New Film From Oscar-Winner Pedro Almodóvar Debuts at Park Theatre
"Parallel Mothers" starring Penelope Cruz opens Friday, January 28
JAFFREY, New Hampshire (January 25, 2022) Director, screenwriter, composer, and actor, Pedro Almodóvar, is the most celebrated Spanish director since Luis Bunuel and Carlos Saura. His newest film, Parallel Mothers, debuts at the Park Theatre in Jaffrey this Friday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m.
Born in Spain in 1949, Almodóvar's first feature film was released in 1981, "Pepi, Luci, Bom..." Since then, film has become his second nature. He writes and directs and has the unique talent to be able to invent stories that are passionate, real, and alive.
Almodovar's subsequent films include "Labyrinth of Passion," "Dark Habits," "What Have I Done to Deserve This?," "Matador," "Law of Desire," "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" (which was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Foreign Language Film, became 1989's highest-grossing foreign film in North America and currently the most successful Spanish film ever), "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!," "High Heels" and "Kika." Almodóvar is the recipient of over 166 awards, including the Glauber Rocha Award for Best Director, Rio Film Festival, and L.A. Film Critics Association "New Generation" Award. in 2003, he won the Oscar® for best original screenplay for "Talk To Her."
Parallel Mothers stars Penelope Cruz and Milena Smit. It tells the story of two women, Janis and Ana, who coincide in a hospital room where they are going to give birth. Both are single and became pregnant by accident. Janis, middle-aged, doesn't regret it and she is exultant. The other, Ana, an adolescent, is scared, repentant, and traumatized. Janis tries to encourage her while they move like sleepwalkers along the hospital corridors. The few words they exchange in these hours will create a very close link between the two, which by chance develops and complicates, and decisively changes their lives.
The film was an official selection at the Venice Film Festival and last fall's New York Film Festival. It has been nominated for 59 festival awards and has won 9.
Parallel Mothers will be presented in The Park Theatre's 77-seat Michael B. King Auditorium. The film is rated R and is in Spanish with English subtitles. It runs through February 3rd.
Tickets are $9 for adults $8 for children 12 and under, adults 62+ as well as students/teachers/active military with current ID. Masks are mandatory at all times inside the theatre. Proof of vaccination is required on Wednesday.
Tickets can be pre-booked online at theparktheatre.org, by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888 or by visiting the box office at the theatre.
NOVA Arts Live Performances February 3, 4 and 5
Nova Arts is proud to continue in person entertainment at 48 Emerald St in Keene NH!
Thursday February 3 will be an Irish Session of the year led by Randy Miller and Matt Harris; music starts at 5:00 p.m.. Friday February 4 an indie folk duo Brother Brothers will be playing; music begins at 7:00 p.m.. On Saturday February 5 celebrate love in all forms at the pop-up event, Love Fest Makers Market from 4:00-8:00 p.m.
At the Irish Session join Miller and Harris and their rotating cast of Irish enthusiasts.The money goes to the band as well as to helping to ensure we can continue our mission to bring exciting and eclectic music and art to the region.
The band Brother Brothers are identical twins from Brooklyn. They are the type of people who have a story for everything and more so one you might genuinely want to hear. Paired with virtuosic musicianship and enlivened by true blood harmonies, their stories come to life.
The Makers Market event Love Fest is curated by The Blank Space Collection celebrating love in all forms. Shop for everyone you love, including yourself. This event is to benefit the Non-Profit group Out in The Open VT.
Please help us continue to provide live shows by wearing masks when moving about the space.
Nova Arts is supported by and under the fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alive.
Environmental and Public Safety Officials Urge Public to Stay Safe On and Near Ice
BOSTON - The Massachusetts State Police (MSP), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) are cautioning the public about the potential dangers of thin ice on the state's many lakes, ponds, streams and rivers, and ask the public to be responsible and mindful of local conditions, aware of the possible dangers while on the ice and to remain diligent in following prudent ice safety practices.
"Many factors including temperature fluctuations and water flow can affect how and when ice freezes and thaws, making it unpredictable and extremely dangerous for anyone trying to walk on or cross it," said DCR Acting Commissioner Stephanie Cooper. "The Department of Conservation and Recreation suggests residents exercise extreme caution when partaking in outdoor recreational activities, such as ice fishing, ice skating and snowmobiling, as the late onset of winter means no waterbody is frozen enough yet to safely support such activities."
"Many people safely enjoy ice fishing and other outdoor activities on Massachusetts lakes and ponds in winter, but it is always important to take common-sense precautions to keep yourself and your family safe," said DFG Commissioner Ron Amidon. "Remember to plan ahead, bring proper safety equipment and know the thickness and quality of ice before venturing out, preferably with someone experienced with ice safety."
"Cold weather activities are a source of enjoyment for many people, but participation carries the responsibility of recognizing dangers posed by thin ice and taking steps to keep yourself and your loved ones safe," said Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. "Our Troopers, like all first responders in New England, have seen first-hand the tragic consequences that can result when someone fails to use caution on frozen bodies of water. Have fun outdoors this winter, but be smart and stay safe doing so, for your sake and the sake of those who love you."
If you witness a person or animal fall through the ice, call for help before attempting a rescue on your own to prevent becoming a victim yourself. Always use something long or throw something to help the victim while you are awaiting assistance from first responders. In all circumstances, individuals are urged to put safety first. Below and on DFG's MassWildlife's webpage are ice safety tips to adhere to when near bodies of water during the winter months:
- Parents should always closely watch and supervise their children.
- Never go onto ice alone.
- Always keep pets on a leash (if a pet falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue yourself - instead, call for help).
- Beware of ice covered with snow. Snow can insulate ice and keep it from freezing. It also hides cracks as well as other weak spots.
- Ice formed on flowing water (including springs under the surface) is generally weaker than ice over still water.
- Ice seldom freezes or thaws at a uniform rate. It can be a foot thick in one spot and an inch thick in another.
- If a companion falls through the ice and you are unable to reach that person from shore, throw something to them (a rope, tree branch, jumper cables from a car, etc.). If this does not work, go or phone for help. Get medical assistance for the victim immediately.
- If you fall in, try not to panic. Turn toward the direction you came from and place your hands and arms on the unbroken surface, working forward by kicking your feet. Once the ice is solid enough to hold you, and you can pull yourself out, remain laid out on the ice (do not stand; lying down spreads your weight across a wider area, lessening your weight on any one spot) and roll away from the hole. Crawl back the way you came, keeping your weight distributed until you return to solid ice or ground.
- As the season progresses, plan accordingly and use caution, as older ice conditions greatly vary and are subject to rapid changes.
Auditor Bump Provides Testimony in Support of Creation of New Building Authority in MA
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
Good morning Senator Timilty, Senator Chang-Diaz, Representative Gonzalez, Representative Biele and members of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.
Thank you for allowing me to testify before you today in support of several pieces of legislation that share the goal of creating a municipal and/or public safety building authority. These bills are S.2457 sponsored by Senator Comerford, S. 2125 sponsored by Senator Timilty and H. 3821 sponsored by Representative Blais.
While the specifics of each bill may differ slightly, collectively they put forward a solution to address an urgent need that we have heard loud and clear from our partners at the local level. That is the need for a state-supported authority to assist in the construction or renovation of municipal and public safety buildings.
The absence of such an authority is negatively impacting the quality of life and the delivery of vital public services across the state, especially in our rural communities. Western Massachusetts communities in particular have been left without the tools necessary to maintain or develop public infrastructure as a result in part from a lack of overall resources. There, declining or stagnant property values translate into fewer dollars to provide adequate public building maintenance, let alone support renovation or replacement. When you consider the critical infrastructure this is impacting – from places such as city and town halls, public works facilities, senior centers, as well as police, fire, and emergency medical stations, I believe it is incumbent upon us as elected officials to take action.
Last fall the Division of Local Mandates examined the Commonwealth's east-west divide in terms of critical infrastructure. While much of the report focused on roads, bridges and culverts, we also examined the state of municipal buildings. It has caused me to advocate for a rural rescue plan, of which a municipal building component is a part. We heard from towns whose new fire engines sit outside the station because they won't fit in its antiquated building, municipal buildings that lack needed features such as rest rooms or kitchens. The Town of Deerfield has a senior center serving multiple communities that sits unused because it is in such disrepair, and the communities lack the resources for a proper rebuild. The City of Pittsfield has a vision for a much-needed new police station, but at a cost that is beyond their limited capital budget resources. As a result, filmmakers use the facility to showcase police stations from decades ago. The list goes on.
These bills that are before you today offer a reasonable and smart solution to these challenges and are in line with the findings and recommendations of our report. It should also be noted that the creation of an entity dedicated to this purpose is not unique to municipal and public safety buildings. As you all know, educational facilities have a dedicated state agency for this purpose through the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which is a highly effective and well-regarded authority that helps with project planning and funding. It carefully examines each community's ability to self-fund, and makes its award determinations accordingly. It provides a highly credible model to follow. Since its inception in 2004, MSBA has provided $13.6 billion in direct reimbursements through its dedicated revenue stream of one cent from the state's 6.25% sales tax, and has benefitted approximately 600,000 students.
Imagine the possibilities for municipal and public safety buildings. Everything from enhanced public access to improved senior services to accommodations for new IT to reduced emergency response times could be enhanced for all our citizens. It will no longer be only the wealthy communities whose governments can meet their residents' needs. In the name of equity, please act on this urgent need.
Thank you for your consideration, and I would be happy to answer any questions from the committee.
Testimony of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump in Support of New Building Authority Bills on state website, with recording of hearing (Zoom).