New Workshops Offered at BCC

Print Story | Email Story
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - Berkshire Community will offer the following new workshops at its South County Center in Great Barrington this summer.

“Brain Bending Exercises for Your Mind Muscles: 21st Century Thinking Skills” (WKS 2081) teaches students to improve their thinking skills by practicing simple, non-ideological tools, techniques and skills developed by Dr. Edward De Bono from the Cognitive Research Trust in Cambridge, England. The practical skills learned will help students quickly and systematically think through any situation, decision or problem, and confidently take action. Classes, taught by Richard Ruth, meet Monday and Thursday evening, June 1 through June 25, from 5:30 to 7. Cost for registration is $130.

“Stress Busters and Energy Boosters” (WKS 2080) shows how learning and practicing simple physical and mental exercises from China, Japan, Korea, India, Native America, Harvard and Cambridge de-stress, re-balance and boost energy in less than 24 minutes a day. Classes, taught by Ruth, meet Friday morning, June 5 through June 26 or July 10 through July 31, from 11 to 12. Cost for registration is $45.

“Stay Green and Comfortable for Less” (WKS 9703) examines the basics of home energy use, waste and conservation. Students learn practical ways to lower energy bills and stay comfortable using green materials, conservation and the sun. Classes, taught by Ed Sepanski, meet Tuesday evening, June 9 through June 30, from 6:30 to 8:30. Cost for registration is $80.

“The Energetics of Teaching and Learning” (WKS 1621) examines how energetic interactions can affect and influence teacher and student health, attitude, growth, advancement, and personal relationships. The instructor, Nixsa Mills M.Ed., is a graduate of the Healing the Light Body School. She has been granted certification in Luminous Healing and Energy Medicine and also holds certifications for Macrobiotic Healing & Reiki. Class meets Wednesday morning, June 10 or July 8, from 9 to 12. Cost for registration is $35.

For more information, or to register, call BCC’s South County Center, at 413-528-4521. For long distance (in Mass only), call 800-816-1233, ext. 5201 or 5202.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

View Full Story

More South County Stories