Sunday, April 26, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Historic facade restoration considered: On April 13, Pittsfield’s School Building Needs Commission backed a statement of interest to rebuild Pittsfield High, estimating $67.7 million to $94.3 million, which could head to state review -- read the full story.

Next steps for water system: Great Barrington and Housatonic Water Works filed with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court seeking a ruling on the system's purchase cost. Any acquisition would require a two-thirds town meeting vote -- learn what the filing means.

Anticipate a vibrant lineup: Solid Sound will return to MASS MoCA as summer 2026 brings festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and programs. Season opens May 21, with the Art Futures Benefit back for the second time -- get all the details.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Craving sushi this week: When the group chat gets hangry, Jae's at the Hilton Garden Inn delivers Berkshire-proof comfort with crisp sushi, legit pad thai and those Szechuan wings you pretend you’ll share. Pair it with a cocktail and that no-fuss vibe, then call it self-care you didn’t have to cook.

Lake views, local vibes: Need a low-stress plan this week? Proprietor's Lodge sits right on Pontoosuc Lake with Mount Greylock in the backdrop, now focusing on private events while still keeping that crowd-pleasing Sunday brunch open to locals who crave good food, easy vibes, and an excuse to linger by the water.

Spin, sip, repeat: This week, swing by Hot Plate Brewing Co. for a pint brewed right here in Pittsfield, bring a record for their Bring Your Own Vinyl Night, or let trivia humble you. Beer friends and coffee people both win thanks to a taproom-plus-café setup and a bring-your-own-food policy.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

🎨 Pick Your Mini Sign @ Artsy Avenue (North Adams) | Tuesday (4/28) at 6:30 PM – If your walls have been giving you the silent treatment, fix it with this $10 Tuesday mini sign session. Pick your design, make a 6x6 little number, and feel smug about it costing less than takeout. Shoot them a message to register.

🚶 Family Hikes @ Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (Lenox) | Wednesday (4/29) at 10:00 AM – Think your kid only hikes to the snack bar? Join a parent-child hike at Pleasant Valley in Lenox, led by a Mass Audubon naturalist, for sensory exploring, woods time, and tips for hiking with littles. Spring dates, limited spots, email Jessica at southberkshirekids@gmail.com to register.

🇺 Dine to Donate: 4th of July Parade @ Hudpucker's Pub & Grill (Pittsfield) | Thursday (4/30) at 4:00 PM – Skip the sad leftovers and eat for a cause. Dine in, or phone in takeout, and your meal helps fund the Pittsfield 4th of July parade, the one your neighbors, and your inner child, still adore. Good food, good deed, easy win.

🎨 May 1 First Fridays Artswalk @ Upstreet Cultural District (Pittsfield) | Friday (5/1) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats a First Friday stroll when downtown turns into a gallery. The season opener runs from South Church to North Street with Clock Tower open studios, openings, Art in the Park, and City Hall showing off. Grab the app, find your favorites, then linger.

🖼 Mass MoCA Art Futures Benefit 2026 @ MASS MoCA (North Adams) | Friday (5/1) at 7:00 PM – MASS MoCA’s Art Futures Benefit is bringing us together to support the museum’s next chapter with bold art, big ideas, and fundraising that feels fun. Think after-hours museum sparkle, conversation, and that North Adams glow that pairs with your good shoes, and a generous mood.

🏺 W.o.W. Workshop: Clay Pet Jar @ North Adams Clay | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Whether your dog runs the house or your goldfish judges you from the bowl, this beginner clay workshop turns pet pics into charming, functional jars. All materials are included, your piece gets fired for pickup, and spots are limited, so register. Third-floor studio, stairs only.

✨ Cyril the Sorcerer Once Upon a River @ St. Germain Theatre at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center (Pittsfield) | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Cyril the Sorcerer is conjuring a fairytale enviromagic caper about a boy, a tricksy magician, and a plot to steal an entire river. Expect theatrical magic with characters, costumes, conjuring, and plenty of fun. Bring the grandkids, or your inner nine-year-old.

Accessed by a private bridge, this 1.25-acre Onota Lake island pairs Berkshire privacy with everyday convenience. The home amplifies the setting with a vaulted living space and loft, two fireplaces, expansive windows and sliders, and a covered porch aiming at the water. Nearly every room frames lake views, and the setting balances seclusion with culture and trails minutes away.