Article newsfeed http://www.hvlife.com/ en-us Copyright 2010 The Professional Image. All Rights Reserved. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ August is prime vacation time, and those traveling with canine companions may find the Kurgo Wander Bed a good accessory to have along, whether you are doing pet-friendly hotels and motels or full on wilderness camping. According to the company, the Kurgo Wander Bed "creates a stylish home away from home for your four legged travel companion. It is a bed you will be excited to roll out for Fido wherever you may find yourselves." The bed rolls up like a sleeping bag, with a handle for easy transport. It sports a fleece top made of recycled material, and a waterproof bottom. There is even a hidden pocket where you can stash a few items that smell like home. Machine washable. $49.99 at kurgostore.com http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1515 What's New? http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1515 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Rosendale Theatre � This nondescript building is a space that endears by dint of its history rather than any theatrical architectural flourish. Operated by the Cacchio family since 1949, the building has been up for sale recently, and the Rosendale Theatre Collective has been formed to buy the theater, restore it and run a wide variety of entertainment and other programs for Rosendale and Ulster County residents. In April, the group won $50,000 from the Pepsi Refresh Project, putting them over the top in their efforts to come up with the down payment. More amazing than the grant, according to collective member and chair F-Stop FitzgeraldT, is the $110,000 raised by local residents and businesses, which for the most part came in amounts of $10, $25, $50, $100. This reflects the community nature of the effort, from the cooperation of the owners, who are still running the theater but allowing the cooperative to schedule events, to the two local banks, Rondout Savings and Ulster Savings, that are sharing the mortgage. The group expects to close by this month. � A Kids Summer Fan Club is scheduled for July and August, says Fitzgerald. "The idea came from lifelong resident Kevin Cahill, who remembers the fan club when he was growing up. For a nickel, members would get admittance to a movie, a cartoon, maybe even a live performance from a clown." Today's club members get a t-shirt, a membership card, and entry to six classic kids movies, each featuring a live component as well. The theater will offer support to independent and mainstream filmmakers, emerging and established artists, students and educators, and community arts organizations, all in an inclusive, diverse, vibrant, and welcoming atmosphere. In addition to continuing the Cacchio family tradition of presenting both independent and mainstream films, the group plans to expand its relationship with the Woodstock Film Festival. In the realm of theater, the initial plan will be to rent the facility to local theatrical producers. In the future, it will evolve toward a local repertory production group. � Other uses will be music, dance, and children's production. It is also envisioned as a venue for public speaking events that address the critical issues of our times. Continue�here�to learn about the Newburgh Train Station's revival. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1527 Profiles http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1527 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Newburgh Train Station � The Railroad Playhouse was incorporated specifically for the Newburgh train station, so it does not have a performance history yet, according to executive director and co-founder Jen Soloway. She and her husband Seth, who is consulting artistic director, moved to Cornwall in December. Operating a small theater had always been a long-term dream, and when she saw an ad on craiglist offering the old Storm King Theater space for rent, she called. The space had already been taken, but the agent had something else for her to see. Both Jen and her husband fell in love with the space at the old station. � The playhouse group is dedicated to the revitalization of the Newburgh Waterfront and the preservation of Newburgh's historic West Shore Railroad Station by providing a space for high-quality, performing arts experiences. � The organization plans to provide a home for playwrights to workshop and showcase new plays; present local, national, and international artists of all genres; create partnerships with local businesses and organizations; implement a summer arts camp for local children; and create teaching-artist residencies in local schools. The Railroad Playhouse will be a 99-seat flexible venue with a sprung wooden floor and a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system. The building is divided into three sections: a performance space, a lobby and a caf�. � http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1528 General http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1528 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Three theater companies in our area are planning to launch ambitious programs over the coming months, each in an historic Hudson Valley building dating from the region's boom industrial times. One is in Ulster County, one in Dutchess, and one in Orange. For more information or to help raise funds, visit the websites. � Beacon Theatre � Perhaps the most ambitious of all these second acts is the revival being planned for the old theater on Beacon's Main Street, which ceased to function as a theater in the late 1960s. In mid-July, after several meetings between economic development officials, elected leaders, and the buyers, contracts were signed to sell the theater, a Main Street entertainment staple for over fifty years. The buyer is 4th Wall Productions, an established not-for-profit based in Dutchess County. � "We are very excited to return the old Beacon Theatre to its original grandeur and bring live entertainment, classes, concerts, and movies back to the city that I call home," said Jim Brady, president of 4th Wall Productions, who will oversee the restoration of the theatre. The announcement comes just weeks before the groundbreaking of a major development at the historic Roundhouse building located just two blocks away on the Fishkill Creek. That project will include a boutique hotel and restaurant, artist live/work spaces, a hydro power plant, a performance space, and other residential units. � The group first looked at the theater five years ago, but nothing came of it. This time, says Brady, "The stars are aligned." His group plans a $3 million capital campaign. In addition to having an angel in hand, the group will be organizing fundraisers and reaching out to the community. � 4th Wall plans to restore the 800-seat performance hall, with its marble Art Deco accents and velvet flourishes, back to its original feel when it opened in 1934. This will take determined fundraising and construction, but all involved believe the community will respond enthusiastically. The restored theater will be home to 4th Wall Productions' selection of plays and musicals, an expansion of its already successful summer theatre camp, acting, voice, and choral classes, improvisational theatre for teens and adults, Teen Glee, puppet theater, other live performances including concerts, and independent movies. The large open hall, elevated stage, and high fly space allow for a wide array of uses. How did fundraising and grants save the Rosendale Theatre? Read about it here. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1521 Profiles http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1521 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Milton S. Hershey built his chocolate-making empire among the green rolling hills in Lancaster County, PA for good reason. The land would support dairy farming, a critical component in the making of milk chocolate. The town now bearing his name is more than a child's confectionary wonderland-it's a year-round destination with historical, cultural, and culinary attractions for "grown-ups," too! Chocolate Spa.Ahhh � On a spa getaway scale of 1 to 10, the luxurious "Chocolate Spa" located within the elegant Hotel Hershey easily rates a 12.� It offers a full range of traditional body treatments, including hydrotherapy, massage, body wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures, and even hot stone therapy. While visiting "the sweetest place on Earth" however, you should indulge in the spa's mouth-watering signature treatments, including the Whipped Cocoa Bath, Chocolate Sugar Scrub, and Chocolate Fondue Wrap. � There's much more to do at the four-diamond Hotel Hershey resort, thanks to a recent $67 million expansion which added a multi-pool complex, the acclaimed Harvest restaurant, seven boutique shops, and a year-round ice-skating rink. TheHotelHershey.com Guests also have access to two spectacular 18-hole golf courses at the Hershey Country Club. � Sophisticated sites � Just across the street from the hotel lies Hershey Gardens, 23 acres of colorful theme gardens, seasonal displays, and the popular Butterfly Garden. The best times of the year to visit are, naturally, spring and summer, when you can enjoy the full bloom splendor in the Rose, Perennial, and Herb Gardens, as well as the Memorial Garden, where the five flags of the U.S. Armed Forces fly in dedication of America's troops. The Seasonal Display Garden was carefully designed to offer three-season color, beginning with a springtime explosion of 30,000 tulips in 100 varieties, colorful summer annuals and fall chrysanthemums in harvest hues. � There's perhaps no better historical icon of the town than the wonderfully-preserved Hershey Theatre, located downtown. It's had a long run as a performing arts center, and still presents touring Broadway shows, music and dance concerts, top-caliber entertainers and classic films. � However, it's the architecture which makes it worth a visit. Built between 1929 and 1933, the theater was created by 600 skilled workers as part of Milton Hershey's "Great Building Campaign" during the Depression. The artisan's touch is everywhere, from the inner foyer's "canopy of gold" arched tile ceiling, to the "atmospheric ceiling" in the auditorium, where stars and clouds emerge from behind a suspended roof, through holes allowing patterned light to shine through. � The Antique Auto Museum at Hershey is a true find for the vintage auto buff.� There are 100 cars on display, in addition to a floor full of buses and over 50 motorcycles. They represent over a century of automobile production, from the 1895 Chicago Motor Benton Harbor to a 1977 Chrysler Cordoba, as well as rare vehicles like Stearns-Knights and 1917 Pierce Arrows. � True,�Hersheypark is a theme park, but with a boardwalk and midway area, there's an undeniable "good ole' days" charm here, which puts you at ease as you enter through a Tudor village of shops and eateries.� While there are plenty of white-knuckle thrill rides for the younger set, there are also classic amusements like the 1945 wood carousel and the ferris wheel. The Kissing Bell gives you a panoramic view through windows shaped like Hershey's Kisses chocolates from an enclosed cabin which climbs 250 feet and rotates full circle. If shopping is on your "to-do" list, you will find a selection of 60 stores in the Outlets at Hershey. There is a full range of popular retailers, like Brooks Brothers, G.H. Bass, and Jones New York. � Must...Consume.Chocolate � When the sights and smells of chocolate have driven you to distraction, it's time to find a place to purchase and imbibe the magical stuff. The Hershey Story, a museum on Chocolate Avenue, tells the rags-to-riches story of Milton Hershey, who revolutionized chocolate making, but also left a philanthropic legacy through the M.S. Hershey Foundation. � Before your visit, reserve a space at the Chocolate Lab, which offers daily classes so you can try your hand at making truffles and other treats. You can also delve into the origins of chocolate at a tasting session in Caf� Zooka, where you can try warm drinking chocolate samples with African and Indonesian flavors. You can stock up on edible souvenirs at Chocolate World, which carries the full line of delectable Hershey products, some which you can't find at local stores. � The marketplace shops also stock apparel and toys. There are two worthwhile attractions within Chocolate World, including Hershey's Great American Chocolate Tour, a ride through the chocolate-making process, ending with a free sample. Hershey's Really Big 3-D ShowT is a 3D animated musical show presented several times a day in the 250-seat theater. � Traci Suppa is a travel writer living in the Hudson Valley. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1520 Cool Places * Hot Tips http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1520 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Vacations are meant to be escapes from the stresses of your daily routine. So don't let small worries fester just enough to ruin your much-deserved getaway. Taking the necessary precautions to protect your home while you're away will let you rest easier. Rushing out the door to begin enjoying a vacation can cause people to overlook several easy ways to ensure their homes will be protected while they're away. Stop the presses � A pile of newspapers on the front lawn isn't the signal you want to send to would-be robbers. Temporarily halting newspaper delivery will avoid this problem. Many newspapers let you initiate a vacation stop online. A few seconds of work can save you an unnecessary headache. Do the simple things � That pre-vacation rush can make anybody scatterbrained. Don't forget the seemingly obvious precautions. Check all doors and windows to make sure they're locked and draw blinds and curtains. While you're at it, check that appliances like the stove, curling iron, and coffee maker haven't been left on. If you're looking for an extra element of security, disable your garage door opener to make sure nobody gets in through the garage. � Watch the house while away � Nothing beats keeping an eye on things yourself. A few well-placed video cameras that connect to the Internet let you to view your home while away. This used to be a costly undertaking, involving bulky cameras and complicated installation. These days, companies such as�Panasonic are producing small high-quality Internet-enabled security cameras. The company recently released its one-wire BL-C210 and wireless BL-C230, two cameras providing quick plug-and-play installation and integrated Internet connections. These new types of cameras come with built-in microphones and secure online connectivity that enables you to watch your home from anywhere. And their special sensors identify sound, motion and body heat, sending alerts to your phone or computer with a photograph when any sensor is triggered. � "The next best thing to watching your home in person, is watching it via network cameras that alert you if anything happens," says Bill Taylor, President of Panasonic System Networks Company of America. "When you go on vacation you can keep on an eye on your property so you don't worry about what's happening back home." � Talk to the locals � Talk to neighbors about keeping an eye on your home. But if they are unavailable, there are alternatives. Many police departments offer a vacation watch, in which they'll check on your house. If you have a neighborhood watch program, consider approaching it, so those on patrol are aware your home might be vulnerable. Remember, even if you checked to make sure doors were locked and everything secure, just a little uncertainty can drive a person crazy on vacation. By taking smart precautions, you can relax during your away-from-home adventures. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1524 General http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1524 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Despite age discrimination being illegal, it happens. For the "seasoned" (i.e., middle-aged) unemployed, Deborah Porter, job development coordinator and an adjunct at Dutchess Community College recommends replacing your more traditional chronological resume with a functional resume. A functional resume emphasizes experience and skills, and highlights job history in terms of performance. The focus is less on dates of employment, which can draw attention to your age. � Another component to a diversified job search strategy is putting your efforts into finding a referral. A recent study found that 27 percent of corporate external hires are found through referrals. With this in mind, the importance of networking cannot be overstated.� Social media sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are not just for teens and casual chats about the weather anymore. They are powerful professional tools for connecting with skill-specific groups and allowing the opportunity to introduce yourself to prospective employers. Maintaining a presence in these sites also confirms your ability to remain current with the latest networking trends and demonstrates that you are at ease with new technology. � Although online job boards can offer a place to identify the qualifications needed for a given position, using boards exclusively, while it may be appealing, is not a good idea. A corporate study done by the staffing consultancy CareerXroads found that only 13.2 percent of external hires in 2009 were made via job boards. Porter suggests that whenever possible, try to discover the company that posted the listing, go to its website, and search from there. "You're not only more likely to expedite your submission by applying directly to the company� but you'll also have the opportunity to review other possible openings you might have otherwise missed." � Unforseen opportunity � Porter is seeing both the newly unemployed as well as the individual who wants to reassess positions within their industry arriving at her door. "If your goal is to seek employment in your chosen industry, take retraining classes whenever possible to stay updated, which will be critical in marketing yourself as both qualified and current in your field," she says. But what if there simply are no job openings in your field? Rauer has some suggestions for possible occupations to pursue. � "Realize that five years from now, twenty percent of jobs will not have existed in 2010. Technology moves at lightning speed. If finances will allow, there's the option of retraining for another field, such as medical assistants, transcribers, or air conditioning and appliance repair, where the need for good technicians will remain in demand. Long-distance truck drivers have been in demand for the last 15-20 years. The pay can be $40-$60k per year but the downside is time spent away from family and friends, sometimes for weeks at a time." Not to mention it's a physically demanding job. � Volunteering in your chosen field can also lead to an unexpected networking opportunity. You never know who you're going to meet, or how working side by side with that person may result in a recommendation. Plus, it's added experience to add to your resume. � Porter also reminds applicants of the importance of maintaining a youthful, energetic attitude.both online and especially during that all-important face to face. "Let your passion show, and remember that your experience is your currency. Keep it relative to the job you're applying for. Remember not to over- or undersell yourself." Get advice�to begin your job hunt.� � Kathryn Lukaske is a freelance writer. Her work appears in local print and online publications. She is available for full-time employment opportunities. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1523 General http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1523 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Lots of people are scrambling for work these days. For those over fifty who find themselves unemployed in a sea of unemployed, it can be particularly unsettling. What should you do when you find yourself out of work? How can you increase your odds of landing a job? � "First, get over the embarrassment of being unemployed and realize that many are in the same boat," says Gordon Rauer, a behavioral economist from New Paltz. "Talk to people you trust and bounce around any ideas they may have. In this economy, you're going to have to be creative and imaginative. Reach out to your local chamber of commerce about networking events and attend whenever possible. The truth is that there is no overall panacea." � After two fruitless years of job hunting with no viable prospects, I could relate to that last statement. My health insurance had lapsed and although I'd deployed over 120 online resumes and cover letters in an effort to get just one of my sensible work shoes wedged in the door for an interview, I was still no closer to finding full time employment. I tried everything, including widening my search area to include commutes that would have been out of the question a few years earlier, and applying for positions both above and below my qualifications. � Pinpoint vs. Scattershot � According to Deborah Porter, job development coordinator and an adjunct at Dutchess Community College, that might not have been the best approach. "A common mistake people make is not having a strategic, targeted job search. As time goes by, disenchanted job-seekers may haphazardly apply online to virtually anything within their commuting distance, taking the stance that they've nothing to lose." Porter says this can backfire, as employers, inundated with irrelevant resumes, have begun to construct keyword filters to automatically discard unqualified applicants. She says to be taken seriously for positions where you are well-qualified, you should populate your resume with keywords found in the job posting, composing variations of your resume depending on the specifics of the position offered. � Rauer has a slightly different outlook, suggesting that job seekers accept any job they can get. "This boosts self-confidence and will afford you a better chance of finding future work." Other advice: Treat your job search as an actual job. Do something every day to help yourself find work. "I'd like to ward off boredom and bring in some extra cash," is a creative way of presenting yourself to a future employer without sounding desperate, especially if you're applying for a part-time position, or a job for which you both know you are overqualified. Take any civil service exams offered. They can't discriminate by age. Read on for more tips. Kathryn Lukaske is a freelance writer. Her work appears in local print and online publications. She is available for full-time employment opportunities. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1522 General http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1522 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT We're not big fans of plain bottled water, partly because Americans throw away 2. 5 million plastic bottles per hour. And since tap water is equal to or better than most bottled water, it's wasteful when we need sustainable. Still, with the New York State five cent deposit on water bottles taking affect last October, it's likely more bottles will end up being recycled. And Metromint from Soma beverages is water infused with the flavor of mint and berries, hard to get from a tap (though you can throw some mint leaves into a pitcher). We got a sample of the company's latest flavor, goodberrymint water. While the scent is weighted toward berry, in the mouth it's the mint with the heavier tones. It manages to stay refreshing without going over into minty-medicinal, a pleasant midday pick-me-up that contains no sweeteners or caffeine. Case of 24 16.9oz bottles, $38 at�metromint.com and local retailers. � http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1518 What's New? http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1518 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT You don't have to be a Russian spy to appreciate the handy cross-cut shredder from Staples-it will shred everything from credit cards with no more credit to those pesky bills that keep inundating your mailbox. It can handle up to eight sheets at a time. This light duty shredder does not handle adhesive labels, newsprint, or cardboard, however. � It may go without saying, but the device should not be operated by children. If the authorities are at the door, remember that if the unit has been shredding continuously for more than two minutes, it will trip the motor overheat circuit and you'll need to wait about thirty minutes for the shredder to reset. In that case, try pretending you're not home. $49.99 at Staples. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1517 What's New? http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1517 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT A new book by Mark Miller, The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security, delves into the current employment landscape, too. The news for those over fifty looking for work in today's economy is not great. It's a rough market for everyone, and according to Miller, older job seekers face widespread age discrimination in hiring practices. � Why does a book about retirement talk so much about work? Because Miller says a key strategy for those approaching the traditional retirement age is to work an extra few years. Staying on the job for even a short while longer can have a dramatic impact on retirement income. � It's not just age discrimination that can be a problem. From the book, subtitled Practical Strateties for Money, Work, and Living, which we review on page 5: "Even when older workers do land new jobs, they typically experience a steep drop in income and benefits. Wages for people who take new jobs in their fifties fall by a median of 57 percent, and 25 percent lose their health insurance." The book can't change this depressing fact, but it does give you solid tools and some innovative ideas for managing your financial future. � We take a look at how to find work in our feature "The Job Hunt at Fifty and Beyond," on page 16. We included a chart of some job possibilities for our region according to the New York State Department of Labor. To narrow down the 700-job report, we ruled out jobs that required having or getting a particular degree or postsecondary training. These jobs would be good as a stopgap for those still actively working, or alternatives to Walmart greeter for those seeking jobs in retirement. � The NYS Dept. of Labor claims to update these projections every two years, but we are left wondering how accurate they are in this economic climate. For instance, school bus driver looks like a good prospect, with 230 annual openings projected for the Hudson Valley, a median wage of $35,390, and moderate on the job training. But with all the recent news about decimated school budgets, we wonder if this forecast will hold true. � Silver linings � Finding yourself unemployed can be an opportunity to reinvent yourself by starting a new business, and it's covered in Miller's book in the chapter "Fifty-Plus Entrepreneurs: Launching a Lifestyle Business." Although they have been around a while now, Bob Jeffries and Suzanne Sheppard, profiled in our cover story on page 10, have made a career from their love of horses. It may be that the reason� some version of "follow your passion" is so often given as advice to career changers is because having that built-in passion gives you a big head start in surmounting the many obstacles you're likely to face. We hope those of you who might be seeking employment for any reason find a useful idea or two within our pages this month. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1510 Editorial http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1510 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Tigger, a tan-hued, registered quarter horse, is cranky. He is snorting, galloping around his corral and kicking at the fence with his hooves. Suzanne Sheppard, a business partner in Two As One Ranch in Middletown, watches his dramatics impassively. She laughs. "He's just wondering why all his stable mates have been given dinner and he's still waiting." � The cranky horse has reason to feel entitled; Tigger is one of two privileged horses who accompany Sheppard and ranch co-owner Bob Jeffries to demonstrations, equine expos and clinics around the country-an average of fifteen a year. Thanks to these appearances, the pair behind Two As One Horsemanship have emerged as leading horse trainers in the United States, celebrated for the ability to tame even the most unruly equine. � "People have a romantic attachment to horses, thinking it would be nice to have a horse," Jeffries said. "We have a lot of people that have had their careers, and now they want to relax, buy a horse, ride a horse. But what we've found is that since we've transformed as a society-from an agricultural society to a computer nation kind of deal-people don't know anything about horses." These days, most people who end up with a horse are not using it as a beast of burden on the farm. Instead, says Sheppard, they are "reaching out for a relationship." The biggest challenge, she says, is that people do not understand that they must be not only a friend but also a leader to the animal. "Horses crave leadership, absolutely crave it." � Too often, Sheppard and Jeffries explain, horse trainers feel they must "break" a horse, a process that involves undue and unnecessary discipline. Horses will usually stand up to a cruel rider. "That's when you get into a fight with your horse," Shepard says, "and nobody ever wins a fight with a horse." � Tenderfoot training � Those seeking a civil communion with horses often find their way to the twenty-acre Two As One Ranch. The property grounds are tucked away off a main road and dotted with modest but sturdy structures-house, barn, shed, riding ring, and seven paddocks for the horses. Clients range from local residents seeking animal behavior modification to well-heeled New York City transplants who feel their makeovers as country squires require riding a steed. Sheppard and Jeffries have a mission: to disabuse horse owners of the notion that climbing onto a horse is like getting behind the wheel of an SUV. Too often, tenderfoot clients pull at the reins as if fumbling with directionals. � "You just sit there and say, 'Wow, this is a disaster waiting to happen.' But," he adds with a laugh, "if it wasn't for those people, we wouldn't have jobs." Although Bob Jeffries made his name in the world of oil trading, horse riding was always part of his life. He was born on Staten Island, when the borough was still a rural redoubt, not yet linked to the mainland by the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. The island was home to numerous stables and Jeffries nurtured an inherent skill for training horses. � As his job in the oil business grew more difficult, Jeffries would look forward to weekends where he could ride his horses and forget about the pressures of his career. Even as an amateur, he had shown great aptitude and was constantly being asked to tame the horses of friends and neighbors. In the late 80s, Jeffries resigned from his job. The place where he boarded his horse had recently moved from New Jersey to the Mid-Hudson Valley and Jeffries followed. When a position at a ranch fell through, Jeffries decided to start his own business. How does this team train and communicate with their horses? Jay Blotcher doesn't know hay about horses. He writes often on a wide variety of topics for Hudson Valley Life. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1507 Profiles http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1507 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT To build his credibility in the area, Bob Jeffries, co-owner of the Two As One Ranch in Middletown systematically and rather slyly promoted himself. He would board his horses at barns in the area, then take the animals for a ride when the owners of the boarding facilities were around. When they saw how smoothly the newcomer handled his horse, they besieged him to work his magic on their unruly mounts. Word of mouth soon established Jeffries as a horse trainer. � Jeffries has a preternatural instinct for communicating with these noble creatures and, more importantly, persuading them to do his bidding. He has created several teaching techniques for horses, including the Partnership Training for Horse & Rider� system and his unique Vowel Method of Applied Pressure.T He wrote a book on the subject, It's All About Breakthroughs!�Jeffries gives much of the credit to other horse people. "You take a little bit from each person that you've ever worked with," he said. "Even now, if I see something, I'll just tweak it a little bit to fit my own system." � Positive dynamics � Suzanne Sheppard, the Ranch's other owner, is an accomplished trainer as well, and has her own line of instructional DVDs. Like Jeffries, she showed an early aptitude with horses. Involved with horse rescue, she met Jeffries when an abused horse came into her life and she began a search for a trainer to restore the horse's faith in people. Through hearty recommendations, she arrived on Jeffries's property in 2000. In awe of his techniques, Sheppard began to hang around. � When he sized up the spirited, red-haired woman, the stubborn Jeffries laid down the law. His speech? "I don't need a partner, just so you know," Sheppard says, mimicking the man's cadence. Jeffries's protests made her all the more determined and she was soon a partner. "That's kind of the key to our dynamic. We're very best friends and I learn a lot from him, but I'm the biggest pain in his butt and I'm sure he's the biggest pain in my butt. But we have a good time." � The Jeffries and Sheppard methods emphasize training as a positive experience. "It's kind of like a conversation that we have with the horse," Sheppard said, referring to the body language she employs in training. "And if you make the conversation interesting and lively, and really get into it, they enjoy that." Learn life lessons from the trainers. Jay Blotcher doesn't know hay about horses. He writes often on a wide variety of topics for Hudson Valley Life. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1508 Profiles http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1508 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Back in the ring, the cranky Tigger is now joined by Finny, a boarder guided by Amanda, a teen intern at the ranch.�Under Two As One Ranch owner Suzanne Sheppard's eye, the intern patiently leads the skittish horse around the ring. She makes several attempts to place a step block at the animal's side to facilitate mounting. � The first few times, Finny kicks aside the block in disdain and trots off. But over the next 20 minutes, Amanda repeats the process until Finny allows the step block near her. Ultimately, she gets a brief ride. Shephard applauds and calls out, "You go girl!" She is praising not only the horse, but the rider. Amanda is back teaching after a mishap six months ago, when a fall separated her shoulder. � "We train horses to bring out the best," Sheppard said, "But we also train horses to bring out the best in their people." Graduates of Two as One have reported to fellow ranch owner Bob Jeffries a spike in self-assertion regarding careers and relationships. "You learn so much from horses that you can take to every other facet of your life," Sheppard said. Meanwhile, the good-natured ribbing between horse trainers remains the same. Asked about her progress as a horse trainer over a decade, Sheppard replies, "Well, I have been training Bob for ten years now, and he's beginning to come along. We still have hope." Here are some extra tidbits about training from the duo: When you're teaching a horse, also listen to what he's trying to teach you. Horses never lie. The truth is there. If you've done the work [in training them], your horse will tell you. And if you haven't, it will show up. Training is about applying pressure-and relieving it-to obtain proper behavior. Your horse will take cues from you: If you are consistent, fair, and attentive, he will be, too. An untrained horse may save money in the short run, but you risk a major accident on the first ride. Let's keep the fun in the competitions and cut back on all the high-priced, fancy costumes! Jay Blotcher doesn't know hay about horses. He writes often on a wide variety of topics for Hudson Valley Life. � http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1509 Profiles http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1509 Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Many of the engaging images in this photographic history of Harriman State Park depict some of the million or so annual campers who stayed somewhere on its 50,000 acres eighty to a hundred years ago, engaged in swimming, diving, hiking, rowing, singing, scouting, and other activities. Prospective campers in 1919 were advised to bring extra stockings, a nightshirt, hankerchiefs, floating soap, a tin cup, shoestrings, and a fountain pen. An early chapter covers the changes that occurred once the land donation became a park in 1910: families were removed from their ancestral homes, low-lying farms were flooded to create the park's lakes, "woods roads" became hiking trails, homes were converted into mess halls or dormitories for campers. Paragraph-length captions provide more details and historical information. Harriman State Park, by Ronnie Clark Coffey, $21.99, Arcadia Publishing. Available at area bookstores and other local retailers or at arcadiapublishing.com. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1502 What's New? http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1502 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Wright designed Dragon Rock with architect David Leavitt, whose work on diplomatic housing in Japan impressed Wright while he was there working with the state department helping the Japanese to build an export market for their handicrafts. However, Wright and Leavitt disagreed on certain pragmatic aspects of construction, and Wright's insistence that the home be built down into the quarry wall has resulted in issues of adequate drainage. Construction is currently under way to seal the envelope of the house and protect it from further water damage. The home is a fusion of the indoors and outdoors. "I love [this land] so much that I wish the shelter to blend with the landscape and be an unshocking contrast with it," Wright said of the house around 1958, a year after construction began. "Therefore, I will make it of the rock to be found here, of the lumber to be found here; and I will cover it with vines that are native." Boulders form walls and fireplaces, pocket windows drop down to blur the lines of interior and exterior. Wright was always looking for contrast, in nature and in the home, and he delighted in using natural materials like white pine, autumn leaves and hemlock needles next to the manmade such as formica, styrofoam and fiberglass. "Russell wanted to show that you could have a very personal house and you didn't have to use very expensive materials to do it," says Kitty McCullough, executive director of the Russel Wright Design Center. His sensitivity to contrast included changing framed art, window dressings, and even cabinet fronts according to season - reds and oranges in winter, white in summer. It's also a testament to one man's quest to reconcile a modern, comfortable lifestyle with honoring and enjoying nature. "This was an industrial wasteland," says McCullough. "Russell reclaimed it as a garden to show us how." Visiting information: 22 Old Manitou Rd., Garrison. Open to the public May through October, guided tours offered on weekends and selected weekdays, cost $15 and requires reservations. Hikers are welcome on the trails during daylight any time of year, a donation of $5 is asked for trail maintenance. Contact the Russel Wright Design Center at 845-424-3812 or visit russelwrightcenter.org. Kelly Kingman is a freelance writer living in Beacon. Her latest project is stickyebooks.com. Explore�the paths of Manitoga. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1505 Home and Garden http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1505 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Manitoga�is remarkable not only for its architecture and interior design; it's one of the few landmarks of environmentally sensitive design. For 35 years, Wright meticulously created and maintained a living work of art. Wright built over four miles of trails for guests to experience the beauty of the woodland landscape. This includes many "rooms" and other landscapes that he highlighted or orchestrated. "The protective land which surrounds our weekend places need not be an unloved, unenjoyable tangle," said Wright in an essay for House and Garden magazine in 1971. "It can be much more than a wall separating you from your neighbors. With small effort, it can become a wonderland for your children or a revitalizing stroll for your guests." Osio is a Native American word with a rough translation meaning "a view framed by natural vegetation." Boulders Osio: Wright thinned trees so that sunset would filter through the branches, dramatically lighting an eighteen-foot high mass of boulders. Moss Room: By selectively removing other plants and adding more moss, Wright created an area completely carpeted with moss along the quarry's edge. Lost Pond: A small pond fed by an underground spring, this idyllic setting is about two miles along the main path. Wright trimmed branches to allow glimpses across the river to West Point. White Pine: Wright contoured this offshoot off of the Main Path around the shape of a white pine that fell in 1973. Chestnut Oak Ridge Osio: Close to the end of the Main Path is a spectacular view of the Hudson River where Henry Hudson supposedly docked The Half Moon. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1506 Home and Garden http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1506 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT At first glance, the park-like grounds of Manitoga in Garrison might appear to be just a postcard-perfect setting for a lovely example of mid-century modern architecture. But industrial designer Russel Wright considered the house and property to be much more than an idyllic country home. For him it represented his highest achievement as a designer, one that blended his passion for this land he cherished with his philosophy on the art of living. "This is a design project I am most pleased with, more than any other project throughout my career," said Wright in a 1958 essay about his home. Wright was ecologically ahead of his time and in many ways was an early environmentalist. "He thought that it was really important to live in harmony with nature," says Kitty McCullough, executive director of the Russel Wright Design Center. "We call Manitoga his learning laboratory, for how to design and live in harmony with nature." �In 1942, after a three year search, Russel and his wife Mary purchased the 79 acres of land located about an hour up the Hudson River from his offices in New York City as the site of their future weekend home. By this time, Wright was a household name. Trained as a set designer and sculptor, he became the first celebrity industrial designer. This was due in large measure to the public relations aptitude of Mary, who suggested he stamp his signature on the underside of his products. His designs of the 1930s could be found in homes across the country, including the spun aluminum group, the silver flatware, and the American Modern brand of furniture. His American Modern line of dishes for Steubenville Pottery became the most popular dinnerware ever, selling in excess of 250 million pieces. Much of the mid-century American focus on a low maintenance, casual lifestyle springs directly from Wright's design philosophy. The ultimate set design The land he would call Manitoga, an Algonquin word for "place of the Great Spirit," was not the pristine natural setting that exists today. It had been devastated by copper mining and logging and marked by an abandoned granite quarry. The hemlock forest of the property had been aggressively logged for coal production to run a foundry in Cold Spring, and to supply local tanneries, which used hemlock bark in the tanning process. But the industrial designer fell in love with the land that had been deeply scarred by industry, and the couple spent a decade visiting their property. In 1952, before any construction had started, Mary died. Shortly after that Wright began the process of transforming Manitoga into his ultimate design project. Wright would study rock formations and stake out rooms. His designs encompass not just the house but four miles of trails across the property. He was an artist who used the land as his canvas, with ferns, moss, woodruff and mountain laurels as his palette. He planted sycamore because bark resembled dappled light and shade on the forest floor, and would selectively prune branches to create clear views across certain areas. He created forest rooms - walls of hemlocks or sycamores, lower green walls of wild thyme and floors of moss, boulders as furniture. To the untrained eye, it appears as if these were naturally occurring tableaus in the landscape. Wright diverted a mountain stream to turn the quarry basin into a pond. Using a truck with a winch he bought for $50, he then hauled boulders to the top of the slope above the quarry and let them roll down the hill. He only stopped when he was satisfied with the way the water sounded as it splashed its way down the pile he had created. The house was perched above this manmade pond. Russel's young daughter Annie named it Dragon Rock, because the edge of the quarry looked like a dragon drinking from the water. Dragon Rock consists of a main house and a separate studio, with the two buildings connected by a pergola. Wright slept, bathed, and worked in the studio while Annie and her governess occupied the main house. Kelly Kingman is a freelance writer. Her latest project is stickyebooks.com. How did Wright combine his design with nature? http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1504 Home and Garden http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1504 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT I love skin care products. So when la prairie sent a jar of their Advanced Marine Biology Day Cr�me to the office, I was first in line to agree to test the product. If you are looking for someone to tell you how the product works or why its ingredients should improve your skin, you will be disappointed. I just try the products and leave the scientific rational for why it works to others. I really like the consistency, and once the cream absorbed into my skin, my face felt smooth. I used it over a month's time and found my skin loved the product. According to the promotional literature "this fills the need for a superior, wearable everyday cream that provides long-term protection against aging." Although expensive, a little cream is all you need to moisturize your face. And after all, aren't we worth it? Reviewed by Terrie la prairie Advanced Marine Biology Day Cream $175 Available at Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and laprairie.com. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1501 What's New? http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1501 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT What do you do when the State Transportation Department demolishes your town hall as part of a road-widening project? Town leaders in Esopus decided to look on the sunny side, and now the municipality's seat of government has one of the most highly efficient buildings in the Hudson Valley. The recently completed solar portion of the building's green energy systems was awarded Best Ground Mount PV (photovoltaic) Project at the New York Solar Industries Association 6KC awards. 6KC stands for 6,000 degrees Celcius-a rough estimate of the temperature at the Sun's surface. Esopus' state-of-the-art town hall incorporates a number of green building features, including extensive day lighting and a geothermal heating and cooling system. It was the geothermal that led them to solar, says Randolph Horner, the project's solar energy developer. "By choosing [geothermal] they unshackled themselves from a future of fossil fuel consumption, but to run the system requires a considerable amount of energy," explains Horner. "Their intention was to make the brand new building as green as possible, including long-term energy consumption." Faced with the prospect of high energy bills to run the new geothermal, the town decided to use the land available at the new location for a solar ground system, a cost effective way to generate clean electricity on site. Unless you've been in a cave (an energy-efficient but decorator-challenged dwelling design) you know that escalating energy costs and the rapidly declining health of our environment make clean and renewable energy agendas a global imperative. It's been slow going, but interest in alternative energy is rising in many local and national governments. Public benefit corporations like the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) help by offering tax incentives and community outreach to facilitate the implementation of green technology in municipal buildings, businesses, and private homes. Solar power holds possibly the greatest potential. Solar power can be passive, using building orientation and fenestration to heat and cool; thermal, which mostly involves heating water; concentrated, which uses reflective devices to convert water to steam to drive a turbine; and photovoltaics (PV), which converts the sun's energy into electricity through photovoltaic cells. Compared to other energy sources such as coal, oil, or natural gas extraction, solar is low impact, and properly engineered systems can last up to 30 years. Production costs for panels are high, though, and the slow rate of efficiency rate improvements-the rate is currently at about 40%-has impeded wider growth. But programs such as NYSERDA's Solar Electric Incentive Program will cover up to 50 percent of the installation costs. Other programs such as Property Assessment Clean Energy (PACE) offer further financial incentives which allow homeowners and business owners to install efficiency measures such as solar panels, and pay for them through an opt-in property tax payment mechanism, similar to those that fund street or sewer repairs. PACE's enabling legislation has been passed in a number of states, but Horner says it's not enough.� "The law needs to be more robust and flexible in order for there to be a more widespread public finance option." It is his hope that by summer's end the financing's enabling legislation will have been fine-tuned in Albany and municipalities such as Esopus will be able to offer residents adequate funding. When you look deeper and consider how much traditional fossil energy is subsidized, this funding begins to level the playing field. Still, solar energy is already gaining a foothold in the Valley. When Jeff Irish, founder of Hudson Valley Clean Energy (2010 NYSEIS Net Zero Commercial Building winner), installed solar in his own home in 2002, it was only the tenth system between New York City and Albany. Since then, his company has done over 500 projects, including those for municipalities such as Rhinebeck, New Paltz, East Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, Red Hook, and for the Army at West Point. Having worked with NYSERDA for eight years, Irish believes the program has been well managed and stable. "It's a complex business - it's really amazing how much engineering work and documentation goes into these systems. Because they're being funded by the state, they want to make sure high quality installs are being done and a good value is generated from the state's assistance." This means that NYSERDA incentives are only available through eligible installers, who, in addition to ensuring the meticulous engineering and high-quality installs, file all the necessary paperwork, leaving the homeowner with little to no responsibility. "[NYSERDA] makes it really simple, really easy," says Bob O'Keefe, owner of Hudson Valley Solar Hot Water. "They're extremely user-friendly." Solar hot water - a highly efficient and foolproof system whereby solar-heated water is pumped directly into your existing hot water system - can cover 70-75 percent of a family's domestic hot water. "As electric energy costs drive up hot water prices, the cost to heat water will be astronomical," says O'Keefe. "The way I look at it, whether or not you buy a [solar hot water system] you're going to pay for one for not taking advantage of the credits and cost for heating your own hot water. NYSERDA will pay about 55% of installed cost. The payback period is about 5 years, and you're protected with a domestic hot water heater for the next 20 to 30 years." For more information on NYSERDA incentives visit nyserda.org. For help, visit the NYSERDA community liaison organization New York Energy Smart Community at getenergysmart.org. Find�local resources! http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1503 Going Green http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1503 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT High summer is here and the fields of the Hudson Valley are overflowing with fresh goods. Our ample farmlands provide us with fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grass-fed meats, and more. And many markets are enticing visitors to make a day of it. "Along with farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, all natural meats and cheeses, breads and baked goods, The Kingston Farmers Market also offers crafts on John Street, featuring the wares of talented Hudson Valley artists," says the market's publicist, Jillian Fischer. Craft days are the first and third Saturdays of the month. "We also feature a 'Healthy Eating series' where our chef demonstrates how easy it is to use local goods every day." The Pine Bush Farmers Market offers a number of special days. "We have a 'Sweet Corn Celebration' in July, where ears of fresh husk-roasted local sweet corn are served hot off the grill. The first one is on the house and the butter is free" says the market's manager, Jacquelyn Carter. There is also a "Tomato-Me-Crazy Contest" in August where gardeners compete in categories of weirdest, biggest, tastiest and most perfect for prizes. Saturdays offers a music series featuring traditional, folk, jazz, country, bluegrass, and klezmer from local musicians. Stay in touch with the seasons One of the main benefits of visiting a farmers market is that it keeps your table in tune with the season. "That means there won't be tomatoes in May or strawberries in August," says Carter. "And if it doesn't grow in the Hudson Valley, you won't find it here, so you'll never find bananas, coconuts or mangoes no matter the time of the year. The guess work is gone, you'll know what you see is fresh and in season." Carter says the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets is a good resource. "It's a calendar of the approximate times of availability for the some of the more common fruits and vegetables grown here in New York." A dash of serendipity When shopping at a farmers market, the best meal planning strategy combines both structure and flexibility. Start with an idea of what you want to accomplish, and then let the season's offerings round out your menu. Fischer advises walking the market before buying anything, while noting what's available. "Fresh mozzarella from one vendor may go great with the fresh basil from another and you can top it off with herbed olive oil." The advantages to visiting farm markets are significant. Unlike food from a supermarket, "Anything picked or baked within the last twenty-four hours is going to be at the absolute peak of its freshness and taste," says Carter. An added benefit is responsible land development. "You're giving those with farmland a reason to stay in business and keep that land open and undeveloped." Looking for a new recipe? Try this�one from the Kingston Farmers market. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1498 Going Green http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1498 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT The latest from the minds behind farm-fresh goat cheese: goat yogurt. Coach Farm in Pine Plains, well-known in the Hudson Valley for its award-winning artisanal goat cheeses, is introducing Goat's Milk Probiotic Yogurt this summer. It's a creamy Greek style yogurt made with fresh goat's milk. Try it in a fruit smoothie, or just toss some fresh raspberries and a swirl of honey onto the plain or vanilla flavor. Plain is also great for summertime cooking-use it as a marinade for lamb or as a base for a shrimp dip. $1.99 six-ounce cup. Local health stores, gourmet shops, and online at coachfarm.com. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1499 What's New? http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1499 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Wrap yourself in the soft feel of bath towels by Amy Butler for Welspun. These eco-friendly towels are made with non-toxic dyes and are ultra plush. I enjoyed the soft colors of plum, turquoise, orange, and lime. And at a reasonable price, it is a great gift just for you. Reviewed by Terrie $12.99 Available at Bed Bath and Beyond. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1500 What's New? http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1500 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT What can we say about the oil spill? Drill baby, drill? It's time to start changing our ways. For real. In this issue of Hudson Valley Life, we talk with John Voelcker, who analyzes the green car industry and writes about it for greencarreports.com. John is busy, because in the coming months, car makers will unveil a host of new offerings, including several all-electric vehicles. Electric cars, of course, draw on power created at a power plant, and are therefore responsible for carbon emissions. But John assures us that even in the worst-case scenarios, an electric car is easier on the environment than combustion engines. In the end, of course, the greenest thing you can do is walk, ride a bicycle, or take public transportation. To paraphrase John, a Toyota Prius and a Chevy Tahoe put out the same amount of carbon sitting in the driveway. One of the key reasons for the increasing feasibility of mass consumption electric vehicles is improvements in battery technology. But what happens to all those big, heavy battery packs, which are not cheap, when the car has reached the end of its life? Because a battery pack will still retain a good portion of its energy storage capacity, John expects an entire industry to spring up that will make the batteries available for other uses, particularly storing energy from residential solar panels. In fact, it appears Nissan is already preparing for just such a scenario for its batteries. Which brings us to Shannon Gallagher's piece on solar power in the Hudson Valley. Of the twelve "6KC" awards given out in 2010 by the New York Solar Industries Association recognizing outstanding completed projects in the state, four went to installations in the Hudson Valley: Hudson Valley Clean Energy, Rhinebeck; State Office of General Service, Wallkill Correctional Facility; Town of Esopus; and Ronnybrook Dairy Farms, Ancramdale. Thanks to everyone involved in those projects for helping to nudge our region toward a healthier future. Cutting back our carbon footprint doesn't mean cutting back fun. I noticed a few intriguing events in this month's calendar, including a beard contest in Montgomery (Warning: Do not walk the town's streets without a permit for your facial hair) and the annual vinegar festival at Our Lady of the Resurrection Monastery in LaGrangeville, where seven varieties made on premises will be available for tasting. What could be more American than beards and vinegar in July?  Go to our calendar for our constantly updated listings of fabulous summer events. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1484 http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1484 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Since the day it opened four years ago, Homespun has been popular among local Beacon residents and day trippers coming to visit DIA:Beacon at the waterfront and the shops and galleries on Main Street. Owner Jessica Reisman ran a successful bakery in Seattle before moving to town, and she has not lost her touch with this specialty food cafe. The Homespun menu offers robust salads and sandwiches created with local ingredients, homemade soups, and a wide array of tempting desserts, including tarts, pastries, and cakes, all made on premises. One item, however, was not on the menu, and that was dinner. This is no longer the case, with the eatery offering a summer dinner from 6pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights. On warm, clear evenings, most diners choose to eat out in the lovely garden area, bordered with seasonal plantings and featuring trellises, a large arbor, and a fountain at the back. It has been hung with festive outdoor lighting for the season, and that's where we were seated. As prepared by chef Claudia Levesque, the supper offerings are simple, and divided into three sections: small plates, cheese tastes with accompaniments, and desserts. The cheese plates are grouped by country and include Italian, Spanish, French, English and Dutch, and American, the choice of my partner and me heading into Memorial Day weekend. The cheeses on this plate were Coach Farm aged goat, raw milk Great Hill blue, and Humbolt Fog, served with neutral, thin charcoal crackers from the Fine Cheese Cracker Company, dates, sliced pear, and a tangy tomato relish that we later discovered was the same sauce used on the famous Homespun vegetarian meatloaf and made with tomatoes, fresh ginger root, fenugreek, and dried ancho chillies. Small plates, big tastes For our small plates, we ordered the mini crabcakes with remoulade, empanadas made with beef from local, grass-fed cows, and the special of the evening, medjool dates stuffed with Fourm� d'ambert, a French blue cheese. The remoulade was mildly tangy, allowing the delicate crab flavor to come through. The medium weight crust of the empanada pastry was equally up to the task of offering just the right compliment to the local beef filling. The figs with bleu cheese were another successful pairing, but with the cheese plate also on our table, perhaps we might have selected a plate that would help cut the dairy, such as the olives and South African Peppadews (a brand of sweet peppers). Homespun offers a variety of gourmet sodas and drinks, as well as microbrew beers and a small selection of interesting wines. My partner was enchanted with her glass of Cuma, an organic wine from Argentina with heavy black-currant undertones. Lest you think that the tapas-style offerings do not make for a satisfying meal, dinner was so satiating my partner and I were forced to share a dessert. Already familiar with Homespun's deadly dessert-fu, we figured we were in for a treat when we ordered the buttermilk panna cotta with berries. Panna cotta is an Italian custard-like creation with a consistency somewhere between flan and Greek yogurt. The rendition here was silky smooth, a refreshing way to enjoy strawberries and raspberries en plein air. � The service was attentive and professional. If you go for lunch instead of dinner, be aware that the place gets busy, and the fresh food prep may have you waiting, especially on weekends. Homespun also sells specialty and gourmet food products. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1485 Restaurants http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1485 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT As every American knows, Presidents Obama and Bush took the highly controversial step of bailing out two of our iconic car companies, GM and Chrysler. This move has been widely criticized as a disastrous first step in socializing all aspects of our industries. While we agree that bailing out industries is dangerous and should usually be avoided, we believe the car industry bailout was an exception to the rule for two reasons: First, in the case of the U.S. car companies, the government broke them, so the government should fix them. Yes, many of the U.S. car companies' problems were caused by State and Federal policies. For instance, do you know that due to highly punitive state laws that date back 50 years or more, to a time when GM, Ford, Chrysler, and Studebaker held over 80% of the market share, it is almost impossible to close down a car dealership in the U.S?� As a result, as the U.S market share dwindled downward, domestic dealers began feeding on each other. So Cadillac has 1600 dealerships and sells the same number of cars as BMW, which has only 350 dealerships. Therefore, BMW dealerships are quite profitable, while Cadillac dealerships are often close to each together and compete against other Cadillac dealers. This drives down the profitability of dealers as well as the price of the cars. Did you know that the Japanese Government grants huge research and development dollars to their automakers, while the U.S. has, until very recently, not given any research money to domestic manufacturers? This puts us at a big disadvantage in technology breakthroughs. Japan and Germany have government healthcare. So car makers in those countries pay nothing for health insurance, while domestic makers, until bankruptcy, paid over $1,200 per car just for healthcare costs! Again, these are dollars that otherwise would have gone into research and development. Until recently, every foreign-made car sold in Japan had to go through a Japanese inspection process that involved actually taking the cars apart and reassembling them. This supposed "safety measure" was actually a way of jacking up the cost of foreign makes. Therefore, a Chevy Impala sold in Japan costs twice what it costs here in the States. Obviously, very few foreign cars are sold in Japan because the Japanese have created an unfair playing field. Reason number two: The U.S. Government needed to bail out the domestic manufacturers because domestic makes such as Ford, GM, Chrysler and the new Fisker, Tesla, and Aptera car companies support U.S. jobs big time. According to the Level Field Institute, Ford (Lincoln, Mercury) employs, "87 Americans for every 2,500 cars sold," followed by GM (Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC) and Chrysler (Dodge, Jeep, GEM Electric Cars) at 78 and 66, respectively. Among the foreign automakers, Honda leads with 44 American workers for every 2,500 cars made, followed by Toyota (42), Nissan (34), and Hyundai/Kia (15). Buying a Ford, GM, or Chrysler product supports a lot more American jobs than buying a foreign car. Case in point, buying a Ford supports almost six times more American jobs than buying a Hyundai. They go on to say: "Secondarily, autos assembled outside the U.S. by companies based here support significantly more U.S. jobs than autos assembled here by companies with most of their engineering, design and headquarter jobs located overseas. For example, a Ford assembled in Mexico this year will likely support approximately six times more U.S. jobs than a Hyundai assembled in Alabama. It will also contain more U.S. and Canadian parts than Hyundai's assembled in Alabama." All these facts lead us to believe that Presidents Bush and Obama were correct in their assessment that the loss of our auto manufacturers would have been a severe blow to our economy and that bailing them out was the right thing to do. Dan Searles and John Stohlman, of Medallion Financial Group, are CFP�'s and Registered Representatives with over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, offering securities and advisory services through National Planning Corporation (NPC), member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Medallion Financial Group and NPC are separate and unrelated companies. They manage over $250 million of client assets. For further info, questions or comments regarding this article, Dan and John can be reached at 1-800-878-9704 or Dan.Searles@natplan.com. � All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, National Planning Corporation (NPC) makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. NPC is not to be held responsible for and may not be held liable for the accuracy of information available. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1486 Money Matters http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1486 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ingredients: 1� pounds ground turkey  � cup finely crushed tortilla chips 2 large Portobello mushrooms, gills scraped, mushroom caps and stems diced 1 large egg, beaten 6 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin � teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup chunky salsa, homemade or store bought 1/3 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed 1/3 cup fresh corn kernels 1 small peach diced Instructions: Pre heat barbecue (medium-high heat). Oil grill racks. Combine turkey, crushed chips, beaten egg, mushrooms, 4 tablespoons cilantro, chili powder, salt, cumin, and pepper in large bowl. Form 6 patties, each about 3� inches in diameter. Mix together salsa, corn, beans and peaches and remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro in small bowl. Set aside. Grill burgers until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Divide among plates. Spoon salsa over burgers and serve. Makes 6 servings. Hudson Valley farmers markets offer more than just great recipes like this one, find out more information here. http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1488 Going Green http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1488 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT Ready to bring solar power into your home? If federal and state tax credits aren't incentive enough to invest in solar, you may be curious to know how you can "sell back" solar energy to Central Hudson. Actually, selling back is technically not correct, explains solar energy project developer Randolph Horner. "You swap at par value." The practice, called net metering, means that whenever your system is making more energy than it's using, you're back-feeding the power grid, earning credits as your meter literally runs backward. In the Hudson Valley, energy use in the winter tends to increase, while solar energy production decreases; the opposite is true in the summer. So extra credits are gained in the late spring, summer, and early fall, and then cashed in over the winter. "Homeowners can take a bite out of energy measures until they're a zero energy home [using no more than they're producing]. It's easier when you're building a new home and planning this from the beginning, but it can also be done with a retrofit," assures Horner. But it's important to be realistic: "A $20,000 investment won't necessarily obliterate your energy costs." For more information on Central Hudson's net metering program, visit cenhud.com. Check out these local sources: EarthKind Solar We deliver the highest-quality solar products that will help you save on your utility bills, lower your fossil fuel consumption and help the environment. 500 Enterprise Dr., Kingston 845-266-3723 Hudson Valley Clean Energy�is a full service solar electric, geothermal, and solar hot water provider specializing in the design, installation, and servicing of these renewable energy systems. 13 Hook Rd., Rhinebeck 845-345-8699 Hudson Valley Energy Options, Ltd. supports efforts to research, develop and implement solar technologies for residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and transportation sectors. 845-417-1191 Hudson Valley Solar Hot Water, We are committed to the idea that the future ecological health of the Earth lies in all of us making sound choices in our personal energy use. 845-399-7219 Sun Volt Solar�is a locally owned, locally operated solar equipment dealer and installer in Kerhonkson. 30 Sherman Rd., Kerhonkson 845-626-2627 http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1494 Going Green http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1494 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT By his own estimation, in the last couple of years, John Voelcker has written close to a thousand articles about cars that use alternative fuels. A good portion of this reportage is done in his capacity as senior editor for greencarreports.com. The familiarity with his subject is evident when talking with Voelcker about the latest developments in "green cars"-he is a veritable walking, talking Wikipedia on everything from clean diesel to hybrids, from small high mileage cars to electric cars, from battery technologies to ultracapacitors. � We interviewed Voelcker recently at his home in West Saugerties (he also resides in Manhattan). His home is located on the side of a mountain, and on a clear day you can see 40 miles to the Berkshires. Parked at the top of a steep dirt driveway is his 2000 Subaru Outback-yes, he has a dream job testing fun, "green" automobiles, but at the moment the cobbler has no shoes. � Right now is an exciting time to be analyzing and writing about this segment of the auto industry, with several very different types of alternative fuel vehicles set to hit the streets in the next few months. We asked Voelcker to explain the drive train differences between the Chevy Volt, the Nissan Leaf, and the Toyota Plug-in Prius. He also gets charged up about the Tesla and basic battery technology. Read on for your car guide! (John talks about the Tesla) (John talks about the Volt) (John talks about the Leaf) (John talks about the Prius) http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1479 Going Green http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1479 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT � Here John Voelcker from greencarreports.com, discusses the Tesla electric car. Read on for your car guide! (John talks about the Volt) (John talks about the Leaf) (John talks about the Prius) http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1480 Going Green http://www.hvlife.com/articles/article.aspx?id=1480 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT