Newsletter 8/20/19 Topics/Guests on TV Show

Now in our 21st Year! – Heading into our 22nd Year!

 Schenectady / Capital Region Today

www.SchenectadyToday.com

Below you will find listings for our interesting on-air guests for the next four weeks.  Check out the lists below for our great variety of topics.  We start filming at 10 am in THE ADDY THEATRE on Tuesday. A live audience is always welcome and there are plenty of seats. You can meet the guests in person and learn more about their projects or even get involved yourself.

August 20, 2019 – Show #1098

Refugee Welcome Center

Tim Doherty, Executive Director Refugee Welcome Corporation; Sue St. Pierre, ESL Coordinator; Nazar Elamin, Sudanese Neighbor; Farkhonda Rezai, Afghan Neighbor; Aung Soe Way, Burma Neighbor

            More than 4,000 refugees have resettled in the Capital Region since 2005. Language barriers and knowledge of American customs hinder their ability to access programs and services, housing and employment.

            In response, Tim Doherty, a community development advocate and resident of the West Hill Neighborhood, created the Refugee Welcome Corporation. Conceptualized in 2011, the Refugee Welcome Corporation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that brings together local vacant houses with essentially globally homeless people

            Today, with a combination of ownership and leasing, the Corporation houses more than 100 people in 30 residential units across 20 buildings. The majority of these tenancies are single mother-led households.  Recently, the Corporation acquired a commercial building that has become central to collaboration and learning—the West Hill Refugee Welcome Center. The Refugee Welcome Center is a public activity space that accommodates a variety of neighborhood needs and services, including English language classes, student homework help, and public health lessons.

            Tim is bringing guests with him today that will help the viewer understand the nature and function of what their organization does. Sue, the ESL coordinator, had been working with a young mothers’ support organization before joining RWC.  Nazar is starting a Sudanese-Am Cultural Exchange Group and is co-sponsoring a big interstate Youth Soccer Tournament on Labor Day weekend.  Farkhonda is a neighborhood girl. She is her school’s chess champion, a student athlete soccer player and Aung lives in the neighborhood. He participates in RWC kids’ programs.

  • Organization: Refugee Welcome Corporation and Center
  • Mission: Re-building neighborhood community in and thru resettling people who are refugees.
  • Contact Information: 518 603-7608  [email protected]
  • Website: www.RWCWestHill.com

Segment TWO

Historical Reenactor

Don A. Hyman, Actor and Performer

            Over the past 15 years,  Donald “The Soul Man:” has performed as a historical re-enactor at Schuyler Mansion, Schenectady Historical Society, MLK Celebration, Juneteenth, African American Family Day Empire Plaza.  In addition, he can be seen as a colonial era “slave” in the 13 part History Channel series “THE REVOLUTION”

 Upcoming tour “HISTORIC TOUR OF ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY”.

            Walking tour of prominent persons interred in Albany Rural Cemetery. Attendees will be treated to first person presentations at several gravesites along the tour route. Donald “The Soul Man” Hyman will be portraying Judge JAMES MATTHEWS, First African American Judge in NYS

            Don will perform on the show.

  • Event: Historic Tour of Albany Rural Cemetery
  • Location of event: Albany Rural Cemetery (a civil war cemetery established in 1844 on 467 acres)
  • Date/Time: Saturday, Sept 14 from 2 – 4 pm
  • Cost: $20
  • Contact Information: Tickets: www.AlbanyruralCemetery.eventbrite.com
  • Website: www.AlbanyRuralCemetery.org

Segment THREE

Mabee Farm Arts & Crafts Festival

Mary Zawacki, Executive Director

            We’re bringing together the very best of the Capital Region’s handcrafted goods! Join us as 60 artists and crafters fill Mabee Farm with eclectic, beautifully handcrafted items. All items are handmade here in our region, and include jewelry, home decor, fine art, ceramics, soaps, candles, woodworking, and more! $5 admission.

            Also on site are blacksmithing and woodworking demos, art and historic exhibits, nature trails, and tours of the 1705 Mabee farm house & 1760s Dutch Barn.

  • Organization: Schenectady County Historical Society
  • Mission: The Schenectady County Historical Society shares stories, inspires dialogue, and encourages understanding of the history, people, and cultures of Schenectady County.
  • Event: Mabee Farm Arts & Crafts Festival
  • Location of event: Mabee Farm Historic Site (Rotterdam Junction)
  • Date/Time: August 24 from 10 am to 3 pm
  • Cost: $5
  • Instagram: @SchenectadyHistorical
  • Website: www.SchenectadyHistorical.org

Segment FOUR

Caregivers Crisis in America

Lauren Harrington, Community Relations Manager

          The population of seniors is growing as the Baby Boomers pass the age of 65.  The population of caregivers needed for this growing group is not keeping up.  We need to know how we are going to handle this discrepancy, especially as the number of people over the age of 85 continues to grow disproportionally.       

          Our caregivers assist with cooking, cleaning, pet care, assistance with bill paying and paperwork,  companionship, medication reminders, laundry, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, errands, post-surgical help and therapy assistance, and escorted transportation to appointments.  All our caregivers have good, reliable transportation with a good driving history.

  • Organization: Touching Hearts at Home
  • Mission: Touching Hearts at Home is companionship home care business.  Our goal is to provide top quality caregivers to assist senior citizens and people living with other abilities, so they can remain in the home of their choosing for as long as possible. 
  • Event: Caregiver Crisis in America
  • Website: www.TouchingHearts.com/CapitalDistrict

Segment FIVE

Author “The Blacksmith: Vengeance Trail”

Bryan Salisbury, Blacksmith. Artist, Author

          Bryan is the author of two books. The first one: The Blacksmith” and his newest one “The Blacksmith:

Vengeance Trail”. As a blacksmith himself, he enjoys the challenge of his “one of a kind” custom orders, but is happy to create customer favorites… even using the shoes of a treasured horse when required.

Segment SIX

Film: Cradle

Prince Sprauve, Director and Filmmaker

            Inspired by true stories, Cradle follows the intertwining paths of Chante, Clara, Hector, Vivi, Shawn, and Layla as they cope with unexpected pregnancy, shattered dreams, and the effects of drugs and violence. Filmed in and around Schenectady, Cradle gives a no-holds-barred look at what life is like in and out of high school. This film is Rated R for language, violence and drug use.

            The World Premiere was held here in July 2019

  • Organization: Told By Us Productions
  • Mission: Told By Us Productions was founded by Prince Sprauve. Their aim is to explore and communicate social challenges from the perspective of youth through the production of film and music. It is an artistic platform that promotes narratives that are often overlooked and unheard.

Upcoming Shows            

August 27, 2019 Show #1099

(Topics listed alphabetically – subject to change)

Carrot Festival at Agudat Achim (Event Sept 8)

               Hillary Fink

               Madison VanDenburg – Finalist in American Idol

               Reptile Adventures – representative with “friends”

Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corp – Festival Coming up

               Amy Sonder, Promotions Coordinator

               Jason Lecuyer, Schenectady County Events

14th Annual Little Italy Street Festival (Event Sept 7)

               Doreen Ditoro

               Additional Guests?

Place for Jazz – Fall Concert Series (Starts on Sept. 6)

               Tim Coakley

Schenectady Job Fair (Event Sept 4)

               Peter Jones

               Additional Guests?

September 3, 2019 Show #1100

(Topics listed alphabetically – subject to change)

Albany Civic Theater “The Heiress” (Event Opens Sept 6)

               Evan Jones, Director       

               Ron Weber “Dr. Austin Sloper”

               Susan Dantz “Lavinia Penniman

American Italian Heritage Museum

               Prof Philip DiNovo, Director

               Additional Guests?

Animal Protective Foundation “Bark & Brew (Event

               Nancy Benz, senior Director of Development

               Alyssa Nealon, Development Associate

Lustgarten Foundation – Pancreatic Research Walk “Sweet Sixteenth” (Event Sept 15)

               Neil Piper, Organizer

               Shari Piper, Organizer

Schenectady Schools – Athletic Hall of Fame

               Bob Pezzano, Organizer

               Willie Deane, 2019 SCSD-HOF Inductee

               Mike Petrolle, Nephew of 2019 SCSD-HOF Inductee Billy Petrolle (deceased)

               Don Blaha – Member undefeated 1959 Mt Pleasant HS Track & Field Team also SCSD HOF Member

Sunnyview Hospital Auxiliary Fundraiser – Fashion Show (Event Sept 16)

               Loretta Moore, President (email address required)

               Judy Nocera, Sunnyview Auxiliary Board Member

               Michael O’Hara, Executive Director Sunnyview Hospital Foundation

September 10, 2019 Show #1101

(Topics listed alphabetically – subject to change)

Beekman Boys – Sharon Springs 10th Annual Harvest Festival (Event Sept 14-15)

               Alan Edstrom, Events Manager

Empire State Aerosciences Museum

               Kevin Millington, Board Member

               Additional Guests?

Habitat for Humanity – Build a Bash (Event 9/26)

               Madelyn Thorne, Executive Director

               Additional Guests?

Jan’s Wanderings – Topic TBA

               Janice Walz

Schenectady Light Opera “The Addams Family (Sept 20-29)

               Guests TBA

               James Alexander, Director

Story Circle at Proctors – Fall Season

               Kate Dudding, Storyteller

About the author

Schenectady Today

Now in our 17th Year of giving voice to Capital District / Tech Valley communities. To receive our weekly announcements & guest list by e-mail, send your name & e-mail address to: [email protected] How to watch the Show: Live Streaming on the web when aired on Channel 16 in Schenectady County: http://www.OpenStageMedia.com Schenectady County — Channel 16– starting on Wed. 10 am and 6 pm and continuing throughout the week depending on time availability Now on FIOS in Sch’dy – on Channel 36 – see above for times: Amsterdam – Channel 16 – Tuesday 3 pm (one week later) Albany (City) – Channel 18 on ChannelAlbany on Sunday at 5 pm – Same week as filmed Albany County, Clifton Park, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Troy — Time Warner Cable – Regional Public Access –– Tuesday 3 pm (one week later) Bethlehem/Delmar – Channel 18 – Wednesday 2:30 pm. (One week later) We can also be found on Facebook: Schenectady Today – In & Around the Capital Region. Please join our page. You can also watch many show segments, read about guests and browse / search our archives, here on the site. Show Content: The show usually includes six segments with a variety of guests interviewed each week. Regular guests include Representatives from the Animal Protective Foundation; faculty from the various area institutions of higher learning discussing health and community issues; Representatives from City, County and State agencies; actors and directors from the theREP, Proctors Theatre, Circle Theatre Players at Sand Lake Center for the Arts, Schenectady Civic Players, Schenectady Light Opera, Albany Civic Players, Classic Theater Guild, and many other area theatrical groups; Tax Specialists from the Internal Revenue Service (during tax season); Representatives from Schenectady County Library; area museums including miSci & ESAM and many area non-profit organizations. We also try to highlight local artists and musicians whenever possible.