PITTSFIELD - A group of local women last year thought it would be a great idea to bring the community together during the Kwanzaa holiday. They were right - more than 300 people showed up.
So the Women of Color Giving Circle moved the event from the VFW - where it was standing-room only - to the Masonic Hall on South Street to accommodate the crowd expected at tonight's event.
The second annual event will be held tonight from 6 to 9. It is free and open to everyone in the community.
"The idea is to get families and the community together to explore culture," said Felicia Robinson, one of the organizers, adding "what better time to have everyone come together to eat and hear speakers?"
The focus will be on youth, the community's future, and how they can be supported and encouraged, she said.
Kwanzaa, a pan-African cultural holiday, is observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Its name comes from the Swahili word for "first fruits" and it celebrates family and community. The holiday was established more than 40 years ago by a community activist group in Los Angeles to recognize the values of family, culture and community.
The holiday's seven days relate to the "Seven Principles" of unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Tonight's observance is based on self-determination, or kujichagulia.
"The idea is to bring the community together to speak about goals and aspirations," said Robinson, and to think about how those goals can be realized working together.
The Women of Color Giving Circle of the Berkshires is an affiliate of the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts, which provides resources and support for women and families in the region. The event is also sponsored by the Pittsfield Office of Cultural Development.
Live performances by the Youth Alive Step Dance and Bucket Drumming Group, Focus is Our Children modern dance troupe, the Praise Dancers, gospel singers and poetry by Nakeida Bethel-Smith. There will also be a variety of foods from the community.
There will be a traditional Kwanzaa ceremony highlighting principles of family and community values.
The organizers hope this will become an annual tradition. Robinson said the group is eyeing to expand the event for next year and, hopefully, add vendors, such as for clothing.
"I hope it's going to be success," said Robinson.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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