Celebrate 40 years of NAMI Berkshire County

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Incorporated in 1984, the Berkshire County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will hold their annual meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Zucchini's Restaurant in Pittsfield from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
 
The non-profit's mission is to improve the quality of life for people in Berkshire County with mental illness and their families through support, education and advocacy.
 
NAMI Berkshire County recently hired a new Executive Director, Paul Johansen, and also now has office space at 141 North Street, Suite 301, right in the heart of downtown Pittsfield.
 
The guest speaker for this event is local author, Kevin O'Hara, who worked for three decades as a psychiatric nurse at Berkshire Medical Center. He will be sharing excerpts from his recent book, "Ins and Outs of a Locked Ward: My 30 Years as a Psychiatric Nurse." He is also the author of "Last of the Donkey Pilgrims: A Man's Journey Through Ireland, "A Lucky Irish Lad" and "A
Christmas Journey." He is also recipient of the 2012 John Fitzgerald Kennedy award and he is also a long-time Berkshire Eagle contributor. His talk is sure to be inspiring as well as humorous, as anyone who knows Kevin can attest.
 
Each year, NAMI Berkshire County recognizes three award winners in memory of Eunice Zorbo, who along with her husband, was a staunch supporter of NAMI. The awards are Citizen of the Year, NAMI Member of the Year, and the last award recognizes a professional in the mental health arena with the Silver Ribbon award. To nominate someone for these awards, please visit the site below by Sept. 2. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024NAMIawards?fbclid=IwY2xjawE4bE1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXaUg80
 
Tickets are available online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nami-berkshires-annual-meeting-tickets-978853897357?aff=affiliate1 People can also purchase tickets from any board member or NAMI Berkshire County Executive Director Paul Johansen or to reserve a table of 8. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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