Cultural Pittsfield This Week: April 8-14

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Office of Cultural Development | City of Pittsfield
 
 

 
Your favorite farmers market is in the running to win up to $20,000 from Seeds of Change. 
Receiving this grant would allow the Market to expand programming to improve access to healthy food and increase nutrition for low-income families. Get out the vote to ensure they move on to the final judging phase and are considered for this major award.

The website appears to be overloaded on the first day of voting.  If you can't get in the first try, please try again later.  
 

Spring is a great time to look for migrating birds of all kinds, especially the beautiful wood-warblers. Walk past wetlands and meadows and through woodlands observing changes in bird species each week. Bring binoculars; beginners welcome.
 
Fridays | 8-10am | Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary | Holmes Rd. | 413-637-0320 | FREE

 
Celebrate National Robotics Week in Spark!Lab. During Robot!Lab, prototype a robot using recycled materials; challenge a Lego Robot to navigate a maze using an iPad; program a friend using simple command cards; and mix and match magnetic robot parts to design a custom robot!
 
Friday-Sunday, April 8-10 | hours vary | Berkshire Museum | 39 South St. | 413-443-7171 | Included with museum admission

 
Berkshire Theatre 2016: An Insider's Preview: Get the behind-the-scenes scoop on this summer's theater season from Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Theatre Group, Shakespeare & Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Oldcastle Theatre Company, and Chester Theatre Company. 1:30-3pm
 
Our Healthcare System Decoded: What You Need to Know: Five leading doctors provide updates on our rapidly changing health care system - from increasing emphasis on outcomes, cost, quality, and safety to contemporary health insurance, a discussion of evidence-based care, the Affordable Care Act, and advances in cancer care. 3:30-5pm
 
Friday, April 8 | 1:30 & 3:30pm | Berkshire Community College | 1350 West St. | 413-236-2190 | $45 for OLLI members

 
Paint "Lily" on a 16x20 canvas to kick off the 11th annual Minds Matter Walk for Mental Health Awareness. Includes three hours of individualized instruction, premium acrylic paints and supplies. Reservations required. BYOB.
 
Friday, April 8 | 6-9pm | Dirty Brush Studios | 141 North St. | 413-442-9300 | $40

Alan Bennett's tale is based on the true story of Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith), a woman of uncertain origins who "temporarily" parked her van in Bennett's London driveway and proceeded to live there for 15 years. What begins as a begrudged favor becomes a relationship that will change their lives.
 
Friday-Monday, April 8-11 | Fri.-Mon. 7pm, also Fri. 4pm & Mon. 1:30pm | Berkshire Museum | Little Cinema | 39 South St. | 413-443-7171 | $5 Museum Members, $7.50 Non Members

Help the Pittsfield High School band raise funds for their upcoming trip to Quebec, Canada with a night of music performed by the ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute band, TUSK. Last year's sold-out Beatlemania concert raised over $7,000 for the PHS band. TUSK has been thrilling audiences for over 15 years with their uncanny resemblance to Fleetwood Mac, both in sound and likeness.
 
Friday, April 8 | 7:30pm | Berkshire Community College's Boland Theater | 1350 West St. | 413-341-7410 | $25/$35/$45

 
This final winter market will offer pasture-raised meats, eggs, cheese, fruits, vegetables, breads, baked goods, coffee, wine, art, and more. Featured kid-preneurs will be on hand in the Youth Booths, along with live music from 11am-1pm.
 
Saturday, April 8 | 9am-1pm | Boys' and Girls' Club | 16 Melville St. | 413-448-8258 | NO COVER

Students will perform all day to raise funds for Berkshire Music School programs. Be sure to stop by the bake sale and music shop.
 
Saturday, April 9 | 9am-6pm | Berkshire Music School | 30 Wendell Ave. | 413-442-1411 | FREE

 
Be creative with the big, blue blocks! Imagination Playground™ is an innovative design in play equipment that encourages creativity, communication, and collaboration. Unstructured, child-directed play has proven to help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually, and the Imagination PlaygroundTM allows children to turn their playground into a space built and re-built by their imagination.  
 
Saturday, April 9 | 10am-12pm | Berkshire Museum | 39 South St. | 413-443-7171 | Included with museum admission

 
The Saint Joseph Central High School Crusader Club will once again host its annual Pasta Pizzazz to raise funds in support of co-curricular activities at the school. Dine In or Take Out: this all-you-can-eat pasta supper is one of the Club's primary fundraisers each year. Enjoy a sampling of sauces from local restaurants, along with breads, salads, desserts, beverages, and a series of fun raffles.
 
Saturday, April 9 | 4:30-7pm | Saint Joseph High School | 22 Maplewood Ave. | 413-447-9121 | Adults $13, Children/Seniors $10, Free for children under 5

Aimee Banks, from Ireland, and other young stars in the making from Berkshire County will delight the audience with their performances. Fourteen-year-old Aimee is Ireland's representative at the Jr. Eurovision Song Competition. Berkshire County performers include members of the cast of the Berkshire Children's Theater's The Wizard of Oz, Irish step dancers, and others.
 
Saturday, April 9 | 6:45pm | Whitney Center for the Arts | 42 Wendell Ave. | 413-443-0289 | NO COVER

 
The band is back to rip it up live at the Tavern.  
 
Saturday, April 9 | 9pm | Tavern at the A | 303 Crane Ave. | 413-448-9009

 
BHS' Coffee Hour Speaking Series presents "Living with Coyotes" with John Maguranis, a representative from Project Coyote, a North American coalition that promotes compassionate conservation and coexistence between people and wildlife. Enjoy great conversation and delicious desserts! To save a seat and be eligible for the t-shirt raffle at the end of the presentation, please call (413) 447-7878, ext. 128.
 
Sunday, April 10 | 2pm | Berkshire Humane Society | 214 Barker Rd. | 413-447-7878, ext. 128 | FREE

Temple Anshe Amunim and 350.org present the critically acclaimed movie Groundswell Rising (Protecting Our Children's Air and Water), a film about the environmental impact of fracking. Before the film, Rabbi Josh Breindel will give a presentation on the religious imperative to care for the environment. After the hour-long movie, there will be a discussion with representatives of 350.org.
 
Sunday, April 10 | 2pm | Temple Anshe Amunim | 26 Broad St. | 413-442-5910 | FREE

 
As part of its celebration of National Library Week, the Berkshire Athenaeum will offer a modified fines amnesty from Monday, April 11 through Saturday, April 16. During this time the library will accept non-perishable food items in lieu of paying fines for overdue books. During this time, the library also encourages general donations of food not associated with overdue library books. All donated food will be turned over to food pantries in Pittsfield.
 
Monday-Saturday, April 11-16 | Berkshire Athenaeum | 1 Wendell Ave. | 413-499-9480

 
Great Decisions: Great Decisions is a national foreign policy discussion program run by the Foreign Policy Association. Participants will join in a discussion of current significant and far-reaching global issues including shifting alliances in the Middle East, the rise of ISIS, international migration, The United Nations post-2015, climate geopolitics, and Korean choices. 9:30-11am
 
Shakespeare's Comedies (and Romeo and Juliet, too): Shortly after Shakespeare began writing his history plays, he also embarked on comedy, and during the mid- to late-1590s produced some of the best comic plays ever written, along with one significant tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, which some have called a comedy that took a tragically wrong turn. Instructor Richard Matturro leads the way in taking a fresh look at these plays. 2-3:30pm
 
Monday, April 11 | 9:30am & 2pm | Berkshire Community College | 1350 West St. | 413-236-2190 | $45 for OLLI members

 
Therapist Maggie Bittman will lead a group discussion about "The Process of Aging." These discussions are open to anyone interested in sharing in this universal topic. This is a monthly program, and the discussions range from "Should I Remain in My Home or Downsize" to "Aloneness" to "Staying Active in Your Community."  Suggestions for topics are welcomed.
 
Monday, April 11 | 10:45am | Congregation Knesset Israel | 16 Colt Road | 413-442-4360, Ext. 15 | FREE

This cocktail party to benefit the Humane Society will include two drinks and passed hors d'oeuvres from 5-7pm, all for $25. The talented Picky Bastards will play from 7-10pm. A $10 donation for the dance party is greatly appreciated.
 
Monday, April 11 | 5-10pm | Methuselah Bar & Lounge | 391 North St. | 413-344-4991 | $25

No reservation needed, walk-ins welcome. A professional art instructor will guide adults ages 13 and up through any painting they'd like, even one of our Paint & Sip paintings they've been dying to do. $15 per session. Bring your own materials, or we will supply them for you for an additional $10.
 
Monday, April 11 | 6-8pm | Berkshire Paint and Sip | 305 North St. | 413-205-8346 | $15 per session, an extra $10 if you need supplies

 
Berkshire County Kids' Place is thrilled to have been selected by the local Ben & Jerry's shop as the non-profit partner on Free Cone Day! Please come by and enjoy a free cone and stop by the Kids' Place table to say hello, make a donation or get some information about our organization and the events we have coming up.
 
Tuesday, April 12 | 12-8pm | Ben & Jerry's | 179 South St. | 413-442-4360, Ext. 15 | FREE

 
Tequila and Mexican tapas night featuring a flight of four tequilas from 1800 Tequila. Reservations required.
 
Tuesday, April 12 | 6:30pm | Rainbow Restaurant | 109 First St. | 413-443-0004 | $18/$16 RBC members

 
The Pembury Bridge Club is offering free lessons to introduce this rewarding pastime. The 8-week lessons are for beginners and social players who want to learn modern bridge. Following the lesson, students will play in a guided novice game. Lessons, refreshments, and first textbook are free to new players; games will be $6 beginning the third week.
 
Wednesday, April 13 | 10:30am-12pm | South Congregational Church | 110 South St. | 413-441-5934 | FREE

Molly Johnston, owner of Back to Basics Cooking + Coaching, will present a cooking demonstration on the subject of soup.
 
Wednesday, April 13 | 7pm | Berkshire Athenaeum | 1 Wendell Ave. | 413-499-9480 | FREE

 
Town Players of Pittsfield is holding auditions for staged readings of "The Seven Deadlies" by Amy Sarah LaMena and "Double D" by Jim Dalglish. "The Seven Deadlies" is a devilishly funny short play whose main characters are PRIDE, WRATH, GREED, ENVY, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH, POOR PERSONAL HYGIENE, PASSIVE AGGRESSION, SELF-ABSORPTION and FEAR. The director is looking for a diverse cast of men and women over the age of 18 to play these 10 characters. "Double D" is a 15-minute play that requires a plus-sized woman (20-40) and a man (40-60) who comes off as effeminately gay. Funny and inspirational!
 
Wednesday & Thursday, April 13 & 14 | 7pm | Whitney Center for the Arts | 42 Wendell Ave. | 413-443-9279 | FREE

 
Instructor Robin Seeley leads a class designed to meet the needs of those new to yoga, as well as those seeking a unique exploration of basic poses. Practiced regularly, Kripalu Yoga provides many benefits including an increase in flexibility, strength, and overall fitness and health. Robin offers variations and modifications so that students of all levels may work within their individual capacities.
 
Thursdays | 9-10am | Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness | 55 North St., Suite 201 | 413-281-6734 | $10 per class

Kubrick Country: Explore the methods, techniques, and cinematic approach of legendary director Stanley Kubrick. Known as much for the myths surrounding his work habits as for his iconic films, Kubrick developed a unique approach to the director as auteur. As he put it, "I have no fixed ideas about wanting to make films in particular categories - westerns, war films, and so on. I would like to make a film that gave a feeling of the times."
 
Thursday, April 14 | 2-3:30pm | Berkshire Community College | 1350 West St. | 413-236-2190 | $45 for OLLI members

 
If you are interested in doing the show, please send host Thomas Attila Lewis a message via Facebook. We will keep, at most, 2 slots open for sign-ups at the show. See event site for open mic rules.
 
Thursday, April 14 | 7pm | Dottie's Coffee Lounge | 444 North St. | 413-443-1792 | NO COVER

 
Outspoken, WordXWord's Youth Poetry Festival will take place May 6 & 7 in Pittsfield. Young poets ages 13 - 23 are invited to participate in this celebration of spoken word which will include workshops, poetry reading, and poetry slam competitions. Participation is free, but requires preregistration by April 10. More information about the festival can be found at OutspokenYouth.com.

 

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EPA Lays Out Draft Plan for PCB Remediation in Pittsfield

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant requested the meeting be held at Herberg Middle School as his ward will be most affected. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency and General Electric have a preliminary plan to remediate polychlorinated biphenyls from the city's Rest of River stretch by 2032.

"We're going to implement the remedy, move on, and in five years we can be done with the majority of the issues in Pittsfield," Project Manager Dean Tagliaferro said during a hearing on Wednesday.

"The goal is to restore the (Housatonic) river, make the river an asset. Right now, it's a liability."

The PCB-polluted "Rest of River" stretches nearly 125 miles from the confluence of the East and West Branches of the river in Pittsfield to the end of Reach 16 just before Long Island Sound in Connecticut.  The city's five-mile reach, 5A, goes from the confluence to the wastewater treatment plant and includes river channels, banks, backwaters, and 325 acres of floodplains.

The event was held at Herberg Middle School, as Ward 4 Councilor James Conant wanted to ensure that the residents who will be most affected by the cleanup didn't have to travel far.

Conant emphasized that "nothing is set in actual stone" and it will not be solidified for many months.

In February 2020, the Rest of River settlement agreement that outlines the continued cleanup was signed by the U.S. EPA, GE, the state, the city of Pittsfield, the towns of Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, and Sheffield, and other interested parties.

Remediation has been in progress since the 1970s, including 27 cleanups. The remedy settled in 2020 includes the removal of one million cubic yards of contaminated sediment and floodplain soils, an 89 percent reduction of downstream transport of PCBs, an upland disposal facility located near Woods Pond (which has been contested by Southern Berkshire residents) as well as offsite disposal, and the removal of two dams.

The estimated cost is about $576 million and will take about 13 years to complete once construction begins.

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