[Forum] Local Buzz on Berkshire Blueprint & Shameless Plug

[Joshua Field]

Thanks for the additional sources/points of view Gail. Here is another 
one that just came from the Times Union, but from the perspective of 
Albany using the Berkshires as a model for rallying around the arts as 
an economic driver.

"Look east to the Berkshires to see a different phenomenon. Like our 
cities and towns, those in the Berkshires, including Lenox, Great 
Barrington and North Adams, each have their own distinct character. Yet, 
they share a larger identity and the resulting economic benefits as a 
premier place for theater, music, the visual arts and other cultural 
activity. Arts make the Berkshires an attractive tourist destination."

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=570714&category=OPINION&newsdate=3/11/2007

Gail M. Burns wrote:
>
> Great that Boston picked up on the news, but here’s what the press is 
> saying closer to home.
>
> “Berkshire Blueprint” Says Economy Needs Diversity
>
> http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_5405549
>
> “Berkshire Blueprint” Calls for Changes
>
> http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_5405432
>
> Plan for County Growth Focuses on Arts, Tourism
>
> http://www.thetranscript.com/headlines/ci_5405372
>
> Barrett: Consultants Choose to Ignore North County
>
> http://www.thetranscript.com/localnews/ci_5405640
>
> Mapping the Future
>
> http://www.thetranscript.com/editorial/ci_5405371
>
> Shameless plug for tonight’s WordPlay, at the NEW HOME of Papyri 
> Books, 45 Eagle Street, beginning at 7 pm. Inkberry sponsors, I host, 
> Paul Marino videotapes for broadcast on Northern Berkshire Community 
> Television. Tonight’s featured readers are Vivian Dorsel and writers 
> from her recently published literary magazine upstreet #2, including 
> North Adams’ own Frank Merrigan. See bios below. After that, snack and 
> then open mic! All are welcome
>
> This outdoor art exhibit in Williamstown yesterday was engaging and 
> fun. Maybe an idea to copy/reinvent?
>
> Balloon Art Installation Brings Back Memories
>
> http://www.thetranscript.com/headlines/ci_5405637
>
> Went to see a terrific production of Moliere’s “The Miser” up at 
> Hubbard Hall in Cambridge, NY, last night. My review will be up on 
> www.GailSez.com <http://www.gailsez.com/> by the end of the day. 
> Hubbard Hall is a great example of a strong arts community in action. 
> Their long-time Executive Director Benjie White has a hilarious turn 
> as Maitre Jacques in “The Miser” and he might be a good person for us 
> to be in conversation with.
>
> Gail M. Burns
>
> 57 Linden Street
>
> Williamstown, MA 01267-2511
>
> 413-458-4246
>
> gailmburns at adelphia.net <mailto:gailmburns at adelphia.net>
>
> www.GailSez.com <http://www.gailsez.com/>
>
> *Vivian Dorsel**,* Editor of *upstreet* and founder of Ledgetop 
> Publishing, holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College. She was 
> managing editor of /The Berkshire Review/ for eight years, and her 
> work has appeared in /Connecticut River// Review, The Mind’s Eye, Pif, 
> The Artful Mind, /and /The Women’s Times./ She lives in Richmond and 
> teaches writing workshops at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.
>
> *Francis C. Merrigan *of North Adams is a retired English teacher who 
> has been writing since 2001 and is a regular WordPlay open-mic 
> participant. His poetry has been published in /The Berkshire Review/. 
> His essay/memoir, “Himself,” appears on page 193 of *upstreet */number 
> two/.
>
> *Hilary Bird Poremski*,* *an English teacher at Rutland (VT) High 
> School, holds an MFA degree in writing from Vermont College, where she 
> was nominated by poet Betsy Sholl for an AWP Intro Journals Award in 
> 2005. She received an Honorable Mention in /HeartLodge/’s second 
> annual poetry contest, and her poem will appear in the journal’s 
> spring 2007 issue. Her work has appeared in /The Berkshire Review /and 
> *upstreet */number one/, and her contribution to *upstreet */number 
> two/ is a poem, “Elegy for Basswood,” on page 22.
>
> *Anna Viadero* is a writer and memoir-writing teacher who lives in 
> Montague. Her work appears in many anthologies, and she has been a 
> commentator on public radio in New York and New England. She publishes 
> the annual collection, /Local Color: Stories by Western MA Senior 
> Citizens about Life as They Remember It./ Her essay/memoir, “Alchemy,” 
> appears on page 113 of *upstreet */number two/.
>
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