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The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.           
Sunday November 8, 2009
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Sports


High School Football
Hoosac Valley beats Drury in Saturday action. More photos 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

What's Playing


Milla Jovovich vs. alien abduction in "The Fourth Kind." What more do you need to know?


'Michael Jackson's This Is It': But It Is Always There
Movie schedules and times

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.

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.

Obituaries

Milton E. Pharr, 75
Alice R. Filiault, 87
Lucille Burt, 92
Ellen E. McCarthy, 98
More obituaries
Mary M. Hanlon, 82
George F. Sarrouf, 73

Sales Fliers

 
 

 

Bazaars

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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Spring Brings Bears on the Prowl

07:56AM / Saturday, March 21, 2009

Bird feeders can draw bears.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Spring has arrived and with it, the emergence of the region's black bears from winter hibernation.

That means it's time to take down the bird feeders, say MassWildlife officials, in northern Middlesex County, Worcester County and Western Massachusetts.

With the snow melting and longer day length, bears are will soon be leaving their winter dens. To avoid possible seasonal conflicts between people and bears in central and Western Massachusetts, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is issuing its seasonal reminder that bird feeders should be taken down by mid-March and other preventive steps be taken.

"There is little in the way of natural foods and bears learn to seek out high-energy human foods such as bird seed," said Jim Cardoza, MassWildlife Bear Project leader. "This may lead to conflicts that pose hazards to both bears and people."

Massachusetts is home to approximately 3,000 resident bears, with the majority living west of the Connecticut River. Bears also reside as far east as Worcester County and in northern Middlesex County.

Bears have excellent long-term memories and remember which foods are available at different seasons, as well as where these foods can be found. Even if a feeder is inaccessible to bears, they will be attracted by the scent of seed and suet. Once they learn the location of these foods, bears will return. Bears are typically shy and fearful of people, but deliberate feeding or indirect availability of human food, coupled with a lack of harassment can cause bears to become accustomed to people.


Office of the Governor 
Oh, they're cute when they're little, but you don't want full-grown bears dropping by your back yard for dinner. Above, Gov. Deval Patrick on the annual bear count in Hadley.
If bears lose their fear of people and develop a taste for human foodstuffs, bears can become bolder and may cause damage that ultimately results in harm to people or to the death of the animal.

If a bear is passing through a neighborhood without stopping, enjoy the sight. However, if the bear stops to feed on trash, bird seed, or other human-generated foods, remove those foods after the bear has left and advise neighbors to do the same. Because of their fear of people, bears tend to leave a yard when people step outside and make noise. Keep garbage in airtight containers, securely stored in a cellar, garage, or shed. Put trash at roadside the day of trash pickup, not the previous evening. Keep doors to sheds and barns latched or locked to prevent bears from finding grain, sweet, or meaty foods. Refrain from feeding pets outdoors.

Do not deposit sweet or meaty items in compost piles as bears will soon find them. In residential areas where bears are known to be present, the entire neighborhood must take recommended actions or bears will move from yard to yard seeking food. Cardoza said taking these actions also reduces problems with other common wildlife species such as coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. For more black bear information, click here.
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