kingstonnavigator By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
Earlier this month I attended a conference in North Carolina relating to the national effort behind the local “Healthy Kingston for Kids” project, which aims to reverse childhood obesity through environmental and policy change. It was a “mind-opening” experience to meet others working on the same issues from places such as Buffalo, Oakland and Chicago.
The Kingston Drum Circle is a newly formed group of drummers and percussionists who will be meeting weekly at various parks this summer to build community, express musical creativity and to connect with the earth through ancient tribal rhythms. The first gathering will be this Friday at 6 p.m. at the Academy Green Park on Albany Avenue and Maiden Lane.
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
Did you see this pic of the new CVS on Rebecca Martin’s Facebook page? The “poetic justice” as described in the caption is spot on. A chain store’s impact on a community can have long-term negative effects. Most obviously is the fact that profits generated by a chain store aren’t reinvested into the local economy as is the case with local, independent businesses. This is at the core of why shopping and buying local contributes to the creation of a sustainable community.
If you have a minute, please comment here on the local businesses you support:
Forbes.com has a terrific, interactive map that shows the outflow and influx of people in Ulster County. Based on IRS data, the map displays U.S. counties where Ulster County residents have moved to or from. Check it out here.
Looking for something to do later this month? How about immersing into the local history scene? This just in from the Friends of Historic Kingston (includes a few calendar items):
RONDOUT NATIONAL HISTORIC DISTRICT WALKING TOUR OFFERED
KINGSTON – The monthly walking tour of the Rondout National Historic District, offered by Friends of Historic Kingston, will take place on Saturday, June 26, departing at 11 a.m. from the Kingston Heritage Area Visitors Center, 20 Broadway.
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
There’s some good green things going on behind the YMCA on Broadway that involves shovels, seeds and sweat. Led by volunteers from the New York City DEP office here in Kingston, a children’s and community garden is taking shape adjacent to the playground. Kudos to the volunteers! See more at the Kingston City Gardens Coalition Facebook page here.
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
Hello.
Long time, no hear – from me. Sorry I’ve been away for so long.
Much has happened since I’ve edited and posted to this blog. I’ve got much on my mind. One thing weighing me down is the weight of Kingston’s children, who are above average in regard to being overweight and obese. That’s dark news for their current health and their future health. I don’t have to tell you that obesity leads to heart disease, cancer and other ailments.
One of the City of Kingston’s most notorious derelict properties will be the subject of a July forum, designed to let architects, city dwellers and business owners envision a re-birth of the property.
The King’s Inn site, located at 615 Broadway, will be the subject of a design charrette set for July 16th at 721 Media Center. Sponsored by the Business Alliance of Kingston, the Upstate New York Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and others, the event will follow the conventions of design charrettes across the nation, which typically invite architects, neighborhood residents, business owners and interested others to work in small teams to craft a preliminary concept for a new building.
KingstonCitizens.org is excited to welcome back veteran journalist Arthur Zaczkiewicz. I know our readers will be pleased to have him blogging on a regular basis again.
I sure am.
– Rebecca Martin
This just in! The Clearwater Sloop will permanently move from Beacon to Kingston, where it will be berthed on the Rondout. In addition to boosting Downtown’s tourist appeal, the Clearwater will also mean the addition of 8-10 jobs (researchers, scientists) in the city.
Wonderful news for the City of Kingston.
June is chock-full of events and activities this year. Here are a few known and not so – divided by wards, of course. Click on the topic to get more information. You can also add your upcoming event in the comment section of this post if you’d like.
For a more complete list of events, visit Kingston Happenings.
Enjoy the summer in Kingston!
As a homeowner, I have had the option to escrow my taxes in my monthly mortgage payment. Makes it easier that way to break it up into 12 payments.
With the recent Safety Net debacle, I took notice of the public welfare charge that I pay and wondered about whether or not I wanted to do that any longer.
The citywide Neighborhood Watch Group led by Michael and Claudia D’Arcy will meet tomorrow, Tuesday – 5/18 at 6:30pm at Kingston City Hall on Broadway. Citizens are asked to meet in conference room 1.
Follow this LINK to visit the Neighborhood Watch Group site for more information – and make sure you become a member.
As most of you can imagine, when I received this press release I was more than pleased. With gardens now at Kingston City Hall, most of our schools and a growing number of community gardens, this is a natural next step.
You’ll find the text in both English and Spanish below.
See you there.
This morning in the freeman, there was a small news item on a local Red Hook fellow who has created a website to aid homeowners in reducing their property taxes – when applicable.
Visit Property Tax Data Base for more information.
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