Our BerkshireGreen

August - November 2009

Complimentary Issue

Our BerkshireGreen

™

Your Holistic/Green Resource

Green Living ● Holistic Health ● Contests

/PX .PSF ѮBO &WFS %JTDPWFS 4VTUBJOBCMF $IPJDFT .JTTJPO ѮF #FSLTIJSF $PPQFSBUJWF "TTPDJBUJPO FYJTUT UP DVMUJWBUF B TVTUBJOBCMF MPDBM FDPOPNZ BOE CVJME DPNNVOJUZ XJUI B DPNNVOJUZ PXOFE OBUVSBM GPPE TUPSF BT JUT QSJNBSZ WFIJDMF

7JTJPO 5P CF B USBOTGPSNBUJWF GPSDF JO UIF DPNNVOJUZ 5P TFSWF BT B NPEFM PG B TVTUBJOBCMF CVTJOFTT BMUFSOBUJWF 5P OVSUVSF TPDJBM BOE FDPOPNJD XFMM CFJOH JO BO FOWJSPONFOUBMMZ TPVOE NBOOFS

BERKSHIRE CO-OP MARKET

42 Bridge Street • Great Barrington 413.528.9697 • www.berkshire.coop

G E O T H E R M A L H E AT I N G & C O O L I N G

Geothermal systems tap into the free, renewable energy found in your own backyard.

For more information and an analysis of savings potential, including stimulus programs, contact us today.

It’s money in the bank.

(413) 684-5100 climatehvac.com

CONTENTS

Aug - Nov 2009

departments 2

letter from the publisher

3

getting to know us

4

directory of categories

5

our contributors

6

resource guide Berkshire County & the surrounding area

14 calendar of events & classified

features 8 vaccinations and your pet Rethinking your pet's booster schedule

12

19 low-cost marketing

Practical advice for small green businesses

16 contests 46 in business: greening up!

Spotlight on green and holistic-minded businesses in our community 48 lifestyles & perspectives Personal experience of green & holistic living in our community 58 maps

21

tools for success

In your holistic practice - Chapters 2 & 3

22

berkshire county's amphibians

24

pesticide use in Our County

32

the insulation payoff

37

de-stress or not to stress

62 index of advertisers

55

cover illustration by h. david stein email: photo@hdstein.com website:www.photo.hdstein.com

can our schools cause add/adhd?

Learn more about environmental & dietary triggers

Fascinating information about these amazing creatures Why do we allow it to continue?

Which type of insulation is right for you?

Dealing with stress in your daily routine

ultimate green lawn tips

Tips that will save you money, time & water

P

eople who say that it can't be done should not interrupt those of us who are doing it! ~ Unknown

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

1

Letter from the Publisher

W

subscribe

elcome once again to Our BerkshireGreen, your complimentary, tri-annual holistic magazine/resource guide and website focused on Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and the surrounding area.

My hope was that you would come to think of this magazine as your magazine. My wish was that, with your help, we would create an ever-expanding, unified network of holistic and environmentally conscious individuals, businesses, and services in our community - in better words, a green/holistic family. I'd like to extend my sincere appreciation to you all because it looks as if my wish is coming true....

Our BerkshireGreen™ Resource Guide

is a tri-annual complimentary publication which can be found at many locations around Berkshire County and online.

For $18 per year you can have a subscription mailed directly to your door; a nice convenience and you will be supporting green, healthy, and holistic living in our community.

You can order through our website at www.OurBerkshireGreen.com, or you can send your name, mailing address, and a check for $18 to Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236. If you would like an e-invitation to our monthly networking events held around the county, please send us your email address.

“This is a wonderful publication and needed in the Berkshires with so many talented people dedicated to alternative health and the environment.” ~ Sandy Van, Great Barrington, MA “Received my first copy of Our BerkshireGreen. I am really enjoying it. Have marked the pages that I would like to visit. There is a true need for this information and I for one am thrilled that you guys are doing it. Best wishes.” ~ Barb Genzabella, Hinsdale, MA “It is a beautiful publication and I wish you all the best with it!” ~ Mary Arsenault, Publisher of Wisdom Magazine

contact us

“I love our magazine! It's going to do a lot of good in our corner of the planet, for the planet.” ~ Ming Lash, West Stockbridge, MA

For questions, advertising, and editorial submissions please contact:

“Our monthly networking events have been a great way for members of Our BerkshireGreen and the community to get to know each other around the county. We have fun, the free hors d' oeuvres are delicious, and our speakers have informed us and inspired us with their passionate presentations. I've totally enjoyed myself.” ~ Thea Basis, Alford, MA

publisher@OurBerkshireGreen.com editor@OurBerkshireGreen.com advertise@OurBerkshireGreen.com

“The magazine is really amazing in its focus and quality. We are a small and low-profile establishment, but use local products and local musicians to help with local sustainability. Raise some of it ourselves. Thanks for the great work.” ~. Ellen and Mike Greer, Card Lake Inn, West Stockbridge, MA.

All mail should be sent to: P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236 Phone: 413-274-1122 Fax: 413-541-8000

“Kathy... great look, great launch, kudos to you and the staff.” ~Dr. Jerome F. Errico, Lenox, MA “I've learned so much more about our community already. I recognize more people when I go out shopping, and I think of many of our local businesses in a new way.” ~ Irene Baird, Housatonic, MA “I have thoroughly enjoyed the premiere issue of Our BerkshireGreen magazine. I was surprised to see it in print, as I (mistakenly) believed it would only be an online magazine. Thank you very much-wonderful magazine!” ~ Scott LaGreca, PhD, Berkshire Museum I hope you enjoy this issue as well, and I look forward to meeting with you again in our December issue. Very best wishes, Note that the photo taken by Bridghe McCracken on page 24 of our April issue is of healthy organic food.

Special Note: All content in Our BerkshireGreen is accepted in good faith. The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for any claims, conditions, products, services, errors, and/or opinions expressed through the articles, illustrations, and advertisements appearing in this publication. We do not advocate or recommend any particular medical treatment. Every effort is made to avoid errors and misspellings; however, if you spot an error please accept our apologies. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback so that we can give you the best service possible. We reserve the right to refuse advertising for any reason. Liability is limited to the cost of the ad space in which it first appeared for printed errors of the publisher’s responsibility or if the publisher fails to print an ad or article for any reason. Unless otherwise noted, we use a Creative Commons License (in place of a standard copyright), which allows anyone to freely copy, distribute, and transmit all content, although it must be attributed in the manner specified by the author or licensor, and no one may use it for commercial purposes or alter, transform, or build upon it.

2

Cover Illustration

by H. David Stein My photographs aim to show the world as a visually fascinating and beautiful place.

Often the beauty of an object or scene is self evident, but at other times the inherent splendor is only revealed by peering closely into the component parts, or by viewing the object from a different vantage point or in a different light. I would like the observer to see what I saw and feel what I felt. Upcoming Berkshire exhibits: Chester Theater the month of August and Stockbridge Summer Arts and Crafts Show at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens on Saturday and Sunday, August 15, 16. photo@hdstein.com, www.photo.hdstein.com .

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Getting to Know Us...

Thea Basis

Independent Sales Representative

Patty Strauch

Independent Sales Representative Patty was born and raised in Allendale, New Jersey, and spent 25 years in the corporate legal field. In 2004, she and her songwriter husband, Bruce Mandel, moved to the Berkshires, married, and settled in Otis. Patty has a strong sense of community and also performs with Stockbridge Festival Chorus and Berkshire Bach. 413-2696119, patty@OurBerkshireGreen.com

Born and raised in New York City, Thea earned a BS in Holistic Health from Empire State College. In 1993, she came to the Berkshires, working for many years as an intuitive counselor at Canyon Ranch, and created a Wellness Program at Berkshire Medical Center. Thea is a certified personal trainer and teaches meditation. 413-5288084, thea@OurBerkshireGreen.com

Sheri Ann Biasin

Independent Sales Representative

Suzannah Holiday

Independent Sales Representative

Sheri Ann Biasin is a lifelong resident of Berkshire County and has a BS in Psychology and currently lives in Cheshire. Her extensive sales experience spans over 25 years. Sheri prides herself on excellent customer service and prompt responsiveness to the customer’s needs. She has three children, Jacob, Justin, and Ty. 413-8222070, sheri@OurBerkshireGreen.com

Andrea Feldman

e-Newsletter Design/PR

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Suzannah began her career working in theatre. She more recently developed Suzie Sez, a Public Relations boutique. After a serious illness she began to research alternative therapies resulting in a successful cure. Suzannah currently resides in Great Barrington with her daughter, two dogs, and a ferret. 413-528-3164, suzannah@OurBerkshireGreen.com

Chris Brady Cartographer

Andrea’s varied background includes design, counseling, cooking, and professional organizing. A native New Yorker, she relocated in 1997 in search of a healthier lifestyle and to become a macrobiotic chef. Her latest incarnation is helping small businesses to organize and create their marketing materials. 413-655-7766, andrea@OurBerkshireGreen.com

Christine Dupre

Graphic Design for Advertisements Christine has been a resident of the Berkshires for 22 years, and a professional graphic designer for the past 20 years. She is a veteran of the armed forces (US Army - six years). Her award-winning designs have been a constant presence in the Berkshires. In addition to graphic design her passions include gardening and landscaping. christine@OurBerkshireGreen.com

Chris graduated from SUNY Purchase with a BS in Environmental Science and earned a Certificate in Cartography from the University of Maryland. He has established his own business called The Mappers. In 2005, Chris, his wife Julie, and two children relocated from Maryland to the Berkshires to be closer to family. themappers@roadrunner.com

Kathy Adams

Graphic Design for Advertisements A Berkshire native, Kathy trained in graphic design at California College of Arts in San Francisco and in English at UMass. Having worked as a toy package designer, costumer, and food writer, she's now an independent graphic designer and writer. She lives and gardens in Otis with musician husband Pete and their son, James. katharine@OurBerkshireGreen.com www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

3

Directory of Categories Alternative Energy ................................................6

Nutrition & Supplements .......................41

Animal Products & Services ...............................8

Physical Therapy ......................................41

Apothecaries ..........................................................9

Reconnective Healing ..............................42

Art & Music ...........................................................9

Reflexology ...............................................42

Babies & Children ...............................................11

Tai Chi ......................................................42

Calendar of Events & Classified ......................14

TragerÂŽ Approach ....................................42

Classes & Workshops .........................................15

Women's Health .......................................43

Contests ................................................................16

Home & Garden ...............................................43

Dance, Exercise & Fitness .................................17

Feng Shui ..................................................45

Education & Training .........................................18

Natural Home Cleaning ........................45

Environmental/Conservation Organizations ....22

In Business: Greening Up! ..............................46

Farms ....................................................................26

Lifestyles & Perspectives .................................48

Farmers’ Markets ................................................26

Love & Laughter Are the Best Medicine! ......49

Food & Cooking .................................................27

Martial Arts.........................................................49

Food Stores: Co-ops, Markets & Health .........28

Mind & Spirit .....................................................50

General Stores .....................................................29

Museums ............................................................50

Green Building, Renovation & Landscape Design ..29

Organic Clothing................................................51

Green Teams .......................................................34

Printers ...............................................................51

Health & Beauty ..................................................34

Recycling at Its Best! ........................................51

Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative.....36

Restaurants & Cafes .........................................52

Acupuncture ...............................................38

Website Development & Services ..................53

Chiropractic & Kinesiology .....................38

Wellness Centers & Spas ..................................54

Counseling & Therapy ..............................39

Wine & Beer ......................................................54

Dentistry ......................................................39

Yoga ....................................................................54

Energy Medicine ........................................39

Friends of Our BerkshireGreen......................56

Massage Therapy & Bodywork ................40

Maps of Directory Advertisers .......................58

Neuromuscular Therapy ...........................41

Index of Directory Advertisers ......................62 Sponsors .............................................................64

4

Our Contributors Kristina Dow

Owner of BensDotter's Pet in Sheffield

Nina Anderson

President of Safe Goods Publishing Nina is a retired commercial pilot and ISSA certified Specialist in Performance Nutrition. She is an active researcher in the alternative health field. Nina has authored 18 books including ADD, The Natural Approach.

Her most recent book, Flying Above the Glass Ceiling. www.safegoodspub.com

Kristina ‘Tina’ Dow is a retired college administrator, former veterinary assistant, and self-described BornAgain Raw-Feeder. Tina’s shop, BensDotter’s Pet which can be found in Sheffield, Massachusetts, specializes in raw food diets. Visit her website at www.bensdotters.com

Bill Bean

President of Green Planning and Coaching Bill is a strategic planning expert with 30 years of experience. He has a BBA, and an MS (Wood Technology) combined with LEED AP and NAHB CGP designations, as well as professional certifications in Executive Coaching, Career Coaching and Retirement Career Coaching. Bill is a full time Berkshire resident living in Tyringham. www.GreenPlanningAndCoaching.com

Scott LaGreca, PhD

Natural Science Coordinator, Berkshire Museum Scott holds a PhD in Botany from Duke University. Originally from central New York, he worked at Harvard University for many years. He was a Curator in the Department of Botany at the Natural History Museum in London, a position he held for four years before moving to the Berkshires in 2008. Most recently, Scott helped curate the Berkshire Museum’s new special exhibition, Frogs: A Chorus of Colors.

Jenny Gitlitz

Director of Environmental Assessment for Green Depot Jenny is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley's Energy & Resources Group, and has a 20-year background in recycling. She currently works at Green Depot, a Brooklyn-based green building retailer with a new store in Albany. Jenny lives in the Berkshires, and enjoys carpentry and composting. www.greendepot.com, jgitlitz@greendepot.com

Millie Calesky

Business & Life Coach Coach Millie has provided her clients and audiences with the tools, support, and structure they need to achieve their goals since 1998. She is a certified coach who trained at Coach University, a graduate of McGill University, and a Registered Nurse.

She is the Author of Tools for Success in Your Holistic Practice. www.milliecalesky.com

Alan Inglis, MD

Integrative Health Solutions Dr. Inglis is a board certified internist educated at Amherst College and the University of Vermont School of Medicine. He offers precise, individualized care based on a holistic scientific model that addresses underlying function, not just symptoms.

His practice, Integrative Health Solutions, is in The Plain School in Stockbridge. Dr. Inglis also writes a monthly national newsletter, Health Revelations. 413-298-1001

Jerome F. Errico, DC

Board Certified Chiropractic Physician Dr. Errico is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician practicing in Lenox, Massachusetts. He holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a doctoral degree in chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College, and a master's degree in human nutrition from the University of Bridgeport.

413-637-8025, www.drerrico.net www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

5

Alternative Energy

®

Distributed by

Rowley Fuel 'BNJMZ 0XOFE 0QFSBUFE t 5JNPUIZ ' 3PXMFZ 1SFTJEFOU

Proudly Servicing All of Berkshire County for 58 years

Bioheat Fuel is delivered to your existing tank at the same price as our regular oil! t (PPE GPS 'BSNFST t (PPE GPS &OWJSPONFOU t (PPE GPS )FBUJOH 4ZTUFNT t /PSUI "NFSJDBO .BEF

Call for Budget, PrePay & Cash Plans

413-743-1100 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE RowleyFuel.com

6

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Alternative Energy

Solar Hot Water Solar Electric Back-up Power Systems Del Martin 413 528 6580 del176@verizon.net

Green Energy Savings from the Sun! Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS 46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220

Tel. 413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

S

ince 1985, recognized for careful designs, proven components and high quality workmanship, BPVS solar electric systems are user friendly, efficient and reliable.

rr

Photo by David Ellis

Member: American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Solar Energy Business Association of New England, Solar Energy Industries Association.

www.StockbridgeGas.com "If you think you are too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room." ~ Anita Roddick

F ZENTROPHY by Scott Harrington, www.flickr.com/photos/scottharrington

Contest #1

ind this image in one of our advertiser’s ads.

If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Tuesday, September 1st at 12:00 PM with the correct answer, you will win one Radon Test valued at $250 - contributed by Justin Zieminiski, Berkshire Radon Technologies. Please see their ad on page 45.

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

7

Vaccinations and Your Pet:

Animal Products & Services

Thinking It's Time to Booster Your Pet? Think Again!

BENSDOTTER’S PET 413-229-2277 670 NORTH MAIN STREET (RTE 7), SHEFFIELD, MA

K

QUALITY FOODS & SUPPLIES RAW DIET SPECIALISTS

eelie and Peg were six months old when I adopted them eight years ago. They were thought to be Shepherd/Sharpei mixes. Both girls were happy, wellnourished, and apparently healthy. Their coats were lovely. Both girls’ vaccinations were boosted the day I picked them up.

About a month later, Peg’s beautiful coat began to turn coarse and dry. Within a week, bald patches began to appear on her sides, and I could easily pull out handfuls of hair along her topline. I scheduled an appointment with my holistic veterinarian.

The veterinarian diagnosed vaccinosis, an adverse reaction to vaccines. She prescribed rest, low stress, good nutrition, and patience.

Looking back, I now realize how lucky we were. Peg’s lovely coat came back with time, and she appears to have suffered no lasting effects from her adverse reaction to vaccination, but now I titer [in layman's terms, a blood test which checks your pet's current level of immune defense to a certain disease]. I don’t vaccinate except as mandated by state law.

OPEN DAILY AT 10AM MONDAY-FRIDAY 10AM-6PM

By Kristina Dow

WEEKENDS 10AM-4PM

CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY, INDEPENDENCE DAY, LABOR DAY, THANKSGIVING DAY, AND DECEMBER 25TH-JANUARY 1ST

The Berkshire Humane Society 214 Barker Road • Pittsfield, MA Helping Animals and People Since 1992

We have the largest selection of pets available for adoption in Berkshire County.

Visit us at BerkshireHumane.org • 413-447-7878

The Problem Rescuing Forgotten Felines For 10 Years

413-528-1328

www.berkshireanimaldreams.org

Holistic, organic and raw food diet supplements 5BTUF PG UIF 8JME t $BOJEBF *OOPWB t $BMJGPSOJB /BUVSBM &WP BOE NBOZ NPSF

Special orders upon request

N E W LO C AT I O N !

765 Tyler Street, Pittsfield, MA 413-443-0191

prettypaws@nycap.rr.com

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

8

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Every time vaccines are administered, the body’s immune system is challenged. Sometimes the body finds the challenge to be manageable, sometimes it does not. If the body is not able to withstand the immune system challenge, and a reaction is seen immediately post-vaccination, then the connection to vaccination is made. But if the body struggles to recover, and the vaccination reaction is masked for days, weeks, or even months before the body finally yields, then the connection to vaccination may be dismissed or completely overlooked.

Adverse reaction to vaccination is now suspect in everincreasing numbers of cases of serious illness and chronic disease.

The Solution Talk to your veterinarian about implementing protocols for minimal vaccination of your pet. If your veterinarian is dismissive of your concerns, insist. If your veterinarian refuses, find another vet. Adverse reactions to vaccines can be very, very serious, threatening quality of life, and life itself.

Once minimal vaccination protocols have been met, ensure that titers (blood tests) are performed in lieu of vaccine boosters.

Vaccinate only if titers show antibody levels below normal limits, and then ensure that a monovalent vaccine for only the antibody that tested low is administered. Monovalent vaccines may not be easy to find, but they are available.

At present, state-mandated rabies vaccinations are the only exception to the acceptable substitution of titers for vaccination boosting. There is, however, hope that state mandates which are causing our pets to be needlessly exposed to serious overvaccination may be modified to reduce the frequency of required boosting. The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust research project currently being undertaken at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine expects to demonstrate that rabies titers hold for at least seven years, rather than the mere three for which vaccine producers tested. Please visit www.RabiesChallengeFund.org for more information, and please donate to this exceptionally worthy cause if you can.

Art & Music Tom Warner Watercolors

~ Kristina Dow, BensDotter’s Pet. See ad on page 8.

Katie’s Place

5 Round Hill Road Great Barrington MA 01230

Dog & Cat Adoptions Adoption Hours Sat/Sun/Wed/Fri 10am-2pm Tues/Thurs 4-8pm Closed Monday

63 Downing Parkway, Pittsfield 413/448-9800 www.pittsfieldanimals.org

Apothecaries

telephone: 413.528.1447 e-mail: tomwarnerart@yahoo.com website: twarnerwatercolors.com

Original Paintings and Limited Edition Prints Gallery open by appointment

300poundwatercolor.com custom watercolor painting

the absolute best in professional-grade nutritionals & all natural products to promote your optimum health, vitality & wellness!

•

Exclusive! Canyon Ranch nutritionals Metagenics • pure • ProThera Homeopathics • Chinese Herbs Dr. Hauschka • suki • Caudalie • Gabriel Cosmetics

Contest #2

Find this image in one of

our advertiser’s ads. If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Tuesday, September 1st at 12:15 PM with the correct answer, you will win a case of Zija valued at $70.00 from Barbara Laureyns, Zija Queen. See ad on page 41.

and a staff that knows what they’re talking about!

at Lenox Village Pharmacy 5 Walker Street / Lenox Massachusetts 413.637.4700 • 888.796.1222

. www.healthylivingcenteronline.com Monday-Friday 9-6 Saturday 9-5

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

9

ART & Music

summer 2009

jam e s l ev i n e mu s i c d i r e c to r

Jon Faddis Keith Lockhart

James Levine

Chris Botti

Yo-Yo Ma

John Pizzarelli Regina Carter

Enjoy classical, popular and jazz, from the Boston Pops (8/7), Yo-Yo Ma (8/9) and the Tanglewood Wine & Food Classic (8/6-8) to the Tanglewood Jazz Festival (9/4-6), all at the idyllic summer home of the BSO. Jazz Festival Highlights include: Paquito d’Rivera John Pizzarelli Regina Carter Quartet Nnenna Freelon Kenny Barron and Mulgrew Miller Jon Faddis Quartet Dave Holland Octet and more!

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation is proud to support Tanglewood and its education initiatives for Massachusetts students.

10

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

888-266-1200 tanglewood.org

Art & Music

Babies & Children

Discover the wonder of Montessori.

Acoustic guitar, a keen lyrical ear, intimate and honest vocals... delight your guests with a personal and memorable musical experience.

Available for house concerts and intimate gatherings. For details on booking arrangements & appearances visit: www.brucemandel.com or call 413.269.7229

Toddler Early Childhood Elementary Middle School Summer Camp LEED for Schools certified Green Campus coming in 2010!

SINGER/SONGWRITER, HOME

&

CONCERT PERFORMER

photo courtesy of: Michael Lavin Flower

CONTEMPORARY FOLK, AMERICANA, BLUEGRASS, FOLK ROCK

For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (413) 637-3662 or email info@BerkshireMontessori.org Transportation from South County available.

Lenox, MA BerkshireMontessori.org

La Leche League: The Music for Healing & Transition Program, Inc.TM (MHTPTM ) offers a lively and transforming course-of-study at 12 sites in the US, leading to certification as a Music Practitioner ®. ®

What is a Certified Music Practitioner (CMP) ?

A CMP is a musician trained in the art and science of providing live, therapeutic music at the bedside.

La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed.

La Leche League Leaders are experienced mothers who have breastfed their own babies and who have been trained and accredited by La Leche League International to help mothers and mothers-to-be with all aspects of breastfeeding.

MHTP classes are not far from you!

Classes are being offered in Hillsdale, NY, as well as NH, MD, FL, OH, TX, CO, MN, CA & WA.

LLL of South Berkshire County meets monthly, and both nursing and expectant mothers are welcome. Join us the 3rd Monday of the month at 10am, downstairs in the Mason Library on Main Street in Great Barrington. We also provide phone assistance and pre-natal breastfeeding classes. Call or visit our website for more information and a meeting schedule.

Please see our web site below for class schedules, enrollment information, our monthly e-newsletter, the MHTP Conference & Concert CDs, and contact listings of over 500 Certified Music Practitioners ®.

www.mhtp.org

Mother-to-Mother Breastfeeding Information and Support

www.llleus.org/web/SouthBerkshireCoMa

Karen Johnson, CMP at Portsmouth, NH nursing home

The Music for Healing & Transition Program

TM

22 West End Rd, Hillsdale, NY 12529 • 518-325-5546 • mhtp@mhtp.org

Janet: 413-229-2003 • Becky: 414-528-4998 • Kate: 413-229-6016 LLL of North Berkshire meets at 7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of each month at Chapters Book Store, 78 North Street, Pittsfield, MA Judy 413-443-9599 • Marya 413-743-8205 • Julie 309-444-6828

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

11

Can Our Schools Cause Attention Deficit Disorder?

By Nina Anderson

T

he symptoms of ADD/ADHD are often triggered by environmental factors and dietary regimes. Children are being labeled with attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and learning disabilities (LD) in ever-increasing numbers. Drugs are being administered profusely to reduce the behavioral symptoms, but physicians, parents, and teachers are not delving into what’s causing the “illness.”

Questions have been raised as to the implication of chemicals affecting memory functions.

In the book Is This Your Child?, Dr. Doris Rapp illustrates the negative change in writing and drawing skills when children are exposed to fumes from chemical cleaners. She claims that “these types of exposures bring about complaints such as fatigue, headaches, intestinal problems, muscle aches, recurrent infections, bed wetting, hayfever, asthma, hives and learning and behavioral problems.” A study determined that school children performed poorly on tests taken early in the morning, following applications of floor cleaners and/or insecticides. Since school maintenance personnel normally apply cleaning products to the floors prior to daily school openings, it would appear that the children are walking into a toxic classroom. Not only can behavior be affected, but their general health as well. Asthma cases in children are also on the rise and these chemicals may trigger attacks.

In The A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. Diet!¹, authors Rachel Bell and Dr. Howard Peiper² bring attention to the fact that schools normally use chemical pesticides in their war against roaches, ants, and other insects. Since many of these pesticides have a half life in excess of one day, our children are continually exposed to more and more buildup of toxic chemicals in their classroom. Studies have shown that many of these chemical pesticides are carcinogenic and can cause lung distress. Could they also affect the brain and contribute to symptoms of ADD and learning disabilities? Dr. Peiper says, “I know 12

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

of a Florida student who became hyperactive only after working with formaldehyde solutions in biology class. The school labeled this child ADHD and required drug administration. They refused to let him skip the lab sessions which triggered his behavior. His parents recognized the cause and transferred him to a school that understood his 'allergy' to formaldehyde.”

Before dispensing drugs to treat the symptoms of ADD, ADHD, and LD, school physicians should first look into environmental causes. Labeling a child with a learning disability may have far-reaching implications on their psychological health, therefore proper identification of the cause should be foremost prior to making a firm diagnosis. Another source of ADD symptoms can be found in the school cafeteria.

Children today have increasing signs of deficient immune systems: fatigue, restlessness, headaches, muscle aches, asthma, and poor digestion, to name a few. These symptoms are normally associated with aging and not common in young people.

Unfortunately, as our immune system is compromised by environmental assaults, unless it has the proper nutrients which allow it to perform its duties, it cannot fight disease.

Assimilation is the key to absorbing nutrients from the foods we eat. Children today are being diagnosed with maldigestion stemming from a common diet of cooked and processed foods. Lacking the enzymes found in raw foods, the digestive system cannot process the meal leaving much of it to pass through the body without delivering its nutritive value. That is, assuming the diet is even nutritious. In most school systems, foods are chosen that children will eat and these normally are not healthy choices. Pizza, ice cream, cookies, chips, fried foods, soda, and white flour products are among the most popular choices. Fruit, raw vegetables, seeds, and nuts are not normally available in many school lunch programs. Sugar is a popular ingredient in everything from hamburgers to ketchup and French fries. Morning Danish or muffins are loaded with

Energy sugar and many schools provide this to theAlternative children who arrive process information correctly. ADD and ADHD children may early. be nothing more than nutrient deficient and suffering from an With a diet that compromises the body’s ability to derive the absorption problem. Parents who want to eliminate symptoms nutrients it needs, it’s no wonder that behavior problems arise. need to assess the dietary regime they afford the child. Foods Sugar is a known upper (for a short while), but an hour later can should be eliminated or substituted gradually and notes kept on cause extreme fatigue, inability to concentrate, and hunger pangs. behavioral effects. One caution: never single the child out to try Students who eat sugary cereal or pastries for breakfast will be a new diet because of her or his symptoms. Include the entire prime candidates to inflict misery on their first- and second- family in this change. It will not only support the child and properiod teachers. Malnutrition affects the brain and its ability to tect them from identifying with the problem, but it can have a more permanent effect if they think they’re part of a team.

As with all behavioral problems, there is not one cause for everyone. Taking the time to identify whether toxins are affecting your child or whether the child is responding unfavorably to their diet, may save you and your child from dealing with the label ADD. Through the process of elimination, you may be able to avoid the drug option, which so many parents blindly choose. Symptoms may be reduced by nothing more than a simple upper cervical chiropractic or craniosacral adjustment, or by adding an enzyme supplement to their meal. If, after all your scrutiny, your child still exhibits behavioral symptoms, then maybe a diagnosis of clinical ADD is correct. You now can explore your options of prescription drugs or alternative therapies. ~ Nina Anderson, ElectroBlast™. See ad on page 41.

Children's penmanship before, during chlorine floor mopping, and after when the fumes dissipated. Excerpted from The A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. Diet! as reproduced from Doris Rapp, Is This Your Child?

1. The A.D.D./A.D.H.D Diet! is available at health food and book stores or by calling 888-NATURE-1.

2. Howard Peiper, ND was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and has written many books on nutrition and natural health.

What are schools in Berkshire County doing for their indoor environment?

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many schools are extremely aware of toxins and are doing their best to reduce them in their curriculum and in any remodeling. Barbara Malkus, Deputy Superintendent of Schools in Pittsfield, knows first hand about toxins in the classroom. As a former chemistry teacher who also taught environmental science in her curriculum, she has inspected all science, shop, and biology classes and instigated a sweep of all the “scary” stuff. The schools now use no organic solvents in biology or shop and use all low VOC (volatile organic chemical/compound) materials except maybe acetone or isopropyl alcohol. Each year they do a safe waste-disposal day with an annual cleanout.

They also have an OSHA safety training for students on how to handle toxins properly. They have converted all their light bulbs to energy saving ones and are extremely conscious of children’s health insofar as it is affected by the environment.

The Williamstown school system is a firm believer in nontoxic biodegradable cleaners and bleaches for maintenance.

They haven’t remodeled in a while but when they do they will consider low-VOC paints. They recently received a grant to relamp the schools with energy-efficient bulbs. As far as sugar getting into the kids to make them zoomy, they don’t have access to vending machines and the school doesn’t offer them carbonated sodas or candy.

Berkshire School's Director of Sustainability, Frank Barros, has a great program to involve students in the “greening” process: they are given a research project to explore changing the policy in the schools to be more environmentally friendly. These suggestions then go to a committee, which decides which ones to implement. They have chosen low-VOC paint, for example, and when remodeling are now considering more nontoxic carpet and flooring. Several years ago, the school implemented purchasing environmentally friendly cleaning products and actually requires vendors to submit, within their proposal, what they are doing for sustainability not only in their facility but in their products. The school is focused on reducing its carbon footprint and has installed energy-efficient lighting. It is also working on using IPM (integrated pest management) techniques for the grounds in hopes of finding natural products that will work to control weeds. The food service team is trying to offer more organic varieties and has removed sugar-laden drinks from the vending machines. It seems that Berkshire School, along with the others I interviewed, are trying their best to become more environmentally friendly. This in turn will help the health of the students and hopefully stem the tide of attention deficit disorder. www.OurBerkshireGreen.com www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August August 2009 2009

13 13

Calendar of Events & Classified

GC

reen & Holistic Classified & alendar of Events

Please note that we do not accept classified and event listings that are advertisements for standard ongoing daily businessservices; you must place this type of listing in our directory so that our readers are able to locate your service in our alphabetized directory. Free community event listings are condensed and published on a first-come first-serve basis as room permits. We hope to have our free community calendar on our website soon: if you would like to be notified when this is available, please join our mailing list at www.OurBerkshireGreen.com. Thank you and happy networking!

calendar listings ongoing weekly Wednesdays: 8:30-9:30am starting Sept 2. Free.

Wellness Walks at Bartholomew's Cobble. with Margo and Lawrence Davis-Hollander. For information: 413-446-1777, www.coachingvision.info.

Thursdays: 6-7pm. Medicine Wheel Gatherings.

Come and learn about North American Medicine.

Mikka Barkman Bodywork, 168 Main St, Suite 2, Gt Barrington MA 413-329-4901. Free/donation.

Saturdays & Wednesdays through October 10: 1-5pm. The Trustees of Reservations invite you to discover Ashintully Gardens in Tyringham. Free.

413-298-3239 x3000.

ongoing monthly Green Drinks: Open to everyone with any environmental interest. Free appetizers, cash bar. 1st Wed of every month Gt Barrington, starting at 5:15pm, Route 7 Grill. Erik at Orion 528-4422 or ehoffner@orionsociety.org. 3rd Tues of every month Pittsfield, starting at 5:15pm, Pittsfield Brew Works, CET: 413-445-4556 x14 or Jane at jane@thebeatnews.org. g

august

Wed, Aug 12, 7pm. An Evening of Gaelic Chant & Celtic Stories at St. Bridget's Church, Rt. 22, Copake Falls, NY. Donation: $10. harp@taconic.net.

Thriving Planet Workshops with Elisa Novick, MSS: 8/7: Meditation in Alignment with the Soul. 8/9: Creating Peace in the Midst of Turmoil. 8/16: Bach Flower Essences: Friends on the Path. 8/30: TreePlay: Heart of the Forest. Join us for a wondrous experience!

413-528-8239, www.elisanovick.com.

Sat, Aug 8, 10am-12pm. Discover Field Farm, Sloan Rd, Williamstown with The Trustees of Reservations.413298-3239 x3003, tcoffin@ttor.org. Free.

Sun, Aug 9, 2-4pm. Project Native Butterfly Walk. Suggested Donation $8, Members free. 413274-3433, www.projectnative.org.

Tues, Aug 18, 7:30pm, Berkshire Museum free lecture. Salamanders: The Other Amphibians. www.BerkshireMuseum.org.

Fri, Aug 21, 12-2pm. Mum Bett Day Celebration. Open House at Ashley House. Commemoration Ceremony free. Cooper Hill Rd, Sheffield 413-298-3239 x3013.

Sat, Aug 22, 9-11:30am. HHW Mini-Site Collection.

14

August 2009

Gt. Barrington Recycling Center. Registration. mandatory . Rob Tocchio, 413-445-4556 x30, www.cetonline.org.

Sun, Aug 23, 2-4pm. Project Native Invasive Identification. Discuss organic methods for removal. Free, 413-274-3433, www.projectnative.org.

Sun, Aug 23. Berkshire Humane Society’s Annual Horse Show at Overmeade Farm in Lenox. For information call Nikki at 413-447-7878 x24.

Wed, Aug 26. Twilight at Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA. Grounds open for walking, picnicking, and viewing. www.chesterwood.org.

Sat, Aug 29, 10:30am-5:30pm. Blue Rider Stables’ “Fun Day” at French Park, N. Egremont, MA. Pony rides, Roger the Jester, Jeff Folmer guitar, food, games, bazaar. Free; suggested donation of $5 per parked car. www.bluerider.org or call (413) 528-5299.

september Sept 29 - Nov 17 on Tuesdays 6 - 8:30 pm Nutrition & Life Coaching Intensive, Berkshire South, Great Barrington. Find answers to your nutritional and health issues using cuttingedge dietary and coaching tools. You can get the upper hand and short circuit bad habits with a personalized diet plan and skilled coaching! Call Phoebe Williams, 413-232-7011.

Sat, Sept 12, 10am-2pm. Project Native's Annual Community Volunteer Day. We will provide snacks and drinks. Free. 413-274-3433, www.projectnative. org. Raindate is Sun, Sept 13.

Sat, Sept 12 - 9-11am. HHW Mini-Site Collection.

Lenox Dept of Public Works. Rob Tocchio at 413445-4556 x30 to register. www.cetonline.org Sun, Sept 13, 3-4pm. Project Native Open Farm Tour. Learn more about our work. Free. 413-2743433, www.projectnative.org.

Thurs, Sept 17, 4-8pm. Berkshire Healing Arts will be hosting a free open house during Pittsfield's 3rd Thursday event. Please come and enjoy meeting our wonderful group of practitioners and help us welcome Dr. Joshua Krembs, an osteopathic physician, joining our practice. Healthy refreshments.

Sat, Sept 19. Berkshire Humane Society’s annual “Woofstock” Bark in the Park dog walk. Diane at 413-447-7878 x31.

Sun, Sept 20, 10am-5pm. Free for Berkshire Residents.

Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA. www.chesterwood.org.

Sun, Sept 20, 11am. Hilltop Orchard’s Heritage-

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Antique Apple Tour. Free wine tasting at the conclusion of the walk. Rt. 295, 508 Canaan Rd. 800833-6274, www.hilltoporchards.com.

Sat, Sept 26 - 10am; 11:30am; 1pm; and 2:30pm.

Searsburg Wind Facility Tours. 413-445-4556 x25. See events: www.cetonline.org.

Sat, Sept 26, 9-11:30am. HHW Mini-Site Collection. Gt. Barrington Recycling Center. Registration mandatory, Rob Tocchio, 413-445-4556 x30. For more information see events: www.cetonline.org.

Sun, Sept 27, 2-4pm. Project Native “Native Seed Harvesting.” Preregistration is required.

Suggested donation $8; members free. 413-2743433, www.projectnative.org.

october Sat, Oct 3, beginning at 1:30pm. Free Open House at Kushi Institute Center for Natural Healing. Free mini cooking classes, shiatsu demonstration, and sample some tasty treats. Kushi Institute, 198 Leland Road, Becket. 413-623-5741, www.

KushiInstitute.org.

Sat, Oct 3, 10am - 4pm. Berkshire County “Green Building Open House Tour”. CET 413-445-4556 x25, www.cetonline.org.

Sun, Oct 11, 7pm. Berkshire Museum free lecture. The Mannahatta Project: The Natural History of Manhattan Island.

Wed, Oct 14 - 10am; 11:30am; 1pm; and 2:30pm.

Searsburg Wind Facility Tours. 413-445-4556 x25, www.cetonline.org.

Sat, Oct 17, 9am - 1pm. HHW Comprehensive Collection. Gt. Barrington Recycling Center. Registration is mandatory, Rob Tocchio, 413-445-4556 x30 www.cetonline.org.

classified listings For Rent, Volunteer Rare opportunity in GB: Pristine studio space available in high visibility area on Rt7.

Easy access, signage, parking. Shared reception, kitchen, bathroom facilities, as well as all utilities included, except phone. Studio space is 18’x24’ with floor to ceiling mirrors and large storage area. Ideal for therapist, pilates, yoga, professional space, etc. Can easily be converted into large office or two rooms. $750 p/m 413-644-9474.

Weekly Volunteer Opportunities with The Trustees of Reservations. 413-298-3239 x3003.

Classes & Workshops THRIVING PLANET COUNSELING & EDUCATION

HEALING

Elisa Novick, MSS

â? COUNSELING â? COACHING â? WORKSHOPS “Elisa offers a path to deep, full, compassionate, joyous, creative living; her work is powerful and groundbreaking. —Normi Noel “The spiritual work that lights me up the brightest.â€? —Stanley Wooley

(413) 528-8239

www.elisanovick.com

Contest #3 Find this image in one of our advertiser’s ads. If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Tuesday, September 1 at 12:30 PM with the correct answer, you will win a one hour juggling instruction session valued at $75. Contributed by Roger the Jester. See ad on page 49.

Berkshire

LIVE AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE

FALL 2009 WORKSHOP SERIES t 5IF /BUVSF PG 1SPTQFSJUZ 5IF 4VDDFTT 1SJODJQMFT t 4PVMNBUF "UUSBDUJPO GPS 8PNFO t 4PVMNBUF "UUSBDUJPO GPS .FO t :PVS /FX -JGF 4UPSZ " 8SJUJOH 8PSLTIPQ GPS 8PNFO

SOUL & SPIRIT Center

Gifts from around the world,readers, healers, workshops 69 Main Street, Lee MA 01238 413-243-2834 www.SoulandSpiritCenter.com

t 3BEJDBM 4FMG $BSF™ GPS 5PEBZ T 1SPGFTTJPOBM 8PNBO t 4PVMNBUF "UUSBDUJPO 8FFLFOE BU ,SJQBMV JO +BOVBSZ

-

Dynamic Change • Life Coaching 413.229.9980/413.446.1777

Call for an initial complimentary session.

S

Natalie Reid, Ph.D Author of 5 Steps to a Quantum Life

Life Coaching Workshops

“The Motivator’s Motivator�

Life Coaching, Workplace Mentoring and Corporate Wellness Specialist

natalie.reid2051@gmail.com 413-212-6200

Author, Motivational Speaker Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist Mentor/Life Coach

413-637-0085

Comments on Natalie Reid’s Workshops and Coaching:

heilaa Hite

Programs • Workshops • Seminars

FOR BUSINESSES, GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS

www.SheilaaHite.com

workshop— “Fantastic ower ful really p dy mind/bo � techniques. sier now. “My life is ea ss drama.

More fun, leyou.� k Than

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself." ~ Aristotle “A practical and thoroughly ‘user friendly’ process ... a seminal study and guide.� —Midwest Book Review

Go to the website to purchase book and workbook.

Also available wherever books are sold!

www.aquantumlife.com

Contest #4

F/&8 %"8/

ind this image in one of our advertiser’s ads. If you are

) F B M J O H " S U T the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Tuesday, September

1 at 12:45 PM with the correct answer, you will win a 1 1/2 hour healing session valued at $125. Contributed by Ellen Russo, Compasion in Motion. See ad on page 43.

/&8 %"8/ ) F B M J O H " S U T

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

15

Contests!

C&

ontests, Contests More Contests!

Throughout this issue, you will find twelve contests. The summary of prizes shown below are contributed by our resource guide members. As instructed in each contest scattered throughout the publication, the first caller to call 413-274-1122 at the specified day and time with the correct answer, will win the prize indicated. If you get an answering machine it means that we are on the line with another caller or it is not yet the correct time, but please leave you name and number just in case! Everyone is welcome to participate except for the staff of Our BerkshireGreen, Inc., and their immediate family. Starting with this issue, only one prize per winner will be permitted. Best of luck!

Contests In This Issue!

Winners From April's Issue!

Contest #1 - Berkshire Radon Technologies:

Contest #1 - Ellen Russo of Monterey won a full color 1/8 page ad space in Our BerkshireGreen Magazine valued at $250.

Contest #2 - Zija Queen: 1 case of Zija drink, val-

Contest #2 - Leah Fischer of Stockbridge won one acupuncture treatment for pain and/or stress reduction, valued at $75 from Berkshire Acupuncture.

1 radon test valued at $250. See ad page 45. ued at $70. See ad page 41.

Contest #3 - Roger the Jester: One hour juggling instruction session valued at $75. See ad on page 49.

Contest #4 - Compassion in Motion: 1 1/2 hour healing session in your home or my location valued at $125.

See ad on page 43.

Contest #5 - Concerned Singles: Two winners will receive a full year membership in concerned singles plus a $10.00 credit valued at $94 each. See ad on page 49.

Contest #6 - Alison Shore Gaines: Two hour Practical Feng Shui consultation valued at $160. See ad on page 45.

Contest #7 - Pearl's Premium Lawn Seed: 2 five

pound bags of Pearl's Premium Lawn Seed which will cover a total of 2000 sq. feet, valued at $66 See ad on page 44.

Contest #8 - Audrey Herrick Reflexology: A one hour reflexology session valued at $75. See ad on page 42.

Contest #9 - Face Haven: A Jane Iredale Mineral

Contest #3 - Bruce Mandel of Otis won one Energy Healing Session valued at $100 from Berkshire Energy Healing.

Contest #4 - Ruth Corson of Otis won a $25 gift card from Papa’s Healthy Food and Fuel.

Contest #5 - Candis Dodds of Dalton won a $50 gift card for the purchase of native plants from Project Native.

Contest #6 - Jeannie Compter of Dalton won a two hour energy healing session valued at $250 from Judy Rosley.

Contest #7 - Bruce Mandel of Otis won a $50 gift card from Route 7 Grill.

Contest #8 - Brian Moses of Lanesborough won a healing session valued at $100 from Elfi Six. Contest #9 - Ellen Kenwood of Lenox won a $25 gift certificate from Upper Crust Bakery.

Contest #10 - Frans van der Werf of Alford won one chiropractic evaluation, history, and intake valued at $120 from Jerome E. Errico, DC. Contest #11 - Lydia Silva of Stockbridge won a one hour session in the Energy Enhancement System valued at $50 from Berkshire Energy Connection.

Contest #12 - Joanne Francesco of Otis won one yard of mulch delivered in South County valued at $200 from GreenCore Builders.

Contest #13 - Janice Kittner of Great Barrington won a one hour Dr. Hauschka Facial valued at $80 from Studio Day Spa.

Makeup makeover for up to 4 people, valued at $260, plus 15 percent off any purchase that day. See ad on page 35.

Contest #14 - Judy Rosley of Great Barrington won a makeover/consultation for up to 4 people and a 10 percent discount for any purchases made that day valued at $260 from Face Haven.

Contest #10 - Green Planning & Coaching: A one

Contest #15 - Ellen Russo of Monterey won a one hour bodywork session valued at $100 from Mikka Barkman Bodywork.

hour business/career coaching session valued at $150. See ad on page 18.

Contest #11 - Stone Soup: One $20 gift certificate.

See ad on page 53.

Contest #12 - Tom Warner Watercolors: Tom Warner print called "On the Backs of Angels" valued at $250.

See ad on page 9.

"Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." ~ Thomas Edison

16

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Contest #16 - Janice Kittner of Great Barrington won a multi-vitamin and energizing soy-based protein drink, beginning program kit valued at $60 from Rose (Dot) Schellhammer, Shaklee.

Contest #17 - Ellen Russo of Monterey won a one hour Reconnective Healing Session valued at $110 from Reconnective Healing.

Contest #18 - Brian Daniels of Pittsfield won an AIR POD valued at $100 from Real Gadoury of Aerus.

Contest #19 - Paula Foye of Adams won one Hands & Hearts Embodyment Healing Session valued at $100 from Hearts & Hands.

Contest #20 - Jeanne Kes of Richmond won an energy/psychology session valued at $200 from Claudia Helps You Heal.

Contest #21 - Paula Foye of Adams won a one hour meditation session valued at $85 from Wellness Services.

Dance, Alternative ExerciseEnergy & Fitness !"#$%&#'()) )))*+,%-%&#

“What is alive in you

NOW?”

A path to deeper self-knowing through the wisdom of the moving body.

Classes forming now. Open to all – for all willing souls with a body. Private sessions ongoing.

Cheryl Ann Luft, MSS Registered Somatic Movement Therapist

(413) 229-8080

movingwellbeing@gmail.com Skilled and caring facilitation for over 20 years

MOVE

INTO

HEALING.

Life!

MOVE INTO

GYROTONIC® whole body fitness and exercise promotes health and well-being.

Ming Lash,

RSMT

SOMATIC MOVEMENT THERAPIST

Graceful, fluid movement, and integral strength increase and sustain the ease and joy of living in a body

413-232-7819

West Stockbridge, MA 01266 • MoveIntoHealing.com

"The best you can do is the best you can do." ~ Rodelinde

Berkshire West Athletic Club

Strength Balance

100 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, Ma 01201 413/499-4600 • Berkshirewest.com

Grace Pilates

GYROTONIC ®

Wellness for both mind and body Several Yoga classes ranging from gentle to athletic vinyasa flow Pilate's both mat and reformer sessions

Yoga

Bella Grazia Studio

Client-Focused Individual Sessions and Classes Fully-Equipped Studio, Certified Instructors West Stockbridge MA 413-232-7979 sacralweb.com/bellagrazia Check out the Bella Grazia Studio page on Facebook

Water aerobics in our outdoor pool Weight room, cardio deck, and many other fitness classes Tennis, Massage UV-free spray tanning

Sharon True, MA, CMA, RSMT Certified Pilates Instructor since 1998

Fitness, Health and Healing through a holistic, personalized approach to Pilates exercise Quiet, private, fully-equipped studio with woodland view in Great Barrington

413.528.2465 for more information "Insist on yourself. Never imitate." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

17

Dance, Exercise & Fitness

Gymnastics Unlimited

with director Susan Kapchinske

Summer and Autumn Programs classes for adults and children! mornings and evenings!

All programs include: complete fitness program

uneven parallel bars balance beam tumbling trampoline vault table and acro-dance for more information call 413 637 0743 or visit gymnasticsunlimited.info at Mepal Spa - New Marlboro, MA

Personal Training for your Body/Mind and Spirit A Holistic approach to increase your strength... flexibility... balance... and focus through exercise and meditation

(413) 528-8084 theabasis@verizon.net THEA BASIS B.S. Holistic Health and Mind/Body Therapies ACE Certified Fitness Professional

F

Contest #5

ind this image in one of our advertiser’s ads.

The first two people to call 413-274-1122 on Tuesday, September 1 at 1:00 PM with the correct answer, will each win a one-year membership in Concerned Singles, valued at $94 (includes a $10 credit). Contributed by Rodelinde, Concerned Singles. See ad on page 49.

18

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Education & Training

You invest only 2 days of your time...

You end up with a written business plan...

You know where your business is headed...

You know how you’re going to get there.

Feel better? Call us to schedule your 2 days.

Green Planning & Coaching

can help you capture the vision for your "Green" business initiative, and build a better plan faster to achieve it.

BILL BEAN, President • 30 years business and planning experience • Green Credentials: LEED AP and NAHB CGP • Certified Professional Coach: Executive, Career & Retirement Career Coaching

Call us at

413-243-8008

or visit our website:

www.GreenPlanningAndCoaching.com

BONUS: Respond to this ad for 1 free business coaching session.

Discover the wonder of Montessori.

Toddler Early Childhood Elementary Middle School Summer Camp LEED for Schools certified Green Campus coming in 2010!

For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (413) 637-3662 or email info@BerkshireMontessori.org Transportation from South County available.

Lenox, MA BerkshireMontessori.org

Low-Cost Marketing with High Impact for Small Green Businesses

By Bill Bean

Given all that napkin writing, it is important to note that marketing to drive sales to your business is not the result of a single meeting or website or presentation or ad placement. It is the cumulative effect of a number of coordinated activities that create your reputation or “brand” in the marketplace (“top-ofthe-mind awareness”). The question then is how you use the questions above to market yourself without spending a lot of money. Here are a few suggestions.

Offline Marketing

S

mall businesses, microbusinesses, solopreneurs… call them what you will, but they are at the very core of the Green movement. They are relatively small, community based, and often put “people and planet” on the same plane as profitability.

Another characteristic of small businesses is limited funds for marketing and advertising, and no written business plan. So if you are going to spend any of your precious time or hardearned dollars marketing your company, at least jot down a few notes on the back of a napkin before you start.

Here Is What You Want to Capture 1. A short description of your product(s) or service(s).

2. Who would likely buy them? Describe your potential customers by age, income, education, geographic location, or other pertinent data. (This is your target market.)

3. Why would they buy them? List the features of your product and then the benefits that those features deliver to the customer. For example, wood I-joists (an engineered lumber substitute for wooden floor joists) use less raw material, are more dimensionally stable, are lighter, and can be made in longer lengths than lumber sawn from logs. Those are the features. The benefits are that contractors can build a floor faster and that floor won’t squeak. That is what you want to communicate. (This is your value proposition.)

4. Why should they buy them from you? If you had 30 seconds with a prospective customer, what would you tell them about you, your company, or your offering that is unique and compelling enough to make you the undisputed choice for their purchase? (This is your mission statement.)

5. Where do these people hang out, how do they think, what do they read, what are their trusted sources of information for purchasing decisions, and how will you establish credibility and visibility in that space at a reasonable cost?

(This is your promotional plan.)

• One-page promotional piece. Develop a one-page piece including company overview, professional credentials, your team, problems you solve for the customer, and your contact information. Print it on recycled paper or distribute it electronically (which moves it to the online section below).

• Networking. Success comes from people doing business with people. This is particularly true in the Green space, and there are a number of Green networking opportunities in the Berkshires.

• Monthly Our BerkshireGreen meetings at various locations. www.ourberkshiregreen.com.

• Monthly “Green Drinks” Meetings. Pittsfield: held on the third Tuesday of every month at 5:15pm at the Pittsfield Brew Works; contacts are Jamie at CET, 413-445-4556 x14 or Jane at BEAT, jane@thebeatnews.org. Great Barrington: held on the first Wednesday of every month at 5:15 at Route 7 Grill; contact is Erik at Orion, 413-528-4422.

• SPARK networking meetings sponsored by the Berkshire Creative Economy Council, info@berkshirecreative.org.

• Monthly USGBC (US Green Building Council), with excellent speakers in the Green space, on the second Wednesday evening of every month. Contact Brian Sutton at LEED Linc, 413-528-5788.

• There are also various networking opportunities serving on local committees and boards of directors that typically include influential Berkshire business leaders.

• Testimonials. Have your customers help build your reputation. Satisfied clients make credible references and are usually happy to provide a testimonial, particularly if you build it into your sales agreement.

• Writing articles. These don’t cost you anything except time.

They deliver great exposure, and provide a forum for showcasing your expertise.

• Postcards. Mass mailings of multi-page documents are frowned upon from a Green perspective, but postcards have resurfaced as a relatively cost-effective way to get a message out.

To save trees and minimize mileage, have them printed on recycled paper and send them only to a qualified list of contacts.

• Selected advertising. If there is a leading-edge publication that serves your target market, is well respected, and is Continued on page 20 www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

19

reasonably priced, even a modest presence can transfer the credibility of the publication to your company.

Online Marketing • Website. If you don’t have at least a basic website you won’t be taken seriously. Local companies can build customized web sites in varied price ranges, and national companies provide templates you can choose from to build your own. One example would be www.Hyperstreet.com, at $19.95 a year for your website name (your “domain nameâ€?) and $9.95 a month for hosting your site. You have to develop and enter the content, but that allows you to make ongoing changes yourself which keeps the cost down. Guidelines to consider in creating your site are: • Make sure you build in sound SEO (Search Engine Optimization) capabilities, which make your site easy to find by the major search engines. If you don’t know how, find someone who does. • Develop a meaningful email list and do email marketing.

Consider email marketing software. One noted provider is Constant Contact (www.ConstantContact.com). They have a 60-day free trial with excellent support and post-trial services starting at $15 a month. This application allows visitors to register on your site, capturing their email address. It will also automatically send a pre-designed thank you message back to the new prospect and will let you schedule the automatic distribution of newsletters and other promotional materials to specified mailing lists. These mailing lists can include your site visitors, membership lists from related associations, purchased mailing lists, and more. • Consider some type of giveaway, such as an article you have written‌anything that provides an incentive for someone to register. Registration validates the interest of prospects, allows you to contact them, and builds your prospect base. • Track the traffic on your site. Learn how many visitors enter the site, where they go, how long they stay, and where they exit. Google Analytics is one tracking application; it is free at www.google.com/analytics/.

Social Media • Blogs (from “web logsâ€?) can complement your marketing effort. You don’t need to have your own blog, just post comments to existing blogs that relate in some way to your business. Your signature on blog entries can link back to your site, and all entries are indexed by web search engines. • LinkedIn is the version of Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter that was designed for the professional community. It is free of charge at www.linkedin.com and you should consider joining some of the communities and blogging groups.

If you can afford it, web designers can build impressive sites and help you establish a trusted brand using outstanding graphics, video, and other features. Until you reach that point, the suggestions above can head you in the right direction and fit a small business budget. And to think‌ it all starts with just writing on the back of a napkin. ~ Bill Bean, Green Planning & Coaching. See ad on page 18.

20

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Helpful Links to Educate Yourself about Holistic Health* World Research Foundation - www.wrf.org Your global source of health information for illnesses and therapies used around the world. Their health information is collected, categorized, and disseminated in an independent and unbiased manner. It includes allopathic medicine alongside complementary and alternative medicine... ancient and traditional techniques and healing therapies as well as the latest medical technology.

The Weston A. Price Foundation - www.westonaprice.org A nonprofit charity founded in 1999 to disseminate the research of nutrition pioneer Dr. Weston Price. The Foundation is dedicated to restoring nutrient-dense foods to the American diet through education, research, and activism and supports a number of movements that contribute to this objective including accurate nutrition instruction, organic and biodynamic farming, pasture-feeding of livestock, community-supported farms, honest and informative labeling, prepared parenting, and nurturing therapies.

Foundation for Advancement in Cancer Therapy, Ltd. (F.A.C.T) - www.fact-ltd.org. A nonprofit organization that supports and encourages biological cancer research and nutritional science investigations, disseminates information about nontoxic treatment for cancer patients, provides financial assistance, and fights to eliminate carcinogenic substances from the environment.

For-profit companies that provide excellent information: • Dr. Bruce West: Health Alert Newsletter - www.healthalert.com • Ralph Moss: Moss Reports - www.cancerdecisions.com • Dr. Joseph Mercola: www.mercola.com *Check with you health care professional.

)BODPDL 4IBLFS 7JMMBHF 8PSLTIPQT $MBTTFT %BJMZ 5PVST 5BMLT

IBODPDLTIBLFSWJMMBHF PSH

Raise your energy Align your passion, intention and action

Alternative Energy Tools for Success in Your Holistic Practice Inspiring You to Step into Your Greatness A Modified Version of Chapters 2 and 3 from Millie's Book. Chapter 1 appeared in our April 2009 Issue. Look for the final chapters in December.

By Millie Calesky Following are essential tools to accelerate your growth and keep you moving along the path to success in your holistic practice.

The Basics 1) A Business Plan will greatly improve the likelihood of your success. Even if you won’t need a loan, you’ll have clarified the mission of your new business, your target audience, and where and how you’ll get started. For more information, look online, in your local library, and/or consult your local Chamber of Commerce or the Small Business Administration (SBA) at www. sba.gov.

2) Get Support to Succeed. You don’t have to be the Lone Ranger. You don’t have to do everything yourself, or by yourself.

I’m biased in this area, but I believe that working with a coach can make the difference between success and failure. You’re going to move faster and make better decisions, because your coach will help you get focused and stay focused.

3) The Business Buddy. Find a friend or a colleague who is also building a business. I have a business buddy with whom I’ve been working for ten years. We meet once every few weeks, dividing our time (with a timer) between the two of us. Together we have written proposals and letters; we have even developed workshops. This is not a hired professional, it’s a layperson, committed to working together, with you, on a consistent, ongoing basis.

4) Promote Yourself Boldly. To succeed as a holistic practitioner, it is essential that you create language that’s simple and straightforward. People have to understand what the value is, or they’re not going to spend their hard-earned dollars on your services. Develop what is known as an “elevator speech,” so called because you need to get your point across in a brief and focused way, as if riding a few floors up on an elevator with a person whose attention you will have just for that minute. Write something, polish it, and practice it until you know it by heart.

Network!

Networking is about building mutually beneficial, give-and-take, win-win relationships. It is a mysteriously powerful process.

When you attend a networking event, you rarely know whom you will meet or what opportunities will present themselves, only that they inevitably will.

1) Show Up. Networking is about building relationships. This can only happen by getting out of your home/office regularly to attend community gatherings or meetings. You can’t reap the benefits while seated in front of your TV or your computer.

2) Learn to Listen. Listening is a skill that’s essential for success. Spend less time talking about yourself. Ask questions.

Learn as much as you can about others. Listen to the details of what’s being communicated, so you can follow up later.

3) Think Win-Win. In addition to benefiting those directly in-

volved, networking also helps the community. An organization that exemplifies this principle is the Rotary. Its members are business owners and professionals committed to serving those in need. As they do this, they also help and support each other, personally and professionally.

4) Adjust Your Attitude. By helping out, you can channel your nervous energy. Volunteer to be a greeter. That way, you’re not just representing yourself, but also the sponsoring group. You’ll feel good about yourself, knowing that you’re playing a meaningful role within that organization.

5) Honor Your Networking Style. If you’re a reluctant networker, don’t let that hold you back. Let go of the expectation that you have to be as confident and at ease as others. Introduce yourself to people who are standing alone by the bar, literature, or food table.

6) Always Carry Business Cards. I know people who routinely practice the “three-foot rule.” They discuss their business with everyone who comes within a three-foot radius. This can happen in the checkout line at the supermarket, in waiting rooms, and at parties. They always carry business cards, and hand them out freely.

7) Follow-Up. After you make contact with someone at a networking function, the next vital step is to follow up. Within the next 24 to 48 hours, call the person, send an email, or even a brief note. If it’s appropriate, send a handwritten thank you note. This small courtesy is very rare these days, and that note will set you apart in the recipient’s mind.

People would much rather do business with somebody whom either they themselves know or whom somebody they know has done business with. For example, if you say, “Oh, I just had the best massage,” people will ask, “Whom did you go to?” We always want to know, because if our friend recommends someone, we’re much more likely to give that person our business. Personal referrals are golden. It’s the best way to get business, because someone else has done the selling for you.

Word of mouth - there is nothing like it. ~Millie Calesky, Business and Life Coach. See ad below.

Visualize

Strategize

Actualize

Millie Calesky Business and Life Coach 413-655-2555

Millie@MillieCalesky.com

Contest #6

Find this image in one of our advertiser’s ads.

If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Tuesday, September 1st at 1:15 PM with the correct answer, you will win a 2 hour Feng Shui consultation valued at $160.

Contributed by Alison Shore Gaines. See ad on page 45. www.OurBerkshireGreen.com www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August August 2009 2009

21

Environmental Org.

Berkshire County's

C Better for your heating system. Better for the environment.

CET Bio-HEAT Oil Co-op Fair Price, Full-service, Local Dealers

1-888-577-8448 x24 / www.cetonline.org

22

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

By Scott LaGreca, PhD

lose your eyes one evening and listen. It is likely that you will hear the high-pitched trill of an Eastern Gray Treefrog, even if you are in a backyard garden or a suburban setting. We normally think of frogs as living near bodies of water, but many frogs found in Berkshire County live in forests, under leaves, or in trees—although in early life stages, most amphibians must have access to water. In total, the open fields, ponds and streams, bogs, wetlands, and forested uplands of the Berkshires play host to over a dozen amphibian species (see accompanying list).

Amphibians live interesting lives that usually begin in water and end on land. In fact, the word amphibian means "two lives." Amphibians are unique in that they are the only terrestrial vertebrates (land-dwelling animals with backbones) that have two distinct life stages. The larval stage (tadpole in frogs) typically begins in water. Through a process called metamorphosis, the larva is transformed into an adult that usually dwells on land.

Metamorphosis is a process in which animal development after birth (or hatching) involves a conspicuous, abrupt change in its morphology, and is usually also accompanied by a change in habitat and behavior. In amphibians, the larval stage usually has external gills, is legless, and is omnivorous (that is, it eats both plants and small animals). In contrast, the adult stage usually lives on land, has internal lungs, has legs, and is carnivorous (that is, it eats other animals).

The Berkshires are remarkable with regard to amphibians.

A number of southern species, such as the Eastern Gray Treefrog, reach the northern limits of their geographic distribution here. This frog is rather abundant in south county, but only two populations are known in north county, one in New Ashford and one in Williamstown. On the other hand, a number of more northerly species, like the Wood Frog—which ranges all the way up into the Arctic Circle—approach their southern limits in Berkshire County.

The harsh winters of the Berkshires present a challenge to animals that overwinter here, and our amphibians display some remarkable adaptations for surviving the subzero temperatures.

Many people believe that our frogs overwinter at the bottom of ponds and lakes. But, as we learned above, many of our frog species do not live in, or even near, water but rather in forested uplands. These upland species—for example, the Eastern Gray Treefrog—possess a remarkable ability known as freeze tolerance, which allows them to absorb 65 to70 percent of the water from their cells into their gut. This water freezes solid for the duration of the winter, and the animal hibernates under leaf litter on the forest floor. Those frog species that do spend their winters in ponds often bury themselves at the edges of the ponds—not at the bottom, where there is very little oxygen— or they float just under the ice, waiting patiently for the spring thaw.

How do Berkshire salamanders survive the long, cold winter? Truth to tell, not much is known about their overwintering habits, although it is thought that many species, such as the wellknown Spotted Salamander, burrow deep into the ground to

Amazing Amphibians Photos By Tom Tyning escape freezing. Our native salamanders are also noteworthy in that two species—the Northern Red-backed Salamander and the Dusky Salamander—both have larval stages that develop within the eggs, which are laid in moist pockets under logs and rocks.

These two species are exceptions to the rule that all amphibians have eggs that are laid in water, and larvae that hatch and develop in the water. Another fascinating local salamander species is Notophthalmus viridescens subsp. viridescens, which actually goes by two different common names, Red Eft and Red-spotted Newt.

On account of their vastly different appearance and habitat, scientists used to believe that these two creatures were completely different species. However, genetic studies have shown that they are actually two forms of the adult stage of a single species.

Amphibians are extremely sensitive indicators of many of the environmental issues that confront us locally: the development of our wetlands, the stocking of formerly fish-free ponds, introduced infectious diseases, pollution, pesticides, and climate change. Unfortunately, threats to Berkshire amphibian populations are growing. To offset these threats, local environmentalists have taken action, such as conserving and studying vernal pool habitats. Vernal pools are ephemeral bodies of water that appear year after year if left undisturbed, providing a vital habitat for amphibian reproduction. As nursery habitats, vernal pools are ideal in that they lack fish that might eat newly laid eggs or vulnerable tadpoles. Both the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (MA NHESP) and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) offer annual workshops, which teach citizens how to certify a vernal pool for protection under Massachusetts state law. Currently, about 5,000 to 6,000 of the estimated 25,000 vernal pools in Massachusetts are certified, most in eastern Massachusetts. Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, run by Mass Audubon, was actually the first property on which vernal pools were certified in Berkshire County.

Many more in western Massachusetts remain to be certified; go to http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhesp.htm and http://www.thebeatnews.org for more information.

A number of individuals in Berkshire County study amphibian populations and use them as indicators of wetlands health.

Outstanding examples include Tom Tyning at Berkshire Community College, Henry Art and Drew Jones at Williams College, and Elena Traister at MCLA, who have been counting the diversity (number of species) and abundance (number of individuals of each species) of amphibians in two vernal pools in Hopkins Forest at Williams College. In addition, Rene Wendell at Bartholomew’s Cobble - owned by The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) - in Sheffield actively monitors vernal pools in south county. These initiatives, and other amphibian-related projects, often solicit help from the public. Contact a local environmental organization like BEAT, Mass Audubon, or TTOR to learn about opportunities for getting involved.

I'd like to acknowledge Tom Tyning, Scott Jervas, and Maria Mingalone for contributing valuable information for this article. ~ Scott LaGreca, Natural Science Coordinator of the Berkshire Museum. See Berkshire Museum ad on page 50.

Spotted Salamander

Red Efts

AMPHIBIANS OF THE BERKSHIRES

(common name, followed by scientific name) Frogs and Toads Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeiana Eastern American Toad, Anaxyrus americanus subsp. americanus Eastern Gray Treefrog, Hyla versicolor Green Frog, Lithobates clamitans subsp. melanotus Northern Leopard Frog, Lithobates pipiens Pickerel Frog, Lithobates palustris Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer Wood Frog, Lithobates sylvatica Salamanders

Common Mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus Four-toed Salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum Jefferson Salamander, Ambystoma jeffersonianum Northern Dusky Salamander, Desmognathus fuscus Northern Redback Salamander, Plethodon cinereus Northern Spring Salamander, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus Northern Two-lined Salamander, Eurycea bislineata Red-spotted Newt or Red Eft, Notophthalmus viridescens subsp. viridescens Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum

Green Frog

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

23

Pesticide Use in Berkshire County: Why Do We Allow It to Continue?

By Alan Inglis, MD

A

nvil is a commonly used pesticide. This chemical is being fog-sprayed weekly and biweekly [by truck] in at least eight towns in Berkshire County in the summer months under the Mosquito Control Project. Towns involved include Becket, Clarksburg (larvicide and surveillance only), Hinsdale, Otis, Richmond, Sheffield, Stockbridge, and Tyringham. Spraying is either requested by homeowners or initiated as a result of surveillance that identifies areas of high mosquito density.¹ The practice is allowed because the available science is interpreted to mean Anvil is safe when used to spray in these ways. Those entities that actually conduct the spraying are simply relying on what is accepted as “expert opinion.”

This practice poses potential hazards to residents. The use of Anvil is based on fundamentally flawed thinking on what is safe and what is dangerous. I will confine my remarks in this brief article to comments on Anvil. My principal points also apply to most herbicide and pesticide use, including the chemicals used on lawns by thousands of homeowners countywide.

Point #1 I maintain there are reasonable grounds for concern² that repeated toxic exposure over years in vulnerable individuals may be a contributing cause to chronic illness and premature death.

tion is costly and time consuming. Individuals within the population may be vulnerable because of a combination of genetic predisposition and prior toxic exposures. Identifying vulnerable individuals is difficult, if not impossible.

Clarksburg

Hinsdale Richmond

Stockbridge Tyringham

Point #2 Current health care practices in the United States are based on a quasi-scientific dogma that insists harm must be proven before a substance can be considered dangerous. The precautionary principle proposes we should have to prove no harm before a potentially harmful substance or practice is allowed.

Many of you, having read thus far, may decide that these two points are good common sense and sufficient reason to stop the spraying. I agree.

Unfortunately, precaution and common sense remain pieces of grit in the oil of conventional governance and the quasiscientific dogma it assembles to support its policies. The financial ties between corporate interests and the scientific community further drive arguments fashioned to support these hazardous practices.

Adverse Long-term Effects in Humans Many scientists are rightfully concerned about the risk of harm to individuals who may have repeated exposures to chemical toxins over time. Cumulative exposure over a lifetime to chemical toxins, starting in the womb, and the risk of synergistic adverse effects on human health, certainly constitute reasonable grounds for concern about the unregulated use of these chemicals.

Mainstream medicine is reluctant to face the fact that disease may result from repeated gene-environment interactions over many years. Predicting adverse reactions across a wide popula24

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Becket

Otis

Sheffield

Safety Unproven The major active component of Anvil is sumithrin, a so-called pyrethroid, which may be associated with liver damage, breast cell proliferation, lowered sperm counts, cognitive problems and hormone disruption (“endocrine disruption”).³ It may also harm or kill other wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and grasshoppers. Health problems in humans can take years to surface so it can be very difficult to establish a connection, especially when Anvil exposure may be only one of many insults to the body over time. Chemical companies, like cigarette makers, are aware of this lag time and complexity, and naturally exploit it to avoid liability.

Mainstream medicine has trouble getting its arms around the issue of repeated toxin exposures in vulnerable individuals over time. The maladaptive acute care model that still drives chronic disease care is preoccupied with finding single causes, then treating them with drugs and surgery. The very methodologies employed to support this approach are ill-suited to the multi-factorial, long latency realities of chronic disease that may

result from repeated toxin exposures over many years. As a result, hard questions about the safety of potentially hazardous substances don’t get asked, because they are difficult to answer without great cost and delay.

Living Downstream: A Scientist's Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment, by Sandra Steingraber.

Fundamental Flaws in the Prevailing Science

Our Stolen Future: Are We Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence, and Survival? - A Scientific Detective Story, by Theo Colborn.

As matters stands at present, when scientists look at a pesticide like Anvil, they attempt to disprove the null hypothesis. This stacks the deck in favor of avoiding false positive results. In common parlance, scientists are afraid of incorrectly showing harm when there is none. They are less concerned about incorrectly showing no harm. This bias favors the ill-advised and premature use of potentially harmful chemicals while favoring the bottom lines of chemical manufacturers eager to put product out into the market.

The Precautionary Principle in the 20th Century: Late Lessons from Early Warnings, edited by Harremoes, et al.

T

he idea that smoking is bad for your health was introduced after World War II, based on prewar research in Europe. It took our science establishment approximately twenty years - a generation - to come up with the public warning that starts “cigarette smoking is a health hazard.”

The available scientific evidence consists of animal studies that examine the effects of solitary exposure to pyrethrins and human studies are limited to a small number of chemical workers.� These do not come close to approximating the realities of cumulative toxic load from multiple toxic agents acting synergistically over time in the bodies of potentially vulnerable individuals.

Everything Connects Compartmentalized, reductionist science with its linear, mechanistic propositions is an inadequate base for making wise policy decisions on the potential impact of complex processes. It needs to be enhanced with the dynamic, emergent properties of systems science. This is not yet being done. In the meantime, caution and informed decision making should prevail.

Recommended Reading

The Secret History of the War On Cancer, by Devra Davis. ~ Dr. Alan Inglis, Integrative Health Solutions. See ad page 36.

Special Note from the Publisher To stop spraying directly in front of your property:

1. Send a registered letter to your town clerk by March 1st.

To get spraying stopped in your town:

1. For a basic overview of town meeting procedures in Massachusetts (condensed below), check out Massachusetts’s Citizen Information Service website provided by our state government at www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/cistwn/ twnidx.htm. You must contact your Town Clerk or Town Meeting Moderator to find out specific information and procedures for annual and special meetings in your town.

2. Get to know your town selectman. Request that they place the topic on an upcoming meeting warrant.* Get ten registered voters to sign a written request (physical addresses recommended) to insert an article in a warrant, and deliver to your selectmen before the warrant is closed. Check out a past annual report (which will contain warrants) as a sample, or ask your town clerk for assistance in drafting the article.

Let’s Stop Rolling the Dice

3. If necessary, citizens may demand that an article be inserted in a warrant by the Selectman for a special Town Meeting, if you obtain the signatures of 100 registered voters or 10 percent of the total number of voters (whichever is lesser).

There are many unanswered questions about the use of Anvil in our communities. What are the true benefits of Anvil? How many mosquitoes does it really kill? Have meaningful measurable outcomes been recorded, such as how many people are spared from disease, what disease, and how severe? How many lives does it save, if any? Who are the vulnerable individuals who might be harmed years later? Do we really have adequate proof of no harm? Who benefits the most from spraying? corporations? town governments? Are we gambling with the future of our children?

5. Note that any member of the public may attend a Town Meeting and the town’s registered voters may vote at any open town meeting. Check out your town’s website for more information, if they have one.

1. Based on phone conversation of 6/24/09 with Berkshire Mosquito Control.

2. European Commission on the Precautionary Principle, Copenhagen, 2002.

3. www.pesticidefreezone.org.

4. www.pesticideinfo.org.

4. If necessary, voters may call a special town meeting by creating a signed written request including the signatures and addresses of 200 registered voters, or 20 percent of the total number of registered voters in your town (whichever number is less). Deliver this request to your Selectman and a special meeting must be called within 45 days.

*A warrant lists the meeting’s time, place, and agenda - a town’s meeting’s action is not valid unless the subject was listed on the warrant. Note that warrants must be made available to the public for viewing at least 7 days before an annual meeting and 14 days before a special meeting.

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

25

2009 Farmers' Markets

Farms

H AWTHORNE VALLEY FARM

Über-organic.

™

Biodynamic. Local. Delicious.

A to Z Farmers’ Market at The Nutrition Center Wednesdays 3-6, June 3-Sept 2 94 West Ave., Great Barrington, MA 01230 In the parking lot at The Nutrition Center Peter Stanton, www.nutrition94west.org 413-429-8110 Adams Farmers’ Market Fridays 12-6, May 22-Oct 23 60 Columbia St., Adams, MA 01220 Berkshire Area Farmers’ Market Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8-2, May 2-Oct 28 Old State Road, Lanesborough, MA 01237 In the Berkshire Mall parking lot Berkshire Harmony Open daily May 29-Dec 20 350 Tyler St., Pittsfield www.berkshireharmony.com

Certified Biodynamic / organic artisanal bread, pastries, cheese, yogurt, sauerkraut & more, all made on our Biodynamic farm. · · · · local produce · farm raised meat · bulk · · · ·

HAWTHORNE VALLEY FARM STORE 327 County Route 21C, Ghent (in Harlemville), Columbia County NY Just 1.5 miles from the Taconic State Parkway, Harlemville Exit 518-672-7500 · HawthorneValleyFarm.org

Farmers’ Market of Sheffield Fridays 3:30-6:30, May 8-Oct 9 340 S. Main St. (Rt 7), Sheffield, MA 01257 In the parking lot of Old Parish Church

Hawthorne Valley Farm Summer & Fall Carrot Slaw

Great Barrington Farmers’ Market Saturdays 9-1, May 9-Oct 31 44 Castle St., Great Barrington, MA 01230 At the train station, behind Town Hall

A simple and delicious dish perfect for entertaining! Enjoy at a concert picnic, backyard BBQ, fabulous brunch, or any summertime party!

One 15 oz jar of Hawthorne Valley Farm Ginger Carrots Make Vinaigrette: 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil • 2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil • 3 Tablespoons Agave • 2 Tablespoons Tamari • 2 Tablespoons Rice • Vinegar (not seasoned) • Salt and Pepper to taste 3 Tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds (toast seeds in a small dry skillet over low heat until slightly brown color) • ¼ cup sliced scallions • ¼ cup chopped cilantro Drain Ginger Carrots in a colander or sieve and set aside. Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a large bowl and whisk. Add drained Ginger Carrots with vinaigrette and toss with scallions, cilantro, and sesame seeds. Delicious either cold or at room temperature. Serves four to six.

Willowtree Organic Farm Stephentown, N Y 518-733-6723 Specializing in Fresh Organic Garlic, Lettuces & Other Veggies 26

Farmers’ Market of Otis Saturdays 9-1, May 9-Oct 31 2000 East Otis Rd., Otis, MA 01253 In the parking lot of Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Lenox Farmers’ Market Fridays 2-6, May 8-Oct 9 Cliffwood Street, Lenox, MA 01240 Norfolk Farmers’ Market Joel Howard, Saturdays 10-1, June 6-Oct 31 Rte 44 , Norfolk, CT 06058 www.norfolkfarmersmarket.org 860-542-5153 North Adams Farmers’ Market Saturdays 8-12, July 11-Oct 24 77 Holden St., North Adams, MA 01247 In St. Anthony’s municipal parking lot, across from Mass MoCA Pittsfield Farmers’ Market Thursdays 4-7, May to October Jeff Winslow 333 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 413-447-7000 Williamstown Farmers’ Market Saturdays 8-12, May 23 - late Oct South end of Spring St., Williamstown, MA 01267 List courtesy of Berkshire Grown

Food & Cooking

It’s All About Garlic!

- GLUTEN & DAIRY FREE -

By Susan Gilman King

UPPER CRUST

I

love garlic with a passion. When I first started to grow garlic it was for the love of what I call “God’s Greatest Herb!”

There are hundreds of varieties of garlic with a huge variety of tastes, looks, and growth habits. After tasting loads of different types of garlic at Hudson Valley Garlic Festival (www. hvgf.com), I fell in love with more than twenty different varieties, which I now grow here at the farm. After a few years of eating raw garlic, I came to notice that we never got sick with a cold, and after almost eight years of growing garlic we are still cold free. I’m sure eating our organic farm vegetables helps us along the way because we can and freeze most of what we grow.

I did some research on garlic and found that it was used as early as 3000 BC for satiating hunger, improving circulation, and keeping away parasites. It is high in iodine and a sulphur compound called allicin. When you cook garlic you destroy all that allicin, which is why most of the health benefits work only in the raw state. I’ve heard that some of the illnesses that have been successfully treated with the help of raw garlic and fresh garlic juice are arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, bronchitis, cancer, diabetes, dysentery, hypertension, hypoglycemia, insomnia, pneumonia, tuberculosis, whooping cough, and last but not least, the common cold. Hippocrates’ requirement for the perfect food: that our food be our medicine and our medicine be our food. Sooooo, let fresh, raw garlic have its chance to prove itself as a natural healer for your body!

H

B•A•K•E•R•Y

Specialty orders upon request.

VALERIE POLIDORO LAWSON COOKIES CAKES - BREADS MUFFINS

413.743.2959

glutendairyfreebakery.com

HimalaSalt THE PUREST SALT ON EARTH

Himalayan Salt Organic Pepper Wind Powered Healthy Green

Garlic Aioli Spread

ere’s a great way to start appreciating raw garlic. When the garlic begins to mature, it throws up a furled flower stalk called a “scape.” When it just starts to unfurl, you must pop it off to allow the garlic bulb to become bigger―this way the strength won’t go into producing the seeds, and the bulb can be stored for a longer period of time. I love the scapes for this recipe: Simply cut the more tender part of the scape and take off the flower tip, then cut the rest into 3-inch pieces.

Put the pieces into your food processor with a nice pinch of sea salt, start it spinning, and add through the spout enough of your favorite oil to make a slurry. Now, try this on some bread, pasta, pizza, or soup, ooooooooh yum! If you love garlic, you’ll love this aioli. ~ Susan Gilman King, Willowtree Organic Farm. See ad on page 26.

live deeply. eat purely.

Shop @ www.HimalaSalt.com

F

Contest #7

ind this image in one of our advertiser’s ads. If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Tuesday, September 1st at 1:30 PM with the correct answer, you will win 2 five pound bags of Pearl's Premium Lawn Seed valued at $66. Contributed

by Jackson Madnick, Pearl's Premium Lawn Seed. ~ Please see advertisement on page 44. www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

27

Food Stores: Co-ops, Markets & Health

Delicious, healthy local & organic food -

Delivered right to your door!

Fresh. Affordable. Convenient.

Fresh harvested produce offered in baskets to suit singles, couples, families & businesses.

No commitment!

413-446-5510

BerkshireOrganics.com Supporting Local Businesses! Now accepting EBT/QUEST Cards

New location: 813 Dalton Division Road, Dalton, MA 01226

Growers of the Finest Tree Fruits & Berries GROWN WITHOUT PESTICIDES

PICNIC AREAS WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS

(BSMJD t #FSSJFT t $VLFT 5PNBUPFT t 1VNQLJOT Potatoes

every Saturday

AUGUST – OCTOBER

"QQMFT t Pick-Your-Own or Already Picked t 'SFTI $JEFS

JULY

Pick-Your-Own 4XFFU BOE 5BSU $IFSSJFT 3FE #MBDL 3BTQCFSSJFT Red Currants as well as already picked

FALL

4USBXCFSSJFT t 3BTQCFSSJFT .VNT t 1VNQLJOT t (PVSET 8JOUFS 4RVBTI t )BZ

FARM STAND & BAKERY OUR OWN

AUGUST

Our Own Fresh Picked White & Yellow Peaches White & Yellow Nectarines 25 Varieties of Apples "QSJDPUT t 1MVNT 1FBST t #MVFCFSSJFT Pick-Your-Own Plums

28

August 2009

Visit us at

ͳF #FSLTIJSF .BMM 'BSNFS T .BSLFU

94 OLD CHESHIRE RD, LANESBORO, MA 01&/ +6-: o 0$50#&3 56&4%": UISV 46/%": ". UP 1.

MBLFWJFXPSDIBSE DPN

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Old-Fashioned Cider Donuts 8IPPQJF 1JFT t 'SVJU 1JFT "CTPMVUFMZ 1VSF )POFZ t $PPLJFT %JMM #SFBE O #VUUFS 1JDLMFT +BNT t +FMMJFT t 5VSOPWFST 100% Beeswax Candles Local Maple Syrup Cabot Cheese (on the wheel) .BTTBDIVTFUUT 4QBSLMJOH $JEFS

Food Stores

Green Building Hartsville Design

Berkshire's Green Grocer & Claire's Cafe 42 Park Street, Lee, MA 413-243-1775

Architectural Woodworking Specializing in Healthy Furniture & Woodwork for Environmentally Sensitive Individuals & Children

7JUBNJOT 4VQQMFNFOUT t 0SHBOJD -PDBM 1SPEVDF 1SPEVDUT (MVUFO 'SFF *UFNT t )FBMUI #FBVUZ 1SPEVDUT t #VML *UFNT

Kevin J. Regan • 413-528-6133 Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com

www.B er kshiresGreenGro cer.com

Sustainable Design Deep Energy Retrofits

SPECIALIZING IN: Berkshire Bagels U Richard Bourdon Breads U Equal Exchange Organic Coffee U Variety of Beer & Wines U Homemade Soups U Sandwiches U Cookies U Pies & Cakes

Littlewolf Architecture Christopher Vlcek, AIA OPEN 7 DAYS

Sun–Thur: 5:30am – 9pm Friday: 5:30am – 10pm Saturday: 6am – 10pm

L&M Auto, Inc

www.PapasHealthyFoodandFuel.com 413-269-7779

GULF SERVICE CENTER Route 23 East East Otis, Massachusetts

(413) 528-5571 littlewolfarch.com

413-269-6220

The Berkshires’ Best-Kept Secret OPEN E H TO T IC L PUB

Organic Fruits and Vegetables—we sell to local restaurants

LEED consulting, certification services & training New Construction (NC)—Existing Buildings (EB:O&M)

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 10-4pm • Thu 12-4pm • Sat 9-2pm 814 East Street Pittsfield MA • Phone (413) 445-4586 • Fax (413) 445-4447

Sister-owned since 1980!

Serving architects, owners & contractors nationwide www.LEEDLinc.com

413-528-5788

Design/Build, Inc. Renovations & Custom Cabinetry Joseph Carry (413) 281-0046

General Stores www.MamasEarth.com The Online Environmental General Store

Organic and Hemp Clothing, and Household Environmental Safe Products

“Nature is the art of God.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

29

Green Building, Renovation & Landscape Design

GREEN JOBS

GET SERIOUS

SeriousWindows

TM

SAVES MORE ENERGY THAN ANY OTHER WINDOW. PERIOD. 4x ENERGY STARÂŽ outperforms Anderson , Marvin and Pella . ÂŽ

ÂŽ

ÂŽ

President Obama Highlights Green Jobs and SeriousWindows as “... some of the most Energy-Efficient Windows in the world.� —President Barak Obama, March 23, 2009

U Lower energy bills by up to 49% U 99.5% UV protection U Maintenance free vinyl surfaces U Will not rot or fade

Call for a FREE estimate (413) 442-3001 674 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201

—Barbara Keyes, Washington, MA

$

MorrisonsHomeImprovement.com

“Just a note to let you know how great these new windows are. They have cut my oil bill in half. I’d say they will pay for themselves in no time. Everyone that sees them is impressed with the workmanship and the quality.�

Energy Tax Credit

Receive up to $1500 with SeriousWindows

CSL #051408 HIC #131832

t /Prth St, Pittsfield MA 01201 .PrSJTPOT)PNF*NQrPvFNFOU DPN 30

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Green Building, Renovation & Landscape Design Member - US Green Building Council

Resourceful Sustainable

engineering architecture civil/survey planning

www.hillengineers.com

50 depot st dalton ma 01226 413 684 0925 41 park st adams ma 01220 413 743 0790

LEED - Accredited Professionals

5IF -PHJDBM $IPJDF OP JUDI PS TLJO JSSJUBUJPO TVQFSJPS BDPVTUJD QSPQFSUJFT FOWJSPONFOUBMMZ TBGF DMBTT B GJSF SBUFE NBYJNVN UIFSNBM QFSGPSNBODF

MFFE FMJHJCMF FBTZ UP VTF SFTJTUT NPME NJMEFX OP GPSNBMEFIZEF TVTUBJOBCMF CVJMEJOH QSPEVDU

%F7SJFT #VJMEJOH 4VQQMZ CFSLTIJSF TDIPPM SE TIFGGJFME .B UFM GBY XXX EFWSJFTCVJMEJOHTVQQMZ DPN EFWSJFTCT!HNBJM DPN

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

31

The Insulation Payoff

By Jenny Gitlitz

S

ummer is here and fall is approaching; we’re enjoying months of gardening, hiking, and picnicking. But now is also the best time to prepare for winter. Many older homes in the Berkshires have ill-fitting windows and little or no insulation in the roofs or walls, because they were built when firewood was plentiful and oil and gas were cheap. If you live in one, then you know it can be drafty and uncomfortable during the winter, and can leave you with high heating bills. Uninsulated attics can also lead to ice dams and interior leakage, and can boost summer air conditioning needs.

Space heating accounts for 47 percent of energy use in the average American home, so insulating your home really pays off.

It takes time to plan and carry out an insulation project, and since you’re better off opening up your walls and roof while it’s warm, now’s its the time evaluate which insulation type suits you.

contain formaldehyde that can offgas into indoor air. Common to many conventional building products, formaldehyde is a carcinogen and a systemic toxicant. The EPA recommends that formaldehyde exposure be limited as much as possible.

Fiberglass

Recycled Cotton

Fiberglass is the most commonly used and inexpensive residential insulation. It comes in batts or rolls in varying sizes. It’s easily installed in new construction or gut remodels (where the walls and ceilings or roof are open). For maximum benefit, choose the highest R-value (and thickness) that fits in your walls and ceilings.

Conventional fiberglass has recently come under scrutiny.

Rachel's Environment and Health Weekly has called it “the asbestos of the 21st century,” because the small fiber size is comparable to asbestos, and appears to have the same carcinogenic mechanism when trapped in the lungs. It has also been regarded with skepticism because the glues that give the batts cohesion

UltraTouch batt insulation contains 85 percent post-industrial cotton from scraps of denim blue jeans and other textiles. Unlike fiberglass, it does not itch to the touch, and contains no formaldehyde to offgas into living space. Suitable for interior and exterior walls and ceilings, it’s available in R-13 to R-30. It’s treated with boric acid as a safe flame retardant and a mold and mildew inhibitor, and is an excellent sound barrier. You may be tempted to hug this popular blue insulation or to or make a futon out of it, but really—it’s best stuffed into your walls.

Green Options Fortunately, formaldehyde-free fiberglass is now available, which addresses at least one of the concerns (for the other: wear a mask and gloves!). Johns Manville manufactures batts using nontoxic acrylic binders, without sacrificing R-value or ease of installation. It’s available in unfaced, faced with kraft paper or foil (as a vapor barrier), poly-encapsulated for easier handling, and sound control and flame-retardant types. JM batts also contains 20 percent recycled glass.

Mineral Wool Another batt option is mineral wool, made from basalt rock and recycled slag, a smelting by-product. Also called “rock wool,” it is especially fire-resistant because it has a melting point of 2150°F. Roxul Acoustical Fire Batt is also good at sound attenuation. It is naturally resistant to pests and mold, and is Greenguard certified for healthy indoor air quality. It comes in several sizes, and can be used in commercial and residential buildings.

Spray Foam

UltraTouch Cotton

32

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Spray foam insulation fills gaps and cracks around plumbing and electrical penetrations, unlike batts. Made from polyurethane, foam (Icynene is a leading brand) is sprayed in a thin layer directly on open walls and ceilings. Within seconds, it expands 100 times in volume to fill every gap.

Excess is trimmed off. Foam provides excellent insulation value (R-3.6 per inch), and acoustic dampening. Several manufacturers make foam with up to 50 percent soybean oil, and Icynene now has a foam containing castor oil. Professional installation is required.

The only downside to this program is its popularity! I had to wait several months for my turn—so the sooner you schedule an audit, the better chance you’ll have of completing your job before winter.

Rigid Foam Rigid foam is good where batts or blown-in won’t work, such as against basement foundations. It comes in sheets of various thicknesses. It can be glued to walls, or stapled into furring strips.

Roxul repels water

Cellulose If you’re living in your home and don’t want to remove interior walls or attic ceilings, blown-in cellulose insulation is a good option. National Fiber's Cel-Pak is manufactured in Belchertown, MA, from recycled newspapers that would otherwise be landfilled. Its R-value of 3.8 per inch is superior to that of fiberglass (2.2 per inch). Like foam, blown-in cellulose fills gaps and cracks, eliminating energy-wasting drafts. Cellulose contains no formaldehyde, and is treated with fire-retardant, pest-resistant borates. Its density also provides high noise attenuation.

Cellulose can be dense-packed into walls through two or three rows of holes drilled in exterior or interior walls (depending on your siding and preferences), and can be installed in attic ceilings with netting stapled to studs, or as loose fill on unused attic floors. Cellulose must be installed by an insulation contractor. I had cellulose blown into my house last fall through an excellent program run by the Center for Ecological Technology (CET). After conducting a free energy audit, CET set me up with an insulation contractor who did the job at a very reasonable price. The program uses rebates provided by Western Mass Electric and Berkshire Gas, and were capped at $1,500 last year. They will also air seal and spot insulate basement rim joists and attic soffits, and will weatherstrip doors and windows.

Insulation and weatherization are the low-hanging fruits when it comes to reducing our homes’ fossil fuel demands. Before looking into solar hot water heaters or PV systems—or even wood stoves—we should all seal our living spaces to minimize heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. There are state and federal tax credits available for insulating, too. Insulating now is a good investment in your home’s value, in your comfort, and in a healthier planet.

Celulose installation

Photo by Jenny Gitlitz

JM Stock

Cel-Pak Cellulose

Roxul withstands fire

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Roxul in wall

August 2009

33

Green Building, Renovation & Landscape Design

Hartsville Design

Architectural Woodworking Custom Cabinetry Fine Furniture & Staircases

"Greening

413-229-8684

America One Home at a Time."

Member: USGBC thom@innovation-renovation.com

Green Teams - Send us your Info!

Lee Recycling Committee

Working to improve recycling awareness and access No regular meeting schedule but try to meet every 2 months Contact: Monica Ryan: niryan@hotmail.com Jamie Cahillane: jamiec@cetonline.org

Lenox Environmental Committee

Working to reduce our carbon footprint Meet the first Monday of the month at 5:30 PM at Town Hall Contacts: Jamie Cahillane: jamiec@cetonline.org Greg Federspiel: Federspiel-townmanager@townoflenox.com

Stockbridge Green Team

Traditional ● Creative ● Original Design

Specializing in Healthy Furniture & Woodwork for Environmentally Sensitive Individuals & Children

Quality Craftsmanship Over 35 years of experience and in the Berkshires since 1967 Licensed & Insured - MA HIC 161562

Kevin J Regan Old Grange Hall, Route 57, Hartsville, MA Ph: 413.528.6133 ● Fax: 413.541.8000 Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com

34

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Working to reduce Stockbridge greenhouse gas emissions Usually meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm at New Town Hall Offices Contacts: Laura Tota : LTota@nrm.org Laura Dubester: laurad@cetonline.org "Teamwork is the ability to work together towards a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." ~ Andrew Carnegie

Health & Beauty

Health & Beauty

Care for your skin as you care for the world.

For superior, holistic skin care that offers radiant results, enjoy Dr.Hauschka treatments and products at Body & Soul.

Why Minerals?

You be the judge!

Is it naturally pretty skin, or is it jane iredale minerals?

Take the F ac e Haven c hallenge!

Body & Soul Thera-Spa

184 Maple Avenue (Rte. 23) Great Barrington, MA 413-528-6465 | bodyandsoultheraspa.com

323 Main Street (corner of Bridge Street) Great Barrington, MA • 413.528.4053 The #1 choice of skin care professionals

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

35

Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Dr. Susan Lord

is pleased to announce the opening of her new medical practice in Great Barrington.

Dr. Lord offers a personalized, holistic approach to health including Mind-Body Skills Groups to support a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

Call to find out if this is a good approach for you.

Susan B. Lord, M.D. The Granary • 33 Rossetter St. Suite 2 Great Barrington, MA 01230 413-644-9600 • susan@drsusanlord.com DrSusanLord.com

Fkqbdo^qfsb Mofj^ov @^ob

-

HDIDH<G H@?D><ODJI H@?D>DI@

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t continue to suffer!

DR. KATHLEEN M. FAVALORO, DC, PT

Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, Chronic Pain Specialist & Massage Therapist

SCENAR LIFE...living pain free!

No Doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office, Therapist or home should be without SCENAR! Do you suffer from: Chronic Pain, Sciatica, Bursitis,Headaches? Do you have: Stiff Neck, Frozen Shoulder, Knee Joint Replacement?

The SCENAR Try the SCENAR to speed your healing is an advanced & feel better FAST! Do you want to reduce biofeedback and your need for Oxycodone and Tylenol? treatment modality, Order your portable devise today. that locates, measures Free Seminar with purchase. and treats areas of pain and dysfunction.

413.528.5535

cav12@juno.com 19 Lewis Avenue, Gt. Barrington, MA 01230

www.doctor.scenarlife.com 36

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Rc\oĂ?n n\a`' rc\o rjmfn)

R` a\^` \i `kd_`hd^ ja ^cmjid^ _`b`i`m\odq` _dn`\n`n' di^gp_dib c`\mo _dn`\n`' _d\]`o`n' \mocmdodn \i_ _`h`iod\) Ocdn ^\ggn ajm \ ntno`hn ]\n`_ n^d`iodĂ&#x2DC;^ hj_`g oc\o \__m`nn`n pi_`m( gtdib api^odji' ijo epno nthkojhn) Tjp c\q` h\it n\a` jkodjin ]`tji_ _mpbn \i_ npmb`mt) D j `m km`^dn`' k`mnji\gdu`_ ^\m` oc\o ^jh]di`n oc` ]`no ja ^jiq`iodji\g h\di( nom`\h h`_d^di` \i_ oc` `h`mbdib ntno`hn ]\n`_ cjgdnod^ h`_d^di`)

g Hiq []]_jncha j[nc_hnm

`il jlcg[ls ][l_ Chn_al[ncp_ g_^c]ch_ ]ihmofnm g [fmi [p[cf[\f_ >\gg /,.(-43(,++, ajm \i \kkjdioh`io) >hqa ? =__alpejc <g\i Dibgdn' H)?)

Pqbpo nkoo+>hq a Odea ( Da] =j\m_ >`modĂ&#x2DC;`_ Dio`mi\g H`_d^di` h`( ]j` k hpd Jas A jc pdan _ Oc` Noj^f]md_b` Kg\di N^cjjg ]nnea h]j` no* 0+ H\di Nom``o' Noj^f]md_b`' H< +,-1-

De-Stress or not to Stress...

What is the Question?

By Jerome F. Errico, DC

R

ather the question should be: What are you supposed to do with the stress that you may have been feeling, given current events? How can you hope to de-stress easily, effectively, and on a daily basis if need be? These days, you cannot avoid hearing headlines such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Extremely difficult economic times,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We haven't seen the worst of it yet,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Record layoffs,â&#x20AC;? etcetera. These are generalized statements, usually put forth by the media to get your attention, generate fear, and sell news. They may not necessarily represent what is stressing you immediately and personally. So, how do you separate and address the immediate and personal stress you need to release today, from the ubiquitous onslaught of stressors in your daily routine?

First, you should identify the particular stressor that is causing you this immediate internalized angst. This is perhaps the most difficult step. It may help to think back to a recent conversation that may have upset you, a minor confrontation you have recently gone through, or perhaps an unpleasant and unavoidable situation you are about to endure.

Second, it may help you to approach the issue from a control standpoint. That is to say, if you have no control over the situation, such as world events or the economy, you have to let it go and trust the universe will play it out the way it will/should. This may not always result in what you want; but trust that it will always be for the greater good. If, on the other hand, it is a situation you can control in your immediate part of the world, then focus on what solution/resolution will bring the most good to the most concerned. Remember never to sacrifice yourself in the process.

Proceed to the following exercise, which is an exercise I utilize at the end of most sessions with my patients and is very effective at stress reduction. â&#x2014;? Place your feet flat on the floor, sit up straight, and close your eyes as you focus on your shoulders. Concentrate on letting your shoulders relax. You will feel them drop slightly, indicating a release of tension held in this area. Continue by bringing your shoulders up to your ears and letting them relax further to gravity and repeat two or three times until you find your neutral position.

The point is to make you realize just how tight you may be holding everything. â&#x2014;? Once this is accomplished, keep your eyes closed and breathe in a cleansing breath deeply through your nostrils, holding for a slow count of seven. Exhale slowly through your mouth as if you were blowing through a straw. Repeat this two more times for a total of three breaths while maintaining your relaxed posture. â&#x2014;? This exercise takes a little over a minute to perform and may be done anytime and anywhere you are feeling stressed. If you are standing, lean against a wall if one is available. If you happen to be standing in line, stabilize yourself with a wider stance and then proceed with the exercise. â&#x2014;? The ideal position for this exercise is lying flat on your back with your knees and feet elevated on a cushion and a small pillow supporting your head and neck. Your right hand should be placed on your stomach with your left hand on top. And when you have the time, seven breaths of seven seconds duration is extremely meditative. The entire time, focus on relaxing your mind, your body, and your spirit.

Having gone through this exercise, you will note that the issue will/may still be present, but your approach, perception, and mentation will have changed. You will feel more relaxed and calm and you will find your thoughts to be more lucid and your processing to be more linear. More importantly, by learning to differentiate between stressors you can control, and those you have to let go, you empower yourself to de-stress, or not to stress. As with most manifestations, to have the greatest effect, the intention of course must come from the heart.

The above article has been generously sponsored by Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association located at 32 Park Street, P.O. Box 415, Lee MA 01238-0415.

413-243-1212 or 1-800-427-1208.

"Setting the standard in home health care... Come home with us."

/&8 %"8/ ) F B M J O H " S U T

Fix Your Metabolism 38 CHURCH STREET

LENOX, MA 01240 T E L . 41 3 - 8 2 2 - 4 3 0 5

EMAIL DIGITALDOC69@GMAIL.COM URL

WWW.DRLEPINE.COM

TODD LEPINE, MD

INTEGRATIVE MEDICAL SPECIALIST

Dawn Meltzer LAc, MAc, MMQ Licensed Acupuncturist Doctoral Candidate, Medical Qigong

/&8 %"8/ ) F B M J O H " S U T

Experience Healing in a Whole New Light

"$616/ $563 & t $ )*/& 4& )& 3 #4 2 *( 0/ ( 5 3 & "5.& / 5 5 3 " */* / ( t 'SBOLMJO 4USFFU -FOPY

/&8 %"8/ ) F B M J O H " S U T

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

37

Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative "In health there is freedom. Health is the first of all liberties." ~ Henri Frederic Amiel

tom fleming

SFHJTUFSFE SFTQJSBUPSZ UIFSBQJTU DFSUJGJFE CVUFZLP QSBDUJUJPOFS

Relieve your asthma, anxiety/panic disorders. Enhance your sport endurance.

413-258-2858

Acupuncture

.AOMI !LSON ,)# !#505.#452)34 !.$ (%2"!,)34 "ALANCE AND WELLBEING Â&#x201E; (ERBAL MEDICINE 3PECIALIZED TRAINING IN FERTILITY TREATMENT AND TREATMENTS FOR THE CANCER PATIENT

,EE &AMILY 0RACTICE 1UARRY 3T ,EE -!

Berkshire Osteopathic Health

Orchid Blossom Healing Arts

Announces...

the addition of Dr. Joshua Krembs to the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine practice of Dr. Stephen Kisiel and Dr. Nancy Campbell at our new location at 42 Summer Street in Pittsfield.

Dr. Krembs is an osteopathic physician with specialty training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, a gentle, hands-on approach to treating all types of disease processes, from the common flu to chronic pain.

Welcoming NEW PATIENTS

Most insurance accepted

Phone: 442-0085 â&#x20AC;˘ www.BerkshireHealingArts.net

Osteopathic & Manual Techniques Holistic techniques for pain relief and correction of dysfuntion for adults, infants and children 777 Main Street â&#x20AC;˘ At the Barrington Bagel Plaza, Great Barrington, MA 413-644-9474 â&#x20AC;˘ randiphysicaltherapy.com

Join Our Growing Family...

Classical Acupuncture and Zen Shiatsu Cultivating wellness for the whole family

Lauren Paul, Call

M. Ac.

-Licensed in CT and MA

413.258.4296 for an appointment

PETER GOLDBERG, Dipl. Ac. BERKSHIRE ACUPUNCTURE 46 Main Street â&#x20AC;˘ South Egremont, MA (413) 528-5055 â&#x20AC;˘ www.berkshireacupuncture.com

LINDA JACKSON, Lic. Ac., MAcOM Over 30 years in Healthcare, Experience You Can Trust

"We'd like to run the same ad - it's been very effective for us as old customers comment on seeing the ad, and two new customers have come from the ad. Your readers have the environmental sensibility that has to be the primary motivation for investing in PV. Today a clean energy policy colleague from the Albany area came in to our office and was shown our ad in Our BerkshireGreen. We thought he might make a comment on how well the ad or the PV system looked, but he noted, 'Oh my gosh I've been looking for information on raw feeding my dog,' as he began reading the article on page 7. He took our last copy! Please let Kathy and the editorial team en e r G e know they have struck the right chord for content ir rksh source Our YoBureHolistic/Green Re and we're proud to be advertising."

Best, Christopher Derby Kilfoyle inside: Berkshire Photovoltaic Services Adams, MA ent Complim

y April - Jul

e ary Issu

â&#x201E;˘

2009

is Autism e bl Treata

â&#x2122;Ś

ghts Thou ings are Th

ests Cont ar Calend ents of Ev Living en Gre orking ts Netw ly Even Month

â&#x2122;Ś

eding Raw Fe Pet Your

â&#x2122;Ś

at Habit ning Garde

â&#x2122;Ś

h Care Healt oners ti

Practi

38

en.com

shireGre

urBerk

www.O

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com Advertise@OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

The Centre for Acupuncture, Herbs & Massage 105 Main Street, Gt. Barrington

413 528-3514 â&#x20AC;˘

www.centreforacupuncture.com

Chiropractic & Kinesiology

BODY CONNECTION CHIROPRACTIC Chiropractic care for the whole family Gentle technique, pediatrics and pre-natal care, auto accident care.

NOW ACCEPTING MEDICARE

ADAM KERZNER, DC 413-644-0030 168 Main Street, Suite 2 â&#x20AC;˘ Great Barrington, MA 01230

"If we cannot heal in one way, we must learn to heal in another." ~ Sherwin B. Nuland

Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Counseling & Therapy JUDY ROSLEY

Dentistry

Return to yourself ... Awaken. Grow into your destiny ...

Heal through personal process & hands-on technology ...

Green Living and Dental Sustainability

Clear. Charge. Balance energy field ...

Strengthen hara line of intention.

Recieve raindrop therapy pure organic essential oil ... consciousness creates choice

Prepare for surgery ...Transformation available

500 SOUTH MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230 HEYJUDE@HEALERSCONNECT.NET 413.229.6044

-Reduce your bacterial footprint-

LIFECYCLE

Counseling Services

CATHERINE T. SPENCE LMFT, LMHC, LCSW

Promoting well-being at all of life’s stages 54 Wendell Avenue Pittsfield, MA 01201

Most Insurances Accepted

Tel. (413) 443-7264

The Center for Compassionate Relationships Offering counseling, groups, workshops for creating healthy relationships

Ani Nadler Grosser

and

-Conserve your natural resources-

Bill Grosser

LICSW’s, Certified Imago Relationship Therapists www.compassionaterelationships.com • 413-637-2868

-Alter your individual carbohydrate consumption-Improve your personal wellness comfortably-Affect global change one smile at a time

we're here when you need us

518-325-5142 www.ourfamilydds.com (we do tooth whitening too!)

Our Family Dentist Allan L. Nahman, DDS !" Anthony Street in nearby Hillsdale# NY $ just minutes from Great Barrington Conscious and Caring Dentistry for your whole family

Energy Medicine

ROBERT POLLOCK Therapeutic Energy Healing Classes in Heart Centered Spirituality

Specific Personalized Therapeutic Relief for

Twenty years of helping people address their issues by connecting with Higher Energy

5

413 499 4369

www.BerkshireEnergyHealing.com Robert@BerkshireEnergyHealing.com

Pain - Stress - Injury Elfi SIX, LMT, CMA www.CosmicResonance.com 413.717.0507 So Egremont

Think outside of the box. www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

39

Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Massage Therapy & Bodywork

Seth Levy Licensed Massage Therapist

413.429.6887

Contest #8

F

ind this image in one of our advertiser’s ads. If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Tuesday, September 1st at 1:45 PM with the correct answer, you will win a one hour reflexology session valued at $75.

This prize was contributed by Audrey Herrick Reflexology. Please see advertisement on page 42.

Massage

Reiki

The Art of Wellness

Light Body Work

Nanci Worthington LMT

17 Bridge St., Gt. Barrington, MA 01230

MASSAGE THERAPY

40

August 2009

• Realize your body’s ability to heal

marmaduke46@ yahoo.com Specializing in pain relief, injury recovery, & rehabilitation.

Deep Tissue massage and Neuromuscular Therapy Extensive training in Cranio-Sacral Therapy.

Relaxing Swedish massage with Thai stretching.

In my Great Barrington office, or in your own home.

15 years experience.

Insured & Licensed in MA & NY

Chri sty Thorne licensed massage therapist 413.329.1514

• Recover Mobility • Release Chronic Patterns

ArtofWellnessLMT.com 413-329-5573 artofwellness@earthlink.net

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

"You are indeed carrying within yourself the potential to visualize, to design, and to create an utterly satisfying, joyful and pure lifestyle." - Rainer Maria Rilke ~ Contributed by Maria Cruz, RD, LDN, LMT, RYT

Healing Bodywork Ming Lash,

RSMT

ENERGY HEALING • FLOWER ESSENCES • CRANIO-SACRAL THERAPY

413-232-7819 • www.MoveIntoHealing.com

Health Care: Alternative, Alternative Complementary Energy & Integrative

LEE BODYWORK ASSOCIATES 17 Main Street Lee, MA Suite #9

Advanced massage therapy techniques for pain management, injury prevention & recovery, postural restoration and general well being.

Suzanne Higgins Manual Lymph Drainage 413-445-2688 Greg McDonald Structural Integration 413-358-3688 Jack McKeon Neuromuscular Therapy 413-243-8240 Karen Rutschmann Neuromuscular Therapy 413-243-8240 Jan Schollenberger Structural Integration 646-234-5170

Nutrition & Supplements

Nutrition Counseling CREATING A HEALTHY CONNECTION WITH FOOD

Maria Cruz, rd, ldn, lmt, ryt www.berkshirehealingarts.net mariacruz1@crocker.com • 413-441-8826

Deb Phillips Deb Phillips Nutritionist utritionist N

Nutrition & Supplements

drink life in

Neuromuscular Therapy

TM

Barbara L. Laureyns

independent distributor

zija id: 40410 phone: (413)442-4854 cell: (413)441-6684 zijaqueen@berkshire.rr.com zijaqueen.com/barbaralaureyns

Did you know that lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), is a member of the mint family, and is considered a "calming" herb? It has been safely used for insomnia, anxiety, and a variety of other health problems.

Physical Therapy

MS, LDN, CHES

www.debphillips.biz

413-446-3205 • deb@debphillips.biz

Berkshire Physical Therapy & Wellness Dalton Office

INTUITIVE EATING COACH

400 Main Street Dalton MA 01226 413-684-9783

• Mindfulness skills to ease stresses that trigger overeating • Nutrition tips to balance food cravings • Eating well on the go • Holistic Cleansing

ALISON SHORE GAINES, Certified Holistic Life Educator Since 1982 • 413.442.3604 • asgaines07@aol.com

SHAKLEE CORPORATION

Make your appointment today for your Fit Right evaluation!

DOT SCHELLHAMMER

e 413 528-3262 •

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS A Green company creating healthier lives for over 50 years

Pittsfield Office

740 Williams Street Pittsfield MA 01201 413-447-8070 ptpittsfield100@aol.com

dotschellhammer@live.com

Lee Office

480 Pleasant Street Lee MA 01238 413-243-3477 ptlee@aol.com

Save 60 bottles from the landfill

ElectroBlast rehydration concentrates ™

Flavored/NO sugar! 2 oz. bottle = 60 drinks

Buy at Guido’s or Berkshire Bike & Board www.electroblast.com

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

41

Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Reconnective Healing

Tai Chi

LAUGHING DRAGON TAI CHI

Experience healing beyond anything you’ve read about, thought about, dreamed about.

While each experience is unique, many report healings from afflictions such as: Cancer Depression Fibromyalgia Arthritis Cerebral Palsy AIDS-related Diseases

DAVID WADE SMITH, LAO SHR

ENHANCE

HEALTH , BALANCE AND AGILITY , INCREASE STRENGTH AND PEACE OF MIND WITH THE GENTLE, POWERFUL MOVEMENT THAT IS TAI CHI

413.528.5669

lafdragon@berkshire.net

Trager® Approach

TM

Adam Seavey, Reconnective Healing Practitioner has been personally instructed in the facilitation of these extraordinary healing frequencies by Eric Pearl, the acknowledged instrument through which these frequencies have been introduced to the world. .

Movement Education

To schedule an appointment with Adam call 413.717.0995 or email adamconnect@adamsreconnection.org

Body/Mind Integration

TM

DISCLAIMER: Eric Pearl and anyone associated with this work, inclusive of, but not limited to The Reconnection and R Reconnective Healing , make no claims, promises or guarantees and are neither diagnosing nor treating specific health challenges. You are solely responsible for seeing to and/or continuing with your own medical treatment and care.

TM .

2002 Copyright Kenna Consulting, Inc. & The Reconnection

“Find out why these

Healing Frequencies

are unlike any other.” - Adam Seavey

The Trager® Approach combines playful, effortless movement exercises called Mentastics® with gentle, relaxing bodywork to promote deep relaxation and harmony for mind and body.

It is used to address a wide range of physical issues.

TRAGER

®

PRACTITIONERS IN YOUR AREA :

Ariana Magnifico,

Reflexology

LMT

413.445.7239

Wendy Tryon, 413.528.4058

Andrea Borak,

RN

MFA, CMA

413.499.5965 ab1dancer@aol.com

Ellen Russo,

BA

413.644.0148 receivepeace@gmail.com MILTON TRAGER’S WORK WILL BENEFIT ANYONE WISHING TO LEAD A HEALTHIER, MORE DYNAMIC LIFE.” - DEEPAK CHOPRA

Website: www.tragerus.org

R

eflexology is a science which deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body. Stimulating these reflexes properly can help many health problems in a natural way, a type of preventative maintenance.

Reflexology is a serious advance in the health field and should not be confused with massage. - From the International Institute of Reflexology. ~ Contributed by Audrey Herrick 42

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

F

Contest #9

ind this imag e in one of our advertiser’s ads. If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Tuesday, September 1st at 2:00 PM with the correct answer, you will win a Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup makeover for up to 4 people, valued at $260 plus 15% off any purchase that day. Contributed by Sherie Keefner at Face Haven. See ad on page 35.

Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Trager® Approach

Women's Health

PEACE BEYOND RELAXATION Through movement and bodywork

Ellen Russo Compassion in Motion The Trager® Approach - Reiki TM Soul Body Fusion

SHIVANI LASH

Call for a free 15 minute consult:

413-644-0148

Home Birth Midwifery

receivepeace@gmail.com www.compassioninmotion.com

shivani.lash@gmail.com • 413.441.3466 “As we can trust the flowers to open to new life, so we can trust birth.”

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." ~ Mother Theresa

- H. Hartigan

Home & Garden d et a i l s inter ior de sign Carole King Julie Brady 292 South Main Street Sheffield, MA 413.229.3333

Hartsville Design

Architectural Woodworking Custom Cabinetry • Fine Furniture • Staircases

"I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a book." ~ Groucho Marx

F

Contest #10

ind this image in one of our advertiser’s ads. If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Thursday, October 1st at 12:15 PM with the correct answer, you will win a one hour business/career coaching session valued at $150. Contributed by Bill Bean, Green Planning & Coaching. Please see advertisement on page 18.

Traditional ● Creative ● Original Design

Specializing in Healthy Furniture & Woodwork for Environmentally Sensitive Individuals & Children 413.528.6133 • Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

43

Home & Garden

•

Specializing in the Installation and Care of Sustainable Landscapes, Lawns, Trees and Shrubs Walls, Patios, Stairs in Native Stone ~ Water Features Pruning/Removal, Cabling/Bracing of Ornamental, Shade & Fruit Trees Soil Testing/Fertilization of Lawns, Shrubs and Trees Disease/Pest, and Invasive Species Management Least-Toxic Methods •

Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals (AOLCP) Licensed & Certified Arborists (MCA, ISA, MA/CT) Members: ISA, TCIA, CTPA, SBCC • Experienced, Reliable, Insured Serving the Berkshire-Taconic Region of MA /CT/NY Estimates are Provided at No Charge • Sheffield, Massachusetts 413-229-8124! www.websteringersoll.com

PROJECT NATIVE Growing Nature’s Garden

Photo by David Ellis

Learn about your backyard habitat!

“Agway’s not going green – we’ve BEEN green for over 30 years!”

Brands you trust.

People who know.

Project Native is offering workshops on: Fern Propogation, Native Seed Collection, Invasive ID, Trellis Building & more...

For more information or to register call 413-274-3433 WWW.PROJECTNATIVE.ORG

NURSERY & GARDEN SHOP 9 - 5 DAILY• CLOSED WEDNESDAY Project Native is a non-profit environmental organization.

44

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

agway.com

600 Main Street, Williamstown 413-458-4880 • Mon–Fri 8-6pm, Sat 9-5pm

Home & Garden c ORGANIC LANDCARE SERVICE d

Bringing health and beauty to your landscape... naturally.

c Enliven your soils with Bio- Mulch and paramagnetic rock dust applications

Nature Works Organic Land Care Service c

d

Protect your lungs.

RADON LEVELS �CHECK � in your home

lt h

...

a he

na t

ur

ally

.

g in ng Bri

c Offering full service landscaping including design , maintenance, and installation with organic principles applied

an

db ea

c ds uty to your lan

e ap

c RI CH LAS S OR â&#x20AC;˘ 413.325.1101 d

Feng Shui

Practical Feng Shui

â&#x20AC;˘ Create beauty/improve functionality in your home or office â&#x20AC;˘ Renew & redesign using what you have â&#x20AC;˘ Enhance to sell

h

ALISON SHORE GAINES, Certified Feng Shui Consultant

Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.* A radon mitigation system gets rid of radon before it has a chance to enter the house.

Since 1996 â&#x20AC;˘ 413.442.3604 â&#x20AC;˘ asgaines07@aol.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful.â&#x20AC;? ~William Morris

Natural Home Cleaning

Justin Zieminski

certified radon mitigator

(800) 621-4737

www.berkshireradon.com

*www.epa.gov/iaq/radon

Are You Living in a Toxic Home?

Keeping homes healthy and clean in the Berkshires for 20 years.

Call Mya: 413-528-1356 a References available

Specializing in all natural products.

Green Cleaning homes in the Berkshires for 7+ years.

Call Corissa Martel â&#x20AC;˘ 413-717-2242 â&#x20AC;˘ 413-229-0244 â&#x20AC;˘ References Available

By Will Ryan The most common poison exposures for children are ingestion of household products, such as cleaning substances. Chlorine is the number one cause of child poisonings in the U.S. Many chemicals found in the home are associated with allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological disorders. 90 percent of toxic hazards are caused by the inhalation of vapors and absorption of hazardous particles.

As you ponder these statements, ask yourself, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s under my sink?â&#x20AC;? In addition, indoor pollutants come from all sorts of chemicals we use to make our lives easier every day: paints, carpets, furniture, household cleaners, and personal care products. Be on the lookout for the following harmful product ingredients:

Volatile organic cleaning compounds â&#x2014;? Kerosene â&#x2014;? Phenol â&#x2014;?

Cresol â&#x2014;? Lye â&#x2014;? Hydrochloric acid â&#x2014;? Sulfuric acid â&#x2014;? Sulfamic acid â&#x2014;? Ammonia â&#x2014;? Sodium hydroxide â&#x2014;? Butyl cellosolve â&#x2014;?

Phosphoric acid â&#x2014;? Formaldehyde â&#x2014;? Morpholine

Will Ryan Speaking of Health 297 East Road Alford, MA 01266 (413) 528-0501 willryan.shaklee@gmail.com www.shaklee.net/willryan

Products for the care of home and body

The bottom line is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Read product labels.â&#x20AC;? Thousands of Americans are unknowingly poisoning their families. Avoid being one of them by discarding harmful items in your home and replacing them with natural, nontoxic, biodegradable productsâ&#x20AC;Ś youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be glad you did. ~ Will Ryan, Speaking of Health. See ad at left.

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

45

In Business: Greening Up!

SB

potlight on Green & Holistic usinesses in Our Community

The Country Gardeners Owner: Bridghe W. McCracken

scapes are integral to the health of communities and individuals alike. I believe that our landscapes are a reflection of how we see the world. When I started my business, The Country Gardeners, I saw the world as something to perfect and master. Thus, my work was reminiscent of perfect English garden estates. Now my worldview has changed and I see our landscapes as an invitation to have a conversation with nature. This is reflected in my present work.

What I Offer

What I Do

I design and install ecologically mindful landscapes, as well as mentor and teach organic land-care maintenance. Everything that my business does seeks to be as sustainable, local, and organic as possible. I am also the head native landscape designer at Project Native.

How I Got Started

Being involved with community gardens as early as 1989 planted the seed for me that emphasized how our living land-

• Habitat-driven design, installation, and land care. • Master plan design for private residences, businesses, and landscape restorations.

• Edible landscape design for individuals, schools, and community groups. • Landscape installation and organic land care.

We service CT, MA and NY. You may have come across my gardens, which have been in The Hidden Gardens of Pittsfield garden tour. Phone: 413-644-0155 Email: ecolanddesign@gmail.com

Everything from my uniforms and office supplies to the daily running of my business is energy ef-

Owner: Eileen Lawlor, LISCW What I Do I work with adults individually as an action-oriented psychotherapist focusing on life challenges, including trauma, loss, relationships, transitions, and spirituality. I am trained in hypnosis and guided imagery, meditation, and body-based metaphor work, so many sessions might include one of these modalities. I’ve learned over the years that formidable, lasting change comes about when a client puts forth effort and intention; for that reason I love encouraging clients to "take a meaningful action on their own behalf."

August 2009

How to Find Me

What Makes Me Green?

Stillpoint Studio & Gardens

46

ficient, anti-sweatshop, and organic. I use locally sourced materials for all my landscape installations and land care. I invest in my team through education and offer a positive work environment and carbon credits for walking, biking, or carpooling to my shop.

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

How I Got Started Fourteen years ago when I was a social worker in private practice, I suddenly hit my ethical and moral wall and knew I could no longer work within the managed-care system. In a tremendous act of faith, I relocated to the Berkshires and essentially began life over again.

This time I began working as the holistic, wellness-focused psychotherapist I was meant to be.

What Will Clients Experience?

Stillpoint Studio & Gardens is an actual place, set against the wonderful Berkshire woods and mountain ranges. I feel the unique, natural beauty surrounding the studio supports and assists clients

ADAMAH

The Jewish Environmental Fellowship

AMAH fellows began to experiment with the process of lacto-fermentation in 2006. Over the next two years the number of fermented products grew and began being sold through farmers' markets at the retreat center. In 2008 we received a grant to construct a legal processing kitchen and since then, products have been showing up all over the Berkshire area, delivered in our box truck that runs on recycled veggie oil.

We Also Offer What We Do

ADAMAH products are made using organically grown vegetables from the retreat center’s six-acre farm. The vegetables are preserved using the traditional method of lacto-fermentation, creating live-culture dill pickles, half-sour pickles, firekraut, sauerkraut, kim chi, and dilly beans as well as seasonal preserved food including jellies and jams. Unlike vinegar-based pickles, ADAMAH products are full of antioxidants and enzymes that aid in proper digestion and nutrient absorption.

How We Got Started

In response to a surplus of cucumbers grown on the farm, one of the AD-

in coming home to themselves. Clients are helped to recognize their own inner wisdom, and to trust both themselves and the Universe as their healing process emerges. Because each life story is different, each therapy has its own special character and progression.

What Makes My Work Holistic?

By understanding the basics: that we are all ONE, that body/mind/emotions/ spirit are ONE, and that we are ONE with nature and the universe―the rest is easy! My deepest understanding from the perspective of holistic health is that “all healing arises from within.” Personal responsibility therefore includes really listening within: to ourselves, our

ADAMAH offers programs to learn about growing vegetables and lacto-fermentation through the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center.

Jewish concept of healing the world. Our products are local, natural, and kosher.

Where to Find Our Products

ADAMAH is a part of the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, Connecticut. Our products can be found in MA at Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, Berkshire Coop, and Rubiner’s Cheese Mongers in Great Barrington, and in CT at LaBonne’s in Salisbury; Noujaim’s Specialty Foods and Nirvana Juice Bar in Torrington; Jam Food Shop in Sharon; and Toymaker’s Café in Falls Village. Phone: (860) 824-3002 x2, Website: www.isabellafreedman.org/adamah.

The Most Unique Thing about Us

We are Jewish farmers, meaning that we observe Jewish agricultural laws and spiritual traditions including resting on Shabbat, donating a percentage of our produce to local food banks, and working towards tikkum olam”, the

feelings, and our soul’s urgings. This conscious Universe of ours clearly wants us to achieve our highest and best.

How to Find Me To make an appointment or to learn more about my lectures and products: Phone: (413)528-7916 www.EileenAtStillpointStudio.com ~ Eileen's Visualation CD with music by Mark Kelso and John de Kadt, features two separate guided journeys. Please see advertisement on page 50.

Eileen Lawlor presents

2 Guided Journeys: Healing & Wholeness Sleep & Dreaming

Morning at Stillpoint Gardens

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

47

Lifestyles & Perspectives

P&

ersonal Experience of Green Holistic living in Our Community

Ellen Spear NAME: Ellen Spear.

HOMETOWN: Queens, New York.

LIVING IN THE BERKSHIRES? “Because of those memorable summer afternoons driving along a deserted dirt road somewhere in South County.”

HOW YOU KNOW HER: President and CEO of Hancock Shaker Village; Chair of the Board, Berkshire Visitors Bureau.

FAVORITE THINGS: “Yoga, Federal Period History, sunrise at Hancock Shaker Village.”

WHAT MAKES HER TICK: “It’s all about the food. And cooking.

And art and culture. And friends and family. Maybe I lived in Italy in another life?”

WHO WOULD HAVE KNOWN: “For someone so purposeful, I have no sense of direction. I navigate by landmarks or step-by-step written directions. Sometimes to get somewhere new, I have to go home first and start the journey from there - I just can't extrapolate directions.”

GUILTY PLEASURE: “Watching every episode of NCIS.” SHE’S GOT STYLE: “I wish I did. I'm more of a history person than an art person, so I'm never able to do that put-together look. I'd wear jeans and my favorite black tank top all the time if I could.”

SHE’S GONE GREEN: “At home, we've enlarged our backyard veggie, herb, and fruit garden considerably and we've been baking our own bread for more than a year. I'm looking for locally grown wheat that's been milled to flour. At Hancock Shaker Village, we bring the concept of sustainable living to the public through the telling of the Shakers' inspiring story. This enables us to share the concepts of community, sustainability, respect for a thing well made, and responsible land stewardship with our visitors from the region and from around the world."

SHE THINKS COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT: “Hancock Shaker Village was the ultimate community. I think there are important lessons about multigenerational living and about doing what's best for the common good that we can and should learn from their communal experience.”

FAVORITE SAYING: “Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress." (Gandhi) WHAT MAKES HER LAUGH: “Just about any Firesign Theatre album. Their recent CD has a bit spoofing those mattress commercials on TV that has me in tears every time I hear it.”

BEST ADVICE: “My grandmother sat me down when I was first married and told me that "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." I had no clue what she was talking about at the time, but it is advice that has served me well.”

Ellen Spear: Phone: 413-443-0188 x200 • espear@hancockshakervillage.org • www.hancockshakervillage.org

48

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Love & Laughter Are The Best Medicine!

What Makes a Successful Marriage?

By Thomas Cooney, DPT

As a practicing physical therapist, I have the luxury of spending a great deal of time with my patients. As they rehabilitate and work on their efforts to get better, a lot of lively and interesting conversations occur on many subjects about life. I often ask my patients who have been married for many years (more than thirty), “What is the secret to a successful marriage?” Here are some of their answers.

“Communicate and keep your radar up on any of the funny stuff going on.” ~ Leo, 82 years old, 60 years married “Marry someone that loves you a little more than you love them.” ~ Ann, 30 years married “Don’t try to change anyone. Be an independent person and become interdependent with each other as you grow your union together.” ~ Helen, 72 years old, 35 years married “Communicate and get working on projects together after the kids have grown up and flown the nest. You need a common bond that you are working on together.” ~ Sam, 62 years old, 30+ years married

LOVE doesn’t grow on TREES . . . but you can discover it for yourself at This year, we’re celebrating 25 years of helping environmentally and socially aware singles of all ages to find each other and create meaningful relationships.

Visit us at www.concernedsingles.com or speak with Rodelinde at 413-243-4350

“My wife has the potential to give me all four seasons in one day. You just have to know that and deal with it.” ~ Tom, 54 years old, 22 years married “Opposites may attract but people who are a lot alike stay together.

You have to both like your partner and love them as well. Those are two separate things.” ~ Yvonne, 82 years old, 50+ years married “Never argue about stuff that’s not important. Most of the stuff just isn’t important.” ~ Joe, 60 years married ~ Compiled by local physical therapist Thomas Cooney, DPT, from a chapter in his book, Kirchner Road. Berkshire Physical Therapy & Wellness, see ad page 41.

Martial Arts

Made for Each Other

Three Reasons to Let the Dandelions Grow And if they ask me now, Why do you love this man? 1. They nourish bees and are I have a simple answer, important for honey production. an answer that includes 2. They attract beneficial ladybugs.

3. Their deep roots help to aerate all other answers: He, too, likes dandelions. the soil. ~ Project Native ~Rodelinde Housatonic, MA

Teaching Authentic Shaolin Kempo Karate Classes for Men, Women and Children of All Ages Call for a FREE CLASS 877 Simonds Road Williamstown, MA VillarisOfWilliamstown.com

(413) 458-2472

Fred Villari's Studios of Self Defense www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

49

Mind & Spirit

Museums ON VIEW TH

ROUGH

NOV. 1

Coming in 2010

Our BerkshireGreen

Mind & Spirit

Special Edition Resource Guide For more information about submitting articles or advertising please contact Thea Basis at thea@OurBerkshireGreen.com 413-528-8084

Fun On Every Level

39 South St., Rt. 7 Pittsfield, MA 01201 0QFO EBJMZ t 413.443.7171 berkshiremuseum.org

Did you know that meditation is good for your body/mind and spirit?

• Lower blood pressure • Boost immune system functioning • Increase positive emotions • Increase confidence • Reduce anxiety and muscle tension

• Improve performance on cognitive tests • Connect with the higher dimensions of your being

• Improve concentration and focus

Thea will create a

personalized

meditation session for you.

Individual and group sessions available.

(413) 528-8084

THEA BASIS

B.S. HOLISTIC HEALTH AND MIND/BODY THERAPIES CALL FOR INFO ON THE

50

August 2009

C O M M U N I T Y M E D I TAT I O N C I R C L E

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Tom Warner Watercolors, www.twarnerwatercolors.com

Printers

Organic Clothing

Offering single to eight color printing at our “green” company.

NOW TRI-CERTIFIED WITH FSC, SFI & PEFC!

3 Federico Drive, Pittseld, MA 01201 Tel. 413-442-4166 • Fax. 413-442-8612 www.qualprint.com • sales@qualprint.com

NOW USING

Recycling at Its Best!

LARRY BYRNES

PO Box 73 Lanesborough MA 01237 p: 413.445.INKS (4657) f : 413.442.2709 Greenmountaincartridges@verizon.net GmcInk.com

Reusable, designer gift bags & totes for everyday

see the “Berkshires” totes online…

we doom cust

olivedesignertotes.com

Olive Designs totes feature eye-catching and whimsical design elements that enhance our lives while contributing to the preservation of the planet. Our low-cost designer totes are reusable, 100% recyclable, extremely durable, machine washable, quick-drying, breathable, naturally mildew resistant, lightweight and a fair labor product.

Inquiries: 413 822 8933 or email: olivedesignertotes@gmail.com

�Live. Love. Olive Designs

*OTUBOU 3FQMBZ Terry Wise Paintings & Collage, www.terrywisestudio.com

Contest #11

Find this image in one of our advertiser’s ads.

If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Thursday, October 1st at 12:30 PM with the correct answer, you will win a $20 gift certificate from Stone Soup. Contributed by Jeanne, Stone Soup. See ad on page 53.

Hours: Tues-Fri 10-5 Thurs 10-7 EXERCISE Sat 10-4

SPORTS FURNITURE TOOLS

10 Lyman Street Pittsfield MA 01201 (off East St. near KFC) Phone/Fax: 413-442-2429

E-mail: instantreplay599@aol.com

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

51

Restaurants & Cafes

Card Lake Inn

Award-winning Inn Fine European Dining & Gourmet Catering Hands-on Cooking School & Exquisite Weddings

“The Taste of Germany” Restaurant Specializing in organically grown, authentic German & European cuisine.

L

ooking for the perfect place to have your next event?

We specialize in events from 30 to 75 guests in a casual, classic, country facility that offers organic foods and drink. Make the Card Lake Inn your party home away from home. We strive to provide a relaxing, stress free event and reasonable prices while being attentive to keeping it as environmentally friendly as possible. Be it a cocktail party, a buffet or a 5 course sit down dinner, it will be sure to please. We use natural materials for decorations, organic and locally produced foods and drinks, making it the real Berkshire experience.

Casual. Classic. Country.

29

413.232.0272 • cardlakeinn.net MAIN STREET, WEST STOCKBRIDGE , MA 01266

Hands-on cooking school by certified master chef.

Weddings & special events up to 300 guests on exquisite organic & chemical free retreat property.

16 guest rooms all with private bathroom.

Award-winning Inn “Best Inn in the Berkshires” from “Best of Boston 2005” - Boston Magazine.

413-274-6118

www.williamsvilleinn.com Route 41, West Stockbridge, MA Serving dinner Thursday - Saturday by advance reservation.

=Xid kf KXYc\ Jlggfik`e^ cfZXc# jljkX`eXYc\#

fi^Xe`Z Xe[ Z_\d`ZXc$]i\\ X^i`Zlckli\#

kf gifm`[\ kf fli 9\ibj_`i\ e\`^_Yfij Xe[ ]i`\e[j% J\im`e^ CleZ_ ;`ee\i 99H GXikp GcXkk\ij :Xk\i`e^ =lcc 9Xi KXb\flk Xe[ ;\c`m\ip XmX`cXYc\

20 07

\Ëj C`jk\[ fe >flid\k dX^Xq`e `ZX

9\jk Ê=Xid$kf$KXYc\Ë I\jkX

liX ekj `e 8 d\i

000 DX`e Jk# >i\Xk 9Xii`e^kfe# D8 '()*'

K\c% +(* ,)/$*)*, ROUTE7GRILL.COM

52

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Restaurants & Cafes

Website Development

Take Out Only Organic Vegan Foods Daily Specials Catering & Special Orders Upon Request Monday-Friday: 11:30-7:30pm Saturday: 11-4pm 239 Onota Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 Tel: 413.443.2625 www.thedancingvegan.com Present this ad for 10% off your next order

Stone Soup

@ Topia Arts, Adams an eclectic café

featuring: Yogi Teas • Deans Beans organic/fair trade coffee & espresso • vegan & gluten free baked goods • an ever-changing menu of local foods & entertainment • free wireless

(413) 743-9420

facebook.com/stone.soup.adams

cafe ADAM

Modern European Cuisine Serving Brunch Lunch Dinner

Fresh local & organic ingredients &YUSBPSEJOBSZ GPPE t 'JOF XJOF 413.528.7786 / cafeadam.org

325 STOCKBRIDGE RD. GREAT BARRINGTON MA

"Fear is a four-letter word." ~ Rodelinde

SHERI A. BIASIN WEBSITE & INTERNET CONSULTANT WEBSITE DESIGN SOLAR WEB HOSTING Sheri@GrayMatterHost.com

CELL 413-822-2070

OFFICE 413-528-4402

GrayMatterHost.com

Website Search Optimization Tips

Are you on the first page in a Google search for a local business of your type? Here are four things you can do to help your web site get on the first page: 1. Find the best keywords (keywords are words that a visitor would put in to a search engine to find you) for your site first. Resources like Google Adword Keyword Tool can also help look at your competitor’s site.

2. Make sure you add your zip code and towns you serve if you have a local business.

3. Create page titles, meta descriptions (the two-line descriptions that come under your link in Google) and URLs that are made up of strong keywords.

4. Content on the page should be updated regularly and keyword rich. Above all, write your content for people to read. Once you get a visitor to the site you want them to come back again and again. ~ Bob O'Haver, GRAYMATTERHOST.COM

F

Contest #12

ind this image in one of our advertiser’s ads.

If you are the first caller to call 413-274-1122 on Thursday, October 1st at 12:45 PM with the correct answer, you will win a Tom Warner print called "On the Backs of Angels" valued at $250. Contributed by Tom Warner. See advertisement on page 9 and painting on page 50. www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August

53

Wellness Centers & Spas

SATI

Wellness Center

Berkshire Healing Arts

is a community of independent health and healing practitioners with a common orientation towards health, healing and wellness.

6

Located on the 2nd floor of Berkshire Nautilus 42 Summer Street, Suite 201, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, September 17th from 4-8pm Berkshire Osteopathic Health • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Nancy Campbell, MD • Stephen Kisiel, DO • Joshua Krembs, DO Treating newborns through adults and now welcoming and scheduling new patients.

413 442-0085 • Most major insurances accepted.

Integral Medicine • Michelle Hemingway, MD 413 881-1469 • email: mhemingwaymd@mac.com www.mhemingwaymd.com

& Boutique Nourish your skin with Coconut Oil instead of lotion.

Coconut oil is a healthy way to condition your skin.

It is known to help with acne and dry skin conditions.

Coconut oil softens skin, increases elasticity and helps delay the formation of wrinkles. It is a natural sunscreen, an anti-fungal and it helps protect your skin from infection!

Sati, Elegant & Affordable At Aspinwell, 55 Pittsfield Rd, 7D, Lenox MA 413.477.4777 SatiLLC.com

Wine & Beer

Acupuncture • Ton Whiteside, M. Ac., M. Div. Lic. Ac., Dipl. Ac. 413 499-3439 Holistic Psychotherapy • Lorraine Brill, LMHC 413 499-1205 • email: holisticpsych@verizon.net Most major insurances accepted.

Nutrition • Maria Cruz, RD, LDN, LMT, RYT 413 441-8826 • email: mariacruz1@crocker.com LaHo-Chi • Spiritually-Based Energy Healing Janet L. Mickle, MS., RNCS 413 329-5253 • email: jlmickle@verizon.net AlohaSmith • Relationships, Wellness, Childbirth & Energy Medicine Rachelle Smith, MSW 413 884-3110 email: Rachelle@AlohaSmith.com • www.AlohaSmith.com Massage • Medical Qigong Instruction • Mathew Lawrence, LMT 413 623-8956 • email: MatthewLawrence@massagetherapy.com

Yoga

Reiki Jeri Galletly, Reiki & Karuna Reiki Master 413 684-3112 • email: jawg127@aol.com •

Homeopathy • New Harmony Health • Cynthia Chrisman, MPH, CCH 413 243-6095 • www.homeopathicprovider.com

BerkshireHealingArts.net 54

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

FREE Online Guided Relaxation MP3 Local Yoga Classes, Private & Retreats Available

www.randalwilliams.com

Alternative Ultimate GreenEnergy Lawn Tips That Will Save Money, Time, & Water

M

By Jackson Madnick

aking the transition to an organic lawn is easy and will save a dramatic amount of money, time and water. It also solves a lot of other health and environmental issues by helping to protect your health and drinking water, lessen lawn and pond weeds, and lessen global warming!

More than 100 million pounds of pesticides, herbicides, and lawn-care chemical fertilizers (many sold in combination such as “weed and feed”) are used by homeowners in homes and gardens each year, in the quest for the “perfect” lawn.

Up to 80 percent of these chemicals run off your lawn when it rains, and end up in your local pond, lake, or river, only to fertilize invasive weeds - not your lawn. Additionally, these chemicals may end up in your drinking water. Concern, rightfully so, is growing about the potential hazards associated with their use. According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, many of these chemicals and fertilizers contain neurotoxins and carcinogens and pose increased health risks.

Over time, these chemicals get carried on shoes, pet paws, and air currents into our homes where they contaminate indoor air, rugs, and surfaces, exposing children and pets to levels ten times higher than pre-application levels. Poisons are absorbed through the skin, by the mouth, or by breathing sprays, dusts, or vapors. You, your children, and your pets are exposed to toxins if you touch contaminated grass, shoes, clothing, lawn furniture, and so on, or put contaminated objects (such as toys, golf tees, blades of grass) or fingers in your mouth. Needless to say, extra care must be taken to avoid lawn-care chemicals to protect our children, ponds, and our pets.

Alternatively, an organic lawn without lawn-care chemicals has none of these risks and can look great, attested by the fact that is how the Red Sox manage the grass at Fenway Park! The Red Sox switched over from chemical fertilizer to only top-spreading compost to protect their players' and grounds keepers' health and have a more durable field that would better stand up to the demands of professional baseball.

Following are some of the simple steps to transitioning to the ultimate organic, lush, and healthy lawn without fertilizer and pesticides - a healthy lawn that takes far less water, time, and money.

1. Cut high. 3 to 4 inch high grass has 6 inch roots that capture more of the rain and require far less water.

2. Sharpen your lawn mower blade regularly. A sharp blade cuts the grass and a dull blade tears the grass. Torn grass has three times the surface area and heals slowly to let disease in. This will make it go brown and look sickly.

3. Top-spread a little pellet lime, once a year, to bring the soil into a neutral pH zone of between 6.5 and 7. Acid soil favors weeds; neutral pH soil favors healthy grass. An

easy good rule of thumb is to top-spread 40 pounds of lime for every 1,000 square feet.

4. Leave the clippings if you use a mulching lawn mower to hold in moisture and return half the nutrients that your soil needs in a year.

5. Optionally, use a rented core aerator once a year.

This easy-to-use, self-propelled machine pulls out dirt plugs to let air and water get into the soil.

6. Optionally, top spread a quarter-inch layer of organic compost once per year to lessen lawn weeds and grubs, add microbial activity to the soil, and promote worms in the soil that make air and water paths and leave behind their castings to fertilize the soil. The compost helps aerate the soil and provides a pH buffer to help keep your soil in a healthy pH range. The organic compost does not run off like chemical fertilizer to feed the pond weeds. It is best to leave a six-foot wide no-compost “buffer zone” between your lawn and surface waters or your lawn and hard surfaces to help contain these safer nutrients.

7. Of utmost importance, reseed or overseed with a deep-root, drought-tolerant seed mix that requires less water and maintenance. The best time of year to overseed is in the month of September. The next best time is in May. You can find one extremely drought-tolerant seed mix which was developed for New England lawns that develops 12 inch roots, never needs water after getting established, and only needs to be cut once per month in the summer, sold at Whole Foods Supermarkets. There are also many other droughttolerant seed mixes that develop 8- to 10-inch roots you can find at garden centers. Look for brands that seldom or never need watering and will develop an ample long root system and do not have “feed and weed,” fungicides, herbicides, or other “…icides” type additives.

8. A word on weeds: a lawn that is aerated, with neutral pH, with a small amount of organic compost added, and cut high with a sharp blade, naturally has few weeds and grubs.

Your lawn is meant to be lush, green, and healthy, not a place for worry. In the end, this kind of organic lawn needs no chemical fertilizer to stay green, looks and smells better, saves dramatic amounts of money and time cutting, never or seldom needs water after getting established, stands up better to wear and tear, and is healthier for your family, pets, and the environment.

Jackson Madnick is an energy, water, and lawn-care expert. He is the recipient of 18 regional and national awards, including the AltWheels Regional (Environmental) Hero Award. He can be reached at JacksonMadnick@msn.com or 508653-0800. Website: PearlsPremium. com. See ad on page 44. www.OurBerkshireGreen.com www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August August 2009 2009

55 55

Friends of Our BerkshireGreen: Thank You for Your Support!

Charms make Great Gifts!

Layaway Available 6 Months, No Interest Buy Now, Pay Later Plan 90 Days Same as Cash support a

Greener Community “The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man.” Author Unknown

Z830A Z-Trak Pro Series *78

Payments for 9 Months PITTSFIELD LAWN & U $0 down payment U $0 down payment TRACTOR HASEXPERTS BEEN CONSUMER EQUIPMENT U On John Deere's revolving credit U Z830Apersonal-2%/comZ-Trak Pro Series 620i U repayment terms, U repaymGator ent- 2% of amt. financed YOUR JOHN DEERE COMMERCIAL & SERVING BERKSHIRE rcial 2.5% of amt financed No Interest, No CONSUMER EQUIPMENT EXPERTS COUNTY AND THE Z830A Z-Trak Pro Series Gator 620i Z830A Z-Trak Pro Series U No Interest, No SURROUNDING AREAS c GatorU 620i On John Deere's revolving credit U 4.99% Financing Payments for 9 Months U U repaymen 2 o a . financed SINCE 1986.

WE ARE mpayment ercial 2.5% of amt financed U U $0 down SERVING U On John Deere's revolving credit U On John Deere's revoloving credit COMMITTED TO WESTERN repayment terms, personal-2%/comU repayment- 2% of amt. financed MA.,VERMONT, U m ercial 2.5% of amt financed PROVIDING THE FULL NEW YORK AND CONNECTICUT LINE OF JOHNEQUIPMENT DEERE AS WELL AS THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR OVER 23 FREE HOME AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. COME EXPERIENCE THE PLT DIFFERENCE. Good for all consumer and comYEARS CONSUMER AND @[(VARIABLE)imageCaption] X534 Multi-Terrain™ Tractor FREE HOME MAINTENANCE mercial equipment.

On products that do not list a specific kit, ofCOMMERCIAL EQUIPMAINTENANCE No Interest, No Payments FREE HOME fer includes all filters etc.KITto perFor 12 Months form first 50 hour service.

KIT MENT AS WELL AS THE U $0 down payment MAINTENANCE Good for all consumer and comX534 Multi-Terrain™ U Tractor X534 revolving Multi-Terrain™ Tractor U at do ot list a specific kit, KIT U On John Deere's credit Good for all consumer and comHIGHEST QUALITY OF i @[(VARIABLE)imageCaption] X534 Multi-Terrain™ Tractor mercial equipment.

On products For 12 Months form first 50 hour service.

No Interest, No Payments U repaymtheant td-o2% U noo t flisatm a ts. pfeincaifnicckeid t, ofSERVING No SERVICE Interest, No Payments CUSTOMER For 12 Months fer includes all f i lters etc. to perGood for all consumer and comWESTERN ForX534 12 Months rst 50 hour service. @[(VARIABLE)imageCaption] Multi-Terrain™ Tractor form Ufi$0 mercial equipment. On products MA.,VERMONT, down payment SERVING AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. U $0 down payment U NEW YORK AND thJohn at doDeere's not list revolving a specificcredit kit, ofWESTERN U On *23

MAINTENANCE

*78

*23

@[(VARIABLE)imageCaption]

*78

*23

*78

*23

U $0 down payment U U mercial 2.5% of amt financed

U U U r payment- 2% of amt. financed

U U U

*54

*54

*54

Offer expires 06/30/2009.

1548 W HOUSATONIC ST PITTSFIELD, MA 01201 Allendale Shopping Center (413) 443-2623 Pittsfield, MA s 413-442-9073 U $0 *54 down payment U On John Deere's revolving credit U repayment-2% of amt. financed

PITTSFIELD LAWN & TRACTOR HAS BEEN SERVING BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1986. WE ARE COMMITTED TO presentCOMMERCIAL coupon at time of purchase.

PROVIDING THE FULL LINE OF JOHN DEERE CONSUMER AND U On John Deere's revolving credit U Must CONNECTICUT LAWN &COUNTY TRACTOR HAS BEEN SERVING BERKSHIRE COUNTY Offer expires 06/30/2009. fer includes all filters etc. to perwww.JohnDeere.com PITTSFIELD LAWN & TRACTOR HAS BEENPITTSFIELD SERVING BERKSHIRE *54 EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CUSTOMER U reform pSERVICE aymfeirst nt-250 % hour of amservice. t. financed FOR OVER 23 U rep1986. aymenWE t-2%ARE of am t. financed TO U ANDWE THE SURROUNDING COMMITTED AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1986.

ARE COMMITTED TOAREAS SINCE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. COME EXPERIENCE THE PLT DIFFERENCE.

No Interest, No Payments

MA.,VERMONT, For 12 Months NEW YORK AND YEARS PROVIDING LINE OF JOHN DEERE CONSUMER PROVIDING THE FULL LINE OF JOHN DEERE CONSUMERTHE ANDFULL COMMERCIAL CONNECTICUT U $0 down paymentAND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CUSTOMER EQUIPMENT AS WELLSERVICE AS THE HIGHESTU QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR OVER 23 On John Deere's revolving credit AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. COME EXPERIENCE THE PLT DIFFERENCE. PITTSFIELD LAWN & TRACTOR HAS BEEN SERVING BERKSHIRE COUNTY YEARS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. COME EXPERIENCE THE PLT DIFFERENCE.

U Must present coupon at time of purchase.

U Offer expires 06/30/2009.

U

COME EXPERIENCE Monday, Tuesday, THEPITTSFIELD PLT DIFFERENCE! 1548 W HOUSATONIC STWednesday & Friday 10am-5:30pm LAWN & TRACTOR U repayment-2% of amt. financed

PROVIDING THE FULL LINE OF JOHN DEERE CONSUMER AND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. COME EXPERIENCE THE PLT K74CUBD0802-00290399 DIFFERENCE.

U present coupon at time of purchase.

U Must Offer expires 06/30/2009.

U

www.JohnDeere.com

www.JohnDeere.com

www.JohnDeere.com

Thursday 10am-7pm s Saturday 9am-4pm

PITTSFIELD, MA 01201 1548 W HOUSATONIC ST PITTSFIELD (413) 443-2623 MA& 01201 PITTSFIELD LAWN TRACTOR LAWN &PITTSFIELD, TRACTOR ~ Best of the Berkshires for 11 Years ~ (413) 443-2623 1548 W HOUSATONIC ST 1548 W HOUSATONIC ST (413) PITTSFIELD, MA 01201443-2623 CrownJewelersInc.net PITTSFIELD, MA (413)01201 443-2623 (413) 443-2623 www.JohnDeere.com

K74CUBD0802-00290399

K74CUBD0802-00290399

56

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Friends of Our BerkshireGreen: Thank You for Your Support!

WEB DESIGN D E V E LOP M E N T SUP P ORT

Affordable. Full Service. Local.

Randal Williams 413.448.8899

You May Be Entitled To A

FREE SCOOTER

CallMay to see you qualify!

You BeifEntitled To A You May Be Entitled To A

FREE SCOOTER FREE Insurance FREE SCOOTER Call to see if you qualify!

We also rent scooters Lifts for Life Filing Andqualify!

Delivery Call to see if you & powerchairs!

Enjoy the home you Y OUR S COOTER S TORE !

FREE Insurance love with residential Insurance FREE We also rent scooters Lifts for lifts.

Life Filing And Delivery stairway INDEPENDENT MOBILITY We rent scooters Lifts for Life &also powerchairs!

Filing And Delivery Enjoy the home you & powerchairs!

YOUR Â&#x2020; S COOTER STORE! Enjoy the home you love with residential /PSUI 4U 1JUUTGJFME

YOUR S PS 5PMM 'SFF COOTER STORE! love with residential

INDEPENDENT MOBILITY INDEPENDENT MOBILITY

stairway lifts. stairway lifts.

/PSUI 4U 1JUUTGJFME Â&#x2020; PS 5PMM 'SFF /PSUI 4U 1JUUTGJFME Â&#x2020; PS 5PMM 'SFF

S RE PI 9 EX /0 ER /30 FF 11

O

FIBER PHONE AND COAX INTERNET

Route 20, West Lebanon, NY www.HLFuel.com Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Saturday 8amâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;5pm Propane Delivery

877-794-9066

24 HOUR SERVICE

794-9080

100 GALLONS OF PROPANE FREE One Coupon per Customer / New Heating Customers Only 1,000 Gallons Minimum

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

57

30

ce oi

North Egremont 71

d ry R

23

29

32

Great Barrington 15

18

16

12

5 9 26

1

23 183

183

41

Hartsville Mill

CONN.

N.Y.

7

Rd

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

n to ing

August 2009

r Bar Great

58

s St

Canaan

he Mappers.com

Mill River Hewin

41 1 mile

d

0.5

19

River

eR Ho m

nt mo gre dE el

CONN.

0

57

23

1. Art of Wellness 27 2. Audrey Herrick South 3. BensDotter's Pet 34 Egremont 4. Berkshire Acupuncture She 5. Berkshire Co-op Market ffi 7 6. Body & Soul Thera-Spa 14 7. Body Connection Chiropractic 8. cafeADAM 9. Compassion in Motion Rd 10. Details Interior Design 11. DeVries Lumber 41 12. Domaney’s Wine & Liquors 3 13. Dynamic Change Life Coaching 14. Elfi Six, Cosmic Resonance 15. Face Haven 16. Fairchild’s SOFTMMR Experiences® 17. Family Chiropractic & Holistic Sheffield Map hire Wellness Center le A Berks School Rd v 18. Guido’s Fresh Marketplace 19. Hartsville Design 20. Hawthorne Valley Farm 11 21. Judy Rosley, BBSH 22. Littlewolf Architecture 10 Glennana Way 23. Mikka Barkman Bodywork 24. Our Family Dentist, 2 Dr. Allan Nahman 25. Project Native 41 26. Randi Haskins Holistic Physical Therapy 27. Route 7 Grill 7A 28. Seth Levy, Licensed Massage Therapist 29. Studio Day Spa 30. Susan B. Lord, MD 13 31. Thai Massage 32. The Centre for Acupuncture, Herbs & Massage 33. Tom Warner Watercolors Ashley Falls 34. Webster Ingersoll MASS. scale

23

see Great Barrington map

Rd

4

17 21 22 6

8

r

22 2.5 miles to Hillsdale, N.Y.

23 7

33

me Crea

Hillsdale, NY

24

S

Rive

23

41

n Divisio

Rd

23

B

to South Egremont

E

W

7

M i ll

State Pkw y

to route 23

183

St

Rd

Tac onic

Harlemville, NY

22

Anthony St

Alford ord Alf

217

25 to route 21C 22

N

Housatonic

Main St

to Chatham

20

Southern Berkshire County

28

Kirk St

Clayt on

71

31

Cou nty Rd

7.5 miles to Harlemville, N.Y.

N.Y. MAS S.

22

22

Great Barrington Inset from Map at Left

Rd

Hurlbu r t Rd

in

Ma

ple Silver St

Ma

d

23

7

0

0.25

St

1

5

9 26

18

scale

ge

Brookside Rd

0.5 mile

1. Art of Wellness 5. Berkshire Co-op Market 6. Body & Soul Thera-Spa 7. Body Connection Chiropractic 8. cafeADAM 9. Compassion in Motion 12. Domaney’s Wine & Liquors 15. Face Haven 16. Fairchild’s SOFTMMR Experiences® 17. Family Chiropractic & Holistic Wellness Center 18. Guido’s Fresh Marketplace 21. Judy Rosley, BBSH 22. Littlewolf Architecture 23. Mikka Barkman Bodywork 23 183 26. Randi Haskins Holistic Physical Therapy 29. Studio Day Spa 30. Susan B. Lord, MD 32. The Centre for Acupuncture, Herbs & Massage 33. Tom Warner Watercolors he Mappers.com

M a in

S.

tR on rem g E

41

Egremont Rd

d

Mahaiwe St

Av

6

St

22

Brid

15

S. Main

M a nsfield Rd

West Av

d

17 21

16

Sta te R

32

il l

Fairview Ter

St

R ross nk C

Lewis Ave

East

d or Alf

Seeko

30

29

le St Elm St Railroad St

Rd

St

Rossetter St

Ca st

Plain

Rd State

23 7

Bl u e H

Rd

12

Rd

t

Stockbridge Rd

N. Pla in

Hil

un d Ro

S

71 Egremon

8

l ey t Val umen M on

Hi ll

E

W

Great Barrington

7

n

33

lR d

41

Rd

N

Rd

tia Chris

Al for d

Rd

Rd

Seekonk

3.5 miles to Tyringham

Monterey

23

ain

Rd

bb ar d

West St

4

8

Becket Center

112

Norwich 66

No rfo

lk R

d

57

Southfield

6

Sandisfield he Mappers.com

1

to Northampton

E

W

183

20 miles to Norwich

to Route 20 N

New Marlborough

1 mile

to Hinsdale

8

1. Berkshire Organics 2. del Sol 3. Green Planning & Coaching 4. Gymnastics Unlimited 5. Healing Spirit 6. Orchid Blossom Healing Arts 7. Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel 8. Reconnective Healing

Rd

0.5

East Otis

7

8

to West Otis

Stone Manor Dr

183

Otis

23

Town Hill Rd

M

W. Hu

scale 0

West Otis

3

Tyringham 57

12 miles to Becket Center

Rd

to Lee

am gh in

2

23

r Ty

Southeastern Berkshire County

S

57

5 Tucker Rd

112 to Route 20 & Mass Tpk

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

59

scale

Central Berkshire County N

0

0.5

1 mile

Hanco ck Rd

E

P

ec

Chu rch ill S t

22

S

N.Y. MAS S.

21 25

7

Tama rack Rd

nF o Dr x

mit Rd

New Lenox Rd

Sw am p

35

41

Sw am

ena cR

183

41

W. Center Rd

August 2009

d rd R

E. Alfo

R dge Stockbri

7

22

14

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

9

17

he Mappers.com

16

34

13

see inset page 62

1. Berkshire Energy Healing 2. Berkshire Healing Arts 3. Berkshire Humane Society 4. Berkshire Museum 5. Berkshire Physical Therapy & Wellness 6. Berkshire Soul and Spirit Center 7. Berkshire West Athletic Club 8. Berkshire’s Green Grocer & Claire’s Cafe 9. Card Lake Inn 10. CET, Center for Ecological Technology 11. Christine Tobin APRN-BC, A-HNC Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist 12. Clearwater Natural Foods 13. Climate Heating & Cooling 14. Deb Phillips, MS, LDN, CHES 15. ecocentric designs for living 16. F.S.Whitney & Sons 17. Friends of Eleanor Sonsini 18. Guido’s Fresh Marketplace 19. Hancock Shaker Village 20. Healthy Living Center 21. Instant Replay 22. Integrative Health Solutions 23. Joshua Krembs, DO Berkshire Healing Arts 24. Lee Bodywork Associates 25. Lifecycle Counseling 26. Maria Cruz, RD, LDN, LMT, RYT 27. Ming Lash, Somatic Movement Therapy 28. Morrison’s Home Improvement Specialists, Inc. 29. Naomi Alson Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist 30. New Dawn Healing Arts 31. Phoebe Williams, Life Coach 32. Pittsfield Brew Works 33. Pretty Paws

Lee

20

29

102

9

1

d

11

Stockbridge

8

6

8

5

Tyringham Rd

39

183

St

Mass Tpk

Rd

31

er

24 90

102

41

7A

7

Rd

d lfor E. A

15

20

Wa lk

20

pect Hill Pros

27

Maple View Dr

7

Mahke

9

d

West Stockbridge

30

7A

Housatonic St

Lenox

41 102

60

20

37

d

to NYS Thruway & Taconic State Pkwy

12

xR no Le

p Rd

Richmond

East St

Lenox Rd

Old Stockbridge Rd

36

22

Hol

7

Rd

295

22

me

Da

Bark

er

20

18 Sum

10

3

v lo

41

33

Pittsfield

4

Rd erd ale Rd

19

28

32

20

C

26 23

2

ll Av

20

Av Crane

38

St Fort Hi

22

Rd

see Pittsfield map

20 West

ks

s Rd

W

8

7

22

34. Quality Printing Company, Inc. (Qualprint) 35. Sati LLC 36. Shivani Lash, Home Birth Midwife 37. Tanglewood/Boston Symphony Orchestra 38. The Dancing Vegan 39. The Williamsville Inn

1 mile to Pownal, VT.

to Bennington, Vt. VT.

346

Northern Berkshire County

MASS.

10

7

3 N.

St

Williamstown 2

Middle

Co le

Av

d

9

R ac

to Williamstown

Main

y St

Rd

os Ho

Pownal, VT.

7

Bulkle

N.W. Hill Rd

1 Mass

2

2

North Adams

achusetts Av

8

lan Ash

7

2

Church St

t dS

43

E

W S

2 St

7

8

East Rd

43

N

Hodges Cross Rd

1. Agway 2. Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS 3. Fred Villariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Studios of Self Defense 4. Hill Engineers, Architects, Planners, Inc. 5. Lakeview Orchard 6. Rowley Fuel Company, Inc. 7. Sheri Biasin Website Hosting & Design 8. Stone Soup 9. The House on Main Street 10. The Studio Club Artworks 11. Willowtree Organic Farm

N.Y. MAS S.

d

ien

Adams

Fr West Rd

New Ashford

to Hancock

Leonard St

W

an m

We lls R

School St

. Rd Mtn

e

R

d

116

7

h it

43

d

Fred Mason

22

43

Rd

43N.Y.

116

Rd

Stephentown,

43

8

6

Bucklin

Madden Rd

N.Y. MAS S.

11

22

di

Bro

d

La n esb or oR

Rd

3 miles to Stephen, N.Y.

Cheshire

B a il e y

Hancock

to Savoy 9

8A 8 8

eR Ch es

Lanesborough he Mappers.com

r hi

5 4.5 miles to Dalton

scale 0

0.5

9

Dalton

Housaton to ic St Pittsfield Depot St

d

7

Old

Petersburg

8

4

to Windsor

1 mile

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

61

North S t

Wa hc on ah St

d

Cra ne

Benedict Rd

Pe ck sR

Pittsfield

7

Av

9

8

8

v nA

d

scale 0.25

0.5 mile

20

Livingst on Av

Av

Elm

1 St

St

St

13

d

ll R

1. Berkshire Energy Healing 34 2. Berkshire Healing Arts 3. Berkshire Humane Society East St 4. Berkshire Museum 5. Berkshire Physical Therapy & Wellness 10. CET, Center for Ecological Technology 13. Climate Heating & Cooling 16. F.S.Whitney & Sons 17. Friends of Eleanor Sonsini 21. Instant Replay 23. Joshua Krembs, DO - Berkshire Healing Arts 25. Lifecycle Counseling 26. Maria Cruz, RD, LDN, LMT, RYT 28. Morrison’s Home Improvement Specialists, Inc. 32. Pittsfield Brew Works 33. Pretty Paws 34. Quality Printing Company, Inc. (Qualprint) 38. The Dancing Vegan

Dalton Divisio n Rd

St 4th

er ri

Woodlawn Av

St

St

1st

2nd

Dawes

William s

7 0

10

well Ne

St

rR rke Ba

21

17 Federico Dr

16 St

s

Colt Rd

St

an

Holme

S ou th St

3

St

25 4

t tS

Eas

m Ly

20

East

El m

Depot St

onic St ousat W. H

Fenn S t

St

W e st

28

Downing Pkwy

M

St

32

2

Av

St

9

33

Tyler S t

Nort

Summer St

Wenda ll

West

St

23

Onota

S

26

Cent er

Linden

E

W

hS t

38

Hubba rd

St

N

Av

lto

Da

5

William s

St

he Mappers.com

Index of Directory Advertisers 300poundwatercolor.com ......................................................9 Agway ......................................................................................44 Alison Shore Gaines, Certified Holistic Life Coach ........41 Art of Wellness .....................................................................40 Audrey Herrick Reflexology ................................................42 Bella Grazia Studio ...............................................................17 BensDotter’s Pet ......................................................................8 Berkshire Acupuncture ........................................................38 Berkshire Animal D.R.E.A.M.S. ............................................8 Berkshire Co-op Market .................................inside front cover Berkshire Energy Healing ....................................................39 Berkshire Environmental Action Team, “BEAT” ..................22 Berkshire Healing Arts .........................................................54 Berkshire Humane Society .....................................................8 Berkshire Museum ................................................................50 Berkshire Organics ...............................................................28 Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS ...............................7 Berkshire Physical Therapy & Wellness ...........................41 Berkshire Radon Technologies ..........................................45 Berkshire Soul & Spirit Center ...........................................15 Berkshire West Athletic Club ..............................................17 Berkshire's Green Grocer & Claire's Cafe ........................29 Body & Soul Thera-Spa .......................................................35

62

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

Body Connection Chiropractic ..........................................38 Bruce Mandel ........................................................................11 cafeADAM .............................................................................53 Card Lake Inn .......................................................................52 Center for Compassionate Relationships, The .................39 Center for Ecological Technology, CET ...........................22 Centre for Acupuncture, Herbs & Massage, The ............38 Christine Tobin APRN-BC, A-HNC .................................36 Christy Thorne, LMT - Energy Bodywork .......................40 Clean Rite - Clean Green .....................................................45 Clearwater Natural Foods ....................................................29 Climate Heating & Cooling ...........................inside front cover Compassion in Motion ........................................................43 Concerned Singles ................................................................49 Dancing Vegan, The .............................................................53 Deb Phillips, MS, LDN, CHES ..........................................41 Decumanus Green Design ..................................................29 delSol ........................................................................................7 Details Interior Design ........................................................43 DeVries Building Supply .....................................................31 Domaney’s Wine & Liquors ................................................54 Dunn's Heating & Solar, LLC .................................back cover Dynamic Change Life Coaching ........................................15

Index of Directory Advertisers ecocentric designs for living ................................................29 Eleanor Sonsini Shelter, Inc. .................................................9 ElectroBlast ...........................................................................41 Elfi Six, Cosmic Resonance ................................................39 Elisa Novick, Thriving Planet Counseling & Education ....15 F. S. Whitney, Inc. ................................................................ 29 Face Haven .............................................................................35 Fairchild's SOFTMMR Experiences® ................................40 Family Chiropractic & Holistic Wellness Center ..............36 Fred Villari's Studios of Self Defense ...............................49 Graymatterhost.com .............................................................53 Green Mountain Cartridges ................................................51 Green Planning & Coaching ...............................................18 greenbodyandhome.com ......................................................43 GreenCore Builders ..............................................................31 Guido’s Fresh Marketplace ..................................................28 Gymnastics Unlimited ..........................................................18 Hancock Shaker Village .......................................................20 Hartsville Design ......................................................29, 34, 43 Hawthorne Valley Farm ...................................................26 Healing Spirit .....................................................................39 Healthy Living Center ............................................................9 Hill Engineers, Architects Planners, Inc. ...........................31 House on Main Street, The .................................................35 Innovation Renovation & Construction ............................34 Instant Replay ........................................................................51 Integrative Health Solutions ...............................................36 Joshua Krembs, DO, Berkshire Healing Arts ................38 Judy Rosley, BBSH ............................................................39 La Leche League ..................................................................11 Lakeview Orchard .................................................................28 Laughing Dragon Tai Chi ....................................................42 Lee Bodywork Associates ....................................................41 LEED Linc ............................................................................29 Lifecycle Counseling ............................................................39 Littlewolf Architecture .........................................................29 Mama’s Earth .........................................................................29 Maria Cruz, RD, LDN, LMT, RYT ....................................41 Mikka Barkman Bodywork ..................................................40 Millie Calesky, Business & Life Coach ...............................21 Ming Lash, Somatic Movement Therapist .................17, 40 Montessori School, The .................................................11, 18 Morrison's Home Improvement Specialists, Inc. .............30 Moving Into Well-Being .......................................................17 Music for Healing & Transition Program, The................11 Naomi Alson Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist ........38 Natalie Reid, PhD ...............................................................15 Nature Works .......................................................................45 New Dawn Healing Arts ....................................................37

Olive Designs ......................................................................51 Orchid Blossom Healing Arts ............................................38 OTD Sports ..........................................................................51 Our Family Dentist, Dr. Allan Nahman ............................39 Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel ...............................................29 Pearl's Premium Lawn Seed ................................................44 Peg Noonan, MPH ...............................................................17 Phoebe Williams, Life Coach ..........................................20 Pittsfield Brew Works ..........................................................52 Practical Feng Shui ...............................................................45 Pretty Paws ...............................................................................8 Project Native ........................................................................44 Quality Printing Company, Inc., Qualprint .......................51 Randal Williams Yoga Educator ........................................54 Randi Haskins Holistic Physical Therapy .........................38 Reconnective Healing ...........................................................42 Roger the Jester .....................................................................49 Route 7 Grill ..........................................................................52 Rowley Fuel Company, Inc. ...................................................6 Sacred Blossom Doula Services .........................................43 Sati LLC .................................................................................54 Seth Levy - Licensed Massage Therapist ..........................40 Shaklee Corporation, Rose Schellhammer ........................41 Sheilaa Hite ............................................................................15 Sheri Biasin Website Hosting & Design ............................53 Shivani Lash, Home Birth Midwife ...................................43 Speaking of Health ...............................................................45 Stillpoint Studio ....................................................................50 Stockbridge Gas ......................................................................7 Stone Soup .............................................................................53 Storybook Homes Real Estate ............................................43 Studio Club Artworks, The ...................................................9 Studio Day Spa ......................................................................34 Susan B. Lord, MD ...............................................................36 Sustainable Sourcing, LLC ..................................................27 Swept Away Housecleaning ................................................45 Tanglewood/Boston Symphony Orchestra ......................10 Thai Massage .........................................................................40 Thomas Fleming ...................................................................38 Todd Lepine, MD .................................................................37 Tom Warner Watercolors .......................................................9 Trager® Approach in Berkshire County, The ...................42 Upper Crust Bakery .............................................................27 Webster Ingersoll ..................................................................44 Wellness Services ............................................................18, 50 WholePerson Movement .....................................................17 Williamsville Inn, The ..........................................................52 Willowtree Organic Farm ....................................................26 Zija Queen .............................................................................41 www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

August 2009

63

Our BerkshireGreen Event Sponsors

Join our mailing list at www.OurBerkshireGreen.com to be invited to our next event!

photography / design: Michael Lavin Flower © 2009

OPEN WEDNESDAY–SUNDAY AT 5PM

•

• •

Full Tapas Bar Local Sustainable BioDynamic Organic HomeGrown

•

“Where to Eat”

in Great Barrington – The New York Times

“Award of Excellence” – The Wine Spectator

A Touch of Provence in the Heart of the Berkshires

Extraordinary Cuisine in an Ambience of Romance and Passion

LIVE JAZZ EVERY FRI. & SAT.

3 Center Street, West Stockbridge, MA

SERVING DINNER 5:00 - 9:30 Nightly Until 10:30 Fri. & Sat. Open 7 Nights thru August

413-232-4111

RougeRestaurant.com

We cater Weddings, Private Parties and Holiday Feasts

10 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA (413) 528-5244 www.castlestreetcafe.com

Before or after the show.

Lunch, Dinner, & Light Bites Daily.

Serving Sushi, Asian & American Cuisine Take-out, catering & private parties.

Antichi Sapori

S pice

Jae’s

For reservations call 413-443-1234 297 North Street Pittsfield, Massachusetts

64

August 2009

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com

The authentic flavors of Pompeian brick oven cooking & grilling savored in an elegant rustic ambiance.

Emphasis on local and organic products.

Meats are antibiotic & hormone-free.

�

Beautiful Courtyard Dining

413.499.1192 Trattoria-Rustica.com 26 McKay Street in downtown Pittsfield. Dinner 5 p.m. (closed Tuesday)

Our BerkshireGreen Magazine Sponsors

W

e would like to thank the following businesses and organizations that support green & healthy living in our community!

ready for a career change? t yoga t massage t ayurveda Through immersion learning at the largest center for yoga and health in the United States, you’ll get inspired from within—while you earn professional certification in yoga, massage, or Ayurveda. Join the ranks of people who are doing what they love working to bring positive change to the world through how they live their lives. You’ll graduate ready for whatever’s next, connected to people and practices that inspire thriving.

By donating 50% of our operating profits back to the community, we’re an agency where you can feel good about your insurance purchases.

Home, Auto, Business, Health & Life 80 Maple Avenue, Great Barrington, MA 413-528-5509 • www.goodworksinsurance.com “Purpose Beyond Profit” Lillian M. Barker Deborah E. Wright

en Gre

Prot

s, Green Minds, Green Product Plan et

t ect ou lane r future by protecting our p

674 North St Pittsfield MA 413-442-3001

MorrisonsHomeImprovement.com

OACH TAV ER

N

EC AG T S

eat local year round

Q

dinner thurs-sun. reservations 413.229.8585 Rt. 41 - Sheffield, MA

Q

(2 MILES SOUTH OF BERKSHIRE SCHOOL)

Q

A ‘RARE REFUGE’ IN SHEFFIELD, MA

www.stagecoachtavern.net

Better for your heating system. Better for the environment.

CET Bio-HEAT Oil Co-op Fair Price, Full-service, Local Dealers

get online and get started! kripalu.org/ professionaltraining kripalu.or g kripalu.org

stockbridge, ma 800.741.7353

1-888-577-8448 x24 / www.cetonline.org

• Oil Burner Sales & Service • Solar Hot Water Systems • Annual Cleanings • State and Federal Tax Credits • Financing Available • Free Estimates

David A. Dunn Licensed Technician Insured

dunnsheating@hotmail.com

ALL NEW SOLAR TECHNOLOGY & APPEARANCE

TO COMPLEMENT ANY HOME