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.
After Hours Laundry and Tanning Hut Under New Management
By Melanie Rancourt Special to iBerkshires 12:47PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2008
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — After Hours Laundry and Tanning Hut, located at 195 Ashland St. across from the North Adams Armory, is under new management and is getting a whole new look.
Margaret Paulin purchased the business on April 1 but waited until now to promote her new business because of all the upgrades and improvements that needed to be completed inside.
Her husband, John Paulin, talked Saturday about the improvements that are being made.
"We are giving the place a face-lift," Paulin said. "We are cleaning the place up, purchasing new washers and dryers, and, hopefully, bringing back clientele so that we can keep money in the city of North Adams."
Paulin said After Hours takes pride in having the lowest prices in town. Regular-sized washers start at $2 a load, double washers are $3 a load and triple washers are $4. Dryers run for 6 1/2 minutes for $.25.
While washing clothes, parents are welcome to let their children play in an area set up to keep little ones busy. There are also newly purchased vending machines with candy bars, chips and soda and a coffee station will be up and running in the coming months. Paulin also said the washing area will have new tile installed soon.
If people are unable to spend time doing their own laundry, they can take advantage of the laundry's drop-off service. Laundry will be washed and folded for customers for $.80 a pound. There is a 10-pound minimum for the drop-off service.
Photos by Melanie Rancourt
John Paulin behind the counter of After Hours Laundry
In an attempt to help out local customers after the recent damaging ice storm, the laundry offered people who did not have electricity a special drop-off rate of $.60 a pound.
"We wanted to help out our loyal customers and introduce the business to other people, especially in that difficult time," Paulin said.
Another convenience for customers is the "pickup, drop-off service" that Paulin offers. For an extra charge of $5, a laundry employee will pick up your laundry, wash it, fold it, and deliver it back to your residence.
Three freshly painted standing tanning booths are ready to use; the single bed tanning booth is being repaired and should be fully operational by next month. The Paulins are offering tanning at a special price of $2 for 15 minutes until further notice.
"This discounted price is being offered in the hopes of drawing customers back in," Paulin said. "Tanning lotions and towels are available for purchase and, in time, the tanning area will have fresh carpet installed for the comfort of our customers."
Standing tanning booth
The Paulins would eventually like to expand the tanning business with more booths and beds.
Near the front of the store, Margaret Paulin has gifts available for purchase from the World of Products catalog in a glass display case. The catalog includes home decor products, children's toys, home furniture and winds chimes. Products can also be ordered through the catalog.
After Hours Laundry and Tanning Hut is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Arrangements for pickup services can me made by calling 413-652-5209.