In October 2007, the region will see the introduction of BBQ: Berkshire Business Quarterly, a new, full-color glossy magazine produced by the same team that introduced the award-winning Berkshire Living to the area two-and-a-half years ago.
In an announcement before a breakfast meeting of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce this morning, publisher Michael Zivyak, who launched Berkshire Living in November 2004, said the timing was right for the addition of a high-quality, business lifestyle magazine that will showcase and support the burgeoning business climate in the Berkshires.
“BBQ was cooked-up, much like Berkshire Living, out of a dearth of high-quality, feature-oriented business journalism in the region,†said Zivyak, who pointed out that many general-interest regional magazines around the nation have embarked on similar business-oriented publishing ventures in the last few years. “We view BBQ as an Inc. or Fortune magazine for the Berkshires—something we believe will be another great addition to the region.â€
Zivyak announced that Seth Rogovoy would assume the role of editor-in-chief of BBQ while retaining his duties as editor-in-chief of Berkshire Living. “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have at the helm of this launch than Seth, whose magazine-editing skills are incontrovertible, and whose work at Berkshire Living has already garnered us two National City and Regional Magazine Association awards for general excellence in two short years.â€
For his part, Rogovoy said he looked forward to the challenge of creating a new forum for profiling the efforts of those who have found ways to succeed in business while living in the Berkshires. “BBQ will shine a light on those people and businesses whose practices mesh seamlessly with life in the Berkshires, reflecting Berkshire values such as stewardship and sustainability, while at the same time successfully competing in the commercial marketplace.†Rogovoy added that all articles in BBQ will boast “takeaway,†lessons shared from other’s experiences as well as useful information that can be applied to the largest companies as well as to the smallest neighborhood moms and pops.
Also joining the BBQ team is Berkshire Living creative director Laura Morris, formerly the award-winning creative director of Business 2.0 Magazine.
BBQ will premiere in the fourth quarter of this year, featuring stories drawn from the region’s retail, financial, education, publishing, marketing, medical/health, legal, culture, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors. The magazine, geared to C-level officers, small business owners, and general readers interested in the business scene, will boast regular guest columnists, survey the latest in productivity tools, and forecast trends—all with the same high standards of narrative writing, beautiful photography, and state-of-the-art design familiar to readers of Berkshire Living.
Like Berkshire Living, BBQ is one of the few remaining independent, locally owned press outlets in the region. BBQ will be directly mailed to a circulation of 12,000 highly qualified business-minded individuals; business owners, presidents, and CEOs in the greater Berkshire region; a list of national site-selectors; a list of the best corporate prospects of the Berkshire Economic Development Corporation; and every member of the Massachusetts legislature; as well as be available for sale on regional newsstands.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
As the school year winds down, the sun was shining high as Morris Elementary School and the community celebrated student success with a splash. click for more
The Berkshire Community College community celebrated outgoing President Ellen Kennedy for the innovation, kindness, and curiosity she has fostered on campus over the last 14 years. click for more
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Anthony Salatino Jr. says his memory is getting a little foggy about his time in the Army.
But he remembers how terrible D-Day was, and feeling lucky he wasn't among those in the initial invasion force 82 years ago. click for more
