Good Friday Morning,
Honest. I wasn't asking for the world! I was only asking that for my $250 contractors fee tax registration, that I get something in return from the county. At least that was the premise of my talk before the Legislature's Rules Committee last evening.
Here's the list of people who must pay this exorbitant tax. If you are engaged in any of these jobs:
(1) Asphalt or blacktop or driveway sealing.
(2) Landscaping and gardening.
(3) Arboriculture.
(4) Lawn mowing/ground maintenance/leaf blowing/or any similar outdoor vocation. (Note: shall not apply to full-time students under the age of 22 engaged in seasonal or part-time employment and who do not have employees).
(5) Swimming pools.
(6) Porches, patios, terraces, decks and any other outdoor stonework.
(7) Garages and garage doors.
(8) Central vacuum cleaning systems.
(9) Storm windows.
(10) Septic systems.
(11) Insulation.
(12) Waterproofing.
(13) Tiling.
(14) Fencing.
(15) Painting and wall coverings.
(16) Flooring and wall-to-wall carpeting.
(17) Masonry.
(18) Roofing.
(19) Awnings or siding.
(20) Antennas or satellite dishes.
(21) Carpentry.
(22) Excavation.
(23) Environmental reclamation.
(24) Other interior or exterior improvements.
I love (24)...
My very first comment upon taking my seat at the dais was that I did not want to talk about the job the Department of Consumer Affairs was doing, the validity of the program contractor fees are funding nor the benefits of having that program as those are discussions for another day - and to be honest I have no issue with it, only that for the (now not-so) hidden tax I get something other than the ability to work.
But in typical political fashion, Legislators were largely unable to stay focused on the issue and especially from Tony Hay and to a slightly lesser degree Legislator Tamagna, all I heard were negatives; why those dollars could not be spent supporting or assisting the people who are paying them.
Rules Committee member Legislator Mary Conklin took issue with the $250 saying that it was "only" $125 a year and then insisted on using the lower number as did other Legislators for the rest of the talk as if a smaller tax with no benefits was somehow more acceptable.
But what it comes down to is this: Contractors working in Putnam County, and that includes everything from the guy who puts a paint brush on the wall in your closet to the guy who cuts your grass to the guy who puts in your storm windows, must pay a tax of $250 every two years, carry a bond with the county named as a payee and carry $1 million worth if insurance which also names the county, otherwise they cannot work or, if they do, are liable for criminal action. And what do contractors get for their money? They get nothing of substance other than the sheer joy of funding a program that is designed to penalize the occasional bad apples in our bunch. Why doesn't the Legislature simply tax the county in general for this program? Because, as one said, he hasn't gotten bathroom painted.
No matter how hard I tried to get the Leg back on target members largely brought things around to what they wanted to talk about and not the issue at hand. And yes, I sat quietly and let them rant - which for those of you who know me was an act of Herculean strength and personal fortitude worthy of the history books.
You might wonder what it was I was asking for, what tremendous flaming hoops I was asking the county to provide me with for my money? Here's the list as presented last evening.
- I asked for monthly communication (via email if necessary) from the county about upcoming new rules and programs that might affect my work. Somehow this isn't feasible, but might be. Maybe.
- A yearly public posting of licensed and registered contractors so that the public has a list of contractors they must (according to the law) use. According to Joe LaBarbera, the amiable gentleman who runs the Consumer Affairs program, the list would be obsolete within 30 days of posting so no-go there. It was suggested that perhaps the county might include a web address of the contractors list in the FOX Courier a few times a year. Not very helpful since most don't read that paper.
- I asked the county to open their health insurance pool - without subsidy - so that the majority of us who do not have health insurance might tap into the lower costs of a larger insurance pool. This would not only include the possibility of covering those who are not covered but might also lower the overall insurance costs for the county. Legislator Conklin said that she'd send an inquiry to the Personal Department to see if this was something they could do. We'll keep up on that to see where it goes.
- I thought the county might involve itself in a liability insurance pool which could lower the cost of insurance for the ~1000 contractors registered and licensed in the county thus putting more money back into the local economy.
- I asked that training programs which might cover some of the work we do be subsidized using the logic that the county could buy 50 seats at a seminar a lot cheaper and then pass that savings on to us which are then passed on to you.
- I asked that the county provide free OSHA and other training for contractors to better help us help our customers who are the residents of this county.
- And finally I asked for better access to the Shop Putnam campaign and other programs the county runs that could better connect the blue-collar backbone of our communities with county residents.
To virtually every one of these requests for either service or access some member of the Leg talked, often at length, about why this could not be for in the end they have no desire nor intention of assisting the workforce of this county and only want our dollars - which you eventually pay - to fund a department they are too afraid to tax you for directly.
I was lectured about the great job the Department is doing. I was told how they barely squeak even, financially. I was even told that through some magical twist of the tenth dimension my $250 forced contribution to the county was a benefit to me. I was told about all the programs they run for consumers. But what I wasn't told was why they take our dollars and give us nothing in return. That, they seemed to have glossed over as politicians tend to do.
There was tacit support for my position from Legislators Tony Fusco and Sam Oliverio and if you see them on streets be sure to stop and thank them.
One bright note: I never fail to be impressed with Legislator Dan Birmingham who adeptly ran a grueling, two-hour Rules Committee meeting which dealt with a great deal more than just this issue. There's a bright future for that man if he should chose to follow it.
But I'm not done with this as watching the eels squirm last night was both enlightening and entertaining in a sick sort of way and in the meantime I'm either not working or working out-of-county to try to come up with the $250 (whoops! I missed the deadline... so I have to pay an extra $25 tax on top of the tax!) so I can work again here in Putnam. It matters not to them that they've got my bond and insurance on hand (cost around $800) which meets their fiscal requirements, they want that tax!
In the meantime, contractors are being forced to pay an outrageously high fee for the filing of paperwork that takes us hours to complete and the county moments to file and we get nothing in return and there's no apparent legislative movement to change that.
Taxing one demographic to pay for services for another is not good governance, but a budgetary shell game played by politicians who tax those most likely to remain silent. But the people being hurt most are those who are doing nothing more than trying to keep a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs, their children clothed and their families secure. If this is what you expect from your county government, this is what you got.
In other news, part-time Assemblyman and full-time demagogue, Greg Ball, has made yet another unsupported claim. Bob Bondi is retiring to better focus on community service, county taxpayers have shelled out $31,000 to pay the utility bills at Tilly Foster (where the promised electrical and fuel meters have yet to be installed) and we're not any closer to finding out who is paying the property taxes on the taxable lots at the Farm.
British Petroleum is most likely lying about the amount of oil coming from their uncapped well in the Gulf of Mexico (see this!), The NY State Department of Health has released a map which shows cancer clusters across the state, school board elections are coming on Tuesday and there's not one issue on consolidation, the European Commission on Global Environmental Monitoring has a released a map showing the ever decreasing amounts of wilderness, Glenn Beck is still on the air, Facebook's privacy statement is over 5000 empty words long, mountains in West Virginia are being leveled and dumped into valleys to supply the United States with dirty coal, the Alabama Teacher's Union has joined Creationists, and the cost of the wars in Afghanistan ($271.3 billion) and Iraq ($722.6 billion) are still escalating without any end in sight. So far New Yorkers have or will pay about $89.1 billion of that. Where's a tea bagger when you need one, eh?
I'm not in a good mood this morning and neither should you be.
On the other hand the weather is supposed to be pretty nice this weekend so you can get out there and replant the garden crops that were killed during this past week's hard freeze. There's a new poll at PlanPutnam/News That Matters which asks what you like to do on weekends and you are free to vote on up to three of the items listed. Check it out.
Putnam Arts Council Announces Call to Artists for May Exhibit
The Putnam Arts Council invites artists to submit a maximum of 2 pieces of original fine art for our next exhibit, Evolution. The show will open Sunday, May 23, with a public reception from 2-4pm at Belle Levine Art Center, 521 Kennicut Hill Rd. in Mahopac, and remain on view through 6/18 during gallery hours, Tuesday – Friday, 10-3 and Sunday 1-4.
Submissions will be accepted at the Art Center Wednesday 5/12 through Saturday 5/15 from 11-3pm. Work will be juried for inclusion and awards by Carinda Swann, a working visual artist with a BFA and an MA in Fine Arts and Theatre Arts. A teaching artist at Marist College for 15 years, Ms. Swann is also the founder of the Summer Art Institute at Garrison Art Center, where she is currently the Executive Director. Details and a prospectus are available at our website, putnamartscouncil.com.
PAC offers 6-8 exhibit opportunities yearly in addition to concerts, films and special events in our multi-use gallery space. We also offer classes for adults and children in the visual arts, pottery, dance and yoga and more. Details on all our programs and those of many of our cultural constituents are available at putnamartscouncil.com or call the office at (845.803.8622)Tuesday – Friday 10-4.
Once again, News That Matters brings you the most eclectic collection of events in the region. Feel free to pass this on to your friends and relatives.
Friday, May 14 May Art Exhibit at Kent Library You're As Welcome as the Flowers in May...
...to an exhibit of Kate Hoekstra's paintings at the Kent Library from May 1-May 29, 2010 during regular library hours. Please come to see Kate's florals and portraits during this beautiful month when we celebrate mothers and the return of flowers. More on Kate and her work can be found here.
"An Evening In the River with Chris Bowser" 6:30PM - An evening of seining for fish, data collection, and discussion of what makes the Hudson River such a valuable resource and important habitat to so many kinds of life, especially humankind. A perspective from IN the river. At the Long dock in Beacon, Free. (845) 476-6674, (845) 542-0721, www.beaconsloopclub.org
Mike Clark / Tim Ouimette Big Band  8:00 pm - Drum legend Mike Clark and trumpeter Tim Ouimette have put together a band that includes Seth Carper on Alto Sax, Bill Harris on Tenor Sax, Rick Kriska on Baritone Sax, Dan Yeager on Trumpet, Art Triggs on Trombone, Jeff Pittson on Piano and Joe Sinaguglia on Bass. Since Mike Clark's explosive arrival on the music scene with Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters, he has continued to influence successive generation of drummers. Currently working with trumpeter Tim Ouimette on a new album, some of which will be explored in this extraordinary concert. Hosted by Arts on the Lake at the Cultural Center on Lake Carmel. Tickets: $9.00 – $10.00
 View the International Space Station
9:09PM - If the weather is clear this evening at around 9PM, look towards the West-North-West and then in a line overhead to see the International Space Station, all 240' x 300' of it as it soars silently across the evening sky. The transit takes only three minutes from horizon to horizon so look quick! It's coming at magnitude -4.0 which in astronomical terms is "very bright" meaning that if the sky is clear and you're looking in the general direction indicated, you really can't miss it. Other than the sun and the moon, the ISS will be brighter than any object in the sky this evening.
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)
Master Gardeners' 2010 Plant Sale 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at Tilly Foster Farm on Route 312, Brewster.The sale starts at 8:30 and those of you who have been there before know that getting there early is a must! We’ll have tomatoes by the hundred, perennials from the Master Gardeners’ own gardens, herbs and annuals grown locally just for us, and a new gift and tool tent. It’s time to get out there and grow something!
Cheaper than a corporate garden center: Prices (roughly and not to be quoted...): Herbs around $3 a pot; annual 6-packs around $2; veggies, $2 for a 2-pack or $3 for a 4.5” pot (tomatoes). Perennials from MGs gardens will be mostly $5 and up – lots of them in the $7-10 range. A flat of annuals is $14 and some nifty 8-pack herb collections (salsa collection, Italian collection, etc.) at $17 per 8-pack.
Hike: The Birds of Lake Alice 8:30 AM - Join with Putnam Highlands Audubon Society President Rich Anderson and longtime PHAS and HHLT board member Lew Kingsley for this birding hike around picturesque Lake Alice in Garrison, NY. A wide variety of species inhabit this privately conserved treasure, and seasoned birders Rich and Lew are just the folks you want along to share their knowledge. Bring binoculars for an up-close look. Hike takes place on privately conserved land, directions will be provided when you register. Meet: 8:30am Duration: 2 hrs. Level: Easy/Family-friendly. Pre-Registration information is here.
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.
The Amazing Nineteenth Century: A Century of Innovation 5 pm - by Dr. J. Ward Regan. At the Putnam County Historical Museum in Cold Spring. The 19th century was a defining era for the history of Philipstown; join PCHS for a lecture with J. Ward Regan to learn more about the industrial and cultural context of the important time. Regan's lecture "The Amazing Nineteenth Century" will explore: • specific innovations in communication and transportation that ushered in the modern world • the impact of accelerated rates of change on the individual • collective responses to the new world order, including burgeoning labor and religious movements • the relationship between the material transformation of the world and new ideas about society and government • the role of the Civil War in defining the nation's character, and movement to an industrial rather than agrarian society. J. Ward Regan teaches history and philosophy in the Liberal Studies Program at New York University. He recently concluded a successful off-Broadway run of his one-man show, "A Paranoid's Guide to History." He has a Ph.D. in Labor and Cultural History and has been part of the New York Council for the Humanities Speakers in the Humanities Program since 2003. Admission: (There was no admission cost listed on the release so if you go and they want money you can either argue or make a donation... I'll leave that up to you!) Cll 845-265-4010
Evening Walk on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge Leader: Sue Mackson 845-471-9892 susiem6@juno.com Join me at the Beacon Park north of the railroad station. We will walk back and forth on the bridge and repair to the park to admire the view and the sunset. Meet at west side of Metro North parking lot. Bring light supper and drink for after hike picnic.
Sunday, May 16 Vesak - The Buddha's Birthday 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM - at the Chuang Yen Monastery on Route 301 in Kent. Vegetarian Food Fair, Mind Power Station, Free Medical Clinic, Buddhist Heritage Exhibition. 1:30 Folk Performances. Kids Playground, magic show and more!
Vesak is the biggest event for Buddhists worldwide to commemorate the birth of the historical Buddha. As Buddhists bathe the Buddha, we aspire to eradicate all defilements and impurities of the body and mind to bring about wisdom and compassion. We also wish that all sentient beings be free from attachment and attain their inherent Buddha nature. We graciously invite you to light blessing lamps on this day and to sponsor vegetarian meals for all participants.
"Veggie Pride Parade and Rally" 11:00am - NYC. Vegetarians, vegans, and animal rights activists converge for the "Veggie Pride Parade and Rally." The events starts at 11:00am in Manhattan's West Village, and at noon a march starts to the north end of Union Square Park. The rally at Union Square Park will have speakers, music, veg/vegan food, animal kindness information, and more attractions. Exhibitors will have tables, some with free items to take. Upstate New York will include representation from the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, and Woodstock Farm Animals Sanctuary. Signs and costumes are welcome (organizers suggest people ""... dress as your favorite vegetable; perhaps you will win a prize!") More information here.
Sunday Author Series with John Curran 4PM - Author of "Peekskill's African American History: A Hudson Valley Community's Untold Story", tells a gripping story around the Revoluntionary War, the Underground Railroad and the riots of 1949. Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, 199 Main St., Beacon, NY. Jo Merchant, (845) 838-1600 x 10, jmerchant@bire.org , www.bire.org , Free..
Documentary "Transition" movement of sustainable communities 7:00pm - "In Transition 1.0: from oil dependence to local resilience" (2010, http://TransitionCulture.org/in-transition/ ) A documentary film on the Transition movement filmed by members. ‘In Transition’ is the first detailed film about the Transition movement filmed by those that know it best, those who are making it happen on the ground. The Transition movement is about communities around the world responding to peak oil and climate change with creativity, imagination and humour, and setting about rebuilding their local economies and communities. It is positive, solutions focused, viral and fun. There will be a discussion group after the screening. This is the last film of the Transition Westchester Spring Film Series. Cost: Free, with donations accepted. Location: The First Unitarian Society of Westchester, 25 Old Jackson Ave, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706. More information here.
Into the Future: Monday, May 17 Congressional Art Competition Award Ceremony 6PM - Congressman John Hall (NY-19) will host an Awards Ceremony to announce the winner of the 2010 Congressional Art Competition at the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art in Peekskill.
High School students from the 19th Congressional District have submitted original artwork for this competition. The entries were judged by a distinguished panel of jurors including art museum professionals and accomplished local artists. The winning entry will be displayed for one year in the United States Capitol alongside the winning artwork from other Congressional Districts throughout the country. The first place winner will also win a trip to Washington DC to attend a ceremony celebrating all of the competition winners. The runners-up will have their work displayed in Congressman Hall’s District Offices in Carmel and Goshen. Artwork submitted for the competition will remain on display at HVCCA through June 17, 2010.
Thursday, May 20 Third Thursday Series 7PM - Film - "Earth Days" - Witness the dawn and development of the modern environmental movement. Q&A with filmmaker Robert Stone.
Robert Stone’s documentary looks back to the dawn and development of the modern environmental movement. From its post-war rustlings in the 1950s and the 1962 publication of Rachel Carson’s incendiary bestseller "Silent Spring", to the first wildly successful 1970 Earth Day celebration and the subsequent firestorm of political action. Earth Days’ secret weapon is a one-two punch of personal testimony and rare archival media.
Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries at CEIE, 199 Dennings Ave., Beacon, NY. Mike Heintzman, mheintzman@bire.org Free Registration at www.bire.org/events
Saturday, May 22 Putnam County Land Trust Volunteer Work Party  9:30AM - 12:30PM - Work parties are now being organized for trail maintenance and clean up on preserves of the Putnam County Land Trust. Groups will be formed and work each month on a designated preserve. No prior experience is necessary. A good attitude and a willingness to pitch in are essential. The first work party will be held at the Field Farmstead Preserve on Fields Lane in Brewster on Saturday, May 22nd from 9:30 to 12:30. Work detail will include removal of debris, posting of border signs, creating about 200 feet of new trail and removal of invasive plants such as multi-flora rose and barberry. Water, work gloves, jeans and work or hiking boots are suggested. Tools such as shovels, clippers, rakes and loppers if available would be helpful. If not tools will be provided. Come have fun with a like minded group of individuals in the out-of-doors while helping maintain trails for the public. To learn more or to sign up, please contact Judy Terlizzi at 845 228 4520, Bob Lund at 845 279 3122 or visit the website at www.pclt.net.
Spring Art Exhibit 1PM - 5PM - Opening Reception Over 45 artists including Wendy Alvarez , Pallas Athene Niver, Dianne Bibault, Rhonda Birmele, Patricia Bolgosano, Maria Calegari, Chris Casaburi, Bill Cody, Bart Cook, George Davison, Jeanne Demotses, Anita Eddy, Eric Ficinus, Eleanor Haggerty, Geneva Hamilton, Kate Hoekstra, Bruce Iacono, Mike Keropian, Kat LaRanger, Kate & Ray LaRanger, Deborah Lecce, Don Longabucco, Tori Lucas, Jessica McMath, Lisa Marie Meinck, Jerry Michalak, Eugenia Mierisch, Thom Murphy, Amanda O’Shaughnessy, Ekaterina Piskareva, Joe Pizzuti, Bob Rogers, Jackie Scelia, Rena Scelia, Mary Schreiber, Erinn Shaw, Thel Simon, Greg Solanto, Justo Soza, Jerry Spette, Marcela Szwarc, Mary Ann Taormina, Herberto Turizzo Anaya and Roy Volpe will display new works in this annual spring art exhibit. The Friends of Kent Library will sponsor a hand-selected Arts Book Sale of both bargains and collector items during the Opening Weekend of the Exhibit. Free Admission. Contact: Arts on the Lake
Saturday, May 29 Kent Library Giant Book Sale What? It's time to get ready for the Kent Library Giant Book Sale! We need volunteers for all phases of the sale - set up, staffing sale, take down, publicity, etc. If you are able to help us, please contact Kaye Baum at (845) 225-3942 or Rich Harrison at rjamesharrison@cs.com. We are now accepting books/audios/cds/DVDs for the sale. The books should be in good condition, smoke free, and unsoiled. Please no textbooks, Reader's Digest, or outdated encyclopedias. Thank you in advance for your willingness to support the sale. Many hands make the work light. Let's all work to create a great success!
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
Thursday, June 3 Fox Tales An Evening of One Act Plays written by Gabrielle Fox, directed by Patterson's Tony Howarth. A Gabrielle Fox production benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Winfluence, The Graveyard Shift and Good Friday.
Three new one-act plays explore relationships between opposites. Two office assistants in a shared space, a drag queen and a red neck in a cemetery, a down and out woman and a biblical theme park character all struggle to overcome their differences, whether they want to or not. Purchase tickets here.
Cast: Jess Erick, Margie Ferris, Fidel Fonteboa, Donna James, Stephen Medwid and Fred Rueck.
Running time: 60 minutes, no intermission. Venue: The Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street
Performance dates: Thurs 6/3 @ 9pm, Sat 6/5 @ 12pm, Sun 6/6 @3:30pm, Thurs 6/10 @ 7:30pm, Mon 6/14 @ 8pm, Sun 6/20 @ 1pm.
Friday, June 11 Fund Raiser for Mike Kaplowitz 7:30 PM Come out and support Mike Kaplowitz as he works to be the next State Senator from the 40th District. At a private home in Putnam Valley. Write for more information.
Sunday, June 13 Strawberry Festival Noon- 5PM - Hosted by the Beacon Sloop Club
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