Pittsfield: Boats Must Be Certified Clean of Zebra Mussels

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In an effort to prevent the spread of zebra mussels into city lakes, the city of Pittsfield reminds boaters that state certification of boat decontamination will again be required this season.

All boaters launching from any public access boat ramp in Pittsfield, and across Berkshire County, will be required to sign, date, and display the clean boat certification form prior to launching, provided that they have met the criteria for decontamination. If the criteria cannot be met, it is unlawful to launch the boat until it is properly decontaminated.

Boat ramp monitors will be stationed at both Onota and Pontoosuc lakes seven days a week, beginning in mid-May through Labor Day. The monitors will help boaters fill out the certification form and determine if their boats are safe to launch

Per Massachusetts regulations, failure to self-certify is a violation of state law. Violators are subject to a fine and penalties, including towing of their vehicles and trailers. Clean boat certification forms can be found at the kiosk displays at the state boat ramps in Pittsfield. 

For more information, contact 413-499-9344.

Tags: lakes, ponds,   zebra mussels,   

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Simon's Rock Awarded Freedom to Read Grant

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Bard College at Simon's Rock was awarded a Freedom to Read Grant by the Newburger Schwartz Family Foundation. 
 
The grant was awarded to support the Alumni Library and Bard Queer Leadership Project in building a more robust collection of queer scholarship, starting a Queer Book Club, and hosting Drag Story Time events in partnership with Drag Story Hour of the Berkshires.
 
According to a press release:
 
In response to current educational threats with book bans affecting schools and libraries across the country and further proposed legislation against LGBTQ+ people's access to basic rights and education, Simon's Rock is actively seeking to create inclusive and equitable spaces for queer individuals. 
 
The Bard Queer Leadership Project and Alumni Library will utilize the grant funding to expand the library's current collection of queer books in order to fully enable the longevity of the Queer Book Club and the Bard Queer Leadership Project. The Queer Book Club will be an intergenerational space, open to local middle school students through rainbow seniors and will partner with local community organizations, to discuss queer books and learn about LGBTQ+ issues and experiences. Bard Queer Leadership Project students will eventually help lead this initiative as part of their leadership project training. 
 
The Queer Book Club will host their first meeting on April 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the Alumni Library, with following meetings on April 27 and May 11. This semester, the selected books are "Obie is Man Enough" and "He/She/They," both by Schuyler Bailar, inspirational speaker and first openly transgender NCAA Division swimmer, who was a guest speaker in the inaugural Queer Leaders Vision Forum in fall 2023 at Simon's Rock. Schuyler Bailar will return to campus for a book signing and pool party at the Kilpatrick Athletic Center on April 19 at 7:00 p.m. Participants in the Queer Book Club will receive a free copy of either book of their choice. 
 
The first Drag Story Time will be on Saturday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m. at the Simon's Rock Alumni Library and is open to all LGBTQ+ affirming individuals. The event is in partnership with Drag Story Hour of the Berkshires with local drag queens JV and Poppy DaBubbly. The second Drag Story Time will be Saturday, April 27 with drag queen Poppy DaBubbly and drag king Sativo Green.
 
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