In an attempt to keep you apprised of issues, concerns, events, and news that affect Ward 7, I’ve launched a listserv for us to share information and conduct discussions. The listserv has been up and running for five months now and includes:
• Updates on DPW and other repairs in our ward
• Updates about City ordinances that affect neighborhoods
• Invitations to informational meetings and public hearings
• Discussion about Ward 7 and City-wide issues.

Please consider subscribing. To do so, if you have a Yahoo email account, or are willing to open one, please go to the listserv homepage at: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Ward7Northampton/info and click on “Join Group.”

If you don’t have a Yahoo account, you can subscribe by sending a blank (empty) email to:
ward7northampton-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

And please feel free to call me with all questions and concerns.
586-9123 aklein@northamptonma.gov – Many thanks, Alisa

Ten Leeds residents have formed a working group to help shape the Leeds portion of an eventual greenway along the Mill River. Jason Johnson has agreed to serve as chair, so if you are interested in what happens along the river, please send your email address to Jason, so he can include you in meeting notices and other news of the group’s work.  Like the rail trail, the Greenway would serve both pedestrians and bicyclists, but its goals and its pathway are largely different. The Greenway initiative aims to provide a richer experience for both walkers and bicyclists, to protect the Mill River watershed, preserve its cultural artifacts, enhance its biological health, and encourage appreciation for the rich history along the river. One of the few places the Greenway and the rail trail would coincide would be in Leeds, between the intersection of the rail trail and Mulberry Street and where the proposed new rail trail extension would end in Haydenville at South Main Street. (River Rd becomes South Main Street in Haydenville.) You can find a wealth of information about the project and the Mill River history at www.MillRiverGreenway.org. Contact Jason Johnson at cookjohnson@comcast.net.

May 2 – May 3

by Penny Geis
What do you love about Leeds?
How would you show it in a photo?
Let’s make sure Leeds is well represented!
Photos taken by hundreds of Northampton residents will become a permanent part of the city’s historical record after a 48-hour photo blitz.

Participation is open to anyone, regardless of age or photography experience. Photos must be taken during the 48 hours between 12:00 am Friday morning, May 2, 2014, and midnight, Saturday night, May 3, 2014.  During the following week, each participant may submit up to twelve (12) JPEG files of images of her/his own choosing and up to twelve (12) of specific subjects/areas Historic Northampton hopes to include in the digital record. Sessions for those volunteering to document specific topics will be held in advance at Historic Northampton. No files will be accepted after midnight, Saturday, May 10, 2014.

Historic Northampton, Inc. and Forbes Library will select photos for their permanent collections based on both historical interest and photographic quality. These photographs will be displayed in digital slide shows in multiple Northampton locations, including at Historic Northampton, during August and September, 2014. The blitz was conceived by Historic Northampton director Nan Wolverton, and the Northampton Camera Club is collaborating to organizing the event. If you’d like to help organize it, offer financial sponsorship, or just have questions, contact your Leeds neighbors Penny Geis: pgeis@comcast.net or MJ Marccardini: mjm106@gmail.com

For more information closer to the photo blitz dates, check these two websites: www.historic-northampton.org/,
www.forbeslibrary.org
• Times for information sessions at Historic Northampton and Forbes Library to review subjects, camera settings, etc.
• The web address and how-to info for uploading photos.
• Times when assistance with uploading photos will be available at Forbes.