Common Ground Festival in Pittsfield

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mill Town Foundation announces the inaugural Common Ground Festival that will take place on Saturday, July 6 between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the Pittsfield Common at 100 First Street. 
 
Sponsored and programmed by Mill Town Foundation, this free event welcomes all ages and includes live performances, family-friendly activities, and food vendors from Berkshire County. 
 
Live performances will be presented by Kripalu, Barrington Stage Company, Tanglewood, Clara Guatta, Quarteto de Samba, The Funky Dawgz Brass Band, along with a dance circle led by Andres Ramirez and the Funk Box Dance Studio. Over 40 vendors and presenting organizations will be on site leading free interactive activities including bounce houses, artmaking, photo booths, and more. Food trucks will be provided by BB's Hot Spot, Charlie's Bistro Bus, Cravin's Ice Cream, along with a Hot Plate Brewing Co. beer garden.
 
A rain date for Common Ground Festival is scheduled for the same timeframe on Sunday, July 7. Follow @milltownfoundation on social media and visit www.milltownfoundation.org for more information and updates.
 
Additional support for Common Ground Festival is generously provided by the Feigenbaum Foundation, Unistress, and the City of Pittsfield.
 
Schedule:
Saturday, July 6
3pm – Yoga presented by Kripalu
4pm – Barrington Stage Company presents KidsAct!, Celebration of Black Voices, and Musical Theatre Conservatory
4:45pm – Clara Guatta, live concert
5:15pm – Quarteto de Samba, live concert
6pm – Tanglewood in the City, screened Boston Symphony Orchestra concert
7pm – Community Dance Circle with the Funk Box Dance Studio
7:45pm – Headline concert by The Funky Dawgz Brass Band
 
Featured Free Activities:
Artmaking
Face Painting
Balloon Twisters
Bicycle Village with mini-bike races and demos
Photo Booth
Bounce Houses
Mini Soccer Games
 
Vendors:
413 Cycling
Andrew the Balloonatic
Asia Luna
BB's Hot Spot
BeatNest
Berkshire Art Center
Berkshire Bike & Board
Berkshire Bike Path
Berkshire Community Diaper Project
Berkshire County Youth Soccer League
Berkshire Humane Society
Berkshire Mountain Bike Training Series
Berkshire Museum
Berkshire Pulse
Berkshire Theatre Group
Bomb Shack Vintage
Charlie's Bistro Bus
Choices Mentoring Initiative
Clementine's Vintage
Cravin's Ice Cream
Downtown Pittsfield Inc.
EforAll Berkshires
Elizabeth Freeman Center
Facepainting with Barbara Arpante
Happy Trails Guiding
Heart & Soil Collective
Jacob's Pillow
Katunemo Art & Healing
Kripalu
Latinas413
MASS MoCA
Mill Town Foundation
Norman Rockwell Museum
Pittsfield Community Design Center
Roots Rising
Shaker Ridge Trails
Shire Shredders
United Soccer Group
Valerie Fanarjian, Handmade Jewelry
Volunteers in Medicine
Wander Berkshires
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

To DIY or Not to DIY: The Pros and Cons of Professional

Window Installation
Replacement windows are a considerable investment for homeowners. However, the upgrade process doesn’t end with ordering new frames; it also involves installing them. Should you take the DIY approach to save money, or go with the pros? Let's explore the factors to consider.
 
The Window Replacement Process
Before weighing DIY vs. hiring a window company like Rite Window, it's helpful to understand the
typical window installation process. Here are the major steps:
1. Removal of existing windows, interior trim, and exterior trim or siding to expose rough opening
2. Repairing any rot or deterioration of the rough frame
3. Properly sealing and flashing the opening for water resistance
4. Inserting the new window unit and shim/level as needed
5. Insulating around the window
6. Reinstalling interior and exterior trim
 
Replacing even a single window involves meticulous preparation, expert construction knowledge, and very precise measurements and cuts on your home's openings. It's a multistep process that requires specialized tools and materials like flashing, sealants, insulation, and more. So should you DIY or not?
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