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Berkshires Beat: Williams Seeks Home for Winter Blitz Weatherization
12:54PM / Monday, October 17, 2016
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Williams College students help prepare North County homes for winter.

Ready for winter: Williams College's Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives is seeking homeowners in Northern Berkshire County, as well as Pownal, Vt., who would like their homes weatherized for the upcoming winter. The weatherization efforts will take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, during the college's ninth annual Winter Blitz day. Homeowners who are seeking to lower their energy costs and who cannot weatherize themselves are encouraged to participate.

During Winter Blitz, teams of students go out and prepare homes for winter weather by installing storm windows, door sweeps and energy-efficient light bulbs. Trained student leaders lead teams and all materials are paid for by the Zilkha Center.

The benefits of weatherization include lower energy bills and energy conservation. The average un-weatherized home leaks air at a rate equivalent to a four-foot-square hole in the wall. Weatherization can save homeowners 25 to 40 percent on their heating and cooling bills.

If you are interested in having your home weatherized with Winter Blitz and saving money on your energy bill, sign up before Nov. 1 online, call 413-547-1787 or email williamswinterblitz@gmail.com.


March into Halloween: Don’t miss your chance to participate in this year's Halloween Parade in Pittsfield.  The deadline to enter has been extended to Thursday, Oct. 20. The parade will be held Friday, Oct. 28, beginning at 7 p.m. on Tyler Street.

For more information, contact Becky Manship, Pittsfield’s Recreation Activities Coordinator, at 413-499-9370 or email parks@pittsfieldch.com.


Register to vote: Voter registration for the state election will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Clerk’s Office, Newton Memorial Town Hall, 83 North Main St., Lanesborough. For more information, please call the Town Clerk’s office at 442-1351.


 

Show your best art: The Berkshire Conservation District is hosting a conservation-themed poster contest for all students in Berkshire County in grades K-12 to earn a chance to win a prize. The contest theme, "We All Need Trees," must appear on the poster, and artwork must be relevant to this theme.

The contest is open to students in public, private and home schools. For information on how to enter, email berkshireconservationdistrict@gmail.com. Entries will be due Nov. 1 and winners will be announced at the annual meeting on Nov. 10.

 

Holiday fun: Tickets are now on sale for the Children's Holiday Extravaganza at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, set for noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. Nov. 27.

The event will feature entertainment, face painting, popcorn, pizza, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, raffles, prizes and more. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Gift bags will be given out to the first 400 kids. Please bring non-perishable food items for donation. Tickets are free but are required and are available by calling The Colonial at 413-997-4444.


Learning at the library: The Berkshire Athenaeum kicks off its fall training series with classes on 3D printing and Introduction to Tinkercad.

A two-hour, single-session titled "3D Printing, Wow!" takes patrons through the foundations of 3D printing and printer management such as changing filament, navigating slicing software, submitting a design to the printer and low-level troubleshooting. No design instruction is included. The class is a prerequisite for enrolling in advanced classes and using the library's new 3D printers. Multiple sessions are offered: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26; 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27; 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30; and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30.

"Introduction to Tinkercad" is a five-part skill-based series that uses a learner-centered approach on the Tinkercad program with the librarian instructor introducing assignments and tutorials that provide hands-on learning. A significant commitment of time to outside class work is required; independent exploration is critical to learning and mastering design. Internet access is available at the athenaeum for follow-up assignments. Pre-requisites for this series include: computer competency with a mouse, keyboard and web-browser; established e-mail account and password; and familiarity with topics covered in "3D Printing, Wow!"

This series is offered twice: The November series consists of five classes taught Tuesday, Nov. 1; Thursday, Nov. 3; Thursday, Nov. 10; Tuesday, Nov. 15; and Tuesday, Nov. 29, all scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The December series consists of five classes taught Thursday, Dec. 1; Tuesday, Dec. 6; Thursday, Dec. 8; Tuesday, Dec. 13; and Thursday, Dec. 15, all scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Space is limited. Registration is required and can be completed through the library's website or by contacting the Reference Department at info@pittsfieldlibrary.org or 413-499-9480, ext. 202.


Behold baseball: Baseball in the Berkshires has been granted nonprofit status under Internal Revenue Code Section 501-c-3. This organization has presented historical baseball exhibitions at Arrowhead, the Country Club of Pittsfield and at the Berkshire Mall for Family Fun Day.

Members of the organization, Jim Overmyer, Kevin Larkin, Larry Moore and Tom Daly, authored a book "Baseball in the Berkshires: A County’s Common Bond," that was published this past March. They will continue to put on historical baseball exhibitions throughout the county as well as offer public programming that will showcase the county’s baseball talent.

Baseball in the Berkshires has as its mission to bring the residents and friends of Berkshire County together to assist in telling the story of baseball and its history in the Berkshires, from town ball and the Massachusetts Game to T-ball, Little League, Cal Ripken Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, American Legion Baseball, high school and collegiate baseball, adult league baseball, Wahconah Park baseball, Minor League baseball and Major League baseball. The history and culture of baseball are entwined in the towns and families from Sheffield and Ashley Falls to North Adams and Williamstown.


Scenic train rides: There are still two chances to ride the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum's Hoosac Valley Train Ride this fall. At 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays Oct. 22 and 29, local historians Paul Marino and Chris Wondoloski, author of "The Hoosac Tunnel Murders," will narrate a train ride titled "Hoosac Valley Legends Train: The Story of the Hoosac Tunnel."

The historic Hoosac Tunnel which opened for rail traffic in 1875, took over 25 years to build, cost millions to construct and claimed over 100 lives. The tunnel, which remains a vital transportation asset, transformed North Adams into a powerful industrial city and left a legacy of engineering accomplishments and chilling ghost stories. While aboard the train and with the eerie sounds of the whistle and beautiful Berkshire fall sunset as a background, Marino and Wondoloski will explore the politics, personalities, technology and ghostly tales which make the story of the Hoosac Tunnel fascinating. The highlight of the experience will be a lantern-lit dusk trek into the historic and hallowed grounds of Southview Cemetery, located in the shadow of the very tunnel itself, to visit the resting places of some of the people you learned about on-board.

The Hoosac Valley Legends Train: The Story of the Hoosac Tunnel departs from North Adams Station located at 98 Crowley Ave., directly behind the Brien Center building on American Legion Drive, at 5:30 p.m. Please allow up to two hours for this excursion. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door, based on availability. Although family friendly, this experience is not designed to capture the attention of young children and we recommend parents use their discretion.

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