The 15th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival continues through Sunday, Oct. 20. The Dayramir Gonzalez Quartet will perform at Berkshire Museum on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be preceded by a wine bar that opens at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m., The Colonial Theatre will host legendary vocalist Stephanie Nakasian and her daughter, Veronica Swift, in a rare pairing. The Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble will open.
Follow the yellow brick road to A Night in Emerald Cityand help Berkshire County Kids' Place raise critical funds. Enjoy dinner, entertainment, a silent auction and more, at the Country Club of Pittsfield. 5-8:30p.m.
Each month, youth and their caregivers are invited to Berkshire Athenaeumfor an evening make and take session. This month, make a felt monster plushie!This program is best suited for those in grades 2-5, however, siblings are welcome. All supplies will be provided. Registration for this event is required.
Run the scenic cross-country trails at Berkshire Community College to benefit BCC's nursing program in theBerkshire Healthcare Harvest Run. The Harvest Run 5K is free to attend, with registration fees and prizes for runners, and free refreshments for all. The kids' 1-mile fun run is free to enter. 10 a.m.
Barrington Stage Company presents a world premiere by Brent Askari.In the not-so-distant future, a couple is enjoying a visit from their college-aged son when a young Muslim woman comes to their door. She's looking for safe passage via a new Underground Railroad as Muslims are being detained and imprisoned. When a government official knocks on their door, the family must decide how much to risk to save an innocent woman.
The EforAll Ideas Pitch Contestis a fast-paced, fun community event designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs gain valuable exposure and feedback on their business ideas. FREE. Berkshire Museum. 6-8 p.m.
Workshops are back at Township Four, and begin with the popularGlobe Terrarium Class!These mini-gardens are made to either sit on a shelf or hang from a hook, and make great gifts. Other options are available during the class if you're looking to create in a different piece of glassware. All materials are included; choose between lush terrarium plants or neat succulents! $40 plus tax. 6-7:30 p.m.
Starring Keira Knightley, Matt Smith and Ralph Fiennes, Official Secrets tells the true story of Katharine Gun, a British whistleblower who leaked information to the press about an illegal NSA spy operation designed to push the United Nations Security Council into sanctioning the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
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North Street Parking Study Favors Parallel Parking
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes.
The city, by request, has studied parking and bike lane opportunities for North Street and come up with the proposal staged for implementation next year.
While the request was to evaluate angle parking configurations, it was determined that it would present too many trade-offs such as impacts on emergency services, bike lanes, and pedestrian spaces.
"The commissioner has been working with Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and my office to come up with this plan," Mayor Peter Marchetti said during his biweekly television show "One Pittsfield."
"We will probably take this plan on the road to have many public input sessions and hopefully break ground sometime in the summer of 2025."
Working with Kittleson & Associates, the city evaluated existing typical sections, potential parking
configurations, and a review of parking standards. It compared front-in and back-in angle parking and explored parking-space count alterations, emergency routing, and alternate routes for passing through traffic within the framework of current infrastructure constraints.
The chosen option is said to align with the commitment to safety, inclusivity, and aesthetic appeal and offer a solution that enhances the streetscape for pedestrians, businesses, cyclists, and drivers without compromising the functionality of the corridor.
"The potential for increasing parking space is considerable; however, the implications on safety and the overall streetscape call for a balanced approach," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales wrote.
Bike lanes and parking have been a hot topic over the last few years since North Street was redesigned.
In September 2020, the city received around $239,000 in a state Shared Streets and Spaces grant to support new bike lanes, curb extensions, vehicle lane reductions, and outdoor seating areas, and enhanced intersections for better pedestrian safety and comfort.
A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes. click for more
Amy Schirmer was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for creating a weekly therapeutic art class at the George B. Crane Center to help those in recovery from substance use. click for more