Thanks to significant underwriting from foundation, business, and individual funders, three major infrastructure projects are making tangible impacts at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.

ExtraSpecialTeas to celebrate 6th birthday, opening of second location

HOUSATONIC – On Saturday, April 16 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at 226 Pleasant Street in Housatonic, ExtraSpecialTeas will celebrate its sixth birthday and the grand opening of its second teahouse. ExtraSpecialTeas supports, trains, and empowers young adults with diverse learning differences, such as autism, Down syndrome, and sight impairment, to learn, work and thrive in the Berkshires.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day and April is Autism Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time for a celebration. The event, called The Blue Party (blue is for autism awareness), is open to all community members, who are invited to wear blue, post party pictures to their social media (tag @extraspecialteas #lightitupblue #brewbelonging), and visit the teahouse to sample an “ExtraSpecial” signature blue tea named “Blue Skies” and try gluten-free brownie bites made by servers and staff. As always, hot, iced and bubble teas will also be available for purchase.

The day’s schedule includes face painting and music, including from the Berkshire Bateria at 2 p.m., along with visits from local officials such as Representative “Smitty” Pignatelli.

Half-million-dollar investments bring Mahaiwe forward

GREAT BARRINGTON — Three major infrastructure projects have a tangible impact at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, the restored cultural hub originally built in 1905. Thanks to significant underwriting from foundation, business, and individual funders, every single light in the building is newly installed to the best standards in energy and tech; efforts towards updating speakers and amplifiers within Mahaiwe’s live sound reinforcement system are underway; and three key emergency exit doors have been rebuilt.

Every single light at the Mahaiwe has been replaced in a comprehensive overhaul conducted between December 2020 and November 2021. Before the project, lighting consisted of traditional tungsten, tungsten-halogen, and fluorescent units. In 2020, National Grid launched an LED lighting replacement program, providing funding for energy-saving projects.

The Mahaiwe entered a partnership with Senior Energy Efficiency Consultant Walt Pazderski, himself a partner of National Grid through the third-party energy service company Energy Source. After creating a plan with Pazderski, the Mahaiwe applied for and received $70,000 in products and installation services from National Grid, so that replacement of all architectural and auditorium lighting, save for the stage, was done at no cost to the Mahaiwe.

As this initial work wrapped up, Mahaiwe Production Manager Lucas Pawelski — in collaboration with Pazderski — proposed a model for new stage lighting, designed for energy saving, reliability, weight efficiency, and performer needs. Projected cost was $400,000; National Grid agreed to cover 85%. The difference was secured from The 1916 Foundation.

Reducing energy use and costs is a significant benefit of the lighting upgrades. Upgrading to LED lighting reduces the theater’s carbon footprint and energy bills. The upgrades are expected to result in approximately $22,656 in energy savings per year and reduce greenhouse gases annually by 173,056 pounds.

Another facility initiative is underway — replacing a key segment of amplifiers, speaker cabinets, and signal processing for live performances. These elements make up part of the theater’s live sound reinforcement system.

The speakers and amplifiers currently in place have aged out over the course of more than 1,500 shows since the Mahaiwe’s first season in 2005, making them susceptible to failure and no longer reparable. The new components will improve reliability as well as audience experience by blending sound for less ringing and feedback, and improving sound distribution across the theater. Upgrading will also help offset costs when contracting artists with these technical needs, where external equipment has, in the past, had to be brought in. The new equipment, manufactured by L. Acoustics, is set to be installed by Klondike Sound this April.

On-site fundraising at the Mahaiwe’s 2021 Gala secured $110,000 towards the $150,000 project cost, thanks to individual donors. The Mahaiwe’s Advancement department is exploring options to cover the difference. Click here to learn more.

Three emergency exit doors at the side of the auditorium have been completely replaced with new frames, doors, and hardware to uphold the preservation of the historic building. The project began with demolition of the old fixtures, which were rusting due to water seepage and insecure from failing hardware. Funds were secured through the Town of Great Barrington Community Preservation Act, with a matching grant from the Jane & Jack Fitzpatrick Trust. Each party contributed $15,000. Fundraising began late in 2020 and construction was completed, after supply chain delays, in January 2022.

Salisbury Bank offers free webinar, announces 2022 Community Shred Days

LAKEVILLE, Conn. — Salisbury Bank is offering a free WebEx Webinar on buying your first home and credit scores, on Wednesday, April 6 from 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Salisbury Bank presenter Jennifer Musci, Mortgage Advisor, will discuss the basics every first-time homebuyer needs to know about securing a mortgage, including:

The webinar will also cover questions about credit scores, including:

Musci began her career in banking at the age of 15. She believes that everyone’s journey to homeownership is different, and by understanding that journey, she can better help her clients meet their homeownership goals.

Salisbury Bank also announces its 2022 Community Shred “Drive-thru” Days schedule. Shred Days are free events that are part of the Bank’s commitment to help in the fight against identity theft, and include a food drive to support local pantries. These events will take place from May–October at select branches throughout the tri-state area, and are open to all local residents and businesses. Each car will be limited to four bags or boxes (paper only).

Community Shred “Drive-thru” Days are open on the following dates and locations, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.:

Please consider bringing a non-perishable food donation, such as canned goods, cereals, macaroni and cheese, cake mix, peanut butter, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and tomato sauce. Household necessities such as paper towels, diapers, shampoo, and soap are also appreciated.

Click here for more information on protecting yourself against identity theft.

BCC wins grant for nursing simulation equipment upgrade

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Community College (BCC) has been awarded a $350,000 grant to acquire new simulation (SIM) equipment for its nursing programs, allowing for the first substantive upgrade of such equipment since 2009. The grant was provided by state Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Richard Neal.

SIM labs are designed to mimic various healthcare settings such as emergency rooms, hospital rooms, labor and delivery rooms, and operating theaters to fully immerse students in the clinical experience. The labs are furnished with mannequins and a full suite of medical equipment.

Through the acquisition of upgraded SIM equipment, BCC will work with area healthcare providers to strengthen the educational and hands-on training opportunities for students enrolled in Nursing and Allied Health degree and certificate programs. The integration of updated technology into healthcare education will give BCC students and healthcare personnel access to state-of-the-art clinical education not available in traditional learning formats.

Simulation enables students to practice clinical decision-making skills in a protected environment while enhancing students’ confidence, promoting patient safety and making the connection between theory and nursing practice. New equipment will include newborn, pediatric and adult models, patient monitors, wound care kits and accompanying software, an Electronic Medical Record program, an Omnicell Medication Dispenser and crash carts.

Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires welcomes new staff, board member

GREAT BARRINGTON — Mary Vasquez-Slack has joined the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires as its Administrative and Marketing Manager. In her position, Vasquez-Slack will help create and maintain resources for nonprofits including the Giving Back guide and virtual Resource Directory, and manage events, marketing and communications.

Founded in 2016, the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC) has more than 200 nonprofit members and business supporters, and dozens of partners in the work of helping nonprofits connect, learn and grow.

“Mary’s entrepreneurial background, as founder of several companies and, most recently, as program coordinator at EforAll, fits well with NPC’s innovator role,” said NPC Executive Director Liana Toscanini.

NPC also welcomes new board member Clemente Sajquiy Ramirez. Entrepreneur, artist and activist, Ramirez is founder of Green River Property Care and a 40 under Forty awardee for helping create a safer environment for immigrants in the county. Originally from Guatemala, he has lived in the Berkshires for 13 years.

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