News That Matters » Hudson River

No Country For Sane Men – Wednesday, June 22, 2011 – Crunchy (Vegan Organic) Granola on the River

Jeff Green — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:36:24 +0000

From: No Country For Sane Men
By: Jeff Green

“People get upset with my sharp wit, acerbic, yet lucid tongue and my not-all-that-bad grammar yet they still read my stuff. I’m shocked! Shocked, I tell you!” Good Wednesday Morning, There’s more than 2700 words in this edition so make yourself comfortable. If you haven’t yet subscribed to No Country For Sane Men you should. Just click on the “Subscribe by Email” or “RSS Feed” buttons up there in the masthead. “Twitter” us. “Like” us on Facebook. Get active. Do something. Become part of the solution. Exposition For reasons not … [Read More]

Hudson River Greenway debate (June 12 Riverdale RiverFest)

newyorkoutdoors — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:31:28 +0000

This article was first posted at New York Outdoors Blog by newyorkoutdoors.

By Graham Kates, The Riverdale Press, link to original post

Plenty of study has gone into potential routes for the Bronx and Yonkers portions of the Hudson River Greenway and on June 1, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council revealed short, medium and long-term plans to connect the Westchester and Manhattan portions of the trail.

The bike and jogging path currently spans half the state, but skips over the Bronx. And to the dismay of many in attendance, there is little hope of gaining access to the Hudson River through the path in the near future.

“What we’ve found is that it’s possible to get close to the waterfront over time,” Gerry Bogacz of the NYMTC, said. However, the short-term plan — which takes bikers along Kappock Street, Palisade and Riverdale avenues in the Bronx — includes no riverfront access.

The Greenway was established in 1991 to create a series of land and water trails from West 59th Street and the Hudson River Terminus to the Hudson Crossing Park Trail in Saratoga County. It currently runs all the way from Troy, N.Y. to Battery Park in Manhattan, excluding only the Bronx and part of Yonkers.

Among the long-term solutions the NYMTC is suggesting are multi-million dollar plans to either replace the Spuyten Duyvil Swing Bridge or to renovate the Henry Hudson Bridge to make either one more bicyclist-friendly.

Fred Soffa, a local biker who attended the meeting at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, however, suggested that the Henry Hudson Bridge could be made safe for bikers if its walking path was simply expanded.

“For this to be worked on for a number of years without this being brought up, for me, it’s like, should I take [NYMTC plans] seriously?” he said during the meeting.

The medium-term plan, which is at least three years away, calls for about a mile of waterfront access between West 254th Street and the Yonkers wastewater treatment plant, just over the Westchester border.

Mr. Bogacz said that while the NYMTC considers ways to gain access to the river it would also look at ways to upgrade roads for the short-term path.

Community Board 8 member Yael Levy was unimpressed.

“I don’t like the idea of studying interim solutions, because interim solutions often turn into permanent solutions, and right now we have momentum for a waterfront route,” Ms. Levy said.

Paul Elston, president of the Friends of the Hudson River Greenway, agreed that the time has come to focus on the long-term plan.

“We’ve spent much too much studying all these routes without tying them to the river,” Mr. Elston said, before adding that he is opposed to any further study of routes that don’t approach the Hudson.

The Friends of the Hudson River Greenway recently met with representatives of Metro-North to propose its own ideas for connecting the bike path with the Hudson. Metro-North representatives agreed to consider removing a portion of the train track closest to the water.

Mr. Bogacz said the idea is under consideration, but said that the NYMTC has yet to meet with Metro-North officials about it.

The Friends of the Hudson River Greenway is hoping to promote its cause and celebrate the Hudson River through its annual Riverdale RiverFest. The Sunday, June 12 event — at the College of Mount St. Vincent — will feature music by the likes of Irish Folk Singer Mary Courtney, the Riverdale Choral Society and rock and folk band the Traveling Jewburys. There will be arts and crafts, history exhibitions and a lecture on the history of Riverdale and the Hudson River from Bronx Borough Historian Lloyd Ultan. The NYMTC will also have a table set up at Riverdale RiverFest to take public comments on the Greenway. (For a more complete listing of events, go to www.riverdaleriverfest.org.)

Filed under: Hudson River, New York City, Trail Building Tagged: Bronx, Friends of the Hudson River Greenway, Hudson River Greenway, Manhattan, Metropolitan Transportation Council, NYMTC, RiverFest, Westchester, Yonkers

News That Matters – Friday, May 6, 2011 – Things To Do Edition

Jeff Green — Fri, 06 May 2011 13:21:10 +0000

“You can tune a guitar, but you can’t tuna fish. Unless of course, you play bass”

Good Friday Morning,

News That Matters is now the 24,742th most popular political blog on the planet! At the beginning of the year we were at 25,125th place, and increase of 919 places in 4 months. Keep up the good work and keep spreading the good news! In fact, our weekly Things To Do Edition (like the one you’re reading now) is a perfect forward to your friends. Send this copy along to someone you know who does not read. Then they can subscribe on their own with the link to the right.

The dog and I are still looking for a place to resettle. If you can help in that regard it would be appreciated.

Did you know that NYSEG charges you 73 cents to issue you a bill and then a 2 cent tax on top of that? Did you know that NYSEG collects, then passes on to the NYS General Fund, a 25 cent charge each month just for fun? Did you also know that NYSEG is now a British company and the profits go overseas… like NY’s jobs? Well, now you do.

Congratulations to the State of Vermont for moving forward with a redesign of their health care system.

More Weirdness from Putnam County Government

It’s about Kent Manor. For several years the county negotiated with the former owners of Kent Manor over what they owed in back taxes and for years they paid none letting the bill run up to over $2 million. And when the county finally settled they never involved the Town of Kent nor the Carmel Central School District in the settlement negotiations. Now the county wants the town to reimburse them for the property taxes they paid out to the town and the school district over all those years. It’s a silly money-grab and I would urge the town NOT to send the county one red cent for this, ever.

But there are questions we’ve asked before and will ask my favorite one more time: In all the time Kent Manor was in arrears on their property taxes why didn’t Bob Bondi move to foreclose on the property? I’ve heard various answers, all of them lame. The one answer we have yet to hear is the truth and if Putnam County DA Adam Levy is worth his weight in anything he should open a criminal investigation into the goings on over in Carmel.

Oh! Wait! Nah, that will never happen. Sorry I got your hopes up.

House Republicans Spurn American Heroes

House Republicans this week decided not to follow the Senate in passing a resolution (97-0) to thank the Navy Seals who captured/shot or otherwise apprehended Osama bin Laden last weekend. They say doing so would break one of their rules of no longer passing “honorary resolutions”.

But according to a published report from Cliff Weathers, Republicans have already broken their rule:

H.R. 23 was a belated “thank you” card to the Merchant Marines for their participation in World War II.
H.R. 44 recognized the Guam’s loyalty to the United States during World War II.
H.R. 78 named a post office after Hazel Hainsworth Young.
H.R. 362 renamed a Midland, TX Federal courthouse after former Presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.

Democratic Congressman Jerry Nadler whose district includes Ground Zero said, “I think we ought to pass a resolution honoring the military and the president. How often do you get unadulterated, unabashed, absolute good news about something really important in this country, or any country?” I could not agree more.

Even More Weirdness from Congress

Nan Hayworth is proudly touting a bill she vote for which she says will cut gasoline prices by drilling for more oil off the coast of Virginia and other places. It doesn’t matter that oil pulled from any new proposed wells won’t hit your gas tank for 5 years or more, but it makes for a good sound bite and serves her corporate constituency by upping their profits even further.

What she should propose is CONSERVATION but that word and CONSERVATIVE are apparently too far apart from each other even though they share a majority of letters save the last two.

So, my dear Ms Hayworth, we’ll say it once again: All the drilling in the world will not bring down the price of gasoline nor brunt its increase so long as Americans don’t start conserving, driving less, better insulating their homes and all those things that are anathema to the Republican Party. And, just in case you missed it, please read “Oh my god! The gas prices! Someone should do Something!” It’s a good primer on how to cut the cost of energy in these United States.

It’s OK. Go ahead and click on the link. Be brave!

Then read this link for a dose of sanity.

Weather Geeks Unite!

Have you ever wanted to know what the weather was on a certain date and a certain place. Well, now you’re in luck. The weather data for over 4000 reporting stations around the world is now available as a Google Maps App from WeatherSpark. And, just in case you want to know, the mean temperature has increased 3.9 degrees F over the past 60 years.

Does your living room look as good as this? If not, call a painter you can trust: TaconicArts is at 845 225-2104

Action Alert

Help Secure Marriage Equality in New York State

Human Rights Campaign is asking us to make phone calls to our State Senator’s office to encourage his support for Marriage Equality.

If you’d like to call, the number is 845-279-3773.

Tell the staffer your name and town and that you expect The Senator to vote for Marriage Equality when the bill comes up later this month.

I’m a fan of letters as they give the Senator’s Staff something tangible to work with.

It doesn’t have to be long or involved, you don’t have to pour out your heart unless you feel so inclined. Just state your case, the case for equal rights and the case for New York.

Here’s the address:

Senator Greg Ball
1441 Route 22
Suite 205
Brewster, NY 10509

NY/NJ Trails Conference Hike of the Week:

Green Pond/Boston Mine Shorter Loop from Route 106

Bear Mt./Harriman State Park

From the parking area, cross to the north side of the road and bear left on the White Bar Trail, blazed with white horizontal rectangles. The White Bar Trail parallels the road for about 500 feet, then turns right and crosses a stream on a metal culvert. A short distance beyond, it bears right at a fork (the road that goes off to the left will be your return route) and continues ahead on a woods road.

In a quarter mile, the white-blazed Nurian Trail joins from the right (both trails are blazed white, but the Nurian Trail blazes are vertical, rather than horizontal). Continue ahead on the woods road, now following both White Bar and Nurian blazes, for about 500 feet. When the two trails split at a large boulder, bear left and continue along the Nurian Trail (vertical white blazes).

Read the full description here.

What’s Going On?

Several events listed below are from the Hudson Watershed Alliance Newsletter.

Action Alert
- Help Secure Marriage Equality in New York State
NY/NJ Trails Conference Hike of the Week:
- Green Pond/Boston Mine Shorter Loop from Route 106
  - Bear Mt./Harriman State Park
This Weekend
Into The Future
June
July
- Saturday, July 9
  - Long Dock Park Celebration
- July 21 – 24
  - Gathering of the Vibes

This Weekend

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.

The Wild Lunch

7PM – 9 PM – Indigenous Edible Plants Of the Hudson Valley With Evan Pritchard. An unforgettable indoor workshop/lecture that will feature the foods of the Munsee (Delaware Indians), how they prayed for help in hunting, what plants they gathered, how they communicated with plant spirits, “paid” for what they picked with tobacco, and what they did to increase yields.

A fascinating presentation about how the First People of this area lived by “eating off the land.” Registration required. $20 per person. Call 914.962.2368 x2. At Hilltop Hanover Farms, Yorktown, New York

Saturday, May 7

Catskill Leanto Workshop

Doug Senterman, Leanto Supervisor for the NYNJTC will be partnering with the Catskill 3500 Club to provide two leanto workshops regarding the duties of a leanto maintainer. The workshops will be on Saturday May 7th in conjunction with a hike to Hunter and SW Hunter and a visit to the new John Robb leanto.

On Sunday May 8th (Happy Mother’s Day) we will visit the Bouton leanto on Table Mt. Again, the trip will include climbing to the summit of both Table and Peekamoose mountains. Please consider joining us for one of these trips to see what a leanto maintainer’s duties are and consider adopting one of your favorites in the Catskills. There is no obligation to do so based on your attendance at these events, but once you see how easy it is to be a maintainer, we are hoping……………..One of the joys of being a Leanto Caretaker is the “obligation” to get out in the woods just three times a year to visit your favorite leanto and you can always bag a peak or two while you are out there. As always, thanks very much for your interest in giving back to our Catskill Mountain region. Please contact Laurie Rankin to sign up for one of these dates: laurierankin@hvc.rr.com (preferred) or by phone at 845-926-2182.

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.

Natural and Human History Interpretive Walk with The Orange County Land Trust

10 AM – Enjoy a spring day outdoors at this beautiful and diverse 255-acre nature preserve, owned and managed by the Orange County Land Trust. Led by noted naturalist Gary Keeton, this moderate 1 ¾ mile hike rambles through a magnificent wooded ravine to fantastic vistas overlooking the Warwick Valley. A brief history of the region will be presented, with a focus on what is visible, particularly the various plant communities, and how people utilized these plants throughout history. Old foundations, stone walls and other historical remains of human activity on the mountain will also be examined. As there are areas of steep and rocky terrain, this hike is not intended for very young children. Registration is recommended by calling (845) 343-0840, x12 or emailing info@oclt.org. A donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is suggested with all proceeds going towards the future stewardship of Fuller Mountain Preserve. All participants should wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Directions to the preserve are online at www.oclt.org/mfuller or by calling (845) 343-0840. Cancellation information will be available the morning of the hike at (845) 343-0840, x12.

Location: Fuller Mountain Preserve in Warwick. Meet at trailhead kiosk on Bowen Road.

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

Stony Kill Farm Earth Day Celebration

11AM – Join us for our annual Earth Day Celebration and Plant Sale at Stony Kill Farm on Route 9D in Wappinger Falls. There will be activities and crafts for children; food and baked goods for sale; vegetables and house plants for sale; Open Barn Tours – come see our new baby calf, piglets and lambs; sheep shearing at 1:00 p.m. by Steve Fink; guest appearances by Smokey Bear; live music by the Howland Wolves; gift shop and informational tables by the following organizations: Common Ground Farm, Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County Master Gardeners; Dutchess County Environmental Management Council, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Hudson Valley Wood Carvers, Mid-Hudson Trout Unlimited, Mountain Scout Survival Camp, Sharpe Reservation – Fresh Air Fund, Stony Kill Foundation, Inc.; and the Verplanck Garden club. For further information, call 845-831-1617 or email us at foundation@stonykill.org.

Frack Action Concert With Pete Seeger

8PM – Join Pete Seeger, Julia Walsh, Frack Action, Josh Fox, Producer of “Gasland”, Mike Jurkovic, Poet, Goldee Greene, Singer, The Rivertown Kids, Joel Tyner, Dutchess County Legislator and others at a concert to raise funds for a statewide ban on hydrofracking. At the Howland Cultural Center, Main Street, Beacon. $8! Proceeds go to Frack Action http://www.frackaction.com/

Sunday, May 8 – Mother’s Day

AMVETS Mother’s Day Breakfast

9 AM Noon – Amvets Post 1111 Proudly Presents their first Mothers Day Breakfast

We Offer: Eggs Benedict, Omelets Made To Order, Fruit Filled Crepe’s, Scrambled Eggs, Home Fries, Sausage, Bacon, French Toast, Pancakes, Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, Homemade Desserts, Bagels, Fresh Fruit, Coffee, Tea, Orange Juice, Chocolate Milk, Complimentary Mimosa’s & Bloddy Mary’s. All for just $10.00 an adult & $5.00 for children over 5, $30 for a family of 4 or more. Located at: VFW Post 9257, 4 Fairfield Dr., Patterson, NY 12563

Celebrate the Buddah’s Birthday and Mother’s Day

10:30AM – 4:00PM – Chuang Yen Monastery will hold a Garden Party to celebrate the Buddha’s Birthday & Mother’s Day. Vegetarian Food Street Fair, Mind Power Counseling Station, Doctors of traditional Chinese medicine for Free Medical Clinic, Buddhist Heritage Exhibition, Kid’s Playground area available. Watch the various performances, magic show, and more. No registration required.

To celebrate Buddha’s Birthday and congratulate to all the mothers of the world, Chuang Yen Monastery, located in Carmel, NY (an hour drive away from NYC, houses the largest in-door sitting Buddha status on the western hemisphere with oriental architectures & landscapes) will host a Buddha Bathing Ceremony & Garden Party on May 8th, 2011.

The event will start from 10am in the morning and last until 4pm in the afternoon. A group of five noble people will start the prelude of the Buddha Bathing Ceremony. Abbot of Chuang Yen Monastery -Ven. Dhammadipa Fa yao, and the renowned American Buddhism scholar ¡V Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi are cordially invited to direct the ceremony. Wish all the participants have their minds purified and pray for blessing to both the loving mothers and family members.

In this Mother’s Day Garden Party will include Vegetarian Food Fair for flavorful snacks from different ethnic groups, Orchards Show, Chan (Zen) Buddhism Tea ceremony, Arts Exhibition, and Floral Arrangement presented by famous Japanese master, Mrs. Moriwaki, an instructor from School of Sogetsu and other famous floral designers from France and Hong Kong. Various performances will be arranged in the afternoon. Some Chinese doctor volunteers will offer medical consultation including free pulse taking for health diagnosis. Wish tree and wish fountain will be set up for visitors. Participants can tie a card with your wishes written on to the wish tree. Blessing lamps will also be available for paying tribute to the Buddha or sending blessing to mothers or deceased relatives.

You are welcome to participate, and bring the whole families. Best regards to all the mothers from all over the world. Chuang Yen Monastery 2020 Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512. Telephone number: 845-228-4288 Extension 103

Mothers & Others United to Shut Down Indian Point

1PM – A Mother’s Day protest by concerned New Yorkers, calling for the immediate shut down of Indian Point. New Paltz is about 50 miles from Buchanan, NY, the site of the Indian Point nuclear plant. This distance is notable because it happens to be the same distance that the US NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) recently recommended for the evacuation at Fukushima.

A human (daisy) chain will be formed on Route 299 near Wallkill View Farm Market just west of the village of New Paltz. Participants are asked to bring a daisy (and/or other flowers) to celebrate Mother’s Day, as well as “…to symbolize nature, life, simplicity, and beauty… For peace.”

There will also be a moment of silence for Japan and its people. Other actions, such as speakers, may be scheduled as the event draws near.

The rain date is Sunday, May 15th at 1:00pm.

The event and any late-breaking information appear on facebook at http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=175994485782155

The fan page for the group is at http://facebook.com/MothersAndOthersUnitedtoShutDownIndianPoint

Location:
Near the Wallkill View Farm Market
15 Rt 299 (Cty Rd 7)

St. Lukes’ Chamber Ensemble at Dia: Beacon

2PM – The May concert at Dia:Beacon will feature quartets by Schumann and Mahler, and prodigal late 19th century Russian composer Anton Arensky. The concert, which will be held in the John Chamberlain gallery, will be the last in the partnership between Dia and St. Luke’s, as the Ensemble will be focusing its programming at the DiMenna Center, its new performance and rehearsal space in New York City.

MAHLER Piano Quartet in A minor
ARENSKY Quartet No. 2 for violin, viola and two cellos in A minor
SCHUMANN Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 47

$35 general admission; $25 for Dia members; $10 students; children under 12 are free For tickets and more information, click here.

Into The Future

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

Thursday, May 12

Hudson River Watershed Alliance (HRWA) Mid-Hudson Watershed Omelet Series

8AM – Dam Release Policy Turmoil and Opportunity: Lower Esopus Creek and the Ashokan Reservoir

Featured Speaker: Mary McNamara, Outreach, Lower Esopus Watershed Partnership and Coordinator, Sawkill Watershed Alliance. Recent Ashokan Reservoir releases into the lower Esopus Creek have had environmental, economic, recreational, and aesthetic impacts. Our speaker this month has been in the middle of it all, in her role as a quiet but persistent watershed advocate.

Mary will summarize the turbidity, timing and flooding issues, address the interactions of water systems, political systems and communities, and discuss the unfolding process of finding workable and balanced solutions. For the first time in the 100 year history of the Ashokan Reservoir there is a discussion about water release policies benefitting and potentially restoring a downstream watershed and flow of the Hudson River.

This is evolving as a rare opportunity to witness and influence the beginning stages of negotiation and some litigation involving a comprehensive list of organizations and governments agencies including local municipalities, state representatives, Ulster County, NYS DEC, Riverkeeper, NYC DEP, the Ashokan Center, land trusts, and other technical advisors. This work in progress will no doubt set important precedents for many other watersheds downstream of water reservoirs.

Please RSVP to Russell Urban-Mead, rum@chazencompanies.com , to confirm your attendance. There is a $4 minimum food/beverage purchase. Location: Plaza Diner (Stop & Shop Plaza), New Paltz.

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

Philipstown Town-Wide Cleanup

8AM – 2PM – To help the town continue the Philipstown Cleanup Day during these economically challenging times, the Hudson Highlands Land Trust directors raised the funds internally to underwrite the cost of Cleanup Day for a second year.

“The Board of Directors believes that a mechanism that allows residents to responsibly dispose of their larger refuse items is a necessary component of protecting the natural resources and scenic beauty of the Hudson Highlands,” explained HHLT Executive Director Andy Chmar.

The Cleanup Day drop-off is at the Garrison Volunteer Firehouse and is for Philipstown residents only. A driver’s license, tax bill or other proof of residency must be presented upon arrival at the site. Participants will be limited to two vehicle-loads per household, and no vehicle larger than a pick-up truck will be accepted.

Other guidelines include: no regular bags of household garbage, railroad ties, computer monitors, or items containing freon. No 55-gallon drums, propane tanks, paint cans, batteries, or any other toxic materials will be accepted. Brush and wood will be accepted, tied in length no longer than 5 feet. Metal will also be accepted, and tires (not to exceed 16 inches). White goods like washing machines, stoves or dishwashers will not be accepted at the Garrison Firehouse, but can be brought to the Town Recycling Center on that day.

Philisptown residents with questions should call Town Hall, 845/265-3329, for more information.

Putnam County Master Gardener’s Plant Sale

8:30AM – 11:30AM – More than a thousand tomato plants, many vegetables, annuals, huge herb selection, Putnam Proven Perennials from the Master Gardeners’ own gardens and gifts for all who garden. Free soil tests, great advice! At the CCE office at 1 Geneva Road in Brewster (Where the Motor Vehicles Office is).

There will be hundreds (yes hundreds!) of tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and other veggies, Herbs both culinary and aromatic, Annuals, perennials from the Master Gardeners own gardens, A tent stocked with tools, soaps, gloves and other items gardeners need. You’ll find hand-crafted hypertufa containers and much, much more. Bring a soil sample for a free soil pH test!

West Point Foundry Preserve Tours for Heritage Weekend

10:30AM – We’re proud to be part of New York Heritage Weekend (May 14 and 15)—a celebration with special events at heritage destinations across the Empire State to help kick off the summer tourism season.

Join us for a guided tour exploring the remains of a 19th-century industrial powerhouse, the West Point Foundry, that made locomotives, steam engines and Parrott guns that helped win the Civil War.

TOUR TIMES: 10:30 a.m. – noon; 12:30 – 2 p.m.

The walks will occur rain or shine, except in the event of torrential rain, when they will be canceled. Please wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Tick precautions, such as tucking pants legs into socks and applying bug repellent to shoes and pants, are highly recommended.

MEETING PLACE: West Point Foundry Preserve

QUESTIONS? Contact Scenic Hudson Parks Event Coordinator Anthony Coneski: aconeski@scenichudson.org, 845-473-4440 x273

Event Location
63 Chestnut Street
Cold Spring, NY 10516

Robert Whitman, MoonRain (2010)

2PM – Dia Art Foundation is pleased to present the recent theater piece, MoonRain, by Robert Whitman, a pioneer of multimedia installation and performance. Referencing a famous collection of 18th century Japanese ghost stories by Ueda Akinari, the innovative work is set inside a fog environment designed by Fujiko Nakaya and will be staged in Dia:Beacon’s lower level gallery.

Free with museum admission. For reservations, click here.

Robert Whitman first met Fujiko Nakaya during the E.A.T. project to build the Pepsi Pavilion at Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan, where Nakaya developed the cloud sculpture that surrounded the building. Nakaya continued to participate in E.A.T. projects and also to create an extended series of fog sculptures around the world that have been incorporated in the designs of public spaces, buidlings and parks, often in collaboration with other artists and scientists.

In 2004 Whitman and Nakaya were both at an exhibition on E.A.T. at the museum in Norrkoping, Sweden, and worked together on a piece Whitman called Dialogue.

As Whitman describes it:

“Because I had been interested in projecting on fog and anything else I could project on, it just seemed very natural to introduce that idea as part of a dialogue which we performed at the opening of the exhibition in Norrkoping. I projected video images from an earlier piece, Not a Novel, onto the fog sculpture Fujiko had created in the garden of the museum. I’ve projected on leaves in the woods and stuff; and one of the things that happens with fog, it blows around, so a piece of fog comes up here and reveals part of the image and another piece of fog comes up over there and another part of the image is revealed: the image is fragmented. You can set up a circumstance where the likelihood is good of something happening that you never saw before. That’s the thing with the fog.”

For the piece, MoonRain, which was to be performed in the summer of 2010 in the woods in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Whitman told Fujiko that he wanted to work with her to make the fog an active part of the imagery of the performance. As he has said: “I was relating to this idea of Ugetsu which comes from the 18th century writer Uedia Akinari, Tales of Moon Light and Rain (Ugetsu mongatari). They come from a tradition where the story is made with gaps, kind of like a Chinese painting where you have the landscape and the whole empty canvas, and wherever those gaps are, they are filled in by the person telling the story or reading the story and leaving room for your mind to wander and be engaged. So fog is a lot like that. There are a lot of gaps, things come and they go, disappear and appear. I thought that was an interesting parallel.”

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

Richard Julian Trio – PAC Music Series

7:30 PM – Special opportunities abound with PAC’s 2nd Saturday’s Music Series 5th performance on May 14th featuring the Richard Julian Trio with friends Tim Luntzel(bass) and Dan Reiser(drums) at 7:30pm. Seating is limited, and reservations are advised; Tix $20./$15 for PAC members. Mr Julian has toured with Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt, Josh Ritter, Roseanne Cash, and Suzanne Vega, and Entertainment Weekly says: “This New Yorker tosses off self-addressed put-downs with the ease of the young Springsteen during his acoustic Jersey-boy period.”

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

Eagle Scout Fundraiser

9 AM – Noon – Jimmy Duncan is hosting a breakfast fundraiser. This fundraiser is for the Cleaning and waxing of the GAR Monument at Veteran’s Park (Electrazone Field)-hoping to be completed for Memorial Day. The 2nd Phase will be the placement of a historic marker.

The menu includes an omelet station, waffles, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, baked goods, oatmeal, juice, milk, coffee and tea. Reservations are not required, and all are welcome. The Brewster VFW hall is located at 262 Peaceable Hill Road and the phone number is 845/279-6969. Open to All $10 Adults. $5 Children.

Community Garden Plots at Stony Kill Farm

10 AM – The Stony Kill Foundation, Inc. announces the opening of the 2011 Community Garden Plots at Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center on Route 9D in Wappinger Falls. Plots are 20′ by 20′ and are available immediately, for a fee of $30 for the season. Please call 845-831-1617 for an application or email us at foundation@stonykill.org.

Join us on Sunday, May 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a Family Wilderness Survival Class with instructor Shane Hobel. This class is made up of many skills and introduces you to the scope of this subject of study and particularly the “Basic 4”: Shelter, Water, Fire & Food. You will also experience the beginnings of Tracking, Awareness & Movement. Topics are learned through discussion and practice. Children participating must be in grades 3 and older. All particpants should bring a bag lunch, snack and drink. Meet at the barn classroom. All should dress in layers and bring bug spray. For further information, visit mt.scoutsurvival@gmail.com. Reservations are required to attend this program and can be made by emailing foundation@stonykill.org or by calling 845-831-1617.

Gallery Talk: Art in the Digital Age

1PM – With artist and educator, Dr. Sherry Mayo, who will discuss arts technology and the combination of both traditional and digital materials into studio practice explaining how she moves between the two, integrating drawing, painting, photography, installation, and digital to create her work. She will feature her recent installation at Westchester Community College Fine Arts Gallery in Faculty/Selects and discuss her relationship to contemporaries working in similar ways. Dr. Mayo is currently Director of the Center for the Digital Arts, Peekskill Extension of SUNY Westchester Community College.

This free program is part of the PAC Sunday’s in the Center and is partially funded through a community grant from Entergy; reservations are advised.

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.

Tuesday, May 17

Passsive House Design

6PM – 8PM – Imagine a home that is warm during our cold, snowy winters and cool in our humid, hot summers; that also requires minimal ongoing costs for fuel and electricity to keep it comfortable. Well-executed passive house design is a proven method for achieving such a building. Join us for a discussion on how the passive house concept can be applied with equal success in urban centers, where projects are likely to be renovations, and in rural settings, where new construction is more common. The presentation will show the implementation of passive house principles in a newly-built certified passive house in the Hudson Valley (the Hudson Passive Project) designed by Dennis Wedlick Architect LLC and a passive retrofit of a brownstone in the historic district of Park Slope, Brooklyn designed by Prospect Architecture. What is a passive house? The passive house standard embodies today’s highest benchmark for energy efficiency and conservation. A cutting-edge approach to design and construction, the passive house standard drastically reduces the amount of energy required to operate a building (for instance, it results in a 90% reduction in energy required for heating). Originally developed in Germany, the passive house energy standard is being implemented with ever-greater frequency in the United States.

About The Presenters:

Dennis Wedlick, Architect:
Dennis Wedlick is the founder of Dennis Wedlick Architect LLC, a full-service architecture, master planning, landscape and interior design firm in Manhattan and Hudson, NY. The firm is known for sustainable, expressive projects that combine great design, technology and craft. Last year, the firm designed its first passive house, The Hudson Passive Project, which was completed in the fall of 2010.

Brian Marsh, Architect:
Brian Marsh is the Associate Partner of Dennis Wedlick Architect LLC, a full-service architecture, master planning, landscape and interior design firm in Manhattan and Hudson, NY. Last year, the firm designed its first passive house, The Hudson Passive Project, completed in the fall of 2010. Mr. Marsh is the lead architect on the Hudson Passive Project.

Jeremy R. M. Shannon, Architect:
Jeremy R. M. Shannon is the Principal Architect of Prospect Architecture, PC, a sustainable design-build firm located in Brooklyn, NY. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Polytechnic and State University and is, as well a LEED Accredited Professional, BPI Envelope, Heating, and Multifamily Specialist, and is a Certified Passive House Consultant. He has served as Vice President of the national Passive House Alliance, a trade organization created to promote the growth of Passive House in the United States. He is also a part time instructor at Parsons The New School. Jeremy specializes in residential townhouse and multifamily building construction using sustainable materials and focusing on energy efficiency without sacrificing the aesthetics or character of existing buildings. He designed and was the construction manager of the renovation and retrofit of multiple Passive House townhouses in Brooklyn New York.

Register for the Putnam/Dutchess County event with the links below. Reservations are $10 for advance sales to USGBC NY Upstate Chapter Members and Students, and $20 for non-members. Members & students pay $15 at the door.

Chapel of Our Lady Restoration, 45 Market Street, Cold Spring, NY

Thursday, May 19

Community Forum on Term Limits Laws

The League of Women Voters of Eastern Putnam County will be hosting a forum on Term Limits at the Historic County Courthouse in Carmel. Speakers will represent both sides of the issue as well as those who will touch on the factual and historical aspects of Term Limits. County Executive, Paul Eldridge; NYS Assemblyman, Steve Katz ; myself, Tony Fusco, a former Putnam County Legislator; Joyce Mitchell, a member of The Putnam County Charter Review Commission; Putnam County Legislators, Dan Birmingham and Sam Oliverio; Dave Gagliardi, an American History teacher and Jeff Green, a businessman and columnist .

The event will be moderated by Bruce Apar of the North County News, also a major sponsor of the event. This is a matter of public policy which will affect the way our elected officials govern in the future, and will likely have an effect on the uneven distribution of legislative power, locally, in the state and in the national arenas. Please make every effort to attend this worthwhile and informative event.

Saturday, May 21

Putnam County Hazardous Waste Collection

9 AM – 1PM – Time to get rid of all that stuff under your kitchen sink and the bottles in the garage you can no longer identify. The county says they’ll take drain cleaners and solvents and thinners and herbicides and phot chemicals and your old chemistry kit. What they won’t take is latex paint, car batteries, used motor oil (bring that to any service garage where the smart ones strain it and use it in their oil burners) nor old computers and the like.

As usual, you have to register with the county at 845 808-1390 x43150

Canopus Beach Parking Lot
Route 301 in Kent

Sunday, May 22

Michelle LeBlanc

2PM – Here’s another chance to catch Michelle’s exciting award winning show, “1950′s JAZZ: Bop, Cool, R&B.” Michelle will be playing with her top shelf trio: the talented arranger Tom Kohl on piano, Bill Conway on bass and the world touring sax player, Ed Xiques. Sponsors for this show include these Putnam County jazz lovers: Feehan Insurance Agency, Trebb Records and Desmond Fish Library. Suggested donation for this concert is $10. At the Desmond Fish Library, Route 403 & 9D in Garrison, NY Contact: 845-424-3020 or http://dfl.highlands.com

Friday, May 27

Uncommon Ground with guest Tim & Sylvia

8:30PM at the Towne Crier, Route 22 in Pawling. Uncommon Ground is a hot, pan-genre, acoustic music group from New York’s Hudson Valley that is on a mission: to flex the boundaries of traditional music. Since making an impressive debut to a full house at the Towne Crier in 2007, they have continued their evolution into “the complete package” … great vocals, fiery instrumental abilities and a continually evolving repertoire of well-crafted tunes. Their music bears an unmistakable stamp of originality without losing the authenticity of the original sources. Audiences delight in the thrill of musical discovery as the band performs a repertoire that includes music from such diverse sources as Bill Monroe, Gabriel Faure, Venezuelan Choros and Gypsy Jazz. Uncommon Ground draws on the talents of Mike Kobetitsch, and Wayne Fugate, both long-time veterans of the Bluegrass scene who have performed with Grammy award winner, Lisa Gutkin and a host of other noteworthies; the ever amazing Rachel Han! dman and Phil Helm, two principles in the Hudson Valley Philharmonic whose technical precision, fertile inventiveness, surprising touches and mastery of the Bluegrass genre give the band a distinctive, signature voice; and Craig Bitterman, whose percussion lays down a groove-infused rhythmic foundation that adds colors and textures that make their tunes really snap. : artist’s home. $17.50 advance/ $22.50 door

Saturday, May 28

Giant Book Sale at the Kent Public Library

Take-A-Hike! Season Begins With The Birds of Foundry Preserve

8:30 to 10:30am – Join Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary Director Eric Lind for this birding hike in Foundry Preserve in Cold Spring. An accomplished wildlife photographer, Eric is just the person you want along to share his knowledge as you walk from the village to view a wide variety of species. Don’t forget your binoculars!

“We’re excited to kick off this season with Eric’s hike. Learning to identify birds by sight and sound is a great way to get back into the outdoors,” says Outreach Director MJ Martin. “And we’re grateful to all our volunteers who help lead the excursions for us; without them, this popular program would not be possible.”

A total of eight hikes have been scheduled for the season, with selections ranging from a tot-friendly musical jaunt to a more challenging trek up Breakneck Ridge. Check your mailboxes for the complete schedule.

All Take-A-Hike! programs are free, but registration is required. Contact the HHLT office at 845/424-3358 or info@hhlt.org to make sure you’re on the Take-A-Hike! mailing list.

June

Saturday, June 4 – National Trails Day

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.

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

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

Orange County Earth and Water Festival

11AM – 5PM- The OCWA is pleased to announce that the 4th Annual Earth and Water Festival will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at Thomas Bull Memorial Park in Montgomery, NY. This unique festival is family-friendly, intimate, educational and of course, lots of fun! Stay an hour or stay all day. Bring a blanket, the kids and even your dog and enjoy the fresh air, listen to live music and entertaining performances by highly talented local musicians and peformers. Visit the Green Expo area at the festival and learn from many local vendors how they are making a difference by being “green” or what sustainable goods and services they provide. Buy fresh homemade bread, baked goods, produce and plants in the Farmers Market. Let the kids run wild in the Children’s Activity tent (big festival favorite).

Live performances this year are diverse, colorful, creative, fun and always entertaining. Returning this year by popular demand are:

Arm-of-the-Sea Theater: Performing “To Fuel the Fire”, a free-wheeling allegory about the ecological costs of energy. This tragic comedy features primordial masks and kinetic puppet figures, vivid paintings, whimsical props and live music. Their performances are award-winning and are a must see! You know it’s good when a festival full of people stop to watch and listen. Click here to visit their website http://www.armofthesea.org/

Maxwell Kofi Donkor and the Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensamble: Their african drumming and dancing is interactive, makes your feet tap and people dance, and puts a smile on everyone’s face. Click here to visit their website http://www.bak2roots.com/

“iS”coustic: This unusual, three piece jam band delivers live performances to electrify audiences. The bands name, which loosely means “the present tense” emphasizes their improvisational nature. They offer a unique experience that includes original diverse, memorable songs and exceptional musicianship. Click here to visit their website http://whatitis.biz/

Snakeman’s Snake Show: Their performance will teach the audience about the environment and how snakes provide their part for the balance of nature. Their show is both interactive and hands-on with real live snakes, which will educate as well as entertain you. They will be at the festival all day and will do a special performance on the stage for everyone to enjoy! Click here to visit their website http://www.jerrythesnakeman.com/

New to the stage this year are Half Jester and Little Sparrow. These bands will delight and keep audiences moving. More details and the full performance schedule for follow soon.

More information is here.

Friday, June 10

The Environmental Footprint of Marcellus Shale Gas

7PM – New natural gas extraction technology has led to an increase in the exploration of organic-rich shale in the United States. In New York State, the Marcellus Shale formation has captured the public’s attention. Will gas extraction in the Marcellus Shale be a boon, providing cleaner domestic energy, or a bust, contaminating our air and water resources? Find out answers from Duke University’s Rob Jackson. His research captures the latest science on the impacts of shale-gas extraction and fracking.
Location: Cary Institute’s auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Route 44) in Millbrook, New York.

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

Saturday, July 9

Long Dock Park Celebration

1PM – 6PM – Help us celebrate the opening of this new and improved Hudson Riverfront park in high style. Take to the water on a free kayak paddle, try out a new bike on the Klara Sauer Trail, join a guided tour of exciting park features, including Scenic Hudson’s River Center, our new venue for arts and environmental activities. If that’s not enough, you can test your mettle at hula-hooping and enjoy a great lineup of live performers—all while admiring magnificent Hudson River vistas.

LIVE PERFORMANCES by:
Arm-of-the-Sea Theater
Uncle Rock
We Must Be
The Big Takeover

Event Location: Long Dock Rd. Beacon, NY 12508 – On the river side of the Beacon Train Station.

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.

News That Matters- Friday, March 11, 2011 – Things To Do Edition

Jeff Green — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:32:30 +0000

“I determined early on that to make the most meaningful impact, the lead witnesses would be Muslims who believe their community is being radicalized and that Muslim leaders are not sufficiently cooperating with law enforcement.” – NY Congressman Peter King admitting his hearings are carefully staged theater.

“I bet America’s unemployed are cheering all the jobs created by holding hearings about Muslims” – Peter Daou

Good Friday Morning,

The big news this morning is not Charlie Sheen, it’s an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck off the Japanese coast earlier today which spawned a tsunami measured at some locations at 4 meters high and tsunami alerts have been set across the Pacific basin from Indonesia to Hawaii to Ecuador. You can follow reports from Hawaii on Twitter and a live feed from America’s Paradise is here. The first waves are hitting the Islands at 8:07AM EST this morning. Coastal California is also under a tsunami alert.

The tsunami sweeping across the Pacific has already hit Wake island at 1.3 feet and Midway at 5.1 feet.

Rapes, murders, jewelry store thefts… yeah, that’s Putnam County these days. It’s odd and strange and slightly encouraging that the artificial walls we’ve set up to prevent the outside world from coming in are coming down.

As for our county and town governments, we have the County Legislature passing memorandum calling for the state to increase funding for this or that. We’ve got caretaker County Executive Paul Eldridge blaming ‘unfunded mandates’ for county budgetary issues, issues that could be resolved if the county would just man-up and cut the budget. In other words, whether we like it or not we’re just like everyone else save that our governments are constructed of tax-and-spend Republicans. Go figure.

On our local Tea Party, on Wednesday I wrote:

“And one more thing… we’re talking about smaller government and lower taxes here. How come I’m (still) beating the drum on this? Where are those tea baggers who were so adamantly vocal about all this at the national level? Why have their voices been silent on this and other local taxation and corporate welfare issues? Does this signify what some have been saying all along, that they were just luckless saps, simple tools of the Republican machine in order to win control of Congress? You know where this is going… It doesn’t take a crack gee-whiz lawyer to see the obvious. “

Can you guess the outcome? Yeah. Absolute Silence.

Where’s Nan? [The Nansense Edition]

http://www.planputnam.org/ntm/2011/03/wheres-nan-the-nansense-edition/

Congresswoman Nan Hayworth has unexpectedly coined a phrase, “Nansense” while referring to US engagement with Libya. To wit:

“We have to be cognizant, and while there is no question, of course, of the engagement and the commitment that we currently have and we have to have a sense of priority regarding the expenditure of American blood and friendship,”

And on her website she’s updated her posting and comment policy. It now reads: [emphasis, mine]

Hello to all readers and friends! Our office reserves the right to delete submissions that contain vulgar language or personal attacks. Beyond that, it’s important to note to all readers and potential contributors that this is a forum that is meant to provide a voice in particular to our District constituents, though others are also welcome.

In service of the mission to provide a voice, we do, because we’re responsible for the page, have significant latitude to define what is or is not a valuable contribution to the discussion. Contributors whom we determine to be posting primarily to endeavor to dominate the comment threads, or to promote a particular political position via cant or invective, are hereby given fair warning that their posts are at risk of deletion. We welcome all points of view, but we will apply appropriate discipline to the process, in order to be fair to all who visit. Thanks for giving this due consideration.”

In other words, and assuming you can work your way through all that grammatical Nansense, her website is designed to provide only her point of view and if choose to discuss that you’d best do it elsewhere.

Would someone please tell me why the US Government is backing Mohammar Qadaffi? An odd question, right?

But for a week now pro-democracy forces have been begging the international community to enforce a no-fly zone over that nation to give them a chance to make some progress in deposing this dude and for a week the US has been vacillating. Just yesterday a US government official said that creating a no-fly zone would be “an act of war” and that the US was not prepared to act unilaterally, that we would wait for other nations to act first.

We have Congresswoman Nan Hayworth saying that American lives are not worth the effort of supporting democracy movements. But Hudson New York writes:

The US has an large and longstanding account to settle with Gaddafi, The good people of Libya have given us the opportunity to settle it. We should take it. While there are good reasons to believe that whatever government the rebels set up will not be a close ally of the US, it could certainly be an improvement. There is even a remote chance that it could turn into a model for an Arab Muslim democracy; after all, the people have suffered through 40 years of a Socialist, Islamist regime that, in spite of all the oil, has left them miserable and impoverished.

The United States has a specific problem in the Arab world and our blind support of their dictators and totalitarian governments is well known. Over the past couple of months we have had one opportunity after another to alter that perception and yet we have failed at each and every chance, chances that only come once. And just yesterday, the Saudi government, our best friend and closest totalitarian ally, fired upon, killed and injured unarmed, peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators.

We had a chance to win friends among our enemies and not only have we lost those opportunities but we’ve even gone so far as to make matters worse by allowing Republican representative Peter King (NY3) to hold Congressional hearings that are designed to injure our reputation in the Arab world even more.

What is wrong with us?

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What’s Going On?

This Weekend:
- Saturday, March 12
- Sunday, March 13
Into The Future:

This Weekend:

Saturday, March 12

World day against cyber-censorship

Launched by Reporters Without Borders in 2008, World Day Against Cyber-Censorship is intended to rally everyone in support of a single Internet without restrictions and accessible to all.

The fight for online freedom of expression is more essential than ever. By creating new spaces for exchanging ideas and information, the Internet is a force for freedom. In countries where the traditional media are controlled by the government, the only independent news and information are to be found on the Internet, which has become a forum for discussion and a refuge for those who want to express their views freely.

However, more and more governments have realised this and are reacting by trying to control the Internet. Never have so many countries been affected by some form of online censorship, whether arrests or harassment of netizens, online surveillance, website blocking or the adoption of repressive Internet laws. Netizens are being targeted by government reprisals. Around 117 of them are currently detained for expressing their views freely online, mainly in China, Iran and Vietnam.

World Day Against Cyber-Censorship pays tribute to them and their fight for Internet freedom. Reporters Without Borders will mark the occasion by issuing its latest list of “Enemies of the Internet.”

Putnam Arts Council Second Saturday Series

7:30PM – Putnam Arts Council continues our Second Saturday’s In the Center music series on March 12 at 7:30pm with Mulebone, John Ragusa and Hugh Pool, a blues duo that rocks like a jam band. Notes about them include “original sound that is simultaneously soulful, agile and adventurous”, “virtuoso instrumentals and killer vocals”, and from WBJB-FM, ”some of the best Delta blues you’re likely to hear this side of 1925, …”.

The audience here in our own backyard is growing each month as folks are blown away by the quality and intimacy of this unique venue at the Belle Levine Art Center, 521 Kennicut Hill Rd., Mahopac. Seating is limited, reservations are advised; tix $20./$15 for PAC members. putnamartscouncil.com/845.803.8622

Irish Open Mouth

8PM – Songs, dances and Spike Mulligan’s Pukhtoon. Jim Dale – of Broadway, film, TV and Harry Potter fame – will join our celebration of Irish humor and music in an evening that includes musicians Tim Pitt, Patrick Cummings, Pallas Athene, Neil Hickey, Patrick Delamere, Lora Lee Ecobelli and Jan and Kate Hoekstra. Also on the bill will be Irish step-dancing, a short play, Gerard Furey’s Irish Language and the Double Bass Bagpipes. Mr Dale is expected to entertain with Thomas Meehan’s Yma Dream and Spike Milligan’s Pukhtoon. At the Cultural Center on Lake Carmel, Route 52, Lake Carmel, New York. Tickets: $15.00 General Admission, $10.00 AotL Member Admission.

Sunday, March 13

Daylight Savings Time Begins

2AM – It’s the first event today and one most of you will miss by several hours. Still, once you awaken for the day, run around the house and reset your clocks and check your fire and smoke detectors.

Bridge Raising Part 1: Volunteer Day at Angle Fly Preserve

10AM – Meet at the entrance to Angle Fly Preserve. Join your neighbors and help build a bridge over Angle Fly Brook! We need your help on March 13 and 19 to build a new 40-foot single span fiberglass truss bridge across the Angle Fly Brook. Over 200 bridge parts, footing materials and tools will need to be hand carried to the site along a half mile hiking trail. At the site the bridge footings will be built and the bridge assembled and put in place.

Volunteers are needed to carry parts and materials to the site and help with the construction of the bridge. There are opportunities for all members of the family to participate – no experience is needed. Parts vary in size and weight from very small bridge parts to very large 40-foot fiberglass bridge beams. Cheerleaders are also needed to provide encouragement to the volunteers.

The Angle Fly Brook divides the Preserve in half and this bridge will provide access to the western side of the Preserve. Our plan is to create 10 miles of hiking trails on the property. Approximately 4 miles of hiking trails have been built with 6 miles of trails to be completed this summer and fall.

Please wear sturdy boots, work gloves and dress for the weather and ticks. If you have a backpack, please bring it for carrying bulky items. If you can, please bring bridge-building tools such as large socket and crescent wrenches (the bridge requires the following sizes: 1 1/8″, 3/4″, and 9/16″), hammers, and battery drills. Pack a lunch and bring water or another beverage, and snacks. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.

Gasland

2PM – Garrison: The Academy Award nominated documentary, GASLAND by Josh Fox, will be shown at Desmond-Fish Library Meeting Room, 472 Rt. 9D (entrance on Rt. 403), Garrison at 2 PM. Discussion will follow.

The film documents the controversial process, developed by Haliburton, of hydraulic fracturing – fracking – and how it impacts our water, our environment and our health unless we do something about it – For more information, read this recent article in the New York Times – http://nyti.ms/NYTFracking. This event is sponsored by Philipstown for Democracy. No charge, but contributions to cover expenses are appreciated. Questions – call 917-273-0808

Making Art Together: Still Life Drawing

3PM – Workshop Leader: Don Longabucco. Try a new art form. Make art together. Sketch with friends. This workshop will be led by Lake Carmel artist Don Longabucco. All levels of experience are welcome. Bring something to sketch on and something to sketch with. Workshop will last about 2 hours. A donation of $5 is asked from the public. There is no charge for members of Arts on the Lake. Those who plan to attend should email: rsvp@artsonthelake.org or call 845 228-2685.

Into The Future:

Wednesday, March 16

Public Hearing on a Carmel proposed Blasting Ordinance

7pm – Carmel Town Hall. From Lori Kemp: Well, 4 years later and finally a “Blasting Ordinance.” The problem is that the proposed ordinance does NOTHING to protect residents from the ultra-HAZARDOUS /inherently-DANGEROUS activities of transporting, storing, and using of dynamite and other explosives in the Town of Carmel.

Blasting is defined in law an “ultra-hazardous activity” because it “necessarily involves a risk of serious harm to the person, land or property of others, which cannot be eliminated by the exercise of utmost care.”

The possibility of nearby blasting to affect the structural integrity of your home, cause damage to your wells and septic, alter hydrology by bringing water towards your property or away from your wells, contaminate well water and air in your home is very real. Also very real is the risk of being struck by flyrock debris and inhaling silica dust from drilling, and the noxious gas sometimes released when rock breaks.

The Town’s proposed ordinance, as it now reads, does nothing to protect people and property from the “ultra-hazardous activity” of blasting or the contamination of air and water that might be a result of said blasting…

I urge all to ATTEND this public hearing – DEMAND that the Town provide residents PROTECTION from the inherently dangerous activity of blasting! If you cannot attend, please write the Town Board with your concerns. I have provided a template below for your convenience.

Friday, March 18

Two One-Man Shows

8PM – The Blue Horse Repertory Company presents two exciting one man shows at Arts on the Lake on Route 52 in Lake Carmel. Old Hickory by *Ric Siler (photo) and Cemetery Man by Ken Jenkins.

Fresh from its successful run at The Woodstock Fringe Festival, Old Hickory will be performed by the author Ric Siler and directed by *Wallace Norman. Old Hickory is the funny, murderous tale of boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy hates girl, boy wants to kill girl. Cemetery Man by Ken Jenkins will be performed by *George Kimmel and directed by *Peggity Price.

In Cemetery Man we meet an aging gravedigger who is about to be replaced by a backhoe and who does not accept the change gracefully. As he recounts his experiences, it becomes abundantly clear that digging a proper grave is a human thing, which calls for care and concern if the departed are to go peacefully into eternity.

Lighting and Stage Manager, Jeff Green, Assistant Stage Manager and Sound, Zuli Lozada.

Tickets are $15 and $10 for AtoL members. Tickets may be purchased at: www.artsonthelake.org. or call: 845 228-AOTL (2685) http://www.artsonthelake.org

*Member of Actors Equity Association

Saturday, March 19

Putnam County History Conference

9AM – Morning Session. The morning sessions will be of general interest to history-lovers. Eugene Boesch will talk about what Putnam County was like at the time of its creation in 1812 and about what archeology reveals about society of that time. Sallie Sypher will speak on the many little reasons why our towns seceded from Dutchess County. Pat McMahon Houser will discuss the changes in land use from 1812 to the present and how the reservoirs affected planning, farming, and growth. There will be breaks between each talk and plenty of time for questions and answers. Lunch. Jonathan Kruk and Rich Bala, Hudson River Ramblers, will entertain during lunch, which is scheduled to begin at 12:15. Those wishing to have lunch should telephone the County Historian’s Office (845- 808-1420) or e-mail to historian@putnamcountyny.gov and send a check in the amount of $10 to County Historian , 68 Marvin Ave. , Brewster NY 10509. Even if you do not want lunch, please let us know that you plan to attend. Teachers wishing in-service credit for the conference should register with www.ihare.org. Afternoon Sessions. The afternoon session, which begins at 1:15, is designed primarily for teachers, but all are welcome and will find it interesting. County Historian Karl Rohde will lead a discussion of Bicentennial planning and opportunities for teachers and students. At the Mahopac Library.

Two One-Man Shows

8PM – The Blue Horse Repertory Company presents two exciting one man shows at Arts on the Lake on Route 52 in Lake Carmel. Old Hickory by *Ric Siler (photo) and Cemetery Man by Ken Jenkins.

Fresh from its successful run at The Woodstock Fringe Festival, Old Hickory will be performed by the author Ric Siler and directed by *Wallace Norman. Old Hickory is the funny, murderous tale of boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy hates girl, boy wants to kill girl. Cemetery Man by Ken Jenkins will be performed by *George Kimmel and directed by *Peggity Price.

In Cemetery Man we meet an aging gravedigger who is about to be replaced by a backhoe and who does not accept the change gracefully. As he recounts his experiences, it becomes abundantly clear that digging a proper grave is a human thing, which calls for care and concern if the departed are to go peacefully into eternity.

Lighting and Stage Manager, Jeff Green, Assistant Stage Manager and Sound, Zuli Lozada.

Tickets are $15 and $10 for AtoL members. Tickets may be purchased at: www.artsonthelake.org. or call: 845 228-AOTL (2685) http://www.artsonthelake.org

*Member of Actors Equity Association

Sunday, March 20

“Efficient Government in New York: State and County Solutions”

11:30 AM – Guest Speaker: Paul Francis, Governor Cuomo’s Director for Redesign and Efficiency, former Director of Operations for Governors Paterson and Spitzer. Please join us to mingle with fellow Putnam County Democrats and discuss how our governments can and must be redesigned Sunday, March 20th, 11:30AM at Four Brothers, 654 Route 6, in Mahopac. $25 suggested donation, at the door or sent in advance to 31 Sycamore Rd, Mahopac NY 10541 c/o L. Jones with checks made out to “Putnam County Democratic Committee” Please RSVP at putnamcountydemocrats@gmail.com

Concert Keep Art and Music in Yonkers Schools – Westchester Symphonic Winds

3:30PM – City Council President Chuck Lesnick, Yonkers Public Schools and Sarah Lawrence College present a free concert in support of the arts in education. Featuring: The Westchester Symphonic Winds and our very own Yonkers Public School Teachers! Now, more than ever, it is vital that we make our voices heard and keep art and music in Yonkers’ Schools! Reisinger Concert Hall, Sarah Lawrence College, One Mead Way Bronxville, NY

Monday, March 21

Photo Group – Arts on the Lake

7PM – Photo Group with Chris Casaburi. All photographers are welcome. Formed in 2009, the Photo Group provides an opportunity for local photographers to share knowledge and learn from one another. The group meets monthly to discuss photography, to swap tips & techniques, and to share images and stories in both traditional and digital media. It’s a comfortable, friendly environment where members can also present their work, by showing prints or including digital photos in a projected slideshow. From beginner to professional, we invite all photographers to join. No yearly dues, free. More about Photo Group The Photo Group usually meets the 3rd Monday of every month. Email Chris Casaburi at chris@casaburi.com for more information.

Tuesday, March 22

New York State Park Advocacy Day

Join Parks & Trails New York and the Alliance for NYS Parks for the 5th Annual Park Advocacy Day and help send a message of support for New York’s 213 parks and historic sites. As a park advocate, you will have the opportunity to join with park supporters from throughout the state to meet with policymakers and stress the importance of keeping New York’s state parks open, protected and well-maintained. Your efforts will have a lasting impact on legislators’ as they make important decisions about parks.

Participating in Park Advocacy Day is meaningful, fun, and most of all, easy! As a Park Advocacy Day participant, you will be assigned to a team with fellow state parks supporters who will join you in meetings with policymakers throughout the day.

There is no cost to participate, but registration is required. Online registration is quick and easy – click here to register.

For more information on Park Advocacy Day, please contact Mark Luciano at Parks & Trails New York at 518-434-1583 or email mluciano@ptny.org.

Saturday, March 26

Community Forum on Water Quality and Conservation

10 AM – 3PM – On Sat., Mar. 26, HHLT will host Follow the Water, a community forum on water quality and conservation, at the Highlands Country Club, Rte. 9W, in Garrison, NY. The free event, scheduled from 10:00am to 3:00pm, will feature two moderated hour and a half long panel discussions. Children’s watershed education programming will be provided in a separate room during the panel discussions by members of HHLLT’s education team. Participants will receive lunch and the opportunity to browse informational exhibit tables during breaks before and after the panels.

The morning panel, Water Policy & the Regulatory Framework, will present an overview of existing regulations on watersheds, wetlands/watercourses and wastewater management from the state, county and local levels, and introduce newer wastewater management technologies like subsurface drip dispersal.

During the afternoon session, Practical Ideas for Home & Business, the focus will be on steps home and business owners can take to conserve water and increase water quality in their communities. Topics will include non-point source pollution and its prevention, use of rain barrels and rain gardens, and installation and maintenance of technologies like composting toilets. There will be time for questions and comments from the audience during both sessions.

The forum is open to the general public and free of charge, but registration is strongly recommended as space is limited. Walk-ins will be accepted on the day of the event on a space available basis. Call or email HHLT at 845/424-3358 or info@hhlt.org for more information or to make a reservation.

Imagining the “Highlands of the Hudson” in 19th-Century America

5PM – Lecture with Stephen P. Rice, Professor of American Studies, Ramapo College. Throughout the century there were three main ways that people imagined this dramatic stretch of the Hudson River: as a magical realm of legend, as a natural scene of beauty aided in part by the hand of man, and as a historical setting of national importance. Prof. Rice examines these depictions in the verbal and visual arts, ranging from poems and works of fiction to paintings and popular illustrations.

This lecture is free and open to the public; and is sponsored by the New York Council for the Humanities, Speakers in the Humanities program. To RSVP, please call 845-265-4010 or email, kshier@pchs-fsm.org.

Sunday, March 27

Vernal Pool Exploration and Book Signing

1PM – Come explore vernal pools and learn about the species that rely on them for survival such as frogs, fairy shrimp, salamanders and newts! A hands-on, outdoor activity for children and families and people of all ages, led by outdoor educator, naturalist and author Laurel Dodge. Wear mud boots! Copies of Laurel’s newly published book Nature Study for the Whole Family will be available for purchase and signing. Nature Study for the Whole Family promotes a return to nature study as a first-choice activity for family fun and learning and emphasizes how nature study can bring families closer, create special family memories, and encourage personal growth. Registration is suggested as space is limited. A donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is greatly appreciated with proceeds going towards the future stewardship of Land Trust nature preserves. Call 343-0840, x12 to register or RSVP via our Facebook page. Location: Laurel Hill Preserve, Town of Minisink.

Wednedsay, March 30

Reading of “Rabbit Hole” to benefit Gilda’s Club

7:00PM – 9:00PM – We hope you will join us for a very special reading of David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Rabbit Hole” Benefiting GILDA’S CLUB of Westchester. Gilda’s Club…offering support forpeople whose lives have been touched by cancer…all types of cancer. Rabbit Hole takes us through a dark tunnel but it reminds us, with graceful simplicity,that there is light at the end of it. Produced and Directed by Elizabeth D’Ottavio. CAST: Ben Berner, Dee Dee Burke, Elizabeth D’Ottavio, Margie Ferris, Michael Fox, Kaili Lewis. Suggested donation $20 (Any and all donations welcome) To reserve a seat, please email Liz: efd364@optonline.net or call 914.419.6000

Sunday, April 3

Michelle LeBlanc

2PM – 3:30PM – 1950′s Jazz: Bop, Cool, R&B Our quartet returns to perform at the Shrub Oak Library just in time to celebrate the coming of spring. Michelle jazz combo features the legendary Bill Crow on bass, the talented arranger Tom Kohl on piano and the world touring sax player, Ed Xiques. Our show will include a special encore featuring tunes from our new CD “I Remember You.” This free concert take place in the special events room of this lovely library. Ample and convenient parking is available, so invite all your jazz lovin’ friends. John C Hart Memorial Library, 1130 E Main St, Shrub Oak, NY (914) 245-5262 www.yorktownlibrary.org

Saturday, April 9

Putnam County Land Trust 42nd Annual Dinner

5:30PM – Join in the celebration as Putnam County Land Trust marks 42 years of preserving open space and protecting sensitive habitats in Putnam County- right in your big backyard. Enjoy live music by Bruce Eisenstein, a sumptuously wonderful buffet dinner, their famous silent auction of eclectic items and an exciting Live Auction led by Ivan and Laura Cohen. Displays of Land Trust properties along with recognitions and awards will be part of the evening.

The proceeds from the event will benefit the preserves and programs of Putnam County Land Trust. Speaking about the upcoming dinner, Land Trust President Judy Terlizzi said, “PCLT needs the community’s continued support to preserve open space and sensitive habitats in Putnam County.” In addition to attending the dinner, the Land Trust is looking for supporters to donate goods or services for the auction or advertise in the dinner journal.

The event will be held at the Starr Ridge Banquet and Conference Center at 38 Starr Ridge Road in Brewster on Saturday, April 9th, 2011 at 5:30pm. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Take advantage of special dinner pricing of $60 per person if paid by March 30th. To make a reservation, inquire about advertising space or donate goods or services for the auction, call 845/228-4520 or 845/279-3122, or visit the PCLT website at www.pclt.net.

Friday April 22 – Earth Day

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, May 14

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.

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 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.

News That Matters – Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Jeff Green — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:50:08 +0000

Question of the Day: Are County Taxpayers still footing the electric bill at Tilly Foster?

Good Wednesday Morning,

The storm that knocked power all day on Monday dropped 2.56″ of rain here in the Free State and more is expected over the next couple of days.

Come Thursday night, the weather service says that another 1 – 4 inches of rain will be produced by a series of fronts moving through our area. The Boyd’s reservoir which was empty last week had water flowing over its dam yesterday afternoon. With the warm daytime temperatures and the coming rain it could be impressive come Friday afternoon.

If you’ve not seen flood waters coming over the Boyd’s Dam I do encourage a trip up Route 301 to see it. Coming up from Carmel, cut over on East Boyd’s Road where there’s a great view of the dam about 1/2 mile in. If you can see the image here, that’s it.

I want to thank the Town of Kent Highway Department for patching the worst of the potholes from this winter. We know they’re only going to hold for a few days but it has to be cheaper than paying lawsuits for drivers who think every road ought to be the autobahn and then cry to their lawyers when they bust an axle.

Back on February 11th, Sandy, a 12 year old brown, 50lb mutt who lived on Deer Run Road in the Lake Nimham community, ran off and has not been home since. As of yesterday, when I called Sandy’s owner Peggy, the last sighting was two weeks back from some folk on Gipsy Trail Road. If you happen to see this girl running around somewhere looking thin and lonely, give Peggy a call at 845 225-six one six nine.

By the way, while speaking to Peggy she mentioned that an article about this very thing appears in this week’s Putnam Press. Both the Press and News That Matters must share some responsibility in not covering this story sooner.

According to the latest census bureau estimates, Putnam County’s population increased by 3% between 2000 and 2010, growing to 99,365 people. In the region, Sullivan (75,310), Columbia (61,621) and Greene (48,562) are smaller while giants Westchester (961,449), Fairfield (901,000), Orange (383,084) and Dutchess (292,460) hem us in on all sides.

In the 2007 budget year, the Putnam County Department of Consumer Affairs generated $540,530 on licenses and fees from general contractors, plumbers and electricians and spent $0 supporting those professions. That’s half a million dollars pulled from the economy (around $46,000 in what could have been generated sales taxes) through forced taxation (they call it a “Fee”) with no recourse for those living here who wish to work here. How many professions have to pay the county a “fee” just for the right to work?

I should mention here that in the same budget year the Department paid out $407,357 in salaries and another $163,599 in benefits.

It’s clear the county Legislature is forcing your neighbor, the blue collar tradesmen, to pay the salaries of what amounts to unnecessary county employees. How many other Departments in the county work the same way and is it really necessary? The answer is, of course, no.

But the county is on a tax-and-spend-preferred jobs spree and I don’t see a way to wean them off it other than starting from scratch and throwing them out of office. Their insistence on maintaining the highest sales tax rate in the region and their forced blackmailing of tradesmen is all the evidence you need.

Three county legislators are up for election this year. Let’s keep a careful eye on their positions on these issues: if they’ve voted for and support the sales tax increase rather than cutting the county budget it’s time to vote them out. If they believe their friends should be employed through indirect taxation, then vote them out.

And one more thing… we’re talking about smaller government and lower taxes here. How come I’m (still) beating the drum on this? Where are those tea baggers who were so adamantly vocal about all this at the national level? Why have their voices been silent on this and other local taxation and corporate welfare issues? Does this signify what some have been saying all along, that they were just luckless saps, simple tools of the Republican machine in order to win control of Congress? You know where this is going… It doesn’t take a crack gee-whiz lawyer to see the obvious.

In fact, the last post from the “Tea Party Patriots of Northern Westchester” was a call for a meeting on December 2, 2010 and the last post of news on their website? Oh yeah… this is sweet: Just a couple of days after the election.

So over the past few weeks I’ve been asking, “Where’s Nan?” Hayworth on issues (and you don’t really want to know) but this morning I have to ask – again – where is the Tea Party on county and town spending? They’re missing in action, that’s where.

(But I’ll bet they’ll come around again once Maryellen Odell’s unopposed race for County Executive heats up.)

Next Tuesday, March 15th, voters in Cold Spring and Nelsonville will go to the polls.

In Cold Spring, Mayor Seth Gallagher is facing Anthony Phillips once again in a repeat of their race two years back, and Catherine Square, Ralph Falloon and Bruce Campbell are running for Trustee. In Nelsonville, Mayor Tom Corless is running unopposed while Village Trustee Anthony Merante is facing a challenge from Steven Dubroff.

Next Wednesday, March 16th, the Town of Carmel will take up a blasting ordinance, a little late as that town’s most prominent elevation has already been blasted to smithereens with Mt. Gilead losing significant elevation for a failing senior housing project. Correspondent Lori Kemp, a woman knows more about blasting than any citizen ought to know writes,

Blasting is defined in law an “ultra-hazardous activity” because it “necessarily involves a risk of serious harm to the person, land or property of others, which cannot be eliminated by the exercise of utmost care.”

The possibility of nearby blasting to affect the structural integrity of your home, cause damage to your wells and septic, alter hydrology by bringing water towards your property or away from your wells, contaminate well water and air in your home is very real. Also very real is the risk of being struck by flyrock debris and inhaling silica dust from drilling, and the noxious gas sometimes released when rock breaks.

The Town’s proposed ordinance, as it now reads, does nothing to protect people and property from the “ultra-hazardous activity” of blasting or the contamination of air and water that might be a result of said blasting…

As I’m clearing my place out I’ve got some stuff for sale here:

If you’ve ever wanted to do some airbrush work, I’ve got a Paasche Airbrush kit for $30, a small air compressor for $60, a hard to find DeVilbill Finishline airbrush gun for $80 and a 7 1/4″, 1 1/2 hp circular saw for $25. See them here.

More will be posted later including the original first edition volumes 1-9 of the Firefox books in great condition, $125 for the set. There will also be a futon in good shape, a spare HP computer, various power tools and other furniture. Stay tuned. If it doesn’t get sold it gets burned.

The Hudson River Estuary Program has announced citizen volunteer opportunities for this year. Included are: Amphibian monitoring and road crossing projects, River herring monitoring, American eel research and their famous “Trees for Tribs” project that makes saplings available for replanting along stream beds to lower water temperatures and stop soil erosion. More information can be found at the DEC website here.

On Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30PM, residents will meet at the Jewish Center at 2966 Crompound Road in Yorktown Heights to kickoff a Friends Group for FDR State Park. Former Commissioner of New York State Parks and Historic Sites, now advisor to the Alliance for NY State Parks, Carol Ash will be the keynote speaker. More information can be had by contacting Kristen Davidson, Public Relations Coordinator NYSOPRHP – Taconic Region P.O. Box 308 9 Old Post Road Staatsburg, NY 12580 B: 845.889.3880 F: 845.889.8321 or by email to: kristen.davidson@oprhp.state.ny.us

It’s Like McCarthy All Over Again:

Would you buy a used car from this man?

New York 3rd District Congressman Peter King had a dream one night. In it, he was sitting on a dais in an overly ornate hearing room in Washington DC with several other members of Congress. Before him in the audience, hundreds of cameras were taking pictures, flash bulbs going off like a 4th of July finale, and the crowd in an uproar with the focus of their attention being a man sitting at a table calmly denying the right of Congress to hold the hearing at all.

Upon waking, the Congressman realized that certain fame would come to him if such an event would actually take place. How could he do this? Easy! Hold hearings on Muslims in the United States, duplicating one of America’s darkest moments: the McCarthy era. Back then it was, you know, the Jews, who are known socialists and ‘America Haters’ and had no political power so they were easy victims. Now he had to find another class to victimize.

Once it was Communists, as if it were a crime in the United States to support a different economic system. Then it was drugs, as if the youth of America were all intent on frying their brains like in that misleading commercial everyone rightly makes fun of. When that was played out it was kidnapping children and devil worship. When that proved untenable because it wasn’t happening, it was child molesters. And when that crusade began to convict teens for having sex with each other the government had to find something else… something more sinister, something so foreign to the American mindset that it would send horror down their spines at every mention and so Peter King discovered: Islam.

You’ve got take your hat off to Congressman King. When Americans are focusing on rebuilding the nation he understands that they will start asking tough questions of their government and what better way to shield Congress from unwanted attention? Sure! Find a diversion!

If you ever had any questions about why our Empire has rotted out from within, now you know.

And now, The News:

Putnam sheriff sues over 2009 campaign comments
Styrofoam Never Beats Reusable Cups
A Growing Debate: How To Define ‘Organic’ Food
AOL’s acquisition of HuffPo: Tips for Patch?
King: Hearings on Muslims in America will be fair
The Koch Brothers’ Right-Wing Conspiracy to Undermine the PATRIOT Act

Putnam sheriff sues over 2009 campaign comments

By Michael Risinit for the Journal News

CARMEL — Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith is suing a well-known GOP commentator and Cablevision’s News 12, claiming comments made on a program during the 2009 Republican primary for sheriff damaged his reputation.

Smith is also faulting Cablevision and News 12 for not identifying the commentator, Michael R. Edelman, as a paid consultant to his primary opponent, James Borkowski. Representatives of both Edelman and Cablevision last week described Smith’s suit as baseless.

“We believe the lawsuit is without merit and we cannot comment further at this time,” News 12 spokeswoman Deborah Koller-Feeney said.

At the center of Smith’s claims are remarks made on air by Edelman on Sept. 12, 2009, three days before that year’s GOP primary.

Styrofoam Never Beats Reusable Cups

by Brian Merchant

The GOP’s politically-motivated move to disband the Democrat’s biodegradable packaging and composting program in the House of Representatives — and replace said packaging with disposable Styrofoam — drew quite a bit of attention last week. The petroleum-based, non-biodegradable relic of a material is such an easy target to hate on that the story found its way into mainstream news cycles. But today, a story in Slate raised an interesting proposition — could Styrofoam actually be greener than reusable mugs?

I think not. Slate’s Jacob Leibenluft makes a hell of a case in favor of the disposable stuff, but I’ve got to respectfully disagree. The meat of Leibenluft’s argument hinges on two factors — that relying on reusable cups wastes more water than using Styrofoam, and that Styrofoam cups require less energy to make (and to use) than ceramic or stainless steel cups. Liebenluft does correctly point out that there’s no comparison when it comes to landfill waste, though he neglects to mention the fate of the many Styrofoam cups that never make it that far, and end up in our oceans, lakes, roadsides, and, eventually, the groundwater. To me, that fact alone is enough to disqualify Styrofoam.

His other points are good ones, and very much worth taking into consideration. First, washing the mug. Leibenluft points out that when cleaning your coffee mug in a dishwasher, “each wash will require substantially more water than it takes to make a polystyrene or paper cup.” But it seems to me that you can combat this water waste by eschewing the dishwasher cycle and just doing a quick rinse with just a splash, or less. Since you’re drinking coffee made with boiling water, after all, you don’t really have to be too concerned about lingering bacteria.

A Growing Debate: How To Define ‘Organic’ Food

by Dan Charles

Just over a month ago, the Department of Agriculture announced that it will allow American farmers to plant genetically engineered alfalfa, which is widely used as feed for dairy cows and horses.

Organic food producers opposed the USDA’s decision — some more fiercely than others. That split has provoked angry debates within the organics community, with some activists accusing organic businesses of “surrendering” to the biotech company Monsanto. And it has reopened some old arguments about what’s most important in the label “organic.”

The cause of this dispute is not easily visible, at first, in the rolling pastures of an organic dairy operated by Horizon Organic near Kennedyville, in eastern Maryland. During the summer, the farm’s cows graze on hundreds of acres of pasture.

But the grass doesn’t grow in wintertime, so on this February day, the cows are eating inside. Farm manager Dudley McHenry explains that the animals eat a mixture of corn silage, clover, alfalfa, corn, soybeans and a grass called triticale. And there’s a tiny bit of something in that feed — mainly in the corn — that’s provoking the current disagreements among people who all describe themselves as defenders of organic farming.

AOL’s acquisition of HuffPo: Tips for Patch?

Sound the trumpets and release the doves: AOL has completed its $315 million acquisition of The Huffington Post as of Monday. Let the layoffs begin!

The announcement of the merger was made last month1 at the Super Bowl, and the world is still reeling–especially disgruntled Huffington Post readers, who turned out en masse to eulogize their favorite progressive news source in the comments section. The terms of the deal included $300 million up front, in cash, and another $15 million in AOL stock.

Bringing its own 25 million unique monthly users to the table, the Huffington Post is expected to bring AOL’s total unique monthly user base to 117 million in the U.S. and 270 million worldwide.

As AOL aims to reinvent itself as a content company to offset its ever-shrinking dial-up business, Arianna Huffington is stepping in as a welcome overlord to the company’s mountain of recently acquired news sources, including Engadget, TechCrunch, and Patch. When Hugginton and AOL CEO Tim Armstrong sat down together at the Super Bowl to announce the deal, they described the merger not so much in business terms as language describing a match made on eHarmony. Huffington told Kara Swisher of AllThingsD that she was stunned at how closely Armstrong’s vision for AOL paralleled her own vision for the Huffington Post. Likewise, Tim Armstrong told Swisher that at a certain point, he and Huffington started finishing each other’s sentences (aw!).

King: Hearings on Muslims in America will be fair

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican congressman who has organized controversial hearings into radical Islam called Muslims “part of the mosaic” of America Wednesday and said they shouldn’t feel threatened or intimidated by his inquiry.

“If there is going to be animosity, I would blame it on my opponents,” Rep. Peter King said in a nationally broadcast interview.

King, who heads the House Homeland Security Committee, has come under withering criticism for the hearings scheduled to begin Thursday. Protests have already started, and comparisons to McCarthyism and the era of communist witch hunts are being heard.

In one appearance on morning television, King was asked if he was singling out the Muslim community rather than focusing on a more generalized terror threat against America.

“It might be politically correct, but it makes no sense to talk about other types of extremism, when the main threat to the United States today is talking about al Qaida,” King said. He noted that Attorney General Eric Holder has said there have been some 50 homegrown terrorists arrested in this country and that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the threat has never been higher.

The Koch Brothers’ Right-Wing Conspiracy to Undermine the PATRIOT Act

Radley Balko

…the Kochs will happily put their money behind candidates and intellectuals who agree with their economic agenda but disagree with their social agenda. They will never put their money behind candidates or intellectuals of whom the reverse is true.

In the same post, Chait runs off a series of sums the Kochs have spent over the years on various right-wing causes. Curiously missing, however, is the $20 million donation the Kochs made to the ACLU to fight the Bush administration over the PATRIOT Act. Browsing various accounts of the Kochs political spending over the years, that $20 million appears to be substantially more than the Kochs have contributed to all political candidates combined for at least the last 15 years. (Their gifts to the arts and other non-political charities exceeds what they’ve spent on politics many times over.)

Now maybe we shouldn’t fault Chait for overlooking the ACLU donation. The Kochs don’t appear to have gone out of their way to publicize it. (Though, curiously, when they don’t publicize their contributions to free market causes, it tends to be interpreted as stealthy or manipulative.) It’s also not nearly as prominently reported on the web as the gifts they’ve made to free market organizations. There’s another mention on the Faces of Philanthropy site, which appears to be down right now. But here’s a cached version. I suspect the mere possibility that the Kochs could make such a gift didn’t enter the minds of most people who have written about all of this. It wasn’t mentioned in Jane Mayer’s much-hyped New Yorker expose, either. I should note that both the linked sources above are secondhand, and I’m waiting to hear back from the ACLU for confirmation.

News That Matters » Hudson River

No Country For Sane Men – Wednesday, June 22, 2011 – Crunchy (Vegan Organic) Granola on the River

Hudson River Greenway debate (June 12 Riverdale RiverFest)

News That Matters – Friday, May 6, 2011 – Things To Do Edition

Action Alert

Help Secure Marriage Equality in New York State

NY/NJ Trails Conference Hike of the Week:

Green Pond/Boston Mine Shorter Loop from Route 106

Bear Mt./Harriman State Park

This Weekend

Friday, May 6

The Singing Life of Birds

The Wild Lunch

Saturday, May 7

Catskill Leanto Workshop

Birding 101

Natural and Human History Interpretive Walk with The Orange County Land Trust

Open Auditions for New One-Act Plays

Stony Kill Farm Earth Day Celebration

Frack Action Concert With Pete Seeger

Sunday, May 8 – Mother’s Day

AMVETS Mother’s Day Breakfast

Celebrate the Buddah’s Birthday and Mother’s Day

Mothers & Others United to Shut Down Indian Point

St. Lukes’ Chamber Ensemble at Dia: Beacon

Into The Future

Tuesday, May 10

Rain Barrel Building Workshop

Thursday, May 12

Hudson River Watershed Alliance (HRWA) Mid-Hudson Watershed Omelet Series

Friday, May 13

The Last Mountain

Saturday, May 14

Philipstown Town-Wide Cleanup

Putnam County Master Gardener’s Plant Sale

West Point Foundry Preserve Tours for Heritage Weekend

Robert Whitman, MoonRain (2010)

Hiking the Road to Ruins

Richard Julian Trio – PAC Music Series

Carmina Burana

Sunday, May 15

Eagle Scout Fundraiser

Community Garden Plots at Stony Kill Farm

Gallery Talk: Art in the Digital Age

Riverkeeper’s Annual Shad Fest

Garnet Rodgers with Shawn Taylor at the Towne Crier

Monday, May 16

The Buddha’s 2600th Birthday Celebration

Tuesday, May 17

Passsive House Design

Thursday, May 19

Community Forum on Term Limits Laws

Saturday, May 21

Putnam County Hazardous Waste Collection

Sunday, May 22

Michelle LeBlanc

Friday, May 27

Uncommon Ground with guest Tim & Sylvia

Saturday, May 28

Giant Book Sale at the Kent Public Library

Take-A-Hike! Season Begins With The Birds of Foundry Preserve

June

Saturday, June 4 – National Trails Day

NY/NJ Trails Conference Annual Meeting

Rain Barrel Building Workshop

Orange County Earth and Water Festival

Friday, June 10

The Environmental Footprint of Marcellus Shale Gas

Six New One-Act Plays

Saturday, June 11

Six New One-Act Plays

Saturday, June 18

Clearwater Revival

July

Saturday, July 9

Long Dock Park Celebration

July 21 – 24

Gathering of the Vibes

News That Matters- Friday, March 11, 2011 – Things To Do Edition

This Weekend:

Hudson River Watershed Alliance (HRWA) Mid-Hudson Watershed Omelet Series