image description — Jacob Snow, who performs as Phoenix, came out of hiatus participate at the group's finale.

North County Poets Wrap Up Season at Parlor Cafe

By Jeannette LambertiBerkshires Intern
02:01PM / Tuesday, April 21, 2015Print Story | Email Story

Hanna Lauerman performs a set at the Rambling Poets' season finale at the Parlor Cafe in North Adams.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Rambling Poets has developed a close-knit group of performers and fans over the past two years.

Thursday night marked the group's "season finale" at the Parlor Cafe, an event that attracted well-known slam poet and co-founder Jacob Snow onstage, breaking his year and a half hiatus.

"I came out tonight to support the poets here and to support my friend putting it on," said Snow, performing as Phoenix. Snow said he used poetry to come out of his "shy kid" shell and is now one of the loudest audience members in the cafe.

There wasn't a seat available for the three-hour slam competition hosted by co-founder and managing director Christian Phiffer, although past events have been standing room only. Audience members applauded, snapped fingers, vocally responded to the poets and hung on every word. Random judges were selected to score the contestants, although audience members often indicated their disagreement with results.

The winner was Curtis Asch, a frequent favorite.

Rambling Poets says its dedicated to creating safe spaces for poets to perform their pieces and develop their skills, and to supporting poets and poetry.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts student and feature poet Hanna Lauerman spoke about the community the Parlor Café and Rambling Poets has created for her and others to be a part of.

"When I first came to North Adams I was resentful of the small-town lifestyle," she said. Lauerman said she felt undirected until she applied for a job at the cafe on a whim.

She shared that a friend saw her enjoying school more after getting the job. Lauerman attributes her gained affection for school to the community created at the Parlor Café and by the artists that perform there.

Although the season for Rambling Poets has ended, open mics at the Parlor Café will continue every Friday night with performances starting around 7:30 and a signup sheet available at the bar.

Tags: poetry, slam competition,

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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