EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Health Department has issued a warning about potential cyanobacteria algae blooms in Rubber Thread Pond, located behind the parking lot near the city’s Municipal Building at 50 Payson Ave.

Photographs of the suspected blooms were sent to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Toxicology Program, which reviewed the images and confirmed that they indicate potential cyanobacteria cells that exceed state guidelines for Massachusetts recreational water bodies.

“The City of Easthampton is working with the Nashawannuck Pond Committee to begin testing Rubber Thread Pond in the coming weeks,” said Brian Chapdelaine, health agent for the City of Easthampton. “The goal is to figure out a long-term solution to this problem.”

The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee is a volunteer-based advisory committee to the city that raises funds for the preservation and restoration of Nashawannuck Pond, as well as educating the community on the pond’s benefits and conservation. For several years the group has deployed a preventive treatment around the pond intended to reduce the occurrence of algae blooms.

Residents are advised to avoid the pond, and public advisories are to be posted at all access points.

The MPDH advises that individuals and their pets not to come in contact with the water, including through swimming, fishing, kayaking or boating, and other water-based activities.

This type of algae can cause skin and eye irritation upon contact, gastrointestinal symptoms upon ingestion, and asthma-like symptoms upon inhalation. Harmful effect vary from case to case and correlate with the amount ingested. If an individual ingests large amounts of these toxins, they may experience liver or neurological damage.

Small children and pets are most susceptible to the effects of these toxins. Instances of livestock and pets dying from the ingestion of these toxins have been recorded. If a pet has come into contact with a suspected algae bloom, they should be rinsed off as soon as possible, and their veterinarian should be contacted.

Anyone who believes that they have come into contact with these algae should immediately rinse off with clean water and contact their primary care physician.

Once the bloom appears to have dissipated, the MPDH Toxicology Program will undergo followup testing to confirm the water’s safety. To be considered safe enough for the advisory to be rescinded, the MPDH requires that two samples taken a week apart test below the guideline level.

According to Chapdelaine, the blooms in Rubber Thread Pond have appeared for the past three years, and typically show up in May and June.

Art Walk returns to Easthampton

Art Walk will return to Easthampton again this Saturday. From 4 to 7 p.m., community members are welcome to browse a diverse selection of performances, exhibitions and activities in Eastworks, Old Town Hall, and throughout the Cottage Street Cultural District.

At Old Town Hall, participants include CitySpace, Elusive Gallery at Big Red Frame, and the Easthampton City Arts Gallery. Oxbow Gallery will be open to viewers at 40 Cottage St., and participants at Eastworks include Alchemy Fiber Mill, 50 Arrow Gallery, Moonlit Sea Prints, and Resilient Community Arts.

Southampton, Easthampton seek community planning input

Southampton and Easthampton are seeking community input on separate iniativies in their communities.

In Southampton, the Ad Hock Technology Committee has issued a community survey as part of a yearslong effort exploring fiber internet for the town. The survey asks for input from community members about their current internet service and how the project can help them in the future.

The survey can be accessed via Google Form on the town website at townofsouthampton.org.

In Easthampton, officials are asking for comment as they update the city’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan is updated every five years, and includes provisions for mitigating the effects of natural disasters such as flooding, storms, and extreme heat.

Input from this survey will help inform the shape these mitigation practices take moving into the next five-year period.

The survey is available on the City of Easthampton Facebook page as a Google form.

Scott Maloney to talk at Edwards Public Library

This Thursday, the Edwards Public Library in Southampton will host a talk by motivational speaker Scott Maloney entitled “I Am…”

“The ‘I Am…’ program is for anyone that wants to make a change in their life, big or small,” according to the program announcement.

Maloney is a Massachusetts native who has been a motivational speaker for almost 20 years, giving talks across the country. Before that, he was a comedian, teacher, and television reporter.

The event, sponsored by the Southampton Cultural Council, is intended for teens and adults, and will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Easthampton Learning Foundation’s Spring Showcase

The Easthampton Learning Foundation (ELF) will host its Spring Social and Showcase Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mountain View School Auditorium.

The event will offer performances by ELF grantees, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to learn about ELF’s work in supporting Easthampton Public Schools. ELF will showcase the work that has been made possible by community support for their grant programs. Several local food vendors will also be in attendance, including Mt. Tom’s Ice Cream.

ELF is run by an all-volunteer board that works in collaboration with Easthampton Public Schools and the broader Easthampton community to foster student equity, community engagement, teacher-led initiatives, and more.

Those who are able are encouraged to gift donations to ELF for the continuation of their work.

Decarcerate Western Massachusetts hosting summer film series

EASTHAMPTON — Last Sunday, Decarcerate Western Massachusetts kicked off its summer film series with showings of “The Columbia Revolt” (1968) and “Riotsville, USA.” The film series will continue through early October, and features films “focused on prison abolition and how it overlaps with other struggles like immigration, criminalized mutual aid, and more,” according to an announcement of the series.

Decarcerate Western Massachusetts is an Easthampton-based coalition of people and organizations focused on supporting incarcerated people and getting them released.

On Sunday, June 9, Decarcerate will show “Criminal Queers” and “A Song of Love” at The Brick House in Turners Falls. On July 14, they will show “The Prison in 12 Landscapes” outside Unnameable Books in Turners Falls. On Aug. 11, they will show “We’re Alive” and “Angola 3” at Bookends in Florence. On Sept. 8, they will show “Sleep Dealer” and another yet to be determined film at Holyoke Media in Holyoke. On Oct. 13, they will show “Infiltrators” at UMass Amherst.

Each screening is followed by a talk-back or activity session for those in attendance. Donations are requested at the door, but those unable to pay will not be turned away. Masks are required at these events.

Screening locations are subject to change. For updates and to RSVP to a screening, visit decarceratewesternmass.org.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com or on Instagram and Twitter at @alexamlewis.