Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star Columbia and Greene counties are expected to receive approximately $3 million in new economic development funds from the state of New York. The new funding was announced Wed., Dec. 19, by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, as part of his economic development initiative, during an event held at The Egg in Albany. Among the local recipients: The town of Prattsville, for help with its storm rebuilding efforts; the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corp. to expand food processing and distribution capacity; the village of Catskill for the creation of a walking loop; and the Greene County Council on the Arts for the creation of a cultural tourism corridor along the Rip Van Winkle Trail. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 41F; low 34F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 39F; low 36F.[/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 has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook. A potent storm system is expected to impact the area tonight significant rainfall may occur, from the Capital Region southward. The potential for some river flooding and tidal issues along the Hudson will be closely monitored. Strong southeast winds may also develop, especially in areas where channeling occurs.

Today: Mostly sunny. High near 41. Tonight rain, mainly after 1 a.m. Low around 36. Southeast gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

The outlook for the next three days:

Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 10 a.m., then a chance of drizzle High near 41. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Rain into the evening, turning to snow overnight. Cloudy. Low around 31.
Saturday: Scattered rain and snow showers. Cloudy. High near 42. Increasing winds through the day; could gust as high as 29 mph. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 25.
Sunday: Party sunny. High near 37. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 23.

Sunrise today: 7:20 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:27 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 7 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Thursday of the month.
(WGXC recommends you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

ANCRAM Board meeting at 7 p.m. in Town Hall at 1416 County Rte. 7, Ancram (329-6512).
CHATHAM Town Board meeting at 7 p.m. Town Hall, 488 State Route 295, Chatham (392-3262).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Safety Committee meeting at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
COPAKE Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m., at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
DURHAM Town board meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham.
GHENT Town Board meeting at the Ghent Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644)
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Works Committee at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
HUDSON Police Committee at 5 p.m.; Economic Development Committee meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
KINDERHOOK Historical Committee meeting at 7 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

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

6 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. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
2 p.m.: Between the Lines: Stanley Crouch Famous jazz critic, musician, writer and columnist Stanley Crouch discusses trends in jazz today, his long-awaited biography of Charlie Parker and what he is currently listening to. When Crouch visited Tannersville in June in his role as adviser to the Catskill Jazz Factory, the wide-ranging interview he gave to WGXC did not air. Here, finally, is the unexpurgated version.
3 p.m.: Radio Theatre: Christmas Carols "A Christmas Carol" with Laurence Olivier on LP put out by Pepsi. Plus Spike Jones and His City Slickers with "Jingle Bells."
3:30 p.m.: Kids Brain 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

W.T. Eckert reports in The Daily Mail Greene County has been included in the major disaster declaration following superstorm Sandy. The announcement was made Tues., Dec. 18, by U.S. senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. The declaration makes the county eligible for assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Funding is still due to Greene County from FEMA and the State Emergency Management Office for damage suffered during storms Irene and Lee. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Michael Ryan reports in The Daily Mail property owners in the town of Lexington have approved the construction of a wastewater treatment system. The proposal to accept the use of a $9.1 million block grant to fund the project passed in a recent special election, 35 to 10, Twelve absentee ballots remain to be counted. The project is expected to commence in the late summer or early fall and will take a full year to complete. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Kyle Adams reports in the Register Star the possibility of on-campus student housing will be considered next month by the Board of Trustees of Columbia-Greene Community College. A feasibility study begun this summer will be presented to the board at that time. The study was conducted by a Chicago-based firm and is part of the college's strategy to attract more students. The college currently has an enrollment of more than 2,100 students. Most commute from their homes in Columbia or Greene counties. Out of county students now must rent rooms or live together in rented homes or apartments off campus. The study will determine if there is a need for student housing and if it is economically feasible for the college to provide that housing. No taxpayer dollars are involved in student housing at community colleges, according to GCCC President James Campion. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Thomas Kaplan is reporting in The New York Times, according to a newly released report from a panel of fiscal experts, New York state faces long-term budget problems, compounded by the teetering finances of local governments, an aging infrastructure and the possibility of severe funding cuts at the federal level. The nonpartisan State Budget Crisis Task Force said in a report released Tues., Dec. 18, New York’s problems had been “papered over with gimmicks” for decades, and while Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo had taken some steps to rein in spending, the state was still saddled with burdens that will leave it unable to make ends meet in the long run. The report offered a sobering assessment of the state’s finances, raising concerns about its outsize spending on health care and education, its vulnerability to the ups and downs of Wall Street, and the struggles of its local governments to pay retirement obligations. Over the past decade, the report said, New York postponed a reckoning by using one-time measures to produce $25 billion in revenue. Former Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch, co-chair of the group, said the math spoke for itself. “There are expenditures that are growing at a rate faster than revenues,” Ravitch said. “As long as that happens, then we are on an unsustainable course.” Read the full story in The New York Times.

Joe Gentile reports in the Register Star the Hudson Common Council Tues., Dec. 18, rejected a move to ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing, along with other oil, gas or solution mining practices, within the city. The proposal also contested the transport of large volumes of water and waste water by truck through city streets, declaring the negative impact on the city's historic, cultural, scenic and natural resources would undermine the local economy. Fifth Ward Alderman Carmine Pierro cited the state's ongoing review of the health impacts of the process as the reason behind his "no" vote. That assessment delays any final decisions about hydrofracking until next year, he said. The Council also voted unanimously in support of a resolution calling for meaningful action from state and federal elected officials to halt gun violence in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting, Fri., Dec. 14. Read the full story in the Register Star.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 43F; low 25F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 41F; 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: Mostly sunny. High near 46. Mostly clear overnight. Low around 26.

The outlook for the next three days:

Thursday: Partly sunny. High near 41. Night rain. Low around 34.
Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 1 p.m.. Cloudy. High near 40. A chance of snow showers. Cloudy. Low around 29.
Saturday: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy. High near 34. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 24.

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

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 6 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Wednesday of the month.
(WGXC recommends you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Human Services meeting at 4 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
GHENT Planning Board session at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
GREENE COUNTY Legislature meeting at 6:30 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Common Council Legal Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m.; Zoning Board of Appeals meeting (tentative) at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

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

6 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. Philip Grant, host.
10 a.m.: @Issue: William Hallenbeck Jr. Hudson Mayor William Hallenbeck, Jr., Republican, will discuss issues facing the city and plans for the upcoming year in Hudson. Hosted by Victor Mendolia, Chairman of the Hudson City Democratic Committee.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
12 p.m. (noon): The Schoemer Show: Brian Dewan The show's annual holiday bizarre will feature very special guest Brian Dewan. Armed with instruments, vintage recordings and his own unique seasonal narratives, Dewan is sure to provide an earnestly skewed slant on holiday mayhem. He may even hook up an eight-track player. Don't miss this careening adventure into tinseled sonic surrealism.
2 p.m.: Your Friendly Neighborhood Economist: Fiscal Cliffs On this month's show, we will share ideas on international comparisons of economic well-being, talk about the (not-) looming Fiscal (not-) Cliff, local finances and budgets and as always, a rundown of the economic news. In plain English. Promise. Hosted by Tom Masterson.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Flannery O'Connor A pre-Christmas Xmas-ganza! Joyful seasonal melodies from Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, William Burroughs and Kurt Cobain. Plus, a recording of Flannery O'Connor reading her short story "A Good Man Is Hard To Find." Plus local news and events. Hosted by Ron Diamondstein.
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="230"] Durham Elementary School
(Courtesy cairodurham.org)[/caption]

Kyle Adams reports in The Daily Mail a group of parents and teachers from the Cairo-Durham school district staged a demonstration Mon., Dec. 17, in opposition to the implementation of the Princeton Plan and in support of closing the Durham Elementary School. The action was organized by Tim Fisher, a technology teacher at both the Cairo and Durham schools. Approximately a dozen people met at the Cairo school and drove the additional 12-mile route children will be required to travel if the reconfiguration plan is implemented. Students would first be bussed to their home school for breakfast, then shuttled to their grade-level building. As a result, some students would be on the bus for more than 90 minutes, each way. The building closure would result in greater savings than reconfiguration. The district is facing a potential deficit of $2.4 million in 2013. The Board of Education is expected to make its decision on the fate of the Durham building, Thurs., Dec. 20. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Jim Planck reports in The Daily Mail the Catskill school district is reviewing its safety policy in light of the Sandy Hook tragedy. In an interview Monday, Village of Catskill Police Chief Dave Darling said his intention is to have an armed police officer stationed at school entrances all day, every day. Staff must now make sure all doors are fully secured, and check every half hour to make certain none have been left open, as well. Deliveries and community use of the buildings will now be more closely scrutinized. Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Farrell said the new policy will continue at least until the end of the Christmas break, when students return to school. Farrell called it a plan in progress. “This is a difficult time,” Farrell said, “and we all recognize that we have to do our best to protect against violent activities from taking place on our campus.” Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Jimmy Vielkind reported at Capitol Confidential Monday afternoon, with every ballot that was ruled legally valid counted, Republican George Amedore holds a 39-vote lead over Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk (KAT-chik) in the 46th Senate District race that was only decided by counting absentee and affidavit ballots. Election officials from Greene County opened the last 133 ballots, Mon., Dec. 10, yielding an eight vote pick-up for Tkaczyk. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos issued a statement congratulating Amedore on a hard-fought and well-deserved victory. Democrats said any declaration was premature. They plan to appeal the invalidated votes, which include 53 ballots of Ulster County election workers that were cast before a statutory deadline. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 46F; low 34F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 43F; low 34F.[/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, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 45. A slight chance of showers before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 32.

The outlook for the next three days:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High near 47. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 27.
Thursday: Chance of rain after 4 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 43. Night showers likely, mainly after 7 p.m. Low around 37.
Friday: Scattered showers. Cloudy. High near 44. Isolated showers overnight. Cloudy. Low around 29.

Sunrise today: 7:19 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:26 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 7 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Tuesday of the month.
(WGXC recommends you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

COLUMBIA COUNTY Health and Medical Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. at 401 State St. in Hudson.
DURHAM Town Board meets at 7:30 p.m. at Town Building, 7309 State Rt. 81, East Durham (239-8260).
HILLSDALE Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall on Main Street (325-5073).
HUDSON 5:30 p.m. Finance Committee meeting; 7 p.m. Regular Common Council meeting at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 Route 23A, Tannersville (589-6150).
LEXINGTON Town board meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal Building, 3542 Route 42, Lexington, (986-6303).
TAGHKANIC Planning Board workshop meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall on Route 82 in West Taghkanic (851-7638).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

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

6 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. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Some of the stories that made the news, Dec. 14 through Dec. 17.

John Mason reported in the Register Star on the response of local educators to the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, Fri., Dec. 14. All around Columbia County, administrators and counselors reacted with shock and disbelief upon learning of the tragedy that took 28 lives. Mason spoke with administrators from Germantown, New Lebanon, Ichabod Crane and Hudson. Everyone interviewed indicated school security was, and will continue to be a high priority for their districts. Locked doors, safety drills and the availability of counseling services for staff and students alike, are now an accepted part of school life. “You can’t really find the words to express your feelings about this,” said Germantown Superintendent Patrick Gabriel. “It’s just a horror that hits way too close to home for all of us." Read the full story in the Register Star.

UPDATE: Jimmy Vielkind reported at Capitol Confidential Monday afternoon, with every ballot that was ruled legally valid counted, Republican George Amedore holds a 39-vote lead over Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk in the 46th Senate District race that was only decided by counting absentee and affidavit ballots. Election officials from Greene County opened the last 133 ballots, Mon., Dec. 10, yielding an eight vote pick-up for Tkaczyk. Democrats said any declaration was premature. They plan to appeal the invalidated votes, which include 53 ballots of Ulster County election workers that were cast before a statutory deadline. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Rick Karlin reported in the Times Union the race for 46th Senate District seat tightened a bit Fri., Dec. 14. All ballots the courts so far have allowed to be admitted will have been counted, Monday. Following Friday's ballot counting, Republican George Amedore saw his lead over Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk shrink from 111 to 47votes. Ballots ordered counted by acting Supreme Court Justice Guy Tomlinson of Montgomery County were tallied from Ulster, Montgomery, Schenectady and Albany counties, Friday. Similar ballots from Greene County will be counted Monday. What remains are hundreds of ballots that have been set aside, most from Ulster Co. A spokesman for Tkaczyk said, "This counting is far from over." Read the full story in the Times Union.

Larry Rulison reported in the Times Union state regulators and Central Hudson Gas & Electric's holding company will begin confidential settlement negotiations over a Canadian company's $1.5 billion acquisition of the Poughkeepsie-based utility. Fortis Inc. of Newfoundland and CH Energy Group, Central Hudson's parent, have been seeking approval for the merger from the state Public Service Commission since April. Federal regulators have already approved the deal, but PSC must sign off before the buyout can go forward. Central Hudson serves customers throughout the Hudson Valley, including Greene County and parts of Columbia County. Read the full story in the Times Union.

The National Weather Service issued a "Hazardous Weather Outlook" for Greene, Columbia, Dutchess, Ulster, Rensselaer counties, and Eastern Albany County for pockets of freezing rain overnight. In addition, heavy rains Monday night and Tuesday may cause minor flooding. Monday highs are expected in near 40, and near freezing Monday night. The storm could end with a little snow Tuesday night.

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 41F; low 39F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 43F; low 39F.[/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 rain. Cloudy. High near 43. A chance of rain after 9 p.m. Low around 38.

The outlook for the next three days:

Tuesday: Rain likely. Cloudy. High near 48. A chance of rain showers before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy overnight. Low around 34.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. High near 48. Partly cloudy overnight. Low around 32.
Thursday: Chance of rain. Mostly cloudy. High near 45. Cloudy overnight. Low around 36.

Sunrise today: 7:18 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:25 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 7 min.

Town meetings

Today is the third Monday of the month.
(WGXC recommends you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

ATHENS Town meeting at 6:45 p.m. at Town Hall, 2 First Street, Athens (734-3636).
AUSTERLITZ Comprehensive plan meeting at 7 p.m., at 812 Route 203, Austerlitz (392-3260).
CANAAN Planning board meeting at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 1647 Route 5 South, Canaan (781-3144).
GERMANTOWN Town Board meets at 7 p.m., at Town Hall, 50 Palatine Park Road, Germantown (537-6687).
GREENE COUNTY 6 p.m. meetings of Government Ops and Finance committees, plus party caucuses at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
GREENVILLE Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Offices, corner of routes 32 and 81, Greenville (966-8276).

WGXC Radio Council will meet, 6:30 p.m., at the Hudson studio, 704 Columbia St., Hudson (828-0290). The WGXC Radio Council* oversees adherence to the WGXC Policies and Station Handbook and may fine-tune such policies as situations arise. The Council reviews and approves the annual WGXC operating budget and establishes and maintains fundraising to enable the station’s survival via internal policies which do not preclude the WGXC Radio Council’s representational responsibilities, both as reflects the diversity of the communities being served within the WGXC listening area, and the make-up of the WGXC Radio Council itself. Council members serve on at least one of the following committees: Fundraising, Outreach, Policy, Programming.

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

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

6 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. Philip Grant, host.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
2 p.m.: Eat Food or Die: Zak Palaccio Chef Hugh Horner interviews Chef Zak Pelaccio on his soon to be opened restaurant, Fish and Game, in Hudson.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News

Transmission arts, radio art, radio theatre, sound art, creative composition, field recordings, free jazz, noise, and other experimental sounds are featured on Saturdays on WGXC. On Dec. 15:

Midnight- 2 a.m.: "Nick Millevoi, Kier Neuringer"
Performance recorded earlier in the evening from live WGXC webcast from Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson with Millevoi, a Philadelphia-based guitarist and Neuringer, who was raised in New York and trained as a classical composer and multidisciplinary artist in Poland and the Netherlands.

4-5 a.m.: "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?
"The Fiscal Cliff and The Art of the Deal" is the subject. Hosted by Paul Fischer.

5–7 a.m.: "Shortwave Hours: Rip Van Winkle Amateur Radio Club"
Two hours of shortwave radio-oriented programming, with news of the Rip Van Winkle Amateur Radio Club's holiday party Dec. 17 at Noecker66 auto dealership in Hudson, NY. Plus solar weather, meteor showers and ham radio, and other reports. Other reports:
5:15 a.m.: "The RAIN Report: "17-year-old Nick Odell, KD0OCR, talks about his experience with EOSS balloon launching. (12 minutes)."
5:30 a.m., "The Shortwave Report" with host Dan Roberts and international news via shortwave radio.
6 a.m.: "Glenn Hauser's World of Radio"
6:30 a.m.: "Amateur Radio Newsline"
"A high altitude balloon carrying an amateur radio APRS transponder flies from California to Morocco; D-Star tests coming to the High Frequency bands; two nations on opposite sides of the world gain access to 472 to 479 Kilohertz and more on the Department of Homeland Security sponsored emergency communications traing at the 2013 Dayton Hamvention."

7–8 a.m.: "Saturday Morning Serial: Upstate Radio Theatre"
Two radio plays.

8–10 a.m.: "Open Air: 20121215"
This is a live transmission art show about local transmissions. As many local frequencies, signals, and transmissions will be mixed in. Check in on CB radio, weather radio, shortwave, scanners, cell phones, strings-and-cups, or whatever else we can tune in. This collaborative show may come from any location, but usually the WGXC Greene County studios at Wave Farm in Acra and the Catskill Community Center. Features include solar weather, shortwave news, and more. Call in and add your voice 518-291-WGXC. Tweet song requests and messages @WGXC. Also includes "WGXC Ski Report" and "This Day in History" from Jack Ross-Pilkington.

11 a.m. – noon: "Framework: Gill Arno"
400th edition of framework:ephemera has been produced with guest Gill Arno, in the Fotofono studio in Brooklyn, New York. Framework engages artists who engages the sounds of the world.

Noon – 1 p.m.: "Vital Weekly: 20121215"
Experimental new music each week from the folks that ran Staalplaat. Tracks from Banabila & Machinefabriek, Lunar Germination, Katharina Klement, others.

1 p.m. – 2 p.m.: "Ravi Shankar Tribute"
In a recording from the Pacifica Radio Archives, Ravi Shankar talks with "Radio Unnameable"'s Bob Fass and takes listener call-in questions. Other Shankar recordings are presented. The Indian sitarist died Tue., Dec. 11.

2-3 p.m.: "Distract and Disable"
From Jonny Farrow.

3-4 p.m.: "The Human Machine"
From Max Goldfarb about the intersection of humans and machines.

4 p.m. – 7 p.m.: "Saturday Afternoon Show: A Light That Never Goes Out"
Book signing for "A Light That Never Goes Out: The Enduring Saga of the Smiths" by Ulster County resident Tony Fletcher with Smiths songs performed by Stephen Bluhm and Terry McCann at 5 p.m. from Spotty Dog Books & Ale. Also, the week in radio news starts the show at 4 p.m. An interview with Joseph Torres, Senior External Affairs Director of the non-partisan advocacy group Free Press and co-author of "News for All the People: The Epic Story of Race and the American Media" (2012) is also interviewed, by the show "Sounds of Dissent" on WZBC. Torres talks about the impact of Federal Communication Commission policies on ownership of broadcast media by women and people of color. Tom Roe hosts the show from Wave Farm in Acra, NY, with Jess Puglisi engineering from Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson, NY.

7–8 p.m.: "The Wringer: Avalon Light Therapy"
Avalon Light Therapy, which uses a combination of blue red and infrared led lights to assist healing of the body, and homeopathy, are discussed with Dr. John Ritz.

8 p.m. – 9 p.m.: "Action Speaks: Modern Times"
Discussion of Charlie Chaplin's 1936 film "Modern Times." Charles Musser, Professor of American Studies, Film Studies, and Theater Studies at Yale University; Maureen Reddy, Professor and Chair of the English Department at Rhode Island College; Philip Rosen is a Professor of Modern Culture and Media at Brown University are guests with host Marc Levitt. Produced by AS220, a nonprofit center for the arts in Providence, Rhode Island.

10-10:30 p.m.: "Radia: Radio Worm's 'Hitler'"
A radio play created by Nikolai Galen (voices) and Dolf Planteijdt (soundwork) at the WORM studio in Rotterdam 29.10-3.11.12 with additional work at the Koeienverhuur Mobile in Amsterdam. Based on a play text by Nikolai Galen. With thanks to RadioWORM. "Radia" is a weekly show created by one of an international group of stations interested in new and forgotten ways to make creative radio. WGXC/free103point9 are members in the group, and air the show each week. Warning, this show contains harsh language and subject matter.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] (Courtesy dailyfreeman.com)[/caption]

Jimmy Vielkind reports at Capitol Confidential elections officials in the five-county 46th state Senate District race are scheduled to begin opening approximately 385 ballots this morning. Attorneys for Republican George Amedore and Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk (KAT-chik) spent the last two weeks arguing over 887 absentee and affidavit ballots. Approximately, three-quarters of those ballots were laid aside due to objections from the Amedore campaign. Acting Supreme Court Justice Guy Tomlinson ruled that roughly half the objectionable ballots should be counted. When the judge attempted to start the count, Amedore's attorneys objected. That motion was rejected by the appellate court, Thursday. Amedore leads Tkaczyk by 111 votes, but her attorneys have said she would pull into the lead as more ballots are counted. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.

Nathan Mayberg reports in the Register Star the Columbia County Board of Supervisors is split on the proposed levy of a mobile phone surcharge on county residents. The proposed 30-cent per month charge would help underwrite repairs and upgrades to the county's emergency response system. The system repairs alone could cost more than $400,000. In a meeting Wed., Dec. 12, county 911 Coordinator Rob Lopez explained the surcharge is needed to make up for lost revenue from the diminishing use of landlines. Public comments from the supervisors were mixed. Columbia County is one of only five counties in New York currently without a 911 surcharge. Read the full story in the Register Star.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300"]Catamount Ski.[/caption]Catamount Ski finally opens this weekend, after a disappointing December in terms of snowfall delayed the ski season in Columbia County. This weekend there is a chance for light snow at higher altitudes, and a storm on Tuesday may drop a little more white stuff on the mountains. At Catamount only the Upper and Lower Glade, On Stage, and Catamount runs will be open this weekend, with limited width and 2-12" of man-made snow, for advanced skiers and riders only. Lift tickets are only $20 this weekend due to the limited terrain, and they do not have lessons yet. At Hunter Mountain, skiing and riding will be for all ability levels and they are re-opening terrain on Hunter One with 0-30" of manufactured snow on the slopes. Windham Mountain has eight trails and two lifts open, with 8-26" of man-made snow. Play Ski Report here. (Do not play if you just read all that, it will repeat the same information.)
PLAY SKI REPORT (1:08)

Weather right now


[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="128"] Cairo: High 45F; low 27F.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="125"] Catskill: High 45F; 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: Sunny. High near 45. Mostly clear tonight. Low around 25.

The outlook for the next three days:

Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 38. A chance of snow after 4 a.m. Mostly cloudy. Low around 26.
Sunday: A chance of snow before 10 a.m., then snow and sleet likely between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., then rain after 1 p.m. Cloudy. High near 38. Rain and sleet likely, becoming rain early Monday. Cloudy. Low around 35.
Monday: Rain likely. Cloudy. High near 39. A chance of rain and snow showers overnight. Cloudy. Low around 33.

Sunrise today: 7:16 a.m.
Sunset today: 4:24 p.m.

Length of the day: 9 hrs., 8 min.

Town meetings

Today is the second Friday of the month.
(WGXC recommends you call ahead to confirm time and location.)

HUDSON Historic Preservation Commission (tentative) at 10 a.m., 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The day ahead on 90.7-FM

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

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

6 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. Philip Grant, host.
10 a.m.: Imprint: Mike Herman Host Terry Doyle interviews local "acoustic Roots & Blues" musician Mike Herman. Also, featuring the music of Jessica Smucker, Ruberband, Elly Wininger and more.
11 a.m.: Al Jazeera English
2 p.m.: ¿Qué cocinaré hoy?: Eliezer Parrilla Journalists Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores Lobos host the Puerto Rican live rhythms of composer, artist and photographer Eliezer Parrilla, who sings and plays guitar, along with drummer and artist Pablo Shine. Parrilla also talks about his life in NY and performs his poetry.
3:30 p.m.: Knock on Wood Episode 87: Xmas Show It's part one of the Knock On Wood Christmas show. Harry has been working as an elf up at the North Pole and reads some letters that disgruntled clients of Santa have written him. He'll also be discussing his presents, Steve and Harry sing a great Irish song called "Christmas in Killarney" and Harry brings in the family fruitcake, the one that's been in the family since Colonial Times. Steve decides to try to cut it. Oh boy.
4 p.m.: WGXC Afternoon Show: Poets Raise Their Voices Local poets Ifatayo Cobbins, Sharon Cobbins and organizer Quintin Cross will discuss with host Noah Reibel their participation in Time Space Limited's "Poets Raise their Voices!" event in Hudson about mass incarceration, poverty and justice. James Autery and Allison Clemens broadcast interviews conducted with residents of The Rockaways in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Also music, local headlines and events!
6 p.m.: Al Jazeera English
6:30 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News
7 p.m.: Guest DJ: Tony Fletcher Ulster County resident Tony Fletcher is a music journalist best known for his biographies of drummer Keith Moon, the band R.E.M. and this Smiths.