Just in time for Memorial Day, Hudson Mohawk Magazine correspondent Masha Miller spoke with Noelle Hardy–the co-owner of Mess Hall, a military-themed eatery in Averill Park.  Menu, directions and more at www.messhall518.com

Masha Miller At The Mess Hall

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,
We begin with  The National Labor relations board finds merit to SEIU unfair chargers on capital roots. 

Then, Niko Nagel-Derby interviews the partner of Bayard Rustin, a gay civil rights leader and a Quaker.  

Later on, Dulicina Diggs talks with Ed fox about opioid overdoses and services to help those with drug addiction. 
  
After that, Emily Ledyard tells us how the washington park farmers is losing the space for half of the planned dates.

Finally, Sina Basila Hickey tells us about the FlagSSS Day (that's flags with three 's's) celebration.

HMM 06 - 16 - 2023

The US imposed blockade against Cuba for over 60 years has cut the island off from access to the global supply chain and even the most basic supplies including medicine are not available to Cubans. Albany Cuba Solidarity is requesting donations to purchase medicine to take to Cuba. Pastors for Peace will deliver this medicine when their Caravan travels to Cuba in July 2023. Mabel talks about the effort and the US relations with Cuba with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Mabel Leon Speaks on Need for Medical Donations for Cuba

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea’s story about the mural outside of Doors of Hope thrift shop and food pantry in West Sand Lake that was painted by students with Arts, Letters, and Numbers in reaction to the opioid crisis. 

Then, we have Willie Terry’s interview with the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) Executive Director, Dr. Denise Fernandez-Pallozzi.

Later on, Garrett McCarey reports on GroupMuse which offers musicians for hire for events.
 
After that, we visit the pesto making event that took place during Collard City Growers garden hours.

Finally, we revisit an interview with Margaretha Haughwout from two years ago ahead of her event coming up called DE-FENCE: Medicine in the Margins.

HMM 07 - 28 - 23

Best-selling author, foreign correspondent, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges addressed the Middle East crisis with a talk titled "The Genocide in Gaza" on December 6, 2023 at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in North Troy NY. 

Chris Hedges, the former Middle East Bureau Chief for The New York Times, spent seven years covering the conflict between Israel and Palestine. He is the author of numerous books including the New York Times bestsellers War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America and Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, which he co-authored with the cartoonist Joe Sacco. He has taught at Columbia University, New York University, Princeton University and the University of Toronto. He has also taught students in the college degree program offered by Rutgers University in the New Jersey prison system for a decade, the subject of his book Our Class: Trauma and Transformation in an American Prison.

This talk was co-sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace, Albany Chapter; Muslim Solidarity Committee and Project SALAM; Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace; Palestinian Rights Committee-Upper Hudson Peace Action; RPI Muslim Student Association; UAlbany Muslim Student Association; Women Against War.

The presentation was made possible by volunteer labor and thousands of small donations from patrons of The Sanctuary for Independent Media.

The Sanctuary for Independent Media is a telecommunications production facility dedicated to community media arts, located in an historic former church at 3361 6th Avenue in North Troy, NY. The Sanctuary hosts screening, production and performance facilities, training in media production and a meeting space for artists, activists and independent media makers of all kinds. 

www.mediasanctuary.org

Chris Hedges "The Genocide in Gaza"

Lynna Schaefer recently spoke at the Albany Common Council in favor of their resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza. She included her remarks in a letter to the Times Union: Hatred’s heavy toll
In Gaza and everywhere else, violence leads only to one outcome: more violence. A rabbi with Song of Songs, she discusses the conflicting emotions many feel about the present situation with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Lynna Schaefer On Need For A Ceasefire In Gaza

Coming to EMPAC this Friday, January 19 is “Poetry & Fairy Tale” with Conrad Tao. To tell us more, EMPAC’s music curator, Amadeus Julian Regucera, spoke with Vinny DamaPoleto and Sina Basila Hickey.

"Poetry & Fairy Tale" Coming to EMPAC Friday

Advocates for Medical Aid in Dying rallied at the State Capitol on Tuesday. Lawmakers have failed to pass legislation for 8 years to assist the terminally ill in ending their lives peacefully. Ten states and Washington, D.C. have already authorized medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients. Corinne Carey of Compassion & Choices talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Carey Hopes Medical Aid in Dying Passes in NY This Year

On Thursday, January 18, state lawmakers and advocates held a news conference calling for adoption of the state Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. The bill will reduce plastic packaging by 50% over 12 years. In Part one of our coverage, we hear from Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director of Environmental Advocates NY, who served as the moderator. We then hear from the lead sponsors of the bills, the chairs of the respective legislative committees on the environment, Assembly Member Deborah Glick and Senator Pete Harckham. We hear from NYC Council Member Sandy Nurse, who until recently was chair of the council’s committee on sanitation, and  Blair Horner, Executive Director of NYPIRG. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

200 Groups Urge Passage Of Packaging Reduction And Recycling Act (Part 1)

Anti-poverty advocates are proposing the Working Families Tax Credit to combine several existing tax credits into one cohesive credit aimed at helping struggling families. Supporters noted that the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit have a harmful phase-in, which means that if you make very little money, if you’re one of our poorest families, you actually get very little to nothing from those credits. Liza Schwartzwald, Director of Economic Justice and Family Empowerment at the New York Immigration Coalition. spoke with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

NY Immigration Coalition on Need for Working Families Tax Credit

The EMPAC Spring 2024 season has already begun, and there are many fantastic events still coming up. EMPAC curator Katherine Adams spoke with Sina Basila Hickey for Hudson Mohawk Magazine about themes, co-collaborating with the Sanctuary, and stand out performances coming to EMPAC. 
Learn more here: https://empac.rpi.edu/events/2024/spring

EMPAC's Spring 2024 Season Has Begun

Greg Silverman is the head of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger, one of the most innovative and consumer-oriented emergency food programs in NY over the last 40 years. He joins Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine to discuss his chapter in the Handbook of Food Insecurity and Society, where he outlines the need to challenge the emergency food system, including collective advocacy for healthy food.

Silverman WSCAH On Future Roles For Emergency Food Programs

January started with several news stories in Troy related to housing and the unhoused.  Today, Elizabeth (EP) Press speaks with Joseph’s House & Shelter's Executive Director Amy LaFountain about her work providing support services to homeless and formerly homeless people.

Joseph’s House & Shelter's Amy LaFountain

Rabbi Debora Gordon will be celebrating her 27th year as rabbi for the reform synagogue in Troy, NY, Berith Sholom.  She talks about what enticed her into becoming a rabbi, the challenges of being an out lesbian and what enables her to embrace difference.
Part 1 of conversation with producer Marsha Lazarus.

Rabbi Debora Gordon:  Embracing difference - in others and herself

Part 2 of conversation with Rabbi Debora Gordon of Berith Sholom Synagogue in Troy.  She talks about the challenges of being a rabbi in these times.  She shares her views on the challenges and hopeful possibilities in the middle east...and stories of groups of Israelis and Palestinians coming together in recognition of their shared grief, desire to heal and ultimately to be able to live together in peace and greater understanding.
Produced by Marsha Lazarus

Listening to "The Other:" The Challenges and Possibilities!

Curious about the Sanctuary and our many initiatives? Thinking about getting involved? Wondering if an internship with us is right for you? Or maybe you already love what we do? Come by for our Campus Open House on February 3, from 11am-2pm in our main space. 
Volunteer Coordinator Marshall Hildreth spoke with Sina Basila Hickey about some of the opportunities taking place.

Sanctuary Campus Open House on Sat. Feb 3

Shawn Barnes is just finishing the festival circuit for his latest film "Break Glass." He spoke with correspondent Brad Monkell about being a filmmaker working with small budgets, the creative benefits of that, and he also spoke about his work as a comedian and upcoming shows.

Comedian and Filmmaker Shawn Barnes

As usual, Tuesday February 5 was a big lobby day at the state capitol. We hear from four of the causes, starting with Aaliyah Guillory-Nickens , Campaign Organizer for Youth Represent, about the Youth Justice & Opportunities Act. Then Barbara Thomas of Saratoga and the League of Women’s Voters gives us an update on the push for the Medical Aid in Dying Law and how it impacted her family. Jim Dukette of the Empire Justice Center follows up with an overview of the Home Ownership Protection Program. We finish up with Pete Sikora of New York Communities for Change talking about the campaign for Social Cost Housing. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Capitol Advocacy On Youth Criminal Justice, Medical Aid In Dying, Housing

Stories of Transformation are a collection of Documentary Shorts about the impact of psilocybin and other psychedelics. They will be screened on February 26th at 7 AM at The Linda located at 339 Central Ave in Albany.Avery Stempel, co-president of New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives, and Joe McKay, a FDNY Firefighter who has benefitted from this type of treatment  Joined Vinny Dama Poleto and Caelan McPherson to tell them more.

Reconsider presents Stories of Transformation at the Linda

The state budget hearing on the Environment on Wednesday February 7 started at 9:30 AM and lasted to the midnight hour. Hudson Mohawk Magazine has compiled the testimony of a number of the state’s leading climate activists. While praising the Governor for including major parts of the NY Heat Act, there were calls for much faster action on climate as extreme weather continues to explode globally. Making Polluters Pay, converting the Capitol to 100% Renewable Energy, Public Power, and getting the State Comptroller to Divest from Exxon and other fossil fuel companies were citied. In the second part of a two-part program, we hear from Laurie Wheeler of the Public Utility Law Project and a new member of the Board of Trustees of the NY Power Authority; myself, Mark Dunlea, of the Green Education and Legal Fund; and Liz Moran of Earth Justice. For Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Need For More Climate Action, Environmental Spending At State Budget Hearings (Part 2)

Greg Campbell-Cohen talks to Elizabeth (EP) Press about the lead pipe replacement plan and the budget for that. He also discusses Timber's new initiative called Adopt-A-FOIL, an attempt to make getting information from various agencies more transparent.

Timber Corp - Looking Out for the People of Troy

Mayor Carmella Mantello spoke with Hudson Mohawk Magazine's Elizabeth (EP) Press about her first five weeks in office. She touched on garbage, traffic, housing, the Quality of Life Task Force, the emergency declaration she put forth to fill the empty Comptroller position and more. 

OUTRO

On Wednesday, February 14th, the Mayor announced the new City Comptroller. Her notice stated that Dylan Spring joined the administration on Monday, February 12th and will oversee all financial reporting and accounting for the city. Mayor Mantello will be giving her State of the City address on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall.

Mayor Mantello Talks About her First Weeks in Office

Celebrating Women's History Month: Aliya Saeed takes us on her journey of becoming a psychiatrist and the gratification that she finds working with people in prison.  She also shares her perspective on having empathy and the role that it plays in her work.

Part 1 of interview with Aliya Saeed, produced by Marsha Lazarus

Women's History Month: Aliya Saeed Part 1

Shirah Ozery is a storyteller with a passion for connecting cultures in Israel.  Shirah shares her story of emigrating to Israel 50 years ago from Valley Stream, L.I.  She talks about her work with immigrants, refugees and others living in Israel, and her passion for recognizing the unique stories and cultures of each group. This is part 1. 

Produced by Marsha Lazarus

Celebrating International Women's Day

You may have passed Tech Valley Center of Gravity in downtown Troy, but do you know what they’re actually about? Sina Basila Hickey spoke with Operations Director Dan Falkenstrom to talk about about what TVCOG is and their Small Business Support Program.

Tech Valley Center of Gravity, a Makerspace in Downtown Troy

Part 2 of interview with Shirah Ozery. She shares how her life experiences have shaped her perspective of diversity and cultural inclusion. She also discusses the children's book that she recently published, that she started 50 years ago.
Produced by Marsha Lazarus

Fostering Cultural Sensitivity within Israel

“Fun Home” is a musical adapted from Alison Bechdel's graphic novel memoir by the same name. “Fun Home” will run at Schenectady Light Opera Company March 15th-24th, and Director Francesco Carlo Archina and Music Director Emily Rose Rivera spoke with Jakoby and Sina for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.
More info: http://sloctheater.org/project/fun-home/

"Fun Home" Musical Coming to Schenectady

Environmental studies students at Skidmore College are working on research focused on people's access to green open spaces and green roofs. Sina Basila Hickey spoke with two of the students about their research and the research they are collecting. 
Albany residents can fill out this survey and be entered into a gift card raffle: bit.ly/albanygreenspace

Green Space Survey for Albany

Kathy Kelly recently wrote an article for World Beyond War about the Great Starvation in Ireland and how it relates to the starvation and suffering being presently borne by Palestinians. She discusses the issues with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine, as well as providing on update on the War Tribunal for Merchants of Death. (article at https://worldbeyondwar.org/when-starvation-is-a-weapon-the-harvest-is-shame/)

Kathy Kelly On Famine In Gaza And Ireland, Merchants Of Death

Part 3 of conversation with well-known criminal justice advocate Dr Alice Green.  We learn why Dr Green resigned three years after being appointed Deputy Commissioner of NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives…and how that experience along with her career as a teacher and then, social worker led to her starting the Center for Law and Justice.

Produced by Marsha Lazarus

Alice Paden Green:  Bringing compassion to her fierce advocacy for social justice!

It's time for our weekly game of disability trivia. HMM Disabilities Correspondent Blaise Bryant is joined by Max Rodriguez, Manager of Government Affairs with the Center for Disability Rights.

Max Rodriguez Plays Disability Trivia

The Saint Rose women's soccer team learned about the closing of their college the day before a big game. Coach Laurie Darling Gutheil recounted this experience and the traumatic and emotional experiences that followed. She spoke with Sina Basila Hickey.

Impact of College of Saint Rose Closing on #1 Women's Soccer Team in USA

Food insecurity effects many people, and food pantries try to provide resources for those who need it. Produced by Skidmore student Jordan Guzman for the course American Tastes.

American Tastes is a course with Dr. Beck Krefting at Skidmore College, an interdisciplinary exploration of the evolution of US cuisines, foodways (these are diverse) and food politics.

American Tastes: Food Pantries & Food Insecurity

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

First, Rosemary Armao discusses ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza with Wall Street banker Mark Wittman and International educator Jim Ketterer.

Then, Willie Terry speaks with Rev. Ibrahim Pedrinan to discuss the positive and negative aspects of the labor movement in 2023 and shares his thoughts on what to look forward to in 2024.

After that, Brea Barthel chats with Chloe Whittaker, Adult Programming Director at Troy Public Library, about the many varied events coming up at the Troy Public Library. 

Finally, we turn to Marsha Lazarus conversing with well-known criminal justice advocate Dr Alice Paden Green, about why Dr Green resigned three years after being appointed Deputy Commissioner of NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives.

HMM 04 - 18 - 24

The Justice Center of Rensselaer County held a forum on Environmental Justice on Sunday, April 14 in Rensselaer. In this segment, Bob Welton of the Rensselaer Environmental Coalition provides an overview and update on the effort to close the Dunn Construction and Demolition Debris Landfill in Rensselaer. 
This recording was provided by Sonja Stark. Edited by Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Bob Welton Provides Update On Dunn Landfill In Rensselaer

Hear about the wide variety of activities offered in May 2024 for tots through teens at Troy Public Library. Carol Roberts, head of Young People's Services, previews game nights, science and crafts projects, an anime gathering with Japanese candy, a pre-shool concert, sessions with Greta the Reading Dog, and more. All these are happening at the main branch, 100 Second Street. Note: the building is encased in plywood during exterior renovation, but the library is indeed still open regular hours. For more details, visit www.thetroylibrary.org. To find other libraries in New York State, see https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/#Find. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

May 2024 Activities for Youth

The Borscht Belt was a haven for generations of Jewish Americans, providing relaxation, dancing, and laughs at hotels and resorts. This Skidmore student, who will remain anonymous, spoke with her family about how the Borscht Belt influenced them. Produced for the course American Tastes.

American Tastes is a course with Dr. Beck Krefting at Skidmore College, an interdisciplinary exploration of the evolution of US cuisines, foodways (these are diverse) and food politics.

American Tastes: Borscht Belt

Hear about a a few recent non-fiction books covering AI, space, politicians, and more. Christiann Gibeau, head adult librarian at Troy Public Library, also talks about how books are selected for the collection, the materials from their "government depository" being removed and available for the taking, and the museum passes available through the library. Books discussed: "How AI Works: From Sorcery to Science" (Kneusel, 2024); "Mean Girl Feminism: How White Feminists Gaslight, Gatekeep, and Girlboss" (Nguyen, 2024); "How Space Works: The Facts Visually Explained" (Moss & Westlake, eds., 2021); "The Last Politican: Inside Joe Biden's White House and the Struggle for America's Future" (Foer, 2024); and "Tired of Winning: Donald Trump and the End of the Grand Old Party" (Karl, 2023). For more details, visit www.thetroylibrary.org. To find other libraries in New York State, see https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/libs/#Find. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Nonfiction Book Picks for April

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

First, Mark Dunlea brings us coverage from a forum on environmental justice that was held on Sunday, April 14. 

Then, Sina Basila Hickey spoke with Saint Rose’s women's soccer coach Laurie Darling Gutheil to talk about the impact of the closing of their college on students. 

Later on, we hear the second part of Willie Terry’s conversation with Public Employees Federation Secretary-Treasurer Joe Donahue.

After that, Brea Barthel brings us Troy Public Library’s nonfiction book pics for April.

Finally, for this week’s American Tastes, we hear about The Borscht Belt

HMM 04 - 19 - 24

HMM producer Anna Steltenkamp speaks with Janet MacGillivray, the Founder and Executive Director of Seeding Sovereignty. Seeding Sovereignty is a multi-generational, Indigenous womxn-led collective that works to decolonize social and environmental paradigms.

This is the first segment in a multi-part dialogue with Janet MacGillivray. In this segment, Janet speaks about the need to ‘de-expert’ and diversify the environmental movement so that the voices of those directly impacted by social and environmental issues are heard. She addresses how we must redefine our understanding of ‘expertise’—recognizing that those directly impacted have their own ‘expertise’—if the environmental movement is to be both inclusive and successful.



Photograph taken prior to COVID-19.

Seeding Sovereignty: Redefining ‘Expertise’ in the Environmental Movement

The Hudson Mohawk Magazine is a locally-produced nightly news hour that provides sanctuary for the discussion of a wide range of topics, scaling from the global to the hyper-local. The show is broadcast on WOOC 105.3 FM, The Sanctuary for Independent Media's low-power radio station based in Troy, NY.

With the support of people like you, the Sanctuary uses art and participatory action to promote social and environmental justice and freedom of creative expression.

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