Berkshire Green Drinks: Darkness at Night

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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — James Lowenthal, a professor at Mary Elizabeth Moses and the Chair of Astronomy at Smith College, will speak at the July Berkshire Green Drinks event on Wednesday, July 10. 
 
This free hybrid event will take place online via Zoom and in person at Big Elm Brewing's Sheffield Taproom, 65 Silver Street, Sheffield. The in-person social gathering will begin around 5:15 PM; the presentation and Zoom meeting will start at 6:00 PM. 
 
Lowenthal will lead attendees on a virtual tour of the night—how the natural world comes alive, how humans and other diurnal creatures need darkness to thrive, how artificial light at night upsets ecosystems, and how the growing international Dark Sky movement is working to rein in light pollution and protect and bring back natural darkness at night, according to a press release.
 
Learn more and RSVP at:  tinyurl.com/July2024-Berks-Green-Drinks
 
James Lowenthal, Mary Elizabeth Moses Professor and Chair of Astronomy at Smith College, uses large telescopes in space and on the ground to study the formation of galaxies in the early Universe and also uses Smith’s rooftop telescope with a team of students to study exoplanets orbiting stars in our Milky Way galaxy. He works locally, nationally, and internationally to protect the night sky from light pollution and satellite constellations.
 
Berkshire Green Drinks (formerly Pittsfield Green Drinks) is an informal gathering on the second Wednesday of the month that is free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. A guest speaker talks about an environmentally related topic for approximately 30 minutes beginning at 6 PM; the presentation is followed by a discussion and Q&A.
 
Berkshire Green Drinks is sponsored and organized by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT).
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Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Robin's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant. 

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