Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44mattersmagazine.com 7 T localmatters The Buzz The Schools Committee of the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race will host workshops presented by Diane Hughes, Ph.D., for parents, teachers and anyone working with children, to gain an understanding of the stages of racial knowledge and how to talk with children about race. At 7 p.m. March 21, in the South Orange Middle School library, Hughes will present Growing Our Understanding:TheLanguageof Raceand Identity. Participants will learn how to develop responses to the questions about race and race observations children make and the racism they experience. Experts will give concrete suggestions for choosing books that generate discussion and help build conversations. On April 1 the Coalition will present Talking to Your Pre-Schooler: The First Conversations at Montrose Early Childhood Center at 10 a.m. Hughes will share approaches and strategies that support ongoing conversations with children that address racism, build respect and promote empathy to help raise racially-sensitive children. A list of reading materials to help families understand racial identity, as well as to develop a foundation for inclusive behavior, will be provided. For details, visit twotowns.org. TheMaplewoodMemorial Park Conservancy (MMPC), a public-private partnership modeled on such successful organizations as Newark’s Branch Brook Alliance and the Central Park Conservancy in New York, will hold a meeting on March 23 at 7 p.m. at The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road, to share plans for a brand-new organization that will assist the township in caring for, restoring and improving this local gem. Members of the planning group will give background on the history of the park, the protocols mandated by its historic designation and the 2014 Master Plan and its recommendations as well as talk about progress so far in forming the group and possible future initiatives. MMPC is seeking volunteers for The Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy will hold a meeting March 23 at 7 p.m. at The Woodland in Maplewood. Buy Tickets Today! www.SOPACnow.org | (973) 313-2787 South orange Performing artS Center one SoPaC Way, South orange nJ 07079 See more events at www.SOPACnow.org ChriS Smither and david LindLey THU, MAR 23 AT 7:30PM Blues and Roots masters and guitar virtuosos. viniCiuS Cantuaria Canta antonio CarLoS Jobim FRI, MAR 24 AT 8PM Brazilian Master of Bossa Nova “The Girl From Ipanema,” “The Waters of March” and more! 10,000 maniaCS SUN, MAR 26 AT 7:30PM The band that created the Alt-Rock format. an evening With PoCo FRI, MAR 31 AT 8PM Defined country-rock with their distinctive sound. oLeta adamS SAT, APR 1 AT 8PM Her hit “Get Here” launched a career that spans Gospel, Soul, R&B and Pop. bÉLa fLeCk & abigaiL WaShburn FRI, APR 7 AT 8PM Banjo duo that defies all expectations. “the aCouStiC Living room” SongS and StorieS With kathy mattea featuring biLL CooLey SAT, MAY 6 AT 8PM Hear Grammy Award-winner Kathy Mattea’s classics “18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses,” “Where’ve You Been?” and more. SOPAC programs are made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Text SOPAC to 313131 to sign up for the e-news