Bad Joke of the week:
"...this Court now concludes that independent expenditures, including those made by corporations, do not give rise to corruption or the appearance of corruption. That speakers may have influence over or access to elected officials does not mean that those officials are corrupt. And the appearance of influence or access will not cause the electorate to lose faith in this democracy." -- US Supreme Court: Citizens United vs FEC
Good Friday morning,
Weather reports for the next few days are calling for windy and very cold conditions with sub-zero wind chills especially at night and in the mornings.
The standard neighbor deal applies: Check in on anyone you know who is living alone or is elderly or infirm. Don't think that single 34 year old former high school football player and current NYC fireman will be fine. The loss of household heat over night, a slip in the shower... Anything can go wrong.
Tonight's full Moon is the biggest and brightest full Moon of the year. It's a "perigee Moon," as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than other full Moons you'll see later in 2010. Mars is also having a close encounter with Earth, and tonight it will join the Moon for an all-night-long conjunction. Don't miss it! Sky maps and images can be found at http://spaceweather.com.
There have been three notable deaths over the past few days. For one, author J.D. Salinger. If anyone has been to High School, the intensely private Mr. Salinger was part of your life - whether you wanted him to be or not.
His tale of teenage angst, "The Catcher in the Rye", has been required reading in many school districts across the land and even banned in a quite a few. Between 1960 and 1981 "The Catcher in the Rye" was the most banned book in American schools and the tenth most frequently challenged book between 1990 and 1999 and remained so as late as 2005. Interestingly, in communities where the book was banned from classrooms, libraries saw a marked increase in requests. We are a very strange nation.
 Second, we've lost one of our nation's most astute and important historians, Professor and WWII veteran, Howard Zinn.
Mr. Zinn's books have tasked several generations of Americans to reconsider the way they've been taught their own history, to seek verification from, and to question the authority of those who teach us using the standard model. He once said, "They have learned nothing, absolutely nothing, from the history of the 20th century, from a hundred years of retaliation, vengeance, war, a hundred years of terrorism and counter-terrorism, of violence met with violence in an unending cycle of stupidity." His voice will truly be missed.
 The most recent is that of Scottish musician Alistair Hulett who died at 57 years old for want of a liver transplant at a hospital in Glasgow.
Alistair's reach has been everywhere from politics to Australian punk rock and he has toured the world playing with notable musicians such as Dave Swarbrick, David Rovics, Niamh Parsons and James Fagan. His acoustic version of The Internationale has moved thousands and is more than worth a listen.
The Parenthood Award for January 2010 goes to Patterson's Anthony and Gina Edwards, both 25. The Edwards' were caught stealing catalytic converters from cars at the Southeast train station and selling them off for $150-$200 a pop as scrap. While they were out under your car with an electric hacksaw in hand, their young child was sitting patiently in the car awaiting their return.
Hudson Valley State Assemblyman Frank Skartados has submitted legislation that would transfer authority for the Walkway Over The Hudson to the NY Bridge and Tunnel Authority. The legislation gives control, not of the walkway itself which will remain with Parks and Rec, but the superstructure on which it rests. We smell an EZPass lane somewhere in our pedestrian and bicycling future.
In Wednesday's column section on Verizon's billing, reader GB wrote:
"You have pushed some great buttons in this edition. The Verizon bill under the guise of full disclosure has made understanding it impossible; but you have shed bright light on the issue. Thanks."
You're most welcome. I hope others were equally entertained and informed. But more than that, I hope this spurs you to some kind of action. Call Verizon's billing support line and tell them what you now know to be true. They will argue with you. They will give you the Company Line. Take it, then tell the operator that when their shift is over to go home and look it up themselves but not at the Verizon website(!) but from any other independent source. Make them promise they will.
On Wednesday's lead-in quote by the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, reader LR wrote:
"Your quote from the Palestinian source is also in my opinion inflammatory and does nothing to bring people together, instead it divides."
Well, yes, that was the point. That's exactly what Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had in mind when he spoke those words last weekend. But it's also important that you know that kind of talk goes on at the highest levels of governments... and not just in Palestine or Malaysia.
On Wednesday's link to the TSA video shot by a guy at the Detroit airport, reader JG wrote:
"That TSA video is scary to watch. It is all for the good of the public but maybe not all good for the public."
The good part is that you should know your rights. The bad part is that the TSA has no clue what your rights are and where their place is.
The part-time Assemblyman who wanted to be a Congressman but was instead gifted a NY State Senate seat was, we all remember, embroiled in a bit of a scandal over The Courage Cup, a charity to raise money for disadvantaged children. According to a Washington Post article from June 12, 2007;
"The Reliable Source found that a New York political action committee started by Ball -- which later transferred its entire treasury to his campaign -- netted as much as $10,000 by selling tickets to the 2005 Courage Cup. That's four times the amount the polo match raised that year for its prominently advertised beneficiary, Work to Ride, a Philadelphia charity that teaches poor kids to play polo. "
and
"I thought the money was going to kids," said Andrew McKenna."I'd be pretty [infuriated] if I found out this was for a political race."
and
"I don't recall supporting him," said Eden Ellis, an acquaintance of Ball's who remembered hearing about his political aspirations but didn't know how $50 in her name ended up in CUEG's filings. "I think I would have remembered that."
Since he has not sued the Washington Post nor was a retraction posted, we must assume their reporting was accurate. He'll fit in well with the State Senate.
The Progressive Caucus in the House of Representative is caught in a canoe without a paddle and the waterfall is rapidly approaching.
Many of my Democratic Party friends were enthused by the President's speech the other night. But we're still in Afghanistan, gays still cannot serve openly in the military and are being discharged at an alarming rate, and health care "reform" has turned into a trillion dollar handout to insurance companies who are already making millions. They say, "be patient". I say, "Don't blame me. I voted for Nader"
The Putnam Arts Council is pleased to announce that it has re-granted $26,100 to seventeen non-profit organizations to support cultural programs and services that will take place in Putnam County in 2010.
 The Artslink fund is a combination of State support through the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program and county support through the Putnam Arts Fund.
Each year, a panel of artists, educators, business and community members reviews the many requests submitted by local arts groups through the Putnam Arts Council. The panel then recommends funding for the projects it feels reach a broad audience, generate the most benefit to the community and support the professional development of artists and arts groups.
The 2010 Artslink recipients are:
- Aery Theatre Co. (sponsored by Garrison Landing Assoc.) for the 20/20 one-act play competition and festival at the Depot Theater in Garrison.
- Arts on the Lake for a full production of the original musical “Troll-Loll-La” – new work by local professionals (Kent) (See Sunday below)
- Brewster Theater Co. for main stage & small stage productions and workshops at several locations – both free or affordable (Brewster area)
- Chapel of Our Lady Restoration Inc. for the 2010 music series of 7 concerts, both classical and jazz, by professional musicians in Cold Spring
- Collaborative Concepts for the 4th Annual outdoor sculpture exhibit on the rolling pastures of Saunders Farm in Garrison
- Desmond Fish Library for 3 series of photography workshops for children, teens & adults in different aspects of the medium in Garrison
- Doansburg Chamber Ensemble for the 2010 season of 6 chamber ensembles and two chamber orchestra concerts (county wide)
- Garrison Art Center for the School Invitational Theme Exhibit of students work from many area schools at Garrison Art Center
- Hudson Valley Shakespeare for “Family Night” ticket packages with pre-show interactive workshops at Boscobel in Garrison
- Mahopac Public Library for “BAMM Mixed Bag” a series of 7 concerts by a wide variety of established & emerging artists at the library
- Nimham Mountain Singers for the cultural activities at the 10th Annual Daniel Nimham Intertribal Pow Wow at Veteran’s Park in Kent
- Nowodworski Foundation (sponsored by Brewster Library) for project “SITE You Picasso” art workshops and exhibits for children at Brewster Library
- Philipstown Performing Arts for 2 full stage productions- original play by Richard Knipe and Three Penny Opera at the Depot Theater in Garrison
- Prelude Ballet Ensemble for a new ballet program to be performed free at a variety of venues, often with the West./Putnam Youth Symphony, designed to capture new ballet audiences
- Putnam Chorale for 2010 season of full concerts and chamber Ensemble performances & 2 community “sing alongs” (county-wide)
- Putnam Symphony Orchestra for a spring concert of music from opera and ballet favorites by full orchestra at the Performing Arts Center in Brewster
- Sunset Reading Series (sponsored by Butterfield Library) for 4literary readings at the Chapel of Our Lady Restoration, Inc. in Cold Spring.
Saturday: Community Flea Market at the PV Grange 10AM - 4PM - Tables $12.50 in advance. $15 at the door. Proceeds to the Grange. Call Mary Mercedes for more information at 845.216.1934. The PV Grange is at Adams' Cors at the corner of Mill Street and Peekskill Hollow Road.
Michelle LeBlanc 7:30PM to 10:30PM - Michelle will be playing Saturday nights starting January 16th at the Hudson House Inn in Cold Spring on Saturday evenings through February. Featuring jazz guitarist Steve Lamattina. The Inn is at 2 Main Street, Cold Spring NY 10516 Call 845 265 9355 for dinner reservations. The historic Hudson House Inn has world class food and offers elegant lodging overlooking the Hudson River and Storm King Mountain. Cold Spring is a charming getaway destination with wonderful river views, shops and antiques. Cold Spring's Metro North train stop is only minutes away. www.hudsonhouseinn.com
Sunday: Open Cast Call  The Bare Bones Theatre Company, is preparing an April production of Troll-Loll-La!, an original musical based on Norwegian folktales by Tony Howarth and Sheldon Gartner, at the Cultural Center on Lake Carmel. Open auditions for a cast of 18 will be held at the Center at 640 Route 52, in Kent on Sunday, January 31, starting at 1 p.m.
Troll-Loll-La!, which had a well-received reading at the Center in November 2008, will be directed by Howarth, with choreography by Bart Cook. The musical director will be composer Gartner. Rehearsals are expected to begin February 6 and will be held mostly on weekends. Performances are scheduled for April 9, 10, 11 at the Lake Carmel Cultural Center, home of Arts on the Lake.
Singers are asked to prepare a song for the audition and bring sheet music of the song for the accompanist. Candidates will also be asked to read short selections from the script, which will be available at the audition. Auditions will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Characters include: FREDDIE, 16-20; KRISTINA, 16-20; FREDDIE'S mother; KRISTINA'S father; PETER and PAUL, Freddie's older brothers; STORYTELLER; A THREE-HEADED TROLL; THREE SPECTRES; TROLL MOTHER and her adult daughter, BABY TROLL; THE OLD WOMAN OF THE WOODS; THE WEST WIND; CHORUS of six; and several non-singing roles.
Further information is available by email to barebones300@aol.com or by leaving message at the Art Center, 845 228-2685.
Into the Future: Saturday, February 6 Molly Mason and Jay Ungar in Concert 8PM - Join Molly Mason and Jay Ungar in concert at the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon for fundraising concert to benefit the Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action at Manhattanville College. 477 Main Street, Beacon. $20. Call 845.831.4988 for more information.
Teatown’s Hudson River EagleFest:  6th Annual Regional Celebration. 9:00am-4:00pm at Croton Point Park Major Sponsors: Friends of Westchester County Parks, Westchester County Parks, Club Fit. With additional support from TD Bank, Westchester County, Croton-on-Hudson, and all EagleFest Collaborating Organizations.
EagleFest Headquarters and all theaters will be located in heated tents at Westchester County’s Croton Point Park. Free parking and shuttle buses from outlying lots, including a shuttle bus from Metro North’s Croton-Harmon Train Station. Ticket holders for all shows should allow at least 30 minutes for parking and shuttle rides.
EagleFest 2010 Features: - Birds of Prey Shows in the Eagle Theater Tent
- Eagle Exploration Bus Tours
- Collaborators exhibits with educational displays
- Children’s area – with interactive games, crafts, and hands-on discoveries
- Additional presentations in the Eaglet Theater Tent
- Eagle Viewing Along the Hudson River
- And so much more!
Call Teatown at 914 762-2912 x110 to purchase tickets or for more information Admission to EagleFest Headquarters and River Sites is free, but a donation of $2 per person is suggested. Bird Of Prey Shows, $5 per person
Eagle Exploration Bus Tours, $20 per person (ages 12+) Saturday, March 6 Work on the Appalachian Trail  From Tim Messerich: So, I am a little bit a head of the game. Just wanted to let you know. Trail work starts on March 6 on the Appalachian Trail in Fahnestock State Park. So those who don't know we have formed a club RPHCV.We are a member club of NY/NJ Trail Conference.We take care of RPHC on the AT plus do all kinds of great trail work projects. Oh, I almost forgot, our annual big trail work and campout is in July. The food Man, The food! Join our club, Our dues are cheap. Hope to see you on the trail, RPHCV. Call 845-297-9573 http://timtrek.mikentim.com
CCE Spring Garden School Putnam Cornell Cooperative Extension Services. Their annual Spring Garden School will be held March 6 at the Desmond Fish Library in Garrison. Just when you're ready for an end-of-winter break, our four classes will make a great day:
* Seed starting
* All-nature pest control
* Dealing with deer and other 4-legged critter
* Basic Garden Design
Hands-on learning plus lecture-style in a friendly environment. The fee for the whole day is only $15 per person -- and you can save $5 if you bring a friend (2 people = $25). Be an early bird and sign up now. More information is here.
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