The Valley on Film

by | Oct 15, 2014 | Film

In the last 18 years, the Northampton Independent Film Festival has evolved, and even gone away for a while. In 2012, after that hiatus, it became the Northampton International Film Festival and gained a new abbreviation: it’s not the “NIFF” longtime...
The Great Burrito Smackdown

The Great Burrito Smackdown

by | Oct 15, 2014 | Food + Booze

Allow me to interrupt my grumbling gastrointestinal system to tell you what I learned during the Valley Advocate’s First (and perhaps Last) Annual Burrito Crawl—the region has no shortage of big, bruising burritos. And some of them even taste good. Mine...
Beer Around Here

Beer Around Here

by | Oct 15, 2014 | Food + Booze

A selection of winners from this year’s Best of the Valley Readers’ Poll.   Theodores’ Booze, Blues & BBQ 201 Worthington St., Springfield (413) 736-6000 www.theodoresbbq.com This Springfield institution has been home to the region’s...
Cider the Hard Way

Cider the Hard Way

by | Oct 15, 2014 | Food + Booze

Comparing apples to apples is just good practice. Do it for 20 years, and you’ve got yourself a tradition. The 20th Annual Franklin County CiderDays runs from Friday, Oct. 31 to Sunday, Nov. 2 and features classes, hangouts, talks and tastings throughout the...
The Flush of Acquisition

The Flush of Acquisition

by | Oct 15, 2014 | Arts

The Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Northampton was abuzz with excitement. Antiquarian booksellers and private collectors perused hundreds of rare items displayed on long tables in final preparation for the evening’s auction, picking up leatherbound books, laminated...