HVNY News + Notes (3/11/24)
COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Four years later, all of our county tracking dashboards have disappeared, and I got my very first case of COVID-19 replete with fevers, body aches, a sore throat, stuffy nose, malaise and a general crankiness that it finally happened. (Thank you to everyone who reached out after seeing our IG story. In the wise words of Liz Lemon, it is the worst.)
Temperatures during the middle part of this week will reach well into the 60s, about 20 degrees above the average high of 46 degrees. On Wednesday, the sunset will occur after 7pm. It will stay that way until the second half of September. Not too quick says meteorologist Ben Knoll: “It’s not a sure thing, but the chance for accumulating snow will increase during the final 10 days of the month.” Follow HVNY on X/Twitter for the latest forecasts.
Last shot of Winter – The deadline to enter the HVNY 2023-24 Winter Photo Contest is next week! Submit your best photograph from winter around the Hudson Valley to photos@hvny.info.
Upstate Films will open The Mark, a state-of-the-art screening room upstairs at the Orpheum Theatre in Saugerties this weekend. The Mark is named after Mark Braunstein, the late philanthropist and founder of Markertek, a specialized broadcast and pro-audio supply house based in Saugerties. The grand opening weekend will feature a 20-minute loop of short films, free popcorn and soda. The Mark will seat 99 people and feature Atmos sound – the latest visionary version of Dolby cinema audio, with 27 individually controlled speakers replacing our existing 12, and a state-of-the-art live sound system. New cozy seats, great sightlines and beautiful acoustics will make this one of the best theaters around.” A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 5pm on Friday, March 15. Tickets: here
FYI: Law enforcement agencies will be targeting impaired drivers during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, beginning Friday, March 15 though Sunday, March 17. Motorists can download the mobile app, “Have a Plan,” and to find a safe ride home stopdwi.org/mobileapp.
Also: Taxes are due in a month.
Don’t burn it down: The annual residential brush burning ban begins on March 16 and runs through May 14, 2024. Since this winter did not have much snowfall, dormant vegetation from last year’s growing season is exposed and susceptible to catching fire. “Forest Rangers and local firefighters have already responded to early fires in multiple counties. These fires were caused by debris burning with wind carrying the fire to grassy and wooded areas.” Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small cooking fires. Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State. For more information about fire safety and prevention, visit DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage.
Storm King season opens April 3, tickets available March 15. Tickets for the upcoming season at Storm King Art Center in New Windsor will be available beginning at 10am on Wednesday, March 15 for the month of April. https://stormking.org/plan-your-visit/
Eel volunteers wanted – Catch, count and weigh juvenile eels at the Black Creek Preserve in Esopus on Saturday, March 16 from 1-3pm to help researchers track eel populations. Every spring, millions of glass eels arrive in the Hudson River after an eight-week adventure from the Atlantic Ocean. Data recorded by volunteers helps track these movements and help determine just how rapidly eel populations are declining. Training is open to anyone ages 12 and older, and minors must still be accompanied by an adult. Bring a towel and clothes that you don’t mind getting wet or dirty. RSVP by emailing jlaplanche@scenichudson.org and learn more about the Hudson River Eel Project at https://hrnerr.org/eel-monitoring/
Nominations are open for the 2024 Kingston Distinguished Artist Award – Established in 2018 through a partnership with Mayor Noble and the Kingston Arts Commission, the Distinguished Artist Award is a biennial recognition of creative excellence, artistic accomplishments, and community involvement. Nominees for the Distinguished Artist Awards must be a resident of Kingston for a minimum of two years. Nominations can be creatives from any artistic discipline including, but not limited to: painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, theater, film, and music. The awardee will be chosen based upon the level of their artistry, commitment to the art form, commitment to the community, and recognition in the field locally, nationally, or internationally. Nomination forms are available at www.kingston-ny.gov/distinguishedartists and are due by 4:30pm on Friday, March 22, 2024. The awardee will be recognized at an award ceremony and reception held at City Hall on May 23, 2024, and hold the distinction for two years.
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.
Auditions for My Fair Lady at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck will take place this Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 1pm. https://www.rhinebecktheatresociety.com/
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
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
Want a garden but don’t have the space? Rent a plot of Hudson Valley farmland as your garden this year! Grieg Farm in Red Hook has plots available for the 2024 season; each plot is 20-by-20 feet with water access available. The community garden season at Greig Farm runs April 1 through December 1. Cost is $60. https://www.greigfarm.com/community-garden (Note: The garden space is located in an open field and is not fenced; if you have issues with deer or small mammals, you may fence your plot.)
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!)
