The Berkshire Edge On-Air - Wednesday March 31, 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. First up, our third installment of the situation of workers in the so-called cultural economy in the Berkshires:”Movements like this [Change Berkshire Culture] don’t happen except as a last resort. This is people not been feeling valued or seen.” 
https://theberkshireedge.com/part-iii-change-berkshire-culture-expands-out-of-the-digital-realm/

2.  The town of Great Barrngton has come up with a program to welcome new residents and show them how to connect with town resources:
https://theberkshireedge.com/welcome-project-invites-new-gb-residents-to-connect/

3. A citizens’ campaign to block the creation of a toxic PCB dump in the town of Lee is escalating with a lawsuit against the Lee Selectboard:
https://theberkshireedge.com/legal-battle-against-lee-pcb-dump-expands-as-citizens-file-lawsuit-against-selectmen/

4. A feud is brewing — in faced bubbling — between the Great Barrington selectboard and the owners of the Great Barrington Fairgrounds. The two owners, Bart and Janet Elsbach, have ignored town inquiries about purchasing the moribund property:
https://theberkshireedge.com/disrespectful-town-leaders-have-strong-words-for-fairgrounds-owners/

5. Acknowledging that the COVID pandemic restrictions will still be in place this summer, Great Barrington Selectboard is planning to create an outdoor dining environment on Railroad Street:
https://theberkshireedge.com/outdoor-dining-on-railroad-street-to-continue-this-summer-as-merchants-air-concerns/

6. Finally, writer  — and educator — Sheela Clary reviews Fredrik deBoer’s “The Cult of the Smart,” a critique of the way we evaluate students:
https://theberkshireedge.com/book-review-lets-dismantle-the-cult-of-smart/