Agenda

‘Cold Cases and the Politics of Murder’

Nov. 1: The Center for Law & Justice at Elms College will host a lecture by Sarah Stein of the Center for the Resolution of Unresolved Crime from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Alumnae Library Theater. Stein, a forensic and behavioral analyst who works with law-enforcement agencies as a consultant and investigator on cold cases and death investigations, will give a talk titled “Cold Cases and the Politics of Murder.” She has been involved in the case of Joanne Ringer of Clarksburg, who had been missing for over a year before her remains were found in Hatfield earlier this year. She also was involved in the case of Molly Bish, who had been missing for three years before her remains were found in Hampden County in 2003. Stein began consulting on cold cases during her studies at the University of New Haven, under the direction of the Henry C. Lee Institute. Since that time, she has consulted independently for numerous law-enforcement agencies and families on cold-case homicides, missing-persons cases, and child-abduction homicides. Currently, she provides both training and case-consultation services to law enforcement.

‘Facilitating Difficult Conversations’

Nov. 2, 3: Holyoke Community College (HCC) is offering two one-day seminars aimed at teaching people how to better manage difficult conversations, both in their professional and personal lives. “Facilitating Difficult Conversations” will run on Friday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and again on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development on the main HCC campus at 303 Homestead Ave. The seminars, led by Debbie Lynangale, director of the Mediation & Training Collaborative in Greenfield, are appropriate for managers, public officials, educators, parents, customer-service personnel, law-enforcement professionals, or anyone else who wants to learn techniques for setting up and preparing for difficult conversations, conveying tough messages, receiving challenging feedback, and harnessing the creative energy that conflict can bring. Participants will practice de-escalation techniques and ways to develop better listening skills to support problem solving. The cost of each one-day seminar is $125. For more information or to register, visit hcc.edu/bce or call HCC Community Services at (413) 552-2123.

Film Screening of ‘Living While Dying’

Nov. 3: Harmony House of Western Massachusetts, a home for the terminally ill, will sponsor a showing of the film Living While Dying at 10 a.m. at South Hadley’s Tower Theaters. A $10 donation is suggested to attend. After the film, a question-and-answer session and panel discussion will be held with the filmmaker, Cathy Zheutlin, and representatives from Harmony House. The 45-minute documentary film, currently on tour throughout the country, tells the stories of four friends with terminal illnesses who chose to live out their final days at home with creativity, humor, and courage. In a world that sees death as something to vanquish, this film presents an alternative. Though the subject is difficult, the film is surprisingly uplifting. Dispelling traditional fears and expectations about death, Living While Dying allows viewers to reimagine and set the stage for their own inevitable ending. It offers profound opportunities to uncover value, grace, and meaning in all stages of life. For more information or tickets, call Karen Buscemi, a member of the Harmony House boaerd of directors, at (413) 531-7640. Tickets are also available on the Harmony House website at www.harmonyhousewma.org or at the theater the day of the film showing.

Real-estate Licensing Course

Nov. 5 to Dec. 12: The Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley will sponsor a 40-hour, 14-class sales licensing course to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts real-estate salesperson license exam. Tuition is $379 and includes the book and materials. For more information and an application, call the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley at (413) 785-1328.