Zoppè Family Circus at Great Barrington Fairgrounds
Great Barrington – Great Barrington Fairgrounds will present the Zoppè Family Circus, performing on the fairgrounds July 17-19. All ages will enjoy the fun under Zoppè’s Big Top Tent for six performances of acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and plenty of audience participation that honors the best of the old world-Italian tradition. Arrive early and try your skill at the Circus Alley games and sideshow booths provided by local organizations and Berkshire food vendors. The public is invited to learn how to make a personalized jumprope from scratch; create enormous bubbles; jest with Roger the Jester; and to try juggling, plate-spinning, and tightrope-walking. A portion of the proceeds from the Zoppé Family Circus will benefit Great Barrington Fairgrounds.
Zoppè Circus performances are Friday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 18 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, July 19 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Parking is $5 per vehicle. For information and tickets consult the Berkshire Edge Calendar, or GBFG online.
Zoppe Circus uses only domestic animals – dogs and horses (often rescues) – which are the personal pets of their owners. As family-owned pets, the animals are raised, transported and housed with loving care.
–E.E.
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Brooklyn Rider string quartet to play at Tannery Pond
New Lebanon, NY – The innovative string quartet Brooklyn Rider will perform at Tannery Pond on Saturday, July 18 at 8 p.m. The program will include Haydn’s String Quartet in G minor, Op.74, No.3 (“The Rider”) and Schubert’s String Quartet in A minor, Op.29, No.13 (“Rosamunde”) as well as excerpts from the quartet’s acclaimed new album ‘The Brooklyn Rider Almanac,’ a collection of contemporary works commissioned by the group to commemorate its tenth anniversary.
Tickets cost $30 and $39. For information and tickets consult the Berkshire Edge calendar or call (888) 820-1696.
–E.E.
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Community suppers at Berkshire South Regional Community Center
Great Barrington – Berkshire South Regional Community Center holds free community suppers on Monday evenings from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Join your neighbors for a delicious meal prepared by some of the finest chefs in the Berkshires. Donations are gratefully accepted. During the suppers Berkshire South will collect non-perishable food items for local food banks; please contribute if you can. The events are free and reservations are not required. Suppers will not be held September 1, November 24, or December 29.
–E.E.
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Aging: A Lifelong Process – An Intergenerational Discussion and Support Group
Pittsfield – The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will present “Aging: A Lifelong Process,” with therapist Maggie Bittman on Thursday, July 16 at 10:45 a.m. This free program at Congregation Knesset Israel is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community series.
Explaining her outlook and approach, Bittman writes: “From birth, we begin to age with time. Along the way we develop strategies to help manage the stressors that come with living life and we find meaning and purpose, experience aloneness, confront mortality, and develop self-will. Within this context, participants will discuss, share, and offer support to one another.”
For more information, please call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360, ext. 10.
–E.E.
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Regional Transportation Plan public information meeting
Pittsfield – All interested persons in Berkshire County are invited to help set future transportation priorities as part of Berkshire County’s Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The plan will help guide investments in the region’s transportation system to reduce congestion; ease commutes; improve roadway safety; enhance sidewalks, bike, and multi-use trails; and maintain an efficient and effective transportation system that supports the regional economy.
Three public meetings were held this past winter to seek input from Berkshire County residents on developing the region’s long-range transportation plan. Public input from the meetings and an online survey was used in developing the plan. Copies of the draft RTP can be found online and at local libraries.
The public meetings are scheduled as follows:
Wednesday, July 15, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, 1 Fenn St. in Pittsfield
Thursday, July 23, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Lee Library 100 Main St. in Lee
This Regional Transportation Plan is the long-range transportation plan for the Berkshires and addresses transportation issues for all communities in Berkshire County. It is a product of the Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Regional Transportation Plan is required by federal regulations and is critical for the region to assess, prioritize, and fund transportation improvements.
–E.E.
