This Week in North County

Issue #96 | Thursday, November 2, 2023

Meet North Adams Candidates! Several candidates for elected offices such as City Council, School Committee, and Mayor will be present on downtown sidewalks so voters will have a chance to meet them and better understand their platforms before the Tuesday, November 7th election. 5-9:00 p.m.

PUMPKIN SMASH! Bring your unbleached and unpainted halloween pumpkins downtown to SMASH into the Second Chance Composting truck! Learn about composting and have fun! All ages welcome. Hosted by Hotel Downstreet, 5-8:00 p.m. | 40 Main Street
Face Painting by Hannah True from Oh Hello Face Painting! Free for all! 6-8:00 p.m. | 49 Main Street
Rebel Beat Sound System! Enjoy music by DJ Gabe Besaw, 5-9:00 p.m. | Eagle Street Pocket Park
Full Belly Food Truck! Meet the folks from Full Belly and try some tasty BBQ! 5-9:00 p.m. | 23 Eagle Street
Migration Taco Food Truck: 5-9:00 p.m. | on Main Street
INSTALLATION SPACE Opening Reception: “Syntactical Shifts” an installation by Lyn Horton 5-8:00 p.m. | 49 Eagle Street

Future Lab[s] Gallery: Opening Reception for Lapetus, Meet the artists and enjoy light refreshments! 6-8:00 p.m. | 43 Eagle Street
Gallery 51: Reflecting Ecologies: Artists in Nature 5-7:00 p.m. | 51 Main St
First Baptist Church: Gather around the fire and enjoy the company of your neighbors as well as s’mores! 5-7:00 pm
Heart’s Pace: Live Music 7-8:30pm | 15 Eagle St.
Plant Connector: Opening Reception for Moth Marking & Other Notions, Meet the artists Lauren Levato Coyne and Ava Samis 6-8:00 p.m
Many more to come!

For more information visit nachamber.org/firstfridays.

North County Happenings

Upcoming

Ongoing

Want your event listed? Submit the listing here

nbCC COMMUNITY FORUM SCHEDULE

Nov. 17, 2023 | 10am-12pm | Terra Nova Topic: Community Update on Big Projects

Dec. 8, 2023 | 10am-12pm | 1st. Congo. (Williamstown) Topic: “Reframing” Session

Jan. 15, 2024 | 9am-2pm | MCLA MLK Jr. Day of Service

Feb. 8, 2024 | 4-6pm | Terra Nova Topic: Youth Led Forum

March 14, 2024 | 4-6pm | Terra Nova Topic: “Promoting Emotional Intelligence & Self Awareness” Session

April 11, 2024 | 4-6pm | Terra Nova Topic: “Identity in Conflict” Session

MAY 9, 2024 | 4-6pm | Terra Nova Topic: “ Problem Solving & Negotiation” Session

Hoosic River Revival Listening Sessions

The City of North Adams and Hoosic River Revival are hosting a series of listening sessions to gather community input regarding the significance of the Hoosic River in North Adams, and the need to modernize the aging concrete flood control system.

When & Where:

Thursday, November 2, 6-8 pm, YMCA, 22 Brickyard Ct
Friday, November 17, 10 am - 12 pm, nbCC Community Forum at Terra Nova Church, 85 Main St

What: These events are designed to provide information and gather community input about the following:

The 3-year feasibility study beginning this year that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct of the Hoosic River's flood control system and ways to stay informed and engaged,
Community observations about the current condition of the flood chutes,
Stories about the river’s history and importance to the community,
Examples of river restoration efforts in other communities, and
Ideas and concerns to consider in the modernization design.

Who: We want to hear from all of North Adams! These events are free of charge. No RSVP necessary; all are welcome. For more information please go to https://www.hoosicriverrevival.org/get-involved.

Background

North Adams needs strong protection from floods. The 70-year-old flood control system designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1940’s is deteriorating, putting the community at risk. Together with the City of North Adams and Hoosic River Revival, the Corps will spend the next 3 years performing a feasibility study of possible ways to modernize the flood control system. Community input on the future design of the flood control system is vital to ensure that plans for modernization reflect the needs of all of North Adams and provide a healthy, accessible, and attractive flood-controlled river.

Hoosic River Revival is a volunteer organization dedicated to transforming the aging Hoosic River flood chutes using leading-edge engineering and naturalization measures to reduce flood risk and enhance climate resilience. To learn more about HRR’s mission and vision for the Hoosic, visit www.hoosicriverrevival.org.

LumiNAMA could really use your help to promote downtown North Adams this holiday season and to drive more foot traffic into your business!

Here are a few different ways you can help:

#1 Hang lights or create a window display in time for the City’s Tree Lighting on November 22nd. We’re also giving away cash prizes to the LumiNAMA Award winners this year!

#2 Host an event at your business on First Friday December 1st or any other time during the holidays. Submit your event here, so we can promote it for you!

#3 Become a sponsor of LumiNAMA and help us increase the size of our paid advertising campaign to promote the North Adams business community. Deadline is November 17th.

#4 Sign up for updates from LumiNAMA about how to make downtown North Adams thrive this holiday season. Subscribe now.

Festive Returns November 18

We are very excited to showcase ± 90 artists, makers, farmers, local businesses, and organizations at our 6th annual Holiday Market. Thank you to all who applied. We are humbled and thrilled to be able to feature so much exquisite talent in gWorks' former Weave Shed!

SAVE THE DATES!

Friday First Look: November 17 • 5-8pm • $25
Saturday Market :November 18 • 10am-3pm • FREE

First Look Tickets

Opportunities

Berkshire Community College’s Community Education department is offering personal enrichment workshops this fall. They include bartending and mixology, handling the holidays, painting, cooking, and photography classes. Classes will run November-December. All information can be found on the BCC website.

Cultural Facilities Fund
Grants to support the acquisition, design, repair, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion, or construction of nonprofit cultural facilities. Nonprofit cultural organizations, municipalities, and colleges or universities that own or lease cultural facilities are eligible to apply. Grant range: $7,000-$200,000.
Opens: October 12, 2023
Deadline: December 14, 2023

Grants For Creative Individuals
NEW in FY24: This program aims to equitably advance creative expression throughout the Commonwealth with unrestricted grants to Massachusetts artists, culture bearers, and creative individuals. Grants are $5,000.
Opens: October 2023
Deadline: December 2023

Gaming Mitigation Fund
Grants to Massachusetts nonprofit and municipal performing arts centers to spend on touring shows or touring artist fees.
Opens: December 5, 2023
Deadline: February 1, 2024

Workshops & Webinars

PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR ARTWORK W/ MERCEDES JELINEK

Monday, November 6, 2023 | 2:00 - 4:00 PM | For RI

CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL ECOSYSTEM AS AN ARTIST W/ HADASSAH DAMIEN NEW!

Thursday, November 16, 2023 | 12:00 - 2:00 PM | For CT & RI

PLANNING WITH YOUR WHOLE SELF IN YOUR ART PRACTICE W/ JOHN VO

Wednesdays, November 29, December 6 & 13, 2023 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | For MA

AN INTRODUCTION TO COOPERATIVES IN THE ARTS W/ DANIEL PARK

Thursday, December 14, 2023 | 2:00 - 5:00 PM | For CT & RI

Apply Here

Berkshire Economic Recovery Project Technical Assistance Program
The Berkshire Economic Recover Project (BERP) Technical Assistance Program is a FREE cohort-based technical assistance series for small businesses and organizations located in the Berkshires.

“Jump Start Your Crowdfunding Campaign” with Laura Christensen

Thursday, November 9, 4-6pm

FREE. Registration Required. Limited to 7-participants.

Get yourself ready to crowdfund to start, grow, or help support your business. The goal of this workshop is to help participants learn how to best leverage crowdfunding to help support their business, operations, strategic goals, and dynamic programming.

“Social Media and Digital Marketing Basics” with Francesca Olsen
Wednesday, December 6, 8-10am
FREE. Registration Required. Limited to 7-participants.
This webinar will cover the basics of digital marketing and branding, starting with why branding is important and what it encompasses, then moving on to best practices for things like branding, audience building, effective social media, SEO optimization, and your website, plus tips for making the most of the time you spend on marketing. At the end of the session, you will know what it takes to build an online audience, evaluate what digital platforms are best for you, use analytics to determine future decision-making, and put together a marketing plan that covers multiple platforms.

LinkedIn Insider Strategies

November 6 | 6-7 PM | REGISTER

Learn strategies to showcase who you are & your work in a professional setting. Build community with others & much more!

Financial Strategies: Learn from the Experts
November 7 | 12 p.m. | REGISTER

Need help with financial options for your small business?

CWE Rhode Island partnered with Chase, Merril Lynch, a Special guest & the City of Providence to provide a panel:

Financial Strategies: Learn from the Experts, will help you understand the variety of financing options available to new business owners.

The discussion will focus on strategies for raising funds, as well as, what lenders and investors look for when making financing decisions.

The panel will include the following experts:

Banker- Chase Bank
An entrepreneur with experience raising fund - Advisory board member Robin Dziuba Financial Advisor and Planner at Merrill Lynch
State Representatives - City of Providence

We will begin with a brief introduction and overview of services from each panelist followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with the audience.

Connect with Us!

North Adams Chamber Business Development Team
Marketing: Makayla-Courtney McGeeney
Business: Nico Dery

Sign up for FREE Business Assistance Consultations for ANY Northern Berkshire County Business.