Berkshire Museum Presents Winter Festival: Solstice Celebration

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After two years without an in-house holiday season celebration, Berkshire Museum brings to life its second-floor gallery spaces with a celebration of winter that is unique to the area.  
 
Opening Saturday, Nov. 12 with a celebration featuring a performance by award-winning musical artist Paul Winter, in Berkshire Museum's Little Cinema. Doors open at 5 pm, with the concert beginning at 5:30 pm, exhibition opening celebration immediately follows. Tickets to the celebration are $75 for Premium Concert Seating and $50 for General Admission Concert Seating. All tickets include holiday cheer, drinks, and hors d'oeuvres! Tickets can be purchased at berkshiremuseum.org/event/winterfestival.  
 
Winter Festival exhibitions include "Santa Classics," by Philadelphia-based artist Ed Wheeler, where visitors get to see Kris Kringle in classical works of art. As well as "Hoot's Holiday: A Solstice Tale," written by Berkshire Museum's Exhibitions Research and Content Editor Charlie Catacalos. Hoot's Holiday follows a journey through time with an Owl living atop the roof of Berkshire Museum as they find objects historic to the Berkshires. 
 
"Hoot's Holiday is a reimagined celebration of winter in the Berkshires. I look forward to visitors getting to experience the history of the Berkshires through this tale of wonder and exploration," said Catacalos.  
 
Winter Festival is sponsored by The Feigenbaum Foundation, with additional support from Mill Town Capital, and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. 
 
Additional Winter Festival events include:  
 
Book Talk: Twas the Night – The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem 
Nov. 27, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm – Meet Pamela McColl, the writer of new book "Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem." Included with Museum admission.  
 
Wingmasters' World of Owls 
Dec. 3, 11:30 am to 12:15 pm and 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm.
Meet live owls in the Berkshire Museum's Little Cinema. $17 adult, $10 child (includes Museum admission); Museum members $7 adult, $5 child 
     
Carols of the Bell
Dec. 4, 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm
Celebrate the holiday season with the First Congregational Church of Lee Handbell Choir. Included with Museum admission. 
        
Magic By George 
Dec. 31, 11 am and 1 pm – Join award-winning, Boston-based magician George Saterial as he performs amazing magic and astonishing illusions. $17 adult, $10 child (includes Museum admission); Museum members $7 adult, $5 child 
 
All information about upcoming events can be found at berkshiremuseum.org.  

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Pittsfield Council OKs Privacy Measure, Sees Bridge Update

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The state plans to remove some of crumbling concrete on the Dalton Avenue bridge and wrap its repairs into a project with the rail trail. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council is taking steps to protect its own privacy, as well as public comment speakers' privacy. 

On Tuesday, councilors voted to remove their home addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with 70 Allen St., or City Hall, to improve safety. It was brought forward by Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody, Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, and Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham. 

"This is an easy proposal to support," Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi said. 

While this doesn't completely block their addresses from public view, as they are listed elsewhere as residents, it makes them a little harder to access. 

Moody pointed out that a Virginia city councilor was set on fire last year by a member of the public. NBC News reported that the attack stemmed from a personal matter. 

"I don't think anybody worries about me being able to defend myself, but I do have children, and I worry for them," Moody explained. 

Warren pointed out that they have done the same for those who speak at public comment. When he was first elected into office years ago, people picketed at his home for his stance on a School Committee issue. 

"Back then, it wasn't that big a deal. Now we find ourselves in very divisive times," Warren said. 

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