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Part One: Q & A with Ward 1’s Andi Turco-Levin

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* Dear Readers – This is the first of a three part series written by Arthur Zaczkiewicz. Here, he will spotlight each of the three new Alderman candidates who took a seat on the council in January, 2010. Enjoy his insightful piece on Ward 1’s Alderman Andi Turco-Levin. Ward 9’s Hayes Clement and Ward 5’s Jennifer Fuentes will be posted shortly.

– RM

Ward 1 Alderwoman Andi Turco-Levin

Andi Turco-Levin, freshly in office as alderman for Ward 1, is no stranger to the challenges that face Kingston. As an associate broker at a local real estate office, Turco-Levin has first-hand knowledge of the local market and how macro-economic issues are impacting it.
Turco-Levin, who also serves as 2010 president of Ulster County Board of Realtors and authors a blog on local issues, took some time to share her vision of Kingston with KingstonCitizens.org.
-Arthur Zaczkiewicz

AZ: What do you see as the top, long-term challenges facing the City of Kingston?

AT-L: First of all we need to figure out how to overcome the financial hurdles that we face. It is a complex problem that has more than one answer. Most of all we need to build our tax base by creating a City that offers economic opportunity, a safe and clean environment for its citizens and a quality education for their children. The challenges we face are how to do it. I truly believe that part of the problem is that we have been reactive instead of being proactive in our long range plans for development. From contract bargaining with unions to designing a comprehensive plan to build both neighborhoods and business districts, without looking at the long range outcome we all suffer terribly.  With that said, the City of Kingston needs to overcome its reputation of being dirty, crime ridden and a city that ‘used to be beautiful’.

AZ: Despite the challenges, Kingston is often described as a “vibrant city” that has much potential. Do you agree? What are some of the city’s most promising opportunities?

AT-L: Absolutely! Kingston has so much to offer in many ways. Using Williamsburg, Va. as an example on how history can become an attraction and destination.  Another plus is the architecture here. With so many neighborhoods intact with rows of Victorian homes we can promote ourselves to historic home buffs if we can try to revamp some of these old neighborhoods again. Of course, our waterfront is the crown jewel of it all. The development of that area is also key to us becoming a tourist destination. One other asset we have is a growing group of residents who offer diversity from the arts to small business entrepreneurs who will help rebuild our economic engine. Again, we need to look into a long term plan for our future, without a road map we will be lost.

AZ: Some residents have expressed a need for Kingston to file for bankruptcy as a way to get some fiscal breathing room and allow contracts to be renegotiated. Do you support such a move? Why or why not?

AT-L: Most contracts will be up in 2012 and I have said it before and I will say it again…we need to start from scratch on the next round of contract discussions.  From what I can tell, in the past Common Council members were not able to participate or comment on the negotiation process and the contracts were given to them at the end of the process to approve. I have had discussions with Chairman Landi of the Finance Committee to be sure that some Council members will indeed be included in the process next time around when the contracts are negotiated. Filing for bankruptcy would have to be the last resort for the City as we would give up so much more control in the long run on how we regain our footing…quite frankly the State is not in the best financial shape either so I’m not certain turning things over to them would be the end of our problems!

AZ: Residents have expressed publicly and privately that your election into office reflects a need for new thinking and new perspectives in city government. Do you agree with this? If yes, how do you implement some of that fresh perspective?

AT-L: I do agree that many Kingston residents are unhappy with the direction that we are going. Rising taxes are a burden to many who live here, especially for seniors who are on a fixed income and for our commercial property owners so we need to all work together to find solutions.

There are two things I wish to focus on while serving on the Common Council. The first one is to encourage residents in the community to get involved.  I have already scheduled our first Ward 1 Citizens meeting to take place on February 27th and hope to have them on a regular basis every 2 to 3 months. I also hope that my fellow Aldermen will become more active in keeping their community up to date with information on things including educating their constituents to the changes that are being discussed such as garbage collection, recycling, leaf bagging and other issues.
The other thing I want to be sure to have is open lines of communication, be it between other Council Members, the Mayor’s office, and the supporting offices that make up our government. I want to be sure that our City residents know we are there working hard and watching out for them.

AZ:  Could you list three of the best reasons to live and work in Kingston?

AT-L:
1.  The natural beauty of our environment along with the proximity to New York City
2.  The charm and convenience of living in a small city
3.  The interesting people who choose to call this City home.

Healthy Kingston for Kids Garden Committee Seeks Volunteers

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A Healthy Kingston for Kids Garden Committee is forming for 2010 and seeks volunteers to help build community and school gardens, among other tasks. To get the project rolling, committee co-chairs Julie Noble, environmental educator of the City of Kingston Parks and Recreation department, and Arthur Zaczkiewicz, co-founder of the Kingston Land Trust, are holding an informational session on Feb. 2 at the Kingston Land Trust office, which is located at 280 Wall Street, 2nd Floor, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“This project offers community members a chance to help make Kingston a healthy place for our children,” Zaczkiewicz said. “The work builds upon prior efforts in creating community and school gardens in Kingston.”

This committee’s primary objective aims to expand community and school gardens throughout the city. Members will work with other community members, parents, teachers, and youth to obtain access to resources for the construction and practical use of gardens. The committee’s work also includes developing ways to expand the distribution of fresh and local produce to neighborhoods that need it the most.

A Healthy Kingston for Kids is a project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that is being led by Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County (CCEUC) along with several partners. The project’s goal is to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic in Kingston through environmental and policy change. Partners include the City of Kingston, the Kingston City School District, the Kingston Land Trust, the Community Heart Health Coalition, Gilmour Planning, the Rose Women’s Care Service, and the Ulster County Health and Planning Departments.

For more information about the garden committee, contact Arthur Zaczkiewicz at: ki***************@***oo.com

For more information about A Healthy Kingston for Kids project, contact Kristen Wilson at: ke***@*****ll.edu

Top 10 Things Kingston Can Do to Be a Better Place

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As the City of Kingston struggles under the yoke of a fiscal crisis spurred on by The Recession That Wouldn’t Leave, it seems like a good time to suggest some ways to make this a better place to live, work and do business. Some of these suggestions include some hard medicine to swallow, but in my humble opinion it is needed. So, in no particular order:

1.       Greater Unification. From the socio-economic to business to the political, Kingston – to thrive – needs to be unified. City leaders (business, civic, elected and appointed) need to set aside egos, agendas and self interests and place the greater good ahead of all. A recent example would be how Alderman Ron Polacco says people should come before politics. Brilliant. Of course there will be conflicts, but having a facilitator in a consensus-building session would help iron things out. It’s a process.

2.       One City. Kingston also needs to abandon its three sections (uptown, downtown and midtown), which is simply outdated and non-inclusive. What should be embraced is the idea that this city is composed of dozens of unique neighborhoods that as a whole make one great place to live, work and do business.

3.       Avoid Duplication. Along the same lines of unification is the idea that less is more when it comes to the operation of city governmen to initiatives in the private and nonprofit sectors. Simply put, duplication wastes money, time and people power. For example, having a single business association is better than having three – or four, if you count the Kingston Business Alliance. A single business association instead of three or four has greater clout and focus when it comes to protecting the interests of Kingston businesses.

4.       Improved Marketing. Having a Main Street Manager is a great first step in helping to market Kingston, but the effort should be well funded and positioned for the long term with specific marketing campaigns in place to promote Kingston tourism, business and real estate. The marketing also needs to be nimble. Take the recent Today Show spot that named Kingston as one of the country’s top 10 places to buy a home. Placing advertisements in the real estate sections of New York City, New Jersey and Long Island newspapers along with banner ads on websites touting this recognition would turn a spotlight on Kingston and garner greater attention.

5.       Hire a Spokesperson. The City of Kingston needs a human face. Someone to be a level-headed, thoughtful, apolitical spokesperson who can attend trade, real estate and green building shows to promote Kingston. This person would leverage social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and Wikipedia to create and sustain an online buzz about Kingston. This person would direct inbound inquiries to the right office, and facilitate meetings between businesses and officials. Of course, this person would also be well versed in the positive attributes – from a lifestyle angle – of Kingston as a great place to live. After all, no one relocates their business to places they wouldn’t want to live in.

6.       Redefine Economic Development. Instead of reapplying to the same dwindling pool of grants – mostly federal tax dollars, which is our money – the city should partner with existing businesses to “sharp shoot” economic development opportunities with contract-based businesses involving technopreneurs and solopreneurs as well as in the green building and green technology sectors. Last year’s Kingston Digital Corridor effort was an amazing first step in this direction, resulting in media coverage in national magazines that included BusinessWeek Small Business as well as website visits to KingstonDigitalCorridor.org that were global. Other recent initiatives included the opening of a co-working space – The Beahive – on Wall Street. The city needs to support more projects like these, especially since IBM is not coming back anytime soon.

7.       Celebrate History. From gorgeous Victorians to its rare bluestone sidewalks, Kingston has historical assets that touch people daily. Celebrate this. Inventory other historical assets such as the city’s stone houses, its museums, churches and municipal buildings and create promotional material such a photos and YouTube videos that position Kingston as a gem.

8.       Celebrate Cultural Assets. The same can be done with Kingston’s rich inventory of cultural assets such as its theaters, galleries and art studios. Get Kingston High School kids to shoot video profiles of these assets for YouTube. Have the kids create Facebook pages touting Kingston’s cultural assets. All of this can be connected and intermixed with existing work such as KingstonCitizens.org and Kingston Happenings.

9.       Create a Vacancy Tax. Kingston is full of empty storefronts and lots because there is no incentive for landlords and property owners to fill them. For empty storefronts, a vacancy tax forces them to lower their rents. Perhaps SCORE or other business development organizations could work with landlords to fill those storefronts with small business entrepreneurs. Give them six months free rent. Let their dreams become real, and the city can be transformed. With vacant lots, owners can avoid the vacancy tax by installing community gardens or small, “micro parks.”

10.   Innovate City Government. Create a paperless, green City Hall where residents print forms and documents on demand. Offer incentives such as time off to city employees who walk, bike or take public transportation to work. Create an advisory board for the common council and the mayor’s office. This board would be the conduit between those offices as well as with the public. Leverage existing public platforms such as KingstonCitizens.org to generate discussions and build consensus. Update the city’s master plan, and have visioning sessions with stakeholders every two years to make sure we’re on track.

– Arthur Zaczkiewicz

Central Hudson To Increase Their Rates. Your Opportunity To Voice Your Opinion

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In the legal notices of today’s Daily Freeman, there was a “Notice Of Public Statement Hearing on Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation’s Proposal To Increase Electric And Gas Rates”.

A public hearing is scheduled in Kingston on Tuesday, January 26th 2010. 6:00pm, Kingston City Hall Council Chambers.

To read the notice and for further instructions on how you can comment, CLICK HERE

Bragging Rights

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Did you happen to notice how many of Kingston’s small businesses made the “Best Of The Hudson Valley” list in 2009?

Each year, Hudson Valley Magazine publishes their ‘best of’ picks. Although they were announced in October of last year, we’re taking full advantage to bragging rights all throughout 2010. Congrats to those who were selected. We are glad that you have chosen Kingston to do business.

Here are the highlights:

Best Shrimp-Stuffed Jalapenos
Armadillo Bar and Grill
“This tasty appetizer beautifully fuses the refreshing quality of jumbo shrimp with the spiciness of the jalapeño. To make the treat, Armadillo owner Merle Borenstein dabs on a touch of Monterey Jack cheese, then crisp-fries the concoction in a bread-crumb covering. To cool the zesty appetizer down, dip the jalapeño in some sour cream before digging in. Dios mío — just thinking about that wonderful confluence of flavor has us salivating.”

Best Local Ice Cream
Jane’s Homemade Ice Cream
“I’m a coconut freak,” says co-owner Bob Guidubaldi, so coconut Almond Joy is among his faves. But partner and wife Amy Keller likes all 80 flavors sold to 70 shops, restaurants, and hotels from Manhattan to the Berkshires. The ice cream and sorbet is made in Kingston with lots of local products. Temptation awaits in a dish of cappuccino Kahlúa calypso, lavender, or Triboro — a nod to NYC made with vanilla ice cream, caramel swirl, and chocolate-covered peanut butter pretzels.”

Best Restaurant Expansion and Best French Cuisine
La Canard Enchaine
“The “chained-up duck” referred to in the restaurant’s title is shackled to a single location no longer. The upscale French eatery Le Canard Enchainé, long a staple of the uptown Kingston restaurant scene, opened a brasserie in downtown Albany in September 2008. Happily, an ever-larger swath of the Valley can now enjoy chef Jean-Jacques Carquillat’s authentically French flights of flavor. Entrées run from $24 to $38.”

Best Wine Bar and Best Tapas 2009!
Elephant Wine and Tapas Bar
“It’s called “Elephant’’ for no special reason, but the name fits because this is one cozy spot you won’t forget. “We’re a modern Spanish tapas bar,’’ says co-owner Rich Reeve. He and partner Maya Karrol offer a unique selection of wines and serve up a delicious menu of bite-size appetizers and snacks like fennel and clementine salad and chicken piri piri.”

Readers Pick: Fun In The Hudson Valley
Hudson River Cruise – The Rip Van Winkle

Reader’s Pick: Best Shopping/Butcher
Fleisher’s Grass Fed and Organic Meats

Reader’s Pick: Best Shopping/Outdoor Sports Store
Kenco

Home and Garden: Best Budget Gift Shop
Bop to Tottem
“It’s almost impossible to visit this esoteric emporium and come out empty-handed — there are so many colorful, inexpensive temptations that owner Karen Clark-Adin has gathered from all over the world. You’ll find quirky toys (including charming, hand-knitted finger puppets for a mere two bucks); home accessories like lamps, bowls, throw pillows, scented candles, and soaps — as well as jewelry, bags, hats, mittens, and such. You’ll also find the distinctive, rustic, black clay La Chamba cookware from Colombia that’s rugged enough to use on the stove top and good-looking enough to go straight to the table.”

Kingston Named One Of The Top 10 Places To Buy A Home In America

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According to Barbara Corcoran on the Today show, the City of Kingston rated #9 as one of the 10 top places to buy a home….in America!

Along with Portland, Maine and even Miami, Florida, the beauty and potential of this historic city is no longer a secret.

We look forward to meeting you, future Kingstonians! Stop by Monkey Joe’s, Hudson Valley Traders or Dolce for a cup of coffee and say hello after you close on your new home.

Watch the VIDEO

– Rebecca Martin

Alderman Information Updated at KingstonCitizens.org

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As most know, what we thrive on here at KingstonCitizens.org is to encourage and nurture the ongoing communications between our elected Alderman and the constituents, AKA Kingston citizens!

With three new Alderman in place (Wards 1, 5 and 9) and the reorganization of committees by Council President Jim Noble, we have updated our site to make being in contact a cinch.

Visit KINGSTONCITIZENS.ORG and click on any of the Wards of interest.  You can become a member (or just follow along) of any of the Ward Yahoo! discussion groups. Most Alderman are members of theirs –  making it simple to ask a question or express an idea specific to your Ward in the company of other members/neighbors.

You can find all nine Yahoo! Groups at the top of this page, right hand side bar or by visiting KingstonCitizens.org

Take advantage of this tool. KingstonCitizens.org was created to help inspire real change through organization and communication from the ground up.

Please give us a holler if there are any bits of information we might have missed.

Here’s to a new year of better communication and government transparency.

– Rebecca Martin

Environmental Focus on Kingston: Blue Moon New Year’s Eve

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We’re in for a real trifecta of a treat – the kind that only comes along once every 19 years.   There will be a Blue Moon rising to help ring in the New Year.  Party goers in Africa, Asia and Europe will be treated to this event with a partial lunar eclipse, but it will remain unseen for those in North and South America.  (Click HERE for an animated preview)

The last New Year’s Eve Blue Moon occurred in 1990.

How rare is a lunar eclipse of a Blue Moon on New Years Eve? According to SpaceWeather.com, “A search of NASA’s Five Millennium Catalogue of Lunar Eclipses provides an approximate answer. In the next 1000 years, Blue Moons on New Year’s Eve will be eclipsed only 11 times (once every 91 years).”

A Blue Moon is the name given to the second new moon to occur during the same month.  The moon’s cycle of waxing and waning gives us a full moon every 29.5 days.  Lunar cycles differ from solar cycles in that the solar calendar contains an extra 11 days (roughly).  These “extra” days accumulate so that every 2.7154 years, there is an extra full moon.

Ancient myths and folklore have entire chapters, entire books for that matter, dedicated to the effect of a full moon on human behavior.  The term lunacy and lunatic are derived from Luna, the Roman moon goddess.  The full moon has been linked to crime, suicide, mental illness, disasters, accidents, birthrates, fertility, and even werewolves.  However studies have found no direct connection, rendering it no more than an urban myth.

It seems to me that there is an exceptional amount of poetic symmetry for this rare event to occur on the eve of a new year, while acting as the usherer of a new decade. It gives me a little hope that 2010 will be a better year for all of Kingston’s citizens.

Perhaps this rare 19 year event is the year for that New Year’s resolution to stick?  That’s probably an urban legend too.  (Just in case though, try to think of a good one.)

From all of us to all of  you, best wishes for a happy, healthy, prosperous and safe Blue Moon New Year!  Let the revelry and howling commence.

– Wilbur Girl

Caring For Your Community: Food Glorious Food

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We lost one of our weekend soup kitchens on Pine Grove avenue located inside of the Church of the Holy Cross in Kingston.  It’s the kind of loss that will no doubt be a major hit to our growing families in need.  It was reported that they do hope to be up and running again in the future. Whatever the case, a big thank you is in order for Rev. Charles Arlin, his staff and all of the volunteers for providing food to those in need since 2002.

I want to ask our members to do one small thing right now. Take a moment to make plans to lend a hand;  or to make donation of money or food to a local soup kitchen or food pantry near you.

For Kingstonians, consider Queens Galley who are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – offering three meals each day to anyone in need. No questions asked. I expect Diane to have more mouths to feed starting immediately due to Holy Cross’s kitchen closing.  Can you help? Visit QUEENS GALLEY for more.

Other favorite and helpful locations is Chiz’s Heart Street on West Chestnut Street in Kingston. Chiz organizes a food pantry for those in need. We recently featured her on the KingstonCitizens.org blog.    Visit:  LEND A HAND TO HEART STREET

Below is a pretty comprehensive list of other soup kitchens and food pantries in the area. If there are any that you find are missing, feel free to add them in the comment section of this post.

Thanks.

– Rebecca Martin

FOOD PANTRIES AND FREE MEAL SITES IN THE KINGSTON AREA

Caring Hands Meal Site and Food Pantry
Clinton Avenue Methodist Church, 122 Clinton Avenue, Kingston NY
845-331-7188   Darleen Kelley Pastor

Lunch served Monday thru Friday about noon.  Offerings range from the epicurean (a peppered split pea soup that they ought to bottle) through the misguided (slippery slop, a lovely dish you get when you don’t drain overcooked spaghetti before adding the sauce.)  After lunch, the diners are given a choice of prepackaged goods from local supermarkets such as cookies, pies, brie cheese, salads, birthday cakes, quiches, etc..   There is also a table offering unlimited bread products and fruits and veggies in season.  On request, a bag of food to take home will be given from the food pantry.   If I manage to get it together, this will be the location for Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, a pet food pantry.   Ambience of a medium security prison.   Usual pronouncement, “If you don’t like eating here, go to the Blue Light Diner.”

Catholic Charities (two food pantry locations)
Patricia LaRue, director   Mary Francis, Manager.
St. Joseph’s Mission Church Connifer Lane,
Hurley, NY
845-338-7121

Extensive food pantry (and even more extensive free clothing distribution!!)  Open to the public Monday and Tuesday, 10-2 and Wednesday, 10-noon.  Free clothing store only on Mondays.  Consumers cn get two bags of food once a month (or sometimes more if they have a good enough story.)   Offerings include peanut butter, frozen chopped meat, canned stew, canned fruits and veggies, and occasionally yogurt, cottage cheese, bread, or other items depending on availability.  Also soap, toothpaste, and personal care items such as diapers, sanitary pads, mouthwash. Fresh fruit and veggies always welcome.  Free clothing and food outreach on variousWednesdays at 1pm at the Everette Hodge MidTown Neighborhood Center on Prospect Street.

Special Needs Food Pantry
59 Pearl Street, Kingston, NY
845-340-9170

Doctor’s note required.  Food pantry for diabetics, hypertension, obestiy, or other conditions requiring a special diet.  Open Tuesday from 11 am to 3 p.m.

Animal Hospice of NY
PO Box 1463, Kingston, NY 12402
845-382-2435
Bruce Van Bramer, Director

This not-for-profit distributes food donated by area supermarkets.  It primarily distributes the food to OTHER not-for-profits, such as Family of Woodstock.  However, sometimes distributions on a limited basis of human and animal food can be arranged through the director, depending on his supply, which fluctuates.   Because this location does active composting and feeding of farm animals such as pigs and goats, it welcomes donations of produce that is not quite ready for prime time.

The Queen’s Galley
254 Washington Avenue, Kingston, NY
845-338-3468
Diane Reeder, director

Meal site only.   Serves three meals a day, 365 days a year. Including a mind-blowing thanksgiving banquet.  China dishes, fabric tablecloths, real silverware, nutrition lessons.  Meals served at 8a.m., 12 noon, and 5p.m..  Atmosphere of a rather hectic restaurant.

Pointe of Praise Family Life Center
243 Hurley Avenue, Kingston, NY
845-339-4615
Sandra Giles, Pantry Director

Monday through Friday, 9a.m. to 3 p.m. Superb access for persons with mobility challenges, but its out of town a bit.

Salvation Army of Ulster County
35 Cedar Street, Kingston, NY
845-331-1803

Open 9a.m. to noon daily

Peoples’ Place
Corner Broadway and St. James’s Street
Kingston, NY
845-338-4030
Peter Quinlan, Director

Food pantry open Mon. through Friday, 10a.m to 1 p.m. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.  It’s like applying for welfare.   Also produce and bread occasionally available in the thrift shop that offers used clothing for sale.   Wheelchair accessible.

St. James’s  United Methodist Church
Corner Fair Street and Pearl
Kingston, NY
845-331-3030

The “new kid on the block” food pantry, available Sundays from 11a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kingston Seventh Day Adventist Church
24 West Union Street
Kingston, NY
845/339-4983

“Soup and Bread” meal site, Sunday’s at 11am – 2pm.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Family
32  John Street, Kingston, NY
845-338-2370
Michael Berg, Director

Does not have food distribution in Kingston, but does have it in Woodstock, New Patlz, Ellenville, and other locations.   In Kingston will give a ticket good for some groceries at Hannaford.   In Woodstock, every time you stop in there is coffee and pie or cake and free sandwiches available and a warm welcome, and FREE CLOTHING, tons of it.

Community Action
70 Lindsley Street, Kingston, NY
845-338-8750,

Provides services to the underprivileged including locating food sources.

Environmental Focus on Kingston: Thor’s Hammer

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I know what Thor got for Christmas.

On December 26th at 10:05 P.M. there was a flashing burst of white atomic lightning.  Nearly 20 seconds later it was followed by a deafening clap of nuclear holocaust, world ending thunder.  And that’s exactly what I thought had happened.

After I dislodged the pieces of my heart from my throat and stomach, I looked outside expecting to see the world had been obliterated, my home the only survivor.  When I saw the planet was still spinning gently on its axis, I imagined my beloved, primordial maple tree had grown legs and ripped itself from the earth rather like one of Tolkien’s Ents.  However, it was still intact.  Perhaps the train trestle had collapsed?  But that too was still standing.

Winter lightning and thunder is said to be a rare event.  Lightning is born of out intensive atmospheric energy.  Cold air is less energetic and holds less moisture, making winter thunder unusual.  But it seems to me that I can recall several instances of it over the past decade or so and it seems to be increasing with frequency.  I wonder if it’s related to an el Nino weather event or the much debated global warming?

I paid enough attention in school to know that a thunderstorm occurs on the leading edge of either a cold or warm front as the two air masses collide.  Thunder is the manifestation of the super heated air (15,000-60,000 degrees Fahrenheit) created by lightning.  It causes the air around the lightning to rapidly expand and creates shock waves that rumble through the atmosphere.

I couldn’t even tell you what the weather was like that day or night.  The boisterous clap seems to have erased all memory of it away.  My research didn’t turn up any super cool nuggets of information on the subject either.  Perhaps someone out there has an interpretation of the cause of that pulverizing blow from Thor’s Hammer that they can share with us.

I did come across these brief interesting tidbits which I’ll share with you on the way out of this post.

Old Wives Tales:

  • If during the winter you have a thunderstorm, within 10 days you’ll have snow.
  • If there’s thunder during Christmas week, the winter will be anything but meek.

Cool New Word:

  • Astraphobia: The irrational fear of thunder and lightning.  (As in, Wilbur Girl’s cats suffer from extreme astraphobia.)

– Wilbur Girl

Catskill Mountain Railroad Last Day Of The Season Tomorrow: Sunday, December 27th

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Today we took our little boy to ‘catch the train’ at the Kingston Plaza.

The Catskill Mountain Railroad will have it’s last day of the season tomorrow (Sunday), December 27th. Running hourly, the fun begins at 1:00pm. Last train at 6:00pm. Their Caboose has a woodstove – so you can choose to be out in the elements, or warm and cozy by the fire. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for children. Children four and under are free.

If you are looking for something to do tomorrow, give it a try.

Visit their SITE for more details.

– Rebecca Martin

Looking Back On Kingston In 2009

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Shortly, we will have traveled through the first decade of the 21st century. Huh? How’d that happen? If you are like me, then you are a bit bewildered that the year 2000 is now ten years ago. Granted, it’s been a jammed packed decade. But still, time flies as they say. Does it ever.

Looking back on Kingston in 2009, I’d like to mark the top 10 memorable land marks from all of us here at the KingstonCitizens.org’s blog.

1. The Kingston Digital Corridor – Here’s a concept that is as timely as it is brilliant. Local resident and tech geek #1 Mark Green created a way for Kingston to capitalize on it’s digital community and it’s proximity to New York City. Working with KJ McIntyre of Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty, they communicated to our local real estate community, banks and government how an independent contractor ticks, making it easier and attractive to those who work in the ‘tech’ world inside and out of the local area.  Mark’s solid team included Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Paul Rakov, Sharron Bower, Mark Marshall and Nancy Tierney who helped to bring it. Kudos. Perhaps one of the biggest advancements to Kingston this year.

2. The Main Street Manager Program It was with great pleasure (and to some degree of surprise) that the city of Kingston hired local artist Nancy Donskoy as Main Street Manager in Kingston this year. Her part time position is helping to bring together all three business districts and to create a BID which is so badly needed. I know first hand that Nancy works 60+ hours per week in helping to keep our small business community together while marketing the city of Kingston to the outside world.  There are many people who were involved in making this position so. Patrice Courtney Strong, Larry Zalinsky and Alderman Tom Hoffay to only name a few. I hope that 2010 brings more citizen support for this important role. I’m equally hopeful that perhaps some uniform signage in all the right spots will finally be put in place. Boy, do we need it.

3. Community Gardens Let’s face it. It’s been the year of gardens in the city of Kingston. In a years time now almost all of our schools have one. So does Kingston’s City Hall, who showcased a small ‘victory garden’ in their side yard for all to see.

4.  Julie and Steve Noble I don’t mean to harp on the subject as I have many times before, but I’ve got to publicly hand it to these two. Our Kingston raised environmental eductators could have settled down anywhere in the US with their expertise. But they came back home here to make the community a more forward and healthy one.  This dynamic duo continue to provide outdoor programs for Kingston’s elderly and our youth population and are experts on many subjects ranging from garbage to our sewer system to storm clouds. They are making a tremendous contribution to our community in more ways than I think most even realize. This year, they introduced the sadly misunderstood ‘Pay As You Throw‘ program. It’s a proven concept that could save the city residents a bundle in tax dollars over time while making our waste stream better managed. I’m certain it will come up again in the next few months which is a good thing. Do a little homework on the topic before pouncing on negative sound bites so to come to a reasonable conclusion.

5. The Kingston Land Trust Finally!  A trust for properties in the city of Kingston. You’d think that being an official ‘tree city’ Kingston would have had a trust a long time ago. The brainchild of Arthur Zaczkiewicz, this is an organization ready to collaborate with future developers and residents who wish to ‘trust’ their open space to their home town of Kingston (a tip of the hat must be given to Kevin McEvoy and Barbara Epstein. The two are behind the scenes in every good way imaginable, and The Land Trust probably wouldn’t have continued to exist as it does without their expertise and support).

6. The Queens Galley Hooray for Diane Reeder! In the worst economic downturn since the great depression, she continues to provide three meals a day to our families in need – no questions asked. But that’s only the beginning of what Diane does. This year, she started the ‘Operation Frontline‘ program in Kingston and acquired land on South Pine Street with Farmer Frank Navarro to start a one acre community garden that will provide local fresh produce to her kitchen. One acre makes a whole lot of food. To me, Diane is the Queen of Kingston.

7.  New Blood on Kingston’s Common Council I’m particularly pleased to have some new people to politics elected to the common council in 2010. I think it’s safe to say, it’s a little unprecedented. For our slow changing City of Kingston, that’s a good thing. Ward 1 Alderman Andi Turco-Levin, Ward 5 Alderman Jen Fuentes and Ward 9 Hayes Clement will no doubt be a breath of fresh air in helping our alumni work through all that ails us at this time in the city of Kingston. I think we quickly forget how much effort goes into running for office – and that our council members are ‘common’ men and women wishing to serve their community. Let’s complain less and help them out this season by taking part in more of their monthly meetings at City Hall. It’s the people’s city afterall – but not so much if you don’t come forward.

8. KPATV Back On Air It’s grand to have our programs up and running again on Kingston’s Public Access TV. Whether you are a fan or not of PA, I think we can all agree that it’s important that it exists. Many citizens worked tirelessly to make it so in the last 12 monhts. A big thanks to them and to 721 Media who has provided a new space to broadcast. 721 is most certainly one of our city’s gems.

9. Kingston Natural Foods What once was a simple and small effort to help provide locals with affordable organic foods has now turned into a tsunami. Local resident Jennifer McKinley-Rakov started an organic buying club that is now one of the top ten buyers in the nation and landed her a storefront in the rondout section of Kingston (33 Broadway). 2010 looks bright for us all in finally having an organic foods market in the city of Kingston thanks to her. Look for her winter Wednesday ‘Farmer’s Market’ where she has organized local farms who are still growing or making their hearty, healthy local foods for our citizens here and in the Hudson Valley. Bravo!

10. Kingston Local Business Fleisher’s Grass Fed and Organic Meats In The National Press Have you all been following Fleisher’s Grass Fed Meat’s recent press? Joshua and Jessica Applestone have given Kingston an enormous amount of national attention and stature as our local butcher in the Hudson Valley. The New York Times, Saveur and, GQ Magazine just to name a few. Josh was recently a guest on the hit Food Network series ‘IRON CHEF’. Thank you for landing – and staying in the city of Kingston you two! Mucho Brava.

…and there is more. Way more. With all the unruly and sometimes downright negative news here and beyond, take a moment to change your perspective and love the city you live in. There are so many people working hard to make Kingston great. It’s all perspective – and I hope that this post has softened yours.

We want to learn of your favorite city achievement this year. What have we missed? Please, do tell.

Happy Holidays to all of our readers.

– Rebecca Martin

Environmental Focus on Kingston: O’ Christmas Tree

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It’s here, again.  Looking at the calendar I can’t deny it anymore.  The holidays are coming even if I’m not ready.

Once this indulgent time of year has passed, what’s left behind will be evident in what’s put out curbside.  Plaintiffs’ exhibit one being the Christmas tree.

I suppose there’s an ongoing debate over artificial versus real trees.  I fall on the side of bah-humbug with regard to all things Christmas.  But if it became compulsory to display a Christmas tree and I had to make a choice between a real tree or its artificial counterpart, I would choose real any year.

Last year 28 million real Christmas trees were sold in the US.  They are grown in each of the fifty states and Canada.  With nearly 21,000 tree growing farms, the industry employs more than 100,000 full or part time annually.

Trees are a renewable, recyclable resource.  For every tree harvested, up to 3 seedlings are planted.  An acre of tree farm can provide enough oxygen for 18 people, while also providing a natural habitat to a variety of animals.

Once the glamour, glitz and glory of the holiday fade, all those trees begin their journey to their final resting place.  In Kingston we have two organized options available to local residents.

Bring your family and your tree to the annual Winterfest event held at Hasbrouck Park on January 16th between 10:00 – 2:00.  Your tree will be mulched for free!  You can take your mulch home with you or leave it to be distributed and used in Kingston’s extensive park system.

This growing and popular event is sponsored by the Kingston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Forsyth Nature Center.  Other planned activities include snowshoeing lessons, snow animal building contest and children’s crafts.  The latter will be held inside of the heated and historic Hasbrouck Park Stone Building.  For directions to the event, click here.

If you are unable to make it to Winterfest, you may place your defrocked tree curbside for pickup through Jan 31st according to the city code.  Please note that if you get your tree out before January 16th the DPW will transport them to event site for chipping.  Any trees hauled away after that date will go to our local brush dump.

Still want more green tips for Christmas?  Check out these ideas.

Did You Know: 85% of artificial Christmas trees are manufactured in China and are made with non bio-degradable plastics?

–          Wilbur Girl