Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Alexis Goldsmith of Beyond Plastics spoke with us about Plastic Free July and some action items that people can take to get involved.

Stephanie Dudek of Troy Public Library suggests two summer reads and notes on July activities. "Wild Life: Dispatches from a Childhood of Baboons and Buttondowns" (Keena Roberts, 2019) is a nonfiction book about growing up with parents who studied primates, and the challenges of then adjusting to American schools. "The Maid: A Novel" (Nita Prose, 2022)is a recent locked-room mystery set in a hotel. July activities include a discussion with Dr. David Borton about his 1400-mile adventure in a solar boat (7/18, 6 pm), "Shorts Out Loud" readings and music on Thursday evenings, and computer classes on Wednesdays. Plus, a lively event on 7/29 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Hart Memorial Building, the main location at 100 Second Street in Troy. Check the calendar at thetroylibrary.org for details. Produced by Brea Barthel. For Meghan Marohn's many segments with David Borton about his boat, visit mediasanctuary.org.

Decisions made by the United States Supreme Court during its latest term have left court-watchers and the general public alike wondering what has become of the separation of church and state. Hudson Mohawk Magazine correspondent Corinne Carey spoke with Vincent Bonventre, Albany Law School's Justice Robert H. Jackson Distinguished Professor of Law about the Court's decisions and what they mean for the future of the First Amendment's religious liberty guarantees.

Portia Munson assembled discarded blue plastic into a small pool for one of the central sculptures in her current exhibition "Flood" at Art Omi. This sculpture, called "Reflecting Pool," speaks about our culture of mass production and consumption in a seductive way that brings viewers to the edges in an endless game of eye-spy. Sina Basila Hickey spoke with Munson about her process, this sculpture, and what we can learn about consumerism.

In a previous segment Munson talks about other parts of the exhibition: https://www.mediasanctuary.org/stories/2022/portia-munsons-paintings-meditate-on-women-mass-production-discardability/

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea talking with Albany Councilwoman Carolyn McLaughlin about the South End Neighborhood Association’s action plan to address air pollution and other health issues.

Then, our Plastics Correspondent Alexis Goldsmith joins us to share tips on reducing plastic pollution when picnicking.

Later on, Portia Munson talks to Sina Basila Hickey about her piece “Reflecting Pool,” a large collection of discarded plastics, currently on exhibit at Art Omi.

After that, I’m talking about four cool and quirky kids books with Carol Roberts, Troy’s Young People’s Services Librarian.

Finally, retired meteorologist Hugh Johnson joins us to discuss the impact of heat waves on people and economics.

Learn about great books for exploring science, art, and language with kids. Carol Roberts, Young People's Services Librarian at Troy Public Library, shares info and excerpts from four cool & "quirky" recent books. (1) "Words That Changed the World: Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity (Carl Wilkinson, 2020). (2) "Away with Words: Wise & Witty Poems for Language Lovers (Mary Ann Hoberman, 20220. (3) "Breaking Waves: Winslow Homer Paints the Sea (Robert Burleigh, 2021). (4) "How to Build an Insect" (Roberta Gibson, 2021). Also hear about a free pass to visit the Clark Art Institute, and a watercolor workshop on 7/26. For more details, visit www.thetroylibrary.org/. For info on other libraries in Albany & Rensselaer counties, see uhls.org. Produced by Brea Barthel.

Portia Munson’s “Flood” is currently on view at Art Omi. Two of the central sculptures are seductive collections of blue discarded plastics and in this segment we focus on the third central sculpture and Munson’s paintings. “Flood” by Portia Munson is on view at Art Omi until September 25, 2022.

Hear more of this conversation, focusing on the "Reflecting Pool" sculpture: https://www.mediasanctuary.org/stories/2022/reflecting-pool-by-portia-munson-reflects-our-societys-seduction-by-plastics/

Elizabeth Zunon is an Albany-based artist who has illustrated many children's books, the most recent being "Bottle Tops: The Art of El Anatsui." Zunon spoke with Hudson Mohawk Magazine about her creative process, creating positive images around Africa, and being a children's book illustrator.

More info at: LizZunon.com

Liz Zunon will have a book signing for "Bottle Tops: The Art of El Anatsui" with the author Alison Goldberg at the Bookstore of Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany on Saturday, July 9 a 1:30.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Elizabeth Press’s conversation with three Capital Roots staff members about the unionizing process.

Then, Moses Nagel brings us a report on the homeless encampment in Saratoga that was recently removed.

Later on, Water Justice Lab just began their summer program and we’ll hear part of Dan Shapley of Riverkeeper’s presentation.

After that, we talk with Liz Zunon about her latest book on the art of El Anatsui.

Finally, we talk with artist Portia Munson about her work that is currently exhibiting at Art Omi.

On July 5, EPA attended a meeting with the South End Neighborhood Association in Albany to discuss the ongoing development of an action plan to address air pollution and other health issues in the community. Albany County Legislator Carolyn McLaughlin provides an update. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.