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Cultural Pittsfield This Week: April 10-16

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April 10 - April 16, 2020
While we all do what we can to stop the spread of Covid-19, Cultural Pittsfield will offer weekly guides featuring online events and information. If you are a Pittsfield business and would like your event listed, please email cultural@pittsfieldch.com. Thank you and be well!
 
  RESOURCES
 
Please visit the City of Pittsfield's COVID-19 (Coronavirus) webpage for updates and helpful resources. 1Berkshire has also compiled a list of online sites where you can find information on a number of topics.
Plus...
  TAKEOUT & DELIVERY
Here are some of the Pittsfield restaurants currently offering takeout, delivery, and/or curbside pickup. Please check their websites for special menus, hours and updates. Visit the 1Berkshire website for a list of all takeout options throughout Berkshire County.
  FAMILY FRIENDLY
 
The newly launched Berkshire Museum at Home initiative offers kids a fun way to check in with their favorite animals, exhibits and staff members through Daily Doodles, Digital Discoveries, downloadable worksheets, the "What's in the Basement?" podcast and more!
For Pittsfield schoolchildren: Free grab-and-go meal packages are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12-1 p.m. at the following sites: Morningside Community School, Conte School, Dower Square Housing Village, Berkshire Family YMCA, Wilson Park Housing, The Boys & Girls Club, Brattlebrook Apartments, and Berkshire Peak Apartments.
 
For Pittsfield residents: Berkshire United Way and local restaurants are providing free food for families at the Boys & Girls Club, Conte School and Morningside School on Saturdays from 12-1 p.m. 
Plus...
Color Springtime Friends to Say Thank You  Printable Art Fun with IS183 Art School | Learn from Home with Berkshire Theatre Group | Painting Tutorials from Berkshire Paint & Sip | Use Berkshire Athenaeum Resources from Home
  ONLINE CLASSES & FUN
Do you need a creative outlet but don't know where to begin? IS183 Art School of the Berkshires is here to inspire you with free video tutorials and low-priced online classes. Learn to paint, collage, sew, make paper beads, take better photos with your smartphone and more! 
Plus...
FRI Zoom Coffee Break with 18 Degrees | Pet Care Tips from Berkshire Humane Society | Virtual Barrington Stage Company | Make Your Own Flat Cat or Flat Fido with Blue Q | Learn from Home with Berkshire Theatre Group | Painting Tutorials from Berkshire Paint & Sip | Classes with Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness | Classes with Antil Fitness | Classes with Radiance Yoga | Virtual Berkshires | Email aimee@gaiaroots.com for Online Drumming Classes | THU Live Storytelling Hour with BCC Alumni
  SHOP LOCAL
 
You can still shop online at your favorite vintage home furnishings store, Circa Berkshires. Check the store's facebook page for new inventory. Smaller items can be shipped, or take advantage of free local delivery!  
Plus...

 

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Pittsfield Kayak Kiosk Proposal Withdrawn After Pushback

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It is the "end of the road" for a kayak kiosk proposal after pushback from community members and the City Council.

Whenever Watersports has withdrawn its proposal for a kayak rental program at Onota Lake. Safety concerns arose around the company's self-serve model though it was stipulated that users sign liabilities away with a waiver as part of the process.  

"It's unfortunate. I had hoped the outcome would be different and I think (Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Maddy Brown) and you as well thought this was an opportunity to provide an additional level of services, recreation opportunity to folks at the park through a modern-app-based system," Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath said to the Parks Commission on Tuesday.

"It would have cost the city nothing to have this sited. We wouldn't be responsible for any maintenance but there would be maintenance to the units and to the boats, etc. Everyone was going to get life preservers and there are instructions through the app so we thought it was it was safe and secure and a good fit for the park."

In December, the commission granted a request for the pilot program and City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta had been reviewing and revising a proposed contract that had not yet been approved. Last week during City Council, residents Daniel Miraglia and Gene Nadeau submitted a petition requesting a legal opinion on the proposal from the solicitor.

Miraglia expressed concerns about the lack of a bidding process, safety hazards, and the impact on a local business that rents kayaks on the lake. Onota Boat Livery owner Caryn Wendling was upset to hear that an out-of-town company would be allowed to operate the kiosk on the same lake as her business and also cited safety concerns.

Councilors asked that Pagnotta look into items such as the commission's authority with entering into contracts and if a bidding process would be needed for this.

Later that week, a request to the Conservation Commission for determination for the kiosk at Burbank Park located within the buffer zone associated with the inland bank was withdrawn. According to the application, it was proposed to be located before the beach area coming from the main parking lot.

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