via Eastern Putnam County Hosts Southeast and Patterson Primary Debates | The Examiner News.

Eldridge said erasing the extra point of sales tax Putnam is allowed to collect each year could place a greater burden on property taxes. But the legislator that sponsored the measure, which was recently passed by a 6-2 vote, characterized the county executive’s concern as a "false choice."

via Putnam County exec eyes veto of sales-tax reduction legislation | The Journal News | LoHud.com.

For those of you who think summer is finally here due to the weather yesterday and today, keep in mind that last year we had a hard frost on May 20th of last year. It’s not over till it’s over!

News That Matters reader LLE spotted a bobcat on a stone wall on Miller Hill Road in the Free State yesterday.

Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch who once backed The Senator Who Shall Not Be Named is now having second thoughts after The Senator backed off a promise for an independent redistricting commission. He’s shocked! Shocked, I tell you! But he should have known better.

Putnam County received another “F” rating from the American Lung Association for ozone pollutants. However, thanks to socialist laws like the Clean Air Act our air quality has been improving and our 18 ozone alert days in 2011 are down from 35 in 1996.

If you’re not one of the hundreds who have written to the US District Court lauding former senator Vincent Leibell’s saintly performance over the years, you still can. Or, you may opt to write to express your dismay over his upcoming preferential treatment. Here’s the address to write to:

Honorable Warren W. Eginton
United States District Judge
United States District Court
300 Quarropas Street
White Plains, New York 10601

Re: United States of America v.
Vincent L. Leibell, III
10-cr-1198-1 (WWE)

Oh my god! The gas prices! Someone should do something!

This article first appeared at the PlanPutnam/News That Matters website.

Don’t worry about the speculators who understand about Peak Oil. Don’t fret over Exxon’s record-breaking multi-billion dollar quarterly profits. If capitalism is your thing then quit bitching. Quit messing with tax laws and price controls and waste-of-time investigations and support capitalism as I’m sure all my good Republican readers do – and should!

So you want to follow the Congressional mantra of Drill! Baby! Drill! and maybe you even believe the lie that we’re not producing enough energy, that putting more holes in the ground and sucking out more oil will lower prices. I can’t believe anyone would fall for that ruse – though you do because it’s what you want to hear. Why? Because here’s the deal: we’re not only running out of fossil fuels but we keep demanding more and we adamantly refuse to conserve and use alternatives.

Let me state that gospel truth again: We keep demanding more and we adamantly refuse to conserve and use alternatives.

And if you think gasoline is expensive here, fret not! For we’re paying less than any other industrialized nation and their economies are humming along quite nicely, thank you.

[April 2011 prices]
Canada pays around $5.65 a gallon. France, $8.29. Turkey, $9.96. Japan, $6.62. Australia, $5.41. Brazil, $5.98. Portugal, $7.46. Finland and Germany, $8.71 Italy, $8.29. Netherlands, $9.84. England, $8.29

When you hear a politician claim that high energy costs will hurt the economy kick him in the ass and tell him to stop lying to you. So quit yer bitching and embrace capitalism, fossil fuels and shun alternatives and refuse conservation!

Travel alone to work and play. Take short unnecessary trips. Drive your kid back and forth to the end of the street for the school bus. Run your engine for 20 minutes on winter mornings. Drive when mass transit is easily available. Keep your thermostat turned up high. Maintain the highest possible temperature in your water heater. Leave those leaky windows and doors for someone else to deal with.

Do your part for capitalism: Make Exxon wealthier, give the politicians something to pull your leg about and keep the Arabs rolling in American cash! Consume, Consume! CONSUME!

The previous article was made possible by the American Oil Companies and the National Republican Party.

County Executive Eldridge and Unions:

From the Personnel Committee Meeting minutes of Tuesday, April 12th, 2011: (Emphasis, mine)

Item #5 – Discussion/Proposed Management Union
County Executive Eldridge stated that Nationally Unions are losing memberships. He stated as a result the existing Unions are looking for any groupings of employees that are not organized in a Union to be organized, whether it is in their field of expertise or not. He stated that in the mid 70s most Counties around Putnam County were experiencing employee strikes. He stated that he, as Personnel Director, decided the best way to protect the County was to get as many employees outside of the bargaining unit as possible. He stated that he had several petitions in front of the Public Employment Relations Board to have titles excluded from Union coverage. He stated that he was very successful. He stated that the end result is that if you look at the number of the employees Putnam County has outside of the bargaining unit, proportionately with the other Counties that are in the Hudson Valley, Putnam County has more. Because of this history there are quite a few Management Employee Titles that would be in the Union in other Counties. So when you also consider the history of lower pay and taking time away “time” with a promise the County could not follow through with, this is a very ripe situation for a Union to come in and encourage people to join the Union. The Union that has approached the Putnam Counties Employees is the New York State United Teachers (NYSRP). By the end of 2011 a determination of which positions will be accepted into this new union will be made.

We need to find out if MaryEllen O’Dell is as anti-union as caretaker CE Eldridge. If she is, it’s too bad as there is currently no alternative and her coronation will go on as planned.

From the Huffington Post:

New York is a relatively wealthy state. It has the fifth-largest percentage of households earning $200,000 or more a year and has the 25th fewest people living below the poverty line. Regardless, the state has the most severe income inequality among all the states. According to the Fiscal Policy Institute, the top 1% of earners in New York State make about 35% of the state’s total income. This is up from 17% in 1990. The bottom 50% of earners, in comparison, make just 9.1% of total income, down from 13.9% in 1990. Inequality is even worse in New York City. According to the FPI report, “if New York City were a nation, it would rank 15th worst among 134 countries with respect to income concentration, between Chile and Honduras. Wall Street, with its stratospheric profits and bonuses, sits within 15 miles of the Bronx,” one of the nation’s poorest counties.

Read the rest here.

I Kid You Not

In a speech to the Ripon Society, Congresswoman Nan Hayworth said that the British system of national health care will not work here, “because the British are actually willing to sit patiently in line.”

Her implication, I assume, means that we should pay whatever it takes to continue giving Americans instant gratification and that seems to be the basis for the Republican party’s take on all things American. Are we really that self-centered and ego-centric as a nation? If so, that explains why people keep wanting to blow us up.

With just that single statement she’s made it clear that her party keeps telling Americans they need not make any sacrifices for anything: snap your fingers and it shall be yours. Democrats tell Americans that sacrifices have to be made, snap your fingers and you’ll have to wait. So the nation votes for the pachyderms and when they can’t deliver instantaneously, they just blame Democrats!

Drill here. Now! Build here. Now! You should never have to wait for anything. You’re an American and you’re entitled to anything and everything you want when you want it and how you want it.

We really should scratch “e pluribus unum” off the seal and replace it with, “Have It Your Way”, assuming Burger King won’t mind.

By the way, I can’t help reading “Ripon Society” as “the rip on society”. Can you? Is it possible that’s an intentional pun on their part?

Here we go again. Again. Maybe.,

One thousand activists from around the world are about to embark on 12 vessels bound for Gaza in an attempt to break the Egyptian/Israeli blockade on their former territory. They say they’re going to be “peaceful” but so too did those on the Mavi Mamara and we know how that turned out.

American Jane Hirschman, who is organizing her part of this thing said that Israeli concerns “are absurd and would be laughable if it were not for the fact that last year, the Israeli military boarded a Turkish boat with aid for Gaza and killed nine unarmed civilians, including an American.” Except that they were not unarmed, a little tidbit the activists themselves are not reminding anyone about and would prefer we forget.

The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has been shut tight for more than a week and I’ve yet to hear from any pro-Palestinian organization saying anything about it. But I’ll bet if Egyptian soldiers wore yarmulkes my email box would have overflowed with indignation.

And now, The News:

• Experts Tout Ways to Replace Electricity From Indian Point
• Israel Corp. unit reports biomass fuel breakthrough
• An Anti-War Candidate Announces for President
• large majorities favor higher taxes for the rich and no cuts to Medicare
• State Deptepartment Proposes Impossible-To-Answer Questions for Passport Applications

Experts Tout Ways to Replace Electricity From Indian Point

By Greg Clary for the NYJN

GARRISON — Three renewable-energy experts on Monday laid out ways to replace the electricity that Indian Point produces, but pointed out that doing so will take major changes in the way energy is produced and used.”

Over time, we expect energy use to go up,” said Karl Michael, an energy analyst for the New York State Research and Development Authority who uses computer models to predict demand. “It’s just been a fact of life we’ve been wrestling with anytime we try to plan. Using energy efficiently is a wonderful thing, but they keep inventing more big-screen TVs.”

Read More

Israel Corp. unit reports biomass fuel breakthrough

Amiram Barkat and Yael Gruntman

Primus Green Energy has an agreement with Lockheed Martin to develop bio-jet fuel for the US Defense Department.

Primus Green Energy Ltd., a US subsidiary of Israel Corporation’s (TASE: ILCO) renewable energy unit IC Green Energy Ltd., reports that it has developed a process to convert agricultural biomass into standard automotive fuels at a competitive production cost compared with the price of oil. Primus GE uses agricultural residues that do not compete with food crops.

The final product is 93 octane gasoline, with the energy capabilities and characteristics of regular gasoline for vehicles and industry. There is no need for engine customization and can use existing fuel distribution networks. Primus GE says that its biofuel emits 80% less pollution than gasoline refined from oil.

Read More

An Anti-War Candidate Announces for President

by: Robert Naiman, Truthout

Last week, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson announced his candidacy for president of the United States.

This was a historic event, because 1) Johnson wants to end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and 2) Johnson is a Republican. He also wants to slash the military budget.

Johnson is also opposed to the “war on drugs,” which he has called “an expensive bust.” Indeed, as The Hill noted:

Last year, he teamed up with singer Melissa Etheridge and actor Danny Glover for a Hollywood rally in favor of Proposition 19 – an initiative that would have legalized marijuana in California.

This suggests that Johnson can play well with others around issues of common concern.

It is tremendously important that there be at least one Republican candidate for president who is against the war in Afghanistan.

Read More

large majorities favor higher taxes for the rich and no cuts to Medicare

The debate to balance the federal budget and reduce the nation’s debt has raged in recent weeks, with Democrats and Republicans arguing about spending, taxes and entitlements such as Medicare.

Paul Krugman wrote recently in his New York Times column that a knock-down, drag-out fight may be inevitable, given that the two parties have such different visions for the country.

“So when pundits call on the parties to sit down together and talk, the obvious question is, what are they supposed to talk about? Where’s the common ground?” Krugman wrote.

Read More

State Deptepartment Proposes Impossible-To-Answer Questions for Passport Applications

Not really sure what to make of this, other than that it’s disturbing:

The U.S. Department of State is proposing a new Biographical Questionnaire for some passport applicants: The proposed new  Form DS-5513 asks for all addresses since birth; lifetime employment history including employers’ and supervisors names, addresses, and telephone numbers; personal details of all siblings; mother’s address one year prior to your birth; any “religious ceremony” around the time of birth; and a variety of other information.  According to the proposed form, “failure to provide the information requested may result in … the denial of your U.S. passport application.”

The State Department estimated that the average respondent would be able to compile all this information in just 45 minutes, which is obviously absurd given the amount of research that is likely to be required to even attempt to complete the form.

Read More

“What they say and what they say are not the same thing.”

Good Friday Morning,

It was 26.4F this morning. Whose idea was that?

The United States is the 12th Happiest Country on earth. Sadly, we’re bested by 11 nations, 10 of which have national health care systems and who, due to the aforementioned, get to be happier longer as their life expectancie surpasses ours. Those 10 bastions of repressive socialist, anti-capitalist, jackbooted thug governments are, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Finland, Venezuela, Israel, New Zealand, Netherlands, Ireland and Panama. Be lucky you don’t live in Chad as it’s the least happiest place.

For those of you who have been to the Annual Garden Parties you know my living environment here at the Asylum. I’m looking to replace it for another at a different location in or around the county. If you know of a cottage or small house like this one on open lands for rent or squatting, let me know.

Now some news:

I Will Not Pander!

Groups are stepping up to the battle of getting New York State to pass a marriage equality bill this year. One failed the New York State Senate two years ago 38-24 with Senator Leibell voting with the majority against the bill. One result was that a faux news article I wrote about the Senator has become one of the most read pages at our website (See: Leibell to Outlaw Divorce in New York State.) so I have to thank him for that.

This year the Log Cabin Republicans (whose motto is: “You don’t have to bash us, we bash ourselves!”) have signed on to help and one of three targeted Senators this year is The Senator Who Shall Not Be Named.

On December 23, 2005 he had this to say about the matter of marriage equality:

“I  will not pander to an extreme Liberal agenda by supporting “Extra” rights for gays in order to be politically correct, while avoiding larger criminal issues for the protection of all of our citizens…  Furthermore, I do not believe that the homosexual lifestyle should be promoted as an acceptable alternative of living in our schools and classrooms.”

But now that he’s all grown up with his eyes on higher prizes, perhaps he’ll alter his view just a little bit. And if he does vote in favor of civil rights I will give him his name back, and that’s something.

Now, the ridiculous:

Senator John Kyle recently made a firebrand floor speech in which he said that 90% of Planned Parenthood’s business was to provide abortion services. The truth is that about 3% of PP’s business is. This was a lie intentionally made on the floor of the Congress of the United States, broadcast and believed by simpletons the world over and duly recorded in the Congressional Record.

Congress protects their own even when they make incorrect statements (read: lies) and so the Congressional Record, the minutes of meetings of the House and Senate was “altered” to reflect the truth, not his lie.

See, our representatives are allowed to “edit” their entries in the official record so that there is no thread of honesty at all in government. What they say and what they say are not the same thing.

The solution is obvious: record all Congressional meetings and transcribe them word for word into the record and that’s it. What they say is what gets posted to history. And if they made a mistake, they can retract it – on the record.

And, onto the sublime…

You Want Guns With That?

With all the noise coming from The Senator Who Shall Not Be Named and the NRA about threats to gun ownership you’d think that so few Americans own guns that any laws passed regarding them would make them suddenly disappear leaving the nation at the mercy of Fijian terrorists hell-bent on raping our dogs and kicking our women. (Or is that the other way around? Nevermind.)

In any case, as of 2007 there were 88 guns per 100 residents in the United States making us the most gun totin’, nation on earth by far. We own more than 1/3 of all guns manufactured in the world and we own more small arms than any military organization in the world: including our own. And considering that in Wyoming for example, in which nearly 58% of households have guns, there must be arsenals worth stashed away clear across the nation.

So I don’t get it. If those NRA guys were as upset about laws that interfere with personal rights in general such as the War On (some) Drugs or marriage laws and the like I’d get it. If they were concerned about Constitutional protections laid out in the 4th Amendment like search and seizure laws which have gotten so out of hand it’s like living in a totalitarian regime, I’d get it. If they cared with equal verve about personal privacy in general I’d still get it. But when there are 9 guns for every 10 residents of this country I can only think it’s really about their penises.

Coming Up!

The Putnam County Arts Council has announced several new classes taught by my friend, and Lake Carmel’s own, Michael Bereznak. Here are the details:

Beginner Guitar for Adults

In this 6 week long class you will learn how to play the guitar. All beginning principles will be covered in this program including tuning, basic chords, chord progressions, and strumming. You will learn simplified versions of songs and proper technique in an encouraging environment geared for quick results and success. Bring your guitar, a folder, a positive attitude, and a sense of adventure.
6 Tuesdays ~
May 10 – June 14
10:30 am – noon
$150/$145 PAC members

Beginning Songwriting for Adults

Are you a poet who’s handy with words? Do you have a desire to communicate your thoughts, feelings, ideas, and philosophies as lyrics in a song? In this class you will learn beginning songwriting techniques including consolidating and collecting your thoughts, expressing them on paper in an effective manner, song analysis, and songwriting trends. All you need is a notebook, a pen, and your creativity!!!
6 Fridays ~
May 13 – June 17
10:30 am – noon
$150/$145 PAC members

Beginning Music Theory

Have you ever wondered why your favorite song sounds so good? Have you always wanted to learn music theory but were intimidated by the lines, spaces, dots, and numbers? Have no fear! Beginning Music Theory is here! Here you will learn the principles of general music theory that apply to all instruments in a fun yet informative environment. By studying “how music works” you will enhance your enjoyment and skills in playing, composing and listening. All you need is a folder for papers, a pen, basic playing knowledge of an instrument, and an open mind. All ages and levels of experience are welcome.
6 Sundays ~
May 8 – June 19
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
$150/$145 PAC members

Hey! Yeah you! No one in the Valley has an events listing like PlanPutnam/News That Matters, so pass this on to people you know who are not regular readers. You’ll sleep better at night, it’ll clear up your acne, your dog will have fewer fleas and the fates will smile upon your every step.

What’s Going On?

Ed note: Several events listed below are from the Hudson River Watershed Alliance’s newsletter.

• This Weekend:
  • Friday April 22 – Earth Day
    • Orange County Land Trust Launches Buck for Conservation Campaign to Raise Funds for Open Space and Farmland Protection
    • An Earth Day Celebration to Benefit Clearwater
  • Saturday, April 23
    • Brewster Roadside Cleanup
    • Maggie Seligman and Martin Aronchick
    • An Evening with Jazz Great John Abercrombie
    • Bard on the Lake
  • Sunday, April 24
    • Easter Sunday
• Into The Future
  • Wednesday, April 27
    • Putnam Business Expo
  • Thursday, April 28
    • Bill McKibben: The Building Movement to Tackle Climate Change
  • Friday, April 29
    • Trees for Tribs: Arbor Day Celebration
    • Vance Gilbert With Heather Maloney at the Towne Crier
  • Saturday, April 30
    • Trees for Tribs: Arbor Day Celebration Continues
    • Trail Maintenance with the Putnam County Land Trust
    • Gallery Talk: Anthony Huberman on Franz Erhard Walther
• May
  • Sunday, May 1
    • Hike to Hawk Rock
  • Tuesday, May 3
    • Marylin Elie (IPSEC) on Indian Point
  • Friday, May 6
    • The Singing Life of Birds
  • Saturday, May 7
    • Birding 101
    • Open Auditions for New One-Act Plays
  • Tuesday, May 10
    • Rain Barrel Building Workshop
  • Friday, May 13
    • The Last Mountain
  • Saturday, May 14
    • Hiking the Road to Ruins
    • Carmina Burana
  • Sunday, May 15
    • Riverkeeper’s Annual Shad Fest
    • Garnet Rodgers with Shawn Taylor at the Towne Crier
  • Monday, May 16
    • The Buddha’s 2600th Birthday Celebration
• June
  • Saturday, June 4
    • NY/NJ Trails Conference Annual Meeting
    • Rain Barrel Building Workshop
  • Friday, June 10
    • Six New One-Act Plays
  • Saturday, June 11
    • Six New One-Act Plays
  • Saturday, June 18
    • Clearwater Revival
• July
  • July 21 – 24
    • Gathering of the Vibes

This Weekend:

Friday April 22 – Earth Day

Orange County Land Trust Launches Buck for Conservation Campaign to Raise Funds for Open Space and Farmland Protection

On Earth Day, the Orange County Land Trust will launch a new fundraising campaign Buck for Conservation, to provide much needed funds for open space and farmland protection projects throughout Orange County. Beginning Friday, April 22 patrons at nine participating restaurants in Orange County will have the option of adding an extra dollar to their bill to support land conservation efforts and the protection of Orange County farmland. Participating restaurants are Loughran’s Restaurant and Irish Pub in Salisbury Mills, Catherine’s in Goshen, three Cosimo’s Restaurants in Middletown, Newburgh and Woodbury, John’s Harvest Inn in Middletown, Landmark Inn in Warwick, Nina’s in Middletown, and Taco Hombre in Warwick. For more information, and for volunteer opportunities and ways of giving to the Orange County Land Trust, visit www.oclt.org or call (845) 343-0840.  Become a fan of the Orange County Land Trust on Facebook and receive current news and events.  Visit www.oclt.org for a list of participating Buck for Conservation restaurants with links to their menus and special offerings.

An Earth Day Celebration to Benefit Clearwater

We’re excited to announce Clearwater Generations: An Earth Day Celebration to Benefit Clearwater, which will be held at the Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, NY, on April 22 at 8pm.

The show will feature Pete Seeger & Tao Seeger, Peter Yarrow & Bethany Yarrow, Bernice Johnson Reagon & Toshi Reagon, and David Amram and Family. Performances by Clearwater friends and special guests including Janis Ian, Tom Paxton, Tom Chapin, Livingston Taylor, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Guy Davis, Rufus Cappadocia and the Power of Song, will round out this special celebration.

Clearwater’s environmental mission is about inspiring and educating the next generation, and we have applied this theme to music. Honoring tradition while looking toward the future has always been a major part of the Clearwater Festival. The Generations concert is all about classic Clearwater artists performing with and inspiring their children and grandchildren in order to carry on their legacy through song.

Tickets for the Clearwater Generations: An Earth Day Celebration concert range from $48 to $98.  A limited amount of $250 tickets include premium seating, a post concert reception with the artists, as well as special Clearwater gifts. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

Saturday, April 23

Brewster Roadside Cleanup

7:30AM – 1PM The Village of Brewster and Town of Southeast are sponsoring a Roadside Cleanup and Litter Removal Day. More information here (PDF)

Maggie Seligman and Martin Aronchick

3:30-5:30pm (approximate times) – At Borders Books, 162 East Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY 10549 Call 914-241-8387 for more information.

An Evening with Jazz Great John Abercrombie

7:30PM – Over a career spanning more than 40 years and nearly 50 albums, John Abercrombie has established himself as one the masters of jazz guitar. Favoring unusual sounds (he played electronic mandolin on McCoy Tyner’s 1993 album 4×4) and nontraditional ensembles (recent quartet recordings have included violinist Mark Feldman). Abercrombie is a restless experimenter, working firmly in the jazz tradition while pushing the boundaries of meter and harmony.” At the BeanRunner Cafe, 201 S Division St, Peekskill, NY. Admission $10.

Bard on the Lake

8PM – The Bard comes to the shores of Lake Carmel in a Shakespeare Slam that has fortuitously become an annual event. Curated by NYC acting coach Roger Hendricks Simon and produced by Blue Horse Repertory, the cast of 30 actors, professional and students alike, work effortlessly through more than a dozen of the Bard’s plays. Scenes from Hamlet, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, The Merchant of Venice, Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet and more, are woven into a neat, seamless fabric highlighting the best of the Bard and the best talents of the cast. Incredible performances by Ralph Cashen, Daniel Simon and Lora Lee Ecobelli are just a few of the standouts coming for this evening. With a brief ten-minute intermission the 90 minute performance will fly by.
This is not your textbook Shakespeare, this is something you need to see to believe that the guy had guts. People will fall in love, people will be murdered, some will be enchanted while others will break your heart. I’m telling you: if you don’t like Shakespeare this show is for you. Admission: $15.

Click here for more information and tickets.

Sunday, April 24

Easter Sunday

Into The Future

Wednesday, April 27

Putnam Business Expo

10AM – 5PM When the people who should be going to the Expo are working, so they can’t. At the Villa Barrone, where else? The Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce, 953 South Lake Blvd. Mahopac, New York 10541 or call (845) 628-5553 for more information.

Thursday, April 28

Bill McKibben: The Building Movement to Tackle Climate Change

2:30PM – Join us for a special lecture by author, educator, environmentalist, and 350.org founder Bill McKibben. McKibben has been instrumental in raising awareness about global climate change. His essays have been featured in Harper’s, Orion, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times. Through 350.org McKibben helped organize a global climate change rally of unprecedented proportions, with over 5,000 demo…nstrations in 181 countries. He will discuss how people around the world – many in the poorest parts of the planet – are working to address global warming. He will also talk about how people close to home can play part in the political and practical work necessary to make a real difference. Location: Cary Institute Auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Route 44) in Millbrook, New York.

Friday, April 29

Trees for Tribs: Arbor Day Celebration

9AM – 4PM Looking for a way to celebrate Arbor Day this year?  Come and join the Hudson River Estuary Program as we pot-up thousands of bareroot seedlings for our “Trees for Tribs” initiative.  There will be free pizza at noon.  If you have any questions or you’d like to R.S.V.P., contact Laura Heil at ljheil@gw.dec.state.ny.us or 845-256-2253. Location: Hudson River Estuary Program NYSDEC Region III office in New Paltz

Vance Gilbert With Heather Maloney at the Towne Crier

8:30PM – It’s all in one seemingly impossible package: Vance Gilbert’s spellbinding live show; his deliriously virtuosic singing; his accomplished guitar style; his outrageous, edgy humor; AND the songwriting. Shawn Colvin invited Vance to be a special guest on her Fat City tour, and Vance took audiences by storm across the country: “With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god, it was enough to earn him that rarity: an encore for an opener” wrote the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in its review of a show from that tour. With one of the sharpest wits in folk music, Vance is one of the most entertaining singer-songwriters you’ll ever see. But, he can deftly change the mood of a show in an instant with a sincere delivery of one of his deep-flowing songs. So, don’t be surprised if your tears of laughter mix with tears of sorrow in a satisfying blend of yin and yang. $20 advance/ $25 door Click here for more information.

Saturday, April 30

Trees for Tribs: Arbor Day Celebration Continues

9AM – 4PM Looking for a way to celebrate Arbor Day this year?  Come and join the Hudson River Estuary Program as we pot-up thousands of bareroot seedlings for our “Trees for Tribs” initiative.  There will be free pizza at noon.  If you have any questions or you’d like to R.S.V.P., contact Laura Heil at ljheil@gw.dec.state.ny.us or 845-256-2253. Location: Hudson River Estuary Program NYSDEC Region III office in New Paltz

Trail Maintenance with the Putnam County Land Trust

10AM – 2PM – Looking to volunteer and enjoy the great outdoors?  Then join PCLT for a trail maintenance work party at our 33 acre Twin Hill Preserve. This work party will consist of trail maintenance tasks including erosion control, cutting back overgrowth encroaching on the trail system, removing debris and downed trees, weed-whacking grassy areas of the trails, invasive species removal and replacing trail markers.  No experience in necessary, just bring an eagerness to work outdoors, a pair of gloves, proper footwear and water.

PCLT’s Twin Hill Preserve is located 1.1 miles north of the intersection of Route 312 and Farm-to-Market Road on the Brewster/Patterson border.  Look for the newly-erected preserve sign at the entrance to a small dirt road on the west side of Farm-to-Market.  Drive a short distance down the dirt road and the parking area for the preserve is on the left where the dirt road curves to the right. If you would like to join us, pleasevisit www.pclt.net or email info@pclt.net. 

Meet at the Twin Hill Preserve on Farm-to-Market Road in Patterson about 1 mile north of Route 312

 

Gallery Talk: Anthony Huberman on Franz Erhard Walther

2PM – Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries, 3 Beekman Street, Beacon, NY 12508 845 440 0100 www.diaart.org

Free with museum admission. For reservations, click here.

Anthony Huberman is a curator and writer based in New York. As Chief Curator of the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, he organized exhibitions with Gedi Sibony, Lutz Bacher, Bruce Nauman, John Armleder, and Olivier Mosset, and initiated The Front Room, an ongoing series with young artists. He has worked as a curator at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris and at Sculpture Center in New York, and is currently a Visiting Professor at Hunter College.

May

Sunday, May 1

Hike to Hawk Rock

11AM – On Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM we’ll meet at the DEP parking area at the end of Whangtown Road. If you’re not sure where it is, you can use this map to get driving directions to the parking area and preview the hike.

If you haven’t been to Hawk Rock, you’re in for a treat. When the glaciers retreated northward at the end of the last ice age, they were carrying some really big rocks that sometimes ended up in odd positions when the ice melted. One of these so called “erratics” is Hawk Rock. Local lore has it that long ago the Native Americans named it and used the site as a meeting place. It is certainly a believable story; the setting is beautiful and it’s one impressive rock.

The Mead Farm, like the rest of this hike, is on land that was originally part of the hunting grounds for the Nochpeem tribe of native Americans, a part of the Wappinger Confederacy. After passing through various people’s hands, sometime in the 1860s Moses F. Mead purchased the eastern part of the farm where the ruins are today. The site includes a number of interesting features, including the foundations of the house, the stone portions of a cow barn and a beautiful corbelled stone chamber.

This is a moderate hike that takes about three hours including stops for lunch and to look around the farm site. If weather forces us to cancel the hike, we’ll let everyone who subscribes to our hikes list know by e-mail and post the news on kentcac.info at least an hour ahead of time. For further information feel free to contact David.

Tuesday, May 3

Marylin Elie (IPSEC) on Indian Point

7PM – A meeting with Marilyn Elie of the Indian Point Safe Energy Commission (IPSEC), to discuss what residents can do about stopping the relicensing of Indian Point. We will talk about what the disaster in Fukushima teaches us and how those lessons apply to Indian Point.   Location: Meeting Room, Desmond-Fish Library, 472 Route 403 (200 ft East of Rt 9D), Garrison. This event is sponsored by Philipstown for Democracy. No charge, but contributions to cover expenses are appreciated. Questions – call 917 273-0808

Friday, May 6

The Singing Life of Birds

7PM – Bird song expert Donald Kroodsma will describe how birds communicate and why. Listen to the sounds of birds as you’ve never listened before, using their songs as a window into their minds. Location: Cary Institute’s auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Route 44) in Millbrook, New York.

Saturday, May 7

Birding 101

9AM – Join the Oblong Land Conservancy and Larry Feldmen from the NY Audubon for a guided walk through prime bird habitat, including an upland cedar grove and the Great Swamp floodplain. Meet at the Slocum Mostachetti Preserve, 7/10′s miles to the west of the traffic light at the intersection of Route 22 and Pleasant Ridge Road in Wingdale. Click here for more information.

Open Auditions for New One-Act Plays

11AM – 2PM – Drawing from the talent at Tony Howarth’s Playwright’s Workshop, the director is seeking 15 actors to help realize several new one-act plays. The roles are as follows:

Mending Fences:
Samantha – 30-45
Will – 50-65

Never Too Many:
Alice – 30-40
Saul – 65+

A Cable Situation:
(Brad) (an unseen voice)
Sheila – 20-50

Blackout:
Julie – college age
Wallace – college age
Sarah – college age

Dirty Laundry: Jim – 20-30
Karen – 20-30

Late for Her Own Funeral
Joanne – 30
Dad – 60
Jeff – 30
Lou – 50

Bring a Resume to the Cultural Center on Lake Carmel, Route 52 in Kent. (It’s the old firehouse just south of the Route 311 causeway.)

Tuesday, May 10

Rain Barrel Building Workshop

7PM – Lakeside Park in Pawling. Sponsored by the Dutchess Watershed and Cornell Cooperative Extension Services.

Although we don’t often think about it, storm water can play an enormous part in the condition of our rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes, and wetlands.   When it rains, this water is usually channeled into storm drains to be taken to the closest body of water.  As storm water travels across the grounds’ surface as runoff, it can pick up different types of pollutants, washing them into our water bodies.   You can help!   Rain barrels are a great option to better manage excess storm water from your roof.  The water is captured before it picks up pollutants, and it is safe to use for watering plants.  A rain barrel can save gardeners up to 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months!

This workshop will help you learn to better manage storm water AND will help you build your own 55 gallon rain barrel to take home. Cost: $45 per person, includes cost of rain barrel. To Register:  contact Angela Sullivan, 677-8223 x 114

Friday, May 13

The Last Mountain

7PM – Join us for an advanced screening of this documentary film exploring how mountaintop coal mining impacts the environment and human health. An Official Selection at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Location: Cary Institute’s auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Route 44) in Millbrook, New York.

In the valleys of Appalachia, a battle is being fought over a mountain.  It is a battle with severe consequences that affect every American, regardless of their social status, economic background or where they live.  It is a battle that has taken many lives and continues to do so the longer it is waged.  It is a battle over protecting our health and environment from the destructive power of Big Coal.

The mining and burning of coal is at the epicenter of America’s struggle to balance its energy needs with environmental concerns.  Nowhere is that concern greater than in Coal River Valley, West Virginia, where a small but passionate group of ordinary citizens are trying to stop Big Coal corporations, like Massey Energy, from continuing the devastating practice of Mountain Top Removal.

David, himself, never faced a Goliath like Big Coal.

Saturday, May 14

Hiking the Road to Ruins

5PM – 7PM – Join us for a presentation with David Steinberg, author of Hiking the Road to Ruins. Steinberg will discuss twenty-two day hikes (and sometimes campouts) to old iron mines, deserted buildings, historic military leftovers and other things abandoned and available for visit by intrepid hikers. Many of the ruins are located right here in our backyard.

David Steinberg is is a life-long resident of the New York City area and has been a paid leader of hikes for fifteen years. From 1985 to 1996, he was a staff photographer and photo-feature writer for The Queens Courier, a weekly newspaper.

This event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, call the museum, 845-265-4010 or email, office@pchs-fsm.org.

Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum 

63 Chestut Street

Cold Spring, NY 10516

Carmina Burana

8PM at Brewster High School. The Putnam Chorale performs CARMINA BURANA – One Performance Only – with full orchestra and accompanied by the Brewster High School Chamber Singers and the Seven Star Dancers, on MAY 14, 2011 8 pm at the Brewster High School Performing Arts Center, 50 Foggintown Road, Brewster, NY.  Get more information at our web site (www.putnamchorale.org) or by calling 845-279-7265.

A collection of historic medieval songs and poems was discovered in the year 1803 at an abandoned monastery in Bavaria.  This collection was found to be satirical works that had been performed by traveling goliards, disaffected clergy and clerical students, who used the works to lighten the burden of everyday life and to poke fun at the authorities of the day.  In a way, the Saturday Night Live of its time!

The works make fun of church excesses and follies and mock the changing morals of the times.  There are love songs and songs for drinking and gambling that celebrate Epicurus, the ancient Greek Philosopher and advocate of the blissful life.  The stories are provocative and often disrespectful, but offer a common man perspective and a chance at some frivolity.

Sunday, May 15

Riverkeeper’s Annual Shad Fest

For over 20 years, Riverkeeper’s Shad Fest has been a celebration of the vast numbers of American shad that returned each year to the Hudson River to spawn. The shad run has been a welcome sign of spring, rebirth and renewal for thousands of years, since the Lenape Indians populated the Hudson’s shores. Sadly, the shad population has declined in recent years to dangerously low levels and the focus of this year’s event is on saving the American Shad and other Hudson River signature fish which are similarly at risk. Shad Fest started off as a backyard barbeque held at Bobby Kennedy Jr.’s house, and has grown every year. To be held at Boscobel House and Gardens, Route 9D in Cold Spring. Click here for more information and tickets.

Garnet Rodgers with Shawn Taylor at the Towne Crier

7:30PM – Garnet Rogers has established himself as “One of the major talents of our time.” Hailed by the Boston Globe as a “charismatic performer and singer,” Garnet is a man with a powerful physical presence –close to six and a half feet tall– with a voice to match. With his “smooth, dark baritone” (Washington Post) his incredible range, and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, Garnet is widely considered by fans and critics alike to be one of the finest singers anywhere. His music –like the man himself– is literate, passionate, highly sensitive, and deeply purposeful. Cinematic in detail, his songs “give expression to the unspoken vocabulary of the heart” (Kitchener Waterloo Record). An optimist at heart, Garnet sings extraordinary songs about people who are not obvious heroes and of the small victories of the everyday. As memorable as his songs, his over-the-top humour and lightning-quick wit moves his audience from tears to laughter and back again. $17.50 advance/ $22.50 door. Click here for more information.

Monday, May 16

The Buddha’s 2600th Birthday Celebration

Globally – In the year 624 BC, in Kapilawaththu (Nepal) Siddhartha Gautama was born as a prince. His father was King Suddhodana and his mother was Queen Mahamaya. When he was sixteen he finished his education and he married Princess Yasodara. King Suddhodana handed over his kingdom to his son Siddhartha. They had a baby name Rahula. When king Siddhartha was 29 years old he decided to renounce lay life. Siddhartha left from his kingdom and went to several well-known teachers to study the ultimate nature of reality. But their teachings didn’t satisfy him and he set out to find his own path. Six years later he went to Bodgaya near the Neranjana River and sat under a tree.

Siddhartha’s mind was calm and relaxed. As he sat his concentration deepened and his wisdom grew brighter. In this clear and peaceful state of mind he began to examine the true nature of life. “What is the cause of suffering,” he asked himself, “and what is the path to everlasting joy?” In his mind’s eye he looked far beyond his own country, far beyond his own world. Soon the sun, planets, the stars out in space and distant galaxies of the universe all appeared to him in his meditation. He saw how everything, from the smallest speck of dust to the largest star was linked together in a constantly changing pattern: growing, decaying and growing again. Everything was related. Nothing happened without a cause and every cause had an effect on everything else.

With much equanimous joy, we would like to announce the program to commemorate the 2600th anniversary of the Buddha’s Enlightenment at the United Nations in New York.

Visit e2600.org for more information.

June

Saturday, June 4

NY/NJ Trails Conference Annual Meeting

Bear Mountain State Park: On June 4, the Trail Conference will open a wheelchair accessible section of the Appalachian Trail on the summit of Bear Mountain.  For the past year, Trail Conference volunteers have been hard at work building this ADA-compliant segment of this historic and nationally celebrated long-distance trail. The trail will allow wheelchair users to enter the woods and view the Hudson River and Valley from one of the region’s most scenic spots.At 10:30 AM, we will open and dedicate the trail.  Later in the day, the Trail Conference will have its Summer Meeting on the lawn below Bear Mountain.  There will be food and music by the acclaimed urban bluegrass group, Two Dollar Goat.

The event is co-sponsored by Disney/ABC and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Places.  Members of the Disney team will be on hand to help.

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What’s Happening When

8:00: Departure of early hike to summit of Bear Mountain from Fort Montgomery Historic Site (co-sponsored by Mid-Hudson ADK)

10:00: Morning refreshments at Trailhead of the ADA-compliant segment of the Appalachian Trail at summit of Bear Mountain

10:30: Opening ceremony and Dedication

10:45: Hike or drive down to Lawn  (Options from easy to strenuous available)

12:00-varied: Lunch on the Lawn with Music by Two Dollar Goat.
Hikers arrive from a variety of trails, eat, enjoy music.

Rain or shine under tent!

1:30 (estimated): Meeting

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All programs are free!  Lunch: $15 donation.  RSVP for lunch by sending a check or going to our donation page.  Please indicate your RSVP in the comment box.

Questions, comments, or phone reservations, contact Joanne Reinhardt at jreinhardt@nynjtc.org or x26 at the office

Rain Barrel Building Workshop

10AM – Fishkill Town Hall. Sponsored by the Dutchess Watershed and Cornell Cooperative Extension Services.

Although we don’t often think about it, storm water can play an enormous part in the condition of our rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes, and wetlands.   When it rains, this water is usually channeled into storm drains to be taken to the closest body of water.  As storm water travels across the grounds’ surface as runoff, it can pick up different types of pollutants, washing them into our water bodies.   You can help!   Rain barrels are a great option to better manage excess storm water from your roof.  The water is captured before it picks up pollutants, and it is safe to use for watering plants.  A rain barrel can save gardeners up to 1,300 gallons of water during the peak summer months!

This workshop will help you learn to better manage storm water AND will help you build your own 55 gallon rain barrel to take home. Cost: $45 per person, includes cost of rain barrel. To Register:  contact Angela Sullivan, 677-8223 x 114

Friday, June 10

Six New One-Act Plays

8PM – Six new one-act plays from Tony Howarth’s Playwright’s Workshop. Plays by Pat O’Connor, Gabby Fox and Carol Mark, directed by Tony Howarth. At the Cultural Center on Lake Carmel, Route 52 just south of the Route 311 Causeway.

Saturday, June 11

Six New One-Act Plays

8PM – Six new one-act plays from Tony Howarth’s Playwright’s Workshop. Plays by Pat O’Connor, Gabby Fox and Carol Mark, directed by Tony Howarth. At the Cultural Center on Lake Carmel, Route 52 just south of the Route 311 Causeway.

Saturday, June 18

Clearwater Revival

Croton Point Park – Pete Seeger star Drive-By Truckers star Martin Sexton star Indigo Girls, Arlo Guthrie star Josh Ritter star Jorma Kaukonen star Peter Yarrow, John Sebastian star Janis Ian star The Low Anthem, Red Horse (Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka & Eliza Gilkyson) star The Klezmatics, Toubab Krewe star Justin Townes Earle star Chris, Smither star Joanne Shenandoah, Tom Chapin star Bernice Johnson Reagon star Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell, James McMurtry | Jay Ungar & Molly Mason | Jeffrey Broussard & The Creole Cowboys, Tao Seeger Band | Toshi Reagon & Big Lovely | Mike & Ruthy | Sarah Lee & Johnny, Bethany & Rufus’ Roots Quartet | Clayfoot Strutters | Zlatne Uste | Joe Purdy, The Nields | The Kennedys | Jen Chapin | K.J. Denhert | Zon del Barrio, Vanaver Caravan| Buskin & Batteau | Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy, Brooklyn Qawwali Party | Joe D’urso | Joel Plaskett, Arm-of-the-Sea Theater star The Power of Song star The Rivertown Kids, Mustard’s Retreat star Magpie star Roger the Jester star Dog on Fleas, Walkabout Clearwater Chorus star Paul Richmond star The Storycrafters, Rick Nestler star Donna Nestler star Travis Jeffrey star Margo Thunderbird, Marva Clark star Linda Richards star Eshu Bumpus star Dan Einbender, Dirty Stay Out Skifflers star Geoff Kaufman star Sarah Underhill star Peninnah Schram, Kay Olan/Ionataiewas star Mel & Vinnie star Karen Pillsworth star Gregorio Pedroza , Allan Aunapu star Jan Christensen star The New York Packet star Matt Turk star Hope Machine

July

July 21 – 24

Gathering of the Vibes

Seaside Park, Bridgeport, CT – Gathering of the Vibes, the Northeast’s acclaimed music festival destination, will “bring the magic” once again with a 4-day extravaganza of eclectic music, arts and community, July 21-24, 2011 at Connecticut’s magnificent Seaside Park. The rumor mill is swirling with artist announcements around the corner. Gathering of the Vibes promises its most spectacular and diverse lineup to date, delivering over 40 hours of music on multiple stages. Powerhouse Vibes alumni include: The Allman Brothers, Crosby Stills & Nash, Furthur with Phil Lesh & Bob Weir, James Brown, The Black Crowes, and Damian Marley and Nas, alongside breakout acts like Umphrey’s McGee, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Jackie Greene, and tri-state favorites The McLovins. The Vibes also warmly embraces new, virtually unknown artists, who may submit music for consideration through sonic bids.