"Russia's Demographic Crisis"

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Williamstown- Elizabeth Brainerd, associate professor of economics, will discuss "Russia's Demographic Crisis: Causes, Consequences, and Questions" on Thurs., Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. in Wege Auditorium, The Science Center at Williams College. Brainerd's lecture is the third in the six-part Annual Faculty Lecture Series at the college. The lecture is free and the public is cordially invited to attend. A reception will follow. Brainerd will discuss the causes and consequences of Russia's demographic crisis, which began in the early 1990s. After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian male life expectancy and overall birth rate plummeted. It has been called one of the great medical mysteries of the early 21st century. "When other countries go through an economic crisis, you typically see an increase in mortality among the elderly and infants," said Brainerd. "It's nothing like what we see in Russia." The life expectancy of a Russian man is 59 years, 15 years fewer than that of Western men. A Russian woman's life expectancy is 73 years old, seven years fewer than Western women. Adding to the situation, Russia's fertility rate is among the lowest worldwide with a ranking at 210 out of 220 countries. The figures are staggering. "I will discuss the relationship between the increase in mortality and the economic reforms that Russia undertook in the 1990s, and the reasons for the decline in the birth rate," Brainerd said. "I will also talk about the long-term consequences of these population declines for Russia." Brainerd studies the impact of economic transition and globalization, especially in the former Soviet Union. Her papers have appeared in the American Economic Review, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Journal of Comparative Economics, and the Industrial and Labor Relations Review. She is currently analyzing the effects of World War II on women in the Soviet Union. Brainerd was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University in 2005-06. From 1992 to 1993, she advised the Russian Government on economic issues. She received her B.A. from Bowdoin College, her M.A. from Columbia University, and her Ph.D. from Harvard University. The next lecture in the series will be presented by Liza Johnson, associate professor of art, on "Everybody Knows about Mississippi: A Film Screening of 'South of Ten' and 'Some Thoughts about American Open Secrets'" on Thursday, Mar. 1, at 4 p.m., at Images Cinema.
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National Grid Hosts Customer Assistance Events In The Berkshires

WALTHAM, Mass. — National Grid will hold a series of in-person Customer Assistance Events this December. 
 
As colder weather sets in, these events are designed to help customers manage winter energy bills and explore cost-saving programs.
 
In Berkshire County:
  • Dec. 4 – Town Library, Williamstown, 4:00pm – 8:00pm, 1095 Main Street, Williamstown
  • Dec. 5 – National Grid Great Barrington Office, 11:00am – 2:00pm, 927 South Main Street, Great Barrington
  • Dec. 5 – Sheffield Bushnell-Sage Library, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, 97 Main Street, Sheffield
Many of these events will continue to take place at local senior centers, making it convenient for older residents to access personalized assistance. Attendees at any location will have direct access to National Grid Customer Service Specialists, who can provide personalized guidance on payment options and energy solutions to meet each household's needs.
 
"As December begins, customers still have opportunities to find support and manage energy costs," said Bill Malee, chief customer officer, National Grid. "We're proud to host many of these events at local senior centers, ensuring customers have easy access to the support they need. Our in-person events are a great way for customers to connect with our team, learn about flexible payment options, and discover energy-saving programs that can help make a real difference this season."
 
Customers attending in-person events will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from National Grid, who will be on-site to assist with billing issues and provide information on:
  • Enrolling in National Grid's new Payment Assistance Bundle
  • Enrolling in Budget Billing
  • Enrolling in the Energy Discount Rate (for qualifying customers)
  • Scheduling home energy assessments and sharing information on other energy efficiency opportunities for homes or businesses 
These events are part of National Grid's broader commitment to affordability and reliability. Customers can also access support by calling 1-800-233-5325.
 
National Grid customers can now sign up for a new Payment Assistance Bundle. The bundle combines three solutions to make it easier for managing energy costs and paying down past due amounts over a 12-month period.
  • Deferred Payment Agreement: Spread out past-due balance into future monthly payments.
  • Automatic Monthly Payments: Automatically deduct payments from your bank account each month and avoid missing due dates.
  • Budget Plan: Break down annual energy costs into balanced monthly payments, making it easier to budget and plan expenses.
Customers interested in enrolling in the Payment Assistance Bundle can do so online by visiting ngrid.com/hereforyou, at an in-person event, or by calling 1-800-233-5325.
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