Unofficial Passions

10/29/11: Ulster County Candidate Forum

2011-10-28T10:21:00.003-04:00

10/18/11: Two films tonight on Women & War

2011-10-18T12:13:00.003-04:00

Lectures on the History of Dance

2011-07-27T16:58:00.002-04:00

The week of August 1, 2001 Kaatsbaan offers three more informative and exciting lectures in our Historic Dance Theatre Series.

Limón Dance Company

Monday, August 1, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.
Barefoot and Free: The History of Modern Dance
Joanna Dee returns to Kaatsbaan to discuss the history of Modern Dance: female choreographers Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, Mary Wigman, Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Katherine Dunham played a dominant role in the early formation of modern dance, while important male choreographers such as Red Shawn, Jose Limon, and Merce Cunningham helped shape the field. Helen tamiris, Pearl Primus, Alvin Ailey, Bill T. Jones and Mark Morris - is modern dance a dead art?

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.
Javier Gurerro and 360 Dance Company perform Jane Dudley's "Cante Flamenco" American citizens aligned to fight fascism - artists from George Orwell to Ernest Hemingway joined dancers that included Martha Graham and Lincoln Kirstein to support democracy. Graham's Deep Song and Jane Dudley's Cante Flamenco capture this moment in dance.

Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.
Dialogue on Dance: The Art of Jose Limon
Lynn Garafola, editor of Jose Limon's critically acclaimed autobiography, An Unfinished Memoir, will discuss the choreographer's life and art focusing on Missa Brevis (1958).

The lecture will include performances of excerpts by members of the celebrated Limon Dance Company, introduced by artistic director Carla Maxwell.

These evenings are free and open to all.

GASLAND at 6:30 PM tonight at Rhinebeck Town Hall

2011-07-27T15:03:00.000-04:00

Sustainable Action Week at SUNY New Paltz

2011-04-25T15:42:00.001-04:00

April 25 to May 1

There's a lot of great stuff happening in New Paltz this week - check it out!

RSVP on Facebook

Field biologist Marc van Roosmalen to speak at SUNY Ulster

2011-04-20T15:57:00.001-04:00

Cultural Diversity Day with
Marc van Roosmalen
World-renowned field biologist and Amazon researcher
Wed., 4/20, 7 PM
Student Lounge
Vanderlyn Hall
SUNY Ulster
491 Cottekill Road
Stone Ridge

4/19/11: Carbon Nation @ BSP

2011-04-18T14:27:00.006-04:00

For event details, click here.

Photo: Peter Byck

A Magnificat Festival, April 30 and May 1, 2011

2011-04-13T08:53:00.001-04:00

From Betsy Tuel (husband Bill is singing):

This spring the combined choirs of Ulster Choral Society and Camerata Chorale will present a "Magnificat Festival", consisting of three settings of the famous biblical text by JS Bach, Vivaldi, and JC Bach. We will be joined by professional soloists and the Bach-Handel Festival Orchestra.
The concert dates are:

Saturday, April 30, 8:00 PM at the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church
Sunday, May 1, 4:00 PM at the Overlook United Methodist Church in Woodstock

Advance tickets are $15.

WORLD PREMIERE - “SCATTERED STARS” - BY JANE BARSUMIAN

2011-04-10T07:43:00.000-04:00

From Vivi Hlavsa:

Jane Barsumian

On a program full of “lovable” music the world premiere performance of a new work by Jane Barsumian will be of outstanding interest to area concert goers. The WOODSTOCK CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, conducted by Artistic Director David Leighton, will present its final concerts of the 2010-2011 season, featuring Jane Barsumian’s newest work, “Scattered Stars.” The program also includes “Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No. 1” by Ottorino Respighi, “Adagietto” from the Symphony No. 5 of Gustav Mahler, “Czech Suite” by Antonin Dvorak and “Overture to The Wasps” by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Performances:

8 pm Friday, April 29 at Olin Hall, Bard College,
8 pm Saturday, April 30 at Pointe of Praise Family Life Center, 243 Hurley Avenue, Kingston, and
3 pm Sunday, May 1 at Saugerties Reformed Church, Main Street, Saugerties:

Tickets: adults $20.00, college students $5, K-12 with accompanying adult, free. Subscription sets are available (4 tickets good for any concert).
Jane Barsumian, a resident of the Hudson Valley for some thirty-three years, is well known for her remarkable skills as violinist, pianist, organist, vocalist and composer. “Scattered Stars” is her first work for chamber orchestra and audiences will have an opportunity to hear her music in full panoply of orchestrated imagination. Her style is charming, witty and actually beautiful. Yes, you read that correctly – this is contemporary music you will enjoy. Born into a musical family, father was a concert violinist, composer and conductor, mother a church organist for seventy five years, Jane Barsumian studied piano with Frank McConnell, Edgar Roberts and Antoinette Lind, violin with Norman Black of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Henk Schram of the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and composition with Grammy-winning composer Joan Tower. For the 2002 Woodstock Cycle Jane composed music and text for the Cantata "Healing." She is the 2006 winner of the Hymn Competition of the Eastern North Carolina Religious Arts Festival, and has written service music for the Episcopal Church.

The WOODSTOCK CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, formed in 1980 by musicians from the Woodstock area, now is comprised of professional musicians from the entire Hudson Valley. The WCO regularly commissions music by local and regional composers and each season performs in Woodstock, Kingston, Saugerties, and at Bard College.

Ulster County Recycling Event

2011-04-04T13:05:00.000-04:00

It’s that time again.

Tell your neighbors, family members and friends about the upcoming

FREE Household Hazardous Waste, Pharmaceutical Waste and Electronics Recycling Event

Saturday, April 16, 8 am to 2 pm

999 Flatbush Road, Kingston, NY

You must have an appointment!!

By offering alternatives for the safe disposal of household hazardous waste, Ulster County is taking a proactive role in protecting the environment by preventing these items from ending up in landfills or contaminating water sources and waste water treatment plants.

This FREE collection provides a safe disposal alternative for:

hazardous pesticides, solvents and household chemicals.
lead and oil based paint, paint solvents (Note: latex paint will not be accepted as it is not a hazardous material)
fertilizers, pesticides,
household cleaners, hobby chemicals, etc.

Also being accepted at the event for FREE are electronics for recycling including:

computers and their components, keyboards, printers
VCRs/DVD players
monitors/TVs.

Ulster County residents will also have the opportunity to discard their unused and/or expired medications at the event for FREE. Bring any prescription or over-the-counter pills, ointments, lotions and liquids for disposal.

The Agency is pleased to be able to provide an opportunity for residents to properly dispose of hazardous waste and to recycle electronic waste. For a complete list of acceptable items for this event, visit www.ucrra.org/recycling/hhw.htm

How to schedule an appointment:
You must schedule an appointment if if you are interested in participating in the event. Please visit our website at www.ucrra.org or call the Recycling Hotline at (845) 336-3336 to request more information or to make an appointment.

Ulster County Residents ONLY.
No businesses. No organizations. No farms. No institutions.

4/5/11: Health Care panel in Hyde Park

2011-03-31T13:28:00.007-04:00

Health Care Reform: What Does It Really Mean?
Tuesday, April 5
8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Henry A. Wallace Center
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
4079 Albany Post Road, Route 9, Hyde Park

With the premise of health care as a human right, this will be a day of exploring the impact of health care reform on women, small businesses, seniors, African-Americans, Latinas, Latinos, and Americans with disabilities. As leaders in their fields, the featured speakers will illustrate, educate and debunk myths of health care reform.

Keynote Address: Geeta Desai, President, AAUW Poughkeepsie
Luncheon Speaker: Jamie Torres, U.S. Health & Human Services Regional Director, Region II–NY, NJ, PR, VI
Other Speakers and Workshop Leaders:
Susan Dooha, Executive Director, Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY
Margaret Moree, Director of Federal Affairs, The Business Council of NY State, Inc.
Michael Olender, Associate State Director, AARP
Lois Uttley, Executive Director, Raising Women’s Voices

Cost: $10 (suggested donation)
To register: call 845-229-5302 or e-mail mmartinetti@ervk.org (optionally, order a $10 box lunch when you register)

Maine Governor Denying History, Removing Mural, Renaming Conference Rooms

2011-03-27T13:24:00.000-04:00

Dolores LaChance forwarded this article by former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.

Why We Need a Fighter in the White House: "Maine Governor Paul LePage has ordered state workers to remove from the state labor department a 36-foot mural depicting the state’s labor history. Among other things the mural illustrates the 1937 shoe mill strike in Auburn and Lewiston. It also features the iconic “Rosie the Riveter,” who in real life worked at the Bath Iron Works. One panel shows my predecessor at the U.S. Department of Labor, Frances Perkins, who was buried in Newcastle, Maine.

The LePage Administration is also renaming conference rooms that had carried the names of historic leaders of American labor, as well as former Secretary Perkins.

The Governor’s spokesman explains that the mural and the conference-room names were “not in keeping with the department’s pro-business goals.”"

Wasn't the Department of Labor set up to protect workers? How bizarre?

3/27/11: Second Annual Hudson Valley Hunger Banquet

2011-03-27T02:13:00.006-04:00

Image source: Ulster Publishing

Sunday, March 27
3 PM to 5 PM
Mount St. Alphonsus
1001 Broadway (Route 9W)
Esopus

To reserve your seat online, click here.

To read the 3/24 Hudson Valley Times article, click here.

To see this event on Facebook, click here.

Queens Galley web site

3/4/11: Roberta Gould poetry reading in Saugerties

2011-03-04T12:42:00.009-05:00

Author Event with Roberta Gould

Friday, March 4
7 PM to 8 PM

The Inquiring Mind Bookstore
65 Partition Street
Saugerties

Reading from recent books and new poems

Image Credit: Foothills Publishing
(click this link if you want a sneak peek at a poem from this collection!)

2/23/11: Concert at SUNY Ulster

2011-02-23T15:58:00.003-05:00

Music Scholarship concert in memory of Lee Herrington
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
7:30 PM

SUNY Ulster, Stone Ridge

Quimby Auditorium

Featuring:

Community Concert Band

College Jazz Band

Rondout Valley School Concert Band

College Chorus

Suggested donation: $2 (student/senior), $3 (adult), $10 (family)

Until the Violence Stops

2011-01-30T18:19:00.002-05:00

Please join us:

Sunday February 13, 2010, 2:00 pm

Upstate Films, 132 Tinker Street, Woodstock

A V-Day Benefit Screening of

“Until The Violence Stops”

an Eve Ensler Film

To benefit The Washbourne House

Ulster County’s Battered Women’s Shelter

A program of Family of Woodstock Inc.

Tickets $12.00 in Advance or $15.00 at the door

Call 845 331-7080 ext.127

or mail your check to The Washbourne House

PO Box 3817, Kingston, New York 12402

Attn.Kathy Moretti

Need help with preparing your taxes?

2011-01-24T17:47:00.000-05:00

The United Way of Ulster County announces the availability of free tax preparation services for low wage workers making up to $43,352 per year (with 3 or more children).

The Hudson Valley Mall site will operate January 29, and each Saturday in February from 10 AM to 2 PM. There are fifteen other sites throughout the county that will also be available from January 29-April 15. See below for locations and call 845-802-7190 to make an appointment.

Volunteer tax preparers, certified by the IRS, will be on hand to help residents access the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other tax credits which may total up to $7,000.

The following sites are available:

Ellenville Public Library, 40 Center Street, Ellenville, Saturdays, 2/5, 2/19, 3/5, & 3/19, 10 AM to 1 PM

Hudson Valley Mall, Route 9W, Kingston, Saturdays, 10 AM to 2 PM. (We’re located in the former Lady Footlocker store front, next to H&M. As you leave JC Penney, go past the customer service desk, turn right.)

Department of Social Services, 1061 Development Court, Kingston, Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM

Town of Olive Library, 4033 Route 28A, West Shokan, Mondays, 1 to 3 PM

West Hurley Library, 42 Clover Street, West Hurley, Wednesdays, 10 AM to 12 PM

Port Ewen Library, 128 Canal Street, Port Ewen, Thursdays, 9 AM to 12 PM

Community Action Center, 70 Lindsley Avenue, Kingston, Tuesdays, 11 AM to 3 PM

Kingston Library, 55 Franklin Street, Kingston, Mondays, 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Tuesdays, 1 to 4 PM

St. John's Episcopal Church, 207 Albany Avenue, Kingston, Thursdays, 9 AM to 3 PM

Stone Ridge Library, 3700 Main Street, Stone Ridge, Mondays, 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Bridge View Apartments Senior Community Room, 34 Sterling Place, Highland, Every Other Friday

St. Joseph's Church, 34 S. Chestnut Street, New Paltz, Tuesdays, 9 AM to 3 PM

Reformed Church, 92 Huguenot Street, Education Building, New Paltz, Fridays, 9 AM to 1 PM

St Charles Church, Route 44-55, Gardiner, Every Other Wednesday

Kiwanis Ice Arena, Washington Avenue, Saugerties, Wednesdays, 10 AM to 3 PM

Journey to Freedom - songs and stories of Sojourner Truth - March 5, 2011

2011-01-20T16:59:00.000-05:00

Music of Sojourner Truth in Concert

Save the Date!


Cynthia Lowe, Ulster County Community Foundation, Esopus Town Supervisor John Coutant, Anne Gordon AAUW member, and Pastor Evelyn Clarke at the dedication of the Sojourner Truth Memorial Park in Port Ewen.

On Saturday, March 5, Journey to Freedom - songs and stories of Sojourner Truth will be presented by the Sojourner Truth Memorial Fund and Heritage Folk Music, Inc at St James Methodist Church in Kingston. A variety of local singers and storytellers will give a 2 hour program, beginning at 7 pm. Admission is $10.

The concert will include songs written by Truth, spirituals, and songs from the Abolitionist movement and the Civil War. Storytellers Evelyn Clarke and Terry Gittens will be joined by singes, Betty & the Baby Boomers, the Veterans in a New Field, and several others. Refreshments will be served, accompanied by fiddlers, Earl and Mimi Pardini.

St. James Methodist Church is a fitting location for the concert. In 1827, the congregation welcomed as a member, Isabella Van Wagonen, a freed slave who later took the name Sojourner Truth. As a dynamic speaker advocating the end of slavery, voting rights for women, and basic human rights for all, she became one of the most notable women in the 19th century.

There is a statue of her in the National Women's Hall of Fame, and most recently, a statue of her was unveiled in the U.S. Capitol by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. The proceeds from this concert will be used to erect a statue of her in The Ulster County town, Esopus, where she was born and lived for the first 30 years of her life.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

7:00 pm

Journey to Freedom - songs and stories of Sojourner Truth

St James Methodist Church, Kingston

Stone Ridge Library Concert: December 11, 2010

2010-12-01T20:06:00.000-05:00

From Rokki Carr:

Saturday, December 11, 2010
3:00 pm - Marbletown Reformed Church

The Stone Ridge Library will host a free Holiday Concert of Traditional International Holiday Music performed by students in the Graduate Vocal Arts Program of the Bard College Conservatory of Music on Saturday, December 11 at 3:00 PM in the Marbletown Reformed Church, Main Street in Stone Ridge.

Performers include Julia Bullock and Ilana Zarankin, sopranos and Christina Lalog, pianist. The program will include a variety of familiar and lesser known works representing all traditions. A dessert buffet will follow the performance. All are welcome.

Take Action - Nuclear Arms Verification START Treaty

2010-11-30T10:05:00.000-05:00

From AAUW member Dolores LaChance:

The Senate is currently considering ratification of the new START Treaty.

The goals of the START Treaty, to reach a near term reduction of nuclear weapons with mutually agreed verification, will make for a stable strategic relationship between the two nations.This would be the first arms control treaty between the United States and Russia in a decade.

The START treaty calls for regular inspections and timely exchanges of information regarding nuclear arsenals. It would not only reduce the number of deployed nuclear weapons in both the United States and Russia but could also influence other nations to follow suit.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations passed the new START Treaty by a bipartisan vote in September 2010 after months of hearings and support from high ranking members of the previous seven administrations.

The Senate should ratify new START

.
TAKE ACTION

1. Tell your Senators to ratify the new START Treaty

2. Send this alert to other concerned citizens – your grassroots network, your friends, neighbors and coworkers. Encourage them to contact their Senators today!

BACKGROUND

Learn more about what the League is doing on Arms Control.

Sign up to receive League of Women Voters Action Alerts directly by email. Don’t miss an opportunity to take action! It’s easy to sign up and the League will never share your email with others.

A Support Group: for Women Coping with a Loss

2010-10-19T18:46:00.000-04:00

MHA: the Mental Health Association in Ulster County, Inc presents

Women & Loss

A FREE Support Group in Kingston

Wednesdays 4:00pm - 6:00pm

October 27, 2010 - November 24, 2010

For Women Seeking Support & Comfort

In Coping With A Loss Of Any Kind Including:

~ The Loss of A Job

~ The Loss of A Family Pet

~ The Loss of Self-Identity

~ The Death of A Loved One

~ The Loss of a Partner (due to Separation, Break-up or Divorce)

Registration is Required. Please call (845) 339-9090 Ext. 115

Feel free to post or distribute the attached flyer.

10/19/10: GASLAND at UUCC Kingston

2010-10-19T12:02:00.000-04:00

If you haven't seen GASLAND yet,
get thee to the UUCC tonight! --

7 PM on Tuesday, October 19
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills
320 Sawkill Road
Kingston, NY

Sponsored by the Social Action Committee of UUCC
as part of its Issues Of Our Times series. Free admission.
For more information, call Paula at 845-679-2821.

10/18/10: NYS Gubernatorial Debate

2010-10-18T14:39:00.000-04:00

Tonight at 7 PM:
Watch the first-ever NYS Gubernatorial Debate
live — on your TV or online.

The Blog Action Day Post: Water

2010-10-15T14:49:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

Unsafe drinking water and lack of sanitation kills more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.

Water: 38,000 Children a Week: Every week, nearly 38,000 children under the age of 5 die from unsafe drinking water and unhygienic living conditions.

More people have access to a cell phone than to a toilet. Today, 2.5 billion people lack access to toilets. This means that sewage spills into rivers and streams, contaminating drinking water and causing disease.

Living here in the Catskills, it's hard to believe that clean, fresh water could be a problem anywhere. Of course, I know that it is a problem. The facts speak for themselves.

But, I also know that fixing this problem is within our grasp. Here are some water solutions posted on the Blog Action Day site.

Water solutions:
The good news is that there are great organizations working on solutions and new tools that empower people to do their part to address the water crisis.

Building Wells: Organizations like Water.org and charity: water are leading the charge in bringing fresh water to communities in the developing world.
Technology for Good: Do you want to measure how much water it took to make your favorite foods? There’s an app for that. More Info »
Conservation Starts at Home: The average person uses 465 liters of water per day. Find out how much you use and challenge your readers to do that same. More Info »
Keeping Rivers Clean: We can all take small steps to help keep pollution out of our rivers and streams, like correctly disposing of household wastes. More Info »
Drop the Bottle: Communities around the world are taking steps to reduce water bottle waste by eliminating bottled water.More Info »

We can also take a big step toward protecting our water by passing legislation to stop hydrofraking. Watch Gasland and contact your elected representatives.

Now showing: GASLAND at Upstate Films

2010-10-05T16:25:00.000-04:00

If you haven't seen GASLAND yet, here's your chance! It's showing this week - Tues (10/5), Wed. (10/6), and Thurs. (10/7) at 5:45 PM and 8 PM - at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, NY.

9/23/10: Public hearing on NYS DEC's State Forest Management Plan

2010-09-23T16:04:00.001-04:00

Public hearing tonight (9/23):
6:30 to 9:30 PM
DEC Region 3 Headquarters
Main Conference Room
21 South Putt Corners Road
New Paltz

Wanted: 20 volunteers to train

2010-09-20T19:08:00.001-04:00

The Ulster Literacy Association has a growing waiting list of eager adult students. We hope to attract 20 new volunteers for our upcoming 18-hour training class.

Here are the dates for the training:

Day One Thursday, October 7, 5:30-8:30 pm

Day Two Sat., October 16, 9:00 am-4:30 pm

Day Three Sat., October 23, 9:00 am-4:30 pm

The training will take place at 480 Aaron Court in Kingston, New York. And now, you can register online!

www.ulsterliteracy.org

Ulster Literacy Association, 480 Aaron Court, Kingston, NY 12401 (845) 331-6837 – office

Our mission is to provide adults with effective programs in reading, writing and communication skills necessary for them to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Staying in Place Presents NYT’s Jane Brody, Sept. 26th

2010-09-19T22:49:00.000-04:00

From branch member Amy Godes:

Hear Jane Brody In Woodstock

The senior support group, Staying In Place, a not-for-profit membership organization which helps people (50+) remain in their own homes as they grow older, is having a free public meeting on Sunday, September 26th, at 3:00 p.m., at the Woodstock Rescue Squad building on route 212.

The guest speaker will be JANE BRODY, best-selling author and NEW YORK TIMES Personal Health writer, who will talk about her latest book, JANE BRODY’S GUIDE TO THE GREAT BEYOND. The book, a discussion of end-of-life issues, will be for sale and will be signed by the author. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, visit stayinginplace.org or SIPsoapbox.blogspot.com

Fall Bus Trips

2010-09-08T11:19:00.000-04:00

To reserve, call ViVi at 845-331-0155 or write vvhlavsa@aol.com, then send your check, made out to AAUW-Kingston Branch, to ViVi Hlavsa, 191 Lapla Rd, Kingston NY 12401. And tell your friends!

Corning Glass Museum

Monday, September 20th

Home to the world's most celebrated collection of glass and featuring an exhibit of Tiffany works. Showcasing more than 3,500 years of glass and contemporary designs, the Museum offers an interactive look at new discoveries in glass and includes a live narrated demonstration of hot glassblowing.

Leaving at 8 AM and returning (with a stop for supper) at 8 PM.

Cost: $59 including bus, driver tip and museum entrance; $56 for members of AAUW and SIP

Pepsico Gardens and the

Neuberger Museum

Sunday, October 17th:

World-famous Pepsico Sculpture Gardens in Purchase, New York has 45 large-scale pieces of bronze, marble, steel, nickel, resin, granite and spruce by 20th century artists including such greats as Miro and Moore, while the Neuberger Museum features Modern and African Art.

Leaving at 9 AM and returning by 6 PM

Cost: $47 including bus, driver tip and museum entrance; $44 for members of AAUW and SIP

Kafka's "Metamorphosis" at BAM

Sunday, December 5th

About this new production of Kafka, The London Times says "Illuminated by such brilliant theatricality that it's impossible to tear your eyes away. Potent, startling, visceral and thoughtful." The Brooklyn Academy of Music is a New York treasure.

Leaving at 11 AM and returing (with a supper stop) by 9 PM

Cost: $88 including bus, driver tip and performance; $85 for members of AAUW and SIP

NYC's Museum of Arts and Design

Saturday, December 18th:

Featuring quilts, jewelry and art objects of metal and wood. Plus a splendid Gift Shop!

Leaving at 8 AM and returning by 6:30 PM WITH A STOP AT TRADER JOE'S

Cost: $54 including bus, driver tip and museum entrance; $51 for members of AAUW and SIP

*Open to all, AAUW trips are part of our mission to offer community enrichment and to raise funds for scholarships and grants to local, national and international programs, especially in support of women. Membership in the Kingston Branch of AAUW is open to all people.

** Recently formed, Staying in Place (SIP) is a membership organization which provides social, informational and referral services at discount prices for seniors, aged 50 and older who want to stay in their own homes. Currently based in Woodstock, SIP is actively helping other Ulster County communities to form similar groups.

7/17/10: GASLAND at Onteora HS with Josh Fox & Maurice Hinchey

2010-07-15T17:32:00.001-04:00

Visit Barcelona This Fall with AAUW Kingston

2010-07-04T22:10:00.001-04:00

Barcelona, on the Mediterranean coast, is one of Spain's most livable and lovable cities. For anyone who has ever wanted to go on an excursion to Europe, this is the perfect time!

The US dollar is strong and the exchange rate is in our favor, so pack your bags, locate your passport, bring a camera and join us for the trip of a lifetime.

For details click here.

WANTED Be a voice for those who can no longer speak for themselves

2010-06-01T13:11:00.000-04:00

photo by ulrichkarljoho

TRAIN AS A VOLUNTEER TO SOLVE NURSING AND ADULT HOME PROBLEMS

When families place a loved one in a long term care facility they are charged with the responsibility of making sure that they get good care. If problems develop and they need assistance to resolve them, they can call their local OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM.

Ombudsmen are volunteers who have received 36 hours of specialized training to advise residents and families of their rights, investigate and resolve concerns or refer to the regulatory agency for resolution. Ombudsmen provide an on-going presence in their assigned facility to monitor care and conditions, work with resident and family councils and participate in facility surveys conducted by state regulatory agencies.

How does someone become an Ombudsman? Currently, Hands On! The Hudson Valley is conducting interviews for participation in one of our FREE five day Ombudsman Certification Trainings.

Bard College, Red Hook - June 7, 9, 14, 16 & 21 from 9:30 - 4:00

Upon completion of the training, participants will be certified in resident advocacy by the New York State Office for the Aging and will be assigned to a home in their area where they will advocate for residents and families with the support of Ombudsman Staff.

You can be a voice for those who can no longer speak for themselves. Contact Hands On! The Hudson Valley at (845) 229-4680 Ext. 104 at your earliest convenience because seating is limited.

If you are not interested in becoming an Ombudsman and you have a concern regarding a long-term care facility in Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, or Ulster County, please call the Ombudsman Program at (845) 229-4680.

Rockwell Museum and Shakespeare, too. August 17

2010-04-29T20:21:00.001-04:00

Tuesday, August 17th
More Culture in the Berkshires

A morning at the Norman Rockwell Museum featuring: Rockwell and the Movies

Though Norman Rockwell is often identified with home town life in New England, he was a frequent visitor to California, and was called upon by Hollywood to create imagery for posters advertising entertaining feature films of his day.

This installation exploring Rockwell’s art for the movies features original paintings, vintage posters, lobby cards, and original portraits of movie stars drawn form the Museum’s Art and Archival Collections and private collections of Rockwell’s art. The Magnificent Ambersons (1941), The Song of Bernadette (1943), Along Came Jones (1945), The Razor’s Edge (1946), Cinderfella (1960) and the 1966 remake of the classic, Stagecoach, are among the films the artist branded with his signature style of realism and narration.

– followed by an afternoon performance of

Richard III

at Shakespeare and Company starring OBIE Award Winner John Douglas Thompson (if you don’t know his name already, you soon will!)

Reviled by history is a lonely man desperate to prove his own worth and willing to do anything to achieve absolute power. Cast aside by his older siblings, chronically unable to relate to the powerful women in his midst, Richard resolves to wrest away his brother's crown by any means necessary. His misdeeds propel him to dizzying heights atop a kingdom "built on brittle glass," but he cannot forever outrun the ghosts of his conscience.

Cost (including bus and driver tip): $83 (before 7/16); $86 (after 7/16) Members of AAUW and SIP: $79 (before 7/16); $83 (after 7/16)

Leaving at 8:30 AM and returning around 6:30 PM; all buses leave from the rear of the former Ames in the Kingston Plaza

For reservations, call ViVi at 845-331-0155 or write vvhlavsa@aol.com, then send your check, made out to AAUW–Kingston Branch, to
ViVi Hlavsa, 191 Lapla Road, Kingston NY 12401.
(Ask about our cancellation policies.)

*Open to all, AAUW trips are part of our mission to offer community enrichment and to raise funds for scholarships and grants to local, national and international programs, especially in support of women. Membership in Kingston Branch of American Association of University Women is open to all people.

**Recently formed, Staying in Place (SIP) is a membership organization which provides social, informational and referral services at discount prices for seniors, aged 50 and older who want to stay in their own homes. Currently based in Woodstock, SIP is actively helping other Ulster County communities form similar groups.

Visit Cooperstown, July 24

2010-04-29T20:04:00.001-04:00

Saturday, July 24th
Something for Everyone in Cooperstown

Enjoy the Glimmerglass matinee production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro featuring Patrick Carfizzi as Figaro & Lyubov Petrova as Susanna.

– and –

Spend the morning at the Fenimore Museum where you can enjoy two special exhibits -- John Singer Sargent: Portraits in Praise of Women and Magnum Photographers.

In Our Time: The World as Seen by Magnum Photographers -- Celebrating the first 50 years of Magnum Photos, the world's most renowned photographer-owned photographic agency, this exhibit represents 60 photographers. From images by George Rodger, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and David Seymour to contemporary photographers, including Sebastio Salgado, Chris Steele--kins, and James Nachtwey, these 150 images have helped to create a vivid record of momentous events throughout the world.

The portrait exhibition explores Sargent’s range of styles and depth of characterization in his portraits of society women, as well as his fascination with exotic working-class women of Venice and Capri. The paintings and drawings provide an intimate glimpse into the lives of these women of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

But, if opera and art aren't your cup of tea, let us know, because --

It's Hall of Fame Weekend! On Saturday, July 24, fan-favorite trivia contest Connecting Generations moves to 11 a.m. and will provide families in the audience the chance to face off against members of the Hall of Fame family. It will be followed by a New York-Penn League Game featuring the Tri-City ValleyCats and the Oneonta Tigers at 1 p.m. at Doubleday Field.

Cost (including bus and driver tip): $ 96 (balcony); $112 (orchestra)
Members of AAUW and SIP: $93 (balcony); $109 (orchestra)
Bus alone: $39 Note: after June 10th, $3 must be added to each price

Leaving at 8 AM and returning around 7:30 PM

For reservations, call ViVi at 845-331-0155 or write vvhlavsa@aol.com, then send your check, made out to AAUW–Kingston Branch, to
ViVi Hlavsa, 191 Lapla Road, Kingston NY 12401.
(Ask about our cancellation policies.)

*Open to all, AAUW trips are part of our mission to offer community enrichment and to raise funds for scholarships and grants to local, national and international programs, especially in support of women. Membership in Kingston Branch of American Association of University Women is open to all people.

**Recently formed, Staying in Place (SIP) is a membership organization which provides social, informational and referral services at discount prices for seniors, aged 50 and older who want to stay in their own homes. Currently based in Woodstock, SIP is actively helping other Ulster County communities form similar groups.

Visit KyKuit & the Cloisters, May 23

2010-04-29T19:33:00.000-04:00

Sunday, May 23

Kykuit in the Morning

The Cloisters in the Afternoon

At Kykuit, tour the Rockefeller house and gardens.

At the Cloisters, visit a museum devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe, assembled from architectural elements from the twelfth through the fifteenth century.

Leaving at 8:15 AM from the rear of the former Ames in the Kingston Plaza (New Paltz Thruway Park-n-Ride at 8:45); returning at 6:30 PM

Cost (including bus and driver tip): $72 (before 5/10); $75 (after 5/10)
Members of AAUW and SIP: $69 (before 5/10); $72 (after 5/10)
Details

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For reservations, call ViVi at 845-331-0155 or write vvhlavsa@aol.com, then send your check, made out to AAUW-Kingston Branch, to ViVi Hlavsa, 191 Lapla Road, Kingston NY 12461. (Ask about our cancellation policies.)

About Kingston AAUW

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Open to all, our trips are part of our mission to offer community enrichment and to raise funds for scholarships and grants to local, national and international programs, especially in support of women.
Membership in Kingston Branch of American Association of University Women is open to all people.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About Staying in Place
Recently formed, Staying in Place (SIP) is a membership organization which provides social, informational and referral services at discount prices for seniors, aged 50 and older who want to stay in their own homes. Based in Woodstock, SIP is actively engaged in helping other Ulster County communities form similar groups.

Spend a Glorious Day in Saratoga at the Ballet, July 8

2010-04-29T18:46:00.001-04:00

Linda Gold and AAUW present a Midsummer Day's Trip

NY City Ballet at Saratoga Performing Arts Center

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Midsummer Night’s Dream is a delightful full-length ballet by George Ballanchine with music composed by Felix Mendelssohn. Based on William Shakespeare’s magical comedy about the romantic adventures and misadventures, quarreling and reuniting, between a set of human lovers and the Queen and King of the Fairies, this enchanting production brings to life Shakespeare's tale of merry romance, mischievous make-believe and mistaken identity. With luscious sets and costumes and a cast of over 100 dancers and students from the School of American Ballet, this classic story of a fairy kingdom and the humans that enter it, is simply not to be missed.

We always have a full bus for our Saratoga trip, so sign up early to insure a spot.

The bus departs from the front of the Monticello Government Center on North Street at 8am and from the back of the former Ames, Kingston Plaza at 9am. We return to Kingston at approximately 7pm and Monticello at approximately 8pm.

We have reserved excellent seats for the New York City Ballet at Saratoga for a matinee performance of the complete Midsummer Night’s Dream. The cost of $120 includes luxury coach, all gratuities, mimosas with breakfast en route, an hour to explore the charming town of Saratoga, elegant buffet lunch at the “Hall of Springs” restaurant, excellent seats for the performance, and a box dinner with a selection of fine wines on the return trip.

Make your check payable to AAUW (American Association of University Women) and mail it to: Linda Gold, 1 Jacobs Lane, New Paltz, NY 12561. For further information call Linda at 845-255-5256 or email
artladyLG@aol.com. Specify “art tours” in the space for “subject” so that your message is not deleted.

Explore Picasso's Lifelong Fascination with Degas, August 1st

2010-04-29T18:33:00.000-04:00

Linda Gold and AAUW present a summer trip to Williamstown, MA

The Cliffs at Etretat at the "Picasso Looks at Degas" Exhibit

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Picasso Looks at Degas

Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute

with an optional visit to Mass MoCA

Don’t miss this glorious trip to the Berkshires. We’ll visit the Clark Art Institute - one of the most beloved and respected museums in the world. Our timed tickets for the exhibit “Picasso Looks at Degas” will focus on two of the greatest artists of modern art, and explore Picasso’s lifelong fascination with the life and work of Degas. We will see, first hand, instances of Picasso’s direct response to Degas’s work.

The two artists shared a lifelong obsession with women, seen in images of singers, ballet dancers, laundresses and bathers. Although these are Degas’s signature themes, all are echoed in Picasso’s work.

While at the Clark, we’ll view its renowned collection of French Impressionist paintings by Monet, Degas, Renoir and Pissarro. The color and light-filled “Renoir Room” is extraordinary. The museum is also known for its 19th century American paintings (Homer, Sargent & Cassatt), as well as a gorgeous collection of English and American silver.

During the afternoon, we’ll provide bus transportation for those interested in an optional visit to MASS MoCA – only 5 miles away. This museum houses some of the liveliest, most evocative – and provocative – art of our time in a beautifully restored 19th century mill in the quaint town of North Adams.

If you have not yet visited this museum, you’re in for a treat! There are many exhibits on view, but the highlight is “Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective.” It comprises 105 large-scale wall drawings, spanning the artist’s career. These occupy an adjoining restored mill with nearly an acre of specially built interior walls that have been installed per LeWitt’s own specifications before his death in April 2007. The installation took nearly 6 months to complete and was achieved by a team of sixty-five artists and students.

Lunch is on your own at either the Clark’s Courtyard Café or Mass MoCA’s Lickety Split.

The small print
The bus departs 8am from the front of the Monticello Government Center on North Street, and 9am from the back of the former Ames in the Kingston Plaza. We return to Kingston at approximately 6:30 pm and to Monticello at approximately 7:30pm.

The cost includes luxury coach, all gratuities, breakfast with champagne en route, tickets to the special exhibit, “Picasso Looks at Degas” at the Clark Art Institute, optional transportation to MASS MoCA, and lovely platters of cheeses and fresh fruit with a selection of wines on the return trip. All this for $99!

To sign up, make your check payable to AAUW (American Association of University Women) and mail it to: Linda Gold, 1 Jacobs Lane, New Paltz, NY 12561. For further information, call Linda at 845-255-5256 or email artladyLG@aol.com. Specify “art tours” in the space for “subject”. Your early sign-up will insure a spot.

Note: For those people visiting MASS MoCA, there will be an entrance fee of $13.50.

Play Bridge or Board Games and Raise Scholarship Money

2010-04-29T10:14:00.000-04:00

Remember how expensive it was to go to college and graduate school? Well, it didn't get any cheaper! Help us provide scholarships and fellowships for young women.

Bridge +

Kingston AAUW Fundraiser

to benefit the AAUW Educational Foundation

DATE: Friday, May 14th

TIME: 1:00 -3:30 pm

LOCATION: Kingston Area Library

Bridge + Board Games
Bridge + Dessert
Bridge + Door Prize
= Fun + Scholarship Funds

Cost: $10 per person
includes dessert and a chance to win the door prize

R.S.V.P. to Bette Nitzky at 845-679-2123 no later than May 7th
If you don't play bridge, play Scrabble, Clue, Monopoly. Or, just have dessert!

Reading Her Own Works -- Vivi Hlavsa -- May 20, 2010

2010-04-29T08:25:00.000-04:00

Poetry Reading with Vivi Hlavsa

Thursday, May 20,
4:00pm, Reference Room

Stone Ridge Library

Join us for a gathering of Vivi reading her own works.

Before she retired, Dr. Virginia Hlavsa taught English at Queens College and tutored young adults with learning disabilities. She has three books of poetry, many articles, a 1991 book, Faulkner and the Thoroughly Modern Novel, and she edited a special edition of Women’s Studies on the subject of “Faulkner and Women.” Currently, ViVi runs trips and leads discussions on books, films and social issues for various organizations.

4/24/10: Annual Seedling Giveway in Esopus

2010-04-23T12:16:00.002-04:00

Explore with AAUW Kingston Branch

2010-04-18T20:20:00.000-04:00

2010 Spring & Summer Bus Trips

sponsored by AAUW* and Staying in Place**

1) Sunday, May 23rd
A morning at Kykuitfor a tour of the Rockefeller house and gardens
followed by
an afternoon at The Cloisters

Cost (including bus and driver tip): $72 (before 5/10); $75 (after 5/10)
Members of AAUW and SIP: $69 (before 5/10); $72 (after 5/10)

Leaving at 8:15 AM (New Paltz Park-n-Ride at 8:45); returning at 6:30

2) Saturday, July 24th
Cooperstown
for the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction
– or –
the special Fenimore Museum exhibit:

In Our Time: The World as Seen by Magnum Photographers
and
the Glimmerglass production of
Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro featuring Patrick Carfizzi as Figaro & Lyubov Petrova as Susanna

Cost (including bus and driver tip): $ 96 (balcony); $112 (orchestra)
Members of AAUW and SIP: $93 (balcony); $109 (orchestra)
Bus alone: $39 Note: after June 10th, $3 must be added to each price

Leaving at 8 AM and returning around 7:30 PM

3) Tuesday, August 17th
The Berkshires
A morning at the Norman Rockwell Museum
featuring: Rockwell and the Movies

– followed by –

an afternoon at Shakespeare & Company
for a performance of
Richard III
starring OBIE Award Winner John Douglas Thompson
(if you don’t know his name already, you soon will!)

Cost (including bus and driver tip): $83 (before 7/16); $86 (after 7/16)
Members of AAUW and SIP: $79 (before 7/16); $83 (after 7/16)
Leaving at 8:30 AM and returning around 6:30 PM

All buses leave from the rear of the former Ames in the Kingston Plaza

For reservations, call ViVi at 845-331-0155 or write vvhlavsa@aol.com, then send your check, made out to AAUW–Kingston Branch, to

ViVi Hlavsa, 191 Lapla Road, Kingston NY 12401.

(Ask about our cancellation policies.)

**Recently formed, Staying in Place (SIP) is a membership organization which provides social, informational and referral services at discount prices for seniors, aged 50 and older who want to stay in their own homes. Currently based in Woodstock, SIP is actively helping other Ulster County communities form similar groups.

Kaatsbaan 2010 Performances

2010-04-11T18:47:00.000-04:00

From Joyce Greenberg:

KAATSBAAN 2010 CALENDAR
Performances, Residencies, Arts In Education

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Residency ~ April 12 - May, 2 Performances - Saturday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 2, at 2:30 p.m., Reserved Regular Seating $25 & Cabaret Tablau Front Tables $30

Flamenco - Arts in Education
Master Class - FLAMENCO DANCE - Studio 1 $25 / person Saturday, April 17 at 1:00 p.m.-3:00 pm
Master Class – FLAMENCO CANTE (Singing) Studio 2 $25 / person Saturday, April 17 at 1:00 p.m.-3:00 pm
Master Class – FLAMENCO GUITAR Studio 3 $25 / person Saturday, April 17 at 1:00 p.m.-3:00 pm

Open Rehearsal at Kaatsbaan
Studio Theatre Thursday, April 29 at 2:00 pm Free & Open to the Public

Mystical Immortals ~ Isadora Duncun, Ruth St. Denis, Loie Fuller
(Bresciani, Vanaver & Sperling Dance)
Performances - Saturday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 13, at 2:30 p.m.

EXTREME BALLET SUMMER SHOWCASE
Free & Open to the Public
Session I Saturday, July 10 12Noon Session II Saturday, July 31 12Noon Session III Saturday, August 21 12Noon

Prevention of Financial Abuse of Elders: Free Seminar: April 29, 2010

2010-03-12T16:51:00.002-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive,
Ulster County Consumer Fraud Bureau and
Ulster County Coalition of Agencies on Elder Abuse

Present
It's All About the Money:
Financial Elder Abuse

Valuable information for law enforcement, the financial services community, elder service providers and the general public

Guest Speaker

Art Mason, CSW
Director, Elder Abuse Prevention Program
Lifespan
Rochester, NY

Topics include:

Scope of financial elder abuse in New York State
Community resources
What we can do

Thursday, April 29, 2010 1-3 pm
(REGISTRATION FROM 12:30 – 1:00 PM)

Ulster County Community College
Student Lounge, 203 Vanderlyn Hall
Stone Ridge, NY 12484
Seating is limited. To reserve, please RSVP by April 23 to the
Ulster County Consumer Fraud Bureau
at 845-340-3260 or by email at awoo@co.ulster.ny.us .

Staying In Place Open Meeting: March 20, 2010

2010-03-11T16:57:00.000-05:00

Image by jo-h via Flickr

From Amy Godes:

Join us for an open meeting of

Staying in Place.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

from 2 - 4 p.m.

Rescue Squad in Woodstock,

We will update everyone on our new activities and plans, as well as have two speakers: our local geriatrician, Dr. Arthur DiNapoli, who will discuss medications and answer general questions, and Sharon Murray Cohen, of Jewish Family Services in Kingston, who will discuss our new Care Management plan. Refreshments will be offered.

Courting Justice: International Women's Day Reception 3/9/2010

2010-03-06T11:51:00.000-05:00

From Rokki Carr:
Doesn't this look fascinating? I can't make it, but it's open to anyone who can make it for $10...

International Women’s Day Reception
"Courting Justice"
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 6:00 - 8:30 P.M.

A documentary film examining the professional and personal challenges facing six women judges of the Constitutional Court of South Africa during the transition from apartheid to democracy

Reception at 6:00, screening of film at 7:00, followed by discussion with filmmaker Ruth Cowan and international judges U.S. Court of International Trade

1 Federal Plaza, 4th floor, New York, N.Y.
(enter on Lafayette Street side, between Worth and Duane Streets)

Host organizations
International Association of Women Judges
National Association of Women Judges, New York Chapter
United States Court of International Trade

Contributing Sponsors (list in formation)
Queens County Women’s Bar Association
Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association
New York Women’s Bar Association
New York State Bar Association

Co-sponsors (list in formation)
United States Committee for UNIFEM - Metro New York Chapter
New York County Lawyers Association - Women’s Rights Committee
New York City Bar Association
New York Association of Lesbian and Gay Judges
International Association of Lesbian and Gay Judges
Staten Island Women’s Bar Association

Admission charge: $10 at the door, payable to National Association of Women Judges

Shadowlands in Ellenville offers great entertainment at great price

2010-02-12T11:37:00.000-05:00

It's Fundraising Season; YWCA Women & Wine, Feb. 25th

2010-02-02T12:47:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

The YWCA of Ulster County

Presents

Women & Wine

with co-sponsor

The Art Society of Kingston

You are cordially invited to celebrate an evening of sisterhood and spirits!

Show your support for the YWCA and enjoy fine wine, fabulous food and incredible art!

$25.00 per person

*Bring a friend*

Thursday, February 25^th

6:00 – 9:00PM

ASK Arts Center

97 Broadway Kingston, NY

Contact Nadine Ferraro @ the YWCA for more information or to reserve

338-6844 ext. 102

Support the Hunger Banquet 2010

2010-02-01T16:18:00.000-05:00

UlsterCorps: Volunteerism and Community Service in Ulster County, New York:

What is a Hunger Banquet?

The Hunger Banquet allows participants to experience firsthand how our decisions affect others in the world.

Guests draw tickets at random that assign them each to either a high-, middle-, or low-income tier-based on the latest statistics about the number of people living in poverty. Each income level receives a corresponding meal.

The first 15 percent represent those living in the high-income tier and are served a sumptuous meal catered by celebrated chef Samir Hrichi of Ship to Shore; the next 35 percent represent the largest demographic addressing hunger and food insecurity in our own community; our children. These guests will dine on an offering from the Kingston Consolidated school lunch menu; and the remaining guests, representing the 50% of the world population facing hunger and poverty daily, help themselves to small portions of rice and water. Although all guests pay the same price for admission, as in life we never know how fate is decided."

Sunday, March 28, 2010
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

The Hudson Valley Hunger Banquet 2010 will benefit the following organizations:

Queens Galley, Family of Woodstock, Caring Hands Soup Kitchen, Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, Ulster Corps, Angel Food East, Saint James Food Pantry, Rosendale Food Pantry, People’s Place, Chiz’s Heart Street, God Given Bread Food Pantry and Libertyview Farm hunger relief project.

- 12 organizations

- 1 Mission

– Thousands served.

For more information, to volunteer, or to purchase tickets, visit the UlsterCorps site.

Community Discussion of Mammography Screening, Wed., Feb 3

2010-02-01T15:52:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

What’s the Buzz?

A Discussion about Mammography Screenings

FREE and open to the public

Wed. Feb. 3, 7pm
(snow date Thu. Feb. 4)

Please join us for an informative panel presentation
cosponsored by the Oncology Support Program and Breast Cancer Options.

Presenters include local breast surgeons
Dr. Zoe Weinstein and Dr. Samira Khera,
breast cancer survivors and advocates
Hope Nemiroff and Barbara Sarah and
Chairman of Radiology Dr. Bruce Moor.

Light refreshments

Benedictine Hospital

Administrative Services Building – Auditorium
105 Mary’s Avenue, Kingston , NY

For more information or to register, please contact the Oncology Support Program at 339-2071 ext. 100 or email dblaha@benedictine.org

Fundraiser for Rosendale Theater Collective Sunday, Jan. 31

2010-01-28T11:44:00.000-05:00

A Music and Cartoon Bash
with
Dog on Fleas
and
Looney Tunes

to benefit the
Rosendale Theater Collective

Sunday, January 31
2-3:30pm
Kids free; Adults $10
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the 2010 Census

2010-01-13T09:26:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, our board meeting ended when a fellow came into the Library's community room to set up for the Census exam that he was running last evening. Twenty-seven people he told us, were going to take the test.

We chatted for a minute -- would the Census Bureau hire retirees? Yes. He is a retiree himself. Part-time jobs? Yes. And they try to keep you close to home.

The Census Bureau will be hiring -- did he say three million ? -- census workers to complete the count. Hours are flexible, get paid while you train. Positions include: census takers, crew leaders and assistants, recruiters, and clerks.

Want to know more? call 1-866-861-2010 or visit www.2010censusjobs.gov

Then this morning I found this notice about the census from someone on the local human services listserv:

With the U.S.. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country.

Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

1) If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

2) Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations.

Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by E-mail, so be on the lookout for E-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an E-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

I guess that people who want to steal your identity will resort to most anything.

Our census is important. It not only tells us who we are and what we are about, it serves as the basis for much government funding. There's a lot of interesting stuff on the Census 2010 website. Take a look.

Raising Girls

2009-12-31T11:02:00.001-05:00

Here's a new PBS special. Guess I won't watch it tonight, but I'll catch it on the web sometime soon.

in reference to: A Girl's Life . Raising Girls . PBS Parents | PBS (view on Google Sidewiki)

12/10/09: CEMAC meeting

2009-12-09T15:56:00.000-05:00

Benefit Concert Sunday, December 13th

2009-12-08T14:13:00.002-05:00

From Ellen Osgood:

To Benefit

The Good Neighbor Food Pantry

and the Woodstock Area Meals on Wheels

Admission to this event is non-perishable food items or a cash donation

Special Guests for this performance are:

Jonathan Donahue & Grasshopper
from the alternative rock band Mercury Rev

Singer/songwriter Kelleigh McKenzie

and a special appearance from
Classical violinist Miriam Rose

Giving to others is what this time of year is about and your donations can help make a real difference for those having a hard time putting a hot nutritious meal on the table. So,take a break from the holiday chaos and enjoy a wonderful show while helping your neighbors in need at the same time!

The Good Neighbor Food Pantry, located on the ground floor of the Reformed Church of Woodstock, serves an average of 100 people a week. The pantry is open each Thursday morning from 9 to 11 am and by appointment (call 843.399.3967).

Contributions for the pantry may be sent to:"Good Neighbor Food Pantry" c/o Woodstock Reformed Church, Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Meals on Wheels has served the Woodstock area since 1975. Located in the Dutch Reformed Church on Tinker Street in Woodstock, they prepare and deliver nutritious hot meals seven days a week to people of all ages unable to cook or shop for themselves. If you would like to volunteer, or refer someone for this service, please call the kitchen weekdays from 8:30 - 11:00 am at 845.679.4656

Contributions for the Meals on Wheels:to make a tax deductible donation please send checks to:"Woodstock Area Meals on Wheels Inc." Attention: Treasurer, 16 Tinker St., Woodstock, NY 12498

For more information call 518.943.0085

Help Keep the Rosendale Theatre Alive

2009-12-07T08:41:00.001-05:00

Dear friends, This is about the most important project I've had the pleasure to support. Please give it your attention, as it is so important to our little, but great community. Thank you very much.

Sincerely, Betsy Tuel

Rosendale Theatre Collective
Give yourself the holiday gift of keeping the Rosendale Theatre alive.We're more than halfway to our goal of $20,000! The Cacchio family has generously given us another week -- until December 15th -- to raise the $20,000 needed for the binder. No gift is too small or too large!

The Rosendale Theatre is one of the few family-owned, single-screen movie theatres still operating in the United States. In addition to providing high-quality art films, the theatre has been a community space for many local organizations to fundraise, meet, inform, inspire and educate. It has a rich history of supporting independent filmmakers, artists, and civil and human rights organizations worldwide.

The Cacchio family made this gift to our community for 60 years. They have now decided it's time to sell.

A recently formed community group, currently called the Rosendale Theatre Collective, is negotiating with the Cacchio family to purchase the theatre. We're fundraising under the fiscal umbrella of the Children's Media Project. This relationship with the Children’s Media Project means that all donations are tax-deductable to the full extent of the law.

To make a donation, you can click on the PayPal button on the Chlidren's Media Project site and indicate Rosendale Theatre Collective in your donation instructions. Or make out a check to Children’s Media Project. Please write Rosendale Theatre Collective in the memo space on your check.

Please mail checks to: Rosendale Theatre Collective PO Box 250 Rosendale, NY 12472

Thank you for joining us in this exciting and important project!

Please share this with anyone you know who loves the Rosendale Theatre!

Current members of the Rosendale Theatre Collective include (in no particular order): F-stop Fitzgerald, Ron Parenti, Nicole Quinn, Gale McGovern, Fre Atlast, Ellen Sribnick, Beverly Keith, Amy Trompetter, Jan Melchior, Yuval Sterer, Lisa Sterer, Abba Johnnes, Dan Guenther, Brian Mathews, Betty Greenwald, Dana Rudikoff, Livia Vanaver, Bill Vanaver, Linda Park, Jane Hollinger, Marty Molitoris, Anissa Kapsales, Bill Brooks, Sophia Raab Downs, Laura Shaine, Bob Godwin, Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt, Ali Gruber, Louis Torchio, Annette and Max Finestone, Carol Garfinkel, Jane Hollinger, Eve Waltermaurer.

Reserve Now for Our Annual Trip to the Metropolitan Museum, Dec. 17

2009-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Annual Holiday Trip:
Thursday, December 17th
to
New York City
and The Metropolitan Museum of Art
for the special exhibits:
Cinnabar: The Carved Art of Chinese Lacquer;

Imperial Privilege: 18th Century Viennese Porcelain;

Robert Frank's The Americans;

Silk and Bamboo: Music and Art of China;

Pablo Bronstein at the Met;

Surface Tension in Contemporary Photographs;

Eccentric Visions of Luo Ping (1733–1799);

Paintings of Everyday American Life, 1765–1915;

The Young Archer (attributed to Michelangelo);

plus, the annual Christmas Tree & Crèche

Leaving at 8 AM and returning around 6:30 PM

Cost (includes bus, driver tip and entrance into the museum): Seniors $63; Adults $67. Bus to New York City alone, including driver tip: $40. All trips leave from the rear of the former Ames in the Kingston Plaza; pickups and dropoffs can be arranged for the New Paltz Park-n-Ride.

For reservations, call Pat Whelan between noon and 9 PM at 845-657-6807 or write PWHL8@aol.com, then send your check, made out to AAUW–Kingston Branch, to Pat Whelan, 1321 County Rt. 2, Olivebridge NY 12461.

(Ask about our member discounts and cancellation policies.)

Open to all, our trips are part of our mission to offer community enrichment and to raise funds for scholarships and grants to local, national and international programs, especially in support of women. Membership in Kingston Branch of American Association of University Women is open to all people.

The Library's Thanksgiving Challenge

2009-11-19T10:11:00.000-05:00

Here's something worthwhile that arrived in my mailbox this morning. Are you that supporter who'll take the time to send this thank you?

Thanksgiving Challenge

Take the 2009 "Thanksgiving Challenge"!

Can you find at least one supporter in your community - a trustee, friend or avid patron - to write a letter to the editor of your local paper explaining why they are thankful for your library, the online catalog or delivery system in the next two weeks?

We bet you can!

- It doesn't have to be a long letter - it can be short and sweet: "I'm thankful to my public library for (fill in the blank)."

Here's what I'll say--
I'm thankful to the Kingston Area Library staff for their graciousness in hosting our AAUW branch meetings. They never lose their cool when we've forgotten to reserve the room, run overtime, or have some unusual request. It's a great place where the staff makes us feel welcome.

So, what are you thankful for?

Psychic benefits? Women's work? Any excuse.

2009-11-09T14:46:00.001-05:00

Someone said to me this morning, men won't take jobs in human services because they can't support their families. The women have spouses or partners, so it's ok to pay so little.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

To many woman working in nonprofits are single family households and are one or two paychecks away from homelessness themselves. They frequently work two, sometimes three jobs.

They are dedicated people who have spent as many dollars and years on their degrees.

They deserve better.

in reference to:

"In 2003 BusinessWeek surveyed the compensation packages of MBAs 10 years out of b-school. The median compensation package with bonus was $400,000. By contrast, the average 2004 salary of the CEO of a $5 million-plus health charity was $232,000 and of a hunger charity, $84,000. There's no way you're going to get people with a $400,000 annual pay package to take a $316,000 annual pay cut on the basis of the psychic benefits that await them. Instead, consider the enormous psychic benefits that people in the for-profit world enjoy as philanthropists. Think about this: It's cheaper for the MBA to donate $100,000 a year to the hunger charity than to go work for it. She gets $50,000 in federal and state tax savings, which leaves her $266,000 ahead of the game. On top of that, she gets a seat on the board of the hunger charity; indeed, probably chairs the board. She now gets to supervise the poor bastard who's running the hunger charity. She gets to dictate his strategy and how he goes about executing it. And if that weren't enough, the MBA is now elevated to the status of respected philanthropist in the community (while the hunger charity CEO gets demonized at the annual board meeting for wanting a $10,000 salary increase — "shame on you, that money could be going to the needy," they tell him). And, with a $100,000 annual contribution to the hunger charity, at some point the "philanthropist" gets her name on the top of the charity's headquarters. And maybe she loves her for-profit job on top it. Sounds like an awful lot of psychic benefit to me. Don't fall for this Puritan self-sacrificial psychobabble. It's not the poor who are asking you to work for less. It's the donating public, including many a wealthy donor. They're asking you to end poverty and every other great social problem and to do it for them at a discount. And they're exploiting the images of the poor to get you to agree. The fact that someone makes a one-time sacrificial gift doesn't mean you're obligated to make a lifetime sacrificial career choice. If you do the math and the psychic benefit comes up lacking for you, then ask the people who want you to make the world a better place for another kind of benefit that begins with a "p." Pay."
- The "Psychic Benefits" of Nonprofit Work Are Overrated - Dan Pallotta - HarvardBusiness.org (view on Google Sidewiki)

All Souls' Day Concert, Nov. 1 at 7 pm

2009-10-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

From Marjorie Regan:

On Sunday, Nov. 1, our Schola will give a concert for All Soul's Day at 7pm at St. Joseph's Church, Main & Wall Streets, Kingston. The purpose is to console those who have had a loss.

The music is beautiful. It includes Ashokan Farewell and The Canticle of the Turning. I think you will be touched by it. It will last one hour.

I hope you can come.

Health Care Forum, Friday, 10/30

2009-10-26T07:52:00.000-04:00

From Rokki Carr:

The Hidden Truths about Health Care Reform Forum

Friday, Oct 30
7:30 pm

Lecture Center 102, SUNY New Paltz Campus
Free and open to the public

Dr. Andy Coates, national spokesperson for Physicians for a National Health Plan (PNHP), will address the current health care crises. He will present: How we have reached the current crises in health care; assess current legislative health reform proposals; the media blackout on single payer/medicare-for-all, and how health care reform is integrating with elections reform. His presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A session.

"There is much confusion and misunderstanding about bills offered in the House and Senate, as well as the differences between single payer and the public option," says Dr. Coates, a practicing physician and professor of medicine and psychiatry at Albany Medical College. "PNHP will be conducting educational forums much like the one at SUNY throughout New York state in the months ahead."

Dr. Andy Coates will be leading a discussion on how the US can meet the global crisis, and resist the worldwide move to privatize, market, and commodify Healthcare.

Andrew D. Coates, MD is a member of the national board of directors of Physicians for a National Health Program and the secretary of the Capital District (NY) chapter of PNHP. He practices medicine in Albany, NY, where he is assistant professor of medicine and psychiatry at Albany Medical College.

Sponsored by: Democracy Matters, Coalition of Concerned Citizens of New Paltz, Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition, Citizens for Universal Healthcare

Contact: Ruth Molloy rmcfood61@live.com
Ph: (845) 256-0733

Recycle Your Old Computers/CRTs/Copiers* Nov 5 & 6

2009-10-22T08:10:00.004-04:00

Recycle Your Old Computers/CRTs/Copiers*
and Help Benefit the Work of Sustainable Hudson Valley

An electronics take-back event for businesses and individuals hosted by The Mac Works, in partnership with Advanced Recovery,

Image via Wikipedia

Inc., Ryan & Ryan Insurance Agency, American Cancer Society, and Deegan Development Group, is hosting .

WHEN

Businesses: Fri. November 6th, 2009, 12PM–4 PM

Individuals: Sat. November 7th, 2009, 9AM–1PM

WHERE 400 Stockade Drive, Kingston Off Schwenk Drive, across from Kingston Plaza

******************

COST TO TURN IN ELECTRONICS
Individuals: $10 per carload. No pre-registration required.

Businesses, school districts and government agencies: will be invoiced
based on inventory of equipment recycled. Registration Required.
Please contact Bob Travers at Advanced Recovery, Inc.
845-858-8813 or btravers@advancedrecovery.com

******************

* Items Accepted

Monitors, Printers, Keyboards, VCRs, Batteries, Cell Phones, Terminals, Cables,
Fax Machines, Radios, Modems, CRTs, Telephones, TVs, CPUs, Copiers,
Scanners, DVD Players, Typewriters & Stereo Equipment

As an expression of appreciation, every business, and every driver of a carload of individual recycling, will receive incentives from area businesses including a 10% discount on the services of The Mac Works. Special workshops will be offered at Sustainable Hudson Valley’s office, 400 Stockade, the location of the collection site: “Green Living for Busy People” with Melissa Everett, at 3 pm Friday and “Ask the Mac Doctor” with Cheryl Schneider, 1 pm each day.

Political genes?

2009-10-16T12:23:00.001-04:00

Other deadlines interfered with my good intention to post on climate change on Blog Action Day yesterday. But, deadline behind me, I've spent some time reading what others posted. It led me to this post on Planetizen.

The post sheds some light on what I've often thought of as people being born with a Republican or Democrat gene. "Egalitarian" and "individualist" may be a better description, though, and linking such disputes to "clusters of values that form competing world views" is more useful than waiting for science to discover the politics gene.

in reference to:

"Some of my acquaintances believe that climate change may end human life (or at least civilization) and that the only way to save humanity is to massively reduce economic growth and consumption. Other acquaintances believe that climate change is, if not an outright hoax, a minor problem—and that even the slightest attempt to regulate emission-creating industries will itself destroy American civilization.
Whole lotta head-shakin’ going on.Most of these people are not scientists (let alone scientists specializing in climate-related science), so I strongly suspect that their opinions come from Al Gore’s movie and Rush Limbaugh’s talk show, rather than from a comprehensive review of the footnote-filled scientific papers addressing climate change. Nevertheless, they are as certain in their opinions as real scientists are. How come?"
- The genesis of the climate change stalemate | Grist (view on Google Sidewiki)

10/6/09: Card/Game Lunch in Hurley

2009-10-05T10:57:00.004-04:00

The Auxiliary of The Kingston Hospital
is sponsoring a

Luncheon and Card/Game Party

Tuesday, October 6, 2009
11:15 AM to 3 PM
Hurley Reformed Church
17 Main Street, Hurley, NY

Lunch and beverages will be provided.

Bring your own cards, games, score pads
(bridge, mah jong, Monopoly, Scrabble...)

Cost: $15 per person
(make checks out to: The Auxiliary of
The Kingston Hospital, pay at the door)

Reserve your table now! — call:

Lorraine Trast (845-331-3513) or
Helen Robinson (845-338-7451)

Proceeds benefit The Family Birth Place of Kingston

9/17/09: Hon. Judge Judith Kaye to Speak at SUNY Ulster on Constitution Day

2009-09-16T17:58:00.003-04:00

New York State’s Former Chief Judge, the Honorable Judith S. Kaye, will deliver the Constitution Day lecture at SUNY Ulster on Thursday, September 17, speaking on “The New York State Constitution: An Honored Guest at the Birthday Celebration,” at 7 PM in the Student Lounge in Vanderlyn Hall on the Stone Ridge campus.

Kaye’s speech about the links between the state and U.S. Constitutions is the featured presentation of the college’s new Institute for Constitutional Studies Lecture Series, an annual series with distinguished legal scholars, constitutional experts, political scientists and historians. Kaye, who was born in the Hudson Valley, was the first woman to hold the State Judiciary’s highest office. She will be introduced by the Institute’s Director Dr. Ray Raymond, SUNY Ulster associate professor of government and history. Explaining the significance of Constitution Day, Raymond said: “The great Nineteenth Century British Prime Minister William Gladstone once described the U.S. Constitution as the ‘greatest product of the mind of man.’ Lavish praise, but justified. The U.S. Constitution was and is the work of genius. On Constitution Day, we celebrate the signing of the Constitution by the framers who had spent four months negotiating and drafting it. Essential to the success of that Constitution was a delicate balance between the new federal government and the states.” “We are truly honored to have Judge Judith Kaye, a distinguished legal scholar and the greatest chief judge in New York’s history, deliver this lecture,” he said. “This will be a unique opportunity for students, faculty, teachers, the legal community and local residents, thereby furthering the mission of the Institute.”

SUNY Ulster founded the Institute to help college faculty, students, teachers, business people, the legal community and the general public in the Mid-Hudson Valley deepen their understanding of the fundamental principles of the United States and the New York state constitutions, their history and their continuing relevance to current public policy debates.

The College launched the Institute with an inaugural lecture in February 2009 by the Honorable Albert Rosenblatt, former Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, who described Kaye as “the ultimate chief judge: erudite, fair, patient, hard working, and, above all, decent.” “Judge Kaye always spoke to people with respect and in a way that would uplift rather than demean,” Rosenblatt said in a recent tribute. “There could not have been, nor was there, a chief judge who cared more about the justice system, and all of those in it -- the judges, lawyers, employees , and, of course, the public -- more than Judith Kaye. She gained the affection and the respect of all of them.”

Kaye was born in Monticello in Sullivan County. Appointed by Gov. Mario M. Cuomo in 1993, she was the first Chief Judge ever to complete a full 14-year term and was appointed to a second term by Gov. Eliot Spitzer in 2007. Kaye is the first woman to occupy the State Judiciary’s highest office and also became the first woman to serve on New York State’s highest court when Gov. Cuomo appointed her Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals in 1983. Kaye holds a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and law degree from New York University School of Law. She engaged in private practice in New York City until her appointment to the Court of Appeals. Kaye retired at the end of 2008, after reaching the state’s mandatory retirement age of 70. Kaye is now of counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York City.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For information, contact 845-687-5262. News Source: http://www.sunyulster.edu/events_news/news_details.jsp?newsItemID=697

New on-line guide to multi-use trails in NYS

2009-09-16T16:35:00.004-04:00

Visit TrailFinder at www.ptny.org/trailfinder

Parks & Trails New York has launched a new on-line guide to multi-use trails in New York State, just in time for the best outdoor season of the year--fall. Called TrailFinder, the site focuses on trails and greenways that allow multiple uses—such as walking, bicycling, in-line skating, cross-country skiing and, in some cases, horseback riding and snowmobiling.

TrailFinder includes 11 trails, totaling more than 1200 miles.
Visitors will be able to plan their trail adventures in just a few minutes at the computer – with key information at their fingertips.

Visitors to TrailFinder can search for trails in several ways. They can select a trail from a drop-down menu, query by trail attributes such as length, surface, allowable uses, and distance from a particular location, or browse the interactive map. Trailhead parking areas are included, as are directions and nearby bike shops and other amenities such as bicycle-friendly bed & breakfasts.

Parks & Trails New York developed TrailFinder to make people more aware of the vast resource of multi-use trails and greenways in New York and to make it easier for people to enjoy them.

Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin hopes that TrailFinder will build support for the vital and growing trail movement in New York. She also hopes the new website will spur more communities to develop trails and encourage bicycle tourism, which will foster the protection and re-use of abandoned transportation corridors throughout the state.

“I think people will be amazed at the extent of the multi-use trail system in New York. The potential for creating one of the best statewide multi-use trail networks is fantastic,” says Dropkin. “With NewYork’s abundance of abandoned railroads, historic canals, and scenic rivers, it’s possible to create a dynamic system of multi-use trails serving communities in every corner of the state, with major statewide trail systems—such as the Erie Canalway Trail, Genesee Valley Greenway, and Hudson River Valley Greenway—as the backbone of the network.”

Trails a boon to local economies
Trails and greenways provide a wide range of benefits to communities. They make it easier for people to keep fit and have fun by providing close-to-home recreational opportunities. They provide safe places to walk or bike to work, school, or local shops. They also protect open space, attract tourists and add to the quality of life.

“Trail use is part of the new economy of New York tourism, especially upstate,” says Dropkin. “A major National Park Service study of three multi-use trails around the country found that trail use pumped between $1.2 and $1.9 million annually into the economies of nearby communities.”

Bicycle-friendly B&B’s and accessibility information featured
Featured in the TrailFinder site are convenient bed & breakfasts and inns that cater to the needs of cyclists. All are members of the Empire State Bed and Breakfast Association (ESBBA) that have pledged to offer bicycle-friendly amenities, including covered and locked bicycle storage, tools for minor bike repairs, no-smoking rooms, and healthy and filling breakfasts.

Accessibility information is available for some trails so that before ever reaching the trailhead, visitors will have the data to decide whether a trail is right for them. While especially useful for persons with disabilities, older adults and parents with young children may find this information helpful, too.

Parks & Trails New York is a statewide not-for-profit organization working to create a network of parks, trails and open space across the state for all to use and enjoy.

AAUW Adds to Voices of Support for Historic College Affordability Legislation

2009-09-15T16:37:00.002-04:00

Bill described as single largest investment in higher education

WASHINGTON – AAUW urges the House of Representatives to pass the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (H.R. 3221), which is scheduled for a vote this week. The bill will be discussed today at two media events hosted by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, and other lawmakers.

This critical legislation would move all federal student loans to the Direct Lending Program, which would save the federal government and taxpayers almost $100 billion over the next 10 years. These savings will be used to make college more affordable for millions of students at no new cost to taxpayers. The bill also states that improving postsecondary access for women and underrepresented students in STEM should be a priority.

“AAUW has been a leader in promoting women and girls in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Our work in this area dovetails with our efforts to improve women’s economic security and to close the gender wage gap because STEM jobs are usually high paying,” said AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, CAE.

AAUW is pleased that the legislation provides funding to improve community colleges, increases funding for early childhood education, and strengthens the Pell grant program.

While many students struggle with the cost of higher education and loan repayment, the burden is particularly significant for women. AAUW’s report, Behind the Pay Gap, found that college-educated women earn 5 percent less than men one year out of college and 12 percent less than men 10 years out of college, even when they have the same major and occupation as their male counterparts and when controlling for factors known to affect earnings such as education and training, parenthood, and hours worked.[i] This immediate and pernicious wage disparity makes it that much harder for women to repay their student loans.

“Only about 29 percent of Americans have college degrees

—and that’s not nearly enough to make us competitive in the global economy or to prepare people for 21st-century, technologically oriented jobs. This isn’t just a feel-good, fairness issue—it’s about keeping jobs at home and ensuring innovation and growth in the United States economy,” said Lisa Maatz, AAUW director of public policy and government relations.

###

AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Since 1881, AAUW has been one of the nation's leading voices promoting education and equity for women and girls. AAUW has a nationwide network of nearly 100,000 members, 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university institutional partners. Since AAUW’s founding more than 128 years ago, members have examined and taken positions on the fundamental issues of the day — educational, social, economic, and political. AAUW's commitment to educational equity is reflected in its public policy advocacy, community programs, leadership development, conventions and conferences, national partnerships, and international connections.

Visit the AAUW website at www.aauw.org

Enjoy Some Fall Trips with the AAUW of Kingston

2009-09-07T20:15:00.002-04:00

AAUW 2009 Fall Bus Trips

Friday, September 25th
New York City
and the New York Philharmonic performance of
Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Frank Peter Zimmerman as Violinist
Arnold Schoenberg’s Pelléas and Mélisande
Alan Gilbert, Conducting

Leaving at 8 AM for an 11 AM performance; lunch on your own;

returning by 4:30 PM

Cost (for bus, driver tip & orchestra seats):

NOTE: $78 (before 9/12); $88 (after 9/13)
Bus to New York City alone, including driver tip: $49

* * * * * * * * * *

Saturday, Sunday, Monday, October 3rd - 5th

Two nights; three-day trip to
Toronto to visit the new Frank Gehry Art Museum;
Niagra-on-the-Lake at a luxurious Victorian Inn; six gourmet meals;
tickets to Noel Coward’s, Ways of the Heart;
and a visit to the Peller Estates, a beautiful winery.
Leaving Saturday from Kingston at 9 AM; returning Monday around 8 PM

Cost: $685 (per person based on double occupancy); $210 single supplement
For this trip only, call Linda Gold at 845-255-5256 or email artladyLG@aol.com then make your check payable to AAUW include your phone number, and mail to Linda Gold, 1 Jacobs Lane, New Paltz, NY 12561. A deposit of $200 is due with your reservation. Bus and theatre seats are assigned in the order in which reservations are received.

* * * * * * * * * *

Tuesday, October 27th
NY Botanical Gardens
and dinner in the "Little Italy of the Bronx"

After a quick picnic lunch (brought or bought), join a guided tour of Kiku in the Enid A Haupt Conservatory Courtyards. Kiku pays homage to the time- honored tradition of fall flower viewing in Japan. Afterwards, go by bus to Arthur Avenue, renowned "Little Italy" of the Bronx. There participants can chose a restaurant for a leisurely dinner or spend a bit of time shopping in the well-stocked Italian groceries. Every place is wheelchair accessible.

Bus leaves at 9 AM and returns to Kingston by 7:00 PM
Cost of $65 includes bus, driver tip and admission to the Gardens.

* * * * * * * * * *
Annual Holiday Trip: Thursday, December 17th
to New York City
and The Metropolitan Museum of Art
for the special exhibits:
Cinnabar: The Carved Art of Chinese Lacquer;

Imperial Privilege: 18th Century Viennese Porcelain;

Robert Frank's The Americans;

Silk and Bamboo: Music and Art of China;

Pablo Bronstein at the Met;

Surface Tension in Contemporary Photographs;

Eccentric Visions of Luo Ping (1733–1799);

Paintings of Everyday American Life, 1765–1915;

The Young Archer (attributed to Michelangelo);

plus, the annual Christmas Tree & Crèche

Leaving at 8 AM and returning around 6:30 PM
Cost (includes bus, driver tip and entrance into the museum): Seniors $63; Adults $67
Bus to New York City alone, including driver tip: $40

All trips leave from the rear of the former Ames in the Kingston Plaza
(On city-bound trips, pickups and dropoffs can be arranged for the New Paltz Park-n-Ride)

For reservations, call Pat Whelan between noon and 9 PM at 845-657-6807 or write PWHL8@aol.com, then send your check, made out to AAUW–Kingston Branch, to Pat Whelan, 1321 County Rt. 2, Olivebridge NY 12461.
(Ask about our member discounts and cancellation policies.)

Volunteer Opportunity, Kingston, Sept. 19th

2009-09-02T10:03:00.002-04:00

Drum Boogie is a FREE one day music festival on the lawn of Cornell Park, Rondout Historic District of Kingston, New York on Saturday, September 19th, 2009 (rain date Sunday, September 20th) from 12 Noon to 7 PM. One hundred drummers will participate in an opening ceremony followed by an afternoon of concerts of top name performers of various styles of drumming from around the world

Family of Woodstock is assisting the Drum Boogie Festival by providing crowd control and selling water. If you would like to volunteer to assist Family, please contact Vikki Read at (845) 331-7080 ext. 140 or by e-mail at vread@fowinc.org.

Drum Boogie is produced by:
Garry Kvistad and The Woodstock Chimes Fund (www.chimes.com

)
with major support through Assemblymember Kevin Cahill

Join us for brunch -- an opportunity to learn about AAUW

2009-08-10T19:50:00.005-04:00

Photo by Matthew Mendoza

Have you ever wondered what AAUW is all about?

Explore an organization that advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research.

Meet the AAUW Kingston Branch at Brunch

Saturday, August 29th
at 11 o'clock.

Would you enjoy expanding your circle to include women and men who

Love learning and exploring; discussion and debate; literature, politics, and art
Share their talents and expertise to benefit our community;
Enjoy and support each other, and
Engage in a nation-wide community that breaks through educational and economic barriers so that all women -- our daughters, nieces, neighbors, and women on the other side of the world -- all have a fair chance?

Then, please join us for brunch.

All are welcome. Bring a friend.

Call Suki Kerr at 338-2637 or Jean Semilof at 331-4559 to RSVP. They will provide you the directions to the brunch.

For more information about AAUW, visit KingstonAAUW.blogspot.com

AAUW.org

Congratulations, Justice Sotomayor!

2009-08-08T09:53:00.006-04:00

I just couldn't resist this image from Emily's List!

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

2009-07-16T07:33:00.004-04:00

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

2009-06-15T13:02:00.011-04:00

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

2009-05-06T09:05:00.001-04:00

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?

2009-04-28T09:22:00.003-04:00

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

2009-04-24T00:17:00.002-04:00

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

2009-04-13T17:12:00.002-04:00

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

2009-04-13T14:39:00.005-04:00

For a pdf of this poster click here.

Come to Our Bridge Luncheon

2009-04-12T21:40:00.001-04:00

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

2009-04-04T10:57:00.002-04:00

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

2009-03-13T11:42:00.003-04:00

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

2009-03-07T11:12:00.002-05:00

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

2009-03-07T10:29:00.001-05:00

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

2009-03-02T19:11:00.001-05:00

Connection, Momentum & Hope: March 6th

2009-03-02T08:28:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-23T13:36:00.008-05:00

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

2009-02-23T08:16:00.007-05:00

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

2009-02-20T12:39:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-18T08:42:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-16T21:27:00.004-05:00

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

2009-02-14T10:53:00.004-05:00

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

2009-02-14T10:29:00.004-05:00

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!

2009-02-13T18:07:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-12T07:06:00.003-05:00

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

2009-02-10T17:22:00.004-05:00

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

2009-02-09T17:38:00.001-05:00

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

Let the Ulster County Leadership Know We Want to Keep Our Levers

2009-02-07T19:51:00.005-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

From Ruth Wahtera, for the AAUW Public Policy Committee:

Back in December, our AAUW Public Policy Committee sponsored a viewing of the HBO documentary Hacking Democracy and a presentation by attorney Andi Novick. Andi is leading the suit against NY State to retain our lever system.

Glenn and I usually disagree about things political; he usually votes Republican and I vote Democratic. But we both came away feeling this is a non-partisan issue we can work on together.

Well, things are heating up. Dutchess County has passed a resolution to keep lever machines. Columbia County will vote on a similar resolution this week. We need to make our voices heard here in Ulster County.

Why keep our lever machines?

Optical scan and touch screen voting machines can be hacked; to date, no electronic voting system has been able to meet the NY State standards for certification. In fact, testing for certification was suspended in October 2008 because the company contracted to test equipment, SysTest Labs, lost it's Federal certification as a testing lab.

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) does not mandate a statewide switch to electronic voting. NY filed a HAVA plan, accepted by the Federal Court, and implemented it. NYS has met the HAVA requirements.

NY's constitution requires that voters be able to see how votes are counted -- paper ballots and lever machines are the only systems that meet these criteria.

Costs - this is no time to spend millions of our tax dollars implementing a flawed electronic system when the current system works better. This is a budget cut we can all get behind.

I've set up a Citizen Speak message you can send NOW to Ulster County Legislature Chairman Donaldson and our new County Executive Michael Hein. You can add your personal comments at the bottom. It will only take a minute. Here's the link.

If you'd like more information, you can find it on our new blog Save NY's Lever Voting Machines or on Andi's blog Re-Media Election Transparency Coalition.

And please ask your friends to send a message, too.

Unofficial Passions

10/29/11: Ulster County Candidate Forum

10/18/11: Two films tonight on Women & War

Lectures on the History of Dance

GASLAND at 6:30 PM tonight at Rhinebeck Town Hall

Sustainable Action Week at SUNY New Paltz

Field biologist Marc van Roosmalen to speak at SUNY Ulster

4/19/11: Carbon Nation @ BSP

A Magnificat Festival, April 30 and May 1, 2011

WORLD PREMIERE - “SCATTERED STARS” - BY JANE BARSUMIAN

Ulster County Recycling Event

4/5/11: Health Care panel in Hyde Park

Maine Governor Denying History, Removing Mural, Renaming Conference Rooms

3/27/11: Second Annual Hudson Valley Hunger Banquet

3/4/11: Roberta Gould poetry reading in Saugerties

2/23/11: Concert at SUNY Ulster

Until the Violence Stops

Need help with preparing your taxes?

Journey to Freedom - songs and stories of Sojourner Truth - March 5, 2011

Stone Ridge Library Concert: December 11, 2010

Saturday, December 11, 20103:00 pm - Marbletown Reformed Church

Take Action - Nuclear Arms Verification START Treaty

A Support Group: for Women Coping with a Loss

10/19/10: GASLAND at UUCC Kingston

10/18/10: NYS Gubernatorial Debate

The Blog Action Day Post: Water

Now showing: GASLAND at Upstate Films

9/23/10: Public hearing on NYS DEC's State Forest Management Plan

Wanted: 20 volunteers to train

Staying in Place Presents NYT’s Jane Brody, Sept. 26th

Fall Bus Trips

Corning Glass Museum

Monday, September 20th

Pepsico Gardens and the

Neuberger Museum

Kafka's "Metamorphosis" at BAM

Sunday, December 5th

NYC's Museum of Arts and Design

Saturday, December 18th:

7/17/10: GASLAND at Onteora HS with Josh Fox & Maurice Hinchey

Visit Barcelona This Fall with AAUW Kingston

WANTED Be a voice for those who can no longer speak for themselves

Rockwell Museum and Shakespeare, too. August 17

Visit Cooperstown, July 24

Visit KyKuit & the Cloisters, May 23

Spend a Glorious Day in Saratoga at the Ballet, July 8

Explore Picasso's Lifelong Fascination with Degas, August 1st

Play Bridge or Board Games and Raise Scholarship Money

Reading Her Own Works -- Vivi Hlavsa -- May 20, 2010

4/24/10: Annual Seedling Giveway in Esopus

Explore with AAUW Kingston Branch

Kaatsbaan 2010 Performances

Prevention of Financial Abuse of Elders: Free Seminar: April 29, 2010

Staying In Place Open Meeting: March 20, 2010

Courting Justice: International Women's Day Reception 3/9/2010

Shadowlands in Ellenville offers great entertainment at great price

It's Fundraising Season; YWCA Women & Wine, Feb. 25th

Support the Hunger Banquet 2010

Community Discussion of Mammography Screening, Wed., Feb 3

Fundraiser for Rosendale Theater Collective Sunday, Jan. 31

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the 2010 Census

Raising Girls

12/10/09: CEMAC meeting

Benefit Concert Sunday, December 13th

Help Keep the Rosendale Theatre Alive

Reserve Now for Our Annual Trip to the Metropolitan Museum, Dec. 17

The Library's Thanksgiving Challenge

Thanksgiving Challenge

Psychic benefits? Women's work? Any excuse.

All Souls' Day Concert, Nov. 1 at 7 pm

Health Care Forum, Friday, 10/30

Recycle Your Old Computers/CRTs/Copiers* Nov 5 & 6

Political genes?

10/6/09: Card/Game Lunch in Hurley

9/17/09: Hon. Judge Judith Kaye to Speak at SUNY Ulster on Constitution Day

New on-line guide to multi-use trails in NYS

AAUW Adds to Voices of Support for Historic College Affordability Legislation

Enjoy Some Fall Trips with the AAUW of Kingston

Volunteer Opportunity, Kingston, Sept. 19th

Join us for brunch -- an opportunity to learn about AAUW

Saturday, December 11, 2010
3:00 pm - Marbletown Reformed Church