Classroom and building renovations at BCC
Pittsfield — Berkshire Community College (BCC) students were greeted with a renovated classroom building when they returned to their studies this week,
Hawthorne Hall, which houses of BCC’s biology, nursing and allied health labs, now features bright and inviting colors, an abundance of natural light, technology-rich classrooms, improved climate control/air conditioning, and a variety of student gathering spaces. The building also includes energy-efficient windows, a green roof, LED lighting, occupancy (lighting) sensors for all areas, and high-efficiency heating boilers.
Construction of a connector that will join the now separate classroom buildings together, and the initial phases of renovations of Melville Hall, began in June. The amphitheater located just below Hawthorne and Melville Halls will offer accessible seating, landscaping, and will serve as a seasonal student gathering space. This portion of the project is slated for completion in early 2017.
Additionally, $2.9 million from the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance will allow for two new elevators, one in the connector and another at the end of the Field Administration Building. Melville will house engineering and chemistry labs, networking and computer information system class spaces, the writing center, math lab, classrooms, and faculty and administrative offices.
A hardscape project, which will include the resurfacing of some parking lots and access roads on the main campus, will follow in summer 2017. A community turf field, to be located behind BCC’s Paterson Field House, is among the slated improvements. The upgrades reflect over $30 million in public and private investment.
–E.E.
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GBLC to hold Hullabaloo
Great Barrington — The Great Barrington Land Conservancy (GBLC) will hold its Hullabaloo on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, from 5 -7 p.m. alongside the Housatonic River behind Riverbend Cafe.
Hullabaloo aims to raise awareness of GBLC’s work caring for and conserving Great Barrington’s natural resources, preserving prime agricultural land, and protecting open spaces for public recreation and conservation. The event will allow GBLC to describe its Housatonic River Walk, Lake Mansfield Alliance, Pfeiffer Arboretum and GB Trails projects; to honor and thank its sponsors, volunteers, and members; and to share its recent accomplishments and future plans. Music will be provided by the Easy Ridin’ Papas. Light fare will be prepared by Naji’s Mediterranean Cuisine and a cash bar will be available.
The event is is free for GBLC members and $25 for nonmembers. For more information or to RSVP, contact GBLC at (413) 528-4061 or info@GBland.org.
–E.E.
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Chatham Camerata to present ‘Song of the Earth’
Chatham, N.Y. — The Chatham Camerata will present an evening of Gustav Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde” (The Song of the Earth) on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at St. James Parish.
Mahler’s autumnal masterpiece will be performed by an 18-piece chamber orchestra conducted by Thomas Carlo Bo. The song cycle, based on Chinese poems which alternately celebrate the joys of life and mourn the transience of its passing, shares with Mahler’s Ninth Symphony a sense of farewell, since he wrote both with certain knowledge of his failing health. The performance will feature the talents of tenor Jon Morrell, and mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Russo.
There is a suggested donation of $20 at the door. For more information, call the church at (518) 392-4991.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Human Rights Speaker Series to host Tara Lai Quinlan and “Mariam”
Pittsfield — On Sunday, Sept. 11, at 4 p.m., the Berkshire Human Rights Speaker Series will present a talk by Tara Lai Quinlan and a screening of Faiza Ambah’s short film “Mariam” at Miss Hall’s School.
Tara Lai Quinlan is a professor of law and diversity at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom who specializes in human rights, national security and criminology. Filmmaker and political activist Faiza Ambah’s short film “Mariam” tells the story of a teenage French Muslim girl who, after visiting the Holy Land with her grandmother, decides to wear the hijab. The film explores issues of religion, feminism and freedom of expression.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Miss Hall’s School at (413) 443-6401.
–E.E.
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Mama Doni to perform children’s concert
Great Barrington — On Sunday, Sept. 11, at 11:30 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires and PJ Library will present “Rockin’ with Mama Doni,” a free family concert at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire. All are welcome to laugh, clap, dance, and sing along as Mama Doni elevates the spirit of Jewish values, traditions, and culture.
“Rockin’ with Mama Doni” features lead singer Doni Zasloff accompanied by her husband Eric Lindberg, an instrumentalist who has committed himself to the study of bluegrass instruments including guitar, mandolin, dobro, and banjo in order to bring American instruments and sounds to Jewish faith and tradition. Together, they tour the country as a duo and with their band, Nefesh Mountain.
Families are encouraged to bring new packages of diapers and/or baby wipes to be donated to the Berkshire Community Diaper Project. For more information, call (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
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Rural guide tours at Behold! New Lebanon
New Lebanon, N.Y. — Behold! New Lebanon, the living museum of contemporary rural American life, has announced its schedule for Saturday, Sept. 10. The programs will include:
Homesteading 102: Making Cheese – Paul Rix and Anna Duhon invite visitors into their kitchen, as they make their weekly batch of farmers’ cheese.
Hops Make the Beer – Artist/writer Alex Olchowski hosts this tour of his Spring Hill Hops, the only commercial-scale hops farm in Columbia County.
Stuffed: Make Sausage with Phoebe Young – Phoebe Young will explain what goes into a good sausage while offering a hands-on demonstration of fresh sausage-making.
Speed Demons – Long-time owner Howard Commander will leads a behind-the-scenes tour of the Lebanon Valley Speedway.
Surviving in the Forest – Ambling through fields and forests with Roger Boutard, visitors will learn to identify all the markings of a meal, from mushrooms to dandelions.
Fairy Houses – Mountain Road School educator Danielle Kush will lead visitors on an adventure through the forest collecting bits and bobs to fill their own fairy houses.
Elm Tree Mill – A tour conducted by Fiona Lally and Joe Ogilvie will offer the unprecedented opportunity to see how the Mill helped make New Lebanon famous.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 5 – 16, and free for children 4 and under when accompanied by an adult. Advance ticket purchase is recommended for all programs. For more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Behold! New Lebanon at (518) 720-7265 or info@beholdnewlebanon.org.
–E.E.
