There will be plenty of events in the Berkshires this weekend including a holiday lights parade, live music, train rides, and more.
Editor's Pick
Adams Holiday Lights Parade
3 Columbia St, Adams
Time: 6 p.m.
The Adams Alert Hose Company/ Fire Department, Adams Forest Wardens Northern Berkshire EMS and the Adams Police Department will escort Santa around town for one last tour before the big night.
Santa has challenged each department to see who has the best decorated vehicle. Route information here.
Friday
Otan Vargas Performance
Knox Trail Inn, Otis
Time: 7 p.m.
Otan will share a message about overcoming darkness through his music, which reflects themes of struggle, sorrow, and resilience. More information here.
Holiday Party
Dotties Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
There will be a performance by Code Blue Duo. The event will also feature giveaways, including gift certificates, Dottie's sweatshirts, and one-month subscriptions for free coffee/espresso drinks.
The dinner menu is available for $20. More information here.
Ugly Sweater Contest
Antimony Brewing, Lenox
Time: 7 p.m.
To celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day, the brewery is inviting patrons to wear their best ugly sweaters for a chance to win prizes, including gift cards, collector mugs, T-shirts, and more.
Try some of the brewery's new releases, such as Peach Vanilla Ionic Sour IPA and Slipper Rock Imperial Stout while listening to live music by Pug & John.
Sing your heart out to your favorite tunes and have a drink. More information here.
Saturday
The Mrs. Claus Cookie Express
Hoosac Valley Train Rides, Adams
Time: 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Take a scenic ride on a train with the family. Each passenger will receive cookies from Mrs. Claus. Tickets range from $4 to $29. Space is limited. More information here.
Lee Bell Choir
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield
Time: 2 p.m.
The Lee First Congregational Bell Choir will be performing in the Crane Room among the museum's Festival of Trees. More information here.
Winter Solstice: Restore & Renew
Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness, Pittsfield
Time: 10:15 a.m.
A winter solstice yoga experience with Nora Fenner will be offered both in-studio and online.
The class is designed to help release tension, clear away stress, and fully embrace the season of rest and renewal using gentle poses, soothing sounds of healing instruments, and a focus on self-care.
Tickets are $30 per person and all passes and memberships are accepted. Pre-registration required. More information here.
Roxie's Howliday Market
Roxie's Barkery, North Adams
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.n.
Shop from three small businesses to get stocking stuffers for your pups or friends who share in your love of dogs. The local pet supply store will open its doors to two other small businesses, GoodLife Sweets and Treats and Clay and Oak.
The Shire Cottage will be selling a range of treats including macarons, cookie gift packs, whoopie pies, cinnamon rolls, and more. There will also be coffee from Tunnel City, hot chocolate, and a range of lattes, including espresso, peppermint mocha, gingerbread, peppermint, raspberry chai, and vanilla chai.
Santa will stop by at 10 a.m. More information here.
Winter Farmers Market
GreylockWorks, North Adams
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Berkshire Grown's winter farmers' market offers locally-grown food, including fresh greens, winter squash, root crops, apples, meat, cheese, jam, honey and maple syrup, baked goods, and more. Local artisan crafters round out the market offerings, and each market features live music.
SNAP users receive a Market Match of up to $30 per market, and each market includes vendors with HIP-eligible products.
Skate at the clubs ice skating rank. Tickets are cash only and cost $5 for members and $10 for non-members and adults
Skate Rentals are free. Space is limited. More information here.
Grinch Brunch
American Legion Post 160, Adams
Time: 8 a.m. to noon
Meet the Grinch, wear festive holiday attire and have brunch to fundraise for the Top Tier Elite all-star cheerleading teams. Tickets are $15. More information here.
Multiple Days
A Christmas Carol
The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge
Time: Dec. 18 through 22
Watch live on stage the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, the infamous miser who is shown the error of his ways and reformed by four spirits. Tickets are $30 and up. More information here.
Radiant Nights Festival
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Dec. 7 through 31
The village's multisensory holiday experience is back. Artist Joe Wheaton's video projections and audio experiences illuminate the museum's historic buildings.
After taking in the approximate one-mile route of light installations, sound, exhibits, and images, guests are invited to visit the farm animals, relax by the fire pit, and enjoy a drink and specialty fare from a pop-up bar and the café operated by Woodlife Farm Market.
Admission is free for members and children under 12. More information here.
Nightwood
The Mount, Lenox
Nov. 22 to Jan. 4: Weekends and select weekdays from 5 to 8 p.m.
The grounds of Edith Wharton's home is decked out with lights and music to provide an immersive experience to its visitors. This year, discover a new trail that takes you deeper into the woods, plus several new encounters that explore the lifecycle of trees.
Tickets are free for community partners and EBT, WIC or ConnectorCare Card holders as part of the museum's NightWood Card to Culture program.
Tickets are $27, youth between 13 and 18 are $12, and children 12 and younger are free. More information can be found here.
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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.
The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.
"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."
Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.
Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.
The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.
Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.
Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.
The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.
The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.
"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."
Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.
"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."
He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.
"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."
The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office. click for more
That was the list of grievances that current and former tenants of the North Adams Housing Authority's high rise laid before the City Council on Tuesday.
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City officials want to know if the attorney general will defend them if they refuse to abide by certain provisions in a federal grant for the Police Department. click for more