The Olana Partnership presents ‘Sales and SPECTACLE: A Conversation About Art and Commerce’ with Carrie Haddad, and more
Hudson— On Thursday, March 28th from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., The Olana Partnership presents “Sales and SPECTACLE: A Conversation About Art and Commerce” with gallerist Carrie Haddad.
During this offsite special panel conversation, learn more about Carrie Haddad’s pioneering work as a gallerist in Hudson for over 30 years and hear insights about the contemporary state of the market. Inspired by Frederic Church’s own relationship with the art market, this informal conversation will examine how art and commerce shape the way artists relate to their work and their environments.
The conversation will be on Thursday, March 28th from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 127 Union Street in Hudson. It will be followed by a Q&A and a light reception. Tickets are $30 and $10 for members. Registration is required. Registration and more information can be found online.
On Wednesday, March 27th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., The Olana Partnership presents “Frederic Church as Design Visionary,” a virtual discussion with Sheila Bridges and Young Huh.
Join acclaimed interior designers Sheila Bridges and Young Huh for a very special virtual opportunity as they reflect on Frederic Church’s interior design aesthetic, sharing thoughts on the carefully curated rooms of his artist-designed house at Olana. Moderated by Mitchell Owens, author of “American Editor of The World of Interiors” and a Contributing Editor of Architectural Digest.

The virtual discussion is on Wednesday, March 27th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Zoom. It is free. Registration and more information can be found online.
On Sunday, March 24th from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Olana Partnership will be holding an in-person volunteer information session for anyone who is interested in learning about 2024 volunteer opportunities at Olana State Historic Site.
If you love nature, art, history, and Frederic Church’s Olana, volunteering is the perfect way to give back to our community, meet new people, and get involved. There are many opportunities to volunteer depending on interest and availability. The in-person information session will give perspective volunteers an opportunity to meet staff, ask questions, and learn more about these opportunities.
The session is on Sunday, March 24th from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m at Olana State Historic Site on Route 9G in Hudson, N.Y. Registration is required. Register by contacting Membership and Volunteer Coordinator Lauren Miller at 518-751-6857 or lmiller@olana.org.
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Pittsfield Public Schools and the Berkshire County chapter of the NAACP present a free community screening of the film ‘Till’
Pittsfield— On Tuesday, March 26th at 6 p.m., as part of the Pittsfield Public Schools Arts Integration & Community Partnership Program, a special collaboration between the school district and the Berkshire County chapter of the NAACP, there will be a free community screening of the film, “Till” at Taconic High School.

The new program, which is centered on classroom-based arts integration instruction, launched in February with a professional development presentation to all secondary teachers and staff in the school district. The program was designed by Yvette “Jamuna” Sirker, MFA, PPS Coordinator for Arts Integration & Community Partnerships and Shirley Edgerton, of the Berkshire County Chapter of the NAACP. Prior to the community screening, “Till” co-writer and producer, Keith Beauchamp will visit both Pittsfield and Taconic high schools.
The film “Till” has provided our district with a potent experiential learning moment as the film, the NAACP, our social studies teachers, and Mr. Beauchamp guide our students into greater awareness of their own history as well as demonstrating the link between the arts and social justice,” said Sirker.
The Triplex Cinema provided a licensed copy of the film and is also covering the costs associated with Beauchamp’s visit to both schools.
The free community event is on Tuesday, March 26th at 6 p.m. at Taconic High School on Valentine Road in Pittsfield.
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Hudson River Ice Yacht Preservation Trust President Robert Willis to Speak at Stockbridge Library
Stockbridge— On Saturday, March 23rd at 3 p.m., the Hudson River Ice Yacht Preservation Trust President Robert Willis to Speak at Stockbridge Library.
For two weeks at the end of February, the Stockbridge Bowl (Lake Mahkeenac in Stockbridge) hosted ice sailing, with over twenty boats of all vintages participating. During this time, many local residents saw the sport for the first time.

“Many local residents had no idea this sport existed, and remarked on the quiet beauty of the winter scene”, said Robert Wills, President of the Trust. “They were also astounded that the Dutch originally brought this activity to the Hudson River in the 1600’s.”
The talk is on Saturday, March 23rd at 3 p.m. at the Stockbridge Library on Main Street in Stockbridge. More information can be found online.
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OLLI presents a basic bird biology workshop with Professor Tom Tyning
Pittsfield— On March 26th, 28th, and 29th from 10 a.m. to noon, OLLI presents a three-session basic bird biology workshop with Professor Tom Tyning
There’s a lot more to understand about birds than their identification. In this short introduction, participants will be introduced to the evolution, anatomy, ecological interactions, and conservation of birds, both locally and around the world.

Tom Tyning has been a Professor of Environmental Science at Berkshire Community College since 1999. Previously, he was a Field Biologist and Master Naturalist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society for 24 years. He also served for 15 years as an Adjunct Professor in the Environmental Studies Program at Antioch New England Graduate School (Amphibian Biology, Ornithology, Field Entomology, Reptile Biology,) at Springfield College (Ornithology,) and MCLA (Botany.) His book “A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles” is published by Little, Brown and Co.
The in-person workshop is on March 26th, 28th, and 29th from 10 a.m. to noon at Berkshire Community College on West Street in Pittsfield. The cost is $35 and $30 for members. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Monument Mountain Regional High School Performing Arts department to present a combined concert with the Eagles Community Band
Great Barrington— On Wednesday, March 27th at 7 p.m., the Monument Mountain Regional High School Performing Arts department is proud to present a combined band concert with the Eagles Community Band from Pittsfield.

This performance will feature the Monument Mountain Concert Band under the direction of Jacob Keplinger and the Eagles Community Band under the direction of Carl Jenkins.
The free concert is on Wednesday, March 27th at 7 p.m. at Monument Mountain Regional High School on Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington. More information can be found online.
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Railroad Street Youth Project presents ‘Cannabis: A Family Conversation’
Great Barrington— On Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m., Railroad Street Youth Project presents “Cannabis: A Family Conversation.”
Join the Southern Berkshire Community Health Coalition (SBCHC) for an evening of community care, information, and resource sharing to prepare parents of children of all ages to navigate family conversations regarding cannabis.
The SBCHC curated a panel of asset-based experts that will provide parents and community partners with data informed practices. The goal is to resource our community to begin difficult conversations with young people about substance use and keep the lines of communication open as these conversations evolve.
The free presentation is on Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Registration is recommended. Registration and more information can be found online. For childcare and/or Spanish translation, contact laura@rsyp.org.
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Pittsfield Cooperative Bank offers assistance to homebuyers
Pittsfield— Pittsfield Cooperative Bank has been approved to participate in two of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s homeownership assistance programs, the Equity Builder Program and Housing Our Workforce. Both programs provide assistance to income-eligible homebuyers who are purchasing one-to four-family homes that will serve as their primary residence.
Equity Builder Program (EBP) provides grants to financial institutions to help local first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs as well as homebuyer counseling and rehabilitation assistance. Borrowers earning up to 80% of the area median income are eligible to receive up to $30,806 in assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers must complete homebuyer education/counseling.
Housing Our Workforce (HOW) enables financial institutions to help local homebuyers earning more than 80% and up to 120% of the area median income with down payments and closing costs. Borrowers can receive 10% of the home sales price or up to $25,000 in assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. Buyers must complete homebuyer education/counseling if they are a first-time homebuyer.
“These grant programs are designed to ease some challenges associated with a home purchase, particularly at a time when home prices have risen sharply and are beyond the reach of many individuals and families. We are pleased to participate to help borrowers become homebuyers, while also supporting the financial stability and vitality of our communities,” said CEO J. Jay Anderson of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.

To learn more about applying for assistance through these programs, contact Richard Whalen at 413-629-1610 or RWhalen@pittsfieldcoop.com.