Triplex Special Screening 'A Book By Their Cover'

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Triplex Cinema announces a special screening of local filmmaker John Tedeschi's fictional narrative film "A Book By Their Cover," inspired by local events in Berkshire County, as well as  events around the country including book bans connected with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) community. 
 
The film was shot entirely in the Berkshires.
 
The film will screen on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7:00 pm and will be followed by a conversation with the director as well as members of the cast and crew. Tickets are available for purchase at the Triplex website, thetriplex.org.
 
According to a press release:
 
"A Book By Their Cover" tells the story of Samantha, a 12-year-old girl who discovers a book while staying at her grandparents' house. The book, a medical journal written in 1962, piques Samantha's curiosity about sexuality. After discussing it, Samantha's parents give her another book, "The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families," written in 2020 by Rachel Simon and illustrated by Noah Grigni. "The Every Body Book" is widely considered to be a valuable and groundbreaking resource for parents navigating early conversations with children about puberty, consent, sex and gender.
 
Samantha brings the book with her to school, where the school janitor sees the book, is upset, and confiscates it. The book is turned over by the school administration to the police and an investigation ensues. The film deals with the aftermath of these events, which play out during a town meeting where opinions about the book and the police investigation that followed are played out.
 
A similar situation occurred last year at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School over the well-known book "Gender Queer," an incident which serves as inspiration for the film. In a statement provided to the "Berkshire Edge" Tedeschi said, "the film is not a true story, it is not a film that uses the words ‘based on true and actual events,' and the characters are not intended to appear as any actual person. The film was inspired by many things, it is a mirror, as you say, of events but it is not the actual likeness."
 
 
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Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.

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