by Dave Eisenstadter | Nov 13, 2019 | Articles, Between the Lines, Featured, News
One of the first ways I got connected to Western Mass was through the vibrant contra dance community that continues to exist here. When I first stumbled on contra dance in 2002 in southwestern New Hampshire where I grew up, most agreed that some of the best dancing to...
by Dave Eisenstadter | May 1, 2019 | Articles, Between the Lines, Featured, News
Last week, a Facebook comment thread on a Valley Advocate parenting column about dealing with tantrums went in an unexpected direction. Despite the article having nothing to do with vaccines, a reader took the opportunity to rail against them and espouse conspiracy...
by Advocate Staff | Dec 18, 2017 | Featured, Food Booze and Beyond, News, Newsletter
Let’s face it: We live in uncertain times. Seas are rising. The climate is changing. Nuclear-armed countries are escalating their rhetoric, with our own president making threats of nuclear strikes. Increased dependence on automation is making us ever more vulnerable...
by Chris Goudreau | Apr 3, 2017 | Articles, Featured, Newsletter, Wellness
Every year billions of ticks creep through wooded areas across Massachusetts and New England, feeding vampirically off the blood of wildlife, pets, and humans. With ticks comes the most obvious fear: Lyme disease. But how much of what seems like common knowledge about...
by Kristin Palpini | Feb 18, 2015 | Between the Lines, Columns, News, Wellness
Measles, an infectious viral disease, is far more harmful and deadly than the measles vaccine. So why have so many parents opted to skip this regular inoculation? Bad information. The so-called anti-vaxx movement advises against childhood inoculations, especially the...