from GLAAD:

Transgender Day of Remembrance is an international annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

Additionally, during the week of November 13-20, individuals and organizations around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week to help raise the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people and address the issues these communities face.

Observance at Park Square, Pittsfield

Thursday, November 16, 5:30 p.m.

Here in the Berkshires, MC and Featured Speaker Jahaira DeAlto, Reading of Transgender Day of Remembrance city proclamation by City Council President Peter Marchetti, Speech by Joseph Farnes of St. Stephen’s, Reading of US Names followed by Contemplative Silence, Speakers: Tegan Joy Cook, Ray Garnett, Kenneth Mercure, B Bradburd, Open Mic for Attendee Participation, Candlelit Procession (LED candles provided) to Park Square ending with Standing Vigil in Park Square with Reading of International Names followed by a return to the church with Reflection Time with Cookies and Beverages.

St. Stephen’s is handicap accessible, with the elevator available from the Allen Street Entrance. For those who are unable to attend we are making our best effort to livestream and/or record the event. We are also asking that our speakers try to provide written copies of their speeches, poems etc. so they may be shared online for those without access to transportation or who are unable to attend.

Jahaira DeAlto is an advocate and activist whose work began in 1997.

Notably, she has spoken at the Chanelle Pickett murder trial, the Ryan White Conference on HIV/AIDS, and Harvard University. Most recently, she was a guest-lecturer at Columbia University’s School of Social Work. Affirming and uplifting Trans/Intersex People of Color is her passion. She is a college student in Pittsfield, MA, and she can also be found vlogging her heart out at www.youtube.com/JahairasMission

Shaker Meets Southern with Virginia Willis

Gardens with Round Stone Barn and Dairy Ell, Hancock Shaker Village; photo by Bestbudbrian; [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Top Left TunesThis episode features “Hot Chicken,” off Dom Flemons‘ release, Prospect Hill. We interviewed this Grammy Award winning artist on a recent episode of the Cornbread Cafe, our American Roots music show. Check out the artist’s website, find out more about him, and maybe even pick up a CD or download while you’re there. Tell him Jay sent you.

Recent friction between students of color and MCLA administration not the main reason for creation of execution position of Chief Diversity Officer says college president

 

 

 

Hey Greylock Nation—

Today is Sunday, October 15, 2017, and you’re listening to episode 58 of the Top Left Corner. I’m your host, Jay Velazquez, and, as always, I thank you for tuning in.

We spoke this week with Dr. James Birge, President of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams. The posting of the newly created executive level position of Chief Diversity Officer caught our eye, so we thought finding out a little bit about what went into the decision to create the position would be illuminating.

We also caught up with Elinor Goodwin, owner of the Print Shop, Williamstown, who is now comfortably settled into her new digs on Spring Street. The Print Shop has long been the go-to source for all the printed items that this digital media startup, The Greylock Glass, needs on a regular basis. And there’s a reason for that, which we’ll hear about on this first edition of the resurrected segment, the Berkshire Business Files here on the Top Left Corner.

Berkshire Business Files: The Print Shop

The Print Shop Williamstown, a full-service print shop and marketing agency, is located in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. We work with organizations of all sizes: service professionals, banks, schools, teams, administration, parents, booster organizations and coaches to provide attractive materials within what are often limited budgets. We enjoy working with our clients from developing marketing concepts, to design, through to the printed publication. We also assist organizations with advertising campaigns—soliciting, designing, and placement of advertising.

 

Chief Diversity Officer

Locations: North Adams, MA

Posted: Sep 27, ’17

Type: Full-time

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is a dynamic and vibrant four-year public college located in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1894, MCLA is the Commonwealth’s public liberal arts college of the Massachusetts State University System. MCLA was named a Top Ten Public Liberal Arts College by U.S. News and World Report. MCLA is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), a national consortium positioned at the forefront of the conversation on the value of a liberal arts education. MCLA also earned a place on Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s list of 100 Best Values in Public Colleges. The ranking cites colleges that combine outstanding academics with affordable cost, and the College was again named to the President’s Honor Roll for Service by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Job Description:

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) invites applications for Chief Diversity Officer (CDO). We are the designated public, liberal arts college among the nine State Universities of Massachusetts and one of 29 Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) in the country. We seek to be an exemplar of diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating an environment where anyone can excel in their learning, teaching, and work.

The CDO will be a thought leader and action driver in extending and deepening our diverse and inclusive MCLA community. The CDO will work with academic, administrative, and student leadership to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are valued and reflected in all areas of the college, and will help build and maintain bridges to our community and region in regard to shared com...

Election 2017: A conversation with John Barrett, III.

Find him online here.

Hello, Greylock Nation—

Today is Saturday, October 07, 2017, and this is a special election series episode of the Top Left Corner, presented by the Greylock Glass. We don’t have the resources yet to cover all races, but due to the enormous popularity of our coverage of the 2016 State Senate election, we decided to provide you, our audience, with a similar opportunity to hear unhurried, unscripted conversations with the candidates for the position of State Representative, 1st Berkshire District, a seat left empty by the untimely death of Gail Cariddi in June.

 

The four candidates in this series of interviews are facing off in the Democratic primary election on October 10 to determine who will face off against Republican challenger Christine M. Canning in the November 7 general election. The four interviewees are John Barrett, Lisa Blackmer, Stephanie Bosley and Kevin Towle.

Each candidate was given an opportunity to describe their backgrounds and experience, to discuss the the political legacy left by Cariddi, and to offer a vision of how they would address the priorities of the district at the statehouse level. They also responded to similar questions about the issues of poverty, and employment, healthcare, transportation, education, climate change, and race relations. While every effort was made to ensure fairness to all candidates, conversations between different individuals will, of course, vary in content in unpredictable ways. These organic differences are, we hope, the reason that you appreciate extended discussions between people rather than soundbites or pre-recorded position statements.

I enjoyed my talks with each of these contenders, and have decided to extend the Greylock Glass’ policy against the endorsement of one candidate over another for this election season. I hope that by providing this election series of episodes, the Greylock Glass will assist its voting audience in deciding for whom to cast their ballot on Tuesday.

This episode, number 54, features my conversation with John Barrett.

We hope you enjoyed the chance to hear the views of this candidate for State Representative of the 1st Berkshire District. We put a lot of time and effort into it. If you found this service helpful, please consider making a contribution by going to greylockglass.com/support.

Remember this is the Democratic primary, so if you want a say in who will face off against Christine Canning in November, don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, October 10th. That’s our show for today, I’ve been your host, writer, editor, engineer, and web administrator, Jason Velazquez, and I hope you join me again on the Top Left Corner.

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Election 2017: A conversation with Lisa Blackmer.

Find him online here.

Hello, Greylock Nation—

Today is Saturday, October 07, 2017, and this is a special election series episode of the Top Left Corner, presented by the Greylock Glass. We don’t have the resources yet to cover all races, but due to the enormous popularity of our coverage of the 2016 State Senate election, we decided to provide you, our audience, with a similar opportunity to hear unhurried, unscripted conversations with the candidates for the position of State Representative, 1st Berkshire District, a seat left empty by the untimely death of Gail Cariddi in June.

 

The four candidates in this series of interviews are facing off in the Democratic primary election on October 10 to determine who will face off against Republican challenger Christine M. Canning in the November 7 general election. The four interviewees are John Barrett, Lisa Blackmer, Stephanie Bosley and Kevin Towle.

Each candidate was given an opportunity to describe their backgrounds and experience, to discuss the the political legacy left by Cariddi, and to offer a vision of how they would address the priorities of the district at the statehouse level. They also responded to similar questions about the issues of poverty, and employment, healthcare, transportation, education, climate change, and race relations. While every effort was made to ensure fairness to all candidates, conversations between different individuals will, of course, vary in content in unpredictable ways. These organic differences are, we hope, the reason that you appreciate extended discussions between people rather than soundbites or pre-recorded position statements.

I enjoyed my talks with each of these contenders, and have decided to extend the Greylock Glass’ policy against the endorsement of one candidate over another for this election season. I hope that by providing this election series of episodes, the Greylock Glass will assist its voting audience in deciding for whom to cast their ballot on Tuesday.

This episode, number 55, features my conversation with Lisa Blackmer.

We hope you enjoyed the chance to hear the views of this candidate for State Representative of the 1st Berkshire District. We put a lot of time and effort into it. If you found this service helpful, please consider making a contribution by going to greylockglass.com/support.

Remember this is the Democratic primary, so if you want a say in who will face off against Christine Canning in November, don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, October 10th. That’s our show for today, I’ve been your host, writer, editor, engineer, and web administrator, Jason Velazquez, and I hope you join me again on the Top Left Corner.

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Election 2017: A conversation with Stephanie Bosley.

Find her online here.

Hello, Greylock Nation—

Today is Saturday, October 07, 2017, and this is a special election series episode of the Top Left Corner, presented by the Greylock Glass. We don’t have the resources yet to cover all races, but due to the enormous popularity of our coverage of the 2016 State Senate election, we decided to provide you, our audience, with a similar opportunity to hear unhurried, unscripted conversations with the candidates for the position of State Representative, 1st Berkshire District, a seat left empty by the untimely death of Gail Cariddi in June.

 

The four candidates in this series of interviews are facing off in the Democratic primary election on October 10 to determine who will face off against Republican challenger Christine M. Canning in the November 7 general election. The four interviewees are John Barrett, Lisa Blackmer, Stephanie Bosley and Kevin Towle.

Each candidate was given an opportunity to describe their backgrounds and experience, to discuss the the political legacy left by Cariddi, and to offer a vision of how they would address the priorities of the district at the statehouse level. They also responded to similar questions about the issues of poverty, and employment, healthcare, transportation, education, climate change, and race relations. While every effort was made to ensure fairness to all candidates, conversations between different individuals will, of course, vary in content in unpredictable ways. These organic differences are, we hope, the reason that you appreciate extended discussions between people rather than soundbites or pre-recorded position statements.

I enjoyed my talks with each of these contenders, and have decided to extend the Greylock Glass’ policy against the endorsement of one candidate over another for this election season. I hope that by providing this election series of episodes, the Greylock Glass will assist its voting audience in deciding for whom to cast their ballot on Tuesday.

This episode, number 56, features my conversation with Stephanie Bosley.

We hope you enjoyed the chance to hear the views of this candidate for State Representative of the 1st Berkshire District. We put a lot of time and effort into it. If you found this service helpful, please consider making a contribution by going to greylockglass.com/support.

Remember this is the Democratic primary, so if you want a say in who will face off against Christine Canning in November, don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, October 10th. That’s our show for today, I’ve been your host, writer, editor, engineer, and web administrator, Jason Velazquez, and I hope you join me again on the Top Left Corner.

Save

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Election 2017: A conversation with Kevin Towle.

Find him online here.

Hello, Greylock Nation—

Today is Saturday, October 07, 2017, and this is a special election series episode of the Top Left Corner, presented by the Greylock Glass. We don’t have the resources yet to cover all races, but due to the enormous popularity of our coverage of the 2016 State Senate election, we decided to provide you, our audience, with a similar opportunity to hear unhurried, unscripted conversations with the candidates for the position of State Representative, 1st Berkshire District, a seat left empty by the untimely death of Gail Cariddi in June.

 

The four candidates in this series of interviews are facing off in the Democratic primary election on October 10 to determine who will face off against Republican challenger Christine M. Canning in the November 7 general election. The four interviewees are John Barrett, Lisa Blackmer, Stephanie Bosley and Kevin Towle.

Each candidate was given an opportunity to describe their backgrounds and experience, to discuss the the political legacy left by Cariddi, and to offer a vision of how they would address the priorities of the district at the statehouse level. They also responded to similar questions about the issues of poverty, and employment, healthcare, transportation, education, climate change, and race relations. While every effort was made to ensure fairness to all candidates, conversations between different individuals will, of course, vary in content in unpredictable ways. These organic differences are, we hope, the reason that you appreciate extended discussions between people rather than soundbites or pre-recorded position statements.

I enjoyed my talks with each of these contenders, and have decided to extend the Greylock Glass’ policy against the endorsement of one candidate over another for this election season. I hope that by providing this election series of episodes, the Greylock Glass will assist its voting audience in deciding for whom to cast their ballot on Tuesday.

This episode, number 57, features my conversation with Kevin Towle.

We hope you enjoyed the chance to hear the views of this candidate for State Representative of the 1st Berkshire District. We put a lot of time and effort into it. If you found this service helpful, please consider making a contribution by going to greylockglass.com/support.

Remember this is the Democratic primary, so if you want a say in who will face off against Christine Canning in November, don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, October 10th. That’s our show for today, I’ve been your host, writer, editor, engineer, and web administrator, Jason Velazquez, and I hope you join me again on the Top Left Corner.

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Fiction Of Now

Poetry in the age of post-truth

Pittsfield, Mass.—WordXWord presents Fiction of Now, a program of work by poets spanning a wide range of ages and styles, October 6, 8P at the Berkshire Museum 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA. The performance will take place in the physical context of Berkshire Museum’s Morgan Bulkeley: Nature Culture Clash, a career retrospective of the artist’s work. Admission is free.

Fiction of Now

Poetry in the Age of Post-Truth

 

Friday, October 6, 8:00 p.m.

Berkshire Museum

39 South Street, Pittsfield

Free

For Fiction of Now, WordXWord has challenged poets to create and present original work that in some way resonates with the questions raised by Mr Bulkeley’s work, or more broadly, work that addresses the absurdity of life in a post truth age. Poets are free to address this challenge as they see fit or from whatever direction they choose. The result is likely to be a wild ride.

 

 

 

 

Given the range of poetic styles represented, and the challenge presented, the audience is advised to expect the unexpected! Parents are cautioned that this program may contain explicit material.

 

For more information about WordXWord, visit wXw365.org. For more information about Morgan Bulkeley: Nature Culture Clash, BerkshireMuseum.org.

NORTH ADAMS, MASS. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will welcome award-winning author Jana Laiz, who will discuss her book, “Weeping under This Same Moon,” at the College’s First Year Experience (FYE) Community Reading event, to be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, in the MCLA Church Street Center’s Eleanor Furst Roberts Auditorium.

MCLA’s annual fall lectures are free and open to the public. Seating for this FYE Community Reading event will be limited. After the lecture, Laiz will sign copies of her book.

“Weeping under This Same Moon” explores the true story of what happens when two young women from very different cultures connect across difference. Written from the perspectives of both Mei, a Vietnamese refugee, and Hannah, an American high school student, this year’s community reading addresses themes central to MCLA’s liberal arts mission and broader democracy.

A believer in the power of individuals to make a difference, Laiz is a combination of storyteller, teacher and activist. She was a caseworker at The International Rescue Committee, working in refugee resettlement, and the co-author of “A Free Woman on God’s Earth” The True Story of Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman, The Slave Who Won Her Freedom, which recently was named a New York Reads 365 Reading List Selection and has been optioned for the screen.

Laiz lives in the Berkshires, and is a Writer-In-Residence at Herman Melville’s Berkshire home, Arrowhead.

Weeping Under This Same Moon

 

Weeping Under This Same Moon, by Jana Laiz is based on the true story of two teenage girls from different cultures, whose paths intertwine, dramatically altering the course of their lives. Mei is an artist whose life has been disrupted by the Vietnam War. Her anguished parents send her away on a perilous escape during the exodus of thousands of Vietnamese refugees known as “Boat People.” In Mei’s words we learn of the dangers she faces caring for her two younger siblings on a sea journey fraught with hunger, thirst and deprivation, leaving behind everything she loves, to find refuge for her family.

Hannah is an angry seventeen-year-old American high school student. Friendless, neurotic, a social misfit – her passion for writing and the environment only intensify her outcast state. Through Hannah’s voice, we get inside her head, there to discover a gentle soul beneath all the anger and turmoil. When Hannah learns of the plight of the “Boat People,” she is moved to action.

Destiny brings Mei and Hannah together in a celebration of cultures and language, food and friendship, and the ultimate rescue of both young women from their own despair. Weeping Under This Same Moon is a testament to the power of love and the spirit of volunteerism; affirming that doing for others does so much for one’s self…

 

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is the Commonwealth’s public liberal arts college and a campus of the Massachusetts state university system. MCLA promotes excellence in learning and teaching, innovative scholarship, intellectual creativity, public service, applied knowledge, and active and responsible citizenship. MCLA graduates are prepared to be practical problem solvers and engaged, resilient global citizens.

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Editor’s Note: Some of the text portion of the show notes for this episode were taken from officially released material from Louison House.

We speak today with Sherwood Guernsey about the standout planned for 5:00 p.m. in Park Square in Pittsfield to protest the latest effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And we hear from Kathy Keeser, who explained how recent funding news means improvements and repairs that directly impact Louison House’s ability to serve homeless clients.

 

Entire Berkshire delegation joins healthcare protest at Park Square

Monday’s Standout Organized by Berkshire Democratic Bridges with the Four Freedoms Coalition, the Berkshire County Branch of the NAACP, the Hoping Machine, and Others

(Pittsfield) In concert with hundreds of other protests across the United States, the Berkshire Democratic Brigades, Berkshire County’s official Democratic organization, has organized a standout to protest the Senate Graham-Cassidy bill, which could result in over thirty million Americans losing healthcare coverage if it passes this week.

The standout will be held on Monday, September 25th, from 5pm to 6pm, at Park Square, located at the corner of South, West and North Streets in downtown Pittsfield, and is open to all. The protest is co-sponsored by the Four Freedoms Coalition, a non-partisan coalition of over 140 local organizations, and the Berkshire County branch of the NAACP. Musicians from the Hoping Machine will lead songs of social change, and the entire Berkshire legislative delegation will be in attendance.

Attendees are encouraged to wear black, dress as zombies, and bring headstone shaped signs to emphasize the danger the proposed healthcare bill embodies. Per Pittsfield law, signs should not have sticks attached to them. The Berkshire Theatre Group will open the Colonial Theatre lobby at 111 South Street to attendees before and after the protest for respite and conversation.

State Senator Adams Hinds encouraged residents to attend, stating, “quality healthcare is a right for every American and should never be threatened for short-term political maneuvering. The current approach to developing health care policy at the national level is appalling. So we must stand to protect our basic right to health care.”

State Representative Smitty Pignatelli emphasized, “I’m urging everyone to pay attention to this debate in Washington. This will have serious consequences for the Commonwealth. We were the first state in the country to have “health care for all” and have continued to be leaders on a national stage for research and development. If Graham-Cassidy passes it will have an $8 billion impact over the next 10 years for the taxpayers of Massachusetts. Penalizing progressive states like ours for the benefit of less interested states sends the wrong message to the world. I hope that Congress will put politics aside and choose to stand for healthcare for all.”

When asked why the Brigades were organizing the protest, Sherwood Guernsey, co-founder of the Berkshire Democratic Brigades, said, “Over 20 million people lose health care. Millions cut for nursing home, disabled and pre-existing condition coverage. No hearings. People will die. It’s an outrage. Shame on the Republicans.”

Louison House announces receipt of funding

Louison House announces receipt of funding on behalf of the Baker-Polito Administration from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has conditionally reserved funds in the amount of $250,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) and $617,000 from the Housing Innovations Fund Program (HIF) for a permanent mortgage loan for the Louison House Transitional and Supportive Housing project.

The Louison House project will total 27 units of rental housing, consisting of 22 units of Transitional Housing and...