Inside this issue...
• News around the Coalition
• Local School News
• Neighborhood News
• UNITY News
• Community Calendar
October Coalition Meeting
“Growing Volunteers by Building Citizen Participationâ€
Friday, October 11th 10 AM to Noon
First Baptist Church of North Adams
131Main Street
(Eagle Street Entrance)
North Adams
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Sixty community members attended the September monthly meeting of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. This monthly meeting provided an opportunity for all to hear how local organizations and programs are faring as they start the new year and to hear announcements about upcoming programs. The second half of the meeting was a discussion about directions and trends that the community is experiencing with an eye towards helping set the agenda for the Coalition this coming year.
Locally, here are highlights of our news from the meeting. It appears that the North Adams office of the Department of Transitional Assistance is saved, as the State is negotiating a five year lease on their space. It’s not all great news from the DTA office as they have lost staff and will cut back on the space they presently have. The Parent Child Home Program has been defunded for one year, and Joanne Ranzer is looking for creative ideas to keep their program alive for a year. For a more complete listing of program news, read on in the newsletter.
After a short break, we talked about current issues for the region. The need for a coordinated, comprehensive approach to attracting volunteers was a significant component of our discussion. Yet being effective at recruiting volunteers goes beyond the mechanics of being a center for volunteers. We need to work together to create the environment where all feel they have something to contribute, creating a mass of potential volunteers. Our Coalitioners talked about the move from deficit thinking (talking about what is wrong in the community) to asset building (talking about what is right), and the difficulties we have in staying that course. Looking towards our agenda for this coming year, we saw the need more than ever to become more effective advocates and to coordinate our advocacy efforts. As the meeting wound down, discussion about national affairs led us all to think about how we can best serve the local community while caring for our relatives and servicemen that are oversees. – Al Bashevkin
Coalition Supporters :
Public Sources :
• MA Department of Social Services,
• MA Cultural Council,
• Berkshire County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition,
• NA Public Schools’ 21st Century Grant,
• National Endowment for the Arts,
• US Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Prevention,
• MA Department of Public Health.
Foundation Supporters
• Campaign for Human Development
• Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation.
Local Support
• City of North Adams
• Town of Adams
• Contributions from our many supporters.
The Coalition is a member agency of the Northern Berkshire United Way and the Williamstown Community Chest.
Citizen Participation Topic of October Coalition Meeting
The October monthly meeting of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition will be held on Friday, October 11th from 10 AM to noon at the Baptist Church in North Adams. Along with an opportunity for networking and announcements, the theme for the October meeting will be “Building our Citizen Participation in the Community.†As a first step towards increasing volunteerism in our region, what do we need to do to build the environment where volunteerism is a part of everyone’s lives ? Can we better engage the business community in this venture ? How do we develop relationships with our potential volunteers ? Building a strong volunteer program needs to be broken down into steps and the first is readying the community for this to occur. Our discussion at the October Coalition meeting will be a first step in this process. Join us.
Community Recognition Event to Be Held October 22nd at Masonic Temple
October 22 (5 PM) is the date for the Fall Community Recognition Celebration. It is time to take time to recognize friends, neighbors and community members whose neighborly acts of kindness and support have made a big difference in your quality of life. Please take time to recommend a person, group or business for a recognition award in one of the following areas; Neighborly Acts, Beautification, Pulling Together or Business Support. Send or e-mail to Kathy Keeser at the Coalition the name of person or group, the category and brief description. Include their address and phone and as well as your own so that invitations can be sent.
North Adams Office of the Department of Transitional Assistance Should Remain Open
It appears that the local office of the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) will remain open for the next several years, but at reduced staffing levels both locally and statewide. DTA is negotiating with the local landlord for a five year lease that gives up some of the space already occupied by their office. This is to accommodate the reduced staffing levels for the local office and thus the need for less space. DTA presently shares space with the Division of Employment and Training and Berkshire Works, a unique arrangement that offers a full range of job search and training services for those who are DTA clients.
Reports abounded last month that the North Adams DTA office was slated to close, prompting a resolution from the North Adams City Council that was included in last month’s newsletter.
Parent Child Home Program to Continue
Due to the State budget cuts, the Parent Child Home Program was not funded by the Department of Education for this coming year. The Parent Child Home Program is a home visiting program to families with 2 and 3 year olds who are deemed at-risk of school failure. Trained home visitors, using an assortment of books and toys, visit the parent and child weekly to model conversation, parenting techniques and educational play. The effect of these visits is to improve the child’s intellectual development and promote school readiness. Child Care of the Berkshires is committed to continuing the services of the Parent Child Home Program and is in the process of applying for various grants and donations which will allow the 16 families who started in the program last year to complete the two year cycle of the program. Joanne Ranzer, the PCHP Coordinator, is interesting in also soliciting volunteers who may be interested in being matched with one of these high -risk families and making a minimum of 20 half-hour home visits during the coming months. Volunteers will be trained in the techniques of modeling how to use the toy or the book and will be supervised by the Coordinator. Interested candidates may call Joanne at 664-4821 and leave their telephone number for a call-back.
Reach Foundation Announces Grant Funding
The REACH Community Health Foundation announces the availability of grant funding to improve the quality of life and increase independence of elders in North Berkshire County. By designating this funding, REACH aims to encourage innovative programs that creatively address everyday challenges affecting our growing elderly population. Grant funding will support programs that should include, but are not limited to the following components:
• Arranging safety checks in elder homes
• Establishing a clearing house for information on and help in providing ramps, financial assistance, new and used medical equipment and training, assistance with foot care and other essential services
• Transportation issues
• Handyman and other housekeeping services
• Building linkages between elders and school-based programs to encourage cross-generational programs
• Provision of support services or programs for grandparents taking care of or raising grandchildren
• Any other innovative ideas that will enhance the quality of life and promote the independence of elders
Full grant proposals are due by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 30. For more information about the task forces, grant funding and for a full copy of REACH grant making guidelines, please contact Pamela Nathenson at (413) 664-5626 or by email at pnathenson@nbhealth.org.
Northern Berkshire Legislative Contacts
Rep Dan Bosley
3 Elmwood Avenue
North Adams, MA 01247
(413) 663-7486
Rep Shaun Kelly
399 Main Street
Dalton, MA 01226
(413) 684-5133
Sen Andrea Nuciforo
74 North St
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 442-6810
Cong John Olver
78 Center St,
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 442-0946
http://www.house.gov/olver
Senator Edward Kennedy.
2400 JFK Federal Bldg.,
Boston, MA 02203
315 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-4543
(202) 224-2417 (fax)
senator@Kennedy.senate.gov
Senator John Kerry
One Financial Plaza
Springfield, MA 01103
304 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington DC 20510
(413) 785-4610
(413) 736-1049 (fax)
(202) 224-2742
john_kerry@kerry.senate.gov
President George Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
(202)456-1414
(202) 456-2461 (fax)
President@whitehouse.gov
Contributors to the Coalition Annual Supporters Drive 2002-03 (thru 8/30)
Eugene & Jacqueline Wein
Robert & Kristin Buckwalter
Richard & Donella Markham
Jane Stuebner
Dyan Wiley
Ronald & Jennifer Munoz
Dolores Zabek
Morton Broch, Ph.D.
Bernice Alcombright
Florence Wineberg
Raymond & Lorraine Piaggi
David Shaker
Paul W. Marino
Betty & David Wyman
Gloria & Dan Piner
Louis & Shirley Davis
Lawrence & Hulda Jowett
Gail Nelson
Sam Donato
Marilyn & Sam Bittman
John Notsley
Susanne Walker &
Stephen Green
Blanca Flamenco
Catherine Clark, Bonnie Lipa
Gailanne Cariddi
Susan & Frank Zoltek‘
Joan & Gary Rivers
Anne Degersdorff
John & Jane Allen
Howard & Deborah Wineberg
Daniel I. Becker, MD
Ellen Bernstein
Marion Grillon
Robert & Pauline Friedrichs
Howard & Sandra Brookner
Barbara Nissen Wagner
Ray Burke
Dr. Norman & Lorena Bianco
Western Mass Food Bank
Lawrence & Marcia Gross
Mieke Kohl
Stephen & Ruth Boisvert
Robert & Prudence Barton
Jack Gould
David & Linda Maloney
Deborah Coyne
Mark Gold & Ellen Kennedy
Kurt & Gwen Tauber
James F. Wolfe
Mary Sugden & Richard Lescarbeau
AJ & Michael J. Meehan
Susan Gold
Richard & Michelle Alcombright
John & Frances Flaherty
Michele Ethier
Alma Benedetti
John & Kathleen Lanoue
Marie Lamarre
Janice O’Keefe & Clark Billings
Theresea Bellini
David & Kyle Ann McGrath
Arlene Bouras
Gail Deery
Ray & Bardara Warner
Harold & Dorothy Amato
Carolyn & Allen Leab
Catherine and Earl Southgate
Al Bashevkin & Nancy Pearlman
Diane Gallese-Parsons
Joe Manning
Julia Janowski
Keith & Elizabeth Davis
William Bashevkin
Arlon & Anne Nelson
Justyna Carlson
Anna Singleton
Alan Marden
Congregation Beth-El
Sarah & John Kline
William Prevey
Abby Pratt
In Memory of H. Burstyn (3)
David & Donna Rempell
Carl & Jane Jenkins
Irving & Esther Bashevkin
Vincent & Margo Melito
Rose Belisle
Natalie Cain
Berkshire Center for Families and Children
James & Alison Kolesar
Nancy McIntire
In Memory of Fred Scerbo
Richard Spaulding
Thomas & Susan Aceto
Patrice & Kaar Bolgen
Sherwood & Carol Guernsey
Paula Cardinal & James Stakenas
John & Rose Olver
Susan Spooner
Adams Co-Operative Bank
Maynard Seider
Adrienne Glasgow
NARH Chapter SEIU Local 285
Elizabeth Wright
Kelly Pask & Richard Rand
Sally Sussman
Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition Has 2003 Grants
The Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition (BSCC) is seeking proposals for grants of up to $500 for projects that would serve the educational or social needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth in Berkshire County. Proposals are invited from high school students, staff, or members of non-profit youth-oriented organizations. Project ideas could include but are not limited to performances, speakers, donating materials to a school library, organizing a dance or other social event, or a GLBT awareness day.
A staff member of the sponsoring school or organization must act as an advisor for the project. The role of the advisor will be to receive and disburse money, to hold students accountable for implementing and completing the project, to oversee ethical and safety issues, and to submit a final report.
The BSCC is an organization which promotes the well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people throughout Berkshire County through networking, education and support. Activities include support groups, panel discussions, community action, and social events. A bi-monthly calendar of events is available at BSCC, PO Box 4921, Pittsfield, MA 01202, or at www.berkshirestonewall.org.
Grant applications must be submitted by December 2, 2002. Decisions will be made by January 24, 2003.
Healing Homes at Berkshire Center
Healing Homes is a program of Berkshire Center for Families and Children, a non-profit agency with a 100 year history of service to the families of Berkshire County.
Healing Homes staff train and support foster parents in caring for children who at present cannot live with their own families because of child abuse, neglect, or other serious family or child problems. The foster parent works in close partnership with Berkshire Center staff to provide a family experience which can help a child heal from physical and emotional trauma. This type of special care is referred to as “therapeutic foster care.†Children usually remain in a Healing Home between 6 and 12 months before returning to their own families, or in some cases, to an adoptive home.
Children are referred by the Mass. Department of Social Services and as a result of physical or sexual abuse, inadequate medical or physical care, or a lack of adult support typically have learning or behavior problems, or emotional difficulties, such as depression or anxiety. They generally require more than average attention and structure at home, as well as special education and counseling services in order to heal and thrive.
The foster parent is an integral part of the treatment team which includes the Healing Homes foster care caseworker, the DSS social worker, the child’s therapist, school personnel, and other service providers. Because of the intensive needs of these children, at least one parent must be available at all times to provide the child’s required care and to participate fully in the treatment plan. The foster parent is compensated at the rate of $50 per day.
To see if you qualify as a foster parent in this program and for more information contact: Tom Borden at Berkshire Center, 480 West Street, Pittsfield @ 413-448-8281 ext 33.
Become a Volunteer for an Elder
Do you know someone who could really use a friend?
Once it was easy to make friends, to meet others, and to start friendships. It’s not as true anymore, especially so for elders whose children have moved away and whose lifelong friends have moved on.
A new Elder Services program has been created to help Northern Berkshire elders who may be experiencing isolation, depression, loneliness, and anxiety.
This program provides specially trained volunteers to visit and form relationships with elders whose isolation and depression threatens to rob them of their independence.
This program is unique in this community and brings a ray of sunshine to someone who needs it.
If you have an open mind and caring heart you could start helping an elder today.
REACH OUT AND VOLUNTEER TODAY call 664-8719
Public Library Capital Campaign Nears Goal
Thanks to contributions, pledges, grants, and commitments from the state and the city, nearly 90% of the $4.3 million estimated cost of the renovation and expansion project has been raised. The Capital Campaign committee has launched the final phase of fund-raising with a target date for completion being mid-November. Donors potentially capable of making substantial gifts are being contacted and citizens of North Adams are asked to make a contribution, however small that might be. The auction of items from the 3rd floor on November 3rd is expected to help significantly. Don’t’ miss it! - Richard Markham
October is Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Elizabeth Freeman Center is joining with women’s organizations across the country to bring this awareness into the public eye. They have many events planned and the public is invited to attend.
October 2nd there will be a series of discussions with speaker Marcia Savage of the Elizabeth Freeman Center and the topic will be “I can’t stand my boss she’s a woman†at the Women’s Club at 6:00 p.m.
October 3rd there will be a vigil in front of Superior Court in Pittsfield at Park Square 5-6:30 p.m.
October 5th a Peaceful Pals Toy Swap will be at the Common on First St., in Pittsfield 12-4 p.m.
October 8th a Spanish television show to be aired on the Pittsfield Community access channel.
October 10th an English television show to be aired on the Pittsfield Community access channel.
October 16th there will be a Mock Trial at Williams College at 6:00 p.m.
October 17th there will be a Mock Trial at Simon’s Rock College at 6:00 p.m.
Contributors to the Coalition Annual Supporters Drive 2002-03 (thru 8/30)Innovative Ideas...
The Women’s House of Peace invites all to a Community Conversation on Peace on October 16th at 6:30 PM on the lower floor of the Church Street Center at MCLA. The evening will begin with silence, music and poetry evoking peace, followed by an address from Nancy B.Roof, Co-Founder of the Values Caucus and Co-Founding Convener of the Spiritual Caucus of the United Nations. She designed and directed Training Programs in Trauma in the former Yugoslavia and is the author of The Impact of War on Service Providers. She lectures internationally on integral approaches on global issues and the new spirituality. Nancy holds a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology and represents the Center for Psychology and Social Change in consultative status with ECOSOC at the United Nations. She lives in Berkshire County. Following Dr. Roof’s address there will be time for questions and conversation. Anyone interested in providing music or poetry is welcome and asked to contact Natalie Cain at 663-5832.
MELD Teen Parent Support Groups To Begin
This fall marks the kick-off of a new parent support program for teen parents and an expansion of services of the Healthy Families Program of Child Care of the Berkshires. Jennifer Jackson, the MELD Coordinator of the Healthy Families Program, conducted an intense weekend training for four Parent Group Facilitators, in conjunction with Kathy Kelly of the Children’s Trust Fund. These four individuals, working in teams of two facilitators, will implement weekly parent support meetings for teen parents, beginning in the month of October, using the MELD curriculum. The groups will provide the teens with a connecting activity, dinner, and lively discussions, as well as child care and transportation once a week. Jennifer is looking for community support in the form of behind-the-scenes volunteer-help with meal preparation and child care. The goal of the weekly groups is to improve the lives of both the teen parent and the child by offering parent education and support, while allowing the teens to make informed decisions about events in their lives. Jennifer Jackson’s number to call is 664-6104, Ext. 13 for more information about how to help.- Ann Nemetz-Carlson
Help Available for Those with Poor Credit History
If you have clients who don’t have a bank account because of poor credit history or feel they can’t afford an account, the Fresh Start Program can help them establish/rebuild a banking relationship.
With this program, they may open a special, free of service charge savings account and receive five free money orders each month regardless of their credit history. This savings account will help them save the expensive return check fees associated with a checking account. Clients interested in opening this account must first attend a free educational seminar.
If you have clients that you feel would benefit from the Fresh Start program, please contact Charlene Lawson at the Louison House at (413) 743-7957. An educational seminar will be scheduled in November, 2002. – Charlene Lawson
MCLA Spanish Course for Human Service Workers
Graziano Ramsden and Justyna Carlson, Spanish teachers at MCLA are developing a new course with support from Kathy Keeser at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. This will be a very basic Spanish course oriented towards human service workers. The idea is to help human service workers to be able to communicate on a beginning level in Spnaish in situations that they may encounter in their work. This is important to many workers especially as more and more people move to the area who do not speak English and since Spanish is the language that is currently most often spoken by the newcomer.
Tentative plans are for the course to be held on Wednesday evenings, beginning January 22 from about 6-9 P.M. at MCLA. MCLA, through the Life Long Learning program, are interested in continuing this course in the future at a Central Berkshire location.
Please contact Kathy Keeser at nbCC (663-7588 or Kkeeser@nbccoalition.org or Graziano Ramsden at gramsden@mcla.mass.edu if you are interested in the course. We are also interested in finding out what are some of the “situational†language that you would like to learn or you think would be important for human service workers in general to learn in this course . - Kathy Keeser
Contact Phone Numbers....
What follows are contact Numbers for the North Adams Public Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center
Deb Rosselli, Project Director, 664-9633
Brayton School:
Noella Carlow 662-3074
Greylock School:
Joan Rivers 662-3292
Sullivan School:
Judy Noel 662-3291
Conte Middle School :
Elayne Murphy 281-2972;
Diane Ryczek 662-3024
21st Century Programs Slated Start in October
All programs for the North Adams Public Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center are slated to begin on the week of October 7th. Almost six hundred elementary aged school children have enrolled to participate in the after school programs. According to Deb Rosselli, Project Director for the 21st Century Program “We have just about saturated the availability of school staff from within the school to meet the needs of this program and the numbers of children enrolled. We need greater community participation for this program to grow with its requests and to meet the needs of students. †It is a goal of the 21st Century program to increase community involvement in the North Adams Public Schools schools. To volunteer or participate as a community member in this program, contact the Coalition office or its website at www.nbccoalition.org. - Deb Rosselli
Family and Adult Programming Planned for School Initiative
Family and adult programming is in the works for the 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative. Upcoming programs will include computer classes through MCLA and the Prospect Foundation; an ESL immersion for our non-English speaking families in the community through a collaborative effort of district and community professionals; a series of family nights provided by Northern Berkshire Health Systems; and support for families with children of special needs and disabilities through a series of programs and events in partnership with United Cerebral Palsy. Wendy Dickenson, Family Support Leader, will be offering programs at each of the elementary schools to support and engage parents as partners in their work in the school. Additionally, all these efforts are working to support the North Adams Public Schools district wide focus on literacy.- Deb Rosselli
Service Learning Conference November 7
The North Adams Public Schools in partnership with the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts invites all community members, educators, and students interested in education through civic engagement to attend the fifth annual Service-Learning Conference on Thursday, November 7th, 2002.
Our theme this year is “Service-Learning: Advancing Education through Partnerships for Civic Engagement†and our event traditionally draws students, faculty, and administration from local and regional school systems and colleges, as well as representatives from community agencies.
Please come join us for an exciting day of learning and sharing on the MCLA campus. Stay tuned for more details about workshop descriptions and our inspiring keynote speaker. For more information or to be added to our email list, please contact Mary Parkman at mparkman@mcla.edu or 662-5384. - Deb Coyne
Northern Berkshire Neighbors
Calendar
Greylock Housing Coalition
Neighborhood Summit
UNO
Neighborhood Connection
Mohawk Forest Neighbors
Blackinton Neighbors Assoc.
Bits and Pieces......
According to Brad Gordon, Executive Director of the Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority, thirty four Northern Berkshire households are actively searching for housing for their families. These are only the families that Berkshire Regional housing Authority is assisting. Due to limited available rental housing, this is an ongoing struggle for households to access decent, stable, affordable housing. Any thoughts about new strategies for providing the availability of housing for the region’s population ? Ideas are welcome c/o Coalition Newsletter.
Congratulations to organizer Chip Joffe-Halpern and all the members of the dental health community who conceived and implemented the Great Brush-In, 2002. The Guinness Record still stands, but a new Northern Berkshire record for simultaneous brushing has been set. All reports are that it was a fun event that promoted the benefits of brushing your teeth. Do we look for this to be an annual event ? Stay tuned.
Lots is happening in the work to help integrate newcomers into the area, especially those for whom English is not a primary language. Here’s another opportunity. Berkshire AHEC is planning a Medical Interpreters training session at the Hillcrest Campus of BMC beginning October 16, 5 - 7 PM and continuing 5 - 9 PM on October 23, 30, Nov 6 & 13.
Pre-registration is required Call 413 447-2417.
Coalition Announces Photo Contest
Are you a tourist in your neighborhood? Do you like to take photographs? Would you like to see your very own photographs of your neighborhood on display at the Neighborhood Expo this November? The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is sponsoring the Tourist In Your Neighborhood Photo Contest, and we are looking for participants of all ages.
Here’s how it works. Take some pictures of your favorite things in your neighborhood: something unique, beautiful, unusual, something you are proud of, anything you find interesting, color or black and white.
Contac t Kathy Keeser at the coalition (see contact information below)) to have an entry form mailed to you, or drop by the coalition office and pick one up. Then return the completed entry form along with your best photos. Please include a few sentences that identify the photo and why you chose the subject. That’s important, because we want to know what you think is special about the picture. Make sure you write your name, address, and phone number on the back of the photo. The Coalition will not be able to return the photos, so keep duplicates. The Coalition will not accept photos received after Friday, November 1.
The folks at the Coalition will put all photos and comments in an album that will be on display at the annual Neighborhood Expo, which will happen on Saturday, November 16, at the Masonic Temple on Church Street in North Adams. In addition, the ten photos judged to be the best will be exhibited in a special display, and there will be a Grand Prize winner. All participants will be awarded a certificate naming them “Certified Tourist In Your Neighborhood.†The Grand Prize winner will receive a gift certificate from a local merchant.You must live in the following towns to qualify: Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, New Ashford, North Adams, Savoy, Williamstown, or Stamford or Pownall, Vt.. For more details, contact Kathy Keeser, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition - 663-7588, 85 Main Street, Suite 624, North Adams. - Joe Manning
Story Session at 2002 Neighborhood EXPO
This year’s event promises to be an exciting one! Joe Manning and Kathy Keeser have been talking with lots of people and bouncing ideas off the planning committee to setup the topics for this year’s Neighborhood EXPO. This year there will be quite a group of local area musicians and music appreciators to talk about the local music scene. Some venerable older adults will talk about being an important part of the community as you get older, even as you approach 100 years of age. A group of entrepreneurs will talk of the circle of change and how the economic market has changed due to art and tourism. A few couples who moved to the Northern Berkshires in the past 15 years will talk about how their vision for the community when they first came here compares with their vision today. A group of young people will talk about how their visions and opportunities, especially in looking at artistic careers, has changed due to Mass MoCA and other venues. Another group will discuss accepting art in the community, both how it can make a difference and how it still does not reach some of the population. Folks from Florida will talk about interesting features and stories of living in a hilltown. Some local born folks who moved away, then returned to the area will talk about returning and why they did. Some special group efforts that have made positive contributions to the community will be highlighted. Neighborhood improvement efforts will be discussed by folks living and working hard in various neighborhoods in North Berkshire. Throughout the sessions, we will feature people from the different towns and cities that make up North Berkshire. - Kathy Keeser
Community Bulletin Board October 2002Seniors:
• SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) volunteer training begins October 8th at Elder Services. Those interested in helping elders understand Medicare and prescription drug coverage should call Angela Fields at 499-0524 or (800) 544-5242.
• Volunteers to spend time with local elders are sought. To help, contact Marge Ware at 664-8719.
Agency:
• Applications for Thanksgiving and the Christmas Elf Program will begin on October 7, 2002. This Christmas program is a Community Christmas program with everyone taking part to make sure that every child has a great Christmas. Contact: Marie at Northern Berkshire Community Action, 85 Main Street, Suite 410 or call 663-3014.
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of the Berkshires has started an adolescent substance abuse program at 25 Marshall Street. Contact Mary Edmonds @ 664-4541 for information.
• The Healthy Homes Program of Child Care of the Berkshires offers free home assessments for families with children up to age 6 who suffer from asthma, lead elevations, or to keep free from risk to injury. Free safety items available including smoke detectors, mattress covers, outlet plugs. Call Tina Rotolo at 663-6593
• Fuel assistance program begins for Northern Berkshire Community Action on November 1st. For previous recipients, you should receive your paperwork in the mail. Simply complete and drop if off at Northern Berkshire Community Action’s office. Be sure to make the necessary changes from last year’s status and bring in updated verification of income. For new applicants, call Northern Berkshire Community Action at 663-3014 to make an appointment.
• The Northern Berkshire Collaborative for Non-violence meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 9 AM in the conference room of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
• Free produce is available a the office of Northern Berkshire Community Action on Tuesdays. For in formation, contact their office at 663-3014.
General:
• October 15th is the deadline for submission of the local Cultural Council Grants. For information contact: Nancy @ 743-7255 or visit your local town Hall or Library. Applications also available at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition at 85 Main Street, N. Adams.
• UNO Halloween Hayride - For UNO children up to Grade 5. Starting at the Bracewell Avenue sub-station on Friday, October 18th at 6:30 p.m. Hot chocolate and munchkins will be served following the ride. No child will be permitted on the hayride without a signed permission slip. For more information call Shirley at 663-5516.
• Mildred Elly Business School, 505 East Street, Pittsfield has announced the next training date of October 29th. Programs offered are: Office Technologies, Computerized Bookkeeping, Information Technology Specialists, Paralegal, Medical Billing and Coding, Medical Transcription, Clinical Medical Assistant. Call for information 413-499-8618 ext. 231. Financial aid available for those who qualify.
• The First Baptist Church (school) of North Adams is offering a dinner to benefit Habitat for Humanity. This dinner will take place on Friday, October 4th from 5:30 to 7 PM. The cost is $7. Use the Eagle Street entrance.
The next performance of the Railway Cafe takes place on Saturday, October 5th at 5 PM with Cliff Eberhardt and opening artist Liz Queleer. The Railway Cafe is held at St John’s Church in North Adams. Admission for the event is $12. For more information, call 664-6393 or email railwaycafe@juno.com.
October 7th and 11th
Northern
Berkshire Tonite
Local access TV at 7:30 PM (10/7) and 8 PM (10/11). This week co-hosts Al Bashevkin and Ken Swiatek will have as their guests Kathy Keeser and a community resident to talk about community participation.
October 11th
Monthly
Coalition
Meeting
At 10 AM to NOON, at the First Baptist Church in North Adams the Monthly Meeting of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition will take place. Discussion will be about “Community Participationâ€.
October 15th
Northern
Berkshire
Collaborative for
Non Violence
Facilitated by the Elizabeth Freeman Center in the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Conference Room, 85 Main Street, Suite 624 at 9:00 AM. Contact the Elizabeth Freeman Center @ 663-9709 for more information.
October 17th
Community Wellness Advisory Board
Meets from 9:30 - 10:30 at the First Baptist Church in N. Adams. Brings together tobacco control advocates, school health officials, and substance abuse personnel to discuss how prevention can work in Northern Berkshire. For more information contact the Coalition @ 663-7588.
October 20th
Walk for World Peace
Walk for World Peace with the Women’s House of Peace starting with registrations at noon at the North Adams Public Library. Registration fee is $5.00 - t-shirts for all. Forms are available for sponsors. Call 663-5832 for further information.
October 22nd
Northern
Berkshire Youth Collaborative
Noon to 1:00 at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition office. This meeting is an opportunity for all youth serving organizations to talk together about youth and their work. Lunch will be provided.
This group communicates by E-mail. To get on the list, contact the Coalition office @ 663-7588.
October 22nd
Community Recognition Event
5 PM to 6:30 at the Masonic Temple in North Adams. This gathering is a celebration of the actions that neighbors do for each other to make the Northern Berkshire community a great place to live and work. Nominations for these awards are encouraged. To get a nominating form, contact the Coalition office.
November 2, 2002
New England Sociological Association Fall Meeting
This day long event will be held on the campus of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The topic of the meeting is Teaching and Learning about Community and will include presenters from throughout our region and the New England region. For information, contact sgreeen@mcla.edu.
November 16, 2002
Northern Berkshire Neighborhood EXPO
Saturday, November 16th at the Masonic Temple in North Adams
Come and join your neighbors and the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition at an all day fun event. There will be food, workshops, activities for the children, entertainment, and fun for all. Bring a potluck dish to share for lunch if you like.
STAFF
Executive Director
Al Bashevink: abashevkin@nbccoalition.org
Business Manager
Sue Daugherty:sdaugherty@nbccoalition.org
Northern Berkshire Neighbors
Kathy Keeser: kkeeser@nbccoalition.org
Natalie Cain: ncain@nbccoalition.org
UNITY
Erica Schmitz: eschmitz@nbccoalition.org
Elena Traister: etraister@nbccoalition.org
Administrative Asst.
Carolyn Leab: cleab@nbccoalition.org
Coalition Volunteer
Marcia Sweet - Experience Works
MCLA Intern
Erica Cruz: emilysmom28@hotmail.com
Final Thoughts...
The past week, I heard an expression that stuck with me and I want to share it with the readers of this newsletter.
“Be the change that you want to make.â€
This is an emotional time for all of us, as we recover from September 11th,, 2001, as we prepare for new elections, and as war becomes part of the backdrop of every day’s news.
Locally, our jobs get a bit harder as the poor lose entitlements, and our resources to help those who are in need diminish.
“Be the change that you want to make.â€
Let’s remember what makes the United States of America the nation that we truly believe in and let’s watch our democracy flourish in the public conversations we can have about what America is for each of us. Let’s all listen, and let us all be heard in these conversations.
Let’s keep our eyes on what we want our local communities to be and as we work, let’s work towards those objectives. Let’s all listen and be heard in these conversations as we shape the Northern Berkshire community in the coming years.
“Be the change that you want to make.â€
- Al Bashevkin
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
Snow, 'Freezing Drizzle' Forecast for Berkshires
Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The day before the day before Christmas is shaping up to be a messy mix of rain and snow.
A winter weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service office in Albany, N.Y., through 7 a.m. on Wednesday for Berkshire County, and eastern Rensselaer County in New York.
Patchy snowfall was expected to begin Tuesday morning over the region and through the afternoon, before turning to freezing drizzle in the evening. The region could see total accumulations of 2 to 5 inches of snow and a glaze of ice.
WTEN Channel 10 in Albany has North County and Southern Vermont getting up to 6 inches.
Heavier snow is forecast beginning after midnight along with gusty northwesterly winds. According to NWS, "The combination of gusty winds and falling snow will likely reduce visibility and lead to difficult travel."
Christmas Eve will be cold and breezy and Christmas Day cloudy with highs in the upper 30s, but turning frostier in the evening. Friday will be in the 20s with a chance of snow.
Most schools are either already out this week for the holiday vacation or have half-days Tuesday or Wednesday.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
