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Berkshires Beat: Humane Society Hosts Annual Humane Race
BHS Humane Heroes will volunteer at the event, hosting a canine snack station with homemade pupsicles and doggy ice cream. The Humane Hero program teaches children about animals and organizes group volunteer activities at the shelter and shelter events.
North Adams Happenings: April 17-23
Brought to you by:the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Biz Briefs: Couple Returns to Berkshires to Buy Catherine's Chocolates
Catherine's Chocolate owner Kathy Sinico is retiring after more than 40 years of hand crafting chocolates from the same location on Route 7 in Great Barrington. The chocolatier has been a pillar of the South Berkshires, well known for its homey atmosphere and the scent of chocolate. Patrons return year after year for life celebrations in which Catherine’s Chocolate are an essential tradition.
Holiday Hours: Patriots Day
Monday, April 15, is Patriots Day, a state holiday marking the anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord that began the American Revolution. The day is celebrated on the third Monday in April.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: April 12-18
Baby Animals Fest kicks off on Saturday at Hancock Shaker Village and runs through May 5. It's your chance to visit with the farm's piglets, lambs, calves, chicks and kids! Plus, enjoy special events throughout festival, like pony rides, face painting, games, music and more. This Saturday, the Village will hold a non-denominational Blessing of the Animals at 10:30 a.m.
Easter Events in the Berkshires
Hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way ... and so are lots of fun family events in the Berkshires. If you have one you want included on this list, just email us at info@iberkshires.com.
North Adams Happenings: April 10-16
Brought to you by:the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Preschool, Kindergarten Registrations Scheduled Around County
All students, regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness, have equal access to the general education program and the full range of any occupational, vocational programs offered by public school districts.
Berkshires Beat: Berkshire Grown Hosts Spring Supper
This year's event is at the Country Club of Pittsfield and benefits Berkshire Grown and its win-win project, Share the Bounty.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: April 5-11
Enjoy 14 different art shows featuring work by more than two dozen accomplished regional and student artists in Pittsfield's bustling Upstreet Cultural District during the First Friday Artswalk, and all month long
MassDOT Announces Enhanced Teen Driver Initiative
The Parent's Supervised Driving Program is used in more than 24 states nationwide and focuses on the critical role that parents play in the teen driver education process.
Biz Briefs: Wild Oats Launches New Catering Website
Wild Oats has been offering catering services for over ten years in their Main Street location, which includes a full-service kitchen and bakery. The ingredients are organic, in-season and locally sourced whenever possible and they use humanely raised, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat and sustainable seafood.
North Adams Happenings: April 3-9
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. to Present Blue Art Show in Honor of Autism Awareness Month
An opening reception for Blue Art Show will be held on Friday, April 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. during First Fridays Artswalk, and the show will remain on view through April 26.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: March 29-April 4
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts will host a FREE event with a panel of local artists who will speak about their experiences as artists in the Berkshires and beyond. They'll answer questions about navigating the arts scene, networking in the artist community, marketing, how to prepare for an exhibition and more.
Biz Briefs: North Adams Restaurants to 'Go Green' for the Month of April
The goal of "Go Green Month" is to reduce waste and practice behavior changes that are more environmentally friendly, with hopes that these changes will have a lasting impact on both the restaurants and the city.
North Adams Happenings: March 27-April 2
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: Corpse Flower in Bloom at Darrow School
The flower gets its name from its distinctive odor, which many liken to the smell of rotting meat.
North Adams Residents Invited to Meet Police Chief Finalists
Following a national search and preliminary screening of candidates, a police chief search committee convened by the mayor extended invitations to three candidates to interview for the police chief position.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: March 22-28
Berkshire Art Association will honor and celebrate Marty Rentz, an extraordinary volunteer leader of BAA and many other cultural initiatives in the Berkshires. The evening begins with a community reception at The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 5 p.m. FREE. Donations accepted.
Berkshire Beat: Herberg Team Wins 20th Annual Berkshire Robotics Challenge
The competition involved 16 Berkshire County teams comprising more than 130 students ages 8 to 14 using programmable robots built from LEGO kits to complete a variety of hypothetical missions that focused on space-themed missions – such as growing food in space, fighting muscle atrophy in orbit, and collecting samples – on a table-top "playing field."
Biz Briefs: Stop & Shop Workers Still Without Contract
UFCW Local 1459, representing about 2,000 workers in the Berkshires and Western Mass, voted a week ago to authorize a strike if the contract talks continue to bog down. Local 1459's vote is in accord with four other UFCW locals that together represent some 30,000 workers in the grocery chain's New England stores.
Hinds Sets Community Outreach Events for March
The senator's staff will be available to meet with constituents in the communities of Plainfield and Alford for this month's staff office hours on Wednesday, March 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: March 15-21
Known across the globe as "the ultimate-feel good show," The Choir of Man offers up 90 minutes of indisputable joy.
North Adams Happenings: March 13-19
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
March 16-17 is Maple Weekend in Massachusetts
To celebrate the state’s earliest and sweetest crop, more than 40 sugarhouses are highlighting this wonderful food. A list of participating sugarhouses are available on the website.
Turn Your Clock, Test Your Smoke Alarm
This weekend is also a good time for everyone to take lifesaving steps to help prepare households for home fires, the nation's most frequent disaster.
North Adams Happenings: March 6-12
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: March 8-14
Join ZipStohr for a night of comedy at The Crowne Plaza and part of the proceeds will benefit Berkshire Humane Society!
Biz Briefs: Dinner Raises Money to Support WTBR in Pittsfield
The money will be used to help with the costs of moving the station from Taconic High School to the PCTV studios, and rebuilding the studio and transmitter facilities.
Berkshires Beat: SVMC Kicks Off Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness Month
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States. Americans of average risk and age 50 and older should be screened every 10 years.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: March 1-7
Enjoy 14 different art shows featuring work by more than two dozen accomplished regional and student artists in Pittsfield's bustling Upstreet Cultural District during the First Friday Artswalk.
Biz Briefs: Tunnel City Coffee Hosts Art Show
Tunnel City Coffee in Mass MoCA hosts artists Sarah Sutro and Dorothea Osborn for a winter show of ink drawings and large scale paintings through March.
Norman Rockwell Museum Presents 'The Art and Wit of Rube Goldberg'
On view at the museum from March 2 through June 9, the exhibit will offer a revealing look at Goldberg's creativity through original comic strips from the 1930s, where the artist created his complicated machines, as well as later political cartoons and instructional materials from the Famous Artists School, which are now part of the permanent collection of Norman Rockwell Museum.
March is Red Cross Month
The Massachusetts Region asks people to be a hero for families in the Commonwealth by becoming a volunteer, learning lifesaving skills, giving blood or donating to #help1family on Red Cross Giving Day, March 27.
North Adams Happenings: Feb. 27-March 5
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: Williams College Highlights Sustainability with New Interactive Map, Audio Tour
Over the course of the fall 2018 semester, Williams senior Korinna Garfield and alumna Caroline Bruno, sustainability coordinator at the college's Zilkha Center, incorporated sustainability features into the new map to help raise visibility about how sustainability is integrated into the Williams College campus.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Feb. 22-28
The 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival runs until Sunday, Feb. 24 and features music, art, theater, dance and more. There is something for the entire family, from Barrington Stage's 10x10 New Play Festival and live jazz at The Whitney, to 10 Days of Play at the Berkshire Museum and a fireworks extravaganza on the Pittsfield Common.
Berkshires Beat: CATA Artists 'Making Waves' at Good Purpose Gallery
The exhibit opens Feb. 27 and features paintings by CATA artists who use the innovative Artistic Realization Technologies (A.R.T.) technique to create their work.
Biz Briefs: Two Former Prosecutors Open Local Law Firm
The law firm was founded on Feb. 4, 2019, by Gregory M. Barry and Robert W. Kinzer, two former assistant district attorneys in the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.
North Adams Happenings: Feb. 20-26
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Holiday Hours: Presidents Day
Washington's Birthday will be celebrated on Monday, Feb. 18.
North Adams Happenings: Feb. 13-19
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: Rockwell Museum, Collective Arts Brewing Host Student Art Contest
Eight winning entries — selected by a jury of representatives from Collective Arts Brewing, Norman Rockwell Museum and contemporary illustrators — will be showcased on a Collective Arts Brewing can series, distributed across North America.
10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival Celebrates Eighth Anniversary
Organized by the City of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development and Barrington Stage Company, the festival features 62 events in 14 different venues, highlighting dozens of artists, actors, musicians, playwrights and performers.
Edgerton, Jackson Receive 'Black Excellence on the Hill' Award
Ty Allan Jackson, local author, literacy advocate, publisher and motivational speaker, and Shirley Edgerton, founder and director of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment Program, director of Youth Alive and cultural proficiency coach for the Pittsfield Public Schools, were honored by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.
North Adams Happenings: Feb. 6-12
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Feb. 8-14
The 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival takes place Thursday, Feb. 14 - Sunday, Feb. 24 and features music, art, theater, dance, film and more. There is something for the entire family, from Barrington Stage's 10x10 New Play Festival and live jazz at The Whitney, to 10 Days of Play at the Berkshire Museum and a fireworks extravaganza on the Pittsfield Common.
Biz Briefs: SVHC Named One of Vermont's Best Places to Work Again
SVHC received the honor for the first time in 2015. It remains the only hospital in the state of Vermont to be recognized by the awards program
Spring 2019 ArtWeek Applications Now Available
In the Berkshires, the Downtown Great Barrington Cultural District, North Adams Cultural District, Cultural Pittsfield's Upstreet Cultural District, the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, as well as Art Lenox and the Lenox Chamber of Commerce have all signed on as Community Partners. 1Berkshire and Berkshire Young Professionals are serving as Regional Collaborators in Western Massachusetts.
Berkshires Beat: Williams College to Host 'Equity Drafting Table'
The EDT provides visitors an opportunity to engage with thought-provoking questions on topics of privilege and sustainable communities.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Feb. 1-7
Enjoy 11 different art shows featuring work by more than a dozen accomplished regional artists in Pittsfield's bustling Upstreet Cultural District during the First Friday Artswalk, and all month long!
Biz Briefs: Big Y Bag Program Now Benefitting Hillcrest Educational Centers, BCARC
The Big Y Community Bag and Giving Tag Program, which launched in January 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work.
North Adams Happenings: Jan. 29-Feb. 5
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: North Adams Winterfest Seeking Participants
The office seeks more restaurants, businesses, organizations or individuals to participate in the chowder cook-off, sponsor blocks of ice, and compete in the ice sculpture competition and Bright Ideas Brewing Homebrew Competition.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Jan. 25-31
The Four Freedoms Coalition's 3rd annual gathering, Celebrating Freedom: Democracy in Action, will take place on Sunday, Jan. 27 from 1-3 p.m. at Berkshire Community College.
Biz Briefs: Berkshire Gas, Avangrid Foundation Supports Girls Inc. STEM Program
Eureka! brings girls in the Berkshires a unique opportunity to explore STEM-related subjects through intensive, hands-on programming over five years.
North Adams Happenings: Jan. 23-29
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: Clark Art Institute Launches Free Snowshoe Program
Project Snowshoe provides visitors with the chance to borrow a pair of snowshoes from the Clark to trek the 140-acre campus during snow season.
SNAP Clients to Receive February Benefits Early
Clients are encouraged to budget this early February payment accordingly, as future benefits may not be reloaded until after the partial government shutdown comes to an end.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Jan. 18-24
On Sunday from 3-6 p.m. at Second Congregational Church, join Multicultural Bridge and the Berkshire County NAACP for Dreaming Beyond Borders, the annual community celebration of the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The speaker will be the Rev. Da Vita D. McCallister, Lead Pastor of First Church in Somerville, Mass.
Biz Briefs: Balance Rock Investment Group Celebrates 20 Years With Move
Balance Rock Investment Group closed out 2018 with after celebrating the firm's 20th anniversary and move to its new office space on South Street in Pittsfield.
North Adams Happenings: Jan. 16-22
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: Mt. Everett Students Join Dance Exchange Program in India
In addition to the participants learning classical and Bollywood-style dance, Keswick students taught traditional crafts, language, games and other cultural traditions unique to India.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Jan. 11-17
This event will present input gathered from the Westside community over the past six months as to what they would like to see at the new park, and seeks additional feedback and input.
Easy New Year's Resolutions For Your Health
For many of us, the path to good health is not an easy one. Procrastination, family obligations, work demands and lack of time and energy are just a few reasons that can halt best intentions in their tracks.
North Adams Happenings: Jan. 9-15
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: Winners of the Pittsfield Photo Challenge Announced
His photo, titled "Tropical Pittsfield," has won him a prize package donated by local downtown businesses, and his photo will be featured in Pittsfield's 2019 Downtown Guide and a Downtown Pittsfield Inc. social marketing campaign.
Watercooler: Company Donates Quilts to Hospital
The quilts were made with around 60 yards of donated fabric coming from donors from as far away as Minneapolis.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Jan. 4-10
Meet professional fitness trainers, health experts, and health and sports club representatives. Plus: blood pressure and testing, workshops, food and drink samples, and more!
North Adams Happenings: Jan. 2-8
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: 'CHEST' Program Elevates Environmental Services Team at Fairview Hospital
The CHEST Program content consisted of seven domains: Cleaning and Disinfection, Waste Handling, Floor Care, Linen Handling, Infection Prevention, Safety, and Communication. Fairview Hospital is the only rural hospital in Massachusetts that completed the staff development program.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Dec. 28-Jan. 3
Rock On! presents A Rocking Mid-Holiday Show at The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Performers include Cazmeris Polidoro, Grace Ida Marks, Christine Bile, Robin O'Herin and Immune Friction. $3 at the door.
Lee Police Chief Named First Fourth Berkshire Unsung Hero
The award was launched by Rep. Smitty Pignatelli in December 2018. It aims to recognize people, groups, and organizations who have positively contributed to the Berkshire community.
North Adams Happenings: Dec. 26-Jan. 1
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Watercooler: Allium to Close After 12 Years in Great Barrington
After nearly 12 years in the Berkshires, Allium Restaurant + Bar will be closing its doors on Jan. 1.
Holiday Hours: Christmas & New Year's
Businesses, schools and government offices will be taking breaks over the next week as the nation celebrates Christmas and New Year's.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Dec. 21-27
Samantha Talora and Ron Ramsay bring you Christmas is Here! The duo will be joined by Eileen Markland on violin and Michael Gillespie on saxophone, clarinet, flute, guitar and foot tambourine to bring you an evening of holiday songs.
North Adams Happenings: Dec. 19-25
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: Lenox Sixth-Grader Wins Hinds' Holiday Card Contest
In total, 348 students from a dozen schools located across western Massachusetts submitted entries to the contest.
North Adams Happenings: Dec. 12-18
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: SVHC Celebrates Putnam Nursing School Alumni
The event marked the 70th anniversary of the first graduating class of the school. Throughout its 50-year tenure, the school graduated more than 800 nurses.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Dec. 7-13
Enjoy 16 different art shows featuring work by more than three dozen accomplished regional artists in Pittsfield's bustling Upstreet Cultural District during the First Friday Artswalk, and all month long! In most venues, artists will be present from 5-8 p.m. A free guided tour begins at 5 p.m. at the Intermodal Center @ BRTA, 1 Columbus Ave.
North Adams Happenings: Dec. 5-11
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Nov. 30-Dec. 6
Also, stop by Hancock Shaker Village, whose gift shop is filled to the brim with new merchandise for the season.
North Adams Happenings: Nov. 28-Dec. 4
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: Berkshire Humane Society Offering '100 Cats for Christmas' Program
Appointments will be scheduled during the month of December. All cats and kittens will be dropped off at predesignated locations to be announced.
Biz Briefs: Pine Cobble School, Northshire Bookstore to Host Book Fair
Books will be sorted into categories, with selections for very young children, picture books, early chapter books, middle grade books, young adult, adult fiction, and a few specialty books. All will be gift-worthy. Twenty percent of all proceeds will go to Pine Cobble's library.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Nov. 23-29
Support your local small business owners on Saturday, November 24 and be part of a national effort to highlight these shops each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Look for special deals throughout Downtown Pittsfield and get a jump on your holiday shopping list!
Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving will be observed on Thursday, Nov. 22.
Berkshires Beat: CATA's North Adams Exhibit Features A.R.T. Technique
The paintings will be accompanied by an installation of three-dimensional, hanging "CATApillars," which were constructed by Berkshire county students with disabilities.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Nov. 16-22
Be among the first to see this year's chart-topping Festival of Trees, Often Heard, featuring more than 100 dazzling, decorated holiday trees, each depicting a popular song. Join your friends and neighbors to discover the song behind every tree, savor delicious appetizers and drinks, and enjoy exciting surprises.
Great American Smokeout Set For Nov. 15
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, accounting for 29 percent of all cancer deaths. In fact, smoking cigarettes kills more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, HIV, guns and illegal drugs combined.
North Adams Happenings: Nov. 14-20
Brought to you by: MCLA's Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and the North Adams Office of Tourism & Community Events
Berkshires Beat: Vessels for Change Returns to Aid Immigrant Center
For a $100 donation to the Berkshire Immigrant Center, donors receive a one-of-a-kind handmade mug, locally brewed beer, and a celebration.
Biz Briefs: Big Y Helps Fund Books for North Adams, Pittsfield Elementary Schools
The six elementary schools benefiting from this generous donation included Silvio O. Conte Community School, Morningside Community School and Crosby Elementary in Pittsfield and Brayton Elementary, Greylock Elementary and Colegrove Park Elementary in North Adams.
Holiday Hours: Veterans Day
Veterans Day falls on Sunday, Nov. 11, but will be observed on Monday, Nov. 12, as a state and federal holiday.
Cultural Pittsfield This Week: Nov. 9-16
The City of Pittsfield's annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11.
