RICHMOND — A 10-year-old boy from the Berkshires visited the United Nations on Jan. 30 to learn about “A Season of Nonviolence.â€
The season, from Jan. 30 to April 4, is a national 64-day educational, media and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating nonviolence as a way to heal, transform and empower lives and communities. Inspired by the 50th anniversary and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world.
Topaz Ross Kelso attends elementary School in Richmond where his favorite subjects are reading, math and science. He is also a singer, who performs solo and with his father (Mark Kelso) and has recently appeared on the Arts and Entertainment channel. He said his interest in nonviolence was sparked through his family. His mother has been attending a spiritual caucus at the U.N. and invited him along to this event.
After taking the train to New York City, Topaz and his mother, Arti, walked to the U.N. building. About 500 youths were in attendance. The Agape International Choir, from Los Angeles, opened the event with music. The Susan Wagner High School presented a conflict resolution and action project for schools. During the presentation, two children presented conflicting views, and others stood up and suggested solutions, quoting words from Gandhi and King. The examples were designed to show how people can courageously intervene to develop social sensitivity.
“Having a conflict resolution connects student to student,†said Arti Roots Kelso. “In conflicts, both the perpetrator and the victim often feel alone and uncared for. Through resolution, these students can become part of the solution rather than the problem.â€
The Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith delivered the keynote address on “A Season of Nonviolence.†Both Roots Kelso and Topaz described the speech as “inspiring.â€
“He spoke of how every little step towards nonviolent solutions is backed by multitudes, all of those who have come before and worked for peace. Consider the lineage of Gandhi and King, and we never need to feel alone,†Roots Kelso said.
The address was followed by a Gandhi-King multimedia tribute, “Bombay to Birmingham,†and a World Peace Flag Ceremony, with youths displaying flags to represent the national community.
Students were invited to sign a ‘Stand Up and Lead, Pledge of Service’ before leaving the event. The pledge asked them to seek to increase their knowledge and practice of nonviolence in their communities. The Youth Peace Network also invited students to join a Web site, youth@worldpeace.org that connects people from around the world to create new ideas for positive change in the world.
Topaz signed the pledge and said he was invited to be an intern with Pathways to Peace.
“When the youth of the world feel they have a voice in the system, they know they matter, because they can participate,†said Michael Johnson, a Pathways to Peace leader. “The more youth who get the message about nonviolence, the more people who will be inspired to create positive change and live more peacefully into adulthood.â€
Topaz, asked what he might like to do when he grows up, said, “Maybe be a scientist and work in a little lab. I don’t want any high-risk jobs like photographing sharks and diving into caves or underground rivers.â€
Right now, he said, his goals are to start his own album, practice clarinet and join the beginners’ band at Richmond School.
Information about the Season for Nonviolence: www.season-for-nonviolence.net . To learn more about Topaz Roots Kelso and his music: www.muddyangel.com .
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Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program
DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
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