| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Canadian Wildfires Cause Air Quality Advisory in Berkshire County | 08:11AM / Friday, June 30, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Due to smoke from Canadian wildfires that continue to influence the area, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has posted an air quality alert effective until 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2023, in five counties in western and central Massachusetts. Smoke is expected to impact air quality tomorrow in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Worcester counties. Air quality is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at 0 Comments
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Pittsfield School Administrators Tasked With Cell Phone Intervention PlanBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:37AM / Friday, June 30, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — While the district has a straightforward cell phone policy, it has never had a set of uniform practices throughout the schools. The School Committee would like to change that.
On Wednesday the committee requested that Superintendent Joseph Curtis review the existing policy and bring it back in August with added regulations.
Chair William Cameron, who motioned for the request, said he is not looking to change the rule because it is clear. In Pittsfield Public Schools, devices are to be turned off and not used during the instructional day or a school-sponsored activity or program.
Cameron would like supporting regulations for more effective enforcement before the
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Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade Names Wynn as Grand MarshalBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:20AM / Friday, June 30, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fourth of July Parade is just days away from marching down North Street in front of thousands of paradegoers from around the region. The Pittsfield Parade Committee has selected retiring Police Chief Michael Wynn as this year's grand marshal. Every year, the independent committee tries to bring new things to the event, Chairman Peter Marchetti said. It made a concerted effort this year to work with other organizations like Downtown Pittsfield Inc. to expand the Independence Day activities throughout the Fourth of July week. From June 30 until July 9, residents can celebrate Independence Day with events 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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"Holiday Pittsfield": Barrington Stage Opening House | Down on Union Street, Barrington Stage Company was hosting a holiday open house, an opportunity to look around the theatre, enjoy refreshments, and most importantly, speak to the clear headlining star of the weekend, Santa Claus.
In a quiet moment with the Man in Red, he said he was thrilled to be here, and was looking forward to hearing from many more children. Always gracious, Mr. Claus thanked iBerkshires for stopping by. Always pressed for appearances this time of year, Claus was slated to appear later that evening at the Colonial Theatre.
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