BMC And Fairview Offer Diabetes Education Classes

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PITTSFIELD - The Diabetes Education programs at Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital are offering classes on a wide range of issues in November for those with diabetes. Four classes scheduled on consecutive Tuesdays, on Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27 at BMC, each running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the BMC Medical Arts Complex, fifth-floor classroom space. For South Berkshire residents, there are classes on four consecutive Mondays, November 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Fairview Hospital. Advance registration and qualification is required for either series of classes. Interested individuals should enroll as soon as possible. Class topics include: an overview of diabetes; achieving goals; blood glucose monitoring; pattern management; acute complications from the disease; high and low blood sugar; sick day management; nutritional management; meal planning; carbohydrate counting; artificial sweeteners; reading food labels; physical activity; medications and additional medications that may be recommended for diabetes management; chronic complications and their prevention and treatment; foot care; links between heart disease, stroke and diabetes; community resources; diabetes health; goal setting and problem solving; psychosocial adjustments; stress; and depression. The classes are open to anyone age 18 and over with diabetes; the cost is covered by most insurance programs. Call 413-395-7942 for more information and to enroll.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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