Tyler Street Lab to host grand opening celebration
Pittsfield — The public is invited to the grand opening of the Tyler Street Lab Saturday, March 23, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
At the event, visitors will learn about the regular activities at the Lab, including afterschool programming for kids, youth enrichment programming, meeting space for community nonprofits, event rental space, and yoga and art therapy. Participants can join a drum circle with Otha Day, see the Youth Alive step dancers, and more!
Said Tyler Street Lab administrative manager Fran Zarubick of Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires: “We want the neighborhood to come and see the promise of this lab and of our neighborhood. We want people to share their ideas about how we can all make Tyler Street Lab a place the neighborhood cares about.”
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Tyler Street Lab at (413) 344-4113 or tylerstreetlabpitt@gmail.com.
–E.E.
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Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce announces scholarship program
Great Barrington — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has announced a new opportunity open to members of the Chamber who would like to nominate local community members to receive a scholarship in support of higher education, additional career training or job certification. Scholarships will be awarded in amounts ranging from $500 to $1,000 and will help promote young people and proven leaders within the community who are striving to learn, innovate and achieve success in the southern Berkshires.
Nominees will be asked to submit a short application and awards will be publicly announced at the SBCC Business After Hours meeting Thursday, June 13, at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. A nominee must be over 18 years of age or in their senior year of high school, reside in one of the towns that the Chamber serves, and have a connection to one of the Chamber member businesses or organizations. To make a nomination, contact the Chamber office at (413) 528-4284 or betsy@southernberkshirechamber.com.
–E.E.
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Laura Lin Healing Arts opens
Great Barrington — Laura Lin Healing Arts has opened its doors at 4 Castle St., Suite 10. Lin is a licensed massage therapist, specializing in Thai massage and reiki. A Thai massage session is done clothed on a mat or table, combining rhythmic compression massage and assisted stretching. The gentle, hands-on energy therapy of reiki supports the body’s ability to balance and heal itself. Said Lin: “Sometimes we need a little help to heal. And we all need self-care. Yet, beyond that, we also have a desire for transformation to occur in our lives.”
Lin is one of seven healing arts practitioners in the Green River Wellness Collective.
–E.E.
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Workshop to focus on Instagram utilization
Great Barrington — Beth Carlson of Silo Media and Kathy Walsh of Knock Knock Social Media are teaming up to offer “#Outrageous Instagramming,” an eight-week class that will begin Wednesday, March 20, at 2:30 p.m. at Fuel and continue weekly through Wednesday, May 8. The class is appropriate for beginners, experts, businesses, individuals, artists, dancers, craftspeople and organizations alike. Topics such as “# like a pro,” “Take great photos,” “Tell a good story,” “Make an awesome video,” “Get targeted followers” and more will be covered in the hands-on class. Attendees should bring their phones or tablets.
The cost of the class is $30 per session or $200 in advance for all sessions. For more information or to register, contact (413) 429-1176 or beth@silo-media.com.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Community College announces new hires, personnel changes
Pittsfield — Berkshire Community College has announced several recent hires and personnel changes.
Ellis Richardson has been hired as the new director of safety and security. Richardson, a retired chief of police in Hudson, New York, most recently worked as the public safety sergeant for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He attended the University at Albany and received an associate degree from Columbia-Greene Community College.
Dave Moran, who was BCC’s director of facilities, has taken on the role of building maintenance supervisor II. This position combines the responsibilities of electrician II with other essential maintenance duties.
Audrey Sussman has been selected as BCC’s first adjunct faculty fellow. Sussman has been an adjunct instructor of culinary arts at BCC for over 16 years. The respnsibilities of Sussman’s new role include assessing the needs of adjunct faculty and providing them with instructional support and connection with campus resources.
Frank Schickor, who was a life sciences faculty member, has accepted the role of interim dean of business, science, mathematics and technology after the death in January of Charles Kaminski, who previously served in that role.
–E.E.
