The Berkshire Edge LLC is a locally owned, regional publication. Our goal is to provide – regularly and in depth – content that truly reflects the life, interests and aspirations of this unusually rich and vibrant community.

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

1. A conference in Fairlee, Vermont, addressed a radically different approach to climate change and global warming: Enriching the soil can help cool the planet. However, microbiologist Walter Jehne is convinced that fertile soil acts as a carbon sponge: https://theberkshireedge.com/enrich-the-soil-cool-the-planet/
2. Alan Chartock — WAMC president, an Edge columnist, and a resident of Great Barrington — has written a tribute to Judy Grunberg, the philanthropist whose generosity has benefited so many Berkshire and eastern New York cultural institutions. She died last week: https://theberkshireedge.com/in-memoriam-judy-grunberg/
3. We continue our series of articles examining the economy of the Berkshires — and its opportunities — in articles written by Great Barrington Selectboard member Ed Abrahams and his sidekick Pedro Pachano: https://theberkshireedge.com/its-not-that-simple-economic-development-part-2/

4. Score one for small schools, where students are introduced to education in an intimate environment.The one-room schoolhouse in South Egremont has been repaired and reopened just in time for this school year…It has 11 students … and its reopening is a triumph for determined advocates for the Little School That Could: https://theberkshireedge.com/south-egremont-school-welcomes-students-for-the-first-time-in-several-years/

5. Carolyn Newberger of Lenox is a prolific artist and writer… Not only do she and her husband Eli review performances at Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow, but Carolyn illustrates their reviews. And now we are publishing her series of stories — text and illustrations — focusing on exploring the forest around her home. We’re on Chapter 10, which she entitles “The Incadescence of Mushrooms": https://theberkshireedge.com/illuminating-the-hidden-forest-chapter-10-an-incandescence-of-mushrooms/

6. And finally here’s a wrap-up of news items: The Oldtone Music Festival begins tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 5) and runs through Sunday, Sept. 8 in Hillsdale, N.Y.; also on Saturday the Mason Library in Great Barrington will screen ‘Leaning into the Wind,” Andy Goldsworthy’s exploration of the landscape; and as if there weren’t enough to do on Saturday, the Housatonic Valley Association and Historic New England are hosting a “leisurely paddle” along the Housatonic River in Stockbridge followed by a picnic lunch on the back porch of the Merwin House that overlooks the river. Built in 1875, the house was named “Tranquility” by its owners, William and Elizabeth Doa