Author: Jeff McKinney

Creator/Editor of ColumbiaCountyCurrent, Lover of Happy Hour, NY REALTOR, World's Best Uncle, Movie Buff.

Weekend Happenings: Star Party & Winter Walk

FRIDAY, February 1, 2008

The Mid Hudson Astronomy Association will hold it’s monthly Star Gazing Party tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Wilcox Park in Milan, NY.

The MHAA holds a Star Party every month on the Friday closest to the new moon as possible. The group usually meets at the gated entrance to Wilcox Park at the time given in the schedule. If you arrive late, the gate may be locked, however, someone from the group will make hourly runs to the gate to let people in and out, so if you get there and the gate is locked, please be patient.

DETAILS:
Date – Friday, February 1
Time – 7:30 pm
Place – Wilcox Park, Rte 199, Milan, Dutchess County, NY
Cost – Free
More – mhaa.whodeanie.com, (845) 255-4719


SUNDAY, February 3, 2008

Hawthorne Valley Farm’s Farmscape Ecology Program will host a Winter Walk at the Round Ball Public Conservation Area in Ancram, NY.

This is the 4th or 5 five winter walks through various sites around Columbia County. Each walk presents an opportunity to view and experience different aspects of winter botany plus an opportunity to lean more about some of our county’s parks and conservation areas.

The walks are free, but registration in advance is required. Please call 518 781 0243 to register.

DETAILS:
Date – Sunday, February 3 (Weather permitting)
Time – 1:00 pm
Place – Round Ball Public Conservation Area, 503 Carson Road, Ancram, NY
Cost – Free
More – www.HawthorneValleyFarm.org

Clever: Puma Glow Rider Bike

This glow-in-the-dark bike seems like such an obvious idea that I can’t believe it has never been done before.


The bike, when released this Spring, will be part of Puma’s Urban Mobility line, which are athletic products and programs geared toward city slickers. The Glow Rider’s steel frame is coated in glowing paint that charges during the day and glows when the sun goes down. The bike has also been designed to partially fold – making it easier for apartment dwellers in walk-ups – and includes an innovative, built-in lock system for locking outdoors. No word yet on the price but rumors have it starting at over $1600.

– Jeff

Pittsfield Green Gathering

A group called Pittsfield Green Drinks gathers together once a month to discuss environmental issues over a pint or two. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. in the Pittsfield Brew Works on Depot Street in Pittsfield, MA. No reservations are required, and there is no fee.

These events were started and are co-sponsored by the Center for Ecological Technology and the Berkshire Environmental Team (BEAT). Although the local Green Drinks is independent, it is loosely affiliated with an international network of similar gatherings (www.greendrinks.org) around the planet.

Each gathering is informal and no agendas are planned with topics coming up among the group. Those topics range from land-use and preservation, to recycling, solar power and other forms of alternative energy, to green building methods, pollution and other topics concerning the environment and sustainable living.

For more information, contact James Cahillane at jamiec@cetonline.org or call 445-4556 ext.14.

Guest Blogger: CC, Just Say No to naked walls

Speaking of wall colors-I miss the paint I labored over picking in my house I just moved out of. All that time looking at paint chips and buying test samples! I’m a big fan of Sherwin Williams colors, especially neutrals like Crushed Ice (pictured in my living room), Mannered Gold and Navajo White.

-CC