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Smart Growth Zoning
Jan. 24: Proposed locations for Chapter 40R Smart Growth districts will be presented to Ludlow residents at 6 p.m. at Ludlow Town Hall. Chapter 40R Smart Growth zoning districts encourage a higher concentration of housing and mixed-use developments in areas with existing infrastructure to create a range of housing options and spur community revitalization. Communities that adopt Smart Growth zoning districts are eligible to receive special state funds. The presentation will be facilitated by the town’s Smart Growth Zoning Advisory Committee and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.

Clio Awards
Jan. 26: The Ad Club of Western Mass. will showcase the 2010 television/cinema winners from the 2010 Clio Awards, one of the most recognized international advertising, design, and communication competitions, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Rivers Memorial, Western New England College, Springfield. Reservations must be made by Jan. 19 by calling (413) 736-2582. The cost is $25 for Ad Club members, $35 for non-members, and $15 for students. For more information, visit www.adclubwm.org.

Visionaries Forum
Jan. 28: The University of Hartford’s Construction Institute will host its second annual Visionaries Forum, part of the A/E/C Issues series, “A Visionary Approach to Design and Construction,” from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell in Cromwell, Conn. Program registration, continental breakfast, and networking will begin at 7:45 a.m. For more information or to register, visit www.construction.org.

Rick’s Place Benefit
Feb. 5: The third annual Heart to Heart fund-raiser for Rick’s Place is planned from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Ludlow Country Club. Established in memory of Rick Thorpe, who died in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 9/11, Rick’s Place was created to provide a supportive, secure environment where families can remember their loved ones and avoid the sense of isolation that a loss can produce. For ticket information, call Shelly Bathe Lenn at (413) 348-3120 or visit www.ricksplacema.org.

Business Open House
Feb. 9: The Scibelli Enterprise Center at the STCC Technology Park in Springfield will host an open house titled “Growing Successful Small Businesses” from noon to 1 p.m. The event is offered to explain how the Enterprise Center is the regional hub for entrepreneurship for Western Mass. Small-business owners and service providers are encouraged to attend the open house. For more information, call (413) 755-6109 or visit
www.springfieldincubator.com.

National College Fair
March 6-7: The Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield is the setting for the Springfield National College Fair, slated from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 6 and from 9 a.m. to noon on March 7. Sponsored by the National Assoc. for College Admission Counseling and hosted by the New England Association for College Admission Counseling, the event is free and open to the public. The fair allows students and parents to meet one-on-one with admission representatives from a wide range of national and international, public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Participants will learn about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings, and campus environment, as well as other information pertinent to the college-selection process. Students can register at www.gotomyncf.com prior to attending the event to receive a printed bar-coded confirmation to use on-site at the fair as an electronic ID.

Summer Business Summit
June 27-28: The Resort and Conference Center of Hyannis will be the setting for the Summer Business Summit, hosted by the Mass. Chamber of Business and Industry of Boston. Nominations are being accepted for the Massachusetts Chamber, Business of the Year, and Employer of Choice awards. The two-day conference will feature educational speakers, presentations by lawmakers, VIP receptions, and more. For more information, visit www.masscbi.com.

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Business Open Houses
Jan. 12, Feb. 9: The Scibelli Enterprise Center at the STCC Technology Park in Springfield will host two open houses titled “Growing Successful Small Businesses” from noon to 1 p.m. The events are offered to explain how the Enterprise Center is the regional hub for entrepreneurship for Western Mass. Small-business owners and service providers are encouraged to attend the open houses. For more information, call (413) 755-6109 or visit www.springfieldincubator.com.

National College Fair
March 6-7: The Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield is the setting for the Springfield National College Fair, slated from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 6 and from 9 a.m. to noon on March 7. Sponsored by the National Assoc. for College Admission Counseling, and hosted by the New England Assoc. for College Admission Counseling, the event is free and open to the public. The fair allows students and parents to meet one-on-one with admissions representatives from a wide range of national and international, public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Participants will learn about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings, and campus environment, as well as other information pertinent to the college-selection process. Students can register at www.gotomyncf.com prior to attending the event to receive a printed, bar-coded confirmation to use on-site at the fair as an electronic ID.

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Extreme Business Makeover
Dec. 8: Western New England College’s Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship will host an Extreme Business Makeover session from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the NUVO Bank community room, 1500 Main St., Springfield. Olive Tree Books-N-Voices will be the featured business that will receive advice from Pamela Aronson, owner of Pam’s Paperbacks “Plus”; Lou Cadorette, CPA, MST; Antonio Dos Santos, Esq., Robinson Donovan, P.C.; Janine Fondon, president and CEO, Unity First Direct Inc.; and John F. White, SVP commercial lending, NUVO Bank & Trust Company. Olive Tree Books-N-Voices is a familyowned bookstore which focuses on African-American books and literature, multicultural books, book accessories, journals, Bibles, religious books, and many more Afro-centric items. The event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be served.

Value Management Seminar
Dec. 9: The Purchasing Management Assoc. of Western New England is sponsoring a breakfast seminar titled “Value Management: Key to a Profitable Company” from 8:15 to 10:15 a.m. at the Yankee Pedlar Inn in Holyoke. Breakfast will be served at 7:30. Joseph F. Otero, CVS of Pratt & Whitney, will discuss how to implement the value- management approach to the purchasing of goods and services. The business objective, according to Otero, is to avoid paying for features and functions that one’s company doesn’t need. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. The deadline to register is Dec. 6. For more information or to register, visit www.pmawne.com, e-mail [email protected], or call Donna Bitzer at (413) 594-4400.

Nutcracker & Sweets
Dec. 10-12: The Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke welcomes back the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet and members of the Ballet Educational Training Assoc. for several magical performances with a Skinner twist on a holiday classic. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wistariahurst is the former home of William Skinner, a prominent silk manufacturer. Advance registrations are recommended; seating is limited. Show times are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 and 4 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 with children 12 and under admitted free. For more information, call (413) 322-5660. The Wistariahurst is located at 238 Cabot St.
‘Talking with Dolores’
Dec. 15: The Center for Human Development (CHD) will host a one-act play about aging, life, and death choices from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theater, 131 Elm St., West Springfield. The performance celebrates the merger of Hawthorn Services and CHD and introduces a new elder-services division, Hawthorn Elder Care. A reception will follow the play. Tickets are $10 and $7 for seniors. The deadline to make reservations is Dec. 10. For more information, contact Janet Simeone at (413) 439-2106, or visit www.chd.org.

Victorian Crafts Workshop
Dec. 18: Celebrate the holidays by crafting ornaments and gifts from 1 to 3 p.m. in the decorative splendor of the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke. Participants of all ages will employ Victorian techniques to make fresh orange pomanders decorated with clove designs, embellished gift boxes, and paper lanterns to hang from ceilings or on trees. The cost is $5 per person. For more information, call (413) 322-5660. The Wistariahurst is located at 238 Cabot St.

Hometown Heroes
Seeks Nominations
March 17: The American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter will present its annual Hometown Heroes breakfast at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The event honors local individuals (or groups of individuals) who have shown courage, kindness, and unselfish character when a friend, family member, or stranger faced a life-threatening situation, or who have had an extraordinary impact on the community or his or her fellow man. Members of the community are invited to nominate a local hero for consideration. Honorees will be selected by a committee of individuals from our community, including former Hometown Heroes. The chapter welcomes the submission of nominations from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties. Nomination forms and criteria are available on the chapter Web site at www.redcrosscwm.org. Nominations must be submitted online or postmarked no later than Dec. 30, 2010. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Hometown Heroes is the chapter’s largest annual fund-raising event, helping to provide the resources necessary to serve its communities. For further information, contact Dawn Leaks at [email protected] or (413) 233-1006.

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“What’s in Your Dash?”
Nov. 9: Harold T. Epps, president and CEO of PRWT Services Inc., based in Philadelphia, will present “What’s In Your Dash?” at noon as part of the speaker series at the Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship in Springfield. Epps will discuss how quickly time and a career can go by and the importance of the choices people make as they balance their professional and personal lives. The lecture is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided. For more information, call (413) 796-2030 or visit www.wnec.edu/lawandbusiness.

‘Secrets of Successful Businesses’
Nov. 9: The next program in the Innovative Thinking & Entrepreneurship Lecture Series features three speakers on “Secrets of Successful Businesses” from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. in Blake Student Commons at Bay Path College, Longmeadow. Stanley Kowalski III, chairman of the board of FloDesign Inc.; Alaina Hanlon, Ph.D., president and CEO of Phenotype IT; and Anthony Newman, owner and founder of the Barkers Dozen, will be the presenters for the morning session. A continental breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. To register, call Briana Sitler at (413) 565-1066 or e-mail [email protected]. Seating is limited.

AIM Energy Summit
Nov. 16: Associated Industries of Massachusetts will host a Western Mass. Energy Summit from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Mass. Career Development Institute in Springfield. The program will feature a discussion on energy-related tax incentives and capital incentives. Also, networking with representatives from various energy programs and resources is encouraged. Speakers will include Bob Dvorchik, supervisor of commercial and industrial conservation programs, and Dick Oswald, manager, both of WMECO; Jeff Cady, general manager of Chicopee Electric; Paul Trangedi, president of ECS; Gene Giuliano of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, and Beka Kasanovic of the US-DOE Save Energy Now Program. The event is free; however, registration is required. For more information, contact Dawn Creighton at [email protected].

Forensics Night
Nov. 16: Bay Path College in Longmeadow will host its annual Forensics Night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The program is designed for young women in high school who are considering a forensics-related career path. The keynote speaker will be Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth D. Scheibel, the first woman district attorney in the history of the Commonwealth. Also, participants and their families will have the opportunity to tour Carr Hall, which houses Bay Path’s new science facility. The program is free; however, space is limited. To register, call (800) 782-7284, ext. 1331, or (413) 565-1331. For more information, visit ww.baypath.edu.

Staying Healthy Program
Nov. 16: Holyoke Medical Center will present a program on helping area residents stay healthy at 6 p.m. in the Auxiliary Conference Center. The program is free as part of the hospital’s community education series Dessert with the Docs. Dr. Garry Bombardier will be the featured speaker, discussing physical exams, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and diet. Refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is required, and seating is limited. For more information, call (413) 534-2789.

Advanced Manufacturing Competition & Conference
Nov. 16: The first highly concentrated, cluster-centric, regional manufacturing conference of its kind will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The event, called the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference (AMICCON), is being staged in response to growing recognition among area manufacturers and supply-chain members that there is an urgent need to find and meet one another. “AMICCON was formed to identify who’s here in manufacturing, expose them to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and procurement, and to make these introductions,” said co-founder Ellen Bemben. “The ultimate goal is to be the advanced manufacturing region in the U.S., where exotic manufacturing, such as micro, nano, and precision, meet higher specifications and tighter tolerances, and short runs are the norm.” Industry sectors to be represented at the event will include plastics and advanced materials, precision machining, paper and packaging, electronics, ‘green’/clean technology, and medical devices. Business opportunities in defense and aerospace will also be highlighted at the event. OEMs and their supply chains are being invited personally to participate. For more information, visit www.amiccon.com.

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NEPM Product Showcase
Oct. 26: NEPM (New England Promotional Marketing) will stage its annual Promotional Product Showcase at Ludlow Country Club. The event will feature products from a number of vendors suitable for holiday gifts, trade-show handouts, or ideas for marketing plans. RSVP is required. For more information or to reserve a seat, call (413) 596-4800.

Developers Conference
Oct. 27: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield will be the setting for the 2010 Springfield Developers Conference, sponsored by the City of Springfield. The conference theme is “Innovate, Grow, Create … Make It Happen,” and will feature opportunities for incorporating new technologies and innovative practices in the building, energy, and information-technology industries to improve one’s business. Exhibitor opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Samalid Hogan at (413) 787-6020.

Get on Board!
Oct. 28: OnBoard, a Springfield-based nonprofit, hopes to connect local organizations with individuals looking to increase their involvement in the community, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event will take place at Center Court, where attendees will meet with as many as eight or more organizations. The meetings will be orchestrated using the ‘speed-dating’ format, with individuals spending a few minutes with an organization of their choice, then, on the sound of the basketball buzzer, moving on to the next. Representatives from each organization will discuss their history, mission, goals, and what it is they are looking for in board members. Interested individuals will have the chance to explain what skills and interests they have to make a potential match. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Elizabeth Taras at (413) 687-3144, Brittany Castonguay at (413) 737-1131, or visit www.diversityonboard.org.

EANE Conference
Nov. 4: The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast will host its annual Employment Law and HR Practices Update Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Publick House in Sturbridge. The conference will be led by professionals in the areas of labor law, safety, employee relations, and unemployment. Conference highlights include up-to-date state and federal employment laws, recent court decisions, agency interpretations and prospective changes, as well as new compensation, safety, and employee-relations practices. For more details, call Karen Cronenberger at (877) 662-6444 or e-mail [email protected].
United in Hope
Nov. 14: New York Times bestselling and two-time Oprah Book Choice author Wally Lamb, will visit Springfield for the second annual United in Hope. He will raise awareness for how reading and writing build voice, and how sharing that voice creates hope for individuals and communities. Lamb will be joined by speakers, performers, and participating organizations and programs that focus on literacy and expression and community engagement. “United in Hope spotlights and models the dedicated efforts of many working together to conquer some of the urban challenges our city faces,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. United in Hope will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the High School of Commerce at 415 State St. in Springfield. The event will be held in the Auditorium and is sponsored by Hasbro Inc. Immediately following the event, from 4 to 5 p.m., there will be opportunity to meet Lamb, purchase books, and browse community-resource tables. The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Gianna Allentuck at (703) 930-0243 or [email protected].

Advanced Manufacturing Competition & Conference
Nov. 16: The first highly concentrated, cluster-centric, regional manufacturing conference of its kind will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The event, called the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference (AMICCON), is being staged in response to growing recognition among area manufacturers and supply chain members that there is an urgent need to find and meet one another. “AMICCON was formed to identify who’s here in manufacturing, expose them to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and procurement, and to make these introductions,” said co-founder Ellen Bemben. “The ultimate goal is to be the advanced manufacturing region in the U.S., where exotic manufacturing, such as micro, nano, and precision, meet higher specifications and tighter tolerances, and short runs are the norm.” Industry sectors to be represented at the event will include plastics and advanced materials, precision machining, paper and packaging, electronics, ‘green’/clean technology, and medical devices. Business opportunities in defense and aerospace will also be highlighted at the event. OEMs and their supply chains are being invited personally to participate. The Mass. Export Center has already produced two programs for AMICCON: an Export Experts Panel, and a seminar, “International Traffic in Arms Regulations for Defense and Aerospace Export.” For more information, visit www.amiccon.com.

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Talk on Emily Dickinson
Oct. 14: Biographer Lyndall Gordon will discuss her controversial new book, Lives Like Loaded Guns: Emily Dickinson and Her Family’s Feuds, in a talk in Johnson Chapel at Amherst College. Gordon will address the limitations of biography and its risks and gains by focusing on several of the story’s principal players. The 7 p.m. talk is free and open to the public. A book signing and reception will follow Gordon’s lecture. For more details, visit www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/events.

Witchcraft Lecture
Oct. 25: Witchcraft and its effects on Europe will be the subject of a lecture by Dr. Donald D’Amato, adjunct professor at Springfield Technical Community College, at 6 p.m. at the Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. The title of the lecture is “The Unhappy History of Witchcraft.” He’ll discuss how people tend to misinterpret witchcraft by romanticizing its history and making it exciting. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors. For more information, call (413) 322-5660 or visit www.wistariahurst.org.

NEPM Product Showcase
Oct. 26: NEPM (New England Promotional Marketing) will stage its annual Promotional Product Showcase at Ludlow Country Club. The event will feature products from a number of vendors suitable for holiday gifts, trade-show handouts, or ideas for marketing plans. RSVP is required. For more information or to reserve a seat, call (413) 596-4800.

Developers Conference
Oct. 27: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield will be the setting for the 2010 Springfield Developers Conference, sponsored by the City of Springfield. The conference theme is “Innovate, Grow, Create … Make It Happen,” and will feature opportunities for incorporating new technologies and innovative practices in the building, energy, and information-technology industries to improve one’s business. Exhibitor opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Samalid Hogan at (413) 787-6020.

Get on Board!
Oct. 28: OnBoard, a Springfield-based nonprofit, hopes to connect local organizations with individuals looking to increase their involvement in the community, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event will take place at Center Court, where attendees will meet with as many as eight or more organizations. The meetings will be orchestrated using the ‘speed dating’ format, with individuals spending a few minutes with an organization of their choice, and, on the sound of the basketball buzzer, moving on to the next. Representatives from each organization will discuss their history, mission, and goals, and what they are looking for in board members. Interested individuals will have the chance to explain what skills and interests they have to make a potential match. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Elizabeth Taras at (413) 687-3144, Brittany Castonguay at (413) 737-1131, or visit www.diversityonboard.org.

EANE Conference
Nov. 4: The Employers Association of the NorthEast will host its annual Employment Law and HR Practices Update Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Publick House in Sturbridge. The conference will be led by professionals in the areas of labor law, safety, employee relations, and unemployment. Conference highlights include up-to-date state and federal employment laws, recent court decisions, agency interpretations, and prospective changes, as well as new compensation, safety, and employee-relations practices. For more details, contact Karen Cronenberger at (877) 662-6444 or [email protected].
Advanced Manufacturing Competition & Conference
Nov. 16: The first highly concentrated, cluster-centric, regional manufacturing conference of its kind will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The event, called the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference (AMICCON), is being staged in response to growing recognition among area manufacturers and supply-chain members that there is an urgent need to find and meet one another. “AMICCON was formed to identify who’s here in manufacturing, expose them to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and procurement, and to make these introductions,” said co-founder Ellen Bemben. “The ultimate goal is to be the advanced manufacturing region in the U.S., where exotic manufacturing, such as micro, nano, and precision, meet higher specifications and tighter tolerances, and short runs are the norm.” Industry sectors to be represented at the event will include plastics and advanced materials, precision machining, paper and packaging, electronics, ‘green’/clean technology, and medical devices. Business opportunities in defense and aerospace will also be highlighted at the event. OEMs and their supply chains are being invited personally to participate. “AMICCON is a new consortium on innovation that also delivers manufacturers to innovators and new markets in order to cause new business,” said Gary Gasperack, vice president and general manager (retired) of the Spalding Division of Russell Corp. “We are very excited about introducing it to our region.” The Mass. Export Center has already produced two programs for AMICCON: an Export Experts Panel, and a seminar, “International Traffic in Arms Regulations for Defense and Aerospace Export.” For more information, visit www.amiccon.com.

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District Attorney Candidates Forum

Sept. 7: Western New England College School of Law will host a forum featuring the candidates for the office of Hampden County District Attorney at 6 p.m. in the Blake Law Center’s J. Gerard Pellegrini Moot Court Room. The event is free and open to the public. The candidates will face questions from a panel including a journalist, a local criminal attorney, and a professor from the School of Law. The forum is scheduled for approximately 90 minutes. WNEC is located at 1215 Wilbraham Road in Springfield.

CORI Board Training

Sept. 14: The Berkshire Area Health Education Center is collaborating with the Mass. Criminal Systems History Board to sponsor training on criminal offender record information (CORI) from 1 to 3 p.m. at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield. The training is for staff of agencies who are certified to request CORI information for non-criminal-justice purposes. A $13 fee covers the cost of the venue and refreshments. To register or for more information, visit www.berkshireahec.org   or call (413) 447-2417.

EANE Healthcare Conference

Sept. 16: The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast will conduct its annual Health Care Conference from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Publick House in Sturbridge. A panel of experts, representing insurance carriers, brokers, health care providers, and legal professionals, will discuss the challenges of the changing health-care-reform landscape. Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions of the panel. For more information on the conference, contact Karen Cronenberger at (877) 662-6444 or [email protected] .

Mountain Park Memories

Sept. 17: The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round is inviting area residents to take a trip down memory lane with an event called Mountain Park Memories, slated for 6:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. The event, a fund-raiser for the Merry-Go-Round, will capture the history and nostalgia of the amusement park located near the base of Mount Tom, which closed in the 1987 after operating for nearly a century. The program will include memorabilia, games, auctions, food stations, and music by Joe Canata & the Memories. Tickets are $45 per person. To order tickets, or for more information, call (413) 538-9838, or visit www.holyokemerrygoround.org .

Financial Pathways at Bay Path

Sept. 19: Intuition, creativity, and empathy are characteristics women can leverage to take control of and build their personal wealth. Bay Path College will continue its Financial Pathways series from 2 to 4 p.m. by examining these traits with A Purse of Your Own author Deborah Owens. Owens will highlight simple approaches to understanding investments and share the seven wealthy habits of successful women. The seminar is planned for the Blake Student Commons on the Longmeadow campus, 588 Longmeadow St. A question-and-answer session and book signing with Owens will follow the presentation. To build on the series’ philanthropic participation, attendees are asked to bring a gently used purse to the workshop as a donation to the college’s Professional Clothing Closet, which provides each undergraduate with one professional outfit as they begin their careers. Registration is required, and light refreshments will be served from 1:30 to 2 p.m. during event registration. Tickets are $10 each or $15 for two when signing up with a friend. To register or for more information, contact Mary Pajak at (413) 565-1115.

Sunday Brunch with Dr. Joy Browne

Sept. 19: Radio psychologist Dr. Joy Browne will be the guest speaker at a program, slated for noon to 3 p.m., sponsored by the UMass Amherst Family Business Center at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. Browne’s nationally syndicated daily radio show can be heard on the WOR Radio Network weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. A licensed clinical psychologist, Browne will answer questions about family, business, and family business. For more information on the program, contact Ira Bryck at (413) 545-1537, or visit www.umass.edu/fambiz .

Rick’s Place Open House

Sept. 21: Rick’s Place recently moved into a new facility at Kids Village, 35 Post Office Park, Suite 3514, Wilbraham, and an open house is planned from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to introduce its services to the public. Established in memory of Rick Thorpe, who died in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 9/11, Rick’s Place provides a supportive and secure environment for grieving families. Scheduled two weeks before grand opening day, the open house will raise awareness of the work being done by staff and volunteers. For more information, visit www.ricksplacema.org .

Springfield Developers Conference

Oct. 27: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield will be the setting for the 2010 Springfield Developers Conference, sponsored by the City of Springfield. The conference theme is “Innovate, Grow, Create … Make It Happen,” and will highlight opportunities to incorporate new technologies and innovative practices in the building, energy, and information-technology industries to improve one’s business. Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Samalid Hogan at (413) 787-6020.

Get on Board

Oct. 28: OnBoard, a Springfield-based nonprofit, hopes to connect local organizations with individuals looking to increase their involvement in the community, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The event will take place at Center Court, where attendees will meet with as many as eight or more organizations. The meetings will be orchestrated using the ‘speed-dating’ format, with individuals spending a few minutes with an organization of their choice and, on the sound of the basketball buzzer, moving to the next. Representatives from each organization will discuss their history, mission, and goals, and what it is they are looking for in board members. Interested individuals will have the chance to explain what skills and interests they have to make a potential match. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Elizabeth Taras at (413) 687-3144 or Brittany Castonguay at (413) 737-1131, or visit www.diversityonboard.org .

Advanced Manufacturing Competition & Conference

Nov. 16: The first highly concentrated, cluster-centric, regional manufacturing conference of its kind will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The event, called the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference (AMICCON), is being staged in response to growing recognition among area manufacturers and supply chain members that there is an urgent need to find and meet one another. “AMICCON was formed to identify who’s here in manufacturing, expose them to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and procurement, and to make these introductions,” said co-founder Ellen Bemben. “The ultimate goal is to be the advanced manufacturing region in the U.S., where exotic manufacturing, such as micro, nano, and precision, meet higher specifications and tighter tolerances, and short runs are the norm.” Industry sectors to be represented at the event will include plastics and advanced materials, precision machining, paper and packaging, electronics, ‘green’/clean technology, and medical devices. Business opportunities in defense and aerospace will also be highlighted at the event. OEMs and their supply chains are being invited personally to participate. “AMICCON is a new consortium on innovation that also delivers manufacturers to innovators and new markets in order to cause new business,” said Gary Gasperack, vice president and general manager (retired) of the Spalding Division of Russell Corp. “We are very excited about introducing it to our region.” The Mass. Export Center has already produced two programs for AMICCON: an Export Experts Panel, and a seminar, “International Traffic in Arms Regulations for Defense and Aerospace Export.” For more information, visit www.amiccon.com .

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40 Under Forty Gala
June 24: BusinessWest will celebrate its 40 Under Forty Class of 2010 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House with a gala to begin at 5 p.m. The event, which has become a spring tradition in Western Mass., will feature fine food, entertainment, and special presentations of the Class of 2010. Tickets for the event are $60. To order tickets or for more information, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 10, or e-mail [email protected].

The Coming Demographic Storm
June 30: The 2010 census statistics will prove it out over the next few years, but Kenneth W. Gronbach already knows what the stats will mean to America. A demographic storm of epic proportions is upon us, and if America’s businesses, regardless of size, are ready, they can plan for amazing success. But if they are not ready, they could be washed away in the giant generational wave. Gronbach, a gifted public speaker and a nationally recognized expert in the field of demography and generational marketing, will be the keynote speaker at the noon luncheon for the Advertising Club of Western Mass. at Longmeadow Country Club. Gronbach makes the science of the census results and shifting demography come alive with real-life examples that make it relevant to today’s culture, business climate, and economy. His presentation is based on the effects of shifting demography. He is an accomplished author with a new, bestselling book, The Age Curve: How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Storm. The demographic landscape in the U.S. is made up a series of waves that are about 20 years in duration. It would follow that business will rise and fall according to the critical mass of customers heading toward it. What is different about this wave is the extraordinary amount of population it includes compared to the past two generations. Businesses will enjoy extraordinary success if they are prepared and in front of the wave. Ad Club members are invited to bring a business associate and join the Ad Club for this presentation and network with the top advertising, marketing, and design talents in Western Mass. To make a luncheon reservation, contact the Ad Club at (413) 736-2582, or online at www.adclubwm.org. The cost for the luncheon is $25 for members, $35 for future members, and $15 for students.

Construction Course
July 14: The Home Builders & Remodelers Assoc. of Western Mass. will sponsor a six-session course starting July 14 to help individuals prepare for the Massachusetts Construction Supervisor’s Licensing Exam. Sessions are planned at the Home Builders & Remodelers Assoc. headquarters at 240 Cadwell Dr. in Springfield for six Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The exam is authorized by the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards and administered by Thomson Prometric. Registration forms to enroll for the exam will be distributed at the first session of the program. The fee is $250 for members of the Home Builders Assoc. of Western Mass. and $350 for non-members. All course participants must bring the 7th edition of the One & Two Family Dwelling Building Code book and the 7th edition of the Basic Building Code book to each class and to the open-book examination. There is an additional charge to order the code books through the association. For more information or to register, contact Sandra Doucette at (413) 733-3126.

Advanced Manufacturing Competition & Conference
Sept. 23: The first highly concentrated, cluster-centric, regional manufacturing conference of its kind will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The event, called the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference (AMICCON), is being staged in response to growing recognition among area manufacturers and supply-chain members that there is an urgent need to find and meet one another. “AMICCON was formed to identify who’s here in manufacturing, expose them to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and procurement, and to make these introductions,” said co-founder Ellen Bemben. “The ultimate goal is to be the advanced-manufacturing region in the U.S., where exotic manufacturing, such as micro, nano, and precision, meet higher specifications and tighter tolerances, and short runs are the norm.” Industry sectors to be represented at the event will include plastics and advanced materials, precision machining, paper and packaging, electronics, ‘green’/clean technology, and medical devices. Business opportunities in defense and aerospace will also be highlighted at the event. OEMs and their supply chains are being invited personally to participate. “AMICCON is also a new consortium on innovation that also delivers manufacturers to innovators and new markets in order to cause new business,” said Gary Gasperack, vice president and general manager (retired) of the Spalding Division of Russell Corp. “We are very excited about introducing it to our region.” The Mass. Export Center has already produced two programs for AMICCON: an “Export Experts Panel,” and a seminar, “International Traffic in Arms Regulations for Defense and Aerospace Export.”

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Deliver Perfect Pitch

May 12: Learn concrete and easy-to-master tools to help you in every sales situation no matter what the environment or what you sell during “Deliver the Perfect Pitch,” 9 to 11 a.m., at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Sheldon Snodgrass of www.steadysales.com in Williamsburg will be the presenter. The program is sponsored by the Mass. Small Business Development Center Network. Cost is $40. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass.

AIM Annual Meeting

May 14: John Ratzenberger, best known for his role as Cliff in the television comedy Cheers, will deliver the luncheon address at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ 95th annual meeting at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. Ratzenberger is a passionate advocate for the future of American manufacturing and the need to teach young people to work with their hands. He will discuss the foundation he started to help young people learn the rewards of fixing things themselves, building something useful, and inventing products that create economic opportunity. AIM’s annual meeting is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will bring together some of the brightest business and academic minds in Massachusetts to answer the pressing economic questions of the day. For more information, visit www.aimnet.org.

Wine Tasting and Auction

May 14: The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce will host its annual beer/wine tasting and auction at the Castle of Knights on Memorial Avenue in Chicopee from 6 to 9 p.m. The event, a fund-raiser to support the chamber and its many initiatives, is being sponsored by Chicopee Savings Bank. The event will feature fine food, a large variety of wines and beers to sample, and myriad auction items to bid on. Back by popular demand is the Collectibles Road Show. Representatives from Antiques Roadshow will be on hand to appraise attendees’ valuables. Those with items such as old coins, jewelry, or collectibles are encouraged to bring them to the show. Tickets are $20 each. To reserve tickets, call (413) 594-2101, or visit www.chicopeechamber.org.

Pancake Breakfast

May 15: The Spirit of Springfield will once again serve up what is reputed to the world’s largest pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. on Main Street in downtown Springfield. The event, marking Springfield’s 374th birthday, is the 25th edition of the annual pancake breakfast. It will also feature entertainment and activities. Tickets are $3 for adults and $1 for children. For more information, call (413) 733-3800 or visit www.spiritofspringfield.com.

13th Annual Rays of Hope Survivors’ Day

May 15: Breast-cancer survivors and their friends are invited to attend the 13th annual Rays of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors’ Day, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Monarch Place Hotel, One Monarch Place, Springfield. Breast cancer activist Geralyn Lucas, author of Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy, will serve as keynote speaker at the annual event, sponsored by the Comprehensive Breast Center at Baystate Medical Center and Rays of Hope. Lucas will discuss what it was like being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27 just after landing her dream job as an editorial producer with ABC television’s 20/20 news program. A graduate of Columbia University School of Journalism, she later became director of public affairs at Lifetime Television and left the network in 2008 to work on the screenplay for Why I Wore Lipstick.  The television movie premiered on Lifetime in October, starring Sarah Chalke of the hit TV show Scrubs. In addition to the keynote address, participants will be able to select from two workshops on a number of topics, including ‘The Fat Factor,’ ‘Yoga and Healing,’ ‘Breast Cancer Therapy and the Heart,’ ‘Oncoplastic Surgery,’ ‘Fashion Do’s and Don’ts,’ ‘A Good Night’s Sleep,’ ‘Hooping Harmony,’ and ‘Acupuncture and Oncology.’  There will also be a special Creative Coping Art Workshop offered only in Spanish. Rays of Hope founder Lucy Giuggio-Carvalho and Dr. James Stewart, chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at Baystate Medical Center, who co-authored the recently published The Everything Guide to Living with Breast Cancer, will be on hand to sign their book, which will also be available for purchase at the event. Throughout the day, participants can visit with several exhibitors who will sell a variety of breast-related products, as well as vendors selling arts and crafts. A continental breakfast and buffet luncheon will be served. Registration is required. The cost is $25 per person, with the remaining cost underwritten by Rays of Hope. For those unable to afford the fee, scholarships are available through Sandy Hubbard at the Rays of Hope Community Outreach Office at (413) 794-2828. Parking will be validated. For more information or to request a registration form, call (413) 794-9556 or visit www.baystatehealth.org/raysofhope.

Business Plan Basics

May 20: The Mass. Small Business Development Center Network will host “Business Plan Basics” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Amherst Town Hall, first-floor meeting room, 4 Boltwood Walk, Amherst. The workshop will focus on management fundamentals from start-up considerations through business-plan development. Topics will include financing, marketing, and business planning. The cost is $35. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass.  

Food for Thought

May 25: Learn how social-media marketing can help grow a business at the next Food for Thought luncheon, sponsored by BusinessWest and The Healthcare News. The event will be held at Samuel’s at the Basketball Hall of Fame from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. John Garvey, president of Garvey Communications Associates, and Mary Fallon, the agency’s media director, will present a talk about “Online Impact and Social Media for Small Business.” The $20 cost includes lunch. RSVP by May 21 with Melissa Hallock at (413) 781-8600, ext. 10, or [email protected].

Joomla! Workshop

May 26: Tamar Schanfeld of TnR Global Joomla! Services of Greenfield will present a daylong boot camp on creating an interactive Web site for small businesses. The workshop is planned from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Attendees will learn to plan a site, enter and edit content and menus, and install extensions. Comfort with Microsoft Word and an Internet browser is required. The workshop does not include e-commerce or shopping-cart features. Cost is $75. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass.  

Green Remediation Conference

June 15-17: The Environmental Institute at UMass Amherst, the U.S. EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, U.S. EPA New England, and the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection will host the International Conference on Green Remediation: Environment – Energy – Economics, in the UMass Campus Center. The conference will address the full range of environmental, energy, and economic aspects of green and sustainable remediation, taking into account the energy requirements of treatment systems, air emissions, water-use requirements and impacts on water resources, land and ecosystem use and impacts, energy use and renewables, material composition, reuse, and waste generation. The conference is expected to attract more than 400 attendees, including a wide variety of representation from state and federal agencies, academia, various industries and utilities, and the environmental, engineering, and consulting community. Booths cost $1,000, and tables are $600. For more information or to register online, visit: www.teiconferences.com/greenremediation  ,  or call (413) 545-2842.

Hot Topics in Philanthropy

June 18: “Convergence: How Five Trends Will Reshape the Social Sector” is the focus of the upcoming Hot Topics in Philanthropy Breakfast hosted by Bay Path College. Nonprofit professionals are invited to attend the free event, which will examine a recently published study by La Piana Consulting, a national firm dedicated to strengthening nonprofits and foundations. The breakfast will be held in the Blake Student Commons from 7:30 to 10 a.m. From generational and other demographic shifts to the rise and impact of social media, there are several trends driving the future of the nonprofit sector. La Piana Consulting examined these various developments as part of its research initiative NonprofitNext, funded by the James Irvine Foundation. Written by Alex Hildebrand, David La Piana, Melissa Lendes Campos, and Heather Gowdy, the report describes the growing importance of networking as a means for effecting change, as well as the role of volunteerism and civic engagement in society, among other movements, and their impact on the nonprofit industry. The first to bring La Piana Consulting’s report to the region, Bay Path will feature Gowdy as the keynote speaker. A panel discussion will follow her address. The breakfast is free, but registration is required. To register, visit www.baypath.edu  or call (800) 782-7284, ext. 1056. The event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School at Bay Path College’s master’s in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy program and its graduate certificate program in Fundraising Management and Nonprofit Management.

40 Under Forty Gala

June 24: BusinessWest will celebrate its 40 Under Forty Class of 2010 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House with a gala to begin at 5 p.m. The event, which has become a spring tradition in Western Mass., will feature fine food, entertainment, and special presentations of the Class of 2010. Tickets for the event are $60. To order tickets or for more information, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 10, or e-mail [email protected] .

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Architecture Exhibition

Through May 9: For the first time in the region, a landmark exhibition on sustainable, contemporary architecture and environmentally sensitive building practices will take place at the University Gallery, Fine Arts Center, UMass Amherst. The exhibition is designed to deepen the public’s understanding and use of ‘green’ design, while demonstrating that the key elements of sustainability can be accessible to all. Through models, photographs, and virtual tours, the exhibition unites diverse works from large-scale science buildings to private residences, low-income housing, and intimate gardens of natural inspiration. For more information, visit www.umass.edu/fac/universitygallery .

Deliver Perfect Pitch

May 12: Learn concrete and easy-to-master tools to help you in every sales situation no matter what the environment or what you sell during “Deliver the Perfect Pitch,” 9 to 11 a.m., at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Sheldon Snodgrass of www.steadysales.com in Williamsburg will be the presenter. The program is sponsored by the Mass. Small Business Development Center Network. Cost is $40. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass .

AIM Annual Meeting

May 14: Actor John Ratzenberger, best known for his role as Cliff in the television comedy Cheers, will deliver the luncheon address at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts’ 95th annual meeting at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. Ratzenberger is a passionate advocate for the future of American manufacturing and the need to teach young people to work with their hands. He will discuss the foundation he started to help young people learn the rewards of fixing things themselves, building something useful, and inventing products that create economic opportunity. AIM’s annual meeting is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.aimnet.org .

Business Plan Basics

May 20: The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network will host “Business Plan Basics” from 9:30 to 12:30 p.m. at the Amherst Town Hall, 1st floor meeting room, 4 Boltwood Walk, Amherst. The workshop will focus on management fundamentals from start-up considerations through business plan development. Topics will include financing, marketing and business planning. The cost is $35. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass .

Joomla! Workshop

May 26: Tamar Schanfeld of TnR Global Joomla! Services of Greenfield will present a daylong boot camp on creating an interactive Web site for small businesses. The workshop is planned from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Topics: learn to plan your site, enter and edit content and menus, and install extensions. Comfort with Microsoft Word and Internet browser required. The workshop does not include e-commerce or shopping cart features. Cost is $75. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass .

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Social Media Plan

April 15: “The Small Business Experience/Creating a Social Media Plan” is the theme of a morning workshop hosted by the Mass. Small Business Development Center Network. The workshop will be presented by Derek Allard of Gravity Switch in Northampton and Shalini Bahl of IAM Business Consulting of Amherst, and is planned from 9 a.m. to noon at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Highlights of the day include developing a social-media plan based on one’s business purpose, social-media purpose, target audience, and resources. The cost is $40. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass .  

WNEC Speaker Series

April 15: Katharine G. Baker, Ph.D., Principal of Family Therapy and Consulting Associates in Northampton, will present “Leading a Business in Anxious Times” at noon as part of Western New England College’s Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship Speaker Series. Baker is an experienced business consultant who has worked with family enterprises and closely held firms, providing executive and leadership coaching, strategic planning, organizational learning services, and time-management seminars. She currently is an independent scholar and executive coach with a solo consultation practice that serves national and international clients. She will present an approach to understanding business leadership that is grounded in Bowen theory, a well-tested theory of human behavior. She will show how the patterns of behavior learned in the family can have a profound impact on every business’ success. Baker will illustrate the power and effectiveness of this way of understanding leadership. She will also discuss executive coaching as an application of her approach. For more information on the free lecture at the Law School Commons on Wilbraham Road in Springfield, call (413) 796-2030 or e-mail [email protected] . Lunch will be provided.

Twitter & Blogs

April 22: Derek Allard of Gravity Switch in Northampton will present a workshop titled “Twitter & Blogs” from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Allard will discuss the basics — what they are, why to use them, and how to get started. The cost is $40. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass .

LinkedIn & Facebook

April 29: Derek Allard of Gravity Switch in Northampton will present a workshop titled “LinkedIn & Facebook” from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Allard will discuss the basics — what they are, why to use them, and how to get started. The cost is $40. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass .

Women’s Professional Development Conference

April 30: Bay Path College will host its 15th annual Women’s Professional Development Conference at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  For more information, call (413) 565-1000 or visit www.baypath.edu .

Deliver Perfect Pitch

May 12: Learn concrete and easy-to-master tools to help you in every sales situation, no matter what the environment or what you sell, during “Deliver the Perfect Pitch,” 9 to 11 a.m., at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Sheldon Snodgrass of www.steadysales.com in Williamsburg will be the presenter. The program is sponsored by the Mass. Small Business Development Center Network. Cost is $40. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass .

Business Plan Basics

May 20: The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network will host “Business Plan Basics” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Amherst Town Hall, first-floor meeting room, 4 Boltwood Walk, Amherst. The workshop will focus on management fundamentals from start-up considerations through business-plan development. Topics will include financing, marketing, and business planning. The cost is $35. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass .

Joomla! Workshop

May 26: Tamar Schanfeld of TnR Global Joomla! Services of Greenfield will present a daylong boot camp on creating an interactive Web site for small businesses. The workshop is planned from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, 1 Federal St., Springfield. Topics: learn to plan your site, enter and edit content and menus, and install extensions. Comfort with Microsoft Word and Internet browser required. The workshop does not include e-commerce or shopping cart features. Cost is $75. For more information, call (413) 737-6712 or visit www.msbdc.org/wmass .