The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

New Lebanon

An Evening Of Swing Music At New Lebanon Library

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Berkshire band DBX2 will be performing at the New Lebanon Library on Friday, May 8 at 7 pm.  They will perform a program of swing music at this event, which is free and open to the public although donations for the performers are appreciated.

DBX2 features bassist Dan Broad and pianist David Bartley. Dan Broad, one of the most sought after bassists in Western New England, has performed in nearly every state in the union and as well as in Europe. David Bartley’s musical career included scoring original music for film, video, and radio productions, performing in various popular music groups, and composing and performing several performance art pieces in association with the Washington Performing Arts Society.

For further information on this free event, please call the library at (518) 794-8844

Tsatsawassa Protective Fire Company Breakfast

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The Tsatsawassa Protective Fire Company, serving Brainard and East Nassau and surrounding community, will hold its final monthly Breakfast of the Season on Sunday, May 17, from 8 to 11:30 am at their firehouse on Firehouse Lane behind the post office near Routes 20 and 66N, in the hamlet of Brainard.

A delicious breakfast is offered for your donation of $7 for adults, $4 children 5 to 11, under five free.

Bing Futch Is Back On Stage At SLCA, Workshops Also Offered

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Sand Lake Center for the Arts once again presents Bing Futch back on stage, May 16 at 7:30 pm.

Using Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Native American flute, ukulele, drums and electronic effects, Futch deftly navigates the varied waters of traditional and modern Americana with passion, wit and a genuinely huge heart for sharing music with a crowd.

[Read more…] about Bing Futch Is Back On Stage At SLCA, Workshops Also Offered

Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline To Present Public Forum In Schodack May 5

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On Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m., Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline (SNYFGP), an all-volunteer group of concerned Rensselaer County citizens opposed to the proposed Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline, will present a free public forum at Maple Hill High School in Schodack/Castleton-on-Hudson.

This event, SNYFGP’s fourth such public forum in 2015, will offer local residents information about the large, high-pressure fracked gas pipeline being planned for the area by Texas-based energy giant, Kinder Morgan, including the many health and safety risks presented by the immense 90,000 horsepower compressor station to be located near the Schodack/Nassau border.

Public opposition to this pipeline, which offers no benefits to any of the towns it would impact in New York State, has grown steadily over the past few months. Hundreds of people, including local officials, have turned out at previous events to voice their many concerns, and resolutions strongly opposing the project were passed this month by both the Town of Stephentown and the Rensselaer County Legislature. In addition, more than 50 other communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have also passed similar measures.

Governor Cuomo banned high volume hydraulic fracturing (better known as fracking) in New York last December, citing the significant risks to public health as detailed in a 186-page report by the Department of Health. Although groundbreaking, this move does not prohibit the transport of this same dangerous fracked gas—along with its hundreds of associated chemicals, including multiple known carcinogens—at very high pressure through our communities, major bodies of water such as the Hudson River and fertile farmland and wildlife habitats.

In addition to the numerous health and environmental concerns associated with this project, NED would also bring with it the risks of catastrophic explosion, damage to local infrastructure, the taking of private land through eminent domain, disruption of local groundwater and homeowner wells, and a significant decline in local property values and potential for future economic growth.

For more information about Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline and its efforts, please visit http://stopnypipeline.org.

New Lebanon Town Board Action – The Spectre Of Comcast

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by Thaddeus Flint

A public hearing on a franchise agreement for cable services between New Lebanon and Charter Communications started off the monthly meeting of the New Lebanon Town Board on April 14.

The public seemed to have little interest in hearing about their cable company, or the five year contract it wishes to continue with the Town. [Read more…] about New Lebanon Town Board Action – The Spectre Of Comcast

BEHOLD! New Lebanon Receives $100,000 Grant

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Granted Provisional Charter From NY Board Of Regents

BEHOLD! New Lebanon, the nation’s first living museum of contemporary rural American life, today announced that is has been awarded a $100,000 grant from The Educational Foundation of America. Its largest single donation to date, the grant will cover the development of new programming and other operational support for the museum, which kicks-off its first full season on July 4.

[Read more…] about BEHOLD! New Lebanon Receives $100,000 Grant

Free Painting Class In New Lebanon

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Michael Cohen, Columbia County artist, will conduct a free five week painting class at the New Lebanon Library beginning on Wednesday, May 6, and meeting each Wednesday through June 3.  The class, oriented towards teens and adults, will meet from 7 to 9 pm. Advance registration is recommended. Call the library or email leb@taconic.net.

The class will begin with a discussion on Still Life and will progress to actual painting. Participants will explore the techniques and methods of still life and will work from a single subject supplied by the instructor. Paint and paper will be provided. There will be a $5 materials fee.

Michael Cohen is a landscape and portrait painter who resides in Columbia County. He is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in NYC and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Queens College, NY. He also spent a decade teaching special education in New York City, often using his art skills to inspire the creativity in his students.

For further information on this program, please call the New Lebanon Library (518) 794-8844. The library is at 550 State Route 20.

Lots Going On At The Sand Lake Center For The Arts

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 To Breathe as One

April 24 at 7 pm  

Every five years, 30,000 people gather on the same stage in the small country of Estonia to join voices at Laulupidu, the National Song Festival, to become the largest choir in the world.  More than a music festival, it’s a miracle that at least twice in history gave freedom to that country. To Breathe As One explores the beauty and meaning of the choral festival through the eyes of the young members of the California-based Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, one of the few American choirs invited to participate. From the filmmakers of the acclaimed “The Singing Revolution,” the film reveals that for Estonians singing is not just a means of cultural expression, but a defining part of their national identity. The filmmakers, Jim and Maureen Tusty, will join us to talk about the film and answer any questions.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 under 18.

The Beatles Deconstructed 

April 25 at 7:30 pm

Scott Freiman will return to Sand Lake Center for the Arts on April 25 at 7:30 pm,  to “deconstruct” another Beatles album!  The Beatles’ 1968 self-titled album (commonly referred to as the White Album) is the bestselling album of the Beatles’ career. Its thirty songs span almost every style of music – from hard rock to country to chamber music to avant garde. Its recording took place during a remarkable year in Beatles history that included a lengthy trip to India and the arrival of Yoko Ono. Tickets are $20 prepaid, $25 at the door.

Matinee of Short Plays

April 28 starting at 12 pm. 

Join Matinee Theatre Players at the SLCA, as they bring you an enjoyable afternoon of Short Plays, including “Mrs. Sorken,” written by Christopher Durang,  “The Book Group,” written by Joe Starzyk, “Fantasy Baseball,” written by Lee Blessing, “Game Nite,” written by Val Kavanaugh, “Three Turkeys Waiting for Corncobs,”  written by Don Nigro and the whimsical “Duet for a Bear and Dog,” written by Sybil Rosen. Along with the plays you will be served a delicious lunch provided by Crossroads American Grille, of West Sand Lake.

This afternoon of fun takes place on Tuesday, April 28 starting at noon. Reserve now as space is limited. Tickets are $15 per person, this includes lunch and the show.  For reservations or information, go to slca-ctp.org or call (518) 674-2007.

SLCA is located at 2880 NY Highway 43, Averill Park, NY, and is fully handicapped accessible, with plenty of free parking.