My daughter was warning her 12yo about a phishing email aimed at Facebook users, which he assured her he knew all about, and the conversation then progressed to spam in general. He asked about "... all these advertisements for things like Viagra and Prozac; I know what Viagra is but what is Prozac?". - Nick Spaulding.
Good Friday Morning,
Today brings you our weekly "Things To Do Edition" which is chock full of interesting events you'll not likely see posted or advertised elsewhere. Why not pass your copy along to your friends in the area and help News That Matters grow?
And as always, your help and support - or your physical action- is essential to not only keeping News That Matters going and growing but to make the change you're seeking here in Putnam County and the Hudson Valley. There's a lot of good going on but we can make it better.
So, I went to Greg Ball's State Senate campaign rally in Carmel last evening and saw a good number of you there. As you could guess I've written up a status report that's posted to the blogsite here which might be worth a read. Mainstream media reports say "more than 1000" or "1200" but from pictures taken at the event I can only count several hundred. From that report:
A healthy crowd of ~700 people gathered at the steps of the county courthouse this (or last, depending on when you get this) evening and the first thing I heard booming from the PA system when leaving my car was, “…. and Greg Ball is not a politician!” I decided to head back to the car but Richie thought we should hear more. Interestingly, many people I knew were there, folks that came not for the message but for the event itself. And what an event it was!
Near the end of the evening and under the glare of spotlights with the national flag hanging behind him, framed on right and right (there was no “left” at this rally) by the ornate pillars adorning the old county courthouse, our next CongressmanAssemblyman State Senator took the podium to rouse the crowd with a series of misunderstandings, political slogans and several statements of Grand Delusion.
Dressed in dark slacks and a blue dress shirt highlighted with a red tie (apparently to signify to us fellow travelers that this is all an act,) he first asked veterans to raise their hands. I do not know why. Then he cheered Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck (I booed! Loudly). The guy behind me yelled, “Get rid of John Hall!”
Greggy told us that for the first time ever the United States was second only to France in the amount of intrusion the government had in our lives. On what criteria that was based he did not say but he said it and so it must be true. He told us about how his mother worked nights at a psychiatric hospital so that he and his family and [insert standard political stump speech here]. He talked for far longer than the three minutes allocated to others and I am sure you can read all about it in the FOX Courier next week. But the crowd had thinned considerably by that time, with around 350 hard-core fans staying to listen. In fact, the crowd remained pretty solid *until* Greggy Boy started to speak.
Note: Some of the events listed below come from MannaJo Greene's monthly activities calendar, from Sustainable Hudon Valley's Newsnotesand from the NYNJ Trail Conference's website.
10AM-3PM. Saturday and Sunday 1PM-4PM. 10 students received a First Place and Honorable Mention for each of the 5 Putnam County high schools including: Dan Galloway, Arianna Conti, Kura Kupetsky, Katie Steike, Zosia Kruk, Matt Hughes, Amanda Spinosa, Caitlyn Brehm, Ohnshil Kim and Vinicio Ginin. Three additional Over All awards went to work chosen as Overall Best in Show, awarded to Stephanie Becerra for King Speech, Second Place, awarded to Zosia Kruk’s watercolor (untitled) and a Third Place award to Anthony Alfonzetti’s relief print, Fish. The 75 works on exhibit from these talented emerging artists from the five Putnam County high schools remains on view through Friday 4/23 Tuesday-Friday, 10-3pm, Saturdays & Sundays 1-4pm. Admission and parking are free. Directions and information on this and all Putnam Arts Council programs and events can be found at www.putnamartscouncil.com or call 845.803.8622
Editor's Choice: "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train"
7PM - Film showing at The School of Jellyfish, 183 Main Street, Beacon. Sponsored by the Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance. Admission is free.
In these turbulent times, Howard Zinn is inspiring a new generation. This acclaimed film looks at the amazing life of the renowned historian, activist and author. Following his early days as a shipyard labor organizer and bombardier in World War II, Zinn became an academic rebel and leader of civil disobedience in a time of institutionalized racism and war. His influential writings shine light on and bring voice to factory workers, immigrant laborers, African Americans, Native Americans and the working poor.
Featuring rare archival materials and interviews with Zinn and colleagues such as Noam Chomsky, "You Can’t Be Neutral..." captures the essence of this extraordinary man who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years.
Narrated by Matt Damon • Featuring music by Pearl Jam, Woody Guthrie & Billy Bragg.
Lake Carmel Penny Social
7 PM - Call starts at 7:45. Admission 1 non-perishable food item. At the Lake Carmel Community Center. Call (845) 306-5602 for more information.
The Hatmaker's Daughters.
7:30PM - An Original Musical Fairytale. Book, Music, & Lyrics by local playwrite Aaron Emke. Directed by Martin Posner, Music Director Pam DeHuff. Performances are April 16,17, 23, 24 at 7:30pm. Pawling High School Auditorium, off Reservoir Road, Pawling. Tickets will be available at the door. Prices are $10 for Adults, $5 for Seniors, Students, & Children. For more information check our website www.pawlingtheatre.org or call 845-855-1965
Our narrator (Joseph "Rocky" Colavito) invites us to hear the hilarious tale of The Hatmaker’s Daughters. We learn that in the kingdom of Fredonia, there is a successful hat maker named McBaum (Scott Nenni) who lives with his wife April (Victoria Finnegan) and their many, many daughters. A tragic accident requires that April and the two eldest, June (Anna Krzyzewski) and May (Learann Jass), help run the hat shop. Alas, April is a less than talented milliner so business plummets and the McBaum family falls into poverty. Will this story end before it has begun?
Saturday, April 17
CEIE: "Horticultural Therapy"
8am – Sat Apr 17 3pm. 199 Dennings Avenue, Beacon, NY 12508. Our first volunteer session of "Horticultural Therapy" is this Saturday at the Center for Environmental Innovation and Education at Denning's Point in Beacon. Join us for all or part of the day to wake the gardens from a long sleep.
Bring your favorite rake and work gloves. Other "Horticultural Therapy" dates are: Thursday, April 22nd (Earth Day!), 3-6pm and Tuesday, May 4th, 4-7pm For more information and to let us know you'll be joining us, please email Terry at platz@highlands.com.
Trail Work at Wonder Lake State Park
With the NY/NJ Trail Conference. Contact Gary Haugland (hauglandg@aol.com) or call (845) 642-1590. They are continuing to build new trail, which includes trail clearing, side-hilling, and rock steps. No Previous Training Required! Please wear appropriate hiking attire and footgear, bring water and your lunch, and a pack. Tools are provided.
Mount Beacon Park Volunteer Orientation
10:00 a.m. to Noon. Mount Beacon Park, Beacon, Dutchess County. Learn how you can help maintain Scenic Hudson's magnificent parks as a member of our Volunteer Parks Patrol. Training will cover basic trail work practices, monitoring and public interaction; with hike and light trail work. Contact Anthony Coneski, 845 473 4440 Ext. 273, www.scenichudson.org .
Angora Rabbits On The Farm
1pm - 2:30 p.m. Bring your child(ren) to the farm to meet some fluffy bunnies! Learn how to groom them and take a turn "plucking" the long, soft fur. Older children can try spinning and carding the fleece. Common Ground Farm, call (845)838-1822 or email education@commongroundfarm.org . Cost: $10 parent & 1 child, $12 parent & 2 children, $15 per families of 4 or more.
Michelle LeBlanc Quintet
"I Could Write A Book" 1:30PM - At Mount Kisco Library's Coffee House Music Series. The free concert begins at 1:30pm Featuring Tom Kohl on piano, the legendary Bill Crow on bass, Joe Stelluti on horns and Ron Vincent on drums! I'm looking forward to seeing my old friends from Mt. Kisco and Bedford. Mount Kisco Public Library 100 Main Street, Mount Kisco NY, 10549 914 666 8041 www.mountkiscolibrary.com
Editor's Choice: Putnam County Land Trust Annual Dinner
5:30 PM - Starr Ridge Banquet and Conference Center 38 Starr Ridge Road, Brewster, NY
Please join your friends and neighbors as they celebrate Putnam County Land Trust’s achievements in preserving open space and protecting sensitive habitats in Putnam County.
Our annual benefit Dinner features an outstanding buffet, live music, a Live auction led by Ivan and Laura Cohen and a silent auction. Past auction donations have included weekend getaways, golf outings, antique furniture, wine baskets, unique jewelry, original art, lovely plants, gift certificates, and many items handcrafted just for this event.
Come see the displays and presentations about Land Trust properties and Putnam County’s many scenic areas that are right in your neighborhood. Awards and recognitions will be presented to individuals who have made a difference for the environmental community by volunteering their time, skills and resources.
Please help support the critical work of the Putnam County Land Trust by attending the dinner. Simply complete and mail in the form that follows. Seating is limited so send in your reservations as soon as possible. Please also consider donating an item or service for the auctions and/or placing an ad in the dinner journal.
To make your reservation, you may use the on-line reservation form which you can fill out and print from your computer, or you may contact the PCLT at 845 228-4520.
Bereznak Brothers Band
7:30 PM - Also known as the 3B Band. The Bereznak Brothers are originally from Lake Carmel. Feeling at loose ends.... Looking for something cool to do this Saturday night... something that breaks up the pattern of your normal weekend routine??? If you have $6, enjoy fresh coffee and pastries, and feel like hearing some great music from a variety of Hudson Valley Songwriters in a low key and relaxing atmosphere, you gotta come hang with us at the South Dover Methodist Church. We will be performing in a songwriters circle with Bill Buttner, Kathleen Pemble, Topher Thomas, and our host for the evening... Greg "Cowboy" Monacelli. It is guaranteed to be a great night of music. Show starts at 7:30pm and ends by 10:30pm. Bring a friend and your sweet tooth!!!! At the South Dover Methodist Church 6434 Route 55 Wingdale, NY. Admission: $6.
Sunday, April 18
Trail Work: Breakneck Bypass Trail
9:10am at large trailhead. Parking on Route 9D, 2 miles north of Cold Spring With the NY/NJ Trail Conference. Contact Leigh Draper, draper@nynjtc.org or Geof Connor, ghckat@yahoo.com Erosion control work on this important north Highlands trail.
Editor's Choice: Maggie Seligman
2PM - This is a wonderful venue with seating inside or out--just the place to enjoy yourself on a beautiful spring afternoon. Taste Budd's Chocolate and Coffee Cafe 40 West Market Street, Red Hook, NY 845-758-6500 www.tastebudds.com
Into the Future:
Monday, April 19
Stormwater Management and Restoration: Concepts and Skills
A One-Day Workshop on Emerging Green Job Opportunities & Skills in the Water Sector
There is no charge for this workshop. Please RSVP for one of the training dates in April as soon as possible if you are interested in participating – see list of locations and dates below. This session will be held at the Cooperative Extension Service's Home/Farm Center in Millbrook.
Protection and restoration of water resources is a high priority in the Hudson Valley region and throughout NY State. Regulations and programs to ensure proper management of stormwater runoff are becoming stricter over time. Stormwater requirements and other regional programs and priorities are creating new jobs and small business opportunities. The growing interest in green buildings and sustainability, including the LEED® certification system’s requirements and credits for sustainable site design and water conservation and reuse, is another key trend driving some of these industries. This one-day program is a great opportunity for a comprehensive introduction to underlying concepts, water resources goals, and the range of job opportunities and skills that are emerging. Registration does not require participation in the county’s One-Stop programs and only requires a RSVP and completing a simple form at the beginning of the workshop.
About The Presenters: Barbara Kendall, CPESC, Kendall Stormwater Services; Barbara Z. Restaino, ASLA, LEED AP Restaino Design Landscape Architects, PC; Simon Gruber, Hudson Valley Regional Council; and other special guest speakers. This program can be used to satisfy continuing education requirements for planning and zoning board members if it is approved by the local elected board (town, village or City).
This program is sponsored by the Hudson Valley Green Talent Pipeline Consortium through a grant from the NY State Department of Labor. The consortium is a regional group of local Workforce Investment Boards, Economic Development organizations, Education partners, Businesses and Community Based organizations. The grant lead is the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Investment Board.
Lighting up the Night-time Sky
6PM: The Putnam Valley Planning Board will take up the issue of an expansion of the soccer fields owned by Putnam Sports on Peekskill Hollow Road (at Bryant Pond Road) at their regular meeting. The subject site consists of ±13.5 acres and is located at the intersection of Peekskill Hollow Road and Bryant Pond Road in the R-3 Zoning District. The subject site contains an existing soccer camp which operates under an existing valid Special Use Permit. The subject property currently contains two (2) soccer fields, two (2) barns, associated parking, and an individual septic system and well. The applicant is proposing to amend certain conditions of the Special Use Permit relating to the number of permitted events and is also proposing to construct a 330' x 210' regulation soccer field and install lighting on the existing soccer field located closest to Bryant Pond Road .
Thursday, April 22
Earth Day 2010
Everywhere! Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.
Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.
Friday, April 23
What’s In Our Water?
Presented by the Hudson River Environmental Society 8:30 am – 4:30 pm - A conference exploring pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and sewage from storm overflows that are entering the Hudson River. Find out what we know about these contaminants, join a conversation to determine what we should do about their continued presence in our waterways. Topics include: Pharmaceuticals & ecosystem impacts; Contaminants from combined sewage overflows; Impact of wastewater & pharmaceuticals on amphibians; Fecal coliform contamination in the estuary; Policy implications of novel contaminants; and Public health concerns. For more information and to register, go to www.hres.org . See attached PDF. Government staff receive a special discount of $32 until 4/14 and $35 after 4/14. Location: Student Building, Vassar College
Sunday, April 25
The Reflectionist Spring Art Exhibit Features Viewer Interaction
Opening Reception: Sunday April 25 1-4PM. Arts on the Lake, Kent Lakes, NY will host the Spring Reflectionist Art Show, “Facets: Intellect and Emotion” in which artists and views are asked to interact and create a dialog.
Have you ever wished there was more viewer interaction at art exhibits? Some studies show that 17 seconds is the average time spent looking at a painting. We hope to engage you a bit longer and have you write your reactions to the painting or to the show question, “"How Does this piece activate your intellect and your emotions?" There is a clipboard near the artist’s comments and we invite you to “talk back” and jot down your comments”
Come and meet the artists. Refreshments provided. Admission is free. Additional Exhibit Hours: Saturday, May 1, 1-4PM and Sunday, May 2, 1-4PM.
Friday, April 30
Trees for Tribs Planting Event
On April 30th the Hudson Estuary Trees for Tribs program will pot-up 3,000 bare-root seedlings of native plants and shrubs. Many hands make light work and we need your help! Join us for a day in the dirt on "the berm" at the NYSDEC Region 3 offices in New Paltz (21 S. Putt Corners Road). Refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Jess Kindred at jckindre@gw.dec.state.ny.us or call (845) 256 3827. Event details may change due to weather and/or work load. Please call to confirm dates and times.
Bach B Minor Mass
Presented by the Putnam Chorale at 8PM at the United Methodist Church at 300 Main Street in Mt. Kisco. Tickets are $15. Call 845-279-7265 or visit www.putnamchorale.org for more information. See May 2nd, for a second chance.
The Mass in B Minor is widely regarded as one of the supreme achievements of classical music. Alberto Basso summarizes the work as follows: "The Mass in B minor is the consecration of a whole life: started in 1733 for 'diplomatic' reasons, it was finished in the very last years of Bach's life, when he had already gone blind. This monumental work is a synthesis of every stylistic and technical contribution the Cantor of Leipzig made to music. But it is also the most astounding spiritual encounter between the worlds of Catholic glorification and the Lutheran cult of the cross."
Scholars have suggested that the Mass in B Minor belongs in the same category as the Art of Fugue, as a summation of Bach's deep lifelong involvement with musical tradition - in this case, with choral settings and theology. Bach scholar Christoph Wolff describes the work as representing "a summary of his writing for voice, not only in its variety of styles, compositional devices, and range of sonorities, but also in its high level of technical polish...Bach's mighty setting preserved the musical and artistic creed of its creator for posterity."
The Mass was described in the 19th century by Hans Georg Nägeli as "The Greatest Artwork of All Times and All People."
Saturday, May 2
Kent CAC Hike to Hawk Rock and Mead Farm
10:30AM - meet at the DEP parking area at the end of Whangtown road in Kent. If you haven't been to Hawk Rock, you're in for a treat. When the glaciers retreated northward at the end of the last ice age, they were carrying some really big rocks that sometimes ended up in odd positions when the ice melted. One of these so called "erratics" is Hawk Rock. Local lore has it that long ago the Native Americans named it and used the site as a meeting place. It is certainly a believable story; the setting is beautiful and it's one impressive rock. You can see a picture of it here http://www.panoramio.com/photo/4059095
The Mead Farm, like the rest of this hike, is on land that was originally part of the hunting grounds for the Nochpeem tribe of Native Americans, a part of the Wappinger Confederacy. After passing through various people's hands, sometime in the 1860s Moses F. Mead purchased the eastern part of the farm where the ruins are today. The site includes a number of interesting features, including the foundations of the house, the stone portions of a cow barn and a beautiful corbelled stone chamber.
This is a moderate hike that takes about three hours round trip including stops for lunch and a look around the farm site. If weather forces us to cancel the hike, we'll post it on our website and let subscribers to this list know by e-mail. For further information contact Dave Ehnebuske.
Bach B Minor Mass
Presented by the Putnam Chorale at 3PM at Temple Beth-Elohim at 31 Mt. Ebo Road, Brewster. Tickets are $15. Call 845-279-7265 or visit www.putnamchorale.org for more information. See May 2nd, for a second chance.
The Mass in B Minor is widely regarded as one of the supreme achievements of classical music. Alberto Basso summarizes the work as follows: "The Mass in B minor is the consecration of a whole life: started in 1733 for 'diplomatic' reasons, it was finished in the very last years of Bach's life, when he had already gone blind. This monumental work is a synthesis of every stylistic and technical contribution the Cantor of Leipzig made to music. But it is also the most astounding spiritual encounter between the worlds of Catholic glorification and the Lutheran cult of the cross."
Scholars have suggested that the Mass in B Minor belongs in the same category as the Art of Fugue, as a summation of Bach's deep lifelong involvement with musical tradition - in this case, with choral settings and theology. Bach scholar Christoph Wolff describes the work as representing "a summary of his writing for voice, not only in its variety of styles, compositional devices, and range of sonorities, but also in its high level of technical polish...Bach's mighty setting preserved the musical and artistic creed of its creator for posterity."
The Mass was described in the 19th century by Hans Georg Nägeli as "The Greatest Artwork of All Times and All People."
Each year Friends of the Great Swamp leads canoe trips on the East Branch Croton River into one of the largest wetlands in New York State. Join us on one of these enjoyable adventures into the Great swamp and experience this beautiful and valuable resource for yourself. As we enter this magical wilderness we will explore the biodiversity and learn more about the values of this nationally significant wetland. The Swamp provides critical habitat for aquatic species as well as for migrating and breeding birds. We have seen Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Prothonotary Warblers and Common yellowthroats as well as Wood Duck, Mallards and many, many more. There are Turtles, Dragonflies, some fantastic plants and possibly catch a glimpse of a mink or a muskrat.
Explore the Swamp with FrOGS. Meet us at the Green Chimney's Beach on Doansburg Road (formerly Putnam Lake Road) of Rte 22. FrOGS members will guide each trip and point out the birds and plants as we canoe.
All levels of paddlers are welcome. We will provide canoes, paddles, Life jackets (bring your won if you wish) and a licensed Lifeguard. We suggest you bring bottled water, sunglasses and layered clothing to accommodate temperature changes. We will canoe rain or shine. In extreme conditions, we ask that you call for cancellation and rescheduling information.
Reservations are a must and space is limited so get your reservations early! For information and reservations contact:
Laurie Wallace at (845-279-8858) or Laurwally@aol.com subject: Canoe Trip
$22.00 Adult Member, $11.00 Child (6 to 14 years) $26.00 Adult Non-member, $16.00 Child (6 to 14 years)
7PM - Film showing at 
7:30PM - An Original Musical Fairytale. Book, Music, & Lyrics by local playwrite Aaron Emke. Directed by Martin Posner, Music Director Pam DeHuff. Performances are April 16,17, 23, 24 at 7:30pm. Pawling High School Auditorium, off Reservoir Road, Pawling. Tickets will be available at the door. Prices are $10 for Adults, $5 for Seniors, Students, & Children. For more information check our website 
8am – Sat Apr 17 3pm. 199 Dennings Avenue, Beacon, NY 12508. Our first volunteer session of "Horticultural Therapy" is this Saturday at the Center for Environmental Innovation and Education at Denning's Point in Beacon. Join us for all or part of the day to wake the gardens from a long sleep. 
Please join your friends and neighbors as they celebrate Putnam County Land Trust’s achievements in preserving open space and protecting sensitive habitats in Putnam County.
Everywhere! Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.
Opening Reception: Sunday April 25 1-4PM. Arts on the Lake, Kent Lakes, NY will host the Spring Reflectionist Art Show, “Facets: Intellect and Emotion” in which artists and views are asked to interact and create a dialog. 
The Mass in B Minor is widely regarded as one of the supreme achievements of classical music. Alberto Basso summarizes the work as follows: "The Mass in B minor is the consecration of a whole life: started in 1733 for 'diplomatic' reasons, it was finished in the very last years of Bach's life, when he had already gone blind. This monumental work is a synthesis of every stylistic and technical contribution the Cantor of Leipzig made to music. But it is also the most astounding spiritual encounter between the worlds of Catholic glorification and the Lutheran cult of the cross."
Each year Friends of the Great Swamp leads canoe trips on the East Branch Croton River into one of the largest wetlands in New York State. Join us on one of these enjoyable adventures into the Great swamp and experience this beautiful and valuable resource for yourself. As we enter this magical wilderness we will explore the biodiversity and learn more about the values of this nationally significant wetland. The Swamp provides critical habitat for aquatic species as well as for migrating and breeding birds. We have seen Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, Prothonotary Warblers and Common yellowthroats as well as Wood Duck, Mallards and many, many more. There are Turtles, Dragonflies, some fantastic plants and possibly catch a glimpse of a mink or a muskrat.
