PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW OPENING FIRST FRIDAY; WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Bob Johnston Photography Show and Competition, January 7th to January 29th, 2011, is being sponsored by the Cooperative Gallery 213 on State St. in Binghamton as a tribute to the late Johnston who was a founding member of the gallery. “We are delighted that thirty five photographers submitted some great images,” said Bill Gorman, a gallery member. “It shows great interest in photography as an art form.”
The open themed, non-juried show was judged by Dave Williams of Beyond the Print, a photo store. Cash prizes and a supporting membership will be awarded to the Judge's Choices. The photograph chosen as Best in Show is “Singin’ the Blues: Railroad Depot” by Mike Ricciardi. Two Judge’s Choices are “Dawn at Kastro Church” by Greg Chianis and “Gas Tank” by John Normile. Two honorable mentions were also selected: “Shadows on the Snow” by Geoffrey Gould and “Winter Sunset” by Larry Lefferts. Cash prizes and supporting memberships will be awarded to the Judge's Choices.
There is a closing reception for photographers, members and their friends at 3 pm on Saturday January 29th, 2011. Dave Williams, of Beyond the Print, a photo store in Vestal, the judge for the Competition will be on hand to discuss photography.
See recent article in Press about final rules which ease requirements for farming but not sewage treatment plants: http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20101229/NEWS01/12290374/EPA-loosen...
From the Chesapeake Bay Foundation website cbf.org:
The 2010 State of the Bay Report notes that the Chesapeake Bay is showing encouraging signs of rebounding but is still in critical condition as a result of pollution. The numeric index of the Bay's health jumped three points from 2008 to 2010, with eight of 13 indicators rising. The indicator for the health of the blue crab population spiked 15 points, as the Bay's population increased significantly last year. Also, underwater grasses showed steady progress for the fourth year in a row. But the overall health index of the Bay is 31 out of 100, which means it is still a system dangerously out of balance. To see the video on this report, go to: http://www.youtube.com/v/N3G7Qctb6j4.
The Southern Tier is being asked to help restore the Chesapeake by upgrading its sewage treatment plants, and by asking farmers to prevent run-off of fertilizer and animal waste. Critics of the plan, including NYS officials, suggest that the remediation is just too expensive, especially during a recession. But is there any interest in saving the Chesapeake? Would planting trees along farm fields be helpful? What communities are still discharging waste into the Susquehanna or upstream?
Seven years, two camsex weeks and four days until a world without hunger and war In two weeks and hardly four days, a global campaign will be launched with the goal in just seven years to organise a world without hunger and war.
The beginning of a new era of mankind, promises the website: http://www.eleven-one-eleven.org. On 11th January 2011 the campaign is launched for a world without hunger and war. No details of the campaign will be revealed before the launch.
In just four short years since its inception, VINES has established five
community gardens and the Binghamton Urban Farm Project (BUF). VINES’ current
community gardens are providing Binghamton residents with nearly 70 garden
beds to use for growing their own fruits and vegetables. At the same time,
the VINES community gardens have brought together people across generations,
cultures, religious affiliations, and social and economic classes to turn
blighted properties into community assets. New this season, the Binghamton
Urban Farm (BUF) Project has transformed a blighted urban property into an
productive urban farm. BUF is an intensive food growing project managed by
volunteers to provide food directly to residents through farmers’ markets,
an onsite farm stand, work trade and donations to food pantries. The BUF
Project is located in Center City on Tudor Street and will ultimately cover
four contiguous lots, totaling a half of an acre. VINES has also been able
to use additional land for the BUF project in Conklin at the site of the
Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) growing site in exchange for
volunteer support to improve and maintain the larger site.
The women of the Y are getting in touch with their inner artist! This fall we were lucky enough to combine forces with local artist, Yvonne Lucia, to create a beautiful garden-themed mosaic in our 2nd Floor Womens Room.
Our venture started in October. Each Monday evening from 5p – 7pm the women residents gathered around a table filled with colorful tiles and gems. They laughed, told stories, and shared a sense of community while gluing the colorful pieces on to mesh mounting grids. Their efforts were rewarded when they grouted them to the wall and were finally able to enjoy the mosaic in it's completed form (which measures approximately 5' x 7').
Although the task was time consuming and messy, the end result was worthwhile. Each of these women will forever be a part of the YWCA's history through this piece of art. To celebrate we hosted a Mosaic Reception to honor Yvonne and the residents who participated in this artistic project.
Art is a powerful tool. It allows personal expression, decreases stress & anxiety, and increases self confidence. The YWCA hopes to continue to offer our residents opportunities for artistic expression. We have started a monthly art group and hope to connect with other local artists interested in volunteering their time and creativity with our women.
Interview with David Moberg, senior editor with In These Times, conducted by Scott Harris
Over the past two weeks, French workers have engaged in militant national strikes and massive protests in opposition to President Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62 and the age for a full government pension from 65 to 67 years. Although there is widespread public opposition, the French Senate and National Assembly haves passed different versions of Sarkozy's pension reform bill, and are expected to finalize and approve the law.
Berta Alas is in her early fifties. Each day she has to negotiate the Río Comasagua, the river that lies between her home and the elementary school, chapel, small shops and community center that are the civic heart of El Charcón, Greater Binghamton’s Salvadoran sister city. When the river is low, Berta crosses a rickety suspension bridge. Badly damaged last year by Tropical Storm Ida, the bridge takes her half way across. She wades the rest of the way. When the river rises, as it always does during the six month rainy season, Berta cannot cross at all. The swollen river prevents her husband, Francisco Artiada, a member of the community governing board, from participating in sessions at the casa comunal (the community meeting room). Their five children miss days at school.
With the help of Greater Binghamton, El Charcón is about to get a brand new bridge.
Judy Salton's latest gallery show On the Labyrinth included drawings, 3-D sculptures, and a large kaleidoscope. IMC video collective member Peg Johnston made this short video about the show.
On April 30, 2010 over 130 students worked together with the community to create a Peace Playground at Binghamton's Discovery Center Story Garden. This video documents the culminating day of months preparation for the Binghamton University School of Management scholars. The documentary is a production of Binghamton Indymedia, teachpeacenow.org and Tim Wolcott.
