Walk for peace
in Gaza

LEVERETT — The Village of Light Ashram in Leverett is sponsoring a walk for peace in Gaza on Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Walk organizers say the walk is an effort to stand with those who are suffering in both Israel and Palestine. Everyone is invited. The walk will begin and end with prayers for peace, and some will be praying along the way.

The walk begins at the Leverett Town Hall and ends at the Peace Pagoda, a distance of 3.5 miles. Those who feel they cannot walk for the entire time can find a place in one of the cars that will be accompanying the walkers. It is also possible to do part of the walk and ride for the rest of it.

Signing up in advance is requested but not required by May 11. To sign up, visit lightomega.org/event/gaza-peace-walk/.

High blood pressure support group

NORTHAMPTON — A support group for people with high blood pressure is forming in western Massachusetts.

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure affects approximately half of the adult population of the United States.

The peer support group is forming in response to a lack of nonmedical support services in the area.

The first meeting will be online on Thursday, May 23, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Participants can share what their needs are and collectively decide what form the group should take.

Email joannlutz22@gmail.com for more information and to receive the Zoom link.

Sen. Velis receives Hope for Holyoke’s lifetime award

HOLYOKE — Sen. John C. Velis, D-Westfield, joined community members at Hope for Holyoke’s 8th annual “Hopey Awards” last Friday. During this event, which recognized individuals, businesses, staff, peer leaders and volunteers, Velis received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his work to support those in recovery.

Hope for Holyoke provides free peer-to-peer recovery support programming in Holyoke. Throughout Velis’s career he has championed legislation and support for programs focused on supporting those with substance use disorders. As the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, Velis noted that he will be continuing to focus on these issues in the Senate’s upcoming fiscal 2025 state budget and throughout the rest of the legislation session.

Hollywood sound editor to visit Amherst Cinema

AMHERST — Amherst Cinema welcomes Hollywood sound editor Midge Costin on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a screening of her award-winning documentary, “Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound,” to be followed by an seminar, “Beyond the Visual: Exploring the Art and Craft of Sound.”

Costin has been a feature film sound editor in Hollywood for famous filmmakers. Two of the films, “Crimson Tide” and “Armageddon” — for which she edited sound effects and dialogue — received Academy Award nominations for sound editing.

Directed by Costin, “Making Waves” reveals the hidden power of sound in cinema and introduces audiences to the unsung heroes who create it. The film also features entertaining insights and stories from iconic directors such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, David Lynch, Barbra Streisand, Ang Lee, Sofia Coppola and Ryan Coogler, who have worked with sound design pioneers Walter Murch, Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom.

Immediately following the screening, Costin takes center stage to share highlights from her career as a sound editor, teacher, and advocate for the creative use of sound in the cinematic arts. The conversation will be moderated by Amherst Cinema veteran and Cinema Seminars presenter, Nina Kleinberg.

Tickets are available through Amherst Cinema’s website, or in person at the Amherst Cinema box office. Tickets for this program are $18.50 for general admission, $16.75 for senior (65+)/ students with valid ID, and $13.50 for members. For more info and to purchase tickets: amherstcinema.org/films-and-events/making-waves