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"Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it." - John Adams
Good Friday Morning.
Dustin Hoffman turns 71 today.
Yes, another beautiful day is upon us and the weekend promises more of the same. There's a special hue to the blue of the sky in August - make sure you see a good deal of it.
Here's a few reminders:
If you're looking for something to do tomorrow, a free day at a world class museum should be on your schedule. This is what the DIA Foundation is offering to Putnam County residents in their hardly-ever-advertised community days. This Saturday, August 9th, from 11AM until 5PM is Putnam County day. Just bring a ID along that shows residency and you're in. Look for me there.
Join the Sierra Club for a hike along the Appalachian Trail to Nuclear Lake in Beekman tomorrow, a popular spot for swimming and fishing. Learn the history of this remote, lovely lake with the unfortunate name, while exploring a diverse landscape of hemlocks, open woods, and small streams. About 4-5 moderately-paced miles, with gentle ups and downs. Meet 9:30 am at the trailhead on route 55 in Beekman, but contact leader for exact directions and last-minute changes. Serious rain cancels. Leader: Marie Caruso, 845-452-9086 or mariehv@verizon.net.
If you're out for fresh, local produce this weekend, there's a Farmer's Market running today at Tompkins Corners in Putnam Valley from 3 until dusk. Betsey Ryder's Farm Stand is open at all hours on Starr Ridge Road in Southeast. Tomorrow you can visit the Cold Spring Farmer's Market from 8:30AM until 1:30PM, the Brewster Farmer's market from 9AM until 2PM and Cascade Farms in Patterson runs from 9AM until about noon. In other words, get the heck out of the supermarket and support local agriculture.
Down in Peekskill there's this:
Don't miss the Hudson Valley's biggest Jazz and Blues Concert FREE In Downtown Peekskill
Aug. 9th, 5:00 - 10:00pm
Peekskill's second annual Jazz & Blues Celebration will honor CARMEN LEGGIO, for his contribution to music and the arts over the past 60 years. At the intersection of Park and Division Streets. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission announces two hikes this weekend:
Hikes for Dogs: "Undercliff"
There will be a guided hike for dogs (and their owners!) with Christina Fehre on Sunday, August 10, meeting at 10AM at the entrance to the Englewood Boat Basin & Picnic Area (PIP Exit 1). The hike will cover about 2 mi. round-trip distance in about 2 hrs. over easy trails with some rocky sections. The hike, which will be held "drizzle or shine," is free and open to all (non-dog walkers also welcome), with no pre-registration required. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Parking is $5 per car. For more information or directions, or to confirm on the morning of the hike if weather seems questionable: 201 768-1360 ext. 107.
"Huyler's Landing"
There will be a guided hike with Christina Fehre on Sunday, August 10, meeting at 2PM at the entrance to the Alpine Boat Basin & Picnic Area (PIP Exit 2). The hike will cover about 5 mi. round-trip distance in about 3 hrs. over moderate trails. The hike, which will be held "drizzle or shine," is free and open to all, with no pre-registration required. For more information or directions, or to confirm on the day of the hike if weather seems questionable: 201 768-1360 ext. 107. The Assembly race in New York's 99th district got weirder yesterday with charges that Denis Castelli, press officer for John Degnan's campaign, gave Southeast Town Councilman Dwight Yee the finger at a previous meeting. What does this have to do with the electoral race? Nothing if you're of sane mind. But when the spokesman for the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC), Adam Kramer, gets involved it has everything to do with it even if it doesn't. The Journal News writes:
"Castelli said that before the start of the July 29 press conference in which Degnan called on Ball to speak out about Southeast Supervisor Michael Rights' second DWI arrest, cameraman Carl Holman, a professional videographer who tapes meetings, asked everyone to turn off their cell phones. Yee, Castelli said, proceeded to make a call and when Castelli told him to get off his phone, Yee gave him a "Chesire cat" grin. Yee's retort, Castelli said, prompted him to give the town councilman the finger."
But Adam Kramer, retorted:
"That type of behavior is unprofessional and it's really demeaning to the public discourse. If you disagree with someone, you should debate about the issues, not use vulgarity..."
Coming from Mr. Kramer, a man who stole a photograph I'd taken at a media event then used it for a private political purpose and has refused to offer a written apology, (or any apology at all), I would say that type of behavior is unprofessional and is really demeaning to the public discourse. What we have here is the RACC and Mr. Kramer calling the kettle, black. Can we agree it would be better if Mr. Kramer and his organization focused their efforts on passing the Cahill bill to bring quality education and tax relief to New Yorkers or the Bigger, Better, Bottle Bill instead of focusing on copyright theft and political machinations?
When the best defense Assemblyman Greg Ball can come up with is to sic Mr. Kramer on the public, all really is lost for him.
A Federal Judge ruled today that it's perfectly permissible to keep demonstrators in a cage so far away from the DNC meeting in Denver that they might as well be demonstrating in Kansas City. Security, she said, trumps freedom of speech. In line with that ruling, demonstrations planned at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN will be permitted in a basement in Ottawa, Canada. Free copies of the Constitution, primed for shredding, are available at a courthouse near you. Get yours today!
In another demonstration of the openness and respect for freedom that Red China professes, the White House press corp was refused permission to leave their plane at Beijing's airport this morning until they allowed a thorough search of their luggage, something which has never happened before. The plane, scheduled to be directed to a VIP area at the airport, was instead directed to a regular gate and then held for three hours before the situation was resolved - without the search.
I received an email the other day telling me I was being too harsh on congressional candidate Michael Kieran Lalor. But what say you, NtM Readers? Click here and take the poll in the right-hand column. Am I too tough on Mr. Lalor?
In other Lalor news, he's been slamming Congressman Hall for not doing enough to help veteran's but all the evidence points otherwise. A letter in the Lewisboro Ledger says it all. It would behoove Mr. Lalor to get his mind off oil drilling and raping natural lands and into the papers in his own district to find out what's really going on. Talk about being out of touch.
I'm going to try to take the weekend off but if something really silly happens out there, I'll be back.
And now, the News:
- New Brewster senior housing cheered
- Paterson OKs bill to bolster info law (FOIA Victory)
- Mileage reimbursement hike sought for volunteers
- Arts a major source of revenue (Orange County, NY)
- Open-space question to be posed to Hunterdon taxpayers on ballot (New Jersey)
- 450 show at forum for gas drilling (But DEC is a no-show)
- 7 Miles of NYC Streets to Be Closed This Weekend for Fun
- America's never-ending prohibition
- Medicinal Marijuana Effective For Neuropathic Pain In HIV, Study Finds
- Burma comic charged over aid runs
New Brewster senior housing cheered Marcela Rojas
The Journal News
BREWSTER - It was called a "great day" by the federal, state and local dignitaries who descended upon the village yesterday afternoon to celebrate the opening of 50 Main St., a senior apartment building in the heart of downtown.
It was also a day in which Brewster was devoid of the dozens of day laborers who crowd Main Street in the early morning looking for work and are still present in smaller numbers by late afternoon when the gathering took place.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, and a host of other politicians were on hand yesterday for the ribbon-cutting at 50 Main St., the long vacant Bank of New York building that was taken over and renovated by state Sen. Vincent Leibell's nonprofit housing agency.
A section of Main Street was closed to traffic as more than 100 community members gathered for the event, which included a tour of the four-story brick structure that features 25 senior apartment units along with village offices and a bank planned for the ground floor.
The project is seen as a leap forward in Brewster's revitalization.
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Paterson OKs bill to bolster info law By Heather Senison • Journal Albany bureau • August 8, 2008
ALBANY - People who successfully sue the state to get access to public records and attend government meetings will no longer have to pay their own legal fees, under a bill signed this week by Gov. David Paterson.
The legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, will deter government agencies from violating the Open Meetings Law, said Robert Freeman, executive director of the state Committee on Open Government.
Paterson also announced he has vetoed 33 bills, many of which he said would have required spending he said the state can't afford.
The freedom-of-information bill, which takes effect immediately, requires government agencies that lose such lawsuits to pay the legal bills of those who sued.
The legislation encourages people who have been wronged by the public process to take action, since the cost of a lawsuit can be prohibitive, said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, D-Westchester County.
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Mileage reimbursement hike sought for volunteers By John Davis • Poughkeepsie Journal • August 8, 2008
BEACON - Local volunteer agencies feeling the pinch of high gasoline prices are supporting a bill in Washington that would boost the mileage reimbursement rate for volunteers.
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U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has introduced a bill in the Senate to boost the reimbursement rate of 14 cents for volunteers to more than 40 cents.
U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover, has introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
"Volunteers trying to make a difference in their community shouldn't have to cut back because of high gas prices," Hall said.
Schumer and Hall were in Beacon on Thursday afternoon at the office of the Community Action Partnership calling attention to the Giving Incentives to Volunteers Everywhere (GIVE) Act of 2008.
Schumer said the higher reimbursement is intended to reverse a recent drop in volunteering due to the high price of gas at the pump.
"Delivering Meals on Wheels shouldn't put you on the fast track to the poorhouse," Schumer said.
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Arts a major source of revenue Council touts creative class
By Christian Livermore
Times Herald-Record
August 08, 2008 6:00 AM
"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain." - John Adams
MIDDLETOWN — According to the executive director of the Orange County Arts Council, the desirable progression John Adams talked about from a society focused on the pragmatic to one focused on the esoteric is precisely what's happening in Orange County, and it means more money for the local economy.
A 2005 study by Orange County Tourism found that $16.13 million spent by 16 arts and cultural organizations generated 217 full-time jobs, $3.4 million in household income and $328,000 in local government revenue, Susan Linn told Orange County Chamber of Commerce members at a chamber breakfast meeting Thursday.
If data were added in from Storm King Art Center and Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts, which did not participate, the figures would be even higher.
"The cultural arts are a magnet," she said.
The arts council is an arm of the Orange County government, tasked with raising awareness of the arts, promoting local artists, and enhancing the county's cultural offerings.
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Open-space question to be posed to Hunterdon taxpayers on ballot By WALTER O'BRIEN • STAFF WRITER • August 7, 2008
HUNTERDON COUNTY —Hunterdon County taxpayers will be asked in November whether they want to continue paying extra taxes to preserve open space.
Language for the ballot question was approved Tuesday, Aug. 5 by the Board of Freeholders.
The existing tax of 3 cents per $100 of assessed valuation would be maintained, if voters approve the question that will be on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. The money would continue to be funneled into the existing Open Space, Recreation, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
Freeholder Director Erik Peterson, Deputy Director William Mennen, Freeholders Matt Holt, George Melick, Ron Sworen and county counsel Guy DeSapio discussed the merits and specific language of the proposed ballot question before agreeing on the final resolution. The existing tax is not set to expire for nearly 18 months.
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450 show at forum for gas drilling (But DEC is a no-show)
By Denise Richardson
Staff Writer
ONEONTA _ The risks of drilling for natural gas and the regulations governing development were presented at a meeting in Oneonta on Wednesday night.
The 2 1/2-hour program included the history of Marcellus shale and its location in the region, the process of drilling and ended with a highway superintendent cautioning about the impact rigs would have on local roadways.
An estimated 450 people were present in the Belden Auditorium of Oneonta High School, said Terry Bliss, Otsego County planning director, in opening remarks at the county-sponsored meeting.
A geology professor, an official with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the director of the Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board were among speakers.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation canceled its participation, it said, because it was instructed by the governor to update its rules on gas drilling. The agency is working on a supplement to its generic environmental impact statement to account for advances such as horizontal drilling.
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7 Miles of NYC Streets to Be Closed This Weekend for Fun NEW YORK (AP) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pairing up with Jay-Z to remind New Yorkers that they can take over the streets this weekend.
This Saturday will be the first of three this month when the city will close nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets, including part of Park Avenue, to allow for more recreation and open space. Along the route there will also be activities like dance performances, fitness classes and children's bike instruction.
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America's never-ending prohibition Wed Aug 6, 2008 10:27am EDT
Bernd Debusmann is a Reuters columnist. The opinions expressed are his own.
By Bernd Debusmann
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - America's alcohol prohibition lasted 13 years, filled the country's prisons, inspired contempt for the law among millions, bred corruption and produced Al Capone. What it did not do was keep Americans from drinking.
America's marijuana prohibition drew into its 72nd year this month. It has created a huge underground industry catering to users, helped the U.S. prison population balloon into the world's largest, and diverted the resources of American law enforcement. What it has not done is keep Americans from using marijuana.
On the contrary. Since 1937, the year marijuana was outlawed, its use in the United States has gone up by 4,000 percent, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington-based lobby group which advocates regulating the drug similar to alcohol. A recent World Health Organization study of marijuana use in 17 countries placed Americans at the top of the list.
The 1920-1933 prohibition on the sale, production and transportation of alcohol is now seen as a dismal failure of social engineering. Will the prohibition on marijuana ever be seen in a similar light?
For the first time in a generation, there is a bill before Congress that would eliminate federal penalties "for the personal use of marijuana by responsible adults." But not even the congressman who introduced the bill, Democrat Barney Frank, sees bright prospects for swift passage.
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Medicinal Marijuana Effective For Neuropathic Pain In HIV, Study Finds ScienceDaily (Aug. 7, 2008) — In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the impact of smoked medical cannabis, or marijuana, on the neuropathic pain associated with HIV, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that reported pain relief was greater with cannabis than with a placebo.
The study, sponsored by the University of California Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR) based at UC San Diego, will be published on line, August 6 in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
Led by Ronald J. Ellis, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of neurosciences at UCSD School of Medicine, the study looked at 28 HIV patients with neuropathic pain not adequately controlled by other pain-relievers, including opiates. They took part in the controlled study as outpatients at the UCSD Medical Center. The proportion of subjects achieving pain reduction of 30 percent or more was greater for those smoking cannabis than those smoking the placebo.
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Burma comic charged over aid runs Zarganar has served time in jail before
One of Burma's most popular comedians has been charged with several offences, after he defied the military by giving aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis.
Zarganar faces charges including creating public unrest and unlawful association for his activities during the disaster, his relatives said.
He appeared at a special court in Rangoon's notorious Insein Jail.
The move came one day before Burmese dissidents plan to mark 20 years since nationwide pro-democracy protests.
Six weeks of rallies - which became known as the 8/8/88 protests - were eventually brutally suppressed by the military.
At least 3,000 civilians were killed as the military tightened its grip on power.
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