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Music Video About the '413' Goes Viral

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
This caught our eye this morning on Masslive.com: A story about "Dr. Westchesterson's" hip hop paen to the awesomeness of Western Mass.

Since dropping on YouTube last Friday, the catchy "413" has gone viral with nearly 58,000 hits. 

Dr. Westchesterson claims to have fled Portland, Ore., after dispensing medical marijuana and now spends his time with select patients and working on his music career. He also says he graduated from Agawam High School ("Shake yourself from the senior prom, 'cause I come straight out of Agawam."), which he features in his video along with chillin' at Yankee Candle and shooting hoops at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Also getting shoutouts are Friendly's, the food court at the Holyoke Mall, UMass, Springfield, Dr. Suess and local eateries.

What's missing? Berkshire and Franklin counties, which has caused some griping from fans. On his blog, Dr. Westchesterson promises to remedy that oversight:

  When I read comments on my YouTube channel that certain people in Pittsfield and Greenfield and Holyoke were a little dissapointed that their particular little corners of W. Mass weren't represented in the video - it made me want to do one thing and one thing only.

Make another video that includes even MORE gems and hidden treasures of the 413.  Like the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke.  And the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne.  And the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge.  And the inside of the womens' only dorms at each of the seven sister schools.  ;)

May we also suggest Jack's Hot Dogs in North Adams, Joe's Diner in Lee or the Highland or Teo's in Pittsfield? We've also got lakes, a natural bridge, trains, Norman Rockwell, the Berkshire Museum, Williams College, Tanglewood and the tallest mountain in the state.

"Put your hands in the air for the 413!"


     

Great Barrington Ranked No. 1 In Small Towns

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
Photo via Wikipedia / Anc516
Great Barrington has been named the best small town in the country.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Smithsonian Magazine has ranked Great Barrington as No. 1 in its annual listing on the best small towns in the country.

The magazine characterizes the town as "big-city smart meets New England natural in an art-rich mountain setting." Even with a population of only 6,800 people, the Smithsonian writer raved about the downtown where one can get "anything you want."

But its "cozy" with scenic views. The writer cites the town's "devotion" to farming, historic mansions and art venues. The entire review can be seen here.

Great Barrington beat out runner-up Taos, N.M.,  followed by Red Bank, N.J. The neighboring state to the north popped in at No. 11 with Brattleboro, Vt.
     

ABC Broadcasts Travel Video on Berkshire Winter

Staff Reports
A bit on the wonderfulness of the Berkshires in winter (presumably made by people who don't live here — just kidding! Maybe.) finally ran on the weekend edition of ABC News' "Good Morning America."

The video, "Berkshires: A Beautiful Winter Getaway," was bumped by events in Libya but was broadcast on Sunday after a two-week delay.

The 2 1/2-minute travelogue looks pretty but sounds cold — literally. It features Cranwell, Blantyre and some lovely scenery.
Tags: news, television, winter      

Wag .. or Watch ... the Dog

Nichole Dupont

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Humane Society's new monthly television talk show, "Purr, Wag, Adopt ... with the Berkshire Humane Society" debuted on Tuesday on Pittsfield Community Television.

The 30-minute show, which is scheduled to run on Tuesdays at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m and Wednesdays at 4:30  and 8:30 a.m. on Channel 16 is hosted by Executive Director John Perrault. 

"This is something that we've wanted to do for a long time," Perrault said in a phone interview. "Our hope is that you'll learn something new every time you tune in. We'll be addressing current events issues, basic pet health and behavioral health plus we'll be highlighting animals available for adoption."

Different pet themes such as Adopt-a-Bunny and Prevent-a-Litter will be the focus of each new episode as will individual pets in need of good homes.

"We want to bring more awareness to people about the animal situation and, of course, we'd like to promote more adoptions," Perrault said. "People want to do the right thing with their pets but in this economy many can't afford it. Last year, we served more than 700 families from our food bank. That's not including our satellite locations. We're not going to hide behind this."

Since 1992, the BHS has placed more than 16,000 animals into new homes. While it has had no trouble bringing awareness to the younger generation of school-aged pet owners, Perrault said it is time to reach the "the grown-ups" and the best medium for this is television.

"This is definitely going to reach more adults," he said. "We hope to be able to air the show on CTSB and other local stations as well. We want to stay relevant."

Tags: humane society, PCTV      

Adams Woman Wins $1M on Holiday Card

Mass Lottery
The Massachusetts Lottery posted the winner of the Wonderland Game of Dough on its site on Dec. 13, 2010. If iBerkshires had known there was a winner, she wouldn't have wasted 20 bucks on those holiday scratch tickets.
Winner Lisa Nardin

Lisa I. Nardin of Adams took home $1 million for the holidays when she won a grand prize on the new Wonderland of Dough game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Nardin, who selected the cash option on her prize, received a check for $650,000 before taxes today, Dec. 13,  at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at the Cumberland Farms on Ashland Street in North Adams. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Wonderland of Dough, one of four Holiday-themed games from the Massachusetts State Lottery, features five grand prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 3.1million winning tickets in the game.

Nardin was the second Berkshire County million-winner in past five months. In August, Mark E. Feder struck green in another scratch ticket game, as posted on the Lottery site:

winner Mark Feder

Mark E. Feder of North Adams became the latest instant lottery millionaire when he won a $1 million grand prize in the 10X The Cash game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. The $5 instant game features six grand prizes of $1 million and more than 134,000 prizes from $100 to $10,000.

Feder selected the cash option on his prize and received a check for $650,000 before taxes today, Aug. 11, at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

Feder selected the cash option on his prize and received a check for $650,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

Tags: lottery      
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