News That Matters - January 9, 2009 - Things to Do Edition
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News That Matters Good Friday Morning, The Putnam County Legislature has announced their committee
assignments for the 2009 session. A list of those is posted here.
There are some notable changes so it's worth checking out. There are three new interesting articles posted to the NtM
Web log:
Remember, you don't need an account to read anything nor to comment on posted stories, only to create a new post. Check it out! If you're reading the funny papers this morning, the
top story in the Putnam edition is that Assemblyman Ball is on a
crusade to stop the sale of 'bushmeat'. This preemptive move on the
Assemblyman's part is apparently an attempt to prevent New Yorkers from
eating the current President or any of his relatives, once he's out of
office. If successful, Inauguration Day parties schedule around the
state will have to find an alternative dish for their main course.
If you're taking a hike this weekend (and you should)
Minnewaska State Park is Still Closed and many West Hudson trails are
still blocked due to previous storms; Trail
Volunteers Needed! Minnewaska State Park Preserve is still closed
as of this writing (get update), a result of the mid-December ice
storm. Many west of Hudson trails above 700' elevation continue to be
blocked by fallen trees and branches. Hard-hit parks include Storm
King, Schunemunk, and Black Rock Forest. Maintainers in these areas are
urged to check their trails. If you need help, for example from a
chainsaw crew, contact your trail supervisor or West Hudson Regional
Representative Larry Wheelock.
Lastly, I'd like to take a moment to publicly thank everyone who helped PlanPutnam and News That Matters during 2008. Your support was wonderful, needed and much appreciated. For those of you who forgot, there's still time! Click here to find out how to keep this column coming to your email box. Tonight:
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| Tuesday, January 20,
2009 Inauguration Day Events Carmel: 6-9 PM at the Lantern Restaurant, 728 Route
6 Mahopac. Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, live music, 50/50 raffle, etc.,
Suggested donation, $10. Call 621-3791 for more information.Patterson: 6-8 PM Spaghetti Dinner with all the fixings at the Patterson Rec Center, 65 Front Street, Patterson. Suggested donation $9. Republicans are also invited. Call 878-6169 or 878-4352 for more information. Putnam Valley: 6-9 PM Rural Inaugural Ball Hosted by the Putnam Valley Democratic Committee YMCA Camp Combe, 684 Peekskill Hollow Road. Refreshments, music, dance and merry making. Ball gowns and tuxes strictly optional. Come as you are, or as you’d like to be! RSVP to: pvdems@optonline.net |
Wednesday, January 21
Kent CAC: The January meeting will be held at 7:00 PM at the Town Center. AGENDA 1) Chairman’s Report: Membership/Hillcrest Commons/ ELLA workshop. 2) Mead Farm Project. 3) Highland Historic Preservation - Tom Maxson. 4) Stone Chambers. 5) Calendar. 6) Other (Possible: Planning Board/Sustainable Communities 7) Next MeetingFriday, January 23
Keeping Energy Dollars in the Hudson Valley - Update on Biomass. From 9:30am – 12:30pm at Ulster County BOCES on US Route 32 in New Paltz, NY. The forum will offer updates on several local biomass projects around the Hudson River Valley. Local businesses using biomass for energy, processing technology for heat energy, growing biomass crops and NYS research and development updates on biomass. The forum will conclude with a general discussion on challenges and opportunities ahead for biomass energy development.
The forum is sponsored by Lower Hudson-Long Island Resource Conservation & Development Council, USDA and Cornell Cooperative Extension in the Hudson Valley. More information will follow. For cost recovery purposes, a $10 per person fee for this program is requested. To register, please call 845 677 8223x115. For inquiries contact Joe Heller; Joseph.Heller@ny.usda.gov or Les Hulcoop: lch7@cornell.eduSaturday, January 24th
Brewster Theater Company 2009 Annual Meeting & Dinner 6PM in St. Andrew's Church, 26 Prospect St. , Brewster. Join our 2009 Annual Meeting to hear about our successful 2008 season and our exciting plans for 2009! 6-7pm: Buffet Dinner. 7-8pm: Annual Meeting. The buffet dinner will feature delectable and free food provided by BTC board members Log onto www.brewstertheatercompany.org or call 845-598-1621 for more information. Snow Date is January 31st.
Tuesday, January 27th
Discover the Actor Inside - An Introduction to Acting:Thursday, January 29th
Instructor: Lora Lee Ecobelli
Hosted by Arts on the Lake
Instructor: Lora Lee Ecobelli
Day/Time: Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30 pm
Dates: 8 weeks – January 27th – March 17th
Fee: $240, $230 members
This class is the first step to building a solid foundation in the art of acting. By using theatre games and improvisation, students will learn basic theatre skills in a supportive, creative and fun environment. In addition, there will be further development of the actor's physical resources of voice and movement, concentration and working as a unit. Scene study will be explored using classic works by playwrights such as Shakespeare, The Greeks, Miller, O’Neal, Chekov, Williams, Albee and others. Students will track a character's journey through a scene and learn to further articulate the essential elements of characterization. Rehearsal with a scene partner outside of class is required. The class will culminate in a scene night open to the public.
Samba Drumming Workshop:
Instructor: John Arrucci
Hosted by Arts on the Lake
Day/Time: Thursdays from 7:00-8:30 pm*
Dates: 4 weeks – Janurary 29th – February 19th
Fee: $120, Members $110
Description: Participants will play Samba percussion instruments from Brazil (Tamborim, Agogo, Reco-Reco, Ganza and Surdo) and experience the joy of ensemble drumming. Instruction will address proper technique, phrasing and the importance of listening. Beginners are welcome. Instruments will be provided. Master musician John Arrucci's work is documented on over 50 recordings, scores for feature films and music for television. He has been on the music faculty of Princeton University since 1986. To learn more about John, visit: www.johnarrucci.com *This Class will be held at an off site studio
Saturday, January 31
Learn Trail Maintenance Skills in Westchester Ward Pound Ridge is having a Trail Maintenance Mini-Course on Saturday, January 31, 9:30am at the Trailside Nature Museum. For more information, contact Brenda Bates, Park Manager at 914.864.7317
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Learn more about geothermal and solar energy and how
financing incentives, offered by NYSERDA and other agencies, can make
installing an alternative energy system in your home or business more
affordable.
At 1 PM. Learn about the history of the ice harvesting
industry in
our region by sleuthing the ruins of the past. Explore the ruins and
foundations of the Ice Storage house and other accessory buildings at
the Ice Pond Conservation Area in Patterson. Along the way, naturalist
Beth Herr will talk about the flora and fauna that edges the trail.
Once at the pond, discover life under the ice of this almost 100-acre
glacial lake that feeds the critical Towners arm of the Great Swamp. The
hike is approximately two miles and includes a steep descent and climb.
Act 3: With Mike Latini, Larry Eidelman and Jim Nowak
We will be gathering on that day to respond to the
call from Amnesty International to meet on the anniversary of
Guantanamo Bay prison, to support the ending of torture, the closing of
Guantanamo and related places, and discuss the issues of detention and
rendition. We will have petitions available to sign to President-elect
Obama, our Senators and Congressmembers.
Carmel: 6-9 PM at the Lantern Restaurant, 728 Route
6 Mahopac. Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, live music, 50/50 raffle, etc.,
Suggested donation, $10. Call 621-3791 for more information.
Keeping Energy Dollars in the Hudson Valley - Update on
Biomass. From 9:30am – 12:30pm at Ulster County BOCES on US Route
32 in New Paltz, NY. The forum will offer updates on several local
biomass projects around the Hudson River Valley. Local businesses using
biomass for energy, processing technology for heat energy, growing
biomass crops and NYS research and development updates on biomass. The
forum will conclude with a general discussion on challenges and
opportunities ahead for biomass energy development.
The amazing thing is that we didn't loose power up here on
Miller Hill Road yesterday. Sometimes, on a nice, warm sunny day
the power will go out and stay out for no known reason around here. In
storms, however, we're usually out and also the very last in the county
to have our power restored. 4000 homes were without power as of last
evening and some are still out this morning. Here's hoping NYSEG gets
you back on line soon.

Caroline Kennedy is
Governor Paterson is proposing to gut New York’s
Environmental Protection Fund and undercut the efforts of the agency
responsible for making sure our water is safe to drink and our air is
safe to breathe. 
Yet, the thing that amazes me most is that we're doing it
without so
much as a peep; not a rally, not a demonstration. We're not burning
CEO's in effigy nor demanding that Visa or Amex (both recipients of
taxpayer largess) lower their interest rates to something less than
biblical proportions, and we're not storming Congressional offices with
pitchforks and torches - as we should be. We're
going along like the good little sheeple we have become.