Take Charge to Host Energy Saving Workshop Series

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North Adams - A workshop series will be held at the public libraries to educate residents on saving energy and money in their homes. Take Charge: The North Adams Campaign to Save Energy is stepping up efforts to help our community with the upcoming winter heating crisis. 

These workshops will inform the community about ways to save money and energy in their homes during the approaching winter months and beyond. Everyone is feeling the affect of rising oil and gas prices and the cost of heating homes increasing exponentially. This series of free workshops will give residents the tools and information they need to battle their bills.

The first workshop, "Home Energy Use," is scheduled for September 18th at 6:30 at the North Adams Library. Mike Tillou will explore energy used in the home and educate residents on ways to save money on their home energy bills. The workshop will explore different areas of homes that use energy and ways to make this energy use most efficient.

"Insulation and Heating" will be held at the North Adams Library on October 2nd at 6:30. Bruce Harley, Technical Director for Conservation Services group, author and home energy expert will explain the importance of insulating your home. He will examine the trouble spots in homes where energy is lost and educate participants on ways to improve the insulation in their homes.

"Solar Power Options" with Chris Kilfoyle and Craig Robertson will be held on October 22nd at 6:30 at the Williamstown Library. This workshop will inform residents about solar power and the different options that are available with both solar electric and solar hot water systems. Kilfoyle, of Berkshire Photo Voltaic, installs solar electric systems across the Berkshires. Robertson, of Heliocentrix, works mostly with solar hot water and solar thermal.
 
The last workshop in this series,"Lowering Your Electric Bill," will be held at the Williamstown Library on October 29th at 6:30. Nancy Nylen from CET will help residents dissect their electric bill to finds ways they can save money. 

All are welcome to attend and light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit the Take Charge website at www.takechargenorthadams.org

Take Charge: The North Adams Campaign to Save Energy is committed to helping improve North Adams quality of life by making our homes and communities more energy independent. The campaign has distributed information to over 400 residents, handed out free energy saving light bulbs, and inspired the city to be more ambitious in its energy saving efforts.


Workshop Schedule:

Home Energy Use with Mike Tillou.
Thur. Sept. 18th 6:30 - North Adams Library

Insulation and Heating with Bruce Harley
Thur. Oct. 2nd, 6:30 - North Adams Library

Solar Power Options with Chris Kilfoyle and Craig Robertson
Wed. Oct. 22nd, 6:30 - Williamstown Library

Lowering Your Electric Bill With Nancy Nylen
Wed. Oct 29th 6:30 - Williamstown Library
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BVNA Nurses Raise Funds for Berkshire Bounty

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Nursing Association members of the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association raised $650 to help with food insecurity in Berkshire County.
 
The nurses and health-care professionals of BVNA have given back to the community every holiday season for the last three years. The first year, they adopted a large family, raised money, bought, wrapped and delivered the gifts for the family. Last year, they sold raffle tickets and the money raised went to the charitable cause of the winner. 
 
This year, with food insecurity as a rising issue, they chose to give to Berkshire Bounty in Great Barrington.
 
They sold raffle tickets for a drawing to win one of two items: A lottery ticket tree or a gift certificate tree, each worth $100. They will be giving the organization the donation this month.
 
Berkshire Bounty seeks to improve food security in the county through food donations from retailers and local farms; supplemental purchases of healthy foods; distribution to food sites and home deliveries; and collaborating with partners to address emergencies and improve the food system. 
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