NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — In recognition of its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts recently was named to the 2016 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

MCLA President James F. Birge said the college is pleased to be recognized for the community service that students, faculty and staff engage in throughout the year.

"MCLA has a long history of volunteer service," Birge said. "Whether it's volunteer work, civic engagement or service-learning in the community, or even beyond the Berkshires, these efforts prepare our students

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Ninety-nine hundred thank yous: The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires has received a $9,948 donation from the Pittsfield Ninety Nine Restaurant as part of the restaurant chain's annual October fund raising efforts on behalf of local Boys & Girls Clubs. The amount raised by the Pittsfield Ninety Nine, located at 699 Merrill Road, was the eighth highest of the 106 Ninety Nine stores participating in fundraising efforts for their local Boys & Girls Clubs.

The money was raised with support of the staff, which asked each and every guest to help us support our Boys & Girls Club and put together gift baskets and homemade baked goods to raffle off and sell. The restaurant

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, D-North Adams, has scheduled a series of community meetings for January.

The community meetings, titled "There Ought to be a Law," will allow citizens to share ideas about local and district issues, state government, and legislation – particularly what laws should exist and what laws, if any, should be repealed.

"Many legislators across the country have hosted similar meetings and I felt that it was important to do the same here," Cariddi said in a statement. "These meetings will give members of the public the opportunity to share ideas."

The schedule is as follows:

• Lanesborough,

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Nice work, Scoob: Lee Premium Outlets hosted a meet-and-greet with Scooby Doo, everyone's favorite crime solving Great Dane, on Dec. 26. Scooby Doo was onsite as part of the "HANNA-BARBERA: The Architects of Saturday Morning" exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum, which is open through May 29. Scooby took photos with children and met his fans.

 
Getting real: Berkshire Community College will offer Real Estate Licensing for the Salesperson starting Jan. 30. Workshop participants will study basic real estate principles and the laws governing real estate licensing. Topics will include: brokerage and agency, contract law, finance, appraising, deeds, closing and settlement,

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CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Design proposals for the school renovation project will be unveiled this week.

Superintendent Jonathan Lev told the School Committee this past Thursday that he and Principal Tara Barnes were to meet with the project manager Friday and get a first look at some possible plans for the project.

"We should be getting our first looks at some possible schemes they came up with," Lev said. "Things are continuing to move and it will be exciting to see what some of their ideas are for our project."

The school district is working with designer Jones Whitsett Architects on a feasibility study approved last year by town meeting. The design firm, which

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day is being celebrated Monday, Jan. 16. It is a federal holiday to commemorate the birthday of the civil rights activist born Jan. 15, 1929. It is observed on the third Monday in January.

King, a Baptist minister, lead the civil rights movement in the 1960s by espousing nonviolent protest. His best-known address, the "I Have a Dream" speech, was given in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to a crowd of 250,000 who participated in the March on Washington. The 1964 Nobel Prize winner was assassinated on

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CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The School Committee on Thursday heard reports from pupils on fundraising efforts they are involved in to help the community.

Second-graders at Clarksburg School used a school project to lead an effort to help local food pantries and Grade 8 is planning another fundraiser for Soldier On.

Second-graders Mason Stred and Lexxus Rolnick explained how they organized a schoolwide fundraising campaign to help feed the hungry in the community.

"We are here because we wanted to tell you that it's OK no matter how small your hands are you can always help

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The state Department of Education doesn't know what the new standardized tests will be called.

MCAS 2.0? MCAS the "New Generation?" The "Next Generation?"

While they might not know the name, educators are preparing for a version of the 20-year-old Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System that will be more in-depth and more complex than ever before.

"Sometimes the upgrades are really minor, and you as a user might not even notice what has actually changed," Superintendent Barbara Malkas told the School Committee on Tuesday. "This is not

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — City councilors are expected vote on a refined resolution in February declaring the city a safe and welcoming community after taking more feedback from residents.

The resolution was introduced in December by City Councilors Nancy Bullett and President Benjamin Lamb but ran into some concerns over language and intent. A second pass at the resolution was referred to the Community Development Committee for more public input. Lamb sent another more streamlined revision to the committee through Bullett as he was unable to attend.

The response at meetings has been generally favorable,

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It's that time of the year again when people like me hate people like you. January is the month when all those good intentions to get healthy and fit translate into a 12 percent bump in health club memberships. If only all those Americans who join gyms this month would stick with it.

Sadly for them (but not for me) all those good intentions dissolve by the end of the first quarter. The health clubs of America get back to normal by March. Actually, 4 percent of new members won't make it past the end of January and 14 percent drop out by the end of

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CLARKSBURG, Mass. — A second proposal to locate a Verizon cell tower at the former North Adams Country Club came under fire on Wednesday as residents sharply questioned its need.

The telecommunications company wants to place a 140-foot monopole along River Road (Route 8) to increase the coverage and communications quality; residents say the placement of the pole along its most scenic byway will be an unnecessary eyesore on a property that's already gone downhill.

"Go back and take a look. There maybe some other areas in town that could serve your purpose," said Bryan Tanner, an abuttor and outspoken opponent of the proposal.

The Planning Board had initially set a

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