HVNY News + Notes

• Achoo! It’s officially spring, the flowers are starting to thaw after this past weekend and New York State officials have released a new seasonal mapping system to track it all: The New York Blooms Report. Here’s the latest: “In the Hudson Valley, staff at Untermyer Park & Gardens in Yonkers report that early blooms of cherry blossoms are appearing on Okame cherry trees. Additionally, the 15,000 daffodils on the daffodil hill are starting to bloom and will continue in a wave of color for the next 3-4 weeks. At Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson, magnolias, lilacs, tulips, and roses are now budding. At the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, magnolias, cherry blossoms, lilacs, tulips, and roses are currently budding. Mohonk also has several daffodils blooming around the property, as well as crocuses, hellebores, and snowdrops (galanthus), and will be holding a Tulip Festival April 29 – May 11. Early star magnolia blooms are appearing at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, with saucer magnolias expected to bloom next. Other blooms at the garden include daffodils, Alpine squill, forsythia, and red maples. Lyndhurst will be holding its annual flower show April 20-21, and Rose Weekend June 8-9. In Sleepy Hollow, observers at Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate report that early buds are appearing on magnolias and cherry blossoms. Observers are also seeing Glory of the Snow, Lenten rose, Japanese andromeda, Pulmonaria, and daffodils in bloom in Kykuit’s gardens.” See the NYS Bloom report at https://www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/nature/blooms/

• The City of Kingston plans to plant 1,000 trees by 2030 – The city has created a tree counter to record the number of new street and park-planted trees planted in Kingston. “When working on new projects, we sometimes need to remove dead or diseased trees to proceed,” Mayor Noble said. “With this tree counter, we are keeping track of all the trees that the City plants to guarantee that we are always adding more trees than we are removing.” (In 2024, 125 new trees will be planted as part of the Dietz Stadium renovations, 28 new trees will be planted at the new Post Office Park, and eight trees will be planted as part of the Clinton Avenue Improvements Project.) All City of Kingston residents and business owners can apply to join the Street Tree Planting program. https://www.engagekingston.com/tree-counter
  

• Move over, more! Starting March 27, the New York State Move Over Law will expand to include any vehicle stopped on the side of the road.
  

• Early Voting for the upcoming Presidential Primary Election continues through Saturday, March 30, 2024. There will be no Early Voting on Sunday, March 31, 2024 due to Easter. For the Presidential Primary, Early Voting poll sites will now be open for at least 9 hours on each of the 8 days. More info: https://elections.ny.gov/ways-vote

• Six Senses public hearing continues – On Thursday March 28 at 6:30pm, the Town of Clinton Zoning Board of Appeals will continue the Public Hearing on the internationally-owned Six Senses resort project that plans to construct more than 20 new buildings on the site of the Old Stone Farm. Last month, residents filled the town hall to voice concerns on the project and its impact to the rural character of the region, both economically and environmentally.

• Dutchess County seeks members for Human Rights commission – The Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights is seeking candidates for membership on the Commission to fill vacancies as terms expire. Individuals who are dedicated to the cause of human rights and seek to ensure Dutchess County is an inclusive and respectful community for all are encouraged to apply. The Commission seeks candidates who represent the full diversity of the County, including geographical diversity. Applications are available online at dutchessny.gov/humanrights. Application deadline is March 31, 2024.

• Applications are now open for the 5th Upstate Art Weekend, taking place July 18-21, 2024. Deadline to apply is March 27, 2024. https://www.upstateartweekend.org/apply

• Jazz-ust announced: NEA Jazz Master Jack DeJohnette will be playing his first solo piano concert at the Woodstock Playhouse on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, March 26 at 9am only at woodstockplayhouse.org

• Also announced: The Roots will play a benefit fundraiser for Sky High Farm “to build equity in our food system” at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 2-6pm. Tickets start at $107.40 More info: https://skyhighfarm.org.events

• Full Moon, eclipse pre-show tonight – Details on the eclipse happening on April 8 will be in next week’s newsletter. Until then, get a preview of the big sky show with veteran eclipse chaser Bob Berman with the Farmers’ Almanac on Monday, March 25 at 7pm. More info: https://almanac.com/eclipse-2024

• Found! Four falcon eggs at the former Tapp – A female peregrine falcon laid her fourth egg in a nesting box installed under the former Tappan Zee Bridge. Watch the action on the livestream Falcon Cam: https://thruway.ny.gov/falcon

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