Friday, September 17, 2010

News That Matters - Friday, September 17, 2010 - Things To Do Edition

News That Matters

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


“I  will not pander to an extreme Liberal agenda by supporting “Extra” rights for gays in order to be politically correct, while avoiding larger criminal issues for the protection of all of our citizens.  - Greg Ball in a post to the Brewster10509 list a couple years back in response to a question regarding his support for marriage equality.

Good Friday Morning,

Let's share the wealth a little bit here. Once you've read through this issue of News That Matters, pass it on to someone you know who does not get the newsletter. Where else can they get such straight-forward, non-opinionated* information about the county where the country begins? About planning and zoning, open space preservation, political and social justice issues along with the off list entertainment and events that go on about this place? That's right... only here. Get your neighbors involved - and keep them informed!

* At least that's my personal take on it. Your mileage may vary.



Last evening scores of people flocked to Church Street in Carmel for the opening of Mike Kaplowitz' Putnam County campaign headquarters. Folks came from as far as Philipstown for the event which goes to show that if it's important enough, people will travel the 18 mile distance to come to the county seat.

Mike is facing a rejuvenated Greg Ball who appears to have been granted "inside" status by the State Senate Republican campaign committee where just a few months ago that very body was in the business of calling him names, actively working against him and sending money to his opponents. We don't know what - exactly - happened to get them to change their minds but it could be politics over policy as they struggle to retain control over the Senate. That control comes with such good governance issues and tax-cutting measures such as multi-room office suits and control of millions of pork dollars, none of which have anything to do with getting New York State back on track but does get their guys re-elected.

A spokesman for the Committee, State Senator Thomas Libous, recently said, “I think Greg Ball has some serious issues, and those are issues that voters are going to take very seriously.” and then sent more than $65,000 to Mary Beth Murphy's campaign.

While Mr. B insists he's going to be Albany's "worst nightmare" I haven't heard a word from him about how he plans to undo the failed system he was last week running against and this week running to support. Have you?

But the most interesting, and perhaps most curious aspect will be Senator Leibell's reaction. It's no secret that the Senator "made" Mr. B and that their falling out has been quite public and dramatic. And just a few weeks back the Senator was criticizing Anthony Scannapieco for backing candidates not supported by the mainstream Republican committee. Now that the Mr. B has the Republican line and has been adopted back into the fold by state Republicans  how is Unca Vinnie going to respond? It wasn't all that long ago that the Senator appeared to endorse Mike Kaplowitz so what happens now?

By the by, it's become common knowledge that Greg's Brown Shirts have a habit of being aggressively rude and nasty. They appear at Mr. K's press conferences to shout and disrupt like the lilly-livered spoiled brats they are. Personally, I have no reservations about delivering a quiet kidney punch or two from the crowd but I've been advised that's perhaps not the best course of action. However, now that he's one of theirs the Republican Senate campaign committee must be in approval of this behavior and so it will probably continue on as it has, weakening our democracy and making a sham of any claims about governing they may make during this campaign unless governance by mob-rule is in their bylaws.

Let's see, going back through history what other political party used similar tactics? And look what happened to them.

The annual PlanPutnam/News That Matters Fund Raiser begins the day after election day and runs through Thanksgiving weekend. Just so ya know.

A week ago I posted an image asking readers to tell me where they think it was. Only one reader got it right (it's the farm where the Shoprite plaza now sits across from Raymond Hill cemetery)  and a reader from Mahopac sent a clearer shot of the same location:



If you note the cleared hillside in the back, while it's now covered in thick, verdant forest, it's about to be cleared once again for a new development. Does Carmel have an ordinance that protects stone walls?

Four responsible young people I know - and will personally vouch for - need a local rental for what amounts to the next seven weeks. If anyone has a place that would fit the bill please let me know.

Enjoy the weekend, have an easy fast tomorrow (if that's your thing) and we'll see you on Monday.

Events Calendar:


Ongoing:

2010 Fall Photography Show

Through September 26, 2010. Belle Levine Art Center at 521 Kennicut Hill Road in Mahopac. Gallery hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 3PM and Sundays 1-4PM.

Collaborative Concepts - The Farm Project

Through October 31, 2010 at the Saunders Farm, Old Albany Post Road and Philipse Road in Philipstown. Near 60 artists participate. Hours, dawn to dusk every day of the week. Park at the lower lot (remember to close the gate so the cows don't get out!) and then wander up the hill and around the 100 acre open-air gallery. See: http://collaborativeconcepts.org/ for more information.

Friday, September 17

Putnam Valley Farmer's Market

3-7PM at the Tompkins Corners Methodist Church on Peekskill Hollow Road at Wiccoppee Road in Putnam Valley. A variety of fresh produce, wines, breads and other neat items for sale as well as good conversation with vendors and friends.

Saturday. September 18

Yom Kippur

All Day. Stay at home. Go to schul. It's a double whammy this year as the Jewish day of atonement falls also on the Sabbath. In addition to traditional Yom Kippur observances there's extra special attention to the Sabbath Day as well.

Brooklyn Coffeehouse Music Festival

7AM onwards. WPUT-1510 AM and WINE 940FM present live music all day at the Brooklyn Coffeehouse at 562 Route 6 in Mahopac. Schedule to appear are national recording artist Michael Nappi with Kinney & Storms, Barry Mangione and others with 2 shows at 7PM and 9PM. Also, during the day, Mojo Miles.  $1 coffee all day. Click here for more information.

Revolutionary War Weekend

Encampment of the 5th NY Regiment on Saturday. Van Wyck Homestead, Route 9 and I84 in Fishkill. Interpretive walks of the Fishkill Supply Depot & Barracks to the graves of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War depart from the DAR monument at 11:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5.  Dramatization of the Arnold/Andre Conspiracy 1:30 PM Sat. Campfire w/ Rev War music at 7 PM Sat. Interpretive walks on Sun. 1:00, 2:30. Rev War music at 3 PM. FREE  845-896-8755  www.fishkillhistoricalsociety.org .

Sunday, September 19

Volunteer Trail Work at Minnewaska State Park Preserve

10AM - 2PM - Come to Minnewaska State Park Preserve to meet new friends, help improve trail conditions, and learn about basic trail maintenance from experienced trail keepers. Join members of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, a region wide volunteer organization devoted to maintaining and improving public trails, and Park Preserve staff to help improve an overgrown footpath. Volunteers will use hand tools to clip back overgrown shrubs and clear woodland debris.

This program is recommended for adults and teenagers, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 years. Students in public school looking to accrue necessary community service hours for completion of their requirements may be particularly interested in volunteering for this program.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own work gloves and tools including loppers, bow saws and clipping shears. The parking fee will be waived for participants volunteering for this program. Please wear appropriate clothing, sturdy hiking shoes, and bring plenty of snacks, water and lunch. For more information and to register for programs, please call the Park Office at 845-255-0752. Pre-registration is required.

The Park Preserve will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. at this time. The fee for parking at Minnewaska is $8 per car. All fees are subject to change. There are no additional fees for public programs, unless noted otherwise. Minnewaska State Park Preserve consists of approximately 21,000 acres of wild and scenic land located on Route 44/55, five miles west of the intersection with Route 299 in Gardiner, New York.

Highlands Bluegrass Festival and Crafts Fair

1-7 PM at Harmony Hall 15 Liberty Rock Road, Sloatsburg, New York 10974. 845.712.5220. The Highlands Bluegrass Festival & Craft Fair at Harmony Hall will feature three outstanding festival bands. Our featured band, Carol Beaugard & the Blue Express, will be joined by The Proud Flesh and the Ramapo Torne Ramblers to perform music that tracks the Bluegrass movement from its Appalachian Mountain roots to today's youthful indie sound. The event also will feature the crafts and services of some of the region's most talented artisans, children's games, refreshments and a cook-off event to raise funds for the restoration of Harmony Hall's South Salon. More information and a schedule can be found here.

Family Ropes Challenge

1PM - Organized by The Hudson Highlands Land Trust. Join John Stowell and the team at Taconic Outdoor Education Center to test your family's teamwork skills on the TOEC's low ropes course.Conquering this fifteen-element ropes course together is sure to make for an exciting and unique autumn afternoon outing.  Sorry, this activity is not appropriate for children under age nine.  Space is limited. Meet: 1:00pm, Highland Lodge, Taconic Outdoor Education Center, Cold Spring. Duration: 3 hours. Level: Moderate/Difficult/Family-friendly/No Strollers. For more information visit www.hhlt.org or call 845/424-3358.

Michelle LeBlanc

3:00 to 6:00 pm The Community Foundation of Dutchess County Annual Garden Party Benefit at the Colonel Oliver Hazard Payne Mansion on Route 9W in Esopus NY (Ulster County). Featuring Tom Kohl on piano and Bill Crow on bass This event is a private affair requiring pre registration. For more information, visit: www.cfdcny.org 

The Bereznak Brothers Band

6PM - 9PM. Outstanding vocals, outstanding harmony and outstanding guitar work. What more could you want? Come hear the Bereznak Brothers and settle in for a special and intimate acoustic performance!!! Free Admission.... you gotta come early and get some dinner... the food is phenomenal and reasonably priced!!! At 12 Grapes, 12 North Division Street in Peekskill 914 737-6624

Into The Future:

Monday, September 20, 2010

Putnam's Best Chefs

6-8:30PM at The Garrison, 2015 Route 9 in Garrison. United Way of Westchester and Putnam hosts the 2nd annual Best Chefs, Fine Wine and Crafted Beer Festival with several local restaurants participating. See http://www.uwwp.org/bestchefs.htm for more information and reservations. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door.

Wednesday, September 22

Lower Hudson Omelette.

8 AM at the El Dorado Diner, 460 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY. With guest Andy Bicking of Scenic Hudson. The NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) is our state's primary tool to manage the Hudson Estuary watershed, protect land and create parks, and manage solid waste, yet funding levels in this year's budget are the lowest in over a decade, putting decades of environmental progress at risk.
Andy Bicking, Director of Public Policy for Scenic Hudson will discuss the public benefits generated by the EPF and suggest ways you can take action to keep the EPF and the programs it supports vital through the state's economic recovery. $5.

Hudson Valley Science Cafe

7PM. Topic: Hurricanes and Climate. Presented by Timothy Hall, Senior Scientists at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. 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 includes 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).

Thursday, September 23

Organizational Meeting to Rebuild the Imagination Station

From Brittany Pritz: Just want to inform you all, on Thursday 9/23 @ 7pm @ KES Cafeteria, we will be holding our first meeting held by the Committee to Rebuild the Imagination Station (no affiliation of the CCSD). At this meeting we will be revealing the plans that we have so far, including blue prints and fundraising plans. We also need volunteers to assist! No job is too big or small!! Please message me with any questions or email me at bnhyatt@gmail.com.

Friday, September 24

"Dolores"

8PM at Arts on the Lake, Lake Carmel, NY. Presented by the Liberty Free Theatre. Directed by Paul Austin and featuring Janna Comando and Kate Warren, Dolores presents the fraught, adult relationship between two very different working-class sisters. When Dolores shows up with a black eye from husband #3 at her sister Sandra’s 1983 Rhode Island home, what began as a quiet Sunday alone for Sandra turns into a confrontation of skeletons through humor, wit, and pain.

Dolores has been described as a dramatic work “with the rough Rhode Island demeanor of The Sopranos and the irreverence of Laverne and Shirley.” The play is one of numerous Baker one-act plays, including North of Providence, Rosemary with Ginger, and Mafia on Prozac, that have been produced across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and New Zealand. His Off-Broadway works include full-length plays such as Prairie Avenue and American Storage, among others.

Tickets to Dolores may be purchased in advance on the Arts on the Lake website: www.artsonthelake.org and reservations may be made by email to rsvp@artsonthelake.org or by phone: 845-228-2685.

Saturday, September 25

2010 Garden Party at the Asylum

From 3PM onwards. It's that time of year again! (yeah I know, we usually do it in July but late is better than never!). It's an all day BYOF/B type of thing. Kids during the day, raucous debauchery at night around the fire. If you've been here before you know the drill. If not, there's nothing to know other than to show up and most are welcome. Bring the kids and the dogs, friends and family and make a day of it. Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Nuclear War cancels. And I will have the grill running this year.

Gallery Talk: Jenelle Porter on Agnes Martin

2pm at Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries 3 Beekman Street, Beacon, NY 12508. 845 440 0100 www.diaart.org
Free with museum admission. For reservations click here.

Jenelle Porter is curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, where she recently organized shows including "Dance with Camera," "Dirt on Delight: Impulses That Form Clay" (with Ingrid Schaffner), "Trisha Donnelly," "Locally Localized Gravity," and "Gone Formalism." She has also served as curator at Artists Space, New York (1998-01), curatorial fellow at the Walker Art Center (1997-98), and curatorial assistant at the Whitney Museum of American Art (1994-97). She has contributed essays to numerous publications and produced books on Trisha Donnelly, Joshua Mosley, Stephen Prina, Matthew Ritchie, and Uri Tzaig.

Frogs Plein Air Painting Day

Calling all artists to the Friends of the Great Swamp (FrOGS) Second Annual Plein Air Painting Day on Saturday, September 25th.  Locations in this beautiful watershed area include the east branch of the Croton River and Turtle Pond in Patterson; and Ray Lake and Quaker Hill in Pawling, among many others. The artists’ works will be auctioned off on October 2nd for the benefit of the artists and FrOGS research and education programs.  For information and registration forms visit http://www.frogs-ny.org/PleinAir.shtml or call Laurie Wallace at 845-279-8858.

Tuesday, September 28

Candidate's Forum

7PM at the Mahopac Library. CRCM presents their a candidates forum for the 2010 general elections. Those invited are candidates for Putnam County Executive, Putnam County Legislator from Districts 5 & 9, NY State Senator, NY State Assemblyman, and Congressional Representative have been invited to participate on the panel.  

Friday, October 1

Party at the Boathouse

5-9PM - A benefit for Arts on the Lake at the Sedgewood Club Boathouse in Kent. 6:30 Buffet Dinner, 7PM Silent Auction. Donation, $40 per person. Party at the Boathouse will feature music, food, drinks and entertainment including a silent auction (see the Gallery below to preview a selection of silent auction items) and will honor Kent residents James and Wilma Baker whose early support through PLAN  Kent and recognition of the potential for the arts to being a community together enabled Arts on the Lake to open its public doors in 2007. More information is here.

Wednesday, October 6

Future of the Hudson River Watershed

6:30-9pm. Sandy Galef will be joining NYS Assemblyman Frank Skartados at the Newburgh Free Library, 124 Grand Street, Newburgh, for a community forum on the Future of the Hudson River and its Watershed.  The Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda provides crucial planning to protect one of our greatest local and state resources. Fran Dunwell, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Coordinator will be on hand to discuss and answer questions about the Action Agenda. It is critical that we are all aware of the issues that threaten our environment and the plans to protect it so we can work together to ensure a successful future.

Friday, October 22

Crossroads at Mike's

8 PM at the Roy Arias Theater, 300 W43rd, 4th floor. Broadway Briefs presents. One Bartender, One Bar...if those walls could talk....this is what they would say... 12 plays, 25 actors, 4 playwrights, 3 directors and 1 stage manager (yours truly!). Tickets $16 in advance $18 at the door. Also runs Saturday at 8PM and Sunday at 4PM. Room for only 75 attendees each performance so head over to Smarttix.com and reserve your place now... before it's too late. Would you like that shaken or stirred?
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