As the spring winds up in all its sunny glory, I’m reminded of how wonderful it is to relax outside. Do it with a book, or a bagged lunch, or just with a cup of coffee.
Pull Up a Bench
Month: April 2009
Landing Lands, But What is Mixed Use?
AVR’s Hudson Landing project cleared its final environmental review hurdle last night. The Kingston Freeman reports that the Kingston planning board “unanimously adopted a findings statement, a document that outlines what developer AVR Acquisition Corp. of Yonkers needs to do to mitigate potential environmental impacts from the proposed 1,750-unit project.” Read the story here.
Sewer Bid for Pine Grove to Close Soon
The City of Kingston, in its ongoing work to improve the city’s infrastructure, has a bid for sewer improvements on Pine Grove Avenue that is set to close April 16, according to New Public Notices. The improvements are being funded by New York State.
Read the legal notice, here.
Wellness Events in Kingston
There’s much happening on the wellness front. On Thursday, April 16 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Benedictine Hospital’s Administrative Services Building Auditorium will be a free afternoon lecture with Warren Kramer, a macrobiotic educator and health counselor. He will dicuss “Macrobiotics: A Lifestyle for Health and Healing.” The program is being presented by The Miso Happy Cooking Club in conjunction with the Oncology Support Program. To register, call the OSP at 339-2071, ext. 100.
Trash Fee for Non-profits? What Do You Think?
As the City of Kingston contemplates a trash fee for non-profits, see story in today’s Freeman here, it’s important to discuss this issue as a community. The Freeman story notes that residents and commercial property owners carry the financial burden left over from non-profits who don’t pay for trash pick-up. The story also notes that putting in place a fee would also force non-profits to recycle more of their waste.
Adam Snyder Benefit April 18
Adam Snyder is performing a benefit concert for the Kingston Natural Foods Buying Club on April 18. Here are the details from the press release:
“Adam Snyder, globally re-known for for his solo music as well as his work with The Waterboys and Mercury Rev, will be performing a benefit concert for the Kingston Natural Foods Buying Club at 7 p.m. on April 18.
The concert will take place at the buying club’s storefront at 33 Broadway in the Rondout section of Kingston. Seating for this intimate performance is limited. Suggested donations are $25 for KNF members and $30 for non-members. For more information, email kingstonnaturalfoods@gmail.com.”
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If you’ve never heard Adam’s work before, this is a great opportunity to see him perform live. What makes this performance special is the setting is intimate setting. Every row is front row.
Regarding his music, check out this review of a prior record by Adam: BBC Review.
Urban Transportation Solution
Although I walk and bike in Kingston often, here’s an interesting solution for urban travel: it’s a two-wheeled Segway that’s enclosed and can travel up to 35 miles per hour. See the full story here: Segway and GM team up.
— Arthur Zaczkiewicz
Earth Day Street Fair Set for April 25
In celebration of Earth Day there will be a street fair on Satuday, April 25 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church, which is on the corner of Clinton Avenue and Liberty Street in Kingston.
There will be information on green living, organic gardening, composting, green pets and more. Activities for the kids are also planned. Live music will be by Glory Road. For for more information call 331-7188.
Walgreen’s Construction to Begin
The Daily Freeman reports today that construction of the Walgreen’s on the corner of Broadway and East Chester will begin soon. The contractor is Rondack Construction, a local owner-managed firm based in Red Hook. To learn more about the contractor, see its website here.
Recent projects by Rondack include the First Hudson Valley Bank in Newburgh, an affordable housing unit in Beacon and renovation of the Dutchess Amulatory Surgical Center.
Regarding Walgreen’s, the $60 billion company has been faring well in the recession. As its competitors have posted steep declines in sales and profits, Walgreen’s profits have fallen, but not as much as other companies in the sector. The company had delayed store openings and reduced its debt load over the past year. If the opening in Kingston reflects any changes in strategy, it seems the company is back in an expansion mode. The drug retailer has spent about $2.2 billion on capital expenditures, and with $60 billion in sales could easily spend the same amount over the next few years on new store openings.
Elephant Featured on Stop, Shop and Get to Know
Our favorite tapas bar is now being featured on the Stop, Shop and Get to Know website. See it here. As you may know, Elephant offers top-notch tapas and wine that is simply amazing. Check out their website for details. Menu items include roasted carrots and baby arugula. A must have are the Spainish almonds, and check for the marrow bones, which will change your life — if you eat meat 😉
Time to Step Up
There was an interesting story in The New York Times this past week on the challenges libraries and librarians face during a recession. The bulk of the story talked about how library staffers face increased stress associated with higher usage from resume-writers, kids and homeless folks.
‘Something Extraordinary’
Last night, “something extraordinary happened” at Gabriel’s on John Street: twenty six community leaders gathered for an intimate meal and a “pointed discussion on the positive efforts being had in the city of Kingston,” according to Plankingston.org.
What You Can Do
As you most likely heard already, the Key Bank on Wall Street was robbed again — the second time within a week. Police have a suspect in the first robbery, and are pursuing leads in the second, and unrelated, robbery yesterday.
It’s important to note that bank tellers, employees and other staff of banks and credit unions are trained what to do during a robbery. But consumers are not. However, About.com has a great page on what consumers can do during such an unfortunate incident.
“Every law enforcement official will tell you the same thing: the most heroic act you should take in a bank robbery is noticing any details about the robber,” the site suggests adding that remaining calm is essential. For more information, see here.