BEAT to Host Tree Identification Walk Oct. 8

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STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — The Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) will lead a free tree identification walk at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Participants will meet at the trailhead of Lower Bowker’s Woods, a Laurel Hill Association property located near Stockbridge, MA. The walk will last between 1.5 and 2 hours. Anybody is welcome to join, but the number of participants is limited. If you want to join, email chelsey@thebeatnews.org or call 413-464-9402 to RSVP.

Participants will learn key characteristics of common trees in western Massachusetts and get tips to help identify them by species. The 1-mile trail meanders along the Housatonic River and through a charming upland forest. The trail is typically considered an easy route, but it has uneven terrain in some areas with many roots; it also intersects railroad tracks. Some areas of the trail can be very wet and muddy.

Wear sturdy shoes that can handle getting muddy and possibly a little wet. Long pants and long socks are recommended, as there is poison ivy along the trail, and ticks can be abundant this time of year. 

DIRECTIONS: 

Going west from the Main Street of Stockbridge: Continue through Main St and past the Stockbridge golf course. After crossing the golf course bridge, Main Street turns into Glendale Middle Rd. Continue down Glendale Middle for approximately half a mile, and the trailhead will be on the right. A small green sign says “Lower Bowker’s Woods”.

Going southwest from Route 102: After passing the Berkshire Botanical Garden, you’ll come to an intersection of Rt 102 and Highway 183 (also known as Glendale Rd). Take a right onto 183, continue down this road for about 1.3 miles, and then take a left onto Glendale Middle Rd and continue for approximately 0.3 miles. The trailhead will be on the left.

This walk is sponsored by Berkshire Environmental Action Team. BEAT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Pittsfield, MA. They work with the community to protect the environment for wildlife in support of the natural world that sustains us all. To learn more about BEAT, visit their website at www.thebeatnews.org, or contact them at team@thebeatnews.org, (413) 464-9402.

 


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Spring Jazz Ensemble Concert At Simon's Rock

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— The annual Bard College at Simon's Rock Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert begins Friday, May 10 at 8:00 p.m. 
 
Conducted by Professor of Music, Electronic Arts, and Cultural Studies John Myers, the concert will include new arrangements of pieces by artists such as Thelonius Monk, Johnny Mandel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and others, as well as the debut of John Myers' original composition "Lifeline." 
 
Along with student players, the concert will also include faculty guest artists Allan Dean on trumpet, Pete Toigo on bass, and the voice of emeritus faculty guest artist Bill Dunbar.
 
"My students are multi-talented, not just in music, but in other disciplines as well, including physics, linguistics, and mathematics. Our drummer, Yonah Sadeh, is already an award-winning filmmaker, and both of our guitarists are performing composers with online followers," said Myers.
 
Among those student performers are David Bronshvayg on violin, Damien Brown on trumpet, Tzedek Fishman on piano/keyboard, Megan Hackett on guitar and providing vocals, Zoia Levit on accordion, Paul Rose on piano, keyboard, and vocals, Maayan Rosenberg on clarinet, Yonah Sadeh on drums, Bohdan Lastochkin on guitar, and Ace Thompson on bass.
 
"One of the many special features of the Simon's Rock Jazz Ensemble is that I create my own original arrangements of all the music, shaped by the abilities and personalities of the players. Another feature is our unusual instrumentation, which this semester includes accordion and violin as well as the more traditional jazz instruments," said Myers.
 
On performing Myers' personal composition at the upcoming concert, he also said, "My composition "Lifeline" uses three levels of 7: 7/8, 7/4, and 7/2. The students enjoy the challenge of playing in these kinds of meters, and I supply one of my own pieces every semester."
 
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