• A big tipper reaches his tipping point
Igo to New York City several times a year.

• Animal rescue groups are completing 'families'
PALMER - Local animal rescue groups here and in Chicopee are giving dogs, cats and other small animals a new lease on life by matching them up with families looking to adopt pets.

• Boys & Girls Club plans for Craft Fair
The Boys & Girls Club of Chicopee is planning for its Craft Fair that will be held on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendor space is still available for the event. Vendors will be allowed to set up from 7 to 10 a.m.

• Charity auction set to benefit arts center
HOLYOKE - Art lovers and those who support the arts will have the opportunity to purchase some unique works while aiding a good cause at the Holyoke Creative Arts Center's Second Annual Charity Auction on Nov. 14.

• Chicopee City Council approves parking ordinance changes
CHICOPEE - The following ordinance changes have been approved by the City Council following a second and final reading.

• Converse Middle School students protect their eggs
PALMER - There was "eggs-citement" all around at Converse Middle School's annual egg drop contest on Oct. 20. Fifth-graders had to create contraptions to protect raw eggs from repeated 30-foot drops from a second-story window.

• Grandparents group conducts lively talk
CHICOPEE - Over 40 people ranging from concerned grandparents to information seeking service providers were in attendance at the Chicopee Council on Aging & Senior Center for the Listening and Learning Tour conducted by the newly-formed Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

• Life of Vicki Joseph to be celebrated by Elms College
CHICOPEE - A celebration of the life of Vicki Joseph, associate academic dean for Continuing Education at Elms College, will be held on Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Veritas Auditorium, Berchmans Hall, Elms College, 291 Springfield St.

• Mayors boost literacy's role
The first time I met Mike Sullivan he was sitting at a table across from a group of newspaper editors, trying to explain why he would make a great mayor for the city of Holyoke. As I recall it, the conversation was colored by some of the great books he was reading at the time.

• Scholarship applications available
CHICOPEE Several scholarships will be awarded by the General Federation Women's Clubs via the Chicopee Falls Woman's Club.

• Scholarships linked to blood drive efforts
WEST SPRINGFIELD - High school seniors looking for college scholarships will have another option as Bob's Discount Furniture is offering money for students who have made large contributions to their high schools' blood drives.

• School's students receive dinner etiquette lessons
SPRINGFIELD - As head of school at Academy Hill School, Jake A. Giessman wants to make learning fun.

• Training aims to change negatives to positives
Ireceived a call from one of my favorite people, Karlene Shea from Multi-Cultural Community Services, who is an inspiring disabilities advocate.

• Volunteer opportunities abound
Here is a partial list of volunteer opportunities offered by agencies of the United Way of Pioneer Valley for November. People interested should contact these agencies directly. For more, go online to

• We must believe all students can achieve
At a recent conference of college admission professionals I attended a presentation in which the discussion was on a different type of gap in the education world - that which is called the belief gap.