Hudson Mohawk Magazine

What do a nonfiction tale of a couple's daring escape from slavery, a mystery novel set in an elite Vermont boarding school, the history of cemeteries, and walking tours of New York City have in common? These are the topics for new books recommended by Lily Bartels from the Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady in her first interview for Hudson Mohawk Magazine. Books discussed: "Master, Slave, Husband, Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom" (Ilyon Woo, 2023); "I Have Some Questions for You" (Rebecca Makkai, 2023); "Over My Dead Body: Unearthing the Hidden History of America's Cemeteries" (Greg Melville, 2022); and "The Intimate City: Walking New York" (Michael Kimmelman, NY Times architecture critic, 2022). And what's this about Mel Blanc's tombstone? For more information, visit www.opendoor-bookstore.com or stop by the store at 128 Jay Street in Schenectady. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

David Moore was interviewed by Caelan McPherson and Sina Basila Hickey about his involvement in the peace movement beginning in the 60s through his upbringing in the church.

Photo by Robert Cooper

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea’s interview with Ryan Carson of NYPIRG about Packaging Reduction & the Recycling Act.

Then, Sina Basila Hickey talks to organizers of the Wednesday evening panel on tenant’s rights at James Connolly Social Club in Troy.

Later on, Andrea Cunliffe brings us continued coverage from the fight to pass the Clean Slate Act.

After that, for this week’s look into history we ask co-host and minister David Moore about his experience in the peace movement.

Finally, educator and poet Rhonda Rosenheck is profiled by Thom Frances in this week’s peace bucket.

Troy DSA's housing committee is having an educational event on building tenant power at the James Connolly Social Club. A panel will speak about proposed legislation and other efforts to build the power of the renters that make up a majority of Troy.

The event, Building Tenant Power: Good Cause Eviction and Beyond, will take place at James Connolly Social Club in Troy January 25 at 6:30pm. The event flyer can be found on the Troy DSA facebook page. A link to the Pay to Play Resource that Cody mentioned: https://housingjusticeforall.org/resource/pay-to-play-how-real-estate-money-is-leaving-new-york-tenants-in-the-dust/

Rhonda Rosenheck is a poet, humorist, and bible translator living in New York's capital region. Rhonda was an educator for over 30 years and has since retired and returned to writing.

Our conversation starts with listening to her poem, "The Woman," which she read on October 2, 2018, at The Low Beat in Albany, NY.

"The Woman" is part of a crime poem series of 25 pieces that Rhonda has been working on for a number of years. I asked Rhonda about her love of mysteries, her start in writing, and where that poem in particular came from.

With Governor Hochul's proposed budget due by February 1, environmental groups are making a push for her to include the Packaging Reduction & Recycling Act by Senator May, which would require product manufacturers to detoxify packaging materials, and reduce packaging waste by 50% over the next decade; and to expand the 40-year old bottle bill to raise the deposit to a dime and to coverage more beverage containers. Ryan Carson of NYPIRG talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

RPI students recently came down the hill to help the Sanctuary with much needed tasks on Sunday. The service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, known as APO, has been supporting the Sanctuary for many years, and Sina Basila Hickey was on site to ask these students about APO and why they participate. Thanks to all the APO members who have swept our floors, cleaned out closets, picked up trash, and done so many other overlooked tasks that allow us to focus on our programs and activities.

Retired National Weather Service meteorologist Hugh Johnson joined Blaise Bryant and Brea Barthel to talk about the Monday snow storm, liquid ratio in snow, carbon dioxide emissions, and how our temperature has been above normal since December 28.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea talking with NYPIRG’s Anne Rabe about why leading climate groups in the state are demanding that the New York legislature pass rules this year to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in new buildings.

Then, Elizabeth Press reports from a December “Deconstruction Summit” sponsored by TAP (Troy Architecture Practice) and the City of Troy.

After that, our own Sina Basila Hickey talks with members of Alpha Phi Omega, known as APO, a service fraternity at RPI that helps with projects at the Sanctuary for Independent Media and other sites.

Finally, retired National Weather Service meteorologist Hugh Johnson returns to talk about climate change and local weather.

Clean Slate Advocacy Day was on January 17th at the New York State Capitol. Hudson Mohawk Magazine's Andrea Cunliffe brings excerpts from the press conference with speakers from the NY State assembly and advocates from the various communities from across the state.

This event was urging New York State’s legislature to pass the Clean Slate Act (S.211/A.1029), joining over a dozen local and county governments that have already passed resolutions calling for the passage of Clean Slate,

The Clean Slate Act would end the perpetual punishment of more than 2 million New Yorkers by creating an automatic process to seal old conviction records, allowing people to access jobs, housing and education.

#CleanSlateNY