Tyler Street Community Mural Unveiling Slated for Saturday

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, in partnership with the city of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development, invites the public to attend the official unveiling of the "Planting Seeds for a Better Tomorrow" mural on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 11:30 a.m.
 
The mural is located on the northeast side of Goodwill's building at 158 Tyler St.
 
Goodwill officials and Pittsfield Mayor Linda M. Tyer will unveil the mural in conjunction with the Pittsfield Better Block celebration that will follow from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday. The mural, created by local artist Kathy Garren, is a community art project that was sponsored by the City of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development and the Tyler Street Transformative Development Initiative through MassDevelopment, with assistance from Morningside UP, Sherwin-Williams and Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, Inc.
 
Garren was chosen by a jury made up of artists, business owners, and community members in the Morningside neighborhood following a call for art for the Mural Project. She is a children's book illustrator, portrait painter and muralist living in Dalton, Mass. Garren has worked on the restoration of the Vietnam Memorial mural in Pittsfield, and has done indoor murals for various restaurants in the area.  Some of her most recent artwork includes illustrating several children's books written by Arlo Guthrie, including Old Bill, the Famous Berkshire Moose. 
 
"I love living in the Berkshires and am so happy to be a part of all of the plans to the Tyler Street area," Garren said. "I think my Planting Seeds for a Better Tomorrow mural is a perfect symbol for revitalization and growth for that neighborhood."
 
Goodwill and Berkshire County Head Start will also host a Kidz Zone with games and activities for children of all ages at 214 Tyler St. during Pittsfield Better Block.

Tags: better block,   community event,   murals,   

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Companion Corner: Dolly at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is an affectionate kitty at Berkshire Humane Society looking for a new home.

Dolly is a 1-year-old domestic shorthair with white and tabby markings who has been at the shelter for a short amount of time.

Feline/small animal adoption counselor Alyssa Petell introduced us to her.

"Her name was actually inspired off of Dolly Parton because she came in on the day that Dolly Parton passed away," she said. 

The shelter doesn't have a lot of information on Dolly as she was a stray, but knows she is very sweet.

"She was originally found as a stray. So we don't have much background information as to exactly what happened and why she ended up becoming a stray," Petell said. "Unfortunately, a lot of times kitties will become abandoned and become strays or get left behind."

Dolly needs a home with no other cats and will prefer somewhere quiet because she can get a little shy and nervous at times.

"She doesn't like other cats. I think a quiet home, older people would be best for her, just because of her shy personality in the beginning," Petell said. "But she eventually will warm up, and she is a lovely lady."

Dolly loves to be pet and might even play with some feather toys. Like any other cat, she will let you know when she has had enough pets but will be back for more shortly after.

"She loves butt scratches. She's super affectionate. She actually does have a little bit of a playful side when she gets used to you, and she just wants to snuggle with you and be loved on all day long," said Petell.

Dolly is healthy and will join your family up to date with all of her vaccines.

"She doesn't have any health issues. She is spayed, and when you adopt a kitty from our shelter, the adoption fee does include everything medically wise. So their spay or neuter, their vaccines, their health certificate from the vet, everything is included. So she will have all of that done before she goes," she said.

One of her ears is clipped to show she has been spayed as she was a part of the Community Cat Program, but since she was so friendly, the Humane Society decided to adopt her out.

"She was originally caught as a stray from our community cat program. They normally work with trap, neuter, return for feral, semi-feral cats, or friendly strays, and when she was caught, they realized that she was very friendly, and she was then brought into our shelter so we could adopt her out," Petell said.

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