Panel discussion to focus on social media bullying, hate speech
Pittsfield — The Office of the Mayor of Pittsfield, the Berkshire County Superintendents’ Roundtable, the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and the Anti-Defamation League of New England will present “Courageous Conversations: Social Media, Aggression and our Youth” Wednesday, May 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Reid Middle School.
The program is primarily intended for middle school and high school students, their families and caregivers, and their teachers and administrators. The discussion will include insights to help families recognize different forms of aggression in social media such as cyberbullying, harassment, bias and micro-aggressions; and strategies to encourage young people to speak up and speak out when they and their friends encounter aggression.
The evening will begin with a keynote from Phil Fogelman, education director of Anti-Defamation League of New England and director of A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute. A panel discussion will follow, moderated by Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, and including Meg Bossong, director of Williams College’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program; Pittsfield High School senior Makailey M. Cookis, Class of 2018; Multicultural BRIDGE founder and CEO Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant; PHS adjustment counselor Brian Kelley; Second Assistant District Attorney Robert W. Kinzer III of the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office; Pittsfield Public Schools Superintendent Jason McCandless; and Berkshire Eagle executive editor and chief content officer Kevin Moran.
The event is free and open to the public, but some topics may not be appropriate for younger children. Childcare will be provided. Pizza will be provided from 5:30 to 6 p.m. For more information, call (413) 442-4360.
–E.E.
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June First Fridays Artswalk to inspire learning, imagination
Pittsfield — The June 1 First Fridays Artswalk will encompass 17 art shows featuring more than two dozen accomplished regional artists in Pittsfield’s Upstreet Cultural District from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will kick off with opening receptions and artists present throughout, plus a free guided walking tour led by Artswalk co-founder Mary McGinnis at 5 p.m. at the BRTA Intermodal Center.
The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts will host a Berkshire Immigrant Stories exhibit during the month of June. Berkshire Immigrant Stories, a Mass Humanities grant-funded program at Berkshire Community College, collects and shares the stories of immigrants in the Berkshires through a website hosted by the Tenement Museum in New York City. The exhibit highlights immigration and migration stories of the past and the present, collectively telling America’s story and highlighting the patterns that bind American together. An opening reception will take place during Artswalk and additional events will occur throughout the month.
RJ Stohr Diamonds & Fine Jewelry will feature Gloria Finkelstein’s exhibit “Countries Through Their Fabrics” throughout June, which will feature handmade quilts made from fabrics from all over the world. The opening reception will be held during Artswalk.
Susan Robinson will show a collection of her recent illustrations, titled “Elements of Enchantment,” at Steven Valenti’s Clothing for Men. As an illustrator, Robinson draws inspiration from the woods and mountains surrounding her home.
Artist Ilene Richard will display her artwork at Mary’s Carrot Cake during the Artswalk and all summer long. Richard’s figurative work is based on her observations of people involved in everyday activities and features strong designs, a vibrant color palette and narrative quality.
New shows from local artists will be displayed at NUarts Studios and Gallery, the Marketplace Café, the Funky Phoenix, Berkshire Paint and Sip, the Kinderhook Group Real Estate, the Whitney Center for the Arts, Berkshire Museum, Hotel on North, the Berkshire Athenaeum, the Brothership Building, Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and Berkshire Medical Center. For more information, contact Downtown Pittsfield Inc. at (413) 443-6501.
–E.E.
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Baske to deliver lecture on ocean health
Stockbridge — Adam Baske, director of policy and outreach at the International Pole and Line Foundation, will deliver the fourth annual William Selke Memorial Lecture Saturday, June 2, at 4 p.m. at the Stockbridge Library.
Baske’s lecture, titled “The Global Fisheries Crisis and What You Can Do About It,” will cover the most pressing threats to the oceans and the role played by fisheries in the context of environmental and social responsibility, examples of Baske’s work with coastal communities and markets around the world, and how consumers can be proactive with the choices they make at grocery stores and restaurants.
Baske has over 15 years of ocean-related experience, with specialties in global tuna fisheries, international environmental policy bodies and marine education. He has worked in diverse fields across the spectrum of marine conservation and management including as a fisheries observer in Alaska, an educator onboard a sailing school vessel and a manager for an international campaign aimed at reforming the world’s largest tuna fisheries. Prior to joining IPNLF, he managed the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Global Tuna Conservation program and served as a fellow in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of International Affairs in Washington, D.C. Baske holds a master’s degree in marine conservation from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a Bachelor of Science in environmental science from Duke University.
The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Stockbridge Library at (413) 298-5501 or info@stockbridgelibrary.org.
–E.E.
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‘Dance! For Dogs and Cats’ to benefit Berkshire Humane Society
Pittsfield — Retro dance band License to Groove will present the third annual Dance! For Dogs and Cats Friday, June 1, at 8 p.m. at Berkshire Hills Country Club.
License to Groove will play dance music from the 1970s and ‘80s while sharing the stage with Tor Krautter of the Rev Tor Band, Wendy Walz of Hotshot Hillbillies, Brad Licht of Shyne, Tyler Fairbank of T-Bone Daddy, Seth Fleischmann of John Street Jive and Joe Ciliberti of Bottoms Up.
The event will include raffles, snacks and dancing all night. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will benefit homeless animals of the Berkshires. Tickets can be purchased at Berkshire Humane Society and Wood Bros. Music, and at Bark N’ Cat in North Adams as well as by calling (413) 652-1554.
–E.E.
