NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — This August's First Friday is a block party on Eagle Street from 4 to 9 p.m.
The Friday's event will feature music, street games, activities and gallery openings. Mayor Jennifer Macksey will host a downtown gathering and Desperados Mexican Restaurant on Eagle Street will offer beer and wine for sale.
The monthly downtown event was established last year with local gallery owner and Public Arts Commission Chair Anna Farrington taking the lead in collaboration with downtown businesses.
Farrington, in a press release, said there will be more Eagle Street business collaborations "with the intention of providing positive, uplifting experiences free for all city residents, and providing opportunities for local businesses to thrive."
Eagle Street will be closed to car traffic on the First Friday evenings Aug. 5, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7. The historic street was also closed last fall for a street market.
"We closed Eagle Street to car traffic during First Friday last October for the Eagle Street Night Market, and it went beautifully! We had a lot of participation from local businesses, artists, and residents," said Harrington, owner of Installation Space Gallery at 49 Eagle. "I'm thrilled to work with the city again to close Eagle Street for First Fridays this season to bring more fun activities to the street."
Activities and entertainment include live music in the Eagle Street pocket park sponsored by Eagle Street Music, a photo booth curated by Polka Dot Portraits, local photographer Tiffany Fleishman Weissbrodt, street games and activities donated by a number of local organizers and institutions including Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Intramural Department, and Desperado’s Mexican Restaurant will offer a beer and wine bar.
Andrew Fitch, another organizer and owner of Eagle & Main, the buildings at the corner of Eagle and Main streets, said, 'I see so much opportunity in downtown North Adams for collaboration and development. I have a vision for a bright and bustling city downtown we can all be proud of and participate in. First Friday street closures are a great step towards realizing that vision. It's an honor to work on this initiative with Anna."
The project is supported by the city of North Adams and the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. First Friday also welcomes the opening of new businesses to the neighborhood including Hearts Pace Tea and Healing Arts Lounge and Future Labs Gallery.
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Drury Hosts Inaugural Government Appreciation Day
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
State Rep. John Barrett III explains his role in the state Legislature to students during Government Appreciation Day at Drury on Friday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Eighth-grade students learned about civics firsthand during the school's inaugural Massachusetts Government Appreciation Day.
"Government is strongest when every individual feels as though they are part of the process," said civics teacher Patrick Boulger, before introducing the Friday's guest speakers. "Today is the day when you have an opportunity to be part of this process and learn from individuals who have dedicated their lives to government service."
The event is a new addition to the eighth-grade civics curriculum, to provide students with a deeper understanding of state and local governance before they take Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System's civics exam
Mayor Jennifer Macksey, former Gov. Jane Swift, state Rep. John Barrett III, Assessor Jessica Lincourt and the mayor's executive assistant Lindsay Randall all addressed students in breakout sessions and explained their role in government.
Macksey started her presentation by telling her own story starting as a Drury High School graduate.
She said her first job in government was a little less glamorous.
"My first job with the city truly was at the dump," she said pointing out the window toward where the city dump used to be. "I sold composting bins, and I did such a good job I was able to get a part-time job in the public service department at City Hall."
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