Armchair Travel Series lecture and book signing
Hudson, N.Y. — Olana State Historic Site will present author James Schlett on Saturday, November 28 for a lecture and book signing entitled “Armchair Travel Series: The Philosopher’s Lodge.” James Schlett is an award-winning journalist and the author of “A Not Too Greatly Changed Eden: The Story of the Philosophers’ Camp in the Adirondacks,” which tells the story of the August 1858 gathering of America’s leading intellectuals at Follensby Pond. Schlett will explore the artistic, political, economic, and scientific trends that brought these men together in Boston and the Adirondacks.
James Schlett’s feature and business writing has been recognized by the New York Newspaper Publishers Association and the New York State Associated Press Association. He has lectured at the Massachusetts Historical Society and the Albany Institute of History and Art and has been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” He lives in Rotterdam, N.Y.
The lecture will begin at 3 p.m. and last approximately 40 minutes and will be followed by a question-and-answer session and a reception with a book signing. The cost of the program is $10 for the general public and $5 for Olana members. See the Berkshire Edge calendar for tickets and more information.
–E.E.
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Holiday cards support artists with disabilities
Great Barrington — Holiday cards and 2016 calendars are now available from Community Access to the Arts (CATA), a nonprofit organization that provides arts programming for 600 people with disabilities in Berkshire County.
The cards and calendars feature images created in CATA’s visual arts workshops. Each artist earns a design fee when an image is used, and proceeds from the sale of cards and calendars help fund CATA programs taking place in 37 settings across Berkshire County as well as in CATA’s Railroad Street studio.
–E.E.
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Ashley Falls tree lighting
Ashley Falls — Everyone is invited to join in the festivities on Saturday, November 28 as the Ashley Falls community opens the holiday season with the annual lighting of the 90-foot Norway spruce on the village green. The event will take place rain, snow, or shine.
Hay wagon rides around the village center will begin at 4 p.m. near the post office at 1180 Ashley Falls Rd. The tree lighting itself will take place at 5 p.m. There will be holiday music, and hot cocoa and homemade cookies will be served. Immediately before the tree lighting, and drawing will be held and the winning child will have the honor of flipping the switch that turns on the lights.
Donations to the tree fund are gratefully accepted and contributions may be sent to the Ashley Falls Tree Fund, P.O. Box 6, Ashley Falls, MA 01222. For more information contact Richard Cherneff at (413) 229-5958.
–E.E.
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‘Watch (out) for Earth’ climate event
Stockbridge — “Watch (out) for Earth!” is one of hundreds of worldwide events that will make up the Global Climate March, organized by 350.org, the purpose of which is to send messages of urgency and support in advance of the international climate change negotiations set to take place in Paris in December. Starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 29, two films will be shown at the First Congregational Church.
The first film, “Planetary” by Steve Watts Kennedy (USA, 2015), celebrates the beauty of Earth as seen from the International Space Station and goes on to explore the shift in consciousness the planetary view makes possible.
The second film, “The Creative Universe” by Rüdiger Sünner (Germany, 2010), features interviews with scientists who are also spiritual practitioners and seeks to bridge science with spirituality. It will begin at 7 p.m.
There is no entrance fee to the event, but donations toward the room rental and the films’ screening fees are welcome. Seating is limited and it is requested that those planning to attend register online. Contact Uli Nagel for more information at (413) 329-3514 or ulinagel@gmail.com.
–E.E.
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Three-dimensional watercolor painting presentation
Pittsfield — On Monday, November 30, at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will offer a visual presentation titled “The 3-Dimensional Watercolor Paintings of Robin Brickman” at Congregation Knesset Israel.
Brickman, an award-winning picture book artist specializing in natural science, will show how she creates three-dimensional paintings for her books. Her unique method of illustrating children’s books is created by painting, cutting, and hand-sculpting paper into 3-dimensional art. Participants will also have the opportunity to make their own cut and shaped paper leaf or flower, using materials provided at no extra cost.
For more information, please call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
