“Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers killed themselves. The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid. We are honoring the fact that they sinned and killed thereselves because of their sin. REALLY PEOPLE.”
- Arkansas District School board member Clint McCance's Facebook post
Good Friday Morning,
This morning the NYJN endorsed Maryellen Odell for County Executive. I'm surprised since they have a hard time finding Putnam County at all unless it's in the police reports. For those of you who read the Gannett paper, is there a Putnam section? No, we're attached to Westchester as if we're the 'red haired step-child' of that larger, more populous county.
Hold on to your hats! Over the next few days your mailbox will be stuffed with big shiny cards pushing one candidate or another. This week alone (as of yesterday) I've received, 31 pieces of mail. It's enough for an auto de fé! Where is Diego de Landa when you need him? I've also received numerous robo-calls including one inviting me to a 'bagger rally in Carmel tomorrow. Sorry, I'm having root canal without anesthesia and it sounds like more fun.
Anyway, In the mail were:
- 1 piece in favor of the Ballster
- 3 pieces against John Hall, none of which had a single verifiable fact among them unless you twist reality in that special way reserved for the Limbaughs and O'Reilly's of the world.
- 6 pieces against Nan Hayworth with only about half of those holding anything factual.
- 3 pieces for Sandy Galef - from Sandy Galef.
- 1 for Judge Jim Maisano (For the record, I don't vote for judges. It's a stupid idea.)
- 1 piece for Eric Schneiderman, John Hall and Mike Kaplowitz combined.
- 4 pieces against Carl Paladino and,
- 12 pieces against the Ballster with every one of them factual ,though annoying as these things go.
 Just a reminder: If you cannot bring yourself to vote for either of the 'ells running for County Executive and you still want to vote in that race, write in "Jeff Green". It fits nicely in the box. Can we get 50 votes?
It should not be difficult!
Each day that passes the campaign for county executive, Congress and the State Senate (40th) just gets stranger and stranger. If the elections don't come soon the National Institute of Health is going to have come in and administer Thorazine to everyone in the county just to stop our heads from exploding!
Here, let me make it even easier for you:
Maryellen Odell does not support women's rights. Released the other day was a palm card put out by the "Westchester and Putnam Pro-Life PAC" and on it are the usual suspects, Ball, Katz, and Paladino. But also listed on the card is Mary Ellen Odell. There are judges too: Matthew Byrne and James Burke, both running for State Supreme Court.
On the one hand we have a Senator who does not support civil rights (though he does surround himself with cute guys). On the other hand we have a county Legislator who wants the government to leave us alone but is willing to allow the government legislate women's rights?
What planet are we living on? And how do we get off?
Wabbit Season! Duck Season!
Pick one but be careful in the woods. Here, briefly, are the hunting seasons (PDF) in our area:
Deer:
Bowhunting - October16 - November 19
Guns - November 20 - December 12
Muzzleloading - December 13 - December 21
Fall Turkey Season - October 23 - November 5
Bobcat (if you can believe it!) - October 25 - February 15
Weasel, Opossum Raccoon and Fox - October 25 - February 15
Coyote - October 1 - March 27
Cute, cuddly bunnies - October 1 - February 28
Squirrels - September 1 - February 28
Pheasant, Grouse, Quail - October 1 - February 28
Woodcock - October 6 - November 4
Crow - September 1 - March 31 (Friday's Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays only.)
Snipe, Rails and Gallinules (whatever they are) - September 1 - November 9
As you can see, pretty much anything that moves is legal to shoot at right now so please, BE CAREFUL when you're taking a walk in the forests. Here's a hint: carry a whistle with you and as you enter the woods blow on it twice. Then, from time to time (every 10 or 15 minutes or so) give it another couple of toots. Three toots, by the way, is a distress call so don't be doing that. (Unless you find your leg pierced with an arrow or your back riddled with buckshot.)
What's Going On? Friday, October 29 The Dark Side of Chocolate 7 PM- Documentary film about trafficking of children in the international chocolate industry. Fair-traded chocolate for the trick or treaters will be available. Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 67 South Randolph Ave., Poughkeepsie. Contact Pat Lamanna, 845-452-4013. patla@hvc.rr.com .
Saturday, October 30 Fall Foliage Hike 10:00AM. Fishkill Ridge, Fishkill. A 4-mile trek ascending 1,200 feet along Fishkill Ridge, stopping at Lambs Hill for lunch and a magnificent panoramic vista. Moderately strenuous, but fall's wonderful colors should make it worth the effort. Bring lunch and plenty of water. Contact Anthony Coneski, 845 473 4440 Ext. 273, www.scenichudson.org. Canvassing in Support of the Southeast Old Town Hall Project 10AM - 4PM (And Sunday from 9AM-1PM). We are scheduled for A&P to hand out flyers on Saturday and Sunday. We need extra coverage from 12-2 on Saturday and 9-1 on Sunday. If anyone can help out, if only for an hour, please let me know. It would be best to have two people on at all times.
Contact: Fiddlebobz@aol.com
Aurora: Reading of a new play by Tony Howarth 8 PM at the Cultural Center on Lake Carmel/Arts on the Lake. Locked in a prison in his mind, a Vietnam Veteran is shaken by his encounter with an Illegal Immigrant trying to avoid a prison that is more literal. The cast for this reading: Lester: Sean Hopkins, Eduardo: Angel Morales, Olivia: Zulie Lozada, Poppy: Lora Lee Ecobelli, Hamilton: Paul Dommermuth, Pierce: Jeff Green, Stage Directions: Bart Cook. Tickets: $8.00 – $10.00 Visit Arts on the Lake for more information.
Maggie Seligman 8PM - Jitters Coffeehouse, 1273 Queen Street, Southington, CT. 860.747.1100 www.jittersclub.com or info@jittersclub.com. A stellar venue with delicious pie and a great vibe. Only original music here. And, a surprise guest will join me!
Into the Future: Wednesday, November 3 Planet Green: Teaching Sustainability to the Next Generation 8:45am - 1pm. Free one-day conference for students; educators; environmentalists and green businesses interested in sustainable education and activities in the Hudson Valley, sponsored by Swiss Re and Green Chimneys at Clearpool Education Center, Youth and Professional Tracks with guest speakers on Climate Change; NY's Engagement of Renewal Energy; Empowering Youth as Sustainability Consultants; Biomembrane Reactor Tour; interactive exhibit of Solar Technology and Q & A panel. Pls contact Laurie Rumpf at Lrumpf@greenchimneys org. 845-279-2995 ext. 108. Register: Planet Green Registration
Professional Track
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - For environmentalists, businesses and educators
Professional track attendees will be provided a continental breakfast, lunch, and networking opportunities.
• Keynote Address - Climate Change: Mark Way, Head of Sustainable Development, Swiss Re
• Special Guest Speaker: Melissa Everett, PhD Sustainable Hudson Valley
• Green Cities and the Clearwater Center for Environment Justice: Jeff Rumpf Ms. Ed, Executive Director, Clearwater
• New York State’s Engagement of Renewable Energy: Dr. John Harrington, Vice President, Solar Energy Consortium
• Biomimicry: Dorna Schroeter, Program Coordinator, Center for Environmental Education at P/NW BOCES
• Empowering Youth as Sustainability Consultants: Scott Beall, Executive Director, DoRight Leadership Corps
• Examples of Solar Technology (interactive exhibit): William Cox, Director of Programs, The Solar Energy Consortium
• Q and A panel (with all presenters) at the conclusion of the conference with Dorna Schroeter as moderator
* Curriculum samples will be given to each educator who attends.
Saturday, November 6 Common Ground Farm Auction  7PM - 10PM - Sampling delicious local foods, bidding on exciting Hudson Valley products and services, and even getting a jump on holiday shopping will all be part of the festivities at the Common Ground Farm Harvest Auction. The second annual benefit event will be held Saturday, November 6 at 7 pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall at 850 Wolcott Avenue (Route 9D) in Beacon.
The evening of hors d’oeuvre, wine, and music includes both ...a silent auction and a spirited live auction. A cornucopia of donated items for bid includes tickets for Chef Anthony Bourdain’s show at UPAC, a private cooking class for eight by Home Cooking New York, a timeshare in Florida, a session with a professional organizer, tickets for a taping of Inside the Actor’s Studio, and much more. The event will feature foods prepared from ingredients from Common Ground Farm as well as those donated by local purveyors.
Tickets are $15 and are available at the Beacon Farmers Market, Artisan Wine Shop, www.commongroundfarm.org, and at the door. For more information about the event, call (845) 231-4424. To learn more about the farm, visit www.commongroundfarm.org.
Sunday, November 7 Ten Mile River Cleanup 9AM - We will conduct a cleanup of the public fishing access areas along the Ten Mile River in Dover. We will meet at 9:00am at Boyce Park in Wingdale, just north of the Ketchum Fire House at the intersection of Route 55 and County Route 21/Pleasant Ridge Road, east of the light on Route 22. It's the park with all the ball fields, you can't miss it. We'll consolidate into a couple of vehicles and stop at the public fishing access areas to pick up litter. We should be done by 12:00am. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided. Keep in mind that some of these areas are adjacent to busy streets so it might not be a good idea to bring small children along. Don Jiskra with the Mid-Hudson Chapter of Trout Unlimited has organized this clean-up. He can be reached at 845-855-7357 or djiskra@comcast.net. Please send Don a note if you plan to attend.
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
Michele LeBlanc 7:30PM - 10PM at the Division Street Grill in Peekskill. Featuring jazz pianist Tom Kohl. 26 North Division Street, Peekskill NY 10566. Call for dinner reservations 914 739 6380 www.DivisionStreetGrill.com
Tuesday, November 16 Sustainable Restoration of Historic Buildings Historic buildings represent one of the most sustainable forms of construction, and many of these structures have inherent energy conserving features that are often overlooked. Unique approaches to rehabilitation and restoration are essential in order to preserve historic character and to minimize the potential for unintended consequences that may result from ill-conceived or poorly implemented energy-related upgrades. This presentation will cover an introduction on Historic Preservation, review of the 2010 Energy Conservation Code of NYS, the top 10 things to keep in mind when "greening" an historic structure, and case studies. 1 AIA CEU will likely be available for this event. Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main Street, Beacon, NY
About the Presenters:
Marilyn Kaplan is a NYS registered architect based in Albany. For 20-years, her firm, Preservation Architecture, has specialized in all aspects of planning and implementing restoration on historic structures. Her projects have included dozens of religious properties, libraries, and museums throughout the Hudson Valley and the northeast, as well as monumental buildings such as state capitals, the Russell Senate Office Building and White House in Washington, DC. Ms. Kaplan is a project manager at NYSERDA.
Walter Sedovic, FAIA LEED, Principal & CEO of Walter Sedovic Architects, is dedicated to sustainable preservation. His work and firm represent the vanguard of infusing preservation projects with green building approaches and ideologies, resulting in enriched educational, economic and cultural opportunities, with strong community ties. Walter's achievements have led to his elevation into the American Institute of Architects' prestigious College of Fellows.
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, MLS, is the Coordinator for Library Growth & Sustainability at the Mid-Hudson Library System in New York where she has assisted 66 member libraries in the areas of governance, management, funding and facilities since 1998. Rebekkah is a LEED AP and a certified Sustainable Building Advisor (NaSBA). Rebekkah consults nationally with public libraries, helping them understand how to create sustainable facilities, operations and programs: http://sustainablelibraries.org
Please RSVP Today
Tickets are $10 for advance sales to Chapter Members and Students, $15 for Members and Students at the door, and $20 for Non-members. To purchase tickets online and register visit the Green Events Calendar.
If you are purchasing tickets at the door please RSVP by replying to this email. Light refreshments are provided.
Saturday, November 20 Affordable Art Show 10AM - 4PM (repeats Sunday) If you are shopping for high-quality, unique and affordable gifts or if you simply want to furnish your home with new art, Arts on the Lake may have what you’re looking for. AotL is proud to announce its first Affordable Art Show to be held at the Center on Saturday, November 20th and Sunday, November 21st from 10:00-4:00. Those who “oohed and aahed” over the high quality and scope of the art exhibited at AotL’s Annual Fall Members’ Art Show now have an opportunity to shop for pocket-friendly fine art created by the Center’s member artists.
AotL is located at 640 Route 52, Kent Lakes , New York 10512. For further information call 845 228-2685.
Monday, November 22 Dam Removal 201: Sediment Assessment & Management 9:00AM - 3:30PM. Norrie Point Environmental Center, Staatsburg, NY Hosted by American Rivers. Funded by and in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program, and the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
Objective: This free one-day workshop is a follow-up to our Dam Removal Project Manager Training held this past March. By popular demand, this workshop will focus in more detail on sediment assessment and management approaches at dam removals. The workshop speakers and facilitators will include expert staff from American Rivers, as well as Joe Rathbun, who instructs courses around the country on dam removal sediment assessment and is a member of the federal Subcommittee on Sediment, which is developing national guidelines for dam removal sediment assessment and management. The morning portion of the workshop will include presentations on sediment assessment techniques and management approaches through case studies and a description of the draft federal guidelines. In the afternoon, we will have a facilitated discussion of how national and regional dam removal sediment protocols conform with existing New York regulations and guidance, with the objective of defining sediment assessment and management approaches that are applicable to dam removals in New York.
Who Will Benefit: Regulators, state conservation staff, conservation organizations, watershed organizations, county soil and water conservation districts, emergency management officials, hazard mitigation planners, public works department staff. Previous attendance at the Dam Removal Project Manager Training is NOT necessary for this workshop.
NOTE: Consultants are welcome, but will be placed on a wait list and registered if space remains after the registration deadline. Registration is limited to 40. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
To Register or Obtain a Detailed Course Agenda, contact: Rebecca Budd, American Rivers, rbudd@amrivers.org, Subject: "NY Dam Removal Workshop."
Monday, December 13 Conference on Water Resources and the Regional Economy The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the Hudson River Estuary Program, in partnership with the SUNY New Paltz Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach, the Hudson River Watershed Alliance will host a conference on Water Resources and the Regional Economy. Confirmed Speakers are Maurice Hinchey, Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck, and NYSDEC Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources James Tierney. Expected audience: Municipal staff, engineers, planners, environmental groups, and volunteers involved in green infrastructure and low impact development planning projects. For more information and regular updates visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html, or email hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us and put "Water Conference" in the subject line.
Location: SUNY New Paltz, Student Union Building, Multi-Purpose Room
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