Berkshires Beat: Displays at North Adams Public Library Tell Story of the Hoosic River Revival| 02:32PM / Monday, February 13, 2017 | |
 The first floor display includes information about the history of the flood chutes in North Adams and an artist rendering that invites residents to 'imagine a revitalized Hoosic River.' |
It's a revival: The Hoosic River Revival's vision is to revitalize the Hoosic River, maintain current levels of flood protection and bring the river back as an asset to the residents of North Adams. The North Adams Public Library is currently featuring two displays to learn about the history of the Hoosic River and the Hoosic River Revival's vision for the south branch of the river.
The first floor display includes information about the history of the flood chutes in North Adams and an artist rendering that invites residents to "imagine a revitalized Hoosic River." Also on display are examples of river restorations in other parts of the country that have reconnected their rivers to residents, restored ecosystems, and added recreational opportunities such as parks and trails. Available to library patrons are bookmarks, a Family Wildlife Walking Brochure which features a self-guided 1-mile walk along the banks near Noel Field filled with facts about the wildlife that lives along the river, and a Historical River Walking Tour Brochure, a self-guided river walk to learn about the history of the city. A box to collect questions, comments, or concerns from local residents is available as well as an opportunity to sign up for the Hoosic River Revival newsletter.
A second display in the Children’s Library on the second floor features fun activities for children along with interesting facts about animals that live along the Hoosic River. To supplement this display, Sara Russell-Scholl, the Youth Services Librarian, has included a collection of children’s books about animals that live in and around rivers. The display, which will continue through February, can be seen during the regular hours of the library.
Financially fit: Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is offering financial literacy courses to anyone interested in learning about credit, budgeting and debt. The courses are free and will be held on Tuesday evenings beginning Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Habitat office at 61 Main St., Suite 244 in North Adams.
"Creditability: Learn how to build, maintain or repair your credit" will be the Feb. 28 topic. "Build a Basic Budget: Learn a five-step spending plan" will be the March 7 topic. "Power over Debt: Learn how to break the debt cycle" will be the March 14 topic. Register by calling 413-664-4440 and leaving a voice mail.
Looking up: Berkshire Pulse has received a $10,000 grant from the Feigenbaum Foundation for the installation of an ADA-compliant passenger elevator to make the Housatonic dance school studios accessible to all. The grant is an important component of Berkshire Pulse's efforts to match an $80,000 grant from the Jane & Jack Fitzpatrick Trust received in 2016.
Berkshire Pulse must raise all $80,000 in matching funds by June 1. The elevator project was recommended by the Great Barrington Community Preservation Committee to receive a $30,000 CPA grant, which will be presented at Town Meeting on May 1 for approval. This grant represents part of the match for the Fitzpatrick Trust, leaving a balance of $40,000 that must be raised to achieve the organization’s longtime goal of complete accessibility in the old mill building it inhabits. The third floor of the building was renovated in 2014 into a state-of-the-art, 6,700 square foot multi-studio space.
Now in its 12th year, Berkshire Pulse Center for the Creative Arts serves 600 youth and adult members ages 3 to 90. Berkshire Pulse’s mission is to build and strengthen community life through diverse and accessible programming in performing, movement and creative arts.
Take care: In celebration of seed-catalog season – an inspiring and hopeful time for farmers and gardeners in the wintry Northeast – Caretaker Farm in Williamstown, one of the first Community Supported Agriculture programs in the United States, announces membership openings for the 2017 harvest season. New this year, and to provide members with more flexibility and accessibility, the farm now offers both Summer and Winter CSA Shares. The Summer Share includes weekly distributions beginning in early June and ending in late October.
Caretaker Farm grows more than 40 different types of crops and approximately 175 varieties of those crops. They do not spray produce with fungicides, herbicides or insecticides, even those allowable under current organic standards. Practices on the farm are sustainable and the food that is grown is healthy, local, available with no packaging materials, and as fresh as possible.
Membership at Caretaker Farm includes both a free-choice system in a weekly distribution area and an abundant selection of u-pick crops in their fields. Farm members select which produce they want to put in their share bag and are not required to take vegetables they do not wish to have. All of the shares from Caretaker Farm are distributed at the farm so members learn and understand how their food is grown. There are seasonal celebrations that connect families to the farm and build community. Workshops are provided to assist members who would like to learn more about food preservation.
At a cost of $675 for each two-adult Summer Share, the value of what is typically received in a summer season is more than $1,900 for organic produce. Members with a one-bag share who do not take u-pick crops throughout an entire season would pay more than $1,325 if they bought organic produce at retail prices. The deadline for membership commitments is Friday, March 31. Visit www.caretakerfarm.org to view a membership form.
In the lab: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has opened the Design Lab at 49 Main St., next to MCLA Gallery 51. Design Lab serves as a curricular and co-curricular space for innovation, as well as a multi-purpose venue for the College and the community.
Outfitted with five separate workstations, each equipped with interactive short-throw projectors and ample whiteboard space, Design Lab is uniquely suited for collaborative problem-solving, while its open, flexible floor plan lends itself to such events as receptions, concerts, lectures and community forums, according to Diane Scott, assistant professor of arts management at MCLA.
The goal of Design Lab is to provide an ecosystem in which students and community members are free to explore ideas and master skills together through action – by immersing, designing and doing. Those interested in MCLA Design Lab activities and programming may check the college's Calendar of Events at www.mcla.edu.
A happy holiday: The third annual Jingle Bell on Dec. 3 at the Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vt., hosted a sold-out crowd of 160 people and raised more than $153,000 for Southwestern Vermont Health Care. The proceeds of the event are dedicated to SVHC’s telemedicine initiative. Telemedicine leverages sophisticated, secure video technology to provide enhanced treatment to patients with complex conditions closer to where they live.
The Jingle Bell Committee included: Katie Brooks, chair; Connie Blatchford; Cara Boshart; Marcia Holland; Dricka Kimball; Nancy Kimball; Judy Livingston; Caren McVicker; and Joy Slusarek. Jingle Bell sponsors included: presenting sponsor, the Equinox Resort; lead sponsors, the Bennington Banner, Flowers by Cara, Hays Companies, Nixon Peabody, and Stratton Magazine; and many supporting and host sponsors.
The event could not have been successful without the contributions of many companies and individuals, including: Von Bargen’s Jewelry; Eric Goode; John and Marie La Penta; Pavilion Grand Hotel; the Hermitage Club; Wenke and Bill Sterns; Susie Hunter; Joe and Caren McVicker; Dartmouth-Hitchcock; Nancy and Denis Noel; Elm Street Market; ski areas Bromley, Stratton, Mount Snow, and more.
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