Mayoral Candidates in Kingston Current Issues

By Rebecca Martin

In the case that you’ve missed it, here’s a snapshot of the issues that our Mayoral candidates are currently pressing for in the city of Kingston.

Hayes Clement
“Clement calls for re-establishment of special Midtown-focused police unit”

Andi Turco-Levin
“What Needs To Be Done” and “Term Limits” 

Shayne Gallo
“Task Force on Youth Problems” 

Steve Ladin
“Promote personal and civic responsibility” 

Richard Cahill
“New Crime Proposal” 

Ron Polacco
There are no current issues at this time, though you can visit his WEBSITE.

Jean Jacobs
Mayoral Safety Plan Proposal: Guardian Angels

“A Forum for Engagement” Now Available to View Online.

If you were not able to be present at the Forum on Civic Engagement on Thursday, July 14th, 2011 the program is now available online to view.

“A Forum for Engagement” with panelists NY State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, Kingston Neighborhood Watch’s Michael D’Arcy, Elizabeth Hare, ReadyCollective, Kingston Alderman Tom Hoffay, Kingston Land Trust Executive Director Rebecca Martin and Beahive’s Scott Tillit. Moderated by Brian Mahoney of Chronogram. Hosted by Stella May Theater.



Video streaming by Ustream

HARVEST VOLUNTEERS needed for Queens Galley Garden in Saugerties

Farmer Jesica Clark who created the South Pine Street City Farm in Kingston to feed the Queens Galley (and our community at large) fresh vegetables for the better part of the year has expanded her efforts with a garden in Saugerties, NY for the very same reason.

Currently, Jesica is searching for three HARVEST VOLUNTEERS willing to organize a regular schedule to harvest what is ready and deliver to the Queens Galley. The garden is on Route 32 in Saugerties, only 15 minutes or so from East Chester Street in Downtown, Kingston.

I bet there are some fresh veggies in the deal for you, too.

Please contact Farmer Jesica Clark if you are interested. She can reached at 845/380-9183.

Thanks.
Rebecca Martin

Get Your Civic On…

CIVIC LEADERS, POLITICIANS AND JOURNALISTS TO ACT ON CIVIC ISSUES ‘CIVIC KINGSTON NY: A Forum for Engagement’ Will Engage Audience to Turn Vision Into Action

* July 14, Kingston, NY *

A small group of respected civic leaders, politicians and journalists will gather in Kingston on July 14 to consciously create a vibrant community. Transcending the typical panel discussion — stimulating but often fruitless — “CIVIC KINGSTON NY: A Forum for Engagement” will focus on turning vision into action.

Thursday, July 14, 6 to 9 PM
Stella May Gallery Theatre
5 Sterling Street, Kingston, NY

Engaging with the audience, the group will use an organized creative thinking process to explore the issues that matter most and, more importantly, act on them. Following a discussion moderated by Brian Mahoney, editor of Chronogram, the group will break to organize the discussion into major themes. Then they’ll reconvene with the audience to focus on the most important issues, break them down further into actionable projects, and form teams to work on them.

Audience members are encouraged to engage with the group in the discussion and the action-focused process. But even if you go to just listen, your presence is participation enough, the organizers stress.

The group includes: Kevin Cahill, NY State Assembly; Michael D’Arcy, Kingston Neighborhood Watch; Elizabeth Hare, ReadyCollective; Tom Hoffay, Kingston Alderman; Ivan Lajara, The Daily Freeman; Brian Mahoney, Chronogram; Rebecca Martin, Kingston Land Trust; and Scott Tillitt of BEAHIVE.

To bring more folks into the process, organizers will stream the event live online and monitor chat and Twitter during the discussion. Audience members and those who can’t make it can submit comments and questions before the event and follow the action live on Twitter using the hashtag #civickingstonny.

Refreshments will be provided.

The event is produced by BEAHIVE, sponsored by Chronogram and The Daily Freeman, and hosted by Stella May Gallery Theater.

Space is limited. Click on the link for event details and to RSVP  and join the Civic Kingston NY Facebook group to engage.

BEAHIVE  is a new kind of collaborative space for work and community. Its ultimate aim is to support a Local Living Economy, one that is locally rooted and human-scale. BEAHIVE opened in Beacon, NY, in May 2009 as the first such space in the Hudson Valley and partnered with Chronogram to open a second location in Uptown Kingston in December 2009.

Free “Yoga in the Park!” Continues in Jully

Free “Yoga in the Park” will be offered in two parks by the Kingston Land Trust in partnership with Shakti Yoga Studios, MAC Fitness, Mudita Yoga Studios and the City of Kingston’s Park and Recreation department. The ongoing series takes place in both Cornell Park off of Wurts Street in the Rondout and the Academy Green Park in Uptown Kingston simultaneously on the first Sunday of each month. The next event will be on Sunday, July 3rd beginning at 10:00am.

Kingston, NY –  The Kingston Land Trust proudly offers the Kingston community free “Yoga in the Park!” in partnership with Shakti Yoga Studios, MAC Fitness, Mudita Yoga Studio and the City of Kingston’s Park and Recreation Department all summer long.

Originally set in Cornell Park and programmed by Shakti Yoga and MAC Fitness with Adult and Youth yoga, the series has expanded to include the Academy Green Park programmed by Mudita Yoga Studios with Yoga and T’ai Chi classes.  Both park programs will run simultaneously on the first Sunday of each month through September at 10:00am.

“The big picture here is for the Kingston Land Trust to provide free “Yoga in the Park” in each park in Kingston”, says Rebecca Martin, Executive Director of the Kingston Land Trust. “It is a privilege to work with the many unique Yoga studios in the area and to provide free Yoga or T’ai Chi to residents who can walk to their closest park space and enjoy a class each month. It is also nice, because it allows the Yogi community a chance to develop a wide partnership base in the city of Kingston. Partnerships are key to any of our success”.

All yoga participants are encouraged to dress comfortably in exercise attire and to bring mats, blocks and belts.

For more on the free “Yoga in the Park” series, contact Rebecca Martin, Executive Director of the Kingston Land Trust at 845/877-5263 or visitwww.kingstonlandtrust.org

 

Yoga in the Park” Schedule
FREE Yoga in the Park! Rain or Shine

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011
Sunday, August 7th 2011
Sunday, September 4th, 2011

Shakti Yoga in the Park! at Cornell Park Rondout
Cornell Park, Wurts Street in the Rondout Kingston
10:00am – 11:00am:  Adult Yoga (All Levels) w/Linda

Mudita Yoga in the Park! at Academy Green Park Uptown
Yoga and T’ai Chi?Academy Green Park, Uptown Kingston
10:00am – 5 Cloud Meditation
10:30am – 11:30am: Adult yoga w/Shawn
11:45 – 12:45pm:  T’ai Chi w/Steven

About the Kingston Land Trust –  An urban trust, the Kingston Land Trust is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to theprotection and preservation of open space, historic sites, wetlands, scenic areas, and forests in the City of Kingston and thesurrounding region to include the Town of Ulster and the Town of Kingston.www.kingstonlandtrust.org

About Shakti Yoga Studios –  Shakti Yoga Studios helps students increase their flexibility, strength, alignment and confidence through an intelligent, dynamic and safe yoga discipline. Founder Linda Lalita Winnick has created an insightful approach to theyoga  practice drawing from her 25 years experience as a student and teacher.  A rich knowledge of yogic philosophy, anatomy, and physiology, and intensive ayurvedic  background adds a deeper dimension shared during  classes at Shakti Yoga of Woodstock, Saugerties, and Kingston.www.shaktiyogawoodstock.com

About MAC Fitness –  A top rated award-winning facility with fully certified professional training staff to custom design fitness programs built entirely around their clients lifestyle.    Two state of the art facilities are located on 9W and the Kingston Plaza inKingston, NY.www.macfitness.net

About Mudita Yoga Center –  Mudita Yoga Center is dedicated to yoga, wellness and community. Translated from Sanskrit, Mudita describes a state of joyfulness, with is exactly what Mudita Yoga strives to cultivate through yoga, meditation, tai chi and a variety of workshops and discussion groups. Mudita has a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere and classes that are accessible to everyone regardless of flexibility or level of fitness.   Following a year of intense training in India, Shawn Harrison of Mudita immersed herself in a yogic lifestyle – living, working, teaching and studying at Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY for four years. Her classes encourage peace and ease in the body and mind by focusing on the breath and relaxing into each posture, creating space to tune in to our natural rhythm.   Shawn’s class will be followed by Stephen Sharkey with T’ai Chi Ch’uan in the park, an ancient healing art. Begin by learning each movement in a step by step process while simultaneously learning the principles of natural movement to enable you ultimately to experience the entire set as one movement.  Open to all of any age or condition of health.   www.muditayogacenter.com

About the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department – Led by Director Kevin Gilfeather, the Kingston Parks and Recreation Department oversees Kingston’s park system and organizes many programs for residents and tourists that include boating, kayaking, youth, adult and senior programs, environmental education, adult sports and more.  www.kingston-ny.gov

Kingston Uptown Residents Alliance Hosts Meeting on Thursday, June 23rd

$5,000,000

WASTED By City of Kingston Over-Assessment in 2010! 

You Are Paying TOO Much ! 

Taxpayers in the City of Kingston are:

Subsidizing other municipalities throughout Ulster County

• Paying an unfair share of the School District’s 10 towns.

The HIGHER the City’s ASSESSED VALUE…

the MORE TAXES you pay to the County & the School District. 

Learn how your money is being wasted and what you can do!

Join us for our public information meeting.

Guest speaker, Robert Beebe, Former General Counsel to the New York State Board of Equalization and Assessment. 

June 23, 2011, 7:00 PM 

Old Dutch Church Meeting Room

272 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401

Kingston Uptown Residents’ Alliance

is a non-partisan organization of residents, both owners and renters. Its purpose is to address the issues that negatively impact the quality of life for the greater Uptown Kingston neighborhood.

For questions or more information please call 888-338-3237

or e-mail us at info@UptownResidents.org

Term Limits in the City of Kingston

By Rebecca Martin

When term limits came up recently,  KingstonCitizens.org was excited to perhaps have an opportunity to vote for such a thing in November – but alas, it was shot down by the common council.

Upon further investigation, I wondered some if it was wise to isolate any one part of the charter when indeed the entire thing stood to be overhauled. What Kingston really needed was an updated comprehensive plan to address the entire ball of wax.

At the same time, and sort of out of the blue – city of Kingston planner Suzanne Cahill brought the comprehensive plan issue into the limelight again – for a third time since we’ve been active. It came before the city’s finance committee last week, and a $100,000 bond to proceed was approved unanimously. It will be sent to the common council shortly which we expect will bode well.  That might mean that a comprehensive plan will be in the works in Kingston soon, something that hasn’t been done citywide….since 1961.  The current CP is older than I am.

Term limits and a multitude of other issues can be approached then.  I think we’re all ready for an overhaul of many things. Now on the radar is who the city will choose as a consultant. That’s going to be incredibly important.  Be aware, and stay tuned.

We took the time to ask Mayoral candidates in this election cycle where they stood on the matter.

Note: We reached out to all candidates on many occasions, and heard back from all but Republican candidates Richard Cahill and Ron Polacco.

###

KC.org: Recently, an effort to place term limits on the November ballot was shot down by the majority of the common council. Do you feel that the voters should have the opportunity to decide whether or not term limits are instituted in the city of Kingston?

Shayne Gallo: I can’t think of any reason to deny the public a voice on term limits.

Hayes Clement:   I have philosophical and practical objections to the idea of term limits for elected officials — other than U.S. presidents and, perhaps, state governors — especially at the local level. For starters, term limits actually limit elective choices for voters, by mandating that incumbents, at a certain point in their service, step down from office, regardless of the job they are doing or how they are viewed by their constituents. Preventing a duly qualified citizen from standing before the voters and running for office, especially when that citizen is a known quantity for having served in that office, limits a voter’s choice in a very significant way.  Let voters decide who has served long enough, using the term-limit mechanism we already have in place: elections.

Jean Jacobs:  The power of the people will be the driving force for change.

Steve Ladin: I absolutely believe that voters should have the opportunity to decide on term limits for all of their elected officials.

Andi Turco-Levin:  I was the one to bring this issue to the Common Council this time around I am most definitely in favor of having the voters decide if Term Limits are necessary.   When I ran for Alderman in 2009 I had the chance to talk directly with voters on issues they felt strongly about and Term Limits was high on the list.  I promised to be a voice for the people when I was elected and I am following through.  This is an important issue to them and it deserves a place on the ballot as a referendum.   I made this proposal to the Council in order to allow the voter to decide, it is not for members of the Council to agree or disagree on Term Limits, it is about them allowing the public to voice their opinion on how their government is structured.  This was a perfect opportunity for lawmakers to assist in the process.  I will be re-submitting this proposal to the Laws & Rules committee one more time to see if the Council will allow for the referendum.  Should it be declined  once again by the Council, the public can continue to seek this referendum by having a public petition signed and submitted.  If that is what it will take, I am prepared to lead the charge.  I am currently working on a public summit in order to help educate the public on the process and the impacts (both positive and negative) on Term Limits.  Hopefully that will be taking place in mid –June

KC.org: In our research 97% of incumbents were voted back into office. Do you feel that voters are generally satisfied when they re-elect a public official, or that it’s primarily due to party line or name recognition?

Shayny Gallo: I believe that when voters are satisfied with their elected officials they vote to return them to office.

Jean Jacobs:  I do not believe voters are satisfied with incumbents I feel it is lack of education and informing the voting public with the  facts.

Steve Ladin: I think that each election, with its cast of candidates is unique. Often times, incumbents are re-elected due to name recognition and party affiliation, without regard to the quality of their service. In other instances, some incumbent elected officials have provided excellent service to their constituents, and have earned the privilege of continuing their service.

Andi Turco-Levin:  Society has changed where people are less likely to pay attention to things that do not directly interact with their daily lives and local politics is one example.  Complacency and lack of interest is evident on election day when less than 50% usually vote in a local election.  Take into consideration that ‘insiders’ or ‘those in the know’ are the ones who are voting which can influence the outcome as well.  The remainder of the voters tend to take notice of their elected officials only during the election cycle and do not follow what they are doing for the remainder of their terms.  This is when name recognition or party affiliation can influence the outcome.  Incumbents also have the edge when it comes to raising campaign funds which is a key component to winning an election.

KC.org: We’ve found that those who are proponents of term limits feel that they will allow for more citizen public service while opponents are concerned that good leadership may be lost. Where do you stand on the subject and why?

Shayne Gallo: While personally I do not support term limits, I believe that the public should have the final say. Generally, incumbents bring valuable experience and knowledge and I believe that the public should have the right to elect who they want without imposing artificial limits.

Hayes Clement:   From a practical standpoint, as an alderman I have seen first-hand how often difficult it is to recruit people to run for office or serve on public boards and commissions, so the idea of limiting the time an engaged and willing person can actually serve strikes me as seriously counterproductive.
 
The idea of imposing term limits locally strikes me as a classic case of a “solution in search of a problem.”  What we’re talking about here is a fundamental change to the city charter, but to what end?  Where is the problem that needs addressing? Even if the term limits proposed took full effect today, only 1 of the 9 current Common Council members would be affected. Half the Council members have served fewer than 4 continuous years. And no less than 4 of the Council members aren’t seeking re-election this year. Council members have a history of term-limiting themselves. And if they don’t, voters can ask them to. I stated when I ran for alderman that I wouldn’t serve more than 2 or 3 terms as alderman (well below the limit now proposed) and I’m sticking to it. But that’s a pact I made with voters, and my willingness to live up to it will be transparent. If I don’t, they should vote me out. That’s the proper way to deal with elected officials who, you think, have served long enough.

Jean Jacobs:  The responsibility of every candidate running for an elected position is to educate their public so the voter is informed regarding issues when they go to the polls.  I do not support term limits because we must encourage and promote the importance that every vote counts. With less than 50 per cent voter participation at the polls we must  begin to be innovative and create that Fire in The Belly in each registered voter to take charge of their right to vote. Voting at the polls is democracy in action.

Steve Ladin:   I don’t think good leadership will be lost by instituting term limits.  One can serve the public in a variety of elected offices, community service organizations, boards of directors, etc.   One needs to look no further than the NYS Legislature. If term limits existed on the State level, perhaps it would not be such a big deal to have a budget passed in a timely fashion. The power concentrated in the hands of a few members with seniority has provided fertile grounds for corruption, conflicts of interest, and other sins against we the people. Term limits were a democratic ideal for our Founding Fathers, part of the Constitution. The President is, after all, not a monarch, and neither should the Mayor or members of the Common Council.

Andi Turco-Levin: As with every issue, there are positive and negative sides.  The question here is which offers a better form of government for the future?  Is an elected position an entitlement you get for years of service or is it to allow new generations who wish to move government forward?  From my perspective after sitting on the Common Council with both seasoned veterans and newcomers, I believe that Term Limits are necessary after a while.  It is true that it takes a little while to settle in and learn the process to move legislation through.  However after too long a period of time lawmakers tend to use the past for reasons to reject new proposals or initiatives that are innovative  or creative.  Putting a limit on how long someone can serve will still allow for experience (as much as 12 years in the legislation I proposed), yet will encourage new leaders to step up and put forth new and improved ideas.  It can also be argued that long time politicians will vote on measures to insure their place in office which may not be the right thing for the people they represent. Sadly, the subject of corruption can find its way into many elected positions and having term limits can be one way to discourage this from happening as well.

KC.org: The Mayor appoints the vast majority of positions at City Hall. Are you satisfied with this or do you feel that the common council should be a voice in this process?

Shayne Gallo: In my administration, all branches of government will be encouraged to communicate and exchange ideas about important issues . Personnel decisions are clearly important issues and I will certainly solicit and consider the opinions of members of the common council.

Jean Jacobs:  My business plan as a  candidate for Mayor offers a change in the organizational chart. The Mayor and the Common Council should not be in charge of appointing positions or negotiating contracts.  I would create a position of a Business Manager. The current system needs to be managed and governed by someone with business and contract credentials. The Mayor is the CEO and he/she will delegate and will be responsible for the day to day operations of The City of Kingston.

Steve Ladin: I believe that this should be a shared responsibility. Some positions are executive in nature and should be appointed by the Mayor. Other positions are legislative in nature, and should be appointed by the Common Council. Problems in filling vacant positions can occur if approval is needed by both the Mayor and Common Council. Witness the vast number of federal vacancies that take years to fill on account of the Congress delaying the approval process of Presidential appointees. On another level, many appointees (made by the Mayor), in my judgment, have been incompetent. Have they been appointed because of Party loyalty?; political favoritism?; campaign or other personal contributions/relationships? The practice of filling vacancies at City Hall, whether it’s done by the Mayor or the Common Council needs some ethical and conflict of interest oversight. Professional standards verifying the qualifications of all individuals nominated to a position at City Hall need to be applied.

Andi Turco-Levin:  With the Strong Mayor form of Government as outlined in the City’s Charter, the Mayor appoints most of the key positions for City Hall and since these titles answer to the Mayor, I feel that he/she is the one who is responsible for the outcome of how they do their job.  The Council is there to represent the people of the City and Council’s role is to insure they have proper representation.  The two are separate, yet need to work in harmony.  If these department heads are not performing their duties it will be evident in the loss of services, safety, infrastructure etc., which is what the Mayor will be judged on come election time.  This is why it should be the Mayor’s decision on who is part of the team that is chosen to run the City and it is the Mayor’s responsibility to see these departments are effective and productive.  Of course, keeping the lines of communication open is a key component for success on all levels.

 

Re-Dedication Ceremony of the Mt. Zion African-American Burial Ground in Kingston, NY in June, 2011

The Kingston Land Trust and the Kingston Land Trust African-American History Committee hosts a re-dedication ceremony of the Mt. Zion African-American Burial Ground on Sunday, June 5th 2011 at 3:00pm. The community at large is invited to attend and to celebrate Kingston’s African-American heritage and Civil War 20th Regiment Veterans laid to rest there.

Kingston – The Kingston Land Trust and Kingston Land Trust African-American History Committee have organized a historic event for Kingston, Ulster County and New York State.

A re-dedication of the Mt. Zion African-African Burial Ground  located on South Wall Street in Kingston is planned to take place on Sunday, June 5th 2011 at 3:00pm, rain or shine.  Guest speakers will include surviving family members, Dr. AJ William Meyers, members of the  AME Zion Church, the Veterans Association of Kingston and Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. A  reception will follow and be held at the AME Zion Church of Kingston located at 26 Franklin Street in Kingston, NY, which is the oldest African-American church in Ulster County and intimately associated with the Mt. Zion African-American Burial Ground.

The cemetery, an approximately 2.4 acre irregular shaped site is located on a hill on the southeast side of South Wall Street in Kingston. The site is the second African-American Cemetery in Kingston and represents the key component of history of the African-American community in Kingston from the mid 19th Century onwards. The cemetery contains the names of many of Kingston’s early African-American families and includes Dutch and French Huguenot surnames of Ulster County families for whom their family members had likely once served as slaves and as such forms a vital visible legacy for Kingston’s African-American community. In addition, a notable number of veterans are buried in the cemetery including numerous Civil War veterans who served in the US Colored Troops, 20th Regiment.

Since the formation of the Kingston Land Trust African-American History Committee in the fall of 2010, the current local landmark has been the focus to obtain state historic preservation status so to protect and preserve an African-American cemetery that houses rich African-American history in the city of Kingston.

“We are working in coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office to prepare a National Historic Register Multiple Resource nomination to include three sites of great importance to the African American community in Kingston.” says Kevin McEvoy, vice chair of the Kingston Land Trust.  “The Mt. Zion Cemetery where members of the community have been buried from the mid 19th Century to approx 1967 including Civil War veterans from the 20th Reg USCT, the Pine St. Cemetery active from the mid 18th to mid 19th Century which was the first cemetery set aside for the African American community during the era of slavery, and the AME Zion Church, a mainstay of the local African-American community closely associated with Mt. Zion cemetery.”

View historic and significant African-American locations and properties. The Mt. Zion African-American Burial Ground does not have an exact street address. Here, the mapping device will help you to simply locate it as you make travel plans to attend.

For more information, contact Rebecca Martin, Executive Director at 845/877-5263 or emailrebecca@kingstonlandtrust.org  To learn more about the Kingston Land Trust African-American History Committee or for event details, visit www.kingstonlandtrust.org

###

About the AME Zion Church of Kingston The oldest African-American church in Ulster County, this dignified church is of transcendent importance to the African American community in Kingston. Erected for the AME Zion congregation and established in 1848, the building was built under the pastorate of the Rev. Ebenezer O. Clark.

About the Veterans Association of Kingston The Kingston Veterans Association is comprised of local Veterans organizations from in and around the City of Kingston as a central place where veterans can organize and work together towards common goals that include the VFW, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, Marine Corps League, and Navy Seabees.  They conduct the annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade, the Veterans Day Ceremony and are responsible for the placing of flags on the cemeteries in the City.

About the Kingston Land Trust’s African-American History Committee The Kingston Land Trust African-American History Committee is charged to uphold the integrity, accomplishments and contributions made by African-Americans who lived or are living in the city of Kingston, NY.

READ:

* The Kingston Times “The Proper Respect

* The Kingston Times “Flesh and Bone: African-American burial grounds tour reveals hidden and painful past

Calling All Drummers: The Kingston WellSpring Festival on May 1st, 2011

Click on logo image for schedule.

By Rebecca Martin

On Sunday, May 1st at Cornell Park in the Rondout, The Kingston WellSpring Festival will take place from 11:00am – 3:00pm.  The day was created by the Kingston Land Trust in partnership with Shakti Yoga, MAC Fitness and the City of Kingston’s Park and Recreation Department to celebrate free yoga in Cornell Park this summer.

Participants who come can enjoy free yoga classes throughout the event for youth and adults, as well as visit over a dozen wellness practitioners who will be on hand to share their work and more.

Visit this LINK for the schedule and more information.

There is a call out to residents at 2:30pm when the festival will commence with a drum session to include all who wish to play, and families, schools, churches  – all Kingston citizens who have something to play are invited to join. Light rain, or shine. Come and join in the fun.

A Great Jazz Series at Stella May Theater in Kingston

LVanHart Artist Productions and Stella May Productions

Present

Jazz @ Stella May Gallery Theatre
Tuesday, April 12th 2011
The Kevin Hays Trio

Kevin Hays, Keyboard ~ Doug Weiss, Bass ~ Ben Perowsky, Drums

Meet the Artists at 8pm ~ Music at 8:30pm

Music for ALL Ages!

101 Greenkill Avenue, Kingston, NY  12401
For Reservations:  845-331-7955
Tickts:  $15/$8 with Student ID
www.lvanhart.com/news.php

On Tuesday, April 12th LVanHart Artist Productions and Stella May Productions Present Jazz with pianist/keyboardist  Kevin Hays and his trio.   The festivities begin with a Meet The Artist at 8pm.  This is the time that the audience will get to ask questions of these musicians who are happy to share their insights and experiences with America’s Classical music – jazz.

Hays, an award winning jazz pianist will perform selections from his latest recordings ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ and ‘Live at Smalls’ which features music by such diverse artists as Charlie Parker, Bob Dorough, Paul Hindemith, and Lennon and McCartney.  He will also include in the program several new original works by Hays including ‘Elegia’ from a newly recorded CD with pianist Brad Mehldau. The duo recently premiered this piece along with other material from their upcoming release at Carnegie Hall.

Kevin has had a long musical relationship with bassist Doug Weiss (a longtime member of Kevin’s Trio) and drummer Ben Perowsky, who has worked with Kevin over the years in his trio and in other groups, playing together with artists such as Chris Potter, Adam Rogers and others.

Jazz Pianist and composer Kevin Hays has now recorded over a dozen CD’s as a leader and has been featured on many recordings as a sideman. His recordings have been listed as among the ‘Top 40 Jazz Releases of the Year’ by Musician Magazine and praised by The New York Times. In the mid-nineties he began recording for Blue Note records and made several critically acclaimed CD’s for that label.

Over the past 15 years, Kevin has performed widely with his trio that includes bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Bill Stewart. The trio’s first CD in 2001, ‘What Survives’ (recently re-issued on Hays’s own NDS Records) included arrestingly beautiful arrangements of classical works by Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann and Anton Webern along with his own compositions.

In addition to recording and touring with the trio, Kevin has long been considered ‘first call’ by some of the most prominent and influential musicians in Jazz. These include Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, Benny Golson, Roy Haynes, Chris Potter, Al Foster, Joe Henderson and Joshua Redman.

After a 4-year hiatus from recording during which time he moved to the high desert of New Mexico, Kevin returned to NY and to the studio. The resulting 2006 recording ‘For Heaven’s Sake’, devoted entirely to The American Songbook, received widespread acclaim including being awarded the French ‘Coups de Coeur’ Prize and ‘Best of the Year’ by The New Yorker Magazine.

On his latest trio recording ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ (2009), Kevin brilliantly reworks both Jazz and Folk classics of Carole King, Paul McCartney, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Bob Dorough and others.

He has recently recorded a new Solo CD for the German label Pirouet that is scheduled for release in the fall of 2011.

Raised in Chicago, Illinois, Doug Weiss has lived and performed in the New York City jazz scene since graduating from the William Paterson College jazz studies program in1988.

In 1995 he recorded the first of two critically acclaimed Blue Note records under the leadership of pianist Kevin Hays. His relationship with Kevin, both intuitive and visceral, continues to the present with 10 cds recorded and many appearances in the United States and abroad. In 1996 began Doug Weiss’ association with legendary drummer Al Foster.  Al’s band has toured the world, playing more than 1000 concerts and recording 2 cds to date. Their performances have been reviewed favorably by DownBeat, Jazz Times, and the New York Times.

In addition to these bands he performs with guitarist Peter Bernstien’s “Monk” project, with long-time friend and section mate Bill Stewart.  Recently, Weiss was featured, along with Billy Drummond and John Scofield, on Eddie Henderson’s release “For All We Know” on furthermore records.

He has played the Village Vanguard and toured Europe with Brian Blade and the Fellowship band. In 2010 he began working with pianist Marc Copland, touring Europe in trio format and with the collective band “Contact”. He is also member of the band “Wayfarer”, a collective featuring Timothy Hill, Jeff Haynes, and Brandon Ross.

He continues to circulate in the New York club scene, with regular appearances at Smalls, Smoke, the Kitano and the Vanguard with the likes of Mike Moreno, Sam Yahel, Bruce Barth, Gerald Clayton, Chris Potter, and Jim Snidero.  Doug Weiss has also accompanied such notable figures as Joe Williams, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lee Konitz, Jacky Terrasson, Eddie Henderson, Lew Tabakin, Walt Weiskopf, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and Joshua Redman.   He recorded 11 tracks on Lizz Wrights’ critically acclaimed debut album “Salt”, (2003) and toured extensively in support of that project.

Weiss currently resides in the Hudson River Valley, and is engaged in creating a new work by folk legend Pete Seeger, which is being produced by percussionist Jeff Haynes.

One of the most accomplished drummers of his generation, Ben Perowsky’s notable career has placed him among a small vanguard of players able to move between jazz, experimental music and cutting edge pop and rock. Ben began his early performing life with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, pop songstress Rickie Lee Jones and R&B star Roy Ayers. He went on to tour and record with Miles Davis’ collaborators The Gil Evans Orchestra, Bob Berg, Mike Stern and later John Scofield. Ben has worked closely with numerous artists since then including Elysian Fields, Joan as Policewoman, Uri Caine, Steven Bernstein, Wood Brothers, John Zorn, Ronnie Cuber, Michael Brecker, Don Byron, Dave Douglas, Walter Becker and John Lurie’s Lounge Lizards.

Amidst his busy sideman/recording career, Ben created and co-led the band Lost Tribe who released three critically acclaimed records released in 1992, 1994 and 1998. He released Ben Perowsky Trio in 1999 from which the title Segment was used in the Will Farrel movie “Talladega Nights”. In 2003 he released Camp Songs for John Zorn’s Tzadik label, which was voted in JAZZTIMES TOP 50 Cds of 2003. In 2006 Ben created his own label, El Destructo Records with two releases to date: El Destructo: Volume I, a blending of dark ambient dub improv and then released through Sony/Red distribution September, 2009 “Moodswing Orchestra” which expands on this idea, adding 4 more instrumentalists and 5 well-known vocalists.  Ben also formed the band RedCred with Chris Speed, John Medeski and Larry Grenadier. They meet regularly in the Catskill mountains to play concerts.  In 2007 Ben played on the disco hit song “Blind” by Hercules and Love Affair. In August 2009 The Ben Perowsky Quartet: with Chris Speed, Ted Reichman and Drew Gress  released a CD entitled Esopus Opus featuring Ben’s latest compositions and arrangements for Speed’s label, Skirl records.

In 2010 Ben appeared on the Grammy award winning CD Loudon Wainwright III  “High Wide & Handsome – The Charlie Poole Project. He also performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver with Lou Reed, James Blood Ulmer, Elvis Costello, and recorded for French pop star Sioban Wilson as well as the solo ep from Indie rocker’s “ The Honorary Title, Jarrod Gorbell.


Kingston, NY Neighborhood Watch Group Ups the Ante.

By Rebecca Martin

Since February of 2010, Michael and Claudia D’Arcy have provided a resource for the entire Kingston community by developing a citywide Neighborhood Watch Group. The two of them as dynamic leaders have helped to support the City of Kingston by putting a face on resident safety with social media, blogs, searches, events….and busts.

Putting a face on resident safety you ask?  Indeed. In some cases, it helps to make it all the more real and immediate for the residents that it serves and here is an instance where this is truly the case.  The D’Arcy’s have come to this work organically by turning a tragedy into something productive and good and the city of Kingston is better for it.

After over a little more than a year of hitting it hard and using their own resources to do so, they are now looking to turn our citywide Neighborhood Watch Group into a 501c3. In doing so, it will allow for grant opportunities and donations for more grass root initiatives to help secure Kingston’s safety.

Help them to help us by making a contribution to OUR cause – and thanks you two for your dedication and service.

Kingston, NY Neighborhood Watch on Indie Go GO

Help the Queens Galley gain the attention of ABC’s Extreme Makeover.

By Rebecca Martin

Today, I had the pleasure to eat at the Queens Galley for lunch while meeting with Diane Reeder and Farmer Jesica Clark. The place was packed at noontime, so we found some open seats and shared our table with others while waiting to be served.

Waiting to be served? At a soup kitchen?

We were greeted promptly by a volunteer who brought us soup, salad and a main course of home made falafel, hummus and a tofu dish. It was “meatless” Monday after all – and it was really good thanks to their dedicated volunteers.

What Diane and the Galley have created is a community atmosphere – something unique and important to support and maintain. If you haven’t had the time to volunteer, or the means to make a contribution – here is a chance to do something meaningful to support them. Diane is asking the community to write a letter to direct the producers to their video so that perhaps they are selected for an ‘Extreme Makeover” in the not too distant future. Diane tells me that they will decide their filming schedule by June and writes:

The Queens Galley has applied for ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

One of the selection criteria is to show we have a broad base of community support. While WE know how many of you are there for us every day now we need to show the casting company that Queens Galley is truly ‘owned’ by a community of people that care. Some of you have eaten here, some of you have gotten shelter here, some of you have sliced, diced and chopped others have written checks and reposted/retweeted when we have a need, event or concern.

The building we are in is literally crumbling around us. This past Winter we met with challenges so severe we came through only by the grace of God and the generosity of people like YOU.

Please consider contacting the production company, either via snail mail (the address is above for Lock and Key Productions 5062 Lankershim Blvd Suite 3005 North Hollywood CA 91601) or via email EMHEcastingdept@gmail.com

Remember to include the link to our youtube video application:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EY2_iHSsDc

Tell them of your experience with us, have you been here? Have you been inspired by us? Do you know someone who has been helped by us?

On behalf of all of us here who are crossing our fingers, lighting candles, burning sage and looking for lucky charms; we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help in keeping us open and able to be here every day for anyone in need, no questions asked. We’re helping to feed the Hudson Valley…one meal at a time.

 

Diane

The Kingston WellSpring Festival. FREE Yoga in Cornell Park May-September, 2011.

By Rebecca Martin

Come and celebrate FREE “Yoga in the Park!” with The Kingston WellSpring Festival on May 1st, 2011 from 11:00am – 3:00pm at Cornell Park.

 

The Kingston WellSpring Festival will take place on Sunday, May 1st 2011 in Cornell Park off of Wurts Street in the Rondout section of Kingston from 11:00am – 3:00pm

 

The Kingston Land Trust in partnership with Shakti Yoga Studios, MAC Fitness and the City of Kingston’s Park and Recreation department hosts festival to launch a free ‘Yoga in the Park’ series from May – September of 2011.

 

The Kingston Land Trust in partnership with Shakti Yoga Studios, MAC Fitness and the City of Kingston’s Park and Recreation Department will host the first annual “Kingston WellSpring Festival” in Cornell Park off of Wurts Street in the Rondout in Kingston on Sunday, May 1st 2011 from 11:00am – 3:00pm.The event will feature free adult and youth yoga each hour by Shakti Yoga Studio instructors, over a dozen different health practitioners on site to discuss their work that will include Acupuncture, Feldenkrais, Kinesiology, Naturopaths and other specialties and a drum circle to begin at 2:30pm.  

All yoga participants are encouraged to dress comfortably in exercise attire and to bring mats, blocks and belts.

For more information, contact Rebecca Martin, Executive Director of the Kingston Land Trust at 845/877-5263 or visit www.kingstonlandtrust.org

Event Schedule

11:00am – 3:00pm

Visit dozens of alternative and conventional local health practitioners throughout the event.

11:25am – 12:00pm

Shakti Youth Yoga  (5-8 years old)

11:30am – 12:10pm

Shakti Adult Yoga – All Levels

12:25pm – 1:00pm

Shakti Youth Yoga (9-12 years old)

12:30pm – 1:10pm

Shakti Adult Yoga – All Levels

1:25pm –  2:00pm

Shakti Youth Yoga (5-8 years old)

1:30pm – 2:10pm

Shakti Adult Yoga – All Levels

2:30pm

Kingston WellSpring Festival Drum Circle with Special Musical Guests

About the Kingston Land Trust –  An urban trust, the Kingston Land Trust is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to the protection and preservation of open space, historic sites, wetlands, scenic areas, and forests in the City of Kingston and the surrounding region to include the Town of Ulster and the Town of Kingston.    www.kingstonlandtrust.org

About Shakti Yoga Studios – Shakti Yoga Studios helps students increase their flexibility, strength, alignment and confidence through an intelligent, dynamic and safe yoga discipline. Founder Linda Lalita Winnick has created an insightful approach to the yoga  practice drawing from her 25 years experience as a student and teacher.  A rich knowledge of yogic philosophy, anatomy, and physiology, and intensive ayurvedic  background adds a deeper dimension shared during  classes at Shakti Yoga of Woodstock, Saugerties, and Kingston.www.shaktiyogawoodstock.com

About MAC Fitness – A top rated award-winning facility with fully certified professional training staff to custom design fitness programs built entirely around their clients lifestyle.    Two state of the art facilities are located on 9W and the Kingston Plaza in Kingston, NY.www.macfitness.net

About the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department – Led by Director Kevin Gilfeather, the Kingston Parks and Recreation Department oversees Kingston’s park system and organizes many programs for residents and tourists that include boating, kayaking, youth, adult and senior programs, environmental education, adult sports and more.  www.kingston-ny.gov


2nd Annual Kingston Clean Sweeps. Register Now.

Volunteers will once again take to the streets with brooms and brown bags in hand for the Second Annual Kingston Clean Sweep on Saturday, April 30, 9am to noon. Last year, the immensely successful event netted four tons of litter lying along the “Kingston corridor” from the Thruway Circle through uptown Kingston and down the length of Broadway to the Rondout waterfront.  Many other service organizations plan to join FHK in the task as they did in 2010.  Mayor James Sottile has pledged backup support from the city DPW and Steve Noble, environmental educator for the city, will again be the liaison between the Clean Sweep Committee and the Mayor’s office. Anyone who wishes to participate can sign up for a number of projects by visiting the Forsyth Nature Center “Kingston Clean Sweeps” registration page.

City of Kingston Tweets.

By Rebecca Martin

Good news! The city of Kingston is finally working to access social media outlets to communicate with the citizens of Kingston.  We’ve been trying to get them to pay attention in this way for years. Back in the stone age, BW. (Before WordPress).  Remember yahoo groups? HTML?

That was so 2006.

Follow the city and get up to date (fingers crossed) information that should alert you to all kinds of things such as public meetings and hearings to snow emergencies and removal.

Special thanks to the good works of Kingston
citizens Claudia and Mike D’Arcy. I saw the proposal that they created for the city to help them to better understand the benefits, and it was quite comprehensive.

@KingstonNYgov