K-9 unit receives health care grant

Great Barrington — Police Chief William Walsh has announced that the Great Barrington Police Department’s K-9 unit has been awarded the “Health Care for K-9 Heroes” grant from Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc.

Great Barrington’s K-9 unit – which includes Officer Tim Ullrich and his canine, Jori – was established in 2011 with the help of donations. That same year, K-9 Jori received a protective vest from Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. Throughout their partnership, Officer Ullrich and Jori have assisted in conducting numerous missing persons’ cases, suspect apprehensions and narcotics investigations. They also provided aid to West Springfield following the 2011 tornado.

The Health Care for K-9 Heroes grant is awarded to departments that entirely fund their K-9 units through donations, have no more than three K-9 units, and have previously been awarded a vest through Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. Law enforcement dogs ages 2 through 7 are eligible, and injuries sustained in the line of duty, illness, diagnostic testing and therapies are covered through the grant. The grant will allow for the provision of a veterinary pet insurance major medical plan.

–E.E.

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D.R.E.A.M. Ring dance competition deadline extended

Pittsfield – The application deadline for the D.R.E.A.M. Ring dance competition – a collaboration between the Berkshire Museum and Jacob’s Pillow set to take place at the Museum on Friday, July 22, at 1 p.m. – has been extended until Friday, July 15, at 10 p.m.

Hosted by Brooklyn-based Flex dance pioneer and co-creator of FlexN, Reggie “Regg Roc” Gray, D.R.E.A.M. Ring (Dance Rules Everything Around Me) is a dance competition event that honors the culture of the street dance community, encouraging dancers to “battle” with an emphasis on creativity, innovation, and storytelling. The day’s events will include a D.R.E.A.M. Xperience master class at 1 p.m. with Reggie ‘Regg Roc’ Gray, Jason Cust, and Flex artists, which is open to dancers of all levels ages 8 and over, and observers are welcome. D.R.E.A.M. Talks – an interactive conversation led by Reggie ‘Regg Roc’ Gray, Jason Cust, and Abena Floyd – will take place at 6 p.m., followed at 6:30 p.m. by the D.R.E.A.M. Ring dance competition, an all-styles dance battle featuring Reggie ‘Regg Roc’ Gray, Jason Cust, Flex artists, and local dance artists.

The dance competition is open to all dancers ages 12 and over and all styles of dance are accepted.To register for the master class, contact Thasia Giles at (413) 243.9919 x161 or tgiles@jacobspillow.org. An online application is available.

–E.E.

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Hotchkiss Portals piano concert series

Lakeville, Conn. — The Hotchkiss School’s Summer Portals will present its annual summer piano concert series beginning Sunday, July 10, at 4 p.m.

The series will open with Boris Berman, chair of the piano department at Yale School of Music. Other featured performers include Luiz de Moura Castro of the Hartt School of Music on Monday, July 11; Juilliard School professor of piano and Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio founding member Joseph Kalichstein on Wednesday, July 13; Oxana Yablonskaya of the Juilliard School on Thursday, July 14; Fabio and Gisele Witkowski with the Amernet String Quartet on Saturday, July 16; and Priya Mayadas on Thursday, July 21. A grand finale concert will take place on Saturday, July 23.

All concerts are free and open to the public, will take place in the Katherine M. Elfers Hall of the Eastman Music Center, and will begin at 7:30 p.m. (with the exception of the concert on Sunday, July 10). For more information, call (860) 435-3775.

–E.E.

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Olana ‘66

Hudson, N.Y. – On Saturday, July 9, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., the Olana State Historic Site will celebrate fifty years of art and style with its annual summer party. This year’s theme is Olana ‘66 and commemorates the preservation campaign that saved Olana from the auction block in 1966.

Area chefs participating in the evening include Jeffrey Gimmel of Swoon Kitchenbar, Nicole Cooley of Café Le Perche, Kirby Farmer of Wm. Farmer and Sons, Devon Gilroy of the Corner, Dan Smith of John Andrews, and Nick Suarez of Gaskins. An oyster bar will be provided by Other Brother Darryl’s and cocktails and beverages will come from Hillrock Distillery, Hudson Valley Distillers, Mionetto USA, Saratoga Sparkling Water, the Hudson Standard, and Fairview Wines and Spirits. DJ Javier Peral will spin ‘60s vinyl all evening.

Tickets to Olana ’66 are $250 for the host committee, $125 for non-members, and $95 for Olana Partnership members. Sixties-inspired attire is admired but not required. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call (518) 828-1872.

–E.E.

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‘Interiors’ art exhibit

Great Barrington – Lauren Clark Fine Art presents “Interiors,” featuring four painters and a glass artist, through Sunday, July 24. The show includes works by Bart Arnold, Susan Gott, Kate Knapp, Carolyn Letvin, and Tina Sotis. A reception for the artists will be held on Saturday, July 9, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. For more information, contact the gallery at (413) 528-0432 or lauren@laurenclarkfineart.com.

–E.E.