The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce just announced that it's extended the application deadline for the 2010 Berkshire Leadership Program.

The 13-year-old program accepts up to 30 candidates based on an application form and written references. Those selected will attend a two-day retreat, facilitated by professionals, which includes training aspects of leadership, problem-solving techniques and networking. The retreat is followed by nine weekly, four-hour evening sessions on specific topic areas, such as government, energy, economic development, tourism and the creative economy, education, health care, and leadership.

It's part of the chamber's goal to develop and sustain county leaders from a range backgrounds who are committed to addressing community challenges and improve the quality of life in the Berkshires. More than 350 people have graduated from the program since its inception in 1997.

The cost to participate is $595 and includes all meals and overnight accommodations at Jiminy Peak Ski Resort during the retreat. Limited financial assistance is available.

Applications are available at www.berkshirechamber.com/blp and must be received by Tuesday, June 30. For more information, contact Ashley Sulock, program coordinator, at 413-499-4000, Ext. 15, or at asulock@berkshirechamber.com.

The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is having its second Good News Business Salute meeting on Wednesday, March 10, from 7:45 to 9 a.m., at the Crowne Plaza, West Street, Pittsfield. The cost is $25 for Berkshire Chamber members and $35 for non-members, and includes a breakfast buffet. To register, call 413-499-4000, Ext. 26, e-mail choyt@berkshirechamber.com, or visit www.berkshirechamber.com. Individuals who registered for the canceled February event do not need to register again.

Lenox Chamber of Commerce is having its next event on Monday, March 1, at 6 p.m., at the Firefly Restaurant, 71 Church St., Lenox. Bring your business card for door prizes, which include a one-month membership to Lenox Fitness Center, golf with a cart for two at Cranwell, and a gift certificate for $35 to Furnace Brook Winery. RSVP to 413-637-2700 by Monday at 3 p.m.

The North Adams Rotary Club is actively looking for new members and is inviting those interested to join the group for a meeting to see what it's all about. The next meeting is Tuesday, March 2, at 12:15 at the Freight Yard Pub. Guest speakers also wanted; contact President Tracy McConnell at 413-663-2189 if you are interested in speaking about your business or organization.

The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce presents "The Marketing Transformation: A Road Map to ROI" on Tuesday, March 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Orchards. Allen Jezouit and Jeff Stripp will discuss current marketing investments and "new media" opportunities. Free for chamber members; $25 for nonmembers. Wireless service is available so bring your laptops. Register at 413-458-9007 or info@williamstownchamber.com.

Spark!, the networking group for the Berkshires' creative economy, has rescheduled this week's postponed meeting for Thursday, March 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Francine and Sterling Clark Art Institute, Williamstown. For more information, contact info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413-822-8324.

The Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner was postponed to Tuesday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m. at the Red Lion Inn because of snow. For more information, 413-298-5200 or info@stockbridgechamber.org.

Pamela Smith of Esselte will present "Got Paper:  Organizing for Better Workflow and Efficiency" at the March meeting of the Berkshire County Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals on Wednesday, March 10, at Berkshire Bank on West Street in Pittsfield. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by the program at 6. Refreshments will be provided. The meeting is open to members and non-members and qualifies for 1 recertification credit for CPS and CAP. The cost is $5 per person to cover the cost of refreshments. RSVP to Melissa James at m.james@mcla.edu by March 8.

The Southern Berkshire Chamber's next Business After Hours event will be on Wednesday, March 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 at Lee Bank, Main Street, Great Barrington. RSVP at visitor@southernberkshirechamber.com, or call 413-528-1510.

The chamber's also sponsoring a ski night at Catamount Ski Area on Saturday, March 6, from 3 to 10. Lift tickets for Southern Berkshire Chamber members are $15 and must be purchased in advance at the Great Barrington office at 40 Railroad St. by Friday or the visitors' center on Main Street on Friday or Saturday.

The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce is having an after hours event at Gala Restaurant at the Orchards Hotel on Thursday, March 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. Hors d' oeuvres will be provided by Executive Chef Chris Bonnivier. Cash bar will be available.

Activities will include tours of the hotel, Wii bowling, a special announcement from David Rempell on the Williamstown Youth Center "Together We Can” fund raising campaign, and a special giveaway. After the chamber event, there will be karaoke with Brian Flagg.

There will be a fee of $10 and advance registration is required; call or e-mail the chamber at 413-458-9077 or info@williamstownchamber.com.

The Berkshire Visitors Bureau is holding a free, open forum discussion on Wednesday, March 17, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., to share ideas and strategies for soliciting group business in the Berkshires. The event takes place at the Comfort Inn and Suites, 249 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce with four-star accreditation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community. This is the third time the chamber's received the second-best rating offered by its national counterpart.

"We are thrilled that the Berkshire Chamber has earned a four-star rating for the third consecutive accreditation process," said Michael Supranowicz, president and chief executive officer. "We are one of only two chambers of commerce in Massachusetts and one of seven in the Northeast to have been awarded this rating. This prestigious honor puts the Berkshire Chamber among the top 4 percent of chambers nationwide."

Local chambers are rated accredited, three stars, four stars or five stars. State chambers are recognized as either an "Accredited State Chamber" or "Accredited State Chamber with Distinction." The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.

"Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit their local economy and for positively influencing action in their community," said Raymond P. Towle, the U.S. Chamber's executive director of political affairs and federation rlations. "We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise."

This is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs and technology. This self-review can take three to six months to complete.

The Berkshire Chamber is the largest organization of its kind in Berkshire County and one of the largest chambers in the state. For more information, visit www.berkshirechamber.com.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — WBRK pulled the plug Tuesday on "TalkBerkshires" and its host Sherman Baldwin.

The local talk show has been airing over WBRK 1340-AM every weekday afternoon since last May. But Baldwin, an independent contractor with the station, said station President Willard "Chip" Hodgkins told him at 10:30 this morning that the show was being booted.

The press release can be found here.

Baldwin said the break up was over related coverage of recent allegations of sexual abuse against Sheriff Carmen Massimiano. The sheriff's accuser, James E. Monahan, had briefly called into the show several weeks ago, but Baldwin said the firing was prompted by an appearance by local attorney Rinaldo Del Gallo on Monday talking about libel issues regarding the coverage.

"I'm still shell-shocked," said a subdued Baldwin late Tuesday. He said Hodgkins had offered to bring the show back after a period if he stuck to national news. "It was so clear what this was about."

It wasn't about his past, Baldwin was sure. The radio jock's been in the news for good and bad recently, as his involvement with Berkshire Money Management's Allen Harris in the Berkshire Job Summit last Friday prompted interest in his past troubles with the law.

Baldwin and his producer Michael Valenti are planning to speak to the press at noon at the Crowne Plaza on the talk show's future. Baldwin said he'll also be on "Good Morning Pittsfield" with John Krol on Wednesday morning.

The primary focus of "TalkBerkshires" has been on local issues, particularly those affecting the immediate Pittsfield area where most of this listeners work or live. It's a focus that Baldwin doesn't want to lose.

"I'm not going to give up without a fight," he said.

Update: Baldwin postponed his press conference until Thursday at noon because of Wednesday's snowstorm.

Update Thursday, Feb. 25: The press conference has been canceled on the advice of Baldwin's attorney.  "I think this is best for TalkBerkshires," Baldwin wrote in an e-mail that was also posted on the Web site about an hour before the noon presser.

Baldwin wrote that more information will be released in the coming days. Baldwin and Valenti may attempt to Internet stream their program (Baldwin owns the Web site) but those plans are still up in the air.

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — The Berkshire Visitors Bureau invites any business person in Berkshire County to attend its next forum on Wednesday, Feb. 14, when the topic will be public relations – specifically, participants are invited to "share (your) ideas and strategize messaging for the Berkshires."

The forum will take place from 3:30 to 4:30, at the Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Route 183.

Forums are free and open to all businesses in Berkshire County; for a full schedule, click here.

Update, Feb. 24: Due to the weather, today's forum has been canceled. It will be rescheduled at a later date.