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Good Friday Morning,
There's good news out there this morning. It looks like the insurgent members of the Patterson Town Board have seen the future and decided that come election day they'd like to be re-elected. In order to calm the storm they caused over the past few weeks they've decided to re-instate Rich Williams' and Ted Kozlowski's positions in the 2009 budget and cut their "in lieu of" health insurance payments from $7600 to $6000.
What are these "in lieu of" health insurance payments? (I hope you're sitting down.) Board members are offered town paid health insurance benefits from now until they die. If they opt not to accept the town's insurance plan the taxpayers give them money instead. Yeah, you heard that right: if they're carrying insurance elsewhere and they opt not to accept the town's health insurance, you pay them $6000. Is that right? If a councilmember does not have other insurance coverage it makes sense. But then too would offering any resident of the town the same policy which, if enough showed interest, would lower the cost for insurance across the board and save everyone money.
The board will vote on the final budget next week and I'm hoping that between now and then you'll deluge them with notes, letters, emails, faxes and Ouija board vibes telling them that you'll remember this come the elections. For now, at least, it looks like the builders and developers, the Chamber of Horrors Commerce and other nefarious forces have been beaten down... but not out. There's a tad more work to do for that to happen. So, keep the pressure up on Patterson Crossing: The board is weak right now and Mike G, Ed O, Ted K and Rich W all owe you a favor...
Stay the course, keep the pressure on and keep the faith.
I've also been following the case of the Hempstead 15, who are the ten Iraq war vets (and five of their supporters) arrested on disorderly conduct charges by the Nassau County police on October 15th for attempting to get President-Elect Obama and Senator McCain to answer questions about services and support for veterans. The vets failed and the candidates never mentioned their positions. Anyway, there's a good Op-Ed piece by Bob Keeler in Newsday that's worth a read. If you want to 'support the troops' there's no better way than to support these guys.
If you're not getting News That Matters by email and seeing us on the web instead, here are a bunch of places you can go - each day - to read us. Look here, here and here. If you want to be part of the action click here and sign up.
On to the weekend!
Today: Sons of Liberty Tree Planting Tree Dedication at 11am (Newburgh, N.Y., October 28, 2008 …) A sapling from the longest surviving Sons of Liberty Tree has been planted at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site. Dedication of the New York Liberty Tree will take place there on Friday, November 14th at 11:00am.
During the Revolutionary War, rebels, known as Sons of Liberty, used certain trees as meeting venues or to signal other patriots about activities against the British. The British knew how important these trees were to the colonists and destroyed many of them. The few that remained long after the Revolutionary War was over were celebrated as enduring symbols of America's commitment to freedom and liberty.
The New York Liberty Tree, a Tulip Poplar, is one of 13 saplings being planted, one in each of the original states. American Forests, the oldest conservation organization in the country, grew the saplings from seeds taken from the Sons of Liberty Tree in Annapolis, Maryland, which since has been destroyed in a hurricane. Plantings have taken place in various locations including Mount Vernon, Virginia, Liberty Park, New Jersey, near the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in Boston Common, Boston, Massachusetts.
"King Corn - You Are What You Eat" The Film, King Corn - You Are What You Eat will have a free public showing at the Elting Library, 93 Main St. in New Paltz. King Corn is a feature documentary about two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation.In King Corn, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, best friends from college on the east coast, move to the heartland to learn where their food comes from. With the help of friendly neighbors, genetically modified seeds, and powerful herbicides, they plant and grow a bumper crop of America’s most-productive, most-subsidized grain on one acre of Iowa soil. But when they try to follow their pile of corn into the food system, what they find raises troubling questions about how we eat—and how we farm. Information, tellall45@yahoo.com. A full review is at http://fooddemocracy.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/king-corn-you-are-what-you-eat
With a cast of near 150 kids, this should be fun.
Ashokan Center Fundraiser Concert
8 PM Join Pete Seeger at the First Presbyterian Church, 80 Elmendorf St., Kingston, with Jay Unger and Molly Mason join Pete. Cost: $25 and can be purchased at website: jayandmolly.com/ashokanbenefit or call the church at 331-0633. Proceeds go to the Ashokan Center for their sustainable music and educational center.
TAKING ROOT 7 PM A special screening of this award winning documentary film about Kenya's Green Belt Movement and its founder, Wangari Maathai, which details how Green Belt Movement women rallied against deforestation, poverty, and government corruption until they became a national political force that helped to bring down Kenya's 24-year dictatorship. At the Cary Institute's Auditorium, 2801 Sharon Tpk. in Millbrook.
(845) 677-7600 x121 or freemanp@ecostudies.org.
Saturday: 
ARTED: The Reflectionist Opening Reception: 1-4 p.m. At The Cultural Center on Lake Carmel.
Have you ever wanted to ask of an artist “What were you thinking?” This exhibit offers a chance to engage in dialogue.
 The Reflectionist exhibitions create a dialogue between the artists and the viewers in order to explore a basic question about art, such as "What is the artist thinking?" The artists address the question, and viewers are invited to analyze and comment on the art and the writings. The resulting dialogues are published on this web site. This approach enables both the artist and the viewer to reflect on the artistic process and their responses to a work of art, and to share their insights.
The Reflectionist artists range from beginners to professional with many members having a history together of more than ten years. The group is part of Arts on the Lake in Kent Lakes, NY, and is inspired by Alexander Shundi's teaching, and Susan Ferri's workshops. The Reflectionists have formed a supportive artistic community that shares information, techniques, encouragement, friendship and fun.
Additional Gallery Hours: Saturday, November 22 – 1-4 pm and Sunday, November 23 – 1-4 pm. More information at http://www.reflectionist.org and www.artsonthelake.org.
Interfaith Fair Trade Bazaar
11AM - 5PM and Sunday November 16, from 11AM - 3PM: Fairly-traded craft items from around the world, plus merchandise from local artisans and non-profit organizations. Co-sponsored by Dutchess County Interfaith Council. Ely Hall, Vassar College. Contact Pat Lamanna, 845-452-4013, patla@hvc.rr.com. www.uupok.org. This event will help towards your goal of your $20 - Nothing >From China holiday shopping!
"The General From America" 5:00 PM at Putnam County Historical Society 63 Chetnut Street Cold Spring. You are in for a three-fold treat dedicated to our local villian, General Benedict Arnold, commander of West Point and traitor to his new country. First, we'll drink the very same last drink that Arnold had before he fled West Point and defected to the British, right in our very town, brought to you by bartender Jim Young. Then, our dear friends from the Garrison Depot Theater, led by Julie Heckert, will do a reading from the play, "The General From America," which tells the story of Arnold defecting, from the perspective of Arnold and his young British wife. Finally, you can view the latest PCHS exhibit on the The West Point Foundry, dedicated to the only large-scale archaeological dig in Putnam County.
Please join us at the museum for this event. As the nights grow longer, there is nothing better than a night of unique drinks and a salacious story among friends. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple, and all proceeds benefit the museum. The event is sponsored by your hosts, Valerie and Jim Young and Heather and Neal Zuckerman. Call 265-4010
Michelle's trio at Division Street Grill 7:30pm - 10:30 pm The Michelle LeBlanc Trio featuring guitarist Steve Lamattina and bassist Bill Conway. At the Division Street Grill, 26 North Division Street Peekskill NY 10566 Call for dinner reservations. 914 739 6380 www.DivisionStreetGrill.com
Sunday:
 Troll-Loll-La!
At 3 p.m. A staged concert reading of a full-length folk musical based on Norwegian folktales. Book and lyrics by Tony Howarth, Music by Sheldon Gartner, Guitar accompaniment by Steve Kirkman. Fiddle accompaniment by Midhat Serbagi. With a cast that includes: Corinne Baker, Sarah Best, John Grieco, Christopher Henry, Lauren Luciano, Molly Prout, Fred Rueck, Michal Salonia
Children from 8 to 108 welcome. Suggested Donation: $10 ($5 for young people, trolls and AotL Members). Reservations: rsvp@artsonthelake.org or (845) 228-AOTL (2685). Into The Future: Friday, November 21, 2008: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Meeting the Climate Challenge: Taking Action in the Hudson Valley
Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz
The Hudson River Watershed Alliance and Mohonk Consultations are hosting our sixth annual conference at the Mohonk Mountain House. This year's conference will explore the state-of-the-art regional and local climate change science, the social implications of climate change in the Hudson Valley, and current federal, state and regional climate change policy. Experts on our afternoon Panel Discussion will demonstrate effective responses to climate change and provide tools for local communities to adapt to climate change. See the attached announcement/registration form for more information or register online or contact Katy Dunlap, HRWA Coordinator, at katy@hudsonwatershed.org. Registration deadline: Nov. 14
November 22nd and 23rd
Annual food drive for the benefit of Putnam Community Action Program
On Saturday and Sunday, November 22nd and 23rd, Concerned Residents of Carmel & Mahopac will hold its annual food drive for the benefit of Putnam Community Action Program. CRCM volunteers will collect food in front of two area supermarkets to provide enough food for Thanksgiving dinners for hundreds of needy residents of Putnam County. We are seeking volunteers, children and adults, who can give at least two hours of time to this very worthy cause. If you are able to participate in this important community service event, or would like further information, please call Jerry or Judy Ravnitzky at 628-6681.
Saturday, November 22 at 8 p.m.
Blue Horse Repertory reading of a new play, The Foot Shooters, by Paul Coleman.
In the The Foot Shooters, a group of bright misfits band together to try to help one another finally become successful and happy. But a series of mishaps, miscues, and misapprehensions turns their aspirations into riotous desperation. The Foot Shooters is a poignant comedy and a calamitous love story involving a manic Broadway producer, two bakers, and oddball court reporter, a lovable but befuddled composer and...a ghost? Written by Paul Coleman, this play will warm you and tickle you, and reveals that what matters most in life can't be measured by anything other than love.
Donation: $10 ($9 members) - Reservations: rsvp@artsonthelake.org
Monday, November 24th
We are looking for sponsors, vendors, volunteers and talents. We are also reaching out to all organizations and businesses in Putnam Valley asking for their help and support with all aspects of our fundraiser. If you are interested in assisting us in any way, please join us at a meeting on Monday, November 24, 7:30 p.m., at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church , 65 Oscawana Lake Road , Putnam Valley.
The “Putnam Valley Community Food Pantry” The Food Pantry’s mission is to increase access to food for the hungry and for struggling families in Putnam Valley. The Pantry currently feeds over 110 needy Putnam Valley families. This event is a pre-planning discussion for a fundraiser for Saturday, February 7, 2009, at the Putnam Valley High School and would like to have as many organizations and groups participate in the event as possible. Some of the activities include entertainment, including a series of bands for all ages, magic shows, performances, food, crafts, a white elephant sale and much more. Those with entertainment talent should contact Thea Moeller at (914) 954-5148.
Monday, November 24th
The Hudson Valley Humanists will present a debate and discussion on “Human Nature and the Self” from 7:30-9 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24, at the New Paltz Village Hall at 25 Plattekill Avenue. Hudson Valley Humanists’ director, Ed Poll, debates with author, Shaun Johnston on the limitations of science in describing human nature. Poll proposes a strongly scientific view of the self: evolved via natural selection, determined and defined by the matter and energy at work in the universe. Johnston proposes that we are free to make decisions, our nature is not determined by natural selection, and there is something to human nature beyond which science can define. Audience participation in the discussion will be encouraged. Free and open to all, includes refreshments, for information: (845) 247-0098, or hvhumans@yahoo.com.
Friday, November 28
The Kent CAC is sponsoring a hike to Wonder Lake State Park on the Friday after Thanksgiving - November 28 at 1:00 PM. We will meet at the DEC parking lot on Ludingtonville Road, located between the Kent Nursing Home and Route 311. Dave Ehnebuske will lead the hike and naturalist Beth Herr will help us spot and identify the remaining wild flowers.
Here's a link to a hike taken to Wonder Lake in May of 2007.
November 29 & 30
37th Annual DCC Craft Fair The 37th Annual Craft Fair will once again be on the weekend following Thanksgiving, November 29 & 30. Every year there are new and unique items presented by the crafters and 2008 is sure to be just as exciting. We have invited some of your favorite artists back and some new artists as well. The fair is based on artists the hand-craft all of their own items, some of the vendors produce items that are considered fine arts. Come and find items here that you can’t find anywhere else. Admission $6, $5 with Admission Coupon.
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