Walk a Mile in Her Shoes benefit for Freeman Center
Pittsfield — The fifth annual Berkshire County Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence will take place during Third Thursday, September 17, rain or shine.
Registration begins at 5 p.m. on the corner of North Street and Columbus Avenue. Guest speakers and the march will take place at 6 p.m. Walkers are encouraged to wear their flashiest shoes as they walk a mile downtown to demonstrate their commitment to stop violence and show solidarity with violence survivors. Proceeds from the event will benefit Elizabeth Freeman Center (EFC).
The Walk is supported by local community leaders including Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn, Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless, state representatives Smitty Pignatelli and Tricia Farley-Bouvier, State Senator Ben Downing, and mayors Dan Bianchi of Pittsfield, and Richard Alcombright of North Adams. A growing number of businesses and organizations from all over the county are putting their names and money to this cause as Walk a Mile underwriters.
Elizabeth Freeman Center provides free and confidential 24-hour services to help survivors of violence, including a 24-hour hotline, shelter, emergency transportation, counseling, court advocacy, supervised visitation, and specialized services for immigrants, LGBQT persons, and rural survivors. EFC has offices in North Adams, Pittsfield, and Great Barrington, with staff in the Adams and Pittsfield Police Departments, three county courts, and Berkshire County Kids’ Place.
In 2014 the agency provided services for 4,005 women, children and men from almost every city and town in Berkshire County. EFC’s executive director Janis Broderick noted: “In Berkshire County, the rate of restraining orders is 37 percent higher than the state average. That may mean violence is particularly high in Berkshire County. It may also mean we are reaching people sooner to help them get protection. Whatever the reason, our high rate of restraining orders shows the need is great. We all must work together as a community to make our homes and streets safe.”
Broderick said that more than 500 Berkshire County men, boys, their families, friends and supporters of all ages took to the street and participated in last year’s Walk. “Last year we raised more than $45,000 in much needed funds to support EFC services. Each year we need to raise more money to meet rising costs, so our work can continue.”
Men are encouraged (but not required) to walk in women’s high-heeled shoes. They can bring their own or choose from shoes and shoe decorations available at registration. Pledge sheets are available at Bagels Too, Flavours of Malaysia, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, online, and by calling (413) 499-2425.
–E.E.
* * *
Poet Emily Dickinson and the books that shaped her work
Pittsfield — On Thursday, September 10, at 10:45 a.m., join Jane Wald, executive director of the Emily Dickinson Museum, as she explores the poet’s work through the books that filled the Dickinson family’s library shelves. The talk at Congregation Knesset Israel is part of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires’ Connecting With Community series.
“I am glad there are Books. They are better than Heaven,” wrote Emily Dickinson, who called herself a pagan although she knew the Bible backwards and forwards and often spoke of faith. An examination of the religious texts on the shelves of her family’s libraries can cast more light on Dickinson’s personal theological explorations in the context of 19th-century religious movements. Jane Wald has been with the Dickinson Museum for 14 years and its executive director for the last nine.
For more information, please call the Federation at (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
* * *
Frame & canvas sale and Framing Fundamentals class
Ghent, N.Y. — The Art School of Columbia County will hold a frame and canvas sale from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday September 12 (half-price 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.). Concurrent with this fundraiser, the Art School will offer Framing Fundamentals: Fine Art Framing Techniques taught by faculty member Robin Guthridge from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Framing techniques including use of glass and mats, spacers for oil paintings, hinging, and other hanging options will be demonstrated. The class will include a review of art photography techniques and tips for presenting work for juried shows.
Pre-registration for Framing Fundamentals is online. For more information email info@artschoolofcolumbiacounty.org or call (518) 672-7140.
–E.E.
* * *
Anton Ginzburg screens short film and opens exhibition
Great Barrington — On Thursday, September 10, New York-based filmmaker and artist Anton Ginzburg will present his short film “Walking the Sea” at Bard College at Simon’s Rock’s Daniel Arts Center followed by a discussion. There will also be a reception to celebrate the opening of Ginzburg’s accompanying exhibition in the Hillman-Jackson Gallery. In the film the artist charts a 26,000-square-mile area between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan known as the Aral Sea, an environmental ruin of the Soviet era. The film refers to regional histories and cultural myths ranging from the figure of the plein-air painter as a traveling dervish to the music qualities of the landscape as an Aeolian harp and the belief in a subterranean “inner sea” into which the Aral Sea has disappeared.
The opening, screening of the 30-minute film, and Q&A with the artist will begin at 5 p.m..
–E.E.
