Schenectady Today -- In and Around the Capital Region
Filmed January 27, 2015 (Show #865)

Photographs by Malcolm Kogut-- Website by Gregg Millett

The Importance of Being Earnest! A classic Oscar Wilde play! -- Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guests: Karen Christina Jones (Director), Sandra Cimmino (Costume Designer), Julia Jaster (Actor, 'Cecily Cardew'), Phil Matthei (Actor, "Lane & Merriman") and Jason Tillery (Actor, "Jack Worthing"). This classic is sure to fill Proctors with laughter with the adventures of Earnest. In the setting of West Harlem 1900 in this production, two Howard graduates, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, find love under hilarious circumstances. Come join the Classic Theater Guild Inc. to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the premiere of Wilde's greatest work The Classic Theater Guild's mission statement and message we would like to share with the Capital Region, is that CTG has been established exclusively for the advancement of education in the theater arts through, among other things, the production of contemporary and classical plays. The Guild also works to strengthen theatre arts, support emerging playwrights, encourage education in the Arts, present a diverse array of topics, and encourage persons to enter acting by promoting the benefits of dramatic entertainment to educational institutions and to the general public. Organization: Classic Theater Guild Event: "The Importance of Being Earnest" Location of event: Proctors Fenimore Gallery Date/Time: Jan 30 – Feb 8 (Special matinee on Thursday Feb. 5 at 10 am. Cost: $18.50 general Admission & $15.50 students/seniors Facebook: Yes. Website: www.ClassicTheaterGuild.com
To watch this segment CLICK HERE.

We are visited by two Birds of Prey! Creation of Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area! -- Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guest(s): Laurie LaFond (Friends of the Washington County Grasslands IBA), Kelly Martin (Pres. NYS Wildlife Rehab Council) & Clifford Mealy (Media) along with a short eared owl and Quetzal (American). Friends of the IBA celebrated our first land acquisition in November! The donation of the Loftus parcel will permanently protect 14 acres of critical habitat in the heart of the IBA. It is a favorite spot for Snowy Owls and other wintering raptors! We were awarded a $20,000 grant for the creation of the Alfred Z. Solomon Grassland Bird Viewing Area at the site and expect to break ground Spring of 2015. Friends of the IBA President Laurie LaFond said the handicapped accessible Viewing Area will be built on the nonprofit's recently acquired Loftus parcel, located on County Route 42 in the Town of Fort Edward. The land was donated to the nonprofit Friends of the IBA group by Gerald and Joanne Loftus. The donation advanced Friends of the IBA's mission of educating the public about and protecting critical grassland bird habitat for endangered Short-eared Owls and other threatened birds that depend on the Washington County Grasslands for their survival. The site is a prime spot for viewing wintering hawks and owls. Experience the wonder of raptors in flight when Friends of the IBA's 5th annual Winter Raptor Fest returns to the heart of the Washington County Grasslands Important Bird Area in Fort Edward on March 28 & 29, 2015! See and learn about many of our native owls, hawks and falcons in Live Bird of Prey programs and "free-flight" demos by Master Falconers. Sign up for an Owl Watch or guided bird walk for your chance to encounter Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers, Snowy Owls and other wintering raptors in the wild! Horse-drawn sleigh or wagon rides, food vendors, kid's activities, exhibitors and more round out this fun and exciting weekend where raptors rule! Organization: Friends of the Washington County Grasslands IBA (Important Bird Area) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Location: based in Fort Edward and Whitehall. Upcoming Event: Winter Raptor Fest 2015 on March 28 (10 am to 4 pm) & March 29 (11 am to 4 pm) at Gallup Ridge Farm, Fort Edward, NY. Adults $10 and $5 for kids under 12 Contact Information: Friends of the IBA, P.O. Box 82, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Visit or call (518) 796-6003 for more info. Website: www.ibafriends.org and www.WinterRaptorFest.com
To watch this segment CLICK HERE.

Barge Canal/ Mohawk River Flooding at Schenectady Examined! -- Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guest(s): Jim Duggan (Consultant) and Russell Wege (Engineer) "Out of sight and around the bend is the location of the massive Vischer Ferry Dam and Lock 7 complex. In my opinion, this structure, constructed over a six-year period beginning in 1907, is the key to flood control in the Schenectady, Glenville, Scotia area." (Russ Wege in Daily Gazette Article). A century of repeated, severe runoff-flooding has affected the Scotia, Schenectady and Eastern Glenville portion of the canalized Mohawk River. Downstream, the "fixed" concrete Lock 7 (Vischer Ferry) Dam relies on overflow alone to discharge runoff. Note: The NYS Canal Corporation (NYSCC) and NY Power Authority (NYPA) manage it. Our local municipalities should engage to resolve the deficiency of the Lock 7 Dam as a high-priority goal: controllably lower the impounded water-surface level there to allow a short-term slope or gradient to increase flow-velocity downstream from the Lock 8 area. To succeed, we need reliably committed follow-through adaptive action. Thus, we can achieve advanced risk-management and its benefits, rather than depending so much on after-the-fact emergency-management, building physical barriers etc. Organization: Erie Canal Website: www.ErieCanal.org


Ground-breaking at the Sch'dy Civic Playhouse! -- Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guest: Joe Fava, Representative. Sch'dy Civic Players will be breaking ground to start on major renovations including a new elevator and a corridor between the two buildings. This has been a long time plan and is not in the process of happening. Organization: Schenectady Civic Players Event: Groundbreaking Ceremony Location of event: 12 South Church Street Date/Time: Thursday, Jan 29 at 12:30 pm Contact Information: 382-2081 Facebook: Yes "Schenectady Civic Players" Website: www.CivicPlayers.org

"Rabbit Hole" Family Survival! -- Segment on Schenectady Today In & Around the Capital Region with Guests: Jennifer Van lderstyne (Director), Amy Lane (Becca) and Robin MacDuffie (Howie). The play deals with the ways that family members survive a major loss, and includes comedy as well as drama. In this "gripping, funny and heartfelt family drama," Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. Rabbit Hole charges their bittersweet search for comfort in the darkest of places and for a path that will lead them back into the light of day. Organization: Schenectady Civic Players Event: "Rabbit Hole" Location of event: 12 South Church St. Sch'dy (Stockade) Date/Time: varies Jan 30 – Feb 1 and Feb 4-8 -- Wed-Thurs at 7:30 pm; Fri-Sat at 8 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm. Cost: All Tickets $17 Contact Information: 382-2081 or at www.Proctors.org (346-6207) Facebook: Yes Website: www.civicplayers.org