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Hello Berkshire County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A $10 million street overhaul, a cosmic bowling fundraiser, and a cardboard box race + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Safety and access upgrades ahead: A $10 million East Street overhaul in Pittsfield will start this spring, replacing drainage and widening the road with bike lanes, shared-use path, and a raised median through August 2028 — see what’s changing and where.
Civic conversation with a lawmaker: The Berkshire County NAACP hosts a special virtual meeting on health equity today at 6 p.m., featuring Massachusetts Rep. Marjorie Decker and a brief presentation. Nonmembers are welcome — get all the details.
Effort to strengthen policing: Cheshire Interim Police Chief Timothy Garner submitted a larger budget to add officers, boost recruitment, and fund body cameras with a remote watch me feature, aiming to match neighboring departments — see what’s being proposed.
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 they’re 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/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.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Tapas without fuss: Weeknight plans, solved. At Brava, shareable tapas, handmade pizzas, and charcuterie pair with a smart wine list. Even better with a friend… a few plates and something bubbly, and it looks like you planned it all along.
Tweak your two wheels: From e-bike dreams to winter-tire woes, Berkshire Bike and Board keeps you rolling with gear dialed for Pittsfield State Forest, The Boulders, or an Ashuwillticook spin. Friendly techs, a smart selection, and zero ego make wrenching easy, so your two wheels stay happy year-round.
Big-screen reset, anyone? At Phoenix Theatres Beacon Cinema, sink into comfy recliners, pick reserved seats, and catch everything from new releases to special events like The Met: Live in HD. Midweek or weekend, it’s an easy escape that makes movie night feel like an occasion.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
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.
🎈 Lenox Stay & Play @ Lenox Community Center | Wednesday (3/4) at 10:00 AM – Wrangle your tiny negotiator to the Lenox Community Center upstairs ballroom for a free, drop-in playgroup. Wednesday mornings, expect free play, table-top tinkering, and circle time, also known as you chatting with grownups while your kid burns energy. Best for toddlers and preschoolers, all welcome.
✂ Interchangeable hanger @ Artsy Avenue | Wednesday (3/4) at 6:30 PM – Refresh the porch without buying another bin of decor with a hands-on workshop making an interchangeable hanger that fits your basket and wagon toppers. Practical, cute, and satisfyingly organized. Spots go fast, so use the ticket link and save your seat.
🎳 Cosmic Bowling: Strike Out Glioblastoma @ K&M Bowling | Saturday (3/7) at 6:00 PM – Trade the couch for cosmic bowling at K&M, where glowing lanes, music, and forgiving lighting make everyone look like a pro. It’s $22 for two hours and shoes, plus raffles, a 50/50, and tees, all to benefit glioblastoma research. Even your gutter balls do good.
🎬 “Designing Woman” (1957) @ Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 PM – Nothing beats Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall trading barbs on the big screen, with Dolores Gray stirring the pot. Designing Woman brings Oscar-winning wit, clashing closets and box scores, and a romance that ages better than our backs. Tickets are $8, $5 kids, ConnectorCare/WIC/EBT honored.
🏖 Purim 2026: Beach Party @ Knesset Israel Synagogue | Saturday (3/7) at 7:30 PM – Shake off the slush and dive into KI’s Purim Beach Party, with the band surfing reggae, surf rock, calypso, and bossa nova as Purim gets parody lyrics, no sunscreen required. Cameos from Anshe Amunim, Hevreh, Hebrew School kids, refreshments included, tickets from $15, kids free.
📦 Dale Derby Cardboard Box Race @ Bousquet Mountain | Sunday (3/8) at 11:00 AM – Think your duct tape skills deserve an audience? Bousquet’s Dale Derby is a downhill showdown where teams of up to four turn cardboard, duct tape, and questionable aerodynamics into glory on the snow, with family-friendly fun, big laughs, and bragging rights up for grabs.
🏅 Preseason Clinics @ The Infield. Home of the Berkshire Baseball Academy | Sunday (3/8) at 5:00 PM – Preseason clinics are rolling into The Infield to shake the winter rust off gloves and swings. Open to all eligible Dalton-Hinsdale Little Leaguers, no registration needed, just $10 a session, and a blessed bit of cabin-fever relief for the adults, Pittsfield-style.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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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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📻 Berkshire County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 45°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West wind around 3 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind around 1 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 46°F – Low: 33°F – Precip: 61%
Rain likely after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Southeast wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
Loft 303 is a south-facing 1BR, 1BA at Greylock WORKS, a celebrated Berkshires mill conversion, with 940 SF of light-filled living and a private 50 SF loggia. Nearly 12-foot ceilings, restored hardwoods, and an open plan blend old and new. Shared amenities, including a sculptural sauna and rooftop views, join a nine-acre campus with restaurant and makers near MASS MoCA.
Take a peek inside →
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