BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that unemployment rates were lower in June than in May in 17 of the commonwealth's 22 labor-market areas. Unemployment rates were unchanged in the Springfield and North Adams areas and up in the remaining three areas.

Statewide, the June seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate fell to 8.8 percent, from May's rate of 9.1 percent. Over the year, the unadjusted unemployment rate is up 0.1 percent from the 8.7 percent rate in June 2009. The Pittsfield metro area saw its rate drop to 8.5 percent.

Job gains were recorded in 10 of the 12 occupational areas in June. In addition, all labor markets added jobs in construction, leisure and hospitality, and trade, transportation and utilities. The Boston-Cambridge-Quincy and Barnstable areas added the most jobs over the month. Over the year, the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy; Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton; Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury and New Bedford areas gained jobs.

Over the year, unemployment rates were lower in six areas in which their rates were also lower over-the-month. Rates were up over the year in the remaining 16 labor-market areas.

The seasonally adjusted statewide June 2010 unemployment rate, released on July 14, was 9 percent, down from the 9.2 percent in May. The statewide seasonally adjusted jobs estimate for June 2010, also released on July 14, showed a gain of 500 jobs over the month. There have been six straight months of private-sector job growth, a total of 44,700 jobs added since December and 3,400 private-sector jobs created just in June.

The unadjusted unemployment rates and job estimates for the labor market areas reflect seasonal fluctuations and therefore may show different levels and trends than the statewide seasonally adjusted estimates.

NOTES: The July 2010 unemployment rate, labor force data and jobs estimates for Massachusetts will be released on Aug. 19, 2010; local unemployment statistics will be released on Aug. 24, 2010. Detailed labor market information is available at www.mass.gov/lmi.

Sherman Baldwin in his new studio in Florida — the state not the town.

Former "TalkBerkshires" host Sherman Baldwin has found a home in sunny Sarasota, Fla., on WTMY radio.

The longtime radio host made his debut on "TalkSarasota" last week in the 3 to 6 p.m. spot weekdays. Baldwin said he's trying to the do same type of show he did in the Berkshires, focusing on local issues — politics, business and culture — with call-in questions. He said it's the only show of its type in the Sarasota market, the 73rd largest in the nation.

Baldwin hosted shows in Connecticut and Boston; he's best known around here for his morning program on WUPE a few years ago and his independently owned "TalkBerkshires" that premiered in 2009 after the Capital District station he was working at downsized. "TalkBerkshires" was a success on WBRK but died in a blaze of controversy.

The show was a favorite drop-in point for local pols and personalities who protested Baldwin's banishment from WBRK.

In any case, Baldwin toldhe needed to get back on the air and after a spot on Boston radio didn't pan out he landed in Sarasota.

"I get to go to the beach every day, it's beautiful here," he said. But he misses his WBRK studio, going to Teo's and his Berkshire friends. "I miss the Berkshires dearly. I miss it every day." And while he was a brand name up here, it's been harder to land the big the interviews down South. "I was well known in the Berkshires so getting someone on the line was easy, now the say, 'Sherman Baldwin who are you?'" he laughed.

If you know Baldwin, you know he doesn't take no for an answer. Less than two weeks on the air he's already landed Gov. Charlie Crist.

"I'm doing what I love and that's radio," he said.

We're glad to hear he's back on the airwaves and wish him lots of luck.

Find Baldwin's new website (which looks a lot like his old one) here. You can also watch him livestreaming on the WTMY website (which seriously needs an overhaul — it's scary looking).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western Massachusetts Electric Co. filed an application on Friday with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities requesting an increase in electric distribution rates which would become effective Feb. 1, 2011. 

If approved as filed, residential customers using 600 kilwatt-hours a month would see an increase in their monthly bill of approximately $7.50, or about 8 percent. On average, business customers would see bill increases ranging from 1 percent to 6 percent, depending on load and usage. 

The WMECo request seeks a $28 million adjustment to revenues and other changes that will enable the company to continue making needed investments in the electric system to preserve the high levels of reliability customers expect and deserve, according to a company statement.

"We are very cognizant of the effect of increasing electric rates on our customers and have worked hard to moderate the amount we are seeking. There is never a good time to ask for a rate increase, but with this filing we feel we have achieved a reasonable balance between the investments we need to make in our system and the effect on customer bills," said Peter J. Clarke, WMECo president and chief operating officer.

"Our customers have increasing expectations for safe, reliable delivery of electricity. We have reached the point where we can no longer satisfy those expectations in a climate of declining sales and increasing demands on the delivery system, unless we increase our investment in our infrastructure," Clarke continued.

WMECo actually reduced its rates beginning July 1 in response to lower fuel prices. While the overall cost went down, delivery charges increased. The residential rate was set at 7.647 cents per kWh.

Digital FX pioneer Douglas Trumbull is planning a sci-fi film in the Berkshires that he hopes will restart the fledgling special-effects industry here that never quite got off the ground.

The news was reported last Wednesday in the Journal of New England Technology. Trumbull, who left Hollywood for the Berkshires three decades ago, continues to operate out of his Southfield studio. But many of the special-effects producers who followed him closed up shop during the 1990s.

He told the Journal:

Last year, Jeff Kleiser of Synthespian Studios in North Adams indicated he was mulling an animated feature that could create hundreds of jobs and help boost the FX industry in the Berkshires.

Trumbull is best known for his groundbreaking work on "2001: A Space Odyessy" and "Blade Runner." The FX maestro talked about his work on "Blade Runner" a couple of years ago at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington before a screening of the restored film. 

Networking events, workshops and seminars for the month of July are listed below.  Got an upcoming business event? Send it to info@iberkshires.com

The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has planned a Business After Hours networking event for Thursday, July 8 from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Wheeler and Taylor, 96 South Main St., Sheffield. RSVP to visitor@southernberkshirechamber.com.

Wendy Krom will present the workshop "Maintaining Balance as a Leader" on Wednesday, July 7 at Chapters Bookstore, 78 North St., Pittsfield. The workshop, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon, explores leadership styles, how to work well with others on a team, and how to maintain balance when life becomes hectic. The suggested donation is $12; to register, call Krom at 413-743-4370.

On Friday, July 9, Berkshire Enterprises will host the free business breakfast forum "Got Along Without You Before I Met You- Should I Get Along Without You Now?" The forum will be held on  from 7:30  to 9 a.m. in the Third Floor Board room at One Fenn St., Pittsfield.

The forum will focus on the experiences of small business owners hiring and managing employees, including a discussion of how to evaluate whether or not to have employees and what business owners can do to successfully hire and maintain employees. The forum will be lead by Steve Fogel, Program Director of Berkshire Enterprises. A light breakfast is included.

To register, contact Steve Fogel at sfogel@berkshireenterprises.com or leave a message at 413-236-2141. Space is limited and reservations are required.

Berkshires Visitors Bureau holding an open forum discussion on marketing to small meetings and conference groups, on Tuesday, July 13 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Orchards Hotel, 222 Adams Road, Williamstown. For more information, call 413-743-4500.

The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will host a "Chamber Nite" on Wednesday, July 21 from 5 to 7 at Berkshire Carousel, 5 Whipple St., Pittsfield. Berkshire Chamber members are invited to attend the event, which features an evening out on the "Coney Island" boardwalk, celebrating the completion of 14 carousel horses, most carved in a Coney Island style. Photo opportunities, tours, painting and carving demonstrations will be available throughout the evening.

The event is open to Berkshire Chamber members and their employees. To register, call call 413- 499-4000, e-mail choyt@berkshirechamber.com or visit www.berkshirechamber.com.

Our BerkshireGreen will hold a networking and social event co-hosted by The Nutrition Center, 94 West Ave., on Wednesday, July 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be free appetizers and a cash bar. Everyone is invited to come early and enjoy the offerings of the local farms and vendors at The Nutrition Center Farmers' Market on the green, from 3 to 6 p.m.

The evening will feature guest presentations by: Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr., Register of Deeds, speaking on "The Importance of Sustainable Agriculture"; Elizabeth Frishkoff, MSW, a certified HANDLE practitioner, explaining "Neurodevelopment and Learning Efficiency"; Luigi Morelli, offering words on "Nonviolent Communication in the Workplace and at Home"; and Elfi Six, discussing "Acutonics Sound Healing with a Guided Sound Meditation." No reservation is required; the event is free and open to all. For more information, visit www.OurBerkshireGreen.com.

Thursday, July 22, the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce and Sweet Brook Farm will host a Business After Hours event at the farm, 580 Oblong Road, Williamstown. The event, available to chamber members and their employees, runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served, and samples of the farm's maple syrup will be available. Local author Jennifer Trainer Thompson will be there to sign copies of her book, "Very Maple Syrup," with all proceeds donated to the Williamstown Youth Center. Reservations are requested; contact the chamber office at 413-458-9077 or info@williamstownchamber.com.

SPARK!, the networking group for those in the creative economy, will meet on Wednesday, July 28 at Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, to watch the Pittsfield Colonials take on Quebec. SPARK! guests will receive $1 off admission to the game. The event starts at 7 p.m. For more information, contact info@berkshirecreative.org or call 413.822.8324.