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| "I meet the most bizarre people." Good Wednesday Morning, Believe it or not there's a Winter Storm Watch in effect for tomorrow through Friday. Six to twelve inches of new snow, rain, and radiation fallout.
Two facts you didn't know about your domestic pet: The average canine can hear the sound of an opening refrigerator door from 1.2 miles away.Corrections and Apologies: To the single Serbo-Croation living in Putnam County, I apologize publicly for not having made an ethnic joke about you but to be honest I can't think of one. But if you're willing to send one along I promise to work it into a future column the very next time I discuss using šljivovica as a massage lotion. Not Fit For Prime Browsing: Is it just me, or do multi-page articles at the newly designed NYJN website not work if you're using Firefox as your browser? Let's do a test! If you use Firefox, head on over to this link, scroll down the page and try to select the next page in the article. If it works, let me know. If it doesn't work, let me know. If, on the other hand you're using Internet Explorer the spam, trojan and virus industry owes you a debt of gratitude. Rand Paul. Bright, articulate, handsome, dumb as a bag of rusty nails. Putnam Consumer Expo! (but you really can't attend) Once again this year the Mahopac Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Consumer Expo on a weekday when people - including potential exhibitors - are at work thus severely limiting the number of actual consumers who might attend if it were held on a weekend Saturday/Sunday. I wrote about this last year and I'll write about it again this year and I'll continue to write about it as often as necessary until someone at the Chamber sends me an explanation of why. Until then, it's a mystery, as most things in Putnam County are.Uncle Vinnie Buys More Time: As reported to the website yesterday evening, the sentencing for Senator Leibell has been moved back again, this time until May 13. No explanation was given.  I Saw The Light! New stadium lights came on the ballfield's at Mamaroneck's high school back on March 11th and its neighbors are now well illuminated about light pollution and bad planning. The school board says they went through a "thorough process" and that the installation well advertised. The municipality says their outdoor lighting ordinances don't count because the school is under the State Department of Education. Somewhere along the line there should have been a SEQRA process which required neighbors be notified and consulted at a public hearing unless the school district itself was the lead agency and determined that a trillion watts of light would have no negative effect on its neighbors. Bring Back the Energy Commission This Letter to the Editor first appeared in the PCNR: Reprinted at the Author’s Request To Legislator Tamagna: I am very concerned to learn that the County Legislature failed to continue the Commission on Alternative Energy and Green Energy Initiatives (“the Energy Commission”) as a standing commission in January of this year, and that, to date, it is not on any publicly available agenda. This makes no sense, given the high cost of the county’s lighting, heating and cooling needs. The Commission was in the process of gathering information about ways to lower those costs. Their work could also help reduce those costs for our local businesses and for our homes. It is my understanding that, while the Commission was active, the County commissioned an energy audit but has yet to provide a copy to members of the Energy Commission. So, at the same time the Putnam Legislature is turning its back on even considering alternatives, the counties around us are saving significant amounts of money by pursuing these alternatives and reaping thousands in grant funds while Putnam looks the other way. None of this makes any sense if, in fact, the Legislature was serious about reducing our energy costs when it first authorized the Energy Commission back in 2009. The Putnam County legislature seems focused on only two things: increasing our taxes and providing corporate welfare to non-local companies (neither of which benefits the residents of Putnam County). How do you justify turning your back on providing the ordinary residents of Putnam County with at least some benefit? Margaret Yonco-Haines Garrison The Right To Die: Some 20-something kid offed himself down in Irvington the other day using a mix of household chemicals to create a lethal gas, either hydrogen cyanide or hydrogen sulfide. Police are "concerned" that this new form of suicide will spread and are alert to boards on the 'net that discuss suicide and other relevant issues. I'm willing to bet - right now - that within the next few weeks some Congressman will demand that any talk of suicide on the 'net be treated as a crime and whoever posts a method that is then used be prosecuted. Our Love Affair With Syria: The Syrians have their hands full these days as protests erupt across the nation. And if anyone in the middle east is brave it's a Syrian standing up to his own government. A reporter carrying both Egyptian and American papers was arrested in Syria and charged with traveling secretly to Israel. In a televised 'confession', Muhammad Bakr Radwan of Austin, Texas, said he had traveled to West Jerusalem and back to Syria through Jordan and at some point agreed to sell photographs and video to a Colombian national. Sounds confusing, right? That's daily life in Syria. And now, The News:
Tax Day Rally: Cut Our TaxesMonday April 18 · 4 pm In front of Bank of America 45 Market Street Poughkeepsie, NY In front of Bank of America at 45 Market Street in Poughkeepsie ... [just a stone's throw away from County Office Building-- where our county's Human Rights Commission, Consumer Affairs Commission, our county Youth Bureau's Project Return program, and countless other crucial county services have recently been cut by GOP- while corporate welfare for Bank of America continues] Fact: Bank of America recently got $45 billion from the federal bailout-- but hasn’t paid any federal income taxes in years-- while Dutchess County still deposits funds there (Dutchess County Finance Commissioner Pamela Barrack recently confirmed this with us personally!). [see http://www.USUncut.org/ -- protests in front of branches across U.S.] Read MoreUnited States slipped to third in clean energy raceChina and Germany take lead as global investment reaches record $243 Billion in 2010March 29, 2011
That’s from the news release for new research released by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The report, Who’s Winning the Clean Energy Race? 2010 Edition, uses data compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Here’s more:
Read More Over 500,000 acres of developable land identified in the CatskillsCATSKILLS REGION – The Catskills region contains 10 times the land needed to support population expectations through 2035, meaning growth can occur there without negatively affecting open space resources, a new Open Space Institute study finds.The study identifies more than 520,000 of private land that could be developed that is more than would be needed to accommodate population growth estimates of about four percent over the next 25 years. The report looks at land in Sullivan, Ulster, Greene and Delaware counties. “This report presents an analysis that can help balanced and sustainable development in our region become a reality,” said Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress President Jonathan Drapkin. “OSI’s study identifies areas where there is a potential for a ‘win-win’ between conservation and development. That synergy is critical to assuring development can occur in a timely and efficient manner while serving the greatest long-term interests of Catskill residents and businesspeople.” Read More State Parks Taconic Region Headquarters Awarded Highest-Level LEED Green Building CertificationTransformation of historic school outside Poughkeepsie was made possible by $3 million gift from First LEED Platinum award for a public building in New York State New York State Parks announced today that its Taconic Regional Headquarters has been awarded Platinum-level LEED® certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The adapted school building is the first public building in New York State to win LEED Platinum for new construction or major renovation projects – the highest level of certification for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The renovation of the school house was a good example of a public private partnership and now that State Parks are in such hard financial times I'm hoping other private individuals will help financially support their park friends groups and larger park infrastructure," said Lucy R. Waletzky, Chair of the New York State Council of Parks. "Buildings are a prime example of how human systems integrate with natural systems," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The State Parks Taconic Regional Headquarters project efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations to come." "Investments in energy efficiency and sustainable building materials are the most cost-effective measures state agencies and local governments can make to control costs, reduce energy consumption, and cut greenhouse gas emissions," said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. "I commend State Parks for the high priority it has placed on conserving energy, protecting our natural resources, and preserving our environment. The project is emblematic of Governor Cuomo's commitment to expand opportunities for energy efficiency, which will help reduce the cost of government and for doing business in New York." The transformation of the former Staatsburg School into a highly energy efficient and sustainable building was made possible by a $3 million gift from Dr. Waletzky toward the $7.9 million project. Reuse of an existing building, the 1930 Staatsburg School in Mills-Norrie State Park, was a significant factor in reaching the platinum level certification. Other factors included: Read MoreA New Way to Churn Out Cheap LED LightingMaking LEDs with microchip manufacturing methods could slash the cost of lighting.By Prachi Patel A startup in California has developed a manufacturing technique that could substantially cut the cost of LED lightbulbs—a more energy-efficient type of lighting. LEDs are conventionally made on a relatively costly substrate of silicon carbide or sapphire. Bridgelux has come up a new process takes advantage of existing fabrication machines used to make silicon computer chips, potentially cutting LED production costs by 75 percent, according to the company. Despite their higher efficiencies and longer life, few homes and businesses use LED lighting—largely because of the initial cost. An LED chip makes up 30 to 60 percent of a commercial LED lightbulb. Electronic control circuits and heat management components take up the rest. So for a 60-watt equivalent bulb that costs $40, Bridgelux's technology could bring the cost down by $9 to $18. Integrating the light chip with the electronics might further reduce costs. LEDs made with the new technique produce 135 lumens for each watt of power. The U.S. Department of Energy's Lighting Technology Roadmap calls for an efficiency of 150 lumens per watt by 2012. Some LED makers, such as Cree, in Durham, North Carolina, already sell LED lamps with efficiencies in that range. In contrast, incandescent bulbs emit around 15 lumens per watt, and fluorescent lightbulbs emit 50 to 100 lumens per watt. Read More Walmart 'sexism' case before US Supreme CourtThe US Supreme Court is set to begin hearing evidence on whether the largest sex discrimination lawsuit in American history should go ahead. A group of women is suing the world's biggest retailer, Walmart, claiming they were held back because of their gender. They want to bring a class action suit on behalf of more than a million women. Walmart denies the allegations, saying it has a long history of promoting women and paying them well. Christine Kwapnowski, one of six women named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, claims she was passed over for pay and promotion in favour of male colleagues. "I asked what I needed to do to get promoted and my manager said I should 'doll up and blow the cobwebs off my make-up'," she told the BBC. The group bringing the lawsuit believes Walmart systematically discriminated against women in stores across America. The six are making their claim under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, arguing "the policies and practices underlying this discriminatory treatment are consistent throughout Walmart". The women, who are seeking lost pay and damages, want the US Supreme Court to allow the case to proceed a class action lawsuit against Walmart. A class action would cover any woman who has worked for, or works for, the store. 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Wednesday, March 30, 2011
News That Matters - Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
News That Matters - Monday, March 28, 2011
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| Good Monday Morning, Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to run for the Executive branch, died the other day at 75 years of age. Contractor Scams:  The Dutchess County Sheriff's office is warning residents that now spring is upon us home contractor scams are once again taking advantage of the elderly and other unsuspecting residents who are looking to make repairs to their homes after this past winter.Here in Putnam County you have an option: you can be scammed by unscrupulous contractors or you can call Jeff Green at Taconicarts (845) 554-5119 and not only not get scammed but help support the local economy as well.Plug it in. You can hate the Israeli's all you want, but any good progressive should be looking toward that dot of multi-cultural democracy in the Middle East with some pride and wonder. An Israeli company called, "Better Place" produces electric cars with a range of 185 kilometers and has begun installing thousands of plug-in charging stations that will be in place by the end of 2011. Twenty-Seven Israeli cities will host these stations and 350 Israeli companies are signed on to use their vehicles once production ramps up. Term Limits: There's discussion out there about term limits and laws about them. I oppose these things for one simple reason: You are the ultimate arbiter of who sits in office and who does not. If you are not willing to do the work required to get someone else elected then you get the government you deserve. And if you continue to vote the same guys in over and again and they still fail you, then you can probably get disability for your brain tumor. Why would anyone support a law that rewards lazy citizenship?Brewsterico: Mike Risinit writes in the Journal News that the majority of Brewster's residents are now of Hispanic origin. But to show reason why Putnam County has the reputation it has of being a bit of a racist, bigoted place all we need do is look at the "comments" after the article like these: SeniorVoice Or this: nyrox Or this: sailingaway1 Police Budgets - A place to start cutting: A call to police in Phoenix, Arizona over cock fighting led to a SWAT team and a tank (yes, a tank!) causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to a house and 115 chickens were "euthanized" by Sheriff's deputies. It turns out the local PD had been working with a TV show called "Lawman" hosted by Steven Segal and this was all for his benefit. It seems to me there's a few hundred thousand dollars worth of budget cuts right there. If not to quell massive insurrection, what are police departments doing with tanks? At least the one Putnam County has is safely parked behind a fence to prevent it from escaping. Cut Once: In order to generate income for the state which would amount to a one-time cash infusion of $100,000, Republicans in Minnesota are proposing the logging of their state parks. Rep Denny McNamara who is Chairman of the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy Finance Committee said, "This just can't be about economics, absolutely not, but we can't not pay attention to economics, either.'' I'm willing to bet if the state just shortened the names of their committees they could save millions in printing costs alone. Investing in Solar: Where are US investors putting their money into solar energy projects? In India. The Indian government, desiring to grow their economy without reliance on fossil fuels of which they have precious little, have created an investment environment that is drawing attention from around the world, especially the United States. There's $294 million worth of wrong with that but telling the US Congress is impossible. So long as Texas is part of the United States we'll die under a smog-filled haze before we get smart. Where's Nan? Corporate Tax Dodging. Last week I wrote about how Congresswoman Nan Hayworth took the side of corporate America when faced with the question of what she would do about major corporations that paid no income taxes. It seems that companies like GE, who earned $14.2 billion last year with $5.1 billion of that coming from US earnings, paid $0 in taxes. And who did Barack Obama select to head his Council on Jobs and Competitiveness? GE's Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt. It's better than a fox in a hen house. And you know, now that Congress *and* the President are both in lock-step (or is that goose-step?) with the Corporations it's only going to get worse. Teaching Fairy Tales - On Your Dime: According to an article in Mother Jones, during 2010-2011 seven states have proposed legislation that would require the teaching of creationism in school classrooms alongside actual science. Which states? Texas, Kentucky, (Died in Committee) Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, (Died in Committee) New Mexico (Died in Committee) and Missouri. With all those deaths, watch for the resurrection. WESPAC and other, similar, organizations in the United States are still involved in a boycott of all things Israeli to protest that nation's "Apartheid" regime. (With no mention of why 800,000 Jews were exiled from Arab nations which, I'm guessing, doesn't fit the playbill for their anti-Semitism.) Anyway, here's a placid response:  And now, The News:
Dozens Protest Ball's Stance on Millionaire's Taxby Katherine Pacchiana For AOL/Patch March 27, 2011Parents, teachers and community activists say extending the tax on the state's top earners would save schools from massive budget cuts. A lively crowd of four dozen parents, teachers and community activists from as far away as Albany showed up Friday afternoon at the Brewster office1 of state Sen. Greg Ball (R, C - Patterson) to protest his stance on the so-called "millionarie's tax." The millionaire's tax, which places an additional income tax surcharge on New Yorkers with personal earnings over $200,00 year, is set to expire as early as April 1. Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to let the tax expire and Ball supports the governor's position. Read More Watershed group gets $450,000 in fundingPOUGHKEEPSIE – The Hudson River Watershed Alliance has been awarded a $200,000 grant over four years from the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission on behalf of the Hudson River Estuary Program. The grant is matched by over $250,000 in funds and volunteer time from partner organizations. Watershed Alliance Executive Director Barbara Kendall said her organization is aimed at providing watershed management goals. “We are a citizen action program under the Open Space Institute and what we do is we provide technical assistance, outreach, education and support for watershed management organizations, other environmental groups, local governments, businesses, many different stakeholders in the Hudson River Valley and the focus is on tools for watershed management and protection of watershed resources,” she said. Read MoreDEC Urges Green Solutions For Storm Water RunoffBy Kevin Foley for Philipstown.info Representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) briefed Cold Spring’s Special Board for a Comprehensive Plan/Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan last week on the department’s green infrastructure initiatives and the importance of developing green alternatives to traditional methods of handling storm water runoff, particularly for Hudson River watershed communities. The meeting took place on March 24 at the Village Hall. Lacking a quorum to conduct other business, the four (of nine) Special Board members present— Chairman Michael Armstrong, Anne Impellizzeri, Marge Early and Karen Doyle—devoted the entire meeting to the DEC presentation and subsequent discussion. Emily Vail, a watershed outreach specialist in the DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program, explained that the program seeks to ensure clean water, protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats, provide recreation in and on the water, adapt to climate change, and conserve the scenic landscape. Created in 1987 and currently a partnership with the New York State Water Resources Institute of Cornell University, the program works with a variety of other state, federal, and local agencies, as well as with other public-private partnerships to achieve its goals, according to Vail. Storm water runoff from communities adjoining the Hudson has an enormous impact on the river’s cleanliness and the condition of wildlife habitats, said Vail. Water runoff can carry many types of polluting materials and chemicals such as heavy metals, pesticides, oil and grease, road salt, animal and human waste and other assorted trash into the river. She said the introduction of green or more natural solutions to managing storm water is an important component not only in protecting the river but also in aiding local flood prevention, slowing soil erosion and retaining storm water for reuse on lawns and gardens or for other purposes. Brewster's Hispanic influences evident on Main StreetBy Mike Risinit for the NY Journal NewsBREWSTER — Since around the midpoint of the Clinton administration, a visitor to Brewster's Main Street could find a Mexican sweet roll almost as easily as they could get an egg on a roll. So the fact the village, which started as a railroad depot in the mid-1800s, is now home to a majority of Hispanic residents didn't surprise many who are part of life on that street. U.S. Census figures released last week showed Brewster had 2,390 residents in 2010, up from 2,162 in 2000, and 56 percent of them were of Hispanic. "It's news, but it's not surprising because you can just stand on Main Street and see there's a majority of Hispanics that traverse Main Street on a daily basis," said Paul Carmona, a lawyer whose storefront office advertises his services in English and Spanish. Green roofs are not new; they have been used for thousands of years because they helped insulate, thrived in the sun instead of rotting, and other than the increased structure, they were cheap as, well, the dirt that they were planted in. Then flat roofs came in and were covered in tar and asphalt, which needed a lot of maintenance. Engineers and architects didn't worry much about them; nobody could see them. Roofs became parking lots for equipment. Sen. Johnson’s reaction to General Electric paying no taxes: Cut the corporate tax rateMarch 27, 2011The New York Times reported Friday that General Electric’s effective tax rate in 2010 was zero. Despite making $14.2 billion in profits, the company received $3.2 billion in tax benefits. GE is able to drive down its effective tax rate via “an aggressive strategy that mixes fierce lobbying for tax breaks and innovative accounting that enables it to concentrate its profits offshore.” The fact that hugely profitable companies receive billions in benefits from taxpayers clearly makes the case for ending giveaways in the corporate tax code and cracking down on companies that use tax havens to shelter income overseas. However, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), when asked about GE’s zero percent tax rate today on CNBC, replied that the real problem is the U.S. corporate tax rate is too high:
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Friday, March 25, 2011
News That Matters - Friday, March 25, 2011 - Things To Do Edition
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| Good Friday Morning, Online Tag Sale: As I begin the process of unloading my stuff, I’ll be offering it first to this list before it goes public.
We count! According to the Census Bureau, Putnam County now has 99,710 residents which is a slight increase over the previous census in 2000. Overall, the state's population is 19,378,102, also an increase over the 2000 Census. The States that grew the fastest were, in general, those with the best weather. But if NY is growing, that lays the lie to the belief that people are fleeing the state because of our tax structure. If people more people are moving in than leaving there must be something more important to them than our tax rates. In the January 23, 2010 edition of News That Matters I wrote an article called, "The Great Tefillin Scare" which has become one of the top read articles at the website. Here it is:
Well, just the other day almost the exact same story took place but on an Alaska Airlines flight. The article in the NY Daily News begins: Flight attendants on an Alaska Airlines flight to Los Angeles on Sunday interpreted an elaborate prayer ritual by Orthodox Jewish men onboard as a security threat and locked down the cockpit, airline officials said. Earlier in the week I wrote about the Hayworth/Katz show held last weekend in Patterson. One of false assertions Assemblyman Katz made was that 2 million people had left the state because of high property taxes, that the state population had gone down. But it hadn't, it's gone up over the years meaning that if those 2 million did leave because of high property taxes, more than 2 million moved in to the state regardless of those taxes. A discussion has ensued between someone I assume is a staffer in the Assemblyman's office and myself that might be worth a read if you have absolutely nothing else to do. It's here. But, um, this could be a good time to start cleaning out the garage like your wife has been asking you to do for 2 million years now. Part of the aforementioned discussion is whether the rich are being taxed fairly or not. Republicans say we should not raise taxes on the wealthy as they use those dollars to create jobs. Jobs like gardeners, caddies and nannies.
Cougars! On February 3rd of 2011 an astute reader sent in a photograph of a cougar track taken at the end of Richardsville Road just across the Kent town line in Putnam Valley and up against Fahnestock State Park. One month later on March 2nd of 2011, the US Fish & Wildlife service declared the eastern cougar extinct. I'm guessing they didn't look in Putnam County or weren't looking very hard. Perhaps they might like to un-announce the death of the eastern cougar.Our Very Own Young Republicans.  You know those kids: all clean cut, obedient, perfect blond hair and rank-straight teeth, blue eyes, pressed Dockers, starched button down shirts and looking for all the world like America's version of Hitler Youth? Well, Kent town councilman John Greene, better known for corralling pheasants to be shot, is now the president of an official Young Republicans klavern right here in Putnam County. In response, Jeff Green will be setting up Putnam's first Weiße Rose chapter, just in case.Examining the Examiner: Andrew Vitelli wrote a rather excellent article about the Hayworth/Katz show last weekend in Patterson. But how he was able to do so without mentioning my name as the Chief Provocateur, even though I was repeatedly singled out by Mike Griffin? I don't work that hard to be ignored! So what's it going to take to get my name in the Examiner in proper context Andrew, a kiddie porn charge? Drug running? Murder? Everyone knows I don't like children until they're 25 or so, but the latter two are definitely within my ken. In February, eight students from Nicetown's Gratz High School, joined with 150 others to rampage through downtown Philadelphia trashing a Macy's store in the process. There's an unintentional but convenient pun in there and finding it is your homework for the weekend. What's Going On?
Ongoing:Putnam Arts Council Members ShowThe Putnam Arts Council invites the public to view the fine work offered in its 48th annual Members’ Exhibit through March 27th, during Gallery hours, Tuesday - Friday, 10-4 and Sundays 1-4. Admission and parking are free. Putnam County 2011 Tree ProgramOrders must be in by Wednesday, April 6, 2011.Call Lori Taylor at (845) 878-7918 for more information and tell her we sent you. From the flyer: We’ve added some exciting and different trees and shrubs this year. Most of them will attract and provide food and habitat for birds and other wildlife for your enjoyment and some even offer the opportunity to make jams and jellies. Blackberry (Rubus darrow) has large berries that are firm, juicy and have honey sweet true blackberry flavor. They are proven the most reliable producer of large crops of top quality fruit. Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) this tree provides excellent vertical definition in a shrub border or as a free standing specimen. Creamy white lemon scented flowers are followed by small red seeds which are used by a variety of wildlife. Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) one of the most time-honored spring rites, Pussy Willow greets your spring starved eyes while snow is still on the ground. The flowers bloom on bare stems and provide pollen for the native bees and food for birds. Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus) has many common names all alluding to the aromatic properties of its leaves, bark, twigs and roots. Best of all is the wonderfully fruity scent produced by the unusual flowers. This plant is deer resistant. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) Nannyberry’s white flowers give way in autumn to blue-black berry like drupes which often persist into winter and are quite attractive to birds and wildlife. Fruits are edible and used in jams and jellies. Fountain Grass (Pennisetum) is a graceful elegant ornamental grass with plumes resembling bottle brushes that appear in summer and persist until fall. It is suited for residential landscape more than most other ornamental grasses because of its small size. Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) white flowers provide nectar for butterflies, native bees and other pollinators. The fruit provides a good source of food for birds and wildlife in fall and early winter. This Weekend:Friday, March 25Local Rock Bands at AotL6PM - "Letters to Autumn," "The Road Home," "The Face of Fear," "After September," "Seeing Through Blind Eyes" and "To Know Avail" are scheduled to play at the Lake Carmel Cultural Center, 640 Route 52, Kent Lakes, 6-10 pm. Admission is $8 with a $3 discount for AotL members. Michelle LeBlanc and Doug Smith Duo7:15PM Join Michelle at the Division Street Grill in Peekskill. I'll be performing with the great jazz piano man, Doug Smith. The food and ambiance are wonderful at the Division Street Grill. http://www.michelleleblanc.com/ Saturday, March 26Putnam County Legislative Forum on people With Disabilities |
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The morning panel, Water Policy & the Regulatory Framework, will present an overview of existing regulations on watersheds, wetlands/watercourses and wastewater management from the state, county and local levels, and introduce newer wastewater management technologies like subsurface drip dispersal. 
10:30AM - 11:30AM - Our first rain barrel building workshop of the season at the Farm and Home Center in Millbrook (Route 44). At the workshop you will learn how to build a 55-gallon rain barrel that you will take home with you at the end of the workshop. The cost of the workshop is $35 and covers the cost of all supplies.
In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries/territories officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.
1:30PM - The PCLT is partnering with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference to offer a new approach to conservation training. For the first time, volunteers will have the opportunity to be trained and participate in the design, construction and maintenance of a new trail system on one of PCLT’s newest preserves – the 94 acre Brandon Farm Preserve in Patterson. 
You're invited to attend an Agriculture Sustainable Energy Conference on March 28, 2011, hosted by Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey's Office. Come learn about regional assistance to help make your farm more energy efficient and sustainable. The event will take place from 8 am to 1 pm in the Student Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall at the SUNY Ulster Community College Campus in Stone Ridge, NY.
7:30PM - Town Crier, Route 22, Pawling. We're thrilled to welcome back John Hall after his two terms as US Congressman. Singer/songwriter/guitarist 
Roy Zimmerman in Concert
6PM - 8PM - Much of conventional roofing represents a wasted opportunity to reduce energy costs, improve building performance and durability, create useable habitat for flora and fauna, improve biodiversity, increase the performance of installed photovoltaic systems, mitigate combined sewer overflow (CSO) events, reduce waste stream pollution, lessen urban heat island effects (UHIE) and make the "view from the top" a much prettier place. Our experts on sustainable roofing will talk about proven roofing alternatives that can do all these things, turning underutilized dark roof surfaces into acres of better space for the environment, for occupants, and for owners. Participants will gain a strong understanding of innovative roofing technologies such as cool roofs, photovoltaic roofing, vegetative roof systems, recyclable roofing, and roofing materials manufactured with post-consumer recycled content and low VOC roofing options.
The show will feature Pete Seeger & Tao Seeger, Peter Yarrow & Bethany Yarrow, Bernice Johnson Reagon & Toshi Reagon, and David Amram and Family. Performances by Clearwater friends and special guests including Janis Ian, Tom Paxton, Tom Chapin, Livingston Taylor, Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, Guy Davis, Rufus Cappadocia and the Power of Song, will round out this special celebration. 
July 21 - 24