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A schematic for the proposed lighting installation at Park Square.
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The lighting at City Hall would be enhanced and Dunham Mall, next picture, will be brightened up with the idea of creating safe, welcoming spaces where events could be held.
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Berkshire Lightscapes Kicking Off Fundraising to Light Up Pittsfield

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Lightscapes is kicking off a fundraising campaign on Monday to match a state grant to bring a lighting installation to the city's downtown. 
 
The nonprofit committee organized by the Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association was approved last month for a $50,000 Commonwealth Places/MassDevelopment matching grant. It hopes to raise the $50,000 in matching funds by May 18.
 
The goal is to create a modern LED lighting scheme for Park Square, City Hall and Dunham Mall. The cost is estimated at $100,000 and installation would occurr by August. 
 
The Steering Committee is made up of local residents, artists and folks just passionate about the future of Pittsfield and the revitalization of the downtown. According to a press release from the committee, its earliest meetings involved discussions about the "energy-giving" power of light and how state-of-the-art light emitting diodes lighting could aid in the ongoing transformation of the city.
 
In December, the group with the help of Philips Lighting and consultants Apex Lighting Solutions demonstrated the possibilities by lighting up elements of North Street, including the historic bank building at 100 North.
 
The BL Steering Committee has developed a plan to create permanent, artistic areas of light
(lightscapes) on downtown buildings, in public spaces and connecting alleyways at a scale and cost appropriate to our city. In doing this, the committee says it will Illuminate the beautiful structures and public spaces to create a safe, colorful and vibrant downtown.
 
When events and performances are scheduled in lightscape spaces, the city will cordon off these areas to traffic. Examples of lightscape events include dances, musical performances, yoga, craft shows, public school events, food tastings, etc. Anticipated lightscape hours are dusk to 10.
 
The committee has worked closely with the mayor's office and Pittsfield's Community Development Department on all phases of this project. A member of the Community Development Department is on the Steering Committee, which will continue to collaborate with the city on lighting equipment selection and installation.
 
Dunham Mall
Dunham Mall is a pedestrian thoroughfare connecting North Street's commercial district with City Hall. In the daytime, many people use Dunham Mall as a pedestrian connecting corridor. It's rarely used at night, but enhanced lighting would provide a "corridor of artistic light" to illuminate the event/entertainment venue in front of City Hall.
 
City Hall
City Hall does have muted white light on its front façade. BL would enhance the current lighting by adding tasteful lighting (the lightscape) to the front of the building and the front railings. This will bring out the architectural beauty of this historical structure and provide safety with the lit stair rails. Entertainment and events would be located in front of City Hall, and onto contiguous areas.
 
Estimated Cost: $34,000 for lighting on Dunham Mall and City Hall
 
Park Square
Park Square is a small "park" right in the center of the downtown. It is framed by some of the most historically significant buildings in Pittsfield. BL believes it's an excellent location for artistic lighting, both within the square, but also future uplighting and highlighting of some of the significant surrounding architecture.
 
The preliminary plan proposes two memorial style spotlights to highlight the historic Civil War monument facing North Street; and 21 uplights on the existing Acorn Lights. The Park Square lighting plan and costs were developed by Craig Okerstrom-Lang, landscape architects in Great Barrington.
 
Estimated Cost: $61,000 for lighting on Park Square

Tags: fundraising,   lighting,   MassWorks grant,   North Street,   

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BMC Receives Baby-Friendly Designation

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) announced that it has achieved international Baby-Friendly designation after a  review process conducted by Baby-Friendly USA, the organization responsible for bestowing this certification in the United States. 
 
This demonstrates that BMC is adhering to the highest standards of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies. These standards are built on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, a set of evidence-based practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for optimal infant feeding support in the first days of a newborn's life. 
 
According to a press release, the positive health effects of breastfeeding are well documented and widely recognized by health authorities throughout the world. For example, the Surgeon General's 2011 Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding stated that "Breast milk is uniquely suited to the human infant's nutritional needs and is a live substance with unparalleled immunological and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against a host of illnesses and diseases for both mothers and children." 
 
BMC joins a growing list of more than 20,000 Baby-Friendly hospitals and birth centers throughout the world, 551 of which are in the United States. These facilities provide an environment that supports breastfeeding while respecting every woman's right to make the best decision for herself and her family.  
 
"BMC has long been a recognized leader in the care of women and newborns," said James Lederer, MD, Berkshire Health Systems Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "This designation is a tribute to our commitment to ensuring that every woman who delivers a baby at our facility is given the resources, information and support needed to help her and her baby get the best, healthiest start in life." 
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