Stone Ridge Library Sponsoring Author Trips

As part of a Famous Author Series, Stone Ridge Library and Marbletown Youth Commission announces their schedule. First trip is to the Mark Twain home in Hartford CT. It will be on June 28th. We will leave the Community Center in Stone Ridge @ 8:30. Tour at @ 11 and on the way home, stop at the Hometown Buffet for an early dinner (or late lunch) The cost of $40 includes the bus (mini coach) and tour. Buffet is pay your own for $8.05. Prior to the trip, on June 25th there will be a book discussion at the library on A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

The second trip planned is to the Emily Dickenson home in Amherst MA. on Aug. 16.

For information call Marbletown Youth Commission, 687-0800, or Stone Ridge Library, 687-7023

5/24/08: arts group forming in High Falls

High Falls Wonderland (HFW) is coming to a place near you! Visit our Web site to find out more about our opening Splash on 6/28.

This is an invitation for you to come play with us -- Richard Murphy, Eva Tenuto, Patty Curry, , ... -- at HFW, a creative playground. Our intention is to create a space for performance, art, workshops, and community. Aside from theatre, art, and education, we may look to explore line dancing, salsa sessions, roller skating, maybe hide & seek, a day of improv, or anything else you can imagine.

We are having our first organizational meeting on Saturday, May 24 at noon at HFW, 186 Mohonk Road, High Falls (at the Mohonk Arts building). If you have any questions or would like to be involved, but can't make the meeting, call Patty at 845-687-0797. At the meeting, we will be looking at how to involve the community (you!) in the creation of HFW with our first activity on 6/28 being a celebration that will be a dance party and sampling of performance.

Our first gallery opening will be a solo show of Paul Wemp's work this fall.

Any suggestions for performance and gallery shows will be greatly appreciated. If you know people who might like to be involved, let Patty know or have them give her a call.

HFW, 845-687-4161

Ab-Only: Where Do We Go From Here?

Last week, Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, conducted the first-ever hearing on the effectiveness of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. It took 12 years of conservative congressional leadership and $1.5 billion before we finally achieved some public accountability for these failed programs.

Advocates for Youth had a concise summary of the hearing.

Ab-Only: Where Do We Go From Here?: The hearing produced a litany of rejection of abstinence-only programs from mainstream, science-based public health organizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics testified that the abstinence-only approach was not only ineffective, but could cause real harm to young people. The Institute of Medicine stated that continued support for these programs does not "comport with the evidence" and no reason existed to hamstring federal interventions by placing them in the abstinence-only straight-jacket. The American Public Health Association also rejected abstinence-only programs and cited the significance of 17 states rejecting abstinence-only dollars in the face of the enormous need for public health resources at the state level....

"Fortunately, Dr. John Santelli from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health (and a former high-ranking CDC official in the field of teen pregnancy prevention) summed it all up by explaining that abstinence has a legitimate role within comprehensive sex education which also includes birth control and condoms. However, abstinence-only programs that exclude information about birth control and condoms, have no place at the center of federal sex education policy.

I'm glad that NY is one of the seventeen states that have rejected federal funds for abstinence-only education. But, I hate having my tax money go to support it in other states.

So where do we go from here?

The time has come for the Democrats to correct course and stop government funding of ineffective abstinence-only programs. With the teen birth rate on the rise, with one in four teen girls contracting an STD, with 55 young people getting HIV every single day, how can congressional leaders continue to ignore the public health consensus about science-based programs?"

Enjoy Romeo and Juliet at the Glimmerglass Opera with Us

August 24, Sunday: Glimmerglass

Bellini's I Capuletti i Montecchi (Romeo & Juliet)

Bellini's I Capuletti i Montecchi: Two warring families, a tragic love affair: the tale of Romeo and Juliet cries out for the expressive power of the operatic voice, thrillingly exploited here by a master vocal composer. This elegant production imparts an ethereal vision of enduring love -- and transcendent death. New production. Sung in Italian with English titles.

Best seats: $119, Balcony $103.

Leaving at 8 AM, Kingston. Picnic optional. Returning around 7 PM

*****

Make your on-line trip reservations for any or all of Kingston AAUW's great trips

on this RESERVATION FORM
Questions? Leave Garnette Arledge a message at 845-704-2120 or send her an email at kaauw12401@gmail.com. She will get back to you. To read the small print, go here

Hear Yo-Yo Ma wth Us at Tanglewood

August 3, Sunday: Tanglewood & YoYo Ma

The many-faceted career of cellist Yo-Yo Ma reflects his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences and to find connections that stimulate the imagination. Yo-Yo Ma performs Lalo's Cello Concerto. The concert also features Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnole and Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances.

Bus, tip and shed tickets $69 (Seated toward the rear of the shed, you may want binoculars).

Leaving at 11 AM from Kingston. Bring picnic. Performance at 2:30 PM. Returning about 6 PM

*****

Make your on-line trip reservations for any or all of Kingston AAUW's great trips

on this RESERVATION FORM
Questions? Leave Garnette Arledge a message at 845-704-2120 or send her an email at kaauw12401@gmail.com. She will get back to you. To read the small print, go here

See Twelfth Night at Boscobel with Us

July 24, Thursday evening: Boscobel, Garrison

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival's Twelfth Night

Don't miss Shakespeare’s gender-bending comic adventure where men are women and women are men, leading to hilarious antics. Egos and comic mishaps abound, but in the end true love wins. Directed by John Christain Plummer. The HV Players were hilarious last year.

Leaving Kingston at 4 PM, ParknRide, New Paltz at 4:20 PM, Poughkeepsie, 4:50 PM. Performance at 7 PM. Returning around 11 PM. Bring a picnic and lawn chair for supper overlooking “best view along Hudson River” Total cost with bus ride and driver’s tip: $67

*****

Make your on-line trip reservations for any or all of Kingston AAUW's great trips

on this RESERVATION FORM
Questions? Leave Garnette Arledge a message at 845-704-2120 or send her an email at kaauw12401@gmail.com. She will get back to you. To read the small print, go here.

Visit Saratoga With Us on July 10th

July 10, Thursday: Saratoga and SPAC

Four Bagatelles – FIRST TIME EVER SEEN AT SPAC (Beethoven/Robbins), Afternoon of a Faun (Debussy/Robbins), Symphony in C (Bizet/Balanchine), Interplay (Gould/Robbins).

Pre-Performance Talk at 1:00 PM; performance at 2 PM

Optional picnic or lunch in Saratoga. Leaving at 9 AM Kingston Returning around 6:30 PM

Total cost with bus ride and driver's tip: $64

*****

Make your on-line trip reservations for any or all of Kingston AAUW's great trips

on this RESERVATION FORM
Questions? Leave Garnette Arledge a message at 845-704-2120 or send her an email at kaauw12401@gmail.com. She will get back to you. To read the small print, go here.

Trip to the Bronx Zoo or NY Botanical Gardens

June 21, Saturday: Bronx Zoo or New York Botanical Gardens

Choose between touring the Bronx Zoo, home to more than 4000 animal species, or the Botanical Gardens, home to 250 acres of grounds and 47 gardens! Lunch on your own.

Leaving at 8:30 AM Kingston, 9:10 AM ParknRide, New Paltz. Returning around 6 PM

Total with bus ride and driver's tip: Bronx Zoo (includes rides): Child (12 or under) $54, Senior or AAUW member $56, Adult $59

Botanical Gardens: Child (12 or under) $47, Senior or AAUW member $55; Adult $57

*****

Make your on-line trip reservations for any or all of Kingston AAUW's great trips

on this RESERVATION FORM
Questions? Leave Garnette Arledge a message at 845-704-2120 or send her an email at kaauw12401@gmail.com. She will get back to you. To read the small print, go here.

Building Bridges to Islam

From ViVi Hlavsa:

Elderhostel is offering this visit in cooperation with the Islamic Center, Boston and Worcester, MA. I know several people regretted they couldn't attend the AAUW-Elderhostel trip to the mosque on Long Island. Here's a second chance.

Join Elderhostel for the next program in our Building Bridges to Islam series in Massachusetts, hosted by the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland, Mass., and the Worcester Islamic Center in Worcester, Mass. Click here to learn more or enroll now for your choice of two dates in Wayland, Mass. or one in Worcester, Mass.

Program Highlights :

• Informative, interactive presentations by practicing Muslims, followed by question-and-answer sessions.
  

• Opportunity to observe prayer and worship and to enjoy a taste of traditional Middle Eastern cuisine.
  

• Learn about Islamic aesthetics as you take in an impressive display of Islamic art and architecture.
  

For more information or to register for this Day of Discovery program, Building Bridges to Islam, call (800) 454-5768 or click here for:
Wayland, Mass.
Worcester, Mass.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Safe Roads: Help us get a traffic light installed

From Doris Goldberg:

Where? The intersection of Route 28 and Hurley Mountain Road

Take Action

We urge you to support the installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Route 28 and Hurley Mountain Road. The intersection has a history of fatalities, the most recent – AAUW member Richard Hlavsa in 2007. The speed and density of traffic on Route 28 has increased substantially over the past few years and will continue to grow with the development of Route 28 and Belleayre.

Without your intervention, this request will move very slowly. We understand that the process to install the last traffic light in Ulster County took twelve years to complete.

You can easily send an email to the appropriate legislators and the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation by completing your information here.

(This is a free service to help citizens speak out to their representatives.)

Pianos for Peace at St. Gregory's

From Janine Mower:

St. Gregory's is sponsoring Pianos for Peace at 3 pm, Sunday, May 4th.

Music by Puccini, Bizet, Bar Scott, Cyril Scott, Mozart, Lauridsen, and more.

Contributing Artists: Jane Barsumian, piano / Cara Calabrese-Ward, piano / Hillary Hight Daw, soprano / Charles Dupree, piano / Kerry Henderson, bass/baritone / John Medeski, piano / Louis Otey, bass/baritone / Lynne Peck, flute / Bar Scott, singer/songwriter / Maria Todaro, mezzo-soprano

Proceeds from this concert will go to local and global peace and wellness efforts:

Recover New York Campaign (helping cover medical expenses of those recovering in the toxic aftermath of 9/11)

Carpenter’s Kids (providing education, books, uniforms, and one square meal per day for AIDS orphans in Dodoma, Africa)

Support Clean Elections

From Irene Miller:

AAUW-NYS asks for your help to pass a clean elections law in NYS.

So what is Clean Elections and how does it work?
Clean Elections is full and equal public funding of all qualified candidates who refuse private contributions and abide by spending limits. In keeping with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Buckley vs Valeo, which basically says money is equal to speech, Clean Elections is a voluntary system. Those who choose not to participate are free to opt out. If they opt out, they cannot have any public funds. As has been shown in states with Clean Elections, "Clean" candidates have a distinct advantage over privately funded candidates because they can say, "I am beholden only to voters."

Clean Election candidates qualify for public funding by demonstrating community support before the primary. They do this by collecting a certain number of $5 contributions from individuals in their own district. Once qualified, they do not have to raise another cent. They can spend all their campaign time communicating with voters. Clean Elections would cost New Yorkers about $3 each per election cycle. In return, the billions that now go to tax breaks and subsidies for big corporate contributors could be available for healthcare, education, the environment, fire and police departments, and infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

It is important to note that full public funding of campaigns with Clean Elections is very different from partial public funding of campaigns, which matches tax dollars to private contributions. Corporations, which are the biggest contributors, like partial public funding because our tax dollars permit them to give less and still retain their political influence. Polls show that people who know the difference between full and public funding overwhelmingly reject partial funding because it wastes tax dollars.

Clean Elections bills have been introduced in both the NY Senate and Assembly, but few New Yorkers know this because most media owners do not want Clean Elections. That means passing Clean Elections must be a statewide grass-roots effort. Although there is a great deal more to be done, I'm glad to say we are succeeding. As "we the people" get our message out across the state, more and more New Yorkers are demanding Clean Elections because they already know that big campaign contributors trump the people's will. Learning that Clean Elections would make it easy for politicians to put people first flames a strong will to pass it.

What can you do?
The task for any AAUW member who thinks Clean Elections is worth fighting for is to help formulate and carry out strategies to inform and engage the public so that our legislators know we consider its passage fundamental to restoring democracy and reaching our organization's goals.

But we do not need to reinvent the wheel. Other organizations that have been working on this for years could be a tremendous resource. There is a lot to do and it is often a lot of fun. A big part of the job is making sure New Yorkers all over the state know about Clean Elections and how it would restore the democratic process. Things to do include hosting house parties with a Clean Elections speaker, having your branch and other organizations you belong to host a Clean Elections presentation, passing resolutions, helping with phone trees, tabling at flea markets or fairs, gathering petitions, and writing letters to newspapers, the Governor, and your state Senator and Assembly member. Whatever your talent and expertise, it is welcome and needed.

Governor Paterson introduced the Clean Elections bill in the senate before becoming Governor and is a strong supporter as are quite a few others legislators. But, as you can imagine, not all legislators are eager to change the current system. Our message to them is two fold: 1) New Yorkers want this. 2) It has been very successful with legislators and citizens in other states. In Maine and Arizona, two states that enacted Clean Elections more than 10 years ago, legislators who opposed its passage now say they will never go back to the old system because it frees them from onerous begging for dollars and lets them spend all their campaign time communicating with voters.

Connecticut passed Clean Elections in 2005 and will have its first election cycle using it this coming November. Maine, Arizona, and Connecticut's Clean Elections laws and New York's bill cover campaigns for Governor, the Senate, Assembly, Attorney General, and Comptroller. North Carolina, New Mexico, New Jersey, and Vermont also have Clean Elections, but for lesser offices.

There also are bills in the U.S. Congress. The House bill is called Clean Elections and the Senate bill is called Fair Elections.

For more information, contact Irene Miller at 518 678-3516 or imiller1@hvc.rr.com.

South Africa Benefit Quilt Show

NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S QUILT SHOW
SATURDAY. MAY 3, 1:00 – 7:00-ish
CHRIST THE KING CHURCH, RTE 213, STONE RIDGE, NY

We hang, display and wrap the interior of Christ the King Church-Christo style with quilts that will blow your mind! To benefit Mariya uMama weTemba Holy Cross Monastary Scholarship Fund andThe Ilinge Isibindi Children’s Project.

Quilters include: Wendy Blair • Anne Wargin • Stella Zahn • Pam Flam • Linda Seekamp • Patty Curry •Eileen Barchi • Susan Herman •Wendy McDonald • Tana Miller Linda Fitzpatrick • Mama T Curry • Pam Duke • Margaret Caccamo Elaine Blythe • Jody Mellantahin • Susan Holland.

Sponsored by The Bidty B*tches, Christ the King Quilters, Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits, Fox and Hound Wine & Spirits, bluecashew Kitchen Pharmacy, Bodum, In Pursuit of Tea, High Falls Mercantile and Hudson Valley Dessert Co.

Support Pathways to Career Training

While more women are working than ever before, many do not have the skills and opportunities necessary to obtain the high-wage jobs needed to adequately support themselves and their families. To address this, Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) recently introduced the Pathways to Advancing Career Training (PACT) Act (H.R. 5774).

This legislation would fund programs that provide outreach, education, training, support, and job placement assistance to encourage and prepare women for nontraditional careers. The provisions of the PACT Act would fill the void left when similar programs were eliminated from the Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act in 1998.

Women experience barriers to entry in high-wage, high-skill jobs due to biased career counseling and recruiting. Even after they enter nontraditional career and technical education programs, they may experience sexual harassment and differential treatment in the classroom. The PACT Act focuses on decreasing the obstacles single mothers and divorced and widowed women face when re-entering the workforce and preparing them for careers in fields where they are underrepresented.

AAUW believes that career and technical education is increasingly important for women and girls working towards economic self-sufficiency for themselves and their families in a competitive marketplace. Access to high-wage, high-skill jobs should be a right for women and girls from diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, age, and disability backgrounds, including training for nontraditional jobs. It is in these fields traditionally dominated by men that women workers can begin to close the persistent wage gap between women and men.

Take Action!
To urge your representative to cosponsor the PACT Act, you can use the AAUW Take Action system. Click on the link, then follow the instructions to send your message:

http://capwiz.com/aauw/issues/alert/?alertid=11325521&type=CO...

For more information, read AAUW's position paper on career and technical education for women and girls.