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Ranchers applaud USDA's $211 million for sage grouse conservation
Posted on August 31, 2015	by Land & Livestock Interntional, Inc.
It's an example of how ranchers and the federal government can cooperate in a win-win effort that keeps grazing lands productive for both cattle and wildlife.
It is a shining example of a crock of government crap and "welfare for farmers and ranchers". Question: What is the difference in these farmers and ranchers and some inter-city crack head? Answer: There is only one–the former get a much larger cut of the stolen money. — jtl, 419
by Burt Rutherford via Beef Magazine
No.It's an example of how ranchers and the federal government can cooperate in a win-win effort that keeps grazing lands productive for both cattle and wildlife. And it's been years in the making.
But it has come to fruition, at least as far as sage grouse conservation is concerned. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will increase its partnership with ranchers to invest in conserving sage grouse habitat while keeping working ranches working. The four-year strategy, called the Sage Grouse Initiative 2.0 (SGI 2.0), follows up on the already-successful Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) that began in 2010. SGI 2.0 will invest approximately $211 million in conservation efforts on public and private lands throughout 11 Western states.
"Ranchers across the West appreciate the continued partnership with NRCS through the Sage Grouse Initiative," said Brenda Richards, Public Lands Council (PLC) president and rancher from southern Idaho. "As the original stewards of our Western lands, ranchers work day-in and day-out to maintain healthy rangelands and conserve our natural resources for the generations to come. The Sage Grouse Initiative has proven itself to be a win-win for livestock producers and the grouse, and the partnership through 2018 will support the continuation of the successful conservation efforts already underway."
Sage grouse are found in 11 states across the western half of the United States, including California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming and the bird's habitat encompasses 186 million acres of public and private land. In 2010, the SGI launched and has helped ranchers implement increased conservation efforts on their land, benefiting both the grouse habitat and rangeland for livestock ranchers.
Since its launch in 2010, public and private partners engaged in the SGI have conserved 4.4 million acres, an area twice the size of Yellowstone National Park, using voluntary and incentive-based approaches for conservation. Between 2010 and 2014, NRCS invested $296.5 million into SGI, which partners matched with an additional $198 million. By the end of 2018 with implementation of the SGI 2.0 strategy, NRCS and partners will invest approximately $760 million and conserve 8 million acres, an area more than seven times the size of the Great Salt Lake.
According to NCBA, due to lawsuits and litigation, the sage grouse is currently at risk of being listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA has not been reauthorized since 1988 and NCBA and PLC believe the rather than listing the grouse under the ESA, efforts like the Sage Grouse Initiative will benefit the bird more and prove that listing is not the answer.
"The Endangered Species Act is outdated and has proven itself ineffective," says NCBA President Philip Ellis, who ranches in Wyoming. "Of the 1,500 domestic species listed since 1973, less than 2% have ever been deemed recovered. With this partnership, voluntary conservation efforts have increased, ranchers remain on the land, and wildlife habitat is thriving. In fact, Interior Secretary Jewell announced this year that through working with ranchers and other stakeholders in Nevada and California, the Bi-State Sage Grouse population was no longer at risk and was not listed under the ESA. This is prime example of how land management and conservation efforts should be made, in partnership with those who know the land the best, not by bureaucrats in Washington D.C."
A Handbook for Ranch Managers. In keeping with the "holistic" idea that the land, the livestock, the people and the money should be viewed as a single integrated whole: Part I deals with the management of the natural resources. Part II covers livestock production and Part III deals with the people and the money. Not only would this book make an excellent basic text for a university program in Ranch Management, no professional ranch manager's reference bookshelf should be without it. It is a comprehensive reference manual for managing the working ranch. The information in the appendices and extensive bibliography alone is worth the price of the book.
You might also be interested in the supplement to this Handbook: Planned Grazing: A Study Guide and Reference Manual.
This entry was posted in Radical Environmentalism, Sage Grouse and tagged conservation, conservation efforts, radical environmentalism, sage grouse, Sage Grouse Initiative, welfare. Bookmark the permalink.


SA&I top ten : top ten things to strengthen internal controls in the office.
Segregation of duties is a basic, key internal control and one of the most difficult to achieve. At the most basic level, it means that no single individual should have control over two or more phases of a transaction or operation. It is used to ensure that errors or irregularities are prevented or detected on a timely basis by employees in the normal course of business. Segregation of duties provides two benefits: 1) make a deliberate fraud more difficult because it requires collusion of two or more persons, and 2) make it much more likely that innocent errors will be found.
If a single person can carry out and conceal errors and/or irregularities in the course of performing their day-to-day activities they have generally been assigned or allowed access to incompatible duties or responsibilities.
Controls should be established to secure and safeguard vulnerable assets. Examples include security for and limited access to assets such as cash, inventories, and equipment which might be vulnerable to risk of loss or unauthorized use. Such assets should be periodically counted and compared to control records.
What could go wrong? How could we fail?
Where are we most vulnerable? What assets do we need to protect?
How could someone steal from the department? On what information do we most rely?
On what do we spend the most money? How do we collect our revenue?
How can someone bypass our internal controls? Do we have new technology?
Do we have new personnel? What is our past performance?
Even well designed internal controls can break down. Employees sometimes misunderstand instructions or simply make mistakes. However, errors detected at any stage of a process should receive prompt corrective action and be reported to the appropriate level of management.
Title SA&I top ten : top ten things to strengthen internal controls in the office.
Full text Top Ten Things to Strengthen Internal Controls in the Office 1. Ensure Duties Are Segregated Segregation of duties is a basic, key internal control and one of the most difficult to achieve. At the most basic level, it means that no single individual should have control over two or more phases of a transaction or operation. It is used to ensure that errors or irregularities are prevented or detected on a timely basis by employees in the normal course of business. Segregation of duties provides two benefits: 1) make a deliberate fraud more difficult because it requires collusion of two or more persons, and 2) make it much more likely that innocent errors will be found. If a single person can carry out and conceal errors and/or irregularities in the course of performing their day-to-day activities they have generally been assigned or allowed access to incompatible duties or responsibilities. 2. Develop Adequate Physical Control of Assets Controls should be established to secure and safeguard vulnerable assets. Examples include security for and limited access to assets such as cash, inventories, and equipment which might be vulnerable to risk of loss or unauthorized use. Such assets should be periodically counted and compared to control records. 3. Identify Risks in Your Office In order to properly manage risks, you must first identify them. Once risks have been identified, they should be analyzed for their possible effect. Risk analysis generally includes estimating the risk's significance, assessing the likelihood of its occurrence, and deciding how to manage the risk and what actions should be taken. Risks can often be identified by asking yourself: What could go wrong? How could we fail? Where are we most vulnerable? What assets do we need to protect? How could someone steal from the department? On what information do we most rely? On what do we spend the most money? How do we collect our revenue? How can someone bypass our internal controls? Do we have new technology? Do we have new personnel? What is our past performance? 4. Correct Errors Promptly Even well designed internal controls can break down. Employees sometimes misunderstand instructions or simply make mistakes. However, errors detected at any stage of a process should receive prompt corrective action and be reported to the appropriate level of management.


A NEW GSK drugs factory in Ulverston should create hundreds of jobs.
The pharmaceutical group GSK has secured planning permission for a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility, its first new UK factory for 40 years.
South Lakeland District Council aproved the plans on September 25.
Work is expected to start on site in 2016 and it should be up and running by 2021. Around 700 jobs will be created during cthe construction phase, including about 250 once the first part is fully operational.


Roy Lichtenstein was born in New York City. As a child, Lichtenstein spent time listening to science fiction radio programs, visiting the American Museum of Natural History, building model airplanes, and drawing. At age fourteen he began attending a painting class at Parson's School of Design every Saturday morning. For four years beginning in 1940 he studied in New York at the Art Students' League. He served in the US Army in Europe during WWII. In the 60's Lichtenstein played a critical role in subverting the skeptical view of commercial styles and subjects established by the Abstract Expressionists. By embracing more common forms of art such as comic books and popular illustration, Lichtenstein became a significant force in the Pop art movement. Catalog Ref: Prestel no. 38. Designed for a exhibition poster for the Templon Gallery.
Image size: 29.5" x 25.25"


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Public Records: Truck, digital camera reported stolen in Newark
To see a map of this crime and check your neighborhood's history of crime reports, check out our exclusive Newark cri...
Public Records: Truck, digital camera reported stolen in Newark To see a map of this crime and check your neighborhood's history of crime reports, check out our exclusive Newark cri... Check out this story on newarkadvocate.com: http://ohne.ws/1mRKp2K
Ohio Published 1:49 p.m. ET April 28, 2014
Newark police
Property was reported stolen from a residence on the 200 block of Isabelle Road before 1:44 a.m. Friday.
A vehicle was reported damaged and property stolen from it on the 100 block of South Fourth Street before 11:43 a.m. Friday.
A digital camera was reported stolen from a business on the first block of North Fourth Street before 12:45 p.m. Friday.
Property was reported stolen from a residence on the first block of Madison Avenue before 9:21 p.m. Friday.
Vehicles were reported damaged on the 200 block of Montgomery Avenue before 7:46 a.m. Saturday.
Property was reported damaged at a residence on the 100 block of Elmwood Avenue before 9 a.m. Saturday.
Property was reported damaged at a residence on the first block of West Main Street before 2:15 p.m. Saturday.
Property was reported stolen from an unsecured garage on the 500 block of East Main Street before 2:47 p.m. Saturday.
A package was reported stolen from the 900 block of King Road before 4:37 p.m. Saturday.
Property was reported stolen from a business on the 100 block of Deo Drive before 6:36 p.m. Saturday.
Feces and an unknown substance were reported dumped on a porch and sidewalk on the 100 block of Hancock Street before 2:35 a.m. Sunday.
Money and two T-shirts were reported stolen from a vehicle on the first block of Horseshoe Drive before 5:28 a.m. Sunday.
Property was reported damaged on the 700 block of Meadow Drive before 7:56 a.m. Sunday.
A truck was reported stolen from the 400 block of Beacon Road before 8:50 a.m. Sunday. The vehicle was later located in Heath Sunday evening.
A VCR was reported stolen from a residence on the 1800 block of Cherry Valley Road before 7:35 p.m. Sunday.
Read or Share this story: http://ohne.ws/1mRKp2K

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Top Ten Tuesday/ New To Me Authors
mybookworld24 Top Ten Tuesday January 25, 2022 January 23, 2022 7 Minutes
January 25: New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2021/2022
I added 2022 because I have already read some of the 2022 releases, even if we are only in January. This year I made it a goal to read new to me authors, so I guess the hard part is choosing just 10. It will be more based on my taste of the author's writing.
Goodreads Blurb:
Ten-year-old Rauli lives in a world that is often hostile. His older brother is violent; his philandering father doesn't understand him; his intelligence and sensitivity do not endear him to the other children at school. He loves to read, especially Greek myths, but in Cuba in the 1970s, novels and gods can be dangerous. Despite the signs that warn Rauli to repress and fear what he is, he knows three things to be true: First, that he was born in the wrong body. Second, that he will die, aged eighteen, as a soldier in the Cuban intervention in Angola. And third, that he is the reincarnation of the Trojan princess Cassandra.
Moving between Rauli's childhood and adolescence, between the Angolan battlefield, the Cuban city of Cienfuegos, and the shores of ancient Troy, Marcial Gala's Call Me Cassandra tells of the search for identity amid the collapse of Cuba's utopian dreams. Burdened with knowledge of tragedies yet to come, Rauli nonetheless strives to know himself. Lyrical and gritty, heartbreaking and luminous, Rauli's is the story of the inexorable pull of destiny.
Back in high school, Lily Wang wanted to be popular, but she considered herself lucky to be part of a tight group of oddballs and honors students called the Nerd Herd. Now, at twenty-eight, she feels like she's finally on the cusp of succeeding as a beauty influencer—if she can hit five million subscribers, brands will take notice and she could get her own makeup line.
Fellow Nerd Herd alum Tobin Bui has had a lot of success as a YouTube gamer. But the road to online stardom has been rocky. First, he disappointed his parents by dropping out of college, and now, after years of pranks, skits, and playthroughs, he's struggling to come up with new content to satisfy his ever-growing fan base. His agents say he needs cross-audience appeal, a new twist.
When Nerd Herd frenemy Lily approaches Tobin about teaming up to do a video to bolster her brand and reinvigorate his, he agrees. But when their first collab video goes viral, their relationship heats up too. With the whole internet watching, will these two former misfits finally realize they're perfect together?
Rosie was always told her red hair was a curse, but she never believed it. She often dreamed what it would look like under a white veil with the man of her dreams by her side. However, her life takes a harrowing turn in 1944 when she is forced out of her home and sent to the most gruesome of places: Auschwitz.
Upon arrival, Rosie's head is shaved and along with the loss of her beautiful hair, she loses the life she once cherished. Among the chaos and surrounded by hopelessness, Rosie realizes the only thing the Nazis cannot take away from her is the fierce redhead resilience in her spirit. When all of her friends conclude they are going to heaven from Auschwitz, she remains determined to get home. She summons all of her courage, through death camps and death marches to do just that.
This victorious biography, written by Nechama Birnbaum in honor of her grandmother, is as full of life as it is of death. It is about the intricacies of Jewish culture that still exist today and the tender experiences that are universal to all humanity: family, coming of age, and first love. It is a story that celebrates believing in yourself no matter the odds. This is a story about the little redheaded girl who thought she could, and so she did.
When two "big name fans" go head-to-head at a convention, love isn't the only thing at stake.
Charming, charismatic, and effortlessly popular, Conrad Stewart seems to have it all…but in reality, he's scrambling to keep his life from tumbling out of control.
Brilliant, guarded, and endlessly driven, Alden Roth may as well be the poster boy for perfection…but even he can't help but feel a little broken inside.
When these mortal enemies are stuck together on a cross-country road trip to the biggest fan convention of their lives, their infamous rivalry takes a backseat as an unexpected connection is forged. Yet each has a reason why they have to win the upcoming Odyssey gaming tournament and neither is willing to let emotion get in the way—even if it means giving up their one chance at something truly magical.
Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef's Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying—not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she's focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.
After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them. They're there to prove the trolls—including a fellow contestant and their dad—wrong, and falling in love was never part of the plan.
As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Goodbye, guilt about divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London's steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen—and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after
Fi is a bookish treasure hunter with a knack for ruins and riddles, who definitely doesn't believe in true love.
Shane is a tough-as-dirt girl warrior from the north who likes cracking skulls, pretty girls, and doing things her own way.
Briar Rose is a prince under a sleeping curse, who's been waiting a hundred years for the kiss that will wake him.
Cursed princes are nothing but ancient history to Fi–until she pricks her finger on a bone spindle while exploring a long-lost ruin. Now she's stuck with the spirit of Briar Rose until she and Shane can break the century-old curse on his kingdom.
Dark magic, Witch Hunters, and bad exes all stand in her way–not to mention a mysterious witch who might wind up stealing Shane's heart, along with whatever else she's after. But nothing scares Fi more than the possibility of falling in love with Briar Rose.
It was the worst week of his life.
Sawyer Evans lost his livelihood, his boyfriend, and now his parents told him not to come back until he figured out what was really important. Merry Christmas.
What better time for a road trip?
Amazon Blurb:
The worst way to start an office party is by messaging your boss telling him you hate him so much, you kind of want to kiss him.
Diego is the new guy at the office working hard to impress, but Nick is a boss that doesn't make it easy for Diego to feel like he is succeeding.
After causing a gigantic mess at the office during the New Year's party, Diego needs to win a scavenger hunt to show he is part of the team. If only he could impress Nick and make his grumpy, hot boss see his potential…
He is sure that Nick hates him. But he has four hours until midnight to change that.
Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it's no wonder then that he's spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise's history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star.
Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. He doesn't believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he's a stiff, anxious mess with no idea how to date twenty women on national television. Behind the scenes, he's cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off.
As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants on a whirlwind, worldwide tour, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they'll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.
ookstore owner Aubrey Barnes likes his quiet, orderly London life, thank you very much. His shop may be struggling, his only employee is a menace, and his plumbing is one creaky pipe away from disaster, but he can handle it. Maybe. He cannot, however, handle the film company that's thrown his Soho street into chaos.
And he definitely can't handle the charismatic American actor Blake Sinclair.
Which is why he's extremely reluctant to lease out his shop as a set for Blake's film, but it's his one opportunity to save his business. Now he can't get away from the distractingly hot actor.
Then Aubrey finds himself alone with Blake in a trailer, and what happens next turns London's heat wave into an inferno that leaves him breathless.
Aubrey is not cut out for the high-profile life of dating a celebrity, especially an American actor who's not even out yet. Good thing their tryst is absolutely not going anywhere.
Of course, when you expect nothing, that's exactly when it starts to mean everything.
List of Authors:
Nechama Birnbaum
Annabeth Albert
Anita Kelly
Leslie Vedder
Argentina Ryder
Alex Maya
Alison Cochrun
Hayden Stone
lgbt books
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6 thoughts on "Top Ten Tuesday/ New To Me Authors"
The Book Lover's Sanctuary says:
I am so glad you found so many great authors last year!
These are my new-to-me authors from last year.
Yea, thanks
masterspj says:
The Redhead of Auschwitz sounds super interesting.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/10-authors-i-discovered-in-2021/
Great list! I really want to read Bone Spindle.
My Top Ten
I had mixed feelings about it


Villa Costa is a newly constructed contemporary property located in La Croix Valmer. The property has a stunning sea view, and is closely located to Saint Tropez and the beaches of Ramatuelle and Gigaro.
The property is in a very quiet environment and is composed of a main villa and 3 independent luxury apartments.
On the first floor all rooms have an amazing ocean view, open onto a terrace and guests have access to a barbecue, pool house, heated infinity pool and a huge jacuzzi.
Upon request, all 3 apartments can be rented with the villa and be connected to the villa through a common entrance which will increase the bedroom count to 10 and allow the property to accommodate 20 people.


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The Estonian Unicorns: Opportunities For Startups in Estonia
Actual, Investment, Startup
Business, Development, Estonia, Globalconnectadmin, innovation, opportunities, startup, technology, Unicorn
Estonia has the highest number of unicorns per capita in Europa. Fostering an environment for these booming startups or so-called unicorns, the Estonian economic growth in the 3rd quarter of 2021 (8,6%) showcases the successful Estonian development strategy. Hence, using the pandemic situation to their advantage, Estonia continues to emphasise the importance of startups. Curious to read what economic sectors yield to most opportunities?
Estonia is the leader in unicorns per capita in Europe. With 7 unicorns, despite a population of 1.3 million people, Estonia is a breeding ground for companies valued at more than $1 billion. Currently, these 7 companies are the following ones: Skype in 2005, Playtech in 2007, TransferWise in 2015, 2018 with Bolt, Pipedrive in 2020, and in 2021 both Zego and id.me became Estonian-founded unicorns. As noticeable, the time between the rise of a unicorn is constantly decreasing. Further, looking at the sectors these companies are concerned with, the overarching trend is the connectedness with technology and communication.
This relation between breakthroughs and technology is elaborated on by Robert Müürsepp, a leading analyst at Statistics Estonia: "the economic growth was driven by construction, information and communication, real estate, and transportation and storage activities. Also manufacturing and professional, scientific and technical activities recorded positive results". These three economic activities contribute more than 3% out of 8,6% to the GDP growth of the 3rd quarter of 2021. In comparison, the biggest decreases in terms of percentage of GDP are, as expected with the pandemic and lockdowns related to the pandemic situation, the leisure and entertainment, transport, hotels and restaurants, and clothing and footwear sectors.
Müürsepp also argued that the fall in investments (-8,8%) in the third quarter is due to smaller investments in general, yet yielded a significant increase in the investments in transportation equipment (32%) and 15,1% in other machinery and equipment. Furthermore, foreign trade continued to grow rapidly: The export and import both accounted for a growth of 17,5%, while the emphasis was on the export of service (38,9%) powered by 1) computer, 2) technical and 3) business services. In comparison to the previous quarter, the seasonally adjusted GDP grew by 0,7% and grew by 9,2% compared to the third quarter of 2020.
"We are eager to make relevant changes happen quickly. This makes Estonia a perfect testing ground for innovative solutions. As a small country we value flexibility and diversity and therefore we welcome foreign investors and talent in Estonia – together we can build a better future for everyone," states Prime Minister Kallas concerning the ideal testing ground for the unicorns.
While the unicorns get encouraged by the Estonian government, the unique selling points of this technological country are not covered yet.
After restoring its independence in 1991, economic freedom has been highly valued in Estonia. While being ranked fifth in Europe for economic freedom, the Estonian economic environment created by the state encourages people to start and grow businesses. Moreover, Estonia has also been a steadfast global leader in tax competition for the last seven years in a row. Not only this tax system without corporate income taxes, capital taxes and property transfer taxes, makes people entrepreneurial. There is also Estonia's advanced digitalisation which reduces the hassle and costs and, a wide range of encouraging success stories (such as Skype and Bolt), and sociological characteristics such as a developed and affordable living environment, a long and full-paid parental leave, and a welcoming and supportive startup community. Besides this, Estonia's entrepreneurial activity is the highest in the world due to the innovative, productive and curious mindset of the Estonians. According to Atomico in "The State of European Tech 2020 report, Estonia has 865 startups per capita with a steadily growing number.
Knowing these reasons, Estonia is often seen as the leading startup-friendly country in the world. Moreover, you do not need to reside in Estonia to enjoy these benefits of the business environment. Estonia's innovative e-Residency programme, itself referred to as a state startup, enables anyone to log into our country to establish and manage a company here, regardless of their physical location.
Even with the best business environment and the most entrepreneurial people, it is no guarantee for automatic success. With stories and information from the vibrant startup community, such as the foundation of the EU Unicorns Group to accelerate Europe's green transformation and tech innovation, together with a little bit of luck, Estonia can be the "perfect testing ground for innovative solutions" in the words of the Prime Minister. Interestingly, Estonia maintains to further develop into a tech-savvy country focussed on digitalisation and communication. Knowing that the interest in digitalisation and tech is growing in both society and business, it is recommended to not only keep an eye on the developments but also on the (new) unicorns. While these unicorns can be beneficial contacts or partners for your existing company, the ideal business environment due to tax reasons and state encouragement make Estonia a perfect choice as the breeding ground for your next startup.
Curious about these new opportunities, or your want more information about personal advice regarding international business advice, tax situations or consolidation? Global Connect Admin B.V. can assist you with these challenges due to the rich experience and framework of connections.
https://investinestonia.com/from-the-production-lines-of-the-unicorn-factory-estonia-is-the-champion-in-founding-billion-dollar-startups
https://investinestonia.com/estonian-bolt-and-skeleton-together-with-other-european-unicorns-founded-the-eu-unicorns-group-to-accelerate-europes-green-transformation-and-tech-innovation
https://investinestonia.com/estonian-economy-grows-8-6-in-third-quarter-of-2021
https://www.stat.ee
https://www.workinestonia.com


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In pictures: Blast-hit Beirut hospital battles to rebuild amid second Covid-19 wave
Staff at St George's rallying to lift often dying patients' spirits but many are finding the task emotionally overwhelming
Elizabeth Fitt
Published date: 12 February 2021 16:38 UTC | Last update: 1 year 11 months ago
The sound of drilling is enough to blank out beeps from machines monitoring the intubated in all 13 cubicles of an interim coronavirus ICU at St George's hospital, Beirut. The building was heavily damaged in the Beirut port explosion six months ago and now teams of construction workers are rebuilding the original ICU as medical staff battle to save the lives of Covid-19 victims in earshot of the building works (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
Coronavirus ICU occupancy is at 100 percent in the hospital and a third of staff have been struck down with Covid-19 so far, as a devastating wave sweeps through Lebanon following the easing of restrictions over Christmas and New Year. The patient pictured is in an induced coma and suffering severe circulatory problems (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
The hospital was devastated when an estimated 2,570 tonnes of ammonium nitrate unsafely stored in Beirut's port exploded last August, killing more than 200 people, injuring almost 7,000 and displacing over 300,000. "Everything was damaged: the walls, the ceiling, the windows, the glass, it was all down, the equipment was on the ground, everything, scattered everywhere," says George Kamel, site supervisor of the ICU rebuild. Six months on serious damage is still evident in the admissions department (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
Prior to the blast, St George's had been running outpatient Covid-19 fever clinics, as well as administering blood work and scans. "After the blast we cleaned up and then opened the clinics again," assistant head nurse Misha Massaad, 30, says. Back then, they were only outpatient clinics, but all that changed as case numbers soared 6,000-fold and ICUs filled up. Builders work next to the fever clinic, which is still operating with plastic instead of glass in the windows (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
"For the past two months, we have also been receiving very critical inpatients to the clinic," says Massaad. Salim Nehme tested positive at 100-years old and has been on a trolley in the fever clinic on oxygen for two days, watched over anxiously by his daughter from the doorway of his cubicle (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
One clinic is currently closed because there are not enough people to run it due to staff Covid-19 cases. The other has an inpatient occupancy rate of 80 percent and an outpatient occupancy of 400 percent, according to Massaad, pictured here with her arm around a colleague.
"Personally I am exhausted," she says. "I was positive - today is my first day post-Covid. I got it here." She goes on to say she hasn't seen her parents for almost a year because of the nature of her work. "They're in our village and I'm living here with just my cat. It's very difficult, especially on my birthday" (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
Massaad's team has taken a big hit. "I still have three or four staff who didn't have corona yet - the other 12 all did," she says, describing the inherent difficulties of managing a team that changes daily due to increasing occupancy rates and staff sickness. "They are run down, physically and psychologically from seeing this amount of people sick and knowing that when we transfer people to the ICU, often they pass away two days later," she says (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
Exhaustion haunts the faces of those working in the ICU. Postures tell a story of extreme fatigue and tired eyes blink back tears. Nurse Anthony Abou Naoum, 24, describes the pain of working on the frontline of the pandemic day in, day out. He says these patients don't just need medical treatment, they need company, encouragement and emotional support because they are completely alone, with no visitors allowed. "And this is what they have to also go through," he says, gesturing helplessly as the rumble of heavy drilling starts up again (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
"We get attached to these people because they don't have anyone, they only have us," says Naoum, his voice wavering. "Maybe they're doing well. But then suddenly they die. Over and over."
A nurse now for five years, he says that, "working with Covid patients has been the most difficult time ever. Emotionally, physically, it's very stressful." He estimates that for every ten patients coming through his ICU, up to four do not make it out alive (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
Having noticed a patient staring at the same spot on a blank wall each day while doing his rounds, Naoum asked him why. "He said to me: 'Where else can I look? There's only four walls'". So Naoum promised he would bring him something else to look at. "I brought him pictures of nature to put on his wall," says Naoum. "But the second day I came in he was dead. And he was only 42."
The nurse has now put pictures of the natural world on the walls of every cubicle, in an effort to do something more to ease the suffering of those trapped here (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
Staff are trying to lift their own flagging spirits as well. The corridors of the ICU are festooned with positive images and empowering posters, a whiteboard in the control room is covered in affirmations. Administering aphorisms represents a last line of defence in staff efforts to make it through the day with their sanity intact (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
The rebuilding of the main ICU can't come quickly enough, with plans to expand capacity from 12 cubicles in the old facility to 24 in the new. Begun in December 2020, Kamel, the site supervisor, fears the 1,000 square metre renovation will take longer than hoped.
"It is a four month project, but because of the lockdown, I don't know how long it will take," he says. With almost all industry closed and the entire country under 24-hour curfew, the builders have been struggling to acquire essential materials (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
Massaad has a master's degree and nine years of experience. The assistant head nurse earns the equivalent of around $230 per month as a result of Lebanon's runaway currency depreciation and collapsing economy. Construction labourers earn between $6 and $9 per day.
Putting their all into the pandemic response and the explosion rebuild for a pittance is taking its toll on those working at St George's and across Lebanon. "We can't continue like this as a country," says Massaad. "We're living day-to-day, I don't know what will happen next and we are all very worried about our mental health" (MEE/Elizabeth Fitt)
Beirut explosion
Beirut explosion: Port was 'lucky' says German firm clearing blast-hit dockside
'Still waiting for answers': Beirut port blast victims denied justice, says HRW
Inside Lebanon
No Christmas Without Justice: Christmas tree decorated with names of Beirut blast victims.


text:
Lactoferrin inhibits the endotoxin interaction with cd14 by competition with the lipopolysaccharide-binding protein
Elass-Rochard, E.
Salmon, V.
Roseanu, A.
Trif, M.
Tobias, Peter
Mazurier, J.
Spik, G.
Infection and Immunity Journal
Human lactoferrin (hLf), a glycoprotein released from neutrophil granules during inflammation, and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP), an acute-phase serum protein, are known to bind to the lipid A of LPS. The LPS-binding sites are located in the N-terminal regions of both proteins, at amino acid residues 28 to 34 of hLf and 91 to 108 of LBP. Both of these proteins modulate endotoxin activities, but they possess biologically antagonistic properties. In this study, we have investigated the competition between hLf and recombinant human LBP (rhLBP) for the binding of Escherichia coli 055:B5 LPS to the differentiated monocytic THP-1 cell line. Our studies revealed that hLf prevented the rhLBP-mediated binding of LPS to the CD14 receptor on cells. Maximal inhibition of LPS-cell interactions by hLf was raised when both hLf and rhLBP were simultaneously added to LPS or when hLf and LPS were mixed with cells 30 min prior to the incubation with rhLBP. However, when hLf was added 30 min after the interaction of rhLBP with LPS, the binding of the rhLPS-LBP complex to CD14 could not be reversed. These observations indicate that hLf competes with rhLBP for the LPS binding and therefore interferes with the interaction of LPS with CD14. Furthermore, experiments involving competitive binding of the rhLBP-LPS complex to cells with two recombinant mutated hLfs show that in addition to residues 28 to 34, another basic cluster which contains residues 1 to 5 of hLf competes for the binding to LPS. Basic sequences homologous to residues 28 to 34 of hLf were evidenced on LPS-binding proteins such as LBP, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein, and Limulus anti-LPS factor.
Acute-Phase Proteins
Antigens, CD14
Binding, Competitive
Membrane Glycoproteins
Monocytes


text:
The Highlands Current (https://highlandscurrent.org/2021/04/30/letters-shakespeare-plans-2/)
Letters: Shakespeare Plans
By Contributor | April 30, 2021
The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival is hoping in 2022 to move from its location at Boscobel to land that is now part of The Garrison golf course.
As a 40-year resident of Philipstown and a member of the board of directors of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, I am distressed at the controversy that has erupted over the proposed move to The Garrison golf course, and am concerned that much of the objection is based more on emotion than reality. Simply objecting to change is not enough, since change is going to come.
I understand that golfers are upset that the golf course will be closed, but after many years of losses, the owner is unwilling to continue to subsidize the course. So the course will be closed, and the obvious question is what comes next.
Replacing a failed golf course with a housing development is the usual outcome. Fortunately, the owner is not planning that. Instead the plan is to convert most of the course to parkland, trees and meadows.
HVSF's footprint on the 200-plus acre site would be small: New structures, pathways and parking would occupy 5 acres, in addition to the 6 acres of existing structures. Today, none of the property is subject to conservation easements. The proposal calls for all of it to be protected. The HVSF tent will not be on the top of the ridge line, as some have claimed, and it would provide somewhat fewer seats than HVSF's current tent. After years of the site only being available to paying golfers, local residents will be able to enjoy the magnificent views from this property, and it is contemplated that the facilities, when not otherwise occupied, would be available for community uses. The reality is that since HVSF does not have the option of returning to Boscobel after its final season there this summer, it has to move somewhere.
Opponents of the plan are concerned that the site will turn into some sort of massive performance venue that will attract mobs of people. Nothing could be further from the truth. The proposal before the Philipstown Planning Board covers the next 30 years and does include the possibility of a small indoor venue, an outdoor community pavilion and in-season lodging for actors. (The site is already zoned for a 40-room hotel and spa.) But those are all well in the future, if they happen at all. And conservation easements and other deeded restrictions will prohibit anything beyond what is approved by the Planning Board.
Some who object to the plan say that it will reduce the amount of property taxes paid on the property, to the detriment of the community. This may be partially true, but HVSF will continue to pay property and other taxes on the commercial parts of the property that it will control, and if the commercial aspects of the property were abandoned and the property given to a tax-exempt entity, there would be no property taxes paid.
Great care has been taken in developing this proposal, both from an environmental and community standpoint, and both the owner and HVSF have made significant alterations to the plan to meet some concerns that have been raised.
I would hope that those who object to the plan for The Garrison think about what is actually being proposed, rather than objecting to what they fear might possibly happen if the myriad safeguards that are a fundamental part of this plan are somehow evaded. Change is coming to The Garrison and to Philipstown, and if it is not this plan, it will be something else. If the "something else" does not include HVSF, then Philipstown will be the poorer for it.
Ned Whitney, Garrison
I am impressed by the HVSF's plans for their new home and the design professionals involved. I've heard that the Planning Board has received a stack of negative letters and relatively few from those who are positive. I have been positive all along and assume that many others are also, but it seems we need to speak up
I've lived here for 35 years. We are privileged to have this lauded professional theater company in our community. It is an economic engine for Philipstown. It gave summer jobs to my children and to many local teens. I am not a golfer, so I didn't often see the spectacular view, but I am glad that it will be available to all theater-goers and to those, like me, who will exercise on the planned walking trails.
Golf courses are notorious for being ecologically unsound. They use tons of water, pesticides and fertilizer. They are a food desert for animals and pollinators. The plan to replace grass with meadows and woodlands will be an environmental game-changer.
The time of most consistent traffic will be later in the evening, after the plays and when traffic on Route 9 is light, and the number of cars won't be any larger than the number now at Boscobel, as the new tent is a bit smaller. The Route 9 and Snake Hill Road intersection has seen fatalities. Because of the plan, it is much more likely that a traffic light will be permitted there.
Live theater companies are difficult to sustain. Expenses always outpace the income from ticket sales. It is brilliant that the expense of housing the actors will be lowered by building small cabins, increasing by only 14 rooms the number already approved for that property.
With 33 years in our community the festival is a textbook example of a local business worthy of our support. It is a far cry from a developer. Imagine what a real developer would do to that property. I'm surprised and saddened by the negativity around this generous gift to our important cultural institution.
Jackie Grant, Garrison
I recently had the pleasure of walking The Garrison golf course with a staff member from the HVSF. I heard about its vision for the property and we discussed the positive and negative feedback received by HVSF following the announcement of their plans.
It was clear to me that they are listening intently and addressing concerns through a thoughtful design process. They have engaged Nelson Byrd Woltz, a world-class landscape design firm. If you are unfamiliar with their work, take a minute to peruse some stunning examples at nbwla.com.
As someone who has spent 20 years working in sustainable land use, I can assure you that the vision is spot on. HVSF's new home will be an asset for our community. The performances, classes, employment opportunities and visitor experience are sure to be first-rate. I am confident that their plans for managing traffic will be thoughtful and minimize inconvenience to residents.
Dave Llewellyn, Nelsonville
I have loved Garrison since the mid-1980s, when I spent most of my weekends here with my high school friends. Hot summer days were spent splashing in Indian Brook Falls and sitting on the big granite boulders along the Hudson. There was even a kiss at the Gazebo on Garrison's Landing (and no, I'm not saying who).
A little over 15 years ago, when my husband and I were ready to move out of the city, I wanted to show him Garrison. Right away, this was where he wanted to live, too. As a Midwesterner, the opportunity to raise his children in a place with wide-open spaces, fresh air and friendly neighbors spoke to his roots as well.
Quickly, the HVSF became synonymous with summer. One of our favorite things to do with friends from out of town was to take them for a picnic on the lawn of Boscobel and see a performance. Fifteen years and two children later, HVSF now gives our whole family joy. Summers, our children can't wait for the first show of the season, when we book two whole rows, have a huge, group picnic, watch the play, and have ice cream at intermission. Two summers ago, opening night of Robin Hood, with real thunder as a backdrop for the scripted storm in Sherwood Forest was pure magic.
I can understand the concerns in the community about HVSF moving to The Garrison. As a resident of South Highland Road and someone who has to cross Route 9 at Travis Corners almost daily, I'm definitely anxious about the traffic. And I moved where I did because I, too, want peace and quiet and to keep our little piece of heaven as green as possible.
I moved to Garrison because I love this environment and community. I joined the board of the HVSF because I love the festival. I consider myself to be a guardian of my home and its surrounding environment, and as a member of the board of HVSF, at no time have I found my loyalties to be in conflict. In fact, it is my belief that this gift will not only help preserve the peace and green space in Garrison, but improve it.
Golf may look beautiful and be literally green, but it is not environmentally green. Far from having a negative environmental impact, the HVSF plan will have a positive impact on the environment, not only by limiting future development through conservation easements that provide permanent protection, but also by discontinuing golf operations with its enormous adverse water and chemical impact. With its plans to restore those lands to ecologically diverse meadows and woodlands, acres and acres of Garrison land will be improved by this gift.
The limited number of seats envisioned for the new tent (fewer than are in the current tent) should not significantly increase vehicular traffic, and what increases will occur will largely be concentrated outside of rush hour. It is my hope that the comprehensive traffic study that HVSF has commissioned to study the anticipated increase in traffic will help constructively and meaningfully address the problematic intersection at Travis Corners and Route 9. As a member of the board, I will advocate for a solution that will improve and not worsen this condition because to do so is in the best interest of both this community and of HVSF.
Largely overlooked in the discussions about this project is what the community is gaining over and above the phenomenal theater experience that HVSF has already been bringing to the region for more than 30 years. Chris Davis is gifting to this community more than 200 acres of permanently conserved land of which HVSF will be the steward of about half. This is miles and miles of green space preserved for future generations of people from our community. While other golf courses around the country go out of business and are turned into massive real estate developments and shopping malls, we have been given this extraordinary opportunity to enrich and preserve our home, our landscape and our lives.
I am so grateful to Chris Davis for this extraordinary gift to HVSF and to this community. I know that it means generations of wonderful memories, like the ones I have of Garrison, for generations to come.
Sarena Straus, Garrison
I write to support the application of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival to establish a performing arts campus on portions of the Garrison Golf Course property in Garrison.
Members of my family have been residents of Philipstown since the 1850s. My wife Anne and I moved here in 1987 and lived in my grandfather's house, Cat Rock, until 2013 when we sold it. We now live on Old West Point Road West in a cottage that used to be part of the estate.
In the footsteps of the old-time Garrison families, Chris Davis is one of several current-generation philanthropists who has worked to improve the community with their generosity. We are immensely grateful for Mr. Davis's contributions to wise land use, protected outdoor recreation and open space. His work has been an inspiration to others, including me, to see how each of us, with our energy and resources, can make our community an even nicer place to live and raise our children.
The HVSF has also worked to improve our community. For over 30 years, it has brought theater lovers to the beautiful Boscobel campus, enabling visitors to revel in that venue's spectacular views and rich heritage while providing a world-class theater experience in its open-air tent, and enhancing the education of Hudson Valley students.
Now Mr. Davis has donated a substantial tract of land so that the HVSF might have a permanent home, free from the constraints necessary to operate as Boscobel's tenant.
A number of our neighbors have concerns about crowds, traffic, environmental degradation, parking, the loss of the golf-course, noise, and other things. Some say that HVSF will become a "major developer" and build out the property with many buildings. I respect those concerns and take them seriously. But, as with any major change to our landscapes and our lives, compromise enables progress.
I don't see a problem with crowds; crowds have been coming to Boscobel to picnic and see the HVSF performances for over 30 years. Crowds have been coming to use The Garrison's restaurant and event facilities for years. That they might, on a weekend night, be on the same campus at the same time doesn't bother me: with the right infrastructure, they, and Philipstown, can handle them.
Traffic? Boscobel has only a single entrance / exit; at least The Garrison property has two two-way entrances / exits. Getting onto the fast-moving Route 9 will be a challenge, but thorough traffic studies and road improvements are part of the plan.
Rather than environmental degradation, I see environmental improvement. Golf courses, with their monoculture of grass, huge needs for water, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer, are notoriously impactful on the ecosystem. (Some of my golfing friends remind me that maintaining a golf course does not have to be so environmentally destructive, and I agree). Re-wilding the hillsides, creating gardens and walking trails amongst pollinator plants and native trees would be a welcome and refreshing change. 88 acres of trees were felled to build the Garrison Golf Course. Wildlife and people will benefit from restoring the original habitats.
The parking arrangements that I see in the plans seem to me attractive, appropriate, and practical.
The Planning Board has asked that all plans – for 30 years out – be part of the HVSF's application. That makes it look as if a large construction project will be under way. If the construction of a small cottage village to house artists starts 20 years from now, I say "fine." The amount of land to be used in that cottage scheme is barely more than a few acres. Having housed actors and staff in our own home in the early days of HVSF, I know what a treat it is to have these creative people nearby.
Noise from HVSF programs has never been a problem for the neighbors at Boscobel, although there have been complaints from some neighbors in years past when Boscobel allowed loud wedding receptions. Nevertheless, HVSF has commissioned a thorough acoustical study for the Garrison site.
Overall, I see the HVSF proposal as exciting, bold, daring, and hugely valuable to the environment, to wildlife, and to the community. Their ambitions have been encouraged by the amazing gift of land from Mr. Davis; the project will improve the cultural and intellectual life of all of us in Philipstown. It is the kind of thing that generations of Philipstown families would have been proud to support wholeheartedly.
Fred Osborn, Garrison
If there were ever a win-win outcome, this is it. The transformation of The Garrison golf course to permanent open space, with HVSF as a unique cultural amenity that economically supports the communities in which it resides, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
We, as residents and as taxpayers, need to encourage our local authorities to support this extraordinary and important contribution to our community.
I first aspired to play the Garrison golf course in the early 1990s and have played here many times (never very well). I have been a resident of Cold Spring for almost two decades, and, importantly, acknowledge that the world and our place within it is changing. Unabated and uncontrolled suburban growth presents dire consequences to our open air, food and water supplies, and can lead to noise and traffic issues and overburdened municipal services like schools.
As a former public official responsible for economic development, as well as a fiduciary and board member to several park and land conservation groups, I know firsthand how difficult finding the right balance between growth and conservation can be, and how unique the proposed solution really is. "The responsible use of land" is a hallmark of great public policy. The public land use review process plays a key role in achieving this balance.
It's never easy for people to accept change; the fear of the unknown is innate to all of us. I urge our community leaders to remember that HVSF has been a terrific community partner for over 30 years and makes immeasurable positive contributions to each of our daily lives. Any change may affect us each slightly differently but through the deliberate review process, I'm confident that reasonable people can exchange their respective views and an even better plan may result.
This proposed plan conserves the bulk of The Garrison golf course as open space forever, facilitates a unique cultural use with economic opportunities and provides huge upside advantages for all the members of our communities.
Improved quality of life, positive financial impact from job creation and the associated economic multiplier to our local economy uniquely combine to make Chris Davis's gift and the HVSF plan a true win-win-win for all of us. Please urge your local representatives to support this plan.
Robert Lieber, Cold Spring
I remember the very first HVSF summer at Boscobel. I was on the board and had the assignment to negotiate the first lease.
The summer prior there was a performance at Manitou of Midsummer's Night Dream and the HVSF was born. The festival grew organically and became a jewel in our community. Many of us brought our friends to experience the beauty of the river and this unique way of enjoying and experiencing Shakespeare. We were so proud.
HVSF Summer Camp was born and the educational programs soon followed. Teens were employed to sell raffle tickets concessions and usher. Year after year new performers and directors brought their artistic interpretations of the old texts to welcoming audiences. Proud of our hometown festival the lawn of Boscobel became the highlight of summer evenings. HVSF has been woven into the fabric of Philipstown.
Now at the next crossroads can we really question the value of HVSF? The studies address all the concerns of traffic, (less) noise, environment, growth, views and future growth.
What is not addressed is that immeasurable value of a summer evening gathering with families and friends, the joy of introducing our children and now grandchildren to the communal experience of being part of something excellent in our own backyard. Being an audience member is being part of the collaborative process of creating art. We experience human connection with both the actors and our fellow audience members.
The minds at work and the generosity of this gift are not to be feared but celebrated. Dig in and understand the facts. This new home will not hurt our hometown but will allow the HVSF to continue to be one of our greatest assets.
Carolyn Rossi Copeland, Garrison
I have watched the HVSF develop from the gym of a school, to the forests of Manitoba to its glorious home under the tent of Boscobel with the gorgeous Hudson River and Constitution Marsh as its backdrop.
My husband and I joined many pre-performance picnickers, sometimes with family, and we even shared delectables and beverages with strangers, on the magnificent airy, elegant grounds. Never was there anyone unruly, never was there any chaos or noise, and the birds continued to chirp happily til sunset. I know — I'm a birder. After the performance, within an hour, cars left very quietly, and orderly in line to their various destinations. I doubt that Cold Spring was ever aware of the theater traffic.
On the other hand, reading all the protests of the Garrison residents that about The Garrison golf course: I have dined at the Hudson Valley Inn there and could not help but be aware of the raucous, inebriated wedding guests down the hall from the restaurant. And the neighbors are concerned about the traffic from HVSF!
I remember Philipstown from the 1980s. Many folks in Garrison either have short memories or were not in Garrison at that time. The lovely property was sold to a developer in the 1980s and Philipstown held its breath. Finally, a Japanese investors group purchased the property with also an eye to developing many condominiums. Plans were moving forward.
We should be blessing Chris Davis, an Open Space Institute board member, who arranged to co-invest with OSI and save the property from plans that were becoming very "concrete." If memory serves, Chris invested heavily in restoring the golf course and the surrounding buildings and made it the absolutely gorgeous grounds and venue it became. It is his choice to sell his private property if he is not getting the return on his investment he needed. So instead of selling it to another developer, he offered it to the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Is this not kismet? Pun intended.
Working with OSI, Chris is highly aware of the importance of maintaining land for wildlife, which is why the partnership invested in the property in the first place. I have never known the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society or Constitution Marsh (National Audubon), which abuts Boscobel, to voice wildlife concerns with HVSF at Boscobel. PHAS and Constitution Marsh jointly run an Eagle Fest Program every February at Boscobel.
I have walked on trails in Boscobel and did not note any disturbances in nature, and the turtles from Constitution Marsh still ascend to Boscobel to lay their eggs every spring.
Families who attend performances, from my observations, have been nothing but polite, courteous, and appreciative of the nature that abounds, as well as the lovely productions that emanate from the tent. The grounds are maintained beautifully and kept spotless and Philipstown was always appreciative of the jewel in the midst.
Davis McCallum as artistic director of the HVSF has spent years exploring characters, people, history and certainly the culture of the Hudson Valley. He has exhibited only interest in working his productions safely and sensitively with the environment. He has also exhibited openness in discussing ideas and concerns and working with the community.
So, I believe those in Garrison who object — decades after Chris saved the Golf Course from true developers — and Philipstown has benefited gloriously having the HVSF in Cold Spring, are disingenuous when they express concern about the HVSF in "their backyard." Let's be delighted to have them as our good stewards and neighbors.
Adele Stern, Philipstown
About Contributor
This piece is by a contributor to The Current who is not on staff. Typically this is because it is a letter to the editor or a guest column.
More by Contributor
Type: Opinion
Opinion: Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer's interpretation of facts and data.
3 thoughts on "Letters: Shakespeare Plans"
Stephen Wallis on May 3, 2021 at 5:09 am said:
A few windy and cold Sundays ago, I was riding my bike up Snake Hill Road and was past the Snake and onto the second or third hill. I was late for a site tour at The Garrison (GGC) with my friend T. The day before I was summoned to tea at our friend and neighbor J's place. There was a cancellation and she didn't want to waste good cucumber and salmon sandwiches and homemade scones. I was the obvious choice.
T was there as were my family S, S, J, and our dog M. We talked about how nice it was to get out and socialize. We talked about gardening, family, C19 and the HVSF. I said that I love the HVSF but how I was concerned how their coming to the GGC could affect our peace and quiet and how I felt frustrated that this deal was so badly rolled out. We all were in agreement. When T said that she was invited to a site tour the following day, I asked if I could tag along.
So there I was on the second or third hill, out of breath, when I saw a bump in the road ahead. The bump was a bird and it was just sitting there, round and quiet. I quickly put my bike down and looked at it. It looked back. Good sign I thought.
When I grew up on Madison Avenue, my parents bought me a bird. A finch. It's name was Toots. We called it Toots because we didn't know if it was a he or she. In today's world Toots would identify as They. We also called the bird Toots as I used to read Damon Runyon stories. Toots didn't live long as his cage got hit by a Nerf football in our living room. Toots waited until the next morning when I lifted the cage cover to keel over. His final goodbye. My dad buried him at sea, meaning he flushed him down the toilet.
So there I am with this bird and luckily the road is quiet. I'm not too sure if I should touch him with my hands or not. I wasn't afraid to touch it, I just didn't want to freak it out. So I grab two empty cigarette packs along the side of the road and gently push it (gender neutral) off the road and up the embankment. A few cars and bike rider goes by, but nobody stops to offer help. So I get it to a safe spot, strategically place the cigarette packs lower down and continue on my way.
So I am winded when I get to the GGC and see "the group." I was welcomed by D and others. Somehow, I end up speaking pretty soon (not surprising if you know me). I apologized that I didn't want to take over what they wanted to talk about. We spoke about the dangers of Route 9 and that the GGC entrance/exit was only feet after the end of the southbound passing lane and that years earlier I had pulled my Panther Pink truck out from Coleman onto 9 with nobody there when all of a sudden there was a black Audi blowing its horn and actually trying to pass me on my right and ended up inches from the guardrail in front of the entrance to the GGC. I stopped my truck in the middle of 9 and asked the woman with curly hair if she had lost her mind. I also told the story of the guy who passed me over the double yellow into oncoming traffic and my braking to let him in only for him to exit at the gas station one mile down the road. Hopefully, DOT will put in a traffic light there. I said that if you want one, ya gotta speak to the top, Andy Cuomo. I'm sure that more than one Philipstown resident has AC on speed dial. Please start dialing, as this ain't Route 9D and there will be way more traffic volume than at Boscobel. (Please don't tell me that everything else other than the tent and back house is WAY in the future, I ain't buying it).
Then we walked to a spot where the picnic area would be. Gorgeous. And then to where the tent would be. Amazing. T asked why the tent couldn't be moved a bit lower down the hill so the view of the Hudson wouldn't be interrupted. D said that the actors needed to come out of that spot and that this wasn't the highest spot. I wasn't so sure about those reasons.
We talked a bit more and went to look at where the Artists in Residence (AIR) housing would be. D said that they were thinking of making a more dormitory format down the hill for the 20 somethings and a few single cabins for the more mature crowd. I said that sounded like a better footprint and more efficient for heating and that NT from the PPB had suggested something similar. It was also mentioned that CD was thinking of gifting another 18 acres to conservation, part of which is directly in front of my house. I said that would be a great thing, as I had been concerned about the AIR's coming back after a performance and celebrating directly across from my open windows.
I also expressed my concerns about the pollution coming from all of the people coming in their cars, septic, etc. F said that maybe the cars will be all electric one day. Let's hope, but that's not a strategy for right now.
We all said goodbye and I was appreciative to have been able to express my views in such a beautiful spot. D gave me his card and said please stay in touch. I wish that many of my neighbors could have had a similar tour much earlier on so that we could have had the ability to open a dialogue instead of just reading things in the news (hint, hint D & HVSF).
Oh, and that birdy? I cycled back and looked for those two horizontally placed cigarette packets. I found them, went up the embankment, Toots looks at me and I at it, and Toots jumped up and flew away. That made my day and still does.
I hope (not a strategy, ask Obama, who I will always miss) that all of the visitors in their cars will stop to do what I did on that beautiful road when they are coming to the show and not just be doing 60 in a 35 (hint, hint PPB). More to come.
John O'Rourke on May 7, 2021 at 9:32 am said:
I cannot count the number of times I have seen this same argument unfold. It's older than Putnam County, St. Andrews and the Montagues. If we don't solve this argument rightly now, this quarrel will tear the county apart. Golf versus Shakespeare, Shakespeare versus golf.
I watched this same feud plague Herkimer County in 2007 and Calaveras County in 1998. Each party, the Shakespeare group and the golf group, is judicious at first but eventually the disagreement will become obstreperous and finally malicious. The tectonic rift will polarize and partition this town worse than a vote to build a new high school gymnasium. The stakes are too high!
Mark Twain famously opined on the matter in 1909, but knew to avoid getting between these aged rivals: "Golf is a good walk spoiled," he penned, as a clear nod to the Shakespeare team; but then, not to hold a bias, he wrote this in Is Shakespeare Dead?: "From away back toward the beginning of the Shakespeare-Bacon controversy I have been on the Bacon side and wanted to see our majestic Shakespeare unhorsed." He was speaking about attorney, philosopher and noted golfer Sir Francis Bacon, and he was making a clear nod to the golf team.
I wish this all could be solved civilly through a mutual agreement that benefits everyone, but we're far past that point, centuries past. There is only one way I know of to resolve this fight. A duel? That would give an advantage to the Shakespeare crowd. A chip off? That would give an advantage to the golfing crowd. A dance-off? Advantage Shakespeare again. How then, you ask?
An arm-wrestling contest, street rules, last person standing. The same way they pick the pope. This summer, winners take all, at the Desmond-Fish library. It's gonna be a melee where the books lay.
Hildreth and Dan Potts on May 18, 2021 at 6:52 pm said:
One way or another, the Garrison golf course will soon be history. That is the express desire of its owner, Mr. Davis, who no longer wants to run an 18-hole golf course. HVSF was offered the use of a portion of the land and has proposed and extensively researched a thoughtful, long-term site plan that prioritizes environmental restoration while creating a marvelous venue for theatrical productions. HVSF will play an active role in land conservation and stewardship in a way that few other entities eyeing the site ever would. No one should forget that a housing development was once proposed for the same site -– perish the thought!
A cost-benefit analysis is always wise, but it is also only as good as the relative weighting given to the variables included in it. There are understandably diametrically opposed, positive or negative conclusions before the Planning Board that are entirely dependent upon the variables chosen and their weighting. HVSF has been tremendously accommodating and continues to listen to and change in response to local concerns. It should be underscored that the plans proposed would be undertaken over two decades, not all at once. This long term approach is unusual and farsighted, encouraging really adaptive land use.
From an environmental perspective, the proposal has so many advantages. All one has to do is walk to the top of the 11th hole to notice the conspicuous absence of birdsong and insect noises, particularly bees, anywhere on the golf course. This is because golf courses do not encourage the interlacing ecosystems which encourage the growth of integrated life. You find geese in passage and their many droppings and the occasional crow. There are at present neither flowers for insects nor bushes for birds and other animals.
From a safety perspective, there is a huge advantage to having HVSF at the Garrison site. Increased traffic will underscore the need for a traffic light at the intersection of Snake Hill Road/Travis Corners Road and Route 9. There has already been a death at this intersection and many near misses as anyone who makes this crossing daily knows. The DOT apparently requires two deaths before they take a serious look at the need for a traffic light! However, statistics showing increased traffic flow are the key gating metric justifying the addition of a traffic signal, and this will surely be the case here.
From a social and personal enrichment perspective, HVSF is a huge gift. The presence of Shakespeare and exposure to other playwrights afforded by the countless, marvelous performances at Boscobel over the years has given untold pleasure and enrichment to thousands and thousands of people. The removal of that benefit would be devastating. HVSF could have gone across the river, upstate, who knows where. The perpetuation of all this organization does in our cultural life is a benefit which is quite literally incalculable. It is intangible. It would be crude pseudo-science to even attempt to put a dollar value on it — and HVSF is an important local employer. Even should local taxes be raised a bit, our children and grandchildren will have the advantage of summer job opportunities and possibly a chance to perform themselves.
Theater and the arts more broadly should never be taken for granted. If HVSF were to shutter completely, or move to another locale far from Philipstown, the void left by its absence would be felt by an enormous number of people, some die-hard theatergoers, other first timers who have never seen a Shakespeare play performed before. The magic created every summer by HVSF is something that could disappear in a heartbeat. Life in the Hudson Highlands would not be the same without the HVSF. Anyone who believes we could simply move on and find some other source of cultural nourishment should think long and hard about just how accustomed we have become to having a marvelous theater experience in a stunningly beautiful setting on our doorstep every summer. The loss of HVSF would be catastrophic. We urge everyone to think about this as you do your own cost-benefit analysis. For us, there is simply no question that the benefits far outweigh any potential costs, whether a slight rise in taxes or traffic.
HVSF and the Hudson Highlands Land Trust are extraordinarily wise choices for the ongoing stewardship of this beautiful piece of land. The benefits will accrue for generations to come.
Galef Says She Plans to Retire From Assembly (Updated) by Leonard Sparks | posted on January 14, 2022


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