Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.

10/25/2026

DPI Community Coffee Chat: Thankful Networking Gathering
Thursday, November 19, 8 to 9:30 am
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) Conference Room, 431 North Street, Pittsfield

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) is hosting its 5th Annual Thankful Food Drive November 1 through November 30, 2026. This year, we are once again asking our members to collect donations of non-perishable items on behalf of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc, our members, and our downtown community and donate them directly to the Pittsfield Community Food Pantry at 110 South Street in Pittsfield.

At our DPI Community Coffee Chat: Thankful Networking Gathering on November 19, we are asking attendees to bring a donation for the Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. Thankful Food Drive. Attendees will enjoy complimentary coffee and a light breakfast.

This event is free and open to representatives from small businesses and nonprofits in Pittsfield and Berkshire County.

Questions? Contact Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at [email protected] or call 413-443-6501.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, November 18 at 12 pm. Registration is appreciated but not required! Click here to register: https://forms.gle/hBbS6ZN1va7jxVMo8

More about the 5th Annual Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. Thankful Food Drive:

The drive is accepting non-perishable items such as canned vegetables, canned or dry beans, canned fruit in juice, low-sodium soups, canned tuna in water, canned chicken, canned stews, brown rice, unsalted nuts, shelf stable milk and milk substitutes, whole grain pasta, pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, unsweetened apple sauce, peanut butter, and whole grain cold cereals. Please do NOT donate open packages or expired or perishable foods. Learn more: https://downtownpittsfield.com/event/5th-annual-downtown-pittsfield-inc-thankful-food-drive 🍂

10/25/2026

Roundtable to Assess Needs & Visions for Improving Provider & LGBTQ+ Community Health: Thursday, October 29, 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Berkshire Innovation Center, 45 Woodlawn Avenue, Pittsfield

To address the unique healthcare needs of the rural LGBTQ+ community and build a stronger network of inclusive practitioners, a coalition of leading regional public health organizations is convening a 10/29 LGBTQ-Welcoming Health Providers Strategic Planning Roundtable. The event will take place on Thursday, October 29 at the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, and any medical, behavioral, allied health, and administrative professionals dedicated to providing LGBTQ-welcoming care are invited to attend.

Organized collaboratively by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), Berkshire Health Systems (BHS), Q-MoB, and Western Mass Rainbow Pages, the roundtable will serve as the launchpad for a comprehensive, one-year initiative dedicated to supporting both LGBTQ+ patients and the providers who serve them.

Health providers will be welcomed by brief remarks from these 4 speakers:

Jaymie R. Zapata, MSW, MPH, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Manager of Public Health Planning, will overview both the strengths of the Berkshire health system in providing welcoming care to its growing and aging LGBTQ patient population, as well as the public health data on the higher risks of rural LGBTQ people for isolation, chronic illness, and growing difficulties accessing care

Dr. Rebecca Caine, M.D., BHS Medical Director for Primary Care, will overview BHS’s long-term commitment to LGBTQ-welcoming care and their desire to listen to both providers and patients about how to continue improving that care, and the equity of care for patients with a variety of intersectional barriers to care across our rural region

Charles Redd, MS-RN, BHS Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer, will brief providers on Berkshire Medical Center’s and Fairview Hospital’s recent recognitions as LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performers on the 2026 Healthcare Equality Index issued by the Human Rights Campaign.

John-Paul Bettencourt, D.O., M.P.H., M.B.A., CPE, AAHIVS, CHP Chief Medical Officer, will overview CHP’s long-term commitment to LGBTQ-welcoming care and to listening to both providers and patients about how to improve that care and reduce a wide variety of barriers to equity in care for all their patients as a Federally Qualified Health Center in a rural region.

Following opening remarks, attendees will participate in two interactive, facilitated roundtable sessions designed to generate actionable goals for the upcoming year. The collaborative discussions will focus on five strategic pillars and how they impact our regional community of healthcare providers:

Table 1: Provider Quality of Life

Table 2: Provider Collaboration Opportunities

Table 3: Continuing Medical Education (CME)

Table 4: Patient Prevention & Health Education Strategies

Table 5: Professional Networking & Diversifying Provider Community

The sessions will be guided by an esteemed group of invited and confirmed local leaders in LGBTQ+ health.

This gathering is funded in part by grants from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, MA Community Health & Healthy Aging Funds, Homestead Foundation, and Berkshire Health Systems. The event will end with report outs from each workgroup and a schedule of next steps.

Click here to register to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/berkshire-lgbtq-welcoming-health-provider-roundtable-pittsfield-ma-tickets-2002657268801?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/25/2026

This Week's "News from the Heart of the Berkshires" https://mailchi.mp/downtownpittsfield.com/news-from-the-heart-of-the-berkshires-october-26-2026 ❤

80th Annual Halloween Parade Friday, October 30, 7 pm, Tyler Street Join us by wearing your most out-of-this-world costumes and get ready to see all the amazing floats that will bring this year’s theme “Futuristic Frights: The Next 80 Years” to life! Can you imagine what Halloween, and the wor...

10/24/2026

Happy 6th Birthday to This & That Sports Store at 128 Fenn Street in Pittsfield.

“When my wife Crystal and I opened the store in 2020, the original plan was to bring the hobby of collecting sports cards and memorabilia to the Berkshires,” says owner Reggie Davis. “I’ve been involved in collecting for over 35 years, so it was more of a pleasure business for me. Over the last 6 years, my pleasure business has grown into 3 businesses and several employees. We not only feature sports cards and memorabilia, but we now have the largest Pokémon selection in the area, as well as Revolution Card Grading right next door.”

“Owning This & That Sports over the past 6 years has been a lot of hard work, but it has been worth every second. Customers have become good friends, and I get the opportunity to hang out with my son all day. The support from customers has been amazing, and we are extremely grateful for everyone.”

This & That Sports hosts an annual golf tournament to raise money for the Berkshire Humane Society, and on Saturday, November 21, they will host a Musical Bingo Fundraiser for The Center of Pittsfield (formerly the Christian Center) at The Tavern at the A. Tickets are available at This & That Sports!

10/23/2026

Join the City of Pittsfield's 80th annual Halloween Parade next Friday, October 30, at 7 pm on Tyler Street!

We’re just ONE week away from our 80th annual Halloween Parade happening next Friday, October 30th, at 7pm on Tyler Street!

Join us by wearing your most out-of-this-world costumes and get ready to see all the amazing floats that will bring this year’s theme “Futuristic Frights: The Next 80 Years” to life! 🛸✨

10/23/2026

If you're looking for something specific or unique, this is a great place to start!

Still in need of a Halloween costume? We've got you! Join us this Sunday for a costume shop tag sale! 🎃👗 Items Available: Fabric remnants, hats, costumes, and accessories.
🚨 Sunday, Oct. 25 | 10-2
🤑 CASH ONLY - Prices start at $1
📍 Wolfson Center, 122 North St., Pittsfield

10/22/2026

And we have the newest mural in Pittsfield!

Thank you to artist Laura Barrios and mentor artist, Jesse Tobin McCauley!

10/22/2026

Truffles by Tarah, a Berkshire County based truffle business will be opening its first storefront in Pittsfield on Oct. 31.
https://www.news10.com/news/berkshire-county/truffle-business-to-host-grand-opening-in-pittsfield/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WTEN

10/22/2026

Truffles by Tarah LLC will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening event at their new space at 123 North Street in Pittsfield on Saturday, October 31 at 12 pm. The first 30 people to come through the door will get a free gift, and the first 100 purchases will be accompanied by a discount card for 10% to 50% off their next purchase. Costumes are encouraged for the Grand Opening event since it falls on Halloween, but they are not necessary.

Store hours on Opening Day (Saturday, October 31) are 12 to 6 pm. Regular store hours will be Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; and Sundays, 12 to 6 pm. Mondays and Tuesdays the store will be closed.

Truffles by Tarah specializes in handcrafting chocolate truffles with unique flavors that capture the essence of the Berkshire Mountains. Their goal is to remind Berkshire natives of their love for this region and to introduce visitors to its exceptional charm through their delectable artisanal truffles.

“After 4 years of hard work (and 30 plus years of dreaming), Truffles by Tarah now has a storefront/commercial kitchen space,” says Tarah H. Warner, owner and chocolatier of Truffles by Tarah LLC. “Working from my home kitchen was a wonderful way to start and grow the business, but there was not another inch of space to grow into. When I started Truffles by Tarah, I always envisioned being a part of Downtown Pittsfield. It's amazing to see all the years of learning, hard work, and persistence culminate in one space. This store is a lifelong dream!”

Learn more about Truffles by Tarah LLC at trufflesbytarah.com.