Good Friday Morning,
Remember that article I ran on Wednesday about the cost of maintaining Senator Leibell's office? I woke yesterday morning to several emails telling me to take a look at the Journal News and sure enough, there was the article. They had their own spin on it which technically made it their own, but how many times is the Gannett Corporation going to look to News That Matters for story ideas without crediting the originator? Do me a favor, click here. If we can collect enough we'll buy the Journal News and turn it into the bi-monthly knitting magazine it was meant to be.
Residents in the Town of Patterson are up in arms and organizing like no one's business. You'd think someone was trying to build a shopping mall on the edge of town or something.
They're complaining about noise and dust and traffic and lowered property values, saying they moved to Putnam County for the peace and quiet and HOW DARE ANYONE TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US!
Sadly, all the noise being generated is falling on ears that might have heard if we weren't ourselves preparing for years of blasting and dust and traffic and lowered property values and construction activity for Patterson's favorite, most beloved project, one that will not affect their peace and tranquility and property values.
And though in the past our sympathies would have been in their favor we've been stung and burned by them time and again over the past 4 or 5 years and so it's best to let them squirm and get a taste of their own medicine for a while. It's actually kind of fun watching the show.
While we've got Patterson on our minds, their Highway Chief seems to be in a bit of trouble. Reports from the Midhudson News say that he misappropriated time, materials and whatnot for personal use and has been arrested and charged but is still collecting a salary. Maybe he can get a job at the new race track?
Newly elected Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown found himself the recipient of $450,000 from Wall Street firms in the last couple of weeks leading up to the election. Tea-baggers who mistakenly believe he's their creation had better take a second look at what they've made.
Bank of America will charge you a $35 fee for each overdrawn transaction and will use those fees to pay out $4 BILLION in bonuses to their upper-echelon employees this year. At least you know why they have to charge those fees.
James O'Keefe, the darling of ultra-conservatives across the land, the guy that brought us carefully edited hidden video footage that caused ACORN grievous trouble and sent FOXNews' pundits into a mis-directed feeding frenzy, has a pretty interesting past: As a student at Rutgers he refused to room with a gay roommate and then when he was moved, complained that he was on an all Black floor. His second roommate, an "Indian midget" apparently "smelled like shit". Things went downhill from there. You can read more about this Hero Of Conservatism here and here.
California Congressman Duncan Hunter claims that if the military removes its Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy hermaphrodites and transsexuals will be joining the military. He also says that soldiers have a "special bond" that would be broken if gay men and women were allowed to serve openly.
When told by a reporter that gay men and women are already in the military, joined in that "special bond", taking showers, peeing, pooping and sleeping in tightly packed barracks, he said that if the policy is removed he expects gay soldiers to come to boot camp and loudly announce their homosexuality to everyone and that now, in secret, it's better that soldiers don't know.
I have friends who have recently been in the Marines and the Army and served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and they don't care if you're gay or straight. As far as they're concerned, when the bullets are flying they'd just prefer you weren't wearing high heels or fooling with your makeup.
Songwriter Fred Small had this to say about all that:
The Marine's Lament, by Fred Small
From the halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
I have fought my country's battles
I have faced every enemy
I ain't scared of no Iraqi missiles
I ain't scared of no Russian tanks
If I'm captured and tortured all they'll get
Is my serial number name and rank
You know I'd storm Baghdad to kick Saddam's ass
Swim to Havana bring home Castro's beard
For my buddies throw my body on a live grenade
I guess I just don't know the meaning of fear
But please
Please
Please please please please please
Don't make me shower with a fairy
Not a fairy--fairies scare me
Cause a fairy might look at my weewee
My weewee--it's so teeny
Rock on.
Tonight: Storms of My Grandchildren: 7PM - The Truth about the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity. Renowned climatologist Dr. James Hansen will be presenting his new book, Storms of My Grandchildren: The Truth about the Coming Climate Catastrophe and Our Last Chance to Save Humanity. Coined the father of climate science, Hansen is the director of NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies. More than 30 years ago he created one of the first climate models, Model Zero, which he used to accurately predict warming scenarios in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. His Congressional testimonies propelled the issue of global climate change into the public and policy discourse. Learn more at www.caryinstitute.org. Events are free and open to the public. Location: Cary Institute’s auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) in Millbrook, New York Saturday: The Great Hudson River Excursion With BAS’s Walter Fowler and Peter Becker 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Carpool from Bylane Farm or meet at the Croton River Landing, past the Croton train station at 9:00 a.m. Coordinating with other local birding groups, Bedford Audubon will be a collaborator of this year’s annual EagleFest. A special field trip is planned exclusively for BAS members to several destinations along the Hudson River, where we expect to see multiple species of ducks, geese, and birds of prey including Bald Eagles. The trip will conclude at the DEP and Bedford Audubon’s tent at the Croton Dam, manned by Tait Johansson and BAS president, Tony Ianniello, who will greet visitors and answer questions. Refreshments will be served. Level of difficulty: Easy. Register with Joan E. Becker by e-mail or by telephone at (914) 232-4806.
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+) Earthlings 2PM - At the Mahopac Library. An award-winning documentary film about the suffering of animals for food, fashion, pets, entertainment and medical research. Warning: contains graphic images. Not recommended for children. Free. Registration required. Register at www.mahopaclibrary.org, or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100
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 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.
Sunday: Candlewood Hill (Gazebo Hike) Info at PlanPutnam's Outdoor Recreation Page.
Google Earth KMZ File
This is an easy hike of just over a mile each way with a slow but steady climb to the summit.
 This trail begins on a private driveway along West Shore Drive across from a trail to the beach.
Follow the gravel drive upwards, skirting two private homes (please keep your noise down and your dogs leashed). You'll see a fork to the left which you'll take and then very soon, bear right, that will bring you near and alongside a small and very pretty pond. Stay on the road but when you see it begin to wind back towards a house jog through the woods to the left to pick up another old road again.
Follow this road until you reach a "T" intersection at which point you will turn to the RIGHT and follow the trail through a pretty forest, first descending and then slowly climbing.
After about 45 minutes, and a last short steep climb, you'll reach the first of several ledges with views south and westward over Belle Hollow with the Graymoor watertower in the distance and beyond that a glimpse of the Hudson River about 15 miles away.
A little further up the trail you'll come to an old gazebo (built in 1989 by Peter Rossi & Friends) that has seen better days but from which views out over Lake Oscawana and back over the bulk of Fahnestock State Park are quite nice. Stop for a picnic lunch here and enjoy the scenery.
Follow your steps for the return being careful to make the appropriate turns.
Into the Future: Wednesday, February 10 Putnam Valley Farmer's Market (ongoing on Wednesdays) 3PM - 7PM - The Farmers Market at the Lake Peekskill Community Center continues on Wednesdays from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. with winter produce and and a variety of food products plus coffee and hot cider. We also have craft vendors with a selection of jewelry and art items for sale. Directions: From Oregon Corners, go north on Oscawana Lake Rd. turn left onto Williams Street (street after Morrisey Drive). At end of street, make a right onto Lake Drive. Make next left onto Northway. Parking adjacent to Community Center.
Saturday, February 13 Garnet Rogers 6:30 PM - At the Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse. At the Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605. "Garnet Rogers may be the greatest male interpreter and vocalist performing in the contemporary folk scene... A first rate writer... musical integrity and powerful permormance..." - Sing Out! More information is here.
Friday, February 19 League of Women Voter's Annual Dinner 7PM - Marco's Restaurant, 612 Route 6 & 6N in Mahopac. Tickets are $30. Guest speaker, Putnam County Executive Robert Bondi. RSVP to (845) 6261 or email lwvepc@gmail.com. Annual Membership meeting will be before dinner at 6PM.
March Putnam Arts Council Announces Inaugural Exhibit on Return to Mahopac The Putnam Arts Council is delighted to announce our first exhibit in our re-built, state of the art gallery space at 521 Kennicut Hill Rd. in Mahopac. We will re-open with our annual Members show, an exhibit of fine art by current PAC members. This is a benefit of membership offered once each year; 2010 marks the 47th such annual exhibit.
Our new bright gallery space boasts a wide open room with 3 skylights, exceptional lighting, and a shadow line where the walls meet the new multi functional floor. Although not all of our hundreds of members are active artists, many are, and all our members support the arts here in Putnam, making this a very popular part of our annual exhibit calendar.
Staff and members of PAC’s Visual Arts Committee will accept work Tuesday 3/2 – Friday 3/5 and on Sunday 3/7 from noon to 3pm at our Mahopac site. Artists may join when delivering work. Complete details can be found in the show prospectus at our website putnamartscouncil.com along with information about other 2010 activities.
Members are encouraged to attend the Council’s Annual meeting Saturday 3/13 from 3-4pm to re-visit highlights of 2009 as well as preview 2010 plans, immediately followed by an opening reception. The 47th Annual Members Exhibit will be on view to the public through March 28th, during gallery hours, Tuesday – Friday, 10-3 and Sunday 1-4.
PAC staff will welcome visitors during our Open House week, Tuesday 3/16 – Friday 3/19 from 10-3. For directions or more information about this and all our classes, programs, services and other activities, visit putnamartscouncil.com where weekly updates are posted, or call 845.216.0636 during office hours: Tues- Fri, 10-4.
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