Question for the Public and the Local "Powers That Be..."

[Photo by BF]

I read in this week's "Kingston Times" ["New year,new jobs"; P. 3] that the Kingston City Council formed an "Auditing Committee" [Aldermen Teetsel, Madsen, Landi, Polacco and Hoffay) the beginning of this year...

And I would like to pose this question:

Would it be possible to list, on the "General Bills" section of the Kingston Common Council Meeting agendas, not only the vendor and amount - but the type of vendor, type of service rendered - and (where just a name is listed) that person's title and type of service rendered - as well?

People's names reveal nothing to the general public about the type of service rendered...

Some organizational names, such as "Cook, Tucker, Netter & Cloonan" (a law firm?) reveal nothing to the public about the type of service rendered [This was a $13,235.79 item on the Jan. 2009 agenda]

And some items, even if somewhat revealing by the nature of the organizational name, such as "Matt Pozorski Sculptureworks" ($3,750.00 on the Jan 2009 agenda) are baffling (at least without further information) as to what their pragmatic application might be - to the benefit of the City of Kingston - during these extremely difficult economic times.

To phrase that differently [and this is NOT to imply any implication of wrongdoing on the part of the City Council or any of the people or organizations listed as vendors on the Jan. 2009 Kingston City Council Agenda!]...

Who exactly are [I'll stick to a few of the more obscure (to the average Kingston citizen) bigger money items here...]:

Core BTs Inc.? [Jan 2009 Agenda; $1,280.00]

The "Dietz Commission"? [Jan 2009 Agenda; $74,500.00]

HDR/LMS? [Jan 2009 Agenda; $3,019.10]

Malcolm Pirnie Inc.? [Jan 2009 Agenda; $3,315.04]?

I am certainly aware that most organizations have their acronyms. In fact, the National Organization of Mental Health (or some such organization) has a source-book full of them...

But when it comes to City business - the expenditure of taxpayer monies - I really think the public needs things spelled out more explicitly --- that we need to know exactly who (or what organization) these monies are going to --- and for what purpose?

There is NO offense implied here. I am simply putting out my view on this matter, hoping that (as appropriate) the public, the new "Auditing Committee", the Mayor, the new County Comptroller and the new County Executive will give this some serious thought.

[If any errors have been made here, please let me know and I will post corrections immediately]

[General feedback is welcome and appreciated.]

N.S.

Old Record Albums...

[Photo by NS]

Yesterday my mother dropped off some old albums for me to list (for sale) on site.

The following is just a partial [Most are 33 1/3 RPM] list:

A Series of "Showboat" (78 R.P.M.) Reference Recordings (Old Radio Show) [National Broadcasting Company; 1937]

Gene Autry's Western Classics (Columbia Records; 1947; Set)

"Yes Indeed!" (Name of Album) [RCA Victor Records; Undated]

Don Ho Greatest Hits (Anyone Remember "Tiny Bubbles?" [Reprise Records; Undated)

"Dancing in the Moonlight"; David MacDowell and his Society Orchestra (Audition Records; Undated)

Andy Griffith and Dolores Gray in "Destry Rides Again...." [Original Cast Album] [Decca Records; Undated; 1st World Premier in 1959 (Schubert Theatre)

The Best of Tex Williams; Premier Albums; Undated]

The Wonderful King Family; Columbia Records; Undated]

Tennessee Ernie Ford: "Hymns" [Capitol Records; Signed; Undated]

Skating Time; Ken Griffin... [Columbia Records; Undated]

Bobbi Martin [Remember "Have You Ever Been Lonely?") [Decca Records; 1970]

Roy Clark's Greatest Hits - Volume 1 [ABC Records; 1975]

BlueGrass Banjo Hootenanny (Ed Cassady and the Georgia Corn Stompers) [Coronet Records; Undated]

22 Favorite Waltzes With the Mom and Dads [Remember the "Tennessee Waltz?"] [GNP/ Crescendo; 1976]

"To You Sweetheart, Aloha" (Andy Williams) [Cadence Records; Undated]

Firestone 5 Star Fiesta [Dean Martin; Jackie Gleason; Nat "King" Cole; Kay Starr; Guy Lombardo] [John H. Begley Ass.; Undated]

Inquiries to wingedbirdinflight@live.com

N.

Inaugural Party at Kingston Muddy Cup... Jackson Brown "For Everyman" You Tube

[Jackson Browne - "For Everyman"; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr-hqAjdNrU; Submitted by "stampbeugel" on June 03, 2007]

I have lined up to host, in collusion with the MoveOn Civic Action League, an Inaugural Party at the Kingston Muddy Cup. Here are the details of the event:

Inaugural Bash

Tuesday, 20 Jan 2009, 7:30 PM

Midtown Kingston Muddy Cup
516 Broadway
Kingston, NY 12401

Announcement, as submitted to MoveOn...

"This will be an informal Inauguration Party where folks can gather, share ideas and even, if they choose (This is to add a unique twist!) say a few words, read some poetry (open mike / pertinent to the occasion) or sing (just for fun!) a few Karaoke songs. The Muddy Cup is a great venue for such an event. Some local political figures and activists will get a personal invite. And the press... is definitely welcome! The focus will truly be a celebration! Let's have some FUN!"

There is no fee for this event, but one can purchase coffee / snacks at the counter.

Please help spread the word and come be part of this historic celebration!

N.S.

KAPA Fundraising and Award Ceremony Event Announcement

[Photo by BF]

My husband, Kingston Area Public Access [KAPA] Commissioner, R.S., just returned home from a meeting with information about an upcoming KAPA fundraising event. Here is (modified slightly to omit personal information and, in one case [] to put in an alternative spelling) the announcement:

"Public Access Awards and Fundraising Gala

February 21, 2009 at Keegan Ales
Doors open at 7pm... Awards begin at 8pm
Music provided by Sonando begins at 9pm
[Hors d'oeuvres] by Downtown Cafe
Advance Ticket Sales Only! Sorry, no refunds...
$40.00 / Ticket"

Note: the KAPA Commissioners are selling tickets and can access more information [You may submit inquiries for me to pass on through this site, as well) --- so why not save up your pennies and come out (Shake off those winter blues!) for a good party and a good cause? [KAPA / Channel 23 is YOUR local television channel!]

There is an attached raffle opportunity on the tickets, as well.

N.

News Bits and Photo Tricks... Riding the Wave...

[Photo by B.F.]

I don't know about anyone else, but I needed to see something bright and hopeful --- and this photo is right "up there" with seeing the photo of the President Bush Jr.; three former presidents (Clinton, Carter and Bush Sr.); and the president-elect (Obama) on the front page of today's Kingston "Daily Freeman" (P. A1) --- every one of them (even if it hurt!) smiling...

A smile that we all must HOPE (Is Obama working some "magic" here?) speaks of HOPE --- and NOT of superficial and ultimately meaningless (We need some big SINCERE smiles here folks!) facades...

Because the winds of misfortune are blowing...

[Photo by B.F.]

Pretty darn strong for some of us...

And something, somewhere, really needs to give... [in a productive, positive manner!]

[Photo by BF; (Yo B... who IS that guy on the sign?????]

That said, I want to send kudos to Police Chief Gerald Keller and the rest of the local crime-busters (lol) for bringing down (according to a report in today's "Daily Freeman" - PP. A1 & A6) the "serious crime" numbers in the area - with a special thanks to Chief Keller and members of the KPD for (according to the same paper; P. A6) working with a local non-profit agency (Family) to steer "high-risk" youth towards appropriate programs and services!

Because prevention, where "high-risk" youth are concerned, is KEY in my opinion --- with appropriate intervention (counseling, support, etc) being the next best step (when a youth is already making some self-destructive and/or outwardly-destructive choices) along the road that we all must travel... from raging adolescent hormones and identity struggles... to some semblance (oh how I try!) of maturity!

[Photo by BF]

Still (on the subject of serious crimes...) --- I DO have to ask this:

WHY is it that the physical and sexual abuse of children is NOT considered (by the FBI) a SERIOUS crime?????

This is an issue addressed in a couple of the books that I wrote, and truly... inquiring minds WANT TO KNOW...

What (This is a serious question I am putting "out there.) would one have to do (suggestions please?) to remedy this situation?????

[Photo by BF]

And, whilst I am on the topic of serious questions...

Did anyone catch the fact (today's "Daily Freeman", P. A3) that in some cases, the county (UC) is making $95 dollars a day "per inmate" off boarding folks from other counties in the U.C. jail?

This is cool... yeah? Big bucks...

BUT... $95 a day = $665 a week = $34,580 a year...

Which, I have to admit, makes me squirm a little bit! Especially when one considers the fact that a lot of these same folks (the inmates) are out of the workforce, missing child support payments, etc., etc. etc.

Am I glad that something positive (money for the county) is coming out of the whole jail (ahem) fiasco?

Yep.

But when you look at the whole situation - a "little bit" objectively - don't ya' think there has GOT to be a better (for everyone concerned!) way????? [No, I am NOT talking about an Arizona chain-gang!]

[Photo by BF]

How about we put them to work - at minimum wage HUMANE jobs (like moving this community towards going GREEN...) - so that those that need to (speaking of the inmates) CAN pay their child support and/or CAN put money away for housing when they are released?

Just a thought...

I would love (on any or all of these topics) to hear your thoughts, as well! 'Cause this tunnel we are ALL in...

[Photo by BF]

Is going to take a lot of brainstorming... if any and/or all of us are going to make it out (What is the "light at the end of the tunnel?) the other side!

Peace, Love and Humane Justice,

N.

On Site Revisions... Polls

[Photo by B.F.]

It has been a while since I have blogged, and I have found it necessary to revise a few things this time around. Thus, for now I have taken down the polls and revised a couple of other items.

I will get "back in the groove." Please be patient. Is anyone else out there finding this to be a particularly difficult winter... year?????

Thanks for reading,

N.

Inaugural Parties... Inspirational Quotes

[Photo by B.F.]

According to MoveOn Civic Org., there is an inaugural party on Tues, January 20 (starting at 8PM) at Backstage Studios in uptown Kingston.

I have also put in an inquiry with a contact at the Kingston Muddy Cup, as to the possibility of hosting an inaugural celebration event (Same night / around the same time) there.

I will keep you posted on the latter, which might (if approved / workable) be more accessible to some of those that live along the Broadway corridor.

Other than that, I thought I would post a couple of neat inspirational quotes that I came across today:

1. "I am only one; but still I am one; I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do" (Helen Keller).

2. "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock" (Thomas Jefferson).

3. "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be" (Abraham Lincoln).

4. "Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul... And sings the time without words... and never stops... at all" (Emily Dickinson).

BTW, I apologize for the time on my earlier posts being "off". I think I have remedied the problem.

Peace and Good Will Towards All,

N.S.

Some May 31, 1932 Headlines and News Snippets (Wow) from the "Kingston Daily Freeman"

[Photo by B.F.]

1. "President Hoover Advocates Sales Tax... Reduction of Governmental Expenses and Adequate Relief Measures Also Stressed" (P. 1) [Sound Familiar?]

2. "Senate Enacts Bill To Further Increase Income Tax Rates" (P. 1)[Sound familiar?]

3. "J.R. Garfield to Draft G.O.P. Plans" (P.1). Quote: "He (Garfield)... parried all questions on the controversial issues, such as prohibition, with nothing more than a smile" (P. 1)

4. "Governor Roosevelt Speaker at Washington Celebration... Delivered Address at City's Bicentennial Celebration of Birth of Washington..." (PP 1 & 11)["Then" Governor Roosevelt spoke before thousands at Forsythe Park, and the event was followed up by a parade and other events... The City's Mayor, at the time, was Eugene B. Carey.]

5. "Hitler Demands New Elections, President Ponders Over Cabinet" (P. 1) [This was during THAT era...]

Kinda "Awesome" and "Freaky" --- Eh?

N.

City Council Meeting Jan 09

[Photo by B.F.]

Tonight's local City Council meeting was the shortest City Council meeting I have ever attended, with just one gentleman speaking during the open forum - and a short, professionally handled agenda. Some good news (I think) is (1) that a resolution was passed to transfer a parcel of property to Youth Build and (2) Alderman Senor (Kudos) was on top of a minor paperwork glitch (minor, but important "stuff!"), which was amended in session.

Other than that, I tried to find some apropos political humor on You Tube when I got home... but, either I've slipped off the funny-bone track or some of the "stuff" out there lately is a bit vile...

There was one "almost" pick, called "Go Tell it in Accounting" (to the tune of "Go Tell it on the Mountain") - but I passed on it because I wasn't sure what some of the acronyms and such stood for - and ya' can't be too careful with this blogger stuff!

Anyhoot...

Wishing everyone safe travels and warm homes to come back to tonight...

Can April and May come too soon?

N.

"Al Franken to be Named Senate Winner in Minnesota" You Tube

Submitted to You Tube by SwimmingPolarBear on January 04, 2009.

Catskill Mountain Medicine Woman...

[Photo by BF]

Riding the roller coaster of mood swings, big time, I woke up this morning with poetry in my head...

Which IS how it is for me sometimes... weird though that might seem.

So, since I'm blogging (for better or worse) again, I'll treat you (or bore you) with this morning's (a work in progress) "gem."

Catskill Mountain Medicine Woman... [Early 20th Century]
..... A Tribute to my Grandmother

Grandma somehow knew
That a feather mattress
Tucked in the midst of chaos
Could be a little fluff
Of Heaven
Here on earth...

Surrounded as she was
By chickens on the outside
Mounds of newspapers on the inside
And ten times ten of cats
Country fat
Inside and out

And often
Crying...

Grandma somehow knew
In the midst of it all
That words matter
As much
As ginseng
Spider webs
And dandelion wine...

Even as she drifted on a cloud
Perhaps plucked
By her own hand...

Never having found a God
Nor church
That brought
Her comfort

On those cold nights
Of alone-ness
When the wind was sharp, and
The woodpile
Running low...

Grandma somehow knew
That we all try
And we all cry

For mother's milk
Though a cow's would do...

Until Grandpa smothered
From the weight of it all...
And the barn became
An battered image of
Despair...


Where is reason?
Where is rhyme?


As the passage of time
Planted a trailer
Where wonder
Once lived...

With blackberry bushes
Mountain laurel
And shame...


Where is loss?
Where is gain?


In those fields of eternity
Where grandma and grandpa
First kissed...
Birthed a vast brood
Of children...
Added me to this list...

Or tapestry of Whitman's
Shadow...
As he roamed
The "open road..."

Yes Grandma, I know...

Some spirts lead the way...
Some fall behind.

[Postscript: The collective greed of civilization touches every one of us
with a little fluff Of Heaven and a little taste of Hell...

I'm glad Grandma found a soft place to lay down...]

N.S.

FYI: "Child Poverty in America"... Children's Defense Fund Founder, Marian Wright Edelman... You Tube

Submitted to You Tube by FORA Tv in November 2008; Complete video: http://fora.tv/2008/10/27/M...

Question for Today... "Declaration of the Rights of the Child" (Old Document / United Nations)

[Photo / Creative Imagery by B.F.]

As I attempt to learn some new software programs and get craaaazy... I thought I would take a break and post something positive. This document might have changed since I got a copy of it in my college days, but here (fundamentally) it is:

"Declaration of the Rights of the Child" (United Nations)

"Every child in the world has rights!

1. Every child has the right to be strong and healthy in mind and body

2. Every child has the right to have a name and a country.

3. Every child has the right to have enough food to eat, a place to live, and a doctor's care.

4. Every child who is handicapped has the right to special treatment and care.

5. Every child has the right to grow up in a family feeling safe, loved and understood.

6. Every child has the right to go to school and to play.

7. Every child has the right to be protected from cruelty or unfair treatment.

8. Every child has the right to grow up without fear and hatred, and with love, peace, and friendship all around.

Children are wonderful gifts. As with all gifts, there is a responsibility involved in keeping that gift safe and at its best. Parents and all adults are accountable and must be sure that a child's freedom and privileges are always respected While we are telling children how grateful we are for their many many special ways, we also need to consider the rights of the child that belong to them. These rights are obvious and should be given without any conditions."

Question for Today:

How are WE doing in this department?

Peace, Love and Humane Justice,

N.