Jeff McKinney

Columbia County News: I’m Stuck In The Middle With You

There is an interesting article on the DailyFreeman.com today written by Hugh Reynolds, the Political Editor. The article details Governor Spitzer’s first “State of Upstate” address delivered on Wednesday, in which Spitzer pledged $1 billion for revitalization efforts in upstate New York. However, apparently Spitzer doesn’t consider Columbia County and the rest of the Hudson Valley as part of Upstate NY.

Following is an exerpt from the article:

“If downstate (New York City and its suburbs) is revitalized, and upstate is in need of assistance, where is the Hudson Valley in this equation?” Bonacic, R-Mount Hope, said in a prepared statement.

Last year, the Business Council of New York gave “upstate” (all 57 counties north of New York City) a collective “F” for economic development. But by Spitzer’s definition, the Hudson Valley is a separate entity and not included in the governor’s proposals for upstate New York.

Bonacic said that needs to be addressed.

You can read the entire article, Hudson Valley not part of Spitzer’s ‘upstate’ by Hugh Reynolds, Political Editor, by clicking here.

Top Design: Season 2 Now Casting

Check out the following from BravoTV.com:

THE EMMY-NOMINATED PRODUCERS OF PROJECT RUNWAY & TOP CHEF ARE NOW CASTING TOP DESIGN SEASON 2!

We are seeking undiscovered Interior Design stars for the second season of Bravo’s hit competition series TOP DESIGN! Up-and-coming as well as established Interior Design professionals and aspirants will compete for career-making opportunities and work under the eyes of the industry’s top names!

We want impressive talent. Are you IT? Are you ready to MAKE A NAME FOR YOURSELF?

This is your chance to battle for a coveted spread in ELLE DECOR, $100,000 and the momentum to achieve your dream career!

Fill out the application, get full details, download HERE. AND come to one of our OPEN CALLS!
TOP DESIGN 2 CASTING TOUR

ATLANTA
Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC)
351 Peachtree Hills Avenue, NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
www.adacdesigncenter.com

Friday, January 11th : 2008
1:00pm – 5:00pm

SAN FRANCISCO
The Art Institute of California – San Francisco
1170 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102-4908
www.artinstitutes.edu/sanfrancisco

January 26th : 2008
10:00am – 2:00pm
LAS VEGAS
World Market Center – Las Vegas
495 S. Grand Central Parkway, Building B
Las Vegas, NV 89106
www.lasvegasmarket.com

January 28th & 29th : 2008
12:00pm – 5:00pm

DALLAS
Dallas Market Center
World Trade Center
The Designer Lounge/Presentation Room, First Floor Atrium
2050 Stemmons Freeway (I-35 at Market Center Blvd.)
Dallas, TX 75207
www.dallasmarketcenter.com

February 4th : 2008
1:00pm – 5:00pm

NEW YORK
New York Design Center
200 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10016
www.nydc.com

February 8th : 2008
1:00pm – 5:00pm

LOS ANGELES
Spring Arts Center
453 S. Spring Street, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013
February 9th : 2008
1:00pm – 5:00pm

For more info, visit BravoTV.com

Update

Wow! I can’t believe it has been almost a month since my last post. In that time, we traveled around the country visiting and celebrating the holidays with family and friends and of course, moved into our new home. As promised, I’ll be spending a lot of time turning the house into a home and will document that here. At the same time, I’ve asked CC, a great friend of mine with a design background, great style and wonderful taste to contribute here on Beach Wood Designs. As it turns out, CC is also in the midst or making over her new home on the opposite side of the country – she is in CA while I am in NY.

All in all, 2008 should be a great year here on Beach Wood Designs so please check back often!

– Jeff

Happenings: Winter Explorations Nature Walk

Winter Explorations is a series of walks exploring nature in our local surroundings during the winter months. The walks are conducted by Conrad and Claudia Vispo of the Farmscape Ecology Program and focus on winter botany (woody and herbaceous plants), observing evidence of active winter animals, and exploring the visible interactions of human and natural history.

The group plans to visit several areas over the course of three walks this winter. The first walk was to have happened last month, however, the second is this Sunday (January 13, 2008) and the third is scheduled for Sunday, February 3, 2008.

Sunday’s walk is planned to happen at New Forge state forest, however, the final decision on that location will be made tomorrow (Saturday).

DETAILS:
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Ages: All
Location: New Forge state forest (New Forge Rd #2, off Rt 82, Taghkanic)
Price: Free
Registration: Registering in advance is recommended so that you can be notified of changes in location. To register, please contact Conrad and Claudia at 518.781.0243 or fep@taconic.net
Additional details can be found at www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org

A New Law For New Lebanon Pet Owners

Dog (and cat) owners are now officially responsible for scooping up after their pets on both public and private lands. Failure to scoop your pet’s poop may result in a fine of $250, which is a pricey poop!

Unfortunately, the law had to be created because dog owners were allowing their dogs to use the field where local little league teams play baseball as a poop park without cleaning up afterward. The poor kids showing up to play ball had to delay games and find shovels to clean up their field before games could get under way.

You might think common sense and decency would have moved a pet owner to pick up after their pet. Sadly, it looks as if that wasn’t the case and now a new law will officially be added to the books to force people to take responsibility for their pets.