■Few fashions have realized such immediate success, both in the United States and abroad, as have “hot pants,” at present one of the biggest sellers among high school and college-age young people. Hot pants are basically short shorts but cut much shorter and fitted much tighter than short shorts ever dared to be.
■Mario Mazza was named president of St. Mary’s Guild at a recent meeting. Other officers for 1971-72 are spiritual advisers, the Rev. Julius Jutt, vice presidents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cahillane and secretary-treasurer, Mary Drohan.
■University of Massachusetts basketball fans finally will get an opportunity to celebrate with their Final Four team. UMass has scheduled “A Salute to the 1995-1996 UMass Men’s Basketball Team” for one hour on Sunday at the Curry Hicks Cage. Coach John Calipari and the Minutemen will be on hand.
■The swollen Connecticut River last night forced the closing of one lane on Route 5 near the Easthampton border, but today the water is receding. Flood control officials took the action after the Connecticut River level rose to 114.6 feet above sea level.
■The Northampton Survival Center’s days of surviving out of its run-down headquarters on Prospect Street have officially come to an end. With a $1.1 million renovation and expansion project now complete, the 32-year-old center will usher in a new era Tuesday when it moves back to its familiar home at 265 Prospect St. after six months in temporary quarters on South Street.
■Chilly temperatures and gray skies did not discourage attendance at this year’s annual Extravaganja held Saturday and Sunday on the Amherst common. Sponsored by the University of Massachusetts student group Cannabis Reform Coalition, the 20th anniversary celebration drew more than 7,500 people each day.