No Country For Sane Men

Why was it dark and 43° this morning when I woke up? What's with that?

Someone tell Joe Lindsley that, as promised, I bought a copy of his paper yesterday.

Rush Limbaugh called for segregated public buses. Huh.

There was no News That Matters on Wednesday this week as I was recovering from the primary elections the day before and being on-the-go for 16 hours straight is draining. The race I was in is still up in the air as the write-in and absentee ballots will not be counted until next Tuesday, but I go into the general election on two lines in any case.

There were a number of upsets and surprises and even at that, reports say that many of the races assumed won or lost may change come the final tally so we're all just sitting back and waiting until then. And let me tell you - it's quite nerve-wracking.

There were three Big Races: one for Sheriff, the judges' race in Kent and the Republican primary for town council in Southeast.

All three races were hotly contested with accusations and mud being slung from all corners. Here in Kent I had to comment to one of the judicial candidates that I would have to start putting up billboards showing trees and plants just to remind us of what lay behind the virtual blockade of the landscape created by his, and his opponents signs. Between the Sheriff's, judicial candidates and one town board contestant it was the worst blight I'd ever seen. I opted not to follow suit with the others by plastering the town with signs since, if the guy with the most signs wins, Ben Shuldiner would be our Congressman today. Who is Ben Shuldiner? Exactly.

Get yourself outside and do something like taking a hike to Earl's Chimney at Fahnestock State Park.

This is an easy 2 mile (round trip) "Granny" hike above a small gorge with an ancient, collapsed dam, along some sweet wetlands, through a pine grove and finishes with a slam-dunk view over the Hudson Valley. The hike steps off on Highland Road directly across from the Garrison Fish and Game Club in Philipstown. The key is to take the right-hand trail at every intersection until you reach Earl's Chimney and its fantastic vista at the end.

More information and a detailed trail map can be found at PlanPutnam's Outdoor Recreation pages or here.

• All Weekend:
  • 2009 Hudson River Valley Ramble
  • Collaborative Concepts Outdoor Sculpture Show
• Saturday:
  • Van Wyck Homestead Museum
  • What Henry Saw - And More
  • Icons of the Hudson: Portrait of a River
  • Michelle LeBlanc Jazz Trio
• Sunday:
  • Constitution Island: American Landmark
• Into the Future:
  • Tuesday, September 22
    • Plant One On Me
  • Wednesday, September 23
    • Strengthening Environmental Intermunicipal Agreements
  • Saturday, September 26
    • “Plein Air” Day in the Great Swamp and its Watershed

All Weekend:

2009 Hudson River Valley Ramble

The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, Hudson River Valley Greenway and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program is encouraging residents of the Hudson Valley and beyond to get ready for the Tenth Annual Hudson River Valley Ramble, scheduled weekends through September.  Nearly 300 events for the 2009 Hudson River Valley Ramble have been posted on the Ramble website so be sure to visit www.hudsonrivervalley.com/ramble to find an event near you!  Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy guided walking, hiking, kayaking and biking experiences, estuary explorations and historic site tours that highlight the significant historical, cultural and natural resources found throughout the Hudson River Valley.   This year, the 2009 Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial Commission has partnered with the National Heritage Area and the Historic House Trust of New York City to inaugurate the state’s first ever New York Heritage Weekend which will be held during the second weekend of the Ramble, September 12-13.  During this special weekend, museums, historical societies, heritage areas, historic places, parks, and recreation areas of the Hudson and Champlain valleys will welcome visitors free of charge or at significantly reduced rates for exploration and participation in special events.  Heritage Weekend event listings can be found on the Ramble website or by visiting www.heritageweekend.org.   For more information on the Hudson River Valley Ramble, see  http://www.hudsonrivervalleyramble.com/home.aspx

Collaborative Concepts Outdoor Sculpture Show

The Collaborative Concepts Outdoor Art Exhibit begins this weekend (and runs through October) on Sandy Saunder’s Farm at the intersection of the Old Albany Post Road and Highlands Road in Philipstown. Admission is free and the scenery is ‘to die for’. Don’t miss this show.

Collaborative Concepts invited local, national, and international artists to place sculptures throughout 100 acres of an historic farm in Garrison, NY. The rolling hills and wooded glens of Saunders Farm culminate in panoramic views of the Hudson Highlands. Black Angus cattle can be seen grazing peacefully in stone-walled pastures. More than 50 site-specific artworks were chosen to complement the farm’s spectacular vistas.

The exhibition is free and can be viewed from 10 am to dusk, Labor Day weekend into late October. Visitors should dress appropriately for a walk in the country.

Saturday:

Van Wyck Homestead Museum

10 AM - 4 PM. 504 Rt 9 (Rt 9 & I 84) Revolutionary War Weekend. Re-enactors' encampment. Exhibits of Artifacts from the Fishkill Supply Depot, 1776-1783.  Sunday, Sept. 20, 11 AM. Presentation by Elizabeth Kaplan on "George Washington's Long Island Spy Ring" courtesy of the NYS Council on the Humanites.

What Henry Saw - And More

10 AM - Celebrate the Quadricentennial with an exploration of Henry Hudson’s journey aboard the Half Moon along "The Devil’s Horserace." Local Hudson River historian Ray Phillips will begin the discussion at the Fort Montgomery promontory, one of the most amazing concentrations of military, cultural and natural history sights in America, and then take a stroll across the Bear Mountain Bridge to ponder what we’d see if we travelled back in time to 1609, before, and since. Pack a picnic to enjoy at the Center after the hike. Part of the Hudson River Valley Ramble. Meet: 10am Fort Montgomery Visitors’ Center Duration: 2.0 hrs. Level: Moderate

Icons of the Hudson: Portrait of a River

Noon - 2PM - Opening Reception. This solo exhibition featuring Joseph Squillante, Hudson River photographer, will be open from September 19 through October 25.  The opening reception will be held on Sept. 19, from noon – 2pm.  Location:  The Field Library, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill, NY

Michelle LeBlanc Jazz Trio

7:30pm - 10:30 pm - Featuring guitarist Steve Lamattina and bassist Bill Conway at the The Division Street Grill 26 North Division Street, Peekskill NY 10566. Call for dinner reservations: 914 739 6380.

Sunday:

Constitution Island: American Landmark

Putnam Arts Council is pleased to announce our September film, "Constitution Island: American Landmark" screened in honor of the Hudson Quadricentennial. This brief documentary written and presented by Richard de Koster, executive director of the Constitution Island Association, includes wonderful material about Constitution  Island and its history, and has recently been the recipient of a GHHN Award toward Excellence. The screening, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 at noon, co-ordinates with the dates logged for Henry Hudson sailing up that area of the river (Sept. 15, 1609), and will be offered at the Arts Council’s headquarters at Tilly Foster Farm, Building #8.

Other screenings in this series include “Who Does She Think She Is” (10/24) which explores the different tasks and presumptions female artists frequently must address, and “Sand and Sorrow”, an in depth look inside the Darfur crisis (11/15). This series is made possible by the continued sponsorship of SLS Health Services, and in the words of PAC Director, Joyce Picone, “…has been designed to not only bring access to free screenings of several films that our audience may be seeing for the first time, but also to try and spark a conversation and prompt an exchange of ideas among those who attend.”

Reservations are requested as seating is limited and admission and parking are free. For directions or more information on our Independent Film Series and all our programs, classes, special events and services, visit our website: putnamartscouncil.com

Into the Future:

Tuesday, September 22

Plant One On Me

Urging businesses and homeowners to plant flowers along road frontages. 8:30PM Kick-off Party at Cornerstone Park at Fiar Street and Route 52 in the Hamlet of Carmel. Co-sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension 845- 278-6738 Welcoming remarks from Ken Schmitt, Supervisor, Town of Carmel. Learn how to improve your curb appeal/value of your home or business…and your quality of life. Learn why Daffodils are the perfect roadside plant. Learn which plants are road salt tolerant & deer resistant (free list of plants for sun or shade). RSVP by Sept. 21 so we can get enough coffee and deserts (Yum!). Contact: Walt Thompson at Keep Putnam Beautiful. Putnam County Health Department, 1 Geneva Road Brewster , NY 10509 Phone: 845-278-6130 X 43155 Web site: www.putnamcountyny.com/kpb

Wednesday, September 23

Strengthening Environmental Intermunicipal Agreements

Guest Speaker: Tiffany Zezula, Pace Land Use Law Center. As part of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC) Environment Program Open Educational Forum series, Tiffany Zezula, Director of Training at the Pace Land Use Law Center, will present on strengthening intermunicipal agreements to protect environmental resources. Intermunicipal planning and agreements (IMAs) can be effective ways for communities to preserve and enhance joint resources, especially natural resources that often extend beyond political boundaries. Through intermunicipal agreements, towns, villages, and cities can ensure greater cooperation and consistency in planning decisions across adjacent communities.  In Dutchess County, there are at least three intermunicipal agreements in place for watershed management and MS4 stormwater compliance.  The forum will provide information on effective strategies for IMAs, as well as help officials and volunteers brainstorm ideas for strengthening and improving IMA effectiveness given limited resources and time.  For more information or questions about this forum, contact 845-677-8229, ext. 153. Location:  CCEDC is located at the Farm and Home Center in Millbrook, NY (2715 Route 44.)

Saturday, September 26

“Plein Air” Day in the Great Swamp and its Watershed

Plein Air means, "In the open air". Friends of the Great Swamp (FrOGS) has held its very Successful Art Show for the past fifteen years at Christ Church on Quaker Hill in Pawling in Late October. We draw over 2000 people to the Show each year. We are holding the Show again this year—on October 24th and 25th but to Celebrate the wonders of the Harlem Valley---Great Swamp Watershed and give artists a special event opportunity to create a work outdoors in the Swamp and its environs.

Complete information for the Plein Air event can be found here.

Create a work in the medium of your choice on September 26th. Frame and wire the work for hanging, finish up if necessary. Standard sized works that you expect to sell in the $100 to $700 price range are best. Bring them to Christ Church on Quaker Hill on Thursday, Oct. 22nd for hanging in a Special Section of our annual Art Show . Each artist participating in the plein air event may bring one other work to be auctioned as well. We will auction all the works created at a Special Addition to the Show at a reception and auction on Saturday Evening October 24th.

All works will be auctioned that evening; minimum bid will be set at $ 200 unless the artist agrees to less 50% of the proceeds of the auction will go to the artist, 50% will be a donation to FrOGS in support of its continuing efforts at Education and Art appreciation in and around the Great Swamp