Canna Provisions donates $10,000 to Berkshire Humane Society
LEE — Canna Provisions, the Lee-based cannabis retailer, presented a $10,000 donation to Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) on Wednesday, Jan. 26.
In a written statement, Canna Provisions said charitable donations are part of state law requiring cannabis companies to donate 3 percent of net sales to local organizations. In addition to the state-mandated give back program, Canna also donates to and partners with a number of national programs, including the Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit focused on cannabis-involved restorative social justice.
“We are honored and excited to accept this significant donation from Canna Provisions,” said John Perreault, executive director of Berkshire Humane Society. “We rely on the generosity of local businesses and supporters so we can take in homeless animals and find them their forever families. This gift will give back not only to those animals, but also to local pet owners we serve through our community pet assistance programs designed to keep pets in their loving homes.”
“The emergence of legal retail cannabis as a force for change and giving back in the communities it serves is one of the best parts of being an independent operator in Western Massachusetts,” said Canna CEO Meg Sanders. “As a proud animal lover, rescuer, and owner of dogs, cats, and chickens right here in the Berkshires, I am delighted to be able to donate to a local, non-profit, socially conscious animal shelter.”
Canna Provisions has locations in the Pioneer Valley and in the Berkshires, where the company is headquartered.
—A.K.
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BCC to present ‘Successful Immigrants in the Berkshires’ panel
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Community College (BCC) will hold a virtual panel titled “SUCCESS Presents: Successful Immigrants in the Berkshires” on Friday, Feb. 4 from 5-6:30 p.m. The panel, held on Zoom, is specifically geared to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students. BCC students will receive forum credit for participating.
“This workshop provides an intentional space for BCC’s ESOL learners to connect, grow their network, and strengthen their skill sets with other Spanish-speaking BCC alumni and community members,” said BCC Academic Success Coach Kelsey Jones. “The panel will be focused on how to maximize success in a predominantly English-taught environment.”
Panelists include BCC Senior Admissions Counselor Eleanore Velez, BCC Director of Adult Learning Program Ana Suffish, and several representatives from Latinas 413, a local advocacy group that helps immigrants expand their social and economic capital by serving as a bridge to available resources in Berkshire County.
To register for the event, click here. For more information about academic success coaching or to learn about future workshops, call 413-499-4660, Ext. 4725 or email George Ambriz at gambriz@berkshirecc.edu.
About SUCCESS
The Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services (SUCCESS) program is designed to maximize collaboration among the Commonwealth’s community colleges, identifying best practices and bringing those practices to scale rather than creating new initiatives. While the SUCCESS program is beneficial for all, it is primarily designed to serve vulnerable student populations, including first-generation, low-income, minority, disabled, and LGBTQ+ students. At BCC, approximately 500 students participate in the program. Each student is assigned a coach, who focuses on academic skills, socio-economic support, and housing and food insecurities.
—A.K.
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Upcoming programs at Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center
WINDSOR — Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center will host two boreal spruce-fir forest ecology, tree and tracking snowshoe hikes: Sunday, Jan. 30 from 1–3 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
This 1-2 mile trek, led by naturalist and Tamarack Hollow director Aimee Gelinas M.Ed, will feature the unique high elevation ecology of the boreal forest in winter as well as wildlife tracking and tree ID. If there is not enough snow, the program will become a hike. The program is $20 per person/per program. Snowshoe rentals are available for $5. For registration (required) and program information, email aimee@gaiaroots.com. These programs are supported by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Barrett Fund and the Central Berkshire Fund.
Tamarack Hollow and Gaia Roots World Music present West African & Caribbean drum and song classes with Aimee Gelinas M.ED, at the The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield every Monday evening at 5:30 p.m. for beginners and 6:30 p.m. for those who are advanced. Registration is required for new students; masks are required for all. Classes will be held on Zoom during inclement weather. For registration, drum rental, and class fee information, email aimee@gaiaroots.com.
—A.K.
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Sacred book sale at Mason Library to begin Monday
GREAT BARRINGTON — Friends of the Great Barrington Libraries will host a sacred book sale beginning Monday, Jan. 31 and running throughout February or until all the books are gone.
An unconventional book collector has donated more than 150 used bibles and dozens of used hymnals and prayer books to the Friends. They will be featured on tables in the main floor reading room of the Mason Library. This diverse collection includes large and small books, some as good as new and some very, very old and fragile. There are different translations and different colors. All of them need a home.
“We are determined that they will all find homes,” said Ed Abrahams, president of the Friends of the GB Libraries and former Sunday School teacher. “None will be thrown away. These are sacred books.”
Take one or several. They are not priced — how can you put a price on a Bible? — but donations are appreciated. All proceeds support library programming.
Library Hours: Mondays–Wednesdays 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Thursdays & Fridays 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m.–3 p.m. For more information, call 413-528-2403.
—A.K.
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New theme, new approach, bigger budget for Pittsfield July 4th parade
PITTSFIELD — The Pittsfield Parade Committee has chosen “Back With a Bang” as the theme for the 2022 Fourth of July Parade. According to Parade Committee President Peter Marchetti, the committee wants to make this year’s parade extra special for the community as a way of saying “thank you” for sticking together through this time of difficulty. Marchetti said the committee is prepared for a big return after COVID, and will work with Ray Pulver from Upbeat Parade Productions to add more music groups, entertainment groups, and local/national personalities.
Fundraising must continue, Marchetti said, in order to be able to plan for future years. The annual budget could be as high as $100,000. Donations may be made to: Pittsfield Parade Committee, Inc., P.O. Box 1738, Pittsfield, MA 01202 or through PayPal.
The Committee is also looking for new members to help generate ideas and to assist with parade-day coordination. The Committee met November 17 to elect new members and re-elect existing members to its Board of Directors. New volunteers are always welcome to the meetings, held the third Wednesday of each month at the Polish Falcons Club on Belair Avenue in Pittsfield, at 7 p.m. Click here for a list of upcoming meeting dates. Float and vehicle safety workshops will also be held in March, April, and May 2022.
—A.K.
