An educational presentation from the ACLU of Massachusetts, in partnership with Decarcerate Western Mass. Learn more about the roles that MA Sheriff’s play and what decision-making powers the job holds. This program does not endorse any candidate and is presented for educational purposes only. Representatives from the ACLU will share the presentation and answer questions from attendees. Please register to receive a Zoom link to the program.
From the ACLU:
Sheriffs have the power to make our communities safer and more just for all—but most Massachusetts voters don’t even know who their sheriff is.
It’s time to change that. It’s time to Know Your Sheriff.
Know Your Sheriff is a public education campaign by the ACLU of Massachusetts to build voter awareness about the life-changing decisions that sheriffs make. Polling shows that many voters are not familiar with sheriffs—but when they learn more, they are more likely cast a ballot for sheriff in the next election. Knowing your sheriff means knowing that YOU have the power to demand safer communities and a more just criminal legal system.
Join Jim Armenti (poet) and Dave Madeloni (photographer) in support of Sun On The Muddy a book of poetry and fantastic photos published by Levellers Press of Amherst, for a short presentation, poetry reading, a few songs and conversation. Books will be available for purchase.
Jim Armenti is a poet, musician, and composer. In Sun on the Muddy he gives us fifty irresistible reflections on the people and objects that make a life. He was born in Ann Arbor, MI, the third-generation product of Italian immigrants. Jim grew up in a household of musicians, his father a classical mandolin player, one sister (of three) a guitar player, another a flute player and everyone a singer. In high school Jim started a band called H&WA, named after the school counselor’s report that Jim is “happy and well-adjusted.”
Jim performs with the legendary band, The Lonesome Brothers. He tours internationally with The Young at Heart Chorus, and he constantly writes poetry.
Dave Madeloni is a photographer, educator, and journalist. Early on, his parents strongly encouraged his curiosity and creativity. He immersed himself in the lyrics of great songwriters while capturing images of performers, protesters, and most recently, puddles. For the last forty years, he has also taught and supported young people with social/emotional disabilities, inspiring their curiosity and creativity. In Sun on the Muddy, Dave explores in photos the beauty and meaning found all around us, but not where we ordinarily look.
One day last February Carolyn woke up with these words in her head: What if I listened to the landscape and wrote what I heard?
So she did. She pulled on her boots, gathered a 5 x 7 notebook and a pen, and set off on her usual Easthampton walk: past the library, cutting through the football field, over the bike path, by the factory, and into the cemetery by the pond. Nothing usual happened but she listened and looked and wrote as she walked. Her perception widened. The everyday happenings of our small city became extraordinary in their aliveness and in their reflection of our changing climate.
Carolyn will read poems written on these walks and talk about her inspirations and creative practice.
This presentation will inaugurate a series of Walking and Writing sessions with Carolyn on Saturday mornings leaving from the library at 8:30am and convening back there at 9:30 am to share what the landscape said to us.
Three Saturdays, March 2nd, 9th and 23rd, 8:30am meet outside the library to begin walk, 9:30am reconvene inside the library.
Meet on the steps of the library at 8:30am. A map of the “official route” will be provided that you may follow or adapt to your own needs and interests. Our time of walking and writing is followed by a library meet up with this structure:
9:30-9:45 am: Chat about how the writing and walking went
At 9:45am: Anyone who wants to read from their notebook for up to 3 minutes may
Closing: A go around where people are invited to voice an intention about further developing or sharing their writing from the walk
All of these activities are optional. People who have walked at other points in the week are welcome to join for the sharing.
This event is weather dependent. If it is too wet for our notebooks (i.e. steady rain or snow) we will not go. If it is too icy to walk we will not go.
Three Saturdays, March 2nd, 9th and 23rd, 8:30am meet outside the library to begin walk, 9:30am reconvene inside the library.
Meet on the steps of the library at 8:30am. A map of the “official route” will be provided that you may follow or adapt to your own needs and interests. Our time of walking and writing is followed by a library meet up with this structure:
9:30-9:45 am: Chat about how the writing and walking went
At 9:45am: Anyone who wants to read from their notebook for up to 3 minutes may
Closing: A go around where people are invited to voice an intention about further developing or sharing their writing from the walk
All of these activities are optional. People who have walked at other points in the week are welcome to join for the sharing.
This event is weather dependent. If it is too wet for our notebooks (i.e. steady rain or snow) we will not go. If it is too icy to walk we will not go.
Due to forecasted weather, this is cancelled.
Three Saturdays, March 2nd, 9th and 23rd, 8:30am meet outside the library to begin walk, 9:30am reconvene inside the library.
Meet on the steps of the library at 8:30am. A map of the “official route” will be provided that you may follow or adapt to your own needs and interests. Our time of walking and writing is followed by a library meet up with this structure:
9:30-9:45 am: Chat about how the writing and walking went
At 9:45am: Anyone who wants to read from their notebook for up to 3 minutes may
Closing: A go around where people are invited to voice an intention about further developing or sharing their writing from the walk
All of these activities are optional. People who have walked at other points in the week are welcome to join for the sharing.
This event is weather dependent. If it is too wet for our notebooks (i.e. steady rain or snow) we will not go. If it is too icy to walk we will not go.