Magazine Archive
Magazine Archive
When Death Interrupts the Conversation
When I was 20, my father threatened to disown me if I didn't transfer out of the music composition track I was on at college, and get a “sensible” degree in elementary education. Out of pure fear, I did as he demanded. Three years later, when Dad was seriously ill, I landed my first teaching job at a private elementary school on Long Island, moved back into my old bedroom at my parents’ house, and hoped to find the courage to have it out with Dad.
Know Your Student's Educational Options
Even though the school year has just begun, some families may already be thinking about educational options for next fall. This is especially true if their child is at a transition point in their education. Typically, parents will hear about schools – and their reputations – from people in their social circles. Then if they’re especially interested, they’ll go online to seek out more information. The best action families can take after that is to make in-person visits to selected schools and experience the learning environment firsthand. Here are some questions to think about during the school exploration process:
The Mathnasing Number Maze!
Summer is all about fun in the sun, but all that time out of the classroom means that your child might have had a summer math set back. At Mathnasium, our tutors build a love and appreciation for math, and can help your students get back on track this fall! Keep your student sharp with the mind-boggling world of The Amazing Number Maze!
Meet CLOSE: Coalition of Longmeadow Organizing Substance Education
In an effort to combat the growing concern of youth substance use, the community of Longmeadow began rallying together in 2016 to implement comprehensive prevention measures. Recognizing the critical importance of safeguarding their young population, Longmeadow Public Schools helped to develop CLOSE Community, the Coalition of Longmeadow Organizing Substance Education for the Community—led by caring volunteers including parents, educators, health care providers, grandparents, students, police officers, clergy, business owners & civic volunteers.
Garrick Perry: A Force for Good
In Northampton’s heyday, the city pulsed with music. Main Street was a treasure map for aspiring performers and loyal fans, a trail of gold coins from the Iron Horse to the Pearl Street Nightclub to the Calvin Theatre. And with a built-in support system for bands, there was bounty aplenty for everyone.
Garrick Perry, better known as “Force,” arrived on the scene in the early 2000s. He joined the local hip hop/reggae band the Alchemystics in 2004 and formed a group of MCs called the Problemaddicts two years later. Soon he began managing Bishop’s Lounge – the only late-night venue that remains open in Northampton – a bar he envisioned as the city’s “Cheers.”
“I spent a lot of time community building,” he explains. “A number of friends joked that I was sort of like the Night Mayor.”
Your Newest Selectman: Meet Vineeth and the Hemavathi Family
“Longmeadow is full of amazing, smart, and fun individuals. We also love Longmeadow’s green spaces, its walkability, and overall friendliness,” said Longmeadow resident Vineeth Hemavathi. “We often joke that we feel that Longmeadow is like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls – the ideal town!”
Whether you liken Longmeadow to Stars Hollow, Mayfield, Mayberry, or Agrestic, it is certainly some version of paradise for the Hemavathi-Stevens family.
Northampton Living’s Publisher Named Ambassador of the Year
When Daniel Reider moved to the area in November 2019, he didn’t know a soul in Northampton. After a 12-year career with the National Basketball Association overseeing international television programming, he had a network that spanned the world. Yet he longed to be part of a close-knit community.
In January 2020, Reider started to approach sponsors for Northampton Living, the first local magazine that would put its residents on the cover and give the community the royal treatment. Though the pandemic delayed its launch, the magazine debuted that October. Less than 3 years later, he was named Ambassador of the Year by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce.
Dream House: Valley Home Improvement Does Inspired Work in the Community
Before Steve Silverman moved to Florence, he set a few intentions. He and his wife would trade the Cape Cod shores for acres of farmland. He would “pick up a tool belt and make a hobby into a career.” Maybe he’d be a builder.
In 2004 the couple rented a house and gave themselves one year to buy a home. That September, they headed to the Three-County Fair to celebrate Labor Day. That’s where Silverman came across a posting for a 45-acre horse farm. Within a week, he’d signed a purchase and sale agreement. Now it was time to find work.
When he walked into Valley Home Improvement (VHI) that month, he and the company president, Nelson Shifflett, realized they had attended the same high school on the Cape. Then Shifflett said something even more surprising: “One day I’m going to sell my company and you could be the buyer.” He looked in Silverman’s direction, and Silverman peered over his shoulder, wondering who had entered the room. Then he turned back to his new boss, who now shook the hand of his future successor.
A Matter of Life and Death
What happens when Uncle Sam and the Grim Reaper join forces? The death tax, otherwise known as the largest tax bill you’ll ever pay but never see. Thankfully, unlike death itself, this tax can be avoided or minimized with proper estate planning.
A Cable TV Exodus
Am I the only one that thinks that cable companies are a bunch of thieves? Actually, I know I’m not. I hear the same thing from my clients all the time. But this is getting out of hand. Every other day, I see someone make a post about it, or I get a call from someone who is fed up with their cable bills. While the numbers are not exact, from my experience, monthly bills are ranging from $230-$290 a month! That's insanity.
Catch The Tail End of this HOT Summer Market & Earn TOP DOLLAR on Your Home - How Can YOU Earn 5-20% Over The List Price Of Your Home?
The summer months are a prime time for real estate and provide valuable tips for both buyers and sellers looking to make a splash in this scorching market. While the summer real estate market is typically associated with high activity and fierce competition, the tail end of this season often presents a unique set of opportunities. As the summer draws to a close, savvy buyers and sellers can take advantage of several factors that make the tail end of the market an enticing time to engage in real estate transactions. In this blog post, we'll explore a big reason to consider jumping into the tail end of the summer real estate market… Earning 5-10% OVER the list price of your home.
A Perfect Storm
Severe storms can be unpredictable and dangerous, so it's crucial to stay prepared and know how to keep you and your loved ones safe. Here are 5 tips to stay out of danger.
Back to School Tips For Families
With the school year starting, we wanted to share a few tips to help you and your family handle the transition to another year at school. Jeff Londraville is the author of The Filter, and has worked for decades in education.
5 Important Values to Teach Your Kids
Alex Cook Has a Message for You
Paintbrush in hand, Alex Cook surveyed the brick wall on Bridge Street. He’d never painted publicly before. For years he’d swapped sketchbooks with his two best friends in Wellesley. Sometimes they rode bikes to Bertucci’s just after the dinner rush, because in the restaurant was a giant chalkboard known to moonlight as a canvas. The manager gave them free dinner rolls and all-access to the chalk stash, and though their murals were ephemeral – they would be erased for tomorrow’s specials – they were always meaningful.
Preparation is a Small Price to Pay
The couple wanted desperately to buy a house in the Valley. They were tired of renting. Or perhaps they wanted to move closer to their parents, or to better schools for their kids.
But like many prospective buyers, they were priced out of the Valley’s housing market, with its sky-rocketing prices, limited inventory, and rising interest rates. They couldn’t come up with a down payment and they wondered whether they could afford the monthly mortgage. And so they decided to give up the dream of home-ownership, at least for the time being.
College Material
If college is on the horizon for your soon-to-be freshman, this will be a summer for computer shopping. We asked tech expert Scott Haselkorn for tips on where to start
On Medication
Let's unravel the mysteries of prescription drug coverage for Medicare enrollees and ensure you have all the information you need to access affordable medications.
Meet the Verriden Family!
It seemed to be a morning like any other. The minivan containing the Verriden family had just parked at Springfield’s Academy Hill School. Zach Verriden looked at his children grinning and giggling in the back three rows like they always did. But on this day, Zach (also Academy Hill’s principal) saw another adorable face - the children had smuggled their puppy, Gus, into the van!
It’s hard to fluster Zach, the even-kneeled midwesterner who dedicates his life to working with children - but the dog abduction by his well-intentioned children almost broke Verriden. Luckily, he was able to turn the dilemma into delight as the students of Academy Hill had a new mascot for the day - although Zach’s gray hairs are forever.
Such hijinks are the norm in the Verriden household. Zach and Anya, and their four children Henry (9), Tommy (8), Katy (7) and Sam (4), and their three dogs, Rosy (12), Maggie (2), and Gus (4 months), are always up to something. Sports and dance, Cub Scouts and Daisy’s, art, swimming, music, enrichment activities, and more, the Verriden’s are on the move.
Cool Down With Mini-Splits!
Mini-split HVAC systems, also known as ductless HVAC systems, have gained popularity in recent years due to their energy efficiency, flexibility, and ease of installation - and at Berkshire Heating and Air Conditioning, we have everything you need to install (or repair) this relatively new product in your home.
Small Wonders
Mini-split HVAC systems, also known as ductless HVAC systems, have gained popularity in recent years due to their energy efficiency, flexibility, and ease of installation - and at Berkshire Heating and Air Conditioning, we have everything you need to install (or repair) this relatively new product in your home.