Good Friday Morning,
 Hopefully everyone has survived the half-storm we were promised yesterday and overnight. We lost power here for about three hours last night and there are places, like sections of Mahopac, that are out this morning.
Many schools are on a two-hour delay this morning and the airports are still a mess. Flooding has shut down the Hutch, Sawmill and Bronx River parkways which is no surprise as all three closely follow the streams they're named after. Whoever thought of building highways in flood zones? Robert Moses! Of course.
The image here on the right (assuming you get the HTLM version of News That Matters) was taken last evening as I was trying to get to Mohegan for a rehearsal for "Crossroads at Mike's" (see the calendar entry for October 22 below). Peekskill Hollow Road was closed for a downed tree and wires as was Farmer's Mills and Miller Hill for three hours.
As of 8AM this morning, large sections of Brewster and Putnam Valley had significant outages with small sections of Kent, Patterson, Carmel/Mahopac (they really should just split and make life easier), Stormville and Hopewell. Does Philisptown even have power? Oh, yes it does. Central Hudson reports spotty outages through that most westerly of Putnam County communities. In fact, the Central Hudson website seems to be taking a hit as well as it's storm map just isn't working this morning.
We take a moment this morning to honor the lives of four Americans lost over the past couple of weeks to hatred and school-yard bullying: Tyler Clementi, 18, Seth Walsh, 13, Billy Lucas, 15 and Asher Brown, 13.
Satan's Representative on the Student Council: Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell has put up a blogsite that viciously attacks 21 year-old Chris Armstrong, the student body president at the University of Michigan. Shirvell's tactics include placing mangled photos of Armstrong with swastikas on his face. Oh, did I mention that Armstrong is gay? Check out this news report. It is sure to ruin your day. "Chris Armstrong is a radical homosexual activist who got elected, partly funded by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, to promote a very deeply radical agenda... " Sheesh! Sounds just like something Greg Ball has said in the past.
While we're talking about the Ballster, I had to remove a comment from the News That Matters website from one of his supporters named, "Kaplowitzgal" who, it was obvious, was not a gal nor a supporter of Mr. Kaplowitz. If this is the way Mr Ball is running his campaign, by storming his opponents press conferences and spamming websites, imagine what it will be like if he should actually win this election? What kind of sick, demented fans has this guy got?
If any of you readers are fans of that dog in this race, please write and let me know why. I have access to an ample supply of psychotropic meds that we can get you on right away. But really, I am curious what you see in him aside from his stunning good looks and friendly demeanor which amount to a little less than nothing when it comes to public service. And milking goats.
George Lukas is considering re-releasing his Star Wars films in 3D. May the force be with you. (And those funny glasses you have to wear.)
For those who wrote saying they were looking for tickets for "Crossroads at Mike's" they're finally on Smarttix. You can either click on this link or go to smarttix.com and run a search.
For those of you who do not live in Southeast please click on this link. It's office safe but you may still want to punch your monitor.
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 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.
Saturday, October 2 Red Hill Fire Tower Hike 10AM Trailhead on Dinch/Coons Road in the Town of Denning. Please join Aaron Bennett, Catskill Mountainkeeper Regional Director and Alan White from the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development on a hike to this beautiful, secluded Catskill Mountain fire tower. This 60' tower was de-commissioned in 1991 and rather than tear it down the NYS DEC put its future in the hands of dedicated volunteers who restored it for public enjoyment ten years ago. We will visit the old observer's cabin at the summit, which has been turned into a museum that honors all of the observers who once watched over the southern Catskill Mountains. Throughout the hike, Aaron and Alan will talk about the history of land use, the current threats to the forest and region and much more. From atop the tower they will point out the various mountains and valleys from this elevated position that offers a 360-degree view. This hike is part of the annual Catskill "Lark in the Park", which brings together people and organizations to heighten awareness of the Catskill Mountain Region in New York State. The 2.5-mile hike is moderate and will take approximately 4 hours. Participants should bring a lunch and plenty of water, good hiking boots are a must, dogs are permitted and pre-registration is required by September 30th to Aaron at aaron@catskillmountainkeeper.org.
Fall Art Show 1PM - 5PM Opening Reception at Arts on the Lake. Arts on the Lake will be hosting the Fourth Annual Fall Artists' Exhibition this weekend. The show will feature the art of more than 40 local artists and will include works in sculpture, painting, prints,ceramics and mixed media. The Opening Reception will be held Saturday, October 2nd from 1:00-5:00. Admission is free and there will be free refreshments and live music. The show continues Sunday, October 3rd from 1:00-5:00 and the following weekend, October 9th, 10th and 11th from 1:00-5:00. AotL overlooks Lake Carmel and is located at 640 Route 52 in Kent Lakes, NY 10512. For further information, call 845 228-2685.
Friends Of the Great Swamp Artwork Viewing and Auction FrOGS (Friends Of the Great Swamp) hosted a Day of Plein Air painting and photography in the Great Swamp in Putnam and Dutchess Counties on Saturday, September 25th. On Saturday, October 2, there will be an auction of the artwork at The Lathrop Center in Lakeside Park in Pawling, NY. Reception and viewing will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. The auction will be at 4PM, with Ivan Cohen as auctioneer. Artists may bring one additional piece for the auction, and minimum bid will be $175. There will be a 50/50 sales split between FrOGS and artists. (FrOGS is a 501 C3 non profit corporation). For information see website or contact Nancy Clark 845-878-9248 or Laurie Wallace 845-279-8858. Location: The Lathrop Center in Lakeside Park. Pawling NY.
Sunday, October 3 Kent CC Annual Mt. Nimham Hike 10 AM - The Kent CAC invites you to join us on Sunday October 3 for this pleasant, moderate family hike through the fall woods capped by a climb up the restored 90 foot fire tower. This hike has two options, depending on how much of a hike you'd like: Start at 10:00 AM from the Mt. Nimham DEC parking lot on Gypsy Trail Rd. Hike 1 mile through the Nimham forest to DEC gate and meet hikers beginning the hike at option B. Start at 11:00 AM at the DEC gate at the end of Mt. Nimham Court and hike 0.7 miles through the woods to the tower. It's hunting season, so wear bright clothing and stay together. Bring lunch and beverage and wear comfortable hiking boots. Heavy rain postpones to October 10. In that case, I'll send an e-mail to subscribers to this news service and post the news on the Kent CAC programs page <http://www.kentcac.info/programs.html> about an hour before the scheduled start. For further details contact Dave by phone at 878-7592 or by e-mail <mailto:webmaster@kentcac.info>
Putnam County Fall Classic Half Marathon and 5K Race 10 a.m. A great warm-up race for the NYC Marathon. Starts and ends at Brewster Village Train Station, 1 Main St., Brewster, NY 10509 Computerized timing systems, certified course, post-race refreshments; awards 2 deep in various age categories. Bring family & visit Brewster Village Street Fair after the race. On line registration at www.active.com For more information visit- www.brewsterrotary.org or, contact Kenny at 845-721-3098
Raising Voices to Raise a Hall 7PM — Tony-winner Donald Pippin (“Oliver!”) directs “Best of Broadway!” an evening to aid the Town of Southeast Cultural Arts Coalition, a local organization committed to renovating the theater in the upper level of Old Town Hall in Brewster as another venue for the performing arts in our community. Where: Brewster Performing Arts Center, Brewster High School, 50 Foggintown Road, Brewster. Contact: For information contact: www.oththeater.org <http://www.oththeater.org> or email oththeater@gmail.com Tickets are $25.
Into The Future:
Tuesday, October 5 Clearpool Camp Model Forest Presentation 6:30 PM - Chris Hendershot is the the Assistant Director of Programs at Clearpool Education Center in Carmel, NY. He would like to invite interested parties to their Model Forest concept mapping meeting at the Clearpool Camp. Clearpool is a candidate to be a part of a model forest that demonstrates the proper management and balances between working forests and water quality while maintaining the relationship of a healthy ecosystem. Clearpool would be the only east of Hudson model forest.
A Public Screening of "Gasland" 7:30 PM - You are cordially invited to a screening of "Gasland," the Sundance award-winning documentary depicting the dangers of extracting natural gas by horizontal hydrofracking, at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. This issue is of unparalleled environmental, health, economic and political importance. Sponsored by environmental, community, and religious organizations * the program will begin at 7:30 PM promptly so please arrive early to check your name off the list and be seated. Introductions will be followed by the screening of "Gasland." Questions will be answered afterwards by our panel: Pennsylvania homeowner who experiences daily the drilling that is now devastating Pennsylvania, Dr. Jannette Barth, an economist who has written about the economics of fracking, and Nadia Steinzor, Earthworks Oil and Gas Accountability Project (OGAP) Marcellus Organizer
A post-screening catered reception will follow offering an opportunity for guests to meet with our panelists, learn about the actions to take now, and the kick-off of the CWCWC New York Gasland Education Project which will be made available, free of charge, to grassroots organizations and concerned citizens in early December.
Tickets are $12 for the evening's affair. Contact Suzannah Glidden, 914-234-6470 for ticket reservation.
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.
Saturday, October 9 The Joey Val Memorial Coffeehouse Concert To Benefit the Run Against Hunger (The ValShow or JoeShow to me) will play on October 9th at the Asbury Methodist Church 17 Old Post Road, Croton-On-Hudson, New York. Please join us for music by:
Chris (Route 22) Cassone,
Steve & Shirl (Great Blue) Kaplan
Penny's Boat (Tony, Jason & Allison Fraina and Brian Davis) and
Act III (Larry the Professor Eidelman, Gentleman Jim Nowak, et moi)
You know this is a labor of love, because while I was sitting here typing Robinson Cano hit a triple to put the Yanks up 7-3 over the Rays. That in and of itself should be enough to get you there. So I hope you can make it. It'll be great musicians, a great cause, and the memory of a great guy, Joey Val.
Wednesday, October 13 The 10th Annual Southeast New York Stormwater Conference and Trade Show. This conference will provide valuable information on the changes in the 2010 Phase II Stormwater Permits and the Runoff Reduction emphasis in the 2010 NYS Stormwater Design Manual plus offer a wide array of topics including implementing the runoff reduction method, illicit discharge detection and elimination lessons from the field, stormwater retrofitting to improve water quality, green infrastructure for rooftops, and maintenance of stormwater ponds. PDH and CEU credits have been applied for. The Trade Show will feature products and information from many of the leading stormwater management professionals. The 2010 Conference is sponsored by the Lower Hudson Coalition of Conservation Districts. The cost is $80 per person before 9/24 and $100 after 9/24 and includes Trade Show, lunch and breaks. For more information please contact Jennifer Lusk at (845) 677-8011 ext. 3 or jennifer.lusk@ny.nacdnet.net. Registration information, the agenda and vendor information are available at http://lhccd.org, under Upcoming Events.
Location: Dutchess Manor in Beacon, New York.
Saturday, October 16 A Full and Funny Musical Evening with Ray Jessel 8:00 pm. At the Lake Carmel Cultural Center in the old firehouse on Route 52 in Lake Carmel.
 "In the royal court of cabaret . . . Ray Jessel is the jester. The septuagenarian Welsh-Jewish songwriter's prankishly literate ditties, recall the smart novelty songs of Tom Lehrer, Allan Sherman and other masters of high silliness." Adam Feldman...TIME OUT New York. "Ray Jessel is living and beaming proof that, even if you no longer break-dance on the corner, you can even be more effective than ever as an Einstein look-alike." Finkle....VILLAGE VOICE
Jessel was writer/producer for the hit television series Head of the Class. Other credits include The Carol Burnett Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Love Boat. Jessel's songs have been recorded by Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Durante, Peggy Lee & Sammy Davis Jr., and, with his current partner (in writing and life) Cynthia Thompson, is represented on recent CD's by Michael Feinstein, John Pizzarelli & Karen Akers.
Tickets: $10.00 – $15.00
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... On Night. One Bar. Nine Plays. A concept play written in parts by Fidel Fonteboa, Gabby Fox, Tony Howarth, Carol Mark and Pat O'Connor. Starring: Jon Barb, Joseph Colantino, John Crandell, Jessica Danahy, Fidel Fonteboa, Jeremy Frutkin, Linda Gervargiz, Adam Glatzl, Mark Gorham*, Karen Hanley, Shelley Lerea, Laurel Lettieri, Marisa Lowe, Zulie Lozada, Matt McKenna, Richard Manichello, Carol Mark, Barbara H. Marks, Sophia Shkreli, Leslie Smithey, Howard Weintraub, Jason Xay, Maria Zadrima, Gus Zucco... and one 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? Monday, October 25 Evening Overview: Beyond Pipe and Pond A Research-based Approach to Stormwater Management
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Arrive between 5:00 and 6:00 to participate in a tour; arrive by 6:45 for the program)
Speakers: Patrick Kozakiewicz, Architect and Garrett Jobson, Landscape Architect, NY State Parks; Simon Gruber, Hudson Valley Regional Council; Jamie Houle, CPSWQ, University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center.
Participants will tour a local example of innovative practices including pervious pavement, stream restoration, and energy conservation; learn about the Hudson Valley Green Infrastructure Stormwater Planning Project; learn from the experts at the UNH Stormwater Center how innovative stormwater systems work and learn about applications of green stormwater practices in New Hampshire. Hosted by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the NYSDEC Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve in cooperation with the Hudson River Estuary Program.
Cost: $7 Dinner; 2 PDHs for Professional Engineers available ($20). Please contact Emilie Hauser (logistics), 845-889-4745 x 112 or Barbara Kendall (program) 845-471-7383 x 104 or RSVP to this link: http://www.hrnerr.org/public/training/stormwater/workshop.htm. Registration in advance in requested.
Location: NYS OPRHP Taconic Region Headquarters, 9 Old Post Road, Staatsburg, NY 12580
Friday, November 12 The Future of Your Woods A workshop for landowners in the Eastern Hudson Highlands. At the Clearpool Education Ctr, Carmel, NY. This workshop will provide landowners with info and tools to get the most out of their woodlands, and learn how to take care of it for future generations. For more information, contact Kristi Sullivan at kls20@cornell.edu or Laura Heady at lheady@gw.dec.state.ny.us
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