Earth Festival 2010 April 10th

An environmentally focused, interactive event featuring exhibits, workshops, vendors, food and entertainment, all with a fun, earth-friendly twist.

Sponsored by the Otsego County Conservation Association and Wildlife Learning Company.

Saturday, April 10
at Milford Central School (follow the signs)

Seminar Series from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school auditorium
Topics: renewable energy, home energy conservation, drilling for natural gas, Low Carbon Diet, zero waste conservation measures. $10 to attend any/all sessions, pre-registration preferred but not required.

Information and Vendor Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the gymnasium
• The Milford Central School Education Foundation will host the “Go Green” Fashion Show at 3 p.m. (by ticket only, call 607-286-7721, ext. 8408).
• Clean Styrofoam packaging material, meat trays, mushroom boxes, and egg cartons will be collected.
• Free document shredding service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for disposal of confidential papers provided by ConfiData, a division of Empire Recycling.
• Spring flowers, sprouts, micro greens, organic meats, cheeses, baked goods and crafts from the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market.
• MCS Class of 2014 will host an eco-friendly car wash. $5 per car – all proceeds benefit Relay For Life.
• Bob Donnelly and Dave Kiehm will lead a bird walk in the Robert V. Riddell State Park as part of Earth Festival. Participants should meet in the school parking lot at 8 a.m.
• As festival goers work up an appetite, they can look forward to several local food items at the CADE booth. CADE will serve up local beef burgers from Sunset View Farm, as well as quiche and soup from Lucky Dog Farm and Cafe.
• Students from Milford Central School will be leading children’s activity stations throughout the day, and are currently preparing a wide array of eco-art for public viewing. Children’s activities will include: Nature Hike & Tree Identification, 9 a.m.; Bird House Making & Plant Potting, 10 a.m. to noon; Maple Sugaring Demonstration, 1 p.m.; Afternoon Ultimate Frisbee Games.

Earth Festival activities will kick off with a free Family Movie Night, including a special eco-art/fashion preview, at the school on Friday, April 9 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the movie “WALL•E.”

The City of Oneonta Public Transportation (OPT) buses will provide bus service to Earth Festival from Oneonta or Cooperstown and all points in between!

For more information, contact OCCA at 607-547-4488 or admin@occainfo.org
www.occainfo.org or www.wildlearn.com/EarthFestival.html

This festival is funded, in part, by the Bezos Family Foundation.

Seminar Series Speakers and Agenda
Renewable Energy Session
8:30-9:00am – Registration
9:00-9:15am - Energy Audits, Bennett Sandler, Equity Energy
9:15-9:30am - Energy Retrofits, Bennett Sandler, Equity Energy
9:30-9:40am - Q & A
9:40-9:50am – Break
9:50-10:10am - Geothermal, Dave Austin, Great Brook Enterprises
10:10-10:30am - Solar Thermal, Norm Farwell, Equity Energy
“Solar Hot Water” by Norm Farwell
Solar hot water systems offer the best bang-for-buck of any renewable energy technology. These systems are common in many countries around the world. Find out how they work in a northern climate, why they are an excellent investment, and how to avoid typical early-adopter risks. Equity Energy takes a systems approach to reducing building energy costs and has installed a number of solar hot water systems locally; Norm Farwell is a former teacher turned energy geek, plumber, and entrepreneur.

10:30-10:40am - Q & A10:40-10:50am - Break
Natural Gas Drilling Session
10:50-11:10am - Erik Miller, Otsego County Conservation Association, on how to document/record important observation information and who to call in the event of environmental harm or public safety issues

11:10-11:30am - Lou Allstadt, former Mobil executive, on his concerns regarding the NYS DEC's draft SGEIS
“How Not To Regulate Gas Drilling: The Ten Biggest Mistakes in New York’s Proposed Regulations” by Lou Allstadt

11:30-11:50am - Orville Cole, Gastem, on drilling currently underway in Otsego County
“Local Protocols Designed To Enhance Safe Gas Exploration” by Orville Cole
Orville Cole, of Gastem USA, will describe the procedures that have been used in the area and the company’s plans for future procedure improvements.
11:50-12:10pm - Mary Jo Long, attorney and Afton Board member, on legal considerations for individuals and towns

12:10-12:30pm - Q & A
12:30-1:00pm - Break
Energy Session, Continued

1:00-1:20pm - Energy Issues with New and Retrofit Commercial Construction, Jack Christmann, NYSERDA Outreach Project Consultant
1:20-1:30pm - Q & A
1:30-1:50pm - Zero Waste, Chris Burger, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Solid Waste Committee
“Zero Waste (or Pretty Darn Close)” by Chris Burger
A PowerPoint presentation on why it is important for all of us to reduce waste, followed by practical “how-to” suggestions for families, businesses, communities and beyond. Chris Burger is a member of a family of four which has produced only ¾ pounds of waste per person per year for more than 15 years.

1:50-2:00pm - Q & A
2:00-2:10pm – Break
2:10-2:25pm - Low Carbon Diet, Martha Clarvoe, Otsego County Conservation Association
“The Low Carbon Diet” by Martha Clarvoe
OCCA Board President Martha Clarvoe will give a presentation on “Low Carbon Diet: A 30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds,” a book by David Gershon. The Low Carbon Diet is a step-by-step program designed to calculate a houehold’s carbon footprint and reduce carbon dioxide output. A carbon footprint is one way to measure overall petroleum use and carbon dioxide CO2 emissions. The process, which can be undertaken individually or in groups, is simple and personal, and will result in money savings in the running of your home. The book can be purchased for $15 from OCCA or borrowed from your local public library. Come hear about the program and pick up tips to save both money and energy.

2:25-2:45pm - Finnish wood furnaces and ovens, Mike Lorenz, German Mike's Masonry
2:45-3:00pm - Q & A and Wrap-up

Exhibitors
Articulated Skeletons by Sy Lloyd
Sy Lloyd, an Otego resident, will overview adaptations, natural history and forensic findings through this amazing display of animal skeletons throughout the day. Note: These are not “touchable” artifacts.

Biological Field Station
Posters displayed by the BFS will illustrate 1) student intern environmental research and 2) Otsego Lake native species and ingress of exotics.

Bright Ideas Home Energy Solutions
Home energy audits and efficiency retrofits, green home design service, BPI accredited, Energy Star partner, LEED accredited (U.S. Green Building Council).

CADE
As festival goers work up an appetite, they can look forward to several local food items at the CADE booth. CADE will serve up local beef burgers from Sunset View Farm, as well as quiche and soup from Lucky Dog Farm and Cafe. Lucky Dog Farm, a vendor at the Cooperstown Farmers' Market, is a certified organic farm in Delaware County where they have a cafe that serves local dishes. Sunset View Farm is located in the Town of Milford, just five miles up the road from the school."

Cooperstown Farmers’ Market
The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market will be at Earth Festival with fresh spring flowers, a variety of flavored fresh sprouts and micro greens, organic meats, cheeses, baked goods, and crafts – a nice sampler of what the market offers. Participating vendors are: Acrospire Farm, ARK Floral, The Farm, Glimmerglass Chocolates, Hare and Feather Farm, Man in the Moon Herbs, Middlefield Orchard, Promise Land Farm, Raindance Farm and Surprise-in-Store.

Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society Inc.
DOAS will display information on its mission and activities. They will also have a letter writing table where participants can generate personalized letters to decision-makers on a variety of topics.

Friends of Glimmerglass State Park
Learn about wildlife habitats in Glimmerglass State Park, participate in the National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Watch and enter the “Name the Glimmerglass State Park Beaver” contest.

Gaia’s Garden
We will be featuring handmade paper crafts (paper made from junk mail, paper scraps, herbs, flowers, grasses, moss, bark, kitchen scraps, gourd pulp, etc.) plus herbs, herbal products, gourd crafts, totes and bags, and gnomes and fairies made from scraps and clay. We throw away very little – most of our products are repurposed items or organic in nature – and we’re always looking for new uses for old items.

Gilson’s Native American Crafts
Native American jewelry and other crafts using teeth, claws, bone, antlers, shells and other natural materials.

Great Brook Solar NRG, LLC
Solar and Alternative Energy Options

Ideuma Creek Alpacas
We have been raising alpacas for 13 years and are happy to inform others of our healthy, earth-friendly farming experience. We will also be introducing our brand new GREEN line of alpaca wear at this festival, all made from natural alpaca, a renewable clothing source and eco-friendly!

Natural Resource Conservation Services
NRCS works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance designed to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems.

Nom Nom Food Buying Club
Nom Nom is a food buying club that allows people to go online and order food from local farmers and producers. All orders are filled at a weekly pick-up at Hartwick Community Center.

NYS Public Service Commission
The NYS Public Service Commission ensures that all New Yorkers have access to reliable and low-cost utility services.

Oneonta Garden Club
The Oneonta Garden Club’s booth will highlight the efforts of the club to help protect the environment.

Otsego Regional Cycling Advocates
ORCA’s mission is to promote cycling and walking as an enjoyable, safe, healthy, environmentally friendly activity for people of all ages and abilities.

Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District
The staff at Otsego Soil & Water Conservation District works with landowners, land managers, local government agencies, and other local entities in addressing a broad spectrum of resource concerns: erosion control, flood prevention, water conservation and use, wetlands, ground water, water quality and quantity, non-point source pollution, forest land protection, wildlife, recreation, waste water management and community development.

Otsego County Conservation Association
The Otsego County Conservation Association will be present at the Earth Festival with information on its many programs throughout Otsego County: barnyard water quality programs, riparian buffer plantings, recycling, zebra mussel control, septic system management, nature walks, and land-use management. OCCA will also distribute its popular outdoor recreation guide, Otsego Walks and Paddles. For more information on OCCA, please visit www.occainfo.org.

Otsego Lake Association
The mission of the Otsego Lake Association is to support and further the implementation of the "Plan for the Management of the Otsego Lake Watershed" adopted by the four municipalities within the Otsego Lake shoreline. OLA seeks to educate, and to encourage public policy and personal choice changes that advance implementation of the "Plan". Projects to this end are funded by membership and donations, and the work is done entirely by volunteers.

Otsego Land Trust
The Otsego Land Trust conserves the distinctive rural character of Otsego County, New York through protecting open space, lands of scenic value, fragile ecosystems, farmland and forestlands.

Otsego 2000
Otsego 2000 believes that the Otsego Lake region is a masterpiece of nature, and that its surrounding landscapes, valleys, villages, and farms constitute a unique confluence of historic, environmental, cultural, agricultural, rural, and scenic resources. We believe that the long-term economic well-being of the region and the quality of life for its residents derives from these resources and their stewardship. Thus, we seek to protect these attributes for the benefit of present and future generations. As no place is an island, we extend our concern and programs to the region's larger setting in Central New York. We advance our mission through informed advocacy, public education, innovative projects, economic alternatives, and strategic campaigns.

Pine Lake Institute for Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Hartwick College
The Pine Lake Institute for Environmental Sustainability Studies at Hartwick College promotes sustainability education, research, and outreach in a setting reflecting environmental stewardship that integrates lessons and experiences among all at the college and in the community.

Wildlife Learning Company
Wildlife Learning Company, Inc. is a full service environmental education company that strives to promote conservation of our natural environment through educational programs and products that foster an appreciation of the environment, impart an understanding of how natural systems function and create a desire for people to explore the natural world further and take personal responsibility for its protection and care.

April 8 Networking Breakfast & Seminar at Fenimore Art

Where:
Fenimore Art Museum
5798 State Highway 80 (Lake Road)
Cooperstown, NY 13326

When:
April 08, 2010 at 08:00 AM
-to-
April 08, 2010 at 09:30 AM
Add to my calendar

Cloud Computing Tools for Your Business - Should your business software live in the cloud?

All businesses have processes that are best managed using software, such as accounting, contact management, and document management. But do you need to buy the software, manage installation and upgrades, and worry that the failure of your computer means loss of critical business information? An increasing number of valuable software applications are now available via the Web, sometimes referred to as "Cloud" computing, applications, or storage.
The best part is that many of these applications are free, can enable multiple users (and access from anywhere), and have backup and data recovery built in. But is it secure and reliable? We will look at examples including business applications from Zoho, office applications from Google, and several online storage providers and discuss the pros and cons. Continental breakfast and networking opportunities included.

Funding to support the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce 2009/10 Business Seminar Series is provided in part by Otsego County Office of Economic Development.

Register Now!

Please feel free to contact me if you should have any questions. Thank you for your continued interest! I hope to see you on the 8th!

Sincerely,

Susan O'Handley, Executive Director
Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce
susan@cooperstownchamber.org
607 547 9983

Springbrook expansion program approved

The Daily Star reported that:
A proposed school for autistic children will create 112 jobs, fuel the local economy and provide instruction and care for pupils sent to other states for services.

Springbrook's $20 million Coming Home expansion project has received final approval from the state, Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, and Patricia Kennedy, chief executive officer of Springbrook, said Tuesday. The construction and renovations are to begin in June and take about 20 months, officials said.

``The Coming Home expansion puts people first, by creating the capacity to bring children, forced out of state, back home _ this will mean a great deal to the children and their families alike,'' Seward said in a prepared statement. ``Springbrook is already Otsego County's fifth largest employer, and the Coming Home expansion will generate an additional $5 million annually.'' Read more here.

2010 CDO Workforce Community Fair - April 15

Resources offered:
1. Information on community services: Assistance with food, clothing, childcare, transportation, utilities, and weatherization, etc.
2. Education/Training: resources to build your skills and knowledge needed for successful future employment.
3. Career information: Employment opportunities

THURSDAY, APRIL 15 ◊ 10 AM – 2 PM

Location:
5206 State Hwy 23, Oneonta

http://www.cdoworkforce.blogspot.com/

Transportation & info: Contact CDO Workforce
12 Dietz St. Oneonta
607-432-4800 ext. 100

Glimmerglass Opera's new director announced

Opera and musical theatre director Francesca Zambello has been appointed the new artistic and general director of Glimmerglass Opera, according to the New York Times.

Current artistic director Michael MacLeod announced in February that he would be leaving Glimmerglass at the close of the 2010 season, his fifth with the company.

Zambello helmed the Broadway production of Disney's The Little Mermaid, as well as the touring production of Little House on the Prairie and the world premiere of The First Wives Club at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. She has also staged plays at the Royal National Theatre, BAM, the Guthrie Theater, Vienna's Raimund Theater, Berlin's Theater des Westens and at the Kennedy Center, among others. She is a three-time Olivier Award winner, and has twice been awarded London’s Evening Standard Award. Read more here.

UCCCA names executive director

The Daily Star reported:
A new leader will be taking the helm of the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts today.

The arts agency named Sara Hammonds, 28, of Oneonta, as its executive director Tuesday, an official said. Her focus will begin with community outreach, programs and fund development, board President and Chief Executive Officer Linda MacKenzie-Ranc said. Read more here.

Hartwick Colleger Presenter Offers Changing Paradigms in Philanthropy: March 11th

Open to the public
Located at the Dewar (Student Union) on Hartwick's campus

On Thursday, March 11, at 3PM in the Farrington room in Dewar Hall, my friend George McCully will be discussing changing paradigms in philanthropy.

Philanthropy is George’s second career. Trained in Renaissance history at Columbia University (M.A., 1961, Ph.D. 1967), he taught history and the philosophy of history for nearly twenty years at Swarthmore, Princeton, Yale, and Wellesley, with two years in academic administration at Brown, as Assistant Dean of the Faculty. In 1976 he entered philanthropy as a grantmaker to academic research organizations. By 1983 he was full-time independent consultant in philanthropy, since then as fundraiser, strategic planner, executive director, trustee, and advisor to charities, foundations, families and individual donors. He was founding Board President of the national Center for Plant Conservation, and conceived its Priority Regions Programs in Hawaii, California, Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico; he conceived the New England Plant Conservation Program for the New England Wild Flower Society; and helped over 20 years to build the Boston Early Music Festival as today the world’s leading Early Music organization. He is a 20-year trustee of the Ellis L. Phillips Foundation (Boston), and is an acknowledged authority on community foundations, helping to create four, and serving for ten years as trustee of the Community Foundation of MetroWest (Boston). He is a founding trustee (2008) of the Davlin Fund, a philanthropic mutual fund, and of its corporate Foundation. In 1997 he led a coalition of 40 foundations, corporations, and individual donors, to create the first Catalogue for Philanthropy (incorp. 2002) to promote charitable giving and strengthen the culture of philanthropy through donor-education. He wrote vols. I-XI of the Catalogues—articles about philanthropy supported by descriptions of (in twelve years) over 900 charities—the most thorough and detailed description, defense, and advocacy of philanthropy ever published. He also created the Generosity Index, which soon became the nation's leading stimulus for media discussions of charitable giving. In 2008 the Catalogue published his book, Philanthropy Reconsidered—a comprehensive introduction to, and strategic overview of, philanthropy, from ancient Greece, through the American Revolution, to the current national paradigm-shift, in which the Massachusetts Catalogue is playing a leading role. He serves on the Editorial Board of Conversations on Philanthropy, and is a main author of the Wikipedia article on “Philanthropy”.



His book, Philanthropy Reconsidered, is a re-interpretation and strategic overview of philanthropy--its meaning and values, greatest accomplishments, current transformations, and future directions. He asserts that from its first coinage in ancient Greece, in Prometheus Bound, philanthropia meant "the love of humanity", or of what it is to be human, an educational and cultural ideal. He suggests that we view the American Revolution as philanthropy in action--how Classical philanthropy through voluntary associations produced a "purportedly philanthropic nation", created by and for philanthropy. He describes how 20th-century growth and professionalization made philanthropy paradigmatic, but neglected Classical values, and how we are now in a paradigm--shift, in which philanthropy is being thoroughly transformed. He argues that the paradigm-shift analysis illuminates issues facing Old Paradigm institutions, and current trends suggesting a probable future. He reveals how a possible New Paradigm, uniting Classical ideals with Internet-based operations, might benefit donors, grantmakers, philanthropic advisors, trustees, executive directors, scholars, media journalists, teachers and students, as well as civic, religious and political leaders.


You’re invited. I hope you’ll come.


John Clemens

Soccer Hall hosts last weekend in town

The Daily Star reported on the end of an era in Oneonta. The Museum and its gift shop were open one last week end. As the article relates:

The Soccer Hall off state Route 205 in the town of Oneonta held what amounted to a fire sale in its gift shop as merchandise was marked down as much as 80 percent. The museum, shuttered since September, re-opened for free admission Saturday and Sunday.

The Soccer Hall is struggling with a long-term financial deficit and its board of directors is planning to distribute its permanent displays for exhibition in several locations nationwide. The election and ceremony will also continue, but at an undetermined location. Read more here.

Foothills Performing Arts changes name

The Daily Star reported that the performing arts center in Oneonta is now called Foothills Performing Arts Center and Civic Center. Foothills has also reorganized their staffing plan (including they no longer are looking for an interim director) and approach to raising the remaining funds they need to complete the facility. Read more here.

The focus now is clearly on completing the facility, and the board seems to recognize they are the key to making this happen. It will be a slow process building the organization up, but hopefully the board can get the community and grassroots support it seemed to lack in the past. Have your own take? Share it here.

2010 Roundtable Discussion - Employee Discipline and Retention

The Chenango JSEC is sponsoring a Round Table Discussion focusing on best practices & policies involved with the discipline of employees & how employee retention can benefit from clear and fair discipline practices. The discuss will be lead by Nancy Root, from Golden Artists Colors, Anne English, from Chenango Memorial Hospital, and Lydia Bell, from Custom Electronics & Otsego-Delaware JSEC Chair. The discussion leaders are all experienced Human Resource professionals with experience dealing with discipline & retention issues. A "Discipline Checklist" will be available to start the discussion. Come join us for this informative and thought provoking round-table discussion!

The Round Table Discussion will be held on March 25th - Thursday, 8:30 AM Registration - Seminar: 9 AM to 10:30 AM, at Morrisville State College Norwich Campus' Community Room. This is a FREE EVENT!

For information or to make reservations, please contact the CDO Workforce - (607) 432-4800 ext. 103, or e-mail: alan.sessions@labor.state.ny.us

Schoharie Human Services Coordinating Council's Meeting Schedule

Hello HSCC Members,

We changed our schedule so much that it's worth having you all review this to confirm that it is correct. Please let me know if any changes need to be made. Thanks....

The next meeting will be on March 17. Schoharie County Child Development Council is hosting at their building at 114 Lark Street in Cobleskill. (Please note that this is a correction from Mental Health.)

The April 21st meeting will be hosted bt Sexual Assault Support Services at Cornell Cooperative Extentsion on South Grand Street in Cobleskill.

The May meeting will be hosted by NY Connects at the OFA Conference Room.
The June meeting will be hosted by Mental Health.
If anyone would like to co-host, please let me know that as well.

Have a great day.

Natasha

Natasha L. Foote
Community Educator, Schoharie County
Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson, Inc.
P:(518) 234-9324
F: (518) 234-3316

Area libraries face budget cuts

The Daily Star reported on proposed cuts State budget cuts and their impact on libraries throughout the region and library service providers. As the article relates:

State budget problems could lead to cuts in library funding. This comes on top of reductions in previous years.

The largest recipient of state library aid is the Four County Library System, which provides services to more than 40 libraries in Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties, Executive Director David Karre said. It is operating at state funding levels similar to the early '90s, he said. Read more here.