September - November 2010
Take One, It's Free!
Our BerkshireGreen
™
Your Holistic/Green Resource
Midnight with
Moths
Sproutman® Brings Raw Food to the Table Highlights from
Berkshire BioBlitz Hydroelectric in Berkshire County
Green Living ● Holistic Health ● Community
dis
ver local
42 Bridge Street • Great Barrington, MA 413.528.9697 • www.berkshire.coop Open Mon-Sat 8-8 • Sun 10-6
Discover the wonder of Montessori. Challenging and creative academic environment. Independent activity focused on individual learning styles. Our 40-acre, LEED campus creates an optimal learning environment: • Daylighting - Solar tubes and lightshelves bounce natural light deep into the rooms • Acoustics - Specially designed wall systems improve acoustics • Air Quality - Low or no-VOC adhesives and finishes • Ventilation - Solar walls allow fresh air ventilation year-round • Outdoors - Educational courtyard allows free flow between classroom and outdoors
For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (413) 637-3662 or email info@BerkshireMontessori.org Toddler • Early Childhood • Elementary • Middle School • Summer Camp NEW! Transportation from South County available. Lenox Dale, MA BerkshireMontessori.org
D
on't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~ Harold Thurman Whitman. Contributed by Ed O'Malley, Optimal Sleep LLC, Great Barrington, MA.
CONTENTS
september - november 2010
departments 4 letter from the publisher
features
5
getting to know us
10
6
directory of categories
7
our contributors
8
resource guide Berkshire County & the surrounding area
16 calendar of events 16 contest winners 31 film & book reviews 36 in business: greening up! Spotlight on green & holistic businesses in our community 38 lifestyles & perspectives Personal experience of green & holistic living in our community 44 nonprofit organizations Spotlight on nonprofit organizations in our community
15
low-impact hydroelectric Reclaiming our region’s original power grid
call to action
Use language that encourages your customers to respond
18
berkshire bioblitz 2010
32
midnight with moths
34
airing our dirty laundry
37
sproutmanÂŽ brings raw food to the table
The first major biological survey in Berkshire County!
The magical & fascinating world of these overlooked gems Choosing environmentally responsible laundry products
Fabulous raw foods dinner to benefit the NOAH Center
40 42
our marvelous messy connection Do you have what it takes to be the real you?
is your memory on vacation?
You can play an active role in improving your memory
47 index of advertisers
Baking
cover illustration by Terry Wise terry@terrywisestudio.com www.TerryWiseStudio.com www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
september 2010
3
Letter Letter from from the the Publisher Publisher subscribe subscribe
Dear Dear Reader, Reader,
Autumn Autumnisismy myfavorite favoritetime timeofof year. year.We Weare areblessed blessed totolive liveininan anarea areawith withever-changing ever-changingseasons, seasons,but but there there isis something something extra extra special special about about fall fall inin the the Berkshires Berkshiresfor formy myfamily familyand andme. me.We Welook lookforward forward totothe thecrisp crispair, air,our ourbeautiful beautifulfoliage, foliage,and andautumn autumn festivals festivalsand andactivities. activities.Make Makesure sureyou youcheck checkout out www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com toto see see what’s what’s going goingon onaround aroundtown. town. Thank Thank you you all all for for the the positive positive feedback. feedback. Remember Rememberthat thatyou youcan canhelp helpsupport supportthis thispublicapublication tionby bytelling tellingour ouradvertisers advertisersthat thatyou yousaw sawthem theminin Our BerkshireGreen! Our BerkshireGreen!
Special SpecialNote: Note:All Allcontent contentininOur OurBerkshireGreen BerkshireGreen™™isisaccepted acceptediningood goodfaith. faith.The Thepublisher publisherasassumes sumesno noresponsibility responsibilityororliability liabilityfor forany anyclaims, claims,conditions, conditions,products, products,services, services,errors, errors,and/or and/or opinions expressed through the articles, illustrations, and advertisements appearing in this publicaopinions expressed through the articles, illustrations, and advertisements appearing in this publication. tion.We Wedo donot notadvocate advocateororrecommend recommendany anyparticular particularmedical medicaltreatment. treatment.Every Everyeffort effortisismade made totoavoid avoiderrors errorsand andmisspellings; misspellings;however, however,ifif you youspot spotan anerror errorplease pleaseaccept acceptour ourapologies. apologies.We We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback so that we can give you the best service possible. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback so that we can give you the best service possible. Werereserve servethe theright righttotorefuse refuseadvertising advertisingfor forany anyreason. reason.Liability Liabilityisislimited limitedtotothe thecost costofofthe theadadspace spaceinin which whichititfirst firstappeared appearedfor forprinted printederrors errorsofofthe thepublisher’s publisher’sresponsibility responsibilityororififthe thepublisher publisherfails failstoto print printan anadadororarticle articlefor forany anyreason. reason.Unless Unlessotherwise otherwisenoted, noted,we weuse useaaCreative CreativeCommons CommonsLicense License (in (inplace placeofofaastandard standardcopyright), copyright),which whichallows allowsanyone anyonetotofreely freelycopy, copy,distribute, distribute,and andtransmit transmitallall content, content,although althoughititmust mustbe beattributed attributedininthe themanner mannerspecified specifiedbybythe theauthor authorororlicensor, licensor,and andno no one onemay mayuse useititfor forcommercial commercialpurposes purposesororalter, alter,transform, transform,ororbuild buildupon uponit.it.
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contact contact us us
Editorial Editorial submissions submissions should should now now be be uploaded uploadedthrough throughour ourwebsite websiteonly. only.For For questions questions and and advertising advertising submissions, submissions, contact contact our our main main office office below, below, or or our our sales salesrepresentatives representativeson onthe thefacing facingpage. page.
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com www.OurBerkshireGreen.com www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com publisher@OurBerkshireGreen.com publisher@OurBerkshireGreen.com editor@OurBerkshireGreen.com editor@OurBerkshireGreen.com advertise@OurBerkshireGreen.com advertise@OurBerkshireGreen.com P.O. P.O.Box Box133, 133,Housatonic, Housatonic,MA MA01236 01236 Phone: (413) 274-1122, Fax: (413) Phone: (413) 274-1122, Fax: (413)541-8000 541-8000
Cover CoverIllustration Illustrationby byTerry TerryWise Wise
Terry Terry Wise Wise began began her art her art training training inin textile textiledesign designwith with aa BFA degree BFA degree from from Indiana Indiana University University in i n 1976. 1976. DDuurri inngg the the years years of of raising raising three very three very creative creative children children and and supsuppor ting her por ting her hushusband’s band’sbusiness, business,she she continued continuedtotoexperexperiment imentininvarious variousmedia mediaincluding includingprintmakprintmaking, and eventually painting. ing, and eventually painting. Studies Studies with with Berkshire Berkshirepainter painterJoan JoanGriswold Griswoldand andother other established established painters painters provided provided the the base base of of technical skill for her current work. technical skill for her current work. She She maintains maintains aa studio studio inin Stockbridge Stockbridge where where she often finds layers of she often finds layers of patterning, patterning, rich rich colors, colors,and andtextures texturesreminiscent reminiscentof of textiles textiles working workingtheir theirway wayinto intoher herpaintings. paintings. To see more of Terry’s To see more of Terry’sartwork, artwork,please please visit her website at www.terrywisestudio.com. visit her website at www.terrywisestudio.com. terry@terrywisestudio.com. terry@terrywisestudio.com.
Photo by Sabine Vollmer van Falken Photo by Sabine Vollmer van Falken
About About Us: Us:Our OurBerkshireGreen BerkshireGreenisisdedicated dedicatedtotocreating creatingan anever-expanding, ever-expanding, unified unifiednetwork networkofof holistic holisticand andenvironmentally environmentallyconscious consciousindividuals, individuals,businesses, businesses, organizations, organizations,and andservices servicesininour ourcommunity communitythrough throughour ourresource resourceguide, guide,monthmonthlylynetworking networkingevents, events,and andonline onlineservices. services. Our Ourfull-color, full-color,quarterly quarterlyresource resourceguide/magazine guide/magazineisisfree freetotothe thepublic publicand and distributed distributedthroughout throughoutBerkshire BerkshireCounty Countyand andthe thesurrounding surroundingarea areaand andonline onlineevevery eryMarch March(mind (mind&&spirit spiritspecial specialedition), edition),June, June,September, September,and andDecember. December.Each Each issue issueisisprinted printedwith withsolvent-free, solvent-free,vegetable vegetableoil-based oil-basedink inkon onpaper paperthat thatisisForest Forest Council Council(FSC: (FSC:fsc.org) fsc.org)certified certifiedtotohave havebeen beenmade madefrom fromtrees treesgrown grownand andharvested harvested ininaaresponsible responsiblemanner. manner.Our Ourpaper paperalso alsocontains containsaafull full30 30percent percentpost-consumer post-consumer recycled wastepaper. recycled wastepaper. Our Our BerkshireGreen BerkshireGreen isis supported supported by by your your advertising advertising and and sponsorship sponsorship dollars dollars――aa1/12-page 1/12-pagedisplay displayadvertisement advertisementcosts costsasaslittle littleasas$5.00 $5.00per perweek weekper per three-month three-monthissue, issue,and andcomes comeswith withmany manyadditional additionalbenefits. benefits.One Onesuch suchperk perkisisthe the opportunity opportunitytotospeak speakatatour ourpopular popularmonthly monthlynetworking networkingevents eventsheld heldatatfine finelocalocations tionsthroughout throughoutthe thecounty, county,and andpublicized publicizedby bypress pressreleases releasestotothe thelocal localpapers papers and andeblasts eblaststotoour ourextensive extensivemailing mailinglist. list.There Thereisisno noadmission admissioncharge chargeor orreservareservation tionrequired, required,and andyou youwill willfind findgreat greatcompany, company,delicious deliciousfree freeappetizers, appetizers,aacash cashbar, bar, and a place to display your advertising material. If you would like to attend and a place to display your advertising material. If you would like to attendone oneofof these theseevents, events,please pleasejoin joinour ourconfidential confidentialmailing mailinglist liston onour ourwebsite. website. Most Mostofofthe theeditorial editorialcontent content(including (includingour ourIn InBusiness Businessand andLifestyles Lifestyles&&PerPerspectives spectivesDepartments) Departments)isiscontributed contributedby byour ourcommunity. community. IIencourage encourageyou youtotosubsubmit mitoriginal originalmaterial materialfor forconsideration considerationthrough throughour ourwebsite websiteatatwww.OurBerkshire www.OurBerkshire Green.com. You will find complete instructions on our Green.com. You will find complete instructions on ouronline onlinedigital digitalform. form. Check Checkout outour ouronline onlineevents eventscalendar calendaratatwww.OurBerkshireCalendar.com www.OurBerkshireCalendar.comtoto find findout outwhat whatisishappening happeningaround aroundtown. town.Take Takeadvantage advantageofof this thisconfidential confidentialfree free service to instantly upload and publicize your events. It’s easy to do, service to instantly upload and publicize your events. It’s easy to do,and andyou youdon’t don’t have havetotobe begreen, green,holistic, holistic,or oraacomputer computerexpert experttotouse useit;it;simply simplyregister, register,fill fillout out your yourevent eventinformation, information,and andpost! post!
Our OurBerkshireGreen BerkshireGreen™™Resource ResourceGuide Guide isisaaquarterly, free publication quarterly, free publicationwhich whichcan canbe be found foundatatmany manylocations locations(see (seeour ourwebsite). website). For For $24 $24 per per year year you you can can order order aa subscription for convenience (4 subscription for convenience (4 issues) issues) through throughour ourwebsite websiteororyou youcan cansend sendyour your name, name,mailing mailingaddress, address,and andaacheck checkfor for$24 $24 totoOur OurBerkshireGreen, BerkshireGreen,Inc., Inc.,P.O. P.O.Box Box133, 133, Housatonic, Housatonic,MA MA01236. 01236.IfIf you youwould wouldlike like an evite to our monthly networking an evite to our monthly networkingevents, events, please pleasesend sendus usyour youremail emailaddress. address.
Getting to Know Us Patty Strauch
Thea Basis
Independent Sales Representative & Event Planner
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) 528-8084, thea@OurBerkshireGreen.com
Sheri Ann Biasin
Andrea Feldman
Independent Sales Representative
eNewsletter Design and Marketing Consultant
Sheri Ann Biasin is a lifelong resident of Berkshire County. She has a BS in Psychology and currently lives in Cheshire. Her extensive sales experience spans more than 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) 822-2070, sheri@OurBerkshireGreen.com
Christine Dupre
A native New Yorker, Andrea relocated to the Berkshires in 1997 to become a macrobiotic chef. Her varied professional skills include organizing, consulting, designing, and writing. She helps small-business owners to clarify and implement their marketing strategies. (413) 655-7766, andrea@OurBerkshireGreen.com
Kathy Adams
Independent Graphic Design for Advertisements
Independent 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 for 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
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
Rodelinde Albrecht
Elisa Jones
Copy Editing/Proofreading
Independent Graphic Design for Advertisements Elisa is a 2003 graduate of Bridgewater State College earning a BA in Art and a Concentration in Graphic Design. She began freelancing after graduation and then in 2008 she started her own design business, Berkshire Design Studio. Elisa, her husband John, son Keaton, and kitty Willa, reside in southern Berkshire County. (413) 8542608, elisa@OurBerkshireGreen.com
Born in Salzburg, Austria, Rodelinde lived in Rhode Island, New York City, and northern California before landing in the Berkshires. She is director of Concerned Singles as well as a freelance editor, graphic designer, translator, publishing consultant, figure model, actor, and videographer. In her spare time, she writes, sings, and sculpts. (413) 243-4350, rodelinde@OurBerkshireGreen.com
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
september 2010
5
Directory of Categories Alternative Energy ......................................................8 Health Care: continued Animal Products & Services ...................................12
Hypnosis ...........................................................27
Apothecaries .............................................................12
Life Coach ........................................................28
Art & Music ...............................................................13
Massage Therapy & Bodywork ......................28
Babies & Children .....................................................13
Nutrition & Supplements ..............................28
Boutiques ........... .....................................................13
Osteopathic Medicine ....................................28
Business Services ......................................................14
Physical Therapy .............................................29
Calendar of Events ..................................................16
Reconnective Healing®....................................30
Contest Winners .....................................................16
Reiki ...................................................................30
Dance, Exercise & Fitness ..................................16
Trager ® Approach ...........................................30
Education & Training .............................................17
Wellness Centers & Spas ................................30
Environmental/Conservation Organizations ........17
Yoga ..................................................................30
Farmers’ Markets ......................................................21 Home & Garden .....................................................31 Food & Cooking .......................................................21 Food Stores:
Co-ops, Markets & Health
Feng Shui .........................................................31
.........................23 In Business: Greening Up! .......................................36
Green Building, Renovation & Landscape Design ......24 Lifestyles & Perspectives ........................................38 Health & Beauty ........................................................25 Love & Laughter Are the Best Medicine ................39 Mind & Spirit ......................................................39 Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative .........25 Nonprofit Organizations ......................................44 Acupuncture .................................................26 Restaurants & Cafes .................................................46 Chiropractic & Kinesiology .........................26 Friends of Our BerkshireGreen .............................46 Counseling & Therapy .................................27 Index of Resource Guide Advertisers ....................47 Energy Medicine ..........................................27 Event Sponsors .........................................................48 Homeopathic Medicine ..............................27 Magazine Sponsors ............................Inside Back Cover
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september 2010
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
Our Contributors Andrea Feldman
Paul Deslauriers
Founder, Paperclip Studio
Executive Director, Community Organizing for Action
Andrea relocated to the Berkshires in 1997 and now owns two businesses. She helps her clients increase productivity with Get Organized, and helps small businesses grow at Paperclip Studio through consulting, writing, and designing marketing material. She also admits to being an information junkie and an avid viral video watcher. andrea@paperclipstudio. com, www.PaperclipStudio.com
Paul is an author and has over twentythree years of experience as a community organizer, management coach, organizational development consultant, and workshop facilitator. Presently, Paul is the Executive Director of Community Organizing for Action (Co-Act). Paul’s most recent book is Grassroute Guide: A Roadmap to Community Empowerment. paulnrg@aol.com
Judy Sullivan
Scott LaGreca, PhD
Natural Science Coordinator, Berkshire Museum
Propagation Manager, Project Native Judy has spent most of her adult life wading through wetlands and scrambling through leaf litter. She created the Native Plant Program at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, designing habitat gardens and teaching about native plants for over 20 years before happily ensconcing herself at Project Native, where she is the Propagation Manager. www.ProjectNative.org
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 organized BioBlitz, the first major biological survey held in Berkshire County, MA.
Jenny Gitlitz
Director of Environmental Assessment, Green Depot
Paula Schutzmann, RN, MS
Former Executive Director, Lee Regional VNA
Jenny Gitlitz is Green Depot’s Director of Environmental Assessment. She studied Energy & Resources (University of California), and Geography (Clark), and spent 7 years as research director with the Container Recycling Institute. She developed and manages Green Depot’s Filter to vet products’ environmental attributes and guard against greenwashing. (413) 684-4746 jgitlitz@ greendepot.com, www.GreenDepot.com
Karlee Fain
Paula was the Executive Director of Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. for many years, retiring in 2008. She serves on the VNA Board as well as on the Board of Directors at Berkshire South Community Center. She is a member of the NOAH Advisory Committee and hosts a radio show on WSBS 860 AM called Let’s Talk Health. Paula lives in Monterey, Massachusetts.
Nina Anderson
Yoga Educator, Every Body Thrive
President, Safe Goods Publishing
Certified yoga instructor and licensed massage therapist, Karlee combines her unique upbringing in a Yoga Ashram with a modern lifestyle. Karlee is the creator of www.EveryBodyThrive.com ― a dynamic health site serving thousands in 34 countries. Her DVD, Every Body Yoga, and local classes offer inspiring styles of movement designed to enthuse all body types. karlee@everybodythrive.com
Nina is a retired commercial pilot and an ISSA certified Specialist in Performance Nutrition. She is an active researcher in the alternative health field. Nina has authored 18 books including Flying Above the Glass Ceiling. She is CEO of LJB Piper, manufacturer of a healthy electrolyte water booster. www.ForeverYoungCatalog.com
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
september 2010
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Alternative Energy
We offer system design with Mother Earth in mind.
Solar Electric Solar Hot Water Solar Pool Heaters Geothermal Heat Pumps High Efficiency Boilers and Furnaces 26 Years Local Solar Experience LEED Accredited Professional Think Globally. Act Locally.
Solar. Thermal. Wind.
Renewable Energy Solutions, Inc., Lee, MA
413-243-0909
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september 2010
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
Alternative Energy
Photovoltaic Q & A By Christopher Derby Kilfoyle Where can PV modules be installed? PV can be installed anywhere that receives unobstructed sunlight. Roof installations generally work very well because the modules are close to the point of use. Modules can also be installed on ground, pole, or wall mounts. Is my roof appropriate for a PV installation? The ideal roof is a south-facing, slanted roof with no shading on the area where the modules will be located. PV can be installed on roofs with other characteristics, but the efficiency may be lower. How big are the solar modules? 1 kW of solar modules will occupy an area of approximately 11 square meters (118 square feet). Many of the modules we are using in 2009 and 2010 are roughly 3.5 feet wide by 5 feet long and produce 200-220 watts. Do we have enough sun in New England and NY for PV? Yes. A system rated at 2 kW will produce about 2,400 kWh annually in New England & NY. This is enough to provide one quarter of the average New England home’s electricity. For homes with efficient appliances and lighting, and conservative energy users, a 2 kW system may provide much more of the energy than the household needs. Because New England uses more energy in summer time when photovoltaic production is at its peak, the clean electricity produced by grid-connected systems is especially valuable.
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
Member: American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Solar Energy Business Association of New England, Solar Energy Industries Association.
How much energy will my PV modules produce? A 1 kW PV array installed optimally in Massachusetts or New York should produce on the order of 1,200 kWh per year from 20-year meteorological averages. Our customers have averaged 1181 kWh per year per kW in the past four years. What are the environmental benefits of a PV system? PV clean energy displaces the carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury, and heavy metal particulates that result from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity. A PV system in our region produces best in summer when grid electricity demands are highest and when the dirtiest power plants are in peak operation. In Massachusetts every solar kilowatt hour defers on average about 1.39 lbs. of carbon dioxide, 3.0345 grams of sulfur dioxide, 0.9117 grams of nitrogen oxides, and 2.449 mg of mercury. What are the incentives for owning a PV system? There currently is a 30 % federal tax credit available for investing in PV. For Massachusetts residents there is also a tax credit. The state program, Commonwealth Solar, provides rebates. Beginning this year the value of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) has increased significantly. Residential customers can see a five- to eight-year payback on a PV system that will generate power for twenty to fifty years. For those who truly want to reduce their personal carbon footprint and do not sell the SRECs that accrue, their payback will be in the ten- to fifteen-year range. ~ Christopher Derby Kilfoyle, founder of BPVS, www.BPVS.com. See ad on this page.
“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” ~ Thomas Edison
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
september 2010
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10
Low-Impact Hydroelectric in Berkshire County By Paul Deslauriers
H
ydropower supplied energy to most Massachusetts industry well into the early 1900s, which is a major reason why most Massachusetts towns are located along rivers. A romantic notion during this time of unprecedented oil pollution is to refurbish our region’s initial power grid. Utilizing existing dams in the Housatonic Watershed will yield cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and generate over $100 million dollars of revenue to local municipalities over the life of the project. To access this common wealth for our community requires a new approach. For the past year, Berkshire Co-Act: Community Organizing for Action, a local grassroots group, has been pioneering a new strategy that will make low-impact hydro a reality for our region. In November of 2009, focusing on South and Central Berkshire counties, Co-Act facilitated the first hydroelectric symposium of its kind in the country. This meeting of environmental, regulatory, engineering, and funding professionals, along with owners and managers of facilities, made for an informative exchange. By the conclusion of the panel discussion, the group had identified a cost-effective, efficient approach to put dams in our region back online and generate hydroelectric power. Co-Act first applied their collaborative strategy by conducting a preliminary assessment of eleven low-impact hydro projects in the Housatonic Basin of Berkshire County. Since that first inquiry, another eight dams in Pioneer Valley are being investigated. In all, these nineteen dams are capable of generating $1.6 million yearly in returns. This resource is currently being wasted, as it is for most of the dams in the region. Revitalizing existing dams and tapping appropriate runof-the-river sites requires a process of collaboration and due diligence. Our team includes Essex Partnership, an engineering firm specializing in low-impact hydro. Licensing and approval for small hydroelectric plants typically costs several hundred thousand dollars and takes four years or more. Co-Act’s new approach can cut the time required to less than two years and greatly reduce costs. Our goal is a 50 percent reduction in time and preinstallation costs, compared to existing standards. This makes small hydro power feasible throughout Massachusetts while opening up the model for a clean-energy economy throughout the United States.
This development model can be applied statewide. Part of this process involves the stakeholders identifying criteria for dam selection and smart development. For example, the criteria we gathered from our meetings for the Housatonic include minimal water diversion, structural integrity, potential improvements to the fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational use development. This process allows access to dam barriers on a stretch of river to improve portage, recreational use, and safety. The advantages of using this approach add up. Compared to photovoltaic panels that last for twenty years, hydro generators are built to last for one hundred years. It also provides the benefit of an improved power transmission from distributed generation, which will support the power grid at many points. The process we utilize also results in channeling the generated proceeds back into the municipalities in which the dams are located. Revitalizing appropriate, established hydroelectric facilities will provide energy and income for generations to come. This is a form of economic development for underserved communities while increasing our energy independence. Co-Act is seeking partnership with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. State and local officials are needed to support this watershed development for municipal power generation because it involves contiguous municipalities. State representatives can provide important insights and valuable networking to make this project a reality, as Senator Ben Downing is currently doing with our team. Small, low-impact hydroelectric can once again be a feasible, attractive, and reliable source of renewable energy. Now is the time to reclaim our region’s original power grid for the common good of Berkshire County residents. Please mention your support for this Co-Act project to your town and state representatives. ~ For more information about Co-Act and the services they provide go to www.co-act.org. Contact Paul Deslauriers at (413) 232-7888, paul@co-act.org. ~ Hand-painted photograph of Willow Street Dam taken and painted by Karen J Andrews, Inner Vision Studio, West Stockbridge, www.InnerVision-Studio.com, kaa100@aol.com, (413) 232-4027.
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Alternative Energy Animal Products & Services
BENSDOTTER’S PET 413-528-4940 940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA
QUALITY FOODS & SUPPLIES RAW DIET SPECIALISTS MON-FRI 10AM-6PM SAT 10AM-4PM SUN 10AM-2PM
.BENSDOTTERS.COM
WWW
Pet Partners of the Tri-State Berkshires
Provides … Food for needy dogs and cats Reduced rate spay/neuter Assistance with basic veterinary care costs Call 413.229.8579 or 518.781.0362 or visit www.petpartnersberkshires.org
A division of Scientific Alliance For Education (S.A.F.E.), a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization
Dog & Cat Adoptions Adoption Hours Sat/Sun/Wed/Fri 10am-2pm Tues/Thurs 4-8pm Closed Monday
WE’VE MOVED TO GREAT BARRINGTON!
Berkshire Humane Society has opened Purradise, the Berkshire’s first Cat Adoption Center. With cats to adopt, a unique Gift Boutique, a Food Bank, Outreach programs and Fundraising activities, it’s the cat’s meow for our business community. Purradise gives everyone new reasons to purr.
301 StOCkBridGe rOAd, GreAt BArrinGtOn, MA
“Providing care and support for our community cats.” In Our 10th Year!
They depend on us. We depend on you. • Volunteer • Donate • Adopt
413.528.1328
P.O. Box 1073, Pittsfield MA 01202 www.BerkshireAnimaldreAMs.org
Dignified Rescues, Education, Advocacy, Medical Services
“A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere.” ~ Groucho Marx 12
september 2010
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
63 Downing Parkway, Pittsfield 413/448-9800 www.pittsfieldanimals.org
Apothecaries
Babies & Children
Art & Music
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
SINGER/SONGWRITER, HOME
&
CONCERT PERFORMER
photo courtesy of: Michael Lavin Flower
CONTEMPORARY FOLK
•
AMERICANA
Cliff Brodeur Entertainment
Boutiques
Square Dance Calling, Live or Recorded Corporate Events Major Fund Raisers Weddings School Programs Large Parties Special Events Dance Instruction: Square, Contra, Line & Circle Dancing
PO Box 914, Pittsfield MA 01202-0914 Phone: 413-443-3060 | Cell: 413-281-4407 Cliff@squaredance-hoedown.com
SquareDance-Hoedown.com Unique Entertainment Creates Unforgettable Memories
Think Green! Make Green! Save Green! At
Renee s Boutique & Consignment Consign your items to make extra cash or save some cash by buying trendy designer clothing at a fraction of the cost! Call or check out our website for details today!
****Consignment is recycling made chic!**** ReneesBoutiqueandConsignment.com 329 Stockbridge Rd. (Rte 7) Great Barrington, MA 413 717 4146
Outstanding Clothing Jewelry & Accessories Easy Wear • Easy Care cotton, tencel, bamboo, linen, wool
elm st • stockbridge ma • 413.298.3656 • daily fabulous fall arrivals ! sneak peaks on Facebook!
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Business Services lo
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Visualize
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• Full Color Digital Printing • Full Color Envelope Printing • Offset Printing • High Speed Copying • Color Copies • Laminating • GBC Binding • Perfect Binding • Folding • NCR Forms • Perforating • Numbering • Mailing Services • Large Format Printing • Inline Bookletmaking • Graphic Design Services
Business and Life Coach 413-655-2555
Millie@MillieCalesky.com
T. Conso lati Virtual Assistance
Paperless business support, specializing in Facebook business pages and Constant Contact. #$%.& '$. (#) & ta ra @tcon solati.c o m
tcon sol ati.co m
Creative Help for Small Business y all Loc fits p o e Sh en s! tb ...i fu o all
Collaborative Marketing, Writing and Design 413-655-7766
Andrea@PaperclipStudio.com
t: 413 •528 •2885 f: 413 •528 •9220
35 Bridge Street, Great Barrington MA 01230 WWW.KWIKPRINTINC.COM
“Purpose Beyond Profit”
Family Owned and Operated for 36 Years
Home, Auto, Business, Health & Life
Does My Computer Have a Virus? When your computer is not behaving the way it should, your first reaction might be to think that your computer has been infected with a virus. But with the increase in security on the Internet through web browsers and antivirus software, viruses have become less common. So how do you know if your computer has a virus, or if it’s something else that’s causing the trouble? The answer can be figured out by asking a different question: Are you using antivirus software and, most importantly, is it up to date? Before we go any further, it’s important to note that viruses are extremely rare in Macs. If you’re using a Mac, not only is it likely that your computer is free of infection, it might never become infected. PCs, however, are easy targets and are the computers I’m addressing here. First, if you’re not using antivirus software you should be. The antivirus program I recommend to my customers is called AVAST! (www.avast.com) because it’s free and it does its job. The job of antivirus software is to monitor the things your computer is doing while keeping an eye out for viruses and other threats. If something suspicious is found, your antivirus software will stop everything and show you a warning message. You can then choose to remove the virus. A program like AVAST! will always be up to date – as long as your computer can connect to the Internet, it will update itself. If you think your computer might have a virus, go to the AVAST! website and install the free home edition of their software. You can then scan your computer and find out for sure. ~ Geiger Computers, www.GeigerComputers.com. See ad at right.
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
80 Maple Avenue Great Barrington, MA 413-528-5509 www.goodworksinsurance.com
Lillian M. Barker Deborah E. Wright
Computer Repair Web Development Computer Training
By Glenn Geiger
september 2010
Actualize
Millie Calesky
STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT • EXPERIENCE • SPEED • QUALITY • COMPETITIVE PRICES
14
Strategize
413-854-2443
GeigerComputers.com
Creating the Online Calendar with Our BerkshireGreen We can tell you whatʼs wrong, and give you a cost estimate to repair or upgrade your computer before you pay.
Increase your skillset with personal computer training: from learning how to use the computer, to advanced subjects.
Call to Action
Use Language That Urges Your Customers to Respond By Andrea Feldman
Y
our promotional materials may be museum quality, but if you don’t give clear direction, your potential customers won’t know what you want them to do. With any advertising materials, it’s crucial that you get potential customers to act. Now! Some years ago, right at the beginning of spring, I went to see an exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum. As I entered the lobby, I was greeted by a gorgeous flower arrangement placed atop a raised counter about eye level. It was like a painting itself, so many shapes and colors. Just spectacular. I stepped up close to take a better look, sniffed the aromatic blooms, and wanted to step inside this beautiful little garden. I looked to see who had provided the arrangement but there was no sign. I asked a woman who worked there but she didn’t know. I suspected I knew who the florist was so I phoned to inquire and compliment her on the display she had donated. I also asked her why she didn’t sign her work with the company name, logo, and contact information. She said she thought it would look tacky.
Now, I thought she had a brilliant idea: a prestigious institution with thousands of people passing through to see beautiful things; it cost very little to provide the arrangement; it lasted a long time; it brought pleasure to the workers as well as to the visitors; it sent a message that this business did beautiful work and was generous with its sharing. Why in the world wouldn’t someone sign their name and contact information to this work? What might she have missed by not claiming credit? The call to action is one of the most important concepts in marketing and promotion. Your message must clearly show the benefit of your offer. Without the call to action, the prospect isn’t encouraged to take the next step. You can’t assume that your customers will know why, how, and when they should take action. Competition these days can be fierce. The business that makes its message the most clear, direct, and simple wins. A call to action can come anywhere in the sales process and in many forms. You’ve seen many different types of calls to action and I’m sure you’ve responded to a fair number in your lifetime. Take advantage of this valuable technique today.
Call to Action Hints
Call to Action Examples
Whether you are sending out a mailing or creating a new website, lay out exactly what you want the recipients of your message to do, and design the message to make that path easy to follow.
Call our 800 number today Call for your free consultation Use this coupon to receive a 10% discount Order today and receive this free gift Buy now before the price increase Order within 10 days and we’ll upgrade you to the deluxe model Take this survey and you’ll be eligible to win a new car
Use appropriate vehicles or venues to reach your audience. Reach out to them in a friendly and helpful manner. Make it easy to get more information or to place an order. Be sure to let your prospects know what to expect as a result of following directions. For example: “After you click here, you will be taken to another page to begin your free download.”
Look at your own marketing materials. If you’re missing a phrase or a paragraph requesting your customer’s business, your copy is lacking an essential component. Take the time to polish your message. Give yourself a deadline, and just do it. Do it now. ~ Andrea Feldman, Paperclip Studio. See ad on page 14.
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
september 2010
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Calendar of Events
Dance, Exercise & Fitness
Energy In Motion Studio PILATES, YOGA, FITNESS Movement for renewed energy, health and well-being. Focus on alignment, back care, sports performance; special needs welcome. Private sessions or small group classes in a beautifully equipped studio.
Catherine Brumley West Stockbridge, MA 413-232-7838
youth teen/adult family
one day one month year round
DANCE FITNESS YOGA WORLD MUSIC •
esents . . . Our BerkshireGreen pr
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Post Your Events for Free Today! It’s easy to do! You don’t have to be green, holistic, or a computer expert to use it; simply register, fill out your event information, and post! Your email address is kept completely confidential. Please join our mailing list if you wish.
S
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CLASSES STUDIO RENTALS
Contest Winners
tay tuned for new contest and prize opportunities in the future! Please join our mailing list at www.OurBerkshireGreen.com and make sure you check out www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com.
www.berkshirepulse.org
410 Park St. HouSatonic, Ma 413.274.6624
Moving into Well-Being Authentic Movement & Body-Mind Centering® classes Cheryl Ann Luft, MSS, CMA, RSMT / Skilled and caring facilitation for over 20 years (413) 229-8080 • movingwellbeing@gmail.com
Sharon True, M.A., C.M.A., R.S.M.T
Somatic Movement Therapist & Certified Pilates Instructor PRIVATE, DUET, AND GROUP CLASS WORKOUTS WITH HOLISTIC APPROACH AVAILABLE IN GREAT BARRINGTON & LEE
413.528.2465
winners from our june issue! Contest #1 - Gloria Ciaburri of Pittsfield, MA, won a hand-crafted copper necklace holder, valued at $29.99, from Sheri Biasin. Contest #2 - Amy Sadhana of South Egremont, MA, won four adult admission tickets to Rock, Rattle & Drum America Indian Pow Wow in Stephentown, NY, valued at $28, from American Indian Pow Wow. Contest #3 - Valerie Lawson of Cheshire, MA, won a free consultation and health analysis session, valued at $120, from Living Well Chiropractic, Nutrition, and Massage. Contest #4 - Peter Miller of Stephentown, NY, won four sessions for support and accountability in achieving your life goals, valued at $200, from Human Spirit Circles. Contest #5 - Barbara Baker of Paterson, NY, won a 1/12 fullcolor ad space, valued at $135, from Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. 16
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www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
Jonathan Weinress Personal Trainer N.F.P.T. By Appointment Only 413-229-9084
Personal Training for Your Body/Mind & Spirit THEA BASIS (413) 528-8084
B. S. Holistic Health and Mind/Body Therapies Nationally Certified Fitness Coach since 1988
Fun, affordable fitness training. Work out in a small group with your friends or make new friends as you improve your health and well-being.
Hands-on sustainability education for all ages
Education & Training DARROW SCHOOL grow.green
Third Annual Sustainability Symposium: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 Sustainability tours by appointment: ♦ Ecological wastewater treatment ♦ Wind and solar energy ♦ Organic gardening ♦ Waste-stream management
Darrow is a college-preparatory, co-ed, boarding and day school for grades 9–12. www.darrowschool.org.
Limited openings avaiLabLe for faLL 2010!
AwAre CommuniCAtion CoAChing Inner Process Work • Focusing TM • NVC Classes/Trainings
simple tools to transform your inner & outer relationships
Karen Andrews
413-232-4027
karenjandrews@gmail.com
Environmental Org.
Menu of Services Public Computers and a computer game station for kids A wonderful, well-rounded collection of books for all ages and interests, plus friendly, respectful library services with a fine "listening ear" to patron suggestions!
(413) 274-3738 1087 Main Street in the Village of Housatonic, MA
Everyone is
WELCOME
Unique world and traditional crafts for all ages "Ancient History Fairs" for children that include related books and hands-on arts/crafts
If you would like to learn more about the lichens and mosses of the Berkshires, you can hear Scott LaGreca, PhD, of the Berkshire Museum deliver a free talk at Bascom Lodge at the top of Mount Greylock on Wednesday, September 15, at 6pm, followed by an optional prix-fixe dinner. See www. BascomLodge.net and www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com for further details. Better for your heating system. Better for the environment.
CET Bio-HEAT Oil Co-op Fair Price, Full-service, Local Dealers
Live music from local & distant musicians All-genre sessions for writers to gather, read and discuss works. Professionally led history, science, animal, and earth programs for families. Well-respected jugglers and storytellers. and so much more!
1-888-577-8448 x24 / www.cetonline.org www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
september 2010
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Highlights from Berkshire BioBlitz 2010 – Alternative Energy
The United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity. To celebrate, the Berkshire Museum ― in partnership with MCLA STEM Pipeline, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) ― organized the Berkshire BioBlitz 2010, the first major, all-species survey in Berkshire County. It happened from noon on Friday, June 4, to noon on Saturday, June 5, in the Pittsfield State Forest. A BioBlitz (aka Biodiversity Day; see www.maccweb.org/biodiversity_days.html) is an action-packed day designed as part scientific endeavor, part contest, part environmental festival, and part educational program. During a BioBlitz, scientists come together in a race against time to count as many species as they can in a given area over a 24-hour period. The first 24-hour biological survey took place in Walden Woods, Massachusetts, in 1998. Its success has since inspired similar events in many states and dozens of countries. A BioBlitz is an excellent tool for exciting both children and adults about science. The Berkshire BioBlitz 2010 afforded 21 scientists from many disciplines the rare opportunity to share their passions with people of all ages who worked side by side towards a common goal: production of a list of species of all the animals, plants, and fungi of Pittsfield State Forest. On Friday afternoon, more than 120 Pittsfield Public School third- and fourth-graders were brought to the Forest, where they participated in handson, environmental education programs ― ranging from aquatic ecology to mushroom identification ― many of which were led by the scientists themselves. Surprisingly, since the Forest is only five miles from downtown, this field trip was, for many, the first time there for these Pittsfield students. If we expect our Berkshire County parents and policymakers of the future to appreciate and conserve the many important natural areas found in our beautiful Berkshire Hills, we must teach them about the local animals and plants that make their homes here. This is the best way to instill a conservation ethic in our children ― for how can we expect them to value something they know nothing about? Schoolchildren weren’t the only ones who participated in our 24 hours of wonder and discovery. Our Friday evening schedule of adult and family programming kicked off with a lively BioBlitz World Music Drum and Song Campfire Jam led by Aimee Gelinas of the musical group Gaia Roots. This powerful musical performance was followed by three scientist-led educational programs, 18
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on fireflies, moths, and owls. Saturday morning’s activities included a bird walk, a fitness hike up Pine Mountain, and a presentation on the invasive Asian Long-horned Beetle. Roughly 70 people from all over Berkshire County turned out to celebrate Pittsfield State Forest’s biodiversity via these exciting programs. Of course, beyond educational programs, the heart of a BioBlitz is the scientific survey itself. Our scientists (including experts in all major groups of organisms) worked tirelessly for 24 hours, collecting (or photographing) and identifying species after species. Pittsfield State Forest is huge: it is nearly 20 miles from north to south, comprises about 10,000 acres, and ranges over 1,000 feet in elevation. Within its borders lie a broad array of habitat types, including open meadows, lowland forests, a bog, streams, and ponds (including the highest body of water in Massachusetts, Berry Pond). Our efforts have provided the first comprehensive baseline data regarding the species that occur in Pittsfield State Forest. This is valuable information with which the DCR, the agency charged with stewardship of the Forest, can more wisely manage this property and its resources. With regard to species numbers, the most diverse group of organisms in the Forest were vascular plants, totaling 316 species. Our experienced botanists knew most of the species they came across, collecting only a small number of specimens of plants that were true unknowns for later identification at the microscope. Vouchers of unusual species were also collected for documentation purposes. All specimens have been deposited in the natural history collections of Harvard University. Unusual species included the bog-loving Botrychium virginianum (rattlesnake fern) and the forest-dweller Conopholis americana (squawroot, a parasitic plant found on oak roots). One state-listed rarity, the goldenrod Solidago macrophylla (largeleafed goldenrod), was also found. Next were the insects and other invertebrates ― the group that should have been the most diverse group in the Forest. In reality, they’re almost certainly more diverse than the vascular plants in Pittsfield State Forest ― we simply didn’t have enough entomologists and other invertebrate specialists on hand to record them all! A total of 257 invertebrate species were seen, including 185 moth species, 14 beetle species, nine butterfly species, five dragonfly species, and one mollusk (Arion subfuscus, the common dusky arion slug, introduced from Europe 100 years ago). The inordinate number of moth species is due to
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Alternative Energy
the First Major Biological Survey in Berkshire County! By Scott LaGreca, PhD
the fact that our primary entomologist is a moth specialist, who set no fewer than four UV-moth-traps throughout the Forest. Five species of regionally uncommon moths that are characteristic of northern hardwood and transition forests north and west of Massachusetts, and along the higher elevations of the Appalachian Chain to the south, were documented, including the inchworm, Heterophelps refusaria (three-patched bigwing), and Smerinthus cerisyi (one-eyed sphinx). Mosses and lichens, respectively, were the third and fourth most diverse groups of organisms recorded in the Forest. Most everyone is familiar with mosses ― small, nonvascular, soft green plants found on soil, rocks, and tree bark. But who would have guessed that Pittsfield State Forest is home to 110 species of them? Lichens are textbook examples of symbiosis: they are fungi that grow in an intimate relationship with algae (or blue-green bacteria). They occur in the same habitats as mosses, and are often found growing together. Some 98 species of lichens were recorded for Pittsfield State Forest, not a very high number relative to other geographic areas of approximately the same size. This is probably due to historical patterns of air pollution in the Northeast (lichens are very sensitive to air pollution). Remarkable finds included the aquatic moss Platyhypnidium riparioides (no common name) and the aquatic lichen Peltigera hydrothyria (waterfan). If you would like to learn more about the lichens and mosses of the Berkshires, you can hear the author deliver a free talk at Bascom Lodge at the top of Mount Greylock on Wednesday, September 15, at 6pm, followed by an optional prix-fixe dinner (www.BascomLodge.net for further details). Who doesn’t like birds? Berkshire County’s longest-running bird club, the Hoffmann Bird Club (70 years old this year!) counted an impressive 65 bird species for our BioBlitz, making birds the fifth most diverse group recorded for the Forest. Bird species don’t necessarily need to be seen to be recorded; their songs are so diagnostic that they can often be positively identified from their songs alone by a keen-eared birder. Highlights from the bird inventory include the Barred Owl (recorded by Rene Wendell during his Friday night owl hike), the Black-billed Cuckoo, the Pileated Woodpecker, the Yellowthroated Vireo, the Common Raven, the Morning Warbler, and the Goshawk. As any naturalist knows, one must rise very early to record most bird species, so we’re especially grateful for the Club’s efforts. Fungi (including slime molds) were the sixth most diverse
group of organisms in the Forest. Our team of mycologists (fungi specialists) were very keen, putting together a list of 47 species. A lack of rain, and the timing of the BioBlitz, limited the number of fungal species. For example, many species of mushrooms fruit in the autumn, so a fall BioBlitz (especially after heavy rains) would undoubtedly have produced a much higher list of fungus species. Fungi of note include Exobasidium rhododendri, which formed balls on the twigs of rhododendron bushes at the summit of Pine Mountain; and Ganoderma lucidulum, a red conk fungus held in high esteem by Chinese herbalists for its medicinal properties. Vertebrate animals (excluding birds) were the least diverse group of organisms recorded during the BioBlitz. However, this group ― mammals (17 species), reptiles (three species) and amphibians (14 species) ― includes some of the best-known and most charismatic species in Pittsfield State Forest, such as Ursus americanus (American Black Bear), Castor canadensis (North American Beaver) and Anaxyrus americanus subsp. americanus (Eastern American Toad). Our group of mammalogists were high spirited and dedicated, camping overnight at Berry Pond and recording bats (four species), setting pit-traps and camera-traps, and hunting for tracks throughout the 24-hour BioBlitz. Their camera traps took stunning photographs of the larger mammals, while pit-traps were useful for recording smaller animals, for example, rodents (five species) and the widely distributed but rarely seen Sorex cinereus (Masked Shrew). Noteworthy among the reptiles was Diodophis punctatus subsp. edwardsii, the elusive Ring-necked Snake. Fish were not recorded as part of our survey work ― an omission that will be remedied at future BioBlitzes. In summary, the cumulative number of all plant, animal, and fungal species recorded in Pittsfield State Forest was an impressive 927 species! A complete report on the Berkshire BioBlitz 2010 is currently being prepared for the DCR. In addition to the DCR report, species lists generated from our survey, as well as generous acknowledgments for the hard work of our scientists, staff, and volunteers (whose names cannot be printed here due to lack of space), together with other information, can be accessed at www.mcla.edu/About_MCLA/Community/ stempipeline/berkshirebioblitz/. ~ Scott LaGreca, PhD, Natural Science Coordinator, Berkshire Museum. Photographs taken by Conrad Vispo, Scott LaGreca, Lisa Provencher, and Jane Winn.
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Alternative Energy
Terry Wise Studio, www.terrywisestudio.com, terry@terrywisestudio.com 20
september 2010
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www.OurBerkshireGreen.
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Alternative Farmers' Markets Energy Adams Farmers’ Market
Fridays 12-6, May 28-Oct 22 60 Columbia St. on Rt. 8, Adams, MA Emma Morin, (413) 743-5613
Berkshire Area Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays and Saturdays 8-2, May 1-Oct 28 Old State Road, Lanesborough, MA, Berkshire Mall parking lot Lenita Bober, (413) 569-3663
Berkshire Harmony Gardeners’ Exchange & Farmers’ Market Fridays 11-6, June 18-Nov 5 Palace Park on North St., Pittsfield, MA Barry Hollister, Barry@BerkshireHarmony.com www.BerkshireHarmony.com, (413) 281-4114
Farmers’ Market of Otis
Saturdays 9-1, May 8-Oct 30 2000 East Otis Rd., Otis, MA 01253 In the parking lot of Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel Jess Ripley & Kathy Carrol OtisFarmersMarket@yahoo.com, (413) 269-9931
Farmers’ Market of Sheffield
Lebanon Valley Farmers’ Market
Sundays 10-2, June 6-Oct 31 In the heart of New Lebanon, NY, on Routes 20 & 22 Carin de Jong, managerLVFM@gmail.com, (518) 860-4294 EBT cards will be accepted
Lenox Farmers’ Market
Fridays 12-4, May 7-Oct 8 Main St. and Cliffwood St., Lenox, MA Triangle Park in downtown Lenox Rose Levine, RosemaryLevine@yahoo.com, (413) 528-8950
Norfolk Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 10-1, June 5-Oct 30 Rt. 44 and Shepard Rd., Norfolk, CT Lisa Auclair and Joel Howard, LisaAuclair@sbcglobal.net www.NorfolkFarmersMarket.org, (860) 542-5153
North Adams Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 8-12:30, July 17-Oct 30 St. Anthony Dr., North Adams, MA In municipal parking lot between Marshall St. and Holden St. Rod Bunt and Joe Bettis jbettisjr@verizon.net, (413) 644-6180
The Nutrition Center Farmers’ Market
Fridays 3:30-6:30, May 21-Oct 8 340 S. Main St. (Rt. 7), Sheffield, MA In the parking lot of Old Parish Church Billie Best, Billie@CrazyWifeFarm.com www.TheSheffieldFarmersMarket.com, (413) 644-8971
Wednesdays 3-6, June 2-Sep 29 94 West Ave., Great Barrington, MA In the parking lot at The Nutrition Center Peter Stanton, www.TheNutritionCenter.org, (413) 429-8110
Great Barrington Farmers’ Market
Park Square Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 9-1, May 8-Oct 30 44 Castle St., Great Barrington, MA At the train station, behind Town Hall Rose Levine, RosemaryLevine@yahoo.com, (413) 528-8950
Saturdays 8-1, June 19-Nov 6 Park Square, Pittsfield, MA Barry Hollister, Barry@BerkshireHarmony.com www.BerkshireHarmony.com, (413) 281-4114
Harvest Market
Williamstown Farmers’ Market
Saturdays 8-12, May 29-late Oct South end of Spring St., Williamstown, MA Anne Guzzi, Roger and Nancy Johnson guzziam@yahoo.com, (413) 458-3365
Thursdays 3-7, June 17-Nov 4 North St. at the Senior Center, Pittsfield, MA Barry Hollister, Barry@BerkshireHarmony.com www.BerkshireHarmony.com, (413) 281-4114
Food & Cooking Julie Gale’s
At the Kitchen Table Cooking School International home-cooking using local & organic food
214 Dawson Road Hillsdale, NY 12529
atthekitchentable@fairpoint.net cell 914-261-1316 www.atthekitchentablecookingschool.com
®
KITCHEN GARDENING:
The Ultimate in “Locally Grown” Save Money. Eat 100% Organic All Year Round. No Soil! No Green Thumb Required! Coupon OBG10 for $10 off!
Steve Meyerowitz, Sproutman | 413-528-5200 | Sproutman.com
D
id you know that enzymes are the biochemical catalysts that turn our food into fuel, stoking the engines (our bodies) to perform efficiently, and that they are destroyed at temperatures over 118 degrees, making even steamed foods less healthy? Enzymes work best in a raw foods diet because they are “alive.” Read more about enzymes and the benefits of a raw foods diet on page 37. www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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Alternative Energy
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Food Stores: Co-ops, Markets & Health SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN THE BERKSHIRES 26 Varieties Including Heirloom Apples � Free wine tasting including Johnny Mash hard cider and French style Cidre’ made with estate grown apples � Free hayrides Saturdays & Sundays � Homemade cider donuts plus fresh fruit pies and artisan cheeses � Hiking on groomed back country trails
Home of the award-winning Furnace Brook Winery
Hilltop Orchards
Open: Thursday-Sunday 11am-5pm 508 Canaan Rd/Rt 295 • Richmond, MA 01254 hilltoporchards.com • Phone: 413-698-3301
Eco-Friendly IPM
fresh. affordable. convenient. Delicious, healthy local & organic food
LOCAL MEATS LOCAL MEAT PRODUCE PRODUCE GROCERIES GROCERIES BAKED GOODS BAKED GOODS PUMPKINS PUMPKINS SQUASHES SQUASHES GOURDS GOURDS
Supporting Local Businesses!
Local and Organic Produce Delivered to Your Door
“Still Floppin Fresh” seafood from The Other Brother Darryl’s Gluten Free Baked Goods
413.442.0888
BerkshireOrganics.com
Now accepting EBT/QUEST Cards
or Visit our Farm Store
Learn how to avoid GMO foods: www.ResponsibleTechnology.org
813 Dalton Division Rd., Dalton, MA 01226
OPEN 7 DAYS: Sun–Thu 5:30am – 9pm | Fri 5:30am – 10pm | Sat 6am – 10pm DELI HOURS: Sun 8am–5pm | Mon–Sat 7am–5pm 413-269-7779 | www.PapasHealthyFoodandFuel.com
PROUDLY CARRYING/SERVING: Berkshire Mountain Bakery Breads & Pizzas Equal Exchange Organic Coffee Homemade Soups, Sandwiches & a variety of Baked Goods Boar’s Heads Meat & Cheese in our newly-expanded Deli
Home of the OT I S FA R M E R S M A R K ET
May 8, 2010 thru October 9, 2010 | 9 a m – 1 p m, R a i n or Shine
L&M Auto, Inc. GULF SERVICE CENTER | 2000 East Otis Rd, East Otis, MA (413) 269-6220
Sister-owned since 1980
Summer: extended hours Winter: closed some Sundays MON - SAT
9:15 - 6 • SUNDAYS 11 - 3 413.637.2721
PHONE/FAX:
11 Housatonic St. Lenox, MA 01240
Ruth Wheeler Jack Sadoway Maggie Sadoway
Tips to Avoid Genetically Modified Organisms - GMOs Tip #1: Buy Organic: Certified organic products cannot intentionally include any GMO ingredients. Buy products labeled “100% organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic ingredients.” You can be doubly sure if the product also has a Non-GMO Project Verified Seal (note that these labels are not required by law). Tip #2: Look for Non-GMO Project Seals: Products that carry the Non-GMO Project Seal are independently verified to be in compliance with North America’s only third party standard for GMO avoidance, including testing of at-risk ingredients. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization committed to providing consumers with clearly labeled and independently verified non-GMO choices. NonGMOProject.org Tip #3: Avoid at-risk Ingredients: If it’s not labeled organic or verified non-GMO: Avoid products made with ingredients that might be derived from GMOs (see list). The eight GM food crops are Corn, Soybeans, Canola, Cottonseed, Sugar Beets, Hawaiian Papaya (most) and a small amount of Zucchini and Yellow Squash. Sugar: If a non-organic product made in North American lists “sugar” as an ingredient (and NOT pure cane sugar), then it is almost certainly a combination of sugar from both sugar cane and GM sugar beets. Dairy: Products may be from cows injected with GM bovine growth hormone. Look for labels stating No rBGH, rBST, or artificial hormones, or check brand listings at NonGMOShoppingGuide.com. Tip #4: Download the Guide: Visit NonGMOShoppingGuide.com to download the growing list of Non-GMO products available and check out the iPhone application, ShopNoGMO free at the iTunes store. ~ These tips come from the Institute for Responsible Technology, which informs consumers about the documented health dangers of genetically modified foods, and publishes a Non-GMO Shopping Guide to help consumers choose healthier non-GMO brands. See www.NonGMOShoppingGuide.com and www.ResponsibleTechnology.org. www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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Green Building, Renovation & Landscape Design
Traditional ● Creative ● Original Design
Quality Craftsmanship
Hartsville Design Licensed & Insured - MA HIC 161562
Ask about Healthier Options for Furniture and Woodwork for Environmentally Sensitive Individuals and Children
Over 35 years of experience. In the Berkshires since 1967.
Custom Cabinetry • Fine Furniture • Staircases
413.528.6133 • Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com
Marvin products are built to be long-lasting and energy-efficient, in plants that have been winning environmental manufacturing awards for over 10 years. Add our innovative recycling and reuse practices and you get more than ordinary windows and doors. You get products with the performance and durability to help you make a difference in your home and the environment for years to come. Learn more at www.marvin.com/green. Look for Marvin Windows and Doors and other green building solutions from...
We share your passion. an Authorized Marvin Installing Retailer
11 Farnam Road, Lakeville, CT • 860.435.2561 Showrooms... Hillsdale, NY 518.325.3131 • Hudson, NY 518.828.9431 800.453.1311 • www.herringtons.com
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Green Building
Health Care
Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency
“HANDLE helped me be aware of my surroundings and be less clumsy. Now I’m noticing other people who could use HANDLE too.” E.G. 11 year old “Finding HANDLE has been a guiding light. Through the practice of simple activities, worlds within me (that had always been beyond my reach) are being discovered with Excitement and Gratitude.” S.A. 65 year old
“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which.” ~ James Michener Contributed by Ed O’Malley, Optimal Sleep LLC, Great Barrington, MA
Health & Beauty Massage • Facials • Body Polish • Waxing Fantasy Tan • Manicures • Pedicures Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics
2 Elm Street in the Heart of Gt. Barrington, MA 413-528-5523 • www.studiodayspa.com
Elizabeth Frishkoff, MSW Certified HANDLE Practitioner
Serving ages 2 years old through adult/seniors with: Attentional Issues Autism/Aspergers Traumatic Brain Injury Memory/Organization Dyslexia/Sensory/ Learning Challenges Sleep/Depression Issues
94 West Ave, Great Barrington, MA 01230 efrish@sover.net 413-528-0477 www.handle.org
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Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative
OPTIMIZE YOUR SLEEP OPTIMIZE YOUR LIFE!
Integrative Health Solutions
s
MiniMal Medication Medicine
What’s safe, what works. Precise, personalized holistic care. Alan Inglis, M.D.
Ed O’Malley, PhD
Diplomat, American Board of Sleep Medicine Offering Biobehavioral Sleep Training: Sleep Strategies, Stress Management and Relaxation Training Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback & Non-linear Neurofeedback
413-298-1001
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The Stockbridge Plain School 50 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Come enjoy a unique set of practices designed to address your particular sleep issues. ▪Telephone (203) 216-3323 Email eddom7@gmail.com
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.
Mary B. O’Malley, MD, PhD
Board-certified in Sleep Medicine and Psychiatry Sleep Medicine · Psychiatry · Spiritual Counseling
Susan B. Lord, M.D.
Holistic approaches to put your mind at ease Come Discover Your Optimal Nature
The Granary • 33 Rossetter St. Suite 2 Great Barrington, MA 01230 413.644.9600 • susan@drsusanlord.com DrSusanLord.com
▪Telephone (203) 556-4846 Email mary.ommm@gmail.com
Optimal sleep, llc • Optimal Neurofeedback, LLC 94 West Avenue, Great Barrington, ma 01230
move
into
Acupuncture
Orchid Blossom Healing Arts
healing.
Life!
Classical Acupuncture • Shiatsu
move into
L Ac. Lauren auren Paul, Paul, Dipl. Dipl. Ac.
GYROTONIC® whole body fitness and exercise promotes health and well-being.
Ming Lash,
rsmt
somatic movement
Graceful, fluid movement, and integral strength increase and sustain the ease and joy of living in a body
413-258-4296 413-258-4296
Marion Bergan Irwin Licensed Acupuncturist
413.684.4888 Crowne Plaza, Pittsfield, MA
413-441-9211 West Stockbridge & Williamstown • MoveIntoHealing.com
Chiropractic & Kinesiology
“Healing is not an intervention ― healing is a journey.” ~ Alberto Villoldo, PhD, Shaman
Contributed by Ed O’Malley, Optimal Sleep LLC, Great Barrington, MA. (203) 216-3323, eddom7@gmail.com. See ad on this page.
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Health Care: Alternative, Alternative Complementary Energy & Integrative Counseling & Therapy
Holistic Psychotherapy Couple/Individual Therapy • Depression • Anxiety • Trauma • Grief Stress & Anger Management • Relationship/Marital Issues Conflict Resolution • General Malaise • Mindfulness Based
PSYCHOTHERAPY ❖ Consultation ❖ Training
Promoting well-being and life fulfillment Dr. Annie Benson
• Psychotherapy and support for children, teens, adults and families. • Mental health consultation and training for schools and agencies. • Team building and wellness consultation for businesses.
Dr. Steve Hoff
500 Main Street Great Barrington, MA 413.528.9504 info@barringtonpsychologycenter.com
www.barringtonpsychologycenter.com
Lorraine Brill, LMHC
EMDR Certified 413-442-0085 • holisticpsych@verizon.net
Psycho-Spiritual Counseling Dream Work Meditation Guidance
Diana Austen, LMSW Release … reclaim … renew … COMPLIMENTARY INTRODUCTORY SESSION 500 S. Main St., 2nd Floor, Gt. Barrington, MA austendiane@yahoo.com 518-929-4364 “I am delighted to announce the opening of my new practice in Great Barrington.”
Eileen Lawlor, LICSW � Short-Term Hypnosis � EMDR � Guided Imagery for Healing � Grief, Loss & Transition Counseling
413.528.7916 � EileenAtStillpointStudio.com
Energy Medicine
Homeopathic Medicine
HOMEOPATHY Henriette Meran
Master Clinician, Advanced Herbalist For more information:
hpmeran@aol.com or call 413.644.9488 Homeopathy strengthens and stimulates the immune system to promote self-healing. We only treat the individual not the symptoms for a cure.
Hypnosis
MEDICAL HYPNOSIS ❖ Quit Smoking ❖ Weight Loss ❖ Pain Relief Stress & Sleep Issues ❖ Prepare for Surgery
SUSAN SPIEGEL SOLOVAY Certified Hypnotist & Trainer/ Classes this Fall /Hillsdale & Great Barrington Free consultation 518.325.6335 ❖ hypnocoachny.com
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Life Coach Transformational Coaching.
Do you need more balance in life, more joy, more meaning in your work? Do you want a life in alignment with the spirit? This coaching will help you achieve your goals by transforming who you are and help you more fully embody your values. Free comp session and referrals. Competitively priced.
Luigi Morelli: Tel 562 324-1014 • www.humanspiritcircles.com
“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” –Mary Oliver
Phoebe Williams
Certified Professional Coach 413.232.7011 phoebekwilliams@gmail.com
Initial Consultation Complimentary
Massage Therapy & Bodywork Authentic Movement
A path to deeper self-knowing through the wisdom of the moving body. Cheryl Ann Luft, MSS, CMA, RSMT Skilled and caring facilitation for over 20 years
Private, individualized somatic movement therapy sessions.
movingwellbeing@gmail.com • (413) 229-8080
Nutrition & Supplements
Deb Phillips Deb Phillips Nutritionist utritionist N
MS, LDN, CHES
www.debphillips.biz
413-446-3205 • deb@debphillips.biz
SHAKLEE CORPORATION DOT SCHELLHAMMER
Massage Therapy & Bodywork
Matt Albert Ortho-Bionomy
for appointments call 413.446.6694
The Art of Wellness
Nanci Worthington LMT
17 Bridge St., Gt. Barrington, MA 01230
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dotschellhammer@live.com
Osteopathic Medicine Rehabilitative Bodywork
MASSAGE THERAPY
e 413 528-3262 •
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS A Green company creating healthier lives for over 50 years
ArtofWellnessLMT.com 413-329-5573 artofwellness@earthlink.net
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Osteopathic Medicine
Physical Therapy
Berkshire Physical Therapy & Wellness Dalton Office
400 Main Street Dalton MA 01226 413-684-9783 Make your appointment today for your Fit Right evaluation!
Pittsfield Office
740 Williams Street Pittsfield MA 01201 413-447-8070 ptpittsfield100@aol.com Lee Office
480 Pleasant Street Lee MA 01238 413-243-3477 ptlee@aol.com www.bluerider.org (413) 528-5299
Randi Haskins-Jordan PT Osteopathic & Manual Techniques
Holistic techniques for pain relief and correction of dysfuntion for adults, infants and children 777 Main Street • At the Barrington Bagel Plaza, Great Barrington, MA 413-644-9474 • randiphysicaltherapy.com
Basic Safe Riding Riding Without Fear Therapeutic Riding & Hippotherapy English, Western, Jumping & Dressage
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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Health Care: Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Reconnective Healing® RECONNECTIVE HEALING ® and THE RECONNECTION ® Marshall Rosenthal* • 413-743-5256 • marshsue@verizon.net *Listed on www.TheReconnection.com Access a new, more comprehensive spectrum of healing than has ever been attainable prior to now!
Reiki
Reiki The Usui System of Natural Healing
Jill Powell
Reiki Master Hinsdale, MA 413-655-2109 | 413-441-3672
Wellness Centers
BERKSHIRE SOUTH
REGIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER
Exciting Fall Offerings at Berkshire South’s NOAH Center Breathe Then Believe Foot Reflexology for Relaxation Meditation on the Breath Yoga for Back Ease and Scoliosis We’re creating classes in arts and adult learning based on member interest! Call us to add your suggestion to the list!
P R O M O T E S S E L F - H EA L I N G , S T R ES S R E L IEF & BA L A N CE Hours by appointment Home visits available
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. ~ www.Reiki.org
Trager® Approach
For more info or to register, call 528-2810 today!
www.berkshiresouth.org
COUPON $10 off services (on services over $50)
Awaken to
Your Best...
PEACE BEYOND RELAXATION Through movement and bodywork
Ellen Russo
Healing Arts
Massage • Reflexology • Reiki • Acupuncture • Coaching • Gifts
Compassion in Motion
105 Main Street, Village Green in Sheffield, MA
413-644-0148
receivepeace@gmail.com • www.compassioninmotion.com
413-229-2066 • awakenhealingarts.com
The . . . patient should be made to understand that he or she must take charge of his own life. Don’t take your body to the doctor as if he were a repair shop. ~ Quentin Regestein
Yoga
Yoga Nude in Albany Transcend Body & Mind
Experience joyful, flowing movement ignited by ujjayi breath.
518-577-8172 • www.YogaNudeInAlbany.com
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Home & Garden
Film & Book Reviews for a Cozy Evening at Home
Custom Cabinetry • Fine Furniture • Staircases
Quality Craftsmanship
Hartsville Design
M
Licensed & Insured - MA HIC 161562
Ask about Healthier Options for Furniture & Woodwork for Environmentally Sensitive Individuals & Children
Traditional ● Creative ● Original Design
413.528.6133 • Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com TO
PEST S OLUTIONS
The New
Ward’s Where Gardeners Grow
Open Open Daily Daily 88 AM AM - 5:30 PM PM
600 S. Main Street - Gt. Barrington 413-528-0166 www.wardsnursery.com www.wardsnursery.com
GOOD THROUGH 11/24/10. VOID ON SALE ITEMS.
10% OFF Y OUR PURCHASE - LOCAL & ORGANIC - HOLIDAY DECOR
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
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ally
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c Offering full service landscaping including design , maintenance, and installation with organic principles applied
an
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c RI CH LAS S OR • 413.325.1101 d
Feng Shui
Practical Feng Shui
• Create beauty/improve functionality in your home or office • Renew & redesign using what you have • Enhance to sell
alison shore gaines
Certified Feng Shui Consultant Since 1996 • 413.442.3604 • asgaines07@aol.com
By Rodelinde Albrecht
y favorite theme (whether for a movie or a book) is love. It goes with the territory for my business, but that’s not the only reason. It’s also because ― as everyone from the Bible (“but the greatest of these is love”) to the Beatles (“All You Need Is Love”) reminds us ― love is literally at the heart of our lives. Sometimes we find romantic love in the nick of time. Sometimes we simply seem to be love. Sometimes we don’t realize how much we love (and are loved) until death takes one of us away. Last Chance Harvey (2008) is an intelligent romantic comedy. Harvey (Dustin Hoffman) and Kate (Emma Thompson) are farouche misfits: the jazz pianist manqué who writes advertising jingles for a living and the gawky statistician whose mother has made a hobby of her daughter’s single state. Harvey and Kate’s paths cross from time to time ― tangentially and unpromisingly ― as we follow each of them in turn. He’s desperately trying to keep his job in the States while pretending that he’s not devastated that his daughter, for whose wedding he’s come to London, has asked her stepfather to give her away. She’s coping with a blind date set up by well-meaning colleagues while soothing her mother’s paranoia about the new Polish neighbor. Their friendship finally blossoms, haltingly, in the airport bar, where he’s taking refuge in drink and she in her book. Speaking of Harveys: If you’ve never seen Jimmy Stewart in the 1950 black-and-white classic Harvey, something is missing from your wonderful life. Like good wine, good movies improve with age. (Don’t be tempted by the 1999 remake: amusing in its own right, it doesn’t have the astringent, complex, full-bodied characteristics of the original.) This film, about unquestioning love for the entire human race, also explores another pet theme of mine: Who’s crazy and who’s sane? Cherry Blossoms (2008) is a German film about the intricacies and frustrations of human communication, the sacrifices we willingly make for love, and how we cope with the loss of someone we realize we never really knew. Deep subjects, leavened with laughter and made bearable by sheer beauty of imagery. In The Uncommon Reader (Alan Bennett, 2007), the Queen remarks to Sir Kevin that “Books are not about passing the time. They’re about other lives. Other worlds.” I've recently entered the other world of Sam Gardner, Philip Gulley’s alter ego in the Harmony novels. The title Home to Harmony (2002) caught my eye amongst the audiobooks (I love being read to). In a raspy Midwest drawl reminiscent of Tom Waits, the author himself reads this tale of Quaker life, filled with acerbic wit and universal lessons drawn from the frailties and foibles of Harmony’s inhabitants. Come visit!
~ Rodelinde Albrecht is the Director of Concerned Singles, an online service that, for more that 25 years, has brought together socially conscious, progressive singles who care about social justice, race and gender equity, the environment, and personal growth. www.ConcernedSingles. com. See advertisement on page 39.
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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Midnight with Moths By Judy Sullivan
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www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
12:30 am. ownstairs, the dog whines softly, but persistently. “Now,” he insists. “I need to go outside now.” Reluctantly disentangled from Morpheus’ embrace, I stumble through the living room to confront that fourfooted faker, that dew-clawed deceiver, that . . . alliteration abandons me. I flip the switch for the outside light and open the door. Minutes pass. Too many for simple urination. Suspicious, I peer through the window. No dog in sight. “Have to pee, huh?” I mutter through clenched teeth. “Well, urine trouble now, buddy.” I poke my head out the door, immediately enveloped in soft fluttering. Step out, bare feet gripping the wooden step, and twist to observe the porch light. It shimmers with wings. Small wings, broad wings, jet-fighter wings. Brown, tawny, striped, and speckled. Petite, forest-green wings and black-and-white Broadway splashes. Patterns to make a fashion designer dream. They are not only drawn to the light, they are trapped by it, their senses overwhelmed. Our nocturnal hours are often spent cocooned in living rooms and bedrooms, so we rarely consider the moth, unless it’s the Indian grain moth that infests boxes of pasta and cereal or, perhaps, carpet moths, those surprisingly delicate chompers of sweaters and rugs. Our reaction to these is often less one of interest and more one of alarm or disgust. Yet very few of this fascinating branch of the Lepidoptera are considered pests. Even the notorious gypsy moth caterpillars are staple fare of mice and birds. The monarch butterfly basks in royal acclaim while the Virginia creeper sphinx moth drifts by unnoticed. Granted, luna moths have achieved commercial fame, and who can deny their ethereal beauty? However, fluttering about flowers, hidden beneath leaf litter, or blending into bark are these winged creatures that masquerade as glorious kites, bees, wasps, and even flies. Wings in vigorous vibration, or softly spread across leaf or shingle, are intricately patterned with minute scales. Plumy antennae capture scent and pheromone molecules on the breezes, as well as stabilize flight and signal course corrections. Whisking through the night, pursued by beak or bat. Hiding by day, frequently concealed in plain sight. Surely there are diurnal moths as well. Hummingbird moths, zooming from flower to flower, have fooled many a novice naturalist into believing that they’re witnessing a young hummingbird up close. Undercover moths pollinate our flowers and feed our birds, frogs, bats, foxes, and many others. Moth-preferred plants tend to be white or yellow, and upright in form, the easier to see at night. They’re often fragrant, as many moths have a keen sense of smell. For example, sphinx moths, in quest of nectar, visit native species such as fringed orchid, beardtongue, Culver’s root, goldenrod, and vervain. Others, such as the luna, have no mouth parts and spend their fleeting week of adulthood solely in reproductive pursuits.
Still, having flowers that moths visit is only one way of supporting them. There are eggs, larvae (caterpillars), and pupae to consider. They may be anywhere. Single droplets or aggregations of geometric form found under leaves, tucked in bark, scattered over soil, secreted under shingles, or, as I once discovered, firmly glued to the trunk of a car. Some remain for brief days; others ride out the Northeastern winter with the rest of us. Larvae emerge to eat until their sides split, after which they eat again and again, with the same result. Tastes vary according to species. Sedges, violets, irises, willows, birches, and oaks are all popular; but there are far more than could be listed here. When the larvae are stuffed to the hilt and ready to pupate, the same diversity of selection applies to sites. There are pupae hidden everywhere: luna in fallen leaves, sphinx snuggled in loose soil, cecropia stretched along a well-concealed twig. Again, their time of transformation may take days, even whole seasons. Our mindfulness and hospitable attention to their food and lodging keeps them for another generation, be it theirs or ours. I hear a rustling in the front yard. The prodigal dog appears, panting after his investigation of night intruders. Wordlessly, I open the door and he slinks inside. Morpheus a distant dream, I return to the porch and my halo of moths, they overwhelmed by the light . . . and I by them. Information collected from John Himmelman, Discovering Moths: Nighttime Jewels in Your Own Backyard. Camden, Maine: Down East Books, 2002. ~ Judy Sullivan, Project Native. See advertisement below.
Project Native’s 2nd Native Knowledge Conference a day-long conference & eco-exhibit
Saturday, Sept. 25th 8:30am - 4:00pm
Monument Mountain Regional High School
s ker a e l sp its na o hib i x t e p e al Exc on i t * duca g E nin g i * ook s B
*
Register early & save! Tickets $30 Register online at projectnative.org or Call 413-274-3433
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
Funding provided by The Dr. Robert C. & Tina Sohn Foundation.
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Dirty Laun dry
Airing Our Dirty Laundry
Choosing Environmentally Responsible Soaps, Detergents & Dryer Products
Soap Nuts Charlie's Soap
By Jenny Gitlitz
One of the nicest things about spring, summer, and fall is hanging laundry outside on the line. Yes, I have a dryer, but I prefer hanging the wash in the sun. It saves energy (reducing my carbon footprint, and money spent on electricity), it’s gentler on clothes, and it smells fresh. More than that, I like the activity itself. Looking over the fence into my neighbors’ yards as I hang the shirts and shorts, chatting with them as they pull weeds. Watching the birds and the squirrels run around my yard. Checking the progress of the compost heaps behind my garage, or catching a glimpse of the neighborhood kids riding by on their bikes. There is nothing that feels quite so wholesome as hanging clothes outside. My neighbor Doris, who lived in our house for almost 40 years before we bought it, used to hang her clothes year round, using lines she strung up from the basement rafters. In the winter, I now continue her tradition, and feel almost as good about the act as I do when the weather’s warm. One benefit of drying clothes in the basement in winter is adding moisture to your house’s very dry air ― that’s good for our nasal passages and our flaky skin. Don’t hang them in the basement in the humid summertime, though; they’re likely to mildew. So: all good, this nod to the past when people had more time and fewer household gadgets. But what about the stuff we wash our clothes in? What kind of chemicals lurk in the detergents we use? Many older phosphate surfactants that contributed to eutrophication (overgrowth of algae leading to oxygen depletion that harms lake and stream ecology) have been replaced with biodegradable surfactants, but some leading national brands still contain phosphates. There are also many chemicals of concern in mainstream brands, such as ethyl alcohol (ethanol), a suspected carcinogen, developmental toxicant, and toxicant to many organ systems; and 2-aminoethanol (ethanolamine), a suspected neurological, respiratory, and skin toxicant. Many contain chemicals that release benzene during manufacture, as well as petroleum distillates (suspected cardiovascular, neurological, and respiratory toxicants); chlorine bleach compounds that are toxic in the environment; and phenols, which have a broad range of human toxic effects. Last year when our store, Green Depot, introduced an assortment of environmentally responsible laundry products, I was skeptical about one of the offerings: Maggie’s Soap Nuts. I didn’t think I was that, well, crunchy. But I tried it and was hooked. These are nuts (berries, actually) from the Chinese soapberry tree 34
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Sapindus mukorrosi that contain saponins, or natural surfactants. Species of Sapindus grow in many parts of the world, including North America. Native peoples have used them to wash their clothes and bodies for thousands of years. But only the Asian ones are harvested commercially ― by many manufacturer-distributors ― and they are easy to find on the web. If you buy soapnuts, you put about five nuts in a small cotton drawstring bag, and throw it into the washing machine with your clothes. They can be reused up to five times, and then you change the nuts (and compost the used ones, of course!). A cold water wash is recommended, although you can do hot as well ― the nuts just won’t last as long. They’re very low-sudsing, and don’t need to be removed prior to the rinse cycle. There is no residue left on the clothes, and they’re naturally soft; you don’t have to use fabric softeners or dryer sheets. When first using them, you may detect a slight musky or woodsy odor. After a year of using the nuts, I don’t notice it at all. If nuts just seem too ― well, nutty ― to you, Maggie’s also comes in a prediluted liquid form. Another favorite of mine is Charlie’s Soap. It comes in both liquid and powder, and contains no dyes, perfumes, phosphates, or brighteners. It’s gentle and hypoallergenic, and is excellent as a stain remover if applied directly to the stain and worked in with an old toothbrush. For commercial customers who want to buy concentrates by the gallon, I like Greenmaker’s laundry detergent. Dye-free, and available fragrance-free, it is formulated with biodegradable ingredients that are safe in septic and graywater systems. Locally, you can get residential-size products such as Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent at Guido’s Fresh Marketplace in Lenox or Great Barrington. It’s made from plant- and mineralbased ingredients rather than petrochemical derivatives, and the company is very serious about providing full ingredient disclosure on their website and labels. Guido’s carries several other green laundry brands: Mrs. Meyers, which is marketed primarily for its therapeutic effects; Earth Friendly Ecos, which contains coconutkernel-oil-based surfactant; Ecover, one of the natural detergents that’s been on the market since the 1980s; and Planet, which doesn’t contain optical brighteners, those tiny chemical particles that adhere to clothing to make it reflect more blue light and appear brighter to the eye, and that may cause skin irritation. It’s not just the natural food stores and green product specialists that are getting into the act. Last year, Home Depot intro-
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
Planet
Line Dry
Dryer Balls
duced its Martha Stewart Clean line (produced by Hain Celestial). The full line of cleaning products is approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment (DfE) program, a government program that provides technical advice to private industry with the goal of increasing the number of consumer products formulated with safer chemistry in mind. For a comprehensive list of laundry detergents that have been awarded the DfE certification label, go to www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/proj ects/formulat/formpartc.htm#cdetergent Liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets seem desirable because they reduce static cling, remove wrinkles, and make clothes feel softer and smell “fresher”. However, they’re formulated to stay in clothes rather than being rinsed out and it’s tough to figure out exactly what’s in the leading brands, and whether the ingredients might pose a health risk. There are very few chemicals listed on the material safety data sheets for most leading brand dryer sheets and softeners. If you really dig, you’ll find that P&G’s Downy and Sun’s Snuggle Silky II both contain the toxicant ethanol. Colgate-Palmolive’s Fluffy contains eugenol, a suspected gastrointestinal, liver, immunological, skin or sense organ, and neurological toxicant; and coumarin, a suspected carcinogen, cardiovascular, gastro, and liver toxicant. Each of these is used at less than a 1% concentration, but more than 95% of the product ingredients are not revealed on the MSDS at all. Environmental and health organizations warn consumers not to be fooled by the missing information. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration only requires MSDSs for liquids that are potentially hazardous during transportation or occupational use. Consumer products ― as well as fragrances, dyes, and preservatives containing a host of chemicals ― are exempt. As for labels: the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the sale of cosmetics, doesn’t consider many chemicals to be toxic when applied to the skin, so many ingredients don’t need to be listed. But we know from nicotine patches that chemicals do get absorbed through the skin. We also breathe fumes when we do the laundry, or when we smell vapors from our neighbors’ houses. According to Dr. Olga Naidenko, senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, “A loophole in federal legislation exempts fragrance ingredients from having to be listed on cosmetic packaging. This loophole extends beyond personal care
Clean & h s e Fr
products, so the ‘mountain fresh scent’ of your fabric softener could be a combination of any of 3,163 different ingredients used in fragrances, according to information released recently by the International Fragrance Association.” Dr. Naidenko states that a number of these ingredients have been linked to such health concerns as hormone disruption or allergies, and that some fragrance ingredients can persist in the human body after exposure. The good news is that chemical reform legislation has been introduced in Congress. If passed, the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 would require premarket testing and more transparency regarding the chemicals we are exposed to in consumer products.
Until such time, there are alternatives: 1. Use dryer sheets and softeners from companies that disclose all their ingredients, such as Seventh Generation or Ecover. 2. Use 3-4 dryer balls such as Buddha Bunz, handmade in Tennessee from undyed, unscented wool. They fluff the laundry as it dries, eliminating wrinkles, and they allow freer air circulation, increasing energy efficiency by 25 to 50%, reducing your carbon footprint and saving you money. 3. To soften clothes and reduce static cling, add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle, and/or 1/4 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. If you like a floral or herbal scent, add a few drops of essential oils such as lemon or lavender. 4. To reduce wrinkles, give clothes a good shake before hanging them on the line. Smoothing them manually (blocking) will also make them a cinch to fold.
Things to consider when selecting a laundry product: • • • • • •
Does it contain chemical dyes or fragrances? Is it certified as biodegradable by a third-party organization? Does it have the EPA DfE label? Is it made from plant-based or from synthetic ingredients? Are all the ingredients disclosed, or just some of them? Has it been tested on animals?
So, whether you use a clothesline or a dryer, consider taking a closer look at what you’re washing and drying your clothes with. Your family’s skin, lungs, and general health could benefit from a switch.
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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In Business: Greening Up!
SB
potlight on Green & Holistic usinesses in Our Community
Bruce Mandel
Performing Songwriter House Concerts Who I Am
I am a storyteller and a dreamer – I paint and sculpt my ideas, dreams, and life with words and music and I put my songs out into the world through performance and recording.
Where It All Began
There was always music in my home while I was growing up. Classical, standards, rock, folk, country, and jazz . . . you name it. I checked it all out. I loved it all! Before I first picked up a guitar at the age of 10, shortly after discovering the Beatles, I was an early master of the air guitar.
Why A House Concert?
After many years of traveling around the country playing music, I’ve found that one of the most rewarding settings for me in which to share my music is the house concert setting. As a songwriter, it is not always pos-
Paperclip Studio Collaborative marketing for small business through consulting, writing, and design. I help people clarify what they need in order to grow their business, and to create language and materials that work. People hire me to provide information, resources, and support.
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body, and the soul. Music is a medium that affects and connects all three. Music can provoke thought, encourage dreams, and evoke emotions. This is what I strive for as an artist.
How To Find Me
Visit www.BruceMandel.com to learn about house concerts, my music, and performance schedule. bruce@brucemandel.com, (413) 269-7229. See ad on page 13.
Music Is For Mind, Body & Soul
I believe that music is holistic in that it is a part of a whole, healthy, nurturing existence/experience. Most of us agree that there is a connection between the mind, the
What I Offer
Owner: Andrea Feldman What I Do
sible for me to know if I make a connection with you as the listener. But when we are sitting in the same room sharing and experiencing the moment together, the feedback is immediate. There is an energy exchanged between the audience and the performer that seems to thrive in this intimate setting. We both can see and feel this connection be it in a smile, a tear, a nod of your head, or a faraway look in your eyes. And that, for me, is the ultimate. The house concert host often allows for time before and/or after a house concert where everyone gets to hang out (often in a potluck setting). You might meet a new friend, or finally get to catch up with an old friend. With a smaller-scale live performance, like a house concert, you and I have the opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level than is often afforded on a larger scale in a public venue.
I provide tools to help my clients develop their message, build relationships, and increase traffic and sales. I work with startup businesses as well as established businesses on networking skills and materials including elevator speeches, business cards, online newsletters, press releases, flyers, and web presence.
How I Got Started
Paperclip Studio grew organically out of a related business I still operate called Get Organized. When I work with an organizing client, I assess how they operate in their day-to-day activities and create ways to increase productivity. Clients and friends began asking me to share information and advice on using their computers and how to include more promotional strategies and tools in their business. As more and more people appeared to need this kind of help, I realized that through my own experience, I could advise, teach them how to do it, or actually do it for them if they chose.
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
What Makes Me Green/Holistic?
I have great empathy with those who have chosen a unique path. I help to save personal energy, time, and money through raising consciousness and leveraging experiences and products. I connect people with other community members for information, goods, and services.
The Most Unique Thing About Me I’m funny.
What My Clients Will Experience
Clients often know what result they want, but not how to get there. I ask good questions, I listen well, and I am better able to convey effectively their message through words and pictures. Because I always partner with the client, there’s less guesswork and more increased satisfaction all around.
Where To Find Me
(413) 655-7766 andrea@paperclipstudio.com www.PaperclipStudio.com. See ad on page 14.
Sproutman® Brings Raw Food to the Table By Paula Schutzmann
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et’s bring the truism “You are what you eat” to a new level of consciousness where we heighten our awareness beyond what we eat to how and why we eat what we eat. Once you have fully (or even partially!) wrapped your arms around the foods you embrace in your life, then you can begin thinking about whether you want to eat raw foods versus cooked foods. Leaving behind processed foods of all types, we begin to get down to basics, and food basics are Steve Meyerowitz’s specialty! Known as the Sproutman, Steve is a nationally known proponent of raw foodism. Having spent the better part of his adult life promoting healthy eating through sprouting and eating raw foods, Steve is on a mission to expand our horizons where food is concerned. Raw foods are more than a diet; they are a belief system founded on a spiritual base that is nonviolent, healing, and free of “dis-ease.” So what is raw foodism? No, it’s not a cult! Quite simply, it is a lifestyle and a diet promoting uncooked, organic, and unprocessed plant-based foods to achieve maximum health benefits and avoid chronic degenerative disease. In a raw food diet, vegetables are eaten in their 100-percent bioactive state and not denatured by processing, freezing, canning, or cooking. It is a commonly accepted fact that the average American diet promotes heart disease, atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic disease. If you think of your body as a giant plumbing complex from one end to the other, you realize the significance of our lengthy gastrointestinal tract and everything that passes through it contributing something to the daily grind. And that’s where enzymes come into the picture. Enzymes work best in a raw foods diet because they are alive. They are the biochemical catalysts that turn our food into fuel, stoking the engines (our bodies) to perform efficiently. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures over 118 degrees, making steamed foods less healthy, too. The three primary digestive enzymes are protease, lipase, and amylase, which digest proteins, lipids (fats), and carbohydrates. Amylase starts working once food enters the mouth, while lipase works mainly in the liver, and protease comes from the pancreas. Studies have shown that cooking foods makes the body work harder to reap the benefits of the food we ingest, thus putting unnecessary stress on our vital organs. In addition, cooked foods digest more slowly, increasing the potential for fermentation and intestinal toxemia. Fatigue, inflammation, headaches, allergies, asthma, skin eruptions, arthritis, and various GI upsets can all be linked to inefficient digestion. The result of ignoring these basic food facts may shorten lifespans and increase the probability of chronic illness. Who needs that! Getting better enzymatic activity is just one of the benefits of raw food. To quote the Sproutman, “This diet forces a higher level of education about food and an increased awareness about what you eat and when you eat it. That’s a good thing no matter what diet you are on. Secondly, this is a spiritual diet. It increases your awareness about your lifestyle, the earth as the source of your food, the sanctity of the environment including soil, air,
and water, and a respect for other living creatures – a reverence for life. Thirdly, it is a diet that focuses on the purity of the biophysical body. It treats the body as your inner temple.” Steve recently hosted a raw foods dinner at Berkshire South Community Center in Great Barrington as a fundraiser to support and promote the NOAH Center’s wellness programs. NOAH (New Opportunities for Achieving Health) was adopted by Berkshire South in 2009 to round off the center’s programming to foster health education in our area. Expanding beyond fitness programs, NOAH programs seek to educate the community about disease prevention, incorporating the whole range of complementary and integrative health strategies and modalities so richly represented in South County. The raw foods dinner was prepared by Steve and served to a full house of 42 health-conscious attendees, some experiencing raw foods for the first time. One guest described the dinner as “a tasty adventure,” “a palette of new colors and textures, so delicious and alive,” while another commented that they felt “light, but nourished.” Served with lime coconut water, the kale chip appetizer was a crowd pleaser. Steve is serious about bringing NOAH to the forefront of health education in our region, working on the NOAH Advisory Committee along with other local practitioners and Berkshire South’s new wellness and fitness director, John Parker. Programming is ongoing with many interesting topics being scheduled. A Cancer Survivor’s Forum featuring local cancer survivors sharing their successes is planned for early December. To learn more about the NOAH programs, you can email jparker@berkshiresouth.org or call Berkshire South Community Center located in Great Barrington at (413) 528-2810. ~ See Sproutman’s ad on page 21.
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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Lifestyles & Perspectives
P&
ersonal Experience of Green Holistic Living in Our Community
Jeanne Bassis
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HOW YOU KNOW HER: “Basically, I play for a living. I founded PlayReflections®: Playshops for the Kid in Everyone 25 years ago. From working with children with autism, to professional retreats, I teach people how to activate their creative spirit and to access the vital skills that grow out of play. A playful approach to life is an antidote to stress that brings more health and vibrancy. I host a weekly radio show on WBCR-lp called In The Spirit of Play. It is a platform for music that moves the heart, the soul, and the body, and includes guests who are following their creative paths and so inspire us to play at life.”
groups or large, I value each participant as a resource. Playshops reflect my philosophy that life’s adventures unfold magically when people feel good about themselves.”
LIVING IN THE BERKSHIRES: “I have been in the Berkshires for 18 years, making connections with truly incredible people.”
BEST ADVICE: “Find a way to bring play into your everyday life. My aspiration is to play with as many people on the planet as I possibly can.”
WHAT LIGHTS HER UP: “People coming together to make good stuff happen. I am an active volunteer for several community organizations and see the difference we can make together.” A HEALING POWER: “I started PlayReflections® after discovering the power of play to transform adults. I believe in the healing power of play and its role in promoting health and self-esteem. Whether I’m working with children or adults, small 38
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www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
FAVORITE QUOTE: “We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quit playing.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes INSPIRATION: “Children, nature, laughter, tears, hugs, what a heartful, committed group of people can make happen.”
BEING GREEN: “That’s so easy to do in this community! I belong to the Berkshire Co-op Market and the Mahaiwe CSA, and I pay attention to my footprint. I also visit the many local historical cultural venues in the Berkshires.” Jeanne Bassis can be reached at (413) 528-5732. www.PlayReflections.com, playyes@playreflections.com. See ad at right.
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“The spiritual path is simply the journey of living our lives. Everyone is on a spiritual path; most people just don't know it.” ~ Marianne Williamson
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Our Marvelous Messy Connection By Karlee Fain, KYT, LMT
I
looked closely. Surely I must be mistaken. Were those tears streaming down my instructor’s face? My distracting suspicion was confirmed when a fellow student piped up, “Karen, are you crying?” “Yes,” she replied. “My daughter’s pet died this morning, and she was really upset. It hurts to see my child feel such sadness.” Had she been acting appropriately, our teacher would have gotten a tissue, dried her eyes, and moved on. Thankfully, she did not. Instead, our fearless leader asked, “If it’s alright with you, I’m going to keep crying while I teach.” What could we say? The class, speechless and unsure, gradually nodded with approval. To our surprise, however, the world continued to spin, and class went on. Eventually Karen’s tears lessened and stopped, but our connection as a group without judgment was stronger than ever. I can’t remember what yoga pose we did next or how stretched or not my muscles felt after that class. I can’t tell you the names of everyone in the room, or what month of the year it was. But I can tell you that this moment has inscribed itself in my memory, earning a well-deserved spot on my list of watershed experiences. For on that day, Karen had unwittingly issued a challenge to me: Do I have what it takes to be the real me, even if I think it’s not what people want to see? At a recent gathering of Workshop Presenters and Wellness Center Executives, we found ourselves discussing the people who had inspired us. After naming many talented psychologists, spiritual leaders, and authors we set out to discuss why these particular presenters kept us coming back for more. And the answer was unanimous – they were human. Like my instructor, these powerful leaders were strong enough to expose the messy sides of themselves. They shared personal struggles, failures, and disappointments alongside their powerful successes and inspiration. They’ve toppled the pedestal we’d placed them on, reminding us that while they are exceptional leaders, they have also made mistakes. Yes, even celebrities, world leaders, and dare I say Lady Gaga, have said the wrong thing at the wrong time or experienced challenging moments. They’ve dared to
remove their public mask and let us see the broad spectrum of life experience that makes them human. I think most of us have seen Oprah cry at least once on air. We can connect to their messy stories and be reminded that perhaps there is hope for us, too. Not just in spite of, but because of my own messy moments, I too have much to offer the world. It would have been easy for us to judge our instructor, Karen. Her students were paying money to learn how to stretch, not to be bummed out, right? But in the face of such honesty and gentle grief, judgment took a quick backseat to compassion. Every one of us in that room has had a moment where we have lost the battle to hold back tears at an inconvenient time (I’ve caught myself more than once tearing up at a television commercial or next to the Cheerios in aisle 4). And so, rather than judging Karen, I felt permission to witness my own experience, noticing how I was really feeling that day. If Karen could give herself permission to be human, feeling the full range of emotions even if that appeared messy, could I do it too? Could I lift the restrictive bars of self-judgment long enough to let my true emotions surface? Sometimes the answer is still no. “Nope, not ready to tell my boss she’s crazy.” “Nah, I’d look nuts if I laughed out loud in line at the post office.” But sometimes the answer is yes. Yes, I will speak my truth on this one. “The truth is that it doesn’t work for me when you run late to all of our appointments. Can you be on time next week?” “I’m having a hard day, can you come over?” And those messy moments make it all worth while. When I know that the outcome may be a deeper connection with the person next to me, any nervousness about speaking my truth becomes a small price to pay. Many of my clients have admitted that the reason they enjoyed a session with me is not on account of my extensive training and technique, but because I am so playfully human. This is the highest compliment, that my humanness has inspired them as well to enjoy what makes them unique. As for me, with permission to be a “C” student in the classroom of external appearance, I am having much more fun discovering daily my marvelously messy connection to those around me. Got messy?
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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Is Your Memory on Vacation?
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By Nina Anderson
hen we read articles about mind, body, and spirit, our brain engages. The mind is the most important of the three, since it controls what we think, how our body reacts, and whether we are relaxed enough to let our spirit in. But when that mind goes on vacation at the wrong time we start to wonder. Most of us have had the experience of misplacing our keys or, worse yet, locking them in the car. It really doesn’t matter whether we are 6 or 60; we all have memory lapses from time to time. We used to think that when we reached retirement age, we were expected to repeat ourselves and to forget to turn off the stove. Unfortunately, this behavior is showing up at earlier ages; from simply forgetting where you put something to not remembering a familiar friend’s name. Memory lapses can be attributed to the following: aging, alcohol overuse, aluminum toxicity, Alzheimer’s, anesthetics, chemical synthesis, chronic infections, dehydration and loss of electrolytes, depression, drugs, head trauma, high-fat diet, menopause, mineral deficiencies, oxidative damage to the brain (which affects the myelin sheath of the nerves), seizures, stroke, synthetic estrogens, and vitamin deficiencies. In a perfect body, we find that a normal brain is composed of tissue that is fat and healthy with tight spaces between the tissues. The same brain suffering from Alzheimer’s is shriveled and the tissues have large gaps between them. This is a result of nerve cells dying. When enough nerve cells die, memory is affected. The amyloid plaque that kills brain cells may form when melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain, is deficient. This has normally been thought of as a condition of aging. Unfortunately, there are chemical imbalances appearing in younger people that can throw off hormone function. There are more reasons for memory atrophy and although technical, this description helps us understand how important the whole body is to brain function.
that can have a negative effect on the chemical-dependent neurotransmitter function. Distraction, fatigue, apathy, loss of sensory perception (vision, hearing), and too much information to process (neural overload), all may induce temporary memory loss. Electrolyte deficiency is a strong factor in the ability of our body to operate as it is designed to do. Since the brain is mostly water, it is common sense to assume that we must stay hydrated. Minerals are the spark that helps run the electrical sending units in our memory, therefore drinking plenty of water with added electrolytes (not just sodium and potassium) is the best choice. Specific nutrients play a constructive part in nerve health, and if we have dietary deficiencies, memory loss may surface. Specific nutrients that help the brain include lecithin and lecithinderived supplements such as phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine. Good fats, such as essential fatty acids (EFAs), are extremely important in maintaining the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibers in the brain. People embracing a low-fat diet regimen may actually be compromising their brain’s health by avoiding all fats, including the EFAs. Several supplements are beneficial to the brain including CoQ10, polysaccharide peptides (PSP), and betaine as well as herbs such as rhodiola rosea and ginkgo biloba. Our eating habits can also play a big part in the health of our brain. Many animals used for food are fed hormone-laden feed to fatten them up. Synthetic estrogen hormones may remain in animal tissue after slaughter and end up in your meat. In some cases, Alzheimer’s has been linked to these synthetic estrogens. Free-range organic meat is normally free of these hormone residues. Pesticides in food and environmental toxins can lead to an alteration in normal bodily operation, with resulting stress on the chemical balance of the brain. Therefore it is wise to take a good look at your diet and lifestyle, reduce your use of chemicals, and visit a health food store more often.
Brain function can also be affected by the side effects of prescription drugs. If you experience memory loss when taking drugs, please make your physician aware of this condition. Many times your forgetful behavior may not be diagnosed as associated with the drug. If misdiagnosed, further drug protocols for preventing Alzheimer’s or dementia may be prescribed. To relieve these senior moments, all you may need to do is stop taking the drug. Common drugs that may affect memory are as follows: Aldomet, Ascendin, Dalmane, Elavil, Equanil, Haldol, Inderal, Mellaril, Pepcid, Symmetrel, Tagamet, Valium, and Xantac.¹
An illustrated text in the book Overcoming Senior Moments² simplifies brain health to the following: drinking mineralized water, eating the good fats, and doing exercises that cross the midline. Slow midline-crossing movements facilitate neural activity and are advocated by the HANDLE Institute® and the Educational Kinesiology Foundation. These movements can be as simple as swinging your arms across your chest or visualizing an X. With a healthy diet, avoidance of environmental and dietary toxins, and a wee bit of exercise, we can keep remembering who we are, what we want, and where we put our keys, well into our 90s and beyond.
Unseen culprits may also affect your memory. Since the brain is primarily chemical in nature, it is logical to assume that emotions affecting our body chemistry also affect neural function. Anxiety, depression, and stress are the most common emotions
1. Health After 50, Johns Hopkins Medical Letter, July 1996. 2. Overcoming Senior Moments, by Frances Meisner and Nina Anderson, is available at bookstores nationwide, through www.ForeverYoungCatalog.com, and directly from the publisher, www.SafeGoodsPub.com, located in Sheffield, MA.
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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Nonprofit Organizations
SO
potlight on Nonprofit Alternative Energy rganizations in Our Community Who They Are
The Guthrie Center’s mission is to bring individuals together for cultural, educational, and spiritual exchange. The Center is dedicated to meeting the ongoing needs of the community by working together with other nonprofit agencies to serve those in need. In doing, so we hope to create an atmosphere where individuals can come together to cultivate a deeper awareness of culture, humanity, and the global family of which we all are a part. Alice’s Restaurant isn’t around anymore. But, as the song says, “Alice didn’t live in a restaurant. She lived in the church nearby the restaurant.” And the old Trinity Church, where Alice once lived and where the saga began, has become home to The Guthrie Center and The Guthrie Foundation. In addition, a not-for-profit educational foundation is also housed within the Trinity Church. The foundation was formed to help provide local cultures with the means to preserve traditional music, stories, medicine, dance, and spiritual practices in the face of an ever-encroaching globalization.
Who They Are
The Berkshire Music School is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2010. It is the School’s mission to provide quality education in music, and musical opportunities to people in the greater Berkshire community, regardless of race, sex, religion, ethnic origin, age, disability, or ability to pay. No one is ever turned away because of financial constraints. This past fall we awarded more than $17,000 in need- and merit-based scholarships. BMS is an independent, nonprofit organization. Tuition covers 55% of actual expenses; the rest comes from our generous local community. This year, BMS has almost 400 students taking regular weekly lessons taught by 40 faculty members.
Green Tip
Did you know that your grandpa’s fiddle in the attic can be donated to BMS and go into the hands of a worthy student needing an instrument, or maybe even become a work of art? Check out our Painted Violin Project at http://sites. google.com/site/bmsviolins/
“Thank you for Thanksgiving food, fun, and laughter.” ~ Andrea Jackson “I got dragged here by my mom. And had fun.” ~ Skyler, Rindge, NH
Contact
Tracy Wilson, Executive Director 30 Wendell Avenue Pittsfield, MA 01201 (413) 442-1411 twilson@berkshiremusicschool.org berkshiremusicschool.org
Contact
George Laye
Tracy Wilson
Who They Are
Community Access to the Arts nurtures and celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities through shared experiences in the visual and performing arts. CATA provides nearly 1,000 individual workshops in Berkshire County serving over 500 people with developmental, physical, or emotional disabilities. Offering a wide variety of arts workshops, from theater, dance, and drumming to painting, poetry, and juggling, CATA’s 21 faculty artists work in 29 different healthcare, educational, and therapeutic settings, and in CATA’s studio on Railroad Street in Great Barrington. 44
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George Laye, Director 4 Van Deusenville Road Great Barrington, MA 01230 guthriecenter.org, gofwash@aol.com
“The experiences provided to the Riverbrook women have brought great joy, involvement in the local community, and have repeatedly exposed hidden talents that might have remained dormant for a lifetime.” ~ Joan Burkhard, Executive Director, Riverbrook Residence
Green Tip
Use old buttons to make beautiful jewelry, or support CATA’s craft cooperative, CATAdirect, and purchase our button jewelry online at our website listed below.
Contact
Liana Toscanini Development & Marketing Director 40 Railroad Street, Suite 6 Great Barrington, MA 01230 (413) 528-5485 liana@communityaccesstothearts.org communityaccesstothearts.org
www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
Sandra Newman, Founder
Alternative Art & Music in theEnergy Berkshires By Rodelinde Albrecht Communication: interchange of thoughts or opinions. Community: common possession or enjoyment. Communion: sharing; participation.
T
hree evocative concepts, relevant equally in the context of the arts and of nonprofit organizations. We in the Berkshires are blessed with a veritable cornucopia of nonprofit organizations offering resources for everyone from our aged to our youth and in every aspect of life from environment to health to literacy to pets to the prevention of violence. According to a story in the ezine iBerkshires, “[t]he nonprofit sector has become a major part of the region’s economic health, generating $1.9 billion in the Berkshire County economy every year and employing more than a third of its work force, according to a study released in October 2009. . . . There are more nonprofits per person in Berkshire County than in the state as a whole, and Massachusetts has more per person than the national average.” But the real profit of the nonprofits to our community must be reckoned in a far more valuable currency than dollars and cents. Many of these extraordinary organizations exist for the express purpose of bringing the arts ― both in performance and in participation ― to the widest possible variety of people. And that, as the ad slogan has it, is Priceless. When words fail us, or when we don’t share a common verbal language, the arts can help bring us together. They serve not only to express our deepest feelings but to convey those feelings in a profound way to others. This is the act of communication. Organizations such as the Berkshire Music School, Community Access to the Arts, and the Guthrie Center (featured on the facing page) serve the community by encouraging the production of the arts, their performance, and the pleasure they bring. Whether we are witnessing a performance or viewing a piece of art or we are actually participating in the performance or the creation of the piece of art, we are engaged in communion with one another. Before they learn to speak, children ― given half a chance ― will express their ideas and their feelings by drawing, by singing, by dancing. In much the same way that art allows children to communicate with their elders, it promotes communication between people who share neither a language nor a culture. It also fosters communication from and among people whose verbal and physical abilities might otherwise keep them from communicating in ordinary ways. Those of us who know and love Berkshire County ― especially those of us lucky enough to live here ― are well aware of the
tremendous range and variety of cultural offerings. From our northern border with Vermont to our southern border with Connecticut, from DownStreet Art in North Adams to the Storefront Artists Project in Pittsfield to the Sandisfield Art Center, Berkshire County offers a veritable embarrassment of artistic riches. We have theatre, music, and dance performed by artists both homegrown and imported. We have galleries and museums featuring three-dimensional and two-dimensional art in all its variety. We have places where people can participate in the making of art rather than merely being passive consumers of it. At the Berkshire Music School, for instance, students of all ages can learn to play the instrument of their choice (including, of course, their own voice). Its former name, Pittsfield Community Music School, highlighted its local involvement, while its new name (as of 2002) emphasizes its wider geographic reach. But whatever its name, the Music School has served the Berkshires for seven decades, offering musical opportunities to anyone, regardless of ability to pay ― and regardless of physical ability. The community at large gets to witness the fruits of this musical learning at a number of concerts throughout the year. Another organization that offers the thrill of creativity to people whose talents might otherwise be overlooked is Community Access to the Arts. Widely known as CATA, the group offers artistic opportunities to everyone from emotionally disturbed or developmentally disadvantaged youngsters to elders with physical or mental limitations. CATA participants very literally dance to their own drummer. Speaking their pain and their joy, they come alive with the music they make. The word community may not be part of its name, but the Guthrie Center’s focus is indisputably on community, with its weekly free lunches, its interfaith services for family and friends with life-threatening diseases, and similar programs. Not surprisingly, given its founder, it is also a place of music. Its home, well known as the former Alice’s Church, is a fitting venue for the folk and ethnic music it offers, in performance (via its Troubadour Series and its Revivals featuring Arlo and guest artists) and in participation (via its Thursday night hootenannies.) Whether you belong to the Berkshire community as a yearround or a seasonal resident, or whether you are just visiting our splendid little corner of the planet, you might profitably (!) investigate other nonprofits in the area. You can find a list at www.BerkshireNon Profits.com/agency_list.php. ~ Rodelinde Albrecht, Concerned Singles. See ad on page 39.
Come Celebrate Art & Music in the Berkshires with Our BerkshireGreen for our second annual fundraiser
Friday, November 12, 2010, 5:30pm-8:00pm at Crissey Farm in Great Barrington, to benefit:
Community Access to the Arts, Berkshire Music School & The Guthrie Center Sponsored by Crissey Farm and Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. www.OurBerkshireGreen.com
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Restaurants & Cafes
cafeADAM Fresh local & organic ingredients Extraordinary food Fine wine
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Americ Best ‘Farm-to-Table’ Restaurants in 999 Main St, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Tel. (413) 528-3235 ROUTE7GRILL.COM
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HL Propane Co., Inc. HL Fuel Company, Inc. Call now for great pre-paid and fixed pricing on heating oil and propane for the upcoming winter season.
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One Coupon per Customer / New Heating Customers Only 1,000 Gallons Minimum
Index of Resource Guide Advertisers Alison Shore Gaines, Practical Feng Shui ......................31 Allegrone Construction Co., Inc. .....................................24 Alteris Renewables ..............................................................8 Andrea Feldman, PaperClip Studio ................................14 Art Of Wellness Massage Therapy .................................28 At the Kitchen Table Cooking School ..............................21 Awaken Healing Arts .......................................................30 Aware Communication ....................................................17 AzureGreen .......................................................................39 Barrington Psychology Center ........................................27 BensDotter’s Pet ...............................................................12 Berkshire Animal D.R.E.A.M.S. .....................................12 Berkshire Co-op Market ..........................inside front cover Berkshire Energy Healing ................................................27 Berkshire Humane Society - Purradise ............................12 Berkshire Organics ...........................................................23 Berkshire Osteopathic Health ........................................29 Berkshire Photovoltaic Services .......................................9 Berkshire Physical Therapy & Wellness .........................29 Berkshire Pulse .................................................................16 Berkshire South Regional Community Center ..............30 Berkshires Green Grocer & Claire’s Cafe ......................23 Blue Rider Stables ............................................................29 Bruce Mandel, Performing Songwriter ..........................13 cafeADAM ........................................................................46 CET - Center for Ecological Technology .....................17 Cheryl Ann Luft, MSS, CMA, RSMT ............................28 Christine M. Tobin, APRN, PC, A-HNC ......................25 Clearwater Natural Foods ...............................................23 Cliff Brodeur Entertainment ..........................................13 Compassion in Motion ....................................................30 Concerned Singles ............................................................39 Connections, Vicki Baird .................................................39 Darrow School ..................................................................17 Deb Phillips, MS, LDN, CHES ......................................28 Ed O’Malley PhD, Optimal Sleep & Mary O’Malley MD, PhD Holistic Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine ......................26 Eileen Lawlor, LICSW .....................................................27 Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter ......................................12 Energy in Motion Studio .................................................16 Enlivenment ......................................................................17 Erin Burch, Physical Therapy .........................................29 Gateways of the Heart ....................................................27 Geiger Computers ............................................................14 GoodWorks Insurance .....................................................14 Grenergy Solar Store ..........................................................8 HANDLE® of New England .........................................25 Hartsville Design .......................................................24, 31 Henriette Meran, Homeopathy .......................................27 Herrington’s ......................................................................24 Hilltop Orchards - Furnace Brook Winery .........................23
Human Spirit Circles ........................................................28 Integrative Health Solutions ...........................................26 Intuitive Counseling, Sheilaa Hite ..................................39 Jill Powell, Reiki ................................................................30 Jonathan Weinress, Certified Personal Trainer ..............16 Kaleidoscope .....................................................................39 KENVER LTD ..................................................back cover Kwik Print Incorporated .................................................14 Lenox Village Integrative Pharmacy ..............................12 Living Well Chiropractic ..................................................26 Lorraine Brill, LMHC ......................................................27 Marion Bergan Irwin, Licensed Acupuncturist ............26 Matt Albert, Bodywork ....................................................28 Mikka Barkman .................................................................28 Millie Calesky ....................................................................14 Ming Lash, Somatic Movement Therapist ....................26 Montessori School of the Berkshires, The ........................1 Moving into Well-Being ...................................................16 Nature Works ....................................................................31 New England Center for Osteopathy ...............................28 New England Solar and Green .........................................8 Nutrition Center, Inc., The ...............................................13 Okerstrom Lang, Ltd. .......................................................25 Orchid Blossom Healing Arts ........................................26 Papa’s Healthy Food & Fuel ............................................23 Pet Partners of the Tri-State Berkshires ..........................12 Phoebe Williams, Life Coach ............................................28 Play Reflections® .................................................................39 Project Native ....................................................................33 Ramsdell Public Library ..................................................17 Randi Haskins-Jordan, LPT Physical Therapy ..............29 Reconnective Healing® and The Reconnection® ..............30 Red Lion Inn, The ............................................................46 Renee’s Boutique & Consignment ...................................13 Renewable Energy Solutions, Inc. ....................................8 Route 7 Grill .......................................................................46 Shaklee, Dot Schellhammer ............................................28 Shamanic Healing Services ..............................................39 Sproutman® ........................................................................21 Studio Day Spa .................................................................25 Susan B. Lord, MD ............................................................26 Susan Spiegel Solovay ......................................................27 T. Consolati, Virtual Assistance .....................................14 Thea Basis, Fitness Coaching ..........................................16 Vlada Boutique .................................................................13 Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center ..................................31 Webnash Design-Build ....................................................25 Webster Ingersoll ..............................................................31 WholePerson Movement .................................................16 Yoga Nude in Albany .......................................................30 Zorn Family Chiropractic ................................................26
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Here’s to putting simple living ahead of easy living meetings - parties - weddings - workshops
Hancock Shaker Village & Savory Harvest Catering 413.443.0188
savoryharvestcatering.com
Crissey Farm Catering offers a perfect year round destination for your wedding, reunion or special event. Our 6,000 square foot green building has state-of-theart heating and cooling systems. The large, open space allows full flexibility, so we can host parties as small as 30 and as large as 200. Two fireplaces complement the simple, yet tastefully designed interior. Decades of hospitality experience, a passion for food and entertaining, and a beautiful banquet facility make us an excellent consideration for your next function.
413-528-4844 www.crisseyfarm.com
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Crissey Farm BERKSHIRE BANQUET HOUSE
Our BerkshireGreen Magazine Sponsors
thank you for your help in supporting green & healthy living in our community!
Walking the
Talk
About Health, Fitness & Wellness with
Avi Dresner
Listen on WSBS 860 AM/94.1 FM, WBEC 1420 AM and on stations WBSL 91.7 FM and WHDD 1020 AM/91.9 FM For schedules, show information and podcasts, go to
www.WellTalkRadio.com Avi@WellTalkRadio.com • 413-446-6611
Toddler Early Childhood Elementary Middle School Summer Camp NEW! Transportation from South County available. Lenox Dale, MA (413) 637-3662 BerkshireMontessori.org
Custom Cabinetry • Fine Furniture • Staircases
Quality Craftsmanship
Hartsville Design Licensed & Insured - MA HIC 161562
Ask about Healthier Options for Furniture & Woodwork for Environmentally Sensitive Individuals & Children Currently inviting guests, underwriters, advertisers and sponsors. 10% discount available to all Our BerkshireGreen Advertisers.
Traditional ● Creative ● Original Design
413.528.6133 • Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com
Providing quality care for over 30 years.
HOSPICECARE
in The Berkshires, Inc.
877 South Street, Suite 1 West • Pittsfield, MA 01201
413.443.2994 or 413.528.4786 www.hcib.org