BCC Offers Sign Language, Sociology Courses in North, South County

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Sign language and contemporary social problems are the focus of the following two credit courses offered by Berkshire Community College simultaneously in North and South County during the college’s spring semester: “Conversational American Sign Language” (HUM 136) introduces various forms of sign language and Deaf culture. Topics include fundamental sign vocabulary, syntax and grammar. The history of Deaf Culture and the legal, ethical, educational, and cultural issues facing the Deaf are also included. Students learn how to share information about themselves in sign. Attention is given to language acquisition, cultural awareness, grammatical rules/facial expression and finger spelling. Classes in the southern part of the county meet Monday evening, Jan. 22 through May 14, from 5:30 to 8:30 at BCC’s South County Center in Great Barrington. Classes in the northern part of the county meet Thursday evening, Jan. 25 through May 17, from 5:30 to 8:30 at McCann Technical High School in North Adams. “Contemporary Social Problems” (SOC 208) explores theories of problem sources and proposes solutions to perpetual problems in today’s society. Students receive the data they need to understand and evaluate what is going wrong. Issues discussed include street crime, substance abuse, poverty, white collar crime, and racial tension. Classes in both parts of the county meet Monday, Jan. 22 through May 14. Classes at the South County Center meet in the afternoon from 2 to 5. Classes at McCann High School meet in the evening from 5:30 to 8:30. For more information, or to register, call BCC’s South County Center. South county residents should call 528-4521. Pittsfield area residents should call 236-5202. North county residents should call 800-816-1233 (in Mass. only), Ext. 5201.
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Dalton Resident Ranks Third in National Snocross Race

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Sal LeBeau on his machine with his sister, Kenna, in the black hat, and friend Brandon and his sister Alea.
DALTON, Mass. — At just 16 years old, Salvatore LaBeau is already making avalanches in the national snocross racing scene.
 
Last weekend, LaBeau raced in the Mount Zion Snocross National race in Ironwood, Mich., the first of eight races in the national circuit series. 
 
Competitions take place across national circuits, attracting racers from various regions and even internationally. 
 
Labeau rides for CT Motorsports, a team based in Upstate New York, on a 2025 Polaris 600R. 
 
This is LaBeau's first time competing on the CT Motorsports team. Years prior, he raced for a team owned by Bruce Gaspardi, owner of South Side Sales and Service in North Adams.  
 
Despite a bad first day on Friday when he fell off his snowmobile and didn't make the final, LaBeau carried on with confidence and on Saturday obtained his first national podium, placing in third for the Sport Lite class. 
 
"I'm feeling good. I'm gonna start training more when I come home, and go to the gym more. And I am really excited, because I'm in 11th right now," the Wahconah High student said. 
 
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