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Weekend Outlook: Bazaars, First Friday and Day of the Dead

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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There are several events this weekend, including first friday activities, live music, and more. See trick-or-treating times for Thursday here.
 
Editor's Pick
 
First Sunday Free: Frame and Reframe
The Clark Art Institute, Williamstown 
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 
The museum is hosting a First Sunday Free event focused on the role of frames in art. 
 
Participants can explore the galleries with a viewfinder, decorate a frame, and join discussions led by Hugh Glover, former conservator at the Williamstown and Atlanta Art Conservation Center. 
 
The discussions will cover various styles and materials of select French frames from the Clark's collection, spanning 150 years, aiming to change perceptions of art.
 
More information here
 
Friday 
 
North Adams First Friday
Downtown North Adams
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
 
First Friday celebrates Dia de los Muertos, the day of remembrance for the dead. Downtown businesses will have specials and extended hours and gallery will be open. Look for a projection on the Flat Iron Building, hot chocolate and cookie giveaways at 5 Eagle, live music at Heart's Pace and a party following at Bright Ideas.
 
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is holding its annual celebration -- bring photos or tokens of loved ones to contribute to the altar. Mexican foods will be available, student musicians will perform in the lobby and art-marking activities will be held. Special storytime at 5:15 and a talk on Southwest photographer Louis Carlos Bernal will be held in R&D store at 6. Free with registration here
 
More information here.
 
Celtic Session and Concert
Dewey Hall, Sheffield
Time: Workshop at 5:30 p.m.; Concert at 8 p.m.
 
This Celtic Harvest Festival will celebrate music and honoring ancestors. 
 
The event features a workshop for acoustic instrument players of all skill levels and performances by David Paton, Claudine Langille, Joseph Sobol, and the headlining act Hildaland, comprising fiddler Louise Bichan and mandolinist Ethan Setiawan.
 
Tickets are $30. More information here.
 
Karaoke 
VFW Post 996, North Adams
Time: 9 p.m. 
 
Sing the night away for a chance to win $30 at the end of the night. Sing at least one solo song and stay till the end of the night for a chance to win. More information here
 
Vabbe Exhibit 
Future Lab[s], North Adams 
Time: 6 to 8 p.m. 
 
The gallery is opening its newest exhibit by n. massari and Sergio Demo. More information here
 
Halloween Dance Party 
63 Flansburg Ave., Dalton
Time: 9 to midnight
 
The annual Halloween Bash will feature Mr. Doubtfire, drink specials, and gelatin shots. There is a $5 cover. More information here
 
First Friday Halloween Hangover Party 
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
Time: 7 p.m.
 
There will be music, craft beer, and spooky costumes. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed. More information here
 
Art of Food Opening Reception 
431 North St., Pittsfield 
Time: 5 to 8 p.m. 
 
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and Framework will feature the exhibit "Art of Food" from Nov. 1 thru 27 to benefit its Thankful Food Drive. 
 
It features paintings, mixed media, photography, and a Lego sculpture that fits the theme of "food."
 
More information here
 
Zinky's Halloween Party 
Zinky's Pub, Dalton
Time: 8 to 11:55 p.m. 
 
There will be live music, spooky cocktails, a costume contest, prize giveaways, and more. More information here
 
Saturday 
 
Becket Day
Various locations
Time: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. 
 
The Becket Athenaeum and partners celebrate the town of Becket with an emphasis on local creativity and supporting small businesses. 
 
The event is organized by local businesses and organizations such as the Becket Arts Center and Dream Away Lodge. 
 
Attendees can explore various local spots, including the Dream Away Lodge, Route 8 Pub, and the newly opened Becket Country Store. 
 
More information here
 
Exhibit Interactive Tour
Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown
Time: 2 p.m. 
 
There will be a student-led tour of the "Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art" exhibition, which is on view through Dec 22. 
 
Visitors will learn about the Butch Gardens bar that inspired Teddy's School of Art and how artists like Sandoval created spaces celebrating queer Latinx bodies during the Chicano/a/x activism and peak of the AIDS pandemic in California.
 
More information here
 
Free Family Theater
Adams Free Libary
Time: 5 p.m.
 
The Adams Free Library hosts the Nutshell Playhouse production of "Saving Jazzy" in the annex. Features masks, movement, live music and puppetry, this original performance is about a global search for special ingredients to save an endangered flower. 
 
Space is limited so registration is requested by calling 413-743-8345.
 
The Humble Pie Hullabaloo
Dewey Memorial Hall, Sheffield 
Time: 1 p.m. 
 
There will be pie tasting, recipe share, soup, hot cider, live music, a raffle and a 
optional hike. Tickets range from $10 to $25. More information here
 
Haddad Helps Soldier On
130 Pittsfield-Lenox Road, Pittsfield 
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
There will be a kickoff event marking the start of the dealership's initiative to support Soldier On. The event will feature food, goodie bags for the kids, a live broadcast by WBEC Live 95.9 FM, and more. 
 
Throughout November, Haddad will help support Soldier On, a Pittsfield organization that provides transitional housing and supportive services to veterans experiencing homelessness. 
 
For every car sold during the month of November, Haddad Toyota donates $200 to the organization. 
 
More information here
 
Pumpkin Smash Bash 
Whitney's Farm Market & Garden Center 
Time: 11 to 4 p.m. 
 
The garden center has partnered with Second Chance Composting with a Pumpkin Smash Bash. Bring your Halloween pumpkins and smash them. 
 
Pumpkins must be unpainted, unbleached, and any non-organic materials removed. Once smashed, the pumpkins will be turned into compost by Second Chance Composting.
 
More information here
 
Holiday Craft Market
Mount Anthony Union High, Bennington, Vt.
Time: 9 a.m.
 
Second annual craft market at the high school; high school groups will be fundraising during the market. 
 
Arts and Crafts Festival
Berkshire South Regional Community Center
Time: 11 to 3 p.m. 
 
The center is holding its 9th annual Arts and Crafts Festival, but this year, it is indoors. More than 25 local vendors will be lined up selling goods perfect for holiday gifts. 
 
The event will also feature music and food trucks. More information here
 
Annual Harvest Bazaar
238 Main Street, Bennington, Vt.
Time: 8 to 3 p.m. 
 
The bazaar will benefit the School of Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales. It will feature vendors, a 50/50 raffle, and more. 
 
More information here
 
Sunday
 
Pancake Breakfasts 
Holiday Brook Farm, Dalton
Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
Enjoy pancakes, eggs, hash browns, sausage, and more at the farm's all-you-can-eat buffet. The event includes free kids crafts and wagon rides, weather permitting.
 
Tickets are $16.95 for adults, and kids between 2 and 12 pay their age. More information here.
 
Project HERlarious
The Foundry, West Stockbridge
Time: 7:30 p.m.
 
Produced by Berkshire native Eryca Nolan, this comedy series brings together some of the funniest female comedians from across the country. Stephanie K., who's headlined at comedy clubs in New York and the Apollo Theater, and host Kim DeShields of Amherst, a semifinalist on Nick at Nite's Funniest Mom and contestant on Last Comic Standing, will take the stage. 
 
Tickets are $20 and available here.  

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Are your heirs ready to receive an inheritance?

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — In the popular imagination, receiving an inheritance always sounds like a good thing — after all, who doesn't want a financial windfall? And inheritances can certainly be life-altering events. But they can cause challenges, so you'll want to help your heirs be prepared.
 
To assist in this preparation, try to address some key questions affecting your heirs:
 
  • Do they know what's in your estate plans? Your family and other heirs will be much better prepared to deal with an inheritance if they know what to expect. That's why it's so important that you share your estate plans with everyone involved. You need to let them know the wishes and decisions you've expressed in your will and other legal arrangements, such as a living trust. Of course, sharing this information doesn't necessarily mean that all your heirs will be completely satisfied with your choices — but at least they won't be surprised, and perhaps will be less likely to cause disputes when the time comes to settle your estate.
  • Will they know what to do with the money or other assets? You may be planning to leave your grown children a sizable amount of assets, possibly including cash, stocks, real estate, IRAs, 401Ks or other types of valuable personal property. But this inheritance brings with it several possible questions: Do your heirs already have an investment platform ready to accept inherited stocks? If you do leave behind rental property or a vacation home, can it be easily sold? These types of issues are generally not hard to resolve, but the more prepared your heirs are for their inheritance, the quicker they can take whatever actions are needed.
  • Are they prepared to handle any taxes that may result from the inheritance? Unless you have a very large estate, your heirs likely won't face federal estate taxes. (In 2024, the first $13.61 million of an estate is exempt from federal estate taxes.) However, other types of taxes may apply. A few states assess state inheritance taxes, and your heirs could incur federal and/or state income taxes when they withdraw money from inherited assets funded with pre-tax dollars, such as some retirement accounts. They could also face capital gains taxes when they sell inherited assets, such as stocks, for more than they were worth at the time of the inheritance. In any case, inheritance-related taxes can be complex, so you and your family and other heirs should discuss these issues with your tax advisor.
  • Will they be liable for any outstanding expenses? If you have developed a comprehensive estate plan, it's unlikely your heirs will be on the hook for any outstanding expenses, such as credit card balances or funeral costs. If you do still carry a mortgage, though, and you are planning on leaving your house to your heirs, they may want to be prepared to act quickly to sell it.
When leaving an inheritance, there's a lot involved — emotionally, financially and legally. So, do whatever you can to make the entire process as easy as possible for your loved ones. By communicating your wishes regarding the inheritance, and by considering all the issues that may arise, you can go a long way toward achieving the outcomes you desire.
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