Volunteerism Topic of October Coalition Gathering
Sixty five people attended the October monthly meeting of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. The meeting’s topic was Growing Volunteers by Building Citizen Participation. Along with the usual networking and announcements, our meeting was a fascinating discussion of what motivates people to give of their time to other organizations. What made this discussion unique was the diversity of participation that was evident.
It’s difficult to summarize what was an emotional discussion about how we spend our time. Three major themes evolved from our conversation :
]Â It would be very helpful if we had a mechanism so that all agencies / organizations could keep track of the hours and dollar value of volunteer time. This information might help the community and potential funders better understand the true costs of having services in our community.
]Â In addition, the conversation drifted to how we might all think about making better connections with the local business community to recruit volunteers. Volunteerism as part of a job increases job satisfaction and longevity, thus decreasing costs. An hour or two a week donation from local corporations would make a big difference for the local community.
]Â Lastly, we need to reach the untapped resources that abound in our community, whether that is youth, unaffiliated neighbors, or others. There are potential volunteer pockets in the community that have yet to be tapped and as a community we need to do a better job at reaching them.
So, we will continue this conversation and at the same time search for ways to better coordinate our efforts in recruiting volunteers. Next month, our topic will be a visit from the North Adams Public Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center. – Al Bashevkin
Inside this issue...
• News around the Coalition
• Local School News
• Neighborhood News
• UNITY News
• Community Calendar
November Coalition Meeting
“21st Century Community Learning Center Initiativesâ€
Friday, November 8th
10 AM to Noon
First Baptist Church of North Adams
131Main Street
(Eagle Street Entrance)
North Adams
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Bring a can of food for the NBCA food pantry
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.
To Submit to NBCCoalition
Newsletter:
The Newsletter is a publication of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. To submit articles (100 words or less) for the DECEMBER newsletter, SEND BY November 25th TO :
E-Mail : cleab@nbccoalition.org
abashevkin@nbccoalition.org
Fax : 413 663-9877
November Monthly Meeting will Update on 21st Century Initiative
Come join us on Friday, November 8th from 10 AM to noon at the First Baptist Church in North Adams for a discussion about the North Adams Public Schools’ 21st Century Community Learning Center. One year ago, the North Adams Public Schools launched its 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative. The impact of this initiative is just beginning to be felt. After school offerings have impacted over five hundred middle and elementary aged students. Community based agencies and this project are beginning to learn about how to maximize each others’ assets. The local advisory board has had serious discussions about what this project means today and in the future.
This should be an engaging update co-facilitated by Deb Rosselli with all site supervisors for the 21st Century Project invited along with others who have worked towards its success. The first hour of the Coalition meeting will be an opportunity for networking and updates. Join us. AB
Join us for the Neighborhood Expo November 16
Get ready for the Neighborhood Expo ! On Saturday, November 16th, the 5th Annual Neighborhood Expo will be held at the Masonic Temple in North Adams from 9:30 to 3:30 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to sample the Northern Berkshire culture through storytelling, food, music, arts and crafts throughout the day. Come early and stay long, This is truly a unique Northern Berkshire experience.
A description of the workshop / discussions is located in the newsletter. If you can, bring a dish for the Taste of the Berkshires, the biggest pot luck lunch to hit the region. If you would like to hear local music, there will be plenty to hear throughout the day.There will be interactive displays and activities in the hall and story telling sessions in rooms throughout the Hall. The last event of the Expo will be the awarding of the Peacemaker Award.
For information about the Neighborhood Expo, contact the Coalition office. – Al Bashevkin
Spanish for Human Service Professionals
In trying to meet the needs of our changing population, a new course will be offered at MCLA. Spanish for Human Service Professionals presents the Spanish language as a vehicle for communication for human service professionals who need to communicate with Spanish-speaking clients. The course revolves around the presentation of specialized vocabulary as well as basic grammar concepts. Personalized questions, grammar exercises, dialogue completions and role-play will provide numerous opportunity to apply the vocabulary and grammar structures introduced during the course. The course will be held through MCLA’s Lifelong Learning Program. The course will cost as low as $100/person with a minimum of 20 students. It will be a 3 hour course on Wednesdays from 6-9 PM, beginning January 22nd for 16 weeks until early May. For more information contact: Graziano Ramsden, Asst. Professor of Modern Language, at MCLA - 662 5399 or Jamie Choquette, Assistant Director, MCLA’s Office of Lifelong Learning at 662-5543 -Kathy Keeser
Local Transportation Center Active
The Community Transportation Center is up and running and pleased to report their activities for the past few months. As you know, our public quest for enhanced transportation services for Northern Berkshire residents without cars began with discussions during the May, 2000 Northern Berkshire Community Coalition forum with Congressman Olver and his Congressional staff. Coalition staff stayed with the issue of rural transportation and with the help and support of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, the work was done for Congressman Olver to help the region find resources to support our rural transportation initiative. There continues to be support from the community agencies that refer clients as well as word of mouth that keeps referring clients to this program.
What follows is some data about the number of trips provided. In August, 134 trips were provided by the Community Transportation Center. During the month of September, over 1,100 trips were provided by the Community Transportation Center. During the month of October, to date (October 23, 2002), over 1,800 rides have been provided. The service is growing. These rides from the Transportation Center are a mix of private transportation providers and the existing BRTA system. We are pleased to see that a coordinated transportation system can help us to move the people of Northern Berkshire to their jobs. Increasing use of public transportation is another aim of the Community Transportation Center. - Roger Brechner/ Al Bashevkin
Fuel Assistance Begins Nov 1
It’s that time of year again and the heating season is upon us. Northern Berkshire Community Action will once again be accepting applications for fuel assistance. Previous recipients should receive their paperwork in the mail. Simply complete and drop it off at Northern Berkshire Community Action’s office in room 410 at 85 Main Street in North Adams. Be sure to make the necessary changes from last year’s status and bring in an updated verification of income. New applicants, call Northern Berkshire Community Action at 663-3014 to make an appointment.
CWAB to Continue Despite Budget Cuts
The October 17th meeting of the Community Wellness Advisory Board (CWAB) was an opportunity for prevention workers to hear the extent of budget cuts to school health and tobacco control programs. For now, many of our school adjustment positions continue in the schools, although they are no longer funded by the tobacco tax, and may of these positions’ long term viability is in question. Our tobacco control programs are now limited to those programs within the Boards of Health.
Despite the difficult news leading to the loss of jobs of some, the group agreed to continue to meet four times during the school year. We agreed to continue the School Health Surveys with a significant financial commitment from the Northstar Project. We also spent some time talking about the priorities set out by the Strategic Prevention Plan. Future CWAB meetings are set for January 16th, March 20th, and May 15th from 9 AM to 10:30 AM at the First Baptist Church in North Adams. For information, contact Al at the Coalition office. – Al Bashevkin
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
Community Recognition Awards
Once again Community Recognition Awards–“Neighborlies†were given to recognize individuals or groups who have made positive contributions to the community. What follows are two categories of awards. More to follow next month...
] Neighborly Acts: Don Freeman, Judy McConnell, Red Alcombright, Amanda Love, Polly Finn, Beverly Luscier, Marilyn Boesse, Norma Scott, Josh Pisano, Tony Pisano, Lauri Vanuni, Teresa Rivera, Adam Garrison, Pam Goewey, Richard LaCosse, Rickie LaCosse Jr., Norman Haskins, Laurie and David Babcock, Rod Bunt, Erica Cruz, Stan Owczarski, Sarah Ritcher, Bryce,and Ross McBee, John Ritcher, Kay Allard, Jeanette Dillon, Ellen Reyome, Linda Palmer, Dawn Jakes, Christopher Kalicki, Deborah Sherman, Linda Burdick, Whitney Suters, Ann Kremers, Susan Fierro, Dave Fierro, Judy Lane, Marilyn Cavallari, Nancy Sacco,Karen Friedman, Jerry McBee, Chris Cain, Bill Blackmer, Jackie Morin,Erica Samuel, Deano Lattanzi, and Satya Ferrera.
- to thank individuals in the community who have helped to make life easier for others through acts of kindness.
- Business/Agency support: North Adams Masonic Association, Wal-Mart, Mt. Williams Greenhouse, St. John’s Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church, First Congregational Church, North Adams Public Schools, Northern Berkshire United Way, Little’s HSC Pharmacy, Village Pizza, Boston Seafood Restaurant, Subway, CVS Pharmacy, St. Anthony of Padua Church, Northern Berkshire Juvenile Court(North Adams)- Community Service Program, Pittsfield K-9 Unit, Pizza Hut, and the North Adams Police Department (Dave Sacco).
- to recognize the support given for community projects by agencies or businesses.
Pulling Together: Drury After Prom Party Committee(Lisa Cunningham, Amy Cozzaglio, Emily Tremblay, Michele LaPine, Amanda Miller), Flying Garbanzos(Eric Buddington, Elena Traister, Tony Pisano,Dale Ott, Josh Pisano),Clarksburg Council on Aging(Joan Falco, Lily Kuzia), Briggsville Women’s Club, and Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity.
- to honor the groups of people who have worked together on a community betterment project.
Beautification: David Carver/ Scarfoni Associates
- to honor those who have worked to beautify our community.
Special Award: Mayor John Barrett and the City of North Adams for sponsoring the Downtown Celebration for many years.
Service-Learning = Building Community
Service-learning has most likely been practiced for centuries, but it has only recently (in the past 15 years) been established as a formal way of learning and a method that has gained large amounts of respect and popularity nationwide. Service-learning is where students learn knowledge and skills through a community service experience and process the learning through one or more methods of reflection.
Currently in the Northern Berkshires, service-learning takes place at all levels of education, K-16. NAPS has a strong partnership with MCLA in developing projects with youth and college students. In addition to MCLA, NAPS, BCC and surrounding community schools also engage their students as partners with many community organizations to support programs and assist with projects. By engaging in service-learning, the community benefits but most of all our youth and young adults practice citizenship, gain academic learning, and are enlightened to the never-ending rewards of making a difference.
For more information on service-learning and how to work with MCLA and/or NAPS, contact Anne Geiger, at 662-5251 or Deb Coyne at 662-3240.
Practicing Diversity Comes to our Schools
A project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Mix It Up campaign provides resources and support for people nationwide who are seeking to bridge the boundaries that separate us in our daily lives.
The campaign, launched on the first annual Mix It Up at Lunch Day, November 21, 2002, begins with a simple step. Students all over the country make the commitment to step out of their cafeteria comfort zones, take a new seat, and see what happens.
This one-day experiment leads to a year-long exploration and questioning of the boundaries — both visible and invisible — that ordinarily separate us. Activities will range from classroom discussions and local community projects to a nationwide dialogue that crosses the lines of race, age, gender, income, ethnicity, language, ability, interests, and sexual orientation. www.mixitup.org is the online gathering place for all of these activities.
Teachers can respond to a questionnaire, conduct a lesson plan, read about other schools’ experiences, order free resources, and find funding opportunities. Students can share their experience, answer polls, read current news on group boundaries and bridge-building, order free resources, and win national recognition for their work. Activists from all walks of life are encouraged to visit www.tolerance.org for a more extensive investigation into related issues and activities.
Quick Guide to Expo Story Sessions ... Join us on November 16th
What follows are descriptions of the story sessions for this year’s Expo.
The Public Benefit of Art, facilitated by H. Mark Smith of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, will discuss the many benefits, including economic, that the public gains from visual, performance and other art forms. This is an especially pertinent discussion due to recent budget cuts.
Circles of Economic Change will focus on the external and internal factors and decision makers during the past 30 years that have helped shift the focus from manufacturing and retail to art/technology and tourism.
Stories from the Mountain, Historic Florida Mountain will have Bob Barton facilitating a lively discussion with Stan Brown, Roy Burdick and members of the Florida Historic Commission about stories of the past, and current projects in the town.
The Cycles of Neighborhood Improvement will look at the ups and downs of resident participation and the outside factors that have an impact on the accomplishments of the neighborhood. The residents will discuss how to encourage participation, why they got involved, what has kept them involved, and what improvements they have been able to accomplish in their neighborhoods.
Seasoned Citizens, Getting Better with Age: Participants who have a wealth of experience will share their stories with the community. Joining us are: Venice Partenope (North Adams), Evelyn Gallese (North Adams), Sally Cramer (Williamstown), Mary Remillard (Adams), Viola Decoigne (Savoy).
Circles of Women Making a Difference will examine how women’s circles have always been a way for people to connect, develop, or share skills, learn from one another, make new friends and organize for good works in the community. This session will bring together various circles: a quilting circle in Adams; the Briggsville Women’s Club in Clarksburg, a Celtic spirituality group in Williamstown, a scrapbook group in Florida, the Bunco Club in North Adams.
Eye on the Future/ Our Newer Neighbors Look Ahead: Residents who moved to North Berkshire 10 or more years ago will talk about what it was like when they arrived, what potential they saw in the area, and how that vision compares with Northern Berkshire today.
Coming Home: Al Bashevkin will facilitate this group with people who have returned to the Berkshires. For many, this is a life decision that has great implications. Why did people move away? Why did people come back? Participants will share what they are doing now in North Berkshire, and what it is like living here now compared with in the past.
Neighborhood EXPO 2002 SCHEDULE
9:00-9:30: Registration and light breakfast
9:30- 9:45: Introductions and WELCOME
9:45-11:00: SESSION I:
• Circles of Women Making a Difference
• Circles of Economic Change
• Coming Home
• Interactive Children and Adult Activities and Displays
10:30-12:30 – Music Scene / Local music bringing people together
SESSION II: 11:15-12:30:
• Stories from the Mountain, Historic Florida, MA
• The Public Benefit of Art
• Looking Ahead, Came here, saw potential, better or worse?
• Interactive Children and Adult Activities and Displays
12:30 – 2:15: LUNCH TIME: Taste of North Berkshire; musical entertainment by Music Session participants, speaker, welcoming remarks
2:15 – 3:30 – SESSION III:
• Seasoned Citizens – Getting Better with Age
• Children’s Room (games and crafts)
• Dreaming along with the bricks or being Downside Up:
• The Cycles of Neighborhood Improvement
3:30 WRAP-UP, THANKS AND PEACEMAKER AWARD PRESENTATION.
What Motivates a Volunteer....
Listening to the experts at our October Coalition meeting, we heard the following reasons why many volunteer their time to the area.
• Need for contributing to the community
• Helping others that help you
• Giving back to the community
• Need to feel needed
• Concerns for changing neighborhoods for ourselves and for children
• Provide a nice place for children to grow
• To be able to participate in a mix of events/organizations
• Learning new skills/new opportunities
• Applying old and new skills to help others
• Helps to bring people together
• Opportunities to talk with like-minded people
• Role model for children
• Finding out what’s happening in the community
• Obligation to faith/religion
• Food, Folks, and Fun!!
• Commitment
• College students gain knowledge and wisdom by leaving campus and exploring community
• Way of breaking down “normal†group of acquaintances
• Being part of a bigger thing
• Feeling of being capable, connected, and contributing
• Empowerment
• Leaving a legacy behind
• Class requirement
• Appreciation (Thank you’s)
AIDS Alliance Seeks North County Representation
The Berkshire Community AIDS Alliance is looking for representatives from Northern Berkshire County to join our Consortium. The Consortium is made up of service providers, HIV/AIDS consumers, lead agency representatives and interested community members. Our job is to assess the changing needs of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Berkshire County and make recommendations on the allocation of funds for service provision. Please voice your concern and share your experience with us. For further information, please call (413) 997-2467 to leave a confidential message for the Consortium, the Consumer Advisory Board, or the Red Cross HIV/AIDS Program. – Carrie Greene
Local Music Bringing People Together
Music has always been an important part of community. Before the advent of recorded sound, music was largely ceremonial in nature. Most households owned a musical instrument, and the easiest way to hear music was to play it. Commercial public performances (mostly classical) were almost exclusively accessible to the privileged class. In the 1920s, jazz and the big bands took music out of the concert hall and almost literally into the streets.
Today in North Berkshire, music is being made everywhere, bringing diverse peoples together in a variety of venues. Public music stimulates a sense of well-being, whether it’s the joyous spontaneity of the Flying Garbanzos at the Bean on Friday mornings, or the spirited dance parties echoing in the MASS MoCA courtyard.
At the Neighborhood EXPO, I will facilitate a discussion about this subject. We have a splendid mix of musicians on the panel, and some have agreed to bring their instruments! Come and enjoy “Music In Our Community†at the EXPO on November 16.- Joe Manning
Dreaming Along With The Bricks
Over the past few years, MASS MoCA has attracted a wave of artists to North Berkshire. Our young people are suddenly caught up in something that might not have occurred to their parents a generation ago. Like artists, kids are idealists who believe that “anything is possible.â€
That philosophy is evident in many of the students that I have met and worked with recently. Like the bricks in the revived Sprague Electric buildings, young dreamers are dreaming bigger dreams. And they see their communities with new and fresh eyes. We can learn a lot from their observations.
“Dreaming Along With The Bricks†will feature panelists ranging in age from 11-18. Join me at the EXPO on November 16, for this spirited session, as we listen to their dreams, and share their creativity and optimism - Joe Manning
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
Trista Walsh, Admin Assistant, 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
Language Immersion Program Offered by 21st Century Learning Center
The North Adams Public Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center gathered with Spanish speaking families of the Northern Berkshire community on October 21st. The open house at the Brayton School LINCS center offered the twenty-two Spanish-speaking participants an opportunity to think together about how to bridge language and cultural barriers in our community. The goal of this gathering was to begin a process that will help Spanish speaking families more actively participate in their children’s education. They talked together, and with public school staff about an immersion program that would work with the 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Participants met the instructor of this program, Willot Joseph, and talked with Deb Rosselli and Jim Montepare of the North Adams Public School and Kathy Keeser of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition about how this project can work. Most importantly for this meeting, participants, local educators and service providers worked together to reduce the barriers of transportation, childcare, and other issues that may impede involvement in the program.
The ESOL Immersion Program for Adult Learners is scheduled to begin Monday, November 4th. It will be held three evenings each week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) from 6-8:30 PM at the LINCS Center at Brayton School. For more information about this project, you can contact Willot Joseph at 663-7012 or Irma Baez at 663-7367. - Deb Rosselli / Al Bashevkin
One Year Celebration for 21st Century Learning Center : November 7
Save the date, November 7th for the one year anniversary celebration of the North Adams Public Schools’ 21st Century Community Learning Center Program. From 6:30 to 8 PM at the Brayton School cafeteria, there will be an evening of board games available for family entertainment provided by Where’d You Get That along with light refreshments. Just think, one year ago this program that offers after school activities and learning was just getting started. In the past year, just under one thousand North Adams elementary and middle school students (about half the student population) have participated in a 21st Century after school program. What a wonderful addition to the Northern Berkshire community as we look towards more opportunities for our local school children.
Trista Walsh Joins Program
The North Adams Public Schools 21st Century Community Learning Center is pleased to welcome Trista Walsh to the staff of the program. Trista will be working with Deb Rosselli in an effort to support communications and public relations region wide for this public school initiative. Trista grew up in Clarksburg and recently returned to our area after living in Italy for two years. She brings a great deal of enthusiasm and skill to enhance this program’s efforts. So, when you call Deb Rosselli at 664-9633, you may hear Trista’s cheerful voice at the other end of the line. Welcome to our world, Trista.
Northern Berkshire Neighbors
Calendar
Greylock Housing Coalition
Neighborhood Summit
UNO
Neighborhood Connection
Mohawk Forest Neighbors
Blackinton Neighbors Assoc.
Community Bulletin Board November 2002
Seniors:
• 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 began 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
• The Youth Center, Inc. is selling Toy Calendars during November. The Toy Calendar can be obtained for a donation of $5.00. During the month of December, each day a name is picked for the toy of the day. The name is then put back “in the hat†so a person has a chance to win again! Some of the toys are train sets, electronic dart board, nintendo game cube, and a gift certificate to Walmart. Call Liz Baker at 743-3550 for more information.
• 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 information, contact their office at 663-3014.
• A new roundtable is coming together for agencies and organizations working with the economically poor of the area. For information, or to join us at our next gathering, contact Al Bashevkin at the Coalition office.
• Berkshire County banks held a community credit needs focus group along with representatives from housing programs to find a way to approach low income families and individuals. The three banks created, Fresh Start, a program in which a special savings account was developed to help individuals learn to save and manage money. Those interested in the program may attend a free seminar on November 7th at 10:30 a.m., at the Berkshire Food Project. A free lunch will follow.
• Parent and Infant Groups, sponsored by Northern Berkshire Family Net on Thursday mornings, 10:30 at Haskins Community Center in North Adams. Call 664-4821 for information: (contact Person: MaryJo Belanger).
• November 29th - the Day After Thanksgiving - The Coalition Office Will Be Closed
General:
• FOLK MUSIC RADIO Tuesdays WJJW-FM 91l1 FM 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. TUNE IN! Call in at 662-5110.
• Need some extra cash at the end of each month? The Family Beat needs your help! Now that the paper is a year old, they are looking for folks to help get it out and into the hands of people across the region. Typically this involves a few days work per month, a good car and a reasonably strong back. For info: mmervis@thefamilybeat.com or (413) 528-2975.*
• As many of you probably know, the Holiday Inn has a health club in its basement, with cardio equipment, weights, machines, and a pool. Annual membership is $265. (6 months is $160.) However, they also offer a corporate membership for $186.75. Thanks to some work by Ken Swiatek, we may be able to join the Holiday Inn as a “corporate member†by being part of the Coalition. Interested ? contact Al Bashevkin or Ken Swiatek– Ken Swiatek
November 2nd
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 3rd
Antique Auction at N.A. Public Library
North Adams Historical Commission and North Adams Public Library presents a live auction of antiques and curiosities on Sunday at NOON. Previews Sat 2 - 4:30 and Sun. 10 - 11:30. Online catalog at www.naplibrary.com/auctioncatalog.html. Questions? Contact: kwestwoo@cwmars.org
November 4th
Election Day - Remember To VOTE!
November 4th and 8th
Northern
Berkshire Tonite
Local access TV at 7:30 PM (11/4) and 8 PM (11/8). This week co-hosts Al Bashevkin and Ken Swiatek will have as their guests Deb Rosselli of the NAPS 21st Century Initiative and Stan Oczwarski, a volunteer in the North Adams Public Schools
November 8th
Monthly
Coalition
Meeting
From 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 the 21st Century Community Learning Center.
Plan to bring a canned food item for the NBCA Food Pantry. This would be most appreciated, especially during this time of the year.
November 16th
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.
November 19th
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.
November 26th
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.
December 12th
Berkshire Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Invites you to a community-wide Coalition Meeting/Workshop “Let’s Talk About Sex: U.S. vs. European Approaches to Adolescent Sexuality on Thursday, December 12 from 4:30 - 6:30 at 305 North Street, Pittsfield. For more information contact: BCTPTP, 305 North St. or FAX 413-448-2236.
Community Wellness Advisory Board
(CWAB)
Meets from 9:00 - 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 North Berkshire. For information contact the Coalition office @ 663-7588.
Meeting times for the next year:
January 16th
March 20th
May 15th
STAFF
Executive Director
Al Bashevkin: 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...
As I was walking to the October Community Recognition Ceremony at the Masonic Temple, I was reminded of similar walks forty years ago for the Jewish High Holiday services. Memories of walking with my family to holiday services are sweet. They were a ritual for us as a family, and I’m sure for other families as well.
Participating in the Community Recognition Ceremony has become a ritual for me as well. Looking at the over one hundred residents who will be asked to come up and be thanked for their contribution to the community by Mayor Barrett and others is an important event. It reminds Northern Berkshire residents of how important they are to the revitalization of this community. Attending and participating at our monthly Coalition meetings, which has by now a very predictable order and plan, has also become a monthly ritual.
In our work, we have developed events, celebrations, and causes to come together. We all know what to do at these events. They have a soul and spirit of their own, and help to create order in lives that at times can be pretty confusing.
One other ritual that is critical to all of us is the upcoming election. Going into the voting booth on November 5th, and voting for the candidates of our choice is an activity whose importance cannot be underestimated. So as you vote, be reminded of your personal rituals that do make a difference in our community. Voting is certainly one of them.
– Al Bashevkin
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Berkshire Food Project Closed for Power Issues
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshire Food Project is closed Monday because of a power outage early in the morning.
"We are unable to get proper electricity and heat to the building," according to Executive Director Matthew Alcombright. "We hope that this can be resolved and be open tomorrow."
The project does have some sandwiches and frozen meals that will be distributed at the entry.
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
