Valentine's Day Fundraiser Shows Love to Pittsfield Artist

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The community is rallying around a local artist in need of a heart transplant with a Valentine's Day fundraiser.

On Tuesday, the "Give a Heart" event to benefit Mike Carty will run from 5 to midnight at Methuselah Bar and Lounge on North Street. It will include live music, raffles, and mayoral candidates Peter Marchetti and John Krol as guest bartenders.

"We're going to be using the hashtag #giveaheart, it's to raise funds for Mike Carty, who needs a heart transplant,” bartender Amanda Marcisz explained.

"He has also had three major surgeries already and he is in the hospital until further notice so it is to help him with outside funds, possible fees, and all of that."

Carty is currently at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and is on the waitlist for a heart. His blood type is A negative.

Carty is known mostly as a graffiti artist and has multiple works displayed around the city including two murals in downtown Pittsfield on Melville Street and Linden Street. One of his paintings will be for sale that night.

The Linden Street mural reads "Love" with a heart instead of an O.

Marcisz was contacted by a member of Carty's heart team and since Methuselah enjoys hosting events, it was seen as the perfect opportunity to support his cause. All of the tips and donations will go to Carty and the bar has agreed to match the highest tip of the night.

Because the trademark of Valentine's Day is a heart, organizers felt it was a fitting day to hold the event.

For those who cannot attend, there is a Gofundme page for Carty that was started by another community member. 

Donations will be accepted right up until the event. Contact information for the organizers can be found on the fundraiser's Facebook page.

Dottie's Coffee Lounge is also collecting donations for Carty, offering a 16-ounce drip coffee for anyone who contributes $10.

"Mike has been gracefully handling his heart condition for many years and the time has come for him to hopefully get stable enough for a heart transplant," a Facebook post reads.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.