Before we dive into the world around us this morning and you scroll down this page to find out what's happening in the area for the weekend, do me a favor:
Pass a copy of this newsletter on to people you know who live in Putnam County and who do not receive it either by subscription or who do not read it on the website. Let's spread the news around a bit.
Then hop on over to your Facebook account and become a fan of the News That Matters page that's recently been created there or click on the link over there in the right-hand column.
Finally, click on the "donate" button above ~ and you know what to do after that. It is that time of year again.
Good Friday Morning,
I gave the Town of Kent $2.50 the other day in order to keep its dog control officer, Kathy Hamilton, from swooping down in her black helicopter and arresting my dog for DWL, Dogging Without a License. (Ag and Markets Law, Section 110) I also gave the State of New York $2.50 for the same protection and if you own a dog you've done the same.
This isn't a tax. It isn't a fee. It's a revenue generating protection racket. The town collects the money then sends a portion to the county and then the county, after keeping a portion, sends the rest on to the state.
In my town, assuming 1/2 of all properties own a dog, (Hey, I have to have some number to work with,) the total take for the town would be around $8700 or so which seems hardly enough for the effort. Yeah, there's the rabies thing the state has set as a requirement but do we really need to pay the town and county and state to prove the dog's been inoculated?
As a gesture to a cash-strapped public the town and county could waive their portion of the fees and collect only the $2.50 the state demands.
For now at least, Ms. Hamilton, has been kept at bay.
I got a card in the mail from Senator Leibell yesterday telling me to lower my thermostat and seal my windows against the winter cold. You get that same information from me here at least once a week. It cost the state around $25,000 for postage alone for Unca Vinnie to put that card in your mailbox and we have no idea what the 4-color off-set printing costs in addition to the amount of paper produced, transported, mailed, handled once and then added to the garbage stream. It costs you $0.00 to get that information from me and the bits and bytes are forever recycled. 'Nuff said.
 As if taxes aren't high enough and more taxes masquerading as "fees" threaten to bankrupt the Average Jane or Joe, NY State has come up with another way of getting more money from you without "raising taxes". It's called New License Plates and you must get one. The state has unveiled a plan to force you to shell out $25 for the new plates for your car and/or truck. Aren't our old ones good enough? Apparently not.
Claiming to be a law enforcement tool, the state says that you need these new plates as your old ones have faded and are hard to read by cops on the beat. But the State's real goal is to raise $129 million dollars for the general fund. It's interesting how whenever anyone wants to raise your taxes they do so by claiming "law enforcement" or national security as the reason. Smarten up folks! Opt for fewer services and elect politicians with balls and be done with it.
<FOX News Watchers: Insert plausible fallacy here, scream hysterically, and see if anyone notices.>
 Jeff's Hot Soup for a Cold, Wet Night.
In a saucepan, add two vegetable bullion cubes to two quarts of water and boil to dissolve the bullion then set aside.
Heat a large pot and add enough olive oil to just cover the bottom. Slice up two medium-sized onions and toss them in the pot with a large spoonful (or two or three) of minced garlic. Stir around until the onions are just slightly softened. Lower the heat a bit and cover. Add two large diced potatoes and stir to cover everything with the onions and garlic and let the potatoes soften for just a little while you cut up a couple sweet Italian sausages and add them too. Add the bullion to the pot, raise the heat until it starts to boil then lower to a simmer.
While this is cooking, search your fridge for any left-over garden greens you have; kale, rabi, whatever you find. Slice it all up and add to the pot stirring well. Cover and simmer until the greens are well integrated, about 30 minutes.
Serve with hot cornbread.
Yeah. Men can cook.
Saturday: Putnam Chorale 8 PM - The Chorale will perform with guest soloists, and a professional orchestra all under the direction of Douglas Anderson. This season’s main performances are scheduled for: At the First United Methodist Church located on Main Street in Brewster, NY. The performace will include: HAYDN: Lord Nelson Mass (Mass in D), BEETHOVEN: Choral Fantasy, with piano soloist LAURENCE WILSON, MOZART: Ave Verum Corpus and HANDEL: Zadok, the Priest.
Reflectionist Exhibit: Visions, Sensations, Considerations 1-4 PM Visions, Considerations, Sensations. A cooperative of 28 artists asks us to “consider a picture not in 1000 words but in a few.” Artists’ Reception: Sunday, November 15. Free: Lake Carmel Cultural Center. More information: www.reflectionist.org Continues Next Weekend.
Sunday: Reflectionist Exhibit: Visions, Sensations, Considerations 1-4 PM Visions, Considerations, Sensations. A cooperative of 28 artists asks us to “consider a picture not in 1000 words but in a few.” Artists’ Reception: Sunday, November 15. Free: Lake Carmel Cultural Center. More information: www.reflectionist.org Continues Next Weekend.
Painting Critique Workshop 1-4 PM (For painters in any medium) with Jeanne Demotses. This 3 hour workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to have 3-5 paintings in any medium critiqued in a supportive atmosphere. Class size will be limited to 10. Hosted at the Tilly Foster Farms by the Putnam Arts Council. Fee: $40.
Putnam Chorale 3PM - The Chorale will perform with guest soloists, and a professional orchestra all under the direction of Douglas Anderson. This season’s main performances are scheduled for: At the Mt. Kisco United Methodist Church, 300 Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY. The performace will include: HAYDN: Lord Nelson Mass (Mass in D), BEETHOVEN: Choral Fantasy, with piano soloist LAURENCE WILSON, MOZART: Ave Verum Corpus and HANDEL: Zadok, the Priest.
The Tompkins Corners Family Music Festival 3:00 PM - The Tompkins Corners Family Music Festival will sponsor a program by many of our best local musicians. Scheduled to appear are Timothy Pitt, Pat and Suzi Cummings, Michelle Le Blanc, Ron Gluck, John and Judy Allen (unless their anticipated grandchild decides to make an appearance which he did!), Kate and Jan Hoekstra, the always wonderful music of the Peekskill Hollow String Band, and two newcomers, Neil Hickey and vocalist and Pat Delamere on accordion. Handicapped Accessible.
Donation: $10, $5 children 12-18, free under 12.
Location: Historic Tompkins Corners United Methodist Church
729 Peekskill Hollow Road.
Putnam Valley, N.Y. (one mile West of Taconic Parkway)
Information: www.tompkinschurchny.org Contact person: Gwen Cope 845-528-5076
| Sand and Sorrow 4:30 PM Sand and Sorrow, a documentary film about Darfur by Paul Freedman, produced and narrated by George Clooney. The film features an exclusive look deep inside Darfur and into the heart of the crisis as viewed by human rights activist John Prendergast, Harvard University professor Samantha Power and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. Sponsored by SLS Residential and the Putnam Arts Council at Tilly Foster Farms.
Into the Future: Friday, November 20 Michelle LeBlanc Trio 7:30 PM - at The Division Street Grill, 26 North Division Street, Peekskill NY 10566. Featuring:
 Bill Crow is a legendary string bass player whose career has included performances and recordings with jazz greats like Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Marian McPartland, Mose Allison, Chet Baker, Ray Brown, and Milt Jackson. Bill has toured extensively through Europe and also in Japan and Russia. Bill writes about jazz and has authored two entertaining books: From Birdland to Broadway and Jazz Anecdotes.� Visit him at www.BillCrowBass.com
 Tom Kohl, composer, arranger and jazz pianist, has performed, recorded, and taught throughout the Northeast since 1982. He has worked with Quincy Jones, Clark Terry, Richard Davis and Marc Johnson. Tom’s early studies with Archie Shepp and Dr. Horace Boyer instilled a deep sense of ensemble dynamics and harmonic adventure in his playing. Visit him at www.TomKohlmusic.com
 Michelle LeBlanc, jazz vocalist, has been performing in Hudson Valley jazz clubs and concert stages since the early 1990’s. She has worked with many Hudson Valley jazz greats, including Bill Crow, Tom Kohl, David Amram, Joe Puma, Ed Xiques, Michael Abene, Carmen Leggio, and also with Calloway Brooks at the Rainbow Room in New York City. Michelle was awarded annual grants for ten years in a row from New York State Council on the arts supporting her series of shows titled “JAZZ: The American Story� in which she traces the development of jazz and the history that gave rise to this uniquely American art form. Visit her at www.michelleleblanc.com
Saturday, November 21 Thomas Paine Lecture 2PM - The Southeast Museum will host a free lecture by Dr. J. Ward Regan. This talk is an examination of the life and writings of Thomas Paine at the end of the eighteenth century. By looking at his early political writings in England, Common Sense, and The Crisis Papers, the talk explores the integral role of Paine in not only the American Revolution, but also in the creation of a "democratic political ideology." The presentation will also explore the characterization of Paine as a preeminent philosopher, the genesis of radical politics, and a force in world events.
Sunday, November 22 Driven to Abstraction 1-4 PM With Jeanne Demotses. Presented by the Putnam Arts Council at Tilly Foster Farms. We will look at the principles which all artists rely upon to develop their paintings and discuss how those principles are used in abstract painting. Lecture & demonstration. Fee $40.
 Black Bears in New York
2PM - As part of the Friends of the Great Swamp's (FrOGS) Annual Meeting, Matt Merchant, a Senior Wildlife Biologist, NYS DEC will talk about our local black bear population. Matt met the black bear as a student in the Wildlife Management Program at the University of Maine when he participated in a study of bear habitat use and spent one summer live-trapping bears in northern Maine. After a decade with the DEC office in Stamford, NY, Matt is now in charge of NYS DEC’s bear program for Region 3 as well as head of their Sportsman Education Program. The event will be held at the Lalor Building at the intersection of Routes 164 and 311 in Patterson. The event is free.
Friday, November 27 Class Action 9 PM - At O'Malley's Bar and Grill, 30 East Main Street Mt. Kisco, NY. Featuring, Gary Cusano, Greg Kuczinski, Mike Latini, Rich Block and Matt Daus.
Friday, December 4 5th Annual Green Buildings & Energy Conference 9AM- 4:40PM - Education & Workforce Development for the 21st Century Economy at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. Sponsored by the Hudson Valley Regional Council, the Environmental Finance Center at Syracuse University, & Schein Media Green Business+Careers
Join regional leaders for a working conference on linking business, education, local government, workforce training and community development.
· Presentations and panel discussions will feature emerging trends, case studies, roundtable dialogue and networking opportunities, focusing on energy efficiency, green buildings, solar energy, water, local food and sustainable agriculture sectors. We’ll provide an overview of emerging training, education and workforce development programs and discuss how these programs can be tailored to fit the emerging economy.
· This program is designed to help identify and advance regional opportunities to benefit from the growing green economy. Building on previous programs, we will address key challenges and obstacles to be overcome, as well as potential solutions and mechanisms that can work for the Hudson Valley region.
· The program will highlight job-creation opportunities for organizations, businesses, and local government in the Hudson Valley region, and introduce examples from other areas in NY State where public-private partnerships are working to address these emerging needs and opportunities. It will also include discussion about educational goals for developing a deeper literacy in ecological issues that may be critical to realizing the full potential in these economic sectors.
Register now – space is limited. Visit http://www.hvregionalcouncil.org/ or call 845-564-4075 for more information.
Speakers and panelists will include Vince Cozzolino, The Solar Energy Consortium; William Schlesinger, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Wayne Williams, U.W. Marx Construction; Paul Mankiewicz, Gaia Institute; Lisa Cleckner, Syracuse Center of Excellence Frank Surdey, NY State Dept. of Labor; Rick Alfandre, Alfandre Architecture & US Green Building Council NY Upstate Chapter; Simon Gruber, Hudson Valley Regional Council; Tom Bregman, Antioch New England Graduate Center; Jonathan Schein, ScheinMedia; Judith LaBelle, Glynwood Center; Chris Marx, SUNY Ulster; William Makofske, Ramapo College; Hanah Ehrenreich, CNY Works; Melissa Everett, Sustainable Hudson Valley; Alan Berkowitz, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Mark Thielking, Town of Bedford; Martin Ping, Hawthorne Valley Association; Stephen Mitchell, SUNY Sullivan.
Co-sponsors include Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Sustainable Hudson Valley, US Green Building Council NY Upstate Chapter, Syracuse Center of Excellence, Building Performance Contractors Association of NYS, Mid-Hudson Energy $mart Communities, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Edible Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Smart Growth Alliance (list in formation.)
Saturday, December 5 Putnam Arts Council 15th Annual Invitational Craft Show and Sale 2009 Putnam Arts Council presents their 15thAnnual Invitational Craft Show and Sale ~ Their last official event at their digs at Tilly Foster Farm. The show will be featuring the work of 40+ regional artisans including jewelry, wearables, pottery, wood & metal works, original art and more ~ come see these beautiful and affordable treasures (for anyone on your list!) created here, in your own backyard. Admission and parking free, Tuesday – Sunday from noon-5pm, December 5-20, 2009 at The Lodge (Bldg 8), Tilly Foster Farm, 100 Rte 312, Brewster, NY ~ Special member preview, December 4, 6-8pm Info/directions: putnamartscouncil.com or 845-278-0230
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