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County Executive Sends Release Regarding Sophie Finn Elementary School Transition to SUNY Ulster Satellite Campus.

2 May

Below is the Press Release issued from UC Executive Mike Hein on a public meeting regarding the transition of the Sophie Finn Elementary School into a SUNY Ulster Satellite Campus.  The details are below.  Is an opportunity to hear a presentation from the key players on the proposal for re-development.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             
May 2, 2013
Contact:  News@co.ulster.ny.us
845.340.3800

ULSTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE MIKE HEIN INVITES COMMUNITY TO DISCUSSION 
OF SUNY ULSTER’S FUTURE SATELLITE CAMPUS AT SOPHIE FINN 
 
Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 8th at 7 PM at Sophie Finn

Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein and SUNY Ulster President Donald Katt invite the public to discuss proposed plans for the conversion of the Sophie Finn School into a SUNY Ulster satellite campus.  The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8 at 7 PM at Sophie Finn: 94 Mary’s Avenue in Kingston. Officials from the County, the City of Kingston, SUNY Ulster and the Kingston City School District are expected to attend.

Converting Sophie Finn into a SUNY Ulster satellite campus in midtown Kingston is part of County Executive Hein’s Strategic Taxpayer Relief through Innovative Visions in Education (S.T.R.I.V.E.) Project.  S.T.R.I.V.E is designed to improve educational opportunities for local Kingston area students, support revitalization of midtown Kingston, and provide financial savings for taxpayers. Through the S.T.R.I.V.E. Project, the County Executive is creating the foundation for an educational corridor with a modern community college campus right in the heart of Kingston.

Officials from the City of Kingston, Kingston City School District, and SUNY Ulster will discuss the goals of the S.T.R.I.V.E. Project, and SUNY Ulster’s architectural consultant, CSArch, will explain the design.  The meeting is also intended to provide an opportunity for neighborhood residents to discuss the project with SUNY Ulster, County, Kingston City School District, and City of Kingston officials while the planning and design phase is in its early stages.

S.T.R.I.V.E. related documents can be found at: http://co.ulster.ny.us/strive.html.  For more information, please call Chris White, Ulster County Deputy Director for Planning at 845-340-3338 or cwhi@co.ulster.ny.us.

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An Ode to Farmer Jesica Clark.

20 Mar
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Photo by Dion Ogust

Over the past seven years, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some amazing people. But none as dear and few as great as Farmer Jesica Clark.

I met her years ago, when she approached me to help as a consultant to the Kingston City Hall Victory Garden back in 2007, a project that was a 10×10 foot raised bed organic garden on City Hall grounds –  pretty unprecedented  - with the support of then Mayor Jim Sottile and former city clerk Kathy Janeczek who sadly passed in 2009.

Jesica was a young first generation farmer , who was working as the head farmer of Phillies Bridge Farm Project in Gardiner, NY – and I was so pleased to have her support and to pick her brain on how to make this project successful then. Allyson Levy of Stone Ridge also volunteered at that time, who has since become  a master gardener through the Cornell Cooperative Extension program and is co-owner of Hortus Conclusus. With such help, I couldn’t go wrong.

When I took post at the Kingston Land Trust as Executive Director back in 2010, Jesica got in touch with me again – as she was moving to Kingston and was looking for land to farm hoping for 10 acres. All I had then to offer was a small 1/4 acre parcel in the midtown area thanks to Binnewater Ice who had donated the land and a partnership with the wonderful Diane Reeder and the Queens Galley.

The space came with a free water source,  and I convinced her that creating a ‘farm’ on a small parcel could help Kingston to learn the benefits of urban farming.

She ran with it and moved away from her desired farm space and within a few weeks, Jesica had a three year business plan and a fundraising platform on Kickstarter. Very soon after, we negotiated a lease, a sublease – and she raised almost $6,000.00 to make the ‘farm’ concept a reality. The South Pine Street City Farm was born.

…and it was completely Jesica’s invention.  A space that grew over 150 varieties of vegetables with an educational component. In addition, she took on the task of developing ‘The Dig Kids – an Urban Farm Program” with me that in the past two years has successfully worked to transform the Everette Hodge Center garden and new garden plots at the Van Buren Street playground that not only educated each of us, but also dozens of children and their families in farming practices with the invaluable help of Megan Weiss of Kingston Cares who is someone else I hold in the highest esteem.  She started a farm stand (that Hugh Cummings built for free) selling her beautiful produce to the community three days a week at the farm, got involved with the Kingston’s Farmers market’s in uptown and midtown – and also developed a farm to table program providing vegetables to local businesses all over Kingston.

Jesica is one of the most hardworking people I know. But on top of it all, she has a deep understanding of how things work and is a savvy business woman. What’s more is her ‘can-do’ attitude that makes the impossible possible, with a personality that all of us have simply fallen in love with.

But her vision in being completely sustainable through farming a larger parcel is her dream – and she found such a space across the river. Although I am very happy for her, it is also with great sadness for me to see her leave Kingston.  She and her husband Daniel Clark (of Prime Print Shop in Poughkeepsie, who has also been essential and generous to our efforts) are the kind of residents that you  lose with a heavy heart.

Jesica Clark has put Kingston on the map on the Urban Agriculture front – something that is critical for us in this current climate. She has helped to remind us all something that our grandparents knew but has been lost in only two generations. We must grow our own food, help one another and do so with grace, beauty – and simplicity.

Her additional gift to our city is that she attracted another first generation farmer to Kingston – Kaycee Wimbish and her family – who will take over the South Pine Street City Farm, the Dig Kids Program and work towards a new and larger farm at the YMCA.  Because of Jesica, we will continue to pursue urban agriculture to benefit our community and continue to be a model for other Hudson River cities.

Thank you, Jesica.  For all of your hard work and in helping to make us more healthy and thoughtful citizens.

Rebecca Martin

KingstonCitizens.org – every now and then…

28 Jan

Friends,

Although KC.org retired years ago, we periodically like to bring something to your attention as you have seen here and on our Facebook page.

We hope you enjoy them when we do.

Thanks.

RM

O + Festival Donates $1,000+ to Charities in Kingston TONIGHT (12/10)

10 Dec

By Alexandra Marvar

Tonight, towards the conclusion of the Uptown Holiday Open House, The O+ Festival will present more than $1,000 of their first-year proceeds to two local charities in Kingston. The amount represents a 10% gift that O+ board members agreed to disperse to charities on an annual basis. This year, O+ will recognize Angel Food East, a hot meal program for people living with HIV and AIDS in the Hudson Valley, and the Queens Galley, an Uptown-based program that provides awareness, education, relief and prevention of food insecurity in America, for their contributions to wellness in Kingston and the Hudson Valley, and their active commitment to fostering healthier communities. Representatives from all three organizations will be present for a brief & informal ceremony under the Christmas Tree on Maxwell’s Patio, commencing at 8:10 p.m. Please join us!

The remaining 90% of O+’s 2010 proceeds are currently going to support the 501-c3 application process for non-profit status, the O+ book project, a music/health event in spring 2011 (more info to come!) and the second annual O+ Festival, Columbus Day Weekend (October 7, 8, 9) 2011.

Director Maciek Godlewski recently completed a 4.5-minute mini-documentary of the first annual O+ festival — watch it on Vimeo!

Keep up with news at O+’s recently relaunched website at www.opositivefestival.org (which touts a great feature on the fest in the current issue of Businessweek magazine ) and follow O+ at www.facebook.com/opositivefest.

Thanks for your support in 2010. And please join us tonight in thanking Angel Food East and Queens Galley for making a positive difference, and Uptown for a very great year.

NEW Department of Public Works Schedule for Citizens of Kingston

6 Dec


By Rebecca Martin

Here is a link to the new DPW Refuse/Recycle schedule for 2010/2011.

Thanks to Ward 1 Alderwoman Andi Turco-Levin for alerting us.

Click on this LINK to view and print a copy.

 

Public Hearing on Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plan Scheduled.

29 Nov

By Rebecca Martin

A little over a year ago, Kingston resident and KC.org contributor “Wilbur Girl” wrote an exceptional piece on her “Environmental Focus on Kingston” series titled “Give me an “C”, “S”, “O”! laying out the city of Kingston’s troubled sewage treatment problems.

She writes, “On average Kingston receives 47.48 inches of rain a year, with May being the wettest month. This summer alone (2009) we’ve been deluged with roughly 17 inches of the wet stuff. While my friends are all bemoaning the loss of blight ridden tomatoes, I’ve been worrying about a problem that runs a little deeper. Yup, I’ve been thinking about combined sewer overflow systems (CSO’s).

Kingston’s antiquated sewer system is a CSO. They were all the rage and considered the newest and greatest in waste flow management along the eastern sea board following the Civil War. The EPA defines these types of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems as “remnants of the country’s early infrastructure and so are typically found in older communities.” They estimate there to be roughly 772 CSO communities in the US today.

A CSO was designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater all in the same pipe. This slurry of toxic sludge is transported to a sewage treatment plant. Periods of heavy rainfalls or quickly melting snow exacerbate the volume of storm water runoff so that it exceeds the capacity of the system. Excess, untreated wastewater instead empties directly into nearby bodies of water – in our case, the Rondout Creek. Also, because of their age, CSO’s often fail or collapse at an accelerated rate.”

I’ve included the link to her piece in full up above and encourage you to read it as a refresher. Here’s why:

Please be advised that the Office of the City Engineer will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 6:30 PM in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall.  The hearing is for the purpose of discussing the recently completed Combined Sewer Overflow Long-Term Control Plan submitted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on November 1, 2010.

All interested persons are invited to attend and express their views.

A copy of the Plan is available for review in the Office of the City Engineer, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

Please notify the City Engineer’s Office twenty-four hours in advance of the Public Hearing should special accommodations be required.

The plan is available at the Kingston Library also.

What are Combined Sewers?

Combined sewer systems (CSS) are sewers that are designed to collect storm water runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. During rain events, when storm water enters the sewers, the capacity of the sewer system may be exceeded and the excess effluent will be discharged directly to the receiving water. A combined sewer overflow (CSO) is the discharge from a combined sewer system that is caused by snow melt or storm water runoff.

Kingston Farmers’ Market and Winter Sun Farms Comes to Uptown this Winter.

14 Nov

By Rebecca Martin

The last Farmers’ Market in Kingston of the season is Saturday, November 20th. Boy, do we need a winter market. I had heard rumors of one being organized at the Dutch Church, and have been hoping that the organizers can pull it off. We will certainly help them promote it in every way possible.

What is happening however is  Winter Sun Farms is going to do an uptown delivery over the winter at Hudson Coffee Traders. Give Donna a call at 845/338-1300.

Here is the final press release of the season.  Let’s pack the joint next weekend and give our farmers and vendors a good send off.  Thanks to those who make such an effort to make it all possible – and we are eternally grateful to our farmers and artisans of all kinds.

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Kingston, New York – The last Kingston Farmers’ Market of the season will be held this Saturday, November 20th.  The Healthy Eating Series concludes with “Thanksgiving Dishes from the Market.”  Join nutritionist Noel Conklin as she prepares candied yams for the chef demonstration.   Don’t forget to stock up on locally crafted gifts for the holidays this season from Crafts on John Street. Amazing wares from talented Hudson Valley artisans are sure to please everyone on your gift-giving list.  Save time this Thanksgiving, buy your pies, tarts and other desserts fresh this year from the Kingston Farmers’ Market.   Side dishes taste better when prepared from fresh ingredients.  The wine is sure to flow when purchased at the Market from a local vineyard.  Natural and free range eggs and meats, fresh squashes and vegetables for soups and side dishes, cheeses, hearty breads, desserts that delight, fresh coffee, locally brewed autumn ales and so much more are the Hudson Valley’s finest fare awaiting you at the Kingston Farmers’ Market.  Fresh from our Market to your home, cut out the middleman, buy local.  Your holiday begins here.  The Kingston Farmers’ Market has more than 30 vendors offering organic and natural fare. Healthy eating is affordable for everyone with FMNP and EBT naturally accepted.  The Kingston Farmers’ Market will be held rain or shine, 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The Market is located on Wall Street in the historic Stockade District of Uptown Kingston near the New York State Thruway at Exit 19.   Admission is free as is parking.

For more information visit our website at: www.kingstonfarmersmarket.org or call (845)853-8512.  Find us on Facebook.  The Kingston Farmers’ Market wishes to thank everyone fo supporting our local farmers and other local vendors.

World Renowned Singer/Songwriter Rachel Loshak to Perform in Kingston

12 Nov

By Rebecca Martin

This is quite wonderful.

My old and dear friend  Rachel Loshak who recently moved upstate with her family (husband Morgan Taylor, creator of “GUSTAFER YELLOWGOLD” and their son Harvey) is performing in Kingston in December.

This is good  news for us, as Rachel is no doubt one of the best musicians I know. She spent years on the scene developing the most angelic sound, having collaborated often with Norah Jones, Jason Crigler, Dan Rieser, Morgan Taylor and many other of our pals from the NYC downtown music scene.

Now at just about 9 months pregnant with their second child, she is performing a set of her original music at Gabriel’s Cafe on Friday, December 3rd at 7:00pm. Come out and join us. You will be glad that you did.

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World renowned singer/songwriter Rachel Loshak to perform in Kingston An intimate performance at Gabriel’s Café is set for Friday, December 3rd at 7:00pm.

Kingston, NY – What makes Singer/Bassist, Rachel Loshak’s music and sound so special is her sophisticated, orchestral approach to traditional pop music. Imagine a string quartet stripped of its native instruments and handed electric guitars and amplifiers. Melodic bass figures move like a boogied cello weaving with her pure and bell-toned voice, all forming an accessible foundation to the wide-eyed wonderment of her lyrics, which Loshak paints in broad strokes with a graceful sadness.  Her unique style can be enjoyed at 7:00pm on Friday, December 3rd, 2010 at Gabriel’s Café 50 John Street in Kingston, NY.

Rachel moved to New York City in the late Nineties from Suffolk, England and honed her songwriting craft with her unique ‘bass and voice’ style. She has created three full-length LP’s (Firefly in 2001, Mint in 2003 and Peach Pony in 2005) featuring guitarist Jason Crigler (Erin McKeown, Linda Thompson, Marshall Crenshaw).  The latest LP features a duet with Norah Jones.  Peach Pony has been released in several international territories to critical acclaim.  Performing with Ms. Jones at the Grammy Awards in 2005, Rachel is also featured alongside her (and with Jesse Harris) on the Best of the Living Room compilation released in 2002.  Recently Rachel has worked with Moby, recording vocals for a future release as well as performing at a Tsunami benefit concert in 2005.

Rachel has toured extensively in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago as well as internationally to Ireland, the UK, France, Germany, Scandinavia and South Korea.

After gaining extensive experience in the music industry as a touring musician, business administrator and creative graphic production designer, Rachel co-founded Apple-eye Productions with husband Morgan Taylor to create an outlet for their creative projects (that also includes their popular children’s series GUSTAFER YELLOWGOLD). They now live in the Catskills with their son, Harvey.

For more information, contact Rachel at rl@rachelloshak.com or visit her website at: http://www.rachelloshak.com

Complete Streets Resolution Passes in Kingston

10 Nov

By Rebecca Martin

Last night, the Common Council approved a resolution for Complete Streets in the City of Kingston, which serves as an important component in support of the Climate Smart and Green Jobs Community Pledge. Thanks to Kristen Wilson, David Gilmour, Emilie Hauser and the entire team of the “Healthy Kingston for Kids” project for their hard work and tenacity.

Click below to read a PDF of the DRAFT COMPLETE STREETS RESOLUTION
Draft Complete Streets Resolution 11082010

Learn more about COMPLETE STREETS IN THE CITY OF KINGSTON

Bravo!

Complete Streets in Kingston?

3 Nov

According to Wikipedia, a Complete Street is described as: “In urban planning and highway engineering, complete streets are roadways designed and operated to enable safe, attractive, and comfortable access and travel for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transport users of all ages and abilities are able to safely and comfortably move along and across a complete street.[1] Proponents claim that Complete Streets also create a sense of place and improve social interaction, while generally improving property adjacent land values.”

According to Kristen Wilson, Project Director of “A Healthy Kingston for Kids” program through Cornell Cooperative Extension,  an important opportunity is upcoming for Kingston citizens to help support a Complete Street effort in Kingston.

Here’s how:

“Our Complete Streets working group met with the City of Kingston Common Council’s ‘Public Safety, Audit & General Government Committee’ last summer to explore the benefits of Complete Streets. There was positive dialogue about the benefits of safe and vital streets. At their request, the working group drafted a Complete Streets policy, and last Thursday the Committee initiated review of a proposed Complete Streets resolution. While the forthcoming legislative process is uncertain, there is a good chance that the Complete Streets policy will be considered by the full Common Council this Tuesday, November 9, 2010 (meetings start at 7:30).

Interested persons are invited to attend the City Council meeting and speak to the resolution during the Public Comment part of the agenda.

A Common Council Caucus this coming Monday will determine whether the Complete Streets resolution will go forward on Tuesday. Either way, a follow-up note will be distributed on Tuesday afternoon, reviewing progress and confirming whether consideration of the policy will be part of the full-Council’s business that night. In the meantime, to review the proposal, please contact David Gilmour, AICP, Community Planner and Complete Streets Topic Liaison at completestreetscce@yahoo.com or (845) 255-6528. To learn more about Complete Streets, including the June presentation, visit the City web page at: http://www.kingston-ny.gov/content/120/2336/2344/default.aspx

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