The Rogovoy Report 4.24.23

From around the corner to around the globe...

Apr 23, 2023

A Crucial Character Trait for Happiness

(The Atlantic) - One of my friends, more so than anyone else I know, has a remarkable power to make the people around him happy. He does this not through beer or flattery, but simply through the power of his personality. He is extroverted, conscientious, agreeable — all the traits that psychologists predict will attract a lot of friends. My friend is also an unusually happy person, which I had always thought explained his enthusiasm. But I had it backwards. In truth, enthusiasm is one of the personality traits that appear to drive happiness the most. In fact, to get happier, each of us can increase our own zest for the common objects of our lives. And it isn’t all that hard to do.

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It’s Earth Day — and the news isn’t good, by Elizabeth Kolbert (New Yorker)

Fix your diet, save the planet, by Peter Singer (NYT)

Productivity, ambition and being realistic in older age (The Guardian)

The New Pro-Life Movement Has a Plan to End Abortion

(The Atlantic) - The unpleasant reality facing the anti-abortion movement is that most Americans don’t actually want to ban abortion.... Even as the anti-abortion movement lacks a Next Big Objective, a new generation of anti-abortion leaders is ascendant — one that is arguably bolder and more uncompromising than its predecessors. This cohort is determined to construct its ideal post-Roe America. And it’s forging ahead—come hell, high water, or public disgust. The groups this new generation leads “are not afraid to lose short term if they think the long-term gain will be eliminating abortion from the country.”

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New York trial could confer new title on Donald Trump: rapist (The Guardian)

J. D. Vance changes the subject (N+1)

The cop who killed Breonna Taylor just got a new policing job (MoJo)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Amanda Palmer (photo Allan Amato/courtesy Chronogram)

Readjusting to Life at Home, Amanda Palmer Readies to Head Back Out on Tour

(Chronogram) by Peter Aaron, WOODSTOCK, N.Y. - In addition to all of the amped-up insanity that has happened in the world at large, much has happened in the world of Amanda Palmer over the past few years. In March 2020, Palmer was in New Zealand with her then-husband Neil Gaiman and their son, Ash, on the last leg of a 14-month world tour when she was suddenly caught in lockdown. Three years later, she is back in Woodstock and readying to head back out on tour, including a date at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie on April 28.

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Crescendo chorus and ensemble to premiere John Myers’s ‘In Search of the Bridges’ (Berkshire Edge)

Arlo Guthrie exhibit in Boston showcases Berkshire folksinger’s life and work (Boston Globe)

Bearsville Center owner plans arts center in downtown Woodstock, N.Y., including museum of town’s musical history (Daily Freeman)

The Borscht Belt is history. Now it will have a museum. (NYT)

World premiere of ‘Rude Mechanics’ opens Bridge Street Theatre’s 2023 season in Catskill, N.Y. (B Eagle)

Why is Bob Dylan suddenly playing so many Grateful Dead songs in concert? by Seth Rogovoy (The Forward)

NEWS FROM THE BERKSHIRES

A view of downtown Stockbridge from the air. The Select Board has tabled an accessory dwelling unit bylaw aimed at keeping the town affordable for young residents and seniors. (photo Berkshire Eagle)

Fierce Debate Erupts in Stockbridge Over Zoning Proposal Aimed at Balancing ‘Distorted’ Housing Market

(Berkshire Eagle) by Clarence Fanto, STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. - What kind of town will Stockbridge be in the future? That’s the vexing question behind a proposed zoning bylaw aimed at attracting more year-round young families and allowing seniors to afford staying in their homes. Year-round resident Shelby Marshall declared that the real-estate market is being pushed toward seasonal residents, “and second-home owners think that’s dandy. But full-time homeowners do not, and the fact the market is doing that is unfair to people who want to live here full-time.” Marshall argued that the year-rounders need to “protect the town from becoming another Provincetown. That’s not about being unfair to second-home owners,” he said. “That’s about being fair to full-time residents, actually giving them a chance to actually be full-time.”

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Two of three Williamstown selectboard candidates focused on affordable housing; third candidate, Paul Harsch, opposes such measures, says North Adams has plenty (Berkshire Eagle)

Former North Adams Mayor John Barrett decries plan to locate homeless shelter on MCLA campus (iBerkshires)

North Adams hotel Tourists plans expansion (B Eagle)

North Adams vintage shop Terra reopens on Eagle Street (iBerkshires)

After closing due to COVID, Vietnamese craft shop reopens in West Stockbridge (B Eagle)

Lee town officials meet with Sen. Warren’s staff, as she seeks answers from EPA regarding proposed toxic waste dump (Berkshire Edge)

Du Bois statue sculptor finalists visit Great Barrington (B Edge)

Great Barrington bowling alley could get historical preservation funding (B Eagle)

Residency at The Mount fosters memoir about prison industrial complex (WAMC)

Becket’s Dream Away Lodge reopens this weekend (WAMC)

Can Norman Rockwell and fly fishing revive tourism in tiny Arlington, Vt.? (Boston Globe)

NEWS FROM THE HUDSON VALLEY

Claudia Bruce and Linda Mussmann of Time and Space Limited in Hudson (courtesy ATU)

Hudson’s Time and Space Limited Celebrates 50 Years

(ATU) HUDSON, N.Y. - Time and Space Limited arts center in Hudson is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, but founder Linda Mussmann still laughs whenever she’s asked to briefly describe what TSL does. The eclectic organization — and the couple who run it — have been a lot of things to a lot of people and have had a major hand in shaping this small city’s culture, politics and community.

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Hudson schools superintendent resigns after just over year on job in wake of controversy over violence in schools (HV360)

Hudson chooses developer to replace city’s dilapidated public housing (ATU)

Westchester renovation firm to buy two Section 8 complexes in Hudson, vows tenants will not be displaced (ATU)

Hotel chain acquires historic Hudson mansion (HV360)

Organization devoted to enhancing awareness of history of Black people in Columbia County, from slavery through Harry Belafonte and beyond (WAMC)

New measures taken to keep Hudson River fish from being sucked into water intake pipes in Albany (ATU)

Rivertowns including Hudson, Athens, Catskill battle unsafe water conditions (HV360)

Hutton Brickyards in Kingston reopens under new management (ATU)

Ulster County human rights commissioner fired amid inquiries into offensive language, including homophobic, racist and antisemitic remarks (ATU)

Arts Society of Kingston pulls plug on free-food fridge, citing danger of children getting trapped inside (ATU)

The Rogovoy Report