| News That Matters
Brought to you by PlanPutnam.Org "The free market and communism look so damn cute on paper or over a beer." Good Friday Morning,
There's a flood watch in effect for our area for the next 48 hours.
Last evening at rush hour, Putnam County residents gathered on the steps of the Courthouse just under the window of Congressman John Hall's office to say No Bailout for Wall Street. For about two hours demonstrators held signs such as "Wall Street broke it; let Wall Street fix it", "Main Street, not Wall Street", and "Don't give away our kids' money to the bankers & CEOs." As cars drove by or stopped in traffic, hundreds honked their horns in support. Kudos to Putnam Valley's Judy Allen for organizing and for all those who took part. Direct Action is the Only Action.
While we're on that subject, according to the latest News That Matters poll,
75% of you are against a bailout,
17% are not sure and,
8% favor one.
The poll is still open so if you haven't voted, please do so.
Here's what Ralph Nader had to say about all this on Democracy Now! the other day:
In other words, the Democrats should say, if they’re going to concede this bailout, is to say, “Well, we want comprehensive regulation and disclosure of the financial industry to make sure this doesn’t happen again. We want criminal prosecution of the crooks on Wall Street and disgorgement of their ill-gotten gains. We want a securities derivative tax and higher margin requirements to make speculators use their money, more of their money than other people’s money, like worker pension funds, to keep down speculation, as well as to produce revenues, which might lighten the tax load on working families. And we want to give shareholders control over the corporations they own.” It's a guarantee that Congress will do none of those things. More on Monday. I have a complete transcript of the "Debate" schedule for tonight, or not schedule for tonight depending on whom you talk to. Anyway, here it is:
Moderator: "Gentlemen, what makes you think you're ready to be President?"
Senator McCain: "I walk on water."
Senator Obama: "I invented water."
Moderator: "Thank you gentlemen."
Moderator: "What makes you think you're ready to be Vice President?"
Senator Biden: "Did you know there are only two 'e's in Delaware?"
Governor Palin: "Um, well, I, um, think the war in Afpakiran is going well."
Moderator: "Someone please, shoot me."
It's nice to know the NYJN is reading News That Matters. Yes, they've done it again. We break a story and they run it, several days later. Sheesh. A little credit would be nice once in a while.
While floods and Presidential politics and Wall Streeters baying at the taxpayer till from their yachts and country clubs goes on unabated, here's a list of events that will calm the mind and nurture your spirits. At the very least you'll be away from your TV for a few hours.
Here's the weekly Things To Do Edition!
- Tonight:
- Saturday:
- Sunday:
- Save The Date:
Tonight:
Millbrook: Discussion and book reading - "A Spring Without Bees: How Colony Collapse has Endangered our Food Supply" At: 7:00pm Free! Sponsored by: the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Merritt Books.
The disappearance of a substantial portion of the bee population in America is the topic of this discussion by David Hackenberg, former president of the American Federation of Beekeepers. Mr. Hackenberg will read from and comment upon author Michael Schacker's recent book "A Spring Without Bees: How Colony Collapse has Endangered our Food Supply."
This event will be held at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies 65 Sharon Turnpike/Rt 44A Contact: 845 647-6487
Saturday:
The event you’ve been waiting for – nine musicians, video projections by Bob Hauver, the history of music from the Big Bang to the Renaissance to Jazz to “Let It Be” – arrives on Saturday. Midhat Serbagi’s Classical Planet with solo violinist Eric Grossman, cellist Gerald Kagan, recorder player Ralph Zeitlin, violinist Paul Ehrlich, bassist Kevin Callaghan, guitarist Steve Lamattina, saxophonist Ed Xiques, guitarist Steve Leonard and violist Serbagi will be presented at the Lake Carmel Cultural Center this Saturday (9/27) at 8 p.m.
Presented by the Reed Memorial Library in partnership with Arts on the Lake, the admission contribution is $10 ($9 for members). Reservations can be made at rsvp@artsonthelake.org. Tickets can be pre-paid on our website via PayPal. Hear flamenco guitarist extrodinaire Alan Goodman at the Cafe Mozart at 308 Mamaroneck ave. in Mamaroneck, ny 10543 (914) 698-4166 from 8PM. Come enjoy some flamenco guitar and ukulele!!! He has a new amplifier so he can now play louder than the espresso machine!!!! Good food, good music, many drinks....but please, remember to listen responsibly!!!!
Join the Putnam County Historical Society at Cold Spring's 31st Annual Harvest Festival
from 10 am- 5 pm. Bring the kids to the PCHS table for a historic Apple Head Doll craft on the lawn of St. Mary's Church at the corner of Chestnut and Main Streets in Cold Spring. Also, enjoy a farmers market, craft vendors, great food and music. The Harvest Festival is sponsored by the Cold Spring Area Chamber of Commerce. Call 845-265-4010 or visit www.pchs-fsm.org For more information.
Sunday: If you're up for a hike in the Catskills, you can join the Catskills 3500 Club for a trail work day on Table and Peekamoose mountains.meet at 8 :45 a.m. at the Denning trailhead. If you are interested in joining the trail crew that day - you can earn a service patch - you will need to bring work gloves, eye protection and either a saw, loppers or hand clipper (or all three!). Contact Elie Bijou at (518) 523-6434 for more information.
Arts on the Lake's second annual Fall Work Day is scheduled for this Sunday (9/28), 1-5 pm, rain or shine. There’s plenty to do to get the exhibit space ready, the stage put away, the children’s classroom set up and the kitchen reorganized. All members and friends are invited – camaraderie ensured, refreshments supplied. Indicate your willingness and talents to Coordinator of Volunteer Services Mary Schreiber at rsvp@artsonthelake.org or (845) 228-AotL (2685).
The Town of Kent CAC is hosting their annual Mt. Nimham Festival today. The fun starts at 1PM at the firetower just off Gipsy Trail Road in Kent.
Clearwater Gathering to Unveil New Leadership Center - The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s Annual Gathering on Sunday, Sept. 28 will mark new milestones for the venerable environmental advocacy and educational organization, featuring Clearwater’s planned new headquarters at Beacon’s University Settlement Camp and the launch of the nonprofit’s new Center for Environmental Justice and Leadership.
“The Annual Gathering will be an opportunity to present what we plan to be our new home to the membership and the public,” said Clearwater Executive Director Jeff Rumpf. “At the same time, I will share our vision for the new Center for Environmental Justice and Leadership, which will represent the next step in Clearwater’s evolution as America’s environmental flagship.”
Also featured during the all-day event will be keynote speakers Congressman John Hall and Beacon Mayor Steve Gold, who will each describe the opportunity to build on the region’s rich environmental resources to develop “Green Cities” in the Hudson Valley. Gold has stated his desire to build Beacon’s reputation as a center of new environmental thinking by hosting Clearwater, Scenic Hudson’s signature Long Dock development, the Beacon Rivers Institute, the Beacon Sloop Club, and the River Pool at Beacon.
Although the Annual Gathering is free and open to the public, those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by phone or e-mail. By phone, please call Adrienne Pettit at the Clearwater office at 845-454-7673 ext. 101 or e-mail office@clearwater.org. For more information about the event please visit www.clearwater.org
Celebrate the Ten Year Anniversary of Sterling Forest State Park on Sunday, September 28th 2008 from 9AM to 3PM. At 16 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987 (845) 351-5907. Events will include hikes, bicycle tours, birding, history talks, "sporting" demos, live raptors, info tables, the new Historic Iron Mining Trail.
Save The Date: If you're an Obama supporter in this election, there's a gathering on Monday night at Chill, a wine bar at 173 Main Street in Beacon. Featured will be live music and rumor has it Pete Seeger will be making an appearance. There's a suggested donation of $25.
Tuesday evening marks the beginning of Rosh Hashannah.
Revolutionary Roads is the theme for an event hosted by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) on Thursday, October 2 at 7 PM. West Point Museum Specialist, Paul Ackermann, leads a virtual tour of some of the area's historic, Revolutionary War-era roads. Using old maps and the latest satellite imagery available, Paul will present some new discoveries as well as raise some intriguing questions. The event will be held at the Fort Montgomery Visitor's Center. Cross the Bear Mountain bridge and head north at the traffic circle. The center is a short way up, also on the left.
Michelle LeBlanc's famous "Jazz Me Blues" will be on October 4th from 6pm - 8pm at the Putnam Valley Town Park - Leonard Wagner Park. Featuring pianist Tom Kohl, bassist Bill Crow, Joe Stelluti on sax and Ron Vincent on drums. http://www.pvsunsetseries.com
Kate Hoekstra, a local portrait and still life painter from Putnam Valley will exhibit in a group show at the Howland Cultural Center, in Beacon, NY, from October 4-26. When you go, tell her I sent you!
On October 4th, The Town of Carmel is hosting a Litter Cleanup Day. Call 628-7474 for more information.
On Saturday October 5th, The Fall Visual Arts Show opens at Arts on the Lake with an Opening Reception from 1PM until 5PM.
Auditions for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson will be held on Tues., Oct. 7th and Wed. Oct. 8th from 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Twas the month before Christmas and the whole town was anticipating the Christmas Pageant! All except Mrs. Armstrong, the one who always ran it. She was in the hospital in traction 'til the New Year. Mild mannered housewife, Grace Bradley, was imposed on to produce the pageant. When the town family of ne'er-do-wells introduces mayhem amongst angels, baby angels and shepherds, Bradley show she has nerves of steel and, with the help of the Spirit of Christmas, triumphs over the forces of evil and her husbands lethargy. The perfect Christmas show for the whole family to see or participate in. Call 845 598-1621 or e-mail our producer or visit us online at www.brewstertheater.org
 The outdoor Collaborative Concepts show, currently ongoing at Saunder's Farm in Philipstown (Old Post Road and Highland Road) will have a mid-show reception on Saturday, October 11 (the 12th in case of rain). During the initial Opening Reception more than 800 people trekked onto the farm. Don't miss this! Stop in at the reception tent at the top of the field and say "hello".
The Overlook Mountain fire tower summer lecture series began in June with a talk about bears. Then came rattlesnakes, geology, and forest history. On Sunday, October 12 the series will finish with poetry. Richard Parisio, an educator for the DEC who carries quotations from Nineteenth Century Catskills nature essayist John Burroughs in his pockets to help identify bird calls, will lead a hike from the Overlook Mountain parking area starting at 10 a.m. to appreciate the arrival of autumn. Then at 1 p.m. the group will gather at the summit cabin for a poetry salon to share pieces by our favorite poets, including ourselves. We'll celebrate the spirit of the natural world transformed into words.
For information, contact Will Nixon at will@willnixon.com or 845-679-5853, or Dick Voloshon at volo@hvc.rr.com or 845-679-2580. The 2.5 mile hike up Overlook follows an old carriage road that climbs 1400 feet. To reach the Overlook Mountain parking area from the village green, take Rock City Road 2.5 miles. This walk is sponsored by the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower Stewards.
The Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce will team up with the Poughkeepsie Journal to sponsor a Congressional Forum that will enable those attending to submit questions to the candidates. Five of the six candidates for three local congressional races have confirmed they will participate in the 6 p.m. event Oct. 21.
The three incumbents running for re-election have agreed to attend: John Hall, D-Dover, in the 19th Congressional District; Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, in the 22nd; and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, in the 20th.
Hall's Republican opponent, Kieran Michael Lalor, and Hinchey's GOP rival, George Phillips, will also appear. The chamber is waiting for Sandy Treadwell, Gillibrand's Republican opponent, to confirm he will participate. Go here for more information.
“Meet the Candidates: Oct 25, The Sedgewood Club" The Sedgewood Club in Kent Cliffs will be hosting their annual “Meet the Candidates” event at the Boathouse on Saturday, October 25th at 3 pm. The address is 1026 Barrett Circle West, Kent Lakes. For those of you who have not attended in prior years, we hold this event just prior to each election to give our friends and neighbors in Kent Lakes a chance to meet the people who are running for office in our town, the county and the state.
The 4th annual Regional Conference on Green Buildings and energy efficiency is on Nov. 13th in Orange County. This year the theme is focusing on energy efficiency in housing as a regional priority for economic vitality. Among many others, one of the speakers is a key person working on the Cambridge Energy Alliance, which Joel Tyner and others in Dutchess Co. are already working to emulate. The cost will be reasonable, probably $40. Anyone interested in sponsoring or exhibiting should contact me off the list. Last year we had 150 people and were full so this year we've got a bigger space with room for 200+. Write to Simon Gruber for more information.
Considering the Costs and Benefits of Nuclear Power: Pros and Cons of New Plants
On October 22, 2008 at the New York City Bar Association's Great Hall 42 West 44th Street
>From 8:30 – 11:30 am (8:30 – 9:00 am continental breakfast)
Should new nuclear energy be in our future? The challenges of global warming, geo-strategic problems of access to fossil fuels and increasing demand for global energy resources have generated both controversy and urgency regarding nuclear power. The panel will review the technical, financial, environmental, health and proliferation issues and discuss the pros and cons of constructing new plants.
Introduction: Edna Sussman, Hoguet Newman Regal & Kenney, LLP
An International Perspective by: Maggie Lemmerman, Energy Policy Adviser, Global Issues Group, British Embassy, Washington
Pro’s and Con’s of New Nuclear Energy -- Panelists:
- Robert Alvarez, Senior Scholar, Institute for Policy Studies
- Carey W. Fleming, Senior Counsel - Nuclear Generation, Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC
- Dr. Edwin Lyman, Senior Staff Scientist, Global Security Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
- Caren Byrd, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley Investment Banking Division
Moderator:
Eileen D. Millett, Gibbons P.C.
Closing Remarks: Nancy Anderson, Sallan Foundation
Sponsors:
- Energy, Environmental Law, and International Environmental Law Committees of the New York City Bar Association
- Sallan Foundation
- Environmental Law Institute
This event is free and open to the public but registration is required. To register, please contact Judith Wallace at wallace@clm.com. Please contact Chris Fazio at fazio@clm.com or 212-238-8754 if you have any questions.
And, if nothing else gets your attention, perhaps it's time to can up those cucumbers:
QUICK FRESH-PACK DILL PICKLES
Ingredients:
8 pounds of 3- to 5-inch pickling cucumbers
2 gallons water
1¼ cups canning or pickling salt (divided)
1½ quarts vinegar (5 percent)
¼ cup sugar
2 quarts water
2 tablespoons whole mixed pickling spice
3 tablespoons whole mustard seed
About 14 heads of fresh dill OR 5 tablespoons dill seed
Yield: 7 to 9 pints
Procedure: Wash cucumbers. Cut 1/16-inch slices off blossom ends and discard, but leave ¼ inch of stem attached. Dissolve ¾ cup salt in 2 gallons water. Pour over cucumbers and let stand 12 hours. Drain. Combine vinegar, ½ cup salt, sugar and 2 quarts water. Add mixed pickling spices tied in a clean, white cloth. Heat to boiling. Fill jars with cucumbers. Add 1 teaspoon mustard seed and 1½ heads fresh dill (or 1½ teaspoons dill seed) per pint jar. Cover with boiling pickling solution, leaving ½-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rims. Adjust lids and process pints for 10 minutes or quarts for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath, or use the low-temperature pasteurization treatment explained on the last page.
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