Year: 2015

HOLYOKE — On Sunday, March 15, join nature photographers Les Campbell and Elaine Darr-Morton for a family-oriented presentation on how to approach nature photography.

Campbell and Darr-Morton use a personal approach to photography, which is a straightforward, pictorial documentation of the subjects. The composition and lighting are important, but the emphasis is on capturing the essence of the subject at a particular time, the all-important ‘decisive moment’ of exposure. Come hear how they work and what equipment they use for amazing images created without computer enhancement.

Their exhibit, “From Our Yards: Natural Landscapes,” on view at Wistariahurst through April 12, is composed of nature photography from their own backyards. Their exhibit includes awe-inspiring images of coastal Maine and Western Mass., as well as portraits of birds and wildlife. Together, Campbell and Darr-Morton run Sky Meadow Gallery in Belchertown. Their exhibit at Wistariahurst is open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Admission to the gallery, or to the March 15 gallery talk, is $3 for general admission and free for members.

AMHERST — The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced that the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst is among 30 finalists for the 2015 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the community. For 21 years, the award has celebrated institutions that demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service to make a difference for individuals, families, and communities.

“Museums and libraries are the lifeblood of our communities, serving as trusted providers of critical resources, educational training, skills development, and civic and cultural enrichment,” said Maura Marx, acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “We salute the Carle for exemplary leadership in promoting lifelong learning while engaging and inspiring the public.”

Finalists are chosen because of their significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. “In 12 short years, the Carle has brought the art of children’s books to the big stage, traveling exhibitions here and abroad, and has encouraged parents everywhere to make museum-going an integral part of their children’s experience,” said Christopher Milne, the Carle’s chairman of the board.

The National Medal winners will be named later this spring, and representatives from winning institutions will travel to Washington, D.C. to be honored at an award ceremony. Winning institutions also receive a visit from StoryCorps, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs.

IMLS is encouraging community members who have visited these institutions to share their stories on the IMLS Facebook page, www.facebook.com/usimls. To see the full list of finalists and learn more about the National Medal, visit www.imls.gov/medals.

AMHERST — Climate scientist and Distinguished Professor Raymond Bradley, director of the Climate System Research Center at UMass Amherst, has won a 2015 national Texty award for excellence for his book, Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary, which provides an overview of methods for reconstructing ancient climatic and of historical climate changes during the past 3 million years.

The Text and Academic Authors Assoc. (TAA) announced seven 2015 Texty awards on Feb. 25. They will be presented to the authors during a lunch at the association’s 28th annual Textbook & Academic Authoring Conference in Las Vegas in June.

Bradley’s 700-page text, published in its third edition by the academic press division of Elsevier this year, discusses such topics as natural climate variation, dating methods, ice cores, marine sediments, lake sediments, non-marine geologic evidence, pollen, corals, tree rings, and historical documents.

In the introduction, he explains that paleoclimatology is the study of climate in the period before the tiny fraction of the Earth’s history that can be told using instrument measurements. He points out that a longer view can be obtained by studying climate-dependent natural phenomena that provide a proxy record of climate in the past. Such records can be combined and built up to help scientists theorize and test hypotheses about causes and mechanisms of climate variation that may still be at work today.

Bradley, professor of Geosciences at UMass Amherst, said, “I was quite surprised to learn about this award, but I’m really pleased. I learned a lot writing the book, so it’s gratifying to know that others appreciate the result.”

The TAA is the only nonprofit membership association dedicated solely to assisting textbook and academic authors. Its mission is to support textbook and academic authors in creating top-quality educational and scholarly works that stimulate love of learning and foster the pursuit of knowledge.

HOLYOKE — Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) will present “Creating and Leveraging Networks for Success” on Wednesday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke.

The program will feature Gibran Rivera, senior associate at the Interaction Institute for Social Change in Boston. He will provide a crash course on strategic networking and educate attendees on how to thrive in a networked world, strategize as a networked professional, and overcome networking obstacles.

Rivera moved from Puerto Rico to Westfield at age 12 and says the experience of “becoming a minority” has come to define his life’s work. He is the originator of Start & Thrive Studio and maintains a long-time affiliation with the Interaction Institute for Social Change, where he works on the development of leaders, organizations, and networks, and uses coaching, training, process design, and facilitation in service of those who are committed to social transformation.

The program is being sponsored by Griffin Staffing Network. The cost is $45 for LPV members and $60 for non-members. For more information or to register, call (413) 737-3876.

AGAWAM — The Employers Association of the NorthEast (EANE) announced that its 11th annual Management Conference will be held Thursday, March 26 at the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel, with a focus on employee engagement. The full-day conference will address how managers and supervisors can create a culture of engagement, alignment, and loyalty to improve organizational performance.

“Statistics show that only 29% of the workforce is engaged, while 45% is not engaged and, most alarming, 26% is disengaged,” said Meredith Wise, EANE president. “The benefits of high employee engagement are clear.”

The program will feature Kevin Kruse, an expert on the power of leadership and employee engagement, and leadership columnist for Forbes. He is a New York Times bestselling author of Employee Engagement 2.0 and Employee Engagement for Everyone.

The conference also includes a peer panel discussion on engagement, breakout sessions, and a special presentation on “Creating a POP! Culture of Engagement” with Rich Trombetta of Innovation Is Easy.

The cost for the program is $325 per person, with discounts for three or more. Register at www.eane.org or by calling (877) 662-6444. The program will offer 6.25 credits from the HR Certification Institute. Sponsoring the program are United Personnel and the CPA firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

SPRINGFIELD, WESTFIELD — The boards of trustees of Noble Hospital and Baystate Health have authorized the organizations to sign a letter of intent to explore Noble becoming a member of Baystate Health.

Noble’s potential affiliation with Baystate Health now enters a period of review and due diligence within the organizations and in partnership with the relevant regulatory and oversight bodies. This work is expected to occur over the next several months. In the meantime, it will be operations as usual for both organizations.

“I believe the brightest future for Noble, our employees, our patients, and our community lies in partnership with a high-quality and well-integrated academic health network such as Baystate Health,” said Ronald Bryant, president and CEO of Noble Health Network, which includes Noble Hospital, Noble Medical Group, and Noble Visiting Nurse and Hospice. “We look forward to advancing our discussions to determine the best course forward for Noble and for our community.”

Dr. Mark Keroack, president and CEO of Baystate Health, noted that “we have worked closely with Noble and its team of caregivers for a long time, and we recognize the excellent quality of care and compassion they provide to their patients. Given our common commitments to high-quality and high-value care, I share with our board members a strong belief that this potential partnership would serve the missions of both organizations and the needs of our communities.”

Added Bryant, “we at Noble also recognize that independent community hospitals like ours face major challenges in our current healthcare environment. This potential new relationship would secure the viability of Westfield’s acute-care hospital and at the same time support our efforts to increase the coordination and value of the healthcare provided in our communities.”

Baystate and Noble have a history of working together, and this new partnership would be building on existing relationships, including referral relationships in which Noble’s providers already refer a significant number of patients to Baystate. Baystate Reference Laboratories provides clinical diagnostic services in partnership with Noble, which also maintains its own on-site lab services and Blood Donor Center.

Baystate and Noble also work together (with other providers) in a regional heart-attack program that expedites life-saving emergency angioplasty cases to Baystate Medical Center, the region’s designated angioplasty center, with support from community partners such as Noble and EMS. In addition, Baystate and Noble collaborate on telemedicine for stroke patients and women’s services.

“Delivering high-quality, cost-effective services in the communities where our patients live is a fundamental part of Baystate Health’s strategy,” said Dennis Chalke, senior vice president of Community Hospitals for Baystate Health. “We look forward to getting to know the Noble organization better and exploring ways we could work together to allow our patients to receive high-value health services as close to home as possible.”

Robert Bacon, chair of the Noble Hospital board of trustees, noted, “for more than 100 years, Westfield and its surrounding communities have always received outstanding care from Noble Hospital. This potential relationship with Baystate Health would be a significant step forward in continuing that legacy and providing even higher-quality and better-coordinated care to our patients.”

Added James Sadowsky, chair of the Baystate Health board of trustees, “as we begin to consider the addition of Noble to the Baystate Health family, we have our organizations’ missions and our obligations to our communities at the very top of our minds. Every consideration in this process begins with the question: does this improve care for patients and families? We’ll take that question very seriously throughout. I’m optimistic that, at the end of the due-diligence process, we’ll find that there are opportunities for us to strengthen healthcare for our region, our community, our patients, and both Noble and Baystate.”

Noble has about 750 employees, who would join Baystate Health’s team of 11,500 across Western Mass.

AGAWAM — A rock and roll tribute to the legends of American music will help to raise funds for the local USO of Pioneer Valley. The show will take place at Chez Josef in Agawam on Sunday, March 29, with cocktails at 4 p.m., seating at 5 p.m., and the show beginning at 6 p.m.

Local tribute artists include Ray Guillemette Jr. as Elvis Presley, Rick Larimore as Rod Stewart, Ben Ashley as Buddy Holly, Charlie Lask as Neil Diamond, Atoa Ripley with a tribute to Lou Rawls and Tom Jones, Brian McCullough with a tribute to Roy Orbison, Erving Lewis as Lionel Ritchie, Patrick Tobin with a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Nicky Fuller as Lady Gaga, Gregorio Malante as Tina Turner, and Vicki Rose with a tribute to Celine Dion. All will be backed up by Joe Perreira’s Western Mass All Stars.

Tickets cost $20 and are available at Chez Josef. Call the Chez Josef box office at (413) 355-5394 to reserve a seat.

SPRINGFIELD — Open Pantry’s Teen Parent Program and Trombley Associates are excited to announce a partnership that includes monthly financial-planning sessions for teen parents. These sessions will go over various topics, such as the necessity of a bank account, how to budget, the importance of savings, and the need for financial stability.

“I have been looking for a community-service opportunity that mixes my love of financial planning with the younger generation,” said Barbara Trombley of Trombley Associates. “As a parent of three teenagers, I know how tough it is to ensure that they have a solid financial foundation. Hopefully I can make a difference at Open Pantry with the young women that are in need of basic financial literacy as they struggle to make ends meet for themselves and their children.”

This partnership will begin on Friday, March 20 at 10 a.m., and will complement other Teen Parent Program programs, such as parenting and life-skills class, stress-relief workshops, play pals, and birthday wishes.

The Teen Parent Program is a residential program for teenage parents and their children who are pregnant and/or parenting and in need of a safe place to live. Open Pantry has been operating this program since 1995. The program is funded by the state Department of Children and Families.

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank has announced the promotions of several key associates:

• Karen Buell has been promoted to vice president, Customer Innovation Lab. Buell possesses more than a decade of banking experience. She joined the bank in 2006 and previously served as assistant vice president, eChannel officer. Buell holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Houghton College. In 2010, she was recognized as a BusinessWest 40 Under Forty award winner, and she received the Uncommon Volunteer award from the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce in 2011. Buell volunteers at Chicopee Comprehensive High School, where she teaches financial literacy.

• Gail Richard has been promoted to vice president, Information Systems. Richard has more than four decades of banking experience. She joined the bank in 1971 and previously served as assistant vice president, Information Systems Officer. A resident of South Hadley, she graduated from the Mass. Bankers Assoc. School of Banking.

• Michael Sugrue has been promoted to vice president, Compliance. Sugrue has close to two decades of banking and auditing experience. He joined the bank in 2009 and previously served as assistant vice president, Compliance. Sugrue holds an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from American International College. He is a graduate of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Sugrue is vice president and a board member of the Western Mass. Compliance Assoc.

• Cynthia Wszolek has been promoted to cash management officer. She has 15 years of banking experience. She joined the bank in 2013, serving as a cash management sales and support specialist. She volunteers for the American Cancer Society, serving on the planning committee for the Evening of Hope Gala. Ms. Wszolek is currently working toward an associate degree in business administration at Springfield Technical Community College.

• Starr McGrath has been promoted to consumer loan officer. She has more than three decades of banking experience. She joined the bank in 1983 and previously served as consumer loan analyst.

• Patricia O’Brien has been promoted to underwriter officer. With more than two decades of banking experience, she joined the bank in 2008 and previously served as underwriter. O’Brien holds an associate degree in business administration from Holyoke Community College. She serves as a director of the Holyoke Kiwanis Club.

WARE — The Ware Branch of Monson Savings Bank is participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that offers free tax preparation for those who qualify for this service.

Monson Savings Bank volunteers will help people prepare their federal and Massachusetts state taxes every Tuesday from now until April 7 from 3 to 6 p.m. Those interested must call (413) 263-6500 to find out if they qualify and to make an appointment. The program is sponsored and funded by Springfield Partners for Community Action and United Way of Pioneer Valley.

“We are very pleased to help with this important program,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “We see this as an extension of everything else that we’re doing to promote financial literacy as part of our Dollars & Sense activities.”

Paul Bailey, executive director of Springfield Partners, said, “we at Springfield Partners are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Monson Savings to provide this important service to the Ware community.”

Monson Savings Bank’s Ware branch is located at 136 West St., near Big Y.

GREENFIELD — Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Oncology Department will offer a free writing workshop, Spirit of the Written Word, for Western Mass. residents touched by cancer.

The 10-week workshop will take place on Thursdays from March 12 to May 14, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Artspace, 15 Mill St., Greenfield. Promote your own healing and experience the therapeutic benefits of group writing. No writing experience is required, and all sharing is voluntary and confidential. Refreshments will be provided.

Facilitating the workshop is Pam Roberts, a writer, artist, and certified yoga instructor who is a 20-year breast-cancer survivor. An ordained graduate of the IM School of Healing Arts in New York City, she has been leading writing workshops for people affected by cancer and loss for more than 11 years. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Roberts found writing to be an important part of her healing process. She believes deeply in the transformative and healing power of writing within a safe and supportive workshop environment.

One of the participants in a recent workshop commented, “writing with others living with cancer strengthened my voice and gave me a safe place and time to listen closely and to express it.” Another said, “the creative aspect of writing was valuable. The camaraderie was also very special. Pam has a gentleness and genuine caring that makes writing easy.” And a third participant added, “it just feels good to know that you are not alone and that others know how you feel.”

The workshop is being sponsored by BFMC Oncology and is grant-funded by Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Wheeling for Healing bike event supporting cancer services at BFMC. The Spirit of the Written Word writing workshop is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Roberts at (413) 625-2402 or [email protected]. Information is also available in the Oncology Department at Baystate Franklin Medical Center.

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Business Improvement District (SBID) issued a reminder that changes are coming as MGM closes several downtown parking lots. These parking-lot closures, which monthly parkers were notified of six weeks ago, will require downtown workers to seek alternative parking solutions.

“We understand this is not convenient for some,” said Chris Russell, SBID executive director, “but we are working very hard to make sure solutions are available. To that end, we will have SBID ambassadors on hand Monday to direct parkers to alternative lots. In addition, we are working alongside the Springfield Parking Authority, ProPark, Valet Park of America, Executive Parking, various private lots, and the mayor’s office to make sure all needs are accommodated.”

Also, he went on, “the Springfield Business Improvement District is trying to work on organizing a shuttle from alternative lots outside of downtown.”

In the meantime, in an effort to make this process as easy as possible, MGM Springfield has agreed to keep a few select lots open for a while longer as details are sorted out. The SBID is encouraging all individuals who are monthly parkers in downtown to not wait, but rather look for new parking as soon as possible.

For continued updates on the shuttle and other related downtown news, visit the Springfield Business Improvement District’s website at www.springfielddowntown.com or follow the SBID on Facebook.

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank announced the appointment of Christine Phillips as vice president, Human Resources. In her new position, Phillips will monitor and administer the bank’s human-resources policies and recruitment plan, oversee employee relations, administer employee benefits, and serve as the bank’s EEO/AAP officer.

“PeoplesBank is focused on top talent recruitment and employee engagement as a strategy for organizational success,” noted Janice Mazzallo, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at PeoplesBank. “Christine’s experience in human-resources management over a wide spectrum of job functions and organizations will be extremely valuable to us in our efforts to find, onboard, and keep the best associates in banking in this market.”

Phillips brings more than 15 years of human-resources experience including recruiting, performance analysis, and compliance. She not only helped a variety of organizations recruit top talent, she also helped operate a successful human-resources company.

A member of the AIM Human Resources Group, Phillips holds a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst. She is a member of the South Hadley School Committee, the PTA president of Plains School, and a board member of St. Patrick’s CYO Basketball.

SPRINGFIELD — The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) will present a Pastries, Politics, and Policy program on Tuesday, March 24 called “Riding the Rails: High-speed Rail Service from Springfield to Boston,” from 8 to 9 a.m. at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield.

State Sen. Eric Lesser and Tim Brennan, executive director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), will discuss Lesser’s recently filed feasibility bill requiring the Mass. Department of Transportation to conduct a study on the viability of high-speed rail access between Springfield and Boston. They will also address the need for this service and how it can positively impact Western Mass. economies.

While running for Senate, high-speed rail was the top priority in Lesser’s campaign platform, and, since being elected, has worked extensively on this issue. Brennan is an advocate for the high-speed east-west rail and, with the PVPC, is involved heavily in preparation for its possible implementation.

The program cost is $15 for chamber members, $25 for general admission. For more information, contact Sarah Mazzaferro at [email protected] or (413) 755-1313.

FLORENCE — Florence Bank, a mutually owned savings bank serving the Pioneer Valley through nine branch locations, will host its fifth annual Adopt-a-Pet Day for Dakin Humane Society on Wednesday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the bank’s main office lobby at 85 Main St., Florence.

Staff and volunteers from Dakin will be on hand at the bank for what Dakin Executive Director Leslie Harris calls a “meet and greet with animals” — dogs, cats, and possibly even a rabbit or two — all of whom are in need of good homes. Visitors can then complete the adoption process at the Dakin Adoption Center in Springfield later in the day. Florence Bank will also provide gift certificates toward the purchase of pet supplies for all who, that day, are approved to adopt.

“We have always had good luck with the adoption event at Florence Bank, not only with placing of animals through adoption but also raising awareness about the other animals available in Dakin’s adoption centers,” said Harris. “The opportunity to take our animals to the community is one that we love to do. Not only do people get to snuggle with some warm animals, and perhaps even find a new best friend, but it gives us the chance to tell people about the other things that Dakin does. That includes low-cost spay/neuter services, vaccines, dog-training classes, and more. We love meeting other people who love animals.”

Florence Bank has a history of partnering with and supporting Dakin. The organization has been a recipient of the Bank’s $5,000 Customers’ Choice Community Grant program, and has used the funds to support an effort benefiting pet owners who cannot afford to feed their dogs and cats.

“We always look forward to the Adopt-a-Pet Day with our friends from Dakin,” said John Heaps Jr., president and CEO of Florence Bank. They provide a great service for our region, and our customers tell us that they really enjoy the event. We encourage everyone to come by, whether you’re thinking of adopting a pet or just want to visit with a few.”

For additional information on pet adoption though Dakin, call (413) 781-4000 or visit www.dakinhumane.org.

AMHERST — Margaret Riley, an evolutionary biologist at UMass Amherst and pioneer in fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria, announced this week that she is partnering with a Chinese scientist to develop a new drug platform, pheromonicins. The Chinese government is committing $400 million per year to support the newly created Pheromonicin Institute of Beijing. Riley plans to open a sister institute in the Amherst area.

“At this point, I will be doing the work in Beijing,” Riley says. “Later, as we sort out details and opportunities for U.S. funding support, we may be able to bring some of the work to the Pioneer Valley.”

After trying unsuccessfully for years to find funding to study and develop a more effective method of treating catheter-related urinary-tract infections (UTIs) that are resistant to current antibiotics, she was contacted by Dr. Xiao-Qing Qiu, the inventor of pheromonicins, who asked if she was interested in collaborating with his government-supported lab. Riley now plans to collaborate with Xiu to develop his powerful new drugs there instead of in the U.S.

“I want to solve the problem, and if I have to fly to Beijing to do my animal trials, that’s what I’ll have to do,” she said.

The short-term goal is to focus on a new treatment for UTI, but the ultimate goal is to increase the number of effective therapeutic drugs and strategies to combat drug resistance in quickly evolving diseases such as HIV, TB, malaria, cancer, and cystic fibrosis. “One of the things that people don’t realize is how significant drug resistance is in the disease process. It’s only in the past 10 or 15 years we have begun to understand the way drug resistance arises at the molecular level,” Riley noted. “Drug resistance is at the core of many of these diseases, and their ability to stay ahead of and stymie our efforts at eradicating them is extremely serious.”

Antibiotics are the primary weapons against harmful bacteria like those that cause strep throat, but they have become less effective in recent years because the bacteria can evolve into ‘superbugs,’ new strains resistant to most antibiotics. A recent pledge announced by President Obama to give $1.2 billion across a half-dozen agencies to classify and monitor antibiotic-resistant bacteria, discover new antibiotics, and improve prescribing methods highlights the importance of such efforts.

“I think the president’s initiative is phenomenal and long overdue,” Riley said, adding that the biggest chunk of money allotted to the effort as part of the 2016 budget proposal, nearly $1 billion, will go to the Department of Health and Human Services, which will effectively double the agency’s funding over 2015 levels, she notes.

Many observers in recent years thought that new antibiotics would be discovered in time so doctors wouldn’t need to worry about resistance, Riley acknowledges. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that antibiotic-resistant bacteria now cause 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths a year in the U.S. Riley feels that’s a conservative estimate, and the real number of deaths is likely double or triple that. The economic price is high as well, she added, as much as $20 billion a year in healthcare costs and $35 billion in lost worker productivity.

Further, the antibiotics doctors employ now use a “shotgun approach,” she explained, that targets healthy as well as harmful bacteria. “With this method, when people take antibiotics, the drugs also kill beneficial bacteria in our bodies that we need for good health. This can do more harm than good, especially for children who take antibiotics while young and may carry long-term damage to their microbiome.”