community

Swine Flu In Ulster County

by

We’ve read that flu vaccinations this fall might mean three visits to the doctor’s office.

With the recent discussion on the progression of swine flu, it has been reported that a dose of the expected strand of flu virus this season would be followed by two separate inoculations for swine flu to help cut the risks of contracting and spreading the virus.

Vaccines are a tricky subject in general. With the rush to create a swine flu vaccine, we suggest that our readers take the time to do some very thorough research. That, and eat your greens.

Not long ago, the media reported that residents be prepared for a potential outbreak by storing at least three weeks worth of food and water. Consumption is what keeps the American economy ‘strong’. With a major slump in consumer spending…

Authorities are wishing to change the term ‘swine flu’ to the strand of virus known as “H1N1”. They want to be certain that families understand the virus cannot be transmitted through the food that they eat. It is true that you may not contract swine flu from your Easter ham, but it is well known that the conditions created through factory farming is indeed why we are in this mess.

Food for thought: Food, Inc

Got Neighborhood Watch?

by

Recently, a late night attack took place in the Uptown section of Kingston on one of our fellow residents and local business owners.

You can read about it here: THE KINGSTON TIMES and THE DAILY FREEMAN

Have you considered reinstating a neighborhood watch group for your street? We think it’s necessary to take more of an active and responsible role in handling the health and safety of our city – one street at a time.

A block party is a really good way to get the ball rolling…

Our police department is doing a great job and with our help we could change the climate here in Kingston for the better.

Take a moment to speak to your neighbors about getting together, and use the KingstonCitizens.org ward Yahoo! group’s to connect and to organize (you can find your’s at the top of the page. Click on “City Wards 1-9 Yahoo! Groups”.

As always, feel free to contact us for any help or input. That’s what we are here for.

Rebecca Martin
info@kingstoncitizens.org

Harvesting Rainwater: A Potential Local, Green Industry for Kingston?

by

In today’s Freeman (Nation/World, page B2) there is an interesting article from the AP on the first national ordinance for rainwater harvesting on commercial projects in Tucson, AZ. Half of the water supply necessary for landscaping for new business and corporate or commercial structures will need to be harvested beginning next year. 

Kingston environmental educator Steve Noble and Mayor Sottile have been in discussions for some time (on the subject of Kingston’s storm water issues). There are other important community leaders and public officials providing helpful information on what to do, too. How about some ideas and advice from the great minds of our residents? (Bring this subject to your Yahoo! Discussion group to flesh out the subject).

With the recent debate of the city of Kingston taking a ‘green pledge’ to work towards more local, green jobs for our community – could harvesting our own rainwater  help to provide a savings of resources and tax dollars while providing sustainable new jobs for Kingstonians?

What is clear is that if we don’t figure out some sort of solution for our current storm water/raw sewage problem the city is likely to be fined upwards of $37,500 a day by the DEC.  “The problem of sewage getting into the Rondout Creek has long been an issue in the city, where some sewer pipes handle a combination of storm and waste water. During periods of heavy rain, the city’s sewage treatment plant cannot handle the flow, and the overflow goes into the creek. Some pipes overflow directly into the creek.” (Taken from the Daily Freeman. The article in full is attached below).

Read on….

Tuscon Rainwater Harvesting Law Drawing Interest

Kingston lawmakers balk at bond to study revamp of sewer system

– Rebecca Martin

Garden City

by

There’s much going on in Europe centering on living life without crude oil while reducing electric use and waste generation. In Germany, Great Britain, and other countries there, solar polar and clean energy are top priorities, and sustainability is not just a buzzword, but an employed strategy.

On the food front, there was a recent conference in England that focused on planning for urban farming. Speakers discussed the challenges of transforming London into a food-producing urban city. Check out this column for the full report.

For London, the hurdles are huge. After all, it’s a big city. But I wonder if such concept would work in a small place, like Kingston. In some respects, we’ve already taken the first few steps. Rebecca Martin and the garden committee of the Kingston Land Trust promote community, city and school gardens as well as Victory Gardens for homeowners. Their vision is simple: let’s have a food garden at every home and in our schools and parks.

Of course this is a long-term project that takes time, volunteers and support from local municipalities. But the seeds are already planted and the work has begun, which is why volunteering for this effort is a worthwhile endeavor — we need your help for it to grow.

In the meantime, can you imagine Kingston growing enough food to feed all its residents? I can.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz

How About Those Tomatoes!

by

tomatoesThe National Gardening Association recently released a detailed report that surveyed U.S. households and found a huge jump in the number of people who plan on growing their own food this year.

The survey and report, titled “The Impact of Home and Community Gardening in America” found that 7 million more households “plan to grow their own fruits, vegetables, herbs, or berries in 2009 than in 2008 — a 19 percent increase in participation. This anticipated increase is nearly double the 10 percent growth in vegetable gardening from 2007 to 2008 and reflects the number of new food gardeners emerging this year,” said the NGA.

Read more…

Become a Park Steward

by

As you may know, the Forsyth Nature Center has a generous volunteer corps called the “Friends of FNC,” which conducts fundraising and other activities at the center. It’s a great partnership between the park and the community, what I would call a “conduit of good will.”

Across town, there’s a park that was once praised for its design and vista. It was celebrated by Kingstonians nearly a century ago. It’s called Cornell Park, located on Wurts Street and it remains a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

If you live near this treasure, and would like to help restore and beautify it, perhaps we can form a “Friends of Cornell Park” group. I’d like to organize an initial meeting this summer and ask for several residents to step forward and form this group. They would work with city officials and other organizations to plan clean-up days as well as brainstorm ways to spruce up the park (planting flowers, for examples).

Interested? Send me a note: zaczkiewicz@yahoo.com.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz

GW Sets Gardening Day

by
The GW School.
The GW School.

As you can sign from the sign in the photo here, George Washington Elementary School is holding a Community Garden Workday on May 1 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

It’s not suprising that the school is taking such an initiative. Under the leadership of principal Valerie Hannum, the school continues to delight and surprise.

To read more about this Kingston City school, check out its website and mission statement here, which describes how the school is incorporating a Montessori teaching approach.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz

Earth Work Continues…

by

earth-awarenessThe 4-H program at Cornell Co-operative Extension held its annual “Earth Awareness Day” at Kingston Point Park today. Over 300 area students went through several stations where they learned about soil erosion, the impact of toxins on wildlife and why planting a small veggie garden can be good for the Earth, among many other topics.

Julie Noble, of Forsyth Nature Center and who serves on the board of the Kingston Land Trust, was there to leverage her skills as an environmental educator. I was lucky enough to make the small garden presentation on behalf of the Kingston Land Trust. All of which is fitting, given that the Kingston Daily Freeman wrote an editorial today in support of the City Hall Victory Garden, which is being led by Rebecca Martin, director at the land trust and chair of the garden committee. Read the editorial here. Kudos to Rebecca for her hard work, and the volunteer corps that supports the effort.

The Freeman also urged residents to pick up a rake, a paintbrush, and get busy sprucing up the city. Great idea! We can all pitch in together to make Kingston shine.

And speaking of sprucing things up, many thanks are due to Charlotte Adamis for coordinating a rose pruning session with a couple of enthusiastic 5th graders from Chambers at the Senate House. To see pics of the kids at work, see this article.

If anyone is interested in volunteer work, let us know. There’s much to be done in Kingston.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz

Make a Difference This Week

by

The Parks and Recreation Department announced its annual “spring cleanup” of city parks and is encouraging folks to volunteer on April 25 in the effort as part of Global Youth Services Day. See the Freeman story, here.

Noteworthy is that Ward 1 resident Alina Denarie is organizing the Kinderland Playgound cleanup that day. Interested in helping? Contact her at denariea@yahoo.com.

If unable to  pitch in on the public projects, residents are urged to clean up their neighborhoods. Thanks to Steve and Julie Noble and other community leaders who are spearheading this campaign. Well done!

Under the constraints of current budget conditions, this year is more important than ever in regard to pitching in to help the parks and recreation department and our city. Moreover, cleaning up our neighborhoods is not only a great way to beautify the area, but also to meet your neighbors.

Would you consider organizing a neighborhood clean up? If yes, just do it. Invite your neighbors over for a planning meeting this week. Pool together resources such as brooms and bags. See if someone can serve as a recycling volunteer. Make a difference in your neighborhood this week.

Ward 1 Sets Meeting Date

by

Maria Loeffel, who runs the Ward 1 Yahoo! Group has set March 31 for the group’s first community meeting. The event will be at the Kingston Library, and runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Alberman Al Teetsel and Rebecca Martin will be there.

“In regards to Neighborhood Watch, Mr. Teetsel will have information on any criminal activities that have accorded recently in our ward and Rebecca Martin will discuss community involvement in regards to Government and Community outreach,” Maria wrote on her post in the discussion group. For more information about the group, see the discussion page here.

Sights on Forsyth

by

juliemel418People in Kingston often talk about the importance of our cultural or historical assets, and with good reason. Our arts, museums, architecture, historical buildings and such set Kingston apart from many other cities, towns and villages.

But I would have to add two people to the list of what’s important in Kingston: Julie and Steve Noble. I couldn’t imagine what the city would do if they ever left.  And if you’re not aware of the programs they have developed for Kingston, check out the Forsyth Nature Center website, here.

These talented, skilled and compassionate environmental educators have developed programming for children and adults that includes: “Warbler Walks;” adult nature walks; “Turtle Talks;” morning and evening kayak tours; full moon hikes; snowshoe hikes; “Mammal Mania;” and children hikes; among other things such as eco-tours and environmental excursions.

In addition, both are active in helping teachers develop environmental education programs for elementary schools. Again, check out the website to get an idea of what is offered.

On a personal note, I’m proud to serve with the Nobles at the Kingston Land Trust. Despite working 60-plus hours each week, the Nobles find the time and energy to work with the land trust. Amazing.

So, join me with some virtual applause for Julie and Steve Noble, whom I’m sure have some great stuff planned for this year.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz