The Top Left Corner

Today is Friday, May 12, 2017, I’m your host, Jason Velazquez, and I thank you for tuning in to Episode #40 of TLC here at the Greylock Glass. On today’s show, we’ll be finding out about a new community event to support PopCares, explore what’s new with 350Mass—Berkshire node, and try to make our way through the haze of issues surrounding retail pot zoning in Williamstown. We also launch our first installment of our occasional check in with podcasters around the globe who talk about life, culture, food and more in their towns. And we’ll end with a tune from our friend Lexi Weege, who performs with with her new band Lexi Weege and the Wonder Twins May 14 at the Dreamaway Lodge. It’s a huge show this week so let’s get going and get started with our story on PopCares.

Links Mentioned in the show:

 

Pop Cares

The Spirit Shop

Bloom Meadows

Crisp Event Planning and Catering

Berkshire Mountain Distillers

Adams Community Bank

First Congregational Church of Williamstown

Town Of Williamstown

Annual Town Meeting Warrant

Fiscal Year: July 1, 2017 To June 30, 2018

Zzipp Media

350 Massachusetts (“350MA”)

Lexi Weege

 

 

 

 

I make the mistake over and over of thinking that I know how a story is going to unfold. I mean, I know what the piece is going to be about. I’m going to put together a segment on a fundraiser for a local charity. Easy, right?. I’m going to talk to these organizers about this gathering where people are going to do some thing. I love that I’m always, always wrong. Because it’s not about a charity event. In fact, it’s never about the event. Or the organization. Or even the cause that gave rise to the organization. The story is about the dozens of separate stories that thread their way through a particular time and place to give life to a gathering of humanity. All these separate stories belong to people who have motivations and memories that shape their decisions about how they react to the plot twists in their own lives. Maybe experiences that left permanent imprints on the inside, that we can’t see behind the polite smiles of daily life.

When the catalysts are particularly powerful, and painful, it’s natural for people to collapse into themselves for a spell. But then sometimes a strange thing happens. Some people emerge from sorrow and say, “I know what devastation feels like. I want to lift another person’s burden of suffering, even just a little.” And then they go out and prove that compassion is still what holds the human race together. They seek out friends and neighbors to join with them, and for reasons of their own, these allies come together and commit to very purposeful acts of kindness. Kindness that’s amplified by the current of community.

But then, Dolores St. Pierre, of PopCares could have told me all that.

Estimates by the Berkshires Four Freedoms Coalition, and reported by the Greylock Independent reveal that nearly 2,000 Berkshire residents assembled in downtown Pittsfield, Mass., to demonstrate community strength and spirit and commitment to the ideals encapsulated in President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech delivered January 6, 1941.

This episode is supplemental to our release of Top Left Corner, #38 of earlier this week, and contains the full audio of the rally. The Greylock Glass provided live streaming of this historic event, and now makes available the full audio of the rally. For reference, and more information about the event, please visit the show notes for TLC, Episode 38. Enjoy.

 

The Four Freedoms march and rally in Pittsfield, Mass. on Saturday, January 7, celebrates the highest aspirations for democracy in modern times, as elucidated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1941.

Today is Friday, January 6th, 2017—Happy New Year to all of you out there in Greylock Nation This is episode #38 of TLC. I’m your host, Jason Velazquez, and I thank you for tuning in.

If you listened to Episode #54 of our show, Will Call, or if you’ve been following us on social media, you know that we are pulling out all the stops to explore and celebrate the values enshrined in President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech, as well as Norman Rockwell’s inspired paintings of his interpretations. Freedom from Want. Freedom from Fear. Freedom of Speech and Expression. Freedom of Worship.

We weren’t alone in feeling the pull of these revered ideals and experiencing the powerful affect on those fibers of our American identity and heritage. With the formation of the Berkshires-based Four Freedoms Coalition last month, the sense that the time was ripe to pause and reflect on what these Freedoms mean grew and grew. The Coalition has managed to put together a march and rally for Saturday, January 7 in downtown Pittsfield where we’ll be streaming live. This event, endorsed by an staggering number of citizens, organizations, and officials from near and far, is meant as a celebration, rather than a protest.

A conversation with the Four Freedoms Coalition

We spoke by Skype with Colin Ovitsky, Community Partner Outreach Coordinator for the Coalition about the happening, and have, as always, provided links in the shownotes below to the info we discuss.

Organizations interested in joining the coalition or participating in the march are invited to contact us at [email protected]. Everyone who believes in these values is welcome!

 

Schedule (full details here)

12:30pm: Gather in front of St. Joseph’s Church at 414 North Street, Pittsfield.

1:00pm: March steps off heading south. A half mile long, it concludes at First Church of  Christ at Park Square, located at 27 East Street (on Park Square)

1:40pm: Rally with a slate of powerful speakers

2:30pm-3:30pm: Meet with Coalition parters

Four Freedoms Coalition partners (in formation, as of 1/5/17):

LEAD PARTNERS:

Berkshire County Branch of the NAACP

Berkshire Central Labor Council

Berkshire Brigades

CITY OF PITTSFIELD

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren

U.S. Senator Edward Markey

U.S. Congressman Richard E. Neal

Attorney General Maura Healey

State Auditor Suzanne Bump

State Senator Adam Hinds

Fmr. State Senator Benjamin Downing

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier

State Rep. Paul Mark

State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli

State Rep. Gail Cariddi

Berkshire District Attorney David Capeless

Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler

Central Berkshire Register of Deeds Patricia Harris

Register of Probate Francis Marinaro

Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer

North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright

Newton Mayor Setti Warren

Pittsfield City Council President Peter Marchetti

Pittsfield City Council Vice President John Krol

Pittsfield City Councilor At-Large Peter White

Pittsfield City Councilor Nicholas Caccamo

The Hoosac Valley Train Ride, the “Tinseliner,” provides a dose of holiday nostalgia in a form of moving history that enchants all the senses. To help round out the experience, the North County organization, PopCares has set up an old-time Christmas Tree stand complete with a free marshmallow roasting fire and hot chocolate.

Today is Saturday, November 10th 2016, and this is episode #37 of TLC. I’m your host, Jason Velazquez, and I thank you for tuning in.

UPDATE: PopCares has sold out of Christmas Trees for this year, so will not be participating in the Tinseliner experience for the remainder of the year. They report that a supplier has assured them that they will have enough for the 2017 season.

So, I when I received an e-mail from Ricco Fruscio over at the North Adams Chamber about a call for volunteers, I almost hit delete. Honest. I mean, who has time for that this time of year, right? But then I got this sort of nagging feeling when I thought about how, except for this podcast network, I really haven’t been putting in a lot time in service to the community. Not in a show up in person kind of way.

So I read the message and saw that the Berkshire Scenic Railway needed to fill all kinds of positions on their holiday Tinseliner Christmas train that’s part of the Hoosac Valley Train Service. I’ve always had a soft spot for trains, anyway, so I got in touch with Jay Green, director of Berkshire Scenic Railway who set me up with a couple of weekend slots helping passengers find their way around.

Once I showed up, I got to talking with the great folks of PopCares, a North County organization that provides financial assistance to local cancer patients to help make their period of medical treatment just a little bit easier.

I knew before my first shift was over that I had to share with you all an idea of the tremendous dedication and heart both these organizations put into making the Northern Berkshire County a more livable, and compassionate, place to live.

Let’s go first to my conversation with Jay Green, President and General Superintendent of the railroad.

 

In addition to the nostalgia, and some gorgeous Christmas trees, what you can find on the platform of the Hoosac Branch Line is warmth. Warmth of the bonfire that draws people eager to stave off the chill. Warmth of the free hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting (they even have professional grade roasting sticks!) But mostly, warmth of the good people of PopCares, a service organization dedicated to keeping the memory of one man’s generosity alive by giving back to people who often need it most. I spoke with Bob St. Pierre of PopCares, whose father succumbed to cancer just a few years ago. Although the non-profit started out with a mostly family based staff, PopCares has steadily grown in impact and community involvement. I spoke with Bob in the in the ticket and museum car of the BSRW during a brief lull in business.

About Hoosac Valley Train Service, Tinseliner operations.

Adams Branch Map Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum’s new Hoosac Valley Service offers fun and educational train rides between North Adams and Adams in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. This new seasonal passenger train service is a collaborative project between BSRM, City of North Adams, Town of Adams, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Hoosac Valley Service is a community and economic development project designed to provide an attractive seasonal tourist transportation link between downtown Adams and North Adams, connecting with the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Adams. A living history exhibit, Hoosac Valley Service will offer fun,

About Christine Canning

(excerpted from submitted materials)

Christine Canning was born and raised in Berkshire County. Her mother, Kathy, was a Latin teacher for over 30 years at Saint Joseph’s. Her father, John “JAY”, was the award winning principal of Monument Mountain in Great Barrington. Currently, Chris resides in Lanesborough, MA with her children Katherine and Alex. Her husband, Doug, died of Leukemia thirteen years ago.

Get in touch with Christine M. Canning

http://www.Canning4Senate.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Canning4Senate/about/

Christine Canning is President of the Boston Manhattan Group.  This SDO licensed corporation has earned contracts with the Department of State, Georgetown University, the American Embassy in South Korea, The American Embassy in Nicosia (Greek/ Turkish Controlled), and The American Embassy in Paraguay.  The Boston Manhattan Group, Inc.  develops specialized publications and offers in-depth tailored trainings.   Also, Canning is the CEO of New England Global Network LLC.   This SDO licensed company contracts for special services with school districts, Ministries of Education worldwide, McGraw Hill, the Department of State, Georgetown University and international Narcotics and Law Enforcement.   Chris Canning has provided trainings for Militaries, the former KGB, MVD, DCA agents, amongst other groups worldwide.

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I’d been looking forward to having Jess Sweeney on the show again, and with the upcoming grand opening of the new ROOTS Teen Center, the reason couldn’t be better!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The center will be a safe, welcoming place where youth can explore their creativity and build strong, positive connections to their community. Check out their Facebook page for updates.

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About Andrea Harrington

(excerpted from submitted materials)

For Andrea Harrington, this district is home. She grew up here, she attended Taconic High School in Pittsfield, and now with her husband Tim, she’s raising two young sons as a mom herself. Having spent the past decade of her life in the district, she knows on a personal level that it is defined not by its geography, but by its people.

Get in touch with Andrea Harrington

http://www.andreaforsenate.com

https://www.facebook.com/andreaharringtonforsenate

https://twitter.com/andreaforsenate

Andrea is a practicing attorney and started her law practice 13 years ago. While working to defend those who had trouble affording representation and fighting to overturn wrongful convictions, she saw first-hand the problems that plague our criminal justice system. Andrea also gained a deep understanding of the importance of listening to people and earning their trust.

As a small business owner, an attorney, a parent, and a true local, Andrea Harrington has the unique experience and perspective to represent this district Her experiences have reaffirmed the importance of hard work and being responsible; the very values that her parents and teachers instilled in her from a young age. She’s proven herself a competent businesswoman and attorney, a doer who can seize the initiative and who knows what it takes to succeed.

And LEST we forget…Andrea Harrington was the only candidate to correctly identify the Western Mass (Un)Official Salutation…

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About Rinaldo Del Gallo

(excerpted from submitted materials)

Rinaldo Del Gallo III has not only been in the Berkshires for the last 16 years, he was raised in Pittsfield. He is one of us and has not been living elsewhere. He has also been a highly visible member of the community during the entirety of that time.

Get in touch with Rinaldo Del Gallo

http://statesenate.rinaldodelgallo.com

https://www.facebook.com/DelGalloforSenate2016

https://twitter.com/delgallo4senate

Since returning to the Berkshire 16 years ago, Del Gallo ran a free legal clinic for the Berkshire Fatherhood Coalition, for non-custodial parents (and sometimes custodial parents) for over a decade. With the Berkshire Fatherhood Coalition, he has appeared in the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade, the North Adams Fall Foliage Parade, and the Pittsfield Halloween Parade on over 35 occasions, turning the organization into a community group benefiting the community.

From doing the pro bono work of any 30 average attorneys in Berkshire County for the indigent; to writing about progressive causes for local papers (as well as other topics) without compensation; to his endless volunteer hours at the Berkshire Fatherhood Coalition both lobbying and running a weekly free legal clinic for over a decade; to his fight for the First Amendment pro bono or for almost no cost; to his volunteer efforts to have good zoning laws; to his fight for animal’s rights and the environment (done also without pay); to his involvement in numerous other causes and issues of public interest too numerous to enumerate without recompense; to volunteering as an usher and greeter at both Tanglewood and Shakespeare and Company; Del Gallo has shown a willingness to give and volunteer for the betterment of his community over and over again. He has big heart that will serve him well in the legislature.

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About Adam Hinds

(excerpted from submitted materials)

A native of the district, Adam was raised in Buckland and attended Mohawk Trail Regional High School, where his mother was a librarian and his Vietnam Veteran father was a school teacher.  He studied at Wesleyan University before studying international law and negotiation at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Get in touch with Adam Hinds

http://www.adamhinds.org

https://twitter.com/adamghinds

https://www.facebook.com/adamhindsforstatesenate

Adam has been a resident of Pittsfield in recent years, where he started Pittsfield Community Connection, a program designed to proactively engage at-risk youth before exposure to and engagement in violence and crime.  He, along with Pittsfield City officials, was successful in winning a grant that will bring up to $5 million to Pittsfield to move young men engaged in illegal activities towards education, jobs, and counseling. He continues to serve as the Chair of the program’s Steering Committee and is an active Board Member of Downtown Pittsfield Inc., dedicated to fostering local economic development.

Adam is currently the Executive Director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition based in North Adams. As the leader of this organization, he works to connect, engage and empower regional residents and actors to respond to local challenges. This includes issues related to employment, health and addiction.

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This episode, as you may have guessed already, is a little out of the ordinary. It is the first installment of a series on the escalating violence between police and minority communities, particularly African Americans in recent days. Our guest is Dennis Powell, president of the Berkshire County Unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Mr. Powell pulls no punches in his estimation of the causes of, and contributors to, of the crisis. I think you’ll find this a very refreshing conversation. In addition to the Berkshire NAACP homepage, be sure to visit their Facebook page for updates on events and issues.

Shattered Shield

I want to explain that this series wasn’t even conceived of a week ago. But I grew quickly and desperately frustrated this week by the predictable soundbites in the mainstream media concerning the violence in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis, and Dallas. I had NO INTENTION of covering this issue—As a staff writer, I used to hate it when some catastrophe would occur somewhere in the world, and my editor would command me to go out and “find a local angle.”

But people here in the Berkshires have already decided that there is a local angle: a conversation about race in the Berks is overdue. In fact, there’s a protest/demonstration, entitled “Don’t Leave Us Black and Blue,” going on over in Park Square in Pittsfield today. So, we’re launching a “special report” series within the “Top Left Corner” podcast to feature the voices of local activists, scholars, residents, officials, and others on the subject of race.

These episodes will be candid and unflinching. They will be honest and discomforting. They will not be infested with soundbites. And I make no pretense at neutrality. Make sure you catch our first episode, featuring Dennis Powell, president of the NAACP, Berkshire Unit, in the series later this morning. If you haven’t subscribed to the TLC yet, do so now through iTunes or Google Play. Subscribing helps you make sure not to miss an episode. It helps me demonstrate to potential sponsors that, yes, people are listening!

Part II of the series will feature Dr. Tracey Benson—former principal of Pittsfield High School, and a highly respected scholar of the dynamics of race and public power.

 

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