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The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.           
Saturday November 7, 2009
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Sports


High School Football
Hoosac Valley beats Drury in Saturday action. More photos on Monday
Thursday, Nov. 06

Boys' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
McCann Tech 3, Keefe Tech 2

Girls' Soccer: State Vocational Championship Game
Blackstone Valley 8, McCann Tech 0
Fall Basketball Clinics

What's Playing


Milla Jovovich vs. alien abduction in "The Fourth Kind." What more do you need to know?


'Michael Jackson's This Is It': But It Is Always There
Movie schedules and times

Daily Digest


This is Jake
He's been lost in Pittsfield for weeks but frequently sited. He was last seen heading toward the fire station on Peck's Road. He's tired, dirty and needs seizure medication. He's chipped. If you see him, call Julie at 413-537-5616, the vet 24/7 at 413-499-2820 or animal control at 413-448-9700.
How Much is Heating Oil this Week?
It's breaking $2.50 but still cheaper than gas.
Thanks to Gabriella Bond for sharing her memories of the Quincy Street house torn down last week.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.

Election

Barrett Reflects on Accomplishments with Capital News 9
Alcombright's Victory Speech

Which election's more important?
Pittsfield
North Adams
Neither, nothing will change
  
pollcode.com free polls

Trying to remember who won what and why? All the information is right here.

Obituaries

Milton E. Pharr, 75
Alice R. Filiault, 87
Lucille Burt, 92
Ellen E. McCarthy, 98
More obituaries
Mary M. Hanlon, 82
George F. Sarrouf, 73

Sales Fliers

 
 

 

Bazaars

Nov. 14

Berkshire Community Church, Richmond
10-4; Crafters, bake sale. Contact Evelyn Goggia at 413-445-5747

Lanesborough Elementary School annual Fall Craft Fair from 10 to 4. Free admission, huge variety of arts and crafts, raffles, food and more. Proceeds go to sixth-grade trip to Cape Cod.

Vendors can contact Deb at 413-738-5349 or debhutton@aol.com or Lori at 413-499-0065 or lorittod@yahoo.com to secure a spot.

Dec. 12-13

North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Contact Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.

Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.

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Home Decor Store Opens on Eagle Street

By Jen Thomas
iBerkshires Staff
06:44AM / Sunday, March 02, 2008

Alan Richards
NORTH ADAMS - There's one word patrons to the new A & M Home Decor have been using since the store had its soft opening a week ago.

"I keep hearing the word 'unique,' which is exactly what I'm looking for," said owner and operator Alan Richards at the Eagle Street store on Thursday.

"The style is pretty diverse and that's the way I want to keep it. I don't want to get stuck on one theme," Richards added.

A & M, whose grand opening was scheduled this weekend, hopes to be a destination store for locals who are looking to find that truly perfect gift. Offering everything from special occasion porcelain dolls and silver jewelry to patriotic home decorations and garden plaques, the store wants to attract a new kind of shopper.

"Part of the reason I opened a new business was that you can't go anywhere and get this kind of stuff unless you go to Wal-Mart. And a lot of the stuff I have you can't get even there," Richards said. "I just wanted to have a place where people could go and get quality items for a fair and reasonable price."


Richards, 37, an Army National Guard assistant recruiter, developed the idea of owning his own business almost two months ago and makes no decisions without consulting A & M's vice president - his 11-year-old daughter, Amber.

"I don't make any decisions without talking to her," said Richards, who, along with his wife, selected most of the store's stock.

Though most of the large items - coffeetables, mirrors, hammocks, furniture - won't arrive until next week, the shop's walls are already lined with lamps, statuettes, candles, picture frames, one-of-a-kind trinkets and specialty spiritual items. The inventory will always feature something new, Richards promises, and he hopes people will keep coming back for more.

"Right now, it looks a little like a knick-knack store and it's driving me nuts but as soon as I get the big stuff in here, it'll be different. I keep telling people, 'Make sure you come back. This isn't half of what I have," he said. "I'm trying to find a niche for the store and I don't want to keep the same stuff in here because it'll get stale."

With the help of his two young daughters, Amber and Megan, 8, (the inspiration for the store's title), Richards offers products for both the young audience and the typical gift shop patron. His prices, too, set him apart because items are "priced by what I would want to pay."

Born and raised in the city, Richards said he'd love to see his little shop take off but it's going to require more foot traffic on his side of Eagle Street. He hopes that downtown events and a collaboration of business owners and city officials will help attract more people to the historic street.

"We need to work together to get the businesses here," said Richards, who has already asked Dragonflii Clothing Co. owner Tim Lanfair for business advice.

For Richards, who had previously sold cars as a career, running a business is a completely new venture that stems from a mere passion for working with the public.

"I want a nice, friendly place for people to come shopping and find something they can't get anywhere else. I want people to say, 'Let's go to A & M Home Decor because they have goofy stuff,'" he said.

A & M will be open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Richards said he expected to be closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call Richards at 413-884-2102.


Edited: March 2,2008
Your Comments
Post Comment
Editor: You're correct. Girls are beginning their adolescence earlier and earlier, but 8 is pushing it. We've changed that.
from: on: 03-02-2008

Just a journalistic comment: an 8 year-old is not an adolescent.
from: on: 03-02-2008



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