No Country For Sane Men

Congress has declared October as "Paint Your House Month"* which means it's time for you to look around the exterior and interior of your home and realize that you're either going to be stuck inside all winter and you can't stand the dingy walls (and besides, when the family comes for Thanksgiving will they talk behind your back about the dreadful state of your dining room?) or that the exterior needs to be tightened up and sealed against the coming winter cold, wind and snow. Luckily, we here at News That Matters can help! Click here or call (845) 225-2104.

Demonstrators in Pittsburgh set out to stop the G20, the worlds leading bankers and financial institutions, from taking over the world but despite their best efforts the world's leading bankers and financial institutions have decided to re-write global banking regulations so that we can bail them out again. Reuters reports:

"The Group of 20 will take on the role of caretakers of the global economy, giving rising powers such as China, and roll out tougher rules on bank capital by the end of 2012, according to a draft communique."

It's really time to get outside and enjoy this beautiful early fall weather! Trees are turning much earlier than normal and so you "leaf-peepers" can gain an extra couple of weekends to witness fall in New England.

Your selected hike this weekend should be to the Hubbard-Perkins Conservation Area which is hidden in the middle of Fahnestock State Park. It's a relatively easy 6 mile loop starting on Route 301 and crossing up an dover open farm fields with a 360 degree view of the surrounding hills and working itself around the farm you see in the valley. Details for that hike are available at PlanPutnam's Outdoor Recreation Page here. From the hike description:

If you opt for the north woods road (yellow outline on map) , this will go through some rather isolated back country where you're more likely to see bobcats, pumas and bears than people. It eventually meets up with the Blue Trail (the top most section of the trail you left just before) near the site of an old summer camp. You'll see its fields through the trees and it too is a nice place for a stop. Continuing on the blue trail to the north or east you will climb a ridge that becomes dry and xeric and typical of the highland uplands - if you're in time the blueberries will be everywhere so be ready eat. After reaching the ridge top the trail swings south and there is a nice open view eastward off the side of the trail. The trail continues until it meets the red trail I spoke about in the paragraph above.

• Tonight:
  • The Hudson River: Transformation and Understanding
• Saturday:
  • “Plein Air” Day in the Great Swamp and its Watershed
  • Fall Collaborative Art Show
  • Bowl-A-Thon for Multiple Scelrosis
  • Rondout Creek Watershed Council Stream Monitoring Family Day
• Sunday:
  • Sterling Forest Conservation Day
  • Family Fun Day at Ryder Cottage Farm
• Into the Future:
  • Friday, October 2nd
    • Arts on the Green
    • Opening Ceremonies for Walkway Over the Hudson
  • Saturday, October 3rd
    • Harvest Festival at Stony Kill Farm
    • New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Bear Mountain Hike-a-thon
  • Saturday, October 17th.
    • Putnam County Hazardous Waste Drop Off Day

Tonight:

The Hudson River: Transformation and Understanding

7 PM - A special evening of art and science. Freshwater Ecologist Dr. David Strayer will discuss how human actions have transformed the Hudson River and its watershed. Following the seminar will be a reception for landscape painter Rebecca Allan; her work inspired by riparian environments, including the Hudson River watershed. Cary Institute Auditorium, 2801 Sharon Tpk., Millbrook. Free. RSVPs appreciated. 677-7600 x121 or freeman@caryinstitute.org

Saturday:

“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. Registration: On Saturday, September 26th at the Patterson Library, 9AM-Noon. Directions from south, take Rte 22 north to Rte 311 in Patterson, turn left onto Rte 311, cross the River, Library is on the Left (before the RR tracks) From North, take Rte 22 south to Rte 311, make a right, follow remaining directions. Or register in advance by phone, call Laurie Wallace, 845-279-8858. Complete information for the Plein Air event can be found here.

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

Fall Collaborative Art Show

1PM - 5 PM Opening Reception. At the Cultural Center on Lake Carmel (Old Firehouse just south of the Route 311 Causeway.) 42 artists have collaborated to create 30 new works. Exhibiting artists will be creating an additional 4' X 8' piece during the opening reception. Additional exhibit days: Sun, Sept 27, 1-5 pm; Wed, Sept 30, 7-9 pm; Sat, Sun, Oct 3-4, 1-5 pm.

Bowl-A-Thon for Multiple Scelrosis

1 PM - Carmel Bowl, 23 Old Route 6 in the Hamlet. Action for MS, a non-profit organization, is holding their first annual Bowl-a-thon to raise funds for individuals and families afflicted with MS. Contact actionformsny@yahoo.com

Rondout Creek Watershed Council Stream Monitoring Family Day

Martha Cheo from Hudson Basin River Watch will demonstrate NYS DEC approved methods for evaluating the health of a river.  Participants will:  (1) Learn how to evaluate a stream's physical habitat; (2) Observe an underwater electronic probe measure chemical water quality indicators; (3) Assist with collecting live samples of stream organisms (waders provided, but bring your own if you have them); and (4) Learn how to identify aquatic invertebrates and use them as indicators of stream health.  This training will empower you to help your friends, neighbors, and elected officials make wise decisions for watershed protection.  Waders, nets and equipment provided. Younger children are welcome to attend, but must be accompanied by adult.  Fun and educational for all.  Sponsored by Sponsored by Rondout Creek Watershed Council, Hudson Basin River Watch & Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.  To register, contact Martha Cheo at:  mcheo@hvc.rr.com  or 845-256-9316.  This family friendly stream monitoring workshop is funded by the NYS DEC Hudson River Estuary Program.  RAIN DATE:  Sunday, Sept. 27. Location:  In the Rondout Creek WAtershed, Rosendale, NY (Rochester Creek, just upstream of Mettacahonts Road, north of 209 near Accord)

Sunday:

Sterling Forest Conservation Day

9 AM - 1:30 PM. The Sterling Forest Partnership will hold its 11th Annual Sterling Forest Conservation Day with a variety of hikes in Sterling Forest State Park. Hikes will leave from the park's Lautenberg Visitors Center at 116 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987, off Long Meadow Road, approximately five miles north of County Route 72 or approximately four miles south of NY Route 17A. Donald 'Doc' Baynes, environmental educator and historian of Sterling Forest, will lead two regional history hikes on the Lakeville Ironworks Trail -- at 9:30 AM and at 1:30 PM. Doc will explain the importance of this iron rich area during both the American Revolution and the Civil War. There will be family hikes around Sterling Lake and to the 60-foot Fire Tower leaving at 10 AM. Other hikes will depart as demand dictates. For further information, please contact Sterling Forest Visitors Center 845-351-5907 or Tom Thompson 201-848-1080.

Family Fun Day at Ryder Cottage Farm

11 AM - 3 PM. Free. 400 Starr Ridge Rd, Brewster, NY. Bring the family for a day on the farm. Enjoy wood carving demonstrations, children's craft activities, pumpkin painting, face painting, potato sack races, farm tours and more!! For more information call the Southeast Museum at 845-279-7500.

Into the Future:

Friday, October 2nd

Arts on the Green

Following a day of golf - for those who golf - there will be a an Autumn Reception at the home of Mike and Cynthia Gibbons in Western Kent on Friday, October 2.  Singing and music by Pat Cummings, Michelle LeBlanc, Kate O'Connor Hoekstra, Neil Hickey, Jan Hoekstra, Lora Lee Ecobelli, Tim Pitt, Real Chemistry Quartet, Midhat Serbagi and . . you.  The admission is by a contribution in an amount of your own  choosing.  If you haven't yet said you will join us, please email events@artsonthelake.org to sign on.  Full details of the day can be accessed at artsonthelake.org.  As Shakespeare surely said, "we must party together or hang separately."

Opening Ceremonies for Walkway Over the Hudson

Continuing on Saturday, October 4th. 7 PM - Warways Park, Poughkeepsie. Out of the Shadows - The Grand Illumination of the Walkway Over the Hudson. The evening's events will include: River of Light Promenade (7:00 pm) 1,000 Points of Light Lantern Release (after promenade) Light Exhibition on the Mid-Hudson Bridge. JJ Harvey Illuminated Fire Boat (all evening) Waryas Park Band Shell from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm featuring the Big Band Sound sponsored by Bridgeway Federal Credit Union and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Fireworks between the Walkway Over the Hudson bridge and Mid-Hudson bridge (approx. 8pm) The best viewing for this event will be Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie and Oakes Road in Highland. More information is here. Parking and shuttle busses available.

Saturday, October 3rd

Harvest Festival at Stony Kill Farm

12:00 noon to 5:00 PM - The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center will hold its 31st Annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 3, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM, rain or shine.

DEC staff will be at the festival with activities and information. The Bureau of Recycling will conduct an environmental button-making activity for children and present a new recycling information display. Staff from the Hudson River Estuary Program will lead a Hudson River beachcombing activity, Hudson River Fisheries staff will conduct a fishing clinic, a forester will conduct a tree pruning demonstration, and a forest ranger will show how to prepare a safe campfire and use firefighting equipment. An environmental conservation officer will also be on hand to answer questions. There will also be special appearances by Smokey Bear.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Linda Richards, a Hudson valley folk singer and environmental educator who has performed with Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, and Tom Paxton. Linda’s sound system will be powered by solar panels provided by the Beacon Sloop Club. Hayrides will carry visitors back and forth between the farmstead, which includes an 18th Century Tenant Farmhouse, and the historic Manor House, built in 1842 by one of the oldest Dutch families in the region. AmeriCorps interns from the Student Conservation Association and special guests from the community will lead a variety of activities for children, including a scavenger hunt, a tree ID game, and nature crafts. Shane "Whitefeather" Hobel of Mountain Scout Survival School will demonstrate wilderness and native American skills. Ti Yogi Bowmen will conduct an archery clinic, and the Mid-Hudson Gem and Mineral Society will lead a rock and mineral "dig" for kids. "Common Ground," the Community Supported Agriculture group based at Stony Kill Farm, will provide information about their program, as well as children’s activities. Stony Kill’s barn will be open for guided tours, up close and personal with cattle, chickens, turkeys, sheep, and pigs.

Admission is free. Food and refreshments will be available for sale, including homemade soups and baked goods from the Verplanck Garden Club, hot dogs and hamburgers from the Stony Kill Foundation, and vegetarian chili from Randolph School.

Stony Kill Farm is owned and operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and is located on State Route 9D, two miles north of the Beacon-Newburgh bridge. The Fall Harvest Festival is co-sponsored by Stony Kill Foundation. For more information, call Stony Kill Farm EEC at 845-831-8780, or visit us on the web at www.dec.ny.gov.

New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Bear Mountain Hike-a-thon

Join the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference on a fundraising hike to protect trails impacted by storm damage, invasive species, erosion, foot traffic from thousands of visitors, and budget cuts every year. Join in and acknowledge the importance of a healthy lifestyle, environmental stewardship, and outdoor recreation in your life by registering for this fun event!  You don’t need to be a member of the Trail Conference to participate. Note, dogs are allowed on Bear Mountain, and therefore can participate with you on leash for this event if the route which you chose allows dogs. Please visit www.nynjtc.org for more information about the event, the hikes, or email Hikeathon@nynjtc.org.

Location:  Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks

Saturday, October 17th.

Putnam County Hazardous Waste Drop Off Day

Need to get rid of that old drain cleaner, old paint thinner or the old chemsitry kit you just found in the attic? This is the day for you. Call the county at (845) 278-6130 to pre-register. The event takes place at the Canpous Beach parking area at Fahnestock State Park from 9AM until 1PM.

If you have electronics that need to be disposed of (computer monitors, etc.,) each town will have a drop-off location today as well. Call your town to find out just where.