Miriam Rose in Concert 3/12/11

I got this message from Lauren Silver a couple of days ago regarding Miriam Rose's violin Concert. I am definitely planning to go and hope I will see you all there! Here is what Lauren had to say:

We are very happy to announce that eight year old violinist, Miriam Rose, will be performing in concert on Saturday, March 12th at 3pm at St. Gregory's church in Woodstock NY, with pianist Cynthia Tobey. If you would like to help us in getting the word out about this wonderful event, we would be so grateful. Miriam has worked very hard and it would make us all so happy to see our family, friends and neighbors on that special day.

Sincerely,
Lauren Silver

Ashokan Watershed Conference - 4/9/11

I recently received this email from the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program. The focus of this years conference is flooding. Those of you with homes on the creek might be interested in attending. Here is the information they sent:

Flood Resilience for Towns, Businesses and Landowners Second Annual Ashokan Watershed Conference
Saturday, April 9th, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Emerson Resort, Mt. Tremper, NY
Cost: $15.00

With two significant floods occurring within two months of each other in 2010, flooding has been a pressing issue for communities in the Ashokan Watershed. This year, the Ashokan Watershed Conference will focus on the theme of how communities can be more resilient when floods occur. We can't stop floods. However, communities can take charge of planning wisely, minimizing damage, and being prepared so recovery happens faster and costs less.

What you will get out of this conference:

Municipal Officials:
See what other towns have done to address difficult flooding issues How to reduce your community's flood insurance rates. How to reduce flooding impacts with good floodplain and stream management. What changes are coming to Your Flood Insurance Maps.

Landowners & Businesses:
How to minimize flood damage to homes, structures, and property. How to address backyard erosion problems. All about Flood Insurance.

Everyone:
What meteorologists know about increasing rainfall trends. Learn how streams will respond to increased rainfall. Examples of what other communities have done to deal with flooding.

Click here to Download a Registration Brochure with Agenda

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Conference Agenda

8:15 am - 9:00 am
Registration & Networking Coffee and bagels available

9:20 am - 11:40 am Morning Sessions

Introduction - Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program

Extreme Precipitation — Increasing Frequency of Large Storms
Dan Zarrow, Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University

Planning for Stream Response to Increased Rainfall
Jim MacBroom, Milone & MacBroom, Inc.

Forming a Flood Commission: Communities Finding Solutions
Rick Weidenbach, Graydon Dutcher; Delaware County SWCD

11:45 - 12:30 Lunch (included)

12:30 - 2:30 Afternoon Breakout Sessions:

Landowners & Businesses - Track 1
12:30 - 1:20
Got Flood Insurance?
All About Flood
Insurance for Homeowners
A.E. Knapp & Associates

Break 1:20 - 1:30 Break

Landowners & Businesses - Track 1
1:30 - 2:20 Flood Protection Measures for Homeowners
A.E. Knapp & Associates
______________

Landowners & Businesses - Track 2
12:30 - 1:20
Public Agency Panel:
Agency Roles After Floods
DEP, DEC, NRCD, SWCD, SEMO

Break 1:20 - 1:30

Landowners & Businesses - Track 2
1:30 - 2:20
Stream Bank Erosion 101 for Homeowners
Cory Ritz & Deron Davis SWCD/NRCS
_______________

Municipal - Track 1
12:30 - 2:20
National Flood Insurance Program:
Introductory Course on Floodplain Management
(2 hour session)

Bill Nechamen
Floodplain Management Section Chief, NYSDEC
**Training Credits Available for Code Enforcement Officers/Floodplain Managers**
_______________

Municipal - Track 2
12:30 - 2:20
FEMA Community Rating System: How to Reduce Flood Damage and Insurance Premiums
(2 hour session)

Mike Jastremski, Lillian Bruno Delaware & Schoharie County Planning Depts

A Bit More Snow Overnight

We had a little snow bit of snow last night. It didn't add up to more than an inch or two but it made me feel like this winter is never going to stop! Tuesday is the first day of March though so at least we are moving closer to spring!

Another Wet Mess

The latest storm started around midnight last night. It snowed through the night into early this morning. We had about 4 inches on the ground when I woke up. Everything changed to sleet and then rain around 9:00. Right now is it going back to snow.

What does that all mean? A big, soggy mess, that's what it means! The rain melted some of the snow but in driveways and on walking paths the water doesn't have anywhere to go. I shoveled my porch a little while ago. It was difficult because the snow was so heavy.

The good news is there has been no problems with the power in the valley. At least I haven't heard of any outages at this point.

But be careful if you have to travel tonight. If this stuff freezes it is going to be slippery!!!

Details of Viewing and Services for Tommy Alba

The visitation and services for Tommy Alba will be held at Gormley's Funeral Home in Phoenicia. Below are the address and times.

E. B. Gormley Funeral Home
87 Main Street
Phoenicia, NY 12464
ph: (845) 688-5500
phoenicia6@juno.com

Thomas Alba

Visitation:
Thursday, February 24, 2011
7:00 PM until 9:00 PM

Visitation:
Friday, February 25, 2011
2:00 PM until 4:00 PM
7:00 PM until 9:00 PM

Service:
Saturday, February 26, 2011
12:00 PM
E. B. Gormley Funeral Home
87 Main Street
Phoenicia, NY 12464

Thomas S. Alba, 19 of Lane Street died Tuesday February 22, 2011 at his residence. He was born July 14, 1991 son of Nicholas and Gael Venables Alba. A 2009 Onteora High School graduate, he was an avid snow boarder and skateboarder. He had a great sense of humor, was gregarious, and very loving. He had a keen sense of fashion style, and was popular among his friends.

Surviving are his parents, and brother Nick, couisns, aunts & uncles.
A Service to Celebrate the Life of Thomas will be held on Saturday at 12 noon at the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home Main St. Phoenicia. Friends will be received on Thursday from 7-9pm and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. To light a memorial candle or leave a message for Tom’s family, please visit www.gormleyfuneralhome.com

Thomas Alba Passes

I am completely heartbroken to have to tell the community of the passing of a wonderful young resident. Tommy Alba, the youngest son of Nick and Gael Alba, died yesterday morning at his home. Tommy was 19. The cause of death is unknown at this point. Funeral arrangements are still being made and I will post them when I have them.

Tommy was a terrific young man. Always ready with a smile and an easy laugh. It was great fun talking with him. Sometimes, when I am speaking with other teens, I get the feeling that they would rather be talking to someone their own age who they can relate to better. I never got that feeling from Tommy. He actually seemed to enjoy talking with folks of all ages. He had a wonderful personality and was always so warm and funny. I will miss him greatly. May he rest in peace.

Rick Altman Trio Plays Harmony Cafe

Go enjoy jazz in Woodstock this weekend. The Rick Altman Trio is back at the Harmony Cafe in Woodstock, Sunday February 27th from 8-11 pm. Check for info on upcoming shows at www.rickaltman.com See you there!

Brief Power & Phone Outage in the Valley

There was a short power and phone outage in the valley yesterday. It only lasted about 20 - 30 minutes and then everything came back on and normal life resumed again.

Snow Amounts and Weather Station Update

The storm we had last night into this morning seems to be over. We only got about 3 inches of snow, not too bad. But be careful because it has covered up some large icy patches. Watch where you walk!! There is still a lot of ice under the snow!!

On a related subject, the WV weather station (which was knocked out in the power outage) is up and running again. So all of you WV weather addicts can get back to checking the stats online.

Power Outages in the Valley

There have been a couple of power outages in the valley in the last 36 hours. Apparently, the power was off for about an hour yesterday afternoon (I was not home at the time to report it). When I went out this afternoon I learned that although most of the road had only that brief incident, Baker and Grandview Roads were out until late today. I rode up Baker on my way home and the lights seemed to be back on so I think everything is OK now. But if your house is in that area you might want to have someone check in on it.