Community Classes, Open Mics and more at For-Do on Main Street, Delhi

Bushel’s neighbors at FOR-DO — Friends of Recovery of Otsego and Delaware Counties — host an ever-increasing number of community classes, workshops, and events including an Open Mic night several nights per month. Check out their calendar here (scroll down for Delhi’s chapter).

They also offer NARCAN training, which takes less than an hour and can save a life. And you can donate or volunteer your support here.

Resistance Revival Chorus

Saturday, August 6, 7PM
at the West Kortright Centre
49 West Kortright Church Road
East Meredith, NY
This collective of women and non-binary singers join together to breathe joy & song into the resistance and to uplift & center women’s voices.
Advance tickets are recommended as seating is limited; walk-ups are welcome. $30 ($25 WKC members) in advance; $35 ($30 WKC members) day-of. $10 for ages 9-19; free for ages 8 & under. Advance ticketing closes at midnight on Friday, August 5.
Tickets & more information: https://westkc.org/eventbrite-event/resistance-revival-chorus/

Delaware County NY Supports Reproductive Rights – Fundraiser + May 7 Rally

A group of local residents has organized to raise funds to support the National Network of Abortion Funds, and organize a  community-supported raffle. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the NNAF and split among abortion funds nationwide. To donate or participate in the raffle: https://givebutter.com/DelCountySupport

There is also a RALLY on May 7th at noon at the Village Square.

“Utica, the Last Refuge,” a Film Screening at the Stanley Theater in Utica, May 5

The Delaware County Citizens for Refugee Support (DCCRS) will be attending and invites you to join for a film screening of “Utica: The Last Refuge” at the Stanley Theater in Utica on May 5, 7 pm. The event will be a fundraiser for Ukraine and an intro to the work of The Center in Utica, which provides refugee support. For details, go to Utica’s The Center’s website here.

Jessica Farrell artist talk and panel discussion about the mental health crisis in Delaware County

On Saturday, February 19, 4:30 pm, in conjunction with Roxbury Arts Group’s presentation of The Wilderness Diary by Jessica Farrell, there will be a free artist talk and online panel discussion addressing the mental health crisis in our region and ways we can address the disparities in our healthcare system. Please register here for this program: https://roxburyartsgroup.org/event/the-wilderness-diary-2022-02-19/ 

Wed Oct 27, 5-6:30pm: How to Save Local News (We Hope): An Online Roundtable

The River is hosting an online roundtable discussion on new models of local journalism. Panelists include:

  • Tim Bruno, general manager, WJFF Radio Catskill
  • Genia Wickwire, associate publisher, Ulster Publishing
  • Chip Rowe, editor, The Highlands Current
  • Alex Shiffer, publisher, Kingston Wire
  • Tom Zambito, investigative reporter, The Journal News, and member of Hudson Valley News Guild

Moderated by Phillip Pantuso and Lissa Harris of The River

register here.

suggested $5 donation.

Art Exhibit

An Artist’s Soul: Form and Social Conscience

JANET WENTWORTH ERICKSON
A World of Diversity in Watercolor, Pastel, and Oil

July 17 – August 21, 2021
Reception for the Artist:
July 17, Saturday, from 4 – 6 PM

MURAL Art Gallery
631 E. Main Street, Hobart, NY
MURAL Art Gallery, 631 E. Main Street Hobart, New York 13788
Gallery Hours: Saturdays 12PM – 4PM OR BY APPOINTMENT- 607-538-3002

www.muralgallery.org muralmain@gmail.com

NO OD NY – Activists walk 350+ miles to raise funds for overdose prevention

From NO OD NY: Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) are sites where people may use illegal drugs under the supervision of trained staff in order to reduce the risk of death, disease, and incarceration. Governor Cuomo promised an activist coalition that he would greenlight OPCs in Ithaca and New York City in 2018. The pilot program remains unauthorized.

This July, Ryan Carson and a team of activists will walk more than 350 miles across New York state in order to pressure Governor Andrew Cuomo to authorize Safe Injection Facilities in New York state. Along the way, they will host town halls and other public events in order to foster dialogue about the opioid epidemic and raise awareness about the life-saving potential of Safe Injection Facilities. They will stop in cities across the state that have been hard hit by the opioid epidemic, connecting with New Yorkers whose lives have been forever changed by this crisis.

Learn more here, follow the walk here, and support the project by contributing to their GoFundMe here.

Book Announcement: The Petunias are Doing Amazing


The Petunias Are Doing Amazing: A Prison Journal and Plant Care Guide
Bushel hosts virtual monthly meetings of the Inside-Outside Study Group, co-founded by Bushel’s Thursday morning meditation facilitator Molly Yakusan Stevens. Inside-Outside fosters emotional and spiritual connections through prison walls. You can read about their doings here.  And definitely check out this book that has come out of the group: The Petunias Are Doing Amazing: A Prison Journal and Plant Care Guide, by Shane Pema Tenzin Marcantel. All proceeds go to the author’s reentry fund. 

Resources to support Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander lives [via The Poetry Project, NYC]

The following is a working list of organizations that work to advocate for, uplift, and protect Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander lives. Most of these resources were compiled from lists shared by: Jess X. Snow, RISE Indigenous, and Lisa Lowe. Recirculate freely and donate where possible.

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Free bystander intervention training to stop anti-Black harassment and police-sponsored violence

Hollaback! (nonprofit fighting harrassment) offers free, one-hour trainings to give people tools on how to safely intervene when you see police-sponsored, anti-black harassment or violence. They also have bystander intervention trainings specifically geared towards addressing gender harrassment and anti-Asian violence.
More information and registration here.

Support Texas residents

Here are some places to donate to mutual aid groups supporting Texas residents affected by storms, outages, and government neglect. These links are from this live doc, which is continually being updated.

W.I.D.E. #DinnerforaDifference Fundraiser!

WHO:  W.I.D.E is a local group of women promoting inclusivity, diversity and equity in our community through education, literature and the arts. Due to Covid, most of the funding is going to updating the local libraries and classrooms with modern literature that includes multicultural themes and minority voices.

WHAT:  #DinnerforaDifference is an Italian style dinner created by local Chef Deanna D’Angelo (ChefDeanna.com) with food donations by Catskill Regional Harvest. Suggested donation is $25 per plate and features a Farm Fresh Salad, Home Made Manicotti and Meatballs, and Garlic bread.  There is a vegetarian option without the meatballs. There will also be baked goods to buy at pick up to satisfy your sweet tooth, again, by donation.

While the suggested donation is $25/plate, any amount is happily accepted and dinners can also be sponsored. One can pay for a dinner and we will get it to a family in need.

WHEN:  Order today for pick up on Wednesday, January 20th from 4-6PM

WHERE: Two convenient pickup locations in Delhi and Bovina.

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Fri Jan 15: “Police reform, addiction, and mental health” open meeting

From Catskills Addiction Coalition via Delaware County Solidarity:

Friday January 15, 2021 9:00-10:00 a.m., there will be a public/zoom meeting on “The role of law enforcement in recovery friendly communities: Police reform, addiction, and mental health.” Sheriff Dumond is one of the panelists, and it’s being facilitated by Joyce St. George. (Joyce is cc’ed here; you can respond or contact her directly with questions.)  
**This could be a great opportunity to ask Sheriff Dumond your questions/share concerns about policing in Delaware County and/or the ongoing police reform committee being overseen by the county. In spite of state guidance requiring them to do so, Delaware County Board of Supervisors, and chair Tina Mole, have not scheduled any public input meetings on police reform.**

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Mon Jan 18 @11am: Delaware County Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Committee meeting

If you are concerned about the state of policing in Delaware County, this is an opportunity to voice concerns and input. If you are interested in talking about ways to influence this process through more concerted community action, the Delaware County Solidarity Listserv is organizing on the topic.

Event by Delaware County NY Government
Online Event
Monday, January 18, 2021 at 11 AM EST
Price: Free
Public  · Anyone on or off Facebook

The next Delaware County Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 18th, at 11am via Zoom. This meeting will be livestreamed on the Delaware County NY YouTube channel. The YouTube link for the meeting will be shared once generated approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.

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People’s Wellness Initiative

The People’s Wellness Initiative is a network of Catskill, Hudson-Valley and New York City based herbalists offering direct wellness support to individuals and families in Black and Brown communities. Learn more and participate in their GoFundMe campaign here!

From the organizers:

Did you know that :
1 in 920 Black Americans has died of Covid-19 (108.4 deaths per 100,000)
1 in 1,110 Indigenous Americans has died of CV-19 (or 90.0 deaths per 100,000)
1 in 1,360 Latino Americans has died of CV-19 (or 73.5 deaths per 100,000)
1 in 1,450 Pacific Islander Americans has died (or 68.9 deaths per 100,000)
1 in 1,840 White Americans has died of CV-19 (or 54.4 deaths per 100,000)
1 in 2,200 Asian Americans has died (or 45.4 deaths per 100,000)

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Thursday, July 30: March for Black Lives in Delhi

A March to Respect Black Life & the Right to Assemble

Delhi Courthouse, Thursday July 30 at 6 pm

The New York State Sheriff’s Association recently introduced a dangerous legislative agenda, which was supported by six Southern Tier county sheriffs including Delaware County Sheriff Craig Dumond at a July 15th press conference. The sheriffs’ agenda is a callous, dismissive, and outrageous response to local and national demands to respect and value Black life and to respect the rights of free speech and assembly. It calls for a vast expansion of police power, limiting oversight of police, and punishing people who rightfully call attention to police misconduct.

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Abolition Reading Group @ Wendy’s Subway

Wendy’s Subway has organized an ongoing abolition reading group — free on Zoom — which starts this Saturday, July 18. Register here. Readings for the first session are here.

“In this first Abolition Reading Group session, we envision an end to political policing and police violence with Alex S. Vitale and Philip V. McHarris. Join us for an introductory presentation and discussion by Vitale, followed by a moderated reading group conversation with McHarris.”

Programs from Poor People’s Campaign (July 9: Racism in Rural NY)

Racism in Rural NY
Thursday, July 9. 7-9pm
Streaming on Facebook
Join us for a panel discussion about the expressions and impact of racism in rural communities in New York.

This will bring together leaders from four regions of the New York State Poor People’s Campaign (North Country, Central New York, Western Southern Tier, and Eastern Southern Tier) as well as Scipioville Presbyterian Church, Be You and MR Hess Home Works.

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July 10 @5pm: BLM protest in Stamford

Black Lives Matter protest in Stamford NY. Friday, July 10 at 5pm. Meet across from TP’s Cafe.

“Two days ago, menacing racist graffiti was found on an abandoned building in Stamford. It’s been painted over, and a few of us brought flowers and a BLM sign there to counter the ugliness and hate and with beauty and determination. On Friday, the community will gather in a protest for Black lives and racial justice.”

From the Daily Star:https://www.thedailystar.com/news/local_news/racist-graffiti-in-stamford-spurs-probe/article_ccad0bba-8c31-5d23-aab7-4a556e04dfaf.html

Black Hills Legal Defense Fund

From the Black Hills Legal Defense Fund Website:

“On July 3rd, 2020 Indigenous People and our allies were arrested in the process of defending our sacred lands in the Black Hills. Acts of courage and civil disobedience resulted in arrests and criminal charges … As a group of Indigenous people and our allies we made a stand against Donald Trump the President of the United States who made a decision to come to Oceti Sakowin Territory without the free prior and informed consent of the Tribal Nations of the region…At a time of social and racial reckoning in this country Trump has perpetuated a White Supremacist narrative that has further divided the country. As a group of Indigenous People and our allies we are committed to the dismantling of White Supremacy and systemic racism in this country.”

Donate at https://bhlegalfund.org/

Support local Food Justice programs from The 607 CSA

Our partners at the607csa* have just launched three food-justice programs — one to subsidize CSA shares, one to support local food pantries, and one to donate to NYC programs that support healthy food for the city’s BIPOC communities. To read more and donate: https://www.the607csa.com/programs *Bushel is a pick-up location for the CSA, but upstate residents who are not CSA members may order food from the a la carte menu at any time to pick up at Bushel the following Wednesday. Visit the website for more details:  https://www.the607csa.com/

Delaware County Solidarity Listserv

Delaware County Solidarity’s listserve of freewheeling and respectful discussions and information sharing on social issues is looking for more folks to join the over 100 of us here who agree with the following statement:

“Delaware County Solidarity is a group working to promote the awareness of local issues, advance human rights and social justice, and protect the environment through research, advocacy, information sharing, and community-wide events. Delco Solidarity is based in Delaware County, New York.” To apply, contact: cooperativemichael1@gmx.com

6/19 @6pm: Juneteenth Delaware County JUSTICE RIDE FOR BLACK LIVES

This action is organized by Fair For All (FB link here.)

Delaware County
JUSTICE RIDE FOR BLACK LIVES
Juneteenth (Friday, June 19), 6:00 – 8:30 PM

Are you on the freedom side? Join us for a cross-county caravan in support of Black lives and racial justice on Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 when previously enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation.

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June 14 March for Justice (Roxbury)

Sunday, June 14 at 3pm: March for Justice in Roxbury, NY

From the organizers:

“Bring a sign (no profanity, please). We will gather at the south end of Main Street, near Roxbury Wine and Spirits. Marshalls will guide us as we march north, peacefully and with respect for social distancing, along the east side of Main Street to the cemetery.


Marshalls will help us cross there, and we will walk south on the opposite side to Kirkside Park, where we will gather for reflection and speakers.

Everything will proceed with careful adherence to social distancing measures. Wear a mask.”

VOIX NOIRE: COVID-19 Relief for Black and Indigenous communities

Direct your support to Capitol Region-organized Voix Noire. From the website:

“If you are a Black or Indigenous person experiencing hardship during this pandemic, send an email to RonaRationsVoix@gmail.com and include a social media profile link, zip code, delivery address for food/groceries and Cash App or Venmo links. Asks are fulfilled on a first-come first-serve basis and dependent on the resources available through community donations made.

If you are able to donate to the pool for COVID-19 relief you may give to our COVID FundFood Security Pool, or direct cash to Creighton’s Cash App or Venmo. Since March 29, 2020 we have distributed over $26,000 in relief to those affected by COVID-19. Your financial donations are needed to continue the work.”

Read more here: https://voixnoire.com/

Delhi protest Saturday June 6

Organized by GetWoke:

“Join us on Saturday, June 6 at 1pm as we peacefully gather to mourn the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many others at the hands of a racist law enforcement and justice system. This is not only a rally, but also a living, breathing, feeling monument to Black lives and against white supremacy. 


**PLEASE WEAR A MASK & PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING. 


We will meet at the Courthouse Square at 1pm for brief remarks. Following, we’ll disperse to marked points along Main St., which will provide the recommended 6ft social distancing to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Also, this social distancing measure will spread our messages down the length of Main St.
NOTE: As part of this event, a temporary memorial will be in place in the Square from 12-3pm featuring images of 30+ Black victims of police violence. We encourage folks to bring a flower or some other perishable offering to place at the memorial.

Read more on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/196002824896511/


#blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd #getwokecatskills”

Critical Resistance’s Abolitionist Toolkit

From Critical Resistance, founded by Angela Y. Davis and others to combat and abolish the Prison Industrial Complex. Download the toolkit here.

HIS TOOLKIT EMERGED OUT OF DISCUSSIONS THAT BEGAN IN BOSTON IN MARCH 2002. MEMBERS OF CRITICAL RESISTANCE (CR) AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS GATHERED FOR A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON ABOLITIONIST ORGANIZING STRATEGIES. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE AGREED WE NEEDED TO STRENGTHEN OUR WORK WAS A SET OF IDEAS, EXERCISES, AND RESOURCES TO SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE WE ORGANIZE WITH THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE IDEA OF ABOLISHING THE PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX (PIC) AND WOULD HELP US TAKE CONCRETE STEPS TOWARD THAT GOAL.

Free e-book: ‘Who Do You Serve, Who Do You Protect” edited by Joe Macare

This e-book is being offered free by Haymarket Books. Download your copy here.

About the book:

“What is the reality of policing in the United States? Do the police keep anyone safe and secure other than the very wealthy? How do recent police killings of young black people in the United States fit into the historical and global context of anti-blackness?

This collection of reports and essays (the first collaboration between Truthout and Haymarket Books) explores police violence against black, brown, indigenous and other marginalized communities, miscarriages of justice, and failures of token accountability and reform measures. It also makes a compelling and provocative argument against calling the police.”

“Contagion, Capitalism and Resistance” online panel: May 5, 5:00 EST

Today (May 5) at 5pmEST, a discussion hosted by Between the Lines, Verso, A Radical Guide, Melville House, and PM Press, with panelists including Bushel friend and “Signs of the Times” participant L.A. Kaufman. as well as Gary Kinsmen, Dr. OmiSoore H. Dryden, Peter Linebaugh and Timothy Faust.

“While many have pointed to the similarities between the 1918 flu and the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many examples of past health crises that radicals might reflect on when trying to make sense of the current crisis. Most recently, the activist response to the HIV-AIDS crisis offers lessons for how activists might respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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COVID Worker Care Network: mental / spiritual health volunteer network

If you or someone you know is an “essential” worker, you can get free mental / spiritual care through the NYC COVID Worker Care Network.  If you are you are a therapist, counselor, life coach, spiritual care provider, healer, organizer, or trained crisis line volunteer and are willing to donate some time to support essential workers and their families, please consider donating time. You do not need to be located in NYC to receive or give help. (more…)