■The City Art Guild, a non-profit organization located in the basement of the Unitarian Church, opened its doors to the public last week. The organization hopes to “offer the community more access to the arts” and to “stimulate the appreciation and the use of the arts in the community,” said David Bond, director of the guild.
■Three playing fields were extensively vandalized over the weekend, forcing cancellation of softball games scheduled for one of the fields, said Patrick Goggins, director of the city’s recreation commission. Games at Sheldon Field were cancelled because of deep tire ruts on the playing surface. Kearney Field on Riverside Drive and Veterans’ Field off Old School Street were also vandalized.
■After 23 years of providing adult education and career training to the region’s poor, the Northampton Skills Center will close this summer, the victim of dwindling federal support. Advocates say the loss will leave some people unable to find help they need, particularly those trying to improve their ability to speak English.
■George Andrikidis, a longtime city engineer, will replace Samuel Brindis on an interim basis as director of the Department of Public Works, once Brindis leaves July 15 to take a job in the private sector. Andrikidis, assistant city engineer, has been with the public works department since 1971.
■Recent renovations to the main auditorium at the Academy of Music were recognized this month with a Historic Preservation Award from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Massachusetts secretary of state William F. Galvin, chair of the commission, presented the awards at the Massachusetts Archives Building in Dorchester to 11 projects, organizations and individuals.
■The second annual “Cultural Chaos” was held in Easthampton on Saturday. Organizers describe the event as a “street festival with a twist.” It included open studios, live music and other entertainment. This year’s festival had a theme of “It’s in the Water” to celebrate the opening of the Nashawannuck boardwalk and pay tribute to the city’s award-winning tap water, which was named best in the nation in February.