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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
11-07-09 - Hoosac Valley beats Drury.
More photo's 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

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.

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.

What's Playing


The popular anime character "Astro Boy" searches for acceptance on the big screen.


'Serious Man':
The Unbearable Lightness of Being Confounded
Movie schedules and times

Obituaries

Alice R. Filiault, 87
Lucille Burt, 92
More obituaries
Mary M. Hanlon, 82
George F. Sarrouf, 73

Sales Fliers

 
 

 

Bazaars

Nov. 7:

VNA & Hospice, Community Room, North Adams

North Adams Elks
10-4; Nov. 8, 9-2
Crafters, Chinese auction, bake sale
For vendor information, Melanie at 413-743-5562.

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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Time for Smaller Home Remodel Projects

By ARA Content
09:37AM / Tuesday, March 03, 2009

ARA Photo
Bathrooms Offer Real Value at Low Cost, Even in the Basement
 
While new home construction has come to a grinding halt in most of the country, smaller home-renovation projects are still a viable option for homeowners. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders recently reported a "slight increase" in minor remodeling projects in its third-quarter 2008 Remodeling Market Index.

What does all this mean for homeowners? It spells opportunity. And for those who want to invest in their homes, it's tough to beat bathroom additions and remodels, which rank high on NAHB's list of the most prevalent remodeling jobs.

Bathroom upgrades still provide a solid investment return, even in the present tightening economy, according to Remodeling Magazine's 2008-2009 "Cost vs. Value" report. The magazine estimates that a midrange bathroom redo will recoup nearly 75 percent of its cost; a bathroom addition recoups just under 65 percent.

Get the most for your money. Thinking about a new or improved bath? If so, avoid the high cost and hassle of creating under-floor plumbing connections — one of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of any bath project. Instead, use macerating technology, an above-floor plumbing system that can be installed right on top of an existing floor in any part of the house in only half a day.

With this type of installation, waste and water are pumped away and up from the plumbing fixtures through small-diameter piping into the sewer or septic tank. No more digging to set plumbing drainage lines.

"This technology is easier, more convenient and less invasive," says plumber Mike Sikorski of East Taunton, Mass., who installs Saniflo brand plumbing products. "It saves my customers an average of $1,000, and that’s on the low side."

Mike Coletto, another Saniflo installer and an independent plumbing, HVAC and electrical contractor in Illinois, agrees.

"If a bathroom is on your project list, consider above-floor plumbing — especially if you're planning a basement remodel," he says. "Saniflo makes installing a basement bath a snap."

Here are some additional ways to keep your home bathroom remodel low-cost:

Fix up vs. Replace: Instead of buying new cabinets, resurface or paint them; update handles and drawer pulls. Repair damaged walls and redo the caulking around sinks. Tile only halfway up the wall.

Improve vs. Expand: Instead of knocking down walls, gain space by replacing a hinged door with a pocket door. Put in a recessed medicine cabinet. Install a bowed shower curtain to increase the interior shower space.

Lighten and Brighten: Repaint, using neutral colors. Repair damaged flooring, or install tile right over the floor. Place task lighting over the vanity, instead of installing a window.

Think Green: Replace old windows with energy-efficient models and you may qualify for a federal tax rebate. Replace leaky faucets with low-flow models.

For more about low-cost above-floor bathroom systems, visit www.saniflo.com or calling toll-free: 800-571-8191.
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