PITTSFIELD, Mass. — April break activities kick off at the Berkshire Museum with a full week of indoor playtime plus special performances, screenings, and discussions from Saturday, April 16 through Saturday, April 23.
"The Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Experience" (Monday, April 18) features "Captain Nemo's Adventure Academy" which is created and performed by touring actor David Engel as an homage to the famed captain from Jules Verne's novel. Performances are 11 AM and 1 PM.
Berkshire Museum has been proud to present Voyage to the Deep (in partnership with General Dynamics). Visitors can explore the Nautilus submarine and engage in the interactive exhibit before it "sets sail for the deep blue" May 1.
"David Engel has crafted this performance especially for Berkshire Museum visitors. Seeing this family-friendly show, visiting our Aquarium, and playing in the interactive Voyage to the Deep exhibition will make for a fun-filled, ocean-themed day," Experience Manager Emily Rome said.
Additional April Break events:
Shakespeare Art Talk Saturday
April 23 from 11 AM to 12 PM – In celebration of William Shakespeare's birthday, and led by the Museum's Experience Manager Emily Rome, who holds a master's degree in Shakespeare Studies from the University of Birmingham. Held in the newly renovated second-floor gallery space, "Shakespeare Art Talk" will explore the Shakespeare-connected objects in the Museum' collection, as well as famous paintings inspired by the Bard's plays, by artists including John Everett Millais and John William Waterhouse.
Documentary Screening: "Chasing Coral"
Saturday, April 23, from 2 PM to 4 PM – Chasing Coral a documentary filmed in more than 30 countries, engaging diverse specialists to capture visual proof of what is now acknowledged as the largest global coral bleaching event in history. Environmental science professor Dr. Elena Traister and biology professor Dr. Anne Goodwin, both faculty members of MCLA, will follow the screening with a discussion of our environmental impact on the world's coral reefs.
Tickets to all events can be purchased in person at the front desk of the museum, or through berkshiremuseum.org/events/.
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Biz Briefs: Dream Green Expands, Marie's Closes, Advice for Retiring Docs
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Dream Green Offers Secure Data Destruction
ADAMS, Mass. — Dream Green Recycling is now certified to destroy secure data, opening up possibilities for local municipalities and more to recycle their electronics locally.
Owners Patrick Kennedy and Kyle Danforth said this will help them reach new facilities.
"It allows us to do a lot more, municipalities, government contracts, hospitals, big corporate offices, stuff like that, where they need that badge to do the data destruction and know that, it's done the right way, and it's totally wiped out or destroyed," Danforth said.
The certification took about a year to obtain. Dream Green is one of few facilities in the New England area that has the certification, making it easier for customers to recycle their computer devices locally instead of shipping it outside the county or state.
"With us being able to do it locally reduces the carbon footprint and the emissions. A lot of people are like, 'Oh, we're recycling, but we're shipping it all the way to Rhode Island or New Jersey or out of the state.' And it's like, yeah, you're recycling, but you're really not lowering the carbon footprint because you have that tractor trailer truck or the 18 wheeler that's going over the trail and burning up all those emissions," Danforth said. "So yeah, you're recycling, but in the long scheme of things, you're creating a larger footprint trying to do the right thing,"
The team plans to expand on their certification to include on-site data destruction as well as solid state scrubbing to be able to upcycle the product.
"As we grow, we just listen to what the community lacks and try to fulfill those issues and stuff like that, help solve problems along the way. So this was someone who came to us and said something about how it was hard to do stuff with the E waste, and that's why we diversified in it," Danforth said.
Dream Green is EPA Section 608 certified, which means they are also able to handle refrigerants like refrigerators and air conditioning units.
"Our end goal is we want to be the facility like your scrap yard or your transfer station, where we are the one stop shop for recycling," Danforth said.
Kennedy agreed, "our job is to divert as much material from a landfill as possible. We try to divert as much trash from going to a landfill as possible. That's our main objective of Dream Green Recycling."
Dream Green Recycling opened in late 2023 and provides local drop-off and pickup from its locations at 15 Print Works Drive, Adams, and Downing Industrial Park in Pittsfield. It recycles mattresses, tires, televisions and more.
Marie's Closes on North Street
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Marie's North Street Eatery and Gallery closed its doors for the last time Friday, Feb. 27.
Co-owners Neil Davis and Ashley Marie announced their closure on the Facebook on the following Sunday.
"Bringing Marie's to life every day brought us incredible joy, from renovating the space, to opening a gallery, and of course, to preparing wholesome and tasty food for you, which is what we did best. We truly thank you so much for being a part of it."
The gallery held its ribbon-cutting two years ago at its space at 148 North St. The eatery and gallery had grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items.
The two had opened their eatery in the former Maria’s European Delights, paying homage to her through their name and certain menu items.
Financial Planner Specializes in Health-Care Professionals
WYNANTSKILL, N.Y. — Nate Tomkiewicz, a certified financial planner, specializes in providing fiduciary investment management and comprehensive financial planning, with a primary focus on health-care professionals within 10 years of retirement.
Established in May 2025, Tomkiewicz Wealth Management is a registered investment advisory firm.
"I founded Tomkiewicz Wealth Management to cut through the noise and provide the kind of specific, high-level guidance that health-care professionals deserve," said Tomkiewicz. "These are people who spend their careers — their lives — caring for others. My goal is to care for their financial future, ensuring they can transition from a high-stress career to a comfortable retirement."
After nearly a decade working in the financial services industry, Tomkiewicz founded his own firm to offer personalized, client-first experience. Tomkiewicz Wealth Management was built to address the unique complexities faced by doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who often juggle demanding careers with intricate benefit packages, including 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, he said.
The firm operates as a fee-only fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in the client's best interest at all times. These services include strategies for retirement income, investment management, benefit optimization, tax planning, and planning for health-care costs.
Tomkiewicz Wealth Management serves clients in New York's Capital Region, Berkshire County, and virtually across the country.
For more information visit tomkiewiczwm.com or call 518-219-7323.
The administration will present a draft fiscal year 2027 budget on March 11, and has been focused on equitably distributing resources based on need while bridging a $4 million funding gap without layoffs.
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The Select Board and Finance Committee last week began a detailed look at the needs for the fiscal 2027 budget from the Police, Fire and Library departments.
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The Community and Economic Development subcommittee supports a 10-year tax increment financing agreement for Allegrone Companies' renovation of the former Berkshire County Savings Bank block. click for more