GreylockNews.COM

Rep. Cariddi and Saldo in post-screening discussion of "Miss Representation" at Images on Monday

2011-12-03T18:26:00.000-05:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The documentary, MISS REPRESENTATION will screen a second time at Images Cinema on Monday, 12/5 at 7 p.m. followed by a panel discussion with state representative Gail Cariddi, and public television host and journalist Carrie Saldo.

Janet Curran, Images managing director, said other panelists will be announced at www.imagescinema.org. Admission is $5. Images Cinema is located at 50 Spring Street.

MISS REPRESENTATION explores how the medias misrepresentation of women has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions ofpower and influence. In a society where media is the most persuasiveforce shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our youngwomen and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman's value and powerlie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality, and not in her capacity as aleader. While women have made great strides in leadership over thepast few decades, the United States is still 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, women hold only 3% of clout positions in mainstream media, and 65% of women and girls have disordered eating behaviors.

Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics, like Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem build momentum as Miss Representation accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective.

GAIL CARIDDI is the First Berkshire District State Representative, and the first woman to hold that position. She was a City Councilor for North Adams for twenty years.

CARRIE SALDO is the host of Connecting Point on WGBY. Prior to that, she was Berkshire Bureau Chief at WAMC Northeast Public Radio where she earned awards from the Associated Press and the Edward R. Murrow foundation. She cut her teeth as a general assignment reporter at the Berkshire Eagle and the North Adams Transcript.

This screening of Miss Representation is co-sponsored by the Women of Color Resource Center and the Womens Center at Williams College, and Images Cinema.

Images Cinema serves organic popcorn, real butter, locally-made baked goods, and naturally sweetened sodas, as well as traditional concessions fare. Images Cinema is supported inpart by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Check for up-to-date happenings at www.imagescinema.org

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SOURCE: Images Cinema

Williamstown Chamber slates fund-raiser on Tuesday for displaced Spruces tenants

2011-11-26T10:14:00.000-05:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce will combine its annual meeting with a fund-raising event on Tuesday for The Community Fund for the Spruces & Higher Ground.

The event is set for Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Orchards, 227 Adams Road, Williamstown. The cost at the door is $30 per person, 100% donated to The Fund.

"Due to the devastation that happened during Irene, and the holiday season upon us, we don't want to forget about our neighbors at the Spruces," says a chamber statement. "Many of whom will never be able to go back to their homes. Representatives from the Community Fund and Higher Ground will be on board to give us all an update on what we as a community have been doing along with what we see happening in the coming future."

Higher Ground was established as a nonprofit group on Oct. 21 and is dedicated to providing immediate relief for those affected by Tropical Storm Irene, preparing for future disasters, and creating more affordable housing in the area.

Higher Ground is providing services and raising money to meet long-term physical, emotional and spiritual needs associated with the disaster, which is perhaps the greatest in Williamstown.s history.

The Orchards has graciously given us their ballroom and Chef Chris Bonnivier with his many contacts, is getting donations from various Berkshire County Restaurants for a wide array of food for the evening.

Call the Chamber at 413-458-9077 or email info@williamstownchamber.com to sign up or get more information.

LINK: New congressional district links Berkshires with Springfield and Rep. Neal

2011-11-08T08:08:00.000-05:00

http://www.malegislature.gov/Images/ProposedRedistrictingMaps/18.jpg

Fwd: Media Advisory

2011-10-20T11:15:00.000-04:00

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Lisa Loomis <lloomis@northadams-ma.gov>
Date: October 20, 2011 11:13:32 AM EDT
To: WNAW <wnaw@wnaw.com>, WUPE <news@wupe.com>, NBRH <phopkins@nbhealth.org>, Advocate <news@advocateweekly.com>, iberkshires <tdaniels@iberkshires.com>, Bill Densmore <densmore@newshare.com>, Berkshire Eagle News <news@berkshireeagle.com>, Jen Huberdeau <jhuberdeau@thetranscript.com>, Transcript <news@thetranscript.com>, Mike Foster <mfoster@thetranscript.com>, "info@iberkshires.com" <info@iberkshires.com>
Cc: "Richard J. Alcombright" <ralcombright@northadams-ma.gov>, Kathleen Wall <kwall@northadams-ma.gov>
Subject: Media Advisory

Media Advisory – October 20, 2011

Meeting with the Director of the MA Broadband Institute with city and MCLA officials

Judith Dupont, Director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, along with Jason Whittet, Deputy Director will be meeting with Mayor Alcombright and representatives from MCLA to get an update on the progress of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute project. The meeting will be on Wednesday afternoon, October 26^th at 3:00pm in the second floor conference room at City Hall and we sincerely hope this fits into your schedules, as we would very much like to have you join us for this meeting.

Richard J. Alcombright

Mayor - City of North Adams

10 Main Street

North Adams, MA 01247

413-662-3000 - office

413-662-3010 - fax

Lisa A. Loomis

Administrative Assistant to Mayor Alcombright

City of North Adams

10 Main Street

North Adams, MA 01247

Phone: 413-662-3000

Fax: 413-662-3010

mailto:lisa_loomis@northadams-ma.gov

Lecture Oct. 22 details possible Native American use of Sand Springs spa

2011-10-15T20:15:00.000-04:00

Submitted by Rita Watson:
(413) 458-4828 / rwatson105@verizon.net

WILLIAMSTOWN -- The history of Sand Springs, a spa believed to have been used by the Native American inhabitants of the area, will be detailed in a lecture on Saturday, Oct. 22, at the David & Joyce Milne Public Library at 11 a.m.

The event is one of a series of public lectures sponsored by the Williamstown Historical Museum. Admission is free.

The lecturer will be Jeanette Dudley, whose in-laws' ancestors include John Smedley Jr., the original owner of the Sand Springs property, which for many years was a popular destination for tourists and townspeople. Situated just off Bridges Road in the town's northern section, Sand Springs, now known as Sand Springs Resort/Spa, is believed to have been used by Indians of the Five Nations as a reliable source of water and/or as a medicinal spring. Later, the property was the site of two resort hotels, both of which were destroyed by fire in 1886 and 1938, respectively.

Founded in 1941, the Williamstown Historical Museum, located in the library since 1994, conserves and protects historic items related to Williamstown's past.

The museum has more than 200 contributing members. It is free and open to the public Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon, or by appointment arranged by calling (413) 458-2160.

Additional information is available on the museum's website www.williamstownhistory.com.

Fwd: In Massachusetts, Hints of a Town, Now Revitalized - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

2011-09-24T12:18:00.000-04:00

In Massachusetts, Hints of a Town, Now Revitalized

Begin Slide Show

FOUNDED 250 years ago, Pittsfield, Mass., is a model of old Americana: a mixture of handsome 19th-century buildings and stately early-20th-century homes, with the Berkshire Mountains just a stone's throw away. By the middle of the last century, it was a bustling urban town center with a steady stream of work provided by General Electric. But by the 1970s, the city had fallen on hard times, after G.E. moved operations south and left PCBs in the Housatonic River. It seemed that Pittsfield had been passed over by the golden touch that had brought wealth and tourists to surrounding Berkshire towns. But in the last few years Pittsfield has begun to reawaken. The bones of those old buildings are still as beautiful as they were midcentury. And there are now galleries, boutiques and restaurants opening up where "For Rent" signs long dominated.

By SARAH WILDMAN

Begin Slide Show

Upcoming Friday -- panel discussion on making Williamstown bike- and pedestrian-friendly

2011-09-22T14:31:00.000-04:00

From Wendy Penner: wendypenner@hotmail.com

Panel discussion and Community conversation about making Williamstown a more bike and pedestrian friendly community:

On Friday September 23 at 3:30PM at Williamstown Elementary School, a panel discussion and community conversation will take place about how to make Williamstown a more bike friendly community. Tom Costly of Overland will present a short slideshow "Biking Transcontinental". Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will present about the extension of the bike path to Williamstown. Mass MOCA will present about their new MASS Transit bike rental program. Northern Berkshire Community Coalition will explain their Mass in Motion Collaborative. Popcorn will be served. This event is co-sponsored by the Williamstown COOL Committee, FIrst Congregational Church, and Northern Berkshire Transition as part of the 350.org Moving Planet day of action to address climate change. For more information www.coolwilliamstown.org or call Wendy Penner at 458-4708

BACKGROUND: Comparing the cost of a Caretaker Farm "share" to purchasing produce at the supermarket

2011-09-05T22:28:00.000-04:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Carketaker Farm is a community-supported-agriculture (CSA) operation in South Williamstown, Mass.

Community members "share in the harvest" by paying a membership fee at the start of the year to cover annual expenses. In return, they collect a weekly share of fresh produce and additional U-Pick crops that have been grown using sustainable methods. Shareholders are partners with the farmer in growing food for the community.

Farmer Don Zasada writes a short newsletter on farm topics. This week, Zasada recounts a comparison of the one-year family membership in the farm -- presently $650 -- to purchase similar food.

-------- BEGIN SUBMITTED MATERIAL -----------

By Don Zasada

We hope that you have enjoyed being part of Caretaker Farm for the 2011 season. We still have many weeks of distributions left for you to enjoy. This is also the time of the year when we begin to allow our current members to renew their share for next season. You will be able to renew your share until November 1st, at which time we will begin to offer any open spaces to families on the waiting list.

In recognizing the challenging financial times that we are experiencing, we wanted to communicate with you a bit about the economic value of your share and also some ways in which we hope to better serve you.

It has always been the intent of Caretaker Farm to be much more than a place that you come to get your food. We hope that you have experienced this land and our community through talking in the field while picking, reading our newsletters, discussing recipes in the distribution area, assisting us with various farm tasks, celebrating with us at a farm event, attending a food preservation workshop, participating in a sustainability course offered at the farm, visiting our animals, and walking the land that sustains us. But the farm also provides material sustenance.

We grow over 40 different types of crops and more than 175 varieties of those crops. We aim for our practices on the farm to be sustainable so that we are all treated with respect: the farm workers, the animals, the soil, all farm visitors, the environment, and the people who eat the produce. The food is healthy, local, available with minimal or no packaging materials, and as fresh as possible. So fresh in fact, because you pick some of it yourselves. And ,you can be assured that we don't spray our crops with any fungicides, herbicides, or insecticides whether they are now allowable under the organic standards or not.

At first glance some people decide that the price of a share is expensive and wonder if it is worth it. Perhaps part of this reaction stems from the reality that most of us do not keep track of how much we would spend (or do spend, if we are not members of a CSA) on produce at wherever else we might buy it if we weren't receiving it from a CSA. So how does the price of membership at Caretaker Farm compare to what you would pay in the store? This question often comes up when I am talking about the farm with prospective farm members, speaking at classes, or giving tours to groups that visit throughout the year.

In 2010 we did some investigation to get an idea of strictly the monetary value of the produce that is offered to members; for this comparison we disregarded all the other benefits of our CSA and just focused on prices. The current season has blessed us with an even greater bounty than last year (ie . So far, we have offered 12 Pints of Raspberries as compared to 5 in 2010) so the price comparisons are probably lower than they would be for this season. We checked prices every 2-4 weeks for both organic and conventional vegetables. Then, we estimated what a member might put in their bag based on what we were offering that week and what would fit. Of course, we needed to estimate what we would be offering each week for the remainder of the season. We knew that our numbers would not be exact (since members choose what they can put in their bag and comparable produce is not always available in stores) and we tried to be on the conservative low side in our estimates. We were!
looking for some generalities. Here are some observations:

1. If members with a one bag share bought all of the produce that was offered over the season at retail prices they would pay over $1,600 for organic produce and over $1,500 for comparable conventional (non-organic) produce.

2. Members with a one bag share that did not take any U-Pick crops throughout the entire season (i.e. they never picked any flowers, raspberries, basil, dill, cilantro, parsley, perennial herbs, cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, grape tomatoes, husk cherries, tomatillos, snap peas, green beans, wax beans, edemame, collards, kale, field sunflowers,
or
brussels' sprouts) and did not take any of the bulk crops for food preservation (i.e. spring spinach from the field, cucumbers for pickling, tomatoes for preserving, or basil for making pesto) would still be paying over $1050 if they bought the organic produce they received in their share bag at retail prices.

3. Another scenario that we wondered about was the issue of people going on vacation in the summer. If a member with a one bag share was gone for 4 weeks in the summer and took the U-Pick crops but did not take any of the bulk crops for food preservation (i.e. spring spinach from the field, tomatoes for preserving, or basil for making pesto) they would have spent over $1,250 if they bought their produce at retail prices.

The price comparisons that we collected are just that, price comparisons. In the case of store-bought produce, the prices do not address many important questions: How fresh is the produce? What resources are used to package, refrigerate, and truck the produce from a distance to the store? What was sprayed on the produce? How are the farm workers treated who grow the produce? What kind of agricultural practices are used on the land? In what landfill will the packaging for the produce be deposited? Here at Caretaker Farm the answers to these questions are readily available for members and often apparent to those visiting the farm.

We realize that joining Caretaker Farm is a commitment (financial and otherwise) and we are pleased that the cost of membership at Caretaker Farm is well below what people would pay for comparable produce bought at other places. We will continue to provide an incredible "food-dollar" value. But, we hope you experience the farm not just as an great place to buy vegetables, but also as an opportunity to connect to the land that sustains you and your family.

Here are some ways in which we aim to make our membership simpler for families to understand and most accessible for people of various financial situations:

1. Over the seven years that we have been farming here, various members have asked us how they can contribute to other members who may have a difficult time paying. Because of this, we are starting a Caretaker Farm Share Fund which will allow families to assist others in being members. You will see a space for making contributions on your renewal form.

2. On your renewal form, you will notice that there is a section for families in need to request a 20% reduction in their share price. We will be able to assist families in need depending on monies available in the Caretaker Farm Share Fund.

3. We are raising the age of membership from 18 to 22. This alleviates some of th e challenges of figuring out how much a family should pay for theircollege age son/daughter.

4. We are currently raising a new hoophouse that will be beneficial to us in a variety of ways. While we will be primarily using it to grow tomatoes during the summer, thus alleviating the challenge of late blight that our field tomatoes incurred 2 years ago, we also hope to experiment with some late season growing. There are significant capital and ongoing winter labor costs associated with this structure. Instead of charging a new winter share price, we will offer for sale whatever we grow in the hoophouse during our winter distributions. Then if you are interested in purchasing some, you have that option (similar to our baked goods, meat, eggs, etc.).

Caretaker Farm
1210 Hancock Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
don@caretakerfarm.org
http://www.caretakerfarm.org
(413) 458-9691

Journalist Mark Hertsgaard to Discuss Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth

2011-08-17T14:30:00.000-04:00

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. -- On Monday, August 22, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., Mark Hertsgaard will discuss his latest book in the Book One series in McConnnell Theater at Bard College at Simon's Rock.

The highly acclaimed /Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth/examines how global warming will affect "Generation Hot," the two billion young people who will live their adult lives during the next fifty years. The event is free and open to the public.

Mark Hertsgaard is a celebrated journalist, broadcaster and author whose books have been translated into sixteen languages. He is the author most recently of /HOT: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth./ Previous books include /Earth Odyssey: Around the World In Search of Our Environmental Future/ (1999), /A Day In The Life: The Music and Artistry of the Beatles/ (1995) and /On Bended Knee: The Press and the Reagan Presidenc/y (1988).

He has contributed journalism to leading media outlets the world over, including /The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Time, The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Mother Jones, The Guardian, Le Monde Diplomatique, Die Zeit/, the BBC and NPR.In the U.S., he has been a commentator for the public radio programs "Morning Edition," "Living o nEarth" and "Marketplace." He is now the environment correspondent for /The Natio/n and a columnist for the Italian newsweekly /L'espresso/.

Hertsgaard has appeared on countless television and radio programs both here and abroad, taught writing at Johns Hopkins University and the University of California at Berkeley School of Journalism and guest lectured at many colleges and universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford and Princeton.

Established in 2005, the Book One Program chooses texts based on their excellence and suitability for promoting interdisciplinary conversations about the intersection of cultures. The program brings prominent authors to campus to broaden the scope of student experience, and enhances the diversity and interdisciplinary focus of the General Education program. .Previous selections include Emmanuel Dongala's /Little Boys Come from the Stars/, Saidiya Hartman's /Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Rout/e, Chinua Achebe's /Things Fall Apart/, and Rita Dove's /Sonata Mulattica/.

For more information about Hertsgaard, visit:
http://markhertsgaard.com/about/

SOURCE: Alice Myers, Publicist / Bard College at Simon's Rock
alicem@simons-rock.edu <mailto:alicem@simons-rock.edu>
(413) 528-7443
http://www.simons-rock.edu/newsroom/media-toolkit/press-galleries

ABOUT BARD AT SIMON'S ROCK

Bard College at Simon's Rock is the nation's only college designed expressly to educate bright, highly motivated students after the tenth or eleventh grade. Founded in 1966 as the nation's first and only early college, Simon's Rock joined the Bard College system in 1979. It maintains its own campus in Great Barrington, Massachusetts (the heartof the culture-rich Berkshires), and unique identity as a supportive intellectual home for early college students. Bard College at Simon's Rock grants both Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in more than 40 academic concentrations.

SCHEDULE: Events atop Mount Greylock at Bascom Lodge through Aug. 24

2011-08-16T19:02:00.000-04:00

From: Bascom Lodge <mail@bascomlodge.net>
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, August 17: "Greylock in Time and Space", 6pm.
Talk and discussion by Alec Gillman.

Greylock

Alec Gillman, DCR Interpretive Ranger at Mount�Greylock State Reservation, presents an exploration of�the mountain's history and nature with a
PowerPoint slide show.�Discover connections between man's desire to shape the mountain at the same time protect it's wildness.� Fun facts about and
visions�of the mountain shall be revealed on your way to becoming a true�"Greylockophile."
Co-presented by the Berkshire Museum.
Free and Open to the Public!

Prix fixe dinner to follow at 7.
Reservations required for dinner (413-743-1591).

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, August 24: "Solar Energy Discussion"

Solar

Is solar for you?� At 6pm Chris Kilfoyle will present an overview of solar installations in the Berkshires and how solar may be able to reduce your
electrical bills.

Free and Open to the Public!

Prix fixe dinner to follow at 7.
Reservations required for dinner (413-743-1591).

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Painting the Landscape on the Summit of Mt. Greylock

Trees

�Saturday, September 17: 10am-4pm

This workshop will take place on the peak of glorious Mt. Greylock at the newly renovated Bascom Lodge.�
Included will be information on how to perceive the landscape for purposes of painting: �methods of creating compositions, principles of perspective
and basic watercolor techniques such as washes, gradations, color mixing, transparent layering and the sequencing of making a watercolor painting.
Individual guidance offered and individual expression encouraged. ��The class will meet outdoors. �In the event of inclement weather the class will be
postponed until the following day, Sunday, September 18.
Cost: $99.
To register� email or phone:� �paula@paulagottlieb.com �� 413-634-0066
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Friday breakfast hikes!

[Breakfast.jpg] Every Friday: free guided hikes on Mount Greylock!
To be followed by breakfast (optional) at historic Bascom Lodge.
Meet at the Visitors Center (30 Rockwell Road, Lanesboro) at 7:30AM where Steve Linscott will start your day with a nice hike!
Hikes will be moderate to strenuous.
Breakfast at 9AM (fee for breakfast).

Call the Visitors Center (413-499-4262) for details.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sunset Beverage Hour at Bascom Lodge

Sunset

Wed - Sat, 5-8pm!

Beer & Wine as the sun sets

TWOE DAYS OF NEW THEATRE: Word X Word at Pittsfield's Beacon Theatre New Stage -- Mon-Tues

2011-08-14T21:13:00.000-04:00

NEW STAGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
55 North St. Pittsfield MA
http://www.newstageperformingarts.org

New Stage is taking part in this years Word X Word Festival, with a selection of new plays and performance pieces to be performed at the Burbank Alley Extension, located one floor up from the New Stage Performing Arts Center, on the third floor of the Beacon Building.

Three nights of performances from some of the areas most engaging story tellers, work shop productions from our New Works at New Stage series, and a multimedia presentation shedding light on the most exciting piece of Berkshire history that you've never heard of.

Invasive Species
Mon., August 15th @ 8pm

A workshop production of David Scribner's new short play about the lives of Berkshire county's most unwanted residents - the so called "invasive" species of plants and animals that people go so far to destroy - as they try to live their lives under the constant threat of destruction.

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Battle Of Egremont
Tues., August 16th @ 8:pm

In early Colonial New England, one brother insults another. The rift divides the community, disrupting its early biscuit-based economy and irrevocably splitting the town of Egremont in two. The reverberations from this now-forgotten incident have traced a subtle but powerful course through American history, from John Adams' enduring bitterness to the failed treaty talks that could have stopped the War of 1812. The Battle of Egremont has left a scar from which we are still healing. This multimedia presentation incorporates period artwork, historical quotes, and colorful anecdotes that help sketch out this dark episode and its lingering legacy. The gulf that divides North Egremont from South Egremont is a chasm that divides us all from our past. At what price a delicious biscuit? A multimedia presentation from writer/performer Jeremy D. Goodwin highlighting an explosive piece of forgotten local history.

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The Unusual Adventures of Mr. Jib
Tues., August 16th @ 8:30pm

Adapted from Phil Johnson's collection of adult bedtime stories, The Unusual Adventures of Mr. Jib is the hilarious tale about life in the fictional New England town of East Frisbee, featuring Mr. Jib, a retired and Gilded Age throwback, as he goes about his day becoming entangled in the lives of some of East Frisbee's most fascinatingand tragic residents.

Three open "visioning" sessions to chart Berkshire County's future

2011-07-02T16:47:00.004-04:00

This is a news release from the Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) announced on Thursday the initiation of development of "Sustainable Berkshires: Community Strategies for a Sustainable Future." Development of the plan is funded by a Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant, a highly competitive new federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

DOWNLOAD ONE-PAGE FLYER

Given the broad scope of Sustainable Berkshires, both in content and geographic area, the efforts will take place over three years and will replace the existing regional plan, adopted ten years ago.

The Sustainable Berkshires plan will be developed with significant community participation, including public workshops, focused topic forums and a public website providing access to information.
The first round of workshops will focus on highlighting key trends and crafting a vision for the future. The visioning workshop will be held three times - in northern, central and southern locations . for ease of attendance. The public is encouraged to participate in any of these visioning sessions:

Wed., July 6 at the All Saints Church in North Adams, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Tues., July 12 at the Berkshire Athenaeum Auditorium in Pittsfield, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and
Tues., July 13 at the Fire Station in Great Barrington, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

In addition to traditional planning topics such as economic development, transportation, and land use, the plan will pay particular attention to new topics such as non-traditional economic activities, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change adaptation measures, energy conservation and renewable energy generation, community health and wellness, social equity and justice, and food security.

The plan will identify a number of short- and long-term actions and priorities in each work area.Implementation will be stressed and encouraged both during and after the planning process. As opportunities for immediate implementation are identified during the three year planning process, they will be advanced to encourage new partnerships and investment into the region.

A unique feature of the grant is that it carries with it a "preferred sustainability status" designation which provides bonus points to compatible applications from the region to select federal agencies.
Once the planning grant is completed, the region will also be eligible for implementation grants through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, which is comprised of Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation, and Environmental Protection Agency.Prior to the launch of the project website, information can be found at www.berkshireplanning.org.
--------
Contact BRPC for additional information on this project or the upcoming visioning sessions at (413)442-1521.
Nathaniel Karns, Executive Director (x26)
Amy Kacala, Senior Planner, Project Manager (x12)

Summer at the Northshire Bookstore -- events listed

2011-07-02T10:20:00.000-04:00

THIS IS A NEWS RELEASE from the Northshire Bookstore, sent as
email, authored by Chris Morrow, proprietor. It's sort of advertorial, but
we post without compensation but merely FYI.

Greetings,

For those of you who have been in the store in the last few weeks you have seen
the changes. After a couple of years of resisting, we have shrunk the music section
down significantly. We have added 4 new listening stations, but the
department as a whole is much smaller. There is no denying that theworld is downloading its music
these days. It is sad for many of us who still like to browse CDs, to be exposed
to new artists and to buy a physical product. But we simply can no longer afford
to devote the space to CDs.

We moved the cards and stationery up to where music and DVDs were and have opened
up the lower floor and moved many of the book sections around to accommodate the
new space. Part of what we are trying to accomplish is to emphasize the Vermont
and Sustainability sections more. We will be tweaking things as the summer progresses,
but I think you will like the new openness and flow of the store. Please come check
it out and let me know your thoughts.

On the events side of things, I want to be sure you know about our Conversation
on Climate Change happening on July 30th. While mitigating the impacts of climate
change is still essential, we are hosting two authors who look at how we will have
to adapt to a world with different climate dynamics. Amy Seidl ecologist, writer,
and teacher and the host of Emerging Science [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppJWa_QZ4ATx3vu_mEeMiDKJaBG2KtHCn7TlzceX5L9TLRV-iewtLYFqExG0_ePuJx86no2_M-ABtb5A1TJWA_5285SPmrK9uXv_bDPZ9WiSPlhMTJHFuONmuAn44nFWqdjNXWNXOColAaAoKvRmgAc8]
on Vermont Public Television will discuss her great new book, Finding Higher Ground:
Adaptation in the Age of Warming [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppLi64HUJpduo3dZxw4NJbKg0m9NJRZJDQdLvDYk5VtH38CP4AAdFxP971Ut9QfBdhNwt1vAkODfrtU1uwjTeo20G6xuLtFHhaxMMnRi-qJKRX0mT5LYSyA-ABQvoQMhTzDZJH5psKmgnPapZQv0hxAueF2XklOEhUk=].
Amy will be joined by paleo-climatologist Curt Stager with his book Deep Future,
The Next 100,000 Years of Life on Earth [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppKmFWLrLDOV9u8-cLY2dAFjQetpAWAH_kZJWGPhpPvmyVw3KOE8vgq29cqMgaTgCp0wIztBhS49xtiyL6tlQvnI7S-lsktvqHQXbMqNZx76UUOEdxPPmZZA-d9KFKr5YEsqI8RdQJTdwwwOi9p9fgme6vixDInU2Bk=].
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppKmFWLrLDOV9u8-cLY2dAFjQetpAWAH_kZJWGPhpPvmyVw3KOE8vgq29cqMgaTgCp0wIztBhS49xtiyL6tlQvnI7S-lsktvqHQXbMqNZx76UUOEdxPPmZZA-d9KFKr5YEsqI8RdQJTdwwwOi9p9fgme6vixDInU2Bk=]
Please join us!

Enjoy your Summer,

Chris

cmorrow@northshire.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Featured Events in July
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fiction lovers will not be disappointed with our July Author Event Series! What
better way to kick July off than with VPR commentator Deborah Luskin on Friday,
July 8th at 5:30 PM and her novel Into the Wilderness [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppIakwgzTpnH6Ii9QixsLZmx881ihcFqkCgJcdL9Sg77kH2AexHMOQ9XJwXayohW731MgAoFJokTkg4E6TyUfeeIa7nFeIMsDXsJSf6ybJZNoGpbczpGyLxZErwErFxu6AR-fAjtsJ4obC0exEchd3vw11n3Hv0-llQ=].

In 1964, Rose Mayer buries her second husband and wonders what she's going to do
with the rest of her life. Reluctantly, she visits her son at his summer place
in Vermont, where there are neither sidewalks, Democrats nor other Jews. There
is, however, the Marlboro Music Festival. It's there that she meets Percy Mendell,
a born and bred Vermonter who has never married, never voted for a Democrat, and
never left the state. Come find out why Into the Wildernes [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppIakwgzTpnH6Ii9QixsLZmx881ihcFqkCgJcdL9Sg77kH2AexHMOQ9XJwXayohW731MgAoFJokTkg4E6TyUfeeIa7nFeIMsDXsJSf6ybJZNoGpbczpGyLxZErwErFxu6AR-fAjtsJ4obC0exEchd3vw11n3Hv0-llQ=]s
was the winner of the Independent Publishers' Gold Medal for Regional Fiction.

Saturday, July 9th at 7 pm

We made sure to schedule this when bookseller Karen was not on vacation! One of
her favorite writers, Roland Merullo, acclaimed author of twelve previous books,
including Breakfast with Buddha [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppKErZfXupTPqP-0hoPMxZmVUj40m-MgWgKT4NvFfmmMOTUC6YV8J_NmQqpW4Y5iOFSM60AB32-ednKqvs0bhX7lTmz6wm2dvaZTVyTQ3syvwo3yEGw8_DevfBNmm-3XKrCAK5azCyTYn3OHHp_eC3SIZBHlYXEFmVM=],
(in June we sold our 1000th copy) will be here to present his new novel The Talk
Funny Girl. [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppLnmjjKXDX1UCdos-JZmzTvUnYqN03O-qS2tWCbyteZDgxWeVJ-N_QBmHCcI3qXTSfRoTYHjwbJU1TZx6lS3XG5NJ_t2qU6LC4yp_40HRdqSzPKS_htSOuj3InQJltAfM6sCo9fL-N8CSfzAJpnY5bLbObRLE9qvOQ=]
"Language, both spoken and silent, is at the core of this amazing story about a
young girl trying to find a way through the maze of pain and ignorance that defines
her childhood. Set along the Vermont/New Hampshire border, the novel raises questions
about nature versus nurture and the definition of a personal God, while sweeping
the helpless reader into the lives of these characters. I could not stop reading
it" - Karen Frank

Bookseller Emilia (who is, unfortunately for us, leaving to teach in Spain, we
are going to miss her) has this to say about Simon Van Booy's new novelEverything
Beautiful Began After [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppITWd477kwt21QVoG0LK7vSWPbDBCD8GVtypNgtNPnwnRUev-NSb1vG0RiW3jtYDkQLRnOUepQi8Hny1kTn_msTJIwXKGEcJkjTmXMCU9bPd1j6v7aKuPMbUuKhokSHyn0t3QSpLOq0nms0Kdo5GbT04Lf3AE9zZtM=];
"Lyrical prose. Rich slices of

intimate narrative.

Astonishing, original metaphor. If Raymond Chandler

swapped gin for chamomile tea and devoted himself to stories of love, he might
have written this splendid debut. The romantic novel just got fresh literary
legs." Emilia promises to return with the Spanish translation of Everything Beautiful
Began After [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppITWd477kwt21QVoG0LK7vSWPbDBCD8GVtypNgtNPnwnRUev-NSb1vG0RiW3jtYDkQLRnOUepQi8Hny1kTn_msTJIwXKGEcJkjTmXMCU9bPd1j6v7aKuPMbUuKhokSHyn0t3QSpLOq0nms0Kdo5GbT04Lf3AE9zZtM=],
but Simon will present in English on Thursday, July 21 at 7 pm.

Friday, July 29th at 7 pm. The buzz for Alice LaPlante's debut novel, Turn of Mind
[http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppIX1kBHo0VQnSChjs0iVf-bHlT4RJcZuJ6AXYIqjL3lvPz9Cv65mSGwzrgW_J1483bEdVCAneTC8C5X9HX7d72s7njhDvRTrCyPaD26hHBZF5MBRhDD4Co-ZJE6yoYKsRkYuS7KZ1uZnCPi5_WLeMG81Al-WhdBl50=],
has been growing for months and is aJuly Staff Pick Feature [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppLml1n6A9D8gVUwXgynraHLCBSPLuTTRn4kcSWY6djNY5qLfFRB9LYM-u4IkLLaCPQRBT6KXoR1BK6IJMyB0q3geXgbs6nF9DzkWnC2atYZjsIyFxZw3vXPBQ3XlH69q8oVXY2Z58eVCg==].
Many of us have read Turn of Mind [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppIX1kBHo0VQnSChjs0iVf-bHlT4RJcZuJ6AXYIqjL3lvPz9Cv65mSGwzrgW_J1483bEdVCAneTC8C5X9HX7d72s7njhDvRTrCyPaD26hHBZF5MBRhDD4Co-ZJE6yoYKsRkYuS7KZ1uZnCPi5_WLeMG81Al-WhdBl50=]
and are eager to spread the word about this stunning, beautifully crafted novel
Ann Packer describes as "An electrifying book, impossible to put down. Gripping,
thought-provoking, humane, funny, tragic, it is masterfully done, a tour de
force that can't be a first novel-and yet it is. I'll read whatever LaPlante
writes next, and the sooner the better." Come find out why you need to add this
book to your library.

Rounding out our July schedule - Every summer Manchester welcomes the Vermont Summer
Festival Horse Shows [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppKPcOR8u4EvGMxRVQ2p5VFYPxDKAsqoWuYcCNJPYLvPK6IFZYhH5SYa23E-pQz4EBK09PGLEPeh7vIHS2RbOozZUio19U1_Y8xgVGISmbYqbUWs5B6pjsrI]
for 6 weeks of top equestrian competition. With that in mind we are pleased to welcome
Hollie McNeil as she presents 40 Fundamentals of English Riding [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppKVjcajamlk-y4SqSITspS9PcTBK8zmu5mecXrXIqMKuDXJY0NK-DxbiGvbwvvwAPB75cfgEcZVZbYiNYXkHZbtC2wmGSlk6nLAfSfPBIHigk35WvwHMjPXMXy4tEEaa55BIhuxufe0heFfzVm3k0yE1YUJSv54FcY=].
A unique book and DVD combination that provides a systematic presentation of
all 40 elements needed for all English riders, including those interested in dressage,
jumping, and eventing. With detailed text, full-color photography, and expert
video produced by Hollie's husband, Mike McNeil (a film producer who as worked
on such major motion pictures as The Lord of the Rings), readers will find a comprehensive
guide to learning the fundamentals of horsemanship. Join us Sunday, July 24th at
6 pm.

There is a lot more going on at the Northshire this month, click here [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppJrRIS6pES-kF8hP45AnVEXmaUeYjs6L5l7jjbZn_hOQwkGbCdWxiVZP7d-M2VT4QkFSbLuSaJkizFPYNx8_BRuSxcCSnPgZ515wCG4QKamrOHHosratCp5]
to see what else is happening. We look forward to seeing you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Crafty Tuesdays
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Come join Northshire Bookstore and Downtown Bookworks for FREE hands-on projects
for kids every Tuesday in July from 11:30-1. Projects are perfect for kids 5 and
up.We'll be emphasizing Earth-friendly activities and will ask you to bring something
from your yard, or from the recycling bin as the basis for a craft project each
week. We will always have extra supplies, so don't sweat it if you can't find something.

July 5th: The Lonely Sock Club [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppKJJDXR6TQNfu9ICZZ38bNvtME30VUIrZSGjOIrpTnZKIeVsI-aujSTYn7MQGTY_vQ5ASSBdJFMOWJDg9e21uVczcRfUYSZ-YPiqe1MUYyLS5T06MH4C81MAtYcv3OgQAZTYXpm1W66hNvkeWlejxlNH3soVhGgd2I=]:
Sock Softies or Colorful Vases
Grab your bag of unmatched socks and throw in any torn ones. We'll transform them
into adorable critters or beautiful vases - whichever you like.

BRING: as many single or torn socks as you have (the more colorful, the better),
a clean, empty pasta jar or canister or plastic water bottle (if you want to make
a vase)

July 12th:Butterfly Treats and Hummingbird Sweets [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppLjYxudBRgtQqjynvnpdJnmR0hZF7ojbPMHQKg5NhxSkPQ9A1f7lcDKBYzHo4TsLXXUB_8M2OvbRyuht-x-9RDf-YOQt_IaYpTdzU8T2-pcvj4LoCZpNyHRzXJ8xUE5GbYFdKdQ_aEcgbTHFOR1EHPFnk9XvGiLLO4=]

Build a Butterfly House! Butterflies don't like rain. We will build a safe retreat
for them - and stock it with butterfly treats. Then you can take your butterfly
house home with you,hang it on a tree, and enjoy the butterflies that flock to your
yard.

BRING: an empty, clear, plastic soda bottle, a mesh fruit or vegetable sack (the
kind produce is sold in - it can be torn),a few twigs, any over-ripe fruit.

July 19th: Boy Made [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppLT_zC4G3Ic8_4cBJuJz1RT0PvvFznXciiTctMiLXld-0uamXRwOKfZQfowCOXztMH1oMnXTSnv9TrspnGrKw3OGimF52Z9C6z2Iw5n74kvwJxTG9UG109rKu9q8iE7KNubnkTrzDWcbWu2U_Dv8czivYhQ7jsUWnU=]
and Fairy Crafts [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppJrR026Shyq8Z8No1AaGdF8CYXmZzM-ucLaDFh3EEFiJg7oePNaKUi22JC6Feg88xeMi5mFBveUii4Gi4l-NB7cqjzi_SgEUmTSaKbKezOAiRMoqtZ6VXhgXT2VQHf6WjYo9RTbjllZVBDSQn-qDmg7dVMdOknEfBY=]:
Spectacular Sticks and Stones

Collect a bunch of twigs and small branches, pebbles, pine cones, acorns, and anything
else that strikes your fancy. We'll make fairy wands, cool signs, and sparkly things
for you to put in your fairy garden.

BRING: sticks, pine cones, acorns, and pebbles, cardboard or wood scraps (to be
repurposed into a sign)

July 26th: We celebrate a month of fun with a "Do It Myself" Ice Cream Party [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=wl8mnwbab&et=1105909747310&s=6296&e=001EEl5KeJwppIxe7Q2ryTD6xfI_mQjBNhJOo6l67M2pdKhdoZtv24Kk4KKuZ8ZCSQVy2SGGnYGG3OkTnwVWCiwPKoGaxgRBdFbz0KSKjEVX54_pCXadAgxnjyG6rXxRY4iJRBNtoopnA0BDstvzxZN5B6LtX3pTln2t3DWbBEemtc=]
(all you need to bring is your appetite!)

Reserve a spot. RSVP to events@northshire.com

For more information or questions. Please email: events@northshire.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Firefly Hike at Sheep Hill in Williamstown Saturday June 25th beginning at 7:30 PM

2011-06-07T23:15:00.000-04:00

The lights aren't ALL at MassMoCA's WILCO event! Join the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation at Sheep Hill in Williamstown on Saturday June 25th from 7:30-10 PM for the annual Firefly Hike and Campfire. One of the WRLF's most popular programs, the evening will feature campfire stories, S'mores, and the glittering jewels of the summer meadow. There will be nature crafts for children before it gets dark, and stories by the fire followed by a walk through the darkening meadow to experience the dazzling firefly show.

Back by popular demand, this year's storyteller is Williamstown resident 16-year old Will Kirby. Will is a cross-country runner and a wilderness enthusiast. He has some great stories to share!

Suggested donation is $3. Severe weather cancels the event.

Sheep Hill is a conservation property and headquarters of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, a non-profit, member-supported land conservation trust celebrating its 25th year in 2011. Sheep Hill is located on Route 7, about one mile south of the Williamstown rotary. For more information visit www.wrlf.org .

CONTACT:
Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267

lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

North Adams advocates of Proposition 2-1/2 override launch website

2011-05-31T12:07:00.000-04:00

Here's the link, sent along by Richard Taskin:
http://yesfornorthadams.com/Home.aspx

Kucinich to keynote "peace conference" Sept. 17 at Hancock Shaker Village

2011-05-25T10:08:00.000-04:00

Seth Rogovoy notes on his blog that U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich is scheduled to keynote a "peace conference" at Hancock Shaker Village on Sept. 17. Admission is only $90. Details:

http://rogovoyreport.com/2011/05/24/hancock-shaker-village-to-host-peace-conference-in-september/
http://www.hancockshakervillage.org/content.php?section_id=14&page_id=403
http://www.centerforpeacethroughculture.org

DAGMAR BUBRISKI:On the passing of a cheerful curmudgeon -- and an early visionary on gender equality

2011-05-21T09:00:00.008-04:00

AN OPINION

This is a longer version of an op-ed piece which was published by The Berkshire Eagle on Saturday, May 21, 2011. This version includes embedded links to additional resources. A service for Ms. Bubriski is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 3 -- what would have been her 85th birthday -- at the First Congregational Church in Williamstown, with a civic-oriented event to follow.

By Bill Densmore

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The New England town meeting in Massachusetts, coming in the middle of May, marks the clear start of more reliably pleasant weather. It’s also a chance to emerge from our cocoons of winter and see fellow townsfolks.

And so we were left wistful at Tuesday’s town meeting not to be able to greet and hear the cheerful curmudgeon of Williamstown – Dagmar E. Bubriski. She died last week, at age 84, and a progressive illness had taken her away from the civic life she loved. You can read the details in the obituary her family wrote.

A memorial service and some other events are tentatively set for Aug. 3. With Burbriski’s passing, I hope as a town we’ll also reflect on the value of the responsible critic in society, the voice we don’t always want to, or have time, to hear, and the value of that in stitching a community fabric that is open, tolerant and affirming of many views.

We arrived in Williamstown in 1983 to assume the editorship of the town weekly. At that time Bubriski was still in her prime – and deeply involved in historic preservation efforts.

“She was so civic minded and had a lot of opinions and they were not always the opinions of the majority,” recalls Arthur L. LaFave, who for years ran with his wife and brother-in-law the gasoline filling station on Spring Street known as B&L Service (now memorialized as the B&L Building and home to Tunnel City Coffee). “She never gave up giving them because she thought they were right, and often times they were.”

Bubriski never missed an opportunity -- that I saw -- to speak out on public issues. She was a perennial face in the audience as we watched the public-access-TV cablecasts of selectmen’s meetings. Although she never served on that board (although she civic volunteered in countless other ways and once nearly won election to the Legislature), she was probably as familiar and passionate about its business as those who did.

“Dagmar was never satisfied with any organization she was involved with and that is the charming part as well as the frustrating part because she (didn’t) let anybody rest on their laurels,” recalls former Selectmen Board Chair Margaret Ware, who like Bubriski was graduated from the all-female Mount Holyoke College. “She (had) an opinion on and wanted to comment on every item we had. She was a constant presence.”

Her obituary pulls punches about her tempestuous relationship with Williams College (see this 2002 Williams Record profile). The family house on Hoxsey Street abuts college property and Bubriski rebuffed offers to sell to Williams, preferring instead to endure two rounds of major-building construction. Yet she loved art and theater – and treasured the advantages a college brought in that way. She was an art-history major at Mount Holyoke.

Other cheerful curmudgeons were always there during my tenure as the town’s editor – the aging Henry E. Bratcher, and retired New York Times copyeditor Ray Warner – who now lives near Albany, N.Y. Ware credits Warner with having pushed the town way ahead of most the rest of the nation to adopt anti-smoking ordinances – over objections of restaurant owners at the time.

“In a small community where everybody is a volunteer and you are doing the best you can every time and you get tired and you don’t want to think about it anymore, (you) just want to do it the easy way you always need somebody with a stick in our back saying well have you thought of this,” says Ware.

In 1965, with four teen-age and younger children, Bubriski lost her husband, Stanley, because he was a passenger in a commercial aircraft that went down on takeoff from a New York airport. Suddenly, she was a woman without a man – and that experience may have shaped a part of Bubriski’s life that I was only dimly aware of until I visited with her son Peter, shortly before her death.

Bubriski had a life-long interest in what we’d now call gender equality. From 1972-1974 the Thurston family gave her a half-hour of radio time weekly on North Adams’ WMNB-AM for an interview program she called “Emphasis: Women.” She described her own job as: “Home executive – total family management since 1965.” In 1978, then Gov. Michael S. Dukakis appointed her to the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women.

In a 1973 essay, “On the Subject of Power,” she recalled a confrontation with a male Williams College economics professor over her assertion that women lacked power in civil society, because it was in the hands of what she called a group populated “almost exclusively [by] a white, college-educated male.” And she wrote: “Actually, this is not completely the fault of men. Women have got to make more noise. They have got to beat on those doors. They must be make themselves more visible: They must be willing to be called aggressive, and they must demonstrate in overt ways that this is definitely a circle they want to break. In a very vigorous manner, they must continually confront the opposition.”

Here’s how Bubriski wrapped up her essay:

    “And you can look me in the eye, and say that women have power? If we are so equal, would you care to exchange places? And status? And opportunity? However, we do have the power of the ballot. And if women start to question their position, and question the candidates on their positions on women, and if women can coordinate their efforts to elect women, or men who will think positively, and will appoint women – there is hope.
    “And if women will make themselves heard in every aspect of their lives, if they will insist on equal opportunity, on equal pay, on equal service, on an equal voice in policy decisions, and on the vital questions that affect their lives – then there is also hope.
     "Perhaps, most important of all, if the man in power can realize the utter inequality and lack of noblesse oblige in their self-serving attitudes, then there is hope.
    “And then someday women of my age will be able to say with utter honest and pride, that her classmates and friends are no longer heavily weighted on the home-making, odd-job end of the career scale; and that the one or two women industrial executives, professors, etc., that she may know, will be joined by a good proportion of the class, with individual capability and qualifications the sole basis of achievement.
    “And when that halcyon day arrives, I will sit back and agree with my academic friend that yes, indeed, women really do have power and influence, and that they really do reap the fruits of their labors, as well as the respect of their peers, both male and female.”

When Bubriski, Bratcher, Warner and like-minded cheerful curmudgeons speak up in the civic sphere, there is hope that we will reach decisions that are open, tolerant and affirming, and not the result of a tyranny of the majority. Let’s always welcome their successors.

Otherwise we run the risk of filtering ourselves into ever-narrowing silos of personalized thought, so eloquently discussed in MoveOn.org founder Eli Pariser’s just-published book, “The Filter Bubble: What the Internet is Hiding From You.”

The writer, Bill Densmore, co-published The Advocate newsweeklies from 1983-1992 with his wife. He now does research on the future and sustainability of journalism for the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute and consults on media strategies as Densmore Associates.

NEWS: Parent-teacher organization says it will disband at Mount Greylock RHS

2011-05-17T11:31:00.000-04:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- An email announcment says the Mount Greylock Regional High School parent-teacher organization (PTO) has voted to disband.

"We wanted to inform you that, at last night's meeting of the MG PTO, it was voted to disband the Mt. Greylock Parent Teacher Organization, Inc.," said the email over the name of Odetta Klass, the PTO's co-president. It added: "The parents that were present at last night's meeting are going to hold another meeting on June 20 at 6 p.m. to discuss organizing and forming a new parent group. It may or may not be called the PTO."

Klass has served as co-president of the PTO for three years, two of those with Stephanie Santore as co-president.

"We wanted to personally thank the Mt. Greylock faculty, administration and staff for their support, encouragement and appreciation for the work, time, money and effort that has gone into all the work the PTO has done over the past three years. You guys have been open, attentive, and thoughtful and we want you to know that all of us who have been active in the PTO for the past 3 years greatly appreciate that."

The email added: "Greylock Cooks!, which is a separate entity that was birthed out of the PTO two years ago, will continue to exist as a separate entity, not unlike the Friends of the Arts. I will chair the Greylock Cooks! parent group.

"Greylock Cooks! will continue to support the monthly "Snack Attacks", where food and beverages are provided at the monthly all-faculty meetings. We will also continue to organize the Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon each Spring and we will also continue our community building efforts through the glorious wonders of food!"

"As things are changing and evolving at Mt. Greylock, it stands to reason that our parent groups would change and evolve as well. These are exciting times and I look forward to continuing to serve the MGRSH community through Greylock Cooks!."

Earth Day @ Wild Oats Market set for Saturday

2011-04-21T11:48:00.000-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:20:16 +0000 (GMT)
From: Northern Berkshire Transition
<events@northernberkshiretransition.ning.com>
Subject: Come join me at Earth Day @ Wild Oats Market on Northern Berkshire Transition

Time: April 23, 2011 from 12pm to 4pm
Location: Wild Oats Market
Organized By: Wild Oats Market:

Event Description:
Join us for our 4th Annual Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 23rd, 12-4 pm

Sample some delicious treats from suppliers like Vermont Moonlight Cookies and Berkshire Blue . . . create a work of art on the manual powered Spin Art machine . . . build a Mason Bee Box . . . learn about beekeeping from members of the Northern Berkshire Beekeepers Association . . . and sit in on one or all of the beekeepers' mini-talks!
Bring your questions about raising a home flock of chickens . . . make friends with a baby goat . . . and check out HooRWA's kayak! We hope you can join us next Saturday, April 23rd, to celebrate Earth Day and some of the many ways we can connect with and show appreciation for our planet.
And, anyone who rides her or his bike to Earth Day on April 23rd will receive a FREE Long Trail reusable grocery bag.
.
Â More details of the days eventsÂ see the Wild Oats Website.

See more details and RSVP on Northern Berkshire Transition:
http://northernberkshiretransition.ning.com/events/event/show?id=6027471%3AEvent%3A4602&xgi=0S865LnlqvaefN&xg_source=msg_invite_event

Sustainability means Slowing Down: Slow Living Summit June 1-3, Brattleboro

2011-03-27T14:30:00.003-04:00

A gathering of diverse movements toward local and regional sustainability from New England and beyond, the Slow Living Summit will be an intensive two-and-a-half day exploration of ways to build healthy, thriving local economies while encouraging, mentoring and supporting a new generation of activists, entrepreneurs and engaged citizens.

Strolling of the Heifers, best known for its annual agriculturally-themed parade and festival, is organizing the Summit in partnership with the Marlboro College Graduate School and World Learning as part of the tenth annual Strolling of the Heifers celebration.

We invite attendees representing the many organizations, businesses, educational institutions, funders and public entities who are working to make a resilient future an emergent reality in New England.

Scheduled speakers include:

Bill McKibben, author and environmentalist, co-founder of 350.org
Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator, Vermont
Gary, Hirshberg, entrepreneurship guru; president/CEO, Stonyfield Farm
Josh Viertel, Slow Food USA president
Majora Carter, President, Majora Carter Group; founder of Sustainable South Bronx
Chuck Ross, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture
Will Raap, founder, Gardener's Supply founder
Terry Mollner of Trusteeship Institute and Calvert Funds and Foundation
John Cavanagh, Institute for Policy Studies
Trish Karter, Dancing Deer Cookies
Jesse Laflamme, CEO, Pete & Gerry's Organic Eggs

In addition to the plenary session speakers, the Summit will offer many breakout sessions organized into five topical tracks:

Food and agriculture
Energy and resources
Economic issues (business, finances and entrepreneurship)
Education for sustainability
Quality of life.

In the breakout sessions, conferees can learn about diverse topics such as using technology for sustainability, reinventing agriculture, community-scaled renewable energy systems, and how to tap sources of funding for sustainable enterprises.

In an intensive schedule of workshops, discussions, and presentations, thought leaders, social investors and veterans of social enterprise and entrepreneurship will share their knowledge and experiences, make new connections, identify new opportunities and build new collaborations, partnerships and networks.

All this happens in Brattleboro ,Vermont - centrally located in the heart of New England and long a center of progressive thinking and enlightened enterprise. The summit is part of the Tenth Annual Strolling of the Heifers, Brattleboro's unique and world-famous celebration of Slow Life.

The Summit will take place in various locations in downtown Brattleboro, including the Latchis Theatre, the River Garden, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center and Marlboro College Graduate Center.

Organizers hope to attract conferees from throughout the Northeast, including representatives of non-profits, businesses, educational institutions, funders and public entities working toward a resilient future for the region.

During receptions and other informal networking sessions, the Summit will offer opportunities for attendees to share their knowledge and experiences, make new connections, identify new opportunities and build new collaborations, partnerships and networks.

Why "slow living"? This simple phrase expresses the fundamental paradigm shift that is underway in this age. "Slow" encodes the transformative change from faster and cheaper to slower and better-where quality, community and the future matter. It's about slowing down and becoming more mindful of our basic connection with land, place and people, taking the long view that builds a healthy, fulfilling way of life for the generations to come. It is about common good taking precedence over private gain.

This gathering will form a "big tent" (or in Strolling terms, a "big barn") where people and organizations from very diverse sectors can convene, share and mobilize in a supportive, convivial environment. Slow Living builds economies and puts people to work by focusing on the socially-responsible and sustainable enterprises and community relationships that will matter in the future, rather than on the environmentally and socially destructive practices of the past. It grows from the strengths, people, resources and history of the region. It is about basing life on the wellbeing of nature and community, where wealth and money can recirculate locally, combining with innovation and entrepreneurship, to create jobs. It's time to make sustainability and resilience a mainstream movement.

The summit will explore the methods, tools and resources needed to build sustainability from the ground up. Opportunities for cross-sector collaboration will be cultivated, so new opportunities can develop. Online networking in the months prior to and after the summit will foster momentum for new connections and ideas and start to lay the framework for a comprehensive roadmap for creating a resilient future that can be used throughout the region and beyond.

Please help us spread the word! Forward this message to your friends, associates and mailing lists, and post it on your web site!

Registration Fees: Through May 14: General registration: $150; student registration $105. After May 14 or on-site: general registration $180; student registration $115.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: We invite inquires about sponsoring the Summit. Sponsors will receive recognition commensurate with their contributions. For sponsorship information, please contact Strolling of the Heifers Executive Director Orly Munzing at 802-258-9177 or orlymunzing@gmail.com.

Start your own vegetable garden: A pitch session by North Berkshire Transition on April 2

2011-03-26T13:42:00.000-04:00

If you live in Williamstown and would like to start a Vegetable Garden plan to attend this introduction on Sat April 2nd.

Time: April 2, 2011 at 10am to May 28, 2011 at 7pm
Location: First Congregational Church
Organized By: COOL Williamstown, First Congrational Church, Williams College Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, Center for Ecological Technology, Williams College for Environmental Studies, Northern Berkshire Transition Towns and Wild Oats Community Market.:

Event Description:

The âœIn My Backyardâ collaboration offers the following garden-related events, each specifically intended to involve community members in fun and productive work toward diminishing our carbon outputs:
April 2 â" Introduction to Backyard Gardening and Guided Vegetable Garden Tour (10:00 am â" 1:00 pm) Free and open to all.Â First Congregational Church, 906 Main St, Williamstown.Â Refreshments will be served.
April 9 â" COOL Williamstown Launch/Composting Workshop
Â (10-11:30 am ) Free andÂ open to all. First Congregational Church, Williamstown

START YOUR OWN VEGETABLE GARDEN $60/ Registration required and space is limited. (Five Saturdays, April 16th â" May 28th, 3:00 â" 4:30pm)
See http://coolwilliamstown.org/ to register.Â Classes held at First Congregational Church, Williamstown as well as individual gardening sites. Instructor: Linda Wagner.
A limited number of novice gardeners may register to attend five gardening workshops that will provide instruction and mentoring to gardeners.Â Workshops include how to site, dig and plant a 4' xÂ 8' sustainable bio-intensive vegetable garden. Compost, seeds, seedlings and a gardening primer will be available for workshop participants. Hands-on work sessions will help each household establish and plant their own and each othersâ™ gardens. Follow up site visits from the instructor and "garden mentors" for support and advice is included.Â A model garden will be located at the First Congregational Church of Williamstown.
Â
"First Church, at the head of Spring Street, is a visible venue for a demonstration garden," notes Lauren Stevens, a church member. "The garden will be a teaching tool for the workshops and an inspiration to the community." The harvest from the garden will be donated to local food pantries through the Williams College Zilkha Center.
Â
COOL Committee organizer, Wendy Penner adds, âœthis first year is really a pilot project that intends to build the collaborative ties of these organizations.Â We are excited to be offering programs about gardening, composting and steps toward energy reduction that help develop healthy living habits.Â We are all going to be learning along the way so we will post reports in community outlets and keep people apprised of our progress.â
Â
Additional events in the âœIn My Backyardâ campaign will include a public forum about Williamstownâ™s Energy Future.Â âœWe want to broaden the discussion about what we can do â˜in our backyardâ™ to include considering what we can do locally to take charge of the energy we are using in our homes and what type of energy we want to generate locallyâ adds Penner.
Â
Other community organizations collaborating on the âœIn My Backyardâ campaign include Williams College Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, Center for Ecological Technology, Williams College for Environmental Studies, Northern Berkshire Transition Towns and Wild Oats Community Market.

See more details and RSVP on Northern Berkshire Transition:
http://northernberkshiretransition.ning.com/events/event/show?id=6027471%3AEvent%3A3702&xgi=3V1C01U39khe9e&xg_source=msg_invite_event

WRLF to sponsor snow shoe outing or hike on Sunday March 27 at 1 PM

2011-03-17T09:31:00.000-04:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:00:32 -0400
From: Leslie Reed-Evans <lre@wrlf.org>
Subject: WRLF to sponsor snow shoe outing or hike on Sunday March 27 at 1 PM

Ecology snowshoe outing or hike on Sheep Hill and Bee Hill sponsored by the WRLF

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is sponsoring a snow shoe or hike on Sheep Hill and the WRLF's Fitch Trail Sunday afternoon March 27. Snow shoers/hikers should meet at the Sheep Hill, Route 7 south in Williamstown, at 1 PM. The hike will be led by Jake Blessing, a 2009 Williams Biology graduate and former Williams Outing Club naturalist. Jake has recently returned from working on a study of Western bluebirds in Carmel Valley, California, and is planning a research project before entering graduate school.

Sheep Hill is a conservation property and the headquarters of the WRLF, with panoramic views over the open meadow hillside to Mt. Greylock and the surrounding North Berkshire landscape. The Fitch Trail is across Bee Hill Road from Sheep Hill. The wooded property may provide an opportunity to find clues to the animal life through tracks and signs. WRLF has a limited number of snowshoes to lend. The hike is free and open to the public.

The WRLF is a member-supported non-profit land conservation trust celebrating its 25th year in 2011. The WRLF holds programs and events year round at its Sheep Hill headquarters and on its other WRLF conservation properties. Sheep Hill is located one mile south of the Williamstown rotary on Route 7.

For more information call 458-2494 or www.wrlf.org.

Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267

lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

Farm film fest at Images Cinema on Sunday, March 13, organized by Williams, sponsored by Storey

2011-03-05T21:44:00.000-05:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- In celebration of Spring and the upcoming growing season, the Williams College Sustainable Food & Agriculture Program, Storey Publishing and Images Cinema will present Farm Film Fest: A Day of Film and Food on Sunday afternoon, March 13. Hosted by Images Cinema at 50 Spring Street in Williamstown, two screenings and five films about food and farming will be presented beginning at 1 p.m. with a local cheese tasting sponsored, in part, by Mezze Catering.

"The Berkshire region is truly a leader in the 'honest food' movement – most of the issues play out here, and in the Berkshires we've found solutions that have often had national significance," said Deborah Burns, acquiring editor at Storey Publishing. "The Farm Film Fest is an opportunity for our local community to connect with global issues surrounding the food movement."

This is the second year for Farm Film Fest, which originated from the surging interest in food and farm issues and the many films that are addressing various aspects of this urgent subject.

"The Farm Film Fest ties in directly with our program's mission and is an excellent opportunity to learn about sustainable food from many perspectives," said Katharine Millonzi, manager of the Williams College Sustainable Food & Agriculture Program.

At 1 p.m. Images Cinema will present The Economics of Happiness. At 2:30 p.m., Images will present the Know Your Food: Shorts Program with four films including The Mast Brothers, Some Like It Raw, Obsessives: Urban Farming and Obsessives: Soda Pop.

Mezze Catering will present a cheese tasting between screenings featuring local cheeses from Massachusetts, Vermont and New York State.

The Economics of Happiness features a chorus of voices from six continents, including Vandana Shiva and Bill McKibben, calling for systemic economic change. The documentary describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. Directed by Steven Gorelick, Helena Norberg-Hodge and John Page; Not Rated; 1 hour 5 minutes.

The Mast Brothers documentary offers a tour of the Mast Brothers' bean-to-bar chocolate factory – one of just a handful in the U.S. The Brooklyn-based chocolatiers, Rick and Michael Mast, walk the viewer through their uniquely intensive process, DIY machines and a little of their food philosophy. Produced by Cool Hunting; Directed by Michael Tyburski; 4 minutes.

Some Like it Raw is an animated documentary about raw milk, made using wire-armature dolls, watercolors and fabric cutouts. Directed by Andrea Love; 10 minutes.

Obsessives: Urban Farming features Novella Carpenter, urban farmer and author of Farm City, who started small with some plants in an empty lot next to her home in Oakland, Calif. A couple of years later, she was tending to a full-blown farm with goats, turkeys, ducks, pigs and a robust garden. This video tackles questions of neighborliness (which is more offensive: police sirens or roosters crowing?), environmental poisons (raised beds are key), and the all-important slaughter question. Produced by Chow.com; 13 minutes.

Obsessives: Soda Pop is a documentary featuring John Nese, the proprietor of Galcos Soda Pop Stop in Los Angeles. His father ran it as a grocery store, and when the time came for John to take charge, he decided to convert it into the ultimate soda-lovers' destination. About 500 pops line the shelves, sourced lovingly by John from around the world. John has made it his mission to keep small soda-makers afloat and help them find their consumers. Produced by Chow.com; 13 minutes.

The cost is $5 per screening ($5 for the 1 p.m. and $5 for the 2:30 p.m) with a complimentary cheese tasting for patrons who attend the film(s). For more information, including a detailed list of films and events, visit www.farmfilmfest.com or contact Images Cinema at 413.458.5612.

* * * * * * *

The Farm Film Fest is sponsored by the Williams College Sustainable Food & Agriculture Program, which aims to foster in future generations a passion for responsible environmental stewardship and the rediscovery of vital food. Their mission is to coordinate, inspire and provide leadership to further develop academic resources, extra-curricular opportunities and practical approaches to sustainable food from a broad range of perspectives – social justice, environmental, cultural and economic. Visit http://sustainability.williams.edu/category/food/about-sfap for more info.

The mission of Storey Publishing, in North Adams, MA, is to serve its customers by publishing practical information that encourages personal independence in harmony with the environment. For more information on Storey Publishing, visit www.storey.com

The only one of its kind in Berkshire County, Images Cinema is a year-round non-profit, member-supported community film house that presents a wide range of films that impact filmmaking and our culture. Images continuously seeks to entertain, educate and engage the community with quality programming, while maintaining its dedication to independent film and media. Images Cinema serves organic popcorn, real butter, locally made baked goods and naturally-sweetened sodas, as well as traditional concessions fare. Images Cinema is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Located at 50 Spring Street in Williamstown, Images Cinema can be reached at 413.458.5612 (movie line), 413.458.1039 (office) or by visiting their website at www.imagescinema.org.

###

Source:
ANGELA CARDINALI | Marketing Communications + Strategic Planning
e: angela@angelacardinali.com | p: 413.458.9053
For additional information contact:
Katharine Millonzi, 413.597.4422 or <Katharine.B.Millonzi@williams.edu>

North Adams Green Drinks on Northern Berkshire Transition set for Tuesday

2011-03-05T19:08:00.000-05:00

Posted from an email from Northern Berkshire Transition:

Time: March 8, 2011 at 5:30pm to June 14, 2011 at 7pm
Location: Freight Yard Pub
Organized By: Berkshire Environmental Action Team & Northern Berkshire Transition:

Event Description:
North Adams Green DrinksA gathering of people interested in conservation and environmental issues - all welcomeJoin us for North Adams Green Drinks, the 2nd Tuesday of the month starting at 5:30 pm at the Freight Yard Pub, Western Gateway Heritage State Park, North Adams.What is Green Drinks? Green Drinks is an forum where people who have interest in orÂ workÂ on environmental issuesÂ meet for a beer and snacks at informal gatherings. There will be a lively mix of people from Non-profit organizations, academia, government, business and concerned citizens.Sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) &Northern Berkshire TransitionNorth Adams Green Drinks is a very informal gathering, open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren't green, but our conversations are.Green Drinks is a great way of catching up with people you know and for making new contacts. These networking events are very simple and unstructured. Come along and you'll be made welcom
e.

For more information about Pittsfield Green Drinks, contact Bruce Winn at BEAT (bruce@thebeatnews.org 413-230-7321 or Jay Walsh at nbtransition@gmail.com

See more details and RSVP on Northern Berkshire Transition:
http://northernberkshiretransition.ning.com/events/event/show?id=6027471%3AEvent%3A949&xgi=40rOGCK8DToTFu&xg_source=msg_invite_event

WRLF to sponsor snowshoe hike on Pine Cobble Sunday March 13 at 1 PM

2011-03-05T16:37:00.000-05:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 18:05:53 -0500
From: Leslie Reed-Evans <lre@wrlf.org>
To: Leslie Reed-Evans <lre@wrlf.org>
Subject: calendar/outdoor listing - WRLF to sponsor snowshoe hike on Pine Cobble
Sunday March 13 at 1 PM

Press release
For immediate release

Contact:
Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267

lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

Snowshoe outing on Pine Cobble

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is sponsoring a snowshoe hike on the Chestnut Trail Sunday afternoon March 13. Hikers should meet at the trailhead on Chestnut Street off North Hoosac Road in Williamstown at 1 PM. The hike will be led by Jake Blessing, a 2009 Williams Biology graduate and former Williams Outing Club naturalist. Jake has recently returned from working on a study of Western bluebirds in Carmel Valley, California, and is planning a research project before entering graduate school.

The Chestnut Trail is on WRLF conservation property on the western slope of Pine Cobble, and is mildly strenuous.The trail travels through mature oak woods. Hikers will visit an area of cliffs and boulders which in springtime is filled with the blooms of the mountain laurel shrub. WRLF has a limited number of snowshoes to lend.

A second snowshoe hike or walking hike, depending on conditions, will take place at Sheep Hill and the adjoining Fitch Trail on March 27th, also at 1 PM. Participants will meet at Sheep Hill. The hikes are free and open to the public.

For more information call 458-2494 or www.wrlf.org.

GE donations to river group stir controversy - The Boston Globe

2011-02-27T19:01:00.000-05:00

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2011/02/27/ge_donations_to_river_group_stir_controversy/

Gender and Food Activism Lecture: Dr. Carole Counihan, Williams College

2011-02-25T15:10:00.000-05:00

Submitted by Katharine Millonzi (identified below):

"On behalf of the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program at Williams
College, please find attached details on an event, which might be of great interest to you.

"The Williams College Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program & The
Williams College Women's and Gender Studies Program will present:

"Gender and Food Activism: Dr. Carole Counihan

Monday, March 7th, 7 pm
Paresky Auditorium, 39 Chapin Hall Drive
Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267
http://sustainability.williams.edu/blog_post/gender-and-food-activism-dr-carole-counihan

"Carole Counihan, Professor of Anthropology at Millersville University,
ponders whether and how gender plays a role in food activism in general, and in Slow Food Italy in particular. Dr. Counihan is an expert in the fields of food and gender studies; Counihan is author of Around the Tuscan Table: Food, Family and Gender in Twentieth Century Florence and The Anthropology of Food and Body: Gender, Meaning, and Power. She is editor of Food in the USA: A Reader and of Food and Culture: A Reader. She is editor-in-chief of the scholarly journal Food and Foodways.

"Please help us spread the word -- feel free to include in your
enewsletter, blog posts, Facebook page, website and/or just send to
everyone you know who might be interested in attending. Poster jpgs attached. And please do come!"

_____

Katharine Millonzi
Manager, Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program
Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives
Williams College
kbm1@williams.edu
Fulbright Fellow '07, Italy
MA Eco-Gastronomy
office: 413 597 4422
fax: 413 597 4192

Bosley Named CEO of North Adams Partnership / iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

2011-02-25T06:50:00.001-05:00

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/37770/Bosley-Named-CEO-of-North-Adams-Partnership.html

"Burning New England's Forests for Electricity?" . . . Discussion Wednesday at Williamstown town hall

2011-02-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

Submitted by Tela Zasloff (zasloff@adelphia.net)

BURNING NEW ENGLAND'S FORESTS for ELECTRICITY?
Speaker: Josh Schlossberg / Biomass Accountability Project
Wednesday, February 16, 7 p.m. / Williamstown Town Hall, Selectmen's Room

Forest biomass power incineration emits more CO2 stack emissions than coal, pollutes the air with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, and threatens New England's precious forests. So why does biomass power receive hundreds of millions of federal and state "clean energy" tax dollars?

Join a presentation and open forum with Biomass Accountability Project's Josh Schlossberg to discuss whether our taxes should support biomass power incineration-or go instead to zero-waste, renewable energy alternatives.

Contact: biomass.greenwash@gmail.com; (802) 223-5844

Bill Moomaw and Mary Booth Speak About Biomass at Williams

2011-02-09T09:01:00.000-05:00

Sent by: Bennington-Berkshire Citizens' Coalition
Reply to the sender

Bill Moomaw and Mary Booth Speak About Biomass at Williams College

“Getting Biomass Right: Should We Be Generating Electricity from Trees?”

Thursday, February 10
7:30 p.m.

Paresky Student Center (auditorium on the lower level)

Sponsored by the Center for Environmental Studies, the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, and the Office of Public Affairs. The discussion will feature Bill Moomaw, director of the Center for International Environment and Resource Policy at the Fletcher School of Tufts University, and Mary Booth, co-founder of the Massachusetts Environmental Energy Alliance (MEEA). Each will present remarks before taking questions.

Moomaw is professor of international environmental policy at Tufts. His work and research over the past two decades have focused on stratospheric ozone, climate, energy, forests, water, and sustainable development. He has served as a lead author or coordinating lead author for four Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports and is coordinating lead author of the IPCC special report “Renewable Energy and Climate Change” due out this year. He was also a member of the Technical Steering Committee that published new forest management recommendations based on ecosystem services for Massachusetts. He has advised corporations, governments, and the World Bank on climate, energy, and forest issues. He graduated from Williams in 1959, earned his Ph.D. at M.I.T., and taught in the Williams chemistry department from 1964 to 1990.

Booth is a scientist whose research has examined human influences on soils, waters, and forests. She is currently serving as an expert witness on air-permit appeals for biomass plants proposed nationally. The MEEA, which she co-founded with Alexandra Dawson, advocates for sustainable energy solutions by carrying out scientific and legal analyses of the impacts of energy policies. The organization promotes issues such as energy conservation and efficiency and transparent, science-based state and federal energy policies, and opposes large-scale biomass plants. Booth was formerly a senior scientist at Environmental Working Group. She received her Ph.D. in ecosystem ecology at Utah State University.

Other Reminders...

February 20, 2011 at 2pm

Images Cinema Film Benefit
Screening of “Carbon Nation”
A Climate Change Solutions Movie
http://www.carbonnationmovie.com

See it in Williamstown, MA as it premieres in major cities across the country in February!

DONATING
As we prepare for this critically important work, it is necessary to turn to the community for the backing and support for our goals. Expert and legal fees can be very costly, and we are turning our attention to fundraising. We know that there is deep support for what we are doing out there, and we hope that people will step forward and contribute what they can so that we will be able to have a strong voice in this process.

You can now donate online by credit card (or send a check the old fashion way!). Please visit us at: http://benningtonberkshirecc.org/donate. Your support is deeply appreciated. Tax deductible ways of giving are now possible.

Please contact us at concernedcitizensofpownal@hotmail.com or concernedcitizenswilliamstown@gmail.com for more information.

VOLUNTEERING
We are always looking for volunteers. Contact us if you are interested in helping out. Email concernedcitizensofpownal@hotmail.com and concernedcitizenswilliamstown@gmail.com.

STAYING INFORMED
Stay up to date by visiting us at http://benningtonberkshirecc.org and on Facebook

The beautiful valley of Pownal

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Upcoming talk, action in Vermont Xgr highlights "corporate personhood"

2011-01-26T17:46:00.000-05:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- A scheduled Feb. 8 talk at the First Congregational Church in Williamstown and action last week in the Vermont Legislature highlight growing interest in the movement to redefine whether U.S. corporations should be "people" for legal purposes under the Constitution.

On Feb. 8, John Bonifaz, co-foudner of "Free Speech for People," and legal director of Voter Action, will speak on "Grassroots solutions to Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission." The free talk begins at 7:30 p.m. at the church.

DOWNLOAD EVENT FLYER:
http://www.newshare.com/pdfs/citizen-united.pdf

Citizens United v Federal Election Commission was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited under the First Amendment. The Court struck down a provision of the McCain-Feingold Act that prohibited all corporations, both for-profit and not-for-profit, and unions from broadcasting "electioneering communications." This was not a Supreme Court decision that left analysts on the fence. Opponents called the 5-4 vote that lifted restrictions on political donations a blow to free speech, and supporters declared it a long-overdue liberation from an unconstitutional gag order.

Bonifaz is a 1999 recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. The Foundation award stated: "Bonifaz, a public interest lawyer, uses innovative litigation to reexamine campaign finance reform arguments typically debated on first amendment grounds. Through the National Voting Rights Institute, an organization he founded, Bonifaz recasts the legal arguments to focus on fourteenth amendment protections, challenging the relationship between money and politics."

The following are sponsors of this public conversation: Williams College Political Science Department, Williams Students for Social Justice, Williamstown Democratic Town Committee, Lanesborough Town Democratic Committee, Progressive Democrats of America, The Berkshire Brigades, he Center for Community Engagement, The League of Women Voters of Williamstown and The First Congregational Church, Williamstown.

Meanwhile, in Vermont last week, a state senator introduced a resolution which would withdraw rights of "corporate personhood" from corporations in Vermont. If such a measure were adopted by the state, it would force a constitutional challenge and put the issue again before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Here's a link to a story about Sen. Virginia Lyon's action:
http://www.alternet.org/rights/149620/resolution_calling_to_amend_the_constitution_banning_corporate_personhood_introduced_in_vermont

Close Relationships Sometimes Mask Poor Communication - U.S. News & World Report

2011-01-24T22:20:00.000-05:00

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Close Relationships Sometimes Mask Poor Communication - U.S. News & World Report

Close Relationships Sometimes Mask Poor Communication
U.S. News & World Report
... amorous advance instead," said study author Kenneth Savitsky, professor of psychology at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., in the news release. ...

and more »

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Just because you're married doesn't mean you communicate - Chicago Sun-Times

2011-01-24T21:56:00.001-05:00

Sent to you via Google Reader

Just because you're married doesn't mean you communicate - Chicago Sun-Times

Just because you're married doesn't mean you communicate
Chicago Sun-Times
Keysar's colleague Kenneth Savitsky, professor of psychology at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., devised an experiment resembling a parlor game to ...

and more »

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Berkshire Taconic to Sponsor Local Nonprofit for Program at Harvard Business School

2011-01-24T21:40:00.001-05:00

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Berkshire Taconic to Sponsor Local Nonprofit for Program at Harvard Business School

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation invites executive directors of nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region to apply for a scholarship to attend a six-day intensive training program at the Harvard Business School in Boston. Under Berkshire Taconic's sponsorship, a selected director will attend "Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management," a program designed to strengthen the capacity of nonprofit directors to lead their organizations effectively. The program will take place July 17–23, 2011. Tuesday, March 1, 2011 is the deadline for applications.

Berkshire Taconic began developing the sponsorship in 2008 after Jennifer Dowley, president of the foundation, attended the program herself. Berkshire Taconic has sponsored area nonprofit CEOs—Martin Ping of Hawthorne Valley Association, Gary Schiro of Hudson Valley Opera House, Anne Nemetz Carlson of Child Care of the Berkshires and Jeffrey Rovitz of Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties —to attend this week-long program over the last two summers.

Martin Ping said, "The strategic perspectives in Nonprofit Management at HBS exceeded my high expectations by a wide margin. Every aspect of the week was world class and I consider myself extremely privileged to have been able to take part."

"I've been working professionally in the nonprofit world for some 26 years now and no workshop, class or experience has been half as valuable as my time spent at the SPNM Program at the business school," said 2010 attendee Gary Schiro.

The selected participant will attend the program along with 140 other nonprofit leaders, using the case–study method of learning. The program encompasses several themes, such as formulating strategy in complex environments, exploring market sensitivity, achieving internal alignment with strategic vision and leading change. The program is part of the Harvard Business School's Social Enterprise Initiative, which helps leaders in all sectors apply management skills to create social value. The School is providing a full scholarship, valued at $4,900.

Application forms and program brochures for the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program are available online at

Sent from my iPhone

HOLIDAY FARMERS’ MARKETS REPORT MORE THAN $80,000 IN LOCAL REVENUE GENERATED (fwd)

2011-01-21T23:51:00.000-05:00

From Angela Cardinali, who does PR for Berkshire Grown . . .

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2011 11:50:56 -0500
From: Angela Cardinali <angela@angelacardinali.com>

VENDORS AT THE BERKSHIRE GROWN HOLIDAY FARMERS' MARKETS REPORT MORE THAN $80,000
IN LOCAL REVENUE GENERATED AT FOUR BERKSHIRE GROWN EVENTS COMBINED

GREAT BARRINGTON + WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. (January 21, 2011) – In November and December of 2010, Berkshire Grown produced two distinct Holiday Farmers' Markets in two locations bridging the local food gap between north and south county during months when farmers' markets are not available in the region. Berkshire Grown, host of the four events, brought together more than 60 regional vendors in November and 70-plus vendors in December. Based on post-market surveys, Berkshire Grown facilitated an economic impact of more than $80,000 for participating vendors of the holiday markets combined.

Vendors at the four markets – two in Great Barrington and two in Williamstown – were thrilled with the outcome of the markets. "It was an extraordinary event, well organized, well advertised, well attended… a perfect day!" said Roberto Flores from Good Dogs Farm. David Bushika of Jaeschke's Fruit and Flowers commented: "A most pleasant and festive atmosphere indeed, and a terrific customer base."

More than 2,500 community members visited the two markets in November, the weekend before Thanksgiving, with more than 1,000 patrons in Great Barrington and 1,400-plus coming through the doors of the Williams College Towne Field House in Williamstown. The December markets attracted more than 2,000 people combined, with approximately 800 in Great Barrington and 1,200-plus in Williamstown. Vendor fees, Berkshire Grown-branded item sales, sponsorship from local supporters and a grant from Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) helped generate more than $7,000 for Berkshire Grown, which the organization needed to produce the markets.

"We're thrilled by the success of the Holiday Farmers' Markets," said Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown. "The markets generated more than $80,000 for local vendors because we provided an opportunity for farmers and local food producers to sell directly to community members at a fun event."

In support of Berkshire Grown, this event was sponsored by MDAR's Massachusetts Grown…and Fresher campaign, The Williams College Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program at the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, Mezze Restaurant Group, Mission Bar & Tapas/The Market, The Red Lion Inn, Storey Publishing and Slow Food of Western Massachusetts.

2011 Holiday Farmers' Markets

Due to the popularity and success of the three holiday market events in 2009 and 2010, Berkshire Grown plans to host similar markets in late fall of 2011. The events will take place in Williamstown and Great Barrington with markets scheduled for the weekend before Thanksgiving and the weekend before Christmas. More details will be announced in the coming months. Visit www.berkshiregrown.org for additional details or call 413.528.0041.

###

Doug Paisley group's concert this Monday at 7:30pm at St Johns

2011-01-21T08:17:00.000-05:00

Doug Paisley writes:

I wanted to let you know about a concert I'm singing in next Monday,
January 24 at 7:30PM at St John's church in Williamstown. Part of the
concert will be the debut of "Tenores di Altrove", a quartet of
adventurous singers from North Carolina, New York, and Williamstown.
For the past two years, we've been meeting every few months for
weekend-long rehearsals in order to focus on a repertoire of music in
the cantu a tenores style of folk polyphony from Sardinia. Here's a
sample of the style in case you've never heard it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsB9P5ziaCM&feature=related

We'll also be singing some beautiful Renaissance Italian laude, songs
from Corsica, and excerpts from an ancient Roman mass that has many
Byzantine elements and was suppressed by the church for nearly a
thousand years due to a Roman prohibition in the ninth century.

The headliners for the concert are the Starry Mountain Trio,
performing a wide range of traditional music from around the United
States and abroad. The group's members are all lifelong musicians who
have toured extensively with the Vermont-based world-music ensembles
Northern Harmony and Village Harmony, where they received an
introduction to traditional songs and singing styles from around the
world. In addition, trio members have worked with Meredith Monk and
the Revels International, and have participated in international
recording projects of traditional Georgian music.

Their musical program features traditional songs from United States,
the British Isles, Corsica and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia,
as well as original compositions from the group's members. The
American repertoire includes shape-note songs (a traditional New
England song style), and haunting folk tunes from the Appalachians,
supplemented by traditional British ballads.

Hope you can make it!

Doug

PS: Please pass this along to anyone who might be interested. Thanks!

Williamstown Fights Biomass Permitting Process - iBerkshires.com

2011-01-21T07:40:00.001-05:00

Williamstown Fights Biomass Permitting Process - iBerkshires.com

iBerkshires.com

Williamstown Fights Biomass Permitting Process
iBerkshires.com
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Selectmen will oppose Beaver Wood Energy's attempt to bundle two permits into one. ...
PSB gives college, town party status in biomass processBennington Banner

all 4 news articles »

Williamstown, college granted intervenor status on Pownal biomass proposal

2011-01-21T07:37:00.000-05:00

Williamstown, college granted intervenor status on Pownal biomass proposal

The Vermont Public Service Board has granted the town, Williams College and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission intervenor status in the permitting of a proposed 29.5-megawatt biomass facility at the former Green Mountain Race Track in Pownal, Vt.

Sent from my iPhone

Williamstown Event - January 22, 2011 - House of Local History Free Lecture Series

2011-01-09T08:12:00.000-05:00

CONTACT:
Rita Watson
413-458-4828
Rwatson105@verizon.net

WHO: Williamstown House of Local History
WHAT: Dr. John Chandler, President Emeritus of Williams College, The Rise and Fall of Fraternities at Williams College
WHEN: Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 11:00 am
WHERE: Milne Public Library, 1095 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 01267
ADMISSION: Free
PHONE: 413-458-2160
E-MAIL: whlh1753@roadrunner.com
WEB: www.williamstown history.com

Panel: "Gender and Food: Production and Consumption," slated Jan. 13 at Williams College

2011-01-05T09:33:00.000-05:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- A free public panel and discussion on gender, food, production and consumption is set for Thurs., Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at Williams College in Griffin Hall.

Just two weeks ago Karen Washington, one of the panelists, was awarded the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service by Michele Obama forher work on the NY Botanical Garden's Bronx Green-Up program.

The event is being organized by college's Sustainable Food and Agriculture and Women's and Gender Studies programs.

Panelists will include:

-- Karen Washington, Member of Garden of Happiness, LaFamilia Verde Garden Coalition; Just Food City Farms Trainer; President of the NYC Community Garden Coalition; co-recipient of the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, awarded by Michelle Obama for her work on the NY
Botanical Garden's Bronx Green-Up program

-- Giovanna DiChiro, Ph.D., Research Associate in the Environmental Studies Department at Mount Holyoke College, co-editor of the volume Appropriating Technology: Vernacular Science and Social Power and Embodied Ecologies: Science, Politics, and Environmental Justice(forthcoming); co- founder of the Pioneer Valley Community Environmental Justice Coalition

-- Shannon Hayes, Ph.D. Author of Radical Homemakers: Reclaiming Domesticity from a Consumer Culture, TheGrassfed Gourmet, and The Farmer and the Grill; Co-owner, Sap Bush Hollow Farm, Warnerville, NY

-- Elizabeth Smith, co-founder of Caretaker Farm in Williamstown, MA, ran the NOFA-organic certifiedcommercial vegetable farm for 16 years. Converted to a CSA in 1990, Caretaker Farm provides vegetables, berries, herbs and flowers to 240 households from June â" January and provides vegetables to
the Berkshire Food Project.

-- Lisa MacDougall, farmer/owner of Mighty Food Farm inPownal, VT, graduated from the UMass Amherst with a degree in plant, soil and insect sciences. In 2006 sheestablished Mighty Food Farm, a CSA now in its fifthgrowing season.

SUBMITTED BY:
ANGELA CARDINALI | Marketing Communications + Strategic Planning
angela@angelacardinali.com | p: 413.458.9053

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation (WRLF) announces the preservation of 117 of farmland and 12 acres of Hemlock Brook watershed land in Williamstown. (fwd)

2011-01-04T17:26:00.000-05:00

Contact: Leslie Reed-Evans, Executive Director

Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation

Williamstown land preservation projects completed

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation (WRLF) announces the preservation of 117 of farmland and 12 acres of Hemlock Brook watershed land in Williamstown.

The WRLF worked with the Galusha family to facilitate the preservation of 117 acres of their farm, Fairfields Dairy, through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program, a purchase of development rights program created almost 30 years ago to preserve the state's most productive farmland.

The Galusha family has been farmers in Williamstown for many generations. Their farm is the largest dairy operation in Williamstown and has an unusual percentage of soils classified as Prime Farmland and State Important for this area of Northern Berkshire, making it a strong candidate for protection through the APR program.

The farmland is located along Green River Road, one of Williamstown's most scenic roads, and Blair Road, has frontage along the Green River, and contributes significantly to the rural character of South Williamstown.

Leslie Reed-Evans, Executive Director of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, states: "The WRLF is most grateful to the Galusha family for working to preserve their land, to the Commonwealth for its strong support of land preservation through programs such as the APR, and to the Williamstown community for their support of the Community Preservation grant to help make this project possible." The Fairfields Dairy preservation project was a high-priority one for the WRLF as part of their farmland protection program and their efforts to promote a viable local agricultural economy.

Richard Lamb and Holly Taylor donated 12 acres of land off Sweetbrook Road and adjacent to town-owned Margaret Lindley Park to the WRLF on December 29, 2010. Through this gift they are ensuring permanent public access to and preserving a significant section of Hemlock Brook. The land expands an area of open space that includes Town and privately owned conservation lands.

The property offers significant potential for expanding the Margaret Lindley Trail system, providing the public with the opportunity to enjoy an area not often visited. Large hemlock trees line the brook, a tributary of the Hoosic River. Protecting the clear mountain streams that feed the Hoosic has been a priority for the WRLF, which also owns 35 acres along the brook upstream, near the former Williams College Berlin Mountain ski area.

"The WRLF is most grateful to Richard and Holly for adding this scenic and important conservation property to the inventory of publicly accessible lands in Williamstown" says Reed-Evans. Work to improve the existing informal trails and an official dedication will take place in the summer of 2011.

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is a non-profit, member-supported land conservation trust committed to preserving the rural New England character of Williamstown and the surrounding area, celebrating its 25th year in 2011. Its headquarters are located at Sheep Hill, a conservation property and former small family farm. The WRLF hosts educational programs and events at Sheep Hill and other properties throughout the year. For more information visit www.wrlf.org.

Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267

lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

WRLF to feature speaker on South Africa, Thursday Janaury 20 7 PM at Sheep Hill

2011-01-04T10:51:00.000-05:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is sponsoring a program on conservation in South Africa at 7 PM on Thursday January 20, 2011 at Sheep Hill in Williamstown. Kim Rozell, WRLF member and volunteer, spent six months doing volunteer work within the South African National Parks system in their environmental education department. The main goal of this department is to reach "nearest neighbors" of the national parks and share resources with the schools, expose the beauty of the parks to those who would not otherwise have the opportunity and to provide education about environmental planning as well as land and animal management. There is also a park mandate to engage in open forums with the community.

Kim was assigned to Bontebok National Park in the Western Cape and was housed on the park itself. She was involved in programs reaching over 1000 students and 200 teachers, and the park participated in a photo shoot for an educational book for the lower grades while she was there.

Kim's talk will be illustrated with the photographs of the landscape and wildlife of this small but important South African National Park, and of the better-known parks she also visited while there.

The program is open to the public and free of charge. For more information call 458-2494 or email ruraland@wrlf.org.

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is a non-profit member-supported land conservation trust with headquarters are located at Sheep Hill on Route 7 in Williamstown, approximately one mile south of the Williamstown rotary.

SUBMITTED BY:
Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

News from Cricket Creek Farm (fwd)

2011-01-01T08:44:00.000-05:00

News from
Cricket Creek Farm

What's News...

Bakery Buzz
Welcome!
The Waiting Game

Bakery Buzz
Jamie's Choices this week:
Monday January 3rd: Whole Wheat Dill
Friday January 7th: Sourdough Rye
Muffins this week will be...
Monday: Oat Bran
Thursday: Blueberry
Friday: Chocolate Chip
Saturday: Pumpkin Walnut
Buttermilk Currant Scones will be on Wednesday and Saturday.
Friday's Breakfast Buns will be Orange Blossom.

It's Seven Grain's turn on Monday January 3rd (Whole Oat and Seven Grain trade weeks)

* The bakery won't be baking Saturday January 1st *
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Article: Sally Goodrich, Who Aided Afghans After 9/11 Loss, Dies at 65

2010-12-28T07:29:00.000-05:00

Sally Goodrich, Who Aided Afghans After 9/11 Loss, Dies at 65
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/25/us/25goodrich.html

Startup aims to simplify site selection for clean-power projects

2010-12-25T07:57:00.000-05:00

http://dailyme.com/story/2010120800002778/startup-aims-simplify-site-selection-clean-power.html

News from Cricket Creek Farm

2010-12-19T20:13:00.000-05:00

Bakery Buzz
Jamie's Choice Monday December 20th will be Cranberry Walnut Bread
Muffins this week will be...
Monday: Blueberry
Thursday: Black & Blue
Friday: Oat Bran & Pumpkin Walnut
Buttermilk Currant Scones will be on Wednesday and Friday.

It's Whole Oat's turn on Monday December 20th (Whole Oat and Seven Grain trade weeks)

Please note Friday's bread schedule is a little altered...

Breads: Crusty White, Oatmeal Sunflower & Seven Grain

Rolls: Oatmeal Sunflower, Butter, Seven Grain & Herb

Also, the bakery will not be baking Saturday December 25th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lots in store
Scottish Shortbread, Brandied Apricot Cake, Lebkuchen, Sugar Cookies, Gingerbread
People, Early Grey Tea Cookies all await you.
We have lots of items that are great for gifting: pottery, soaps, candles, books,
baked goods, gift certficates, handfelted ornaments, soap dishes....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willinet To Ask For Small Increase In Cable Bill Fees / iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

2010-12-19T18:41:00.000-05:00

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/37078/Willinet-To-Ask-For-Small-Increase-In-Cable-Bill-Fees.html

Williamstown School, Youth Center Seeks Town Input / iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

2010-12-19T18:39:00.000-05:00

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/37114/Williamstown-School-Youth-Center-Seeks-Town-Input.html

Williamstown Drinking Water Predicted to be Unaffected by Biomass Plant / iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

2010-12-19T18:38:00.001-05:00

http://www.iberkshires.com/story/37099/Williamstown-Drinking-Water-Predicted-to-be-Unaffected-by-Biomass-Plant.html

ARTS TALK - Times Union: exhibit at Clark

2010-12-19T18:37:00.000-05:00

http://www.timesunion.com/living/article/ARTS-TALK-906788.php

Sent from my iPhone

COLUMBIA JOURNALISM REVIEW: Scott Brown's Wall Street Friends

2010-12-17T17:01:00.000-05:00

Senator Brown's Friends: CJR's Liz Cox Barrett has tip of the hat to The Boston Globe for piecing together, from reports filed by U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., a surge in his donations from interested parties as the fate of the Wall Street regulatory overhaul hung in the balance and Brown used the leverage of his swing vote to win key concessions sought by firms.

From mid-June until the Fourth of July, according to the Globe analysis , the Massachusetts senator took in $140,000 from banks and investment firms and their executives. That is 400 percent more than the $28,000 received on average by all Republican senators during the same three weeks. No connection between politics and policy, says a Brown spokesperson.

LINK:
http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/a_midsummer_donation_spike_wit.php

Vermont Denies Early Start for Biomass Plant / iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

2010-12-11T01:44:00.001-05:00

http://iberkshires.com/story/37055/Vermont-Denies-Early-Start-for-Biomass-Plant.html

LINK: Erving Paper Mills owner explains why biomass is the best alternative for them

2010-12-10T18:53:00.000-05:00

SEE:
http://www.telegram.com/article/20101209/NEWS/12090786/1020/NEWSREWIND

This op-ed (opinion) piece from the Worcester Telegram explains the view of Morris Housen, CEO of Erving Paper Mills. He argues wood-burning biomass plants for electricity generation are better than solar or wind renewable energy and better than continuing to use fossil fuels. But he says new Massachusetts regulations will prevent him -- economically -- from moving off oil.

Williamstown Elementary Principal Steven Johnson To Retire - iBerkshires.com

2010-12-09T00:24:00.000-05:00

Williamstown Elementary Principal Steven Johnson To Retire - iBerkshires.com

iBerkshires.com

Williamstown Elementary Principal Steven Johnson To Retire
iBerkshires.com
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Elementary School Principal Steven Johnson announced Wednesday that he will retire in June. "I had a choice. ...

ARTS: Screening of "Vanishing of the Bees" documentary Dec. 12 at Images Cinema

2010-11-30T12:46:00.001-05:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- A book publisher, a local beekeepers group and the cinema venue are combining to sponsor the screening of a new documentary, "The Vanishing of the Bees," on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m.. The cost is five dollars.
Northern Berkshire Transition said Storey Publishing, the Northern Berkshire Beekeepers Association and Images Cinema will include a honey tasting, local honey sale and a beekeeping Q-and-A after the 90-minute film.
Called by one reviewer "the most important documentary film since Inconvenient Truth."the movie explores Colony Collapse Disorder, the global phenomenon in which honey bees suddenly abandon their hive en masse. As one beekeeper says in the film, "Bees are essential. One out of every three bites of food we eat is the result of bee pollination."
Admission proceeds will go to support the beekeepers association. For more on Vanishing of the Bees, visit the film website at http://www.vanishingbees.com/. For more on the Northern Berkshire Beekeepers Association, contact Tony Pisano at antpisano@hotmail.com or visit the association's website at nbba.wordpress.com.
For more details and to RSVP go to Northern Berkshire Transition:
http://northernberkshiretransition.ning.com/events/event/show?id=6027471%3AEvent%3A926&xgi=1jyMGd4HIXhF0C&xg_source=msg_invite_event

Fwd: News from Cricket Creek Farm

2010-11-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

News from
Cricket Creek Farm

What's News...

Bakery Buzz
Small Bakery Schedule Change
A Girl for Shirley
Delivery for Thanksgiving

Visit our website!
www.cricketcreekfarm.com

Bakery Buzz

Jamie's Choices for this week are:
Monday 11/29: Olive Bread
Friday 12/3: Sourdough Rye

Breakfast Buns on Friday December 3rd will be Orange Blossom

Muffins this week will be...
Monday: Bran with Raisin
Wednesday: Oatmeal Raspberry
Friday: Oat Bran
Saturday: Pumpkin Walnut

Buttermilk Currant Scones will be on Thursday and Saturday.

It's Seven Grain's turn on Monday November 29th (Whole Oat and Seven Grain trade weeks)

Small Bakery Schedule Change

Beginning this week Friday's will be a little different. Challah will join the ranks of Jamie Choice choices and Friday's line-up will be Oatmeal Sunflower, Chunky Cheddar Cheese, breakfast buns and Jamie's Choice.

A Girl for Shirley

Last Sunday, two days before her due date, our Brown Swiss Shirley gave birth to her first calf thereby making the transition from "heifer" to full-fledged Cow. Share with us you "S" girl name ideas!

Delivery for Thanksgiving

Our Jersey Flora gave birth to a bouncing girl Thursday. She is a bouncy, hoppy, skipping little lady.
We're leaning towards naming her Fiona since she is so fond of her (the calf is fond of person Fiona!)
"Do you have a bottle in that pocket?"

For Your Calendar

December 18th: Berkshire Grown's Holiday Market. For more information click here.

Cricket Creek Farm Store is open seven days a week from 7AM to 8PM

Forward email

This email was sent to densmore@densmoreassociates.com by lesley@cricketcreekfarm.com.

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| Phone & Fax: 413-458-5888 | Cricket Creek Farm | 1255 Oblong Rd | Williamstown | MA | 01267

Elizabethans will sing in Williamstown - Bennington Banner

2010-11-26T00:03:00.001-05:00

http://www.benningtonbanner.com/entertainment/ci_16663227

WRLF hosts recycled and repurposed gift wrapping at Sheep Hill on Saturday December 11 beginning at 1:30 p.m.

2010-11-25T23:00:00.000-05:00

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation invites you to a unique and earth-friendly get-together on Saturday December 11th from 1:30 - 4:00 at Sheep Hill in Williamstown. Used wrapping paper, tissue, ribbon and boxes thrown away during the holidays in the USA amounts to an additional 25 million tons of trash. The "Re-Wrap afternoon" will highlight making creative wrappings, gift boxes and bags from found or repurposed materials that might otherwise be thrown away. Create beautiful origami boxes from old calendars, print wrapping paper and cards, decorate bags with sprays of nature's findings, make seasonally scented sachets and use collage technique with nature-themed images to decorate gift boxes. These family friendly projects will have a range of difficulty; some are appropriate for younger children with more difficult ones for teens and adults. The pre-holiday celebration will include popcorn, cookies, hot chocolate and a fire on the hearth. Get ready for the holidays w!
hile being kind to the earth!

There is a $3 non-recycled materials charge.

Sheep Hill is the headquarters and a conservation property of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, a non-profit, member-supported land conservation trust which works to preserve the rural New England character of the area and sponsors nature education, local history and seasonal food events throughout the year. Sheep Hill is located on Route 7 in Williamstown, approximately one mile south of the rotary. Program support provided by the Williamstown Savings Bank. For more information visit www.wrlf.org or call 458-2494.

SUBMITTED BY:
Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267

lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

A countryman's wisdom -- traditions of Thanksgiving, by Hal Borland

2010-11-25T09:30:00.003-05:00

"The Traditions," excerpted from the book: "Twelve Moons of the Year," by Hal Borland / copyright, 1979, Alfred A. Knopf, New York.

By Hal Borland"This is the traditional day to give thanks. Traditions, of course, are based on customs and beliefs transmitted from generation to generation. Those we observe at Thanksgiving are mostly rural -- the bountiful harvest, the gathered family, the roasted turkey, the feast, the thankful prayer. And all with the generous land close about, a world of fields made fruitful by calloused hands. The thanks were for health and strength and independence.

"Looking back now, in a land whose people are largely urban, the day may seem to have only token meaning. And yet, in it's origins the word 'thank' meant 'think' and surely one day out of the year is not too much to think back and remember. The day of thanks goes back to a little band of immigrants fighting a strange wilderness, painfully getting a foothold there. They had little enough to be thankful for, yet they were grateful for survival and hoped for better days beyond the winter that was closing in. They had faith and belief and even dreams, though those dreams could not encompass what has come after them.

"Thanksgiving is more than a feast. It always was. It is the recognition of the providence, the work, the hope and dreams that are in our very blood and being. It is thanks for the traditions themselves.

"So the traditions are as important as the thanks themselves. The symbols are not without meaning, for they rest on the land's own bounty, on work and achievement, on obligations as well as rights. Nobody has outmoded harvest, or plenty, or gratitude."

A brief review of attempts to build biomass plants in Western Massachusetts. What can we learn from this?

2010-11-23T23:18:00.000-05:00

Susan Dunn writes:

I just heard on NPR that there is going to be the exact same kind of Biomass woodburning plant in Springfield as the one proposed in Pownal, and that the head of the
Massachusetts Environmental Agency declined to do a full environmental review. And Springfield residents already seem to have a disproportionate number of asthma patients. It's totally outrageous. Here's the story on WFCR:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wfcr/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1728708/WFCR.Local.News/Springfield.Incinerator.Moves.Forward

Below, some articles on the Springfield proposal, and others in the region, taken from the above WFCR website. Note the dates and the progression of community activism throughout the last two years on this issue. Also note that the media, especially radio and the newspapers, have followed this issue closely. We should work to get the same media attention in our region. Finally, note the role being played by local and state officials and the MA legislature and governor.

Residents to Sue State Over Environmental Impact of Proposed Greenfield Biomass Plant

Tina Antolini (2009-05-28)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - A group of Franklin County residents are planning to sue the state, over its failure to require a proposed biomass plant in Greenfield to file an environmental impact report. WFCR's Tina Antolini reports. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Biomass Plant Opposed in Greenfield

Adam Alfandary (2009-07-23)

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Sorting the "Grassroots" from the "Astroturf" with Biomass Citizens Groups

Tina Antolini (2009-09-08)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - Some grassroots groups may have their roots elsewhere... A Boston Globe report this week revealed that a community group that's been organizing in support of a proposed biomass power plant in Russell, Massachusetts was founded with the help of a consulting firm hired by the plant's developer. Russell First is made up of local residents, but Globe environmental reporter Beth Daley told WFCR's Tina Antolini she noticed something that struck her as a little out of the ordinary, when reporting more generally about the pros and cons of Russell Biomass.

To read Beth Daley's report "Power Plant Developer Financed Citizen's Group Activity," go here:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/08/power_plant_developer_paid_consultant_to_help_organize_russell_citizens_group/ © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Focus: Western New England: Biomass Energy

Tina Antolini, Jill Kaufman, Fred Bever (2009-09-24)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - Who isn't in search of clean, cheap energy? Policy makers, residents and investors around the region are, and they are taking a close look at biomass energy, that is, burning low-grade wood or other plant materials for high-tech electricity generation.

There are three large-scale biomass plants proposed for western Massachusetts, in Springfield, Greenfield, and Russell. Together they could provide electricity for as many as 135,000 homes, help the state meet goals for renewable energy, and create jobs. But they could also change the character of the region's woodlands, send numerous trucks through residential neighborhoods and emit toxins into the air. And there is little consensus on just how "renewable" the resource is. These are some of the questions about biomass we'll explore in this half hour of Focus Western New England. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Biomass Studies and Opposition

Tina Antolini (2009-10-26)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - Several studies commissioned by the Mayor of Greenfield, Massachusetts have turned out a positive review for a proposed biomass power plant in the Franklin County seat. But, as WFCR's Tina Antolini reports, the plant's opponents say a new international study adds fuel to their concerns. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Biomass Hearing

Kari Njiiri (2009-12-01)

SPRINGFIELD, MA (wfcr) - A Massachusetts legislative committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a proposal that would ban the use of construction and demolition debris in wood burning power plants. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Coalition Opposing Biomass

Helen Barrington (2009-12-02)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - A coalition of groups opposed to biomass plants says they have gathered enough signatures to place a question on next November's Massachusetts state ballot.
WFCR's Helen Barrington reports. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Incentives on Hold; Biomass Study Underway

Fred Bever (2009-12-08)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - The administration of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has put on hold consideration of financial incentives for biomass. WFCR's Fred Bever reports on a development that could affect the viability of biomass generators planned in Greenfield and Russell. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Biomass Rally in Springfield

Kari Njiiri (2010-04-23)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - An Earth Day rally to mobilize efforts against a proposed biomass incinerator in Springfield has been held on the steps of City Hall. WFCR's Kari Njiiri reports the rally follows a decision by a City Council committee to oppose the project. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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MA Legislature and Biomass Incentives

Sarah Danson (2010-05-10)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - The Massachusetts legislature has taken a pass on a bill that would make it more difficult for developers of biomass or waste-to-energy power plants to qualify for financial incentives the state provides for renewable energy. WFCR's Sarah Danson reports. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Study Calls Biomass Energy Into Question

Peter Moskowitz (2010-06-10)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - A new study commissioned by the administration of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick may deal a blow to plans to build several biomass energy plants in western Massachusetts... and even around the country. The study found that burning wood solely to create electricity could add more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than natural gas and coal-fired plants. WFCR's Peter Moskowitz reports. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Biomass Fight Hits Mass. Statehouse

Fred Bever (2010-06-23)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - Several Bay State environmental groups are supporting a legislative alternative to a proposed November ballot question that would curtail emissions from biomass plants. But supporters of burning wood to make electricity say either option will hurt this region's economy. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Biomass Opponents Withdraw Ballot Question

Helen Barrington (2010-07-08)

AMHERST, MA (wfcr) - Activists have pulled a ballot question targeting wood-burning power plants after Massachusetts officials moved to place new limits on these biomass energy facilities. The state will now set higher standards for the plants to obtain renewable energy certificates. The change follows the release of a study last month. WFCR's Helen Barrington has more. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

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Springfield Incinerator Moves Forward

Fred Bever (2010-11-22)

SPRINGFIELD, MA (wfcr) -
A wood-burning energy plant proposed for Springfield will not be subject to a full-fledged environmental review, the state's top regulator has ruled. WFCR's Fred Bever reports. © Copyright 2010, wfcr

See this website by Stop Toxic Incineration in Springfield, a grassroots organization dedicated to stopping the proposed biomass incinerator in Springfield MA..

http://www.springfieldincinerator.info/ . Here is an excerpt from that site: "What they [the biomass developers] are saying here is, although EPA is going to start regulating CO2 as a pollutant, and even biogenic CO2, they are going to evade this because they plan on starting construction before the EPA implementation date {July 2011]. Obviously Epsilon Associates needs to fast-track their incineration proposal to make it happen. . . .In addition, their proposal claims this incinerator will be carbon-neutral because it will use nonforest wood material. This woody biomass, however, is already claimed by other users. If they take away this woody biomass from current users, more trees will have to be cut to ensure the current supply. So how can this incinerator call itself carbon-neutral if it will harm our forest resources and landscape by ultimately requiring the cutting of forest land, as the Manomet Study has already made clear. And what happens when there is no longer enough woody biomass? Biomass plants in NH are now suing each other over dwindling wood reserves, and most "wood chip" biomass plants in Maine have converted to construction and demolition incinerators because of low fuel stock. Shouldn't we expect the same to happen in Springfield?"

Bennington Banner: Pownal-Williamstown bioamass groups hire attorney

2010-11-14T10:08:00.000-05:00

Writing in The Bennington Banner, reporter Keith Whitcomb Jr. says the Concerned Citizens of Pownal and Williamstown have joined to hire a Vermont attorney to represent them at a Nov. 19 permitting hearing on a proposed biomass electric-generating plant. In addition, the groups have set a meeting for Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Williamstown.

MORE: http://www.benningtonbanner.com/local/ci_16600094
http://williamstown.ws/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/jointprehearingconference.pdf

Vermont Public Service Board schedules Nov. 19 hearing on Pownal biomass plant

2010-11-09T19:43:00.001-05:00

More biomass info

Vermont Public Service Board has scheduled a Joint Prehearing Conference for the BWE Pownal and Fairhaven projects in Montpelier on November 19. Read the announcement here. The Board's review of the two projects will be conducted separately at later dates.

Boston Baroque at Williams Arts Section Music

2010-11-09T19:28:00.001-05:00

Boston Baroque at Williams Arts Section Music

Boston Baroque at Williams Arts Section Music — Sat Nov 06 01:04:34 UTC 2010
Sunday, November 14 @ 3 p.m. Four members of Boston Baroque, the first permanent baroque orchestra established in North America and perhaps the world's premier period-instrument ensemble, present a free chamber music concert. Violinist Christina Day Ma...
about: Boston Baroque Christina Day Martinson Dario Castello Entertainment Culture Four Francois Couperin leader Martin Pearlman Music North America principal cellist Sarah Freiberg Susanna Ogata Violinist

Yale Professor To Discuss 2010 Midterm Elections And Implications - iBerkshires.com

2010-11-09T19:18:00.001-05:00

Yale Professor To Discuss 2010 Midterm Elections And Implications - iBerkshires.com

Yale Professor To Discuss 2010 Midterm Elections And Implications
iBerkshires.com
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - On Thursday, Nov. 11, David Mayhew will discuss "The 2010 Election: What Happened and Why." The event will take place at 4 pm in ...

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Open house at Sheep Hill on Saturday Nov. 20 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

2010-11-09T17:26:00.000-05:00

The public is invited to an Open House at Sheep Hill in Williamstown on Saturday November 20 from 2:30 to 4 PM. Sheep Hill is a conservation property and the headquarters of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation. Leslie Reed-Evans, Executive Director of the WRLF, states: "It is often difficult for people to stop in at Sheep Hill during the week and so we like to offer weekend hours through open houses throughout the year. Visitors can view the art exhibit now hanging at Sheep Hill, see the barn restoration progress, or take a late fall hike, weather permitting. It's a nice way to open the building to the public on a weekend." All sales of artwork in the exhibit, which includes paintings and photographs, directly support the WRLF. Hot cider and other fall treats, as well as activities for children, will be offered and WRLF's photo note cards will be available for sale.

The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is a non-profit, member-supported land conservation trust which works to preserve the rural New England character of the area and sponsors nature education, local history and seasonal food events throughout the year. Sheep Hill is located on Route 7 south in Williamstown, approximately one mile south of the rotary. Program support provided by the Williamstown Savings Bank. For more information visit www.wrlf.org or call 458-2494.

SUBMITTED BY:
Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267

lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

Mt. Greylock thespians ready "Love's Labour's Lost," for Friday and Saturday shows

2010-11-08T22:42:00.000-05:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Mount Greylock Regional High School is presenting "Love's Labour's Lost," one of William Shakespeare's comedies this Friday and Saturday night's at 7 p.m. at the school here. Tickets at the door are $5 for students and seniors and $8 for adults.

The play, directed by Shakespeare & Company's Jonathan Croy and Conor Moroney, is a delightfully clever romp through a land of masquerade balls and mistaken identities, unrequited love and double entendres. It is a celebration of not only the crazy ways people act when falling in and out of love and lust, but also an exploration of the sacrifices people will make for love.

Set in fairytale-like eighteenth century France, the play tells the story of the King of Navarre and three of his lords, self-important men who decide to spend three years eating six meals a week, sleeping three hours a night, and forgoing women, all in order to devote themselves to study. Of course, a princess and her three ladies arrive, and soon the men fall in love.

The story weaves its way through both delight and tragedy, each moment tumbling after the next in a flawless sequence. "Love's Labour's Lost" is one of 10 plays being created by local high schools in conjunction with Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, as a part of the Fall Festival of Shakespeare.

In its 22nd year, the festival sends professionals from Shakespeare and Company to work with high-school students in acting, set design, costuming, lighting, and general training.

"It's not like any other theater program because you get to work with professional actors and directors, and you do really good plays," said junior Hannah Paul, who plays Rosaline, one of the ladies. "This year's cast works really well together; everyone in Shakespeare loves to do it, so it gives the play a really good energy."

For more information contact ffsgreylock@shakespeare.org .

SOURCE: Shakespeare & Co., via MGRHS parents

Dürer Show Opens at the Clark -- Arts Section -- Art

2010-11-08T20:45:00.001-05:00

Durer Show Opens at the Clark -- Arts Section -- Art

Dürer Show Opens at the Clark -- Arts Section -- Art — Sun Nov 07 10:47:37 UTC 2010
November 14 - March 13 Albrecht Dürer, The Beast with Two Horns Like a Lamb from The Apocalypse, c. 1496-97. Once again, the Clark in Williamstown injects "world class" into the local arts bloodstream with its new exhibition, The Strange World of Albre...
about: Albrecht Dürer Art artist painter Printmaking Williams College writer
at: Clark Art Institute

ARTS: Exhibit: "Vibrant Colors" by Leo Mazzeo and Scott Taylor at Chapters Bookstore

2010-11-07T12:11:00.000-05:00

SOURCE: Leo Mazzo

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Leo Mazzeo and Scott Taylor, both artists who have studios in the Art On No artists collaborative located at 311 North Street, Pittsfield, will be showing work together at Chapters Bookstore, 78 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, beginning just before Thanksgiving and continuing for the month of December.

The exhibit, from Nov. 24 through Dec. 31, is entitled "Vibrant Colors" and will feature the artists' boldly colorful work in acrylics and oils. An opening reception will be held on Friday, December 3, 5-7 PM.

Mazzeo and Taylor, both artists who have studios in the Art On No artists' collaborative in Pittsfield easily found a common thread and unity with their brightly colored work. After a season of showing their work together as part of the Art On No Open Studio events, it seemed a logical progression to join forces for a show of their own; each with his own methods and style, but unified in a desire to bring vibrancy to any wall. Mazzeo's recent work in oil is defined by a cadmium red medium underpainting, giving his pieces warmth, brilliance, and depth. Taylor's very colorful acrylics have reached the status of local icons.

The show at Chapters is free and open to the public and may be viewed anytime during regular store hours. Appointments with the artists may be arranged for by contacting Mazzeo at 413-281-6665 and Taylor at 413-443-4660.

SOURCE:
Leo Mazzeo -- l-mazzeo@hotmail.com

MG School Committee members keep seats - Berkshire Eagle Online

2010-11-06T13:05:00.000-04:00

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_16518132

MSNBC anchor to talk at Williams on Tuesday evening

2010-10-31T10:07:00.000-04:00

MSNBC anchor to talk at college
http://mlnurl.com/17Fh

LINK: Presentations from Williams College panel on Pownal, Vt., biomass plant proposal

2010-10-31T07:54:00.000-04:00

Http://blogs.williams.edu/sustainability/2010/10/29/biomass-pros-and-cons-panel/

Williams sets meetings on biomass issue - Bennington Banner

2010-10-31T07:46:00.001-04:00

Williams sets meetings on biomass issue - Bennington Banner

Williams sets meetings on biomass issue
Bennington Banner
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Two scientists, an engineer, and a lawyer spoke to a large crowd gathered at Griffin Hall at Williams College Thursday about aspects ...

and more »

News from Cricket Creek Farm

2010-10-31T05:30:00.001-04:00

News from
Cricket Creek Farm

What's News...

Bakery Buzz

A Boy for PJ

Beef!

Planning for the Future

For Your Calendar

Visit our
website!
www.cricketcreekfarm.com

Bakery Buzz

Jamie's Choice for Monday November 1st is Golden Flaxseed.

Breakfast Buns on Friday November 5th will be Apricot Ginger.

Muffins this week will be...
Monday: Bran with Raisin
Thursday: Pumpkin Walnut
Friday: Black & Blue
Saturday: Hopper Sunrise

Buttermilk Currant Scones will be on Wednesday and Saturday.

It's Whole Oat's turn on Monday November 1st (Whole Oat and Seven Grain trade weeks)

A Boy for PJ

Our cow Dragon PJ had a boy calf overnight Wednesday which was right on her due date!

Beef!

Beef has been restocked. We got more roasts this time - Sirloin Tip, Chuck Roast & Rib Roasts - how perfect for these cold nights!

Planning for the Future

We have started to plant blueberry and raspberry plants in the beds in front of the barn/store/office.

It's so important to have your flowers and lawn ornament match!

For Your Calendar...

NEXT WEEK! November 8 -- "Getting to Know Berkshire Grown: Celebrate NoCo" at Mezze, 5:30 to 7:30. Call Berkshire Grown (413-528-0041) for tickets and more information.
---
November 20 -- Holiday Farmer's Markets in Williamstown & Great Barrington. Get local products for your Thanksgiving table (or just any day of the week's table!)

December 18 -- Holiday Farmer's Markets in Williamstown & Great Barrington. Last year's markets for Thanksgiving were so well received another has been added for Christmas.

Cricket Creek Farm Store is open seven days a week from 7AM to 8PM

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Schools seeing savings after staff merger

2010-10-30T22:06:00.000-04:00

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Schools seeing savings after staff merger

The Mount Greylock Regional, Williamstown and Lanesborough school districts collectively saved about $195,000 in their fiscal 2011 budgets from merging their senior administration positions.

Fwd: [Mass Audubon] Vote No on Question 3

2010-10-28T17:15:00.000-04:00

SUBMITTED BY:
Mass Audubon <Mass_Audubon@massaudubon.org>

Dear Members,

With the election just days away, it is essential to understand the issues and policies that will come before us on November 2nd. Mass Audubon has received numerous inquiries regarding our position on Ballot Question 3: the Massachusetts State Sales Tax Rollback. This proposed law would reduce the state sales and use tax rates (presently at 6.25%) to 3% as of January 1, 2011. Along with many other nonprofits across the state, we urge you to Vote No on Question 3.

If passed, implementation of Question 3 would result in devastating cuts to all parts of state government including environmental agencies and programs already hit with significant budget cuts. Environmental agencies account for less than 1% of the state budget.

According to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, passage of Question 3 would result in across-the-board cuts of approximately 30 percent in virtually all state programs, including local aid, higher education, human services, prisons, courts, environmental protection, state parks, and beaches.

Many programs and agencies would be drastically reduced if not eliminated with just a handful of core staff monitoring state compliance with federal health and environmental standards for things such as air and water quality.

Mass Audubon's legislative priorities including the environmental bond, oceans act, and renewable energy legislation would be limited in their implementation.

Parks' infrastructure would not only continue to crumble from years of deferred maintenance, but would more quickly degrade as the Department of Conservation and Recreation would not have the funding to provide even basic maintenance or to keep parks open and appropriately staffed.

This decision will impact our environment – for this and future generations. Vote No on Question 3 and help Protect the Nature of Massachusetts.

Thank you,

Laura Johnson
President
Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon
208 South Great Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
781-259-9500 / 800-AUDUBON
http://www.massaudubon.org/

Northern Berkshire Local Food Meeting planned Nov. 3 at Images Cinema

2010-10-27T22:43:00.000-04:00

This announcement was written by Jay Walsh.

Time: November 3, 2010 from 10am to 2pm
Location: Images Cinema
Organized By: Northern Berkshire Transition:

Event Description:
Northern Berkshire* Local Food Security Study
The first phase of this project is a local food security study, leading to a comprehensive report profiling our communityâ™s food needs and the local resources available to meet them.

The second phase is a community food planning process, during which we will use our assessment to identify projects, partnerships, and policy changes which will use local resources to meet the food needs of the citizens populating the Northern Berkshire region (population roughly 35,000) and provide expanded economic opportunities for community residents.

Day: Wednesday November 3rd, 2010
Time: Presentation 10 AM - Noon, Followed by lunch/breakout discussion and feedback Noon-2:00PM
Venue: Images Cinema, Spring Street Williamstown, MA. Lunch next door at The Red Herring

Should you like to attend this event please RSVP to nbtransition@gmail.com

Presentation: A representative from the Conway School of Landscape Design will review the details of their recent âœFeed Northamptonâ study. Their services are being considered by Northern Berkshire Transition for conducting a similar study of our region. The purpose of the stakeholder meeting is to get addition feedback on what other important information should be collected that would be useful as part of this study as well as for stakeholders in seeking future funding grants for their respective organizations to expand our local food production.

This process will create greater understanding of our local food resources and organizational capacity to influence local policies including outreach to, and education of, the population served by local foods, zoning for urban gardens, and economic support for new and existing food-related businesses including farmers markets, CSA's, Community Gardens and School Garden Projects. Meeting the goals of this project will provide a solid framework to evaluate current local efforts to meet the food needs of Northern Berkshire* residents and will provide a model for future efforts to address further need.

The process will broaden the coalition of individuals and organizations addressing these needs and enable us to move forward with future projects in a strategic way.

In addition, we are looking to involve students from both MCLA and Williams Colleges to conduct specific independent research to feed into the larger study by the Conway School. This final report will present pertinent baseline data on nutrition and crop-growing requirements; analyzes town and city development and social patterns; evaluates natural conditions that affect food-producing potential; offer case studies and existing models of localized food production; and create conceptual designs for food production in the Northern Berkshire region.
You can review similar studies recently conducted by the Conway School below.

Feed Northamptonhttp://issuu.com/conwaydesign/docs/feed_northampton_april2010
Cultivating Resilience -Shelburne Falls, MAhttp://issuu.com/conwaydesign/docs/foodsecurity

*Northern Berkshire Consisting of the towns of Adams, Clarksburg, Florida, North Adams, Savoy and Williamstown. The study may include some bordering communities in New York and Southern Vermont.

CONTACT:
Jay Walsh
Northern Berkshire Transition
northernberkshiretransition.ning.com/
nbtransition@gmail.com

See more details and RSVP on Northern Berkshire Transition:
http://northernberkshiretransition.ning.com/events/event/show?id=6027471%3AEvent%3A806&xgi=2wOPVkwiTnxJlR&xg_source=msg_invite_event

Work on locker rooms at Greylock nears completion

2010-10-27T20:28:00.001-04:00

Work on locker rooms a MGRHS nears completion

Wednesday October 27, 2010 North Adams Transcript

WILLIAMSTOWN -- The boys' and girls' locker rooms at Mount Greylock Regional High School are expected to reopen in about two weeks.

Robert E. Ericson, vice chairman of the School Committee, said Monday that repairs to the locker rooms should be substantially completed by then and ready to be used by students.

Health, nutrition workshop slated

2010-10-27T20:27:00.001-04:00

Health, nutrition workshop slated

Wednesday October 27, 2010
WILLIAMSTOWN -- Wild Oats Market, a cooperatively owned market specializing in local and organic foods, will host an evening workshop on "Optimizing Health & Nutrition Through Food" on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 6:30 p.m., in the Wild Oats café.

Five are running for Mount Greylock School Committee posts

2010-10-27T20:11:00.001-04:00

Five are running for Mount Greylock School Committee posts

While the Nov. 2 election is for state offices, local voters will also have the opportunity to elect candidates to the Mount Greylock Regional School Committee.

WRLF announces Oct. 23 Pie Contest winners

2010-10-26T14:27:00.000-04:00

Press Release

For Immediate Release

WRLF announces pie contest winners

More than 20 delectable pies were entered in the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation's 7^th annual Williamstown Pie Contest held on Saturday October 23. The pie contest brings the community together in celebration of the harvest season and our many locally produced ingredients.

Six local food aficionados; Paul Lovegreen, Danielle Steinman, Sandra Thomas, Norm Burdick, Jenna Fernander and Stephanie Santore; judged pies submitted in three categories: Youth (under 16), Adult Fruit/Produce, and Adult Nut/Cream. Judging was based on the overall look of each pie, the quality and taste of the crust and the filling, and the number of local ingredients used. During the judging, Amy Wood demonstrated her perfect pie crust recipe and gave samples of cookies and tarts made from leftover dough.

The highlight of the evening was the sampling of the pies by more than 80 attendees, and the choosing of the public's favorite pie for the People's Choice Award, won this year by first-time entrants Amanda Chilson and Justin Rice for their Butternut Apple Maple Pecan Pie. Amanda and Justin were also the top winners in the Adult Fruit/Produce category. Lisa LaRoque's Apple Cranberry pie was the second prize winner. Venetia Greenhalgh's smooth French Silk pie won first prize in the Adult Cream/Nut category and second prize was a Chocolate Cream pie baked by Rose Mangun. Pie eating was followed by a guided full-moon hike on the slopes of Sheep Hill.

In the Youth division, Cate Cangelosi was the winner among 10 youth entries, the highest number in the event's history. Cate received the most points of all entrants with her rich Chocolate-Banana Cream pie. Second place winner for her Zesty Apple Crumble was Amalia Leamon. Leslie Reed-Evans, WRLF Executive Director, stated "we are excited to see the interest among our local youth in baking, and feel that the Pie Contest is a wonderful way to excite them about home baking and cooking and interest them in learning about local products."

The WRLF is a member-supported non-profit land conservation trust dedicated to preserving the rural New England character of Williamstown. Its headquarters are located at Sheep Hill, a conservation property and former historic dairy farm. For more information on the WRLF and upcoming events, visit www.wrlf.org.

Leslie Reed-Evans
Executive Director
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
Sheep Hill
671 Cold Spring Road
Williamstown, MA 01267

lre@wrlf.org www.wrlf.org
413-458-2494

VNA of Northern Berkshire schedules flu clinics

2010-10-26T06:43:00.000-04:00

VNA of Northern Berkshire schedules flu clinics

The Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Northern Berkshire has scheduled three seasonal flu vaccination clinics.

Truck makes emergency stop on Williamstown ramp

2010-10-26T06:40:00.000-04:00

Truck makes emergency stop on Williamstown ramp

Tuesday October 26, 2010 North Adams Transcript

WILLIAMSTOWN -- Police are thankful the driver of a tractor-trailer utilized the runaway-truck ramp on the Taconic Trail (Route 2) Monday morning after the trailer's brakes overheated.

News from Cricket Creek Farm

2010-10-24T06:00:00.001-04:00

News from
Cricket Creek Farm

What's News...

Bakery Buzz

Are You Missing Cricket Creek?

Where's the Pork?

Back to Kindergarten

Visit our
website!
www.cricketcreekfarm.com

Bakery Buzz

Jamie's Choice for Monday October 25th is Cricket Creek Olive Bread.

Breakfast Buns on Friday October 29th will be Cinnamon Buns.
---
Muffins this week will be...
Monday: Bran with Raisin
Wednesday: Oatmeal Raspberry
Friday: Chocolate Chip
Saturday: Pumpkin Walnut

---
Buttermilk Currant Scones will be on Thursday and Saturday.
--

It's Seven Grain's turn on Monday October 25th (Whole Oat and Seven Grain trade weeks)

Are You Missing Cricket Creek?

Do you enjoy products from Cricket Creek but not live near-by all year round? We are happy to ship cheese, cookies and granola to you! We'd love to send bread but it doesn't weather the travel well.

If you wish your local cheese shop carried our cheeses customer requests are our best advertising and foot-in-the-door! Just have them give us a call.

Where's the Pork?

Lots of folks have been looking for pork. We won't have more until the start of February. We do have a limited number of smoked hams left - perfect for these colder days!

Back to Kindergarten

Thursday, I (Lesley), visited Mrs. Beattie's Kindergarten class as part of Williamstown Elementary's annual Words are Wonderful! community readers program. I shared one of my favorite, farmyard books "Dumpy LaRue".

For Your Calendar...

November 8 -- "Getting to Know Berkshire Grown: Celebrate NoCo" at Mezze, 5:30 to 7:30. Call Berkshire Grown (413-528-0041) for tickets and more information.

November 20 -- Holiday Farmer's Markets in Williamstown & Great Barrington. Get local products for your Thanksgiving table (or just any day of the week's table!)

December 18 -- Holiday Farmer's Markets in Williamstown & Great Barrington. Last year's markets for Thanksgiving were so well received another has been added for Christmas.

Cricket Creek Farm Store is open seven days a week from 7AM to 8PM

Forward email

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Williams ready to build again

2010-10-24T00:30:00.000-04:00

Williams ready to build again

Saturday October 23, 2010 New England Newspapers

WILLIAMSTOWN -- The freeze put on major construction projects at Williams College two years is over......

New chief, large grant

2010-10-23T09:39:00.001-04:00

Sent to you via Google Reader

New chief, large grant

Saturday October 23, 2010

NORTH ADAMS -- The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art named a new chairman of the Board of Trustees on Friday. And in a double-barreled announcement that remained positive, the venue also announced that an $850,000 grant had been received.

------------------

Bill Densmore

CircLabs / RJI

617-448-6600

Wpdensmore@gmail.com

Getting reacquainted

2010-10-23T00:27:00.004-04:00

Sent to you via Google Reader

Getting reacquainted

Jenny Gersten has been on the Williamstown Theatre Festival payroll 21 days. She's hit the ground running.

------------------

Bill Densmore

CircLabs / RJI

617-448-6600

Wpdensmore@gmail.com

Williams Professor Honored for Contribution to Family Systems... - iBerkshires.com

2010-10-23T00:27:00.003-04:00

Sent to you via Google Reader

Williams Professor Honored for Contribution to Family Systems... - iBerkshires.com

Williams Professor Honored for Contribution to Family Systems...
iBerkshires.com
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Laurie Heatherington, the Edward Dorr Griffin Professor of Psychology at Williams College, was awarded the Distinguished Contribution ...

------------------

Bill Densmore

CircLabs / RJI

617-448-6600

Wpdensmore@gmail.com

Getting To Know Berkshire Grown: Celebrate NoCo - iBerkshires.com

2010-10-23T00:27:00.001-04:00

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Getting To Know Berkshire Grown: Celebrate NoCo - iBerkshires.com

Getting To Know Berkshire Grown: Celebrate NoCo
iBerkshires.com
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - To increase support for local farms and raise awareness of the non-profit organization, Berkshire Grown will present Getting to Know ...

------------------

Bill Densmore

CircLabs / RJI

617-448-6600

Wpdensmore@gmail.com

Williams College slates Oct. 28 public forum on Pownal, Vt., biomass project

2010-10-20T09:31:00.000-04:00

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Williams College announced it has organized a panel discussion titled "The Pros and Cons of Burning Biomass for Electricity" to take place Thursday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m. in Room 3 of Griffin Hall on the Williams campus. The event, free and open to the public, will be the first in a series at Williams to focus on these issues.

"The proposal to build a biomass plant in nearby Pownal has made many of us in the region wish we knew more about the issues involved in burning biomass to produce electricity," said panel moderator Jim Kolesar, assistant to the president for public affairs. "We've assembled panelists who aren't, or at least aren't yet, proponents or opponents of the Pownal project to help us think through the broader issues, drawing, as applicable, on some of the few facts known so far about this particular project."

The discussion will explore some of the complex issues surrounding biomass in the context of our national energy systems and alternatives; the implications for water use, the carbon cycle, and air quality; and the permitting process. The event is sponsored by the college's Center for Environmental Studies, Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, and Office of Public Affairs.

The panelists will be Henry Art, the Rosenburg Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology; David Dethier, the Edward Brust Professor of Geology and Mineralogy; Geoff Hand, partner in the law firm of Shems Dunkiel Raubvogel & Saunders PLLC; and Richard Ney, head of the Eco-Management Services Division of the environmental consulting firm Sebesta Blomberg & Associates.

Art has taught at Williams since 1970 and played key roles in many local environmental organizations, including the Williamstown Conservation Committee, Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, and Williamstown Recycling Committee. Nationally, he has served as an evaluator of the National Park Service's Natural Landmarks Program and has received several grants from the National Science Foundation. At Williams he teaches courses in environmental biology and environmental studies.

Dethier has served as chair of the geosciences department and as director of the college's Science Center and its Hopkins Memorial Forest. His research interests include the geochemistry and hydrology of surface and ground water systems, and sustainable sources of energy and their environmental impacts. Before coming to Williams in 1982, he worked as a geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey and the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

As a lawyer, Hand has worked both for and against biomass projects. His practice focuses primarily on state and federal environmental litigation, renewable energy development, and land-use law. He has handled a range of permitting issues for numerous commercial-scale renewable energy projects in Vermont and has litigated cases before Vermont's Environmental Court, Public Service Board, and Supreme Court, as well as in federal courts across the United States.

Ney provides environmental consulting services to industrial clients on matters that include air quality permitting, the modeling of air pollutant dispersion, and the determination of best available and maximum achievable control technologies. He has evaluated control options for standard-criteria pollutants and toxic air pollutants, and has worked extensively on the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration.

SOURCE: Williams College News Office
http://www.williams.edu/messages/show.php?id=14683

INVITATION: Networking for local online news community entrepreneurs / Oct. 28 / DC

2010-10-19T22:58:00.000-04:00

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You are receiving this note because you have expressed interest in the
work of the Media Giraffe Project. If you do not want to receive notes
from us (no more than once per month), reply to this email and put
"NOMAIL" in the subject line. -- Bill Densmore
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Are you going to be in Washington, D.C., next week during the Online News
Association annual convention?

If so, please join J-Lab, the Reynolds Journalism Institute and
National Public Radio -- for a FREE "Community News Caucus" networking
session for local online news community entrepreneurs. That's Thurs., Oct.
28, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at NPR headquarters, 635 Massachusetts
Ave. NW

LEARN MORE:
http://www.mediagiraffe.org/wiki/index.php/Community-news-caucus-mgp

The two-day ONA conference (Friday/Saturday) is sold out. But if you can get to
DC for the full day on Thursday, there may still be room at J-Lab's day-long
set of two workshops, "Fund My Media 2.0" and "Plugging in to Networked
Journalism." Together only $90:

J-LAB WORKSHOPS:
http://www.j-lab.org/workshops/page/2010_ona_workshops

And the Community News Caucus networking event is a time bridge -- with hors
d'oeuvres and refreshments -- between the end of J-Lab's workshops at 5 p.m.
and the ONA opening-night reception at 8 p.m.

So join us -- but you have to register so we have a head count.

Thanks!

-- bill

-------------------------------------
Bill Densmore, director/editor
The Media Giraffe Project
Journalism Program
108 Bartlett Hall
Univ. of Massachusetts
Amherst MA 01003 CELL: 413-458-8001
densmore@journ.umass.edu
@jtmstream

Is Biomass Power Up In Smoke? All Eyes on Massachusetts | Northampton Media

2010-10-19T21:58:00.000-04:00

http://northamptonmedia.com/blog/10/18/2010/is-biomass-power-up-in-smoke-all-eyes-on-massachusetts/

Araceli Oleary

2010-10-19T03:47:00.000-04:00

Araceli Oleary 7yh3wsx5tgb

News from Cricket Creek Farm

2010-10-17T05:30:00.001-04:00

News from
Cricket Creek Farm

What's News...

Bakery Buzz

Berkshire Grown in "NoCo"

In Greenfield November 1?

New in Store

For Your Calendar

Visit our
website!
www.cricketcreekfarm.com

Bakery Buzz

Jamie's Choice for Monday October 18th is Cheese & Dill bread.

Breakfast Buns on Friday October 22nd will be Orange Blossom.
---
Muffins this week will be...
Monday: Bran with Raisin
Wednesday: Orange Cranberry
Friday: Pumpkin Walnut
Saturday: Blueberry

---
Buttermilk Currant Scones will be on Thursday and Saturday.
--

It's Whole Oat's turn on Monday October 18th (Whole Oat and Seven Grain trade weeks)

Berkshire Grown in "NoCo"

Please join us for "Getting to Know Berkshire Grown: Celebrate NoCo" on Monday, November 8 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Mezze Bistro+Bar.

Hors d'oeuvres and drinks by Berkshire Grown chefs and farmers including Baby Cakes, The Clark Café, Gala Restaurant, Gramercy Bistro, Mezze Bistro + Bar, The Red Lion Inn, Wild Oats Market, Williams College, The Williams Inn, The Berry Patch, Black Queen Angus Farm, Cricket Creek Farm, East Mountain Farm, Elmartin Farm, Hidden Pasture Farm, Ioka Valley Farm, Mighty Food Farm, Peace Valley Farm, Square Roots Farm and Sweet Brook Farm.

Berkshire Grown members: $25 per person. Non-members can join for $40 per person, which will include admission to the event. RSVP by 11/1 by calling 413.528.0041

In Greenfield November 1?

If so, be sure to visit Hope & Olive Restaurant between 5:00 and 8:00pm and support the NOFA/MA Raw Milk Network! Enjoy free food, sample local cheeses and play board games.

For more inforation on the network click here.

New in Store

We have a new book, "The Legend of Mt. Greylock" A History of a Mountain" by local author Kristen Demeo.
Kristen says, "The Legend attempts to make a connection between the May 1990 landslide on the eastern face of Mt. Greylock and the mountain's name and its origin."

For Your Calendar...

December 18 -- Holiday Farmer's Markets in Williamstown & Great Barrington. Last year's markets for Thanksgiving were so well received another has been added for Christmas.

Cricket Creek Farm Store is open seven days a week from 7AM to 8PM

Forward email

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NEWS RELEASE: Getting to Know Berkshire Group, Nov. 8

2010-10-16T11:36:00.000-04:00

Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:42:00 -0400
From: Angela Cardinali <angela@angelacardinali.com>
angela@angelacardinali.com | p: 413.458.9053
For additional information contact:
Barbara Zheutlin at <Barbara@berkshiregrown.org>

GETTING TO KNOW BERKSHIRE GROWN: CELEBRATE NoCo

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. (October 15, 2010) – To increase support for local farms and raise awareness of the non-profit organization, Berkshire Grown will present Getting to Know Berkshire Grown: Celebrate NoCo on Monday, November 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hosted by member restaurant Mezze Bistro + Bar in their new location at 777 Cold Spring Road (Route 7) in Williamstown, the event will feature talented Berkshire Grown member chefs and dedicated farmers from the Berkshire region and foods grown and crafted right here in the Berkshires.

"Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local farmers as important players in a healthy Berkshire economy and landscape," says Barbara Zheutlin, director of Berkshire Grown. "Berkshire Grown's Farm-to-Table Network links farmers and local food producers with buyers – chefs, restaurant owners, grocers, inns, schools and all of us who like to eat delicious locally grown food."

Guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and drinks featuring local ingredients prepared by Baby Cakes, The Clark Café, Gala Restaurant, Gramercy Bistro, Mezze Bistro + Bar, The Red Lion Inn, Wild Oats Market, Williams College and The Williams Inn.

Farmers and representatives of The Berry Patch, Black Queen Angus Farm, Cricket Creek Farm, East Mountain Farm, Elmartin Farm, Hidden Pasture Farm, Ioka Valley Farm, Mighty Food Farm, Peace Valley Farm, Square Roots Farm and Sweet Brook Farm will be present at the event to talk about their farms and products.

The cost to Berkshire Grown members is $25 per person. Non-members can support local farms by joining Berkshire Grown for $40 per person, which will include admission to the evening's event. Guests should R.S.V.P. by November 1 by calling 413.528.0041.
Berkshire Grown is a non-profit organization that envisions a community where healthy farms define the open landscape, where a wide diversity of fresh, seasonal food and flowers continue to be readily available to everyone, and where we celebrate our agricultural bounty by buying from our neighboring family farms and savoring their distinctive Berkshire harvest. For more information, visit www.berkshiregrown.org or call 413.528.0041.

Williamstown Selectmen focus on signs, zoning

2010-10-15T23:33:00.001-04:00

Williamstown Selectmen focus on signs, zoning

Partly due to the ongoing controversy over a playground at Green River Farms, several flags illegally flown outside local businesses this summer and ever-present yard sale signs, the Selectmen got a refresher course on zoning and sign bylaws Monday night.