The Berkshire Edge On-Air - Wednesday June 1, 2022

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. This week the Berkshire International Film Festival opens in Great Barrington:

We have two stories previewing the film festival:

https://theberkshireedge.com/biff-a-very-sweet-sixteen-part-i/

https://theberkshireedge.com/biff-a-very-sweet-sixteen-part-ii/

2.  Berkshire County school districts have received major funding $300,000, to support programs to help strengthen career and college readiness. "“This will help all of these Berkshire County schools address the ongoing disparities in college and career readiness opportunities that are present here due to economic disadvantages, demographics, and our rural location.”

https://theberkshireedge.com/berk12-and-berkshire-county-schools-secure-300k-grant-for-post-secondary-readiness/

3. Berkshire Pride events are set to begin in Pittsfield, with the annual Pride Festival and Pride Parade:

https://theberkshireedge.com/time-to-turn-out-pride-events-scheduled-for-june-and-beyond-in-the-berkshires/

4. Meanwhile, Justin Cole, former town accountant for the town of Monterey (and 3 other Massachusetts towns), was sentenced to 3 years in the slammer for pilfering more than $900,000 from four towns:

5. Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland came to the Great Barrington to endorse Andrea Harrington for another term as Berkshire District Attorney (Raskin was in town to deliver a lecture):

https://theberkshireedge.com/u-s-representative-jamie-raskin-endorses-andrea-harrington/

6.  Writer Bill Shein has written a series (he calls it Reason Gone Mad) on the issue of short-term rentals in Great Barrington and the Berkshires whose sky-high fees have made it difficult for those working in the Berkshires to find — and afford — housing:

https://theberkshireedge.com/analysis-the-short-term-rental-debate-a-reason-gone-mad-series-part-3/

7. And finally, our theatre reviewer Peter Bergman has recommended “Grief, the Musical… a Comedy,” by written and performed by local and internationally known comedienne Alison Larkin:

https://theberkshireedge.com/alison-larkin-and-great-barrington-public-theater-go-deep-in-grief-the-musical-a-comedy/