August 6, 2021 - In this issue:

Mayor's Message

Latest Covid-19 Information

City of Kingston New Covid Protocols

Celebration of the Arts - Kickoff Tomorrow

Kingston Veterans Association Tomb Replica

Ending Gun Violence in NY Job Training Initiative

Air Quality in the City of Kingston

Center for Creative Education Outdoor Movie

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show

A Message From Mayor Steve Noble: Dear Friends, We are following closely the recommendations of local and national health officials, especially in regard to the rapidly-spreading Delta variant. We announced new protocols in City buildings for the protection of our employees and visitors, and we ask the public’s cooperation in following these new guidelines. The CDC is recommending everyone wear masks indoors, but there are currently no mandates. This week, we're providing information for several community events - all of which take place outdoors. We hope everyone will enjoy these events safely! -Steve

COVID-19 Information There are 193 active Covid-19 cases in Ulster County, 10 in Kingston, and there have been 267 deaths across the County. More local resources at Ulster County Covid-19 Information Visit covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/ for information on vaccine centers. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is now accepting applications. Details here. Funding Still Available: New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program provides flexible grant assistance to small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in New York who have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Apply here! Launch of $35 Million Restaurant Return-to-Work Tax Credit Program initiative will provide financial relief to restaurants that rapidly hire workers. Restaurants may qualify for up to $50,000 in tax credits. More information and application available here.

New City of Kingston Building & Staff Covid Protocols

New Covid protocols will be put into place for City of Kingston buildings and staff starting Monday, August 9.   Due to an escalation in Covid-19 cases in the City of Kingston and Ulster County, and in consultation with State and local health officials, all unvaccinated City of Kingston employees will be required to undergo weekly Covid-19 testing. In addition, all visitors to City buildings will be required to sign-in before entering, and unvaccinated visitors will be required to wear a mask. Municipal buildings remain fully open to the public at this time.   The CDC has recommended all individuals wear a mask indoors based on recent case counts in Ulster County. At this time, State, County and local government are not mandating masks outside of municipal buildings but are sharing the recommendations from the CDC.

Midtown Arts District (MAD) Celebration of the Arts

Midtown Arts District will kick off the Celebration of the Arts at Barmann Park at 10:00am Saturday, August 7. Mayor Noble will open the week-long festivities followed by a free performance by Arm-of-the-Sea, a Hudson Valley touring puppet and mask company. The kickoff event will include live outdoor performances by SED (trio with David Gonzalez, Steve Gorn and Evry Mann) and Rene Bailey and the Saints of Swing. Bring a blanket or chair to enjoy this free celebration.   The 2021 Red Goat Awardees are Mariaelena Ferrer, Rick Whalen & Susan Whelan. The Todd Samara Art Fund Awardee will be announced Saturday.

Kingston Veterans Association Replica The Kingston Veterans Association (KVA) will be hosting a display of a half-scale replica of the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier at the VFW on the by-pass in Kingston on August 6, 7, and 8, 2021.  The event is free to the public and will be open from 10am to 6pm. Personnel will be on hand to give a talk about the Tomb each hour and to answer questions. For further information contact Kingston Veterans Association Chairman Bill Forte at 845-399-0414.

Ending Gun Violence in New York: Job Training The City of Kingston is eligible for funding for summer youth job programs, long-term workforce training and job placement programs in a new statewide initiative for areas impacted by gun violence. The programs focus on young people aged 14 to 24 who are from the local neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence. Click below for more info.

Air Quality in the City of Kingston

The Kingston Air Quality Initiative (KAQI), in collaboration with the Community Science Lab at Bard College, has been tracking air quality with a focus on fine particulate matter in the City of Kingston since January 2020, and has been monitoring the effects of the western wildfires. Wildfires each season are driven by natural factors such as fuel availability, temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, the location of lightning strikes, as well as anthropogenic factors. Aside from their ecological and socio-economic impacts, wildfires pose a huge threat to air quality. Known pollutants attributed to wildfires include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), and black carbon (BC), which are associated with poor human health impacts at high exposure. According to the American Lung Association, breathing biomass smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing as well and cause both heart and asthma attacks. In severe cases, it can cause premature death.   The week of July 19, New Yorkers noticed a particularly hazy quality to the air. It was difficult to see the other ends of bridges, and people noted experiencing shortness of breath. Officials issued an air quality warning for the entire state, due to fine particulate matter that had travelled over 3000 miles eastward and reached ground level. To see the KAQI readings and learn more about what we can do on a local level, visit https://www.kingston-ny.gov/wildfires.

"Red sun" on the Hudson River, July 20. Smoke particles from West Coast wildfires were large enough to scatter the sun’s blue light rays, making it appear red to the human eye. Photo courtesy of Ilana Berger.

Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show This week, Mayor Noble talked with Emily Flynn, the City of Kingston's Director of Health and Wellness on his weekly radio show, which can be heard live on Radio Kingston and the City of Kingston Facebook on Tuesdays at 5:00pm. Though Mayor Noble has been enjoying hosting guests in the brand new Radio Kingston studio, next week the show will return to a virtual format. Click below to hear his conversation with Emily Flynn as they discuss the Pedestrian Bicycle Master Plan, a $1.5million health grant and more!

Music in the Parks Bands Announced

Music in the Parks is returning in 2021 with two evenings of outdoor performances by talented local musicians in Kingston's beautiful TR Gallo Park. Music in the Parks is family friendly, free, and open to the public. This year, Music in the Parks will be teaming up with Movies Under the Stars on Saturday, August 14 and Saturday, August 28. Both music events will start at 7:00pm, followed by a movie at 8:30pm. August 14th, 2021 Future 350 Nu Bossa - 7:00 PM Jumanji - 8:30 PM Local band Future350 Nu Bossa combines Afro Brazilian Tropicana with western Nu music, with songs rich in inspiring story. The band includes classical guitar, vocal, congas, accordion, upright bass and percussion.   August 28th, 2021 Club Swing - 7:00 PM Raya & the Last Dragon - 8:30 PM Club Swing is a swing band comprised of professional musicians from the Hudson Valley. Their focus is danceable music from the 20's on.

Center for Creative Education Outdoor Movie Event

Kingston 311 The Kingston 311 app, website and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests. The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations.  This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Issues with snow removal and reporting of vehicles and sidewalks not in accordance with the Snow Emergency restrictions can also be submitted via Kingston 311. Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us.

Sent on behalf of: Mayor Steven T. Noble 845.334.3902 mayor@kingston-ny.gov The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit: www.kingston-ny.gov

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