David Gavin Salon changes hands
Great Barrington — Kelli Ransom of David Gavin Salon became the sole owner of the business effective Friday, Sept. 2. The change, precipitated by the departure of former co-owner Holly Marchi, coincided with the salon’s celebration over the summer of 17 years in Great Barrington. Ransom and salon manager Ted Shola used the change in ownership as an opportunity for a fresh start, one that reflects the downtown renovation project that unfolded, quite literally, on the sidewalk out front for more than a year. The many changes in town, according to both Ransom and Shola, were “positive and necessary.” Upgrades to address outdated infrastructure such as water mains were welcomed. Ransom, who has been doing hair for 26 years, joined the David Gavin team in 1999 when the salon was opened by founders David Ramon and Jeffrey Gavin Lyle. She and Marchi became co-owners in 2008.
Outside their eastern-facing windows with a sweeping view of the green, undulating hills behind Main Street, the foot traffic increased immensely over the summer. The climate in town, despite persistent grumblings about the inconvenience of such renovations, feels vibrant. “Everyone came back and then some,” said Shola in a nod to increased tourism as a result of not only the completed renovations, but also Great Barrington having been named the Best Small Town in America by Smithsonian Magazine. Shola, who met Ransom at the salon in its early days, spent a stint in New York City working for Ralph Lauren. After the stock market crashed and he was laid off, he contemplated, “Where do I feel at home?” As for his reply, “this is it … here at the salon and in the Berkshires.” Inside the salon, the changes are noticeable. The pair spent their weekends painting the interior, replacing the seating in the waiting area, obtaining new lettering on the doors and windows, and updating the window displays, all in an effort to streamline the salon’s ambience. Their goal is to help clients look their best in a relaxing, warm and friendly atmosphere.
David Gavin, an exclusively Redken and Framesi salon, is open Tuesday through Saturday. The hours are posted as 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., although casual passersby can attest to the flexible hours both stylists keep in order to satisfy their customers’ needs. An appointment for cut, color, perms and formal styling can be made by calling (413) 528-4848.
–Hannah Van Sickle Barrett
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BTCF resident survey
Sheffield — Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) is conducting an online survey to deepen its understanding of the needs and priorities of residents in its four-county region. Full-time, part-time and seasonal residents of Berkshire County are encouraged to participate in the survey through Friday, Oct. 28.
The survey is part of a comprehensive community assessment by BTCF and research partner Mt. Auburn Associates to examine the current issues, trends and needs in the 70 towns and three cities BTCF serves. The findings will be shared with the public in 2017. BTCF aims to reach as many residents as possible in order to consider a wide variety of voices and opinions. Respondents over age 18 who complete the survey will be eligible to enter a drawing for an iPad Pro.
–E.E.
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Interviewing skills workshop
Great Barrington — On Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m., Construct Inc. will host a free program on presentation and interviewing skills. Facilitated by Goodwill of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont’s manager of workforce development and Construct’s employment specialist, the workshop will prepare participants with knowledge on how to write effective resumes and improve presentation skills for job interviewing. Upon completion of the workshop, all participants will receive a Goodwill gift certificate and a Suit YourSelf appointment for professional business clothing.
To register for this workshop, contact Kathy Anker at (413) 442-0061 x14 or kanker@goodwill-berkshires.org.
–E.E.
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Mission-centric finance workshop for nonprofits
Great Barrington — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires will present a “Mission-centric Finance for Nonprofits and Supporters” workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire.
Sponsored by Arista Investment Advisors Ltd., the free seminar will focus on values-informed financial stewardship and is geared towards foundations, endowments, executive directors, finance and investment committees, and philanthropists. Featured speakers will include Jerry Schwartz, a seasoned investment advisor who facilitates workshops on spirituality and money; and Bernard C. Murphy, a financial planner with nonprofit and foundation background who has worked for nearly 30 years to support the lives of children and adults with disabilities.
Those interested in attending the workshop are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, Oct. 18, to Melissa Lydon at (413) 717-3139 or Melissa@aristaadv.com.
–E.E.
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Salisbury Bank to present internet security workshop
Salisbury, Conn. — Salisbury Bank will offer a free seminar about internet security on Monday, Oct. 24, at 5:30 p.m. at Noble Horizons. Seminar participants will learn how hackers invade computers to steal financial information, how to avoid being vulnerable to a computer breach, and what to do if they discover they have been hacked. The seminar will be presented by CompuWorks President Dave Hall. Hall has over 25 years of experience managing and maintaining the safety of computer networks for a variety of companies in the Northeast. Reservations are suggested, though not required. To reserve a space, contact Kevin Norton at (860) 435-9801 x1010 or send an email to knorton@salisburybank.com with “Internet Security” in the subject line.
–E.E.
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Greylock adopts new mobile app
Pittsfield — Greylock Federal Credit Union has announced its adoption of the CardValet® app, a new debit card management and fraud mitigation tool available as a free download from the Apple® app store and Google® Play.
Using the GPS system in the smart phone, CardValet® users can establish geographic and usage restrictions on their debit cards. Real-time alerts create another layer of fraud protection with notice that a transaction was attempted, declined, or both. CardValet® also offers cardholders the capability of linking additional accounts to better monitor dependent spending, and all transactions can be monitored or controlled for specific merchant categories such as travel, restaurants or entertainment, and can be denied or reported for types of merchants deemed not business-related.
–E.E.
