Save the Pine Bush Victorious! – Developer Removes Water Lines! Do You Want to Buy a Home Here? Coldwell Banker has put up one of these signs in front of each proposed housing lot for the subdivision Tera Court which Edward J. Pigliavento, Jr. wants to build on Willow Street. Except, these quarter-million dollar and … 9
Million Worker March Million Worker March by Lynne Jackson On Sunday, October 17, my friend Jennifer Lindop and I got on a bus to go to Washington, DC fro the Million Worker March. We left from Albany, NY at midnight, arrived in Washington at 7:30 am. We visited memorials on the mall before attending the … 4
Membership Reminder Membership Reminder If you have not yet, please take a moment to send your membership or a donation to Save the Pine Bush, c/o 33 Central Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Save the Pine Bush has many challenges coming upand we need your support now more than ever. Save the Pine Bush is … Membership Reminder
The Rome Sand Plains The Rome Sand Plains by Lynne Jackson Earlier this month, my husband and I had the pleasure of being given a personal tour of the Rome Sand Plains, a geological and biological sister to our Pine Bush. Located southeast of Rome, New York, the Sand Plains are similar to our Pine … The Rome Sand Plains
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
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
by John Wolcott ALBANY, NY: Here is a brief review of the Summary of the State Climate Action Council’s first public meeting on January 25, 2010 at the N.Y. State Museum was held pursuant to Gov. Paterson’s Executive Order 24. This was the first State Climate Action Council Public Outreach Meeting pursuant to Gov. Paterson's … NYS Climate Action Council
by Gregg Bell ALBANY: At the September Pine Bush dinner I gave a talk on biogas. For most Americans, biogas is a new idea. While biogas is actually an ancient technology, and while it is used extensively in developing countries and in Europe, there is still limited understanding of it here in the US. … September Biogas Talk
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
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
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
by Tom Ellis ALBANY, NY: Newly elected Assemblywoman Pat Fahy and state Senator Cecilia Thaczyk were the featured speakers at the January 16 Save the Pine Bush dinner held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Carol Waterman made the introductions. Ms. Tkaczyk had not yet been certified the winner but in her comments, she said she … Assemblywoman Pat Fahy and Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk After the Election: Doing the Peoples’ Work
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
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
Meat Will Kill You…Just More Good News Letters To SPB You write in your Feb/Mar ’97 newsletter that "once upon a time the City Record could be purchased at Coulson’s News and other places, now it is subscription only." For the record, the Albany City Record is still sold at Coulson’s and, therefore, not available … Meat Will Kill You…Just More Good News
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
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
Willie Janeway Comes to Visit Willie Janeway Comes to Visit Albany, NY – At Save the Pine Bush’s November dinner, Willie Janeway, former executive Director of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission and current executive director of the Hudson River Greenway, spoke about his observations about the Pine Bush. Protecting the Karner Blues has put … Willie Janeway Comes to Visit
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
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
The Emperor’s New Plan The Emperor’s New Plan by John Wolcott The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission has as much of an acquisition plan as a certain famous emperor once had a new suit of clothes. Land owner and grassroots environmentalists alike are impatient with the Commission’s having published a map showing "Full Protection" parcels … The Emperor’s New Plan
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
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
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
New Light on an Old Road – Part II New Light on an Old Road – Part II (Continued from March/April 1998 Newsletter) by John Wolcott The new information revealed by this almost destroyed map, about old trails and roads in the Pine Bush is utterly amazing and startling. I had already known that part … New Light on an Old Road – Part II
New Light on an Old Road New Light on an Old Road by John Wolcott Save the Pine Bush board member John Wolcott has discovered evidence of a forgotten foot path through the Pine Bush that in the 1600’s and 1700’s ran parallel to the main Albany-Schenectady Road, the Maquas Padt. Here is Part 1 … New Light on an Old Road
Cris Carl originally wrote this for Networx.com. Fri, Jun 03 2011 at 10:22 AM As environmental awareness has grown, so have greater opportunities to recycle. Recycling is incorporated into the waste management systems of most every town in the U.S., and what can be recycled has expanded because of changes in technology and marketing. Justine Fallon … Things that can be recycled: 14 unique items
ALBANY, NY: Christian Grigoraskos of the Extinction Rebellion Capital Region spoke at the February 19th SPB dinner on the topic of Climate Change: Heading for Extinction (And What to Do About It). Before he began, Lynne Jackson provided an update on the various proposals Crossgates has pending in the Town of Guilderland. Lynne said the … Extinction Rebellion Capital Region
by Grace Nichols ALBANY: Using the Freedom of Information Act, both Save the Pine Bush and Brian Nearing of the Times Union requested data that has been collected about the number of Karner Blue populations. We were astounded at what we found. The numbers of butterflies counted have plummeted in recent years, dipping below … Bringing Back Sustainable Karner Blue Populations
Waste Reduction and Recycling: Neil Seldman, PhD. Director of Waste to Wealth Initiative at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (Washington, DC). Public Presentation and Workshop on Recycling and Waste Management in the Capitol Region Albany Public Library, Washington Avenue Branch: 161 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210 Presentation: How the Capital District can Transition from Landfills … Waste Reduction and Recycling: Neil Seldman, PhD
John Wolcott Versus The Dump – Skewering An Inane Document John Wolcott Versus The Dump Skewering An Inane Document By John Wolcott Editor’s Note: Save the Pine Bush board member and dedicated enemy of deception John Wolcott has provided a blow by blow commentary on the "Summary of the 2nd Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement … John Wolcott Versus The Dump – Skewering An Inane Document