Alchemy Initiative to Hold Fashion Show, Clothes Swap for Earth Day

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PITTSFIELD, MASS. — In celebration of Earth Day (April 22), the organization Alchemy Initiative is planning a fashion show/dance party and clothes swap for the weekend of April 23.

The two events are the culmination of a county-wide clothing drive the Initiative has held during the past month. Co-founder Crispina ffrench estimated nearly 800 pounds of clothes, shoes and accessories have already been donated. Many local clothing businesses will be donating as well, including Vlada’s and TP Saddleblanket. "Some real treasures have been donated- including a stunning Vera dress. We have been holding back items like this as part of the exclusive Earth Day collection," said ffrench.

On Friday, April 23, at 7 p.m., the donated clothes will be given a new life in a fashion show/dance party. The following day, from 1 to 4 p.m., all clothes will be on sale at the clothes swap. Both events will take place at Alchemy Initiative, 40 Melville St.

Local personalities and fashionistas will model the exclusive Earth Day collection at the fashion show. Shaun Delaney aka DJ Alan Wrench has prepared a musical line-up for the models and then will be spinning live for all for the after-fashion-show-dance-party. "High-fashion hors d’oeuvres" and cocktails have been donated by local restaurants including Bake Me Pretty, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, and The Dream Away Lodge. Admission is $15.

Clothes will not be sold until Saturday, but raffle tickets to the "Bin Binge" will give five winners the opportunity to leave the fashion show with first dibs. Bin Binge winners get to spend two minutes diving through the bins and perusing through the racks for three pounds of clothes.

Admission for the clothes swap on Saturday, April 24 is $2, and clothes cost $5 per pound.

For more information, contact Jessica Conzo at Alchemy.Initiative@gmail.com or 413-236-9600. 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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