HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR
June 5, 2011, Issue #666
Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net
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Dedicated to Helping Build Activist
Movements in the Hudson Valley
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Monday, June 6, POUGHKEEPSIE: Help develop strategy for antiwar and anti-recruitment activities at the 7 p.m. meeting of Dutchess Peace to be held at Unitarian Fellowship, 67 S. Randolph Ave. Information, (845) 876-7906, http://www.dutchesspeace.org.
Monday, June 6, OLD CHATHAM: The film "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" will be screened at the Powell House Quaker Conference and Retreat Center, 524 Pitt Hall Rd., off County Rt. 13, 7 p.m. The film portrays how Liberian women came together to end a civil war. Moderated discussion to follow. Free and public, refreshments. Sponsored by Old Chatham Quaker Meeting. Information, (518) 766-2992. Directions, http://www.oldchathamquakers.org.
Tuesday, June 7, POUGHKEEPSIE: Rally for Marriage Equality in front of State Sen. Steven Saland's office at 3 Neptune Rd. (just off Rt. 9, north of Red Lobster) at 4 p.m. Demand that this issue be brought to a vote in this session of the State Legislature. Information, (845) 444-0599, (845) 876-2488, http://www.dutchessdemocracy.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, June 8, POUGHKEEPSIE: Nora Gallardo and Allison Bodine will present a slide show and discussion about Organic Gardens in Cuba at the Adriance Memorial Library, 93 Market St. at 7 p.m. Free. Cuba is a world leader in organic agriculture.
Thursday, June 9, WOODSTOCK: The Middle East Crisis Response group of Hudson Valley residents opposed to Israeli and U.S. policies toward the Palestinians meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month 7-8:30 p.m. at the Library, 5 Library Lane, just off Tinker St. All welcome. Information, (845) 876-7906, http://www.mideastcrisis.org, gale@mideastcrisis.org.
Friday, June 10, MILLBROOK: Dr. Rob Jackson of Duke University will discuss "The Environmental Footprint of Marcellus Shale Gas" at The Cary Institute auditorium, 2801 Sharon Tpk. (Rt. 44) at 7 p.m. (Space is limited, doors open at 6:30 p.m.) Jackson and his research team set out to understand how hydraulic fracturing — a natural gas drilling method that involves pumping water, sand, and chemicals deep underground at high pressure — impacts drinking water resources. They monitored private wells in Pennsylvania and New York and found elevated methane in wells near drilling sites. Methane is flammable and potentially explosive. There has been little research on its health effects in drinking water, and the federal government doesn't regulate it as a contaminant in public water systems. Information, (845) 677-7600, ext. 121, freemanp@caryinstitute.org.
Sunday, June 12, BEACON: The ecologically-minded Beacon Sloop Club will hold it's annual Strawberry Festival at Riverfront Park 12 noon-5 p.m. Fresh strawberry shortcake made with local berries, fresh whipped cream, and hot biscuits augment this annual event. Solar powered music performed by Dan Einbender and the Grammy Award winning Rivertown Kids, Pete Seeger, and others. Environmental tent with speakers and displays, food and craft vendors. A free family-friendly festival. Information, (845) 831-6962, (845) 463-4660, http://www.beaconsloopclub.org.
Wednesday, June 15, NEW PALTZ: The New Paltz chapter of Amnesty International will screen the film "War Dance" at 8 p.m. at the Elting Library, 93 Main St. (across from Starbucks).This free documentary follows students from war-torn northern Uganda to the National Music Festival in the nation's capital, Kampala. It addresses human rights issues endemic to the conflict, from internally displaced persons to child soldiers, while highlighting the role of music and dance in these children's lives. (Parking lot behind library.) Information, ilgu_ozler@yahoo.com, http://www.amnestyusa.org.
Thursday, June 16, BEACON: Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries and IBM will host a Centennial Keynote entitled "Smarter Rivers for a Smarter Planet," featuring IBM engineer Dr. Harry Kolar. Register online at http://www.bire.org/events.
Wednesday and Thursday, June 15 and 16, KINGSTON: The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills will be holding a film festival on the subject of Hydrofracking at 320 Sawkill Rd. from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Information, joannesteele5@gmail.com.
Friday, June 17, TROY: As part of the James Connolly Forum, anti-nuclear activist Harvey Wasserman will give a lecture entitled, "From Fukushima to Solartopia: Winning a Green-Powered Earth," at 7 p.m. at the Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th St. Sponsored by, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, The Solidarity Committee of the Capital District, Troy Area Labor Council AFL-CIO. Information, (518) 505-0948, http://www.bethlehemforpeace.org.
Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19, CROTON-ON-HUDSON: The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater presents its 34th annual Great Hudson River Revival at Croton Point Park, 11 a.m.-dusk. Performers include Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, David Amram, Billy Bragg, Janis Ian, David Bromberg, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, as well as many other stellar performers on seven stages. This year's theme is, "Clearwater Generations," inspired by Pete Seeger's vision and Clearwater's mission to educate and activate the next generation of environmental activists and leaders. There will be diverse music and dance, a green living expo, juried handmade crafts, fair-trade marketplace, farm market, food court, working waterfront, and activist area. Tickets are available at http://clearwaterfestival.org, (845) 418-3596. Senior, student, and disabled discounts available. This is a fully accessible festival for mobility, hearing and visually impaired persons. Clearwater strives to make this a zero waste festival by recycling and/or composting as much as possible. Volunteer opportunities remain available. For information, schedules, tickets, volunteer applications, visit above website. Sponsored by Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Optimum Online, Chronogram, The Journal News, WFUV, WDST, WKZE, MTA, Westchester County and others.
Tuesday, June 21, SAUGERTIES: A free showing of the film "Fragments of a Lost Palestine" will take place at the Saugerties Library, 91 Washington Ave., at 7:30 p.m. In this 75-minute 2010 documentary, filmmaker Norma Marcos returns home to Palestine to show her friend Stefan how people try to live normal lives despite the occupation. Through a series of conversations with friends, family and strangers, she shows that despite the tense political environment, "life goes on." The event is sponsored by the Middle East Crisis Response, as part of its free educational film series. Information, (518) 678-2076, jane.toby7@gmail.com, http://mideastcrisis.org.
