Sunday, January 31, 2010

School project advances


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School project advances

Sunday, Jan. 31

HANCOCK -- Hancock Elementary School is now a step closer in securing state school building funds for energy efficiency upgrades.


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Friday, January 29, 2010

Haiti Plunge Benefit Concert hosted by Williamstown JavaJive at MGRHS Jan. 30

Haiti Plunge Benefit Concert hosted by Williamstown JavaJive at MGRHS Jan. 30


NEWS RELEASE:JavaJive Haiti Benefit Concert and Dance Party – All Together Now

Saturday 1/30/10, 7:00-9:30 pm

Mt. Greylock Regional High School Auditorium

1781 Cold Spring Road (Rt 7)

Williamstown, MA 01267Contact: Brian Handspicker (bd@handspicker.net )Saturday January 30 at 7pm JavaJive hosts the "All Together Now" Haiti Benefit Concert and Dance Party at Mount Greylock Regional High School. This is an all-ages concert, with dancing encouraged, featuring local performers, young and old, professional and amateur, coming together as a community to support another community broken by nature. Friends helping friends helping friends, including:Master of Ceremonies Peter Iwasiwka,

Joe King,

"Food of Love" preview with Patrick Madden, Megan Hiley, & Krista Mangiardi, Eli Caitlin, Rufus Paisley, Eric Auld, Gillian Jones, Joe Girard, Garth Green, St. Jacques, The Romaines, and other special guests.

Suggested donations: $3 students, $5+ adult, $10+ family, $20+ benefactorCome and give generously. Proceeds will be donated to the local Haiti Plunge program, which is preparing for a February 11 mission to Haiti to support the Haswep Cooperative Villages. These nine villages, located 58 miles north of Port-au-Prince, were home to 14,000 people. Many homes and much of the infrastructure of these villages were decimated in the recent earthquake. These people are in desperate need of supplies, funds for rebuilding, and seeds for crop replanting. Their remote mountain location means they will not receive other aid any time soon.Sister Eunice Tassone's Haiti Plunge, is a program of the North Adams-based Church Outreach To Youth Project, Inc.

Founded in 1983 the organization provides unique and challenging opportunities for youth to be of service to others and to make a difference in the world. Haiti Plunge has evolved into six teams of twelve that travel annually to Haiti. This is an educational experience that empowers youth from both cultures to positively influence their cultures. Since its inception the Haiti Plunge has encouraged sustainable development through agricultural cooperatives made up of nine villages tucked deep within the mountains of the central plateau.

For more information on The Haiti Plunge go to: http://www.cotyproject.org/userPage_101_Haiti-Plunge.htm .

JavaJive is the Williamstown, Massachusetts, teen-run, substance-free coffee house. One Saturday per month teens perform for teens and create a safe place to hang out with friends. There is great stuff to listen to, great stuff to drink and eat, and great company. The proceeds from JavaJive events are donated to local charity organizations.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

North Adams Council Asked to Support Skate Park - iBerkshires.com


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North Adams Council Asked to Support Skate Park - iBerkshires.com


iBerkshires.com

North Adams Council Asked to Support Skate Park
iBerkshires.com
"I have a 12-year-old I bring regularly to Williamstown's and Adams' skateboard parks," he said, adding that policing and safety considerations have to be ...



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Sunday, January 24, 2010

Outdoor apparel store opens in Williamstown


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Outdoor apparel store opens in Williamstown

Nature's Closet has completed its move from Bennington and opened at 61 Spring St.



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Outdoor apparel store opens in Williamstown - http://bit.ly/8L9gnK #Williamstown #Massachusetts


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Outdoor apparel store opens in Williamstown - http://bit.ly/8L9gnK #Williamstown #Massachusetts

near:williamstown,ma within:5mi - Twitter Search — Sat Jan 23 12:00:00 UTC 2010
Outdoor apparel store opens in Williamstown - http://bit.ly/8L9gnK #Williamstown #Massachusetts
about: 8L9gnK #Williamstown #Massachusetts Outdoor apparel store Hospitality Recreation http://bitly/8L9gnK


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Saturday, January 23, 2010

INVITATION: Meeting, Tues., 7:30 p.m., Selectmens' meeting room, Williamstown Town Hall

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The public is invited to attend an informal
discussion on Tues., Jan. 26, at 7:30 p.m., in the Selectmens' Meeting
Room at Williamstown Town Hall, 31 North St., Williamstown, Mass., on the
community-information needs of the town and region.

"This is not a town-sanctioned or sponsored event," says town resident, a
future-of-jouranlism researcher who set up the meeting. "It's just some
people gathering to kick around ideas. We are using town hall merely
because the library closes early on Tuesday and we couldn't therefore seek
the meeting room there."

Invited participants include:

-- David Scribner, a Pittsfield-based writer and weekly newspaper editor.
Scribner, a former editor of The Berkshire Eagle and The Bennington
Banner, has applied to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for a
grant to launch "Newshare Commons" -- a journalist-guided, social news
network in libraries, cafes and public spaces. Scribner hopes the
Berkshires/SW Vermont will be one test region. See:
http://tinyurl.com/yacnxdn

-- Jeff Vander Clute, president of CircLabs Inc., a company part-owned by
the University of Missouri School of Journalism. CircLabs is working to
find solutions for sustaining the values, principles and purposes of
journalism in our rapidly evolving media ecosystem. Jeff is developing
the technology for a "news social network." Vander Clute is a 1994
Williams College graduate and was part of the core group at the start of
Tripod Inc. See: http://www.avanoo.com

ADVANCES A GATHERING IN BENNINGTON

This meeting also advances by two days a more formal gathering at the
Bennington (Vt.) Free Library organized by Shires Media Partnership Inc., a
501(c)3 non-profit which owns radio station WBTN in Bennington (I serve on its
volunteer board). The announcement of that event should give you a sense our
subject domain for Tuesday. See:

http://dbs.hosting.crocker.com/wiki/index.php/Community-bennington

"To get a feel for what a metropolitan area like Seattle can put together
to study its 'news ecosystem,' " said Densmore, "Review this page from the
Journalism That Matters Pacific Northwest gathering Jan. 7-10 --
http://www.rjiwiki.org . . . . "

Densmore may be reached at 413-458-8001 or
densmore@mediagiraffe.org.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Pair admit to embezzling


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Pair admit to embezzling

Berkshire Eagle Staff



PITTSFIELD -- A North Adams couple who pleaded guilty to bilking $1.


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Monday, January 18, 2010

Daylights: In songs, signs and stars


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Daylights: In songs, signs and stars

The elegant rafters of St. John's Church in Williamstown have rung to the sound of many uplifting voices over the years, from gospel choirs to internationally known jazz artists.



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Pownal solar project could be set by year's end


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Pownal solar project could be set by year's end

POWNAL, Vt. -- The largest solar power facility in the Northeast could be in place before the end of the year at the site of the former Green Mountain Race Track, officials said this week.

Tyler Fairbank, CEO of EOS Ventures, a Berkshire County-based renewable energy company, told the Selectmen Thursday that the "aggressive" timeline for the project is because of federal financing


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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Dotties in Pittsfield eyes Cup and Saucer


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Dotties in Pittsfield eyes Cup and Saucer

PITTSFIELD -- Dottie's Coffee Lounge is looking to expand to North Adams.

Dottie's owner Jessica Rufo said Friday that she has notified Scarafoni Associates that she is interested in the space formerly occupied by the vacated North Adams cafe, Cup and Saucer, at the corner of Main and Holden streets.


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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Photoshop course for faculty, parents, community around Mount Greylock RHS

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:55:22 -0500
From: William Travis <wtravis@mgrhs.org>
Subject: Photoshop Course for Faculty, Parents, Community

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Mount Greylock Regional High School digital photography teacher,Mike Powers, is offering a course in personal photography skills using the features of PHOTOSHOP. This is an introductory course on PHOTOSHOP though individuals with a full range of photography skills may register. The fee is $65.00 and the class will run with a minimum enrollment of 8 adults. Mike says, "I am thinking of the course running on Monday&rsquo;s and Wednesday&rsquo;s from 6-8pm [at Mount Greylock] with an &ldquo;Excursion&rdquo; date on a Sunday TBA so we could go out and do some field shooting as well. The dates right now might be February 3rd, Excursion Feb 7th in the morning place TBD because of the Super Bowl, February 8th and 10th, and the last class on Wednesday February 24th after our winter vacation. I will develop a timeline/itinerary once w e are sure that the class will be running."

"I am having the classroom times in the evening to accommodate the MG community work schedules. In addition, I am allowing time for class lessons to &ldquo;sink in&rdquo; by having the fieldwork session early (Feb 7th) and giving time for participants to get out and do more shooting during the February Break. This way we get most of the classroom instruction time and fieldwork accomplished early in the mini-course so that participants can put into practice what is covered and apply it over vacation in which they may have additional shooting time. This is my hope."

Participants are to bring in 6 JPEG photos of their own for a class critique on the February 7th (first) class meeting date on a flash drive or CD. This is very important so that participants have pictures of their own taking to work on from the start.

Interested participants should get in touch wi th Mike Powers at: Michael J. Powers, M.Ed. Instructional Technology Specialist Mt. Greylock Regional High School 1781 Cold Spring Road Williamstown, MA 01267 (413) 458-9582 ext.142 School: mjpowers@mgrhs.org Home: Michael_J_Powers@comcast.net
http://home.comcast.net/~michael_j_powers/

Leary to Walmart: ‘Take another shot’


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Leary to Walmart: 'Take another shot'

North Adams Transcript



NORTH ADAMS -- The appearance of a camel-brown 160,000-square-foot rectangular Walmart Supercenter planned for the city's former gravel bank isn't sitting well with the Planning Board.



Planning Board Chairman Michael Leary instructed local attorney, Jonathan "Jay" Sabin, who represents the developer, Ceruzzi Properties of Fairfield, Conn.


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Monday, January 11, 2010

In a principals' email letter, MGRHS's Kaiser briefs two initiatives

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:22:02 -0500
From: Ellen Kaiser and Tim Payne <mgrhs_announce@mgrhs.org>
Subject: [MGRHS Announcements] Principals' Letter 1/10

To All Mt. Greylock Families

Warmest New Year Greetings and welcome to the first in a series of quarterly Mt. Greylock Regional School Updates, which focus on larger developments shaping your students' education now and in the near future. Today we cover two major middle school and high school initiatives:

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mt. Greylock has long been known for teaching writing well, and we're delighted to announce that our middle school teachers are adopting the Collins Writing Program, a nationally recognized method for teaching and assessing writing across the curriculum. (More on Collins at www.collinseducationassociates.com/cwp.htm). Even better, because Lanesborough and Williamstown elementary schools also employ the Collins writing method, our incoming Mt. Greylock students will be building on a firm foundation established in elementary grades. Our teachers' efforts have already improved writing instruction for middle schoolers and will help make next year's new middle schoolers feel at home from their first day at Mt. Greylock.

HIGH SCHOOL

Meanwhile, we have been working to ease the equally challenging transition from middle school to high school. A group of ninth grade teachers led by Kellie Houle spent a day last summer establishing common expectations, assessments, and cross-curricular connections for new high school students, which were shared with students on the first day of school and with parents at this fall's Open House events. Evan Paris and Brian Gill have developed a parallel ninth grade wellness curriculum, which focuses on activities that build community and citizenship. Our teachers have taken these efforts to the next level by meeting monthly with small groups of ninth graders so that now at least one adult in the building besides their guidance counselor knows each student well. These initiatives have proved to be particularly timely in light of recent incidents in which a few ninth graders threatened other students using grossly disrespectful language. Teaching tolerance and addressing bullyi
ng behavior can be addressed in an effective manner at the ninth-grade level, and we are committed to expanding such efforts throughout the entire school.

These are but two of many efforts at Mt. Greylock to improve every aspect of your students' educational experience. We look forward to sharing more in future updates. For breaking news, keep reading "Weekly Highlights" (thanks to Pat Dunleavy for excellent work on that essential parent communication!) and our occasional school-wide e-mail announcements.

If you have questions about these initiatives or any aspect of your students' education, please feel free to e-mail us.

And all best wishes for a happy and healthy 2010.

Ellen Kaiser
Co-Principal, Middle School
EKaiser@mgrhs.org

Tim Payne
tipayne@mgrhs.org
Co-Principal, High School

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Sanders a growing force on the far, far left


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Sanders a growing force on the far, far left

The Senate may pride itself on a reputation as the world's most exclusive deliberative body, but it is turning into just about the only place in America where a self-described socialist can wield raw power.



Add to Facebook
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Add to Reddit
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Thursday, January 07, 2010

Williams College Honors Nine Students as Gaudino Fellows - iBerkshires.com


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Williams College Honors Nine Students as Gaudino Fellows - iBerkshires.com


Williams College Honors Nine Students as Gaudino Fellows
iBerkshires.com
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Nine Williams College students have been named Gaudino Fellows and will spend January Term abroad pursuing projects in honor of Robert ...



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For symphonies a year of coping


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For symphonies a year of coping

With the economy in a tailspin, 2009 was a year of coping for all classical music organizations in the Berkshires, but especially for the three symphony orchestras that make music here.



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Clark's new Rousseau is 'Looking at Lunchtime' subject - Bennington Banner


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Clark's new Rousseau is 'Looking at Lunchtime' subject - Bennington Banner


Clark's new Rousseau is 'Looking at Lunchtime' subject
Bennington Banner
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Join Richard Rand, senior curator and curator of paintings and sculpture at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, ...



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Walmart meetings slated tonight


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Walmart meetings slated tonight

North Adams Transcript



NORTH ADAMS -- In anticipation of Monday night's Planning Board hearing on the proposed Walmart Supercenter, the two sides of the Walmart debate are rallying the troops, with both sides hosting informational meetings tonight.



Proponents of the proposed 160,000-square-foot store slated for the city's former gravel bank on Curran Highway (Route 8) will


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MCLA is awarded $225,100 grant


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MCLA is awarded $225,100 grant

New England Newspapers



NORTH ADAMS -- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will use a $225,100 grant to hire a new associate dean, assess academic and student life, and help its students build "e-portfolios."



The three-year grant, from the Davis Educational Foundation of Falmouth, Maine, started rolling out this month, and MCLA officials say it will help them continue their efforts to


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Barrett rumors dispelled by Alcombright


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Barrett rumors dispelled by Alcombright

North Adams Transcript



NORTH ADAMS -- Rumors have been flying recently regarding former Mayor John Barrett III and some of the city-owned items he once used.



It has been speculated that Barrett had taken furniture out of his former city hall office without paying for it and had also failed to return the two city-owned cars that he was driving as part of his travel compensation as mayor.


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Friday, January 01, 2010

’Locavore’ the newest resolution trend


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'Locavore' the newest resolution trend

North Adams Transcript



NORTH ADAMS -- While most people are making resolutions to eat less and exercise more, local author Amy Cotler is urging people to add one more resolution to their list: Become a "locavore."



Part of the farm to table movement, locavores are people who strive to eat and buy food grown and produced locally -- from dairy products and produce to meats and cheeses.


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County's film venues expand - California Chronicle


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County's film venues expand - California Chronicle


County's film venues expand
California Chronicle
Like BIFF, the Williamstown Film Festival marked its 11th season with its most diverse lineup of films ever. The WFF makes its home at Images Cinema, ...

and more »


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