This place is hoppin'

Welcome to our many new members that are currently flocking in!  Happy to have you!  There's a lot of energy here, a very exciting time for us.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR NEW PARENTS (or those who haven't signed up yet):

Hi North Star parents and caregivers!

 At our last parents meeting we talked about making a listserve for North Star parents and caregivers to connect with resources, opportunities, events, carpooling, questions and support. We thought it might be especially helpful for when families are going to an event they think other folks might be interested in, or if they have an extra seat available in their car, etc.  It will also be a place to ask questions and get support as we work with our kids.  The list will not administered by North Star staff, so it will be important to remember that feedback about North Star and issues specific to North Star should be communicated to the staff directly.

The group will be closed to the public and open to North Star families.  You will be able to set up the emails to come individually, in digest form (daily), or not at all and you can go to the group site to read the threads.  To sign up, simply send and email to NorthstarGrownups-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.  You will recieve a confirmation email from yahoo, which you need to reply to, and then you are set.  I will be happy to administer the group and approve all the signups as they come in.  The discussion will be unmoderated.

 Thanks so much and I look forward to getting to know you all better.

 Peace,

Carol Allman-Morton (Sam and Abbey's step-mom!)

--------------------------------------------------------------------- 

A great program to know about:  Boys To Men Teen Mentoring Network of Western Mass. and Southern Vermont, led by John Berkowitz.

Here's the update on the Boys To Men Teen Mentoring Network.  We're off to a great start in Greenfield, and into our second year with twice as many boys in Brattleboro!
9 boys, between the ages of 13 and 17 and living in the Greenfield MA and Brattleboro VT areas, completed the Rite of Passage Adventure Weekend in late August, a physically and emotionally challenging, and safe, initiation into young manhood. 
They are now called  'Journeymen',  on their journey through adolescence to manhood.   They will meet for the next year in Greenfield every other Sunday  in a group of 5 boys and 5 mentors, and in Brattleboro once a month in a group of 9 boys (including 5 who have been in the group for the past year) and 5 mentors.  
They will participate in fun and challenging indoor and outdoor sports and activities, as well as discuss issues they are facing as teens and what it means to grow up into a healthy manhood.
We are open to and seeking new families with teen boys, as well as new mentors, to participate in additional groups in Brattleboro and Greenfield.  

For More info:   John Berkowitz, 413-625-6374, johnberk@crocker.com, www.boystomennewengland.org,  www.boystomen.org

Watch a trailer about the 60-minute film "Journeyman", which documents the positive impact of the Boys To Men Mentoring program:

------------------------------------------------------------------

ANOTHER SHAMELESS PROMOTION FROM CATHERINE AND JOE:

Tomorrow night, (Saturday, February 6), Omulu Guanabara Capoeira presents Naia Kete.  Kete was a North Star member for her 8th grade year before going on to PVPA then leaving school to pursue her musical career.  2 albums and hundreds of performances later she is rocking the east coast, soon to be rocking the nation.  Come see her perform at North Star, a rare opportunity to see her with her full band in a close and personal setting.  Doors open at 8 pm.  All ages.  Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, to benefit Omulu Guanabara Capoeira.  Call 413-386-8316 for more information.

Listen to her on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/naiakete