Gideon's Nightery Gets New Name, Manager, Menu

By Susan BushPrint Story | Email Story
Vaal London-Kane is manager at EGL, formerly known as Gideon's Luncheon and Nightery.
North Adams - Her name is Vaal London-Kane and she's planning a "hip, contemporary vibe" for an Eagle Street eatery, beginning with a name change. EGL Gideon's Luncheon and Nightery at 23 Eagle St. is now known as "EGL," London-Kane said during a recent interview. The name comes from the text message version of the word "eagle" and was chosen to highlight the restaurant's location along one of the city's most historic districts. "I've always been in love with this street," London-Kane said. "It's so historic and it can be a beautiful element of the downtown." New signs reflecting the name change will be erected once city Planning Board members approve sign design, she said. Restaurant owner William "Bill" Gideon recently named London-Kane as the restaurant's house manager and program director. London-Kane came to the Northern Berkshires about six years ago from New York City and is an artist. The restaurant had been managed by Rob Ross. Gideon also owns "Gideon's" restaurant on Holden Street. Structural changes are not part of anticipated changes but an evolution of ambiance is expected, London-Kane said. The goal is creation of an establishment that is appealing to area natives, newcomers, and visitors, she said. "There is so much potential here and in this city," London-Kane said. "I really want this to work. The area really feels like home to me and I think the best thing that I can do is participate." Variety And Comfort "I think my motto is 'casual, not careless,'" she said. "It's about comfortable food, comfortable atmosphere, good service. I'm going to up the ante at the bar with a lot of handmade drinks." Additional plans include an emphasis on a variety of beers. London-Kane said she hopes to restore the bar beer taps and introduce new beers to restaurant patrons. The menu will focus on "simple, good food with a lot of house-made condiments," she added. Angus beef burgers and varieties of hot dog will become anchor items. For instance, an all-beef kosher hot dog, "kraut-dogs" and other specialty hot dogs are being considered for menu inclusion, she said. At least two of the existing menu panini sandwiches will be be part of a new menu. Dining specials, such as a "Two-Bit Tuesday" offer of two spiced hot dogs for the price of one, are under consideration as well, she said. The restaurant will remain open through menu and other changes. Halloween Party Grand Opening Event A Halloween Party Grand Opening celebration is scheduled for Sat., Oct. 28. People are asked to wear black and red to the event. "This is more like a cocktail party," London-Kane said. "I'm hoping to reinvent Halloween for adults." Long-range plans include winter on-site bartender classes. A Sunday brunch is being planned for the start of 2007. Brunches may be themed; a "bingo brunch" is a possibility, London-Kane said. How 'Bout Dinner And A Movie? A second-floor entertainment venue will undergo a makeover, with large sofas brought in to replace wrought iron furniture, London-Kane said. "I'd like to arrange sofas and small tables into quadrants, and bring a nice atmosphere to that space," she said. "I want people to feel that they have their space but are a part of things. I'd like to have movie nights. Just turn the sofas around and you have a theater." Special events, private parties, and concerts will continue at the premises, she said. Additional information about EGL may be acquired by contacting London-Kane at 413-664-0404. Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or 802-823-9367.
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RFP Ready for North County High School Study

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The working group for the Northern Berkshire Educational Collaborative last week approved a request for proposals to study secondary education regional models.
 
The members on Tuesday fine-tuned the RFP and set a date of Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 4 p.m. to submit bids. The bids must be paper documents and will be accepted at the Northern Berkshire School Union offices on Union Street.
 
Some members had penned in the first week of January but Timothy Callahan, superintendent for the North Adams schools, thought that wasn't enough time, especially over the holidays.
 
"I think that's too short of a window if you really want bids," he said. "This is a pretty substantial topic."
 
That topic is to look at the high school education models in North County and make recommendations to a collaboration between Hoosac Valley Regional and Mount Greylock Regional School Districts, the North Adams Public Schools and the town school districts making up the Northern Berkshire School Union. 
 
The study is being driven by rising costs and dropping enrollment among the three high schools. NBSU's elementary schools go up to Grade 6 or 8 and tuition their students into the local high schools. 
 
The feasibility study of a possible consolidation or collaboration in Grades 7 through 12 is being funded through a $100,000 earmark from the Fair Share Act and is expected to look at academics, faculty, transportation, legal and governance issues, and finances, among other areas. 
 
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