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Weekend Outlook: Artwalks, Pumpkin Smashing, Community Days

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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Berkshire County is hosting a variety of events this weekend, including Artwalks, pumpkin smashing, musical performances, and community days. 
 
November First Fridays Artswalk
Various Venues, Pittsfield 
 
It's the first Friday of the month, which means a First Friday Artswalk. The walk runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and features a dozen art shows and exhibits on view at venues around downtown Pittsfield. Most of the art is on display throughout November.
 
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet the artists. Participants can download the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. app from the Google Play or App Store to get a virtual walking tour. 
 
Participating venues include Artists at the Clock Tower, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Hotel on North, and more.
 
For a complete list of participating venues and artists visit the Art Walk website.
 
First Fridays
Various Venues, North Adams 
 
North Adams is hosting a pumpkin smash in the Center Street parking lot as part of First Friday festivities.
 
Participants are encouraged to bring their unbleached and unpainted pumpkins to smash them into the Second Chance Composting truck. 
 
Various venues will also be open and Savvy Hive will be having its last full store sale of the year.
 
More information here. 
 
 
'Pig Years' Book Signing
Scout House, Great Barrington
 
Local farmer and author Ellyn Gaydos will read from and sign copies of her book "Pig Years," about her experiences raising pigs.  
 
Co-hosted by Berkshire Grown and Scout House, the event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, at the Scout House, 21 Elm St., Great Barrington. 
 
The reading and the following Q&A are free and open to the public. More information here.
 
 
Animal Support Project Thanksgiving/Veterans Day Photos
Benson's Pet Center, Pittsfield
 
Benson's Pet Center on Dalton Avenue is hosting a photography session on Saturday, Nov. 5, so pet parents can purchase a 4-by-6-inch framed keepsake photo to raise funds for pets in need. 
 
Have your pet photographed from noon until 3 p.m. More information here. 
 
Eagles Band Community Concert
Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
 
The Eagles Band's annual Community Concert returns to the Colonial Theatre this Friday, Nov. 4, featuring a range of musical works from the 1700s to the modern day.
 
The free event will include a more than 60-musician concert band and the stage band. It will be opened by the Eagles' trombone ensemble.  
 
The concert begins at 7 p.m. and the trombone ensemble will begin shortly after doors open at 6:15 p.m.
 
Seats must be reserved for the event. To do so, call the box office at 413-997-4444 or go to www.berkshiretheatregroup.org. More information here. 
 
Pajama Night
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield 
 
The Berkshire Museum is inviting the community to a pajama night this Friday, Nov. 4, from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. to celebrate National Family Literacy Month. 
 
This free event will feature storytelling from authors, artists, educators, and community members, a story walk, and get a free book to take home.
 
More information here. 
 
Hancock's Annual Community Day
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
 
Hancock Shaker Village is opening its barn doors to the community this Sunday, Nov. 6, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. for a free Community Day. 
 
The museum is offering free admission to current exhibits, interactions with farm animals, craft demonstrations, and a scavenger hunt.
 
More information here. 
 
7th Annual Craft Fair
Berkshire South Regional Community Center, Great Barrington
 
Berkshire South Regional Community Center, located at 15 Crissey Road, will be hosting its annual craft fair this Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 to 3.
 
The center's parking lot will be filled with a wide array of items from Berkshire county vendors. 
 
This free fair will also feature live music by the Midnight Anthem. 
 
More information here. 
 
First Sunday Free: Harvest
The Clark, Williamstown
 
The Clark Art Institute is offering free admission to its permanent collection galleries covering harvest-related works this Sunday, Nov. 6, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. 
 
The event will also include still life drawing, music, and dancing. After the tour, attendees are encouraged to take a walk of the Clark’s grounds. 
 
More information here. 
 
Soccer Mommy
Mass MoCA, North Adams
 
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art will be hosting a performance by "pop-inflected indie rock" performer Sophie Allison, aka Soccer Mommy, this Saturday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m.
 
Tickets are $37 and $57 for preferred seating. More information here. 
 
Farmers Markets
 
Berkshire Area Farmers Market 
Berkshire Mall, Lanesborough
 
This market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the former Berkshire Mall parking lot.
 
Every week there will be produce and products from Western Mass farms, including vegetables, fruit, plants, meat and more. Vendors accept Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition Program and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
 
More information here. 
 
Great Barrington Farmers Market 
18 Church St., Great Barrington
 
This market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. through Nov. 12.
 
It offers a dollar for dollar match on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through the Market Match program and Healthy Incentives Program benefits can be redeemed at five Market vendors.
 
More information here. 
 
North Adams Farmers Market
85 Main St., North Adams
 
First inside market of the winter season on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 to 1. Winter markets run the first Saturday through May. 

 


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

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

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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