2nd Street Seeks Submissions for Literary Project

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 2nd Street seeks submissions for Using Our Outside Voices, a literary project created in partnership with Berkshire Community College (BCC) that is designed to promote creativity, acceptance and inclusion for presently or formerly incarcerated men and women in Berkshire County. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2024.
 
Authors whose work is selected will receive a cash award of $200, and winning submissions will be published in a journal. The initial run of 400 printed copies of the free journal will be distributed locally, and digital copies will be available online. In addition, public readings will be held at various venues in the Berkshires.
 
Any presently or formerly incarcerated resident of Berkshire County is invited to submit original poetry, short fiction, personal essays or other literary works. Those who need editorial help can bring their work to 2nd Street, located at 264 Second Street, Pittsfield.
 
For more details on how to submit a literary work, visit www.2nd-street.org and click Special Projects, or call (413) 443-7220, ext. 1275. 
 
Financial and in-kind support of Using Our Outside Voices is provided by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Arts Build Community initiative with funding from the Barr Foundation; by Berkshire United Way; by Berkshire Community College; and by Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency supported by Mass Cultural Council.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Parks Commission OKs Lessons at Pittsfield Pickleball Facility

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's pickleball culture is ramping up with classes at the Benedict Road courts.  

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission approved Michael Latini's request to offer pickleball lessons at the facility, which opened a couple of years ago

Certified instructor Michael Latini plans to offer one-hour lessons to beginner-to-advanced level players from August to November on Tuesdays.  

Latini has been a member of Berkshire Mountain Pickleball for eight years and was on the committee that helped erect the courts. He has seen the organization grow from around 100 people to about 400 people, and lives nearby, playing up to five times a week. 

"So I'm very passionate about pickleball," he explained. 

He traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to become a certified pickleball teacher, and is Berkshire County's USA Pickleball ambassador, which entails getting pickleball to grow and teaching people how to play. 

The sport has also positively impacted his health. 

"One of the benefits that I've had out of pickleball is I'm a Type 2 diabetic, and through pickleball, I've been able to get off insulin, which my doctor was thrilled about," Latini said. 

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