St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.
Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.
First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.
Nov. 28 Becket Federated Church, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.
Dec. 5
Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.
Dec. 12-13
North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.
Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.
We're trying out blogs to offer shorter, easy-to-find news. Let us know what you think.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.
Mammography Dispute The government's issued controversial new guidelines stating that women shouldn't get annual mammograms until age 50, rather than age 40.
iBerkshires will be meeting with local medical experts Monday. Have a question you'd like answered on this issue? Send it info@iberkshires.com with "mammogram" in the subject line.
By Jenn Thomas iBerkshires Staff 07:25PM / Saturday, June 14, 2008
ADAMS — New bar owner Thomas Rotolo knows the key to a successful business is giving the people what they want.
But he's still learning what that is.
"Right now, we're accepting comments from customers, asking people what they'd like to see, trying to do things we see other places, trying to offer something other people in the area don't have," said Rotolo, who purchased Rascals on Summer Street at the end of April.
The North Berkshire resident, who also owns Rotolo Home Improvement Inc., has no restaurant experience but he said he and manager/girlfriend Marci Levesque are ready to dive right in.
"We're trying a lot of different things right now and we want to wait and see how it goes. It's definitely new to us but we're open for input from customers. We just want to keep things changing, offering something new and different all the time," said Rotolo.
With providing a "nice, clean, comfortable atmosphere" for patrons his top priority, Rotolo said he's already received positive feedback from people who've popped in for a round or one of the lunch specials since their late May opening.
The bar and restaurant, with an interior facelift that includes a newly renovated bar area and a fresh coat of paint, is attracting not only the late-night crowd but also some local citizens looking for an affordable meal.
"We're really hoping that the food takes off. We have daily lunch specials — and they're always changing — and we're trying to keep it as affordable as possible," Rotolo said.
Friday's fish 'n' chips special has been a success and getting people into Rascals, where they can watch the new big-screen TVs and order one of the new brews on tap, is the key to making Rotolo's second business successful.
"I think we've had a great turnout. There are people who are continuing to come and a lot of new faces are becoming regulars. Everyone seems to be happy with the work we've done," said Rotolo.
Over the next few months, Rotolo and Levesque hope to try out a host of new specials and events to see what works and what doesn't.
"My motto is change is good. Instead of the same thing all the time, I like to change up what we offer. No one wants something that will be stagnant. We've got a new business here and we want to offer what people like," said Rotolo.
With a 25-cent chicken wing special on Tuesday nights, weekend live entertainment and (for now) free billiards, Rascals wants to do what it takes to bring people into his new pub and to keep them coming back.
"We want people to think of Rascals as the place to be," said Rotolo.
Rascals is open every day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and offers lunch specials all day. New draft beers include Sam Adams seasonal beers, Magic Hat and Berkshire Brewing Co.
We ate there this weekend and everything was fantastic. The wings were phenominal, deffinately one of the best around as it's real wings and not frozen. It was a nice atmosphere and doesn't make you think of the Rascal's it was before. Keep up the good work! As for the critics it's easy to criticize something that you're not willing to try so until you try it you should shut it.
from: Pleased Customer
on: 06-24-2008
Seems that the support, with the exception of the person that uses too many commas, is overwhelming.
I think I may drive down from Cambridge NY, tomorrow.
Good Luck,
Ted
from: Support
on: 06-19-2008
We too enjoyed the crowd on Saturday, June 14 and want to offer kudos to TJ and Marci. The bar and restrooms were super clean, the prices are extremely reasonable and the wings were the best around! We were thrilled to have a cool place to hang out, the bonus - we got to listen to some really talented people perform. Can't wait to return!
from: Rascals Rocks
on: 06-19-2008
To "resident"
First of all, the "electrician" that opened a pizza joint DID, in fact, have experience in the restaurant business for many years prior to becoming an electrician. If you read iberkshires often, you should know that because it was in that article on this website that he stated he worked at several restaurants. The reason his business "failed" - your words, not mine - is that he had alot going on on his plate with a new family and all and decided that the time and dedication it takes to run a business like that came in 3rd to his family and his already established contracting business.
I see nothing wrong with Mr. Rotolo opening up this pub, and in fact, I wish him a ton of success and hope he does well. I wish I had one 10th of this ambition to forge into something he has no idea about and try to learn. Maybe with more people like him we would have nice places to hang out at that isn't just a "bar". Best of luck, TJ, and I will be stopping in soon to have a bite to eat!!
from: Wants to see this place work....
on: 06-16-2008
The place is very nice. TJ has done a great job getting it updated and clean. As far as entertainment goes...beware, there are restrictions on the entertainment license. I think something to do with not having back to back nights or something. Not to worry too much, nobody in the town enforces anything anyway.
Keep it going TJ!
from: Change is good
on: 06-16-2008
I to was there Saturday. What a great mix of people.
I expected to see a bunch of people in their mid-twenties, but instead it was a full range of ages which made the evening quite comfortable.
There was a large group of people having a great time, a small party in the restaurant area and a few people chatting it up at the bar.
Great singers, too!
I will most definitely return.
from: Shelly
on: 06-16-2008
A number of us visited rascal's for the first time Saturday night, 6/14/2008.
We had a great time, and TJ was a fantastic host. We had not planned to stay long, but ended up staying until the place closed.
Like most small-business owners, he's obviously wearing many hats. This patron can say, he wears them all well.
We saw him many times throughout the evening as he worked his way around the establishment making sure everyone was 'all set'.
Our group of 14-16 people enjoyed some great beer on tap, such as Magic Hat and BBC Steel Rail.
Karaoke (with Tony and Anne-Marie) and a FREE pool table added to the fun. How many bar owners offer free pool?
Stop in, if you get a moment. The place is super clean, and the polished oak bar area is truly unique.
I'm not sure why there were so many negative posts within The Transcript forum, but I can honestly say that it was well worth the visit.
I think, if you are going to leave a comment, perhaps you should visit Rascals first. Comment second.
If you have a bad experience (and I can't imagine that you will), so be it, but offering an opinion prior to formal visit seems rather foolish.
I am certain we will return, TJ. Keep up the good work.
from: -J
on: 06-16-2008
Give the guy a break, if he is a succesfull contractor, he obviously has good business sense. This area needs a good pub. I'll never understand the berkshires, everyone cries and complains there is nothing here, yet one someone tries a new venture, they act all negative. Give the guy a chance.
from: tom c
on: 06-16-2008
its simple serve good food and drink at a great price. Also keep the drunken mayhem to a minimum to zero and have awsome bands on the weekends. People will come in droves to have a good time. Or you will have a dive for just the drunks in town. Your choice either way good luck.
from: adams veteran
on: 06-16-2008
Among the top reasons local business fails is the absolute lack of local support and the unbelievable number of negative comments generated by local folks. This area, meaning the northern Berkshires, is its own worst enemy. Who wants to travel to a region with local inhabitants that constantly, publicly bashed new businesses? Of the two stories I've seen about Mr. Rotolo's new venture, almost all the comments have been very critical. Sounds to me like there are people choosing to dine on sour grapes rather than give Rascal's food a fair chance.
from: orienne
on: 06-16-2008
The difference between the electrician who tried to start a pizza business and the new owners of this "pub" is the fact that this "pub" is an already established business. I wish them luck.
from: Hope it works out
on: 06-15-2008
ive seen this story so many times in my life, and while trying to stay posative,,, it makes me wonder,, ,why do people that have a sucessfull company,, say a home improvement/contractor businesss,,,, think they know anything about running a pub? its like a pro golfer suddenly saying,,,, i think i wanna fly the space shuttle,,, it makes no sense,,,ill even back up my theory, there is a pizza place locally that was owned by an electrician,, a sucessfull electician at that,,,, so why would an electrician know anythin gabout how to run a resteraunt,,,, wait,, he wouldnt,,, hense hes closed now,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if your a resteraunteur thats your bag,,,, some advice,,,,,,,find a resteraunteur to run it,, with a vision,, and stop asking the public,,,
from: resident
on: 06-15-2008
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