No Country For Sane Men: News That Matters - Friday, July 30, 2010

News That Matters

News That Matters
Brought to you (Almost Daily) by PlanPutnam.Org

Good Friday Morning,

It's been a busy week and I'm exhausted so today's column will be short on information, bereft of it's usual humor and pathos and generally concerned about nothing of importance whatsoever. If any of that will let you down I'm sorry, but after a pretty good fight with a conservative god-fearing congressional candidate last evening that caused me to lose my cool in public over what defines "the general welfare" I'm just plum wiped out. So if you need something humorous to help you wake up this morning see this instead:

Action Alert:
If you were planning on coming to court for Lori Kemp on Monday there will be no court for Lori, at least. This is an evolving story but suffice to say that if all goes well we'll have a happy ending to this chapter in that epic struggle between a property owner and the political establishment in the Town of Carmel. Stay tuned!

Heterosexual Update!
Greg Ball had a girlfriend. We didn't even know she existed until she held a press conference yesterday to slam Mary Beth Murphy's latest salvo against him in their struggle for the hearts and minds of the Republican party.

There's no Humor Here. Move along now...
I was told that TEA Baggers don't like being called tea 'baggers and that they much prefer something else. What that something else might be was hard to discern however. When you're trying to describe a movement you kinda need to give it a name otherwise no one will know what you're talking about. So, with respect to the movement which has no acceptable name, we're now on a quest to name it. Send your suggestions here. We'll compile them and post the suggestions as part of a poll at the News That Matters web site.

Just when you thought....
The county Legislature isn't set to try to give a private developer any more money though we are, as far as I know, still footing the bill for utilities at Tilly Foster. But at their full meeting this coming Tuesday (August 3), they will be voting on a Moratorium on Hydrofracking which, though it doesn't affect us one bit it's nice to see them taking a stand. They will also vote to approve a couple million watershed dollars for the Town of Kent to build a sewer district along its business center on Route 52, and some funds for the Village of Brewster. Vote to purchase Butterfield Hospital (it's about time!), move towards the completion of the bike trail, and vote to move on the construction of the Kent Senior center.

Getting it Bass Ackwards
The Olympia (Washington) Food Co-Op has decided to boycott Israeli products. In the meantime, a new multi-million dollar mall in Gaza is stocked with Israeli goods and businessmen are complaining about loss of profits since the embargo was eased a few weeks back, lowering the cost of consumer goods to the point where an Egyptian reporter, Ashraf Abu Al-Houl, complained they were cheaper in Gaza than in Egypt.

Good Food. Great Eats.
A list of local Farm Markets is at the website. Click here to fill your pantry with the best local agriculture can provide.

Today:

Hudson Watershed Celebration and Reception

3:00 pm Honoring Katy Dunlap, Esq., followed by internationally renowned Roswell Rudd Jazz Quartet. Sponsored by Hudson River Watershed Alliance at The Falcon, 1348 Route 9W, Marlboro. RSVP by July 28 to Dave Church, 845-615-3840 or dchurch@co.orange.ny.us www.hudsonwatershed.org. $30 person/$50 couple. Includes hors d'oeuvres and donation to HRWA. Dinner available, starting at 5, music begins 8 p.m. www.liveatthefalcon.com/

Bobby Kyle Band

7PM. Hailed as one of the best blues singers in the business ("Yes, he really is that good and proves it time and again," Blues Revue Magazine) Bobby Kyle and band play at Arts on the Lake on Lake Carmel, 640 Route 52. Scheduled for the north lawn, bring a lawn chair or blanket - the forecast looks fine. Tickets are $10 (member discounts apply). Children are free. Purchase in advance or at the door. Food, sweets, drinks and t-shirts will be available starting at 6:30. If you mention News That Matters you can get in at the members price of $7.50!

Lecture by entomologist and author Douglas Tallamy

7PM. At Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Join the Cary Institute for a lecture by entomologist and author Douglas Tallamy. Drawing from his bestselling book, Bringing Nature Home, Tallamy will discuss how using native plants in the home landscape can help protect and preserve North American wildlife. Non-native plants dominate developed areas. Selected for their attractiveness, these plants often fail to support native bees, butterflies, and other insects. When beneficial insects are lost, birds and other animals suffer. Tallamy's message - by embracing native plants, anyone with access to a patch of earth can help sustain biodiversity. Books will be available for purchase by Merritt Bookstore. Events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (845) 677-7600 x 121 or e-mail freemanp@caryinstitute.org. Location: Cary Institute Auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44) in Millbrook, New York.

Saturday:

Seventh Annual Hudson River Swim: Accompanying Kayakers still wanted

8:30AM. With a goal of continuing to support the first seasonal floating pool in the Hudson River in nearly a century, River Pool at Beacon, Inc. has set July 31, 2010, for its seventh annual Newburgh-to-Beacon benefit swim. Two hundred and fifty swimmers are expected to make the one-mile river crossing from the Newburgh waterfront to the Beacon Harbor. All swimmers have been asked to raise at least $100 each in sponsorship support toward the operation of the floating pool at Beacon. A fleet of volunteer kayakers will escort swimmers with support from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and other officials. Funds raised from this year’s swim will support its operation as well as help fund the development of an adult pool. The floating pool was originally proposed by folk music legend and River Pool cofounder Pete Seeger as a modern version of the floating pools used in New York City a century ago, which he’d read about. Its goals also include educating the public about the unique aspects of the Hudson River Estuary and encouraging community stewardship of the river, while promoting swimming as a fun, healthful activity in a natural environment. Although registration for swimmers is closed, additional information about the July 31st swim, information about how to volunteer as a kayaker, along with photographs of the pool can all be found at www.riverpool.org. Contact: Betty Harkins at betharkins@aol.com or by calling 845-831-8606.

Wild Edibles and Invasive Species Identification

10 AM. Hi-Tor Park in Theils, NY. This unique course focuses not only on the identification of both invasive and native plant species but their medicinal and nutritional applications as well. The workshop will teach individuals how to identify various invasives such as Mile-A-Minute Vine and other non-invasive plants that hold great nutritional value. It will also cover the sustainable harvesting and cooking of these plants so that they yield the most benefits to the individual without causing harm to the surrounding ecosystem. Fee: $25 per person payable on day of workshop. More information is here.

Making a Living: Businesses in Philipstown and Beyond, 1850-1970

5PM - 7PM. The exhibition features early photographs, prints, artifacts, and memorabilia drawn from local families and the PCHS's collection. It provides historical portraits of five centers of local commerce: Cold Spring, Nelsonville, Garrison, Manitou, and the Route 9/Albany Post Road corridor. It shows how local businesses developed as the community grew and illuminates an important dimension of Philipstown as a whole. Funding for this exhibition has been provided by: Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, The M&T Charitable Fund, Josh Maddocks and Garrison Tree. RSVP by July 30, 845-265-4010, ext. 10 or office@pchs-fsm.org. The Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum is located at 63 Chestnut Street in Cold Spring.

Sunday

Children's Art Exhibit

2PM. Arts on the Lake, Lake Carmel, NY. Children, aged 4-11, attended classes each morning this week and created mudpies and masterpieces. They are having a small reception and show of their artwork at AotL. The class was led by Mary Schreiber, assisted by Lucy O'Shaughnessey. All are welcome to drop by and admire their creative work.

Walkable Westchester Author Talk

4PM. Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries 199 Main Street in Beacon. Authors Jane and Walt Daniels will discuss their book. Their book covers over 180 parks with almost 600 miles of trails in Westchester County. It includes sketch maps of all but the smallest parks. Public transportation options are included where available. There is extensive history of the parks and the people involved. Icons show parks suitable for the handicapped, bikes, horses, dogs and cross country skiing. Many parks have photos that show what to expect to see when you visit. The parks are arranged by size classes and have a locator map to show approximately where they are in the county.

Into the Future

Friday, August 6

Public Listening Session on the President’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Please join senior representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other federal agencies for a public listening session on conservation, recreation and reconnecting people to the outdoors. The session will be held Friday, August 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the Hudson River Valley. The public listening session and discussion are an opportunity for leaders of the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to hear from you and other voices in the Hudson Valley about solutions for building a 21st-century conservation and recreation agenda and for reconnecting people with the outdoors. This event is free and open to the public. Pre-register by Tuesday, August 3 by sending an email to joseph.heller@ny.usda.gov with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, if any, and your telephone number. Include in your email your primary area of interest by noting your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of the Concurrent Breakout Listening Sessions listed as follows: (1) Conservation of working farms, forests, and coastal areas. (2) Reconnecting people with the outdoors through recreation and education. (3) Creating a healthy river: Conserving and restoring important habitat and blueways. (4) General session for those who do not want to designate a specific topic. If you have questions, please contact Joseph Heller at (845) 883-7162, Extension 104 or joseph.heller@ny.usda.gov. Location: Marist College, Student Center. Poughkeepsie, NY.

Saturday, August 7

Clearwater Volunteer Work Day
11AM to 4PM Volunteer Work Day at the Clearwater office, gardens and grounds. We will be doing some clean up and small projects in and around the office and grounds, as well as working in the gardens. Please click here to sign up

Sunday, August 8

Back To School Exhibit
2PM. Belle Levine Arts Center in Mahopac. Putnam Arts Council’s upcoming exhibit, Back 2 School, showcases the work of PAC instructors and their adult students in a special Gallery show at 521 Kennicut Hill Rd. Mahopac. This exhibit, developed by the PAC Visual Arts Committee, is our 5th exhibit in 5 months.

Come meet the artists Sunday August 8, 2-4pm and see some of the creative visions developed here on the hill. The Show is open to the public Tuesday – Friday from 10-3 and Sundays 1-4 through August 22. For info on this and all programs, classes, concerts and more, visit putnamartscouncil.com

Saturday, August 14

Stony Kill Farm Hosts Butterfly Festival
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM . Environmental Education Center celebrates their annual Butterfly Festival. Butterflies, caterpillars and chrysalises will be the focal point at this free public event, during which a screen tent will temporarily house live butterflies for the day. Families can take turns entering the tent to get close to monarchs, eastern tiger swallowtails, spicebush swallowtails and great spangled fritillaries. The butterflies will be released during a ceremony at the closing of the event. Other activities throughout the day include butterfly crafts, nature games and learning about insects, thanks to AmeriCorps members of the Student Conservation Association. Visitors are invited to explore the paths of Stony Kill’s perennial garden to view more butterflies. Volunteers who maintain the gardens will be on hand to share information about gardening for butterflies and other wildlife. For more information, please call 845-831-8780, ext 300. Visit www.dec.ny.gov/education/1833.html for a listing of scheduled programs and activities at Stony Kill.
Location: Stony Kill Farm, 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.

Tuesday, August 17

Pre-Primary Candidate's Forum
7PM at the Mahopac Library. Presented by Concerned Residents of Carmel & Mahopac. Candidates whose names will be on the Primary ballot within the Town of Carmel have been invited to participate on the panel. The moderator will be Joe Montuori, who so ably moderated several of CRCM's previous forums. Candidates not on the ballot for the primary will be allowed one minute each to introduce themselves.

Saturday, August 21

Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright Home
Join the Putnam Arts Council for an exclusive tour of the stunning Frank Lloyd Wright home on Petra Island on Lake Mahopac on Saturday, August 21, made possible through the generosity of owners Joseph & Barbara Massaro. Limited to 40 participants (2 groups of 20), tickets @$60 for members/ @$65 general are a must and include transportation out to the island. All proceeds benefit the programs of the Putnam Arts Council. Tours begin at 11am. Reserve a spot today @ 845.803.8622 or email to kc@putnamartscouncil.com

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