Saturday, Feb 02, 2008  —  Design Dialogues

Design Dialogues show at SUNY Ulster this Saturday, from 3pm to 5pm. As you may know, I [Michael McDonough] am pleased to be in the show. I used a continuation of last year’s Marbletown Green discussions and the hamlets at Stone Ridge and High Falls as my subject. The idea was to have a virtual design charrette (intense design session) focusing on some of the ideas I discussed privately and publicly with Dan and Peter. I managed to get a group of interested parties involved, and organizations ranging from the United Nations and scientific farming equipment manufacturers to cohousing developers to local groups including Trout Unlimited, Catskill-Delaware Natural Water Alliance, Inc., Southern Catskill Anglers, and the Federated Sportsmen's Clubs of Ulster County, for example, have weighed in. I also spoke briefly to the county with regard to road planning. We cover topics from a proposed design of the farm incorporating new homes and a mixed-use commercial district to US Green Building Council LEED Certification to the Natural Heritage Plan to appropriate green technologies to cohousing to recreational opportunities for children and disabled citizens to high density zoning. (Don’t worry; it is pretty lively despite the tech-talk.) I also cover micro-agriculture throughout the area with the farm as a hub providing knowledge, labor, equipment, and markets. All are welcome; I would love to see you there and explain my investigations and get your reactions. The show will be up until the 29th and I plan to host a special evening discussion later in the month (after collecting public comments). I have attached the texts from the show for your reference. SEE ALSO: EXHIBITION AT SUNY ULSTER: "DESIGN DIALOGUES" FEBRUARY 2-29, 2008 ... An exhibition of the works of designers in a number of fields, “Design Dialogues,” will open at Ulster County Community College’s Muroff Kotler Visual Arts Gallery on Saturday, February 2, with a reception from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Friday, Feb 01, 2008  —  The Yen of Apple Growing: A Workshop

Over the course of six weekends spanning the year and within the coziness of one of the Hudson Valley’s finest orchards, you can work side by wide with me to learn the basics of apple growing. Everyone would learn about the ecology of orchards, practice the art & science of pomology, grow & then harvest their very own apples. The workshops begin in February with some classroom prep. In early Spring we set out to begin growing some apples. Each attendee will be “given” 10 trees to nurture and practice on throughout the year. Over the next nine months, you’ll learn how to prune, fertilize, deal with insects and diseases, determine apple ripeness, and then how to pick and store your own crop of apples. At the end of the course—and at times in between—we’ll enjoy the bounty of the season as we get to know each other and the orchard. Each workshop session has something special planned—like a cooking or processing class—to enhance the experience. If you have ever thought about growing apples in your backyard or even starting a small orchard, then this workshop is a great place to start. Mike Biltonen President, farmer, pomologist Call 845.687.2587 for more information.