St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.
Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.
First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.
Nov. 28 Becket Federated Church, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.
Dec. 5
Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.
Dec. 12-13
North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.
Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.
We're trying out blogs to offer shorter, easy-to-find news. Let us know what you think.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.
Mammography Dispute The government's issued controversial new guidelines stating that women shouldn't get annual mammograms until age 50, rather than age 40.
iBerkshires will be meeting with local medical experts Monday. Have a question you'd like answered on this issue? Send it info@iberkshires.com with "mammogram" in the subject line.
Second Special Appointment for Downing to Study Biofuels in Massachusetts
BOSTON, Mass. - State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) was appointed by Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) to a Special Commission Studying the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Various Incentives Designed to Promote the Development and Use of Advanced Biofuels in the Commonwealth this week.
This is Senator Downing’s second appointment to a special committee examining the viability of advanced biofuels in the Commonwealth. His support for renewable energy generation and his historical perspective on the topic due to participation in the Commonwealth’s Advanced Biofuels Taskforce made him an attractive candidate for the appointment.
“Senator Downing understands the importance that a new generation of biofuels could have not only on the Commonwealth’s environment, but on our economy as well,” said Senate President Murray. “Senator Downing’s commitment and focus on this emerging technology will be invaluable to this Commission as they move forward with their efforts.”
The Commonwealth’s Advanced Biofuels Taskforce recommendations resulted in Chapter 206 of 2008, An Act Relative to Clean Energy Biofuels. This landmark initiative promotes clean-fuel production, aims to create thousands of new jobs and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Further, the Act positioned Massachusetts as the first state in the nation to exempt cellulosic ethanol – a natural, next-generation fuel substitute – from the state gasoline excise tax to spur research and development and establish its future use in transportation and heating fuels.
“The work my colleagues and I accomplished on the Taskforce set the stage for Massachusetts to be a leader in advanced biofuel technology. During our work, it became clear that there was a need for more detailed deliberations beyond the scope of the original panel. This Special Commission will address these issues and examine ways to incentivize the advancement of biofuel technology across Massachusetts. I am pleased to be given this important role in shaping the future of biofuels in the Commonwealth,” said Downing. “Successful implementation of the Commission’s recommendations will generate positive economic and environmental impacts for all current and future residents of Massachusetts.”
The 11 member Special Commission is chaired by the House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. As outlined in Section 5 of Chapter 206 of the Acts of 2008, it will review and make recommendations on the merits of production credits, the production and harvesting of woody biomass or woody residue, feedstock incentives and direct consumer credits for the use of advanced biofuels in various applications. In conducting its investigation, the Commission will also consider biofuel incentive programs in other states and the Commonwealth’s relative competitiveness in the field.
