Friday, November 30, 2012

Leaping Trout Art Auction Dec 8


Leaping Trout Art Auction

December 8th, 2012
Leaping Trout Art Auction with Auctioneer Jay Werbalowsky
All proceeds of the auction will go to support the ongoing conservation efforts of our local Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which is sponsoring and financing this project. You can place a bid for your favorite Leaping Trout online at any time prior to the date of the auction. http://www.theleapingtrout.com

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Flurries In The Valley

Less than an inch of snow fell yesterday in the valley. Today there were some additional very light flurries. The upper end of the road looked like a sugar dusted cookie this morning. But the lower valley, nearer to town, melted more quickly and there was no snow to be seen when I went down around noon. All in all the accumulate was very minimal so there is nothing to get overly concerned about at this point. But I guess this begins the long winter of posting about the local weather conditions. Check back every couple of days for updates as winter starts to take hold.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Meeting Wednesday Nov 28th


WCA member Jim Infante sent me this a while ago and with the holiday it got lost in the shuffle (sorry Jim!). But for those of you who can attend the meeting tomorrow night or the one on December 14th I am sure your input would be greatly appreciated. Here is what Jim had to say.

November 2012

Dear member of the Catskill community,

The private/public Partnership led by The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, and The Friends of The Catskill Interpretive Center is making progress in the construction of The Maurice Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center in Mount Tremper, in the town of Shandaken. A Kiosk with 16 panels of information about the Catskills has already been erected at the site, by Route 28.

As part of the planning for the construction of a facility, the Partnership has engaged a student class of the Architecture Department of SUNY/Delhi to produce siting and conceptual plans for a building for the Interpretive Center. The students plan to make two presentations to the public of architectural drawings illustrating eight concepts of the planned facility. The Partnership has arranged for these two presentations to take place at the Shandaken Town Hall (on Route 28) on Wednesday, November 28 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, and on Friday, December 14 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. The November 28 presentation is for the purpose of soliciting comments and suggestions from interested members of the Catskill community about the then tentative plans for the facility; these suggestions will be then taken into consideration by the student designers who will then, at the December 14 meeting, present the final designs they propose. These eight proposals will provide the conceptual foundations for the final detail design of the facility to house The Maurice Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center.

On behalf of the Partnership, I wish to extend a cordial invitation to you, and through you to any interested member of the Catskill community, to attend either one or both of these meetings and to actively make comments and suggestions regarding the details of the student proposals and designs. The Partnership, and the Catskill community, is most grateful for the enthusiastic work of these students and for the great and generous support provided to this project by the SUNY/Delhi faculty and administration.

I look forward to see you at these meetings.

Cordially yours,

E. F. Jim Infante
On behalf of the Partnersip

The Nowness Interviews Larry Clark


WCA member Max Nova sent me this message about the latest interview on "The Nowness" that he edited. Here is what Max had to say:

One person who's already celebrating is legendary director Larry Clark, who's latest film Marfa Girl just won the top prize at the Rome Film Festival this past weekend (the Golden Marc'Aurelio, trivia buffs).  Congratulations, Larry!

We're proud to share our exclusive interview with the intrepid (and infamous) visionary for Nowness, as Matt Black & Shane Sigler succeeded in getting Larry to sit still long enough to discuss the film in a window-lit hotel room in midtown Manhattan – with Hurricane Sandy's winds whipping outside:


Have a great holiday,
Max

MAX NOVA / SHELLAC 
WWW.SHELLACNYC.COM


Aoife Clancy and Robbie O'Connell at ESRM


Flying Cat Music Presents
A Celtic Celebration with
Aoife Clancy and Robbie O’Connell

Sunday, December 2, 2012
7:30 p.m. (sharp), door at 7:00

Empire State Railway Museum
70 Lower High Street, Phoenicia, NY 12464
  
Admission is $18 or $16 w/RSVP

For information email as above
or call 845-688-9453

Links to artists' websites:


Aoife Clancy and Robbie O’Connelll will bring Celtic music to the Catskills for the Flying Cat Music Railway Concerts series at the Empire State Railway Museum on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 advance, $18 at the door. For information and reservations email flyingcatmusic@gmail.com or call 845-688-9453. The museum is located at 70 Lower High Street in Phoenicia, New York.

Few musical acts in modern Irish history were as influential and beloved as the Clancy Brothers during a storied career that spanned several decades and the Atlantic Ocean. Here in America they helped reshape folk music in the 60s with a young Bob Dylan among their most devoted fans. Robbie O’Connell and Aoife Clancy continue that Clancy legacy in America today. 

Introduced to performing by her father Bobby Clancy at the age of 14, Aoife came to prominence during the years she spent as lead vocalist for the seminal Irish-American band Cherish the Ladies. Robbie O’Connell, himself a nephew of the Clancy Brothers, also began performing in his early teens. In 1977 Robbie was asked by his uncles to join their band, and he subsequently spent 19 nineteen years with the Clancy Brothers. In recent years both Aoife Clancy and Robbie O’Connell, who each now reside in Massachusetts, have gone on to garnish rave reviews for their solo careers.

Hot Press, Ireland’s top music magazine, calls Robbie O’Connell, “A National Treasure.” While the Boston Globe says he is, “. . . among the most respected guitarists, singer and songwriters in Celtic music.”  

Though her Irish roots remain front and center, Aoife Clancy’s solo work can’t be pigeon holed as Celtic alone. As Mike Jackson of the Canberra Times says, “She has a breadth of styles that makes her concerts fascinating. Her singing would melt packed ice with its warmth and richness.” Dirty Linen Magazine notes, “Clancy’s distinctive mezzo and clarity of phrasing make an immediate impression as she explores the restrained emotions of the music.”

The audience at Sunday’s show will be treated to some special holiday fare with a distinctive Celtic flavor. Robbie and Aoife will explore the Christian and Pagan traditions surrounding the Winter Solstice in a mixture of songs, poetry and instrumental pieces. They will also share stories of family Christmases growing up in Ireland along with songs that were passed down to them by their uncles. Come celebrate Ireland in America with Aoife Clancy and Robbie O’Connell.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

'Tis Hunting Season

There were a few showers in the valley this morning. By mid-day the showers had changed over to flurries as the weather got progressively colder. Even though it is not technically winter yet, it is beginning to feel like it weather-wise. And with the arrival of the cold weather so come the hunters. Hunting season opened last week and there have been a lot of people out and about in the valley.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that if you and/or your pet will be in the woods in the next few weeks you should take precautions. A bright, bold, neon orange jacket, hat or scarf is advisable. I know some of you are thinking "But neon accessory accents are so last season!".  That might be true, but here in the Catskills they can help you from getting a rear end full of buckshot or worse. Many different hunting supply stores have pieces you can buy. Phoenicia's own Morne Imports has many choices. So get yourself something bright to wear if you are going out in the woods.

If you would like to check on the dates for the different phases of hunting season you can do so on the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/65231.html

Stay safe!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving Poetry From Boreegard

        
TONY AND THE TURKEYS

When we got back home from Texas,
A few days before Thanksgiving,
Tony—the big Maine Coon cat,
Who allows us to share our home with him,
Took me aside for a brief conversation.

“You know boss  (he calls me boss to make
Me feel good),
That flock of wild turkeys you’ve been
Chucking cracked corn and sunflower seeds at,
Has been making themselves right at home
In your absence.”

“They’ve pecked the H E double L
Out of Ma’s flowery things, and they’ve been
Strutting in obscene feathery processions,
All through the herb garden. Have they no shame?
Now, what are you going to do about this mess?”

“I can hardly sun myself properly of a warm afternoon,
Or pounce on the occasional high grass vermin,
Which is my catly right and duty, as you well know,
Without those cacophonous gobblers strutting through the yard,
Interrupting my action with their peck peck peckings,
And their gobbley gobbledy gobblings.”

I scratched his head, and while he purred away
Like  a 14 inch chain saw, I said this to him:
“My dear Tony of the bologna (He doesn’t know what
Bologna is, but he likes the rhyming sound of it),
That particular flock of tough toms and sweet hens
Is a permanent part of our scene. They are sacrosanct.”

“But you and I will have the ultimate revenge. To celebrate
Thanksgiving, I’ll roast one of their domesticated
Cousins, and we will feast for many days upon its tender flesh.
And of its bones, dear cat, I’ll make a beautiful brown broth,
That we will spoon and slurp and long remember.”


                                                         Boreegard
                                                         aka Mike O'Neil
                                                         December 8, 2006

Monday, November 19, 2012

Reminder Turkey Trot This Weekend



Phoenicia Turkey Trot to benefit Shandaken Food Pantry

PhoeniciaNew York is hosting the Second Annual Phoenicia Turkey Trot, Saturday, November 24th9:00 a.m. The 2 mile run/walk will benefit the Shandaken Food Pantry, which was founded in the 1980s and feeds 35 local families each week. The race will wind through scenic Phoenicia. A free Tot Trot for kids five and under will precede the main race at 8:45 a.m.  Last year’s inaugural event boasted 300 runners.

The run is open to the entire community, elite and novice runners alike. Kick off this family fun event benefiting this worthy cause, and while you are at it, work off your Thanksgiving feast.
Registration is $10 for individuals or $20 per family. Groups are encouraged to run as well. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest female and male racers; and a special cash prize will be given to the team with the most runners.

Registration and sign in begins at 8:00am - 8:45am at the Parish Hall, Main Street, Phoenicia (across the street from St Francis de Sales Church).  We would additionally welcome a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Food Pantry.

To pre-register, visit www.runreg.com (search Phoenicia Turkey Trot) or contact Heather (845) 688-7064 or Patti (845) 254-4126 or via email at 
hrobertspt@gmail.com   Registration forms are also available in Phoenicia at the Phoenicia Library and the Phoenicia Supermarket, Ave Maria Drive; Tender Land Home, Mama’s Boy Market and the Nest Egg, Main Street.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Leaping Trout Gala Grand Opening


Check out this show tonight it features pieces by several WCA members!

The gala grand opening gallery show and reception of the 2012 Leaping Trout  art collection.Saturday, November 17, at the Arts Upstairs Gallery, 60 Main Street, Phoenicia, NY, 6 to 8 PM.
Auction date December 8, 2012, 4-6PM

The entire 2012 Leaping Trout art collection  will be on exhibit at the Arts Upstairs Gallery from November 17 until Saturday, December 8th, at which time the art collection will be auctioned.  We are pleased to announce that the Hudson Valley’s premier auctioneer, Jay Werbalowsky, has agreed to lend his talents to this event.   Jay’s spirited conduct of the 2010 Leaping Trout art auction turned it into the social event of the season.  All proceeds of the auction will go to support the ongoing conservation efforts of our local Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which is sponsoring and financing this project. You can place a bid for your favorite Leaping Trout  online at any time prior to the date of the auction.

All 35 artworks in the 2012 collection have been on individual public display in 34 locations throughout the Central Catskills region since late July.  Over 1,700 brochures containing the Leaping Trout Art Trail map have been distributed in  the tri-state area, with more to come in the weeks ahead. The project web site (http://www.theleapingtrout.com) has received over 2,000 hits per month since its launch in early August.

This historic art event marks the first time ever that all 35 original Leaping Trout artworks will be on display in one place at the same time. No living person has ever experienced this unique collection in its entirety (including me). Come join us on November 17 and marvel at the creativity, imagination, and in some cases the sheer audacity of your fellow Catskill area artist friends and neighbors. Share this e-mail. Follow the project on Facebook (at Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited, or APWCTU).  Help us turn the buzz into a roar.  Refreshments will be served.

Mark Loete
Chair – Leaping Trout Art Project committee
Ashokan-Pepacton Watershed Chapter – Trout Unlimited


Thursday, November 15, 2012

A Warning From Paul Van Blarcum

Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum asked me to pass along this message to you. Here is what Paul had to say:

"There are individuals going around posing as Central Hudson workers and asking to get into houses to check electric and gas connections?  There have been many reports in the county and we need to remind people that all Utility employees are required to carry and show ID when asked.  Never let anyone into your residence unless you are 100% positive of their identity.  If in doubt call the utility company before allowing anyone in your house." 

- Paul Van Blarcum
Ulster County Sheriff

Paul's warning is a very important one that we should all heed. The Ulster County Sheriff's Office has a Facebook page and a Twitter feed for the most up to the minute information. Those who can should take advantage of these resources. I myself have already "liked" them on FB.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

More Clean Up News

Here was another message I received after the storm from our neighbors Nic Arbatsky and Ann Tortorelli. Thankfully with some help from friends and neighbors they were able to get this cleaned up in no time. 

Here is what Nic had to say about it all:

Glad to hear your side of the Valley's getting back together.
Here are a few shots from our place at the beginning of the valley.
#1) Our new front yard with vertical landscaping, minus 75' hemlock. 
#2) View of our garage & truck from the road, obscured by the top of 75' hemlock.
#3) View from driveway.
Surveyed the damage on 10/31/12 & had a huge outpouring of support & immediate help with clean up/damage assessment.
We were lucky & it could have been much worse. Will send updated images & a list of people to thank once we can find gas & get back upstate.






The great thing about Phoenicia is that within a matter of hours, people stopped by & got the word out that we were having difficulties.  Scott Outwater (renting Eugene's house in the Valley), Art Christie, Al Frisenda, Lyndon Brisset, Joe Sweet, Darren Smith, Wayne Fichtner & Callie and the folks @ NYSEG all helped to get us back to some sense of normalcy in a short period of time...

Luckily the snow storm stayed south! Here is the after photo with the tree all cleaned up and cleared away!




Photos by Nic Arbatsky

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Phoenicia Halloween Parade 2012

I was so distracted with the aftermath of super storm Sandy that I didn't have the chance to post the photos from the Halloween parade. It really was another fun and festive day in Phoenicia. Enjoy the pictures!!


































Photos © Carol Seitz

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Vacant Planning Board Seats


There will be two vacant seats available on the Shandaken Planning Board.  Information about the Planning Board is available on the Town's website: 
Applicants should send a letter of interest and resume to Shandaken Planning Board, PO Box 67, Shandaken, NY 12480, or email
PBShandaken@yahoo.com.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Getting Trains To The Outer Boroughs


Tommy Healy sent us some follow up photos to his last series about the subway. Here is what he had to say:

As a follow up.  The below photo shows one car of a 10 car train that was cut up.  It's being lifted and  swung off it's wheel sets and will be lowered to a flat bed truck located down in the street. Once it arrives in the rockaways and is reassembled,  the train will run locally bringing passengers to awaiting shuttle buses. It will be a while before the tracks are repaired.  

- Tom










Photos of crane lifting train by Harry Cruz

Thursday, November 8, 2012

A Clear, Crisp Day


Today was a bright, clear, cold day in the valley. As I said in my previous post there was no snow here at all. Everything seems to have fallen to the south and east of us. The temperatures over the weekend are supposed to go back into the high 50's. So I guess we get another reprieve from the onset of winter. Enjoy it while it lasts!!

No Snow Overnight

Good morning all, I am happy to tell you that absolutely no more snow fell overnight here in the valley....nothing....nada.....none!! We had a slight dusting earlier in the evening but after that we got lucky. The storm seems to have slipped to our south and east. So, while it is cold (temps in the low 30's) there is no shoveling to be done. Yippeeee!! But I am not going to get too excited because it is only November and the cold weather has only just begun. As usual, I will keep you posted.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Nor'easter Update

Right now there is only a dusting of snow in the valley. Looks like so far this storm hasn't effected us too much. The temperatures are holding in the low 30's. There are no winds to speak of at this point. I will keep you posted as to our status as the storm progresses. Again, if I don't post for more than 24 hours you can assume that the power and/or internet has gone out in the valley.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Pumping Out The Subway

WCA member Tommy Healy works in the city as a dispatcher for the MTA. He sent these great photos of the pumping and restoration of the subways. Very interesting!! Here is what Tommy had to say:


In some of the yards I have worked we would have these trains at the ready even for a heavy summer thunderstorm. This is the A & C line Cranberry street tunnel as we know it, under the east river near Fulton Street in Mann.  You can see the high water mark just over half way up.



Bring on the the pump train  - A 10 car train pushed in by a deisel locomotive to reach into the flood zone.



There is a siphon hose out the front and one that is bigger below the car out of view. The train pumps 1,500 gallons of water per minute.



Inside one of 7 cars called a reach car that carry water to hoses out the back of the train that leads to the street. 



Once the water is gone.  Signal and track dept go in to inspect track and every signal and switch that was under water. I now dispatch trains with flats and a crane cars. These trains would be used to clean debris and muck that has settled in the tunnels. The one below is carrying exit hoses to help continue to pump water out.



And below.....  "an once of prevention..."    this an example of a dam set up at 148st and lennox terminal on the #3 line It could have completely flooded the entire terminal.  It held out the east river as you can see, saving a lot of sea water entering the tracks below that would need to be pumped out.



Now the A line to the rockaways,  that's another story....




Foot note to the last pic in the rockaways.  We plan to take apart a train and truck it to the  to the rockaways reassemble it on the track and run limited service to meet with shuttle busses.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Power Back To Whole Valley

Unless you have a problem that is specific to your house, the power, phone and internet are back to the whole valley.

Phone Back, Power Mostly Back

The phone service is back to the valley. The power was back up to the Fawn Hill area by yesterday afternoon. Supposedly the rest of the road will be on later today (except for me - see post below). So everything is getting back to normal. Unfortunately, I just read that they are keeping an eye on another possible nor'easter that might be headed our way next week. I will keep you posted on that. I would definitely advise you all to have someone check your houses. I have heard of a couple of tree related damages to valley homes in the last couple of days.

PS - If you still need Wi-Fi the library has opened early today (Fri 11/2) to accommodate people without service. Thanks Phoenicia Librarians!!

PPS - DRY ICE UPDATE ! There IS Plenty of Dry Ice up at the Lanesville Fire House about 4 miles from Phoenicia on Rt. 214.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Power Still Out In The Valley

Power has been restored in Phoenicia but is still out in Woodland Valley. It will probably be a couple of days more before we get back to normal. There are still many downed wires all along WV Road. At this point they have replaced the broken utility poles so they are working in the right direction. NYSEG has been out on the road everyday since the storm occurred.

For those looking for internet Town Hall has open Wi-Fi. Town Clerk Joyce Grant says you can also recharge devices there as well.

There will be no more dry ice at the Phoenicia Firehouse but at this moment (2:30 Thursday Nov 1) the Olivebridge Firehouse still has 1/3 of a palate and they are getting more tomorrow. For more information call the Olive Town Clerk at 657-2320. They are located on Mill Road in Olivebridge. To get there make a right onto RT-28A in Boiceville. Then turn right onto RT 213/CR 4 and take the 2nd right to Mill Road.

PS - This just in (as of 3:15pm) , there is dry ice in the Lanesville firehouse on Rt 214 near Sickler Road.