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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New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 
 
Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.
 
Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.
 
"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."
 
The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.
 
"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.
 
She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.
 
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