The Mid-Hudson News Network is reporting unemployment rates in the Mid-Hudson Valley remain high. Greene County reported one of the highest jobless rates in the region at 10.2 percent. For the 12 months ending in February, unemployment dropped slightly in Columbia and Dutchess counties. It remained the same in Sullivan and Ulster, but rose in Greene County. Tompkins County, which encompasses the city of Ithaca, reported the lowest rate in the state, at 5.8 percent. State Labor Department analyst John Nelson said the economy is showing signs of improvement. "Overall, the job market is still good; we are doing okay," he said. Read the full story online.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 52F; low 30F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 54F; low 32F.[/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 54. Light and variable winds up to 13 mph in the afternoon. Partly cloudy tonight. Low around 31.

Forecast for the next three days:

Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 54. Mostly clear overnight Low around 28. Northwest wind up to 15 mph.
Saturday: Sunny. High near 52. A slight chance of showers after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, Saturday night. Low around 34.
Sunday: A chance of showers after 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 59. A chance of showers, Sunday night. Mostly cloudy. Low around 42.

Sunrise today: 6:30 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:25 p.m.

Length of the day: 12:54 hrs.

Town meetings

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

ANCRAM Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
AUSTERLITZ Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall, 812 Route 203, Spencertown (392-3260).
COPAKE Planning Board meets at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GHENT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
KINDERHOOK Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
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

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: NY, Many Other States, Considering Drone Privacy Bills The Sacremento Bee reports that 80 proposals related to radio-controlled drones in 39 statehouses across the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In New York, two Brooklyn Assemblymen introduced bills in Albany this past week. Christopher Robbins in Gothamist reports about Bronx Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda's bill, which prohibits drone use to gather evidence, "except when authorized under a warrant issued by a court of record or justified by lawful exception to the warrant requirement." Sepúlveda released a statement, saying that he plans several other drone bills, "Banning drones from being armed; clearly defining what constitutes a drone; restricting the use of drones by private citizens; and streamlining the mechanisms to secure permits for responsible drone usage concerning its commercial applications." Tom Precious in The Buffalo News reports that Assemblyman Nick Perry’s legislation, would “protect New York state residents from unwarranted and unauthorized use of drones or other unmanned aircrafts to conduct surveillance upon them inside their homes or place of worship or within the closed confines of their property or other locations where a person would have an expectation of privacy.’’ The Buffalo News says the bill exempts patrols along the Canadian border to prevent illegal entry of people or drugs and other substances, and to counter a "high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization based on credible intelligence determined by the commissioner of homeland security and emergency services.'' His proposal includes individual use for "lawful purposes, including recreational or hobby purposes.''
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: No Answer The unanswered message, the unreturned call, the sound of miscommunication is explored in sound and song. April 3 is the 40th anniversary of the cell phone.
1 a.m.: Twentieth Century Problems in Music: The Search for New Techniques First performances of the Pierre Boulez (b. 1925) in the United States. March 31-April 3 1960 by New York Philharmonic with Leonard Bernstein, Music Director; Marni Nixon, Soprano; Mieczyslaw Horszowski, Pianist.
2 a.m.: Space Battle Mash-Up Sound effects, John Williams, epic dialogue, crunched in six layers all at once.
4:30 a.m.: Sea Change Radio: High Voltage Direct Current Transmission Michael Skelly, has a solution that he thinks will move us past the transmission obstacle and into an era of efficient wind power use and transfer. His company, Clean Line Energy Partners, believes it has a better way to transport wind energy, using a new technology based on the old standard direct current electricity: high voltage direct current transmission lines. From Pacifica Radio.
5 a.m.: Off The Hook: 20130404 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 5 a.m. rebroadcast.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. 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 continues with local news, events, music and more, with host Philip Grant.
2 p.m.: The Art of the Hudson Valley: Music Education in Our Schools Scheduled guests are Scott Vorwald, Henry Hirsch, and Jeffrey Levitsky. Vorwald is the grade 3 through 6 music teacher at Montgomery C. Smith Intermediate School in Hudson. Hirsch is a musician, producer and owner of Waterfront Studios in Hudson. Levitsky has spent the past five years as an arts education consultant for the Berkshire Taconic Foundation. He is also a former educator in New York City public schools and worked for seven years with Tony Bennett as Executive Director of Exploring the Arts, Inc., Levitsky has collaborated with Hirsch to create Columbia Rocks! a program featuring singer/songwriters from local high schools in Columbia County. Hosted by Chad Weckler.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: The Runaway Princess "Radio Theater Project," produced at KSVR Studios at the radio station KSVR-FM in Mount Vernon, Washington. The actors are from the Skagit Radio Repertory Company. The producer is Joseph C McGuire. Original story by David Van Meer. In a fantasy world a runaway princess and a would be magician and bard find each other. Together they face excitement and danger. Including a greedy dragon. A ironic, humorous fairy tale for grown ups. From Pacifica Radio.
3:30 p.m.: Kid's Brain Radio Live from the Catskill Community Center. Hosted by Matt Bua and Sam Sebren.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Digital First Media is reporting the sale of the assets of the Daily Freeman parent, Journal Register Company to 21st CMH Acquisition Corp. The delay came after a last-minute union vote that will allow the deal to move forward. The purchase was to have closed Tues., Apr. 2. Company employees received a two-sentence email Tuesday morning saying the closing process was expected to be finalized by week’s end. The agreement reached with the Newspaper Guild includes 11 cuts to the news and circulation staff at the Kingston-based Daily Freeman. Unionized employees had been braced for worse, including 15 percent across-the-board pay cuts. In addition to the Freeman, Journal Register also owns The Record, of Troy, the Oneida Daily Dispatch and the Saratogian. Read the full story at MercuryNews.com.

William J. Kemble reports in the Daily Freeman the Catskill Town Board has settled its tax assessment case with Greene Healthcare Associates. The board agreed to set the 2012 assessment of the former Greene County Hospital in Jefferson Heights at $3.45 million under a settlement covering three years. At a board meeting Tues., Apr. 2, town Supervisor Joseph Leggio said about $10,000 in tax reimbursements will be required as a result of the reduced assessment. Greene Healthcare Associates, which has since sold the property to Columbia Memorial Hospital, initiated the lawsuit to get its 2009 assessment reduced. Read the full story in the Daily Mail.

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail the towns of Cairo and Durham have joined New Baltimore and Greene County in passing a resolution stating their opposition to New York’s Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act. Durham Town Supervisor William Carr Jr. said of the new law, “In my view, it infringes on the rights — whether it’s hunting, whether it’s sport shooting, whether it’s personal protection — of every resident of this town.” Carr suggested problems of gun violence have more to do with mental health and criminal access to guns than the existence or availability of specific types of guns. The resolution calls for the repeal of the Act, asserting that it infringes upon Second Amendment rights. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Red Flag Warning from noon to 6 p.m., for Greene, Columbia, Dutchess and Ulster counties. Wind gusts may exceed 40 mph this afternoon into tonight. If wind gusts are expected to approach 50 mph, a Wind Advisory may be issued. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low, according to NWS.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 43F; low 21F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 43F; low 27F.[/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: The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning from noon to 6 p.m., Wed., for wind gusts that could exceed 40 mph. Scattered snow showers, mainly before 10 a.m. Mostly sunny. High near 42. Breezy, with a west wind, increasing up to more than 22 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, mostly clear. Low around 23.

Forecast for the next three days:

Thursday: Sunny. High near 54. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 32.
Friday: Partly sunny. High near 53. A slight chance of rain before midnight. Partly cloudy overnight Low around 31.
Saturday: Sunny. High near 52. Partly cloudy, Saturday night. Low around 33.

Sunrise today: 6:32 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:24 p.m.

Length of the day: 12:51 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the first Wednesday of the month.
(WGXC recommends calling ahead to confirm time and location.)

CAIRO Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main Street, Cairo (622-3120).
GHENT Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, P.O. Box 98, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Meetings for Human Services, Health, and Education Committees at 6 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENPORT Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, 600 Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).
HUDSON Hudson Common Council Youth & Aging Committee meeting, 6 p.m., and Arts, Entertainment & Tourism Committee meeting at 6:45 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
LIVINGSTON Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, County Rte. 19, Livingston (851-9441).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Groups Says There Could be 21 New Albany Area LPFM Stations Philadelphia-based radio access advocacy group Prometheus Radio Project says there might be 21 new low-power FM radio frequencies available in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy market. There's an October deadline for non-profit organizations to apply for low-power FM licenses that can cover entire towns. "Not all channels are usable in real-world conditions, and not all channels are in locations with actual demand for community radio," the group says. "These numbers are not gospel -- they are informed guesses made by the Prometheus technical team using FCC tools." In New York statewide, here are some possibilities: Rochester, up to 32 new stations; Catskill, one; Hudson, two, Kingston, four; Saugerties, three. See more information at Prometheus Radio Project.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Animals Animals come out at night on the radio.
1 a.m.: Vital Weekly: The Closed Circuit Episode 875 of weekly experimental new music show, by folks formerly behind Staalplaat. Click here for playlist 875:
2 a.m.: Tabs Out: Noise Park Monthly cassette show. In a "Tabs Out" exclusive we reveal the identity of Noise Park. We also play a ZX Spectrum video game cassette and other jams from Alan Gesso, Giant Claw, Raw Thug, Somnaphon, Potpourri, Deadmoths, Orchard Thief, Bang Bros, Ouxatil 95, Abortus Fever, William Clay Martin, Pierrot Lunaire, Charles Barabé, Oneohtrix Point Never, and Birds of Passage.
5 a.m.: The RAIN Report: Greg Rosenberg "PiratesWeek" is off this week. Two episodes of "The RAIN Report" instead, with visually impaired ham Greg Rosenberg, AB9MZ, discussing strategies for emergency preparedness for the disabled. Plus, ARRL Audio News for the week, including, "n this edition: FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell have both announced that they will soon leave the FCC; the FCC has granted the ARRL’s request for a temporary waiver to transmit communications on amateur service channels above 30 MHz using single time-slot Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems; the ARRL will be promoting Amateur Radio at the National Association of Broadcasters’ annual convention; we mourn the passing of George Hart, W1NJM, the developer of the National Traffic System; Bruce Paige, KK5DO, with this week’s Satellite Update, and more."

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. 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 continues with local news, events, music and more, with host Philip Grant.
10 a.m.: @Issue: Christopher Argyros, Sarah Coughtry and Kym Dorsey Discussion of transgender issues and GENDA (Gender Expression Nondiscrimination Act) with transgender activists Christopher Argyros of the Empire State Pride Agenda, Sarah Coughtry from Trans Advocates of the Capital District and Kym Dorsey, coordinator of TransCAre at In Our Own Voices. Hosted by Victor Mendolia.
2 p.m.: Barbershop Talks: MJ's Barbershop Barbershop Talks presents a continuation of the State of the Community, including a dialogue and public response with Dan Grandinetti. Also, featured is local business owner of MJ’s Barbershop, Juwan Morrision with entrepreneurial insights. Local musicians share their experiences. Rounding out the eclectic hour is some R & B for your listening pleasure.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="210"] Black Bridge, Catskill
(flickriver.com)[/caption]

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail Catskill’s five-year-old waterfront revitalization initiative is moving into a new phase as the village seeks to begin construction of the Catskill Creek Walking Loop. The “bridge to bridge” loop will connect the historic Black Bridge, West Main Street, the Uncle Sam Bridge and Water Street in a pedestrian walking loop. The idea is to highlight the creek and create a smoother connection between the waterfront and Main Street, according to planners. The walking loop is coming together in conjunction with several other waterfront projects, including a shoreline stabilization effort, Central Hudson’s brownfield remediation, and planned enhancements to Canal Street. Construction is estimated to be completed in 2014. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Daniel Johnson reported in the Register Star the Philmont Village Board Mon., Apr. 1, adopted its 2013-14 budget at the annual budget hearing. Under the new budget, the tax rate will increase 5.2 percent, but because of a change in property assessments villagers will probably not see a tax increase. Philmont clerk and treasurer Eilene Morris said, "Most of the people might find their taxes going down." While water rates will remain the same, residents will pay higher sewer rates for the first time in six years. Mayor Clarence "Skip" Speed said the increased rates were necessary. "Every time someone flushes a toilet it costs money," he said. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 39F; low 27F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 46F; low 27F.[/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: The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook. Wind gusts may exceed 40 mph this afternoon, into tonight. Mostly sunny. High near 42. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 23.

Forecast for the next three days:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 42. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 20.
Thursday: Sunny. High near 54. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 33.
Friday: Mostly cloudy. High near 54. Mostly cloudy. Low around 31.

Sunrise today: 6:34 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:23 p.m.

Length of the day: 12:48 hrs.

Town meetings

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

CATSKILL Town Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill (943-2141).
COPAKE Park Commission meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
LEXINGTON Town Board meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
LIVINGSTON Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, County Rte. 19, Livingston (851-9441).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Finance Committee meets at 5 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State St., Hudson.

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Radio News: Aereo Antenna Farms Continue The Brooklyn transmitter farmer Aereo can keep its thousands of mini-TV antennae tuned to local television. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York affirmed Mon., April 1 an earlier ruling allowing the company's business plan to continue. Subscribers rent out a mini-antenna, and can tune in it via an online hook-up instead of purchasing cable television.
12:05 a.m.: Radio Stew: Opening Day Sounds from the New York Mets opening day baseball game.
1 a.m.: Nothing is Real Radio Hour: Everything is Eel Rebroadcast from March 30, 2013. For this special edition of the "Nothing Is Real Radio Hour," host Sam Sebren is joined by co-producer Liz LoGiudice to bring you a glimpse into the complex, mysterious world of Anguilla rostrata, aka the American eel. Concern over the fate of the American eel, as well as scientific interest in its fascinating life cycle, has led to the development of the American Eel Project by the 's Hudson River Estuary Program (HREP). Teams of scientists, students, and over 200 community volunteers monitor and count glass eels at 12 HREP sample stream locations along the Hudson river from Staten Island to New Baltimore.
2 a.m.: Supreme Court Arguments Over Gay Marriage Supreme Court arguments over gay marriage are aired. First Hollingsworth v. Perry, the California Proposition 8 case from March 26, 2013, and United States v. Windsor. the Defense of Marriage Act case, from March 27, 2013.
4:30 a.m.: Electropolution Scanner work created for free103point9 "Tune (In)))" at The Kitchen, 2004.
5 a.m.: PCJ Media Networth Plus: 20130402 Monthly version of international radio and media show. The show is produced jointly by PCJ in Taiwan and Canada. Producer/Presenter: Keith Perron.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. 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 continues with local news, events, music and more, with host Philip Grant.
10 a.m.: Economic Update: Economics and Capitalism Updates on Cyprus's extreme austerity, equal justice and markets,falling job quality, and capitalism's impact on China. In-depth discussions of how worker coops can get needed capital and on basic flaw in economic education at college and university levels. Response to listeners' questions on printing money and inflation and on teachers' self-directed schools.
2 p.m.: Reasonable Radio: Derrick Jensen Host Dr. Jim McCourt, PhD, discusses TED Talk's Reasonable decision to censor British researcher Rupert Sheldrake remarks. Also, author and cultural critic Derrick Jensen to the show makes an appearance.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

WGXC 90.7-FM Program Director
Term: Full-time, 1-year contract (with opportunity for long-term renewal)
Website: http://www.wgxc.org

WGXC 90.7-FM: Hands-on Radio is a creative community media project, re-envisioning radio as an innovative platform for local participation with special exhibitions and events, media training for our community's youth and adults, a news blog, and a community calendar of events.

WGXC launched its FM signal February 2011, and transmits 3,300 watts to 78,000 potential listeners in the Greene and Columbia counties in New York’s Hudson Valley. WGXC operates out of studios in Hudson, Catskill, and Acra, and is a program of the nonprofit arts organization free103point9, whose mission is to define and cultivate Transmission Arts: creative and experimental use of airwaves.

The Program Director is responsible for managing the WGXC program schedule, on-air and online, including new media approaches, operations, production activities, programming outreach, and coordination of programmers. The Program Director works closely with a small passionate staff. The position will include the following responsibilities:

• Program Schedule Development, Management, and Compliance


• Online and Social Media Representation


• Programmer Training and Technical Assistance


• WGXC Radio Council Programming Committee Co-chair


• Community Events and Broadcasts of Interest

Qualified candidates will have experience in community media, training in radio, strong communication skills, extensive music knowledge, and possess an aptitude for working in a variety of operating systems. Journalism, computer programming, and other specialized media skills are helpful for this position.

Enthusiasm for working in a nonprofit environment and experimental media art is desirable. Candidates must be highly organized, energetic, passionate about community and creative radio, and able to work well with a diverse range of personalities and perspectives. The WGXC Program Director is a modest salaried position with benefits, and room for growth.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references to Lynn Sloneker, Station Manager,  lynn@wgxc.org.

Please reference the position title in the subject line.

Resumes will be accepted until close of business, April 1, 2013

Only qualified candidates will be contacted. No calls please.

WGXC 90.7-FM is a program of the 501(c)3 non-profit arts organization free103point9. free103point9 is an equal-opportunity employer.

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for northwestern Connecticut, western Massachusetts, east central New York and southern Vermont for today and tonight. Wind gusts are forecast to exceed 40 mph this afternoon. Wind gusts may exceed 40 mph Tuesday afternoon. High winds may continue through Sunday.

Stories that made the news March 29 to April 1:



Melanie Lekocevic wrote in The Daily Mail the recent town-wide revaluation in Athens has property owners frustrated and afraid. Nearly two dozen homeowners appeared at the Town Council meeting last week. Several said their taxes will double this year. In one case, a home purchased for less than $150,000 in February, was re-assessed at $375,000. One attendee said the reval will force him from his home. Town officials said the goal of the new assessments was to make sure everyone is paying a fair amount based on true market value. Homeowners have options to appeal the new assessments. They can meet with the firm that did the new assessments, sit down with the town assessor or make their case on Grievance Day. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Nathan Mayberg wrote in the Register Star officials at Coarc, one of Columbia County’s largest employers, are projecting a loss of 10 to 15 jobs as a result of a $90-million cut to the state Office of Developmental Disabilities as part of the 2013-14 state budget. Alex Schneider, Coarc's director of development and community services, told the paper the cuts will mean a loss of approximately $700,000 for the agency. Schneider said the loss of funds will have an impact on the quality of services. Specific positions and programs have not yet been identified for elimination. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Michael Ryan reported in The Daily Mail the fate of the existing Prattsville firehouse is still unclear. The old firehouse, located on Main Street, was damaged by flood waters during Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Firefighters were trapped in the building during the storm and marooned along with the rest of the downtown area. The building was subsequently condemned. Although the building can be used, it cannot be used as a firehouse. Plans to construct a replacement building hinge on the availability of funding and finding a parcel right for the project. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Hudson City School District Board of Education President Peter D. Merante Sr. announced Fri., Mar. 29, his intention to resign from the board effective next month, two years before his five-year term will expire. Merante said he was ready to resign in January, but wanted to get through some "tough board business first." He cited a health issue as the reason for his early departure. Merante said he has learned a great deal during the past three years, and stated his belief that the district's current crop of administrators are young, focused and ready to bring the Hudson schools to "higher levels." Read the full story at unmuffled.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 54F; low 25F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 55F; low 28F.[/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 showers, mainly between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 50. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 21.

Forecast for the next three days:

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High near 38. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 20.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 40. Clear overnight. Low around 30.
Thursday: Sunny. High near 54. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 34.

Sunrise today: 6:38 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:21 p.m.

Length of the day: 12:43 hrs.

Town meetings

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

ANCRAM Conservation Advisory Council at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
ATHENS Town meeting at 7 p.m. at 2 First Street, Athens (734-3636).
CLAVERACK Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, Church Street, Mellenville (672-7911).
CLERMONT Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
TAGHKANIC Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, Route 82,West Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

Midnight to 5:59 a.m.: Free103point9 Transmission Arts overnight

12 a.m. (midnight): Hoax Radio A night of pranks, fake broadcasts, faux newscasts, jokes, turning-the-tables, and more. With Orson Welles, Dan Seward, Gregory Whitehead, and others.
5 a.m.: This Week in Radio News: 20130401 Sequester cuts turn off Voice of America broadcasts to Iran, Afghanistan, and other countries, and a PBS broadcaster in Virginia turns off two transmitters. Plus, reports about the major internet attack this week, and other radio and media news.

6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.: WGXC Hands-On Community Radio

6 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
7 a.m.: WGXC Morning Show Hosted by Philip Grant. Morning news, music, interviews features and agriculture reporting. 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 continues with local news, events, music and more, with host Philip Grant.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 39F; low 21F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 39F; low 30F.[/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 Acra, in Greene County:

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 4 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 52, and a low around 35.

Forecast for the next two days:

Monday: A 30 chance of rain with a high near 46, and a low around 21.
Tuesday: A slight chance of rain, otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 38, and a low around 26.

Sunrise today: 6:37 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:20 p.m.

Length of the day: 12:43 hrs.

Town meetings

Today is the fourth Sunday of the month, and there are no town meetings.
(WGXC suggests you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

The day ahead on 90.7-FM
11 p.m. – March 31, 2013: 5:30 a.m.: "The Well-Tuned Piano"
March 30, 2013: 11 p.m. – March 31, 2013: 5:30 a.m.
The six-and-a-half-hour version of this composition by the American minimalist composer La Monte Young.
5:30 a.m. - 6 a.m.: "CounterSpin: David Moon, Beth Schwartzenapfel"
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: David Moon on CFAA; Beth Schwartzenapfel on prison coverage.
6 a.m. – 8 a.m.: "In Case You Missed It: Roots, Runners, Rhizomes and Prison Voices Project"
A rebroadcast of this month's Roots, Runners, Rhizomes with hudson-based sound artist C Lavendar and Prison Voices Project interview with Richard Smith.
8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.: "Children's Storytime: Flowers"
This week's show focuses on stories about flowers.
8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.: "Knock On Wood: Dinosaurs"
Harry wins the door prize at a paleontology festival. A bunch of bones that he has to put together to make his very own dinosaur. Besides the plot it's also a dinosaur special with the following recordings; Big Bones-Steve sings an original/The dinosaur and the progress of man-Norman Foote/Professor Jones-M.Valeri and M. Stein/Bones,bones,bones-another song by Steve and his band/There brains were small and they died-D.Lyons and J.Seed
noon – 2 p.m.: "In The Cut: Easter"
Host Effie Asili spins african deep cuts in celebration of the Easter holiday.
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.: "Dumbing It Down With Bob: Linda Lou, Ethan Ullman"
Show premiere. This week Dave Kanyan is filling in for Bob. Dave's guests will be Albany native stand-up comedian and author of "Bastard Husband: A Love Story" Linda Lou. Linda will speak with Dave via telephone from Las Vegas to discuss her book and her career. Joining Dave in the studio will be Albany comedian and radio host Ethan Ullman, who will talk about his always interesting interviews of the famous and not so famous.
8 p.m. - 10 p.m.: "The Irish Show"
Hosted by Tony Fallon.

The owners of the Chatham Bookstore, Nicole Furnee and Thomas Chulak, have been meeting with other locals interested in starting the Art School of Columbia County. The group has established a partnership with the Columbia County Council on the Arts and are filing paperwork to form a not-for profit organization. They will hold an community meeting at 2 p.m., Sun., April 14, at the Old Schoolhouse (formerly Red Maple Books), in Harlemville, NY, to discuss the plan. They hope to a pilot summer art program beginning in June.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 28F; low 19F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 25F; low 18F.[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Acra, in Greene County:
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 48, and a low around 29.
Sunday: Showers, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 49. Showers likely until 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Monday: A 30 percent chance of rain and snow showers before 10 a.m., then a chance of rain showers until 9 p.m.. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48, and a low around 29.

Sunrise today: 6:39 a.m.
Sunset today: 7:19 p.m.

Length of the day: 12 hrs., 40 mins.

WGXC Programming

On Saturdays free103point9 Online Radio airs on WGXC 90.7-FM, bringing transmission arts to the airwaves in the Hudson Valley, in New York. Tune in Sat., March 16:

Midnight – 12:05 a.m.: "Radio News: Oral History Workshop"

12:05 a.m. – 1 a.m.: "Radio Stew: WTXC 9/11"
Composer Steve Reich's September 11-inspired work.

1 a.m. – 2 a.m.: "Radio Stew: Transistor Radios"
This show tunes in older transistor radio songs (Freddy Cannon's "Transistor Sister," Benny Hill's "Transistor Radio," and Connie Smith's "Tiny Blue Transistor Radio"), and more recent vintage (The Helio Sequence's "Transistor Radio" and SNFU's "Cheap Transistor Radio"). Also, there is The Beach Boys story "Magic Transistor Radio" and Kraftwerk's instrumental ode.

2 a.m. – 4 a.m.: "Transmission Arts Colloqium"
Recorded Oct. 13, 2012. Participants in this international gathering of critics, curators, scholars, and artists will speak with free103point9's Tom Roe live on WGXC 90.7-FM about their work and the discussions happening at the colloquium. Click on title for the names of all the participants.

4 a.m. - 5 a.m.: "The Psychic Paramount"
Performance from WGXC/free103point9 webcast at Basilica Hudson Aug., 2012.

5 a.m. – 7 a.m.: "Shortwave Hours: UK Ends AM in 2016"
Two hours of shortwave radio-oriented programming, starting with solar weather, news on meteor showers and ham radio, and other reports. Other reports include:

5:15 a.m.: "The RAIN Report: "Visually impaired ham Greg Rosenberg, AB9MZ, strategies for emergency preparedness for the disabled."

5:30 a.m., "The Shortwave Report" with host Dan Roberts and international news via shortwave radio. This week's show features stories from Spanish National Radio, Radio Deutsche-Welle, the Voice of Russia, Radio Havana Cuba, and NHK World Radio Japan.

6 a.m.: "Glenn Hauser's World of Radio"

6:30 a.m.: "Amateur Radio Newsline" This week: "The Wireless Institute of Australia takes a bold stand to try to keep part of the 2300 MHz band; the Nelson New Zealand City Council sides with a ham in a tower dispute; the UK to phase out AM broadcasting by 2016, the FCC grants hams Special Temporary Authority to use TDMA technology; and a special April 1st report on the emerging science of flavored mini-computers."

7 a.m. – 8 a.m.: "All Mixed Up: Cornell University Bird Songs"
A barnyard mix of music from the birds, the bees, the Beatles, and the Animals inside this fresh farmed blend--featuring poetry from Cornell Universities collection of Bird Songs in Literature, The Bestiary of Flanders & Swann, Animal tales from Dr. Seuss and the continuing arrival of springtime. Produced by Peter Bochan from Pacifica Radio Archives.

8 a.m. – 10 a.m.: "Open Air: Live from Catskill Community Center"
"Please Assist Us With Transmission." Anyone can contribute to the show in many ways on "Open Air." Harry Matthews and Jill Sutton host this week, this live transmission art show about local transmissions from the Catskill Community Center. Possible interview with a local grafitti artist on this week's episode. Otherwise, you make up the show with stories, phone calls, messages, requests, further information, and more. Please help be a part of the show. Stop by the Catskill Community Center in person. Call in at 518-219-WGXC. Tweet requests @WGXC. Skype calls at WGXCfm. Talk on Channel 6 on CB radio, we are tuning in. Features include solar weather, shortwave news, and more. Call 518-219-WGXC or Skype calls at WGXCfm to talk on the air.

10 a.m. - 11 a.m.: "Radia: Nathalie Blanc, Amaury Bourget"
Radia Show 417: "Cerebro," by Nathalie Blanc and Amaury Bourget for JET FM (Nantes, FR). "Radia" is a network of international stations interested in new and forgotten ways of making radio. Each week, a different station in the group makes a show for all the others. "Cerebro" is the result of the meeting between Nathalie Blanc, geograph-poet and SemoNO!LinA/Amaury Bourget, musician. During 2008/09, they worked together and composed 3 pieces with the texts written and read by Nathalie Blanc.

10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m." "Radio Wonderland"
Joshua Fried remixes New York City radio from his Brooklyn apartment every Saturday on 90.7-FM in the Hudson Valley.

11 a.m. – noon: "Framework: Jason Kahn"
This edition of framework:afield has been produced by Jason Kahn as the next installment in his ongoing 'Unheard Cities' series. For more information see http://www.jasonkahn.net.

2-3 p.m.: "
Nothing Is Real Radio Hour: Everything Is Eel"
For this special edition of the "Nothing Is Real Radio Hour," host Sam Sebren is joined by co-producer Liz LoGiudice to bring you a glimpse into the complex, mysterious world of Anguilla rostrata, aka the American eel. Concern over the fate of the American eel, as well as scientific interest in its fascinating life cycle, has led to the development of the American Eel Project by the 's Hudson River Estuary Program (HREP). Teams of scientists, students, and over 200 community volunteers monitor and count glass eels at 12 HREP sample stream locations along the Hudson river from Staten Island to New Baltimore.

3 p.m. - 4 p.m.: "Human Machine: Skinner Box"
Listen if you dare, to an episode on methods of Mass Hypnosis, Obedience Training, Group Persuasion, Behavior Modification, Conformity Engineering. Featuring Philip Zimbardo, Aldous Huxley, Scot Nobel, Raymond Scott, BF Skinner, Stanley Milgram, Solomon Asch and others. Curated by Max Goldfarb.

4 p.m. – 6 p.m.: "Saturday Afternoon Show: Silent Isle and Lea Bertucci"
Silent Isle and Lea Bertucci stop by Wave Farm's Study Center ahead of their performances later in the evening with Patrick Higgins, Chud Fusk vs. Peter Head, and Lunar Moss, and Hangrr 18 in Hudson. Also, radio news, solar weather, and more. Silent Isle is, since 2010, Anastasia Clarke produceing stretched and smeared song forms with vocals, guitar, and electronics. As of 2012, Sandy Gordon punctuates and shapes with rhythmic, textural, and otherwise percussive offerings. Lea Bertucci is an interdisciplinary artist who works with Photography, Sound, Video and Installation. The emphasis of her work lies in exciting the liminal areas of perception. She uses tactics such as slide projection, stop motion video and lo-fi filtering of sound to engage with these ideas. In 2009 she was awarded a residency from Smack Mellon and a Young Composer’s Commission from Roulette. She has performed solo and collaborative works at venues such as Roulette, Issue Project Room, The Kitchen, Anthology Film Archives, St. Marks Ontological-Hysteric Theater, free103point9, Galapagos Artspace, The Queens Museum of Art and the High Zero Festival.

6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: "PiratesWeek: Free Radio Cafe"
First, the Weekly Presidential Radio Address. Then, it is an abbreviated "PiratesWeek." No pirates in the news this week and no FCC Activities. The Free Radio Network is still down, but we look at the HF Underground and the Free Radio Cafe and note stations logged per the Free Radio Weekly. Off Air Recordings include the stations of: Renegade Radio, Radio Ronin Shortwave, Black Cat Radio and the Euro Pirate Black Arrow Radio.

7 p.m. – 8 p.m.: "What's the Frequency, Kenneth: Trespasses With Press Passes"
Weekly news mash-up show with music and soundbites from host Paul Fischer. This week, a look at media coverage of President Obama's trip to Israel; what most analysts failed to note about the Supreme Court arguments on two pivotal same sex marriage cases; CNN's puzzling special report on the Steubenville rape trial verdict that barely mentioned the victim; and more.

8 p.m.: "Schwervon, Nature Films"
Live webstream for this, and most, shows at Spotty Dog Books & Ale available from free103point9 and WGXC at http://comm.free103point9.org:8000/spottydog.mp3.m3u. This show will be broadcast live on free103point9 Online Radio and WGXC 90.7-FM. Schwervon is a two-piece rock band. Their latest album is titled "Courage," and was recorded in Memphis, Tennessee with Doug Easley (Cat Power, Pavement, Breeders). Nature Films is the music of Louis Munroe, Christian Hayes, and Pat Linnan.

11 p.m. - 5:30 a.m.: "The Well-Tuned Piano"
The six-and-a-half-hour version of this composition by the American minimalist composer La Monte Young.

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail state Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk (KAT-chik) visited the Cairo-Durham Central School Board of Education meeting Thurs., Mar. 28. The first-term lawmaker is beginning a tour of the 24 school districts located within the 46th Senate District. Under the recently adopted state budget, the Cairo-Durham district will see an increase of $400,000 in state aid. It is too early to know how the increase will impact the district's 2013-14 spending plan. Tkaczyk and school board members agreed that while the increase was welcome, it is still not enough. Superintendent Mary Fassett said the additional funds are not enough to curtail some of the cuts the district will need to make. One of Tkaczyk's first acts as a senator was to call for an increase state aid to schools. She is a former member of the Duanesburg school board. Tkaczyk intends to visit every school district in her five-county district as her schedule allows. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

The Associated Press is reporting New York has adopted its third straight on-time budget. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders said the accomplishment demonstrates how well state government now functions. The $135 billion budget holds spending increases to less than 2 percent for the third consecutive time, without hikes in taxes or fees. The Assembly gave final legislative approval to the budget late Thurs., Mar. 28, and the Senate approved its bills early Wed., Mar. 28. The budget was not due until Sunday, the start of the new fiscal year. Major elements include nearly $1 billion more for schools, and a $350 tax rebate for most middle class families. The minimum wage will rise to $9 over three years, and employers of teenagers in part-time jobs will get a taxpayer-paid subsidy to cover most of the increase. Businesses will get additional tax breaks, including one to encourage the hiring of recent veterans. Read the full Associated Press story in the Daily Freeman.

Columbia County ranks third in upstate private sector job growth, according to the state Department of Labor's recent Upstate New York Labor Market Report. According to a statement released by the Columbia Economic Development Corporation Thurs., Mar. 28, the county's private sector job growth increased by 3.3 percent between Jan. 2012 and Jan. 2013. "We are encouraged by the numbers and look forward to seeing a continued upward trend," said CEDC Executive Director Ken Flood. The four other upstate counties that made the list: Hamilton, Chenango, Schuyler and Delaware. According to the report, upstate counties saw job gains in educational and health services, leisure and hospitality and trade and transportation and utilities.