The Berkshires and surrounding areas will have various events this weekend, including anniversary celebrations, a spring fling, a comedy festival, and more. Memorial Day times and events here.
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25th Anniversary Community Celebration
Mass MoCA, North Adams
Time: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The contemporary art museum will celebrates its 25th anniversary with free admission, featuring live performances and family activities. More information here.
During the celebration, get to know the current artists-in-residence during the Open Studios event in Building 13 and Building 34.
37th Annual Mayfest
Downtown, Bennington, Vt.
Time: 10 to 5
Better Bennington Corp. hosts the annual arts and crafts festival. More than 75 vendors and artisans, live performances and shows for kids, food trucks and deals from downtown merchants and restaurants. Free parking and admission.
The Hilltown Hoedown presents a spring fling in memory of Blaze Fusini, featuring rides, games, truck pulls, burnouts, raffles, and more at the agricultural fairgrounds on Old Columbia Street.
The 48th annual fair features sheep, woolcraft, vendors, exhibitions and demonstrations, workshops, wagon rides, petting barn and judging. Refreshments available. Free admission; parking $10 to $15. No pets.
The Comedy Festival will run over three days of the Memorial Day Weekend, with performances on each of Barrington Stage Company's three stages.
Each show lasts approximately 90 minutes and features four to six comedians, a diverse roster of comic talent from New England, the New York tri-state area, and beyond.
The event is in an effort to promote live stand-up comedy, support, and work with local theater venues, and give comedians exposure and the opportunity to perform for new audiences.
The 15th annual Robin Hood's Medieval Faire is kicking off this weekend and will feature music, food, an artisan market, shows of valor of knights in jousting tournaments, and interactive activities, such as archery, sword fighting, and other medieval arts. More information here.
Friday
Drag Story Hour Berkshires
34 Depot Street, Pittsfield
Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
There will be a story hour, a craft session, and a pizza party.
Poppy Da Bubbly will kick off the event with storytelling designed to promote inclusivity, diversity, and the joy of reading. Following the event there will be a creative craft session and pizza party.
Donations are accepted at the door to help cover the cost of craft supplies, food, and to help raise funds for Wander's space launch.
There will be 30 minutes of crafts, followed by a showing of the 1961 animated Disney film "101 Dalmatians."
Snacks and juice boxes will be provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcomed.
Willi Carlisle Performance
The Adams Theater
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Folk singer Willi Carlisle will perform songs from his latest album, "Critterland." Tickets range from $26.99 to $50. More information here.
Let It Shine Mural Unveiling
Berkshire Family YMCA, Pittsfield
Time: 4 p.m.
The most recent mural addition to downtown Pittsfield will be unveiled. The project culminates in a photographic mural on four large panels which include playful portraits of 173 students from Morningside Elementary School.
The party includes foods, a musical performance from Sample the Cat and DJs, arts and crafts, face painting, kayaking, raffles, Whiffle Ball and cornhole tournaments, and more.
The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. There will also be a re-enactment of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, which was made up of African Americans who were active during the American Civil War.
For more information, contact Tony Jackson at horacetee@aol.com or Marvin Purry
Music and reading of submitted haikus and illustrations to celebrate the river. Sponsored by the Hoosic River Watershed Association. More information here.
Hoosick Townwide Garage Sale
Throughout town
Time 8 to 3
Look for the signs for garage and tag sales in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., on Saturday.
Mount Greylock Road to Summit Reopens
Mount Greylock, Adams
Time: 10 a.m.
The roads to the summit of the 3,489-foot mountain, which is the highest point in Massachusetts, finally open for the season. Explore the mountain and enjoy lunch at Bascom Lodge. Berkshire Pathways is offering transportation with deposit; limiting seating so stop at the clubhouse at 199B South St., Pittsfield.
Perennials, herbs, and houseplants will be for sale. More information here.
Giveback Gala
The Country Club of Pittsfield
Time: 5 p.m.
Pediatric cancer nonprofit Strong Little Souls will have a fundraising gala to raise $50,000 for Strong Little Souls through ticket sales and a silent auction.
The fundraiser commemorates Berkshire Dream Home's 10-year milestone. Berkshire Dream Home is committed to serving the community. Every year, it donates $10,000 to local charities and engages in hands-on volunteer work.
Individual tickets for the gala are $175 each or $1,500 for a table of ten. More information here.
Kollin Kozlowski Performance
Balderdash Cellars, Pittsfield
Time: 5 p.m.
Solo acoustic performer Kollin Kozlowski will play a wide mix of rock, country, and original songs. Information here.
Sunday
Music of Mancini
The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
Time: 2 p.m.
Jukebox Saturday Night will perform works by Italian-American composer and conductor Henry Mancini. Tickets cost $45. More information here.
Farmers Markets
Lee Farmers Market
The Town Park in front of First Congregational Church
Time: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Lee Farmers Market kicks off this weekend, bringing back locally grown produce, prepared foods, locally created arts and crafts, and herbal products.
The market accepts SNAP, HIP, Senior Coupons, and WIC Coupons and also offers Market Match.
The market will kick off this weekend and will feature healthy food and products from a variety of local vendors in an attempt to nourish the community by protecting "local small farms, land, bees, and economy."
This market will also feature an exhibit by photographer Dylan W. Kubis. Kubis coined the term "Berkshiregraphs" to represent the photos he has taken of the Berkshires. The prints will be available for purchase.
The south side of Main Street from American Legion Drive will be closed to make room for the city's weekly farmers market, which will kick off this Saturday. Explore downtown North Adams and discover local businesses and fresh produce from local farms. Annual Seedling Swap is being held during the market; bring extras to swap or just take some home. More information here.
Williamstown Farmers Market
Spring Street
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Williamstown Market is launching this weekend. The market focuses on a wide range of local food and artisan vendors, as well as local services and music. More information here.
Outdoor Pittsfield Farmers Market
Pittsfield Common
Time: 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Roots Rising, the region's first teen-run market, will hold an indoor farmers market this Saturday. The event will feature live music, chef demos, workshops, children's activities, and more. More information is available here.
Great Barrington Farmers Market
18 Church St.
Time: Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The market is open every Saturday. Every week, locally grown food, flowers, and plants will be available, along with other local vendors. The market accepts and offers doubling SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior market coupons. More information is here.
New Marlborough Farmers Market
Village Green
Time: Sunday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The market has local vendors that offer a variety of goods from produce, eggs, baked goods, jams, hand-knit items, maple syrup, and more. More information here.
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A local developer and property management company has agreed to pay $40,000 to settle fair housing complaints on its properties.
Moresi Commercial Investments LLC and Moresi & Associates Property Management LLC, owned by David Moresi, were alleged to have discriminated against families with children in renting out apartments at 262-268 Ashland St. and 16 and 20 Blackinton St.
The allegations are that the apartments were being advertised as "student housing" and that inquiries from "testers" stating they had children were referred to other apartment listings. Fair housing laws prohibits discrimination, including refusing to rent to families with children or to students.
Moresi has denied the allegations but agreed, according to the agreement, to "enter in this assurance in order to resolve this matter without further costly and time-consuming litigation." The company also agreed to adopt a non-discrimination policy, have employees attend trainings on fair housing rules and to inspect for and abate any lead hazards.
The Ashland Street property was sold last October and the Blackinton buildings last August.
All of the buildings are located in the neighborhood of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, which has historically catered to students. That's changed somewhat in recent years, particularly with the well-known Boardman building being converted into recovery housing. An editorial in the college's Beacon newspaper last year lamented the lack of affordable off-campus housing for students and noted Moresi's apartments were no longer available.
The investigation in Moresi's rentals dates to 2018, when the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center conducted three tests. The first tester inquired about a three-bedroom apartment for themselves and roommates and the second for a couple with a 3-year-old child. The second was told the apartment would not be suitable because of college students on the property and was directed to units in Adams and Williamstown.
The City Council on Tuesday accepted two sections of state law that will allow the Commission on Disabilities to apply for grants and use handicapped-parking fees. click for more