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Hey Berkshire County, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Free dog training, a $33.4 million campaign milestone, and chamber concerts + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A growing local venture: Hinsdale’s new Garden Center at 901 Washington Road is open Fridays and Saturdays, 10 to 3. Owners Amanda Bates and Ryen Quail plan workshops and expanded offerings to help gardeners -- read the full story.
Major fundraising milestone: MCLA announced its Pathways Campaign raised $33.4 million, exceeding a $25 million goal. Concluded July 15, it lifted the endowment to a record and doubled reserves to $27 million -- read the full story.
BRPC recognizes staff growth: BRPC announced Sunday promotions for six staff, including Krystal Bartley, Britney Daniels, Noé González Ortiz, and Alecia Herrick, highlighting new roles across HR, environmental planning, and finance -- read the full promotion story.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Reset from the inside: If your body feels like it’s still storing last winter’s salt and this week’s stress, Hydro Health Wellness offers colon hydrotherapy, ozone steam and far infrared sauna sessions, plus IonCleanse footbaths to jumpstart your body’s detox process. Give yourself a reset this week and feel lighter, clearer, a bit more human.
Dial in your aim: Whether you need a new bow setup, a cleaned up trigger, or just more ammo, Cheshire Sporting Goods has you covered with expert bow fitting and tuning, full gunsmithing, FFL transfers, hunting essentials, and reloading supplies. Keep an eye out for their virtual and archery range opening soon in Pittsfield.
Soft-serve sanity saver: Cravins Soft Serve & Frozen Yogurt keeps it classic with real-cream soft serve and frozen yogurt that hits that luscious, velvety texture. A longtime Berkshires favorite, it’s the perfect morale boost this week, the “we did it” cone after errands, or an effortless treat that just makes sense.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎨 UNO Drop-In Art Club @ Manton Research Center Auditorium (Williamstown) | Wednesday (8/5) at 3:30 PM – Got a creative kid or grandkid who has outgrown the kitchen table? At UNO Community Center, a free Art Club with educators from the Clark, MASS MoCA, and nbCC lets ages 8–19 test new media, grab snacks, and let someone else handle the glitter cleanup.
🌿 Green Living Seminar Series @ Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (North Adams) | Wednesday (8/5) at 5:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to think greener, here it is. MCLA’s Green Living Seminar is back with Nature and Spirituality, a 12-week dive into where faith, ritual, and the outdoors meet. Less preachy, more thoughtful, very Berkshires.
🎶 Windsor Lake Concert Series @ Windsor Lake (North Adams) | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:30 PM – Live music by the lake hits right, and A Band Called E.R.I.E. joins Windsor Lake’s free weekly concert series. Expect breezes, neighbors, and a backdrop, plus free parking, actual bathrooms, and that small-town perk where even Adams Community Bank helps keep the tunes going.
🧺 2026 Summer Farmer's Market @ Main Street (North Adams) | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Feel like judging tomatoes and bumping into three people you went to high school with? Every Saturday, rain or shine, the summer market rolls out local produce, baked goods, sweet treats, and handmade finds, plus all the small-town gossip you can carry with your peaches.
🎶 Buskers @ Great Barrington Farmers' Market | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Think you know your farmers market routine? At the Great Barrington Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, buskers keep the tomatoes company and give your coffee a soundtrack. It is equal parts fresh greens, neighborhood hellos, and live music that does not shout over you.
👨 Free Family Sundays @ The Mount (Lenox) | Sunday (8/9) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats free family fun on a summer Sunday at The Mount, with live music, storytelling, and hands-on arts and crafts. Kids whip up mini-comics or sprint through poetry games, you get gardens, shade, and cultural credit. New activities each week, it never gets old.
🐶 Roxie’s Resources @ Roxie's Barkery (North Adams) | Sunday (8/9) at 2:15 PM – Roxie’s Barkery is hosting a free, people-only class with Berkshire Humane Society on actually understanding your four-legged roommate, right here in North Adams. A certified trainer shares real-world fixes, you snag perks, discounts, and offers, Fido stays home for fewer distractions, and seating is limited.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. 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 Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Berkshire County report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northwest wind around 2 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 31%
A chance of rain showers after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildThis well-maintained 3-bed, 2-bath home puts downtown within walking distance and packs in plenty of personality. The spacious kitchen and large living room with a wood-burning fireplace set the tone, while the first-floor office and bright three-season room add flexibility. Outside, a deck and fenced yard pair nicely with the oversized three-car garage and partially finished basement.
Take a peek inside → |
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