This Weekend at Nova Arts

Friday, November 18 will be a fun filled night of music including Will Lawrence, Wren Kitz, and Caitlin Wilder. Will Lawrence is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from New York who tours and records as a solo artist and plays drums in the folk-rock band The Felice Brothers. His latest album, "Through the Hollow Hills," was released in September 2022. Wren Kitz is a songwriter and field recordist based out of Burlington, VT whose unique and personal style of music has been informed by blending traditional guitar and voice songwriting with field recording and tape collage experimentation. Caitlin Wilder is a NH based singer and songwriter. She has kept singing and songwriting to herself, but is now ready to share her music and find the people it connects with. The haunting essence of her songs is informed by profound change and loss, and the environments of places she has traveled in the past year. Music will begin at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 7:00 p.m.

To finish off the weekend, on Saturday, November 19 we have the one and only Odds Bodkins who will be performing "The Odyssey: Belly of the Beast". Join us to hear his renowned retelling of Homer's The Odyssey, and experience sea storms, drugged Lotus Eaters and a roaring Cyclops along the way while he plays movie music on 12-string guitars and uses character voices and beatbox effects to create mesmerizing mythic illusions for adults. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with the performance starting at 8:00 p.m.

Nova Arts is located at 48 Emerald St., Keene, NH.

Nova Arts is supported by and under the fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alive. novaarts.org

VFW Post 5613 Hosts Holiday Bazaar November 26 in Jaffrey

The VFW Post 5613 Auxiliary will be hosting their annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will be held at the VFW Hall on Hathorn Road (off Route 202) in Jaffrey, NH.

For more than 100 years, the VFW Auxiliary has been fulfilling its original objectives by supporting the Veterans of Foreign Wars, serving veterans, service members and their families, and spreading patriotism nationwide.

Offering over 40 tables of art and lots of various handcrafted items, Christmas décor, home décor, cards, jewelry, candles, personal care items and more, plus product vendors...Something for everyone! Bake sale and hot and cold lunch items will be available for purchase. Raffle winners will be announced at approximately 1:30. Admission is free. A perfect start (or finish!) to your holiday shopping.

Winchendon Music Festival Presents Program of Works by Tobias Hume in Worcester November 19

On Saturday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m., Elizabeth Hungerford (soprano) and Arcadia Players' new Artistic Director Andrew Arceci (viola da gamba) will offer a program of works by Tobias Hume (c.1579-1645) Giulio Caccini (1551-1618) Tarquinio Merula (1595-1665) and others, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster St., Worcester, MA. The venue is ADA accessible with parking available. Admission is free, but registration is required.

www.eventbrite.com/e/wmf-inc-at-trinity-lutheran-church-worcester-ma-tickets-450368764097

Praised for her "clarion" (Washington Post), "pure" (Opera Now), and "refreshingly natural" (Göttinger Tagesblatt) sound, soprano Elizabeth Hungerford has been described as a "an outstanding and original interpreter of Purcell . . . and a fine Monteverdian" (Early Music, Oxford University). Recent solo engagements include a solo concert at the Santa Cruz Early Music Festival, performances with Grammy-nominated Seraphic Fire and Spire Chamber Ensemble in the United States, the Göttingen Historical Music Series in Germany, at the Teatro Olimpico in Italy with the fifty lutenists of the European Lute Orchestra, singing modern premiers of Baroque music with Ballo Baroque in London, with the Catacoustic Consort at the Indianapolis Early Music Festival, with the award-winning Eya Ensemble for Medieval Music, and a one-per-part performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Elizabeth's repertoire ranges from medieval chant to contemporary masterworks, with a particular focus on the early Baroque and Renaissance periods. Before moving to London in 2011, Elizabeth was a soloist and chorister at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Whilst in Washington, Elizabeth sang with the Washington Bach Consort, the Folger Consort, and gave solo performances at the Kennedy Center and Strathmore Mansion. A founding member of Eya Ensemble for Medieval Music, Elizabeth has also performed with Gut, Wind and Wire (a subset of the Baltimore Consort).

Multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Arceci has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Recording credits include APM Music/Juice Music, Cedille Records, Centaur Records, Music & Arts, NPR, PRI, Silent Witness--television series by BBC One (UK), BBC Radio 3 (UK), Novum (UK), Bôlt Records/Monotype Records (Poland), Deutsche Harmonia Mundi (Germany), and Deutschlandradio (Germany). He has taught at several institutions, including Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Wellesley College (Director, Collegium Musicum), and Worcester State University. Additionally, he has given lectures, masterclasses, and/or workshops at Illinois Wesleyan University, the International Baroque Institute at Longy (Bard College), the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, the Narnia Arts Academy (Italy), Institutum Romanum Finlandiae (Italy), Taipei National University of the Arts (Taiwan), and Burapha University (Thailand). Arceci was a Visiting Fellow at Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies during the 2019-2020 academic year. In addition to serving as Arcadia Players' Artistic Director, he is the Founding Director of the Winchendon Music Festival (Winchendon, MA).

Workers Party of Massachusetts candidates receive over 50,000 votes in November 8th elections

Following the elections the Workers Party is optimistic about results and the future of organizing in independent socialist politics. Laura Saylor (candidate for State Senate for the Bristol and Norfolk District) received 2,092 votes against Democrat Paul Feeney and Republican Michael Chiasson. Brandon J. Griffin (candidate for State Representative in the 7th Plymouth District) received 3,537 votes against Republican Alyson Sullivan. This represents over 25% of the votes in a race with no Democrat running. Dominic S. Giannone III (statewide candidate for Auditor) came in under the 3% required for the Workers Party to receive official party status in Massachusetts. While party members are sad to have missed the 3% goal, we are thrilled to have gotten over 50,000 votes in our debut race at the state level.

Members and supporters of the Workers Party of Massachusetts will also draw on our involvement in mass movements for social justice to promote our candidates and political program. The Workers Party invites everyone interested in volunteering for this effort to get in touch through our website at WorkersPartyMA.org.

The Workers Party of Massachusetts was formed in 2020 and became an official political designation in 2021. Members of the Workers Party believe that the capitalist class already has two political parties and both the Democratic and Republican parties are organizations built to uphold the capitalist system. The Workers Party program states that the working class needs an independent party of our own that rejects capitalism and fights for a socialist future. The Workers Party of Massachusetts believes that our candidates' participation in these campaigns is a step on the road to working class political power and a revolutionary transformation of society.

Massachusetts Hunger-Relief Partners Welcome Healey-Driscoll Administration

HATFIELD, MA - (November 16, 2022) - The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Project Bread, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, The Greater Boston Food Bank, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, and Worcester County Food Bank would like to extend congratulations and deep appreciation to the incoming administration in Massachusetts, led by Governor-Elect Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Kim Driscoll. With one in three Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity at some time last year, it is imperative that hunger relief efforts remain a priority to provide resources to those in need across our state. As food insecurity and inflation continue to challenge the Commonwealth, both Healey and Driscoll have proven themselves to be hunger relief champions and we have full confidence that the new administration, much like Governor Baker's, will keep anti-hunger advocacy and legislation top-of-mind throughout their tenure. Under the Healey/Driscoll administration's leadership, we anticipate and look forward to effective collaboration, further progress, and expanded initiatives to end hunger here.

These seven hunger relief organizations sent a joint welcome letter to the new administration, outlining policy priorities around equity, access, and food system coordination that will make Massachusetts a food-secure state.

"Tuesday's elections in Massachusetts delivered powerful and historic victories, notably, the selection of Governor-Elect Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Kim Driscoll, both of whom have been dedicated advocates for equity and inclusion and champions of hunger-relief efforts in the Commonwealth," said Catherine D'Amato, President and CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank. "We congratulate them and look forward to working with the Healey/Driscoll administration to remove barriers to access and drive forward policies to end hunger in our communities. With their leadership, we can build on the progress we've made and harness the opportunity before us to ensure that every Massachusetts resident has equitable access to healthy food."

"We share in the congratulations and welcoming of this new administration to state office," notes Erin McAleer, President and CEO of Project Bread. "Our work with Maura Healey in her role as Attorney General, and Kimberley Driscoll as Mayor of Salem, has shown us that they are both strong anti-hunger advocates, and we hope to see that leadership continue as Massachusetts sets an example for the rest of the country as a state committed to innovative policies for improving food security for all residents, such as free school meals for all students."

"With the support of the new Healy-Driscoll administration, we believe we can advance the historic ‘first in the country' status of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by becoming the first hunger-free state in the union," states Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. "Only through public-private partnership will we be able to achieve this goal. We look forward to working with our partners and the Healy-Driscoll administration to make it happen!"

"Hunger is a solvable problem requiring the political will of our elected officials," notes Jean McMurray, CEO of Worcester County Food Bank. "We are committed to working with Governor-elect Healey and Lieutenant Governor-elect Driscoll and their administration on programs that increase access to healthy food and policies that address the root causes of food insecurity and poverty."

"Massachusetts has been a national leader in addressing hunger and food system issues through thoughtful policy and public investments," said Winton Pitcoff, MA Food System Collaborative Director. "Governor-elect Healey and Lieutenant Governor-elect Driscoll have an opportunity to build on these successes in order to address persistent inequities and sustainability challenges that threaten the Commonwealth's food system's resilience. We look forward to working with them toward these goals."

Those in need of food assistance are encouraged to visit foodbankwma.org/get-help/food-pantry-meal-program-schedule/, where they can find a list of resources and search for a food program by city and county.

DA's Office Expands Youth Substance Misuse Prevention Program

WORCESTER - The Worcester County District Attorney's Office is expanding access to the Drug Story Theater program for all middle and high schools across the county, including providing translated Spanish and Portuguese versions, so that all students can receive an education on substance misuse and the disease of addiction, according to District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

Through the federal Department of Justice Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP) grant, the District Attorney's Office is funding a $25,000 expansion of the Drug Story Theater program to include multilingual translations that will ensure all children have an equitable prevention education and resources.

"Education can combat the social pressures a child faces when making decisions around drugs and alcohol," Mr. Early said. "Drug Story Theater provides students of all languages and backgrounds with the tools and knowledge they need to stay substance-free, keeping them out of the criminal justice system and preventing tragedies before they occur."

The Drug Story Theater program will now be available to all schools in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

In 2018, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office hosted Drug Story Theater at their Annual Wellness Conference at Anna Maria College. The program teaches youth about peer pressure, addiction and recovery from drugs and alcohol through the first-hand experiences of teens in a theatrical setting, aiming to decrease adolescent substance misuse.

Unique Supportive Housing Community Coming to Leominster from North Star Family Services, Inc.

North Star Seeking Community Support for "Journey Home Project" with Capital 2.5 million-dollar Campaign

LEOMINSTER, MA: November 09, 2022 - A new project from North Star Family Services, Inc., will bring the first of its kind supportive housing community to North Central Massachusetts in the Spring 2023. North Star is seeking support for the project, which aims to help local homeless families stay permanently housed, through an ongoing $2.5 million capital campaign.

Known as "Journey Home," the project will include the construction of a 15-unit apartment building in Leominster that will house homeless families with children. The building will also feature offices with onsite staff who will provide services to help families overcome challenges so they can transition to long-term stable housing, including skills building and mentoring.

On March 30, the City of Leominster, Zoning Board of Appeals, unanimously approved a zoning permit for Journey Home, positioning the project to be shovel ready in the Spring of 2023.

The building will be located down the street from North Star's family shelter, which has served families in North Central Massachusetts for over 20 years. North Star President and CEO Dr. Jon Hogue notes that Journey Home will extend the shelter's work in an innovative way.

"This project is unique in North Central Massachusetts and will bring the first-ever housing continuum," says Hogue. "Our emergency shelter takes families who have been living in areas not meant for human habitation, and now we are creating an outlet that is supportive, affordable, and permanent. The project's number one goal is to keep people housed long-term so they can build better lives."

Journey Home is being funded in part by local City, State, ARPA and private donations. Additionally, an endowment fund has been created at the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts that will support annual program operations for North Star, including Journey Home.

The capital campaign, led by volunteers Martin F. Connors, President & CEO of Rollstone Bank and Trust, and his wife Kathleen, is essential for funding the initial construction of the building.

"We decided to lead the Journey Home capital campaign because this ambitious project will make it possible for previously homeless/low-income, working families to move out of the North Star shelter," says Connors. "This new housing program will be one of a kind and serve North Central Massachusetts families in need of support for generations to come."

Robert Antonucci, President Emeritus of Fitchburg State University and Honorary Champion of the Journey Home capital campaign, adds, "North Star Family Services is an organization whose primary focus is to assist homeless families with the most critical basic needs, housing and support services. I am more than pleased to support the capital campaign and hope that others will join us in doing all we can to ensure that families in need will continue to be served. By joining together we can make a difference and contribute to the quality of life in our communities."

Donations to the Journey Home capital campaign can be made at northstarfs.org, or by mailing or dropping off a check to the following address: North Star Family Services, Inc., 758 Main Street, Leominster, MA 01453.

About North Star Family Services, Inc.
North Star Family Services, Inc., formerly Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides stable housing, comprehensive services, and advocacy for families in need of support in North Central Massachusetts. Learn more at northstarfs.org.