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

• Adult sled hockey team seeks players, sponsors
WESTFIELD - A new adult sled hockey team is recruiting players with lower limb mobility impairments.

• Agencies seeking volunteer helpers
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

• Artistic Abilities show pairs artists, disabled
SPRINGFIELD - At Artistic Abilities 2009, local residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have a chance to showcase their talent.

• Downtown staffer takes mission global
Y: Staffer takes mission global I'm not sure what I'll bring back, but I hope to bring back as much as I take.Courtney Harness 8Y Courtney Harness, health and wellness director of the downtown YMCA, has his plate very full these days.

• Firefighters honored for rescue
SPRINGFIELD - Three firefighters who entered a burning mobile home and rescued an unconscious man strapped into his motorized wheelchair were recently honored.

• Fund-raiser to focus on disabled child
SPRINGFIELD - A Forest Park family in need of a wheelchair-accessible van for their disabled daughter is turning to the community for support.

• In Massachusetts, record can't be expunged
Editor's note: This is the latest in a series of monthly columns that addresses readers' questions on legal topics. Please send your questions to Ask the Experts, Plus Papers, The Republican, P.O. Box 2350, Springfield, MA 01102-2350 or e-mail to plus papers@repub.com with "Ask the Experts" in the subject line.

• It takes a village for children to succeed
Editor's note: This is the first in a monthly series of columns by Alan J. Ingram is superintendent of Springfield Public Schools.

• MacDuffie hosting open house, festival
SPRINGFIELD - The MacDuffie School, a coeducational college preparatory school for grades 6-12, will host an Open House and International Festival on Sunday.

• Mayors acknowledge literacy's importance
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.

• Open house celebrates office
SPRINGFIELD - Rebuilding Together, the nation's largest volunteer home repair organization and non-profit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities, celebrated its first office in Springfield with an open house.

• Scholars' blood drive donations rewarded
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.

• Students schooled in dining etiquette
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.