Chapters Bookstore Welcomes Jana Laiz

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PITTSFIELD, Mass - Chapters Bookstore will host Jana Laiz, author of Weeping Under This Same Moon, in the event room on Friday November 21 at 6PM for a reading and signing. Weeping Under This Same Moon tells the story of Mei, a Vietnamese artist whose life has been disrupted by the Vietnam War. She is the first to leave her family, bearing the responsibility of caring for her two siblings, during the exodus of thousands of refugees known as “Boat People.”

Hannah is an angry American high school student whose passion for writing and the environment only intensify her outcast state. When she learns of the plight of the Boat People she is moved to action. The International Rescue Committee has endorsed Weeping Under This Same Moon as “…a stunning achievement…” and “…inspiring.” Award winning author Emmanuel Dongala calls Weeping Under This Same Moon “…uplifting…” and “…beautifully written.”

Landmark Volunteers calls Weeping Under This Same Moon “…compelling” and recommends it to “…any adult or young person wishing to see what can happen by the simple act of volunteering.” The Women’s Times calls Weeping Under This Same Moon “…an eye opening powerhouse of a novel…a gripping, sobering, emotional and ultimately gratifying book.”

The evening marks the first annual pumpkin bakeoff at Chapters Bookstore, as well. Cooks are welcome to register their best pumpkin dish and bring it on the 21st of November for a tasting. Prizes will be awarded.
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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