Ventfort Hall to Host Introductory Astrology Workshop

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LENOX, Mass. — Ventfort Hall has announced an introductory astrology workshop to be held on Sunday, May 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The two-hour, lecture-style session aims to provide beginners with the foundational knowledge required to interpret a natal chart.

The curriculum covers several core astrological concepts, including the "big four"—the Sun, Moon, Rising sign, and chart ruler. Participants will also study the 12 zodiac signs and their associated elements and modalities, the 12 houses representing different life areas, and major planetary aspects such as conjunctions and squares. The workshop is designed for individuals aged 13 and older and requires no prior knowledge of the subject.

Chelsea Gaia, the Director of Programming and Communications at Ventfort Hall, will serve as the instructor. Gaia, a practitioner of Tarot for 25 years, utilizes astrology as a tool for identifying personal intuition and metacognition.

The session includes a Q&A segment and a mid-way tea service. Attendees are encouraged to bring a notebook and pen, or purchase them at the site's gift shop. Organizers also suggest that participants bring their birth date, exact time, and location to assist in sketching their personal charts.

Tickets for the event are $35 and are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. While walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows, reservations are recommended due to limited seating. Reservations can be made through the Ventfort Hall website or by telephone.

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BCC Sees Another $1M for New Trades Program

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College was allocated more than $1 million from the state for an HVAC and heat pump trades program.

This will help BCC renovate an existing space into a lab and classroom, with the hope of welcoming the program’s first students in early 2027. Executive Director of Workforce and Community Education Linda Clairmont said there is "clearly" an interest, a lot of momentum, and demand for the skilled trades.

"We are beyond excited about this opportunity, not only for the college, but for the region, to be able to create a skilled trades program for adults, and it's a complement to what is already happening at the college," she said. 

The $1,188,635 award was announced on Tuesday as part of $13.4 million to 13 state community colleges through the Mass Clean Energy Center’s new Heat Pump and HVAC Training Network.  Between state and federal funding, the college has recently been allocated more than $2 million to diversify its educational offerings. 

Earlier this month, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal visited the college to highlight the $995,000 he secured through congressionally directed spending for a Trades Academy

The nearly $1.2 million in state funds will support a renovation on the first floor of the field administration building for an HVAC heat pump and lab classroom, along with two cohorts of ten students. 

"We have made a lot of progress," Clairmont reported. 

"We've identified a location, right on campus. We are working with architects and engineers right now to design the space, along with some expertise in what is state-of-the-art for HVAC training in real-world environments." 

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