Planet Valenti

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ADD ONE, SEPT. 6, 2011 We break into our regular post to inform you that Joe Nichols is the first mayoral candidate to accept our invitation of an informal gathering of The Big Three corner-office hopefuls. Nichols wrote: I would be happy to participate in such a […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY LABOR DAY, SEPT. 4, 2011) — THE PLANET was wrong. Jim Gleason, Jeffrey Turner, and everyone else who at this address as commentators never got on board with the Pittsfield Colonials were right. The Colonials critics and the realists about professional baseball in […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SATURDAY, Sept. 3, 2011) — FIRE STARTS UP AGAIN … KIND OF. More information emerged in the past few days about the problematic contract talks between the firefighters union local 2647 and the city of Pittsfield. You may recall that THE PLANET posed several questions […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FRIDAY, SEPT. 2, 2011) — In what can be considered the first true salvo of Campaign ’11, Mayoral Division, Dan Bianchi’s campaign manager slammed the platitudinous nature of Peter Marchetti’s website “Platform,” labeling it vague and self-evident. “[Marchetti’s platform]says nothing,” said Owen Davis, Bianchi’s […]

By CHAD COOPER Special to PLANET VALENTI Sports (BROCKTON, Mass., GAME OF SEPT. 1, 2011) — The Pittsfield Colonials broke open a tie game with a three-run sixth inning and David Qualben tossed 7.2 strong innings as the Colonials moved to within one win of the playoffs with an 8-4 victory over the Brockton Rox […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI Arts PLAY REVIEW: “Birthday Boy,” a world premiere produced by the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Unicorn Stage, Aug. 30-Oct. 16. (STOCKBRIDGE, Mass., THURSDAY, SEPT. 1, 2011) — In addition to the complimentary coffee offered by the Berkshire Theatre Festival’s congenial staff prior to the opening of BIRTHDAY BOY last night at […]

By CHAD COOPER PLANET VALENTI Sports (BROCKTON, Mass., GAME OF TUESDAY 8/31/11) — The Pittsfield Colonials and Brockton Rox locked up in a pitcher’s duel from start to finish, with the Rox making two early runs hold up in a 2-0 Brockton victory. The Colonials magic number to clinch a playoff spot remains at three. […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ADD ONE, 8/31/11 As we said we would, THE PLANET sent out feelers to those who might be in the know on the persistent rumors that Berkshire Like will be pulling out of Pittsfield. We have heard back from one of our sources, who tells us: It’s […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 30, 2011) — Many critics who lashed out at THE PLANET for our comments on the dud Irene seemed upset by what they read. The reason for this, while puzzling to some of our fans, is clear to THE PLANET. For whatever […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 29, 2011) — So much for the Hurricane from Armageddon. Storm of the Millennia, and Big Wind from South. The fizzled Irene, as far as the Berkshires go, packed as much damage as the arguments from one of THE PLANET’s critics, which […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SATURDAY AUG. 28, 2011) — After taking preparations at the ranch for Irene, THE PLANET will watch with detachment what follows. We will not become “engaged” to this storm but simply act and react to whatever happens. Beyond that, we find it useless to […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, AUG. 26, 2011) — “It’s moving! It’s alive!! Ohhhhh, it’s alive it’s alive!!!” No. That isn’t Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein watching his Grand Experiment come to life on the Universal laboratory table. It’s Campaign ’11 flicking its little finger in Pittsfield. Several items […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary ADD 1, 8/25/11 FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE BIANCHI DECLARES AT PACKED ITALIAN-AMERICAN CLUB In answer to numerous questions THE PLANET has received about Dan Bianchi’s “Did he or didn’t he?” formally announcing for mayor last night, the answer is yes. Apparently, The Boring Broadsheet made the editorial decision […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24, 2011) — It’s amazing. We have huge questions facing candidates and voters in Campaign ’11, and everyone wants to talk about … …Signgate. And what’s the big mystery about Signgate? A mayor takes down the sign of the rival of the […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, TUESDAY, AUG. 23, 2011) — There are several issues that must become pandemic and ongoing to Pittsfield’s Campaign 2011. These include: * Mandatory, random, and unconditional drug testing for all public employees, accepted as a requirement for employment, with no grandfathering. * Adjusting the […]

By DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI News and Commentary (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY, AUG. 22, 2011) — One of the most vital debates for any so-called free society has occurred in the “Comments” section of THE PLANET in the past few days. The subject: The role of the press in a free society. THE PLANET is […]