Karen Chase/Paul Grubard Exhibit Opens at Lichtenstein Center for the Arts

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Opening Reception will take place Sept. 1 from 5:00 to 7:00 during First Fridays Artswalk. 
 
Karen Chase is an abstract painter, and Paul Graubard paints narrative, visionary works. They are married. This show highlights their individual pieces and one collaborative piece.
 
According to a press release:
 
Paul began to paint about 25 years ago, giving up his practice as a psychologist. The first thing he did was buy a big roll of white paper, then went to the hardware store to buy a can of black paint. With that paint and paper, he made Emma’s Matzoria, which will be on display for this show.  It is based on his childhood memories in Passaic, NJ. It has never been shown before. Museums in the U.S. and abroad collect Graubard’s work. 
 
The author six books of non-fiction and poetry, Karen has a collection of essays called "History Is Embarrassing," coming out next March. 
 
Gallery hours are Wednesday-Friday, 11am-3pm or by appointment. The gallery will also be open on Saturday, Sept. 9 during the Let It Shine Mural Festival from 12-4pm.  
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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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