Aug. 16th: Miriam's Well Books & Art Fair

From Joan Monk:

Walk the labyrinth and meander the beautiful grounds; books -- new and used; children's activities; art, jewelry, crafts; food and drink. Book signings. Join us for a lovely day.

AAUW member Joan Monk is the volunteer coordinator. For more information about this event and Miriam's Well: www.MiriamsWell.org

6/25/09: Embracing Risk at Val-Kill

Embracing Risk
Thursday, June 25
5 to 7:30 PM
7:30 to 8:30 PM (reception)
Eleanor Roosevelt Center
106 Val-Kill Park Road
Hyde Park

ERVK invites you to join author and motivational speaker Robin Gerber at a special workshop and reception for exceptional women leaders.

From keynote talks in front of thousands, to small group sessions with top-level executives and her popular course on authenticity for women managers, Robin Gerber offers inspirational insights into core concepts of leadership. Her talks combine the latest research on leadership development and effectiveness with stories and examples from admired leaders. Participants find new understanding of their own potential, and the motivation to act with passion and commitment. Spend time with Robin and other fabulous women leaders!
........................................................................

Fee: ______$50 _____$75* _____$100*

*Your generous contributions help support the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Leadership programs.

Space is limited, so don't wait! Sign up now for an inspirational, motivational, action packed evening.

Call 845-229-5302 to reserve your space today and pay by check or credit card.
..........................................................................

"What matters now, as always, is not what we can't do: it is what we can and must do."
-- Eleanor Roosevelt

"Eleanor Roosevelt's words ring especially true in these difficult economic times. She knew that doing what must be done required conquering fear and embracing risk. Her life provides many examples that will inspire us today to attack challenges, to keep our goals clear and to motivate others to do the same. Real, lasting change is the reward of leaders willing to act, willing to lead by example, willing to take risks."
-- Robin Gerber

Robin Gerber is the author of Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way: Timeless Strategies from the First Lady of Courage, Katharine Graham: The Leadership Journey of an American Icon, Eleanor vs. Ike, and Barbie and Ruth

Circle of caring brochure

I put a text format for the Circle of caring event June 5th up on my blog
www.viewfrommykitchenwindow-janine.blogspot.com

What does pay equity mean to you?

On June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, making it illegal for employers to pay men and women different wages for the same work. Rep. Julia Butler Hansen (D-WA), far right, who was also an AAUW member, attended the signing ceremony. At that time, women earned only 59 cents for every dollar earned by men.

Despite the passage of the EPA more than 45 years ago, the average woman now earns 78 cents for every dollar earned by her male counterpart. With Equal Pay Day on Tuesday, April 28, now is the perfect time to urge your senators to support the Paycheck Fairness Act (S. 182).

Volunteers Needed at Women's Health and Fitness Expo

From Rokki Carr:

Hi Friends and Colleagues,

Anyone interested in a GREAT volunteer opportunity?

Do you know of school, church or community groups that need service hours?

Please have them contact me at: volunteers@womenshealthexpo.com

Your benefits include FREE admittance to Expo - before or after - your shift, along with seminars, entertainment, & the latest in fitness and health info. Please take a look and let me know.

www.womenshealthexpo.com

Saturday May 2nd Tech City Shifts: 6:30-9:30 7:30-10:30 10-1 12:30-3:30 3-6.

Duties would include:

• Registration
• Ticket /Entry Sales
• Directing guests through the Expo
• Working w/ Expo staff; via walkie-talkies, cell phone contacts

Victoria Langling

Volunteer Coordinator

9th Annual Women's Health & Fitness Expo

Saturday May 2nd 2009 at Tech City

volunteers@womenshealthexpo.com

Home email langling@verizon.net

Work 246-3036 x7333 M-TH

Home 339-3595 Cell 853-4221

4/23 Lecture: Living from the Soul

Details for this lecture, Living from the Soul, seven steps to healing body, mind and heart when serious illness strikes, can be found here.

4/16 Macrobiotics: A Lifestyle for Health & Healing

For a pdf of this poster click here.

Come to Our Bridge Luncheon

Desserts
Originally uploaded by R. Wahtera

Annual AAUW Kingston “Bridge Luncheon”
A Fundraiser for the AAUW Educational Foundation
Noon on Monday, May 11, 2009

Join us for the Annual Spring Bridge Party Plus. Help us raise money for the AAUW Education Foundation with lunch and a good time, all for only $10 per person.

The luncheon will be held on Monday, May 11, from 12 noon until 2 pm at the Kingston Library, 55 Franklin Street, Kingston. Expect a wonderful buffet of fresh salads and an amazing array of desserts, to accompany your game of bridge, Scrabble or other activity of your choice, scintillating conversation, and a good time for a good cause.

AAUW Kingston members: please bring a salad or dessert (that serves 12 or more) and your card tables. Come early, if you can, to help us set up (10 am to noon) or stay late and help clean up afterwards.

For reservations, call me or send an e-mail; (845)331-7380; or pasaran@msn.com. Thanks! Anne Gordon

4/14/09 - FLOW - a film screening & discussion

From Betsy Tuel:

FLOW

How Did A Handful of Corporations Steal Our Water?

Film Screening and Discussion

Irena Salina's award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st century - The World Water Crisis. Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world's dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel. Interviews with scientists and activists are included.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Rosendale Community Center

A representative of Save The Lakes will speak briefly about the connection between the themes in the movie and the threat to our local water by Canopy Development's proposed resort and residential development at Williams Lake / Binnewater Lakes in Rosendale. This project can threaten a public aquifer and negatively affect the ecosystems, water levels, and water quality of the lakes through over-use for the benefit of a wealthy, private gated community and its corporate backers. Donations of time and money to Save The Lakes will be accepted. For further information about STL go to www.SaveTheLakes.us

This event is being sponsored by Save The Lakes.

3/20 & 21: HOPE's Fund - Raiser in Rosendale

It's been more than 10 years since Eve Ensler premiered her string of interconnected monologues celebrating that singular aspect of the female anatomy at a small theater in the West Village, spawing the global V-Day Movement that has raised over $50 million for women's anti-voilence groups through performances of The Vagina Monologues.

For two nights this month in Rosendale, a troupe of 12 local women directed by Eva Tenuto will perform the Monologues as a benefit for HOPE's Fund, a local women's support and empowerment organization.

The performers include many local notables, including Susan Zimet (politician), Joan Morgan (author), Julie Novak (musician and New York House art director), Sharon Breslau (actress), and Kimberly Kay (radio personality).

The play itself, at turns hilarious and deeply disturbing, is the product of 200 interviews Ensler conducted with women about their views on sex, relationships, and violence against women.

The Vagina Monologues will be staged at 8 PM on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at the Rosendale Theater, 401 Main Street, Rosendale.

Admission is $25 for general seating or $50 for a VIP ticket, which includes a pre-show reception, T-shirt, and membership in HOPE's Fund.

For advance tickets, send an e-mail to cooperc@hvc.rr.com or call the United Way of Ulster County (845- 331-4199).

(excerpted from a 3/09 Chronogram article by Brian Mahoney)

A Chicken in Every Pot: Bring a truckload of chicken to Ulster County

Tyson Foods will deliver a truckload of chicken -- that's enough for 140,000 meals -- for every thousand people who pledge to donate, volunteer, or spread the word. Austin Texas and Indiana have already done it. Surely we can, too.

Donate, volunteer, or share the information on your blog or website.

Irish Music of the Hudson Valley

Irish Music of the Hudson Valley with Bob Burroughs”:
Type:
Music/Arts - Concert
Host:
Heritage Folk Music
Time:
Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 3:00pm
Location:
Kiersted House,

Celebrate International Women's Day

Connection, Momentum & Hope: March 6th

Image by arnaud bertrande via Flickr

From Irene Miller:

The Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition
invites you to an evening of
Connection,Momentum and Hope!

Friday, March 6th
7:00-9:00 PM
Backstage Studio Productions
323 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401

Federal Stimulus,Local Strategies: Building a Green Economy in the Mid Hudson Valley
Guest Speakers:
Melissa Everett, Ph.D. & Michael O’Hara, Sustainable Hudson Valley
Patrice Courtney-Strong, Mid-Hudson Energy $mart Communities
Jessica Barry, Prism Solar Technologies

Forum topics:

• What are green jobs, where are they, and how can you get one?
• How can the new Green jobs pledge help galvanize economic innovation at the local level?
• What roles can we play at the grassroots level?

There will also be a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres and a chance to socialize!

RSVP to anahatasun@aol.com by March 5. Thanks!

Contact: hudsonvalleyprogress@gmail.com

Sponsored by the Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition (founding members: Hudson Valley for Obama, New Paltz & Vicinity for Obama, New Paltz Women in Black and Arts for Peace), with additional support from the UCCC (Ulster MoveOn Council) and the Ulster County Democratic Committee.

3/8/09: Awakening The Dreamer

Changing The Dream

of The Modern World

Sunday, March 8
10 AM to 4 PM
Rosendale Community Center
1055 Route 32, Rosendale, NY

Cost: $10 (no one turned away for lack of funds)

Bring a potluck lunch

Attend the Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium. And come together with conscious, aware people who care about what's happening in the world, our community, and with our families. We'll look at our biggest challenges and opportunities today:

• The state of our industrial world and the thinking that got us where we are today

• A new dream — new ideas about what really matters — leading to deep connection and surprising solutions

• How you can be part of what's emerging — because you already are!

Featuring video insights from inspiring philosophers, scientists, community leaders, and more.

To register, go to: http://www.awakeningthedreamer.org/

For more information, contact Polly Howells or Eric Werthman (845-657-6549, phows@aol.com)

People of Color in the Political Process

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Last December about 70 people attended a "Hudson Valley for Obama" event, but not a single minority person showed up. For an event organized by Hudson Valley for Obama that was quite surprising. That led to questions like

Do minorities feel uncomfortable with the general progressive community in this area?
Is there a big disconnect between the issues of interest to each group?

Rev. Modele Clarke, Pastor of New Progressive Baptist Church, and Maude Bruce, President of Ellenville NAACP, will lead a panel discussion on "People of Color in the Political Process" at the Unitarian Fellowship in Kingston at 7:30 on Tuedsay Feb. 24.

These questions and others will be addressed at the event.

Join us for an interesting and important event for all who want to continue the great work that got Obama elected.

Tuesday, February 24th

7:30 pm

Unitarian Universalist Congregation

320 Sawkill Road, Kingston

For information call 845-340-9512

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day

There's an interesting post you might want to pass on to the young girls among your family and friends. Here's an excerpt and link:

Where Are All the Women? � AAUW Dialog: "Engineers design pretty much everything we use from computers and cars to diapers and dishwashers. When women aren’t involved in the design of these products, women’s perspectives are not brought to the design table (or computer screen). In the same way that Ruth Ginsburg brings a valuable perspective, different from her male colleagues, to issues brought before the U.S. Supreme Court, women engineers bring valuable life experiences to the design process that are different from male engineers. For women to be full participants in our society, we need to be well represented among those who design and make the things that we use on a daily basis."

There are good scholarships available for girls interested in engineering and some interesting videos about young women engineers here.

Bowl for Kids' Sake, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ulster County

Image via Wikipedia

From Louise Flood:

Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters' national signature fundraising and awareness program. Each year, mentors and mentees, donors, businesses, and community members raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ulster County by asking family and friends for their financial support.

You can bowl as an individual or become a team captain and recruit your own team. Each team member must raise a minimum of $100. Each bowler will receive a free tee shirt as well as free pizza and beverages. And there will be lots of great prizes too.

There are two dates to choose from:

• Sunday, April 19^{th (}Mid-City Lanes, Kingston) Session 1 from 1:00-3:30pm, and Session 2 from 4:00-6:30pm, and
• Friday, May 1, (Hoe Bowl On the Hill, Kingston) 7 - 9:30 pm.

You can sign up at www.bigbrothersbigsistersulster.org and click on Bowl for Kids Sake or call Colleen Mountford, President, at 845-338-0431 ex. 238. Come enjoy a fun-filled time and make a difference in the lives of children in your community.

Faith & Poverty in a Time of Economic Crisis, 2/28/09

From Mary Gelhaus:

What is the responsibility of people of faith in addressing the needs of the poor and those less fortunate in this time of great economic hardship?

Keynote Speaker

The Rev. Dr. A. Katherine Grieb

Professor of New Testament, Virginia Theological Seminary

Morning Prayer followed by small group discussions, Bible study, and panel discussion, sponsored by the Mid-Hudson Chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship

• The Rev. Richard Witt, Rural & Migrant Ministries

• The Rev. Darlene Kelley, Clinton Avenue Methodist Church, Caring Hands Soup Kitchen, Kingston

• Wayne Birch and Leslie Hoffman,Ecclesia Ministries, Newburgh

• Demi McGuire, Executive Director, NYS Episcopal Public Policy Network

Saturday, February 28th

9 am – noon

St. John’s Episcopal Church

207 Albany Avenue, Kingston

Call 331-2252 for reservations

Ars Choralis at St. John the Devine, Sat. March 28

Image by .m for matthijs via Flickr

From Marjorie Regan:

Our congratulations and best wishes to Woodstock's Ars Choralis and conductor/composer Barbara Pickhardt. They have been invited to perform Pickhardt's Music in Desperate Times: Remembering the Women's Orchestra of Birkenau at St. John the Devine, and then at Liberation Day Ceremonies with the Survivors of the Ravensbruck concentration camp in Berlin in April.

Ars Choralis:About Music In Deserate Times Concert: "In the darkest times, music provides solace and illustrates what is best in the human spirit.

During the depths of World War II, women musicians incarcerated at the Auschwitz/Birkenau concentration camp were required to play for their Nazi captors. This is a story about how music saved the lives of those women. It is also the story of a small-town chorus that has brought back the music, hope, grief and resilience of these women.

Over one million people were murdered in Birkenau gas chambers. In exchange for their survival, a women’s orchestra was formed by the S.S. at Birchenau. During the year and a half it existed, 54 women participated in the orchestra. All but the conductor survived.

Two years ago, Barbara Pickhardt, conductor of the Woodstock, NY chorus, Ars Choralis, researched survivor’s memoirs and created Music in Desperate Times: Remembering the Women’s Orchestra of Birkenau. The concert interwove orchestral music (Schumann, Chopin, Puccini, Mendelssohn and others) with spoken memoirs and songs of hope, peace and resistance sung by the chorus. Donning the simple lavender scarves and white blouses worn by the Birkenau musicians, the members of the reconstructed orchestra felt a shiver of connection to the original orchestra as they played arrangements of the same music played in the camps."

You can find information about tickets and bus transportation to the March 28th concert at the Cathedral here.

There's a Woodstock Times review of the 2007 concert here.

The President is Coming to Kingston - Friday, 2/20

This used to be a men-only dinner, but no more. Congratulations to the Old Dutch Church on your 350th anniversary.

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER ?

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY TWENTHIETH, TWO THOUSAND AND NINE MARKS THE EIGHTY SIXTH ANNUAL DINNER

AT THE OLD DUTCH CHURCH IN KINGSTON, NEW YORK

Ticket Sales: Old Dutch Church Office, Info@olddutchchurch.org (845) 338-6759

Reception and Dinner $40.00

Image via Wikipedia

Dinner $25.00/ $30.00 Patron

On the 16th of November, 1782, General George Washington visited Kingston. The future father of our country, was greeted upon arrival by the Elders and the Dominie of the Old Dutch Church. Following his visit, he wrote to the church consistory to thank them for "their public mark of esteem." Since 1923, an annual community dinner has been held in his honor. The event is sponsored by the Old Dutch Church Men's Club.

The George Washington Dinner and it's program, though nonpartisan in any political or religious sense, stresses the importance of God and Country. It is a time honored tradition and opportunity for the community to come and join in fellowship to enjoy a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings. There have been many illustrious keynote speakers throughout the years, Among the more prominent were: Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932, Haywood Hale Brown in 1979, Norman Vincent Peale in 1986, and most recently, Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey in 2008.

This year, the 86th annual dinner, marks two other important milestones, the Men's Club is inviting women to be a permanent part of this tradition, in which all are included to celebrate and sing the praises of our community, church, and our glorious first President of the United States. This special 350th Anniversary of the Old Dutch Church should prove to be the highlight of the first decade in this millennium for Kingston. We recently have been officially designated a National Historic Landmark. This ushers in a new era for our community through this year's grand celebration honoring the Father of Our Country, by making him our guest speaker for the first time; General George Washington.

Actor and Historian Dean Malissa is an accomplished scholar and renown for his portrayal of our first President. For more then a decade, Mr. Malissa, who cuts an imposing figure, has mastered the expertise to converse in the fashion of the day of our founding fathers,and has been much sought after to appear as George Washington around the country. He has performed at The White House, Mount Vernon and also in Europe to audiences of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other Dignitary. Old Dutch Church is honored to welcome him to Kingston for this auspicious occasion.

There will be a VIP "Meet and Greet" Reception for General Washington at the Wiltwyck DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) ballroom on Green Street, Kingston, NY. from 5:00 to 6:45 PM. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Old Dutch Church. Special musical guests will be Molly Mason and Jay Ungar. The Men's Club Dinner at the Church will start at 7:00 PM. Proceeds from the sale of the VIP tickets will be donated to the Old Dutch Church Restoration Fund. The Friends of Old Dutch Church is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Proceeds from the dinner go to help in the projects of the Old Dutch Men's Club. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be for sale at the door. To purchase tickets, please contact the Old Dutch Church office.

The George Washington Dinner will kick off one of many public events scheduled throughout the year to commemorate the anniversary of the Church which was founded in 1659. A community heritage festival is planned for May. For additional information on the Old Dutch Church and upcoming events.

Please visit www.olddutchchurch.org or email info@olddutchchurch.org.

Ulster County Passed the Lever Resolution! On to Green County!

Image by Darwin Bell via Flickr

Many thanks and a special valentine to the Ulster County Laws and Rules Committee (Chairman Bischoff and Legislators Cahill, Decker, R.S. Parete, Rodriguez, Shapiro, Cummings, Maloney and Roberts) and Legislators Aiello, Cummings, Fabiano, Felicello, Gerentine, Hansut, Harris, Maloney, Noonan, Petit, Roberti, Roberts, Ronk, Terrizzi and Zimet for sheparding Resolution 47 through the Ulster County Legislature.

Resolution 47 urges the NYS legislature and the NYS Board of Elections to enact laws, Rules and regulations that specifically authorize the continued use of lever-style voting machines.

The Ulster County Legislature passed the resolution on Wednesday, February 11th.

Bravo!

Next Tuesday the Greene County Legislature will vote on the same resolution. Please ask your friends in Greene County to contact their representatives.

We hope the State will act promptly on this important issue.

Penny Social in Lake Hill Feb 14th

Benefit for St Judes Children's Research Hospital

Penny Social
Feb 14th
Open at 1 PM calling at 2 PM
for your convenience, the kitchen will open at 12 for Lunch
Lake Hill Fire House
Sponsored by the
Shady United Methodist Church

I like penny socials. They are an economical way to purchase items and support the non profit at the same time.
The members of the Shady United Methodist CHurch are a group that sets a wonderful example of service to the community that one lives in.

Choral Concert Honors Sojourner Truth Feb. 28th

Image via Wikipedia

From Anne Gordon:

LISTENING FOR TRUTH, a benefit concert to raise funds for a memorial to Sojourner Truth, will be presented on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009 at 3 pm at the Reformed Church on Salem St. in Port Ewen.

The choral concert will feature the Esopus Festival Choir directed by Linda Bresnahan McCarthy, and the Ulster County Community Outreach Chorus, directed by Min. Dennis Washington. Music will include a variety of songs and hymns, some written by Sojourner Truth, and period music she would have known. In addition, a dramatic reading will be presented.

Tickets will be available for a suggested donation of $10 at the door. Seating is limited. Refreshments will be provided.

Money raised at the concert, through donations, and in the future at other fundraisers will be used to erect a statue to Sojourner Truth in a park being constructed on Broadway in Port Ewen. As a slave, Sojourner Truth lived and worked in a tavern which stood on the site in the 19^th century.

In 2005, the Esopus Town Board voted to name the park in her honor and a citizen's committee organized the Memorial Fund to raise funds for the statue. The Sojourner Truth Memorial Fund is affiliated with the Ulster County Community Foundation and all contributions are tax deductible.

The Evolution of Rhinebeck & Woodstock, Feb 27

Rhinebeck Historical Society
Feb 27, 7:30 pm
Starr Library, Rhinebeck Local History Room (lower level)
A Tale of two Communities
"The Evolution Of Rhinebeck and Woodstock"

A Panel Discussion featuring:

• Richard Heppner - Woodstock Town Historian

• Janine Fallon - Mower - Author of several books on Woodstock History

• Cynthia Owen Philip - Author of books on the history of Rhinecliff and a Rhinecliff Resident
  

• Dick Hermans - Owner of Oblong Book Store - Member of one of the first families of Rhinebeck
  

Free All Welcome