The Berkshire Edge On-Air - January 10

The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

This week we talk about:

1.  A Connecticut firm bought Barrington Plaza shopping center.  This is the largest shopping plaza in Great Barrington, and is the town’s biggest taxpayer.  We wonder what, if any, changes the new owners will make to the shopping plaza.

2.  The Town of Great Barrington is making plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of W.E.B. DuBois,Great Barrington’s most famous son.  DuBois has been vilified by the town in earlier times as a Communist and a traitor to the U.S.  Earlier attempts to create a national landmark or to name a school after him have been strongly opposed by the townspeople.  This past Monday night, two of the organizers of the celebration, came to a meeting of the Board of Selectmen to ask permission to mount banners on utility poles in town and to report on their progress.

3.  We have an article that describes reaction among Berkshire County non-profits new the new tax bill which decreases the incentive to itemize deductions and therefore to make tax-deductible contributions.

4. Dozens of letters, drawings, and photos of thanks and gratitude have been pouring into Berkshire Country Day School (BCD) from the 78 families in Puerto Rico who received aid from the School’s community-wide drive on Make a Difference Day, the largest single day of service nationwide held annually. BCD community sent boxes of aid to Puerto Rica.  Some in Puerto Rico even replied to The Edge.

5.  Carole Owens had an interesting column today: What would George (Washington) do? George Washington transcribed “Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation” (Washington, George. Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation: a Book of Etiquette. Williamsburg, VA: Beaver Press, 1971). These were a set of rules based on ones proposed by the Jesuits in the 16th century. Washington copied them out presumably because he meant to emulate and recommend them–although some have suggested it was merely an assigned exercise in penmanship.

6. Leonard Quart, who teaches film at NYU and writes regularly for us, wrote us a review of the Golden Globes Awards ceremony that took place last Sunday.  He comments about Oprah Winfrey’s being now touted as a presidential candidate.