Former Canterbury’s is set to open as the Red Herring

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The former Canterbury’s on Spring Street is set to reopen as the Red Herring, now that the Williamstown Board of Selectmen has approved a transfer of its liquor license. The board, by a 3-1 vote, approved the transfer of the all-alcoholic beverage license from Canterbury’s Fine Food and Spirits held by William Caprari Jr. to Caprari’s daughter Colleen Fisher and Edward F. Smith, shareholders in the new Walden Culinary LLC. Selectman Margaret Johnson Ware cast the sole opposing vote, saying she had concerns about transferring the license from one owner who has had troubles at a bar to another. “I have to be very blunt about this,” said Ware. “I’m not seeing a new broom sweeping clean, and I have problems with it.” Ware warned that the board has learned that its only control over behavior at watering places lies with its veto at the time of transfer. Later, she said, the board faces “hoop jumping and litigation.” But Fisher told the board there were no problems associated with the establishment while she was manager the first year her father owned it, in 1996-97. And Smith said, “It’s not going to be the same establishment with just a name change. It’ll be a whole different operation.” Canterbury’s, while Caprari owned it, was raided by Williamstown police and state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission agents in January, 2001, a raid resulting in gaming and cigarette tax charges against Caprari, who was fined and given probation on the charges. Canterbury’s drew the selectmen’s attention in November when Canterbury’s patrons and Williams College students leaving the college-owned Log clashed in a Spring Street brawl that seriously injured a Williams student and involved 30 to 40 people. Smith was an owner — and operator — of the former Wild Amber Grill on North Street where police, in an after-hours raid in September, 2000, discovered a nude female under drinking age and alcoholic drinks on the bar. Two of the license holders were also at the bar. That raid prompted selectmen to suspend the establishment’s liquor license for three days. Smith told the board the downstairs level will feature food, while the upstairs will contain a pool table, couches and a bar. Smith said renovations will reduce the size of the upstairs by installing an interior staircase. Access to upstairs from outside will be closed, except for private parties, he said. Smith also told the board he plans to have live jazz or blues music, and will coordinate with Images Cinema so music does not disturb the showing of films. The selectmen made that coordination a restriction in the transfer. Selectmen also inquired as to the name choice, to which Smith responded that it referred to the fish. But ‘red herring,’ according to the dictionary, can also mean “something that distracts attention from the real issue.” Selectmen Chairman John Merselis said he would vote for the transfer “in spite of my agreeing with Margie that I’m a little concerned.” The board also voted to approve licenses for live music, food (common victualer) and a pool table. As Smith and Fisher left, Merselis wished them “good luck,” and advised, “the community will be watching.” Also Monday, the board unanimously approved an all-alcoholic beverage license for Spice Root, an Indian restaurant, whose establishment at 23 Spring St. will create an ethnic restaurant row. Spice Root will be first in line toward the top of Spring Street, next to Arugula, followed by Thai Garden. The restaurant is under the same ownership and management as the Bombay Bar and Grill in Lee. President is Tarun Narula of Shelton, Conn.; treasurer is Shiva K. Natarajan of Weston, Conn. An additional shareholder is Davy Cheeran of Pittsfield. Manager P. Girdhar Gopal agreed with the selectmen’s request to restrict the live music to the acoustic, rather than the amplified, variety. Renovations are expected to begin June 1. Ware told Spice Root’s owners, “I think the people at the Thai restaurant will tell you there’s a huge market for ethnic food in Williamstown.”
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MCLA Announces Four Finalists for Next President

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts announced four finalists for the position of president, following a national search. 
 
The finalists were selected by the MCLA Presidential Search Committee and will participate in on-campus visits scheduled for the weeks of April 6 and April 13.
 
The successful candidate will replace President James Birge, who is retiring at the end of the term. 
 
The four finalists are David Jenemann, Michael J. Middleton, Sherri Givens Mylott, and Diana L. Rogers-Adkinson.
 

David Jenemann
David Jenemann is dean of the Patrick Leahy Honors College and professor of English and film and television studies at the University of Vermont, where he oversees recruitment, retention, curricular innovation, and advancement for an interdisciplinary college serving undergraduates from across the university, including UVM's campuswide Office of Fellowships, Opportunities, and Undergraduate Research. 
 
An internationally recognized scholar, he has published three books and numerous articles, with research spanning intellectual and cultural history, mass media, and the intersection of sports and society.
He holds a doctor of philosophy from the University of Minnesota and completed the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
 
 
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