Tuesday, October 8, 2024

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

HomeLife In the Berkshires

Life In the Berkshires

BUSINESS BRIEFS: 1Berkshire’s Trendsetter Award winners; Bizen Restaurant creates Kamala sushi roll; RMI welcomes Jeff Hopsicker; Eric Carle Museum new trustees; Berkshire United Way...

Marina Dominguez, the Head of the Katunemo Arts Collective, received the Under 40 Change-Maker award for working to support immigrants in building their businesses as entrepreneurs, artists, and performers.

The banana at Tanglewood

“A banana? What kind of a banana?” “I can’t explain it. It’s a banana. It’s the only banana at Tanglewood."

The future of food: Beyond farm to table

"It is not enough to just support the farmer; we need to support the land that supports the farmer." -- Chef and author Daniel Barber, owner of Blue Hill Farm in Monterey

I think my Blue Neighbor is screaming

A poem by Matt Whalan, with an illustration by Alison Lee, about a particular terror in Housatonic.

Part I: The heroin epidemic in my town

We cannot dismiss the problem of heroin and the underlying, mysterious madness of the youth here. What do people need to escape from when they need to escape this much, this far?

Connections: Waiting for a train

The first time around, from concept to completion, it took 44 years to establish passenger train service in Berkshire and there is no reason to believe it will take less time to restore it.

Mother of Dragons meets her match

Mud, done! Onward and upward! I’m gonna show these chicks what walking through fire looks like.

President of Reconstructionist Rabbinical College to visit Congregation Ahavath Sholom

“This is also a wonderful chance for our members and the broader community to expand our knowledge of the different ways one can live a relevant Jewish life in the 21st century.” -- Ahavath Sholom Spiritual Leader Barbara Cohen

Connections: Circus circus

The elephant arrived in Lenox exhausted and suffering – apparently – from internal injuries. Residents came from all over Berkshire, stood in the barn door, and watched Columbus die.

Gideon’s Garden: So others may eat

“Gideon’s Garden is the best thing. It’s such a pleasure partnering with them. They have a big heart; they care about everybody.” --George Laye, director of the Guthrie Center

Circus is coming! Smirkus is coming!

The Circus Smirkus performances are a benefit for the Great Barrington Fairgrounds Redevelopment Project. The Smirkus theme is: “Anchors Away for Atlantis, a maritime merriment under the briny big top.”

An American welcome to the Tanglewood season: Opening night starring Renee Fleming

This was an auspicious start of the Tanglewood season, signaling, one may hope, the advent of a special musical welcoming and inclusiveness by Maestro Nelsons and his company.

An Upper Second Hand: The Best Finds of My Generation

The Edge introduces its Berkshires version of an antiques road show, hosted by the estimable and erudite Andrew Flint who's gifted at discovering diamonds in the rough.

Connections: Summer storm at Tanglewood led to Shed

Eighty years ago, Tanglewood concerts were outdoors -- in a tent. At one performance, an all-Wagner concert, with Koussevitsky conducting, a storm rendered the music inaudible.

Theatre of Freedom: A unique way to experience the Fourth of July

'The Theatre of Freedom' is a radical theatrical experiment in community, vulnerability and the meaning of freedom.

After the flood, restoring the Mount’s gardens — again

'There’s been a huge outpouring of support from our members and the community. Many have offered to volunteer but we really need to focus on our existing team. Most importantly we need to emphasize to the public ongoing events such as the Jazz Café on weekends, the lecture series and theater. We’re known now for our many programs and been called the literary hub of the Berkshires.' -- Susan Wissler, executive director, The Mount

Chip’s first ride: A Ride$hare adventure

Elitzer said he found his first Ride$hare expedition “an adventure. It’s a blast. And a lot of fun. You meet so many people.”