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Daily Digest
Steve Decker cleans up in front of BankNorth on Wednesday.
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More Snow
The Berkshires received several inches of snow this morning, but not enough to close schools, unlike yesterday's sleety mess. Temperatures will drop into the 20s this afternoon. A few more snow showers are expected through the weekend. |
Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
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Like to Write?
 iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more. |
ObituariesRegionWhat's PlayingSales FliersColumnists | Independent Investor
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Other StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
Obama TransitionRelated Stories |
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Local Idol Audition Draws ContestantsBy Tammy Daniels - January 27, 2008
 | | Brianne Mullen displays her ticket to the semifinals with mom Tammy Mullen, friend Cassandra Losaw and little sister Brooklyn. |
NORTH ADAMS - Ten-year-old Brianne Mullen of North Adams had her own idol in mind Saturday as she auditioned for one of Berkshire Idol's coveted golden tickets.
"I came here 'cause I really like to sing," said the "Hannah Montana" fan as she waited nervously outside the judging room at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Church Street Center. She'd picked the song "See You Again" by "Montana" star Miley Cyrus to wow the judges. "I watch her show all the time."
It worked. Brianne's 30-second a cappela version was good enough to rate a bump into the next round of the three-year-old local singing competition.
Some 50 or so aspiring and veteran warblers showed up to serenade the panel of judges on Saturday morning; most walked away with an invitation to return for the semifinal round on March 8.
Another 60 had already registered to audition on Saturday, Feb. 2, in Pittsfield.
Stephanie Shurtleff, right, Nicki Skipper, Cindy Legge and Mike Wood wait to audition. |
"This is more people than last year," said event organizer Joelle Brookner. "This is our third year. I think the word is getting out. We're really excited about it."
The competition raises funds for local charities; this year, it's the Family Life Support Center's Louison House, a local shelter for women and families.
It costs $20 to audition and, if selected, the contestant has to raise at least $100 in pledges for the next round. "You don't have to raise just $100," Brookner told one competitor. "You can raise lots and lots."
Charity may make out but the singers were there to prove they had the pipes to make it to the top.
Two rockers from Bennington, Vt., headed south after they heard about the contest, which offers $1,000 U.S. savings bond and four hours of professional studio time at Skyboro Sound toward a demo CD for the winners.
Nicki Skipper, vocals and bass for punk rock band Bitch Kitty, convinced fellow singer Cindy Legge of the band Invisible George to try out.
Shurtleff, 28, of North Adams gets a ticket. |
"We're the middle-aged contingent," said the spiky-haired Skipper, 43. Legge, 54, called it "representing the big kids."
Both had classics ready: Skipper was doing the Beatles "You Really Got A Hold On Me" while Legge selected Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams" for range.
Range is important to the judges, said Legge and she proceeded to demonstrate her ability to hit notes high and low to the appreciative panel of Brad Martin, Wendy Walraven and Marissa Carlson.
Needless to say, both women scored a golden ticket and congratulations from some their fellow band members who had tagged along.
Judges Marissa Carlson, left, Wendy Walraven and Brad Martin |
The voice of Mike Woods, 20, was powerful enough to be heard out in the hallway. Woods, sporting a Bob Marley T-shirt, said he had a passion for reggae and so, of course, was planning to sing a Marley tune.
"My dad talked me into doing this," said the Adams resident who, when he's not singing, works at Wild Oats Community Market in Williamstown. Woods also walked away with a golden invitation.
There were screams of delight as singers hustled down the stairs waving their golden tickets to waiting family and friends. For a few, the experience was a little disappointing.
Eleven-year-old Jaye Scheider of Williamstown loves to sing and plays the guitar and flute. But the judges thought she was little too nervous and stiff, she said as as one of the event volunteers comforted her after she walked out without a ticket. Jaye vowed to practice and try again next year.
Those selected now have to chose another song and get the music ready on a CD. They'll perform on March 8 and six from each of the two age categories (10-15; 16 and older) will be selected to compete in the finals.
Legge performs 'Sweet Dreams' for the judges. |
Along with singing prizes, those raising the most for charity will receive one week at Vacation Village, a $1,400 value; second prize is an iPod and third is a karaoke machine.
There's still time to tryout. Online applications are being accepted at Berkshire Idol until midnight Thursday for the next round of auditions at the Crowne Plaza from 10 to noon on Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome but the audition fee is $25. |
| I REALLY THUNK THAT I SPEAK FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE GOT JIPPED THIS YEAR IN BERKSHIRE IDOL MY NEICE TRIED OUT AND DID NOT MAKE IT AND THAT WOULD NOT HAVE MATTERED EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THERE WERE ALSO OTHER PEOPLE WHO DESERVED TO MAKE IT THAT DID NOT I HONESTLY THOUGHT THIS WAS A PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD TALENT I THINK ONLY ACOUPLE THAT WERE PICKED THIS YEAR WERE ACTUALLY WORTH IT AND THERE WERE A HANDUL OF OTHER PEOPL WHO SHOULD HAVE MADE IT OVER THE ONES WHO DID SO I THINK ALOT OF THE BERKSHIRES NOT ONLY MYSELF WERE REALLY DISAPOINTED THIS YEAR MY NEICE ALONE HAD TWO OF THE FINALIST FAMILY SAY THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY HER AND A FEW OTHERS DID NOT WIN BUT I GUESS THATS THE WAY LIFE IS | | from: DENISE p | on: 03-09-2008 |
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| Nicki Skipper is a super talent with a great range! GO NICKI! | | from: Ren B | on: 02-19-2008 |
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| 'You've Really Got A Hold On Me' was by the Miracles not the Beatles; the Beatles covered the song. | | from: Stu Sutcliffe | on: 01-28-2008 |
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