The Berkshire Edge On-Air - Wednesday August 11, 2021

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.

1. It’s official: The troubled Housatonic Water Works, the private water company that serves the village of Housatonic within Great Barrington, is less than worthless — to the tune of negative $25.2 million, an engineering firm determines.

2. After 50 years, the Snap Shop photo processing and photographic emporium on Railraod Street in Great Barrington is calling it quits:

3. Great Barrington Selectman Ed Abrahams and his fellow-columnist Pedro Pachano look at the issue of zoning, and whether it creates more problems and issues than it solves:
https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-is-zoning-a-solution-to-a-problem-or-is-it-the-problem/

https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-is-zoning-a-solution-to-a-problem-or-is-it-the-problem/

4. In this era of environmental and social anxiety environmentalist Bill McKibben and Ms Magazine editor Sue Halpern will be giving a talk at the New Marlborough Meeting House. The topic: The future you don’t want; the future you can have:
https://theberkshireedge.com/write-read-talk-bill-mckibben-sue-halpern-kick-off-new-marlborough-series/

5. One business that seems to be thriving during the pandemic — and its stay-at-home regimen — is the musical instrument business.. several local outlets are thriving:
https://theberkshireedge.com/business-monday-local-music-industry-finds-new-customer-base/

6. Despite the pandemic, concert and performance venues, such as Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow, have gotten creative. Jacob’s Pillow, for instance, organized an “African fiesta” in Pittsfield;
https://theberkshireedge.com/dance-review-jacobs-pillows-african-fiesta-sizzles-in-pittsfield/

And writer Sheela Clary was inspired by an afternoon at Tanglewood. In her amusing portrayal she likened the experience to that of the Olympics:

https://theberkshireedge.com/top-10-olympic-results-roundup-tanglewood-sunday-afternoon-edition/