Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Brooklyn-based musician Christopher Tignor will perform on May 5 at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill, with Earthen Sea and Connor Armbruster, and on May 7 at The Studio in Troy. He spoke with Tom Roe of WGXC.

Christopher Tignor is a composer, violinist, lecturer, and software

engineer. He has done string arrangements for Meshell Ndegeocello

Helios, Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, and others. He creates the live

performance software he uses, and shares freely with others.

n Friday, April 28, 2023, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended a press conference and rally by American Postal Workers Union, Local 390 in Albany at Central Avenue and Karner Road. The workers were protesting a toxic work environment and short staffing, leading to unsafe working conditions in post offices throughout the country. In this labor segment, Willie spoke to the President of the local rev: Ibrahím Pedriñán, and Doug Bullock of the Solidarity Committee of the Capital Region about their protest.

On Tuesday, May 2nd, at 3pm, the community will rally outside the Rensselaer County Jail to demand “Dignity Not Detention.” Tania Mattos, Director of Advocacy & Policy at the Envision Freedom Fund (formerly Brooklyn Community Bail Fund), spoke with Alisha Washington and Brea Barthel about Rensselaer County Jail's participation in a federal program in collaboration with ICE, examples of inhumane and abusive conditions, and Ms Q.

Retired meteorologist Hugh Johnson spoke with HMM's Brea Barthel and Alisha Washington to speak about the difference between El Niño and La Niña weather patterns, and how maybe, just maybe, an upcoming change may get us out of our current cold rainy weather.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with a report from Mark Dunlea about teachers rallying to encourage the New York State United Teachers Union (NYSUT) to divest its pension funds from fossil fuels.

After that comes my report on a “Workers’ Memorial Day” event held last Friday in Saratoga Springs to honor people who died on the job in the past year.

Then we talk with an organizer from Envision Freedom Fund about a rally on Tuesday at the Rensselaer County jail protesting the jail’s collaboration with ICE, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

After that, Brea brings us this month’s recommendations of interesting kids books from Troy Public Library.

Finally, retired meteorologist Hugh Johnson joins us for a look at the difference between El Nino and La Nina weather patterns, and how maybe, just maybe, an upcoming change may get us out of our current cold rainy weather.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea reporting from the The New York For All Coalition rally at the Capitol on April 25th.

Then, EP, Elizabeth Press spoke with Jolene Russ, wife of Byron Russ, whose 40 year prison sentence was shortened, bringing him home this year.

Later on, Moses Nagel interviews Kim Kelly author of “Fight Like Hell”

After that, Paul Smart shares the experience of attending poet Sam Truitt’s workshop.

Finally, Triya Luv interviews, local musician and activist DJ Hollywood.

Isabella LaForte interviewed Kristen Kopper and JoLynn Bakes to discuss the safer bars program in Schenectady to spread awareness of what the program does and how it's affective in avoiding sexual violence in nightlife establishments.

Earth Day Advocacy Day took place at the State Capitol on April 25. The groups were backing more than 2 dozen bills urging the legislature to pass key environmental bills addressing environmental health and justice, eliminating toxics in consumer products, packaging, and water, lead in paint and pipes, energy efficiency and equity, and land use conservation. We hear from the emcee, Bobbi Wilder of Clean and Healthy NY; Senator Harckman and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, chairs of the environmental committees; Senator Lea Webb; Assemblymember Ken Debrowski; and several members of WEACT, including Briana Carbajal their state legislative manager.

What do chameleon tongues, monk parakeets, buzzards, and Russian/Ukranian politics (?!)have in common? They each come up in one of this month's kids' books recommended by Carol Roberts, head of Young People's Services at Troy Public Library. Books discussed: "Just Joking #7" (Rosie Gowsell Pattison, 2022); "New York City Trails: Secret Stories and Other Cool Stuff" (Moira Butterfield, 2016); "The Lost Year" (Katherine Marsh, 2023); and "Rewilding: Bringing Wildlife Back Where It Belongs" (David A. Steen, 2022). Also mentioned: "The Night Tourist" (Katherine Marsh, 2007). Upcoming activities include a 5/18 pre-school music hour and a 5/26 family movie day. 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.

Climate groups, teachers, students, faith leaders, and labor rallied on Saturday April 28 outside the NYS United Teachers Annual Representative Assembly in Albany, calling on the union leadership to follow through on the numerous resolutions passed by teachers at the local, state and national level to divest the teachers’ pension funds from fossil fuels. We hear from retired arts teacher Mary Finneran; Schenectady High School Student Andy Ramnauth ; retired school staffperson and labor representative Candace Liden; and Alycia Bacon of Mothers out front. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.