WilliNet will telecast LWV information on town elections

Anne Skinner of the Williamstown League of Women Voters advises that the
league has produced a one-hour television documentary on the town-meeting
warrant. She says it will be cablecast on WilliNet Channel 17 on Monday,
May 2, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wed., May 3 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and on
Tues., May 9 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wed., May 10 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The documentary is moderated by Jack Madden, chairman of the board of
selectmen.

Skinner may be reached days at 597-2285 (anne.r.skinner@williams.edu )

Economy based on community, not growth, may sustain humanity after peak oil, global warming, McKibben says

By Bill Densmore
GreylockNews.com

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The world economy after "peak oil" should be more focused on building community and human contacts rather than the efficient output of goods and services, says writer and environmentalist Bill McKibben. The result, he said, could be that Americans will begin for the first time in 50 years to have an increased sense of satisfaction with their lives.

"It's no longer clear that greater consumption is the thing that we need," McKibben told an audience in Williamstown on Friday. It may be time to trade economic growth for security, durability, companionship, and "communities that work," he added. "It's not easy to get there and it will not be all that familiar when we do." Maybe its time to label food as "certified neighborly" rather than "certified organic," McKibben said. The technologies that contribute to community "are at least as important" as technologies, which increase economic efficiency, he said.

READ MORE / EARLIER STORY

"Slow Food" dinner raises money for Caretaker Farm, features wild leeks and benefits of local economy

Submitted by the Western Massachusetts Slow Food Convivium

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Supporters of local agriculture and wholesome cuisine will savor the wild leek – and a local food economy -- on Friday, May 12 during the second-annual dinner organized by the Western Massachusetts Slow Food Convivium. The proceeds will benefit the $239,000 campaign for Caretaker Farm. The dinner is open to the public.

"We're preserving traditions and locally grown, wholesome food," says Lori K. van Handel, volunteer leader of the local Slow Food chapter with about 150 members from the Berkshires, Columbia County and the Pioneer Valley. "Caretaker Farm represents all of the philosophies that are present in the slow-food movement. It's about keeping farms viable and about saving the family farm."

The May 12 dinner is set for Mezze Bistro and Bar beginning at 6:30 p.m. The prix fixe pricing, including tip, tax and wine, is by reservation only with a minimum contribution of $65 per person for Slow Food or Caretaker Farm members and $75 for non members. The dinner will include 4 courses, with wild leeks, also known as “spring ramps,” featured in every course. The wild leeks will be foraged in a sustainable manner from the hills, woods and meadows of Caretaker Farm.

For dinner reservations, please call Mezze directly at 413-458-0123.

MORE INFO: http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/leek-benefit-dinner.html

Acapella and Dance Performance - this Saturday, April 29th

Submitted by Nancy Nylen (nnylen@williams.edu)
Mount Greylock RHS Parent-Teacher Organization

Mt. Greylock HS and Williams College once again team-up to present an evening of acapella and dance this Saturday, April 29th at 7 PM in the Mt. Greylock Auditorium.

Mt. Greylock High School dance team and acappella singers will join Williams' Indian Bhangra dance and Irish step dance teams as well as college acapella groups, The Accidentals and The Springstreeters. Special guests this year will be the Brayton Hill Youth Step Team from North Adams.

Tickets are $3.00 and may be purchased at the door with a cap of $10 per family. All proceeds benefit the MGRHS PTO. For further information contact Kaatje White 458-2258 or Liza Barrett 458-4089.

ARTS: Drawing classes offered in North Adams by Debi Pendell

Submitted by Debi Pendell (debipenell@msn.com )

Drawing Basics and Beyond
instructor: Debi Pendell

May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13, 2006
Tuesdays, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.: six sessions, 3 hours each session.

Eclipse Mill Artist Lofts, Loft #205
243 Union Street (Rte 2), North Adams MA

Drawing is so intertwined with seeing that the two can hardly be separated.

Both seeing and drawing are skills that can be learned. Seeing involves learning to perceive edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadows, and understanding how all of these come together to form a whole vision, and then a cohesive drawing. Drawing theories and techniques enable one to draw what one perceives. This class will include such techniques as: line sensitivity, contour line, intuitive gesture, grid lines, angle lines, figure/ground, proportion, perspective, and depicting light and shadow. Still life studio setups will be used for learning basic principles that can then be applied to all sorts of subject matter. All levels of experience are welcome. If you believe you can't draw, this class is for you. If you already draw quite well, you can sharpen your skills with a review of basic drawing theory and practice, plus explore more personal expression in your drawings. If you have already taken drawing classes with this instructor, this class is a good one in whic!
h to further your drawing knowledge, exploration, and practice - that is what is meant by "and beyond" in the class title. Individual attention will be emphasized.
Tuition: $180

To register: Send check for $180 made out to Debi Pendell to:
243 Union Street, Suite 205
North Adams MA 01247

For more information, feel free to call: 413-664-2787 or email: debipendell@msn.com <about:blank>

Berkshire International Film festival sneak preview May 7

Submitted by Seth Rogovoy (setrogovoy@msn.com >

(Great Barrington, Mass., April 24, 2006) - Kelley Vickery, the director of the Berkshire International Film Festival, will be the featured guest at "Sneak Preview," on Sunday, May 7, at 11 a.m., at the Triplex Cinema, part of "The Rest of the Story" series, the free public forum co-presented by Berkshire Living and the Triplex. The event will offer an advance look at the inaugural Berkshire International Film Festival taking place the next weekend, May 12-14, at various locations throughout Southern Berkshire.

The forum, moderated by Berkshire Living editor-in-chief Seth Rogovoy, will include trailers of movies that will be screened during the festival, as well as previews of the features, documentaries, short films, panel discussions, workshops, musical events, and tributes comprising the festival. Vickery will also discuss the planning behind the festival and explain the process that went into selecting the films, which include many regional and national premieres, including Robert Altman's "Prairie Home Companion."

Each month, the Triplex and Berkshire Living, an award-winning regional lifestyle and culture magazine, join forces to present free public forums based on an article running in the concurrent issue of the magazine. The festival is the subject of an article in the May issue of Berkshire Living, on newsstands now, profiling Pittsfield, Mass.,-native Mike Haley, an Emmy Award-winning producer and first assistant director who will be honored by film legend Mike Nichols for his work in over 60 films during his 40-year career in films, including "Angels in America," "Closer," "Groundhog Day," and "A League of Their Own." For more information, call Berkshire Living at 413.528.3600.

[Press contacts: Seth Rogovoy, editor, Berkshire Living Magazine: 413.528.3600; seth@BerkshireLivingMag.com<mailto:seth@BerkshireLivingMag.com > ]

4th Annual Video Goosechase at Images Cinema

Submitted by Images Cinema
Contact: Sandra Thomas, 413 458 1039

The 4th Annual 24-Hour Video Goose Chase and Free-for-All

“I love this project. Democratic, Participatory, non-alienating and cheap!
Sounds like utopia.” Nato Thompson, MASS MoCA Assistant Curator

Williamstown, MA__ Images Cinema presents the 4th Annual 24-Hour Goosechase
and Free-For-All, which will kick off Saturday, May 6 at 11am. This free
event is an opportunity for video-makers of all levels of experience to
shoot, edit, and screen a video all within twenty-four hours. Everyone
interested in participating must attend the initial meeting on Saturday, May
6 at 11:00am at Images Cinema to receive the “secret clues” that must be
included in each video. Twenty-four hours later, Sunday, May 7, all
participants reconvene at Images with their completed videos of 5 minutes or
less. The public screening of all the videos will start at 12:00noon. Prizes
will be awarded based on a panel of judges and audience vote.

“The goose chase was awesome,” says Lisa Carton, “It was fun putting
together the short video, and being able to see it on the big screen was
really incredible! I was also really impressed and inspired by the quality
of some of the entries... altogether it was a very enjoyable experience.”
Lisa Carton and A. J. Rossi of Bennington, VT won the “Best Use of Object”
award in 2003.

Participants come from as far as Albany, NY, and as near as Williamstown and
North Adams, MA. Experience level and age were widely varied. Participants
included high school students, college students, working professionals, and
artists. Images Cinema is located at 50 Spring Street in Williamstown, MA.
If you have any questions about this event, call 413 458 1039.

One of the few non-profit, single-screen cinemas left in the country, Images
Cinema is ever-expanding to entertain and educate with quality programming,
while maintaining its strong dedication to independent film and media.
Check for up-to-date happenings at www.imagescinema.org .

NEWS: McKibben kicks off 'Campaign for Caretaker' April 28-29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 17, 2006
http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/caretaker-campaign.html

AUTHOR, ENVIRONMENTALIST BILL McKIBBEN TO KICK OFF $239,000
"CAMPAIGN FOR CARETAKER" WITH APRIL 28-29 TALK AND BRUNCH

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Citing Caretaker Farm an example of what he
means by a "deep economy," prize-winning author/environmentalist Bill
McKibben will spend April 28-29 kicking off a $239,000 fund-raising effort
for one of the nation's oldest community-supported agriculture (CSA)
farms.

McKibben's talk Friday, April 28, at 8 p.m. at the First Congregational
Church in Williamstown is entitled: "Caretaker Farm: Case Study for a Deep
Economy." It is free and open to the public. On Saturday, he'll attend a
reception and brunch at the 35-acre farm, which was sold March 17 for a
total of $427,00 ($227,000 and a $200,000 promissory note) in a complex
and innovative transaction designed to ensure it remains a working farm,
affordable to the farmers and serving the local community, forever.

Caretaker is noted for playing an innovative role connecting children
and adult shareholders to the land, in training young farmers in
sustainable agriculture and in advancing an alternative food economy based
on community-supported agriculture.

McKibben says Caretaker illustrates the premises of his new book, "Deep
Economy." In it, he will argue that economic growth as a single strategy
of society is colliding with global warming and peak oil. He says it needs
to be replaced by more localized economies and new dependence on
neighbors. "The only part of this economy that has really begun to take
form in this country is around food, and one of the earliest and most
notable experiments of this kind in the country is Caretaker Farm," he
says.

McKibben is best known for his ground breaking meditation on climate
change, "The End of Nature," following by many other books including,
"Hope Human and Wild," which features Caretaker Farm as a sign of Hope. A
scholar-in-residence at Middlebury College, he lives with his wife, the
writer Sue Halpern, and their daughter, in Ripton, Vt.

The "Campaign for Caretaker: Standing on Common Ground" fundraising
effort is chaired by Williamstown resident Audrey Thier and involves a
group of CSA shareholders and is facilitated by Equity Trust. It seeks to
raise $239,000 as the community's share of the cost of the project, a
portion of the difference between what the house, land, and farm buildings
sold for and their appraised market value. The rest of the difference --
$382,000 -- is in effect a donation by the Smiths to the farm's future.

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/caretaker-campaign.html

For additional information, please call Caretaker Farm (413) 458-9691 or go
to http://www.newshare.com/caretaker

For more information contact:

Don Zasada or Bridget Spann, 413-458-9691
don@caretakerfarm.org / http://www.caretakerfarm.org

Sam and Elizabeth Smith, 413-458-4309
sam@caretakerfarm.org / Elizabeth@caretakerfarm.org

Bill Densmore, Densmore Associates
413-458-8001 / Densmore@densmoreassociates.com

Angela Cardinali, 413-458-9053
cardinali@berkshire.net

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Earlier story about March 17, 2006 sale of Caretaker:
http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/caretaker-sold.html

Photograph of Bill McKibben, courtesy of Middlebury College:
http://www.middlebury.edu/NR/rdonlyres/00C671CF-7359-40F4-A152-68D8A1C4D34F/0/bill_mckibben_web.jpg

Letter mailed March 17, 2006 to all Caretaker Farm members and friends:
http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/member-letter.html

Letter from Equity Trust Inc. explaining the importance of farmland
preservation:
http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/caretaker-equity_trust.pdf

WRLF statement about sale:
http://www.newshare.com/wrlf-statement.html

View Rachel Barenblattÿÿs Flickr slide show on Caretaker Farm:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbarenblat/sets/1298656/show/

A case statement for the future of Caretaker Farm
(includes transaction details):
http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/case03-12-06.pdf
A photograph of Sam & Elizabeth Smith, Don Zasada and Bridget Spann:

http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/caretaker-01-27-2006.jpg
(credit: Linda Carman / Hill Country Observer)

The fundraising campaign imprint:
Http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/campaign-imprint.jpg

Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/faq-03-17-06.pdf

Bill McKibbenÿÿs letter:
http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/mckibben-03-12-06.pdf

Flyer announcing McKibbenÿÿs April 28, talk and reception:
http://www.newshare.com/caretaker/caretaker-mckibben.pdf

Bill McKibben at Middlebury College:
http://www.middlebury.edu/about/pubaff/facultyexperts/global_warming.htm

The Equity Trust, Inc. website:
http://www.equitytrust.org

The E.F. Schumacher Society website:
http://www.smallisbeautiful.org/

Feb. 16, 2006 story in The North Adams Transcript:
http://greylocknews.blogspot.com/2006/02/transcript-farm-series-features.html

National Sustainable Agriculture Service intern listing:
http://attrainternships.ncat.org/internDetail2.asp?id=1002

Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training
http://www.brookfieldfarm.org/craft.html
http://www.emasscraft.org/

The New England Small Farm Institute:
http://www.smallfarm.org/
http://www.growingnewfarmers.org/

CSA farm profiles from the University of Massachusetts (includes Caretaker):
http://www.umassvegetable.org/food_farming_systems/csa/farm_profiles.html

Other blog and news references:

http://hotpepper.thefoodproject.org/blog/?p=9
http://www.nofamass.org/news/article.php?issue=1&article=5

National news website features Capeless pot prosecution case

AlterNet, the progressive, San Francisco-based not-for-profit web news service, featured Great Barrington and Berkshire District Attorney David Capeless on its home page on Friday. In a story -- more of a commentary, but based upon facts . . . written by a convicted drug offender . . . the news service describes the the marijuana-sting operation in a parking lot which has sent one 18-year-old to jail and has several others on trial . . . and which has sparked a contested race for DA this fall. Laying aside the opinions of the author, the piece sums up nicely the facts of the situation -- although there is nothing from the DA. More than 120,000 people read AlterNet daily. As of tonight, more than 114 people had posted comments about the article -- with a good cross section of opinion.

Here's the link to the piece:
"Two years in jail for a joint," by Anthony Pappa
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/34814/

Here's a profile of the author:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Papa

http://www.mfw.us/hopeful-opposes-capeless-in-race

ANNOUNCEMENT: Gramercy Bistro features Danny O work as part of re-opening

This news release was supplied by Angela Cardinali for Gramercy Bistro:

North Adams, Mass. (April 14, 2006) – Gramercy Bistro, the
French-influenced bistro serving creative American cuisine, will
feature the work of Berkshire-based artist Daniel “Danny O” O’Connor as
part of a grand reopening in its newly renovated and expanded space.

Beginning April 20, six of Danny O’s framed canvas works will be
mounted at the downtown restaurant in a semi-permanent exhibit. All of
the works will depict buildings and streetscapes of North Adams, also
known as the Steeple City. At the same time, the restaurant will unveil
a new barroom, Side Bar at Gramercy Bistro, and a new Spring menu.

A native of Lexington, Mass., Danny O’s work is a vibrant and
imaginative take on everyday scenes. An instinctive recycler inspired
by pop culture and objects from everyday life, Danny O creates collage
art using a range of media. Vintage album covers serve as the canvas
for his unique art, which he creates using recycled magazine and
newspaper clippings as well as Scotch Tape.

“Danny O’s collage prints are a perfect complement to the ambience at
Gramercy Bistro and we are thrilled to feature his works as part of our
grand reopening,” said chef-owner Alexander ‘Sandy’ Smith who has been
decorating his walls with artists’ works at his restaurants – including
Williamstown’s former Cobble Café and Wild Amber Grill – for more than
15 years.

Berkshire residents may recognize some of Danny O’s work from visits
to MASS MoCA, Chesterwood and the DeCordova Museum. In the Boston area
his works have been featured at a Prudential Skywalk show, works
displayed at Logan Airport and the walls of Children’s Hospital. Danny
O has been featured in Boston Magazine and works with the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

In a neighborhood that appreciates good food and culture, Danny O’s
art offers the perfect complement to complete an exceptional dining
experience. Each work on exhibit at Gramercy Bistro will be for sale
for $500.

For additional information about Danny O, please visit
www.dannyoart.com .

Gramercy Bistro, a chef-owned and operated restaurant, serves creative
American cuisine with a focus on local, farm-fresh ingredients. The
bistro menu changes seasonally and features an exceptional wine list
with more than 100 excellent wines from around the world. Opened in
2001, Gramercy serves dinner nightly beginning at 5 p.m., and brunch
from 10 a.m. on Sundays. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. All
major credit cards are accepted. Located across from the MASS MoCA
campus at 24-26 Marshall Street in North Adams, Mass., Gramercy Bistro
is a member of the Berkshire Grown network. For additional information,
visit www.gramercybistro.com or call 413.663.5300.

Williamstown and college to launch greenhouse-gas lowering initiative

Submitted by Wendy Penner, Williams College

WILLIAMSTOWN COOL COMMITTEE LAUNCHES
CO2 LOWERING CAMPAIGN

PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH TO BE HELD APRIL 20Th

The Williamstown COOL (CO2 Lowering) Committee, together with Williams
College, is launching a CO2 Lowering Campaign to encourage the community,
including the student body, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A press conference to announce the launch will be held April 20th at 9:30 AM
at Williamstown Town Hall.

Williamstown is a member of the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign.
Members of the COOL Committee, town officials, and students and
administrators from Williams College will discuss the efforts they are
making to support the campaign. The COOL Committee and the college are
hosting several Earth Week events to provide information for citizens who
want to contribute to this crucial effort.

To encourage energy conservation, the Williamstown Board of Selectmen
recently approved a measure that would provide excise tax rebates for owners
of fuel-efficient vehicles. If approved at Town Meeting, the rebate will be
the first of its kind in Massachusetts.

WHO: WILLIAMSTOWN COOL (CO2 LOWERING) COMMITTEE
WILLIAMS COLLEGE

WHERE: WILLIAMSTOWN TOWN HALL/FIRST FLOOR

WHEN: THURSDAY, APRIL 20th, 9:30 AM

Among the events scheduled to launch the campaign are:

CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY PANEL DISCUSSION: APRIL 25
COMMUNITY ENERGY FAIR/FLUORESCENT BULB GIVEAWAY: APRIL 27
LECTURE BY ACCLAIMED AUTHOR BILL McKIBBEN: APRIL 27

For more information, contact Betsy Kolbert at bkolbert@adelphia.net

Another view of Wal-Mart -- the Grist interview

For all the bad publicity Wal-Mart has gotten about disrupting the
economics of small-town America, the world's largest retailer is now
getting some good press for "going green." Read Grist's interview with
Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott:

http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/04/12/griscom-little/index.html

Fay Vincent speaks May 1t Williams College on new book tour

Former Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent, who is promoting his new book, "The Only Game in Town: Baseball Stars of the 30's and 40's Talk About the Game They Loved," will be speaking at Williams College on Monday, May 1, at 7 p.m. in Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, the Williams News Office announced today.

Vincent will speak on "A Wry Look at Sports Writing" after he presents the 17th annual Frank Deford Award. The Deford Award, believed to be the only one of its kind in the nation, honors the top student sports information assistant at Williams College. After his speech Vincent will take questions from the audience. By tradition the Deford Award ceremony must begin at 7:00 p.m. and end precisely at 8:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Dick Quinn, Williams College Sports Information Director, at 413-597-4982 or Dick.Quinn@williams.edu

Source: Williams College News Office

Goodrichs, who lost son in 9-11 attacks, attending dedication of Afghan school after benefit film debut at Williams College

By Bill Densmore
GreylockNews.com Writer

The family of a 9-11 victim raised in Williamstown will be in Afghanistan on Saturday (April 15) for the dedication of a girls' school built with $236,000 from the Peter M. Goodrich Memorial Foundation.

Approximately 70 people turned out on Tuesday night for the regional premier of a 106-minute Afghanistan documentary, Kabul Transit, shot by Williams College Anthropology Prof. David Edwards and a collaborator, Gregory Whitmore (Williams 1998). Donations of close to $1,000 from the benefit screening will be used to construct a playground for the 16-classroom, 520-student school in Surkh Abat, 30 miles south of Kabul in Logar province.

Peter Goodrich died at age 33 aboard one of the planes flown by terrorists into a World Trade Center tower. His mother, Sally, a Title I reading specialist in the North Adams public schools, channeled her family's grief by undertaking a two-year-effort -- suggested by Peter's childhood Williamstown friend, U.S. Marine Maj. Rush Filson, whose duty took him to Afghanistan. On Tuesday, Goodrich and her daughter sat in the front row of a Wege Auditorium science lab at Williams for the screening of Kabul Transit which was first shown in complete form at a film festival in Durham, N.C. over the weekend.

The film, without narration, contrasts Afghanistan living conditions with those of U.S. and Canadian peacekeepers and ends with a retrospective look at the failed Russian occupation of the mountainous, third-world nation. Edwards, in comments after the just-finished film, said the Canadians were open to his cameras, while the U.S. Embassy and military forces imposed burdensome conditions. Edwards says his philosophy as a filmmaker -- he teaches film -- is to avoid offering any direct political message. But he says he was struck that the Soviets -- who left Afghanistan in 1989 after punishing casualties over many years -- were trying to "protect scientific socialism" at a time when socialism was failing at home. "We wanted to make a film which was, in a sense, about the last Soviet city."

The film depicts jobless but spirited Afghanis living in a city with sporadic electricity, a handful of police for a 550,000-resident district, open sewers running down steep, rutted stone streets, and block-after-block of buildings bombed to rubble. Meanwhile, an officer at a Canadian peacekeepers' walled barracks gives a guided tour, describing six choices of fruit for breakfast, cappucinos, computer games, golf and enforced cleanliness. In the film, a French-accented volunteer teacher says of the children around her: "They just want care, respect, freedom . . . and love."

Peter Goodrich's father, Donald, a North Adams attorney, serves as chairman of FamiliesOfSeptember11.org. The Goodrich's now live in Bennington, Vt. The school building was finished in December, but the dedication is Saturday.

MCLA President Mary Grant - "Learning, Earning, and Civic Engagement" -- on WilliNet

Watch President Mary Grant's Presentation on "Learning, Earning, and Civic Engagement"

In case you missed the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce April Business Dinner (April 4) held at Gideon's Restaurant or if you want to see President Mary Grant's presentation again...
here are the times that WilliNet will air the taped presentation.

(Due to audio problems, the beginning minutes of the talk are difficult to hear - we apologize)

Wednesday April 19 at 8-8:30 PM
Thursday April 20 at 11:30 AM - Noon
Wednesday APril 26 at 8-8:30 PM

12,000 view web debate over Berkshire DA's prosecution of "school-zone" marijuana offenders

At scribbyworld.com a debate has emerged online over tactics used by Berkshire County District Attorney David F. Capeless in prosecuting first-time offenders accused of selling small amounts of marijuana. Scribbyworld is a journal of reportage, ideas, commentary and images created and moderated by Berkshire journalist (and former Berkshire Eagle editor) David Scribner. Two weeks ago, he posted a column, “Fanatical prosecutor pursues a personal vendetta,” recounting the arrest and conviction of 18-year-old Mitchell Lawrence of Otis, a Monument Mountain Regional High School student who, in the summer of 2004, sold a very small amount of pot to an undercover agent during a four-month sting operation in Great Barrington. In his trial last month, he was found guilty. Because he was charged with “dealing” drugs within a school zone, he was immediately sent to prison for two years under the minimum mandatory sentencing requirements of the school-zone law. Despite appeals from a grassroots organization, Concerned Citizens for Appropriate Justice, the district attorney had not to modified his policy of imposing minimum mandatory sentences on all school-zone drug offenses, regardless of circumstances. Opponents of his stance say it raises questions about the effectiveness of school zone laws and the fairness of minimum mandatory sentences. Aapparently, these issues struck a nerve. So far, says Scribner, more than 12,000 viewers have sought out the column, and 40 respondents have posted their comments. (EARLIER POST)

History of ballooning in Berkshires exhibited during April at MCLA

Susan Denault, archivist at the Freel Library at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts reports:

During the month of April (and perhaps through May) Freel Library on the upper level at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has an exhibit done by Dawn Morin, who is a junior majoring in History at MCLA. The exhibit entitled "Ballooning over the Berkshires" is about the early history of gas ballooning in North Adams and Pittsfield, Mass. North Adams in the early 1900s was the ballooning center of New England and the Northeast. Dawn's research has revealed that North Adams was the ballooning center for very famous ballooning enthusiasts in the U.S. and around the world. Her display has reproductions of photographs and documents found in various local archives, from the North Adams Transcript, the Berkshire Eagle and from the Berkshire Gas Company in Pittsfield. Her research stemmed from a lengthy research paper she did for me in my Local History Research Methods class last fall. Dawn will also have joint exhibits at the North Adams Public Library (where she is interning this semester) and the Pittsfield Public libraries. For further information contact Susan Denault or Linda Kaufmann at the Ref. desk in Freel Library.

Susan Denault/Archivist
Freel Library

Building Comm Forums Rebroadcast on WilliNet (fwd)

Posted from: Debby Dane < debbydane@willinet.org >

Catch-up on the progress of the MGRHS Building Committee.
Over the next five weeks WilliNet (Channel 17 in Williamstown) will
rebroadcast the four public forums held this winter as part of the
Building Committee’s comprehensive Feasibility Study to determine
what facility changes are required and what options the District
has. Dore and Whittier Architects, Inc. was hired to perform this
study.

COST IMPLICATIONS of Building Options /Forum #4 took place April 5
will be rebroadcast on Channel 17:

Saturdays, April 8 & April 15: 10:30am- 12pm
8:15 –
9:45 pm
Monday, April 10: 1-2:30 pm
Wednesday, April 12: 9-10:30pm

BUILDING OPTIONS: Renovate, Addition/Renovate, or New /Forum #3 took
place Feb. 15…rebroadcast:

Monday, April 17: 1-2:00 pm
Wednesday, April 19: 9-10 pm
Saturday, April 22: 10:30-11:30 am
4-5 pm
8:15-9:15 pm

PROJECTED ENROLLMENTS & EDUCATIONAL SPACE NEEDS/Forum #2 took place
January 24…rebroadcast:

Monday, April 24: 1 – 2:15 pm
Wednesday, April 26: 9 – 10:15 am
Saturday, April 29: 10:30 – 11:45 am
4 – 5:15 pm
8:15 – 9:30 pm

BUILDING & SITE ASSESSMENT/Forum #1 took place Jan. 10…rebroadcast:

Monday, May 1: 1 – 2 pm
Wednesday, May 3: 9 – 10 am
Saturday, May 6: 10:30 – 11:30 am
4 – 5 pm
8:15 – 9:15 pm

FORUM MARATHON: #1 &amp; 2 on Wed, May 10, 7 – 8:30 pm;
#3 & 4 on Thu, May 11, 7-8:30 pm

Student Council Speaks Out at Sch Comm Mtg; Town Finance Comm make '07 Budget Rec'm

Debby Dane, manager of WilliNet, the public-access cable TV operation
in Williamstown reports cable Channel 17 will carry three telecasts
of important meetings in the process of settling the Mount Greylock
Regional High School budget.

Student Council Speaks Out at School Comm Mtg;
Lanesboro & Williamstown Finance Committees approve ’07 Budget Rec’m—
WilliNet (Channel 17 in Williamstown) to rebroadcast these meetings
of importance to MGRHS Community:

STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBERS SPEAK OUT ABOUT ROTATING SCHEDULE at
MGRHS School Comm Meeting Tues, April 4 rebroadcast on Channel 17:

Saturday, April 8: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Sunday, April 9: 10 am – 1 pm

WILLIAMSTOWN FINANCE COMM. Approves Final Budget Rec’m at Thu, April
6 mtg…rebroadcast:

Saturday, April 8: 4:30 – 7 pm

LANESBORO FINANCE COMM. Approves Final Budget Rec’m at Mon, April 3 mtg:

Monday, April 10: 9 – 10 am
Wednesday, April 12: 8 - 9 pm

Baby sheep coming soon to Hancock Shaker Village

Forwarded from Heather McDermott at Hancock Shaker Village

Piglets and Lambs and Calves.....Oh, my!

Join us at the Berkshires' premiere springtime event to shake off the winter doldrums and celebrate the earth's reawakening! The countdown has begun to Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm when our
barnyard babies make their debut on April 8th. Our cuddly babies will continue to charm through April 23rd, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily. Indulge in a bit of reverie in our greening gardens, examine the
masterful utilitarianism of Shaker farm tools, churn a bit of butter, marvel at the deft hands of our spinners and weavers as they demonstrate how to turn a sheep's coat into a sweater for you, and
much, much more.

Applaud the skills of the savvy border collies trained and handled by Mick Warren on Sheep Shearing Day, April 22nd, as they expertly drive and single out sheep. Spin, card, and weave freshly shorn
wool from fleece harvested by master sheep shearer, Fred DePaul, who will demonstrate a variety of sheep shearing techniques. Greylock Youth Club members and their families enjoy free admission and
free activities on Sheep Shearing Day!

Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union, with additional support from the Rotary Club of Pittsfield. A Visit to the Shaker Farm is supported by Berkshire Bank
and a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Hancock Shaker Village is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

For more information about Baby Animals on the Shaker Farm and Sheep Shearing Day, including a schedule of activities and events, call the Village at (413) 443-0188 or log onto

Adopt An Animal at Hancock Shaker Village

You can help care for the animals by participating in this exciting program! Your support provides the resources needed to feed, train and interpret how animals are used on the Shaker Farm! Animals
currently available for adoption include: oxen, cattle, sheep, turkeys, and chickens. To adopt an animal or for more details, log onto

Watch for . . . . .

Handled With Care: The Function of Form in Shaker Craft, coming May 13, 2006 to Hancock Shaker Village and sponsored by TD Banknorth.

"Wine Maketh Merry"

Mark your calendar to join us on Saturday, June 3rd, from 6 to 8 p.m. for a Wines of the World tasting featuring a dizzying array of specialty wines assembled in the world-famous Round Stone Barn.
We're sure you won't want to miss this chance for people to come together to enjoy great libations that will suit the wine budgets of novices to aficionados. This tasting is being organized by
Nejaime's Wine Cellars.