Biz Briefs: Red Lion Inn Partners with Stash Hotel Rewards

New partnership

The Red Lion Inn is partnering with with Stash Hotel Rewards, the largest loyalty program for independent hotels in the United States. Guests at The Red Lion Inn are now able to earn points toward free nights at more than 150 independent hotels across the country. And Stash members can earn and redeem points to stay at one of the most quintessential Berkshires hotels in Stockbridge.

"Aside from being able to offer our guests rewards points for their stays, we wanted a loyalty program with a unique portfolio and a devoted following," said Sarah Eustis, CEO of Main Street Hospitality, which owns and manages the inn. "Stash's network of community oriented, independent properties puts us in great company, and the program’s dedicated members allow us to share loyal guests between hotels."

Guests of The Inn can join Stash for free online. at http://www.stashrewards.com/. Stash members earn five points for each dollar spent on eligible room rates and can redeem them at great independent hotels across North America, including the Caribbean and Hawaii. Stash points never expire, and redemption is simple, without blackout dates or category restrictions found in many chain programs. Stash partner hotels also provide members with exclusive travel deals.

Car raffle

Berkshire Humane Society and Haddad Subaru will host their sixth annual Subaru Car Raffle drawing on Saturday, Oct. 27. This year, the winning ticket will be drawn for a 2019 Outback with a package value approximated at $33,000. The drawing is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the dealership in Pittsfield. Live 95.9 will broadcast live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and adoptable animals will also visit the dealership during this time.

Tickets are still on sale and may be purchased up until noon on October 27 at the main shelter and up until 1 p.m. at Haddad Subaru. Tickets are one for $40 or three for $100. The winner does not need to be present to win. The raffle is limited to 2,100 tickets; to date, approximately 1,100 tickets have been sold. Between now and Saturday, October 27, tickets may be purchased at the following locations: BHS (214 Barker Road, Pittsfield), Bark N' Cat (28 Holden St., North Adams), Bartlett's Orchard (575 Swamp Road, Richmond), Catwalk Boutique (325 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington), Chez Pet (55 Pittsfield Road, # 4B, Lenox), Haddad Subaru (652 East St., Pittsfield), and Purradise (301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington).

“The Berkshire Humane Society is in need of our local support as a community more than ever. The work they are doing now and in the future really demands our full support. The 6th annual raffle is just one way Haddad likes to contribute to our local community. The culture Subaru envelopes around “Share the Love” and pets is an amazing one. All of our staff believes, supports, and even participates in the BHS’s yearlong goal. We are here to help pay the bills and spread the word on what the BHS strives to accomplish every day. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in John, we go way back and continue to grow our relationship with the BHS and Haddad Subaru. I really have a soft spot for these animals, so whatever we have to do in order to provide them safe shelter, we will,” said Chris Kramek, General Manager of Haddad Subaru.

Lemonis visit

Berkshire Money Management is hosting a fireside chat with Marcus Lemonis, serial entrepreneur and celebrity host of CNBC's "The Profit" on Nov. 7 at the firm’s headquarters, the Model Farm on 161 Main St. in Dalton. Cocktails begin at 3:30 p.m. Lemonis will speak at 4:30 p.m., addressing local business owners and economic leaders about looking towards the future of their companies; and knowing what to do.

Nonprofit discussion

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires presents its first roundtable discussion on Tuesday, Oct. 23, on the topic of "organizational partnering." Participants will meet from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Berkshire Athenaeum on Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield and are encouraged to bring lunch. Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum will provide refreshments. This event is free to Berkshire nonprofits but participants must register online or by calling 413-645-3151.

An NPC survey in 2017 showed that most Berkshire nonprofits are partnering in one form or another and that the majority want to do more. Discussion will focus on models of collaboration, best practices, and pitfalls. Panelists include Jeff Gagnon,program manager at Community Access to the Arts; Alex Reczkowski, library director/Berkshire Athenaeum; Christa Collier, executive director of Northern Berkshire United Way; and Randy Kinnas, executive director of the Berkshire Family YMCA. Alisa Costa of Pittsfield Working Cities will moderate the discussion.

Training grants

Excelsior Integrated and Porchlight Homecare, two Southern Berkshire businesses located in Lee, Mass., have received a two-year training grant from the Workforce Training Fund Program.

Excelsior Integrated, Inc. was awarded $48,750 to train 20 employees and anticipates adding four jobs by 2020. The company works to help product entrepreneurs, ecommerce merchants, retailers, and marketing teams outsource and automate their fulfillment operations. Porchlight VNA/ Homecare was awarded $22,504 to train 20 employees and anticipates adding 15 jobs by 2020. Porchlight provides all home health needs, such as skilled nursing, 25-hour care, social work, and therapies for all of Berkshire, Hampden and Hampshire counties.

Awarded by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, in partnership with Commonwealth Corporation, the Workforce Training Fund Program invests to help local Massachusetts companies create new jobs, increase skills and opportunities for workers, and improve overall productivity and competitiveness for businesses in the commonwealth. EOLWD and Commonwealth Corporation review and award training grants of up to $250,000 to Massachusetts businesses to fund training for current and newly hired employees. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Pittsfield City Council Weighs in on 'Crisis' in Public Schools

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
08:59PM / Monday, December 23, 2024

A half-dozen people addressed the City Council from the floor of Monday's meeting, including Valerie Anderson, right.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After expressing anger and outrage and making numerous calls for accountability and transparency, the 11 members of the City Council on Monday voted to support the School Committee in seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by staff members at Pittsfield High School that have come to light in recent weeks.

 

At the close of a month that has seen three PHS administrators put on administrative leave, including one who was arrested on drug trafficking charges, the revelation that the district is facing a civil lawsuit over inappropriate conduct by a former teacher and that a staff member who left earlier in the year is also under investigation at his current workplace, the majority of the council felt compelled to speak up about the situation.

 

"While the City Council does not have jurisdiction over the schools … we have a duty to raise our voices and amplify your concerns and ensure this crisis is met with the urgency it demands," Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said.

 

About two dozen community members attended the special meeting of the council, which had a single agenda item.

 

Four of the councilors precipitated the meeting with a motion that the council join the School Committee in its search for an investigation and that the council, "be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports or findings submitted to the city."

 

Last week, the School Committee decided to launch that investigation. On Monday, City Council President Peter White said the School Committee has a meeting scheduled for Dec. 30 to authorize its chair to enter negotiations with the Springfield law firm of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas to conduct that probe.

 

Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, the principal author of the motion of support, was one of several members who noted that the investigation process will take time, and she, like Kavey, acknowledged that the council has no power over the public schools beyond its approval of the annual district budget.