"News On The Run"...Things Here in Mountaindale

Woke up to rain...which is fine, as we desperately need some of the wet stuff....especially since it has just been announced that this has been the hottest summer America has ever recorded since record keeping began.  Of course, there are still some (Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan) who will insist Global Warming is a hoax.

We are losing a very talented clothing designer at the end of this month who will be vacating 47 Main Street as she heads back to her home state of Minnesota.  

Many of us suffer from allergies...ragweed, golden rod and other weeds contributing to our suffering.  A walk around our hamlet, and other villages shows us there are several yards/lots that have not been mowed all summer, some of the weeds over four feet in height.  A perfect example of this is the vacant/abandoned lot right next door to the Post Office.  Not sure who owns this lot that so many of us walk by every day, but do know it has not been mowed even once this entire summer. 

Town of Fallsburg ordinances state that grass is not supposed to be taller (on average) than six inches.  Now I can understand an open field out in the country not being mowed, and appreciate the beauty it represents.  But do wonder why it is that vacant/abandoned lots within the limits of a town, village or hamlet are allowed to grow out of control when we have an ordinance requiring that these lots within town limits be maintained...in fact, the ordinance goes so far as to state the town will mow the lots themselves and bill the property owners if these lots are not maintained.  These in town/village/hamlet lots covered in weeds present a serious inconvenience and health hazard to those suffering from allergies, so if Steve Veglianti and the town board are reading this, it would be nice if someone would address this issue here in Mountaindale, and in some of our other small hamlets and villages within their governmental jurisdiction.  Those suffering from allergies would thank you for it.

Don't forget...every Wednesday is OPEN MIC night at Ed's Mountaindale Inn which is located at 69 Main Street in downtown Mountaindale.  Bring your voice, instrument and self and enjoy some great local musical talent from 8 PM till around midnight.

We end on a funny note...apparently there is nothing newsworthy going on in the Town of Fallsburg...vist the town of Fallsburg's reworked webpage for news, and the page is literally BLANK.

Brrrrr...It is SO FREAKING COLD....and of Course, Friday "News on the Run"

Brrrr....DANG, it is seriously cold outside, especially with the howling winds blowing down Main Street, the tattered awnings outside my window fluttering in the breeze.   Not saying it is cold out, but my car doors were frozen solid...took 10 minutes to get in.    This weather will seem like a CAKE WALK by tomorrow night when it is supposed to go down to single digits...as in 2 DEGREES!  So much for that theory I was working on about a mild winter.

To my local friends (Mike, Mark, Patty and Iris) who gave me venison this year, thank you so very much.  Having two small steaks for dinner this evening, and it is ever so tasty.  Pan cooked, some capers, Bermuda onion, herbs, spices, and some Merlot...OMG...so simple, yet so very good...did I mention garlic?

A local recommendation...went over to 2 Good Guys Auto Repair the other day to get a couple of new tires and a oil change.  Great folks, great work, and the price was very reasonable as well.  Give them a call at (845) 434-4107...they do towing to (nice to know in winter)...the towing number is (845) 428-0174.

Reginald Williams

2 Good Guys Auto Repair

49 Roosevelt Ave.

Woodridge, NY 12789

Friday "News on the Run"

The big news for those of us here in New York (besides the weather) involves FRACKING.  Seems that the US EPA beat the comments submission deadline by a scant three hours, and they have quite a bit to say, much of it ANGERING THE INDUSTRY.  Seems like many of us, they do not feel some of the rules go far enough, and specifically, they are calling for LARGER setbacks for our drinking water, while the industry (big surprise) wants even smaller set backs when it comes to protecting our water.  When I ponder the industry's wishes, why does the phrase, "Take a hike" jump quickly to mind.  Could it have anything to do with the fact that I know they are LYING to us?

In his harshest attacks yet on Mitt Romney's job creation claims, Newt Gingrich LAUGHED at him today in Miami...in breaking news...When Newt Gingrich smiled, his face cracked.  In all seriousness, even though I despise Mitt Romney, sure he is having the last laugh knowing that Newt is not n the ballot in his own home state of Virginia where he has lived since becoming a perennial Washington, DC insider. 

A report that made me smile...seems that Apple, who has no clue when it comes to customer service (waving at RW), also has no problems with its supply chain (manufacturing locations) having some pretty horrid work place practices!  Maybe it is time everyone seriously considers boycotting Apple till they can get their customer service and production issues resolved in a HUMANE FASHION?

Wednesday "News on the Run"

Sorry for the absence...been dealing with a few personal problems, such as having my living look like a scene from a bad movie while a section of my ceiling is repaired and re-plastered...fun, fun, fun.  Enjoy today's weather as it starts getting ugly this evening, and Thursday through Saturday does not look very good at all with freezing rain, sleet, and all around miserableness.  All in all though, we have been pretty darn lucky so far this winter...2.5 months still to go though, and we know we will get buried in snow before too long.

Wednesday "News on the Run"

The big news is no real news at all...Mitt Romney won in New Hampshire last night, and this morning all the pundits are on the airwaves telling all the Americans in the other 48 states that our votes don't matter, that the Republican Primary is now all but over.  The real news perhaps, is that controversial candidate Ron Paul came in a very STRONG second...on too the proverbial firewall, South Carolina.

The most trending of story of the morning...seems pot is actually safer for you than cigarettes are...in fact, one CNN reporter this morning compared it to Yoga, explaining that the breathing techniques in both smoking pot and Yoga are similar.

OMG...Hostess, maker of the Twinkie, that delicious cream filled sponge cake that would still taste fresh after a nuclear explosion is in BANKRUPTCY!  A sign of the times, carrot eating, tofu nibbling, drink a veggie smoothie healthy people putting a national treasure at risk of being no more...OH WOE IS ME.  The silver lining....we can all go out and buy a few cases and stick them down in the basement knowing they will still be there ready to eat when the grand kids come over.

 

FAA needs to just butt out and let the Whooping Cranes fly...OK, the this years grounded whooping cranes are going to be allowing too finish their migration to Florida, but the FAA never should have interfered to begin with, and needs to JUST BUTT OUT and let this group take care of saving this endangered species.

There is today's episode of "News on the Run" coming to you from DOWNTOWN Mountaindale NY.  I need to go put some sockies on and get on the road....just in time for tonight's ugly weather, having an oil change and putting two new tires on the car.  Have a great day everyone.

Christmas Eve "News on the Run"

A very Merry Christmas one and all...the weather outside for this time of the year is beautiful...the bad news in this, is it is looking very unlikely that Mountaindale and our surrounding area will have a White Christmas.  Depending on your own glass half full/half empty perspective, our weather forecast through Monday is either party cloudy, or partly sunny with highs into the mid 30's...does not matter, Santa Claus will still find a way tonight to visit.

On my own agenda today...Leg of Lamb served with small red Irish potatoes and fresh asparagus.  Going to be a very tasty Christmas Eve meal.

In the big political news of the morning, seems that both Newt Gingrich (who lives in Virginia) and Rick Perry have made a fatal political mistake, and will not be on the primary ballot in the state of Virginia.  This means that Mitt Romney and Ron Paul will battle out for that state's delegates, each of them getting a much larger piece of the pie than was possible yesterday.  For Perry it does not really matter, as he has been an also ran now since two weeks after he entered the race, but for Newt, this is a very costly error that has probably dashed his hopes to be the Republican nominee short of a brokered convention, which is not out of the question for the Republicans in 2012.

New old school Air Jordan's from Nike cause near riots...seriously folks, they are SNEAKERS, getting a pair to wear on Christmas Day not worth what some of you went through.  Secondly, from my own perspective, they are an UGLY shoe.  Lastly, give me a break....those shoes are probably produced in China, Bali or some other off shore manufacturing plant for maybe TEN BUCKS a pair...they are not (IMO) worth the $180 a pair price Nike is asking for them.

Boehner and House Republicans blink on tax cut for middle class...guess when it comes to brinksmanship, this one was a major shipwreck for Republican members of Congress...sad thing about this...the extremist in the Tea Party still do not get it, are upset that Boehner did not continue to hold America hostage.  Perhaps those freshman Tea Party members of the house need to realize they represent ALL THE VOTERS in their districts, not just those in the far right wing of the Republican Party.

WASHINGTON (AP) — With tea party-backed first-termers calling the shots, House Republicans snatched political defeat from the jaws of victory in a year-end showdown over Social Security payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits.

This time, they pushed the country to the brink — and wound up blinking.

"In the end House Republicans felt like they were re-enacting the Alamo, with no reinforcements and our friends shooting at us," said veteran Republican Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas.

My own shopping is done, and I will be staying in today, cooking a beautiful meal, and listening to Christmas music on Pandora (great way to listen to the sounds of the season). For those of you who have put off your shopping till the last minute, WISH YOU LUCK today...the good news, is CNN is saying there are some great last minute bargains waiting for you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Saturday "News on the Run" and Other Stuff

Don't forget to stop by Mountaindale tomorrow to see our Main Street Christmas lights, and enjoy a host of wonderful delights and treats thanks to the Organizatgional Efforts of Janet, owner/instructor at Radiant Yoga.  Some of the fun includes:

• Poetry and Short-Story Reading by Larry Miller and John Miller
• Accoustic Folk Music with Alan Sorensen
• BellyDancing with Ahleana (Lorrie Blank-Frishman)
• Learn to make an origami ornament
• Juggling for Brain Health
• Steve Erny serenades us on the banjo
• LED-lighted Hoopdancing by Sammy Sackstein and
• Magic by the GREAT ZAMBINI!!! (Allen Frishman)Enjoy delicious food.

Please bring a (or three)  non perishable food item too support the Benjamin Cosor Children's Food Pantry.  For more details visit Janet's website.  I will be out and about with my camera during this grand event, so look for a few great pictures on Monday.

Another local reminder...

Catskill Harvest
 Holiday Wine & Cheese Receptions

Saturday Evening, December 17

5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

5% of all sales made during this reception will be donated to our friends at Liberty's C.A.C.H.E.

(Community Action Commission to Help the Economy)

If you are free late this afternoon, early evening this is a fun way to do a bit of last minute shopping while supporting another great Sullivan County charity.

Saturday "News on the Run"

In breaking news on CNN...with my own commentary.  No citizenship check (EVerify) for Illegal Aliens looking for a job, but one congressman (Rep Kingston) wants to do a drug test on all out of work Americans. Drug Screening of Jobless  How about we DRUG TEST ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS?

On the subject of low expectations...Democrats cave to Republicans, give them controversial Pipe Line early approval for a paltry two month extension of Middle Class payroll tax break.

If you need more breaking news today, recommend you visit Google Breaking News as I have to clean my apartment for the Christmas Holidays, do laundry (ugggg) bake more Christmas Cookies, and get myself ready for Mountaindale's Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.

Thursday "News on the Run" For Mountaindale NY

As they say, "Greetings Sports Fans"

We seemed to have dodged a bullet last night with the snow here in our area, Mountaindale getting no more than a dusting, and with the almost balmy weather outside, what little we got is fast melting into a memory. Seriously, this is a perfect shorts and sweater day. Thinking later on it might be a good day to grab the camera and go for a long walk.

Looks like those in the middle class might get a small token tax break courtesy of Governor Cuomo, while the Millionaires and Billionaires (yes, we have a few in New York, and at least one here in Sullivan County) are targeted to pay more.

Under the plan backed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, which the state Senate passed 55-0 Wednesday night and the Assembly approved 130-8 early Thursday, those tax breaks will go to most households with annual earnings of $40,000 to $300,000, or single filers making $20,000 to $150,000 a year.

In a say it ain't so news story, seems momentum is gaining to BAN horse drawn carriage rides in New York City...seems that Animal Rights folks and greedy real estate moguls make for a perfect recipe to ban what has always been a wonderful memory for those in love.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has become ensnared in the debate over the carriages. The group’s chief equine veterinarian, Dr. Pamela Corey, said her supervisors pushed her to slant her conclusions about the death of a carriage horse, to generate sympathy for a ban.

Besides the animal rights campaigners, the industry is facing a classic New York peril: rising real estate values. Developers covet the stables on the Far West Side where the horses have long been kept.

Occupy Wall Street protesters move from park into foreclosed homes...God knows there are plenty enough to go around after Wall Street and the banks CRASHED THE REAL ESTATE MARKET.

“There’s a risk of arrest — I’m willing to take it for the sake of my family and the community,” Alfredo Carrasquillo, 27, said Wednesday at a Vermont St. rowhouse that Occupy Wall Street protesters took over Tuesday. A police cruiser sat parked in the street outside the house as he spoke.

He and a group of about 20 Occupy Wall Street protesters camped out Tuesday night in the abandoned house, whose gate they padlocked. It has been vacant for three years, since Bank of America foreclosed on it, protesters said.

UBER RICH Landlord, and one percent-er (verse the 99 percent) James Harmon has filed a law suit asking that he be excused from the rent stabilization laws. Curious there Mr. One Percent-er, what is that six unit apartment building on the UPPER WEST SIDE worth? As to leaving it to your children and grandchildren unencumbered by rent stabilization...I am guessing with your worth that your children and grandchildren are going to be JUST FINE.

If successful, the legal maneuver could invalidate the city laws governing over 1 million rent-stabilized tenants in the city. But Harmon, a lawyer, said he’s fighting the case for his family.

He said he and his wife would like to pass their building onto their children and grandchildren without them having to inherit the headache of rent stabilization.

Hope everyone enjoys this beautiful day here in downtown Mountaindale.

News on The Run now posted on Mountaindale After Dark

The Wednesday edition of News on The Run is now up and ready to read over on the newest blog in Mountaindale, so please read it over on Mountaindale After Dark. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, and remember...don't eat too much.

News On The Run Moving To Mountaindale After Dark

The new daily edition of "News on The Run" will be moving over too the "Mountaindale After Dark" blog with tomorrow mornings edition per the suggestion of some of our readership. It is hoped that you will enjoy the content of both blogs, and the different perspectives and views found on both.

News On The Run...A New Daily Feature

Below is a feature started on Mountaindale NY News blog that will be featured here on this blog daily starting tomorrow. Stop by each and every day to get your daily fix of news...quick fast and concise.

Tuesday News On The Run

How Much Did it Cost American Tax Payers
Basketball Game on Aircraft Carrier!

WOW....up early (6AM) and it is still dark outside...winter must be near. For those getting ready for the big Thanksgiving Holiday, I strongly encourage you to pick up some Hood's Pumpkin Eggnog from the store...IT IS SO GOOD. Let's get right to Tuesday's News On The Run.

Republicans screw every middle class American, Super Committee Fails...we should all boycott the Republican Debate tonight.

Situation in Egypt getting worse as fight for Tahir Square intensifies.

Turkey's Premier urges Syrian President to step down...can we say, "No fly Zone"?

Obama pays tribute to Country Music...is this really news? Second question...In these troubled economic times, should our taxes be frittered away on such parties?

Sports talk...Pats STOMP Chiefs 34-3

In local news...

Purple Heart Recipient Home for Holidays...let's always honor our troops!

Schumer Pushes For Metro North Bill of Rights...how about pushing a JOBS BILL Charlie?

Saturday News on The Run

Busy day? Catch your news fast as you enjoy your morning Joe with Mountaindale's newest offering, "News on The Run"! Breaking news snippets easily and quickly digested.

The One Percent

News on The Run

Moammar Gadhafi's son, Seif al-Islam, the former heir apparent to the throne in Libya has been captured.

Obama talking up new jobs payoff from his Asia trip. (Comment to Obama...still not enough.)

United Nations bashing latest blood sport among Republicans running for President.

Despite Arab Peace Plan, Syrian troops still attacking citizens.

Pope warns African leaders...do not deprive people. (Note...Wall Street should get same message.)

Natalie Wood detectives have two differing stories. (Comment...do we really care?)

Former Penn State Coach Joe Paterno has lung cancer.

Meanwhile, for those who are sleeping in today, for those who have not yet looked out your windows, the weather outside is brisk but sunny...going to be a beautiful day here in Mountaindale New York.