Amy Goodman, host of "Democracy Now!" on WGXC Mon-Fri at 8 a.m., writes in her weekly column about the internet slowdown planned for Sept. 10. "Next Wednesday, Sept. 10, if your favorite website seems to load slowly, take a closer look: You might be experiencing the Battle for the Net’s “Internet Slowdown,” a global day of grassroots action. Protesters won’t actually slow the Internet down, but will place on their websites animated “Loading” graphics (which organizers call “the proverbial ‘spinning wheel of death’”) to symbolize what the Internet might soon look like. As that wheel spins, the rules about how the internet works are being redrawn. Large Internet service providers, or ISPs, like Comcast, Time Warner, AT&T and Verizon are trying to change the rules that govern your online life.
Listen to audio of the full column here.





The fight over these rules is being waged now. These corporate ISPs want to create a two-tiered Internet, where some websites or content providers pay to get preferred access to the public. Large content providers like Netflix, the online streaming movie giant, would pay extra to ensure that their content traveled on the fast lane. But let’s say a startup tried to compete with Netflix. If it couldn’t afford to pay the large ISPs their fees for the fast lane, their service would suffer, and people wouldn’t subscribe.

The Internet is protected from this two-tiered, discriminatory practice through regulated “net neutrality,” the fundamental principle of the Internet that allows any user to access Web content freely without any corporation censoring the content or slowing down the connection. Because so much of the world’s Internet traffic passes through the United States, the way that the U.S. regulates the Internet impacts the entire planet. Sadly, the state of Internet regulation in the U.S., under the Obama administration’s Federal Communications Commission, is in crisis. The Obama-appointed FCC chair, Tom Wheeler, has proposed new rules for the Internet that would effectively do away with net neutrality, allowing large ISPs to create these separate fast lanes and slow lanes.

Let’s look further at the example of Netflix. Streaming video depends on ample bandwidth. Customers with Internet at home provided by Comcast were complaining that their Netflix video was streaming poorly, with frequent buffering. So, last February, Netflix agreed to pay Comcast for “paid prioritization,” meaning Netflix Internet traffic would flow to the customers faster than other Internet traffic, on a fast lane. Since then, Netflix has inked similar deals with AT&T, Verizon and Time-Warner. VHX is a small, New York-based video-streaming startup company. VHX’s CEO, Jamie Wilkinson, expressed his concern, writing on the VHX blog: “The companies with which we compete—Apple, Amazon, Google, the cable companies themselves—can afford to pay for a ‘fast lane’ ... We do not have that luxury.” VHX will “live or die” he wrote, based on the strength of net neutrality rules.

Corporate censorship is also a concern. Let’s say you advocate for union rights, in support of striking workers. A large Internet service provider could block your website, denying the public access to critical information. This is not hypothetical. In Canada in 2005, workers at the corporate ISP Telus went on strike. One of the strikers developed a website, Voices for Change, which supported the strike. Telus denied its Internet customers access to the website until the corporate censorship became national news. But if large ISPs get their way, this type of censorship could become routine."

Read the full column here.

WGXC's new satellite studio rolled into the Catskill Library's Carnegie Room, this week, broadcasting the "WGXC Afternoon Show" Sept. 2 with hosts Jill Sutton and Peter Krug. The satellite studio will allow both continuing live shows on WGXC originating from Catskill -- a studio had previously been in the Catskill Community Center -- as well as transmissions from festivals, performances, and other events around the WGXC listening area. This Sunday, Sept. 7 at 10 p.m., tune in "Rock 'n' Roll Martian" from the Library, the show formerly known as "Sunday Night Mixtape" with Sutton hosting.

Jamie Larson on the Rural Intelligence website previewed "Groundswell," WGXC's exhibition Sept. 13 at the Olana State Historic Site. The Olana Partnership and Wave Farm’s WGXC 90.7-FM present "Groundswell" at Olana State Historic Site for site-specific performance and works in sound, installation, broadcast, and movement. Over a dozen artists will reflect on and react to Olana and its integral viewshed as an ambitious and early environmental work. Groundswell will feature installations and performances from: Kenseth Armstead, William Basinski, Steve Bull, Jane Carver, Ellen Driscoll with Daniela Gomez, Michael Garofalo, Mckendree Key, Hélène Lesterlin, Jack Magai, Man Forever, Laura Ortman, Mau Schoettle, and Bryan Zimmerman. There are three sound art events this weekend in the area Sept. 12-14, 2014: Basilica Soundscape (Fri.+Sat. nights); Groundswell (Sat. afternoon); 440hz at Second Ward Foundation (Sun. evening.)


Finally, the WGXC Fundraising Advisory Committee meets at 6 p.m. Sept. 9, at the WGXC Hudson studio, 704 Columbia St., floor 2. The public is welcome to attend, and volunteer with the community radio station.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Aug. 30. PLAY AUDIO (4:35)

WGXC Programming Report
Click here to listen to WGXC Program Director Katy Donnelly highlight WGXC programming between Sept. 7-12. PLAY AUDIO (1:59)

Local weather forecast
Today's forecast is specific to Acra, in Greene County.

• Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 1pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

• Sunday: Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 73, and a low around 50.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Sunrise 6:26 a.m.
Sunset 7:20 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 5:36 P.M. 3:23 A.M.
Mercury 8:24 A.M. 8:06 P.M.
Venus 5:18 A.M. 6:56 P.M.
Mars 12:38 P.M. 10:07 P.M.
Jupiter 3:38 A.M. 5:59 P.M.
Saturn 11:53 A.M. 10:03 P.M.
Uranus 8:27 P.M. 9:16 A.M.
Neptune 6:58 P.M. 5:52 A.M.
Pluto 3:55 P.M. 1:26 A.M.

WGXC Programming

Amateur Radio Newsline: Navassa Island
Sept. 6, 2014: 6 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
Glenn Hauser's World of Radio: Australia
Sept. 6, 2014: 6:30 a.m. – 7 a.m.
Off The Hook: Photo Leaks
Sept. 6, 2014: 7 a.m. – 8 a.m.
What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Talk Radio
Sept. 6, 2014: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Saturday Morning Serial: Mark Rakatansky
Sept. 6, 2014: 9 a.m. – noon
Other Music: Groundswell Preview
Sept. 6, 2014: 12:05 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Human Machine: The Cyborg Manifesto
Sept. 6, 2014: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Radia: Maddie Leach, Jem Noble
Sept. 6, 2014: 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday Afternoon Show: Patrick Quinn
Sept. 6, 2014: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday Night Special: WGXC DJ Round-Robin
Sept. 6, 2014: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Cinema Terrorisme: September 2014
Sept. 6, 2014: 10 p.m. – 11 p.m.

The Windham Journal and WRIP are reporting Mitchell Hollow Road off Route 23 in Windham will be closed Aug. 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. as construction crews complete work on State Route 23 and Mitchell Hollow Road. Detours will be set up from Begley Road to Bell Hill Road, and from Mill St. to Vining Road to Siam Road.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="243"] Laura Krzeminski addresses the Catskill Democratic Committee, Wed., Sept. 3.
(Courtesy Catskill Democratic Committee Facebook page)[/caption]

Ryan Anglim is reporting in The Daily Mail the Catskill Democratic Committee endorsed attorney Laura Krzeminski (Kriz-mIHn-skee) as its candidate for town justice, at the caucus held Wed., Sept. 3. Greene County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Doreen Parsley Davis said the committee conducted a six-month search before finding Krzeminski. “We wanted someone with a law background,” Davis said. The Catskill lawyer has been in private practice for seven years. In addition to her own general practice, Krzeminski also does volunteer work for the Legal Aid Society. She told the paper that as a practicing attorney she is acutely aware of how important integrity, fairness and judicial neutrality are in a town justice. Krzeminski and her Republican opponent Rick Jacobs, a retired Catskill village police officer, will compete for a spot on the Independence Party line in a primary to be held Tues., Sept. 9. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo continued reshuffling the state's solar programs into what he calls the NY-Sun Initiative, and on Aug. 4 announced the K-Solar part of that program, aimed at lighting up school districts. He claims 40 districts are participating in the "new" program so far, including Taconic Hills Central School District in Columbia County. Taconic Hills Central School District Superintendent Dr. Neil Howard, Jr., made Cuomo's press release, saying, “New York State is demonstrating true leadership through its initiating of the K-Solar Program. We’re looking forward to being one of the districts participating in the program and helping to demonstrate that the timing is now right for solar power for meeting clean electricity needs.” See the full press release below.





GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES SOLAR POWER PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLS TO REDUCE COSTS AND PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

40 School Districts Representing Nearly 200 Schools across the State Registered to Bring Clean, Local Power to Their Communities


Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the rollout of K-Solar, a landmark program under the $1 billion NY-Sun Initiative, to help public school districts throughout New York State lower their energy costs with clean, local power. The program will provide schools with the tools, technical expertise and access to financing to make solar a realistic and affordable option for K-12 schools. To date, a total of 40 school districts have registered to participate in the program, representing nearly 200 schools in communities across the state.

“New York is becoming a national leader in the solar industry, and today we’re taking another major step forward by giving schools across the state the resources they need to tap into this innovative technology,” Governor Cuomo said. “Increasing the use of renewable energy at our schools will both protect the environment and modernize our electrical grid. I encourage all school districts to apply for this assistance today.”

K-Solar is a joint partnership between the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), working with the New York State Education Department. NYPA is offering every New York State school district free energy advisory services and expertise to collaborate with school personnel in determining if solar energy is suitable and cost-effective for their district. The Authority will work closely with the districts and the solar industry to secure the most attractive solar financing. These services will be free to schools, with the only costs being from the clean electricity generated from the installed solar panels. There is no limit to the number of public school districts that can participate in the program.

Today, NYPA issued a request for qualifications from developers who would install solar panels on school buildings. The deadline for responding to the solicitation is October 9. The solicitation can be accessed on NYPA’s Procurement webpage.

In late July, NYPA and the State Education Department sent letters to school superintendents throughout the state to make them aware of the new program and how they can participate. To date 40 school districts have registered, representing nearly 200 schools across 24 counties. A map illustrating the current locations of the participating school districts to date is available here.

NYPA President and Chief Executive Officer Gil C. Quiniones said, “With the new K-Solar program, schools will have an expert partner, at no cost, to take full advantage of statewide assistance to make solar installations a reality for their districts.”

NYSERDA administers the statewide NY-Sun Initiative program, which will lower the overall costs of the installations, and the State Education Department will work with the schools to streamline the solar permitting process.

NYSERDA President and Chief Executive Officer John B. Rhodes said, “We look forward to helping school districts across the state gain access to clean, affordable solar energy and become hubs for community solar. Through K-Solar and the NY-Sun Initiative school districts can reduce costs and accelerate progress toward Governor Cuomo’s goal to make the State’s energy systems cleaner and more affordable, resilient and reliable.”

State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. said, “K-Solar is an exciting initiative to give public schools throughout New York State an opportunity to harness solar power for a portion of their electricity needs. Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s innovative energy policies, solar power is gaining an increasing foothold in New York State, and this is about to get a further boost from K-Solar.”

With K-Solar, New York’s role as a leader and first mover in shaping the future of energy remains firmly in place. By developing innovative market solutions, the State is delivering on Governor Cuomo’s commitment to transform the energy industry into a more resilient, clean, cost-effective and dynamic system. Working with State, citizen and industry-stakeholders, the way of doing business in New York is moving to a more market-based, decentralized approach. This means protecting the environment, decreasing energy costs, and creating opportunities for economic growth for current and future generations of New Yorkers. In advancing these new energy infrastructures and solutions, New Yorkers will have improved energy affordability and efficiency without sacrificing the ability to live in a cleaner, resilient and more sustainable environment.

New York State Solar Energy Industries Association Vice President David Sandbank said, “The K-Solar initiative introduced by Governor Cuomo reflects the aggressive efforts by New York State to broaden the use of clean renewable energy to secure our energy future. The installation of solar arrays on school buildings is a wonderful opportunity not only to advance the state’s energy diversity, but to also inspire the clean energy workforce of tomorrow.”

Jackson Morris, director of Eastern Energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said, “Solar power can help New York schools save big on their energy bills—freeing up more money to be invested in education, instead of energy—while helping to reduce demand for dirty energy sources that pollute the air our children breathe. On top of the financial benefits, going solar provides an incredible resource to teach kids hands-on lessons about climate science, technology, engineering, math, and what exactly happens when you flip on that light switch. Empower our communities and children with solar today, and who knows where they’ll take us tomorrow.”

Gouverneur School District Superintendent Lauren F. French said, “We’re excited to have an opportunity to participate in the K-Solar Program. The program fits squarely with our priorities for economic electricity bills and clean air while sending an important message to our students on harnessing the use of the sun to generate carbon-free electricity.”
Taconic Hills Central School District Superintendent Dr. Neil Howard, Jr., said, “New York State is demonstrating true leadership through its initiating of the K-Solar Program. We’re looking forward to being one of the districts participating in the program and helping to demonstrate that the timing is now right for solar power for meeting clean electricity needs.”

For more information on K-Solar, visit www.nypa.gov/K-Solar/.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 90F; low 66F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 89F; low 68F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Patchy fog between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny. High near 86. Friday night, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Increasing clouds. Low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 83. Saturday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 56.
Sunday: Sunny. High near 75. Sunday night, clear. Low around 50.
Monday: Sunny. High near 78. Monday night, partly cloudy. Low around 53.

Sunrise today: 6:25 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:21 p.m.
Length of the day: 12:56 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the first Thursday of the month.
WGXC is unaware of any recurring meetings scheduled for today.

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Tin Can Telephone The sound of the tin can and twine telephone is tuned in with Tortoise, and others.
1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Thomas Maintz Episode 25 of 2014 of two-hour free jazz show that airs on eight European radio stations and Wave Farm Radio and WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, in New York, in the United States. Click on title to access the playlist.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show News, events, music and more. Live from the Acra studio at the Wave Farm Study Center. Hosted by Tom Roe.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

Audrey Matott is reporting in The Daily Mail some parents of students at Cairo-Durham Elementary School have expressed concern about asbestos warnings posted in school's gymnasium. Acting Cairo-Durham Superintendent Anthony Taibi said the signs were mandatory, and denied they were an indication of a problem. He addressed the issue at a Board of Education meeting, Tues., Sept. 2. Taibi said the district has conducted various air quality assessments during the building project, and the tests have come back with below measurable findings each time. He said the district has taken every possible precaution to make sure students, faculty and staff are as safe as they can possibly be during the construction project. In other news, during the same board meeting, Cairo-Durham High School Acting Principal Matthew Ward reported student performance on state assessments was mixed. Although some scores showed areas in need of improvement, other outcomes indicated student progress has been made. Read both stories in The Daily Mail.

Arthur Cusano is reporting in the Register Star the Greenport Town Board Wed., Sept. 3, declared its opposition to the pending Greenport Gardens project, which is currently being developed by the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties. The proposed housing project would provide housing to mental health consumers, in addition to affordable housing for county residents. In announcing its decision, the board indicated it was uncomfortable with the location, on Green Acres Road near Joslen Boulevard. Town Supervisor John Porreca said, "We don't disapprove of it, but we don't feel comfortable with the location." He said observations of foot and bicycle traffic on Joslen was the basis of the board's position. Board member Clayton Clark said, “To add more cars and people on foot to that location is going to make a very big hazard." The board’s resolution holds little weight, and is a largely symbolic gesture, because the Planning Board is in charge of approving the project. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Diane Valden provides an account in The Columbia Paper of the ongoing debate in the town of Ancram over a proposed law that would deal with dilapidated buildings. For some residents, passage of the law cannot come soon enough. For others the law is seen as unnecessary and patently discriminatory. Proposed Local Law #1 of 2014 would allow for the removal of unsafe buildings. Owners of the structures would be put on notice and told to rectify the problem. If the owner does not comply, the town would have the power to remove the structure and charge the cost of the tear down to the property owner. Town Supervisor Art Bassin told the crowd at a public hearing last week the Town Board may take three or four more months to decide the fate of the proposal. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 87F; low 61F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 85F; low 61F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Patchy fog between before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny. High near 84. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 58.

Forecast for the next three days:
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 88. Friday night, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Partly cloudy. Low around 69.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy. High near 81. Saturday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 53.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High near 77. Sunday night, mostly clear. Low around 51.

Sunrise today: 6:24 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:23 p.m.
Length of the day: 12:58 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the first Thursday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All telephone numbers are in the 518 area code except where noted.)

ANCRAM Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
ASHLAND Planning Board meeting, 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 12094 Route 23, Ashland (734-3636).
AUSTERLITZ Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 812 Route 203, Spencertown (392-3260).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors special Health and Medical Services Committee meeting, 5:10 p.m.; special meeting of the full board to review the payroll audit, 5:30 p.m., 401 State St., Hudson (828-1527).
COPAKE Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
COXSACKIE Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 16 Reed St., Coxsackie (731-2727).
GHENT Planning Board special joint meeting with the Town of Claverack Planning Board to continue review and discussion of the Ginsberg's Foods warehouse project, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
KINDERHOOK Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
STUYVESANT Board meeting workshop, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Dr., Stuyvesant (758-6248).
WINDHAM Town Board meeting, 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

WGXC Outreach Advisory Committee meeting, 6 p.m. at the WGXC Hudson studio, 704 Columbia St., Hudson (697-7400). The WGXC Outreach Advisory Committee meets on the first Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m., and helps support the station’s outreach efforts, including station events, presence at community events, outreach materials, and more. All are welcome to get involved with this aspect of WGXC 90.7-FM. To learn more, email jess [at] wgxc [dot] org.

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Torture  Wave Farm Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Quinn plays with President Obama's recent statement on torture for a durational work.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show News, events, music and more.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: Juke in the Back: 20140904 Host Matt The Cat digs deep to dust off some 78rpm shellac plattahs that never get played. Hear rare records by Edith Mackey, Dillard Croon Jr. & The Croon Brothers and Little Mr. Midnight., and Albert Collins' first single for the Kangaroo Label as well as Sollie McElroy's first record after leaving The Flamingos. Plus Gladys De Vore & The Flips' 1956 single for Sapphire Records and a Wynonie "Mr. Blues" Harris side.
10 a.m.: We the People: Matthew Frederick, Art Bassin Architect Matthew Frederick will be in the studio to continue the conversation about the proposed renovation of Hudson's town square, the 7th St. Park. Plus, Ancram Town Supervisor Art Bassin will call in with an update on the Columbia County Airport, and the recent realignment of the Board of Supervisors Airport Subcommittee. Hosted by Tom DePietro.
11 a.m.: One Size Fits All: 20140904 An hour-long investigation into the idea of amplified sound, beginning with Stereolab and concluding with the Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker Quartet. Produced by Your Host. Full playlist at www.facebook.com/OneSizeWGXC.
2 p.m.: The Art of the Hudson Valley: Science Vs Nature Interview with the New York City-based electronic band Science Vs Nature (Christian Aydt and Kiley Thompson). Hosted by Chad Weckler.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Rip Van Winkle Washington Irving's story of a Catskills man who falls asleep in the mountains for a generation, and wakes up in a very different world. Told through songs by the David Bromberg Band, Al Jolson, and others. Plus, Brian Dewan tells the story from the porch of Rip Van WInkle Motor Lodge in Catskill, for Max Goldfarb's "Deep Cycle" project.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Lydia Davis A conversation with author Lydia Davis about her work, and her new short story collection, "Can't and Won't" in advance of the reading Sun., Sept. 7, at the Chatham Bookstore. Davis is the author of one novel and six previous story collections, the most recent of which, “Varieties of Disturbance,” was a finalist for the National Book Award. She is the winner of the 2013 Man Booker International Prize. The interview was recorded at the WGXC Hudson studio, Tues., Aug. 5. Plus, news, weather, events, music and more. Hosted by Ellen Thurston and Tom DePietro, with Jake Ebel.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="668"] The proposed Berkshire Mountain Club.
(Courtesy berkshiremtnclub.com)[/caption]

Brian Nearing reports in the Times Union Albany-based BBL Construction Services will build the planned resort hotel at Catamount Ski Area in Copake. Plans for the Berkshire Mountain Club call for a three-phase, four- to five-story project with 159 units in an area currently used for parking and maintenance at the base of the ski mountain. The facility would operate as a upscale hotel, with amenities including a spa, swimming pool, fitness center, restaurant, retail space and conference center. Units would be sold, either in fractions as small as a fifth, or as a whole. Construction of the first phase is expected to begin in the spring, and 66 units should be ready for occupancy by July 2016. A special use permit application for the development is currently pending with Copake town officials. No units have been pre-sold. The project is being developed by Rock Solid Development, BBL and Catamount Ski Resort. Read the full story in the Times Union.

Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential GOP gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino and running mate Chris Moss released their 15-point education plan Tues., Sept. 2. The plan is outlined in broad bullet points, though it goes into little detail in some areas about how the points would be accomplished. At the top of the list: The end of Common Core in New York. The Astorino/Moss plan would replace the existing academic goals in mathematics and literacy with standards and curriculum developed by New York educators, taking into account input from local teachers and parents. It also calls for standards allowing for greater control at the district level. The proposal also calls for the governor to appoint an education commissioner who must then be confirmed by the Board of Regents with a majority vote. The group StudentsFirstNY released a statement bashing the plan shortly after it was announced, calling it a gimmick. Read the full post at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

The Daily Mail is reporting the newly renovated and expanded Columbia Memorial Pediatrics center opened this week at the Greene Medical Arts building in Catskill. The new, 4,500-square-foot space includes eight exam rooms, and two waiting areas to keep well and sick children separate. The new center is located in the C-Wing of the Greene Medical Arts building, located at 159 Jefferson Heights. Columbia Memorial President and CEO Jay P. Cahalan said in a released statement, “The investments we have made and continue to make at the Greene Medical Arts building reflect our commitment to Greene County and to building a healthy community.” The building also houses the Bone & Joint and Blood Draw centers, as well as Greene Medical Imaging and Open MRI. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 83F; low 55F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 83F; low 56F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

Today: Sunny. High near 83. Wednesday night, clear. Low around 55.

Forecast for the next three days:
Thursday: Patchy fog between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny. High near 86. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 60.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 88. Friday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 68.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 84. Saturday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 59.

Sunrise today: 6:23 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:25 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:01 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the first Wedesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All telephone numbers are in the 518 area code except where noted.)

CAIRO Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
GHENT Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature Human Services, Health and Education committees, 6 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENPORT Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, 600 Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).
HALCOTT Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Halcott Grange, 254 Co. Rte. 3, Halcott Center (845-254-9920).
HUDSON Hudson Common Council Youth & Aging Committee meeting, 6 p.m.; Arts, Entertainment & Tourism Committee meeting, 6:45 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
LIVINGSTON Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, County Rte. 19, Livingston (851-9441).
NEW BALTIMORE Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 3809 Co. Rte. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671).
PHILMONT Library Board of Trustees meeting, 7 p.m. at library, 101 Main St., Philmont (672-5010).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: William Basinski Interview with composer and performer William Basinski, before his Sept. 13 "Groundswell" performance at the Olana State Historic Site. Plus, the show tunes in Basinksi's music. From Wikipedia: "William Basinski (born 1958) is an avant-garde composer based in New York.[1] He is also a clarinetist, saxophonist, sound artist, and video artist. Basinski is best known for his four-volume album The Disintegration Loops (2002–2003), constructed from rapidly decaying twenty-year-old tapes of his earlier music.... His first release was Shortwavemusic. Although created in 1983, it was first released on vinyl in a small edition in 1998 by Carsten Nicolai's Raster-Noton label."
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: Olekranon  Tracklist for Vital Weekly 945: 0000 Tune 0014 Olekranon - Redout 0257 Selectone - Solaris 0602 Andrew Weathers & Seth Chrisman - Rare Palms 0908 Walt Thisney Mondo Cosmico - Be.In 1219 Corrado Altieri & Gianluca Favaron - Vertical Features 1524 Septet - Ocsptt 3 1836 Schwingungen 77 Entertainment - Funeralli Dell'Anarchico Galli 2128 Kapital 2426 Miguel A. Garcia - Tentacll 2730 Maurizio Bianchi & Pharmakustik - Metaplasie (mamma) 3038 Tune
2 a.m.: Tabs Out: Hidden Persuaders We’re back from a month long break with episode #52. Top notch sounds this time around by Bean Snack, a compilation of answering machine messages, Wilted Woman, Czern, Matt Nida, Hidden Persuaders, Marreck, Higgs/Zerang, Form, Grandma Lo-Fi, Morbidly O Beats, Yankee Yankee, and Charlatan.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Tyson Hauf ("Zoom"). News, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
10 a.m.: @Issue: Tim Wu Live phone interview with Lt. Governor candidate Tim Wu, and coverage of gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout's Aug. 28 campaign stop in Columbia County. Teachout and Wu are challenging incumbent Andrew M. Cuomo and his running mate, former Congresswoman Kathy Hochul in the Sept. 9 Democrat primary. Hosted by Victor Mendolia and Debora Gilbert. Mendolia is chairman of the Hudson City Democratic Committee.
11 a.m.: Zoom Live assemblage radio. Hosted by Tyson Hauf.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="251"] Gladys Cruz
(Questar III BOCES photo)[/caption]

Joe Gentile reported in The Daily Mail Questar III BOCES (BOW-seez) announced last week the appointment of Gladys Cruz to replace district Superintendent James Baldwin. Cruz will oversee the day-to-day operations as chief operating officer, effective Sept. 15. Baldwin has accepted a position with Excelsior College as its vice president and chief of staff. He previously served as chief of staff for the New York State Education Department during a brief period in 2010. Cruz has been employed by Questar III since 1998. She has served as Deputy Superintendent for two years. Baldwin described Cruz as someone "focused on student opportunity and achievement," and "well known and highly respected" in state education circles. BOCES stands for Board of Cooperative Educational Services. BOCES is a public organization created by the New York State Legislature in 1948 to provide shared educational programs and services to school districts. Questar III BOCES is made up of the 23 school districts located in Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer counties. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

A fleet of full­ scale paper boats is afloat on the Hudson River, charting a course from Troy to New York City in a convergence of art and activism to coincide with the meeting of world leaders at the United Nations Climate Summit. "SeaChange: We All Live Downstream" is a participatory voyage downstream intended to initiate a dialogue on climate change and engage communities in claiming the water as commons along the way. PLAY (2:29). Anyone with a boat or other sailing vessel is invited to join the fleet as it travels along a 160-mile path during the next two weeks. Events are planned at various locations, including a party tonight, Tues., Sept. 2, in Henry Hudson Riverfront Park. SeaChange is an initiative of the Brooklyn­-based boat-building collective Mare Liberum and 350 [dot] org.

Adam Clayton is reporting in the Register Star the six-day Columbia County Fair came to a close Mon., Sept. 1, with a pie contest, the fifth annual Victoria A. Simons Locavore Award and the Painted Pony Rodeo. The fairground in Chatham was full to overflowing for the pie contest sponsored by Ginsberg's Foods and judged by Food Network Farmhouse Rules host Nancy Fuller Ginsberg. The Locavore Awards went to the Berkshire Co-op Market, Hudson Farmers Market and Chef Josh Kroner of the Rhinebeck restaurant Terrapin. The winners were awarded a cash prize of $1,000 and a trophy. The Painted Pony Rodeo finished out the day on the fair's main stage, with a finale that featured Nate Brown of Germantown and Rickie Myer of Catskill. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 88F; low 63F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 89F; low 64F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

READ TEMPERATURE IN HUDSON: On thermometer in Studio A.

FAR LEFT: The temperature on the far left is from the Hawthorne Valley Farm Weather Page.
MIDDLE TEMP: Cairo from Weather Underground page.
FAR RIGHT: Catskill from Weather Underground page.

Local weather forecast
Today’s forecast is specific to Catskill, in Greene County:

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for east central New York, western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut for Tues., Sept. 2. There is a chance of thunderstorms, mainly Tuesday afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms will generally move from west to east around 30 mph, and could contain gusty winds and localized heavy rainfall. A few of those storms could produce damaging wind gusts.

Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 90. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Tuesday night, showers and thunderstorms likely before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Mostly cloudy. Low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Forecast for the next three days:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 83. Wednesday night, patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, mostly clear. Low around 57.
Thursday: Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny. High near 87. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 65.
Friday: Sunny. High near 88. Friday night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 67.

Sunrise today: 6:22 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:27 p.m.
Length of the day: 13:04 hrs.

Public meetings
Today is the first Tuesday of the month.
WGXC suggests calling ahead to confirm time and location.
(All telephone numbers are in the 518 area code except where noted.)

ATHENS Town Board meeting, 7 p.m. at 2 First Street, Athens (734-3636).
CATSKILL Town Board meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
COPAKE Park Commission meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
HUNTER Planning Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville (263-4020).
ICHABOD CRANE Central School District Board of Education meeting, 7 p.m. at Ichabod Crane High School, 2910 Route 9, Valatie (758-7577).
LEXINGTON Town Board meeting, 6:30 p.m., at Municipal building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
LIVINGSTON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 7 p.m., at Town Hall, County Rte. 19, Livingston (851-9441).
TAGHKANIC Planning Board meeting, 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 909 Route 82, Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on WGXC 90.7-FM
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Crazy Transmission Insanity on the radio is explored, with Bill Cosby, Sonic Youth, Hawkwind, The Magnetic Fields, The Feelies, Green Day, and others.
1 a.m.: Kira DeCoudres Wave Farm summer intern Kira DeCoudres guest hosts "Other Music." Tune in for a special broadcast of mixed sounds from the past, present, and future including reworks of Billie Holiday classics, neuroscience lectures made musical, and selections from the Wave Farm Study Center audio library. From Aug. 30, 2014.
4 a.m.: Big Picture Science: Transmissions Robots, internets, and lightbulbs. From Pacifica Radio.

6 a.m.: Background Briefing with Ian Masters Inside breaking international and national news. A radio program featuring international and national news, expert guests, policy makers and critics with analysis and insight on national security, foreign and domestic policy, political, cultural and social issues. This program goes far beyond the headlines and deep under the radar to bring forward truths unheard in the American media.
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by "Petee Pete" Lievense. News, events, music and more. Live from the WGXC Hudson studio.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show continues.
12 p.m. (noon): Monday Musical Matinee: Andrew Appel Andrew Appel, harpsichordist and director of the Four Nations Ensemble, will join host Sheri Bauer-Mayorga in the Hudson studio.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Catskill Library Premiere show from the Carnegie Room of the Catskill Library, site of the new WGXC satellite studio. News, weather, events, music and more. Hosted by Jill Sutton.
6 p.m.: Feature Story News

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="282"] (Courtesy U.S. Dept. of Labor)[/caption]

Mon., Sept. 1 is Labor Day. According to U.S. Dept. of Labor, Labor Day is a celebration of the American labor movement. The holiday is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of the United States.

The Daily Freeman is reporting a rundown of how various services will be affected by the holiday:

• Amtrak: Sunday schedule


• Banks: Closed


• City, town and village offices: Closed


• County offices: Closed


• Financial markets: Closed


• Federal offices: Closed


• Greene County Transit: No service


• Mail delivery: None


• Metro-North: Sunday schedule on Hudson Line; weekend schedule on Port Jervis Line, with one extra inbound train


• Schools: Closed


• State offices: Closed