Lissa Harris in The Watershed Post reports that the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federal program that one in five New York State households rely on to help pay their winter heating bills, is facing drastic cuts. New York State officials have already announced that, "the program would be cutting benefits, delaying the start date of the program from November 1 to November 16, and cutting almost two months off the end of the season, meaning that heating aid will be available only until mid-March, when snow is still on the ground in much of upstate New York," Harris writes in an exhaustive investigation. The Times Herald-Record reports, she relays, that President Barack Obama's proposed 2012 budget reduces funding from $5.1 billion to $2.57 billion. "Current residential heating oil prices average $3.86 per gallon for the state, up from $3.10 the first week of October 2010, according to an Energy Information Administration," Harris reports. "Current residential propane prices in New York average $3.14 per gallon, up from $2.70, said the group, which also expects electricity prices to increase by 2.3 percent in 2011 and by 0.6 percent in 2012." Read the long, well-researched story at The Watershed Post. Harris and Julia Reishcel host "The Half-Hour News Hour" from The Watershed Post at 3 p.m. every Wednesday on WGXC (90.7-FM), and at 1 p.m. Wednesday on WIOX in Roxbury.

Doron Tyler Antrim in The Daily Mail reports that Hannaford's public hearing before the Cairo Planning Board is now on for 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Acra Community Center, Old County Route 23, a bit south of State Road 23. In August, the plan to tear down the current Slater's Great American store and rebuild a Hannaford's was granted a negative declaration on the environmental impact assessment (SEQR). A 6,000-square-foot shopping center for the plaza’s existing tenants would be built first away from the proposed grocery store under the plan. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Al Jazeera reports that the U.S. Senate voted down President Obama's $447 billion jobs proposal, 50 Senators in favor, and 49 against. In Congress, 60 votes are needed to pass this sort of bill, not a majority. President Barack Obama's job creation package was a mix of tax cuts and new spending. The vote was strictly on party lines, with all Republicans voting against the bill and all Democrats, except for two Al Jazeera reports are, "up for re-election next year in states where Obama figures to lose," voted for the proposal. New York's Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both voted for the bill. Read the full story at Al Jazeera.

The Columbia County Historical Society gives out the 2011 Columbia County Heritage Awards this Saturday to Stuyvesant historian Juanita Knott, Historic Hudson's Tim Dunleavey, the Hudson Opera House, and Philmont restuarant Local 111. “We are recognizing individuals who have shown a lifetime of dedication to preserving the history of the county and two organizations that have demonstrated the critical role historic preservation can play in community development and economic revitalization,” said CCHS Executive Director, Ann-Eliza Lewis in a press release. The Awards will be presented during the Society’s annual meeting this Sat. October 15 at 10 a.m. on the grounds of the Vanderpoel House of History, 16 Broad Street, Kinderhook. The Annual Meeting is followed at 12:30 by the CCHS Civil War Music and Dance Festival and the OK Fall Fest. More information on the winners of 2011 Columbia County Heritage Awards follow the link.



Biographies of the winners


Hudson Opera House, Hudson

Describing itself as a “multi-arts center”, the Hudson Opera House has clearly demonstrated how a historic building can be a vital force in a community. The imposing building is an anchor on Warren Street in Hudson. Built in 1855 to serve as Hudson City Hall, it was always at the center of the community with civic offices downstairs and a theater on the second floor. Many national figures spoke there including Susan B. Anthony and both Frederic Church and Sanford Gifford showed their paintings. The careful restoration of the building, which is the oldest surviving theater in New York State, is a continuing effort. Led by Executive Director Gary Schiro, programming at the opera house includes a vast range of arts activities that reflect the diversity of the Hudson community.



Local 111, Philmont

Local 111 is recognized for the stunning adaptive reuse of an abandoned garage on Main Street in the village of Philmont. Where local residents formerly went for car repair, they can now enjoy fine food prepared with local ingredients. Owners Linda Gatter and Max Dennis were inspired in part to undertake the transformation of the Schemerhorn’s Garage after hearing a lecture in the Philmont town hall on the revitalization of main streets. Local 111 is a fine example of the role historic preservation and adaptive reuse plays in economic revitalization of communities.



Juanita Knott, Stuyvesant Town Historian

Juanita Knott has been the historian for the town of Stuyvesant since 1996 and is a whirlwind of knowledge about her community. CCHS has chosen to recognize her this year in honor of the publication “Stories of Stuyvesant” which includes a history of the town of a book on the history of the town and a series of topical chapter that together form a comprehensive history of the community.



Timothy Dunleavy

Tim Dunleavy has been a tireless advocate for preserving the architectural history of Hudson for more than a decade. As the founder and president of Historic Hudson, he has raised awareness through a variety of educational programs, tours, and publications. Tim is also the leader of the movement to preserve The Dr Oliver Plumb Bronson House.



This year’s Columbia County Heritage Awards will be presented during the Society’s annual meeting, which will be held Saturday October 15th at 10 am on the grounds of the Vanderpoel House of History, 16 Broad Street, Kinderhook. The Annual Meeting is followed at 12:30 by the CCHS Civil War Music and Dance Festival and the OK Fall Fest. For more information on these vents, please visit the CCHS website, www.cchsny.org.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="From Wikipedia."][/caption]Julia Reischel in The Watershed Post reports this summer was a great growing season for apples. Jim Allen, the President of the New York Apple Association says all the rain in the spring and late summer helped make bigger fruit. “Apples are like a sponge,” Allen says. “They do soak the water up, and it does increase size.... One of the things that we’re very excited about is that during July and August, we were very warm and dry," he also says. "Those conditions make a lot of sugar in the apple. What happens in a lot of rain is that the water just dilutes that sugar back out. Hopefully enough sugar was already there.” Reischel's story also profiles several Delaware County farms where one can press their own apple cider. Since 2007, it has been illegal in New York to sell homemade cider, but one can drink their own hand-pressed cider. Read the full story in The Watershed Post.

Local weather forecast
The National Weather Service predicts rain, mainly after 5 p.m., with a high near 57. Wednesday night the rain continues, and could be heavy at times, with a low around 51. Thursday the rain should end by noon, with a high near 62.

Town meetings today
VILLAGE OF ATHENS Board meets at 6:30 p.m at the Athens Community Center, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551).
CATSKILL The Town of Catskill Zoning Board of Appeals holds a Public Hearing to consider allowing a Lot Line adjustment on lands owned by Kevin & Deborah Berry located at 4986 Route 32. At 6 p.m. at Catskill Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
CLERMONT Planning Board meets at Town Hall at 7 p.m. at 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
COLUMBIA COUNTY holds a full Board of Supervisors meeting at 7:30 p.m. at 401 State St. in Hudson.
COPAKE Resource Advisory Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GHENT The Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ghent holds a Public Hearing to consider the following: An Interpretation of the Zoning Officers decision requested by Chatham Associates of Albany, L.P. designating the category plaques as part of the total facade sign area with regard to the proposed Price Chopper Supermarket to be located at 2595 Route 66, Ghent; An area variance requested by Chatham Associates of Albany, L.P. regarding installation of Signage on proposed Price Chopper Supermarket to be located at 2595 Route 66, Ghent; An area variance requested by Chatham Associates of Albany, L.P. regarding the building housing the proposed wastewater treatment plant located to provide a separation from the store and be located outside of the 100-foot wetland buffer. 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 2306 State Route 66, Ghent (392-4644).
HUDSON Planning Committee meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
JEWETT Town meeting at 7 p.m., at Municipal Bldg. 3547 Co. Rt. 23C (263-4626).
KINDERHOOK Town's 9 & 9H Corridor Committee meets at 7 p.m. at at Town Hall, 4 Church St, Niverville (784-2233).
KINDERHOOK Village Board meeting and budget hearing, 7 p.m. at 6 Chatham Street, Kinderhook (758-9882).

The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 7:03 a.m./6:22 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 6:21 p.m. / 7:37 a.m.

Birthdays
October 12 Sam Moore, Jane Siberry, Luciano Pavarotti, Chris Wallace, and Hugh Jackman

WGXC Program Notes
Special Programs for Wed. Oct. 12:
• 10 a.m.: "@Issue" is off for the week, so instead WGXC will air part of a recording of Dara Lurie and Mary Johnson speaking at the Hudson Opera House from last weekend's ArtsWalk.
• 3 p.m.: "The Half-Hour News Hour," with Julia Reischel and Lissa Harris of The Watershed Post.
• 4-6 p.m.: "WGXC Afternoon Show" is live from the Catskill Community Center every Wednesday with Ron Diamondstein, Matt Bua, Peter Krug, Joan Geitz, Elaine Fernandez, and others host.

Audio clips for WGXC programmers
This information is not meant to be read on-air.

Audio headlines for top of the hour
• 5 a.m.: WGXC News 7:27 PLAY CLIP and International Network News (INN), through Audioport.
• 6 a.m.: WGXC News 7:27 PLAY CLIP and International Network News (INN), through Audioport.
• 7 a.m.: WGXC News 7:27 PLAY CLIP and International Network News (INN), through Audioport.
• 9 a.m.: WGXC News 7:27 PLAY CLIP and International Network News (INN), through Audioport.
• 4 p.m.: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
• 5 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News headlines, through fsrn.org
• Midnight: International Network News (INN), through Audioport

Chris Simonds in The Columbia Paper reports that Hillsdale officials moved in to their new town hall, in the former Hillsdale Public Library building on Sept. 23, and will hold a dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Sat., Oct. 15. Supervisor Art Baer, always a good quote, takes a dig at Stuyvesant while mentioning that Hillsdale spent $530,000 in total on the new town hall. “There are towns that are building salt sheds that are more expensive than this," Baer told Simonds. That's a reference to the $845,000 bond Stuyvesant voters recently approved to build two salt sheds. The story goes on to note that the town is seeking a $400,000 state historic preservation grant for exterior improvements and grounds work, so, eventually, it may cost more than those cross-county salt sheds. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

New York politicians are hoping the federal initiatives to create more jobs might just be what gets a new Tappan Zee Bridge built. The current bridge, which links the New York State Thruway to the New York City area, is in need of replacement and improvement (it lacks safety shoulders). Governor Andrew Cuomo is asking the federal government to expedite his earlier request for important infrastructure projects to create jobs. “The Tappan Zee Bridge is a vital part of our state and region’s infrastructure,” Governor Cuomo said in a press release. Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said, “I urge the federal government to expedite approval for this important project which will create tens of thousands of jobs. Major investments in infrastructure are exactly what New York needs to jumpstart our economy and restore safety to heavily traveled bridges and other arteries." The current debate in Congress over a jobs bill may delay this project beyond Cuomo's target to begin construction in 2012.

Calling Columbia County "A Culinary Retreat," CNN Travel last week recommended a stay at the Kinderhook Farm in Ghent. The getaway-from-New York City story also favored breakfast at the Old Chatham Country Store & Café, and dinner at the new Agriturismo Restaurant in Pine Plains owned by Fred's at Barneys New York executive chef Mark Strausman. The story also recommended shopping at Harvest Spirits Distillery in Valatie and 3FortySeven in Hudson. Read the full story in CNN Travel.

Bjork's new album, "Biophilia," is out Tue., Oct. 11. Above, the video "Moon," written by Björk and Damian Taylor. The video was directed, produced, and art directed by Björk, Inez and Vinoodh, m/m Paris and James Merry.

"Pet the Lights" Shot video by Kenji and Miles Vidor; directed, produced, and edited by Young Paris featuring Young Paris and Lady Moon, both from Hudson, New York. The song is from Young Paris' forthcoming "Black n Gold" album, due next year. The video includes scenes of Hudson.

DJ LunarMoss's show "LunarMoss" comes on at 9:30 p.m. tonight, and he has posted this video of "Soft Skin" by Vancouver's Cosmetics to his Facebook feed as a preview of the show. Tune in at 90.7-FM or wgxc.org.

WGXC volunteer Elaine Fernandez's blog "Wi the People" chronicles the stories of folks throughout New York state affected by the current economic downturn. In this interview, she talks with Dutchess County farmer Mike Athanas.

"It was pelting rain the day I visited Mike Athanas at his farm in Hyde Park. Heavy rain was the last thing Mike needed, after Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene recently wiped out his crops. The loss cost him thousands of dollars that he can’t recover.

Farming is hard enough in New York, with the cost of gas, freight, taxes, seed, fertilizer, insurance, and everything else a farmer needs to do business - and stay in business. Since the recession, small farmers have lost a lot of business. “People aren’t buying like they used to,” Mike told me. Just last year, Athanas Farm had two tents at local farm markets and an assistant to help with sales. This year, Mike had one tent and no assistant. Like other small farmers, Mike Athanas is hanging on by a precarious thread.

Almost immediately after the devastating storms, New York State and Federal Emergency and Management Assistance (FEMA) offered aid to farmers and others devastated by the storms. Mike breathed a sigh of relief until he learned that farmers could get help for damaged homes and structures, but not for crop loss. Since Mike had no major structural damage but lost all his crops, he does not qualify for any state or federal aid.

Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-20) recently introduced a bill that would help farmers pay for crop loss (H.R. 2905). One caveat, though: in order to receive assistance, farmers would be required to purchase insurance from the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the next three years. The FSA is a federal agency that provides emergency farm loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to natural disasters or quarantine (www.fsa.usda.gov). The problem is, the cost of the insurance for three years will most likely be higher than the amount of assistance Mike would get back for his crop loss, as he learned from other farmers familiar with the program. Mike is back to square one.

This is his story."

Elaine Fernandez helps host the WGXC Afternoon Show Wednesdays live from the Catskill Community Center.

Since many of the homes and buildings in the town of Prattsville were washed off their moorings in the floods associated with Hurricane Irene, the question of whether to rebuild along the banks of the TK has been raised. “The question is not if we rebuild Prattsville” said Town Supervisor Kory O’Hara in a press release Friday announcing a new "Action Plan." “We are rebuilding Prattsville. It’s only a matter of how and when.” The very first specifics in the press release announcing how to rebuild this town are, "Prattsville has started a website and Facebook page where interested parties can make on‐line donations to the newly formed 501 (c)3 Not‐for Profit, and participate to the on‐going recovery process. Visit www.prattsville.org and www.facebook.com/prattsville." The press release also says the town will work with the Greene County Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Planning; the Greene County Industrial Development Agency; the Town’s engineering firm, Lamont Engineering; the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Congressman Chris Gibson will also help with the planning process. "The Town will be assisted in the planning process by a team of professional planners, architects and designers led by Margaret Irwin of River Street Planning & Development of Troy," according to the press release. The statement also says workshops will be held at unspecified dates to solicit community input.


Full press release after the link.



For

October 7, 2011

CONTACTS:
Kory O’Hara, Town Supervisor
Town Hall, Prattsville, NY


518‐299‐3125




twnofpratt@mhcable.com

Warren Hart, Director
Greene County Economic Development, Tourism & Planning
518‐719‐3290
whart@discovergreene.com



Opportunity Amid Devastation:
Prattsville


PRATTSVILLE, N.Y. – “The question is not if we rebuild Prattsville” said Town Supervisor Kory O’Hara.
“We

Perhaps
residents, town leaders and their partners at all levels of government are preparing to rebuild. Prattsville
has
to the newly formed 501 (c)3 Not‐for Profit, and participate to the on‐going recovery process. Visit
www.prattsville.org

“Over
future. We must take this opportunity to look ahead,” O’Hara said.

Brian Young of the Town Economic Development Committee echoed the Supervisor’s call, saying, “We
need to show residents and business owners that there is a prosperous future in Prattsville and listen to
what they need to rebuild our strong local economy.” “Already the Prattsville business community has
coalesced
attracting new jobs and new businesses,” added Young.

The
Development, Tourism and Planning. Warren Hart, Director said “we stand ready to coordinate the work
of the strong professional team the Town has brought together, including our colleagues at Greene
County Soil and Water Conservation and the Greene County Industrial Development Agency.” The town
recently requested additional FEMA support in the form of community recovery planning.

The plan kicks off with a community workshop to identify a shared vision and outline a list of important
projects to be undertaken to accomplish that vision together. Greene County officials and the Town’s
engineering firm, Lamont Engineering, together with state partners and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA), will also help with the planning process.

"Ensuring
committed to ensuring there is close and effective coordination with federal officials, and this meeting is
a
mine who was impacted by the devastating storms," said Congressman Chris Gibson.

“FEMA is pleased to work with the people of Prattsville, their town and county leaders, our New York
state
collaboration we can help Prattsville recover in a way that improves the community as a whole,” said
Federal Coordinating Officer Philip E. Parr.

The
designers led by Margaret Irwin of River Street Planning & Development of Troy.

“As awful as the aftermath is, Prattsville can find a common vision for the future. We’re grateful for the
opportunity to help,” Irwin said. The company will bring skills in project management, community
involvement, land use planning and economic development.

Synthesis
design workshop for Prattsville’s citizens to develop ideas for the future. Place Alliance issued a
statement
something empowering and positive emerge when people actively reshape where they live.”

CLA SITE, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Planning of Saratoga Springs has also offered to
prepare
include the Troy Architecture Program, Saratoga’s Elan Planning and Design, Alta Planning and Design,
Behan
Planning and Environmental Associates of Berne. Omni Housing Development LLC of Albany, a developer
of
priority. Omni is pleased to be able to contribute.”

The State University of New York at Albany Graduate Program in Urban and Regional Planning is also
making
program’s Planning Studio will be available to support Prattsville by advancing various projects.”

The
Greene County Planning Director Warren Hart said “we are very grateful to these volunteers, but
recognize
members of the community to participate in this effort.”

The Windham-Ashland-Jewett school district has posted this public notice, announcing a Nov. 22 special election:

The Windham-Ashland-Jewett School building, maintenance buildings, athletic fields and site sustained substantial damage as a result of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE WINDHAM-ASHLAND-JEWETT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (the “District”) that a special meeting of the qualified voters of the District be and the same is hereby called to be held in the Cafetorium of the Windham-Ashland-Jewett School, Main Street, Windham, New York on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. prevailing time for the purpose of voting on the following proposition:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education is hereby authorized to (1) reconstruct various District buildings, perform site work thereat (including reconstruction of athletic fields) and acquire original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such reconstructed buildings and athletic fields are to be used (the “Project”), at a maximum cost of $4,000,000, (2) expend such sum for such purpose, (3) transfer $120,000 from the Bus Purchase Capital Reserve Fund to the 2004 Capital Reserve Fund, (4) expend $129,133 from the Capital Reserve Fund for the classroom reconstruction portion of the Project, (5) levy the necessary tax therefor taking into account state and federal aid and insurance proceeds received and the amount expended from the 2004 Capital Reserve Fund, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education, and (6) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issue bonds and notes of the District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $3,870,867, and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due.

The vote upon such proposition shall be by machine or absentee ballot. The hours during which the polls shall be kept open shall be from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. prevailing time or for as long thereafter as necessary to enable qualified voters who are in the polling place at 9:00 p.m. to cast their ballots.

Personal registration of voters is required, and no person shall vote whose name does not appear on the register of the District. Any person registered to vote under the provisions of Article 5 of the Election Law is entitled to vote and their names shall be placed upon the register of the District. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he or she is eligible to vote at this meeting. All other persons who wish to vote must register.

The Board of Registration shall meet in The District Office on November 15, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m . to prepare the register of voters of the District. Any person shall be entitled to have his or her name placed on the register provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting for which such register is prepared.

The register prepared by the Board of Registration shall be filed in the office of the District Clerk and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. prevailing time on each of the five days prior to the vote, except Sunday, November 20, 2011.

Absentee ballots may be applied for at the office of the District Clerk. Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or on or prior to November 21, 2011, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on November 22, 2011. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the office of the District Clerk during regular office hours until the day of the vote. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such list, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such list, stating the reasons for the challenge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the District Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish a notice of such meeting in two newspapers of general circulation within the District, four (4) times within the seven (7) weeks next preceding such School District meeting, the first publication to be at least forty-five (45) days prior to the date of the meeting.

Columbus Day closings
The Daily Freeman provides this helpful guide to holiday closings:
Amtrak: Regular schedule
Banks: Closed
County offices: Closed
Federal offices: Closed
Financial markets: Open
Greene County Transit: No service
Mail delivery: None
Metro-North: Regular schedule
Schools: Closed
State offices: Closed
Trailways: Holiday schedule

Local weather forecast
The National Weather Service predicts patchy fog before 9 a.m. Monday. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 79. Monday night, again, there could be patchy fog after 4 a.m., and otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 50. Tuesday should be mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Town meetings today
ASHLAND Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, Main Street, Ashland (734-3636)
CATSKILL Village meeting at 7 p.m. at the Firehouse, 1 Central Ave. (behind Walgreens) (943-3830).
COPAKE Environmental Committee meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 230 Mt. View Road, Copake (329-1234).
GREENE COUNTY LEGISLATURE Holds Buildings & Grounds, Conservation, Public Safety, Highway, Government Operations, and Finance committee meetings at 6 p.m. at County Building, 411 Main St., Catskill (719-3270).
HUDSON Common Council workshop meeting at 7 p.m., City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUNTER Village meeting at 8 p.m.
NEW BALTIMORE Town meeting at 7:30 p.m. at 3809 Rt. 51, Hannacroix (756-6671)
PRATTSVILLE Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 14517 Main St., Prattsville (299-3125).

The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 7:01 a.m./6:25 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 5:27 a.m. / 5:41 a.m.

Birthdays
October 6 Thelonious Monk, Peter Coyote, David Lee Roth, Kirsty MacColl, Daniel Pearl, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Columbus Day activities
• The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater visits Hudson’s waterfront with a folk music singalong from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, between the Amtrak Station and the Hudson River.
• Local band Voodelic performs at Club Helsinki Monday evening. CDs on shelf and songs in Campcaster.

WGXC Program Notes
• For Columbus Day the "WGXC Afternoon Show" explores the legacy of Christopher Columbus with interviews with University of Albany Professor Kitty Pelerin, indigenous community leaders, local community members and music from hip-hop artists, Antithesis, Head-Roc, and Alixa & Naima; as well as folk singer Buffy Sainte-Marie. Compiled by Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Eli Stogsdill, Kieran Riley, Shannekia McIntosh, and Greg Osofsky. Tune in the "WGXC Afternoon Show" Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m.

Local audio clips for WGXC programmers
This information is not meant to be read on-air.

Audio headlines for top of the hour
Hosts of the WGXC Morning Show and WGXC Afternoon Show can play headlines from Media Minutes and International News Network at the top of the hour through Pacifica's Audioport.
• 5 a.m.: Media Minutes, through Audioport
• 6 a.m.: Media Minutes, through Audioport
• 7 a.m.: Media Minutes, through Audioport
• 9 a.m.: Media Minutes, through Audioport
• 4 p.m.: International Network News (INN), through Audioport
• 5 p.m.: Free Speech Radio News headlines, through fsrn.org

With that you can package
• A Very Incomplete Calendar
Terry Doyle's weekly roundup of Hudson Valley music events. From his show "Imprint," Sundays at 11 p.m. on WGXC. PLAY CLIP

Long files you could also play today
• Ralph Nader's speech at Occupy DC 2011 this past Sat., Oct. 8, from Pacifica through Audioport.

Columbia County-based folk musician Abby Lappen has several new videos posted to YouTube this week. The first, above, is actually a year old, but The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy, New York, just put up this of Lappen singing "Revolution 102" there last October. A newer video, below, shows Lappen performing in East Durham two weekends back, at the benefit concert at the Michael J. Quill Irish Center for Greene County victims of the recent storms.

Above, WGXC volunteer Jack Ross-Pilkington recorded the Occupy Albany meeting Sun. Oct. 2, and we have posted another YouTube video of the meeting too. WGXC correspondents also have two audio reports from Occupy Wall Street actions Wed., Oct. 5. First Cory Fischer-Hoffman reports that hundreds of students at SUNY Albany walked out of classes on October 5, 2011 to protest tuition hikes, cuts in programs and services, and inflated administrative salaries. Click here to listen to her report. Kelly Benjamin was in Manhattan Wednesday, with the large labor rally and march. His report is here.

House to vote on delaying cement plant mercury rule
The Post-Star reports that the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Thursday on legislation that would delay the implementation of a new federal Environmental Protection Agency regulation meant to reduce mercury emissions from cement plants. "We're not striking them. But let's delay them for 15 months and give the EPA time to repropose and finalize them. And also direct the EPA to make sure that these rules comply with the President's executive order on regulations," said Stephanie Valle, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook. The Holcim Cement plant in Catskill is in Gibson's district. H.R. 2681, the Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act of 2011, would, according to the Post-Star:
• Give the EPA at least 15 months to re-propose and finalize revised rules for cement manufacturing facilities;
• Extend compliance deadlines from three to at least five years to allow facilities time to comply with standards and install new equipment.
In February, Gibson voted for an amendment the House passed to suspend EPA funding for implementation and enforcement of the rule, but the Senate voted the amendment down. This time the House is voting on delaying implementation, but not suspending funding. Read the full story in the Post-Star.
Free Speech Radio News, which airs on WGXC at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, aired a report on this issue on its newscast Wed., Oct. 5. Click here to listen to Free Speech Radio News report from Matt Lazlo. PLAY CLIP

Medicaid spending $173 million less in August
Governor Andrew Cuomo is touting his "Medicaid Redesign Team," as its measures enacted in the state budget in April resulted in savings in August of $173 million, or 2.5 percent lower. Monthly, New York State spends $6.8 billion on the program. “Governor Cuomo’s initiative to reform Medicaid represents an unprecedented effort to bring the public into the process of improving health care, controlling health care costs, and reforming health care in New York State," said Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H in a press release. "With the hard work and dedication of the legislature, the industry, and the public, New York is becoming a model for the nation in improving health outcomes while controlling growth."

GEIS and the ten-day waiting period
Carole Osterink reports in The Gossips of Rivertown that Common Council President Don Moore issued this statement to members of the Council and the press, though not WGXC, at 4:58 this afternoon:

"Regarding the ten day period called for by SEQRA, the City is required to wait ten days after the filing of a completed GEIS before agreeing on a Findings Statement, the summary of findings from the GEIS. The City filed its notice of completion of the GEIS with the involved agencies on October 4. The ten day period will end at the close of business Friday, October 14. During that ten day period, concerned parties may file comments with the City. The City does not have an obligation to reply to the comments as was the case during the official public comment period in early 2010."

Monday, Sept. 26 Moore and the Common Council passed the GEIS without first allowing the public to speak at a special meeting at the Hudson Central Fire Station. Click here to listen to the entire meeting recorded by Dan Udell. PLAY CLIP

Seward in Catskill
New York State Senator James Seward (R/C/I–Oneonta) will attend the Greene County Department for the Aging Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, October 6 at the First Baptist Church in Catskill. The ceremony is to honor folks in the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. First Baptist Church is at 20 West Main St. in Catskill.

Mountain Top Arboretum photo contest winners
The Mountain Top Arboretum announced the winners of its photo contest Wed., Oct. 5. Dustin Draffen took first place, Nicholas Spychalsky took second, and Zachary Tripsas won third place.
[caption id="attachment_14420" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="From left to right in photo provided by Mountain Top Arboretum, Principal of the Hunter-Tannersville Middle/High School Simon Williams, winners Dustin Draffen and Zachary Tripsas, and Executive Director of the Mountain Top Arboretum Joan Kutcher."][/caption]

THURSDAY AUDIO
Click on titles or PLAY CLIP to listen to mp3 audio clips.

• Wall Street Song
Performed by Chris Neumann. PLAY CLIP

The National Weather Service predicts widespread frost this morning before 9 a.m. There is a Freeze Warning for Western Greene County and Eastern Columbia County, and a Frost Advisory for Eastern Greene County and Western Columbia County. Later it will be sunny, with a high near 61. Thursday night widespread frost is expected again, mainly after 2 a.m. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 30. Friday should be sunny, with a high near 65.

Town meetings today
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).
STUYVESANT The Town Board of the Town of Stuyvesant holds a public hearing to consider whether the Town of Stuyvesant shall be exempt from filing and obtaining an area variance from the minimum setback requirements for the purposed new salt shed in accordance with the use laws of the Town including the Town Zoning law. At 6:30 p.m. at Stuyvesant Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant
WINDHAM Town board meets at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

The skies above
SUNRISE/SUNSET 6:57 a.m./6:32 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 3:44 a.m. / 1:42 a.m.

Birthdays
October 6 Gerry Adams, David Hidalgo, Matthew Sweet, and Rebecca Lobo.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Tom Roe presents the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, and more. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Sara Kendall updates of the morning news, and plays music. 9 a.m.
TELL IT LIKE IT IS Pulitzer Prize-winning author Chris Hedges is interviewed by host Christina Malisoff about Wall Street, his years as a war correspondent, and more. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
CROSSROADS Alan Skerrett hosts. Noon-2 p.m.
THE ART OF THE HUDSON VALLEY Dave King, writer, author and ArtsWalk curator; Deborah Artman, fiction writer, librettist, editor and dramturg; Paul La Farge, novelist, essayist and a Visiting Writer at Bard College; are guests with host Chad Weckler. 2 p.m.
RADIO THEATER 3 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Sara Kendall hosts, then Tom Roe hosts. Melissa Auf de Mar discusses this weekend's events at Basilica Hudson, we talk more about the proposed charter school in Durham, more about Occupy Wall Street, and other local news. 4-6 p.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH 6 p.m.
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS 6:30 p.m.
THE JAZZ DISTURBANCE Kerhonkson trombonist Roswell Rudd is a guest with Cheryl K. 7-9:30 p.m.
69 The Magic Stranger plays psychedelic music from 1969. 9:30
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more midnight through 6 a.m. Friday morning.