September is National Library Card Sign-up Month and to celebrate, local businesses will be offering special discounts and giveaways exclusive to library card holders. The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's public library, has joined forces with Downtown Pittsfield to coordinate these deals in downtown businesses for the entire month. Simply show your library card to receive the offer! See website for each location's special deal!
Jazz Vespersis held on the first Thursday of every month at Zion Lutheran Church. Join Marisa Massery, vocals; Katharine Wiencke, flute; Andy Wrba, bass; Sturgis Cunningham, drums; and Ben Kohn, piano for an evening service of prayer and song that incorporates contemporary jazz and blues. FREE, 6-7p.m.
Do you know about all of the programs that are available from 18 Degrees (formerly known as Berkshire Children & Families)? Weekly and monthly groups focus on children with challenging behaviors, English language learners, men who parent, LGBTQ+ youth and families, a ladies' night out, and so much more.
Follow the link for more information!
Join Aimee McLear for the next New Moon Sound Bath atRadiance Yoga.This month's new moon in Virgo brings a "Whole Body, Whole Earth" theme. Throughout the meditation you'll be guided through questions that connect you to your body and the Earth. $20-$30. 6-7:30 p.m.
Berkshire Theatre Group presents George Gershwin Alone, beginning on Saturday and running through August 31 at The Colonial Theatre.The celebrated one-man play features acclaimed actor, playwright and pianist Hershey Felder rendering an intimate portrait of George Gershwin's personal life and artistic genius. Widely regarded as the man who brought jazz into the concert hall, Gershwin changed the musical landscape forever. The play features the Gershwin favorites "I Got Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me," songs from Porgy and Bess and An American in Paris, and a complete performance of "Rhapsody in Blue."
Shop the Labor Day Rug Sale at The Outlet at Pine Cone Hill foran additional 25% off Dash & Albert area rugs and furniture samples. This is your chance for a further discount on first-quality discontinued home items that are already reduced by at least 40%. Area rugs are available in several sizes up to 10'x14'. Constructions include woven, hooked, tufted and jute, and materials include cotton, wool and indoor/outdoor fibers.
In the 9-week group Art Therapy: Transforming Depression with Art, take a look at depression from many points of view and use art-making for self care. Through drawing, painting, claywork and more, learn about depression and find a more self compassionate voice. No art experience is necessary. $20 per week. Held in a private art studio with Marney Schorr. Thursdays 5:30-7:30 p.m. from Sept. 5 - Nov. 7.
This documentary offers an artful and intimate meditation on the life and works of the acclaimed novelist. From her childhood in Lorain, Ohio to '70s-era book tours with Muhammad Ali, and from the front lines with Angela Davis to her own riverfront writing room, Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics and colleagues on an exploration of race, America, history and the human condition as seen through the prism of her own literature. The film includes discussions about her critically acclaimed works, including novels "The Bluest Eye," "Sula," and "Song of Solomon," her role as an editor and her time teaching at Princeton University.
Let's Go Pink is a cancer awareness exhibit that will be on view at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield throughout October, 2019. The opening reception will be Friday, Oct. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. as part of that month's First Friday Artswalk. Twenty percent of sales will go to BTG PLAYS!, 15% to BMC Integrative Health Program's intuitive painting class for cancer patients, and the other 65% to the artist. Submissions accepted until Friday, Sept. 6.Artists will be notified of acceptance on or before Sept. 9. For more info, email the Let's Go Pink team: auntsessy1@gmail.com
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Dalton Man Accused of Kidnapping, Shooting Pittsfield Man
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Dalton man was arrested on Thursday evening after allegedly kidnapping and shooting another man.
Nicholas Lighten, 35, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Friday on multiple charges including kidnapping with a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder. He was booked in Dalton around 11:45 p.m. the previous night.
There was heavy police presence Thursday night in the area of Lighten's East Housatonic Street home before his arrest.
Shortly before 7 p.m., Dalton dispatch received a call from the Pittsfield Police Department requesting that an officer respond to Berkshire Medical Center. Adrian Mclaughlin of Pittsfield claimed that he was shot in the leg by Lighten after an altercation at the defendants home. Mclaughlin drove himself to the hospital and was treated and released with non-life-threatening injuries.
"We were told that Lighten told Adrian to go down to his basement, where he told Adrian to get down on his knees and pulled out a chain," the police report reads.
"We were told that throughout the struggle with Lighten, Adrian recalls three gunshots."
Dalton PD was advised that Pittsfield had swabbed Mclaughlin for DNA because he reported biting Lighten. A bite mark was later found on Lighten's shoulder.
Later that night, the victim reportedly was "certain, very certain" that Lighten was his assailant when shown a photo array at the hospital.
According to Dalton Police, an officer was stationed near Lighten's house in an unmarked vehicle and instructed to call over the radio if he left the residence. The Berkshire County Special Response Team was also contacted.
Lighten was under surveillance at his home from about 7:50 p.m. to about 8:40 p.m. when he left the property in a vehicle with Massachusetts plates. Another officer initiated a high-risk motor vehicle stop with the sergeant and response team just past Mill Street on West Housatonic Street, police said, and traffic was stopped on both sides of the road.
Lighten and a passenger were removed from the vehicle and detained. Police reported finding items including a brass knuckle knife, three shell casings wrapped in a rubber glove, and a pair of rubber gloves on him.
The response team entered Lighten's home at 43 East Housatonic before 9:30 p.m. for a protective sweep and cleared the residence before 9:50 p.m., police said. The residence was secured for crime scene investigators.
Berkshire Hills County Club is seeking a variance on its pool permit to allow for cost savings on staff members starting next year, including fewer lifeguards. click for more
Voters approved all but one of the 22 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Monday night at Wahconah Regional High School. click for more