Agenda October 3, 2016

Northeast Training Institute

Oct. 4-5: The International Business Innovation Assoc. (InBIA), in partnership with the Assoc. of Cleantech Incubators of New England (ACTION), will host a two-day Northeast Training Institute at the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke. Four courses will be offered for the professional development of incubator managers or those exploring the development of an incubator or accelerator program in their community. Those who should consider attending include  business incubation and acceleration professionals, university administrators and faculty in entrepreneurship, community influencers and chamber of commerce of leaders, and economic-development leaders. Join other participants from around the region for these world-recognized training programs and hear about development plans for the Holyoke Innovation District. Learn more at www.actionnewengland.org. E-mail Joan Popolo at [email protected] with any questions.

Pop-up Galleries and Street Art

Oct. 5: The Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD) announced it is organizing a blowout for downtown Springfield from 4 to 7 p.m. The district has partnered with 1550 Main Street, New England Public Radio (NEPR), and SilverBrick Lofts to open three galleries in unexpected spaces simultaneously, which it is calling Art Stop. Between the galleries, which will have the typical artist talks, drinks, and appetizers, there will be street performances and other surprises. “We are so excited to throw a party in downtown Springfield,” said SCCD Director Morgan Drewniany. “There’s always a demand for more community-based events, and we’ve been working hard to make this something special.” The SCCD, along with organizing the curation of art in all three spaces, has hired unique buskers to encourage attendees to walk from place to place. There will be activities between the 1550 Plaza and SilverBrick Lofts ranging from student films to speed painting to acoustic, indie, and traditional fiddle music. Inside the galleries, visitors can ask the artists questions one on one and key down from their workday. Art Stop will take place on the same night as the Springfield Public Forum featuring Nancy Lublin, a global nonprofit superstar, which will begin at 6 p.m. Attendees of the gallery walk who show proof that they attended one of the Art Stops will receive a special (and artistic) gift if they attend the forum. A call for art was issued in August from the SCCD, asking local artists interested in selling their work downtown to submit proposals. Art Stop was designed to both activate underutilized community spaces with colorful art, but also create economic opportunity for artists. The Springfield Central Cultural District encompasses an area of the metro center of Springfield, and is membership-based, involving many of the downtown arts institutions. Its mission is to create and sustain a vibrant cultural environment in Springfield.

CSO Spaghetti Dinner

Oct. 5: In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week, Clinical & Support Options (CSO) Green River House and Quabbin House Programs will host a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge on School Street in Greenfield. CSO believes that mental-health issues are important to address year-round, but highlighting them during Mental Health Awareness Week provides a time for people to come together and share stories of recovery and hope and to spread the message that your total health matters. Program Manager Kim Britt knows how important events like these are to reducing mental-health stigma. “The purpose of this event is to bring awareness and educate the community and to change individuals’ perception about mental illness,” she said. “Individuals who experience mental illness are not what the media portrays. The truth is, one in four adults experience mental illness in America each year. People who experience mental-health challenges are just like you and I. They’re able to lead healthy, meaningful, and productive lives. Although the road to recovery is a journey, recovery is possible.” Raffles, entertainment, and mental-health information will be paired with a traditional spaghetti-dinner menu. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 3 and up, and free for children under 3. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. For questions or to purchase tickets, call the Green River House at (413) 772-2181 or Quabbin House at (978) 544-1859.

Square One Tea

Oct. 6: Chez Josef in Agawam will be transformed into a One-derland spectacular for the 11th annual Square One Tea, expected to draw 400 supporters who will celebrate the work that the region’s foremost provider of early learning and family services is providing to thousands of families throughout the Greater Springfield region. “From its humble beginnings as a small gathering in the classroom at our Main Street Children’s Center, it is amazing to see how this very special event has evolved over the years,” said Square One President and CEO Joan Kagan. “Year after year, we look forward to this wonderful opportunity to highlight the work we are doing and the impact that our programs and services have had on the thousands of children and parents who have been served by Square One. It is so gratifying to hear from our guests how much they enjoy being a part of this special day, and it’s always fun to see who is going to have the best hat.” The wearing of hats for women and men has become a great tradition, with a Top Hat Award bestowed upon the wearer of the most elaborate or unusual hat. This year’s event is sponsored by Health New England, Smith & Wesson, BusinessWest, USI, MGM Springfield, the Insurance Center of New England, WMAS, MassLive, and others. Tickets cost $60 each, and tables of 10 are available. To sign up, visit startatsquareone.org. For sponsorship or vendor information, call Andrea Bartlett at (413) 858-3111.

Workshop on Conducting a Workplace Investigation

Oct. 13: In your job, are you responsible for conducting investigations into employee conflicts? Allegations of harassment? Employee theft? If so, Royal, P.C.’s workshop on workplace investigations is for you. Recent state and federal court decisions underscore the importance of conducting thorough investigations. In this workshop, attendees will learn about such topics as selecting an investigator, conducting an effective interview, dealing with confidentiality issues, and taking interim actions. Among those who may be interested in attending are HR professionals, CFOs, CEOs, and anyone in a management position who is responsible for handling investigations. This workshop will apply to the first-time ‘investigator’ as well as the most seasoned ones. The workshop will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. at Royal, P.C., 270 Pleasant St., Northampton. The cost is $30 per person. Mail your payment and make your check payable to Royal, P.C., 270 Pleasant St., Northampton, MA 01060. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. E-mail Ann-Marie Marcil at [email protected] to register or with any questions about this workshop.

Berkshire Healthcare Harvest Run

Oct. 15: The Berkshire Healthcare Harvest Run will be held at 10 a.m. on the scenic cross-country trails at Paterson Field House at Berkshire Community College (BCC). The event begins with a 5K trail run, including a three-person relay race for those interested, followed by a one-mile Kids’ Race at 10:45 a.m. and a free community cookout offered by Berkshire Healthcare affiliates. All proceeds will benefit the Berkshire Community College nursing program. There will be a “Round the World” dish competition among affiliates of Berkshire Healthcare Systems, including Hillcrest Commons, Williamstown Commons, North Adams Commons, Mt. Greylock Extended Care, Kimball Farms, Fairview Commons, and Linda Manor. The public is invited to sample the entries featuring foods from Germany, France, Greece, Brazil, Poland, and Mexico. Cash prizes will be awarded to the overall male and female 5K finishers and to the top three relay teams. The top three male and female finishers in seven age categories will also be recognized. Ribbons and cider doughnuts will be awarded to all one-mile finishers. Runners are encouraged to bring family members to enjoy the free cookout. Online registration is $25 for all adult racers until Friday, Oct. 14, after which it will be $30. Race-day registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at BCC’s Paterson Field House. The first 150 runners to register for the 5K will receive a free long-sleeve technical shirt. Youth T-shirts — a short-sleeve technical shirt — can be purchased for an additional $5. To register online or for further information, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/harvestrun, or call (413) 236-2185. Printable registration forms are also available. Runners may check in on the day of the race beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Harvest Run’s lead sponsor is Berkshire Healthcare Systems Inc., with additional support from Pittsfield Cooperative Bank and Berkshire Gas Co. Other race sponsors include Berkshire Orthopaedic Associates, Crescent Creamery, David H. Dunlap & Associates, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Macfarlane Office Products, MassMutual Financial Group, McKesson, the Petricca Family, Pittsfield Pipers, and the Roche Associates.

‘Not Talkin’ ’bout Your Generation’

Oct. 20: In 2016, Millennials overtook Baby Boomers as America’s largest generation. And by 2020, it’s estimated that 46% of the U.S. workforce will be millennials. With that in mind, Paragus Strategic IT will host a fun, informative breakfast session called “Not Talkin’ ’bout Your Generation,” which will address how to think young, stay relevant, and keep a business looking toward the future. Speakers will include Dr. Michael Klein, an organizational psychologist who helps businesses make effective hiring decisions, develop managerial skills, and grow trusting and collaborative teams, and author of Trapped in the Family Business; and Paragus CEO Delcie Bean, who presides over a mass of productive Millennials every day. And, as a Millennial himself, he brings some first-hand experience to the table. The event is free and will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. at Paragus, 112 Russell St., Hadley. Come by for breakfast, strong coffee, and good advice. To sign up, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/not-talkin-bout-your-generation-tickets-27725222888.

Western Mass. Business Expo

Nov. 3: Comcast Business will present the sixth annual Western Mass. Business Expo at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, produced by BusinessWest and the Healthcare News. The business-to-business show will feature more than 150 exhibitor booths, educational seminars, breakfast hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, lunch hosted by BusinessWest, and a day-capping Expo Social. Current sponsors include Comcast Business (presenting sponsor), Express Employment Professionals, Health New England, the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, Johnson & Hill Staffing Services, MGM Springfield, Wild Apple Design, the Western Mass. Economic Development Council, Savage Arms, the Better Business Bureau, and the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. The event’s media partners are WMAS, WHMP, and Rock 102/Laser 99.3. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Exhibitor spaces are also available; booth prices start at $725. For more information on sponsorships or booth purchase, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100. For more Expo details as they emerge, visit www.wmbexpo.com.