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Hi Berkshire County, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: A community parks forum, a $140 million bank-to-housing redevelopment, and a cardboard box race + plenty of reasons to put on real pants 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.

📰 In the news

Help shape local green spaces: Pittsfield is hosting a community forum on city parks today at City Hall, inviting residents to share ideas as it updates the Open Space and Recreation Plan for future improvements — see how to get involved.

Major project moves ahead: A former Pittsfield bank will be redeveloped into mixed-income apartments, backed by a $140 million state grant, with $8.4 million for conversions that officials say could help revive downtown — get all the details.

Nonprofit responds to funding gap: Construct’s 19th-annual Warm Up the Winter fundraiser happens today in the Berkshires as frigid weather and federal cuts strain neighbors, to raise $150,000 to help households with housing and fuel — read the full story.

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:

• Master quick, stress-free weeknight dinners
• Sip and paint sunshine daisies porch leaner
• Discover herbs to calm your nerves
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 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.

🫶 We got your back

Sirloin burger craving? Freight Yard Pub is the low-key move for a juicy one and a cold beer, no overthinking required. Cozy vibe, friendly crew, and toppings galore to make it yours. Weeknights feel easier here, and that first bite delivers pure satisfaction.

Time to glide local: Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink brings small-town ice charm: smooth laps, friendly faces, and just enough chill to make cocoa sweeter afterward. If you’ve been meaning to get back on blades, this North Adams staple is an easy midweek reset.

Giant art, tiny stress: Shake off cabin fever at MASS MoCA, where a sprawling mill campus invites aimless roaming through massive installations, long-term Sol LeWitt wall drawings, and ever-changing exhibits. It’s the ideal low-key reset… or a friend date you won’t overthink, with wonder tucked around every corner.

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.

📆 Berkshire County for grown ups

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:

• 3/5 Pride Night @ Hot Plate Brewing Co. – 7:00 PM
• 3/6 Music Bingo @ North Adams American Legion Post 125 – 7:00 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
• 3/12 Music Bingo @ Olde Heritage Tavern – 8:00 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
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Berkshire County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 46°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 50%

A slight chance of snow between 7am and 8am, then a chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. East wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain before 4am, then freezing rain and rain. Cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected.

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Tomorrow – High: 40°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 95%

Freezing rain and rain before 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 40. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Later: A chance of rain showers after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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

This fully updated two-bed, two-bath charmer sits a short stroll from Onota Lake, then delivers its own private dock for boating and fishing. Bright, open living and a formal dining room set an inviting tone. A renovated kitchen packs storage and prep space. Updates span five years, capped by a new bath and an expanded deck.

Take a peek inside →