Jimmy Bernardo Memorial Ride Set Aug. 5

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center hosts the 28th Annual Jimmy's Ride on Saturday, Aug. 5. 
 
The ride starts at Kids' Place, 63 Wendell Ave., with registration at 8:30 a.m. and kickstands going up at 11. Rider registration is $25. 
 
The hourlong ride crosses into New York State via Routes 20 and 22, back into Massachusetts on Routes 2 and 7, and ends at Tavern at the A, 303 Crane Ave., for Jimmy's After Party
 
The free afterparty starts at noon with live music by Justin and Rizo, The Pug and John Show, and Holly Slade, and a 50/50 raffle, food and drink for purchase. All proceeds support Kids' Place, which has offices in North Adams, Pittsfield and Great Barrington. The children's advocacy center has for 30 years helped thousands of children and families heal from abuse and domestic violence. All services are free. Visit KidsPlaceOnline.org for more information on keeping kids safe.  
 
For 28 years, Jimmy's parents Mary and Ron Bernardo, brother Rob, countless family members, and friends have kept his memory alive by supporting Kids' Place. Jimmy, a Pittsfield native, was abducted near a movie theater on Oct. 22, 1990. A month later, the 12-year-old's body was found in Ithaca, N.Y. 
 
"It's hard to believe this is the 28th Jimmy's Ride! We remember when we were approached by Kids' Place founders [retired Police Detective] Joe [Collias] and Tim [Shugrue, now Berkshire County district attorney] regarding the idea of creating a centralized location where child victims of violence could receive support and services in a comfortable environment. 
 
"Here we are 30 years later on the 28th ride and Kids' Place is going strong. It has meant so much to us that Kids' Place has allowed Jimmy's memory to live on in so many hearts and allowed his name to be associated with something so positive. Come join us for the ride and after party to benefit all children affected by abuse or domestic violence. Let's keep Kids' Place going for another 30 years," the Bernardo family shared. 
 
This year's lead sponsor is Greylock Federal Credit Union. Additional support is provided by Perri Petricca, LIUNA International, Johnson Dealerships, Adams Community Bank, Injected Solutions, Lee Bank, Paula McLean Realtors, J.H. Maxymillian Inc. General Contracting, East Elm Pediatrics, Stockbridge Police Department and Stockbridge Police Association, Wheeler & Taylor, Inc., Comalli Electric, John's Building Supply Co., Balance Rock Investment Group, Berkshire Dream Home Real Estate, Berkshire Orthopedic Associates, Francis Investment Counseling, Hill Engineers, Architects, Planners, Inc., Lee Police Department, MacFarlane Office Products, Martin Hochberg & Cianflone LLC, MyCom Federal Credit Union, Paul J. Murphy Plumbing and Heating, Dery Funeral Home, and Berkshire Boats. 
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U.S. Sen. Markey To Headline Rally in Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. Senator Ed Markey will headline the "No Kings in America! Rally for Democracy" at 2:30 p.m. on Sun., March 9, at the Colonial Theatre. 
 
The event is sponsored by a Four Freedoms Coalition led by Berkshire Democratic Brigades and the Rural Freedom Network in conjunction with Greylock Together (North County), Left Field (South County), Berkshire Indivisible, Progressive Democrats of America, and the NAACP.
 
"Americans take our Constitution and the rule of law for granted," said Berkshire Democratic Brigades chair Jim Mahon.  "We rarely think about what life would be like if instead of laws, we had to live according to the will of one man, but here we are.  All Americans need to pay attention and defend the Constitution before it is too late."
 
The event is free and open to the public, but there are no more seats available. 
 
Sherwood Guernsey, co-founder of Berkshire Democratic Brigades and President of the Rural Freedom Network added:
 
"Our country was founded to get rid of a king," said Guernsey.  "Millions of Americans have died to protect our democracy.  Now, it is our turn to stand up against the man-who-would-be-king:  We will not back down."  
 
Shirley Edgerton, a member of the Executive Committee of the Berkshire County Branch of the NAACP, noted that in 1967 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. asked:"Where do we go from here?"  
 
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