For those of us of a certain age (graying, balding, thickening) and political persuasion (left leaning) annual Pete Seeger concerts were a rite of childhood, a chance to see absent friends and to bask in the dynamic force of Pete's personality and musical energy. As we've aged many of us have kept up and renewed the Pete Seeger watch at the Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival Festival each June.

Now, Pete is 90 years old and a Madison Square Garden Concert is planned for May 3, 2009. The concert starts at 5 PM both to accommodate us Alter Kockers who can't stay out late and to allow an unending list of musicians to perform in Pete's honor. In my, somewhat eccentric, circle rumors of ticket sales were flying long ago and schemes were concocted to get seats or the best seats, or seats together. Performers and (as it turns out, of course) American Express card holders got first dibs on Monday March 23. Clearwater activists and members were allowed to order with a secret code (swordfish?) beginning on Wednesday. It's been a frenzied affair. People trading tickets, buying extra etc.

More than 40 artists are performing including Pete, Bruce Springsteen, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Dar Williams -- the list goes on and on. Check it out for yourself.  read more »

Helping to put on the Hudson Valley Pedal, a week long mass (150) bicycle tour from Albany to the Battery (-- well, actually to the Seaport) was an eye-opener. I did chores like cutting fruit, helping to pitch tents and rescuing tired riders. I knew the route well from a car, but seeing the Hudson and its countryside at bike-level was brand new. We visited mansions and farms (ripening apples & ripe corn), talked to farmers who hated Bush’s immigration rules which threaten the harvest (See an interesting NY Times report on this here.). We saw the Clearwater, climbed Bear Mountain, toured West Point (great breakfast at the Thayer Hotel).

Since you can’t go on that trip ‘til next year and may hate biking and camping, consider driving to Scenic Hudson’s Day Long Festival this Saturday, August 25, 2007. Free food, music and fun . It’s in three widely separated parks, so a car would be handy. Do try to RSVP, so they’ll know how much food and drink to bring.  read more »