Podcasts about mid hudson

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Institute sends $8 million annually to New York Local librarians are campaigning against a March 14 executive order issued by President Donald Trump that could cripple a New York agency that distributes state funds to local libraries. The Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C., which has a $290 million budget, sends federal money to cultural institutions and state library associations, including $8 million annually that funds the New York Division of Library Development. The DLD is responsible for distributing state aid to public libraries - including $70 million annually to those outside New York City - through regional organizations like the Mid-Hudson Library System, whose 66 members include the Howland in Beacon, the Butterfield in Cold Spring and the Desmond-Fish in Garrison. The DLD also oversees $45 million in state funds distributed each year for library construction projects. The Mid-Hudson Library System, which is based in Poughkeepsie and has a $3.74 million budget, provides support services, programming grants and negotiates discounted group licenses from software, e-book and database providers. "The absence of DLD staff to facilitate aid programs that impact us is our largest, immediate concern," said Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson system. "Severe delays in receiving our operating aid could deplete our reserve funds and compromise our ability to pay our bills." Along with shared resources, the Howland library expects to receive $8,200 in grants from MHLS in 2025; Desmond-Fish, $4,000; and Butterfield, $54,000 for an HVAC project. "We pushed to finish the project so as not to incur additional costs as we were told by contractors that prices were set to increase in April due to tariffs" implemented by Trump, said Joanna Reinhardt, the director at Butterfield. "This was prior to learning of the IMLS news; we may have held off had we known." There are 762 public libraries in New York. Gillian Murphy, the director at the Howland, feels that same sense or uncertainty. "Grant money may not come through or will come late because lack of staff," she said. "We have construction grants that we rely on and who knows what will happen to those." The IMLS, created by Congress in 1996, is one of seven small agencies named in Trump's executive order, titled Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy. It directs that the agencies be "eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law." The acting director of IMLS, Keith Sonderling, said on March 20 that he planned to "revitalize" the agency and "restore focus on patriotism, ensuring we preserve our country's core values, promote American exceptionalism and cultivate love of country in future generations." The federal money sent to states by IMLS should be funded through October, Smith Aldrich said, but 60 of the agency's 70 employees have been placed on administrative leave, which "calls into question if this is happening. The Grants to States Program may need to be reauthorized this fall by Congress," which is a focus of lobbying. IMLS also distributes grants to museums. The Greater Hudson Heritage Network received $269,038 in 2024 to conserve 35 objects at 10 museums, including Maj. John Andre's flute at Boscobel in Philipstown. Catching Up with… The Howland Public Library (Beacon) The Julia L. Butterfield Library (Cold Spring) The Desmond-Fish Public Library (Garrison)

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Survey highlights mental health challenges Beacon firefighter David Brewer has performed CPR on five people he knew, including a friend who collapsed on Labor Day weekend in 2023 and died despite his efforts. Then there are the other stressors: being away from his family for 24-hour shifts, the rush of adrenaline when an alarm sounds and the anxious efforts to extinguish a fire. A panic attack hospitalized him on Christmas Eve a few years ago, said Brewer. "Your bucket just gets filled up and filled up and filled up until, eventually, it overflows," said Brewer. That is the situation for many first responders, according to an inaugural statewide survey of 6,000 emergency personnel, including 900 from the Mid-Hudson region, that asked about their mental health. Released on Feb. 5, the report is a collaboration between the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Institute for Disaster Mental Health and the Benjamin Center for Public Policy Initiatives at SUNY New Paltz. Of the police officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency dispatchers and emergency managers surveyed, 94 percent cited stress as a challenge and nine out of 10 mentioned burnout and anxiety. A majority also reported stress from traumatic events such as shootings and accidents (56 percent) and suffering symptoms of depression (53 percent). Another 40 percent experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and 16 percent thought of suicide. Being exposed to constant trauma "can destroy relationships, it can destroy families, it can destroy that person," said Aaron Leonard, a lieutenant with the Cold Spring Fire Co. and the newly appointed CEO of Guardian Revival, a Beacon organization that provides services for veterans and first responders, including peer counseling. "I have had my own experiences of sitting at my house having dinner, and then five minutes later, I'm doing CPR, the person passes away and you just go back home," he said. "Where do you unpack that experience?" The list of barriers that prevent first responders from getting help is long, with about 80 percent citing the stigmas surrounding mental health and concerns that colleagues will deem them unreliable. Others worried that seeking help would impact their career or cause supervisors to treat them differently (74 percent), or lead to losing their firearms license (68 percent). "It used to be, push that stuff down," said Brewer, whose 43-year firefighting career includes 25 years as a volunteer. "You were a lesser firefighter if you talked about that." Brewer was "circling the drain" before a 45-minute phone call with a peer counselor at Guardian Revival helped him understand that he did everything possible to save his friend. He has also attended a Guardian Revival workshop where veterans and first responders congregate around a campfire to talk about stressors. "Sometimes you go, 'Wow, I'm not alone,'" said Brewer. "Sometimes you go, 'I'm not that messed up.' " In addition to peer counseling, survey respondents expressed interest in training on topics such as managing stress and coping with anxiety or depression. Their wish list of solutions includes access to gym memberships or in-house equipment, like the weight room at Beacon's new firehouse, and paid time for mental health care. Guardian Revival has memorandums of understanding to assist 25 fire departments in Dutchess and Putnam counties with wellness programs, said Leonard. The Cold Spring Fire Co. launched its program on Monday (Feb. 10) with a yoga class for firefighters and their families. Shari Alexander, a Cold Spring firefighter, coordinates the program with Leonard's wife, Leslie, who teaches the yoga class. Alexander said two personal trainers have volunteered to lead strength training, she will lead a class on breathing techniques and there will be a pushup challenge and sessions on topics such as healthy eating. "Calls can be difficult and emotional and taxing," she said. "Part of it is preven...

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Community News and Interviews for the Catskills & Northeast Pennsylvania

I'm not a financial advisor; Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, AppleTV or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Devin: What is your superpower?Jasmine: My superpower is my empathy. More than anything else, I feel deeply, and it drives all of the work that I do.Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET) is revolutionizing how communities engage with renewable energy. Based in Kingston, New York, MHET empowers residents to access clean energy, reduce energy costs, and improve their homes through innovative programs.One standout initiative is the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), which provides accessible financing for low-income residents to pursue energy-efficient home upgrades. According to Jasmine Graham, MHET's executive director, the program was designed to address the barriers residents face. “We heard, ‘I don't have the time, expertise, or money,'” Jasmine explained. “So, we said, ‘What if we manage the projects for you?'”The HELP Fund, which supports the program, is unique in offering opportunities for everyday people to invest. “We created an offering that allows accredited and non-accredited investors to join in and invest,” Jasmine shared. “This clean energy transition is happening, but right now, it's not very accessible to everybody.” Community investors earn a 4 percent return, a recognition of their risk and financial realities, while impact investors receive 3 percent, and mission-aligned philanthropic funds accept no return, prioritizing social impact.MHET also addresses affordability through its community solar program. Low-income participants can save up to 20 percent on their electricity bills with no upfront costs. “No cost to join, no cost to leave, and the savings continue for 20 years,” Jasmine noted.By integrating philanthropic partnerships and innovative financial structures, MHET ensures that low-income communities and people of color are not left behind in the clean energy transition. As Jasmine aptly said, “We want to make sure that folks have the financial resources and the time and expertise to make this happen.”MHET's work exemplifies the potential for systemic change through community-driven, inclusive solutions. Their impact resonates far beyond Kingston, offering a model for equitable climate action nationwide.tl;dr:* Mid-Hudson Energy Transition helps communities access renewable energy, lower costs, and strengthen resilience.* Community Choice Aggregation enables bulk renewable energy purchases, saving residents and small businesses money.* The Home Upgrade Grants program addresses structural issues to help low-income families decarbonize their homes.* The HELP Fund allows community members to invest in clean energy with tailored returns and protections.* Empathy and inclusion guide Jasmine Graham's leadership, ensuring no one is left behind in transitions.How to Develop Empathy As a SuperpowerJasmine's superpower is her deep empathy, which enables her to understand and connect with others, driving her leadership and efforts to address complex challenges. Her ability to put herself in others' shoes inspires her work in creating impactful solutions for communities, ensuring no one is left behind.Jasmine exemplified her empathy following a disappointing election outcome that deeply affected her climate-focused team. She prioritized their emotional well-being during a staff planning day, emphasizing self-care and resilience. By fostering kindness and compassion, Jasmine demonstrated how empathy can unite and motivate teams to continue pursuing their mission, even in challenging times.Tips for Developing Empathy as a Strength:* Engage in Conversations: Regularly connect with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to deepen understanding and build relational skills.* Learn About Others: Explore different cultures, life experiences, and issues to develop a broader perspective on humanity.* Practice Vulnerability: Share personal experiences and emotions to create authentic connections and foster mutual empathy.* Reflect on Differences: Recognize that varied upbringings and circumstances shape viewpoints, helping to bridge gaps in understanding.* Build Empathy Like a Muscle: Exercise empathy consistently in everyday interactions to strengthen it over time.Conclusion:By following Jasmine Graham's example and advice, you can make empathy a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileJasmine Graham (she/they):Executive Director, Mid-Hudson Energy TransitionAbout Mid-Hudson Energy Transition: Mid-Hudson Energy Transition empowers communities to own and share renewable energy, create healthier buildings, and join in community wealth-building to strengthen the resilience of the Hudson Valley in the face of climate change.Website: www.mid-hudson.energyX/Twitter Handle: @midhudsonenergyCompany Facebook Page: fb.com/mid-hudson-energy-transitionOther URL: www.investinhelp.orgBiographical Information: Jasmine (she/they) is an energy justice expert, environmental policy advocate, and published scholar. With extensive experience in designing and implementing community-based renewable energy and building decarbonization programs, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that vulnerable communities have a voice in the clean energy transition. As the Executive Director of Mid-Hudson Energy Transition, Jasmine leads efforts to empower communities through renewable energy ownership, healthier buildings, and wealth-building initiatives. Previously, Jasmine held key roles in advancing cutting-edge energy policy across New York State, including appointments to New York City's Sustainability Advisory Board and Climate Mobilization Advisory Board under multiple mayoral administrations. In these roles, she guided the development of New York City's long-term sustainability plan and played a pivotal role in shaping the implementation of Local Law 97, historic legislation for building decarbonization. Jasmine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Sustainability from Bard College.X/Twitter Handle: @jasminecgrahamLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/jasmine-c-grahamInstagram Handle: @jasminecgrahamSupport Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, Mivium, Azolla and SuperCrowd Impact Membership. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact MembersThe following Max-Impact Members provide valuable financial support to keep us operating:Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Marcia Brinton, High Desert Gear | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Ralf Mandt, Next Pitch | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.* Impact Cherub Club Meeting hosted by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation, on December 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, the Club meets to review new offerings for investment consideration and to conduct due diligence on previously screened deals. To join the Impact Cherub Club, become an Impact Member of the SuperCrowd.* SuperCrowdHour, December 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM Eastern. Each month, we host a value-laden webinar for aspiring impact investors or social entrepreneurs. At December's SuperCrowdHour, Jason Fishman of Digital Niche Agency will share insights. Free to attend.Community Event Calendar* Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events* Community Revitalization, Thursdays, 10:00 AM Eastern.* CfPA Webinar with President-Elect Jenny Kassan sharing her vision for 2025, December 11 at 2:00 PM Eastern.* NC3 Changing the Paradigm: Mobilizing Community Investment Funds, March 7, 2025* Asheville Neighborhood Economics, date TBD following impact of Helene.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 8,000+ members of the SuperCrowd, click here.We use AI to help us write compelling recaps of each episode. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

Dr. Charles Canham and Dr. Clive Jones rejoin Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley in a discussion about Forest Ecology. Charles Canham is senior scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York. He specializes in forest ecology and management. He is also the author of Forests Adrift: Currents Shaping the Future of Northeastern Trees. Dr. Clive Jones is a terrestrial ecologist with expertise in biodiversity and environmental management, also working with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies The northeast is one of the country's most thoroughly forested regions, with forests covering two-thirds of the nine northeastern states. But that statistic belies the extraordinary wave of logging and clearing of land for agriculture that followed European settlement 400 years ago. In the Mid-Hudson, forest cover declined to a low of 15% at the turn of the twentieth century. Today, that has rebounded to over 60%. Trees were the first native plants to recolonize. Today, decades later, these reclaimed forests have understories of shrubs and herbaceous species. It's interesting to note that a large, well-established tree holds its position for many years, even as the climate changes. Northeastern forests today are a critical source of carbon sequestration to combat climate change and can potentially provide a renewable energy source. That said, our forests are under threat from development, climate change, deer browse, and perhaps most worrisome, the introduction of invasive pests and pathogens. In addition to spongy moths, Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer have done significant damage to the elm and ash tree populations. Dogwoods are under threat with anthracnose. Pine and oak trees have their own issues.Despite these threats, there are still lots of reasons for optimism. In this discussion, you'll gain an appreciation of the flexibility and resiliency demonstrated by our forests. Hosts: Jean Thomas and Teresa Golden Guests: Charles Canham and Clive Jones Photo by: Teresa Golden Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Robin Smith

The Mid-Hudson Civic Center, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, is a storied venue in professional wrestling history. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, it was a regular stop for WWE (then WWF) events, including television tapings for shows like WWF Championship Wrestling and Monday Night Raw. Its intimate setting allowed fans to experience the action up close, creating a lively and energetic atmosphere. Legends such as Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, and Bret Hart graced its ring, cementing its reputation as a cornerstone for wrestling's golden era. Today, it remains a celebrated venue for both indie wrestling promotions and nostalgic fans of the sport.