| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Buds, Twigs, and Bark: How to Identify Trees and Shrubs in Winter| 08:01AM / Friday, February 09, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join Chelsey Simmons of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) for the February Berkshire Green Drinks virtual event to explore the buds, twigs, and bark of common trees seen in the New England landscape. It may be surprising, but winter is actually an excellent time to learn how to identify woody plant species. The absence of leaves allows for the opportunity to take a closer look at the characteristics that are often overlooked, like the subtle features of a twig, the arrangement of buds, and the overall form and structure of a tree. Chelsey will go over the steps to tree identification, break down twig morphology, and give helpful hints on 0 Comments
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Roots Rising Secures Land for Youth Farm| 08:00AM / Friday, February 09, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After an extensive, multi-year search, Roots Rising announced the successful acquisition of 923 Barker Road in Pittsfield, marking a milestone in their journey towards launching the Youth Farm. The process of finding the right location for the Youth Farm involved years of searching and the exploration of over twenty parcels. Roots Rising ensured that the selected land was not only viable but aligned with their vision. Serious consideration was given to several potential locations, including a thorough exploration of a parcel within Springside Park. The Youth Farm will be teen-powered and community-centered, integrating Roots Rising's longstanding 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Health Board Plans Mosquito Task Force, Public OutreachBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:28AM / Friday, February 09, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Board of Health will establish a task force to handle mosquito control after efforts to resume to spraying were not supported by the City Council. This part of the panel's path forward after unsuccessfully recommending that the city resume mosquito spraying, which was discontinued in 2021. Last summer, six mosquitos tested positive for West Nile virus but there were no reported human cases.
After members are added to the subcommittee, it plans to meet in early March ahead of the BOH's April meeting — also ahead of mosquito season.
"I would also want to have someone that has consistently and historically expressed articulated concerns
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Mainwaring Sentenced to State Prison on Molestation ChargesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:21PM / Thursday, February 08, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A former Olympian pleaded guilty on Thursday to indecent assault and battery in a case dating back to the 1970s. Conrad Mainwaring, 72, pleaded guilty to molesting nine boys while a counselor at a local camp. He was sentenced to up to 11 years in state prison (with credit for time served) followed by three years probation. He will have to register as a sex offender and can have no contact with the victims. Should the Defendant violate his probation, he will face an additional 10 years in state prison. Judge John Agostini said it was a difficult case because of its nature and the logistics, as victims were spread across two 0 Comments
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The Retired Investor: Electric Vehicles Hit a Speed BumpBy Bill Schmick,
04:13PM / Thursday, February 08, 2024 | |
Electric vehicles are piling up in dealer lots. Consumers are by-passing EVs for gas-powered autos and hybrids while unwanted EVs sit at the dealerships for months. Production is being cut at the Big Three auto companies. What happened to the EV boom? The green revolution promised that electric vehicles were the wave of the future. Government incentives were offered to boost purchases in the name of clean energy as a way to fight climate change. Over the last few years, wealthy American consumers waited in long queues for their chance to plunk $75,000 or more down for their vehicular status symbol. Auto producers worldwide scrambled to build their version of EVs. Companies 0 Comments
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Softball, Baseball Winter Vacation Camps OfferedCommunity submission,
11:39AM / Thursday, February 08, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Infield Berkshire Baseball Academy is offering winter vacation day camps for baseball and softball players aged 8 to 12. The baseball camp will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 19 and 20. The softball camp is 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 21 and 22. The cost is $50 per day. The camp will focus on basic offense and defense skills. Campers are asked to bring a snack, indoor shoes, glove and bat. The Infield is located at 10 Lyman St. To register, email theinfieldbba@gmai.com. 0 Comments
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New ServiceNet Shelter 'The Pearl' Opens in PittsfieldBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:27AM / Thursday, February 08, 2024 | |
Matthew Jacobs was at the former St. Joe's shelter. He said the Pearl is better and came up with a 'Pearl pledge' to support one another, work hard and become productive members of society. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pearl aims to provide a sense of community for folks experiencing homelessness while connecting them with services to aid their situation.
ServiceNet's new 40-bed shelter at 21 Pearl St. has been operating for about two weeks after years of planning. The facility includes three dorms with bunk beds and en suite bathrooms, two recreation rooms, handicapped restrooms, and a laundry room.
Director of Shelter and Housing Erin Forbush explained
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Dalton Select Board Approves CBRSD Regional AgreementBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:10AM / Thursday, February 08, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — Central Berkshire Regional School District regional agreement update is closer to being completed. The change to the regional agreement should not be a controversial issue because all the changes are to bring the agreement up to date on state law and how the district is currently run, School Committee Chair Richard Peters said during a Dalton Select Board meeting last month. "It's not changing any of our policies or how we're running the district or any of that," he said. The district is awaiting feedback from some of the seven member towns. Feedback received so far does not require another ad hoc committee 0 Comments
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Making the Loop | We had some free time this week to walk the 2-mile loop through the downtown. Here's a few of things that caught our eye. (In between taking photos, we were heel-toeing and arm-pumping as prescribed.)
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Let's Go Paperless | This is from Ward 6 Councilor John Krol's eblast today. His switch to digital immediately caught our attention. With the associated costs - nearly $4,000 a year for paper alone! - zipping councilors "the packet" (as we in the know like to call it) over the ether makes loads of sense.
Digital also means the average citizen gets far better access to these public documents than ever before. The city clerk's office has been diligent about posting meeting agendas and, where possible, relevant documents. So in terms of saving money and time and getting information out efficiently, digital is the way to go.
I would like to thank City Clerk Linda Tyer for agreeing to print out one less city council packet, as I have officially gone paperless for council meetings - which I hope will be a trend that can be extended throughout city government.
 The bulky (and often, very bulky) city council packet that councilors use for a reference costs an average of $170 per meeting for paper alone. Add the additional costs of ink/toner, wear and tear on city hall copiers, and the time and energy of staff who put it all together - and a simple transition away from paper benefits everyone.
With the packet now fully digital in pdf form, all councilors, and everyone with an internet
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Berkshire Music School Kicks Off 2012 Classes With Open House | The open house featured a sample class, access to musical instruments, information for parents, refreshments ...and more than a few delighted squeals.
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January 29, 2011
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of youths, many of them under the age of 5, attended an open house at the Berkshire Music School Saturday, as the educational nonprofit enters its 70th year at its 30 Wendell Avenue home.
The open house featured a sample class, access to musical instruments, information for parents, refreshments... and more than a few delighted squeals, proving once again the inherent interest in making a joyful noise is not generational, and will never go out of style.
 The open house featured a Music for Preschoolers class, designed to "children’s awareness of rhythm, ability to sing and move creatively to music," which |
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