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Hi Berkshire County, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Cultural escapes at the Clark Art Institute and Tanglewood, Maura Healey vs. a gas rate hike, Nightwood, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Cultural escapes highlighted: Two Berkshire County towns were recognized this month for big charm, with nods to the Clark Art Institute and Tanglewood, as a list highlights 11 small towns across Massachusetts — see the full list.
Unpredictable winters test preparedness: Earlier this month, Pittsfield’s Public Works Committee was briefed as Commissioner Ricardo Morales cited staffing shortages after last winter’s nearly $1.2 million overspend, with seven vacancies expected in 2026 — get all the details.
Effort to curb energy costs: Gov. Maura Healey is pushing back against a proposed Berkshire Gas rate hike that could raise bills by up to 25 percent, saying Western Mass families cannot afford it now — read the full story.
A boost for local giving: North Adams First Congregational’s Share the Love campaign returns for fifth year, offering a 50 percent match up to $10,000 and raffle entries for $25 gifts supporting four Berkshire nonprofits — learn how you can help.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
New tools to spur housing: On February 17, Governor Maura Healey announced housing supports at former Berkshire County Savings Bank in Pittsfield, aimed at adding over 1,300 units across projects. The plan includes 47 affordable apartments on Linden Street with Hearthway and block redevelopment with Allegrone, plus incentives and grants through the Affordable Homes Act. See which programs are included.
Community care model explored: Earlier this month, Pittsfield City Council scrapped its proposed camping ban in favor of outreach. A pilot will launch this spring with two Health Department community workers serving unhoused residents downtown and citywide, coordinating with local agencies without affecting the city budget. Get all the details.
Local flavors, zero fuss: STATE Food + Drink brings seasonal, locally minded cooking to North Adams, serving comforting plates that still surprise, cocktails with a thoughtful twist, and a laid-back vibe that suits a low-key weeknight or an easy date. A small, dependable pleasure.
Upgrade your kitchen kit: Tucked inside Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, The Chef’s Shop stocks the actually useful tools: quality pans, sharp knives, and clever gadgets, plus advice that steers you from duds. Perfect when inspiration fades or your wobbly spatula finally quits.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎭 10×10 New Play Festival @ Boyd-Quinson Theater: Barrington Stage Company | Friday (2/27) – Short attention span, meet your match: 10 brand-new plays, each a crisp 10 minutes, serving drama, comedy, and a little chaos before your drink warms. It’s theater tapas for grown-ups, plenty of variety, zero filler, and you’ll still be home at a civilized hour.
🍗 Stuffed Chicken Dinner Fundraiser @ First Baptist Church North Adams | Friday (2/27) at 5:00 PM – Skip the stove and let the church handle dinner with a stuffed chicken fundraiser that actually does some good. Dine in or take out, use the Eagle St. door like a local, adults $15, kids 10 and under $8, all supporting Mission Peru ’26.
🎬 Film Screening: Did You Put Milk in the Bucket? @ Clarksburg Town Library | Saturday (2/28) at 2:00 PM – Library night calls for a film, local lore, and snacks. Settle in at Clarksburg Town Library for Sharon Wyrrick’s documentary on the Center for Resourceful Living, our OG sustainability experiment. She’s staying for the conversation, it’s free, and yes, refreshments await.
🌙 Nightwood @ The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home | Saturday (2/28) at 5:00 PM – Take a twilight stroll through The Mount’s woods and gardens, where fire, music, and clever lighting turn Edith Wharton’s backyard into a dreamscape. Equal parts fairy tale and ghost story, it gently resets your winter-weary senses with wonder, mystery, and very photogenic shadows.
🎶 Sons of Town Hall @ Studio 9 at Porches Inn | Saturday (2/28) at 7:00 PM – Sons of Town Hall are sailing into Studio9 at Porches with seaworthy folk, knot-tight harmonies, and stories that’ll make you consider buying a compass. It’s intimate, beautifully mixed, and blissfully free of gimmicks, just two pros, a couple guitars, and your undivided attention.
🎭 London’s National Theatre in HD: “The Fifth Step” @ Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center | Saturday (2/28) at 7:00 PM – Skip the airfare and catch London’s National Theatre in HD with Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman in The Fifth Step, a darkly funny AA confession drama filmed live from the West End. Perfect date night, Rated R, $17, or $10 if you’re 21 and under.
🎷 Cochemea @ Club B10 | Saturday (2/28) at 8:00 PM – Nothing beats live horns that actually groove. Cochemea, longtime Dap-King multi-instrumentalist with credits from Amy Winehouse to The Roots, brings deep-pocket soul, jazz wanderlust, and chops that say sit down, sip something, and let the room breathe.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Berkshire County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 31°F – Low: 12°F – Precip: 3%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 12. Northwest wind around 3 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 39°F – Low: 25°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind 1 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.
This house is wild
This iconic 1888 Victorian by Archibald Hopkins stands steps from the Clark Art Institute and its 140-acre campus. Set on two-thirds of an acre, it showcases gardens, Goshen stone walls, and two pergolas. A soaring leaded-glass stair, elegant living and dining rooms, and a book-lined library open to a screened porch and terrace. Five bedrooms, 3 full, 2 half baths.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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