Great Barrington Urges Participation in Internet Access Survey

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Town officials urge residents to participate in the Digital Equity Survey developed by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), to help improve internet access and digital equity. 
 
The survey is available until Aug. 31.
 
The five-minute anonymous survey can be found here, or by cutting and pasting this URL: https://tinyurl.com/muppxf76
 
Residents are urged to share the survey with friends, colleagues and family.
 
This survey will help inform the state's investment of historic funding and future investments to provide improved connectivity for all residents of Massachusetts. The goal is to increase access to education, healthcare, civic engagement, economic, and other opportunities.
 
"The town is seeking to better understand the connectivity needs in our community, so we hope everyone will please take a few minutes to complete this survey," said Chris Rembold, assistant town manager and director of planning/community development.
 
According to the MBI, "the survey will help MBI to develop a comprehensive Digital Equity Plan for the state and ensure that all Massachusetts residents can fully experience the opportunities that come from having the access and skills to use computers and the internet in their everyday life. It's critical for residents to respond to the survey so their voices and perspectives can be included in the state's plans."
 
Locally, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will begin work on Digital Equity Planning in 13 Berkshire County communities, as part of the state's effort to ensure equitable access and affordability of broadband to residents who need it.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Banjo Pickin' Gals At Bidwell House

MONTEREY, Mass. — On Aug. 10, Paula Bradley and Marylou Ferrante, going by the name Banjo Blue, will showcase the music of female banjo players from the 1920-1940's, along with their stories, songs and struggles. 
 
PAULA BRADLEY: A West Virginia-born multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, banjo-uke, harmonica and piano), Paula has been involved in roots music for many years. Known for her strong, spirited vocals as well as her clogging, she has toured (on banjo) with old-time darlings "Uncle Earl"; with old-time powerhouse Bruce Molsky (on guitar and banjo uke); and recorded and toured with Tony Trischka and Bruce as part of the acoustic roots trio "Jawbone". She was also a founding member of the acclaimed old-time trio "The Rhythm Rats" as well as the popular New England honky tonk combo "Girl Howdy." For the last 18 years, she performed with her late husband, Bill Dillof, in the old-time duet "Moonshine Holler" as well as their trio with VT fiddler Jim Burns, “Run Mountain. She currently leads her own juke joint honkytonk band "Miss Paula & The Twangbusters" (piano and lead vocals) in addition to playing vintage country with Berkshire-based "The Spurs USA."
 
MARYLOU FERRANTE is an multi-instrumentalist who sings & performs old blues, old time, country & folk music on guitar, mandolin, dulcimer & banjo. Marylou's performances are filled with storytelling & history; she covers solo blues artists from the delta to east coast piedmont style players such as Charlie Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson as well as Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red and mandolin greats like Charlie McCoy & Yank Rachell as well as old time & country artist like The Carter Family, Cousin Emmy, Elizabeth Cotten. Her numerous performances include opening for Maria Muldaur. Her passionate expression of these old songs comes from a love of the music and the arrangements themselves, as well as what she says is an appreciation for "the history of these folks and the difficult circumstances they endured."
 
This program will take place outside under a tent and pre-registration is required. Tickets can be reserved on the Museum website, https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/banjo-pickin-gals/
 
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Tyringham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
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