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It’s Friday, Berkshire County! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Gold and silver are hot, an overlooked scenic getaway, and Dale Derby Cardboard Box Race + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Tax credits and grants drive conversions: Gov. Maura Healey announced over $140 million for housing, steering support to projects in Boston, Fitchburg, New Bedford, Pittsfield and Worcester, with hundreds of new homes including affordable units planned — see where funds are going.

An overlooked scenic getaway: Adams in the Berkshires highlights Mount Greylock State Reservation, Massachusetts’ highest peak, with over 70 miles of hiking and the Veterans War Memorial Tower, plus classic New England small-town charm — read the full story.

New literary festival debuts: Berkshire Book Con, a celebration of reading and writing in Pittsfield, will take place April 18 with an author talk, contests, and Community Read pick, atomic, by Shelly Jay Shore — get all the details.

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.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.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 all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Sip and paint sunshine daisies porch leaner
• Discover herbs to calm your nerves
• Create springtime stained glass with Lisa
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Plant-powered comfort, anyone? Craving cozy without the crash, Thrive Diner serves plant-based comfort food: hearty bowls, stacked sandwiches, and decadent desserts your “I need bacon” buddy might secretly love. A weeknight win when you want something feel-good and actually good, with flavors that hit like a hug.

Treasure hunt, but local: Need a little serendipity this week? Berkshire Emporium & Antiques sprawls across twenty-plus rooms of vintage finds, quirky gifts, and nostalgic curiosities, with a sweet-smelling bakery and coffee nook. Wander, poke around, and leave with something you didn’t know you needed.

Brows that stay put: If your mornings are 80% eyebrow, Precision Brows does the heavy lifting. Expect tailored brow mapping, microblading or microshading, and clean threading that keeps your face you, just more awake and organized. Consider it brow discipline, minus the drama.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 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.

♀ Women’s Day Dinner Celebration @ Berkshire Hills Country Club | Friday (3/6) at 5:30 PM – Celebrate International Women’s Day over dinner that actually feels meaningful. Berkshire County’s finest get their flowers, with leaders from Elizabeth Freeman Center, Berkshire Immigrant Center, MCLA, Flying Cloud Institute, and more. Good food, better company, and a few cracks in the glass ceiling.

🛠 Makers on Main @ Hotel Downstreet | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Skip the big-box shuffle and wander a cozy indoor holiday market packed with local artists, makers, and actually thoughtful gifts. Support small businesses, linger over conversation, and find treasures that say I know you, not I panicked at 11 p.m. Shop local, stay warm.

🍷 2026 Wine Fair @ The Red Lion Inn | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Take a break from errands and sip your way through the Red Lion Inn’s Wine Fair, with pours from beloved local shops, paired bites, and old world charm. Book the Cellar Seminar, support CATA in the raffle, and leave with opinions you’ll swear were yours.

🎼 Schubert’s Winterreise @ Linde Center for Music and Learning | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Cold evenings call for Schubert’s Winterreise, the ultimate playlist for beautifully miserable souls. Acclaimed baritone Jarrett Porter and Artistic Director Brian Garman lead an intimate, cathartic trek through heartbreak, snow, and existential crisis. If you like your therapy sung in German, you’re set.

🍽 Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner Fundraiser @ Polish Falcons of America Nest 580 | Saturday (3/7) at 4:30 PM – Whether you’ve been perched at Nest 580 for years or you’re just here for a proper corned beef and cabbage fix, this fundraiser nails the comfort food, the conversation, and the cause. Let your crockpot rest, support a neighborhood staple, and linger like a pro.

🎳 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.

📦 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.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Music Bingo @ North Adams American Legion Post 125 – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Schubert’s Winterreise @ Linde Center for Music and Learning – 2:00 PM
• 3/7 Marks of Red @ Hunter Center – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Purim 2026: Beach Party @ Knesset Israel Synagogue – 7:30 PM
• 3/7 The Flannel Kings @ The Proprietor’s Lodge – Lakefront Events, Dining & Venue – 8:00 PM
• 3/7 Shyne @ Tavern at the A – 8:00 PM
• 3/11 Music Bingo @ Hot Plate Brewing Co. – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 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.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Berkshire County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 36°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 49%

A chance of snow before 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. New ice accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 51°F – Low: 42°F – Precip: 29%

A chance of rain before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Something in your house is about to break 🏠

It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major system and appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’re staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast.

It never happens at a convenient time, and most homeowners just eat the cost because they don’t realize there’s a better option.

American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

The best part? Select plans are 50% off now through March 9th.

This house is wild

This beautifully updated 1920s Dutch Colonial blends historic character with modern comfort in the Berkshires. The 3-bed, 2-bath home showcases a granite chef’s kitchen, gleaming hardwood floors, and a wood-burning fireplace. Peace of mind comes with a newer architectural roof, insulated windows, and high-efficiency heat. Furnishings can be included for an easy, turn-key transition.

Take a peek inside →