Six Important Upcoming Events

Here are some important announcements that have come our way. I am pleased to pass them along:

1). Our Friend Cathy Chapman of the Berkshire Dream Center has informed me that the Dream Center is hosting an event this Saturday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. at The North Adams Movieplex. 

"We are having a special showing of the movie 'Won't Back Down,' which is being released Friday night. It is a feel-good family movie based on a true story about two parents who take on a school system to get better education for their children. There will be free

raffles for Hub gift certificates and movie tickets. We are also showing a promo video of the Dream Center. We would like to invite you and all the members of the Interfaith Initiative to attend. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased Friday night at our new mobile location at The First Congregational Church from 5-7. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling Cathy at 413-475-0616 to reserve a ticket.

2). The April 4th Coalition invites the public to a panel discussion on the 2012 Election and its economic impact (including the areas of tax reform, entitlement reform, and healthcare) and  the political ramifications for worker’s rights and collective bargaining.

The event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 4, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in Murdock Hall, Room 218, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to tell their stories and bring questions for the panelists.

Panelists for the forum will include John Weissman, director of the Western Mass Jobs with Justice; Nancy McGovern, AFSCME Council 93 Legislative Representative, and Daniel Bosley, former state representative and president of the North Adams Steeplecats. The moderator for the forum will be Dr. Robert Bence of the MCLA Political Science Department. 

"The April 4th Coalition is a collection of Union Representatives and concerned citizens located in Northern Berkshire county and our mission is to support collective bargaining and workers rights and to oppose tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations that outsource American jobs. If you would like to learn more about the April 4th Coalition or learn the location and time of our next meeting, visit us on Facebook or at our Website."

3). A Clothing and Linen Sale to benefit the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative's Friendship Center Food Pantry will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Parish Center in North Adams.

Clothes of all types and for all seasons will be offered.

Those wishing to donate clean, gently used men’s, women’s and children’s outdoor clothing, including jackets, parkas, hats, gloves, socks and boots for the sale may still do so.

Options are: 1). Drop them off during business hours next week at the Northern Berkshire Community. Coalition/Family Place at 61 Main St., Suite 218, North Adams. 2). Or drop them off at the Friendship Center Food Pantry, 43 Eagle St., North Adams, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3. Phone: 664-0123. 3). Or bring them to the Parish Center between 2 and 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5. 4). Or call Mark Rondeau at 664-0130 and leave a message to arrange for pickup.

Volunteers are still needed and welcome: email deniseakrutiak@yahoo.com or fber@comcast.net.

4). The Berkshire Community Action Council (BCAC) is holding a Dinner Fundraiser to benefit its emergency services for senior citizens and those in need in Berkshire County. It is sponsored by the Orchards and its executive chef, Chris Bonnivier, along with several other Berkshire Chefs.

It will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. at the Orchards Hotel on Route 2 in Williamstown. Tickets are $50 per person (includes buffet and drinks). To buy a ticket, contact Barbara Bonnett at BBonnett@bcacinc.org or 413-446-5883.

5). The New Hope Methodist Church, working at the First Congregational Church Kitchen 134 Main Street, North Adams, will host an eat-in or take-out dinner to benefit the Friendship Center Food Pantry on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 5 to 6 p.m.

The menu will be Baked Pork Chops & Rice with Broccoli, Applesauce, Corn Bread and Halloween Cake for Dessert. The price will be: Adult, $9; Child, $4.50. Proceeds from this Dinner to Benefit The Friendship Food Pantry. To attend or pick up, please enter through Summer Street kitchen door.

They will also DELIVER to Adams, North Adams, Clarksburg and Williamstown Please reserve your dinner in advance by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11.

Call 413-663-7585 for reservations Leave a message on the answering machine with your name, telephone #, number of dinners, if you will eat-in or pick up. If you need delivery, please also leave your address and phone #.

6). Winter Blitz is an annual one-day weatherization event, where about 150 student volunteers from Williams (and this year, hopefully also from MCLA) weatherize homes of community members. 

"We provide basic services such as storm window installation, pipe wrapping, weather stripping, door sweeps, gasket insulation, and caulking of cracks, but no sophisticated structural work. All supplies and other costs are covered by the Zilkha Center at Williams, so there is absolutely no cost for homeowners. This year, the event will be held on November 10th, and we're seeking homeowners who would be interested in having their homes weatherized that day. Homeowners interested in the program should call 413-889-1735 or e-mail williamswinterblitz@gmail.com."