HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR
April 6, 2010, Issue #158
Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net
Tuesday, April 6 NEW PALTZ (SUNY Campus): A public screening of "America the Beautiful" will take place 5-7 p.m. at Lecture Center 100. We're told the documentary is "about America's unhealthy obsession with beauty." Free tickets for SUNY staff and students available at the information desk, 2nd floor lobby of the Student Union. Others call (845) 257-3000 to reserve tickets.
Wednesday, April 7, NEW PALTZ: Ten residents of the Hudson Valley took part in the Gaza Freedom March Dec. 25 to Jan. 4. Members of this delegation will discuss their experiences as well as the emerging International Coalition to End the Illegal Siege of Gaza. This free public 7-8:30 p.m. event will be held at the Root: The Grassroots Tech Café on 60 Main St. It is sponsored by Middle East Crisis Response. Information, (845) 255-5779, http://www.mideastcrisis.org, http://www.hudsontogaza.blogspot.com, http://www.60main.org/.
Wednesday, April 7, PURCHASE (Manhattanville College): A tribute to the late people's antiwar historian Howard Zinn, author of a People's History of the United States, will begin at 7:15 p.m. p.m. at Reid Castle's Ophir Room on campus. There will be a film showing, “You Can’t be Neutral on a Moving Train.” Sponsored by Connie Hogarth Center For Social Action. Information, (914) 323-7156.
Thursday, April 8, NEW YORK CITY: A lecture-discussion on "A World Without Nuclear Weapons: Obama's Vision, Our Mission," is set for the Society for Ethical Culture, 64th St. and Central Park West 7-9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30). Phil Donahue will moderate the event, which features Daniel Ellsberg (of Pentagon Papers fame); Jonathan Schell, author of many books including "The Fate of the Earth"; and Kennett Benedict, publisher of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Co-hosted by The Peace Action Fund and The Nation Institute. Co-sponsored by The New Society for Ethical Culture, Public Concern Foundation, The Nation, Democrats.com, Haymarket Books, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation NY, Peace Action Education Fund, Brooklyn For Peace and United for Peace and Justice. Information, http://www.panys.org/calendar.html.
Thursday, April 8, WOODSTOCK: The Middle East Crisis Response group of Hudson Valley residents opposed to Israeli and U.S. policies toward the Palestinians meets 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, April 9, POUGHKEEPSIE: A rally for HMOs to fully cover chronic Lyme Disease will be held in front of the Dutchess County Office Building, 22 Market St. at 10:30 a.m. Information, joletyner@earthlink.net, (845) 242-3571 http://www.PetitionOnline.com/StopLyme.
Friday, April 9, BEACON: A discussion, "Privateers of the NYC and Hudson Waterways: Patriots or Pirates" will be held at the Beacon Sloop Club, by the ferry dock and train station, at 7 p.m. Free and public. Information, http://www.beaconsloopclub.org, (845) 542-0721.
Saturday, April 10, NEW PALTZ: A "Defending Democracy Street Rally" will be held 12:30-1:30 p.m. in front of the Elting Library, 93 Main St. The event is being organized by the Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition to oppose the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing unlimited corporate spending to dominate U.S. elections. At the rally, we're told, "there will be street theater featuring performance artist Carl Weldon, music by noted local folksinger Bob Lusk, and other entertainment. Signs will be provided, or material will be available to make your own." This action is a prelude to an April 18 public meeting on the same topic at SUNY New Paltz (see below). Information, Barbara Upton at anahatasun@aol.com.
Saturday, April 10, BEACON: A play about the high rate of imprisonment in the U.S. titled, "The Castle" will be performed at 3 p.m. in Tabernacle of Christ Church, 483 Main St. Advance Tickets are $20 from http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/101498. Tickets are $23 at the door, $10 for "high risk youth." Sponsored by Beacon Sloop Club, Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance, Southern Dutchess NAACP, IFCO/Pastors for Peace, CLASP and Philipstown For Democracy. Information, (845) 542-0557 or (845) 566-9420.
Saturday, April 10, ALBANY: The documentary "Trumbo" will be shown at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, 405 Washington Ave., at 7:30 p.m. The film documents the work and actions of blacklisted screenwriter and novelist Dalton Trumbo (1905-1976), author of one of the greatest American antiwar books, "Johnny Got His Gun." Trumbo was a famous screenwriter who was sentenced during the hysterically anti-communist 1950s to a year in prison for refusing to "name names" to the red-hunting House Un-American Activities Committee. He would not "rat" on his colleagues and friends, as did some other Hollywood personalities such as director Elia Kazan. After prison, Trumbo wrote some 30 scripts that were produced under different names. Extreme political repression dissipated in the early 1960s (though hatred of communism and socialism remains Washington's principal ideology) and Trumbo went back to work under his own name. "Trumbo" is an important film, particularly for those too young to have experienced this reactionary period. This event is sponsored by the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, and Upper Hudson Peace Action. Information, 518 426-0883, dbull4@verizon.net, http://www.jflan.net/solidarity/.
Saturday, April 10, WHITE PLAINS: The Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse is sponsoring an evening with singers Pat Humphries and Sandy O, who perform together as "Emma's Revolution," and Sara Thomsen. The 7:30 p.m. event, which takes place at Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Ave., will help benefit the Hudson River sloop Clearwater. Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $20 at the door. Information, http://www.WalkaboutClearwater.org. Ticket information/purchase (914) 242 0374, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/5602.
Sunday, April 11, NEW PALTZ: The Caribbean and Latin America Support Project hosts a 6 p.m. meeting featuring anthropologist Mark Schuller. He will speak on the urgent need for new social development models, particularly in reference to "the failure of neoliberalism, the donors-NGO cabal, disaster capitalism, and hope for alternatives." Schuller, an assistant professor of social sciences at CUNY's York College, has just returned from the latest of his trips to Haiti, and will be speaking about various aspects of the Haitian dilemma. This free public event takes place at Village Hall, 25 Plattekill Ave, a block south of Main St. (Rt. 299). Park in the Village Hall lot. An optional potluck begins at 5 p.m. Information, (845) 255-0113.
Sunday, April 11, OSSINING: A public meeting titled "For Peace and Human Needs — Disarm Now!" begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Maryknoll Society Center, 55 Ryder Rd. Speakers include Dave Robinson, executive director of Pax Christi USA, on the "ABC's of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty;"and UFPJ field organizer Judith LeBlanc on "Seizing this Moment." Sponsored by Maryknoll Global Concerns-Pax Christi International-the Maryknoll Affiliates. Information, (845) 357-8919. Directions, (914) 941-7636, ext. 2294.
Sunday, April 11, ROSENDALE: A community potluck brunch to benefit the Rosendale Theatre Collective will take place at Lifebridge Sanctuary, 333 Mountain Rd., 12 noon-2 p.m. Bring a dish or drink to share, and a donation to help the group raise funds to purchase the Rosendale Theatre and operate it as a non-profit collective for the advancement of the arts. Information, http://www.rosendaletheatre.org, Carrie@EventsThatMatter.net, (845) 658-3439.
Sunday, April 11 POUGHKEEPSIE: Regional activist Sue Rosenberg will discuss mountaintop removal mining in West Virginia at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 67 S. Randolph Ave. from 2-4 p.m. Information, (845) 452-4013, patla@hvc.rr.com.
Mondays April 12, 19, 26, WHITE PLAINS: The "MLK and Gandhi" discussion series will be held at Memorial United Methodist Church, Dr. King Fireside Library, 250 Bryant Ave. from 7-8:30 p.m. Geoff Smith will moderate the free public series, which is sponsored by The Interfaith Connection and the Westchester MLK Institute for Nonviolence. Topics include:
APRIL 12, Thich Nhat Hanh - The World of Suffering
APRIL 19, Abraham Joshua Heschel - Prophetic Speech
APRIL 26, Malcolm X - Power, Tools and Weapons
Call for confirmation and information, (914) 949-6555.
Thursday, April 15, WHITE PLAINS: A demonstration will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and after 6 p.m. at the Post Office on 100 Fisher Ave. to inform taxpayers that more than half their tax dollars go toward the military. Sponsored by Westchester Peace Posse, WESPAC Foundation, Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action. Information, (914) 762-3891
Thursday, April 15, BEACON: Well known environmentalist and public advocate John Cronin will speak about the future of the world's water 7-9 p.m. at the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries/Center for Environmental Innovation and Education, 199 Dennings Ave. Register for the free public meeting at http://www.bire.org/events/ (go to April 15 and press "click here"; this also provides parking instructions). Information, mheintzman@bire.org.
Friday, April 16, TROY: Progressive investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill, the author of "Blackwater: the Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army," will speak on current events at 7 p.m. at The Sanctuary For Independent Media, 3361 Sixth Ave. The two-time Polk Award-winning investigative journalist and correspondent for the national radio/TV program Democracy Now! is a Writing Fellow at The Nation Institute. Admission by donation ($10 suggested, $5 student/low income). Information, (518) 272-2390, info@MediaSanctuary.org, http://www.MediaSanctuary.org.
Friday, April 16, BEACON: A tribute to the late people's antiwar historian Howard Zinn, author of a People's History of the United States, will begin at 7 p.m. at The School of Jellyfish, 183 Main St., sponsored by the Mid-Hudson Progressive Alliance. There will be a film showing, “You Can’t be Neutral on a Moving Train,” archival footage and commentary.
Saturday, April 17, MOUNT KISCO: The environmental film "The 11th Hour" will play at 7 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester, 236 South Bedford Rd. The title represents the last moment when ecological change is possible. We're told this free public "film explores how we’ve arrived at this moment — how we live, how we impact the earth’s ecosystems, and what we can do to change our course." Sponsored by Transition Westchester. Information, John Bell at contact@transitionwestchester.org.
Sunday, April 18, NEW PALTZ (SUNY Campus): "We the People: A Forum to Defend Democracy" will take place at 4-5:30 p.m. in Lecture Center 100. The aim of the meeting is to educate and organize people to oppose the recent Supreme Court decision that gave more free speech rights to corporations than to people — the probable result being even greater control of the political system and government by big business and Wall St. Liberal Rep. Maurice Hinchey is scheduled to give the keynote. Leaders from Free Speech for People, Democracy Matters and People for the American Way will be speaking. Sponsored by the Hudson Valley Progressive Coalition, Democracy Matters, SUNY New Paltz, The Ulster County MoveOn Council, and Ulster County Democrats. Campus map, http://www.newpaltz.edu/map/. Information, Barbara Upton, (845) 626-4488, anahatasun@aol.com.
Sunday, April 18, WHITE PLAINS: The environmental film "The 11th Hour" (see April 17 above) will play at 7 p.m. at Community Unitarian Church at White Plains, 468 Rosedale Ave. Sponsored by Transition Westchester. Information, John Bell at contact@transitionwestchester.org.
Sunday, April 18, BEACON: Pete Seeger will debut his new sing-along memoir "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" 4-6 p.m. at the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries/Center for Environmental Innovation and Education, 199 Dennings Ave. Due to anticipated audience size, this free event will take place at the CEIE building. You are asked to register beforehand at http://www.bire.org/events. (Select the event from the calendar and click on the link to register.) Information, Jo Merchant, (845) 838-1600, ext. 10, jmerchant@bire.org.
Wednesday, April 21, POUGHKEEPSIE: Today is the birthday of the great naturalist and wilderness preservationist John Muir (1838-1914), and the Mid-Hudson Sierra Club is devoting this month's public meeting to "John Muir in Prose and Song," featuring singer/songwriter James Krueger. This free 7:30 p.m. event takes place at the Hudson River Rowing Association Boathouse Community Room, 270/272 N. Water Street. Information, Bibi, (845) 255-5528, bibis@juno.com, http://newyork.sierraclub.org/midhudson.
Wednesday, April 21, RHINEBECK: Activists will gather to car pool to Rep. Scott Murphy's Hudson office for "Brown Bag Lunch Vigil for Healthcare Not Warfare" at Town Hall, 80 E. Market St. at 10 a.m. Sponsored by Real Majority Project, Progressive Democrats of America. Information, (845) 242-3571 joeltyner@earthlink.net, http://www.pdamerica.org.
Thursday, April 22, WOODSTOCK: The Middle East Crisis Response group of Hudson Valley residents opposed to Israeli and U.S. policies toward the Palestinians meets 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.
Thursday, April 22, EARTHWIDE: Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Many events will take place throughout the world. Says the Earthday Network: "Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.... Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day." Information at http://www.earthday.net/earthday2010.
Thursday, April 22, MILLBROOK: As an Earth Day special, the Cary Institute will be hosting a free 4 p.m. lecture featuring Dr. Tyrone Hayes, integrative biologist and National Geographic Society explorer. His talk is titled, "From Silent Spring to Silent Night: A Tale of Toads and Men," and it will focus on his breakthrough research linking herbicides to hormonal disruption in wildlife and humans. The venue is the institute auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike. Information, (845) 677-7600, ext. 121, freemanp@caryinstitute.org.
Thursday, April 22, POUGHKEEPSIE (Vassar campus): The Real Majority Project is sponsoring an 8 p.m. Earth Day forum on "Ending Incineration," delivered by Dr. Paul Connett. This discussion of a zero-waste approach for resource recovery takes place in room 203 of Taylor Hall on campus, 124 Raymond Ave. Campus map, http://www.vassar.edu/visitors/map.html. For information about zero waste, plus a petition, see http://www.petitiononline.com/zeroyes. Information, Joel Tyner: (845) 242-3571, joeltyner@earthlink.net.
Thursday, April 22, BEACON: The Earth Day Cleanup of the trails of Scenic Hudson's popular Mount Beacon Park will last from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Consider joining the volunteer cleanup crew. The parking area and trailhead are located at the intersection of Rt. 9D and Howland Ave. You are advised to "wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes (hiking boots or similar), bring water and a lunch." Information, or to say you are coming, Anthony Coneski, (845) 473-4440, ext. 273, http://www.scenichudson.org/.
Friday, April 23, KINGSTON: Boukman Eksperyans, one of Haiti's most well-known bands, is headlining a “One Voice for Haiti” benefit concert for earthquake relief from 7 p.m. to 12 midnight at Back Stage Productions, 323 Wall St. The local Caribbean dance band Sonando along with the duo, Bakana, will also perform. A DJ will play music between sets and a panel discussion on the present state of affairs in Haiti will precede the music. The event will benefit the Haitian People's Support Project (HPSP) and help the quake-afflicted families of Boukman Eksperyans rebuild their lives The Woodstock-based HPSP is a not-for-profit organization supporting many grass root operations in Haiti for the past 20 years. The most immediate need is to help five orphanages in Port Au Prince that house 400 children. The suggested donation is $20 in advance, $25 at the door. There will be Creole food for sale and the bar will be open. The event is co-produced by Evelyne Pouget and the Creative Music Studio. Back Stage Productions was donated for the cause. Advance tickets, (845) 338-8700, http://www.bspinfo.net. Information, HPSP at http://www.haitiansupportproject.org. Boukman Eksperyans, http://www.caribbeanentertainment.com/c/?artists=1022. Sonando, http://www.sonando.net.
Friday to Sunday, April 23-25, NEW PALTZ: Hudson Valley Pax Christi will present three days of activities relating to nuclear disarmament titled “Envision Peace Weekend,” at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 42 South Chestnut St. On Friday at 7 p.m. Sr. Lucianne Siers, OP, will speak at the Parish Center on “Nuclear Disarmament and the United Nations.” She is the NGO representative of Global Partnership for Justice at the UN. On Saturday, the 4th Annual Peace Mass will be celebrated at the church at 9 a.m. Following the Mass there will be coffee and discussion after viewing the film “Hiroshima Repentance and Renewal.” At the same time young adults are invited to participate in a 10 a.m.-5 p.m. workshop retreat called “Kairos,” focusing on the issues of peace and social justice. It is free and lunch will be provided. Register at Danielle.kloster@newpaltz.edu. On Sunday at 4 p.m. there will be a peace concert at the church with music by the Marvelous Musical Martins. This will be followed by a peace walk and vigil at the New Paltz Peace Park, adjacent to Village Hall. "All activities are free and all are welcome." Information, Madeline at (845) 691-8015, mlabriola@mac.com.
Saturday, April 24, ROSENDALE: Rep. Maurice Hinchey will speak at 1:30 p.m. about his bill to authorize a study determining whether the Hudson River Valley should become a unit of the National Park Service, among other environmental issues. The venue is the Rosendale Theater, 408 Main St. Questions and answers will be followed by a “Meet and Greet” with wine and cheese at the Big Cheese, 402 Main St. Sponsored by Save the Lakes and Sierra Club. Donations accepted. Information (845) 255-8004, or http://savethelakes.us.
Saturday, April 24, OLIVEBRIDGE: There will be an Earth Day Open House 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Rd. Included, we're told, "are songs of the Earth, forest ecology and tree ramble, Earthstompin’ music with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, River of Songs poetry and nature walk, and walking tours of Ashokan’s trails." Information, (845) 657-8333, ext. 14,
http://www.ashokancenter.org/.
Sunday, April 25, SYRACUSE: "Stop the Drones!" It's somewhat distant from the Hudson Valley to Syracuse, but the Syracuse Peace Council and Peace Action of Central N.Y. will hold a rally and a march to Hancock Airbase to protest the increasing use of U.S. military drone aircraft in Afghanistan. The march will assemble at nearby Northern Lights Mall in Mattydale. Details and times will be announced soon. The plans are not yet complete but it sounds like an idea whose time has come. Actions like this can help rebuild the national peace movement after many Democrats stepped back from antiwar activism when Bush's wars became Obama's wars. Information, (315) 243-9823, glotzierz@twcny.rr.com. Check out the Syracuse Peace Council events website for updates, http://www.peacecouncil.net/Events.htm.
Sunday, April 25, NEW PALTZ (SUNY Campus and Village): The annual "Take Back the Night" event — focusing on halting violence against women — starts with a variety of events at the Parker Quad beginning at 2 p.m. A march around campus takes place in early evening, followed by a march through the village, concluding back at campus with a speak-out to spread awareness about violence against women. The campus march gathers at 7 p.m. at Parker Quad. The village march forms at 7:45 p.m. at South Oakwood and Plattekill Ave. Supportive members of the local community and region are welcome to participate, especially in the village march. This important event is sponsored by campus Take Back the Night, with co-sponsors New Paltz Feminist Collective and New Paltz Queer Action Coalition. Information, tbtnnp@gmail.com. (If you are unfamiliar with the campus, Plattekill is on the right hand side of the campus map. Oakwood is one of the unmarked gray lines leading into Plattekill by the Old Library. Parker Quad is in front of the Parker Theater. Map, http://www.newpaltz.edu/map/map0708_1600x750.gif.)
Sunday, April 25, POUGHKEEPSIE: Ten residents of the Hudson Valley, who took park in the Gaza Freedom March earlier this year, will speak about their experiences, and discuss the international coalition to end the illegal siege of Gaza. The free 2-4 p.m. event takes place at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 67 South Randolph Ave. Sponsored by Dutchess Peace Coalition, Middle East Crisis Response, and UU Social Justice Committee. Information, (845) 876-7906.
Tuesday, April 27, RHINEBECK: There will be a free screening at 5:30 p.m. of Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story," along with a "short presentation on how even partial re-implementation of a stock transfer tax on Wall Street could slash our property taxes." It takes place at Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 East Market St. The sponsor is Dutchess County legislator Joel Tyner and the Real Majority Project. Information, (845) 242-3571; joeltyner@earthlink.net.
Thursday, April 29, LOCH SHELDRAKE (Sullivan County CC campus): A discussion of "Acid Rain and its Impact on Fish and Forest in the Catskills" begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Seelig Theater on campus (park in Lot 1). The panelists at this free public event are Barry Baldigo and Douglas Burns of the U.S. Geological Survey. Sponsored by the Catskill Institute for the Environment. Information, kscullion@sullivan.suny.edu, (845) 434-5750 ext. 4447, http://www.catskillinstitute.org/.
Thursday, April 29, MILLBROOK: "A Wild Solution for Climate Change" is the topic of a 7 p.m. presentation by Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy, who will explore global management of the carbon cycle and the impact of climate change on the natural world. Focusing on the potential of terrestrial ecosystems to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, Lovejoy will examine how ecosystem restoration, pursued on a planetary scale, is one of the important responses to climate change. This free event will be held in the Cary Institute auditorium, located at 2801 Sharon Turnpike. Information, (845) 677-7600, ext. 121, freemanp@caryinstitute.org.
