The Rogovoy Report 1.8.24
From around the corner to around the globe...
REQUIRED READING
The Vibes Are Off During the First Week of the Year
(The Atlantic) - New Year’s is an inconsiderate holiday. It demands renewal where very little exists. Your job isn’t any less boring in 2024 than it was in 2023. After a few days of intense cardio yoga, your body likely feels creaky and yanked. You may yearn for the rest you received during the last week of the year. Even if you don’t make resolutions or buy into the hype of the new year, getting back to regular life while the self-improvement frenzy unfolds around you can be pretty jarring. What most of us experience during the first week of the year is not a transcendent evolution into the lives we’ve been longing to lead but a clash between expectations and reality. Call it New Year’s Whiplash.
READ MORE:
What would it mean to treat animals fairly? Each year, billions of animals die for human ends. In two new books, Martha Nussbaum and Peter Singer insist that we stop the suffering. (New Yorker)
The science-backed schedule for your perfect weekend (WSJ)
Forget FOMO. Embrace JOMO to discover the joy of missing out. (WaPo)
Trump says Civil War could have been ‘negotiated’ in bizarre Iowa speech (Rolling Stone)
FOOD & DINING
What Will Happen to Ryan Salame’s Lenox Restaurants? Some Potential Sales Are in the Works
(Berkshire Eagle) LENOX, Mass. - The future of former FTX cryptocurrency executive Ryan Salame’s current and former downtown investments — originally worth at least $6 million when he acquired them — remains shrouded in mystery. But some clues have emerged in recent days, including potential sales of several properties in the Lenox business district.
READ MORE:
Berkshire Palate, restaurant in downtown Pittsfield’s Hotel on North, closed ‘until further notice’ as ownership looks to revamp, rework its operations (Berkshire Eagle)
New owners hope Paige’s Place in Otis will become a community hub (B Eagle)
Shire Donuts to shift Adams store to new location (Berkshire Edge)
Ca’Mea owner retires, popular Hudson restaurant temporarily closed (HV360)
NEWS FROM THE BERKSHIRES
Getting to Know Great Barrington: Small Town Charm
(Chronogram) GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - Great Barrington’s allure is vast. In August 2022, Dr, Mark A. Taylor II, moved his family from Salt Lake City to Great Barrington. They have taken to exploring by foot and basking in the beauty that abounds both on and off the beaten path. “We essentially live in the forest, which is very different for us,” he says, having grown up in a suburban, cookie-cutter house neighborhood of the Mountain West. He is quickly becoming a fan of the town’s day-to-day pace — where neither he nor his patients are simply cogs in the machine. In fact, his experience working at Fairview Hospital is symbolic of what he likes best about small-town living: “In a small community, where people know each other, it’s not only less busy but [folks] also get a lot of attention [which leads to] a very personalized experience.”
READ MORE:
In letter to lawmakers, Lee produces ‘damning’ evidence: GE’s 1972 agreement not to sue Monsanto over PCB claims (Berkshire Eagle)
Teacher whose Great Barrington classroom was searched for ‘Gender Queer’ book is taking a temporary leave of absence (B Eagle)
Peter Marchetti is sworn in as first new mayor of Pittsfield in 8 years (WAMC)
Marchetti promises ‘to be a mayor for everyone’ (NEPM)
Citing COVID-19 surge coupled with flu and RSV season, Berkshire Health Systems returns to masking in effort to stem infection (WAMC)
Gov. Healey talks migrants, North Adams storm aid, and minimum wage in Pittsfield (WAMC)
New Pittsfield City Council President White prepares for ’24-’25 term (WAMC)
Tenants at affordable housing complex Rice Silk Mill in Pittsfield report struggles with mold infestation (iBerkshires)
Jodi’s Seasonal greenhouse and floral shop in Pittsfield closing after 40 years (Berkshire Edge)
Residents flood West Stockbridge Town Hall to challenge TurnPark Art Space entertainment license (B Edge)
Lanesborough’s Farnams Hill to be preserved for hikers, wildlife and as a link to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail (B Eagle)
SculptureNow to relaunch as Sculpture at The Mount (iBerkshires)
After covering sports, business and even a bank heist, Tony Dobrowolski wraps up 40-year career as a journalist (B Eagle)
NEWS FROM THE HUDSON VALLEY
Black-Led Housing Rights Org Priced Out of Catskill Arts Space
(Hyperallergic) CATSKILL, N.Y. - A Black-led housing rights organization alleges that it was displaced by an upstate New York arts space after it was notified of a 137.5% rent increase following three years of tenancy. Staff members at the Hudson Catskill Housing Coalition (HCHC) have publicly accused the Foreland Catskill arts complex of contributing to the gentrification of the historic waterfront community.
READ MORE:
DA asked State Police to probe Columbia County ex-sheriff’s handling of files critical of law-enforcement officers (ATU)
More than five years after Hudson’s DRI projects were determined, only one of five projects has been completed (GoR)
Four fishing shacks razed at historic site in Hudson (GoR)
Hudson mayor says housing, parks top priorities (HV360)
Hudson ward leaders cite housing, mental health as top city issues (HV360)
Dept of Health releases new data on food insecurity in Twin Counties (HV360)
Newest Columbia County Judge Brian J. Herman takes oath of office; pledges to make courthouse ‘more of a resource’ (HV360)
Hudson Valley Philharmonic seeks split from Bardavon after more than 25 years (Daily Freeman)
Hudson Clubhouse parents upset about Fairview Ave. relocation (HV360)
C-GCC president says community colleges underfunded by state (HV360)
Hochul outlines plan to bring phonics back to NY public schools (HV360)
Critical infrastructure is sinking along the US East Coast (WIRED)
THANK YOU to all who have heeded the call and have upgraded to a paid subscription to the Rogovoy Report (or to my other newsletter, Everything Is Broken). Thanks to you, we have achieved our goal of reaching over 100 paid subscribers.
That being said, with a total of over 3,000 subscribers, it would be great to get paid subscriptions from 10% of those receiving one or both newsletters. I guess that’s a goal for 2024. It would also help to grow the subscription list significantly - so please share the newsletters widely with friends and/or on social media using the built-in share button.
Subscriptions are $5 monthly or $50 annually. I know this all adds up quickly – believe me, I pay for subscriptions to way too many Substacks and even more to the news sites and online magazines from which I gather and curate the news to present to you – but it would be a great help to my efforts. At least it would help defray some of my expenses.
If you would like to pay something less than $50 or $60 per year, how about signing up for the $5 monthly subscription and then just cancel your payments after a few months, at the point when you feel like you have paid enough for the year. Really, I won’t mind this at all. And you will still continue to receive the Rogovoy Report after you cancel your payments. What a deal!
Thank you so very much.
Seth Rogovoy
Editor, The Rogovoy Report
Hey, did you like this edition of The Rogovoy Report? If so, please consider clicking on the “LIKE” button at the very end of this message. It matters to the gods of Substack.
Roll Call: Founding Members
Anne Fredericks
Anonymous (6)
Erik Bruun
Fred Collins
Benno Friedman
Amy and Howard Friedner
Richard Koplin
Paul Paradiso
Steve and Helice Picheny
David Rubman
Elisa Spungen and Rob Bildner/Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook
Julie Abraham Stone
Mary Herr Tally