‘One Family in Gaza’ play coming up
NORTHAMPTON — A group of local activist organizations are co-sponsoring “One Family in Gaza,” an original nonfiction play by Crystal Zevon based on two years of daily texting with Yasser Aburaida, a young father in the Gaza Strip.
The play will be performed over three days in the following locations:
- Friday, Nov. 21, at Ethel the Barn, from 7-8:30 p.m., 60 High St., Southampton. To RSVP, email Ethelthebarn@gmail.com.
- Saturday, Nov. 22, at Sunderland Public Library, from 2-4 p.m., 20 School St.
- Sunday, Nov. 23, at First Churches, from 2-4 p.m., 129 Main St., Northampton.
In the play, Zevon and Aburaida’s friendship is told through their correspondence since the fall of 2023, reflecting Zevon’s efforts to help the family, intertwined with short news reports that give context to the letters.
Co-sponsors include the Western Mass Raging Grannies, Jewish Voice for Peace, Code Pink, Interlink Publishing and Brooklink Booksellers. All three of the performances are free. Donations to help families in Gaza will be accepted at the venue.
PVPA accepting applications
SOUTH HADLEY — Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School (PVPA) is now accepting applications for the 2026/2027 school year for Grades 7-11. The application deadline is Feb. 11, 2026, with the enrollment lottery taking place on Feb. 13, 2026.
Additionally, PVPA has reopened the application for the current 2025/2026 school year for Grades 7 and 10 only, to fill a limited number of seats in those grades. Deadline to apply is Dec. 1. A special lottery will be held on Dec. 3, with accepted students beginning to attend PVPA at the beginning of the second semester, on or around Jan. 21, 2026.
As a public charter school, enrollment in PVPA is free and open to all Massachusetts students; no tuition and no audition is required. Free transportation is now available to all PVPA students within the school’s region. Students with an interest in the arts are encouraged to apply.
Applications are available at www.pvpa.org/admissions.org. All PVPA lotteries are open to the public via a google meeting link that will be shared on the PVPA website, and emailed to all applicants.
All interested families are welcome to visit the school for an open house event or a tour. Available dates and registration can be found at www.pvpa.org/admissions.
Quabbin Photo Group to host wildlife biologist
BELCHERTOWN — The Quabbin Photo Group will hold its next meeting on Monday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Belchertown Recreation Department, 66 State St. The meeting is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.
This month’s guest speaker will be Jillian Whitney, a wildlife biologist with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Division of Water Supply Protection. Whitney began her career with DCR in 2005 as a seasonal technician. She will share insights from her work studying wildlife around the Quabbin and Ware river watersheds, highlighting projects such as Common Loon monitoring, vernal pool surveys, and other efforts to better understand and protect local wildlife.
Founded in 1984, the Quabbin Photo Group traces its roots to the Belchertown Color Camera Club, which was established in 1948 by noted local photographer Les Campbell. What began as a small group of friends meeting in homes a few times a year has evolved into an organization that now holds monthly meetings and educational programs for photographers of all levels.
For more information, visit quabbinphotogroup.com or contact QPG President Mark Lindhult at mlindhult@gmail.com or Program Chair Ed Comeau at ecomeau@comeauphotography.com.
Valley Springs expands Intensive Outpatient Program
HOLYOKE — Valley Springs Changes announces the expansion of its Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Holyoke with evening hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m.
The IOP is designed for adults 18 and older experiencing mild to moderate psychiatric distress, including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), social withdrawal, dual diagnostic substance use disorder and other mental health concerns.
As an outpatient service, it enables flexibility in treatment setting, providing care to patients in both group and individual settings from licensed therapists, psychiatrists and social workers. The IOP also provides medication supported treatment for full wrap-around services.
The program serves individuals stepping down from inpatient care, those who need more support than traditional outpatient therapy and those balancing work, school and other daytime routines.
In addition to the Intensive Outpatient Treatment program provided at Changes, Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital provides inpatient treatment for individuals struggling with mental health and co-occurring disorders. The Holyoke hospital offers caring, compassionate treatment for children and adolescents (ages 5 to 17), seniors, and adults.
Valley Springs Changes Intensive Outpatient Program is located at 45 Lower Westfield Road in Holyoke. For more information, call 413-466-6370.