Sign-up and post on Iberkshires today.It's Free!
Already a member? Log In
43°  H- 70%
The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.           
Friday November 20, 2009
 Make us your homepage!
 

What's Playing


The Drury Drama Team presents "Dracula" on Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21.

If you don't know who these guys are, just stay home.


'Pirate Radio': Good Movie Ahoy, Mateys
Movie schedules and times

Bazaars

Nov. 21

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.

Sales Fliers

 
 

Daily Digest

Hooray for Vermont's Sanders and his battle against credit card companies.
How Much is Heating Oil this Week?
It's breaking $2.50 but still cheaper than gas.
Clarksburg Crime Watch Signs



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.

Obituaries

Paul Sandler, 64
Robert J. Heideman, 73
Carol V. Vallieres, 75
More obituaries

Sports

Williams College Men's Basketball Season Outlook
2009 MIAA Girls Soccer - State Division 2

Final: Wahconah vs Cardinal Spellman
Date / Time: 11/21/2009; 3:30pm
Location: Foley Stadium, Worcester
MCLA Picked Last in Men's Preseason Coaches Poll

Media Partners

Berkshire News Network (WNAW;WUPE)
WJJW Charlie in the Morning

Election


Trying to remember who won what and why? All the information is right here.

 

 Search: 
 for    
Enter a long URL
to make tiny:


Related Stories

 
Printer Friendly Version
   Recommend this story to a friend

Pittsfield Seeks Volunteers to Ward Off Zebra Mussels

Staff reports
iBerkshires
06:07PM / Friday, July 17, 2009

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is calling for volunteers to stave off an invasion of zebra mussels into its lakes.

The call to arms came Friday afternoon from Mayor James M. Ruberto, who is urging citizens to volunteer for boat-ramp monitoring at Onota Lake or Pontoosuc Lake.

"We need to do everything that is in our power to keep our lakes and ponds free of this invasive zebra mussel," said Ruberto in a press release. I am reaching out to the community for help. Become a boat-ramp monitor and let's keep Pittsfield zebra free."

Zebra mussels, a freshwater shellfish native Eastern Europe and western Asia, have been proliferating across the Northeast since first being discovered in the Greatl Lakes region two decades ago. They were found in Laurel Lake in Lee — the first documented appearance in a Massachusetts body of water — last week.

Preventing Infestation
1. Inspect and clean your boat
2. Thoroughly inspect all exposed surfaces on your vessel and trailer
3. Remove all plants and mud from your boat, trailer, and equipment
4. Carefully feel your boat's hull for any rough or gritty spots
5. Drain all water from your hull and dry your boat
6. Keep your watercraft dry for at least one week in hot/dry weather, four weeks if cold/wet

Source: City of Pittsfield
Although small — growing to just an inch or two — the mollusks can wreak havoc by blocking pipes, filters and motors, gobble of food resources from native species, and significantly change habitats to the detriment of other species. Their ability to consume algae and nutrients can clarify waters to the extent that sunlight can affect other species, including aiding the growth of another water pest — milfoil.

A female can produce up to a million eggs at a time and the creatures can cluster together by the hundreds of thousands.

They are thought to have been brought to North America in the ballast water of European ships; they've spread by attaching themselves to boats.

The boat ramp at Laurel Lake was closed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, but other towns that shut their boat ramps in the wake of the news were ordered to reopen. The state has authority over the public ramps.

The city, working with the Lake Onota Preservation Association and the Friends of Pontoosuc Lake, will be coordinating the boat-ramp monitoring program, in an effort to prevent the spread of zebra mussels into these water bodies.

Pittsfield is hoping its volunteer inspectors and diligent boaters will keep the tiny terrors at bay.

"Before you launch your boat, kayak or canoe, be sure to do a visual inspection to make certain it doesn't have any hitchhikers," said Pittsfield Harbor Master James McGrath in a press release. "If your boat has been in a zebra mussel-infested water body this season you must make certain that it is properly cleaned and decontaminated before you launch."

Pamphlets are available at City Hall that outline the threat and ways to prevent the spread of the mussel.  

An information and boat-ramp monitor training meeting will be held at City Hall on Monday, July 20, and on Tuesday, July 21, at 5 p.m. in the Council Chambers. For more information, go to Pittsfield.com or call the McGrath at 413-499-9344.
Your Comments
Post Comment
No Comments


Top Stories...
Beacon Cinema Opens in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD - "It is the crown jewel of the revitalization of downtown." — Mayor James M. Ruberto
New Moon Mania Hits Berkshire Mall
LANESBOROUGH - "The first 'Twilight' movie did very well so we were expecting good crowds not only...
The Independent Investor: Mutual Fund Fees: Why Should...
NORTH ADAMS - From the institutional investor's point of view; when you buy in bulk, no matter what...
St. Stan's Vigilkeepers Keep Spirit of Parish Going
ADAMS - "We're here indefinitely." — Laurin Zepka
New Moon Rises for North Adams, Pittsfield Theaters
NORTH ADAMS - That's good news for people looking for the first-run blockbusters that fuel the holiday...


iBerkshires.com Text Ads
www.tsubomassage.com
www.iberkshires.com
Wedding of your Dreams!
Select from our appealing dinner menu - up to three entrée choices. With salad, potato, & vegetable
iberkshires.com
Advertise on iBerkshires.com



Essentials
Berkshire Nightlife
Berkshire Photos
Berkshire Wallpaper
Class Reunion Page
Columnists
Dannyoart.com
Get Lunch Specials
Home & Garden
Movie Times
Obituaries
Randy Trabold
Weddings

Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter

| Home | A & E | Automotive | Business | Community News | Dining | Lodging & Travel |
| Real Estate | Schools | Sports & Outdoors | Berkshires Weather | Berkshires Map |
Advertise | Recommend This Page | Help
Contact Us | Privacy Policy| User Agreement
Execution Time: 565 ms