by JD Eiseman

Scaling Up Solar. While it is urgent and important to install renewables as the backbone to the emerging green energy economy, large landowners are being offered seemingly lucrative long-term leases (as much as $1,000 - $2,000 per acre per year), but which run the risk of stripping landowners of virtually all their property rights. This forum, Scaling Up Solar: Exercising Caution with Large-Scale Solar Leases to Protect Area Farmers and Other Large Landowners, features attorneys, assessors, and other resource people who can advise farmers and other large landowners how to protect themselves—and what alternatives are available if they chose to develop large-scale solar on their property. This event is free and open to the public.  Pre-register at surveymonkey.com/r/solarleases. mannajo@aol.com. Rosendale Community Center, 1055 Rt. 32, Rosendale, NY. April 4, 7–9pm.

Conversation on UN Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of a 17-point plan meant to positively transform our world by ending poverty, combating climate change, and fighting injustice and inequality. It is a 15-year global plan of goals and targets for achieving human and planetary sustainability. So far, 193 governments have agreed on the plan and many leading businesses and organizations back it. Jimena Leiva-Roesch, Policy Analyst at the International Peace Institute, will lead a conversation on this subject. Please RSVP to info@lifebridge.org. Free. Lifebridge Sanctuary, 333 Mountain Road, Rosendale. April 6, 5:30-7:30pm.

2016 Woodstock Writers Festival. In what’s become an early springtime tradition in the famed artists’ colony of the Hudson Valley, the 7th Annual Woodstock Writers Festival is gearing up for another phenomenal year, with a blockbuster schedule that gives attendees an up-close-and-personal experience with those who are shaping the literary world today. One-day workshop intensives, signature panels, and a Bowie-themed story slam are all on this year’s agenda. Schedule, updates, event locations, and ticket info online. woodstockwriters.com. Multiple Locations, Woodstock, NY, April 7-10.

Seed Swap. The Phoenicia Library and Shandaken Community Gardens will be holding their second annual seed swap. Bring your saved garden seeds to swap with others. All seeds must be organically grown and non-hybrid. Seeds will be available to purchase. Anyone interested in gardening and seed saving is encouraged to attend. sansho5@yahoo.com. 845-688-7811. Phoenicialibrary.org. Phoenicia Library, 48 Main Street, Phoenicia. April 9, 10am-12pm.

Shirt Factory Group Show. Group exhibition from artists who live and work in the industrial spaces turned artists’ studios at Kingston’s former Shirt Factory building. Since 2002, the Shirt Factory and its sister buildings have gathered a community of over a hundred creative people from both the visual and performing arts fields. The show focuses on two dozen of those artists, working in painting, photography, sculpture, and ceramics. Wired Gallery, 11 Mohonk Road, High Falls. Opening reception: April 9, 5-7pm. Exhibit on view Saturdays and Sundays through May 15, 11am-4pm.

Crazy Hat Bingo. Crazy Hat Bingo is the annual fundraiser that helps underwrite all community events in the hamlet of High Falls (such as the Christmas Tree Lighting, Green Up Days, the Pet Show in May, and A Fair Day in High Falls in July). Features a buffet meal with desserts, coffee, and tea, provided by local restaurants, food artisans, and caterers. BYOB (adult beverages allowed). Hats will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges, stars of stage, screen and the art world. $20/adults, $15/seniors. No one under 21 admitted and advance reservations are strongly suggested. Email your name and number in your party to eschoelwer6@gmail.com or call 845-687-3473. Marbletown Community Center, 3564 Route 209, Stone Ridge. April 9, 7-10pm.

Accord Speedway Opening Night. The racing season kicks off this spring with races in all divisions. Season passes, membership available. 845-626-1142. Accordspeedway.com. Accord Speedway, 299 Whitfield Road, Accord. April 15.

Kingston Antique Show and Flea Market. This large-scale showcase will feature a fascinating and desirable mix of antiques, uniques, collectibles and crafts, as well as all manner of new and used items. This great family fun day will also include free children’s activities and lunch; the show’s kitchen will be open all day serving up tasty refreshments. $5 per adult, free for accompanied children under 12.  Donating a non-perishable food item provides $1 off the entry fee (limit 1 per person.)  All collected items will be donated to People’s Place food pantry in Kingston. Murphy Mid-Town Center, 467 Broadway, Kingston. April 16, 10am-4pm.

Canal Society Spring Clean-Up. The Delaware and Hudson Canal Society and Museum will host a Volunteer Day, asking supporters to help clear the Five Lock Walk and the D&H Canal Museum grounds. Bring your own hand tools (not powered, please). Refreshments will be served. D&H Canal Museum, 23 Mohonk Road, High Falls. April 16, 10:30am.

Pigs for Beginners. This course covers the basics of caring for pigs including food and water needs, shelter requirements, and the use of tree mast to supplement their diets. Whether you’re interested in beginning a 4-H project, putting the pig’s powerful noses to work to improve your property, or raising your own delicious pork products, this class will review all that you need to know to get started. The class will be led by CCE Livestock Educator, Jason Detzel, who has multiple years raising pigs on his own property. $20 or $10 for enrolled members of the CCE Agriculture Program. Children 12 and under free with a parent. Ulster.cce.cornell.edu. 845-340-3990 x311. CCEUC Education Center, 232 Plaza Road, Kingston on April 13, 6-8pm or Ulster Co. Fairgrounds, 249 Libertyville Road, New Paltz on April 20, 6-8pm.

Kingston YMCA Farm Project Community Work Weekend. Kingston YMCA Farm Project invites you to join them at the farm for a fun work day to prepare for a new, productive year. Participants will shovel, weed, and seed the ground to prepare for a bountiful third season. Tools are provided and all ages are welcome. The Kingston YMCA Farm Project is a member of the Live Well Kingston Coalition as part of their Eat Well Focus Team, which aims to unite those working on the food system in Kingston in order to facilitate and strengthen communication and engagement of residents and organizations in activities to access and utilize healthier food. Kingston YMCA Farm Project, 507 Broadway, Kingston. April 16 and 17, 10am-2pm.

Free Community Holistic Healthcare Day. Free healthcare (first-come, first-served) offered by a variety of practitioners including medical doctors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, psychologists, and a wide variety of energy healers. Sponsored by the Rondout Valley Holistic Health Community at the Marbletown Community Center. Though no money or insurance is required, RVHHC invites patients to give a donation or an hour of volunteer community service if they can. Every third Tuesday of the month. Marbletown Community Center, 3564 Main Street, Stone Ridge. April 19, 4-8pm.

4-H Intro to Veterinary Science Program. Youth ages 8 to 12 with an interest in animals and veterinary science can now sign up for the 4-H Intro to Veterinary Science Program. Youth will explore animal science careers and learn practical skills from rehabilitation specialists, veterinarians, SUNY Ulster professors, students, and other area professionals. $15 for 4-H members; $20 for non-members. Participation limited to 30 students. Register online. Reg.cce.cornell.edu. 845-340-3990, ext. 340. SUNY Ulster, 491 Cottekill Road, Stone Ridge. April 23, 9:30am-2pm.

Unsung Heroes of the Rondout Valley: Celebrating Our Elder Farmers. SageArts, in collaboration with the Rondout Valley Growers Association, will host a benefit concert to celebrate the elder farmers of Rondout Valley. Suggested donation for tickets is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For children under 18 and elders over 70, suggested donation is $5. 50% of all profits go to RVGA to fund programming to support local farmers. sagearts.org. Rondout Valley High School Auditorium, 122 Kyserike Road, Accord. April 24, 3-6pm.

Float the Boat Clearwater Benefit Concert. It's a great line-up: Kim & Reggie Harris, Magpie, Betty & the Baby Boomers, Fiona, Roger the Jester & Bob Reid (he'll be out on the East coast for a rare visit with his new singing partner Judi Jaeger)! Doors open at 11:30am. Rosendale Community Center, 1055 Rt. 32, Rosendale. April 24, 12pm.

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