By Rebecca Martin
Leave it to Ev Mann (Executive Director of the Center for Creative Education) to bring someone as special as Eda Zavala Lopez to Midtown Kingston. The two met when she was in NY in April working on a project for indigenous rights at the UN. A noted healer from the Peruvian Amazon, Eda is descended from a long line of healers in the tradition of the Wari people.In July, Hudson Valley residents will have two unique opportunities to see her.
The Kingston Farmers’ Market is looking for volunteers this weekend to count visitors to the market. They need one person from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and four people from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Interested volunteers should call Donna Brooks, Hudson Coffee Traders, at 338-1300.
This weekend, the focus of the Healthy Eating series is on blueberries. There’ll be chef demonstrations showing how to prepare this local fruit. Additionally, County Executive Mike Hein is scheduled to be on hand. Hein will be helping out with a corn roast from noon until 1 p.m.
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
As we continue to slog through this recession (we’re in a double-dip one, according to some experts), there are a lot of actions citizens like you and me can do to help weather this downturn. As consumers (two thirds of our GDP is driven by consumer spending), we have a lot of power to change the economy – especially on a local level.
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
Mayor James Sottile said — according to the Daily Freeman in this article — that he was working with a private firm to test a new curbside recycling operation. Sounds great, but it would be best if the mayor had informed other lawmakers of his decision.
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
As you may have read, a recent study revealed that open space in the nearby Shawangunks — Minnewaska, Sam’s Point and Mohonk preserves — feeds over $12 million to the local economy each year. The money comes from the 392,000 or so annual visitors to these areas. This spotlights an important trend: open space has value.
At the half year point of 2010, KingstonCitizens.org would like to get feedback on what grass root effort this year has inspired you the most.
It has been an especially productive year amidst the hardships. We at KingstonCitizens.org are particularly fond of The Hodge Food For Thought Program, Queens Galley’s Hudson Valley Hunger Banquet, Kingston, NY’s Neighborhood Watch, The Citywide Clean-up and Lawn Sale effort and KURA to name a few.
Help us to shine the light and share with us the many others, seen or unseen.
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
The convergence of activists working for human rights, health care reform, climate change, and social justice, among others is happening right now in Detroit, Mich. Over 20,000 people have flocked to the Motor City this week for the US Social Forum to exchange ideas, participate in people’s movement assemblies (PMAs) and attend (and present) 1,000s of workshops with topics ranging from grassroots networking to change immigration law to learning how to mobilize citizens for better access to public funds.
The folks at Kingston Digital Corridor have scheduled their montly mixer on Wednesday, June 30th at Keegan Ales in Kingston. Join them from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. It sounds like fun!
“Calling all independents, creatives, and digerati! Get out of your pyjamas and bring your non-digital selves over to Keegan Ales!
Out of focus? We are, too! Let’s come together and inspire some collaborative thought!
Our goal in hosting the ‘KDC Happier Hour!’ every last Wednesday of the month is to get all of you talented local yokels together so you can meet others of your species, talk shop (or not), share resources, and by all means, have some fun!
Congrats to Kingston residents Valeria Gheorghiu and Arthur Zaczkiewicz who were selected to present Kingston’s recent ‘Civic Involvement’ at the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, Michigan on Friday, June 25th. A great accomplishment for Kingston!
Read on…
– Rebecca Martin
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
The spat between the mayor and lawmakers over spending money on a gazebo at T.R. Gallo Park in the Rondout, as reported by the Daily Freeman today, can be easily resolved.
According to the Freeman, Mayor James Sottile is miffed over a decision by the Finance/Economic Development Committee to table — for a second time — his $4,000 request for installing the gazebo.
The South Pine Street Childrens/Community Garden off of Greenkill Avenue in Ward 5 made a large food donation of Turnip Greens to Queens Galley.
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
Earlier this month I attended a conference in North Carolina relating to the national effort behind the local “Healthy Kingston for Kids” project, which aims to reverse childhood obesity through environmental and policy change. It was a “mind-opening” experience to meet others working on the same issues from places such as Buffalo, Oakland and Chicago.
The Kingston Drum Circle is a newly formed group of drummers and percussionists who will be meeting weekly at various parks this summer to build community, express musical creativity and to connect with the earth through ancient tribal rhythms. The first gathering will be this Friday at 6 p.m. at the Academy Green Park on Albany Avenue and Maiden Lane.
By Arthur Zaczkiewicz
Did you see this pic of the new CVS on Rebecca Martin’s Facebook page? The “poetic justice” as described in the caption is spot on. A chain store’s impact on a community can have long-term negative effects. Most obviously is the fact that profits generated by a chain store aren’t reinvested into the local economy as is the case with local, independent businesses. This is at the core of why shopping and buying local contributes to the creation of a sustainable community.
If you have a minute, please comment here on the local businesses you support:
Forbes.com has a terrific, interactive map that shows the outflow and influx of people in Ulster County. Based on IRS data, the map displays U.S. counties where Ulster County residents have moved to or from. Check it out here.