The National Weather Service predicts a mostly beautiful week:
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Sunday: 30 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Monday, July 4: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 3:59 p.m./Low, 10:25 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:28 a.m./8:31 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 5:42 a.m./8:47 p.m.
New Moon: 3:55 a.m.

Birthdays
July 1 William Strunk, Jr., Debbie Harry, Twyla Tharp, Fred Schneider, Missy Elliot, and Sufjan Stevens.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Mark Lacoy and Casson Kennedy present the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Tom updates the morning news, with updates on the new hydraulic fracturing regulations. 9-10:30 a.m.
COUNTERSPIN FAIR's weekly media show. 10:30 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
PURE MOODS Shannekia McIntosh plays all sorts of music. Noon-2 p.m.
QUE COCINARE HOY? What's Cookin' Today with Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos. 2 p.m.
ASTROLOGY AT Mann's bi-weekly show. 3 p.m.
KNOCK ON WOOD Steve Charney's comedy show. 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Tom Roe hosts. Craig Remaley from Mountain T-Shirts and Con-E Island in Catskill will discuss his July 3 fireworks display at 4:15 p.m. 4-7 p.m.
HOTLINE RADIO L. Dot Dinero and The Guy host. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more through 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="256" caption="Cairo-Durham High School, from website."][/caption]
The Cairo School Board had one item on its agenda Wed. June 29: Superintendent Sally Sharkey's contract. But, during the course of the meeting Board President Greg Koerner-Fox revealed that the board had already voted, on Jan. 17, 2011 in executive session, 5-4, not to renew her contract. The board offered few hints of what the problem was, and only one member of the public spoke against renewing Sharkey's contract at a public hearing during the meeting, and that speaker did not give any specific reasons. Koerner-Fox said it was a personnel matter discussed in executive session, and could not be addressed in public. At one point, Mike Coyne, chairman of the town Democratic Committee and a parent of children in the Cairo schools, began asking Sharkey questions. "I have not been told I did anything wrong," Sharkey said. Eventually the board re-affirmed their 5-4 vote. [Doron Tyler Antrim reports in The Daily Mail that Greg Koerner-Fox, Bob Criswell, Beatrice Clappin, Pat Ublacker and Carl Kohrs voted to oust Sharkey; Susan Kusminsky, Bill Alfeld, Timothy Hunt, and Tom Plank voting to renew her contract.] A barrage of "why" questions from the crowd preceded the vote. "I voted no because people are not happy about what is going on," one board member said. "There don't have to be reasons," another board member said. "The board is the board. We will take our action based on the input we get and our common sense." Coyne then remarked that one of the five voting to remove Sharkey just got voted off the board in the May 17 election and would be replaced next month. In that election, Pat Ublacker of South Cairo finished fourth so will lose her seat after this meeting to newcomer Beth Phillips.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="197" caption="Greg Fox, School Board President, from school website."][/caption]

Koerner-Fox then said that if a new board member came on, "the board could change its mind." So it is possible Sharkey could be hired back by the new board. WGXC's Galen Joseph-Hunter recorded the meeting. Click here to hear a mp3 audio recording to the school board meeting. Link to Cairo-Durham School Board meeting agenda.

 

Hudson street stories
Hudson is making it easier to park in town on the weekends this summer, but perhaps more difficult for anyone with several parking tickets. Hudson Common Council President Don Moore announced Thursday that the City of Hudson is suspending alternate side of the street parking regulations on weekends from 8 p.m. Fridays to 8 p.m. Sundays beginning July 1 and lasting until October 31, 2011. Moore says that since the reason for alternate side parking is to clean the streets, and since the city does not clean the streets in the summer on weekends, why not eliminate the regulation. In the winter months, crews often do plow on weekends, so the policy will be revisted after Election Day. Thursday at 4 p.m. Hudson holds a public hearing to consider a new law, "authorizing the installation of a boot security device on vehicles with unpaid parking tickets."

Police, city dispute pay for snow day
Jamie Larson in the Register-Star reports that the city of Hudson and the Hudson Police Department are in arbitration to settle a contractual dispute over pay for two snowy winter days in December. "On December 27, 2010, a county-issued winter weather state of emergency resulted in the closing of City Hall and a day off for “nonessential” city employees. The same situation occurred on February 2 of this year, during a Columbia County-issued snow emergency. HPD officers did not receive either day off, and now they would like to be compensated two additional days worth of pay for working on days other city employees had off," Larson writes. Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera does not agree; hence the arbitration. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Berkshire Taconic awards Hudson Opera House $10,000
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation announced Wed., June 29 that it is awarding the Hudson Opera House $10,000 as part of its Berkshire Taconic Capitalization Initiative to address the economic challenges facing arts and cultural organizations. The Opera House also gets to work with the consulting firm TDC to create long term strategic financial plans (valued at $43,000) that, "link the organization’s mission to the realities of the environment." “The Capitalization Award comes at a vital moment for the Hudson Opera House,” said Opera House CEO Gary Shiro. “Despite some funding reductions, we have successfully expanded our programs and are poised for our greatest leap yet as we finish the restoration and move toward opening the second floor auditorium. I know the expert guidance that will come our way through this award will help insure that HOH is an arts center that is sustainable for the long term.”

DEC alters Hudson River baitfish rules
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced Wed., June 29 changes to state regulations that formerly banned the overland transport of uncertified baitfish by anglers, including baitfish that were personally collected. The new rules allow for the overland transport of personally-collected baitfish within three specified transportation corridors, including the Hudson River from the Federal Dam at Troy to the Tappan Zee Bridge. The baitfish must be used in the same water body from which they are collected. New York's current fish health regulations were established shortly after Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) was first confirmed in New York waters in May, 2006 in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. VHS is a disease that causes hemorrhaging of the fish's tissues, including internal organs. There is no known cure for VHS. In June 2007, DEC finalized regulations to help prevent the spread of VHS and other fish diseases into New York's inland waters. See the new rules on the DEC's website.

Empire State Baseball League
13U Coxsackie Owlz 12 - N. Colonie Shakers 2
The 13U Coxsackie Owlz (9-1, 11-3) beat the N.Colonie Shakers 12-2 Tue., June 28. Caleb Davies went 3-4 with a two-run double. Also for the Owlz, Seaver Martin went 2-4 with an RBI double. Zach Girvin pitched his fourth win, giving up two runs on one hit, five walks with five strike outs.

The National Weather Service predicts a beautiful week:
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
July 4: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Town meetings today
HUDSON The City of Hudson holds a public hearing in the Common Council Chambers on the proposed Local Law which was adopted by the Common Council on June 21, 2011: Proposed Local Law Intro. No. 2 of 2011. A local law authorizing the installation of a boot security device on vehicles with unpaid parking tickets. Hearing is at 4 p.m. at Hudson City Hall, 520 Warren St.
HUNTER The Town Board of the Town of Hunter holds a special meeting to discuss personnel/employment matters at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 5748 23A, Tannersville.

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 3:18 p.m./Low, 9:41 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:28 a.m./8:31 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 4:40 a.m./8:02 p.m.

Birthdays
June 30 Lena Horne, Stanley Clarke, and Mike Tyson.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos present the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, and in English and Spanish. This morning with recordings of last night's Cairo School Board meeting. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Norman Keyser updates the morning news, and Joan Geitz and Ellen Thurston look at local events. 9-10 a.m.
TELL IT LIKE IT IS Christina Malisoff recorded a Bill McKibben talk recently at Hawthorne Valley. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
CROSSROADS Alan Skerrett hosts, plays jazz, soul, R&B, and other styles. Noon-2 p.m.
SOUND FORMS Peter Wetzler talks to composer George Tsontakis. 2 p.m.
RADIO THEATER Radio art. 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Tom Roe hosts 4-7 p.m. At 5:10 p.m. WGXC will air the complete recording of the Cairo School Board meeting.
THE JAZZ DISTURBANCE Cheryl K. hosts. 7 p.m.
69 The Magic Stranger plays psychedelic music from 1969. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more through 6 a.m. Friday morning.

Mathes resigns from IDA
Doron Tyler Antrim reports that Alexander "Sandy" Mathes resigned as the executive director of the Greene County Industrial Development Agency Tuesday morning. The decision was “mutually agreed to,” according to a statement fro the IDA Board of Directors. “I cannot express strong enough my appreciation to the Greene County IDA Board of Directors for the opportunity given to me in 2002,” Mathes said in a prepared statement. “I was hired on a 90-day non-guaranteed contract and now over nine years later by working together with local communities and leaders we have accomplished much.... Now it is time to pursue other professional challenges.” Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Farmers wage war on stink bugs
Adam Bosch in the Times Herald-Record reports that the Hudson Valley is beset by brown marmorated stink bugs, which have made it as far north as Saugerties. "This is unlike any insect we've ever seen," said Doug Glorie, from the Glorie Farm Winery in Marlborough, who found two adult stink bugs and one mass of eggs on his hilltop farm. "We are, without a doubt, very nervous." "The nickle-sized bug inflicts most of its damage by jabbing its strawlike beak into a fruit or vegetable and sucking out seeds and other contents," Bosch writes. The bug bites can blemish vegetables and fruit or change their taste, and when the bug is frightened or killed it smells very badly. Farmers are experimenting with soaps and oils, which might clog the stink bug's respiration system. Read the full story in the Times Herald-Record.

Lunches to cost more in 2011-12
Audra Jornov in the Register-Star reports that the Hudson City School District raised school lunch prices from a dime to a quarter at a School Board meeting Monday. "Proposed prices of school lunches, as discussed in the last meeting, were as follows: Breakfast for grades K-2 would go up 15 cents to $1.25, and for grades 3-12 it would go up 15 cents to $1.50. The lunch for grades K-2 would go up 10 cents to $1.75, and for grades 3-12 would go up 25 cents to $2.25," Jornov wrote. Read the entire story in the Register-Star.

The National Weather Service predicts that after that rain last night, we are looking at a beautiful week:
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 79.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
July 4: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.

Town meetings today
It is the fifth Wednesday of the month, and there are rarely town meetings on the fifth week of the month.

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 2:36 p.m./Low, 8:55 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:27 a.m./8:31 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 3:45 a.m./7:11 p.m.

Birthdays
June 29 Bernard Herrmann, Harmon Killebrew, Stokely Carmichael, Gary Busey, Chandrika Kumaratunga, and Bret McKenzie.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant 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 Philip Grant looks at the morning news, with longer interviews and reports. 9-10 a.m.
@ISSUE Victor Mendolia hosts. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
THE SCHOEMER SHOW Karen Schoemer hosts, plays music of many kinds. Noon-2 p.m.
ACRES FOOD CO-OP MEETING Recording of meeting from Tue. June 28 of meeting for proposed food co-op in Hudson. 2 p.m.
YOUTH SHOW Radio Explosion, 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Tom Roe hosts 4-7 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more through 6 a.m. Thursday morning.

The Mid-Hudson News Network reports that New York State Senator Steve Saland will lose his endorsement from the Conservative Party after he voted for same-sex marriage Friday. Saland, who represents Columbia County in Albany, was the 32nd Senator to announce his public support for the measure, enough for the bill to pass the State Senate. Michael Long, the chairman of the state Conservative Committee said the party will not back Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, in the next election. “The Conservative Party has to be true to its principles and those principles are supporting marriage between a man and a woman and we can no longer endorse people who don’t respect that or honor that commitment,” he said. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.

County sheds dozens of jobs
Jeff Alexander in The Greene County News reports that Greene County officials will save $1.3 million eliminating 42 county jobs. Twelve of those jobs are lay-offs, while the other 30 are jobs the county is not re-filling. County Administrator Shaun Groden says three jobs will be eliminated from the highway department. “Nobody wants to lay anyone off. We have discussed this with unions about making modest changes in contracts. All the unions said they’d make no changes to contracts,” Groden told the paper. Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh, R-Coxsackie, said, “I’m really sorry it had to come to this. I thought we had a good dialogue with the union representatives.” Legislature Minority Leader Harry Lennon, D-Cairo, told Alexander, “I feel very bad and I’m disappointed because I did have a positive feeling about those meetings. The tones were very positive and I was hoping the union representatives would accept our proposals." Read the full story in The Greene County News.

Behind Veneer, Doubt on Future of Natural Gas
Ian Urbina in The New York Times has read over "scores of internal e-mails and documents" from the United States Energy Information Administration, a division of the Energy Department, and discovered that while official policy has steadily increased its estimates of domestic supplies of natural gas, he discovered much internal skepticism about the shale gas industry. "One official says the shale industry may be 'set up for failure.' 'It is quite likely that many of these companies will go bankrupt,' a senior adviser to the Energy Information Administration administrator predicts. Several officials echo concerns raised during previous bubbles, in housing and in technology stocks, for example, that ended in a bust," Urbina writes. He quotes one energy analyst at the Energy Information Administration writing, “Am I just totally crazy, or does it seem like everyone and their mothers are endorsing shale gas without getting a really good understanding of the economics at the business level?” Read the full story in The New York Times.

Weather postpones New York vegetables
Doug Ohlemeier in The Packer, a produce industry trade journal, writes that there will be "big delays and shortages of New York vegetables this summer, after spring rains pushed back planting and harmed early production." Sweet corn, green beans, bell peppers, cucumbers and cabbage could be delayed by up to 10-14 days. Other farmers worried about losses. Maureen Marshall, vice president of Torrey Farms Inc., Elba, N.Y., “We expect a 10-20 percent loss on the early crop of squash, cucumbers and beans,” Marshall said. “It could be higher. This will be an interesting summer.” Read the entire story in The Packer.

Sports scores

14U Coxsackie Owlz 6- Guilderland Bulldogs 4
Tristan Valencia hurled a complete game to pick up the win for the 14U Coxsackie Owlz (6-3, 6-5) Sunday, June 26 over the Guilderland Bulldogs 6-4. Valencia gave up one earned run on eight hits, five walks, and seven strikeouts. Matt McDonald went 2-2 with a double for the Owlz, and Sam Palmateer 1-2 with an RBI.

13U Coxsackie Owlz 23- Kingston 0
13U Coxsackie Owlz 8- Kingston 3
The 13U Coxsackie Owlz (8-1, 10-3) swept a double-header from Kingston, 23-0 and 8-3 Sunday, June 26. In the first game, the Owlz had 14 hits, with Derrek DuPont going 3-3 with four RBIs. Chris Zwoboda 2-3 with four RBIs, and Kyle Roberts went 4-5 with an RBI double. Justin Maldonado went the distance for the win, giving up three hits and two walks while striking out four. In the second game, Kingston tied it at three after two innings before the Owlz pulled away, with Roberts going 2-2 with an RBI double and getting the win, pitching six innings giving up three runs, two earned, on three hits and two walks and eight strikeouts.

The National Weather Service predicts a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Tuesday, but otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 83. Tuesday night there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a low around 62. Wednesday should be mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Town meetings today
CATSKILL The Town of Catskill Planning Board holds a public hearing to consider a minor 2 lot subdivision of land located on 5290 Rt. 32 Catskill NY proposed by Dan Ellett. 7:15 p.m. at Catskill Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
GREENPORT The Planning Board of the Town of Greenport holds a public hearing on the Subdivision of land located off Livingston Parkway in the Town of Greenport, owned by Emily and Christopher Kline. This proposal will create two parcels, one of 0.16 acres and one of 5.9 acres. 7:30 p.m. at Greenport Town Hall, Town Hall Drive, Hudson (828-4656).
HUDSON Common Council Economic Development Committee meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
HUDSON FOOD CO-OP Acres Co-Op Market Meeting, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 369 Warren St., Hudson. A second Acres Co-op Market listening meeting and community forum will feature committee reports on diversity, outreach, membership, finances, and what food will be on the shelves.

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 1:50 p.m./Low, 8:09 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:27 a.m./8:31 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 2:58 a.m./6:16 p.m.

Birthdays
June 28 Mel Brooks, Muhammad Yunus, Gilda Radner, Kathy Bates, John Elway, and DJ Quicksilver.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant 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 Philip Grant looks at the morning news, with longer interviews and reports. 9-11 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
FOURTH TUESDAY OPERA SCENE Ed Beatty hosts. Noon-2 p.m.
BLIND SPOT RADIO Photography show with David Bush and David LaSpina. 2 p.m.
COUNTERSPIN FAIR's media show. 3 p.m.
YOUTH SHOW Youth radio, 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Richard Roth and Ann Forbes Cooper host with Mallory Lewis, daughter of Shari Lewis, and puppet Lamb Chop, interviewed at 4.15 p.m. "Those Two Guys" will preview their comedy show at PS21 at 5:10 p.m. 4-7 p.m.
TOM WAITS SHOW Liv Carrow is guest, performing Tom Waits' songs. 7 p.m.
BATTLEFIELD EARTH Dan Seward hosts. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more through 6 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Town worth its weight
The Greenville Mountain View Pioneer (no website for link) reports that census figures mean that Greenville's representative in the county legislature now has a heavier weighted vote. The recent increase in population in Greenville means representative Kevin Lewis' vote is now worth 806 points. Catskill's four representatives are down to 631 points each, Durham has 587, Cairo has 1,438, Coxsackie has 1,325, and New Baltimore has 727.

Town board votes to move clerk's office
Andrea Macko in The Greenville Mountain View Pioneer reports that Greenville, the last town in Greene County with the town clerk operating from home, is moving the office to the Town Hall Jan. 1, 2012. Current Town Clerk Ronnie Campbell has had the office at her home on Ida Smith Lane for 28 years, but she is retiring at the end of the year. Macko writes that no candidates have yet announced to fill the clerk's office next year.

GOP picks newcomers Hook, Zito over Van Deusen, Jacklin
A staff report in the Register-Star reports that 195 Claverack Republicans choose to endorse several newcomers at a caucus June 21 at the Town Park. Councilman Clifford “Kippy” Weigelt got the nod for one of two seat, but, the chairman of the town's Planning Board Stephen Hook outpolled longtime Town Board member James Van Deusen, the Columbia County Fire Coordinator, by a two-to-one margin for the second spot. For the two assessor seats, incumbent assessor Jack Race led the caucus, with political newcomer Fred Zito of Philmont outpolling incumbent assessor Ed Jacklin for the other endorsement. “It was a big night in Claverack,” Republican Councilman Mike Johnston, who served as clerk of the caucus, told the Register-Star. “The days of the RINO (Republican-In-Name-Only) are over. In these times of outrageous tax-and-spend policies epitomized by Obama and the Democrat administration, people want real Republicans who are not afraid to stand up and say ‘enough already.’ Claverack may just be a small town, but this is where it all starts.” Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Ghent Playhouse appoints Lee-Visscher artistic director
Paul Leyden, President of the Ghent Playhouse Board of Directors, announced Friday, June 24 that long-time Board member and Playhouse regular Cathy Lee Visscher is the new Artistic Director, replacing Tom Detwiler, who has served in that role since 2002. Lee-Visscher, who lives in Valatie, has been with the Ghent Playhouse, formerly Columbia Civic Players, since its very inception 36 years ago, and appeared in its very first production, "Sorry, Wrong Number" and has served on its Board at various times. “I believe Tom Detwiler has proven to be a strong Artistic Director for the Ghent Playhouse, and I hope to continue to excite our audiences by choosing challenging and diverse shows and presenting those productions with the same high professional quality for which we have come to be known," she said in a press release. "I also hope to explore new ways to spark interest in our theatre, in order to bring in members of the community who may not have yet experienced what we have to offer. I am always so proud and impressed by what we produce here at the Ghent Playhouse, and we seem to get better and better each season.”

Football returns to school board's agenda
Emilia Teasdale in The Columbia Paper reports The Ichabod Crane school board will vote on allowing the booster club to pay for the now-cancelled football program through private fundraising for the 2011-12 year at the next board meeting July 12. At the board's meeting last Tue., June 21 the board also voted to leave an open seat vacant following the resignation of Edward Harsen earlier this month. "Some board members did not want to spend $3,100 for a special election that can be held no later than August 16, according to Board Clark Mindy Potts," Teasdale wrote. The board will leave the seat open until the next annual election in May 2012, operating with eight members instead of nine. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.

Sports scores

Empire State Baseball League
13U Coxsackie Owlz 14 - S. Colonie Raiders 5
Zach Girvin knocked in six runs and picked up the win on the mound as the 13U Coxsackie Owlz (6-1, 8-3) beat the S. Colonie Raiders 14-5 Sat., June 25. Caleb Davies also went 3-4, with an RBI of the Owlz. Girvin, Matt Mitchell, and Davies combined to give up five runs on two hits, 10 walks, and eight strike outs.

Greene County Volunteer Firemens Association's Drill Day results: Lexington, 42; West Athens, 40; Oak Hill/Durham, 37; Earlton, 31, Cairo, 27; Greenville and Athens (18); and Coxsackie, 16.


Audio clips for Monday, June 27
• A Very Incomplete Calendar: 20110627
Produced by Terry Doyle for Imprint. Imprint is Doyle's weekly show on WGXC about Hudson Valley music, and this is his weekly calendar of regional events. Click here to play mp3 clip. (4:20)

• New York State Senate audio of vote legalizing same-sex marriage.
Audio from New York State Senate. Clip is 2:10, and last 30 seconds is applause and, finally, chants of "USA, USA." Click here to listen to mp3 audio clip of the New York State Senate voting to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.

The National Weather Service predicts patchy fog before 8 a.m. Monday and then, sunny, with a high near 85. Monday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Tuesday there is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon, with a high near 86. Things should clear up Wednesday, with a high near 80.

Town meetings today
CATSKILL village board meeting at 7 p.m. at Firehouse near Catskill Commons (Wal Mart) (943-3830).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Board of Supervisors’ Economic Development/Planning/Tourism/Agriculture/Transportation Committee Meeting, 5 p.m at 401 State St., Hudson.
HALCOTT Town meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 813 Route 3, Halcott Center (845-254-9920)
HUDSON Common Council Police Committee Meeting, 6 p.m. at City Hall; Fire Committee Meeting at 6:45 p.m., at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).
PHILMONT Local Development Corp meeting at 7 p.m., Village Hall, 124 Main St., Philmont (672-7032).
STUYVESANT Public Hearing regarding a minor subdivision application by Aenne Grannis & William Pflaum, 3 Rybka Road, Stuyvesant Falls, NY to join two parcels into one parcel. Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 5 Sunset Drive, Stuyvesant (758-6248).

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 12:59 p.m./Low, 7:22 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:26 a.m./8:31 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 2:18 a.m./5:17 p.m.

Birthdays
June 27 Ross Perot, Rahul Dev Burman, Vera Wang, Willie Mosconi, Krzysztof Kielowski, Ted Haggard, and Tobey Maguire.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant presents the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, with reports looking at the Albany legislative session and the passing of the same-sex marriage law late Friday. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant looks at the Albany legislative session and the passing of the same-sex marriage law late Friday. 9-11 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
CLASSICAL SHOW Lincoln Mayorga plays classical music. Noon-2 p.m.
GREENHORN RADIO Agriculture show for young farmers. 2 p.m.
YOUTH SHOW Emily Bennison curates. 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Kaya Weidman and Greg Osofsky host. 4-7 p.m.
AMERICANA Kurt and Doug play roots music. 7 p.m.
LUNAR MOSS DJ Lunar Moss plays mostly vinyl. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more through 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.

New York State Senator James Seward, who represents Greene County in Albany, released this official video through the New York State Senate's YouTube channel, explains what he thinks the legislature accomplished this year. Below, Senator Steve Saland, who represents Columbia County, talks about his disappointment in the legislature's failure to repeal the MTA Payroll Tax. Below that, Saland generally comments on the legislative session. Below that, Assemblyman Pete Lopez, who represents Greene County, talks about his work on the Regional Education and Property Tax Reform Committees.

Columbia County's State Senator Steve Saland became the 32nd senator to announce his support of the same-sex marriage bill, which passed in a vote Friday night in Albany. Buffalo's Mark Grisanti, also a Republican, also voted for the bill, which passed 33-29. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill and it becomes state law in 30 days. Saland was the only locally elected representative who voted for the bill: Senator Jim Seward, who represents Greene County, voted against the bill, as did Assemblymen Pete Lopez (Greene County) and Marc Molinaro (Dutchess County).

• Click here to play an mp3 recording of the New York State Senate voting to legalize same-sex marriage. (2:10)

The wait, and the singing among protesters, continues in Albany today, as the New York State Senate is still in session, and has still not taken up the same-sex marriage bill. Protesters on both sides of the issue have been kept out of the State Capitol today for the first time, so the capitol itself is quiet for the first time in weeks today. Outside, as this video from the Albany Times-Union shows, the singing continues among protesters waiting for a vote.

The Daily News, a paper that covers Genesee, Wyoming, and Orleans, NY counties, reports that in 2009 dairy farms in the Northeast lost an average of $386 per cow and that in 2010 they earned an average of $396 a cow, a stunning $782 turnaround. "Milk prices rose $3.90 per hundredweight in 2010, and that helped farms have adequate cash flow for operating expenses, debt repayment, family living, and income taxes. Dairies also were able to catch up on some bills that were carried over from 2009, according to Farm Credit’s Northeast Dairy Farm Summary report," the paper reports. Debt per cow remained at $3,337, the highest in the 32-year history of the report. The report considered farms in New York, New England, and New Jersey. Read the full story in The Daily News.

[caption id="attachment_12431" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Anonymous photo contribution purported to be the same area May 25 and June 23 this year."][/caption]
Hudson environmentalists sent out internet alarms Thursday as the path used by O&G across Hudson's South Bay became a compacted gravel roadway the entire length of the former rail-bed from 9G to the eastern side of the mainline tracks on the causeway. An anonymous listener contributed the two photos shown on the WGXC Newsroom blog, one from May 25 this year, and one from yesterday, where work was clearly done. On Carole Osterink's The Gossips of Rivertown blog there is a photo of the paving in action. Several emails confirm that these Hudson-based environmentalists have alerted the Department of Environmental Conservation about the paving, which they believe exceeds the scope of O&G's permit. Osterink's blog notes that, "At the Common Council meeting on Tuesday night, amidst the agonizing about gravel trucks on city streets, mayor's aide Cappy Pierro asked rhetorically, 'Why don't we just ask O&G to use the causeway?'" Last year, Mike McCagg in ccScoop reported, "Although the Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a permit for the "maintenance and repair of [the] existing gravel and stone roadway," Scenic Hudson has appealed that permit, maintaining the use of a former railroad bed as a roadway for heavy truck traffic will harm the South Bay and the wetlands east of Route 9G."

No news on same-sex marriage bill
The New York State Senate adjourned around 11 p.m. Thursday night without taking a vote on same-sex marriage. They are coming back Friday to complete several other bills, but there is no firm word whether Senate Republicans will allow a vote on the same-sex marriage bill, or whether there one more Senate Republican will vote for the bill, if it comes to a vote.

Columbia-Greene Community College seeks tuition hike
Kyle Wind in The Daily Freeman reports that Columbia-Greene Community College's proposed $16.25 million budget for 2011-12 would raise full-time tuition 5.6 percent. College president James Campion told the newspaper that the budget would raise tuition for full-time students by $192 per year, to $3,648, and by $8 per credit hour for part-time students, to $152 per credit hour. The school would not fill some now-empty faculty positions and use cheaper adjunct and part-time faculty to balance state cuts and no increase in contributions from Greene and Columbia counties. Read the entire story in The Daily Freeman.

Zoom Flume opens wave pool
Durham's Zoom Flume water park holds a grand opening at noon today, Fri., June 24 for its new "Riptide Cove" wave pool. Assemblyman Pete Lopez was going to be among the speakers at the opening, but the legislature remains in session today. Zoom Flume is located at 10 Shady Glen Road in East Durham. In other water fun news, Melanie Lekocevic reports in The Greene County News that the Athens Pool reopens for the season today, Fri. June 24. You have to be a member or pay a day rate to visit the kiddie pool with a slide, and the full-sized pool with both a shallow and deep end, and a diving board.

Hudson Democrats realign
Hudson Democrats reconfigured their endorsements this week, after City Treasurer Eileen Halloran announced last week that she will seek reelection after first suggesting otherwise. Common Council President Don Moore will now, instead of running for treasurer, attempt to retain his seat and Sarah Sterling who had previously been endorsed for Common Council President, now seeks the 1st Ward Supervisor spot. Nick Haddad remains the Democrats choice for Mayor, and Dave Marston and Larissa Thomas are trying to be 1st Ward Aldermen.

Roemer to run for Supreme Court justice
The Register Star reports that Guy Roemer, a private practice attorney from Albany County, is running for New York State Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District representing Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Ulster, and Sullivan counties. He claimes the support of former Albany County Republican Chairmen Peter Kermani and John Graziano, Sr. and current Chairman Don Clarey. Recently, Roemer served as the Principal Court Attorney to the Honorable George J. Pulver in Greene County, preparing and researching decisions. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

The National Weather Service predicts a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 72 on Friday. Friday night should bring more showers and thunderstorms before 3 a.m., with a low around 59. Saturday there is a 50 percent chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Sunday should be mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Town meetings today
CLERMONT Zoning Board of Appeals, 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1795 Route 9, Clermont (537-6868).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Columbia County Industrial Development Agency Public Hearing on Flanders/Precisionaire Corporation proposal for exemption from mortgage recording taxes; deed transfer taxes; sales taxes relating to acquisition, construction, renovation and installation of the project facility; and real property taxes. They are proposing to take over the former Kaz factory. Meeting at 9 a.m. at 4303 Route 9, Greenport.

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 10:12 a.m./Low, 4:51 p.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:25 a.m./8:31 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 12:48 a.m./2:18 p.m.

Birthdays
June 24 Harry Partch, Terry Riley, Jeff Beck, George Pataki, David Rodigan, Hope Sandoval, and Phil Hughes.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Mark Lacoy and Casson Kennedy present 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 Tom Roe updates the morning news. 9-11 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
PURE MOODS Shannekia McIntosh plays all sorts of music. Noon-2 p.m.
KNOCK ON WOOD Steve Charney and his dummy Harry. 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Tom Roe hosts. 4-7 p.m.
GUEST DJ Live from Spotty Dog Books & Ale with World Lines + Silent Isle + Voder Deth Squad. 7 p.m.
HOTLINE RADIO The Guy and L Dot Dinero host. 9:30 p.m.
TRANSMISSION ART Radio theater, experimental sound, field recordings, radio art, mash-ups, shortwave radio news, and more through 6 a.m. Sunday morning.