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.

Mexican Eatery's License Clipped for Underage Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Licensing Board imposed a two-week liquor license suspension on Iztac Mexican Restaurant after police submitted photographs that appear to show underage patrons drinking. 

Formerly Pancho's Mexican Restaurant, the eatery has been in front of the board for several incidents over the last few years. Pancho's had its liquor license suspended for one week in 2023 and its hours reduced twice

"This is serious, and they have a history, and I think we owe it to this community to do something a little heavier," Chair Thomas Campoli said on Monday after a five-day suspension was proposed by board member Jon Lifvergren. 

Reports of underage drinking and fighting from September 2025 and earlier this year were presented. 

Gabriel Columna purchased the business in 2022. Last year, the board approved a name change from Pancho's Mexican Restaurant to Iztac, still operating under Columnna LLC.  

In January, Capt. Matthew Hill received a call from an upset parent about her 19-year-old daughter patronizing Iztac at night and being served. He is familiar with the parents and family over the course of his time on the force, and the mother reported that her daughter had been served on "multiple" occasions, offering to obtain photos. 

The mother said her daughter has been drinking, and it has become "an issue in the household." In one of the pictures, it appears she had a wristband on. 

Hill agreed, and at the end of January, he was sent five different photos and one video of the daughter and a friend with what appeared to be a mixed drink. The pictures were printed and presented to the board with faces blurred; the reporting party wishes to remain anonymous along with her daughter and friend, and she was unable to attend the hearing. 

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