8 to play in a program designed to teach the game of softball in a fun environment and progress to an increasingly structured and competitive setting. For those in grades 1 - 2, the program is in town and instructional, focusing on basic skill set development. Beyond second grade, children are evaluated to play on a travel team at U10, U12 and U14 age levels depending upon the year they were born. The season starts at the end of April. A copy of a birth certificate is required at registration. Register at the Community House on Jan. 12 from 7 - 9 p.m., Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. - noon and Feb. 24 from 7 - 9 p.m. Visit www.LPRD.net for more info.

BOYS LACROSSE ASSOC.
Boys in grades 3 - 8 are invited to participate. Practices are instructional and competitive games are scheduled with other youth lacrosse programs in Western Mass. and Connecticut. The program runs from the end of March through the middle of June. Practices/games will be scheduled 3 - 4 nights per week plus some weekends. All participants must furnish their own sticks and the program requires helmets and gloves. Parent volunteers are welcome. Registration dates are Jan. 12 and 26 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Community House in the lower level/basement area. Visit www.LPRD.net for more info.

ADULT BALLROOM DANCE
Ballroom dance is an excellent form of exercise and an opportunity to learn the classic art of ballroom dancing. Classes will be geared toward beginners. Focus will be on the waltz, swing, Latin cha-cha and/or the samba. Class meets on Wed. Jan. 13 - Feb. 24 at Greenwood Children's Center. Visit www.LPRD.net for additional info and registration.

TAI CHI
Tai Chi is less strenuous than other martial arts, with an emphasis on deep breathing, slow movements, and energy development. The class involves traditional warm-ups and stretching, breathing exercises, stances and three-part form. Class meets on Tues. Jan. 5 - Feb. 23 at the Olde Town Hall. Visit www.LPRD.net for additional info and registration.

CLUB 6 - 9 - 3 AT STORRS LIBRARY
The Storrs Library will offer a book discussion group for kids in grade 2 - 3 on Jan. 13 at 3:20 p.m. Pick up your copy of "The John Hancock Club" by Louise Borden and get ready for an exciting discussion as Club 6 - 9 - 3 gathers for activities, snacks and conversation. Call 565-4182 or visit the Youth Service Dept. in the Philip Michael Lauro II Discovery Room at the library to register or receive more info.

TODDLER PLAYGROUP
Storrs Library invites toddlers ages six - 30 months to bring their parents along and take advantage of our Mon. drop in playgroup. We provide toys for independent and group play, as well as music and lots of space. The Playgroup begins Jan. 4 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. and will continue through May 24. Call the Philip Michael Lauro II Discovery Room at 565-4182 or stop by at 693 Longmeadow St. for more info.

SPRINGFIELD
MEATLOAF DINNER
The Hungry Hill Center will serve a meatloaf dinner on Jan. 12 and a pork dinner on Jan. 27. Tickets are $2 and can be obtained at the Hungry Hill Center. Reservations are required one week prior to the luncheon and can be made by calling the center at 733-9411.

MEETING
There will be a meeting of the Hungry Hill Neighborhood Council on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Hungry Hill Center, lower level of Our Lady of Hope Church. A representative from El Pilon Restaurant will attend this meeting to discuss a request to extend the liquor license from midnight to 2 a.m. Deputy Chief John Barbieri from the police dept. and Jim Leyon from the mayor's office will be at this meeting to hear residents suggestions, concerns, etc. All area residents are welcome to attend; refreshments will be served.

BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS
Chicopee Visiting Nurse Assoc. will have a nurse at the Hungry Hill Center on Jan. 11 from 9 - 11 a.m. Cholesterol screening along with blood pressure readings will be offered. This is a free service to area seniors.

ATTACKING YOUR CLUTTER
The public is invited to a free seminar featuring Ellen Shaw-Smith, LICSW, from the Center for Well-Being, who is an expert counselor to those who have clutter issues, on Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. at Wachogue Congregational Church, 80 Arvilla St. No reservations required. Call Linda at 733-0999 with any questions.