Hudson Mohawk Magazine

As the possibility of a strike by UPS workers approaches, the Teamsters, who represent the UPS workers called for a practice picket in Latham on Sunday. Moses Nagel was there to report.

Latinx music comes in all shapes and sounds, including classical music. Capital District Latinos presents The West Hill Concert Series, a contemporary and classical music concert series featuring performances by artists of color, performing compositions by composers of color, to uplift members of the community through the beauty of music which reflects their experiences. Taking place July 20-22.

Dr. José E. Cruz, musician, professor, and President of Jazz/Latino Inc., spoke with Gabe Cruz-Allen for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Elizabeth EP Press’s report about Troy City Council deciding to investigate Harbour Point Gardens Apartments.

Then, Anna Steltenkamp discusses media and representation with environmental justice organizer Bryan Parras.

Later on, Brea Barthel shares summer book suggestions for young people from the Troy Public Library.

After that, we talk Latinx music and an upcoming classical music series with Dr. Jose Cruz.

Finally, Andrea Cunliffe interviews Creative License Theatre Collective about their Moonlight Mystery Reading.

Creative License Theatre Company continues to present theater in new and interesting ways. On Friday, July 21st, they will present a staged reading of a play in their "Moonlight Mystery Readings" series at the Cohoes Musical Hall; the title of that play is, for the moment, being kept under wraps. Creative License Theatre Collective co-founder Casey Polomaine spoke with Hudson Mohawk Magazine's arts correspondent Andrea Cunliffe.

For further information: www.creativelicenseonline.com

Hear about four books recommended for summer reading: "The Ghost in You" (Brubaker & Phillips, 2022), a haunted-house mystery that's #4 in the "Reckless" series of graphic novels set in 1970's Los Angeles; "The All-American: A Novel" (Joe Milan Jr., 2023) about the challenges faced by an athlete raised in America but then sent back to his native South Korea; "Guardians of the Valley: John Muir and the Friendship that Saved Yosemite" (Dean King, 2023), non-fiction; and "For Blood and Money: Billionaires, Biotech,and the Quest for a Blockbuster Drug" (Nathan Vardi, 2023) non-fiction exploration of the politics of drug development. Ian Hauck, head of Adult & Reference Services at Troy Public Library, also notes a July 21st workshop on how to mend clothes, and the Library's current collecting of craft supplies and school supplies. For more details on books and activities, 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.

What do Mother Goose parodies, the silence of some people with autism, an unexpected big inheritance with strings attached, and a girl with superfighting powers have in common? These are all books recommended for summer reading by Carol Roberts, Young People's Services librarian at Troy Public library. Carol also mentions some of the many activities coming up, such as papermaking, meeting live lizards, and more. Books discussed: "The Real Dada Mother Goose: A Treasury of Complete Nonsense" (Jon Scieszka , 2022); "A Day With No Words" (Tiffany Hammond, 2023); "The Inheritance Games" (Jennifer Lynn Barnes, 2020); and "Graceling: The Graphic Novel" (Kristin Cashore, 2021). For more details on books and activities, visit www.thetroylibrary.org. For info on heaps of other Troy Library summer activities, visit www.mediasanctuary.org/stories/2023/troy-library-has-heaps-of-july-events/. 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.

On the morning of July 13, after earlier heated debate from the community over whether it is appropriate to expose children to drag, drag queen Noelle Diamond read books to kids at The Bethlehem Public Library for Drag Story Hour in a custom-designed school bus dress. Noelle Diamond came to Hudson Mohawk Magazine and spoke with Sina Basila Hickey and Lavenderinst to reflect on the experience, speak about the political climate, and give a better understanding of what drag is.

https://www.instagram.com/noelle.diamond/

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin by speaking about Drag Story Hour with the drag queen Noelle Diamond who read stories to young people at Bethlehem Public Library after a heated Board of Trustees meeting with many speaking up in favor and many against the reading.

Then, we hear from speakers from the Plastics & The Future Of Our Planet webinar by Beyond Plastics.

Later on, we are joined by the president of a local cat rescue organization here in Troy, Operation Snip.

After that, we hear Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry’s coverage from the Underground Railroad Education Center’s July 4 Oration, at the Myers Residence in Albany.

Finally, Thom Frances reports about the 2023 Poets In The Park series which kicks off this Saturday, July 15

Poets in the Park is celebrating over 30 years of bringing poetry and spoken word to the Robert Burns statue in Albany's Washington Park. The series was started in 1989 by the late Tom Nattell and is now run by Albany poet and photographer Dan Wilcox.

The 2023 series kicks off this Saturday, July 15, with local author, playwright, poet, and recording artist Carol Durant and winners of the Tom Nattell Peace Poetry Prize from Albany High School.

Host Dan Wilcox tells us about the history of the series and what we can expect this year.

Report by Thom Frances.

Beyond Plastics recently held a webinar on Plastics & The Future Of Our Planet: A Conversation With Bill McKibben and Elizabeth Kolbert. We hear first from Judith Enck, founder of Beyond Plastics and a former regional EPA administrator, followed by Betsy and then Bill. Bill McKibben is the co-founder of 350.org and The Third Act and wrote the pivotal book The End of Nature. Betsy Kolbert is an award winning journalist, having won the Pulitzer Prize for the Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History. This has been Mark Dunlea for the Hudson Mohawk Magazine (husband of Judith Enck) You can hear the full hour long program at https://www.youtube.com/live/g2G5nc16xvg?feature=share