W Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

City Hall 59 Court Street Westfield, MA 01085

November 2012

City Council Meeting Highlights October 18th and November 1st, 2012

estfield

Message from Mayor Knapik

Inside This Issue:

Pioneer Valley Rider Training 2

The Batters Box 3

Westfield Glass Company 4 Wreaths Across America 5 Shop Downtown Westfield 6

Mark your calendars for December 12th, 6:30 pm at South Middle School. At this time an important public meeting will take place to unveil the plans for the redevelopment of Elm Street, specifically 80 Elm Street where demolition has begun.

This will be your opportunity to see

what the plans currently are, what they are not, and what you would like them to be. It is your chance to make suggestions to what you would like to see in the downtown.

December also welcomes to

Westfield the 9th Annual Dickens Days. The events that takes place this month have become known throughout the region and this year is no exception.

On Saturday night, December 8th we will have Latkes & Lights, beginning with lighting the Menorah and then going to the Amelia Park Children’s Museum to enjoy Latkes. These are just a sampling of what’s happening in Westfield. All of these events can be found by visiting the Westfield on Weekends web site.

www.westfieldonweekends.com

PASSED: Appointment of Meghan Miller as Westfield City Treasurer Adopted Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Development Master Plan for the Westfield Elm Street Redevelopment & Intermodel Transportation Center. Accepted grants from MassDOT Aeronautics Division for Airport noise mitigation program. Accepted donations to the Westfield Animal Shelter. Accepted job description for Director of Community Development.

We begin on Monday, November 26th with the Lanternlight Parade that ends with the lighting of the 22-foot holiday tree across from the soldiers monument. Just one more year at this location while we wait for the grass to take hold on the Park Square Green. On Sunday, December 2nd there is a special stage performance of A Christmas Carol performed by the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens. Saturday, December 8th is a special day in Westfield as we have the Dickens Stroll throughout the downtown. If you have not had the chance to come downtown to see the new stores and sidewalks, this is your opportunity.

Bonus Pages This Month

Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

November 2012

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Did you know that one of the best motorcycle riding training schools in the north east is right here in our own Westfield? People come from all over the state to attend one of the rider safety programs. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, there is a course for everyone at Pioneer Valley Rider Training. The school was founded 13 years ago by John and Cindy Peles. John is a life long motorcycle enthusiast, and wanted to integrate his passion for riding with safety and solid riding skills, and make this fun way of life available to everyone. All instructors have many years of riding experience and have been through a rigorous training program at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). Both beginner and experienced level courses are held on the weekends beginning in April continuing through November. Motorcycles are provided, and helmets are also available if you do not have your own. In one weekend, you can go from being a novice rider to acquiring your M class license and being ready to ride your own bike. Qualified graduates of either the Basic Rider Course or the Experienced Rider Course are eligible to receive their motorcycle license or endorsement. This exempts these graduates from the Registry of Motor Vehicle road test (and related $20 fee). Statewide approximately 95% of students successfully complete the course the first time. If you wish to obtain a motorcycle license at the end of the course, an applicant must first obtain their motorcycle learner’s permit, which is a multiple-choice exam at the Department of Motor Vehicles. You do not have to have a permit to take the course. Once you have your permit, you are ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime and a weekend of fun and learning. The course time is one third in the classroom, and two-thirds time on the

range riding a motorcycle; so all riders learn both classroom fundamentals and also have hands-on learning time.

Pioneer Valley Rider Training 1029 North Road - Westfield, MA

413-525-0049

Not sure if a full weekend course is the right step for you? Find out if riding is for you, Introduction to Motorcycling is designed specifically for the brand new motorcycle rider. This is a two hour, hands on, private lesson which introduces brand new riders to the activity of motorcycling. Class sizes are a 1:1 student to coach ratio with a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Rider Coach. The pace is slow, allowing maximum time for coaching, skill development and confidence building. If you are unsure of your abilities, or unsure if motorcycle riding is the right activity for you, or if you just want to take a more gradual approach to learning to ride, consider the Introduction to Motorcycling course. On the other hand, even if you are an experienced rider, there’s always something new to learn. Increasing numbers of seasoned riders are flocking to the six-hour Experienced Rider Course to hone their proficiency and fine-tune the mental skills needed for expertise in traffic. Perhaps one of the most satisfying comments the instructors hear about these courses is that not only does the school improve one’s motorcycle skills, the courses dramatically improve one’s overall driving skills. Teaching people to anticipate, scan ahead, and drive defensively are perhaps some of the greatest skills anyone can learn when on the roads today. Taking a motorcycle safety class is not only fun but will put some great driving skills in your tool belt. Motorcycle manufacturers such as BMW, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Vengeance, Victory and Yamaha provide tuition reimbursements or other incentives for students who successfully complete a Rider Course. Check with the manufacturer or your local dealer for current incentive programs. For more information, or to register for a class, check out our website: www.pvriders.com. Happy trails!

Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

November 2012

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Over 200 visitors welcomed The Batter’s Box, the brand new baseball and softball training facility, to Westfield on October 6, 2012! Opening day was a huge success and assured Owner, Tim Kelleher that this was exactly what the youth of Westfield needed! With his passion in coaching and Westfield being such a sports oriented town, Tim felt this was the perfect idea! Tim and his wife Gina had looked at locations and researched this business for over two years before deciding on the current location. Tim has coached in Westfield for over 30 years and starting the business here was a no-brainer. Tim says Westfield has such a large base of baseball and softball enthusiasts and a very rich history as well. Tim feels that sports are a great tool to use in raising children, and that many life lessons are learned by playing a sport like baseball. Having raised four children in Westfield, Tim and Gina knew the importance of getting involved. Tim often began a season inspiring his players to “Work hard, Improve, and Have fun!” Tim’s son Frank, to his surprise used those very words in his graduation speech for WHS. Tim has passed on his love for baseball to his children, and it showed in the preparation of opening day! The whole Kelleher family was on hand for the grand opening of The Batter’s Box. Tim and Gina Kelleher’s children each brought their own personal strengths to the plate! Their daughter Allison was there to greet and keep visitors informed. Their sons

Daniel and Tim, also known as T.K. on the Westfield High Baseball team, worked at the opening too, feeding the pitching machines with baseballs and instructed the younger players. Frank, their middle son also contributed to the success of the day by creating the website, logo and informational brochure! The Batter’s Box is a place where players of all ages and abilities can come to improve on their game. This training center offers five cages, three with 70-foot tunnels and two that are 50-feet long. Each one has a pitcher’s mound, pitching machine, a bucket of balls, a “L” screen and of course a “batter’s box.” The most important assets however, are the coaching staff. Tim says “there is surely no shortage in Westfield for knowledgeable baseball and softball instructors!” The name Jachym, and Westfield baseball go hand in hand. Coach Jachym, former WHS player and coach has years of experience and is part of their coaching staff. Along with Coach Rob Atkocaitis, Coach Brian McCann, and Coach Jeff Pluta, Batter’s Box has the best of the best! Coach Kelleher knew that in order to continue to compete at a level that Westfield has traditionally competed at, an indoor facility within the city was a must! No longer will baseball and softball be a warm weather sport in Westfield. The city now has a great new asset to the community where the sports can be practiced all year round. The Batter’s Box will work with people individually or can accommodate an entire team!

www.BattersBoxWestfield.com

Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

November 2012

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For three generations and nearly 70 years, the Jarret family has been providing Westfield and surrounding towns not only glass, but fast, reliable service with that personal, small business touch. Northside Glass was founded by Robert Jarret in 1945, and in 1972 David Jarret Sr. joined his Father to expand the business and make it thrive. Dave Jarret, Jr. started working right alongside his father learning the trade, and knows how to get the job done right, on time, and at the right price. In 2001, when Dave Jarret, Jr.’s father retired, and Dave carried on with the business and continues to provide his customers with the very best products and services! Westfield Glass has been on the hill, 1 Montgomery Street and in the same location since they first opened back 70 years ago. Their services include, but are not limited to: commercial storefronts, tabletops, screens, mirrors, plexiglass, patio door glass and insulated glass. Westfield Glass is known for their work, especially when it comes to storm door replacement glass, home and replacement windows, and windshield replacement. They also offer fireplace and woodstove glass replacement, large mirrors for gyms or dance studios, door mirrors, bathroom mirrors and pattern glass. They also replace insulated units in your window if your double pane window is fogged or if moisture is trapped between the panes.

Westfield glass specializes in all types of auto glass. They offer professional installation of windshields, windows and side view mirrors. They will install your auto-glass with same day service in a climate controlled shop where you can be assured that your installation will be done properly. They even bill your insurance company directly, no waiting and no hassle! They can diagnose and repair most car window problems if your window just won’t go up or down. David’s goals for the future are optimistic and since he is the only son, he hopes to have his son work with him in the future like he did with his father. Dave hopes the bridge will re open soon, and invites everyone to view his website and to come in to visit!

1 Montgomery Street ♦ Westfield

413-562-2505 Mon-Thursday 8 am -5 pm

Friday 8am-4:30 pm, Saturday – Seasonal

www.westfieldglass.com

Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

November 2012

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Business Focused ♦ Community Driven

November 2012

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