| News That Matters Brought to you (Almost Daily) by PlanPutnam.Org | |||||||||||||
| Contact Us | Shop Putnam | Putnam Outdoors | RSS Feed | Visit the Blog | Visit our Sponsor | Donate | Blogsite | Events | |||||||||||||
| | |||||||||||||
| Good Friday Morning, I hope everyone had a nice Earth Day. I spent mine trying to figure out how I'm going to pay the County for the simple right to work. Can you believe that? You've read it here before (see this link) but it's worth repeating: In order for blue collar workers to work in Putnam County we have to pay (yes, you read that right, PAY) the county $250 every two year for the privilege and for that we get nothing in return. Those dollars go to the Consumer Affairs Division where, after expenses, our $250's raked in more than $170,000 in profit for the county above and beyond the cost of running the Consumer Affairs Division. This is not a dig against the Consumer Affairs Division, let's be clear about that. But it is a dig against the county adding yet another hidden tax. Government is not supposed to be in the profit-making business but hey, this is the shakedown, the protection racket that our county government runs and there's not a soul in that building on Lake Gleneida who wants to talk about this. Instead, they see the income and figure we'll just pass theOur latest quick-poll asks who you'd like to see as County Executive. So far, "Someone Else" is leading with 60%. Drop by the blogsite and give your opinion. The race to replace Senator Vincent Leibell is heating up with the Republican field getting as crowded as a subway car in Tokyo at rush hour. On the Democratic side, only Westchester county legislator Mike Kaplowitz has stepped up to the plate. To date, no third party candidates have announced their intentions for the district. An article in the FOX Courier this week about Senator Leibell's run for County Executive reads either like an obituary or a press release written by his mom. Wait a month then check it out online. The House of Representatives of the state of Arizona passed a law the other day that requires future presidential candidates to show proof of birth before they'll be allowed on the ballot in that state. The State's Senate has yet to vote on the measure but rumor has it they will add to the bill a requirement to prove potential candidates are heterosexuals and god-fearing Christians as well.  The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, burned and sank in the Gulf of Mexico the other day killing 11 people. There is now an alert for a possible 300,000 gallon per day oil leak as the well spews oil, uncontrolled, into the murky waters. News reports say this could be a bad thing if the oil reaches the Louisiana coast a mere 50 miles away. It's a bad thing any way you look at it.This is nothing new for the Gulf of Mexico, a body of water which contains a large "dead zone" where, thanks to pollutants coming in from the Mississippi River and oil drilling nothing lives.
Things To Do:
Tonight
What’s In Our Water? | |||||||||||||
8PM - Cultural Center on Lake Carmel. 
Class Action at the Winery| Mostly Sunny | 70°/45° |
Wappingers Creek Water Derby
8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Canoe / Kayak Race down Wappingers Creek 8 Mile Course, Open to all abilities. Sponsor: Aquatic Explorers. Start: Pleasant Valley Rec. Center. Cost: $15.00 (18+) $12.00 (<18), pre-register for discount. Call Sandy at (845) 635-3463 or check website: www.aquaticexplorers.org .
Lake Carmel Annual Spring Cleanup Day
9AM - 11AM - This year the annual Lake Carmel Park District Spring Clean Up Day is April 24th from 9 to 11 A.M. (Rain date is Sunday the 25th) Bring your kids, dogs, parents and neighbors! Simply step outside your door with a large trash bag and walk down towards the lake picking up all the trash you can find along the way! You can leave the bags along the lake side of Lake Shore Drive and we will pick them up.
Then come over to Beach 3 for coffee and donuts and meet your neighbors who also cared enough to volunteer to help keep our beautiful lake community clean! Any questions please call Ed at 845 803-1592 and leave a message. Also remember, any participation counts towards community service hours or scout badges for all the kids! See you there!
Thanks, The Lake Carmel Park District Advisory Board (A volunteer organization)
Vernal Pool Field Training
10 AM - Noon - Free workshop for Planning Board and Conservation Commission members. Vernal pools are seasonal woodland pools that provide habitat for rare amphibians and store spring rains and snowmelt to prevent flooding. Spring is the perfect time to visit vernal pools, while frog and salamander eggs are visible. Participants will learn about the protection needs of vernal pools, which require special attention in site design because pool-breeding amphibians also rely on surrounding upland habitat. Participants will also learn to evaluate the quality of pools, allowing them to better assess sites in the field.
Workshop is outdoors. Please come prepared for a walk in the woods! Presented by Mid-Hudson Ecological Services, an environmental consulting firm that specializes in providing technical support and training to municipalities throughout the Hudson Valley. Registration required: (845) 489-2286 / info@midhudsonecological.com . To learn more about services provided, visit www.midhudsonecological.com.
Location: Winnakee Preserve in Hyde Park (located behind Pete’s Famous Restaurant at 4200 Albany Post Road (Route 9) in Hyde Park.
Raising Your Own Chickens
10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about raising your own chickens: food and shelter, different breeds, where and how to buy chicks, meat vs. egg production, common problems and solutions. Common Ground Farm, call (845)838-1822 or email education@commongroundfarm.org . Cost: $10 members, $15 nonmembers.
Hudson Valley National Park
1:30 PM - Rep. Maurice Hinchey will speak about his bill to authorize a study determining whether the Hudson River Valley should become a unit of the National Park Service, among other environmental issues. At the Rosendale Theater. Questions and answers will be followed by a "Meet and Greet" with wine and cheese at the Big Cheese, next door to the Theater.Location: Rosendale Theater 408 Main Street, Rosendale, NY 12472 Contact: 845 255-8004. Sponsored by Save The Lakes
“Fishing the River” at Norrie Point
3PM - 6PM - New Season of Public Fishing Programs at Norrie Point Environmental Center.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Research Reserve and I FISH NY program will begin a new season of monthly fishing demonstrations at Norrie Point Environmental Center in Staatsburg, N. Y. The first of these family-friendly programs will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 3-6 pm. Have you ever wanted to try fishing, but didn’t know where to start? Do you wonder what lives out of sight in the Hudson River? Staff members will lead seining and fishing activities while describing the seasonal movements of fish in the Hudson River Estuary. The Hudson is home to over 200 species of fish, including several species that migrate up the river and its tributaries each spring to spawn. "Seining" involves pulling a 30-foot net through the water and checking out the fish, crabs, and other river life caught in its mesh. You can watch from shore, or jump into available waterproof waders and help pull in the net. Participants are also encouraged to grab a rod and angle for fish off the wheelchair accessible patio. Rods, reels, and bait will be available at no charge. Fishing the River programs are held monthly from April through October. For more information, call 845-889-4745 x106. For directions to the Norrie Point Environmental Center: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/37889.html. For information about Hudson River Research Reserve’s public programs: http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/33037.html ; For information about I FISH NY: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/44804.html
Location: The Norrie Point Environmental Center is located in the Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park in Staatsburg, Dutchess County.
Featured Event:Bard on the Lake - 30 Actors - 15 Plays |
The Guthrie Legacy Concert
Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
8PM - Featuring: The Klezmatics, Pete Seeger, Fred Hellerman, The Work Of The Weavers & Rob Tepper.
Celebrating trail blazing singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie and his continuing influence through those who follow in his wake. Globally renowned world music super stars The Klezmatics, will be joined by the The Work of the Weavers, a group that recalls the music and spirit of their namesake, along with original Weavers Fred Hellerman and Pete Seeger. Also on the bill, Rob "Woody" Tepper who will perform excerpts from his one man show on the life of Woody Guthrie. This concert will raise funds for the Guthrie Archives and the Sloop Woody Guthrie. Tickets: $45-$85
Sunday
| Rain | 55°/45° |
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.
Stone Chamber Program
3PM - Attention All Seekers of Truth, Lovers of Nature and Admirers of Stone Chambers. The Kent CAC is delighted to announce the premier showing of two magnificent DVDs featuring several stone chambers in Kent. The first presents the great debate concerning the origins of the stone chambers at the Mead farm site. The protagonists are community activist and eminent scholar Mr. James Baker and naturalist and philosopher Mr. Martin Brech. This debate was filmed in the 1980's by the well loved and mourned Town Historian, Mr. Richard Muscarella. The debate is moderated by Mr. Ray Singer who was Kent's foremost conservationist until his passing. It will be highly nostalgic for some, enlighting for others, and entertaining for all.
After a brief intermission, we will view a gorgeous film by Petra Productions of the Mead farm site where the great debate took place and portions of the Tom Morgan trail leading to Hawk Rock. The film, produced in collaboration with Tom Maxson of Highlands Preservation, was made in 2008 at the peak of the fall colors. At the Lake Carmel Park District Community Center. 10 Huguenot Road, Lake Carmel. Admission is free, donations will be accepted, and light refreshments
will be available.
Planning For Biodiversity: What Have We Got to Lose?
3PM - 6 PM - A dialogue among developers, landowners, planners, and conservationists. Who should attend? Municipal officials, planners, landowners, consultants, developers, and concerned citizens interested in learning how to integrate biodiversity conservation into municipal planning. Reservations required. For information or to make a reservation, please call Mohonk Consultations, Inc., at 845-256-2726 or email mohonkconsultations@hvi.net. Suggest donation: $10, Seniors & Students $5. Sponsored by Mohonk Consultations, and co-sponsored by the NYSDEC's Hudson River Estuary Program. Location: Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz
Into The Future
Wednesday, April 28
Risks to NY Water from Hydrofracking
7PM - Stephen Penningroth, Ph.D. Executive Director, Community Scence Institute, Ithaca. Meeting site: Diana’s, 1015 Little Britain Road (Route 207), New Windsor (just east of Stewart Newburgh Airport, on the opposite side of the road from the airport entrance). See http://www.dianasny.com for menus and map. $3.00 admission fee incl. coffee or tea. If you arrive at 6 PM, you can order from the Early Bird menu. No orders are taken during the Presentation (7:00-7:30).
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.
PCB's in the Hudson
7PM - Dr. Garvey is an environmental geochemist will briefly cover the history of the remedial investigation that led to the 2002 Record of Decision for the site well as some of the recent accomplishments and observations of the Phase 1 remediation. Beacon Sloop Club, Free. (845) 476-6674, (845) 542-0721, www.beaconsloopclub.org
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 1
Worker's Rally in Albany
1PM - 4PM - Gather at NYS Capital Bldg, Capitol Park, State St, Albany. Jobs for All; End the Wars; Healthcare for All; Stop Wage,State Budget & Education Cuts; Defend Civil Rights, Women's & Immigrant Rights; End NYS Ban on Gay Marriage; Green Jobs & Clean Energy Now! Speakers, music. Sponsored by Hudson Mohawk May Day Committee; Solidarity Committee of The Cap Dist; Troy Area Labor Council; Media Alliance; The Eighth Step; IWW; Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace; NY Labor History Assoc-Info hudsonmohawkmayday.org / (518) 273-2759 Art Fleishner
Sunday, 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.
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 15
Spring Canoe Trips in the Great Swamp
Departures scheduled for: 8:15 AM, 10:15 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM - Repeated tomorrow, Sunday, May 16th.
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)
Catskill's Shelter Caretaking Workshop
10am - Come and join Douglas Senterman, the Catskill Lean-to Supervisor, for a shelter caretaking workshop. No previous experience is necessary and beginners are welcome. This one-day training session will cover the skills necessary to maintain a shelter (lean-to) so that it is ready for use by campers and is harmonious to its surroundings. Students will learn how to do an assessment of the overall shelter condition, cleaning and clearing the area, the proper use of tools and how to report the shelters condition. The workshop will take place at actual lean-tos so you will get hands-on experience.
Wear your hiking boots; pack plenty of water and a lunch.
The workshop will take place at Elm Ridge Lean-to off of the escarpment trail. We will be walking up the Elm Ridge Trail (yellow) approximately 1 mile to the lean-to on an easy hike. The parking area is located about 1.8 miles north of Maplecrest. We will be meeting there at 10am and will walk into the lean-to as a group.
Directions to parking area: From Rt. 23 in Windham turn onto State Rt. 296 towards Hunter, when Rt. 296 makes a hard right in Hensonville continue straight on to Maplecrest Road (County Rt. 40). At stop sign turn Right to stay on Maplecrest Road (County Rt.40). At stop sign (in Hamlet of Maplecrest) turn Left onto Big Hollow Road (County Rt. 56). Turn Left onto Peck Road and follow until the end where the parking area is located. (For those with GPS or who would like to use MapQuest, an address you can enter is 197 Peck Road, Maplecrest, NY 12454-5023 – that will get you near the end of Peck Road, just continue up to the end)
For those who are interested we will continue our workshop at Batavia Kill Lean-to. After completing instruction at Elm Ridge Lean-to we will return to our vehicles and take short drive up Big Hollow Road (County Rt. 56) to the next parking area. We will walk into the Batavia Kill Lean-to on the Black Dome Range Trail (red) and then the Batavia Kill Trail (yellow). This trip is also approximately 1 mile and is an easy to moderate hike. This second lean-to is optional; however it will be an opportunity to see another shelter in a different condition and will allow you to put your newly learned skills to the test with more hands-on experience.
Directions to parking area: From the Elm Ridge Trail parking, go out to the end of Peck Road and make a Left onto Big Hollow Road (County Rt. 56) and follow until the end where the parking lot is located.
Please contact Laurie Rankin to sign up for one of these dates: laurierankin@hvc.rr.com (preferred) or by phone at 845-926-2182.
Wednesday, June 2
Smart Management for Small Communities: Practical Resources for Local Governance
8:30 am – 6:00 pm - Hosted by: Environmental Finance Center-Syracuse University, serving Region 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency, and co-sponsored with the NYS Water Resources Institute. As a part of the Environmental Finance Center’s Public Management Finance Program (PMFP) series, this event will focus on the needs of municipal leaders and provide technical assistance, funding updates, and practical skill-building sessions. Who should attend? Elected officials, wastewater, drinking water and solid waste systems operators, and all interested parties. Every attendee will hear from state and federal agency representatives on funding updates and opportunities, and concurrent break-out sessions including asset management, alternative strategies in drinking water management, wastewater management, and solid waste management. Keynote presentation by Ed Clerico, Principal of Alliance Environmental. The event promises to be educational, functional, practical, and thought-provoking. For more details, see attached workshop announcement PDF. Fee is $75. Register online at: www.efc.syracusecoe.org. Registration deadline: May 10, 2010. Location: Bear Mountain Conference Center
 News That Matterson Facebook Support Our Sponsors TaconicArts.com Interior/Exterior House Painting by someone you can trust. (845) 225-2104 jeff@taconicarts.com
Brown Ink Commercial Printing Joe Greico's Out On A Limb All types of tree work, all aspects of lawn maintenance, snow plowing and more! 82 Hortontown Rd. Chuckie Goodnight Foundation To educate children on how to be good stewards of the earth. Chris Casaburi One Click ButterCutter Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee
Explore the outdoors in the Town of Kent, New York
|
Copyright © 2010 News That Matters
