The National Weather Service predicts a slight chance of showers before 10 a.m. Wednesday, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m., with a high near 79 and a 60 percent chance of rain. Wednesday night that increases to 80 percent, with showers and possibly a thunderstorm and a low around 63. Thursday, showers are also likely, possibly a thunderstorm, with a high near 74.

Town meetings today
ATHENS Village meeting at 7 p.m. at Community Center, 2 First St., Athens (945-1551).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Public Works Committee at 6 p.m. at County Office Building, 401 State Street, Hudson.
HUDSON Department of Public Works Committee meeting at 6 p.m.; Legal Committee meeting starts at 6:45 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 skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 8:38 a.m./Low, 3:103 p.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:25 a.m./8:30 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET -/12:22 p.m.

Birthdays
June 22 Billy_Wilder, Paul Frees, Kris Kristofferson, Ed Bradley, Meryl Streep, Elizabeth Warren, Cyndi Lauper, and Erin Brockovich.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant 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 Philip Grant updates the morning news. 9-10 a.m.
@ISSUE Victor Mendolia hosts. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
THE SCHOEMER SHOW Karen Schoemer interviews bassist Mike Watt (The Minutemen, dos, firehose, Iggy and the Stooges) via Skype. Noon-2 p.m.
CATSKILL REVIEW OF BOOKS 3 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Richard Roth and Ann Forbes Cooper host. 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.

Al Jazeera English reports:

Ship breaking, the business of dismantling old vessels and recycling parts as scrap metal, was banned in Bangladesh last year. Environmentalists had long fought against it and the pollution it caused. That ban was lifted in March on conditions of higher environmental standards and workers' safety. The industry has time till July to prove itself. At Chittagong port, hundreds of old ships are waiting to be beached and dismantled. Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reports.

Three jazz guitarist performed on WGXC's "The Jazz Disturbance" with host Cheryl K last Thursday, June 16. The above video was posted on YouTube of part of the performance:

Gabe Schnider was the student of Matt Finck, and he was the student of Eddie Diehl. To promote their concert together on June 18, 2011, at Stella May in Kingston, they played at WGXC in Hudson, NY. The first song was called Delsamba, which Eddie wrote for his wife, Here is that song we recorded during the show.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="480" caption="Greene and Columbia counties can be seen in green, as area's where women's life expectancy rose less than the national average from 1997-2007."][/caption]Julia Reischel in The Watershed Post reports that life expectancy for women in Greene and Columbia counties rose less then it did nationally from 1997 to 2007, according to a study published in Population Health Metrics by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics Evaluation. Nearby Delaware County was one of 737 counties in the country where female life expectancy actually dropped. Reischel in The Watershed Post writes: "The study has grim news for Americans in general: Our average life expectancy is falling behind that of other First World countries." Read the entire story in The Watershed Post.

On heels of a defeat at the polls, district budget goes to a revote
Hilary Hawke in the Ravena News-Herald reports that voters in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk school district return to the polls today to decide on a new budget. Voters rejected a budget with a 3.39 percent tax levy increase on May 17, and the budget up for approval today pares that down to a 2.5 percent increase, a cut of $100,000 in spending. If voters reject the budget, a contigency budget with a 2.5 percent contingency budget increase goes into effect, so the vote today is largely symbolic. Only a half dozen residents June 13 budget hearing about the budget, which board members Tracey Traver, Jeff Sorensen, Chris Pennock and Josephine O'Connor did not attend. The vote today is from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at RCS High School. Read the entire story in The Ravena News-Herald.

C-GCC passes budget with 5.6% tuition hike
Doron Tyler Antrim in The Daily Mail reports that Monday June 20 Columbia-Greene Community College Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $16.25 million budget for the 2011-2012 school year, a $450,000 increase. , The budget includes a 5.6 percent tuition increase, $96. No staff cuts were needed. "Student enrollment, which was at an all-time high last fall at about 2,000, is expected to decline slightly this September as the number of graduates from area high schools decreases," Antrim writes. Read the entire story in The Daily Mail.


Higher rent subsidies sought
John Mason in the Register-Star reports that Columbia County Social Services Commissioner Paul Mossman wants to increase rent subsidies for persons in the Safety Net Program, which he says will save about $1 million a year. The program provides rent assistance to single individuals and childless couples, with the typical shelter allowance for a single person $191; Mossman asked for an increase to $511. For a childless couple, the allowance is $221, and he asked to up it to $541. “We want to take Safety Net individuals and locate more permanent housing,” Mossman told the Human Services Committee last Wed. June 15. The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has approved Mossman’s request; it needs approval from the state Division of the Budget, Mason reports. The department has budgeted 43 people in this category, though currently the number of homeless in the program is down to 38. Mossman says much more would be saved through if individuals could be moved into apartments and out of hotel rooms, which can cost around $2,100 a month. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Powerboat wins Hudson majors title
The Register-Star reports that Derek DeLamater tossed a no-hitter for Powerboat's 12-1 victory Monday, June 20 to complete a two-game sweep of S&F Technologies Monday to win the Hudson Little League majors championship for the second year in a row. Powerboat previously downed S&F 14-4 on Thursday, and Monday's game was a mercy-rule shortened four innings. DeLamater struck out 10 batters and walked two, and hit a three-run homer, a double, and a single. Powerboat finished the season with a 16-2 record. Last week Hudson Little League announced its 2011 All-Stars rosters. The 9-10-year-old squad, managed by Joe Cefaliello, includes Matthew Cowan, Lavon Fernandez, Chris Gardener, Maison Goldstien, Charles Goodermote, Dayquan Griffin, Ben Huston, Hakeem Martin, Jackson Moon, Patrick Spencer, Mark Tomaso and Corey Topple. The 10-11 team, managed by Bill Glasser, includes Gabrielle Barrientos, Tyler Bleau, Stephen Bowes, Antonio Fisher, A.J. Glasser, Michael Green, Chris Keator, Connor McCagg, Chris Meano, Ethan Peters, Stephen Renault and Zach Wilburn. The 11-12 team, managed by Chip Moon, includes Jordan Bain, Jeremy Cramer, Derek DeLamater, Tyler Drahushuk, Daniel Folds, Connor Graziano, Joshua Moon, Jeremy Ramirez, Joshua Ramirez, Jacob Rivette, Matthew Sweet and Willie Walker. Read the entire report in The Register-Star.

June 21 is the first day of summer, technically starting at 1:16 p.m.

The National Weather Service predicts isolated showers between noon and 1 p.m. today, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m., with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also predicted overnight, with a low around 61. Wednesday more scattered showers are possible, with thunderstorms also possible after noon and a high near 75.

Town meetings today
ANCRAM Town of Ancram Zoning Board of Appeals holds two public hearings to consider an application by Jerry Peele, of Herondale Farm, who is seeking a special use permit and an area variance to operate a farm store in an existing barn located at 90 Wiltsie Bridge Road. Also under consideration is an application by Tom and Wendy Borgeson who are seeking an area variance to construct an addition to their house, located at 554 Hall Hill Road, closer to the front property line than is permitted by zoning regulations. At 7 p.m. at Ancram Town Hall, 1416 County Route 7, Ancram (518-329-6512).
COLUMBIA COUNTY Health and Medical Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. at 401 State St. in Hudson.
CLAVERACK The Town of Claverack Republican Party for enrolled Republicans for the purpose of nominating candidates for election to town offices at the General Election to be held on November 8, 2011 will be held at the Claverack Town Park, at the rear of 91 Church St.
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 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 skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 7:52 a.m./Low, 2:23 p.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:25 a.m./8:30 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 11:59 p.m./11:23 a.m.

Birthdays
June 21 Jean-Paul Sartre, Lalo Schifrin, Ray Davies, Nils Lofgren, Berkeley Breathed, and Juliette Lewis.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant 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 Philip Grant updates the morning news. 9-11 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
OPERA SHOW Ed Beatty hosts. Noon-2 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Richard Roth and Ann Forbes Cooper host. 4-7 p.m.
JMOORE Jeff Moore plays music. 7 p.m.
BATTLEFIELD EARTH A Demographic of One with Dan Seward. 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.

The State Capitol in Albany will be abuzz all week until a vote is taken on the proposed same-sex marriage bill or the legislature retires for the summer, whichever comes first. Columbia County's State Senator, Steve Saland (R-Poughkeepsie) is one of three Republican senators Gov. Andrew Cuomo has targeted to be the last voted needed to pass the bill. Capitol Confidential, the Albany Times-Union's political blog, posted the video above showing people both in favor and opposed to the law protesting in the capitol and this text:

Here’s the scene outside the east door to the Senate antechamber at 10:20 a.m. Monday, as advocates for marriage equality and traditional marriage are jumbled together, creating major placard dissonance (“Equality for all families” next to “Marriage = one man + one woman”). Football player David Tyree, who released a video last week boosting traditional marriage, is in the throng. Trad marriage advocates have been encouraged to pray in small groups, and members of the media are amply represented in the thickening crowd — which is now singing.

John Mason in the Register-Star reports that the New York state Department of State proposes designating Hudson’s South Bay as a "Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat." "The area is significant, according to a draft document from the DOS, because it contains 'ecological communities ranked as rare in New York state,' including a freshwater tidal creek and marsh, an intertidal swamp, a supratidal swamp and submerged aquatic vegetation beds," Mason writes. The document describes the South Bay Creek and Marsh as “a 121-acre basin of tidal wetlands and uplands located on the east side of the Hudson River, south of the city of Hudson, in the Town of Hudson in Columbia County.” Chris Reed of Friends of Hudson and the South Bay Task Force called this an important moment, “putting the South Bay on a level with Stockport Creek and Flats.” “The South Bay would be integrated into a regional system of primary habitats which is rated by the state, and entitled to the highest level of protection,” Reed wrote in an email to the Register-Star. The 30-day comment period for the designation, which covers parts of Hudson and Greenport, began June 15. Some of the life the South Bay Task Force has observed in the bay include an alewife floater, a species of mussel that requires the gills of a herring to survive, blue-backed herring, white suckers, banded killifish, mudminnows, pumpkinseeds, brown bullheads, carp, shiners and American eel. The story does not hint at how the designation might impact the current LWRP and GEIS plans for Hudson's waterfront that include the South Bay. Read the full story in the Register-Star.

Bank of Greene County wins Catskill Little League title
The Daily Mail reports that Logan Worth threw a no-hitter to lead Bank of Greene County over Lacy’s 4-0, to win the Catskill Little League majors baseball championship Sat. June 18 in Catskill. Worth also went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double, and Brandon Eacott hit a double, a single and scored two runs, and Justin Worth also scored a run in the championship victory.

C-GCC opens doors to Holcim workers
Doron Tyler Antrim in The Daily Mail reports that workers laid off last week when the Holcim cement plant in Catskill closed can enroll in a retraining or academic programs and may be eligible for up to $15,000 in special benefits. The story says the benefits include up to $8,250 to pay for a one-year program or $15,000 for a two-year program and an extension of unemployment insurance, and workers over 50 could get a boost up to $10,000 to cover some of the difference between their old and new salaries. M.A. Wiltse, director of the Columbia-Greene Workforce Investment Office at Columbia Greene Community College, is administrating the effort, according to the story. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.

Martin Van Buren School closing
Martin Van Buren Elementary School holds a closing ceremony at 6 p.m. Mon. June 20, a victim of budget cuts this past year. Congressman Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook), who attended Martin Van Buren Elementary School while growing up in Kinderhook, will be among the speakers. The school is at 25 Broad Street, Kinderhook.

Saland still undecided on marriage bill
Jamie Larson in the Register-Star wrote this Saturday, but it is still true Monday, June 20: "Local veteran State Sen. Stephen Saland, R,C,I-Poughkeepsie, remains under an intense national spotlight this weekend as he continues to represent the deciding vote needed for the passage of the New York State Marriage Equality Act, proposed earlier this week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo." This weekend Hudson held its second Hudson Pride festival, and every speaker at the ceremony WGXC broadcast live Saturday afternoon including Alderwoman Ellen Thurston, Common Council President Don Moore, Hudson treasurer Eileen Halloran, and Democratic mayoral candidate Nick Haddad called for Senator Saland, who represents Columbia County in Albany, to vote for the measure. Click here to hear all the speakers near the beginning of this mp3 audio recording from the Hudson Pride festivities Saturday afternoon. Local politicians and Albany pundits are predicting a vote in the State Senate on Wednesday.[caption id="attachment_12352" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="Male Room at Hudson Pride 2011 live on WGXC 90.7-FM."][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_12353" align="alignright" width="224" caption="Mother Fletcher at Hudson Pride 2011 live on WGXC 90.7-FM."][/caption]

Audio Clips
Click on each headline to play mp3 audio clip.

• A Very Incomplete Calendar: 20110620
Produced by Terry Doyle. Weekly listings of regional music events from the Hudson Valley music show "Imprint" on WGXC.

• Hudson Pride 2-4 p.m. live broadcast.
Performances and speakers on WGXC 90.7-FM. Live from Promenade Hill in Hudson, with speakers including Ellen Thurston, Don Moore, Eileen Halloran, and others, and performances from The Providers, The Landlines, Mother Fletcher, and others.

• Hudson Pride 2011 First Hour.
Live on WGXC 90.7-FM from Promenade Park. Includes Male Room performance and DJ Abel.

• Harvey Wasserman talk "From Fukushima to Solartopia: Winning a GreenPowered Earth."
Recorded by WGXC volunteer Kieran Riley. Wasserman spoke at Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th St., Troy, NY.

Nate Chinen in The New York Times reviews Hudson's Meshell Ndegeocello show of Prince covers at the Highline Ballroom in Manhattan Wed., June 15. After playing "Get Off," Chinen quotes her onstage, “I guess that’s why I don’t have hits... ’Cause if I had to do the same song every night, the same way, I’d shoot myself.” Ndegeocello stuck to mostly early Prince tunes such as "Controversy," "Lady Cab Driver," “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” “Something in the Water (Does Not Compute),” and “I Would Die 4 U.” Meshell Ndegeocello performs on July 9 at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn, (718) 756-5250, weeksvillesociety.org. Read the full review in The New York Times.

The National Weather Service predicts Monday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Monday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Tuesday a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms is predicted after 2 p.m, with a high near 83.

Town meetings today
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 The Canaan Planning Board meets at 7 p.m. to consider the following: 1. Site Plan Review for Peter Lopez for a soccer training facility to be located at 13134 Route 22. 2. Boundary Line Adjustment between Michael Belknap and Martha Burke-Hennsessy and Daniel and Amy Kamensky for property located at 41 Warner Crossing Road and 10 Marble Ridge Road. 3. Exempt Subdivision for Michael Belknap and Martha Burke-Hennsessy for property Located at 41 Warner Crossing Road (near Old Hudson Tpk. And Tunnel Hill Rd.). 4. Any additional business brought before the Board. 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).

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 7:03 a.m./Low, 1:38 p.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:24 a.m./8:26 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 6:29 p.m./3:17 a.m.

Birthdays
June 20 Eric Dolphy, Olympia Dukakis, Brian Wilson, Andre Watts, Nouri Al-Maliki, and Robert Rodriguez.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Philip Grant 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 Philip Grant updates the morning news. 9-11 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
CLASSICAL SHOW Lincoln Mayorga hosts. Noon-2 p.m.
ROOTS, RUNNERS, RHIZOMES Sarah Falkner and Lauren Giambrone host. 3 p.m.
YOUTH RADIO Quinn and Emily Bennison host. 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Kaya Weidman and Greg Osofsky host. 4-7 p.m.
STONE WALLS, STEEL BARS Cowboy Jim hosts the bluegrass show. 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.

[caption id="attachment_12311" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="Noveller at Spotty Dog Books & Ale on WGXC June 13, 2011."][/caption]Noveller, U.S. Girls, Alexander Turnquist, and DJ Lunar Moss all performed Mon., June 13 at the Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson. WGXC aired the show live on 90.7-FM. Listen to an mp3 recording of Noveller's set here. Click here to listen to an mp3 file that includes Alexander Turnquist's performance, a brief DJ Lunar Moss set, and then U.S. Girl's performance here.[caption id="attachment_12312" align="alignright" width="224" caption="DJ Lunar Moss."][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_12313" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="Alexander Turnquist."][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_12314" align="alignright" width="224" caption="U.S. Girls."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="245" caption="State Senator Steve Saland with Hudson school Superintendent Jack Howe at the Hudson Children's Book Festival. Photo from Saland's website."][/caption]In Gay Marriage Debate, a Republican Is Pivotal
Nicholas Confessore and Danny Hakim in The New York Times say New York State Senator Steve Saland, the lawmaker who represents Columbia County, "has not decided whether to allow a vote on legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in New York State." The Times says Saland, along with Senator Andrew J. Lanza of Staten Island and Senator Kemp Hannon of Long Island, met with Governor Andrew Cuomo about their concerns, "that churches and other religious institutions that do not approve of gay marriage could face legal challenges or regulatory conflicts if same-sex marriage is legalized." Currently 31 of a necessary 32 state senators have publicly said they will vote for the bill, which passed the State Assembly Wed. June 15, and will be signed by Cuomo and made law if one more Republican senator changes his position. All week, Senators have said they expect a vote on Friday. Read the full story in The New York Times.

Lafarge updates planning board on modernization project
Hilary Hawke in The Ravena News-Herald reports that Lafarge representatives Senior Project Manager John Light, Engineering Manager Marc Desimon, Environmental Manager John Reagan and Plant Manager Martin Turecky met the Town of Coeymans planning board recently, with an artist's rendering of the cement plant proposed modernization plan. Reagan said Lafarge "was not quite ready" to apply for building permits. "We have been working on this for three years," Reagan said. "We have held informational sessions, public meetings, undergone a public comment period and taken part in the DEC legislative hearing." Hawke writes that the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to submit comments to the DEC within the next few weeks and DEC will then issue a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). "We want to know about the landscaping," said Planning Board member Joe Kapusta told the Lafarge representatives. "We want an up-to-date, state-of-the art plant," Board member Buddy Irwin said, "but we also want attention paid to the appearance of the Route 9W corridor." Hawke also reports that Callanan Industries, a supplier of paving materials and construction services just west of Lafarge, will be move out during construction of the new Lafarge plant. "It is not clear if they will reoccupy the premises once the modernization is completed sometime in 2014." Hawke reports that the redone plant's production will increase from roughly 1.7 million tons to 2.8 million tons each year. "Reagan said the modernization project will create roughly 800 construction jobs and once completed the new plant will employ the roughly the same number of workers as now, 180." Read the entire story in The Ravena News-Herald.

Rodgers arrested
Carole Osterink in The Gossips of Rivertown blog reported two days before anyone else that Tim Rodgers, one-time candidate for alderman in the First Ward, was arrested Wednesday at his SEIU office on Warren Street by the Hudson Police Department and charged with a misdemeanor for filing a false document. Current First Ward alderman Geeta Cheddie's complained to police after Rodgers signed applied to become a commissioner of deeds, citing a home address of 15 Allen Street, a building where he says he expected to be leasing an apartment. But the agreement with the building's owner fell through, and Cheddie filed the complaint. Rodgers, was endorsed by the Hudson Democratic Committee as a candidate for First Ward alderman, an endorsement Osterink says Cheddie sought, recently withdrew from the race (David Marston is the new Democratic candidate). Last week, it was announced that Cheddie has been endorsed by the Republicans. Rodgers was arraigned Wednesday before Judge Richard Koweek, who says he will recuse himself from the case, since he was recently endorsed by the Democrats for another position. Rodgers was released on his own recognizance and will appear again on July 6 before Judge Mark Portin. Jamie Larson in the Register-Star adds this detail: After the arraignment, Rodgers was stopped on Warren Street and arrested again by HPD for driving with a suspended license. Read the entire story in The Gossips of Rivertown.

It's Copake's time to chime
Kelly Criscione writes in the Times Union Copake residents raised $42,000 in less than a year to restore the town clock and war memorial. The clock, created after the death of World War II soldier and Copake native Steven McIntyre, originally cost $2,600, when built in the 1940s. The memorial, that now once again chimes on the hour, contains the names of 168 Copake veterans from the first and second world wars, and its image is used on town letterhead, police uniforms, and the Copake flag. Read the entire story in the Albany Times-Union.

Town unveils new design for rehabbed senior center
Melanie Lekocevic in the Greene County News reports that the Town of Coxsackie Mon. June 13 unveiled plans to refurbish the Coxsackie Senior Center that is in the former Knights of Columbus building on Mansion Street. The the town purchased the building last year with a $150,000 grant through former Assemblyman Tim Gordon’s office, and the renovations are covered by a $400,000 grant from the New York State Office of Community Renewal, Division of Housing. The plan includes upgrades of the plumbing, heating and electrical systems, switching from oil heat to natural gas. If money is left over from the grant, the town may add pathways from McQuade Park. Construction is expected to take about four months, and the town is considering the fire department, and the QWL building off Rte. 9W for temporary programming during construction. Read the Greene County News for the full story.

Empire State Baseball League scores
Thursday: 13U Coxsackie Owlz - 10 Schenectady #1 - 2
The 13U Coxsackie Owlz (4-1, 5-2) overwhelmed Schenectady #1 on Thursday 10-2. Seaver Martin and Elliott Palmateer each went 3-4 with a double and 2 RBIs, to lead the Owlz with Kyle Roberts adding two hits and pitching for the win with relief help from Chris Zwoboda. Roberts went 5 2/3 innings giving up two runs, one earned on four hits, two walks and nine strike outs. Zwoboda finished the game giving up a hit and one walk while striking out three.

The National Weather Service predicts showers and possibly a thunderstorm Friday, with a high near 78. Friday night, showers likely, mainly before 8 p.m., with a low around 60. Saturday, a slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Sunday, a slight chance of showers, mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 5:11 p.m./Low, 11:25 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:25 a.m./8:26 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 2:52 p.m./1:28 a.m.

Birthdays
June 17 Newt Gingrich, Art Bell, George S. Clinton, Dave Concepcion, Jello Biafra, and Venus Williams.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Casson Kennedy and Mark Lacoy 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.
QUE COCINARE HOY? What's Cooking Today in Spanish from Mariel Fiori and Antonio Flores-Lobos. 2 p.m.
ASTROLOGY A.T. Mann's predictions. 3 p.m.
KNOCK ON WOOD Steve Charney's comedy show. 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Shannekia McIntosh hosts. 4- p.m.
GUEST DJ: HUDSON PRIDE WGXC attempts a live broadcast from the Pride cruise on the Hudson River with DJ Lisa at 6 p.m. and DJ Gio at 9 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.

Assembly passes same-sex marriage 80-63
Both Pete Lopez, who represents Greene County, and Marc Molinaro, who represents Columbia County, voted against the bill, but a majority in the New York State Assembly voted to pass the same-sex marriage bill yesterday 80-63. By all accounts, the bill is now one vote short of passing the New York State Senate. Yesterday, Republican senators held a four-hour meeting about the bill behind closed doors. Journalists are speculating that the Republicans will let this bill pass in exchange for a Democratic retreat on the property tax cap or rent laws. Senators keep hinting that Friday might be the day a vote is taken on the matter. State Senator Greg Ball (R, Patterson) is asking for this language to be added to switch his vote and pass the bill:

1) No clergy or other person authorized to conduct marriage ceremonies shall be required to do so against their beliefs or desire,whether religious or not.
2) No religious or tax exempt organizations shall be required to provide any services to which they object because of religious or other beliefs.
3) No house of worship, individual or business with religious objections, or tax exempt organizations shall be required to allow their property or services to be used for any function or purpose to which they object or have their tax exempt status challenged or removed because of failure to permit usage of their property for same sex ceremonies.

New chamber of commerce means business
Andrea Macko reports in The Greenville Mountain View Pioneer (no web site) that Durham now has a Chamber of Commerce, and its first order of business is a hot air balloon festival in the Greene County town this weekend. Deer Watch Inn owner Jo-Ann Rascoe is the new chamber's president, and has scheduled the balloon festival down the street from her inn, at the Milk Run on Route 145 this Friday, June 17, through Sunday, June 19. Macko also reports that Durham's water park, the Zoom Flume, opens for summer business this weekend.

City hits home television screens
Jamie Larson in the Register-Star reports that PBS television station WMHT airs “Our Town Hudson” at 7:30 p.m. tonight, June 16. The hour-long documentary about the city of Hudson features interviews with Gary Schiro of the Hudson Opera House, Linda Mussmann of Time and Space Limited Warehouse, Melissa Auf der Maur of the Basilica Hudson, Father John Perry of Christ Church Episcopal, Corey Fleming of the Hudson Area Library and many others. Read the entire story in the Register-Star.

Kinderhook bank to open first Albany County branch
The Business Review reports that The Kinderhook Bank wants to open a branch in the Delaware Plaza in Delmar, in Albany County. Kinderhook Bank currently has five offices—in Kinderhook, Chatham, East Greenbush, Greenport, and Valatie—and $217 million in deposits. Read the full story in The Business Review.

Today on "Between the Lines" at 2 p.m. on 90.7-FM, WGXC host Ann Forbes Cooper interviews playwright Carey Harrison, who runs a Woodstock theater and is the son of the actor Rex Harrison. The Watershed Post offers this preview of the play, "Midget in a Catsuit Reciting Spinoza," he is debuting this weekend:

This weekend, playwright Carey Harrison, the artistic director of The Woodstock Players, will toss Nazis, historical figures, immortality, Jewish identity, and a bunch of "pantomime rats" together in his latest play, the surreal-sounding Midget in a Catsuit Reciting Spinoza. Midget enjoys its world premiere this Friday at the Byrdcliffe Theater, and, in addition to all the disparate items listed above, will also include some "nudity of a non-sexual nature."

The National Weather Service predicts Thursday will be sunny, with a high near 85. Thursday night there is a chance of showers, mainly after 1 a.m., with a low around 58. Friday, showers are also likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. A high near 76 on Friday and Friday night a low around 60 and a chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Saturday, partly sunny, with a high near 81. Sunday, mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Town meetings today
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)
HUDSON Hudson Community Development and Planning Agency Board meeting at noon at City Hall, Hudson.
WINDHAM Town board meets at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville (734-4170).

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 4:19 p.m./Low, 10:37 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:25 a.m./8:25 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 1:41 p.m./12:58 a.m.

Birthdays
June 16 Stan Laurel, Katherine Graham, Joyce Carol Oates, Roberto Duran, and Femi Kuti.

Tune in today
WGXC MORNING SHOW Antonio Flores-Lobos and Sara Kendall present the morning news, music, other features, agriculture reporting, and more, in both English and Spanish. 6-8 a.m.
DEMOCRACY NOW! Hosted by Amy Goodman. 8 a.m.
WGXC MORNING SHOW Norman Keyser updates the morning news, with weekend event information from Ellen Thurston and Joan Geitz. 9-10 a.m.
TELL IT LIKE IT IS Christina Malisoff hosts. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
CROSSROADS Allan Skerrett plays jazz, R&B, and more. Noon-2 p.m.
BETWEEN THE LINES Interviews with Carey Harrison, Richard Roth, and others. Hosted by Ann Forbes Cooper. 2 p.m.
RADIO THEATER 3 p.m.
YOUTH SHOW Loretta and Karen Schoemer host. 3:30 p.m.
WGXC AFTERNOON SHOW Antoine Guerlain hosts. A little after 5 p.m. there will be a long interview with Tim O'Conor, Chris Reed, and Patrick Doyle from the South Bay Task Force, about Hudson's proposed LWRP plan. 4-7 p.m.
THE JAZZ DISTURBANCEE Guitarists Eddie Diehl, Matt Finck and Gabe Schnider will perform live on "The Jazz Disturbance" with host Cheryl K. 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.

WGXC volunteer Christina Malisoff recorded the meeting about a proposed new food co-op Acres Co-Op Market Tuesday evening in Hudson. Malisoff reports over 100 folks turned out to the First Presbyterian Church on Warren St. for the meeting, and speakers included Peter Pehrson, Statewide Outreach Coordinator for New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group; Ellen Thurston, Fifth Ward Alderwoman and WGXC volunteer; and Anna Duhon, Cultural Resource and Outreach Coordinator at the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program. The group's next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. June 28 at the First Presbyterian Church. Click here to listen to an audio mp3 file of the meeting.

McDonald is 31st vote for same-sex marriage
Jimmy Vielkind in Capitol Confidential reports that Tuesday New York State Senator Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, told the Times Union that he will vote for a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state, becoming the 31st senator to say they will vote for the bill. It needs 32 votes to pass. “I’m trying to do the right thing,” he said. “Rather than wait I worked with the governor…I’m not out to alienate anybody.... It’s my own evolution.... I think there’s going to be a vote on Friday.” He voted against the bill in the Senate in 2009 and in the Assembly in 2007. The Conservative Party says it will pull its endorsement from any senator that votes to legalize same-sex marriage. McDonald has run on the party’s line in the past. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential, the Times-Union's political blog.

A Resolution to Oppose
Carole Osterink reports in The Gossips of Rivertown from Monday's Hudson Common Council meeting, and captures the the essence of the discussion about a proposed resolution opposing Columbia County's efforts to moving many social services to the former Wal-Mart building in Greenport. She reports:
• Fourth Ward Supervisor Bill Hughes alleged that the county is "in a feverish rush and cutting corners" because "they didn't notify Concra that they wanted to extend the lease" on 25 Railroad Avenue and are now desperate to relocate the Department of Social Services as soon as possible and that the building, "has a fifteen-year life expectancy, and it's now seventeen years old." He also said that the $16 million cost to buy the building and convert it represents a 1.7 percent increase in the tax levy and if the proposed two percent tax cap goes into effect, it would leave only an additional .3 percent to meet the county's rising costs.
• First Ward Alderman Geeta Cheddie said the move would, "free up some pretty nice buildings in Hudson."
• Third Ward Alderman Ellen Thurston said that the current lack of adequate transportation to the site was a weak argument against the move because "it can be corrected."
• Fifth Ward Alderman Robert "Doc" Donahue said, "We're all going to vote yes, so why all this rhetoric?"
The council will vote on the resolution Tuesday, June 21, and the Walmart purchase comes before the Columbia County Board of Supervisors on July 11. Read the entire story in The Gossips of Rivertown.

Power line clears another NY hurdle
Jim Planck in The Daily Mail reports that the proposed 330-mile power line "Champlain-Hudson Power Express" from Canada to New York City, much of it in the Hudson River, was approved by the Department of State. Many other agencies must also sign off on the project, but the DOS ruled the project is consistent with the state’s coastal policies. DOS did mandate several changes, Planck reports, including the depth the cables are buried in the riverbed, how the line enters or leaves the water, the path in the river, and when the construction seasons will be performed, if Transmission Developers, Inc. updates all the project’s federal permit filings by July 8. The proposed line will re-enter the water three miles north of Coeymans, with the project’s original routing showing it near the middle of the river until just north of Coeymans, where it runs along the east shore until past New Baltimore. It then moves closer to the western shore past Catskill, except for a to get around Rattlesnake and Coxsackie islands. Just before Smith’s Landing in Catskill, it moves back to mid-river and stays there until well past the southern end of Columbia County. Read the entire story in The Daily Mail.

Empire State Baseball League results
14U Coxsackie Owlz 8 - Bethlehem Bosox 7
14U Coxsackie Owlz 11 - Bethlehem Bosox 3
In the first game of a doubleheader sweep for the 14U Coxsackie Owlz (4-4), the Owlz open up a 7-0 lead and hold on for an 8-7 victory over the Bethlehem Bosox. Leading the way for the Owlz was Brian Ellis going 1-4 with a double and 2 RBI's. Also Elliott Palmateer and Dylan Donovan each were 1-3 with an RBI. Sam Palmateer 1-1 and Zach Muller 1-4. Taylor LeClair gave up 3 hits and struck out five over 5 innings to earn the win. Muller got the final six outs to pick up a save. In the second game the Owlz pounded out 11 hits while beating the Bosox 11-3. Ben Palmateer lead the way this time going 3-3 with a double. Kyle Roberts 1-2 with a 2-run double. Matt McDonald 1-3 with 2 RBI's. Seaver Martin 1-4 with an RBI double. Sean O'Connor 1-1 with an RBI. LeClair 2-3. Donovan was 1-2 with an RBI and Sam Palmateer 1-4 with an RBI. Zach Girvin went 6 innings to get the win giving up 6 hits with 3 strike outs. Muller closed out the final inning giving up 1 hit with 1 strike out.

Morning scores
New York Mets 4
Atlanta Braves 3

Texas Rangers 4
New York Yankees 12

Boston Red Sox 0
Tampa Bay Rays 4

Wednesday audio clips
Click on the top line of each to play mp3 interview.

• Suhrawardi Gebel interview about Summer Meditation Camp at Abode of the Message in New Lebanon.
Interview by Richard Roth, Ann Forbes Cooper, and Tom Roe on WGXC Afternoon Show. Abode of the Message is a residential commune of the Sufi Order International.

• David Paulson interview about art show "7 New York Painters" at BRIK Gallery.
Interview by Ann Forbes Cooper and Richard Roth on WGXC Afternoon Show. The art show Paulson put together opens at BRIK Gallery in Catskill Sat. June 18 at 6 p.m.

• Dina Bursztyn from The Open Studio Catskill talks about her new children's book "The Land of Lost Things."
Interview by Ann Forbes Cooper and Richard Roth. Interview of Argentinian artist who now lives in Catskill. Her book is in both Spanish and English.

The National Weather Service predicts Wednesday will be sunny, with a high near 82. Wednesday night should be clear, with a low around 50. Thursday should be sunny, with a high near 83. Thursday night there is a 50 percent chance of showers, with a low around 58. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Town meetings today
CAIRO Town Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 512 Main St., Cairo (622-3120).
CATSKILL at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 439 Main St., Catskill.
CATSKILL Free Health Talk in the Catskill Public Library, 1 Franklin St., at 5 p.m. The topic will be “How to Talk to Doctors & Get the Most Out of Office Visits” presented by the Healthcare Communication Project. Please register at 518-943-4230.
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 Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing on Habitat for Humanity’s application for side yard variances to build two attached townhouses on two separate non-conforming lots at 240-242 Columbia St. at 6:30 p.m., followed by regular meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Warren Street, Hudson (828-1030).

The skies above
TIDES Hudson: High, 3:27 p.m./Low, 9:46 a.m.
SUNRISE/SUNSET 5:25 a.m./8:24 p.m.
MOONRISE/MOONSET 12:30 p.m./12:29 a.m.
First Quarter Moon begins 9:12 p.m.

Birthdays
June 15 Mario Cuomo, Waylon Jennings, Harry Nilsson, Dusty Baker, and Ice Cube.

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 updates the morning news. 9-10 a.m.
@ISSUE Victor Mendolia hosts. 10 a.m.
AL JAZEERA ENGLISH International news. 11 a.m.
THE SCHOEMER SHOW Karen Schoemer plays all types of music. Noon-2 p.m.
IMPRINT Host Terry Doyle interviews Catskill's Brian Kehoe. 2 p.m.
CATSKILL REVIEW OF BOOKS Interview with China Mieville, a socialist and science fiction writer talks about his new book "Embassytown." 3 p.m.
YOUTH SHOW Youth-produced radio. 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.