HVNY News + Notes (3/4/24)
Upstate Oscar connections: Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, who are nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for “Barbie,” filmed their 2011 film “Frances Ha” at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. Baumbach received his BA in English from Vassar in 1991 and was roommates with another future filmmaker, Jason Blum. Emma Stone, nominated for Best Actress for her performance in “Poor Things,” co-starred in the episodic Cary Joji Fukunaga series, “Maniac,” which filmed in Ulster County in 2017. (Stone also received a SAG award nomination for her performance in the series). The 96th annual Academy Awards takes place on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 7pm. The Woodstock Film Festival is hosting an Oscars viewing party at the Bearsville Theater, tickets include hors d’oeuvres and exclusive swag – including a tote bag from the nominated film “Poor Things.” http://tinyurl.com/hvoscar24
Small Monument Competition in Kingston – The City of Kingston has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to gather proposed concepts for a monument or sculpture design, which would be fabricated and permanently installed in Post Office Park. Applicants must provide concepts that pay homage to the memory of the lost post office that once stood on the site and was torn down during urban renewal in 1970. Built between 1904-1908, the post office was a notable limestone and granite structure with a rounded façade and Classical and Beaux Arts design elements. Post Office Park’s design/construction plans include two 3 feet by 3 feet round cement pedestals for the support of artwork. The City requests proposals from interested individuals, companies, or partners, including but not limited to sculptors, architects, fabricators and other types of designers and manufacturers, to create and build a small monument for permanent placement on one of the pedestals. Artwork for the second pedestal will be selected in a separate future program. Applicants may identify which pedestal is more suitable for their design. The full RFP outlining the details and requirements is located here. The competition deadline is Wednesday, May 1, 2024. The winning design is expected to be announced in June. Funding for the Post Office Park Small Monument Competition comes from the City of Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Details at engagekingston.com/post-office-park-small-monument-competition.
All future Dutchess County Legislature Board meetings will begin at 6:30pm starting with the March regular board meeting on March 11, 2024. Committee meetings will continue to commence at 5:30pm. For more information and to view the agenda, visit: DutchessNY.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Legislature/CLindex.htm
Weekend archery, adult park palette art sessions, eaglet nature programs, summer camps, pickleball and a new disc golf league, Dutchess County residents of all ages are invited to explore the outdoors in fun and unique ways. Spring and summer program registration will open Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at www.DutchessNY.gov/ParksEducation.
Open Call: ArtPort Kingston is holding an open call for site-specific public art for its annual edition of ArtStream Kingston. Public exhibition space, installation, and travel support is provided for selected artists. There is a $15 application fee. Deadline is Friday, March 15, 2024. artportkingston.org
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
Volunteer for the Hudson River Eel Project - Volunteers are wanted to help study eels in streams of the Hudson River estuary! Volunteers check specialized nets for young transparent "glass eels" as they enter freshwater from their spawning grounds over 1,000 miles away in the Atlantic Ocean. Eels are counted, weighed, and released upstream, and environmental conditions are recorded. Sample sites include streams from NYC to near Albany, and all gear is provided. If you're interested in participating, email eelproject@dec.ny.gov and include where you live and a little bit about yourself, so we can match you with the best nearby site. For more information, visit the Hudson River Eel Project webpage.
Volunteers wanted for the Clermont State Historic Site Harvest History Teaching Garden: From March through November, help with starting seeds, planting, mulching, weeding, and harvesting. Hours may vary from twice per month to more than once per week, depending on the volunteer’s schedule. Volunteers who work at least 40 hours in a year will receive a complimentary one-year family membership, two free tickets to annual benefit and more perks. friendsofclermont.org/volunteer
Have news or info you want to share with the neighbors? Send it to hello@hvny.info. Deadline to be considered for this newsletter is 5pm Sundays (but earlier the better!)
