Ventfort Hall to host wine seminar
Lenox — Nejaime’s Wine Cellars will present a wine seminar at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum on Wednesday, May 18, at 6:30 pm. The seminar will feature winemaker Olivier Humbrecht, who will personally guide his audience through three flights from his family’s award-winning Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace, France.
Humbrecht is the world’s second winemaker to attain Master of Wine status. With degrees in agriculture from the Ecole Superieure d’Agriculture de Purpan and oenology from the Universite d’Oenologie de Toulouse, Humbrecht earned his Master of Wine certification in 1989. That same year he took over winemaking from his father, continuing an unbroken lineage that dates back to 1620.
Tickets are $40 per person and include the wines, served with cheese and charcuterie. Fifteen-dollar tickets for optional 4:30 p.m. guided tours of the mansion are also available. For more information or to make reservations, call Nejaime’s at (413) 637-2221.
–E.E.
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Dr. Benjamin Abelow to speak on religion and childhood trauma
Pittsfield — On Monday, May 16, at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will present Dr. Benjamin Abelow in a lecture entitled “How Religious Myths Reflect Childhood Trauma” at Congregation Knesset Israel. The program is free and open to the public.
Corporal punishment and other traumatizing childrearing practices have been nearly universal for most of history. In his talk, scholar and Berkshire resident Benjamin Abelow will explain how understanding the history of childhood trauma can clarify the meaning and origins of religious myths. According to Abelow, understanding trauma provides insight into how religions arose, why they have proven believable, what accounts for the powerful emotions religions engender, and why religions sometimes turn violent.
Benjamin Abelow holds a B.A. in history from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.D. from the Yale School of Medicine, where he also served on the clinical faculty. He has presented his research on the link between trauma and religion at academic conferences in the U.S. and Europe.
For more information, call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
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Made in the Berkshires festival calls for submissions
Pittsfield — Berkshire Theatre Group is accepting submissions for the sixth annual Made in the Berkshires festival, set to take place Friday, November 11, through Sunday, November 13, at the Colonial Theatre, as well as at the Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge. The deadline for submissions is Monday, May 30.
Made in the Berkshires features cutting-edge theatrical works performed as staged readings, live music, film, short stories, and dance presented by Berkshire County playwrights, actors, directors, musicians, and performers.
Submitting artists must live and work in the Berkshires at least part time. Submissions may include short plays, music, poetry, short stories, performance art/spoken word, film, and dance. All written material must include the artist’s name, address, and contact information. Written material must be bound, with two copies submitted. Music, dance, film, and visual art must include two CDs or two DVDs with the artist’s name, address, and contact information, including phone number and email address. Filmmakers must include the aspect ratio.
Materials must be submitted in hard copy; online submissions will not be accepted. Materials will not be returned. Mail submissions to: Made in the Berkshires Submissions, 111 South St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
–E.E.
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Center for EcoTechnology receives 2016 Environmental Merit Award
Pittsfield — The Center for EcoTechnology (CET) was recognized Tuesday at the 2016 Environmental Merit Awards ceremony of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) New England regional office. CET was among three dozen recipients across New England honored for helping to improve New England’s environment. CET was noted for being a leader and pioneer in food recovery in Massachusetts through its partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection to offer RecyclingWorks MA.
EPA New England’s merit awards, given out since 1970, honor individuals and in the six New England states who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts to improve the region’s environment.
–E.E.
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Tips for summer grilling safety
Great Barrington — As the warm weather begins to arrive, Chief Charles Burger and the Great Barrington Fire Department would like to remind the community to follow grilling safety tips to ensure a fire-free season.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS), Massachusetts fire departments responded to 431 fires involving grills, hibachis, and barbecues between 2011 and 2015. These fires caused 20 civilian injuries, three firefighter injuries, and $3.5 million in property damage. In order to prevent grilling fires and keep residents safe while cooking outdoors, Chief Burger recommends the following tips provided by DFS.
General Safety
- Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors.
- Place grills away from houses and deck railings, and out from under the eaves of overhanging branches.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area. Children should never play near grills or propane cylinders.
- Never leave a burning grill unattended.
Gas Grill Safety
- Make sure the lid of a gas grill is open when lighting it (propane can build up inside and when ignited, the lid may blow off).
- Check that all connections are tight before turning on the gas.
- Clean the grease trap every time you grill.
- If you smell gas while cooking, turn the grill off and move away from it. Call 911 from a safe location. Do not move the grill.
- Store propane cylinders upright in an outdoor, shaded area. Cylinders should not be used, stored, or transported where they can be exposed to high temperatures.
Charcoal Grill Safety
- Use only charcoal starter fluid in a charcoal grill; never use gasoline or kerosene to start a fire in a grill and never add lighter fluid to burning briquettes or hot coals.
- Always use charcoal grills in well-ventilated areas. Charcoal briquettes give off carbon monoxide which can be deadly.
- Properly dispose of grill ashes. Allow the coals to burn out completely and then cool for 48 hours before disposal. If you must dispose of ashes before they are completely cooled, thoroughly soak them in water before putting them in a metal container.
Those with questions about grilling safety are welcome to contact the Great Barrington Fire Department at (413) 528-0788.
–E.E.
