BCC Workshops Focus on Leisure Activities

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Anyone interested in brushing up on their bridge or poker skills is invited to register for one of more of the following workshops being held at BCC’s South County Center this summer.

“Fundamentals of Poker” (WKS 2820), a new workshop, teaches skills such as discipline, critical reasoning, money management, and strategy building. Poker basics, the game of Texas Holdem, tournament poker and how key skills come into play are covered. Classes, taught by Thomas Trifon, meet Monday and Wednesday evening, June 22 through July 15, from 6:30 to 8:30. Cost for registration is $160.

“Advanced Bridge” (WKS 653) covers in detail many modern conventions such as Key Card, Blackwood, Negative Doubles, Ogust and Drury with emphasis on declarer play and defensive signals. Duplicate bridge tactics are also discussed. Classes, taught by Morton Friedman, meet Tuesday morning, June 23 through Aug. 25, from 10 to 12.

“Intermediate Bridge” (WKS 652), for intermediate players only, teaches to bid so your partner knows your strength and distribution. Dummy play and defense if covered, as well as conventions such as weak two bids, limit raises and negative doubles. Classes, taught by Friedman, meet Tuesday afternoon, June 23 through Aug. 25, from 1 to 3, or Thursday morning, June 25 through Aug. 27, from 10 to 12. Cost for registration is $135.

“Bridge for Novices” (WKS 651) is designed for beginners who know the mechanics of the game, but want to learn conventions such as Stayman and Blackwood. Classes taught by Friedman, meet Thursday afternoon, June 25 through Aug. 26, from 1 to 3. Cost for registration is $135.

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