November 2020
This month we explore New Paltz, the future of telemedicine, talk with Naima Penniman at Soul Fire Farm, learn about the Repair Revolution, and peruse illustrator John Cuneo’s sketchbook.
Cover Story
On the Cover: Kevin Frank’s Figurine Series | November 2020
Birth of the New Man is part of Frank’s Figurine Series, a collection of realist paintings depicting porcelain figurines he’s collected.
Coronavirus Roundup: With Hospitals in Trouble, Cuomo Warns of Potential Pause
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Saturday, November 28 through Monday, November 30. Published in collaboration with The Other Hudson Valley. NEW YORK STATE6,819 new cases yesterday148,974 tests yesterdayPositive test rate: 4.58%57 deaths yesterday3,532 hospitalizations681 ICU admissionsNew York State coronavirus pageNew…
Holiday Events and More in the Hudson Valley This Week
The holiday season is upon us with full force. Enjoy these safety-minded activities.
Some Assembly Required: A Guide to Finding Local COVID-19 Information
This guide is our holiday present to regular readers of The River’s local coronavirus news roundups, many of whom have been following along with us since we began running our local pandemic coverage in mid-March. Today, we’re taking the day off for a little holiday downtime. But COVID-19 doesn’t rest, and we know people want…
Coronavirus Roundup: New York State’s Winter Plan Takes Shape
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25. Published in collaboration with The Other Hudson Valley. NEW YORK STATE6,265 new cases yesterday173,085 tests yesterdayPositive test rate: 3.62%41 deaths yesterday2,982 hospitalizations596 ICU admissionsNew York State coronavirus pageNew…
Have Tourists Helped Keep the Hudson Valley Economy Afloat (For Now)?
As stores across the New York were boarded up during the spring pandemic wave, sales plummeted, and a major source of revenue for the state and local governments dried up with it. Sales tax revenues statewide dropped more than 24 percent in April, according to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF).…
Urban Removal: Kingston’s Housing Crisis
We have the fastest-growing real estate market in the country right now,” says Jared Ashdown as we enter Rough Draft Bar & Books in Kingston. “It’s not just for people who want to escape the city. It’s for people who want a second home or that Airbnb action.” It was early October, and Ashdown and…
Coronavirus Roundup: A Week That Will Test Our Fortitude
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Saturday, November 21 through Monday, November 23. Published in collaboration with The Other Hudson Valley. NEW YORK STATE5,906 new cases yesterday191,489 tests yesterdayPositive test rate: 3.08%33 deaths yesterday2,724 hospitalizations545 ICU admissionsNew York State coronavirus pageNew…
Gobble Up These Hudson Valley Events
Here are some suitable events to check out as November winds down.
Coronavirus Roundup: Microclusters Multiply in Orange, Westchester
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20. Published in collaboration with The Other Hudson Valley. NEW YORK STATE5,468 new cases yesterday205,466 tests yesterdayPositive test rate: 2.66%35 deaths yesterday2,348 hospitalizations445 ICU admissionsNew York State coronavirus pageNew…
The Challenge of Affordable Housing in the Hudson Valley
In February of this year, a group of investors purchased the Luckey Platt Building in downtown Poughkeepsie. Once a thriving department store, the 1920s Classical Revival structure had lain vacant for a quarter of a century before it was converted into a mixed-use complex with 143 apartments in 2008. Today, the building is getting yet…
Coronavirus Roundup Quantifying the Fall Surge in the Hudson Valley and Catskills
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Tuesday, November 17 and Wednesday, November 18. Published in collaboration with The Other Hudson Valley. NEW YORK STATE5,294 new cases yesterday154,434 tests yesterdayPositive test rate: 3.43%36 deaths yesterday2,202 hospitalizations423 ICU admissionsNew York State coronavirus pageNew…
Coronavirus Roundup: Calls Grow Louder for Equal Distribution of Vaccine
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Saturday, November 14 through Monday, November 16. Published in collaboration with The Other Hudson Valley. NEW YORK STATE3,490 new cases yesterday124,565 tests yesterdayPositive test rate: 2.80%26 deaths yesterday1,968 hospitalizations391 ICU admissionsNew York State coronavirus pageNew…
This Week’s Roundup of Hudson Valley Events
As you revel in the post-election glow and play it safe against the uptick in COVID, why not consider these socially distanced events?
Liberation on the Land: Soul Fire Farm
Soul Fire Farm is a BIPOC-centered community farm committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system. It was launched in 2010 on 72 acres in Petersburg by Leah Penniman and Jonah Vitale-Wolff. Soul Fire is a sustainable, certified naturally grown farm that addresses disparities in land ownership and access to produce by offering…
Coronavirus Roundup: Trump Threatens to Withhold Vaccine from New York
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13. Published in collaboration with The Other Hudson Valley. Note: On November 19, we’re hosting a Zoom conversation with panel guests from the public health, local business, and community…
Did the Public Have a Fair Say in the Closure of the Village of Rhinebeck’s Court?
On the evening of September 21, the Village of Rhinebeck’s Board of Trustees voted four to one in favor of a resolution “to abolish the Justice Court.” Couched as it is in the language of police and prison abolition, the resolution was in fact perfectly in line with the status quo of municipal austerity: In…
Coronavirus Roundup: New Restrictions on Restaurants, Gatherings as Cases Soar
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Tuesday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 11. Note: On November 19, we’re hosting a Zoom conversation with panel guests from the public health, local business, and community service worlds, and will answer audience questions about…
Coronavirus Roundup: Pfizer Claims Its Vaccine Works. What Does It Mean For Us?
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Saturday, November 7 through Monday, November 9. NEW YORK STATE3,144 new cases yesterday111,416 tests yesterdayPositive test rate: 2.82%26 deaths yesterday1,444 hospitalizations282 ICU admissionsNew York State coronavirus pageNew York State official pressroomHotline: (888) 364-3065 On Monday,…
Right in Time: A Q&A with Lucinda Williams
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter pays homage to the songs of other greats in a livestream series benefitting shuttered music halls that continues with a November 12 concert.
Officer Involved in Recent Killing Accused of Excessive Force in Previous Case
On the evening of March 27, residents of Newburgh took to the streets to mourn Tyrell “Rex” Fincher, who had been killed by officers with the City of Newburgh Police Department just hours earlier. The outpouring of anger and grief found form in anti-police slogans and a fire set at an empty intersection. Local politicians,…
Coronavirus Roundup: Cluster Maps Change As Infection Rates Worsen Upstate
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Tuesday, November 3 through Friday, November 6. NEW YORK STATE3,209 cases yesterday160,705 tests yesterdayPositive test rate: 2%18 deaths yesterday1,321 hospitalizations285 ICU admissionsNew York State coronavirus pageNew York State official pressroomHotline: (888) 364-3065 For much of…
Local Races Mired in Uncertainty, With Long Wait Ahead for Absentee Votes
The fog of uncertainty currently shrouding the Presidential race has also fallen over the Hudson Valley and Catskills, and its source is the same: an unprecedented number of absentee ballots. In some counties, a quarter of voters are casting ballots by mail, which means that any race that was not a blowout after early voting…
2020 Hudson Jazz Festival Postponed
This year’s Hudson Jazz Festival honors the music of Alice and John Coltrane.
Coronavirus Roundup: With Cases Rising, New York Changes Travel Rules
This is a roundup of coronavirus news and announcements from New York State and Hudson Valley and Catskills counties for Saturday, October 31 through Monday, November 2. Programming note: On Wednesday, our small editorial team will be devoting its resources to bringing readers post-election coverage, including who won local and state races. As such, we…
Enjoy This Week’s Hudson Valley Events
Looking for some ways to decompress? Us, too. Check out these choice local distractions.
Esteemed Reader | November 2020
Publisher Jason Stern talks about noticing quick reactions that takes one out of the moment, and how to yield to where he is to be able to face the moment with love.
Telemedicine Comes of Age
It’s plain to see that telemedicine is having an explosive moment. While virtual healthcare is not new, we’ve seen a 13,000 percent increase in telehealth since the pandemic started, and the model is likely here to stay.
Hudson Valley Votes Virtual Concert and Rally Brings Big Names to Kingston
Scenes from the Hudson Valley Votes concert at Hutton Brickyard that was broadcast on October 17.
Virgo Horoscope | November 2020
-confusions untangle into manageable and actionable information.
Big Sky Country: Sky Hopinka Exhibits at CCS Bard
Sky Hopinka, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, exhibits a work including a new commissioned piece filmed around the Hudson Valley, in this solo museum exhibition at CCS Bard.
“We Wear the Mask” at the Dorsky Museum | Through 11/22
Jean-Marc Superville-Sovak curates “We Wear the Mask,” an exhibition exploring race and representation in the permanent collection of the Dorsky Museum.
Scorpio Horoscope | November 2020
If you’ve worked consciously on communicating with integrity, you’re empowered to speak some life changing, magical words…
We, Not Me: New Paltz Pulls Together in the Pandemic
To the familiar list of New Paltz assets—glorious surroundings, university campus, recreational opportunities, rich and eagerly explored history, bangin’ good restaurants—we can now add another that seems to be, sadly, in short supply these days: common sense and collaboration.
An Excerpt From Repair Revolution
Since the world’s first Repair Cafe was held in Amsterdam in 2009, the fix-it movement has swept across the globe. One early adopting community was New Paltz. Its founder, John Wackman, teams up Elizabeth Knight to document the culture of thrift and resilience in Repair Revolution (New World Library).
Dedication at Dedrick’s
Small-town service is the heart of Dedrick’s Pharmacy and Gift Shop in New Paltz.
Sagittarius Horoscope | November 2020
You’ve transformed your personal values into something of external, measurable, and quantifiable worth.
Soul Fire Farm: A Small Farm with a Radical Racial Justice Mission
We talk with Naima Penniman, program director director at Soul Fire Farm, about the BIPOC-centered community farm’s efforts to end racism and injustice in the food system through training and creating equitable food distribution networks.Words by Naima Penniman, interviewed by Elodie Tacnet
Sketchbook: John Cuneo
Illustrator John Cuneo shows off some sketches from his latest sketchbook.
November 2020 Astrology Forecast
Lorelai Kude scans the skies and plots our horoscopes for November.
Capricorn Horoscope | November 2020
Communication confusion threaten structures and security, but don’t panic.
Winter is Coming: Hudson Valley Restaurants Prep for a Cold, Cold Season
Since the pandemic arrived on US soil in March, one in six restaurants nationwide has permanently closed. While the picture is not that dire in the Hudson Valley, winter will present real challenges for restaurateurs.
Taurus Horoscope | October 2020
-find common ground and maintain harmony with loved ones.
Aquarius Horoscope | November 2020
–enabling a reset of the deep disconnect you’ve found between your public and private life.
Capture This: Hudson Carbon Offers a Carbon Offset Market Direct to Consumers
Carbon capture at Stone House Farm in Columbia County.
Parting Shot: The Remains of Captain Dixie Kiefer’s Plane | November 2020
Learn about Don Keith and David Rocco’s book The Indestructible Man: The True Story of World War II Hero.
Gemini Horoscope | November 2020
Internal tensions must be resolved through unflinching and utterly ruthless honesty with yourself.
Album Review: Jeff Cosgrove/John Medeski/Jeff Lederer | History Gets Ahead of the Story
Album reviews of History Gets Ahead of the Story by Jeff Cosgrove/John Medeski/Jeff Lederer.
6 Hudson Valley Exhibitions To Check Out This Month
Gallery listings plus highlights from our favorite exhibitions this month.
Chronogram Conversation Recap: Summertime and the Drinkin’ Is Easy
Chronogram held a virtual conversation with select Hudson Valley craft beverage producers.
Cancer Horoscope | November 2020
—root out subconscious impediments, and right the ship of state.
A Home Fit for James Bond
The Hudson Valley’s Sylvan Rock Redefines the Luxury Rural Retreat.
Album Review: Ken Fox & Knock Yourself Out
Album reviews of Ken Fox & Knock Yourself Out.
Leo Horoscope | November 2020
The possibilities unlocked during the square of your planetary ruler to your natal Sun herald tremendous creative opportunity.
Gone to the Dogs: Two Writers Design Pup-Friendly Abode in the Woods
Writers Alexandra Horowitz and Ammon Shea have created a domestic sanctuary for animals and humans in the Taghkanic woods.
