The Top Left Corner

Are you concerned with the security of your housing situation?

Rental assistance programs in Mass:

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-assistance-to-keep-your-family-housed https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-getting-help-with-housing-costs Tenants’ rights: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tenant-rights Legal help: >https://www.masslegalhelp.org/housing/ https://www.masslegalservices.org/FindLegalAid >https://www.nolo.com/

In this episode, we talk about:

People being stupid around wild animals:https://www.huffpost.com/entry/14-raccoons-san-francisco-golden-gate-park_n_5f6df676c5b61af20e74b181

People being stupid about sending their Covid-19 positive kids to school:https://www.nbcboston.com/news/education/attleboro-high-school-student-with-coronavirus-attends-class/2195566/

Upcoming first debate between former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump

Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court

Does the Democratic Party annex the progressive language and enthusiasm of the Left, only to redirect that energy into a pit of quicksand?

Massachusetts is facing 20,000 new eviction cases starting October 17th. Not people — complaints. Let’s say that half of those are families with two adults and two children. That pushes the number of people newly out on the streets closer to 50,000.

TLC Episode 85

Editor’s Note: This post contains affiliate links. See our Reviews & Editorial Revenue Policy. Musicians’ bio info comes from the artists, their websites, or their publicists. Click on names below to visit their websites where you can get the full story, photos, and very often video.

Billy Wylder

We spoke with the very thoughtful, tuned-in Avi Salloway late last week about music, of course, but he had some important things to say about the moment we’re in right now as a society and a species. In our 30 minute conversation, all of which you can hear in this episode, he explained how he finds a natural synthesis engaging with the world as an activist, artist, human, and spirit bound to planet Earth. I expect you’ll get a sense of that if you see his band, Billy Wylder, this weekend. For now, I’m grateful that he provided a couple tunes, “Great Blue Heron,” featuring Bridget Kearney, and “Vital Signs,” featuring Isa Burke, both from 2018’s Light the Match, an album every bit as timely right now — that’s precisely the sort of generous spirit he is. Enjoy!

The Foundry, West StockbridgePatio Productions: BILLY WYLDERFriday, August 28, 7:00 p.m.TICKETSPresented by the Berkshire Music Project

Avi Salloway of Billy Wylder. The group will play a limited capacity show at The Foundry, West Stockbridge August 28; photo by Rob Eckel.

From the front-lines at Standing Rock to the archaic streets of Jerusalem, the Sahel Desert to Carnegie Hall, music has been the source of strength for Billy Wylder. The band features Avi Salloway (Bombino/Hey Mama/Avi & Celia) joined by an inspired cast of singular artists who have performed across five continents including concerts at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival, Newport Folk Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Montreal Jazz Fest, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center. From 2013-16, Salloway toured the globe with Bombino, the Tuareg guitar hero from Niger, Africa. While on the journey and since returning, Salloway wrote the material on the band’s latest album, Strike the Match (Sand & Gold Records).

and now, The News

Editor’s Note: The following information is derived from officially released information, published with few or no editorial changes. The Greylock Glass occasionally provides our readers with such content if the information is of a purely factual nature that requires little to no interpretation or analysis.

Local cannabis roots stretch all the way to Eastie neighborhood as Berkshire weed enterprise takes on new marketing director

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Roots, Inc., Massachusetts-based cannabis company based in Pittsfi...

Yes, this is the Top Left Corner, Episode #82 to be exact. Today is Thursday, July 16, 2020, and I’m your host, Jay Velázquez — thanks for joining me for what’s going to be a great half hour. 

The entirety of this episode will be spent getting to know Alex Morse, (website) primary challenger against U.S. Representative Richard Neal here in Massachusetts’ First Congressional District.

Before we get to that though, I want to let you know that, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greylock Glass has NO ADVERTISERS. That’s right. No sponsors. We have a couple dozen loyal members whose generosity covers the web hosting and other tech costs, and beyond that, I’m paying for it all out of pocket. I’m asking you, right now to becoming a member, either directly through this site or through our Patreon page. Links to both in the shownotes. The Berkshires deserves fiercely independent news and only you can make that happen. It takes mere moments to sign up, and you can do it while you listen the rest of the show, which begins right now.

So Alex Morse was the youngest person ever to have won the office of Mayor in the City of Holyoke, Mass., and he’s been favorably compared to other progressives who recently given the boot to centrist and right-leaning Democratic incumbents in the House. 

Richard Neal, garnered notoriety most recently for his persistent refusal to meet with climate activists of the Sunrise Movement to urge him to  join every other member of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation in supporting the Green New Deal.

Listeners may recall that I interviewed Springfield attorney Tahirah Amatul-Wadud during her campaign to unseat Neal two years ago. At the time I invited the Congressman to come on the show and give his pitch for why he deserved another term. Well, the Greylock Glass is still…waiting…for Neal to RSVP. And actually, Richie? If you’re listening, consider that offer back in 2018 an open invitation. You just ring me up or shoot me an e-mail and we’ll set that interview right up.

Neal, now in his 16th term, first took his seat in Congress in 1989 — the same year that the New Kids On The Block released “Hangin’ Tough.” Okay. Alright. I’m sorry — that was all kinds of cruel and unusual. 1989 was ALSO the the year that Nine Inch Nails released Pretty Hate Machine, and I’ll drop a Spotify embed in the shownotes to help you delete that first song from your memory. In fact, after listening to this episode, why don’t you e-mail me with what YOU remember as either the best — or the worst — song of 1989. 

Right now, let’s go to my conversation with Alex Morse, here on the Top Left Corner.

RELATED COVERAGEfrom our colleagues at The Shoestring“No Deal Neal“May 6, 2020Richard Neal, congressional leader in corporate PAC money, remains the only Mass holdout on Green New Deal.

Hey, wow, so what an interview, right? I love it when my guests make my job so easy. Actually, some times I don’t, since it makes it look like I didn’t actually have any questions prepared.

In any event, Alex Morse faces off against Richie Neal in the Massachusetts Democratic primary Se...

We speak with Jane Feldman, a photographer who has called both New York City and the Berkshires home for decades. Her recent photos of the city during the COVID-19 crisis will be the backdrop for the performance of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” by saxophonist Richie Cannata during the worldwide livestreaming solidarity event, “The Call to Unite.”

Watch performance now.

Richie Cannata performs Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” to the kaleidoscope of visual impressions of the city captured by photographer Jane Feldman. Watch the entire performance HERE.

From the official release:

Today, billions of people around the world are isolated and anxious because of the COVID-19 pandemic— unable to gather with loved ones, go to work, or even mourn those they’ve lost. Still, in this moment of isolation, millions are rising to the occasion by showing each other love and support in countless ways. The Call to Unite is a celebration of those acts of humanity, and an invitation to the world to join in lifting one another in this moment of need.

“New York State of Mind”by Billy JoelThe photography of Jane Feldman will illustrate this iconic song, performed by Richie Cannata, longtime saxophonist for Billy Joel. Tune in to the livestream between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. ET on May 2.THEN, find out more about Jane Feldman in this excellent article in YES! magazine.The Unexpected Gifts of Photographing Mandela, Tutu, and the Dalai Lama

Selfie, by Jane Feldman.

The Call to Unite is a 24-hour global livestream event that will unite people across the world to celebrate our shared humanity. Over 200 cultural, spiritual, civic, and community leaders will offer lessons, performances, conversations, and more – to support all of us in coping with the challenges of this moment in order to emerge from this crisis better than when it began. All participants and viewers will be invited to #answerthecall by giving, serving, and sharing their stories. Everyone is invited. And everyone belongs.

Messages of inspiration, left in chalk on sidewalks, may provide passersby doses of hope at random times and in unexpected places in New York City; photo by Jane Feldman.

The Call to Unite will be livestreamed at unite.us and on supporting partners including Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, LinkedIn, and SiriusXM Stars channel 109 . Spotify will provide segments from the event on demand within the 24 hour-period and afterward. Media connection technical details can be found here to further amplify The Call to Unite.

Central Park has likely not been this devoid of foot traffic in years; photo by Jane Feldman.

Today is Wednesday, April 22, and you are listening to episode #80 of TLC. I’m your host, Jay Velazquez, and I have to say, thanks for tuning in. Also, I have to say thank you to The Foundry in West Stockbridge for being the first to contribute to our COVID-19 Local News Fund campaign, organized by the Local Media Foundation. Foundry director Amy Brentano, who’s been on the show in the past to talk about that amazing performance venue and gallery, saw my appeal on social media and donated in before the post had been up for 10 minutes. She left a note on the campaign page saying, “We need you Greylock Glass.” That means so much, I just can’t even begin to say. 

UPDATE:

The COVID-19 Local News Fund campaign, organized by the Local Media Foundation, has ended. Thank you so much to those of you who stepped up and helped out when we put out the call. We appreciate it more than you know.

We have a great interview with Jane Ralph, executive director of Construct, Inc., based in Great Barrington. This organization, marking its 50th anniversary, provides support services through Cara Davis Project Home  – everything from emergency assistance, transitional housing, workforce development, housing & financial counseling and adult education.

Jane Ralph is going to tell us about some of the amazing work and partnerships responding to the COVID-19 crisis right here in the Berkshires, but first, a couple of news items worth mentioning:

As the death toll from the novel coronavirus in Berkshire County reached 400, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker yesterday announced the closure of school buildings for the remainder of the academic year. Mount Greylock Regional School District Superintendent, Kimberly Grady wrote to the school community, 

“This means that the remote learning we have in place will continue with additional components being outlined shortly by DESE. As the information comes to us we will be sending updates out. Thank you all for you patience and flexibility.”

The pandemic will continue to wreak havoc with schedules and plans locally even after the end of school as summer camps and childcare programs face uncertainty. The Berkshire Family YMCA has announced that it will be looking for ways to offer summer day camp/summer program to families and children. Hundreds of families rely on and look forward to Y programs each summer. To better understand those families’ needs, opinions, and expectations about summer programs, the YMCA is asking participants to share their input in a survey.

Complete the survey if summer programs at the Y are a part of your family’s plans.

And in North Adams, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has announced that senior art students will launch their website exhibition, titled “And So it Goes,” with an online event featuring artist talks from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May, 1, 2020. The event and exhibition will feature artists Emery Bibbins, Liz Brick, Gillian Catherine Fournier, Spring Hajjar, Samantha Louise Hinds, Sierra Lamonde, Kelsey Sherman, and Macie Turrell, all Class of 2020. The online event appears to be free, but is limited the number of participants, so be sure to get tickets early.

WTFFree online theatre workshopvia Facebook LiveMonday, May 11 • 5:00 p.m. ESTExperience the debut session now!

Lastly,

UPDATE 4/5/2020: Since the recording of this episode, the MNA has released an additional statement concerning distribution of Personal Protective Equipment to staff. See below.

We speak, this episode with Amber VanBramer, RN on the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) Bargaining Committee, about the MNA’s response to BMC’s decision to limit the more effective N95 respiratory masks to staff working directly with those who have contracted, or are suspected of having contracted, COVID-19.

We also speak with Joe Markman, Associate Director, Communications for the MNA, as well as hear Berkshire Health System’s response to the MNA’s criticism.

Berkshire Health System responded to the Greylock Glass’ request for comment by e-mail:

Berkshire Health Systems places the highest priority on the safety of our patients and staff, and we have instituted Personal Protective Equipment usage policies that exceed the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, including requiring all staff, regardless of whether they have patient contact, to wear a surgical mask while at work.The CDC and DPH have both indicated that the use of a surgical mask, eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield, and gloves, provide appropriate protection for healthcare workers who are providing care for patients, exclusive of those who are COVID-19 positive or being ruled out.Unfortunately, the MNA’s calculation of the burn rate of existing N-95 masks, if used for all who have any contact with any patient, is considerably in error. They claim Berkshire Health Systems would have a 28-day supply if all staff with any patient contact wore them, but in fact the burn rate would see us run out of N-95 masks in nearly two weeks, with a highly uncertain ability to rebuild the stock and maintain that level of usage. On the triaging of patients, we are following the guidelines from the CDC and DPH, and we speak daily with representatives from the Mass. DPH.Berkshire Health Systems, April 2, 2020

UPDATE:

In addition to the release of a letter directed at Darlene Rodowicz, the MNA has revealed that a nurse at BMC has tested positive for COVID-19, after being told, she says, that staff on her unit were told not to wear respiratory protection of any kind on her floor. According to MNA’s April 3 statement:

For one 20-year RN at BMC, the issue of COVID-exposure due to lack of PPE is all too familiar. She worked on a “non-COVID floor” with no protection and is now COVID-positive.

“I had been feeling very sick, trying for weeks to get tested, and finally this week was allowed to get tested and it came back positive for COVID-19,” explained the nurse, who has chosen to remain anonymous. “On my unit, we’re supposed to be a ‘non-COVID’ unit. However, on this unit, myself and other staff were exposed to patients who were COVID-positive. We were in close contact with patients but weren’t wearing any kind of masks, because at the time that I was exposed, management was telling us that we shouldn’t even wear surgical masks on my unit.”

“I developed a bad cough and was told to go to work with a surgical mask,” she continued. “Now that I’ve tested positive, I’m being told that I must use my earned time, even though this was clearly a work exposure. BMC should be providing every staff member with protection, especially N95 masks. If I had been protected, I wouldn’t have gotten sick and I wouldn’t be out of work right now.”

N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks

Editor’s Note: The Berkshire Music Project is a much-appreciated sponsor of the Greylock Glass, and we report on their events the same way we do for organizations that are not sponsors. We just enjoy doing it more.

This was meant to be a fairly brief conversation with Amy Brentano of The Foundry about what’s coming up in the new year for West Stockbridge’s newest Exhibit A for hipness. I’m jealous that it isn’t here in North County, but hey, even I have to leave my cave and comfort zone once in a while and venture out in search of pleasing sights and sounds.

GOLD CASIO

Saturday, January 25; 7:30 p.m.

The Foundry2 Harris StreetWest Stockbridge, Mass.

Tickets: $15

We ended up, actually, doing the interview that I’d hoped to do in 2019, and, after going back and listening to all the great thoughts and explanations Amy shared, I realized that I couldn’t just give you a couple of sound bites. So, I hope you enjoy this nearly full length edition of our discussion. Mostly I just cut out the pompous boor interrupting Amy’s brilliance.

Big shout out of thanks to Gold Casio for sending us a couple of tunes to play in this episode there are still some tickets left for Saturday’s show, so grab ’em before somebody else does! House occupancy is only 99, which helps preserve the intimate atmosphere, but means you’ve got to be quick.

Links mentioned in this show.

The Foundry

The Berkshire Music Project

Gold Casio

Our Interview with Wes Buckley

Sierra Ferrell (Pittsfield show April 3!)

In this episode, we speak to Williamstown residents Anne O’Connor and Molly Polk, who assisted local youths in preparing signs to display during the Global Climate Strike actions Friday, September 20. The event in Williamstown begins at 4:00 p.m. in front of the First Congregational Church.

A listing of Climate Strike events around the world can be found at Global Climate Strike.

Mai and Alele display some of the signs that will be part of the Youth Climate Strike; photo by Jason Velázquez.

We spoke also to Jamie Margolin, founder of the climate action group This Is Zero Hour.

Climate activists Greta Thunberg, of Sweden (left) and Jamie Margolin, of Seattle, testified about the climate crisis before the United States Congress September 18. 2019; photo courtesy Zero Hour, via Facebook.

A report on The System

Harrington says “tough on crime” compatible with justice reform.

Mentioned in this episode:

BookNo Visible BruisesWhat We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Usby Rachel Louise Snyder

* Editor’s note: Inclusion of the following press release indicates neither our endorsement, nor verification, of it’s contents, but is presented solely for the value of certain facts we believe you may find useful, soley as an addendum to our 30-plus minute interview with District Attorney Andrea Harrington.

Creation of New Policies, Advisory Committee Aims to

Transform Treatment of Young People in Justice System, Reduce Recidivism

PITTSFIELD — District Attorney Andrea Harrington launched a new juvenile justice initiative Tuesday.

The

plan will hold juvenile offenders accountable while encouraging positive youth

development through proven strategies to reduce teen recidivism and address the

root causes of delinquency. It is a shift from a court-centered model of

addressing juvenile delinquency to a community-based model, focused on ending

the school-to-prison pipeline.

Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington; file photo.

It

includes prioritizing diversion, expanding community programming, advocating

for new policies, and creating a community-led advisory committee.

“The

studies are clear that most young adults will grow out of criminal behavior by

their mid-twenties and the vast majority of these crimes are low-level

offenses,” Harrington said. “The decision-making part of a child’s brain is not

fully developed until the age of 25. With appropriate interventions instead of

aggressive prosecution, we, as a community, can help make the next generation

safer and healthier.”

The

initiative is a complementary piece to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, backed

by the Berkshire Delegation, passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed

by Gov. Charlie Baker last year. The bill made several changes to how the

justice system addresses delinquency, including decriminalizing certain minor

and school-based offenses and creating a mechanism to increase the use of

diversion programs as alternatives to incarceration.

“We

know that prevention and targeted intervention at key points in a young life

are key to seriously addressing youth violence issues,” said State Sen. Adam G.

Hinds, D- Pittsfield.

“Dedicated

and deliberate strategies within the criminal justice system are necessary to

ensure we are going after the root causes of this behavior.  This

initiative is a great community-wide step forward toward this goal.”

The

Berkshire District Attorney’s Office created a Juvenile Justice Unit and is

growing its diversion program, which builds on the foundation set by the

Probation and the Juvenile Court. The unit includes a prosecutor, victim

witness advocate, and diversion coordinator.

The

offending youth will be required to follow a rigorous and individualized

program involving a combination of mental health and substance abuse services,

youth programs, mentors, and job placements to avoid court involvement.

A Westside Legends Community Event

We spoke this week with DJ Oli Real about the first ever Summerfest Talent Show taking place at Pittsfield’s Durant Park on August 18 from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. This community event is family friendly and hope to amuse, entertain, and showcase some of the best sides of West Side.

Music and sound being provided by DJ Oli Real and the Junior WSL DJ… DJ L.A.W.W.

Performers

Matthew Harrington – HipHop

Kaz Smith – Classical Piano

Steve Dalton – Guitarist/Singer

Jennifer Colvin – Singer

Shane Smith – Singer

Kyre – Singer

Royalti Higgins – Singer

Mari Flava – HipHop

Jahrell – HipHop

Berkshire Breakers – Break Dance

Special Entertainment –

Omer Black the Magician

Kim Case