All articles with headlines that include "for the Pughkeepsie Journal" are unedited. They were put through rounds of editing before going to publication. This is the article as I wrote it.
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
Tearing up Billboard and R&B/Hip Hop Charts since 1991, Naughty by Nature has been dubbed the “Kings of the Anthem.” Uninterested in abdicating their throne, the hip hop trio is releasing a new album and playing a string of “Legends of Hip Hop” shows in the upcoming weeks.
On Saturday September 12, 2009, accompanied by Coolio, Tone-Loc and Rob Base, Naughty by Nature will take the stage at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center with its original lineup: Treatch, Vinnie, and DJ Kaygee.
The group met at East Orange High School in East Orange, New Jersey in the 1980s. The three grew up in what they consider “the hood,” and were surrounded by the hip-hop lifestyle.
For Naughty by Nature, music evolved from a hobby to a career when their original act was discovered by rapper/producer Queen Latifa at a high school talent show. After being signed to Latifa’s label, Tommy Boy Records, they released their self-titled debut album in 1991… it was certified platinum by ’92.
The group did not expect sudden success and certainly never anticipated making a living out of music.
“I never anticipated making music for a living… I’m a hobbyist,” said Vinnie. “I got involved through things like beat-boxing and break-dancing. When it came time for music we all got together for a talent show and It went over so well that it was the challenge of our high school peers saying we couldn’t make it as a band that really got me involved in music and the challenge of being successful.”
Although the trio toured together for years, they have worked on personal projects as well. DJ Kaygee has not recorded with the band since their ‘99 album Nineteen Naughty Nine. He has instead been concentrating on the production end of the music industry for artists like Zhane, Notorious B.I.G. and Luther Vanross.
Treatch has split concentration between hip-hop and film acting and Vinnie has been concentrating on business ventures like the Naughty by Nature merchandise store and a new mobile device by Windows. He considers himself the “Russell Simmons” of the band. Regardless of Kay Gee’s absence, Treatch and Vinnie have never stopped touring together.
“We tour every month of the year…. Some months are lighter than others but basically we tour all year,” said Vinnie.
Naughty by Nature is accompanying their “Legends of Hip Hop” tour with the release of a new record called Anthem Inc. this fall. Like the tour, this will be the group’s first endeavor since 1999 with Treatch, Vinnie, and DJ Kaygee contributing. Although singles like “Get to Know Me Better” give off an edgier vibe than their early ‘90’s party hits, Kaygee assured that the new sound is simply a product of creativity and evolving production techniques.
Vinnie agreed by stating that “With music and being creative you can’t get boxed into one shell. Being creative is about doing something that you feel comfortable with… something you should try to attack…”
Although the members of Naughty by Nature never expected their lives o pan out the ways that they did, their September 12 “Legends of Hip Hop” show at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center will certainly be a milestone for the hobbyists turned seasoned-veterans.
“This was a hobby turned career turned… your peers and fans calling you “legends…,” said Vinnie. “It’s something we never anticipated and something that we never called ourselves. It’s just an accolade that I guess was earned and put upon us by the people.”
This article was written for a concert that was canceled two days beforehand.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
New Directions '09 - for the Poughkeepsie Journal
All articles with headlines that include "for the Pughkeepsie Journal" are unedited. They were put through rounds of editing before going to publication. This is the article as I wrote it.
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
Housed in the former residence of Poughkeepsie painter and print-maker Thomas Barrett, the Barrett Art Center will kick off the 25th annual New Directions Contemporary Art Exhibit this Saturday.
Spanning until Saturday Nov. 21, this national juried event will feature 57 pieces chosen from over 700 submissions. Among the “cutting edge” contemporary pieces are paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, and abstract mixed media pieces.
Considering the diversity of work and the judiciary presence of Joan Young, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan, New Directions ‘09 ensures a museum quality exhibit right on Noxon Street in Poughkeepsie.
Akin to the spectrum of work, the participants themselves come from different cities and artistic backgrounds. According to Laurie Clark, Exhibition Director at the Barrett Art Center, artists included in New Directions range from ages 18 to 80 and are from cities from Poughkeepsie to Denver, Colo.
“You get to see pieces from all over the country,” said Clark. “It gives people an opportunity to see work that they might have to go to many different galleries to see.”
According to Young, the judicial decisions were made with a focus on creating a professional atmosphere while representing each medium respectively.
“I wanted the range to represent the people who submitted work,” she said. “I think it’s a very diverse exhibition in terms of media and conceptual approaches.”
Although paintings, photographs and prints will hang beneath 175-year-old hand-carved wood door frames and adjacent to rustic 1830’s furniture, Clark is confident that the quality of work in this show will rival that of a mainstream Manhattan exhibit.
She said that the work is very professional and that “when visitors come into the art center, they’ll feel like they’re in a New York City gallery.”
Clark is also excited and enthusiastic about the 14 Hudson Valley residents whose pieces were chosen for the event.
One such artist is New Paltz resident Jim Adair. Adair’s 12-year art career has consisted of painting for leisure in his studio, teaching watercolor at the Barrett Art Center and hanging his work during their only national juried event.
Like Clark, Adair is confident about the professionalism of work in this exhibit. He is also honored that he is considered among such unique and diverse artists.
“It’s pretty high quality work,” said Adair. “… So you always feel good if you can make it in.”
The number of local artists involved in this show endorses the significance of community-oriented art centers. Community members are welcome to view and submit work, as well as study different disciplines of art at the Barrett Art Center.
“We’ve seen people start as amateur artists develop their skills, begin to show at Barrett, and then go on to show at other galleries,” said Clark. “That’s what a community art center should do.”
Although cash prizes are ultimately awarded to the three best pieces in the show, Adair does not concern himself with the possibility of money. He notes that there is little money in the art business; so hoping for recognition over cash will yield more significant rewards.
From this perspective, Adair cares little about the competitive aspect and more about the manner in which the exhibit will impact visitors as well as other artists.
“It’s going to be a nice show and people will be influenced by it,” he said. “The more the merrier in this business.”
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
Housed in the former residence of Poughkeepsie painter and print-maker Thomas Barrett, the Barrett Art Center will kick off the 25th annual New Directions Contemporary Art Exhibit this Saturday.
Spanning until Saturday Nov. 21, this national juried event will feature 57 pieces chosen from over 700 submissions. Among the “cutting edge” contemporary pieces are paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, and abstract mixed media pieces.
Considering the diversity of work and the judiciary presence of Joan Young, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at the Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan, New Directions ‘09 ensures a museum quality exhibit right on Noxon Street in Poughkeepsie.
Akin to the spectrum of work, the participants themselves come from different cities and artistic backgrounds. According to Laurie Clark, Exhibition Director at the Barrett Art Center, artists included in New Directions range from ages 18 to 80 and are from cities from Poughkeepsie to Denver, Colo.
“You get to see pieces from all over the country,” said Clark. “It gives people an opportunity to see work that they might have to go to many different galleries to see.”
According to Young, the judicial decisions were made with a focus on creating a professional atmosphere while representing each medium respectively.
“I wanted the range to represent the people who submitted work,” she said. “I think it’s a very diverse exhibition in terms of media and conceptual approaches.”
Although paintings, photographs and prints will hang beneath 175-year-old hand-carved wood door frames and adjacent to rustic 1830’s furniture, Clark is confident that the quality of work in this show will rival that of a mainstream Manhattan exhibit.
She said that the work is very professional and that “when visitors come into the art center, they’ll feel like they’re in a New York City gallery.”
Clark is also excited and enthusiastic about the 14 Hudson Valley residents whose pieces were chosen for the event.
One such artist is New Paltz resident Jim Adair. Adair’s 12-year art career has consisted of painting for leisure in his studio, teaching watercolor at the Barrett Art Center and hanging his work during their only national juried event.
Like Clark, Adair is confident about the professionalism of work in this exhibit. He is also honored that he is considered among such unique and diverse artists.
“It’s pretty high quality work,” said Adair. “… So you always feel good if you can make it in.”
The number of local artists involved in this show endorses the significance of community-oriented art centers. Community members are welcome to view and submit work, as well as study different disciplines of art at the Barrett Art Center.
“We’ve seen people start as amateur artists develop their skills, begin to show at Barrett, and then go on to show at other galleries,” said Clark. “That’s what a community art center should do.”
Although cash prizes are ultimately awarded to the three best pieces in the show, Adair does not concern himself with the possibility of money. He notes that there is little money in the art business; so hoping for recognition over cash will yield more significant rewards.
From this perspective, Adair cares little about the competitive aspect and more about the manner in which the exhibit will impact visitors as well as other artists.
“It’s going to be a nice show and people will be influenced by it,” he said. “The more the merrier in this business.”
Met Opera - for the Poughkeepsie Journal
All articles with headlines that include "for the Pughkeepsie Journal" are unedited. They were put through rounds of editing before going to publication. This is the article as I wrote it.
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
The Metropolitan Opera House is known for its stunning renditions of the most famous operas ever composed. On Saturday, Oct. 10, The Bardavon Opera House on Market St. will be the second best seat in the house for The Met’s performance of Tosca by Giacomo Puccini.
Thanks to high definition video and satellite technology, The Bardavon and Upac will receive transmissions of select Met opera performances on their respective video screens every Saturday from Oct. 10 to May 1.
Chris Silva, Executive Director at The Bardavon describes the first installment of The Met: Live in HD as “powerful and relentless” and one of the grandest operas of all time – chock full of some of “the greatest music ever written.” He believes that the elephants, horses, and the huge number cast will help Tosca translate well to the big screen.
“I think one of the reason’s The Met us starting with [Tosca] is because it’s a real audience favorite,” said Silva.
Since the premier in 2006, The Met: Live in HD has won an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award and the IBC International Honour for Excellence for its “contribution to the creative, commercial or technical advance of the electronic media industry, on a global scale.”
According to Silva, the technology used for the transmissions creates stellar sound and picture. Dolby 5.1 surround sound is coupled with an 800-lumen projector to create a clear and concise broadcast. Ten cameras are also employed at The Met to capture different angles and give remote audience members a more unique experience.
“The HD image on the big screen is so incredibly clear,” said Silva. “… The whole movement of everything is just gorgeous.”
LaGrange resident and life-long opera fan Frank Doherty has yet to see a “Live in HD” transmission, but has seen performances at both The Met and the Bardavon and is excited about the new technology.
“I have an HD television but it’s not quite the same I guess,” said Doherty. “… I think this may be the future of the way people see opera.”
Doherty, who helped save The Bardavon from a wrecking ball over 30 years ago, believes that the Live in HD series can have beneficial impacts for The Bardavon, The Met, and the local opera community as a whole.
“This is a way to see the very best opera not live and on stage but as close as you can get,” he said. “I’m sure that the Met is making some money off of it and I’m sure they need the money too – I think it’s a great opportunity all around.”
General Manager of The Met, Peter Gelb endorses Doherty’s opinion in a recently written statement.
“Beyond [Live in HD’s] artistic value, it’s also become a valuable marketing tool, reinforcing the Met’s relationship with its global audience and helping to raise the profile of opera,” said Gelb
The Bardavon and Upac are now two of 900+ theaters in 42 countries to receive live feeds from The Met. The first performance, Tusca on Oct. 10, is one of nine operas being fed to theaters around the world.
Although this is the first year that The Bardavon and Upac are part of The Met: Live in HD, Silva is confident about the attendance and offers local opera fans a bit of advice.
“Tickets are available and people should buy soon,” he said. “I think we’re going to pack the house… I really do.”
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
The Metropolitan Opera House is known for its stunning renditions of the most famous operas ever composed. On Saturday, Oct. 10, The Bardavon Opera House on Market St. will be the second best seat in the house for The Met’s performance of Tosca by Giacomo Puccini.
Thanks to high definition video and satellite technology, The Bardavon and Upac will receive transmissions of select Met opera performances on their respective video screens every Saturday from Oct. 10 to May 1.
Chris Silva, Executive Director at The Bardavon describes the first installment of The Met: Live in HD as “powerful and relentless” and one of the grandest operas of all time – chock full of some of “the greatest music ever written.” He believes that the elephants, horses, and the huge number cast will help Tosca translate well to the big screen.
“I think one of the reason’s The Met us starting with [Tosca] is because it’s a real audience favorite,” said Silva.
Since the premier in 2006, The Met: Live in HD has won an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award and the IBC International Honour for Excellence for its “contribution to the creative, commercial or technical advance of the electronic media industry, on a global scale.”
According to Silva, the technology used for the transmissions creates stellar sound and picture. Dolby 5.1 surround sound is coupled with an 800-lumen projector to create a clear and concise broadcast. Ten cameras are also employed at The Met to capture different angles and give remote audience members a more unique experience.
“The HD image on the big screen is so incredibly clear,” said Silva. “… The whole movement of everything is just gorgeous.”
LaGrange resident and life-long opera fan Frank Doherty has yet to see a “Live in HD” transmission, but has seen performances at both The Met and the Bardavon and is excited about the new technology.
“I have an HD television but it’s not quite the same I guess,” said Doherty. “… I think this may be the future of the way people see opera.”
Doherty, who helped save The Bardavon from a wrecking ball over 30 years ago, believes that the Live in HD series can have beneficial impacts for The Bardavon, The Met, and the local opera community as a whole.
“This is a way to see the very best opera not live and on stage but as close as you can get,” he said. “I’m sure that the Met is making some money off of it and I’m sure they need the money too – I think it’s a great opportunity all around.”
General Manager of The Met, Peter Gelb endorses Doherty’s opinion in a recently written statement.
“Beyond [Live in HD’s] artistic value, it’s also become a valuable marketing tool, reinforcing the Met’s relationship with its global audience and helping to raise the profile of opera,” said Gelb
The Bardavon and Upac are now two of 900+ theaters in 42 countries to receive live feeds from The Met. The first performance, Tusca on Oct. 10, is one of nine operas being fed to theaters around the world.
Although this is the first year that The Bardavon and Upac are part of The Met: Live in HD, Silva is confident about the attendance and offers local opera fans a bit of advice.
“Tickets are available and people should buy soon,” he said. “I think we’re going to pack the house… I really do.”
Taste of the Hudson Valley - for the Poughkeepsie Journal
All articles with headlines that include "for the Pughkeepsie Journal" are unedited. They were put through rounds of editing before going to publication. This is the article as I wrote it.
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
Gourmet food, internationally renowned wines, unique auction lots, live music and a backdrop of Hudson Valley foliage are just a few endearing aspects of the Taste of the Hudson Valley wine and epicurean arts festival and fund-raiser.
On Sunday Nov. 8, The Grandview in Poughkeepsie will host the 21st Taste of the Hudson Valley in hopes of raising money for current and prospective projects at the St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie.
Sponsored by the St. Francis Health Care Foundation, the hospital’s philanthropic branch, the Taste of the Hudson Valley couples wines from around the world with decadent dishes from regional restaurants.
Viscount Wines and Liquor of Wappingers Falls will donate wine and restaurants from across the tri-state region will provide an all-you-can-eat array of food.
According to Nicholas Shannon, Special Events Coordinator of the St. Francis Health Care Foundation, the quantity of participating venders as well as the quality of food and wines has increased and improved apace with the duration of the event’s existence.
“Our restaurant participation has really upped this year,” said Shannon. “The quality and amount of wine and food that you’re going to get at the event…you really can’t find anywhere else.”
Venders are assigned two wines with which they must focus unique dishes. Lola’s Café and Catering of Poughkeepsie is complimenting two red wines with beef short ribs with a cauliflower puree and New Zealand baby lamb with an Indian spiced carrot puree.
Chef and Owner of Lola’s Edward Kowalski is excited about preparing his dishes as well as mingling with other chefs over their respective concoctions.
“The Taste gives us an opportunity to walk around and see what everyone else is doing,” said Kowalski. “Chefs are competitive by nature... everybody pulls out the top guns (for the Taste)”
While sampling local food and exotic wines, guests are also invited to participate in live and silent auctions benefiting St. Francis Hospital. Auction lots include travel excursions, one-of-a-kind gifts, sports and music memorabilia and bottles of wine featured at the event.
Guests and venders will also enjoy live music from the Hudson Valley’s own Michael Dell Orchestra.
Alongside fund-raising for one of the busiest trauma centers in New York State and the ever-expanding Eileen M. Hickey Cancer Center at St. Francis, the Taste of the Hudson Valley facilitates the notion of community.
According to Robert Lane, President of St. Francis Health Care Foundation, the Taste of the Hudson Valley “can either help with construction or purchasing a piece of equipment that can allow a physician to literally save someone’s life.”
“We try to do as much as we can with the community,” said Kowalski. “St. Francis is right in our back yard so we always try to do whatever we can for them.”
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
Gourmet food, internationally renowned wines, unique auction lots, live music and a backdrop of Hudson Valley foliage are just a few endearing aspects of the Taste of the Hudson Valley wine and epicurean arts festival and fund-raiser.
On Sunday Nov. 8, The Grandview in Poughkeepsie will host the 21st Taste of the Hudson Valley in hopes of raising money for current and prospective projects at the St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie.
Sponsored by the St. Francis Health Care Foundation, the hospital’s philanthropic branch, the Taste of the Hudson Valley couples wines from around the world with decadent dishes from regional restaurants.
Viscount Wines and Liquor of Wappingers Falls will donate wine and restaurants from across the tri-state region will provide an all-you-can-eat array of food.
According to Nicholas Shannon, Special Events Coordinator of the St. Francis Health Care Foundation, the quantity of participating venders as well as the quality of food and wines has increased and improved apace with the duration of the event’s existence.
“Our restaurant participation has really upped this year,” said Shannon. “The quality and amount of wine and food that you’re going to get at the event…you really can’t find anywhere else.”
Venders are assigned two wines with which they must focus unique dishes. Lola’s Café and Catering of Poughkeepsie is complimenting two red wines with beef short ribs with a cauliflower puree and New Zealand baby lamb with an Indian spiced carrot puree.
Chef and Owner of Lola’s Edward Kowalski is excited about preparing his dishes as well as mingling with other chefs over their respective concoctions.
“The Taste gives us an opportunity to walk around and see what everyone else is doing,” said Kowalski. “Chefs are competitive by nature... everybody pulls out the top guns (for the Taste)”
While sampling local food and exotic wines, guests are also invited to participate in live and silent auctions benefiting St. Francis Hospital. Auction lots include travel excursions, one-of-a-kind gifts, sports and music memorabilia and bottles of wine featured at the event.
Guests and venders will also enjoy live music from the Hudson Valley’s own Michael Dell Orchestra.
Alongside fund-raising for one of the busiest trauma centers in New York State and the ever-expanding Eileen M. Hickey Cancer Center at St. Francis, the Taste of the Hudson Valley facilitates the notion of community.
According to Robert Lane, President of St. Francis Health Care Foundation, the Taste of the Hudson Valley “can either help with construction or purchasing a piece of equipment that can allow a physician to literally save someone’s life.”
“We try to do as much as we can with the community,” said Kowalski. “St. Francis is right in our back yard so we always try to do whatever we can for them.”
The Big Read - 2009 - for the Poughkeepsie Journal
All articles with headlines that include "for the Pughkeepsie Journal" are unedited. They were put through rounds of editing before going to publication. This is the article as I wrote it.
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
The annual nationwide event known as The Big Read kicks off on October 3 and will run throughout the month of October with a focus on influencing students and community members to adopt reading as a central part of their lives.
With a primary goal of encouraging literacy and restoring reading to the center of American culture, The Big Read focuses on a single book each year. This year, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Nora Neale Hurston will be the piece on which daily events across Dutchess County will be centered.
The ideology behind The Big Read is based on the declining desire to read within the teenage demographic. According to Wendy McNamara, Public Information Officer of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District and primary organizer of Dutchess County’s participation in The Big Read, the 14 – 25-year-old age range is becoming less and less interested in reading.
McNamara believes that focusing attention on one book is a good way to win over this age group.
“I hope it opens their eyes to the fact that a book is not just words on paper,” she said. “There’s a whole world and culture around every book.”
McNamara also believes that the events organized for this year’s Big Read will facilitate new perspectives on interpreting literature. Their Eyes Were Watching God will be discussed with respect to many different disciplines by a multitude of authorities.
Lectures and presentations at scattered Dutchess County locations will analyze the book through linguistic, anthropological, racial, historical and of course, literary lenses. According to Dr. Eve Dunbar, assistant professor of English at Vassar College, this eclectic group of perspectives will give guests a better chance to submerge themselves in the story.
“All of those different points of view offer different ways to enter into the novel,” she said. “ Depending on what your interests are, [The Big Read] offers all of these opportunities.”
One presentation is based on the film adaptation of Their Eyes Were Watching God. Associate Professor of English at Dutchess Community College, John Desmond will be discussing the nuances associated with the adaptation of the book to the big screen.
Desmond believes that his presentation will open eyes to the fact that “a faithful adaptation isn’t necessarily a good one.” When a book is made into a film, a new art form is created.
“We’re moving from words on a page to two other languages: sound and picture,” said Desmond. “So what we’re looking at is how a narrative transfers to this new medium.”
In accordance with McNamara and Dunbar’s opinions, Professor Desmond believes that this alternative perspective on a piece of literature will lead to students and guests to understanding it better.
Desmond is also optimistic that his, and his colleagues’ presentations will be enriching not just for students, but for the community is a whole. He believes that when a community is completely submerged in a piece of literature through a myriad of events creates and maintains a sense of camaraderie amongst neighbors.
“Our middle name is community,” said Desmond. “And this is one of our ways in which the college reaches out to the community.”
When asked which event in The Big Read she was most excited about, McNamara replied: “It’s like asking me to pick my favorite child…”
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
The annual nationwide event known as The Big Read kicks off on October 3 and will run throughout the month of October with a focus on influencing students and community members to adopt reading as a central part of their lives.
With a primary goal of encouraging literacy and restoring reading to the center of American culture, The Big Read focuses on a single book each year. This year, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Nora Neale Hurston will be the piece on which daily events across Dutchess County will be centered.
The ideology behind The Big Read is based on the declining desire to read within the teenage demographic. According to Wendy McNamara, Public Information Officer of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District and primary organizer of Dutchess County’s participation in The Big Read, the 14 – 25-year-old age range is becoming less and less interested in reading.
McNamara believes that focusing attention on one book is a good way to win over this age group.
“I hope it opens their eyes to the fact that a book is not just words on paper,” she said. “There’s a whole world and culture around every book.”
McNamara also believes that the events organized for this year’s Big Read will facilitate new perspectives on interpreting literature. Their Eyes Were Watching God will be discussed with respect to many different disciplines by a multitude of authorities.
Lectures and presentations at scattered Dutchess County locations will analyze the book through linguistic, anthropological, racial, historical and of course, literary lenses. According to Dr. Eve Dunbar, assistant professor of English at Vassar College, this eclectic group of perspectives will give guests a better chance to submerge themselves in the story.
“All of those different points of view offer different ways to enter into the novel,” she said. “ Depending on what your interests are, [The Big Read] offers all of these opportunities.”
One presentation is based on the film adaptation of Their Eyes Were Watching God. Associate Professor of English at Dutchess Community College, John Desmond will be discussing the nuances associated with the adaptation of the book to the big screen.
Desmond believes that his presentation will open eyes to the fact that “a faithful adaptation isn’t necessarily a good one.” When a book is made into a film, a new art form is created.
“We’re moving from words on a page to two other languages: sound and picture,” said Desmond. “So what we’re looking at is how a narrative transfers to this new medium.”
In accordance with McNamara and Dunbar’s opinions, Professor Desmond believes that this alternative perspective on a piece of literature will lead to students and guests to understanding it better.
Desmond is also optimistic that his, and his colleagues’ presentations will be enriching not just for students, but for the community is a whole. He believes that when a community is completely submerged in a piece of literature through a myriad of events creates and maintains a sense of camaraderie amongst neighbors.
“Our middle name is community,” said Desmond. “And this is one of our ways in which the college reaches out to the community.”
When asked which event in The Big Read she was most excited about, McNamara replied: “It’s like asking me to pick my favorite child…”
A Call to Peace - for the Poughkeepsie Journal
All articles with headlines that include "for the Pughkeepsie Journal" are unedited. They were put through rounds of editing before going to publication. This is the article as I wrote it.
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
In post World War II Japan, Masahisa Goi coined a phrase that best translates to five English words – “May peace prevail on earth.”
The World Peace Prayer Society has based the ideology of their organization around that phrase. On September 19, 2009 their vision will be shared with community members during the “Call to Peace” ceremony at the World Peace Sanctuary in Wassaic.
Founded by Goi in 1955 the World Peace Prayer Society has been holding events focused around this ideal for over 20 years. Initially, the ceremony started as Goi’s desire to see his slogan on buildings, pillars and carved in stone.
After Goi’s passing in 1983, his daughter, Masami Saionji began organizing gatherings in the United States. Locally, the World Peace Prayer Society hosts the “Call to Peace” ceremony on an annual basis.
According to Ann Marie Williams, Executive Assistant at the World Peace Prayer Society, the five-word slogan alongside the locality of the event endorses community and congregation amongst neighbors.
The celebration will feature a Native American ceremony, individual honors to each state in America, and a flag ceremony featuring flags from every country in the world to symbolize unity amongst nations. These events will all be focused on the nuances and subtleties of the organization’s mission.
“The seedling to our mission, and why we feel it works, is that peace starts within,” said Williams. “There is effectiveness once the consciousness of humanity makes the shift and we can’t do that unless everyone is on board. The ceremonies are interactive for that reason.”
The “Call to Peace” ceremony can be experienced by community members of all ages. Alongside discussion, rituals, and silent prayer, the festival will feature family-friendly activities like instructional calligraphy booths, food vendors, a petting zoo, and musical entertainment.
Among the musical acts attending are the Byakko Choir from Japan, the Peace is Possible Chorus from Litchfield, Conn., and Pawling composer and pianist Chris Farrell who wrote the music for the festival’s anthem.
“The idea behind it is that they energy of the prayer would be heard around the world as opposed to being focused on an individual face or group,” said Farrell. “It is to embrace the concept of the prayer as a call to peace.”
Williams is hopeful that coupling activities with intellectual discussion will facilitate a peaceful community-oriented state of mind.
“…Being in the moment, feeling the joy, and making the difference when you can. I know I’m coining someone’s phrase ‘think global and act local,’” She said
Cindy Snow of Eastern Province Photographic Society has been given a booth at the gathering for the past five years. She takes donations from guests in support of art scholarships that her organization administers.
From her visits to the “Call to Peace” ceremony over the past half-decade, she has a newly adopted existential perspective.
“I think we’re all in the same boat,” said Snow. “If we all keep sharing the oars, we can get there a lot faster… if everyone keeps paddling, we’ll get there.”
Williams explains that the subject matter associated with the organization’s defining phrase might seem dense or overwhelming to some. However she is confident that her organization’s ideology is easily adoptable.
“We tend to over-intellectualize and our message is as simple as the act that it represents,” said Williams
This article appeared either in print or online - it is now in the Poughkeepsie Journal archives.
In post World War II Japan, Masahisa Goi coined a phrase that best translates to five English words – “May peace prevail on earth.”
The World Peace Prayer Society has based the ideology of their organization around that phrase. On September 19, 2009 their vision will be shared with community members during the “Call to Peace” ceremony at the World Peace Sanctuary in Wassaic.
Founded by Goi in 1955 the World Peace Prayer Society has been holding events focused around this ideal for over 20 years. Initially, the ceremony started as Goi’s desire to see his slogan on buildings, pillars and carved in stone.
After Goi’s passing in 1983, his daughter, Masami Saionji began organizing gatherings in the United States. Locally, the World Peace Prayer Society hosts the “Call to Peace” ceremony on an annual basis.
According to Ann Marie Williams, Executive Assistant at the World Peace Prayer Society, the five-word slogan alongside the locality of the event endorses community and congregation amongst neighbors.
The celebration will feature a Native American ceremony, individual honors to each state in America, and a flag ceremony featuring flags from every country in the world to symbolize unity amongst nations. These events will all be focused on the nuances and subtleties of the organization’s mission.
“The seedling to our mission, and why we feel it works, is that peace starts within,” said Williams. “There is effectiveness once the consciousness of humanity makes the shift and we can’t do that unless everyone is on board. The ceremonies are interactive for that reason.”
The “Call to Peace” ceremony can be experienced by community members of all ages. Alongside discussion, rituals, and silent prayer, the festival will feature family-friendly activities like instructional calligraphy booths, food vendors, a petting zoo, and musical entertainment.
Among the musical acts attending are the Byakko Choir from Japan, the Peace is Possible Chorus from Litchfield, Conn., and Pawling composer and pianist Chris Farrell who wrote the music for the festival’s anthem.
“The idea behind it is that they energy of the prayer would be heard around the world as opposed to being focused on an individual face or group,” said Farrell. “It is to embrace the concept of the prayer as a call to peace.”
Williams is hopeful that coupling activities with intellectual discussion will facilitate a peaceful community-oriented state of mind.
“…Being in the moment, feeling the joy, and making the difference when you can. I know I’m coining someone’s phrase ‘think global and act local,’” She said
Cindy Snow of Eastern Province Photographic Society has been given a booth at the gathering for the past five years. She takes donations from guests in support of art scholarships that her organization administers.
From her visits to the “Call to Peace” ceremony over the past half-decade, she has a newly adopted existential perspective.
“I think we’re all in the same boat,” said Snow. “If we all keep sharing the oars, we can get there a lot faster… if everyone keeps paddling, we’ll get there.”
Williams explains that the subject matter associated with the organization’s defining phrase might seem dense or overwhelming to some. However she is confident that her organization’s ideology is easily adoptable.
“We tend to over-intellectualize and our message is as simple as the act that it represents,” said Williams
Swine Flu? Screw You - Little Rebellion Column - 11/3/09
his article can also be accessed at http://www2.newpaltz.edu/little-rebellion/?p=2500
Anybody who has watched the news on television or read a newspaper in the past eight months has seen the words “swine flu” more than a few times. It seems as though every media outlet is saturated with coverage of a virus no more dangerous than seasonal influenza.
In June, The World Health Organization (WHO) instituted a “phase 6″ pandemic alert with regard to the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu. This simply means that the virus has the potential to spread from human to human and has facilitated community level outbreaks in at least two countries.
According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way.”
When any disease or virus substantially exceeds what is expected, based on recent experience on a global scale, it is considered a pandemic by WHO. Considering this definition, the distinction of “pandemic” is dependent primarily on expectations. Given the fact that little was known about the H1N1 virus before 2009, just a few deaths internationally could imply the virus’ pandemic status.
Among the sea of newscasts, newspaper articles, special reports and breaking updates, it can be difficult for a consumer to decipher what the swine flu actually is let alone the implications of its presence.
According to the CDC, swine flu is simply a new mutation of regular seasonal influenza viruses, which inherently mutate seasonally.
It spreads the same way – “through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.” And symptoms include “fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, many people also have reported nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.”
It sounds like the flu to me…
Is what seems to be a regular flu-like virus worth so much media coverage?
Should citizens around the world be rushing to doctors for first dibs on vaccinations?
Or are we all just caught up in a saturated medium?
There seems to be much confusion with regard to the lesser of two evils: possibly contracting a moderately debilitating virus or introducing a syringe worth of a brand new vaccine for the immune system to deal with.
Although there have been deaths caused by the H1N1 virus, we still know little about its abilities for infecting a notable percentage of the world population.
For example, 13,000 Americans have died due to complications from seasonal flu viruses since January, according to a United Press International article. The CDC stated that worldwide annual deaths from seasonal flu are estimated between 250,000 and 500,000.
Only 302 Americans between April and July and 292 between August and October have died as a result of the H1N1 virus, the CDC said in an Oct. 24 report. At a rate of 300 deaths every four months, swine flu casualties will barely dent the almost half million annual seasonal flu deaths.
In a more extreme case, Australia has yet to report an H1N1-related death despite its recent swine flu outbreak even though between 1,000 and 2,000 people die annually from seasonal flu viruses, according to a Sydney Morning Herald Article.
According to a Melbourne, Australia publication called The Age, the swine flu has been exaggerated by WHO in terms of its death rate. An expert in epidemiology from Stanford University, Dr. Shelley Salpeter, said swine flu “is just like an ordinary flu. There is nothing fancy about it in terms of its mortality.”
Still, the media is saturated with tips, updates and prevention methods regarding the swine flu. The CDC’s Web site has even gone as far as giving citizens tips on how to properly wash their hands after using the bathroom. The CDC also has informed the American public to “cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.”
Maybe it’s just me, but these seem like pretty standard practices. Do we really need a government organization instructing us on simple hygienic practices?
I am not opposed to the CDC keeping the public informed about new developments concerning a new virus, which they have been doing weekly since April. I am opposed to the notion that we are too dumb to take care of ourselves.
As far as I am concerned, the symptoms are less serious than many other widespread illnesses and prevention methods are based on practices that infants have mastered.
Yet headlines like “The right prescription; Preparedness and integrated response” and “Stay safe from swine flu with 3 simple steps” continue to line the front pages of publications around the world.
I believe that this can be attributed to the simple fact that fear sells.
If a headline is not warning the public of the dangers of the H1N1 virus, it suggests dangers associated with the vaccine.
If people have nothing to be afraid of, are they less likely to pay attention to breaking news?
I cannot succinctly quantify this – however I am confident that when people are afraid, they are more willing to read and watch the news.
As far as the dangers of the H1N1 virus go – I am not worried about contracting it. And if I do, I will take a few days off, drink some extra orange juice and take a regular regiment of echinacea.
As far as the current news media’s arguable exploitation of the pandemic – I am both disappointed with and unwilling to believe most of it. If and when I am genuinely concerned about a disease or virus, I would much rather trust an organization like the CDC or an accredited scientific journal over USA Today or MSNBC.
On June 19, The Washington Post published an article called “A Flu by Any Other Name.” In this piece, scholars renamed the swine flu with a focus on “avoid[ing] defaming Mexico or speaking ill of pigs.”
One of my favorites was proposed by Esther Gulli, who works at the University of California at Berkeley. She proposed the name “CNN flu,” since “they truly made it what it is today.”
Anybody who has watched the news on television or read a newspaper in the past eight months has seen the words “swine flu” more than a few times. It seems as though every media outlet is saturated with coverage of a virus no more dangerous than seasonal influenza.
In June, The World Health Organization (WHO) instituted a “phase 6″ pandemic alert with regard to the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu. This simply means that the virus has the potential to spread from human to human and has facilitated community level outbreaks in at least two countries.
According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way.”
When any disease or virus substantially exceeds what is expected, based on recent experience on a global scale, it is considered a pandemic by WHO. Considering this definition, the distinction of “pandemic” is dependent primarily on expectations. Given the fact that little was known about the H1N1 virus before 2009, just a few deaths internationally could imply the virus’ pandemic status.
Among the sea of newscasts, newspaper articles, special reports and breaking updates, it can be difficult for a consumer to decipher what the swine flu actually is let alone the implications of its presence.
According to the CDC, swine flu is simply a new mutation of regular seasonal influenza viruses, which inherently mutate seasonally.
It spreads the same way – “through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.” And symptoms include “fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, many people also have reported nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.”
It sounds like the flu to me…
Is what seems to be a regular flu-like virus worth so much media coverage?
Should citizens around the world be rushing to doctors for first dibs on vaccinations?
Or are we all just caught up in a saturated medium?
There seems to be much confusion with regard to the lesser of two evils: possibly contracting a moderately debilitating virus or introducing a syringe worth of a brand new vaccine for the immune system to deal with.
Although there have been deaths caused by the H1N1 virus, we still know little about its abilities for infecting a notable percentage of the world population.
For example, 13,000 Americans have died due to complications from seasonal flu viruses since January, according to a United Press International article. The CDC stated that worldwide annual deaths from seasonal flu are estimated between 250,000 and 500,000.
Only 302 Americans between April and July and 292 between August and October have died as a result of the H1N1 virus, the CDC said in an Oct. 24 report. At a rate of 300 deaths every four months, swine flu casualties will barely dent the almost half million annual seasonal flu deaths.
In a more extreme case, Australia has yet to report an H1N1-related death despite its recent swine flu outbreak even though between 1,000 and 2,000 people die annually from seasonal flu viruses, according to a Sydney Morning Herald Article.
According to a Melbourne, Australia publication called The Age, the swine flu has been exaggerated by WHO in terms of its death rate. An expert in epidemiology from Stanford University, Dr. Shelley Salpeter, said swine flu “is just like an ordinary flu. There is nothing fancy about it in terms of its mortality.”
Still, the media is saturated with tips, updates and prevention methods regarding the swine flu. The CDC’s Web site has even gone as far as giving citizens tips on how to properly wash their hands after using the bathroom. The CDC also has informed the American public to “cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.”
Maybe it’s just me, but these seem like pretty standard practices. Do we really need a government organization instructing us on simple hygienic practices?
I am not opposed to the CDC keeping the public informed about new developments concerning a new virus, which they have been doing weekly since April. I am opposed to the notion that we are too dumb to take care of ourselves.
As far as I am concerned, the symptoms are less serious than many other widespread illnesses and prevention methods are based on practices that infants have mastered.
Yet headlines like “The right prescription; Preparedness and integrated response” and “Stay safe from swine flu with 3 simple steps” continue to line the front pages of publications around the world.
I believe that this can be attributed to the simple fact that fear sells.
If a headline is not warning the public of the dangers of the H1N1 virus, it suggests dangers associated with the vaccine.
If people have nothing to be afraid of, are they less likely to pay attention to breaking news?
I cannot succinctly quantify this – however I am confident that when people are afraid, they are more willing to read and watch the news.
As far as the dangers of the H1N1 virus go – I am not worried about contracting it. And if I do, I will take a few days off, drink some extra orange juice and take a regular regiment of echinacea.
As far as the current news media’s arguable exploitation of the pandemic – I am both disappointed with and unwilling to believe most of it. If and when I am genuinely concerned about a disease or virus, I would much rather trust an organization like the CDC or an accredited scientific journal over USA Today or MSNBC.
On June 19, The Washington Post published an article called “A Flu by Any Other Name.” In this piece, scholars renamed the swine flu with a focus on “avoid[ing] defaming Mexico or speaking ill of pigs.”
One of my favorites was proposed by Esther Gulli, who works at the University of California at Berkeley. She proposed the name “CNN flu,” since “they truly made it what it is today.”
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