Berkshire Branch of the NAACP announces 2023 elections
Pittsfield — The NAACP, Berkshire County Branch announces its biennial branch elections. Those Branch members in good standing, those whose dues are paid and who have been members since May 1, 2022, that wish to apply for any of the elected positions may do so now until October 26, 2022. Applicants (members) must fill out the candidate consent form and include a brief description of their work with the branch or local community and why they want to hold an elected position.
Elected position descriptions, responsibilities, and nomination forms can be found on the branch’s website, naacpberkshires.org. All materials must be emailed to branch nomination committee secretary Caterina Penna at electionsnaacpberkshirebranch@gmail.com no later than 9 pm on Wednesday, October 26.
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Lee Bank Foundation awards third-round of 2022 grants
Lee — Lee Bank Foundation has awarded $48,600 to sixteen Berkshire area organizations for their third-round of 2022 community funding. Recipients were awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,600 to support their local programming. Included in the awards are a series of Arts Access Grants for arts and culture organizations to expand access to programming for underserved audiences and Food Security Grants for organizations with a program focused on providing food to community members in need.
The deadline for the next round of 2022 Foundation funding is December 1st. The application and more information can be found on the Community Impact section of Lee Bank’s website: https://www.leebank.com/community-impact/donations-sponsorships.html
To be considered for grant awards, applicants must be a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Foundation is focused on funding programs that work to bridge income and opportunity gaps in our region.
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Jacob’s Pillow hires new international advisor
Becket — Jacob’s Pillow has announced Cathy Levy joined the organization’s curatorial team as International Advisor. In this new role as a consultant to the curatorial team, Levy will evaluate international artists and companies for commissioning support and inclusion in Jacob’s Pillow’s annual summer Dance Festival, as well as in the year-round Pillow Lab residency program, and digital programming initiatives. Levy will inform the work of Jacob’s Pillow’s Executive and Artistic Director Pamela Tatge and Associate Curators Melanie George and Ali Rosa-Salas.
Most recently, Levy has worked as Executive Director for NAC Dance within the National Arts Centre (NAC), Canada’s multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts, headquartered in Ottawa. Levy has led the National Arts Centre’s dance department for over two decades and has earned an enviable reputation throughout the Canadian and international dance communities. She annually presented a full season of national and international dance companies and artists and has co-produced over 100 new works. She has also developed an array of outreach and enhancement activities to support artists, students and audiences, such as the NAC-CGI Youth Commission for Dance (2003-2007), the Associate Dance Artists Program launched in 2007, and the Visiting Dance Artist Program launched in 2018. Levy serves on a number of dance committees and boards, and in 2019 was named a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of her dedication to the field.
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Clark & Green, and Bek, announces changes
Great Barrington — Clark & Green, the Berkshire architecture establishment, announces that it has taken on a new name: Clark & Green, and Bek. Stephan Green, long time president and principal architect of the firm, will step down and enter a new role as eminence grise—seasoned advisor operating largely behind the scenes.
Jacob Bek has been appointed new Principal. Jacob went to Bard College at Simon’s Rock with both of Stephan’s sons, and both men attended Pratt 
Institute. Jacob’s resume includes years working with architectural firms across the globe as well as post graduate studies at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, England. Currently Jacob is principal and president of JBA Collective in New York City. Clark & Green, and Bek are excited at the opportunity to expand their reach and serve clients between New York and the Berkshires.
Clark & Green, and Bek is a Great Barrington-based architecture firm specializing in custom residential and commercial design throughout the Berkshires. Stephan Greene is reachable at 413-429-1915, and Jacob is accessible via 917-922-6619. For more information about Clark & Green, and Bek, visit their website.
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Local artist “Gets It” in the NMMHP
Stockbridge — The National Museum of Mental Health Project (NMMHP), Inc. is pleased to announce that an artistic collection from Stockbridge-based artist Natasha Wein has been selected as the inaugural displayed work for “I Get It” — a virtual exhibition about mental health and wellness in the 2020s.
Wein’s artwork is currently on display as part of a sneak preview of “I Get It” that is taking place on NMMHP’s social media pages. NMMHP is a Massachusetts-based non-profit whose mission is to strengthen mental health literacy through the arts nationwide by bringing the exhibition to you. “I Get It” is described as an ever-expanding, ever-changing mosaic of mental health and is NMMHP’s first virtual exhibition.
Look for the sneak preview of “I Get It” and Natasha Wein’s submission on Facebook at National Museum of Mental Health Project, and Instagram at NMMHProject. A digital version of These Four Walls is available on Wein’s website at www.nweinart.com/gallery. More information about “I Get It” and NMMHP, including where to submit your own work, can be found at www.nmmhproject.org/i-get-it.
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Berkshire Money Management offers free Open Office Hours
Great Barrington — Berkshire Money Management announces that Holly Simeone, CES™, who joined the boutique advisory firm as a Client Care Specialist in 2021, has been promoted to the role of Financial Advisor after earning her Series 65 license. Based out of the company’s downtown Great Barrington office, Holly is passionate about sharing her financial knowledge with her community and looks forward to hosting a new weekly program – Open Office Hours – starting Thursday, October 6.
Berkshire Money Management’s Open Office Hours program is an opportunity for the company to give back by offering the public free, walk-in meetings each week to help answer financial questions and provide professional guidance on topics including budgeting, saving for retirement, leaving a legacy for children and grandchildren, and getting the most from Social Security.
Financial Advisor Holly Simeone, CES™ and Lauren Russo, CEPA, FPQP™, CVB, together with Paraplanner Angela Elzner, FPQP™, will host office hours every Thursday afternoon from 4 to 6 pm, alternating between the firm’s Dalton headquarters and downtown Great Barrington office.
The first dates are as follows:
- Thursday, October 6, 4 to 6 p.m.
161 Main Street, Dalton - Thursday, October 13, 4 to 6 p.m.
322 Main Street, Great Barrington - Thursday, October 20, 4 to 6 p.m.
161 Main Street, Dalton - Thursday, October 27, 4 to 6 p.m.
322 Main Street, Great Barrington - Thursday, November 3, 4 to 6 p.m.
161 Main Street, Dalton - Thursday, November 10, 4 to 6 p.m.
322 Main Street, Great Barrington
