Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Fifteen years after American International Group Inc. (AIG) nearly failed due to reckless financial practices, forcing the federal government to respond with a $182 billion bailout, climate protesters on September 14 rallied at the company’s headquarters in Manhattan to call on them end its risky underwriting and investments in fossil fuels. We hear first from speakers at the rally, including Rick Morris Public Citizen’s Climate Program followed by Alice Nascimento of NY Community for Change, and Bekah Hinojosa of South Texas Environmental Justice Network. We then have interviews with Jonathon Westin of the Climate Organizing Hub and then Rick again. The event was part of the Wave of Action leading up to the September 17 march in NYC to End Fossil Fuels

Nicole Porter ATR-BC, a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, speaks with Carolyn Tennant about art therapy, its proven neurobiological benefits, and her work with children suffering from acute trauma. She is founder of Emerald Sketch, a mental health organization inspired by her experience as a first responder after the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, which mobilizes clinicians to develop sustainable art therapy services following disasters and traumatic events. Porter serves as president of the New York Art Therapy Association and works as an organizer with LCAT Advocacy Coalition, the first-of-its-kind lobbying group which campaigns on behalf of the field in New York State. Porter discusses how, despite today’s mental health crisis facing children, art therapy and other essential services have been redlined in the state’s budget.

Two dozen climate protestors were arrested on Thursday morning after hundreds of activists shut down the headquarters of Citibank, which has provided $333 billion in funding to fossil fuel projects since the Paris climate agreement took effect. We start off with several minutes of the sounds from the protests, followed by comments by protestors Ted Glick, Laura Wolfson, Eco of the Green Worker Alliance, and an activist who traveled to Phoenix for the protest. Climate activists are organizing a wave of protests around the September 17 climate march and rally in NYC around the upcoming climate summit at the United Nations. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Head of the Hudson is the regatta that take place on the Hudson River hosted by Albany Rowing Center. This year the race is opening up to not only include crew boats but also kayakers, canoers, and paddle boarders–– and there is still time to register! Spectators will have great observation points from the Corning Preserve, and vendors include Nine Pin, Mr. Ding a Ling, and Margarita City Mexican Grill. Head of the Hudson takes place Sunday, September 17 from 7am-2pm. Sina Basila Hickey reports. Learn more at https://www.albanyrowingcenter.org

On September 4, 2023, Hudson Mohawk Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District Annual Labor Day Celebration in Cook Park in Colonie. In this labor segment, Willie spoke to two event participants, Dorothy Tristman and Joe Lombardo, about their view of issues confronting Labor in 2023 and beyond.

We begin with Mark Dunlea’s story about two activists with Clean Air Coalition of Greater Ravena-Coeyman who were harassed by Carver Company and the local police force.

Then, we hear about the recent Adirondack Family Book Festival sponsored by John Brown Lives.

Later on, as part of National Recovery Month, Marsha Lazarus talks with Dr. Cailyn Green, Assistant Professor of Addictions Studies at SUNY Empire State University.

After that Moses Nagel filed a report on an upcoming free speech symposium at UAlbany.

Finally, Brea Barthel does an interview around the display of more than 40 hats from the 1950s through 1980s at the NY Folklore exhibit "Hattitude."

What are the limits of free speech? Whose speech is valued?

The University at Albany is hosting a free speech symposium this week that seeks to answer these questions but also makes some wonder about the University’s own positions. Moses Nagel spoke to the events’ co-chair.

Hear about a new exhibit of 40+ amazing hats created by Louise Hughes Rolling, a regional African American milliner, from the 1950s through 1980s. "Hattitude" is showing at the New York Folklore gallery at 129 Jay St., Schenectady, until October 15. A reception on Thursday, September 14th, will feature storytelling by Vicie Rolling, the milliner's daughter and co-curator of the exhibit. Ellen McHale, NY Folklore Executive Director, shares info on the exhibit, the reception, other art in the gallery, the organization's upcoming festival at Albany's Washington Playhouse on October 1st, and much more. She even invites artists and writers to submit work for their journal. For details, see nyfolklore.org or call 518.376.7008. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Brad Monkell talks with Greg Creft about working at the Funny Bone, Doing Stand up in Florida , and the process for writing jokes.

Empire Justice Center has issued a report demonstrating the profound inadequacy of the shelter allowance of the public assistance monthly grant for eligible low-income New Yorkers. The report documents how the shelter allowance, which has not been updated for households with children since 2003 and has not been updated for households without children since 1988, does not reflect the reality of the private housing market. The current shelter allowance for a family of three with children ranges from a low of $259 in Franklin County to a high of $447 in Suffolk County. far below the cost of any habitable rental unit in NY. Jessica Radbord and Haley Kulakowki of the Center discuss the report with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.