On Thursday, April 21, the Center for Middle Eastern Dialogue at SUNY New Paltz will host a conference on “Diversity in the Middle East: Commonalities and Polarities.” The conference, which will run from 1 to 9 p.m., will take place in the Student Union Building (SUB) on the New Paltz campus. The event is free and open to the public.
According to Dr. Clinton Bennett, Adjunct Professor of Philosophy and chair of the organizing committee, “As pro-democracy movements topple and threaten authoritarian regimes in the Middle East, world interest in the region, already high, has risen to a new level. This timely conference, led by SUNY New Paltz faculty and students, aims to deepen understanding of the region through in-depth analysis of economic, political and religious factors.”
Drawing on knowledge and experience of the region, participants will challenge stereotypes and common perceptions. Particular attention will focus on commonalities that unite “us” and “them” and on polarities that divide people in the region and create distance between “our” aspirations and theirs. Breakout sessions on the role of women, Turkey, economics and politics, religious diversity and an exhibition of student art and a student-led plenary on youth and the spreading revolution, will help interpret current and recent events. A sampling of Middle Eastern food will also be available to participants, and there will be music as well.
Meet the candidates
The New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold a “Meet the Candidates” forum for Village of New Paltz mayoral and trustee candidates on Monday, April 25 from 7 to 9:15 p.m. in Deyo Hall on Historic Huguenot Street. The evening will begin with candidates for village trustee, who will each give a three-minute self introduction. Candidates for mayor will then each give a five-minute opening statement, followed by questions from attendees which have been submitted in writing to and chosen by a floor monitor. At the end of the evening, candidates will each give a five-minute closing statement.
All candidates have been invited to the forum. Candidates for Village Trustee are Ariana Basco (Positive Party), Rick Bunt (Ballence), Amy Cohen (Groovy Blueberry Party), Emily Crocetti (Groovy Blueberry Party), Stewart Glenn (One Community Party), Shari Osborn (Community Connection Party), Sally Rhoads (One Community Party), David Kip Ruger (New Paltz Party) and Martin Sherow (One Community Party). Candidates for mayor are Jonathan Cohen (Groovy Blueberry Party), Jean Gallucci (The Village Unity Party), Peter Healey (One Community Party) and Jason West (Cooperative Party). For more information, call 255-0243.
Town/Gown Connect and Celebration of the Arts (COTA) will present a 90-minute moderated debate between all four candidates for the position of mayor of New Paltz this Sunday, April 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Village Hall.
Each candidate will be asked five questions, four prepared by the moderator and one selected from those submitted by the audience. The prepared questions will address the following subject areas: responsibility and scope of village government, village budgets, village relationship to SUNY, environmental initiatives, leadership and management, uniqueness of New Paltz, local-global connections, arts and culture, affordability, business development, quality of life, constituent relations and volunteerism.
Brian Wallace of Town/Gown Connect will prepare questions and moderate the debate, assisted by COTA co-founder, community arts activist and Town of New Paltz resident Melanie Cronin.
SlashRoot Technology Collective will hold a Village of New Paltz mayoral and trustee candidate debate moderated by Justin Holmes this Friday, April 15 from 7 to 10 p.m. SlashRoot is located at 60 Main Street in New Paltz.
Interested in running for the school board
Petitions for New Paltz School Board candidates are due in the office of the District Clerk by Monday, April 18 at 5 p.m. Candidates must submit petitions which contain a total of at least 47 valid signatures. The terms of board members Patrick Rausch and Steve Greenfield will end on June 30. Nominating petitions for potential candidates can be found at http://www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us/newpaltz/lib/newpaltz/_shared/NominatingPetitionsPacket2011.pdf, or call 256-4031 for further information.
Petitions for Highland School Board candidates are also due in the office of the Highland District Clerk by April 18 at 5 p.m. Candidates must provide a petition containing the signatures of 29 eligible Highland School District voters. The terms of board members Al Barone and Jim Kokoszynski end on June 30; the temporary appointment of board member Maria Peterson ends on May 17, election night. The candidate elected to the one-year term will follow Peterson in completing the final third of a three-year term vacated by Mike Serini in 2010. The two candidates winning three-year terms will be sworn in at the board’s first regularly scheduled meeting in July. For more information, call 235-0842 or e-mail KBerta@highland-k12.org.
Woman assaulted with knife on Main Street in New Paltz
New Paltz Police arrested David Salas, 27, of New Paltz on April 12 at approximately 1 a.m. and charged him with assault in the second degree, a class D Felony and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. According to police reports, Salas was arrested after allegedly cutting a 23-year-old female victim on the side of her head with a knife after an argument on Main Street in the Village of New Paltz. Police officers, who were on patrol in the area, received a 911 call about a fight in progress and located Salas in the immediate area with the knife in his hand. He was taken into custody without incident.
The victim, a New Paltz resident, was treated at the scene by the New Paltz Rescue Squad for non-life threatening head and arm injuries.
Salas was arraigned by New Paltz Town Justice James Bacon and sent to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.
Elks dinner to benefit child with brain cancer
New Paltz Elks #2568 will host a dinner this Saturday, April 16 from 4 to 8 p.m. The proceeds will benefit a seven-year-old child diagnosed with brain cancer. The menu will include ham or roast beef, salad, vegetable, potato, coffee, tea and a dessert table. Pizza will be available for children. The donation is $12 and reservations can be made by calling 255-1633 or 597-5498.
Literary soiree at Woodland Pond
A literary soiree -- celebrating spring, renewal and beauty -- will be held at Woodland Pond this Friday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. The Woodland Pond Poetry Group with Wild Plums and Town/Gown Connect will present public readings and performances of classic and new writing. Woodland Pond is located at North Putt Corners Road in New Paltz.
Spring fashion show to fund scholarship
Celebrate the arrival of Spring by attending “Bloom into Fashion,” a benefit fashion show being staged at Highland High School this Friday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. Local students will model the season’s freshest fashions, with the proceeds going towards a college scholarship to be awarded in memory of Tori Martorano and Alicia Quintana. Martorano was a student at Highland High School, while Quintana was a graduate of New Paltz High School. The show is being presented by Highland High School and Love in Bloom, an organization dedicated to encouraging young people to make healthy choices. Since its inception last summer, the group has been involved in a variety of community-minded projects, including redesigning the garden in the courtyard at Highland High School.
Fashions for the show are being provided by Bella Couture, Charmonix, Rambling Rose, Handmade & More and Mary H. Abdoo & You. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres from The Cheese Plate and CuteCakes. Admission is $5. Tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, call 691-4680.
Make your own fruit trees
Gardener Lee Reich will be holding a grafting workshop at his New Paltz garden this Sunday, April 17 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Learn the how, why and when of grafting. Watch Reich demonstrate two easy kinds of grafts and then make your own apple or pear tree to take home. Space is limited, so pre-registration is necessary. The cost is $55 per person. To register, e-mail garden@leereich.com or call 255-0417.
Mark Gruber Gallery celebrates 35 years
The Mark Gruber Gallery will celebrate 35 years of bringing the best regional artists to the art-loving community this Saturday, April 16. The gallery will be serving wine and cheese from 2 to 5 p.m. and reminiscing about the glowing talents that have graced the walls for these past three-and-a-half decades.
The Mark Gruber Gallery has brought memorable artists to our community including Hardie Truesdale, Will Cotton, Charles Fazzino and Thomas Locker; trends like the Cow Shows and Jacques Torres Chocolates. Always, somewhere in the gallery are landscapes, skyscapes, luminists and romantics alongside modernists and nudes and foods in art. The gallery continues its efforts to support the New Hudson River School of painters -- bringing you works in the classical, academic tradition right through the impressionistic interpretation of this venerable school of thought.
The Mark Gruber Gallery is located in the New Paltz Plaza. For more information, 255-1241.
Gardiner Greenmarket seedling sale Saturday
The Gardiner Greenmarket seedling sale will be held this Saturday, April 16 in the Gardiner Library Community Room. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rene Hronet of Libertyview Farm will have flower seedlings. George Jacobs of Heartfelt Seedlings in Gardiner will offer thyme, parsley, oregano, broccoli, kale, collards, chard and also calendulas. His seeds are grown in organic medium with micro-nutrients and many of the seedlings are inoculated with beneficial symbiotic microorganisms. Peg Lotvin from Fox Run Farm will have onions, leeks, broccoli, swiss chard, brussel sprouts and she will also bring fresh horseradish. She will also sell seeds from Ken Greene of the Hudson Valley Seed Library. Dancing Meadow will have lettuce. Jessica Swadosh from Veritas will have her root veggies and pea sprouts, sunflower sprouts and a few more esoteric spicy ones. She will also bring her dried heirloom tomatoes, as well as frozen winter squash. There will be a plethora of multi-colored eggs from Fox Run, Brookside Farm and Veritas. Brookside will also have beef from their Black Angus cows that are part of the closed Wye herd. They will also bring some stewing chickens and pork shoulders. There will be healthy baked goods from Magic Baking.
Palm Sunday pancake breakfast
The trustees of the New Paltz United Methodist Church will hold a pancake breakfast on Palm Sunday, April 17 from 8 to 10:15 a.m. In addition to pancakes, the menu will include sausage, bacon, fruit, juice, tea and coffee. The cost is $5. All are welcome. The dining hall is handicapped accessible.
Egg hunt in Highland
The annual Spring egg hunt will be held in Highland this Saturday, April 16 at 11 a.m. Meet at the Methodist Church for a story from Hamlet the Village Bunny.
Easter egg hunt in Gardiner
An Easter egg hunt will be held at Majestic Park in Gardiner this Saturday, April 16 at noon, rain or shine. Dress warm, wear boots and bring a bag or basket for goodies. All Gardiner residents between the ages of one and ten are invited to attend. The Easter Bunny is expected to make an appearance. Sign up at the Gardiner Town Hall and get your ticket for $1.
Methodist women to sponsor Easter egg hunt
The New Paltz United Methodist Women will sponsor its annual Easter egg hunt at the church at the corner of Main and Grove streets on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. until noon -- rain or shine. There will be activities, refreshments and the hunt for children ages 12 and under. All children with their parents are welcome.
Two children’s events at Gardiner Library
The Gardiner Library has two children’s events scheduled for April 15th and 16th. On Friday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m., the library’s Family Movie Night will feature “How To Train Your Dragon.” The film will be shown in the library community room. Free popcorn will be available; bring your own blanket and stuffed animal.
On Saturday, April 16 at 11:30 a.m., local children’s author Molly Rausch will read from her latest picture book, My Cold Went on Vacation. The reading will take place in the children’s section of the library during the Gardiner Green Market, which will be going on in the community room.
The library is located at 133 Farmer’s Turnpike. For further information, please call 255-1255 or visit www.gardinerlibrary.org.
Perri Birney to read from her novel at Elting Library
Perri Birney will read from and discuss her novel “Pure Vision: The Magdalene Revelation” on Tuesday, April 19, 7 p.m., in the Steinberg Reading Room at the Elting Memorial Library in New Paltz.
Birney’s novel revolves around New York Times reporter Maggie Seline who has written an explosive book that offers a controversial solution to the Middle East crisis. During a live radio interview, a kidnapping attempt is made and Seline vanishes. Her disappearance sets in motion a worldwide women’s march toward Jerusalem that threatens the status quo and parallels a frantic race to possess ancient talismans.
“Pure Vision” brings together ancient myths and contemporary challenges in a rich tale of past and present good and evil. Birney seamlessly weaves myth, history and contemporary events in an intriguing scenario that encourages a closer look at the spiritual forces that infuse the world’s political battles.
For additional information, call 255-5030.
Volunteers trail workers needed at Minnewaska
Visit Minnewaska State Park Preserve to meet new friends, help improve trail conditions and learn about basic trail maintenance from experienced trail keepers this Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Join members of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, a region-wide volunteer organization devoted to maintaining and improving public trails, and Park Preserve staff to help improve an overgrown footpath. Volunteers will use hand tools to clip back overgrown shrubs and clear woodland debris.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own work gloves and tools including loppers, bow saws and clipping shears. The parking fee will be waived for participants volunteering for this program. For more information, call 255-0752. Pre-registration is required.
Green Feminisms Conference to be hosted at New Paltz
The Women’s Studies Program at SUNY New Paltz will host a one-day conference on Saturday, April 30, titled “Green Feminisms: Women, Sustainability and Environmental Justice.”
This year’s conference focuses on the particular dangers that environmental degradation has posed for women throughout the world and celebrates the women who have been struggling against it. The conference will feature various workshop topics that will bring together activists, farmers, researchers, writers, educators and artists.
Dr. Suzanne Kelly said that the conference will provide a forum for “innovative thinking about the intersections of environmental and feminist issues.”
Highlights of the day include Trailer Talk, a live performance about hydraulic fracturing by Sabrina Artell, an Educational Market of local CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) and other farm projects, alternative energy projects and environmental organizations.
The keynote panel includes Beverly Naidus, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Arts at the University of Washington; Joni Seager, Professor of Global Studies at Bentley College; and Karen Washington, President of the New York City Community Garden Coalition. Panelists will discuss creative strategies for resistance and resilience, feminist perspectives on climate change, and the stereotypes and myths surrounding women and people of color in the food movement.
The day will conclude with talks by LaTosha Brown, Director of the Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Thilmeeza Hussain, Deputy Representative for the Maldives at the United Nations on the global leadership of women on climate change.
“We’re excited to bring together artists, theorists, and activists who will address a wide range of concerns,” said Professor Kelly.
All food served will be sourced from local Hudson Valley farms.
The cost is $50 (pre-registration; includes lunch) or $60 (day of the conference; no lunch). For a complete list of programs, registration forms or more information, visit www.newpaltz.libguides.com/green_feminisms or call 257-2975. For registration information, contact 257-3033.
Conference workshops and keynotes will take place in the Lecture Center and Humanities.
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