The Rogovoy Report 4.15.24

From around the corner to around the globe...

Apr 14, 2024

Democracy Dies Behind Paywalls

(The Atlantic) - According to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, more than 75 percent of America’s leading newspapers, magazines, and journals are behind online paywalls. And how do American news consumers react to that? Almost 80 percent of Americans steer around those paywalls and seek out a free option. Paywalls create a two-tiered system: credible, fact-based information for people who are willing to pay for it, and murkier, less-reliable information for everyone else. Simply put, paywalls get in the way of informing the public, which is the mission of journalism. And they get in the way of the public being informed, which is the foundation of democracy. It is a terrible time for the press to be failing at reaching people, during an election in which democracy is on the line. There’s a simple, temporary solution: Publications should suspend their paywalls for all 2024 election coverage and all information that is beneficial to voters. Democracy does not die in darkness — it dies behind paywalls.

Longtime sisters and co-managers Rachel and Becky Piccolo, center, are flanked by Jim Crane, left, and his wife, Annie Selke, at The Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox. After purchasing the property at auction, Selke and her husband have turned the business over to the Piccolo sisters, longtime co-managers of the tavern. (photo Gillian Jones-Heck/Berkshire Eagle)

Annie Selke Purchases Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox

(Berkshire Eagle) LENOX, Mass. - The Olde Heritage Tavern has new owners, but staff and patrons at the downtown mainstay will be happy to learn that no other changes are in store. After months facing an uncertain fate, the establishment was purchased by home decor entrepreneur and local resident Annie Selke. But Selke and her husband, retired attorney and current legal counsel Jim Crane, told The Eagle that while they now own the property, they have turned over the tavern business to longtime co-managers Becky and Rachel Piccolo for a “very nominal consideration.” The Piccolos, while owning the business, will be leasing the space as paying tenants of Selke. The property and business were seized by the U.S. Marshals Service last September in the fallout from former FTX cryptocurrency executive Ryan Salame’s guilty plea last year to two criminal charges

Brooklyn Butcher Opens Outpost in Hudson

(HV360) HUDSON, N.Y. - A new butcher is setting up shop in Hudson. The Meat Hook, a whole meat butcher that debuted in Brooklyn 15 years ago, has opened its third location, at 322 Warren St. The butcher shop has two existing locations in Brooklyn, one in Williamsburg and a recently opened shop in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood. Brent Young, owner and founder of The Meat Hook, started looking at real estate for the Hudson location a year and a half ago. Young’s Brooklyn stores have used Kinderhook Farm as one of its meat sources since 2001, he said. “I feel like it’s been a 15-year dream,” he said. “I’ve been visiting Hudson for 15 years, and have had the farm partnership for 15 years, so it just feels like the right time to get a shop going.”

Every Tuesday, the chefs at Cello in Lenox devise a different themed menu (Berkshire Eagle)

In Becket, everything on the Neon Newt’s menu is made in-house — even the condiments (B Eagle)

Hangar Pub and Grill in Pittsfield cleared to add permanent deck for outdoor dining (B Eagle)

After 46 years, the Old Mill restaurant in Egremont will close this spring (B Eagle)

Luau Hale in Lenox has closed out its 50-plus year run. What’s next for the siblings whose parents started it all? (B Eagle)

Hudson’s Mel The Bakery named James Beard Awards finalist (ATU)

Supreme Soft Serve - now a food truck in Hudson - lets you curate your own flavors and toppings (RI)

Old Chatham House under new ownership (ATU)

War or no war, Ukrainians aren’t giving up their coffee (NYT)

Swapping red meat for herring, sardines and anchovies could save 750,000 lives and help tackle climate crisis (The Guardian)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Beck at MASS MoCA in 2014 (photo Seth Rogovoy)

Beck, Trey Anastasio, Boyz II Men Headed to Tanglewood This Summer

(The Rogovoy Report) LENOX, Mass. - Innovative alt-rock singer-songwriter Beck will make his Tanglewood debut on Tuesday, July 23, performing with the Boston Pops. Pop vocal trio Boyz II Men will bring their harmonies to the Shed at Tanglewood on Thursday, June 27. And Trey Anastasio, best known as guitarist and vocalist for the improvisational rock group Phish, will, like Beck, perform with the Boston Pops, under the baton of Edwin Outwater, on Saturday, June 29.

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18th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival returns with jazz crawl, swing dance and concerts by Brandon Goldberg, Marcus Roberts (Berkshire Eagle)

Juilliard’s 65th St. Ensemble headed to The Foundry (Berkshire Edge)

Mass Cultural Council awards grants to Mahaiwe, Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Theatre Group, MASS MoCA, Jacob’s Pillow, WTF (B Edge)

At Race Brook Lodge, Kareem M. Lucas workshops ‘A Warm Winter,’ a 60-minute monologue that captures his near-death experience (B Eagle)

Bang on a Can guitarist Mark Stewart wears Steven Valenti tuxedo at White House state dinner accompanying Paul Simon (B Eagle)

Faith Ringgold, who wove Black life into quilts and children’s books, dies at 93 (Boston Globe)

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NEWS FROM THE BERKSHIRES

Famed Dream Away Lodge Set to Open with New Partner, New Vision, New Menu

(Berkshire Edge) BECKET, Mass. - Fans of the 75-year-old Becket institution that has seen the likes of Bob Dylan now have their answer: Dream Away Lodge will open its 2024 season on May 17, with many changes in store. For starters, the venue’s partners — Scott Levy and Sheryl Victor Levy — who purchased Dream Away from longtime owner Daniel Osman have welcomed Dan Giddings into the fold, with the latter developing and running the restaurant, bar, and music venue. Music will once again fill the air at Dream Away this season as the venue hosts Mike + Ruthy (of the Mammals), Billy Keane, Moon Radio, Milton, Wes Pearce, Little Wings, Homebody, Rick Macquire (of Pile), Jackson Whalan, Reliant Tom, and Bobby Sweet.

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Spring rains heighten flooding concerns in the Berkshires (Berkshire Eagle)

Kripalu Center reopens after January flood (B Eagle)

BNRC ensures Many Forks Farm will continue under new farmer (iBerkshires)

Williamstown Charter Proposal sparks concern over ‘separation of powers’ (iBerkshires)

Pittsfield City Council tackles Onota rental kiosk, youth commission, ARPA update, and sewer main extension (WAMC)

West Side residents build ideal model neighborhood at Pittsfield zoning session (iBerkshires)

Pittsfield kayak kiosk proposal triggers concern (iBerkshires)

Rep. John Barrett unhappy over lack of inclusion of proposed rail line between Boston and North Adams in plan for expanded rail in Western Mass (B Eagle)

North Adams City Council moves to amend municipal fines to come into compliance with state law (WAMC)

Berkshire United Way marks centennial (WAMC)

West Stockbridge firefighters/EMTs to walk off the job if services shared with Stockbridge, not Richmond (Berkshire Edge)

West Stockbridge Select Board green lights TurnPark Art Space entertainment license revision (B Edge)

NEWS FROM THE HUDSON VALLEY

Here’s How to Spend a Relaxing Weekend in Rhinebeck

(HVMag) RHINEBECK, N.Y. - Long before cities like Beacon and Hudson lured New York City weekenders and out-of-towners, Rhinebeck served as the go-to Hudson Valley retreat. These days, the Dutchess County spot is as charming as ever, with its abundance of boutique shops, manicured sidewalks, and on-trend restaurants. Start the day on a sweet note at Samuel’s Sweet Shop. Explore Wilderstein Historic Site. Eat farm-to-table with a twist at The Amsterdam. Fly high at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Shop and stroll along Market and Mill. Dine in style at Terrapin.

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Plans for Dunn Warehouse at Hudson waterfront include two commercial spaces, available for lease to waterfront-related businesses, a food and beverage space for a casual restaurant or concession, and an events space (GoR)

Hudson mayor’s aide Michael Hofmann resigns to take another job (GoR)

Columbia County gets $2M for in-law apartments (HV360)

Is it comeback time for eels in the Hudson? (ATU)

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