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.
Guest Editorial: Crucial Times Call For Sensible Thought
By Brian Flagg iBerkshires Columnist 08:36AM / Thursday, September 04, 2008
Hi everyone. I have been writing for a long time. Mostly, I write about sports; as some of you know, it is a passion of mine. Many of you may also know that I also have a political side.
Politics has interested me ever since I was young. Other than my dad and my grandfather, John F. Kennedy is the only other man I have truly looked up to. I have run for public office, unfortunately unsuccessfully. I have worked to help presidential campaigns as a volunteer and I even stood on a rainy street corner as teenager to help campaign for my friend's dad for county commissioner.
This presidential election has gained my interest more than any I can remember. We are at a very crucial time in this country. Americans are losing their homes and cars at an alarming rate. We are paying prices for fuel that affect us so much it plays into our everyday decisions on how much we can spend on food and medicine or how much we can buy our kids for school for fear we can't heat our homes for the winter (if we still have those homes).
Our education system is in disarray and schools are underperforming all over the U.S. Health care is no longer about helping our sick but rather about privatizing hospitals so that corporations can make more money. Insurance claims are being denied and men, women and children in large cities and small towns alike are without health care.
Gov. Sarah Palin
Our commander in chief led us down a road to war based on deception and lies. It was supposed to be about weapons of mass destruction. Remember the proof he had? Did we ever see it? Our sons and daughters, nieces and nephews and grandsons and granddaughters as well as our friends were sent into harm's way and, to this day, we have yet to see the proof that these weapons actually ever existed.
Now it has become about Iraq and its links to terrorism and the Sept. 11 attacks. Again, has there been any concrete evidence those links exist? No. This was simply a job that dad couldn't finish so his son finished it for him.
Obviously, there are many more issues our country is facing. It would take days to cover them all. But let these serve as an example of how desperately you need to treat this election as the most important of your life and your children's lives and their children's lives.
The last eight years under George W. Bush have been about George W. Bush, not about America. John McCain is cut from the same cloth with the same ideals and ideas. His record overwhelmingly shows his dedication to Bush politics as he has voted WITH Bush almost 95 percent of the time. McCain talks about his rival Barack Obama and tells us that Obama is the most underqualified presidential candidate in our nation's history.
While that may be true, McCain then announces his vice presidential candidate as Sarah Palin. Who? Sarah Palin. Say it with me — Sarah Palin. An obvious attempt to capture the voters who supported Hillary Rodham Clinton but who have not decided whether to support Obama, this ploy cannot help but backfire. If you are a Clinton supporter, your face should be stinging right now from the slap you just got.
I have nothing against "hockey moms," or women in general for that matter, but this is ridiculous. This governor from Alaska is potentially a heartbeat away from being the president of our country. Nothing against Alaska either, but talk about underqualified to be president.
If you are a Republican, how can you honestly say that this choice helps your ticket? I watched her acceptance speech tonight and it was all about being a mom and coming from a small town and blah blah blah. None of it offered any solutions to the problems facing this country. And can you guess why? It's because McCain and Palin don't have any plans.
Their ticket will offer four more years of the last eight years, as Senator Clinton so brilliantly put it. The things that are wrong with this country happened because of their party's gross misguidance. Can we really afford to have her at the helm of the most powerful office in the world? Honestly, can we? That could happen.
Barack Obama is the right choice in this election to take us out of this hole we got thrown into. He has concrete plans for universal health care for all Americans. He has a timeline to respectfully get our soldiers out of Iraq and put our military efforts into finding Osama Bin Laden and routing out the terror cells in Afghanistan. He has given his plan to restore the U.S. credentials throughout the world through diplomacy before force and save the lives of our men and women in uniform.
His plans for alternative fuel sources will create thousands of green-collar jobs, drive fuel prices down and help save our planet. Along with the guidance of Senator Clinton in some capacity, our education system will return to helping our students rather than keeping them in the dark. Isn't that what we want? Isn't that what we need? Isn't that America?
Vote Obama and let's be the America we used to be.
Brian Flagg is the president and co-chairman of the Fall Foliage Charity Bed Race. He was co-host of "The Sports Page" on local public access stations for nearly five years. The North Adams resident has been coaching girls' basketball and softball for 16 years.
Sarah...Sarah...Sarah...you go Not fooling me!!! Maybe I'm not so "Undecided" any longer.
from: Undecided
on: 09-09-2008
I'd tell you to go fly a flag, but you probably tossed it out, like the DNC tossed 12,000 U.S. flags out at Obama's coronation. I wasn't mud-slinging and name calling, I call 'em as I see 'em. Prove me wrong that Obama won't expand welfare and government assistance to the lazy. Prove me wrong that he will increase the size of the government and raise taxes on us all, not just the rich as he claims. Prove me wrong that he generally dislikes this country. Prove me wrong that he follows the teachings of his religious mentor, Rev. Wright. Prove me wrong that he chose a proven plagerist to be his running mate. And just what the heck qualifies a "community organizer" to be President?
from: Not Fooling Me
on: 09-07-2008
As a registered independent voter, I try and take away, age, race, party affiliations, etc and just look at the true facts. If people would look at someone’s qualifications, as you would if you were to hire them (and did a background check on them to see their personal affiliations) this election would be a no brainier. If someone states that John McCain is the same as George Bush they have NO CLUE of the real person and are just "politicking". While I am in no way a John McCain supporter, if you truly look at his record, he is the ONLY one that has crossed party lines to get things done (much of which I don't agree with), but both parties need to start working together and start putting people first instead of their own parties. You have the “Chosen One” who talks about “Change” and then picks Joe Biden? Come on folks, Get Real…
from: Independant
on: 09-05-2008
And there you have the typical Republican way Not Fooling...rather than address the issues you resort to mudslinging and name calling. It's no wonder you choose not to use your real name. I say to the fine, hard working American citizens who read this...that should give you your answer...
from: Brian
on: 09-05-2008
Actually, with the promise of more governmental assistance to the non-working, non-motivated Maury / Jerry Springer watching throngs that make up a good portion of the city, it's no wonder everyone here seems to be behind Obama.
from: Not Fooling Me
on: 09-05-2008
Palin is a liar. She will say whatever it takes to advance her career.
McCain used to interest me until he became shill for the Bush/Rove wing of the party. He is not maverick. He's a mule.
I am left with one realistic choice and I will vote for the Democratic ticket this November.
from: Anon
on: 09-04-2008
Many argue that Obama lacks experience and there are those that have shown some of our best presidents have had little experience.
In the past 4 four years when big issues were presented Obama, in my opinion, has had the correct response.
I don't believe the Republicans are looking out for anyone other than corporate America.
I vote for true change!
from:
on: 09-04-2008
I am so sick of hearing both sides in this race claim the other is "not qualified" to be president. What exactly qualifies you to be president? George Washington had no political skills whatsoever prior to being called the Father of Our Country. Abraham Lincoln served ONE term in the House, two years, and was defeated when he ran for re-election, and he seemed to find a way to get us through the worst time in our nation's history. Franklin Roosevelt was a ONE term governor of New York before being elected, and led us through the depression and World War II. Harry Truman was a US Senator and before that was a county judge. Dwight Eisenhower was a military leader with no experience in domestic affairs. JFK was lambasted by critics as being a "playboy senator" with no experience in actual government. Were all of these presidents not qualified to be president? There is NO job in the world that really prepares you for this, unless you're running for a second term.
from: BGT
on: 09-04-2008
Not Fooling...I am a simple middle class guy who is trying to survive and these are my thoughts and not neccessarily those of this website. I am sincerely interested in the thoughts of a McCain supporter as the best for us all to reach the possible solution is to weigh everyone's thoughts. I just ahve not seen any from the Republican camp that make me feel toerhwise...
from: Brian
on: 09-04-2008
I did not realize that iBerkshires had become the MSNBC of the local news media...could this be any more of a political commercial for Barack Hussein Obama, without the disclaimer, "I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message?" I hope someone writes an equally flattering editorial about Senator McCain. I would.
Editor's Note: This is not an article, it's an opinion piece by one of our regular columnists. If you would like to submit a piece about why someone should vote for Sen. McCain, we'd be happy to publish it.
from: Not Fooling Me
on: 09-04-2008
I am pretty sure the HEARTBEAT thing is litteral since McCain is pretty well up there in years. Does everyone really feel that his VP choice is ready to take on the Presidents position. Although she spoke well enough last night, I am always bothered by a party that counts on alot of mud slinging to win. And real bothered when what they sling isnt factual.
It may be true that Barak doesnt have the EXPERIANCE of our former choices. But he does have a plan and it is closer to the PEOPLE than any other we've heard about since Clinton. Hate him if you like, we werent in a depression when we had him in office. We need to give something NEW a try. The old stuff just aint working!!!!
from: well decided
on: 09-04-2008
Undecided,
You raise a good point. Obama could possibly be an eloquent speaker with a hallow policy shell.
But didnt' we make the same naive decision and go with the "Safe" choice in 2004 with George Bush? That clearly didn't work out. Instead of solving the problems that existed in 2004, they were accelerated and have grown tenfold.
At some point, we must be take chances and win back our country. We never would have gotten where we are without rolling the dice in some times of crisis. This is one of those times.
Plus, I doubt a hallow shell of a mind would have bene able to organize a campaign so creative and well managed that it defeated the Clintons in their own party.
Obama is fit to lead - we just need to accept it.
from:
on: 09-04-2008
The biggest point you are missing undecided is that while we cannot know for sure if Obama will live up to what he says, that's for sure. But what we do know is that for the last 8 years the Republican agenda, with John McCain as one of it's most outspoken leaders,has definitely NOT worked. We have small town mayor all over the country working hard and taking on tough issues. That does not mean they will come into an already seriously flawed system and make it work. At least Obama is presenting NEW ideas. I am not sure if you have children, or your own home, or loved ones who are elderly, or what you drive but can you honestly say that you are in a better position with all those things than you were 8 years ago? I know that I can't. Nor can most hard working, middle class Americans...that's what we need to fix.
from: Brian
on: 09-04-2008
I watched all of the DNC, recorded and re-watched some parts...I heard all the promises and ideas from the Dem.; that is not a plan. Both sides are guilty of empty promises. Obama has been a Senator for 4 years but has been campaigning 2 years of his Senate term...I agreed with Sarah Palin's comment about her actually governing a town and state which includes making executive decisions and demonstrating leadership. I'm worried Obama is a well spoken empty shell.
from: Undecided
on: 09-04-2008
Obama does have concrete plans, and if you argue that he doesn't you are only revealing to us that you neglected to watch the DNC or follow any major media outlet closely the past six weeks.
Palin does not have more experience than Obama. For four years he has worked in the UNITED STATES SENATE, a body that is charged with overseeing the well-being of our domestic and foreign policy. Palin has been Governor of Alaska for 2 years, last time I checked, Alaska wasn't a sound micro-model for the United States.
If Republicans want to bicker about experience, fine. But call a spade a spade, Obama has been an international figure since his DNC speech in 2004, Palin has been an international figure since Friday.
from:
on: 09-04-2008
Undecided - what you need to think about is that Obama has concrete plans to tackle issues. While he is inexperienced as is she, the Republican cadidates do not have a plan like Obama does their plan has been in place for 8 years and it has crippled us. They want you to elect McCain becuase he served us well while in uniform. That is not a plan to help this country recover.
from: Brian
on: 09-04-2008
Brian, you comment Sarah Palin is a heartbeat away from being President...I think we can say the same about Barack Obama...same scenario...wasn't that long ago we were saying Barack who? A man with less experience in politics than Palin, also has no big plan, to speak of, on the table...and he is closer than a heartbeat away to being President...very unsettling if you ask me.
from: Undecided
on: 09-04-2008
Top Stories...
Recount Countdown in North Adams NORTH ADAMS - Poll workers were steadily making their way through more than 5,000 ballots today to...
