This week, more pieces of art from the Berkshire Musem's collection were sold at auction. Included was Norman Rockwell's "Blacksmith's Boy -- Heel and Toe," which sold for more than $8 million including fees.
Several other pieces sold for below their listed values. It's all part of the museum's controversial plan to sell off parts of its collection in order to raise money for renovations and to stabilize its finances.
Two Northampton, Massachusetts, city councilors recently said they're concerned with how the city is looking into panhandling. They said they had problems with a survey made available to city residents and with how a working group on the practice is set up. Of course, other towns have had trouble tackling the issue in previous years.
Meanwhile, the operators of the Suffolk Downs race track in East Boston say they have a deal to bring racing back to the Great Barrington Fairgrounds as soon as next year. While a Great Barrington selectman said they are looking forward to hearing more abou the plan, an economic development official says the plan could add to tourism in the area.
And with Memorial Day coming up, there will be parades and other commemorations all over. And what is billed as the "longest, continuously run" parade in the county marking the holiday will take place in Florence, Massachusetts, a villiage of Northampton.
- Dave Eisenstadter, editor, Valley Advocate
- Larry Parnass, investigations editor, The Berkshire Eagle
