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Media Matters examines backing and perspective of group which ranked Williams College No. 39 on "civic literacy"

The front page of the Sept. 27 edition of the North Adams Transcript carried a story by Evan Lehmann of the "Transcript Washington Bureau" reporting on a survey of college seniors financed by a group called the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. It ranked Williams College No. 39 out of 50 schools on the extent to which it was said to add to the "civic literacy" of students over four years. it defines civic literacy as "knowledge of America's history, its key texts, its founding principles, and its free institutions and the ability to provide fair reviews of these facts and concepts." At first blush the resulted sounded disturbing. But The Transcript story did not note that colleges which scored worse than Williams included: Georgetown, Yale, Duke, Brown, Cornell, UC-Berkeley and Johns Hopkins. What is the Intercollegiate Studies Institute? Media Matters, the liberal-progressive media watchdog website did a little research. Media Matters says: 

• William Bennett, a Williams grad, former secretary of education, and a noted conservative, is on the board of ISI.
• ISI has received large chunks of funding from the Coors brewing family and from Pittsburgh's Richard Mellon Schaife -- two of the most consistent multi-millionaire backers of right-wing political causes.
• A 1999 Salon.com article about conservative activism on college campuses reported that the ICI funds more than 60 conservative independent campus-focused newspapers around the country.
• The chairman of ISI's board of trustees is also a trustee of the study's top-ranked school, Rhodes College (Memphis, Tenn.). The third-ranked school, Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Mich.) is chairman of a foundation which contributed around $1 million to ISI since 1998.

According to ISI's own Sept. 26 news release: "College freshmen and seniors at 50 of the nation's colleges and universities were asked 60 multiple choice questions about (1) America's history; (2) government; (3) America and the world; and (4) the market economy. The average overall score for college seniors was 53.2 percent, just 1.5 percent higher than the average overall score for freshmen, which was 51.7 percent. Both scores represent failure by a wide margin on a traditional grading scale. More significantly, the results demonstrate that colleges and universities are failing to teach students about their country's history and founding principles. At 16 of the schools, the freshmen actually scored higher than the seniors." A copy of the report , "The Coming Crisis in Citizenship: Higher Education's Failure to Teach America's History and Institutions," is available at http://www.americancivicliteracy.org.

History Walk on Church Street October 7

North Adams, Mass. - Local Historian Paul W. Marino has announced the next in his series of Historical Walks for the summer of 2006, a tour of Church Street. It will take place at 2:30pm on Saturday, October 7.

In North Adams’ heyday, Church Street was the city’s most exclusive neighborhood, home to the community’s wealthiest movers and shakers, and is still graced with many of the palaces they built for themselves. These include the Masonic Temple, built in 1900 by North Adams’ first Mayor. The owner of the city’s first car lived on Church Street, as did its first college educated dentist, three shoe magnates, the city’s most successful wholesale grocer, and the only Boy Scout ever to have been made Eagle by the President of the United States. R.C. Sprague lived (briefly) on Church Street, just across the street from one of his brothers.

Two of North Adams’ oldest buildings are included in the tour; one just off Church Street, and the other---which was moved twice---on North Church. The street, which was traveled by President McKinley, also has the oldest continuous parsonage in the city, two exquisite Queen Anne houses, and a fabulous "Swiss Cottage," which is not to be missed.

The Walk begins at Smith House, off Church Street, on the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts campus. It is free and open to all, and is wheelchair accessible. Interested parties should dress for the weather, wear a good pair of walking shoes and a hat with a wide brim, and carry a canteen or bottle of water.

Dream Away Lodge Hosts Free Speech Music Festival October 1

Becket, Mass. - The legendary Dream Away Lodge in Becket, MA hosts Free Speech Festival 2006  its first pre-election outdoor music festival with national artists featuring Guy Davis, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Hamell on Trial, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, The Mammals and a slew of special guests, family and friends. Acclaimed Puerto Rican recording artists, Roy Brown & Tito Auger will join Tao Rodriguez-Seeger (of The Mammals) in a rare performance in the USA. Musical events begin at noon and go till midnight on Sunday, October 1. The Mammals will close the event with a set featuring lots of sitting in with other musicians from throughout the day. Dancing is encouraged!

Inspired by the musical and social history of the Dream Away Lodge, and the activist sensibility of the Dream Away’s heyday, the 60’s, owner Daniel Osman and musical friends Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Michael Merenda and Ruth Ungar conceived of a pre-election day-long music festival in the Seeger/Guthrie family tradition surrounded by political events, entertainment and information.

The center ring of the festival is an outdoor stage offering music from noon till midnight. Featuring a range of performers with long Berkshire affiliations, the performance lineup also includes Dory Previn, Jeffrey Lewis, Bobby Sweet, Robby Baier, Tony Lee Thomas Band, Spouse, Milton, Chris Merenda as well as juggling and satire from the Amazing Nate Cooper. The festival will also feature booths with information pertaining to free speech, the environment, current politics and labor issues. All candidates for public office of all political affiliations have been invited to be present as well, to meet the public and answer questions in a very informal setting.

This is an open-minded community festival. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. The Dream Away Lodge will serve food and alcohol onsite throughout the day and evening. Picnicking is welcome at the daylong event, though NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY BE BROUGHT TO THE PROPERTY!!

Dream Away Lodge is located at 1342 County Road in Becket. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the gate. For more information call (413) 623-8725.

PARKING AND ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED!! CARPOOLING IS ENCOURAGED

Olver's office frees $70K in funds to advance planning of North Adams-to-Williamstown bike trail

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Northern Berkshire County has been awarded $70,000 in planning money to figure out a route and the cost of a proposed bike trail between  Williamstown and North Adams, an aide to U.S. Rep. John W. Olver says.  Rhonda Serre, who runs Olver's Pittsfield district office, announced Wednesday night the federal funds will be provided to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to managing the planning.Serre joined Marjorie Cohan, chairman of the Berkshire Bikepath Council, and Williams College environmental-studies professor Sarah Gardner for a briefing on the state of bike trails in the region. They all spoke at the monthly meeting of the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce at Le Jardin restaurant. More than 60 people attended the dinner and discussion, aimed at considering bicycle trails as drivers of eco-tourism, recreation, and economic development. The speaking trio were introduced by the Chamber's  new Executive Director, Kathleen McDonald.

Olver has secured up to $5 million in federal funding for expansion of bike trails throughout the First Congressional District, said Serre, and there is what amounts to a friendly competition between northern Berkshire and Lenox to see who gets trail design and siting done first to qualify for the construction grant. The Berkshire Bikepath Council, which is helping manage studies for the expansion of the Ashuwillticook Trail bikepath north to North Adams and south to Pittsfield. Gardner has managed student studies of three different proposed bikepath routes, including one from Williamstown to Pownal, Vt.  She reviewed possible paths for a North Adams-Williamstown extension of the Ashuwillticook Trail.   

(Photo, from left, Rhonda Serre, Marjorie Cohan, Sarah Gardner).

MORE DETAILS ON BIKEPATH HISTORY; FUNDING.

Fall Foliage Festival Update

North Adams, Mass. - In addition to the 51st annual Fall Foliage Parade, dances, suppers and fairs, residents and visitors have something else to look forward to on parade weekend. The third annual Autumn Arts Festival takes place on the sidewalk on the north side of Main Street on Saturday, September 29th, from 10:00 – 4:00 PM. Local artists and artisans will display and sell work such as paintings, photography, illustrations, handcrafted jewelry, wearable fabrics, ceramics and more. The goal of the day is to highlight the wide spectrum of work being done in North Adams, both traditional and contemporary. Downtown merchants are also welcome to come out and hold their own sidewalk sales. Prices will start as low as a dollar on some items. Local craft shops will also be represented. Food will be available.

Saturday, Sept. 30: At 10:00 a.m., Deacon Frank Ryan will officiate over "The Blessing of the Animals" on the main lawn of Saint Anthony of Padua church grounds in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. St Francis is the patron saint of all animals. Children and adults are welcome to bring live (or even stuffed) animals to receive a special blessing!

BEE-KEEPING PROGRAM: Adams native Tom Stefanik will explore the world of honeybees and learn about the fun of basic beekeeping on Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m., at Natural Bridge State Park. The park is located on McCauley Road, off Rte. 8 in North Adams. There is a $2 parking fee. Call 663-6392

For more information on the Fall Foliage Festival or Parade, contact the Mayor’s Office of Tourism, 664.6180 or the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, 499-4000, tourism@northadams-ma.gov

Debi Pendell Announces Classes & Open Studio

North Adams, Mass. - Mixed Media Artist Debi Pendell has announced her upcoming schedule of classes, open studio days, and retreats at her studio in the Eclipse Mill in North Adams.

Mixed Media Collage Class
Wednesday evenings, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 8, 15 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: $195, plus $10 shipping fee for free samples payable to instructor
Please register directly with Pendell

North Adams Open Studios
The Eclipse Mill and several other galleries and studios in the City
Saturday & Sunday, October 14 & 15, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. each day
Free and open to the public

Artists' Retreat
April 23 - 27, 2007

Events take place at Eclipse Mill, Studio Loft 205, 243 Union Street, North Adams, MA. You can contact Pendell at 413-664- ARTS (2787) or debipendell@msn.com.

Berkshire Squash Open October 2-7 at Williams College

Williamstown, Mass. - A star-studded player line-up, which includes six players ranked in the top 30 in the Professional squash association world ranking will arrive in Williamstown in three weeks to compete in the 3rd Berkshire Squash Open. Staged at Williams College, the biggest racquet sporting tournament in the Berkshires­will feature this year for the first time a women's draw as well. A record high, players from seventeen different nationalities will compete in this year event, which will kick off on Monday, October 2nd at 5pm at the beautiful Simon Squash center at Williams College.

"The success of the 2004 and 2005 Berkshire Squash Open was evidence of our commitment to bringing world class squash to the Berkshires. We try to prepare a solid ground for the event which will see the tournament continue as the most prestigious professional sporting event in the Berkshires” said Zafi Levy, tournament director and head squash coach at Williams College.

"I am determined to make this tournament a huge success and I am delighted to be able to announce that the 2006 Berkshire Open will feature the most competitive draw this event has ever seen. Local spectators are in for a real treat every night! With the support of our title sponsors: True North Financial and Sabre Yachts the Berkshire Squash open is one of the 10 biggest squash tournaments in the US!"

For the third time in as many years, True North Financial Services, a Mountain-One Financial Partner, is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Berkshire Squash Open. True North has always been committed to community involvement and sponsorship of local events.  The Berkshire Squash Open is a one-of-a-kind competition in this area, and allows non-squash and squash enthusiasts alike the opportunity to see world class athletes at their best.  We are excited to be able to help this event take place right here in the heart of the Berkshires” said Rob Able from True North financial.

Last year capacity crowd at the Simon Squash Center were treated to six days of spectacular squash and high drama, with Stuart Boswell from Australia overcome a stiff challenge from fellow Australian, Cameron Philley. This year, Graham Ryding, world number twenty from Canada and Laurens Anjema, world number twenty two from the Netherlands are seeded one and two respectively, and are scheduled to reach the final of the 2006 Berkshire Squash Open.   

For individual tickets please E-mail Zafi levy at the squash office:  Zafi.levy@williams.edu/ 413 597 4627   

Historic Walk in Hillside Cemetery September 30

North Adams, Mass. -Local Historian Paul W. Marino has announced the next in his series of Historical Walks for the summer of 2006. This will be a Cemetery Walk, to be held in Hillside Cemetery on Saturday, September 30. The Walk will cover the north section only, and is especially suitable for children and families.

At 208 years old, Hillside is North Adams’ oldest municipal cemetery, its second oldest existing cemetery, and its third oldest overall. Many of the city’s founders and shapers are buried there, including the town’s first Postmaster, and its first millionaire and a man who was a personal friend to two U.S. Presidents. A physician who established a school in is Hillside, along with the first local educator to have a school named for him, and the only woman to be so honored; an attorney who invented a railroad brake, and a man who died a hero’s death in the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel, a local man who was an eye-witness to President Lincoln’s delivery of the Gettysburg Address, and a world-famous archaeologist.

Rich in history, Hillside is equally rich in fine stonework, including the several statues, the breath-taking Isbell monument. Two monuments are registered with the Smithsonian Institute, through the Save Outdoor Sculpture program; one of these---the John Henry Haynes marker---is most likely the only one of its kind in the world.

The Walk starts at 2:30pm at the top of the hill off Brown Street. Interested persons are advised to dress for the weather. They should wear a hat with a wide brim and a good pair of walking shoes, and carry a canteen or a bottle of water, and be prepared to have their ears talked off. In addition, they should remember to bring any children they have handy, as this Walk is especially suitable for them, and concludes with a treasure hunt.

State DEP seeks answers from North Adams airport about runway buffer extension

UPDATES: 09-23-06: North Adams Transcript article quoting Barrett and Fohlin   /  (EDITORIAL)

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Susan Bush has written a thorough updating story about the proposed runway buffer extension at North Adams Harriman and West Airport. Her account at iBerkshires is based upon an August letter from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to airport officials. The letter says the DEP has inadequate information to determine if the proposed extension complies with storm-water runoff requirements. The issue is important to residents of the Spruces Mobile Home Park, who are concerned airport work could affect flooding around their homes. Bush writes that the DEP's interest in the project was drawn in part because of public comments on the project submitted the Henry C. Art, the chairman of the Williamstown Conservation Commission. In his comments, Art is quoted as saying airport commissioners have failed to supplied a hydrological analysis of the extension "bringing together the sum of all the parts . . ." of the project. Art says the piecemeal approach leaving open the possibility that the sum of the project "could conceivably have affects greater than the sum of its components."  The runway work is seen as an economic-development issue by the airport commissioners.
http://www.iberkshires.com/story.php?story_id=20967

After Images Returns September 24

Images Cinema is happy to announce our film discussion group After Images will return with the critically-acclaimed film HALF NELSON. On Sunday, 9/24 after the 7pm screening, join us at the Red Herring to talk about it. Film connoisseur Peter Giordano will be present to share his opinions and offer insights gleaned from his experience as a teacher in an inner city school in New York City.