Dan Valenti, will discuss his career as a baseball writer

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OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) presents local sports broadcaster, Dan Valenti, at its Distinguished Speakers Series on Saturday, May 3, from 10:00 to 11:30 am. His talk Tales From Baseball’s Grapefruit League” will be held at BCC, Room K III.

Valenti will discuss his career as a baseball writer during the 1980’s focusing on how the Major League experience has changed in the past 25 years. He will also address the controversy around steroid-taking and share anecdotal stories about famous players, including his personal friendship with Ted Williams.

Valenti is the author of 12 books, numerous articles and essays as well as poetry and short fiction. He has hosted a daily radio talk show for 14 years.  He has taught writing, communication, and journalism. His latest book is Under the Grapefruit Sun, Red Sox Spring Training a Quarter Century Ago. The book explores baseball's spring training ritual in the era before superstar salaries, big endorsement deals, and ballparks named after corporations. The book will be available after the lecture at a special publisher’s discount. Mr. Valenti will autograph copies of the book upon request,

Valenti is currently an adjunct professor of English at BCC. He has been a member of its English department since 1992.

The cost to attend this lecture is $10.00 for OLLI members; $15.00 for non-members. For information on this program and to register, call the OLLI office at 413-236-2190 or visit www.BerkshireOLLI.org. You may pay at the door.
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Kennedy Calls BCC Workforce Graduates Inspiring

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The programs ranged from emergency medical technician to computers to commercial drivers. See more photos here. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College Workforce and Community Education graduates were encouraged to be all they can be on Wednesday.
 
Graduates, families, friends, and staff gathered in Boland Theatre to celebrate around 100 graduates who completed a variety of courses.
 
They included community health worker, emergency medical technician, phlebotomy technician, registered behavior technician, AI fundamentals, Commercial Drivers License Class A and B, CompTIA Tech-plus, para educator, and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
 
College President Ellen Kennedy said it was amazing that this might be her last public speaking event before her tenure comes to an end.
 
She acknowledged the diverse reasons for their studies including career advancement and personal growth, commending their vulnerability and dedication. 
 
"Some of you explored AI, some of you improved your English speaking in really important ways, and the reason that each of you is here is because you decided to put your heart and soul to get vulnerable to do something that might have felt a little bit uncomfortable," she said. "And you did it, and we are so incredibly proud of you, and so happy to be here tonight, celebrating you."
 
Keynote speaker Shirley Edgerton, founder of Rites of Passage and Empowerment (ROPE) encouraged the graduates to reflect on their accomplishments and look forward to the future.
 
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