Jazz Concert at Simon’s Rock College of Bard

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Great Barrington - Simon’s Rock College of Bard will present a evening of Jazz this Sunday, December 11. The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the McConnell Theater at 8 p.m. The concert, under the direction of faculty member John Myers, will include compositions for small groups as well as pieces for full ensemble. The program will include an original work, “Lifeline” by John Myers, and arrangements and improvisations on standard pieces, including “Naima” by John Coltrane, “Afro Blue” by Mongo Santamaria, an original arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Meditation” by senior Ryan Bazinet, and others. Faculty member John Myers is a guitarist, musicologist, interactive media developer and composer whose work has been included in numerous recordings, multimedia productions and print publications. His work has been included on five CDs. The audio CD “Look In,” released on the Jungsoul label in 2004, features his original jazz compositions and performances on classical and electric guitars, clarinet and electronic instruments. His publications include a book, Way of the Pipa: Structure and Aesthetics in Chinese Lute Music, as well as numerous articles.
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Air Quality Alert Issued for Berkshire County

Staff reports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The state's on an air quality alert through midnight Thursday because of the smoke from wildfires in Canada. 
 
Berkshire residents woke up to smoky, hazy skies and a red glowing sun on Wednesday morning, but with less oppressive heat.  
 
The Department of Environmental Protection issued an air quality alert for elevated levels of fine particles (PM2.5). This refers to microscopic airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter — about 30 times smaller than a human hair. These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals.
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the size of these particles can cause serious health problems because they can get deep into your lungs and even into bloodstreams. Particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter pose the greatest risk to health.
 
The air quality statewide is expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. These include people with heart or lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children, teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. People with either lung disease or heart disease are at greater risk from exposure to air pollution. 
 
MassDEP advises people in sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion, take more breaks, do less intense activities, follow asthma action plans, and keep quick relief medicine handy. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. 
 
EPA's air quality index rates levels from "good" at 0-50 and "very unhealthy" from 201 to 300. Residents of Williamstown can track the AQI through PurpleAir, which displays results from monitors in five sections of town.
 
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