BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 4-6, 2017) — The Feds in Massachusetts aren’t the only ones to have a determined interest in Patrick Muraca of Nuclea etc. infamy. New York’s FBI also has come-a-callin’. THE PLANET hopes the cigars Uncle Sam says he billed to hoodwinked investors […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY AUG. 3, 2017) — Vin Herbert Boulevard is named after one of Pittsfield’s great men, a man who epitomized public service in the same fashion as men like Chuck Garivaltis, Don Gleason, and a host of others. On Vin Herbert Boulevard a couple days […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JULY 31, 2017) — You probably didn’t know this, but … * John Barrett III does walk on water. The water, actually, supports HIM. * Shakespeare in the Park, the feel-good amateur production now in its fourth year at the Common in Pittsfield, is […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JULY 28-30, 2017) — Welcome to Bizarre-B-World. In Bizarre-B-World, an article on O.J. prompts heavy-breathing comments on JBIII. The first is O.J. Simpson. The second is John Barrett III. They are both legends. They have both sets records running. They both […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JULY 26, 2017) — As the summer slips away, time reminds us again that it waits for no one — not even for O. J. Simpson. “O. J. Simpson.” A proper noun but also in the minds of many a verb roughly translated […]
BY MELISSA RENZER SPECIAL TO PLANET VALENTI ARTS (PITTSFIELD) — A splendid time was guaranteed — and had — by all Friday night [July 21, 2017] at a packed Boland Theater on the BCC campus. BEATLESQUE, city-based musician Mick Valenti‘s brainchild band recreating a note-for-note chronological retrospective of the Fab Four‘s astounding career on record […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY ——–000——– CONCERT OF THE YEAR! TONIGHT, 8pm, BCC Theater. “BEATLESQUE with Special Guest Steve Holley.” A stunning full evening of BEATLES’ music, performed live note-for-note by the country’s pre-eminent Fab Four tribute band. BEATLESQE is led by Mick Valenti, formerly of QUARRY, QUICK FOX, and Woodstock fame. […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JULY 19, 2017) — One of the initial aims of President Donald Trump has been met. On the campaign trail, Trump talked about taking the first steps, small though they may be, in trying to get Big Government off of citizens’ backs and out […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JULY 17, 2017) — Graffiti may be to post-modern life what cave paintings were to French caves, but why would any allegedly intelligent, carnivorous biped want to leave his imbecilic mark on the wall of a public bathroom? Can the yen for immortality […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 14-16, 2017) — THE PLANET has learned of a private investor, the Galloping Ghost, who has a great idea for the ghost-town PEDA property. He wants to put a ski resort built around Hill 78. That’s the monstrous mountain of the worst […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JULY 12, 2017) — “You make me Dizzy Miss Lizzie, when you do the stroll.” SHOWING UP THE FAKOWEES — John Lennon wrote that prophetic line 50 years ago, and at Berkshire Community College over the weekend, it came true once more. Dizzy […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JULY 10, 2018) — Still no word from anyone in official Pittsfield about the weekend’s shootings and murder. The Boring Broadsheet did, however, break in with a page one above-the-fold banner story about a … about a … stolen kitten. Glad to see […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 7-9, 2017) — In Albany, N.Y. over the Fourth holiday there were two stabbings and one shooting, non-fatal. In Pittsfield, Mass., there were two stabbings and one shooting, fatal. It’s the second time in three years that scum used Pittsfield’s Fourth […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THURSDAY JULY 6, 2017) — First, THE PLANET appreciates all who took on that most difficult question: Is there still such a thing as “the American Dream.” For the most part, commentators stayed on topic with insight and sense. FOURTH TRASH — The Fourth came and […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, FOURTH OF JULY EDITION, 2017) — In honor of the founding of America, THE PLANET wishes everyone a safe, fun, and suitably respectful holiday. We won’t go into any long speeches. You keep the day in your way, we in ours. THE PLANET does, though, revisit […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, JUNE 30-JULY 2, 2017) — Alas, the Fourth approaches, and the Pittsfield Parade Committee will blow another $80,000-plus pouring what has become eight ounces of weak tea in a 16-ounce muscle cup. Even parade boss (and council president) Peter Marchetti privately admits the faux-extravaganza […]
