Weekend Outlook: It's a Small World After All

Staff reportsiBerkshires
Print Story | Email Story
The World Is Your Neighborhood

A live broadcast originating from six spots around the world will converge on Saturday afternoon in an effort to make the world a little bit smaller.

Using some two dozen short films and six live broadcasts, the goal of Pangea Day is create connections across the globe introduce the peoples of the world to each other as neighbors.

The program will be broadcast in seven languages over the Internet, television and mobile devices. If you're not sure how to catch it, head to the Colonial theater in Pittsfield.

The Colonial, along with the Barka Foundation and other nonprofits, will begin the celebration at 1 p.m. in the Colonial lobby; the entire four-hour broadcast begins at 2 at the theater. The event is free and open to the public.

It will end at Lake Mansfield with live drumming and speakers. For further information, contact Monument student Emilyn Bona at 413-269-6543. Donation forms and information kits can be downloaded from the theater's Web site.

If you want an earlier start for Pangea Day, the Barka Foundation, which provides humanitarian aid in Burkina Faso, is sponsoring a Walk for Water beginning at 9 a.m. at the former Searles Middle School in Great Barrington. The community is invited to participate in the walk to raise funds to drill a drinking water well in Burkino Faso.

Wild Goose Chase

If you see people running around with video cameras in North County, don't panic. It just the annual 24-Hour Video Goose Chase and Free-For-All held by Images Cinema.

The free event is a contest to see who can shoot, edit and screen the best videos in 24 hours. The contest is open to all ages and all experiences in filmmaking.<R2>

Individuals and groups wishing to participate should meet at Images on Spring Street in Williamstown on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. for important instructions and clues. Filmmakers have to be back at the cinema by noon on Sunday with their completed projects.

The public screening starts at 1 p.m. so get your cameras ready.

Publicity Hounds

So, you've made a film. Now what? Berkshire International Film Festival's offering a hourlong forum on how to publicize your work ... and just about anything else.

"Art and Commerce: From Film to Farming ... How Publicity Can Work for You" begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Pearl's Restaurant, 47 Railroad St., Great Barrington; BIFF is hosting a following wine and cheese reception.
 
David Carriere will be signing copies of his new book "Publicity." The event is free and open to the public.

<L3>Now for a WordPlay

The monthly reading series at Papyri Books, 45 Eagle St., North Adams will feature  David McLaughlin, the author of "The Unfolding History of the Berkshires" on Saturday evening at 7.

McLaughlin will discuss how he worked with scores of residents and local experts to uncover revealing facts, insider tips and captivating stories, and how the book's format evolved.

Winds at Williams

The Williams College Symphonic Winds will present its final concert of the school year Friday night at 8 in Chapin Hall in Williamstown.

The free event will include the American premiere of Kyle Gann's "Sunken City" (Concerto for Piano and Winds in Memoriam New Orleans) (2007), with students Brian Simalchik and Noah Lindquist as soloists.

The 50-member ensemble dedicated to presenting performances of the most significant music written for the chamber and large wind ensemble mediums. Its peformances are free and open to the community.


The college's music department has a number of finales coming up as graduation nears. To find out more, click here.

Shhhhh!

Blues artist Marjorie Thompson, known for her original songs and finger-style guitar playing, performs at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Mason Public Library in Great Barrington.

Birdhouse in Your Soul

Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge continues its annual plant sale on Saturday featuring plenty of plants and advice on bringing butterflies and bees into your garden. The sale runs from 9 to 5 but take time to see the new exhibit "Homes for Birds."

<R4>The works of garden art were created by regional and international artists and craftsmen and curated by fine art dealer Joyce Nereaux.

It's all part of the garden's 2008 series "The Nurturing Garden for Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Best Friends."

Admission is $7 adults, $5 seniors, $5 students, children under 12 free.

Ever Wanted to Walk the Boards?

Here's your chance to try on the Bard. Main Street Stage is holding a free Shakespeare workshop will be held on Saturday from 5 to 8 at 57 Main St., North Adams. Actors and potential production staff, all levels of experience are invited to apply. To sign up or for more details, call 413-663.3240 or contact lex@mainstreetstage.org.

A Little Mulan

Williamstown Elementary School is presenting "Mulan Jr." on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the school and Sunday at 3. Cost is $3; $1 seniors.

Bring Mom to Monet

The Clark Art Institute is inviting children of any age to bring their mother to visit the museum on South Street in Williamstown. Any mother accompanied by a child will get a free beverage at the Clark cafe. The museum is open from 9 to 5 and admission is free through May.

Exhibitionists Everywhere

Artwork by students at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, "Stories of North Adams: MCLA Student Art Show 2008," continues through May 25 in MCLA Gallery 51. Gallery hours are daily from 10 to 6 and admission is free.

"The Art of World War II" is an exhibit of propaganda broadsides created by artists to promote various American, Nazi and Japanese messages. Exhibit opens Sunday, May 11, in the Brill Gallery in the Eclipse Mill, Studio 109 at 243 Union St., North Adams; open Friday through Sunday from noon to 6 and by appointment.

Art At Bagels Too at 166 North St., Pittsfield, hosts a reception on Saturday from 5 to 7 for its May show of watercolor landscapes by Joel Rudnick of North Adams. Rudnick has won many awards, prizes and honors.<L5>

Pittsfield City Hall is featuring photographic works by Larry Kratka, well-known newsman on WUPE radio and local deejay and iBerkshires contributor.

The exhibit, "Colors," is his first. The photographs will be on display through May. Stop by City Hall at 70 Allen St. during business hours to the see the gallery.

Sunday is Mother's Day

Spend the day with Mom.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.

Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.

The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.

Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is  appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.

Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.

Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.

Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.

The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.

The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.

Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.

Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years. 

He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.

Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.

Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve  a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.

Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.

View Full Story

More Stories