Dear fellow musicians, colleagues, music lovers, and friends, I want to let you know about a very special event that I hope you all will consider participating in. In addition to being a highly regarded and talented journalist, Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was abducted and murdered in Pakistan two and a half years ago, was an avid musician.
As some of you know, he was also a good friend of mine. Every year since this tragedy, the Daniel Pearl Foundation has been organizing a wonderful event in honor of Danny's birthday called Daniel Pearl Music Day. The goal of Music Day is to recognize the ideals of cross cultural understanding & respect for which Danny stood, and to promote global harmony through music - the universal language.
Now in its third year, Daniel Pearl Music Day proves to be far more expansive than ever. From October 8-17, musicians the world over, both professional and amateur, will be dedicating their performances to Danny and these ideals.
I am writing to invite and encourage you to participate in this year's Daniel Pearl Music Day. There are many ways in which you can do so. If you are a musician performing during this time, you can dedicate your performance(s) to Danny and the ideals for which he stood, either in a written program or from the stage. I encourage you to think outside the box.
If you will be in the recording studio during that time, dedicate a session or song. If you are a venue or radio DJ, dedicate a show. The Daniel Pearl Foundation has requested that all participants register their events at www.danielpearl.org. This will help keep a running tally of the sheer numbers of like minded artists across the globe who believe that music is a more powerful force than hate based violence.
If you are not a musician, you can still participate in Music Day by doing something musical, especially on Danny's birthday - October 10. Go see a concert, hang out with some friends and listen to music, bang on a pot, sing in the shower. You get the idea. Just do something, and help deliver the message to the world that hate and violence based on cultural differences is not something we will tolerate.
For those of you in southwestern Massachusetts, northwest Connecticut, and the mid-Hudson Valley of New York, I hope that you will join me on Wednesday October 13 from 7-9PM and again on Friday October 15 from 10PM 'til midnight as I will be hosting a very special edition of the Off the Beat-n-Track Radio Show on WKZE 98.1FM. This will be my third Music Day edition of the show, and for the first hour, as I have done every year, I will be spinning recordings that features Danny's fiddle and mandolin playing.
Because much of this music was never officially released and much of what was released is now out of print, this will be a rare opportunity to hear Danny's playing. During the second hour of the show, I will spin music by some of Danny's favorite indie bands.
Danny's taste in music was very eclectic, and he had a knack for discovering great bands that most people had never heard of. It promises to be a show not to be missed, and I do hope you'll join me.
And finally, perhaps the single biggest contribution you can all make to Daniel Music Day is to pass this message onto friends, family, and fans to help us spread the word. Feel free to contact me for additional information and be sure to check out the Daniel Pearl Foundation website at www.danielpearl.org for daily updates.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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It still goes on in Taipei, 2007. Thanks Danny.
Slim
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.
The Wildcats marched 84 yards in a drive that consumed 11 minutes, 17 seconds of the third quarter for a critical touchdown in a 48-36 win over Boston’s Cathedral High in the quarter-finals of the Division 8 Tournament. click for more
Evelyn Julieano and Leanne Maschino each put down seven kills, and the Lenox volleyball team came out strong in advancing past Whitinsville Christian in three sets in the Division 5 State Tournament quarter-finals on Friday.
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Kofi Roberts and Everett Bayliss remained tied for the team lead with 14 goals apiece, and Lucas Burrow notched his second goal as Mount Greylock (11-6-1) won for the fourth time in five games and earned its third shutout victory in the Western Mass tournament. click for more
GG Nicastro scored in the 37th minute to break a 1-1 tie, and the Mount Greylock girls soccer team Wednesday went on to a 2-1 win over Monson in the Western Massachusetts Class C Championship Game at Berkshire Community College.
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Primary setter Grace Julieano had 22 assists – 10 of them to her sister Evelyn and eight to Sara Isby in Saturday's three-set win over Mount Greylock. click for more
The License Commission will be informing local establishments of a new law allows restaurants serving beer and wine to change their license to all-alcoholic. click for more