BCC Announces Community Education Workshops

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces the schedule of Community Education Workshops for 2026.
 
Workshops cover the topic areas of art, culinary and hospitality, professional development and self-care. All workshops are open to the public. 
 
For more detailed information and to register for each course, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/workshops.
  
Art Workshops
  • Mosaic Butterfly Garden Stake with instructor Lisa Mendel: Wednesday, March 11, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in BCC Room K118. Cost: $50. 
  • Mosaic Stepping Stone with instructor Lisa Mendel: Thursday, April 9, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Mendel's Stained Glass Studio, 1 East Hoosac Street, Adams, Mass. Cost: $40. 
  • Landscape Painting with instructor Leila DiGirolamo: Saturdays, April 18 and May 9, 12 – 3 p.m. in BCC Room K118. Cost: $65. 
Culinary and Hospitality Workshops
  • Basic Dinner Party with instructor Jill Weinberg: Tuesday, Feb. 3, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the BCC Kitchen. Cost: $65 
  • Beginner’s Flower Cupcake Decorating with instructor Melissa Albano: Saturdays, March 7-28, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the BCC Kitchen. Cost: $145. 
  • Quick and Easy Dinners with instructor Jill Weinberg: Tuesday, March 10, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the BCC Kitchen. Cost: $65. 
  • Brunch Fun with instructor Jill Weinberg: Tuesday, April 7, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the BCC Kitchen. Cost: $65. 
  • Chicken Every Day with instructor Jill Weinberg: Tuesday, May 5, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the BCC Kitchen. Cost: $65. 
Professional Development Workshops
  • Free Choke Saver Training
    • Session 1: Monday, Jan. 12, 10 – 11 a.m. in BCC’s Susan B. Anthony Center, Room G12 
    • Session 2: Monday, Feb. 23, 10 – 11 a.m. at Berkshire South Regional Community Center, 15 Crissey Rd., Great Barrington, Mass. 
    • Session 3: Wednesday, March 25, 10 – 11 a.m. at Freight Yard Pub, 1 Furnace St, Building 3, North Adams, Mass. 
  • Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL) Exam Prep with Construction Supervisor Training LLC Staff 
    • Session 1: Tuesdays, Jan. 27 – March 10, 6 – 9:30 p.m. in BCC’s Melville Hall, Room 213. Cost: $525. 
    • Session 2: Tuesdays, April 14 – May 26, 6 – 9:30 p.m. in BCC’s Melville Hall, Room 213. Cost: $525. 
  • Getting Paid to Talk: An Introduction to Voice Over with Voice Coaches Staff 
    • Session 1: Monday, March 2, 6:30 – 9 p.m. in BCC’s Susan B. Anthony Center, Room G12. Cost: $50. 
    • Session 2: Monday, May 4, 6:30 – 9 p.m. in BCC’s Susan B. Anthony Center, Room G12. Cost: $50. 
  • ServSafe Training Certification with instructor Nancy Ruderman 
    • Session 1: Tuesday and Thursday, March 3 and 5, 5:30 – 9 p.m. in the BCC Kitchen. Cost: $185. 
    • Session 2: Monday and Wednesday, May 4 and 6, 5:30 – 9 p.m. in the BCC Kitchen. Cost: $185. 
Self Care Workshops
  • Regulate and Restore: Nervous System Regulation for Trying Times with instructor Rose Hedreen, LICSW: Thursdays, Feb. 5 – 26, 5:30 – 7 p.m. in BCC Room G12. Cost: $65. 
  • Unlock Your Mind: Self-hypnosis for Focus, Calm and Confidence with instructor Victoria Layden, Monday, March 9, 5 – 7 p.m. in BCC’s Susan B. Anthony Center, Room G12. Cost: $30. 
  • Healthy Habits, Hypnotist Style: Making Good Choices Automatic with instructor Victoria Layden, Monday, March 30, 5 – 7 p.m. in BCC’s Susan B. Anthony Center, Room G12. Cost: $30. 

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Pittsfield Council OKs Underground Fiber Network

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More underground fiber internet cables will be installed in Pittsfield. 

On Tuesday, the City Council approved Gateway Fiber's request to install an underground fiber network infrastructure within the city's right-of-way.  

The company was given the go-ahead for an aerial network last year alongside Archtop Fiber, marking the beginning of construction with a ribbon-cutting at the Colonial Theatre. Gateway Fiber will offer subscription plans ranging from $65 to $150 per month, depending on speed. 

Wards 3 and 4 will see the most work in the first phase, according to an underground fiber deployment plan.  Fourteen streets in Ward 4 will see underground fiber deployment; 13 streets in Ward 3.  

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant voted in opposition for personal reasons, as he signed up for Gateway Fiber briefly last year and said he had poor service and poor communication from the company. 

Some councilors and community members appreciated bringing competition to Spectrum internet services. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that it costs about $90 per month for 500 megabytes per second with Spectrum, and that all three fiber services that have come to Pittsfield are cheaper. 

Operations Manager Jennifer Sharick explained that they were seeking approval for underground fiber deployment as part of the next phase in Pittsfield. The city was found to be a "very" viable community for underground fiber. 

Gateway Fiber, she said, originally served a community of 250 residents outside of St. Louis, Mo. 

"Following the pandemic, we saw the need, and what people need for fiber and reliable internet service to bring residents and businesses the opportunity for connectivity," Sharick said. 

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