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Good Friday Morning:
I'd like to thank all of you who helped out during the recent fund drive. For those who forgot, please re-consider your forgotting.
For those who read each day and felt it unimportant to help keep this coming to your email boxes, (and I'm particularly talking to the politicians out there, but common folk too,) I will be enclosing a "Dose of Guilt"© within each day's message. I have a Jewish mother and grew up in an Italian Catholic neighborhood so I'm primed, practiced and armed. Thanks to a trick of HTML coding you won't see it, but it will be there... See? There it was! You can make it go away by clicking here and following through.
In yesterdays online edition of the NY Journal News there was this headline,
"Ball explodes at treatment plant; worker doused
with white powder and possibly sewage" Heh. Yeah, that's what I thought at first, too. The JN has since 'updated' the headline.
Here's a list of the Top 5 Posts from the blog as of this morning:
By the way, Wednesday was the biggest day yet with 166 pages viewed. You can sign up here. There's additional NtM content plus the ability to comment on NtM articles and posts.
It's going to be cold this weekend with the possibility of snow on Sunday morning so here's a short list of events taking place in the region which might earn your interest. Even if they don't, get outside away from the computer and television and leave your cell-phone turned off. You deserve a break. Oh, and one more thing: please, for your sanity, stay away from the malls!
Tonight:
What Would Jesus Buy? - Film Screening - 7:30 pm
The Muddy Cup, 305 Main Street, Poughkeepsie
 What Would Jesus Buy? follows Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they go on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse: the end of mankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt! From producer Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me). "Fast and funny" - NY Times. "Tremendously entertaining" - Village Voice. The screening will be followed by an audience discussion. This is part of the "Give Peace a Film" series sponsored by the Dutchess Peace Coalition (http://www.dutchesspeace.org) There is no admission charge.
Contact: (845) 876-7906
Work O' The Weavers - 8 PM
Performance at Trinity Church in Ossining to benefit River Build 2008. The concert will be hosted by WFUV radio personality Robert Sherman. Work o' the Weavers performs songs of the famous Weavers folk music group from the '50's & '60's that was headed by Pete Seeger www.workotheweavers.com Ticket information is available at www.RiverBuild.org.
Contact Jon Bernz (914) 244-3400
Saturday:
Beacon: 4th annual "Global Day of Climate Action: A New Day for the Earth" From 3-5PM
Part of the fourth annual Global Day of Climate Action, synchronizing demonstrations around the world to call on world leaders to take urgent action on climate change. The event will occur midway through the annual UN climate conference, taking place this year in Poznan, Poland. This year, actions in the U.S. are particularly pertinent because the U.N. conference is going to set the parameters for the post-Kyoto treaty to be signed in December, 2009 in Copenhagen. The world is hopeful that the Obama administration will more favorably treat such global warming treaties than its predecessors. Location: Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries 199 Main St. Beacon, NY 12508
 Putnam Arts Council presents their 14th Annual Invitational Craft Show and Sale
Featuring the work of 30+ regional artisans with prices capped at $100 (ish) & NEW FOR 2008: Gift-able ART- fine art for $75.- (or less!) Admission and parking free, Tuesday – Sunday from noon-5pm, December 6-19, 2008 at The Lodge (Bldg 8), Tilly Foster Farm, 100 Rte 312, Brewster, NY ~ Special member preview, December 5, 6-8pm Info/directions: putnamartscouncil.com or 845-278-0230
Runs Tuesday through Sunday until December 19th. (Closed on Mondays)
Brewster Holiday Caroling and Tree Lighting - 5 PM
Meet at the Southeast Museum - 67 Main Street, Brewster. See Santa! Free Hot Chocolate, Cider and Cookies!!! At 4:00PM Holiday Ornament Making Workshop ($5 materials fee) Sing along Main Street. Experience the lighting of the new tree at the Brewster Train Station and the Tree lighting at the Walter Brewster House. For information call 845 279-7500
The Putnam Chorale is pleased to present A Celebration of Henry Purcell. 8PM
The Chorale will perform two works by the English master of Baroque style, Henry Purcell, "Ode on St. Cecilia's Day" and "Come, Ye Sons of Art." Under the direction of Douglas Anderson, professional soloists and orchestra will accompany the Chorale. At the First United Methodist Church on Main Street in Brewster. 845-279-7265 Woodstock: 3rd annual tribute to activist/folksinger Phil Ochs. From 8-11PM
The Woodstock Phil Fest - The late, influential Phil Ochs will be remembered in a tribute concert in Woodstock once again this year. Founded by musician/activist John Pietaro of the alternative protest music group The Flames of Discontent, the Ochs tribute has grown each year. Playing at this year's tribute concert will be The Flames of Discontent, Woodstock songstress and local TV personality Journey Blue Heaven, Kingston folksinger/activist Bob Lusk, Lower East Side punk-drenched songwriter Slink Moss, folksinger/activist WVKR air personality Chris Ruhe, and social justice poet Marina Mati. Some other "special" guests have also been invited. Cost: $10 Location: The Colony Cafe 22 Rock City Road Woodstock, NY 12498
Sunday:
New York City Gay Men's Chorus
Holiday Dress Rehearsal Concert - 2:00 Concert - Doors open at 1:30
This year, our glittering Holiday Spectacular is titled 'Celebrate Me Home.' Along with our usual entertaining and varied mix of songs, celebrities, and surprises, we will be paying tribute to the amazing work of PFLAG, the organization for parents, friends and families of Lesbians and Gays as well as the Ali Forney Center which helps provide homes for the up to 25% of LGBT teens who are rejected by their families, and end up homeless on the streets of New York.
Requested $10 donation. For more information call 845-878-4127 Location: Hudson Valley Resort and Spa 400 Granite Road Kerhonkson, New York For directions go to www.hudsonvalleyresort.com or call 845-626-8888 Proceeds to benefit New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
The Putnam Chorale is pleased to present A Celebration of Henry Purcell. 3PM
The Chorale will perform two works by the English master of Baroque style, Henry Purcell, "Ode on St. Cecilia's Day" and "Come, Ye Sons of Art." Under the direction of Douglas Anderson, professional soloists and orchestra will accompany the Chorale. Location: The United Methodist Church on Main Street in Cold Spring. 845-279-7265
Into The Future:
Monday December 8 Dawn Serra works her last day as Communications Director of the Highlands Coalition. Dawn writes: I wanted to let those of you I haven't talked to individually know that I will be leaving the Coalition to take a position with Wilderness Watch in Missoula, MT. I will be working as their new 'Communications and Outreach Coordinator.' I'm excited to broaden my communications skills to include working with the media and speaking to the public to help ensure that lands and waters within our National Wilderness Preservation System are truly protected! I have enjoyed working with all of you over the past 5 1/2 years, and am thankful for the professional growth my various roles with the Coalition have provided me.
Farewell Dawn.
Saturday, December 13 
The Young Wizard and the Sugarplum
The Search for a Magic Wand! Arts on the Lake presents its 2nd Annual puppet extravaganza at a 3PM matinee and a 7:30 PM evening performance. The 7:30PM performance will culimante at a reception with Bart Cook and Maria Caligari, principle dancers for the New York City Ballet, who designed the puppets and choreographed the performance.
Tickets for the matinee are $10 for Adults $5 for children and AotL members. Tickets for the evening performance are $15 for Adults and $10 for children and AotL members.
The Putnam Chorale will host a community sing along of Handel's Messiah, with chamber orchestra. Bring your own score, or use one of ours and join the Chorale in singing these classic pieces. The sing is scheduled for December 13, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church, Main Street, Brewster, NY.
Sunday, December 14
The Young Wizard and the Sugarplum
The Search for a Magic Wand! Arts on the Lake presents its 2nd Annual puppet extravaganza at a 3PM matinee performance for children and Adults!
Tickets for the matinee are $10 for Adults $5 for children and AotL members.
 "Christmas At The Corners" A Seasonal Music Celebration sponsored by the Tompkins Corners Family Music Festival will be held on Sunday, December 14th, at 3:00 PM. The musicians featured are: Ron Gluck, Kate Hoekstra, Michelle LeBlanc, Tim Pitt, Bob Tendy, and the Peekskill Hollow String Band with Susi and Pat Cummings, Jan Hoekstra, Drew Howland, and Maaike and Dennis Klubnick.
Saint Nicholas, a 4th century Bishop and patron saint of children who was known the world over for his generosity to poor children will be portrayed by the Reverend Gordon Bienvenue. Reverend Bienvenue will visit with the children in the audience. In Dutch nursery lore, Saint Nicholas is known as Sinter Klaas, and came to our shores in 1664 as Santa Claus in 1664. Donation: $10, $5 children 12-18; free for children under 12. Info: Gwen Cope 845 529 5076 www.tompkinschurchny.org Historic Tompkins Corners Methodist Church 729 Peekskill Hollow Road Putnam Valley, NY (one mile west of the Taconic Parkway)
Monday, December 15
The 13th Annual Holiday Interfaith Candlelight Vigil for Economic Justice will be held 5:30-6:30 p.m. This event is intended to draw attention to various Dutchess County social needs, commemorate those affected, and urge county legislators to pass reforms. Speakers include Rabbi Paul Golomb (of Vassar Temple), Rev. Gail Burger (of Dutchess Interfaith Council), Brian Riddell (Dutchess Outreach Executive Director), and Joel Tyner (County Legislature Environmental Committee chair). The sponsor is the Real Majority Project. Information, (845) 489-5479.
Saturday, December 20 Annual Putnam Humane Society Cookie Sale. Drew Methodist Church, Route 52 in Carmel. Imagine a room full of tables covered with delicious cookies, and you get to walk around the room, scooping up your favorite home-made cookies for just $5 per pound. | |
