Williamstown - A rally for action on climate change will be held on Sat., April 14 from noon to 2 p.m., on the front steps of First Congregational Church in Williamstown.
This event is part of a Step It Up national day of action, organized by climate change scholar and activist Bill McKibben. Local events will be held in iconic places such as levees in New Orleans, melting glaciers on Mt. Rainier, underwater on Key West's endangered coral reefs, and in town on the steps of a New England church.
Over 1,100 events like these will send the message “Step it
up Congress, cut carbon 80% by 2050". At least six of these events are scheduled to be held in Berkshire County.
According to event orgainizers, climate change is a moral issue as the world is faced with human-initiated changes that will harm millions, especially the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.
Rev. Carrie Bail, Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser, and Chaplain Rick Spalding will speak during the Williamstown event. Additional speakers include state Sen. Ben Downing D-Pittsfield, Jiminy Peak CEO
Brian Fairbank, town Selectwoman Jane Allen, Mount Greylock Regional High School senior Rachel Payne, Tufts University Professor Bill Moomaw, and Chuck MacNeil from the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority.
The church façade will be used to host a graph illustration of the dramatic spike in carbon emissions in the last hundred years— with the final point extending 60 feet to the church’s steeple.
The event will feature music by student performers from Williams College and Mount Greylock Regional High School, and opportunities for people to take action to reduce climate change.
Actions include the purchase of compact fluorescent light bulbs, signing up for green energy, an opportunity to pledge to reduce
carbon emissions, and signing up to participate with climate change study groups sponsored by the Northwest Earth Institute. The meetings will begin during the final week of this month and will cover a four-week span.
The Water Street Books retail store will host a book table to sell books about climate change and other relevent topics.
Food will be sold by a Spring Street business, Ephorium.
People are encouraged to bike, carpool, or take the bus to the event.
The BRTA has agreed to provide round-trip free bus service will be available from North Adams to and from the rally.
You may contact First Congregational Church in North Adams at 663-9940 to arrange for passes for yourself or your organization.
Rally parking will be permitted at the lower Stetson lot at Williams College or at the Williamstown Elementary School lot. Those who park in those locations are encouraged to walk the remaining distnce to the rally.
In case of rain, the event will take place inside the church.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Companion Corner: Lucy at Second Chance Animal Shelter
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
ARLINGTON, Vt. — There is an excited and energetic pup looking for her new family.
iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.
Lucy is an 18-month-old heeler/terrier mix with energy to spare. She has been at the Second Chance Animal Shelter for about a month.
Lead canine care technician Alaura Lasher introduced us to her.
"She is a very energetic girl. She loves to play, and as you can see, she came to us from animal control," she said.
Lucy was not in a great situation before coming to the shelter and they are still trying to learn more about her.
"They had seized her from a pretty neglectful situation. She was actually technically abandoned. She just came to us this last month, so she's still showing us all of her energy she has," Lasher said.
Lucy is able to go home with a dog-savvy cat and older children as she can be a bit jumpy with her bounds of energy.
"The perfect home for her is one that is able to give her a ton of attention and a ton of time playing, she loves her time outside," said Lasher. "She can run forever and not get tired. She can possibly live with another dog who is used to more of a pushy play style. She can be a little pushy when she plays, just because she's so hyper."
Since she is young, she is still learning and training with the staff and might need more with someone who takes her home.
"To the best of our knowledge, she's just a healthy young girl, because she's only a year and a half old, she still got a little bit of learning and training that she could use."
But Lucy is always happy to see anyone and immediately wants to play and say hi. Her endless energy makes her a great companion to play outside with and then hang out after a long day of fun.
"She's just a super sweet girl again. She'll need some help with the training, but as long as you've got time to burn out her energy, she'll make a great family dog," she said.
If you think Lucy might be the girl for you, reach out to Second Chance Animal Shelter and learn more about her on their website.
The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.
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Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
