24th Annual Bike Month Announced

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — This May, the Berkshire Bike Path Council will be holding their 24th annual Bike Month series of
events, in conjunction with Massachusetts Bike Month. 
 
Bike activities are offered for every level and every age of cyclists.
 
Bike Rodeos are a great opportunity for young riders to learn safety tips and check their equipment while decorating their bikes and taking on the rodeo challenge. A Rodeo will be open to the public during First Fridays at Five in Pittsfield, at the parking lot on Renee Ave across from the Lichtenstein Center. 
 
On May 9, the Downtown Pittsfield Mural Ride will be a casual- pace ride with the opportunity to learn about the public art that decorates downtown Pittsfield.
 
Go by Bike Week, from May 10-16, is designed to encourage everyone to ride whatever distance and at whatever speed they are comfortable. Pledge your ride online here to be entered in a prize drawing at the end of the week. 
 
On Wednesday May 13, ride your bike to downtown Pittsfield between 7 - 9am for the Bike Breakfast. Free food is available to anyone arriving by bike. 
 
The City of Pittsfield and Department of Conservation and Recreation are offering a community ride for all ages on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail on May 23. Safety tips and equipment will be available.
 
These events are made possible by the cooperation and support of several partners - Safe Routes to School, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., the City of Pittsfield, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire Bike and Board, Berkshire Health Systems, MassBike and BBPC volunteers. Events are all free. For more information, email nrusso@berkshireplanning.org or call (413) 212-7998.
 
If You Go:
Friday, May 1 in Pittsfield – Bike Rodeo with AAA, Safe Routes to School at First Fridays at Five. Rodeo will be held in the Palace Park parking lot; enter from Renee Ave, across from the Lichtenstein Center. Parking is recommended in the First Street lot.
 
Friday, May 8 in Pittsfield – Conte Elementary Bike Bus, 8am (Volunteer chaperones needed) Contact Nick Russo at nrusso@berkshireplanning.org if you would like to volunteer.
 
Saturday, May 9 in Pittsfield – Downtown Mural Bike Tour, 3 -  5pm Starts & Ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School Street, Pittsfield
 
All week long, May 10-16 – Go by Bike Week! Share your ride here to be entered into a prize drawing.
 
Wednesday, May 13: Downtown Bike Breakfast, 7-9 am Dunham Mall, between City Hall and North Street. RSVP requested here to help order enough food.
 
Thursday, May 14: Conte Elementary Bike Rodeo (for students and families), 5:30 - 7pm (Rain Date: Thursday, May 21) Email Renee MacKay at renee.mackay@aecom.com if you would like to volunteer.
 
Saturday, May 23: Ashuwillticook Community Ride, 10am(Rain Date: Saturday, May 24) Starts at Crane Ave trailhead in Pittsfield.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire Museum Explores Ancient Egypt With ‘Soulful Creatures’

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following its multimillion-dollar renovation, the Berkshire Museum is welcoming an exhibition unlike any it has been able to host before.
 
Marking the museum's first major exhibition since its renovation, "Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt," opening Saturday, Oct. 10, thins the veil between the ever-evolving history of Egyptian culture and society and modern day people. 
 
"The most important thing about history is recognizing people from the past as actual people. Ancient Egyptians are no different than us," said William Dore, the museum's chief curator. "They have different cultures and beliefs and different viewpoints, but you can say the same thing about people today."
 
When audiences experience the exhibit, they will see the humanity in the people of the past, which in turn helps them connect with different views and perspectives around the world today, he said. 
 
Combining archeology with modern scientific imaging, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Museum curators Yekaterina Barbash and Edward Bleiberg designed an exhibit that works to uncover the mysteries behind these objects and the beliefs and rituals that surround them. 
 
"I think something that people kind of misunderstand about history is none of it's ever settled. ... History is a science that is constantly questioned,” Dore said. "It only works if everyone's constantly rethinking things, learning new things ... which is for me super exciting because as much as we know a lot about the ancient Egyptians, there's a lot we don't know.”
 
The installation features dozens of artifacts on loan from the Brooklyn Museum that explores the practice of animal mummification and the role animals played in ancient Egyptian religion. 
 
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