Sen. Comerford’s committee assignments

BOSTON — State Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, will serve as the Senate chair for the Joint Committee on Higher Education for the 194th legislative session. This is her second consecutive session serving as Senate chair for this committee.

In addition to this role, Comerford will also serve as the vice chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, advancing from assistant vice chair in the 2023-2024 legislative session; vice chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries; and vice hair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy.

Comerford has also been appointed as a member of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, the Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight, and the Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion.

“These committee assignments will allow me to further statewide work that is critical to the wellbeing of western and north central Massachusetts,” Comerford said in a statement. “We made significant progress in higher education and agriculture last session, but there’s more to do. And certainly, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means offers me an unparalleled opportunity to represent the interests of my constituents.” 

Applications open for Carlos Vega Fund mini-grants

HOLYOKE — Local nonprofits and individuals are invited to apply for funding for the Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice mini-grants through April 18 by completing the application form available at www.carlosvegafund.org. All applicants must have either 501(c)(3) status or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization.

For more than 40 years, Carlos Vega fought for social justice in the greater Holyoke area. In 2010, a small group of family and friends started the fund to support the kind of social justice initiatives that were important to Vega.

The fund, now in its 14th year, provides grants amounting up to $2,000 to be used for a specific, one-time program or project that focuses on the fundamental primary causes of injustice, fosters change, and promotes self-help and empowerment.

The purpose of the grants is to support the efforts of those who are addressing issues of poverty and oppression, and involve people who are socially and economically marginalized in the greater Holyoke area.

The Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice is administered through the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and is overseen by an advisory committee. Since 2012, the Fund has awarded more than $71,000 to more than 50 organizations in the greater Holyoke area.

Celtic band concert coming to Northampton

NORTHAMPTON — Tiny Glass Tavern will present a Celtic band concert and country dance event on Saturday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m., at Edwards Church, 297 Main St.

The event will feature The Chivalrous Crickets, a Celtic/early music band, on tour with their program “The Rose & Briar”: a storytelling concert of the Ballad of Barbara Allen. Featuring an entrancing combination of traditional Celtic, English Baroque and Olde Time music, the concert is woven through with narration telling the story of history’s most beloved child ballad.

Tiny Glass Tavern, a cross-genre ensemble based in Massachusetts, is led by vocalist Sophie Michaux and features a rotating constellation of performers, presenting a broad selection of music that spans genres and languages.

Prior to the show attendees have the option to attend a folk singing and dancing workshop by the Chivalrous Crickets from 5-6:30 p.m. Participants will learn one a call and response number from an ancient Gaelic tradition, and have the chance to join a few English country and square dances with the band, called by Fiona. Tickets range from $10-$30. Go to tinyglasstavern.com/events for purchases and details.