Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Find out about lots of arts events in Schenectady! Betsy Sandberg of the ElectriCity Arts District highlights their annual Kids Arts Festival, this year on Saturday, June 3rd. That organization will also sponsor "Jazz on Jay" concerts every Thursday 12-1:30 from June 1 through August 31. And this year they introduce arts projects for adults and kids at the Schenectady Green Market each Sunday from May 21 through October 8. All events are free, happening near the City Hall and along Jay Street. For more info, visit kidsartsfestivalschenectady.com. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Carol Durant is an African American author, playwright, poet, and recording artist.

She was the stage manager for "Escaped Alone" and her theatre credits include Hudson Valley New Voices Festival, Westchester Collaborative Theater, Screen I-R-L 10 Minute Play Fest, Art in the Public Eye, and Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York at Siena College.

She was the host of the long-running Outliers Poetry Brunch in Albany and is the founder and co-host of the Stage & Stanza theater and poetry collaborative event with Russell Sage College. Carol is also a board member of All Abilities Productions Upstate New York.

On June 25, 2018, Carol read her poem "Silent Echo" when she was featured at the Poets Speak Loud series at McGeary's in Albany.

In our conversation, we talk about where that poem came from, how family inspires and supports her art, theater, and more.

Retired National Weather Service meteorologist Hugh Johnson spoke with Brea Barthel and Blaise Bryant about the rain in CA, tornadoes in MS & AL, and the UN Report that is sounding the alarm bells about climate change.

New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives has been spending a lot of time educating policy makers. Co-Presidents Avery Stempel and Pamela Jackson spoke with HMM's Blaise Bryant and Brea Barthel about the advocacy and education they've been doing about psychedelic substances.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea bringing us a report on Monday’s press conference by the New York Public Interest Research Group about their support for the Climate Superfund Act and other measures they deem needed in the next state budget.

Then we are joined by New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives Co-Presidents Avery Stempel and Pammy Jackson to hear about their efforts to educate the public and policy makers about psychedelic substances.

Later on, Willie Terry talks with three AFL-CIO representatives about their March 16th delivery of signed petitions to raise the minimum wage and index future changes to inflation rates.

After that, Sina Basila Hickey asks Laura Welsh and Kiani Conoly-Wilson of Fehu Farmstand about how pagan and indigenous philosophies guide their farming practices.

Finally, retired meteorologist Hugh Johnson is here for our weekly chat about climate and weather. This time we’ll hear about the storms in California before looking at upcoming regional weather.

Governor Hochul says that affordable housing is her major budget priority for 2023 but fellow democrats do not agree on the best way to accomplish this goal. Housing advocates gathered at the Capitol on March 27 to discuss exclusionary zoning, Good Cause Eviction, and Housing Access Voucher Program. We hear from Assemblymembers Levenberg and Shrestha, Asia Thomas of Open NY, Rev. Peter Cook of NYS Council of Churches, and Kumi Arusu of Community Voices Heard.

NYPIRG organized a press conference at the State Capitol on Monday to highlight the state Senate's support for the Climate Superfund Act and other measures needed in the April 1 state budget to speed up action - and funding - on climate. We hear from Blair Horner of NYPIRG; Senator Pete Harckham, chair of the EnCon committee; Senator Rachel May; and Catherine Nadeau of Catskill Mountain Keeper. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

A screening of the film, “A Woman on the Outside” will take place on Saturday at the Sanctuary for Independent Media. A panel discussion will follow it. Elizabeth (EP) Press spoke with two panelists, Jose Di Lenola and TeAna Taylor. They addressed their work with bail reform and clemency, and discussed their experiences related to the film.

On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry was in the street of North Central Troy where Troy Councilman Steven Figueroa and his community partners were giving away free water with information about free lead testing in the City of Troy. In this part, two of two labor segments, you hear from Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello and Chaplin Billy Carter of the Kingdom Ministries on the Troy water giveaway and lead pipe issue.

On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry was in the street of North Central Troy where Troy Councilman Steven Figueroa and his community partners were giving away free water with information about free lead testing in the City of Troy. In this part, one of two labor segments, you hear from Steven Figueroa and Mack Henderson on the Troy water giveaway and lead pipe issue.