Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor To the editor: With all due respect, the article in the recent Save the Pine Bush newsletter titled "Bethlehem Pickled," was inaccurate in several important respects. As the reporter who has been writing on this issue from the get-go (for The Spotlight), I have to disagree with … Letters to the Editor
The Advantages of An Unpoisoned Lawn The Advantages of An Unpoisoned Lawn by Frank Baird and Leslie Benjamin Children can play on it. Pets can walk on it without shoes. Clover can live in it, and people can hunt for four leaf clovers in it. Worms can live under it, and birds can hunt for … The Advantages of An Unpoisoned Lawn
GE Brings Dead Things To Life – Breathe Those PCBs GE Brings Dead Things To Life Breathe Those PCBs By Daniel Van Riper World renowned PCB researcher Dr. Brian Bush spoke to a capacity crowd at the Feb. 18, 1998 Save the Pine Bush dinner at 1st Presbyterian Church in Albany. Dr. Bush, who has … GE Brings Dead Things To Life – Breathe Those PCBs
Devil Eats Developer – Massive Coverup Alleged Devil Eats Developer Massive Coverup Alleged By Daniel Van Riper The endangered Albany Pine Bush Devil, making it’s first reported appearance since last April Fools, has attacked and eaten developer Charlie Touhey, thus dramatically ending his stubborn and irrational plans to destroy Pine Bush acreage at 300 Washington … Devil Eats Developer – Massive Coverup Alleged
Even Environmentalists Have a Sense of Humor Even Environmentalists Have a Sense of Humor A sense of humor is essential to surviving the rigors of being an activist and fighting one of the oldest political machines in the U.S. Have you ever heard of the Ladies Against Women? I understand the group was formed to … Even Environmentalists Have a Sense of Humor
Divided Highways Divided Highways by Rezsin Adams The Interstate and Defense Highway System – – the "divided highways" – – was initiated by President Eisenhower in the early 1950’s to connect cities in the U.S. (in the case of enemy bombing, rail lines are more vulnerable than highways). Eisenhower wanted a highway system like the … Divided Highways
Creek’s Bend Cohousing Creek’s Bend Cohousing Peter McGowan & David Pettie by Rezsin Adams There are about 30 cohousing pro-jects in progress in the United States now. What is cohousing? Cohousing is unlike developer-built housing–the customer is not handed a finished product. A group of people, forming a small community, plan, design (with the help … Creek’s Bend Cohousing
Albany Area Coalition for Light Rail Christian Gunther: Albany Area Coalition for Light Rail by Rezsin Adams "Albany Area" means Capital District (Albany, Schenectady, Troy.) The Capital District Transportation Com-mittee has prepared 5-year and 20-year plans–the 5-year plan is "New Visions" but is hardly visionary: light rail maybe in 20 years! Light rail is … Albany Area Coalition for Light Rail
Driving Backwards – Transportation Committee Shuns The Future Driving Backwards Transportation Committee Shuns The Future By Daniel Van Riper Don’t expect to take a take a train to Saratoga anytime soon. Regional traffic planners appear to have little political will to provide taxpayers and citizens of the Capital District with alternatives to driving cars, such … Driving Backwards – Transportation Committee Shuns The Future
Location Is Everything – Kunstler Offers Solutions Location Is Everything Kunstler Offers Solutions By Daniel Van Riper We are living in "the national automobile slum. That is the human ecology of the United States." Thus spoke novelist and reformer of architecture James Howard Kunstler, who returned to speak at the May 13, 1998 Save the … Location Is Everything – Kunstler Offers Solutions
More on the West Nile Virus More on the West Nile Virus To follow up on Ward Stone’s talk at the September Save the Pine Bush Dinner, according to the Albany Times-Union, the disease has spread to 12 states and the District of Columbia, from New York and New England and as far south as … More on the West Nile Virus
More on the West Nile Virus Arbor Hill Environmental Justice Asks for a Cleaner Patroon Creek Patroon Creek, from Lake Rensselaer in the Pine Bush through the Tivoli Preserve and Arbor Hill to the Hudson River, once was one of the state’s most polluted streams. Now The Arbor Hill Environmental Justice Corporation has filed a … More on the West Nile Virus
Ward Stone and the West Nile Virus Ward Stone and the West Nile Virus Albany, NY &emdash; Ward Stone, State Wildlife Pathologist, spoke at the August SPB lasagna dinner at the First Presbyterian Church. He began by describing the virus’ one-year journey from Westchester to the Capital District. In July, 1999, crows seemed to be … Ward Stone and the West Nile Virus
Interview with Helen Caldicott Interview with Helen Caldicott The upcoming issue of the Journal of Family Life, a Quarterly for Empowering Families a nationally distributed magazine produced by the Free School community in Albany, will feature an in depth interview with Dr. Helen Caldicott, founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility in which she discusses … Interview with Helen Caldicott
Zero Cut – End the Logging on our National Forests Zero Cut – End the Logging on our National Forests By Jesse Strock The National Forests encompass over 200 million acres of public lands across the country. These lands, which were set aside for the public, are not simply used for recreation and tourism, but … Zero Cut – End the Logging on our National Forests
1st Annual Pine Bush Walk-a-Thon a Sucess! 1st Annual Pine Bush Walk-a-Thon a Sucess! Save the Pine Bush’s First Annual Walk-A-Thon was a wild success! The weather was perfect for a 10K stroll through the Pine Bush, cool, not too hot, with sunshine. Many hikers could not believe that hike organizer Tim Kostoroski found 10K … 1st Annual Pine Bush Walk-a-Thon a Sucess!
Walk, Hike, and Bike the Pine Bush Walk, Hike, and Bike the Pine Bush The Pine Bush is a beautiful place to walk. The soft, rolling sand dunes are a walker’s dream. You can take a bus to the Pine Bush from downtown Albany. The Pine Bush is the perfect spot for outdoor activities. Save … Walk, Hike, and Bike the Pine Bush
Thank You to All Who Responded to the Emergency Appeal Thank You to All Who Responded to the Emergency Appeal Thank you! Thank you! to everyone who responded to our September Emergency Appeal. Save the Pine Bush was in quite a bind &emdash; we needed to hire our lawyer to respond to the City’s request … Thank You to All Who Responded to the Emergency Appeal
Save the Pine Bush Raises Money Save the Pine Bush Raises Money If you asked me what my least favorite activity is, I would say "fund-raising". Its no fun. But, we have discovered that our work to preserve the Pine Bush costs money. And because a lot of people believe as we do, we have … Save the Pine Bush Raises Money
Black Locust Have Some Good Uses! Black Locust Have Some Good Uses! The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission has found a use for the Pine Bush invader species &emdash; the black locust. With a portable mill on-site, the Commission chopped down black locust trees on a property known as the Iorossi site. Turns out, the … 9
The Deer Crisis – No Easy Answers The Deer Crisis No Easy Answers By Daniel Van Riper The Pine Bush ecosystem is in great danger from many enemies, particularly greedy developers and ignorant politicians. Invasive plant species, pesticides, runoff from the dump and highways, fire suppression and general abuse by humans have all hurt … The Deer Crisis – No Easy Answers
DEC reintroduces box turtles in Albany Pine Bush Experiment Born Free DEC reintroduces box turtles in Albany Pine Bush Experiment Reprinted from the Daily Gazette, June 24, 1997, By Paitrick Kurp, Gazette Reporter COLONIE – Deep in the Albany Pine Bush – some 500 yards, that is, from the New York State Thruway – among … DEC reintroduces box turtles in Albany Pine Bush Experiment
Furry Pine Bush Residents Furry Pine Bush Residents The butterfly is not the only resident of the Pine Bush. Little furry animals also reside in the Pine Bush. I had no idea how many different types of moles, voles, mice and other tiny creatures there are-or how important they are to the ecosystem of a … Furry Pine Bush Residents
Michael Breslin Speaks Michael Breslin Speaks by Ehren Evans Albany County Executive Breslin spoke at August’s lasagna dinner. It was an exciting opportunity for members of Save the Pine Bush to learn more about county government and the county executive. Mr. Breslin said his stint as county executive is the best job he ever … Michael Breslin Speaks
Mayor Jennings’ Bankrupt Pine Bush Policy And Loss of Words Exposed Mayor Jennings’ Bankrupt Pine Bush Policy And Loss of Words Exposed by John Wolcott Should anyone concerned with preserving the environment vote to re-elect Jerry Jennings for the Mayor of Albany at the next mayoral election? I don’t think so. Jerry Jennings was … Mayor Jennings’ Bankrupt Pine Bush Policy And Loss of Words Exposed
Democracy Survives – Just Barely Once Again Democracy Survives Just Barely Once Again By Daniel Van Riper The solidly right-wing Democratic Party, demoralized and mostly ignored by large corporations, managed with the help of the voters to overcome and shake the extreme right-wing Republican Party this past November 3rd. Only their vast ocean of … Democracy Survives – Just Barely Once Again
Peter Vallone For Governor – A Superb Environmentalist Peter Vallone For Governor A Superb Environmentalist By Daniel Van Riper It shouldn’t be a secret. Peter Vallone, Democratic candidate for Governor of New York State, has an outstanding environmental record and deserves to be our next Governor. Sure, he’s from downstate, but his vision is … 9
Politics and Garbage – That Sweet Smell Politics and Garbage That Sweet Smell By Daniel Van Riper A Bigger Dump Believe it or not, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings wants to expand the City Dump in the Pine Bush on Rapp Road. He’s given up on the idea of throwing the city’s trash onto a … 9
Jack Fights Back – McEneny Debates A Letter Jack Fights Back McEneny Debates A Letter By Daniel Van Riper Unexpectedly, John J. “Jack” McEneny is fighting for his job. The State Assemblyman from the 104th District, which runs from Albany to Schenectady to the Hilltowns and includes most of the Pine Bush, spoke to about … 9
Guilderland CandidatesNight At SPB Guilderland Candidates Night At SPB by Lynne Jackson Candidates for Town Supervisor and Town Board members spoke at the October Save the Pine Bush dinner. Attending were Bill Aylward, Democratic candidate for Town Supervisor; David Bosworth and Cheryl Reul, Democratic candidates for Town Board; and Paul Caputo, Independence Party candidate for … Guilderland CandidatesNight At SPB
Candidates Night at SPB Candidates Night at SPB Three Candidates for Common Council President Tell Us About Themselves by Lynne Jackson All three candidates for Common Council President spoke at our August dinner to an attentive audience. Rezsin Adams introduced the candidates in alphabetical order. Gregory Burch spoke first. A lifelong resident of Albany, Burch … Candidates Night at SPB
The Two Month Debate – Jennings and McEneny In A Death-Grip The Two Month Debate Jennings and McEneny In A Death-Grip By Daniel Van Riper Part 1: The Challenger State Assemblyman and Albany mayoral candidate Jack McEneny found himself being interviewed by the editors of the local media outlet for the Hearst Corporation, the Times … The Two Month Debate – Jennings and McEneny In A Death-Grip
Revolution, Treason and Hypnotism- Guilderland Comes of Age Revolution, Treason and Hypnotism Guilderland Comes of Age By Daniel Van Riper The Ancient Machine The really astonishing result of the last local elections was mostly downplayed by the media. The ossified and complacent Guilderland Republican machine, which has ruled undisturbed by the voters since the early … Revolution, Treason and Hypnotism- Guilderland Comes of Age
Neil Breslin Calls For Preservation Breslin Calls For Preservation Hoblock "Powerless" To Stop Walmart By Daniel Van Riper In the hottest local race of the election season, Neal Breslin, Democratic candidate for State Senate, which includes the Pine Bush and much of the Capital District, squared off with Republican incumbent Michael Hoblock at the Sept. … Neil Breslin Calls For Preservation
Remember The Elections? Be Thankful We Still Have Them Remember The Elections? Be Thankful We Still Have Them By Daniel Van Riper It’s been 3 months since the November elections, time enough to assess the damage . . . and look forward to more! Here’s a quick roundup, and boy is it partisan: Bond Act … Remember The Elections? Be Thankful We Still Have Them
SPB meets with Bill Aylward SPB meets with Bill Aylward by Lynne Jackson Representatives of SPB had the pleasure of meeting with Bill Aylward, Town Supervisor of the Town of Guilderland, in March. Chuck Reilly, Jerry Mueller, John Wolcott, and Lynne Jackson made the expedition to Guilderland to meet with Mr Aylward. We were pleased … SPB meets with Bill Aylward
Camera Study of Pine Bush Meat-eaters Camera Study of Pine Bush Meat-eaters According to Dina Cappiello, writing in the Albany Times-Union, November 8, 2000, Roland Kays, a mammalogist with the State Museum, has set up his motion-sensitive camera at 14 different sites in the Pine Bush Preserve and has caught coyotes, a raccoon family, gray … Camera Study of Pine Bush Meat-eaters
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission Begins an Updated Plan for Pine Bush Preservation Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission Begins an Updated Plan for Pine Bush Preservation Colonie, NY &emdash; The Town of Colonie Community Center was the site of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission’s Scoping Session Hearing on the Commission’s updated plan for Pine … 9
SPB Files Most Unpopular Suit Yet – Sues the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission SPB Files Most Unpopular Suit Yet Sues the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission by Lynne Jackson In October, Save the Pine Bush filed its most controversial and unpopular suit yet against the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission to over-turn its fire … SPB Files Most Unpopular Suit Yet – Sues the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
No Butterfly Releases Throw Rice, Not Butterflies at Weddings No Butterfly Releases Throw Rice, Not Butterflies at Weddings “The people who release butterflies (into the wild) are well-meaning but ignorant,” Jeffrey Glassberg, president of the North American Butterfly Association has said. “This is environmental terrorism and they’re polluting the environment.” The Department of Environmental Conservation … 9
Show Down Over Roundup Show Down Over Roundup by John Wolcott Invading black locust trees are crowding out and over shadowing native Pine Bush plants including the blue lupine which is essential to the survival of the Karner Blue. Black locust trees, along with bulldozer happy developers, are one of the many threats to the … Show Down Over Roundup
Save the Pine Bush Action Alert! Coyotes in the Moonlight Response to the Commission’s Final Implementation Guidelines by Lynne Jackson "It was a cold night in January, snow on the ground, full moon, not a creature moving a muscle," began Jerry Mueller, at the January Lasagna Dinner. He had to get out of the house … Save the Pine Bush Action Alert!
The Albany Pine Bush Management Commission The Albany Pine Bush Management Commission The Pine Bush Management Commission was created by the New York State Legislature to study and manage the Pine Bush in response to Save the Pine Bush’s lawsuits with the City of Albany over the landfill. Members of the Commission include the executives … The Albany Pine Bush Management Commission
Save the Pine Bush Volunteers Spread the Word Save the Pine Bush Volunteers Spread the Word Sometimes, school teachers or students will invite members of Save the Pine Bush to speak. We have had many adventures talking to students. Here is a sample. Ed. SPB Visits Elementary School Elementary school students at the D. H. … Save the Pine Bush Volunteers Spread the Word
Best of Metroland Best of Metroland The following category appeared in the Metroland “Best Of” issue in July: BEST PERSON TO LEAD THE WORLD OUT OF DARKNESS ONE VEGETARIAN LASAGNA DINNER AT A TIME Rezsin Adams You’ll find her selling world crafts at Peace Offerings (the gift shop of the Social Justice Center), organizing … Best of Metroland
Pine Bush Volunteers Do Good Deeds Pine Bush Volunteers Do Good Deeds Least anyone think that members of Save the Pine Bush are just a bunch of degenerate leftists bent on stopping progress, I felt the need to include the fact that we really are well-rounded human beings who happen to care deeply about pine … Pine Bush Volunteers Do Good Deeds
The Pine Bush Getting Help from Seventh Graders The Pine Bush Getting Help from Seventh Graders June/July 1995 The Albany Pine Bush is getting help from seventh graders from Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland, to save the Blue Lupine so the Karner Blue Butterfly can have food. by Scott Mason, School Reporter ALBANY-In the Albany … The Pine Bush Getting Help from Seventh Graders
Teacher Wins Toyota Tapestry Grant Teacher Wins Toyota Tapestry Grant To carry out a classroom project to restore the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly, Seventh Grade science teacher, Alan Fiero, was awarded a $7600 Toyota Tapestry Grant. One of only 40 grants given in the country, the grant is from a pool of $400,000 used to … Teacher Wins Toyota Tapestry Grant
Pushing and Pulling West: Pending Extensions of the Boundaries of the Pine Bush Preserve Pushing and Pulling West: Pending Extensions of the Boundaries of the Pine Bush Preserve By John Wolcott A Little Background When I first started mulling over the notion of a Pine Bush Preserve in 1971, it was with the thought … Pushing and Pulling West: Pending Extensions of the Boundaries of the Pine Bush Preserve
Fire? What Fire? – Pine Bush Better Than Ever Fire? What Fire? Pine Bush Better Than Ever By Daniel Van Riper The April 27 wildfire in the State and City Pine Bush Preserves along the Thruway and Rt. 155 left 65 acres stripped of vegetation, with only brown and black Pitch Pine trees rising … Fire? What Fire? – Pine Bush Better Than Ever