Come together as a community on Tuesday, February 7th at 6pm in Florence, MA to casually discuss some of the challenges families and educators face in an age of rampant commercialism and ubiquitous technology, while brainstorming together on ideas and strategies for preserving non-commercialized creative free play for our children.

Hilltown Families will host a free informal roundtable discussion for parents, educators and community members interested in a dialogue about creative free play in a commercialized world on Tuesday, February 7th from 6-7:30pm at Cup & Top Cafe in Florence, MA, sponsored by Hilltown Families and the Northampton Public Schools.

• WHAT: Roundtable Discussion on Creative Free Play in a Commercialized World: A Community Conversation with Hilltown Families
• WHERE: Cup & Top Cafe, 1 North Main Street, Florence, MA
• WHEN: Tuesday, Feb 7th, 2012, 6-7:30pm (Snow date: Feb. 21st)
• COST: Discussion is Free. Dinner from Cup & Top is available through 6:30pm ($).
• CONTACT: Hilltown Families, hilltownfamilies@gmail.com

On the heels of the holiday season, with another commercialized holiday approaching on Feb 14th (Valentine’s Day), Hilltown Families invites parents, educators and community members to come together to informally discuss some of the challenges we face in an age of rampant commercialism and ubiquitous technology, while brainstorming together on ideas and strategies for preserving non-commercialized creative free play for our children. This free roundtable discussion will take place at Cup & Top Cafe.

Participants are warmly welcomed to purchase dinner from the cafe through 6:30pm (gluten-free & nut-free options available). Free childcare is available in the cafe’s playspace. To sign up for childcare, email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com.

Hilltown Families roundtable discussions are part of a series of Community Conversations presented by Hilltown Families that invites the community to engage in conversations about raising healthy children including helping children develop a positive sense of self and empathy for others and the world around them. This evenings roundtable discussion is a continuation of the presentation Hilltown Families hosted before the holidays with with Dr. Susan Linn (follow link to read more), author of The Case for Make Believe and Consuming Kids, and is co-sponsored by the Northampton Public Schools/CFCE through a grant from the MA Department of Early Education and Care.

ABOUT HILLTOWN FAMILIES

Hilltown Families is an award winning online grassroots communication network for families living in Western Massachusetts:  www.HilltownFamilies.org. Founded in 2005 by long time activist and Hilltown mother, Sienna Wildfield, Hilltown Families serves thousands of families in the Highlands Region of Western Massachusetts, including the Hilltowns, Pioneer Valley and parts of the Berkshires.

Through a dynamic award-winning web site, social networking, listserv, podcast, online bulletin boards, and collaborations with civic and nonprofit groups, Hilltown Families connects community and organizations through out Western Massachusetts by helping residents share ideas, organize activities, support and supplement their children’s education, and increase participation in community life.  Find out more at www.HilltownFamilies.org.

[Image credit: (ccl) Monette Enriquez]

Celebrate President's Day with the Cat's Pajamas

Join us for a special President’s Day Celebration – Rock out with The Cat’s Pajamas!

Monday February 20th @ 11:00am

$5/family suggested donation

Buckle your seatbelts — The Cat’s Pajamas are taking your whole family on a musical joyride! It’s high-octane kid-rock with a musical comedy twist, featuring 4 foot sharks, pirates, movie stars and a family dance party. Join The Cat’s Pajamas as they celebrate their new release Backseat Driver with a duo guaranteed to delight all ages.

Winner of The Children’s Music Web Awards for Best New Artists (Cool Music for Kids, 1999), Best New Album (Goin’ Bananas, 2001), and The Kids Music Award for Best Song about Reading (I Love It When You Read To Me) and Best Album (Reading Rocks!, 2011).

“The Cat’s Pajamas makes great music for everyone in the family – even dads.”
Bill Harley, children’s musician, storyteller and NPR commentator.

Cup & Top Cafe | 1 N. Main Street | Florence, MA | 413-585-0445 | Cupandtop@hotmail.com

from 8am-6pm

Cup & Top Cafe | 1 N. Main Street | Florence, MA | 413-585-0445 | Cupandtop@hotmail.com

Sunday, Dec 25th (Christmas): CLOSED

Mon, Dec 26th – Sat, Dec 31st (New Year’s Eve): 8am – 3pm

Sun, Jan 1st (New Year’s Day): CLOSED

9” Pie (serves 8 or more)

Pumpkin, Maple Pecan or Local Apple

Regular: $16 Gluten-Free: $18 (ask us about vegan options)

10” Cheesecake (serves 12-16)

White Chocolate-Rasperry, Candy Cane or Pumpkin-Cider Swirl

Regular: $28 Gluten-Free: $30

10” Flourless Chocolate Torte (serves 8-12)

with Raspberry or Blood Orange Compote

Gluten-Free! $28

Pumpkin-Cranberry Bread (serves 8 or more)

Gluten-Free! $13/loaf

Please Place Orders by Tuesday Dec. 20th: Call 413-585-0445, Email cupandtop@hotmail.com or Come In!

Cup & Top Cafe | 1 N. Main Street | Florence, MA | 413-585-0445 | Cupandtop@hotmail.com

“I am a printmaker who works at Zea Mays Printmaking studio in Florence, MA.
All of the illustrations in Sometimes I am Messy, Sometimes I am Neat, come from photopolymer plates.  I drew my characters on Mylar, exposed plate and Mylar to create a plate, inked and printed plates and cut and hand colored each image.
This is my first published children’s book and I look forward to reading the story to children and adults alike.
I live in Easthampton, MA with my husband Daniel LaValley and our two pets, Binky and Cricket.”

Cup & Top Cafe | 1 N. Main Street | Florence, MA | 413-585-0445 | Cupandtop@hotmail.com

Whether a stay-at-home, full or part-time working, single, divorced or married father, AND no matter the age of your child or children, you are invited to this unique event for fathers.

Fatherhood is an incredibly rewarding journey that can help men grow in the most amazing ways. Yet, at times, we may feel lost in the wilderness of fatherhood, without a map, compass, or willingness to ask for directions. The Fatherhood Journey is an opportunity to reorient yourself by connecting to, sharing with, and learning from other men about one of the most amazing journeys of your life. You and your family will be glad you attended.

This event is hosted by John P. Engel of LifeMigrations Coaching & Consulting.   For more information, or to register for the event, click on the logo below.

Come get a seat in the front window to view the fun.)

• 9” pies (serves 8 or more)
• handmade butter crust
• all natural ingredients

Regular: $17  Gluten-Free: $19 (ask us about vegan options)

choose from:

• Local Apple
• Local Pumpkin
• Maple Pecan
• Pumpkin/Pecan

ALSO: Pumpkin Cranberry Bread (gf) – $13/loaf

Please place orders by Friday, Nov 18th

call: 413-585-0445  or email or stop by!