What's Inside:Riverbrook Residence spotlightBusiness After HoursAuction 2003Dates to Remember Keep Flags Flying (update)Most Improved Business votes soughtAnnual Dinner/DanceCommunity NotesSouthern Berkshire Job Fair"Coming together to promote our community"
The results of the survey are in. You said you were interested in a Job Fair and here it is!
The Mass Rehabilitation Commission is organizing a job fair to connect South County employers and potential employees and they're looking for your participation.
The Fair is on Thursday, October 24th from 1:30 to 6 PM at the Claire Teague Senior Center, 909 South Main Street, Gt. Barrington.
They will publicize this event heavily to the public; local schools and colleges in the tri-state region have been notified; space is limited. If you haven't already registered, do it today! Registration deadline is October 4th. Call Cindy Bucier, 413-528-2720, Jeanne Dean, 413-528-3320, or John Keegan, 413-528-4737 for information.
Invest the time and the $50 for your space. It will be worth it.
Who's Getting YOUR Vote?
The political race that may be the most important to residents of South County this November 5th is that for State Representative in the 4th district. The 3-way race has the candidates all hoping to fill the post being vacated by Chris Hodgkins.
The Chamber of Commerce and Railroad Street Youth Project are collaborating to stage a debate in Allen Theater at Berkshire School on Tuesday, October 8th at 7 PM.
Candidates Smitty Pignatelli (Democrat), Chris Irsfeld (Republican) and Tom Stokes (Independent) are all vying for the spot. They will be on hand to share their views and and answer YOUR questions.
Send us your questions, in writing, exactly the way you would like them posed. Our moderator will choose the best questions from those submitted. Questions from the floor will also be accepted the night of the debate if time allows, but it will help to have some ready to go before we get started.
The winner of this race will be our representative in Boston. This is something to be taken seriously and we hope you will plan to attend.
Berkshire School will host a post debate reception with refreshments to provide you with an opportunity to meet and speak with the candidates one on one. Please join us on Tuesday, October 8th at 7 PM in Berkshire School's Allen Theater.
We are pleased to welcome these new members.
Darshan Physical Therapy, 27 Rosseter Street, Great Barrington, 01230, Sonja Sweeney, 644-9474, Physical Therapy
Clouser Tile Inc., 670 North Main Street, Sheffield, 01257, Willie Clouser, 229-2685, Natural stone floors, counters, etc.
Stavisky & Kelly, LLC, 141 West Avenue, Great Barrington, 01230, Donna Kelly, 528-4300, Attorneys at Law
Green River Design, 24 Pixley Hill Road, Housatonic, 01236, David Potter, 232-4311, Architect
Berkshire Bike & Blade, 326 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, 01230, Steffen Root, 528-5555, Bicycle sales/rentals & sporting goods
Riverbrook Residence Spotlighted
Riverbrook Residence in Stockbridge provides a loving supportive community for women with developmental disabilities. It was recently chosen out of hundreds of applicants nationwide to be a subject for The Visionaries, a compelling public television documentary series (based here in Sheffield) about individuals and organizations changing the world, now in its 9th season.
The heartwarming documenary shows what can happen when one woman, namely Joan Burkhard, has an unshakable vision of a community for women with developmental disabilities which is focused on love, support and having all particpants, residents and staff, reaching their full potential. The result, which the documentary illustrates so clearly, is a true community with an innovative and dedicated staff and residents who have meaningful jobs in the community, perform on stage, live in a beautiful setting and lead full, active lives. A focal point of the story spotlights a local Berkshire family's decision to place their 20 year old at Riverbrook. Their feelings of guilt alternately mixing with relief at finding such a wonderful place for their daughter provides a touchng backdrop for the film.
Narrated by Sam Waterson and produced by Bill Mosher of The Visionaries, the film will be shown November 9th at 7 PM at Searles Castle in Great Barrington.
The event is free and open to the public and includes introductory remarks by producer Mill Mosher, Joan Burkhard, Director of Riverbrook and Catherine Tower, Director of Gould Farms.
Business After Hours
All members of the Southern Berkshire Chamber, their employees and guests are invited to attend the next Business After Hours networking event on Thursday, October 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.
Michele's Salon & Day Spa, located at 54 Stockbridge Road, (Rt 7) Gt. Barrington, is the host this month. Owner Michele Wilkinson and her talented staff are looking forward to revealing the secret to why their clients look and feel great.
Demonstrations of hair and make-up techniques, along with mini facials, neck & shoulder massages and more await you.
As always there will be complimentary refreshments for all.
Bring your business cards to share ... you never know who you might want to share them with!
RSVP by Monday October 7th to sbcoc@bcn.net or 413-528-1510 with business name and name(s) of attendee(s).
Next month is at Barrett Press on Thursday, November 14th. Reserve the date!
Auction 2003
The 8th Annual Gala Winterfest Auction is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2003.
Now is the time to start thinking about how you can help make this event the success it has been in the past. Your help in organizing and/or your donation are what are needed.
The proceeds from the auction help to support your Chamber of Commerce along with your dues. We appreciate your investment which helps us work for your business and our region.
Be sure to mark these important dates in your calendar today!
Tuesday, October 8th, Peak Foliage will be at 10:57 am. Watch for it!
Tuesday, October 8th, 7 PM - State Representative Candidate's Forum at Berkshire School. Hear what Smitty Pignatelli, Christopher Irsfeld and Tom Stokes have to say.
Thursday, October 10th, Board of Directors meeting - Berkshire Bank - 11:45 AM.
Thursday, October 10th, Business After Hours at Michele's Salon & Day Spa, 5:30 - 7:30. RSVP sbcoc@bcn.net or 528-1510.
Monday, October 14th, Columbus Day
Wednesday, October 16th, Small & Micro Business Showcase, Crowne Plaza Pittsfield. Call 413-499-4000 for details.
Thursday, October 24th, Southern Berkshire Job Fair, Claire Teague Senior Center, 1:30 - 6 PM.
Friday, October 25th, Western Massachusetts Workforce Development Conference at Holyoke Community College. Contact Eileen Zewski, Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce at 413-534-3376 for more information.
Saturday, October 26th, Make A Difference Day
Sunday, October 27th, Daylight Saving Time Ends
Thursday, October 31st, Halloween
Keep Flags Flying Update
In August and September in this newsletter we printed the names of the donors to the flag fund so far.
Since that time we have also received donations from Taconic Technology Corp.; Smith Watson & Co. LLP; McCormick, Murtagh, Marcus & Smith; M. Katherine Killard Accounting Services; Berkshire Aviation Enterprises; Guido's Fresh Marketplace; AJA Risk Management Consultants; La Pace; Don Ward Co.; Gold Ophthalmologic Assoc; Berkshire Schleppers; Bob Sermini Mason Contractor, Miles of Smiles/Berkshire Brochure and Manhattan Pizza. Thank you all for your support of this important ongoing community project.
As mentioned in a recent mailing we are hoping to keep this fund alive. Once the initial investment is covered (we're very close now), the fund will enable us to purchase more flags and extend the coverage, in addition to maintaining those that are flying now. Currently they run along Rt. 7 through the most heavily populated commercial area of Gt Barrington from Stockbridge Rd south to Guido's and around Railroad & Elm Streets.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the flag fund may do so by sending a check to SBCoC, PO Box 810, Great Barrington, 01230 and putting Flag Fund in the memo.
Cast Your Vote for "Most Improved Business Exterior"
Now is the time to place YOUR vote for Most Improved Business Exterior. Nominees are Iredale Mineral Cosmetics on Church Street in Great Barrington, and The Inn At Green River at the junction of Rtes. 22 & 71 in Hillsdale, NY.
This is the perfect time of year to take a drive, pick up a pumpkin at your favorite farm stand and check out the nominees.
Send your vote to Sharon at sbcoc@bcn.net or call 413-528-4284. The winner will be announced at the annual dinner/dance on Saturday, November 2nd at Seven Hills Inn in Lenox.
Annual Dinner/Dance Saturday, November 2nd, plan to join friends and co-workers at Seven Hills Inn in Lenox.
Chamber of Commerce members have already received invitations and have first priority for seating. This event will be open to the public so if you plan to attend, don't wait to reserve your seats.
The keynote speaker for the evening is Leon Weil, former US Ambassador to Nepal and a Berkshire School (class of `44) alumnus.
Awards for the Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year and Most Improved Business Exterior will be presented. Dinner and the program will be followed by dancing. Call Sharon for more information.
Community Notes
Blueline Design at 72 Main Street in Great Barrington has a new email address since the latest membership directory went to print. They can now be contacted at anthony@bluelinedesigninc.com.
The September 11th remembrance ceremony at North Star Rare Books was a solemn and dignified event. Thanks to Randy Weinstein for providing the appropriate venue, to Brian Burke for his reading of the Gettysburg Address, to the Great Barrington Bagel Shop for donating bagels, to South Main Mobil for donating coffee and to Kolburne School for providing the American flag for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Make a point to patronize the businesses that advertise in the paper version of this newsletter. They are:
All Caring Animal Center
Bill's Pharmacy
Kwik Print
Prospect Marketing
Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce PO Box 810 Great Barrington, MA 01230-0810
413-528-4284, fax 413-528-2200
Sharon Palma, Executive Director sbcoc@bcn.net
Diana Harwood, Admin. Assistant www.greatbarrington.org
Visitor's Center: 362 Main Street 413-528-1510, fax 413-528-6062 Lodging hotline 528-4006 Joy Lyon, Manager vcenter@bcn.net
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires
Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.
The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.
Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
click for more
