Gail Heinsohn is reporting in the Register Star acting Rensselaer County Supreme Court Justice Henry F. Zwack has ruled against Chatham business owner Frank Genovese in an Article 78 proceeding filed in August against the village and two of its officers. Zwack called the matter "a tremendous waste of judicial time." Genovese filed the 376-page petition alleging Mayor Tom Curran, Treasurer Barbara Henry and the village failed to comply with two requests for information under the state's Freedom of Information Law. The village supplied more than 300 pages of records to Genovese, but he said the records provided were "intentionally obscured and incomplete." The mayor said the village intends to seek reimbursement for the $4,300 in legal fee expended defending the matter. He said, "...it would be a disservice to the taxpayer[s] not to recover the fees." Read the full story in the Register Star.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="450"] The Windham Path.
(Courtesy windhamarf.org)[/caption]

Michael Ryan is reporting in The Daily Mail the Windham Area Recreation Foundation has been awarded $10,000 by the Hudson River Valley Greenway for the Windham Path trail project. The award was made as part of the Greenway Conservancy Small Grant Program. The funds will be invested in the next phase of the project, which will link the existing 1.5-mile portion of the trail located along Route 23, to Route 296. The new segment will cross the Batavia Kill via a pedestrian bridge, then wind through adjacent fields before connecting with Route 296 near South Street. The Windham Path is the centerpiece of the Windham Trail Vision, the Windham Area Recreation Foundation's master plan for trail-based recreation in the area. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Daily Freeman is reporting unemployment rates declined throughout the Mid-Hudson region and statewide in November, the New York Department of Labor reported Tues., Dec. 24. In Greene County, the jobless rate was reported as 7.3 percent, unchanged from October, but down from 9.1 percent in November 2012. In Columbia County, the unemployment rate last month was 5.5 percent, down from 5.9 percent in October and 6.8 percent one year ago. Unemployment also decreased in Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties. Statewide the rate dropped from 7.5 percent in October to less than 7 percent in November. Read the full story in Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 32F; low 20F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 33F; low 22F.[/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: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 5 p.m. Cloud. High near 33. Thursday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 9 p.m. Mostly clear. Low around 20.

Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 34. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 23.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 44. Saturday night, partly cloudy. Low around 27.
Sunday: A chance of snow before 10 a.m., then a chance of rain. Partly sunny. High near 43. Sunday night, a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy. Low around 25.

Sunrise today: 7:23 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:29 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:06 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the fourth Thursday of the month.
WGXC recommends calling ahead to confirm time and location.


CHATHAM Village Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street, Chatham (392-5821).
COPAKE Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GERMANTOWN Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
STUYVESANT Greenway Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).
WINDHAM Town Board meets at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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 Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil Grant. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Signing Off Famous radio and television sign-offs and final broadcasts are featured, from Edward R. Murrow ("Good night and good luck"), Porky Pig ("That's All Folk"), Casey Kasem ("Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars"), and others. Many are taken from "Last Transmissions" work by Melissa Dubbin and Aaron S. Davidson. Plus, Sonic Youth, The Muppets, The Mickey Mouse Club, Gregory Whitehead, and more.
3:30 p.m.: Kids' Brain Radio Live from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Matt Bua and Sam Sebren.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 25F; low 19F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 25F; low 21F.[/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: Partly sunny. High near 22. Wednesday night, a slight chance of snow showers after 3 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 18.

Forecast for the next three days:

Thursday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 35. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 20.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 35. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 25.
Saturday: Sunny. High near 43. Saturday night, mostly clear. Low around 29.

Sunrise today: 7:22 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:29 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:06 hrs.

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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.: Bedazzled Radio Christmas Hosted by Spike Priggen.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: Monday Musical Matinee Christmas Hosted by Sheri Bauer-Mayorga and Lincoln Mayorga.
10 a.m.: The Right Opinion: The Reverend Kathryn Beilke The Reverend Kathryn Beilkeof Hudson's First Presbyterian Church is the featured guest for this Christmas Day broadcast. The discussion will focus on religion, the meaning of Christmas and the future of the historic First Presbyterian Church, which plays a central role in the spiritual and cultural life in the city of Hudson. Plus Christmas songs from the Drifters. Hosted by Ed Fertik.
11 a.m.: Zooms: Christmas Hosted by Tyson Hauf.
12 p.m. (noon): WGXC Christmas Special mix
1 p.m. Crossroads in Rhythm Christmas Hosted by Alan Skerrett
3 p.m.: WGXC Christmas Special mix
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Feature Story News
7 p.m.: All Hopped Up (and Ready to Go): Christmas Special Hosted by Tony Fletcher.
9:30 p.m.: Vinyl Rundown: Christmas Night Special live Christmas edition of Vinyl Rundown. Host Chris Bishop is expected to be joined in the Hudson studio by Liv Carrow (Low Tide) and other special guests, for a night of Christmas music, psychedelic folk and other vinyl ventures.

Claude Haton is reporting in The Daily Mail a statewide gift-giving program has reached Greene and Columbia counties. United Way of Columbia and Greene Counties recently received a large shipment of toys, games, jackets and coats for distribution among needy families and individuals, just in time for Christmas. New York State Department of Transportation employees delivered 175 toys, 100 coats, hats and gloves Fri., Dec. 20, filling the showroom of Scott Alarm Systems in Catskill. Outerstuff, a youth clothing company based in New York, the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, First Book and Barnes & Noble, Carnegie Hall and the Toy Industry Foundation were among the private corporations and organizations that contributed to the effort. The United Way will distribute the items locally. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Public News Service is reporting pressure is mounting for retailers statewide to stop the use of disposable bags, but the push for change is greatest in New York City, where discarded plastic bags, often seen stuck in trees and in the sewers, are being called "urban tumbleweed." Mike Clifford has the story: PLAY (1:54).

Jordan Carleo-Evangelist is reporting at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's fourth State of the State address will be held Jan. 8 in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. The governor is expected to lay out his legislative agenda for the coming year at that time. New Yorkers who wish to attend the speech should visit the governor's homepage at www [dot] governor [dot] ny [dot] gov to register. The registration period goes from Mon., Dec. 23 through 5 p.m., Mon., Dec. 30. Guests will be notified of their selection via email by Mon., Jan. 6. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 30F; low 8F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 33F; low 11F.[/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: A slight chance of snow showers between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 33. Tuesday night, a slight chance of snow showers before 8 p.m. Cloudy. Low around 9.

Forecast for the next three days:

Wednesday (Christmas Day): Mostly sunny. High near 21. Wednesday night, a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 17.
Thursday: A slight chance of rain showers after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 37. Thursday night, partly cloudy. Low around 23.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 37. Friday night, partly cloudy. Low around 20.

Sunrise today: 7:22 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:28 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:06 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the fourth Tuesday of the month.
WGXC recommends calling ahead to confirm time and location.


HUDSON Community Development and Planning Agency Board special meeting at 12 p.m. (noon), at City Hall, 520 Warren St., Hudson (751-1044). Bids will be opened at this special meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to select a successful bidder for the purchase of 208 Columbia Street and to conduct an environmental review of such sale prior to award of the bid. HCDPA will sell property located at 208 Columbia for the purpose of construction of low to moderate income housing.

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: The Night Before Christmas Many version of the night before Christmas are read, performed, interpreted, and more.
5 a.m.: PCJ Media Network Plus: 20131224 International radio and media show. The show is produced jointly by PCJ in Taiwan and Canada. Producer/Presenter: Keith Perron.

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 Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil Grant. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
7 p.m.: Radio Warfare: Christmas Eve Break the Silence of the Night! Live from Hudson N.Y.! Radio Warfare with Tim Livingston Rock & Roll will be live on Christmas Eve. Spinning a mix of garage, punk, power-pop, crunchy guitar instrumentals, and straight-up rock & roll Christmas music!

Some of the stories that made the news Dec. 20 through Dec. 23:

Michael Ryan reported in the Windham Journal the town of Windham is now recruiting for a part-time police chief. The Windham Town Board last week directed retiring full-time police chief Stacy Post to send out letters of interest to potential candidates. Post will leave the job Dec. 31, and be sworn in as the new town supervisor, Jan. 1. She defeated current supervisor Stephen Walker in November. Local officials hope to name a replacement from within the department. Post said at least one officer has expressed an interest in the job. The new chief is expected to be chosen Jan. 6. Read the full story in the Windham Journal.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="269"] Map of the proposed Copake Agricultural Center.
(Courtesy efarmaccess.com)[/caption]

David Lee reported in the Register Star the Copake Agricultural Center is expected to take a step forward this week, as it is scheduled to close on the purchase of 122 acres in Copake. The parcel being acquired is known as the town center farm land. The Copake Agricultural Center is a project of Northeast Farm Access. The group's vision for the center is to bring together farmers, investors and farm organizations to create an innovative demonstration farm. The owners of the property will consist of a group of 20 investors, the primary shareholder being the Camphill Foundation. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Parry Teasdale reported in the Columbia Paper incumbent Chatham Town Council member Maria Lull, a Republican, has been reelected to a four-year term by one vote. A ruling by Acting State Supreme Court Judge Henry Zwack on the remaining handful of contested ballots Mon., Dec. 16, gave her the victory over Democrat Landra Haber. With Ms. Lull's reelection, the composition of the town board remains the same -- two Republicans and two Democrats. Supervisor Jesse DeGroodt is not currently enrolled in an official political party. Read the full story in the Columbia Paper.

The Daily Freeman reported the trustees of the Athens Community Foundation announced the distribution of 39 grants to 29 organizations and groups that represent community interests. The grants, totaling more than $166,000, were awarded to civic, sports, cultural, fraternal, educational and government groups. This marks the 11th year that grants were handed out by the foundation. The original source of the funding came from a negotiated agreement between Athens Generating and the town of Athens. A full list of grant recipients was not immediately made available. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 44F; low 23F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 45F; low 24F.[/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: Rain likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Cloudy. High near 48. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Monday night, cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing. Low around 24.

Forecast for the next three days:

Tuesday: A slight chance of rain showers between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny. High near 33. Tuesday night, mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing. Low around 11.
Wednesday (Christmas Day): Mostly sunny. High near 26. Wednesday night, a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 20.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High near 38. Thursday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 25.

Sunrise today: 7:22 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:28 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:05 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the fourth Monday of the month.
WGXC recommends calling ahead to confirm time and location.


CATSKILL Village board meeting (cancelled) at 7 p.m. at Firehouse near Catskill Commons (Wal Mart) (943-3830).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors’ Economic Development Committee Meeting (cancelled), 5 p.m at 401 State St., Hudson.
HALCOTT Town meeting (rescheduled) at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 813 Route 3, Halcott Center (845-254-9920)
HUDSON Common Council Police Committee Meeting (cancelled), 6 p.m. at City Hall; Fire Committee Meeting at 6:45 p.m., at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
STUYVESANT Planning Board meeting (rescheduled) at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Holiday Mix Ghosts of Christmases past haunt the airwaves all night.
5:30 a.m.: This Week in Radio News: 20131223 Radio news about Christmas, and more.

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 Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil Grant. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show

Bryan Rowzee in the Ravena News-Herald reports there was no opposition to Lafarge cement plant's request for a tax abatement before the Albany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) at a public meeting Dec. 12. Lafarge's application was for a tax abatement to purchase capital equipment for its current modernization project, and only received favorable comments about how the company should get a tax break. "We are also reducing emissions. The reductions are from 50-90 [percent]. We are sustaining 112 union and non-union jobs while also bringing in close to 800 temporary jobs," said Lafarge Plant Manager Mike Kralik. State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk said, “As the state senator representing Ravena, I join a host of federal, state and local officials, including County Executive Dan McCoy, Coeymans Town Supervisor Steven D. Flach and Ravena Mayor John T. Bruno in supporting the Ravena plant.” Read the full story in the Ravena News-Herald.

After several weekends of cold temperatures and snow, the National Weather Service predicts that temperatures should remain above freezing until Christmas Eve, and it may rain much of the weekend. Windham Mountain has 35 trails open, with six lifts running, with 17"-53" of snow. The Adventure Park opens this weekend with snow tubing. Windham is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. through Christmas Day, then 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Dec. 31. Hunter Mountain has five lifts for 47 trails with 12-58" of snow. Catamount Ski in Hillsdale has 18 of 33 trails open with four of six lifts running over 18-30" of snow. Click here to play audio of WGXC Ski Report. PLAY CLIP (1:09)

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sun., Dec. 22. PLAY AUDIO (1:50)

Ski Report
WGXC Ski Report: Rain this weekend. PLAY AUDIO (1:09)

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

• Sunday: Rain likely, mainly before 4 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 63, and a low around 47.

• Monday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 49. A chance of snow showers, after 8 p.m.. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.

• Tuesday: A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 20.

Sunrise 7:21 a.m.
Sunset 4:27 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 9:43 P.M. 10:12 A.M.
Mercury 7:12 A.M. 4:04 P.M.
Venus 9:08 A.M. 6:39 P.M.
Mars 12:22 A.M. 12:19 P.M.
Jupiter 5:32 P.M. 8:37 A.M.
Saturn 3:57 A.M. 2:05 P.M.
Uranus 12:09 P.M. 12:37 A.M.
Neptune 10:48 A.M. 9:32 P.M.
Pluto 7:52 A.M. 5:21 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Dec. 21, 2013: 8 p.m. – Dec. 22, 2013: 3 a.m.: Saturday Night Special: Holiday Jeer
Strange, weird, odd, and otherwise unworldly holiday tunes. Background music for your holiday party. Live party banter, historic holiday WGXC recordings, radio traditions, and more.
3 a.m. – 5 a.m.: An Orson Welles Christmas
Welles direction of "A Christmas Carol," and his 1944 reading with Bing Crosby of "The Happy Prince" are included with other works.
5 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.: Radia: Brussels
International radio art show, this week from Belgium.
5:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.: CounterSpin: Stephen Cohen, Jeff Chester
This is the 20th year of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting's media analysis radio show, hosted by Janine Jackson, Steve Rendall, and Peter Hart. This week: "Stephen Cohen on Ukraine, Jeff Chester on corporate surveillance."
Dec. 22, 2013: 7 p.m. – Dec. 23, 2013: 2 a.m.: Fourth Annual Christmas Spectacular
Holiday lunacy featuring luminaries Brian Dewan, Liv Carrow, Louis Munroe, and others. Live performances of musicians at Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson, NY are streamed live at wgxc.org, and occasionally broadcast live on WGXC 90.7-FM. Live webstream for this show available from Wave Farm and WGXC at http://comm.free103point9.org:8000/spottydog.mp3.m3u and rebroadcast on WGXC 90.7-FM at midnight the same night, Mon., Dec. 23.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Wed., Dec. 18, signed into law the Nonprofit Revitalization Act. According to a statement released by Attorney General Eric T. Scheiderman, the legislation "includes substantial reforms that will cut red tape while enhancing governance and oversight of nonprofits." Doug Sauer, the Chief Executive Officer of the New York Council of Nonprofits congratulated everyone involved in passage of the Act, noting the new law represented "significant and much needed reform." Under the new law, nonprofit governance and oversight has been increased to prevent fraud, and also includes various measures to significantly reduce unnecessary and outdated burdens on nonprofits.

Local News
Local news from Wave Farm‘s WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, New York for Sat., Dec. 21. PLAY AUDIO (1:14)

Ski Report
WGXC Ski Report: 3Rain this weekend. PLAY AUDIO (1:09)

Radio News
Reports about talking to Santa Claus on ham radio, and tracking Santa's trip with NORAD's radar. Click here to play clip. PLAY AUDIO (1:32)

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

• Saturday: Rain, mainly after 11 a.m. High near 50, low around 46.

• Sunday: Rain, mainly before 4 p.m. High near 60, with a low around 45.

• Monday: A chance of showers, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Sunrise 7:21 a.m.
Sunset 4:26 p.m.
Winter Solstice 12:11 p.m.
Other celestial rises/sets
Moon 8:45 P.M. 9:43 A.M.
Mercury 7:08 A.M. 4:02 P.M.
Venus 9:13 A.M. 6:42 P.M.
Mars 12:23 A.M. 12:22 P.M.
Jupiter 5:37 P.M. 8:41 A.M.
Saturn 4:00 A.M. 2:09 P.M.
Uranus 12:13 P.M. 12:41 A.M.
Neptune 10:52 A.M. 9:35 P.M.
Pluto 7:56 A.M. 5:25 P.M.

WGXC Programming

Dec. 20, 2013: 8 p.m. – Dec. 21, 2013: 2 p.m.: Johanna Warren, Paige Chaplin
Singer-songwriters Johanna Warren and Paige Chaplin perform. For the last six years Warren has fronted the band Sticklips, an experimental project. The 24-year-old songwriter now has a debut solo album. Live performances of musicians at Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson, NY are streamed live at wgxc.org, and occasionally broadcast live on WGXC 90.7-FM. Live webstream for this show available from Wave Farm and WGXC at http://comm.free103point9.org:8000/spottydog.mp3.m3u and broadcast on WGXC 90.7-FM at midnight the same night, then Sat., Dec. 21, and again at 12:30 p.m.
2 a.m. – 4 a.m.: Radio Stew: Station to Station
Radio station sounds and songs from David Bowie, and others.
4 a.m. - 5 a.m.: Low Power Hour: Seminar
The ALPB (Association of Low Power Broadcasters) has begun a series of low power radio seminars, a suggestiion of Canadian Member Artisan Radio, and in this first seminar Carl Blare presents some guidelines for constructing a simple, easy-to-do world newscast for your station; a promotional message brings ideas on "How We Sound;" a war composer goes out of character and writes a polka; NBC celebrates its 30th from 1956 - Part 1.
5 a.m. – 7 a.m.: Shortwave Hours: Santa on Echolink
Two hours of shortwave radio-oriented programming, starting with solar weather, news on meteor showers and ham radio, and other reports. Other reports include:
5 a.m., "The RAIN Report" includes "Noted contester Tim Duffy/K3LR talks about his Contest University" and "Amateur Radio Relay League Audio Report" reports: "ARRL's 'Symbol Rate' Petition Nears the Top of FCC's 'Most Active Proceedings' List; The ARRL Centennial QSO Party Kicks Off January 1!;The story of how two Amateur Radio clubs gave back to their communities this holiday season."
5:30 a.m.: "Glenn Hauser's World of Radio" DX and station news countries all over the world.
6 a.m.: "Amateur Radio Newsline" This week: "The murderer of ham radio operator and his wife gets life behind prison bars; UK telecommunications regulator Ofcom is re-evaluating ham radio licensing requirements; Myanmar could soon crate an amateur radio service; the South Africa Radio League celebrates the life and passing of Nelson Mandela and Santa comes to Echolink."
6:30 a.m.: "This Week in Radio News" from host Tom Roe at Wave Farm's WGXC with radio news about radio waves. This week: "Prometheus Radio has a new proposal for a larger low-power FM service: 250 watts. NPR gets grants to coordinate its webstreams. ESPN does not suck anymore. And other radio and media news. Plus this week in radio history, and more.
7 a.m. – 8 a.m.: Saturday Morning Serial: Winter Wonder
Selections from holiday transmissions are mixed with Salvation Army bells, strange sounds, and more seasonal noises. Includes Run DMC ("Christmas in Hollis"); Dickie Goodman ("Santa and the Satellite"); Paul Harvey (with a report of Santa's take-off live from the North Pole); Spike Jones ("Jingle Bells" and "My Birthday Comes on Christmas"); Bing Crosby and Orson Welles ("The Happy Prince" from Dec. 24, 1944); Shawn Hansen ("Mystery Carol"), Oscar the Grouch ("I Hate Christmas"); Megyn Kelly, Jon Stewart, and Bill Cosby on the color of Santa Claus; Bob Dylan ("It Must Be Santa"); The Residents ("Santa Dog"); and also excerpts from "A Christmas Story" and from a Bud Abbott and Lou Costello holiday routine, and others, and Vince Guaraldi's "Skating."
10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Radia: Hillel Schwartz013:
Radia Show 455: "The Quiet Noisy Interview" from XL AIR, Brussels, Belgium. "Radia" is an international coalition of stations interested in new and forgotten ways of making radio. Each week, one station makes a show for all the others. This week: "An interview with Hillel Schwartz by Dieter Van Dam."
11 a.m. – noon: What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Budget Compromise
A federal budget compromise with something to offend everyone, and no extension of jobless benefits. But it did make Speaker Boehner take on his critics in the tea party think tanks. From host Paul Fischer through Pacifica Radio.
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Distract and Disable: December 2013
Oscillations aplenty and readings from the screen play for “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” by Steven Spielberg, from Jonny Farrow in the United Arab Emirates.
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Saturday Afternoon Show: Christmas on the Radio
Santa is on the shortwave, and all sorts of experimental composers, from Shawn Hansen to John Zorn, have holiday music to share. Hosted by Tom Roe live from Wave Farm in Acra, NY.
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Off The Hook: 20131219
Do not call during rebroadcast. Off The Hook, from the hacker zine 2600, airs every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET in New York City on WBAI 99.5 FM, and is rebroadcast the next morning at 5 a.m. on WGXC and free103point9 Online Radio. It is simulcast online via streaming MP3 and via shortwave on WBCQ The Planet at 5110 KHz. Join #offthehook on irc.2600.net to chat during the show. Email show at oth [at] 2600.com. Do not call during the rebroadcast.
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Framework: Mark Vernon
This edition of framework:afield, "Forth Valley Royal Hospital: A Portrait in Sound," has been produced in Scotland by regular contributor Mark Vernon. For more information see http://www.meagreresource.com. "Framework" is a show about field recordings, acoustic ecology, and sounds.
8 p.m. – Dec. 22, 2013: 3 a.m.: Saturday Night Special: Holiday Jeer
Strange, weird, odd, and otherwise unworldly holiday tunes. Background music for your holiday party. Live party banter, historic holiday WGXC recordings, radio traditions, and more.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] Wayne Speenburgh
(Courtesy Greene Co. EMS)[/caption]

Kyle Adams is reporting in The Daily Mail Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh was hospitalized Wed., Dec. 18, with an undisclosed illness. According to Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden, Speenburgh was admitted to the emergency room at Albany Medical Center Tuesday morning. Groden said Speenburgh, 68, is conscious and alert, but little else is known about the nature of the illness or how long Speenburgh will remain in the hospital. The legislature's final meeting of 2013, held Wednesday, was chaired by Majority Leader Kevin Lewis of Greenville. The next meeting of the full legislature is scheduled for Jan. 8. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Cairo-Durham Central School District Board of Education held its regular meeting Thurs., Dec. 19, in the middle school cafeteria. Superintendent Mary Fassett addressed the board and the public about the minor bus accident that occurred on Tues., Dec. 17. No one was injured in the incident. Fassett also addressed the rumor the meeting would include a presentation on the controversial grade realignment plan. PLAY (2:35). Also during the meeting, parent and teacher Tracy MacGiffert read a prepared statement expressing her ongoing concerns about the grade realignment plan. MacGiffert describes what she believes to be a substantial negative impact the plan is having on students, teachers, staff, bus drivers, and parents alike. MacGiffert urged the board to engage district teachers as they evaluate the grade realignment to-date; stating it is the teachers' combined centuries of expertise, and first-hand knowledge of what is happening on a daily basis, which will provide the most accurate and valuable means for assessment. PLAY MacGiffert statement (6:35).

-- Galen Joseph-Hunter

The statewide unemployment rate has dropped to 7.4 percent, the lowest level in five years, according to preliminary figures released Thurs., Dec. 19, by the New York State Department of Labor. The state's economy added 4,300 private sector jobs since Nov. 2012, raising New York's private sector job count to nearly 7.5 million, another all-time high. In addition, the state’s unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since early 2009, according to the department. Over the past year, the private sector grew most rapidly in metropolitan areas, including New York City, Long Island and the greater Buffalo area. The Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown were the only areas in the state to lose private sector jobs in the past year.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 42F; low 37F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 41F; low 37F.[/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: A slight chance of light rain before 4 p.m., then a slight chance of light rain after 5 p.m. Cloudy. High near 43. Friday night, a chance of light rain, mainly after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 36.

Forecast for the next three days:

Saturday: Rain likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Cloudy. High near 50. Saturday night, rain likely. The rain could be heavy at times. Cloudy. Low around 44.
Sunday: Rain likely. The rain could be heavy at times. Cloudy. High near 59. Sunday night, a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy. Low around 40.
Monday: Mostly cloudy. High near 44. Monday night, mostly cloudy. Low around 23.

Sunrise today: 7:20 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:26 p.m.

Length of the day: 9:05 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the third Friday of the month.
WGXC is not aware of any regularly scheduled meetings.


The day ahead on 90.7-FM

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: NSA Surveillance Feature Story News reports on the National Security Agency surveillance program.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Jason Martin Songs and sounds of Troy, NY's Jason Martin.
1 a.m.: Taran's Free Jazz Hour: Blaise Siwula Episode 30 of 2013 of two-hour free jazz show that airs on eight European radio stations and free103point9 Online Radio and WGXC 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley, in New York, in the United States. Click on title to access the playlist.
3 a.m.: Selected Songs: George Duke From Wikipedia: "George Duke (January 12, 1946 – August 5, 2013) was an American musician, known as a keyboard pioneer, composer, singer and producer in both jazz and popular mainstream musical genres. He had worked with numerous acclaimed artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and professor of music. He first made a name for himself with the album The Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with the George Duke Trio. He was known primarily for thirty-odd solo albums as well as for his collaborations with other musicians, particularly Frank Zappa."
5 a.m.: What's the Frequency, Kenneth?: Budget Compromise A federal budget compromise with something to offend everyone, and no extension of jobless benefits. But it did make Speaker Boehner take on his critics in the tea party think tanks. From host Paul Fischer through 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 Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. Hosted by Phil Grant. Call in with your views at 518-828-0290.
8 a.m.: Democracy Now! hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez.
9 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show The Morning Show continues with local news, weather and events.
10 a.m.: ¿Qué cocinaré hoy?: Liz Menendez Conversation with Liz Menendez, a masseur and acupuncturist of Cuban descent, commenting on her career path, the benefits of both practices and her Cuban heritage. Plus a story on free vocational education for ESL and GED students from the December edition of "La Voz." In the final segment, a discussion about holiday gift-giving. Why not donate to your charity of choice, instead of buying items that will inevitably be part of next year's yard sale? Hosted by Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show